Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:45, 46.
hat a work there is before us! Who comprehends it? Christ would have all understand that the end of all things is at hand, that the solemn scenes of the final judgment are soon to take place. In that great day, those whose characters the Judge of all the earth can vindicate will stand before the world glorified and honored. On this earth they manifested forth the light and glory of God, and He now rewards them according to their works.
The whole world will then receive sentence. Of all the question will be asked, “Have you diligently studied the Word of God that you might know the will of God, that you might be enabled to understand the difference between sin and righteousness?” Sad will be the fate of those who would not come to Christ that they might be cleansed from all unrighteousness. Then sinners see the character of God as it is. And they see, too, the sinfulness of the sins that have drawn souls away from Christ, and placed them under the banner of rebellion, to war against Him who gave His life for them.
Because Christ was one with the Father, equal with Him, He could make an atonement for transgression, and save man—not in his sins, but from his sins. Those who have despised His grace will see what they have lost by treating with contempt the One who humbled Himself to stand at the head of humanity. They hear the words of condemnation, “Depart from Me. By your example you have caused many to err. You have led them astray from the commandments in obedience to which they would have found eternal life.”
Far different are the words spoken to God’s faithful ones. “Come, ye blessed of my Father,” Christ says, “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Then from the host of the redeemed there rises the triumphant chorus, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” O that our minds could comprehend the greatness of the theme and the wonderful importance of the occasion.
“Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” “If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.” God’s chosen ones may fall at their post of duty, but they have only fallen asleep, to rest till Jesus awakes them to share with Him an eternal weight of glory.—Letter 363, September 15, 1904, to her son Edson White.
The Upward Look p. 272
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my son Anthony. He was severely burned by chemicals in the face. Hydrochloric acid. Pray that he isn’t in too much pain and that there isn’t any scarring. Nancie
—-Let us continue to pray for those on the Pacific Coast dealing with the fires. Jennifer
—-David is struggling again. Please pray for spiritual, mental, and emotional healing. Buck
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Dear Friends,
My mother was blessed with an excellent memory, but she did not put it to good use. Until the last few years of her life, she could remember things that happened to her from the time she was just a toddler. Because of this, she remembered all of the things people did to her or said about her, all of the heartaches, all of the slights, all of the unhappiness of normal life. What most people forget because it is unimportant or too painful to remember, was a fresh memory to her. Things we “forgive and forget” were like an open wound to her. Even when her memory failed in her mid-eighties, she could remember little except the painful memories and would feel the hurt and anger all over again. How sad to live life in that manner.
As I think of the years of sorrow and pain that she had caused herself by not forgiving, it reminds me of a story in the Bible. One day Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” He continued to explain, “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Matt 18:21-35
Our Dear Saviour “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace,” loved us so much that He made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Eph 1:7 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Cor 5:21 As the Creator of this world allowed Himself to be nailed to the cruel cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34 During the entire time He hung upon that cross, suffering the most severe agony, He, “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame” that we might be forgiven. Heb 12:2 What complete forgiveness! What wondrous love!
We all are in need of that forgiveness for “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Rom 3:23 All have said of done things that have caused someone sadness and pain. David prayed, “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” Ps 130:3,4;86:5
Just as our Dear Father in Heaven “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,” so He desires us to do the same. 1 John 1:9 In fact, our future depends upon it. Jesus admonishes, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:24-26 Fearful warning!
May we daily pray for the power to forgive freely, that we may be forgiven. May we “put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another…even as Christ forgave [us]. Col 3:13,14 May we “[forget] those things which are behind, and [reach] forth unto those things which are before, [pressing] toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:11.
