We may rejoice in hope. Our Advocate is in the heavenly sanctuary, pleading in our behalf. Through His merits we have pardon and peace. He died that He might wash away our sins, clothe us with His righteousness, and fit us for the society of Heaven, where we may dwell in light forever…. You cannot save yourself from the tempter’s power; but he trembles and flees when the merits of that precious blood are urged. Then will you not gratefully accept the blessings Jesus bestows? … Do not for a moment pain the heart of the pitying Saviour by your unbelief. He watches with the most intense interest your progress in the heavenly way; He sees your earnest efforts; He notes your declensions and your recoveries, your hopes and your fears, your conflicts and your victories.—Testimonies for the Church 5:316.

The Saviour longs to manifest His grace and stamp His character on the whole world. It is His purchased possession, and He desires to make men free, and pure, and holy. Though Satan works to hinder this purpose, yet through the blood shed for the world there are triumphs to be achieved that will bring glory to God and the Lamb.—The Desire of Ages, 827.

In order to secure man to Himself, and insure his eternal salvation, Christ left the royal courts of heaven, and came to this earth, endured the agonies of sin and shame in man’s stead, and died to make him free.—Testimonies for the Church 5:614.

With God at Dawn p. 308
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Prayer Requests
—-David’s anger outbursts are getting worse and more frequent. Please pray for his deliverance and for his family who are suffering because of this. Buck
—-My niece, Jennifer, is sick and has tested positive for Covid-19. Please send up some prayers for her. Martha
—Please be in prayer for my dad. The house he was going to buy fell through and his current house is under contract. He is looking for something away from the city and basically a place for a new start. He’s still a bit heartbroken about his last relationship ending, and his hometown just reminds him of his mother, who passed away in 2017. Nothing left there to tie him down, but he needs the right house and the right location. I’m not looking for suggestions, just some people to pray with me about this. Jennifer
—- I’m asking for preyer, I have a ulcer in my left leg by my ankle and it hurts too much. I cant sleep at night. Please keep me in your prayers. SR
—-Please be in prayer for my cousin who is missing and very sick and has limited mental abilities. Rhonda
—-Please intercede to God for me, for healing with my ears. They are hurting, and my hearing is limited. ED
—-Please pray that Elizabeth as she recovers from knee replacement surgery. Rose
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Dear Friends,

It is an unfortunate fact, that being wronged and hurt by fellow church members is a rather common occurrence. More than likely, you too, have suffered hurt from those who should have been a help along the path to Heaven. Because of this, I would like to share with you a letter that I received from my youngest daughter some years ago. One morning, in her private devotions, the Holy Spirit, through a very familiar passage of Scripture, gave her peace regarding all the hurtful things that fellow church members had done to her over the years.

“My dearest family,

I was reading through the book of Matthew today. When I reached the 13th chapter I found something that made me understand what has happened in _____. I am sure there are question marks written all over your faces right about now. And rightly so, but please pray for the Holy Spirit to open your hearts. Read and listen to what I have learned from this.

Many times I have questioned in my heart as to why God would allow people without God’s love to remain in leadership roles in His church—especially when they are hurting so many people…….. I thought that this couldn’t possibly be God’s plan because God is loving and kind. I have struggled with this for years. I know that struggle is shared with each of you.

I have found peace this morning! It is my prayer that by the end of this letter you will also find that peace and forgiveness flowing through you!

Yes, chapter 13 is the parable of the sower—the wheat and the tares. It wasn’t the beginning that struck me but the end: “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. . . .Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

I know that you have read this story many times, but more can still be found! I realize that just as the weeds could not be removed for fear of pulling up some wheat in the process, the unloving, cruel people are allowed to remain for fear of losing some of the loving. God knows that if He removed the bad people in the church, some of the sincere might—no, would—become discouraged, turn away, and lose their salvation.

Like it or not, the people who have hurt us are helping others in one way or another. It is better that they remain for those few souls. Perish the thought that they could be lost.

