This is the 176th letter:
Text for the day: 1 C orinthians 13:4-7 (English Standard V ersion)
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Our Series: “M Y LIFE, M Y LOV E, M Y ALL” PART 2
Our Theme for the day: “
“The key to change... is to let go of fear”, B y Rosanne C ash, words well spoken. John the youngest disciple of Jesus understood this grand truth when he wrote, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18. Speaking of Japheth the B ible says, “And Japheth "shall dwell in the tents of Shem." In the blessings of the gospel the descendants of Japheth were especially to share. What love, not that they shall work for this blessing that they shall be blessed. On the contrary, they where going to be blessed because they dwelled in the tents of a blessed man and later his descendants Shem. Has it not accorded to you that may be, those who are closes to you are blessed not because of themselves but because of you. Has it not accorded to you that may be, “the job you are working at is prospering not because of its fine planning or man with good knowledge, but because of you.”
On the other hand the record of Ham reveals that his posterity descended to the most degrading forms of heathenism and lost their blessing. Though the prophetic curse had doomed them to slavery, the doom was withheld for centuries. God bore with their impiety and corruption until they passed the limits of divine forbearance. M ay I say by the word of Lord, “that those who choose to remain disloyal to God must be visited one day in mercy with judgments, in order that if possible, they may be aroused to a realization of the sinfulness of their course”… While the God bears long with perversity, He is not deceived and will not always keep silence. His supremacy, His authority as Ruler of the universe, must finally be acknowledged and the just claims of His law vindicated. There are limits even to the forbearance of God, and many are exceeding these boundaries.
They have overrun the limits of grace, and therefore God must interfere and vindicate His own honor. When the Lord comes forth as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved the faith in its purity and kept themselves unspotted from the world through his power and love. As for Ham, he was dispossessed, and became a bondman to the descendants of Shem and Japheth. Note the prophecy of Noah was no arbitrary denunciation of wrath or declaration of favor. It did not fix the character and destiny of Ham and his sons. B ut it showed what would be the result of the course of life they had chosen and the character they had developed. It was an expression of God's purpose toward them and their posterity in view of their own character and conduct.
This leads me to say something about the violence which is getting worse and worse in our streets. As a rule, children inherit the dispositions and tendencies of their parents, and imitate their example; so that the sins of the parents are practiced by the children from generation to generation. Thus the vileness and irreverence of Ham were reproduced in his posterity, bringing a curse upon them for many generations. The B ible warns us by saying, "One sinner destroyeth much good." Ecclesiastes 9:18. On the other hand, how richly rewarded was Shem's respect for his father; and what an illustrious line of holy men appears in his posterity! "The Lord knoweth the days of the upright," "and his seed is blessed." Psalm 37:18, 26. "K now therefore that the Lord thy God He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations." Deuteronomy 7:9.
For a time the descendants of Noah continued to dwell among the mountains where the ark had rested. As their numbers increased, apostasy soon led to division. Those who desired to forget their C reator and to cast off the restraint of His law felt a constant annoyance from the teaching and example of their God-fearing associates, and after a time they decided to separate from the worshipers of God. Accordingly Hams descendants journeyed to the plain of Shinar, on the banks of the river Euphrates . They were attracted by the beauty of the situation and the fertility of the soil, and upon this plain they determined to make their home. Here they decided to build a city, and in it a tower of such stupendous height as should render it the wonder of the world. B ut this was not the leading of the Lord; they had lost sight of His love and replaced it with ambition, pride, and selfishness.
Today let us not be like this group of people. B ut let us strive to reflect C hrist's character, and exhibit His goodness, mercy, and tender compassion. Let us pray for the spirit of sympathy, forbearance, meekness, humility, and love. Let us not relax until we are transformed into the image of Him with whom we all most stand. Today God is able to bring every thought and feeling into His perfect will. Right now why not ask yourself these questions. Is the C haracter of God’s Love in me? Am I exhibiting God’s Love in my daily life? What can I do to develop a more loving attitude? What is blocking God’s love from being expressed in me? And finally, how can the love of God function better, stronger, and faster, even in times of uncertainty and stress, to others? If you like me, are longing for a more fruitful ministry in C hrist Jesus then why not set aside one hour per-day for just prayer. Start today, and share your testimony with us so others can see what the Lord is doing by His love for others and you.
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This letter was written by Elder
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Today we thank you for your love father in Jesus name Amen.
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