These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. Revelation 17:14.
What is life? A standing memorial of the only true God. The work of creation can never be explained by science. What intellect is there that can explain the science of life? Can we wonder that the materialist has no place for the existence of God? The fourth commandment declares to the whole universe, to the worlds unfallen and the fallen world, that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. The evidence there given does not leave standing room for skepticism….
Christ, the Commander in the heavenly courts, was accustomed to receive the attendance and adoration of angels. And at any time during His life on this earth He could have called to His Father for twelve legions of angels. But no bribe, no temptation to lead Him to manifest His divine prerogatives, could induce Him to deviate from the path of God’s appointment. Great tact and cunning were shown in the tactics which Satan followed. Three times did the enemy try to gain the victory over Christ. He assailed Him on the point of appetite. He appealed to His pride. He presented before Him the most captivating scenes of this world. He challenged Him to give evidence that He was the Son of God. Christ gave him none, but righteously maintained His dignity as One to whom God has committed all power.
Today, Satan has great power in the world. He has been permitted to have proprietorship of this earth for an appointed time. During this period, when iniquity prevails, men and women are given a chance to take sides. In every possible way, Satan tries to make the broad road attractive and the narrow road grievous, humiliating, and objectionable. He lays ingenious plans to allure men and women to indulge appetite. Cheap, unsatisfying pleasures are made all and in all in this degenerate age. Satan throws his glamour about these amusements, which eclipse eternal things. Many will sell their birthright, as did Esau, for trifling consideration by the indulgence of appetite. Worldly pleasure will appear more desirable to them than the heavenly birthright.
But Christ has overcome in our behalf. He was the only one who could be a competent Saviour. He had divine wisdom, ability, and power. He could stand before the world as a wonderful Counsellor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.—Letter 7, January 25, 1900, to W. K. Kellogg, brother of and assistant to Dr. J. H. Kellogg.
The Upward Look p. 39
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-I have a friend who really needs prayer for her marriage. Her husband used to be a SDA Christian but now he is into pornography and he is now into the violent kind of porn and my friend really needs prayer about this. The devil seems to have taken control of him. . . . Please pray for his quick repentance and conversion. Also I got a late call tonight from one of my son’s because his girlfriend had come home and . . . they had an argument and she started punching my son in his stomach over and over and her teenage son kept yelling over and over for his mom to stop punching my son. So she then went after her teenage son and my son called the cops and she was arrested and is now in jail. They have 4 beautiful children together and everything had been going so good for them lately. Now CPS will probably get involved and my son is very worried and stressed out. Please pray for my son and my grandchildren that everything will be okay for them. I hate to say it but the mom needed to be arrested this is not the first time she has attacked my son. He is a very good dad and loves his kids so much. Please pray for them all. Connie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
It has been a long time since we have gone for a little walk at Watson park (one of the local parks here in the city) but every time we do, we remember the time when we were invited to a wedding there. The bride was a friend of Eileen from the trailer park where we lived. This was her third marriage and she and the groom didn’t seem to take it all that seriously.
The pastor who was officiating, however, took it very seriously. He had some really important things to say about marriage. He spoke of the seriousness of the marriage vows that are taken before the Great King of the Universe. When he guided the bride and groom through their vows, we were surprised at how very strict they were. He stressed the point that these vows were not to be entered into lightly. Then he addressed the congregation and had them vow to do all within our power to help the bride and groom to keep the vows they had just taken. (Sadly, in a few years there marriage ended, but the pastor’s words that day stuck with me.)
The Bible speaks of an upcoming wedding that is the most important and grandest wedding that will ever take place, a wedding where the Groom is our Dear Saviour and His followers are the bride. John gives us a glimpse of that marriage. “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Rev 19:6-9 It is a wedding where “thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.” Isa 54:5 Paul used the symbol of marriage when he told his converts, “I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” 2 Cor 11:2
Each day, we are preparing for that great ceremony above. Just as Jesus said “He which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Matt 19:4-6, so when we accept Jesus as our Saviour we begin a new life of oneness with Him. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor 5:17
Just as a man and woman become more like one another the longer they are married, so we become changed into His likeness through a closer and closer walk with Him. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor 3:18
When we join ourselves to our Loving Saviour, we are no longer the same, no longer our own. His thoughts are to become our thoughts; His will, our will; His life our life. How our Great Redeemer longs for us to have this close relationship with Him. He assures us, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”Jer 31:3 How His Great Heart of Love longs for us to fellowship with Him continuously. How He desires us to show our love for Him not only by the words we say, but also by the things that we do. Our greatest joy will be to do those things which please Him. Paul tells us, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor 6:19,20
May we daily invite Jesus into our heart allowing Him to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Phil 2:13 May we spend so much time with Him through Bible study and prayer that others will see Him image stamped upon our character is my prayer.
