My dear readers,

 

(Excerpt from Building Firm Foundations, Dr SH Tow)

 

1. "YOU NAME IT, I HAVE IT"

DR GEORGE TRUETT, a minister of the Gospel, was entertained on one occasion in the home of a Texas oil tycoon. After dinner the man took him up to the roof-garden and proudly showed off his possessions.

 

Pointing toward the north he said, "Doctor, see all those oil derricks dotting that vast expanse of land? That's all mine. They call it black gold. I came to this country 25 years ago penniless. Now I own everything as far as eye can see in that direction."

 

Then he turned to the east and pointed to the luxuriant fields of grain. "See that, doctor? They call it yellow gold. Yes, all the golden grain, that's mine." Next, he turned to the south, and pointed to huge herds of cattle and contented cows. "Everything as far as you can see in that direction is mine."

 

Finally, turning to the west, he pointed to a great virgin forest covering the hillside. "See that, doctor? It's all mine, everything that you see, in this direction, that direction, that direction, and this direction, it's all mine."

 

Dr. Truett gently laid a hand on the tycoon's shoulder, pointed to heaven and said, "My friend, look up there as far as your eyes can see. How much do you own in that direction?" The man dropped his head, paused a while, and said, "I never thought of that."

 

Dear reader, how much of this world's goods do you own? No matter how much or how little, it is certain you can carry nothing out. He who lays up treasure for himself on earth is not rich toward God. What are you doing to prepare for the in­evitable day of departure? Do not say, "I'm still young. Let me think of it another day."

 

God's word says, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away" (James 4:14). Plan today for your tomorrow with God. Lay up treasures in heaven, not on earth. Be rich toward God!

 

There Is A City

(City Bright)

There is a city bright,

Closed are its gates to sin;

Naught that defileth,

Naught that defileth,

Can ever enter in!

How can one lay up treasure in heaven?

Lord, teach me to set my affection on things above and not on things below.

 

2. "TILL WE MEET, GOOD-NIGHT!"

FOR 40 YEARS Jim had followed the Saviour. He lived each day with a steadfast hope in God's promise of a home in Heaven. He firmly believed, "To be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord." One day sickness struck and soon the time came for him to depart. To his family he said, "I'm going to be with the Lord. Sorrow not, my beloved."

 

To his dear wife he said, "Dearest, Good­night. We shall meet again … in the morning!" To his daughters he said, "Dearest, Good-night. Our separation is only for a while. In the morning we'll meet again. Good-night!" Then the dying man turned to his son and with tears in his eyes said, "Good-bye, my son! Good-bye!"

At this the son was astonished, and asked, "Dad, why did you say Good-bye to me and Good-night to Mum and my sisters?"

 

"Well, son, through the years you have re­jected Christ. Believers and unbelievers go their separate ways after death. Unbelievers who die in sin are in hell, eter­nally separated from God and from their loved ones who die in the Lord."

 

The dying father's words pierced the son's heart. God's Spirit brought deep conviction of sin and the young man repented. In tears he said, "Dad, here and now I receive Christ as my per­sonal Saviour. I believe He died for me and for­gives my sins. So, till we meet in heaven, Dad, Good-night!"

 

Dear reader, Heaven is not just an empty hope. It is a place, a city, a country. How do we know? We have the promise of the One who reigns there. Its beauty, peace and splendour are beyond descrip­tion. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death"(Rev 21:8).

 

Heaven is for those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. Is your name written there?

 

Beyond The Sunset

(Virgil P Brock)

Beyond the sunset,

O blissful morning,

When with our Saviour

heav'n is begun.

Earth's toiling ended,

O glorious dawning;

Beyond the sunset,

when day is done!

How can your name be written in the Lamb's book of life?
There shall be no night there.

God bless all readers.

 

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor