He Sends Angel Watchers

Heaven is brought near to earth by that mystic ladder, the base of which is firmly planted on the earth, while the topmost round reaches the throne of the Infinite. Angels are constantly ascending and descending this ladder of shining brightness, bearing the prayers of the needy and distressed to the Father above, and bringing blessing and hope, courage and help, to the children of men. These angels of light create a heavenly atmosphere about the soul, lifting us toward the unseen and the eternal. We cannot behold their forms with our natural sight; only by spiritual vision can we discern heavenly things. The spiritual ear alone can hear the harmony of heavenly voices…. Again and again have angels talked with men as a man speaketh with a friend, and led them to places of security. Again and again have the encouraging words of angels renewed the drooping spirits of the faithful, and carrying their minds above the things of earth, caused them to behold by faith the white robes, the crowns, the palm branches of victory, which overcomers will receive when they surround the great white throne.

It is the work of the angels to come close to the tried, the suffering, the tempted. They labor untiringly in behalf of those for whom Christ died.—The Acts of the Apostles, 153.

While angels drink from the fountain-head, the saints on earth drink of the pure streams flowing from the throne, the streams that make glad the city of our God. O that we could all realize the nearness of heaven to earth! … Let us remember that our praises are supplemented by the choirs of the angelic host above.—Testimonies for the Church 6:366.
With God at Dawn p.317
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue praying for my friend Jenny. She finally made it home from dealing with her parent’s estate. She’s absolutely exhausted and can’t seem to get back into her schedule at home and she feels like she hadn’t been able to just go through her feelings and deal with her grief. . . .She just needs prayers, some rest, and strength. Jennifer
—-Please pray for my son and myself as we are going through a difficult time. Sally
—-Please pray for David’s salvation and mental healing. Pray for his family also. Buck
—-Prayers for my husband. He got a call yesterday about a university that wants to fly him to Texas for an interview. I want to go where God leads, so prayers that if this is in God’s will, the doors all open, and we be at peace with the leading. If not, may they close and we have peace about it. Jennifer
—-Please pray for dear young lady who is looking to marry a man who abuses her with constant belittlement! Ann
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Dear Friends,

There are so many talented people in this world. There are so many to whom God has entrusted intelligence, musical ability, creativeness in the arts or science. Yet how few use those God-given gifts for Him. Most make ship-wreck of their lives.

Such a person was Donnie K. My mother was a teen when he was born. He was such a beautiful baby that even my mother, who normally didn’t like babies or children, was attracted to him. As he grew to be a toddler, he would turn around during the sermon and stare at my mother with his big brown eyes. She would wiggle her fingers at him and smile much to Donnie’s delight.

As the years went by, Donnie’s talent for singing became apparent. Often he sang for church through his childhood and teen years. Sadly, so many of the members made over him so much that he began to foster a love for praise and attention. In his heart, he began to desire to become a star as a singer of worldly music rather than use his talent for Jesus.

When I was eight, he and a friend took my mother and me down to Nashville, Tennessee to spend the Christmas holiday going to the Grand Old Oprey and visiting some of the other tourist events they sponsored. Donnie and his friend left us there on their way to a gig in some small nightclub in Florida. He was full of dreams of that stardom he craved.

Donnie never reached the fame that he was sure he deserved, but spent his life in small clubs singing for people whose minds were clouded by alcohol. He was not really happy. Success always eluded him. He had no family, no true friends, nothing but what he could carry in his car. His was a wasted life. When he got older, he went back to his hometown, but because of his sinful lifestyle, his family did not want his bad influence to cause their children and grandchildren to become like him. He rented a small apartment and there he stayed until he died. Such a sad ending to a life that held such promise had he only used his talents for Jesus.

Jesus told a story about our use of the talents He has given to each of us. “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 25:14-30

May we praise Him for His goodness in entrusting us with His bountiful gifts. May we dedicate our life to our Great Creator and use our talents only for Him. And as we do so, may we “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

Rose