Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21.
Every true child of God will be sifted as wheat, and in the sifting process every cherished pleasure which diverts the mind from God must be sacrificed. In many families the mantel shelves, stands, and tables are filled with ornaments and pictures. . . . Thus the thoughts, which should be upon God and heavenly interests, are brought down to common things. Is not this a species of idolatry? Should not the money thus spent have been used to bless humanity, to relieve the suffering, to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry? Should it not be placed in the Lord’s treasury to advance His cause and build up His kingdom in the earth?
This matter is of great importance, and it is urged upon you to save you from the sin of idolatry. Blessing would come to your souls if you would obey the word spoken by the Holy One of Israel, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Many are creating unnecessary cares and anxieties for themselves by devoting time and thought to the unnecessary ornaments with which their houses are filled. The power of God is needed to arouse them from this devotion; for to all intents and purposes it is idolatry.
He who searches the heart, desires to win His people from every species of idolatry. Let the Word of God, the blessed book of life, occupy the tables now filled with useless ornaments. Spend your money in buying books that will be the means of enlightening the mind in regard to present truth. . . . Grasp the Word of the Lord as the treasure of infinite wisdom and love; this is the Guidebook that points out the path to heaven. . . .
O that you would search the Scriptures with prayerful hearts, and a spirit of surrender to God! O that you would search your hearts as with a lighted candle, and discover and break the finest thread that binds you to worldly habits, which divert the mind from God! Plead with God to show you every practice that draws your thoughts and affections from Him. God has given His holy law to man as His measure of character. By this law you may see and overcome every defect in your character. You may sever yourself from every idol, and link yourself to the throne of God by the golden chain of grace and truth.
Maranatha p. 48
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Prayer Requests
—– Our mother passed away last night. Please keep us all in prayer during this time. Mary and Martha
—–Please pray for safe travels for Mike and Eileen today as they travel across country for the family vacation. Pray also for us as we do the same tomorrow. Rose
—–I need prayer. I went to the doctor yesterday to have my knee checked from when I fell a couple of weeks ago and I have a skin infection called cellulitis on my lower leg. The doctor also tried to take fluid off my knee to see if was infected but all she got was old blood. Debbie
—– Please pray for the following evangelism events that are taking place in the near future: Ouachita Hills Canvassing Literature evangelism teams (May 25 – Jul 31) Pray for protection and that many people will respond and salvation obtained. —Canoga Park, CA (June) “Thunder in the Holy Land”—Jamaica (Jun 1 – 30) CJC last effort in Old Habour- May Pen—Kaneohe, HI (Jun 5 – Jul 5) Taj Pacleb—Canon City, CO (Jun 6 – 28) “Startling Prophecies for America” with Mark Fox—Fresno, CA Jun 14 – 21) Korean Visitors—Fresno, CA Jun 14 – 21) Cesario—Maui, Kahului (Jun 20 – 22) Prayer Conference with Pavel Goia—Maui, Lahaina (Jun 24) Prayer Conference with Pavel Goia—CA Teen Bible Academy (Jun 22 – Jul 13) pray for students to attend and financial needs met—Big Island, Hilo (Jun 25) Prayer Conference with Pavel Goia—Oahu, Ministry Training Center (Jun 27, 28) Prayer Conference with Pavel Goia—Oahu, Waimanalo (Jun 28) Prayer Conference with Pavel Goia. Diane
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Dear Friends,
It seems that there are so many people that I know or know of that are dying of illness or accident. Troubles and trials are on every hand in so many families. It brings to mind Peter’s statement, “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away.” 1 Peter 1:24 How fragile is life. It can be gone in a moment. How important, then, to be sure of our standing with our Great Creator, “in whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:10 In view of this fact, John bids us, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15-17
Truly, now is the time to make sure of our standing before God. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor 6:2 Think of it! We have assurance but of this moment. We know not what the future holds. Yet, how often we live as if we have an eternity of “the good life” before us. How often we seek the things of this world with scarcely a thought heavenward. Jesus told a parable concerning the futility of this tendency of ours, “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21
May we daily “give diligence to make (our) calling and election sure.” 2 Peter 1:10 May we seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; for we have the promise that if we do, all our needs will be supplied. (Mat 6:33) May we daily open our heart’s door to our Loving Saviour, Who, because of His great love for us, left the glories of Heaven and the adoration of all the unfallen beings of the universe, to live a life filled with all of the hardships, troubles, and trials that the evil one could heap upon Him, and finally to die upon the cruel cross; that we might dwell with Him throughout all eternity partaking of the joys of that fair land where “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Cor 2:9
Rose
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I will be on vacation until the 30th so there will be no devotional during that time. I will try to keep up with the prayer requests as much as I am able.