Between God and Man

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25.
The Lord did not place in Adam fallen and disobedient, the confidence He placed in Adam loyal and true…. The rewards of heaven are not granted to transgressors….
The eyes of Adam and Eve were indeed opened, but to what? To see their own shame and ruin, to realize that the garments of heavenly light which had been their protection were no longer around them as their safeguard. Their eyes were opened to see that nakedness was the fruit of transgression. As they heard God in the garden, they hid themselves from Him; for they anticipated that which till their fall they had not known,—the condemnation of God….
God has declared that man’s only means of safety is entire obedience to all His words. We are not to make the experiment of testing the evil course, with all its results. This will bring weakness through disobedience. God’s plan was to give man clear-sightedness in all his work….
There was to be co-operation between man and God. But this plan was greatly interfered with by Adam’s transgression. Satan led him to sin, and the Lord would not communicate with him after he had sinned as he did when he was without sin.
After the fall Christ became Adam’s instructor. He acted in God’s stead toward humanity, saving the race from immediate death. He took upon him the office of mediator. Adam and Eve were given a probation in which to return to their allegiance, and in this plan all their posterity were embraced.
Without the atonement of the Son of God there could have been no communication of blessing or salvation from God to man. God was jealous for the honor of His law. The transgression of that law had caused a fearful separation between God and man. To Adam in his innocence was granted communion, direct, free, and happy, with his Maker. After his transgression, God would communicate to man only through Christ and angels.
Conflict and Courage p. 20
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for B who has an important phone call to make today and an interview tomorrow that God will lead. L
—–update— Jeremy got an update from the Doctor that he can go back to work now and can drive. Everything looks great and the doctor says there shouldn’t be any more problems. Wanangwa
—–Please pray for the family of Braden who was killed in a car accident yesterday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
One weekend a few years ago, we took a drive to a nearby state so Ronnie Jay could take some photos of the animals and birds of the place. He really wanted some pictures of an armadillo. Most people consider that creature to be a pest and unworthy of notice, but he finds them fascinating. In reality they are helpful as they eat many harmful insects.
An armadillo has very sharp claws, but its armor is its greatest defense. When alarmed, it will jump into the air to surprise its enemy or run away if it can, but some armadillos can roll up in a ball like the tiny pillbug. However, most of the time they have so much confidence in their armor that they just go about their business no matter what is happening around them. Ronnie Jay did not alarm in the least the three armadillos he photographed. They stopped and looked at him briefly then continued on looking for food.
Jesus says to us as He said to His disciples of old, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt 28:18-20 We can learn a lesson from the lowly armadillo. No matter what distractions the enemy of souls throws around us, we must continue with that great commission given to us by our Dear Saviour.
Peter warns, “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 The evil one will attempt to sidetrack us, but we must not allow his temptations to get us off track. I have heard it said that when John Wesley was asked what he would do if he knew he would die that night, he replied that he would do those things that he had already planned to do that day. What a good way to live—perfect confidence that he was doing God’s will in every aspect of his life, perfect trust in his relationship with his Lord.
Paul reminds us, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” In view of that fact, he urges us to “take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance.” Eph 6:12-18
May we put on that armor each day that we may work for the Master no matter how the devil tries to distract us is my prayer.
Rose