Blessings Bountiful

                                                         John Robert Howell



        When God is always first in our thoughts, He will be first in our lives, and we will not fail to obtain the continuing blessings which can only come by putting Him first.

        To reap God's blessings in health, security, protection, harmony, abundant supply -- we must to a degree demonstrate an understanding of our oneness with Him, and this is an eternal activity, not a one-time sprint to the door of consciousness to answer Christ's knock.  The gold in our character is only revealed as the dross is purged, but gold is not purified by gentle warmth, but  by the furnace fire of testing.

        We take great risk if we give casual lip service to our gratitude and loyalty to God while our real thoughts are elsewhere.  Woe to him who says, "I'm doing the bet I can" when what he really means is "I'm doing for God all my very busy schedule, pleasurable activities, and real desires will permit."  Let him who think this is a justifiable excuse picture himself saying it tete-a-tete to Christ Jesus.

        We should desire above all else to make ourselves vessels unto honor, as that chosen vessel Paul expressed it in II Timothy 2.  And recall what Jesus told Peter:  "Simon Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat" (Luke 22:31).  If so loyal a Disciple s Peter could not escape such words, can we?

        But this need not be the case with us students of Christian Science.  Being faithful to what God, Christ Jesus, and Mary Baker Eddy have given mankind enriches every area of our lives.