For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15.
When man has taken the lines in his own hands to guide and drive, he will be rewarded, for the work of God will reveal terrible mistakes. Reason becomes blinded, even with the greatness of light, unless that agency is under the yoke of Christ. Every day some plan will be devised when Satan thinks he can lend a hand to sow his tares among the wheat. Vice is not to be commingled with virtue, and the cry may have to go forth in no measured tones, even now while missionary work is being done, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17). God is now working for His people, but how many do not recognize the work of God from a strange work.
Drawing aside the veil which conceals the glory of God, it shows Him in His place, high and holy, and lifted up, not in a state of solitude, but surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of holy, happy beings, every one waiting to bear the message, to do His bidding—all heaven is in active communication with every part of the universe through a variety of channels, and that holy One is actually stooping, bending from His throne, listening to every sound uttered, observing the movements of every earthly power. It is the highest Being condescending to the lowliest, approving or condemning every action which is developed.
He is interested in the oppressed, and sends messengers to engage in the work in connection with the gospel for the beings who have corrupted their whole mind and thoughts, and they are placed in connection with truth and righteousness. Unless they become righteous themselves, they will contaminate others. There is a work to be done in our world, but if the way of the Lord is not distinctly followed, to put them in the way of life through conversion, there is reason to be afraid lest Satan shall introduce himself to work the abandoned ones our institutions undertake to help.
Satan is playing a game of life for the souls of men and women for whom Christ has died. In our zeal to do a work for the Lord, we must be sure we are not going before Christ, in the place of following after Christ.—Letter 171, January 9, 1900, to Edson and Emma White.
The Upward Look p. 23
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for us as we expand our work in _____ including a TV and school project. Elisha
—–Please pray for Justin he is in his early 30s and he is on life support and they will be unhooking him tomorrow. He is a good friend of my son’s and I don’t know if he is a Christian or not but he really needs prayer for his eternal salvation and a miracle of healing! He is on life support from extreme alcohol and drug abuse in his past. Please pray for him urgently. He has a wife and 2 little kids that really love him. Connie
—-My dear mother has been in so much pain with her fractured spine and pelvis. Last night my mom said she just wanted to die. They gave her some Norco for the pain and now she has been sleeping nonstop for hours. I’m not ready to lose my mom. Please pray for God’s healing hand to be upon her. Connie
—-Requesting prayers for a friend being admitted to the hospital. No details, God knows the need. Danette
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, some friends had asked if it was alright for them to spend the night at our house on the way to their home. They were traveling across the USA which is a drive of about 2500 miles—a very long way when traveling with three children under the age of five. I assured them that we would be happy to have them visit.
There was one trouble. I forgot. I got so busy with normal day-to-day life (with some trials and tribulations thrown in) that their visit was totally forgotten. So, when they called, I blurted out, “Oh, was that today? I totally forgot!” I assured them that they would be welcome but that I had made no special preparations and that we all left for work at 6:45 AM. I don’t think that they believed that I would be happy to have them since I had forgotten.
We sprang into action. Ronnie Jay volunteered to put the “finishing touches” on the house so it would be ready for company, while Ron and I went to a couple of stores to get some items we were needed. When we got back, they called and said that since they were running later than they had planned and that since we had to be to work early in the morning and that we would have no time to visit, they would stay in a motel for the night. I suggested that they come anyway and stay until Thursday morning, but they declined as they were anxious to get home. I felt sad. I am afraid that my forgetting about their coming was the real reason.
How many times we forget our very Best Friend Who is longing to dwell with us. How often we make excuses as in Jesus’ parable, “A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.” Luke 14:16-24 We get so busy with the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches, that we neglect Bible study and prayer. Before we realize it, we are no more prepared for Jesus’ coming than I was to receive my friends.
Jesus warns, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13:32-37 May we never be caught unprepared for that great day is my prayer.
Rose