A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34.
There are those who cherish a spirit of envy and hatred against their brethren, calling it the Spirit of God. There are those who go up and down as talebearers, accusing and condemning, blackening character, inspiring hearts with maliciousness. They carry false reports to the doors of their neighbors, who, as they listen to the slander, lose the Spirit of God. Not even the messenger of God, who bears to the people His truth, is spared.
This sin is worse than the sin of Achan. Its influence is not confined to those who cherish it. It is a root of bitterness, whereby many are defiled. God cannot bless the church till it is purged of this evil that corrupts minds and spirits, the souls of those who do not repent and change their course of action.
He who is renewed after the Spirit of Christ will not only love God; he will love his brethren also. Those who make mistakes are to be dealt with according to the directions given in the Word of God. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
Plainly and faithfully evil is to be reproved. But let the one who takes up this work first be sure that he is not himself separated from Christ by evil works. He must be able to restore the erring in the spirit of meekness. Unless he can do this, he should not attempt to correct or reprove his brethren, for he will make two evils in the place of curing one.
Let men be careful how they treat the purchase of the blood of Christ. Let them not forget the prayer offered by the Saviour just before He left His disciples for the long struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane. Let them not forget the high estimate He has placed on human beings by purchasing them at the sacrifice of His life. There are many who seem willing to wound and bruise the hearts of their brethren. Are they following the example Christ has left them? Where in the record of His dealing with men do they find themselves sustained in showing so little forbearance and patience in dealing with their brethren? …
That which distinguishes Christians from worldlings is the manifestation of Christlikeness, which by its pure influence cleanses the heart from selfishness.—Manuscript 52, April 18, 1902, “Fragments.”
The Upward Look p. 122
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Prayer Requests
—-I desperately need prayer for one of my son’s safety. Someone has threatened one of my son’s life and this person has had people killed before but this person has never been caught. The police know. Please pray for this person to be arrested and dealt with for their past crimes. But especially please pray for my son’s safety and for him to be right with God at all times. Thank you so much for your prayers. Connie
—-Please pray for Scott that he will charge from his wicked ways and that he will have an encounter with the Lord before its too late. Rosemary
—-Please pray for my daughter, she will be having a duct removed from her breast and although the dr says cancer is rare, all kinds of cancer runs in our family. Sandra
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, Ron, Ronnie Jay, and I were at the store. They were at customer service returning something defective. I was getting a few items. While waiting in line, Ron started a conversation with a lady who had a beautiful little girl in the shopping cart. As they talked, this lady explained that she was babysitting the child. Her parents had died in a motorcycle accident and the grandmother was raising the child.
At this point, I came over to where Ron and Ronnie Jay were. Ron told me about the tragedy. I expressed my sympathy to the lady. She then began saying to the child “Mom and Tim are angels, aren’t they and we pray to them don’t we?.” The little girl looked at her with surprised eyes and said, “no.” I was shocked, but instead of asking the lady if she’d like to get together some time and study what the Bible says about praying, I kept quiet. On the way home from the store, I realized that I had missed an opportunity. By my silence, I had denied the truth. I had denied the Only One Who and hear and answer our prayers. How sorry I felt.
How often we do the same by our words or actions or silence. How many times we hesitate to speak a word for the One Who speaks for us. (1 John 2:1, 2) Do we share Him with others, or do we pretend that we don’t even know Him? Do we try to rationalize away our denial? Jesus said “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matt 10:32,33 Paul warns, “if we deny him, he also will deny us.” 2 Tim 2:12 Those are solemn words. Words that have eternal consequences.
Often we do not know ourselves and think that we would never deny our Lord. That was Peter’s experience. When Jesus told His disciples that they would deny Him, Peter stood up and proclaimed that although everyone else would deny Him, he never would. “But 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 14:29-31 Peter could not believe it, but when he was “backed into a corner,” he denied his Master. He denied the One Who was giving His life for him.
