Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22.
Our young people need to be surrounded with wholesome, uplifting influences. They are to be kept in the love of the truth. The standard set before them should be high. Some feel a desire to be left without restraint, that they may do as they please…. The fathers and mothers … in the church are under sacred obligation to watch for the souls of their children as they that must give an account. Let none, neither parents nor the youth, begin to believe that amusements are essential, and that a careless disregard of the Holy Spirit during hours of selfish pleasure is to be lightly regarded. God will not be mocked. Let every young man, every young woman, consider, “Am I prepared today for my life to close? Have I the heart preparation that fits me to do the work which the Lord has given me to do?”
Every youth should make God’s Word his guide and daily gather from the Word the instruction that is given. If some refuse to be guided by this instruction, they are sowing seeds that the enemy has placed in their hands, and they will not care to reap the harvest of the seeds sown….
There are many things which are right in themselves, but which, perverted by Satan, prove a snare to the unwary. The gathering together of our youth for a singing exercise sounds very harmless, but it has been my experience, during half a century, that these singing exercises often prove a source of much harm to souls. If the hearts of all who attend were right with God; if all loved God supremely, and desired to keep His glory in view; if all would strive to please Him, then such exercises would not prove harmful. But usually there are present many who do not realize that they are becoming more and still more unconcerned regarding their duty to please God. Their souls become indifferent. One has an influence over another, and the indifference manifested toward spiritual things increases. God’s Holy Word is not studied diligently day by day, and because of lack of spiritual food, they grow weak in moral power….
Oh, that every member, every worker, might realize that this life is a school in which to prepare for examination by the God of heaven with regard to purity, cleanness of thought, unselfishness of action. Every word and act, every thought, is recorded on the record books of heaven.—Letter 144, May 4, 1906, to the church in Mountain View, California.
The Upward Look p. 138
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Prayer Requests
—-Asking all the prayer warriors to again pray for my daughter Jessica who is going to be in court again Thursday morning the 13th. Her husband is divorcing her due to her Adventist beliefs and they have two babies together. He has a large attorney firm and she has none. He is trying to manipulate things to get custody and make her life very hard. I told her the King of the universe is her attorney and He will come through! Shari
—-Please keep my friend Tamara and her husband Bill in prayer. Their marriage needs a healing. Connie
—-Pls pray for me and my baby for safe nd normal delivery maybe dis week or next week. IP
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Dear Friends,
When I was about six years old, Gary and his parents discovered that there was another child in the neighborhood—me! He lived several blocks from my house and until then had no one to play with. In answer to his begging to be able to have a playmate, his parents walked with him to our house and asked if Gary could play with me sometimes. My grandmother invited them in and after being assured that they were fine people, gave her consent. I was not allowed to cross the street by myself, so Gary always played in my yard. We spent many hours playing together. I was so happy!
As the years passed, our horizons broadened. We often played at his house or just roamed the neighborhood together just having fun. It seemed as if we would be friends forever. Then, when I was almost ten, something happened that changed our plans. My mother got married again and I moved across town to live with her. Within a year, my grandparents moved to Florida. Gary and I seldom saw one another after that. I really missed him.
One day, near my fourteenth birthday, I happened to meet Gary when we were both downtown. We stopped to catch up on all that had happened since I had moved away. It seemed as if we would renew our friendship. I invited him to my birthday party in hopes that would assure that we would continue as friends.
It wasn’t a very big party. Only my two friends Gloria and June were there besides Gary. He was delighted to find that he was the only boy and began showing off. My mother was not pleased. Soon, it became apparent that he was attracted to them. He was totally ignoring me. He even went so far as to get their phone numbers so he could keep in contact with them. I was deeply hurt. He never asked for my phone number so we could keep in touch.
I thought of a day, about six years before, when I still lived with my grandparents. Gary and I were walking back from an errand at the store, when we saw two girls walking toward us. They stopped and talked to Gary. He totally ignored me. One of the girls asked him who I was and he told them that I was his cousin. I was shocked! I was brokenhearted and felt betrayed. I suddenly realized that he was not a friend at all. He just played with me because he had no one else who lived that near.
