Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:19.
I remember in Battle Creek when there were those who felt the burden for the unconverted, and those who were in darkness and saw no light; then prayer meetings were appointed that they might make the strength of God their strength. In every case the heavenly intelligences worked with these efforts, and souls were saved.
If there is a large number in the church, let the members be formed into small companies, to work not only for the church members, but for unbelievers. If in one place there are only two or three who know the truth, let them form themselves into a band of workers. Let them keep their bond of union unbroken, pressing together in love and unity, encouraging one another to advance, each gaining courage and strength from the assistance of the others. Let them reveal Christlike forbearance and patience, speaking no hasty words, using the talent of speech to build one another up in the most holy faith. Let them labor in Christlike love for those outside the fold. . . . As they work and pray in Christ’s name, their numbers will increase.
There is home missionary work that is to be done, and we hear the plea, So long as there is so much sin and such need of labor in our own country, why manifest such zeal for foreign countries? I answer, Our field is the world. . . . The Saviour directed His disciples to begin their work in Jerusalem, and then pass on through Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Only a small proportion of the people accepted the doctrine; but the messengers bore the message rapidly from place to place, passing from country to country, lifting the standard of the gospel in all the near and far-off places of the earth. But there was a preparatory work. The Saviour’s promise was, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.” Those who will not follow their own will and desires, but seek counsel of the Lord, will not be dull scholars for the Lord will teach them.
Maranatha p. 38
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray again for my Mom. They have FINALLY found out what has been causing all her pain and illness. She has a mass in her colon. I can’t understand why the medical professionals mess around for so long before getting to the source. A simple colonoscopy [would have found it.] Instead they brushed it off as irritable bowel syndrome, took her gall bladder out, and one doctor even told her it was in her head. She’s been feeling crummy for almost two years now. Debbie
—– Please keep my family in prayer. My ex-husband was found dead this morning by my daughter. He told my daughter that everything was planned and paid for, but it wasn’t so as executor my daughter is financially responsible for burial costs. She doesn’t have the money and funeral home has given her 30 days to pay. Please pray that there was an unknown insurance policy that can pay for his funeral. Linda
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Dear Friends,
I was looking up an item on an online encyclopedia a few years ago when a sentence “jumped out” at me. This article was totally unrelated to Christianity, yet the author had made the comment that belief in Jesus was silly. Since then, I’ve thought of that statement over and over again. Is belief in Jesus silly? No, of course not! He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life!” John 14:6 Is the Bible truly God’s Message to us. Yes, it is! Can we rely upon it 100%? Absolutely! “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21 Does the Bible point us to the Way of Salvation? Most assuredly! “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
God’s Word speaks of people who refuse to believe. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.” Psa 53:1-4 What a true picture of those who refuse to believe the great evidence our Great Creator has given for His existence, His love, His care. Those Who declare that there is no God and that belief in Him is silly, do so because they know that if they did believe, they would have to obey and that means giving up their cherished sins. Sadly, they do not stop with themselves but spread their disbelief far and wide.
No matter where we turn, we can hear an echo of the words “There is no God.” It is taught in school, proclaimed on television and radio, and some within the church even dare to write out the doubts that the enemy whispers in their ears. Paul explained the natural outworking of this willing ignorance. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Rom 1:18-31 What a fitting description of our day! We see these results on every hand.
How it must break God’s great heart of love to hear the very ones that He has created, deny His existence. How He longs to gather them in His arms, to guide them in the right path, but they turn from Him and will not believe even the plainest evidence. Peter also prophesies of these doubters, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 3:3-14
May we shun the philosophies of men, the profane and vain babblings that we hear on every side, for they only increase ungodliness, heartache, troubles, and evil. May we remember our Loving Creator in all that we do and say and think, that we may bring joy to the heart of our Dear Saviour. May we stand firm for Him each day no matter what others may do or think or say.
Rose