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

The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29.
In past ages the Lord God of heaven revealed His secrets to His prophets, and this He does still. The present and the future are equally clear to Him, and He shows to His servants the future history of what shall be. The Omniscient looked down the ages, and predicted through His prophets the rise and fall of kingdoms, hundreds of years before the events foretold took place. The voice of God echoes down the ages, telling man what is to take place. Kings and princes take their places at their appointed time. They think they are carrying out their own purposes, but in reality they are fulfilling the word God has given through His prophets. They act their part in carrying out God’s great purposes. Events fall into line, fulfilling the word God has spoken.
The unbelieving and godless do not discern the signs of the times. In ignorance they may refuse to accept the Inspired Record. But, when professed Christians speak sneeringly of the ways and means employed by the great I AM to make His ways and purposes known, they show themselves to be both ignorant of the Scriptures and of the power of God.
The Creator knows just what elements He has to deal with in human nature. He knows what means to employ to obtain the desired end. The Christian who accepts the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, will look at Bible history in its true bearing. The past—the history of the Jewish economy from beginning to the end—instead of being spoken of contemptuously and sneered at as “the dark ages,” will reveal light, and still more light, as it is studied.
Man’s word fails, and he who takes the assertions of man as his dependence may well tremble, for he will one day be as a shipwrecked vessel. But God’s Word is infallible and endures forever. Christ declares, “Verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). God’s Word will endure through the ceaseless ages of eternity.
God lives and reigns. His glory is not confined to temples made with hands. He has not closed heaven against His people. As in the Jewish age, so in this age, God reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets.—Manuscript 39, March 23, 1899, “Loyalty or Disloyalty.”
The Upward Look p. 96
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Prayer Requests
—-The remains of the 19 yr college student, Aniah, have been found. Also, the remains of a little girl who was missing has been found. A local county sheriff killed for telling an 18 yr old to turn his music down. We live in a world that is wicked without reason and where youth are wickedly disrespectful. Prayers for these families. Monica
—-Please pray for my post op heart patient. Emerson
—-Please pray for Jacob who was hit by a car last Friday
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Dear Friends,
Thanksgiving. A time to reflect on the many blessings that God has given us. When our Pilgrim fathers fled the old world and its religious persecution, they came to the new world unprepared for its hardships. Because of this lack of preparation, about half of them died that first winter. If it had not been for the kindness of the Indians, the rest of the Pilgrims would have perished the next year as well. In the first Autumn’s harvest, those Pilgrims saw God’s hand in their lives and they were filled with thankfulness to the Great Giver of all blessings. As they and their Indian benefactors sat down to a feast of thanksgiving, their hearts swelled with love and gratefulness.
As the years passed, an autumnal Thanksgiving celebration became a tradition in this country. It became such a part of life, that eventually it was established as a national holiday. Presidents Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt added dimensions to the day.
Sadly, this day established to remember God and His blessings has become a day filled with too much food, men sitting around the TV watching football, their wives and daughters spending much of their holiday in the kitchen preparing the meal, cleaning up from the meal, and complaining that all their husbands and sons want to do is sit around and watch football. What started out as a day to remember God’s blessings is now spent with hardly a thought Heavenward.
Let us, this Thanksgiving holiday, remember its real meaning and “in every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thes 5:18 “Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Heb 13:15 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, 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.” Amen. Phil 4:4-8
Rose

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8.
A constant battle is going on between satanic agencies and heavenly intelligences. Satan is playing the game of life for the souls of men. If all could see the undercurrent of specious temptations, if they could realize the apparently heavenly appearance of satanic deceptions, far greater caution would be shown. There would be far more distrust of human wisdom and far more dependence upon God. But, when our spiritual eyesight is blinded, we do not discover the marked incidents that have taken place to turn the footsteps of God’s people from safe paths into paths that are slippery and unreliable.
The Lord would mold and fashion the life aright, and establish the feet upon the Rock of Ages. But, when men are self-centered and self-exalted, the angels sorrow, for they know that seeds of tares will be dropped into the minds of others, to spring up and produce their crop. The only safety for any soul is to walk humbly with God. Then men will watch unto prayer. They pray [merely] with the lips, when the heart does not unite with the prayer….
Many have so beclouded their own minds with self-importance, that they have been very confident, where they would do well to be distrustful and cautious. If men could see how easily self and spiritual pride become woven with supposed devotion to the work of God, and how, when this takes place, they are left to mar the work, and set the weaver’s pattern all awry, they would pray, “Anoint mine eyes with the heavenly eyesalve, that I may see all things correctly.”
