Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Matthew 4:11.
After the foe had departed, Jesus fell exhausted to the earth. He had endured the test, but He now was fainting on the field of battle. What hand was there to be put beneath His head? How was He to be given care and nourishment so that He might regain His strength? Was He to be left to perish after gaining the victory? Oh, no; the angels of heaven had watched the conflict with intense interest, and they now came and ministered to the Son of God as He lay like one dying. He was strengthened with food, comforted with the message of His Father’s love and the assurance that all heaven triumphed in His victory. He returned from the wilderness to proclaim with power His message of mercy and salvation.
What if Satan had gained the victory? What hope would we have had? Christ came to reveal to worlds unfallen, to angels, and to the human race that in God’s law there is no restriction that we cannot obey. He came to represent God in humanity. He met every requirement that we are asked to meet.—Manuscript 155, 1902 (Sermons and Talks, 2:219, 220).
In their conflicts with Satan, the human family has all the help that Christ had. They need not be overcome. They may be more than conquerors through Him who has loved them and given His life for them…. The Son of God in His humanity wrestled with the very same fierce, apparently overwhelming, temptations that assail us—temptations to indulgence of appetite, to presumptuous venturing where God has not led them, and to the worship of the god of this world, to sacrifice an eternity of bliss for the fascinating pleasures of this life. Everyone will be tempted, but the Word declares that we shall not be tempted above our ability to bear. We may resist and defeat the wily foe.
Every soul has a heaven to win and a hell to shun. And the angelic agencies are all ready to come to the help of the tried and tempted soul. He, the Son of the infinite God, endured the test and trial in our behalf. The cross of Calvary stands vividly before every soul. When the cases of all are judged, and they are delivered to suffer for their contempt for God and their disregard of His honor in their disobedience, not one will have an excuse, not one will need to have perished. It was left to their own choice who should be their prince, Christ or Satan. All the help Christ received, every person may receive in the great trial.—Letter 116, 1899.
Christ Triumphant p. 195
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Buddy who has a sore on his leg and pain in his eye. Kay
—-Please pray for a lady named Carey. She has stage 4 lung cancer and is in hospice. She is really having a hard time now (probably with her breathing). I don’t know if she is a Christian. She is probably in her mid to late 50s. Mary
—-a friend of ours is dealing with cancer and has recently been hospitalized. Please pray for God’s hand to bring healing if He so wills. Her name is Cynthia. David
—-Please pray earnestly for E and her children that the devil will leave them alone. R
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Dear Friends,
In the 1970’s, Ron went to college to learn to be an avionics technician. Many times, over the years, he shared with me how God helped him to repair a certain piece of airplane equipment that was beyond he ability to fix. Whenever he got to the point that he had no idea how to fix the problem, his habit was to go into a quiet place and pray for wisdom and help. Praise God! He received the help that he needed and suddenly realize what to do, and the piece of avionic equipment would soon be repaired.
Just as Ron earnestly prayed for wisdom to fix a problem with the airplane equipment, so we must “pray without ceasing” for power from On High to overcome sinning. 1 Thes 5:17 Just as Ron did not give up until whatever he was working on was repaired, so we are to “give diligence to make our calling and election sure.” I Peter 1:10 Yet, how many times we become discouraged and feel like laying aside the armor and giving up fighting the fight of faith. Paul advises, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity (agape love).” 1 Cor 16:13,14 John adds, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:3-5
To be an overcomer, we must lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run with patience the race that is set before us, continually looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith for the help and strength we so much need. (Heb 12:1, 2) Our Dear Saviour promises, “he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matt 24:13 In our own strength, we cannot persevere for we will soon become discouraged. In our own strength, we cannot overcome. In our own strength, we cannot truly keep God’s Commandments. We might be vigilant for a time and appear to do so, but eventually we will tire and let down our guard and give up the faith. In our own strength we cannot endure unto the end “for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance.” Eph 6:12-18
May we remember to go to the Captain of our Faith for the help and strength we need to “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness, fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,” and gain the victory over every sin is my prayer. 1 Tim 6:11,12
Rose

It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4, NRSV.