The Lord will not accept the work of any man that is not done in tenderness and love and kindness. He has not set us as rulers, to lord it over His heritage. Let others be moved by Christ, just as we desire to be moved by Him. Night after night, scenes have been presented to me of little companies pleading with God. He would show them some idol they had been cherishing. Some would give this up, and some would not. But the light of heaven shone from the faces of those who would put away their idol. Then other idols would be shown to them, and again some would put these away. But the light of heaven shone upon all who would give up all for Christ. We want to receive everything that God has for us in these days when wickedness is increasing so rapidly. Are we learning the lesson, as we see the increase of wickedness, that we must just as verily increase in righteousness? Do we understand that we must be growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, that we must be living upon the plan of addition? “Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. “For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-11). Here is brought to view our eternal life insurance policy. We had better make sure that we are living on this plan of addition, and God will work for us on the plan of multiplication. He will multiply unto us grace and peace. Let us fix our eyes on the cross of Calvary, and behold the sacrifice of Christ to secure for us this life insurance policy—“If ye do these things, ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (verses 10, 11).—Manuscript 73, September 10, 1906, “The Work in Mountain View.”
The Upward Look p. 267
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Lorna as she is having cataract surgery tomorrow. Pray that God will guide the doctor’s hand and all will go well. Rose
—-Please pray for me to discern God’s guitar and direction in my life . God has given me a dream and I want to move forward in bringing it to fruition! Cindy
—-My husband has been verbally and emotionally abusive for years and now he is threatening to physically harm me and my family. Please pray that God will protect us. A
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Dear Friends,
I was talking to Esther Marie one day as I was waiting for an elevator. Suddenly from behind me, I felt a slight touch on my shoulder as a rather loud voice boomed a cheery, “Hi Rose.” I let out a gasp and nearly jumped out of my skin. When this lady that knows me saw that she startled me, she apologized.
I told her that she was lucky that I had only gasped and not screamed like I had the last time someone had come up from behind, spoke, and touched me. (That happened in a hospital. You should have seen all of the unwanted attention that brought!) It is very easy for me to get so absorbed in thought or in whatever I am doing that I startle easily. When busy, I don’t notice my surroundings or anyone in them. That can sometimes be dangerous. In my younger years, I’ve almost been hit by a car while reading a book on the way to the library, been thinking so hard that I walked into the side of a taxi that was parked at the curb, driven miles out of my way, etc.
How easy to get so busy that we become totally absorbed in our own little world. Time passes quickly. Days, months, years roll by. When we get older, we look back and wonder where our life has gone.
Because of this, our Loving Heavenly Father must sometimes allow unpleasant things to happen to us to startle us back to reality. Paul tells us, “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Heb 12:5-14
Sometimes when we are wrapped up in our own little world, He turns events so we will run into His outstretched arms to receive His loving embrace much like a hurt child runs to his parent for comfort. How deep is the ache in God’s Great Heart of Love, when we turn away from His chastening rod and wallow in self-pity and do not come to Him for the very help and comfort He wants so much to give us. How He longs for us to allow Him to do His work within us.
How He yearns for our fellowship, to have us commune with Him as we go about our daily duties. By praying “without ceasing” we can have that closeness that He desires for us to have. 1 Thes 5:17 We have the great privilege of laying our burdens at the feet of the Great Burden-bearer. He, alone, can untangle our troubled life. He, alone, can bring good out of all perplexity. May we never get so busy that we forget the One Who gave His life for us. May we “practice the Presence” daily. May we, by our thoughts, our words, our actions, bring joy to our Blessed Redeemer is my prayer.
Rose

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7.
