The desire of God’s heart is that we fully trust Him.  These verses show the priority of that desire of God toward man.  Every communication of God, from the beginning of Creation even until now, has been for the purpose of our learning to fully trust Him.  One of the earliest things we learn about Adam is that God directly communicated with him.  At the end of the sixth day, God explained the creation to Adam, each evening in their innocence, God came to Adam and Eve, and even on the occasion of their sin, God, Himself, directly spoke to them.  These are simple truths we learned in Sunday School classes.  But think more deeply about them again.  Not only did God give commands to Adam and Eve, He patiently instructed them day by day.  So He desires to do with each of us.  So many Christians know all the "great commands" of the Bible.  They know the Ten Commandments and the major teachings of Jesus, but have they had the growth experience of allowing God to instruct them in the cool of each day?  Do they come aside to the Lord of all Creation and let Him be their personal guide through life?  We can only begin to imagine what Adam and Eve must have heard each evening.  Perhaps they brought the questions of the new discoveries that each day had given.  God’s perfect explanations opened their minds and expanded their understanding.  Perhaps they asked directions for the new day ahead.  God’s perfect directions gave them purpose and excitement for the adventure before them.  They could lay down in peace, trusting in the Lord.  Do you have that sweet experience of God’s personal instruction to you through His Word and the witness of the Holy Spirit within?  You can, if you kneel at His feet each day.  What an encouraging reminder of the character of God to remember that He also communicated with Adam and Eve after their sin.  God did not utterly forsake them, He did not leave them destitute and alone.  No, even in their sin, He made His way know unto them.  So often the Devil tries to deceive a Christian into thinking that they could never have the fullness of God’s blessing again after a certain sin.  Or perhaps they hesitate to be restored to fellowship with God’s people and the Lord, Himself.  But God is waiting, calling to each one, as He did to Adam that evening, patiently ready to instruct, forgive and use again.  What a wonderful God we have!  Beyond the time of Adam, God’s instruction continued and is recorded for our enrichment in the pages of both the Old and New Testament.  Each incident was recorded for you and me, so that we might learn to trust; given to us as an example so that God might make (us) know the certainty of the words of truth.  Think of the enormity of it all !  Thousands of years of history, thousands of saints of old, being used for the glorious purpose of teaching us to trust God!  How much He must truly love us!  It is staggering to consider!  It should humble our hearts and make us seek the Lord in love each day!  In Isaiah 48:16, God speaks plainly to us of His loving intent: Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning...  God has made all these things known unto us that we might trust in Him.  Even today, the Holy Spirit constantly speaks to our hearts reaffirming the truth of the Lord, saying over and over as we confront each decision of the day, "Trust Me, child."  As we are in the midst of trial, He whispers still, "Trust Me, child."  As we are convicted of sin, He calls again, "Trust Me, child."  Next time you are tempted to doubt, remember the desire of God’s heart for you to trust fully in Him.  Did you notice the other gem of instruction in these verses?  To paraphrase the first and last statements of the verses: "(I did this so) that you might trust the Lord...and you might witness to others that they will learn to trust in Me also."  The blessing of these verses is not fully ours unless we fulfill God’s desire for us to share the truth of the Lord and His Word with others.  God has done all these excellent things for us, how can we not gratefully serve Him in bringing others to His feet and helping them to trust in Him and become His children.

