Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. Mark 13:35, 36.
A company was presented before me. . . . Their eyes were directed heavenward, and the words of their Master were upon their lips: “What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” . . . The Lord intimates a delay before the morning finally dawns. But He would not have them give way to weariness, nor relax their earnest watchfulness, because the morning does not open upon them as soon as they expected. . . .
I saw that it was impossible to have the affections and interests engrossed in worldly cares, to be increasing earthly possessions, and yet be in a waiting, watching position, as our Saviour has commanded. Said the angel: “They can secure but one world. In order to acquire the heavenly treasure, they must sacrifice the earthly. They cannot have both worlds.” . . .
I saw that watch after watch was in the past. Because of this, should there be a lack of vigilance? Oh, no! There is the greater necessity of unceasing watchfulness, for now the moments are fewer than before the passing of the first watch. . . . If we watched with unabated vigilance then, how much more need of double watchfulness in the second watch. The passing of the second watch has brought us to the third, and now it is inexcusable to abate our watchfulness. The third watch calls for threefold earnestness. To become impatient now would be to lose all our earnest, persevering watching heretofore. The long night of gloom is trying; but the morning is deferred in mercy, because if the Master should come, so many would be found unready. God’s unwillingness to have His people perish has been the reason for so long delay. . . .
The difference between those who love the world and those who love Christ is so plain as to be unmistakable. While worldlings are all earnestness and ambition to secure earthly treasure, God’s people are not conformed to the world, but show by their earnest, watching, waiting position that they are transformed; that their home is not in this world, but that they are seeking a better country, even a heavenly.
Maranatha p. 56
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Shiloh who twisted her knee and is in great pain. Rose
—–Please pray for our young friend. Demonic attack is highly suspect , very bad situation, prayers needed right away! Nicole
——Please pray for LS and D’s job situations. L
—–Please pray for the following evangelism events that are taking place in the near future: Diane — Geneva, Switzerland (Jul 9) presentation at the General Conference Global Health Conference.—Bangkok, Thailand (Jul 15 & 16) Pastoral Convention to Clergy Spouses, Southern Asia Pacific Division.—Bangkok, Thailand (Jul 17-21) Southern Asian Division -2nd Annual Women’s Convention—Canoga Park,CA (Jul 21 – 26) VBS – we are praying for the Spirit of the Lord to guide us in planning and to work together in love while providing a program that will draw children closer to Jesus, our redeemer and maker.—Rifle, CO (Jul 23 – 26) VBS Program
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Dear Friends,
I once saw a preacher call a young boy of about eight to the platform. The evangelist handed him a dollar bill. The boy reached out, took it gladly, and thanked the man. The evangelist then told the boy he could go back to his seat. Clutching his dollar, the boy happily obeyed. Then the man told the audience that he had tried to use adults for this illustration but they always stood there looking at him skeptically and asked, “What’s the catch?” That certainly illustrated the point Jesus made when He said that we must be as little children in order to be a part of His heavenly kingdom.
We must reach out and grasp the Great Gift of Salvation as did that little boy. It is ours for the asking. When the Phillipian jailer asked, ” Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 16:30, 31 Was this belief a mere mental assent? No! True belief is a wholehearted belief that changes the life.
Yes, salvation is a free gift, yet it costs us everything. Jesus explains, “the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matt 13:44-46
Isaiah urges, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isa 55:6,7 Paul adds, “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Heb 11:6
May we give diligence to make our calling and election sure. (1 Peter 1:10) May we allow nothing to hinder us from obtaining the Gift of Salvation. May we seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; for we have the promise that if we do, all these things shall be added unto us. (Matt 6:33)
Rose