But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. Ephesians 2:4, 5
The heart surrendered to God’s wise discipline will trust every working out of His providence…. Temptation will come to discourage, but what is gained by yielding to any such temptations? Is the soul made any better by murmuring and complaining of its only source of strength? Is the anchor cast within the vail? Will it hold in sickness? Will it be the testimony borne in the last closing scenes of life when the lips are becoming palsied with death? The anchor holds! I know that my Redeemer liveth….
O Precious, loving, long-suffering, long-forbearing Jesus, how my soul adores Thee! That a poor, unworthy, sin-polluted soul can stand before the Holy God, complete in the righteousness of our Substitute and Surety! Wonder, O Heavens, and be astonished, O earth, that fallen man is the object of His infinite love and delight. He rejoices over them with celestial songs, and man defiled with sin, having become cleansed through the righteousness of Christ, is presented to the Father free from every spot and stain of sin, “not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing” (Ephesians 5:27). “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth” (Romans 8:33).
Let every weak, tempest-tossed soul find anchorage in Jesus Christ and not become so self-centered that he can think only of his little disappointments and the interruption of his plans and hopes. Is not the subject of the plan of salvation all-absorbing? If the infinite God justifies me, “who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died” (verse 34). He has in His dying for man revealed how much He loves man—enough to die for Him! The law condemns the sinner and drives him to Christ. It is God that justifies and pardons.
Satan will accuse and seek permission to destroy, but it is God that opens the door of refuge. It is God that justifieth him that entereth that door. Then if God be for us, who can be against us? Oh, the bright glorious truth. Why do not men discern it? Why not walk in its bright beams? Why do not all who believe talk of Christ’s matchless love? …
God lives and reigns. All who are saved must fight manfully as soldiers of Jesus Christ; then they will be registered in heaven’s books as true and faithful. They are to work the works of Jesus Christ, fight the good fight of faith.—Letter 2, December 29, 1889, to W. C. White’s first wife, Mary White, who was dying of tuberculosis.
The Upward Look p. 377
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Prayer Requests
—-Tomorrow Brian’s family are going back home. Please pray for safe travels and blessings. Rose
—-Please pray for us. Buck
—-Please pray for Mr Royston’s mother. She is critically ill right now and not expected to pull through. But we know only god can heal her. May she be healed and reunited with her family again soon. Samantha
—-Please pray for my husband Anthony who is now feeling sick I was tested positive for covid-19 the 22. God is merciful to allow me to heal to take care of him. Misty
—-Please keep praying for Paulette. ( struggling with cancer now after effects of Covid). Still on ventilator. Pray specifically for her kidneys to work better! Ann
—-Esther has a doctor’s appointment to see how her broken shoulder is healing. Please pray that all is well. Also, Eileen fell down the stairs today. Please pray that she is not hurt, only jarred. Rose
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Dear Friends,
One day, as I was riding along in the car, I suddenly breathed in a lozenge that was soothing my sore throat at the moment. It lodged in my throat, so that I could not get even the tiniest breath. All that lovely air surrounding me, but I couldn’t breathe a bit of it. Ron didn’t notice my plight as he was busy driving. Suddenly, it came to me what I should do. I gave a quick sharp push on my diaphragm and out the lozenge popped. Finally I could get air into my lungs. It took several minutes before I felt like I could breathe normally again. How thankful I was that I had reacted quickly.
Just as that small lozenge blocked my ability to breathe, so a tiny cherished sin can block our spiritual “breathing.” “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isa 59:1,2 Just as that cough drop separated me from the surrounding air, so “a little leaven (of sin) leaveneth the whole lump” eventually shutting off even our desires Heavenward. Gal 5:9
How often what starts out as a little sin that did not seem to worthy of our notice, in time becomes our master. We find ourselves near death, trapped, drowning in our sin. “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isa 64:6 “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” Ps 38:4
Praise God, we have a Saviour Who does not leave us in this condition! He will come swiftly to our aid. He gives us the desire to be freed from our pitiable condition. He is the One Who is mighty to save. (Isa 63:1) “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies” Ps 103:2-4 “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. Isa 53:4,5 What a Wonderful Saviour! What a compassionate Friend!
