Dear friends,
This blog post is coming to you a day earlier than usual because I have plans for tomorrow that do not allow time for writing. In thinking about how we make plans, the Scripture that comes to mind is: “À man`s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9. In conjunction with this are the following truths written by David: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.” – Psalm 37:23-25.
On Monday, we received the news that a friend from church died after being admitted to hospital the day before. Please uphold Will in prayer, as he grieves the death of his wife, Lynda. Last week, when we began looking at some Biblical teachings about treasures, as examined by Dr. David Jeremiah in the November 2024 edition of “Turning Points” magazine, we had no idea that the health of our friend would take such a drastic turn.
In his study of the Lord Jesus being our greatest treasure, Dr. Jeremiah recounts the story of Henry Godden Jackson, who was born in Indiana on New Year’s Day in 1838. “After college, Jackson became the pastor of a church in New Orleans, but he was shot and beaten during the New Orleans Massacre of July 30, 1866. When he recovered, he took his family to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for missionary work. Through it all, he was sustained by contemplating the precious value of Christ. He put it this way in a simple poem:
It’s truly that simple. When we walk with the Lord Jesus each day and consciously cultivate the sense of His sweet companionship, we find our daily pathway lit up with the gladness of knowing our precious Lord.”
In considering these truths, I am reminded of a saying that was displayed in our home for many years:
Dr. Jeremiah writes: “Can you say, ‘He is so precious to me! He is the greatest treasure of my life’?” He continues: “Even more amazing than this – not only is the Lord precious to us; we are precious to Him!
When Daniel prayed for his people, an angel appeared, saying, ‘At the beginning of your petitions an answer went out, and I have come to give it, for you are treasured by God.’ (Daniel 9:23, CSB).”
In concluding this section of his article, Dr. Jeremiah writes: “People feel worthless when they compare themselves to other people, when their dreams fall apart, or when they are disparaged by others. Perhaps you’ve experienced that. But when we realize how precious the Lord is to us – and how precious we are to Him – we begin discovering timeless treasure. We find a life worth living.”
A couple of weeks ago, I asked for prayer for a friend who is serving in a Christian mission in Arizona, as she was scheduled for surgery on November 6th. That has been changed to November 20th. Thank you for upholding her in prayer.
Steve