Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12.
We have need now for more than human wisdom in reading and searching the Scriptures; and if we come to God’s Word with humble hearts, He will raise up a standard for us against the lawless element.
It is difficult to hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end; and the difficulty increases when there are hidden influences constantly at work to bring in another spirit, a counterworking element, on Satan’s side of the question. In the absence of persecution, there have drifted into our ranks some who appear sound, and their Christianity unquestionable, but who, if persecution should arise, would go out from us. In the crisis, they would see force in specious reasoning that has had an influence on their minds. Satan has prepared various snares to meet varied minds. When the law of God is made void the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than we now anticipate, will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Instead of being strengthened when brought into strait places, many prove that they are not living branches of the True Vine. . . .
But when the world makes void the law of God, what will be the effect upon the truly obedient and righteous? Will they be carried away by the strong current of evil? Because so many rank themselves under the banner of the prince of darkness, will God’s commandment-keeping people swerve from their allegiance? Never! Not one who is abiding in Christ will fail or fall. His followers will bow in obedience to a higher authority than that of any earthly potentate. While the contempt placed upon God’s commandments leads many to suppress the truth and show less reverence for it, the faithful ones will with greater earnestness hold aloft its distinguishing truths. We are not left to our own direction. . . . We should consult His Word with humble hearts, ask His counsel, and give up our will to His. We can do nothing without God.
Maranatha p. 28
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for E who is having possible neurological issues. L
—–Please keep the Archibeque family in your prayers. Their father passed away after a struggle with his health for some time.
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, we were conducting the children’s program during an evangelistic series at our church. The children’s ages ranged from three to 9 years old. After a lively song service, one little boy did not want to sit down and listen to Ron tell a Bible story. He was not at all happy when we insisted that he be quiet and stay in his chair. Loudly he proclaimed, “I hate this meeting. I think I’ll pull out my hair.”
The second time he threatened this, Ron stopped his story, came over to the boy, bent his balding head down so the boy could see it well, and said, “Go ahead. Then you will look like me and won’t have any hair.” Then Ron stood upright and continued his story. The boy’s eyes got big with surprise, grew momentarily quiet, did not threaten to pull his hair out any more, and was fairly good the rest of the evening. On the way home after the program, Ron and I chuckled at the boy’s reaction.
The more I thought about the incident, however, the less funny it appeared. How often we are like that boy, serving the Lord, but complaining every step of the way. We look at the pleasures of this world with longing desire yet we are afraid of their consequences so we outwardly obey. Yet “LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7 Outward conformity without an inward change breaks God’s Great Heart of Love. With tears in His voice He laments, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” Matt 15:8
How our Great Redeemer yearns to have us love Him with our whole heart and soul and being. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matt 22:37-40
How He longs for us to obey because we love Him, because we rejoice in His Great Salvation, His marvellous grace. “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Ps 107:8; 100
Let us love our Dear Saviour with our whole heart. Let us obey Him because we want to please Him for “We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 Let us ever look “unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” is my prayer.
Rose