And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17.
In the twelfth chapter of Revelation is represented the great conflict between the obedient and the disobedient.
The sign of obedience is the observance of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.
The Sabbath is a test to this generation. In obeying the fourth commandment in spirit and truth, men will obey all the precepts of the Decalogue. To fulfill this commandment one must love God supremely, and exercise love toward all the creatures that He has made.
The time is coming when God’s people will feel the hand of persecution because they keep holy the seventh day…. The man of sin, who thought to change times and laws, and who has always oppressed the people of God, will cause laws to be made enforcing the observance of the first day of the week. But God’s people are to stand firm for Him.
Let no one yield to temptation and become less fervent in his attachment to God’s law because of the contempt placed upon it; for that is the very thing that should make us pray with all our heart, and soul, and voice, “It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.” Psalm 119:126. Therefore, because of the universal contempt, I will not turn traitor when God will be most glorified and most honored by my loyalty….
Shall Seventh-day Adventists relax their devotedness when all their capabilities and powers should be placed on the Lord’s side; when an unflinching testimony, noble and uplifting, should come from their lips? “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.” Psalm 119:127. When the law of God is most derided and brought into the most contempt, then it is time for every true follower of Christ … to stand unflinchingly for the faith once delivered to the saints.
The Faith I Live By p. 291
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Prayer Requests
—-Prayer request and Praise—I went in to the ER on Sunday and was put in CCU with A-Fib and fluid in the pericardium. After the fluid was drained, I felt much better but the procedure to stop the A-Fib did not work. I am now home and feeling better. Please pray that my heart will go into a regular sinus rhythm without more procedures. Rose
—-Need prayers for a local farm family. The father’s cancer has returned and he is not doing well. Now his daughter who suddenly went blind from brain swelling was diagnosed with brain, bone and breast cancer. She is now in a coma. She has a 3 year old daughter. Laurie
—-Please pray for Barbara who lost her leg due to cancer.
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, we used to have a rabbit who lived in our yard. Our dog Sandy would bark and bark at that rabbit, but the last few years of Sandy’s life she and the rabbit seemed to get along fine. The rabbit seemed to realize that the dog posed no threat, so it built a nest right up next to the electric meter and phone connection post. The grass was tall there and made an idea home for the creature. We often watched the rabbit nibbling grass out in the middle of the yard within 10 feet of Sandy. Either the elderly dog didn’t know the rabbit was there, or she and the rabbit had gotten so used to one another that they each considered the other a normal part of life.
How often we begin to feel that the constant exposure to evil holds no more danger to us than did Sandy to that rabbit. Every day we are exposed to sin until we are in danger of no longer considering it a threat. Most television programs promotes evil thoughts; and even if we are watching a good, uplifting program, the advertisements make us shudder. The music in the stores, at our workplace, and sometimes even on our own radio are often of the type to lead us away from Jesus. Even the magazines in the checkout line at the grocery store, promote sin. It all becomes so commonplace, so normal, that we get used to being bombarded with the seamy side of life.
Our Heavenly Father desires to have us live above these things. In His mercy, God has given us a guideline to follow that will help us deal with the sin around us. “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
David gives us the key to living in this sinful world. He says, “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.” “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward….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. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Ps 119:11;19:7-14 Solomon adds, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” Prov 4:23-27
May we hide the Holy Scripture in our heart each day, that we may be able to discern truth from error. May we be careful to think on those things which are pure and true, declaring as did David, “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.” Ps 101:3 May we turn away from anything that would keep us from walking hand in hand with our Dear Saviour is my prayer.
Rose
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