So said Jesus in Luke 17:38.   He had just been speaking about the time when the Son of Man would be revealed to take away the saved.    He said that that day would be as it was before the flood in Noah's day and as it was before the destruction of Sodom in Lot's day.   Up to the very last minute life would go on the same, no repentance, no heeding of the warning, only scoffing and disbelief.   Then He would be revealed in a moment, as quickly as lightning shines from one side of heaven to the other.

     Both electricity and light travel at 186,000 miles per second.   The circumference of the earth is something less than 25000 miles, so light could circle the earth 71/2 times in one second.   Think how fast that is!   There won't be much time to get ready when Jesus comes!

     Perhaps you are one of those planning to get ready at the last minute.   Jesus said, "He that is on the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away; and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.   Remember Lot's wife."

     God did not send the flood till Noah and his family were all safe in the ark, and God would not destroy Sodom till Lot and family had been removed.    Likewise I believe that He will not turn loose Satan with all his evil power upon this earth until His people are all taken up.   But remember Lot's wife.   She longed for the stuff left behind in Sodom.   She looked back and was destroyed.

     What about you?   Do you have precious stuff down inside the house that you find hard to leave behind, or will you want to come back from the field to pick up that one suitcase?   Have you really let go of the things of this world?

     "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."   Colossians 3:2.

     Good news from pastor Steve Hart!

     As you know my wife was scheduled for surgery at 11:30 a.m. central time.   This morning the surgeon said if all goes well he was expecting a minimum three hour surgery.    They were actually running ahead of schedule and took her in about an hour early.   Did not hear a word until the surgeon came out two hours later and took me to a private room. He explained that she was doing fine and that the tumor that was removed was the size of a volleyball.   For over a month we have been assured by two Dr.s and another cancer treatment personnel that we were dealing with cancer.   The tumor today was immediately sent to pathology to test for cancer, because if it was, additional surgery was immediately needed. Pathology confirmed a benign tumor!!!!!   Further microscopic testing will be done but as for now the surgeon is satisfied that all is well. She has a very large incision because of a large tumor to recover from which will be very painful according to the surgeon. So pain will be an issue for some time.    I cannot express enough the gratitude that we have for the many many saints and servants of God who have taken our situation to the throne of grace!!!! To God be the glory, He has truly done great things for us for which we are glad.   The Lord is good whether we receive good news or bad news!!   Wow..what a labor day to remember!!

      Bless you for just caring!!!

     Pastor Steve Hart   (Editor's note:   Pastor Steve Hart is pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Milton, Florida.)

     My pastor, Clyde Jones, found this vidieo on U=Tube. They have the idea right.

     I was eleven years old.   It took place one Sunday night in my childhood home, as I lay upon my bed.   My parents and the other children were asleep.    I could not sleep, so deep was the conviction for sin which had come upon me.   I rolled and tossed ~ ~ but at last, I found Jesus, my Savior and my God.

     There were those who prayed for me.   My father was a member of the Ormsby Baptist Church, Louisville, KY, and Brother T. E. Cannedy was our pastor.   It was a little church, just recently organized.   The members were praying people, among them one dear old woman, who often laid her hand upon my head and said, "Clarence, I am praying for you."

     There were these besides my parents, pastor and Sunday school teachers who helped me understand the way of the Lord.   One dear brother, Charlie Embry by name, was superintendent of our little Sunday school.   It was he who said one Sunday afternoon, "Boys and girls, when you go home tonight, and have gone to your beds, before you close your eyes in sleep, talk to the Lord, tell Him about yourself, how sinful you are, then receive Him as your Sinbearer and Savior.   He will save you."   I was already under conviction, for I do now remember how I used to think of my awful doom, if I died, and I did shudder as I thought of the sins that bore down upon me, even as a lad eleven years old.   The word of the Lord plowed deep through my heart for many months before I understood and I surrendered to the Lord Jesus.   Even when I was eight and nine years old, I would think of my lost condition and in my heart came a fear and dread of death ~ ~ for I did not want to go to hell when I died.

     That Sunday night I did receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior as I lay upon my bed.   It was a very simple prayer, and I guess I was one of the most ignorant of all God's creatures ~ ~ but as I prayed, I simply asked the Lord to save me, to forgive my sins, to speak peace to my soul.   Over and over in my mind came an expression that Brother Cannedy used so much in his preaching, "Christ died for your sins, simply trust Him."   Thus I prayed and trusted Him, who bore my sins in His own body ~ ~ the just for the unjust.   Then as I trusted Him, whom God first trusted, peace "sweet peace, the gift of God's love" come into my heart.   Praise His dear name!

     Sister Cathy Jones writes to tell us that the meeting with the Forest Service went well and they will be allowed to get camp ready for next year.   They plan to have work days from now until the snow closes the road in.   It will sure be a blessing to have camp again.   Please continue to pray for Crystal Springs Bible Camp.   This is a valuable resource to Baptists in Oregon.    Many of our children have found the Lord at camp.   The Lord has introduced many to their life time better half at camp.   The rest of us have fond memories of watching these things happen over the years.

Letters To The Editor

     Still there have been no letters to the editor.   Folks if you want to respond to something you have read in "Baptist Landmarks" please E-Mail your response to edit@BaptistLandmarks.org   Your response will be printed here.

     I would like to have a cartoon in each issue if possible.   If there is someone reading this paper who can draw cartoons that will cause us to laugh at the foolish things we sometimes do and cause us to think of how we could better serve our Savior, please E-Mail me and let me know.

     WILL YOU TAKE A POSITIVE STAND FOR LANDMARK DOCTRINES, HISTORIC BAPTIST INDEPENDENCE, AND DIRECT MISSION PRACTICE?   THEN, "LIKE" US ON FACEBOOK, AND SPREAD THE TRUTH, AS IT IS IN THE WORD OF GOD.

You will need to sign in to your Facebook account.