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He Protects in Times of Trouble

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For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. Psalm 27:5.

The Lord has shown me repeatedly that it is contrary to the Bible to make any provision for our temporal wants in the time of trouble. I saw that if the saints had food laid up by them, or in the field in the time of trouble, when sword, famine, and pestilence are in the land, it would be taken from them by violent hands, and strangers would reap their fields. Then will be the time for us to trust wholly in God, and He will sustain us. I saw that our bread and water will be sure at that time, and that we shall not lack or suffer hunger; for God is able to spread a table for us in the wilderness. If necessary He would send ravens to feed us, as He did to feed Elijah, or rain manna from heaven, as He did for the Israelites.

Houses and lands will be of no use to the saints in the time of trouble, for they will then have to flee before infuriated mobs, and at that time their possessions can not be disposed of to advance the cause of present truth. I was shown that it is the will of God that the saints should cut loose from every encumbrance before the time of trouble comes, and make a covenant with God through sacrifice.—Early Writings, 56.

Prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence. He who marshals the stars in order in the heavens, whose word controls the waves of the great deep—the same infinite Creator will work in behalf of His people if they call upon Him in faith.

He will restrain the forces of darkness, until the warning is given to the world, and all who will heed it are prepared for the conflict.—Testimonies for the Church 5:453.
With God at Dawn p. 85
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my “other” daughter, Christina. She is back in hospital with pneumonia and difficulty breathing. She tested positive for Covid-19 last week…has been progressively getting sicker. Joyce
—-Please pray for my husband. He has a need. He sleeps a lot. He crys , he is angry and he reads his Bible a lot more than he used to. Thank you! I am concerned for him. Jean
—-Officer P has collapsed lung just found out other lung has air pockets in ICU he going for operation Monday and I asking for prayers thank you Michael
—-I JUST FOUND OUT TODAY MY CANCER HAS SPREAD TO MY STOMACH LINING,LIVER, & PELVIC BONE. PLEASE PRAY. CINDY
—-Please pray to GOD for my healing from the bad effects of Parkinson’s disease and that my dopamine receptors will be regenerated properly. Myke
—-I am asking for prayer for my brother in law Pete, he has a 70 percent blockage in his main artery in his neck. This is very serious and he will be going through surgery on friday and his family is very worried for him. Debra
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Dear Friends,

When Ron was about 14, he and his family went camping one weekend by a lake. They spent a lot of time enjoying the water. While he and his brothers and sisters were having fun dunking and splashing each other, he noticed a child who was unable to swim and had gotten out over his head. The boy was panic stricken and was flailing his arms around and going under. Going rapidly to where this boy was, Ron pulled him to safety. That little boy was filled with gratitude to Ron for rescuing him and from that moment followed Ron wherever he went.

We are like that drowning boy—drowning in our own sins. Like David we cry, “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” Psa 38:4 How often our sins and iniquities overwhelm us and we long to be delivered, but we are as helpless as that drowning boy so long ago: we cannot save ourselves. Praise God! We have a Rescuer! We have a Redeemer Who is “longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:8 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16.17 “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.” Isa 53:4-6

Praise God! Our Dear Saviour has rescued us from a life of misery and woe ending in certain death. How thankful we should be! How continuously we should follow Him with love and gratitude welling up within us for what He has done for us. He should be our whole focus. He should receive our best and most fervent love. John says, “We love him, because he first loved us.” “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1John 4:19; 5:3,4

Our Great Redeemer longs for us to have this love for Him. “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Deut 6:5 His Great Heart of Love yearns over us wanting to be our Companion, our Good Shepherd, our All in All. Seeing His great love for us, how joyfully we should do His will. Of course, we cannot work our way to Heaven. Our Dear Saviour has paid the price. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.” James 2:17,18

May our hearts be filled with love and gratitude for His saving grace, always doing those things which are pleasing in His sight, continuously following our Dear Saviour all the way to His Heavenly Kingdom is my prayer.

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/b-hFz4WURuc/he-protects-in-times-of-trouble.html

Perfect Peace Will Be Given

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Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3.

