Great Lives!
George L. Majors
February 17, 1974
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:7-10
"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."
This book, The Bible, contains the mind of God, the state of man, Gods plan for His salvation. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be upright and happy. A mariner's compass, a pilgrim's staff, a traveler's map, it affords the greatest reward for all who will receive it.
Our younger daughter, when just a small child, said, "Daddy, what does this mean, where it says, 'who so ever tries to save his life will lose it?' Does it mean that if someone is chasing after you to hurt you that it is wrong to try to get away from them?" She was referring to the verse in Luke 9:24 and I explained the real meaning of the verse to her - a paradox and seeming contradiction. Bonnie, a few years later, gave her heart to the Lord at the age of 9 and found the meaning of the verse - a radically happy Christian life - here and beyond.
Halley in his Bible handbook says, "Christ, the center and heart of the Bible, the center and heart of history, is also the center and heart of our lives. Our eternal destiny is in His hand. Our acceptance or rejection of Him as our Lord and Savior determines for each of us eternal glory or eternal ruin - heaven or hell, one or the other.
The most important decision anyone is ever called on to make is to settle in one's heart, once and for all, the matter of one's attitude toward Christ. On that depends everything.
It is a glorious thing to be a Christian, the most exalted privilege of mankind. The Creator of all things wants to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us! To accept Christ as Savior, Lord, and Master, and to strive sincerely and devotedly to follow in the way of life He taught, is certainly by far the most reasonable and most satisfactory way to live. It means peace, peace of mind, contentment of heart, forgiveness, happiness, hope, life abundant, life that shall never end.
There is another seeming contradiction in the Bible. Acts 20:35b "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Give not the slot machine way, a quarter expecting a handful in return, but give just to be giving. My heart was touched with a testimony to this very verse in a recent Guideposts magazine. A little Norwegian girl had lost her mother. She was one of several children and had to be passed from one friend to another. One day, she saw a kind looking lady in the market place. She couldn't resist so she asked, "Will you be my mamma?" The lady enquired and did in fact take her in and gave her a good home. That little girl grew up and became a missionary. One day, while she was speaking at a mission in Puerto Rico, there were many children present. One kept sitting close to her whenever she could and kept looking up at her. Finally, she said in Spanish, "Would you be my mother?" The lady could hardly believe her ears. Although young and single, she decided to take the little girl home with her so she made the necessary arrangements. Friends at home were quite surprised, but all took to the little girl. Later she returned to Puerto Rico to minister. One day, a lady came to the door with 3 little ones and asked, "Is this the place where little children are cared for?" Well, she took them in also. The children were taught to love God. They decided to save their meager earnings from working in a garden to purchase a horse tied up across the way. The old horse was swaybacked, but they dearly wanted it. But then one day they learned of a great need and all decided to send their savings to help. The missionary mother said that not long after at an eating place they met 3 young men from Norway. They spoke the same language and started visiting. As the men got ready to go, they said that their time in Puerto Rico was up and that they would be leaving and asked, "Would you know of anyone who would like to have our horse. We can't take it with us and it is a very good one!" God rewarded just as he promised. We just can't out give God!
The Bible is filled with Godly precepts of high ideals that mould character and give depth and quality to life.
It is no wonder that our nation grew out of a handful of pilgrims into the greatest nation on earth. It was established by men and women with red blood in their veins and iron in their wills and the love of God in their hearts. They braved the dangers and hardships of the uncharted ocean to settle in a new land where they could serve God fully and raise their families to follow in their faith.
What Makes A Nation Great
by Alexander Blackburn
Not serried ranks with flags unfurled,
Not armored ships that gird the world,
Not hoarded wealth nor busy mills,
Not cattle on a thousand hills,
Not sages wise, nor schools, nor laws,
No boasted deeds in freedom's cause -
All these may be, and yet the state
In the eye of God be far from great.
That land is great which knows the Lord,
Whose songs are guided by His word;
Where justice rules 'twixt man and man,
Where love controls in art and plan'
Where, breathing in his native air,
Each soul finds joy in praise and prayer -
Thus may our country, good and great,
Be God's delight - man's best estate.
Daniel Webster said, "If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity." Many feel we are on the brink of a great catastrophe or a great revival. Every church should pray earnestly for revival. God spared Nineveh and he can spare our nation. He spared England in the days of the Wesleys, let us pray for revival in our day.
I cherish the memory of our great patriarchs. Humans, yes, but God fearing believers. Picture George Washington praying with his half starved troops. Picture Abraham Lincoln on his knees praying during the dark days of the Civil War.
Recall some of his words: Sayings of Abraham Lincoln
"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true."
"I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have."
"I must stand with anybody that stands right; stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong."
"Come what will I will keep my faith with friend and foe."
"Faith in our God is indispensable to successful statesmanship."
"Keep the temperance pledge and it will be the best act of your life."
"With malice towards none, with charity for all, with a firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds... to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."
Let us close with Proverbs 3:5-7 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord and depart from evil."
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