God will accept nothing less than unreserved surrender. Halfhearted, sinful, professing Christians would spoil heaven, were they permitted to enter. They would stir up a second rebellion there. Those who know the truth, yet do not exalt the Author of truth, will never enter the City of God. Heaven would be purgatory to them, because they know nothing of the high, holy principles that govern the members of the royal family above.

The directions that Christ has given are so distinct and so definite that no one need take a false step…. Let us not think that because we have made crooked paths for our feet, every other professing Christian has done the same thing. Let the one who in the past has been a faultfinder begin to climb the ladder heavenward, keeping his eyes fixed on the light above.

The true Christian keeps the windows of the soul open heavenward. He lives in fellowship with Christ. His will is conformed to the will of God…. Shall we not, in the few days of probation that remain to us, act like men and women seeking for life in the kingdom of God, even an eternity of bliss?

We are to strive earnestly to reach the standard set before us. Not as a penance are we to do this, but as the only means of gaining true happiness. The only way to gain peace and joy is to have a living connection with Him who gave His life for us, who died that we might live, and who lives to unite His power with the efforts of those who in this life are striving to overcome.

Holiness is constant agreement with God. Shall we not be that which Christ so greatly desires us to be—Christians in deed and in truth—that the world may see in our lives a revelation of the saving power of truth? This world is our preparatory school, and while here we shall meet with trials and difficulties. But we are safe while we cleave to Him who gave His life as an offering for us….

In the lower school of earth we are to learn the lessons that will prepare us to enter the higher school, where our education will continue under the personal instruction of Christ. Then He will open to us the meaning of His Word. We cannot afford to miss the privilege of seeing His face and of hearing the gospel from His lips. Shall we not put our whole souls into the work of preparing for admission into the higher school, where we shall see Christ face to face?—Manuscript 61, July 2, 1903, “Unreserved Surrender.”
The Upward Look p. 197
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for E who has a bladder infection and R who is still having work troubles.
—-prayer request for a very dear friend of ours Buddy he had surgery Friday to take the kidney stone out. today he is running a 103 temp and been sick all day he sees his Dr. tomorrow. sounds like he may have an infection. please keep hi m in prayer.he is a very special guy really loves the Lord and always witnessing for Jesus and gives out tracts all the time. a very good Christian.. M.
—-Please pray for Carol who has sciatica and other health issues. Rose
—-Please continue to keep Delphia in prayer. Mike
—-Please, please one of my dear friend who is close to my heart got covid and she also has ashma. She needs our prayers. Connie
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Dear Friends,

We used to have two guinea pigs as pets. In the evenings, Ron would let them out of their cage for a run in the house and get some exercise. They had fun hiding under chairs and behind the sofa, but their favorite place was under a certain bookshelf between the exercise bike and the orange barrel chair.

One night, when it was time for them to go back into their cage, Ron asked me to help him catch Cocoa, who was in her favorite hiding spot. Normally, when he would come from one direction, she would head in the other, but not that night. When she headed behind the chair, I was there. She appeared confused and didn’t know which way to go. That hesitation was all Ron needed. He scooped her up in his arms and put her in her cage (much to her consternation).

How often we feel like Cocoa with trouble coming at us from all angles. We feel trapped with nowhere to escape. We hesitate, as did Cocoa, not knowing which way to turn. We feel like a lost lamb ready to be devoured by the wolves. Praise God! We have a Shepherd, Who will deliver us from the enemy who is continually trying to ensnare us, cage us up, and destroy us. (2 Peter 5:8) Jesus assures us, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

He gave a parable of a shepherd, who, setting his own convenience, his own needs aside, went out into the night to find his one lost sheep. “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.” Luke 15:4-6 Let us sing as did David, “he LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalm 23 Amen!

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/Ziayflivm10/keep-climbing.html

Let those who talk of principle as if they would not on any account depart from it be sure that they understand the principles laid down in the Word of God for our guidance. There are some who follow false principles. Their idea of principle is misleading. Following right principle means the faithful doing of the first four and the last six commandments. In obedience to these divine commands, we eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ, appropriating all that is embraced in the atonement made on Calvary. Christ will stand by the side of all who receive Him as their Saviour. To them He will give power to become the sons of God. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

The One here referred to as the Word is the Son of God, who was the Commander in the heavenly courts, and who came to this world to open heavenly things to fallen human beings. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the Word that was with God before the world was. In clothing His divinity with humanity, He became possessed of two natures, the divine and the human. And because of this, He was fully able to accomplish for the human race their complete redemption, and their restoration to the privileges of the higher life.

