It hasn’t always been that I cared for humanity and that I sincerely wanted to do something to improve it.
I have lived an eventful life, but in the past years, I have seen things that I loved and admired go by the wayside. I have always been somewhat of a skeptic and have been led to believe that society is on a quick course to destruction. That causes me great concern, because of my children and grandchildren, and the potential that they will not have the same freedoms and opportunities that I have so wondrously had. Each day, I am made to believe more thoroughly that trust in the Almighty God of this universe is the only hope for mankind. I know that this has always been from the very beginning, but it seems to be made more evident each day that I live.
As I get older, I have developed a deeper awareness, a desire to do something to enrich or improve the human condition. I know that the only hope of accomplishing this is to attempt to bring men to acknowledge their fallen state, to get them to look up and to ask forgiveness. Can it be done? Only time will tell. I know that right or wrong, good or bad, whatever the conditions, I am not released from at least my earnest attempt in doing it. The results are up to God. If I am willing to place my life in His loving hands and allow Him to lead me, then the difficult and distressing moments of life will be less of a burden, if not eliminated altogether. God wants to make our lives enjoyable, to give us a real purpose for living.
As I look at life now, I know nothing more enjoyable than sharing the truth of God’s Word with a world that is lost and dying without Him. My life is coming to an end, and I have begun to reflect upon what I have accomplished. Surprisingly, I am not satisfied. But I wonder what is truly important. What does God think? Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself…” (Matthew 16:24). Have I done what He has placed me here to do, or have I selfishly wasted my time? I want my life to make a difference, to be worthy of His love for me. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).
I don’t know how much better I could be made to feel, than knowing what I have done has brought someone to the Savior, or has given them comfort or encouragement. Jesus is coming soon. Of that I am assured. It is time that we prepare ourselves for His triumphant return. That is what this manuscript is all about. While I consider this book to be of a spiritual nature, gaining its power and wisdom from the infallible Word of God, its intent is to relate those things of a holy quality to a world that is divisive and uncompassionate. The world does not care for the things of God; and, in most instances, does not believe He can do those miraculous things that His Word says He can do. All that I have written, I have lived and, by God’s grace, know it to be honest and truthful. God sent His son, Jesus, to redeem this world, and, as His Book declares, to give His children an abundant life. That life is not one of never having to do without, or of never having to sacrifice. It is all about loving and caring for the things of a righteous God. God will not be fooled, overruled, or unwilling to forgive. His character is one of total magnificence and supremacy. His unrelenting desire for perfecting man, through the sacrifice of His only Son, is to provide the only way of complete fulfillment and true satisfaction. God knows what we need; and, in His love, He sacrificed to see that those needs could be met. To be a part of God’s eternal family causes me much joy, yet makes me humble and submissive. Obtaining His goodness makes me want to share all that He has given.
Abundant living is achieved by giving up the things of this world to gain the things of heaven. To accept the things of this world as necessary and essential is to only allow yourself minimal and temporal satisfaction; and, without allowing yourself to see the true reality of life, you cannot become indisputably successful. God’s intent is for His children to have the very best; and, until we trust His purpose for our lives and allow Him to provide, we will be forever poor. Being satisfied with little is only a state of disbelief; while God, in His total majesty and splendor, wants to give every child the magnificence of His glorious heaven. There will be no poor people in heaven; and, while we live here on earth, God wants to shower us with His blessings from above. The true benefits of life are free; but, to have an abundant life, God must be the central contributing part of it all. Abundant living comes from only one sustainable source. God’s ways are simple and reasonable. To maintain life’s abundant fruitfulness, we must be continually attached to that central life-giving force: Jesus Christ. He is what abundant living is all about. To have it all, we must give up the things of this world to gain the treasures of heaven. Good does not mix with evil, and righteousness does not associate with depravity. We have been told not to love the things of this world; and, when we think them to be important, we are only allowing ourselves to be deluded by the evil reasoning of this world (Matthew 6:21). The true riches of life are not temporal and debilitating. They do not cause you to sacrifice your integrity or virtue. Abundant living is living in the holy presence of an almighty God, and allowing Him to meet your every necessity and need. God’s ardent desire is to provide for His children; but, before He can do so, He must be assured of our faithfulness. The Bible says that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), and if we are not willing to joyfully seek His deliverance, He will not provide. All that God has provided has been from a heart of love; and, until we are ready to receive in that same loving kindness, He cannot meet our needs. All that I can do is tell you of His marvelous kindness, and it then becomes your decision to choose whether you will accept or reject Him. God will always be what He is and has always been.
The love of God will forever be the true treasure of His creation. Without His love, you are doomed to that eternal place of loneliness and suffering. The more difficult my life has become, the more I have been drawn to this one remarkable solution: “Give it to God.” He is the answer for every sleepless night and every moment of despair. He can take every heartache and pain; and, in His ability to provide, change it into that blessed hope and unblemished joy. Why do we find it difficult to share with one that loves, or how is it that we desire to carry our own burdens? The peace of God is available for all who will put their trust in Him. In His unmatchable strength, He will carry our burdens. I have sought God’s undeniable truth; and, with each blessed thought, I have bathed their cherished truthfulness with my tears. I know that God is good; and, as I think about the depth of His unfailing love, I am only made to cry sincere teardrops of joy and thankfulness. “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” (Psalm 31-19). God’s truths are forever without repentance, and His blessings are the song of my praise. With a humble heart, I will honor Him; and, with the joy of my soul, I will show Him reverence. He has taken me from that bitter pit and shared with me the treasures of His eternal paradise. Surely I have been blessed. In Him, I have found the true riches of abundant living. He has taken the heaviness of my heart and replaced it with the joy of eternal comfort. He has shown me mercy; and, by His grace, I have been given the promise of a better home with Him. “It is a faithful saying:
For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself ” (2 Timothy 2:11-13). With a cheerful heart, I will seek His deliverance, and with the promise of my mouth, I will forever honor Him. God’s promises are real; and, as I seek to serve Him, I will be given the true rewards of my labor. Knowing the truth of His holy Word can only cause me to be faithful, and as I strive to honor Him, I will do it with my whole heart. May God richly bless you as you grow closer to Him.
Mister Gary L Hardesty
Business Address:
My Own Melody, LLC.
2204 Poplar Road
Fort Scott, Kansas 66701