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We should live our life in the manner that reflects what we believe in our
hearts. Our life's testimony should be the same whether if it's in the
company of strangers or with those whom we've known a lifetime. We must be
uniform in our walk with the Lord treating all people as we would want to
be treated and brightly shining our light of love and compassion so that
all people will be drawn to God because of what they have seen through us.
Be encouraged to live your life each day so that it's a reflection of what
God has commanded in His word; to love God first and love your neighbor as
yourself. (1 Peter 1:13-23) (Colossians 3:16-17) (Matthew 22:37-40)
I hope you are encouraged and challenged by today's message to shine your
light before all men that they may see your good works and glorify your
Father in Heaven.
SEEING JESUS IN MY MENTOR
“...I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be
saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 10:33 and 11:1
Jesus appeared to me again the other night. While I see Jesus often in the
face of a mentor, I saw Jesus best in my Dad.
Dad went to heaven nearly 11 years ago. But I saw his face so vividly, and
his tenor voice so flooded my dreams that when I woke it seemed Dad's
presence lingered in the room. I stared into the darkness as a long
forgotten old faith-song rang in my head: “Precious memories, how they
linger. How they ever flood my soul. In the stillness of the midnight,
precious sacred scenes unfold.” As the song filled my heart, I surfed
through long-ago images of my father's faith-mentoring.
Dad actually homesteaded land in Canada, where he raised wheat and cattle
over half of his life. Dad's arms were toil-hardened by years of heavy
ranch work. He had the hands of a farmer and the soul of a poet. Six grades
measured his formal schooling, but not his learning. Until his death at age
eighty-five, Dad read voraciously. He wrote some, too, preserving some of
his faith-thoughts in poetry.
My father showed me Jesus over and over again. Everybody knew Dad's
handshake was as good as any notarized contract. And when neighbors were
sick, Dad was there. When bereavement struck. Dad was there. In the field,
we took off our caps, and then offered thanks. A drunk stumbled into a
church meeting and I saw my Dad sit down and put his arm around the man.
Dad seemed to see the Almighty everywhere.
After supper on many a frosty winter evening, Dad and I pulled on our
parkas, mittens, and overshoes and trudged to the barn to finish a few
chores. I singularly recall one night, when the hard, dry snow scrunched
under our boots and the soft light of the lantern spilled across the
whiteness. Dad stopped and pointed to the bright particles glistening at
the rim of our pool of light. “Look how rich we are,” he proclaimed, “God
has up and scattered diamonds on our path.”
Another mentoring moment came late one spring as two storm fronts met over
our ranchland at sunset. The sky displayed an awesome extravaganza of color
and motion. Dad took off his cap and stood transfixed as if in worship with
the swirling colors reflected in his eyes. Then he pulled me close and
talked quietly of the power and majesty of the High King of Heaven.
During the long, bitter Saskatchewan winters, our house was heated by an
ornate, glass-windowed, coal-devouring heater. A brief moment of one long-
ago winter night still stands vividly in my memory. Deep in the night I
heard movement nearby and sleepily opened one eye. The glow from the
heater, the only light in the room, danced across Dad's rounded shoulders
and his tousled head. In his long-handled underwear, with the funny rump-
line, Dad was kneeling by my bed in prayer.
Today my heart is full. Dad showed me Jesus. I pray that some day when my
children awaken in the night and remember me, their “precious memories”
will stir thoughts of more than a dad who loves them, I hope they see a
glimpse of Jesus.
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,
are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit
of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18
By Lynn Anderson
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus declares “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn
of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
1 Peter 1:13-16 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and
hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the
revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves
according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as He which hath
called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it
is written, Be ye holy; for I Am holy.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed
on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for
in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.”
Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all
wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And
whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: PRECIOUS IN HIS EYES
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem90.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: TESTIMONY OF GOD'S LOVE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony150.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
