Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1.
There is a counterfeit Christianity in the world as well as a genuine Christianity. The true spirit of the man is manifested by the way in which he deals with his fellow man. We can ask the question, “Does he represent the character of Christ in spirit and action, or simply manifest the natural selfish traits of character that belong to the people of this world?” Profession weighs nothing with God. Before it is everlastingly too late for wrongs to be righted, let each one ask himself, “What am I?” It depends upon ourselves as to whether we shall form such characters as will constitute us one of God’s royal family above.
If we would become Christlike, we must study Christ’s character…. It is necessary that we should closely examine ourselves, and enquire, “Is this Christ’s way? Would Christ pursue this course of action? What kind of an impression am I leaving upon the minds of those with whom I am connected? Shall I pursue a course of action that will weaken the confidence of anyone with whom I deal and cause them to think lightly of the Christianity that I profess? Shall I be uncourteous, un-Christlike, unmerciful toward the purchase of the blood of Christ?”
I would speak words of warning to the brethren of our churches, for I fear that many are acting the part of the slothful servant who hid his lord’s talent in the earth. His sin was the sin of neglect, the sin of failing to improve the great treasures of knowledge that were committed to his trust. God has given precious light to His people with which to enlighten the world, and are not many treating it with indifference, and acting as though the heavenly gift were of little consequence? …
Fair weather disciples will not answer to the Lord’s call in time of peril toward which we are hastening. It will take those who not only hear but do the words of Christ to be active disciples—“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11). A new energy proceeding from beneath is taking possession of the whole synagogue of Satan, and a new life descending from heaven is taking possession of every human agent who is consecrated, devoted, and who is seeking to work the works of God….
Let those who minister in word and doctrine mix faith with earnest prayer, and seek to put to use every ray of light that comes from the Written Word. The voice of God calls from heaven, and demands the use of every entrusted capability. Every talent is to be used to its uttermost.—Manuscript 6, February 21, 1895, “Genuine and Counterfeit Christianity.”
The Upward Look p. 66
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Prayer Requests
—-My job interview has been postponed. JT
—-My dear mother and I are in a very bad and extremely stressful situation. My mom is in a hospital on a Bipap machine helping her breathe and stay alive till she can be weaned off which takes time. I have Power of Attorney over my mother’s health care and decisions. I have been told by my mother for years what she wants done if and when she would end up in a hospital which is to do everything possible to keep her alive including her being a full code if needed. She has a Dr. who is doing everything he can possibly do to have her wants and wishes done away with. He wants me to let him give her morphine …take her off the breathing machine and let her die. All this is totally against all her wishes and mine too. He is doing his best to turn everyone he can in the hospital against me. He has lied to me about her condition and he has not prescribed the care and medications that were needed to bring her through this. He is a family doctor and she should have been given a pulmonologist by the hospital. Well he told me I was not making the right decisions for my mom and if I didn’t go along with what he wants for my mom which is to let her die that soon someone else would have to take over and make the decision instead of me. It was a threat to have Adult Protective Services come in and try to take over the decision making. Right after that a Tele med doctor was contacted about what was best for my mom and this Dr. was an specialist in COPD which my mom has and he is a top notch Pulmonologist. He said my mom will get over this in just a short time and he prescribed several medications and breathing treatments every 4 to 6 hours around the clock. He said that in a few days my mom would be well enough to start eating on her own again. Well my mom has started improving right away and she is awake and alert much more now. Well the other Dr. is very angry about this new regiment for my mom and he has drawn in another Dr. to try and talk me into letting my mom die and take her off these new meds which are helping her so much. I cannot tell you how awful it is to be in this situation. All I am trying to do is carry out my mother’s wishes and I am being treated terrible for it by many of the workers in this hospital. Now I have been confronted by Adult Protective Services who were turned against me by this Doctor! They will be coming back any day now to try and talk to my mom. Please, please pray for this terrible situation that is going on! It has been terrible! My mom is so afraid that they will be taking her off her breathing machine so that she will die! This has been a living nightmare for us! Please pray for us and please pray for my moms eternal salvation and healing! And that only God’s will be done and not theirs!!! This euthanasia movement is VERY STRONG! But I know that God is MUCH STRONGER!!! I just want peace in my life I am so tired of everyday being so stressful! Thank you so much for your prayers about this situation. Connie

For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. Lamentations 3:33.
