God’s stamp is upon us. He has bought us, and He desires us to remember that our physical, mental, and moral powers belong to Him. Time and influence, reason, affection, and conscience, all are God’s, and are to be used only in harmony with His will. They are not to be used in accordance with the direction of the world; for the world is under a leader who is at enmity with God.

The flesh, in which the soul tabernacles, belongs to God. Every sinew, every muscle, is His. In no case are we by neglect or abuse to weaken a single organ. We are to co-operate with God by keeping the body in the very best possible condition of health, that it may be a temple where the Holy Ghost may abide, molding, according to the will of God, every physical and spiritual power.

The mind must be stored with pure principles. Truth must be graven on the tablets of the soul. The memory must be filled with the precious truths of the Word. Then, like beautiful gems, these truths will flash out in the life.—Messages to Young People, 69.

The people of God will be tested and proved. A close and searching work must go on among Sabbathkeepers. Like ancient Israel, how soon we forget God and His wondrous works, and rebel against Him.—Testimonies for the Church 1:287.

With God at Dawn p. 246
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Sylvia who is in the last days of life. Pray for her family. Rose
—-Please pray for my brother-in-law that he reaches his destination safely and soon. Rosemary
—-I need everyone who sees this to say a prayer for my cousin Joshua who is currently serving our country overseas and unfortunately is in the middle of the mess in Afghanistan. Pray for protection over him and the rest of the marines, the US allies and afghan civilians. Ken
—-PLEASE pray earnestly for one of my sons who is not a Christian. Three nights ago around 2 a.m. he had excruciating pain in his chest. He said it felt like his heart was going to explode. This pain lasted for a long time with cold sweat and nausea. He would not go to the Emergency Room or call 911 because he is terrified of needles and doctors!!!!! Now his feet and ankles are so swollen with fluid that he cannot put his socks on! Connie
—-Update on Buddy: After spending 7 hours in the ER, the ct scan showed Diverticulitis. He was given medicine before we left. He is not feeling well this morning. I am on my way to get prescriptions. Thanks for your prayers. Kay
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Dear Friends,

As I was looking through Facebook today, there was a post that asked how long people had been married. There were many friends who added how long they had been married. Since I haven’t shared the Fifteen Steps to a Happy Marriage for awhile, I decided to share it since it seemed appropriate after having seen that post. These steps are good for those of us who are married or those who are going to be married to review often.

Fifteen Easy Steps to a Happy Marriage

1. Make Jesus the center of your life. Have morning and evening worship together each day as well as having your own private devotions. As you grow closer to Christ, you will draw closer to each other.

2. Communicate. Spend at least thirty minutes each day in meaningful conversation. Speak of your joys, sorrows, hopes for the future, and the happenings of the day while you were apart.

3. Problems will arise. When they do, pray together before you start to discuss the problem. Study to see what the Bible says in regard to the subject. Discuss the problem and find the solution together. (If you feel yourself getting angry, stop the discussion immediately, pray, and resume the discussion later.)

4. Tell each other “I love you” every day. You might think that your marriage partner knows you love him/her, but he/she might be feeling very unloved and taken for granted. (This is a good rule to remember when you are blessed with children. Even teens need to know that you love them, even though they may not admit it.)

5. Never say unkind remarks. When you say an unkind word to your mate, it hurts him/her badly and the hurt doesn’t go away easily. Even if he/she forgives you, the hurt is still there.

6. Never hit each other. Violence is not God’s way and will cause untold misery for both of you.

7. Be very tender in your intimate relations. Remember that there are holy angels watching even in your bedroom. If one of you is uncomfortable with something intimate, it would be better to avoid it than to push your desires onto the other one. There are many years ahead to spend with each other.

8. Do the finances together. By doing this, you both know what is available and can discuss purchases together. Make a budget and stick to it. As you use this budget for a few months, it may need to be revised. Revise the budget together to keep reminding yourself just what it entails.

9. Be honest with each other. For your future happiness, it is extremely important to tell each other, before marriage, the things in your past that may have a direct bearing on your life together.

10. Don’t be too proud to apologize. Sometimes the only thing it would take to solve an argument are two little words: “I’m sorry.” Don’t be to proud to forgive. An apology is of no effect if it is not forgiven. Make it your policy never to go to bed angry with each other.

