Home Glad Tidings of Good Things Glad Tidings of Good Things (July 1, 2017)

Glad Tidings of Good Things (July 1, 2017)

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No Time to Pray

I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day.
I had so much to accomplish that I didn’t have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled upon me and heavier came each task.
“Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered. He answered, “You didn’t ask.”

But the day toiled on, grey and bleak.
I wondered why God didn’t show me, He said, “But you didn’t seek.”

I tried to come into God’s presence; I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly said, “My child, you didn’t knock.”

I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray. —Read Luke 18:1

Foundation of All Morality

The sixth president of the United States, John Quincy Adams, wrote some remarkable letters to one of his sons while the boy was attending school in Massachusetts. Nine of the letters were published in 1848 in a book titled Letters of John Quincy Adams to His Son on the Bible and Its Teaching. In Letter II, Adams says, “There are three points of doctrine, the belief of which, forms the foundation of all morality. The first is the existence of a God; the second is the immortality of the human soul; and the third is a future state of rewards and punishments.” Adams continued, “Suppose it possible for a man to disbelieve either of these articles of faith, and that man will have no conscience, he will have no other law than that of the tiger or the shark; the laws of man may bind him in chains, or may put him to death, but they never can make him wise, virtuous, or happy” (22–23). —Unknown Author

Love Cake for Mother

1 Can of obedience
3 Pounds of affection
1 Pint of neatness
Assorted holiday and birthday surprises
1 Box of running errands
1 Bag of get up when I should
1 Bottle of keep sunny all day long
1 Container of pure thanksgiving

Mix well, bake in a hearty warm oven, and serve to Mother every day in large slices. —Unknown

Sometimes Silence Is Golden

The Bible tells us plainly in James 3:1–12 that the tongue is a little member of the body that boasts of great things. It is also described as a fire, a world of iniquity, a defiler of the body, untamable, an unruly evil, and full of deadly poison. Because the tongue is so dangerous, it is important that we measure our words. Our words should be few (Proverbs 10:19).

Twenty instances in which we ought to keep our mouths closed include the following:

In the heat of anger (Proverbs 14:17).
When we don’t have all the facts (Proverbs 18:13).
When we haven’t verified the story (Deuteronomy 17:6).
If our words will offend a weaker person (1 Corinthians 8:11).
When it is time to listen (Proverbs 13:1).
When we are tempted to make light of holy things (Ecclesiastes 5:2).
When we are about to joke about sin (Proverbs 14:9).
If we would be ashamed of our words later (Proverbs 8:8).
If our words would convey the wrong impression (Proverbs 17:17).
If the issue is none of our business (2 Thessalonians 3:11).
If we are tempted to tell a lie (Proverbs 4:24).
If our words will damage someone else’s reputation (Proverbs 16:27).
If our words will damage a friendship (Proverbs 16:28).
When we are feeling critical (James 3:9).
If we can’t say it without screaming it (Ephesians 4:31).
If our words will be a poor reflection of the Lord (1 Peter 2:21–23).
If we might have to eat our words later (Proverbs 18:21).
If we have already said it more than one time (Proverbs 19:13).
When we are tempted to flatter a wicked person (Proverbs 24:24).
If we are supposed to be working instead (Proverbs 14:23).—David Hamilton Portland Heartbeat