According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3.
True Christians are faithful in little things, remembering that the Word of God declares, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). A faithful, steady obedience to the words of Christ makes men pure in mind, resolute in purpose, and faithful in every station of life.
True service is the unveiling of a heart made fragrant by the love of God. Such service gives nobility to the character in this life. Under its influence, love to God and man speaks from the lips and is revealed in the actions….
When God’s people place the gift of speech under the influence and control of the Holy Spirit, thousands will hear the message that God is love; that He “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). His heart of infinite love embraces every human being. His love is an inexhaustible wellspring of joy and peace. It is as enduring as eternity. It is the fountain opened for Judah and Jerusalem. From its unfailing supply every soul may be satisfied. This love is the life of God, working with transforming power in the soul, perfecting Christian character, making human beings partakers of the divine nature. Through Christ this living stream of love and life flows to the world….
In the Christian warfare life, spiritual life, courage, constancy, and decision are needed. Be strong in the Lord. Human courage will not suffice. The Christian soldier must be strong in the Lord. God is all-sufficient. In the omnipotence of His might gird on the armor. Make use of all the proper means of defense against the enemy of souls. You are everyone to perfect an individual character for yourselves. Resist temptation. Cultivate the Christian virtues. Be strong; yea, be strong!
Those who have so many battles to fight must be strong for service. Gain strength and help from the Source of all power. If we trust in the Lord, we shall triumph in the warfare against unseen foes, but if we trust in our own strength, we shall surely meet with defeat. The armor is prepared. Put it on, and fight bravely for the Lord.—Letter 67, April 25, 1902, “To My Brethren in Positions of Responsibility in the Pacific Press.”
The Upward Look p. 129
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue to pray for Hannah. She is not getting better and none of the doctors can agree on what is wrong and how to treat it. Rose
—-I’m in a predicament with my health right now that is causing me to have suicidal thoughts. I did call my counselor and now feel the need to have others praying for me. Judy
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Dear Friends,
When Esther Marie was about 9, she and a friend were playing on some old railroad ties that were being used for decoration along her friend’s driveway. As Esther turned a cartwheel on that old wooden tie, a large piece of wood went deep into her foot. I have always been able to get slivers and thorns out, so when I looked at this large piece of wood, I thought this would be no problem. After having started digging it out, however, I realized this sliver was different. It crumbled when I touched it. The wood was too rotten.
Finally, I had to take her to the doctor. Even he had a difficult time getting it out, but since he was able to deaden her foot so she could not feel the pain, he could free her of that offending piece of timber. But there was a price to pay. When the doctor deadened Esther’s foot, he hit a bone so hard that it bent the needle. For weeks, that foot was very painful. For years, that bone ached when the weather changed.
Just so, there are consequences from the sin we have allowed in our lives. We can ask for and receive forgiveness, but a scar remains. Like David, who was called “a man after God’s own heart” before he became king, a man whom God blessed abundantly during the early years of his reign; after his sins of adultery and murder, his life became filled with trouble and sorrow far exceeding anything he had experienced while running from Saul. 1 Sam 13:14; 2 Sam 11 and onward.
Just as I tried to remove that crumbling sliver from Esther’s foot, we can try as hard as we possibly can to rid ourselves of sin and its consequences, but we are helpless to do so. “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” Jer 13:23 We can, through determination, change outwardly; but we cannot change our hearts. “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.” Isa 1:5,6
How much we need Someone Who can change our vile hearts and make us pure and clean within. How much we need a Great Physician Who can truly rid us of those sins that so easily beset us. He says to us, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa 1:18 “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Eze 18:33 “And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.” Jer 33:8 “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isa 45:22
Our response should be, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight….Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow….Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 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 139:23, 24;51
Let us come to our Dear Saviour now, that we may receive the pardon and cleansing we need. Let us allow Him to remake our tangled and twisted lives that we have so ruined by our sins and change us into a loving, victorious Christian whose light shines brightly for His glory. Let us daily walk with Him on the path to Heaven, guarding well the avenues of the soul and praying always for His help and strength that the splinters on sin cannot penetrate our lives any more.
Rose

My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Psalm 34:2.
