We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. Numbers 13:31.
Young people are needed in the work—those who will undertake the work interestedly and will carry it forward zealously and strongly. But the Lord is, and ever will be, with the old, steadfast leaders who have held fast to the truth in times of peril. When the foundation of the faith of the younger leaders seems to be swept away and their houses falling, the testimony, like that of Caleb, will be heard from the old warriors, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” Then the voice of unbelief was heard. “We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” One word of unbelief prepares the way for more. Satan does not easily let alone any person whom he can tempt to dishonor God by expressing unbelief….
What effect did this report have upon the congregation? … “And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!” .
Let all read carefully the fourteenth chapter of Numbers, and let them understand that people can make false reports as did these who had been sent on an errand that concerned the movements of more than a million people….
Those who bore the discouraging report and brought discouragement to the whole camp of Israel, when opposed because of their unfaithful witness, served the satanic powers in complete rebellion. And they carried the disappointed congregation with them, in that they believed their interpretation of the land. The congregation took the wrong side, and, inspired by satanic agencies, they cried out against the faithful spies, and bade them stone Joshua and Caleb, who dared to bear the truthful representation in regard to the land.
But there is always a defense provided for those who have borne witness for the truth. What was it that saved the lives of Joshua and Caleb? “And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.” …
We have here a positive evidence that the anger of the Lord was awakened against the rebellious people—those who had been blessed with great light and precious opportunities to know the will of God, which was communicated to them by Christ Himself, their invisible Leader, enshrouded in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.—Letter 106, 1897 (Manuscript Releases 15:289-291).
Christ Triumphant p. 119
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Richie that God will guide him in an important decision.
—–Please pray for Esther and the children as they travel to their great-grandma’s funeral. Please pray for all of the family during this sad time. Rose
—–Praying for a good friend, Glenn, that he will have peace and be strong during this difficult time. He has been fighting cancer for 15 years now. It has metastasized to the bones, appendix, and lung. Hoping they can find a stabilizing treatment so he will be comfortable. Praying more so that he will find Jesus as a personal Savior and Friend. NB
—–Please pray for the safety of my family. I received a very scary phone call todaS and I am very afraid. Please pray for a hedge of protection to be put around every member of my family. I can’t. Connie
—– My fiancée is in Mexico with 3 friends. They were captured by a drug Cartel a week ago. He has contracted Malaria and is very ill. They won’t give him any food and very little water. I’ve tried every legal way and contacts to help to no avail. I’m so afraid he is going to die. Then last night my daughter told me she just found out she possible has leukemia or other. Waiting for results. Please pray for God to intervene. Sandra
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Dear Friends,
Some days, it seems as if everything is going wrong. We’ve been having some of those troubles lately. We have a leak somewhere around our water meter (which the city has decided is on our side rather than theirs like they have been saying); we have a leaky pipe under our bathtub; my car has been at the mechanic’s for at least three weeks, our pickup truck has been broken for months and they don’t know when they will get the part in, and so many other things that it is very frustrating. Even so, that is nothing compared to many people’s problems. Throughout the world there are wars, famines, earthquakes, tornadoes, flooding and other dangerous situations that make our little problems like nothing.
We rarely think about it, but we all are in constant danger that is more dangerous than any physcal danger. Our real danger comes from the evil one, who, like a roaring lion is continually seeking to destroy us not only physically but spiritually as well. (1 Peter 5:8) Paul reminds us that “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.” Eph 6:12 Sadly, the devil is too often successful in his evil designs until we are as Isaiah describes, “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Our “whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.” Isa 64:6; 1:5, 6
Praise God! We have a Savior, Who gave His life that He may snatch us away from the enemy. He has rescued us from the danger that has eternal consequences. Zechariah saw in vision what God wants to do for us all. He saw Joshua the high priest standing before God clothed in the filthiness of his own sinful character. But God rescued him from the hand of the enemy who was accusing him before the Lord. He writes, “And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; …is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” Zech 3:1-4 How comforting to know that we serve a God Who is standing there ready to save us from the troubles that the enemy of souls brings upon us. He longs for us to ask Him to deliver us. David reminds us, “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” Ps 34:17-19 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Ps 107:21
May we trust our Rescuer with our whole heart. May we always do those things that are pleasing in His sight. May we allow Him to change us into His image is my prayer.
Rose

And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. Exodus 33:18.
