But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. John 15:26.
Those who have Jesus abiding in the heart by faith, have actually received the Holy Spirit. Every individual who receives Jesus as his personal Saviour, just as surely receives the Holy Spirit, to be his Counselor, Sanctifier, Guide, and Witness. The more closely the believer walks with God, the clearer his witness, and, as a sure result, the more powerful will be the influence of his testimony upon others of a Saviour’s love; the more he will give evidence that he prizes the Word of God. It is his meat, it is his drink, to satisfy the thirsty soul. He prizes the privilege of learning the will of God from His Word.
Some souls who claim to be believers have slighted, and turned from, the Word of God. They have neglected the Bible, the wonderful Guidebook, the true Tester of all ideas, and claim that they have the Spirit to teach them, that this renders searching the Scriptures unnecessary. All such are heeding the sophistry of Satan, for the Spirit and the Word agree, say the Scriptures, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20). He only is a free man whom the truth makes free….
The Lord loves you, and His guardian angels are round about you. If you are doers of the Word you will obey the instructions of Jesus Christ…. In our own strength we are perfect weakness, but, when we put our whole trust in Jesus Christ, we are kept by His power, for He is fully able to keep every soul that puts his trust in Him. The peril to which every soul is exposed is very great.
The great adversary of God, and the enemy of man, is watching to find an opportunity to take us when we are off our guard. Jesus has told us of our danger and warned us against the wily foe. He has repeatedly enjoined upon us the duty of always watching and praying, lest we enter into temptation. Believe in Jesus, trust in Jesus with living, constant faith, and rely without doubt upon Jesus to keep and save you. One mighty to save has hold upon you, and as long as you will submit to be led by Him, to learn of Him, to confide in Him, He will keep you from falling. And, when God engages to keep you, He is a sure defense.
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Eileen, as her incision is infected. She is on antibiotics but they don’t seem to be helping. Rose
—-N needs Prayer, she feels like killing herself as she’s pregnant the father left her. Arlene
—-I’m asking for prayer for my oldest son who is facing some legal issues today. Please pray for grace and mercy for him and may God’s will be done in his life. Cora
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Dear Friends,
This year on the fourth of July, we went to the parade in a nearby town in the morning and then in the evening we sat on the back porch and watched fireworks from many neighbors and the professional ones from our small town. All in all, it was a very nice day.
Some years ago, however, it was far different. Ron and Ronnie Jay read a schedule of all of the Fourth of July celebrations in the area. Excitedly, they talked about going to one of the area parades. We had even thought about going to see the fireworks even though I don’t like crowds and avoid them as much as possible.
On the Fourth, we slept in, however, so by the time we ate breakfast and had morning worship, it was too late to go to the parade. We didn’t say anything more about the fireworks and each of us got busy with other things throughout the day. Before long, it was too late to go to the fireworks display.
There is a far more important event coming that we all are in danger of letting time slip by. How easy it is to get caught up in the pleasures of this world so that spiritual realities are rarely thought of. How often we get so busy dealing with the troubles and trials of daily life, that we fail to put “first things first.” So many things catch our interest that before we know it the days, months, and years slip by. With surprise one day, we awaken to find that we are old and all of our good intentions to accept Jesus as our Saviour, all our dreams of winning souls for His Kingdom that we have put off for “a more convenient season” will never be realized. Act 24:25 How many will lament (as they see Jesus coming in the clouds to receive His own unto Himself,) “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Matt 24:30; Jer 8:20
There is nothing in this world more important than getting ready for Our Dear Saviour’s coming. He warns us, “take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” ” And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken…And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:34-36,21-28
That great hymn by G.W. Sederquist reminds us: “Tis almost time for the Lord to come, I hear the people say; The stars of heaven are growing dim, It must be the breaking of the day. The signs foretold in the sun and moon, in earth, and sea, and sky, Aloud proclaim to all mankind, The coming of the Master draweth nigh. It must be time for the waiting church To cast her pride away, With girded loins and burning lamps, To look for the breaking of the day. Go quickly out in the streets and lanes And in the broad highway, And call the maimed, the halt, and blind, To be ready for the breaking of the day.”
“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” 1 Thes 5:6 “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we [first] believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.” Rom 13:11-13 Let us be diligent to “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in [us] both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil 2:12,13
Rose