Though he [Satan] appears as an angel of light, these first words betray his character: “If thou be the Son of God.” Here is the insinuation of distrust. Should Jesus do that which Satan suggests, it would be an acceptance of the doubt. If Christ’s confidence in God could be shaken, Satan knew that the victory in the whole controversy would be his. He hoped that under the force of despondency and extreme hunger, Christ would lose faith in His Father and work a miracle in His own behalf.
Not without a struggle could Jesus listen in silence to the archdeceiver. But the Son of God was not to prove His divinity to Satan. He met the tempter with the words of Scripture. “It is written,” He said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” In every temptation the weapon of His warfare was the Word of God.
When Christ said to the tempter, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God,” He repeated the words that more than fourteen hundred years before, He had spoken to Israel. And the same words are written for our admonition. We are to commune with the One who gives us life, the One who keeps the heart in motion and the pulse beating. God is giving the breath of life to every member of His great family here below. He deserves your sincere reverence, your earnest devotion. When you consider what He has done for you, how can you help loving Him? He has given His Son as a propitiation for sin, in order that you might stand on vantage ground with God.
If the world should recognize the claims of God upon them, we would not see and hear of the awful sins that are now so common; we would not read of the murders, the wickedness, and the tyranny daily chronicled in the newspapers. Like the antediluvians, the inhabitants of the world have almost entirely forgotten God and His law.—Manuscript 155, 1902 (Sermons and Talks, 2:218).
When Satan can bring his craftiness to bear on human minds, deceptive influences are received [as] from heaven. If his deceptions are allowed to enter, many souls will be ensnared by them before it is seen that they are not from God, but from the enemy of all righteousness.—Manuscript 37, 1903 (The Upward Look, 135).
Christ Triumphant p. 193
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Dwight who is in the hospital in critical condition with a serious blood infection and cardiac arrhythmia. It has settled in his cervical spine. He is in incredible pain and so sick. The family is overwhelmed both because of him and his large farm. Mike
—-Please pray for a friend’s girlfriend’s sister who has cancer. Mike
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Dear Friends,
One time after Ronnie Jay became a Pathfinder Counselor here in Kansas, he made the comment that Mr. Brown and Mr. Gray were more than just Pathfinder counselors to him, they were his friends. Because of their approachableness, the children felt as if they could come to these men with their problems or with their joys.
These men’s lives were all wrapped up in helping “their kids” and had a big influence upon them. Every spare moment they had was used in preparing for the weekly meeting. Their whole focus was on leading their Pathfinders to become good citizens not only of this country but of the Heavenly Country as well. At the last church camp-out before he died, Mr. Gray, who was especially gentle and kind, sat down with each Pathfinder and talked to them individually about their future plans. He told them of his hopes and dreams for them to carry on in his footsteps. Mr. Gray’s talk was not in vain. This was the reason that Ronnie Jay became a Pathfinder counselor when he got old enough.
Similarly, our Dear Saviour longs to have an even closer fellowship with us. He pleads, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev 3:20 Whenever we have a meal together with someone, there is a bonding, a fellowship, a closeness. This is what Jesus longs for. Think of it! We have the great privilege of sitting down with our Great Creator and together feasting upon His Word. As we dine upon the truths that it contains, meditating upon its precepts, He will open to us “in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27 Paul says, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 What a privilege! The same Holy Spirit, Who moved upon holy men of old to write the Scriptures, will guide us in our understanding of them. (2 Peter 1:21)
Moreover, our Loving Redeemer yearns for us to come to Him with all of our happiness, all of our joys, all of our sorrows, all of our troubles and disappointments. We cannot weary Him. We can cast all of our cares upon Him, for He loves us with an everlasting love. He draws us to Himself with His lovingkindness. (1 Peter 5:7; Jer 31:3) He sees us bowing down under the cares of this life and calls to us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30
May we sit daily at our Dear Saviour’s feet, learning of Him, striving to become like Him in every aspect of our life is my prayer.
Rose

And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Zechariah 3:2.
