That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:7.
Those who work against the natural laws of the being must suffer the penalty of transgression. But the Saviour pities us, even when we suffer from infirmities caused by our own wrong course of action. In Him there is a healing power for us. Let us praise God for the tree of life, the leaves of which are for the healing of the nations….
Everywhere the effects of the curse are seen. Let us praise God that in the earth made new “there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him” (Revelation 22:3). Some little know what true service means. Those who expect to sing in an entertainment spend time in practicing, to familiarize themselves with the music and the words. That we may learn how to serve the Lord in heaven, we must enter His service now, becoming acquainted with Him and learning to be faithful servants….
It is our privilege to understand the blessed Word of God. We have fallen, it is true, but we are not always to remain in sin. We have been placed on vantage ground. The Lord God of heaven “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). What a precious hope we have in Christ! …
Temptations will come. But when Satan throws his hellish shadow before us, we should reach in faith through the shadow to the light of life—to Him who has not only created man but who by His own blood has redeemed him. We are Christ’s cherished heritage. In living faith we must cooperate with Him in working out our own salvation. Amid trials and temptations His hand upholds and sustains us. Those who rest in Christ Jesus are never restless or uneasy. He means just what He says when He bids us commit the keeping of our souls unto Him, as to a faithful Creator.
Those who hold fast their faith unto the end will come forth from the furnace of trial as fine gold seven times purified. Of this work the prophet Isaiah says, “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir” (Isaiah 13:12). When in trouble, remember that faith tried in the furnace of affliction is more precious than gold tried with fire. Remember that there is One watching every movement, to see when the last particle of dross is taken away from your character.—Manuscript 110, October 5, 1901, “The Christian’s Hope.”
The Upward Look p. 292
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for _______ elderly care. Several staff members and patients have tested positive for covid. The hospital in ______ is full. Alma is one of patients tested positive this week. She is 94 yrs old and my husband Tom’s step grandma. Darla
—-Please pray for my family my mom died yesterday morning. Wanda
—-Maureen and Doug need prayers. Maureen she is in a coma from a motor cycle accident which also involved her husband Doug. He is in shock and is under great pressure blaming himself for the accident. Joe
—-Requesting prayers for Debbie who is battling cancer. Judy
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Dear Friends,
As we listen to the news, hear of rumors of the possibility of terrorist attacks here in this country, the spread of the war, crimes upon our shores that make us recoil in horror, the virus which has caused our lives to change so much, we can know of a certainty that we live in the days Jesus spoke about when He warned that there would be “upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” Luke 21:25,26 Yet, even amidst the storm we can have the assurance that we have a Refuge, Sure and Steadfast. We can “abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Our Great Protector assures us, “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, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.” Isa 43:1-3
David sang of His protecting care that we, too, can sing through all the world unrest that is ahead, “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.” Ps 46:1-3
What a wonderful psalm is this in these days of uncertainty. Praise God! We can safely trust in Him. Our Great Redeemer has promised to deliver us “from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.” We do not have to “be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.” We have the assurance that if we have “made the LORD, . . even the most High, (our) habitation,” “a thousand shall fall at (our) side, and ten thousand at (our) right hand; but it shall not come nigh (us)….There shall no evil befall (us), neither shall any plague come nigh (our) dwelling.” We have the promise that if we have set our love upon our Dear Saviour, He will deliver us. He promises, “he shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” Ps 91 Blessed assurance! Precious promises!
May we daily anchor our soul in Jesus, the Solid Rock. May we continually pray for God’s protecting care. May the “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:7

Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Luke 5:10.
Jesus asks the use of Simon’s boat. Although weary with his toil and disappointment, Simon cheerfully complies with the request of Christ. The unpretentious fishing boat is made the pulpit from which come forth the words of Christ. Surely the little craft of Simon’s was never so honored as on this occasion. It had never been put to so profitable use by its owner. Jesus proclaims Bible truth; He speaks words of eternal life. The truths spoken in that sermon … [have gone] all over the world, and accomplished a work that eternity alone will reveal.
When the judgment shall sit, and the books of record shall be opened, and the history of this effort is revealed, it will be seen that a light … [then] sprang up to be reflected all through the world through time and through eternity. This experience has been repeated to thousands of the messengers of the Lord Jesus, and has inspired hope and courage and faith.
“Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught” (Luke 5:4).
The night was the most favorable time for the fishermen to work successfully, for in the clear water the fish would in the daylight see the net, and avoid it. Having toiled all night unsuccessfully, it seemed useless, according to human wisdom, to let down the net.
