In the days of King Josiah a strange appearance could be seen opposite the temple of God. Crowning the eminence of the Mount of Olives, peering above the groves of myrtle and olive trees, were unseemly, gigantic idols. Josiah gave commandment that these idols should be destroyed. This was done, and the broken fragments rolled down the channel of the Kidron. The shrines were left a mass of ruins.

But the question was asked by many a devout worshiper, How came that architecture on the opposite side of the Jehoshaphat ravine, thus impiously confronting the temple of God? The truthful answer must be made: The builder was Solomon, the greatest king that ever wielded a sceptre. These idols bore testimony that he who had been honored and applauded as the wisest among kings, became a humiliating wreck….

His once noble character, bold and true for God and righteousness, became deteriorated. His profligate expenditure for selfish indulgence made him the instrument of Satan’s devices. His conscience became hardened. His conduct as a judge changed from equity and righteousness to tyranny and oppression…. Solomon tried to incorporate light with darkness, Christ with Belial, purity with impurity. But in the place of converting the heathen to the truth, pagan sentiments incorporated themselves with his religion. He became an apostate.27Manuscript 47, 1898.

The marks of Solomon’s apostasy lived ages after him. In the days of Christ, the worshipers in the temple could look, just opposite them, upon the Mount of Offense, and be reminded that the builder of their rich and glorious temple, the most renowned of all kings, had separated himself from God, and reared altars to heathen idols; that the mightiest ruler on earth had failed in ruling his own spirit. Solomon went down to death a repentant man; but his repentance and tears could not efface from the Mount of Offense the signs of his miserable departure from God. Ruined walls and broken pillars bore silent witness for a thousand years to the apostasy of the greatest king that ever sat upon an earthly throne.28The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1032, 1033.
Conflict and Courage p. 200
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Share Thy Bread, a ministry which our church here has to help feed the poor. A local organization has offered to match donations to construct a new building which will expand our ability to serve the people of this area. Please pray that the pledged donations will come in, so we may begin to build. Wanangwa
—-Please pray that God will supply all the needs of E and her children. R
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Dear Friends,

My grandfather, Edwin Harmon, worked as a bookbinder throughout his life. He did such beautiful work that he was given the job of binding all of the local government record books. There was always book-quality paper, pressure sensitive paper, scraps of leather, and even tiny bits of gold leaf left over at the bindery. This paper looked the right size for a book, but it’s measurements showed the lack. These he brought home for me to play with.

As a child, I took these little gifts for granted. He gave me more paper than I could possibly use, and I wasted much of it. It was only when I was ten and went to live with my mother that I didn’t have all of that paper to play with. My grandfather retired and moved to Florida, so he no longer had access to it. My mother bought some paper from the store, but it was not the same quality or quantity that I was used to. The pressure-sensitive paper and the gold leaf was not available at all. Although it seems like a little thing, I really missed that never-ending supply of paper. I really felt the lace.

How often we take God’s gifts for granted just as I took for granted my grandfather’s paper. How often we waste them selfishly without regard to the needs of others. James tells us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17 “In him we live, and move, and have our being.” Acts 17:28 Think of it! Every breath that we take, every beat of our heart, is a gift from our Loving Creator. He gives us life and health and strength, yet how seldom do we think of these blessings until sickness or injury comes upon us. How often we misuse and abuse our bodies not realizing that we are accountable for what we do to ourselves. Paul tells us, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Cor 3:17

The greatest gift of all, is the gift of the Dear Son of God, Who gave His life for us that we might be saved. Our Dear Saviour “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil 2:7,8 How great is His love toward us! It is beyond our understanding! He, Whom all Heaven adored, stepped down from His Father’s throne, and became a tiny spark of life in Mary’s womb, born in a stable, enduring poverty, hardship, and all the hatred that the evil one could heap upon Him. He endured it all for us!

Moreover our Great Redeemer desires for us to “come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jesus said, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Luke 11:11-13 Paul adds, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant….Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” 1 Cor 12:1-11 Notice, we cannot use the gift of the Holy Spirit, instead He uses us as He wills. These gifts the Holy Spirit gives us for the completion of His work. May we cooperate fully with Him that the work my soon be finished is my prayer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/disgraceful-monuments-2.html

So gradual was Solomon’s apostasy that before he was aware of it, he had wandered far from God. Almost imperceptibly he began to trust less and less in divine guidance and blessing, and to put confidence in his own strength….

