I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5.
Wonderful opportunities are opened before the human agent to understand the unsearchable riches of the wisdom of God. In this work, which nothing less than divine power can accomplish, nothing can be perfected without the cooperation of the human agent. Then the divine and the human are blended, as in the life of the Son of God….
The sincere Christian, in his [acceptance] of grace, feels that his success is wholly dependent upon Christ. Here is the Source of divine energy. He urges no claim founded on his own merit; he has no faithfulness to present to heaven. He feels his own weakness and inefficiency, and is convinced that he must be transformed in character. Self-abasement, and self-renunciation reveal that the soul has beheld Jesus. The heart made penitent by the Spirit of Christ will act from principle. He is a partaker of the divine nature…. In his daily walk and conversation he represents the character of Christ….
What will it profit [us] to cherish pride of spirit, and pray for humility? What will it profit to seek eagerly the friendship and applause of the world, and pray for heavenly affections? What will it profit to indulge in passionate temper and un-Christlike words, and then ask for the meekness of Christ? This is not watching unto prayer. In the lack of that faith that works by love and purifies the soul lies the secret of unanswered prayer…. I tell you in the name of the Lord: if the church will arise in the strength of God to meet her responsibilities, consecrating to God every power, the Spirit of the Lord will be poured out in rich abundance….
Some who profess to be Christians need a genuine conversion. They desire to be accepted of God; they pray in a casual way that they may be accepted, and yet through their desire for gain, their worldliness and selfishness, their robbery of God, they shut themselves away from Him. His curse is hanging over them for their selfishness and worldly lusts. Their prayers will be wholly in vain unless they comply with the condition specified in the Word of God….
The uncertain experience of many professed Christians—sinning and repenting and continuing in the same dwarfed spiritual condition—is the result of worldliness and unholiness of life. The saving grace of Christ is designed for everyday life. Christ came not to save man in his sins, but from his sins. The principles of truth, abiding in the heart, will sanctify the life.—Manuscript 35, January 8, 1893, “Publishing Work.”
The Upward Look p. 22
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Prayer Requests
—-My dear mother is in so much pain in her back and neck that she is crying out over and over even though she is on pain meds. Please pray that God will take her pain away and that my mom can come home with me instead of a convalescent home! She will get very good care with me and my daughter in law . Connie
—-Desi is in the ER very sick, and will be having emergency surgery. Please keep son Johnathan and her in prayers. It is life threatening. Ann
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Dear Friends,

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:20, 21.
Financial speculations are Satan’s snares, laid to catch souls. In all business transactions the only safeguard for a man is the love and fear of God. In our world today there are seen the same dishonest practices which prevailed before the Flood swept this earth of its moral pollution, and which prevailed in Sodom before fire from heaven consumed its wicked inhabitants. Satan engrosses men’s minds with dreamlike prospects of great gain, and in their greed for gain, those who yield to him make representations which are positively untrue. God and the truth are forgotten….
God desires His servants to avoid all speculation. Satan may pave the way by making the first investment successful, but O, how bitter will be the final outcome! If the professing Christian has success in his first speculation, his ruin is almost certain. Visionary schemes are wildly entered into as schemers present promising enterprises, which they declare will pay a large percentage on all money invested. Good men are fascinated and deceived….
Instead of entering into speculation, let those who know the truth find some steady, honest employment, in which they can earn their living in a way that glorifies God. Those who encourage the thirst for speculation will extinguish the light that God has given to guide their feet aright. Making money easily, they will spend it unwisely, and their prodigality will be their ruin. To maintain their habits of selfish indulgence, they must continue to make money rapidly. The effort to make money fast enough to meet their extravagant expenses, draws many into the gambling hell….
My prayer to our heavenly Father is, Lord, let the clear light shine forth. Carefully and prayerfully studied, God’s Word keeps men well-balanced. In this Word we find God’s way clearly defined. No one who searches the Word with sincerity will walk in darkness. But we cannot cast aside the light God sends, and at the same time walk in its rays. To be Christians at all, we must be Christians in all things, revealing His virtues, doing His works. The truth is our safeguard. Planted in the heart by the Holy Spirit, it enables us to see clearly the difference between what is right and what is wrong.—Manuscript 26a, 1890, “A Warning Against Financial Speculation.”
