Dear friends,
In yesterday’s news it was announced that there are now more seniors than children in Canada. For more information, please visit:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/2016-census-age-gender-1.4095360. The number of baby boomers was cited as one reason for the growing number of seniors. What was not reported is the number of abortions that led to a smaller amount of children than would otherwise have been the case. Two thoughts come to mind: (1) we, as a society as well as individuals, reap what we sow and (2) we ignore to our peril the counsel of God’s Word.
This week I have been reading “From Eden to Eternity” by Abe Van Der Puy, who served in Ecuador with HCJB, the powerful missionary radio station operated by the World Radio Missionary Fellowship, before joining Back to the Bible Broadcast, which began the ministry of “La Voix de l’Évangile” in 1955. In the third chapter of the book, he examines the fall of mankind: “It was man’s privilege and responsibility to direct the world, to glorify and love God and to have communion with Him. But he didn’t do this as a machine. Created in the image of God, he had the capacity of choice. Love must always be demonstrated in obedience.”
After discussing Satan’s tactics and temptation, Van Der Puy exhorts his readers: “ … you and I need to remember that we have in our hands the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ which gives us victory over temptation, the forgiveness of sins and peace with God. You and I can carry this message to others so that they, too, might be rid of the chains and shackles of sin and be brought into the glorious liberty of the Son of God.”
What a joy it is to know the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (please see the Scripture below). Two friends with whom our family stayed during visits to churches in Ontario, went to be with the Lord in the past few weeks. Mrs. Eileen Burns, who was the last original member of Bethel Baptist Church in Fergus, Ontario, was promoted to Glory a few days after the church celebrated its 75th anniversary. Mr. Bill McTaggart, whose wife, Lynne (who inspired me to begin writing this blog in 2011, one year before she lost her battle with cancer), was a daughter of a close friend of Karen’s mother, will also be greatly missed by many. We count it a privilege to have known them and ask that you join us in praying for their families as they grieve.
Scripture for the weekend: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
Thought for the weekend: “The Greek word for anxious means to have ‘a mind divided’ between legitimate thoughts and destructive thoughts. Destructive thoughts will choke out the Word of God and cause believers to abandon trust.” – Dr. David Jeremiah (from his Study Bible)
By His grace,
Steve