Engrossed in an overmastering desire to surpass other nations in outward display, the king overlooked the need of acquiring beauty and perfection of character. In seeking to glorify himself before the world, he sold his honor and integrity….

The conscientious, considerate spirit that had marked his dealings with the people during the early part of his reign, was now changed. From the wisest and most merciful of rulers, he degenerated into a tyrant. Once the compassionate, God-fearing guardian of the people, he became oppressive and despotic.15Prophets and Kings, 55, 56.

Men who have the use of money are to learn a lesson from the history of Solomon. Those who have a competence are in continual danger of thinking that money and position will ensure them respect, and they need not be so particular. But self-exaltation is but a bubble. By misusing the talents given him, Solomon apostatized from God. When God gives men prosperity, they are to beware of following the imaginations of their own hearts, lest they endanger the simplicity of their faith and deteriorate in religious experience.16Manuscript 40, 1898.

The lesson for us to learn from the history of this perverted life is the necessity of continual dependence upon the counsels of God; to carefully watch the tendency of our course, and to reform every habit calculated to draw us from God. It teaches us that great caution, watchfulness, and prayer are needed to keep undefiled the simplicity and purity of our faith. If we would rise to the highest moral excellence, and attain to the perfection of religious character, what discrimination should be used in the formation of friendships, and the choice of a companion for life! 17The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1031.
Conflict and Courage p. 193
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Brenda who has some cracked vertebrae and is having tests to see what the next treatment should be. Rose
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Dear Friends,

When my children were small, we lived in North Carolina. One spring day we noticed that some birds were building a nest in the decorative trim on the front of our house. It was an ideal place where the parent birds were sure that their little babies would not fall out of the nest. We welcomed them as a learning experience for the children as the nest was low enough that we could lift them up and they could look at the eggs.

Soon the babies hatched, and from inside the trailer we could hear their cheeps every time the parent bird came with a bug or a worm for them to eat. As they grew larger, the cheeps became louder, but it did not bother us. We would sneak outside when both parents were gone hunting for food and look at the baby birds.

One day, as I sat down on the sofa that was against the wall that was directly behind the bird’s nest, I noticed some tiny insects swarming on the back of the sofa. I suddenly realized that these were bird mites. I checked the wall and it also was covered with mites. I was horrified! Suddenly the thought of having those birds so close was not pleasant. I wanted those mites out of my house.

I immediately went to the store and bought some spray that could be used to rid pet birds of mites. I sprayed the sofa, the wall, and the baby birds. That helped, but since I could not spray the parent birds, the problem soon returned. Finally, the only thing that could be done was to get rid of the nest.

It is that way in life. How many times we watch TV programs or read material that fill our minds with wrong thoughts. How often we enjoy listening to music that leads us away from Christ. Soon we become infested with the “mites” of this world. We find that we have become like those about whom Paul speaks, “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” Titus 1:15

We become alarmed at our condition and try to change, but we cannot. The allurement of the music or of the program or story pulls us in once again and we find that we are held fast in the devil’s snare.

How much we need the help of the One Who “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb 4:15 How much we need His cleansing power! Our prayer must be, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Ps 51:1-13

Praise God! He will answer that prayer of faith. 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. 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.” Exe 36:26,27

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil 4:8

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/sold-out-2.html

David entreated the Lord not to forsake him in old age. And why did he thus pray? He saw that most of the aged around him were unhappy, because of the unfortunate traits of their character being increased with their age. If they had been naturally close and covetous, they were most disagreeably so in mature years. If they had been jealous, fretful, and impatient, they were especially so when aged.51The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 3:1148.

David was distressed as he saw that kings and nobles who seemed to have the fear of God before them while in the strength of manhood, became jealous of their best friends and relatives when aged. They were in continual fear that it was selfish motives which led their friends to manifest an interest for them. They would listen to the hints and the deceptive advice of strangers in regard to those in whom they should confide. Their unrestrained jealousy sometimes burned into a flame because all did not agree with their failing judgment. Their covetousness was dreadful. They often thought that their own children and relatives were wishing them to die in order to take their place and possess their wealth, and receive the homage which had been bestowed upon them. And some were so controlled by their jealous, covetous feelings as to destroy their own children.

