MCM-1-23

Midnight Cry Messenger

Editor’s Letter

Dear Saints,
Greetings once again in the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus! We continue to look to our faithful Lord in an ever-changing world. Of course, we have been told to expect the kind of world we see unfolding.

In general, the human race has rejected its Creator and is headed for wrath and destruction. At the same time the Lord is faithfully finishing the work He has begun in the hearts of His own.

The lead article this time is, “Seasons.” It deals with the fact that we are told to expect changes in our earthly journey. How we would love for things to be the same, predictable, comfortable! But that is not God’s plan. And He knows best.

Sadly, human nature drives many to fall into one of two serious traps when it comes to the things of God. The one is seeking to preserve things through “tradition.” The other involves “innovation.” The problem with both is that they effectively seize control from the only true Head of the church, our Lord Jesus.

As we navigate the end of the age we surely need as never before to seek to “stay tuned” to our Head. He alone is able to give us the needed light on our spiritual pathway and show us the Father’s plan, both on a personal level as well as for the Body of Christ.

The article, “Through Paths of Dryness and Desertion,” deals with the challenges of different times and seasons in our personal lives. How we would love to always “feel” the Lord’s presence. But we would never grow in Him nor would we learn how to walk by faith and not by sight. God knows what He is doing!

We are looking forward to some fellowship events coming up. The first is the Youth Camp, which is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend this year. Pray for this opportunity. May the Lord raise up a generation grounded in Him, able to stand in this hour of spiritual darkness.

The other is our annual convention, June 21-24 here in Southern Pines, North Carolina. We are expecting folks to gather from many places including some from overseas. Please help us prepare by seeking the Lord for His presence and for the Word we need to hear.

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

Your brother in Christ,
Phil Enlow

Seasons

by Phil Enlow
Solomon, son of David, king of Israel, is often referred to as the wisest man who ever lived other than Jesus himself. In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 he shared some wisdom that I believe is very relevant to the needs of God’s people today.

He wrote: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”

As we look around our world from day to day, Solomon’s words seem rather obvious, almost pointless. Of course, everyone knows things change. What difference does that make? Why waste time even talking about it? Well, I believe it is very important!

Let me ask a simple question: do you believe that God is sovereign, that He is in charge, over all that happens on planet earth? I hope you do because He is! The ancient emperor, Nebuchadnezzar, was humbled and brought to a place where he acknowledged: “His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’” Dan. 4:34-35.

And do you believe that God has a purpose and a plan to carry out that purpose or is He simply sitting back reacting to earthly events? Of course He has a plan! In spite of how things often look down here, everything is proceeding according to that plan. Take a fresh look at Ephesians 1:3-14. There is a day on God’s “calendar” when everything He has planned will come to its final conclusion – and nothing that anyone, not even the devil, can do will change that!

We know from numerous scriptures that in the outworking of all of God’s plans, His Son has been put in charge of carrying them out. The universe itself was created by and through the Son. Heb. 1:1-3, Col. 1:15-17. And, by the way, He is the One Who keeps everything running!

Jesus declared that He would build His church and the gates of Hades would not overcome it. Matt. 16:18. On the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished,” and everything was set in motion, its destiny guaranteed! John 19:30. Eph. 3:11 speaks of God’s “eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That word “accomplished” is in the past tense! That simply means that in the heart and mind of God, His purpose has already happened. We see a “process” unfolding; He sees a purpose complete!

And our Lord was given all the authority He would ever need to fully carry out that purpose following His resurrection. Matt. 28:18-20 records the words of Jesus to His disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

1 Cor. 15:25-28 says, “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he ‘has put everything under his feet.’ Now when it says that ‘everything’ has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.”

But what in the world does any of this have to do with “times” and “seasons”? Everything! That’s the way God designed our world to work. And the outworking of His kingdom purpose involves seasons that fulfill different aspects of that purpose.

Nature itself bears witness to this. In Gen. 1:14 we see God creating the sun and moon to mark day and night, days and years. Where most people on the earth live we are familiar with earth’s seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Even in the tropics we often see wet and dry seasons. It’s just how things work.

Clearly, that’s how earthly “life” works as well. We don’t plant a seed and expect an instant crop. We understand that the seed needs to germinate in good soil, break through the ground as a tender shoot, mature over time through sun and rain until a “crop” is produced depending on the type of plant.

Of course, animal and human life are much the same, growing through various stages of life and then dying. As much as we would sometimes like them to be, things don’t stay the same. That’s the way God designed it.

