The soul that is yielded to Christ, becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies, is impregnable to the assaults of Satan.—The Desire of Ages, 324.

Live in contact with the living Christ, and He will hold you firmly by a hand that will never let go. Know and believe the love that God has to us, and you are secure; that love is a fortress impregnable to all the delusions and assaults of Satan. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”—Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 119.

Nothing is apparently more helpless, yet really more invincible, than the soul that feels its nothingness, and relies wholly on the merits of the Saviour. By prayer, by the study of His Word, by faith in His abiding presence, the weakest of human beings may live in contact with the living Christ, and He will hold them by a hand that will never let go…. Those whom Christ has forgiven most will love Him most. These are they who in the final day will stand nearest to His throne.—The Ministry of Healing, 182.

The angels of glory find their joy in giving,—giving love and tireless watchcare to souls that are fallen and unholy. Heavenly beings woo the hearts of men; they bring to this dark world light from the courts above; by gentle and patient ministry they move upon the human spirit, to bring the lost into a fellowship with Christ which is even closer than they themselves can know.—The Desire of Ages, 21.

With God at Dawn p. 323
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Prayer Requests
—-Prayer request for my neighbor Robyn who is had surgery the 16th she injured her knee pretty bad. several weeks ago. M
—-Please pray for our family. I’m a nurse and have been taking care of COVID patients off and on for the past year and a half. In all that time, I’ve never tested positive. I do routine testing because of the facilities I work at. I’m a travel nurse. Anyway, I tested positive this time. My symptoms are fairly mild at this point and I’m praying they stay this way. I just have a sneeze and maybe the beginnings of an irritated throat (though that’s been ongoing for some time due to allergies). I’m more concerned about not passing this on to my family as we live in a small house and there are not too many places I can hide to quarantine from them. I will wear a N95 mask when they are around. Please, please pray that God will keep this at bay and it is manageable at home. Cora
—-Please keep Maya and her mom in prayers. Maya is having a 24 hour EEG. She’s been having soem new neurological symptoms and they really need to get to the bottom of it. The other tests they have done were all after mucus plug incidents, so we are hoping they can get some baseline accurate readings. Jenny is really nervous as she is used to having her parents to support her (listen to her concerns, be a sounding board, be a shoulder to cry on, etc.) and now that they are resting, this will be the first time she goes through this without their support. Prayers for peace and some answers. They think Maya may be having absence seizures as she has these staring spells. Since she’s wired a bit differently with her medical conditions, it could be several things, and maybe not something bad. But any new symptoms always require some investigation. Jennifer
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, the toilet in the front bathroom where we used to live had been giving signs of needing repairs. We bought the needed parts fully intending on fixing it before it got any worse, however, we put off fixing it right away. Things were really busy for us right then, so fixing that “little problem” got put at the bottom of our “to do right away” list. One night a few weeks later, about bedtime, our “little problem” needed immediate attention. Water suddenly began spurting out of the back of the toilet like a geyser “washing” our walls and flooding the floor. It was totally out of control! Until Ron was able to get the water turned off and the needed repairs made, it was a very exciting few minutes at our house.

How often we neglect our spiritual life like we had neglected that minor repair. How many times the things of this world get our attention and before we know it, days or weeks have passed before we open the Word of God. We don’t consciously intend on neglecting God’s Word, we just get too busy with the affairs of life. How our forgetfulness must break the Heart of God, for He loves us with an everlasting love. Jer 31:3

There will be some who put off accepting Jesus until it is too late. They will think back on all the missed opportunities, all the time they wasted on the non-essential, all the times they said as did Felix when he said to Paul, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Acts 24:25 That convenient time never came for him, and a more convenient time will not come for us. We must not neglect the needed preparation for eternity. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Josh 24:15 “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor 6:2

May we never be like the foolish virgins, who, although they believed in and were looking for the Bridegroom to come, neglected the extra oil they needed to keep their lamps burning. (Matt 25:1-13) May we never say those dreadful words, “the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jer 8:20 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, [may we] give diligence to make [our] calling and election sure: for if [we] do these things, [we] shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto [us] abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10, 11

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/he-will-hold-thy-hand.html

When I was in first grade, our class visited a dairy that was a few blocks from our school. Our teacher lined us up in two lines, and watched us carefully as we walked in front of her. Once inside the dairy, we looked around at all the new sights and sounds. It smelled so sickening in there, I wanted to leave. As I looked around, I finally found the source of that repulsive odor. On the floor was a large puddle of milk that had spilled and soured. Its stink affected the whole room. Seventy years have passed since that day, and most of the memory of that dairy has faded away, but I still can remember that room that had the sour milk and its disgusting smell.

