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The Great Medical Missionary

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He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:6.

The great Medical Missionary was a wonderful healer. He worked the most convincing miracles. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He spoke only the truth. Continually there fell from His lips the precious words that bring spiritual strength to those who make them a part of the daily life. Spiritually we are built up from the food that we give the mind.

It is our privilege to receive the bread of life from the great Medical Missionary, who came to give life to the world. Truth, pure, refining, ennobling truth, came from His very heart…. His heart was constantly burning with the love that brought Him from heaven to our world. His goodness and His power enabled Him to reveal in His life the truth that He came to this earth to bring to the fallen race. In every word, in every act, He manifested the love of God, cheering and encouraging the downcast and distressed. In heavenly wisdom He asserted His true majesty by bending all things to the present and future happiness of human beings. He came to teach men and women how to live, here below, the life of which He gave them an example—the life that will make them fit to enter the abodes of bliss.

In His breast, mercy may be said to have held her court. Hear His words of compassion, spoken to relieve the sin-sick culprit, “Thy sins be forgiven thee” (Matthew 9:2)…. He brought healing to soul and body. In His life was enshrouded the love, the pity, the compassion, the joy, of heaven. Thousands were healed by His word, “I will; be thou whole.” By His work, His glory was so plainly revealed that demons were pained, and when compelled to cease tormenting human beings, confessed Christ to be the Holy One of God.

This work Christ did to show men that He was the tabernacle of witness; that the Word had been made flesh. In the human encampment, amongst the erring and sinful, Christ pitched His tent. He lived close to the poor and the lowly, yet He was the King of glory. He would make all familiar with His character, that we might be partakers of the divine nature, and thus become one with Him in faith and practice. He declares, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father” (chap. 11:27). “All things that the Father hath are mine” (John 16:15). “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). Why was this wonderful transfer made but that Christ might be the world’s Redeemer, the incarnate Saviour! … The great Teacher, while on this earth, gave His whole life to teach us how to work as devoted, consecrated missionaries for God.—Letter 281, August 3, 1904, to Dr. W. H. Riley.
The Upward Look p. 229
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Prayer Requests
—-Prayer request. for my tenant that they will get their visa sooner . He takes care of the property here and it is getting out of control. M
—-Please pray for David who is having depression problems again. B
—-I wanted a request for my sister today. She takes care of our 89 year old Mother and an infant granddaughter, but has been having issues with internal bleeding again. She had one of those tests where you swallow a camera pill, but it got lodged inside someplace. If she does not pass it naturally by Monday or so, she will require surgery, and they still do not know what is wrong with her (this time). She lives on the east coast, and I live a thousand miles away, and have no way to assist her. I also help take care of my infant granddaughter who finally got out of NICU the end of April. She is on oxygen and being tube fed, and has vomiting issues, and cannot be left alone. Many prayers are asked, and all appreciated. Thank you and God bless each of you. Ann
—-Please help me pray for my goddaughter Angel who is battling cancer! Patricia
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Dear Friends,
In this day and age, there is so much to occupy our mind. Before we realize it, the day, the week, the month, the year is over. We look back over the year, over the life, and wonder where the time has gone. How often we think the things of this world are of the utmost importance. How often they occupy our time—time that should be spent getting our lives right with God. How many times worldly things become our passion, our whole focus in life. It may be sports; it may be TV programs; it may be the computer; it may be music; it may even be another person. It is different for different people, but it is a real danger none-the-less. How easy it is to get so entangled in this world’s pleasure and even in providing for its necessities that we get our priorities mixed up.
Nothing, no matter how dear, should be allowed to cause us to put off our decision to accept Jesus into our heart. Behold “now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor 6:2 Nothing should come between us and a study of God’s Holy Word. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10 Paul urges us, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil 2:12, 13 This cooperating with Jesus in building a beautiful character for His glory and for His joy is should be our greatest work. He, Who left the glories of Heaven so that we might be saved, promises, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt 6:33 This is of the utmost importance. This should be a daily seeking, a daily asking Jesus into our heart, a daily walk with Him.

Character Building

By Aletha Phillips-Spoor

You my build a house with marble walls,

You may build a mansion with stately halls,

Or may build a ship to sail the seas,

You may build a cabin if you please,

You may build a home for a happy pair,

You may build castles in the air;

All these will last but for a day,

You’re building for eternity.

‘Tis character that you must build,

Your very being must be filled

With noble deeds and thoughts, then smile,

‘Twill build character worth while;

A character that can’t be sold

But one that’s worth its weight in gold,

The house will stand but for a day,

Its walls will crumble and decay,

The ship may sail, we know not where,

Your castles vanish in the air,

Fire or storm may raze the home

And the happy pair be left to roam;

But the character you build today

Will last through all eternity.

