Our great need is unity. We have not one soul that can be spared. The Lord calls upon us to unify in harmony with Bible truth. This should be repeated over and over in the family and in the church….

Said Christ, “As the Father gave me commandment, even so I do” (John 14:31). He came to our world on a mission from the Father. He came to bridge the gulf that sin had made between God and man. There was to be made a provision for a reconciliation, for a union of the human with the divine nature. Christ would sanctify all who believe in Him. In the gift of Christ to our world, God has provided for everyone a power to overcome evil. He has given unto us “exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4).

The great apostasy originally began in a denial of the love of God, as it is plainly revealed in the Word. Provision was then made whereby fallen man might have a powerful revelation of the love of God, and be given an opportunity to return to his allegiance to Jehovah. “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). “I lay down my life for the sheep,” says Christ (chap. 10:15). “The bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (chap. 6:51). Here is a revelation of the power mighty to save “to the uttermost.” God is light and love.

After the war in the heavenly courts Satan and his followers were cast out. As human beings, we are subject to the crafty wiles and temptations of this fallen foe. And unless we are kept by the power of Christ, we shall certainly be led away by the satanic sophistries by which the world is flooded. Our safety is to lean not on human power, on the arm of flesh, but upon the divine arm. Those who are partakers of the divine nature will not be beguiled by Satan.

Everyone will be tested. Men professing to be Christians will be placed in positions of trust, as guardians over the flock of God…. We are God’s property. In Jesus Christ we are to behold a pattern of what we should be. Every soul should be educated to look not to his fellow men, but unto Christ. He is the Author and the Finisher of our Faith.—Letter 172, May 15, 1907, to P. T. Magan, cofounder of Madison Institutions.
The Upward Look p. 149
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Prayer Requests
—-update—My sister passed away yesterday I am grateful to the Lord for allowing my sister to go to sleep she was suffering long enough. Praise god for His mercy. Also my oldest stepdaughter is failing. She is on oxygen but is not responding. her name is Marilyn please put her on the prayer chain. M
—-My precious daughter, Kristi, passed away from pneumonia and heart failure. My family and I are devastated. I would appreciate your prayers. Pam
—-I’m sending up a prayer and if you will join me I would be most grateful. I’m going in for treatment this morning. The last two days i have been very short of breath, this has never happened before and it is terrifying. I’m not sure what the Dr will have to say, I didn’t think it would attack so quickly so I’m praying, if it’s Gods will the treatment will work again. Debra
—-My mum is hospitalized for arthritis, keep praying for her, she can not walk. Jose
—PLEASE PRAY FOR MY HUSBAND TO CHANGE AND BECOME A CHRISTIAN VERY SOON BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE FOR HIM. HE HAS SOME VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS GOING ON IN HIS LIFE. Connie
—-Please pray for a friend and her husband. They are having a hard time wirh their marriage and they have a little boy. Tanya
—-Please pray for Brenda. Her back is broken. Rose
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Dear Friends,
Even before Ron and I had children, we determined that if at all possible, we would not take them to a babysitter. We were very serious about bringing “them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Eph 6:4 Throughout the years, we found that there were times when we had to let someone else watch our children, but for the most part, we “juggled” our schedules in such a way that one of us was home to train up our children in the way that they should go. (Prov 22:6)
Sometimes the jobs I had to do were not to my liking, but I was determined to do what was best for my children. One such job was at a fast food restaurant where I worked from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM. Working nights was hard for me. The only sleep I got was when they took a nap or after Ron got home in the evening but felt it was worth being home with my children during the day.
At work, I did all of the baking, sliced the vegetables, and had various other duties some of which I found most unpleasant. One of the least favorite part of my job was using the large slicing machine. I was afraid of the whirling blade. I have never been very coordinated, and I was afraid that my fingers as well and the food might get sliced. The onions posed the greatest danger. They were very strong and would always sting my eyes so badly, that tears would course down my cheeks and I could not keep my eyes open no matter how hard I tried. Running a slicing machine with closed eyes is very dangerous.
When I told Ron about my problem, he suggested that I take his skin diving mask to work and use it when slicing those strong onions. That worked very well! I looked ridiculous, and if I walked by the kitchen door, the customers stared, but I didn’t care. At least the fumes from the onions didn’t bother me any more and I could keep my fingers intact.
Just as that mask protected my eyes from the fumes of those strong smelling onions, so our Loving Redeemer has provided us with a protection from the onslaughts of the enemy. He provides us with “the whole armour of God, that [we] may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Eph 6:11-17
Let us reach out and put on that armour. Let us “be sober [and] vigilant; because [our] adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8,9 Let us diligently resist the evil one; for we have the promise that if we do, he will flee from us. (James 4:7)
Rose

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There is a world to be warned, and every effort must now be made to exalt the truth…. The great Teacher held in His hand the entire map of truth. In simple language He made plain to His disciples the way to heaven, and the endless subjects of divine power. The question of the essence of God was a subject on which He maintained a wise reserve, for their entanglements and specifications would bring in science which could not be dwelt upon by unsanctified minds without confusion. In regard to God and in regard to His personality, the Lord Jesus said, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). Christ was the express image of His Father’s person.

