Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I wonder how many of us have a “child in the faith”? What are we doing to bring God’s children who have wondered far back to Him? I appreciate each of our donors who help us look for the lost sheep. I suppose I’m the “surrogate” parent. However, this ministry is here to help you personally find your “child in the faith”. Use our material and share it with all around you.
Countless Christians are about spouting myths, conspiracy theories and church doctrine. But all that energy will do nothing to make a “child of God”. Personal example of love, gentleness, respect and kind words will do more to heal a broken heart than all the clubs in our weaponry.
1 Timothy 1:1 to 1 Timothy 1:20
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, . . .
The majority of those who go into “ministry” have not been “called” by the “command of God”. There are those who just enjoy working with people and use “ministry” as an excuse. Then there are those who don’t want to work for a living. Then of course there are those who love money and power; working for a denomination and moving up the “chain of command” is ego stroking.
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I am sure Timothy had his faults. I am sure he made mistakes. But I never hear of Paul chastising him in his letters. I wonder if we should be filled more with expressions of “grace, mercy, and peace” towards each other? What wonderful relationships we would have in our lives. Probably, half our ills would be solved with such an attitude.
As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus,. . .
We all need to be “urged” in our lives. I know I do. It actually is comforting to know I am working in a team setting. Too much individuality can be dangerous in our lives. Timothy had molded his life into that of Paul’s. He placed himself under Paul as mentor, father, teacher and instructor. His example is what ours should be towards Jesus. But few are willing to humbly submit to anyone, let alone Jesus. Wherever Paul needed Timothy, Timothy was there.
. . . so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, . . .
The churches, denominations and pastors of the world today are not listening. They are way off the “one way” path and trudging through the swamp of human wisdom, ego and pride. Paul taught the doctrine of Jesus to be perfect, stop sinning and to keep the Ten Commandments to get eternal life. Jesus never taught church, tradition, sacrifices, services, rituals, rites or even grace. Instead of teaching grace, He lived it.
. . . nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.
Genealogies! “My family goes way back for generations in the Catholic Church. I’m not going to change.” “My family has belonged to the Methodist church for generations. Why should I leave it?” “It was good enough for my great-great-grandparents to belong to the Seven-day Adventist church, I’m not leaving.” And so it goes. Endless genealogies have nothing to do with eternal life. The light our forbearers had was probably all God allowed for them at that time. But now, we have far more light and will be held responsible for living up to it or rejecting it.
That word “devote” is interesting. I know of whole churches, denominations and religions that are devoted to myths. Asked why they do certain rituals, rites and ceremonies in their churches and all they can say is, “It is tradition”. Myths! For many, worrying about food will kill them faster than the food they are worried about.
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Try telling that to someone hung up on her myth or genealogy. They probably won’t think you have love issuing from a pure heart and a good conscience. They may be offended and call the “thought police”. But it does take a “sincere faith” to be a “Timothy” and “charge certain persons not to . . .”. We must be very careful and make sure that what we are speaking comes from a pure heart and good conscience and sincere faith.
Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, . . .
“Vain discussion”. Wow! Have you been listening to the Left? Men can become women. Children can be mutilated? Good is bad and bad is good? Talk about “vain discussion”. The Left is under the complete control of Lucifer and he hates God and everything that God created. Talk about having “wandered away”. Yes they have! The above is about society, but what about the churches?
The churches have wondered away into vain discussion by claiming we no longer have to keep the Ten Commandments. They claim we don’t have to keep the one day of the week God commands us to remember to keep holy. They refuse to live in obedience because they claim we are saved eternally by grace. What nonsense!
. . . desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
How true! The churches, denominations and pastors of the world are all “desiring to be teachers of the law” and yet are truly “without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions”. The world is becoming worse that Sodom. The world is becoming worse than it was before the flood. This is the time to practice holiness and become perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping.
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, . . .
In other letters from Paul, when he talks about “law”, he is talking about church laws, circumcision and everything that goes with it. Why? Because those letters were written to new converts from both Judaism and Gentiles. Therefore, he had to keep them safe from those who wanted to impose on them their old “church” concepts and ideas.
