His master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife …: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Genesis 39:7-9.
Joseph, in the providence of God, was deprived of his happy home and the teachings and example of his God-fearing father, and his lot was cast in a family of dark heathen. There his virtue was severely tested. It is always a critical period in a young man’s life when he is separated from home influences and wise counsels and enters upon new scenes and trying tests….
God was with Joseph in his new home. He was in the path of duty, suffering wrong but not doing wrong. He therefore had the love and protection of God, for he carried his religious principles into everything he undertook. What a difference there was in Joseph’s case and the case of young people who apparently force their way into the very field of the enemy, exposing themselves to the fierce assaults of Satan. Joseph suffered for righteousness’ sake, while the trials of others are of their own procuring. Joseph did not conceal his religion or manly piety to avoid persecution.
The Lord prospered Joseph, but in the midst of his prosperity came the darkest adversity. The wife of his master was a licentious woman, one who urged his steps to take hold on hell. Would Joseph yield his moral gold of character to the seductions of a corrupt woman? Would he remember that the eye of God was upon him?
Few temptations are more dangerous or more fatal to young men than the temptation of sensuality, and none, if yielded to, will prove so decidedly ruinous to soul and body for time and eternity. The welfare of his entire future was suspended upon the decision of a moment. Joseph calmly cast his eyes to heaven for help, slipped off his loose outer garment, leaving it in the hand of his tempter, and while his eye was lighted with determined resolve in the place of unholy passion, he exclaimed, “How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” …
True religion extends to all the thoughts of the mind, penetrating to all the secret thoughts of the heart, to all the motives of action, to the object and direction of the affections, to the whole framework of our lives. “Thou God seest me” will be the watchword, the guard of the life….
But Joseph was a Christian…. He entered into the troubles of his fellow prisoners. He was cheerful, for he was a Christian gentleman. God was preparing him under this discipline for a situation of great responsibility, honor, and usefulness, and he was willing to learn … the lessons the Lord would teach him.—Letter 3, 1879 (Manuscript Releases 4:220-223).
Christ Triumphant p. 96
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for me as I have an important meeting this evening. JT
—–Please pray for Doug’s brother to know the Lord. He has been diagnosed with cancer and needs our prayers. Also pray for Joann who needs prayers as well. M
—–Please pray that the demons will leave our family. B
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Dear Friends,
When I was a little girl, I spent nearly every evening with my grandfather, Edwin Harmon. He told me the most wonderful stories of when he was a boy. I’d ask for them over and over. One time, I asked him why he had a little bluish mark on his lip. Thus began a story I had not heard before.
When he was still in grade school, he and his little brother, Harold, were playing with a group of boys from the neighborhood one day. Having free time was a rare thing back in the late 1800’s, so the boys wanted some exciting adventure. They decided to go to the town’s gravel pit and play on the piles of gravel. They knew that this was strictly forbidden because of the danger of being buried alive, and that the owner of the gravel pit had posted a guard at the entrance to keep everyone out.
That is what made it all the more appealing to these boys, who were wanting fun and excitement. Somehow they sneaked in and started climbing on the mounds. At first they were quiet, but as their little “king of the mountain” game progressed, all thoughts of the guard vanished and they began to laugh and shout. Before long, the guard heard them and grabbed his gun. Firing toward the boys, but not meaning to hit any of them, he shouted for the boys to get out.
It did not take a second shot for those boys to be convinced that they should leave. Away they ran like scared rabbits! My grandfather had felt a little sting on his lip when the man shot at them, but it was only after he was far away from the pit, that he tasted the salty taste of blood. The bullet had grazed his lip. Ever after, he would have a little blue mark where some of the gunpowder “tattooed” him.
How often it is the same in our life. We think that we can “get by” with some forbidden pleasure, but the results forever change our life. Sin scars. Sin leaves its mark. The Great Redeemer has given many such examples in His Holy Word. One such example is Lot. He had lived with his uncle Abraham until he was so prosperous that the two men had to dwell a little distance from each other. Abraham, although in a position to choose the best for himself, let Lot choose the area where he wished to dwell. “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.” Gen 13:10,11 That choice resulted in a loss of all that was dear to him. He lost his wife, his family, his possessions, everything.
