Arabian Interlude

Paul’s life was in peril, and he received a commission from God to leave Damascus for a time. He went into Arabia; and there, in comparative solitude, he had ample opportunity for communion with God and for contemplation. He wished to be alone with God, to search his own heart, to deepen his repentance, and to prepare himself by prayer and study to engage in a work which appeared to him too great and too important for him to undertake. He was an apostle, not chosen of men, but chosen of God, and his work was plainly stated to be among the Gentiles.

While in Arabia he did not communicate with the apostles; he sought God earnestly with all his heart, determining not to rest till he knew for a certainty that his repentance was accepted and his great sin pardoned. He would not give up the conflict until he had the assurance that Jesus would be with him in his coming ministry. He was ever to carry about with him in the body the marks of Christ’s glory, in his eyes, which had been blinded by the heavenly light, and he desired also to bear with him constantly the assurance of Christ’s sustaining grace. Paul came into close connection with Heaven, and Jesus communed with him, and established him in his faith bestowing upon him His wisdom and grace.65The Story of Redemption, 274, 275.

All who are under the training of God need the quiet hour for communion with their own hearts, with nature, and with God…. They need to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God. We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God…. Amidst the hurrying throng, and the strain of life’s intense activities, he who is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace. He will receive a new endowment of both physical and mental strength. His life will breathe out a fragrance, and will reveal a divine power that will reach men’s hearts.66The Ministry of Healing, 58.
Conflict and Courage p. 340
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Prayer Request
—-Please pray for my stomach issues to resolve. Dan
—-Please pray that God will supply my needs. A
—-I have a very difficult and tenacious neighbor is still unresolved and may have to go to court as the sheriff’s department says it’s a civil matter. He is making things utterly ridiculous for us as well as my two sets of next-door neighbors. He’s basically claiming to own the back road behind our properties that have been public and utility easements for decades and is trying to fence off the road which would hinder us from accessing the rear and sides of our properties. There’s unfortunately more drama and absurdly involved but I need not go on. Please pray for God’s mercy on us in this difficult situation. David
—-Please pray for the people of North Carolina whose houses were destroyed by the floods caused by Hurricane Helene. They still have no place to live other than tents and the weather is below freezing. Rose
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Dear Friends,

My mother always had an excellent memory until she turned eighty. All her life she could remember nearly everything that ever happened to her—all the hurt, all the sadness, all the things that had been said or done that had caused her pain. Sadly, she would dwell on these things. Even after dementia took away much of her mind, she remembered many of the bad things that had happened. Something said in passing or the mere mention of a person’s name brought back a flood of memories that should have been put away long ago. Because she never forgave, she was miserable most of her life. How sad.

Forgiveness: what a blessing it is! It erases all of the hurt, all of the pain, all of the sadness. It brings peace of mind and pleasant happiness. The memories are there, but they are no longer relived over and over again until they are much worse than they were originally. Just as the rain washes away the impurities of the earth, so forgiveness cleanses the mind from the sorrows and heartaches that an unforgiving heart will bring. Forgiveness brings peace of mind. Forgiveness brings freedom from past trials. Forgiveness helps us to reflect the image of the Great King of the Universe, Who loves us so much “that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

When Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s prayer, He spent extra time explaining forgiveness. He told them, “if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matt 6:14,15

One day Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” Matt 18:14-25

May we “put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Col 3:12-17

Rose