But in this letter, Paul is talking to Timothy. He is now talking to him about the Ten Commandments. The “law is good, if one uses it lawfully”. Can the Ten Commandments be used “unlawfully”? Yes. People use it all the time to point fingers, turn their backs on people and to destroy lives.
. . . understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just –
Why is the law not for the just? Because the just love the law and obey it. If you are driving down the freeway and driving safely and responsibly, driving the speed limit, you are just and don’t have to worry about the blue and read lights of the “law” behind you.
– but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
Law is for those who want to break it. It gives authority to God to punish those who want to hurt others by breaking the law. Don’t you want justice? God is a God of justice. But He also applies mercy when they repent and change their lives and are justified. Therefore, if you live a righteous life, you don’t have to be looking in the rearview mirror for the law to catch you. God is love. When you live the perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping life, you and God are in “accordance with the gospel”. Therefore, as Jesus said, the law is not abolished, it is being fulfilled every day in our lives as it was in His.
I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, . . .
Strength for what? For keeping the Ten Commandments! After becoming a Christian, he put his will on the side of Christ and God gave him the strength to obey the Ten Commandments. Therefore, Jesus “judged me faithful”. Not just for past sins, which were blotted out with justification, but for a present life of obedience through sanctification “to His service”.
. . . though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, . . .
That is correct. There is a difference between acting ignorantly and acting in rebellion. Once you know what is right and refuse to live in obedience to it, you are held accountable. But when you repent and change your life, you will receive mercy.
This is an Old Testament concept. Remember, Paul taught from the Old Testament. “And the whole community of the Israelites and the resident foreigner who lives among them will be forgiven, since all the people were involved in the unintentional offense.” Numbers 15:26.
. . . and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
The wages of sin is death. One grace of God is keeping you alive in this physical world. But when you repent, turning from your sins and living as Jesus commands, then another grace kicks in “with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”. That grace is salvation grace.
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
Yes He did! He came into this world to save me, the chief of sinners. That is why I do not want to disappoint Jesus by breaking His law. Do I stumble, fall and trip? That I do. But I will not deliberately rebel against God and His Ten Commandments.
But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
How true that is in my life. “His perfect patience” is on display in me. This is shown so that others may know that they too can be forgiven and given the grace of eternal life when they submit to the Ten Commandments.
To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Praising God, lifting arms and hands, jumping up and down in church and putting on a show to an imaginary “Jesus” whom you refuse to live in obedience to, will do you no good. God detests you. But when you learn to live by His grace, in perfect obedience to the Ten Commandments, that is something you will praise God for from a pure and quiet heart.
This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
That puts a stop to the “once saved always saved” nonsense. Some were working with Paul, but left. They had the faith, and then made shipwreck of it by taking their eyes off the truth and putting them on the churches and the world. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus and His perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping character. Let us follow His example.
INMATE LETTERS
JCPM,
I am requesting to take part in your Bible study program. After I have completed it, and received my certificate, I wish to continue my correspondence with you and take part in all you have to offer. I have had your information for a few years now. I am not even sure if your ministry still exists. I hope you do. I have been in here for ten years.
Meko, WA
—————————
Dear JCPM,
I would like to partake in your free Bible study. My cellie would also like to partake in the free Bible study.
Jesus & Brad, WA
—————————-
To Whom It May Concern,
Thank you so much for sending me your informative post card. And yes, I am very interested in your free Bible study and Certificate. Please send me the Biblical 8-step program so I may begin my journey. I have multiple life sentences as of now.
Alberto, OR
—————————–
JCPM,
I am responding to inform you that Yes, I do want the free Bible study course. Yes, I do want the “Change Your Life Biblically” book. I am serving a sentence of life without parole.
Jason, MI
————————–
JCPM,
I recently received your Postcard. Thank you for your consideration and time you spent to reach out. I went over the information you provided and I found it spiritually interesting. I would like to participate in the 8-step program. I would like to get better acquainted with this ministry. I would like to learn and be familiar with its missions and goals.
