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Be Still, and Know

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Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10.

In a life wholly devoted to the good of others, the Saviour found it necessary to turn aside from ceaseless activity and contact with human needs, to seek retirement and unbroken communion with His Father. As the throng that had followed Him depart, He goes into the mountains, and there, alone with God, pours out His soul in prayer for these suffering, sinful, needy ones…. All who are under the training of God need the quiet hour for communion with their own hearts, with nature, and with God. In them is to be revealed a life that is not in harmony with the world, its customs, or its practises; and they need to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God. We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart.

When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” This is the effectual preparation for all labor for God. Amidst the hurrying throng, and the strain of life’s intense activities, he who is thus refreshed, will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace. He will receive a new endowment of both physical and mental strength. His life will breathe out a fragrance, and will reveal a divine power that will reach men’s hearts.—The Ministry of Healing, 58.

In the midst of this maddening rush, God is speaking. He bids us come apart and commune with Him…. Not a pause for a moment in His presence, but personal contact with Christ, to sit down in companionship with Him—this is our need.—Education, 260, 261.
With God at Dawn p. 99
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Prayer Requests
—-my little brother needs your prayers please. He’s diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Blood cancer
He’s been transferred to the hands of the Cancer team. We’re awaiting to see them to inform us how they will proceed with treatment. Therese
—-Please pray for Homer who was in a very bad accident. Joe
—-Please pray for my auntie who has been having leg problems for sometime now and she has been faithful to the Lord in prayer. Isaac
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Dear Friends,

What an interesting time in which to live. It seems like every day we hear of new inventions to make life easier and more enjoyable. Yet, with all of the modern inventions, life seems much busier and more complicated. Some of the problem is because we are constantly stimulating our mind until it is overstimulated and overwhelmed. From our first waking moments until we go to bed for the night, we are bombarded with the media. We watch television, listen to music, talk on the cell phone, play computer games until we have little time for anything else. The pleasures that this world has to offer are fleeting and temporary at best. In this mad rush for happiness and peace of mind in this sinful, old planet, there often is lacking the very element in our life that will bring true happiness, true peace— the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to our heart.

God’s Holy Word tells us, “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” Isa 32:17, 18 Our Dear Saviour offers us this true peace and happiness that we so much desire. He pleads, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28 When we come to Him for that rest, we must give Him every aspect of our life. He promises, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jer 29:13 Truly, “the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matt 13:44-46 “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25

There is a song by E. A. Hoffman, which illustrates this very principle. It would be well to meditate upon its message.

*You have longed for sweet peace, and for faith to increase, And have earnestly, fervently prayed; But you cannot have rest, or be perfectly blest Until all on the altar is laid. Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid? Your heart, does the Spirit control? You can only be blest and have peace and sweet rest, As you yield Him your body and soul.

Would you walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word, And have peace and contentment alway, You must do His sweet will, to be free from all ill, On the altar your all you must lay. Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid? Your heart, does the Spirit control? You can only be blest and have peace and sweet rest, As you yield Him your body and soul.

Oh, we never can know what the Lord will bestow Of the blessings for which we have prayed, Till our body and soul He doth fully control, And our all on the altar is laid. Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid? Your heart, does the Spirit control? You can only be blest and have peace and sweet rest, As you yield Him your body and soul.

Who can tell all the love He will send from above, And how happy our hearts will be made, Of the fellowship sweet we shall share at His feet, When our all on the altar is laid? Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid? Your heart, does the Spirit control? You can only be blest and have peace and sweet rest, As you yield Him your body and soul.

May we find that peace and true happiness that only our Great Creator and Redeemer offers is my prayer.

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/8YPB5DkjsBg/be-still-and-know.html

Come, I Will Teach You

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Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Psalm 34:11.

The Holy Spirit illumines our darkness, informs our ignorance, and understands and helps us in our manifold necessities. But the mind must be constantly going out after God. If coldness and worldliness are allowed to come in, we shall have no heart to pray, no courage to look up to Him who is the source of strength and wisdom. Then pray always, dear brethren and sisters, “lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” Urge your requests to the throne of grace, and rely upon God hour by hour and moment by moment. The service of Christ will regulate all your relations with your fellow-men, and make your life fruitful in good works.

Let none imagine that selfishness, self-esteem, and self-indulgence are compatible with the Spirit of Christ. Upon every truly converted man or woman there rests a responsibility that we cannot rightly estimate. The maxims and ways of the world are not to be adopted by the sons and daughters of the heavenly King….