Another example is King David. His one moment of indiscretion, changed his life forever. From that moment, his kingdom began to decline. The guilt that he felt kept him from rebuking his children as he should and this changed the way they viewed sin. The course of their lives spiraled downward to the point that it cost some of them their lives. The baby which was born out of his affair with Bathsheba died shortly after birth. His firstborn went beyond his father’s lust and it cost him his life. His well-beloved son coveted the throne and began plotting against him. (2 Sam 13-19)
How easy It is to make a wrong choice. One unguarded moment can change the whole course of our lives. One wrong decision can lead us down the wrong path. How much we need God’s wisdom and care. Only then can we keep from ruining our lives. We do not possess this wisdom naturally. It is a gift from our Great Creator.
James tells us” If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5 Our Loving Guide has promised, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8 What a wonderful God we serve! He promises to guide us and to instruct us in every aspect of our life. Our part is to cooperate with him. We must not stubbornly refuse His leading. If we turn from His instruction, we will suffer a great loss, a loss that He does not want us to experience. If we refuse to listen to His voice, our life will take a downward course.
May we close our ears from the first suggestion of the enemy. May we turn from the momentary pleasures this world has to offer. May we walk in the path that leads to everlasting joy is my prayer.
Rose

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. Genesis 37:3.
Jacob had chosen the inheritance of faith. He had endeavored to obtain it by craft, treachery, and falsehood; but God had permitted his sin to work out its correction…. The sin of Jacob, and the train of events to which it led, had not failed to exert an influence for evil—an influence that revealed its bitter fruit in the character and life of his sons….
There was one, however, of a widely different character—the elder son of Rachel, Joseph, whose rare personal beauty seemed but to reflect an inward beauty of mind and heart…. He listened to his father’s instructions, and loved to obey God…. His mother being dead, his affections clung the more closely to the father, and Jacob’s heart was bound up in this child of his old age….
But even this affection was to become a cause of trouble and sorrow. Jacob unwisely manifested his preference for Joseph, and this excited the jealousy of his other sons…. The father’s injudicious gift to Joseph of a costly coat, or tunic, such as was usually worn by persons of distinction, seemed to them another evidence of his partiality…. Their malice was still further increased as the boy one day told them of a dream that he had had….
As the lad stood before his brothers, his beautiful countenance lighted up with the Spirit of Inspiration, they could not withhold their admiration; but they did not choose to renounce their evil ways, and they hated the purity that reproved their sins….
The brothers were obliged to move from place to place to secure pasturage for their flocks…. Some time passed, bringing no tidings from them, and the father began to fear for their safety…. He therefore sent Joseph to find them, and bring him word as to their welfare….
Joseph came on, unsuspicious of danger …; but instead of the expected greeting, he was terrified by the angry and revengeful glances he met…. He was seized and his coat stripped from him…. Rudely dragging him to a deep pit, they thrust him in, and having made sure that there was no possibility of his escape, they left him there to perish from hunger, while they “sat down to eat bread.”
But some of them were ill at ease; they did not feel the satisfaction they had anticipated from their revenge. Soon a company of travelers was seen approaching.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 208-211.
Christ Triumphant p. 91
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Mary who is on vacation and has had a possible stroke. She is in the hospital for tests. Pray that God will give the doctor wisdom to know how to treat her. Rose
—–Please pray for my youngest son for a hedge of protection to be around him and for his eternal salvation. Connie
—–Please pray for D who is having medical tests on Wednesday. R
—–My husband is ill. Please pray for him his name is Steve. Heather
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Dear Friends,
One day, when my mother was a teenager, my grandmother sent her to the mailbox to mail a letter. The mailbox was three blocks away. Van Avery’s drug store was on that corner and my mother decided to take her little change purse and buy some little treat as a reward for going.
As she walked along, she began to daydream. Before long she had arrived at her destination and absentmindedly mailed the letter—and—her purse! Just as she closed the mail chute, she realized what she had done. She went inside the drugstore and asked Mrs. Van Avery what she should do. My mother was very distraught, and the storekeeper tried to comfort her.
Finally, my mother went home. My grandmother was not pleased, but she had an idea. “Geneva,” she said, “You are just going to have to go back to the mailbox and wait for the mailman.” When it was near the pickup time, she stood beside that mailbox. She got very tired of standing there. As she waited, she was tempted to go into the store and look around, but she knew that she might miss the mailman. Then she would never get her purse.