Unless there is increased humility of heart and purity of action, things will be done that will lead to a whole train of mistakes. One mis-move, because of a lack of faith, has led to many disastrous circumstances. It does not appear such a great evil to let Satan rule and obtain the victory in little things, even when eternal interests are involved. But one misstep leads to a succession of missteps, and then to jealousy, and evil surmisings of the very one and the very things that God would have succeed.
When will the people of God learn wisdom? The true religion of Jesus Christ has first to do with the mercy and grace of God in our daily experiences. God in Christ is ever nigh us; yes, nigh unto all them that call upon Him in simplicity and sincerity, realizing their great need of that wisdom that comes down from above.—Manuscript 43, March 22, 1898, “Remember the Former Things of Old.”
The Upward Look p. 95
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for this country and our leadership. It has totally gotten out of hand. Roberta
—-I need prayers for my beautiful friend Raelyn who has cancer and is on hospice, she is such a precious soul, please pray for all her family as they love her soooo much. Patti
—- Please have my friends son in prayer. He has a staff infection as big as a grapefruit that was cut out but he lost work because of it. Pray for a complete healing and a job so he doesn’t need to work on Sabbath which they just now came to understand the importance of it. His name is Michael.
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, we were conducting the children’s program during the evangelistic series at our church. The children’s ages ranged from three to 9 years old. After a lively song service, one little boy did not want to sit down and listen to Ron tell a Bible story. He was not at all happy when we insisted that he be quiet and stay in his chair. Loudly he proclaimed, “I hate this meeting. I think I’ll pull out my hair.”
The second time he threatened this, Ron stopped his story, came over to the boy, bent his balding head down so the boy could see it well, and said, “Go ahead. Then you will look like me and won’t have any hair.” Then Ron stood upright and continued his story. The boy’s eyes got big with surprise, grew momentarily quiet, did not threaten to pull his hair out any more, and was fairly good the rest of the evening. On the way home after the program, Ron and I chuckled at the boy’s reaction.
The more I thought about the incident, however, the less funny it appeared. How often we are like that boy, serving the Lord, but complaining every step of the way. We look at the pleasures of this world with longing desire yet we are afraid of their consequences so we outwardly obey. Yet “LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7 Outward conformity without an inward change breaks God’s Great Heart of Love. With tears in His voice He laments, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” Matt 15:8
How our Great Redeemer yearns to have us love Him with our whole heart and soul and being. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Mt 22:37-40
How He longs for us to obey because we love Him, because we rejoice in His Great Salvation, His Marvellous Grace. “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Ps 107:8; 100
Let us love our Dear Saviour with our whole heart. Let us obey Him because we want to please Him for “We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 Let us ever look “unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” is my prayer.
Rose

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6.
The educational influences of the home life are a decided power for good or for ill. These influences are in many respects silent and gradual, but, if exerted on the side of right, they are full of preciousness. Christ came to this world to be our pattern, to show by precept and example the characters all must have who compose the family of God. He came to bless and save the human race, and to raise men and women to be sons and daughters of God. To this end He humbled Himself, stepping from the highest to the lowliest position.
In the councils of heaven it was decided that the mother of the Redeemer should be a pure, pious virgin, though poor as far as earthly riches were concerned. The despised village of Nazareth was chosen as His home. Joseph, His earthly father, was a carpenter, and He who had given direction that every youth in Israel should learn a trade, learned Himself the trade of a carpenter. None need be ashamed of honest poverty. For thirty years Christ was subject to His parents, and by the labor of His hands He helped to sustain the family. Thus He would teach that labor is not a degradation, but an honor, and that it is every man’s duty to engage in useful, honorable work….
It is a solemn, serious work to care for those for whom Christ has died, to teach children not to lavish their affections upon the things of this world, not to waste time and labor on that which is worth less than nothing. In order to educate their children aright, mothers must be learners in the school of Christ. The Christian mother will spend much time in prayer, for in the home children are to be taught to be true to the government of God. With patience and forbearance they are to be trained. Scolding and passionate reproof will never work reforms. Fathers and mothers commit a grievous sin when they educate their children to give way to a temper by giving way [to temper] themselves and by training them according to wrong methods. Children are to be disciplined in a way that will enable them to take their place in the family of heaven….
