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

Not until parents themselves walk in the law of the Lord with perfect hearts, will they be prepared to command their children after them. A reformation in this respect is needed,—a reformation which shall be deep and broad…. They should patiently instruct their children, kindly and untiringly teach them how to live in order to please God.

The children of such a household are prepared to meet the sophistries of infidelity. They have accepted the Bible as the basis of their faith, and they have a foundation that cannot be swept away by the incoming tide of skepticism….

Like the patriarchs of old, those who profess to love God should erect an altar to the Lord wherever they pitch their tent. If ever there was a time when every house should be a house of prayer, it is now. Fathers and mothers should often lift up their hearts to God in humble supplication for themselves and their children…. A well-ordered Christian household is a powerful argument in favor of the reality of the Christian religion,—an argument that the infidel cannot gainsay.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 143, 144.

The home is the child’s first school, and it is here that the foundation should be laid for a life of service. Its principles are to be taught not merely in theory. They are to shape the whole life training. Very early the lesson of helpfulness should be taught the child…. The more fully the spirit of true ministry pervades the home, the more fully it will be developed in the lives of the children. They will learn to find joy in service and sacrifice for the good of others.—The Ministry of Healing, 400, 401.

With God at Dawn p. 300
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Dani-Lyn age two who is having seizures from RSV. Jean
—-Please pray that David will get the mental help he needs as his family is suffering. Buck
—-Please pray for Sophia she is only one year old. The family was told she has an in-operable brain tumor, her Dad is in the Navy and is now seeking further medical help. Please please pray that God can and will heal this baby girl. Michael
—-A lady from church just called and asked me to send in a request for a friend named Jin he is going to have to start dialysis and they are concerned about. thanks. M.
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Dear Friends,

Someone shared with me their concern about a friend who was dating a non-believer. Nearly all of this girl’s friends were very concerned. Thankfully, when she the young man she had been dating plainly told her that he had no longer had any interest in God and would never become a Christian, she broke off the relationship. It was very difficult, but she did it through faith. All rejoiced that she had done the right thing.

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3 God’s Holy Word directs us to refrain from any type of partnership with those who are unbelievers. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor 6:14-7:1

When King Solomon first became king, he was close to God, but as he took wives of the nations about him, his relationship changed. Bible explains his downfall: “But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.” 1 Kings 11:1-8

Think of it! Solomon, who had been especially favored of God, was led astray by his heathen wives to the point that he worshipped their idols, even Molech with its abominable practice of burning their children alive. Had he been told when he was close to God that someday he would be an idolater, he would have recoiled in horror, but through little compromises here and there, he became just that.

This prohibition covers more than just a romantic relationship. It covers a business partnership or any other close relationship as well. James reminds us, “know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4 Frightening position!

May we choose wisely our relationships. May we remember the example of those who did not and take heed lest we also stray from the path of righteousness. May we stand firmly for God without compromising in the slightest, for one compromise leads to another which leads to another until we have fallen far from where we were standing.

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/rJSTc0ibIOk/tell-your-children.html

The gospel commission is the great missionary charter of Christ’s kingdom…. The disciples were to carry their work forward in Christ’s name. Their every word and act was to fasten attention on His name, as possessing that vital power by which sinners may be saved. Their faith was to center in Him who is the source of mercy and power. In His name they were to present their petitions to the Father, and they would receive answer. They were to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Christ’s name was to be their watchword, their badge of distinction, their bond of union, the authority for their course of action, and the source of their success. Nothing was to be recognized in His kingdom that did not bear His name and superscription. When Christ said to the disciples, Go forth in My name to gather into the church all who believe, He plainly set before them the necessity of maintaining simplicity. The less ostentation and show, the greater would be their influence for good. The disciples were to speak with the same simplicity with which Christ had spoken.—The Acts of the Apostles, 28.

We know not in what line our children may be called to serve. They may spend their lives within the circle of the home; they may engage in life’s common vocations, or go as teachers of the gospel to heathen lands; but all are alike called to be missionaries for God, ministers of mercy to the world. They are to obtain an education that will help them to stand by the side of Christ in unselfish service.—Prophets and Kings, 245.
With God at Dawn p. 297
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for David. He has COVID and was admitted to hospital at 2am with breathing difficulties! Ann
—-Huge prayer request for a student’s mom, who has overdosed. I’m praying for a miracle! Tanya
—-Please pray for Annie and her upcoming surgery. Rose
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Dear Friends,

Several years before I retired from the courthouse, as I was making my daily visit to the District Attorney’s office to drop off finished reports and pick up the criminal histories that we needed, I heard something that I wish I had not heard. The woman whose job it was to get these criminal histories gathered together for me, did not seem to understand the importance of being timely. Because of her lack of timeliness, I was always behind. I often stressed the importance of her getting the paperwork to me so the court service officers could get their reports done on time. It seemed that I had to remind her of this nearly every day. I really liked her, though, as she always greeted me pleasantly, and we would sometimes visit for a minute or two about her family or mine.

One day, after I delivered the reports to her cubical and picked up what criminal histories she had ready, I remembered that I needed to speak to one of the assistant DA’s. His office was right by this woman’s cubical. The DA I needed to see was busy on the phone, so I waited quietly by his door until he hung up. This woman could not see me standing on the other side of her cubical because the “walls” of the cubicles were about six feet high and I am only 5’1″. While I was standing there waiting for the DA to get finished with his phone call, another girl and this woman began to talk about me. To my surprise, the woman whom I considered to be nice began to tell the other girl how much she didn’t like me. She said some very negative things about the fact that I expected to get the materials I needed right away, and also some very uncomplimentary things about my physical appearance. I was shocked, saddened, and very hurt. Now I knew her true feelings.

How often we treat our Great Redeemer in the same way. With tears in His voice, He laments, “with their lips [they] do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me” Isa 29:13 How often we break His Great Heart of Love by complaining about our lot in life or becoming so involved in our own little life, that we forget the very One Who gives us our life. How often we take for granted His Great Gift of Salvation. How many times we hear His pleading voice but put off responding to Him because we are so wrapped up in ourselves, our wants, our plans that our heart shuts out our Only Helper as He stands at our heart’s door and knocks. “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in unto him and sup with him and he with me.” Rev 3:20

Think of it! The Great King of the Universe, He Whom all Heaven adores, desires to dwell within us. Our Dear Redeemer longs to have close fellowship with us. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isa 57:15

May we allow our Dear Saviour full entrance into our heart. May He “grant [us], according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” May Christ “dwell in [our] hearts by faith; that [we,] being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that [we] might be filled with all the fullness of God” is my prayer. Eph 3:16-19
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/TZBJDOXp3IM/go-ye.html