Many of you who read these verses will have children who have grown past childhood.  You can easily put yourself in the place of Solomon as he speaks these tender, yet pleading words to his son.  Even if your children are still young, in your mind’s vision you can understand the importance of this father’s burden for his son.  Sitting face to face with the youthful son, the father shares his greatest desire for him.  He tells what will give the greatest pride and joy, and it is that wisdom will be found in the son.  In this modern world, if you were to ask parents what they desire most for their children, you might get a wide range of answers.  Some might want beyond all things for their child to follow in their footsteps and continue in the family business.  Others would cite success, wealth, fame, excellence in sports, being first in the class academically, earning college degrees, having a profession of distinction, marrying well, or having great happiness.  All of these things can be good in and of themselves, but what should be our primary desire for our children?  It should be that they grow in wisdom in the Lord.  It was that very quality that was noted about the child Jesus as He grew to manhood.  The world can get turned quite astray even in their desires for their children.  Recently, a woman was convicted of attempted murder and hiring an assassin.  She had sought to have the mother of the star cheerleader at the local school killed because she thought it would cause such trauma in that woman’s daughter’s life that the young girl would fail in cheerleading tryouts.  Why?  So that her own daughter would stand a greater chance of winning first place on the squad!  If you had asked her what her heart’s desire was for her daughter, you would have received a quick answer: to be the head cheerleader.  She was even willing to kill for it.  Terrible, yes, but how many other parents have such misguided desires for their children that they are willing to sacrifice all on the altar of Baal to obtain it.  Truly without wisdom, and the leading of God, all other plans and schemes are full of emptiness and greed.  We must be careful that our desires don’t become tainted by the world.  As we pray for our children and grandchildren, our burden should be always that they would follow after the Lord in wisdom and righteousness.  Solomon knew that his heart would rejoice if his son was wise.  Elsewhere he states, A wise son maketh a glad father. (Proverbs 15:20) and the father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. (Proverbs 23:24)  What greater joy can we have than if our children follow after the Lord?  None can compare.  Many have known the heartache of seeing their children fail in this area.  No matter what earthly success they may have, the Christian can not fully rejoice unless wisdom and righteousness is found in that son or daughter.  In the nine exhortations to children listed in my reference Bible, all of them deal with wisdom.  Notice also that these two verses follow directly after two of the strongest verses regarding discipline in the Bible.  We are warned to discipline our children and so deliver his soul from hell.  The foundation of parental discipline is necessary for the formation of the wisdom and the self discipline to speak right things.  It also calls to mind the importance of parental example.  The model woman and mother described in Proverbs 31 openeth her mouth with wisdom: and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  The link with godly children cannot be overlooked.  If our heart is to rejoice, we must be prayer warriors for our children, emphasize the right priorities, teach the truth of God’s Word, discipline and set an example of godliness.  The end result will be like that found in Psalm 37:30-31: The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.  What better goal could we have for our children?  Let us not be deceived by the world’s values.  Also let us apply this to our relationship to our Heavenly Father.  What makes His heart rejoice?  To see His children walk in wisdom.  Oh, how easy it is for "adult" Christians to lose sight of God’s goal for our lives.  We can get so caught up with making it in the world, of earning that greater success, of obtaining possessions, that we can become slaves to the values of the world, instead of being servants unto righteousness.  While we pray for our children today, let us also pray for ourselves that we might give the Father joy.  Let us be careful to speak the right things and follow after godly wisdom.  Think of the deep welling up of pride and joy you feel when your children do that which is right, how even the innermost reins of your being swell with gladness.  Oh, that we could give that gift of joy to our Heavenly Father today as we live for Him.

Don’t read through this verse quickly.  Go back to it and read it slowly, get the full impact.  This verse is not just an admonition for sons, it is a verse full of conviction and challenge to parents.  The father is urging his son to give him his heart, his love, his devotion and his trust, and then for the son to observe and follow the ways of the father.  Each of us as parents is placed in the position of teacher.  God gives us the responsibility above all other earthly relationships, to be instructors to our children.  From the first moment that our eyes met those of our child after their birth, our often unspoken plea has been, "Give me your heart, child, let me teach you about life and the Lord."  Hopefully most parents take this responsibility seriously.  Each of us has probably observed situations where the parents do not seem to pause to consider this.  It is not only in the homes of neglect and ignorance that this happens, but in the houses of worldly successful people, who don’t have time for their children.  Let each one of us never neglect to fulfill the responsibility God has given us.  To my heart, the deep and convicting challenge of the verse is to the parent.  