Those whom God chooses as His workers are not always talented in the estimation of the world. Sometimes He selects unlearned men. These workers have a special work to do. They reach a class to which no one else could obtain access. Those who labor in a quiet way will be rewarded with the same commendation as those who, from outward appearances, exerted a wider influence. Every worker is rewarded according to the spirit that prompted him to action.

These workers open their heart to receive the truth, and they are made wise in and through Christ. Their lives inhale and exhale the fragrance of godliness. Their words are thoughtfully considered before they are spoken. Their actions are patterned after the actions of their Leader. They strive to promote the well-being of their fellow men. They take relief and happiness to the sorrowful and distressed. They feel the necessity of remaining constantly under Christ’s training, that they may work in accordance with the will of God. They study how they can best imitate the cross-bearing and self-denial of their Saviour. They are God’s witnesses, following His example of compassion and love, ascribing all the glory to Him whom they love and serve.

Constantly they are learning of the great Teacher as they reach higher degrees of perfection, yet all the time feeling a sense of their weakness and inferiority. They are drawn upward by the strong, loving admiration they have for the beauty of Christ’s character. They practice His virtues, for His life is assimilated to theirs. Ever they move onward and upward, a blessing to the world and an honor to their Redeemer. Christ says of them, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).

Such workers are to be encouraged. Their work is done, not to be seen of men, but to glorify God; and it will bear His inspection. The Lord brings these workers into connection with those of more marked ability to fill up the gaps they leave. He is well pleased when they are recognized and appreciated, for they are links in His chain of service. And it is God’s desire that every human instrumentality who works for Him shall be recognized, however small may be the work he does….

In the heavenly courts, when the redeemed are gathered home, this class will stand nearest the Son of God. They will shine brightly in the courts of the Lord, honored by Him because they have felt it an honor to minister to those for whom Christ gave His life.—Manuscript 5, June 21, 1902, “The Need of an Awakening.”
The Upward Look p. 186
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Mark. His mother died yesterday. Rose
—-I am having trouble believing God can forgive me. I feel things I did are unforgivable since I knew about Jesus and did bad things anyway. Please pray for me even if I don’t deserve it. Mary
—-My husband’s father is in ICU. His name is Manuel. Please pray! He can have no visitors. They don’t have a Spanish speaking nurse or doctor in the hospital and my father in law doesn’t speak English. Please join us in prayer for him. Steven
—-Please keep my mother in prayer, name is Barbara. She fell backwards yesterday and hit her neck against an open cupboard door and broke it. Waiting to see what or if anything the doctors can do for her. Connie
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Dear Friends,
Our Great Creator owns all things. He has made the universe and all that is in it. Even though theistic evolutionists try to tell us otherwise, He did not create and then walk off and let all things develop as they will. Indeed, He is even now “upholding all things by the word of his power.” Heb 12:3 He watches over all. He declares, “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.”Ps 50:10,11 “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.”Luke 12:6,7
Since He knows each one of His creatures in the animal kingdom, how much more does He know us whom He has died to redeem. In fact, Jesus assures us that He knows us so well that He even knows the number of the hairs of our head, a number that changes daily. Moreover, He knows our inmost thoughts and hidden motives. He declares, “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jer 17:10 Others may misjudge us; but He does not, for He knows every secret thing about us. Things that we would not want others to know, He knows. Secrets that we think are hidden from sight, are plain to Him. Jesus says, “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.” Luke 12:2,3 Solemn thought.
Solomon advises, “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 In view of this, our daily prayer should be, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Ps 51:10-13
Our Great Creator promises to recreate us if we will ask. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Eze 36:26,27 Precious promise! He, Who has created all, will give us a new heart, a clean and a pure heart. Through His power “the righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.” Job 17:9 He bids us, “ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24 What a Wonderful Saviour! He gives us the victory!
May we open our heart’s door to our Dear Redeemer. (Rev 3:20) May we “follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Tim 2:22 May we, someday soon, enter into the “everlasting gates” in that great day when Jesus makes up His jewels (Mal 3:16,17) is my prayer.

