TRUE DEDICATION Several soldiers were summoned to their commanding officer’s tent. While they stood at attention he informed them, “You men have been selected for an im portant mission. It’s not that we desire to expose you to danger or possible death, but it’s because we believe you to be able to perform this strategic task!” What a compliment! As we look at these hundreds of young men and women in Biota’s five schools, we realize that our Lord Jesus Christ has had a dis tinct purpose in selecting them to be His ambassadors, not only here at home, but also across the seas, carrying on a posi tive witness for Christ. * * * Wearing your halo too tightly will give othera a headache, too. * * * COM PAN ION SH IP In a certain home, when the evening meal had been finished, mother asked her young son to stay and keep her company. This he was glad to do until the child heard the sound of his playmates call ing. His mind changed quickly. His mother asked, as he headed for the door, “Don’t you think I’ll be lonely?” The lad thought a moment and then quickly an swered, “No, mommie, you won’t be lonely. You’ll still have God and all those dirty dishes!” Is this the way we some times treat the Lord? We are more inter ested in our friends and other things to spend any real time with God through prayer, praise, and the reading of His word. A certain woman died in early life due to malnutrition, neglect and abuse from her drunken husband. A t her death, however, he hypocritically insisted upon a very expensive casket and ordered a floral piece costing more than $100. It bore a fancy ribbon with the inscrip tion, “Love, from your devoted hus band.” What a shallow mockery. Do you see the fallacy of such reasoning? How can we expect to enjoy the fellowship of God in heaven when we don’t take the time to meet with Him down here on earth? I f there is no power or victory in your daily existence, ask yourself, “How long has it been since I have really spent any significant time with the Lord?" “Where prayer focuses, power falls!” * * * Many a man tarnishes his victories by the way in which he displays them.
Dr. Ralph L. Keiper (left), prepares broadcasts with Dr. Lloyd T. Andersen, "BIOLA HOUR" radio teacher.
A LL WE NEED A little girl was given the opportu nity to recite the 23rd Psalm for the church’s Sunday school program. She had rehearsed it beautifully at home, however, up in front of all those people, she became speechless and frightened. All she could say was, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Her teacher tried to whisper it to her, but she just couldn’t get it. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. Starting again, she tried, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Still it wouldn’t come. Then, just before run ning off the platform she hastily added, “And that’ll be enough for now!" The people smiled and then they broke out in applause. They realized the truth of what the child had suggested. I f the Lord is our Shepherd, we thereby have no need. He is the God who is enough. No wonder the Psalmist declared, “No good thing will God withhold from them who walk uprightly.” Happiness doesn’t depend upon our circumstances. True satisfaction and contentment come when we know that we are where God wants us to be, doing what He wants us to do. One translator suggests that the words, “I shall not want,” can be added after every verse in the 23rd Psalm. For in- stance, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures” (I shall not want). “He restoreth my soul,” (I shall not want). “He prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies” (I shall not want). “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,” (I shall not want). The Scripture exhorts us, “Delight thyself in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” 18
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