The little girl’s father had just given her a silver dollar to put into her bank. She excitedly ran off to her room to “deposit” the coin.
However, in a few minutes she returned and handed the silver coin back to her father.

“Daddy,” she said sadly, “here’s your dollar back. I can’t get it into my bank.”

“Why not?” her concerned father asked.

“It’s too full,” she said, obviously disappointed.

Her father accompanied her back to her room and, sure enough, her bank was too full to accept even one more coin. It was filled with pennies!

It is so easy to fill our lives with “Pennies” and leave out the “first” things and big things of life.

I saw Jesus last week.
He was wearing blue jeans and an old shirt.
He was up at the church building;
He was alone and working hard.
For just a minute he looked a little like one of our members.
But it was Jesus,
I could tell by his smile.

I saw Jesus last Sunday.
He was teaching a Bible class.
He didn’t talk real loud or use long words,
But you could tell he believed what he said.
For just a minute, he looked like my Bible teacher.
But it was Jesus,
I could tell by his loving voice.

I saw Jesus yesterday.
He was at the hospital visiting a friend who was sick.
They prayed together quietly.
For just a minute he looked like Brother Jones.
But it was Jesus,
I could tell by the tears in his eyes.

I saw Jesus this morning.
He was in my kitchen making my breakfast
and fixing me a special lunch.
For just a minute he looked like my mom.
But it was Jesus,
I could feel the love from his heart.

I see Jesus everywhere,
Taking food to the sick,
Welcoming others to his home,
Being friendly to a newcomer and for just a minute
I think he’s someone I know.
But it’s always Jesus,
I can tell by the way he serves.

May someone see Jesus in you today.

A minister, a missionary, and an old lady arrived at the gate of heaven. To their surprise they did not find Peter there, but another person. Though the person was different, the question was one all had anticipated and were eager to answer, “Why should I allow you to enter heaven?”

The minister replied, “Well, I was in the ministry more than forty years, I planted churches, evangelized and wrote a number of books and pamphlets.”

The person then asked, “But do you know Jesus?

Somewhat irritated the minister answered, “Would I have done all these things if I had not known Him?”

The missionary was then asked, “Why should I allow you to enter heaven?”

The missionary sighed, “For years I worked among a Stone Age tribe. Through my ministry the whole tribe was converted. I taught the people to read, did translation work, treated their sick.”

“But do you know Jesus?”

“Could anyone have achieved this without knowing Him?” the missionary replied adamantly.

Finally, the same question was posed to the lady: “Why should I allow you to enter heaven?”

Her achievements were not that impressive. She went to church, read her Bible, prayed, and helped in her own little way wherever she could.

“But do you know Jesus?” the gatekeeper at last enquired.

Suddenly a radiant smile flashed across her face, “Yes, of course, Lord! I recognized You right away!”