The people of Jesus’ day could not see, beneath the disguise of humility, the glory of the Son of God. He was “despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” He was to them as a root out of dry ground, with no form nor comeliness that they should desire Him….

Christ reached the people where they were. He presented the plain truth to their minds in the most forcible and simple language. The humble poor, the most unlearned, could comprehend through faith in Him the most exalted truths of God. No one needed to consult the learned doctors as to His meaning. He did not perplex the ignorant with mysterious inferences nor use unaccustomed and learned words of which they had no knowledge. The greatest Teacher the world has ever known was the most definite, simple, and practical in His instruction.

While priests and rabbis were assuring themselves of their competency to teach the people and to cope even with the Son of God in expounding doctrine, He charged them with ignorance of the Scriptures or the power of God. It is not learning of the world’s great persons that opens the mysteries of the plan of redemption. The priests and rabbis had studied the prophecies, but they failed to discover the precious proofs of the Messiah’s advent, of the manner of His coming, of His mission and character. Those who claimed to be worthy of confidence because of their wisdom did not perceive that Christ was the Prince of life.

The rabbis looked with suspicion and contempt upon everything that did not bear the appearance of worldly wisdom, national exaltation, and religious exclusiveness; but the mission of Jesus was to oppose these very evils, to correct these erroneous views, and to work a reformation in faith and morals. He attracted attention to purity of life, to humility of spirit, and to devotion to God and His cause without hope of worldly honor or reward….

He rejoiced in spirit as He beheld the poor of this world eagerly accepting the precious message which He brought. He looked up to heaven and said, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.”—The Review and Herald, August 3,1911
From the Heart p. 183
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue to pray for Ron. Also there are several in our church who are in need of healing. Please pray for them also. Rose
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Dear Friends,

Sine traditionally June is the month of marriage, I thought I’d share with you something I wrote quite a few years ago. I’ve shared this before, but we all need a reminder of these principles now and then.

1. Make Jesus the center of your life. Have morning and evening worship together each day as well as having your own private devotions. As you grow closer to Christ, you will draw closer to each other.

2. Communicate. Spend at least thirty minutes each day in meaningful conversation. Speak of your joys, sorrows, hopes for the future, and the happenings of the day while you were apart.

3. Problems will arise. When they do, pray together before you start to discuss the problem. Study to see what the Bible says in regard to the subject. Discuss the problem and find the solution together. (If you feel yourself getting angry, stop the discussion immediately, pray, and resume the discussion later.)

4. Tell each other “I love you” every day. You might think that your marriage partner knows you love him/her, but he/she might be feeling very unloved and taken for granted. (This is a good rule to remember when you are blessed with children. Even teens need to know that you love them, even though they may not admit it.)

5. Never say unkind remarks. When you say an unkind word to your mate, it hurts him/her badly and the hurt doesn’t go away easily. Even if he/she forgives you, the hurt is still there.

6. Never hit each other. Violence is not God’s way and will cause untold misery for both of you.

7. Be very tender in your intimate relations. Remember that there are holy angels watching even in your bedroom. If one of you is uncomfortable with something intimate, it would be better to avoid it than to push your desires onto the other one. There are many years ahead to spend with each other.

8. Do the finances together. By doing this, you both know what is available and can discuss purchases together. Make a budget and stick to it. As you use this budget for a few months, it may need to be revised. Revise the budget together to keep reminding yourself just what it entails.

9. Be honest with each other. For your future happiness, it is extremely important to tell each other, before marriage, the things in your past that may have a direct bearing on your life together.

10. Don’t be too proud to apologize. Sometimes the only thing it would take to solve an argument are two little words: “I’m sorry.” Don’t be to proud to forgive. An apology is of no effect if it is not forgiven. Make it your policy never to go to bed angry with each other.

11. Don’t forget to cuddle. When sitting together, cuddling can make a couple bond more than most other activities. Just before you go to sleep, cuddle for a few minutes—-not for sex, but for the secure feeling that it gives you.

