Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13.
Christ gave no stinted service. He did not measure His work by hours. His time, His heart, His soul and strength, were given to labor for the benefit of humanity. Through weary days He toiled, and through long nights He bent in prayer for grace and endurance that He might do a larger work. With strong crying and tears He sent His petitions to heaven, that His human nature might be strengthened, that He might be braced to meet the wily foe in all his deceptive workings, and fortified to fulfil His mission of uplifting humanity…. “The love of Christ,” said Paul, “constraineth us.” This was the actuating principle of his conduct; it was his motive power. If ever his ardor in the path of duty flagged for a moment, one glance at the cross caused him to gird up anew the loins of his mind and press forward in the way of self-denial. In his labors for his brethren he relied much upon the manifestation of infinite love in the sacrifice of Christ, with its subduing, constraining power….
In the life of Christ, everything was made subordinate to His work, the great work of redemption which He came to accomplish. And the same devotion, the same self-denial and sacrifice, the same subjection to the claims of the Word of God, is to be manifest in His disciples. Every one who accepts Christ as his personal Saviour will long for the privilege of serving God. Contemplating what heaven has done for him, his heart is moved with boundless love and adoring gratitude.—The Ministry of Healing, 500-502.
The infinite love of God has been manifested in the gift of His only begotten Son to redeem a lost race.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 469.
With God at Dawn p. 41
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Annie who is recovering from back surgery. Rose
—-Please there is an awful situation going on with two of my sons and their families. Urgently needing prayer for them all right now. Connie
—-Please pray for me, I’m going for my commercial pilot’s license and I’m at the final test at my school, which afterwards I can take the FAA exam and get my license. Matt
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Dear Friends,
Two weeks after my seventh birthday, my mother took me to Wisconsin Dells for a vacation. It was not as commercialized as it is now, but there were still many things to see and do. We had a wonderful time. My favorite activity was the boat tours where we could see the beautiful rock formations on the cliffs along the river. Occasionally the boat pulled up to a dock and everyone got out and followed our guide through some cool, damp, narrow canyon.
We visited many gift shops and brought back lots of souvenirs. (Most were lost or ruined within a short time, but one souvenir I had until we lost everything when our house burned down in 1979) As we were walking along the street so long ago, we saw something about twice the size of a telephone booth. A sign on the outside of the booth read, “Record your own record.” We went inside. There was recording equipment as well as a little slot to put the money into that would start the machine. My mother whispered what I should say, and in a childish voice I repeated every word.
My mother mailed that little record to my grandparents, who listened to it for awhile, and then gave it to my mother. She kept it until I was a teenager. Then she gave it to me. That record was very special to me. It brought back memories of the wonderful time I had had. Throughout the years, I would sometimes listen to that little record until I nearly had it memorized. I loved to hear that seven year old voice even though I couldn’t say my “r’s” right and it sounded really funny. All I can remember now is, “Hello, Gwandpa and Gwandma. I had a nice west last night and a Daiwy Queen.” The equipment had also recorded my mother’s whispered voice, as she was giving me the words to say. That always brought a smile to my face. Eileen was the only one of my children who got to listen to that little record. It amazed her that I had ever sounded like that.
Our Great and Loving Creator gave us a record, a record that we would do well to read daily. We do not have to be in darkness, for He has given us Great Light. From Genesis to Revelation, His voice is recorded, that we may know the Way to Life Eternal. Without it we would fall off into the dark and wicked world. God’s Holy Word is a record of the lives of many of God’s followers throughout the time span of more than four-thousand years. It was written over a period of more than 1500 years by over forty men. Throughout the centuries, beginning at Moses and ending with John, the Scriptures were written similarly to that little record my mother and I recorded in 1952. Peter explains, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:20,21 Paul adds, “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.” 1 Tim 3:16, 17
As we read the stories of God’s dealings with the patriarchs and prophets who lived so long ago, we can recognize His dealings with us. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Cor 10:11 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4 Through meditating upon their lives, we can follow their example in the good things and avoid making the same mistakes that they did.