The open path, the safe path of walking in the way of His commandments, is a path from which there is no safe departing. And when men follow their own human theories dressed up in soft, fascinating representations, they make a snare in which to catch souls. In the place of devoting your powers to theorizing, Christ has given you a work to do. His commission is, Go throughout the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Before the disciples shall compass the threshold, there is to be the imprint of the sacred name, baptizing the believers in the name of the threefold powers in the heavenly world. The human mind is impressed in this ceremony, the beginning of the Christian life. It means very much. The work of salvation is not a small matter, but so vast that the highest authorities are taken hold of by the expressed faith of the human agent. The eternal Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost—is involved in the action required to make assurance to the human agent, … confederating the heavenly powers with the human that man may become, through heavenly efficiency, partakers of the divine nature and workers together with Christ.

Man’s capabilities can multiply through the connection of human agencies with divine agencies. United with the heavenly powers, the human capabilities increase according to that faith that works by love and purifies, sanctifies, and ennobles the whole man.—Manuscript 45, May 14, 1904, “That They All May Be One.”
The Upward Look p. 148
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Prayer Requests
—-Please lift up an 11 yr old boy who is battling the flu. His mother says he isn’t able to keep anything on his stomach including his meds…as of this morning he’s still vomiting and trying to sleep. Please pray for God’s relief and for His healing in this situation. Monica
—-Please pray for for my friend Carol and her family. She has been sent home on hospice and not expected to survive long. Kathy
—-Please pray for my dad who has a kidney scan the 13th of March. Mike
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Dear Friends,

Often brothers and sisters do not get along well. Thankfully, that is not the case with my three children. Ronnie Jay and Esther had always been especially close. Five days after his third birthday, she was born. I had been afraid that he would be jealous, but that was not the case. Ronnie Jay was delighted and wanted to hold and cuddle her. He just beamed with happiness. From that moment, a special friendship developed between them.

As Esther grew and was able to play, Ronnie Jay’s joy knew no bounds. They were constant companions. They had wonderful times together throughout their life. When she got a little older and I would tell her to pick up her toys, Ronnie Jay would pick them up for her. If I told her to clean her room, he would do it for her because he loved her so much. Like all children, Esther Marie would sometimes disobey and had to be punished. Ronnie Jay would beg me not to punish her and offer to take her punishment. Of course, I did not grant him his request, but I marveled at his love for his sister.

Greater love than the love my two youngest children had for each other, is the love of Our Dear Saviour, Who “loves us with an everlasting love” and freely volunteered to take our punishment. Jer 31:3 Think of it! The Great Ruler of the Universe, the One equal with the Father, left all of the glories of Heaven, “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.” Phil 2:5-10

The One Whom all Heaven adored humbled Himself and lived a life of constant self-denial, a life of service, a life of humility. From the time of His birth, the Romans tried to destroy Him. The priests and rulers plotted to kill Him, although they could not until the right time had come. Daniel prophesied, “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself…And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease” Daniel 9:26,27 What an important prophetic week that was! For three and a half years, our Dear Saviour walked through the land preaching “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matt 3:2 He “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God [His Father] was with him.” Acts 10:38 Then, in the midst of the week, He laid down his life for us, that we might have live eternally in His glorious kingdom. What love! What wonderful love!

May we love Him Who first loved us, turn away from the things of this world which will soon pass away, and accept His great sacrifice. 1 john 4:19 May we serve Him with our whole heart and soul and mind and strength putting Him first in everything. Luke 10:27 May we do always those things that please Him Who gave His life for us that we might dwell with Him eternally.

Rose

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There is a higher standard for us to reach. We are not making all that advancement that it is our duty or our privilege to make. How is it that we use the talent that God has given us in temporal matters and not in His service? Ought we not to have greater interest in eternal things than in those things which concern our temporal wants?

We have heard desire expressed that husbands and families should come into the truth. This is right; it should be a prominent wish. But do we do all our duty? Do we make all the advancement that we should? Do we not come far short of our duty in meeting the work of progression? Don’t be a spiritual dwarf. We love to see infants and watch their baby ways, but the same ways would be disgusting if retained until the child was two years old. So the Christian must grow. Be conformed to Christ, not deformed. Just feel as though you were anchored in Christ. Let there be a solidity to the sisters who are alone. Avoid frivolity and keep constantly watching.