Gird on the armor of the Lord…. Opposition will come. Unbelief will be manifested by those who do not encourage faith and hope. When you cannot tell which way to turn, rest the whole matter with God. Encourage in your heart the faith that works by love and purifies the soul…. The Lord has a work for you somewhere, but wherever that field may be, do not make an incomplete work of your consecration. Strive earnestly to glorify God, who has given His only begotten Son to save you. When you teach the Word, keep to the affirmative, and let the melting mercy of the love of God into your heart, and the quickening influence of His Holy Spirit into your mind…. Be of good courage in the Lord…. Now is our time to pray and to believe and to do earnest work before the church, the means of higher education, and the agency of the Holy Spirit. That agency is truly for your life. Christ, the Chief Physician, has the only wisdom that can apply the unfailing remedy. I am instructed by the Holy Spirit to say, “All who believe the truth are to be the Lord’s messengers.” As disciples they are to learn continually of Christ, how to lift up their thoughts, to enlarge their expectations, and to have the loftiest conceptions of His excellence and grace, that the endowment of His Holy Spirit may compensate for the loss of His personal presence. This the Saviour sought to impress on the minds of His disciples. Let there be more earnest prayer in seeking the Lord. “Every one,” said Christ, “that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth” (Luke 11:10). I am enjoined to urge upon every teacher of the gospel the need of multiplying and enlarging their conceptions of what Christ will be to them in carrying responsibilities. Capabilities increase wonderfully under the Holy Spirit’s power…. Will you seek the Lord most earnestly? Pray, pray as humble seekers. Do not put your ingenuity to work to prove that others are evil, but tell them in tenderness to probe deeply their own sinful hearts, and pray that the Lord will purge the soul temple of sins. Let each confess his own sins; then may he draw nigh with full assurance of faith.—Letter 296, September 9, 1906, to O. A. Olsen, at the time secretary of the North American Foreign Department of the General Conference.
The Upward Look p. 266
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray that God will continue to work in David’s life. Buck
—-Please pray for those affected by the wildfires. G
—-Randi (age 10) is missing. Please pray for her safe return. Arlene
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Dear Friends,
When she was young, Eileen’s favorite book of the Bible was the book of Esther. As a child, she often pretended to be Queen Esther and save her people from the wicked plotting of Haman.
Often when reading that book, we would laugh at how Haman received the very punishment that he thought to inflict upon God’s people. Truly his life and death illustrates what God’s Word declares, “The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.” “His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.” Ps 37:14, 15; 7:16
One time, as we were reading from the book of Esther concerning Haman’s humiliation and death, Ron commented, “There’s a little Haman in all of us.” I was shocked! Yet, as I thought about it, I could see how true his words were. How often we are filled with self importance. How many times we feel slighted if we are not given the recognition that we think that we deserve. How often we are filled with thoughts of hatred and retaliation against the one whom we think has wronged us.
Yet, this is not Jesus’ way. Our Dear Saviour told a parable illustrating how pride separates us from Him. “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:10-14
Peter tells us, “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:5-7 James adds, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:7-10
When we feel that we have been wronged, we are to bring our case before the King of the Universe, Who assures us, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Rom 12:19 He, alone, can help us. He, alone, judges aright. We are to leave our case in His hands and continue doing His will and walking hand in hand with Him no matter what is going on around us or in our own life. David advises, “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 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: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Ps 37:1-12
May we turn from our pride and self importance and view ourselves as God views us. May we, when we feel that we have been wronged, refrain from attempting to justify ourselves but let the Great Judge of the Universe do the justifying. May we bring all of our trials, all of our cares, all of the situations arise that perplex us, and lay them at our Loving Saviour’s feet knowing that He, Who loves us more than He loves His own life, will make all things right in His time.