May we look ever to Him for the help that we need to be rid of those chains of sin that bind us. May we serve Him with all our heart and soul and mind and strength. May we joyfully “offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” for His Great Deliverance is my prayer.
Rose

And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Malachi 3:17.
Christians are Christ’s jewels, bought with an infinite price. They are to shine brightly for Him, shedding forth the light of His loveliness. And ever they are to remember that all the luster that Christian character possesses is received from the Sun of Righteousness.
The luster of Christ’s jewels depends on the polishing that they receive. God does not compel us to be polished. We are left free to choose to be polished or to remain unpolished. But everyone who is pronounced worthy of a place in the Lord’s temple must submit to the polishing process. He must consent to have the sharp edges cut away from his character, that it may be shapely and beautiful, fitted to represent the perfection of Christ’s character….
The divine Worker spends little time on worthless material. Only the precious jewels does He polish after the similitude of a palace. With hammer and chisel He cuts away the rough edges, preparing us for a place in God’s temple. The process is severe and trying. It hurts human pride. Christ cuts deep into the experience that man in his self-sufficiency regarded as complete, and takes away self-uplifting from the character. He cuts away the surplus surface, and putting the stone to the polishing wheel, presses it close, that all roughness may be worn off. Then holding the jewel up to the light the Master sees in it a reflection of His own image, and it is pronounced worthy of a place in His temple.
Blessed be the experience, however severe, that gives new value to the stone, enabling it to shine with living brightness! …
[The Lord] has workers whom He will call forth from poverty and obscurity. Engaged in the common duties of life, and clothed with coarse raiment, they are looked upon by men as of little value. But Christ sees in them infinite possibilities, and in His hands they will become precious jewels, to shine brightly in the kingdom of God. “They shall be mine, saith the Lord of Host, in that day when I make up my jewels.” (Malachi 3:17).
Christ’s perfect knowledge of human character fits Him to deal with minds. God knows just how to treat each soul. He judges not as man judges. He knows the real value of the material upon which He is working in fitting men and women for positions of trust.—Manuscript 168, December 24, 1902, “The Sin of Evil-speaking.”
The Upward Look p. 371
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Ken and Jamie and family as they travel here this weekend. Rose
—-I’m desperately asking for prayers for my sister Hazel, she has thyroid cancer. Angie
—-I Am asking for Prayer.I am having a very Rough Recovery from Colon Resection Surgery W/ a Colostomy for one, & I have an open Wound next to it where I have to do Wound Care… I am Really Super Nervous about getting Infection’ Cheryl
—-Will you please pray for my grandson Landyn? He tested positive for covid, he’s 8 years old. Gina
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Dear Friends,
Today, we watched a Christmas program on SUM.tv. No doubt we will be listening to more Christmas music.Singing or listening to Christmas carols seem so special because they are sung only at this time of year. Although we know that December 25 is not the actual birthday of Jesus, the most important fact is that He was born. On that eventful day, God the Father, the Great King of the Universe proclaimed of His Son, this tiny Babe Who was lying in a roughly hewn feed trough, “let all the angels of God worship him.” Heb 1:6 “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
When the time was right, “the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” Surprised at this announcement, Mary wondered what the angel meant. “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS” “for he shall save his people from their sins.” Luke 1:27-31; Matt 1:21 Matthew tells us “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” vs 22,23 (Isa 7:14)
I’d like to share the words of my favorite Christmas carol with you, as it is so full of meaning. *O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel,That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, Who orderest all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, O come, great Lord of might, Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height In ancient times once gave the law In cloud and majesty and awe. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree, An ensign of Thy people be; Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind; Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
May we, during this holiday season, keep our focus upon our Dear Saviour Who left all the glories of Heaven, became a helpless babe born into a poor family, suffered all the hatred that the evil one could heap upon Him, and gave His Own Life to redeem us from all sin; that we might dwell with Him forevermore. May we ever make “melody in [our] heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” “for His unspeakable Gift.” Eph 5:19,20; 2 Cor 9:15 May “Christ dwell in [our] hearts by faith; that [we], being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Eph 3:17-21
Rose

Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22.