Satan claims a right to have those who once stood under his black banner, but who have turned from sin to the living God and have cast their helpless souls upon Jesus. All who take hold of the merits of Christ by faith have the pledged word of God that they shall make peace with Him….
Trials are permitted to come upon the chosen people of God. The expressions are used, “God tempted Abraham,” “God tempted the children of Israel.” This means that the Lord permitted Satan to tempt them in order that their faith might be found unto honor and glory when the judgment shall sit, and when every person shall be judged according to the deeds done in the body. God knows every heart, every motive, every thought in the heart; but He permits Satan to try and tempt and test His believing ones in order that their trust and confidence in God may be revealed….
The Lord hates sin; but He loves and forgives the repentant, believing sinner, and takes everyone under His guardianship and control. Satan is on the track of every soul, but with every temptation that is permitted to come upon the children of God’s pardoning love, He makes a way of escape in order that they shall not be tempted above that which they are able to bear….
“And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.” The work of Satan is plainly defined as that of resisting the meritorious work of Christ…. When Christ steps in between the tempted souls and Satan, the adversary is angry and opens up with a tirade of abuse and accusation, declaring that Christ is unfair in protecting these souls, and in lifting up a standard against him….
In the presence of the unfallen worlds, in the presence of the universe of heaven, in the presence of the angry adversary who has painted them in robes of blackness and moral defilement, urging that they be given into his hands, Jesus answered Satan’s malignant charge whereby he accused them before God day and night. To those who stood before Him, earnestly watching the controversy and marking the determination of Satan to destroy the righteous, Jesus spoke, 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.”—Manuscript 27, 1894.
Christ Triumphant p. 186
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray that God will lead in E’s life. R
—-I am in need of some serious prayers for my daughter. She has stomach cancer and she went for a ultrasound test yesterday and found another tumor. Please pray that it is not another cancer. She is 29 and has two little ones. Christina
—-Pray for Vivian who is demon possessed. Jose
—-My friend Lucy is sick and in critical condition. Please pray for healing. Francisca
—-Pray for Mike who has a blood clot in his neck. Roberta
—-Please be in prayer for my brother’s family. His wife is fearful of her ex and the situation is complicated. Prayers for peace and safety for her and their children. The blood of Jesus overcomes much evil in the world, including abusive men with deadly intentions. He does not seem to fear or respect protective orders and she is fearful he may harm her or kidnap the children. Jennifer
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Dear Friends,
My granddaughter, Emma, loves helping with the younger children in any type of children’s meetings our church has. I am sure that as she grows, her talent will increase, and she will be more and more help. By the time she is an adult, I am sure that she will be a leader in the children’s division and a great helper in the church.
Jesus told a story about our use of the talents He has given to each of us. “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 25:14-30
How important that we use our talents for our Lord Jesus Christ. Sadly, most do not. How many there are who use the abilities that our Great Creator has given them for selfish gratification, fame, and fortune. They, too, are like the unprofitable servant who hid the talent in the ground, for they have cheated their Master out of the increase.
May we give our lives completely to the One Who has given Himself for us. May we use our talents for His great cause. May we continually “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

So he … found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him … and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. 1 Kings 19:19.
When Elijah saw Elisha in the field with the servants, plowing with his twelve yoke of oxen, he went to the field of labor, and while passing by he unfastened his mantle and threw it upon the shoulders of Elisha. During the three and a half years of barrenness and famine, the family of Shaphat became familiar with the work and mission of Elijah the prophet. The Spirit of God impressed the heart of Elisha in regard to the meaning of this action. This was his signal that God had called him to be the successor of Elijah. It was similar to the commission of Christ to the young ruler to leave all—houses, lands, friends, riches, comforts, and ease, “and come and follow me.”
Elijah passed on as if that were the end of the matter. But he knew that Elisha had understood the significance of the action, and he left him, without speaking a word, to decide whether he would accept the call or reject it. Elisha hastened after the prophet and, overtaking him, asked permission to take leave of his parents, and bid farewell to his family.
