Chosen to Be Saved

We are to believe that we are chosen of God to be saved by the exercise of faith, through the grace of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit; and we are to praise and glorify God for such a marvelous manifestation of His unmerited favor. It is the love of God that draws the soul to Christ to be graciously received and presented to His Father. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the divine relationship between God and the sinner is renewed. Our heavenly Father says, “I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people. I will exercise forgiving love toward them, and bestow upon them My joy. They shall be to Me a peculiar treasure; for this people whom I have formed for Myself shall show forth My praise” (see: Jeremiah 30:22; 31:1, 33; Exodus 19:5).

Christ is calling souls to come unto Him, and it is for our present and eternal interest to hear and respond to the call. Jesus says, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” (John 15:16). Then let all who would be called children of God respond to the invitation of Christ, and place themselves where the light of heaven will shine upon them, where they will realize what it is to be hearers and doers of the words of Christ, what it is to follow the Light of the world, and be accepted in the Beloved.

Everything that God could do has been done for the salvation of man. In one rich gift He poured out the treasures of heaven. He invites, He pleads, He urges; but He will not compel men to come unto Him. He waits for their cooperation. He waits for the consent of the will, that He may bestow upon the sinner the riches of His grace, reserved for him from the foundation of the world…. The Lord does not design that human power should be paralyzed; but that by cooperation with God, man may become a more efficient agent in His hands…. The Lord holds out to man the privilege of copartnership with Himself.—The Messenger, April 26, 1893.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 41
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my coworker Suzanne’s husband Brian who is having surgery today (Wednesday) morning to remove his prostate. Wanangwa
—-Please pray for E who has an important meeting today. R
—-Please pray for a friend Melonie she is going in for surgery for cancer today. She has been taking chemo for a while so hopefully they will get all of the cancer out. M.
—-Requesting prayer that baby will stay in a couple more weeks and for improved health. Sondra
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Dear Friends,

Before Esther was born, I worked alone all night at a gas station in a tough seaport town. I was sometimes nervous being there all alone especially since the telephone at the counter was set up so no one could make outgoing calls. The only way to call the police was to walk over to the pay phone on a wall about 20 feet away. I often thought if there was any danger, there would be no way to summon help.

One night, a man walked in. He walked around a bit and then stopped for awhile at the magazine rack. There was something about him that was creepy. I walked over to the phone to call the police. I just had my hand on the receiver when to my dismay I realized that he had put down the magazine he was reading and hurried over to where I was standing. I did not like the way he was looking at me.

Now I was scared, but I tried not to show it. He stood about a foot away from me (which was way too close!) and began to talk to me about wanting to dance and party. He asked me if I knew where there was such a place near to where we were. I told him that I had no idea as I did not go to such places. After what seemed like an eternity, he turned and walked out of the store.

How thankful I was for God’s protecting care! I felt like David when he exclaimed, “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Ps 34:6-8

Truly every day our only protection is in God. He assures us, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jer 29:11-13 Think of it! Even though we cannot see Him He sees us each moment. He Who and loves us “with an everlasting love” and wants only good for us can keep us safe even when we are face to face with someone who is very frightening. Jer 31:3

Our Great Protector says, “call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Ps 50:15 “I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD. And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.” Jer 15:21 “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 43:1-3 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8 Praise God! He is always there guiding, protecting, watching over us. What a Wonderful Redeemer! What a Dear and Loving Friend! We can trust in Him always! We can rely upon His Word! May we declare as did David, “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.” “Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” Ps 32:7;119:114

Rose