Let all be educated to search the Scriptures, to be constantly looking unto Jesus, and not to human agents, to be their guide. The Word of God is to be the man of our counsel. That Word is infinite. Obeyed, it will guide us into safe and sure paths. But the Word diluted with human devices and imaginings is not a safe guide….
Take the Word of God individually. We may meet Satan with the weapon, “It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10). The Bible is the great mine of truth, which we are to work as those seeking for hidden treasure. In no case is the attention to be diverted from that Word….
In this time above all others, every soul needs to have the eyes anointed with eyesalve, that he may see. God gives no one a mission that will cheapen and lower His work for these last days. He calls upon us to bring it up, to elevate, ennoble, honor, and advance His truth, revealing His wisdom as supreme. Talk Bible truth, and bring from the treasure house things new and old. Talk the principles of our faith firmly and constantly, giving a Thus saith the Scriptures.
Living the truth, practicing the lessons of Christ, always refines, ennobles, and sanctifies the soul. My burden is to uplift men and women by uplifting Jesus before them. When God is recognized as the theme of all thoughts, as the object of love, reverence, and worship; when the Lord Jesus, the Pattern, is kept before the mind, the heart is being cleansed from all moral defilement. Then the soul becomes an accurate judge of propriety of action; every attitude is touched with grace.
The sense of personal accountability to a personal, all-seeing God places every human agent on elevated ground; and there will be deep thinking and genuine self-denial on every point, because God is working on the hearts of the children of His love, who are His heritage.
The love of God ever tends to the fear of God—fear to offend Him. Those who are truly converted will not venture heedlessly upon the borders of any evil, lest they grieve the Spirit of God and are left to their own way, to be filled with their own doings. The Word of God is the Guidebook; turn not from its pages to depend upon the human agent. That Book contains the warnings, the admonitions, from God, the rebuke of every evil, the clear definition of sin as the transgression of the law which is God’s great standard of virtue and holiness…. Not one who will study the Word of God and apply its teachings will miss the way.—Letter 4, December 23, 1893, to “Dear Brethren and Sisters.”
The Upward Look p. 370
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Prayer Requests
—-My family is under attack. Please pray for the enemy to be unsuccessful and for God’s protection and guidance to be upon us. Jenny
—-Asking prayers for my mother. She got suddenly mild stroke. Sky
—-Please pray for David and his family. Pray that God will change his wrong thinking to right thinking. Buck
—-My 14 years old is in need of your prayers. Pauline
—-Pray for my niece Raquel who has breast cancer. Barbara
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Dear Friends,
Every evening when I was a child, I would sit on my grandfather’s daybed and listen to the stories of his youthful adventures. He would tell of the many times that he would wade out into a stream and sleep on large, flat rocks that stuck out above the surface of the water. There were still vast areas of woods and wild animals that roamed the Pennsylvanian countryside in those far-off days, so by sleeping in the middle of a river, he could keep away from the mountain lions that prowled about. I had always lived in Michigan, so some of the things my grandfather described were difficult for me to visualize. I had never seen rocks large enough or flat enough to sleep on.
Because my grandfather was an artist, he paid close attention to detail and was able to describe the scenes of his stories so well, I felt as if I were there. One of these places was a valley between two mountains. Trains stopped for water there and huge, flat rocks sat in the river that ran along side of the tracks. As I listened to the story about this place, I could visualize it, but still it seemed so unreal to a girl who had never seen such things.
Eventually, I grew up, got married, and had a child. The story of the sleeping rocks was crowded into a corner of my mind. In the process of time, we moved to Pennsylvania. Some of Grandfather’s stories began to come to my mind as we explored our new area. After having lived in a crowded city for a few months, we moved to Tank, a tiny community of five houses. As we were visiting with our neighbors, one day, we commented on the strange name of our new home. They explained that it was named Tank because trains used to stop at a water tank to fill their reservoir with water in order to make the steam that was needed to continue along its way.