Our heavenly Father does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men. He has His purpose in the whirlwind and the storm, in the fire and in the flood. The Lord permits calamities to come to His people to save them from greater dangers. He desires everyone to examine his own heart closely and carefully, and then draw near to God, that God may draw near to him. Our life is in the hands of God. He sees dangers threatening us that we cannot see. He is the Giver of all our blessings; the Provider of all our mercies; the Orderer of all our experiences. He sees the perils that we cannot see. He may permit to come upon His people that which fills their hearts with sadness, because He sees that they need to make straight paths for their feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way. He knows our frame, and remembers that we are dust. Even the very hairs of our head are numbered. He works through natural causes to lead His people to remember that He has not forgotten them, but that He desires them to forsake the way which, if they were permitted to follow unchecked and unreproved, would lead them into great peril.
Trials come to us all to lead us to investigate our hearts, to see if they are purified from all that defiles. Constantly the Lord is working for our present and eternal good. Things occur which seem inexplainable, but if we trust in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him, humbling our hearts before Him, He will not permit the enemy to triumph.
The Lord will save His people in His own way, by such means and instrumentalities that the glory will be returned to Him. To Him alone belongs the praise….
Every soul that is saved must be a partaker with Christ of His sufferings, that he may be a partaker with Him of His glory. How few understand why God subjects them to trial. It is by the trial of our faith that we gain spiritual strength. The Lord seeks to educate His people to lean wholly upon Him. He desires them, through the lessons that He teaches them, to become more and more spiritualized. If His Word is not followed in all humility and meekness, He brings to them experiences which, if rightly received, will help to prepare them for the work to be done in His name. God desires to reveal His power in a marked manner through the lives of His people.—Manuscript 76, 1903, February 20, 1902, “The Burning of the Sanitarium.”
The Upward Look
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Prayer Requests
—-I have a job interview on Wednesday. Please praythat if it is God’s will I will get it. JT
—-Prayer request for a friend’s son who was in a car accident he went through the windshield and needs our prayers. he is in his 20’s. M
—-Please pray for my aunt Loretta. She had a mini stroke today. Second one this year. Darla
—-Please pray urgently for my dear mother…. She seems to be in a deep sleep that I cannot wake her up from. Please pray for her healing. Connie
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Dear Friends,

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8.
We who have fallen through the transgression of the law of God have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. The way is open for everyone to prepare himself for the second appearing of Jesus Christ, that at His appearing we may be vindicated, having put away all evil, and having overcome through the cleansing blood of Christ. Through the intercession of Christ, the image of God is renewed in mind, and heart, and character. Through the blood of the only-begotten Son of God, we obtain redemption….
We are in this world to honor God, and from every devising that would in any way tempt us to dishonor our Redeemer, we must turn away. In Christ we have before us the Pattern of all righteousness. He has pledged Himself to be our Guide, our Preserver, our Governor….
We are transgressors of God’s law. Our only hope for salvation was in Christ taking upon Himself the guilt of our sins, bearing the penalty of transgression in His own body on the tree. He made a full oblation of sacrifice, and by that one oblation of Himself made it possible for us to live in obedience to God’s commands…. We are to become His loyal subjects, having pure and undefiled religion, and depending upon the one grand principle, “By grace are ye saved through faith.” …
I beseech everyone to walk and work in the fear of God. Satan is always seeking to bring poor souls who have lost their bearings to the settled determination that they will act as they please. We must stand where we reflect light….