Danny, OR
—————————
JCPM,
I received a paper in the mail from your organization. It mentioned a career opportunity. I am curious what that referred to. Thank you for reaching out.
Jared, MI
—————————-
Dear JCPM,
I would like very much to take your Bible study.
Dana, OH
——————————
JCPM,
I would like your free book called, “Change Your Life Biblically”.
Theodis, OH
—————————–
Greetings,
I’ve been through a lot. They moved me to another unit. I need the whole book again. Wo when you get time, may you please send me another? I love how you break down the Bible. It means so much to me.
George, TX
—————————
JCPM,
I received a letter from you and I would love to change my life and do the biblical 8-step program. I am willing to do anything to try to change my life and find the path the Lord Jesus Christ has planned for me.
Ray, ID
——————————
Dear Ronald,
Thank you for responding to me. I still have not received a book from you. So, if you could send another, I’d appreciate it. Also, my cellmate seems very interested in the JCPM. If you could send him a book also, it would bring us a lot closer in Christ.
Michael, MI
————————————
Blessings JCPM,
I want to say, “Thank you & God bless you”. My little brother had a best friend kill himself. I prayed and read and sought the Lord all day for my little brother. Then, that evening, I received your invite to “Change Your Life Biblically”. I am seeking the kingdom above all else. I would love to do the program.
Jacob, IL
———————————–
JCPM,
I am writing you regarding the program. I want to sign up to receive a Bible study certificate. Thank you,
Deangelo, IL
TESTIMONY FOR GOD’S CHILDREN
My Dear Family in Christ,
The home is the greatest mission field a person can participate in. Not only in my home as I was growing up was this information missing, but in my home as a father. I was lost. Since I had no Christian example in my upbringing, I was not able to give it in my own family. Fathers, mothers and grandparents need to be more focused on the children and their homes than anything else the world has to offer. Please listen carefully to the information and help as many families as possible to bring Christianity into their homes.
Missionaries in the Home
Dear Sister,
I have been shown that you have certain faults that you should feel the importance of correcting, in order to enjoy the blessing of God. Many of your trials you have brought upon yourself by your freedom of speech. You feel that it is a virtue to talk plainly, and tell people just what you think of them and their acts. You call this frankness; but it is downright discourtesy, and arouses the combativeness of those with whom you are brought in contact. If others should pursue the same course toward you, it would be more than you could bear. Those who are accustomed to speak plainly and severely to others, are not pleased to receive the same treatment in return.
You have brought upon yourself many grievances that could have been avoided had you possessed a meek and quiet spirit. You provoke contention; for when your will is crossed, your spirit rises for conflict. Your disposition to rule is a constant source of trouble to yourself. Your nature has become jealous and distrustful. You are overbearing, and stir up strife by faultfinding and hasty condemnation. You have so long cultivated a spirit of retaliation that you continually need the grace of God to soften and subdue your nature. The dear Saviour has said: “Bless them that curse you,” “and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
Dear sister, I was shown that you bring darkness into your own soul by dwelling upon the mistakes and imperfections of others. You will never have their sins to answer for, but you have a work to do for your own soul and for your own family that no other can do for you. You need to crucify self and to check the disposition to magnify your neighbors’ faults and to talk thoughtlessly. There are subjects upon which you may converse with the very best results. It is always safe to speak of Jesus, of the Christian’s hope, and of the beauties of our faith. Let your tongue be sanctified to God, that your speech may be ever seasoned with grace. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
The apostle’s exhortation should be explicitly followed. There is often a great temptation to talk of things which do not profit the speaker or the hearer, but which bring evil and barrenness to both. Our probationary time is too brief to be spent in dwelling upon the shortcomings of others. We have a work before us which requires the closest diligence and the strictest watchfulness, united with unceasing prayer, or we shall be unable to overcome the defects in our characters and to copy the divine Pattern. We should all study to imitate the life of Christ. Then we shall have a sanctifying influence upon those with whom we associate. It is a wonderful thing to be a Christian, truly Christlike, peaceable, pure, and undefiled. Dear sister, God must be with us in all our efforts, or they will avail nothing. Our good works will end in self-righteousness.
