Hearthstone - September 2000


xxx	Volume 15, No. 9	September 2000
Sanctified For Service The Mighty Conqueror Jewels Through A Glass Prayer Hugs 'N Tugs By Wendy Greiner Lefko Best Of LifeLine By Rev. Larry W. Greiner A Weary Soldier's Request The Commander's Reply	LIMITLESS RESOURCES “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). What a precious promise! God, our Banker, has promised to supply our needs. He does not say, “may supply” or “perhaps will supply,” but “shall.” With confidence we can bring our needs to Him, counting on His faithfulness. God's supply also is limitless — He will supply “all your needs,” material and spiritual. And those needs (not wants) will be met “according to His riches in glory,” not “according to what we deserve,” or “what we earn.” This is our heavenly deposit. God's riches are limitless. They never run out and there is enough for every need. His resources are available to us “in Christ Jesus.” God honors our requests because of His Son. George Mueller, the founder of the Bristol Orphanage in England, was relating some of his experiences in providing food for the orphans each day. When he had finished, his friend replied, “You seem to live from hand to mouth.” George Mueller replied, “Yes, it is my mouth, but God's hand.”

SANCTIFIED FOR SERVICE
	“Never let the evil disposition of one mate hinder the devotion and grace of the other. Never let the difficulties of your home lead you to abdicate your throne. Do not step down to the level of your circumstances, but lift them to your own high calling in Christ. Do not let an unfortunate marriage wreck you. Rather let it sanctify you for service.” —F.B. Meyer Back to Contents

“Only in the hot furnace of affliction do we as
Christians let go of the dross to which,
in our foolishness, we ardently cling.” —David Kingdon

THE MIGHTY CONQUEROR
	“As we face uncertain spiritual battles ahead often we are not going to know what to do. Remember that the battle is the Lord's. Our job is to turn our gaze upon Him, bow before Him in worshipful trust, wait for His instruction, and wholeheartedly praise Him. He will conquer the enemy and give rest to His people.” —Thomas B. White Back to Contents

JEWELS THROUGH GLASS
	I stand before a jeweler's plate glass pane: That crystal-clear conductor of the light. I watch the sunshine pierce the gorgeous stain Of rare gems clustered there before my sight. Crimson and purple fires banked in gold, And ice-white diamonds splintering the air, Deep fires of brilliant beauty to behold, Displayed for any who may pass them there. I think of God whose gracious hand prepares His living truths for all mankind to see. They shine as clearly as these jeweled wares, To ever be revealed by you and me. Lord, shine through me as jewels shine through glass, That men may see Thy beauty as they pass. —Grace Noll Crowell Back to Contents

PRAYER
	In these days of tribulation, Wickedness pervades the air, And the battles we engage in Must be won through fervent prayer. There's no weapon half so mighty As the intercessor's bear; Not a broader field of service Than the ministry of prayer. —Author Unknown Back to Contents

HUGS 'N TUGS
By Wendy Greiner Lefko
	Each year my cousin and I traditionally spend a day at the shore while our husbands and grandparents graciously baby-sit our total of seven kids. In spite of our careful planning, however, there is one thing that is totally out of our control—the weather. We remember past trips with days of brilliant sunshine, and also those few occasions of running to a boardwalk store for cover during a sudden downpour. Needless to say we were praying for good weather for this year's excursion. But how would God answer? My cousin told about a recent Saturday when the forecast was for rain. She was thankful because her freshly planted garden needed a good soaking. However, Saturday came and went without a drop in sight! Beth smiled as she reflected on her momentary disappointment, and said, “A friend of mine was being married on that same day. God must have been holding back the rain for someone else’s prayers.” We laughed as we speculated hopefully that God would choose to answer our prayers for sunshine over someone else’s need for rain on the day we planned to go to the beach! The day arrived, and it poured! Our plans were cancelled, and even as I write this we are still waiting for a sunny day to relax on the sand. God graciously reminded me of a profound lesson. When we pray for something, and God chooses not to answer our prayers in the way we would like, we may not see how He could be miraculously working in someone else’s life by turning down our request. God may be meeting more urgent needs in His kingdom through our denied desires. We need to remember the skillful patchwork of our lives in Christ, and how the thread of His will weaves through us into the lives of others. “Lord, teach me to step out from the narrow vision of my own needs to see that while I may be praying for sunshine, someone else may need the rain more!” “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21). Back to Contents

