The Day of Our Salvation

And so, dear ones, as often as we get weary on this life's journey and it seems to go hard with us, let's look back to the day of our salvation. Let's look back to the time when the Lord Jesus touched our hearts with His finger of love and called us with a tender and a merciful call. And let us look back to those joyful hours when we could confess peace and forgiveness and we could be baptized into His name and could greet the brothers and sisters in Christ for the first time. What a wonderful thing it was!

And it says there even among the children of Israel, it speaks of it there that they had to make a memorial, so to speak, so that when the children would ask them what it was for, that they would answer their children and tell them, "This is where the Lord delivered us and brought us over the Jordan. This is where the Lord delivered us from our enemies."

And, dear ones, when we go back to the day of our salvation, when we're tempted, when we're weary, and when we even would become tired, it gives us new courage again, does it not? And so also were the children of Israel reminded that they should look back to the time when God with wonderful miracles had delivered them from their taskmasters in Egypt and brought them [out].
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. J.W.

By Thy Grace Refreshed

O, in misery I would have perished,
Crushed by great affliction and distress,
Had I not by Thee been found and cherished,
Had I not by Thy grace been refreshed.

What a wretched life had been my portion;
Torn by doubt, remorse and fear was I,
Till at last my faith in Thee was anchored
And Thou heardst my pleading and my cry!
--Zion's Harp #182 vs. 8-9

Fear Not Them Which Kill The Body

"Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
--Matthew 10:28

"... a certain old and pious brother (commonly called Haslibacher, because he was born at Haslibach); was apprehended for his faith, and brought to Berne, where in prison he was handled very severely, and cruelly tortured; but when he, notwithstanding this, steadfastly adhered to his faith, there came to him in the prison, soon after, one Friday, several preachers, who disputed with him, against whom he so bravely conducted himself, in defending his simple confession of faith, that they could accomplish nothing with him. Thereupon the preachers came to him again the following day, being Saturday, speaking more harshly to him, and severely, threatening him, that if he did not renounce his faith, his head should be laid before his feet. Upon this, the good old man courageously replied, that he should in no wise renounce his faith, but would steadfastly adhere to the same, since he felt perfectly assured that his faith was so acceptable to God, that He should by no means forsake him in distress and death.

"Thereupon it happened, as is credibly related, that in the following night from Saturday until Sunday he was comforted and strengthened by a divine vision, and exhorted to adhere steadfastly to his accepted faith; and that, though they should severely threaten him, even so that they should put him to death with the sword, he should nevertheless not be terrified, for the Lord should be at his side, and not suffer that he should feel any pain from it.

"Now when on Monday the preachers again came to him and disputed with him as before, endeavoring to move him from his faith, adding, that if he did not renounce, he should be punished with death the next day. Haslibacher boldly answered, 'I am ready to suffer my head to be struck off, much rather than apostatize from my faith.'"
--Excerpt: Martyrs' Mirror

Days of Summer

As the sultry days of summer
Swiftly ripen earthly grain,
So in days of dire affliction
Shall our faith its growth attain.
And beneath this heat and burden
Shall the Christian be prepared
For his happy home in heaven,
Where God's bliss and joy is shared.
--Zion's Harp #36 vs. 8

Is It I?

Here the Apostle tells us something that is going to happen to the church itself. He said, “Be not soon shaken in mind, neither by Spirit, or by word, or by letter from us, that the day of Christ is at hand.” He said that day shall not come except there come a falling away first. Now evidently in the last days preceding Christ’s coming, there shall be a falling away.

I feel this Scripture has to deal with the people of God who lost their birthright, who sold their birthright for a mess of pottage. For this reason – how can someone fall away from something they never had? We know what the nominal Christian in our day and time and in the shallow dimensions of his faith, never having really been delivered from Satan’s bondage and the world – they can’t fall away from something that they never had.

But the believer, who by the grace of God had been converted, and became a child of God by the Spirit of adoption, they had attained a precious standing in hope. As the Saviour Himself said of John the Baptist, he was the greatest prophet ever born to women. But He (Christ) said, “He that is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist.” The close relationship God has drawn those of us who are in Him to Him – much closer than the closest of all prophets.

