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A Time for Prevailing Prayer

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It is time for You to act, O Lord, for they have regarded Your law as void. Psalm 119:126.

The Lord is soon to come. Wickedness and rebellion, violence and crime, are filling the world. The cries of the suffering and the oppressed rise to God for justice. In the place of being softened by the patience and forbearance of God, the wicked are growing stronger in stubborn rebellion. The time in which we live is one of marked depravity. Religious restraint is thrown off, and people reject the law of God as unworthy of their attention. A more than common contempt is placed upon this holy law.

A moment of respite has been graciously given us of God. Every power lent us of heaven is to be used in doing the work assigned us by the Lord for those who are perishing in ignorance. The warning message is to be sounded in all parts of the world. There must be no delay. The truth must be proclaimed in the dark places of the earth. Obstacles must be met and surmounted. A great work is to be done, and this work is entrusted to those who know the truth for this time.

Now is the time for us to lay hold of the arm of our strength. The prayer of David should be the prayer of pastors and laymen: “It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.” Let the servants of God weep between the porch and the altar, crying, “Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not Thine heritage to reproach.” God has always wrought in behalf of His truth. The designs of the wicked, the enemies of the church, are subject to His power and His overruling providence. He can move upon the hearts of statesmen; the wrath of the haters of His truth and His people can be turned aside, even as the waters of a river could be turned, if thus He ordered it.

Prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence. He who marshals the stars in order in the heavens, whose word controls the waves of the great deep—the same infinite Creator will work in behalf of His people if they will call upon Him in faith. He will restrain all the forces of darkness until the warning is given to the world, and all who will heed it are prepared for His coming.—The Review and Herald, December 14, 1905.
From the Heart p. 36
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my sister who is in so much pain she just can barely function. Michael
—-My husband is having severe high blood pressure. Please pray that he won’t have a stroke or heart attack. A
—- I’d like to request a prayer for my dad who’s dying in the hospital. And for his girlfriend of thirty plus years, my pastor’s going up there to see them later today, and will you please pray that he’ll lead them to the Lord. Gina
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Dear Friends,

Last week, I was listening to a man who had an interesting experience. He heard God speaking in his mind to go and talk with a woman that he saw in a store. Many times he hesitated, but eventually he obeyed. How glad he was that he did. This woman was going through a time of great trial and his kind words were just what she needed. He was able to minister to her and help her to realize that God loved her and had not forsaken her.

About ten years ago or so, Eileen was thankful she also listened to that still, small voice. She was getting ready to go to work, when she got this overwhelming feeling that taking her dog Murphy to work with her that day was not a good idea. (Eileen worked at a private nursing home and the ladies there loved that little dog.) At first, she dismissed the feeling and continued getting ready. That strong feeling persisted. Finally, she called her mother-in-law and asked her if she would like Murphy’s company for the day.

By the end of day, Eileen knew that God had directed her to keep Murphy away from work that day. It had been extremely hectic because one of the residents had to go to the hospital. Nurses and ambulance attendants had been going in and out much of the time, and Murphy would have been in the way. How thankful Eileen was that she had listened.

How good and kind our Heavenly Father is to direct us not only in the big things but also in the little things of life. He, Who knows the end from the beginning, is willing to help us in every aspect of our life. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Pr 3:5, 6

Yet, is every impression or thought a guidance from God? No, sometimes thoughts and impressions come from our imaginings. “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Jer 10:23 Moreover, we have an adversary who is constantly trying to confuse us and lead us down the wrong path. The evil one also gives us impressions. How we need discernment to know who is speaking to us.

Only as we fortify our mind with the truths in God’s Holy Word can we knew the difference. Paul advises, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 As we study, we can claim the promise, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8

May we pray as did David, “Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.” Ps 119:33

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/a-time-for-prevailing-prayer.html

God Speaks to Us

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Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us? Luke 24:32.

After Christ’s death two disciples, on their way to Emmaus from Jerusalem, were talking over the scenes of the crucifixion. Christ Himself drew near, unrecognized by the sorrowing travelers. Their faith had died with their Lord, and their eyes, blinded by unbelief, did not recognize their risen Savior. Jesus, walking by their side, longed to reveal Himself to them, but He accosted them merely as fellow travelers, saying “What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?” Astonished at the question, they asked if He were a stranger in Jerusalem and had not heard that a prophet, mighty in word and deed, had been crucified. “We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel,” they said, sadly.

“O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken,” Christ said; “ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” …

The disciples had lost sight of the precious promises linked with the prophecies of Christ’s death, but when these were brought to their remembrance, faith revived; and after Christ had revealed Himself to them, they exclaimed, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” …

If we would search the Scriptures, our hearts would burn within us as the truths revealed therein are opened to our understanding. Our hopes would brighten as we claim the precious promises strewn like pearls through the Sacred Writings. As we study the history of patriarchs and prophets, men who loved and feared God, walking with Him, our souls would glow with the spirit that animated them….

