FOLLY OF SELF EFFORT Some years ago, the Royal Charter, a large ship, set a sad mark in maritime history. The vessel was in great trouble. Her engines had broken down and she was facing a perilous storm. A friendly neighboring ship offered to tow the Royal Charter to port. When asked how much it would cost, however, the captain con sidered the terms and replied simply, “I cannot accept your price. We’ll make it on our own." Within 2J, hours the Royal Charter had gone down with a loss Of over U00 lives. They had tried to make it to safety without any help. How fool ish and tragic was the Captain’s deci sion. The world’s choice was made when in the long ago the crowd cried, “Crucify Him, crucify Him." The difference be tween this illustration of the ship and eternal life is the fact that there is no price to be paid to be rescued in order that we might be taken safely into the haven of rest. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation. That price was paid fully on Calvary’s Cross. But our wonderful Lord has given eternal life through Jesus Christ. In Bible times a jailer witnessed the miraculous deliver ance of the Apostle from jail. In fear and trembling he asked pointedly, “What must I do to be savedV’ Whereupon the answer came then, as it must come even more emphatically today, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."
arrived home from work one night tired and hungry. He expected a good dinner on the table, but nothing wap in sight. His wife greeted him by saying, “Darl ing, there’s nothing we can do but go out and eat. I couldn’t fix anything be cause the electricity’s been off." Already frustrated from fighting the freeway jam he exasperatedly complained, “Elec tricity? Don’t you know that we have a gas range?" The wife smiled demurely and almost innocently responded, “Why of course I know that. But don’t forget we have an electric can openerl” Luxu ries have now become necessities. To do something causing extra work is out of the question. This same sentiment has also possessed the church and its mis sionary program. Pray for Our Biola stu dents who are committed to go whereso ever the Lord may call. * * * The reason for an unsatisfied life is, too often, an unsurrendered will. * * * TAKE T IM E These are frantically rushed days in which we are living. There seems little time to meet with the Lord for personal communion and fellowship. It is like the man who was arduously chopping wood. Perspiration stood out on his forehead for he was working hard. A friend came by and noted that his main problem was his dull axe. “Why don’t you stop to sharpen it?" the neighbor wanted to know. The foolish man responded be tween blows, “Sharpen my axe? Why, of course not. This job’s hard enough now without taking the time to stop and sharpen the axel" How much this is like most of us. We find life difficult with many problem circumstances facing us. Yet we have no time to stop and “sharpen our axe” by meeting with the Lord. 26
When you give in to God, God wilt give out to you. * * *
LIFE'S ESSENTIALS So many become complacent with all of the luxuries and conveniences with which we are surrounded. A husband
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker