We have no time to lose. We know not how soon our probation may close. Eternity stretches before us. The curtain is about to be lifted. Christ is soon to come. The angels of God are seeking to attract us from ourselves and from earthly things. Let them not labor in vain. When Jesus rises up in the most holy place, lays off His mediatorial robes, and clothes Himself with the garments of vengeance, the mandate will go forth, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still…. And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

A storm is coming, relentless in its fury. Are we prepared to meet it? We need not say, The perils of the last days are soon to come upon us. Already they have come. We need now the sword of the Lord to cut to the very soul and marrow of fleshly lusts, appetites, and passions. Minds that have been given up to loose thought need to change…. The thoughts must be centered upon God. Now is the time to put forth earnest effort to overcome the natural tendencies of the carnal, heart. Our efforts, our self-denial, our perseverance, must be proportionate to the infinite value of the object of which we are in pursuit. Only by overcoming as Christ overcame shall we win the crown of life….

We must turn away from a thousand topics that invite attention. There are matters that consume time and arouse inquiry, but end in nothing. The highest interests demand the close attention and energy that are too often given to comparatively insignificant things.—Testimonies for the Church 8:314-316.
With God at Dawn p. 113
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-I need prayer for my nephew Jared, age 31. He’s in ICU with a stroke. Outcome now good. Sherry
—-A dear client’s family has asked for prayers. Please she has surgery in the morning. Sandi
—-Please pray for the abdominal pain from after a procedure I had done at a doctor’s office and that I will regain my health back soon! Evelyn
—-Please pray for Tony who has stage 4 cancer. Therese
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,

When Ronnie Jay was a baby, we lived less than five miles from the Atlantic Ocean, so we spent a lot of our free time there. In the evenings after the majority of the people had left the beach, we would eat our supper while sitting on the sand and gazing out over the water. It was so peaceful.

Once Ronnie Jay learned how to walk, however, the peaceful times were gone. He showed no fear of that immense body of water and would get away from us whenever we were not watching him. Off he would go toward the incoming waves, just as fast as his little legs would carry him. Those waves would grab him and roll him over and over and push him toward the shore by the time we were able to catch up to him. Always frightened of his little game, I would grab him out of the water, give him a little spank, tell him “no,” futilely try to explain the dangers to my one year old boy, and carry him back to where we had been sitting. Over and over again this process was repeated.

One day something happened when he was two years old that cured him of his little game. Our church often went to an area of the beach where no sunbathers went. From the parking lot to the ocean was about a mile walk, so the beach usually was deserted. It was nice to walk along the water’s edge with our friends and view the handiwork of God even though a cold March wind was blowing that day. As we got to the beach, Ronnie Jay wanted out of his stroller. It was too cool for his little game of “let the waves tumble me about and scare Mommy half to death.” I warned my son that it was too cold to go near the water and made him hold my hand.

As I got involved talking to my friends and looking for shells and sharks’ teeth, Ronnie Jay saw his chance to escape. Before I realized it, he had slipped his hand out of mine and headed straight for the water. I headed after him, but he was a fast runner. Into the cold water he plunged. I grabbed my dripping boy up into my arms with thoughts of his re-catching the pneumonia he had had three months before and ran as fast as I could to the car. The cold March wind seemed even colder now that we were both wet. Now, I’ve never been able to run very fast, but that day not even Ron could keep up with me. Adrenaline had set in. I knew that a warm blanket was in that car and Ronnie Jay needed to be wrapped up in it to keep him from getting sick. He must have gotten cold enough that day to decide that his little game was not fun any more, because that was the last time he ever played it.

How often we toy with sin, just as Ronnie Jay toyed with the waves. Our little “sin games” seem to be innocent and fun, that we do not realize the danger we are in. Even when warned of the consequences of our sinful indulgence, how often we run right back into the sin just as my son ran into the waves of the Atlantic. How often we do as Peter describes, “The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:22 Over and over we play with our darling sin until we one day find ourself held firmly in its grasp. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jer 17:9 “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” “the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.” Isa 64:6;1:6

How much we need a Strong Deliverer, Who will snatch us up out of the waves of sin, remove our filthy, sin-stained garments, and clothe us with His Own Robe of Righteousness. Praise God! We have such a Deliverer! He “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever.” Gal 1:4, 5 Our Dear Saviour promises, “I will put my laws into [your heart], and in [your mind] will I write them; And [your] sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Heb 10:16, 17 Precious promises! Loving Redeemer!

