Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:10.
The church must and will fight against seen and unseen foes. Satan’s agencies in human form are on the ground. Men have confederated to oppose the Lord of hosts. These confederacies will continue until Christ shall leave His place of intercession before the mercy seat and shall put on the garments of vengeance. Satanic agencies are in every city, busily organizing into parties those opposed to the law of God. Professed saints and avowed unbelievers take their stand with these parties.
God has revealed what is to take place in the last days, that His people may be prepared to stand against the tempest of opposition and wrath. Those who have been warned of the events before them are not to sit in calm expectation of the coming storm, comforting themselves that the Lord will shelter His faithful ones in the day of trouble….
It is no time now [Written in 1885, at a time when religious liberty was threatened, much as it is today.] to allow our minds to be engrossed with things of minor importance…. The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending. Its professions are mild and apparently Christian, but when it shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon. It is our duty to do all in our power to avert the threatened danger.
The time is coming when God’s people will feel the hand of persecution because they keep holy the seventh day…. The man of sin, who thought to change times and laws, and who has always oppressed the people of God, will cause laws to be made enforcing the observance of the first day of the week. But God’s people are to stand firm for Him. And the Lord will work in their behalf, showing plainly that He is the God of gods.
The Faith I Live By p. 325
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my husband Kevin! He needs all the prayers he can get. He burned his lungs trying to save our children from a house fire. The children got out safely. However Kevin was badly internally burned and will be in the Burn Unit ICU for quite some time. Please pray for a full and complete healing. Julia
—-Please continue to pray for Esther that all will go well with her surgery Friday. Rose
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Dear Friends,
One of the best teachers I ever had was Mrs. Vincent, my high school Latin teacher. Knowing that most of her students would find Latin rather boring, she did what she could to make learning fun. On the first day of school, she divided the students up into two teams. Then she told us that whichever team had the fewest points by Christmas had to bring the treats for a party. They had to serve the winners and clean up the mess afterwards. The winning team could just sit back and enjoy the party. At that party, new teams were to be chosen. There would be another party at the end of the school year.
Every day Mrs. Vincent had games for us at the blackboard. Different students from each team had to go to the board and decline a noun, conjugate a verb, or write a sentence using a particular word. Since it seemed more like a game than it did work, even John who normally had little interest in school wanted to do well. He really tried hard and found that Latin was easy when it was approached as a team sport.
How many look upon our service to Jesus as John normally looked at going to school. How many others follow our Great Provider for the promise of future reward just like the students worked hard learning Latin so they could be on the winning team. How many have a “fire escape” religion, working hard to make sure they are not on the losing side. Yet, these reasons will leave us disappointed. There is only one reason to follow our Dear Saviour—-love. He says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 This is the key. Pleasing our Wonderful Saviour should be the only motive for obedience. “We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
Obedience should never be approached as something distasteful that we have to do or else. Obedience should be given joyfully from a heart full of love, in order to please the One Who died for us that we might have eternal life. We cannot earn our way to Heaven, neither can we rid ourselves of the sin in our lives. We may try, but it is useless. “For though thou wash thee with niter, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.” “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” Jer 2:22; 13:23 James reminds us, “whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10 We may, by stern discipline, keep the law outwardly, but if the heart is not completely right, we are still breaking the commandments.
If we think an outward show is enough, we are as the rich, young ruler. (Matt 19:16-22) His was an outward obedience and when the test came, he failed.
Yet, obedience is required. the Great King of the Universe cannot allow sinners into Heaven or sin would be perpetuated and spread to the entire universe. A change of heart is essential. Our thoughts, motives, words, and actions must be brought into harmony with the Heavenly team. Praise God! He has provided the way! He does not leave us alone! He not only forgives our sin, but He cleanses us from it! John tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected.” 1 John 1:9-2:5 James adds, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:17-20
Peter assures us that our Loving Redeemer gives us power to obey! “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:3,4
Let us obey our Great Redeemer as joyfully and wholeheartedly as the students in Mrs. Vincent’s class studied Latin. Let us allow Him to finish the good work that He has begun in us and get us ready to live in His presence for all eternity. (Phil 1:6) Let us so live, that we may partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Rev 19:6-9)
Rose
Seen and Unseen Foes