Chapter VII

Precious Fruits at Our Door

"Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel." Psalm 73:24

While living in a friend's home, at one time, I was alone all day, yet not alone because Jesus says, " Lo, I am with you always." Matthew 28. I asked the Lord to show me what work He had for me.

On Sunday, a few days later, a strange little girl came along. She was about eight years old. She sat beside me on the lawn and began conversation by saying, "I went bathing today and tried to drown myself." I said to her, "Oh you must never do that, God gave you your life to take care of." "Who is God?" she asked. "Have you never heard of God," I questioned. "No," was her reply.

Then I told her the old, old story, she came every day for several months, except during their vacation. The second day I said in prayer, "Dear Lord, tell me how to teach a little child." These words came at once, "Start at the beginning, Genesis 1."

So we began our lessons. How she drank it in! She would come up and say, "Read me from your Bible." She would look up to the sky and ask questions. Each day she learned a verse of scripture. The last one I heard her repeat was, "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin." We prayed together.

One Sunday she came and listened to a service on the radio. The minister was dedicating a little child. It was a very reverent ceremony, such as a child could understand. She said wistfully, "I wish I could go to church and Sunday school." Think of it in a city where the gospel was preached! There was a child hungry to hear about the Lord she had never heard of before. A great blessing came to me with that opportunity.

Late in the fall I moved. I have prayed for Shirley and her brother Joey and her parents ever since. I know God began a work there. In Philippians 1:6, we read, "Being confident of this very thing that He which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Christ."

I have not been able to contact her since but she is in God's hands and as He led her to me, He will lead her to another.

That same summer I asked the Lord to direct me where I could give of my offerings to a work for children where there was great need.

The following Sunday morning, for the first time I listened to a "World Vision" program, over the radio. I knew it was no accident but an answer to prayer. Ever since I have been greatly interested in that very needy, very worthy project.

While writing about children I must make some comments. Late last night and early this morning the following thoughts raced through my mind and I knew I must write them.

Our hearts rejoice when we read or hear about or see children coming to the Lord. How many parents, grandparents, and teachers are filled with boundless joy when their little ones accept Christ as their Saviour. Is this scriptural? Yes. In Luke 18:16, Jesus says, "Suffer the little ones to come unto me and forbid them not." In Ecclesiastes 12:1, we read, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not."

There have been and will be evil days. We read in the Bible in the last days perilous times will come, so the world in not getting better. Yet if a child finds the Saviour when he is young he will not enter into those evil ways or deadly sins. He may wander from the Lord, wander far, but if he is truly saved he will come back. Like the prodigal son the pleasures and sins of the world will grow distasteful to him. Jesus promises us, "I give unto them eternal life, (eternal, no break) and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 10.

My sister, three years younger than I, was saved when she was seven. One day, my older sister brought her home from school and said to Mother, "See if you can find out what is troubling Blanche. For several days she has cried all the way home." Our loving mother, understanding as most mothers are, took her into the room and there she soon found out Blanche was anxious about her salvation. After prayer and reading God's Word, she accepted Christ as her Saviour. There were no more tears on the way home from school. She was a lovely person, had a sweet disposition, and God took her home to Glory while she was still a young woman. Heaven seemed very close to me, the day she left us.

My only brother came back to the Lord before he died. I had proof of that.

Yes, our hearts are filled with rapture and gladness as we see these little ones let Jesus come into their hearts. If the Lord tarries, and they live, they have a whole life time to serve Him.

Some come in the quiet of their homes, some even walk, while very young, up the long aisle in the church when the invitation is given. God bless those churches where they still sing the invitation hymn and opportunities are given where one can make known their desire to love and accept the Saviour.

Do we speak to them and ask if they want to be saved?

Not long ago, my grandson phoned me and asked if he could come over. I was feeling very ill with nausea and with a severe headache. Gladly I said, "Yes." I do not have many chances to see him alone.

I asked the Lord to take away that illness and I knew He would. I also, earnestly asked Him to direct the conversation. He answered both prayers in the affirmative.

During the visit I talked about Christ and His great love for us and His death on our behalf. While speaking this way, the thought came to me, "Ask him now, if he would like to accept Christ as his Saviour." Breathing a silent prayer for help, I asked him. Michael said, "Yes." Prayer and more words of wisdom followed. How happy I was and I praised God. He had answered my request.