I was about to write some words of encouragement to one who had helped in the work … at a time when it was going very hard. A hand was placed upon the paper, forbidding me to write, and a voice said, “These words of commendation will do harm to the one you are addressing. God is the Master Worker. Glorify Him, not man.” …
Let us be very careful not to praise or flatter any human being. Do not place before the Lord’s servants the temptation of human praise. It is God who enables men and women to accomplish good. He is behind every worker. Without His power, man is helpless….
There are those who by self-denial and self-sacrifice have prepared the way for a good work, yet who have not the capabilities that enable them to carry this work forward successfully when it has reached a certain stage of advancement….
Brother S_____ has been greatly blessed by God. The Lord used him to start the work at H_____. But he is not to think, because of this, that he is fitted to carry the school work forward on the broad, elevated place on which it must be carried. Others, whose education and training fit them for it, must take up the work in its advanced stages, and carry it onward and upward. But the Lord does not value the less those who in self-sacrifice and self-denial prepared the way for the work to advance.
The Lord’s workers must not think that they must be their own judges of the position they should fill. Let all remember that there are many different lines of work, and that all these lines of work are necessary. The hewers of wood and drawers of water do acceptable service, and make a success where others would certainly make a failure….
Look to Jesus. Do not spoil your record by giving way to despondency and distrust. Make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way…. The man who is nearest the Lord is the man who waits for Him as one who waits for the morning, the man who has the least confidence in self and the strongest confidence in God as the One who can save to the uttermost all who come to Him….
The Lord has an interest in all the work you are trying to do for Him. Do not worry. The day of trust is in our hands. The day of reckoning will bear the faithful witness as to how we have done our work. Let us do our best. If the Lord is with us, we shall be prospered.—Letter 64, April 24, 1902, to J. E. White, who was working among the blacks in the South.
The Upward Look p. 128
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Prayer Requests
—-I’m asking for prayers for God to intervene and me. I’ve been married to my husband for 20 yrs now. He is an alcoholic. Things are getting very bad for me. I’m turning 68 on the 23rd and It’s getting very hard on me taking care of him. He’s drunk every night. I have to keep him from getting hurt all the time. He falls in floor and it takes me forever to get him up. I love him but I’m getting worn out. Can’t sleep at night I’m at the end of my rope. Jimmie
—-Please pray for one of my sons. He is going through a real hard time right now with his wife and I am afraid he may become suicidal. He has tried in the past but God intervened greatly. Please pray for him that God will help him get back together with his wife and work all their problems out and give their hearts to God. Connie
—-Marie France is in the process of burying her daughter it is very painful for her and she needs prayer. Therese
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, because of bad weather, we stayed home and watched a religious television station for our church service. One of the speakers we watched called a young boy of about eight to the platform. The evangelist handed him a dollar bill. The boy reached out, took it gladly, and thanked the man. The evangelist then told the boy he could go back to his seat. Clutching his dollar, the boy happily obeyed.
Then the man told the audience that he had tried to use adults for this illustration but they always stood there looking at him skeptically and asked, “What’s the catch?”
Even so, we can reach out and grasp the Great Gift of Salvation as did that little boy. It is ours for the asking. When the Philippian jailer asked, ” Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 16:30, 31 Was this belief a mere mental assent? No! True belief is a wholehearted belief that changes the life.
Yes, salvation is a free gift, yet it costs us everything. Jesus explains, “the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matt 13:44-46
Isaiah urges, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isa 55:6,7 Paul adds, “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Heb 11:6
May we give diligence to make our calling and election sure. (1 Peter 1:10) May we allow nothing to hinder us from obtaining the Gift of Salvation. May we seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; for we have the promise that if we do, all these things shall be added unto us. (Matt 6:33)
Rose

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:30, 31.
We had a very precious season of prayer in our little tent [at the Fresno, California, camp meeting] this morning. I felt my soul drawn out in earnest prayer for you [her husband, James White] and for myself. The dear Saviour seemed very near and very gracious, full of mercy and love. I feel like serving Him with my undivided affection….
Divine power must be combined with human effort or this terrible paralysis of indifference, this deathlike sluggishness will never be broken from the souls of those in darkness and error. Jesus is our strength. He is our Righteousness. We must pray more and exercise faith continually. I feel the necessity of drawing nearer and closer to Jesus. I see I must labor to the point to keep my mind ascending to God continually if I would maintain the victory over Satan’s temptations.
