And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:14, 15.
I point you to the cross of Calvary. I ask you to consider the infinite sacrifice made in your behalf that through faith in Jesus Christ you may not perish but have everlasting life. . . . I point you to Jesus. You are safe in committing to Him the innermost working of your mind. The Lord Jesus hath purchased you with an infinite price. You may commit the keeping of your soul to Jesus. You may trust Him as your Counselor. . . . Constantly draw nigh unto God. He will help you.
O be sure you receive your illumination from the Source of all light. He is the great central Light of the universe of heaven and the great Light of the world. He will enlighten every man that cometh into the world. Reach no cheap, low standard. Cultivate the gentleness of Christ. Secure the highest attainments, and draw your inspiration from Jesus Christ. He is your Friend. You may always depend upon Him and find Him faithful and true. When you need His sympathy in your greatest perplexity, wounded and bruised, He will not pass you by on the other side. To Him you may come in the simplicity of children. To Him you may come with joy and rejoicing. With everything that is flattering to your hopes, every success which attends your labors in the Lord, look up to Jesus and lay every honor at His feet. Everything depends upon your walking in all humility of mind. Write the name of Christ upon your banner and never dishonor your colors.
All heaven was given to us in Christ Jesus. . . . O honor Jesus by giving to Him the heart’s best and holiest services! He has given His life for you. Who is He that hath done this? The only begotten Son of God, He that was One with the Father before the world was.
Lift up your banner, lift it up higher. Never, never let it trail in the dust of the earth. Exalt Jesus. Lift Him up, the Man of Calvary, higher and still higher.
That I May Know Him p. 341
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Prayer Requests
—–Dr. James C. Suffered neurological and other injuries in a serious bicycle accident. Please pray! NP
—– I have a lifelong friend who may need a Heart transplant…please pray for healing for Colby and for God to do what is best…. Carol
—–update—My wife ‘s father has gone to sleep in the Lord. Continued prayers would be appreciated for her and the family. BB
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Dear Friends,
Before Eileen was born, we determined that when we had children, we would never turn them over to a babysitter. I would stay home while she was little. This was a big sacrifice financially, but we felt that by doing this would, we could ground them spiritually.
As time went by, however, we found that there were times when this was not possible. The first time that we left Eileen, she was no quite a year old. There was a deacon’s meeting at the head deacon’s house and since Ron was a deacon, he needed to attend. This meeting was a little different, as the deacons’ wives were required to be there as well. They announced that no children would be allowed. They would be too much of a distraction.
What were we to do? One of the ladies in our church volunteered to watch Eileen. Barbara had four girls of her own and convinced us that she was well able to watch Eileen for the two hours that we would be gone. Convinced at last, we bundled up our little one and drove to Barbara’s house. With some misgivings, we left her in the woman’s care.
The meeting went longer than expected and I missed my baby terribly. Finally the meeting got over and we quickly drove to Barbara’s home to get her. I was so happy to hold my precious little one in my arms again. Relieved that Eileen was fine, we went home. She wasn’t fine, however. A few hours later, we were awakened by Eileen’s cries and screams. She was doubled over in pain. We were terribly frightened and didn’t know what to do. For several hours, we held her while she cried. The next day, we found out that Barbara had fed her blueberries. The tiny seeds in those delicious berries were too hard on her delicate stomach. We were not at all happy with that woman.
Just as we were there for Eileen when she had a stomach ache from those blueberries, so our Heavenly Parent is there for us through all our troubles and trials. He promises “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
Our Dear Saviour cares for us more tenderly than we care for our children. The evil one is always trying to feed us the seedy things of this world, things that will only harm us. The familiar story of the prodigal son illustrates how far we can sink if we “taste” of his allurements and how our Heavenly Father longs for us to return to Him. (Luke 15) The younger son turned from his father’s tender love and care, left home, and spent all of his inheritance on trifles. He believed the devil’s promise of a life of worldly pleasure and prosperity, but soon he was left alone, penniless, in rags, and so hungry that he wished to eat even pig slop. When he was at his lowest, this son remembered his father’s tender care and determined to return. He did not yet understand his father’s great love and thought that he would be taken back as a servant, but it was better than feeding pigs and starving to death. “But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” That loving father reinstated his wayward boy into full sonship again.
Just as that father forgave his son who had sunk so low, so our Heavenly Father forgives us when we ask Him. He bids 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.” “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Isa 1:18 Matt 11:28-30 John reminds us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 What love! What forgiveness!
May we always trust in our Heavenly Father’s love and care for us. May we determine never to partake of the devil’s seedy pleasures, for “the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov 14:12 May we love and serve the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength for He loves us more than we can ever understand. (Mark 12:30;Jer 31:3)
Rose