God’s grace is great, and those who will press closer and closer to the side of Christ will not be overcome. We shall gain everything by drawing near to God and humbling ourselves before Him. As we do this, let us remember that we are heirs of God and joint heirs of Christ; that we are to be partakers of the divine nature.
I say to all, Let not one unholy thought or feeling be cherished. The power of the grace of Christ is wonderful. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord lifts up for the trusting believer a standard against the enemy. Pray, brethren and sisters, pray for your individual selves. The love and grace of Christ far surpass our finite conceptions. Plead as for your lives to be cleansed from everything that defileth. Put on Christ in deportment, and show an unselfish interest and kindness for the souls of all. We must catch the theme of redeeming love, and press on to know the Lord, that in simplicity we may reveal His character.—Letter 72, February 19, 1906, to “Brother and Sister Farnsworth.”
The Upward Look p. 64
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Prayer Requests
—- I need a special prayer for my husband as he goes through treatment. Miracles have happened numberless times in our family in the past, and I have faith and trust in God for His healing hand, again. Helen
—-Please pray for a friend who is having health issues. Buck
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Dear Friends,
Nearly twenty years ago, Eileen was driving the van we had at the time. She had spent the morning taking Marie (a lady who was taking Bible studies from us) to the doctor. Marie, who was elderly, babysat to supplement her Social Security check, so she had a little boy with her. After Eileen had dropped Marie back home, she headed toward our place. About a mile from where we live, she heard a strange noise coming from the steering column. Smoke followed the noise. Since she was only about a fourth of a mile from a mechanic’s shop, she decided to drive there quickly. She unbuckled her seatbelt just in case she had to get out quickly. By the time she got there, the smoke was billowing out from the hole where the emergency flasher had been. The little emergency flasher button had melted by this time and liquid plastic was dripping onto the carpet. (Thankfully, that dripping plastic missed her leg.) Arriving at the garage, Eileen jumped out of the van and ran inside. A mechanic put the fire out with an extinguisher.
After the problem was fixed, Eileen and I thought of what would have happened if it had caught fire somewhere on the highway or downtown while she was transporting Marie and that little boy. No doubt, the fire would have spread and they could have been hurt and certainly the van would have been ruined.
How good God is! He “in whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind” didn’t allow that shorted-out wire to cause a problem until Eileen was near to someone who could fix it. Job 12:10 Indeed, He watches over all of His Creation and nothing happens without His notice. We may hear of terroristic threats, nation may rise against nation, yet we have the assurance that He will keep us as the apple of His eye, He will hide us under the shadow of His wings. (Luke 21:10; Zech 2:8, Ps 91:4) Nahum praises, “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7 Nothing can happen unless the Great King of the Universe allows it.
May we trust in the Lord with all our heart for He is our help and our shield and our strong salvation! (Ps 115:11) May we place our weak and trembling hand in His Strong and Mighty Hand trusting Him in all situations is my prayer.
Rose

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17. UL
We profess to be the repositories of God’s law, and as a people professing [to have] greater light and to live up to a higher standard than any other people upon earth, we should show greater perfection of character and a deeper devotion, exalting sacred and eternal things. A most solemn message has been entrusted to those who have received the light of truth, and our light should shine forth in clear beams to brighten the pathway of those who are in darkness, and thus daily glorify God in our lives.
Every member of the church has an individual responsibility as a member of the visible church, and a worker in the vineyard of the Lord, and should do his utmost to preserve harmony, union, and love in the church….
The evidence that the world cannot withstand and controvert, that God has sent Jesus into the world as its Redeemer, is in the oneness of the church. Their unity and harmony is the convincing argument. Satan is therefore constantly at work to prevent this harmony and union, that in witnessing the bickerings, strifes, and dissension, unbelievers shall become disgusted with Christianity, and fastened in unbelief and infidelity. God is dishonored by those who profess the truth while they are at variance with one another.
If our profession … [to have] greater truths than other denominations [have] does not lead to deeper consecration, and purer and holier lives, of what advantage is this truth to us? It would be better for us if we had never seen the light of truth, than to profess to accept it, and not be sanctified by it.