A true mother’s heart of sympathy goes out for all with whom she comes in contact. With a determined effort she seeks to turn wayward souls to Christ. In His strength she is enabled to do much. And those who have no children have responsibilities to bear. In most cases they may receive to their homes children who are orphaned and homeless. These they may train for Christ’s sake to practice those virtues so much needed in our world.—Manuscript 34, March 21, 1899, “The Home Life.”
The Upward Look p. 94
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for someone I know who has gone through some very hard things and is discouraged because they don’t feel that God cares or listen to them. Please pray that God will in some way give them courage and faith. May they have hope in Him once again. Roberta
—-Please pray for us as we consider the topic of heaven’s immunotherapy. Pastor Rich
—-I need prayers for an interment service we’re having this morning for a Lady’s mother. It’s a private service but I had accidentally posted the service info on our website but have since taken it down when she brought it to my attention and I feel really bad. Please pray for the service to go well and that no one uninvited shows up and ease any anxieties she may have or that I may have as a result of her worrying about the service. David
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Dear Friends,
In the 1950’s, each classroom had about thirty students. School was a lot different then. The teacher allowed no talking, so the classroom was quiet and children learned rapidly. During recess time, our teacher would take us to the playground, so we could get the “wiggles” out. On rainy days, however, we had to stay in our classroom.
Mrs. Dodson, my third grade teacher, must have hated that as much as we did, but, with a smile on her face, she would conduct a spelling bee or play a game she called “telephone.” Telephone was a favorite. She would start the game by whispering a sentence in the ear of the student who sat in the first seat by the door. That student would turn around in his seat and whisper the message to the child who sat behind him. Around the room it would go. Finally, the last student to receive the message would stand and repeat the message out loud. The sentence would always be completely different than the one that the teacher had whispered into the first student’s ear. We would burst out laughing.
That simple game taught us a lesson that would save us from embarrassment or heartache as adults. Many times adults circulate stories that only vaguely resemble the facts. For example, In one church we attended when living in Washington state, we had a prayer chain that worked on the same principle as the game “telephone.” The first member on the “chain” would call the second, who would call the third, etc. Most of the time this worked very well, but if one of the “links” in the chain became distracted and didn’t hear the message exactly, the results could be quite funny. One day, I received a call asking for prayer for Mrs. Gray’s daughter who was having surgery for a brain tumor. I passed along the message. When I saw Mrs. Gray at church that Sabbath, I asked her how her daughter’s brain surgery had gone. Mrs. Gray looked at me with a very shocked look up on her face. “Brain surgery! Where did you get that idea? She had a hysterectomy!”
How often this same principle happens spiritually. Our Dear Saviour cautions us, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matt 24:24 Often we hear or read some teaching that simply is not true but sounds plausible. Even if we have perfect trust in the source or we have heard some unbiblical teaching all of our life, it is just as untrue as the message I got that Mrs. Gray’s daughter had brain surgery.
How vital to our present and future it is to know what the Bible really teaches. The consequences are too important to take anyone’s word for it. In these last days, our “adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith” 1 Peter 5:8,9 The evil one mixes truth with error in such a way that only those who pray diligently for the guidance of the Holy Spirit “are kept by the power of God through faith” and will be able to discern the genuine from the false. David declares, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Ps 119:105 Paul tells us, “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb 4:12
We must study God’s Holy Word for ourselves. Paul admonishes us, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” 2Tim 2:15 Only as we compare what each of the Bible writers wrote about a certain subject, (Isa 28:13) can we understand God’s message to us. As we study, we are thrilled by the perfect harmony of the Scriptures. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21
Only as we are filled with His Spirit and His words abide in our heart will we be able to keep from being deceived by the wiles of the devil. Only as we fortify our mind with God’s Holy Word, obeying it from the heart, will we have the discernment that we so much need. We must not trust to what we see or hear, but stick strictly to the Word of the Great King of the Universe, Who promises, ” If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” John 7:17
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 May we “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in [us] both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil 2:12,13 May we hide God’s Word deep within our heart, that we might not sin against the One Who loves us so. (Ps 119:11)
Rose

They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 1 Timothy 6:9.