Now then, is it possible that those whom once God has redeemed and drawn out of darkness and made partakers of the greatest liberty in Christ, if they should go back again in their former life, gradually and by degrees? That is something for us to give thought to.

The Apostle mentions another time when he refers to the declension of God’s people; he said, however, I have more confidence in you, even though I thus speak. So it might be wholesome for us, it might be timely for us to entertain some concern about this thing.

Sometimes it occurs to me when I read this Word, when I meditate upon it, can it mean me?

It reminds me when the Lord Jesus told his little band of disciples in the Upper Room, He said, “One of you are going to betray me.” No doubt a deathly stillness descended upon the little band of disciples. They finally began to say, “Lord, is it I?” Another one: “Is it I?”

And so it is. This might be well to ask ourselves the question – and ask the Lord: “Is it I?” “Am I going to be one of those who is going to contribute in the falling away?”

Therein that man of sin, the son of perdition, will be revealed.

The devil is a great imitator. And as Jesus Christ was the Son of God in the flesh, so the devil is also going to produce himself in the flesh. He will be a man just as Jesus. He will walk to and fro visibly in this world. He will be seen of people. He will be worshipped, and recognized as god, although he is the enemy of God.

Now that’s the situation the last-day church is facing, brethren, and the question now rises, are we going to be able, by God’s grace, even to cope with this situation?
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. N.S.

Wake Up!

"I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars." -Revelation 2:2

"Brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called, aren't we, to a life where we are to lead a life that is separated from the world. Here He said, I notice that you can't bear them which are evil. There's a theme throughout the Scriptures that talks about leading separated lives. That we don't let the world filter into our hearts and lives. That we don't let the things of this life bog us down, the cares of this life.

"Maybe there's one of you that came this morning and you're thinking about yesterday or tomorrow. Or you are thinking about where you might make your next dollar. I just encourage you -- WAKE UP! It's all going to burn up! We're going to lose it all. We won't take any of it with us. But the busy-ness of life sometimes can draw us away from God, can't it? We can be busy, [even] in things that are good."
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. G.S.

Strait is the Gate, and Narrow is the Way

A popular thought of the day is that if a church is not growing in numbers, then God is not working or the church is not alive.

Studies are conducted to find out how to better appeal to people and draw them to attend church. "Re-defining" church and what it stands for are quite popular topics. The preaching of the cross and the Gospel message are altered to attract more interest. II Timothy 4:3-4 prophesies this trend: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." People will listen to sermons more readily if they hear only what they want to hear.

Jesus Christ's message is just the opposite of the current prevailing wisdom. His words are: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
--Matthew 7:13-14

Few will come in broken repentance through the strait gate and, in humility, walk the narrow way. The only way which leadeth unto life will hold few travelers.

If we are traveling in a path populated with many other travelers, if our beliefs are popularly accepted by many, if we consider ourselves "broad-minded" and can align our thoughts with various ideas and philosophies of the day, then, according to the words of Christ, we could very well be in great spiritual danger.

Edify One Another

For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
--Romans 14:18-19

Just a very, very, very strong commandment, loved ones. If we could just think of one verse to take with us today, at least from this afternoon hour, is that as we go forth, the things that we follow after, do they make for peace and do they edify? And if our decisions are made each and every day with that thought in mind, would it not be good for each and every one of us, that we've made for peace and that we've tried to edify.

Paul says, "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak." --Romans 14:21 That's just the instruction that he gives to this church here, and for all of us today. It is really good for each and every one of us to consider the choices we make. Things that we do here on earth -- and not that we should be constantly looking over our shoulder and be so concerned about what people think -- but, loved ones, that we have a love for each other. And we have a consideration for the feelings, the concerns of others, and, in so doing, we can build each other up in a Spirit of peace and of edifying.
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. D.F.

