WAS GOD IN THE WHIRLWIND?

The tornado has also reportedly damaged Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis.
A witness at the church said, "We saw the tornado, it was turning, real fast, it got real black out here and had the trees coming to us on the left, the windows were shaking real bad and all this stuff across the street in the church, they had a little dinner there, it tore it all up, and it was just lifting off the ground. And it just disappeared. It just disappeared."


WAS GOD IN THE WHIRLWIND?
By Jan Markell


My home state of Minnesota has lots of lakes, bitter cold, and Lutherans. Over 150 years ago, Scandinavians targeted this state and its climate, perhaps because it resembled their homeland. Ironically, the fathers and grandfathers of today's Lutherans left Sweden back then because they saw corruption and bad doctrine within Lutheranism in Scandinavia. But these Lutheran immigrants built Bible-believing churches for future generations. No doubt they would be crushed at such a culmination of apostasy in recent years.

Wednesday, August 19, was an average day. It was cool with not enough humidity to stir up a storm. No unusual weather patterns were forecast in the Twin Cities' metro area. As I was out driving, there were no tornado sirens. It was going to be a memorable day, nonetheless.

During the week, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was holding its annual convention in downtown Minneapolis. Attendees were using the facilities of the Minneapolis Convention Center and Central Lutheran Church which is directly across the street. At this year's convention, a blatant pro-homosexual position validating "chaste" same-sex relationships was to be voted on. It was to be voted on at 2 PM on Wednesday, August 19.

Then for the first time in decades, a tornado touched down in downtown Minneapolis at, you guessed it, 2 pm. The tornado went through the western section of downtown, causing damage to the Central Lutheran Church building, which was being used as a central meeting place for the convention. There was extensive roof damage at the Minneapolis Convention Center where the actual conference was assembled as well as votes on same-sex issues were actually cast. The church steeple on top of Central Lutheran Church was struck and split in two. It was left hanging upside down. The church was built in 1929 and certainly has had no tornado activity near it to date.

Meteorologists agree that such activity in a downtown area is extremely rare. Many could not recall when this had last happened to an area of structural cement rather than suburban homes or rural areas.

The vote was delayed past 2 PM but it did pass that same day. It passed by just one vote and it acknowledged the validity of same-sex relationships that are "chaste, monogamous and lifelong." There was a whirlwind outside of the convention center and inside -- to the degree that one person said, "We trust that the weather is not a commentary on our work." Conservatives in the ELCA, also observing the weather aberration, said it could have been a warning from God and an expression of His anger.

The ELCA went on to vote two days later to allow homosexuals to serve as pastors. If the tornado was a warning from God -- and we don't know that it was, but one could make a case for it -- those voting for abomination didn't get the message.

While we have no final word from God as to whether He sent the tornado, we can observe how God treated rebellious people and nations throughout the Old Testament who would not turn away from sin. If God didn't send the whirlwind, He did allow it. A holy God never approves of sanctioning sin and lifestyles that are destructive.

We can be sure of one message for it is right out of the Bible. A calamity happened near Jerusalem where 18 people were killed. Jesus said, "Those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13: 4-5).

Apostasy is allowed to remain rampant because the Bible is no longer preached in many churches. The liberal churches have plunging membership and ask why. It should be obvious that at least a remnant is not pleased with letting the world come into the church.

Additionally, churches are not preaching about God's judgment today. Rather, it's the gushy gospel with a God who doesn't hold to biblical standards anymore or else the church has changed the standards. Some would say those standards are outdated. "What would Jesus do?" is a bumper sticker or bracelet but not a guideline for holy living. However, today outfits like the ELCA even twist the words of Jesus. As the saying goes, the Ten Commandments are now the ten suggestions.

Lives were spared in this event, unlike the story in Luke 13. God was gracious. He is infinitely patient. Nonetheless, on a day when no severe weather was predicted or expected, a tornado forms, baffling the weather experts, most saying they've never seen anything like it. It happens right in the heart of the city. As if steered by an unseen hand, it targets a convention center whose occupants are talking about condoning blatant sin. To add emphasis, the hand then causes the tornado to tear into Central Lutheran Church just blocks away. This church was providing alcohol for attendees. Trees and homes just south of the downtown area had some damage.

God's message is repent because none of us will otherwise escape God's judgment. The message in many calamities is to repent while there is still time. I wonder if the ELCA delegates and leaders are even listening.

