Intercer Adventist News

Closer To Heaven
You are here: Home / Archives for News and Feeds / Rose's Devotional

Adding and Multiplying

By

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2.

We are not to trust in our faith, but in the promises of God. When we repent of our past transgressions of His law, and resolve to render obedience in the future, we should believe that God for Christ’s sake accepts us and forgives our sins.

Darkness and discouragement will sometimes come upon the soul and threaten to overwhelm us, but we should not cast away our confidence. We must keep the eye fixed on Jesus, feeling or no feeling. We should seek to faithfully perform every known duty, and then calmly rest in the promises of God….

We may not feel today the peace and joy which we felt yesterday, but we should by faith grasp the hand of Christ, and trust Him as fully in the darkness as in the light.

Satan may whisper, “You are too great a sinner for Christ to save.” While you acknowledge that you are indeed sinful and unworthy, you may meet the tempter with the cry, “By virtue of the atonement, I claim Christ as my Savior.” …

If we would permit our minds to dwell more upon Christ and the heavenly world, we should find a powerful stimulus and support in fighting the battles of the Lord…. When the mind has been long permitted to dwell only on earthly things, it is a difficult matter to change the habits of thought. That which the eye sees and the ear hears, too often attracts the attention and absorbs the interest. But if we would enter the city of God, and look upon Jesus in His glory, we must become accustomed to beholding Him with the eye of faith here….

Sanctification is a progressive work. The successive steps are set before us in the words of Peter: “Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” … Here is a course by which we may be assured that we shall never fall. Those who are thus working upon the plan of addition in obtaining the Christian graces, have the assurance that God will work upon the plan of multiplication in granting them the gifts of His Spirit.—The Review and Herald, November 15, 1887.
From the Heart p. 57
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-My 80 plus neighbor asked for prayer for her cat miracle who is very sick she may have to put her down she has no family never had kids except her cats and dogs. Please pray for miracle that she can have the strength for put her down she is 16 years old. thanks M.
—-Please pray Doyle, Bladder cancer treatment. BL
—-Please pray for Sylvia as the doctors only gave her a week to live. Pril
—-Ermise’s young sister just had a stroke and her daughter having surgery. Plus the husband’s health is deteriorating. Michael
—-Cheryl has serious health issues and needs prayers for healing. Wanda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,

How I loved to listen to my grandfather’s wonderful stories of the long-ago days when he was a boy in rural Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He explained in detail how he was able to live off wild edibles and the fish he would catch on a fishing hook and a line always carried in his pocket wherever he went. His fishing pole was nothing more than a supple branch from a nearby tree. He told of the drainage holes along the floor of the area’s covered bridges that were just right for letting down his line into the river below but afforded him protection from the elements. Those descriptions of the covered bridges fascinated me. I had seen covered bridges, but never the kind he described.

In 1976, we were living in rural Pennsylvania, and my grandfather’s stories seemed to come alive. One day, my mother came for a visit. We decided to take her for a long drive to show her the beauties of the area around our home. As we drove farther and farther, we began speaking of Grandfather’s stories as everywhere we looked there was something to remind us of them. Soon we came to a lovely little park nestled in the mountains. My mother wanted to stop, so we pulled the car to the side of the narrow road and began to walk in among the trees.

The central attraction of this park was an ancient covered bridge. We were delighted! We walked quickly down the path and entered the bridge. As we explored every nook and cranny, my mother wondered aloud if her father had fished from there. We laughed at the thought, yet his description of this bridge was so exact that it seemed a real possibility. As we stopped by one of the rectangular drainage holes, we talked about how he had fished from ones just like it.

Suddenly my mother shouted! We had kept walking along the bridge, but she had stayed to gaze out over the water. We hurried back to see what she was so excited about. Pointing to the railing, she said, “Daddy always carved his name wherever he went. Look here!” There, carved in the railing, was the name “Ed Harmon.” Even after all those many years it was still plainly visible. The letters were about an inch and a half tall and started out very deep but became shallower toward the end. He must have gotten tired of his carving, just as any kid would. My grandfather, sometime in his early teens, had fished from that very bridge! What a precious experience!

Just so, on every tree and leaf and flower, our Great Creator has left His Name for us to discover. As we look at the beauties of this earth, even after 6,000 years of sin, we can see His tender care for every part of His creation. As we look up into the sky on a crisp cool night and see the billions of stars above us, we think of the words of the Psalmist, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge.” Ps 19:1, 2 As we gaze upon those same stars and galaxies David saw, we anticipate the delightful discoveries that await us when sin and sinners shall be no more.

