A Man of Action

While Nehemiah implored the help of God, he did not fold his own hands, feeling that he had no more care or responsibility in the bringing about of his purpose to restore Jerusalem. With admirable prudence and forethought he proceeded to make all the arrangements necessary to insure the success of the enterprise….

The example of this holy man should be a lesson to all the people of God, that they are not only to pray in faith, but to work with diligence and fidelity. How many difficulties we encounter, how often we hinder the working of Providence in our behalf, because prudence, forethought, and painstaking are regarded as having little to do with religion! This is a grave mistake. It is our duty to cultivate and to exercise every power that will render us more efficient workers for God. Careful consideration and well-matured plans are as essential to the success of sacred enterprises today as in the time of Nehemiah…. Men of prayer should be men of action. Those who are ready and willing, will find ways and means of working. Nehemiah did not depend upon uncertainties. The means which he lacked he solicited from those who were able to bestow.

The Lord still moves upon the hearts of kings and rulers in behalf of His people. Those who are laboring for Him are to avail themselves of the help that He prompts men to give for the advancements of His cause…. These men may have no sympathy with God’s work, no faith in Christ, no acquaintance with His word; but their gifts are not on this account to be refused….

As long as we are in this world, as long as the Spirit of God strives with the children of men, so long are we to receive favors as well as to impart them. We are to give to the world the light of truth, as revealed in the Scriptures; and we are to receive from the world that which God moves upon them to give in behalf of His cause…. O that Christians might realize more and still more fully that it is their privilege and their duty, while cherishing right principles, to take advantage of every Heaven-sent opportunity for advancing God’s kingdom in this world! 21The Southern Work, March 15, 1904.
Conflict and Courage p. 263
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Carl’s sister who has cancer and is now terminal. Pray that she will be healed if it is God’s will.
—-Please pray for Mike who is having trouble at work. Rose
—-Please pray for Nicole. She has a hole in her stomach and is facing surgery. Jennifer
—-Please pray for Jody. Her husband left her and the children. Debra
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Dear Friends,

When my mother was a teen, she would sneak off to the movies although she had been raised to stay away from the “big screen.” She would tell her mother that she was going over to a friend’s house, but her “friend” was the theater. Since they didn’t have a phone, she never got caught.

Because of her love of the theater, her perceptions were all mixed up. The type of man that attracted her was the type she saw on the screen. She liked the handsome man of the world who would “wine her and dine her” and tell her all of the “sweet nothings” like the men did to the women in the movies. Both times that she was married, she chose this type of man, but after she said “I do” she wished she had said, “I don’t”.

How often we, too, are attracted to the devil’s allurements. It may seem to be just a small digression from the right way. (Prov 16:25) At first it seems like it will give us the pleasure we are looking for, but soon we find that there is no controlling it. We try our best; but no matter what we do, we are held captive by it. The sin that looked so innocent becomes our master. How we wish we had left sin alone.

Jesus advises, “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.” Matt 7:13, 14 Paul gives us a rule that, if we follow, can keep us on the right path. If we follow this principle in all things, it will keep us from ruining our life. “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil 4:8

May we pray as did David, “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me” that we may find the last happiness and joy our Dear Saviour longs for us to have. Ps 119:133

Rose