GOODMORNING AND GRACE TO ALL BRETHREN!!
"There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness."
- 2 Timothy 4:8
Doubting one! thou hast often said, "I fear I shall never enter heaven."
Fear not! all the people of God shall enter there. I love the quaint
saying of a dying man, who exclaimed, "I have no fear of going home; I
have sent all before me; God's finger is on the latch of my door, and I am
ready for him to enter." "But," said one, "are you not afraid lest you
should miss your inheritance?" "Nay," said he, "nay; there is one crown in
heaven which the angel Gabriel could not wear, it will fit no head but
mine. There is one throne in heaven which Paul the apostle could not fill;
it was made for me, and I shall have it." O Christian, what a joyous
thought! thy portion is secure; "there remaineth a rest." "But cannot I
forfeit it?" No, it is entailed. If I be a child of God I shall not lose
it. It is mine as securely as if I were there. Come with me, believer, and
let us sit upon the top of Nebo, and view the goodly land, even Canaan.
Seest thou that little river of death glistening in the sunlight, and
across it dost thou see the pinnacles of the eternal city? Dost thou mark
the pleasant country, and all its joyous inhabitants? Know, then, that if
thou couldst fly across thou wouldst see written upon one of its many
mansions, "This remaineth for such a one; preserved for him only. He shall
be caught up to dwell for ever with God." Poor doubting one, see the fair
inheritance; it is thine.
If thou believest in the Lord Jesus, if thou hast repented of sin, if
thou hast been renewed in heart, thou art one of the Lord's people, and
there is a place reserved for thee, a crown laid up for thee, a harp
specially provided for thee.
No one else shall have thy portion, it is reserved in heaven for thee,
and thou shalt have it ere long, for there shall be no vacant thrones in
glory when all the chosen are gathered in.
C.H.SPURGEON
SOLI DEO GLORIA!
I have seen this truth manifested time and again (both positively and negatively) and have learned that in whatever area I am missing the mark what is required is that I search for where I have missed the blessing. We love, forgive, bless, exhort, rebuke, encourage, build up, proclaim, remind, praise...all these (and more) only when and only because we have truly received them each and all through Jesus Christ the Word and Spirit: "No man comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6)."
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life: Having Him we have these. Because they have been freely received, therefore we freely give (Matthew 10:8).
I'm still learning! Oh, yes, I've far to go, but I am on my Way, rejoicing in the Truth, and partaking of the Life!
He leads me in The Way Everlasting. Amen.
Psalm 23The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Faith-sharing bump.