Heat Of The Fire
Eventually the mechanic built a cabin for his family closer to the mill. This was so nice with a table to sit down to.
The need for spiritual food was always in their mind and the children learned from the Bible and sang songs about Jesus. Eternity is ahead and there is no time at all for useless thoughts to be put into the child’s mind for it is life and death that has to be picked. Which of these will be chosen by these precious little ones as they progress through the years ahead? They wanted to do all they could to guide them in the right channel. Pleasant was this place among the trees where the children could behold so many things in nature and realize it was Jesus who made it.
The mechanic was asked to help have some meetings in town where there was very little interest in the people for hearing the Word of God preached. But Jesus says to go and preach whether the people will listen or not. Now was his time to put to practical use the tools for helping the wounded and sin-sick souls who want a better life. A few people came and it was a joy to see that someone was learning that they have a Savior who loves them and is willing to give them eternal life when they obey Him. If there were only one person in this whole wide world that accepted Jesus as his Savior, Jesus would have come to die for that one. There is no doubt that Jesus in giving His life is the greatest love tool there ever was for the remedy of sin and repair for this world. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission or forgiveness of sins. It did not have to be for God could have obliterated this whole planet and could have started all over again without going through all these six thousand years of pain and misery. But that is how great and enduring God’s love truly is for the human race that He has created for His enjoyment. He wants to enjoy our company forever through the ceaseless years of eternity in glory and perfection.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:16-21
The Devil was ready to use his tools on the mechanic, for he was very mad at the fact that he was loosing power over some people who were coming to hear the message of Salvation. The Lord was working on the hearts of the people and some of them wanted to be baptized. The Lord was being praised for the joyful time of fellowship with these people. So the devil took revenge and burned down the house of one of the families, but the Lord saved their lives. Then a few days later the devil burned down the mechanic’s cabin and nearly everything in it as they stood across the road and watched it burn to the ground. The Lord giveth and for some reason it was to be taken away. The simple fact that the treasures of earth will pass away and we are to lay our treasures up in heaven was a very powerful lesson to learn that day. It burned down so fast, if the family had been sleeping in the house, they would have been overcome and died. Praise the Lord they hadn’t gone to bed yet.
The devil will do everything he can to discourage God’s workers and hinder the spread of the Gospel and he sure did show his fury at this time.
Others opened up their home to the destitute family and the Lord soon supplied them with a tiny old house. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19. The Lord’s promises were fulfilled for this family.
The mechanic was asked to be the first pastor at a church many miles away. He made sure the car was in good condition for such a long rugged road. They hooked up the trailer that had their few earthly possessions and the three little darlings climbed into the back seat. This was going to be a very long tiring trek over many miles of dirt road. The aim of the family was to do the will of the Lord and use the tools of the Bible, the sword of the Spirit, to bring salvation to their corner of a dying world. One thing that needed to be done was to find some land to build a church building. The few people meeting together were renting rooms from the school in the city to have their worship service. After some searching some land was secured for this important endeavor.
The family was happy to be settled into a pleasant trailer with their needs supplied after quite some maneuvering. Surely The Lord enjoys giving His children the numerous blessings that He showers upon them every day. But now the car was starting to blow out the black smoke after all those miles, so it was time to get a different one, which was very much needed in this scattered terrain. It was just his line, he loved to look at all the cars and check each motor and listen carefully to hear if there were any odd sounds or faulty mufflers. To the mechanic the sound of the motor was more important than the looks of the car. He did not want it to look unkempt, but how it was going to perform was so vital to know it was not going to break down on him. It had to be a used vehicle because the mechanic is poor.
This is quite like the experience of our Heavenly Father while he is looking for the subjects of His kingdom. He is listening to hear the kind and loving agreeable voices that will produce good fruits and helpful deeds. He in examining the actions and watching to see how the body is treated so he can be inside enjoying sweet, pure companionship on the road to heaven. He is hoping that there are persons who will ask for His help when they get stuck along the way. God is interested that we are clean and tidy, but not dressed like the world. If a person is not the most handsome or beautiful to look at this is not as important to God as is a willingness to obey Him and be helpful to others.
“In our judgment we might look upon the outward appearance, as Samuel did when he was sent to find the anointed of the Lord. When the noble sons of Jesse passed before him, and his eye rested upon the handsome countenance and fine stature of the eldest son, to Samuel it seemed that the anointed of the Lord was before him. But the Lord said to him, "Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." Not one of these noble-looking sons of Jesse would the Lord accept. But when David, the youngest son, a mere youth, was called from the field, and passed before Samuel, the Lord said, "Arise, anoint him: for this is he." 1 Samuel 16:7, 12.
CT 43