The Prize!

• Messages sorted by:[ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]

1 Corinthians 7;
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it
remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they
had none; 

30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they
that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that
buy, as though they possessed not; 

31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the
fashion of this world passeth away.

"...And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they
that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not;"...  As I think
about my life and in particular, my walk with the Lord, it
is characterized by looking past many, many things.  I
looked past my childhood wishing to be an adult and when I
got to be an adult I looked past the good things that I had
to "better" things that I didn't have, and it seems that I
am never satisfied to be where I am.  I look past my
present position in God's service to the days ahead and
imagine teaching ministry and growing acceptance and the
like and I overlook the things that God has given me right
here today and now.  This week was no different; I kept
looking past it to the time it would all be over.  I do
however stop and reflect from time to time and "catch up"
with God in the thanksgiving department.  This is usually a
private matter but I would like to share this one with you
all.  It is the closest I can come to expressing my
feelings about this whole thing.

As this week unfolded there were many times that the whole
family could have come unglued and "melted down" into a
very ugly mess.  Everyones feelings were "stuck out a mile"
and everyone was looking for someone to blame this whole
thing on.  The question of "Could I (the speaker, not me)
have done more to prevent this?" and "Didn't anyone see
this coming?" came up again and again.  God saw fit to
supply me with the answer.  I told everyone that there was
one person who saw this coming and could have done
something to prevent it: Dad.  There is one person who is
to blame for the horrible incident: Dad.  God allowed me to
be the peace maker in many instances and many people said
they admired my strength.  Jesus was and is my strength so
it is only fitting that He should be admired.  Jesus was my
wisdom so it is no surprise to me that the answer was
always at hand.  Jesus was my assurance and my comforter in
times of utter confusion and sorrow.  Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!

Be sure to say a prayer of thanksgiving on my behalf as God
propped me up through this whole thing.  There were some
very tough moments when peoples future lives hung on a
single word or the expression on someones face.  God saw
fit to orchastrate the funerals so that future peace can
exist.

With all of the prayers that went out on our behalfs,
especially for me, my prayer for myself was the one that I
always pray, "Unto Thee O Lord, unto Thee."  I want to
publicly thank God for all He has done.  I have His
assurance that if there had been any other way He would
have taken it.  He has done all that could be done for my
parents and me and you for that matter.  If the price
wasn't paid on the cross the debt will never be paid.  I
mourn that many let this terrible price be paid in vain for
them.  

Pray that I do not let this happen in my case.

Romans 12:15;
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that
weep.

I thank God that so many have wept with me and that there
are so many that share the GOOD NEWS of the many who are
being saved from a terrible fate by accepting the salvation
offered by God for the sake of Jesus Christ in whom He
dwelt on this Earth and in whom He dwells now.

I rejoice that even as hard as this has been, I have
assurance of a day when even these tears will be wiped away
and the rememberance of them as well, when I am with my
Father forever.

I will miss my parents and I loved them both.

Matthew 10:37
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy
of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is
not worthy of me. 

I can now truly say that as much as I loved them, I love
Him more.

God has His greater purpose in this and it is the same one
He has always had: that whosoever will might be saved.  You
see, every person in Hell will at the very least be
someone's son or daughter but those in Heaven will have
only one Father: God; and one Lord: Jesus Christ.

This is the really HARD part friends, the "getting on with
life" part.
I thank God that He has given me a higher calling and a
purpose; His purpose, for my life.  I don't fully know what
that calling will entail but by His Grace I am looking
forward to it!

Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of
the throne of God. 

You see dear friends, it is good to look past things
sometimes as long as you thank God ALWAYS.

THANKS BE TO GOD!

Timothy (keepin' my eyes on the prize) Litteral
472 Grant St.
Marion Ohio 43302
brotim@gte.net
http://members.tripod.com/~trlitteral