The rich blessings of heaven are all ready to be showered upon us. Don’t be selfish. With too many, all there is to religion is: Me and my family. They will not go out of their way to help and bless any others. In such case, God cannot bless them. It is when we are drawn out from self that God blesses us. He wants us to be drawn out from ourselves. That which we sow, we will reap. If you sow selfishness, you will reap selfishness, that is, you will have it fastened upon you. Let us get out of self and talk of the mercies and blessings of God.

Let all the sisters feel that if they haven’t a husband to lean upon, they will lean more heavily upon God. Every one of our sisters can be a living missionary, and can bring light into every meeting. Do we act as though we were called from darkness into marvelous light? or as if we were lugging along a heavy weight? We must talk light and pray light, and light will come in. If only women in the church [would] show that God can work through women. It was Mary that first preached a risen Jesus…. There are richer blessings for those that have the harder conflict, for Christ is a present help in trouble. But we must be divested of selfishness; be acquainted with the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, and we shall thus grow more and more like Jesus till the crown of immortality is placed upon our brows.—Manuscript 2, May 13, 1884, “Sermon by Mrs. E. G. White.”
The Upward Look p. 147
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Prayer Requests
—-asking for prayer Mick. he was taken to the hospital with kidney failure and a blood infection. I am scheduled for cataract surgery for March 4th. My sister is still alive but barely she is in a coma and has not eaten anything for 14 days and my brother in law will not take the cell phone t o her so I Can tell her it’s OK to go. .
he said she can’t hear anything. I told him the hearing is the last thing to go. Pray that I will be able to talk to her she has always looked up to me being I am her older sister thank you .. M.
—-Pray for an important event this afternoon. Maria
—-Please keep my Grandson Jacob in prayer. He just boarded his flight to Missouri for 5 months Military Police Training and 5 years in the Army. My prayer is for safety, accomplishment and most importantly, he is grouped up with righteous people. Connie
—-Please can u pray for a friend spiritual, physical and emotional healing. They are recovering from alcohol. They really really want to quit. Shannon
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Dear Friends,
On long winter evenings, as a special treat, my grandmother would unpack her stereoscope. How I looked forward to that! Each card had two identical photographs printed side by side. When placed in the stereoscope’s slot and viewed through the eyepiece, a three-dimensional picture would appear. It was such a wonderment for me to view far off places and people in old-fashioned clothes doing old-fashioned things. I would look at these wonders with awe. I knew that I had to handle these objects with the utmost care, as they were very old and irreplaceable.
God’s Holy Word is like looking through that stereoscope. It, too, is irreplaceable and should be handled with reverence and awe. As we compare what each of the Bible writers had to say upon a certain subject, we get the depth of meaning that a simple reading through of Scrpture cannot give—much like my grandmother and my getting a three dimensional picture when we put the specially prepared card into the stereoscope. Isaiah tells us that in studying the Bible, “precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” Isa 28:10 The Holy Spirit revealed to patriarchs and prophets great messages for those around them. These great messages were not only for them but for us as well.
What a treasure the Scriptures are! Through them, we find the only true answers to life’s questions. Through them we find “the Way the Truth and the Life.” John 14:6 The psalmist exclaims, “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Ps 119:99-105
Peter, when comparing his experience upon the mount of transfiguration to the Word of God, tells us that in God’s Word “we have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto [we] do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21 Think of it! The Scriptures are more sure than what we see around us, more sure than what we hear, more solid than what we feel, more real than the experiences of our life.
Paul tells us that the holy scriptures “are able to make [us] wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” 2 Tim 3:15-17; Rom 10:17; Heb 4:12

How important it is, therefore, that we diligently study God’s Great Love Letter to us. It is the “sword of the Spirit.” Eph 6:17 By it, our Dear Saviour defeated the devil during the wilderness temptations. Over and over again He answered, “It is written.” (Matt 4:1-11 ) How His Great Heart of Love longs for us to follow His example of using the Scriptures to defeat the foe. He tells us, “blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:28 David sang, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Ps 19:7-10
Let us each day “study to show [ourselves] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 Let us meditate upon the Scriptures and “give [ourselves] wholly to them; that [our] profiting may appear to all, [taking] heed unto [ourselves], and unto the doctrine; [continuing] in them: for in doing this [we] shall both save [ourselves,] and them that hear [us.]” 1 Tim 4:15,16 Let us daily pray “let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Ps 19:14
Rose

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