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

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:17.
Trust yourself in the hands of God. Do cease complaining, even though you suppose that there is something to complain of. Satan says, “I will harass him until he shall make shipwreck of faith”; but you need not be overcome by his devices. God will uphold you if you will only let Him. At times you are inclined to make a complete surrender of yourself to God, and then you feel at rest; but you take yourself back again, you do not let Jesus carry your burdens.
You want the will of God to be done in you, but at the same time you shrink from the pain and self-sacrifice involved in having it done. In order that the will of God may be done in you, you must trust your heavenly Father as a child trusts its parent. But you have an anxious, troubled heart; you are actually afraid to trust yourself with God, afraid of the consequences that such a surrender may involve. Do not, I beseech you, mar your own Christian experience.
The Spirit speaks to you, “Be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). In words and attitude you reveal a weakness of character when you are under the impression that you are not treated well and with the confidence and deference you should have….
You are to know that God has you under His special care; you are to trust in Him because you love Him, and He loves you. He will uphold all who put their trust in Him. God will make everything work for your sanctification if you will stop fretting and trust in Him. The words spoken to you by One who cannot make a mistake were: “Do not fall into the temptation to harass your own life and make yourself miserable by your own reflections, which are frequently the direct insinuations of Satan.” You keep fresh in your mind your own grievances, and go over and over the same things, cutting and bruising your own soul….
Do not bring the disagreeable things of the past into your present life. Testify that life with Christ is no failure…. Dismiss Satan, walk with Jesus, and be complete in Him. Never, never give Satan the satisfaction of taunting you or others that our faith is a deception, a delusion.
There is a work to be done by the Holy Spirit in the heart; when this is accomplished, bitter tears will no longer flow forth, but the promise will be fulfilled, “The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). You can stand only in God. When the heart is reconciled to God, the fact will be made manifest in your association with your brethren. It will be seen that Christ is abiding in the soul temple.—Letter 10, October 27, 1894, to an evangelist working in Australia.
The Upward Look p. 314
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Prayer Requests
—-Friday I lost my keys. house car. tenets place. but I went to bed with a p peaceful feeling that the Lord will bring them back to me in His time and his way. please pray that I can get them back soon. MC
—-Please pray for George who is having heart surgery this AM. Ann
—-Please pray for my healing. Mark
—-Please pray for me. I have bad nerves and emphysema. Chris
—-Please pray that God’s will be done in David’s life. Buck
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Dear Friends,

Ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery. Ephesians 3:2, 3.
Through divine revelation, the plan of salvation, as wrought out by Christ, was laid open to Paul. Called of God, he was to teach men that from a state of hopelessness, dead in trespasses and sins, there was deliverance through the gospel of Jesus Christ. There was life and power to reach forth unto holiness. Because of these revelations, Paul was blessed with a marvelous insight. Though he could not present to others all that he himself had seen, yet he was firmly rooted and grounded in the truth. No suffering or reproach could ever lead him to deny the great truths that had been revealed to him. No presentation of false theories could lead him away from the influence of the grand views he had received of heavenly things…. The gospel as presented by Paul in his writings is just as powerful today as when it was written. To men in all ages is made known the rich treasures of the grace of Christ, the abundant love of God as revealed through His Son. Can we, while in a cold, lifeless condition, appreciate these truths?
The gospel of Christ was preached to the Jewish nation. Had they accepted its truths, it would have proved their salvation. Through belief in Christ they might have become members of the royal family, manifesting through the succeeding ages the riches of His grace. But they, as a nation, rejected Christ, refused His offers of mercy, and were cut off from the parent vine, that the Gentiles might be grafted in. Still it is their privilege to become partakers with the Gentiles of the salvation of God. Belief in Christ will work in every man a transformation of character.
Through the transforming grace of Christ, the fruits of the Spirit are made manifest in the life of those who were once dead in trespasses and sins. In disposition, in words, and in actions, they are seen to be partakers of the divine nature. This wonderful grace was revealed to Paul, and he worked constantly that others might be brought to a knowledge of these saving truths.
To Jew and Gentile alike was the gospel preached under the direction of the Holy Spirit. The middle wall of partition that had separated the Jews was broken down in Christ Jesus. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13).—Manuscript 111, October 22, 1906, “A Warning Against Formation.”
