Every two weeks the CLARION HERALD goes into several homes where people do not regularly attend any church services. Instead of constantly berating your carelessness and indifference, we have used the pages of this silent messenger to encourage right living and consideration of those things that are spiritual and eternal. Our basic aim is not to sell you on ourselves -- but on the Living Christ.
    But, we would also be delighted to have you attend our services. In this way we would be able to render a greater service to you. Here you may see a manifestation of the "living Christ" that you may not have ever witnessed -- where there is a genuine, deeply - rooted and sincere love for Christ, for one another, and for the souls of men.
    Yes, we have an interest in YOU. There is something we would like to SHARE WITH YOU! Mere words are inadequate to describe the blessedness of that which we desire you to share. In our services the power of God is moving upon hearts and lives---and this is always to one's spiritual enrichment.
    Jesus Christ has made such a difference in our hearts and lives that we want YOU to know Him too. "Come thou with us, and we will do thee good!"

    Each of us should honestly consider whether our life overflows to the enrichment of others, or whether it is a drain and a discouragement. May each of us BE A BLESSING!

    It is most difficult to convince people in our time that anything is of more valuethan silver, gold, diamonds or jewels. It will help one's perspective to consider some of the deeper needs of life, and simply inquire what the things we value so highly can do to meet them.
    The story is told of a group of people wrecked on a desert island -- far off the beaten track of men. They got ashore with much of their goods. They had enough food to last for a good while and seed enough to plant for their sustenance. The soil was rich and the climate ideal. But they soon found gold, and instantly began a diligent search for the precious metal in quantity. In this they were so successful that they considered themselves "rich". But they had failed to sow their seed; no harvest was on its way, and the time of sowing was past. They were soon confronted by an inescapable famine which their gold could not alleviate -- hunger and death, which all their riches could not prevent.

    This should help us to appreciate the value of that wisdom which is as bread for the life. In the deep needs of life earthly riches are often totally inadequate; only the grace of God will avail then. In times of sorrow, silver and gold bring no comfort. In the struggles of life---in its temptations, hardships and perplexities --- material wealth will not meet the needs of the soul. When death comes, these things are less than worthless; they are bitter mockeries. In the experience of living we need a help far greater than this earth can afford. We need to hear our heavenly Father's voice.
    "Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold," (Proverbs 8:10). Let us "learn" at Christ's feet, and there find soul-rest (Matt. 11:28-30). To know God is to possess something infinitely superior in true value to the sum of earth's wealth; to know Him is "life eternal", (John 17:3).

    It was a blessed service we had last Sunday evening at Landmark. In answer to many prayers we were privileged to see John Masingill step out publicly to express his desire and intention to walk with Christ. In a testimony that was spontaneous and powerful, the Lord used him to thrill our hearts and remind us anew of our Father's faithfulness.
    Let us all be faithful in our promise to remember John in prayer that the Lord will enable him to stand firm and strong in faith, and that his life may be fully yielded to, and identified with, our Savior in His death, burial, resurrection, and risen life.

    "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (I Cor. 10:12). It is not God's desire that any of His people fall; He makes ample provision for us to "stand". Nevertheless, it is possible that we FALL from some things -- through heedlessness.
    There are several words translated "fall" in the New Testament. "Aphisteemi" suggests the idea of "to depart" or to go away from. So, some fall through temptation, (Luke 8:13). In this sense some "depart (fall) from the faith" -- giving heed to the wrong things, (I Tim. 4:1). In heedlessness and unbelief one may actually "depart (fall) from the living God", (Heb. 3:12). There are some things from which people are instructed to depart, or fall away, (I Tim. 6:5 ; 2 Tim. 2:19).
    "Ekpipto" suggests the idea of falling from a position that should have been stedfast, (Mk. 13:25). Peter is concerned that his brethren not fall from their stedfastness, (2 Pet. 3:17). Paul asserted that the Galatians -- forsaking the faith-principle to seek justification in law-keeping --- had "fallen from grace", or been severed from a position of nearness to God in the body of Christ, (Gal. 5:4). This was NOT a loss of salvation, but of position. Jesus urged the Ephesians to "remember from whence thou art fallen" -- to repent and return to their first-love for Christ -- a love that invariably manifests itself in joyful obedience to His Word, (Rev. 2:5; comp. John 14:21, 23). It was from such a position that the covenant nation (Israel) fell, (Rom. 11:11-2; Hos. 14:1).

     "Apostasia" involves a FORSAKING -- implying deliberate, malicious disloyalty, infidelity or outright treachery to a person or a cause. Some accused Paul of so forsaking Moses, (Acts 21:21; comp. 2 Pet. 2:12-16). A great apostasy is predicted among God's own people before the return of our Lord, (2 Th. 2:3).
    "Parapipto" suggests the idea of falling beyond a limit. Its only N. T. usage is in Hebrews 6:6 where it is suggested that for the one so falling there is no possibility of restoration.
    No wonder the Hebrew writer is so urgent in calling upon those to whom he writes to: "give HEED to the things which we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip (or drift by us). For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect SO GREAT SALVATION". (Heb. 2:1-3)?

    During the last two weeks in July your pastor will be away speaking to Louisiana churches. July 19 through 26 he will be with Pastor James S. Mitchell and the Corinth Missionary Baptist Church at Dry Prong for a revival effort. Following this he will be privileged to spend a few days with Pastor Leonard Garlington and his flock in West Monroe. Will you pray that the Lord will bless these efforts to His own glory, the edification of His people, and the salvation of many precious souls! Also, remember to pray for

those brethren who will conduct the services at Landmark in the pastor's absence.

    Did you ever stop to consider how timid your prayer-life actually is? How little you ever ask and expect from your heavenly Father? Is it because you doubt His love? or His ability? or His willingness?
    Do not the Scriptures reveal our God as One who "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think"? And, are we not urged to "come boldly before the throne of grace" and to "taste and see that the Lord is gracious"? Yet instead of feasting on the riches of His grace we tend to nibble a little around the edges.
    So few know anything about joyful and triumphant living because they do not seek those things from above that go to make up such a life. Bowing daily before a God of infinite power and love, in whose hands are infinite, unsearchable riches, they never ask for anything but passing earthly things for temporary pleasure or comfort. They seek only things for their bodies, or to beautify their homes -- neglecting the heavenly and spiritual gifts God has prepared for the joy

and strength of their souls.
    How shallow is our living when we pray so timidly! What emptiness characterizes our hearts, when they might be full to overflowing! And, how fruitless are our lives, when they might bring forth abundantly, by God's grace.
    And, are we not timid in our Christian witness -- simpiy because we have not come before our Father and boldly asked for the supply of everything that will enable us to be courageous and strong, faithful and exuberant in telling others of His love and power? Such timidity is to our shame; worse, it is to our eternal loss.
    The task God has set before us is a tremendous challenge, but, by His grace we may "hold forth the word of life" in such a way that others may see the Saviour, and look to Him for salvation. But our timidity will, rather, hinder any inclination that may have been implanted in our hearts to desire the salvation of others. And while we are timidly debating about how little to ask SOULS ARE PERISHING!
    Let us ask and expect great things from our Father who is able, loving, willing and ready to make our lives and testimony triumphant in His service. He is willing to make us a blessing IF WE BUT ASK.