11. Don’t forget to cuddle. When sitting together, cuddling can make a couple bond more than most other activities. Just before you go to sleep, cuddle for a few minutes—-not for sex, but for the secure feeling that it gives you.

12. Attend church together each week. Even if you move away and you aren’t familiar with the churches in your new area, make sure that you do not neglect this important part of your marriage. “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together.” Heb 10:25

13. Stay true to your marriage vows. Over the years, you may find someone who seems attractive to you. Avoid this person as much as possible and remind yourself what made you fall in love with your partner in the first place. This is very important as being faithful to each other is the only way a marriage commitment will be successful.

14. Be best friends. Set aside a certain amount of time each week when you can spend time doing fun things together just like you did during your courtship. If you do have other friends, they should be someone that both of you feel comfortable with. Don’t value these friends more highly than you value your mate.

15. When children come. If and when you do start a family, make sure your children know they are not an inconvenience to you. Let them know that you are always there to help them. Set aside time for them. As they are growing up, set an example for them. Teach them about God and how they can become like Him. Remember, “By beholding we become changed”—that works with children too. When they grow up and move out of your home, keep in close contact with them and have a good and loving relationship with them even though they are miles away.

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/o9Am86qF0Jc/yield-your-members.html

As a consecrated high priest He intercedes for His people. As a faithful shepherd He gathers His flock under the shadow of the Almighty, in the strong and sure refuge. For Him there waits the last battle with Satan, and He goes forth to meet it.—The Desire of Ages, 680.

So Christ, the great high priest, pleading His blood before the Father in the sinner’s behalf, bears upon His heart the name of every repentant, believing soul.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 351.

Like Aaron, who symbolized Christ, our Saviour bears the names of all His people on His heart in the holy place. Our great High Priest remembers all the words by which He has encouraged us to trust. He is ever mindful of His covenant.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 148.

The work of Christ as man’s intercessor is presented in that beautiful prophecy of Zechariah concerning Him “whose name is The Branch.” Says the prophet: “He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His [the Father’s] throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne.” … As a priest, Christ is now set down with the Father in His throne. Upon the throne with the eternal, self-existent One, is He who “hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.” … His intercession is that of a pierced and broken body, of a spotless life. The wounded hands, the pierced side, the marred feet, plead for fallen man, whose redemption was purchased at such infinite cost.—The Great Controversy, 415, 416.
With God at Dawn p. 244
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Prayer Requests
—-I have a prayer request for Buddy he is going to have another heart cath done this morning this is his 3rd or 4th one pray for good weather he lives in Louisiana. Also pray for our retired pastor he is in the hospital with covid and heart problems.. his wife is in there too and suppose to go home today or tomorrow. M
—-Asking for prayer for my son here in ____. He was removed from his university campus, after a female student accused him of sexual assault. He is so upset and is suicidal because of this. Lyn
—-Asking for prayer for my family down South during this hurricane and everyone down there. Debra
—-I’m asking for prayers for my step-dad Clark. He’s had a heart attack earlier this morning. I don’t know anything except he collapsed when he got to the ER and was transported to the larger hospital. Please keep my mom in prayer as well. Amanda
—-The Caldor fire here in Northern California is continuing to consume at a fast pace with 156k acres burned and now it’s threatening South Lake Tahoe and surrounding areas down to near Placerville and surrounding areas. Please pray for us, thanks! David
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Dear Friends,

Some years ago, Ronnie Jay and Ron took a walk at Pawnee Prairie. Ronnie Jay wanted to see if he could get some better pictures of the doe and her fawn that he had seen a few days before. It was not long before they saw the creatures peacefully grazing in a meadow. Ronnie Jay was able to get quite close and began snapping pictures of the two of them.

As he was working himself nearer and nearer to his subjects, Ron’s cell phone rang. Immediately, the mother and her youngster fled. They did not hesitate a moment but ran away as if their very lives depended upon their swift exit. Ronnie Jay’s photography session was over.

