The children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath … for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever. Exodus 31:16, 17.
We do not study the Scriptures as much as we should. Instead of spending our time in studying the various themes of the day we need to devote that time to the study of the Scriptures. We want to come on our knees before God with our Bibles and ask for wisdom from God to comprehend the treasures of truth. We cannot have root in ourselves unless we do this, for everything is to be shaken that can be shaken….
Satan is watching that he may find the mind in an unguarded moment and so get possession of it. We do not want to be ignorant of his devices, neither do we want to be overpowered by his devices. He is pleased with the pictures that represent him as having horns and hoofs, for he has intelligence; he was once an angel of light. Those who trust in their intelligence he will make believe that they can correct the Scriptures. You are going to meet this infidelity in high places. You need the Holy Spirit of God, the divine power to cooperate with you to discern the trap that the devil is preparing, and escape it. He is going to lead the religious world captive (see 2 Thessalonians 2:11). How dare they to lay their sacrilegious hands upon the Scriptures! We must bring the Sabbath of the Lord to the front. It is so plain, and so decided. It is a sign between the children of God and the children of the world….
We do not know how soon we shall be singled out as not being law-abiding citizens, because the prince of the power of the air is getting possession of the minds of men. We can choose between obeying the powers that be, and dishonoring God, or disobeying the powers that be, and honoring God. If we obey God, His Holy Spirit is resting upon us, and we are not fighting with our own assertions, but with “It is written.” All we have to do is to go back to the fourth commandment. Read the testimony of Jesus Christ that not even a little dot was to be altered, but it is just as written by the finger of God on the tables of stone. We should love the truth because it is truth. It makes every difference whether we are on God’s side of the question or not. You may be summoned to the courts, and in these emergencies think on the Saviour’s promise: “I am there.” We cannot stand on sliding sand, but we can on Christ Jesus. And we can stand there though the whole world may be arrayed against us….
God has covenanted, and He will be with His people.—Manuscript 11, March 28, 1893, “Search the Scriptures.”
The Upward Look p. 101
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for D who is battling depression and trying to overcome anger. H
—-Update: Milt Kidneys are bad he’s on dialysis now. Arlene
—-Please pray for a young man his name is Joshua his mother has left him for months and doesn’t care much about him. He is alone i have done up to what i can. Please pray that a miracle will be wrought on his life.
He is just 18 and seems to have a bit of special needs. Rosemary
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Dear Friends,
Some time ago, I went to a certain grocery store to get the bread I buy that has all natural ingredients. For me, it is worth the extra three miles to get bread without dough conditioners and preservatives. Of course, I got a few other needed items as well.
As I was taking my purchases out of the cart so carry the bags of groceries to the car, a lady, who was also about to exit the store, looked at me and said, “Go around the corner and up the stairs.” Seeing my blank look, she smiled and repeated herself adding, “It’s kind of hard to find.”
With question marks all over my face, I asked, “Uh, just what are we talking about?”
It was her turn to be surprised. “Why, you asked where the bathroom was, didn’t you?” After assuring her, that I had not said a word, I remembered that some girls, who were talking together, had passed right behind me. One of them must have asked that question to one of the other girls. I explained that to the woman. Then, she and I had a good laugh.
Paul tells us to “pray without ceasing.” Just as “the body without the spirit is dead, [as] faith without works is dead,” so prayer without study of the Scriptures leaves us with only part of a conversation. James 2:26 Without earnest prayer for guidance, we have only the vaguest idea of what is being said. Without study and prayer, we cannot truly have a “conversation” with our Great Creator.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim 3:16, 17 How vital to our understanding, is prayer that we may receive the lesson its Author has for us. Without prayer for the same Holy Spirit, who guided holy men of old to write the Scriptures, to guide our minds, we are getting only part of the “conversation” and lack as much understanding as I did when that woman began answering a question I had never asked. (2 Peter 1:21)
Our Loving Saviour advises us as Paul advised Timothy so long ago, “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1Ti 4:13-16
May we “study to shew [ourself] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we pray to the Great Author of the Bible for the guidance we so much need. May we prayerfully meditate upon all His Holy Word and follow the lessons contained therein.
Rose

But 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. Acts 1:8.