Psalm 1:1

There are many other examples that could be cited in which the children of Israel allowed themselves to become allied with ungodly people, and it cost them dearly. David recognized this danger and wrote, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” (Ps. 1:1). The Psalmist cautioned us that this situation gets progressively more serious. First, we walk with them, then we stand with them, and finally we sit with them.
--Excerpt: Light from the Word

We Can Carry Nothing Out

Live thou as thy wish will be
To have lived when thou expirest,
Treasures which have come to thee,
Fame and wealth which thou desirest,
Will not make thy death more sweet,
For they are not thine to keep.
--Zion's Harp #253 vs. 2

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
--I Timothy 6:7

Characteristics of Men in the Last Days

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be:
1. lovers of their own selves,
2. covetous,
3. boasters,
4. proud,
5. blasphemers,
6. disobedient to parents,
7. unthankful,
8. unholy,
9. without natural affection,
10. trucebreakers,
11. false accusers,
12. incontinent, (Dictionary definition: lacking control, uncontrollable, ungovernable)
13. fierce,
14. despisers of those that are good,
15. traitors,
16. heady,
17. high-minded,
18. lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
19. having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins,
20. led away with divers lusts,
21. ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also --
22. resist the truth:
23. men of corrupt minds,
24. reprobate concerning the faith.
(Reprobate: dictionary definition: shameless, unprincipled, wanton)

--II Timothy 3:1-8

The Eye of Faith

I do not ask for earthly store
Beyond a day's supply;
I only covet more and more,
The clear and single eye,
To see my duty face to face,
And trust the Lord for daily grace.
Then shall my heart keep singing
While to the cross I cling;
For rest is sweet at Jesus' feet,
While homeward faith keeps winging,
While homeward faith keeps winging.

I care not for the empty show
That thoughtless worldlings see;
I crave to do the best I know,
And leave the rest with Thee;
Well satisfied that sweet reward
Is sure to those who trust the Lord.
Then shall my heart keep singing
While to the cross I cling;
For rest is sweet at Jesus' feet,
While homeward faith keeps winging,
While homeward faith keeps winging.

Whate'er the crosses mine shall be,
I will not dare to shun;
I only ask to live for Thee,
And that Thy will be done;
Thy will, O Lord, be mine each day,
While pressing on my homeward way.
Then shall my heart keep singing
While to the cross I cling;
For rest is sweet at Jesus' feet,
While homeward faith keeps winging,
While homeward faith keeps winging.

And when, at last, my labor o'er,
I cross the narrow sea,
Grant, Lord, that on the other shore
My soul may dwell with Thee;
And learn what here I cannot know,
Why Thou hast ever loved me so.
Then shall my heart keep singing
While to the cross I cling;
For rest is sweet at Jesus' feet,
While homeward faith keeps winging,
While homeward faith keeps winging.

--Gospel Hymns #457

Beware of All False Doctrine

"Truly the Lord has said, "He that does not forsake everything is not worthy of me;" for the Lord well knew that it would come hard to the flesh. But I hope that the Lord will also help me through even as He has helped many, and for which I can simply trust Him. Oh, how easy it is to be a Christian, so long as the flesh is not put to the trial, or nothing has to be relinquished; then it is an easy thing to be a Christian."

"Oh, regard not the great multitude, or the ancient custom, but look at the little flock, which is persecuted for the word of the Lord, for the good persecute none, but are persecuted. When you have joined them, beware of all false doctrine, for John says, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. .He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." II John 9. The doctrine of Christ is mercy, peace, purity, faith, meekness, humbleness, and full obedience to God."

--Quotations: Martyrs' Mirror
Letters written by Maeyken Wens to her family before being burned at the stake for her faith
The first quotation is from a letter to her husband; the second is from a letter to her son.

Let Us With Composure Stand

Give us Stephen's look collected
And His calm and peaceful mind,
When we meet with unexpected
Trials of the fiercest kind;
In the midst of shouts and crying,
Let us with composure stand;
Open heav'n to us in dying;
Show us Christ at God's right hand.
--Zion's Harp #175 vs. 8

... in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, ... in perils among false brethren
--II Corinthians 11:26

Glory in Tribulations

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
--Romans 5:3-5

Do we glory in our tribulations? Or do we simply endure them?

Are we bitter or angry at God for difficulties or heartaches in our lives? Or do we rejoice because we know that these situations are working patience, experience and hope in our lives?

Pearls for Sand

Fade, earth and idle pleasure;
They are the soul's distress;
They glitter from a distance,
Yet who will them caress,
Accepts but filth for jewels
And for the pearls but sand;
For in their magic potion
There is but death at hand.
--Zion's Harp #84 vs. 2

I had to think of the hymn we sang. "The Real Longing for Home" -- the words in that hymn had a great, great meaning. How often we go over these words and possibly do recognize the depth of them.