How often we are like that sour milk. Our words and actions affect not only us, but they also has an effect upon others. By the things that we do, by the words that we say, by our interaction with those around us our influence can be sweet-smelling or it can cause others to turn away in disgust. Solomon puts it this way, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” Ecc 10:1

How careful we must be that we do not emit a “stinking savor” like that fly-filled ointment to those around us. Whether they are a well-loved family member, our dear friend, or someone who may repulse us as much as that dairy was repulsive to me so many years ago, our Dear Saviour desires us to treat them as He would. Does our life point those around us to the Meek and Lowly Jesus Who “suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously”? 1 Peter 2:23 By our patient endurance under trial or even under the day to day stresses of life we can tell for the Great Light of the World Who has bidden us to be lights to others. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16

May we treat others as we ourselves want to be treated, that they may be drawn to the Loving Redeemer. (Luke 6:31) May our influence be fragrant with the goodness of God. May we heed the words of Paul, “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.” Rom 12:17-21
Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/he-is-our-shield-and-sword.html

Heaven is brought near to earth by that mystic ladder, the base of which is firmly planted on the earth, while the topmost round reaches the throne of the Infinite. Angels are constantly ascending and descending this ladder of shining brightness, bearing the prayers of the needy and distressed to the Father above, and bringing blessing and hope, courage and help, to the children of men. These angels of light create a heavenly atmosphere about the soul, lifting us toward the unseen and the eternal. We cannot behold their forms with our natural sight; only by spiritual vision can we discern heavenly things. The spiritual ear alone can hear the harmony of heavenly voices…. Again and again have angels talked with men as a man speaketh with a friend, and led them to places of security. Again and again have the encouraging words of angels renewed the drooping spirits of the faithful, and carrying their minds above the things of earth, caused them to behold by faith the white robes, the crowns, the palm branches of victory, which overcomers will receive when they surround the great white throne.

It is the work of the angels to come close to the tried, the suffering, the tempted. They labor untiringly in behalf of those for whom Christ died.—The Acts of the Apostles, 153.

While angels drink from the fountain-head, the saints on earth drink of the pure streams flowing from the throne, the streams that make glad the city of our God. O that we could all realize the nearness of heaven to earth! … Let us remember that our praises are supplemented by the choirs of the angelic host above.—Testimonies for the Church 6:366.
With God at Dawn p.317
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue praying for my friend Jenny. She finally made it home from dealing with her parent’s estate. She’s absolutely exhausted and can’t seem to get back into her schedule at home and she feels like she hadn’t been able to just go through her feelings and deal with her grief. . . .She just needs prayers, some rest, and strength. Jennifer
—-Please pray for my son and myself as we are going through a difficult time. Sally
—-Please pray for David’s salvation and mental healing. Pray for his family also. Buck
—-Prayers for my husband. He got a call yesterday about a university that wants to fly him to Texas for an interview. I want to go where God leads, so prayers that if this is in God’s will, the doors all open, and we be at peace with the leading. If not, may they close and we have peace about it. Jennifer
—-Please pray for dear young lady who is looking to marry a man who abuses her with constant belittlement! Ann
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Dear Friends,

There are so many talented people in this world. There are so many to whom God has entrusted intelligence, musical ability, creativeness in the arts or science. Yet how few use those God-given gifts for Him. Most make ship-wreck of their lives.

Such a person was Donnie K. My mother was a teen when he was born. He was such a beautiful baby that even my mother, who normally didn’t like babies or children, was attracted to him. As he grew to be a toddler, he would turn around during the sermon and stare at my mother with his big brown eyes. She would wiggle her fingers at him and smile much to Donnie’s delight.

As the years went by, Donnie’s talent for singing became apparent. Often he sang for church through his childhood and teen years. Sadly, so many of the members made over him so much that he began to foster a love for praise and attention. In his heart, he began to desire to become a star as a singer of worldly music rather than use his talent for Jesus.

When I was eight, he and a friend took my mother and me down to Nashville, Tennessee to spend the Christmas holiday going to the Grand Old Oprey and visiting some of the other tourist events they sponsored. Donnie and his friend left us there on their way to a gig in some small nightclub in Florida. He was full of dreams of that stardom he craved.

Donnie never reached the fame that he was sure he deserved, but spent his life in small clubs singing for people whose minds were clouded by alcohol. He was not really happy. Success always eluded him. He had no family, no true friends, nothing but what he could carry in his car. His was a wasted life. When he got older, he went back to his hometown, but because of his sinful lifestyle, his family did not want his bad influence to cause their children and grandchildren to become like him. He rented a small apartment and there he stayed until he died. Such a sad ending to a life that held such promise had he only used his talents for Jesus.

Jesus told a story about our use of the talents He has given to each of us. “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 25:14-30

May we praise Him for His goodness in entrusting us with His bountiful gifts. May we dedicate our life to our Great Creator and use our talents only for Him. And as we do so, may we “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/he-sends-angel-watchers.html