LEGACY

Vol. 16 No. 6

June 6, 2017

Dear Friend,

Think of a legacy as anything you impart to another person or to a group of people.

What legacy will you leave?  Let me suggest three legacies you may pass on.

Leave a legacy of Christian faith.  Share with others what God has done in you and for you personally.  It is remarkable to me how many people have never spoken of their faith in Jesus Christ with their children or even with their closest friends.

Much of the Christian faith is about legacy.  Someone gave it to you. You give it to others.

“Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

“And what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well” (2 Timothy 2:2).

Leave a legacy of godly character.   In all humility, be what you want others to become.  The integrity of your personal character can make an enduring impact on the character of the people around you.

Leave a positive legacy of possession:  Be sure the provisions of your will produce blessing not bitterness.  Do not neglect this. Leave something to Christ's work. Leave something to your grandchildren (Proverbs 13:22).

Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8b). 

Joy to you - 
E. Stanley Ott

FACE-TO-FACE

Vol. 16 No. 5

May 2, 2017

Dear Friend,

Some years ago I was driving on an interstate listening to a recording of my wonderful New Testament Greek professor Cullen Story talking about the marvelous John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”*

He observed that the Greek for “with God,” pros ton theon, in English is literally, “toward the God.”

So, the Word, Jesus, was “with” God in the sense of being face to face with God.

The picture is of Jesus and the Father, face to face, loving one another, enjoying one another, communicating with one another. 

What an incredibly intimate, loving, wonderful, and ongoing relationship there is between the Father and the Son.

I was so taken with that magnificent thought that I lost track of where I was driving and missed my exit by twenty miles, but never regretted it for a moment.

We who put our trust in Jesus are literally “in Christ” and have the privilege and joy of facing the Father with Jesus in intimacy and love.

Take a moment to bow your heart in honor and lift your face in delight. Spend a few moments simply enjoying the wonder of the face to face relationship with God that you have been given in Jesus.

"’Come,’ my heart says, ‘seek his face!’ Your face, LORD, do I seek” (Psalm 27:8).

Joy to you - 
E. Stanley Ott 

TRUTH AND LOVE

Vol. 16 No. 4

April 4, 2017

                                                                    

Dear Friend,

One of the great balancing acts in the Christian life is to hold conviction and compassion together.

We are to know what we believe and why we believe it and to treat other people with dignity and respect even if they do not share convictions.

It has become difficult for some people to "disagree with grace" both in our churches and in our society in general.

This loss of civility means we frequently see a basic lack of mutual respect in conversation between persons in public discourse and in private conversation within our homes. 

This ought not be so.

We have been called by Christ to be a people of deep conviction who at all times demonstrate God's grace and love.

For example, Jesus Christ said:

      If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8:31-32).

     

      A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34).

Allow the truth of Christ's word to grow richly within your life and ask Jesus Christ, himself, to make your life a living demonstration of his compassion and love.

Joy to you - 
E. Stanley Ott

BE REFRESHED

Vol. 16 No. 3          

March 7, 2017

                                                                

Dear Friend,

Countless demands can claim our attention and absorb our energies.

One businessman told me he was living in a "pressure shell" in which requirements of work, home, and community service were constantly pressing down on him.

He was in danger of being tired mentally, physically, spiritually.

It is easy to relate to his experience. All of us cope with various concerns that can leave us weary and in need of refreshment.

Finding sources of refreshment, renewal, restoration are essential for life and vitality.  True refreshment is not a soft drink or a beer! It is that which inspires your spirit and strengthens your heart.

Where do you go for renewal? How do you receive refreshment and revitalization?

Our two greatest sources of refreshment are God and God's people.

David said of the Lord, his Shepherd, "He restores my soul. "The Apostle Paul wrote, "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day [II Cor. 4:16 NIV].  Refresh yourself in the love of Jesus Christ and know His love and encouragement in your life.

Of his friend Onesimus, Paul wrote, "you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints [Philemon 1:7 NIV]." Spend time with fellow believers who will refresh your heart and send you back into the thick of life with new strength and vitality.

Joy to you - 
E. Stanley Ott 

GOD IS AT WORK

Vol. 16 No. 2

February 7, 2017

                                                                       

Dear Friend,

Imagine a reporter from a Christian magazine approaches you with the question, "What has God been doing in your life lately? What has God been teaching you? Where is God leading you?"

Whatever answer you give would only be a partial answer.

The fact is God is doing a lot more in your life at this moment than you are aware of.

Think about the two disciples walking on the road to the village of Emmaus after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They think He is dead. They are going home.

Then Jesus joins them, walks with them, talks with them, inflames their heart with hope. He is with them in plain sight but they do not know it is Jesus.

God was working in their lives, even though they were unaware of it and did not see it.

Indeed, God is working in your life right now whether you see it or not.

"He who began a good work in you," wrote Paul, "will carry it on to completion [Phil 1:6 NIV]."

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose [Romans 8:28 NIV].

Joy to you - 
E. Stanley Ott