I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:23.
Jesus teaches us to call His Father our Father. He is not ashamed to call us brethren. So ready, so eager is the Saviour’s heart to welcome us as members of the family of God, that in the very first words we are to use in approaching God, He places the assurance of our divine relationship,—“Our Father.” Here is the announcement of that wonderful truth, so full of encouragement and comfort, that God loves us as He loves His Son….
The world that Satan has claimed and has ruled over with cruel tyranny, the Son of God has, by one vast achievement, encircled in His love, and connected again with the throne of Jehovah. Cherubim and seraphim, and the unnumbered hosts of all the unfallen worlds, sang anthems of praise to God and the Lamb when this triumph was assured. They rejoiced that the way of salvation had been opened to the fallen race, and that the earth would be redeemed from the curse of sin. How much more should those rejoice who are the objects of such amazing love! …
The very first step in approaching God is to know and believe the love that He has to us; for it is through the drawing of His love that we are led to come to Him.
The perception of God’s love works the renunciation of selfishness. In calling God our Father, we recognize all His children as our brethren. We are all a part of the great web of humanity, all members of one family. In our petitions we are to include our neighbors as well as ourselves. No one prays aright who seeks a blessing for himself alone.—Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 105.
With God at Dawn p. 37
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Prayer Requests
—-Please urgently needing prayer for my little granddaughter. Connie
—-I am a married mother of 3 boys ages 16, almost 12, and 4 years old. I am scheduled for a mammogram and breast ultrasound to check for breast cancer on February 11. I have lumps and I am afraid. Stephanie
—-Pray for my friend Loretta and her Family and particularly those extended family members who are in Hospital right now. Marietta
—-update—Jimmy is out of the hospital but still needs prayers for healing. Vanessa
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Dear Friends,
Ronnie Jay has always loved animals and animals seem to love and trust him. As I was looking at a picture of a dog lying securely is his arms at a party we went to some years ago, I began to think about how nice it would be to feel that safe and secure no matter what I was doing, no matter where I was going. Suddenly, I realized that Jesus provides just such a shelter from the raging storms in life. With Loving Arms outstretched, He bids us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30
Think of it! Our Dear Saviour, the One Who left all the glories of Heaven to come to this world to rescue us, longs to shelter and protect us in His Loving Arms. We can trust in His leading. We can trust in His care. God’s loving watch care is illustrated so vividly in many of the Psalms. Ronnie Jay’s favorite psalm to read just before going on a trip is Psalm 91. It is a psalm full of promises and conditions for protection. Since we all need God’s protection and security nowadays, I thought I would share it with you. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”
Praise God! No matter what the circumstances, no matter what the danger, no matter what the onslaughts the devil throws our way, we can have the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding” abiding in our hearts. Phil 4:7 May we pray as did David, “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings.” Ps 61:1-4 Amen!
Rose