After what seemed like an eternity, the mailman arrived! Blushing with humiliation, my mother asked him to find her change purse amidst all the letters. He couldn’t help smiling at this teenage girl standing before him. He told her not to be embarrassed, because he often had to retrieve things a lot stranger than a change purse out of mailboxes.
Just as my mother waited for the mailman, so we are to wait for Jesus’ coming. Just as she resisted the temptation to go into the store and look at all the pretty figurines that Mrs. Van Avery had, or go to the soda fountain and talk to the neighbor boy who worked there; so we should not allow the things of this world to get our mind off our ultimate goal.
Jesus is coming soon! “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.” Rev 1:7 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thess 4:16,17 “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be….And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors….Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.” Matt 24:27,31-33,44-47
Jesus made a statement that causes us to think, “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8 Let us determine that He will find us faithful, for He promises, “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Rev 2:10 Let us endure unto the end for He has said, “he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matt 10:22 “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13:35-37
Rose

One people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. Genesis 25:23.
Esau grew up loving self-gratification and centering all his interest in the present. Impatient of restraint, he delighted in the wild freedom of the chase, and early chose the life of a hunter. Yet he was the father’s favorite. The quiet, peace-loving shepherd was attracted by the daring and vigor of this elder son, who fearlessly ranged over mountain and desert, returning home with game for his father and with exciting accounts of his adventurous life.
Jacob, thoughtful, diligent, and care-taking, ever thinking more of the future than the present, was content to dwell at home, occupied in the care of the flocks and the tillage of the soil. His patient perseverance, thrift, and foresight were valued by the mother. His affections were deep and strong, and his gentle, unremitting attentions added far more to her happiness than did the boisterous and occasional kindnesses of Esau. To Rebekah, Jacob was the dearer son….
Esau had no love for devotion, no inclination to a religious life. The requirements that accompanied the spiritual birthright were an unwelcome and even hateful restraint to him. The law of God … was regarded by Esau as a yoke of bondage. Bent on self-indulgence, he desired nothing so much as liberty to do as he pleased. To him power and riches, feasting and reveling, were happiness. He gloried in the unrestrained freedom of his wild, roving life….
Jacob had learned from his mother of the divine intimation that the birthright should fall to him, and he was filled with an unspeakable desire for the privileges that it would confer…. The spiritual birthright was the object of his longing. To commune with God as did righteous Abraham, to offer the sacrifice of atonement for his family, to be the progenitor of the chosen people and of the promised Messiah, and to inherit the immortal possessions embraced in the blessings of the covenant—here were the privileges and honors that kindled his most ardent desires….
He carefully treasured what he had learned from his mother. Day and night the subject occupied his thoughts, until it became the absorbing interest of his life…. He believed that the promise concerning himself could not be fulfilled so long as Esau retained the rights of the firstborn, and he constantly studied to devise some way whereby he might secure the blessing that his brother held so lightly, but that was so precious to himself.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 177-179.
Christ Triumphant p. 84
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Prayer Requests
—–Prayer request for my husbands Late wifes cousin. m. He writes: “Am asking for your prayers. I woke up with acute pain suggesting a possible hernia problem or male issue..
Have had hernia surgery at ___ _____Hospital in the past. Many thanks for your help. Connard”
—–My 4 1/2 month grand daughter was taken to the ER last night with a 102.2 fever. She has Covid. Please keep her mom, dad, and uncle also in your prayers as they all live under the same roof – young family. Danita
—–Please pray for all the people who are searching for the missing missionaries.