In your own family there is much to correct. You have failed to give your children the attention and encouragement they need. You have not bound them to your heart by the tenderest cords of love. Your business is a great tax upon your time and energies, and causes you to neglect home duties. Yet you have become so accustomed to this burden that it would seem a great sacrifice to lay it down; still, if you could do this, it would be for your spiritual interest and for the happiness and morals of your children. It would be well for you to lay by your perplexing cares and find a retreat in the country, where there is not so strong an influence to corrupt the morals of the young.
True, you would not be entirely free from annoyances and perplexing cares in the country; but you would there avoid many evils, and close the door against a flood of temptations which threaten to overpower the minds of your children. They need employment and variety. The sameness of their home makes them uneasy and restless, and they have fallen into the habit of mingling with the vicious lads of the town, thus obtaining a street education.
You have devoted so much time to missionary work which has no connection with our faith, and been so pressed with cares and responsibilities, that you have not kept pace with the work of God for this time, and have had little leisure to make the narrow precincts of home attractive to your children. You have not studied their needs, nor understood their active, developing minds; therefore you have withheld from them simple indulgences that would have gratified them without injury. It would have been a trifling tax upon you to give your children greater attention, and it would have been of the greatest value to them.
To live in the country would be very beneficial to them; an active, out-of-door life would develop health of both mind and body. They should have a garden to cultivate, where they might find both amusement and useful employment. The training of plants and flowers tends to the improvement of taste and judgment, while an acquaintance with God’s useful and beautiful creations has a refining and ennobling influence upon the mind, referring it to the Maker and Master of all.
The father of your children was harsh, relentless, and unfeeling, cold and stern in his associations with them, severe in his discipline, and unreasonable in his demands. He was a man of peculiar temperament, wrapped up in himself, thinking only of his own pleasure, and reaching out for means to gratify himself and secure the esteem of others. His indolence and his dissipated habits, together with his lack of sympathy and love for you and his children, weaned your affections from him at an early day. Your life was filled with hard and peculiar trials, while he was utterly indifferent to your cares and burdens.
These things have left their impress upon you and your children. Especially have they tended to warp your character. You have almost unconsciously developed an independent spirit. Finding that you could not depend upon your husband, you have taken that course which you thought best, without taking him into your confidence. As your best endeavors were not appreciated, you mentally braced yourself to move forward according to your best judgment, regardless of censure or approval. Conscious of being wronged and misjudged by your husband, you have cherished a feeling of bitterness against him, and when censured you have retaliated upon those who questioned your course.
But while you have fully realized your husband’s faults, you have failed to mark your own. You have erred in talking of his failings to others, thus cultivating a love for dwelling upon disagreeable topics, and keeping your disappointments and trials constantly before you. You have thus fallen into the habit of making the most of your sorrows and difficulties, many of which you create by exaggeration and by talking to others.
If you should turn your attention away from outside annoyances and center them upon your family you would be happier and would become the means of doing good. The very fact that your children have missed the proper counsel and example of a father renders it more obligatory upon you to be a tender and devoted mother. Your duty is more in your home and with your family. Here is real missionary labor to perform. This responsibility cannot be shifted upon another; it is the lifework God has appointed for you.
In devoting yourself so entirely to the details of business, you are robbing yourself of time for meditation and prayer, and are robbing your children of the patient care and attention that they have a right to claim from their mother. You find that you can hurry through with many tasks yourself, easier and quicker than you can patiently teach your children to do them for you; yet it would be much better to put certain responsibilities upon them and instruct them to be useful. This would encourage and occupy them, as well as relieve you in part.
You give considerable time to those who have no special claims upon you, and in so doing you neglect the sacred duties of a mother. God has not laid upon you many of the burdens which you have assumed. You have visited and helped those who did not need your time and care half so much as your own children, who are now forming characters for heaven or perdition. God will not sustain you in ministering to many who are really suffering under the curse of God for their dissolute and wicked lives.