If those little eyes are to observe our ways, will they always see those things that will be for their edification and growth?  Will they learn from observation to serve the Lord, to honor His name and do always those things that please the Father?  It is quite a sobering thought.  God has made each one of us an example to someone else, whether it be a child, a grandchild, a neighbor, a student, a friend.  It might be to the unsaved or to the newly saved, to the one who is weak or who is searching for answers to life’s trials.  What kind of example are we?  What kind of example am I?  The thought should impel us to live the reality of our relationship to God.  Every word we say is important, every action we perform, every emotion we express.  Not only will they be recorded in the Heavenly annuals for replay at the Judgment, but they will be forever recorded in the minds of observers.  Paul was able to encourage the Philippians to be followers together of me. (Phil. 3:17)  He had confidence that his life was one that could be observed as an example of victory in Christ.  Today let us deeply consider: is my life what it should be.  Could anyone, at any moment, observe me and learn how to live for Christ?  What areas should I change?  We need also to remember that others observe us, even when we think they do not.  After my children were grown I learned a startling bit of news.  We had made it a priority in our "pastor’s home" to shield our children from church problems.  They had never mentioned it, but it seems they had observed and heard more then we had thought!  One house had a heat register in the boys’ room which conveyed many a counseling and prayer session.  Even when we did not know, we were being observed!  So it is in each of our lives.  Just the moment we lose our temper, someone is likely to walk into the room.  Our most "unguarded moments" are often those which leave the most lasting impression.  Perhaps that realization holds a clue to victory.  We need to guard our every moment, our every word, every action.  We are to set a watch guard upon our lips, a garrison about our mind, and bring every thought into captivity to Christ!  The marginal reference in my Bible relates this verse to the category of "Consecration."  We should so consecrate our lives that there will be no unguarded moments for other eyes to see or ears to hear.  I wonder how many lives have been turned away from the Lord because they have observed gossip and backbiting by Christians.  How many young minds have become confused when they observed anger and inconsistency in those they thought they were to emulate?  And how many others have learned the meaning of hypocrisy as they observed the lives of Christians?  Let it never be said of us!  Each one of us is to be an example of Christ for all to see.  We are to let our lights so shine that others will see the Lord through us!  Behind each life and through this verse, God Himself is calling to each believer, "My son, my daughter, give Me your heart and life.  Observe all My ways and learn of Me."  And then He adds, "What you learn from Me, live out in your life for others to see."  God will never fail us.  Let us not fail Him.

The ideas and challenges of these verses apply very well to our role in establishing a home in which the Lord will be honored.  Most people do not consider that priority when building a home.  The major considerations always seem to be whether or not the things in the home are what the owners want.  While pride in ownership is important in our lives, perhaps we should reflect on Who should have the real title deed to all we "possess."  As Christians, we should give ALL to God.  Once having done that, then the way we dress, the car we drive, the house we inhabit, will all be cared for in the light of the Lord’s terms of ownership, to please the Master of the house!  He has given us the Master plan of construction for our earthly homes in these verses.  It is more important than the distance of the studs in the frame or the wiring diagram.  It is the plan that will allow our home to stand, even if the walls of our house should fall.  Think beyond the physical walls of your home and envision the spiritual house God wants you to actively build.  You can not hire out the jobs here, there are no subcontractors to do this work.  You and your husband are the construction crew and the Lord is the supervisor of the work site.  He has given you the blue print and knows that if you follow it, the walls of your spiritual house will be strong, that the winds of adversity can blow all they want and it will still be a refuge.  The first step is wisdom: Through wisdom is an house builded.  Wise and careful planning under the direction of the Holy Spirit is required to build a spiritual house.  There was a humorous commercial on television that showed a group of architects trying to design a skyscraper.  Each one had a different idea of what the project should entail.  One envisioned the building as modern, another Gothic, another of the Federal style, and so on.  Each one was adamant in his own idea, and no agreement was ever reached, but the project went on.  The result was a mismatched conglomeration of styles, with each level of the tall building a divergent structure, nothing in harmony.  The commercial was meant to make us laugh, but it also screams out to all onlookers: there is no wisdom here, no agreement, no head supervisor.  So it is with our home life.  If the Lord is not the Head Supervisor and His wisdom is not followed, even a husband and a wife will not be able to reach total agreement on the structure of the home.  When there are different ideas on discipline, worship, priorities, and other aspects of life, only disharmony can exist.  We must strive daily to allow wisdom to build our house, so that the structure will be strong and peace will reign therein.  Secondly: by understanding it is established.  