How often we, too, deny that we know our Heavenly Friend, just as Gary had denied me. How many times we allow other interests to build a wall up between our Dear Saviour and ourselves. We seem to be a friend to Him, but when we should declare Him to those around us, we keep quiet. We show by our actions that we are ashamed of the One Who gave His life for us. Jesus warned, “For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:26 Paul reminds us, “if we deny him, he also will deny us.” 2 Tim 2:12
God’s Holy Word reveals an incident of denial that stands as a warning for us today. After the last supper was over, Jesus began to plainly explain to his disciples what was about to take place. He told them, “All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.” Peter felt that he would never betray his Lord and Friend. He felt “ut Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.” Mark 14:27-31 That very night, at Jesus’ trial, Peter denied that he knew Him.
May we never deny our Great Redeemer no matter what may come our way. May we be bold to confess before others that Jesus is our Saviour, that He may confess before His Father and before the entire Universe that we are His friends. May we so live each day, that those around us will see in us the reflection of His character is my prayer.
Rose

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:19.
The Lord our Saviour knew every phase of experience His disciples would meet and all the conflicts they would experience. The Lord Jesus Christ said to His disciples, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). We must not as Christians become fretful and impatient over coming in contact with worldly men. They have not the belief of the truth, and whatever they say or do, keep your temper.
Every time you allow your feelings to become irritated you manifest in your words that you have not that faith that works by love and sanctifies the soul. You have personal pride and a large stock of self-sufficiency, and you are not in any case prepared to connect together in business capacity or even as Christians, because your own attributes of character are not of the Bible order, to retain your position as partners.
Christians can maintain an untarnished reputation if they are Christians, which means Christlike. God has made every provision that through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ they should not fail or be discouraged in a dark, troubled future, which He knew must come. The Lord Jesus Christ is grieved for His disciples, that they must pass through manifold afflictions from the world. He prepares them for that time of trial, of great temptation to lose their faith, by presenting before their minds the hopeful part of the future. He must mingle the bright, hopeful lines with the dark. “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” (verse 26).
Then He tells them that they will also cooperate with the Holy Spirit. The great Source of their strength—which is our changeless consolation and hope and courage—would ever be within their reach. They were to be Christ’s witnesses. “And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning” (verse 27). They should be His faithful representatives to an apostate world. While in the world they are not to be of the world, but bear a faithful testimony against the evil that is working in worldly policy plans contrary to the truth and righteousness.—Manuscript 80, May 3, 1893, “Diary.”
The Upward Look p. 137
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Emma as she has strep. Thankyou for your prayers for her yesterday as she had a bad seizure. They found she also had strep. Rose
—-Please pray for A that she will recover fully. B
—- please pray for my friend’s daughter who is 19 and they found a mass which has been growing from one hip to the other. Today is her surgery…Her name is Jasmine. Becky
—-My good friend just had colon cancer surgery but they couldn’t get it all, and she now needs strength to undergo intensive radiation a d chemotherapy. Please join me in praying for her for strength, peace and healing of her body and soul. Her name is Patti. Karen
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Dear Friends,
When my children were little, there were times when I had to make them do what was right even though they did not want to. Obedience was not an option: it was an expectation. I wanted above all things for them to follow Jesus and please Him. I knew that in order to do that, His principles had to be instilled upon their heart. Often it went against their desires, and it became a battle of the will. I did not enjoy these battles, yet I knew that they were necessary to teach my children the right way. Solomon said, “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” and my greatest desire was that my children be known by right doings. Prov 20:11 I wanted my children to be known by right doings.