The answer of Elijah was “Go back again: for what have I done unto thee?” This was not a repulse, but a test, a trial. If his heart clung to his home and its advantages, he was at liberty to remain there. But Elisha was prepared to hear the call of God. He had not been disorderly, running before the call had come, and when he was called he revealed that he would not hesitate, nor relent, nor draw back….
Had Elisha asked Elijah what was expected of him, what would be his work, he would have answered, God knows; He will make it known to you. If you wait upon the Lord He will answer your every question. You may come with me if you have evidence that God has called you; if not, forbear. Come not simply because I called you. Know for yourself that God stands back of me, and that it is His voice you hear. If you can count everything but dross that you may win the favor of God, Come.
Let all bear in mind that the Lord will not accept halfhearted service. Those who love to do the will of God can do perfect service…. If we follow on to know the Lord, willingly, gladly, we shall know that “his going forth is prepared as the morning.” …
Elisha immediately left all to commence his ministry.—Letter 12, 1897.
Christ Triumphant p. 167
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Shelly who has stage three breast cancer. Brenda
—-update—Mike was transferred to ICU approximately 2:00 am following his heart transplant. He is critically ill requiring a high level of support. Cardiac function itself is now excellent but there are many other concerns requiring prayer so for simplicity, I will list them. -Mike is on immunosuppressant drugs so that his body will not reject the heart.-Due to a shortage of Mike’s blood type, he was intentionally switched to different red blood cells which could represent future risks which they’ll have to monitor.
-Mike is currently on a ventilator receiving extra oxygen to protect his lungs.
-The doctors are working to correct metabolic acidosis in his body before extubation.
-Insulin is given as needed to maintain adequate glycemic control.
-There is concern for blood clots so they are monitoring him closely to prevent an embolism. -His urinary output is worsening despite lasix, so they may have to put Mike on temporary dialysis to protect his kidneys.
As you can see, Mike is in need of more prayer. The first hours, weeks, and months post transplant are crucial. Roberta
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago when Ronnie Jay had moved back home, he discovered that the heavy rains we had been having that year had caused water damage in his bedroom. (Whether it came from the roof that was in the process of being replaced, or from the large window above the window seat, I do not know.) The stuff he had stored in his window seat was soggy, moldy, and ruined. Most had to be thrown away. Now Ronnie Jay has always liked to keep things, so this was very upsetting for him.
As if that was not enough, that evening he noticed that his thirty-gallon aquarium had sprung a leak and there was water damage in his living-room as well. He spent until almost bedtime cleaning up that mess. He was very distressed as it brought back memories of last spring when he lost nearly everything when his basement apartment flooded.
Just as our house needed some quick attention to keep the damage from getting any worse, so our spiritual house can get wet and moldy from time to time and in need of cleansing. If we neglect the problem, it will only get worse. Jesus is coming soon! If we have neglected the necessary preparation, we will lament, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jer 8:20
Now is the time to rid our mind of the “damaged clutter” that has accumulated, so that it will not be found there at His appearing. Now is the time to clean out the “window seat” of our heart that it may be pure and clean. Now is the time to make the necessary preparations that we “may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” Peter advises us, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:14; 1:10,11 Now is the time to pray as did David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps 139:23, 24
Paul urged us to do that spiritual housecleaning when he said, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil 2:12, 13 And if we find things within us that must be put out of our hearts, we have the promise, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”1 John 1:9-2:2 Praise God! He offers us the forgiveness we need! We can be cleansed from all iniquity! Our Great Redeemer “shall supply all [our] need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19,20
“To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Heb 3:15
Today, He is knocking at your heart’s door pleading for entrance therein. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev 3:20 Precious promise! May we allow our Loving Saviour to do the rearranging necessary to make us ready for that Great Day of His Appearing is my prayer.
Rose

And he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 1 Kings 19:4.
In all our afflictions, Jesus was afflicted. The Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering. In this life we shall be proved whether we bear the test of God. When Satan’s temptations come, we shall have a trial. Shall we be overcome by the bewitching power of Satan or shall we overcome Satan’s temptations as Christ overcame them? Shall we have the mind stored with the heavenly treasures of truth, that we may be enabled to meet the adversary of souls with “It is written” as did Christ, and not with any of our impetuous speeches? Satan understands more of what “is written” than many a professed Christian, for he is a diligent student of the Scriptures, and his work is to pervert the truth of God, to lead people to disobedience and to neglect the searching of God’s Word….