When I reach an understanding with my husband concerning a certain matter, it is as if we say, "I am in agreement with you on this matter and we will stand firm in our resolve concerning this together."  The Lord wants us to reach such an understanding with Him and with each other in our homes.  As couples, we need to say that we are in absolute agreement with the Lord’s direction and have the resolve to follow His ways.  When I taught school, my desire was for my students to understand what I was teaching them.  Some lessons were easy for some to grasp, but for others it took hard work and much time to gain understanding of the subject.  It is like that in our Christian lives.  We must never forget that while some lessons are easy for us to understand, others will involve much study, practice and returning to the Master teacher for private instruction.  Ignorance of God’s Word and His ways are no excuse for the Christian, because we have a Divine Instructor ever present to help us understand, and the Lesson Book available everyday in the pages of our Bibles.  This idea ties in perfectly with the third principle: knowledge.  Only as we have knowledge of God’s Word and of the Lord Himself, can our chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.  Without the knowledge of the Lord, a house can never exhibit the beauty and joy that the Lord alone can give.  As we quickly reviewed these three priorities, we can easily see that God has given us a specific work assignment.  We have the responsibility to carry it out with diligence.  Let’s go one step further and apply the same principles to another spiritual house where God has placed you on the construction crew: your church.  It is to be an house builded for the Lord!  It can only be built correctly if all the laborers have one common goal, to follow the Head, Jesus Christ.  Even if a group of people have all the necessary materials to build, without wisdom, the laborers will not be able to follow the ONE design that the Master Architect has presented.  It will be like the commercial cited above, but there will be no laughter.  If each individual laborer thinks that their own plan is better, the walls will fall down.  How very gracious of the Lord, knowing our weaknesses and egos, to appoint a building supervisor in the position of pastor.  What chaos and tragedy results when the laborers do not work together to build in wisdom.  All the world can view the resulting structure, so let’s make certain that we are following the spiritual diagram and that we all work in harmony.  God has an intended plan for each church, it can only be completed when God’s people take their work stations and each one follows the directions of the Lord.  There must be planning, vision and a resolve to stand together and finish the task.  No inferior materials will be allowed in building God’s house: no bitterness, jealousy, hatred, self-seeking egos, or hostility.  Only the best materials will do: love, gentleness, peace, harmony, forgiveness, humility and cooperation.  Truly then, when we walk into our church building, it will radiate the precious and pleasant riches given to us by the Lord.  Ask yourself, am I an active member of God’s work crew?  Am I helping to build His house into a place of beauty that is filled with all precious and pleasant riches?  Can God say to me, "Well done, my good and faithful laborer?"  Are my spiritual homes being built with wisdom, understanding and knowledge?  Teach me, Lord.

At the church we attended during the first year of seminary, this verse was chosen as the theme of the annual Mother-Daughter dinner.  One evening, several of us gathered in the church basement to help make the decorations.  Three of us started work on the place settings, which included a place card for each guest.  The lady in charge kept looking over our shoulders until each of us had finished one card.  She was so excited that her eyes were twinkling!  She wanted to see if we liked her idea.  She had thought long and hard about how to portray this verse.  In the center of a piece of folded black paper which framed the work when completed, was placed a square of thin silver artist paper, much like thin, beaten foil.  Onto that we placed apples which we had colored in with special gold ink in a fountain pen.  The ink had a metallic shine.  With the same ink, we carefully wrote the verse on the inside of the folded paper.  The materials that she had chosen were very special, the best to be found.  She wanted so much to portray the exquisite preciousness and beauty of this verse and its spiritual application to our lives.  We all loved it.  Everything in that dinner was done to illustrate the graceful truth of this verse.  All the decorations were just perfect, the meal was extra special and the speaker challenged each of our hearts to speak words that were as lovely as the picture brought to mind by the verse.  Some have said that the reference in this verse is to apples of gold in baskets of silver.  In many a wealthy home, such lovely silver baskets are displayed in the richest of settings.  Think of the polish and shine of such an ornament.  Then, in your mind’s eye, place gleaming apples, carved from gold, filling the baskets.  The very image is of exquisite and expensive beauty.  In the background there must most certainly be soft classical music playing.  The conversation in the room, is being spoken in hushed genteel tones.  It is a place of culture and refinement.  Nothing of discord will do in the room where our silver basket and golden apples has been placed, most certainly on a side table of polished wood.  Everything is pleasing to the eye, ear and heart.  I like the quietness of that image.  It lifts us above the ordinary.  And so it is to be with the words that we speak.  They are to befit elegance and beauty, express thoughts that are exquisite and rich, speak refinement and peacefulness to the hearers.  