Rose

<strongServe the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing…. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name. Psalm 100:2-4. Let every church member kneel before God while in His temple, and consecrate to Him His own, which He has bought with the blood of Christ…. God will bless all who will thus prepare themselves for His service. They will understand what it means to have the assurance of the Spirit, because they have received Christ by faith. The religion of Christ means much more than the forgiveness of sin. It means taking away our sins and filling the vacuum with the Holy Spirit. It means divine illumination, rejoicing in God. It means a heart emptied of self, and blessed with the abiding presence of Christ. We need the vital qualities of Christianity, and when we possess them, the church will be a living, active, working church. There will be growth in grace, because the bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness pervade the chambers of the mind. Let us not bring the gloom of unbelief into the church. Let us trim our lamps, seeking a fresh supply of oil, before we step over the threshold. It is our right, our privilege, to dismiss gloomy depression. As we go to the house of worship, we may go with joyfulness, for are we not going to meet with God and His people? … Let no thought of criticism enter your mind, to torment you, for Satan is near. He will do this work without your help. Refuse to cooperate with the accuser of the brethren. Gather up every ray of light, then seek out those who need help, and give this light to them. God says, “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23)…. The Lord will greatly bless His tried and chosen ones, if they will cooperate with Him. When the Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost, it was like a rushing, mighty wind. It was given in no stinted measure, for it filled all the place where the disciples were sitting. So will it be given to us when our hearts are prepared to receive it…. When you meet with the Lord, say, I am in the Lord's house, and I desire all wicked thoughts, all mistrust and murmuring against my brethren, to be banished. We have met here with God, who “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).—Manuscript 2, January 24, 1899, “The Need of Greater Consecration.”
The Upward Look p. 38
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-Asking for prayer for my daughter's hip pain. She has bursitis and got injection last week. Still having significant pain. Ann
—- My 22 week pregnant daughter’s water broke. Dr tried to force her to abort. She refused, Dr got angry, she gave birth to Miaveli, 1 lb. 6 oz, 11 in. Needs your prayers to survive. Bernardo
—-My Pop is in the hospital with double pneumonia. Prayers appreciated. Aaron
—-Please pray for Mary Ellen who has pancreatitis. Rose
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
One day before I retired, I decided to wear to work a pair of Esther's sandals that she had left at my house, and I had been wearing around the house. They were in such a convenient spot to slip into and they were comfortable. Out the door I went without giving those shoes another thought.
As soon as I had arrived at work, however, I was sorry that I had. When I had stepped onto the tile floor of the courthouse, loud clickety-clacks resounded throughout the foyer. There was not only the click, click, click of the heels, but also a slap, slap, slap as my heel and the shoe met with every step. Try as I might, I just could not walk quietly.
Although those sandals made my feet feel very comfortable, I was very uncomfortable. I would rather not be noticed, and everyone was noticing me no matter where I went. Throughout the day, everyone could hear me coming. I was so embarrassed. I even got a few comments about their being able to know where I was at all times. When I went on the afternoon "run" delivering and picking up paperwork from various courthouse offices, many people turned and looked in my direction. It seemed to me that they were suppressing their giggles at my loud clacking. I never wore those sandals again.
How seldom are we aware of how our "footsteps" influence those around us. Jesus declares, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matt 5:14-16 Think of it. Those with whom we come in contact are waiting to see if our "walk" matches our profession as Christians. "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 2:6;1:6,7 The Pharisees of Jesus' time were like those noisy sandals. Jesus warns us not to be like them, "do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not." Matt 23:3 Because their profession did not match their "walk" with Him, Jesus pronounced many woes upon them. May we go about our Christian walk not in noisy show, but faithfully, quietly, working for our Lord and Saviour is my prayer.
Rose

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:3.
Many, very many, will be terribly surprised when the Lord shall come suddenly as a thief in the night. Let us watch and pray, lest coming suddenly He find us sleeping. My soul is deeply stirred as I consider how much we ought to do for perishing souls. The prediction of Daniel, “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (Daniel 12:4), is to be fulfilled in our giving of the warning message; many are to be enlightened regarding the sure word of prophecy….
The salvation of souls should be our first consideration. I am troubled when I see many rejoicing in temporal prosperity, for those who possess worldly treasure seldom seek earnestly to secure the heavenly. They are in danger of falling into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown man in destruction….
