January 8. Thankful for a good night’s rest again last night. We didn’t do a whole lot today. Worked on e-mails. Tried to talk to Fran (Lewis’ brother) and Margaret on Skype, but couldn’t get it to work right. Talked to them a few minutes by phone. We were sorry to hear about Linda’s diagnosis of cancer.
Went out to get a few groceries. Stopped by the post office. Thankful for the package that was there — one that Christy and Connie mailed less than a month ago. (That really came fast.) The other one we have been waiting for must have gone to Africa or somewhere. We really need the Omega factors that were in it too. Maybe it will arrive here in another few months. (I wonder if we’ll ever get our Omega factors and Vitamin D.)
Had lunch. Wrote more e-mails. Took a nap. Played some games. Had supper. Wrote more e-mails. That’s about it for today.
“8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. 9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge…. 32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:8,9, 32-36
January 9. The highlight of the day was talking to our daughters. Listened to a recorded message this morning and one this evening.
"Serve the Lord with gladness." Psalm 100:2 Delight in divine service is a token of acceptance. Those who serve God with a sad countenance, because they do what is unpleasant to them, are not serving Him at all; they bring the form of homage, but the life is absent. 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. The angels of God serve Him with songs, not with groans; a murmur or a sigh would be a mutiny in their ranks. That obedience which is not voluntary is disobedience, for the Lord looketh at the heart, and if He seeth that we serve Him from force, and not because we love Him, He will reject our offering. Service coupled with cheerfulness is heart-service, and therefore true. Take away joyful willingness from the Christian, and you have removed the test of his sincerity. If a man be driven to battle, he is no patriot; but he who marches into the fray with flashing eye and beaming face, singing, "It is sweet for one's country to die," proves himself to be sincere in his patriotism. Cheerfulness is the support of our strength; in the joy of the Lord are we strong. It acts as the remover of difficulties. It is to our service what oil is to the wheels of a railway carriage. Without oil the axle soon grows hot, and accidents occur; and if there be not a holy cheerfulness to oil our wheels, our spirits will be clogged with weariness. The man who is cheerful in his service of God, proves that obedience is his element; he can sing,
"Make me to walk in Thy commands,
'Tis a delightful road."
Reader, let us put this question—do you serve the Lord with gladness? Let us show to the people of the world, who think our religion to be slavery, that it is to us a delight and a joy! Let our gladness proclaim that we serve a good Master. —Morning and Evening
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“9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.” Proverbs 9:9-11
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