Evangéliumi Hírnök, 2000 (92. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)

2000-05-01 / 5. szám

8. oldal GOD’S BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE (Malachi 3:16,17) By Rev. Denzel Alexander At times we wonder why so many Christians seem to give up on being ac­tively involved in the work of their church. It’s as if they are asking, "Does it really matter that much, will it make any difference so long as I am saved? ” I believe that God makes it very clear through the Bible that it does make a dif­ference to Him. One example of this is found in Malachi 3:16. Here the Lord is telling us that He is preparing a Book of Remembrance for those who speak of­ten of Him and honor His name. He speaks of them as being special jewels that will be honored in the future. I am sure that God does not need to write it down in a book in order to re­member , but the Lord is letting us know that it will be remembered in a way that we can relate to. I have certainly come to that place where I need to write things down to be certain that 1 will not forget. Memory is a strange thing. It can play tricks on you. When my daughter Jennifer was about nine years old, she asked me one day if I would always re­member her even when she got married and maybe moved far away with her own family. I assured her that no matter what, I would always remember her as my wonderful daughter. That seemed to please her and she left. A few minutes later she came back into my office say­ing "Knock, knock. ” Since those little jokes were very popular at that tine, I said "Who's there?" she replied, “Jennifer ” so I said "Jennifer who ” and she really got me when she replied, "Oh, Daddy, you ’ve already forgotten. ” Since God is preparing a Book of Re­membrance for us, let’s think about what He will be recording. I believe it can be summed up under three headings. FIRST: WHAT WE DO. Jesus showed appreciation for the smallest of ministries. Who but he noticed the poor widow who dropped in her pennies. He was aware of the slightest touch as he pointed out the woman who reached through the crowd to touch the hem of his garment in faith. In all of these cases the scriptures have it recorded as a re­membrance to them. We read that even a cup of cold water given for the right reason will be remem­bered. Who but the Lord noticed the lit­tle tax collector in the tree? But Jesus knew what he did and went home with him that day. There is so much that a Christian can do that will be recorded in his book of re­membrance. It does not have to be great or outstanding. I Cor 15:58 tells us that the labor of our well doing will not be in vain in the Lord. Yes, we have the assur­ance that God does remember and it does make a difference WHAT WE DO. SECONDLY: 1 believe the lord is re­cording HOW WE DO IT. I believe that it is self evident that God loves the ‘style’ or manner in which a thing is done. As we observe his creation and see the beauty of this earth, the rainbow, the great variety of colors in the birds, and the flowers. They could have functioned if they were all the same drab gray, but God shows how much he loves the style of it. Every sunrise and sunset is a mas­terpiece telling us that God loves the way a thing is done. It is evident that he has put a great deal of this love in his creatures also. I recently returned from a missions trip to Guatemala and heard of a primitive In­dian chief there who had performed weddings by sitting the brave and the maiden across from each other. He would ask the brave, “ Want er?” the an­swer being "Urn ’’ to the maid he would ask, “Want urn?” she would answer “Urn ”. He would then answer “Gottum ”, and they were married. This shows us that a couple could woo, win, and marry by simply grunting and point­ing, but there is something wonderful about the church, the cake, the guests, the preacher, and the wedding dress etc. If then we care so much about the way a thing is done, how much more the Lord? As an example I suppose we could say that God loves a giver, especially a big giver. But that isn’t the way the Lord puts it. It is HOW he gives, for the Lord loves a cheerful giver is what the scrip­tures say. It may not be much, but it is the way and the reason for giving. This is the great lesson seen in the account of Simon the Pharisee giving a big banquet for Jesus, but showing none of the com­mon courtesies that were afforded a guest in that day. On the other hand, the woman of the street came and washed his feet with her tears etc. and Jesus commended her for her devotion and concern. The Lord knows our heart, and it makes a big difference how we serve him. I believe a THIRD thing about our service is being recorded, and will be re­membered. That is WHEN WE DO IT. We should serve the Lord by doing what he has laid on our heart or when we see a great need rather than putting it off or having to be driven to it. It will be re­corded in God’s Book of Remembrance whether we ran from him and his work or whether we like Paul said “Lord, what will thou have me do? ” Many who could easily give great financial aid to the Lord’s work now are holding onto it as long as possible, and when they no longer have use for it; leave it in their will. Today is the day of salvation, and it is also the day to be faithful in serving our Lord. If you were to call Heaven, and ask what time it was the answer would always be: NOW. The story is told of a young farmer who premised to buy his bride her num­ber one with as soon as he was able. This happened to be a silk dress that she had always dreamed of having. This was a rather expensive item in that day, but he assured her that if she would help him get a farm paid for she would have it. She worked with him in the fields, each time a piece of land was paid for, he wanted to more to add to the farm. Her health gave out, and she died still not having her silk dress. People in the area said that they saw the young farmer in the cemetery after the funeral wrapping bolts of silk around his wife’s tomb­stone, but it was too late. Dear friends, the recording angel does not start writ­ing tomorrow; but today. What is being written on your page in God’s Book of Remembrance? 4 ____________________________2000. május I’M SAVED, OH LORD! By Clara Malis Took away the hate Oh Lord And gave me love. Took away the spite Oh Lord, Now heart 's like a dove. Took away the craving, Lord For those worldly things. Took away the tryin ’, Lord To live high like a king. Took away the lust, Oh Lord For liquor and vice. Took away the yearning, Lord For cards or a pair o' dice. Took away all this, Oh Lord And much, much more But what you've given me, Lord is worth a thousand score!

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