The Upward Look p. 309
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Mike and Larry as they travel today. LS
—-Jamie needs prayer. please pray for her, her 6 year old son was just killed in a car accident hit by tractor trailer. Arlene
—-Urgent prayer request. Toms aunt Cathy was admitted to hospital this morning with covid and pneumonia. She had a sinus infection and was on antibiotics when she was exposed. She is not doing well. Darla
—-Thank you all who prayed for me about my having sepsis. I went to my doctor and got another blood test and my sepsis is gone! I thank God for healing me! I praise his Holy name! Connie
—-Please pray for Elijah that God will guide in his life. Rose
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Dear Friends,
We are looking forward to December more this year than ever before, as Esther will have her third baby then. She is so enjoying feeling baby Jonathan moving inside her even though she is at the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy. Knowing that a baby can hear the mother and feel her touch in the womb, she talks to him and sings to him while rubbing her expanded belly. She can hardly wait until she can actually hold him in her arms and cuddle her little one.
I remember those feelings. When my children were born, I had such love for them. As I looked upon that tiny babe, there was a bond, a special love that nothing else can match. Now that they are grown, I still have that same love for them. It does not change. God’s love and care for us is even deeper than our love could ever be. God’s love never changes. He assures us, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.” Isa 49:15,16;66:13

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3.
If we will come into close relation with God, if we will yield to God His own—our mind, our heart, and all that there is of us—we will indeed find peace and happiness that we can obtain nowhere else.
What does it amount to to live in this world dependent upon the applause and amusements that we can find here? Do these bring us happiness? No; they bring us only unrest and dissatisfaction, and at the same time we are losing the most precious treasure, the richest blessings that God can bestow upon us. We need to understand much more than we do the worth of our souls. We need to know what we shall do that we may work the works of God. “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29). He can be to us all that we desire.
Jesus proclaimed on the last great day of the feast, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (chap. 7:37); and again we hear Him saying, “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). Have you tried it? There are many who have, and they know that the words of Christ are verity and truth, and that when trouble has come in like a flood, they have looked to Jesus and have been comforted and strengthened.
Christ has promised that if we yoke up with Him we shall find peace and comfort and hope, and we [shall] know by experience [that] His words are true. He wants everyone to be saved. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16, 17)….
Jesus Christ knew that humanity had not power in itself to resist the temptations of the enemy of souls, and therefore He clothed His divinity with humanity, left His royal throne and high command, and came to this world all seared and marred with the curse, and humiliated Himself, in order to set us an example…. He came to this world, not to attend horse races, not to attend the theater, but He came meek and lowly, and He invites us to learn of Him, the King of glory. By doing this we shall obtain the moral power He left the courts of heaven to bestow upon us.—Manuscript 16, October 20, 1895, untitled manuscript, apparently a sermon preached at the Armadale Campground, Australia.
The Upward Look p. 307
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for me am not well am having balancing problems and problems with my ears. Rosemary
—-Pls pray for my son Methuselah he’s sick. Markus
—-we need your prayers. At the moment my Dad is hospitalized with pneumonia. Val
—-Please pray for one of my sons. He acts like he is totally demon possessed. Connie
—-Please pray that David will get on medication. Buck
—-I am pretty sick, Admitted to hospital. I don’t know anyone on this great group personally but if anyone wants to pray for me I would greatly appreciate it. Christopher
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Dear Friends,
My grandmother, Ida, used to enjoy getting letters to her friend who lived far away. Every week she would look forward to a nice long letter about all that had happened to Annabel and her family. She began to notice that the letters became more infrequent. Sometimes she wouldn’t get a letter for two or three weeks. She began to worry. The next letter she received let her know that all was well. Annabel just put off writing because she had other things to do.
As time passed, the letters were arriving monthly and then stopped altogether. My grandmother decided to do something different. She could not call her friend as we did not have a telephone and Annabel lived in Florida—a long way from Michigan. Taking several sheets of writing paper, she wrote on the first page, “Dear Ida,”. Folding the paper carefully, she put it in an envelope and addressed it to Annabel.
Soon she received a letter from Annabel. She told my grandmother how when she opened her mailbox and saw the thick envelope, she had put it in her pocket to read after her housework was done. All day she looked forward to reading that letter. Finally she was able to sit down and relax. Pulling the envelope out of her apron pocket, she unfolded the paper. Surprised and disappointed she stared at the blank pages. She wrote more often after that.