The arduous struggle for conquest over self, for holiness and Heaven, is a life-long struggle. There is no release in this war; the effort must be continuous and persevering. Christian integrity must be sought with resistless energy, and maintained with a resolute fixedness of purpose. A genuine religious experience unfolds and intensifies. Continual advancement, increasing knowledge and power in the Word of God, is the natural result of a vital connection with God. The light of holy love will grow brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.—Testimonies for the Church 5:410-413.
With God at Dawn p. 97
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Sherlyn who is having hip replacement surgery today. Please pray that God will guide the doctor’s hands. Rose
—-Please pray for my auntie who has been having leg problems for sometime now and she has been faithful to the Lord in prayer. Isaac
—-Please urgently needing prayers right now for one of my sons. Connie
—-Can I please request prayer for my brother and my family My brother has been diagnosed with schizophrenia but we are unsure of what is going on He is very bitter and angry at the world and towards family. Jen
—-Please pray that Eileen can find her bite splint. We went camping this weekend and she cannot find it and she can’t afford to get another. Rose
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Dear Friends,

Many years ago, I heard a visiting preacher say, “I only have to ask God for a request one time, and then I don’t ever have to ask again. I can forget about it and let Him take care of it. ” On the surface, it sounded as if he had great faith, but there was something that seemed to be lacking. He was too casual in his petitions and seemed to think little about that request from then on.

God’s Holy Word tells us to be persistent in prayer. Paul admonishes us to “pray without ceasing.” 1 Thes 5:17 Jesus tells us. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Luke 11:9,10 The verb tense there indicates that we should ask and keep on asking, knock and keep on knocking, seek and keep on seeking. He wants us to keep on asking until we receive, keep on seeking until we find, keep on knocking until it is opened for our own good. If we immediately received an answer, we would become like a spoiled child who begins to think that their parent is their servant to do their bidding.

Our Dear Saviour gave a parable of contrasts to show us an example of effectual prayer. “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8 The heartfelt prayer is never turned away. We are to desire an answer to our prayer with our whole heart. James tells us, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 Throughout the day we have the privilege of pressing our petitions to the throne of grace. We have the privilege of coming to our Dear Saviour for the help that we need to overcome. By continually having our heart uplifted in prayer, the enemy has no power over us.

Jesus assures us, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7 “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” vs 10 “Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:22-26

Paul tells us, “in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Phil 4:6 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb 4:15,16

Let us “continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Col 4:2 Let us be persevering and sincere in our prayers, pressing our petitions to the very throne of God. Let us keep our heart uplifted moment by moment to our Dear Saviour is my prayer.

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/pSsRraW-2qc/come-i-will-teach-you.html

Counsel Belongs to the Lord

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Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. Proverbs 8:14.

Jesus came to represent the character of the Father, and He sent His disciples into the world to represent the character of Christ; He has given us His Word to point out the way of life, and He has not left us simply to carry that Word, but has also promised to give it efficiency by the power of the Holy Spirit. Is there need, then, that any should walk in uncertainty, grieving that they do not know and experience the movings of the Holy Spirit upon their hearts? Are you hungering and thirsting for instruction in righteousness? Then you have the sure promise that you shall be filled….

The Lord would have us in possession of the spirit of heavenly wisdom. Are we all being impressed to pray to the Lord humbly and earnestly as our necessities require, importuning Him for the spirit of wisdom? Do we pray, saying, “Show me the secrets which I know not, teach Thou me”? O for humble, earnest prayer to go forth from unfeigned lips praying for the counsel that is of God!—Testimonies to Ministers, 199, 200.

The disciples came to Jesus and told Him all things. Their intimate relationship with Him encouraged them to lay before Him their favorable and unfavorable experiences, their joy at seeing results from their labors, and their sorrow at their failures, their faults, and their weaknesses.—The Desire of Ages, 359.
With God at Dawn p. 93
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue to pray for Larry. Rose
—-Please pray for Debbie she had brest cancer went for treatments now they found out she has
cancer in other parts of her body she is in the hospital and she has very small children. keep her uplifted in prayer. than you. God’s will be done. He’s coming soon. M.
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Dear Friends,

Before I retired, I worked in the court system for seventeen years. As defendants would come into our office, we often commented about the effects of their choices made upon their countenance. As they talked with us, we could see the effect of their choices upon their thought processes. Often as I copied their criminal history for the court service officers, I would come across several pages of mug shots that were taken over the years. In the earlier photos, they did not have the hardened look, the wasted look that comes from a life of drugs and sin.

Choice—that precious freedom! When God created mankind, He created them with the power of choice. Only in this way could He really have their love. Only by allowing them the ability to choose, would their adoration have meaning. He did not want them to sin, so He gave them all of the knowledge they would need to make a wise choice. “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Gen 2:16,17

Sadly, they spurned His love and disbelieved His promises. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” 3:6 From that point, death and decay has been in the earth. Sin’s effects have made great changes in our world as well as in us.

Yet, our Dear Saviour did not leave us to perish. He gave Adam and Eve hope of a Saviour to come. He promised, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” vs 15 “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9,10

Today we, too, have choices to make. We are making these choices moment by moment in the little things as well as the big decisions of life. Ultimately, these choices determine whom we will serve, what our future holds. Who will we choose?

In a life and in death
God provides us hope
In a smile, in a breath
God shows His love

God is Kind
God is True
God is Love

We have a choice, We have a hope
We have a time to decide
Which way to turn, which way to go
Which path we’ll take, what we’ll behold.