The majestic mountains remind us that “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Deut 32:4 The clear flowing streams that we walk along here, are a foretaste of the “river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” The lovely trees that shade us from the sun’s rays, make us long to eat from “the tree of life which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month.” Rev 22:1,2

Think of it! The “LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it,” is the very One Who gave His life that we may live eternally. (Isa 45:18) Our Loving Saviour left all the glories of Heaven, lived a life of poverty and hardship, suffered all the hatred of wicked men spurred on by demons; so that someday we may dwell in His glorious kingdom where “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.” Rev 21:4 “O Praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. Ps 117

May praise to Jesus be upon our lips as we discover the signature of our Redeemer upon His creation is my prayer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/adding-and-multiplying.html

A Living Church

By

You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven. 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10.

A living church will be a working church. Practical Christianity will develop earnest workers for the advancement of the cause of truth…. We long to see the true Christian character manifested in the church. We long to see its members free from a light, irreverent spirit; and we earnestly desire that they may realize their high calling in Christ Jesus. Some who profess Christ are exerting themselves to the utmost to so live and act that their religious faith may commend itself to people of moral worth, that they may be induced to accept the truth. But there are many who feel no responsibility even to keep their own souls in the love of God, and who, instead of blessing others by their influence, are a burden to those who would work and watch and pray….

Those who are seeking in humbleness of mind to exalt the truth of Christ by their exemplary course are represented in the Word of God as fine gold, while the class whose chief thought and study is to exhibit themselves are as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal….

We entreat those who have a connection with God to pray earnestly and in faith, and not to stop here, but to work as well as pray, for the purification of the church. The present time calls for men and women who have a moral fixedness of purpose, men and women who will not be molded or subdued by any unsanctified influences….

No man or woman can succeed in the service of God without putting the whole soul in the work and counting all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. Those who make any reserve, who refuse to give all that they have, cannot be disciples of Christ; much less can they be His colaborers. The consecration must be complete….

Jesus has gone to prepare mansions for those who are waiting and watching for His appearing. There they will meet the pure angels and the redeemed host and will join their songs of praise and triumph. There the Savior’s love surrounds His people, and the city of God is irradiated with the light of His countenance—a city whose walls, great and high, are garnished with all manner of precious stones, whose gates are pearls, and whose streets are pure gold, as it were transparent glass.—The Review and Herald, June 3, 1880.
From the Heart p.50
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Shelly who is at the end of her days. Brenda
—-I had some imaging done on my cervical spine and during that they detected a nodule on the thyroid gland. Have to have a biopsy of the nodule and see another specialist for cervical spine. I sure would appreciate your prayers. William
—-Please pray for Joyce, Fran, Gean, Steve, and Aliona who need healing. Rose
—-Please continue praying for Rui and whatever the next step will be after removing the tumor from his spine. Jeri
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,

When we lived in Washington state, we lived in a trailer on about an acre of land. Behind us and to one side of us, were many more acres where the children could explore to their heart’s content. We didn’t have much of a lawn, as our water supply was not adequate for such. When Esther was about 9, a little girl moved into a trailer down the road. They had a nice lawn as they had a better well, and the two girls often played on the nice, green grass. One day, as they were playing at Ashley’s house, they decided to do some “gymnastic” tricks on some old railroad ties that were being used for decoration along the driveway. As Esther turned a cartwheel on one old, wooden tie, a large piece of wood went deep into her bare foot.

She hobbled home for me to remove the “intruder.” When I examined her foot and saw how large a piece of wood it was and how much of it was sticking out of her foot, I was sure that there would be no problem removing it. As the tweezers took hold of the protruding part, it crumbled. The wood was just too rotten to pull out. I tried digging it out, but that was too painful. Finally, I had to take her to the doctor. Even he had a difficult time getting it, but since he was able to deaden her foot so she could not feel the pain, he was eventually able to free her of that offending piece of timber.

That large, crumbling sliver is like the sin in our lives. We may try as hard as we can to rid ourselves of sin, but we are helpless to remove it. “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 We can, through determination, appear to change outwardly; but our heart remains the same. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jer 17:9 As we hold on to those sins that at first seem so pleasing, they strengthen until our condition is as Isaiah describes, “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 1:5,6

How much we need Someone Who can change our vile hearts and make us pure and clean within. Praise God! There is a Great Physician Who can truly rid us of those sins that so easily beset us. He is even now pleading, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” “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.” Isa 45:22;1:18 “Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” “And I will cleanse [you] from all [your] iniquity, whereby [you] have sinned against me; and I will pardon all [your] iniquities, whereby [you] have sinned, and whereby [you] have transgressed against me.” Eze 18:33; Jer 33:8

May we respond to His great love and allow Him to do His merciful work upon our heart, that we may be found of Him without spot or wrinkle or any such thing when He comes to receive His own is my prayer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/a-living-church.html

The Prophetic Messenger Prays

By

So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Exodus 33:11.

