Blessings on the Humble Man

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2, 3.
The helpless sinner must cling to Christ as his only hope. If he lets go his hold for a moment, he imperils his own soul and the souls of others. Only in the exercise of living faith are we safe. But the commission of any known sin, the neglect of known duties, at home or abroad, will destroy faith, and disconnect the soul from God.
Nothing is more offensive to God than a self-sufficient spirit. In the life of Peter is a sad lesson which should be a warning to all the professed followers of Christ. The Saviour had faithfully warned him of the approaching danger, but, self-confident and presumptuous, he asserted his constant fidelity and zeal, and declared himself willing to follow his Master to prison and to death. The test came for Peter when the storm burst upon the disciples by the humiliation of their Leader. Mournful are the words traced by the pen of inspiration: “Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.” Matthew 26:56. And the ardent, zealous, self-confident Peter repeatedly denied his Lord. He afterward bitterly repented; but this example should admonish all to beware of self-confidence and self-righteousness.
The men who humble themselves even as a little child are the men who will be taught by God. The Lord is not dependent on any man’s talents; for He is the Source of all perfect gifts. The very humblest man, if he loves and fears God, is the possessor of heavenly gifts. The Lord can use such a man, because he does not strive to work himself according to his own standard. He works with fear and trembling lest he will spoil the pattern. His life is an expression of the life of Christ.
We must constantly cherish meekness and humility, if we would possess the spirit of Christ.
The Faith I Live By p. 137
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-Please keep my grandson Isaiah in prayer, I just found out that he wanted to kill himself! Sandra
—-Special prayer needed for a two-year-old who was found in a pool. She is on a breathing machine and her head is swollen. She might not make it. Bridget
—-Please pray that my daughter’s PET scan will not reveal any more cancer in her body. The test is this afternoon. Vicki
—-Urgent prayer for my cousin who will have surgery tomorrow. Her name is Avonnie. Samantha
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
Yesterday Ron and I went to the Tanganyika Wildlife Park for Mother’s Day. There are several interactive exhibits where we get to feed animals that we would not get to do at a regular zoo. Being able to pet a kangaroo gives one a big surprise. Its fur seems like it would be stiff and course, but in reality it is very soft and pleasant to the touch. Pigmy hippos are much smaller and cuter than I had ever imagined. It was fun to feed them. Feeding a giraffe is also available at the zoo, but this particular giraffe was so careful when she took the lettuce out of my hand. She used her lips instead of her long tongue. So many fun experiences!
Although scarred from the effects of sin, this planet also has beauties and wonders that point to our loving Creator Who upholds “all things by the word of his power.” Heb 1:3 Even after 6000 years of sin, the beauty and glory of His creation is overwhelming. Each creature, every plant, man himself is so intricately made that it never could have happened by chance. As we contemplate His creative works, we can only exclaim, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Ps 139:14
As scientists study every aspect of creation, they find great mysteries. Many devise fanciful theories that try to explain the origin and continuance of all things, but these theories are faulty. In order to shut God out of their lives and out of the lives of others, they often resort to deception. Paul speaks of these very ones when he said, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” Rom 1:20-22
Even though most of mankind do not recognize it, they still receive from God the food they eat, the air they breathe, even the beating of their heart—their very life. He it is Who provides that spark of life that we all receive: He it is Who keeps it going. They may not realize that truth, but it is true nonetheless. Our Dear Saviour tells us that God “maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt 5:45 What love He has for each of us!
Although He would “have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth,” He gives us the freedom of choice. 1 Tim 2:4 He did not create us to be robots. His Great Heart of Love yearns for us to love Him—not because we have to, but because we want to. With lovingkindness and tender mercy, He provides every evidence of His existence and of His constant care. Moreover, He provided His Greatest Gift, His Only-begotten Son to die for us, that we might live eternally with Him. What a loving Creator! How good and kind He is!
“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Isa 55:6-13
Let us daily claim the promise, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jer 29:13 Let us bring joy to His Great Heart of Love. Let us follow Him throughout our lives, praising Him for His wonderful creation and care.
Rose