May we always serve the Lord with our whole heart and strength and being and no longer toy with the pleasures of sin is my prayer.

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/QPWOfg2K0xU/flee-from-lusts.html

Every student needs to understand the relation between plain living and high thinking. It rests with us individually to decide whether our lives shall be controlled by the mind or by the body. The youth must, each for himself, make the choice that shapes his life; and no pains should be spared that he may understand the forces with which he has to deal, and the influences which mould character and destiny.

Intemperance is a foe against which all need to be guarded. The rapid increase of this terrible evil should arouse every lover of his race to warfare against it…. But in order to reach the root of intemperance we must go deeper than the use of alcohol or tobacco. Idleness, lack of aim, or evil associations, may be the predisposing cause. Often it is found at the home table, in families that account themselves strictly temperate. Anything that disorders digestion, that creates undue mental excitement, or in any way enfeebles the system, disturbing the balance of the mental and the physical powers, weakens the control of the mind over the body, and thus tends toward intemperance. The downfall of many a promising youth might be traced to unnatural appetites created by an unwholesome diet.—Education, 202.

Attention to recreation and physical culture will at times, no doubt, interrupt the regular routine of school work; but the interruption will prove no real hindrance. In the invigoration of mind and body, the fostering of an unselfish spirit, and the binding together of pupil and teacher by the ties of common interest and friendly association, the expenditure of time and effort will be repaid a hundredfold.—Education, 213.
With God at Dawn p. 111
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Johanna who is having repeat lab work this morning. Pray that there is nothing seriously wrong. Annie
—-Prayer Request for neighbors husband. MC
—-Please pray for Dick who is in ICU with Covid. Rose
—-Pray for our country to open people walk free we are suffering for covid 19 lockdown. Jose
—-I’m in need of prayers for my daughter, Megan. She mentioned suicide, saying she hates her life, drinks alcohol and smokes pot. Tina
—-ptay for my eyes that Dr K can restore the good eye back and maybe help the bad which right now is better than the good one. Also my heart problems. Betty
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,

One day when I was in my late teens, my mother and I were walking by the library. We happened to see her second cousin, Lilian, walk out of the library where she had been a librarian for many years. Lillian and my mother stopped to talk as they had not seen each other for years. I was a little bored as they were having a rather lengthy conversation. As they were talking Lillian kept bringing up the fact that she could trace her genealogy all the way back to the American Revolution. (We could as well, but didn’t bring it up to her.) They talked of other things for a bit and then Lillian would again talk about her ancestors. She was so proud that she was able to trace her linage back to the very beginning of our country and that she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. It was her total focus.

Praise God! We can trace our family tree farther than that for our Father is the King of the Universe! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Eph 1:3-14 Think of it! He, Who desires “all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth,” has adopted us in His Heavenly family! 1Tim 2:4

Are we as willing to tell others about our Heavenly Father as Lillian was to tell us about her ancestors? Do our sweetest thoughts center upon Him? Is He the theme of our conversation? Think of it! We are children of the Heavenly King! The Great Creator of the Universe longs for an even closer relationship with us than any earthly tie we might have. Jesus tells us, “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven” “whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Matt 23:9;12:50 Wonderful privilege! He desires for us, His well-beloved children, to share our joys, our sorrows, our perplexities with Him that He may fix them. May we cast all our cares upon Him for He cares for us. 1 Peter 5:7
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/tQpZ0KyIP4k/glorify-god.html

Of all the gifts that God has bestowed upon men, none is more precious than the gift of speech. If sanctified by the Holy Spirit, it is a power for good. It is with the tongue that we convince and persuade; with it we offer prayer and praise to God; and with it we convey rich thoughts of the Redeemer’s love.—Testimonies for the Church 6:336.

All impurity of speech or of thought must be shunned by him who would have clear discernment of spiritual truth.—The Desire of Ages, 302.