To determine how great a matter is involved in the conversion of a soul from error to truth, we must appreciate the value of immortality, we must sense the pains of the second death. We must comprehend the honors and glory awaiting the ransomed, and understand what it is to live in the presence of Him who died that He might elevate, ennoble, and give to the overcomer a royal diadem.
The worth of a soul cannot be fully estimated. How gratefully will the ransomed and glorified ones remember those who were instrumental in their salvation. Not one will forget his self-denying labors, his persevering efforts, his patience, perseverance, and earnest heart yearning for these souls who might have been lost to Jesus Christ, had he neglected his duty or became weary in well doing.—Manuscript 1, February 18, 1880, “Church Difficulties.”
The Upward Look p. 63
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my daughter Kristi. Her husband recently passed away unexpectedly and she is all alone, far away from family. Some years ago she suffered a brain aneurysm which left her with serious problems, including an inability to make wise decisions. She really should not be living alone, but she doesn’t seem to want anyone’s advice right now. Please pray that the Lord will comfort and guide her and keep her safe. Pam
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Dear Friends,
When our children were little and it was time for Ron to come home from work, Esther and Ronnie Jay liked to stand at the corner of our yard and wait for him. They were not allowed to go any further, so they would go to the limit and stretch up as tall as they could trying to be the first one to see him.
One day, they got the idea that if they climbed in the pine tree that grew beside the spot where they always stood, they could see their daddy sooner. Just as they started to climb, I happened to look out of the window and saw them. Rushing outside, I shouted for them to get down. Then I explained that they should not climb pine trees because the sap that was flowing heavy that time of year would get on their clothes and in their hair and make a terrible mess.
For a few days, they obeyed. Finally, the temptation to climb that tree became too strong and up they went when I wasn’t looking. Soon they saw Ron coming around the corner. Down the tree they went and over to the car they ran to give their daddy a big hug. Then they followed him into the house.
When they got inside, Eileen noticed that her four-year-old sister’s long, reddish-brown hair was messy and got a brush to brush it. Try as she might, it was impossible to get the brush through her little sister’s hair. Eileen was puzzled and brought her to me. It was evident that she had disobeyed. Her hair matted with sticky pine tar, her clothes were dirty and spotted with that sticky stuff.
Washing her hair did no good. I called my mother, who suggested butter. I had to work the butter into her hair. That helped somewhat, although Esther Marie was not at all happy about being covered with grease. After shampooing her hair several more times to get the butter out, we again tried to comb it. Globs of sticky sap remained. I wasn’t sure what to do.
I asked some of the ladies at church. One suggested peanut butter. Esther Marie was even less happy with that suggestion! I was not very happy either as it made even a worse mess than the butter had, but it worked. After several more shampooings the peanut butter came out, and her hair was pine-tar free and able to be combed. She learned her lesson and did not climb in that tree again.
How often we find ourselves in the same situation that Esther Marie did. Our Great Creator, through His Holy Word warns us what we should avoid so that we will not get into difficulty, but we yield to the temptation anyway and do the very thing that we know we should not do. Soon we become covered and spotted and filthy with the pine-tar on sin. “We are all 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 Like Paul, we cry, For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Rom 7:15-24
Praise God, we do not have to stay in that condition! We have a Loving Saviour Who will cleanse us from all of our sin. Zechariah was given a vision of this very thing. “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.” Zec 3:1-4 John tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9
Let us come to our Dear Saviour now for the cleansing and forgiveness we so much need. Let us hide His Word in our heart that we might not sin against God. Let us refrain our feet from every evil way, that we might keep His word. Ps 119:11, 101

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:9.
We must have a living dependence upon a living God. And when there is a living connection with a living God, Christ abides in the heart by living faith, and the human agent works after Christ’s life. He is going to change our life and character, speaking the words that Christ speaks, revealing the character that Christ reveals. And if trials come to us, we will not manifest a rebellious spirit. The opportunities will present themselves to every one of us, because we see oppression and unkindness, and because we see burdens that would be thrown upon us, and let self come in and exhibit itself.
