Aches and Praise Three Hundred & Forty Nine

Posted on 2018-05-17 in English |

May 17, 2018
 

Dear friends,

 

The Word of God contains these words: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15). I have just come from a memorial service for Mr. Albert Evans, who entered the presence of the Lord on May 6th. His earthly life measured almost 94 years, during which time he devoted himself to helping people, including our family. In the summer of 1995, just after our fourth child was born, Mr. Evans came to help my father-in-law, Rev. Clarence Shelly, and me renovate our house, which included adding a room. Mr. Evans introduced me to a tool that proved to be very helpful in removing nails. I will remember him as a great example of what a generous, godly man is like. Please pray for Mrs. Gwenyth Evans, their three daughters and their families as they grieve.
 

Being in the building where Calvary Baptist Church met for many years in Châteauguay brought back a number of memories. Karen and I had the privilege of sharing with the ladies of the church about the ministry to which God called us. The lady who invited us to speak was Mrs. Hazel Hoare, who went to be with the Lord a few years ago. She, like Mr. Evans, was a dedicated servant of the Lord. What a blessing it is to have known such sincere saints, who said what they meant and meant what they said!

One of the questions that Mr. Evans sometimes asked me was: “Are you working hard or hardly working?” He said it in a light-hearted way, but there is a lot to consider in those words. When we think of all that the Lord Jesus endured to set us free from our sins, how earnestly we should strive, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to serve Him with all of our strength. In Psalm 116:13, the psalmist writes: “I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.” In his Study Bible, Dr. David Jeremiah comments: “The cup of salvation describes God’s provision. The Lord fills the cup of every believer’s life with the blessing of salvation. That cup is free to humanity, but it cost Jesus everything!”

Scripture for the weekend: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) 

Thought for the weekend: “God created the world in an instant, and it was a beautiful process. He re-created the world on the cross – and it was a horrible process. That’s how it works. Love that really changes things and redeems things is always a substitutionary process.” – Timothy Keller (from his book “Jesus the King”)  

 

By His grace,
 
Steve       

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