The Bible points to God as its author; yet it was written by human hands; and in the varied style of its different books it presents the characteristics of the several writers. The truths revealed are all “given by inspiration of God”; yet they are expressed in the words of men. The Infinite One by His Holy Spirit has shed light into the minds and hearts of His servants. He has given dreams and visions, symbols and figures; and those to whom the truth was thus revealed have themselves embodied the thought in human language.

The Ten Commandments were spoken by God Himself, and were written by His own hand. They are of divine and not of human composition. But the Bible, with its God-given truths expressed in the language of men, presents a union of the divine and the human. Such a union existed in the nature of Christ, who was the Son of God and the Son of man. Thus it is true of the Bible, as it was of Christ, that “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

Written in different ages, by men who differed widely in rank and occupation, and in mental and spiritual endowments, the books of the Bible present a wide contrast in style, as well as a diversity in the nature of the subjects unfolded. Different forms of expression are employed by different writers; often the same truth is more strikingly presented by one than by another. And as several writers present a subject under varied aspects and relations, there may appear, to the superficial, careless, or prejudiced reader, to be discrepancy or contradiction, where the thoughtful, reverent student, with clearer insight, discerns the underlying harmony.—The Great Controversy, v, vi.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 222
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for family members who are sick. R
—-Please pray for me. I will be going to a doctor to check what is causing pain on my left pelvic area. I pray it will be healed soon. Also for my son Ebenezer who will be taking an important exam. Sally
—-I have some dear friends whose family is dealing with covid and the husband apparently has it worse and his fever hasn’t broken in many days. Please pray for their healing, David
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Dear Friends,

Some years ago, an Interstate bridge collapsed in Minneapolis, Minnesota during rush hour traffic. A few years before when the bridge had been inspected, it was felt that there was some concern, yet nothing had been done. Shortly before it collapsed, it had been inspected again and pronounced safe. It obviously was not!
After the collapse, the news reported that many of the bridges in this country were as unsafe as was that bridge. While Ron and I talked about that worrisome bit of news, it reminded us of a bridge we often crossed when we lived in Washington State. It appeared safe, yet one day when we visited a park that was underneath that bridge, we noticed huge cracks in the structure as well as missing chunks of concrete. From then on, we avoided crossing that bridge whenever possible. We were taking no chances.
This sinful, old planet is like a dangerous bridge. Some of this world’s dangers are recognized, and we tremble in perplexity and fear. Some are hidden from our view, and we continue on, unaware of the danger we are in. How much we need Someone to guide us and protect us. Praise God! We do have such a One Who will lead us by the hand! “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.” Isa 48:17; 43:1-3
May our response to our Dear Saviour be, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” “In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defense to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.” Ps 56:3; 31:1-3

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/given-by-inspiration-of-god.html

The parable of the talents should be a matter of the most careful and prayerful study; for it has a personal and individual application to every man, woman, and child possessed of the powers of reason. Your obligation and responsibility are in proportion to the talents God has bestowed upon you. There is not a follower of Christ but has some peculiar gift for the use of which he is accountable to God.

Many have excused themselves from rendering their gift to the service of Christ, because others were possessed of superior endowments and advantages. The opinion has prevailed that only those who are especially talented are required to sanctify their abilities to the service of God. It has come to be understood that talents are given only to a certain favored class, to the exclusion of others who, of course, are not called upon to share in the toils or rewards. But it is not so represented in the parable. When the master of the house called his servants, he gave to every man his work.

The whole family of God are included in the responsibility of using their Lord’s goods. Every individual, from the lowliest and most obscure to the greatest and most exalted, is a moral agent endowed with abilities for which he is accountable to God. To a greater or less degree, all are placed in charge of the talents of their Lord. The spiritual, mental, and physical ability, the influence, station, possessions, affections, sympathies, all are precious talents to be used in the cause of the Master for the salvation of souls for whom Christ died. How few appreciate these blessings! How few seek to improve their talent, and increase their usefulness in the world! The Master has given to every man his work. He has given to every man according to his ability, and his trust is in proportion to his capacity. God requires everyone to be a worker in His vineyard. You are to take up the work that has been placed in your charge, and to do it faithfully.—The Review and Herald, May 1, 1888.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 218
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Prayer Requests
—-please be in prayers for my family friend Kathy. Her brother and his wife’s funerals will be held this weekend. She has asked for prayers at this difficult time, as their passing was very unexpected. Jennifer
—-Please pray for Kathy and family as her son Matt has passed. Rose
—-I’m asking for prayers for one of my grandsons he’s only 23 and into drugs. Barbara
PLease continue to pray for E and children. R
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Dear Friends,

Several times a year when I was a child, my mother and I would take the train to Grand Rapids to shop. On one such occasion, she happened to notice a large crowd going into a certain store that had a big grand opening sign. We joined the milling crowd and soon found ourselves inside, surrounded by a vast “sea” of shoppers. I was about six at the time and was given careful instructions to keep holding her hand. Somehow, as my mother was looking at some merchandise, we got separated. Soon, I found myself being carried along by the crowd and unable to find my mother. I began to be fearful, but I didn’t know what to do or where to go.