There were many times, as my children were growing, that they did obey from the heart. There was no battle. They did what was right because they loved me, not for fear of punishment. Even though it sometimes went against their wishes, they did my will because they wanted to please me. It was those times that made it all worthwhile. It was those times that gave me such joy. So it is with us. Paul tells us that Jesus, “became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Heb 5:9 He urges, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” Rom 6:12-17
Obedience from the heart, how precious in the sight of God! What happiness our loving obedience gives our Dear Saviour Who said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 If we truly love Him Who died for us, we will “do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” 1 John 3:22 We will not obey in order to be saved, for that is impossible. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom 3:23 One sin unconfessed and unrepented of can keep us out of Heaven. “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10 We exclaim as did Paul, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom 7:24,25 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Eph 2:8-10
We are not saved by our works, yet we are judged by our works. Paul says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.” Titus 3:5,6 John tells us, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” Rev 20:12,13 James further explains, “faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:17-26
John adds, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God.” 1 John 3:1-10
May we love the Lord our God with our whole heart and soul and strength. May we please Him in all that we do and say and think, not in order to be saved, but that we may bring joy to His Great Heart of Love. May we soon see our Dear Saviour, Who said, “behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Rev 22:12<
Rose

Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3. UL 136.1
Read the instruction given in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew. There is nothing more positive than this in all the oracles of God; and yet God is dishonored and His cause marred by the doing of the wrongs pointed out in this chapter. These words are for you and for me, and for all who claim to be disciples of the meek and lowly Jesus. He shows us the principles upon which we are to act in all cases and under all circumstances. There is to be no striving for the supremacy. Christ teaches that in His spiritual kingdom it is not position, not outward splendor or authority, that constitutes greatness, but spiritual excellence manifested in true conversion.
We are ever to be learners of Christ. He has invited us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and [in your own experience, as you partake of My spirit and principles] ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28, 29). Christ’s yoke is a yoke of submission and obedience….
In our daily lives, before our brethren and before the world, we are to be living interpreters of the Scriptures, doing honor to Christ by revealing His meekness and His lowliness of heart. Christ’s teachings are to be to us as the leaves of the tree of life. As we eat and digest the bread of life, we shall reveal a symmetrical character. By our unity, by esteeming others better than ourselves, we are to bear to the world a living testimony of the power of the truth. We are not to fear that unless we labor to be first, self will not be properly estimated. If men had higher and greater views of Christ, if they had greater confidence in Him and less confidence in themselves, their characters would be molded and fashioned after the divine likeness. When self is hid in Christ, the Saviour will appear as the One altogether lovely and the chiefest among ten thousand.
When men submit entirely to God, eating the bread of life and drinking the water of salvation, they will grow up into Christ. Their characters are composed of that which the mind eats and drinks. Through the Word of life, which they receive and obey, they become partakers of the divine nature. Then their entire service is after the divine similitude, and Christ, not man, is exalted.—Letter 64, May 2, 1900, to “Brother and Sister Steed.”
The Upward Look p. 136
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Prayer Requests
—-My granddaughter, Emma, had a really bad seizure a few minutes ago and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Please pray earnestly. Rose

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3.

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. 1 Peter 2:21.
It is not enough merely to acknowledge Christ. We must follow where He leads the way. His grace is sufficient. He suffered for us, and He has left us an example, that we should follow …. The present is our time of proving. The experience necessary in order to gain the crown of life will bring us far greater crucifixion of self than we have hitherto thought possible. What is the message that the apostle Paul bears to everyone who names the name of Christ? “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. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Christ was the Lord of heaven and earth, yet for our sake He became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. He was made in the likeness of God, yet He humbled Himself, and took upon Him the form of a servant, that He might save us. He gave His life for our redemption. Will we accept the sacrifice? The only begotten Son of God was numbered with the transgressors, that human beings might not perish, but have everlasting life. Life eternal will be their inheritance, if they will consent to humble their proud heart and become partakers of His suffering. He patiently endured shame and mockery and derision that He might save every sinful human being who would lay hold of Him by living faith. While He hung on the cross, giving His life for our redemption, His murderers mocked Him, saying, “He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him” (Matthew 27:42)…. He could have refused thus to die, but He was suffering that the world through Him might be redeemed from Satan’s claim and authority. Through His death all who believe in Him may have eternal life….
The salvation of human beings means much more than many realize. It means that we are to choose God’s way rather than our own. The Lord cannot save men while they refuse to humble themselves under the reproofs and warnings that He sends, strenuously asserting their own will, and following their own course of action.—Letter 133, April 30, 1905, to J. E. White.
The Upward Look p. 134
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Eileen who is having a procedure on Friday. Rose
—-Please pray for my son. Connie
—-Please pray for my niece, Kelsi, who had a car accident this last weekend. Helen
—-Please pray that God will bless and protect our ministry. Cynthia
—-Please pray for my post open heart patient for healing. Emerson
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