The question is asked, What is the cause of the dearth of spiritual power in the churches? The answer is, We allow our minds to be drawn away from the Word…. The Word of the living God is not merely written, but spoken. It is God’s voice speaking to us, just as surely as if we could hear it with our ears. If we realized this, with what awe we would open God’s Word, and with what earnestness we would search its pages.—The Review and Herald, March 31, 1903.
From the Heart p. 29
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Joyce. She is having a lot of trouble recovering from surgery. Also please pray for Fran. Rose
—-I have a friend who needs prayers because she hasn’t had a bowel movement in at least a week or so. She’s tried everything. Her Dr did a x-ray and she was told her intestines are backed up. An enigma will not be helpful in this case and could be more harmful. My friend doesn’t want to have surgery but doesn’t know what else to try. Danita
—-G needs our prayers. Buck
—-please pray for Pat who is in the hospital with the flu very bad. It is especially bad because she has COPD and kidney disease. M
—-Please pray for my daughter. Jenny, who is having a really hard time. So many things. For my daughter Jody whose husband is still not working, needs a job. For A young man named Owen, who just got a kidney transplant. That it will be successful. And he will not reject. Debra
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Dear Friends,

How often I have heard mothers say that they can hardly wait until their children are grown so they will not have so much work or worry. What a surprise they are in for! Little children are a lot of work and a little worry. Older children are less work and quite a bit of worry. Grown children pull on our heartstrings as we see them go through all the troubles and trials of adulthood. Seeing them struggle brings great pain to our heart. Then we long for the days when they were tiny ones again and we could fix their hurts.

Yet it helps us realize in a small way the pain our Heavenly Father must have as He sees His children experiencing physical or emotional pain. How His Great Heart of Love must ache as He watches us struggling. How He would love to take complete control of our situation and make it all right, but He will not force us to allow Him to do so. Instead, He waits to be asked to take control of our life. If we allow Him to do so, He can fix all our tangled problems and place our feet on the right path.

Jesus reminds us, “Without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5 How true. Without Jesus’ dwelling within us, all our efforts against the trials and pain that beset us are in vain. Solomon experienced this. He had started out his reign so well, but through wrong influences and choices his life was a failure. How disappointed he made the True King of Israel. Looking back over his life, Solomon commented, “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. Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Ecc 3:2, 14, 17

Praise God, He does not leave us to fight our battles alone! If we come to Him, He will give us the help we so desperately need! Moreover, He will change us into His image. Jesus, alone, gives our life true meaning. Jesus, alone, can save us from all of the pain the evil one heaps upon us. He is even now pleading with us, “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die? Eze 33:11 “Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. Joel 2:12,13

May we so live that as we look back over the years of our life we will be able to declare as did Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 1 Tim 4:7, 8

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/god-speaks-to-us.html

Striking Examples of Prayer

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If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7.

Prayer has been made the means of obtaining blessings that would not otherwise be received. The patriarchs were men of prayer, and God did great things for them. When Jacob left his father’s house for a strange land, he prayed in humble contrition, and in the night season the Lord answered him through vision. He saw a ladder, bright and shining, its base resting on earth, and its topmost round reaching to the highest heaven…. Afterward, while on his return to his father’s house, he wrestled with the Son of God all night, even till break of day, and prevailed. The assurance was given him, “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men.”

Joseph prayed, and he was preserved from sin amid influences that were calculated to lead him away from God. When tempted to leave the path of purity and uprightness, he said, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

Moses, who was much in prayer, was known as the meekest man on the face of the earth. For his meekness and humility he was honored of God, and he discharged with fidelity the high, noble, and sacred responsibilities intrusted to him. While leading the children of Israel through the wilderness, again and again it seemed that they must be exterminated on account of their murmuring and rebellion. But Moses went to the true Source of power; he laid the case before the Lord….

Daniel was a man of prayer, and God gave him wisdom and firmness to resist every influence that conspired to draw him into the snare of intemperance. Even in his youth he was a moral giant in the strength of the Mighty One….

In the prison at Philippi, while suffering from the cruel stripes they had received, their feet fast in the stocks, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praise to God, and angels were sent from heaven to deliver them. The earth shook under the tread of these heavenly messengers, and the prison doors flew open, setting the prisoners free…. We should be continually loosening our hold upon earth, and fastening it upon heaven.—Signs of the Times, August 14, 1884.
From the Heart p. 22
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Joyce as she recovers from surgery. Rose
—-Please pray for several relatives who are in end-stage disease. B
—-I’m asking for prayers. I am not feeling well having a hard time breathing. Michael
—-Please pray for Ethan to continue to come to the ten days of prayer at our church. E
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Dear Friends,

These days can follow an ongoing battle on the daily news that started six thousand years ago. This battle teaches us how one seemingly little digression from God’s will can have grave consequences not only for ourselves but for others as well.

