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Always the Same

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Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. Proverbs 22:29.

From the dungeon Joseph was exalted to be ruler over all the land of Egypt. It was a position of high honor, yet it was beset with difficulty and peril. One cannot stand upon a lofty height without danger. As the tempest leaves unharmed the lowly flower of the valley, while it uproots the stately tree upon the mountaintop, so those who have maintained their integrity in humble life may be dragged down to the pit by the temptations that assail worldly success and honor. But Joseph’s character bore the test alike of adversity and prosperity. The same fidelity to God was manifest when he stood in the palace of the Pharaohs as when in a prisoner’s cell. He was still a stranger in a heathen land, separated from his kindred, the worshipers of God; but he fully believed that the divine hand had directed his steps, and in constant reliance upon God he faithfully discharged the duties of his position. Through Joseph the attention of the king and great men of Egypt was directed to the true God; and though they adhered to their idolatry, they learned to respect the principles revealed in the life and character of the worshiper of Jehovah.

How was Joseph enabled to make such a record of firmness of character, uprightness, and wisdom?—In his early years he had consulted duty rather than inclination; and the integrity, the simple trust, the noble nature, of the youth bore fruit in the deeds of the man. A pure and simple life had favored the vigorous development of both physical and intellectual powers. Communion with God through His works and the contemplation of the grand truths entrusted to the inheritors of faith had elevated and ennobled his spiritual nature, broadening and strengthening the mind as no other study could do. Faithful attention to duty in every station, from the lowliest to the most exalted, had been training every power for its highest service. He who lives in accordance with the Creator’s will is securing to himself the truest and noblest development of character.17Ibid., 222.
Conflict and Courage p. 77
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Prayer Requests
—-Our family are going through some severe trials. Please pray for us. LH
—-Prayers for my cousin Amy. She’s having emergency gall bladder surgery. JW
—-Pleas pray for my husband and I as we face his health challenge together with God. BF
—-Please pray for our family. Throughout this winter we and many in our church have had one virus after another. Pray that we all recover fully. Rose
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Dear Friends,
The older I get, the more I think about the time when “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Cor 5:10 Solemn thought. Yet, it doesn’t have to be a scary one.
John assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. . . . My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1

Since, “the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23), how vital it is that when our case comes up before the Great Judge that we have Someone who will plead in our behalf. Our Dear Advocate exclaims, “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8,9 How essential that our sins have been confessed and forsaken beforehand.

What a blessing is forgiveness! Without forgiveness, we all stand guilty before our Maker just as deserving of death as is the worst of murderers. Our Great Judge declares of Himself, “The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” Ex 34:6,7 Praise God! He has promised, “I will forgive [your] iniquity, and I will remember [your] sin no more.” Jer 31:34 To Ezekiel was given an explanation of God’s justice and mercy, “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Eze 33:11

Think of it! If we turn from our evil ways and follow Jesus fully, none of the sins that we have done, no matter how heinous our crimes against the government of God, will be mentioned unto us when we appear before Him. They are erased from the record of our life! Praise the Lord for His grace and mercy! David sang, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. . . . 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.” Ps 32:1-5

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isa 55:6,7 May we “therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb 4:16 May we “give diligence to make [our] calling and election sure” by bringing all of our sins to the Great Sin-Bearer. 2 Peter 1:10 May we continually walk in newness of life, doing as He did, speaking as He spoke, forgiving as He forgives, is my prayer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/always-the-same-2.html

Seven Short Years

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And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. Genesis 29:20.

How different his [Jacob’s] arrival from that of Abraham’s messenger nearly a hundred years before! The servant had come with a train of attendants riding upon camels, and with rich gifts of gold and silver; the son was a lonely, footsore traveler, with no possession save his staff. Like Abraham’s servant, Jacob tarried beside a well, and it was here that he met Rachel, Laban’s younger daughter…. Though he came portionless and unattended, a few weeks showed the worth of his diligence and skill, and he was urged to tarry. It was arranged that he should render Laban seven years’ service for the hand of Rachel.

In early times custom required the bridegroom, before the ratification of a marriage engagement, to pay a sum of money or its equivalent in other property, according to his circumstances, to the father of his wife. This was regarded as a safeguard to the marriage relation…. But provision was made to test those who had nothing to pay for a wife. They were permitted to labor for the father whose daughter they loved, the length of time being regulated by the value of the dowry required. When the suitor was faithful in his services, and proved in other respects worthy, he obtained the daughter as his wife; and generally the dowry which the father had received was given her at her marriage….