This is because they are to represent the halls of the palace of the King, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Before Diana Spenser married Prince Charles of England, she was brought to live at one of the royal palaces.  There she received instruction in ways befitting a princess by the Royal Queen mother.  She was taught how to walk, dress, talk and conduct herself.  It wasn’t as if Diana had not been taught how to do these things as a child in her own home, but now she had to learn the higher ways of royalty.  She knew her lessons were important, because after her marriage she would represent the Royal Family.  Each one of us has been chosen to be a princess in the Royal Household of Faith.  We represent the King of Kings and are espoused to Him as a royal bride.  Our time of training is here on earth, and the Holy Spirit is our teacher.  He wants to show us the higher ways of the Royal Household.  Even though we have all been taught how to conduct ourselves from earliest childhood, and how to speak, now we have an even higher Personage to emulate, the most Princely of all!  Our words are to be fittingly proper, like those of a princess, like apples of gold in baskets of silver, full of grace and loveliness.  Look at this verse in its context.  It is in the midst of a passage referring to two things: how to conduct one’s self in the presence of the king and how to be a wise reprover to your neighbor.  We are reminded to act properly in the presence of a king or we will be put in a "lower" position.  It is sad to think how many Christians are "demoted" by the King because of conduct unbecoming a member of His court.  In the words of verse seven, For better it is that it be said unto thee [that you have pleased the King.]  With that in mind, the passage goes on to talk of our behavior to others, still as representatives of that royal position.  We should weigh carefully the words that we speak lest he that heareth it put thee to shame. (verse 10)  Rather our words are to be fitly spoken.  Certainly words of gossip and criticism are not those golden apples.  That is why verse nine says, debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another.  No, the words of gossip, backbiting and self-seeking are not the ways of the Royal Household.  Rather the words fitly spoken are those of grace, encouragement, comfort and love.  This verse is not just a challenge to the believer, but a Royal requirement.  Think of the peaceful and exquisite loveliness of the word picture that we drew.  Are the words that you speak like that picture?  Are they as gleaming apples in the midst of fine and polished silver?  Do they grace the ears of the hearers and minister grace to the soul?  Do they represent the Royal Household of Faith in a way that beings honor rather than shame?  Let us take it as a challenge today!

DAY 272     Proverbs 25:12     As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

Two necessary ingredients are required for this to be a victory verse: "a wise reprover" and "an obedient ear."  Most of the cross references given on this verse concerned just the one who received the reproof.  It certainly is most necessary to be constantly reminded of how important it is to be willing to take reproof in a spirit of humility.  Without that attitude of heart, each reproof is seen as a threat to our ego and the defenses go up.  Often reproof is really criticism in a "Christian" smile.  In the early 1970's, the teachings on "Body Life" within the church became very popular.  The teaching was valid and was meant to challenge each member of the local church to minister within the body of Christ.  In most cases it revitalized local churches, helped believers examine their spiritual gifts and begin ministering one to another within the Body and more effectively to the world.  But sadly, there was also a great deal of misunderstanding, especially in regards to the area of reproof.  Spiritual reproof, motivated by the Holy Spirit, is always for the good and growth of the hearer.  It is never to foster the ego or position of the reprover.  It is to be given after much prayerful consideration, in the spirit of humility, love and grace.  It is like that loving arm of encouragement placed around our child when we are led to instruct them in the ways that will most please the Lord.  It is not the harsh hand of chastisement, but the calm words of guidance that set the crooked ways straight.  Given without that attitude, it is indeed a divider of friends.  Given without self inspection by the reprover, it is destructive and harmful to the hearer.  But in the correct spirit it is a blessing: Let the righteous...reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head.  In our modern day language we could add, "When done in grace and in love, it will not break my heart."  It is true that there must be an obedient, godly "ear" in order for reproof from a brother or sister in Christ to be listened to and accepted as from the Lord.  But also the reprover must be wise.  He must be willing to be used of the Lord to give a "golden" lesson to one that he truly loves in Christ.  There is to be no brow beating, but instead an ornamenting of the ear!  The words are to be those that will impart grace and beauty to the hearer.  When God was describing how He had demonstrated His great love and honor to Jerusalem, He reminded her, I put...earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. (Ezekiel 16:12)  These ornaments were evidences of His great love and watch care.  If you are called upon to be a "wise reprover," pray that your words will evidence the same love and care for the person to whom you are sent.  Then truly those words will shine as fine gold to strengthen friendships and build up your brother or sister in Christ.  Then you can both experience the soft and tender ministry of love, instead of the harsh defenses of conflict.  Think carefully before you go to "speak your mind": have you stopped at the store house of Heaven and purchased the gift of golden earrings for your friend?

