Dear Brother: I have the most tender love for you, and would that it were otherwise with you; that those pursuing you would let you alone. But, my brother, you must bear in mind that these perplexities and annoying things are included in the “all things” that work together for good to those who love God. The Lord’s eye is upon you…. If you will keep up good courage, if you will stay your soul upon God, if you will trust your heavenly Father as a child trusts its parent, and deal justly and love mercy, God can and will work with you. Then amid all your trials you will honor God, and His promise is sure, “Them that honour me I will honour” (1 Samuel 2:30).

Remember that your experience is not the first of the kind. You know the history of Joseph and of Daniel. The Lord did not prevent the wicked plottings of their enemies, but He caused all their devices to work for good to those who kept their faith and loyalty amid trial and conflict.

The furnace fires are not to … [destroy], but to refine, ennoble, sanctify. Without these trials we would not feel so much our need of God and His help. We would become proud and self-sufficient. In these trials I see evidence that the Lord’s eye is upon you, and that He means to draw your heart to Himself. It is not the whole, but the wounded, who need a physician; those who are pressed almost beyond the point of endurance, who need a Helper. Turn unto the stronghold. Learn the precious lesson, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Jesus loves you. The experience which you are having makes me glad, not because you are a sufferer, but because this is evidence to me that the Lord is testing and proving you to see if you will come to Him, to see if you will put your trust in Him, if you will find peace and rest in His love….

Jesus has not left you to be surprised and amazed at the trials and difficulties you meet. He has told you all about them, and He has also told you that you should not be cast down and oppressed when trials come. You are to look to Jesus, your Redeemer, and be cheerful and rejoice…. We have a living Saviour, who so loved us that He died for us, that through Him we might have hope, strength, and courage, and a seat with Him upon His throne.—Letter 8, July 16, 1886, to Dr. J. H. Kellogg, director of Battle Creek Sanitarium.

The Upward Look p. 211
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Prayer Requests
—-Prayers for my father. He’s in ICU with Covid-19. Ana
—-Please pray for Larry. He is in the hospital. Please pray that the doctors will figure out why he is so anemic and has other health issues going on. Rose
—-Please pray for my niece Audry. She had non smokers lung cancer and it has now moved to her brain and spinal cord. Debbie
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, Ronnie Jay, Esther Marie, and Brian went camping in Northern Minnesota. Even though it rained almost the entire time, they brought back a multitude of photos and videos of both animals and scenery.How much I enjoyed looking at them! There was so much beauty that I wished I had been there.
Even as I marveled at our Great Creator’s handiwork, there were signs of the enemy’s work in dead and dying flower, leaf, and animal. One poor moose that Ronnie Jay came upon as he was walking off the trail, was nothing more than a bag of bones with skin stretched thinly over them.We felt so sorry for this creature and wondered how long it would be before wolves would find her. That thought makes us look forward all the more to the time when “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev 1:4
Yet, even after 6000 years of sin, there are still scenes of grandeur that are breathtakingly beautiful. These places reminds us of our Great Creator. As we walk beside a river whose rushing water is splashing over great rocks worn smooth by its action, we can think of the works of the Lord upon our heart, constantly bringing about circumstances to mold us into His image. When surrounded by great snowcapped mountains dotted with evergreens nearly to their summit, we can meditate upon the Rock Christ Jesus, Who veiled His glory and majesty and came to this dark and sinful world to live a life filled with all the troubles and trials the evil one could heap upon Him. He is our “chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” He is “the stone which the builders disallowed,” Who is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient.” (1 Peter 2:6,8) As we gaze upon the colorful clouds at the close of the day, we looked forward to our Heavenly Home where all is light and beauty, “and the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” Rev 21:23
David exclaimed, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” Ps 33:6-9; 19:1-6; 8:3-9
May we spend time viewing our Great Creator’s handiwork, that we may praise the Lord for His marvelous creation. May we meditate upon His mighty works, lifting our mind and heart up in thankfulness to the One Who loves us so.
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/ym67IPpAS0A/cast-thy-burden-upon-the-lord.html

Never are you to tear one another down, for you are doing Satan’s work. Day by day you are to help one another to grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ. In this work you close the door to the enemy. The power of speech is a great talent to bless others or a great curse to cause dissension and strife.

