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Guinea & Guinea-Bissau: “Where are the Records Kept?”

‘Where are the Records Kept?’

I looked everywhere! I searched ever file, every box, searching for the photos we took when we carried the cross in these two West African islands. I was putting on my website photos and a brief story of the crosswalk in every nation and the Guinea and Guinea-Bissau photos were missing. I’m sure almost every one of you has lost some treasure; you have searched and even years later, like me, it’s still on your mind. I still feel the loss.

We were there. We took photos. We have some credit card receipts and the airline ticket proof and I have my written diary but no photos.

This brings me to an important lesson. Treasures are often lost. Your house burns down, a flood washes everything away, a thief steals from you, your treasured home is lost in foreclosure, your ring is lost on a ski trip, or something is just lost.

I remember after my father had died, years later my mother had to move from the home they had built to a retirement home. She could not take every wonderful treasure with her. It was almost unbearable pain for each thing had memories. My sister and I and mother decided to just leave everything as it was and not sell the house. Sometimes mother would go out and spend the day among her treasures and memories.

Then came the day she had to move from the retirement home to the nursing home. This was a sad day. Now she had only one small room. Room for only a few photos and even less memory treasures. When I would come to visit we would go back to the old farm. Then she became too weak. Then at 94 years old my godly mother left all her earthy treasures including her children and grandchildren and old farm for the sparkling incorruptible eternal treasure and memories. It was a huge emotional experience going back to the room, then the old house, dividing up her and dad’s past. Many old papers and things just had to be thrown away. What about dad’s favorite chair? etc.

Do you understand that we are on a fleeting journey called life on earth! It has a beginning and end. You are alive to read this column but one day I will not be alive to write another or you to read it.

One reason for much anger and evil gossip and people trying to destroy someone is that they think someone will get by with something wrong and therefore they must try to punish them of a wrong or perceived wrong. (Only God knows the total truth about all things – a lesson for another day.)

You may think your good deeds never get recognized. You get no honors or even respect or perhaps it’s that you are attacked by enemies that destroy your life’s reputation and you are left desolate or hurting. No records or photos to show for your faithful following of Jesus.

God knows and keeps the record of your life! I would like to share just a few scriptures that can help you, bless you, and give you strength to press on and live and walk in the way of Jesus.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matt. 6:19-20).

“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.” (Luke 12:33).

“You keep a record of my wanderings [journey]. Put my tears in your bottle. The are already in your book.” (Psalm 56:8).

“We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he has done, whether is be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

“But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” (Romans 14:10).

“I saw a great white throne and Him that sat upon it…I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and the books were opened…and the dead were Judged from the things that were written….” (Revelation 20:11-15).

Nothing is lost! God has the record of your life. Without the blood of Jesus to cover, forgive, and remove our sins none of us would make it into Heaven. Repent and come call on Jesus to save you now. Then as a follower of Jesus you can look forward to the glorious day with no treasure lost or stolen. Glory!

When I was working with Matt Crouch on the film “The Cross” I remember saying, “Much of my best stories and experiences were not filmed or photographed; you’ll have to wait to see that ‘video’ in Heaven.” Hah. However, praise God there were thousands of photos and almost two hundred hours of video that I did have to show the history of the carrying of the cross around the world. This was put into the film. You could see and hear and know that it did happen. But, God has the record of every step with nothing hidden or lost.

I know that Jesus chose to have enough of the world record walk filmed and photographed to show that the world is open and that the cross and message of Jesus has been taken to every nation and major island group as a witness in this end time. This record will inspire you and help bring your friends to be saved.

In closing, remember that the greatest treasure is that your soul is saved. And for the believer the greatest treasure is that you have helped lead someone else to be saved.

Oh, dear friend hurting from something lost, our loving God and compassionate Jesus are waiting to give you the glorious treasures stored up for you in Heaven! Through the tears, smile. That great and glorious day is soon to come. Rejoice!

The links to the two nation with no photos is at “Crosswalk Stories” Top Left

Jesus is with you on your journey.

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,

Arthur and Denise Blessitt,

Luke 18:1

Weeks ago I started with the letter A and will go to Z focusing on a nation or island group, and what I learned in that place. If you are looking for perfection then just read the Words of Jesus in the New Testament of the Bible. I’m only a pilgrim that has and is still on a journey with Jesus. He is constantly working on me like a potter does the clay. Welcome to the potter’s house!