[Prayer offered by Ellen White at the 1903 General Conference session.] Our heavenly Father, we come to Thee this morning just as we are, needy and wholly dependent upon Thee. Help us to have a clear knowledge of what we must be, and of the characters that we must form, in order that we may be prepared to unite with the heavenly family in the city of our God….

O my Father, how can we proclaim Thy goodness, and Thy mercy, and Thy love, unless we cherish them in our own hearts and reveal them in our own experiences? Thou knowest how Thou hast presented this matter to Thy servant….

Here are Thy ministers, whose work it is to proclaim Bible truth. I ask Thee that they may have a clear realization of the responsibilities that rest upon them as guardians and as shepherds of Thy flock…. Let them understand their own weakness, and may the sanctification of the Spirit come to them….

Here are those who bear responsibilities in our institutions…. They have not in their dealings given a right example to the world. They did not realize that others were taking knowledge of them, to see whether they were sanctified by the truth.

Oh, pardon our transgressions and forgive our sins! Show us where we have come short. Let Thy Holy Spirit descend upon us. The world is perishing in sin, and we ask Thee to roll the burden upon us at this meeting….

Thou hast opened these things before me, and Thou alone canst prepare minds and hearts to hear the message that unless those who have left their first love shall return to recognize the work that needs to be done in their individual hearts, Thou wilt come quickly and remove the candlestick out of his place….

We must be reconverted, sanctified, and made fit to bear the message of the Lord….

My Father, break down the barriers, that confessions may be made, from heart To Whom It May Concern: heart, from brother to brother. May the Spirit of God come in; and Thy blessed name shall have all the glory. Amen.—The General Conference Bulletin, April 2, 1903.
From the Heart p. 48
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-Request prayer for my friends Son, high fever. 4 years old. BL
—-Please pray for Becky who just found out she has leukemia and Mindy who has lost two good friends this week. Michael
—-Please pray for a friend who is having all sorts of health problems. A
—-We are having problems with our car. It seems to be a loose wire in the transmission. The mechanic can’t find it. Please pray that Ron can find someone who will be able to fix it. Rose
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,

My grandfather, Edwin Harmon, spent much of his growing up years living the life of a hobo traveling up and down the east coast of the USA by “riding the rails” in a boxcar. He met many interesting characters along the way. Some of these homeless men were very nice to him, shared their food with him, and taught him the ways of survival. He grew up tough and wiry but kept his tender heart.

The railroad companies tried in vain to stop these hobos from hopping into the boxcars by hiring men to catch all who were riding for free. One particular security guard had quite a reputation because of his size and the hard look on his face. All of the men who rode the rails were afraid of him. As they would tell one another about this man, the stories grew and grew until he became something of a legend.

At this time, Ed was in his early twenties. He had, for the most part, left his wandering life. Yet there were times when he would still ride the rails to get where he wanted to go. He had heard all the stories about that mean security guard and hoped that he would never meet him. He had faced many dangers throughout his life and was well able to take care of himself, but those stories of this man’s cruelty filled him with fear.

One day, he decided to catch a ride on the train. He knew he would have to be extra careful not to get caught. Sneaking into the railway yard, he grabbed the ladder that was at the end of a boxcar as the train went slowly by. The infamous security guard saw him. This guard had captured many other men who had ridden the rails without paying and now he was after my grandfather.

Ed held onto the ladder for a few moments before climbing up onto the boxcar. Just as his head was peeking over the top, he saw the guard coming his way. Immediately he ducked down, hoping that he had not been seen. In the few moments he had before the man got to him, he had a decision to make. The train was now going too fast for him to jump off without being hurt. He laid his plans. Climbing up the ladder when he was sure the guard was right above him, he sprung up onto the top of the boxcar right in front of the guard. Looking his meanest, he faced this huge strongman. The guard’s menacing look made the hair on Ed’s neck stand up, but he did not let his fear show. The guard told him that he was going to throw him off the train which had picked up even more speed.

In desperation, Ed told the man that he had a gun and was going to put an end to the guard once and for all. Suddenly, that big guard’s attitude changed. Even though that guard had not seen a gun, he was afraid at the mere mention of the word. The frightening look on his face turned to one of fear. His whole demeanor changed. Slowly. he backed away and left my grandfather alone for the rest of the trip. Ed was greatly relieved but could not relax. He was sure that at the next stop this guard would have the sheriff waiting for him. Later, when the train slowed while going up a steep grade, he jumped off.

