Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 1 John 2:18.
The enemy is preparing for his last campaign against the church. He has so concealed himself from view that many can hardly believe that he exists, much less can they be convinced of his amazing activity and power. . . .
Man is Satan’s captive and is naturally inclined to follow his suggestions and do his bidding. He has in himself no power to oppose effectual resistance to evil. It is only as Christ abides in him by living faith . . . that man may venture to face so terrible a foe. Every other means of defense is utterly vain. It is only through Christ that Satan’s power is limited. This is a momentous truth that all should understand. Satan is busy every moment, going to and fro, walking up and down in the earth, seeking whom he may devour. But the earnest prayer of faith will baffle his strongest efforts. . . .
Satan hopes to involve the remnant people of God in the general ruin that is coming upon the earth. As the coming of Christ draws nigh, he will be more determined and decisive in his efforts to overthrow them. Men and women will arise professing to have some new light or some new revelation whose tendency is to unsettle faith in the old landmarks. Their doctrines will not bear the test of God’s word, yet souls will be deceived. False reports will be circulated, and some will be taken in this snare. . . . We cannot be too watchful against every form of error, for Satan is constantly seeking to draw men from the truth. . . .
Some men have no firmness of character. They are like a ball of putty and can be pressed into any conceivable shape. . . . This weakness, indecision, and inefficiency must be overcome. There is an indomitableness about true Christian character which cannot be molded or subdued by adverse circumstances. Men must have moral backbone, an integrity which cannot be flattered, bribed, or terrified. . . .
God has set bounds that Satan cannot pass. Our most holy faith is this barrier; and if we build ourselves up in the faith, we shall be safe in the keeping of the Mighty One.
Maranatha p. 64
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Prayer Requests
—-D has a test next week. Please pray that he passes with no trouble. L
—–Please pray for the following evangelism events that are taking place in the near future: Diane —Ouachita Hills Canvassing Literature evangelism teams (May 25 – Jul 31) Pray for protection and that many people will respond and salvation obtained. —Grand Rapids, MI (Jul 1 – 31) conducting Evangelistic Series through the entire month of July at 22 sites. —Moore, OK (Jul 1 – 31) follow-up Bible studies, visitations after evangelistic series —Los Angles, CA (Jul 5 – 26)—Canoga Park,CA (Jul 21 – 26) VBS – we are praying for the Spirit of the Lord to guide us in planning and to work together in love while providing a program that will draw children closer to Jesus, our redeemer and maker.—Chinle, AZ (Jul 15 – Aug 11) Navajo Indian Reservation, Pastor Charlie Whitehorse is preaching. —Rifle, CO (Jul 23 – 26) VBS Program —Winter Haven, FL (Jul 28 – Aug 1) VBS Program – that the Lord will bless us with kids from our community to learn more about His love.—Portland, OR (Jul 31 – Aug 3) Dr. Ron Clouzet will present a series on Christian Apologetics
—–Please continue to pray for Shiloh. She is in a lot of pain after knee surgery. Rose
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Dear Friends
When we lived by the Tennessee river, Ron and Eileen decided to float on inner tubes down to his brother Dennis’ house about a mile away. At least by road it was a mile. By river, it was five miles! They kept watching the bank and nothing looked familiar. Ron was beginning to worry. Finally a fisherman came by and gave them a ride to their destination. When the fisherman told him how far it was, Ron was very glad that he had picked them up.
Meanwhile, I was at home doing some housework. Several hours went by and I was beginning to wish I had gone with them. We lived on a steep hill and it was quite far down to the river, at least in my condition it seemed far. I was very pregnant with Ronnie Jay and he was pressing on my back in such a way that I could barely move my legs. Walking was very difficult. Finally, I decided to attempt to get down to the water, take the remaining inner tube, and float down to Dennis’ too. Of course, I thought it would be a short trip since I knew it was only a mile away by the road.
I managed to slip and slide down to the river and clumsily get on the inner tube. That was not an easy task in my condition. As I floated along, the current was carrying me a little farther from the bank than I wanted it to. That worried me a little. With my legs not working very well, and my position on the tube was such that only my hands reached the water, how would I get back to the bank when I reached Dennis’ house? When I was about a fourth of a mile from home, I became aware of a far more serious problem. That inner tube was not as full of air as it had been when I first got on. Now I was getting scared! I knew I could easily drown in the strong current! I began to pray and tried with all my might to get to shore.
God answered my prayer. At that very moment, Ron and Eileen had returned home by the road. He looked everywhere for me. With a sinking heart, he realized what I had done. Quickly, he ran down the hill to the river and looked downstream. In the distance he saw me. He let out a shout and I looked back from my now-very-squishy innertube. As you can imagine, I was delighted to see him.
Instructing our little girl not to get into the water, Ron jumped into the river and swam faster than I had ever seen him swim. He grabbed my inner tube and began pulling me upstream to safety. In less than 24 hours, Ronnie Jay was born.
How easy it is to get ourselves into big trouble without thinking of consequences. How often we are careless and become entangled in a situation where we are in danger and helpless to free ourselves. We need Someone to help us just as much as I needed Ron to pull me back home. Our Great Redeemer bids us, “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Ps 50:15 “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” Ps 34:17-19
He is our Redeemer, our Strength, a very Present Help in trouble. He sees our trials and knows our situation just as if we were the only person in the world. He brings to us deliverance. He provides a way out of our troubles. “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor 10:13
What a Wonderful Saviour we serve! How great and good He is! May we come to Him now with all our worries, all our cares. May we ask Him to untangle the threads of our tangled lives. May we trust Him completely with our very lives is my prayer.
Rose