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/OZRFTJtVh-o/god-can-use-inferior-workers.html

Talk of God’s blessings. Let us … bring all the pleasantness possible into our lives. When others begin to question and criticize, let us be determined, either by silence or by turning the conversation into another channel, to cut off the words which would not be spoken in wisdom. We are to continue to wait upon the Lord by humble prayer and supplication, making every effort to keep the door of our lips, so that we shall not utter one foolish word savoring of unbelief.

We are to talk faith, practicing the very things we have asked the Lord to give us grace to do. Thus we work out our own salvation, trying to help and save those in trouble by faithful words and kind deeds. It is God which worketh in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. The finite and the infinite are to unite in accomplishing the work that needs to be done. God has pledged himself to supply us with strength, cheerfulness, pleasantness, and joyfulness in our Saviour. [When we are] abiding in Him, the word that would cast a shadow over others is left unspoken.

Let us remember that everyone has some dark spot in his experience. Let us do all we can to bring cheerfulness and hope into the lives of others. What a blessing this will be to them. In their turn they will speak words of good cheer to others to bring sunshine into their hearts. As we do this work, we shall be in a position to realize that the Lord hears our prayers, because we work in harmony with them, fulfilling all the duty we owe to God and to ourselves. We shall go about our work in a thankful, prayerful frame of mind, but by faith we claim the promise, “Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find.”

Yes, we shall find the answer to our prayers; for God will do exceedingly abundantly above our highest expectation. What precious witness we shall then bear for God. What an honor we shall be to the truth of His word. We shall be able to say, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies” (Psalm 40:1-4).—Letter 87, June 20, 1900, to Edson and Emma White.
The Upward Look p. 185
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Prayer Requests
—-R is having troubles at work. Please pray. B
—-I could really use some prayer please. I’ve been feeling really sad and lonely and I dont know what to do anymore. Kirby
—-Please pray for me and my critically ill covid patient for healing. Emerson
—-Please pray my son surrenders his life to God! Dan
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Dear Friends,
Listening to stories about the recent pandemic, I was reminded of something that I heard about some years ago. It was an experience that had happened quite a few years before that. A certain nurse who worked in a local hospital had told of this experience to a friend, who, in turn, told it to me. There had been a devastating tornado in the area with lots of casulties. The hospitals were full of the injured. The hospital staff were rushing between them doing all that they could. They really needed more workers, but every available worker was already helping.
Suddenly an older man appeared and said to the lady’s friend, “What do you want me to do?” The friend told him. He quickly did it and returned for more assignments. For hours this man did all the work that the friend gave him to do. Only when things slowed down a little did they have time to talk. The man eyed some equipment curiously and asked what it was. The lady was shocked. He asked, “Don’t you work here?” The man told him that he did not. He said, “I was watching the news and heard that call for help, so I walked over to help you.”
Now the friend was even more surprised. Here was a man who had been working hard all day without a thought of pay. He did it because he was needed. He did it because he had compassion on all those who were suffering. This is how we should be. All around us are the spiritually dead and dying. All around us there is a cry for help. Will we be as that man? Will we respond to the call? Will we work to bring souls to Jesus without the thought of reward? Will we do all that our Master asks us to do? Jesus asks, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” John 4:35,36 “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matt 9:37,38
Even though we’ve read these words many times, how often we are at ease and do not want to put forth the effort to save those perishing in sin. How many times we feel uneasy speaking of the One Who gave His life, so that we can live forever. How often we are doing anything except working in the Master’s vineyard. James tells us, “to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17 There will come a time when the harvest is past. There will be a time when Jesus proclaims, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Rev 22:11 How many there will be in that day who exclaim, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”Jer 8:20
My we daily ask our Dear Saviour to open our eyes to opportunities to witness. May we ask Him to speak through us, that others may be drawn to our Great Redeemer. May we go forward proclaiming the good news of Salvation in our words and in our actions to those around us is my prayer.
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/5BZFZ4cEdVA/god-helps-us-accomplish-his-will.html

Every church member needs to feel the converting power of God upon heart and mind; then spiritual development will be experienced. Christ has for every true believer grace sufficient to make him a son of God. Angels are working in behalf of God’s people, that Satan may not gain the victory over them….