All who have responsible positions must realize that they must first have power with God, in order that they may have power with the people…. God listens to the appeal of His self-denying workers who labor to advance His cause. He has even condescended to talk face-to-face with feeble mortals. He listens not only with patience but with approval to the importunate prayers of those who really long for His help.
His servant Moses felt his insufficiency for the great work before him and pleaded, with an earnestness that seemed almost presumption, for the presence of God to be with him. But instead of receiving a reproof, the earnest pleader receives the reply “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest”—an assurance that all his burdens may be rested upon God. But the mind of Moses is so burdened with the tremendous weight of the responsibilities resting upon him that he approaches still nearer to God, and his request is pressed still further. The answer from God is “I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken; for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.”
Encouraged by his success, Moses ventures still further—a holy boldness he possesses, until it reaches a point that is incomprehensible to poor, finite human beings. The servant of God has been, through prayer, approaching nearer and nearer to God, and now [makes] a request such as no mortal human had ever dared to make—“I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.” Will God thrust aside His servant now for his apparent presumption? The third time the answer comes, “I will make all my goodness pass before thee.” …
Oh, what condescension on the part of God! That hand that made the worlds takes the mighty man of faith and puts him in a cleft of the rock, that He may show him His glory, and make all His goodness to pass before him….
The most brilliant intellect, the most earnest study, the highest eloquence, can never be substituted for the wisdom and power of God in those who are bearing the responsibilities connected with His cause…. God has made every provision for workers to have the help that He alone can give. If they allow their work to hurry, drive, and confuse, so that they will have no time for devotional thought or for prayer, they will make mistakes. If a standard is not lifted up by Jesus Christ against Satan, he will overcome those who are engaged in the important work for this time.—Manuscript 6, 1879.
Christ Triumphant p. 117
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for my family as my half-brother died in his sleep on April 17. Rose
—–Please keep me in prayer. My eyes are very troubled. I may have severe environmental allergies and deterioration all at the same time! I have to get a physical to address any allergies if any and a immediate Opthamologist appointment next week too! Please pray for answers, peace and wisdom. My biggest fear is that I will have to give up and rehome my 2 cats who are dear to me. Please pray for strength, should this be the case. Heidi
—–I would appreciate if you all would remember me in prayer. An illness (chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia) that has been fairly consistent over the last 20 years has significantly worsened over the last couple of weeks, and especially the last 2 days. I am to the point of needing help at home. Only God knows what the future holds and I thank Him for getting me through many things in my life! Barbara
—–Please pray for my niece Bella she had emergency brain surgery today. They found a mass on her brain. So far it’s only headaches and vomiting and I think tomorrow we will know more and see if she needs physical and occupational therapy It just depends on how she recovers. Thru were able to take 90% of the mass. Savannah
—–Please continue to pray for a miracle for baby Wyatt. He is at home on hospice. Mary
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Dear Friends,
One day, when I was about four or five, I walked into the dining room just as my grandmother was putting the finishing touches on a beautiful centerpiece. On the large, dark, highly-polished dining room table was a narrow, maroon cloth. Sitting on the cloth was a basket shaped like a horn which she called a cornucopia. In this basket and spilling out from it were all types of fruits and vegetables. My grandmother told me to leave it alone. Then she walked back into the kitchen. I knelt on the chair and visually examined this new centerpiece. The fruit looked so good. It made me so hungry.
Day after day I looked at that tempting display. Day after day I obeyed and kept my hands off from it. Then one day, when no one was around, I decided that I just could not wait another moment. I reached out and picked up a shiny, red apple. As soon as I took a bite, I knew something was wrong. Instead of a sweet, juicy taste, there was no taste at all. It was hard and dry and my teeth could not penetrate very deep. That apple was made of wax. I was so disappointed. I put it back into the display, but it did not look right. I had to adjust the apple in such a way that the tooth marks did not show. Even so, it was not long before my grandmother discovered what I had done. You can imagine what happened next…..
How much like the pleasures of this world that centerpiece was. The world’s pleasures look so inviting, but they do not give us the happiness that we seek. They leave us with an empty feeling after the initial “high” is gone. They do not satisfy. We are like the seed that fell among the thorns in Jesus’ parable of the sower. Jesus says of them, “And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.” Luke 8:14 As the wise man said, “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.” Prov 21:17 The pleasures of this world leave us spiritually poor, fruitless, twice dead.