David marked that although the lives of some while in the strength of manhood had been righteous, as old age came upon them they seemed to lose their self-control. Satan stepped in and guided their minds, making them restless and dissatisfied….

David was deeply moved; he was distressed as he looked forward to the time when he should be aged. He feared that God would leave him and that he would be as unhappy as other aged persons whose course he had noticed, and would be left to the reproach of the enemies of the Lord. With his burden upon him he earnestly prays: “Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.” 52Testimonies For The Church 1:422, 423.
Conflict and Courage p. 186
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my brother Dennis. He has a tear in an artery in his neck which caused him to have a mild stroke. Please pray for the doctors that God will give them wisdom in how to deal with this condition. Ron
—-I am still receiving some very strong implied death threats from some very dangerous people. Please pray for a hedge of protection to be put around me and my whole family. Thank you so much. Connie
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Dear Friends,
When I was a little girl, my grandfather told me many stories of the long ago when he was a boy “riding the rails” up and down the east coast of the United States. As he rode along, he would pretend that he was the engineer driving that huge, cinder-spouting engine. That was his goal and ambition, but it was not to be. He was forced into learning the family trade of bookbinding. It was much against his will, but somehow his father was able to force him into it. To compensate for the long hours inside the bindery, he often dreamed that the huge arm of the press he used to bind the books was the throttle of a gigantic locomotive.

Many of his stories were about trains. He looked upon the times that he spent “riding the rails” as the happiest times of his life. He had felt the train’s power. He had felt so free. Often, on the way home from work, he would stop by the rail yard just admire the powerful engines and wish that he were a part of it all. Sometimes, he would take me with him, so we could watch the trains together. He would explain every detail and instilled within me a love for trains also. For awhile, I even decided that I would someday become an engineer just as my grandfather had wanted to be. Of course, my interests changed and I did not pursue that career.

As I look back upon my grandfather’s life, I now can see how unhappy he really was. He was in great demand as a bookbinder because of his skill in that occupation, but it brought him no pleasure, no satisfaction. He just went through the motions. His heart was not in it. Even so, it is possible for us to do the same in our walk with Christ. We can have a form of godliness, but deny His power thereof to change us. (2 Tim 3:5) We desire to follow our Dear Saviour, but never quite do so. We talk about religion, but it never seems to change our heart. We dream of the place He has gone to prepare for us, (John 14:1-3; Rev 21, 22) but we fail to fulfill the conditions for entrance into His Heavenly Kingdom. The free gift of salvation has been provided, but we must reach out and take it. It is not forced upon us.

God never forces. Force is the devil’s way. God loves us enough to give us the freedom of choice. He plainly sets before us in His Holy Word the way to life and blessing and explains the everlasting death we will receive if we turn away from His great gift. With tears in His eyes, He pleads with us, “choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured.” “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?” “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Deut 30:19; Isa 1:18-20; Eze 33:11; Matt 11:28-30

Our Great Redeemer has provided the way for us to be saved, but we have to ask for it, to reach out and take it. This most familiar of verses brings us the hope of a better life to come for those who do. The verses following are full of meaning as well. “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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:16-21

“Playing church,” going through the motions, does no good. We must have a daily heart-changing experience, a daily conversion.
Our Loving Redeemer 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. 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 Peter advises, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10 John adds, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15-17 “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.” 1 Thes 4:3

How are we sanctified? How can we receive that change of heart that we so much need? In that great prayer of Jesus, we find the key. Our Dear Saviour prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17 David adds, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Ps 119:9-11 Solomon adds, “My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.” “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Pro 7:1-3; Ecc 12:13

May we accept God’s Great Provision, serving Him in singleness of heart from this day onward, not just going through the motions, not just “playing church;” but having that heart-changing experience He longs for us to have by daily studying God’s Holy Word, that we may as “with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, [be] changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor 3:18

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/growing-old-gracefully-2.html