For the Son of man is a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Mark 13:34.
The angels of God are ready and waiting to go with humble men who with their Bibles in their hands will go to those who have not had this light, and read to them a “Thus saith the Lord.”
Those who have the gift of song are needed. The melody of praise is the atmosphere of heaven. Often by the words of sacred songs, the springs of penitence and faith have been unsealed. Song is one of the most effective means of impressing spiritual truth upon the heart.
Let little companies of workers go out as the Lord’s missionaries, and do as Christ commissioned the first disciples to do. Let them go into the different parts of our cities, two and two, and give the Lord’s message of warning. Tell the people the story of Creation, and how at the close of His work the Lord rested upon and blessed the Sabbath day, setting it apart as a memorial of His work.
Church members young and old should be educated to go forth to proclaim this last message to the world. If they will go in humility, angels of God will go with them, teaching them to lift up the voice in prayer, how to raise the voice in song, and how to proclaim the gospel message for this time. We have not a moment to lose….
Who will take up this work of teaching Bible truth to old and young? Who will carry the message, following Christ’s plan of labor? … Many there are in every city who feel the need of gospel shepherds. We need men who will read the truth, practice the truth, and explain the truth.
Brethren, Christ calls you. Will you heed His voice? Will you become His messengers? Will you seek the sheep that are lost? Will you teach the Word in all humility and earnestness to those who will hear?
Young men and women, take up the work to which God calls you. Tell the wondrous story of the cross. Christ will lead you, and teach you to use your abilities to good purpose. As you receive the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit, and you seek to teach others, your minds will be refreshed, and you will be enabled to present words that are new and strangely beautiful to your hearers. Pray, and sing, and speak the word….
Spiritual freedom will come to those who consecrate themselves unreservedly, and the quickening grace of Christ will bring light and peace and joy. The saving influence of truth will sanctify the soul of the receiver.—Letter 108, March 18, 1907, to “Our Brethren in Graysville, Tennessee.”
The Upward Look p. 91
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Prayer Requests
—-My husband fell at work and injured his leg that was partially amputated. Requesting prayers. Laurie
—-I ask prayer for my son Evenezer to have a permanent job where he can utilize his course and that he surrender his life fully to the Lord. Sally
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Dear Friends,
A normal part of a child’s development is to think of what they will be and who they would like to marry when they grow up. I was no exception. Even though I lived in a neighborhood where most of the people were elderly, there was a boy named Gary, who lived several blocks away who used to come to my house and play. Over the years, our friendship deepened until we used to plan that when we grew up, we would marry. His goal was to be an architect and often drew floor plans of what our house would look like. It was a completely normal part of growing up. It was all in innocence.
Our friendship even survived my moving to the other side of town when my mother got married again. We didn’t see each other as often, but we did keep in contact. When he was in his late teens, however, I no longer heard from him. A mutual friend explained the reason. Gary had become acquainted with an older man who led him down the wrong path. He had changed completely. He no longer had the same goals and desires. He dropped out of college and drifted farther and farther from his old self until he hardly seemed like the same person. It was very sad. I called him a few years ago. Instead of
becoming an architect, he does telephone sales. After talking with him for a few minutes, it became apparent the he was a miserable person. The friendship he had made as a teenager, ruined his life.
Amos asked, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed? How careful we must be in choosing our friends. How discerning we must be in deciding which voice to listen to. How vital to our present and future happiness it is that we follow the path our Great Leader speaks about, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matt 7:13-20
Paul advises, “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 hat 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
May we choose our friends well, for they can draw us closer to Jesus or farther away from Him. May we allow our Best Friend to change us into His Image. 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.” 2 Peter 1:10, 11
Rose

[He] was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15.
Christ, at an infinite cost, by a painful process, mysterious to angels as well as to men, assumed humanity. Hiding His divinity, laying aside His glory, He was born a babe in Bethlehem. In human flesh He lived the law of God, that He might condemn sin in the flesh, and bear witness to heavenly intelligences that the law was ordained to life and to ensure the happiness, peace, and eternal good of all who obey….
