Appreciating the Promises
Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men. Ephesians 6:6, 7.
Let us in our lifework strive constantly to answer the prayer of Christ, that we may be united with one another and with Him. Let us always before undertaking anything, ask ourselves the question, “Will this please my Saviour? Is it in harmony with the will of God?” The consciousness that we are bringing the Christ-life into the daily experience will give a sacred dignity to the everyday duties. All that we do will be done with faithfulness, that the Master may be honored. Thus shall we show to the world what Christianity can accomplish for sinful human beings, giving them constantly increasing efficiency for service in this life, preparing them for the higher life in the world to come.–Manuscript 1, Jan. 7, 1903, “An Appeal.”
I praise the Lord. This morning I slept until four o’clock. There was not the usual awakening through the night. This is a great blessing to me, for which I am thankful. I have been carrying a heavy burden so long as I consider the spiritual condition of the people of God, moving so far below their privilege. I lie awake pleading with my heavenly Saviour to come to our help and raise up messengers that shall bear a message decidedly to the point. “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). I long for physical strength and power that out of the abundance of the heart moved by the Holy Spirit the mouth may speak.
Oft in the vision of the night I am speaking to large companies and in strong appeals I am repeatedly urging upon the companies before me, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4).
What a rich promise is this presented to us! Let us then show that we appreciate these promises and work to the point to be fully in earnest and to be thankful for such assurance. It is for our good and the good of all with whom we shall associate in all our public labors that we shall reveal that we are seeking those things that are above.–Manuscript 173, Jan 7, 1905, diary.
This Day With God p. 15
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Tom that he can get back the use of his hand after the stroke. Also pray that he can get over the cold he caught. Pray that God will supply all of our needs. Mary
—–update—JD (15 yrs old) has an infection. They’ll try to do surgery tomorrow … The one originally planned to remove the cystine stones. . . .Our son also has shingles from the stress, we assume! Please remember JD and John Jr in prayer. Harryette
—– Please pray for my friend George who does not know God and is caught up in every vice there is – women, smokes, drinks, gambles, parties, lies and free masons. Pray that somehow he comes to know God and leaves behind his life of sin. Larissa
—– Please pray for Chris as God has called him to a large project to bring Glory to God…Carol
—–Please pray for Alice who has breast cancer. Rose
—–A week after the pathology report from my lumpectomy surgery and all the margins are clear and the doctor gives me a clean bill of health from cancer…..truly a MIRACLE. I know thousands of prayers have been ascending daily from around the world, family and friends and classmates. . . . God has heard and answered each prayer. I am humbled, grateful, and prayerful that I will live each moment for him until He comes. All my family has died of cancer, my dad, my mom who had two types of cancer, my aunt, and my precious son. Why He has graciously healed me and not others I do not know but pray with me that I will do His will and help as many as I can to love and trust Him. Carol
—–Please pray for my son who is taking a test today. LH
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Dear Friends,
Occasionally, I share these rules for a happy marriage that I wrote for one of my girls when she got married. I decided to share them again today. It is my hope that it will help all who read them to have a God-centered marriage.
Rose
Fifteen Steps to a Happy Marriage
1. Make Jesus the center of your life. Have morning and evening worship together each day as well as having your own private devotions. As you grow closer to Christ, you will draw closer to each other.
2. Communicate. Spend at least thirty minutes each day in meaningful conversation. Speak of your joys, sorrows, hopes for the future, and the happenings of the day while you were apart.
3. Problems will arise. When they do, pray together before you start to discuss the problem. Study to see what the Bible says in regard to the subject. Discuss the problem and find the solution together. (If you feel yourself getting angry, stop the discussion immediately, pray, and resume the discussion later.)
4. Tell each other “I love you” every day. You might think that your marriage partner knows you love him/her, but he/she might be feeling very unloved and taken for granted. (This is a good rule to remember when you are blessed with children. Even teens need to know that you love them, even though they may not admit it.)
5. Never make unkind remarks. When you say an unkind word to your mate, it hurts him/her badly and the hurt doesn’t go away easily. Even if he/she forgives you, the hurt is still there.
6. Never hit each other. Violence is not God’s way and will cause untold misery for both of you.
7. Be very tender in your intimate relations. Remember that there are holy angels watching even in your bedroom. If one of you is uncomfortable with something intimate, it would be better to avoid it than to push your desires onto the other one. There are many years ahead to spend with each other.
8. Do the finances together. By doing this, you both know what is available and can discuss purchases together. Make a budget and stick to it. As you use this budget for a few months, it may need to be revised. Revise the budget together to keep reminding yourself just what it entails.
9. Be honest with each other. For your future happiness, it is extremely important to tell each other, before marriage, the things in your past that may have a direct bearing on your life together.
10. Don’t be too proud to apologize. Sometimes the only thing it would take to solve an argument are two little words: “I’m sorry.” Don’t be to proud to forgive. An apology is of no effect if it is not forgiven. Make it your policy never to go to bed angry with each other.
11. Don’t forget to cuddle. When sitting together, cuddling can make a couple bond more than most other activities. Just before you go to sleep, cuddle for a few minutes—-not for sex, but for the secure feeling that it gives you.
12. Attend church together each week. Even if you move away and you aren’t familiar with the churches in your new area, make sure that you do not neglect this important part of your marriage. “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together.” Heb 10:25
13. Stay true to your marriage vows. Over the years, you may find someone who seems attractive to you. Avoid this person as much as possible and remind yourself what made you fall in love with your partner in the first place. This is very important as being faithful to each other is the only way a marriage commitment will be successful.
14. Be best friends. Set aside a certain amount of time each week when you can spend time doing fun things together just like you did during your courtship. If you do have other friends, they should be someone that both of you feel comfortable with. Don’t value these friends more highly than you value your mate.
15. When children come. If and when you do start a family, make sure your children know they are not an inconvenience to you. Let them know that you are always there to help them. Set aside time for them. As they are growing up, set an example for them. Teach them about God and how they can become like Him. Remember, “By beholding we become changed”—that works with children too. When they grow up and move out of your home, keep in close contact with them and have a good and loving relationship with them even though they are miles away.