God is Kind
God is True
God is Love

God gives us times, when we need to lean
On His strength to endure
These are the times, that purify
Our souls for Him.

God is Kind
God is True
God is Love.

This is the time to make a choice
Of who will lead your life.
Who will you choose?

God is Kind
God is True
God is Love

Who will you choose?

(Who Will You Choose? written by Esther)
May we choose to serve the One Who is our Creator and Redeemer. May we choose to obey Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, Who freely offers us the gift of eternal life. May we choose to open our heart’s door and let the Dear Saviour come in. (Rev 3:20)

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/ogC75j_bCYY/counsel-belongs-to-the-lord.html

We Should Thank Him for His Precious Promises

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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3.

Do we remember that the mercies of the Lord are new every morning, and that His faithfulness faileth not? Do we acknowledge our dependence upon Him, and express gratitude for all His favors? On the contrary, we too often forget that “every good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.”

How often those who are in health forget the wonderful mercies that are continued to them day by day, year after year. They render no tribute of praise to God for all His benefits. But when sickness comes, God is remembered.—Testimonies for the Church 5:315.

Satan seeks to draw our minds away from the mighty Helper, to lead us to ponder over our degeneration of soul. But though Jesus sees the guilt of the past, He speaks pardon; and we should not dishonor Him by doubting His love. The feeling of guiltiness must be laid at the foot of the cross, or it will poison the springs of life. When Satan thrusts his threatenings upon you, turn from them, and comfort your soul with the promises of God. The cloud may be dark in itself, but when filled with the light of heaven, it turns to the brightness of gold; for the glory of God rests upon it.

God’s children are not to be subject to feelings and emotions. When they fluctuate between hope and fear, the heart of Christ is hurt; for He has given them unmistakable evidence of His love. He wants them to be established, strengthened, and settled in the most holy faith.—Testimonies to Ministers, 518.
With God at Dawn p. 92
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue to pray for Larry. He went to the ER again yesterday as he fell and is still in the hospital for tests. Pray that the doctors can figure out what is going on that suddenly he cannot walk and his pain is so much worse. Rose
—-Will you please keep my Mom in prayer? She has just had a biopsy done to check spots on her bowel and she is also in the onset of dementia. She will be turning 75 in May and unfortunately, she is in the world and relies heavily on the medical doctors recommendations. I have been praying constantly that her and my Dad will not take the covid vaccine and so far, by the grace of God, they haven’t. Now with this new development, I’m afraid it will just be a matter of time. She hasn’t been feeling well for quite awhile now, so please pray for her. Her name is Maureen and my Dad has not been well as he has an aneurism of the stomach that is in a place that is very dangerous to his heart. His name is John. Shannah
—-I come and ask for prayer for my son as he is being attacked he is suffering with depression and anxiety badly and his health please pray for his protection and his health. Tammy
—-Please Pray for a Miracle for Val’s Mom Mary at the hospital with COVID developing complications from previous health issues. Marietta
—-PLEASE PRAY!!
Our friend’s son was just murdered by his mother’s boyfriend!! Our friend was already dealing with a crushing, severe personal situation. Beth
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Dear Friends,

Over the past months there have been some very interesting developments in the country and throughout the world. This sinful, old world is showing signs that “the end of all things is at hand.” 1 Peter 4:7 It is totally out of control! Wars and rumours of wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, man’s inhumanity to man, all foretell that Jesus is coming again. Soon, we “shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matt 24) Praise God! All of the heartache, all of the sadness, all of the unfairness of this life, all of the pain, all of the death will be a thing of the past when our Dear Saviour comes again!

A song we used to often sing and is so applicable for today is Lift Up the Trumpet by Jessie E. Strout

*Lift up the trumpet, and loud let it ring: Jesus is coming again! Cheer up ye pilgrims, be joyful and sing; Jesus is coming again! Coming again! Coming again! Jesus is coming again!

Echo it, hilltops; proclaim it ye plains, Jesus is coming again! coming in glory, the Lamb that was slain; Jesus is coming again! Coming again! Coming again! Jesus is coming again!

Heavings of earth, tell the vast, wondering throng: Jesus is coming again! Tempests and whirlwinds, the anthem prolong; Jesus is coming again! Coming again! Coming again! Jesus is coming again!

Nations are angry— by this we do know Jesus is coming again! Knowledge increases; men run to and from; Jesus is coming again! Coming again! Coming again! Jesus is coming again!

“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” Luke 12:40; 2 Peter 3:14

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/aKnAYAP6gvE/we-should-thank-him-for-his-precious-promises.html

Emergency Prayer Requests

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—-Please pray for Patti as she is having a PET Scan tomorrow and she has had bad reactions to radiation in the past. They are looking at her lungs. Annie
—-Please pray for my dad who is in his 80’s. He has been having a lot of pain over the past three weeks and now his leg is swollen and he can’t bear weight on it. Lifealert has called an ambulance. It may be a blood clot. Pray that the doctor will find the cause and the proper treatment. Lyle

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/gCrg_cpn4t4/emergency-prayer-requests-4.html

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