The Upward Look p. 21
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Prayer Requests
—- Been battling vertigo all week. Start feeling better and it knocks me down again. Monday went to emergency room due to nausea so bad with every movement I threw up. Got my neck adjusted, it was off it’s axis. But that has not resolved the problem. Pray God will guide me to know not only what to do but what not to do so this can heal. I’m barely functional. Plus now my sinuses are acting up adding insult to injury and my tear in spinal cord is getting aggravated from not being mobile enough. Darla
—-please pray that I can take my mother home to be with me without any problems. Then I will come and get my uncle and the doggies asap! Please continue praying because knowing the “caregiver” I will have a real battle on my hands. Connie
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Dear Friends,
One day, when Esther was about twelve or thirteen, she played a joke on her sister that gave Eileen a terrible fright. All had seemed normal when she had driven Esther and Ronnie Jay to school on that particular day, but it didn’t stay that way. After dropping them off at the door, Eileen decided to park the car so she could visit the restroom before about her day. Esther, who sat by the window noticed this and asked if she could be excused. The teacher, not expecting anything, nodded his permission.
Quietly, Esther tiptoed into the restroom. She could hear her sister humming softly to herself in one of the stalls. Smiling, Esther entered the far stall and lifted herself up onto the metal crossbeams at the top of the stalls. Carefully, she inched her way from stall to stall until she was directly over her sister.
Suddenly, Esther jumped down in front of the startled Eileen. Then she quickly let herself out of the stall’s door, ran from the restroom but slowed to a walk when she reached the hallway. Then she entered her classroom and sat down as if nothing had happened.
As soon as Eileen recovered from her fright, her fear became anger. Moments later, she burst into the classroom, shouting threats at her little sister. Seeing the shocked looks upon the teacher and students’ faces, Eileen stopped shouting and quietly closed the door. After she was gone, the teacher asked Esther what caused her sister to burst angrily into the room. When Esther confessed what she had done, the whole room erupted with laughter.
How often wrongs that are no laughing matter are committed by those we should be able to trust. How many times our feelings are hurt by those we love the most. How often church members become disillusioned and devastated by our words or actions and leave never to return because we will not humble ourselves enough to apologize for what we have done.
Our Dear Saviour reminds us, “whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matt 23:12 In fact making sure that all is right between ourselves and our brethren is so important that He tells us, “if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” Matt 5:23,24 He, Who “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” longs for us to be as He is, “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” Phil 2:7,8; Ex 34:6
Our Saviour was kind and tenderhearted, full of love and pity for the erring. He did not come to this world to force His will on anyone. He does not manipulate us. He does not make us love Him. Instead, He gives us a choice. He pleads with us, “therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” Deut 30:19 “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 He wins us to Himself through His loving kindness and tender mercies. (Jer 31:3) He draws us with cords of love. (Hosea 11:4) “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Ps 103:13,14 He gives us an example of how we should treat those who disagree with us or even despitefully use us. Even as He was nailed to the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34
Our Loving Redeemer is to be our example. Paul explains how each should live in harmony. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Phil 2:3,4 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Rom 12:3-5 “For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” 1 Cor 12:12-27 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” 1 Peter 3:8-12
Rose

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, … even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31, 32.
The great controversy going on in the world is waging more sharply today than at any period of this world’s history between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness. Bear the fact in mind that, wherever there are plans set in operation to advance the cause of God in the world, Satan will be on hand to counteract, if possible, the workings of our merciful heavenly Father…. He will use every possible advantage you give him to control minds….
God’s people, rescued from the fire by Jesus Christ, have a sense of their sin, feel humbled and ashamed. God sees and recognizes their repentance, and notes their sorrow for sin, which they cannot remove or cancel themselves. But as they pray their prayers are heard, and this is the reason that Satan stands by to resist Christ; because He hears their prayers, He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. He regenerates the sinner, and pardon is written off against his name. This stirs Satan up to resistance. He steps in between the repenting, believing soul and Christ. He seeks to cast his hellish shadow before that soul, to dampen faith, and to make of none effect the words of God….