—–PLEASE PRAY We need a miracle for my amazing nephew. My brother messaged early this am. Tahner coded . But the last couple weeks tahner has gotten very sick. His body is failing him. He is so weak. And these doctors have NO explanation. Ashleigh
—–Prayers for Maya. She had many visits with all her doctors, except for one that they see next month. With all her new meds and recent diagnoses, her pulmonologist wants her to have a specific antibiotic on hand, but it’s very expensive at over $2k and insurance is not covering it. They are completely open to using homeopathic remedies, but with all her meds everything has to go through all the docs to verify something doesn’t interact with any of her other meds. She’s lost some weight this winter after fighting cold, flue, covid, pneumonia, etc. so she’s a little thin, but not too bad all things considered. Prayers that the doctors have wisdom to know what they might try, and prayers for mom to have wisdom to know when to say no. She still occasionally gets suggestions to give Maya the botox injections, which nearly killed her last time. Jennifer
—–my best friend/sister had her baby a little over a month ago and he is having some health difficulties so I’m asking for prayers not only for Thomas but for his entire family. Kaitlyn
—–Please pray for E and children that God will guide and protect them. R
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Dear Friends,
About twenty years ago, when our kids were at Union College, Ron and I got off from work a little early and began the five-hour journey to Lincoln. When we were about forty-five minutes from home, I looked over to check the oil pressure and temperature gauges. The oil pressure was about half what it normally was. I asked Ron, “Isn’t the oil pressure a little low?” Just then the temperature gauge rose to dangerous levels. He said, “We’ve got problems.” and told me to pull over.
About a month before, we had gotten the engine rebuilt. Somehow the engine just did not seem to feel or sound quite right to Ron so he had made an appointment with the mechanic to take it back so he could check it out. It didn’t seem to be anything serious—just not quite right. There, alongside of the road, he was wishing that he had been given an earlier appointment.
After checking under the hood and adding some antifreeze and oil, Ron told me to drive about 55mph to the nearest exit. I did. The engine seemed to be doing ok, and I had hope that we would be able to continue on our journey. Ron, however, was watching the oil pressure gauge. It was not doing ok. The needle was fluctuating about 4 to 12 psi’s around a slightly lower than normal reading. When we got to the exit, he told me to drive a little faster to the next one so he could watch it a little longer. It began to settle down. Again I had hope of seeing my children. We passed that exit and he told me to increase my speed again. As I did so, the needle began to fluctuate. I slowed down and turned around at the next exit.
On the way back home, we noticed that the oil pressure was not responding as it should. If I took my foot off from the gas pedal, it would go up instead of down. If I sped up, it would go down. I suggested that the oil gauge had broken and all was really ok. Ron didn’t think so. We went over some bumps in the road. I watched the gauge in hopes that the needle would move with the bumps and that our problem was only a loose connection in the gauge. It didn’t move. Disappointedly we continued driving back home.
Sometimes on our journey of life, things begin to seem “not quite right.” At first, we continue on our way, thinking that we will check out that nagging feeling when the time is more convenient. Outwardly, all is going well and we travel along with anticipation of a pleasant journey through life. Suddenly, our “gauges” begin to show outwardly what has been festering within. Our plans get changed abruptly. We wonder why. Then we have to “pull alongside” the road of life and take a good look at the problem.
Often when troubles and trials come, it causes us to turn around on the broad way where we have been traveling and head back on the narrow path toward Home. (Matt 7:13,14) Paul reminds us, “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Heb 12:5-11
Let us be quick to recognize when something is “not quite right” and stop right then and “make [our] calling and election sure.” 2 Peter 1:10 Let us follow the Lord’s leading even when it means turning around on the pathway we have been traveling. Let us declare as did Job, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
Rose

Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist. 1 John 2:4, NRSV.
I have been reported as saying you could not be saved unless you kept the Sabbath. Does it indeed seem meaningless, the requirement of the fourth commandment? Does not the habitual subjection to our heavenly Master’s will lead the obedient to ask constantly and earnestly, not “What is pleasing?” not “What is the most convenient or agreeable to self or those around us?” but “What does my Lord require? What is the will of God concerning me?”
Is it anything strange that one should do this or that under the conviction of the Spirit of God, under a sense of the fact that a refusal or neglect to do so would endanger the soul’s salvation? Is this a matter hard to comprehend, that obedience on our part to all God’s law is absolutely essential to eternal life? Is this an unfathomable mystery to the Christian—to secure the soul’s salvation at any cost to self or selfish interest? Does the Word of God give us any assurance that we can get to heaven just as well transgressing the law as obeying it? If so, the whole requirement of God as a condition of salvation is an entire mistake.
