Francis Harper Message for 1/10/2020

---- Forwarded Message -----
From: Francis Harper
wbfrmsup@iowatelecom.net


Francis Harper Message for 1/10/2020

Happy New Year

These words have been spoken many times during this week. These three simple words are often spoken without taking time to consider what constitutes a Happy New Year.

There’s a hymn we occasionally sing that may help us answer the question: What will bring us happiness and joy throughout the next 366 days?

The words of one of my favorite hymns gives us the answer.

"Trust and Obey"

When we walk with the Lord, In the light of His word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, Not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt nor a fear, Not sigh nor a tear can abide while we trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief nor a loss, Not a frown nor a cross, But is blest if we trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

But we never can prove The delights of His love until all on the altar we lay, For the favor He shows, And the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet We will sit at His feet, Or we’ll walk by His side in the way; What He says we will do, Where He sends we will go, Never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. (Hymns of the Restoration #371).


“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went . . . For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:8, 10).

Abraham trusted and obeyed and “went out not knowing whither he went . . .” May it be the same with us; Trusting and obeying God, as we embark on our journey into 2020, not knowing what we may encounter during the coming months, but knowing that our faith and trust in God pleases him and “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Galatians 3:6), may it also be accounted to us! So “trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy . . .”

And it is time-tested truth that:

“Because He lives I can face tomorrow!

Because He lives all fear is gone!

Because I know He holds the future

Then life is worth the living

just – BECAUSE HE LIVES!”

(Lyrics of the song, Because He Lives by Bill and Gloria Gaither).


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Dear Ones,

As we enter another year we need to remember that each passing day brings us a day closer to the day of the Lord’s coming. Each day is another opportunity for us, the bride of Christ, to make ourselves ready. “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his saints, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia; for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God” (Revelation 19:5-9).

The Apostle Peter wrote: “. . . in the last days there shall come scoffers, walking after their own lusts. Denying the Lord Jesus Christ, and saying, where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fall asleep, all things . . . have continued as they are from the beginning of the creation. . . For this they willingly are ignorant. . . The Lord is not slack concerning his promise and coming, as some men count slackness, but long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall shake, and the earth also shall tremble, and the mountains shall melt, and pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be filled with fervent heat; the earth also shall be filled, and the corruptible works which are therein shall be burned up. [See also Malachi 4:1-3] If then all these things shall be destroyed, what manner of persons ought ye to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking unto, and preparing for the day of the coming of the Lord . . .?” (2 Peter 3:3-5, 9-12).

We must faithfully watch for the Lord’s second coming. He said, Verily I say unto you, Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching; for he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them” (Luke 12:40 IV; 12:37 KJV).

We need to remember his words: “The evil servant is he who is not found watching . . . He will say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming . . . The Lord of that servant will come in a day he looketh not for, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him down, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers” (Luke 12:54-55 IV; Luke 12:45-46 KJV).

At this point the disciples asked: “Who then is that faithful and wise servant? And the Lord said unto them, It is that servant who watcheth, to impart his portion of meat in due season. Blessed be that servant whom his Lord shall find, when he cometh, so doing” (Luke 12:50-52 IV; Luke 12:42-43 KJV). What do you want to be doing when he comes? I hope he will find us teaching the timely word of God to the Lord’s sheep and lambs.

What should we be watching for during 2020? It is likely that the Lord’s coming in glory when “every eye shall see him; and they who pierced him, and all kindred’s of the earth shall wail because of him” (Revelation 1:7), will be preceded by his appearing to those of his saints who will be patiently and faithfully watching for him. (See Luke 12:41-44 IV; Luke 12:37-38 KJV).


My Love to All,

High Priest Francis Harper