The ancient custom, though sometimes abused, as by Laban, was productive of good results. When the suitor was required to render service to secure his bride, a hasty marriage was prevented, and there was opportunity to test the depth of his affections, as well as his ability to provide for a family. In our time many evils result from pursuing an opposite course. It is often the case that persons before marriage have little opportunity to become acquainted with each other’s habits and disposition, and, so far as everyday life is concerned, they are virtually strangers when they unite their interests at the altar. Many find, too late, that they are not adapted to each other, and lifelong wretchedness is the result of their union.1Patriarchs and Prophets, 188, 189.
Conflict and Courage p. 66
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for E as she has a very important decision to make. R
—-Pray with me about our bible study/personal ministries in church. We need better planning and some people to become passionate about the need to outreach to those in our community. Jennifer
—-Maya has had a really good day today! Don’t get me wrong, she is still struggling…the mucus is thick and the cough is exhausting. She’s been getting bloody noses from all the suctioning we’ve had to do to keep her airways clear. BUT, she has no more fever, her O2 is staying at a decent percentage, and she’s got quite a bit of energy back (only needed one nap today!).
We are still doing respiratory cares around the clock…every 4 hours. That means she gets albuterol inhaler, sodium chloride nebulizer, chest percussion therapy (she calls it the shakey machine), and cough assist, along with loads of suctioning. Likely that we will need to continue this for another few weeks. Maya is at a very increased risk of developing pneumonia with any illness, but the risk is even greater with RSV.
Tomorrow, the family will head half way across the state for a specialized doctors visit (physical med and rehab, who deals with all things growth, Cerebral Palsy, and musculature) on Friday. Next week she also sees her pulmonologist (lung doctor). Let’s keep praying she gets better and better by the day! Jenny
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Dear Friends,

Today, I was remembering an embarrassing moment I had when I was working at the courthouse many years ago. I had been getting about six hours of sleep a night for months and it began to catch up on me. No one was in the outer office where I was working (which was unusual in itself) and as I was typing on the computer, I fell asleep. I don’t know how long I was in dreamland, but I suddenly woke up to a knock on the doorframe. Instantly, I looked up and saw the man who sprayed for bugs monthly standing in the doorway. I could tell he had seen me sleeping, because he never knocked: he normally just walked on through with his bug sprayer.

Jesus told a story of some people whose sleeping when they should have been wake had far greater consequences than a little embarrassment. “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 many will weep and wail when they see Jesus coming because they spiritually slept. They will then declare, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jer 8:20 They will cry for the rocks and the mountains to hide them from Jesus’ face just as surely as those who did not believe in Him. (Rev 6:15-17) May we, as did the wise virgins, keep our lamps brightly burning earnestly holding fast to the truth while we await the appearing of the Bridegroom and with rejoicing say, “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

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/seven-short-years-2.html

God Comes Down to See

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Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” Genesis 11:4, R.S.V.
For a time the descendants of Noah continued to dwell among the mountains where the ark had rested. As their numbers increased, apostasy soon led to division. Those who desired to forget their Creator and to cast off the restraint of His law felt a constant annoyance from the teaching and example of their God-fearing associates, and after a time they decided to separate from the worshipers of God. Accordingly they journeyed to the plain of Shinar, on the banks of the river Euphrates…. Here they decided to build a city, and in it a tower of such stupendous height as should render it the wonder of the world….
The dwellers on the plain of Shinar disbelieved God’s covenant that He would not again bring a flood upon the earth. Many of them denied the existence of God and attributed the Flood to the operation of natural causes. Others believed in a Supreme Being, and that it was He who had destroyed the antediluvian world; and their hearts, like that of Cain, rose up in rebellion against Him. One object before them in the erection of the tower was to secure their own safety in case of another deluge. By carrying the structure to a much greater height than was reached by the waters of the Flood, they thought to place themselves beyond all possibility of danger. And as they would be able to ascend to the region of the clouds, they hoped to ascertain the cause of the Flood….
There are tower builders in our time. Infidels construct their theories from the supposed deductions of science, and reject the revealed word of God…. In the professedly Christian world many turn away from the plain teachings of the Bible and build up a creed from human speculations and pleasing fables, and they point to their tower as a way to climb up to heaven….
The time of God’s investigation is at hand. The Most High will come down to see that which the children of men have builded. His sovereign power will be revealed; the works of human pride will be laid low.14Ibid., 118-124.
Conflict and Courage p. 42
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Prayer Requests
—-My 14-year-old grandson, Ayden is type 1 diabetic and not controlled. He also has scoliosis and very flat feet. Please lift him up in prayer. Debra
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Dear Friends,
Life seems to be getting busier and busier. This is not just something I am experiencing: almost everyone I know is having the same problem. There is hardly enough time to do all that needs to be done.
As I was thinking about our busy lives and my neglecting to write to or call those who are dear to me, I began to think about ways to solve this problem. To relax from my very stressful life, I enjoy putting together jigsaw puzzles online whenever I have time. Suddenly I realized that if I took the time that I waste doing them, I would have time to keep in touch with those near and dear to my heart.
Even more vital than keeping in touch with our loved ones, is keeping in contact with our Best Friend Jesus. Indeed, our Heavenly Friend looks forward to hearing from us more than we look forward to a call or letter from those we love. He longs to have us talk to Him, to bring Him all our perplexities, to share with Him our joys, to ask His advice in all things, to listen as He speaks to us through His Word and through His “still small voice” speaking to our heart.
How often He waits for us to think of Him, but we often go through our busy routine with scarcely a thought Heavenward. 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. Paul advises, “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thes 5:17 In this day and age, staying in contact with our Dear Saviour is even more important. “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
Think of it! As we pray, He instructs us. As we meditate on His Word, He enlightens us. May we like David declare, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. 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.” “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Ps 119:11-16; Ps 55:17