We need a more firm reliance upon a “Thus saith the Lord.” If we have this, we shall not trust to feeling, and be ruled by feeling. God asks us to rest in His love. It is our privilege to know the Word of God as a sure and tried guide, an infallible assurance. Let us work on the faith side of the question. Let us believe and trust, and talk faith and hope and courage. Let the praise of God be in our hearts and on our lips oftener than it is. “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me” (Psalm 50:23). Keep the mind stayed upon God, and know the love of Christ as the Word of God reveals it. This Word is life. Talk of Christ; call others to behold Him as your Redeemer.
It is our privilege to rest in an active, living faith in Christ as the Life-giver. It is our privilege to comprehend with all saints, what is the length and depth and height, and to know the love of God which passeth knowledge, and be filled with all the fullness of God. Let us contemplate Christ as the One in whom all fullness dwells. Beholding Him as our personal Saviour, we shall appreciate the value of His saving grace. We should think about Jesus more than we do. We should let His praise be in our hearts. We should speak of the love that has been so abundantly expressed for us. We certainly have every reason to praise God with heart and soul and voice, saying, I will praise the Lord for His great love wherewith He hath loved me….
Lift Him up, the Christ of Calvary; lift Him up, that the world may behold Him. Talk of His goodness, sing of His love, and give Him the grateful thanks of your hearts.—Letter 12, January 23, 1907, to “Brother and Sister Nicola.”
The Upward Look p. 37
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my dear 85 year old mother. She has an awful cough and she may have bronchitis or pneumonia. Please pray God will spare her life again. Connie
—-I just got an email from my sister that her mentally and verbally abusive husband left this morning and is threatening to take their adopted son who he doesn’t even seem to care much for, please pray for them. My sister’s name is Daniella, David
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
When Ron and I were newly married, we celebrated our anniversary every week. We had gotten married on a Thursday, so every Thursday after work, we did something fun. Most of the time, we went miniature golfing, but Ron was growing tired of it and decided that we should do something new and different. To my dismay, he decided that we should go horseback riding at a nearby stables.
Horseback riding brought out two problems that Ron was about to learn that I had. 1. I’m allergic to horses. 2. I didn’t know how to ride. Not wanting to put a damper on Ron’s enthusiasm, however, I put on a forced smile determined that I would not spoil his fun. When we got to the stables, my nose began to itch. I tried not to sneeze. We mounted our horses and off we went. We had not gotten very far down the trail before I began to be very miserable. My nose was running like a faucet and my horse had figured out that she was in control. If a horse could smile, that one was grinning. She saw some tender plant a little ways off the path and trotted over and began to eat. No matter how many times I pulled on the reigns, she kept eating. The others were getting farther down the path. I had visions of being left at the mercy of this creature that was making me so sick.
The guide noticed my predicament and rescued me. Giving me a few instructions, she rode back up to the front of the group. Her instructions did not help a bit. That horse was not going to give up control so easily. Soon she had spied a nice delicacy farther from the trail. Off she trotted carrying me along with her.
The leader again came to my rescue. Even though I tried to gain control, that horse was my master. I was not having a good time and neither were any of the others in the group. Everyone was glaring at me for ruining their ride. Several more times that horse took me where I did not want to go. I was humiliated, that is true, but mostly I just wanted off from that beast so I could go home and take an allergy pill.
Finally the leader rode back past the group, found where my horse had taken me, and took the reins. My horse was not happy and I was embarrassed, but at least we were now going in the right direction. We trotted by all the group and led the way.
How often it is the same in our life. If we do not allow Jesus to lead us, the evil one takes control just as did that beast I was attempting to ride. Before long we have find ourselves far from the narrow path and unable to get back to where we should be. (Matt 7:13, 14) We try and try our hardest, but without success. We become an embarrassment to ourselves and to others. Try as we might, we are trapped in the snares of the evil one. What at one time seemed like a pleasure, now binds us with strong chains and we are helpless to break free.
We feel as did David when he prayed, “Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.” “O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.” Ps 69:1-3;25:20 We cry out as did Paul, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Rom 7:24
He then answers his own question, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Praise God we have a Heavenly Guide, Who will rescue us from our strayings! We only need to ask and He will deliver us. “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations.” 2 Peter 2:9 “The LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.” Isa 33:22 Indeed, He has given His own life to ransom us from all evil. He “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14
May we allow Jesus to take hold of the reins of our life and lead us in the way we should go. May we pray as did Jeremiah, “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.” Jer 17:16 May the Lord “deliver (us) from every evil work, and preserve (us) unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 2 Tim 4:18
Rose

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:17.