Oh, I have been shown how he exults when we are overcome and the spirit of impatience and faultfinding is indulged. He is in an exultation of triumph, for he knows that this grieves the Spirit of God and separates us from our Strength. Our words must be faultless, our spirit patient, and kind, forbearing, long-suffering, and we manifesting by our words and actions that we have learned of Jesus and are still learning in the school of Christ….
We are, dear husband, building for eternity. God is rich in strength and power, and we may have His shining countenance beaming upon us and we reflecting the light to others…. God will not excuse us in sin who have had so great light. We have not one atom of righteousness of our own to stand upon. All we have ever done is because Jesus has given us His strength and His power, not because there was any inherent goodness or wisdom or righteousness in us. We are sinful and weak and imperfect, and we must feel this strongly enough to reach up for a stronger help and holier power than we possess. Jesus’ life is a perfect model. We must not build upon the sand. If we do, there will be a terrible down-tumbling by and by of our house. Ye are God’s building. Let us show this in a harmonious character.—Letter 25, April 23, 1880, to James White.
The Upward Look p. 127
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Angie’s daughter who is seven months pregnant. Her unborn baby boy has two holes in his heart. Please pray that by the time he is born, the holes will have closed. Esther
—-Please continue to pray for Hannah. She had a bad spell yesterday during tests. Her heart raced to 178 bpm and she passed out. Also her rash became worse. The doctors have no clue why this is happening. Please pray that God will direct their thinking so that they will know what treatment to give her. Rose
—-My 10 year old son is ill. Please pray for healing. His name is Travis. Jenny
—-Please pray that my mother’s precious doggie will be found. When my mom died she left her precious doggie behind. This doggie was one of the last things my dear mother asked about before she died. She wanted to know if her dog was okay. I just found out her dog had somehow gotten out of my mom’s house and she has been missing for about a week. The caregiver has been taking care of her but somehow she got out of the house and it was a foggy day and now she is lost. I am so sad about this. This poor dog loved my mom so much! Please pray that she is ok and will be found soon. My mom had her for over 10 years. Connie
—-I’d appreciate prayers for continued healing and regaining my stamina. Georgia
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Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:20. UL 126.1
The law of God is the transcript of His character. Those who profess to keep this law, but who fail to show that they love God with heart, mind, and strength, who do not devote themselves unreservedly to His service, [and who] keep neither the first four commandments, which enjoin supreme love for God, nor the last six, which enjoin unselfish love for one another, are not obedient children. “By their fruits ye shall know them.”
True love for God will always manifest itself. It cannot be hidden. Those who keep God’s commandments in truth will reveal the same love that Christ revealed for His Father and for His fellow men. He in whose heart Christ abides will reveal Christ in the character, in his work in behalf of those of the household of faith, and in behalf of those who need to be brought to a knowledge of the truth. He is ever to show by good works the fruit of his faith, revealing Christ by loving words and deeds of mercy….
The doing of the law of God is the fruit of His grace in the heart. Obeying this law, we daily remember that God is the giver of all that we hold in trust. He provides us with all we have. It is because of His mercy and love that we have strength to labor. He opens ways by which we may gain earthly treasure, not that self may be exalted, not that the treasure obtained may be hoarded up, but that God’s name may be glorified, that the needy may be helped, that God’s treasury may be provided with that which He claims in gifts and offerings, that the work of raising the standard of truth in the regions beyond may not languish, but move forward and upward.
Upon all who consecrate themselves to God as laborers together with Him is laid the responsibility of guarding the interests of His cause and work. They are to live the truth which they claim to believe. They are to keep Christ constantly before them as their Pattern, and by their good works cause praise to flow forth from hearts hungering and thirsting for the Bread of Life. Not only are they to minister to the spiritual need of those they are seeking to win for Christ, [but] they are to supply their temporal necessities. This work of mercy and love is ever presenting itself, and by faithfully doing it, God’s servants are to show what the truth has done for them. They are to be faithful stewards, not only of gospel truth, but of all the blessings God has given them. Not only are they to speak words of sympathy, [but] by their deeds they are to demonstrate the reality of their sympathy and love.—Manuscript 85, April 22, 1894, untitled manuscript.