12. Attend church together each week. Even if you move away and you aren’t familiar with the churches in your new area, make sure that you do not neglect this important part of your marriage. “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together.” Heb 10:25

13. Stay true to your marriage vows. Over the years, you may find someone who seems attractive to you. Avoid this person as much as possible and remind yourself what made you fall in love with your partner in the first place. This is very important as being faithful to each other is the only way a marriage commitment will be successful.

14. Be best friends. Set aside a certain amount of time each week when you can spend time doing fun things together just like you did during your courtship. If you do have other friends, they should be someone that both of you feel comfortable with. Don’t value these friends more highly than you value your mate.

15. When children come. If and when you do start a family, make sure your children know they are not an inconvenience to you. Let them know that you are always there to help them. Set aside time for them. As they are growing up, set an example for them. Teach them about God and how they can become like Him. Remember, “By beholding we become changed”—that works with children too. when they grow up and move out of your home, keep in close contact with them and have a good and loving relationship with them even though they are miles away.

May we each have the blessing of God in our home is my prayer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/as-a-root-out-of-dry-ground.html

The directions that Moses gave concerning the Passover feast are full of significance, and have an application to parents and children in this age of the world….

The father is to dedicate every inmate of his home to God and to do a work that is represented by the feast of the Passover. It is perilous to leave this solemn duty in the hands of others. This peril is well illustrated by an incident that is related concerning a Hebrew family on the night of the Passover.

The legend goes that the eldest daughter was sick, but that she was acquainted with the fact that a lamb was to be chosen for every family, and that its blood was to be sprinkled upon the lintel and side posts of the door so that the Lord might behold the mark of the blood and not suffer the destroyer to enter in to smite the firstborn. With what anxiety she saw the evening approach when the destroying angel was to pass by. She became very restless. She called her father to her side, and asked, “Have you marked the doorpost with blood?” He answered, “Yes, I have given directions in regard to the matter. Do not be troubled, for the destroying angel will not enter here.”

The night came on, and again and again the child called her father, still asking, “Are you sure that the doorpost is marked with blood?” Again and again the father assured her that she need have no fear, that a command which involved such consequences would not be neglected by his trustworthy servants. As midnight approached, her pleading voice was heard saying, “Father, I am not sure. Take me in your arms, and let me see the mark for myself, so that I can rest.”

The father conceded to the wishes of his child; he took her in his arms and carried her to the door; but there was no blood mark upon the lintel or the posts. He trembled with horror as he realized that his home might have become a house of mourning. With his own hands he seized the hyssop bough and sprinkled the doorpost with blood. He then showed the sick child that the mark was there.—The Review and Herald, May 21, 1895.

From the Heart p. 160
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Lexi and her family as she recovers.
—-Ron is having an ongoing problem with his blood pressure. Every late afternoon and evening it will spike to as high as 191/63. He is on all the medicine that they can give him. Please pray that his blood pressure will go down to what it used to be. Rose
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Dear Friends,

Because of sin, burdens and sorrows fill our life. We feel crushed under the heavy load. We cry as did David, “mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” Ps 38:4 But praise God we do not have to carry our burden of sin alone! Our Great Burden Bearer offers us the relief that we need. He says, “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.” Matt 11:28-30

In this world we all have troubles and trials, but if we give ourselves to Jesus, He promises us a peace that others cannot know. He tells us, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 He assures us, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isa 41:10 “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” 43:1.2

The Psalmist advises, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Ps 55:22 No matter what the situation we can claim the promise, “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him.” Ps 37:3-7

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” is Peter’s admonition. 1 Peter 5:7 We cannot burden Our Great Burden-bearer. Indeed, He yearns to bear our burdens and to give us “the peace of God that passes all understanding.” Phil 4:7 May we open the door of our heart to Him today, for He is standing there ready and willing to bear our sorrows and cares with us, offering us the great blessings that are in His Storehouse, pleading with us to let Him make all things right in our life. (Rev 3:20)

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/the-blood-on-the-doorpost.html

There are those who think they have made wonderful discoveries in science. They quote the opinions of learned people as though they considered them infallible, and teach the deductions of science as truths that cannot be controverted. And the Word of God, which is given as a lamp to the feet of the world-weary traveler, is judged by this standard, and pronounced wanting. The scientific research in which these individuals have indulged has proved a snare to them. It has clouded their minds, and they have drifted into skepticism. They have a consciousness of power, and instead of looking to the Source of all wisdom, they triumph in the smattering of knowledge they may have gained. They have exalted their human wisdom in opposition to the wisdom of the great and mighty God and have dared to enter into controversy with Him. The Word of Inspiration pronounces these persons “fools.”