But God’s design applies to more than just nature; it also is true of His kingdom. And that’s something we need to understand. In John 4:35-38, Jesus spoke of His Father’s work in terms of a harvest. He declared that the “fields” were “ripe for harvest.” In verse 38, Jesus said, “I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” That kind of “harvest” language is used in many places. Mark 9:37-38, Matt. 13:24-30, Rev. 14:14-16, for example.

I have heard a number of accounts of missionary work that demonstrate this principle. A missionary will go to a new remote area to preach the gospel, laboring, sometimes for years, in very difficult conditions only to see little apparent result. Sometimes the missionary will return home in seeming defeat. Then, often decades later, there will be a great harvest in that very area. The reality is that a seed was planted. The initial effort was not a defeat at all but rather a step towards a wonderful harvest that came in God’s time.

We can readily see different seasons in the early church. It began with an extraordinary period of miraculous power with thousands coming to faith and living in amazing unity. This was part of the harvest of which Jesus had spoken, the fruit of the ministry of the prophets and of Jesus and the disciples gathering a harvest from among the faithful Jewish remnant.

Then we see challenges begin to arise from within and from without. We see the judgment upon Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 and the beginnings of persecution in chapter 6. Then, in chapters 7 and 8 we see open persecution breaking out with the stoning of Stephen. Still the church grew and began to reach out, first in Samaria as the Lord had foretold (Acts 1:8).

In chapter 9 we see the miraculous conversion of Saul, who had been a leader in the efforts to persecute believers. In Acts 9:31 we come to a time of peace and strengthening for the churches together with more and more people being converted.

In time, Saul, who became known as Paul, was himself commissioned and sent out with a powerful ministry of carrying the gospel to the Gentile world. He experienced times of successful outreach as well as times of suffering and persecution. In chapter 19 we see Paul conducting daily discussions with disciples in the “lecture hall of Tyrannus” in Ephesus. This went on for two years. And yet many of Paul’s later years were spent in prison. We still have many of the letters he was inspired to write during those years.

Obviously we could speak of many scriptural examples of different times and seasons in the lives of God’s people. Heb. 11 lists many who navigated many challenging circumstances powered by faith. David spoke in Psalm 23 of the Lord being a Shepherd Who led him to green pastures and quiet waters. And yet that same Shepherd also led him through the valley of the shadow of death and also into the presence of enemies.

OK, so what is the point of all this? What does it have to do with us, now, today? Everything! We are creatures of habit. We want life to be predictable, comfortable, to have a sense that we somehow have a reasonable amount of control, that we know how life works and how to navigate it. In our hearts we know better but we’d sure like it to be that way as much possible!

And we tend to bring that way of thinking into the things of God. I believe with all my heart that God desires that we come to better understand His ways so we can have greater confidence and rest. Isn’t that what Jesus promised in Matt. 11:28-30?

We desire ease and comfort, yet the Lord anointed Paul to say, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22. And remember what Jesus said in John 16:33 — “In this world you will have trouble.” I’m sure glad that Jesus added, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

In Matt, 18:20, we read, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” KJV. That is the simple picture of God’s plan for His church, a people gathered together by Christ Himself, where He is the active and present leader.

Of course, the devil is well aware of all this and so he has taken advantage of human nature to, in effect, turn what God intended into mere “religion” that outwardly professes to follow Christ. Often, a group will start out with a measure of real life and the presence of Christ, yet, over time, that turns into tradition and form. Following generations learn what to believe and how to “do church.” They, far too easily, become like the Laodicean church in Rev. 3:14-22. Their problem was not false doctrine or corrupt practices. Rather they had become “lukewarm” spiritually and Jesus was outside the door knocking to get in! They had preserved the form but were denying the power. 2 Tim. 3:5.

Sadly, there are countless denominations and sects, each believing that they have it “right,” that have fallen prey to the devil’s influence in this regard. Despite a true remnant scattered among them, the trend is away from spiritual reality and into mere form.

One result of that trend is that in many cases a generation will arise that feels the spiritual deadness and sets out to “fix it.” All too often the result is some form of human innovation that effectively compromises with the world and its ways. In one way or another they appeal to human nature to try and get people to “come to church,” believing that they can then get them “saved” and things will be OK. And spiritual “success” is typically equated with numbers and how fast a church is growing.

