But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33.
This promise will never fail. We cannot enjoy the favor of God unless we comply with the conditions upon which His favor is bestowed. By so doing there will come to us that peace, contentment, and wisdom that the world can neither give nor take away…. A humble mind and a grateful heart will elevate us above petty trials and real difficulties. The less earnest, energetic, and vigilant we are in the service of the Master, the more will the mind dwell upon self, magnifying molehills into mountains of difficulty….
The burden of God’s work, laid upon Moses, made him a man of power. While keeping, for so many years, the flocks of Jethro, he gained an experience that taught him true humility…. The command to deliver Israel seemed overwhelming; but, in the fear of God, Moses accepted the trust. Mark the result: He did not bring the work down to his deficiency; but in the strength of God he put forth the most earnest efforts to elevate and sanctify himself for his sacred mission.
Moses would never have been prepared for his position of trust had he waited for God to do the work for him. Light from heaven will come to those who feel the need of it, and who seek for it as for hidden treasures. But if we sink down into a state of inactivity, willing to be controlled by Satan’s power, God will not send His inspiration to us. Unless we exert to the utmost the powers which He has given us, we shall ever remain weak and inefficient. Much prayer and the most vigorous exercise of the mind are necessary if we would be prepared to do the work which God would entrust to us. Many never attain to the position which they might occupy, because they wait for God to do for them that which He has given them power to do for themselves. All who are fitted for usefulness, in this life must be trained by the severest mental and moral discipline, and then God will assist them by combining divine power with human effort….
Wrong habits are not overcome by a single effort. Only through long and severe struggle is self mastered.
Conflict and Courage p. 370
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Prayer Requests
—–Two of our own precious co-workers here at 3ABN, John and Idalia Dinzey, have been involved in a serious accident in Michigan. Johnny has serious sprains with both ankles and can barely walk, but it was Idalia most seriously injured with 10 broken ribs and her remaining kidney was bruised.Several years ago our sister Idalia donated one of her kidneys which complicates her injuries. Idalia sustained other injuries as well and is suffering excruciating pain, so our 3ABN family is asking our faithful Prayer Warriors to lift this precious family to our Lord and God for mercy and grace as they go through a difficult recovery period.
—–Please remember me in your prayers this Wednesday. I have been invited to speak at a local Lutheran church. In celebration of the 500th year of the Protestant reformation they are having a “parade of denominations” to educate about the Protestant reformation and its effects. I am sharing the beliefs of the Seventh day Adventist church and its history. Pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire those who hear His truth. Thank you Matthew
—–A sister from church is having stents put in her aorta tomorrow, name Phyllis, please pray the surgery is successful and she back worshipping and playing the piano for us all. Connie
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Dear Friends,
My parents were divorced when I was a baby, so I have had very little contact over the years with my dad’s side of the family. His mother had stopped by a few times over the years for an hour or so when she was in Kalamazoo to see her other grandchildren, my half-sister and brother. I had even met my half-sister once when I was seventeen, but, sadly, her mother would not allow another meeting.
In 1985, I found my father and from then till he died in 1991, talked to him on the telephone several times a year. A few years later, when we moved to Kansas, I met my Uncle Russell for the first time. I was surprised that he had known who I was throughout my life. I marveled at his acceptance of me into the family. It was as though we had always known each other, as though I had always belonged. As I sat beside him looking at a book of the family genealogy that a relative had researched, and looked at the many shoe-boxes full of family photos, my heart felt whole for the first time in my life.
Just as I had always been a part of the Buck family, so, when we accept Jesus into our heart, we belong to a larger family than any earthly family. When we open our heart’s door to Jesus, we are totally and completely “accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him.” Eph 1:6-10
Think of it! When we truly accept Jesus as our Saviour, the Great King of the Universe puts His arms around us and welcomes us into His great family. We are no longer orphans or fatherless. We become whole for the first time. We truly realize for the first time that “the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Titus 3:4-8
As we become part of the great family in heaven and earth, we delight to open His Holy Word, that we may see Him more fully see His great Self-sacrificing love for us. On its pages we read of His dealings with other members of our family, with Abraham who was saved by faith , Isaac who would not fight back although others took advantage of him , Joseph who remained faithful no matter what the price , Nehemiah who was very zealous for God and helped the people complete the wall, Daniel whose faithfulness caused him to be greatly beloved by his Heavenly Father, Zechariah who interacted with the angel who was instructing him in visions, the physician and historian Luke, the loving disciple John, the list goes on and on…. Jesus said, “And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 8:11
“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man, That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Eph 3:15-21
Rose