He who comes to the Lord in simple trust will learn how to uplift the Saviour before men. Practical Christianity is the revealing in word and action of the will of God….

At this period of time, a special work is to be done for the individual members of the church. With the Bible in your hands, you are to search the Scriptures with an earnest determination to know the words of Christ. “Search the scriptures,” the Saviour said, “for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39)….

The professing follower of Christ is to overcome every selfish trait of character. By well-doing he is to form a correct pattern, and testify in his life to the character of Christ, and to God’s unselfish love for the human race. In works of mercy and love and sympathy, by showing kindness on the right hand and on the left, he is to repeat the works of Christ. Christ came to the earth to give to men the pattern of the perfect character that all must obtain who would be welcomed to the future heavenly world. He found His pleasure in unwearied works for the good of men. His object in coming to our world was to leave an example of what the human character must become in order to be fitted for the society of heaven.

The Holy Spirit leaves no member of the church to develop a character that is without comeliness. He claims for every man and woman the privilege of becoming a child of light, an influence for righteousness, an example of a Christlike life. This is God’s way of helping the church. Satan is working in every way to thwart the purpose of God, and God desires that His professing people shall make no mistakes, but that every move may be a right move. The Head of the church on earth requires the members of the church to surrender their will to the will of God in willing obedience. God has united the agencies of the church on earth with the church in heaven.—Manuscript 141, June 19, 1907, “Words to Church Members.”
The Upward Look p. 184
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Prayer Requests
—-PRAYERS URGENT FOR KAY SHE’S TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH A HEART ATTACK PLEASE PRAY. Gwendolyn
—-Please pray for my friend Kasey. She is fighting cancer. Robin
—-Pray God to heal this land of COVID-19. Jose
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Dear Friends,
When my mother was a little girl, her grandmother had given her several books that she treasured. When I was a pre-schooler, she would sometimes read from those books she had saved from her childhood. One books was a fanciful story entitled “Honey Bear.” The others were two books entitled “Flower Children.” I especially liked them, as they had drawings of children dressed as flowers. Under each drawing was a poem that told a little about the flower. When I was old enough to be careful with them, I would sit for hours looking at those books noticing each blossom and leaf until I can still see some of the pictures in my mind’s eye.
When I was older, my mother gave those books to me. Throughout the years I kept them with the intent of someday giving them to my children. As I moved from place to place, I lost or misplaced many items but not those books. They were very dear to me. Not only did I enjoy them, but they were doubly precious because my great-grandmother had given them to my mother when she was a small child. Those books, in turn, had been very precious to her because she loved her grandmother.
Sadly, Eileen was the only one who saw those books. When Ronnie Jay was two months old, we had a fire that destroyed everything we possessed—-my piano, my collection of piano music (some of which had been my great-grandfather’s), my accordian, my guitar, all my photographs, all our books—those books…… All we had left were the clothes we were wearing, yet I was thankful that we were unhurt.
How quickly the things of this world can pass away. “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:24, 25 Our Loving Saviour advised us, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matt 6:19-21
How important it is that we keep the things of this world in proper perspective. In Hebrews 11, Paul gives us a list of patriarchs and prophets who did. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. . . . By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. . . . These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. . . . By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. . . .By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 11:4-12:2
May we always keep our eyes on our Heavenly goal. May we look away from the things of this world that can perish in a moment and keep our focus on on Jesus Who gave Himself for us that we may dwell with Him forevermore.
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/9nVekWkLmmk/we-are-one-with-the-church-in-heaven.html