When in His expiring moments on the cross, Christ exclaimed, “It is finished,” the veil of the Temple was rent from top to bottom. The need for the Jewish system of sacrifices and offerings had ended. Type had met antitype in the death of the One to whom the sacrifices pointed. A new and living way had been opened—a way by which Jew and Gentile, free and bond, could come to God and find pardon and peace.
Christ is to be uplifted as the Redeemer of the world. He is to be proclaimed as the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. “Ye shall receive power,” the Saviour declared, “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” (Acts 1:8).
Christ’s last act before leaving this earth was to commission His ambassadors to go to the world with His truth. His last words were spoken to impress the disciples with the thought that they held in trust the message of Heaven for the world. In obedience to the Saviour’s command, the disciples returned to Jerusalem, and there waited for the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Heavenly intelligences cooperated with them, and gave power to the message that they bore. The Holy Spirit gave efficiency to their missionary efforts, and on one occasion three thousand were converted in a day. Paul, miraculously transformed from a bitter persecutor to a zealous believer, was added to the number of the disciples. To him was entrusted in a special manner the work of giving the message to the Gentiles.
To John, banished to the Isle of Patmos for his faithfulness in witnessing to Christ, there was given special light to the church. In his exile he beheld his glorified Redeemer, and saw more distinctly than ever before what was to be at the close of this earth’s history. He saw the mercy, tenderness, and love of God blending with His holiness, justice, and power. He saw sinners finding a Father in Him of whom their sins had made them afraid. Mercy and truth met together; righteousness and peace kissed each other. In the place of fleeing from God because of our sins, we flee to His arms for protection and pardon. The throne, terrible to us in our unbelief, becomes in our repentance a place of refuge.—Manuscript 38, March 27, 1905, “Be of Good Cheer.”
The Upward Look p. 100
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Prayer Requests
—-Today is the day for Dick’s medical tests. Please pray for good results. Ron
—-Please pray for Tommie she is in icu had a heart attack after her tumor surgery near her kidney, which was successful surgery ,but now this. Becky
—-Please pray for my brother Warren Something has happened in his life and he is exhibiting very unusual mental health behaviours He has Paranoia and is delusional He is cutting family off who he is normally very close too, he has thrown his phone in the sea. I live over a 1000 klms away and now have no way of contacting or supporting him He has no prior MH history and is normally a kind loving person He has become aggressive when family turn up unannounced yet we have no way of contacting him or making sure he’s ok unless family call by He has no income and his behaviour is about to make him homeless, we are afraid he is going to self harm He isn’t a drug taker and normally leads a healthy lifestyle His conversations are strange and obsessive and he talks non stop, he’s doing strange rituals
He refuses medical help and if sectioned would react very badly and cut family ties for good. This all began when he looked into Chakra,s and magnetism and I’m unsure if it’s demonic possession. My very elderly parents are going through a terrible time with this situation and it’s affecting them so badly to see their son like this , my mother especially is becoming so distressed. Please pray this situation is understood and resolved. Jen
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Dear Friends,
Wherever we turn, we see or hear of terrible happenings in this sinful, old world. Truly we live in the land of the enemy who wants to toy with us and then destroy us. Without God’s special protection, anything can happen.
Life is uncertain at best. As Peter said, “all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away.” 1 Peter 1:24 We never know when the enemy will strike. Paul explains, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph 6:12 In light of this fact, Peter advises, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith.” 1 Pet 5:8,9 Because our adversary is constantly devising ways to seek our ruin, to cause us distress, to cause us to stumble and make shipwreck of our faith, we often feel overwhelmed. Trials and troubles wash over us like waves of the sea.