Were the inhabitants of the old world who perished in the Flood punished for their disobedience of God’s requirements? Or were they washed by the waters of the deluge straight into glory because our merciful God is too good to execute the final penalty of transgressing His law? Were the Sodomites punished for their disobedience and only Lot saved? Or were the inhabitants of Sodom winged by the fire that fell from heaven straight into glory?
Has God commanded? Then we must obey—without hesitating and seeking to find some way to be saved without obedience; this would be climbing up some other way. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” “I have kept my Father’s commandments,” says the Majesty of heaven….
We should not obey the commandments merely to secure heaven, but to please Him who died to save sinners from the penalty of the transgression of the Father’s law. The sinner’s salvation depends upon … ceasing to transgress and obedience to that transgressed law. No one should venture or presume upon the mercy of God, feeling at liberty to sin as much as they dare…. It is a sad resolve to follow Christ as far off as possible, venturing as near the verge of perdition as possible without falling in.—Letter 35b, 1877.
Christ Triumphant p. 77
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Prayer Requests
—–I have a job interview on Tuesday. Please pray that if God sees it is best that I will be hired. RJ
—–Please pray for my nephew Liam. He’s at children’s hospital and my brother says he struggling. Jennifer
—–Please pray for Alistair and Neroli, who were in a serious motor vehicle accident three days ago. Myke
—–Please pray for our missing missionaries and their patients.
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Dear Friends,
When I was a little girl, my grandparents did not have a car. We walked or rode the bus everywhere. When I was six, my mother saved up and bought a car that was nine years old. The salesman promised her that it was very reliable and would give her many years of service. He lied. My mother was so happy and proud of that pale green 1942 Buick. She took me for a ride and that made me so happy. As we rode along, we felt so free. We no longer had to rely on anyone else to take us where we wanted to go. She envisioned many years of being able to go where she wanted when she wanted. We would take so many trips together. We would have so much fun. We were full of high expectation.
She had not driven the car for too many days, however, when she began to notice that the engine was not sounding quite right. She wasn’t sure what was wrong. Every time she got gas, the gas station attendant told her that she needed oil. That engine leaked like a sieve. First one thing and then another went wrong with that car. It seemed to be falling apart right before her eyes. Finally, after only having it for three or four months, she had the junk man tow it away. She was very disappointed. She had to wait another fourteen years before she was able to get another car.
The evil one is like that used car salesman. He promises us years of great happiness if we will “buy” the pleasures that he offers. He says to us, as he said to Eve, “Ye shall not surely die.” Gen 3:4 He lies. At first that forbidden pleasure seems wonderful. We feel so free, so elated. But that feeling does not last. It is not long until we begin to experience a “let down.” That “darling sin” no longer gives us happiness. Things begin to go wrong. Our life begins to fall apart. The freedom that we envisioned when we listened to the devil’s urgings, never materializes. Instead, we are left with emptiness and regrets. Indeed, we find ourselves bound with the chains of our sin. We long to be free, but are helpless.
Solomon had this experience. At the beginning of his reign, he was humble and sincere. “In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.” 1 Kings 3:5-14
What a great future Solomon could have had. Yet it was not too many years before Solomon was a miserable man and an oppressive ruler. He had gone against the commandment of the Lord, “he shall not….multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.” Deut 17:15-17 The record says, “But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.” 1 Ki 11:1-3 Solomon began as a great and wise king, yet he became a slave to the pleasures of sin that his wives urged upon him. Those pleasures that had seemed so desirable left him empty inside. In his dissatisfaction he laments, “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity….I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Ecc 1:2-14 In the end of his book, he urged, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them. Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” 12:1,13
Let us shut our ears to the whisperings of the evil one and turn away from his suggestions. Let us flee to the Saviour for the deliverance that we so greatly need. Let us place our weak and trembling hand in His Mighty and Powerful Hand and allow Him to lead us all the way to His Heavenly Kingdom is my prayer.
Rose

If thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. Genesis 13:9.
Abraham was tested to see whether he would hear the voice of God and obey. The Lord saw that it was not for his best spiritual interest to remain in his country and among his relatives, where he could not exert that influence over them that would be a blessing. He told him to leave them. Abraham was a rich man, but in the greatest simplicity he obeyed God and went out, a sojourner into a strange country. As he left his home and his kindred, God assured him that he would have earthly greatness and prosperity in the land of Canaan.
