The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. Psalm 34:7.
The power and malice of Satan and his host might justly alarm us were it not that we may find shelter and deliverance in the superior power of our Redeemer. We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defense. If permitted, they can distract our minds, disorder and torment our bodies, destroy our possessions and our lives. Their only delight is in misery and destruction. Fearful is the condition of those who resist the divine claims and yield to Satan’s temptations, until God gives them up to the control of evil spirits. But those who follow Christ are ever safe under His watchcare. Angels that excel in strength are sent from heaven to protect them. The wicked one cannot break through the guard which God has stationed about His people.
The great controversy between Christ and Satan, that has been carried forward for nearly six thousand years, is soon to close; and the wicked one redoubles his efforts to defeat the work of Christ in man’s behalf and to fasten souls in his snares. To hold the people in darkness and impenitence till the Saviour’s mediation is ended, and there is no longer a sacrifice for sin, is the object which he seeks to accomplish.
When there is no special effort made to resist his power, when indifference prevails in the church and the world, Satan is not concerned; for he is in no danger of losing those whom he is leading captive at his will. But when the attention is called to eternal things, and souls are inquiring, “What must I do to be saved?” he is on the ground, seeking to match his power against the power of Christ. . . . He is in attendance when men assemble for the worship of God. Though hidden from sight, he is working with all diligence to control the minds of the worshipers.
Maranatha p. 130
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Prayer Requests
—–Mom fell last night. Please pray that she did not break her neck (C1/C2) again. Helen
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Dear Friends,
Thanksgiving. A time to reflect on the blessings that God has given us. When our Pilgrim fathers fled the old world and its persecution, they came to the new world unprepared for its hardships. About half of them died that first winter. If it had not been for kindness of the Indians, the rest of the Pilgrims would have perished the next year no doubt. In the first Autumn harvest, those Pilgrims saw God’s hand in their lives and they were filled with thankfulness to the Great Giver of all blessings. As they and their Indian benefactors sat down to a feast of thankfulness, their hearts swelled with love and gratefulness.
As the years passed, Thanksgiving became a tradition. It became such a part of life, that eventually it was established as a national holiday. Both Presidents Lincoln and Roosevelt added others dimensions to the day.
Sadly, this day established to remember God and His blessings has become a day filled with too much food, men sitting around the TV watching football, their wives and daughters in the kitchen cleaning up from the meal and complaining that all their husbands and sons want to do is sit around and watch football. Let us, this Thanksgiving day, remember its real meaning.
Let us “give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.” 1Chr 16:8-12
Rose