No matter how high his profession, he whose heart is not imbued with love for God and for his fellow-men, is not a disciple of Christ. Though he should possess great faith, and even have power to work miracles, yet without love his faith would be worthless. He might display great liberality, but should he from some other motive than genuine love, bestow all his goods to feed the poor, the act would not commend him to the favor of God. In his zeal he might even meet a martyr’s death, yet if destitute of the gold of love he would be regarded by God as a deluded enthusiast or an ambitious hypocrite.—Testimonies for the Church 5:168,

There is an eloquence far more powerful than the eloquence of words in the quiet, consistent life of a pure, true Christian. What a man is has more influence than what he says…. It is our own character and experience that determine our influence upon others. In order to convince others of the power of Christ’s grace, we must know its power in our own hearts and lives. The gospel we present for the saving of souls must be the gospel by which our own souls are saved. Only through a living faith in Christ as a personal Saviour is it possible to make our influence felt in a skeptical world. If we would draw sinners out of the swift-running current, our own feet must be firmly set upon the Rock, Christ Jesus. The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, not the wearing of a cross or a crown, but it is that which reveals the union of man with God.—The Ministry of Healing, 469, 470.
With God at Dawn p. 183
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue to pray for Annie. Pray also for Ronnie Jay as they are wanting him to work on Sabbath this week. Please pray that they will allow him to have God’s holy day off. Rose
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Dear Friends,
Today, I thought I’d share with you one of my favorite passages of Scripture.
“Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isa 52:13-53:12
Yes, in times of great trial and adversity, we can find comfort in our Dear Saviour’s Sacrifice for us. He, Whom all Heaven adores, left the glories of that perfect land, left the worship of all the unfallen beings in His great universe, left the close fellowship of His Father’s side, and came to this dark and sin-laden planet to live a perfect life in the midst of all of the hatred and trials that the evil one through wicked men could heap upon Him. And if that were not enough, Jesus gave Himself as our Sacrifice for sin by dying the cruelest of deaths, even death upon the cross. In anguish He cried, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matt 27:46
Through times when we feel forsaken by God, He is very near. He promises, “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.” “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.” Isa 66:13; 43:1-3 Indeed, He is “the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” 2 Cor 1:3-5
May we, when the evil one attacks us beyond our strength, cling to the One Who loves us with an everlasting love and find our strenth in Him. (Jer 31:3) May we feel His Loving Arms around us bringing us comfort and peace. May we look forward to the time when “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.” Rev 21:4
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/6mWMY8tLue4/by-their-fruits-ye-shall-know-them.html

The plant does not germinate, grow, or bring forth fruit for itself, but to “give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater.” So no man is to live unto himself. The Christian is in the world as a representative of Christ, for the salvation of other souls.

There can be no growth or fruitfulness in the life that is centered in self. If you have accepted Christ as a personal Saviour, you are to forget yourself, and try to help others. Talk of the love of Christ, tell of His goodness. Do every duty that presents itself. Carry the burden of souls upon your heart, and by every means in your power seek to save the lost. As you receive the Spirit of Christ,—the spirit of unselfish love and labor for others,—you will grow and bring forth fruit. The graces of the Spirit will ripen in your character. Your faith will increase, your convictions deepen, your love be made perfect. More and more you will reflect the likeness of Christ in all that is pure, noble, and lovely.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 67.

It is His plan, by conforming His servants day by day to the image of Christ, by making them partakers of the divine nature, to cause them to bear fruit abundantly.