Since the vote on Friday I have heard from good Lutheran people who plan to leave the ELCA. May their vote with their feet send a message that urges others to follow them. The ELCA is likely not going to change, so lovers of truth and the Bible in all liberal denominations should take a cue from disgusted ELCA members now looking for a new church home.

God's Word cannot be mocked and whether He was in the whirlwind or not, the message is clear. We serve a holy God who does not sanction wickedness.

The Book of Ezra

The Book of Ezra is a remarkable witness to God's faithfulness to His people. Together with Nehemiah, Ezra describes the events leading to the return of the Judeans from captivity in Babylon and the discouraging experiences of that small community in the harsh world of the Promised Land. But through every experience God proved Himself faithful. Through the leadership of Ezra and Zerubbabel, God fulfilled His promises announced by His prophets to restore His people from Babylon, to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem, and to renew their hope that the Davidic kingdom would be restored.

The message for Ezra's day -- as well as for our own -- is that the God of Israel is faithful to His promises. He will completely restore His people when they come back to Him.

Ezra reveals God's continued fulfillment of His promise to keep David's descendants alive. Zerubbabel, the grandson of Jeconiah, is part of Jesus' earthly genealogy (Matt 1:12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ).

It may seem insignificant that the remnant of David's extended family had to return to Jerusalem, but it isn't. The positive turn of events sets up the good fortune that will give way to the Good News of Jesus. Without access to the original "land of promise," Jesus couldn't have been born in Bethlehem, which was a requirement for the Messiah (Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.)

As Ezra documents the return from Babylon, the soundtrack of forgiveness and restoration plays in the background. It is a melody line that will accompany the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is music to God's ears to hear His people confess and repent (Ezr 10:1 Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore).

Videos Eatonton Fellowship August 2, 2009 Steve Lumbley of Apostasy Watch

http://www.ApostasyWatch.com

"The Unity of the Faith" - Part 1



"The Unity of the Faith" - Part 2



"The Unity of the Faith" - Part 3



"The Unity of the Faith" - Part 4

We Shall Be Like Him!

We are Children of God

1 John 3:2 - 3 "...now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

Though we do not know all the specifics of our future existence, we do know that we will have a body like Christ's (Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself). Believers will put on immortality and become free from the sin nature that presently plagues us.

Everyone who has the hope of seeing Christ and being like Him (v. 2)"we shall be like Him" realizes that Christ is morally pure. This realization helps a person pursue purity even more.

Persecuted Church in China - Christians are Praying with Endurance

Between June 2 and June 14, Luonan County authorities formally abolished Taochuan Christian Church, illegally searched the property, imposed a fine, detained and interrogated members of the church and banned them from assembling to worship. After seizing Liu Caili, Huang Shumin and Xu Fenying on June 14, 2009, the Luonan County PSB officers televised them in handcuffs being escorted by police. (Watch video.) Xu Fenying was released on June 19 after five days of detention, and Liu Caili and Huang Shumin were released at at 8:30 a.m. on June 24 after serving 10 days of detention. Zhang Miaoli's arrest and five-day detention followed on June 19th.


Pastor Bike was hopeful after witnessing these public trials. "I believe the Luonan Court will handle this case with fair judgment, and the government will change the erroneous views and mentality of the religious department of Luonan through the law." He says he hopes that all Christians in China will continue to follow the holy will of God, abide by the laws and the regulations of the state and protect their freedom of belief and human rights in accordance with law. Pastor Bike further encourages Chinese Christians to urge the public security departments and the departments in charge of religious affairs to correct their illegal conduct and bring God's blessings to the nation.

LEGALISM

A teacher on Pal Talk was teaching on legalism and he posed this question:
“What if a person loves to go to church because he feels he gets spiritual life there, or he feels the presence of God there? What if it’s not a “duty” for him to go to church all the time, but rather, a pleasure? Is he still walking in legalism when he goes?”

He then went on to explain that “it’s not legalism because the issue of legalism doesn’t revolve around what we do. Legalism has to do with the motives and the reasons we are doing whatever it is we are doing. When we are doing something because we love God and we want to please Him, and we believe the thing we are doing is pleasing to Him, this is not legalism.” “…then we will have a strong desire to please Him. This is healthy and Scriptural.

