July 2020 Signs of the Times Newsletter!

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July 2020 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. ***************************      I was invited one time to give an address to a class of kindergarten students who were graduating into first grade. That was an ominous honor. They all came marching in, wearing their little homemade gowns and cardboard mortarboards with the tassels hanging down, and I was supposed to try to say something appropriate!      I had decided that I would have to try to involve them in the address or I would never be able to keep their attention, so I had a problem for them to solve. The problem was this: “Let’s pretend that in my left hand I have a note for a million dollars, to be payable when you are 21 years old. And in my right hand, I have a dollar that you can have right now. Which would you choose?”      I could see the lollipops and ice cream bars and bubble gum going by in their minds. So I tried to appeal to them, on the basis of their vast education and the fact that they were now graduates, to give careful consideration to this knotty problem. I was afraid of what they were going to decide, so I held them off as long as possible. But when I finally asked for their answer, every one of them chose the same thing. The dollar! And I could tell by their pleased expressions that they knew I would be impressed with their careful thinking!      Did that problem end at Kiddie Kampus? No, the whole world is hooked on the same thing. We’ve been called the “Now Generation.” And until we realize the need for something beyond just the here and now, we will continue to make the same choice these graduates did.—By Morris Venden, Signs of the Times, September 1984. Quote: “I would think it a greater happiness to win one soul for Christ than to gain mountains of gold and silver for myself.”—By Matthew Henry, Signs of the Times. *************************** Don't miss the August 2020 issue of Signs of the Times: To order Signs, call: 1-800-765-6955 or ONLINE! ***************************      When Robert Louis Stevenson was a boy, he sat by his window at dusk one evening quietly watching the lamplighter as he walked by his home touching a flame to the gas lights in the street. His mother, concerned over the long period of silence, asked young Robert what he was doing.      He replied, “I am watching the man punch holes in the dark.”      By analogy, that’s what happens when we consent for Jesus, who in the beginning said, “Let there be light,” to shine out through our miraculously transformed lives into the moral darkness of today’s crime-ridden world.—By T. R. Torkelson, Signs of the Times, May 1975. Quote: “I put not hand to anything until I have steeped my inmost soul in prayer.”—By Michelangelo, Signs of the Times, July 16, 1929. *************************** NEW from Pacific Press—Understanding Daniel and Revelation by Mark Finley. A chapter-by-chapter commentary to the Bible book of Daniel and Revelation shows the hand of God in history—and reveals God’s plan for the future. Order ONLINE or from your local Adventist Book Center--1-800-765-6955. ***************************      The Pharisees asked of Him, "Who is this?" Matt. 21: 10. The answer of some was, "This is Joseph's son." They gave Him no more authority than the earthly son of Joseph.      But Adam will tell you, "He is the seed of the woman that shall bruise the serpent's head."      Ask Abraham, he will tell you, "He is 'Melchizedek, King of Salem,’ King of Peace."      Jacob will tell you, "He is Shiloh of the tribe of Judah."      Isaiah will tell you, "'Immanuel,’ ‘Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.'"      Jeremiah will tell you, "The Branch of David, the Lord our Righteousness." Daniel will tell you, "He is the Messiah."      Hosea will tell you, "He is 'the Lord God of hosts; the Lord is His memorial.'"      John the Baptist will tell you, "He is 'the Lamb of God. which taketh away the sin of the world.'"      The great Jehovah has proclaimed from His throne, "This is My beloved Son."      That is the Saviour that is coming again. He is the One that says to you and me in the language of the text: "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."      I want Him to come. I like to think of His coming. He is not coming to destroy, He is not coming to make men miserable, He is not coming to make hard times. He is coming to put an end to all the strife and degradation and misery and sin; He is coming to take us to those mansions He has gone to prepare for those who love Him. He is coming to take you and me, if we are ready, to spend an eternity with Him.—By Morris Lukens, The Watchman Magazine, November 1922. Quote: “Perseverance can sometimes equal genius in its results.”—By J. C. Fields, Signs of the Times, February 1, 1899. *************************** Place this in your church bulletin or newsletter: People need Jesus in these momentous times. Thousands have found that sharing Him is as easy as sending a subscription to Signs of the Times®. The fresh and exciting articles open hearts and bring renewal. Get started by ordering a subscription from your Adventist Book Center. Call: 1-800-765-6955 or go online: https://adventistbookcenter.com/signs-of-the-times-magazine.html ***************************      One of the greatest missionaries of the nineteenth century was Adoniram Judson. He and his wife spent most of their lives in Burma, where he mastered the language and translated the Bible into Burmese. He trained pastors, planted churches, entered new territories, and conducted evangelistic meetings. His life was consumed with sharing the Christ he loved with the Burmese people. At one point, he was imprisoned and tortured for his faith. His wife’s witness and courageous defense of the truth during his imprisonment is legendary.      