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

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruits of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3.
I have a special message to parents. I am charged to bring to parents the strict requirement of God in each family. Fathers and mothers need to be daily reconverted in the line of bringing light into their own families. Cultivate Christian politeness in your training of your children. Guard yourselves. Never allow your hand to strike a child in anger. Your children are the Lord’s property and they must be treated kindly, but not vindicated in their disrespect of righteousness and truth by your own careless irreverence. Give them righteousness. Christ is truth, the complete perfect sample of what every soul must be if he enters the heavenly courts. All the great facts are set forth. You can never cure an evil spirit by doing irreligious work….
Be kind in your speech to your children. No loud, tempestuous scolding will cure your children of any evil action. No taking your children in a passion and shaking them will convert them from the error of their ways to do God’s will. They are God’s property. As a people professing to be reformers the very best lesson that you can give your children in this age of corruption is not to indulge them to become fashionable after the worldly style. Sons and daughters are to be instructed as to what it means to be obedient to God’s requirements, what will fit you and them for a position in the heavenly kingdom.
Watch and pray, fathers and mothers, lest ye enter into temptation. Give your hearts and minds and souls to God’s service. You are not to be severe, but kneel before the Lord with your own hearts softened by the grace of God. Be converted that you may have the earnest of the Holy Spirit. What a comfort to know that the Lord will help you in every emergency, for you are laborers together with God….
Fathers and mothers, you take the responsibility of bringing children into the world. Will you consider it is not for you to work in vain? “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” … Now this takes in Christian experience. Here is large encouragement. Here are the graces we are to receive, if we comply with the conditions. Fathers, mothers, if you are not converted, will you measure your advantages if you will comply with the conditions? … Your children are the Lord’s property with which you have been entrusted, to bring up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.—Manuscript 61, October 15, 1911, “Individual Responsibility of Fathers and Mothers.”
The Upward Look p. 302
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Prayer Requests
—- Please pray for my daughter Krystal for her to come to God with her concerns of work, her living situation, school and a God-provided significant other. Kimberly
—-My baby has been pretty sick today and I’m worried about how he is breathing. Please pray for healing and that he is able to rest and his breathing is good. Haley
—-Please pray for us as we are being evacuated because of a wildfire. Betty
—-Please pray for Mike and Eileen and Larry as they travel. Please pray for Ron who is sick and the doctors cannot figure out why. Pray for all our family as there is covid-19 at Brian’s work. Rose
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Dear Friends,
One summer we lived in a campground so we could save up enough money to buy a mobile home. Ronnie Jay was five years old at the time and soon became friends with Lyndon, the campground owner’s grandson. The two boys had many good times together. The thought of many fun things to keep them occupied. Some of those things got them into trouble.
The campground had a swimming pool. Many of the campers found the cool water refreshing in the North Carolina heat and humidity. The boys decided that the toads that lived everywhere around would enjoy a swim to cool off too. They caught some and tossed them into the pool. They were surprised that the toads were not happy with their swim. They got an added benefit to their mischief. Those toads made the girls scream. That was all two little boys needed to give them entertainment. After that they occasionally tossed a few toads into the pool just to hear the screams of fright.
Those girls were afraid, too, of the bats that flew around the lights that were around the pool at night. The bats were not interested in the people; they were busy getting a nice meal of insects that were attracted to the lighted pool area. But these girls did not understand, so they were frightened.
Often times we react in the same way to a situation that we do not understand and figuratively fight and kick and scream when things go wrong in our lives. How many times we think God is unfair in His dealings with us, but that is because we do not see the whole picture. We do not see that the very thing that is so distasteful to us, is the very thing we must go through to make us ready for Heaven. Paul tells us, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom 8:28
Like Job, we do not understand why troubles and trials come our way. God’s Word reveals what was going on behind the scenes in Job’s case in order to give us comfort and hope when we are going through trials. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Prov 3:5-7 Precious Redeemer! Wonderful Friend! “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Psa 107:15
God “hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Ps 103:10-14 We can rest in His promises. “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God.” Isa 43:1-3 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jer 29:11-13
May we “trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him.” Psa 37:3-7 May we allow Him to lead in our lives in the way He knows is best. May we daily look for the blessings He showers upon us and praise Him with a grateful heart.
