Agent in Redemption

By nature the heart is evil, and “who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.” Job 14:4. No human invention can find a remedy for the sinning soul…. The fountain of the heart must be purified before the streams can become pure. He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law is attempting an impossibility. There is no safety for one who has merely a legal religion, a form of godliness. The Christian’s life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit.

It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church.

Like the wind, which is invisible, yet the effects of which are plainly seen and felt, is the Spirit of God in its work upon the human heart. That regenerating power, which no human eye can see, begets a new life in the soul; it creates a new being in the image of God.

The thoughtless and wayward become serious. The hardened repent of their sins, and the faithless believe. The gambler, the drunkard, the licentious, become steady, sober, and pure. The rebellious and obstinate become meek and Christlike. When we see these changes in the character, we may be assured that the converting power of God has transformed the entire man.

He who looks to Christ in simple, childlike faith is made a partaker of the divine nature through the agency of the Holy Spirit.
The Faith I Live By p. 55
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for a young couple who lost their son aged 6 two years ago and are grieving and questioning God’s goodness. Also pray for Tisha who needs a kidney transplant. R
—–I ask for your prayers. About one month ago my mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Kidney Cancer. This past weekend she came down with the flu. She is know in ICU with kidney failure. Please pray for healing. Pray for her good kidney to start working again. Brian C.
—–Please pray for my friend who has a court case Pray that they don’t take away her son from her. She has a very good relationship with her son. Rosemary
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,

My grandmother used to occasionally visit her friend Cora, who lived on the other side of town. One day when I was about 4, she decided to take me with her. Cora lived alone, and since she had no children, had many delicate figurines sitting everywhere.

Cora did not seem overjoyed that her friend had brought a child in the house. In her mind those expensive figurines and four year olds just did not mix. I could feel her watching me, although she never said a word about it. The scowl on her face was enough to know what she was thinking. My grandmother, seemingly unaware of Cora’s discomfiture, suggested that I look at all the pretty things in the other room so they could visit in private.

I wandered into the dining room and enjoyed looking at the beautiful objects she had in and on intricately carved wooden and glass cases. Cora need not have worried so much. I had been taught from a very early age to keep my hands behind me when I looked at something breakable.

Sometimes we are like Cora with the treasures that are found in God’s Word. Sadly, we often keep them to ourselves and are silent when we should be sharing them with others. There is a battle going on—a battle with eternal consequences, yet how often we live our lives as though these treasures were exclusively ours.

Jesus tells us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16 A candle shines wherever it is placed. It does not selfishly keep its light to itself, but blesses all with its ability to illuminate.

Paul admonishes, “Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim 4:2 Jesus commands, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matt 28:19-10 We may never be called to preach a sermon or go to a foreign land as a missionary, but we can let our light shine where we are. We can fulfill His command as we daily give our lives, our plans, our all to the Master.

May we allow His Holy Spirit to flow through us. May we share the treasures He has given us with those who are perishing. Jesus is coming soon. May we, and those with whom we have shared the truths of His Word, soon look up and say, “Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa 25:9

Rose