Why did not Abraham make use of all his means to bring about this prosperity? Why did he not invest his means to enrich himself with wealth and influence above anyone with whom he was brought in contact? Abraham did not do anything to glorify himself. He did not aim at power. He did not aspire to greatness by building up cities and calling them by his name. He was content.
The record tells us that Abraham took Lot, his nephew, with him, and for a time they lived together. But their families were large, and there was a quarrel between the herdsmen of Abraham and the herdsmen of Lot over their cattle. “And Abraham said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee?” …
Lot’s choice was the land of Sodom. Abraham dwelt in the land of Canaan and Lot in the cities of the plain, and he pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom sinned before the Lord exceedingly.
Here is brought to view another separation. It makes a great difference when and how a separation takes place. It was Lot’s privilege to inquire, to be very careful where he should go, very careful in regard to the society he chose for his family. But without reference to the inhabitants, he chose a land that was beautiful in situation, that promised great returns. Lot went in rich, and came forth with nothing as the result of his choice. It makes every difference whether people place themselves in positions where they will have the very best help of correct influences or whether they choose temporal advantages. There are many ways that lead to Sodom. We all need anointed eyesight, that we may discern the way that leads to God.—Letter 109, 1899.
Christ Triumphant p. 72
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Hannah who has serious medical issues. Please pray also for my niece who is also having serious medical issues. Rose
—–Please continue to pray for those missionaries who are missing in the Philippines when their medical helicopter went down.
—–Please pray for my sister Julie as she has contracted COVID. Carl
—–Please pray for Sherlyn who is having hip replacement surgery tomorrow. Rose
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Dear Friends,
About twenty years ago, my best friend died of cancer. A month or two before she died, she sent out an email to friends and family. This email was such a testimony of faith, that although I had shared it before, I wanted to share it with all of you again.
Here it is:
“Dear Friends & Family, Wanted to let you know if you had not heard that last week I turn for the worse on my health. My liver became enlarged and caused me such great pain and I became very emotional because of what was happening to my body and mind. I feel the Lord is showing me that I am going into the final stages of this cancer. But I want you to know I believe the Lord has been carrying me in his arms through these times and the wonderful love and support I have from my son, Brian and his wife, Beth. Yes they now are living with me and helping to take care of me through these times. The blessing is my son’s orders were canceled right before all this hit me. Isn’t God good how he takes care of us. I am thankful for the healing my son and I have had and the closeness we have with each other now. When I woke up with such terrible pain from a swollen liver, I walk to the kitchen where my son was fixing to leave for work and I could hardly walk. He was going to help me get a cell phone that same day. I told him don’t bother because I felt I would be gone in a few weeks and walked back to my bed crying. He came into my room and held me in his dear arms and said mom don’t give up, don’t give up. It was a hug from God to me and my dear son and it made me feel so loved. When I am in pain it is hard to think and I am very emotional from it. But God still reaches down with his arms and holds me through those bad times. I have been doing better the last few days and don’t have the pain so bad now. But this is all in the Lords hands and I know He will be with me no matter what happens. I just want to serve the Lord and help others to have hope in the Lord even up to my last breath of life. Its only through the Lord any of us can make it through our trials. Just know even through these times I am in pain and can not think right I know the Lord loves me and is with me. Just know just like the Lord has been there for me he will be there for you also if you trust him with your all. He gave everything to come and save us from sin and took our place and died the second death for us so we could have life through him if we but give our lives to him. His Word gives us much hope in its promises. It is bread of life to our souls from Jesus. Just know you are valued by Him. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. II Corinthians 5:21 God bless you all and thank you for those that have uplifted me in your prayers and love. Love, Darlene”
How easy it is when overwhelmed with pain and sorrow, to turn our eyes away from Jesus and feel very sorry for ourselves. How easy to murmur and complain about the circumstances in which we find ourselves. When we do so, we are murmuring against our Loving Lord. Darlene, like Job of old, “sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” Job 1:22 She held to God’s promises, indeed, she clung to her Saviour for strength and comfort throughout. James exclaims, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12
May we, in every trial that we must pass through, have strong faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as did Darlene. May our focus be upon our Lord and Saviour, remembering “that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom 8:28 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:3-9.
Rose