For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20.
Work, and watch, and pray for souls as they that must give an account. This year, try the Lord’s prescribed remedy for evil. Let every man do that which the Lord requires him to do, looking unto Jesus, who is the owner of every soul. . . .
Let small companies assemble together in the evening or early morning to study the Bible for themselves. Let them have a season of prayer that they may be strengthened and enlightened and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. . . .
If you will do this, a great blessing will come to you from the One who gave His whole life to service, the One who redeemed you by His own life. You must have the power of the Holy Spirit, else you cannot be an overcomer. What testimonies you should bear of the loving acquaintance you have made with your fellow workers in these precious seasons when seeking the blessing of God. Let each tell his experience in simple words. . . .
The work of every believer is aggressive. It is a daily warfare. Christ is saying . . . “Ye are my witnesses” (Isaiah 43:10). Think it; speak it; act it. Heaven is just next door. Open the door heavenward and close the door earthward. . . . Will you hear His voice and open the door of the heart to Jesus? Will you love Him who gave His life for you?
Let little companies meet together to study the Scriptures. You will lose nothing by this, but will gain much. Angels of God will be in your gathering, and as you feed upon the Bread of Life, you will receive spiritual sinew and muscle. You will be feeding, as it were, upon the leaves of the tree of life. By this means only can you maintain your integrity. Fidelity to Jesus Christ will ensure a most precious reward. Let each soul strive for eternal life, acknowledging Christ in word and spirit. He has pledged His word that He will acknowledge you and me, gladly, heartily, joyously, before His heavenly Father. Is not this worth striving for? See what you can do personally to be true to principle, to maintain uncorruptness in every phase of your life; and you will behold His glory.–Letter 2, Jan. 3, 1900, to Brother and Sister Sisley.
This Day With God p. 11
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Prayer Request
—–update—Please continue to pray for Larry. After testing all day, they admitted him to the hospital for further testing tomorrow. Pray that God will guide the doctors. Eileen
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Dear Friends,
A few years ago, a co-worker and I were talking about various subjects. Suddenly he began reciting poetry. I, then, recited a simple poem that I learned when I was three. This started us on the subject of literature. I made the comment that my grandmother’s aunt was a poet and songwriter and that before we lost everything in a fire, I had had one of her songbooks. As we continued talking, I did a search for Aletha Phillips on the Internet to see if there were still anything available of hers. Two items were offered for sale. One was a piece of sheet music called “Twilight Dreams.” The other was a book of poetry entitled “Other Ways and Other Days.”
Oh, how I wanted that book! After consulting with family and friends, I decided that I would go ahead and buy it, called the used bookstore that was advertising it, and bought it. When I got home from work a few days later, it was in my mailbox. I was so excited! The book, written in 1928, showed little wear. Whoever had that book must have placed it in their bookcase to be read another day and forgot all about it. How often we do the same with God’s Holy Word. We all own one, but do we wear it out by reading it or is it on a shelf somewhere just gathering dust.
Just before bedtime, Esther Marie called. I told her about the book. She was as thrilled as I was and asked me to read some of the poems to her. How carefully I turned the pages of that book that was so precious to me. With what delight I read poems that were written from her life’s experiences. Only the lateness of the hour kept us from reading the entire book. Do we have the same delight and interest when we read God’s Holy Word or do we carelessly read a few verses in the morning and think we have done our duty. Yet, how much more important the Scriptures are than some earthly book.
Peter in his second epistle, relates his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration. Then he declares that God’s Holy Word is more sure than what we see with our eyes and hear with our ears. “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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 1:16-21
The Scriptures are “able to make [us] wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim 3:15-17 “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb 4:12 How vital to our spiritual life that we spend time each day studying the message He has for us.
May we read the Bible with even more interest and care than I read my great-great aunt’s book. May we “study to shew [ourself] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we declare with Job, “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12
Rose