BEST OF LIFELINE
By Rev. Larry W. Greiner
	On an island in the West Indies, an atheist British owner held 2000 to 3000 slaves captive. They had been brought from the jungles of Africa to live and die without ever hearing of Christ. The atheist had vowed, “No preacher or clergyman will ever stay on this island. If he's shipwrecked we'll keep him in a separate house until he has to leave, but he's never going to talk to any of us about God, I'm through with all that nonsense.” One day two young Moravians in their early twenties, hearing about the island, sold themselves to the British planter and used the money to pay their passage to the island, for the man wouldn't even transport them. The men had sold themselves into a lifetime of slavery to bring the gospel to those who had never heard of Christ. When the day of departure arrived, fellow Moravians came to see the two lads off, questioning the wisdom of it all. Loved ones wept as they said their final good-byes. As the ship moved out on the tide, the two young men linked arms. Then as the gap widened between the boat and the pier, one of them raised his hand and shouted across the waves these parting words: “MAY THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN RECEIVE THE REWARD OF HIS SUFFERING!” That was the cry that became the call of Moravian missions. The greatest thing we can do for our Savior is to be willing to suffer for Him as He suffered for us. In these days of comfort and ease in our American culture, it is so easy for us as Christians to seek the most comfortable circumstances in which to serve our Lord Jesus Christ. What sacrifices are we willing to make for the Lamb of God who became the sacrifice for our sins. What are we willing to risk for the cause of Christ? Is our life so dear to us that we would consider it unthinkable to lay it on the line for Jesus Christ, should He ask it of us? Where are the “All On The Altar” Christians today? Will you be one? “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). Back to Contents

A WEARY SOLDIER'S REQUEST

Dear Lord,

I am writing to request a transfer to a desk job. I herewith present my reasons: I began my career as a private, but because of the intensity of the battle You have quickly moved me up in the ranks. You have made me an officer and given me a tremendous amount of responsibility. There are many soldiers and recruits under my charge. I am constantly being called upon to dispense wisdom, make judgments, and find solutions to complex problems. You have placed me in a position to function as an officer, when in my heart I know I have only the skills of a private.

I realize that You have promised to supply all I would need for the battle. But, Sir, I must present a realistic picture of my equipment. My uniform once so crisp and starched is now stained with tears and blood of those I have tried to assist. The soles of my boots are cracked and worn from the miles I have walked trying to enlist and encourage the instructed troops.

My weapons are marred, tarnished and chipped from constant battle against the enemy. Even the Book of Regulations I was issued has been torn and tattered from endless use. The words are now smeared.

You have promised You would be with me throughout, but when the noise of the battle is so loud and the confusion is so great, I can neither see nor hear You. I feel so alone. I'm tired. I'm discouraged. I have Battle Fatigue.

I would never ask You for a discharge. I love being in Your service. But I humbly request a demotion and transfer. I'll file papers or clean latrines. Just get me out of the battle—please, Sir!

—Your faithful, but tired soldier.

THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S REPLY

To: Faithful, but Tired Soldier, Spiritual Armed Forces
Location: The Battlefield
Subject: Transfer

Dear Soldier:

Your request for transfer has been denied. I herewith present My reasons: You are needed in this battle. I have selected you, and I will keep My Word to supply your need.

You do not need a demotion and transfer (you'd never cut it on latrine duty.) You need a period of “R and R”—Renewal and Rekindling. I am setting aside a place on the battlefield that is insulated from all sound and fully protected from the enemy. I will meet you there and I will give you rest. I will remove your old equipment and “make all things new.”

You have been wounded in the battle, My soldier. Your wounds are not visible, but you have received grave internal injuries. You need to be healed. I will heal you. You have been weakened in the battle. You need to be strengthened. I will strengthen you and be your strength. I will instill in you confidence and ability. My Words will rekindle within you a renewed love, zeal and enthusiasm.

Report to Me tattered and empty. I will refill you.

Compassionately,

Your Commander-in-Chief Jesus Christ

Back to Contents

LIMITLESS RESOURCES

By Wendy Greiner Lefko

By Rev. Larry W. Greiner