This is the mystery of godliness, that One equal with the Father should clothe His divinity with humanity, and laying aside all the glory of His office as Commander in heaven, [should] descend step after step in the path of humiliation, enduring severe and still more severe abasement. Sinless and undefiled, He stood in the judgment hall, to be tried, to have His case investigated and pronounced upon by the very nation He had delivered from slavery. The Lord of glory was rejected and condemned, yea, spat upon. With contempt for what they regarded as His pretentious claims, men smote Him in the face….
Pilate pronounced Christ innocent, declaring that he found no fault in Him. Yet to please the Jews, he commanded Him to be scourged and then delivered Him up, bruised and bleeding, to suffer the cruel death of crucifixion. The Majesty of heaven was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and amid scoffing and jeers, ridicule and false accusation, He was nailed to the cross. The crowd, in whose hearts humanity seemed to be dead, sought to aggravate the cruel sufferings of the Son of God by their revilings. But as a sheep before His shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth. He was giving His life for the life of the world, that all who believed in Him should not perish…. UL 90.4
Christ bore the sins of the whole world. He endured our punishment—the wrath of God against transgression. His trial involved the fierce temptation of thinking that He was forsaken by God. His soul was tortured by the pressure of a horror of great darkness…. He could not have been tempted in all points like as man is tempted had there been no possibility of His failing. He was a free agent, placed on probation, as was Adam and as is man. Unless there is a possibility of yielding, temptation is no temptation. Temptation comes and is resisted when man is powerfully influenced to do a wrong action, and knowing that he can do it, resists by faith, with a firm hold upon divine power.—Manuscript 29, March 17, 1899, “Sacrificed for Us.
The Upward Look p. 90
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Ilene who just had a hysterectomy yesterday and the doctors found out that she has tumors on her thyroid. Esther
—-Please pray for my niece and her boyfriend. They are both out of work for medical related issues. Mike is having surgery today on his back. Pray all goes as planned and that his ongoing pain will disappear. Also, that he will heal quickly so he can get back to work asap.
Pray also for my niece. She just had a baby a couple days ago . I pray they will not lose the home they rent while they heal physically. Thank you. Cora
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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

The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Titus 2:11.
I am watching and waiting for the coming of my Lord. I have not only to wait and watch and pray, but must work most diligently as well. Every action of our lives, in our business transactions with our fellow men, is to be regulated by the law of God, and we cannot then swerve from right and justice toward our fellow men under any circumstance; for the Lord will not serve with any man’s sins that would injure his neighbor. With our faces heavenward, breathing out our petitions to God, developing an unselfish love for our fellow men, because we have supreme love for Jesus Christ, who has bought them with His own blood, we rise superior to the most grievous, subtle temptations. Humble dependence upon God is our surety and our power. “My soul, wait thou upon God, who is the light of my countenance and my God” (cf. Psalm 62:5; 43:5)….
In every instance those with whom we associate are to be treated, if in humble circumstances with great deference and respect, because they have so little to make life happy, and because they need help. Souls are too precious to be trifled with. They are God’s purchased possession. Those who are passed by as inferior, the Lord will see set in high places, if they trust in Him.
The grace of God takes men as they are, and works as an educator, using every principle on which an all-sided education depends. The steady influence of the grace of God trains the soul after Christ’s methods, and every fierce passion, every defective trait of character is worked upon by the molding influence of the spirit of Christ, until new motive power becomes filled with the Holy Spirit of God, after the likeness of the divine similitude.
Never forget that thoughts work out actions. Repeated actions form habits, and habits form character. Then in giving attention to the little things, there is no fear that the larger things will become stained and corrupted.
The Bible is to be the rule of life. It is marvelous in the eyes of the universe of heaven that men who teach the Word do not always practice the truth. Few realize what it means to be complete in Christ Jesus, the revealed will of God. His Word is not dishonored by being brought into practical life to form habits which will develop character.—Letter 85, March 16, 1896, to O. A. Olsen, General Conference president.
The Upward Look p. 89
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Laurel who has given up on life and wants to die before Christmas. Rose
—-Please pray for my work situation. Ron
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Dear Friends,

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Isaiah 58:1.