But both tradition and human innovation are dangerous spiritual “ditches” into which many sincere people have fallen. They spring from that all-to-human desire for that which is comfortable, predictable, and, in human terms, successful. People settle for human leadership and human effort in one form or another. “Serving Christ” becomes little more than a “lifestyle” that is supposed to lead to heaven. Read Matt. 7:21-23 to see how that turns out.

Hebrews 11 recounts the lives of those often referred to as “heroes of faith.” The beginning of the chapter gives several examples. Then in verses 13-16, we read, “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

Other scriptures refer to God’s people in similar terms. Chapter 12 follows the faith chapter with the admonition to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Heb. 13:14 says, “… here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” Phil. 3:20 reminds us that “our citizenship is in heaven.” In John 18:36, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.”

We are called to be a pilgrim people, passing through a temporary world to one that will never pass away. In this temporary world there is a “race marked out for us.” Heb. 12:1. There is One Who has gone before and yet also, by the Spirit, walks with us to lead us in that race.

And we will never outgrow our need for Christ’s active leadership during this pilgrim journey. In many ways we are like the Israelites in the wilderness. They needed the cloud by day and the fire by night, representing the Lord’s presence, to lead them. When the cloud stayed in one place, they stayed. When the cloud moved they moved. Does not their journey plainly picture different “seasons” in the overall journey? I’m sure that there were times when they felt “settled” in one place only to have the cloud move on. No doubt there were other times when they were ready for a change yet the cloud stood still.

And situations changed from place to place. In one place there was plenty of water and in another they needed a miracle to bring water out of a rock. Of course, that also illustrates our need for the Lord’s present-tense provision.

And not only did the Lord provide for particular needs in different situations, He also provided the manna during the whole journey. And that was meant to teach them the need to live, not by bread alone, but by “every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” Deut. 8:3. Note that the verb “comes” is present tense. We need more than just things God “said” in the past; we need what He is saying NOW.

Of course, that does NOT mean adding to the Bible. Rather we need the Lord to breathe present-tense life into its words as they apply to the present need and season. And yet in how many places are the words of the Bible expounded with merely human ability and the Lord is not involved. Teachings are simply conveyed from one mind to another.

Paul knew better than to rely on his own ability. He knew His hearers needed God’s presence and power. 1 Cor. 2:1-5. Peter, in 1 Peter 4:10, instructs his readers to be “faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” That clearly includes those who preach. Isn’t that how Jesus operated in the days of His flesh? In John 14:10, He said, “The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.” That sounds like a very “present tense” thing to me!

History is the unfolding of God’s eternal purpose. That has necessarily involved many different seasons. God never meant for His people to “build four walls” around any earthly expression of His kingdom. How many times have men done that and then the “cloud” has moved on?

In various times and places the Lord “breaks out” with a season of outward visitation. Many are drawn to the Lord and there is great rejoicing. People “feel” His presence. How easy is it for people to believe that is how it is supposed to be all the time and if it isn’t something is wrong! Armed with that belief they try, when they gather, to work up those feelings on a merely emotional level.

But why would God deal with His people in such different ways? Why would there be outward blessing at times and hardship and dryness at others? We see a very good example in His dealings with Israel. He brought them out of Egyptian bondage with great signs and wonders, openly demonstrating His power.

But God sees the heart. He knew that people often respond to outward demonstrations of power out of earthly self interest and not real heart faith. Several scriptures highlight the fact that God used the wilderness to test and prove those who professed to serve Him. Jude 5 includes the words, “I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.” See also the beginning of 1 Cor. 10 and from the middle of Hebrews 3 to the middle of chapter 4.

God is looking for a people who understand the pilgrim nature of His kingdom in this world, who have their hearts set on seeking Him regardless of the season. They learn to trust Him in seasons of refreshing, persecution, seeming dryness where faith is tested, seasons of planting, seasons of reaping, and so forth. They understand that true believers live by faith and not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7.

In Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, we read letters to seven different churches, each with its own particular situation and needs. But there is one thing they have in common. In every one we read, “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev. 2:7, for example.) Again, note the present tense in that! They needed to hear something for their particular need in their particular situation. So do we!

God is looking for people with “ears.” They are tuned in at the heart level to hear whatever God says at any particular time. AND, they also are well aware of their need for God’s help to discern the devil’s attempts to deceive. Only the Lord can bring us through. And He will!

