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

Let all who are afflicted or unjustly used, cry to God. Turn away from those whose hearts are as steel, and make your requests known to your Maker. Never is one repulsed who comes to Him with a contrite heart. Not one sincere prayer is lost. Amid the anthems of the celestial choir, God hears the cries of the weakest human being. We pour out our heart’s desire in our closets, we breathe a prayer as we walk by the way, and our words reach the throne of the Monarch of the universe. They may be inaudible to any human ear, but they can not die away into silence, nor can they be lost through the activities of business that are going on. Nothing can drown the soul’s desire. It rises above the din of the street, above the confusion of the multitude, to the heavenly courts. It is God to whom we are speaking, and our prayer is heard.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 174.

We should not darken our own path or the path of others with the shadow of our trials. We have a Saviour to whom to go, into whose pitying ear we may pour every complaint. We may leave all our cares and burdens with Him, and then our labor will not seem hard or our trials severe…. By the exercise of living faith you can separate from everything that is not in accordance with the mind of God, and thus bring heaven into your life here below. Doing this, you will have sunshine at every step. When the enemy seeks to enshroud the soul with darkness, sing faith and talk faith, and you will find that you have sung and talked yourself into the light.—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 233.
With God at Dawn p. 315
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my sister Enette. She’s been put on a ventilator she can’t breathe. Please pray that God will have mercy and spare her life. Rosemary
—-I would like to ask for prayer warriors to please pray for my daughter, she was diagnosed with MS at the age of 19 almost 10 years ago, she is having a lot of nerve pain to where she can’t walk or drive. I know Jesus is the great healer. Joy
—-Pease pray for my oldest son. He is a nurse and he has been trying so hard to buy a place out in the country to try and get out of the city and get ready for what is here upon us. And he has found quite a few places that he could have gotten but his wife . . .will not agree to any house that he has found because she wants to stay in the city where she loves it. Please pray for him. Please pray that she will agree and that they will find another good place to buy and he will be able to get it. They are going to look at another house and property today. She makes his life so hard. Please pray for them. Connie
—-please pray for my Uncle Mitty. He is going through stage 5 of Covid19 and have difficulty in breathing. Please Please, pray for his recovery. Samantha
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Dear Friends,

Like all children, I would sometimes tire of playing by myself. When I would feel restless, my grandmother would sometimes get out her large photo album for me to enjoy. I’d sit it upon my lap and carefully look at each picture and try to reconstruct the story behind it. There were some very old tintypes, some photos of people I had never met, others that were of people who were very dear to me. I loved the times my grandmother would look at the album with me, because then she would tell me a little about the relatives who were pictured there. One of the photos that fascinated me was of a very old couple named Aunt Ida and Uncle Ben who lived in the western part of the United States. I had never met them, as they were too old to travel the long way to Michigan. Aunt Ida was my grandmother’s aunt and she had been named after her.

One day, when I was in my teens, I received a tiny box with an unfamiliar postmark in the mail. When I opened the box, I found a plastic gardenia brooch that glowed in the dark. Removing it from the box, and unfolding the note underneath, I learned that Aunt Ida had loved that pin and wore it often. She recently had died and in her will, she had left me this pin that had been so precious to her. There was also a recent photograph for me to remember her.

I was shocked! I had no idea that Aunt Ida or Uncle Ben even knew that I existed. Although I never wore that gaudy pin, I kept it for many years. (Sadly, it was burned up along with everything else in the house fire we had when Ronnie Jay was a baby.) It was precious to me because this lady, whom I had never met, had thought enough of me to want me to have something that she had valued so much. Occasionally, I would take it out of that tiny box, unwrap it, and feel special. Unfortunately,

We have Someone Who has given us something far more precious than that glow-in-the-dark brooch. Our Great Redeemer has given us His Holy Word which tells of HIs Great Love and Sacrifice. Yet, how often we take this Precious Gift for granted and rarely open His Great Message to us. We keep it as a possession like any other book without allowing its Author to take possession of us. Our Dear Saviour pleads, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39

Indeed, from Genesis to Revelation, God’s Holy Word reveals the Great Plan of Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, on the road to Emmaus, He began “at Moses and all the prophets, [and] expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27 Since Jesus is Great Theme of the Bible, shouldn’t we study that Word which reveals to us “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”? John 14:6

The stories of the Patriarchs to the prophecies of Revelation are better than a family album, for they “are able to make [us] wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim 3:15 “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” 1 Cor 10:11 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Rom 15:4 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim 3:16, 17

May we “study to show [ourselves] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we hide His Word in our heart that we might not sin against God. 119:11 May we see Jesus in every page of Scripture and be filled to overflowing with love for the One Who loves us so.
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/mcKLvztjov8/he-careth-for-me.html