Put away your distrust of our heavenly Father. Instead of talking of your doubts, break away from them in the strength of Jesus, and let light shine into your soul by letting your voice express confidence and trust in God. I know that the Lord is very nigh to give you victory, and I say to you, Be helped, be strengthened, be lifted out of and away from the dark dungeon of unbelief. Doubts will rush into your mind, because Satan is trying to hold you in captivity to his cruel power, but face him in the strength that Jesus is willing to give you, and conquer the inclination to express unbelief in your Saviour.

Do not talk of your inefficiency and your defects. When despair would seem to be sweeping over your soul, look to Jesus, saying, He lives to make intercession for me. Forget the things that are behind, and believe the promise, “I will come to you,” and “abide with you.” …

It is your privilege to trust in the love of Jesus for salvation, in the fullest, surest, noblest manner; to say, He loves me, He receives me; I will trust Him, for He gave His life for me. Nothing so dispels doubt as coming in contact with the character of Christ. He declares, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out;” that is, there is no possibility of My casting him out, for I have pledged My word to receive him. Take Christ at His word, and let your lips declare that you have gained the victory…. Peace comes with dependence on divine power. As fast as the soul resolves to act in accordance with the light given, the Holy Spirit gives more light and strength.—Testimonies to Ministers, 516-518.
With God at Dawn p. 83
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Prayer Requests
—-My coworker, who is age 70, fell out of the hayloft and is in pretty bad shape. Please pray for healing. Mike
—-Please pray for Clara and her family that for the Holy Spirit, for them to accept the Lord into their hearts. Rosemary
—-Please pray for Brian as he is travelling home today. Rose
—-My wife has been required to have a colonoscopy and take yet another covid test, as well as see a lung specialist. She still coughs a lot and has breathing issues and sleeps most of the day due to being tired. Please keep praying for her. David
—-My daughter and grandson in car accident near my house last night. She was in hospital till after 430 am, she is in a lot of pain, prayers would be appreciated. Terry
—-Please pray for Annie as she recovers and also for James and his wife whose caregiver daughter left yesterday and they are in need of help. Rose
—-My coworker, Rita, is out due to bad pain in her hip, knee, and foot. Pray the doctors can figure out what is wrong and fix it. Wanangwa
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Dear Friends,

When I was a teenager, I lived about a mile or two from the library. I had a book that was due that day, that I had not quite finished reading. I decided that if I read the book as I walked, I would have it done by the time I got there. It took a few blocks before I could walk in a fairly straight line without watching where I was going.

Soon I became so absorbed in those last few chapters, that I was lost to my surroundings. Suddenly, I heard the squeal of brakes. Startled, I looked up from the book I was reading. Within a foot of me was a big, black car. The driver inside looked scared at first, but then his fright turned to anger. All I could say was ” I’m sorry.” Closing my book, I continued walking. I would wait till I got to the library to finish it.

So, it is in our day to day lives. We can get so occupied with the mundane, that time passes quickly and old age is upon us before we realize it. We look back and wonder where the time has gone. It seems like only yesterday that we were young and full of hopes and dreams for the future.

Our Great Creator, Who loves us more than His Own Life, does not want us to come to the end of our life and look back with disappointment and fear saying, “the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jer 8:20 Because of this, He must often allow troubles and trials to come into our life in order to awaken us and shake us back to reality. Paul advises, “despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Heb 12:4-15

How deep the ache in God’s Great Heart of Love, when we, instead of running into His Outstretched Arms to receive His loving embrace, turn away and wallow in self-pity. How He yearns for us to come to Him, to spend our time fellowshipping with Him, learning from Him, allowing Him to guide us each step of the way. How He longs to be in every aspect of our lives. He desires for us to praise Him for the multitude of blessings He showers upon us. How He longs for us to accept the help He so freely offers. “Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you.” 1 Thess 5:17, 18

May we never get so busy that we forget the One Who gave His life so that we could live, always bringing to our Great Burden-bearer all of our joys, all of our sorrows, all of the happenings in our day-to-day life, for we cannot weary the One Who loves us so.

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/8eZJDm0_3iw/perfect-peace-will-be-given.html

God Withholds No Good Thing

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For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11.

