In the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking … and knew not until the flood came and took them all away. Matthew 24:38, 39.
The sin of the Noatic world was intemperance, and today the sin exhibited by intemperance in eating and drinking is so marked that God will not always tolerate it…. Man carries to excess that which is lawful, and his whole being suffers the result of the violation of the laws which the Lord has established.
Intemperance in eating and drinking is on the increase. Tables are spread with all kinds of food with which to satisfy the epicurean appetite. Suffering must follow this course of action. The vital force of the system cannot bear up under the tax placed on it, and it finally breaks down.
God … will not work a miracle to counteract a perverse violation of the laws of health and life…. Man should estimate himself by the price which has been paid for him. When he places this value upon himself, he will not knowingly abuse one of his physical or mental faculties. It is an insult to the God of heaven for man to abuse his precious powers by placing himself under the control of Satanic agencies, and besotting himself by indulging in that which is ruinous to health, to piety, and to spirituality.57 {CC 35.4}
Though the wickedness of the world was so great, yet the Lord gave men one hundred and twenty years of probation, in which, if they would, they could repent. But notwithstanding the forbearance of a good and merciful God, the people did not improve their opportunities. For a little time they were awed, and afraid to go on as recklessly as they had done. Then, depraved habits prevailed over restraint. In proportion as the people resisted conviction, their discernment was clouded, and their desire to follow a course of ungodliness strengthened.
It is necessary for us to eat and to drink that we may have physical strength to serve the Lord, but when we carry our eating to gluttony, without a thought of pleasing our heavenly Father, eating just that which is pleasing to our taste, we are doing just as they did in the days of Noah.
Conflict and Courage p. 35
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Prayer Requests
—–Have a prayer request. I am trying to get back into my Amateur Radio love, but can’t find my favorite multi-band Yaesu. We have had so many upheavals in our house in the past two years since my antenna came down and I used it. Lorna
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Dear Friends,
From the time Ronnie Jay was a little boy, he always was fascinated by insects of all kinds. Even at age two, he would snatch a bee out of the air and play with it. They never stung him, but seemed to enjoy the interaction. I didn’t. How often he would come to me with his hand closed and say, “I have a present for you mommy.” I learned very quickly to tell him to open his hand so I could see my “present.” There I’d find a bee crawling around contentedly.
He even enjoys watching spiders and catching them. Most people will do that with a jar and lid, but not Ronnie Jay. He is so comfortable with them that he catches them in his hands. Often he will do this to show children that spiders will not hurt you as long as they don’t feel threatened. He lets a spider crawl all over him and it seems that the spiders enjoy this interaction just as much as he does. More than once, I have seen a spider that he was playing with accidentally fall off his hand and crawl back on when he puts his hand down beside it.
Just as Ronnie Jay “tames” spiders, bees, and other insects, so there is something far more unpredictable that we must tame. James tells us about it. “For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father, and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” James 3:7-13, 26
Think of it! What we say can cause a sting more painful than a bee’s. Our words can make a festering wound more serious than the bite of a brown recluse spider. We may ask for forgiveness, but the scar we have caused remains. It never goes away.
Moreover, what we say changes the attitude of all those around. Our words can uplift their thoughts or set them upon a downward course. Dangerous power! It is no wonder that Peter advises, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing, knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good, let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God, if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 3:10-12, 4:11
David asks, “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” Ps. 15:1-3 “What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good, seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” 34:12-15 “The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart, none of his steps shall slide.” “My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee, and my soul, which thou hast redeemed. My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long” “My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. Let thine hand help me, for I have chosen thy precepts. I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD, and thy law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee.” Ps 37:30,31,71:23,24,119:171-175
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing, knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good, let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers” 1 Peter 3:8-12
Let us pray as did David, “Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.” “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 120:2,19:14
Rose