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/god-comes-down-to-see-2.html

Safe Inside

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And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. Genesis 7:1.
Noah had faithfully followed the instructions which he had received from God. The ark was finished in every part as the Lord had directed, and was stored with food for man and beast. And now the servant of God made his last solemn appeal to the people. With an agony of desire that words cannot express, he entreated them to seek a refuge while it might be found. Again they rejected his words, and raised their voices in jest and scoffing. Suddenly a silence fell upon the mocking throng. Beasts of every description, the fiercest as well as the most gentle, were seen coming from mountain and forest and quietly making their way toward the ark. A noise as of a rushing wind was heard, and lo, birds were flocking from all directions, their numbers darkening the heavens, and in perfect order they passed to the ark. Animals obeyed the command of God, while men were disobedient.6Ibid., 97, 98.
When they saw the beasts come from the forests to the door of the ark, and Noah take them in, they had so long resisted, so long denied the message that God had given them, that … conscience had become unimpressible.7Letter 108, 1896.
Mercy had ceased its pleadings for the guilty race. The beasts of the field and the birds of the air had entered the place of refuge. Noah and his household were within the ark, “and the Lord shut him in.” … The massive door, which it was impossible for those within to close, was slowly swung to its place by unseen hands. Noah was shut in, and the rejecters of God’s mercy were shut out. The seal of Heaven was on that door; God had shut it, and God alone could open it. So when Christ shall cease His intercession for guilty men, before His coming in the clouds of heaven, the door of mercy will be shut. Then divine grace will no longer restrain the wicked, and Satan will have full control of those who have rejected mercy. They will endeavor to destroy God’s people; but as Noah was shut into the ark, so the righteous will be shielded by divine power.8Patriarchs and Prophets, 98.
Conflict and Courage p. 39
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for us as we have covid. So have many other people in our church. Please pray that we will all recover quickly. Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/safe-inside-2.html

Looking at Christ

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But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18.
In the midst of a life of active labor, Enoch steadfastly maintained his communion with God. The greater and more pressing his labors, the more constant and earnest were his prayers. He continued to exclude himself at certain periods from all society. After remaining for a time among the people, laboring to benefit them by instruction and example, he would withdraw, to spend a season in solitude, hungering and thirsting for that divine knowledge which God alone can impart. Communing thus with God, Enoch came more and more to reflect the divine image. His face was radiant with a holy light, even the light that shineth in the face of Jesus. As he came forth from these divine communings, even the ungodly beheld with awe the impress of heaven upon his countenance.41Gospel Workers, 52.
Enoch kept the Lord ever before him…. He made Christ his constant companion. He was in the world, and performed his duties to the world; but he was ever under the influence of Jesus. He reflected Christ’s character, exhibiting the same qualities of goodness, mercy, tender compassion, sympathy, forbearance, meekness, humility, and love. His association with Christ day by day transformed him into the image of Him with whom he was so intimately connected. Day by day he was growing away from his own way into Christ’s way, the heavenly, the divine, in his thoughts and feelings.42The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 6:1097, 1098.
If we keep the Lord ever before us, allowing our hearts to go out in thanksgiving and praise to Him, we shall have a continual freshness in our religious life. Our prayers will take the form of a conversation with God as we would talk with a friend. He will speak His mysteries to us personally. Often there will come to us a sweet, joyful sense of the presence of Jesus. Often our hearts will burn within us as He draws nigh to commune with us as He did with Enoch. When this is in truth the experience of the Christian, there is seen in his life a simplicity, a humility, meekness, and lowliness of heart, that show to all with whom he associates that he has been with Jesus and learned of Him.43Christ’s Object Lessons 129, 130.
Conflict and Courage p. 30
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Prayer Requests
—-Will you all pray for me please……….I have been going through hell for a long time now and I just can’t take it no more. PL
—-Please pray for Chris and Cindy. Cindy is in the hospital with pneumonia and it’s not responding to any meds. Jennifer
—-Asking for urgent prayers for one of our workers. DNK
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Dear Friends,
In a couple of weeks, it will be Winter Convocation where all of the area churches of our denomination get together to listen to a special speaker. I’m reminded of one of these meetings which was very spiritual and uplifted Jesus and His great forgiveness. I don’t remember the name of the speaker, but I remember that he brought out a point that we had never thought of. He reminded us that there were no chapters and verses in the original. Therefore John 14:1 is a continuation of the thought in the last verse of chapter 13. “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 13:33-14:6 In those famous verses of 14:1-3, Jesus was saying to Peter and the rest of the disciples, “You will deny me this very night, but let not your heart be troubled. You will repent and I will forgive you and someday you will be with me in my Father’s house.” Precious thought!
Although the speaker did not use this parable, it illustrates the Great King of the Universe’s desire that we forgive others. “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 18:23-35
May we, from our heart, forgive others that we may be forgiveness my prayer.
Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/looking-at-christ.html

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