The one who gives himself up to finding fault with this one and that one is neglecting his own precious soul. And those who allow such a one to carry on his un-Christlike work unrebuked are themselves accountable before God of injury to their brethren….

Can we expect the blessing of God to rest upon a church when the members are cherishing bitterness against one another? … Those in whose hearts Christ abides will show in their lives the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness. Those who are controlled by the enemy will be filled with envy, strife, malice, and evil-surmising….

If one of those of whom these cruel words are spoken were tonight lying cold in death, how different would be the words spoken of him. How often this is the case: While a person is living and could be blessed by kind words, unkind, bitter words are spoken of him, but when his work is ended, and his hands are folded in death, words of love and appreciation are spoken. But the words of love fall upon ears that hear not. They are spoken to hearts that cannot be comforted. It is too late! Oh, if some of these words of love could have been spoken in life, how much better it would have been….

God desires His people to bring into their homes all the peace and joy and love that it is possible for them to have. The love that they bring into the home, they will bring into the church. My brethren and sisters, you can bring the peace of heaven into the home and into the church, if you will sanctify to God the talent of speech.—Manuscript 26, July 15, 1886, “Evil-speaking,” a sermon preached in Oslo, Norway
The Upward Look p. 210
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Prayer Requests
—-Prayer Requests from last evening’s prayer meeting: Pray for a safe reopening of our church soon.—Pray for James’ daughter, Rene, who has Hodgkin’s Lymphoma—Pray for Joyce’s young relative who was hurt seriously in an accident.—Pray for safe travel for Mike and Larry and for Larry’s health—Pray that Brian does not get a tic-borne disease from the tic that had been on him for a few days before discovered. Also pray that BG will get air conditioning so it won’t be so hot at work.—Pray for Barb’s daughter who just separated from her husband as his alcoholism is getting worse.—Sherlyn asks that the important package she sent her son overseas will arrive with no problems.—Pray for Sarah—Pray for Minnie’s son who is on the road a lot.—Pray for Dan’s father who had surgery and his mother-in-law who needs special care.
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Dear Friends,
When I was a little girl, my mother used to take me to many enjoyable places for a little vacation. Holland, Michigan during the time of the Tulip Festival was one of those places. Holland was like stepping into a storybook or visiting the real Holland that is on the other side of the world. During the festival, the residents would dress in traditional Dutch costumes and there would be parades, craftsmen who made wooden shoes and various other articles for sale, acres of tulips to view, windmills, etc. It is a cherished memory
Just as, my mother took me to many places when I was young, so we will someday have the privilege of roaming the Universe and seeing all of the wonders of creation. We will “follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” Rev 14:4 Think of it! Soon Jesus will come to take us to His Glorious Heavenly Kingdom. We will see our Dear Saviour face to face! He will embrace us and welcome us with the words, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt 25:34 Our Heavenly Father, Himself, will “wipe away all tears from [our] eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev 21:4 We will “sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven” and hear from their own lips the way that the Lord led in their life. Matt 8:11 We will meet the angel, who has guarded us since our birth and listen to the stories of the many times he protected us even times when we did not know that we were in danger. We “shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. [We] shall not build, and another inhabit; [we] shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. [We] shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for [we] are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and [our] offspring with [us.] And it shall come to pass, that before [we] call, [our Great Creator] will answer; and while [we] are yet speaking, [He] will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat.” Isa 65:21-25 How I look forward to that time!
May we soon look up and see our Great Redeemer coming in the clouds to take us to His Heavenly Home. May we all worship together around the throne of the Great Creator of the Universe. May that time come soon is my prayer.
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/xF10gB6FC08/sanctify-to-god-the-talent-of-speech.html

The redemption that was wrought out for us by our Lord on the cross of Calvary was to bring us to obedience to the law of God, making it possible, through His righteousness imputed to us, to keep the law of God….

No man’s work, no matter what his position may be, can bear any comparison with this great work for fallen man. The subject is so great, so important. Then why is it that so few pay attention to it? Men act as though they had no souls to save, no heaven to win, no hell to shun. What does it mean?

Says the apostle Paul, “Who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” (Galatians 3:1). The truth was to the apostle so great, so clear, so important, because eternal interests were involved, that he could only ascribe to the bewitching power of Satan the continued impiety and neglect of this great salvation. Now are there not many who are so bewitched with Satan’s wiles that they do not obey the truth? that they do not see the advantages of obedience? Who is thus unwise? It is those who have not sought the Lord for help that they may cease to longer transgress His law.