Our trials have not been in vain and the Lord did not allow us to weaken and die. Instead, these experiences strengthen us! Praise the Lord!!! “For 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 This is a very strong warning to us. Our eternal life and forgiveness is at stake! Please accept God’s power to forgive those who have hurt us, for we fail too. Who is to say that they are worse than we are?

God says, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:44, 45

I pray that you will find forgiveness, so you will find peace. I love each of you with my whole heart!

Your loving daughter / sister,

Esther Marie”

It is my hope that you will apply this principle to any hurts you have received at the hands of fellow believers and freely forgive that you, in turn, may be forgiven. “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation [conduct] in Christ.” 1 Peter 3:8-16

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/wFL8wz-Ja0c/my-ransom-is-paid.html

Although His love is driven back by the stubborn heart, He returns to plead with greater force, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” The winning power of His love compels souls to come in…. Christ will impart to His messengers the same yearning love that He Himself has in seeking for the lost. We are not merely to say, “Come.” There are those who hear the call, but their ears are too dull to take in its meaning. Their eyes are too blind to see anything good in store for them. Many realize their great degradation. They say, I am not fit to be helped, leave me alone. But the workers must not desist. In tender, pitying love, lay hold of the discouraged and helpless ones. Give them your courage, your hope, your strength. By kindness compel them to come….

If the servants of God will walk with Him in faith, He will give power to their message. They will be enabled so to present His love and the danger of rejecting the grace of God, that men will be constrained to accept the gospel.

Christ will perform wonderful miracles if men will but do their God-given part. In human hearts today as great a transformation may be wrought as has ever been wrought in generations past…. Through human agents who co-operate with the divine, many a poor outcast will be reclaimed, and in his turn will seek to restore the image of God in man. There are those who have had very meager opportunities, who have walked in ways of error because they knew no better way, to whom beams of light will come…. Many will come from the grossest error and sin, and will take the place of others who have had opportunities and privileges but have not prized them.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 235, 236.
With God at Dawn p. 304
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Prayer Requests
—-Please keep me in prayer at noon and after because I have two teeth that have to be pulled with crowns and posts that needs to come out. Eileen
—-Please pray for my brother Jimmy who went to the ER last night for a possible blood clot in his hip or groin area. Mary
—-I am asking prayers for my cousin Sammie Lee Moore. He is wants to commit suicide because of his worsening health condition. Also pray for me to be victorious over besetting sins, depression and to believe that God truly loves me. PL
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Dear Friends,
I was thinking about an article I saved some years ago and hunted and hunted for it so I could share it with you today. May you read it prayerfully.
Rose
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Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

by Debra J. Hicks

Please check all that apply. This year for Halloween, I’ll probably:

Dress the little ones up in costumes and escort them around our neighborhood to collect candy.
Check out the local haunted house.
Get together with some buddies to watch a scary movie.
Dress up in a devil suit and scare the neighborhood kids that knock on the front door.
Turn off the porch light and hope nobody finds me eating the three bags of Snickers bars I bought for trick-or-treaters.

Most people see nothing wrong with the activities listed above. They consider Halloween festivities to be a harmless way for their children to have an evening of “fantasy and fun.”

But does this standard hold true for Christians? Is dressing up like ghosts, goblins, and witches really “no big deal”? Or is it glorifying and empowering Satan?

If we have truly committed our hearts and our lives to Christ, we will set ourselves apart as people who seek to reflect God’s goodness and love to the world. Because we become like the things we behold, the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 counsels Christians to think deeply about-and to continually fill our minds with-what is good. A careful, honest look at Halloween reveals little or nothing that is good. Instead, it is a day that points toward Satanism, fear, and gluttony.

“For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15, NIV).

Although the word Halloween means “holy or hallowed evening,” history shows that nothing could be further from the truth. Halloween is clearly a relic of pagan times, and it has never reflected true Christian virtues.

