Man was to bear God’s image, both in outward resemblance and in character. Christ alone is “the express image” of the Father; but man was formed in the likeness of God. His nature was in harmony with the will of God. His mind was capable of comprehending divine things. His affections were pure; his appetites and passions were under the control of reason. He was holy and happy in bearing the image of God, and in perfect obedience to His will.

As man came forth from the hand of his Creator, he was of lofty stature and perfect symmetry. His countenance bore the ruddy tint of health, and glowed with the light of life and joy. Adam’s height was much greater than that of men who now inhabit the earth. Eve was somewhat less in stature; yet her form was noble, and full of beauty. The sinless pair wore no artificial garments; they were clothed with a covering of light and glory, such as the angels wear. So long as they lived in obedience to God, this robe of light continued to enshroud them…. God Himself gave Adam a companion…. Eve was created from a rib taken from the side of Adam, signifying that she was not to control him as the head, nor to be trampled under his feet as an inferior, but to stand by his side as an equal, to be loved and protected by him.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 45, 46.

So long as they remained loyal to the divine law, their capacity to know, to enjoy, and to love, would continually increase. They would be constantly gaining new treasures of knowledge, discovering fresh springs of happiness, and obtaining clearer and yet clearer conceptions of the immeasurable, unfailing love of God.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 51.
With God at Dawn p. 342
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Prayer Requests
—Please continue to pray for E and her children as she needs direction from God on some very important decisions she must make. R
—-Ron has lost his hearing aids. Please pray that he can find them quickly. Rose
—-Requesting prayer for my Dad, Randolph. Facing some big health struggles. Ronmel
—-I have a big prayer and miracle to ask you. My BFF has colon cancer and the doctor has given her 2-3 months. She’s in bad shape. Can’t eat anything. Drinking Alkaline water. Very weak and tons of pain. Her name is Judy. I sure would like it if you could do this for her. Sandra
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Dear Friends,

When he was still living at home, Ronnie Jay had a variety of pets. That included hamsters. Well, one evening, all those years ago, when I opened the refrigerator to get something for the cookies I was going to bake, I noticed a half-used green pepper. It had been there for awhile, so I decided to give some to Ronnie Jay’s hamsters. In one of the cages was the mother hamster with her eight babies. These little ones were just beginning to open their eyes. I placed a fairly large piece in the cage. The mother began eating but soon became distracted by her active little ones. As soon as she went over to attend to them, one of the babies rushed over to the green pepper and took a nibble. He must have liked it as he picked it up in his sharp little teeth and began carrying it to the other side of the cage. Soon the other babies smelled the delectable morsel and followed him. Soon four of them were having a tug-of-war all the while squeaking some rather unkind remarks at each other. I thought I would solve the problem by putting a few baby-sized pieces in there. The mother came over reaching up her hands for a bigger piece. She missed it. The babies that were near her grabbed it and a second tug-of-war ensued. The mother was able to grab the other piece I offered since her little ones were all busy squabbling.

It was so much fun watching those babies. I called Ron and Ronnie Jay and the three of us had some good entertainment. Those babies reminded me of a flock of seagulls all screaming “mine,” “mine,” “mine” like we used to see when we lived near the Atlantic. I used to call my children seagulls when they would fight over something. Now I realize I could have just as easily called them baby hamsters.

Selfishness. How it ruins one’s life. How it becomes the overpowering force that soon takes over until a person no longer cares who they hurt as long as they reach their goals. In view of this sin we all share, Paul advises, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Phil 2:3-8; Rom 12:10-21

May we live by the words of Jesus, “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” therefore “whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” Matt 20:26, 27; 7:12 May we look away from self and serve as Jesus did is my prayer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/man-made-in-uprightness.html

The sun, the moon, the stars, the solid rocks, the flowing stream, the broad, restless ocean, teach lessons that all would do well to heed.—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 190.

Nature is full of lessons of the love of God. Rightly understood, these lessons lead to the Creator. They point from nature to nature’s God, teaching those simple, holy truths that cleanse the mind, and bring it into close touch with God.

The great Teacher calls on nature to reflect the light that floods the threshold of heaven, that men and women may be led to obey His Word. And nature does the bidding of the Creator. To the heart softened by the grace of God, the sun, the moon, the stars, the lofty trees, the flowers of the field, utter their words of counsel and advice. The sowing of the seed carries the mind to spiritual seed-sowing. The tree stands forth declaring that a good tree cannot bear evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bear good fruit…. As Christ tells us the meaning of the things in nature, the science of true religion flashes forth, explaining the relation of the law of God to the natural and the spiritual world.

The swallow and the crane observe the changes of the seasons. They migrate from one country to another to find a climate suitable to their convenience and happiness, as the Lord designed they should. They are obedient to the laws which govern their life. But the beings formed in the image of God fail to honor Him by obeying the laws of nature.—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 188, 189.
With God at Dawn p. 339
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Prayer Requests
—-I am Requesting Prayers for a Dear Friend Lenora who is having an issue with Insomnia. Cheryl
—-Please pray for our baby who has RSV and is in the hospital. Shanae
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Dear Friends,

Five-year-old children have a lot of energy and I was no exception. Unfortunately, I used some of my excess energy by swinging my legs sideways at the dinner table. This annoyed my mother very much, as she sat beside me. No matter how many times she would tell me to sit completely still, I would soon be wiggling again even though I tried to obey.

One day she thought of a plan to cure me of my wiggles. After having warned me to sit still, she waited until my attention was on something else. Then she put a dinner fork under her leg with the tines sticking out towards me. I had not seen her do it because I had (and still have) the bad habit of being unaware of anything transpiring around me whenever I am concentrating on something or deep in thought.

