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January-February-March 2021

Perseverance

by Phil Enlow

Sudden Death Overtime: Book Sampler

by Phil Enlow

Being Made Like Christ

by Merilea Bigham

PDF Version


MCM Back Issues


Library of Articles

Midnight Cry Messenger

Editor's Letter

Dear Saints,

Greetings once again in the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus! It seems rather obvious to say that this past year has been one of many challenges and difficulties. The world is still living with the many changes that have come about due to the virus pandemic.

I apologize for missed issues of the MCM, largely due to the ongoing situation. Last year we combined two issues and then missed the fourth. Even now there are many places overseas where we still cannot reliably mail out copies. Nevertheless, it is time to publish!

As I have thought about this issue I have gone back and forth as to what the Lord wanted. Finally, I settled on the adaptation of a message preached at the beginning of 2020 that seems specially appropriate.

That message, entitled “Perseverance,” proved to be a timely one. At the time, no one expected events to unfold as they did, but the Lord knew what was coming! He always does. And, He is always in control even when it seems as though the devil is having his way.

Believers are always called upon to trust God and continue by faith to “put one foot in front of the other” spiritually. We are called to a divinely ordained journey through this broken world with all its adversity.

I’m glad that in God’s plan, everything the devil is allowed to do in his desire to hinder and overcome us is actually designed by our faithful Lord to accomplish something eternal in us. 2 Cor. 4:16-18, Rom. 8:28-30.

I know that in many places in the world things are much more difficult than they are here and we join with God’s people in remembering every brother and sister in Christ.

Sometime ago, my attention was drawn back to a book I wrote almost 20 years ago entitled, “Sudden Death Overtime.” I have included the introductory material in this issue and would encourage either obtaining the book or reading it online. It is more relevant every day.

We continue to look to the Lord in our local assemblies. In the beginning of the pandemic we omitted public services and often gathered using Zoom online software. After a few weeks we resumed services, trying to be careful in how we did things but we have also taken advantage of our cameras to broadcast the services to those who weren’t free for one reason or another to gather with us publicly.

The Lord has blessed despite the unusual circumstances. Of course, our special events, like the convention and youth camp, had to be omitted. We are just waiting on the Lord to see how things will unfold this year. Whether He allows us to gather as we have traditionally or not, we plan to simply move on in Him.

As time moves forward I expect it will get more and more difficult to be a Christian in this world, and yet, there is no need to be negative or discouraged as long as we keep our eyes on the Lord and trust Him. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us! Only eternity will reveal all He has accomplished as we walk roads we would never have chosen!

Till next time may God’s rich blessings be yours.


Your brother in Christ,
Phil Enlow

Food for Thought

Luke 17:26 “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.”

28 “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.”

In both cases, what happened to those “left behind”? How many of them? That’s what Jesus said about His coming. Compare Matt. 24:36-44.