God has permitted a flood of light to be poured upon the world in discoveries in science and art, but when professed scientists lecture and write upon these subjects from a merely human standpoint, they will assuredly come to wrong conclusions. The greatest minds, if not guided by the Word of God in their research, become bewildered in their attempts to investigate the relations of science and revelation. The Creator and His works are beyond their comprehension; and because they cannot explain these by natural laws, Bible history is considered unreliable. Those who doubt the reliability of the records of the Old and New Testaments will be led to go a step farther and doubt the existence of God, and then, having let go their anchor, they are left to beat about upon the rocks of infidelity. Moses wrote under the guidance of the Spirit of God, and a correct theory of geology will never claim discoveries that cannot be reconciled with his statements. The idea that many stumble over, that God did not create matter when He brought the world into existence, limits the power of the Holy One of Israel.

Many, when they find themselves incapable of measuring the Creator and His works by their own imperfect knowledge in science, doubt the existence of God and attribute infinite power to nature…. The Bible is not to be tested by human ideas of science, but science is to be brought to the test of this unerring standard.—Signs of the Times, March 13, 1884.
From the Heart p.155
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for twins who were born at 28 weeks. The girl has a brain bleed and is not doing well. Dwayne
—-Please pray for me. I am having nightmares. Martha
—-Have a concussion and vertigo need prayers please. Tiffany
—-Requesting intercession prayer for Shannon he is recovering from triple bypass heart surgery. BL
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Dear Friends,

Some years ago, we were planning on going to Esther’s house in another part of the state. When we were not able to go on Wednesday evening as we had planned, Ronnie Jay decided to go out to Colorado and Wyoming to check the job market on Thursday and Friday and end up at her house late Friday afternoon. It seemed like a good opportunity to find a job in an area more suited to his hobby of wildlife photography.

Thursday came and Ronnie Jay did not get up early like he had planned. Before he realized it, the morning was almost over. Then the dentist’s office called and said that there was a cancellation and asked if he would like to take the three o’clock appointment. He said that he would. He decided that it was so late that he would postpone his trip and ride with us when we went to Esther’s on Friday.

While at her house, Ronnie Jay checked the news and learned that Colorado had a tornado and Wyoming was hit with severe winter weather that caused many accidents. On the way home, he began to realize that the One Who knows the future had worked out circumstances so he would not be in those very areas hit by the storms. Now he understood why he had lazed away Thursday morning and took the dentist’s appointment without considering that it would mean a change in his plans. How very thankful he was.

God’s Holy Word is full of examples of His Guiding Hand in the lives of His followers. One such example is Joseph. When sold by his brothers to some Ishmaelite traders, he did not understand God’s plan for his life. It seemed to him that he would soon die as a slave in some foreign land, yet God had great plans for this young man. Years later, as he looked back upon what had seemed to be such a tragedy, he realized the purpose of the trials in his life. “And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.” Gen 45:4-8

So it is with us. How often our Loving Heavenly Father changes our plans and directs our path to lead us in the way we should go. Sometimes those changes are to keep us from harm: other times plans change to keep us from making a big mistake in the direction our life would take. He promises, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8 Even though our life may be full of troubles as was Joseph’s, if we determine to serve God faithfully as did he, there will come a time when we, too, can look back over our life and see God’s great plan. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Prov 3:5, 6

May we trust ourselves completely to the One Who bids us, “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.” Matt 11:28-30

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/science-and-revelation.html