Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? Job 11:7.
Christ has revealed God. Let those who desire to know God study the work and teaching of Christ. To those who receive Him and believe on Him, He gives power to become the sons of God. He says, “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” (Matthew 11:28-30)….
Human talent and human conjecture have tried by searching to find out God. Many have trodden this pathway. The highest intellect may tax itself until it is wearied out in conjectures regarding God, but the effort will be fruitless, and the fact will remain that man by searching cannot find out God. This problem has not been given us to solve. All that man needs to know and can know of God has been revealed in the life and character of His Son, the Great Teacher. As we learn more and more of what man is, of what we ourselves are in God’s sight, we shall fear and tremble before Him.
To those who would represent every man as born a king; to those who would make no distinction between the converted and the unconverted; to those who are losing their appreciation of their need of Christ as their Saviour, I would say, “Think of yourselves as you have been during the period of your existence! Would it be pleasant or agreeable for you to contemplate feature after feature of your lifework, in the sight of Him who knows every thought of man, and before whose eyes all man’s doings are as an open book?”
I call upon all who are engaged in the service of God to place themselves fully on Christ’s side. There are dangers on the right hand and on the left. Our greatest danger will come from men who have lifted up their souls unto vanity, who have not heeded the words of warning and reproof sent them by God. As such men choose their own will and way, the tempter, clothed in angel robes, is close beside them, ready to unite his influence with theirs. He opens to them delusions of a most attractive character, which they present to the people of God. Some of those who listen to them will be deceived, and will work in dangerous lines.
The Lord calls. Will men and women hear His voice? He gives the warning. Will they heed it? Will they listen to the last message of mercy to a fallen world? Will they accept Christ’s yoke, and learn from Him His meekness and lowliness?—Letter 240, November 5, 1903. “To Medical Students and Nurses,” written during the pantheism crisis.
The Upward Look p. 323
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Ron that he will pass his CDL driving test. Rose
—-Please pray for my wife Yao who is being induced at week 35. Please pray for a smooth delivery and the health of her and our son James. Andy
—-I have a job interview today. Pray God’s will will be done. JT
—-Please pray for my grandson Alex who has had diabetes since he was seven. He was rushed to the hospital and is in ICU. T
—-David has a meeting with a counselor today. Please pray that it will go well. Buck
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Dear Friends,
When I was a teenager, I had wanted to be an archeologist. I, who am allergic to dust, could never pursue that occupation. So I content myself by reading about or watching programs that show artifacts from around the world. Last evening, we were watching a program on the various treasures that have been found in or near Stonehenge. It was interesting to see the various treasures that were unearthed at that famous site.
More important than archeologic discoveries are that discoveries that are available to us in God’s Holy Word! David sang, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Ps 19:7-11
May we remember to hide God’s Word in our heart each day. (Ps 119:11) May “the word of Christ dwell in [us] richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in [our] hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever [we] do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Amen. Col 3:16, 17

The trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:3, 4.
To the angels, the course followed by human beings seems strangely inconsistent. They see how plainly degradation is revealed on the side of unbelief and indulgence of appetite. They see how untiringly Satan is working to destroy the image of God in man. They wonder why beings dependent on their Creator for every breath they draw act so unreasonably and inconsistently; why they choose the side of the one who crucified Christ and who has filled the world with strife and envy and jealousy….
Christ is the Lord our Righteousness. Let us take our stand on His side now, just now. Let none be ashamed to acknowledge Christ as their Saviour, their counselor, their guide, and their exceeding great reward. Is this sacrificing anything? Is it an honor to be numbered among Satan’s army? Those who make this choice gain nothing. Only death, eternal death, awaits them. Let those who are tempted to choose the world, to strive to gain the recognition of the world, remember that unless they choose Christ here, they will not have the recognition of heaven. Tempted ones, whom have you chosen as your leader? …
Come to Christ just as you are, weak, helpless, and ready to die. Cast yourselves wholly on His mercy. There is no difficulty within or without that cannot be conquered in His strength. Some have stormy tempers; but He who calmed the stormy sea of Galilee can say to your heart, if you repent, “Peace, be still.” There is no nature that Christ cannot subdue, no temper so stormy that He cannot quell it, if the heart is surrendered to His keeping.
