In considering the work of the Holy Spirit in the church one must not overlook the essentiality of His role in the fulfillment of the Great Commission, (Matt. 28:18-20). The Commission is the MARCHING ORDERS of the Lord's church in this age -- involving a three-fold responsibility:
    1) TO TEACH (literally, "disciple") ALL NATIONS. This involves the proclamation of Christ's death for man's sin, and whatever other word is necessary to bring men to the place where they are filling to yield themselves fully to the lordship of Jesus, the Saviour -- an impossible task apart from the convicting and wooing power of the Holy Spirit.
    2) TO BAPTIZE DISCIPLES, with divine authorization and according to the order set forth in the Word. But only the Holy Spirit can so open the hearts and understanding of men as enables them to discern the divine order for Christian living.
    3) TO TEACH (a different word) THOSE BAPTIZED DISCIPLES all that the Lord has commanded. But, once again, this is accomplished ONLY in

cooperation with, and in utter dependence upon, Him who is the "Spirit of Truth".
    To the assembly that follows this order is promised the Lord's age-long PRESENCE -- which is made real by the abiding Holy Spirit.
    Let it be understood that CORRECT INSTRUCTION does NOT always impart wisdom and understanding; nor is divine power always transmitted in the act of Christian baptism. Without the Spirit, teaching is nothing more than a mechanical act. It may save the student from erroneous thinking, but will NOT safeguard him against sinful living, Only Spirit-applied instruction can do that!
    It should, further, be understood that ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT can prevent baptism from becoming an EMPTY RITUAL with heathen implications!
    It is only when the Spirit empowers these acts that teaching gives evidence of divine approval, and baptism becomes the outward SIGN of an inward experience and purpose -- lifting it into the realm of spiritual certainty and placing the seal of His approval on the dedication of heart and life to the service of Jesus.
    Walk in the Spirit, and you will, NOT fulfil the lusts of the flesh!

    To such humble souls as are now subject to contempt, for Jesus' sake, there is a better day ahead. Through patient endurance they will have the respect and approval of God, and of all good men. As the wise man wrote: "It is better to be humble in spirit among the poor, than to divide the spoil with the proud", (Prov. 10:19, Berkeley).
    With utmost confidence the Psalmist sang:

With all my powers of heart and
   tongue,
I'll praise my Maker in my song;
Angels shall hear the notes I raise,
Approve the song & join the praise.

To God I cried, when trouble rose;
He heard me, and subdued my foes;
He did my rising fears control,
And strength diffused through
   all my soul.

Amidst a thousand snares I stand,
Upheld and guarded by Thy hand;
Thy words my fainting soul revive,
And keep my dying faith alive.

I'll sing Thy truth & mercy, Lord;
I'll sing the wonders of Thy Word;
Not all the works and names below,
So much Thy power and glory show."
    "Though the Lord be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly: but the proud He knoweth afar off". Though independent of all, and sovereign over all, He never forgets one of His creatures, nor fails to hear their cries, (Psalm 9:12). Though He is Lord alone, (Neh. 9:5-6); higher than the highest heavens (Psa. 113:4; Eccl. 5:8); yet, He looks down over the banisters of heaven to cast a gracious glance upon the humble and lowly, (Isa. 57:15).
    Thus, the people of God should ever guard against PRIDE as unbecoming to Christian character, a disgrace to our profession, a dishonor to the Saviour, a badge of Satanic servitude, a fruit of the flesh, and contrary to the Spirit. Such as scorn the grace of God expose themselves to His scorn, (Pro. 3:34). But such as submit to the cross He gives will surely be exalted to wear a crown, (2 Tim. 4:8). The humblest sinners make the most glorious saints!
    Knowledge that the way UP is D0WN should also incite new hope and keep us ever rejoicing in the faithfulness of our exalted Lord. His mercies are everlasting, his compassions unfailing. Great is His faithfulness!

