Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Revelation 1:5.
Satan may whisper, “You are too great a sinner for Christ to save.” While you acknowledge that you are indeed sinful and unworthy, you may meet the tempter with the cry, “By virtue of the atonement, I claim Christ as my Saviour. I trust not to my own merits, but to the precious blood of Jesus, which cleanses me. This moment I hang my helpless soul on Christ.”—Messages to Young People, 112.
Man was under the condemnation of the broken law. He could not save himself, and for this reason Christ came to this world, clothed His divinity with humanity, and gave His life, the just for the unjust. He gave Himself for our sins, and to every soul He freely offers the blood-bought pardon.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 244.
The angels look with awe and amazement upon the mission of Christ to the world. They marvel at the love that moved Him to give Himself a sacrifice for the sins of men. But how lightly human beings regard the purchase of His blood!—Gospel Workers, 497.
As this wonderful, priceless Gift was bestowed, the whole heavenly universe was mightily stirred, in an effort to understand God’s unfathomable love…. Shall we … halt between two opinions? Shall we return to God only a mite of the capabilities and powers lent us by Him? How can we do this while we know that He who was Commander of all heaven laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown, and, realizing the helplessness of the fallen race, came to this earth in human nature to make it possible for us to unite our humanity to His divinity?—Testimonies for the Church 7:29.
With God at Dawn p. 237
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Prayer Requests
—-Thee pastor who was near the fire needs prayer. His house burned to the ground. M
—-Prayer request for my dearest friend who has had bowl problems for over a week she is almost skin and bones she had all kinds of test done but waiting for the results. also pray for my other friend she has been in bed for over a week with a temperature. M
—-Please pray for my son Eli, who has intestinal bleeding and a really bad liver. Judy
—-Please pray for my brother-in-law Jim who had a heart attack and is in the hospital for further tests. He is stable right now! Mary
—-Please pray for Doreen who is having medical issues. Mike
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Dear Friends,
A few years before I retired, our office received an email from the administration office which they sent out to all employees. In the email, it was warning us to keep everything that we have in our car locked up and out of sight as someone has been breaking into cars and stealing anything valuable.
That Monday after work, I was walking to my car when I saw one of the security guards putting handcuffs on a man and help him sit on the curb. Soon, a city policewoman came over and began questioning the man. As I walked by, she eyed me warily as if she thought that I was there to rescue the man. I moved closer to the building I was passing and away from their side of the sidewalk. Satisfied that I was harmless, the woman went back to her questioning the suspect.
As I rounded the corner and continued to my car, I saw another security guard questioning two women. I didn’t recognize them, but they were either victims or witnesses. I guessed that the man on the ground was the one who had been breaking into cars. A finger of concern went up my back. I hadn’t heeded the warning to keep everything out of sight as I felt that there was nothing in my old car that a thief would consider valuable. Had my car been broken into? I walked hurriedly the rest of the way. To my relief, all was well.
How often we take for granted our Heavenly Father’s watchcare over us as well as over our belongings. Only when we get to Heaven will we see all the many times our Great Creator sent His angels to keep us from suffering harm. Jesus assures us, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Matt 10:29-31 We can safely trust in Him Who watches over each of His children as if there were no other person in the entire world. This does not mean that we can presumptuously place ourselves in harm’s way nor does it mean that we should not heed a warning as I had done. Yet, we know that even the many times when we do, our Gracious Father in Heaven still keeps us safe and secure.
Solomon tells us, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Prov 18:10 David sang, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” Ps 4:8 “Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.” Ps 119:116,117
This does not mean we will never have troubles and trials. We have a very real enemy, who desires our destruction just as surely as he desired to destroy Job and his belongings. Indeed, Satan is constantly on our track to do us harm. God, in His great mercy, weighs each trial that He allows to come into our life. We can be assured that He allows these troubles to come to us in order to draw us closer to Himself.
Although we must go through these trials and heartaches, our Loving Redeemer has promised to be with us. He assures us, “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 43:2,3 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor 10:13 “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.” Heb 12:11
May we glorify our Loving Saviour by keeping fresh in our mind the many blessings He has bestowed upon us, the many times when He has protected us, the many ways in which He has assured us of His Great Love is my prayer.
Rose