“Master,” replied Simon, “we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net” (verse 5).
This was true obedience. Here is an instance of implicit trust in the words of Christ, in spite of an objectionable past experience. Our first lesson is to learn the will of God, even though we pass through trying circumstances, and then, knowing His will, to obey unquestioningly. Such obedience will always be rewarded.
What was the result of Simon’s obedience? “And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their nets brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink” (verses 6, 7).
Jesus designed this experience to be an encouragement to these fishermen in their future efforts in fishing for souls…. What a powerful influence this wonderful transaction produced upon the minds of these humble fishermen! Christ’s power had drawn the fish into Simon’s net, but these honest-hearted men were themselves completely caught in the net that Christ has prepared for them. “They forsook all, and followed him” (verse 11).—Manuscript 79, October 1, 1906, “Leave Your Nets and Follow Me.”
The Upward Look p. 288
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue to pray for David and his family. Buck
—-Please pray for E whose wife is unfaithful to him. Pray that God will open the judge’s eyes and award full custody to him. R
—-Please pray for my immediate family household. My younger sister, Hannah, is 16 and rebelling a lot. She is getting heavy into rebellious music and bad influences. My parents need a closer walk with the Lord and help in guiding my sister. Please pray for Hannah. Nathan
—-Please pray for my friend Jose, Doctors gave him no hope today, his liver and kidney are failing. Mary
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Dear Friends,
About a month after her seventh birthday, Eileen and I were driving to Ron’s job site to do an errand for him. I was under a lot of stress at the time for various reasons. I was so preoccupied with my problems that I didn’t realize where I was. I thought that I was a block farther down the road where there was a turning light. The last thing I remember was being stopped at a red light, getting ready to make a left turn as soon as it turned green. It turned green and in my upset condition, I thought it was a green arrow. It wasn’t.
When I woke up in the hospital a few hours later, I was told that I had pulled out in front of a UPS truck. Eventually, Eileen and I got completely over the accident. The only reminder she has are a few scars on her forehead that really don’t show unless one looks carefully for them, and I still have a small area about the size of a nickle on my knee where there is no feeling. I can poke it with my finger or with a pin and the result is the same: I cannot feel a thing. A nerve must have been severed and was unable to regenerate completely like the rest of the nerves to my knee had.
Just as the sensory nerves are important for us to have feeling, so our conscience must be alive to the workings of the Holy Spirit. Just as I have no feeling in that small area on my left knee, so we can become numb to the Spirit’s voice if we continue to turn away from His pleadings. Jesus warns, “I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” Matt 12:31,32
It is through the Holy Spirit that we are convicted of sin. It is through His working upon our heart, that we feel our need of our Dear Saviour. Jesus explains, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 16:7-14;14:26
David prayed, “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” Ps 19:13 How earnest we should be in our religious life. How careful we should be not to spurn His great mercy and love. Paul asks, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” Heb 2:3,4
If we continue to refuse to listen to the Spirit’s voice, we eventually no longer hear that still, small voice speaking to us. Eventually, we no longer care for the things of God. Paul admonishes us, “grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Eph 4:30 He further explains, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered.” Rom 8:26
May we be responsive to the Holy Spirit’s voice as He speaks to our heart. May we be obedient to His will. May our ears be attune to His pleading voice allow Him complete control of every part of our being is my prayer.
Rose

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Romans 6:13.
The Lord desires His chosen servants to learn how to blend together. A decided influence for good is to be brought to bear on the inhabitants of the world. However diverse the talents of His workers, these workers are to labor in unity, all revealing kindness and love. By different gifts the truth is to be proclaimed, all the gifts controlled by the same Spirit….
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). This is a prescription for the healing of all spiritual, mental, and physical ills. It is Christ’s gift to those who seek Him in sincerity and truth. He is the Mighty Healer. Then comes another invitation. “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” (verses 29, 30). Wearing Christ’s yoke, and learning of Him the lesson of meekness and lowliness, we find rest in faith and confidence and trust. We find that Christ’s yoke is easy and His burden light.
Let those who bear responsibilities remember that it is the Holy Spirit who is to do the fashioning. It is the Lord who controls. We are not to try to mold according to our own ideas those for whom we work. We are to let Christ do the molding. He follows no human pattern. He works according to His own mind and spirit.
It is man’s work to reveal to the world that which Christ has placed in his heart. Through His grace man becomes a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. The higher powers of the one who receives Christ are strengthened and ennobled. He receives a fitness for God’s service….
