A Good Fight

Through his long term of service, Paul had never faltered in his allegiance to his Saviour. Wherever he was—whether before scowling Pharisees, or Roman authorities; before the furious mob at Lystra, or the convicted sinners in the Macedonian dungeon; whether reasoning with the panic-stricken sailors on the shipwrecked vessel, or standing alone before Nero to plead for his life—he had never been ashamed of the cause he was advocating. The one great purpose of his Christian life had been to serve Him whose name had once filled him with contempt; and from this purpose no opposition or persecution had been able to turn him aside.
Paul’s life was an exemplification of the truths he taught, and herein lay his power. His heart was filled with a deep, abiding sense of his responsibility, and he labored in close communion with Him who is the fountain of justice, mercy, and truth…. The love of the Saviour was the undying motive that upheld him in his conflicts with self and in his struggles against evil as in the service of Christ he pressed forward against the unfriendliness of the world and the opposition of his enemies.

What the church needs in these days of peril is an army of workers who, like Paul, have educated themselves for usefulness, who have a deep experience in the things of God, and who are filled with earnestness and zeal. Sanctified, self-sacrificing men are needed; men who will not shun trial and responsibility; men who are brave and true; men in whose hearts Christ is formed “the hope of glory,” and who with lips touched with holy fire will “preach the word.” …

Will our young men accept the holy trust at the hands of their fathers? Are they preparing to fill the vacancies made by the death of the faithful? Will the apostle’s charge be heeded, the call to duty be heard, amidst the incitements to selfishness and ambition that allure the youth?
Conflict and Courage p. 356
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Prayer Requests
—–Archie passed away Sabbath morning at 5:am. he is resting now waiting for the Lord to come. Pray for family and friends. M
—–Please pray for Ginger who fell and broke her shoulder. Rose
—–Unspoken prayer request please. Thank you!! Meagan
——Today, my middle daughters husband walked out. They have been married a little over 8 years. No warning, no explanation except he no longer wants to be with her. Prayer would be much appreciated. Gerry
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Dear Friends,

Some years ago, we had a guest who conducted family worship for us one evening while he was there. It turned out to be one of the best worships we had had in a very long time. He began by reading 2 Peter 1:19-21 “We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

Then he asked each of us to tell why we think that God’s word is true and how we knew that there is a God. Ronnie Jay who loves history, spoke of how various prophecies were fulfilled so completely. These events could never been the product of guesswork. He gave the example of how God tells us of King Cyrus and what he would do in the future. This was written over 100 years before the man was even born. What a blessing it was to realize what a great God we serve, Who knows us so intimately even before He forms us in our mother’s womb! He says to us as he said the Jeremiah of old, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jer 1:5 David praises, “thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect, and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” Ps 139:13-17

Each of us had a turn. Another spoke of creation and the beauties God has given us, things that could never have happened by chance. “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done, he commanded, and it stood fast.”
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” Ps 33:6-9, 19:1-6

Someone else spoke of the many answers to prayer that God has given, of His constant care and closeness to us. We also marveled that the Bible, although written over a period of 1500 years by many different men of many different occupations, is one harmonious whole. Also we spoke of the fact that the sins of the Bible characters are not “smoothed over” but reported as they were. We thought of many other reasons for the hope that is in us.

As we discussed these things, our hearts thrilled at the love and care of God for His erring children, at His great condescension in leaving His grand and glorious kingdom and coming to this world as a helpless baby, living a life of hardship and poverty, going about the countryside bringing healing and hope, and dying on the cross an agonizing death, that we can be saved if we will accept His great offer of love.

May we often take the time to meditate upon God’s Holy Word as did David. May we take comfort in the evidences of God’s working in our life. May we accept our Dear Saviour’s sacrifice on the cross of Calvary is my prayer.

Rose