The Upward Look p. 126
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Julia who has mental problems and is missing. M
These are the prayer requests from last night’s prayer meeting.
—-Please continue to pray for Hannah. She is getting no better and the doctors have not as yet figured out what is going on.
—-Please continue praying for Kitty who is on hospice. Pray for spiritual as well as physical healing.
—-Please pray for the following that God will take control of their various situations. Sarah, Elijah, Bianca, Charlie, Emma, Jerry, LS, and missing church members.
Praises—overtime for Brian, no car accident when the roads were icy last Sabbath.
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Dear Friends,
When I was in my late teens, my mother became acquainted with a German lady at her work. As they talked day after day, they began to become friends. She shared with my mother some pastries that she had made. They were delicious! My mother wanted the recipe so this lady invited us to her house one evening so that we could learn how to make them.
While there, we noticed many photos here and there about the room. They were all of the same boy taken over a period of years. The last picture of him was when he was about eleven. Since these photos were obviously old, we knew that something must have happened. The lady, with pain in her eyes, explained that this was her only child. He had been killed many years before.
Her only son, along with several others, decided to play in a nearby gravel pit. Those high piles of gravel were so tempting to climb on. They were having a happy time pushing and shoving each other as only boys can, when suddenly, the rocks beneath them began to slide. Their shouts of laughter became screams of terror as they began to sink down into the mountain of loose stones.
Their cries of fear were heard and an alarm was sounded. Men from all over the area left whatever they were doing and rushed to rescue the boys. One of those men, was my father. As soon as he heard the gravel pit’s alarm sound, he closed his gas station, jumped into his car, and sped to the scene of the accident. By the time he and the others arrived, there was no sign of the boys. The mountains of gravel looked as if they had never been touched.
The one who had heard the boy’s cries was digging frantically. The other men joined him. It was dangerous work. The shifting stones threatened to bury them as well. Hour after hour they searched. The sun set. Still there was no sign of the boys. The night passed: the men kept digging. Sometime during the following day, the bodies were discovered. The men had done what they could, but it was too late.
When this still grieving mother realized that my dad had been one of the rescuers, she hugged us and began to cry. Over and over she thanked us for his efforts to save her boy. She was so grateful to those men who had tried their best.
She explained that she had always worried about that gravel pit so near to her home. Many times she cautioned her son not to go near those mounds so tempting to active boys. Always he promised that he would never step his foot on one of them. But one day while playing with friends, he couldn’t resist their taunts of “chicken.” He didn’t want to be called a “sissy.” He must have decided that this one time would not hurt. That one time of disobedience cost him his life.
Often we are like that lady’s son. We don’t want to be different. We don’t have the courage do what is right even though we are ridiculed for it. We think that “just once” won’t hurt. That one moment of weakness can change the direction of the life. That one disobedience can pave the way for other sins. We become sucked down into a mountain of woe. “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” Ps 38:4 Our spiritual life is suffocated. Our condition becomes as Isaiah describes, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.” Isa 64:6;1:5,6
How much we need Someone to save us! Praise God! We have such a One! Our Dear Saviour saw our grave danger and stopped what He was doing and came to this sinful old world to rescue us from the mountain of difficulty that we brought upon our self. He, Whom all Heaven adored, could not be happy while we were perishing in sin and woe. He, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person,” “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.” Heb 1:3;Phil 2:7,8 “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isa 53:5 “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:10-12 What wonderful love! We cannot comprehend it!
May we accept His great love for us and receive His free gift of salvation. May we allow Him to fill us with His Spirit that we may reflect His love to others. May we stand firmly for the right no matter what others may do or say; that we may bring glory to the One Who loves us so.
Rose

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105.
If we would work wisely and intelligently, our human passions, our hereditary and cultivated tendencies, must be brought under the control of a higher and more commanding generalship than human ability….
“Cease to do evil; learn to do well.” This is the lesson everyone should learn day by day. The training due to one’s self comes first. The influence exerted by a life of strict integrity will be a continual education to others. Those who are restrained and guided by the moral and religious principles plainly laid down in God’s Word walk in accordance with the mind and will of God, who is too wise to err and too good to do us harm.