Rose

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41.
It is possible for men to offer the Saviour outward homage, to be Christians in profession, to have a form of godliness, while the heart, whose loyalty He prizes above all else, is estranged from Him. Such ones have a name to live, but they are dead….
To the marriage supper of the Lamb will come many who have not on the wedding garment—the robe [Christ] purchased for them with His lifeblood. From lips that never make a mistake come the words, “Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?” (Matthew 22:12). Those [thus] addressed are speechless. They know that words would be useless. The truth, with its sanctifying power, has not been brought into the soul, and the tongue that once spoke so readily of the truth is now silent. The words are then spoken, “Take them out of My presence. They are not worthy to taste of My supper” (cf. Luke 14:24).
As they are separated from the loyal ones, Christ looks upon them with deep sorrow. They occupied high positions of trust in God’s work, but they have not the life insurance policy that would have entitled them to eternal life. From the quivering lips of Christ come the mournful words of regret, “I loved them; I gave My life for them; but they persisted in rejecting My pleadings, and continued in sin. O that thou hadst known, even thou, in this thy day, the things which belong to thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes.”
Today Christ is looking with sadness upon those whose characters He must at last refuse to acknowledge. Inflated with self-sufficiency, they hope that it will be well with their souls. But at the last great day, the mirror of detection reveals to them the evil that their hearts have practiced, and shows them at the same time the impossibility of reform. Every effort was made to bring them to repentance. But they refused to humble their hearts. Now the bitter lamentation is heard, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved” (cf. Jeremiah 8:20)….
What a scene is this! I pass over the ground again and again, bowed down in an agony that no tongue can express, as I see the end of the many, many who have refused to receive their Saviour. Justice will take the throne, and the arm strong to save will show itself strong to smite and destroy the enemies of the kingdom of God. Christ will lay bare the motives and deeds of everyone. Every hidden action will stand out as clearly before the doer as if proclaimed before the universe.—Manuscript 121, October 14, 1903, “A Solemn Warning.”
The Upward Look p. 301
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Sheryl who broke her arm recently. It is not healing properly, so the doctors are going to put a pin in this Friday. Eileen
—-I know that some of you have prayed for me and I am so grateful. I am on strong antibiotics but my sepsis numbers are still going up. Needless to say I am scared. This is not how I want to die. Nothing that they are doing in the hospital is helping this infection so I have decided to go home and do natural remedies. And I read that sunlight is one of the best remedies for this. I also have MMS……and several other really good natural remedies. Please pray urgently for me. Connie
—-Please pray for D and J as they travel today. LS
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Dear Friends,
This morning, I received an email asking if I still had the “Fifteen Steps to a Happy Marriage” that I had written some years ago. So I thought I’d share it with all of you this morning.
Fifteen Easy Steps to a Happy Marriage
1. Make Jesus the center of your life. Have morning and evening worship together each day as well as having your own private devotions. As you grow closer to Christ, you will draw closer to each other.
2. Communicate. Spend at least thirty minutes each day in meaningful conversation. Speak of your joys, sorrows, hopes for the future, and the happenings of the day while you were apart.
3. Problems will arise. When they do, pray together before you start to discuss the problem. Study to see what the Bible says in regard to the subject. Discuss the problem and find the solution together. (If you feel yourself getting angry, stop the discussion immediately, pray, and resume the discussion later.)
4. Tell each other “I love you” every day. You might think that your marriage partner knows you love him/her, but he/she might be feeling very unloved and taken for granted. (This is a good rule to remember when you are blessed with children. Even teens need to know that you love them, even though they may not admit it.)
5. Never make unkind remarks. When you say an unkind word to your mate, it hurts him/her badly and the hurt doesn’t go away easily. Even if he/she forgives you, the hurt is still there.
6. Never hit each other. Violence is not God’s way and will cause untold misery for both of you.
7. Be very tender in your intimate relations. Remember that there are holy angels watching even in your bedroom. If one of you is uncomfortable with something intimate, it would be better to avoid it than to push your desires onto the other one. There are many years ahead to spend with each other.
