But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:22, 23.
Paul felt that the Lord’s requirements must be obeyed, His judgments avoided. Like Paul, we must make every effort to obtain the crown of life, which brings eternal honor to every victor. We must not be content to live useless lives.
What is humility? That sense of sin and unworthiness which leads to repentance. But we must be assured of the malignity of a disease before we feel our need of a cure. Those who do not realize the sinfulness of sin are not able to appreciate the value of the atonement and the necessity of being cleansed from all sin. The sinner measures himself by himself and by those who like himself are sinners. He does not look at the purity and holiness of Christ. But when the law of God brings conviction to his heart, he says with Paul, “I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died” (Romans 7:9)….
God created man for His glory. He will not, cannot endure the presence of sin in His dominion. If there are in the church those who are willfully sinning against God, every possible means should be used to bring them to repentance. If this is not done, God’s name is dishonored. He is too pure to look upon iniquity with favor….
Adam’s sin would be regarded by the churches of today as a simple mistake, to be at once forgiven and no more thought of. But God’s standard is high and His word immutable, and all selfish, covetous practices are an abomination in His sight. The hearts of believers need to be purified, sanctified, refined, ennobled….
Look up, my brethren. Has the gospel lost its power to impress hearts? Is it because the regenerating influence of the Spirit of Christ has died away that hearts are not purified, sanctified, and prepared for the Holy Spirit? No; the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of the living God, is with us yet; but it must be wielded with earnestness. Let us use it as did God’s sanctified ones of old. By its living, quickening power it will cut its way to hearts….
The Lord calls for a reformation all through our ranks…. When the church is awakened, decided changes will be made. Men and women will be converted, and so filled will they be by the Spirit of God that they will pass from country to country, from city to city, proclaiming the message of truth. With hearts filled with earnest love for souls, they will open their Bibles and present the Word.—Manuscript 2, January 2, 1900, “The Need of a Reformation.”
Upward Look p. 16
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Prayer Requests
—-Eileen is home from the hospital. Thankyou for your prayers. Please pray for a quick and complete recovery. Rose
—-update on Connie—She had surgery yesterday morning. The doctor has indicated that the next 24 – 48 hours are critical! She and I have appreciation all your prayers! The next 24 – 48 hours will be critical! Norm
—-Praise—Two days ago Maxx had to push me in the wheelchair around Walmart to get groceries because all the motorized carts were in use. I’m so heavy it’s hard for him with his tight leg muscles. Today after his PT appt. we again needed to stop at Walmart. I talk to God out loud all the time. I asked if He would please have a cart so Maxx wouldn’t have to push me. Maxx added it would be nice to please have a parking spot right up front and a cart. Well, the very first parking spot was open with a motorized cart parked right next to it. It had enough power to get into the store and there was another cart fully charged just waiting for me. God blessed in what may seem like a simple thing but it was an important need for us. I wanted to share because I believe we need to thank Him and share that blessing with others. It’s so easy to call it luck but I believe it is God blessing and He had it planned out before we even thought to ask for His blessing. He loves us and knows our needs. I’m sure He was smiling at our delight! Carol
—June 24 the dear Rusgrove family was in an accident and three of them have passed away. The other two are in hospital right now. my prayers and thoughts are with the dear mother and son as the reality of the accident sets in for them.
it’s a reminder to all the rest of us to take our loved ones to Jesus often in prayer. H
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Dear Friends,
Before my grandfather was married to my grandmother, he had married a girl from Canada. This young lady had never been away from her mother before and was terribly homesick. She was such a “mama’s girl” that her mother even went with them on their honeymoon.
Over the next few years, a boy (Edwin Harmon Jr.) and a girl (Dorothy) were born to brighten their home. Sadly, those two little ones did nothing to take away their mother’s homesickness. A few years later, she took those children who were so precious to my grandfather and returned to her country and to her mother’s house. This broke my grandfather’s heart.
How my grandfather missed his children. Even after he married my grandmother and had two little girls, he often thought wistfully of his son and other daughter and sent letters to them assuring them that they were dear to his heart.
One day, about fifteen years after she had taken his children from him, they returned for a visit. It was a joyous time for all. My grandfather, who rarely smiled was all smiles to have all of his children with him. Although Ed and Dorothy had to return to Canada, that visit assured him that they had not forgotten him. Although he never saw Dorothty again, Ed came back for a visit one time when I was about six or seven. Again my grandfather was happy.
Even more than my grandfather missed his children, does our Heavenly Father miss having a close fellowship with us. How His Great Heart of Love yearns to have us spend quality time with Him. He intently listens for our prayer of praise assuring Him of our love because of His great sacrifice and love for us. “We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” 1 John 3:1; John 3:16, 17 Even though we have strayed from Him, even though we have disappointed Him, He has not forsaken us. With lovingkindness, He assures us, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” Isa 49:15, 16 Praise the Lord!!!
Jesus told a story illustrating our Heavenly Father’s wonderful love. “And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” Luke 15:11-24
May our hearts swell with thanksgiving and praise to the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful love for us. May we “love the Lord [our] God with all [our] heart, and with all [our] soul, and with all [our] mind, and with all [our] strength. Matt 12:30 May we daily keep in close fellowship with the One Who loves us so is my prayer.
Rose