The promises of God are full and abundant, and there is no need for anyone to depend upon humanity for strength. To all that call upon Him, God is near to help and succor. And He is greatly dishonored when, after inviting our confidence, we turn from Him—the only one who will not misunderstand us, the only one who can give unerring counsel,—to men who in their human weakness are liable to lead us astray.—Testimonies to Ministers, 381.

God loves the sinless angels, who do His service and are obedient to all His commands; but He does not give them grace; they have never needed it; for they have never sinned. Grace is an attribute shown to undeserving human beings. We did not seek after it; it was sent in search of us. God rejoices to bestow grace upon all who hunger and thirst for it, not because we are worthy, but because we are unworthy. Our need is the qualification which gives us the assurance that we shall receive the gift.—Testimonies to Ministers, 519.

The gold and the silver are the Lord’s, and He could rain them from Heaven if He chose; but instead of this He has made man His steward, intrusting him with means, not to be hoarded, but to be used in benefiting others. He thus makes man the medium through which to distribute His blessings on earth. God planned the system of beneficence, in order that man might become, like his Creator, benevolent and unselfish in character, and finally be a partaker with Him of the eternal, glorious reward.—Testimonies for the Church 4:473.
With God at Dawn p.60
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for me to rest in the perfect peace of the Lord, and cast out all fear! Satan has been attacking me and I realize that I need to be filled with His Holy Spirit to cast out all fear! Continued prayers for physical healing from our Lord. Annie
–—-My work is starting to work on Sabbath and does not want to accommodate me. Please pray that they will allow me to work more hours on other days to make up for it or that they will let me have Sabbath off. If nothing can be done, please pray that I can get my old job back. JT
—-Please pray for our daughter, Heidi. She had a septic miscarriage yesterday and is on IV fluids and antibiotics. Our prayer is that she will continue to respond well to the antibiotics. Sherlyn
—-Please pray for Larry as he is having a CT scan today to see if the spots in his lungs have gotten any bigger. Eileen
—-Asking for prayers for one of my seniors. Kim
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Dear Friends,

Ronnie Jay has loved animals all of his life and over the years has gotten great enjoyment feeding the birds and rabbits and other critters in whatever area he lives. Some years ago while he still lived at home, however, a not-at-all happy Ronnie Jay came into the house. A cooper’s hawk decided that the birds that frequented his feeder were an easy target. They were. It was like a fast-food restaurant for that raptor. Remnants of the hawk’s meal were evidence of his success. Ronnie Jay was sickened at the sight although he realized that the hawk was only killing so he could eat. He did what he could to give his birds a “fighting chance” by moving the feeder amongst the branches of our huge cottonwood tree. Eventually the hawk went elsewhere. Then a red-tailed hawk decided to try his luck but was unsuccessful. He was much too big to maneuver through the area where Ronnie has the feeders and finally gave up.

In this old world, death is common. Indeed death is necessary for the carnivorous animals’ survival. On this sinful, old planet death seems to be natural, a part of life, but our Loving Creator never intended for there to be any death. He formed the earth to be inhabited by holy, happy beings. He provided everything that was needed to live forever. Sad to say, Adam and Eve sinned and ruined the perfect world they were given. How little they realized the changes that would come from that one act of disobedience—changes not only to their lives but to the animals’ lives as well. How they must have mourned when they saw the first falling leaf, the first dead creature. How responsible they must have felt—and rightly so.

Praise God, our Great Creator did not leave us to die! He provided a way of escape! Jesus, our Saviour, died that second death for us, so that we do not have to! “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” 1 Cor 15:21-23 What great love He has for us! What great deliverance!