He began His earthly life as human beings begin theirs, coming to this world as a helpless babe. And while here, He lived the life that every human being may live who will receive the great gift that the Lord made to our world in sending His Son to work out the plan of salvation.

Christ bore the penalty of sin, the stroke of divine justice, that human beings might not be left to perish. He bore in His body the sentence pronounced against sinners. This is the science of salvation, which can safely be searched into, and which it is profitable to strive to understand….

Those who continue in transgression will be judged according to their refusal of light. They choose to stand on the side of the prince of darkness, to become the helping hand of him who, if it were possible, would deceive the very elect. They refuse the wonderful gift of heaven, and though they may profess righteousness, and talk of “adherence to principle,” they are at the same time following principles opposed to the noble principles of heaven, and they teach others to follow the same corrupting principles.—Manuscript 161, July 1, 1903, “The Peril of Rejecting Light.”
The Upward Look p. 196
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Prayer Requests
—-At this point I could really use some prayers. Kallie
—-Today I discovered I have an aggressive cancer, lymphoblastic leukemia. I would appreciate your prayers and any guidance from experience. Donna
—-I am in need of prayers. Could you pray for me to start feeling better and have more energy to do the work that I need to do in and around my home. I have arthritis and hypothyroidism. I am only 58 years old but feel much older. Susan
—-I work at a hospital in the ICU. I had a patient who went home but has bone cancer. I asked if I can keep this person in prayer and ask others to pray. I can’t give the name but I am asking for prayers for this person. Therese
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, Esther and some friends went to a weekend retreat on top of a mountain. While there, her friends decided to go sledding and invited her to come along. She had not warmed up from snowmobile riding earlier in the day and declined their offer. The friends would not take “no” for and answer and finally persuaded her to go. Esther did not have warm clothes like the rest of them did, and she did not realize how far they were going to slide; so dressed in only a jacket and jeans, she went along. The only thing she suitable for the frigid weather and the many feet of snow was her boots.
She had not been sliding down the mountain long before she realized that they were going much farther down than she had thought that they were going to go. Soon she was terribly cold and her jeans were frozen solid to her legs. She told the others about her predicament, but they didn’t seem to be concerned. Laughing at her, they washed her face in the snow. They were having too much fun to stop and called her a sissy. Her friends told her to sit down and wait for them to finish their fun, but she knew that if she did, she would soon be a victim of hypothermia. Finally, she was able to convince them that they had to go back up to the top. By this time, they were about a mile from the top of the mountain. Her friends were not happy at having their fun interrupted, but went with her anyway. This was no easy climb. The snow was chest high and Esther Marie had to scoop the snow away enough so she could take a step and move forward. There were many times that she felt so tired and weak, that it was all that she could do to continue on; but she knew that if she stopped, she would not make it. She was praying all the way up.
At last they reached the cabin. Poor Esther Marie was nearly frozen and in great pain. She knew that she had to thaw out slowly or she would have even more trouble. She took off her jeans and noticed that her red and blue splotched legs had hard knots where the skin appeared frozen. Crying in pain, she rubbed those frozen areas. By this time, her two girl friends realized that she was not being a sissy but was really having problems and began trying to warm her. After what seemed like forever, Esther was thawed out but was still very weak from the ordeal.
Just as Esther Marie knew that she needed to continue to climb up that mountainside or perish, so we must continuously climb the rugged and narrow path to the Heavenly Kingdom. Our Dear Saviour bids us, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt 7:13,14 How easy it is to slide down the broad way. How difficult is the narrow path which leads to life eternal.
How vital to our future it is that we continue the climb Heavenward with Him. How important it is that we co-operate with Him every step of the way. We must keep going even when we are so weary that we want to rest. We must continue climbing no matter how difficult the path. Stopping would have grave consequences. The way may be steep. The way may be painful, but we must keep going step by step.
Our Dear Saviour promises, “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matt 24:13 We must endure ” a great fight of afflictions” unto the end. Heb 10:32 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12 Paul tells us, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 2 Tim 2:4,5 ; 1 Cor 9:24-27
As we see the steep mountain before us, our hopes sink, but praise God, we do not have to climb that rugged path alone. Our Heavenly Friend, the One Who “sticketh closer than a brother,” has trod the way before us. Prov 18:24 He is by our side leading us, guiding us, encouraging us to “keep on keeping on” all the way if we will just listen to His voice assuring us, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.” Isa 43:1-3 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8
May we daily determine to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” fighting “the good fight of faith,” laying “hold on eternal life.” 2 Tim 2:3; 1 Tim 6:12 May we place our hand in our Great Redeemer’s strong and mighty hand and allow Him to help us every step of the way to His Heavenly Kingdom is my prayer.
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/d4MC43d7kug/standing-by-principle.html

