And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. Matthew 4:24.
Christ’s life was one of constant self-sacrifice. His work was not confined to any time or place. It was bounded only by His love and sympathy for the souls for whom He was soon to give His life. His compassion knew no limit. On so large a scale did He conduct His work of healing and teaching, that there was no building in Palestine large enough to hold the multitudes that thronged to Him. In every town and village through which He passed was to be found His hospital. On the hillsides of Galilee, in the great thoroughfares of travel, on the seashore, in the synagogues, in every place where there were hearts ready to hear His message, Jesus healed the people and pointed them to their heavenly Father. In the evening, after the hours of toil were over, He talked with those who through the day must work to earn a pittance for the support of their families.
If we only realized how earnestly Jesus worked to sow the world with the gospel seed, we would … labor untiringly to give the bread of life to perishing souls….
Catch the spirit of the great Master-Worker. Learn from the Friend of sinners how to minister to sin-sick souls. His heart was ever touched with human woe. Why are we so cold and indifferent? Why are our hearts so unimpressible? Christ placed Himself on the altar of service, a living sacrifice. Why are we so unwilling to give ourselves to the work to which He consecrated His life? Something must be done to cure the terrible indifference that has taken hold upon us. Let us bow our heads in humiliation as we see how much less we have done than we might have done to sow the seeds of truth.
When we are converted, our desire for ease and elegance will be changed. Christ brought His desires and wishes into strict abeyance to His mission—the mission that bore the insignia of heaven. He made everything subordinate to the great work that He came to this world to accomplish in behalf of the fallen race. When in His youth His mother found Him in the school of the rabbis, and said to Him, “Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing,” He answered, “How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:48, 49).—Manuscript 147, November 12, 1902, “An Appeal for More Effort.”
The Upward Look p. 330
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Prayer Requests
—-Prayer request. for Ted who is being transferred to a rehab place to get his body back to working and get him to start talking again. M
—-Asking for prayers for my son Carlos’ family. Covid has hit their home. They have 6 kids and one has asthma and the mother has it now. Appreciate all your prayers. Connie
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, we were conducting the children’s program during the evangelistic series at our church. The children’s ages ranged from three to 9 years old. After a lively song service, one little boy did not want to sit down and listen to Ron tell a Bible story. He was not at all happy when we insisted that he be quiet and stay in his chair. Loudly he proclaimed, “I hate this meeting. I think I’ll pull out my hair.”
The second time he threatened this, Ron stopped his story, came over to the boy, bent his balding head down so the boy could see it well, and said, “Go ahead. Then you will look like me and won’t have any hair.” Then Ron stood upright and continued his story. The boy’s eyes got big with surprise, grew momentarily quiet, did not threaten to pull his hair out any more, and was fairly good the rest of the evening. On the way home after the program, Ron and I chuckled at the boy’s reaction.
The more I thought about the incident, however, the less funny it appeared. How often we are like that boy, serving the Lord, but complaining every step of the way. We look at the pleasures of this world with longing desire yet we are afraid of their consequences so we outwardly obey. Yet “LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7 Outward conformity without an inward change breaks God’s Great Heart of Love. With tears in His voice He laments, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” Matt 15:8
How our Great Redeemer yearns to have us love Him with our whole heart and soul and being. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Mt 22:37-40
How He longs for us to obey because we love Him, because we rejoice in His Great Salvation, His Marvellous Grace. “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Ps 107:8; 100
Let us love our Dear Saviour with our whole heart. Let us obey Him because we want to please Him for “We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 Let us ever look “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.” is my prayer.
Rose