No one need despond who commits his soul to Jesus. We have an all-powerful Saviour. Looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith, you can say, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof” (Psalm 46:1-3)….
In the future life we shall understand things that here greatly perplex us. We shall realize how strong an opponent we had, and how angels of God were commissioned to guard us as we followed the counsel of the Word of God. Christ tells us that our sea will not always be smooth. We shall have tribulation. This is a part of our education, necessary to the formation of a strong, symmetrical character.—Manuscript 130, November 3, 1903, “Christ Stilling the Tempest.”
The Upward Look p. 321
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Prayer Requests
—-Laura made it through her surgery. Please pray for a full recovery. Esther
—-Please pray for Mike and all election workers that they will be safe. Eileen
—-please pray for Jaden a 15 year-old boy my kids good friend had bad allergic reaction to cashews in children’s hospital in coma please pray. Alva
—-Please pray for healing. I have been dizzy and unbalanced for about a week. Jean
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Dear Friends,
I was thinking about the patriarchs whose lifespans were centuries long. What stories of faithfulness are there. True are the words, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” Rev 14:13
Indeed, God’s Holy Word is filled with the record of the lives of His followers. From Genesis to Revelation is revealed their standing before Him. Hebrews the eleventh chapter contains a summary of many of these followers of His. Beginning with righteous Abel, we are given a cameo of their walk with their Redeemer. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us 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 11:4-12:2
In our daily interactions, what impression are we making on others? More importantly, what is being written in the book of record in the Heavenly Courts? All that we have done, all that we have said, all that we have thought, our attitudes and motives are recorded there. How important it is that we have Jesus’ blood blotting out our sins so only the good remains. John assures us, “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 1:7-2:1 Precious promise! Jesus warns that there are stipulations, however. “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matt 10:32, 33 Fearful thought!
Just as the leaders of the people took knowledge of Peter and John, that they had been with Jesus, may others realize the same of us. (Acts 4:13) May the lives of those around us be affected for good by having known us. May the record of our life be hidden in Christ is my prayer.
Rose

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5.
We have but one life to live, and through our daily connection with God we have, in and through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, a constant sustenance in doing the things that will represent Christ to the world. We may not have all the conveniences that some have in ease and comfort and in earthly goods, but we have the blessed assurance which Christ gave to His believing disciples…. To them He said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3)….
Blessed words! We may receive Him into our hearts, and He will be unto us hope and courage and sustaining grace. The Lord would have us trust fully and entirely in Him. Then we will, in the simplicity of our faith, believe that Christ will do for us all that He has promised. Let all come to the Saviour in the full assurance that He will do all that He has promised.
We cannot please our Saviour more than by having faith in His promises. His mercies can come to you, and your prayers can come to Him. Nothing can break this line of communication. We must learn to bring all perplexities to Jesus Christ, for He will help us. He will listen to our requests. We may come to Him in full assurance of faith, nothing doubting, for He is the living Way….
The more we press our petitions to His throne, the more sure we are of constantly receiving the great grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. You do not give strength to the road you are traveling by [having] faith. But you increase in strength and in assurance because you have a Guide right by your side, and you can ask Him with perfect faith to guide your steps aright.
Then trust in the Lord Jesus to lead you step by step into the right path. You can derive assurance and strength at every step you advance, for you can be assured that your hand is in His hand. You can “run and not be weary”; you can “walk and not faint,” for you can realize by faith that you have your hand in the hand of Christ. You wPlease ill not sink under discouragement, for as you follow on to know the Lord, trusting in Him, you will have the assurance that the One who never forsakes those who fully trust Him is your constant Helper.—Letter 313, November 2, 1905, to Mabel White, her 19-year-old granddaughter.