Just so, we are to flee just as surely, just as swiftly when tempted by the devil, who “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” James advises, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

Paul tells us, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor 10:13, 14; 6:18-20 “The love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called.” 1 Tim 6:10-12 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Tim 2:22-3:5

May we, when tempted by the evil one, flee into the Protecting Arms of our Dear Saviour Who is our Hiding Place in the midst of the onslaughts of the enemy. (Ps 32:7)

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/eZ_EF0zCz6o/he-became-our-high-priest.html

Our hope is to be constantly strengthened by the knowledge that Christ is our righteousness. Let our faith rest upon this foundation; for it will stand fast forever. Instead of dwelling upon the darkness of Satan, and fearing his power, we should open our hearts to receive light from Christ, and to let it shine forth to the world, declaring that He is above all the power of Satan; that His sustaining arm will support all who trust in Him.—Testimonies for the Church 5:742.

All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.—Testimonies to Ministers, 92.

The development of all our powers is the first duty we owe to God and to our fellow-men. No one who is not growing daily in capability and usefulness is fulfilling the purpose of life. In making a profession of faith in Christ we pledge ourselves to become all that it is possible for us to be as workers for the Master, and we should cultivate every faculty to the highest degree of perfection, that we may do the greatest amount of good of which we are capable.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 329.

Those who are seeking the righteousness of Christ will be dwelling upon the themes of the great salvation.—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 341.
With God at Dawn p. 241
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Prayer Requests
—-Update for the woman I asked prayer for last week the one with two young children the Dr’s told her she has a few weeks to live her children ar 8 and 5. M
—-update—My brother Russ came through the back surgery well. After he was back in his room, he initially had problems with pain and nausea. After being medicated for both, he is resting well and should be able to come home in 3-4 days. Thank you all for your prayers. ~ Martha–
—-Please pray for the father of a woman named Lindsey. He was just diagnosed with cancer and will be having surgery next week. The news has rocked this family as it was completely unexpected. I told her we would pray for him. Cora
—-update—Maya came through her surgery perfectly. She will be in a cast to support while she works on strengthening her leg. She did well under sedation, which is really good. She’s in good spirits and if her pain level in controlled she may get to come home tonight instead of tomorrow. Jennifer
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Dear Friends,
I often get homesick for my grandparents’ house where I lived until I was ten. One day when I had some time on my hands, I decided that I would look on the internet at my old neighborhood on Burdick Street. I knew Lincoln school was still there, so it would be easy to find my grandparents’ house since it was right across the street. It was not as easy as I thought it would be, but eventually I was able to find it. When someone remodeled and expanded the structure, they tore down the barn and cut down the ancient apple tree. There was a pine tree where the dry cleaners had been and the giant tree by the side porch was gone. The Francisco’s house was still standing next to ours, but from our house to the corner in the other direction of that long block there were none.

I was a little sad that things had changed so much but I was not sad about that apple tree. It was a good thing that it was gone as it was a very old and neglected apple tree. The apples were small and not good for eating. I can still remember the pungent smell of those rotting apples as they fell off and lay untouched below the tree. Because of its age, unusually large size, and the neglect it suffered; it was hollow inside. Despite this, it was still alive with green leaves and was still producing small, wormy fruit.

That tree fascinated me. Often I would gaze at that tree and think about the many warnings of my grandparents to stay away from that tree as years before a large part of that apple tree had split and had come crashing down right where my mother had been standing. Even though that ancient apple tree was old and could have split again, my grandparents never cut it down. They just warned me never to play under the tree. Their warnings only made the tree fascinating to me.

How often we have old, rotten “apple trees” in our lives. We fear them but allow them to take root and grow in our heart even though they should have been gotten rid of years ago. They produce rotten, wormy fruit in our lives that lead to death. Often, we do not want it there, but we still allow that old, familiar sin to remain inside our hearts until it grows large and difficult to deal with.

Speaking of this very thing, Jesus said, “those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man.” Matt 15:18-20 Paul warns,” Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Gal 5:19-21 Jeremiah asks, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” He, then, gives the answer, “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jer 17:9,10

How often we try the pleasures of this world to forget that growing “apple tree” within us, but “even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.” Prov 14:13 How much we need Someone to cut down that “rotten tree” that is ever growing and producing fruit to our destruction. James advises, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:6-10 “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.” “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa 57:15; 1:16-18

May we ask our Dear Saviour that He may help us to cut down the old, “rotten apple trees” that we have allowed to grow in our heart for so many years is my prayer.

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/kmlcKlFGRRA/the-scepter-of-his-kingdom.html