When the third angel’s message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the guilty inhabitants of the earth. The people of God have accomplished their work. They have received “the latter rain,” “the refreshing from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19), and they are prepared for the trying hour before them. Angels are hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received “the seal of the living God” (Revelation 7:2).

Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, “It is done,” and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as He makes the solemn announcement: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still” (Revelation 22:11). Every case has been decided for life or death. Christ has made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. The number of His subjects is made up; “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven” (Daniel 7:27), is about to be given to the heirs of salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.

When He leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent. God’s longsuffering has ended. The world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation; the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, has been at last withdrawn.—The Great Controversy, 613, 614.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 160
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Prayer Requests
—-Prayer request for Robert who had shoulder surgery and they discovered he had stomach cancer and his sister Carol is in a coma my neighbor is asking prayer for them both they are her cousins. M
—-Please pray for the family of a dear friend of mine. Her 5 month old grandson passed away this morning very unexpectedly. He had some medical problems, and had a couple of surgeries in his first month of life, but everything seemed to be under control and he was doing well! They are of course devastated. Mary
—-Please keep my friend Dwight’s mom in prayer. She is 92 years old, may have a detached retina and doesn’t want to have surgery if all possible. Heidi
—-Please continue to pray for E and children. R
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Dear Friends,

For years, I would pass an apartment house beside a bar on the way home from work each day. On the steps of this brick building, a woman, obviously poor, waited for the school bus to drop off her small son. As I’d wait behind the bus, I would smile. Although she lived in an area not conducive to raising a child, she had much love in her heart. As soon as she would see her son get off from the bus, her face would light up and she would give him and hug and a kiss and take him inside.

One day when I came back from a vacation, this apartment house began to be torn down. What a surprise it was to see its crumbled remains. My thoughts immediately went to this woman and her son. Where were they now? Were their living conditions better or worse? It is for sure that they will not be able to live in the building that is being constructed in its place. This building is a part of the city’s beautification project and looks like the apartments will be very expensive.

How often we feel as if we are that old apartment building. We can become wrecked physically, materially, emotionally, or spiritually or any combination thereof. We feel like the man who had built his house upon the sand with our “house” crumbling all around us. Praise God! There is a Chief Cornerstone Who can keep our building from crumbling! Jesus, Himself, is “the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” Luke 20:17,18 No matter what happens to us, if we have Jesus as our Cornerstone, we have a Firm Foundation upon which to rely.

When we have the Cornerstone in our spiritual house, our solid foundation contains all the great truths of the Bible. Every one of these truths are critically important to the soundness of our “building.” Without any one of those “stones of truth” our structure would crumble and fall just as surely as all the buildings on that city block were torn down. David asks a question—a question that we would do well to ponder. He asks, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Ps 11:3

There are some who try to remove a foundation stone here and there, but that has caused disastrous results. After the question in this psalm, Paul gives the answer to those who would remove these stones of truth. “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure.” 2 Tim 2:19 We have “an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast.” Heb 6:19 We have a foundation that is solid. We do not have to waver and be in perplexity by the teachings of men that attempt to undermine the Truth, for Jesus has said, “in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Mark 7:7

We do not have to be as a “wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” if we will take the Bible just as it reads. James 1:6 Moreover, if we have found ourselves on a shaky foundation because we have listened to others as they have attempted to pull the foundation out from under us, the Master Builder can rebuild us just like that city block is being rebuilt.

May we build upon the Solid Rock keeping in place every stone of the foundation of truth, that we may be like the “man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon” the Rock. Matt 6:48

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/the-spirit-finally-withdrawn.html

The church has been appointed as the medium through which divine light is to shine into the moral darkness of this world, and the peace-giving beams of the Sun of righteousness fall upon the hearts of men. Personal labor with individuals and with families constitutes a part of the work to be done in God’s moral vineyard. The meekness, the patience, the forbearance, the love of Christ must be revealed in the homes of the land. The church must arise and shine. Radiant with the Spirit and power of the truth, the people of God must go forth to a world lying in darkness, to make manifest the light of the glory of God. God has given to men noble powers of mind to be employed to His honor; and in the missionary work these powers of mind are called into active exercise. Wise improvement and development of the gifts of God will be seen in His servants. Day by day there will be growth in the knowledge of Christ.

He who once spake as never man spake, who wore the garb of humanity, is still the Great Teacher. As you follow in His footsteps, seeking the lost, angels will draw near, and through the illumination of the Spirit of God, greater knowledge will be obtained as to the best ways and means for accomplishing the work committed to your hands….

Those who should have been the light of the world have shed forth but feeble and sickly beams. What is light? It is piety, goodness, truth, mercy, love; it is the revealing of the truth in the character and life. The gospel is dependent on the personal piety of its believers for its aggressive power, and God has made provision through the death of His beloved Son, that every soul may be thoroughly furnished unto every good work. Every soul is to be a bright and shining light, showing forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.—The Review and Herald, March 24, 1891.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 152
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for a mother and daughter who both have tumors. Pray that they are benign. Buck
—-Please pray for the wife of an old friend of mine. She’s been having seizures and possibly had a stroke. She was just moved TO ICU. Her name is Theresa. Mary
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Dear Friends,

Like all children do at one time or another, one day I decided to run away from home. I don’t remember why, but in my childish mind, I felt justified. I stood by the door announcing my intentions loudly to anyone who would listen. No one seemed to notice. No one seemed to care. I opened the front door, walked down the steps, walked past the tiny building where Mrs. Perry had her dry cleaning shop. As I did so, I began to think about what I was doing. Maybe running away wasn’t such a good idea, yet I stubbornly continued to walk down the sidewalk past Mrs. Caswell’s house, past Freddie’s house, past a few houses of people whom I did not know. What should I do next? Where should I go? I wasn’t allowed to cross the street by myself. Although I was walking very slowly, I soon found myself almost to the end of the long block.

