And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:17, 18.
John, exiled upon the Isle of Patmos, . . . hears a voice saying, “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last” (Revelation 1:11). At the sound of the voice John falls down in astonishment as if dead. He is unable to bear the sight of the divine glory. But a hand raises John up, and the voice he remembers as the voice of his Master. He is strengthened and can endure to talk with the Lord Jesus.
So will it be with the remnant people of God who are scattered– some in the mountain fastnesses, some exiled, some pursued, some persecuted. When the voice of God is heard and the brightness of the glory is revealed, when the trial is over, the dross removed, they know they are in the presence of One who has redeemed them by His own blood. Just what Christ was to John in his exile He will be to His people who are made to feel the hand of oppression for the faith and testimony of Jesus Christ. . . . These were driven by the storm and tempest of persecution to the crevices of the rocks, but were hiding in the Rock of Ages; and in the fastnesses of the mountains, in the caves and dens of the earth, the Saviour reveals His presence and His glory. Yet a little while, and He that is to come will come and will not tarry. His eyes as a flame of fire penetrate into the fast-closed dungeons and hunt out the hidden ones, for their names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. These eyes of the Saviour are above us, around us, noting every difficulty, discerning every danger; and there is no place where His eyes cannot penetrate, no sorrows and sufferings of His people where the sympathy of Christ does not reach. . . .
The child of God will be terror-stricken at the first sight of the majesty of Jesus Christ. He feels that he cannot live in His holy presence. But the word comes to him as to John, “Fear not.” Jesus laid His right hand upon John; He raised him up from his prostrate position. So will He do unto His loyal, trusting ones.
That I May Know Him p. 360
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Prayer Requests
—– I have a request. For about a month now I have been asking the Lord to give me a discerning spirit when it comes to people & their motives. I feel as if there are many times that I am taken advantage of & I really want to be able to stand against those attacks with God’s favor on me. I am also going to ask that you pray He gives me direct wisdom on how to handle any & all situations that arise. There are currently some things I am wrestling with & I just want to make sure I handle them how the Lord wants me too. Also, for Him to give me the courage I need to follow through with what He wants me to do. J.
—–Please pray for Jim who broke his back after falling 16 feet. Surgery is today. Carol
—–Please pray that God will supply all the needs of Healing Leaves ministry so that they may expand their work in India. Rose
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Dear Friends
When Ronnie Jay had become too old to play with toys, he boxed his favorite ones up to save for the future when he will marry and have children. One day some years ago when he was cleaning his closet, he happened upon that box. With feelings of nostalgia, he opened it. Among the toys was the little glo bug that had given him so much pleasure when he was a little boy. As he looked at it, he began to wonder if it still glowed in the dark. After he had let the “bug” sit on his computer desk for awhile, he turned off his light. Sure enough! That little glo bug began to glow as in former days. Ronnie Jay was amazed that it had kept its phosphorescence all those years.
Just as that toy glo bug is still glowing, so we are to do the same. Whatever our circumstances, we have the privilege of shining for Jesus. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16
The Great Light of the World desires us to reflect His Light to those around us who are in darkness. Isaiah prophesied, “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.” Isa 60:2 Solomon observed, “the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” Prov 4:18, 19
That old song by Mary Bernstecher reminds us of our duty.
Send out a light as you go your way, A beacon of hope when shadows are gray; Send out a light that for Jesus will shine, Proving to others God’s mercy divine.
Send out a light, a radiant light, That will pierce thro’ the gloom Of someone’s dark night, Send out a light, a bright beaming light, Send out a light for Jesus.
Send out a light when your burdens press, And show to the world that Jesus will bless; Thro’ darkest sorrows and bitterest pain, Send out a light—it will not shine in vain.
Send out a light, a radiant light, That will pierce thro’ the gloom Of someone’s dark night, Send out a light, a bright beaming light, Send out a light for Jesus.
Send out a light unto those who stray, All heedless along destruction’s highway; Point them to pathways of purer delight, And let your life daily send out a light.
Send out a light, a radiant light, That will pierce thro’ the gloom Of someone’s dark night, Send out a light, a bright beaming light, Send out a light for Jesus.
May we put into practice Paul’s words, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life.” “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” Phil 2:15, 16; Eph 5:8 May we always shine for Jesus is my prayer.
Rose