A ninety-year-old man approached a preacher after worship.
The man had been blind from birth, and told the preacher he wanted to “see”
him. He ran his fingers over the minister’s face, and then began to cry.
“When I open my eyes for the first time, you know who I will be
looking at, don’t you?”
The preacher said, “Yes, you will be looking at Jesus.”
The man then cried out with joy. “It is worth being blind
for ninety years to know that the first time I open my eyes I will be looking
at Jesus!”
“Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him”
(Revelation 1:7).
- via THE SOWER, a weekly publication of the Arthur Church of Christ,
Arthur, IL. Ron Bartanen, who serves as minister and editor, may be contacted
through the congregation's website: http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com
The following story comes
from Robert Norris (via Reader's Digest):
"My brother and I
arrived at boot camp together. On the first morning, our unit was dragged out
of bed by our drill sergeant and made to assemble outside. 'My name's Sergeant
Jackson,' he snarled. 'Is there anyone here who thinks he can whip me?'
"My six-foot-three,
280-pound brother raised his hand and said, 'Yes, sir, I do.'
"Our sergeant
grabbed him by the arm and led him out in front of the group. 'Men,' he
said, 'this is my new assistant. Now, is there anyone here who thinks he can
whip both of us?'"
That humorous story
reminds me of our relationship with God. As we look out at the world, our
pride and our sense of independence may cause us to feel that we can take on
anything life has to throw at us. But life will let us know very quickly
that we are no match. The trials of life have a way of beating us down
and causing us to feel helpless at times.
But God stands by our
side and suddenly our confidence is renewed, because there truly is no one or
nothing strong enough to defeat us both.
"What then shall we
say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
(Romans 8:31)
"You are of God,
little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater
than he who is in the world." (I John 4:4)
"Be strong and of
good courage; do not be afarid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with
you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
May you find your
confidence this day not in your own strength, but in the strength of the One
who stands by your side.
Have a great day!
- Alan Smith, author of the popular "Thought
For Today," and minister for the Fayetteville Church of Christ in
Fayetteville, NC, may be contacted at alansmith.servant@gmail.com
By Alan Smith
The following quote comes from Kim Sherer:
"One night while my young son, Ryan, was
sleeping, a storm began brewing outside. After a loud clap of
thunder, I heard him wake up so I headed toward his room to comfort
him. He asked me to stay with him until he fell asleep.
As I lay there I realized he hadn't asked me to make the storm go
away, but to stay with him. How many times, I wondered, have I
asked God to take away the storms of life, when instead I need to
ask him to stay with me and help me weather them more peacefully?"
What a beautiful thought!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who
comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort
those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we
ourselves are comforted by God." (2Corinthians 1:3-4).
Father, we do indeed pray for your
comforting presence in the storms of our lives. As much as we
might desire for the storms to go away, it is much important to us
that you remain with us and see us through the storms. Thank
you for your assurance that you will do that for us. In Jesus'
name, amen.
Have a great day!
Source:
- Alan Smith, author of the popular "Thought For Today," and
minister for the Fayetteville Church of Christ in Fayetteville, NC,
may be contacted at alansmith.servant@gmail.com