When Peter denied Jesus, the Bible says, “Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” Matt 26:75 That was the start of a new life for Peter. From that moment he stood firm for his Saviour no matter what the consequences might be.
May we never deny our Dear Saviour in any way. May we pray that we will recognize opportunites for sharing the good news with others and have the courage to do so even in a store. May we “let [our] light so shine before men, that they may see [our] good works, and glorify [our] Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:16.
Rose

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. Matthew 23:8.
Some days ago I received copies of a number of testimonials written for Brother N_____ by different men in official positions. I read these testimonials. In the night season a representation passed before me. Brother and Sister N_____ were looking over these testimonials. As they were talking together, there stood by their side, not the One who appeared to Brother N_____ on a certain occasion—the Messenger of heaven—but an evil messenger, who insinuated into Brother N_____’s mind the belief that his brethren wanted to get control of his property, and to put him and his wife out of the work…. The messenger said that they had been turned out in their old age in order that these brethren might carry on the work they had begun. Sister N_____ accepted this statement. Many false reports were received as truth. Next, Brother N_____ was represented to me as writing letters containing these false reports….
Then the scene changed. I heard words of counsel addressed to Brother N_____ by his brethren, but he was not willing to receive help from those who had always been his sincere friends. It was represented to me that Brother and Sister N_____ were both deceived by the enemy. They had become subject to his temptations, and were deceiving themselves to their own hurt. One stood by the side of the tempted ones, and said, “Have you lost sight of Him who said, ‘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 ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light’ (Matthew 11:28-30)? Will you, by envy and evil surmising, spoil the good work that has been done?”
My brother and sister, you now have the word of counsel from the Messenger of God. You are in danger, by yielding to jealousy, of counterworking the good work you have done. Stop right where you are. The Lord has helped you. He has worked in your behalf….
Addressing you, the Lord’s messenger said, “Cease to heed the suggestions of the enemy. Be led by the Lord. Walk in the way of His providence. Do not betray the work into the enemy’s hands by yielding to his evil suggestions. Look to Jesus…. In no case turn from your brethren, who have been your true friends.—Letter 61, April 17, 1902, to a couple who had pioneered work in the Southern States.
The Upward Look p. 121
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray that Jerry can soon get a job. I
—-Please pray that our children will become more earnest in their Christianity. D
—-Update I went to the hospital they have been running tests and they still don’t know what’s wrong and it’s a lot of pain and pressure on my left side lung breast area. I will be staying the night and then doing another stress test in the morning please keep me in prayer. K
—-I request your prayers for healing. Helen
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Dear Friends,
Yesterday, Ron had to go in for dental work and was miserable for the rest of the day. It reminded me of years ago when Ronnie Jay had a tooth with a cavity. His sister suggested that he go to the dentist. When I found out, I urged him to go to the dentist. Weeks went by. It began to bother him a little, so he asked me to take a look. It was a BIG cavity. Still he didn’t want to go. I understood. I also avoid going to the doctor or dentist as much as possible.
One morning as we were driving into work together, I told him the story about his great-great-grandfather. He had an abscessed tooth but refused to go to the dentist. That abscessed tooth pumped its poison into his bloodstream and he died of septicemia.
Ronnie Jay decided to go to the dentist after all. The dentist looked at the x-ray and shook his head. The tooth was too far gone to save. That tooth and his wisdom tooth had been fighting for the same space for years. As I sat there, I began wishing that years ago when the dentist had first suggested that he have his wisdom teeth pulled, I would have done so, but it looked like he had enough space in the back of his mouth, so I had figured that the dentist was just trying to “pad his pocket.” Because the tooth with the cavity was jammed up against his wisdom tooth, it got in such a bad condition, the dentist had to drill it into pieces and had a very difficult time getting all of it out. I felt so responsible…..