Finally, a clerk noticed my sad face and asked me if I was lost. Then she took me upstairs to the toy department and let me hold a great big doll. The doll was beautiful, but it held no interest for me. I just wanted my mommy. I remember the concerned faces of the clerk and some man with glasses hovering over me. He could have been the manager, but I was not interested in him. I just wanted to see my mother’s face.

When my mother finally discovered that I was not at her side, she nearly panicked. While searching for me in that milling crowd, she came upon a clerk who explained that the store’s policy was to take any lost child to the toy department. Rushing to the elevator, she made her way to the fifth floor. A clerk, seeing her panic-stricken look, walked over and asked if she could help. My mother asked if any lost child had been found. Smiling, the woman took her to where I was. As soon as I saw my mother, I set that beautiful doll down and rushed into her arms. Then I burst into tears.

Just as I became lost when I took my hand out of my mother’s hand, so we can become lost only if we let go of our Heavenly Father’s Hand. Yet, praise God! We do not need to stay that way “for the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10 Indeed, there are many who have become separated from their Loving Redeemer. Perhaps they have been allured by worldly pleasures, or by choosing a friend who has led them down the wrong path. Perhaps it is simple carelessness or neglect of Bible study and prayer. Whatever the cause, they soon find that they can no longer see their Saviour’s face.

Because of His great love, our Dear Jesus does not leave us alone. No, He works out circumstances that we may return to Him if we will. “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:4-10

“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” Zeph 3:17 Wonderful thought! The Great King of the Universe rejoices over us with singing! “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Rom 11:33 Think of it! Not only does the Great Creator of the Universe rejoice when we repent, but all of the angels of Heaven and all of the beings on the unfallen worlds are interested in our salvation. May we run to His Outstretched Arms of Love is my prayer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/every-man-woman-and-child-is-responsible.html

Let teachers and students watch for opportunities to confess Christ in their conversation. Such witness will be more effective than many sermons….

Students, make your school life as perfect as possible. You will pass over the way but once, and precious are the opportunities granted you. You are not only to learn but to practice the lessons of Christ. While obtaining your education, you have the opportunity to tell of the wonderful truths of God’s Word. Improve every such opportunity. God will bless every minute spent in this way. Maintain your simplicity and your love for souls, and the Lord will lead you in safe paths. The rich experience you gain will be of more value to you than gold or silver or precious stones.

You know not to what position you may be called in the future. God may use you as He used Daniel, to take the knowledge of the truth to the mighty of the earth. It rests with you to say whether you will have skill and knowledge to do this work. God can give you skill in all your learning. He can help you to adapt yourself to the line of study you take up. Make it your first interest to gather up right, noble, uplifting principles. God desires you to witness for Him. He does not want you to stand still; He wants you to run in the way of His commandments.

Christ desires to use every student as His agent. You are to cooperate with the One who gave His life for you. What rich blessings would come to our schools if teachers and students would consecrate themselves, heart, mind, soul, and strength, to God’s service as His helping hand! His helping hand—that is what you may be if you will yield yourselves to His keeping. He will lead you safely, and enable you to make straight paths for yourselves and for others. He will give you knowledge and wisdom, and a fitness for fuller service.—Counsels to Parents and Teachers, 554, 555.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 215
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Prayer Requests
—-Prayers for Marc and Kathy. Marks O2 was dropping as he has pneumonia, they’re doing a CT scan and they don’t have the results yet Kathy is asking for prayers that she tests negative for Covid tomorrow so she can see him in the hospital and that his CT scan will be negative. Becky
—-Please pray for my brother. He’s been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and is in a lot of pain. Yolanda
—-Please continue to pray for E and children. R
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Dear Friends,
When I was a teenager, I loved to take long walks in about three miles from our house. I loved it because it was a section of town where the very rich lived. The houses were huge and the lawns expansive. Some were nestled in a stand of trees and others seemed to be on display. I used to imagine, as I walked by them, what it must be like to live in one of those mansions. It seemed to me like the occupants had no worries as to where the money would come for their next meal, no cares about how to pay the bills, an ideal life. In my imaginings the people there lived in constant happiness and bliss. Of course, those people had just as many problems as my mother and I did, they just had a different set of problems.

No matter what our station in life, we are filled with cares and perplexities. Each day brings its own set of trails and troubles, but we have the privilege, as did Abraham, of looking “for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Heb 11:10 There “the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” Isa 33:24 Our Dear Saviour promises, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3

Think of it! Our Loving Saviour is preparing a home for us that far surpasses any earthly dwelling! The mansions and castles of this world pale in comparison. The loving disciple, John, was given a glimpse of this glorious place, the New Jerusalem. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. . . He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. . . . And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. . . . And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. . . . And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones…. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. . . . And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it. . . . And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. . . . And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true. . . . Behold, I come quickly and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. . . . Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev 21:1-22:14

May we and our loved ones be there is my prayer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/students-gifted-to-be-witnesses.html