And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Zechariah 3:2.
Satan claims a right to have those who once stood under his black banner, but who have turned from sin to the living God and have cast their helpless souls upon Jesus. All who take hold of the merits of Christ by faith have the pledged word of God that they shall make peace with Him….
Trials are permitted to come upon the chosen people of God. The expressions are used, “God tempted Abraham,” “God tempted the children of Israel.” This means that the Lord permitted Satan to tempt them in order that their faith might be found unto honor and glory when the judgment shall sit, and when every person shall be judged according to the deeds done in the body. God knows every heart, every motive, every thought in the heart; but He permits Satan to try and tempt and test His believing ones in order that their trust and confidence in God may be revealed….
The Lord hates sin; but He loves and forgives the repentant, believing sinner, and takes everyone under His guardianship and control. Satan is on the track of every soul, but with every temptation that is permitted to come upon the children of God’s pardoning love, He makes a way of escape in order that they shall not be tempted above that which they are able to bear….
“And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.” The work of Satan is plainly defined as that of resisting the meritorious work of Christ…. When Christ steps in between the tempted souls and Satan, the adversary is angry and opens up with a tirade of abuse and accusation, declaring that Christ is unfair in protecting these souls, and in lifting up a standard against him….
In the presence of the unfallen worlds, in the presence of the universe of heaven, in the presence of the angry adversary who has painted them in robes of blackness and moral defilement, urging that they be given into his hands, Jesus answered Satan’s malignant charge whereby he accused them before God day and night. To those who stood before Him, earnestly watching the controversy and marking the determination of Satan to destroy the righteous, Jesus spoke, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.”—Manuscript 27, 1894.
Christ Triumphant p. 186
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray that God will lead in E’s life. R
—-I am in need of some serious prayers for my daughter. She has stomach cancer and she went for a ultrasound test yesterday and found another tumor. Please pray that it is not another cancer. She is 29 and has two little ones. Christina
—-Pray for Vivian who is demon possessed. Jose
—-My friend Lucy is sick and in critical condition. Please pray for healing. Francisca
—-Pray for Mike who has a blood clot in his neck. Roberta
—-Please be in prayer for my brother’s family. His wife is fearful of her ex and the situation is complicated. Prayers for peace and safety for her and their children. The blood of Jesus overcomes much evil in the world, including abusive men with deadly intentions. He does not seem to fear or respect protective orders and she is fearful he may harm her or kidnap the children. Jennifer
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Dear Friends,
My granddaughter, Emma, loves helping with the younger children in any type of children’s meetings our church has. I am sure that as she grows, her talent will increase, and she will be more and more help. By the time she is an adult, I am sure that she will be a leader in the children’s division and a great helper in the church.
Jesus told a story about our use of the talents He has given to each of us. “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 25:14-30
How important that we use our talents for our Lord Jesus Christ. Sadly, most do not. How many there are who use the abilities that our Great Creator has given them for selfish gratification, fame, and fortune. They, too, are like the unprofitable servant who hid the talent in the ground, for they have cheated their Master out of the increase.
May we give our lives completely to the One Who has given Himself for us. May we use our talents for His great cause. May we continually “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18