Yet through it all, our Great Redeemer is there to help us. He is “able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Eph 6:16 “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor 10:13 He will not allow anything to happen to us unless it is within His will. He knows just what experiences we need to keep us in the narrow path to Heaven. (Matt 7:14)
Think of it! Although He allows trials and troubles to come our way, He hurts right along with us. The One Who gave His life for us walks with us in the trials the enemy causes just as surely as He walked in the fiery furnace with the three Hebrews. (Dan 3) He assures us, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.” Isa 43:1-3
Moreover, He keeps careful record of our life. Nothing escapes His notice, for “even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Luke 12:17 What tender care He has for us. “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jer 29:11-13 He sees our tears, indeed, He cries with us, longing for the time when He can gather us in His great arms of love and wipe away all of our tears. (Rev 21:4)
These very trials and troubles that the evil one heaps upon us, Our Tender Father in Heaven uses to fit us to dwell with Him forevermore. Paul says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor 4:17-18 Jesus tells us, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 We can trust in Him! “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” Heb 2:17,18
The Lord Jesus Christ has won the battle! “Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold. . . But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Pet 1:18-23 The Lord is faithful, Who shall keep us from evil. (2 Thes 3:3) He is able to keep us from falling! He has promised to present us faultless before the Presence of His glory with exceeding joy. He is the only wise God our Saviour. To Him belongs glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever! (Jude 24,25) ”
May we, moment by moment, trust in Jesus no matter what darts the enemy hurls at us. May we declare as did Paul, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” May we “put on the whole armour of God, that (we) may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Eph 6:11
Rose

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:18, 19.
Our conscience must be purged from dead works to serve the living God. Sanctification means perfect love, perfect obedience, entire conformity to the will of God. If our lives are conformed to the life of Christ through the sanctification of mind, soul, and body, our example will have a powerful influence on the world. We are not perfect, but it is our privilege to cut away from the entanglements of self and sin, and go on unto perfection….
Great possibilities, high and holy attainments, are placed within the reach of all who have true faith. Shall we not anoint our eyes with eyesalve, that we may discern the wondrous things here brought before us? Why do we not with persevering earnestness, work out this prayer, advancing onward and upward, reaching the standard of holiness? We are laborers together with God, and we must work in harmony with one another and with God, “for it is God which worketh in … [us] both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” …
The Lord takes no pleasure in seeing us spiritually weak. “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” We have conflicts and trials to meet, but we need not fail or be discouraged…. UL 99.4
God can only be honored when we who profess to believe in Him are conformed to His image. We are to represent to the world the beauty of holiness, and we shall never enter the gates of the city of God until we perfect a Christlike character. If we, with trust in God, strive for sanctification, we shall receive it. Then as witnesses for Christ, we are to make known what the grace of God has wrought in us.
The greatest disquietude we can have is uncertainty. The acceptance of the blessings of God brings righteousness and peace. The fruit of righteousness is quietness and assurance forever. We must have simplicity and Godlike sincerity. We must have that wisdom which cometh from above. Our Christian experience must be animated by piety, and instinct with the divine life.—Manuscript 38, March 26, 1899, “The Will of God Concerning You.”
The Upward Look p. 99
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Prayer Requests
—-please put the 2 year old girl Kinsey back
on the prayer chain. she has big tumor in her stomach. She had one dose of chemo and did well with it. but when they gave her a second dose last moth .they discovered she was allergic to it. and if they give her a different kind of chemo she could lose her hearing. So they are giving her radiation. Also Bud is filling up with fluid and is being taken to another town for medical treatment. Mary
—-My amputee friend will have more of her leg amputated in the spring. She could use prayers. Laura
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Dear Friends,
Ronnie Jay had two gerbils that were quite entertaining to watch as well as to play with. One time, we noticed that the two rodents were both trying to run in the wheel that they use for exercise. Now this would have been just fine if they had run in the same direction, but those gerbils were trying to run in the opposite direction! Of course, that didn’t work too well. The stronger of the two soon won this little battle, and his brother was flipped out of the wheel.
Although it was funny to watch the gerbils each trying to go their own way, it is no laughing matter when Christians attempt the same. How many times have church members been “flipped out of the wheel” by those who insist that the church be run according to their direction. How often these members become disillusioned and sadly walk away.
David exclaimed, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Ps 133:1 How true! If each member is following the Bible wholeheartedly, not putting their own interpretation upon it but taking the Bible just as it reads, there will be a unity that is according to God’s order, a unity without compromising the truth. Paul speaks of this to the Ephesian believers, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. . . .And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Eph 4:1-16
In that great prayer of Christ just before going to the Garden of Gethsemane, our Blessed Redeemer pleaded for that unity that only comes from being sancified through obedience to all of God’s commands, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” John 17:17-23
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers.” 1 Peter 3:8-12
Rose

If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? Luke 12:28.
