For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. Romans 10:2.
There is a noisy zeal, without aim or purpose, which is not according to knowledge, which is blind in its operations and destructive in its results. This is not Christian zeal. Christian zeal is controlled by principle and is not spasmodic. It is earnest, deep, and strong, engaging the whole soul and arousing to exercise the moral sensibilities.
The salvation of souls and the interests of the kingdom of God are matters of the highest importance. What object is there that calls for greater earnestness than the salvation of souls and the glory of God? There are considerations here which cannot be lightly regarded. They are as weighty as eternity. Eternal destinies are at stake. Men and women are deciding for weal or woe. Christian zeal will not exhaust itself in talk, but will feel and act with vigor and efficiency. Yet Christian zeal will not act for the sake of being seen. Humility will characterize every effort and be seen in every work. Christian zeal will lead to earnest prayer and humiliation, and to faithfulness in home duties. In the family circle will be seen the gentleness and love, benevolence and compassion, which are ever the fruits of Christian zeal. . . .
Oh, how few feel the worth of souls! How few are willing to sacrifice to bring souls to the knowledge of Christ! There is much talking, much professed love for perishing souls; but talk is cheap stuff. It is earnest Christian zeal that is wanted–a zeal that will be manifested by doing something. All must now work for themselves, and when they have Jesus in their hearts they will confess Him to others. No more could a soul who possesses Christ be hindered from confessing Him than could the waters of Niagara be stopped from flowing over the falls.
Eternal life should engage the deepest interest of every Christian. To be a co-worker with Christ and the heavenly angels in the great plan of salvation! What work can bear any comparison with this! From every soul saved there comes to God a revenue of glory to be reflected upon the one saved and also upon the one instrumental in his salvation.
Marantha p. 126
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Tom who is out of work and looking for another job. Pray that he will get one with good benefits. Michelle.
——Please pray for me. BH
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Dear Friends,
One year, when we lived out in Washington state, there were fires in the area where we lived. The news called it “firestorm.” As the fire spread, we could see the flames leaping high into the sky over a distant hill. We lived in a rural area and could see many miles. We were not sure if those flames would come any closer, so we hurriedly packed a backpack full of necessities and put it beside the door in case we had to leave. Thankfully, the fires never got that close to us.
Sadly, the flames did burn the Gray’s (one of our church members) property. This older couple were very dear to our children and to us. Occasionally, we would visit them. They were always delighted. We often laughed at their habit of each carrying on a different conversation with us at the same time. It was quite a mind exercise to keep track of and answer them, but we rather enjoyed it. Lester’s health was not as good as it once was as he had some sort of rare lung condition, but he still taught in Pathfinders as he had for many years. He was very good with children and made a big impression on Ronnie Jay especially. He often thinks of Lester. In fact, because of Lester’s memory, Ronnie Jay was a Pathfinder counselor until he went to college
When the fire began burning Lester’s property, some church members came to help him fight the fire. (We would have helped too, but did not know about it until it was all over.) During the time when he was trying to save his outbuildings and home, Lester inhaled too much fire and smoke. His wife said that when he came inside, he was quite short-tempered, something very unusual for him. Finally, he admitted that he could hardly breathe and needed to go to the hospital. Quickly she drove him to the emergency room. One look at him and they admitted him to a room and put him on a respirator. His already weakened lungs could not recover, however, and he died within a few days. He was greatly missed by all.
This life is very uncertain. How quickly everything that have been worked for all our lives can vanish away. Our Dear Saviour advises, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matt 6:19-21 How important it is, then, that we keep the things we own in proper perspective. We must never “trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Tim 6:17
All around us we can see that Bible prophecy is being fulfilled. The end of all things is at hand.” 1 Peter 4:7 James speaks of this time. “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.” James 5:1-3 So many have amassed great wealth, but their treasure will not save them. They are like the man in the parable, “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
We all should, of course, provide for our families, but this should not be the primary focus, the whole driving force of the life. Jesus is coming soon, then all will be swept away. Only those who have “washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” Rev 7:14 will stand. Only those who have given “diligence to make (their) calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10 ) will be ready. We must put “first things first.” We must “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in [us] both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil 2:12, 13 Time is short. Life is uncertain. We must put our focus when our focus belongs—on eternal realities.
May we focus on our Dear Saviour making our walk with Him the most important thing in our life. May He be first and last and always in our life. May we so walk in Him that He will take us to His everlasting kingdom which shall never be destroyed.
Rose