But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. John 4:23.
We are living in an age when all should especially give heed to the injunction of the Saviour, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” One of your strong temptations is to irreverence. God is high and holy; and to the humble, believing soul, His house on earth, the place where His people meet for worship, is as the gate of heaven. The song of praise, the words spoken by Christ’s ministers, are God’s appointed agencies to prepare a people for the church above, for that loftier worship into which there can enter nothing that is impure, unholy….
Do not have so little reverence for the house and worship of God as to communicate with one another during the sermon. If those who commit this fault could see the angels of God looking upon them and marking their doings, they would be filled with shame and abhorrence of themselves.—Messages to Young People, 265, 266.
Those who are unwilling to forsake every sin and to seek earnestly for God’s blessing, will not obtain it. But all who will lay hold of God’s promises as did Jacob, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 203.
Do not neglect secret prayer, for it is the soul of religion. With earnest, fervent prayer, plead for purity of soul. Plead as earnestly, as eagerly, as you would for your mortal life, were it at stake. Remain before God until unutterable longings are begotten within you for salvation, and the sweet evidence is obtained of pardoned sin.—Messages to Young People, 268.
With God at Dawn p. 78
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for travelling mercies for Brian as he is driving across country beginning this evening. Rose
—-Please pray for safety for my son who is going on a trip. Carla
—-I am asking for prayer for our friend Freddy, he is having heart surgery at this moment..they are putting in a Stent and a Pacemaker. His Mother Emma is very scared for him and needs our prayers as well. Debra
—-Please pray . We have a tornado warning in our area. Jean
—-Just when it seems like my wife is starting to get better, the coughing and shortness of breath comes back. She spoke with the doctor over the phone who told her that since they’ve prescribed everything that they could and nothing is changing, that we’ll have to bring her in to the hospital. She’s been sleeping all day, but she’ll be up in awhile and we’ll going then. We’re getting really concerned so Please pray for my Laurie, Thanks, David
—-Alyssa, age 2, was recently diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. She is getting a bone marrow biopsy done. I’m begging my Lord that the cancer hasn’t spread and that this tumor is something my baby’s body could fight. Maria
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Dear Friends,
A couple of weeks ago, my grandchildren’s Sabbath School lesson was on the Rich Young Ruler. It reminded me of the time after I had moved away from Kalamazoo, and had returned for a visit. The church had gotten a new pastor, so I had the opportunity to hear him speak for the first time. His sermon was very different from what I was used to hearing. He spoke on the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22.
This new pastor did not sermonize on this story but made up a “novel” about what happened to that young man after he turned away from following Jesus. I don’t remember much of his story but I do remember that everything went wrong for the young man and he eventually perished a pauper in the destruction of Jerusalem.
Of course, that could have happened as the pastor imagined, but it might not have been that way at all. Even so, it is certain that the young man’s window of opportunity had passed and his life was far different from that which God had intended.
This story serves as a warning to us living today. Throughout each day, we, too, are making decisions for or against our Dear Saviour. Each day we have the opportunity to do His will for our life, yet, our possessions, our desires, our wishes, our plans are first and foremost in our mind. How often we go through the day with scarcely a thought heavenward. Jesus tells us, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matt 19:24-26 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt 6:24
There is a song by Rhea Miller that should be the theme of our life.
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I’d rather be His than have riches untold; I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands, I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand. Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin’s dread sway; I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause, I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause; I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame, I’d rather be true to His holy name. Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin’s dread sway; I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.
May this be the song of our heart each day is my prayer.
Rose
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/cYS4i9_e1oM/the-father-seeks-true-worshipers.html
