Heaven is to begin on this earth.
Those who take Christ at His word, and surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude. Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus makes them glad by His presence. In perfect acquiescence there is perfect rest. The Lord says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3. Our lives may seem a tangle; but as we commit ourselves to the wise Master Worker, He will bring out the pattern of life and character that will be to His own glory. And that character which expresses the glory—character—of Christ will be received into the Paradise of God. A renovated race shall walk with Him in white, for they are worthy.
As through Jesus we enter into rest, heaven begins here. We respond to His invitation, Come, learn of Me, and in thus coming we begin the life eternal. Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to God through Christ. The longer we are in the heaven of bliss, the more and still more of glory will be opened to us; and the more we know of God, the more intense will be our happiness.
When the Lord’s people are filled with meekness and tenderness, they will realize that His banner over them is love, and His fruit will be sweet to their taste. They will make a heaven below in which to prepare for heaven above.
As we walk with Jesus in this life, we may be filled with His love, satisfied with His presence. All that human nature can bear, we may receive here. But what is this compared with the hereafter? There “are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters.” Revelation 7:15-17.
The Faith I Live By p. 367
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my sister! She is talking to a psychic! I tired to warn her but she believes in him! Debbie
—-Please pray for my dear elderly mother. She has had an abscess in her ear that popped last Monday night and has been draining blood etc. She should have been taken to the Dr. right away but she is finally being taken this morning at 10:45. I have been very worried about this especially since she used to have MRSA in her eyes for a very long time. Please pray for God’s healing. Connie
—-Pray for my friend’s husband Randy who sawed his fingers down to the bone on his dominate hand. Pray that he will regain the full use of his fingers. Esther
—-Please pray for Marty who is in the hospital. Mike
—-Lori needs prayer for her son who underwent brain surgery. Please pray for this sweet little boy. Arlene
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Dear Friends,
When my children were little there was one thing that I did that they hated more than any other. Whenever they had a high fever that was above 102 degrees, I would put them in a tub of tepid water, wrap them in a wet towel, and pour the water over their body while they were sitting in the tub of water. This would always bring the fever down, but to them it was torture.
A few years ago, they got their revenge. I awoke feeling fine, but as the day progressed, I began to feel sick all over. I left work early and went to bed. My temperature was nearly 103. In reality, that was an even higher temperature since my temperature is normally over a degree and a half lower than it is supposed to. The first thing the girls suggested was a tepid bath in order to break my fever. Suddenly, it was now my turn to feel tortured. Tepid water when one has a fever feels very cold indeed. I now knew why my children had screamed and cried. Worse still, was the fact that they were getting way too much pleasure at my discomfort!
How many times in our dealings with others, we fail to take their thoughts and feelings into consideration. Often times we think of ourselves a little too highly and do not do not realize the cares and burdens they are bearing. Often times we misjudge them for the decisions they make and shun them. We do not realize that if we were put into the same situation, we would react similarly in many cases.
Our Dear Saviour was always so kind and caring even to the ones who were most despised by society. He “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.” Acts 10:38 Isaiah prophesied of Him, “The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD” Isa 61:3 He is our example, in spotless purity, in patience, in kindness, in gentleness, in courtesy, in firmness to truth and duty.
How He longs for us to allow Him to work through us. How He longs for us to speak words of sympathy to those overwhelmed with trials. How greatly He desires us to be burden bearers for those staggering under their heavy loads. Yet, how often we go along our self-centered way, thinking that all is well between ourselves and our Maker. How often we feel like we cannot be bothered.
“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
The Pharisee in this parable was looked upon by others as being righteous and holy, but inside he was full of pride and selfishness. He did not know himself, however, and viewed himself in the same way that others did. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jer 17:9
Two men went to church that day, but only one partook of God’s grace. Only one had his sins removed from the record books in Heaven. “The LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7 Our Great Redeemer saw that Pharisee in a very different light than did his countrymen. He tells us, ” I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways.” Jer 17:10 He marked the way this man despised those who were not of his class. He saw the man’s pride and self-centeredness, his uncaring attitude, his “holier than thou” feelings.
