The Dream

A great minister, who was noted for his Christ-like spirit as well as for his consecrated ability, dreamed that he had died and stood at the gate of heaven knocking for admission.  He gave his name, only to be told that his name did not appear upon the books.  Finally, at his earnest petition, he was forbidden to enter and was told he would have the privilege of appearing before the Judge of all the earth, and if he could stand His test he might abide in heaven forever.  Standing before the throne, he gave his name, and the following questions were asked of him: “Have you led a righteous life?” He said, “No.” “Have you always been kind and gentle?” Again he replied no. “Have you always been forgiving to those who have been around you?” “No, I have miserably failed there.” “Have you always been honest and just?” He answered, “No.” As question after question was asked of him by the Judge, his case seemed more and more hopeless.  The last question was asked, and to that, too, he was indebted to give the same negative reply no. Just when he seemed to be in despair, the brightness about the throne became brighter, and suddenly he heard a beautiful voice—the most beautiful to which his ears had ever heard.  It was sweeter than a mother’s voice; it was more beautiful than all the music of heaven; it filled all the arches of the skies and thrilled the soul of this man as he stood before the Judge trembling and about to fall.  The speaker said, “My Father, I know this man.  It is true that he was weak in many ways, but he stood for Me in the world, and I take his place before Thee.” Just as the last words of this sentence were spoken, the dream was over and the man awoke; he had his lesson, and it is a lesson for all of us.  Will you stand for Jesus?  Will you be His example?  Will you follow the shepherds leading?  I pray that you would!

Our God saves

If you ever have read the end of the bible you will find that in the end we really do win and Our God ultimately saves.  It is because of the cross of Jesus Christ that a person is saved.  I read an article about those who were attempting to save the cross.  A case before the US Supreme Court focused on whether a religious symbol, specifically a cross, should be allowed on public land.  Mark Sherman, writing for the Associated Press, said that although the cross in question was erected in 1934 as a memorial to soldiers who died in World War I, one veteran’s group that opposed it called the cross “a powerful Christian symbol” and “not a symbol of any other religion.”  That is why they want to tear it down.  It is true; it is a Christian symbol because it represents Christ.  Titus 3:5 says it this way, “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” God wants to save us.  It is by the cross of Jesus Christ that God saved us from our sin and continues to save sinners who would call out to Him!