Rose

Thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. Isaiah 43:1. Every obstacle to the redemption of the people of God is to be removed by the opening of the Word of God and the presentation of a plain “Thus saith the Lord.” The true light is to shine forth, for darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people. The truth of the living God is to appear in contrast with error. Proclaim the glad tidings: We have a Saviour who has given His life that all who believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Obstacles to the advancement of the work of the Lord will appear, but fear not. To the omnipotence of the King of kings, our covenant-keeping God unites the gentleness and care of a tender shepherd. Nothing can stand in His way. His power is absolute, and is the pledge of the sure fulfillment of His promises to His people. He can remove all obstructions to the advancement of His work…. The church of Christ is God’s agency for the proclamation of truth, empowered by Him to do a special work, and if she is loyal to God, obedient to all His commandments, there will dwell within her the excellency of divine power. If she will honor the Lord God of Israel, there is no power that can stand against her. If she will be true to her allegiance, the forces of the enemy will be no more able to overpower her than is the chaff to resist the whirlwind. There is before the church the dawn of a bright, glorious day, if she will put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness, withdrawing from all alliance with the world. The members of the church need now to confess their backslidings, and press together. My brethren and sisters, allow nothing to come in that will separate you from one another and from God. Talk not of differences of opinion, but unite in the love of the truth as it is in Jesus. Come before God and plead the shed blood of the Saviour as a reason that you should receive help in the warfare against evil. I assure you that you will not plead in vain. As you draw near to God, with heartfelt contrition and in full assurance of faith, the enemy who seeks to destroy you will be overcome. Turn to the Lord, ye prisoners of hope. Seek strength from God, the living God. Show an unwavering, humble faith in His power and willingness to save. From Christ is flowing the living stream of salvation. He is the Fountain of life and the Source of all power.—Letter 199, September 8, 1903, to “My Brethren in Positions of Responsibility in the Cause of God.”
The Upward Look p. 265
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Prayer Requests
—-I would ask for prayers for a young lady fighting depression. Her name is Courtney. She is constantly crying and cannot receive professional help till the 25th of this month. Lift up the husband also as he is terribly frightened. Ernest
—-
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Dear Friends,
A friend often talks of her verbally abusive father and all of the hurt that caused. She and her siblings determined to be “cycle breakers” and raise their children in a loving manner. Sometimes, as she is talking of the things that they suffered at their father’s hand, I think of my own grandfather when he was a little boy. His father was not only verbally but physically abusive to him and his brother. They greatly feared their father, but they had no love for him. In fact, they hated to see him come home from work. He would not allow the boys to talk at the table or to laugh or sing in his presence.
Worse still, my great-grandfather, when he came home from work each day, made the boys come to him for their punishment. He had no idea if they had done something wrong or not. He just figured that they had to deserve punishment just because they were boys and he knew that boys got into mischief.
First, my great-grandfather would make Harold lie across his knees and the spanking would start. This was no gentle spanking: it was way too hard. Harold had a way of coping with this injustice, however. Almost immediately, he would start crying loudly. Satisfied that he had been punished enough, his father let him go.
Then it would be my grandfather’s turn. Even though he knew that by crying he could escape quickly from his father’s hand, he would not make a sound. Soon the spanking would turn into a beating. Still my grandfather would not cry. Finally his father would tire of this and let him go. Because of this unjust treatment, he ran away from home at age 10 and spent his teen years roaming the forests of the eastern United States, eating the wild plants his grandmother had taught him were safe and whatever fish he could catch. When he got married and had children of his own, he left all the disciplining to his wife. He did not want to become like his father.
Many people view God as being much like my great-grandfather. They think He is severe and cruel and angry with us continually. They picture Him as looking down upon the earth and watching for reasons punish us, but He is not like that at all. He is, “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” Ex 34:6 ”He 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.” Ps 103:10-12 He assures us, “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.” Jer 29:11 “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.” Isa 49:15,16 “God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened [made us alive] us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Eph 2:4 Wonderful Saviour!
May we see God as He really is—loving and kind, just and fair, the Giver of all true happiness and goodness. May we wholeheartedly respond to His great heart of love. May we serve Him joyfully throughout all our life is my prayer.

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? Isaiah 58:6, 7.