Who does not love life, and desire good days? yet how few comply with the conditions, to refrain the tongue from evil, and the lips from speaking guile. Few are willing to follow the Saviour’s example of meekness and humility. Many ask the Lord to humble them, but are unwilling to submit to the needful discipline. When the test comes, when trials or even annoyances occur, the heart rebels, and the tongue utters words that are like poisoned arrows or blasting hail.

Evil-speaking is a two-fold curse, falling more heavily upon the speaker than upon the hearer. He who scatters the seeds of dissension and strife, reaps in his own soul the deadly fruits. How miserable is the tale-bearer, the surmiser of evil! He is a stranger to true happiness…. The sin of evil-speaking begins with the cherishing of evil thoughts…. Every unholy thought must be instantly repelled.

To your closet, followers of Christ. Pray in faith, and with all the heart. Satan is watching to ensnare your feet. You must have help from above if you would escape his devices.—Testimonies for the Church 5:176, 177.
With God at Dawn p. 106
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-PLEASE PRAY FOR MY YOUNGEST SON JOHNNY TODAY. HE WILL BE GETTING UP ON A VERY STEEP SLICK METAL ROOF BY HIMSELF WITH NO SAFETY EQUIPMENT PROVIDED BY HIS COMPANY TO INSTALL SOLAR PANELS. PLEASE PRAY FOR PROTECTION FOR HIM. CONNIE J
—-Please have my sweet friends daughter Brooke in prayer. She suffers from a eating disorder and has been hospitalized. She went on her own desire and this is a positive thing but, this disease is dangerous and deadly. Connie T
—-My daughter Cherie is being admitted to the hospital with labored breathing and COVID. Prayers requested for healing. Janet
—-My 4 year old grandson, Corbin. is a happy, sweet little boy whose smile could light up the world. Unfortunately he was diagnosed with cancer last week and has begun chemotherapy. I am asking everyone to pray for him. Michael
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,

When I was a little girl, I went to church with my grandparents whenever my mother didn’t take me shopping or to the movies. One time our teacher told us about Jesus’ coming in the clouds of the sky. (1 Thes 4:16, 17) She explained that someday we would see a little cloud in the sky no bigger than a man’s hand, just as Elijah’s servant had seen when Elijah was praying for rain. That cloud would draw nearer and nearer to the earth getting bigger and bigger as it got closer and closer until finally it would fill the whole sky. She said that then we would look up and see Jesus and all the holy angels, and that He would take us to Heaven to live with Him forever.

In all my seven years of life, I had not heard such wonderful news! This was something so wonderful that I could hardly wait for it to happen. When we got home from church, I hurried over to my friend Janie’s house and told her all about it. She was as excited as I was. Immediately we sat on my back steps and scanned the sky. For weeks thereafter, we would watch the sky carefully. When we saw a cloud that we thought might be Jesus’ cloud, we would watch it with full expectation sure that it would be Jesus coming to take us to His Heavenly Kingdom. In my childish way, I was waiting and watching expectantly for Him to come. I was also sharing the good news with my friend. Janie.

It has been many years since I was seven, and Jesus’ coming is so much closer now. Prophecy, that I knew nothing about in 1952, is now being fulfilled before our very eyes. There are very few signs left that have not already been fulfilled. The truth of His coming is as sure today as it was in those long-ago days.

Oh the faith of a little child! Our Dear Saviour tells us, “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” Luke 18:17 A little child believes wholeheartedly without doubting and lives in the present what is looked forward to in the future. So should we. We can take the Scriptures just as they read. We can safely trust in them. We may believe every word just as completely as I believed my teacher when she told us that Jesus was coming in the clouds of the sky. Paul urges us to “study to show thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 David sang, “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 19:7-11

Yet how often we find within the church those who glory in “higher criticism,” and wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction. They feel that they can choose that which is inspired and that which is not, forgetting that “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 Soon these promoters of “pick and choose” fall into the devil’s snare of unbelief and drag others down with them. How must the Author of the Holy Scriptures be saddened as He sees the unbelieving hearts of those He died to save.

May we set aside doubting and take God’s Holy Word just as it reads that someday soon we will look up with rejoicing as we see Jesus coming in the clouds to deliver us from this sinful, old planet is my prayer.
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/RYsXu6OGIIM/keep-thy-tongue.html