In Abraham’s case, his “little digression” changed the course of history. Abraham was told by God that he would have a son who would be not only the heir of all his riches, but more importantly, be the one through whom the Messiah would be born. Years passed. Abraham waited for the promise to be fulfilled, but it did not come. He became impatient. When Sarah suggested Hagar as the solution to the problem, it sounded reasonable to him. He did not wait for the Lord to fulfill His promise in His time. Instead, he took Hagar as his wife. That bit of impatience brought much sadness, not only to Abraham and Sarah, but the world is still reaping the results of that one moment when his faith faltered.

Ishmael was not the child of promise. God declared, “But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee.” Gen 17:21 Isaac was born in God’s appointed time and brought great joy to his parents, but in Abraham’s heart was always the cry “O that Ishmael might live before thee!” vs18

How easy it is to get impatient and want all our plans to be carried out immediately. How often we take things into our own hands as did Abraham. We may want a good thing. We may even desire something that is for God’s glory, but it may be that God is saying, “Wait a little while. The time is not right. Be patient.” It is so hard to wait, yet, the price of impatience is high.

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Ps 27:14 “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: Ps 37:3-7 May we daily give ourselves to our loving Redeemer and allow Him to work in and through us that we will not digress from His will and way is my prayer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/striking-examples-of-prayer.html

Understanding for All

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The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130.

The Word of God presents the most potent means of education, as well as the most valuable source of knowledge, within the reach of humanity. The understanding adapts itself to the dimensions of the subjects with which it is required to deal. If occupied with trivial, commonplace matters only, never summoned to earnest effort to comprehend great and eternal truths, it becomes dwarfed and enfeebled. Hence the value of the Scriptures as a means of intellectual culture. Their perusal in a reverent and teachable spirit will expand and strengthen the mind as no other study can. They lead directly to the contemplation of the most exalted, the most ennobling, and the most stupendous truths that are presented to the human mind. They direct our thoughts to the infinite Author of all things.

We see revealed the character of the Eternal and listen to His voice as He communes with patriarchs and prophets. We see explained the mysteries of His providence, the great problems which have engaged the attention of every thoughtful mind, but which, without the aid of revelation, human intellect seeks in vain to solve. They open to our understanding a simple yet sublime system of theology, presenting truths which a child may grasp but which are yet so far reaching as to baffle the powers of the strongest mind….

Our Savior did not ignore learning or despise education, yet He chose unlearned fishermen for the work of the gospel because they had not been schooled in the false customs and traditions of the world. They were men of good natural ability and of a humble, teachable spirit; men whom He could educate for His great work….

The learned lawyers, priests, and scribes scorned to be taught by Christ. They desired to teach Him, and frequently made the attempt, only to be defeated by the wisdom that laid bare their ignorance and rebuked their folly. In their pride and bigotry, they would not accept the words of Christ, yet they were surprised at the wisdom with which He spake…. But the words and deeds of the humble Teacher, recorded by the unlettered companions of His daily life, have exerted a living power upon the minds of men and women from that day to the present.—The Review and Herald, September 25, 1883.
From the Heart p. 15
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Prayer Requests
—-My Grandson Armonie is in the Hospital with Pneumonia. Say a Prayer for him. Melisa
—-Asking for prayers for our family, my husband is dealing with cancer and now kidney/liver issues. Dottie
—-Please pray for a church member who has cancer. Buck
—-Please pray that they can find my purse at the hospital. Ever since my surgery on Tuesday i haven’t been able to find my purse. I don’t think they put it in my car at the hospital. Debra
—-I’d like to ask for prayer for my mom. We just recently found out that she has a mass on her pancreas. She went to the doctor told her that before they can do surgery she has to get a few things done first. And they’re going to take part of her stomach as well when they do the surgery. They also found a spot on her lung we don’t know what they’re going to do with that just yet. Bob
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Dear Friends,

Some years ago, Eileen worked for a private nursing home. One early in the morning, she got a call from one of the other workers. The lady who worked the day shift wanted to trade working times. Her daughter had fallen and she needed to take her to the doctor for stitches. Since Eileen had traded with her before, she said okay.

Unfortunately, the woman never showed up to work Eileen’s shift so she had to work both shifts. She was so exhausted that she wasn’t sure she could stay awake long enough to drive home, so she called to talk to her until she got home.

How much we need our Heavenly Father to “talk to us all the way home.” He reminds us, “Without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

How His Great Heart of Love must ache as He watches us struggling day by day without Him. He would love to take complete control of our situation and make it all right, but He will not force us to allow Him to do so. Instead, He waits to be asked to take control. Without Jesus dwelling within us, speaking to us through His Holy Word, guiding us to His Heavenly Home all our efforts to get there are in vain. Solomon commented on such a life, “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. Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Ecc. 3:2, 14, 17

Praise God! If we call upon Him, He is more willing to give us the help we so desperately. If we allow Him too, He will give us the comfort and rest that we so much need in these frantic times. Beyond that, He will change us into His image and give our life true meaning.