The publican in this story was of the most despised class. Others considered him the “lowest of the low,” a traitor to his country and to his God.” So he considered himself to be. Yet, he went to his house justified. Why? Because he was sorry for his sins. He humbled himself before his Maker and asked for the forgiveness that our Loving Saviour so freely offers. John assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 1:9-2:2
May we treat others as would our Dear Saviour. May we be kind and loving to all as is He. May the “love of God [be] shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” is my prayer. Rom 5:5
Rose

For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. Mark 12:25.
There are men today who express their belief that there will be marriages and births in the new earth, but those who believe the Scriptures cannot accept such doctrines. The doctrine that children will be born in the new earth is not a part of the “sure word of prophecy.” The words of Christ are too plain to be misunderstood. They should forever settle the question of marriages and births in the new earth. Neither those who shall be raised from the dead, nor those who shall be translated without seeing death, will marry or be given in marriage. They will be as the angels of God, members of the royal family.
I would say to those who hold views contrary to this plain declaration of Christ: Upon such matters silence is eloquence. It is presumption to indulge in suppositions and theories regarding matters that God has not made known to us in His Word. We need not enter into speculation regarding our future state….
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season.” 2 Timothy 4:2. Do not bring to the foundation wood, and hay, and stubble—your own surmisings and speculations, which can benefit no one.
Christ withheld no truths essential to our salvation. Those things that are revealed are for us and our children, but we are not to allow our imagination to frame doctrines concerning things not revealed.
The Lord has made every provision for our happiness in the future life. But He has made no revelations regarding these plans, and we are not to speculate concerning them. Neither are we to measure the conditions of the future life by the conditions of this life…. It is presented to me that spiritual fables are taking many captive…. To all who are indulging these unholy fancies, I would say, Stop; for Christ’s sake, stop right where you are. You are on forbidden ground.
The Faith I Live By p. 366
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Prayer Requests
—-Please brothers and sisters in Christ continue praying for my aunt, she has brain tumor and in great pain, she wants to sleep now. Vilma
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Dear Friends,
Shortly after marrying, we moved to Alpena, Michigan. The church there was growing and soon it was decided that we needed a new church, but most of the members did not have the money for it. One of the members who was a building contractor suggested that we build the church ourselves. The pastor offered to solicit materials from the local businesses.
The Great Master Builder gave the pastor success, and many businesses donated much of the needed materials. The members, under the guidance of the contractor, worked long and hard. Gradually, the building took shape. It was a magnificent, white brick structure with a large sanctuary with a balcony, a long hallway that led to rooms for the children’s Sabbath School departments, the grade school, and a large gymnasium. The members were united in their goal. Every spare moment was spent together building, painting, staining that beautiful, high ceiling, getting the children’s rooms ready.
I was honored to be asked to paint a mural on a large piece of felt for one of the departments. (This was years before there were felt backgrounds that could be purchased.) What a lot of planning I did before picking up a brush. Everything must be just right. I drew many sketches until the scene was one that could easily adapt to the various Bible stories.
When the church was finished, how the members rejoiced! Everything was perfect! Something had happened during that time: as we worked together, the bond became very strong. We became more like a family and spent many happy hours in fellowship as well as worship in our new building.
How important it is to work in harmony as David declares, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Ps 133:1 As we work toward the common good, those little irritations vanish and we draw closer to one another and more importantly, to our Great Creator. Paul speaks of the unity that God’s church must have, a unity that never compromises truth, but it united by it. These guidelines are good for all to remember. ”
” For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues” “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” 1 Cor 12:12-28; Eph 4:11-16
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom 12
Rose

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:7.
No man stumbles into heaven. No man goes there blindfold. If he will take time to consider, every man may know whether he is in the strait and narrow path, or in the broad road that leads to death and hell.
If we do not receive the religion of Christ by feeding upon the Word of God, we shall not be entitled to an entrance into the city of God. Having lived on earthly food, having educated our tastes to love worldly things, we would not be fitted for the heavenly courts; we could not appreciate the pure, heavenly current that circulates in heaven. The voices of the angels and the music of their harps would not satisfy us. The science of heaven would be as an enigma to our minds. We need to hunger and thirst for the righteousness of Christ; we need to be molded and fashioned by the transforming influence of His grace, that we may be fitted for the society of heavenly angels.