8. Do the finances together. By doing this, you both know what is available and can discuss purchases together. Make a budget and stick to it. As you use this budget for a few months, it may need to be revised. Revise the budget together to keep reminding yourself just what it entails.
9. Be honest with each other. For your future happiness, it is extremely important to tell each other the things in your past that may have a direct bearing on the future. This should be done before marriage.
10. Don’t be too proud to apologize. Sometimes the only thing it would take to solve an argument are two little words: “I’m sorry.” Don’t be too proud to forgive. An apology is of no effect if it is not forgiven. Make it your policy never to go to bed angry at each other.
11. Don’t forget to cuddle. When sitting together, cuddling can make a couple bond more than most other activities. Just before you go to sleep, cuddle for a few minutes—-not for sex, but for the secure feeling that it gives you.
12. Attend church together each week. Even if you move away and you aren’t familiar with the churches in the new area, make sure that you do not neglect this important part of your marriage. “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together.” Heb 10:25
13. Stay true to your marriage vows. Over the years, you may find someone who seems attractive to you. Avoid this person as much as possible and remind yourself what made you fall in love with your partner in the first place. This is very important, as being faithful to each other is the only way a marriage commitment will be successful.
14. Be best friends. Set aside a certain amount of time each week when you can spend time doing fun things together just like you did during courtship. If you do have other friends, they should be someone that both of you feel comfortable with. Don’t value these friends more highly than you value your mate.
15. When children come. If and when you do start a family, make sure your children know they are not an inconvenience to you. Let them know that you are always there to help them. Set aside time for them. As they are growing up, set an example for them. Teach them about God and how they can become like Him. Remember, “By beholding we become changed”—that works with children too. When they grow up and move out of your home, keep in close contact with them and have a good and loving relationship with them even though they are miles away. © 2003 Rosa Hartwell

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. John 10:16.
Dear Sister Mary: While I have been writing out what has been shown me in vision while at Roosevelt [New York] in regard to individual cases, your case has come in order, and I will try to write you how you were presented before me. I was shown that you are not standing in the light and favor of God, but are too mixed up with the world; that your love for your Sabbathkeeping brethren and sisters … is growing cold….
Your influence of late has not been in union with the Spirit and work of God, and you are not going forward but backward. The opinions of unbelievers are having too great an influence upon your mind…. There is a work to be accomplished for you. You must possess deep humility of soul, and war against self and an unyielding will, or you will certainly be ensnared by the enemy.
Some who love to hear and tell some new thing have grieved you, have injured you, and you have in your mind censured those who did not deserve censure, and [have] been suspicious of those whom you could safely trust. When you take the position you should, then your heart will be strongly knit with your brethren and sisters, and their hearts will be knit with yours, but you have been weaning yourself from your brethren and the cause exists in yourself. You are not willing to be led and instructed. Darkness and clouds are gathering over you. Satan desires you that he may sift you as wheat….
God calls His church to be more separate from the world in their dress than you have thought. God is constantly instructing His people to flee from pride of appearance, from love of self, but you are working directly against the Spirit of God in this matter, hence you are walking in darkness and place yourself upon the battlefield of the enemy.
I saw that God loves you. The Good Shepherd has tenderly cared for you and preserved you amid your afflictions and sufferings of mind; yet you must yield your will and judgment, and be willing to be taught. None—no, not one—can go alone to heaven. God has a people whom He is leading, guiding, and instructing. They must be subject one to another. If one undertakes to go alone, independently, to heaven he will find he has chosen the … path that will not lead him to life.
Dear Mary, I love you. I have tried to write this matter as it was presented to me. May you see it as it is, is my prayer, and make sure and thorough work for eternity. From your sister, (signed) Ellen G. White—Letter 19, October 13, 1861, to a young Christian.