The first great business of your life is to be a missionary at home. Clothe yourself with humility and patience, forbearance and love, and go about the work that God has ordained you should do, which no other one can do for you. It is a work for which you will be held responsible in the day of retribution. God’s blessing cannot rest upon an ill-disciplined household. Kindness and patience must rule in the home to make it happy.
From a worldly point of view, money is power; but from the Christian standpoint, love is power. Intellectual and spiritual strength are involved in this principle. Pure love has special efficacy to do good, and can do nothing but good. It prevents discord and misery, and brings the truest happiness. Wealth is often an influence to corrupt and destroy; force is strong to do hurt; but truth and goodness are the properties of pure love.
My sister, if you could see yourself as God sees you, it would be plain to your mind that without a thorough conversion you can never enter the kingdom of God. If you would bear in mind that whatever measure you mete to others it shall be meted to you again, you would be more cautious in your speech, milder and more forgiving in your disposition. Christ came into the world to bring all resistance and authority into subjection to Himself, but He did not claim obedience through the strength of argument or the voice of command; He went about doing good and teaching His followers the things which belonged to their peace. He stirred up no strife, He resented no personal injuries, but met with meek submission the insults, the false accusations, and the cruel scourging of those who hated Him and condemned Him to death. Christ is our example. His life is a practical illustration of His divine teachings. His character is a living exhibition of the way to do good and overcome evil.
You have nursed your resentment against your husband and others who have wronged you, but have failed to perceive wherein you have erred and made matters worse by your own wrong course. Your spirit has been bitter against those who have done you injustice, and your feelings have found vent in reproaches and censure. This would give momentary relief to your burdened heart, but it has left a lasting scar upon your soul. The tongue is a little member, but you have cultivated its improper use until it has become a consuming fire.
All these things have tended to check your spiritual advancement. But God sees how hard it is for you to be patient and forgiving, and He knows how to pity and to help. He requires you to reform your life, to correct your defects. He desires that your firm, unyielding spirit should be subdued by His grace. You should seek the help of God, for you need peace and quiet instead of storm and contention. The religion of Christ enjoins upon you to move less from impulse, and more from sanctified reason and calm judgment.
You allow your surroundings to affect you too much. Let daily watchfulness and prayer be your safeguard. Then the angels of God will be around you to shed clear and precious light upon your mind and to uphold you with their heavenly strength. Your influence over your children, and your course toward them, should be such as to attract these holy visitors to your dwelling, that they may assist you in your efforts to make your family and your home what God would have them. When you essay to independently fight your own way through, the heavenly angels are repelled, and retire from your presence in grief, leaving you to struggle on alone.
Your children have the stamp of character that their parents have given them. How careful, then, should be your treatment of them; how tenderly should you rebuke and correct their faults. You are too stern and exacting, and have frequently dealt with them when you were excited and angry. This has almost fretted away the golden cord of love that binds their hearts to yours. You should ever impress upon your children the fact that you love them; that you are laboring for their interest; that their happiness is dear to you; and that you design to do only that which is for their good.
You should gratify their little wants whenever you can reasonably do so. Your present location affords but little variety or amusement to their young and restless minds, and every year the difficulty increases. In the fear of God, your first consideration should be for your children. As a Christian mother, your obligations to them are neither light nor small; and in order to fill them properly, you should lay down some of your other burdens, and devote your time and energies to this work. The home of your children should be the most desirable and happy place in the world to them, and the mother’s presence should be the greatest attraction.
The power of Satan over the youth of this age is fearful. Unless their minds are firmly balanced by religious principle, their morals will become corrupted by the vicious children with whom they come in contact. You think you understand these things, but you fail to fully comprehend the seducing power of evil upon youthful minds. Their greatest danger is from a lack of proper training and discipline. Indulgent parents do not teach their children self-denial. The very food they place before their children is such as to irritate the tender coats of the stomach. This excitement is communicated to the brain through the nerves, and the result is that the animal passions are roused and control the moral powers. Reason is thus made a servant to the lower qualities of the mind. Anything which is taken into the stomach and converted into blood becomes a part of the being. Children should not be allowed to eat gross articles of food, such as pork, sausage, spices, rich cakes and pastry; for by so doing their blood becomes fevered, the nervous system unduly excited, and the morals are in danger of being affected. It is impossible for anyone to live intemperately in regard to diet and yet retain a large degree of patience. Our heavenly Father sent the light of health reform to guard against the evils resulting from a debased appetite, that those who love purity and holiness may use with discretion the good things He has provided for them, and by exercising temperance in their daily lives, may be sanctified through the truth.
