Philippians 2:12
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed,...work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Obadiah Holmes and his wife gave their children a firm foundation in Christ. After speaking of this foundation in his final letter, he concluded with a list of challenging, practical ways to live out their faith:
Be you content with your present condition and portion God has given you. Make a good use of what you have by making use of it for your comfort (solace). For meat, drink or apparel, it is the gift of God. Take care to live honestly, justly, quietly with love and peace among yourselves, your neighbors and, if possible, be at peace with all men.
In what you can, do good to all men, especially to such as fear the Lord. Forget not to entertain strangers, according to your ability; if it be done in sincerity, it will be accepted, especially if to a disciple in the name of a disciple. Do to all men as you would have them do to you.
If you would be Christ's disciples, you must know and consider that you must take up your cross and follow Him, through evil report and losses. But yet know, he that will lose his life for Him shall save it.
Thus, my dear children, have I according to my measure, as is my duty, counseled you. May the good Lord give you understanding in all things and by His Holy Spirit convince, reprove and instruct and lead you into all truth as it is in Jesus. So that when you have done your work here, He may receive you to glory. Now the God of truth and peace be with you, unto Whom I commit this and you, even to Him be glory forever and ever, Amen.
A powerful exhortation. Did it make a difference? Yes. Some 10 generations later, one of Obadiah's descendants is a man by the name of Dave Jones. Dave pastors a church in Georgia and, with his wife, Peggy, is impacting thousands of marriages through speaking at FamilyLife Marriage Conference.
Today, some 300 years later, Obadiah reminds us that nothing we leave our children will ever be as important as a conviction that God must be everything to them.
Prayer:
That God would help you "number your days," live your life for Christ and raise your children by His priorities.
Discuss: If you were to write a final letter to your children, what would you say?
May this be a blessing to you for this coming new year. One hour more and it is indeed a New Year here for us.
GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY! GOD LOVES YOU ALWAYS!
ALL THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD ALONE!!!
P.U.S.H.
When you feel GOD's love, OVERFLOW!
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2 comments:
Boy this last part runs right with what hubby has been learning in letters from dad. The letters have really made an impact. I've learned a lot about letters. It is so important to share our love for Christ, as this glorifies Him and leads those lost sheep to Him.
I hope there are many out there that read your blog and are lead to Him. You have such a gift!
God Bless You Always, and Always P.U.S.H.
I am a 'letter' fan. I always write cards/letters to Cody especially now that we're physically distant from each other. Also, I know the impact that letters can do that's why I asked my youths to make letters for each member of our cell group.
Thank you for being such a faithful friend. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. How much I appreciate you. You are a Godly blessing in my life. From my heart, I love you, my dear sister in CHRIST!
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