The influence of grace is to soften the heart, to refine and purify the feelings, giving a heaven-born delicacy and sense of propriety. A Christian cannot be self-exalted, for this is not Christlike. The world’s Redeemer, the sinner’s substitute and surety, says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)….
But let us continually bear in mind that the meek and lowly Jesus has the spirit and the ambition of a conqueror. The vast dominions over which earthly potentates hold sway form no adequate theater for the exercise of His grace, the expression of His love, and the manifestation of His glory. He who loves the Lord Jesus Christ in truth and sincerity will love those whom Christ died to save, and will eagerly embrace every opportunity to minister to Christ in the person of His disciples.
We must look at our lives as sons and daughters of God, as laborers with Jesus Christ, living for a noble purpose. We are representatives of Jesus Christ in character, and are to serve Him with our undivided affections. Not only will we reveal the fact that we love God, but will, in accordance with His holy character, live a pure, perfect life. We must live perfection, because in looking at Jesus we see in Him the embodiment of perfection; and the great Center upon whom our hope of eternal life and happiness is centered will lead us to unity and harmony….
The life we now live must be by faith in Jesus Christ. If we are Christ’s followers our lives will not be as pieced out by little cheap spasmodic actions according to circumstances and surroundings—jerking actions, revealing feelings to be our master, indulging in little frettings, envious faultfindings, jealousies, and selfish vanity. These put us all out of harmony with the harmonious life of Jesus Christ, and we cannot be overcomers if we retain these defects….
When exposed to varied scenes in life, and words are spoken that are calculated to cut and bruise the soul, speak to yourself: “I am a child of God, an heir with Jesus Christ, a colaborer with God. I must not therefore have a cheap mind, easily to take offense, always thinking of myself, for this will naturally produce an inharmonious character. It is unworthy of my noble calling. The heavenly Father has given me my work to do; let me be worthy of the trust.”—Letter 78, January 22, 1893, to E. J. Waggoner, a prominent minister.
The Upward Look p. 36
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-I need your continued prayers for my little preemie granddaughter. Ann
—-Please pray for me. My husband is being so mean to me. He is not physically hurting me but he is very verbally abusive and emotionally abusive. I can hardly take any more. Connie
—-Please continue to pray for David. Things are no better. Buck
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
Someone near and dear to my heart is going through some very difficult trials. She has been tempted to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Yet, God has been there to help her in so many ways. He has sent comfort through family and friends who are giving her guidance and support. God is good and will give her a clear path through her distresses!
How often, as perplexities surround us, as trials and uncertainties threaten to overwhelm us, we are tempted to say “The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.” Isa 49:14 Yet, He is with each one of us in those trials we all face that threaten to overwhelm us.
He, Who gave His only Son for us, assures us, “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.” “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” Isa 43:2;49:15
Paul declared, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?… Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom 8:35-39
Praise God! Because of His love and grace, we can declare with assurance, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed….For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor 4:8,9,17,18 Through God’s Holy Word, we can look beyond this present moment and see what is happening behind the scenes. We can, as did Moses, choose “to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures” of this world which are soon to perish. Heb 11:25,26 As did Abraham, we can look “for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” vs 10
A song by Ira Stanphill called I Don’t Know about Tomorrow illustrates the attitude and faith that we should have in our day-to-day experience:
I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day;
I don’t borrow from it’s sunshine, for it’s skies may turn to gray.
I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said;
And today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead.
Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand.
I don’t know about tomorrow, it may bring me poverty;
But the One Who feeds the sparrow, is the One Who stands by me.
And the path that be my portion, may be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me, and I’m covered with His blood.
Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand.
May we trust in our Loving Saviour no matter what the future holds. May we rely upon Him in whatever circumstance we find ourself. May we, when overwhelmed and perplexed, “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb 4:16
Rose

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind. Matthew 13:47.
We have abundant evidence that tares grow with wheat in the church of God. There are sincere Christians in the church, and there are also lukewarm Christians. These have opportunity to know the truth. The Word of God is presented to them; they come to the banquet, as Judas came to the Passover, but like Judas, they do not eat the Word of life. No one can compel them to eat the Word of eternal life—to make thorough work for repentance, that they may obtain a Christian experience, and become rooted and grounded in the truth….
We must not be overwhelmed with discouragement because good and bad are gathered into the church. Judas was numbered among the disciples. He had every advantage a man could have, but although he heard the truth, and listened to the principles so plainly laid down, yet Christ knew that he did not receive the truth. He did not eat the truth. It did not become a part of himself. His old habits and practices constantly sought to assert themselves. But Christ did not take forcible means to cut Judas away from the disciples….
