It is our privilege to understand the great responsibilities that God has placed upon us so that we shall not be in darkness as to what is coming upon our world. We cannot afford to meet that day without a preparation. But when we think of this great and solemn event of Christ’s coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, we should live in great humiliation before God lest we fail of the grace of God and prove ourselves unworthy of eternal life….

We see that the world at large have no thoughts of this great day, and many of them do not care to hear anything about it. But we must meet the record of our lives. We must remember that there is a witness to all our works. An eye like a flame of fire beholds us in all our actions of life. Our very thoughts and the intents and purposes of our hearts are laid bare to God’s inspection. As the features are produced upon the polished plate of the artist, so are our characters upon the books of record in heaven.

We ask you, “How stands your character in the sight of God today? Are you preparing your souls for the grand review, that you may have the white robe of character in that day?” You cannot afford to indulge in sin and iniquity. You cannot afford to be found a transgressor of God’s great moral rule of righteousness….

The God of heaven has given us reasoning powers and intellect, and He wants us to use them. He has given us this body which He wishes us to preserve in perfect health so that we can give Him perfect service. The Lord God is an ever-present witness to the deeds of wickedness done among the children of men upon this earth. How does He look upon men and women for whom He has paid an infinite price, but who refuse to obey His laws? …

We cannot wait until the judgment before we consent to deny self and to lift the cross. We cannot then form characters for heaven. It is here in this life that we must take sides with the humble, self-denying Redeemer. It is here that we must overcome envy, strife, selfishness, love of money, and love of the world. It is here that we must enter the school of Christ, and learn of the Master the precious lessons of meekness and lowliness of mind. And here it must be our aim and earnest effort to be loyal and true to the God of heaven by obeying all of His commandments and thus be fitting up for the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for all who love God.—Manuscript 6a, June 27, 1886, “Preparation for the Judgment,” a sermon by Sister White in Orebro, Sweden.
The Upward Look p. 192
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for RA and BD that things will go better at work. B
—-Praise—I was sick and now I am well and able to work. Anward
—-My friend just died and I need prayer and so does her family. Paula
—-Pray for Becky, my daughter-in-law who is nine months pregnant and her father just passed. Sara
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Dear Friends,
When I was eight, my mother had the opportunity to go to Nashville, Tennessee during the Christmas holidays with a friend of hers named Don, who was a nightclub singer. He was on his way to Florida to sing in a nightclub there. To see a show at the Grand Ol’ Oprey in Nashville had been a dream of hers as she loved country-western music. She took me along. We had a wonderful time. She was more relaxed and happy than I had seen her up to that point. She was very grateful to Don for inviting her.
Over the years, my mother lost track of Don as he went from one small nightclub to another. She talked of him sometimes, though. He had been raised in the church, but had never given his life to Jesus. As he got older and found that he had a real talent for singing, he began to desire a career in the entertainment industry. Instead of committing his life to Jesus and letting Him lead, he gave himself totally to the persuit of show business. The fame that he was sure he deserved eluded him, and he spent his life in small clubs singing for people whose minds were clouded by alcohol. He was not really happy. He had no family, no true friends, nothing but what he could carry in his car. His was a wasted life.
How much different Don’s life would have been had he used the musical talents that our Great Creator had given him for God’s glory. Jesus told a story about our use of the talents He has given to each of us. “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 25:14-30
May we use all of our talents for our Wonderful Saviour’s glory. And, as we do, may we daily “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/8pQGX45Wo_o/for-what-are-you-preparing.html

Christ might, because of our guilt, have moved far from us. But instead of moving farther away from us, He came and dwelt among us, filled with all the fullness of the Godhead, to be one with us, that through His grace we might attain to perfection. By a death of shame and suffering He paid man’s ransom. What self-sacrificing love is this! From the highest excellency He came, His divinity clothed with humanity, descending step by step to the very depths of humiliation. No line can measure the depth of this love. Christ has shown us how much God can love and our Redeemer suffer in order to secure our complete restoration. He desires His children to reveal His character, to exert His influence, that other minds may be drawn into harmony with His mind.

