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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Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you. 2 Chronicles 20:17.
Into the daily life there come many perplexing problems that we cannot solve. There are those who wish to adjust every difficulty, to settle every question, before they begin to work. Such will surely fail. In the end, the future will be just as indistinct, and the problems just as perplexing, as when they began to speculate. It is in following the light given that we receive greater light….
Move forward at the call of God. When He points out a work to be done, in His name and with full faith take up that work. You may not see the end from the beginning. Perplexities may surround you. Your brethren may tell you of the lions in the way. But, nevertheless, go forward, saying, “The Lord wants this work done, and I will not fail nor be discouraged. I will act my part.” …
There are critics who, if you listen to their words, will rob you of all heart and hope. Do not allow them to discourage you. Say, “God abideth faithful. He cannot deny Himself.” He has given to every man his work, and He calls upon all to begin to work just where they are. He cannot do what He desires to do until the human agent acts his part.
At times the arm of faith seems too short even to touch the Saviour’s garment, but there stands the promise, with God behind it: “Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not” (Isaiah 58:9-11)….
It is not our efforts that bring victory. It is seeing God behind the promise, and believing and trusting Him. Grasp by faith the hand of infinite power. The Lord is faithful who hath promised.
Questions will arise that cannot be settled by any amount of thinking. Do not spend time trying to settle them. Take up the work waiting to be done, trusting in God as your wisdom. His righteousness will go before you, and the questions that have troubled you will answer themselves.—Manuscript 54, April 29, 1902, “How to Solve Perplexing Problems.”
The Upward Look p. 133
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my cousin D who just found out she has breast cancer. Mike
—-PLEASE continue to pray for one of my son’s who I’m afraid is suicidal. He’s going through a lot right now losing his wife. He has tried before but God worked a real miracle and prevented what he tried to do from happening. I received a strange call from him at 4:30 this morning. Please pray that God will never allow him to succeed in any suicide attempt!!! And please pray for his eternal salvation!!! And that he will get his wife back and that they will both give their hearts to God and have a Happy Christian home! Connie
—-Please Pray for Charlene’s Friend’s Son. He has Leukemia Cheryl