Soon I was swinging my legs again. It wasn’t long until I felt a sharp pain. Surprised, I stopped swinging my legs for a while. After a few minutes, I forgot all about what had just happened and I was back to my old habit again. Again, I felt a sharp pain. I looked down and saw the fork. I felt betrayed. Tears welled up in my eyes to think that my mother would do such a thing to me, but the punishment was effective. Never again did I swing my legs at the dinner table. I had learned my lesson.

As I grew older, I learned that there are always consequences resulting from our actions. These choices, or these habits those choices become, can affect the rest of our life. Sadly, we often make choices without really thinking things through, but the consequences are still there. Sometimes the effects of our decisions are minor and we hardly give them a second thought. Sometimes the results cause us distress for the rest of our life.

There is one choice, however, that everyone who has ever lived must make. This choice has eternal consequences. When Joshua was coming to the end of his life, he gathered together the children of Israel and reminded them of God’s great mercy in bringing them out of Egypt. He recounted God’s parental dealings with them and their fathers. Then he brought them to a decision, the consequence of which would decide the whole course of the nation as well as of each individual. He said, “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:14-16

As with one voice the people chose to serve God that day, however, within a very few generations, their descendants forgot God’s mercy and chose to be like the nations around them. Their choice brought great misery upon themselves nationally as well as individually. Finally, many centuries later, when they cried, “We have no king but Caesar” “His blood be on us, and on our children,” they were calling for consequences the likes of which they never dreamed nor would they desire had they thought things through. John 19:15; Matt 27:25 In His Great Mercy, our Loving Redeemer gave them another three-and-one-half years from that point to repent and turn back to Him. Sadly, most refused, and Israel was rejected as a nation although individuals could still be saved. The time of their probation as a nation was fulfilled. (see Dan 9:24-27) From that point (A.D. 34), the gospel spread to the Gentiles. How little did they realize the weight of their words when they called for His Blood to be upon them. History has revealed how terrible the results of their crucifying the King of the Universe were.

We, too, have decisions to make. We, too, make daily choices that affect the whole course of our life. We, too, must choose to serve our Dear Saviour, or to reject Him. With tears in His voice, Jesus pleads, “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?” “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Eze 33:11; Matt 11:28; Rev 3:20

May we come to the foot of the cross today and accept His Great Sacrifice. May we give our heart, our life, our all to the One Who loves us by allowing Him to mold us according to His will. May we daily choose to make Him our Saviour and Guide for He has promised, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/the-heavens-praise-him.html

If God’s blessing rests upon you because you surrender all to Him, you will prosper. If you turn from God, He will turn from you. His hand can scatter faster than you can gather…. Our Saviour refers us to the fowls of the air, which sow not, neither reap, nor gather into barns, yet their heavenly Father feedeth them…. “And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field….” These lilies, in their simplicity and innocence, meet the mind of God better than Solomon in his costly decorations, yet destitute of the heavenly adorning…. Can you not trust in your heavenly Father? Can you not rest upon His gracious promise? “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Precious promise! Can we not rely upon it?—Testimonies for the Church 2:496.

The length and usefulness of life do not consist in the amount of our earthly possessions. Those who use their wealth in doing good will see no necessity for large accumulations in this world; for the treasure which is used to advance the cause of God, and which is given to the needy in Christ’s name, is given to Christ, and He lays it up for us in the bank of Heaven, in bags which wax not old. He who does this is rich toward God, and his heart will be where his treasures are secured.

He who humbly uses what God has given for the honor of the Giver, freely giving as he has received, may feel the peace and assurance in all his business that God’s hand is over him for good, and he himself will bear the impress of God, having the Father’s smile.—Testimonies for the Church 3:546.
With God at Dawn p. 332
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray earnestly for E and her children that God will lead and guide in the very crucial decisions that she must make over the next few weeks. R
—-Larry has fluid in his lungs. The rehab place is sending him home even though he can barely walk and is on oxygen. Eileen is afraid that with her bad back she will not be able to handle him. Please pray that something can be worked out. Rose
—-Please pray that my son can be home for Christmas and there’ll be no lock down for him in and out of Germany. Helen
—-Prayers needed please my son is in severe pain. Starts at the base of his neck down to his tailbone no relief…He had an MRI no results yet. Tammy
—-Plz pray for my daughter and her family. Long story but custody is the issue. Debra
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Dear Friends,

When I was still working at the courthouse, two couples came into our department at the same time. Each had a little boy about three years old. As their fathers were filling out their paperwork, I couldn’t help noticing the difference between the children and the difference in their interactions with their parents.

Boy P was everywhere at once. His favorite pastime was slamming our office door. As soon as he slammed it, he would open it again. Over and over he played his little “game.” His parents ignored him. Was he trying vainly to get some attention from them? After waiting for his parents to make him stop, I finally told them that they needed to keep the boy quiet and make him sit down. That worked for a while but not long enough.

Boy L, on the other hand, sat quietly between his parents. Occasionally, he would ask his mother a question, but that was the only sound from him. His parents were pleasant with him and one could see the bond of love between them.

One can only wonder what those two little boys’ future. Solomon had much to say about how children are raised and their future. “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Pr 20:11; 22:15; 22:6

Jesus taught His disciples a lesson by using a little child as an example. “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 18:1-4 No doubt, that little child was like Boy L.

May we raise our children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Eph 6:4 May we, ourselves, be loving and obedient children of our Heavenly Father is my prayer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/they-that-love-thee-shall-prosper.html