Good morning,
We all have unsaved friends. Invite them to church this weekend. Resurrection Sunday would be a great time for them to hear about the lifechanging power of Jesus.
God can take the most sin-soiled soul!
(J.R. Miller)
Queen Victoria stopped one day at a paper-mill near Windsor Castle, and was shown through it by the foreman. He did not know who she was, as she was alone and was plainly dressed. The queen was intensely interested in every process of the paper-maker’s art. She was conducted at last to a place where a number of rag-pickers were emptying out the dirty rags which they had gathered from the gutters and alleys of the great city. There was a large pile of these filthy, blackened rags, which looked as if they never could be made clean. The queen asked the foreman what he would do with these. To her amazement, he told her that he would make them into the finest, whitest paper.
When the queen had gone, the foreman learned who she was. Some days after, there was received at the palace–a package of the purest, most delicate paper, having the queen’s likeness stamped upon it, with a note from the foreman of the mill, telling her that this paper was made from the very rags she had seen on her visit!
In the same way, the Holy Spirit takes human lives, ruined and blackened by sin–makes them whiter than snow, and stamps upon them the holy image of Jesus!
No life is hopeless in its ruin–which the transforming grace of God renews.
God can take the most sin-soiled soul–and give to it radiant beauty!
“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were! But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
~ ~ ~ ~
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
Dear Pastor Stearns
I found the article on Queen Victoria – illustrating – not the “Rags to Riches” but the “Rags to precious brilliant white Paper”.
This speaks to me on different levels – spiritual and physical, as I sometimes use up watercolor paper that my daughter has carried around with her, since college days (1970’s)(With permission).. At times it responds to my paintings – but at other times it creates serious challenges to get the desired results. That’s when I ask the Dear Lord, Creator of the Universe, to spare a moment in time and show me how to proceed. On those works I write –
“Gloria Deo” on the back of the painting. I just want to use the talent He gave me to the very best of my ability, and hopefully to His Glory one day.
May God bless and guide you and your very special wife – in all you do.
Margaret B Smith (Peggy)
Dear Peggy,
I am praying for you.
Thank you for your insights. It is encouraging to know this devotional helped you. Thank you for being so faithful to our class.
Remember Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” God will take care of you. He will give you the strength that you need and heal your body either here or in heaven. What a precious hope that soon we will be with Jesus. No more suffering, pain, weaknesses, or sin.
Have a blessed day!
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001