We must have a vision of the future and of the blessedness of heaven…. There the redeemed ones greet those who directed them to the uplifted Saviour…. The conflict is over. All tribulation and strife are at an end. Songs of victory fill all heaven as the redeemed stand around the throne of God.
Then the nations will own no other law than the law of heaven. All will be a happy, united family, clothed with the garments of praise and thanksgiving…. Over the scene the morning stars will sing together, and the sons of God will shout for joy, while God and Christ will unite in proclaiming, “There shall be no more sin, neither shall there be any more death.
We want to get in the habit of talking of heaven, beautiful heaven. Talk of that life which will continue as long as God shall live, and then you will forget your little trials and difficulties. Let the mind be attracted to God.
The Faith I Live By p. 365
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Prayer Requests
—-Please keep praying for Shiloh to come home safely! My daughter needs a miracle! Linda
—-Please pray for my friend Dale who has had a massive stroke. And for his family. Racquel
—-My Daughter in law was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with severe preeclampsia. She is at 32 weeks. Please pray for her blood pressure to stabilize and for a healthy baby. Pam
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Dear Friends,
One evening some years ago, as I was about to go into prayer meeting, I stopped by the restroom to comb my hair that had been blown all over by the Kansas wind. As I looked into the mirror, I was glad that I did. There, on the front of my white blouse was a line of tan just above my waist. My blouse had looked fine in the dim lights at home, but in the bright lights at church, the large, dirty smudge was easy to see.
I did the best I could to fix the situation and took a wet paper towel and tried to clean the spot. That only made matters worse. Although most of the tan was now gone, there was now a large, see-through, wet area all over the front. I tried to dry it with more paper towels but to no avail. Finally, I decided that I had one of two choices, I could hide in the bathroom until prayer meeting was over or I could put on my jacket to cover it up. I opted for the latter.
My problems were not over, however. As soon as I got inside and sat down, they asked me to play the piano for song service. Now I was in a dilemma. Should I talk off my jacket and let everyone see the wet spot and the remnants of the smudge, or should I go up in front wearing that jacket. I again opted for the latter. It was hard to play with those large floppy sleeves but I managed to make it through.
How often we look fine to ourselves in the dim light of the world’s standards until we are illumined by the brightness of God’s Ten Commadments. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Ps 119:105 Paul calls the law “our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Gal 3:24 As we look into the mirror of God’s law, we suddenly realize that we are all stained and dirty. God’s law cannot change us, but it shows us our great need for cleansing, our great need for Christ. By meditating upon its precepts, we realize that we are “as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.” Isa 64:6;1:5,6
How often we make an attempt to cleanse ourselves, but all we manage to do is make the spot more noticeable. “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” Jer 13:23 No matter how much in our own strength we try to keep God’s Holy Law, we fail miserably. “There is none righteous, no, not one. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom 3:10,23
Praise God! We have a Saviour, Who “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 How He longs for us to come to the perfect law of liberty that we may see our need, come to Him for the forgiveness and to allow Him to cleanse us from all iniquity. James 1:25; Titus 2:14 “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.” Isa 48:17,18
Through the intercession of our Great High Priest Who is at the right hand of the Father, Zechariah’s vision can be our experience. Heb 8:1 “And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 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? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, 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.” Zech 3:1-4
Our Dear Saviour is calling, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev 3:18-21
May we hide God’s Holy Word in our heart, that we may not sin against God, but allow our Great Redeemer to sanctify us wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ps 119:11; 1 Thes 5:23
Rose

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9.
The glory of the eternal world has been opened before me. I want to tell you that heaven is worth winning. It should be the aim of your life to fit yourself for association with the redeemed, with holy angels, and with Jesus, the world’s Redeemer. If we could have but one view of the celestial city, we would never wish to dwell on earth again. There are beautiful landscapes on earth, and I enjoy all these prospects of loveliness in nature. I associate them with the Creator. But I know that if I love God, and keep His commandments, there is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory reserved in heaven for me.
