Hope this week’s bulletin finds you all safe, thankful for the Lord’s goodness and mercy which has been shown to we who are the Lord’s people in Almont, MI and all over the country. This week I have included two articles by Octavius Winslow on Matthew 28:20 which will bring great comfort to the born-again blood bought child of God! The truth’s in these articles ring true for our current situation which we find ourselves in by the will and providence of God and for any circumstance we may find ourselves in our everyday lives. I look forward to the day when we can meet face to face, (hopefully in May) I have enjoyed the calls, emails and text’s very much you all are such a blessing to me. In God’s good providence we will meet again and worship our great God together in the flesh.

With much love in Christ, Wayne
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Two Gems from Octavius Winslow on the same text!

A Shield and Deliverer

“Surely, I am with you always — even unto the end of the world!” Matthew 28:20
Christ is ever with His people — as a shield and deliverer. Our estimation of this truth, will be proportioned to our intelligent apprehension of the number and potency of our enemies — and the costliness and preciousness of the treasure thus divinely protected.

There are assaults from which Christ alone can shield us! Innumerable and invisible, sleepless and restless, working with an almost almighty power, everywhere with an almost omnipresent existence, ever plotting our ruin — are the spiritual enemies of our soul, and the sworn foes of our faith!

The world and its fascinations, Satan and his devices, the flesh and its tendencies, error and its disguises — are all confederate against the child of God, opposing his every advance in holiness!

But Christ is our ever-present shield, near at the moment of assault, and skillful to deflect and disarm it! “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward!” Are words addressed to all who have like precious faith with him. Oh yes! the Lord encompasses you. Encircled by danger — you are also encircled by the ever-present protection of Jesus!

“Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.” Isaiah 41:10

With what unslumbering vigilance, with what divine power, with what changeless love — does the Lord Jesus shield the work of grace in the soul of His people!

Who keeps that spark alive — in the midst of the ocean?

Who guards this vineyard night and day — lest any hurt it?

Who preserves . . .faith from faltering, love from chilling, hope from dying?

Who . . .strengthens the “work of grace” when it is feeble, raises it when it droops, restores it when it relapses, keeps it in the cold of winter and the drought of summer; and, when the frosts and winds of autumn would nip and scatter its foliage — clothes it with the freshness and bloom of spring?

Oh, it is Jesus, encircling with His all-protecting shield — the work of grace which His death has accomplished, and which His Spirit wrought!

Trembling believer! The work of grace in your heart shall never die! The kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in your soul — is indestructible! “They shall never perish!” is the declaration of the Shepherd who bought you with His blood! You are watched over by Christ — and kept by the power of God.

Psalm 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

Octavius Winslow
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Your Unfailing Guide

“…lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:20

Christ is with us — as our GUIDE. How deep our need of Him as such, and how endeared does it make Him! So blind are we, so dark is our future, so perplexing is our present path — that the very next step might be a false one — taking us into a wrong direction, entailing untold anxieties and sorrows, or hurling us from a precipice into total ruin! Yes, we need just such a guide as Christ!

What Alpine traveler would attempt the ascent of a steep glacier, or cross the dangerous pass — unattended by an experienced guide — one who knew the route, whose skillful eye could detect the treacherous crevice, and whose strong arm could fence the narrow, winding way?

Our path to eternity demands just such a guide as the prophet foretold Christ would be. "I have given Him," says God, "for a Leader and Commander to the people." His own gracious words corroborate this statement when speaking of Himself as the Shepherd of His flock, who "Goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice."

Oh, what a privilege — in every path of doubt, in every circumstance of danger, where human judgment is either warped or beclouded, and your own mind hesitates and falters — to have such a wonderful Counselor, such a divine Guide as Christ at your side! As such — He is ever with you!

He will guide you . . .with His eye of providence, and with His hand of power, and with His heart of love!

He knows the way that you take — for He has ordained it. He knows every crook in your lot — for He has appointed it.

He will . . .roll away the stone of difficulty, level mountains, fill up valleys, make the crooked path straight, and the rough place smooth!

Oh, be honest and upright with Him! Go to Him first, consult Him first, acknowledge Him in all your ways — before you consult any human guide. May Christ, in all the minute details of your life, have the pre-eminence. Learn to lay your own desires and thoughts at His feet.

"The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way." Psalm 25:9.

Not our way — but "His way." We must first surrender our way and will — before He will teach us His. He guides the "meek” the humble the childlike, trustful, unquestioning disciple, who humbly locks his hand in Christ's and says, "Lord, lead me and guide me, not in my own way — but in Yours!"

Oh, take a firm grasp of your unfailing Guide, and you shall travel safely and surely, through all your unknown future.

Octavius Winslow
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No Merit!

God's grace does not operate where there is ability. Grace also finds no cause in the recipient it is all found in the giver. God is the giver of His grace to whom he pleases. Add just a pinprick of works to grace and it is no longer grace but works.

Titus 3:4-7 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Salvation is all of the LORD! Praise His mighty name!