If Satan stands between the soul and Jesus Christ, then the love and acceptance and pardon of Christ are eclipsed—man will be constantly striving to prepare a robe of righteousness to cover his deformity and sin, when Christ wants him to come to Him just as he is, and believe in Him as his personal Saviour. In His tender love, a forgiving Father brings forth His best robe in which to array His returning child….
Satan is a vigilant, untiring foe, and he sleeps not. He knows that his time is short, and he will work until the end with every species of deception to draw souls into his snare and ruin them. I have a message for you—“Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” Give no place to the devil to stand between you and Christ, lest you savor of the things that be of men and not of God. If your faith is genuine, it must and will produce obedience. God commands us to do nothing which we cannot do. He will give strength to every believing, trusting soul….
Cherish the love of Jesus in the heart, respect each other, for Christ has given His life for you. Every soul is precious in the sight of God. It is a wonderful thing to be remembered and cared for every hour by God.—Letter 65, January 6, 1894, to the ship’s crew on board the Pitcairn.
The Upward Look p. 20
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Prayer Requests
—-Paul was just rushed to ER with bad chest pain and blurry vision. Requesting prayer please. Arlene
—-My grandma’s health is failing and she can’t see the cardiologist for a week. Please pray she will be ok and the procedure she needs goes well. Also for her husband’s comfort and strength. Daisy
—-Could you please say some prayers for my grandson? He is autistic and getting very violent towards his parents and they cant get him to his doctor until Friday. I am getting pretty scared for my daughter so please pray for her too. Becky
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Dear Friends,
Many years ago, my mother discovered an old family Bible in the attic. The first entry in the title page of that Book was “Jeremiah Carpenter, 1749.” As she was leafing through the pages in the front of the book, she found a genealogy page that began from that point. From that moment, she became interested in researching our family tree on both the Harmon and the Phillips sides. She really put her whole heart and soul into this project interviewing elderly relatives, checking birth and death records, etc.
As I was reading it one day, I noticed that in the seventeen and eighteen hundreds, the infant mortality rate was very high. Many of my ancestors had lots of children, but only one or two of them reached adulthood. It made me feel so sad for them. How hopeful they must have been as they held their little one in their arms and how devastated they were when that little one was snatched away from them by death. The saddest of all was a man and his wife who, as they began to have children, started naming them according to what was in their heart. “Hope,” “Faith,” “Victory,” but there was no victory for them. Every one of their babies died. Eventually, they died childless. It was passed down through the generations that they died of a broken heart.
Our pastor, Vernon Bliss, used to say that no one ever died of natural causes. Death is always unnatural because death was never in God’s plan. He desired this world to be like the rest of the universe: perfect, beautiful, filled with happy, holy beings. God assures us, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil. Jer 29:11 What sadness must fill His heart as we live our lives with hardly a thought heavenward. How His eyes must fill with tears as He watches us destroy ourselves through our own selfish desires. He pleads 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
Praise God! He has provided a way of escape. He has sent His only Son, to save us, not in our sins, but from our sins. Paul tells us, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil 2:5-8
All Heaven is a bustle of activity working together to help mankind find “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Jesus bids us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev 22:17 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
May we come to Him just as we are—all sin-sick and weary, full of cares and sorrows and disappointments. May we give ourselves to Him unreservedly. May we serve Him this day with our whole heart and mind and strength is my prayer.
Rose

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. John 15:26.
Those who have Jesus abiding in the heart by faith, have actually received the Holy Spirit. Every individual who receives Jesus as his personal Saviour, just as surely receives the Holy Spirit, to be his Counselor, Sanctifier, Guide, and Witness. The more closely the believer walks with God, the clearer his witness, and, as a sure result, the more powerful will be the influence of his testimony upon others of a Saviour’s love; the more he will give evidence that he prizes the Word of God. It is his meat, it is his drink, to satisfy the thirsty soul. He prizes the privilege of learning the will of God from His Word.
