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

As the shepherd leads his flock over the rocky hills, through forest and wild ravines, to grassy nooks by the riverside; as he watches them on the mountains through the lonely night, shielding from robbers, caring tenderly for the sickly and feeble, his life comes to be one with theirs. A strong and tender attachment unites him to the objects of his care. However large the flock, the shepherd knows every sheep. Every one has its name, and responds to the name at the shepherd’s call. As an earthly shepherd knows his sheep, so does the divine Shepherd know His flock that are scattered throughout the world…. Jesus says, “I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.” “I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands.”

Jesus knows us individually, and is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He knows us all by name. He knows the very house in which we live, the name of each occupant. He has at times given directions to His servants to go to a certain street in a certain city, to such a house to find one of His sheep.

Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if he were the only one for whom the Saviour died. The distress of every one touches His heart. The cry for aid reaches His ear. He came to draw all men unto Himself. He bids them, “Follow Me,” and His Spirit moves upon their hearts to draw them to come to Him. Many refuse to be drawn. Jesus knows who they are. He also knows who gladly hear His call…. He cares for each one as if there were not another on the face of the earth.—The Desire of Ages, 479, 480.
With God at Dawn p. 330
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Esther and family as they travel across country today. Rose
—-Please pray for Rick who was taken to the hospital and put on a ventilator last week now his organs are shutting down and he is in a coma. Please pray for his family. Joann
—-I’m seeking prayers for healing comfort and deliverance. My aunt Claire was hospitalized on Saturday for High blood pressure and while her husband waited to get more news on her, he collapsed and died. Please pray for strength comfort for the family. She’s still in the hospital. Arlene
—-Carl has been in the hospital for 2 days. I brought him home tonight, but his catheter is not working, which is why he was there. We will call the doctor in the morning. Please pray, for release from depression and healing for Carl. And the ability to handle this for me (I have a history of panic attacks; pain from fibro). Sylvia
—-My beloved husband he is very sick again I wish if you could pray with me for him. God have mercy on him. H
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Dear Friends,

Until the last few years of her life, my mother had an excellent memory. Now that could have been a blessing if used aright, but unfortunately she used her total recall to dwell on nearly everything bad that had ever happened to her—all the hurt, all the sadness, all the things that had been said or done over the years that had caused her pain. In every conversation, something said in passing or the mere mention of a person’s name brought back a flood of memories that should have been forgotten long before. Because she never forgave and never forgot all the bad things, she relived them over and over.
Forgiveness: what a blessing it is! It erases all of the hurt, all of the pain, all of the sadness from our mind. It brings peace of mind and pleasant happiness to our life. One day Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” Matt 18:14-25

When Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s prayer, He spent extra time explaining forgiveness. He told them, “if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matt 6:14, 15 Just as the rain washes away the impurities of the earth, so forgiveness cleanses the mind from the sorrows and heartaches that an unforgiving heart will bring. Forgiveness brings peace of mind. Forgiveness brings freedom from past trials. Forgiveness helps us to reflect the image of the Greatest Forgiver, Who loves us so much “that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Let us “put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Col 3:12-17

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/our-creator-will-redeem-us.html