So build with the best the Lord has given,

And show to the world that you have striven,

And when the goal is reached at last

And all the cares of life are past,

You’ll hear the Master’s glad “Well done,”

At the last setting of the sun.

How wonderful it will be to hear that “Well done” from our Master’s lips as He welcomes us to His Heavenly Home with abundant joy. May Jesus have first place in our heart. May we daily choose to serve Him. May we receive freely of His grace, that we may hear Him say, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/IteGkM5FeYk/the-great-medical-missionary.html

Enoch Pleased God

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And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Genesis 5:24.

God had a church when Adam and Eve and Abel accepted and hailed with joy the good news that Jesus was their Redeemer. These realized as fully then as we realize now the promise of the presence of God in their midst. Wherever Enoch found one or two who were willing to hear the message he had for them, Jesus joined with them in their worship of God. In Enoch’s day there were some among the wicked inhabitants of earth who believed. The Lord never yet has left His faithful few without His presence nor the world without a witness.

Enoch was a public teacher of the truth in the age in which he lived. He taught the truth; he lived the truth; and the character of the teacher who walked with God was in every way harmonious with the greatness and sacredness of his mission. Enoch was a prophet who spake as he was moved by the Holy Ghost. He was a light amid the moral darkness, a pattern man, a man who walked with God, being obedient to God’s law—that law which Satan had refused to obey, which Adam had transgressed, which Abel obeyed, and because of his obedience was murdered. And now God would demonstrate to the universe the falsity of Satan’s charge that man cannot keep God’s law. He would demonstrate that though man had sinned, he could so relate himself to God that he would have the mind and spirit of God and would be a representative symbol of Christ. This holy man was selected of God to denounce the wickedness of the world, and to evidence to the world that it is possible for men to keep all the law of God….

Enoch not only meditated and prayed, and put on the armor of watchfulness, but he came forth from his pleadings with God to plead with his fellow men. He did not mask the truth to find favor with unbelievers, thus neglecting their souls. This close connection with God gave him courage to work the works of God. Enoch walked with God and “had the testimony that his ways pleased God.” This is the privilege of every believer today. It is man dwelling with God, and God taking up His abode with man. “I in them, and thou in me,” says Jesus. To walk with God and have the witness that their ways please Him is an experience not to be confined to Enoch, to Elijah, to patriarchs, to prophets, to apostles, and to martyrs. It is not only the privilege but the duty of every follower of Christ to have Jesus enshrined in the heart, to carry Him with them in their lives; and they will indeed be fruit-bearing trees.—Manuscript 43, August 2, 1900, “The Prophet Enoch.”
The Upward Look p. 228
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Prayer Requests
—-This is an update on the status of my Mother, Evelyn. And it is not good news …They WERE talking about sending her to a unit that does stroke rehabilitation. But now they are saying that she doesn’t have enough movement in her limbs to “qualify” for that. It sounds to me like thy have pretty well made up their minds that they are going to send her to Palliative Care. I think you all probably know what that means.That said, I still believe that God can perform a miracle. All I can think of to say now is, I ask you all to please keep praying for her. Mark
—-Thank you for all the prayers for my friends daughter who was going into labor at 20 weeks. Today Jane lost her baby boy Oliver. Connie
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Dear Friends,
This time of year, I always have problems with my eustation tubes getting plugged up because of allergies. There’s not much that can be done but endure it. It reminds me of a program I used to watch that followed an emergency room doctor as he saw patients. Having worked in a hospital many years ago, this sparked my interest. One of the patients that was shown was a man who had a very large bug in his ear. It had caused the man much pain and discomfort. His only thought was to be rid of that creature that was hanging on with its pinchers. As the doctor worked to remove the insect, the man moaned and howled loudly. (At least I don’t have that happening.)
Sin is like that bug in that man’s ear. Once it gets inside us, it holds on even tighter than that bug did. Once we allow sin even a tiny entrance, it takes over everything. We can fool ourselves into believing that we can stop sinning any time we want to. But when we try to get rid of it, we cannot. We can only say as did the apostle Paul, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Rom 7:24
Praise God! We have Someone Who is waiting to help us. He longs to save us from our sins. He wants to cleanse us before it is too late. He pleads, “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 “Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. Joel 2:12, 13 He is “the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6 He “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Gal 1:4 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 Therefore “we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:12-14
May we allow the Great Physician to rid us of every sin even though it is sometimes painful to us is my prayer.
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/NgWHkj5OHUY/enoch-pleased-god.html

Let the Holy Spirit Control

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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22, 23.

