This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, . . . having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:1, 2, 5.
Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord’s second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power he will make it appear that God’s special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world.
In many of the revivals which have occurred during the last half century, the same influences have been at work, to a greater or less degree, that will be manifest in the more extensive movements of the future. There is an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true with the false that is well adapted to mislead. Yet none need be deceived. In the light of God’s word it is not difficult to determine the nature of these movements. Wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible, turning away from those plain, soul-testing truths which require self-denial and renunciation of the world, there we may be sure that God’s blessing is not bestowed. And by the rule which Christ Himself has given, “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16), it is evident that these movements are not the work of the Spirit of God.
Maranatha p. 33
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Tim who has cancer and for his wife and little girl. Rose
—–Please pray for the following meetings. North Carolina Conference Camp Meeting at Lake Junaleska (May 25 – Jun 1) Ouachita Hills Canvassing Literature evangelism teams (May 25 – Jul 31) Pray for protection and that many people will respond and salvation obtained. Kaneohe, HI (Jun 5 – Jul 5) Taj Pacleb Canon City, CO (Jun 6 – 28) “Startling Prophecies for America” with Mark Fox Fresno, CA Jun 14 – 21) Korean Visitors Fresno, CA Jun 14 – 21) Cesario Loma Linda, CA (Jun 15 – 19) VBS pray for the prayer rotation (teaching kids to pray). Maui, Kahului (Jun 20 – 22) Prayer Conference with Pavel Goia Maui, Lahaina (Jun 24) Prayer Conference with Pavel Goia CA Teen Bible Academy (Jun 22 – Jul 13) pray for students to attend and financial needs met Big Island, Hilo (Jun 25) Prayer Conference with Pavel Goia Oahu, Ministry Training Center (Jun 27, 28) Prayer Conference with Pavel Goia Diane
—–Please pray for Esther as she has mastitis again. Please pray that she recovers quickly. We are supposed to be at campmeeting tomorrow, but unless God heals her quickly I don’t think she will be able to do so. Rose
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Dear Friends,
When my children were little, we lived in Wilmington, North Carolina. One spring day we noticed that some birds were building a nest in the decorative trim on the front of the mobile home we were renting. It was an ideal place for a nest. It would have been almost impossible for the babies to fall out of the nest. We welcomed them as a learning experience for the children as the nest was low enough that we could lift them up and they could look at the eggs.
Soon the babies hatched, and from inside the trailer we could hear them begging every time the parent bird came with a bug or a worm for them to eat.As they grew larger, the cheeps became louder, but it did not bother us. It was so exciting to be able to sneak outside when both parents were gone hunting for food and look at the baby birds.
One day, however, as I sat down on the sofa to rest, I noticed some tiny insects swarming on the back of the sofa. It was against the wall that was directly behind the bird’s nest. To my horror, I realized that these were bird mites! I checked the wall and it also was swarming with mites. Suddenly the thought of having those birds so close was not at all pleasant. I wanted those mites out of my house.
Immediately, I went to the store and bought some spray that could be used to rid pet birds of mites. I sprayed the sofa, the wall, and the baby birds. That helped for a time, but since I could not spray the parent birds, the problem soon returned. Finally, the only thing that could be done was to get rid of the nest. Thankfully, by this time, the babies were nearly ready to leave the nest anyway and stayed in the bushes nearby where their parents continued raising them. Once those birds were gone, we were able to get rid of the swarms of mites.
How often we become infested with the “mites” of this world. Sometimes we enjoy listening to music that leads us away from Christ. Sometimes we watch TV programs or read books that fill our minds with wrong thoughts. Soon we become like what we have allowed into our minds. We become alarmed and try to change, but we cannot. The allurement of the music or of the story pulls us in once again.
How much we need the help of the One Who “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” to get rid of the mite-ridden nest of sinfulness that we have allowed to stay within us. Heb 4:15 How much we need His cleansing power to “kill” every wrong thought and action! Our prayer must be, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight. . . . Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. . . . Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Ps 51:1-13
Praise God, He answers our prayer for help! “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Isa 1:18; Exe 36:26,27
May we each day allow our loving Saviour to cleanse us from all sin and put within us that new heart He longs for us to have. May we heed the admonition of Paul, ” Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil 4:8 May we continually “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” is my prayer. 3:14
Rose