Key Bible Verse: And even we Christians … wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children (Romans 8:23). Bonus Reading: Romans 8:18-39

His mother had died when he was small. His father planned a picnic. The little boy had never been on one. They fixed the lunch and packed the car. Then it was time for bed. But the excitement got to him. Finally, he got out of bed, ran into the room where his father had already fallen asleep, and shook him. His father woke and said, "What are you doing up?"

"I can't sleep. I'm excited about tomorrow."

"Well, Son, it's going to be a great day. But not if we don't get some sleep. Get back in bed."

The boy trudged off to his room. Before long, the boy was back. His father almost blurted out harsh words until he saw the expression on the boy's face. "What's the matter now?"

"Daddy, I just want to thank you for tomorrow."

When I think that a loving Father would not let me go, reached down and lifted me off the streets of Harlem—when I think that He is planning a new thing for me that will surpass the past—I exclaim, "Father, I want to thank you for tomorrow!"

—Benjamin Reaves, president Oakwood College, Huntsville, AL, in Preaching Today

My Response: Am I eager to experience my final destiny? What does that say about my spiritual vital signs?

Thought to Apply: Think of yourself just as a seed patiently wintering in the earth; waiting to come up a flower in the Gardener's good time, up into the real world, the real waking.—C.S. Lewis (British scholar & author)

Adapted from Preaching Today (65) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Forgive me, Lord, for minimizing the gift of my reconciliation to You through Christ by failing to confront my sinfulness.

				Try an Issue of Men of Integrity Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Men of Integrity as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter    RSS Feed   RSS Help