The question of religious liberty needs to be clearly comprehended by our people in more ways than one. With outstretched arms men are seeking to steady the ark, and the anger of the Lord is kindled against them because they think that their position entitles them to say what the Lord’s servants shall do and what they shall not do….

Moses was specially chosen to be the visible leader of the children of Israel. Through long years of discipline he learned the lesson of humility, and he became a man whom God could teach and guide. He endured as seeing Him who is invisible. God trusted him—a daily learner in the school of Christ—with the leadership of the host of Israel. God talked with him face to face, as a man talketh with his friend. He was the meekest of all men. He did not seek to control the Holy Spirit, but was himself controlled by the Spirit….

Every man has an individuality of his own, which is not to be submerged in any other human being. The life of each one must be hid with Christ in God. Men are under God’s control, not under the control of weak, erring human beings. They are to be left free to be guided by the Holy Spirit, not by the fitful, perverse spirit of unsanctified men….

Let God be recognized as the supreme Ruler of His heritage. Let every man place himself under His control. Let Him be recognized in all our assemblies, in every business meeting, every council, every committee. He sees all that is done, and hears all that is said.

“Thou God seest me” (Genesis 16:13). Let these words be kept ever in mind. They will be a safeguard against imprudent, passionate speeches, against all desire to domineer. They will repress words that should never be spoken, and resolutions that men have no right to make—resolutions that restrict the liberty of human beings….

God calls upon men to act under His supervision, to accept His standard, to take all their decisions and plans to Him for approval. His holiness, His justice, is to keep them from unprincipled actions….

“Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry…. The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord” (Psalm 146:5-10).—Manuscript 51, August 1, 1895, “God to Control His Heritage.”
The Upward Look p. 227
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Prayer Requests
—-I need prayer for a mother scheduled to have surgery this morning. She’s somewhat nervous and says she’s been praying much as the date nears. A mother of 2, its understandable to be even more concerned when considering their well-being if something were to happen to the parent. Monica
—-Please pray for my son Chris and his wife Elvia and my granddaughter Lauren. They are having marriage problems. Kay
—-Please pray with me for Maya. She has aspiration pneumonia. She overproduces saliva, and sometimes it gets into her lungs and causes pneumonia. It’s not contagious, but it does make her sick. Pray that it clears up quickly and without too much stress to her little body. Jennifer
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Dear Friends,

When my children were babies, they used to gaze into my face. It brought joy to my heart, yet, I often wondered just what they were thinking. Whenever I see a baby gaze into his mother’s face, I think of those days gone by. Just as a little one studies their mother’s every expression, so our focus should be on our Loving Saviour. He is our Creator, our Redeemer, our Helper, our Strength, our constant Companion. Our dearest thoughts should be of Him. Our conversation should be about His blessings. He was near to us as we were being formed in the womb. Indeed, He is the one Who formed us. “Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself. Isa 44:24 As He said to Jeremiah, so He says to us, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.” Jer 1:5 “There is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isa 45:21.22

Our response to our Dear Creator should be as the Psalmist said, “Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God.” Ps 123:1,2 “Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7 As we look unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, our Only Hope of salvation, the One Who sacrificed His All of us, may we sing:

*Look upon Jesus, sinless is He;
Father, impute His life unto me.
My life of scarlet, my sin and woe,
Cover His life, whiter than snow.

Deep are the wounds transgression has made;
Red are the stains; my soul is afraid.
O to be covered, Jesus, with Thee,
Safe from the law that now judgeth me!

Longing the joy of pardon to know;
Jesus holds out a robe white as snow;
“Lord, I accept it! Leaving my own,
Gladly I wear Thy pure alone.”

May we accept His great sacrifice. May we keep our eyes upon our Dear Saviour Who is first and last and always in our life is my prayer.

Rose

*Cover with His Life by F. E. Belden

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/mbNlCp1eVqs/let-the-holy-spirit-control.html

I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes

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I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Psalm 121:1.

Dear Children, Edson and Emma: Here I am at Mr. Fair’s, husband to your cousin, Addie Clough Fair, looking out and upward upon mountains of perpendicular rocks estimated at five hundred feet high….

Mr. Walling took us up, up, up the mountains. We feared sometimes that we should never reach the top. We had a commanding view of the country. We could look down upon Black Hawk and Central, and see all there was of both cities….

The mountain scenery of Colorado can never be described so that the imagination can gather distinct and correct ideas of this country. It is wonderful! It is marvelous! The scenery of the grand old mountains, some bald and others covered with trees! Instinctively the mind is awed and deep feelings of reverence bow the soul in humiliation as the imagination gathers a sense of the power of the Infinite. I would not be deprived of the privilege of seeing what I have of the mountain scenery of Colorado for [a] considerable [sum]….