Some souls who claim to be believers have slighted, and turned from, the Word of God. They have neglected the Bible, the wonderful Guidebook, the true Tester of all ideas, and claim that they have the Spirit to teach them, that this renders searching the Scriptures unnecessary. All such are heeding the sophistry of Satan, for the Spirit and the Word agree, say the Scriptures, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20). He only is a free man whom the truth makes free….
The Lord loves you, and His guardian angels are round about you. If you are doers of the Word you will obey the instructions of Jesus Christ…. In our own strength we are perfect weakness, but, when we put our whole trust in Jesus Christ, we are kept by His power, for He is fully able to keep every soul that puts his trust in Him. The peril to which every soul is exposed is very great.
The great adversary of God, and the enemy of man, is watching to find an opportunity to take us when we are off our guard. Jesus has told us of our danger and warned us against the wily foe. He has repeatedly enjoined upon us the duty of always watching and praying, lest we enter into temptation. Believe in Jesus, trust in Jesus with living, constant faith, and rely without doubt upon Jesus to keep and save you. One mighty to save has hold upon you, and as long as you will submit to be led by Him, to learn of Him, to confide in Him, He will keep you from falling. And, when God engages to keep you, He is a sure defense.
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Eileen, as her incision is infected. She is on antibiotics but they don’t seem to be helping. Rose
—-N needs Prayer, she feels like killing herself as she’s pregnant the father left her. Arlene
—-I’m asking for prayer for my oldest son who is facing some legal issues today. Please pray for grace and mercy for him and may God’s will be done in his life. Cora
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Dear Friends,
This year on the fourth of July, we went to the parade in a nearby town in the morning and then in the evening we sat on the back porch and watched fireworks from many neighbors and the professional ones from our small town. All in all, it was a very nice day.
Some years ago, however, it was far different. Ron and Ronnie Jay read a schedule of all of the Fourth of July celebrations in the area. Excitedly, they talked about going to one of the area parades. We had even thought about going to see the fireworks even though I don’t like crowds and avoid them as much as possible.
On the Fourth, we slept in, however, so by the time we ate breakfast and had morning worship, it was too late to go to the parade. We didn’t say anything more about the fireworks and each of us got busy with other things throughout the day. Before long, it was too late to go to the fireworks display.
There is a far more important event coming that we all are in danger of letting time slip by. How easy it is to get caught up in the pleasures of this world so that spiritual realities are rarely thought of. How often we get so busy dealing with the troubles and trials of daily life, that we fail to put “first things first.” So many things catch our interest that before we know it the days, months, and years slip by. With surprise one day, we awaken to find that we are old and all of our good intentions to accept Jesus as our Saviour, all our dreams of winning souls for His Kingdom that we have put off for “a more convenient season” will never be realized. Act 24:25 How many will lament (as they see Jesus coming in the clouds to receive His own unto Himself,) “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Matt 24:30; Jer 8:20
There is nothing in this world more important than getting ready for Our Dear Saviour’s coming. He warns us, “take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” ” And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken…And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:34-36,21-28
That great hymn by G.W. Sederquist reminds us: “Tis almost time for the Lord to come, I hear the people say; The stars of heaven are growing dim, It must be the breaking of the day. The signs foretold in the sun and moon, in earth, and sea, and sky, Aloud proclaim to all mankind, The coming of the Master draweth nigh. It must be time for the waiting church To cast her pride away, With girded loins and burning lamps, To look for the breaking of the day. Go quickly out in the streets and lanes And in the broad highway, And call the maimed, the halt, and blind, To be ready for the breaking of the day.”
“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” 1 Thes 5:6 “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we [first] believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.” Rom 13:11-13 Let us be diligent to “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in [us] both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil 2:12,13
Rose

The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:19.
Pray for the impartation of the Holy Spirit and believe that it is for you…. Search your own hearts, and prepare the vessel for the reception of the Holy Spirit. Do not be satisfied with your present experience. Sink the shaft deeper and still deeper into the mine of truth….