He desires His people, through actual experience in the truth of the gospel, to become true, solid, trustworthy, experimental missionaries. He would have them show results far higher, holier, and more definite than in our day have yet been revealed.—Testimonies for the Church 8:186
With God at Dawn p. 181
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray that God will give the doctor wisdom in Annie’s case as she has an appointment with him tomorrow. Also pray for our pastor who has covid. Rose
—-Please pray for Jake. He is 40 years old, in ICU recovering from a heart event followed by organ failure. It was not a heart attack. He is considered a miracle by the doctors because with all that is going on they thought he would not live. He is improving on a daily basis, but prayer is the power connection that will assist him to recover. He is in good health. unknown reason for these problems. He and the family will appreciate prayer. Joyce
—-David and his family need your prayers. Pray that he will be willing to take medication for his mental condition. Buck
—-Please remember me in your daily prayers. I have inflammation from covid. I’ve had it 2 confirmed possibly 3 times. . . . I cannot breathe well and have struggled all day. Please pray Gods heals any damage. I need to work and take care of my grand baby. Lola
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago after we had come home from church, Ronnie Jay, a friend of his, Eileen, and I decided to go walking in a nearby park. I thought we were going to the area of the park that has nice cement walkways, so I wore my church clothes. As we were driving to the park, Eileen asked if we could go to the wilder side. Now that area has tiny dirt trails. I said, “Well, I’m not dressed for it, but I like that area better too, so let’s go there.”
After we had started down the trail, I realized that few people had been there since a flood in that area almost a year before. There were places where the path had been washed away and other areas where it was barely visible because grass and thistles had grown over it. To add to my troubles, it had rained the night before, so most of the way was muddy. Church shoes, nylons, a good drees, and mud just do not go well together! I slipped and slid along the trail and almost fell a few times.
Still, the walk was enjoyable. We saw many kinds of birds, a couple of deer, and the ever-present insects. As we neared the end of the walk, the trail was no longer visible. It was completely covered with grass. That does not sound like a problem, but here in Kansas the wild grass is over six feet tall! That’s about a foot taller than Eileen and I. We felt like we were in a jungle. If the trail had not been going fairly close to the tree line, we would have become completely disoriented. That stand of trees was our guide. (Ronnie Jay and his friend were far ahead of us. They had no trouble since the friend was tall.) Finally the trail was visible again and soon we were back to the car.
As I was sliding along, I began thinking how much like life our little walk was. We each have to choose one of two paths. One path is broad and smooth: the other is narrow and has many difficulties along the way. Jesus says, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt 7:13,14
Which path are we traveling? The easy path seems like the best choice, but if we choose that one, we will perish. The difficult trail will take us through sorrows and heartaches and many trials, but these are the very things that help to shape our character. Praise God! We do not have to walk that trail alone! We have a Guide Who has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Heb 13:5; Ps 32:8 Moreover, He gives us His Word to guide us just as the tree line guided Eileen and me. David declared, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Ps 119:105; 19:7-11
May we choose the steep and rocky path to the Heavenly Kingdom even though it is difficult at times. May we ever look to our loving Savior for the help and guidance that we so much need every step of the way. May we listen to His gentle voice through His Holy Word as He bids us, “This is the way, walk ye in it” when we are in danger of straying off from the path. Isa 30:21
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/0oGBHODMsFY/the-transformed-life-bears-fruit.html

None but He who has created man can effect a change in the human heart. God alone can give the increase. Every teacher is to realize that he is to be moved by divine agencies. The human judgment and ideas of the most experienced are liable to be imperfect and faulty, and the frail instrument, subject to his own hereditary traits of character, has need to submit to the sanctification of the Holy Spirit every day, else self will gather the reins and want to drive. In the meek and lowly spirit of the learner, all human methods and plans and ideas must be brought to God for His correction and indorsement; otherwise the restless energy of Paul or the skillful logic of Apollos will be powerless to effect the conversion of souls.—Testimonies for the Church 6:167.

Jesus assumed humanity that He might meet humanity. He brings men under the transforming power of truth by meeting them where they are. He gains access to the heart by securing sympathy and confidence, making all feel that His identification with their nature and interest is complete. The truth came from His lips beautiful in its simplicity, yet clothed with dignity and power. What a teacher was our Lord Jesus Christ! How tenderly did He treat every honest inquirer after truth, that He might gain admission to his sympathies, and find a home in the heart.—Testimonies to Ministers, 190.

Christ has made every provision that His church shall be a transformed body, illumined with the Light of the world, possessing the glory of Immanuel. It is His purpose that every Christian shall be surrounded with a spiritual atmosphere of light and peace.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 419
With God at Dawn p. 178
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue to pray for Annie that she may be able sleep. She has been suffering with chronic insomnia. Rose
—-Please pray that the church would get some help in their tape ministry they need some one who knows about copying sermons. so they can get the DVD’s & CD’s out to people .. they desperately need help they are behind in their ministry. M.
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Dear Friends,
From the time Ronnie Jay was able to toddle around on his chubby little legs, he loved to be outside. When he was a baby, we moved to a garage apartment in a city of about 100,000. He should have been used to the confines of the city, but he never did. As he grew older, I took him outside as much as I could, but there were housekeeping and cooking chores that occupied most of my time. That did not deter him from wanting to escape the confines of the apartment, however. Often he would stand at the screen door and gaze at the playground across the street. The look in his eyes was like that of a caged animal, longing to be free.
Just as my son’s focus was on something better than a small, garage apartment, so our focus should be on the glories of Heaven. Jesus assures us, “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 We, like Abraham, are to look “for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Heb 11:10
Isaiah was given a glimpse of that place where “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Cor 2:9 “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. . . .Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.” “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. . . . And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.” Isa 35:1, 5-7; 65:21-25; 11:6-8
John also saw that glorious land which awaits us. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; . . And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. . . . And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: . . .And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. . . . And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. . . . And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. . . . And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. . . . And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. . . .And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. . . . He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Rev 21; 22
May we all be there is my prayer.
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/rux7NgZpO24/the-transforming-power-of-truth.html