Christ, our Saviour, in whom dwelt absolute perfection, became sin for the fallen race. He did not know sin by the experience of sinning, but He bore the terrible weight of the guilt of the whole world. He became our propitiation, that all who receive Him may become sons of God. The cross was erected to save man. Christ lifted on the cross was the means devised in heaven for awakening in the repenting soul a sense of the sinfulness of sin. By the cross Christ sought to draw all to Himself. He died as the only hope of saving those who, because of sin, were in the gall of bitterness. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit, a new principle of mental and spiritual power was to be brought to man, who, through association with divinity, was to become one with God.

To break down the barriers that Satan had erected between God and man, Christ made a full and complete sacrifice, revealing unexampled self-denial. He revealed to the world the amazing spectacle of God living in human flesh, and sacrificing Himself to save fallen man. What wonderful love! As I consider it, I weep to think that so many of those who claim to believe the truth are encrusted with selfishness….

I marvel that professing Christians do not grasp the divine resources; that they do not see the cross more clearly as the medium of forgiveness and pardon, the means of bringing the proud, selfish heart of man into direct contact with the Holy Spirit, that the riches of Christ may be poured into the mind, and the human agent be adorned with the graces of the Spirit, that Christ may be commended to those who know Him not.—Manuscript 91, June 26, 1902, “Christ’s Sacrifice for Us.”
The Upward Look p. 191
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Prayer Requests
—-Pray for my brother in law,Sammy,who is serious sick and adimitted at hosipital. Esther N
—-Please pray for my cousin’s little boy. He fell in the fire pit while she was cooking breakfast and is headed to the burn center. He’s two and it looks like it’s on his hands and torso. He’s had a rough life, premature, other health problems with his heart at birth, but he’s a little fighter. Pray for a quick recovery and peace for his family. Jennifer
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Dear Friends,
A few years ago, I was talking with a lady from work. She was lamenting that her sons had not been in contact with her for several years. This broke her heart as she loved her sons with all of the normal mother-love. As she looked back upon her life, she tried to think of a reason for their lack of love and care. I suggested that she call them and tell them how she felt. She assured me that she had in the past but it had done no good. After talking with this lady, I felt truly blest that my children call me so often and share with me all that is happening in their lives.
How often we neglect our Heavenly Father just as the sons of that woman neglected her. We get busy with our daily routine and forget to share our lives with Him. We put off Bible study and prayer. We might intend on these privileges that are to vital to our spiritual life, but always something takes our attention. How this breaks the heart of our Loving Creator.
When we think how wonderful it is, that our Dear Father in Heaven longs to be so near to us, we marvel at His tender care and great patience toward us, His wayward children. Words cannot express His great love fore us! Indeed, He emptied all Heaven in His Unspeakable Gift, the Gift of His Dear Son. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift,” Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God our Father.” 2 Cor 9:15;Gal 1:4 Truly, He is “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
Think of it! He Who upholds “all things by the word of his power,” (Heb 1:3) is the One Who eagerly waits for even the most feeble and stammering prayer of one reaching out to Him with but a spark of faith. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isa 57:15; 41:13
Jesus speaks of His tender care for us, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows….Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:7,27-32
The Great King of the Universe loves us so much! He Who made the worlds “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16 Jesus left all the glories of His Heavenly home to suffer all the hatred that the evil one could heap upon Him. He, Who came down to this dark and sinful world, “thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:6-11
And beside all this, He dwells within us, to comfort and strengthen us, to bring us into harmony with Him. He hears and answers each prayer. Just as a loving parent must often tell their child “no,” so does He. Sometimes we think that He does not answer, because we do not get just what we have asked for, but our Loving King weighs each prayer and gives us what is best for us. He is our Great Shepherd, our Guide, our constant Companion. We can safely trust in Him!
May we never neglect to communicate with our Loving Father in Heaven, coming to Him for guidance, for protection, for everything that we need, praising Him for His goodness and His wonderful blessings that He daily showers upon us. May we be diligent to serve Him with our whole heart, and soul, and being because of His great love for us.
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/GvGazHo-BnU/christs-love-cannot-be-measured.html

I have kept very well since the warm weather came. I am surprised that at my age [75] I am favored with such good health. I can go up and down stairs as easily and as quickly as any member of my family. Generally, I am cheerful. I do not want to cast a shadow in my family. I desire that every word that falls from my lips shall be fragrant with Christlike love….

