The Pilgrim Path---Mark 13: 35

Therefore stay awake---for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning---

STAY AWAKE…

One of the pleasures of my seminary experience was the diversity. When I graduated there were almost 40 different denominations represented in the student body at RTS (and Jackson, MS---was the only campus the seminary could boast at the time). What added to the joy was the people: from the continents of Africa, South America, all over Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East---and of course, the United States. You must know that the folk from overseas were typically the “cream of the crop” from their National Churches. Quite a few of them were some of the most impressive followers of Jesus Christ that I had ever had the privilege of being around in my life. Looking back, many of the people in local churches did not appreciate the caliber of saints that the LORD had placed around them. Incredible stories. Great faith and perseverance. My, my---those people taught me much…

One of my favorite brothers was Appam Vasham (I have mentioned him previously). He was from Nagaland. The northeastern state of India. His father and grandfather had been head-hunters (as in actual cannibals). He had been influenced by traveling missionaries and had been brought to life in Jesus Christ the LORD. What a man. He was one of about four gentlemen from Nagaland while I was at RTS Jackson. Appam was a Baptist Evangelist. He spoke eleven (11) tribal dialects. A powerful preacher of the Gospel of Life in the Living Savior. He and his friends worked nights to make up for the shortfall in finances. On occasion, I would “see” Appam at the tennis court---but he was usually in the library. Great sense of humor---and great lover of souls! As I have reflected on these dear men and women lately---I have thought about some common traits that they possessed. First, they did not waste time. They had far too much too do---and too little time to accomplish it. Second, the World---was not their standard. The world did not direct them---the LORD Jesus was their Master. Third, the Word of God and Prayer were significant to each of them---quite precious really. Fourth, the Worship and body life of the Church of Jesus were important to them. These were people who built their life around the Church---they built it up as best they could. And they reached “out” in Jesus’ Name as often as they could. We are glad to be ONE with them. We are glad to be working and watching with THEM for the return of the MASTER!

From John Duncan: You don’t make Christ a present when you give him your heart; you only give him that which he has already bought.

From St. Basil of Caesarea: That soul is truly blessed which, night and day, has only one concern: that when the Great Day comes, in which all creation must stand in the Judge’s presence, and each soul render an account of her deeds, she too may be able without hardship to acquit herself well in life’s last reckoning. Whoever keeps that day and hour always before his mind’s eye, always thinking of the account to be given before that court where no excuses are allowed: such a soul will commit no sin, or not gravely. The origin of sin is when God’s fear is absent from our hearts. But when people have a plain understanding of sin’s consequences, warned by the Judge, then the sense of awe that enters their hearts will never consent to their plunging into rash deeds or thoughts. Keep God, therefore, ever in your mind! Let His fear be ever fresh in your heart! Engage all people to unite with you in your prayers!

HYMN

Ten thousand times ten thousand in sparkling raiment bright,

The armies of the ransomed saints throng up the steeps of light:

‘Tis finished, all is finished, their fight with death and sin:

Fling open wide the golden gates, and let the victors in.

O then what raptured greetings on Canaan’s happy shore;

What knitting severed friendships up where partings are no more!

Then eyes with joy shall sparkle, that brimmed with tears of late;

Orphans no longer fatherless, nor widows desolate.

Bring near thy great salvation, thou Lamb for sinners slain;

Fill up the roll of thine elect, then take thy power and reign:

Appear, Desire of nations, thine exiles long for home;

Show in the heavens thy promised sign; thou Prince and Savior, come.

Henry Alford, 1867

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason