Always the Same

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. Proverbs 22:29.
From the dungeon Joseph was exalted to be ruler over all the land of Egypt. It was a position of high honor, yet it was beset with difficulty and peril. One cannot stand upon a lofty height without danger. As the tempest leaves unharmed the lowly flower of the valley, while it uproots the stately tree upon the mountaintop, so those who have maintained their integrity in humble life may be dragged down to the pit by the temptations that assail worldly success and honor. But Joseph’s character bore the test alike of adversity and prosperity. The same fidelity to God was manifest when he stood in the palace of the Pharaohs as when in a prisoner’s cell. He was still a stranger in a heathen land, separated from his kindred, the worshipers of God; but he fully believed that the divine hand had directed his steps, and in constant reliance upon God he faithfully discharged the duties of his position. Through Joseph the attention of the king and great men of Egypt was directed to the true God; and though they adhered to their idolatry, they learned to respect the principles revealed in the life and character of the worshiper of Jehovah.
How was Joseph enabled to make such a record of firmness of character, uprightness, and wisdom?—In his early years he had consulted duty rather than inclination; and the integrity, the simple trust, the noble nature, of the youth bore fruit in the deeds of the man. A pure and simple life had favored the vigorous development of both physical and intellectual powers. Communion with God through His works and the contemplation of the grand truths entrusted to the inheritors of faith had elevated and ennobled his spiritual nature, broadening and strengthening the mind as no other study could do. Faithful attention to duty in every station, from the lowliest to the most exalted, had been training every power for its highest service. He who lives in accordance with the Creator’s will is securing to himself the truest and noblest development of character.
Conflict and Courage p. 77
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Prayer Requests
—– Early this morning, on May 10th our very tiny baby boy, Moses was born at 23 weeks and barely 2 days. He is alive, but needs lots of prayers. The next few hours and days are crucial. Moses was born weighing only 1lb and 10oz, which is big for his age, and he is 12.5 inches long. Our immediate prayer requests:1. Health of baby- IVs work, lungs/brain development. All that’s needed for a healthy life. 2. Health of Shanna and I. Tired can’t explain it. I’ll send more of an update as I can. Danny
—– I have a prayer request for my brother, Larry. A few months ago he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. It was a low grade cancer and we thanked the Lord. Today going thru his cancer check up they found he has lung cancer. He was not a smoker. Pray that he comes out with good results from this cancer too. Shirley
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Dear Friends
A few years ago, while I was shopping, I saw a woman picking up something and putting it down, picking up something and putting it down. Curious, I went over to that aisle to see what she was doing. She was looking at small containers of Betta fish and trying to find one that she thought would be healthy. Finally she made a selection and walked away. As I looked at those beautiful fish in their tiny prison house, I decided that I would buy one for my desk at work. At that time, it was popular for office workers to have Bettas on their desk and I had been wanting to have one too. This was my chance.
Now it was my turn to look at each fish and try to decide which one was healthy. I knew I wanted a blue one because that is my favorite color. As I picked each one up and looked at it carefully, a clerk came over and I asked her to help me. She seemed to know a lot about Bettas and I questioned her as to the best way to care for my fish.
I bought one shimmery blue fish and some Betta food. The next day I took it to work. I got a larger container for my fish that was shaped like a vase and could hold a plant on top. They are sold to put this kind of fish in. I read the directions carefully and bought the shiny, glass “stones” that it suggested—blue of course. When it was all assembled it looked very nice and my fish seemed to enjoy his larger home.
There was only one problem. My beautiful, shimmery, blue fish would not eat. I tried three different kinds of Betta food, but he would not eat. I was concerned, but thought that maybe he just needed to get used to his surroundings. Day after day went by and still he would not eat. After a week, he died. I was very sad.
I had done everything I could to give him all that he needed, yet he had to cooperate by eating the food that I gave him—food specially formulated for him. It is the same with us. God has given us all that we need for salvation, but if we do not accept His Great Gift, we will die spiritually and finally physically.
God’s Word is as food for the soul. In its pages we find “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” John 14:6 Job tells us, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12 Jeremiah says, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jer 15:16 David adds, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” “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.” “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against Thee.” Psa 1:1,2;119:15,16;19:7-11;119:11