Where is our hope, our trust? Do we trust in our “tradition”? our human ability? a charismatic leader? Or do we have our hearts set on staying tuned to the only One Who has promised to build a church that the gates of hell cannot withstand? Can we change when change is in order? Is there room for our understanding of spiritual things to grow as God reveals His Word or do we think we have it all figured out?

In the big picture, we are rapidly approaching the climax of the ages. That is the “season” we are in. During the process our Lord will lead us through different seasons, individually, and as fellowships of believers He brings together. We need the gifts He chooses to give. We need each other. And above all, we need Christ’s active presence and leadership. Is that what you want?

THROUGH PATHS OF DRYNESS AND DESERTION

by Unknown

(Editor’s note: This article was selected from an unspecified source and published in the May-June 1973 issue of the “Midnight Cry Messenger.”)

It is very common for us, when we feel the sweetness of the grace of God, to fancy that we love Him. But it is only in the withdrawings of His Presence that our love can be tried and the measure of it known.

There are many, who when they experience meltings of heart, shedding of tears, and other sensible delights, imagine that they are favorites of the Almighty and that they truly possess Him, and so pass all their lives seeking after those pleasurable sensations.

But they should be cautioned lest they deceive themselves; for these self-admirings hinder them from discerning the true light or making one step towards perfection.

No sooner shall we have given ourselves up to serve the Lord than He will begin to purify us and try our faith, in order to draw us nearer to Himself.

And, for this purpose, He will lead us through the paths of dryness and desertion; so that, when we endeavor to fix our minds in silence, in order to feel after our God, we will not experience the comfort and refreshment we expected; but, on the contrary, will be more than usually beset with a multitude of troublesome imaginations.

Insomuch, that we shall begin to think that we labor to no purpose, and that prayer is an attainment to which we need not aspire, seeing that our imagination is so ungovernable, and our minds so void of good. But this state of dryness is very profitable, if it be suffered with patience.

The Lord makes use of the veil of dryness, to the end we may not know what He is working in us, and so may be humble; because, if we felt, and knew, what He was working in our souls, satisfaction and presumption would get in.

We should imagine we were doing some good thing; and this self-complacency would prevent our spiritual advancement.

TRUE PRAYER CONSISTS IN ENDURING AND PERSEVERING

And, though in prayer we may feel ourselves to be in a dry and comfortless state, not being able to get rid of our troublesome thoughts, nor experience any light, consolation, or spiritual feeling, yet let us not be afflicted, nor desist from our undertaking; but resign ourselves at that time with vigor, and patiently persevere as in His presence; for while we persevere in that manner, our souls will be internally improved.

We must be aware that nature is always an enemy to the Holy Spirit, and that when she is deprived of sensible pleasures, she remains weak, melancholy, and full of irksomeness. Gal. 5:16-17.

Remember, that “…they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31.

This kind of prayer may be well typified by that wrestling, which the Scriptures say the patriarch Jacob had all night with God, until the day broke, and He blessed him. Genesis 32:1-28.

Wherefore, the soul is to persevere, and wrestle with the difficulties that it will meet with in prayer, without desisting, until the Sun of internal light begins to appear, and the Lord gives it His blessing.

REQUIRED TO BE HUMBLED

If you go to prayer with the spirit and intention of praying, so long as you retract not that intention, although, through misery and frailty, your thoughts may wander, you will, nevertheless, pray in spirit and in truth.

Almighty Power, in due time, will help you to overcome all your difficulties; and when least you think, will give you holy purposes, and more effectual desires of serving Him. Distrust not Him, therefore, but only yourself.

Remember that, as the apostle saith, “He is the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.” II Cor. 1:3. His comforts are sometimes withdrawn, but His mercy endureth forever. He hath deprived you of what was sweet and sensible in His grace, because you required to be humbled.

PERSEVERANCE, FAITH, PATIENCE

Be of good courage then, and though it may seem to you that you toil without gaining much advantage, yet you must recollect we must plough and sow before we can reap.

If you persevere in faith and patience, you will reap an abundant reward for all your labors. Would you be so unreasonable as to expect to find without seeking; or for it to be opened to you, without your taking the pains to knock?

As well might the husbandman expect to see fields waving with grain, without his having been at the trouble to put the seed into the ground.

It is no hard matter to adhere to God while you are in the enjoyment of His comforts and consolations; but if you would prove your fidelity to Him, you must be willing to follow Him through the paths of dryness and desertion.

The truth of a friend is not known while he is receiving favors and benefits from us; but if he remain faithful to us when we treat him with coldness and neglect, it will be a proof of the sincerity of his attachment.