David reminds us, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.” “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 119:105,130,11; 19:7-11
May we take God’s Holy Word as our only rule of faith and practice. May we “study to show [ourself] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we daily study the Scriptures with a heart that is receptive to His Spirit, that the same Holy Spirit that moved upon man to write it in the long ago may fill us with light to the Glory of God. (Matt 5:14-16)
Rose

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:23.
Jesus teaches us to call His Father our Father. He is not ashamed to call us brethren. So ready, so eager is the Saviour’s heart to welcome us as members of the family of God, that in the very first words we are to use in approaching God, He places the assurance of our divine relationship,—“Our Father.” Here is the announcement of that wonderful truth, so full of encouragement and comfort, that God loves us as He loves His Son….
The world that Satan has claimed and has ruled over with cruel tyranny, the Son of God has, by one vast achievement, encircled in His love, and connected again with the throne of Jehovah. Cherubim and seraphim, and the unnumbered hosts of all the unfallen worlds, sang anthems of praise to God and the Lamb when this triumph was assured. They rejoiced that the way of salvation had been opened to the fallen race, and that the earth would be redeemed from the curse of sin. How much more should those rejoice who are the objects of such amazing love! …
The very first step in approaching God is to know and believe the love that He has to us; for it is through the drawing of His love that we are led to come to Him.
The perception of God’s love works the renunciation of selfishness. In calling God our Father, we recognize all His children as our brethren. We are all a part of the great web of humanity, all members of one family. In our petitions we are to include our neighbors as well as ourselves. No one prays aright who seeks a blessing for himself alone.—Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 105.
With God at Dawn p. 37
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Prayer Requests
—-Please urgently needing prayer for my little granddaughter. Connie
—-I am a married mother of 3 boys ages 16, almost 12, and 4 years old. I am scheduled for a mammogram and breast ultrasound to check for breast cancer on February 11. I have lumps and I am afraid. Stephanie
—-Pray for my friend Loretta and her Family and particularly those extended family members who are in Hospital right now. Marietta
—-update—Jimmy is out of the hospital but still needs prayers for healing. Vanessa
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Dear Friends,
Ronnie Jay has always loved animals and animals seem to love and trust him. As I was looking at a picture of a dog lying securely is his arms at a party we went to some years ago, I began to think about how nice it would be to feel that safe and secure no matter what I was doing, no matter where I was going. Suddenly, I realized that Jesus provides just such a shelter from the raging storms in life. With Loving Arms outstretched, He bids us, “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 11:28-30
Think of it! Our Dear Saviour, the One Who left all the glories of Heaven to come to this world to rescue us, longs to shelter and protect us in His Loving Arms. We can trust in His leading. We can trust in His care. God’s loving watch care is illustrated so vividly in many of the Psalms. Ronnie Jay’s favorite psalm to read just before going on a trip is Psalm 91. It is a psalm full of promises and conditions for protection. Since we all need God’s protection and security nowadays, I thought I would share it with you. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”
Praise God! No matter what the circumstances, no matter what the danger, no matter what the onslaughts the devil throws our way, we can have the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding” abiding in our hearts. Phil 4:7 May we pray as did David, “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings.” Ps 61:1-4 Amen!
Rose

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 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.” John 15:9, 10.
Christ came to reveal God to the world as a God of love, full of mercy, tenderness, and compassion. The thick darkness with which Satan had endeavored to enshroud the throne of Deity was swept away by the world’s Redeemer, and the Father was again manifest to men as the light of life.
When Philip came to Jesus with the request, “Show us the Father, and it sufficeth us,” the Saviour answered him, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” Christ declares Himself to be sent into the world as a representative of the Father. In His nobility of character, in His mercy and tender pity, in His love and goodness, He stands before us as the embodiment of divine perfection, the image of the invisible God.