All who are trying to do true service to God will be brought into perplexity. But do not think of failure. Do not talk of discouragement. Let all be united in doing the will of our heavenly Father…. If we are Christians, we cannot follow the world’s policy. “It is written” must be our constant counselor. What ungodly men do should not guide us….
Men act as though they had been given special liberty to cancel the decisions of God. The higher critics put themselves in the place of God, and review the Word of God, revising or endorsing it. In this way, all nations are induced to drink the wine of the fornication of Babylon. These higher critics have fixed things to suit the popular heresies of these last days. If they cannot subvert and misapply the Word of God, if they cannot bend it to human practices, they break it….
All who are doers of the Word of God will be blessed abundantly. Whatever crosses they must lift, whatever losses they must sustain, whatever persecution they may suffer, even if it be to the loss of their temporal life, they are amply recompensed; for they secure that life which measures with the life of God. In losing their lives for Christ’s sake, they gain a life which lasts through the eternal ages. They walk under the direction of the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. They shall see His face, and His name shall be in their foreheads.—Letter 48, January 21, 1897, to “Brethren Daniells and Salisbury,” leading workers in Australia.
The Upward Look p. 35
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Art as his wife passed away in her sleep. Rose
—-Monday a friend of mine is having surgery on her torn retina sp. her name is Kathy.also just found out. that another dear friend of ours was in a car accident and has a horrible whip lash. another request.is for Craig’s cousins husband who had a accident at work Friday. he has a broken shoulder and pelvic broken his name is Terry. than you. M.
—- This morning I found out my son Nathan has throat cancer. He is only 27. I think the hardest part for me is he is in prison. 6 hours away. I don’t want my precious son to have to go through this alone! Please pray for Nathan. Please pray for his brothers and his dad as they are struggling with this news. As most of you know Annora my granddaughter is currently fighting cancer and she is only 1. God has done great thing for Annora. Good doctors. Medication to kill the tumor. Parents to help her stay positive and fight along with her, and a spirit like none other! Christina
—-Please pray for David who is battling depression. Buck
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
When Esther was still in college, she was feeling the need for a pet. She didn’t want just any kind of pet, but one that was big enough to cuddle. Since the apartment house where she and Brian lived did not allow dogs or cats, she wasn’t sure just what to get. Ronnie Jay and I suggested a gerbil, but she wanted something bigger. As she does with all of her problems, she took it to the Lord in prayer.
The pet store where Ronnie Jay often went offered an adoption program. They would take back any unwanted pet and then give it away to a good home. Esther looked at the animals and decided on a guinea pig. This poor creature’s neck had been injured by its former owner, so its head was a little twisted. Esther felt very sorry for it. Because the guinea pig had suffered so much, the store manager gave her its cage and all that came with it for free. He felt that it had gone through enough anxiety already.
When she got him home, she and Brian named him Gerber. At first, he was timid and unsteady on his feet. They gave him lots of love and very good care. Gradually, Gerber’s condition improved and he became very tame. He reveled in all of the love and attention that Brian and Esther showered upon him. Whenever either of them came into the room, he squealed with delight and wanted to be held. He was a very obedient pet and whenever Esther let him run around the floor, he even cames when he was called.
Just as Brian and Esther lovingly cared for Gerber when he was in poor condition, so our Loving Saviour nurtures and cares for us, bringing us ever closer to His will for our life. Just as Gerber’s whole happiness was wrapped up in Esther and Brian, so our entire being should be wrapped up in Jesus. Just as Gerber’s little heart loved his owners supremely, so our Dear Saviour longs for our heart to be completely filled with love for Him. Indeed, our Loving Redeemer loves us even more than we could possibly love Him. He assures us, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jer 31:3 Paul reminds us, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom 5:8
The One Who laid down His life for us, yearns for us to love the Him with all of our heart, and with all of our soul, and with all of our mind, and with all of our strength. Mark 12:30 Yet, how often we live our life with scarcely a thought Heavenward. How often we have a “head knowledge” but not a “heart knowledge.” How often we have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. (2 Tim 3:5) How it must break His Great Heart of Love for us to be content with a “do nothing” religion. With tears in His voice, our Dear Saviour declares, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” Matt 15:8
May we be known as the friend of God as was Abraham of old. (James 2:23) May we walk with our Great Creator as did Enoch. (Gen 5:22) May we sing as did David, “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.” Ps 9:1, 2
Rose