You are not uniform in your treatment of your children. At times you indulge them to their injury, while at other times you refuse them some innocent gratification that would make them very happy. You turn from them with impatience and scorn their simple requests, forgetting that they can enjoy pleasures that to you seem foolish and childish. You do not stoop from the dignity of your age and station to understand and minister to the wants of your children. In this you fail to imitate Christ. He identified Himself with the lowly, the needy, and the afflicted. He took little children in His arms, and descended to the level of the young. His large heart of love could comprehend their trials and necessities, and He enjoyed their happiness. His spirit, wearied with the bustle and confusion of the crowded city, tired of association with crafty and hypocritical men, found rest and peace in the society of innocent children. His presence never repulsed them. The Majesty of heaven condescended to answer their questions and simplified His important lessons to meet their childish understanding. He planted in their young, expanding minds the seeds of truth that would spring up and produce a plentiful harvest in their riper years.
In these children who were brought to Him that He might bless them He saw the future men and women who should be heirs of His grace and subjects of His kingdom, and some of whom would become martyrs for His name’s sake. Certain unsympathizing disciples commanded that the children be taken away, lest they should trouble the Master; but as they were turning away in sadness, Christ rebuked His followers, saying: “Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”
He knew that these children would listen to His counsel and accept Him as their Redeemer, while those who were worldly-wise and hardhearted would be less likely to follow Him and find a place in the kingdom of God. These little ones, by coming to Christ and receiving His advice and benediction, had His image and His gracious words stamped upon their plastic minds, never to be effaced. We should learn a lesson from this act of Christ, that the hearts of the young are most susceptible to the teachings of Christianity, easy to influence toward piety and virtue, and strong to retain the impressions received. But these tender, youthful ones should be approached with kindness and taught with love and patience.
My sister, bind your children to your heart by affection. Give them proper care and attention in all things. Furnish them with becoming garments, that they may not be mortified by their appearance, for this would be injurious to their self-respect. You have seen that the world is devoted to fashion and dress, neglecting the mind and morals to decorate the person; but in avoiding this evil you verge upon the opposite extreme, and do not pay sufficient attention to your own dress and that of your children. It is always right to be neat and to be clad appropriately in a manner becoming to your age and station in life.
Order and cleanliness is the law of heaven; and in order to come into harmony with the divine arrangement, it is our duty to be neat and tasty. Your ideas upon this subject are perverted. While condemning the extravagance and vanity of the world, you fall into the error of stretching economy into penuriousness. You deny yourself that which it is right and proper that you should have, and which God has furnished you means to procure. You do not suitably clothe yourself or your children. Our outward appearance should not dishonor the One we profess to follow, but should reflect credit upon His cause.
The apostle says: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” Your means are given you to use where needed, not to hoard up for destruction in the great conflagration. You are bidden to enjoy the good gifts of the Lord, and should use them for your own comfort, for charitable purposes, and in good works to advance His cause, thereby laying up for yourself treasures in heaven.
Many of your afflictions have been visited upon you, in the wisdom of God, to bring you closer to the throne of grace. He softens and subdues His children by sorrows and trials. This world is God’s workshop, where He fashions us for the courts of heaven. He uses the planing knife upon our quivering hearts until the roughness and irregularities are removed and we are fitted for our proper places in the heavenly building. Through tribulation and distress the Christian becomes purified and strengthened, and develops a character after the model that Christ has given. The influence of a true, godly life cannot be measured. It reaches beyond the immediate circle of home and friends, shedding a light that wins souls to Jesus. 4T 134-143.