How many times we are like that guard. We profess one thing, but we are quite different within. Jesus tells us, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy
name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt 7:21-23 Fearful thought!

Profession does no good when there is no change in our heart. Profession is worthless without the love of God dwelling inside. Whenever we do good for the wrong reason, it counts for nothing. How much we need to have a new heart. How much we need that cleansing that only Jesus can give. We cannot cleanse ourselves. It is a gift of God, Who 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.” “I will put my laws into [your] hearts, and in [your] minds will I write them; And [your] sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Eph 2:8-10) Eze 36:26,27; Heb 10:16,17

May we accept God’s great forgiveness and so live that we truly become all that we profess to be is my prayer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/the-prophetic-messenger-prays.html

A Time for Prevailing Prayer

By

It is time for You to act, O Lord, for they have regarded Your law as void. Psalm 119:126.

The Lord is soon to come. Wickedness and rebellion, violence and crime, are filling the world. The cries of the suffering and the oppressed rise to God for justice. In the place of being softened by the patience and forbearance of God, the wicked are growing stronger in stubborn rebellion. The time in which we live is one of marked depravity. Religious restraint is thrown off, and people reject the law of God as unworthy of their attention. A more than common contempt is placed upon this holy law.

A moment of respite has been graciously given us of God. Every power lent us of heaven is to be used in doing the work assigned us by the Lord for those who are perishing in ignorance. The warning message is to be sounded in all parts of the world. There must be no delay. The truth must be proclaimed in the dark places of the earth. Obstacles must be met and surmounted. A great work is to be done, and this work is entrusted to those who know the truth for this time.

Now is the time for us to lay hold of the arm of our strength. The prayer of David should be the prayer of pastors and laymen: “It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.” Let the servants of God weep between the porch and the altar, crying, “Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not Thine heritage to reproach.” God has always wrought in behalf of His truth. The designs of the wicked, the enemies of the church, are subject to His power and His overruling providence. He can move upon the hearts of statesmen; the wrath of the haters of His truth and His people can be turned aside, even as the waters of a river could be turned, if thus He ordered it.

Prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence. He who marshals the stars in order in the heavens, whose word controls the waves of the great deep—the same infinite Creator will work in behalf of His people if they will call upon Him in faith. He will restrain all the forces of darkness until the warning is given to the world, and all who will heed it are prepared for His coming.—The Review and Herald, December 14, 1905.
From the Heart p. 36
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my sister who is in so much pain she just can barely function. Michael
—-My husband is having severe high blood pressure. Please pray that he won’t have a stroke or heart attack. A
—- I’d like to request a prayer for my dad who’s dying in the hospital. And for his girlfriend of thirty plus years, my pastor’s going up there to see them later today, and will you please pray that he’ll lead them to the Lord. Gina
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,

Last week, I was listening to a man who had an interesting experience. He heard God speaking in his mind to go and talk with a woman that he saw in a store. Many times he hesitated, but eventually he obeyed. How glad he was that he did. This woman was going through a time of great trial and his kind words were just what she needed. He was able to minister to her and help her to realize that God loved her and had not forsaken her.

About ten years ago or so, Eileen was thankful she also listened to that still, small voice. She was getting ready to go to work, when she got this overwhelming feeling that taking her dog Murphy to work with her that day was not a good idea. (Eileen worked at a private nursing home and the ladies there loved that little dog.) At first, she dismissed the feeling and continued getting ready. That strong feeling persisted. Finally, she called her mother-in-law and asked her if she would like Murphy’s company for the day.

By the end of day, Eileen knew that God had directed her to keep Murphy away from work that day. It had been extremely hectic because one of the residents had to go to the hospital. Nurses and ambulance attendants had been going in and out much of the time, and Murphy would have been in the way. How thankful Eileen was that she had listened.

How good and kind our Heavenly Father is to direct us not only in the big things but also in the little things of life. He, Who knows the end from the beginning, is willing to help us in every aspect of our life. “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.” Pr 3:5, 6

Yet, is every impression or thought a guidance from God? No, sometimes thoughts and impressions come from our imaginings. “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Jer 10:23 Moreover, we have an adversary who is constantly trying to confuse us and lead us down the wrong path. The evil one also gives us impressions. How we need discernment to know who is speaking to us.