The time has come when things must be called by their right names. The truth is to triumph gloriously, and those who have long been halting between two opinions must take their stand decidedly for or against the law of God. Some will take up with theories that misinterpret the Word of God, and undermine the foundation of the truth that has been firmly established, point by point, and sealed by the power of the Holy Spirit. The old truths are to be revived, in order that the false theories that have been brought in by the enemy may be intelligently met. There can be no unity between truth and error. We can unite with those who have been led into deception only when they are converted.
There is a God, and I am commissioned to say that His truth must be vindicated, that the evil, seductive theories that are coming in may be uprooted. Many minds have been taken captive, because for years they have placed their confidence in someone who has prepared a dish of scientific fables to suit their appetite.
We may well be alarmed at the crisis that is upon us. God’s law has been transgressed, and the result is seen in the misrule and lawlessness that floods the world. Human lives are regarded as of little value. The spirit of disaffection is running riot.
The inhabitants of the Noachian world were destroyed because, after being granted a period of one hundred and twenty years in which to choose between the evil and the good, they deliberately chose to follow their own wicked ways. Because they did not avail themselves of the opportunity God gave them to repent and turn to Him, they were destroyed by the flood.
Once again, before the great destruction of the world by fire, there is granted a period of test and trial. Men are given opportunity to show whether or not they will be loyal to God. Satan is seeking to lead men in positions of trust to seek the regeneration of the world by plans of their own devising. These men desire to be reformers, but they fail because they do not work in Christ’s lines. Can they reform others, when they cannot reform themselves? …
As God’s witnesses, we have a message to bear to all the world. The Lord has many children who have never heard the truth for this time. God’s servants must give them the final warning.—Letter 121, March 15, 1905, to J. E. White.
The Upward Look p. 88
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Prayer Requests
—-Ron and I are travelling to Oklahoma to celebrate our 52nd wedding anniversary. Please pray for a safe trip. Rose
—-I am so sad. My mom’s GRAVESIDE SERVICE is this Friday and my husband is trying to keep me from going to my dear mothers funeral. How much more can I bear? Please pray for me. Connie
—-I have my prayer request pls. Include your prayer my niece shes 5 yrs old only…. and she was bite by the dog and shes in the hospital…. T
—-Please pray for R who has a job interview today. Buck
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Dear Friends,
When Eileen was five, she fell at the playground and broke her right arm. We were going to visit my mother in Florida and she had been asking for a photograph; momentarily forgetting about her arm, I took Eileen to get her picture taken. It was only after I got to the photographer’s that I thought about that big white cast. I asked the photographer if there was a way that he could keep the cast from showing. After thinking for a minute or two, he reached into his box of props and pulled out a little, square pillow that nearly matched the color of Eileen’s dress. The picture turned out very well. No one would know that she had a broken arm.
How often we try to hide our sins just as completely as the photographer hid Eileen’s big, white cast. How much like our first parents we are, who tried to cover their nakedness with garments of their own making. (Gen 3:7) How many times we try to forget that we are not right with our Maker and go on with our life as if all was well. The wise man tells us, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Prov 28:13 Praise God! “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.” Ps 130:3-5 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We have a Saviour “in Whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Eph 1:7
Think of it! The Great Creator of the Universe loves us so much that He left all of the glories of His Heavenly Home, dwelt among us as the poorest of men having not where to lay his head, suffered all of the hatred that the evil one and wicked men could heap upon Him even laying down His own life that we might live with Him eternally. How much He yearns for us to allow Him to remove our filthy garments and clothe us with His pure and spotless robe of righteousness. He pleads, “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.” Rev 3:18
With joy we can sing the old familiar hymn by E. A. Hoffman:
*Christ has for sin atonement made, What a wonderful Saviour!
We are redeemed! The price is paid! What a wonderful Saviour!
I praise Him for the cleansing blood, What a wonderful Saviour!
That reconciled my soul to God; What a wonderful Saviour!
He cleansed my heart from all its sin, What a wonderful Saviour!