On one occasion, the local newspaper wrote a favorable article about him, likening him to a biblical apostle. When his wife told him about the report, he replied “I do not want to be like Paul or any mere man. I want to be like Christ. I want to follow Him only, copy His teachings, drink in His Spirit, and place my feet in His footprints. Oh, to be more like Christ!” The power of evangelism is the power of the living Christ working through the living witness to change lives.—By Mark Finley, from Making Friends for God. Quote: “I will never break off from Thee, either now or through eternity!”—By Martin Luther in prayer just before entering the Diet of Worms, Signs of the Times, November 21, 1911. *************************** Signs of the Times has prepared a special issue regarding COVID 19. Read it FREE online, and share with your friends:      English: https://www.pacificpress.com/covid      Spanish: https://www.pacificpress.com/covid19 ***************************      A crazy man once entered a crowded church, and grasping two pillars of the gallery cried, "I will pull these down and destroy you as Samson did the Philistine lords!" A panic was imminent, when the minister, quietly waving his hand, said, "Let him try." He did try, and that was the end of the panic.      Infidelity lays hold of the pillars of our temple—the Bible, the deity of Christ, and the like. Skeptics say, "We will pull them down." Let them try! Many have tried, but our temple stands.—From Sunday School Times, Signs of the Times, February 22, 1938. Quote: “We are saved by a Person, and only by a Person, and only by one Person!”—By William McDowell, These Times, October 1969. *************************** God’s Last Message—a new Pocket Signs sharing the three angels’ messages of Revelation. Great to share with your friends. Order ONLINE! ***************************      Once while standing with some friends, I took out my purse and handed it to one of them. I said, “Have you received that purse?”      “Yes.”      “How much is it worth to you?”      “I do not know.”      “Suppose you place a value on it.”      He said, “Fifty cents.”      I then took the purse and opening it took out a twenty-dollar gold coin and several bills of large denomination. Now, I said, this is the way some people receive Christ. They have no idea what He is worth.—By Meade MacGuire, Signs of the Times, June 15, 1926. Quote: “The people must be made to understand that the Ten Commandments are still binding, and that there is a penalty attached to their violation.”—By Dwight L. Moody, Signs of the Times, October 19, 1954. *************************** Looking for a good Adventist eBook? Visit www.AdventisteBooks.com for the largest selection of Adventist eBooks. *************************** In 1895 there were only two cars in Ohio. Guess what happened? You’re right. They collided! It’s the natural order of things. Anytime you have two cars, each free to go its way without regard for the other you can count on a collision.—By Roland R. Hegstad, Signs of the Times, October, 1973. “Love is the brightest star in the Christian firmament.”—By Charles G. Bellah, Signs of the Times, July 9, 1929. *************************** Truth Matters is a series of magazines prepared by Signs of the Times for use in outreach and evangelism. There are many topics to choose from. See the collection online by CLICKING HERE! ***************************      It is recorded that Frederick the Great of Prussia was once ridiculing Christ and Christianity in the presence of a gathering of his nobles and generals, who were convulsed with laughter at his coarse and impious witticisms.      There was one brave general, however, who sat gloomily silent while the laugh went around. This was Joachim Von Zietan, one of the ablest and bravest of them all. Unable longer to endure it, he “dares” something for His Master, whom he loves even more than he loves his king. See him! With the utmost gravity, he rises from his seat, shakes his gray head, and addressing the king, said in a solemn tone:      “Your Majesty knows well that in war I have never feared any danger, and everywhere I have boldly risked my life for you and my country, but there is One above us who is greater than you and I—greater than all men; He is the Saviour and Redeemer, who has died also for your Majesty, and has dearly bought us all with His own blood. This Holy One I can never allow to be mocked or insulted; for on Him repose my faith, my comfort, and my hope in life and death. In undermining the power of this faith, you undermine at the same time the welfare of your State. I salute you Majesty.”      The brave old general sat down. Frederick looked at him in amazement and unconcealed admiration, and then and there apologized in the presence of those whom he had entertained with his vulgar jests.—Anonymous, Signs of the Times, February 26, 1902. Quote: “It is strange that in our praying we seldom ask for a change of character but always a change in circumstances.”—By Virginia Ely, These Times, November 1965. *************************** The Letters I Have Not Sent I have written them,—keen, and sarcastic, and long,      With righteously wrathful intent, Not a stroke undeserved nor a censure too strong:      And some, alas! some of them went! I have written them, challenging, eager to fight,      All hot with a merited ire; And some of them chanced to be kept overnight.      And mailed, the next day,—in the fire! Ah, blessed the letters that happily go      On errands of kindliness bent; But much of my peace and my fortune I owe      To the letters I never have sent.—From Arrow, The Youth’s Instructor, January 14, 1908. *************************** Compiled by Dale Galusha. Please pass this newsletter on to others.