The Upward Look p. 320
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Prayer Requests’
—-Pray for Laura who is having surgery to remove a tumor. Esther
—-Corky (my brother) has bone marrow Wednesday. They still trying to find out why abnormal blood test. I pray not cancer and they can find out something. Carol
—-Things are getting worse with David’s mental condition. Please pray that he will get the medicine he needs and that he will be willing to take it. Buck
—- My dear grandson Solomon committed suicide about a month ago and he has his wife and 4 children left to try and get through this horrible situation. It is his wife’s birthday today and I would just like to request prayer for her and those four precious kids for today and always that God will bring comfort healing and peace. And please pray for my son who is his father he is suffering terribly with grief as we all are who loved him. Connie
—-Please pray for Ron as he is having a procedure done on his eye today. Rose
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Dear Friends,
Last evening, we were reading about Enoch to the children. That brought up the question, “Was Adam still alive when Enoch was translated. I remembered that I had done a study on the ages of the Patriarchs some time ago. I thought I would share it with you this morning.
Adam was 130 when Seth was born.
Adam was 235 and Seth was 105 when Enos was born.
Adam was 325, Seth was 195, and Enos was 90 when Cainan was born.
Adam was 395, Seth was 265, Enos was 160, Cainan was 70 when Mahalaleel was born.
Adam was 460, Seth 330, Enos 225, Cainan 135, and Mahalaleel 65 when Jared was born.
Adam was 622, Seth 492, Enos 387, Cainan 297, Mahalaleel 227, and Jared 162 when Enoch was born.
Adam was 687, Seth 557, Enos 452, Cainan 362, Mahalaleel 292, Jared 227, and Enoch 65 when Methuselah was born.
Adam was 874, Seth 744, Enos 639, Cainan 549, Mahalaleel 479, Jared 414, Enoch 252, and Methuselah 187 when Lamech was born.
Adam died when Lamech was 56 years old. Enoch was taken to Heaven when Lamech was 113. Lamech was 168 when Seth died.
Enos was 821, Cainan 731, Mahalaleel 661, Jared 596, Methuselah 369, and Lamech 182 when Noah was born.
Enos died when Noah was 84. Noah was 179 when Cainan died. He was 234 when Mahalaleel died and 366 when Jared died.
Methuselah was 872, Lamech 685, and Noah 503 when Shem was born.
Methuselah died when Noah was 600 and Shem was 97 which was the year of the flood. Noah was 601 and Shem 98 when they came out of the ark.
Noah was 603 and Shem was 100 when Arphaxad was born.
Noah was 638, Shem 135, and Arphaxad 35 when Salah was born.
Noah was 668 , Shem 165, Arphaxad 65, and Salah 30 when Eber was born.
Noah was 702, Shem 199, Arphaxad 99, Salah 64, and Eber 34 when Peleg was born.
Noah was 732, Shem 229, Arphaxad 129, Salah 94, Eber 64, and Peleg 30 when Reu was born.
Noah was 764, Shem 261, Arphaxad 161, Salah 126, Eber 96, Peleg 62, and Reu 32 when Serug was born.
Noah was 794, Shem 291, Arphaxad 191, Salah 156, Eber 126, Peleg 92, Reu 62, and Serug 30 when Nahor was born.
Noah was 923, Shem 320, Arphaxad 220, Salah 185, Eber 155, Peleg 121, Reu 91, Serug 59, and Nahor 29 when Terah was born.
Noah died when Terah was 27. Peleg died when Terah was 118. Nahor died when Terah was 119
Shem was 450, Arphaxad 350, Salah 315, Eber 285, Reu 221, Serug 189, and Terah 130 when Abraham was born.
Reu died when Abraham was 18. Serug died when Abraham was 50. Terah died when Abraham was75. Arphaxad died when Abraham was 88.
Shem was 550, Salah 415, Eber 385, and Abraham 100 when Isaac was born.
Eber died when Isaac was 19. Shem died when Isaac was 50.
Abraham was 160 and Isaac was 60 when Jacob was born.
Abraham died when Jacob was 15.
Isaac was 151 and Jacob was 91 when Joseph was born.
Isaac died when Joseph was 29. Jacob died when Joseph was 56.
Rose

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21.
The existence of a personal God, the unity of Christ with His Father, lies at the foundation of all true science. From nature we can gain only an imperfect idea of the greatness and majesty of God. We see the working of His power and His wisdom, but He Himself is beyond our comprehension. The ocean, the cataract, the lofty, rugged mountains reveal but imperfectly His handiwork. Satan has introduced confusion and deformity into the creation of God. Something more than nature is needed to reveal the character of the Father.
