Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. Ezekiel 3:17.
God has a position of duty for each one of you. He requires you to be not only faithful sentinels, but thorough workmen. Never become uninterested, never careless and inactive; never sleep at your post, and never fail to perform your exact duty in accordance with your position of trust.
There is need of alacrity, promptness, even earnest energy, deep interest, and unwavering fidelity. You should learn to spring to the work at the call of duty. How long will be our allotted time to work, we know not. This is a secret with God, and for wise purposes, withheld from us. But what time we have to labor, let us employ it as those who must give an account. Oh, think earnestly, and in view of eternity, how much there is to be done in our world to arouse the mind of the careless, inattentive, and ignorant to become acquainted with the laws of God, and make them feel the necessity for their own good and God’s glory, of obedience to these laws. For transgression brings, not only great suffering, but loss of life in this world, and immortal life in the next world. You should consider this matter thoroughly, and feel how much the bliss or woe of men and women is dependent upon you.
Faithfulness on your part may save many souls, while negligence and carelessness may result in the loss to your fellow creatures of both the present and the future life. You can prevent much misery and much transgression of God’s law by your fidelity, by being wide awake at your post of duty. . . . We must arise as one, and in the power and strength of God, open our senses to the demands of the present time. . . .
Cry to God in faith, that He may pour out His light and His grace through the channels which He has appointed for good to those who are suffering for want of knowledge. While you pray and watch with earnest diligence to suppress wrong and stand guard against dissipation and fashionable errors, lay hold by living faith of the strength which may be yours to bless all your labors. You may gather light, knowledge, and power; and your influence may be diffusive. . . . Every responsibility you bear will fortify and strengthen you to make renewed efforts and push forward the work successfully.–Letter 4a, Jan. 12, 1879, to two young physicians at Battle Creek Sanitarium.
This Day With God p. 20
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Prayer Requests
—–Praise— Thank you one and all for your prayers, God richly blessed. Surgery was excellent with minimal pan. Best and less painful surgery. I’ve ever had…..and was all because of the Great Physician and your prayers… I can’t thank you enough….please pray for me tomorrow for if I had problems or a setback it’s always on the second day after surgery.. Larry
—– My brother was declared brain dead last night. Our hearts are broken. Special prayers needed for his wife Gwen, his sons Dylan& Mayson, our parents John and Char. Michelle
—–Praise—Dannie’s fever that she had every evening is gone. It was not an infection as feared. Rose
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Dear Friends,
About a month after her seventh birthday, Eileen and I were driving to Ron’s job site to do an errand for him. I was under a lot of stress at the time for various reasons. I was so preoccupied with my problems that I didn’t realize where I was. I thought that I was a block farther down the road where there was a turning light. The last thing I remember was being stopped at a red light, getting ready to make a left turn as soon as it turned green. It turned green and in my upset condition, I thought it was a green arrow. It wasn’t.
When I woke up in the hospital a few hours later, I was told that I had pulled out in front of a UPS truck. Eventually, Eileen and I got completely over the accident. The only reminder she has are a few scars on her forehead that really don’t show unless one looks carefully for them, and I still have a small area about the size of a nickel on my knee where there is no feeling. I can poke it with my finger or with a pin and the result is the same: I cannot feel a thing. A nerve must have been severed and was unable to regenerate completely like the rest of the nerves to my knee had.
Just as the sensory nerves are important for us to have feeling, so our conscience must be alive to the workings of the Holy Spirit. Just as I have no feeling in that small area on my left knee, so we can become numb to the Spirit’s voice if we continue to turn away from His pleadings. Jesus warns, “I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” Matt 12:31,32
It is through the Holy Spirit that we are convicted of sin. It is through His working upon our heart, that we feel our need of our Dear Saviour. Jesus explains, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 16:7-14;14:26
David prayed, “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” Ps 19:13 How earnest we should be in our religious life. How careful we should be not to spurn His great mercy and love. Paul asks, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” Heb 2:3,4
If we continue to refuse to listen to the Spirit’s voice, we eventually no longer hear that still, small voice speaking to us. Eventually, we no longer care for the things of God. Paul admonishes us, “grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Eph 4:30 He further explains, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered.” Rom 8:26
May we be responsive to the Holy Spirit’s voice as He speaks to our heart. May we be obedient to His will. May our ears be attune to His pleading voice allow Him complete control of every part of our being is my prayer.
Rose