He who was once the covering cherub, whose work it was to hide from the heavenly intelligences the glory of God, perverted his intellect, and divorced himself from God. If a being so exalted could fall so low as to become the author of sin, let not man boast, but learn to wear gracefully the yoke of Christ, revealing His meekness and lowliness, believing on Him, cooperating with Him. “Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20).—Letter 197, September 29, 1901, to Elder and Mrs. S. N. Haskell.
The Upward Look p. 286
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Prayer Requests
—-This is an update on the fire close to my house. My husband finally left our property and we met up and got a hotel room. But my animals are still at the property. I left them a lot of food and water but they are still in danger. So please continue to keep my precious animals in your prayers and all the people who have lost so much already. I already had my house burn down here 7 years ago and lost everything including my animals that I had at the time and all my family and baby pictures which cannot be replaced. I hope and pray that we don’t ever have to go through that again. Please continue praying for us the fire is now on my road and my son is walking in to try and save something! I told him not to but he won’t listen! Please pray for his safety and my poor animals! Connie
—-Please pray for me my face is swollen due to the infection of a fish bone to my gum. Arlene
—-Please pray for David today. Buck
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Dear Friends,
When my great-aunt Blanche became too old to drive, my mother often took her for a little fun. One particular day, they had gone to a restaurant and were driving to my mother’s house for a nice visit, when the car suddenly accelerated to full speed.
They were on the short, quiet side-street on which my mother lived so she was only going 20 or 25 miles per hour. When the car started running at top speed, she was instantly going over 80 and still accelerating. The group of trees at the end of the street loomed dangerously near. My mother tried the brakes, but they were powerless to stop the car’s racing engine. My mother knew if they continued as they were, in just a few moments their lives would be over. Fear and panic swept over her.
Auntie Blanche looked over at my mother and could see the terror written on her face. Calmly she said, “Geneva, what is it that makes the car run? What should you do to keep gas from flowing into the engine?”
My mother looked at her in surprise and turned off the key. As soon as she did that, the car began to slow down. Then my mother could apply the brakes successfully and stop the car by the side of the road. The two ladies sat there for a few minutes trying to calm their racing hearts. Then they walked to my mother’s house a block or two away. This was very difficult for Auntie Blanche, who had rheumatoid arthritis and walked with two canes, but she did not complain: she was too thankful to be alive.
Later, when she had the car towed to the mechanic, he found that a tiny spring on the carburetor had broken causing the car to run wide open. That tiny spring almost caused their death.
How important are the little things! When Lot was hurried out of Sodom, they were told “escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” Gen 19:17. Not looking back toward the city seemed like such a small prohibition, so unimportant, yet, when Lot’s wife looked toward the place, she was instantly changed into a pillar of salt! Vs. 26.
Worse, still, Lot himself did not obey the angels’ command to flee to the mountains. He begged the angels to allow him and his daughters to dwell in the little town of Zoar. He was sure that such a little town (which was supposed to be destroyed along with all of the other wicked cities of the plain) could not be as bad as the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Later, realizing the wickedness of Zoar, Lot took his two daughters to the mountains, but it was too late. It was in that very city of Zoar that Lot’s daughters became corrupted so much that they did not hesitate to commit incest with their father.
So it is in our life. It is the little day to day decisions for good or for ill that determine our future. It is those little decisions that we hardly even notice that are laying the foundation for the type of choice we will make when in a crisis. It is those mundane choices that seem so unimportant, that sin we think we can do “just once,” the sins we think are not worth giving up that determine where we will spend eternity.
May we “give diligence to make our calling and election sure.” 2 Peter 1:10. In all that we do and say, may we remember that as “little leaven leaveneth the whole lump,” so a little sin can ruin our life. Gal 5:9 May we determine to obey in the seemingly little things of life as well as in the bigger issues is my prayer.
Rose

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep your’s also. John 15:20.
If He who was pure, holy, and undefiled, who did good and only good in our world, was treated as a base criminal, and condemned to death without a vestige of evidence against Him, what can His disciples expect but similar treatment, however faultless may be their life and blameless their character? Human enactments, laws manufactured by satanic agencies under a plea of goodness and restriction of evil, will be exalted, while God’s holy enactments are despised and trampled underfoot….
It is the apostasy from truth that worketh in the children of disobedience to silence the voice of those who are calling them to obedience, and provoke the loyal to become disloyal as Cain tried to provoke Abel. A demoniacal spirit takes possession of men in our world…. Demon intelligence … will rend and destroy man formed in the divine similitude because … [man] cannot control the conscience of his brother and make him disloyal to God’s holy law, because he himself is unrighteous like Cain, who was disobedient….
