This is a great illustration of the power of opportunity. The point of this story by Dick Innes is that we all have the opportunity to accept eternal life. But more than that, we all have the opportunity to let God use us to do extraordinary things, if we only let ourselves be open to it.
"Then [King] Agrippa said to Paul, 'Almost you persuade me to be a Christian.'" - Acts 26:28
Years ago, Walter took his friend Arthur to see some land in open country where cattle were idly grazing. Walter explained about his dream for developing this area. He told his friend that in time the area would be surrounded by many restaurants, hotels and convention centers. He told Arthur that his plan would take all of his money and he needed others to develop the surrounding area. He wanted his friend to have the first opportunity to buy into this project. But Arthur thought to himself, "Who in the world is going to drive twenty-five miles for this crazy project?" He said to Walter that he would think about it and decide later on. "Later on will be too late," Walter cautioned Arthur. "You'd better move on it right now." "And so Art Linkletter turned down the opportunity to buy up all the land that surrounded what was to become Disneyland. His friend Walt Disney tried to talk him into it. But Art thought he was crazy."
Life's like that. King Agrippa had the opportunity to accept Christ and become a Christian. He turned it down. Judas had one of the greatest opportunities in all history to become a follower of Jesus. Instead, he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Unbelievable! The two thieves who were crucified with Jesus also had the opportunity to receive the gift of eternal life. One accepted. The other didn't.
Life offers all of us many opportunities. We all have the opportunity to become followers of Jesus and to be a part of what God is doing in the world today. That choice is ours. Today.
As God's Word says, "Now is the accepted time ... now is the day of salvation."- 2 Corinthians 6:2 . . . Dick Innes; Opportunity Lost
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
What will be your legacy?
The following story recounted by Stan Toler is an amazing study in contrasts of how your integrity or lack of it can influence countless people.
In a publication called The Cross and the Flag, the power of integrity's legacy was chronicled in the lives of two men. One was Max Jukes, who lived in New York State. He was an unbeliever. Jukes had 1,029 known descendants, of whom 300 died prematurely. Of those who survived, 100 were sent to prison for an average of 13 years each; 190 were prostitutes; and 100 were alcoholics. Over the years, the Jukes family cost the state $1.2 million and made no contribution to society. The second man, Jonathan Edwards, lived in New England at about the same time as Max Jukes. He believed in God and became a prominent Christian minister. Edwards had 729 known descendants. Three hundred became preachers; 65 were college professors; 13 were college or university presidents; 60 became authors; three were elected to congress; and one became a vice president of the United States.
Integrity cannot be faked; the future will bring it to light. The most vital issue for any person to settle is this one: "What is my level of integrity?"
The answer to that single question will shape a person’s legacy for generations to come. . . Stan Toler
In a publication called The Cross and the Flag, the power of integrity's legacy was chronicled in the lives of two men. One was Max Jukes, who lived in New York State. He was an unbeliever. Jukes had 1,029 known descendants, of whom 300 died prematurely. Of those who survived, 100 were sent to prison for an average of 13 years each; 190 were prostitutes; and 100 were alcoholics. Over the years, the Jukes family cost the state $1.2 million and made no contribution to society. The second man, Jonathan Edwards, lived in New England at about the same time as Max Jukes. He believed in God and became a prominent Christian minister. Edwards had 729 known descendants. Three hundred became preachers; 65 were college professors; 13 were college or university presidents; 60 became authors; three were elected to congress; and one became a vice president of the United States.
Integrity cannot be faked; the future will bring it to light. The most vital issue for any person to settle is this one: "What is my level of integrity?"
The answer to that single question will shape a person’s legacy for generations to come. . . Stan Toler
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
A Tithe Story
Here is a story by Ben Maxson that caught my eye. It gives a great example of a spirit of giving that we should all aspire to.
I was on the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands of the South Pacific when I heard the story of a twelve year old boy who had learned what the Bible teaches on tithing. One day he came to the local church elder with a large fish he had caught. He explained to the elder that it was his tithe and asked for instructions as to how to give it to God.
The elder explained that he could sell it at the market or dry it and then sell it. Then he could return the tithe to God through His church. Then the elder remarked that it had been a good day for fishing since he had caught ten fish.
"Oh no," said the boy. "This is the first one. The other nine are still in the ocean. I'm going after them next." . . . A Tithe Fish Story by Ben Maxson
I was on the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands of the South Pacific when I heard the story of a twelve year old boy who had learned what the Bible teaches on tithing. One day he came to the local church elder with a large fish he had caught. He explained to the elder that it was his tithe and asked for instructions as to how to give it to God.
The elder explained that he could sell it at the market or dry it and then sell it. Then he could return the tithe to God through His church. Then the elder remarked that it had been a good day for fishing since he had caught ten fish.
"Oh no," said the boy. "This is the first one. The other nine are still in the ocean. I'm going after them next." . . . A Tithe Fish Story by Ben Maxson
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