The children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath … for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever. Exodus 31:16, 17.
We do not study the Scriptures as much as we should. Instead of spending our time in studying the various themes of the day we need to devote that time to the study of the Scriptures. We want to come on our knees before God with our Bibles and ask for wisdom from God to comprehend the treasures of truth. We cannot have root in ourselves unless we do this, for everything is to be shaken that can be shaken….
Satan is watching that he may find the mind in an unguarded moment and so get possession of it. We do not want to be ignorant of his devices, neither do we want to be overpowered by his devices. He is pleased with the pictures that represent him as having horns and hoofs, for he has intelligence; he was once an angel of light. Those who trust in their intelligence he will make believe that they can correct the Scriptures. You are going to meet this infidelity in high places. You need the Holy Spirit of God, the divine power to cooperate with you to discern the trap that the devil is preparing, and escape it. He is going to lead the religious world captive (see 2 Thessalonians 2:11). How dare they to lay their sacrilegious hands upon the Scriptures! We must bring the Sabbath of the Lord to the front. It is so plain, and so decided. It is a sign between the children of God and the children of the world….
We do not know how soon we shall be singled out as not being law-abiding citizens, because the prince of the power of the air is getting possession of the minds of men. We can choose between obeying the powers that be, and dishonoring God, or disobeying the powers that be, and honoring God. If we obey God, His Holy Spirit is resting upon us, and we are not fighting with our own assertions, but with “It is written.” All we have to do is to go back to the fourth commandment. Read the testimony of Jesus Christ that not even a little dot was to be altered, but it is just as written by the finger of God on the tables of stone. We should love the truth because it is truth. It makes every difference whether we are on God’s side of the question or not. You may be summoned to the courts, and in these emergencies think on the Saviour’s promise: “I am there.” We cannot stand on sliding sand, but we can on Christ Jesus. And we can stand there though the whole world may be arrayed against us….
God has covenanted, and He will be with His people.—Manuscript 11, March 28, 1893, “Search the Scriptures.”
The Upward Look p. 101
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for D who is battling depression and trying to overcome anger. H
—-Update: Milt Kidneys are bad he’s on dialysis now. Arlene
—-Please pray for a young man his name is Joshua his mother has left him for months and doesn’t care much about him. He is alone i have done up to what i can. Please pray that a miracle will be wrought on his life.
He is just 18 and seems to have a bit of special needs. Rosemary
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
Some time ago, I went to a certain grocery store to get the bread I buy that has all natural ingredients. For me, it is worth the extra three miles to get bread without dough conditioners and preservatives. Of course, I got a few other needed items as well.
As I was taking my purchases out of the cart so carry the bags of groceries to the car, a lady, who was also about to exit the store, looked at me and said, “Go around the corner and up the stairs.” Seeing my blank look, she smiled and repeated herself adding, “It’s kind of hard to find.”
With question marks all over my face, I asked, “Uh, just what are we talking about?”
It was her turn to be surprised. “Why, you asked where the bathroom was, didn’t you?” After assuring her, that I had not said a word, I remembered that some girls, who were talking together, had passed right behind me. One of them must have asked that question to one of the other girls. I explained that to the woman. Then, she and I had a good laugh.
Paul tells us to “pray without ceasing.” Just as “the body without the spirit is dead, [as] faith without works is dead,” so prayer without study of the Scriptures leaves us with only part of a conversation. James 2:26 Without earnest prayer for guidance, we have only the vaguest idea of what is being said. Without study and prayer, we cannot truly have a “conversation” with our Great Creator.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim 3:16, 17 How vital to our understanding, is prayer that we may receive the lesson its Author has for us. Without prayer for the same Holy Spirit, who guided holy men of old to write the Scriptures, to guide our minds, we are getting only part of the “conversation” and lack as much understanding as I did when that woman began answering a question I had never asked. (2 Peter 1:21)
Our Loving Saviour advises us as Paul advised Timothy so long ago, “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1Ti 4:13-16
May we “study to shew [ourself] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we pray to the Great Author of the Bible for the guidance we so much need. May we prayerfully meditate upon all His Holy Word and follow the lessons contained therein.
Rose