Paul Kept the Faith

From the judgment-hall of Caesar, Paul returned to his cell, realizing that he had gained for himself only a brief respite. He knew that his enemies would not rest until they had compassed his death. But he knew also that for a time truth had triumphed. To have proclaimed a crucified and risen Saviour before the vast crowd who had listened to him, was in itself a victory. That day a work had begun which would grow and strengthen, and which Nero and all other enemies of Christ would seek in vain to hinder or destroy….

Through his long term of service, Paul had never faltered in his allegiance to his Saviour. Wherever he was,—whether before scowling Pharisees, or Roman authorities; before the furious mob at Lystra, or the convicted sinners in the Macedonian dungeon; whether reasoning with the panic-stricken sailors on the shipwrecked vessel, or standing alone before Nero to plead for his life,—he had never been ashamed of the cause he was advocating. The one great purpose of his Christian life had been to serve Him whose name had once filled him with contempt; and from this purpose no opposition or persecution had been able to turn him aside. His faith, made strong by effort and pure by sacrifice, upheld and strengthened him…. The true minister of God will not shun hardship or responsibility. From the Source that never fails those who sincerely seek for divine power, he draws strength that enables him to meet and overcome temptation, and to perform the duties that God places upon him…. His soul goes out in longing desire to do acceptable service for the Master.—The Acts of the Apostles, 498-501.
With God at Dawn p. 302
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Prayer Requests
—-Mike and Eileen’s car has quit and is not worth fixing. Please pray that they can find a good running, reasonably priced car. Rose
—-I was divorced this year and feeling lonely, please pray for me. Dan
—-Please pray for Richard, he is having a Watchman implanted today since he is not on blood thinners anymore, and his BP and pulse have been high this month. Nita
—-Kia W. passed away. Please keep the family in your prayers. Also Nathan (Cindy’s husband) is improving but please continue prayers. Thank you! Wanangwa
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Dear Friends,

Over twenty years ago, we were friends with a young couple who went to our church at the time. They spent many happy hours at our house. We were good enough friends that we went to their wedding even though it was a five hour drive to get to the town where it was held. When they decided to go back into mission service, they stayed at our house just before they left. They promised to come back and see us when they were back in the states.

We corresponded quite regularly for awhile, but as each family became busier and busier with their own lives, the letters became more infrequent. After their mission service was over, we only received a Christmas letter. When they came back to see her parents before going to moving to the European country where he was from, they forgot all about their promise to come and see us. Eventually, instead of an annual letter, we were given a website address to keep abreast of the happenings in their life. I occasionally visited that website whenever I thought about them, but after my computer crashed, I lost the address. So we just drifted apart…..

Before He left to go back to Heaven, our Dear Saviour promised, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3 Throughout the intervening years, God’s people have looked for the fulfillment of that promise. Indeed, Paul tells us “that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Rom 8:22, 23

Even though earthly friends or even family may forget, we have the assurance that He will never forget us! He promises, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” Isa 49:15, 16 He declares that He has not forgotten us. He is coming back and that promise is sure. Praise God!

So why has there been so long a delay in His coming? Peter explains. “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.” verses 9 -14

“Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself.” Ps 50:3-6

May we “cast not away [our] confidence . . . for yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Heb 10:35, 37 May we “give diligence to make [our] calling and election sure” that “when the chief Shepherd shall appear, [we] shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 2 Peter 1:10;5:4 May we never drift apart from Jesus but hold to the promise, “Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Rev 22:20

Rose