Jesus is coming soon to put an end to all the death, all the sorrow, all the pain of this evil world! At that time He will gather together both the righteous living and those who died who had faith in Him. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thes 4:16,17 “Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Cor 15:51-55 What a glorious reunion that will be 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: for the former things are passed away!” Rev 21:4 May we soon see our Loving Saviour coming in the clouds and look up with rejoicing and declare, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa. 25:9

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/e4WZKPSqIIk/god-withholds-no-good-thing.html

—Please pray for me to rest…

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—Please pray for me to rest in the perfect peace of the Lord, and cast out all fear! Satan has been attacking me and I realize that I need to be filled with His Holy Spirit to cast out all fear! Continued prayers for physical healing from our Lord. Annie
—-My work is starting to work on Sabbath and does not want to accommodate me. Please pray that they will allow me to work more hours on other days to make up for it or that they will let me have Sabbath off. If nothing can be done, please pray that I can get my old job back. JT

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/UKX4XxGVyVc/4414.html

The Father Seeks True Worshipers

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But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. John 4:23.

We are living in an age when all should especially give heed to the injunction of the Saviour, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” One of your strong temptations is to irreverence. God is high and holy; and to the humble, believing soul, His house on earth, the place where His people meet for worship, is as the gate of heaven. The song of praise, the words spoken by Christ’s ministers, are God’s appointed agencies to prepare a people for the church above, for that loftier worship into which there can enter nothing that is impure, unholy….

Do not have so little reverence for the house and worship of God as to communicate with one another during the sermon. If those who commit this fault could see the angels of God looking upon them and marking their doings, they would be filled with shame and abhorrence of themselves.—Messages to Young People, 265, 266.

Those who are unwilling to forsake every sin and to seek earnestly for God’s blessing, will not obtain it. But all who will lay hold of God’s promises as did Jacob, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 203.

Do not neglect secret prayer, for it is the soul of religion. With earnest, fervent prayer, plead for purity of soul. Plead as earnestly, as eagerly, as you would for your mortal life, were it at stake. Remain before God until unutterable longings are begotten within you for salvation, and the sweet evidence is obtained of pardoned sin.—Messages to Young People, 268.
With God at Dawn p. 78
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for travelling mercies for Brian as he is driving across country beginning this evening. Rose
—-Please pray for safety for my son who is going on a trip. Carla
—-I am asking for prayer for our friend Freddy, he is having heart surgery at this moment..they are putting in a Stent and a Pacemaker. His Mother Emma is very scared for him and needs our prayers as well. Debra
—-Please pray . We have a tornado warning in our area. Jean
—-Just when it seems like my wife is starting to get better, the coughing and shortness of breath comes back. She spoke with the doctor over the phone who told her that since they’ve prescribed everything that they could and nothing is changing, that we’ll have to bring her in to the hospital. She’s been sleeping all day, but she’ll be up in awhile and we’ll going then. We’re getting really concerned so Please pray for my Laurie, Thanks, David
—-Alyssa, age 2, was recently diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. She is getting a bone marrow biopsy done. I’m begging my Lord that the cancer hasn’t spread and that this tumor is something my baby’s body could fight. Maria
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Dear Friends,

A couple of weeks ago, my grandchildren’s Sabbath School lesson was on the Rich Young Ruler. It reminded me of the time after I had moved away from Kalamazoo, and had returned for a visit. The church had gotten a new pastor, so I had the opportunity to hear him speak for the first time. His sermon was very different from what I was used to hearing. He spoke on the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22.

This new pastor did not sermonize on this story but made up a “novel” about what happened to that young man after he turned away from following Jesus. I don’t remember much of his story but I do remember that everything went wrong for the young man and he eventually perished a pauper in the destruction of Jerusalem.

Of course, that could have happened as the pastor imagined, but it might not have been that way at all. Even so, it is certain that the young man’s window of opportunity had passed and his life was far different from that which God had intended.

This story serves as a warning to us living today. Throughout each day, we, too, are making decisions for or against our Dear Saviour. Each day we have the opportunity to do His will for our life, yet, our possessions, our desires, our wishes, our plans are first and foremost in our mind. How often we go through the day with scarcely a thought heavenward. Jesus tells us, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matt 19:24-26 “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. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt 6:24

There is a song by Rhea Miller that should be the theme of our life.

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I’d rather be His than have riches untold; I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands, I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand. Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin’s dread sway; I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause, I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause; I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame, I’d rather be true to His holy name. Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin’s dread sway; I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

May this be the song of our heart each day is my prayer.

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/cYS4i9_e1oM/the-father-seeks-true-worshipers.html

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