There, when the veil that darkens our vision shall be removed, and our eyes shall behold that world of beauty of which we now catch glimpses through the microscope; when we look on the glories of the heavens, now scanned afar through the telescope; when, the blight of sin removed, the whole earth shall appear in “the beauty of the Lord our God,” what a field will be open to our study! There the student of science may read the records of creation and discern no reminders of the law of evil. He may listen to the music of nature’s voices and detect no note of wailing or undertone of sorrow. In all created things he may trace one handwriting—in the vast universe behold “God’s name writ large,” and not in earth or sea or sky one sign of ill remaining.
Let your imagination picture the home of the saved, and remember that it will be more glorious than your brightest imagination can portray. In the varied gifts of God in nature we see but the faintest gleaming of His glory.
Human language is inadequate to describe the reward of the righteous. It will be known only to those who behold it. No finite mind can comprehend the glory of the Paradise of God.
The Faith I Live By p. 364
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Mary who has food poisoning or something even more serious going on. Pray that she will go to the doctor. Rose
—-Requesting prayers please. My husband passed away January 2019 and we have a huge organic produce farm. We moved here in 1984 from California following counsel to build an outpost and provide a place for others. My husband and I spent 35 years building this farm. I have to pay so much labor to keep it up…I pray earnestly to God to guide me. I hate to sell this homestead but I am overwhelmed with it all. M
—-My brother in law is very sick. He needs our prayer. Marty
—-Prayers requested for my brother Lloyd. He’s in ICU with pneumonia and has been undergoing cancer treatment. Kathy
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Dear Friends,
One autumn, when I was about eight, my mother came into the house carrying a big, fat, green worm that had colorful spots on it. She told me to put that worm in a jar and keep it, for it would not always look like this. A few days later, when I looked into the jar, my worm was gone. In its place was a cocoon.
One day, the next spring, as I came home from school, my mother had an excited look on her face. She was holding my jar. A great change was taking place. The cocoon had split open and a strange looking creature was crawling out. My mother tipped the jar onto its side and carefully pulled out the stick where the cocoon was attached. We watched the creature as it crawled onto the stick. My mother explained that this creature was soon going to pump the fluid from its swollen body in to its crumpled wings. When it was finished, it would be a beautiful polyphemus moth. She was right. Before our eyes, this strange looking creature with crumpled wings and swollen belly was transformed into a beautiful reddish-brown moth with large blue eye- spots. I was amazed and thrilled!
Just as that ugly worm became a gorgeous moth, so our Dear Saviour longs to change us from the shriveled, selfish creatures that we are into His divine image. He promises, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Eze 36:26 He desires to put His laws into our mind, and write them in our heart. (Heb 8:10) He wants to take first place in our heart just as we have first place in His.
Our Loving Creator greatly desires to take away our filthy rags of unrighteousness and clothe us with the white robe of His glorious righteousness. Zechariah was given a vision of this very thing, “And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 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? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, 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.” Zech 3:1-4
Just so, the True Witness is pleading with us, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev 3:20″I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Rom 12:1,2 As we turn from the tinsel of this world and contemplate God’s Holy Word, we are transformed. Our mind is renewed. Self is no longer on the throne: Jesus is reigning there.
May we “study to show [ourselves] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in [us] both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil 2:12,13 May we be “changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor 3:18
Rose

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Revelation 21:23.
There is the New Jerusalem, the metropolis of the glorified new earth, “a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.” Isaiah 62:3. “Her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.” Revelation 21:11.
The streets of the city are paved with pure gold, and … the gates of the city are of gold set with pearls. The riches obtained here may be consumed…. There no thief shall approach; no moth or rust shall corrupt…. You will have an imperishable treasure which you can be in no danger of losing.
In the city of God “there shall be no night.” None will need or desire repose. There will be no weariness in doing the will of God and offering praise to His name. We shall ever feel the freshness of the morning, and shall ever be far from its close. “And they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord giveth them light.” Revelation 22:5. The light of the sun will be superseded by a radiance which is not painfully dazzling, yet which immeasurably surpasses the brightness of our noontide. The glory of God and the Lamb floods the Holy City with unfading light. The redeemed walk in the sunless glory of perpetual day.