And to back up what he said he quoted:
Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Col 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

1Jn 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

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Now, the bible says in Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

It also says in Pro 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Back to the teacher's question: "...he feels he gets spiritual life there; ...he feels the presence of God there."

The problem here is that we cannot know that we are pleasing to God by our feelings.

So how can we know that we are doing things that are pleasing to God? The answer is found in God’s word. This is a very personal thing. There is no list of do’s and don’ts.

In Col 1:9 Paul’s prayer for the Colossian Christians is a model for us. As soon as he heard of the new faith of the Colossians, he began interceding with God for them, asking Him to give them knowledge, wisdom, strength, and joy. He prayed that the new believers at Colosse would grow into Christian maturity so that they might walk before God, pleasing Him and producing good works.

Paul’s concern is that the Colossians would have full knowledge of God’s will. The desire to serve God will be in vain without a proper understanding of the One we want to serve. Thus Paul prays that the Colossians might be filled with full knowledge that encompasses all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

Wisdom is the practical outworking of knowledge (Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be dealt with, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy), and that knowledge cannot be separated from the spiritual understanding that comes through the discernment given by the Holy Spirit.

In addition to the full knowledge of the Lord’s will mentioned in v. 9, Paul desires that the Colossians may walk worthy of the Lord. Paul wanted the Colossians to live in a manner that adequately reflected what God had done for them and was doing in them.

Being “worthy of God” is a phrase that occurs in ancient pagan inscriptions throughout Asia. It pictures someone’s life being weighed on scales to determine its worth. If these devotees to false gods knew they had to walk in a worthy manner, certainly Christians should dedicate their lives to the living God in order to please Him.

In James 3:17 The main characteristic of godly wisdom is that it is pure, meaning “free from defilement.” Bitterness, envy, and selfish behavior thoroughly corrupt a person (Jas 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. Jas 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. Jas 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. ) Godly wisdom is also peaceable, describing a spirit of tranquility and calmness. It does not suggest compromising truth just for the sake of peace, which would promote falsehood. In addition, godly wisdom is undivided, without favoritism, unwavering and consistent, without hypocrisy. True wisdom is sincere and unpretentious (modest).

Here is some more advice that we can all use to be pleasing to God:
1Th 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
1Th 4:12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

My conclusion is if you want to be pleasing to God, you should seek His will; study to get a proper understanding of who He is by reading His word faithfully and purpose in your heart to study it for yourself and do not depend on others to feed you. Those "others" will not be there with you when you stand before the Lord of Glory!

Conference Video - Friday - July 31, 2009 (Four Parts)

Part 1 of 4
Please forgive my poor camera work!



Part 2 of 4



Part 3 of 4



Part 4 of 4

Apostasy Watch Conference - Still More Pictures!

Keith and Linda, Creeky, Ron, Josh, Brian (Wallwatcher)

Apostasy Watch Conference - And More Pictures!

Steve and Bobbie; Peggy (in green) and Marcia (in pink)(Opera); Denise (Deal One); Creeky and Al

Apostasy Watch Conference - More Pictures!

Radeane and Sterling, Emory, Charlie!

Charo Washer's Testimony - Paul Washer's Wife

After serving for 12 years as a missionary the Lord shed His grace on Charo and saved her soul in 2004. She was hearing her husband, Paul Washer, preach on examining yourself. She came to realize, you either pass the tests in 1 John or you fail them, there is no middle ground.

Whom Do You Trust? Reposting

I am re-posting this for clarification.

Do you rely on yourself, your own wisdom or the wisdom of family or friends to get you through a situation. Don't do that! Get in the habit of trusting the only One who will deliver you.

Have faith; He will NEVER let you down!

Implicit Trust

For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 39:18)

Behold the protecting power of trust in God. The great men of Jerusalem fell by the sword, but poor Ebed-melech was secure, for his confidence was in Jehovah. Where else should a man trust but in his Maker? We are foolish when we prefer the creature to the Creator. Oh, that we could in all things live by faith, then should we be delivered in all time of danger! No one ever did trust in the Lord in vain, and no one ever shall.

The Lord saith, "I will surely deliver thee," Mark the divine "surely." Whatever else may be uncertain, God's care of believers is sure. God Himself is the guardian of the gracious. Under His sacred wing there is safety even when every danger is abroad. Can we accept this promise as sure? Then in our present emergency we shall find that it stands fast. We hope to be delivered because we have friends, or because we are prudent, or because we can see hopeful signs; but none of these things are one-half so good as God's simple "because thou hast put thy trust in me."