Christ came to this earth to reveal what finite minds can comprehend of the glory of God. He came to unite divinity and humanity, that through Him, with character made perfect, human beings might at last behold God in the fullness of His glory. Through the merits of the sacrifice He has made, we may become “partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4). The bright beams of divinity pass through Christ to His followers. “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12)….
In these days, many deceptions are being taught as truth. Some of our brethren have taught views which we cannot endorse. Fanciful ideas, strained and peculiar interpretations of the Scripture, are coming in. Some of these teachings may seem to be but jots and tittles now, but they will grow and become snares to the inexperienced….
We need to search the Scriptures daily, that we may know the way of the Lord, and that we be not deceived by religious fallacies. The world is full of false theories and seductive spiritualistic ideas, which tend to destroy clear spiritual perception, and to lead away from truth and holiness. Especially at this time do we need to heed the warning, “Let no man deceive you with vain words.”
We must be careful lest we misinterpret the Scriptures. The plain teachings of the Word of God are not to be so spiritualized that the reality is lost sight of. Do not overstrain the meaning of sentences in the Bible in an effort to bring forth something odd in order to please the fancy. Take the Scriptures as they read. Avoid idle speculation.—Manuscript 30, October 29, 1904, “Redeem the Time.”
The Upward Look p. 316
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Prayer Requests
—-Prayer request for some very dear friends of mine she just called they had a water leak behind the fridge the refrigerator fell through the floor then their water pump went out so they have no water. please pray for them. they don’t have the money to take care of the things that need to be taken care of. they both have heart problems his is worse. he can go anytime. please pray that the Lord will hear and answer their prayers I told her God’s bank is never broke. thank you .M.
—-My father in-law is. Dying please pray strength comfort courage for the family his wife also is in hospital sick and also my husband and nephew pray for healing and the sister who is caring for them need strength please pray. Therese
—- Please pray for my friend Jean she has Covid! Debbie
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Dear Friends,
Two days ago, we had freezing rain that coated everything with a thin coating of ice. Yesterday, it rained all day and today it is sunny. Every trace of the ice is gone.
Such was not the case some years ago when we had an ice storm that coated everything with an extra-thick coating of ice. Tree branches snapped and fell from the weight. This caused power outages that lasted from a few hours to many days. After the storm was over, these trees were ugly and grotesque.
How often we are covered with a “ice-coat” of sin. How many times we feel like we are about to snap under sin’s great weight. Like those trees, our character is flawed, ugly, and grotesque. How much we need the renewing that only our Great Redeemer can give. Although, like those trees, the scars of sin remain, yet Christ’s Righteousness can make us beautiful, pure, clean once more.
Zechariah was given a vision of Joshua, the high priest, that illustrates this very point. “And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by. And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.” Zech 3:1-7
Just as Joshua was standing before God in his filthy garments, so we stand before Him in the filthiness of our sins, our “branches” broken and torn. We cannot take away those sins ourselves. We need to be cleansed by Jesus’ blood. Praise God! Our Loving Saviour has taken our place. He has provided His own spotless robe of His righteousness. He does not put that robe on top of our filthiness, but He takes away our filthy garments of our own unrighteousness and then clothes us.
When we have been cleansed, however, we are not free to cover ourselves with another ice-coat of sin. We need Him to fill us through and through. Jesus explained, “No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. Luke 5:36-38 “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” Matt 12:43-45
James admonishes us, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25
May we come to Jesus that we may be forgiven, cleansed of our sin, and covered with His spotless robe of righteousness. May we daily invite our Dear Saviour to dwell within our heart that we may walk in His path. May we obey our Dear Redeemer, not to earn salvation, but because our hearts are filled with love and gratitude for His great Gift of Salvation and Grace.
Rose

Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment. Exodus 23:2.
To be singular for singularity’s sake is positively detestable, below the dignity of a Christian, but to be singular because it is necessary to be so as the result of worshipping God and Him only, places Heaven’s dignity upon man. We must not be afraid of being singular when duty requires us to be thus to exalt and honor God….
