We are put on view to the world, and to angels, and to men. 1 Corinthians 4:9, Bible in Basic English.
The world is a theater; the actors, its inhabitants, are preparing to act their part in the last great drama. With the great masses of mankind there is no unity, except as men confederate to accomplish their selfish purposes. God is looking on. His purposes in regard to His rebellious subjects will be fulfilled. The world has not been given into the hands of men, though God is permitting the elements of confusion and disorder to bear sway for a season. A power from beneath is working to bring about the last great scenes in the drama–Satan coming as Christ, and working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in those who are binding themselves together in secret societies. Those who are yielding to the passion for confederation are working out the plans of the enemy. The cause will be followed by the effect.
Transgression has almost reached its limit. Confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. The end is very near. We who know the truth should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise. . . .
Are we as a people asleep? Oh, if the young men and young women in our institutions who are now unready for the Lord’s appearing, unfitted to become members of the Lord’s family, could only discern the signs of the times, what a change would be seen in them! The Lord Jesus is calling for self-denying workers to follow in His footsteps, to walk and work for Him, to lift the cross, and to follow where He leads the way.
Many are readily satisfied with offering the Lord trifling acts of service. Their Christianity is feeble. Christ gave Himself for sinners. With what anxiety for the salvation of souls we should be filled as we see human beings perishing in sin! These souls have been bought at an infinite price. The death of the Son of God on Calvary’s cross is the measure of their value. Day by day they are deciding whether they will have eternal life or eternal death.
Maranatha p. 138
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for the family and friends of Corinne who passed away yesterday. Rose
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Dear Friends,
When Esther Marie was a very little girl, she and her brother shared a room together, but the day came when they got too old to do so. Then she had to move into Eileen’s bedroom. It was a very small room, and they did not enjoy being together at all. There is ten years difference in age between the two girls. That made for a wide gap in their ideas on everything. I thought that I would never see the day when the two of them would get along.
After having lived apart for a few years, both girls moved back home for a short time and had to room together once again. This time, however, they enjoyed being together. While they were living apart, they had missed each other terribly. They have become best friends and share all of the happenings in their life with one another. When they remember the times when they did not get along, it surprises them.
Our Dear Saviour longs to be near and dear to us, just as my two daughters have grown to have a very close relationship with each other. There was a time for us, when we were ” alienated and enemies in [our] mind by wicked works, yet now [we are] reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present [us] holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If [we] continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” Col 1:21-23 Think of it! Even though we, through our own choice, were out of harmony with Him, He loved us still. Through His lovingkindness He slowly drew us into a right relationship with Himself. How He yearns to share all of our sorrows, all of our joys, every part of our day helping us, leading us guiding us.
Paul declares, “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Cor 1:9 Think of it! We are called to have fellowship with Jesus Christ! We are called to be so close to Him, to spend so much time with Him, that we begin to think like He thinks and respond as He would respond in any given situation. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor 3:18
Moreover, as we become close to Him, we will draw nearer to one another. This is His great desire. He prayed, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:21-23 The loving disciple, John, in his first epistle, writes, “truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” 1 John 1:3,4 Truly this is the key to joy unmatched by anything that the world can offer. The world offers no lasting happiness, but having Jesus dwelling within gives everlasting joy.
How can we have this fellowship and joy? David gives us the answer, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.” Ps 119:10-12 Jeremiah also gives the key, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jer 29:13 The apostle Paul adds, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15
May we spend our sweetest time each day with our Saviour. May we seek Him with our whole heart and soul and being. May we, as we unite our life with our Loving Redeemer, grow closer to one another in love and truth is my prayer.
Rose