It is a great mistake to dictate to God. Elijah knew not what he said when he told God that he had enough of life and asked to die. The Lord did not take him at his word, for he had a work to do before he would be exalted and translated to heaven. Have we forgotten that Jesus, the Majesty of heaven, suffered being tempted? Jesus did not allow the enemy to pull Him into the mire of unbelief, or crowd Him into the mire of despondency and despair….
God hates sin. Satan’s work is to allure to works of evil. How adroitly Satan worked with his bewitching power to fascinate the mind to choose sin rather than righteousness. The influence of one person on another had become dangerous because of Satan’s leading and controlling the mind and pressing this influence of one over another in his own service. But the Lord Jesus, by the agency of His Holy Spirit, changes the order of things and takes the sins and guilt of the human race upon Himself, and draws people to Himself, and sanctifies and employs the human agent as His instrumentality to engage his powers to do an entirely opposite work than Satan advised….
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” How precious to the tempted soul is this positive promise. If those in trouble and temptation keep their eyes fixed on Jesus and draw nigh to God, talking of His goodness and mercy, Jesus draws nigh to them, and the annoyances that they thought almost unbearable vanish….
Troublous times are before us, but this is not to worry us. To be worried is to be unbelieving, but Christ invites you saying, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”—Letter 43, 1892.
Christ Triumphant p. 164
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Prayer Requests
—-One of our church member’s granddaughter had surgery this morning. They think it’s cancer. Please pray for healing and for the family. M
—-I have an unspoken prayer request. CD
—-My best friend, Daniel, and I really need your prayers for guidance as to how God wants us to proceed. Danita
—-Please continue praying that Mike will soon receive the heart he needs. Roberta
—-A dear friend and her husband lost their 19 mo old baby girl to a tragic accident yesterday. Please pray for them as they navigate their grief and all the decisions they have to make while being present for their other children. Eudine
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Dear Friends,
When I was a little girl, my mother and I travelled to Wisconsin for a vacation. While there, we went to a cave called Cave of the Mounds. As we walked through that cave, I was awe-struck by the beauty there was inside the earth. It looked like a fairyland. That began a love for caves that has lasted throughout the years. Until I got too old to do so, no matter where I went, I always tried to go to a nearby cave if I possibly could. Some of the caves were much like the first cave we visited. Others are very plain limestone caves without any beauty at all. Those are somewhat of a disappointment but still interesting.
Ron doesn’t like caves much, but he went because I enjoyed them. His biggest complaint about any cave tour is that the guide nearly always got us down in the depths of the earth and then turned out the lights. The guide usually tells everyone in the tour group to be silent. There is not one tiny ray of light. The blackness is so dark that it can be felt. After what seemed like an eternity to Ron, the guide turns on a small flashlight. It is a relief to be able to see something again. After turning on the light switch, the cave is once more flooded with light and the beautiful formations are again visible.
So it is in our spiritual life. Without Jesus, Who is “the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” we are in total darkness, darkness as complete as it is inside a cave. John 1:9 It seems that we would naturally stay close to That Light, but how often we turn from the True Light to explore the things this dark world has to offer. When we do this, the Light is behind us and the farther we go from the Source of all Light, the less we can see. We find ourselves in darkness as dark as in the depths of an unlighted cave. We begin looking around for light, any light, to show us the way. Sometimes we follow someone who says they have the light, but their light is the dim and shaky light of their own making. Their light will go out just when we have the most need of it.
Sometimes we rely on another’s light which they have only because of their connection with the True Light. We stay so close to them that it seems that we, too, have that True Light. We don’t realize that we do not until it is too late. Jesus told a parable about this very thing. “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matt 25:1-13
May we continually keep our eyes on Dear Jesus, the True Light, and follow Him all the way to His Heavenly Kingdom is my prayer.
Rose