It is the privilege of every believer in Christ to possess Christ’s nature, a nature far above that which Adam forfeited by transgression. He who sees the Son by faith and believes in Him, is obedient to the commandments of God, and in this obedience he finds everlasting life…. You will not have a firm religious experience unless you dig deep, and build your house upon the Rock….
Satan works through men who will be worked, blinding the perceptive faculties, paralyzing the senses with selfish ease and love of the world, and unless a special message direct from heaven comes to them they will not discern their peril.
Human nature is vacillating. Men grasp the truth with their perceptive powers, but they refuse to separate themselves from the world. Men will not consent to be God’s peculiar people. They know the truth of the Bible, but they do not want to obey, and they turn from the truth. They act out their unbelief, and darkness comes upon their souls. Choosing their own way they are left to be filled with their own devices. Truth is insulted, Christ ignored, and perdition will be their portion unless they turn and repent….
While these opposing influences are at work to lead away from the truth, away from conviction, away from heaven into the broad path of self-gratification, the agents of God are to work to save souls that are ready to perish. After wrestling with God in prayer, put on the armor, and engage in earnest labor for the conversion of souls. Let men see that with you truth is not a jest, but an eternal reality. You are to deal with principles as you have never dealt with them before. Scatter the seeds of truth with no sparing hand. Sow beside all waters. Have no prescribed limits which you will not pass, but [work] with all the powers that God has given you. Then the people will know you as a man who believes the truth, and to whom truth is a reality. Let not your faith fail. Bring your mind to the point of decision or shake yourself free from all slothfulness and inaction…. Hold fast. Leave no means untried. Work, and watch, and pray, and walk humbly with God.—Letter 6a, January 4, 1900, to a college Bible teacher and his wife.
The Upward Look p. 18
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Prayer Requests
—-Eileen’s incision has become infected. Please pray that it will clear up and heal completely. Rose
—-Please pray for Mike as he flies back home tomorrow. Rose
—- Please pray for my husband Mike. . . .He had a serious car accident 2 months ago and totaled the vehicle at work. He was severely bruised in the chest and shoulder from the seat belt. They did tests in ER after, but nothing showed up.
Well, now he’s having severe diaphragm spasms that cause him to sometimes stop breathing. . . .Please pray for him and for all involved and that workers comp will help us through this. Cynthia
—-Please pray for my friend Samantha who was admitted to her hospital earlier today her time and she is fighting with her issue of her illness. Tony
—-Praise and update—Connie is doing very well! The surgery according to the surgeon went flawlessly! . . .Her aneurysms openings were blocked by the pipeline procedure in the Carotid artery in the brain. It was congenital- fortunately we found this problem when an MRI was taken to rule out stroke or tumor because of sudden hearing loss! They discovered the Aneurysms. When Connie has a near fatal accident in 2006 I insisted that they would do an MRI. She had serious brain bleeds. Found out after this incident that the aneurysms were present in 2006, unfortunately or maybe fortunately no one ever told us about them! The present surgeon was able to measure both and there had been changes that could move us closer to rupture! We are pleased and happy for all of your prayers! Our God knows exactly what is best always! Norm
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Dear Friends,
Last week was Vacation Bible School at our church. The theme was the Lord’s Prayer. As the pastor spoke of each part of the prayer, it really helped the children to understand. One of the sections he spoke about was “Forgive us our debts and we forgive our debtors.”
Jesus “told a parable to illustrate His desire for us to have the same heartfelt forgiveness toward those who have wronged us, “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” Matt 19:22-35
For some of us, having that heartfelt forgiveness is difficult. We are not naturally forgiving and can receive that ability only from God. Jesus promises, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Eze 36:26,27 “Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.” Matt 7:7. We have the privilege to believe and claim His promises. Then we can press forward knowing that we have received our request.
May we ask for and receive the ability to forgive from the heart those who have wronged us. May we reflect the love of Jesus fully. May we declare as did Paul, “for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Tim 1:12
Rose