We are living in the last days of this earth’s history, and it is time we understood what we must do to be saved. The Lord will work intelligently for all who will work intelligently for Him. My brethren and sisters, there is something more for you to do than to sit in your churches Sabbath after Sabbath and to listen to the preaching of the Word. You have a work to do for [your] friends and neighbors. God requires … that you visit these families and seek to create an interest in the truth for this time. You are not laboring together with God if you neglect the work of helping others to take hold upon eternal realities. Our ministers are not to be encouraged to hover about the churches to repeat to the believers week after week the same truths. We have a truth that is saving and precious. The Word of God must be planted in many hearts; the bread of life must be dealt out to many hungering souls…. It is a blessed work to lift up Christ before the world. When the work of the judgment is finished and decisions have been made for eternity, it will be seen that it is those who have given themselves wholeheartedly to the service of God who will stand right with heaven. Some of these may not have been able to leave their families to go to some mission field, but they have been missionaries in their own neighborhood. Their hearts have been so filled with the love of God that their great anxiety has been to win souls for Him. This has been more to them than silver and gold and the precious things of this world. And as they have labored in simplicity to minister the Word of truth, the Spirit of God has sent home the Word to the hearts of the people. My brethren and sisters, let us study the simplicity there is in the Word of God. Let us see what we can do to advance the cause of Christ in the earth. Christ was in this world as a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. There were many who set themselves against His work. There will be those who will oppose you. But your work is to preach Christ and Him crucified; and when you do this, the salvation of God will be revealed in the conversion of souls…. Let the light shine where you are. Lay hold of the power that there is in Christ, and learn to overcome through the merits of His blood and the word of your testimony.—Manuscript 93, September 7, 1909, “Address to the Church at Salt Lake City.”
The Upward Look p. 264
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my neighbor and children as her husband will not allow them to go to church or have family worship. Jose
—-Latest Update on my Dad Bill, He has stage 4 cancer and it has Metastasized into his bones and throughout his blood. The doctors will start him on some sort of pill today to lengthen his life. It’s not over until MY GOD says so! Connie
—-Just received a devastating news about my friend’s daughter Sandra is in coma right now. She was hit by a car while driving a few days back. Please keep her in your prayers. Samantha
—-Please pray for my cousin Rose, she is on the ventilator with covid19. She is a fighter and her husband died this morning from covid. She has no idea. Mary
—-Praise God my hand is much better. Rose
—-Please pray for Joel, he had a heart attack today and is in a coma. Sim
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Dear Friends,
It is hard to believe that it has been nineteen years since 9/11. A whole generation has grown up with little idea of what a change it wrought in the lives of Americans. I had barely begun my workday when Ron called and told me to turn on the radio. He explained the reason. Shock and unbelief surged through me. Before I could even get my radio turned on, Ronnie Jay called with more details. I told Bev. Since our office was in the basement at the time, we took turns going upstairs to the jury room to see the devastation on TV. The rest of the day, my radio was on.
As the reporters recounted the events that brought to rubble the World Trade Center and surrounding buildings and part of the Pentagon, I thought of the many thousands of people who had gone to work that morning or were on those hijacked planes going wherever they needed to go. Only moments before, their day was routine. Only moments before, their lives were filled with plans for the future, thoughts of the mundane, anticipation of an evening with family and friends.
In a moment all had changed. Many were engulfed in flames, some jumped to their death, most rushed down the stairs trying to escape. Even in this tragedy, God was working to protect and guide. Most made it to safety, although many did not. As I listened to the reports both at the time and then in the weeks afterwards, I couldn’t help thinking how quickly our life can change. I couldn’t help wondering how many of those people were ready to die.
How easy it is to get caught up in our own future plans without a thought heavenward. James speaks of this: “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” James 4:13-15 Peter agrees, “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:24,25
How urgent it is that we have God’s Word hidden in our heart. (Ps 119:11) How vital it is to have that close connection with our Dear Saviour so needful for our present and future happiness. How important it is to so live that if some tragedy befalls us and we lose our life, we will be ready for the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Just as the happenings of 9-11 were life changing, even so will that greatest of events be. Jesus warns us, “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 21:26-30 (See also: Luke 12: 35-46)
May we “take heed lest at any time [our] hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon [us] unawares.” Luke 21:34 May we “watch…and pray always, that [we] may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” vs. 36 May we soon be filled with joy as we look up “and see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven” to take us to those Heavenly mansions He is preparing for us. (Mark 24:62; John 14:1-3)
Rose