Christ, the Majesty of heaven, came to this earth in human flesh, expressing divine benevolence, sympathy, and love for the fallen race as He stood at the head of the human family. He came to redeem sinners and clothe them with His righteousness. As the Saviour of the world, He was subject to temptations. The enemy assailed Him on every point. Constantly he came to Him with the suggestion that by compromising with the world, He might win the world. Christ is our example…. [Although] He was in the world, He was not of the world. He was not to conform to worldly practices in order to reach the object of His life. He was not to please Himself. The highest standard must be maintained. Deviation from strict moral rectitude would mar His whole lifework.

In order to save humanity, Christ came down to the level of humanity, as far as worldly advantages were concerned. He came to this earth to be tempted in all points like as human beings are tempted. In the wilderness Satan came to Him and assailed Him on the great points on which he assails man, but the Saviour did not yield to the enemy. Not in a single particular was He overcome. And the temptations were just as real to Him as they are to us today.

Constantly the Pharisees tried to lead Christ away from the principles of God’s government. Making a great profession of piety, they sought to lead Him to swerve from His allegiance. Satan has persuaded many men to deviate from principle by telling them that the end will justify the means. Reasoning from a human standpoint, they excuse themselves for wrongdoing by saying that the cause of God would be the gainer in their unfaithful dealing. This deviation from the holy principles of heaven has placed them in the ranks of the great deceiver….

Christ came to this earth in human form to inaugurate a spiritual reform. He came to show man how to discard all ostentation and show; how to live upon the pure, vital principles of reform. He came to institute a plan whereby human character might be made pure. By His grace He desires to place men and women close beside the throne of God.

The laws of Christ’s kingdom are so simple, so compact, and yet so complete, that any man-made additions will create confusion. And the more simple our plans or work in God’s service, the more we shall accomplish. By studying how they can adopt the plans of worldly policy in their work for God, men disarrange God’s plans of humility and simplicity, which He desires shall be followed in advancing His kingdom.—Manuscript 53, June 30, 1901, untitled manuscript.
The Upward Look p. 195
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Prayer Requests
—-Things were better for R yesterday at work. Please continue to pray that all will be well today as well. L
—-urgently needing prayer again. Connie
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago when he was still in college, Ronnie Jay’s favorite goldfish jumped out of the tank. Ronnie Jay had added some new fish a few days before and we were wondering if this had anything to do with his goldfish’s new behaviour. Ronnie had not noticed the fish until he was carrying some groceries into his apartment and accidentally stepped on him. Immediately he scooped up the fish and tossed it into the tank. Then he isolated the fish in another tank.
How very sad and upset my son was! He and I prayed for that fish and so did some of you. Praise God! That fish lived and is doing well. The scales on a third of its body that it had lost have grown back. The fish did not act right, though. He lost his trust. He seemed so unhappy. Finally, Ronnie Jay decided to add a couple of smaller goldfish to keep him company. Suddenly, he perked up. The poor fish had been lonely!
We all feel lonely sometimes. We all feel like a fish out of water sometimes. Our life is lacking something. God has put that loneliness within us to draw us to Himself. Praise God! We don’t have to stay lonely. We don’t have to stay feeling like we are suffocating in a world of sin. Our Dear Saviour loves us so much that He came to this sinful, old world to rescue us. He will be by our side whenever we call Him. Indeed, He is knocking at our heart’s door longing to come in. (Rev 3:20) Even when everyone else leaves us feeling very empty and alone, God is there yearning to fill us with His love and comfort that only He can give. He promises,” I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5) He desires to always be right there going through our life with us during both the good and bad times, leading us, comforting us, helping us in all.
Does God’s everlasting love ever fade away? Is it conditional? NO!! This is a kind of love that we can hardly imagine because it is so different from God’s love. Human love fades away. God’s love never ends. Many times human love leaves us feeling more lonely because of all the conditions attached. God’s love fills us with joy! Accepting God’s love, doesn’t mean that you will never have bad things happen in life, but you will always have Someone to help you through the problems that come up in everyday life.
May we keep our hand in Jesus’ Nail-scarred Hand and allow Him to lead us all the way to His Heavenly kingdom is my prayer.
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/9-hQTnw7Mro/gods-plans-are-simple.html