The Bible speaks of a group of girls who suffered because they had put things off as well. “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matt 25:1-13
May we never put off accepting God’s Great Grace. May we never utter those dreadful words, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jer 8:20 May we “give diligence to make our calling and election sure: for if we do these things, we shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10, 11
Rose

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Colossians 3:12, 13.
[During the] hours of the night, while others are sleeping, I am praying that the responsible work committed to my trust may be so unselfishly and faithfully done that God will approve. The anxiety is not with me what others may think or what others may do, but What shall I do to glorify God? and Will my work bear the inspection of God? Is every high look removed from me? Is my heart in harmony with Jesus, the humble Man of Calvary? I am weeping and praying and working, trying my motives and feelings in the light of eternity, and if I am saved at last, it will be through the matchless love of my Redeemer.
Oh, how great has been that love that would endure such self-denial, such self-sacrifice for me! All we can do will be little enough, and we may well say we are unprofitable servants. Just as surely as we exalt ourselves and take the highest seat, God will humble us in some way very trying to human nature….
My husband, we must cultivate the spirit of Christ. There are many who profess the truth who need its sanctifying influence upon their hearts. Upright dealing and an exalted profession may characterize the life, but a want of true kindness, nobility of soul, conciliatory deportment, will neutralize all the good they are capable of doing. A sour, censorious religion finds no example in the religion of Christ….
Kind words, pleasant looks, and unselfish courtesy we must cultivate, for it will invest our character with a charm that will secure us respect and increase our usefulness tenfold more than were we otherwise in words and deportment….
An account we will have to render to God by and by, and we do not want to be ashamed of it because it bears the stamp of inconsistencies of impulse, of selfishness. We want to have an eye single to God’s glory, and our soul temple cleansed of selfishness, … and we assimilated to His divine image. Let us grow in grace. Cling with faith to Jesus Christ and we shall be upheld by His power.—Letter 22, April 16, 1880, to James White, her husband, who had just retired as General Conference president.
The Upward Look p. 120
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for D who is having depression problems. B
—-I am asking prayer for healing. Helen
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Dear Friends,
While I lived with my grandparents, I had a friend named Gary. He lived several blocks away, but was,from the age of five, allowed to come to my house to play. His parents were older, as were most people in the neighborhood and I think they were probably glad to have somebody for him to play with.
One day as we had just started playing together, he announced to my mother, that he had been at his cousin’s house and had been exposed to polio. (This was before Dr. Salk’s vaccine.) My mother was filled with dread. She sent him home and told him not to come back for a month. At first, I didn’t understand why she had been so “mean.” After she explained, I was glad that she had banished him until she was sure that he had not caught it.
Just as my mother reacted quickly to keep me safe from a terrible disease, so we must guard our children against unsafe associates. Just as she sent Gary away, so we must not allow anything in our home that might lead our children (or us) astray. We are to keep ourselves and our children separate from those distractions that could cause us to be infected with sin. Even though our little ones, may not understand at first, when they are older, they will thank us. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Prov 22:6
Paul tells us, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor 6:14-7:1
There is more to the above text than just refraining from marrying a non-believer or having a non-believing business partner. It is a principle that must be a part of every aspect of our life. The evil one has a multitude of distractions that can cause us to become infected with a virus far more deadly than the polio that Gary was exposed to. Therefore, “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil 4:8
“What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” Ps 34:12-15 May we guard carefully our children as well as ourselves from the evil one who walketh about as a hungry lion seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) May we “give diligence to make [our] calling and election sure: for if [we] do these things, [we] shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto [us] abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:10, 11
Rose

Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Hebrews 3:7, 8.
A man for whom the Lord has done so much should honor Him in every word and act. All his transactions should be pure, considerate, and just. He should not do or say anything that he will be loath to meet when he stands before the Judge of all the earth….
Throughout every department of His work God will vindicate His honor, His righteousness. Will you not stop right where you are, and consider diligently your ways? The Lord cannot endorse your spirit or your course of action. His hand is on the lever. Your plans are not His plans…. Now is your time to repent. Lose not the opportunity….
