The Pilgrim Path---Psalm 100: 2, 3 (1—10—23)

Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

“…WITH GLADNESS!”

About 30 years ago, one of my Trustee friends at the local prison was given a new job: he was to assist in the care of dying inmates. They were being transferred from Death Row. A sobering task. My friend loved Jesus Christ---now he was to show affection to broken and debilitated souls he did not know---in the most trying time of their lives. He had to bathe them, dress them---do virtually everything for them. It was humbling for him---and them. He performed his tasks as “unto Jesus.” He spoke Jesus “into” their lives. He enabled a few men to die in peace---the peace of the Gospel. He told me he started off in fear. He ended up serving in gladness. I have wondered, “Could I have done that?”

From Charles Spurgeon: Our God requires no slaves to grace his throne; He is the Lord of the empire of love and would have His servants dressed in the livery of joy.

From Jack Miller: So what I do with my life should center on working with matters that will remain unshaken at the return of the Lord Jesus. Get a good view of the temporariness of life and---believe it or not---you will enjoy it more…We cannot remain adolescents forever. God’s will is for us to become adults, and the heart of being an adult is the capacity to put away toys and put on the love and joy and peace of Christ. The mind of Christ brings such quietness where otherwise the life would be ruled by discontent and all kinds of defenses and ambitions…

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