According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3.
True Christians are faithful in little things, remembering that the Word of God declares, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). A faithful, steady obedience to the words of Christ makes men pure in mind, resolute in purpose, and faithful in every station of life.
True service is the unveiling of a heart made fragrant by the love of God. Such service gives nobility to the character in this life. Under its influence, love to God and man speaks from the lips and is revealed in the actions….
When God’s people place the gift of speech under the influence and control of the Holy Spirit, thousands will hear the message that God is love; that He “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). His heart of infinite love embraces every human being. His love is an inexhaustible wellspring of joy and peace. It is as enduring as eternity. It is the fountain opened for Judah and Jerusalem. From its unfailing supply every soul may be satisfied. This love is the life of God, working with transforming power in the soul, perfecting Christian character, making human beings partakers of the divine nature. Through Christ this living stream of love and life flows to the world….
In the Christian warfare life, spiritual life, courage, constancy, and decision are needed. Be strong in the Lord. Human courage will not suffice. The Christian soldier must be strong in the Lord. God is all-sufficient. In the omnipotence of His might gird on the armor. Make use of all the proper means of defense against the enemy of souls. You are everyone to perfect an individual character for yourselves. Resist temptation. Cultivate the Christian virtues. Be strong; yea, be strong!
Those who have so many battles to fight must be strong for service. Gain strength and help from the Source of all power. If we trust in the Lord, we shall triumph in the warfare against unseen foes, but if we trust in our own strength, we shall surely meet with defeat. The armor is prepared. Put it on, and fight bravely for the Lord.—Letter 67, April 25, 1902, “To My Brethren in Positions of Responsibility in the Pacific Press.”
The Upward Look p. 129
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue to pray for Hannah. She is not getting better and none of the doctors can agree on what is wrong and how to treat it. Rose
—-I’m in a predicament with my health right now that is causing me to have suicidal thoughts. I did call my counselor and now feel the need to have others praying for me. Judy
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Dear Friends,
When Esther Marie was about 9, she and a friend were playing on some old railroad ties that were being used for decoration along her friend’s driveway. As Esther turned a cartwheel on that old wooden tie, a large piece of wood went deep into her foot. I have always been able to get slivers and thorns out, so when I looked at this large piece of wood, I thought this would be no problem. After having started digging it out, however, I realized this sliver was different. It crumbled when I touched it. The wood was too rotten.
Finally, I had to take her to the doctor. Even he had a difficult time getting it out, but since he was able to deaden her foot so she could not feel the pain, he could free her of that offending piece of timber. But there was a price to pay. When the doctor deadened Esther’s foot, he hit a bone so hard that it bent the needle. For weeks, that foot was very painful. For years, that bone ached when the weather changed.
Just so, there are consequences from the sin we have allowed in our lives. We can ask for and receive forgiveness, but a scar remains. Like David, who was called “a man after God’s own heart” before he became king, a man whom God blessed abundantly during the early years of his reign; after his sins of adultery and murder, his life became filled with trouble and sorrow far exceeding anything he had experienced while running from Saul. 1 Sam 13:14; 2 Sam 11 and onward.
Just as I tried to remove that crumbling sliver from Esther’s foot, we can try as hard as we possibly can to rid ourselves of sin and its consequences, but we are helpless to do so. “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” Jer 13:23 We can, through determination, change outwardly; but we cannot change our hearts. “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.” Isa 1:5,6
How much we need Someone Who can change our vile hearts and make us pure and clean within. How much we need a Great Physician Who can truly rid us of those sins that so easily beset us. He says to us, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa 1:18 “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Eze 18:33 “And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.” Jer 33:8 “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isa 45:22
Our response should be, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight….Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow….Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Ps 139:23, 24;51
Let us come to our Dear Saviour now, that we may receive the pardon and cleansing we need. Let us allow Him to remake our tangled and twisted lives that we have so ruined by our sins and change us into a loving, victorious Christian whose light shines brightly for His glory. Let us daily walk with Him on the path to Heaven, guarding well the avenues of the soul and praying always for His help and strength that the splinters on sin cannot penetrate our lives any more.
Rose
Cultivate the Christian Virtues