Though Almighty Goodness hath no other love and we seek Him, yet He frequently conceals Himself from us, that we may be roused from sloth, and induced to seek him with more fidelity and more love!

But, with what abundant goodness doth He recompense our faithfulness! And how sweetly are these apparent withdrawings of Himself succeeded by the consolations of His love!

David saith, “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God….” Psalms 40:1-3.

In one case God left Hezekiah, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. II Chron. 32:31.

The Lord led the Israelites forty years in the wilderness, to humble them, and to prove them, to know what was in their heart, whether they would keep His commandments, or no. Deut. 8:2-3, 16-18.

Be sure your heart is right with God, and with everybody. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Psalms 66:18.

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

“But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26.

My Perspective on Brother Thomas, Intro

by Phil Enlow

Recently, the Lord gave me a message entitled, “Stay Tuned.” It concerned the future and principles involved in staying connected with the Lord. So many churches and church movements have fallen into one of two spiritual “ditches.”

One of them is that of tradition. A very human tendency is to try and reduce the things of God to a set of “correct” beliefs and practices which are then handed down to others to preserve and walk in. While there are indeed foundational truths, “tradition” is not God’s way.

So often, walking in tradition leads to a dead form and dwindling numbers. That, in turn, can easily lead to people adopting clever human methods to liven things up and attract more people. But if those methods are merely the products of human ideas then they will inevitably appeal to human nature, the very thing from which salvation is meant to deliver us from. We don’t need to “entertain” people into the kingdom of God!

Of course, another related danger is that of seeking and focusing on “signs and wonders and experiences,” something that, if people are not very careful, opens many doors to the devil to deceive.

As I thought of these things my mind went back to a book I wrote a number of years ago entitled, “What Does Deception Look Like?” In that book I sought to explore the underlying principles in spiritual deception that we see in so many places and to contrast them with the unchanging foundational truths and principles of God’s Word and His kingdom.

In thinking about these things, my mind went back to the ministry of Bro. C. Parker Thomas, the founder of the Bible Tabernacle and Midnight Cry Ministries. God saved him out of a very difficult background and mightily anointed him as an evangelist. In process of time the Bible Tabernacle was born out of an evangelistic campaign and a lot of prayer in 1953.

Bro. Thomas had to navigate many challenges over the years as the church grew and was established. He learned the hard way to look to the Lord with an honest heart, remaining both open to grow in his knowledge of the Lord and yet determined to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thess. 5:21, KJV.

And so, as an “appendix” to the book on deception it seemed appropriate to add the following article entitled, “My Perspective on Bro. Thomas.”

Is My Experience or Such-and-such a Prophet of God?

The following is the answer to an e-mail raising questions about something the person had experienced when a “prophet” had come to town.

I believe that the Lord desires to help you, not only with this, but also with all the uncertainties you may encounter as you go along. He has promised us wisdom (James 1:5-8).

There are many so-called “prophets” circulating in the land today, but I fear that there are few men who have truly been called and sent and anointed by God. And signs and wonders and experiences don’t prove anything (Matt. 24:24). It’s important for the Lord’s people to be able to tell the difference. In John 7:16-17, Jesus gave us an important principle that God honors. He said, “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”

This principle not only applied to Jesus in the days of his flesh, but also to any who purport to represent God. The question concerned the source of the doctrine (“teaching”) that Jesus was giving out: was it from God? or did it just come from Jesus speaking on his own? Only what comes from God is worth anything! The promise was that we can know! There is a condition attached to this promise, however: our will must be to desire the will of God. If we have a genuine question about a ministry and our heart’s desire is to know the truth and do God’s will, then the promise is that we can know. God will bear witness to those He has sent and we can know it on the inside.

For example, someone could go through the motions of seeking God about something, but really, on the inside, have their minds made up. If you, for example, have some kind of experience that you become emotionally attached to, any “seeking God” will likely amount only to seeking something to prop up what you already desire to believe. You may get your “confirmation” but it won’t likely be from God! That is why so many religious people are so deceived and blind.

He can help you with this question if your heart’s desire is to please Him. Just pray to Him as honestly as you know how (in your own language!) and let Him know you are looking to Him. Be as neutral as you can about the issue: surrender it! If it is truly of God and good for you, He’ll let you know. Don’t be in a hurry. Real faith is willing to wait on God. He knows when the time is right!