As we took a walk one day, we saw the remains of that old, crumbling water tank alongside an old abandoned railroad track. The track ran alongside a river through this narrow valley in the Nescopeck mountains. As we stood on the bridge looking down into that river, I suddenly noticed the large, flat rocks sticking out above the surface of the water. They were, indeed, large enough and flat enough to sleep on with enough room that one would not have to worry about falling off. With delight I realized that I was looking upon the very rocks that my grandfather had slept on so long ago. I wanted to stay there forever to feel close to the only person who took time for me when I was a little girl.
Although nearly a century had passed, those rocks had not changed. Although the waters of time were flowing by, they had remained. So it is with our Dear Saviour. He reminds us, “I am the LORD, I change not.” Mal 3:6 Truly He is the Rock of Ages. He is the Eternal, Enduring One, “the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.” Deut 32:4
Jesus declared, “Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:47-49 How He longs for us to build our life on the Rock, that the storms of life that are crashing all around us will not destroy us for our lives are founded upon His Life.
*The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide, A Shelter in the time of storm; Secure whatever ill betide,
A Shelter in the time of storm. A shade by day, defense by night, A Shelter in the time of storm; No fears alarm, no foes afright, A Shelter in the time of storm.
The raging storms may round us beat, A Shelter in the time of storm We’ll never leave our safe retreat,
A Shelter in the time of storm. O Rock divine, O Refuge dear, A Shelter in the time of storm; Be Thou our Helper ever near, A Shelter in the time of storm.
May we declare as did David, “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.” Ps 62:5-8 May we find the comfort and shelter in the Rock, Christ Jesus that we so much need today.
Rose

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.
We have a wise, loving heavenly Father, who hears the prayers of His children. But He does not always give them what they desire. He withholds that which He sees would not be for their good. But He bestows on them all that they need. He gives them that which is necessary for growth in grace. When we pray, we should say, “Lord, if what I ask for is for my good, give it to me; but if it is not, withhold it, but give me Thy blessings.” The Lord hears our petitions; He understands our situation, and He will supply the very thing we need. He will strengthen our faith and increase our spirituality. The Lord is good and merciful, perfect in understanding and infinite in wisdom.
There are those who pray for temporal blessings which they think will bring them worldly prosperity. God sees that such blessings would spoil their spiritual life. He gives them an understanding mind, showing them that it is not best for them to have riches, and that they must be satisfied with His grace and peace and love.
God, who knows the end from the beginning, jealously guards the welfare of His children. In answering their prayers, He will give them that which will be continually fitting them to be partakers of the divine nature, and to overcome the corruption that is in the world through lust. We must submit our will to God’s will. We must have confidence in His love, His wisdom, His faithfulness, His keeping power.
The Lord has instructed me that the time has come when there should be unity in the ranks of His people. If there are those who have not faith in the messages that have come to us from God by His Word and by the testimonies of His Spirit, they need to know for themselves what is the faith once delivered unto the saints. The representations made show that there are some who have lost their bearing….
Christ’s ministry is to be the ministry of His followers. To branch off into spiritualistic ideas is to depart from the faith, giving heed to doctrines of deception.
The messages that God has given through His servant John are now to be proclaimed as of special importance. This is our work—to revive the sacred truths that called us out from the world and made us what we are. We are not to yield up one feature of the faith, but are to hold our confidence firm unto the end. We are to give no place to doctrines that are not in harmony with the truth for this time.—Letter 270, December 21, 1903, to Edson White.