If you would walk wisely, walk in the way of God’s commandments. The Word of God you have in your keeping, right at hand. This Word is so plain that none need go astray unless they allow themselves to be led by their hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong. Your Redeemer met Satan’s treacherous advances with the words, “It is written,” and with the imperative command, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” I counsel you to receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your soul. The Word of God is your haven. It is a tower of strength, into which you may run and be safe….
The earnest, sincere searcher for truth will not mistake truth for error. The Word of God is the bread of life, of which all may partake and obtain eternal life. Error is falsehood and deception. Those who partake of it must suffer in consequence, as did Adam and Eve in Eden. It is the privilege of all to search with prayerful, eager interest for the truth. Truth is the tree of life, the leaves of which the human family are to eat and live.
Those who try to interpret the Word according to their own ideas, who read it in accordance with their opinions, will never see the truth, and will die in their sins. Those who eat of the forbidden tree accept Satan’s fallacies in the place of “Thus saith the Lord,” and unless they repent, they will never gain that life which measures with the life of God. As did Adam and Eve, they exclude themselves from the tree of life, the fruit of which perpetuates immortality….
We are living amid the solemnities of the judgment. Our souls should be filled with awe, for we are in God’s presence continually. Each one must decide for himself whether he will obey and live or disobey and perish.
To those who obey, the Word of God is the tree of life. It is the word of salvation, received unto eternal life.—Letter 60, April 21, 1900, to a church member in Rochester, New York.
The Upward Look p. 125
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Prayer Requests
—-please pray for a teenager who was stricken down with tremors in her arms and legs while at school. her name is Jordan. she was taken to the hospital. also my great granddaughter was stricken last year while at school/ her legs started giving out she is a 4.0 average student. the DR’s cannot figure out what is wrong .she also started getting seizures too. .thank you .M.
—-Pray for my protection from the schemes of the evil one. From the behavior of my estranged husband who is desperate to hurt me in whatever way he can find. Prayers for Daniel to be awakened and freed from the chains of the principalities that have ahold of him. Please please help me. Ama
—-Please pray for my cousin, Patrick. He’s in ICU in a coma. Wanda
—-Please pray for all of those who are in the path of the volcano in the Philippines. Marsha
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Dear Friends,
Over the years, we have enjoyed the beautiful world God has made. We started camping in Michigan shortly after we were married and have continued camping wherever we have moved. When we lived out west, we were able to go wilderness camping which is far superior to any campground.
One early June, when we lived in Utah, we found a nice spot up in the mountains. It was one of those “pack it in, pack it out” places where there are no facilities and one can feel very close to nature. After we had carried all of our stuff for what seemed like way too long, we found a nice spot under the trees by the river to set up our tent.
The next morning we were delighted to see a yearling female moose very close to our camp. She had been eating water plants and had become curious to see what we were. She came within about 35 feet of our camp and stood and watched us. We, in turn, stood very still and watched her. Her curiosity satisfied, she walked on and started eating water plants again. We followed at a distance and watched her until the children grew tired.
Moose have a very bad temper, and as soon as he saw her Ron quietly reached for his gun. Thankfully, the moose was docile and did not feel threatened or that encounter could have turned out tragically. My children had learned at an early age to hold very still and be quiet when an animal was around, so it was a good experience.
God’s Holy Word tells us of a time when we will be able to interact with even the wildest of creatures. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Isa 11:6-9 “And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD. Isa 65:21-25 What a wonderful time that will be! The animals will be gentle and friendly. We will have no fear of them and they will have no fear of us.
Moreover, no evil person will be found in that fair land. “The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Cor 6:9, 10 Jesus declares, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs (someone with an impure mind), and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Think of it! No drive-by shootings, no kidnappings, no rapes, no domestic violence, no gossips, no deception of any kind will be in Heaven. We will be safe wherever we go without worry, without fear.
Beyond all those wonderful things is the fact that our Great and Glorious Creator and Savior will be there. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” Rev 21:1-5
May we all be there. May we meet in worship around the throne of God. May our Precious Heavenly Father meet with us individually and answer all of our questions that we may understand all that has perplexed us throughout our life is my prayer.
Rose