And now He reigns and rules therein! What a wonderful Saviour!
He walks beside me all the way, What a wonderful Saviour!
And keeps me faithful day by day; What a wonderful Saviour!
He gives me overcoming power, What a wonderful Saviour!
And triumph in each trying hour; What a wonderful Saviour!
To Him I’ve given all my heart, What a wonderful Saviour!
The world shall never share a part; What a wonderful Saviour
What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, my Jesus!
What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, my Lord!
May we no longer hide our sins behind a “cushion.” May we bring them to the One Who has promised to wash us as white as snow with His own precious blood. Isa 1:18 May we daily walk in newness of life with our heart rejoicing in His mercy is my prayer.
Rose

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. 2 Chronicles 16:9.
Every worker should now consecrate himself to the work of God and carry out in his daily life the principles of the Word of God. My brethren and sisters, put away from you those peculiar traits of character that cause you to be easily disturbed, and be cleansed and purified. Die to self, and let Christ live in you. Walk humbly with God, and let correct principles mark your lives….
Let the Word be your guide, your rule of conduct. It will teach you refined manners, godly conduct, and unerring judgment. Study the Word. When you are in perplexity, search the Word for instruction that is suited to your case. Seek the Lord for guidance. Never entertain that which the Lord forbids in His Word, and that which His Word requires, ever seek to do. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).
Christ came to establish reforms, and to draw all men unto Him. His will is to be done in earth as it is in heaven. When you have determined what reforms need to be carried out, labor with persevering, fearless courage to that end. Do not expect to carry out the pure, uplifting principles of true reform without meeting opposition. God’s Word plainly teaches that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution from those who seek to tear down what God declares to be truth and righteousness….
There is no action of our lives in which God is not concerned, no interest which is not precious in His sight. “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world,” He declares (Matthew 28:20). God is the shield and buckler of His people. He spreads His hands above His trusting children, and no one can wound a child of His without smiting the hand of God.
God is also the guardian of justice and mercy. He regards the way in which we treat our fellow workers. We cannot hide from Him the smallest act that affects the rights of one of His heritage. He will vindicate His righteousness before all who would take advantage of or wrong a fellow being. He discerns the motive that prompts to every action…. As the professed followers of One who is the guardian of truth and righteousness, you are to hold the truth in its purity. In every act of the daily life, you are to reveal a strict sense of right and justice.—Letter 94, March 14, 1907, to the workers in Boulder Sanitarium.
The Upward Look p. 87
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Prayer Requests
—-Shoulder pain ! Chiro out of town till tomorrow! Prayers appreciated! Connie
—-Please keep my husband in yours prayers. He is in the military and his job has become very stressful since the arrival of his new boss. Nathalie
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Dear Friends,
When Eileen was three, we were living in Pennsylvania. That spring, she and I took the train to Michigan to visit my mother for two weeks. While we were there, my mother decided to show me the mall that had recently opened. As we entered the main area, I noticed a woman, who was sitting on a bench by the fountain, watching us. As we drew nearer, her face suddenly “lit up” in recognition and she exclaimed, “I’d know that nose anywhere!” I was shocked! Who was this woman who sprang to her feet and was coming towards me with joy on her face?
As we talked I realized that she was my half-sister, Rosalie, whom I had not seen for about ten years. We look and act nothing alike. She is thin, has olive skin and dark hair like her mother, and is very outgoing. I am shyer and look like our father, who was fair-skinned and heavy.
Just as Rosalie recognized me because I look like our father, so we have the privilege of representing our Heavenly Father to those around us. Paul exclaimed, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Gal 3:26 Think of it! We are the children of the Great King of the Universe, the Creator of all! What a privilege is ours!
All around us are those perishing in darkness, “but ye, brethren, are not in darkness, . . Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” 1 Thes 5:5-8 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:13-16
May we, in all that we do, in all that we say, be shining lights rightly representing our Heavenly Father, Who “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 May we “put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created ” us. Col 3:10 May we ever walk as children of light, having no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but keeping our eyes focused upon the One Who loves us so. (Eph 5:8, 11)
Rose