Hello OCBC family.

 First, I want to share an opportunity for you to hear what the Lord is doing in Zambia, Africa.  Tomorrow morning during our Prime Timers’ meeting we will hear Brother Ed Miller, who worked on the mission field for over 35 years and we will learn what the situation is with brothers and sisters in this area.  We will have the opportunity, also, to hear from Pastor Chande from Africa (a close friend of Brother Miller) and what he and his family are doing for God’s glory.  It will be a glorious day.  If you are 55 years old or better, come and be blessed through these testimonies.  The fellowship will start at 9:30 AM, then Brother Miller will share his testimony and songs at 10:30 AM, then we will have our lunch time.

Secondly, as I was reading my devotional this morning (normally I read Spurgeon “Morning by Morning” devotional), it touched my spirit, and I want to share it with you.

"Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."—Galatians 3:26.

The fatherhood of God is common to all his children. Ah! Little-faith, you have often said, "Oh that I had the courage of Great-heart, that I could wield his sword and be as valiant as he! But, alas, I stumble at every straw, and a shadow makes me afraid." List thee, Little-faith. Great-heart is God's child, and you are God's child too; and Great-heart is not one with more God's child than you are. Peter and Paul, the highly-favored apostles, were of the family of the Most High; and so are you also; the weak Christian is as much a child of God as the strong one.

"This cov'nant stands secure,

 Though earth's old pillars bow;

 The strong, the feeble, and the weak,

 Are one in Jesus now."

 All the names are in the same family register. One may have more grace than another, but God our heavenly Father has the same tender heart toward all. One may do more mighty works, and may bring more glory to his Father, but he whose name is the least in the kingdom of heaven is as much the child of God as he who stands among the King's mighty men. Let this cheer and comfort us, when we draw near to God and say, "Our Father."

Yet, while we are comforted by knowing this, let us not rest content with weak faith, but ask, like the Apostles, to have it increased. However feeble our faith may be, if it be real faith in Christ, we shall reach heaven at last, but we shall not honor our Master much on our pilgrimage, neither shall we abound in joy and peace. If then you would live to Christ's glory, and be happy in His service, seek to be filled with the spirit of adoption more and more completely, till perfect love shall cast out fear.

In His service.

Israel.

Hello OCBC family.  Today I want to share a special opportunity for those who are 55 years old and better.  Next Thursday , March 19th, we will have during our Prime Timers fellowship, our M&M (Music & Mission) time.  Ed Miller will come to talk about his time of service in Zambia, Africa.  Being an outstanding musician he will sing for us as well.
He served in the mission field for over 35 years, and is still doing mission work with a mission trip to Zambia every year with his own church, Inglewood Baptist. 
This will be a great opportunity to hear about missions and music.
We will have a potluck lunch, so bring something to share.
Looking forward to seeing all my Prime Timers Friends, those who are 55 years old and better.
In His service.
Israel.

Hello OCBC family.  I want to share with you on this day about Daniel W. Whittle (born 1840 November 22 in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts; died 1901 March 4, Northfield, Massachusetts) (today is the anniversary of his death).  Daniel was a gospel song writer, evangelist, and a Bible teacher.

The night after he got married, Daniel was deployed with Company B of the 72d Illinois Infantry; he served in the American Civil War.  At this point, Whittle was not Christian, but during the war, he lost his right arm, and spent several weeks in a hospital.  During this time he found a New Testament, and it was the only book on hand and he wanted to read something.  Short­ly af­ter, a hos­pit­al or­der­ly woke him and said a dy­ing pris­on­er want­ed some­one to pray with him. Whit­tle de­murred, but the or­der­ly said, “But I thought you were a Christ­ian; I have seen you read­ing your Bi­ble.” Whit­tle then agreed to go. He re­cord­ed what took place at the dy­ing youth’s bed side:

I dropped on my knees and held the boy’s hand in mine. In a few brok­en words I con­fessed my sins and asked Christ to for­give me. I be­lieved right there that He did for­give me. I then prayed ear­nest­ly for the boy. He be­came qui­et and pressed my hand as I prayed and plead­ed God’s prom­ises. When I arose from my knees, he was dead. A look of peace had come over his trou­bled face, and I can­not but be­lieve that God, who used him to bring me to the Sav­ior, used me to lead him to trust Christ’s pre­cious blood and find par­don. I hope to meet him in hea­ven.

 Whittle was brevetted with the rank of major at the end of the war, that is why among hymnologist, he is called Major Whittle.

He settled in Chicago and started to work very close with D. L. Moody, who encouraged him to do evangelism work.  Indeed, he preached with his hymns.  His most popular hymn among Christians is “I Know Whom I Have Believed.”

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing us of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.

I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.

I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.

Refrain

But I know Whom I have believèd,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.

In His service.

Israel.