STRETCH FORWARD .......

STRETCH FORWARD TO THOSE NEW THINGS WHICH LIE AHEAD

December 21st came and went and the television shows said nothing further about the fact that the world did not end on that date. A day earlier I lost count of the number of times it was mentioned. Was that a surprise to you? It should not have been for even our Lord Jesus long ago said that only His Father knows when this will be, but that it will come like a thief in the night; that is unexpectedly. No one can predict the “day nor the hour” that a thief is going to strike, neither can we know when the Lord may come again. As I watched the “count down” starting hours ahead of time by thousands, if not millions all over the world, I could not help thinking, “I would hate to be in one of those crowds if the Lord chose to come right now.” The news reported that people were complaining as far away as three miles from the Dallas celebration of the noise. One wonders of the many accidents and loss of lives world wide because of drunken drivers heading home after such gatherings. The whole point is to know that He is coming and to live every day in readiness. I can guarantee from experience that just not knowing the time a thief will come takes a toll. The last few years we lived in South Africa, I actually slept in dread of hearing a thief trying to steal our car or break in. We took every precaution by enclosing the cars in an iron fence with a double locked gate, and a roll of razor wire at the top, yet there were, by count, six attempts to break and steal from it. The cost of repairing damaged glass and interiors mounted! and sleep was restless. I dreaded the hours between two and four a.m. the most. An ancient V.W. Beetle car out side the fence, belonging to a resident, was stolen.

On another occasion, I was awaken by a car which pulled up to our Bible shop door. It was quickly joined by a second one, that was parked nearby, and several men began to attach our security gate to the first car with a heavy chain. I knew instantly that they intended to carry away everything they wanted and that our very lives would be in danger as we had no cash. Since they were directly under my window, I spoke to them saying, “I suggest you leave immediately before I start shooting.” They did not know I had no gun, most people did have, so they dropped the chain, jumped into their cars and fled the scene.

Philippians 3:12-16 King James Version (KJV)

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

We can never think that we have completely finished the course. We have not attained our goal until we have entered into the reward. As we grow older, we may not be able to physically do what we once did, but there is much to be done that we can do.

13 I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Life is like a Marathon Race, until we cross that finishing line, it is not over. South Africa hosted an annual Marathon which dominated the television on the public holiday that it was always run. What anxious moments when a runner collapses only a few feet from the coal!. What cheers rang out from the stands when another runner stops and leads him that last few feet!. Some teams run holding the hand of a weaker companion risking their own reward. Let us hold the hand of a weaker brother in the faith.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

 Being in the wrong, thieves are likely to come at any time of weakness. But being Christians, let us seek to always be ready, for our Lord’s coming. Forget that which went before, and stretch eagerly to be always ready when ever it may be. I could have told the Television commentators, I would not be December 21st, but that does not mean He is not coming. He is, always be alert. If I had not been alert and heard the car drive in and the chain rattling, we might not ever be here today. But, I was and we are, what can I do for Him?

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2013

JANUARY

6th Sunday - Genesis 11, 12, Matthew :5:27-48, Psalm 5
7th. Monday - Genesis 13, 14, 15, Matthew 6, Psalm 6
8th. Tuesday - Genesis 16, 17, 18, Matthew 7, Proverbs 1:8-19
9th. Wednesday - Genesis 19, 20, Matthew 8, Psalm 7:1-9
10th Thursday - Genesis 21, 22, 23, Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 7:10-17
11th. Friday - Genesis 24, Matthew 9:18-30, Psalm 8
12th Saturday - Genesis 25, 26, Matthew 10:1-23, Proverbs 1:20-33

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. - Philippians 4:8

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My grandson arrived home from Sunday School and he asked me "Grandpa were you in the Ark with Noah? I was surprised but I said " No, I wasn't in the Ark with Noah" "Oh" he said "Why weren't you DROWNED?"

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GIFT SUGGESTIONS ALL

Phyllis’ books are available from Amazon. All but the first, “Some of God’s Children,” are available as e-books for your reader. Feet of Clay is the first of a series of six fictional missionary books. The latest is “Mary’s Letters.”

WE WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS & MAY HE BLESS THE NEW YEAR