Says the apostle, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.” Only as we contemplate the great plan of redemption can we have a just appreciation of the character of God. The work of creation was a manifestation of His love: but the gift of God to save the guilty and ruined race, alone reveals the infinite depths of divine tenderness and compassion…. What love, what matchless love, that, sinners and aliens as we are, we may be brought back to God, and adopted into His family! We may address Him by the endearing name, “Our Father,” which is a sign of our affection for Him, and a pledge of His tender regard and relationship to us. And the Son of God, beholding the heirs of grace, “is not ashamed to call them brethren.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:738-740.
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Prayer Requests
—-I had to take Jimmy, my husband, to the hospital last night and they kept him. Please pray. Vanessa
—-Please pray for rami a friend of mine,…..he has organ problems and might undergo surgery because he made poor health choices in the past, and makes it seem as if he might die. Isaac
—-Please pray for my 79 yo mother, she is in a lot of pain. She fell and her back is very swollen. It hurts her to sit and walk. The Ortho Dr. can’t see on the x-ray if anything is broken because she is so swollen. She was already very depressed and lonely and this had made her feel even more discouraged. Janelle
—-Please add me to your prayers. My brother passed away suddenly. I found out on a Facebook post. I hadn’t talked to him in awhile and don’t know if he was right with God. His lifestyle was not good. Jill
—-Please pray that I can stop smoking. Cora
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Dear Friends,
The nice thing about Kansas is the fact that winter temperatures are usually in the forties or fifties during the day and in the twenties or thirties at night. Next week, however, the temperatures are supposed to dip down into the twenties in the daytime and in the teens at night. It makes we so thankful to live in a house instead of a trailer. Most of our married life, we lived in a trailer and it seemed like we were constantly battling frozen pipes when the temperature got below twenty. During those nights, we would leave the water dripping to prevent having frozen pipes. Although it made our water bill higher, it was worth it just to have the water was still flowing freely in the morning despite the frigid temperatures outside.
One time, some years ago, when an extra cold night was forecast, we each thought the other had left a faucet dripping. We each went to bed sure that all was well, but the next morning, I discovered that the water pipes had frozen. They stayed frozen until the middle of the day when the temperatures rose above freezing. Thankfully, no pipes burst.
How much like those water pipes we are. If we allow our Great Creator’s blessings to flow though us, all is well; but if we keep them to ourselves, we become frozen and rigid and on the verge of bursting. Jesus speaks of this flowing, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37,38 Our Dear Saviour longs to use us to bring His love, His truth, His blessings to those around us. He commands, “freely ye have received, freely give.” Matt 10:8
Yet, how often we are in danger of becoming useless like those frozen pipes, because we hoard God’s gifts for ourselves with scarcely a thought for the perishing souls all around. To help us remember this principle, Jesus illustrated it two other ways. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Mat 5:13-16
Think of it! He has commissioned us to be His ambassadors to a perishing world! “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.” Isa 43:10-12 What a privilege! The Great King of the Universe desires that we shall represent His character to a dying world. He, Who left all the glories of Heaven that we might live, promises to work through us to save those suffering in darkness. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
May we daily allow ourselves to be a channel through which the Water of Life may flow. May we reflect His character as the moon reflects the light of the sun sharing the blessings that He has showered upon us, that those around us may accept the Good News of Salvation is my prayer.
Rose

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16.
All the paternal love which has come down from generation to generation through the channel of human hearts, all the springs of tenderness which have opened in the souls of men, are but as a tiny rill to the boundless ocean, when compared with the infinite, exhaustless love of God. Tongue cannot utter it; pen cannot portray it. You may meditate upon it every day of your life; you may search the Scriptures diligently in order to understand it; you may summon every power and capability that God has given you, in the endeavor to comprehend the love and compassion of the heavenly Father; and yet there is an infinity beyond. You may study that love for ages; yet you can never fully comprehend the length and the breadth, the depth and the height, of the love of God in giving His Son to die for the world. Eternity itself can never fully reveal it. Yet as we study the Bible, and meditate upon the life of Christ and the plan of redemption, these great themes will open to our understanding more and more….
It is Satan’s constant study to keep the minds of men occupied with those things which will prevent them from obtaining the knowledge of God…. The Son of the Highest has strength to fight the battle for us; and through “Him that loved us,” we may come off “more than conquerors.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:740.
