June 2014 Signs of the Times Email Newsletter

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June 2014 Signs of the Times Email Newsletter

The Signs of the Times newsletter is a collection of stories and quotes from past issues of Signs and These Times.

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One of my missionary friends was visiting in a remote area of Argentina, South America. Several members of a large family had been diligently studying the Scriptures and desired Christian baptism.

No streams or pools of water being easily accessible, it was decided to administer the rite in a large well which was some fifteen or twenty feet in depth. By a windlass the preacher was first lowered into the water, which was found to be of proper depth. One at a time the young men were let down into the well to be buried with their Lord in baptism.

The father was somewhat heavier than any of his sons. While he was descending, the rope broke, and he went plunging down into the water. Recovering his equilibrium, he said: “Well, preacher, if you had only said a few words, I would already be baptized.”

Then he noticed that he had forgotten to remove his pocketbook and added: “That’s all right: my purse should be baptized also.”—By Roy F. Cottrell, Signs of the Times, August 1959.

Quote: “The greatest argument God could make against sin was the cross.”—By Charles G. Bellah, Signs of the Times, April 8, 1930.

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Don't miss the July 2014 issue of Signs of the Times: To order Signs, call: 1-800-765-6955 or online at http://www.adventistbookcenter.com/signs-of-the-times-magazine-yearly-us-subscription.html

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Two young people stand before the minister to be married. They exchange vows. They say their “I do’s.” No, suppose that one of them says, “I don’t feel that I’m married.” Do feelings change facts? Or, perhaps one of the parties says, “I’m not perfect. I make mistakes.” Does that nullify the marriage? No one is perfect, yet marriages continue just the same. Does imperfection change a covenant relationship, such as marriage? No.

Likewise, neither our feelings nor our imperfection of character determines our acceptance or rejection by God. What really counts is whether we have received Christ.—By Kenneth H. Wood, Jr., These Times, November 1961.

Quote: “There is only one way to do business and I mean the Golden Rule way. It is just as applicable today as it was when I started out.”—By J. C. Penny, These Times, January 1967.

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Some people are always out of sorts. The weather is just what they don’t want. I met one of these men awhile ago, a farmer, who raised all manner of crops. It was a wet day, and I said—

“Mr. Nayling, this rain will be fine for your grass crop.”

“Yes, perhaps, but it is bad for the corn and will keep it back. I don’t believe we shall have a crop.”

A few days after this, when the sun was shining hot, I said:--

“Fine day for your corn, sir.”

“Yes, but it is awful for the rye. Rye wants cold weather.”

Again, on a cold morning, I met my neighbor and said:--

“This must be a capital day for your rye, Mr. Nayling.”

“Yes, but it is the very worst weather for corn and grass. They want heat to bring them forward.”—By Dr. Todd, Signs of the Times, April 9, 1894.

Quote: “It is not wishing and desiring to be saved that will bring men to heaven: hell’s mouth is full of good wishes.”—By Thomas Shepard, Signs of the Times, January 16, 1907.

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Place this in your church bulletin or newsletter: Signs of the Times helps your friends and neighbors find hope and meaning. Each month it takes on a broken world and directs hearts to Jesus for relevant answers. The result is changed lives! Send a subscription today. To order call: 1-800-765-6955 or online at: http://www.adventistbookcenter.com/signs-of-the-times-magazine-yearly-us-subscription.html

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A doctor who was once visiting a Christian patient had himself long been anxious to feel that he was at peace with God; the Spirit had convinced him of sin and need, and he longed to possess “that peace which the world cannot give.” On this occasion, addressing himself to the sick one, he said: “I want you just to tell me what it is, this believing and getting happiness, faith in Jesus, and all that sort of thing that brings peace.”

His patient replied: “Doctor, I have felt that I could do nothing, and I have put my case in your hands; I am trusting to you. That is exactly what every poor sinner must do in the Lord Jesus.”

This reply greatly awakened the doctor’s surprise, and a new life broke in upon his soul. “Is that all,” he exclaimed, “simply trusting in the Lord Jesus? I see it as I never did before. He has done the work. Yes, Jesus said on the cross, ‘It is finished,’ and whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

From that sick bed the doctor went a happy man, rejoicing that his sins were washed away in the blood of the Lamb.—The Truth, Signs of the Times, November 14, 1892.

Quote: “To one man the world is barren, dull, and superficial; to another, rich, interesting, and full of meaning.”—Unknown, Signs of the Times, July 13, 1926.

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A young minister, who was quite self-satisfied with his own discourses, was always very curious to know what others thought of them. The Lord permitted him to gratify his curiosity one Sabbath evening as he was passing the cottage of a humble but pious laborer. The good man was kneeling with his family, and the young minister paused a moment to listen. He was thanking the Lord for their spiritual mercies, and for the blessed Bible on which their souls might feed, “for thou knowest, O Lord,” he said, “that we have been fed this day out of an empty spoon.”—Unknown, Signs of the Times, January 25, 1883.

Quote: “Don’t judge a man by the clothes he wears. God made one, and the tailor the other.”—Unknown, Signs of the Times, February 15, 1883.

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You may have heard the story of the man in the cabin of a vessel at sea who was seasick; those of you who know what it is will agree with me that one feels very little fit for work at such a time. This man heard a shout that there was “a man overboard.” He wondered what he could do, and at last he thought he could hold up the bull’s-eye lantern in the hope that it might do some good. The drowning man was rescued. When the sick passenger was able to go on deck, he was talking to this rescued man who told him that just as he was sinking for the last time and they could not find him on account of the darkness, someone held up a bull’s-eye lantern, which threw a light on his head, whereupon he was seized and saved.

How many of you could cheer others on. Go and help them in their work; your presence will do some good, and may influence someone else. If you cannot sing as well as other people, you can pray. If you cannot speak, you can lift up your heart in silent prayer to God. If you have been saved yourself, ought you not to try to rescue others?—By D. L. Moody, Signs of the Times, February 14, 1884.

Quote: Speaking of the Bible: “It is the book of the month, the year, and the ages.”—By Dave Boone, These Times, March 1946.

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“What is the value of this estate?” said a gentleman to another with whom he was riding, as they passed a fine mansion surrounded by fair and fertile fields.

“I don’t know what it is valued; I know what it cost its late possessor.”

“How much?”

“His soul.”

A solemn pause followed this brief answer, for the inquirer had not sought first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

The person referred to was the son of a pious laboring man. Early in life he professed faith in Christ, and he soon obtained a subordinate position in a mercantile establishment in this city. He continued to maintain a reputable religious profession till he became a partner in the firm. Labor then increased. He gave less attention to religion and more and more to his business, and the cares of the world choked the word. Ere he became old he was exceedingly rich in money, but so poor and miserly in soul that none who knew him would have suspected that he had ever borne the sacred name of him who said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” At length he purchased the landed estate referred to, built him a costly mansion, sickened and died. Just before he died he remarked, “My prosperity has been my ruin.” What a price for which to barter away immortal joy and everlasting life; yet how many do it!—Selected, Signs of the Times, June 29, 1888.

Quote: “God will not look you over for medals, degrees, or diplomas, but for scars.”—By Elbert Hubbard, These Times, July 1971.

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Always Remember

The power of prayer,

The success of perseverance,

The pleasure of working,

The value of time,

The influence of example,

The power of kindness,

The obligation of duty,

The virtue of patience,

The worth of character,

The wisdom of economy,

The improvement of talent,

The presence of God.—Unknown, These Times, October 1968.

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Compiled by Dale Galusha. Please pass this newsletter on to others.