How can you recognize God’s wisdom and that which comes from another source? Read James 3:13-18. God’s wisdom results in a true peace and rest on the inside! His wisdom is not characterized by a lot of unrest and uncertainty!

I truly hope that you seek the Lord in faith concerning what you have experienced. Don’t be fearful. His love is a constant. He knows where we are at and just desires that we be willing to learn and grow.

Encouraging Words

Heb. 10:25 “… let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Andrew Murray Quotes

Faith is “…confessed helplessness casting itself on God and His promises…”

I’m just a branch…but a beloved one!

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 ESV.

Abiding in Christ

“As surely as the Husbandman made the Vine what it was to be, will He make each branch what it is to be. Our Father is our Husbandman, the Surety for our growth and fruit…

He insists upon the truth: Not of itself can the branch bear fruit; except it abide, it cannot bear fruit. “No more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

Let me learn the lesson. Abiding is to be an act of the will and the whole heart…

You are the branch.—You need be nothing more. You need not for one single moment of the day take upon you the responsibility of the Vine. You need not leave the place of entire dependence and unbounded confidence.

Abiding in Me is indispensable, for, you know it, of yourselves you can do nothing to maintain or act out the heavenly life…

It is the wholehearted surrender in everything to do His will, that gives access to a life in the abiding enjoyment of His love. Obey and abide…

“The purpose is His, He will carry it out; the fruit is His, He will bring it forth; the abiding is His, He will maintain it.” ― The True Vine

Living by Faith

You know how Scripture teaches us that in all God’s leadings of His people, faith has everywhere been the one condition of the manifestation of His power.

Faith is the ceasing from all nature’s efforts, and all other dependence; faith is confessed helplessness casting itself upon God’s promise, and claiming its fulfillment; faith is putting ourselves quietly into God’s hands for Him to do the work. — Abide in Christ

…the life of faith [is] a life in which, every moment, everything is expected from God. — The Two Covenants

…the true nature of the branch-life; its absolute dependence, and at the same time its glorious sufficiency — independent of all else, because dependent on Jesus. — Abide in Christ

Relationship between Grace and “Doing” (Law)

It is impossible to speak too strongly of the need there is to know that, as wonderful and free and alone sufficient as is the grace that pardons, is the grace that sanctifies; we are just as absolutely dependent upon the latter as the former. We can do as little to the one as the other. The grace that works in us must as exclusively do all in us and through us as the grace that pardons does all for us. In the one case as the other, everything is by faith alone.

…the one difference between the Old [Covenant, Law] and the New [Covenant, Grace] is that in the latter all is to be done by God. — The Two Covenants

Encouraging Words

Heb. 10:25 “… let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Strength in Numbers

by Abbey Downing

God is lovingly perfecting us and sometimes that has to come through battle.

We know that God is on our side. But the trials can still be discouraging… even as believers.

GOD wants us to stand firm on his word and encourage each other in truth and through intercessory prayer. I forget sometimes that we are in this together.

Many of us are battling discouragement, physical trials, anxiety, regret and doubts that people may not even know about. But GOD does.

My default battle is fear. I sometimes become overwhelmed by fear. It becomes discouraging when what I thought was conquered just won’t go away.

I need the prayer and encouragement of this family. We need the Lord in each other.

The scriptures of the day on my Bible app so far this week have been personally spot on.

Monday’s—“The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But The Lord’s purpose is to give life and give it abundantly.” John 10:10

There is an enemy who wants to steal our joy, kill our hope and destroy our faith, but many times we just need the reminder from His word and from our brothers and sisters that HE IS DEFEATED and that we are beloved children of God.

This was said in Sunday’s verse—“God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7.

And to confirm the power in these scriptures: Today’s verse of the day—“The word of God is alive and powerful, and sharper than the sharpest two edged sword.” Hebrews 4:12.

Sometimes we are so focused on the storm that we lose sight of the power within our Father’s Word. These are all things that God says. They are fact and very real. Sometimes in the battle lines get blurry, but thank God we have each other and the truth that says He has gifted us power, love and sound minds.

God doesn’t say that he will take us from every trial. But he does say that his grace is sufficient.

We’ve been hearing a lot about prayer lately and how we should exercise ourselves in it. It’s our lifeline to the strength ourselves and others need.

There are ones in these pews who are in a battle right now who need a breakthrough of strength. I’m one of them, and I know I’m not alone. I need prayer daily.

We have the privilege of interceding for one another.

Here we find peace. We find freedom in joy. And we find endurance besides our weakness.