We let self arise. We want to put the trials in their right place, and where is it? Christ says to everyone that is weary and heavy laden, “Come unto me.” And what? “Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.” And notwithstanding the crush of conflict that we shall have to pass through if we accept the truth of heavenly origin, there is meekness and lowliness in every move. Hide in Jesus Christ. Our life and character is hid with Christ in God, so we cannot afford to let any impulse of passion control our words or control our actions, but we must keep the Saviour’s example ever before us, and we must do just as Jesus would have done under similar circumstances. We are not to be revengeful.
Now the work that is before us we want clearly to understand. It is a work of mercy, a work of love, a work just in Christ’s lines. Just as Christ worked. He says that the nobleman went a long journey, and to every man he gave his work. The human agent is to cooperate with the divine. To everyone his work, and this is Christ’s work. It is not the man’s work. He is not to feel that all he has to do is to attend to his own individual self. No, there is a broader field. He is to occupy “till I come,” and what is it to occupy? To be laborers together with God. Therefore, it is of the greatest consequence that we understand in clear lines what it is to be laborers together with God.
We must be imbued with the Spirit of Christ. We cannot labor with God merely from our intellect or our education. We cannot buy the grace of God with money; we cannot buy it with eloquence; we cannot buy it with the power of our intellect. It is God’s to begin with…. We are to occupy to the best knowledge that we have, and sense our responsibility, and let our light shine through us to those that are around us, and in doing that we are doing the work of God.—Manuscript 11, February 17, 1894, “Isaiah 58.”
The Upward Look p. 62
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Prayer Requests
—-My friends’ 2 year old granddaughter Kingsley has a tumor in her stomach. and is taking chemo for it.please pray for them thank you . M
—-Please continue to pray for David and his family. God knows. Buck.
—-I have been admitted in the hospital for Multiple Blood Clots in both of my lungs. May I ask you all to prayI have been admitted in the hospital for Multiple Blood Clots in both of my lungs. May I ask you all to pray. Denise.
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Note: I was unable to access my website for over a month. I am able to access it as of today, so you will start receiving the devotional again. If this ever happens again, please contact me at rosehartwell@gmail.com. Thanks.
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Dear Friends,
Our Great Creator made such a large variety of creatures for us to enjoy. One of the places we enjoy going is the local zoo. As we walk along seeing all the great variety that God has made. I can’t help thinking of a time when the animals will not have to be in cages. We will be able to interact with them without fear. The Bible speaks of that wonderful time. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.” “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind…. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.”Isa11:6-8;65:17-25
We can see in our mind’s eye that glorious day! Jesus, Himself, will lead us to living fountains of waters. We will drink deeply of its clear unpolluted refreshment. As we sit under the shade of the tree of life, a lion walks over and lays down at our side. We reach over and pet him and he purrs in contentment. A huge elephant lumbers by and we go over to him. He allows us to get on his back and we take a ride along the river. From our vantage point, we look in every direction and what meets our eyes sends a thrill of joy to our heart. All creation is at peace. The beautiful flowers are sending forth their sweet perfume. The leaves of the trees will never die and fall to the ground. The various creatures are happily playing together without even a trace of fear. The redeemed are shouting praises to the One Who gave His life that they could be there. Yet, in the heart of our Great Redeemer will be a longing for those who failed to accept His wonderful grace. As we are enjoying the pleasures that He has prepared for us, He only will remember those who could have been with Him for all eternity if they hadn’t chose to cling to sin.
May we soon enjoy all the wonders of His Kingdom where “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 Cor 2:9 May we allow the Holy Spirit to fit us to dwell in that fair land, that we may bring happiness to our Dear Saviour’s Great Heart of Love. May we bring the good news of salvation to those around us that they, too, will fellowship with our Wonderful Lord throughout eternity is my prayer.
Rose