“I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” Revelation 21:22. The people of God are privileged to hold open communion with the Father and the Son. “Now we see through a glass, darkly.” 1 Corinthians 13:12. We behold the image of God reflected, as in a mirror, in the works of nature and in His dealings with men; but then we shall see Him face to face, without a dimming veil between. We shall stand in His presence, and behold the glory of His countenance.
Let us determine that if it costs everything we will have heaven and become partakers of the divine nature.
The Faith I Live By p. 363
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue to pray for Carolyn’s family as she passed away yesterday. Rose
—-Please pray for us as we travel to our sister-in-law’s funeral service. Please pray for traveling mercies and harmony and good-will on the trip and the service. Jean
—-Please pray for Ron’s shoulder that the physical therapist will give him the right treatment. Rose
—-My Great- Nephew Russell drowned in a fishing incident. Leaving a wife Shandra and three little ones. Calvin, Emily, and Jacob. As far as I know he, and his family are not saved. Plese pray for the family. Roberta
—-Please pray for my daughter to find her precious cat, Shiloh. He went missing yesterday in Palm Desert, notorious for coyotes. She just found his collar in the street. Linda
—-Please keep my cousin Joyce in your prayers please. She is seriously sick, so major prayers are appreciated. Ernie
—-Please pray for my step-dad. He is in the hospital with something wrong in his heart. He wants to leave, but he lives in a rural area alone and if something happens at home he may not get help in time. Pray with me for insight for the doctors and for my step-dad to have peace and rest while they try to find and fix the problem. Jennie
—-Please pray for my husband as he tries to eat healthy that God will help him to feel better quickly so he won’t be discouraged and go back to his old habits. M
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Dear Friends,
When I was a pre-teen through my early teen years, going to horror films was very popular. At school, I would hear all about these scary movies and shuddered. Even so, I wanted to be like my classmates so much, that I began going to these frightening films. I thought that if I could join in their conversation, that I would fit into the group.
It didn’t work. I never did join into my classmates’ conversation about the shows. All I wanted to do was forget them. Worse still, for several weeks after going to these bloodcurdling pictures, I would have nightmares. Still, I wanted to fit in so badly, that I went to them every time a new one came to town.
So it was with the children of Israel. When God led them out of Egypt, He had wonderful plans for them. He intended for them to be different. He wanted them to be an example to other nations. He greatly desired them to show His great love to all the world. If they had fulfilled His plans for them, what a different world we would have today.
Sadly, they did not share the knowledge of the True God with the nations around them. Instead, they copied their neighbors and worshipped their false gods. They even asked for a king so that they could be like those nations around them. They rejected God, because they did not want to be different. He had poured out His blessings upon them, but they turned from Him so they would “fit in.”
Through the prophets, God tried to reason with them, but they would not hear. He brought them though trials and troubles that they might turn back to Himself, but they did so only temporarily. Soon, they were right back trying to be like those around them. Through Isaiah, our Loving Creator spoke of Israel’s rejection of Himself. “Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.” Isa 5:1-8
With tears in His voice our Great Redeemer pled, “What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?” Jer 2:5 “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Eze 33:11
We have this same danger today. Our Good Shepherd has led us out of the world. He greatly desires that there be a difference between ourselves and those who do not follow Him. Our Dear Saviour longs for us to be His special people. We are to be “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that [we] should shew forth the praises of him who hath called [us] out of darkness into his marvellous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
Paul commands, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor 6:14-7:1
Our Great Creator longs for us to follow His plan. Are we letting Him lead in our life or do we want to be just like the world? Do our lives reflect the love, the kindness, the goodness of God or are we just like those who follow Him not? Since we have accepted Christ’s great sacrifice, His love, His changing power, has there been indeed a change in our heart, in our life? Our Maker has promised to remake us, to mold us into His image. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Eze 36:26,27
May we never keep our walk with the Lord hidden for fear that someone will notice that we are different. No! Jesus commands, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Mat 5:16 May we allow Him to take control of our lives no matter where that path leads. May we “stand fast in the faith” no matter what others do or say. 1 Cor 16:13 May we daily follow our Dear Saviour “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14
Rose