May we allow our Dear Saviour to take complete control of our life and guide us all the way home is my prayer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/understanding-for-all.html

Safety Only in Obedience

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For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 1 Peter 3:12.

No man is safe for a day or an hour without prayer. Especially should we entreat the Lord for wisdom to understand His Word. Here are revealed the wiles of the tempter, and the means by which he may be successfully resisted. Satan is an expert in quoting Scripture, placing his own interpretation upon passages, by which he hopes to cause us to stumble. We should study the Bible with humility of heart, never losing sight of our dependence upon God. While we must constantly guard against the devices of Satan, we should pray in faith continually, “Lead us not into temptation.” 62The Great Controversy, 530.

When Balaam, allured by the promise of rich rewards, practiced enchantments against Israel, and by sacrifices to the Lord sought to invoke a curse upon His people, the Spirit of God forbade the evil which he longed to pronounce, and Balaam was forced to exclaim: “How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed?” Numbers 23:8….

The people of Israel were at this time loyal to God; and so long as they continued in obedience to His law, no power in earth or hell could prevail against them. But the curse which Balaam had not been permitted to pronounce against God’s people, he finally succeeded in bringing upon them by seducing them into sin. When they transgressed God’s commandments, then they separated themselves from Him, and they were left to feel the power of the destroyer.

Satan is well aware that the weakest soul who abides in Christ is more than a match for the hosts of darkness…. Only in humble reliance upon God, and obedience to all His commandments, can we be secure.63The Great Controversy, 529, 530.

Let none deceive themselves with the belief that God will pardon and bless them while they are trampling upon one of His requirements. The willful commission of a known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit, and separates the soul from God.64The Signs of the Times, November 30, 1882 (The Review and Herald, May 3, 1881).

The Faith I Live By p. 331
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Prayer Requests
—-My brother-in-law passed away yesterday of a heart attack. Please keep my sister Marilyn and her family in your prayers. Sherry
—-My friend Tony is getting major surgery tomorrow….So can I please ask you to pray for him. I appreciate it very much. Dean
—-Please pray for CJ to receive a job offer after her interview at the Pharmacy. Alexandra
—-My son had his foot almost cut off in a work accident. Please pray that he will heal quickly without complications. Joann
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Dear Friends,

When I was thinking of what to make for next week’s Thanksgiving meal, I found a vegan “turkey” roll that used both tofu and vital wheat gluten. That reminded me of something that happened fifty-eight years ago when Ron and I were first married.

We had moved from Battle Creek to a little cottage on Lake Huron just south of Alpena. It was a nice little place, and I loved being able to see the lake right outside my window and the majestic pine trees surrounding us.

Like all new brides, I made some real big mistakes—mostly in the kitchen. One day, while Ron was at work, I decided to make gluten steaks even though I only had a vague idea how it was done. At best that was no small task! In order to get the gluten separated from the flour, I had to wash the starch out of that ball of flour many times. Something was not quite right, though. The “ball” would not stay together. I tried to keep it together and rinse the starch out of it, but it was too soft.

As the water would become white with not only the flour’s starch but much of the gluten, I would pour it down the sink and get new water. It was a terrible mess! Finally I ended up with a very small amount of gluten. Even so, I was quite proud of my accomplishment.

That is, I was proud until the next day. To my horror, when I went to use my kitchen sink, it was completely plugged up. I tried everything I knew to unstop it, but try as I might, the water just would not go down. Overnight, that starchy mess had hardened in the drainpipes.

Finally I went next door and got the landlord to help me. As he was working on those clogged-up pipes, he asked, “What did you do, pour cement down the drain?” All my pride fell to the floor. I was too embarrassed to tell him what I had done, so I just stood there. It took him hours to get everything unclogged.

Sometimes we are like those drainpipes. We get all clogged with sin. We desire the water of life to fill us, but it can’t get through because of the hardened mess that sin has caused within us. Our Heavenly Father assures us that He will solve the clogged-up mess in our lives. “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 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.” “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Eze 36:25-27; 33:11

He will cleanse us, yes, He longs to set us free from the sins that have bound us for so long. John, the loving apostle has written, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 This process often takes time just like it took time for the landlord to rid those pipes of that glutenous mass. It can be painful as the sin is chiseled away but we can trust Him because He has loved us with an everlasting love. He assures us of His constant care during this refining process, “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee… and he that formed thee…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 43:1-3

May we come to Him now that we may receive the pardon and cleansing that He so freely offers is my prayer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/safety-only-in-obedience-2.html

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