Just as those two friends looked forward to hearing from each other, so our Great Creator looks forward to hearing from us. He longs to have us talk to Him, to bring Him all our perplexities, to share with Him our joys, to ask His advice, to listen as He speaks to us through His Word and through the Holy Spirit’s promptings. How can we know it is the Holy Spirit speaking to us? We must make sure that the promptings agree completely with the Scriptures as did those in Berea, who “were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11 We must also make sure that we are following all of the light that we already have, for Jesus promised, “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” John 7:16-18
David declared, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” Ps 55:17; 119:11-16 Paul advises, “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thes 5:17 As we go through the day, our Dear Saviour longs for us to be conscious of His presence. He desires to be part of all we do, all we say, all we think. How often He waits for us to think of Him, but we often go through our daily routine with scarcely a thought Heavenward.
“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found…Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:5-8 As we pray, He instructs us. As we meditate on His Word, He enlightens us. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
May we draw near to our Loving God through Bible study, meditating upon His Word, and heartfelt prayer. May our sweetest thoughts be of Him, Who is our Redeemer, our Advocate, our Soon-Coming King. May the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart be acceptable unto the One Who loves us so is my prayer. (Ps 19:14)
Rose

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4.
Christ suffers trial to come upon His followers that they may be led to seek the Lord more earnestly. Then when trials come, do not think that the Lord is your enemy. He purges for a reason. He does not want you to be discouraged; but He would prove you, to see if you will be true to Him and will conduct yourselves circumspectly under every circumstance. He does not want to drive you away, but to drive you nearer to the Lord. In God is the Christian’s only hope in time of perplexity.
Do not talk to others about your trials, for they have enough of their own to bear, and our human friends cannot always understand. It is your privilege to go to One who will always understand, because His life on earth was one of constant trial and perplexity, borne without failure and sin….
It is not enough that now and then you offer a prayer, and now and then deal righteously. You are to have the attributes of an abiding Christ working out in your life constantly. How many of us have this experience? Yet we may have it, and having it, we will be the happiest people on the face of the earth. With Christ’s Word abiding in us, we shall give evidence that we have wholly received Him who in His humanity lived a sinless life. In the strength of divinity we shall overcome every tendency to evil….
The difference between the character of Christ and the character of other men of His day was everywhere apparent; and because of this difference the world hated Him. It hated Him for His goodness and His strict integrity. And Christ declared that those who manifest the same attributes would be likewise hated. As we near the end of time this hatred for the followers of Christ will be more and more manifest.
Christ took humanity and bore the hatred of the world that He might show men and women that they could live without sin, that their words, their actions, their spirit, might be sanctified to God. We can be perfect Christians if we will manifest this power in our lives. When the light of heaven rests upon us continually, we shall represent Christ. It was the righteousness revealed in His life that distinguished Him from the world and called forth its hatred….
The words of Christ are spoken for His people in all ages—for us, upon whom the ends of the world are come.—Manuscript 97, October 16, 1909, “I Am the True Vine,” a sermon preached at San Jose, California.
The Upward Look p. 303
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Sheryl as she is having surgery today. Larry
—-PLease pray for Laura who has kidney cancer and her mother just passed. Rose
—-Please pray for safe travels for us. LS
—-Kriston was just told that his cancer has returned and needs prayer. Staci
—-Need prayer for my Dad plz. He’s in hospital, major pain and after four days they still don’t know the cause. He does not know Jesus. Please pray for God’s will in his life. Jodie
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Dear Friends,
On the mornings that I don’t need to get up and fix Ron his breakfast, I have been oversleeping. Each time I do so, I feel upset with myself because I know I have much to do. In Matthew 25, we find a story about ten girls who also overslept when they should have been awake and watching. They, too, became upset at the consequences. “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matt 25:1-13
How easy it is for us to be sleeping, when we should be awake and watching. How easy it is for us to be lulled into a false security, when our very first priority should be making sure we have that extra oil of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. How easy it is for us to think that all is well, when in reality we are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” Rev 3:18
Jesus is coming soon! The signs all foretell it! “It is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we [first] believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.” Rom 13:11-14 Let us sleep not as do others but spend the time we have before the Bridegroom appears gathering precious souls for His kingdom, so when we see our Loving Saviour coming in the clouds, we may look up and with rejoicing exclaim, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa 25:9
Rose