We need to prevail in prayer on their behalf because satan buffets and tempts on all sides.

Child Evangelism is a wonderful work. I am a prayer partner of one who does this. She is zealous and longs to see the children come to Christ.

My granddaughter, Wendy, accepted the Saviour in the Daily Bible School. Oh let us seek to win them while they are young.

Some years ago a young man came to see me on business. He was a serious minded chap and we discussed several subjects. As he was about to leave, I said, "I am compelled to ask you a question. I cannot let you go without witnessing for my Lord. Have you accepted Christ?" He dropped his head and said, "No." Then quickly, eagerly, he looked up and said, "But I believe, I believe."

I gave him some precious truths from God's Word and finally said, "You can accept Christ here and now, will you, will you?" After a little hesitation he answered, "Yes." I thanked God and told this young man how glad I was he had come to see me and he responded, "So am I."

I spoke that night, unconscious of myself. I believe the Holy Spirit guided. Each day, in the beginning, let us ask God to speak through us, to some one, if it is His will.

Another time our milkman told me his baby was very ill. He was very worried. He asked me to keep my fingers crossed. I replied, "I will do more than that, I will pray."

Visiting me that day were two Christian friends who often joined me in prayer on certain issues. We earnestly took that child to the Throne of Grace. Later in the day I saw this promise, "For this child I prayed and the Lord hath given me my petition." 1 Samuel 1. I took that promise in faith from the Lord. God did heal that baby. Praise Him!

One of the Christians visiting me that day, had previously been in need of money. She had the opportunity to care for a baby. She prayed about it as she did about most things, and received this answer, "Take this child and nurse it, and I will give thee thy wages." Exodus 2:9. Eva never doubted that God led her to that Scripture.

One of my sisters had been ill in bed for a long time. She spoke about it to the Lord and taking up her Bible read these words, "Arise, take up they bed." She did get up from her bed and walked and day by day she grew stronger.

We have heard of remarkable cures of cancer where many, many were praying. Prayer services were held. Doctors amazed. There are many Christian doctors who give God the glory.

One man told me of his healing of stuttering in answer to prayer. Nothing is impossible with God.

Recently a friend visited me. He told of his nine year old son, upstairs in bed, calling, "Dad, are you coming up?" The father is a busy man. He was tired and had started to read the paper, but he thought, "First things first." He went up. Peter just wanted to talk. During the conversation, he told his father he had lost something and he had asked God to help him find it. A little later he remembered where he had left it.

It is only a simple story but it holds a great truth. Faith of a child. Also Peter had confidence in his father. He knew he would go to him and he wanted the fellowship and communication. Had it been otherwise he would not have called him.

I wonder how many children are hungry and reaching out for such as this. I am saddened when I think of the great number of children who do not have this companionship. Parents, if there are any, think they are too busy to give this time. Others would give the time but they can't communicate with the child. There is a blockage.

I would say to parents, if they have this problem, to cultivate the bond of love and intimacy with their children. A great blessing will follow when they take their responsibility seriously. The gift of a child to us is a treasure. So often, mothers, who go to business are much to tired, to busy, to really enjoy their children. Is it fair to the child?

Again, we see in this incident, that which is typical of what our Heavenly Father desires of us. He wants childlike faith, complete trust. He wants us to realize we need communication with Him, which we receive through prayer, reading the Word and meditation. He wants to communicate with us. It must be so if we are partners with Him. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Our Lord wants us not only to be conscious of His blessings to us, but of Him, the Giver. To sit at His feet as Mary did. To really know Him. Philippians 3:10. "To know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:19. "Set your affection on things above." Colossians 3:2. In Deuteronomy 33:3 we read He loved the people and the saints sat at His feet and received of His words.

"Oh to be like Thee! Oh to be like Thee! Pure as Thou art. Come in Thy sweetness, Come in Thy fullness, Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart."

The great Creator of all things, the One who loves us with an everlasting love, came down from His Glory, in the Person of His Son, born of a virgin. He took our place, our punishment. He gave His life, He suffered and shed His Precious blood on Calvary. "Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission." Hebrews 9:22. "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

Dear Reader, if you have not seen yourself as a sinner, if you have not accepted Christ as your Saviour, will you not come to Him now, saying:
"Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou biddest me come to Thee,
Oh Lamb of God, I come, I come."