you meet. I t will seem as though the stars in heaven were singing its eter nal message as well. Read it on your knees, marking the passages as you go. I guarantee you’ll be a different man before thirty days have elapsed.” Those are practical thoughts we should all do well to emulate. Paul exhorts us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” You see, it’s one thing to go through the Bible, but it’s quite another to let the Bible go through you! * * * Those who spend time on their knees will have no trouble standing on their feet. * * * TRUE FORGIVENESS Do you know what three words philosophers claim to be the most price less? You’re right, if you said, “I love you.” But do you likewise have any idea which three are the most difficult to say? They’re, “I am sorry.” Try it 8ometime, especially when you think 'jjou’re right. Too often, even among Christians, there’s an unforgiving and hostile attitude toward others, and this is often true when there’s no reason for it. A little boy’s mother had to administer punishment to her son who persisted in being naughty. When bed time came, Johnny was still unhappy and wanted to let his mother know that he hadn’t forgiven her. In saying his prayer8, he carefully asked a blessing upon each member of the family, as well as other relatives and playmates, but conspicuously excluded his mother. When he had finished, he grudgingly whimpered, “Mom, I suppose you no ticed you weren’t included!” This cer tainly hurt and touched the mother’s heart. Before long, with both in tears, the troubles were melted away. How sad and tragic that we harbor ill feel ings, failing to forgive and to forget. How easy it is to pray, “Forgive us our debts [or sins] as we forgive those who sin against us.” Have you ever wondered what would happen if God did forgive us in the same manner that we sometimes expunge the record of others? The explicit exhortation of Scripture is “Forbearing one another, arid forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” 28
how embarrassed the gossiper was! He vainly endeavored to justify his ac tions, at the same time still lacking any real degree of remorse or humility. The faithful Christian went on: “I wonder if you’d mind getting down on your knees with me so that together we can pray about these things? I want to accept your criticism so I can see m y . faults, and ask the Lord to de liver me. Do you mind praying for me?” Finally such a warm and sincere rebuke found its mark. The guilty man, with tears in his eyes, asked his Christian brother for forgiveness. He frankly admitted: “I f I had only prayed first instead of waiting until now, all of these hard feelings would never have been created.” Before you talk to someone about another, speak first to the Lord. Ask Him to reveal problems which you yourself experi ence. Remember the best way to forget the faults of others is to concentrate on your own. * * * Too many people grumble because they don't get what they want when they should actually thank God that they're not' getting what they deserve. / * / / TRUE BIBLE READING / / When was the last time you felt dis couraged or depressed? No one is ex empt from this for we’re all human. Biola’s first Dean, Dr. R. A. Torrey, the noted evangelist, with a world-wide ministry, told about the fellow Bible teacher and conference speaker who came to him, confessing, “I ’m a com plete failure. I have to admit that the Word of God is as dry as dust to me. I don’t have any choice. Either I have to cease being a Christian worker or else find some means whereby I can love the Bible more. What’s the secret? How can this be done? What way do you study it in order to make it mean ingful and practical?” This minister was not alone in his feelings. Young people often express similar sentiments. Here was Dr. Torrey’s practical solu tion, relevant for today’s need as well. “Make more of a point of Bible study. Select one particular book and read it ten or twelve times a day for an entire month. Any epistle will do; for a starter, try Second Peter. Pretty soon you’ll be talking that book to everyone
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