I hesitated, hoping that Bonnie would come out of her house that sat back a ways from the street. Maybe she would ask her mother to take me in. Should I cross the street and walk another block to Van Avery’s Drug Store? Mrs. Van Avery was always kind to me. Maybe I could be her little girl.

As I pondered my decision, I caught a slight movement out of the corner of my eye. It was then that I got a glimpse of someone hiding behind a tree. A finger of fear crept up my spine. Was it a kidnapper? My grandfather had warned me about kidnappers. I began to be frightened. I wanted my mommy! I wanted to go home! Just then a face peered out from behind the tree. To my relief, it was my mother! All thoughts of rebellion were gone. I ran to her and hugged her. She did not scold me as we walked home together. We just talked together as if nothing had happened.

Sometimes we in our rebellion, wander far from our Heavenly Father, but we really cannot get away from His presence. Sometimes we go about our careless, self-centered way and neglect to commune with Him or to read His Word, but He does not forsake us. He is always near, yearning for our love, bringing us into situations so we may feel our need of Him and come running back to His outstretched arms. When we run away from Him, our life becomes tangled and knotted and full of trials and heartaches, disappointments and broken dreams. Those fiery trials we must endure are the result of the wrong decisions that we have made, but He does not forsake us. He is always watching, waiting, longing for us to realized our great need of Him.

Jesus told a parable that illustrates this. “A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” Luke 15:11-24 May we, if we have strayed away in any way, return to our Loving Heavenly Father that we may receive the forgiveness we so much need and bring joy to the Heart of God.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/dispelling-darkness.html

Oh, for a clear perception of what we might accomplish if we would learn of Jesus! The springs of heavenly peace and joy, unsealed in the soul of the teacher by the magic words of inspiration, will become a mighty river of influence, to bless all who connect with Him. Do not think that the Bible will become a tiresome book to the children. Under a wise instructor the work will become more and more desirable. It will be to them as the bread of life, and will never grow old. There is in it a freshness and beauty that attract and charm the children and youth. It is like the sun shining upon the earth, giving its brightness and warmth, yet never exhausted. By lessons from the Bible history and doctrine, the children and youth can learn that all other books are inferior to this. They can find here a fountain of mercy and of love.

God’s holy, educating Spirit is in His Word. A light, a new and precious light, shines forth upon every page. Truth is there revealed, and words and sentences are made bright and appropriate for the occasion, as the voice of God speaking to them.

We need to recognize the Holy Spirit as our enlightener. That Spirit loves to address the children, and discover to them the treasures and beauties of the Word of God. The promises spoken by the great Teacher will captivate the senses and animate the soul of the child with a spiritual power that is divine. There will grow in the fruitful mind a familiarity with divine things, which will be as a barricade against the temptations of the enemy.—The General Conference Bulletin, April 1, 1898.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 141
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Emma as she has the stomach flu and is not able to take her medicine. Rose
—-Prayers for my wife and I as we travel. No delays and God’s protection and wisdom for the trip. Nathan
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Dear Friends,

When she entered her pre-teen years, my mother became more and more rebellious. As she neared the age of fifty, she began to feel her need of God and started going back to church. Her faith in God was shaky, but at least she was heading in the right direction. At church, she renewed an old friendship with Luella whose nickname was Wally. A year or two later, Wally’s husband died leaving her with two teenage children to raise. That summer, the children begged their mother to go camping like they had done when their father was alive. At last Wally consented. She asked my mother to go with her. My mother was strictly a city girl, but to please Wally, she went.

They drove out of Kalamazoo and to a nice camping spot by one lakes in the area. The children were excited and my mother was resigned to her fate of spending a whole weekend in the fresh air with spiders, mosquitoes and snakes. The very thought made her wish she had brought her own car, so she could “escape” if need be.

At last they got to the campground and picked out a site to their liking. Wally had taken their pop-up camper, so camping had nearly all the conveniences of home. She was hard at work setting the camper up, when, suddenly, the tongue of the camper slipped and pinned her hand beneath it. Wally let out a yell. Immediately mother saw her predicament. Looking around, she realized that they were alone. There was no strong man to help. The children had run off to explore their new surroundings. My mother prayed for strength to help her friend. Now, my mother has never been a very strong person, but she lifted that camper off from Wally’s hand as if it weighed nothing. She felt as if an angel had lifted it for her. She was amazed and thrilled and very grateful to God. This incident made a deep impression upon her mind. Spiders and lizards and snakes were all forgotten. All weekend long, she reveled in the manifestation of God’s power and love. Now she knew that angels attended her. Now she knew that God was “a very present help in trouble.” Ps 46:1

The next week, my mother went to church full of excitement, sharing with the people there what God had done for her. However, instead of praises to God for His goodness, she was met with explanations of how adrenalin works on the body. She was disappointed and frustrated. She had felt God’s presence helping her, and no one would believe her. The evil one took advantage of the situation and pressed upon her the thought that perhaps the people were right: it was only an adrenaline rush. Suddenly, her weak faith returned and became even weaker. Eventually she left the church never to return.

Just as the unbelief of those churchgoers, ruined a beautiful experience that God had given my mother to draw her closer to Himself; so what we say can strengthen the faith of those around us, or it can cause them to turn away from God. How careful we must be. We never know the impression our words will have on someone. James tells us, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” James 1:26; 3:2-8

David prayed, “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Ps 141:3 This should be our prayer as well, that we may be used to strengthen the faith of others in our Glorious Redeemer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/the-spirit-loves-to-work-with-children.html