We have been commissioned to go forth as God’s missionaries. In the Bible we learn what work God has given us to do, and there, too, we learn how to do this work. No one can know the will of God so certainly as he who abides in Christ. There are some who are constantly inquiring and speculating and guessing, but who, instead of advancing, are retrograding. They are not united with Christ.

We are not to stumble along in uncertainty. Christ says, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). As we advance, we become used to following. The path of life shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.

How deeply grieved the Saviour is by the loss of one of the souls for whom He made so great a sacrifice. He would bring all into the kingdom of heaven. He desires all to see the King in His beauty…. Let us not keep looking at the defects of others. Let us look ever to Jesus…. There are sinners to be saved, and in word and deed we are to fulfill Christ’s purpose for them, as His agencies of healing….

I am making earnest efforts to win the crown of life which at the last great day the Judge of all will give to those who love His appearing. Let us not allow our lips to be tarnished by unbelief. Let us talk the truth. Let us refuse to be deceived by the seducing spirits that will come.

Sister [Lucinda] Hall, will it not be a blessed thing to be an overcomer, to sit with the royal family in the kingdom of heaven, to have a place in the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for those who love His appearing? Be of good courage, my sister. Let nothing discourage you. Keep cheerful. Stand under the bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness.—Letter 121, June 25, 1903, to Lucinda Hall, a close friend.
The Upward Look p. 190
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for D who is still depressed and has anger issues. B
—-Please pray! My hubs and I are spiking fevers. He’s 99.2, I’m 102. Sylvia
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Dear Friends,
While Ron was in college, I worked in the physical therapy department at Lyster Army Hospital in southern Alabama. It was very easy and interesting work. Often the soldiers would come in for treatment when they just wanted a day off. They would complain of a stiff neck or a sore back, but when giving them the treatments, it seemed that they were perfectly fine. The captain that was the head of the department didn’t care whether the soldiers had a legitimate complaint or not. He was more interested in having a good time. He made working there a lot of fun.
After I had worked there about a year, Captain M. was transferred to another base. Major Win was much different. He was tall, quiet, very stern, and quite unapproachable. The fun stopped. He had the opinion that all of the patients who came to our department were there because they didn’t want to work that day. He delighted in giving them painful examinations and hard excercises. From that point I hated my job.
One day, a young soldier walked into our department. He had some rather unusual complaints about pain and weakness. The major felt that he was only there to get out of work and treated him more harshly than he normally treated the soldiers. The young man took it all in a gentle and smiling way. I felt sorry for him because I knew that even if he were exaggerating his condition, the major’s treatment was painful. Several times a week the young man came back. Each time he told of more symtoms. Each time he seemed to get worse. Finally, the young man was transferred to a different hospital by his doctor.
A few weeks later, Major W. came into the department with a more solemn look on his face than usual. He asked me if I remembered the young man. I did. He told me that he had been talking with the young man’s doctor and that the other hospital had tested him and they had found a tumor on the soldier’s upper spine. Major W. had been giving him exercises and treatment the were contrary to what that young man needed and had actually made it worse. He was very sorry that he had done so, but it was too late. The damage was irreversible.
How we treat others harshly because we misjudge them. How many times we permanently injure those around us by word or deed. How easy to be sure that we know someone’s motives, and yet be just as wrong as was Major W. Jesus warns, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matt 7:1-5
Yet, not all judging is wrong for He commands, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” John 7:24 How can we judge righteously? He gives the answer, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matt 7:20 We cannot judge another person’s motives, but we can know them by their fruits. Does the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance) show forth in their life? Gal 5:22 Yet even then, we must be very careful in our “fruit inspection.”
When judging another, we must remember that “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth.” Rom 14:10, 4
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Ecc 12:13, 14 “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” “For 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.” 2Cor 4:5; 5:10 Until that time, let us treat others with love and kindness and leave the judging to Him.
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/ws49Mu9Vmv0/preparing-for-heaven.html