We are to believe that we are chosen of God to be saved by the exercise of faith, through the grace of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit; and we are to praise and glorify God for such a marvelous manifestation of His unmerited favor. It is the love of God that draws the soul to Christ to be graciously received and presented to His Father. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the divine relationship between God and the sinner is renewed. Our heavenly Father says, “I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people. I will exercise forgiving love toward them, and bestow upon them My joy. They shall be to Me a peculiar treasure; for this people whom I have formed for Myself shall show forth My praise” (see: Jeremiah 30:22; 31:1, 33; Exodus 19:5).

Christ is calling souls to come unto Him, and it is for our present and eternal interest to hear and respond to the call. Jesus says, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” (John 15:16). Then let all who would be called children of God respond to the invitation of Christ, and place themselves where the light of heaven will shine upon them, where they will realize what it is to be hearers and doers of the words of Christ, what it is to follow the Light of the world, and be accepted in the Beloved.

Everything that God could do has been done for the salvation of man. In one rich gift He poured out the treasures of heaven. He invites, He pleads, He urges; but He will not compel men to come unto Him. He waits for their cooperation. He waits for the consent of the will, that He may bestow upon the sinner the riches of His grace, reserved for him from the foundation of the world…. The Lord does not design that human power should be paralyzed; but that by cooperation with God, man may become a more efficient agent in His hands…. The Lord holds out to man the privilege of copartnership with Himself.—The Messenger, April 26, 1893.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 41
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my coworker Suzanne’s husband Brian who is having surgery today (Wednesday) morning to remove his prostate. Wanangwa
—-Please pray for E who has an important meeting today. R
—-Please pray for a friend Melonie she is going in for surgery for cancer today. She has been taking chemo for a while so hopefully they will get all of the cancer out. M.
—-Requesting prayer that baby will stay in a couple more weeks and for improved health. Sondra
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,

Before Esther was born, I worked alone all night at a gas station in a tough seaport town. I was sometimes nervous being there all alone especially since the telephone at the counter was set up so no one could make outgoing calls. The only way to call the police was to walk over to the pay phone on a wall about 20 feet away. I often thought if there was any danger, there would be no way to summon help.

One night, a man walked in. He walked around a bit and then stopped for awhile at the magazine rack. There was something about him that was creepy. I walked over to the phone to call the police. I just had my hand on the receiver when to my dismay I realized that he had put down the magazine he was reading and hurried over to where I was standing. I did not like the way he was looking at me.

Now I was scared, but I tried not to show it. He stood about a foot away from me (which was way too close!) and began to talk to me about wanting to dance and party. He asked me if I knew where there was such a place near to where we were. I told him that I had no idea as I did not go to such places. After what seemed like an eternity, he turned and walked out of the store.

How thankful I was for God’s protecting care! I felt like David when he exclaimed, “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Ps 34:6-8

Truly every day our only protection is in God. He assures us, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jer 29:11-13 Think of it! Even though we cannot see Him He sees us each moment. He Who and loves us “with an everlasting love” and wants only good for us can keep us safe even when we are face to face with someone who is very frightening. Jer 31:3

Our Great Protector says, “call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Ps 50:15 “I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD. And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.” Jer 15:21 “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 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8 Praise God! He is always there guiding, protecting, watching over us. What a Wonderful Redeemer! What a Dear and Loving Friend! We can trust in Him always! We can rely upon His Word! May we declare as did David, “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.” “Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” Ps 32:7;119:114

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/chosen-to-be-saved.html

The Holy Spirit is ever waiting to do His office work upon the human heart. Those who desire to learn can place themselves in close connection with God, and the promise that the Comforter shall teach them all things, and bring all things to their remembrance, whatever Christ had said to His disciples when He was upon the earth will be fulfilled. But if we disconnect from God, we can be no longer students in the school of Christ. Then we shall feel no special burden for the souls for whom Christ has died.

It was most difficult for the disciples of Christ to keep His lessons distinct from the traditions and maxims of the rabbis, the scribes, and pharisees. The teachings which the disciples had been educated to respect as the voice of God held a power over their minds and molded their sentiments. The disciples could not be a living and shining light until they were freed from the influence of the sayings and commandments of men, and the words of Christ were deeply impressed upon their minds and hearts as distinct truths, as precious jewels, to be appreciated, loved, and acted upon.

Jesus came to the world, lived a holy life, and died, to leave to the church His legacy in the valuable treasures He entrusted to them. He made His disciples the depositaries of most precious doctrines, to be placed in the hands of His church unmixed with the errors and traditions of men. He revealed Himself to them as the light of the world, the Sun of righteousness. And He promised them the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father was to send in His name.—The Signs of the Times, November 16, 1891.

“I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you” (John 14:18). The divine Spirit that the world’s Redeemer promised to send is the presence and power of God. He will not leave His people in the world destitute of His grace, to be buffeted by the enemy of God, and harassed by the oppression of the world; but He will come to them.—The Signs of the Times, November 23, 1891.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 39
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my daughters who are going through trials. Buck
—-Please pray for a sore throat I have been having for some days now. Evelyn
—-Please pray for my 1st cousin, Norma, who is critically ill. Helen
—-I just got a call from my brother. He is in terrible trouble with a catheter and stuck in his bladder and he’s bleeding. He cannot go to the hospital because it is very hectic there and his wife can’t be with him. He said he could not endure that at this crucial point in his life cuz he’s dying of a breathing problem. I need lot of prayer for him. Lorraine
—-Please pray for my classmate’s mom and niece who were in a horrible car wreck with a truck. David
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of my favorite rainy-day pasttimes as a child was looking at my grandmother’s photo albums. On one such occasion, I saw an old lady I had not noticed before, She was a thin woman with her white hair pulled back in a bun. Her face had no wrinkles, but there was a sadness about her that could not be hidden in that photo taken so long ago.

