Feeble Efforts Not Enough
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:1, 2.
When we are burdened, when we are pressed with temptation, when the feelings and desires of the natural heart are contending for the victory, we should offer up fervent, importunate prayer to our heavenly Father in the name of Christ, and this will bring Jesus to our help, so that through His all-powerful and efficacious name we may gain the victory and banish Satan from our side. But we should not flatter ourselves that we are safe while we make but feeble efforts in our own behalf…. “Strive {agonize} to enter in at the strait gate” (Luke 13:24).
Our danger does not arise from the opposition of the world, but it is found in the liability of our being in friendship with the world and imitating the example of those who love not God or His truth. The loss of earthly things for the truth’s sake, the suffering of great inconvenience for loyalty to principle, does not place us in danger of losing our faith and hope; but we are in danger of suffering loss because of being deceived and overcome by the temptations of Satan. Trials will work for our good if we receive and bear them without murmuring, and will tend to separate us from the love of the world and will lead us to trust more fully in God.
There is help for us only in God. We should not flatter ourselves that we have any strength in wisdom of our own, for our strength is weakness, our judgment foolishness. Christ conquered the foe in our behalf because He pitied our weakness and knew that we would be overcome and would perish if He did not come to our help. He clothed His divinity with humanity, and thus was qualified to reach man with His human arm while with His divine arm He grasped the throne of the Infinite. The merits of Christ elevate and ennoble humanity, and through the name and grace of Christ it is possible for man to overcome the degradation caused by the Fall, and through the exalted, divine nature of Christ to be linked to the Infinite.
That I May Know Him p. 269
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Prayer Requests
—–I AM HERE TO PRESENT THE SITUATION OF MY BROTHER IB BLOOD, DUMITRU, WHO WAS RECOVERD IN HOSPITAL, YESTARDAY, WITH PSICHIATRIC DESEASE, MORE THAN A DEPRESSION ! PLS PRAY FOR HIS CHILDREN, FOUR, ALL UNDER 18, BUT ESPECIALLY FOR THE BIGGEST ONE RADU, WHO PASSED THROUGH A TOUGH EXPERIENCE IN THE NIGHT !! Rodica
—–Please pray for my Neighbor whose sister is in the hospital battling with Pancreatic cancer and not doing good. Her name is Jeannie. And also pray for Linda my neighbor who has taken the Amazing Facts Bible course. Thanks. Mary
—–Please pray for those injured and their families in the rollover accident of the church bus in Florida. Rose
—— Update on Kirsten: This weekend we have discovered that she can handle 15 min. intense cognitive thinking and up to 45 min. on an easy level of cognitive thinking, if she goes beyond either she then requires pain meds to calm it back down and needs sleep as well. Please continue to pray. Being out in nature seems to help calm and rest the mind. Nicole
—–Pray for my father in law… He has broken his hip. Janell
—–Pray carmie our chi dog has a safe delivery and that the pups are healthy and live. Also that good homes are found for each one. Nicole
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Dear Friends,
When we lived in Washington state, Mr. Brown and Mr. Gray were Ronnie Jay’s Pathfinder leaders. (Pathfinders is an organization within our church for ages 10-16 and is similar to Scouts.) Ronnie Jay often made the comment that these men were more than just Pathfinder counselors to him, they were his friends. Because of their approachableness, the children felt as if they could come to these men with their problems or with their joys. Each week they played ball or entered into other activities with their Pathfinders. Because of their example, my son wanted to be good Pathfinder counselor just like they were. They had been an influence for good on him and he, in turn, desired to influence others for good.
These men’s lives (as well as Mrs. Brown’s [who was Esther’s counselor] life) were all wrapped up in helping the Pathfinders. Every spare moment they had was used in preparing for the weekly meeting or some special event. Their whole focus was on leading their Pathfinders to become good citizens not only of this country but of the Heavenly Country. Just before he died, Mr. Gray, who was especially gentle and kind, talked with each Pathfinder individually about their future plans. He told them of his hopes and dreams for them to carry on in his footsteps. That made a huge impression on Ronnie Jay, and when he became too old for Pathfinders, he became a counselor.
We have a Dear Saviour Who longs to be our counselor. Indeed Isaiah calls Him “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isa 9:6 He greatly desires that we should have such a close fellowship with Him that we will become like Him. With longing in His voice He pleads, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev 3:20 Think of it! We have the great privilege of sitting down with our Great Creator and together feasting upon His Word. As we dine upon the truths that it contains, meditating upon its precepts, He will open to us “in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27 Paul advises, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 What a privilege! The same Holy Spirit, Who moved upon holy men of old to write the Scriptures, will guide us in our understanding of them. (2 Peter 1:21)
Moreover, as we sup together, we commune together. How our Loving Redeemer yearns for this interaction. How He longs for us tell Him with all of our happinesses, all of our joys, all of our sorrows, all of our troubles and disappointments. We cannot weary Him. We can cast all of our cares upon Him, for He loves us with an everlasting love. He draws us to Himself with His lovingkindness. (1 Peter 5:7;Jer 31:3) He is calling, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30 “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isa 55:1 In addition, He bids us, “be still, and know that I am God.” “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Ps 46:10; Jer 33:3
May we daily sit at our Dear Saviour’s feet learning all things from Him. May we strive to become like Him in every aspect of our life. May we so live each day, that others will notice that we have been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
Rose