Do not court singularity for the sake of being odd, but for the sake of avoiding sin and dishonor to God. And in this case we are not to mind even the multitude who are against us. “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.”
Because the law of God is made void in our world, does it make it a virtue to transgress that law? It may appear to the world a very small matter for the Christian to be in harmony with the world by just the act of keeping Sunday for the Sabbath in the place of the seventh day, but God’s Word says the seventh day is My holy day. The man of sin says, “I make a Sabbath for you and you must keep the first day of the week.” …
God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ’s church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church.
Where two or three are present who love and obey the commandments of God, Jesus there presides, let it be in the desolate place of the earth, in the wilderness, in the city enclosed in prison walls. The glory of God has penetrated the prison walls, flooding with glorious beams of heavenly light the darkest dungeon. His saints may suffer, but their sufferings will, like the apostles of old, spread their faith and win souls to Christ and glorify His holy name. The bitterest opposition expressed by those who hate God’s great moral standard of righteousness should not and will not shake the steadfast soul who trusts fully in God….
They that will be doers of the word are building securely, and the tempest and storm of persecution will not shake their foundation, because their souls are rooted to the eternal Rock.—Letter 108, October 28, 1886, to her older sister and her husband who had not accepted the Sabbath truth.
The Upward Look p. 315
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Prayer Requests
—-Please keep my husband Joseph in your prayers, we just found out that he will be needing open heart surgery. We have an appointment with the heart surgeon next week! Sandra
—-Asking for prayers depression has been getting the best of me a lot lately. Alyse
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Dear Friends,
When my children were little, they often brought me little things that thought was especially nice. Sometimes it was a pretty flower or a colorful stone. Sometimes it would be a piece of candy that they had bought with their small allowance. Sometimes is was some cherished toy. Their love brought great joy to my heart. As I received their gifts, I cuddled the giver and thanked them profusely. Often I would ask my child if they would take care of that cherished toy for me because it was so special. Delighted that the gift was appreciated and returned, they would scamper off hugging it tightly to their heart.
Although the various gifts, large and small, were special to me because they were given from a heart filled with love, there was one gift that far exceeded them all. Those times when my children would surprise me by doing the dishes, cleaning their room, or some other menial task. Their working without being asked meant a great deal to me. They were giving of themselves, of their time, of their energy.
So it is with our Heavenly Father, Who “loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor 9:7 It is only the offering that is given from a love-filled heart that means anything to him. It brings such joy to His Great Heart of Love. He pleads, “wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved.” Jer 4:14 “Give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.” Prov 23:26 “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.” Ps 4:5
One of my favorite songs and one that I used to play for the offering is They Brought Their Gifts to Jesus. By Eben E. Rexford. I’d like to share it with you today.
“They brought their gifts to Jesus, And laid them at His feet, And love for this dear Saviour, Made every offering sweet; Good deeds and words of kindness, Help for the poor of earth, And not a gift among them Was thought of little worth. Wouldst bring a gift to Jesus that He would count most sweet? Say, ‘Lord, my heart I give Thee.’ And lay it at His feet.
“Apart from other givers A poor wayfarer stood; He saw the gifts they offered, The poorest counted good; And he was filled with longing, A gift, though poor, to bring; Alas! all empty handed He stood before the King. Wouldst bring a gift to Jesus that He would count most sweet? Say, ‘Lord, my heart I give Thee.’ And lay it at His feet.
“‘Dear Lord,’ he cried in sorrow, ‘I know how kind Thou art, Take all I have to give Thee, My sinful wayward heart.’ Then Jesus answered softly, ‘Count not the gift as small, Though all of them are precious, Thine is the best of all.’ Wouldst bring a gift to Jesus, That He will count most sweet? Say, ‘Lord, my heart I give Thee,’ And lay it at His feet.”
How important it is that we give our Dear Saviour the gift that He wants most of all. The gift He counts the greatest is when we give Him our time, our love, our thoughts, our heart, and do those things which please Him because we love Him. Indeed, unless we do all and give all from a loving heart, the gift is worthless. May we “present [our] bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is [our] reasonable service” is my prayer. Rom 12:1,2
Rose