A member of a certain church, who previously had been
attending
Services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the
preacher
Decided to visit him.
It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home
alone,
Sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his
preachers
Visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair
near the
Fireplace and waited.
The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the
grave
Silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the
burning
Logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs,
Carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it
to one
Side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair,
still
Silent.
The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one
lone
Ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a
momentary glow
And then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The
preacher
Glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He
slowly
Stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back
in the
Middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more
with the
Light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said
with a tear
Running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit
and
Especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church
next
Sunday.'
We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with
too
Little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best
sermons are
The ones left unspoken.
The Lord is my Shepherd ----- that's a Relationship!
I shall not want ----- that's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ----that's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters -----that's
Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul ----- that's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness --that's
Guidance!
For His name sake ----- that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death--that's
Testing!
I will fear no evil ----- that's Protection!
For Thou art with me ----- that's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me -----that's
Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine
Enemies------that's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil ----- that's Consecration!
My cup runneth over ----- that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my
Life----that's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord -----that's
Security!
Forever ----- that's Eternity!