With God at Dawn p. 34
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Tony who has blood clots in his lungs and leg. Pray also for Amber as she is not able to be at the hospital with him due to covid rules. Rose
—-Was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease. Please pray for healing. Patricia
—-Please pray for healing for David’s mind and that he will be converted. Buck
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Dear Friends,
When Esther was six, we had moved from Utah to Washington. We had travelled through an area that was having an epidemic of meningitis and somehow Esther contracted the disease. She eventually recovered from the illness and seemed to suffer no ill effects. I was so very thankful as meningitis can have some very serious consequences. How happy she was when she and Ronnie Jay could play in the fields behind the house that we had rented. There were lots of tall weeds in that field and they pretended they were in a jungle. Although they loved to play there, Esther kept getting prickers from those weeds in her eyes. Over and over, I admonished her that she needed to close her eyes when she saw the weeds coming close to her eyes. At the time we did not realize that the meningitis had left her very far-sighted, so she couldn’t see the weeds when they got close to her eyes.
Many times I had to remove those tiny specks from her eyes while reminding her to close her eyes when she saw a weed coming too near. Removing them was no easy task. They were very hard to see as they were a very pale tan and when they were wet from her tears, they became almost invisible. One particular time I could not get one of those nearly microscopic prickers out. It had stuck into her eyeball. I immediately took my crying child to the emergency room. By using a strong magnifying glass, the doctor was able to find and remove the offending object. Then he prescribed some ointment to put into Esther’s eye.
How she hated that ointment! She was only six at the time and did not fully understand why she needed it. All she knew was that it stung and she couldn’t seem to understand why I was insisting that she have it. She would run away from me and hide whenever it was time to put it into her eye. It was quite a challenge to find her. She was very good at hiding. She could curl up into a tiny ball in some out-of-sight place, hold very still, and be very quiet becoming almost as invisible as those prickers had been. Hiding did her no good, however. Eventually I would find her and put the medicine in despite her protests.
Just as that eyesalve was necessary for Esther’s recovery, so our Great Physician counsels us to receive Heavenly eyesalve from Him. He pleads, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Rev 3:18 The eyesalve that He offers sometimes hurts and stings as we see our true condition—“wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” but it is so needful. Rev 3:17 It gives us the discernment we need in order to detect the snares of the evil one. It helps us to see and avoid the weeds he puts in our path.
How much we need the Heavenly eyesalve to see the true path. The devil uses many ways to counterfeit the genuine. He has his agents to lead people into the wrong paths. Our Dear Saviour warns us, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matt 7:15 He explained that in the last days there would be many deceivers, many deceptions. “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” 24:24 How much we need the spiritual eyesalve that the True Witness offers, that we might not be taken in by one of these deceivers.
It is of the utmost importance to be able to discern truth from error. Our whole future depends upon it. Jesus gives us the key. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God” John 7:17 Just before going to the cross, Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them through Thy truth. Thy Word is truth.” 17:17 Think of it! The same Holy Spirit Who inspired men of God to write the Scriptures, will give us the spiritual discernment that we so much need. (2 Peter 1:21) He is the Heavenly Eyesalve! He is our Comforter and Guide! Jesus says of Him, “He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. . . . I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” John 16:7-15
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.” “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” Ps 119:9-11, 104 “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 Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the Word of God gives us what we need to see clearly the way in which we should go. Praise His Holy Name!
May we daily ask the Faithful and True Witness for the eyesalve that He so freely offers. (Rev 3:14-21) May we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us completely with His light that we may discern truth from error. May we daily read and obey His Holy Word, that we may stand true to Him in these last days is my prayer.
Rose

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Titus 1:9.
The Lord has often made manifest in His providence that nothing less than revealed truth, the Word of God, can reclaim man from sin or keep him from transgression. That Word which reveals the guilt of sin, has a power upon the human heart to make man right and keep him so. The Lord has said that His Word is to be studied and obeyed; it is to be brought into the practical life; that Word is as inflexible as the character of God,—the same yesterday, today, and forever.—Testimonies to Ministers, 80, 81.