Only as we fortify our mind with the truths in God’s Holy Word can we knew the difference. Paul advises, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 As we study, we can claim the promise, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8

May we pray as did David, “Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.” Ps 119:33

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/a-time-for-prevailing-prayer.html

God Speaks to Us

By

Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us? Luke 24:32.

After Christ’s death two disciples, on their way to Emmaus from Jerusalem, were talking over the scenes of the crucifixion. Christ Himself drew near, unrecognized by the sorrowing travelers. Their faith had died with their Lord, and their eyes, blinded by unbelief, did not recognize their risen Savior. Jesus, walking by their side, longed to reveal Himself to them, but He accosted them merely as fellow travelers, saying “What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?” Astonished at the question, they asked if He were a stranger in Jerusalem and had not heard that a prophet, mighty in word and deed, had been crucified. “We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel,” they said, sadly.

“O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken,” Christ said; “ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” …

The disciples had lost sight of the precious promises linked with the prophecies of Christ’s death, but when these were brought to their remembrance, faith revived; and after Christ had revealed Himself to them, they exclaimed, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” …

If we would search the Scriptures, our hearts would burn within us as the truths revealed therein are opened to our understanding. Our hopes would brighten as we claim the precious promises strewn like pearls through the Sacred Writings. As we study the history of patriarchs and prophets, men who loved and feared God, walking with Him, our souls would glow with the spirit that animated them….

The question is asked, What is the cause of the dearth of spiritual power in the churches? The answer is, We allow our minds to be drawn away from the Word…. The Word of the living God is not merely written, but spoken. It is God’s voice speaking to us, just as surely as if we could hear it with our ears. If we realized this, with what awe we would open God’s Word, and with what earnestness we would search its pages.—The Review and Herald, March 31, 1903.
From the Heart p. 29
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Joyce. She is having a lot of trouble recovering from surgery. Also please pray for Fran. Rose
—-I have a friend who needs prayers because she hasn’t had a bowel movement in at least a week or so. She’s tried everything. Her Dr did a x-ray and she was told her intestines are backed up. An enigma will not be helpful in this case and could be more harmful. My friend doesn’t want to have surgery but doesn’t know what else to try. Danita
—-G needs our prayers. Buck
—-please pray for Pat who is in the hospital with the flu very bad. It is especially bad because she has COPD and kidney disease. M
—-Please pray for my daughter. Jenny, who is having a really hard time. So many things. For my daughter Jody whose husband is still not working, needs a job. For A young man named Owen, who just got a kidney transplant. That it will be successful. And he will not reject. Debra
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,

How often I have heard mothers say that they can hardly wait until their children are grown so they will not have so much work or worry. What a surprise they are in for! Little children are a lot of work and a little worry. Older children are less work and quite a bit of worry. Grown children pull on our heartstrings as we see them go through all the troubles and trials of adulthood. Seeing them struggle brings great pain to our heart. Then we long for the days when they were tiny ones again and we could fix their hurts.

Yet it helps us realize in a small way the pain our Heavenly Father must have as He sees His children experiencing physical or emotional pain. How His Great Heart of Love must ache as He watches us struggling. How He would love to take complete control of our situation and make it all right, but He will not force us to allow Him to do so. Instead, He waits to be asked to take control of our life. If we allow Him to do so, He can fix all our tangled problems and place our feet on the right path.

Jesus reminds us, “Without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5 How true. Without Jesus’ dwelling within us, all our efforts against the trials and pain that beset us are in vain. Solomon experienced this. He had started out his reign so well, but through wrong influences and choices his life was a failure. How disappointed he made the True King of Israel. Looking back over his life, Solomon commented, “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Ecc 3:2, 14, 17

Praise God, He does not leave us to fight our battles alone! If we come to Him, He will give us the help we so desperately need! Moreover, He will change us into His image. Jesus, alone, gives our life true meaning. Jesus, alone, can save us from all of the pain the evil one heaps upon us. He is even now pleading with us, “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 “Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. Joel 2:12,13

May we so live that as we look back over the years of our life we will be able to declare as did Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 1 Tim 4:7, 8

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/god-speaks-to-us.html

About Intercer

Intercer is a website with biblical materials in Romanian, English, Hungarian and other languages. We want to bring the light from God's Word to peoples homes. Intercer provides quality Christian resources...[Read More]

Lucian Web Service


Intercer is proudly sponsored by Lucian Web Service - Professional Web Services, Wordpress Websites, Marketing and Affiliate Info. Lucian worked as a subcontractor with Simpleupdates, being one of the programmers for the Adventist Church Connect software. He also presented ACC/ASC workshops... [read more]

Archives

Categories