From Be Still and Know...
"And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only." (Matthew 17:8)
On day Jesus took Peter, James and John up into a high mountain. Suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them. A voice said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him ... And Jesus came and touched, them and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save JESUS ONLY" (Matthew 17:5, 7, 8).
Fear and frustration may fill our lives instead of the peace and joy we once knew. We may have turned from God's will for our lives, walking in ways of our own choosing. We may be focusing our eyes in the wrong direction. We need to lift up our eyes and "See no man, save JESUS ONLY."
One day a group of people were attending an auction in London. The auctioneer brought out a dirty looking violin. He said, "I am offering you a genuine Cremona made by Stradivarius. It is very valuable. What am I bid?" The people however, examined it critically, questioning its authenticity. Five guineas was the highest bid.
Just then a man entered the shop. He walked over and picked up the violin. After carefully tuning it, he placed it in position. A murmur spread over the crowd - "The great Paganini." As the bow touched the strings, such beautiful music filled the room the people were spellbound. When he finished, there was a moment's hush. Then everyone began clamoring for the violin.
Fifty guineas! Sixty! Seventy! Eighty! At last Paganini himself received it for one hundred guineas. Whenever he played it audiences were breathless at the music that came forth under the touch of the master's hand.
Today has the song gone out of your life? Are the tears falling? Are you dissatisfied with your life? Lift your eyes to Him. Let Him fill your vision. See JESUS ONLY.
The touch of the Master on your life can bring peace of heart and mind. He will bring forth the beautiful melody of His life, on the chords of your life. In turn, your life will be a blessing to others wherever you go.
From Beside the Still Waters...
Little Is Much
Read: Mark 12:41-44, John 6:3-13
"For who has despised the day of small things?" - Zechariah 4:10
An African pastor was once at a convenience store in New Orleans, in line behind a young father who was not able to pay for his small purchase. The pastor handed him enough money to pay the bill, saying, "Remember, Jesus loves you." They didn't speak any further.
Nine years later the pastor was again in New Orleans, visiting a church, when a man stood up to speak. He said that years earlier, he and his wife had planned to commit suicide together because they had no work and almost no money. However, they first wanted to buy a little something to feed their small child. The little this pastor gave and said there at the store, and the church sign they saw afterwards that said, "Jesus loves you," gave them new hope. The man and his wife changed their mind, started going to church, and started serving the Lord.
Sometimes we are so taken up with hoping for opportunities to do great things for the Lord, that we overlook the little opportunities that are in front of us in everyday life. Or we think, "once my ship comes in" or "once my business prospers," we'll give more time and money to the Lord's work. But God is more pleased with the little things we do today than the big things we intend to do tomorrow.
If we are able to send a large donation, or to give several years of service to church work, great! But if we can't, let's not wait for the time when we can, but watch for and do the little, unnoticed things that God sets before us day by day. We may never know on this side of eternity how the Lord can use our little to accomplish great things.
Paul Yoder - Gap Mills, WV
"Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water ... he shall in no wise lose his reward."
Matthew 10:42
I Thank Thee, Lord
I thank Thee, Lord, that in Thy blood, My guilt is washed away;
I thank Thee that my eyes behold A bright and glorious day;
I thank Thee, Lord for faith to see A world of endless joy in Thee.
I thank Thee for a throne of grace Where Thou dost bend Thine ear,
And I may breathe my soul's request When only Thou canst hear;
And hold communion sweet with Thee, When but Thine eye beholdeth me.
I thank Thee for the hope of life That looks beyond the tomb;
I thank Thee for the light that shines To cheer me thro' its gloom;
And Lord, for all Thy gifts to me, My loudest praise I give to Thee.
-Fanny Crosby
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