Dear reader, try this way, and, trying it, you will keep to it all your life. It is as sweet as it is sure.

These words are straight out of the bible. Trusting the Lord is not a "concept;" it is a way of life for those who believe God, and take Him at His word. The outcome is not up to us, it is up to the Lord. "Ebed-melech was secure, for his confidence was in Jehovah." God delivered him because it was His will that he be delivered.

I cannot imagine anyone thinking that this post suggests that we will be spared from all physical harm. This verse gives an example of a man who trusted in God.

I want to trust God in all things; even if it means my death. There is nothing I can do to save myself. The bible tells us not to rely on our wisdom, knowledge or what seems right. The bible tells us to trust God, no matter how things look. It tells us to walk by faith and not by sight.

Nowhere in this post do I say that I believe in once saved, always saved. I believe that Jesus will keep me saved and I trust Him. I can't keep myself saved. How ludicrous for anyone who calls himself a Christian to think that he can keep himself saved.

Apostasy Watch Conference - Eatonton, GA

Bobbie & Steve, Keith & Linda

Childlike Obedience

(1Co 1:29) That no flesh should glory in his presence.
(1Co 1:30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
(1Co 1:31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

God uses what is considered foolish and despised in this world to reveal His truth, so that He alone will receive the glory. Otherwise, the powerful would boast that they had found the truth. Instead, God sent His Son to become a humble carpenter and to die in the most despicable way, on a cross. Jesus’ life and death reveals God and His wisdom. Since Christ not only imparts wisdom but also righteousness, the Christian cannot boast, except in the Lord

As obedient children we obey out of love as opposed to obedient slaves who obey out of terror. We have obedience of faith and not of dread.

“By faith, Abraham…obeyed.” His obedience was always a result of his faith. As you and I render true obedience it is the product of our faith.

Obedience is worked in us by the Spirit of the Lord, through our belief in the truth, love, and grace of our God in Christ Jesus.

You cannot hope to render obedience by forcing your conduct into a certain groove or by using unaided, determined effort. The road to obedience is a free-grace road, and that is receiving, by faith, the Lord Jesus, who is the gift of God and who “of God is made unto us…sanctification” (1 Corinthians 1:30)

We accept the Lord Jesus by faith, and He teaches us obedience, creating it in us. The more faith in Him that we have, the more obedience to Him we will manifest. Obedience naturally flows out of faith, “for as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7); and the holy obedience of a person’s life will be in proportion to the strength and purity of his faith in God, as He is revealed in Christ Jesus.

Consider the following:

The kind of faith that produces obedience, the kind of obedience that faith produces, and the kind of life that comes out of this faith and obedience. Let us trust the Holy Spirit for His gracious light.

Revival... A Call to Repentance

Will God send another great awakening? There are over 10,000 conferences that happen every year. The 'Revival Conference' is not to be just another conference but a honest, sincere, earnest plea for the desperate need of revival. There is no cost to attend the event. No materials will be sold. There will be no big bands. The conference will have the chief object to be God-glorifying. The speakers will come on their own accord trusting God for provision. There will be no emphasis on money during the event. The event will be a simple, apostolic, yearning for a genuine biblical revival in our day. The conference is hosted by the ministry of sermonindex.net and is a inter-denominational event.

The Obedience That Comes from Faith

A chief ingredient of heaven is that we will see the face of our Lord and "serve Him day and night in his temple."

Revelation 7:15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.

Where is His temple today. We, His Saints, are His living temple and we will serve Him through the obedience that comes from faith.

The obedience that comes from faith is a noble obedience. The obedience of a slave ranks only a little higher than the obedience of a well-trained horse or dog, because it reacts to the crack of the whip. When obedience is not done cheerfully it does not come from the heart and it is of little worth before God. If we obey because we have no choice in the matter and we would rather not obey if we had the opportunity then there is nothing in our obedience. The obedience of faith comes from an internal principle and not from some external requirement.

When trials and temptations come, the obedience of faith becomes essential to the sanctified soul. We are then prepared in the hour of losses and sufferings. There is no trial of life that can turn the soul full of grace from his passion for obedience.

May the Holy Spirit work in us so that, by faith, like Abraham, we may obey!