I walked miles yesterday up the steep mountains and I did not get to rest until past eleven o’clock. But this morning I am up at five, bright and active. This trip among the mountains is doing much for my health. None of you were aware of my miserable state of health. I knew it would not make home better to complain when I left Battle Creek.

Father is better, we are sure, but he has times of shortness of breath and faintness or giddiness. He is careful of his diet….

Mr. Walling is very earnest that we should go with him across the snowy mountain range to what is called the Park, on the other side of the snowy range…. We should have to ride on ponies over the mountains. Our provisions for three or four weeks would be taken in a wagon. All of us would have to ride on the ponies over the mountains while two horses would draw the provisions and blankets for lodging. When there, over the mountains, we are away from all settlements and must carry everything along that we need….

Be sure, my children, to keep your souls free in the Lord, and then He will lead you. The meek will He guide in judgment; the meek will He teach His way.

Your father is perfectly cheerful and happy. We had precious seasons of prayer before God in the groves and mountains in behalf of ourselves and you and the cause and work of God at Battle Creek.—Letter 12, July 31, 1872, to Edson and Emma White.
The Upward Look p. 226
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray that Ron can find a job soon. Rose
—- I have a good friend and his mother, Elizabeth was in a nursing home. She been transferred to hospital and tested positive for this terrible virus. Please lift her and family up in prayer .Daniel
—-Please pray for my sister Kim who has been going through some really challenging times. Shelly
—-Update on my friends daughter who is 20 weeks along and possibly losing her son. She had lost some amniotic fluid but, the leaking stopped and the babies heart beat is strong. Please pray that her being on bed rest will see this baby to full term or at least him being able to survive if not! Connie
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Dear Friends,

Even though my great-grandmother was very poor, she made sure that her children got music lessons. The girls learned to play the piano and her son played the trumpet. When my grandmother had girls of her own, she gave them piano lessons. How they hated those lessons! Every day my grandmother had a rebellion on her hands. Finally she gave up.

One day, after I was grown and had children of my own, my mother came to visit me. She sat down at the piano and played Give Me the Bible by Priscilla J. Owens. I was so surprised! From that moment, the song became special to me. I’d like to share it with you today for its message is one we should not forget.

Give me the Bible, star of gladness gleaming, To cheer the wanderer lone and tempest tossed, No storm can hide that peaceful radiance beaming, Since Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Give me the Bible holy message shining; Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way. Precept and promise, law and love combining, Till night shall vanish in eternal day.

Give me the Bible when my heart is broken, When sin and grief have filled my soul with fear; Give me the precious words by Jesus spoken, Hold up faith’s lamp to show my Saviour near. Give me the Bible holy message shining; Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way. Precept and promise, law and love combining, Till night shall vanish in eternal day.

Give me the Bible, all my steps enlighten, Teach me the danger of these realms below’ That lamp of safety, o’er the gloom shall brighten, That light alone the path of peace can show. Give me the Bible holy message shining; Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way. Precept and promise, law and love combining, Till night shall vanish in eternal day.

Truly the Bible is the Book of books. From Genesis to Revelation we can rely upon its message. Wicked men have tried to destroy it, but it has endured. Many have laid down their lives for reading. Many are ridiculed for following it fully. Modern man has tried to ignore it, but it will judge him in the end.

Jesus assures us, “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” Luke 21:33 God’s Word endures forever! It is the one sure thing that we can rely on. “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven….Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” “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.” Ps 119: 89, 160, 11-16 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Ps 1:1,2

May we daily read God’s Holy Word. May we order our lives according to its precepts. May we exclaim with Paul, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Rom 11:33

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/j9Tql1zWboQ/i-will-lift-up-mine-eyes.html

Love as Brethren

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As touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 1 Thessalonians 4:9.

Truth, precious truth, is to sanctify, subdue, refine, elevate, and finally to exalt us to a seat at the right hand of the Majesty of heaven. Shall we grow feeble in spiritual power for want of exercise? Shall we go day after day without a marked and clear experience in the religious life because we permit our minds to be absorbed in worldly business?

Here, my dear son [Edson], is your danger. Here are the wiles of Satan entangling you. The very powers or organs that you cultivate become strong, and you are imperceptibly placing yourself where you will be in a position unfitted to engage in the work of God. The time that you should be giving yourself earnestly to the work, you are really unfitting yourself for the work God would honor you to do in His cause. One pretext after another has arisen to your mind to excuse you from taking hold of the work which you could do at once while you are waiting till this object is gained or that project is accomplished. It is not the great work you are fitted to do now. But it is the little duties connected with the work of God, the small responsibilities borne with humbleness and fidelity, that will qualify you for higher responsibilities, more important trusts. Purity of motives, unselfish interest, you must cultivate.