My brother, do not feel that it is below your dignity to make a decided change. You must place yourself at the feet of Christ as a learner, else you will surely fail of obtaining the overcomer’s reward. Lay off your commanding, kingly authority, and become one of God’s little children. Until you are willing to study and obey God’s will, you will be overcome by temptations and led to do strange things, which will disqualify you for filling a position of influence.
Will you not repent and be converted? Will you not act every moment with the realization that you are under the divine scrutiny? Will you not make God your companion in all your work? His holiness, His justice, His truth, should purify your words and actions. UL 119.5
You need to stop and consider that there is a God. He has spoken good in your behalf, and He will be much displeased if you deal unjustly with His heritage. He calls upon you to turn to Him with full purpose of heart. Pray, for your soul’s sake, pray; for you have been so many times self-deceived and led by deceptive influences that you are tempted to regard with favor those who will flatter and extol you, and with disfavor those who would point out your errors and dangers.
Many times you have almost gone over to the wrong side, but before the throne has stood your Saviour, the prints of the nails in His hands, interceding in your behalf. Pray for yourself, in the name of Christ. Pray earnestly, fervently, sincerely. I hope that your life may be spared, and that you may give yourself wholly to repentance. Come to the Lord, and surrender all to Him. You must, or you will be taken captive by the enemy.
I can … but write these words, for One [who is] of the highest authority has made this appeal to you.—Letter 55, April 15, 1903, to Dr. J. H. Kellogg, who was in danger of going off into pantheism.
The Upward Look p. 119
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Prayer Requests
—-Asking for prayers. My heart is hurting today. Possibly heart disease. I may have to go to hospital. Kristina
—-Please pray for my Uncle Levi in Chicago, he is a waiting list for lung transplant. Emerson
—-I have 3 Prayer requests: My step-brother is hospitalized with serious blood clot issues; an Adventist Church Pastor is recovering from a stroke and his wife suffered a life threatening fall and is hospitalized. Please pray! Wanda
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Dear Friends,
One morning some years ago, as we were on our way to work, there was quite a bit of traffic on Hoover Road. Suddenly, the person in the pickup truck ahead of me slammed on his brakes. Immediately, I did the same. Then I saw it. A semi was stopped right in our lane. Because of the darkness, there had been no warning. It was as if it just suddenly appeared in our lane. As we drove around it and saw the name on the cab, Ron remarked that it was too bad that the truck had broken down less than a mile from its destination.
How many are like that truck. We start out so well, but somewhere along the way, our good intentions break down. We take our eyes off from “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:14 Somewhere along the path of life, we begin looking at ourselves, at others, at the things of this world and forget that we are moving toward the greatest of all destinations, even the Heavenly home our Dear Saviour is preparing for us. (John 14:1-3)
We must not be casual Christians quitting whenever the way gets rough. We must not allow other things to get in the way. The promise is, “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matt 24:13 How many examples do we have in God’s Holy Word of those who, like that Roadway truck yesterday morning, began so well, and got sidetracked before obtaining the Heavenly prize.
When the children of Israel left Egypt, they expected to enter the promised land. Yet, through their murmuring and complaining, their idolitry and self-seeking they perished in the wilderness. Only Caleb and Joshua endured unto the end. Paul writes, “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Cor 10:1-12
Solomon, also, started out so well. At the beginning of his reign, the Great King of the Universe came to him in a dream. ” In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.” 1 Kings 3:5-14
What a great king Solomon would have made had he continued with a pure and humble heart. Yet, it is written, “But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.” 1 Kings 11:1-8
Paul spoke of this enduring unto the end, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Cor 9:24-27 Praise God! Every one of us may receive that prize! All who endure onto the end will be saved!
May we claim the promise, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” John 8:31 May we keep our eyes upon the prize before us. May we endure unto the end is my prayer.
