Good morning,
Last September we had a guest speaker, Dana Clark, a missionary to Bangladesh. She has the opportunity to teach at the William Carey Academy. This unique school is made up of 95% Muslim students. The curriculum is Christian based in English. The parents and the government are aware of what is being taught and encourage it.
Two things have impressed we with Dana’s ministry. First, her love for the Lord. Second, she sends out a WEEKLY newsletter. Each one has a mini devotional. Today I would like to share one of hers on TIME. (Highlights mine)
“Have you chosen your word for 2017?” is a common Facebook question these days. I am not a yearly word chooser, although I can see benefits of focusing on a single theme for a year. If I were choosing, I might choose the word “eternal.” This week I have spent some time thinking about the word time. I never seem to have enough of it to do everything I want or need to do. Do you? There are days I lay my head on the pillow and wonder where the time has gone and where I can get more. Matthew and Luke both ask the rhetorical question, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Solomon wisely tells us that there is a time for everything. Paul reminds us to “redeem the time, because the days are evil.” Esther was called to serve in the palace “for such a time as this.” At this time of year, I am reminded that Jesus was born in the “fullness of time.” Time is an interesting concept, but eternity is mind blowing . . . Have you thought about the magnitude of the word ETERNAL? . . . forever; time without end . . .
Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthians was a much-needed reminder for me this week, These truths are what keep me going when the going “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment (short time), worketh for us a far more exceeding and ETERNAL (time without end) weight of glory; . . . for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are ETERNAL.” (II Cor. 4:17,18) gets tough: 1. The trials of life are light and temporary, but God is working them together for His and my eternal glory. 2. There is much more going on than what I can see, and I must take God at His word and trust Him for the big picture that I cannot yet see.
My dad and I loved to discuss what we were learning in life. One day we had a discussion that started with “Dana, name 3 things that will last forever?” We talked about God’s eternality, God’s Word which would never pass away, and the souls of men that would live forever in either heaven or hell. Our conclusion was that these three things should be the focus of our lives. My dad has now heard, “Well done, my good and faithful servant . . . enter into the joy of thy Lord,” but I still have time.” xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
So, in light of eternity, how do we spend our time? Dana challenges us to think about what we do in light of eternity. As we read God’s word this week, we need to allow God to speak to us about how we use our time.
Please pray for Dana. She and the other teachers have had many opportunities to discuss what the Bible says about many topics including Jesus.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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