Press close to your younger brother, Willie. Let no emulation or strife separate your heart and affections from him. Let no selfish feelings or jealousy find a place in your heart. Empty it of all these things. Cultivate love, confidence, and trust. Live up to the Bible standard. Carry out the light God has given you. Show in kindly acts and words and unselfish acts your true interest and affection for Willie. All the advances you make will be reflected back on you. I shall never be satisfied until I see you both, firmly and strongly, lovingly, united in the closest bonds of brotherly love. God help you to work to this end. You are older than Willie and you should seek in every way to help him and bind him to your heart. Love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.

Religion, my son, is not as some take it, head work, theory. It must be practically carried out in all the byways and broadways of life. It must regulate the life as well as to convince the mind. It alone must purify the heart. God requires everyone who professes His name to be good citizens and that the life of strict integrity and pure devotion should leave a bright light to the world.—Letter 35, July 30, 1876, to “Dear Children.” Edson had just turned 27; Willie was 21.
The Upward Look p. 225
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Prayer Requests
—-Police officer Chuck W. is currently in a coma and fighting for his life against COVID-19. Please pray for him. Becky
—-We have a close friend from church that passed this morning from the coronavirus. Her name was Angie, her husband Rodolfo, sons Steve and Michael have survived the terrible disease. Please lift them in prayer for physical/ emotional healing during their loss . Daniel
—-Please pray for Lissa who is in a dangerous situation.
—-My friend will be having a battery of tests on her heart. Please pray she won’t have heart disease like both her parents had. Connie
—-Requesting prayers for my son please. He is 45 yrs old & has had Crohn’s disease for over 20 years. He has had multiple surgeries and today he’s having two more vertebrae fusions in his lower back. Kathy
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Dear Friends,

About ten years ago, I was talking with someone who often felt too sinful to be saved. Although they had confessed their sins repeatedly, they came away from their prayer feeling no different than before they prayed. Often they would share with me their inmost thoughts and feelings. I would then remind them that we must have faith in the Word of God which tells us, “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Then I told them a little parable to try to help them to understand. “Asking forgiveness, but not believing you’re forgiven is as if Ron were to take me to see a beautiful log cabin located by a mountain lake. This large cabin was exquisitely furnished even having new dishes, utensils, and linens. A baby grand piano was in one corner of the living room. Oh! How I wished I had a cabin like that. Taking me outside, he showed me a lightweight canoe with the finest paddles. Thoughts of hours of the pleasure we could have exploring every nook and cranny of that mountain lake filled my head. Then, to my amazement and joy, he told me that it was all mine. He had paid for it all. While he was away on a business trip, I was to move our personal belongings into this ideal place and enjoy it for it was to be my new home. ——Time passed. Ron’s business trip was over. With joyful anticipation, he returned to the cabin. To his distress, I was not there. Everything was the same as it had been when he had left. He panicked. What terrible thing had happened to me while he was gone? Driving as fast as he dared down the mountain road, he went to our former residence to see if he could find someone who had seen me.

“Just as he drove into the driveway of our old, dilapidated mobile home, he saw me. With disbelief and shock written all over his face, he asked me why I was still living in that old run-down trailer.

“I told him that I just couldn’t believe that beautiful cabin was mine, I couldn’t believe that I could really have anything so nice, and I felt like I wasn’t worthy of such a wonderful gift.”

Then I asked my friend, “how do you think Ron would feel at my ingratitude and lack of trust?” I explained that when we confess our sins to our Dear Saviour but refuse to believe that our sins have been washed away, we are doing just as I did in my little parable.

How it must break our Heavenly Father’s Great Heart of Love when we do not believe His promises and declare to all around by word of action, “The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.” when He assures us over and over of His great love and sacrifice for our salvation. He promises, “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 49:14-16 “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” “And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.” Jer 31:34; 33:8 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa 1:18 “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

Isaiah shares his experience, “Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.” Isa 38:17 Micah adds, “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity. . . and thou wilt cast all [our] sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18, 19 “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. . . . 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. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.” Ps 103:8-19

May we believe His great promises and claim them. May we be filled with joy because of the complete forgiveness and cleansing that is ours for the asking. May we accept His free gift of salvation this very moment is my prayer.

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/STK63G3fvxc/love-as-brethren.html

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