The Upward Look p. 369
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Prayer Requests
—-Praise—Esther had her baby on the 17th! Labor and delivery went well. Praise the Lord! Rose
—-My niece has Covid 19 and she is NOT getting better in spite of all the medicines she has been given by her Doctor. She is only 32 and she really needs prayer to get better. She is a sweet Christian young lady and we don’t want to lose her. Her name is Jennica. Also my sister was getting better from having Covid but now she said her symptoms are coming back so it seems that she is having a relapse. Please also pray for her I don’t want to lose my sister… Connie
—-Please pray for my friend Darlene. Darlene fell broke right side of hip. Two years ago she broke left side. Arlene
—-Please pray for Paulette who has been ill with cancer now fighting Covid placing her now in ICU for breathing difficulties and going to put her on ventilator! She is very distressed! Ann
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Dear Friends,
Ron used to read airplane magazines and sometimes would share with me stories that he thought would interest me. One day he was telling about an article he had read. It was written by a certain man about his experience as a co-pilot for a large jet airplane. This man flew with a very particular pilot, who was a stickler for flying “by the numbers.” The pilot insisted that they fly exactly as the manual said they should. The co-pilot was not as exact and just could not understand why a slight deviation in their instruments readings wasn’t good enough. No matter how many times the pilot explained the necessity of being exact, the younger man felt that he was just too ridged, too exacting.
One day, a terrible blizzard hit Europe. This was no ordinary blizzard. It was so bad that one could not see even inches from their face. It shut down everything—even airports. The pilot and co-pilot had nowhere to land. Their fuel was getting low after their transatlantic flight. It was critical that they find an airport as soon as possible. They contacted one airport after another, but no one would allow them to land. The co-pilot was getting worried.
Finally, the pilot flew toward Paris. When he was within range, he again contacted the control tower. The man in the tower told him that their was no way that he could land as visibility was zero all the way to the ground. The pilot explained that either they landed there or they were going to crash. He was given permission. The man in the control tower assured him that he would shine all lights as brightly as they could shine in hopes that they could see something besides the curtain of white that had descended over the Continent.
The pilot barked his orders to the co-pilot. Every instrument reading must be exact. The rate and angle of descent must be perfect. Anything less would mean instant death and destruction. Although they could see nothing, they began descending. The co-pilot’s increasing fear threatened to engulf him, but as he looked at the pilot, he saw peace written on his face. That pilot was doing as he always did—flying “by the numbers.”
The landing was so perfect, that only the instruments told them that they were on the ground. As they rolled to a stop, they assured the man in the control tower that they had arrived safely. The man in the control tower could not see the plane, but sent out someone in a jeep to see if they could find the plane and direct it to the terminal. The blizzard was so bad that the person in the jeep could not see the plane even though it had all its lights on. Suddenly, the jeep crashed into something. It was one of the tires of the plane!
From that moment, the co-pilot understood why he should always fly “by the numbers.” The settings in the manual were there for a reason. They were there for his protection and well-being. From then on, he determined to fly as his pilot did obeying all settings exactly. He finally understood that his life could someday again depend upon it.
Just so, our Heavenly Pilot has given us a manual for our journey. It is full of the information that we need to stay on the right path to His Heavenly Kingdom. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” Indeed, the entire Universe is governed by the Word of God. “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations. Angels, that excel in strength, do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.” Ps 119:105, 160, 89, 90; 103:20
Our Heavenly Pilot greatly desires that we “fly by the numbers” that He has set forth in His Manual, the Bible. These Ten Commandments are written for our good, for our safety. They encompass all situations, whether our life is going smoothly, or whether we are experiencing the severest “blizzard.” The Great King of the Universe took the time to personally speak His laws. He said, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.” Ex 20:3-17
Let us study the Great Manual that our Heavenly Pilot has given us. Let us stick strictly to its precepts so that in time of storm, we may have a safe “landing.” Let us pray as did the psalmist, “My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live.” Ps 119:81, 68, 66, 116
Rose

I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Acts 26:9.
Many place themselves where it is difficult to maintain integrity and preserve purity. God gives to them the warning to flee out of Sodom. But they cling to their own ideas and think that they know best, and the work that they could do out of the cities, they do, for the sake of convenience, in the cities. They gather round them workers who ought to be out of the cities. Some of these workers may be unbelievers, but they might be converted if the religious interests were made first.
