God’s Heros

Elijah, amid the general apostasy, did not seek to hide the fact that he served the God of heaven. Baal’s prophets numbered four hundred and fifty, his priests, four hundred, and his worshipers were thousands; yet Elijah did not try to make it appear that he was on the popular side. He grandly stood alone…. With clear, trumpetlike tones Elijah addressed the vast multitude: “How long halt ye between two opinions? …” … Where are the Elijahs of today?.

God would have His honor exalted before men as supreme, and His counsels confirmed in the eyes of the people. The witness of the prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel gives the example of one who stood wholly for God and His work in the earth…. “Let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel,” he prays, “and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O Lord,” he pleads, “hear me.” …

His zeal for God’s glory and his deep love for the house of Israel present lessons for the instruction of all who stand today as representatives of God’s work in the earth.

Nothing is gained by cowardice or by fearing to let it be known that we are God’s commandment-keeping people. Hiding our light, as if ashamed of our faith, will result only in disaster. God will leave us to our own weakness. May the Lord forbid that we should refuse to let our light shine forth in any place to which He may call us. If we venture to go forth of ourselves, following our own ideas, our own plans, and leave Jesus behind, we need not expect to gain fortitude, courage, or spiritual strength. God has had moral heroes, and He has them now,—those who are not ashamed of being His peculiar people. Their wills and plans are all subordinate to the law of God. The love of Jesus has led them not to count their lives dear unto themselves. Their work has been to catch the light from the word of God and to let it shine forth in clear, steady rays to the world. “Fidelity to God” is their motto.
Conflict and Courage p. 209
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Prayer Request
—–We still need prayer for guidance. L
—–Please pray for the safe return of two separate missing persons. Brooklyn missing from Georgia and Toni missing from Wichita.
—–update—Shirley gets to go home from rehab this weekend! Please pray that she does not fall again or have any other problem.Rose
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Dear Friends,

My grandfather had a friend named Freddie who lived a few houses down the street from us. He lived alone so he thought of us as his family. My grandparents often invited him to dinner. He, in turn, would take us to Lake Michigan in the summertime. I thought Freddie was wonderful because he gave me candy and presents. There was one thing that scared me about Freddie, though. He belonged to a spiritualistic church and did many strange things such as drink his own urine. Whenever we were alone, he told me many things about ghosts and such that made me terrified of the dark. Even after I became and adult and understood the source of these things, my fear of the dark lingered for years.

When at age 10, I went to live with my mother on the other side of town, I rarely saw him any more. When I was about 16, I started going to my grandmother’s church in the old neighborhood. One day, about a year later, I was sitting on the porch of the church waiting for someone to get there to open the doors. I had to ride the bus across town and the bus’ schedule did not always coincide with the church’s meeting times. I noticed someone walking on the other side of the street. It was Freddie.

A strong impression came to me that I should go over and talk to him about Jesus. I knew I should share the wonderful truths that I had recently learned, but I hesitated. The thought that I should at least try to talk to him became stronger, but I felt glued to my seat. I knew that Freddie needed Jesus so much. I knew that he needed deliverance from the devil, but I just sat there and watched him pass by.

Several weeks later, I learned that he had died. A few days after I saw him, he had had a massive stroke and, as he lived alone, he had laid on the floor of his house until his brother found him. He died several days later. I felt terrible. I should have spoken to him while there was time for him to accept my Saviour. He might not have listened, but I should have tried. Now it was too late. Never could he hear the good news of salvation. Never again would he have the opportunity to switch masters. Never again would he have a chance to repent.

Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4 Jesus says to us, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest.” “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” 4:35, Luke 10:2 Our Dear Saviour has given us the great commission, “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 always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 28:19,20, 5:16

We have the privilege of being workers in His vineyard. We are to reap His fields claiming the promise, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Ps 126:6 Now is the time to be working to bring others to Jesus. The time is soon coming when it will be too late. We must never do as I did and put it off until it is too late. Many will say in that day, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jer 8:20

May we help others to get ready to meet Jesus, now while there is yet time “for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal 6:9 May we allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us to bring redemption to those around us, never hesitating until it is too late, but doing as Paul advised, “Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” May we so live that we will be able to say as did he, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Tim 4:7,8

Rose