Rose

Some years ago, while rowing on Lake Goguac [in Michigan] with my husband, we saw a beautiful lily, I asked my husband to get it for me, and to pluck it with as long a stem as he could. He did so, and I examined it. In the stem was a channel through which flowed the nourishment best suited to the development of the lily. This nourishment it took, refusing the vileness with which it was surrounded. It had a connection with the sand far below the surface, and from there drew the sustenance which caused it to develop … its loveliness.
Christ says, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (Matthew 6:28, 29). No artist can produce the beautiful tints which God gives to the flowers. “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” (verse 30).
Nature is our lesson book. Christ used the objects of nature to impress truth on the minds of His hearers…. “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? … for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (verses 31-34).
Let us do all we can to show our children that there is a heaven to win and a hell to shun. Let us teach them to strive for everlasting life…. Bring your children up in the admonition of the Lord, and you have fitted them to work in the church, you have fitted them to go forth into missionary fields, you have fitted them to shine in the courts of the Lord.
Parents, do not try to follow the ever-changing fashions of the degenerate age. It does not pay. At the last day God will ask you, “What have you done with My flock, My beautiful flock?” How will you answer Him if you have betrayed your trust? For Christ’s sake I beseech of you to guard your children. Do not be cross or hasty. Give them happy things to think of….
Strive with all the power God has given you to gain the crown of everlasting life, that you may cast it at the feet of the Redeemer, and touching the golden harp, fill all heaven with rich music.—Manuscript 31, April 14, 1901, “The Christian Life.”
The Upward Look p. 118
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Esther’s friend, Dannie, as she and her family travels across country to locate in a new area. Rose
—-Please pray for my good friend Amby.She has just suffered a heart attack and is in need of open heart surgery being airlifted to ____ many prayers needed. Julie
—-Please pray for my friend’s wife Allison. She has terminal cancer. They have a preschool age daughter. Laura
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Dear Friends,
When Eileen was a little girl, she wanted to have a plant all of her own. Since we were very poor at the time, I could not afford to buy one, so I suggested that she plant a grapefruit seed from the grapefruit that she was eating. Soon it became a little tree. Over the years, as we moved from place to place, Eileen nurtured that tree repotting it when it grew too big for its pot. It grew and grew until it was in a very large pot and had to be trimmed occasionally or it would have gone through the roof.
So it is with God’s Word. When we receive it into our heart, it can grow into something beautiful, or it can wither and die. It is our choice. As we open the pages of our Great Redeemer’s Holy Book, we learn His will for our life. We can choose to follow His will. If we do, Jeremiah’s experience can be ours. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jer 15:16 David says, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.” “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psa 119:12,105
As we meditate upon His precepts, they become a part of us, the fruit of the Spirit love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” becomes a part of our life and shines forth to those around Gal 5:22-25 As our Great Creator recreates us, He bids us to share His great love with others. When our Dear Saviour was returning to His Father’s House, He gave a commission to His disciples. This commission is also for us today. He said, “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Acts 1:8; Matt 28:18-20
How our Dear Saviour longs to work through us to fulfill His great commission that His followers may grow and spread throughout the world just as that grapefruit seed has become a tree. How patiently He waits for us to allow Him to use us to further His Great Kingdom of Love. Jesus spoke of this very thing. “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” Matt 13:31,32
Jeremiah describes those who follow the Word, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” Jer 17:7,8 It is not an easy work, but we have the promise, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psa 126:5,6
As we bring others to the foot of the cross, our joy is full. As they in turn win others, how quickly the light shines forth. Soon Jesus can come. Soon we, and those we’ve brought to our Dear Saviour, will “be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thes 4:17 Think of it! Walking with Jesus, following Him whithersoever He goes,(Rev 14:4) not alone, but with those we have brought to Him. What a joyous day that will be!
May we allow God’s Word to germinate and grow within our heart. May we spread His Good News of salvation far and wide. May we soon see our Loving Saviour face to face is my prayer.
Rose