But however much one may advance in spiritual life, he will never come to a point where he will not need diligently to search the Scriptures; for therein are found the evidences of our faith. All points of doctrine, even though they have been accepted as truth, should be brought to the law and to the testimony; if they cannot stand this test, “there is no light in them.”
The great plan of redemption, as revealed in the closing work for these last days, should receive close examination. The scenes connected with the sanctuary above should make such an impression upon the minds and hearts of all that they may be able to impress others. All need to become more intelligent in regard to the work of the atonement, which is going on in the sanctuary above…. By study, contemplation, and prayer, God’s people will be elevated above common, earthly thoughts and feelings, and will be brought into harmony with Christ and His great work of cleansing the sanctuary above from the sins of the people.—Testimonies for the Church 5:575.
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Prayer Requests
—-update—Annie’s surgery went well. Please pray for a good recovery. Rose
—-My daughter linda need miracle from God .she had a 5 way heart by pass. and now paralyzed cant dress. walk. sit up turn over. shes drugged. she was strong and now weak. Need her whole and strong and walking again. please need her home. Cleo
—-David needs your continual prayers. Buck
—-Pray for me — Sudden hearing loss– Difficulty understanding what folks are saying! Ann
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Dear Friends,
During the depression of the thirties, nearly everyone suffered. It was a struggle just to survive. Men left their families to wander the country looking for work. Most of them became beggars, knocking on doors till they found some kindhearted soul who would give them a little food. Although my grandparents did not have much, they felt blessed that my grandfather still had a job. My grandmother never turned away someone who came begging at her door.
One day a different kind of beggar came asking for food. Hearing something at the door, my grandmother opened it to find a pitiful looking dog. He was very skinny and weak. She felt very sorry for him and gave him the bone that she was planning on using for soup. He wagged his tail, took the bone in his mouth and weakly walked away. My grandmother saw him lay this bone at his mate’s feet. She began eagerly to gnaw it while he stood guard. What an example of love, devotion, and sacrifice!
Just as that poor, starving dog gave up the sustenance that he needed because he loved his mate unselfishly, so our Dear Saviour gave His all for us. Think of it! The King of Glory left Heaven where He was worshipped and adored by the myriads of angels and all the beings on worlds unfallen to come to this dark and sinful world to suffer all of the hatred that the devil and evil men could heap upon Him. How great is His love for us! It is beyond comprehension!
Just as our Great Redeemer gave up everything for us, so He bids us give up everything for Him. “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” Matt 10:37-39 Paul admonishes us, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil 2:5-8
Jesus illustrated this fact by giving two parables recorded in Matthew 13:44 He said, “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.” Perhaps the man did not realize that he would have to sell everything in order to buy that field, but it soon became apparent. His whole focus in life was to buy that field, because when he did, his whole life would change. He would have great riches, servants, and a life of ease. That thought kept him focused on his goal even when family and friends thought he had “gone off the deep end”. To his great joy, he succeeded in obtaining that which he longed for.
For emphasis, Jesus gave an almost identical parable. “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.” vs. 45,46 Again the moral of the story was our need to give up everything to obtain the Pearl of Great Price no matter what the cost.
Our Great Redeemer sets before us a reward that is far better than any earthly treasure. We can have eternal life! This mortal can be given the gift of immortality! We can see God face to face! We can reign with Him! We can have close fellowship with the Creator of the Universe throughout eternity! There is no greater happiness than that!
Just as it cost the men in these parables everything they possessed, so it will cost us all. We must give up our self-centeredness. We must give up our selfish desires. We must give up our own agenda knowing that He never asks us to give up what is good for us. How important it is for us to keep our eyes on Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith.” Our sweetest thoughts must be of Him. Our whole focus in life must be to please Him: not for the reward, but because of our gratitude and love to Him for His great sacrifice for us. “Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:5, 6
May we daily surrender ourselves and all that we possess to the One Who loves us so. May we serve Him with all of our mind, all of our strength, all of our whole being because He first loved us. (1 john 4:19) May we “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:1, 2
Rose