Obedience/Sanctification

Titus 2:14
...who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Redeem means "To purchase." With His death on the Cross, Christ paid the price to release us from the bondage of sin (Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace) to which every unbeliever is a slave. (Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.)

God's purpose in redeeming us is not only to save us from hell, He also wants to free us from sin so that we can produce good works that glorify Him (Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.)

Obedience does not go out the window, as some think. Obedience of the heart to the will of God is our salvation. Perfect obedience would mean perfect salvation.

Sanctification or obedience is the great purpose for which the Savior died. This is why we were chosen. (1 Peter 1:2.. elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.)

There is nothing in this election that says we are to continue in sin. We are called to be Saints. (Romans 1:7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: )

It is grace at work in our hearts that brings about the obedience. We are being conformed to the image of Jesus, our Brother, with whom the Father is "well pleased."

Obedience

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8)

What a blessing it would be if we allowed the Holy Spirit to train us to obey. Our restoration would be complete. It would be heaven on earth if the whole world would obey the Lord. Perfect obedience to God would result in love among men, justice to all, and peace would be everywhere.
Our wills bring jealousy, hatred and war. If we would only obey the Lord's will, we would receive love, joy, rest and happiness.

By faith Abraham obeyed. It is true that we mourn our disobedience; but now we find joy in yielding ourselves as servants of the Lord. Our deepest desire is to do the Lord's will in all things.

It has been suggested by many badly instructed people that the doctrine of justification by faith is opposed to the teaching of good works, or obedience. There is no truth in this. We who believe in justification by faith teach the obedience of faith.

Faith is the foundation and the keeper of obedience. Men do not obey God until they believe Him. Faith is preached so that men may be brought to obedience. To disbelieve is to disobey.

A sign of practical obedience is found in the mind, the understanding, and the heart (soul); and this is expressed in believing the teaching of Christ, trusting in HIS work, and resting in HIS salvation.

Faith and obedience go hand in hand. If we want to do the work of God, we must believe on Jesus Christ whom He has sent. The work is the result of the faith which comes from God. We cannot pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps. It is the faith that God gives us that allows us to go on to obey.

The Race of Faith

Hebrews 12

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Paul tells us to lay aside every weight and sin and to run with endurance. A weight is anything that hinders a runner. He also says that as we run the race we are to look unto Jesus. He has done everything necessary for us to endure in our faith. We are to consistantly focus on Christ instead of our own circumstances. Our Lord's attention was not on the agonies of the Cross, but on the crown; not on the suffering, but the reward. This is the only way we can run the race of Faith. We cannot do it on our own. I have fallen short so many times trying to work things out in my own life. I would say a prayer and then immediately thereafter go about trying to fix things myself. It was only when I read this passage for what it really says that I understand that it's all Jesus. It's not me running the race on my own terms with my goals in mind, no matter how lofty and spiritual I may believe those goals are. Those goals are the heavy weights. When I look to Jesus those weights disappear. It is then that I am running that race by Faith.

When we think about the hostility that He endured of sinners, we should compare our sufferings to the torture Christ endured on our behalf.

Are You Still Carrying Around Those Burdens?

Are you still struggling under those heavy burdens? If you are, then stop it!! The Lord will bear the burdens of His righteous saints. That burden is a blessing if you let the Lord bear it. Stop working and striving to make yourself righteous! Only He is able to do that.

Burdens Cast on Him

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22)

It is a heavy burden; roll it on Omnipotence. It is thy burden now, and it crushes thee; but when the Lord takes it, He will make nothing of it. If thou art called still to bear, "he will sustain thee." It will be on Him and not on thee. Thou wilt be so upheld under it that the burden will be a blessing. Bring the Lord into the matter, and thou wilt stand upright under that which in itself would bow thee down.

Our worst fear is lest our trial should drive us from the path of duty; but this the Lord will never suffer. If we are righteous before Him, He will not endure that our affliction should move us from our standing. In Jesus He accepts us as righteous, and in Jesus He will keep us so.

What about the present moment? Art thou going forth to this day's trial alone? Are thy poor shoulders again to be galled with the oppressive load? Be not so foolish. Tell the Lord all about thy grief and leave it with Him. Don't cast your burden down and then take it up again; but roll it on the Lord and leave it there. Then shalt thou walk at large, a joyful and unburdened believer, singing the praises of thy great Burden-bearer.