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. Hebrews 12:2.
Let those who profess to believe the truth seek most earnestly to follow in the footsteps of the Master, ministering to all who need a Saviour. Christ has plainly laid down the conditions upon which salvation depends. “If any man will come after me,” He says, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Yes, follow Christ. Let every dear soul who desires to obey God walk in the footsteps of the Redeemer. We must be meek and lowly in heart. We are to bring forth fruits of righteousness according to the capabilities God has given us.
My sister, we must have heaven. We must not let anything keep us from gaining eternal life. Be humble, meek, and lowly, kind, pitiful, and tenderhearted. Do not look at and talk of the failings of others. Remember that you become like that which you behold. Eternal life is worth everything to us. Let us talk about the goodness and power and glory of Christ.
You can be a blessing in the church if you will let your light shine. By your example you may teach others how to shine. Do not bring in darkness by exalting the power of the enemy above the power of the Lord Jesus. All you have to do is to open your heart to the bright beams of the sunshine of Christ’s grace and glory. Talk faith, pure, sacred, holy faith. Bear no discouraging testimony, for this pleases the enemy. Talk of the goodness of God. Have we not enough at every step to praise him for?
Christ says, “Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it” (Revelation 3:8). Then let us not discourage others by talking of defects of character. Talk of the light. Heaven is full of light. Christ is the Light of the world. Speak hopeful words, strong, comforting words. Look away from the imperfections of others, and by your practical godliness show those around you the better way.
I want you to recover all you have lost. Do not act out your impulsive feelings to the injury of any soul. In your home show your children the way to Christ. We need to appreciate more fully the value of the education to be given in the home—a jot here in love and tenderness, and a tittle somewhere else, line upon line in love. Pleasant words will do marvelous things. May God help you, my dear sister, is my prayer.—Letter 148, November 11, 1900, to the Seventh-day Adventist wife of a prosperous but unbelieving businessman.
The Upward Look p. 329
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray that Mina will give her heart to Jesus. Peter
—-Please be praying for my friend Amjads daughter that was poked in the eye with a pencil. Dan
—-Please pray for my church brother Michael. He is having toes, and possibly a foot, amputated tomorrow due to type 2 diabetes. Jill
—-Please, pray for Apostle D. He in the hospital for severely high blood pressure. Arline
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Dear Friends,
Today is Veterans Day (Armistice Day when I was a kid.), a day that we remember those who have fought for our freedom throughout history. As I was thinking about what this day means, I thought of the many men in the Bible who were heroes in the war between good and evil.
“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 recompence 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
May we so live that we will be part of the heroes in the war with evil is my prayer.
Rose

But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. Psalm 13:5.
The more we reveal the power of an indwelling Saviour, the more of His power will be manifested unto us….
When the farmers seek to recommend or exhibit their products, they do not gather up the poorest but the best specimens. Women possess a zeal to bring the very best golden lumps of butter, molded and prettily stamped. Men bring the best yield of vegetables of every kind. The very best and most attractive fruit is brought, and their appearance does the skillful workers credit. The variety of fruits—the apples, peaches, apricots, oranges, lemons, and plums—all these are very attractive, and make those who look upon the fruit from the orchards and gardens desire to be in the country where they can till the soil….
Why should not Christians living in these last days reveal the most attractive fruit in unselfish actions? Why should not the fruit of the commandment-keeping people of God appear in the very best representation of good works? Their words, their deportment, their dress, should bear fruit of the very best quality. “By their fruits,” Christ said, “ye shall know them.” …
Trials are Christ’s workmen to perfect the Christian graces…. These tests are not to sink the believers’ faith, but raise it equal to the occasion, that unto all it may be made to appear more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire. Every trial permitted is designed to exalt the truth to a higher appreciation, that praise to God alone shall be upon the lips of the true disciple of Christ. And the growth in grace is to the honor and glory of God at the appearing of Jesus Christ, “whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you” (1 Peter 1:8-10)….
The bright and cheerful side of our religion will be represented by all who are daily consecrated to God…. We do not want to dishonor God by the mournful relation of trials that appear grievous. All trials that are received as educators will produce joy. The whole religious life will be uplifting, elevating, ennobling, fragrant with good words and works. The enemy is well pleased to have souls complaining and stumbling their way along, depressed, downcast, mourning, and groaning; because Satan wants just such impressions made as to the effects of our faith. God designs that the mind shall take no low level.—Manuscript 70, November 6, 1897, “Diary.”
The Upward Look p. 324
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Denise that God will work in her situation to her benefit. Lee
—-Please pray for Linda who has Covid and walking pneumonia. Rose
—-Please pray that we find somewhere healthy to live soon. Desirae
—-Tameika needs prayer for the healing of her son, AJ who accidentally fell at home he was in the hospital and I was told awhile ago that he was discharged to Rehab. Arlene
—-I’m calling on some job opportunities today and over the next few days. Please pray that the Lord will lead and guide and open the right doors. M
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Dear Friends,
Esther wrote a song when she was a teenager that I’ve shared with you before, but since it has been awhile, I thought I would share it again. Fly as the Eagles has a message that is so often needed in today’s world. It is based on the text found in Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

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