The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. Matthew 13:24, 25.
How vain is the help of man when Satan’s power is exercised over a human being who has become self-exalted, and who knows not that he is partaking of the science of Satan. In his self-confidence he walks right into the enemy’s trap, and is ensnared. He did not heed the warnings given, and was taken as Satan’s prey. If he had walked humbly with God, he would have run into the trysting place God had provided for him. Thus in times of danger he would have been safe, for God would have lifted for him a standard against the enemy….
The peril of delaying to come to Christ is not discerned by those who are under the power of Satan. But when there comes the sense of acknowledged guilt, how the stricken soul hides himself with his God. Let guilty sinners come close to the One who is their atoning Sacrifice. Let them cling to Him as with the grip of death. No human being can heal the soul that has done despite to the Spirit of Christ. Only through the Saviour can healing be obtained….
This is an age of skepticism and unbelief, an age of hatred of reproof. Let men beware how they entertain the sentiments of satanic agencies. Let them remember that mocking at the warnings of the Lord may mean their being left to their own way. The only hope left is to turn to God with full purpose of heart. God will pardon the transgressor if he will repent….
Men have turned away from the warnings given, and are being deceived through the influence of mind over mind, and the results are most deplorable. One sinner, under the influence of the enemy’s deceptions, can work untold harm. Oh, how many souls have had their faith ruined and their confidence spoiled by the protestations of belief in the Testimonies, uttered by those who for years have shown positive disbelief in them. I was relieved when some who had been making these protestations decided that the time has come to take an open stand [against them]. I felt relieved, because minds will not now be captivated by assurance after assurance that they believe the Testimonies.
Oh, if those who have had faith in these men could only know how the Lord regards their confidence in those who, while men slept, have been sowing tares among the wheat.—Letter 126, April 11, 1906, to G. I. Butler, president, Southern Union Conference.
The Upward Look p. 115
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Prayer Requests
—-I have an unspoken request. Buck
—-Still urgently needing prayer for several BAD situations. Connie
—-Please pray for me and my husband the enemy has been attacking us for weeks and I am getting tired. Debbie
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Dear Friends,
One day, when I was in my middle teens, I noticed that the book that I was reading was due at the library that day. Even though I was not quite finished reading it, I knew I had to take it back that day or pay a fine. I decided that if I walked the two miles to the library, reading while I walked, I could finish it by the time I got there.
After a few blocks of walking and reading, I could keep on the sidewalk without watching where I was going. Soon, I became so absorbed in that book, that I did not pay any attention to my surroundings. Suddenly, the squeal of brakes broke into my thoughts. Within a foot of me was a big, black car. The driver inside looked scared at first, but soon his fright turned to anger. All I could say was ” I’m sorry.” Continuing on my journey, I decided I would wait till I got to the library to finish the book.
So it is in our daily lives. We can get so busy that we become totally absorbed in our own little world. Time passes quickly. Days, months, years roll by. One day, we look back and wonder where the time has gone. Sometimes our Loving Heavenly Father must allow unpleasant things to happen to shake us back to reality. Sometimes He turns events so we will run into His outstretched arms to receive His loving embrace. Paul tells us, “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Heb 12:5-14
How deep is the ache in God’s Great Heart of Love, when we turn away from His chastening rod and wallow in self-pity. How He longs for us to allow Him to do His work within us. How He yearns to have us commune with Him as we go about our daily duties. By praying ” without ceasing” we can have that closeness that He desires us to have. 1 Thes 5:17 By praising Him for blessings large and small, our love for Him increases.
Think of it! We have the great privilege of laying our burdens at the feet of the Great Burden-bearer. He, alone, can untangle our troubled life. He, alone, can bring good out of all our perplexity. How He longs for us to praise Him for the blessings He showers upon us. How greatly He desires to be involved in every aspect of our lives. Our Loving Creator ” is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 He is as the father of the prodigal son who, while the boy was still a great way off, “had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” and wrapped his filthy, tattered garments with his own spotless robe . Luke 15:11-24
May we never get so busy that we forget the One Who gave His life for us. May we “practice the Presence” daily. May we, by our thoughts, our words, our actions, bring joy to our Blessed Redeemer is my prayer.
Rose