The Lord calls for those in positions of trust in His cause to make centers for their work out of the cities, that they may call round them believers and unbelievers, and then make every provision to give them religious advantages.
Christians will be tested and tried. But if they are sincerely trying to serve God, strength will be given them for every conflict. They are not to listen to the false reports that come to their ears, but are to go straight forward in the path of duty. They are to learn to think for themselves, and their actions are ever to be in accordance with the Word of God.
Do not go out of your way to call your enemy to account. His words of censure and malice are like sparks which, if not blown upon and fed, will go out of themselves. Live down the evil reports of those whose tongues are set on fire of hell. If you stop of dispute, you will but open the way for further abuse.
Often difficulties may be healed by silence. Let the evil talker alone. Go about your work as one who has a sacred trust to fulfill. When you are criticized, move on as one who hears not. Your heart may be wounded; nevertheless, do not allow yourself to be turned aside from your work. Give your time and attention to matters of eternal interest.
Christ is your example. He came to this world and in humanity lived the life that He desires you to live. Look to Him. Study His plans and purposes and methods. His life is our lesson book. A divine-human Saviour, He stands before us with the invitation “Come unto me, … and I will give you rest…. My yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Christ’s life is a perfect revelation of God’s character. What then is our duty? Paul tells us. Christ revealed Himself to Paul as he was persecuting the saints, and he declared, “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19).—Manuscript 159, December 15, 1902, “Fragments.”
The Upward Look p. 363
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Prayer Requests
—-Please once again my co-worker who is back in Florida once again due to her daughter is having another surgery due to setback of her previous October surgery! Plus, continue to pray for my father as his Parkinson’s is getting worse making his speech very slurred! Tony
—-Please continue to pray for Esther. Rose
—-Please pray for my daughter in law Jody she has covid. Ana
—-Please pray for my wife tiffany to be born again and our marriage to be restored. Norm
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Dear Friends,
While Eileen and Esther Marie were still living at home, Esther decided that she wanted to make a pie. Since we did not have all of the ingredients she needed, it necessitated a trip to the grocery store. As we were walking from our car to the store to buy the needed items, I suddenly felt something hit my leg as I was being shoved along the pavement. Shocked, I looked down at my leg and saw the bumper of a white van pushing me along. The woman driving the van was not paying any attention and had rolled into me as she was checking to see if it was safe to turn from her lane.
I let out a shout to alert her to stop and see that she had hit me. She did stop, but instead of being sorry for what she had done, the woman was annoyed. Although the accident was due to her neglect, she was angry at me just as if it were my fault. I was nothing more to her than an interruption to what she was doing. She didn’t care whether she had hurt me or not, she only wanted to be about her business.
How often we are like that woman driver. How many times we injure others through our thoughtlessness, our carelessness, or by unkind words. We go along in our own selfish, little world, heedless of the pain we cause those around us. Our Dear Saviour, Who was so interested in our welfare that He gave His life for us, desires us to be interested in the welfare of others. Yet, we, like the woman in the van, are totally immersed in our own wants and desires forgetting the golden rule, forgetting that “by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matt 7:10; 12:37
Even if we are careful not cause direct injury to others, we often are as heedless of their needs as was the man in one of the parables Jesus told. “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” Luke 12:16-20 The man’s self-centeredness was his undoing: it can be ours as well.
Paul urges us, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Phil 2:3, 4 He, Who said, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me,” longs for us to have that same close relationship with Him. John 5:30
If we do maintain a living connection with our Redeemer that He yearns for us to have, we will naturally reflect His love and light to all we meet. We will be as kind and loving as was He. We will be concerned about them and want them to share in His blessings. He tells us, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, 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.” Matt 5:13-16
May we reflect our Saviour’s love and kindness to all we meet. May we “keep [ourselves] in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21 May we draw others to our Glorious Redeemer through the same lovingkindness wherewith He draws us is my prayer. (Jer 31:3)
Rose