On Wings Of Eagles

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Tuesday, April 29, 2014

From Dynamite to Peace

Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. 

Alfred Nobel (1833-96) was a Swedish chemist who invented dynamite. During his lifetime, he made millions of dollars from the manufacture of high explosives. His inventions so magnified the killing power of weapons that some trace the history of modern warfare to him.

One morning in 1888, Nobel opened his newspaper only to find an article about his death! It was his brother who had died, however, and a careless editor had run the more famous Alfred's obituary. What a shock and revelation the experience proved to be! Alfred Nobel was afforded the opportunity to see himself through the eyes of his peers.

Much to his chagrin, the article about Nobel portrayed him as the Dynamite King and let him know that he would be remembered as a merchant of death who made a fortune by making war more destructive. His legacy to the world would be more efficient methods of killing people.

Dismayed over such a prospect, Alfred Nobel determined to do something about it. Under the conditions of his will, he left more than $9 million to fund five prizes to be distributed yearly in equal parts to those who were judged to have contributed most to helping mankind. Thus did the man who invented dynamite forever link his name to the cause of peace.

How will people remember you? As someone who loved his company and did things with his family, or vice versa? As a person of integrity? As one whose genuine faith produced the good fruit of Christian behavior?

As with Alfred Nobel, you can choose how you will be remembered. Will you be remembered as one that loved God and did all you could for Him?


Dear Lord, we pray that we would be people of integrity. Help the things that we do and are remembered for would bring honor to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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