The world is represented in the apostate churches who are trampling upon the Word of God, transgressing His holy law. They know not what spirit they are of, nor the end of the dark tunnel through which they are passing. They are hastening forward, deceived, deluded, blind, to the first and second death. The vast tide of human will and human passion is leading to things they did not dream of when they discarded the law of Jehovah for the inventions of man…. They have exalted phantoms, and eternal realities are naught to them.
But He who came to our world to seek and to save that which was lost has pledged His own life that men might have a second probation. He has pity, and compassion, and love that are without a parallel; and He has made every provision in behalf of men that none need perish. The divine Son of God came into our world, its Light and Life, to encompass the whole world and to attract and unite to Himself every human being who is under Satan’s discipline and rule. He invites them, “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” (Matthew 11:28, 29). Thus He unites with Himself by a new inspiration of grace all who will come unto Him. He puts upon them His seal, His sign of obedience and loyalty to His holy Sabbath.—Manuscript 104, September 28, 1897, “Condemned by the Jews.”
The Upward Look p. 285
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Jessica, a mother of four small children, is on life support at __ _______. This happened suddenly after she complained of headaches las Friday. Her mother and brother have just arrived from _____ to be with her. They request prayer from our church for Jessica and her family.
—-PLEASE AM DESPERATELY NEEDING PRAYER. HAVE A HUGE FIRE CLOSE BY AND HAVE BEEN EVACUATED. I HAVE MY ANIMALS THERE THAT I COULD NOT GET IN THE VAN WITH ME. THEY WERE SO AFRAID THEY RAN UNDER MY HOUSE OUT OF REACH. They won’t let us back in under any circumstances. I have a mother dog under the house with her babies that I could not get to and 3 other doggies that would not cooperate. Plus my chickens and my duck. My husband is still there he refuses to leave. A town just 2 miles from us is now completely burned up and people that our family knows are missing with their cars on fire and their doors wide open but no people around. There are a bunch of people gathered at a small lake completely trapped ready to jump into the water with no help from the authorities. And I cannot get a hold of my husband who refused to leave. Please pray for all of us!!! Connie
—-Please pray for Adam, age two, who is having major health problems. Alyssa
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Dear Friends,
Before Ronnie Jay moved away, he often drove down to a bridge a couple of miles away and photographed or just watched the various birds and animals that live in or near the “big ditch” that keeps our area from flooding. There are beaver, herons, deer, turtles, and all the usual animals that one would expect to see along a river or canal.
One time, he had people stop by and talk to him as he is watching the wildlife. At first man that stopped said that he had noticed Ronnie Jay out their in the evenings and thought he was fishing. When he found that he wasn’t, he asked why he was there so much.
Several nights later another man stopped by and struck up a conversation with my son. He began talking about being from Portland and told a little about his enjoyments which were far different from Ronnie Jay’s. It seemed that he wanted a drinking buddy and must have thought that if Ronnie had nothing else to do than to stand on a bridge, he might like to go bar hopping and pick up some girls. When he mentioned having been to Mexico. Ronnie Jay told him that he had been there before on a mission trip. Realizing that Ronnie Jay was a Christian and not interested in worldly entertainments, the man got in his jeep, turned around on the bridge, and left. Ronnie Jay then decided that he needed to find a more remote place to do his nature viewing because too many people were noticing him and wondering what he was doing to the point that they are stopping to find out. That made him very uncomfortable.
Just as people were noticing Ronnie Jay standing on the bridge, so we are being watched without our even realizing it. Those who know we are a Christian watch to see if our profession matches what we say, what we do, including our attitudes. Jesus bids us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16 How important that our profession and our character match. If they do, those around us will be drawn to our Dear Saviour. If they do not match, those around will consider us a hypocrite and turn away in disgust.
Paul bids us, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life.” Phil 2:12-16 Solomon observes, “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Prov 4:19, 18
“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.” Isa 43:10, 11 May we daily walk on the path of the just, that narrow path that leads to eternal life. (Matt 714) May we so live that others will be drawn to Jesus, is my prayer.
Rose

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:10.
As the veil which conceals Christ’s glory from our view is drawn aside, the Saviour is shown to be in His high and holy place, not in solitude, careless and indifferent to our needs, but surrounded by thousands and thousands of holy angels, each one of which has a commission to fulfill for the blessing of humanity.