Praise God we do not have to be content with the “wax fruit” this world has to offer. David declares, “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Ps 16:11 Paul adds, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-14
May we find our true happiness by turning away from the things of this world and keeping our eyes focused on our Dear Saviour and those things which He is preparing for us in His glorious kingdom above is my prayer. (2 Cor 2:9)
Rose

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit. Isaiah 63:9.
From the beginning of sin Christ was with His people to dispute the authority of Satan, for He saw that the conflict must be carried on here in the earth. Satan withstood the Son of God in every effort to redeem His people. Enshrouded in the pillar of cloud by day and in the pillar of fire by night, Christ directed, guided, counseled the children of Israel in their journeyings from Egypt to Canaan. But how unwilling were the children of Israel to be led, how unwilling to be controlled by the voice of the Angel of the Lord! How eager they were in vindicating their own course, in justifying themselves in their rebellious feelings, and in following their own ideas and plans!
It was the mighty Counselor who was enshrouded in the pillar of cloud and fire, and who was beholding the encampment of His people. It was He who corrected them in their evil ways, and encouraged them to trust in the living God to lead them safely to the Land of Promise. They were continually under the eye that never slumbers nor sleeps, and yet they murmured against Moses, the man whom God had appointed as their visible leader, and to whom Jesus Christ talked face-to-face, as a man talketh with his friend. Notwithstanding the fact that the Lord wrought through His servant Moses, yet when the enemy tempted them to evil surmising, jealousy, and faultfinding, they did not resist his temptations and stand firmly for principle.
But their failure is explained by the Inspired Word, and a warning given to us upon whom the ends of the world are come, lest we also fall after the same example of unbelief…. The children of Israel fell under the power of the enemy by cherishing an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, and when once they were found on the enemy’s side, he pressed his advantage, and made them his allies to the utmost extent. The sin of unbelief, by which their confidence in the Son of God was destroyed, led Israel far astray. At the very time when they should have been praising God and magnifying the name of the Lord, talking of His goodness, telling of His power, they were found in unbelief, and full of murmuring and complaint. The deceiver was seeking through every means possible to sow discord among them, to create envy and hatred in their hearts against Moses, and to stir up rebellion against God. By listening to the voice of the great deceiver they were led into affliction, trial, and destruction.—Manuscript 65, 1895 (The Signs of the Times, April 25, 1895).
Christ Triumphant p. 108
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Brenda as she is visiting her sister this week. Pray that her sister will be open to the truths of God’s Word. Rose
—–I have an important unspoken prayer request. Buck
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, while visiting with a friend upon religious topics, the subject of deism arose. As she had not heard of deism, we explained a little of that belief. The Encyclopedia Britannica Online puts it thus: “A form of natural religion, Deism originated in England in the early 17th century as a rejection of orthodox Christianity. Deists asserted that reason could find evidence of God in nature and that God had created the world and then left it to operate under the natural laws he had devised. The philosopher Edward Herbert (1583–1648) developed this view in On Truth (1624). By the late 18th century Deism was the dominant religious attitude among Europe’s educated classes; it was accepted by many upper-class Americans of the same era, including the first three U.S. presidents.” As I thought about this false belief held by so many in the 17th and 18th centuries, I could see how it naturally would lead to the multitude of agnostic and atheistic teachings so prevalent in the world today.
Our Great Creator made the universe and all that is in it. All of the beings in the Universe know that fact: all, that is, except sinful human beings who have listened to the devil’s lies. John saw “the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Rev 4:10, 11 Isaiah adds, “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.” Isa 45:18
Our Loving God did not create the world and then walk off and let all things develop as they will. Indeed, He is even now “upholding all things by the word of his power.” Heb 12:3 He declares, “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.” Ps 50:10,11 Jesus uses His loving care over all His creatures as an illustration of His tender care for each of us. “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” Jesus assures us, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Matt 6:26-30; Luke 12:6,7
Think of it! He, Who created the Universe and all that is in it, knows each one of us so well that He even knows the number of the hairs of our head (a number that changes daily)! Moreover, He knows our thoughts and our motives. Others may misjudge us; but He does not, for He knows every secret thing about us. Things that we would not want others to know, He knows. Secrets that we think are hidden from sight, are plain to Him. Jesus says, “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.” Luke 12:2,3 Solemn thought. Solomon advises, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Ecc 12:13,14
In light of this, our prayer should be, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Ps 51:10-13 Our Loving Redeemer 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 Precious promise! He, Who has created all, will personally give us a new heart, a clean and a pure heart. Through His power “the righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.” Job 17:9 He says, “ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24 What a Wonderful, Personal, Loving, Caring Saviour! He is personally interested in our life! He upholds us as if there were no other! He gives us the victory over all that is false!