There is nothing so offensive to God as sin. Instead of making void the law of God by continuing in sin, every truly converted soul will be walking in the path of humble obedience to all of God’s commandments. They will search the Scriptures that they might know the truth. Who hath bewitched the impenitent, the transgressor, that sin is chosen rather than obedience? It is the power of Satan that came to Adam and Eve in Eden, the deceiving, bewitching power of the fallen angel….

How few talk about this great sacrifice of the life of Jesus to save the guilty sinner! If we appreciated this love manifested by God for our souls we would be elevated by taking hold of the merits of Jesus Christ, for without the righteousness of Christ man could not give to God perfect obedience….

He condescended to this great sacrifice, not that sin in man should become a virtue, not that sin might be made righteousness. He took the steps that man is required to take in conversion. He went forward in baptism, and when He came up out of the water He kneeled down and offered up such a prayer to His Father as Heaven had never heard before.—Manuscript 25, July 14, 1887, “A Peculiar People.”
The Upward Look p. 209
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Prayer Requests
—- please pray for G. he is in the hospital with multiple infections and none of them the covid virus. they just put in him/ .there.he hasa high temperature.
and his son is on dialysis and his daughter in law has cancer. he is a good member at church he has been hit with a lot of trails through the years. please pray the DR’s will find the cure for him his wife has had healt issues as well age has no boundaries . M.
—-Please pray for a friend’s co-worker. His name is Terry he is 49 and was getting dizzy and had trouble walking.th ey ran some test and discovered he has a brain tumor.. M
—-Please pray for David. That’s all I can say. B
—-Prayer needed for Leonardo in the Philippians. He has been admitted to hospital with serious kidney problem. His sister has asked for prayer through my prayer net. She can’t visit him as she has no transportation and things are still shut down. Michael
—-My son Chris is in the burn Center. He is burned in his throat from a explosion. He is on a respirator. Please Pray for him. Sandy
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Dear Friends,
My mother did not like to be around her grandfather, Winfield Harmon. He was very stern and pompous and smoked big, fat cigars. All my mother’s life she remembered those stifling, smelly cigars even though she was still a little girl when he died. When they visited him, he would take them for a drive to see the sights around Chicago. Even though they did not have a car, and normally would be excited to go on a drive, they dreaded it. As he drove, he puffed away on his cigar. He insisted on keeping the car windows tightly closed which filled the car with smoke. This made my mother feel sick to her stomach and gave her a terrible headache.
My grandfather, who was sitting in the back seat with his girls, hated the smoke as much as his girls did. Winking at them, he began to roll down the windowa tiny bit at a time to let out some of that nauseating smoke. By the time he would get the window open an inch or two; my great-grandfather would make him close it again. Over and over my grandfather tried to roll down the window very slowly so as not to be noticed, but every time, he would hear a stern “Edwin!” Even though he was a grown man, was afraid of his father and obeyed immediately. He had suffered too much at the hand of that abusive man over the years to take a stand.
Just as that cigar’s smoke surrounded my great-grandfather and became the strongest memory of him for my mother, so all that we do, our attitudes, our words, and all that we think have an influence on those around us. We may have a heavenly influence or we may have an evil one. It is our choice.
Solomon wrote, “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.” “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Prov 15:26; 25:11 Isaiah tells us of his experience, “The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.” Isa 50:4
Jesus admonishes us, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:16 We are to be a witness in more ways than by our words. Dorcas was a person who witnessed by her works. “Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.” Acts 9:36-42
Dorcas’ life spoke volumes to those around her. By her kind deeds, she spread a blessing to all around. Even though great trial and even death came upon her, it was for the saving of many who knew her. Indeed, God did not allow her to be removed from them. He worked through Peter to raise her up that by the influence of a godly life, she might continue to help those in need. In the same way, “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Eph 2:10
May the love of Jesus shine through us to all around us. May all that we do be done “heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord [we] shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for [we] serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” Col 3:23-25 May our thoughts, words, and whatsoever we do bring glory to the One Who loves us so.
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/uuQQhF1dJyI/wonderful-transaction.html