The Saviour is in communication with every part of His vast dominion. He stoops from His throne to listen to the cries of His children. His heart of love is filled with pity and compassion for them. But His greatest grief, I am instructed to say, comes when grief is brought to those whom He has appointed to do a certain work; when someone who does not understand the will of God urges his way in, to cloud judgment by many words. Months and years may be needed to undo the wrong wrought in the few minutes spent in speaking unadvised words.
Oh, we must not grieve the Saviour by our lack of love for one another…. At one time the disciples came to Jesus with the question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1-3)….
We are engaged in a great and solemn work, and we should follow the Saviour closely. He will lead us to higher and still higher planes of truth. “Ye shall see greater things than these,” He says, “only be diligent students.” He opens to inspection the books where the name of each follower is inscribed, and they see with astonishment the record of actions dishonoring to God and actions commended by Him. Each day’s record shows the workings of providence—the efforts of the Lord to keep men meek and lowly, tenderhearted, and pitiful.
Christ hears every word spoken in disparagement of His children. He knows when they become almost distracted in their work because meddlesome persons, instead of attending to their own work, carry a great burden for the work of someone else…. Could the eyes of the one who is cherishing evil surmisings be opened, he would see the Saviour drawing near to the one whom he has accused, bending over him as, full of perplexity, he kneels beside his couch, weeping, and begging the Lord for strength, for wisdom, for His keeping power.—Manuscript 94, September 23, 1904, “The Sin of Evil-speaking.”
The Upward Look p. 280
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray that L can sleep tonight. A
—-Please pray for Andy who is being tempted by a woman at work. Rosemary
—-Please pray for Ava & pray her pain after surgery subsides quickly. Michelle
—-Two requests plz. A friend and church member’s son has stage 4 cancer and is in excruciating pain. His name is Greg. Then my cousin Kevin tried to kill himself last night and is in hospital in Florida under watch. He had COVID-19 and recooperated but is very depressed. Other things going on too. Debra
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Dear Friends,
Until I was five, my aunt Joyce still lived with my grandparents. Since they had adopted me when I was a baby, I lived there too. My aunt loved all children, but I was especially dear to her. So, for those first five years, she showered me with expensive gifts. To her disappointment, I was often played with the box instead of the toy when she first gave them to me. Later I played with the gifts but it was not the same.
As I got older, her gifts were enjoyed, but I did not appreciate the hours of work that she put in at the factory in order to buy these expensive gifts for me. Gilmore’s Department Store was the fanciest and most expensive store in Kalamazoo; and because Auntie Joyce loved me, she bought my presents there. One time when I was very little, she saw a portable dollhouse with very expensive and realistic miniature furnishings. Instantly, she knew that this would make me happy. Each week she would buy a piece of furniture, so that by the time I was old enough to enjoy playing with it, I had the complete set. How I loved that dollhouse! It was one of the few things that I really enjoyed playing with and I kept it until I was in my late teens. Then I gave it (along with my other toys and my bicycle) to a neighbor girl who didn’t have many toys. She was so happy to receive such a wonderful dollhouse.
Looking back to my early childhood, I can never remember really thanking Auntie Joyce for all the lovely things she bought me. Of course, I said “thank you,” because I had been taught to be polite; but the heartfelt thanks was not there. I took her gifts for granted as though they were something I deserved.
How often do we do the same with our Heavenly Father’s gifts. How often we enjoy His wonderful blessings with scarcely a thought of the Giver. We might even thank Him politely for something special, but our heart is not filled with the gratefulness we should feel. How often we forget that, “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17 With tears in His Voice He laments, “this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me.” Isa 29:13
How little we appreciate God’s Greatest Gift, the Gift of His Dear Son. “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom 5:8 “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 How often we take His Great Sacrifice for granted and live our life as though we think it is something due us!
Do we daily thank Him for the great sacrifice that He made for us? Do we have gratefulness and love for His goodness continually welling up within our hearts? Do we respond to His Great Love by lovingly obeying His precepts? Can others see His character shining through us or do they see little difference between us and someone who makes no profession? Are God’s praises continually on our lips? Paul advises, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thes 5:18
May God open our eyes to His blessings each day. May we thank our Dear Saviour for leaving the glories of Heaven where He was worshiped and adored by the myriads of the heavenly host and came to this dark and rebellious planet to suffer all the abuse the evil one could heap upon Him at the hands of wicked men and die the cruelest of deaths that we might be saved. As my favorite author wrote in Testimonies vol. 8, p. 208 “Christ gave Himself, an atoning sacrifice, for the saving of a lost world. He was treated as we deserve, in order that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. “With His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5. May we praise Him from a heart filled with love and gratitude for His marvelous love and grace is my prayer.
Rose