The Bible is not given to us in grand superhuman language. Jesus, in order to reach man where he is, took humanity. The Bible must be given in the language of men. Everything that is human is imperfect. Different meanings are expressed by the same word; there is not one word for each distinct idea. The Bible was given for practical purposes.

The stamps of minds are different. All do not understand expressions and statements alike. Some understand the statements of the Scriptures to suit their own particular minds and cases. Prepossessions, prejudices, and passions have a strong influence to darken the understanding and confuse the mind even in reading the words of Holy Writ….

The Bible is written by inspired men, but it is not God’s mode of thought and expression. It is that of humanity. God, as a writer, is not represented. Men will often say such an expression is not like God. But God has not put Himself in words, in logic, in rhetoric, on trial in the Bible. The writers of the Bible were God’s penmen, not His pen. Look at the different writers.

It is not the words of the Bible that are inspired, but the men that were inspired. Inspiration acts not on the man’s words or his expressions but on the man himself, who, under the influence of the Holy Ghost, is imbued with thoughts. But the words and thoughts receive the impress of the individual mind. The divine mind is diffused. The divine mind and will is combined with the human mind and will; thus the utterances of the man are the Word of God.—Selected Messages 1:20, 21.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 225
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for comfort for LS who is very discouraged. Buck
—-Please pray for God’s guidance and protection for E and her children. R
—-My hubby’s leg was extremely painful. That seems better but tonight he seems confused. Thanks for your prayers and for God’s love will done. Olive
—-prayers for Maya. She had a rough night and will likely be transferred out of state to ____. Covid is negative, and her chest x-ray looks good, but white blood cells are slightly elevated. Jennifer
—-Covid is going around our church. Please pray for all those who are sick. Rose
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Dear Friends,
We have been having sicknesses going through our family for the past month and a half. As I was thinking about how our whole focus is on helping us qll to get well, it made me think of our Dear Heavenly Father’s whole focus on curing us from our sin-sickness. When our first parents sinned, the great plan of salvation, which had been planned before the foundation of the earth was laid, went into effect. (Rev 13:8) Jesus promised them, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Gen 3:15 Think of it! The Great God of the Universe left all of the glories of Heaven, the worship of all of the holy angels and unfallen beings on all of the worlds in space, and came to this dark, sinful, old planet to rescue us from the evil one.
How quickly He comes to our aid when we need Him. He bids us, “call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. ” Ps 50:15 He is always there watching over us, tenderly caring for us in our great need even though at times we may not realize it. Jesus gave us a parable to give us courage when there seems to be a delay in His answering our prayer. “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.” Luke 18:1-8
May we cast all of our care upon Him Who cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7) May we cling to our Precious Redeemer in good times as well as in bad. May we soon joyously meet our Saviour face to face when He comes is my prayer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/divine-message-in-human-language.html

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