The customs connected with Halloween are most commonly traced to a festival celebrated by the Druids-priests of the Celtic tribes that occupied northern and western Europe. This celebration, which dates back several centuries before Christ, began each year on October 31 and was called the festival of Samhain, the lord of death.

As part of their worship of Samhain, the Druid priests built huge bonfires on which both animals and humans were sacrificed. This barbaric practice continued openly for hundreds of years, until Rome conquered Britain and outlawed it.

Years passed, and Rome continued to conquer new territory and increase in power. The people of each conquered nation were forced not only to become Roman citizens, but also to become members of the Roman church. As you can imagine, these new “converts” cared little about Christianity and clung tenaciously to their cherished pagan practices.

So, since the Roman church was unable to get people to abandon their heathen festivals, it decided to “sanctify” some of them. The Druids’ celebration in honor of the lord of death thus became All Saints’ Day, which was to be observed by all churches. Officially, it was proclaimed a day to honor all the saints who had died, known or unknown. But in practice, it remained what it had always been-a pagan celebration of the “Day of the Dead.”

Throughout its history, Halloween has been thought of as the time when supernatural forces prevail. Anton LaVey, author of “The Satanic Bible” and high priest of the Church of Satan, says that Satanists consider Halloween the most important day of the year. He says that on this night, satanic, occult, and witchcraft power are at their highest potency level, and that any witch or occultist who has been having difficulty with a spell or curse can usually achieve success on October 31st because Satan and his powers are at their best that night.

Divination, or fortune telling, is also believed to reach its highest powers on Halloween, as people are eager to learn what might happen to them in the upcoming year. Even today, predictions of leading psychics and astrologers are generally released about the time of Halloween.

Clearly, the rites and symbols of this holiday reveal that it is still a day that glorifies Satan. Look around you. Though October 31 is still a month away, you can probably see evidences that Halloween is approaching. Pictures of ghosts, goblins, witches, skeletons, and devil-faced pumpkins appear on store windows everywhere. Horror movies are promoted on television and in the theaters, and most bookstores give prominent attention to books dealing with death and the occult.

As Christians, we are not to associate with the things of Satan. Christ Himself said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24).

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Since its beginning, the festival of Halloween has played upon people’s fears. The Celtic people believed that on the night of October 31, demons, witches, and the spirits of all those who had died within the past year roamed about freely. Most people were afraid to leave their homes on this night. Those who absolutely had to go out wore grotesque masks and terrifying costumes. They reasoned that if they looked horrible enough, the spirits would think they were one of them and would do them no harm!

Fear is a big part of modern Halloween celebrations, as well. Spooky decorations, horror movies, and haunted houses make a very real impression on little children. Is there any wonder so many youth have nightmares or are afraid to be alone in the dark? Satan delights in filling people’s minds with thoughts of fear, death, and destruction. It is a tactic he has used for centuries to keep mankind under his control.

God, on the other hand, longs to give His children peace. He doesn’t want us to be paralyzed by our fears. In fact, the Bible says that Christ died “that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:15, NKJV).

“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NKJV).

Several days before their festival began, the Druid priests would go from house to house demanding food or other items they would use in their worship of Samhain, the lord of death. If a villager refused to give them what they wanted, the priest would put a demonic curse on the home. It was no idle threat, either. Someone from that house usually died within the year. It is from this abominable practice that our present-day “trick-or-treat” custom evolved.

While it is true that trick-or-treat is no longer primarily about curses, it is about gluttony. Children go from house to house, filling grocery bags full of candy and then returning home to feast on their great treasure. Often, those who stay at home to hand out the candy consume great amounts of it themselves!

Even this element of Halloween, which in comparison might seem harmless, does nothing to glorify God. The Bible says that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We should not be polluting that temple with food that clouds our perceptions and draws us away from God.

“Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11).

