"God is the source of life and light and joy to the universe. Like rays of light from the sun, like the streams of water bursting from a living spring, blessings flow out from Him to all His creatures. And wherever the life of God is in the hearts of men, it will flow out to others in love and blessing." SC p.77

As we come to study this next chapter, I thought it might make it easier if we just take a short passage, and look at the message for us in that.

As I thought of this passage I pondered on the effects that the sun and the springs have in our lives -- both warming and cooling. We can't do without either of them. They are both needed in different ways. So, as we meet with others, so our approach to them will depend on whether they need a warming hug, or maybe a listening ear as they need to "cool off" after some upset.

As we begin each new day, we need to ask God to guide us during the day, and make us aware of the needs of other people.

What were your thoughts?

God bless

Beryl

I noticed that the "life of God" must be in the heart. So that religion is not an external force or requirement, but an internal one that flows naturally.

"Our Saviour's joy was in the uplifting and redemption of fallen men. For this He counted not His life dear unto Himself, but endured the cross, despising the shame. So angels are ever engaged in working for the happiness of others. This is their joy. That which selfish hearts would regard as humiliating service, ministering to those who are wretched and in every way inferior in character and rank, is the work of sinless angels. The spirit of Christ's self-sacrificing love is the spirit that pervades heaven and is the very essence of its bliss. This is the spirit that Christ's followers will possess, the work that they will do."

So often God brings into our lives those who need help -- and they are not always the nicest people -- and we may hesitate to become involved. It can be dangerous stuff, this dealing with "that kind of person" -- and yet, we find that this is the work of the sinless angels! How much we still have to learn!

God lbess

Beryl

"When the love of Christ is enshrined in the heart, like sweet fragrance it cannot be hidden. Its holy influence will be felt by all with whom we come in contact. The spirit of Christ in the heart is like a spring in the desert, flowing to refresh all and making those who are ready to perish, eager to drink of the water of life."

"like a sweet fragrance it cannot be hidden". I had the privilege this week to lead our Hills Friendship Club in a visit to "Amanda's Garden". This garden is a memorial for a 16 year old girl who died within a day after sharing a drink bottle with a friend who, unbeknown at that time, was carrying the dreaded menococcal disease (Oops -- spelling??)

As we entered the garden we soon became aware of the varying perfumes from every variety of rose that you could think of! Some were subtle, others shouted, "smell me -- p-l-e-a-s-e smell me!". As we walked around that garden we also became aware of other flowers -- not so beautiful, not so prominent as the roses, but still there, with their own distinctive perfumes.

There was no hiding the fragrance. It was just part of each flower. They didn't have to work at smelling beautiful. They just had to BE!

When the love of Christ is enshrined in the heart, we don't have to work at "smelling good". All we have to do is to allow Christ to come into our lives, and allow HIS "perfume" to radiate out to all who pass by.

After all -- "working hard" often brings its own distinctive "perfume" -- and THAT is not always pleasant! Best just to allow Christ to shine out of our lives.

God bless,

Beryl

In other words, love for Jesus will so change our lives that we will become more and more like Him! Here we have, in a nutshell, a picture of how we should treat not only fellow humans, but also the animal kingdom.

My mind goes back many years to a poem that was a favourite of my younger brother. I can't recall the whole poem, but it began with "I wonder if Christ had a little black dog, all ?? and curly like mine?" The poem then went on through some of the scenes of Christ's ministry where He would have felt alone, but would have been comforted if He had owned "a little black dog". I remember how the poem took you to the Garden of Gethsemane, with the little black dog offering sympathy and love to Christ during that struggle. The last scene was at the cross, where the little black dog would have been with Him right to the end.

Animals, and birds, respond to love and care. Even the wild ones seem to sense kindness. How wonderful, in the New Earth, to be able to enjoy their company as Adam and Eve must have done.

Beryl

Little Black Dog
by Elizabeth Gardiner Reynolds

I wonder if Christ had a little black dog
All curly and woolly like mine;
With two silky ears, and a nose round and wet
And eyes brown and tender that shine.

I am sure, if He had, that the little black friend
Knew right from the first He was God;
That he needed no proofs that Christ was divine,
But just worshipped the ground the He trod.

I'm afraid that He hadn't, because I have read
How He prayed in the garden, alone!
For all of His friends and disciples had fled -
Even Peter, the one called "a stone."

And, oh, I am sure that the little black dog
With a heart so tender and warm
Would never have left Him to suffer alone,
But creeping right under His arm.

Would have licked those dear fingers in agony clasped
And counting all favors but loss;
When they took Him away, would have trotted behind,
And followed Him clear to the Cross!

Thank you for that poem! Yes, that is the one. And, yes, I believe that a little dog would have recognised the kindness and goodness of Jesus, while the Pharisees and Sadducees would have only been conscious of a threat to their way of life.

God bless,

Beryl

It was comparatively rare for Jesus to reveal Who he was. He worked hard in His Father's service, and, in the main, left it to the people to work out WHO He was.

Should our lives be the same?

Should we need to TELL people that we are Christian (a follower of Christ), or should that be self-evident in our lives?

God bless,

Beryl

I have always coupled this passage from Hebrews, with the above quote you stated from SC. Our Savior's joy was the uplifting and redemption of everyone...a sobering thought. Your comments recall to mind a fellow I tried to help who was on "coke." he was always out of money to buy food, so at work I fed him, and helped to keep him alive and going, by that and other ways that he needed.

It was very sad to watch how everyone rejected and abused him just because he "had problems." In fact; I got really "indignant" to one person who tried to gossip about the guy to me.

Do we have the same "joy set before us" as did Jesus? Everytime I read Steps To Christ; I find this question to be an anchor point for me; and it is explained so well in the book.

Jesus shows us a better way to deal with the hard to deal with.