    For the individual body-member, whose life is truly devoted to the lordship of Jesus Christ, there are many spiritual blessings. In fact, Paul has declared that in this relationship to the Son, the Father "hath blessed us with ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS in heavenly places in Christ", (Eph. 1:3). But, it must be understood that he did NOT claim the UNAVAILABILITY OF EVERYTHING outside the body-relationship !!
    1) It is through the power of the Spirit that believers have been saved -- quickened to a NEW LIFE and spiritually renewed, (Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:1; John 6:63).
    2) By the same Spirit has come liberation from the "Law of sin and death", (Rom. 8:2-4, 13; Gal. 5:16, 24-25).
    3) He provides adequate strength for the daily renewal and sustenance of the inner man, (Eph. 3:16, 19; 2 Cor. 4:16).
    4) He leads into, and bears witness to, the divine sonship of such as wholly abandon their lives to Jesus, (Rom. 8:14-16).
    5) He produces spiritual fruit in the life that is yielded to His mastery, (Gal. 5:22-23; comp, Rom. 14:17; 15:13; Gal. 2:20).
    6) Faithful guidance is provided in the way of truth; he both illuminates and instructs our minds through the Word, (Jn. 16:13; Eph. 6:17; Jn. 6:63; Eph. 5:18-19; comp. Col. 3:16).
    7) Revealing the deep things of God, He also grants discernment to understand the spiritual

significance of the facts, (I Cor. 2:9-14).
    8) But, there must be an utter emptying of self before there is room for the Spirit's "filling". Man's own righteousness, wisdom and strength must be utterly abandoned for His superior provision, (Phil. 3:4-7, 9-11; Matt. 11:25; I Cor. 1:25-28; Isa. 40:29-31; 2 Cor. 12:9).
    9) He enables the Christian witness to communicate the truth to others, in power, (I Cor. 2:1-5; I Thess. 1:5; Acts 1:8).
    10) By the mystery of His working He brings reality into the experience of our prayer lives, (Jude 20; Eph. 6:18; Rom. 8:26-27; Eph.3:20).
    11) He is both the inspirer and director of all true praise and worship, (I Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:18-20; Phil. 3:3).
    12) Finally, He calls, commissions and endows men for spiritual service, (Acts 13~2-4; 8:27-29; 16:6-7).
    Spiritual help comes to those who: are conscious of their need; yearn to know, (James 1:5-7); ask with expectancy; and follow on -- one step at a time, (Num, 9:17-23).
    Let us never forget that we are utterly dependent on the strength of the Holy Spirit; that His provision is abundantly adequate for all our need; and that He WILL HELP US as we are willing to walk in the WAY OF HOLINESS! E.G.
    ANY man can have his WAY or his SAY about ANYTHING, any time, any where -- provided he doesn't want any friends.
    "Let your moderation be known unto all men; the Lord is at hand."

    Type is now in the process of being set for the editor's "Outline Studies in Galatians". It is expected to be a book of approximately l40 pages, and will sell for $2.00 per copy.
    Anyone willing to invest (as much as $10.00 in a pre-publication order, will receive a 50% discount, and the books will be shipped to you "postage paid" upon publication. Several brethren have strongly urged me to make these studies available. Here is your opportunity to assist.    -- Eugene L. Garner

I've learned as the years roll
      onward,
  And I leave the past behind;
That much I have counted sorrow,
   But proved that God is kind.
That many a flower I longed for
   Had hidden thorns of pain;
And many a rugged by-path
   Led to fields of ripened grain.

The clouds but cover the sunshine;
   They cannot banish the sun;
And the earth shines out the
      brighter
   When the weary rain is done.
We must stand in the deepest shadow
   To see the clearest light;
And often from wrongs and darkness
   Come the very strength of right.

We must live through the weary
      Winter,
   If we would value Spring.
And the woods must be cold & silent
   Before the robins sing.
The flowers must buried in
      darkness
   Before they can bud and bloom;
And the sweetest & warmest sunshine
   Comes after the storm and gloom.

So the heart from the hardest trial
   Gains the purest joy of all;
And from lips that have tasted
      sadness,
   The sweetest songs will fall.
For as peace comes after suffering,
   And love is reward for pain;
So, after earth is heaven,
   And out of our loss, the gain.
PRAY FOR YOUR CHURCH & PASTOR DAILY!