DAY 273     Proverbs 25:13     As the cold snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

When I first read this verse, the comparison between the cold snow in the time of harvest and the faithful messenger did not seem to fit.  That is because I was viewing the snow in the time of harvest as negative.  I could see the farmers daily gathering their crops, with just a portion of them in, and then disaster.  An early snow, covering all and destroying much hard work, leaving crops ruined in the field.  But then I remembered a very interesting experience of our deputation days.  During the winter of 1978, we had been in some of the coldest areas of the Western United States.  In Idaho, we had the unique privilege of being entertained on many large producing farms.  The snow had blanketed the ground.  I remember waking up one morning thinking that the cows were right under my window, but instead I found that the intense cold had made their footsteps breaking through the frozen snow sound closer then the far off fields.  There was great happiness in those farm houses.  This was a very special time of the year for the farm families.  Released from the demanding work of the fields, there was still much to do.  One farmer had a "house project" he did every year.  His wife gave him a list of needed things to do and then he added something special, perhaps a new bookcase, or redecorating a room.  Each one had catalogs on their desks and seed orders drawn up.  There were still many jobs on the farm to do, maintenance of the vehicles and care of the stock, but the winter brought a time of refreshing, getting ready for the year ahead.  In New England, we had days and even weeks when we could not go soulwinning because of the bitter cold storms.  But those were the days that contained planning sessions for the Spring revivals, Ladies’ Seminars, and activities into summer.  We had taken the lesson from our farmer friends in Idaho to come aside and use the days of snow for a time of refreshing and spiritual enrichment, times to draw closer to each other and to the Lord, times to plan for the year ahead.  The first snows had not meant disaster to the Idaho farmers because they had been ready.  Their crops had all been gathered and placed in the barns.  With the cold snow, the time of harvest had been signaled to an end, the bounty to be enjoyed.  With joy and gladness in their hearts, they could watch the snow cover their fields of summer labor, and know the time of refreshing had come.  In Matthew 24:45, the Lord tells of a faithful and wise servant who pleases his lord and provides meat in due season.  That is like our faithful messenger of this verse.  He was given a task to perform, and with fidelity in his heart, he accomplished it.  The report is given to the master and it is the source of peaceful refreshment.  The heart of the master could faithfully trust in that servant.  His task was performed in "due season" like the cold snow that should come at the end of the harvest.  Not only did the snow signal the end of fall labor, but the promise of the spring ahead.  In areas where winters are cold, snow is a blessing to the farmer.  It allows the ground to drink in deeply of nourishment and be replenished.  It is one of the necessary ingredients to guarantee a field of healthy wheat.  Pests are kept in lesser number and many plant diseases hindered by the right amount of snow.  One year in New England, the winter was exceptionally mild.  All the city dwellers were happy, but the farmers were anxious.  They knew what lay ahead.  They were inundated with insects that year, and the fruit trees budded too early, dropping their tiny fruit when a late frost came.  The cold snow had not come in due season.  It had not performed its necessary function.  God has a job for each of us to do.  He has sent us as messengers into the harvest field and He is looking for faithfulness on our part.  Can the Lord be refreshed by your report?  The signs of the times remind us that the time of harvest is almost past.  When we stand in the pure white blanket of Judgment, will our report show that we worked to bring the harvest in before it was too late?  Before that time, will the inundating tides of sin and unfruitfulness be held in check in our own lives, because we are willing to be used in our "necessary, reasonable service?" (Romans 12:1)  Will the pureness of our lives, like the snow, give a promise of greater fruit for us to bear for the glory of the Lord?  We each need to whisper within our heart today, Can the Master be refreshed by my life and service, as the refreshing of the cold snow in the time of harvest?