And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. Isaiah 58:12.
Has God no living church? He has a church, but it is the church militant, not the church triumphant. We are sorry that there are defective members….While the Lord brings into the church those who are truly converted, Satan at the same time brings persons who are not converted into its fellowship. While Christ is sowing the good seed, Satan is sowing the tares. There are two opposing influences continually exerted on the members of the church. One influence is working for the purification of the church, and the other for the corrupting of the people of God….
Although there are evils existing in the church, and will be until the end of the world, the church in these last days is to be the light of the world that is polluted and demoralized by sin….
There is but one church in the world who are at the present time standing in the breach, and making up the hedge, building up the old waste places; and for any man to call the attention of the world and other churches to this church, denouncing her as Babylon, is to do a work in harmony with him who is the accuser of the brethren….The whole world is filled with hatred of those who proclaim the binding claims of the law of God, and the church who are loyal to Jehovah must engage in no ordinary conflict….Those who have any realization of what this warfare means, will not turn their weapons against the church militant, but with all their powers will wrestle with the people of God against the confederacy of evil.
Those who start up to proclaim a message on their own individual responsibility, who, while claiming to be taught and led of God, still make it their special work to tear down that which God has been for years building up, are not doing the will of God. Be it known that these men are on the side of the great deceiver. Believe them not.
The Faith I Live By p. 305
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Prayer Requests
—-Yesterday Xander was supposed to have his chest tube taken out, but the surgeons had a complicated surgery that ended up taking most of the day, so they’re doing it today. . . .He did great on his PT session, and can hold his head up without assistance now. He’s also able to shift and turn himself in the bed a little, although it hurts. We’re going to start getting him into the cardiac chair so he can leave his hospital room for a little while at least a few times a week. Xander’s kidneys are doing great. He won’t need a renal diet when he starts eating and they don’t expect any lasting kidney damage. His kidneys were so badly damaged that it’s absolutely amazing to have them functioning so well so soon. The expectation was that he would probably need some outpatient dialysis after he left the hospital, but he is recovering faster than anyone imagined. We know that is because of the overwhelming amount of prayers being sent up on his behalf and we are so, so thankful! Sharon
—-I’m asking for a special prayer for my dad. Hes sick, my mom thinks that he’s having a mild stroke right now. Please pray for him, his name is Zosimo. Jenny
—-Please pray for the eight people critically hurt in a local accident. Rose
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Dear Friends,
Miss Baldwin, my 6th grade teacher, was one of my favorite teachers. She was an older lady with graying hair, of rather plump proportions, always had a pleasant smile on her face, and, despite the fact that she was nearing retirement, was still very full of life. I fondly remember two things about her. One, her favorite saying was, “You hit the nail on the head!” The other, she loved to travel.
Instead of relaxing at home each summer vacation, she would travel to a different country and soak up the sights, sounds, smells, and culture of that place. Then the next school year, she enthusiastically shared what she had experienced with her class.
The summer before I was in her class, she had gone to Mexico, so each day she shared with us something about that country. She had visited a live volcano that summer, as she was there, her thoughts looked forward to the new students she would teach in the autumn. How could she share this volcano experience with her students? Later that day, as she was perusing the shops, she came across the very thing she needed.
One day, we students watched as she placed a strange-looking green mound on the high table where the projector normally sat. Then she began sharing with us her visit to the Mexican volcano. As she explained about the build-up of pressure that causes a mountain to explode, she pressed a button. Suddenly her miniature volcano burst into action. An orange glow came from the small hole at the top. Tiny, black “rocks” catapulted into the air and rolled down the sides. Bright orange “lava” flowed from the center and oozed down the sides of that green “mountain.” There were many “oooh’s” and “aaaah’s” from the group. Seeing that we liked her little project, she pressed the button again and again. It was all very thrilling!
Just as Miss Baldwin taught us from her experience, so our Dear Saviour desires to have us share our experience with those around us. He bids us, “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.” Matt 28:19,20
Yet, how often, instead of speaking of the blessings that our Loving Creator has showered upon us, we talk enthusiastically to others about some item we have just bought, or something we have seen on TV the night before, or about our favorite sports team, or some other interest. How sad that our “witness” should not be on worldly things. This should not be. Our sweetest thoughts should be of Jesus and His love. Our conversation should be centered in Him. Our interests should lie with His.
“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.” Isa 43:10-12
The loving disciple John taught from his experience. He declares, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and 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 1:1-4 This is our privilege as well. The True Light declares, “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
“May we have the joy that comes from sharing with those around us all that our Loving Saviour has done for us. May we lead them “unto the knowledge of the truth” that when our dear Saviour comes, we will stand with those we have brought to Him and exclaim, “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.” 1 Tim 2:4;Isa 25:9 May we declare as did Paul, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” 1 Cor 9:16
Rose

Builders, Not Destroyers