Many years ago some things were presented before me in vision in relation to you and your family. One year ago last June, as different families who erred in some things were presented before me, you, in connection with your husband and children, were again presented before me and I was referred back years in the past. I saw you watching your husband with a sort of jealous fear. His heart was devoted to you, yet you feared that he would think too much of others who had no claim to his affections…. Your fears were groundless. Yet this fear has been with you through your married life. You have passed through many hours of unnecessary suffering, scrutinizing the words and acts of your husband with a censuring mind, putting a wrong construction upon them. UL 93.2
Satan was ever ready to do his part to … mar the happiness of a family which might be complete. I saw that this spirit of jealousy was cruel as the grave, and caused an estrangement of feeling between husband and wife. In time the children very often understood their mother’s feelings. Her sadness and trouble awakened sympathy in their hearts, and they … became separated in a greater or less degree from the[ir] father. All this unhappiness was borrowed. Satan has magnified innocent words and acts into a fault….—Letter 9, March 20, 1864, to Sister Howland, an early Advent believer.
You have a work to do, Brother Philips, to get rid of your supreme selfishness. You are growing too close and love money so well that every penny looks large to you and the whole generosity of your character is changed to love of money, a desire to accumulate and lay up. You have gained some money, but oh, at what a loss! What an expense! The saving power of faith and the truth has been cruelly sacrificed.
Brethren in present truth should let these uncertain enterprises [investing in patent rights] alone. Seek some steady employment, even if the income is small, and do not be given to much change. Many of our brethren involve themselves by engaging in patent rights which look promising to them; but after they are caught in the snare they find themselves disappointed, and their means gone—means which should have been used to support their family and advance the cause of present truth. Then come remorse, self-reproach, and regret, and some conscientious ones cast away their confidence and lose their spiritual enjoyment, and in consequence their health.—Letter 4b, 1864, to Brother Philips, an early Advent believer.
The Upward Look p. 93
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for healing and God’s leading in our family store. We suffered a great loss today with the death of one of our cherished employees. She died of a severe asthma attack, was learning about Adventism and was very close to our family. She was barely able to call for help. She was gasping and couldn’t talk. They were not able to revive her and she passed. She was only 37. Please pray that God will turn this into something for His glory, that we can be a part of. Heidi
—-Please pray for Emma, my granddaughter. She has a virus that’s going around and is very congested and not eating. She is so thin and now she’s even thinner. Please pray for a restoration of her health. Rose
—-Please pray for baby David who is now in the hospital with decreased hemoglobin, struggling against infection. He is two months old. The family has already experienced loss of two previous babies at six weeks. This their third child, David, is now in need of your earnest prayers. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to bless their entire family and save them in His kingdom. Also pray that if it is God’s will, the baby may be healed fully and finally. May God’s will be done, in Jesus’ Name. Amen! Pastor Rich
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Dear Friends,
Until I was seven, I was allowed to play anywhere on our block. That was really quite a large area, as it was a double block. Often I would be gone for hours, but my grandmother didn’t worry about me. She knew that I was safe. Rarely were there any of the crimes that plague our society today.
One day when I was a little older and had broadened my horizons, my grandfather was reading his newspaper about a kidnapping that took place in Grand Rapids, a town about fifty miles north of us. The thought that the “pride and joy” of his life was no longer safe as I played outside, filled him with fear. He began to tell me frightening tales of children being kidnapped by strangers. He went a little “overboard” and caused me to eye any stranger with suspicion. Whenever a man came toward me on the sidewalk, I quickly crossed over to the other side of the street. I can still remember the puzzled looks I got from the many innocent people who were just going about their daily business. That was what my grandfather had wanted, so he again felt safe in letting me go to the store alone to get the little items that he would always forget when he did the grocery shopping or just go play anywhere in the neighborhood.
How much our world has changed in just my lifetime. Even though there was an occasional crime back then, things remained safe for all of my growing up years. Crime began to become more frequent and of greater magnitude, until today this world is filled with violence. People shoot one another over something as simple as a parking space. There is little safety anywhere. Truly we live in the time Paul spoke of when he said that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Tim 3:13,1-5
Even as bad as all the crimes that are committed, all the heartache in this world, all the strained relationships within or without our family circle, there is one on Paul’s list that is the most dangerous, namely “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” By this deception, many people are destroyed by being lulled to sleep by the evil one. They, themselves, think that they are Christians, others consider them to be Christians; but they do not have an intimate, saving relationship with their Only Saviour, nor do they do the works of Christ. As the saying goes, they “talk the talk” but do not “walk the walk.”
They are as the Pharisees of old upon whom Jesus pronounced a woe, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Matt 23:25-27; 7:27
May we build our life upon the Rock, Christ Jesus. May we daily do our Heavenly Father’s will from a heart filled with love for Him. May we “be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless” is my prayer. 2 Peter 3:14
Rose