The Upward Look p.300
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Prayer Requests
—-My fiancé’ has been in hospital, then caught flu there, he is very ill. Stephanie
—-Please pray that God will take complete control of David’s life. Buck
—-Keep in prayer a local fair that’s going on in a particular city ….an Adventist booth is there with thousands of SDA books and literature to give away for FREE. The number of attendees may be down this year due to the pandemic, however, lets pray that God’s literature and books are not passed by as many from the area are still expected to attend. Monica
—-One of our elders at church has had a stroke and is on a ventilator. Please keep him and his family in prayers. He is much needed by all here. Ann
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Dear Friends,
When we lived in North Carolina, I worked at an assisted living center. Mary was my co-worker on the afternoon shift. We enjoyed working together and had many good conversations. Mary often talked about sending money to a tele-evangelist. She didn’t make much money, but she gladly gave to this man. I didn’t know much about him, but I had seen him on TV a few times. I had noticed that he didn’t really preach the gospel but only talked about and begged for money.
Around Christmastime, Ron’s folks took us to see this man’s “theme park” (for lack of a better word). Millions of Christmas lights decorated the trees and fences. Various displays were placed here and there along the way. I cannot even begin to describe the luxury of the buildings. The foyer of the main building rivaled any grand hotel with glass elevators going up and down between the many floors. Gold was splashed everywhere, someone was playing a grand piano, and people were coming and going or lounging around in that luxurious setting. To the side was a promenade of shops that rivaled Disney World. The ceiling was especially fascinating as it looked like the sky with puffy clouds that actually moved like time-lapse photography. As we walked around outside, we saw the many houses and apartments of their timeshare scam and even rides and a waterslide. Ron and I were horrified to think of all the poor people (like am coworker) who sent their money in thinking that they were furthering the gospel but in reality they were funding his little “empire.” Eventually his empire came crashing down and he was sent to prison for his deceit. Sadly, I saw recently that he is back to his old tricks.
Jesus warned us that there would be false prophets (this includes preachers and teachers who are misrepresenting Jesus or teaching false doctrines.) in these last days. “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matt 24:11,24,25 Notice that Jesus did not say, “Don’t believe any prophets: He said not to believe the false ones. The Apostle Paul advises us, “Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thes 5:19-21 Here is the key—our first test—“prove all things.” How do we “prove all things?” “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20. Thus we should compare everything that the prophet says (and does) with what the Bible has to say upon that subject. To find out what God’s Holy Word says upon a certain subject having a Strong’s or Young’s Analytical Concordance is a great help. Isaiah suggests this when he tells us, “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” Isa 28:10
Another test of a prophet is whether the prophet’s predictions come to pass—-all of their predictions, not just some of them. “When the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him.” Jeremiah 28:9. However, we must remember that we have an adversary, who is walking about seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) He also has his prophets—the false prophets that Jesus warns us about. These prophets try to deceive us. God warns us in the book of Deuteronomy, “If
there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deut 13:1-3 Again, He tells us, “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.” Deut 18:22
The loving disciple, John, gives yet another test of a prophet. “Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.” 1 John 4:2. Often, false teachings are promoted about the incarnation of Christ that spiritualize away this great mystery. Many times they deny the pre-existence of the Son of God before his birth or say that after Mary’s baby was born, God’s Spirit came into Him in a special way. Some of these false prophets say that Jesus’ nature was not like ours and that it was impossible for Him to have sinned. These teachers are to be avoided.
Jesus gives us another way that we can tell whether or not He is speaking through an individual. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:20. Does the prophet keep all of the commandments of God? Do they teach their followers to do so? There have been many prophets and preachers in the past years that at first glance seem to be living holy lives, but eventually it has been revealed that they were committing adultery or stealing the money that their followers gave them for spreading the gospel. Does the prophet truly have love for others or is he using religion to further his own agenda? Sadly, many precious souls have been turned away from their Dear Saviour because of these so-called prophets and teachers. The blood of these precious ones will be upon these false prophets’ heads.
May we test everything we hear, everything that we read by Isaiah’s test, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa 8:20 May we cling tightly to the Bible as our rule of faith and practice. May we daily pray for the Heavenly Eyesalve that we may discern truth from error for the evil one has many teaching and preaching that which will lead us down the wrong path.
Rose