You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8, R.S.V.
In the trust given to the first disciples, believers in every age have shared. Everyone who has received the gospel has been given sacred truth to impart to the world. God’s faithful people have always been aggressive missionaries, consecrating their resources to the honor of His name, and wisely using their talents in His service. . . .
The members of God’s church are to be zealous of good works, separating from worldly ambition, and walking in the footsteps of Him who went about doing good. With hearts filled with sympathy and compassion, they are to minister to those in need of help, bringing to sinners a knowledge of the Saviour’s love. Such work calls for laborious effort, but it brings a rich reward. Those who engage in it with sincerity of purpose will see souls won to the Saviour. . . .
“The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come.” Revelation 22:17. The charge to give this invitation includes the entire church. Everyone who has heard the invitation is to echo the message from hill and valley, saying, “Come.”. . .
Hundreds, yea, thousands, who have heard the message of salvation, are still idlers in the market place, when they might be engaged in some line of active service. To these Christ is saying, “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” and He adds, “Go ye also into the vineyard.” Matthew 20:6, 7. Why is it that many more do not respond to the call? Is it because they think themselves excused in that they do not stand in the pulpit? Let them understand that there is a large work to be done outside the pulpit by thousands of consecrated lay members.
Long has God waited for the spirit of service to take possession of the whole church so that everyone shall be working for Him according to his ability. When the members of the church of God do their appointed work in the needy fields at home and abroad, in fulfillment of the gospel commission, the whole world will soon be warned, and the Lord Jesus will return to this earth with power and great glory. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14.
Maranatha p. 123
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Prayer Requests
—–Sherri has an appointment with a heart specialist in ____ ___________ for a congenital and hereditary heart valve defect. Pray that they will be able to fix the defect correctly. RJ
—– Dan was in a three car accident last night on his way home, from work. Please keep him in prayer he is out of surgery now and in ICU, he has broken ribs and internal injuries thanks. M.
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Dear Friends,
When talking with friends, one of them said something funny. Suddenly I breathed in the water I was drinking at that moment. I’ve done that before, but this time I could not get even the tiniest breath. All that lovely air, but I couldn’t breathe a bit of it.
Instantly Esther and Ronnie Jay were at my side trying to help me. Finally I could get a little air into my lungs. It took several minutes before I could breathe normally again.
I had heard that a person could drown on a teaspoon of water. Now I know that is true. Just that small amount can block the ability that we all take for granted.
It is that way in life. Just as a tiny bit of water can drown us physically, so a tiny cherished sin can drown us spiritually. Just as that water separated me from the surrounding air, so “a little leaven (of sin) leaveneth the whole lump” Gal 5:9 What starts out as a little sin that did not seem to matter, becomes our master. We find ourselves near death, drowning in sin. “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isa 64:6 “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isa 59:2 “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” Ps 38:4
Praise God, we have a Saviour Who does not leave us in this condition! He is listening for our cry. He will swiftly come to our aid. He is mighty to save. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies” Ps 103:2-4 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isa 53:4,5
What a Wonderful Saviour! What a compassionate Friend! May we serve Him with all our heart. May we look ever to Him for the help that we need. May we do those things that bring joy to His heart is my prayer.
Rose