When I asked my grandmother, she told me that it was her Aunt Alice. Alice was a happy girl, who was full of life and joy. She met a good-looking young man, and after a proper courtship, they became engaged. They loved each other deeply and finally the wedding day arrived. Alice was even more joyful than normal. That day she had anticipated as the happiest day of her life had finally arrived!

The church was decorated with flowers and filled with guests all waiting in eager anticipation to see this lovely young couple unite their lives. She wore a beautiful white wedding gown of lace. Her hair was combed in a lovely style specially to please the man she loved so deeply. The minister and the wedding attendants were there. All was ready, but the bridegroom was not there. They waited and waited. Had he changed his mind? The best man decided to go see.

Horrified, the best man saw an accident up ahead. He ran as fast as he could and saw that Alice’s loved young man was involved and ran back to the church. Shouting loudly and with tears in his eyes, he poured out his devastating news. Alice couldn’t believe it. She picked up the long skirt of her bridal gown and ran to the scene. There she saw the one she loved lying in the road—dead. Alice never recovered from that shock. She was never the same again. She became quiet and withdrawn and mourned for that young man for the rest of her life.

As I listened to the story, I felt like crying. Yet there is a tragedy much worse than this story—a disappointment far greater that happens every day without our even thinking about it. All around us are those who are spending their life with barely a thought heavenward. Jesus is coming soon and there will be multitudes unready to meet Him. With a sorrow far worse than Aunt Alice’s, they will cry out, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jer 8:20 What dreadful words! Words spoken by some who knew Jesus was coming, but who did not make the heart preparation necessary. They seemed ready on the outside but were careless and indifferent and thought that a “head knowledge” of the truths of God’s Word was enough.

Jesus told a parable that illustrates this point. “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matt 25:1-13 All those virgins believed that the bridegroom was coming, but only half of them made the needed preparation.

May we “work out (our) own salvation with fear and trembling that we will not be found “standing at the altar.” Phil 2:12 May we “give diligence to make (our) calling and election sure” 2 Peter 1:10 May we live so close to God each day, allowing Him to change us into His image, that when He comes we will look up and say, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa 25:9

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/the-spirit-is-ever-waiting.html

I would that all my brethren and sisters would remember that it is a serious thing to grieve the Holy Spirit; and it is grieved when the human agent seeks to work himself, and refuses to enter the service of the Lord because the cross is too heavy or the self-denial too great. The Holy Spirit seeks to abide in each soul. If it is welcomed as an honored guest, those who receive it will be made complete in Christ; the good work begun will be finished; and holy thoughts, heavenly affections, and Christlike actions will take the place of impure thoughts, perverse sentiments, and rebellious acts.

The Holy Spirit is a divine teacher. If we will heed its lessons, we shall become wise unto salvation. But we need to guard well our hearts; for too often we forget the heavenly instruction we have received, and seek to act out the natural inclinations of our unconsecrated minds. Each one must fight his own battle against self. Heed the teachings of the Holy Spirit. If this is done, they will be repeated again and again until the impressions are as it were lead on the rock forever.

God has bought us, and He claims a throne in each heart. Our minds and bodies must be subordinated to Him; and the natural habits and appetites must be made subservient to the higher wants of the soul. But we can place no dependence upon ourselves in this work. We cannot with safety follow our own guidance. The Holy Spirit must renew and sanctify us. And in God’s service there must be no halfway work. Those who profess to serve God and yet indulge their natural impulses will mislead other souls. Said Christ, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37). “This do, and thou shalt live” (Luke 10:28).—Manuscript Releases 18:47, 48.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 33
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-I have a friend that’s having suicidal thoughts due to depression and other things. Please pray! Kathy
—- Please pray for Robert and Carol. Robert has been sick since Thanksgiving and Carol is having issues also. Wonderful brother and sister in Christ. Also remember Hannah as she can’t attend church without a ride. Ernest
—-Please send up prayers that HR will be generous in granting time off to care for my Dad. He is recovering from surgery and needs medical assistance. I’ve already used up my FMLA which ended last week. Vicki
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,

Some years ago, I saw a little film clip of a dog and his master. That border collie was very well trained and a joy to watch. His owner put him through a series of complicated moves that were just amazing. Since the collie was totally focused on his master and allowed nothing to distract him, he knew just what to do and when to do it.

Just as that dog kept his eyes on his master and took his direction from him, so we are to keep our eyes on our Loving Saviour. “Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God.” Ps 123:1,2 “Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7

Think of it! The One Who loved us so much that He died the cruelest of deaths to redeem us from the power of the enemy is our Creator, our Helper, our Strength, and wants to be our constant Companion. Our dearest thoughts should be of Him.”I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.” Ps 77:11, 12 Our conversation should be about His blessings. As Paul says, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. …so stand fast in the Lord. Phil 3:20-4:1 Our leisure time should be spent reading His Holy Word for through His Word we are sanctified. (John 17:17) Our greatest pleasure should be in doing those things which please Him. “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” 1 John 3:21, 22

May we ever look to our Dear Saviour for the direction we need in every situation. May we stay ever close to Him “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Heb 12:2 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thes 5:23, 24

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/the-spirit-can-be-grieved.html