God encourages us to contemplate His works in the natural world. He desires that we shall turn our mind from the study of the artificial to the natural. We shall understand this better as we lift up our eyes to the hills of God, and contemplate the works which His own hands have created. They are God’s work. His hand has molded the mountains and balances them in their position, that they shall not be moved except at His command. The wind, the sun, the rain, the snow, and the ice are all His ministers to do His will.
Can we be surprised, then, that Christ, who made all things, should choose the open air as His sanctuary; that He should desire to be surrounded by the works of His creation? … Jesus drew His lessons of spiritual instruction from the natural things with which His hearers were familiar. These He used to represent the truth. He would pluck the lilies, the flower of the valley, and place them in the hands of the little children, and by these simple instructors proclaim the truth of His Word. The Word of God and the things of nature around us are our lesson book. God has spread out before our senses the beauties of nature, and He watches with pleasure and a Father’s joy the delight of His children in the beautiful things around them.
The root of the tree has a double office to fill. It is to hold fast by its tendrils to the earth, while it takes to itself the nourishment desired. Thus it is with the Christian. When his union with Christ, the parent stalk, is complete, when he feeds upon Him, currents of spiritual strength are given to the branches. Can the leaves of such a branch wither? Never. As long as the soul reaches toward Christ, there is little danger that the leaves will wilt and droop and decay. And the temptations which may come in like a tempest will not uproot him. The true Christian draws his motives of action from his deep love for his Redeemer. His affection for his Master is true and holy. And it is the cheerful, lovable Christian of whom Christ says, “Ye are my witnesses” (Isaiah 43:10)….
Those who have fled to God for refuge; those who have believed the heaven-sent message, who believe the assurance that, if they confess their sins, He is faithful and just to forgive them their sins, God will cleanse from all unrighteousness. Our God has pledged His word by His own greatness and infinity that He will bestow pardon and peace upon all who will come to Him in the name of Jesus.—Manuscript 16, March 25, 1897, “Principles of Education.”
The Upward Look p. 98
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Fran who is battling cancer. Rose
—-Please say a prayer for our country and President. Albin
—-Please pray for me. I think I have shingles. I’m in so much pain. Louise
—-I am pleading for prayers, for court with my estranged SDA husband. Praying for Gods peace and still with faith that there is a miracle possible, if not now, then at His right timing. Please keep Daniel (my husband) in prayers for his spiritual battle with this world. I believe in the power of prayer! Court will be around 9am this morning. Ama
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Dear Friends,
“Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days. I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.” Psalm 102
The title of this psalm is, “A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD.” Ron and I are currently reading about the life of David. How many times, he was overwhelmed his circumstances—circumstances that were no fault of his own. How often we, too, are surrounded by circumstances that overwhelm us. We can see no way out. We cry as did he, “Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.” Psa 71:2,3
When this is our experience, our Dear Saviour promises, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour” Isa 43:1-3
Many times we are overwhelmed because people misjudge us and gossip about us. The story grows with the telling and spreads far and wide until even friends begin to doubt us. We feel alone and friendless. No one understands, no one cares. We cry, “Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me.” “Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.” “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me” Psa 140:5;27:12;7:1
And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deut 31:8 We have the assurance that even “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.” Ps 27:10 Our Great Redeemer promises, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jer 31:3 “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb 13:5 “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32
Often, however, it is our own fault that we are overwhelmed. There are times in our life when we our eyes off from our Only Helper and take matters into our own hands as did David upon occasion. Whenever he failed to trust, he soon found himself in trouble and overwhelmed. Because of our sins, because of our taking our eyes from “the prize of our high calling,” we soon find ourselves bound with the cords of iniquity. Phil 3:14 We struggle and fight to be free, yet the cords grow tighter about us: they grow stronger every time we fall when tempted. The evil one is seeking to destroy us whichever way we turn. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph 6:12
Oh! How much we need a deliverer! How much we long to be free! We exclaim, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Rom 7:24 We plead, “Deliver me from all my transgressions.” “Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.” Ps 39:8;119:170
I thank God that through Jesus Christ our Lord there is deliverance! He hears our groanings and has provided a way of escape! Indeed Our loving Saviour loosens our sin-bands and delivers “us from the power of darkness, and… we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” Col 1:13,14 He “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Gal 1:5 He has promised not only to forgive “our sins, but to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
And beyond all that, He is even now interceding in our behalf. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 2:1 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb 4:14-16
May we remember to cry unto our Loving Saviour when our heart is overwhelmed. May we find in Him a shelter from the storm that rages about us. May we abide in Him forever and trust in His lovingkindness is my prayer.