Satan is no doubt jubilant that such a large portion of this “Christian nation” views a holiday in his honor as something that is harmless fun. Could it be that by our carelessness, we are contributing to the extraordinary power Satan seems to have on October 31?

No matter how fun or exciting it may seem, Halloween is no celebration for a Christian. If we truly seek to glorify God, then how can we devote one day of the year to worshipping Satan? We can’t.

The Bible says, “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/TkAqBpc4Bxc/gods-love-is-promised.html

From the judgment-hall of Caesar, Paul returned to his cell, realizing that he had gained for himself only a brief respite. He knew that his enemies would not rest until they had compassed his death. But he knew also that for a time truth had triumphed. To have proclaimed a crucified and risen Saviour before the vast crowd who had listened to him, was in itself a victory. That day a work had begun which would grow and strengthen, and which Nero and all other enemies of Christ would seek in vain to hinder or destroy….

Through his long term of service, Paul had never faltered in his allegiance to his Saviour. Wherever he was,—whether before scowling Pharisees, or Roman authorities; before the furious mob at Lystra, or the convicted sinners in the Macedonian dungeon; whether reasoning with the panic-stricken sailors on the shipwrecked vessel, or standing alone before Nero to plead for his life,—he had never been ashamed of the cause he was advocating. The one great purpose of his Christian life had been to serve Him whose name had once filled him with contempt; and from this purpose no opposition or persecution had been able to turn him aside. His faith, made strong by effort and pure by sacrifice, upheld and strengthened him…. The true minister of God will not shun hardship or responsibility. From the Source that never fails those who sincerely seek for divine power, he draws strength that enables him to meet and overcome temptation, and to perform the duties that God places upon him…. His soul goes out in longing desire to do acceptable service for the Master.—The Acts of the Apostles, 498-501.
With God at Dawn p. 302
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Prayer Requests
—-Mike and Eileen’s car has quit and is not worth fixing. Please pray that they can find a good running, reasonably priced car. Rose
—-I was divorced this year and feeling lonely, please pray for me. Dan
—-Please pray for Richard, he is having a Watchman implanted today since he is not on blood thinners anymore, and his BP and pulse have been high this month. Nita
—-Kia W. passed away. Please keep the family in your prayers. Also Nathan (Cindy’s husband) is improving but please continue prayers. Thank you! Wanangwa
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Dear Friends,

Over twenty years ago, we were friends with a young couple who went to our church at the time. They spent many happy hours at our house. We were good enough friends that we went to their wedding even though it was a five hour drive to get to the town where it was held. When they decided to go back into mission service, they stayed at our house just before they left. They promised to come back and see us when they were back in the states.

We corresponded quite regularly for awhile, but as each family became busier and busier with their own lives, the letters became more infrequent. After their mission service was over, we only received a Christmas letter. When they came back to see her parents before going to moving to the European country where he was from, they forgot all about their promise to come and see us. Eventually, instead of an annual letter, we were given a website address to keep abreast of the happenings in their life. I occasionally visited that website whenever I thought about them, but after my computer crashed, I lost the address. So we just drifted apart…..

Before He left to go back to Heaven, our Dear Saviour promised, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3 Throughout the intervening years, God’s people have looked for the fulfillment of that promise. Indeed, Paul tells us “that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Rom 8:22, 23

Even though earthly friends or even family may forget, we have the assurance that He will never forget us! He promises, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” Isa 49:15, 16 He declares that He has not forgotten us. He is coming back and that promise is sure. Praise God!

So why has there been so long a delay in His coming? Peter explains. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” verses 9 -14

“Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself.” Ps 50:3-6

May we “cast not away [our] confidence . . . for yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Heb 10:35, 37 May we “give diligence to make [our] calling and election sure” that “when the chief Shepherd shall appear, [we] shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 2 Peter 1:10;5:4 May we never drift apart from Jesus but hold to the promise, “Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Rev 22:20

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/BwnmmBW9aEg/paul-kept-the-faith.html