May we put away the false doctrines of the world which would take us down the wrong path and recognize our Great Creator’s tender care over all that He has created is my prayer.
Rose

And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel. Exodus 14:8.
When light from God, strong and convincing, came to make known the great I AM, Pharaoh was compelled to yield. But as soon as the pressure was removed, his unbelief returned and counteracted the great light God had given. When he refused the evidence of the first miracle, he sowed the seed of infidelity, which, left to its natural course, produced a harvest after its own kind. Afterward the king would not be convinced by any working of God’s power. The monarch hardened his heart, and went on from one step to another of unbelief, until throughout the vast realm of Egypt the firstborn, the pride of every household, had been laid low. After this he hurried with his army after Israel. He sought to bring back a people delivered by the arm of Omnipotence. But he was fighting against a Power greater than any human power, and with his host he perished in the waters of the Red Sea.
The despisers of God’s law are practicing the same sin that Pharaoh practiced. They are hardening their hearts. The voice of God is rejected for human theories, for satanic suggestions and delusions. The Holy Spirit is resisted and set aside. The iniquities of the fathers are visited upon the children….
The Spirit of God keeps evil under the control of conscience. When people exalt themselves above the influence of the Spirit, they reap a harvest of iniquity…. Warnings have less and less power over them. They gradually lose their fear of God. They sow to the flesh; they will reap corruption. The harvest of the seed that they themselves have sown is ripening…. Their heart of flesh becomes a heart of stone. Resistance to truth confirms them in iniquity…. All should be intelligent in regard to the agency by which the soul is destroyed. It is not because of any decree that God has sent out against men or women. He does not make them spiritually blind. God gives sufficient light and evidence to enable them to distinguish truth from error. But He does not force them to receive truth. He leaves them free to choose the good or to choose the evil. If people resist evidence that is sufficient to guide their judgment in the right direction and choose evil once, they will do this more readily the second time. The third time they will still more eagerly withdraw from God and choose to stand on the side of Satan. And in this course they will continue until they are confirmed in evil and believe the lie they have cherished as truth.—Manuscript 126, 1901 (Sermons and Talks, 2:183, 184).
Christ Triumphant p. 103
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for the Family Camp Meetings that are going on through this weekend. Rose
—–Please pray for God’s leading in E’s and her children’s lives. R
—–Please pray for Meridith who is a young mother of four and having kidney surgery today. Eileen
—–urgent prayer request for a very dear friend of mine whose wife passed away a year ago this month. he is going in for heart surgery in the morning please pray God’s will be done. his name is Bud. thank you Mary
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, Ron and I decided that an exercise bicycle would be the type of exercise that we would actually do as we could exercise while watching a favorite TV program. We felt that we had made the right decision when the clerk put a sale sign on the bike just as we were passing it. It was half price. We bought it and brought it home.
Of course, it had to be assembled. Thankfully, it came with good step-by-step directions. (Ron has had to put together items in the past that did not. What a frustrating experience that was for him.) Ron and I worked on it for quite awhile, but eventually it was ready for use.
Just as that exercise bike came with good directions for its assembly, so our Great Creator has given us the best of directions to lead us in the way that we should go. How important, then, it is for us not only to read but to follow those directions. If we do, we will find improvement in our spiritual walk.
James urges us, ” be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25 How vital it is for us to read, meditate upon, and memorize God’s Holy Word. The Psalmist David found Scripture memory the secret of his walk with God. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.” Psa 119:9-12
As we meditate upon God’s Word, the Holy Spirit reveals so many gems of truth in each text; that it becomes an exciting experience. Jeremiah says, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jer 15:16 David adds, “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Psa 119:15,16; 19:7-11 As we hide God’s Word in our hearts, we become changed into His image. Paul tells us, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor 3:18
How many times the Author of the Bible will bring the Scriptures we have memorized to our mind when we need them. Indeed, Jesus used this principle when tempted in the wilderness. He answered each temptation by quoting Scripture. (See Matt 4:1-11)
May we each day, hide God’s Word in our heart, that we may draw ever nearer to Him. May we be diligent to search the Scriptures for they testify of our Dear Saviour and His great love for us. (John 5:39) May we daily pray as did David, ” Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psa 19:14
Rose

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