"Fade, earth and idle pleasures, they are the soul's distress. They glitter from a distance, yet who will them caress?" The things of this world -- they glitter. Truly, they are well described in this hymn. These things DO glitter and they will attract people's attention with the desire to embrace them or to want them. But, dear ones, they are a hindrance to the soul.

"For the pearls but sand -- for in their magic potion, there is but death at hand." Do you catch it? I think the meaning here is in the word "potion." Possibly you don't know what a potion is. Potion can be described as a concoction which is deadly poison. A potion could be pottage or porridge which has death in it. And, beloved ones, the idle pleasures of earth and -- for the people who wish to embrace them -- there is death in them. Often people do not recognize this.

So, the apostle describes to us that our life should be a life of prayer, intercession, thanksgiving, living honestly and holy. What a wonderful life that will be! That should bring love, joy and peace to anyone's heart and an appreciation for God who sets forth these virtues, who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. L.H.

Using Our Talents

If someone else has talents that you don’t have, pray for them that they can use their talents to the glory of God and that they don’t become proud of them, rather than becoming jealous of their talents. If we would all do that, how much could be accomplished for God!
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. T.M.

Are We Acceptable to God?

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
--II Corinthians 5:9-10

In the world today, we often hear the phrase that someone has "accepted Christ." Modern Christianity teaches this doctrine as a substitution for true repentance and conversion. However, a simple search of the Bible shows this to be completely false doctrine. Nowhere do the Scriptures teach that it is possible for us accept Christ. Rather, over and over, the Scriptures exhort us that we must become acceptable to Him.

Isn't it tragic that satan could use this false doctrine to obscure the truth of the way of the cross? Let us not be deceived!

The Scriptures are clear:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
--Romans 12:1

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
--Romans 14:17-18

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour
--I Timothy 2:1-3

For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
--I Peter 2:20

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
--I Peter 2:5

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.
--Acts 10:34-35

After

After the toil and the heat of the day,
After my troubles are past,
After the sorrows are taken away,
I shall see Jesus at last.
He will be waiting for me,
Jesus, so kind and true,
On His beautiful throne, He will welcome me home
After the day is through.

After the heartaches and sighing shall cease,
After the cold winter’s blast,
After the conflict comes glorious peace,
I shall see Jesus at last.
He will be waiting for me,
Jesus, so kind and true,
On His beautiful throne, He will welcome me home
After the day is through.

--Hymn: Author Unknown

Quote: Contentment

"Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have."
--Unknown

"It Is I, Be Not Afraid"

It is something to be thankful for if we have repented and have been born again Christians, because, my dear ones, we can then have the assurance of a living hope. We should not hesitate to pray to God, because ... what did these disciples do? Jesus drew nigh to them in the day when they thought everything was lost. (Note: text is John 6)

Oh, I have had the experience myself, if you will allow me to repeat it. It was during the World War at the front. There I was under continuous shell fire for three days and three nights and I prayed until I couldn't pray anymore. And satan even came and said, "Where is thy God?" Nevertheless, my beloved, Jesus our Saviour was right there saying, "It is I, be not afraid." Oh, my dear ones, that is a comfort and a consolation that every true believer in Christ Jesus can have. It makes no difference what might befall us. We should not turn back, neither should we lose our faith, but we should continue even if we think the Lord is not nigh.

What did Peter say when the rest turned back? If I do not err, Jesus said unto the twelve, "Will ye also go away?" Then Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life and we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." That is a testimony. We should stand upon this firm foundation, the solid rock which is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came into this world and died for your sins and for my sins. Now, my dear ones, one and all, we should be concerned about it, we should strive to make preparations to have that loving Saviour dwell in our hearts.

--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. M.W.

Truth Alone Can Make Us Free

Give us the Apostles' daring
And their bold, undaunted mood,
Threats and fierce reproaches bearing
To proclaim the Saviour's blood!
Let us to the truth bear witness;
Truth alone can make us free;
Nor leave off until its sweetness
All shall taste and know through Thee.

--Zion's Harp #175 vs. 7

Quote: Pride

"Pride slays thanksgiving, but a humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grows. A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves."
--H.W. Beecher