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.

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

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

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

She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Genesis 3:6.
Having herself transgressed, she [Eve] became the agent of Satan working the ruin of her husband. In a state of strange, unnatural excitement, with her hands filled with the forbidden fruit, she sought his presence, and related all that had occurred.
An expression of sadness came over the face of Adam. He appeared astonished and alarmed. To the words of Eve he replied that this must be the foe against whom they had been warned; and by the divine sentence she must die. In answer she urged him to eat, repeating the words of the serpent, that they should not surely die. She reasoned that this must be true, for she felt no evidence of God’s displeasure, but on the contrary realized a delicious, exhilarating influence, thrilling every faculty with new life, such, she imagined, as inspired the heavenly messengers.
Adam understood that his companion had transgressed the command of God, disregarded the only prohibition laid upon them as a test of their fidelity and love. There was a terrible struggle in his mind. He mourned that he had permitted Eve to wander from his side. But now the deed was done; he must be separated from her whose society had been his joy. How could he have it thus? Adam had enjoyed the companionship of God and of holy angels. He had looked upon the glory of the Creator. He understood the high destiny opened to the human race should they remain faithful to God. Yet all these blessings were lost sight of in the fear of losing that one gift which in his eyes outvalued every other. Love, gratitude, loyalty to the Creator—all were overborne by love to Eve. She was a part of himself, and he could not endure the thought of separation…. He resolved to share her fate; if she must die, he would die with her. After all, he reasoned, might not the words of the wise serpent be true? Eve was before him, as beautiful and apparently as innocent as before this act of disobedience. She expressed greater love for him than before. No sign of death appeared in her, and he decided to brave the consequences. He seized the fruit and quickly ate.13Ibid., 56, 57.
Conflict and Courage p. 16
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for our family as we have some health issues. Buck
—-Please pray for my husband. He is diagnosed with severe Sleep Apnea and needs the right treatment. I hear him struggling with breathing in the nights while sleeping. MM
—-My father is in the hospital recovering from an emergency appendectomy. He is a heart patient and there are complications. My sibling has a divorce court meeting with her lawyers and soon to be x. Please pray for my father’s heart and resolution in the courts. Anon
—-My son Wesley …..his whole body is swelling up and he said his lungs and heart are feeling weird so he has finally decided to go to the Emergency Room for help. He can hardly move and he is gasping for air. His legs are swollen to twice their normal size and they are discolored with purple …red…pink….blue streaks. Please pray that he will not change his mind about going for help. Please pray that God will heal him and not allow him to die unsaved. Connie
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Dear Friends,
A few days ago, it snowed a few inches and everything was covered with a blanket of white. At first, there were no tracks in the snow and it did look beautiful even though I have never liked snow. It wasn’t long, however, until the entire yard was full of tracks and bare spots. What made the difference? My grandchildren discovered the snow as soon as they awakened and immediately got dressed in their snowpants and winter coats. Soon there were footprints everywhere. Then they decided to make a snowman. Long paths of snowless grass where they rolled their huge balls for the man of snow. They had so much fun!
Just as those tracks in the snow gave witness that my grandchildren were playing in the yard, so we leave “our tracks” in the lives of those around us. It is good to ask ourselves the question, “Are they any closer to God because of our presence?”
Jesus tells us, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 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 5:13-16
We have a calling to fulfill as did John the Baptist for we are to prepare a people to meet Jesus when He comes again. Just as John’s whole life witnessed to the work given Him by God, so should ours. From his birth he was set aside for this special work, so are we. The disciple John speaks of him, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:6-9
John the Baptist did not live a life of ease. He even separated himself from the temptations of the day and dwelt in the wilderness. Although he lived in a solitary place, people went out to the wilderness to hear him. “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. . . . Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” Matt 3:1-11
John spoke the word in truth no matter what the consequences would be. “Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.” Matt 14:3, 4 It cost him his life, but his reward in Heaven will be great. Jesus, speaking of John, said, “This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Luke 7:27, 28
May we be faithful in our witness as was John. May others take “knowledge of (us), that (we have) been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 May we leave evidence of our walk with God wherever we go by leading those around us to the foot of the cross, that they may receive the grace and blessing and eternal life that our Great Redeemer longs to impart is my prayer.