Rose

For our conversation is in heaven: from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians 3:20, 21.
There will soon be a new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. The Lord has instructed me that our physical and mental and moral powers will, under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, be trained to carry on the work in all purity, in all goodness, without one thread of Satan’s science brought in to spoil the pattern Christ has given us. The powers and faculties that have been sanctified in righteousness will be employed, strengthened, and prepared to do the works of Heaven’s appointment.
He that used the two talents entrusted in this life, will, in the future life, show that his talents have not been corrupted. They will be used on a wider and nobler plan in the future life. There is appointed to every man his certain work. Those who are partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruptions which are in the world through lust, will reveal a purified life in this time of preparation for the higher life. They commence to live the life of the heavenly order here below, and carry the divine nature with them into every line of work. No swindlers have a place in the heavenly courts. No falsifiers, no liars, no adulterers, no cruel-minded persons will be there. They will never see His face.
When Christ comes, He takes those who have purified their souls by obeying the truth. Some will go into the grave who are now in active life, and some will be alive and be changed when Christ shall come. This mortal shall put on immortality and these corruptible bodies, subject to disease, will be changed from mortal to immortal. We shall then be gifted with a higher nature. The bodies of all who purify their souls by obeying the truth shall be glorified….
Heaven is full of the glory of God. What can I say that will awaken the almost spiritually paralyzed sensibilities of many young and those of mature age that will break the spell of the artful deceiver which is upon them—that they may see what losses they are sustaining in not employing all the powers of their mind, soul, and strength to do the commandments of God in sincerely using all the gifts they may attain in sanctified spiritual action—that they may be prepared to become members of the royal family, perfecting their Christian character for the noble use above.—Manuscript 36, March 24, 1906, “A Solemn Warning.”
The Upward Look p. 97
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my great-great grandniece who is very sick. Sharon
—-Please pray for Dick who has internal bleeding and possibly cancer. He is having more tests Friday. Ron
—-Please pray for Jordyn, 15, who suffered a spinal cord injury during a football game. Diangelo
—-Urgent prayers for Roy– very ill with cancer! Seems ready to surrender to Jesus! Ann
—-URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: a very dear friend of mine, his name is Charles, has fallen and they believe he has had a stroke. Maria
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Dear Friends,
When I was a little girl, my mother bought a scotch collie. Sandy was a beautiful dog (She looked like Lassie for those of you who remember that program.)and we became instant friends. One day, my mother decided to build her a sturdy doghouse, because Michigan’s winters are cold and long, and she wanted Sandy to be comfortable. Now this became no ordinary dog house. It was much larger than it needed to be, and I would often crawl inside and keep Sandy company.
When my mother began her project, some of the neighbor men came to see what she was doing. They laughed at the thought of her being able to accomplish the task. That laughter made her more determined to do a good job. Before long, their laughter stopped. My mother was doing a perfect job. Those very men, who had laughed so hard at her, began to bring her siding and roofing materials. They had to admit that she was able to not only finish it, but to make it perfect.
Just as my mother continued to build, despite what others were saying, so we are to build up God’s church on this earth. Paul tells us, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Cor 3:11-17
As we share God’s Word with those about us, we are working hand in hand with the One Who gave His all for us. We are co-laborers with the Great King of the Universe! What a privilege! What a blessing! Think of it! We can be laborers together with God! (1 Cor 3:9) Yet, we are a part of God’s house. He is our sure Foundation, the Chief Cornerstone! Yet, He is a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence. Peter speaks of this: “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” 1 Peter 2:4-9 Paul adds, “And we are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Eph 2:20-22
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Eph 3:20,21
Rose