But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18.
The great error with churches in all ages has been to reach a certain point in their understanding of Bible truth and there stop. There they anchored. They ceased to “Go forward,” as much as to say, “We have all-sufficient light. We need no more.” . . .
The Lord loves His people, and would lead them step by step onward under the banner of truth, the third angel’s message. . . . In these last days we have the benefit of the wisdom and experience of past ages. The men of God, saints and martyrs, have made confession of their faith, and the knowledge of their experience and their burning zeal for God is transmitted to the world in the living oracles. . . . This hereditary trust has been gathered up by faithful witnesses that the bright light shining upon them in the knowledge of God might enlighten those living in these last days; and while they appreciate this light, they will advance to greater light. . . .
The Source of all light still invites us to come and absorb its rays. Light is not placed where the followers of Christ cannot obtain its benefits. It is not cut off from the world so there is no more or increased light to shine in greater clearness and more abundantly upon all who have improved the light given of God.
God’s people in these last days are not to choose darkness rather than light. They are to look for light, to expect light. . . . The light will continue to shine in brighter and still brighter rays, and reveal more and more distinctly the truth as it is in Jesus, that human hearts and human characters may be improved, and moral darkness–which Satan is working to bring over the people of God–may be dispelled. . . . As we near the close of time there will be needed a deeper and clearer discernment, a more firm knowledge of the Word of God, a living experience, and the holiness of heart and life which we must have to serve Him.
That I May Know Him p. 347
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Prayer Requests
—– I have two prayer request: Dean has been invited to _____ to do a prophecy seminar and he needs the Holy Spirit to guide him. He is preparing a power point presentation and this all takes time. The church already paid for his ticket and mine… My other prayer request is that I be able to find someone that will be able to stay with [the elderly couple we care for] for the time we will be gone – 2 weeks end of March, first of April. If we can’t find someone I will stay behind and hope the church can get a refund on my ticket. I always enjoy going with him to help in the organizing of the church before a seminar. Blanca
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Dear Friends,
The summer that we camped at the campground that had the mean gander, Ronnie Jay, who was three at the time began to run a high fever. If we would have been home, we would have put him in a bathtub of tepid water to bring the fever down but there were no bathtubs there. We were especially worried about our little boy because just a year before a high fever had given him convulsions. That had been so frightening.
We were trying to decide what to do when, suddenly, Ron swooped up Ronnie Jay in his arms and headed for the swimming pool. Puzzled, I followed. When he got to the pool’s edge, he handed me our son and jumped in. Then Ron reached up and took our sick little boy in his arms and submerged him about chest deep in the cool water.
Poor Ronnie Jay! He could not understand why his father was being so mean to him. He cried. He screamed. He tried to get away from his father who was holding him securely. His pleading eyes looked up at me for help. I felt so sorry for him, yet I knew that this was what he needed. As expected, after 15 or 20 minutes of this “torture,” the fever broke and Ronnie Jay began to feel better.
How often our Heavenly Father must plunge us into the “pool” of troubles and trials in order to break sin’s hold upon us. How many times we, like Ronnie Jay, are perplexed, confused, and frightened as we struggle to get back to normal. We wonder why our Heavenly Father has forsaken us, not realizing that He is giving us exactly what we need. We cry. We scream. We try to get away just as Ronnie Jay did, yet our Loving Father is holding us in His great arms of love whispering in our ear, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.” Isa 41:10;43:1-3
Paul explains the reason for the trials we must endure, “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Heb 12:5-15
James adds, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 5:7-15;1:12
May we, when troubles and trials surround us, declare as did Job, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” “when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 13:15; 23:10 May we cast all of our cares upon Jesus for He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7) May we look unto Jesus Who assures us, “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matt 24:13
Rose