And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. Luke 5:13, 14.
The remark is often made, by one and another, “Why depend so much on sanitariums? Why do we not pray for the miraculous healing of the sick, as the people of God used to do?” In the early history of our work many were healed by prayer. And some, after they were healed, pursued the same course in the indulgence of appetite that they had followed in the past. They did not live and work in such a way as to avoid sickness. They did not show that they appreciated the Lord’s goodness to them. Again and again they were brought to suffering through their own careless, thoughtless course of action. How could the Lord be glorified in bestowing on them the gift of health?
When the light came that we should have a sanitarium, the reason was plainly given. There were many who needed to be educated in regard to healthful living. A place must be provided to which the sick could be taken, where they could be taught how to live so as to preserve health….
Lectures should be diligently kept up as a means of teaching the patients how to prevent disease by a wise course of action. By means of these lectures the patients may be shown the responsibility resting on them to keep the body in the most healthful condition because it is the Lord’s purchased possession. Mind, soul, and body are bought with a price…. “Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20)….
In the providence of God, instruction has been given that sanitariums be established, in order that the sick may be drawn to them, and learn how to live healthfully. The establishment of sanitariums is a providential arrangement, whereby people from all churches are to be reached, and made acquainted with the saving truth for this time.—Manuscript Releases 7:378, 379.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 201
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Prayer Requests
—-E has come to a pivotal point and I ask that God will work all things out for her and her children’s good. R
—- My daughter Jennifer’s boyfriend of 4 years just had an aneurism and they are trying to help him at the moment. His name is Ramsey and is only 41. Kristen
—-Please pray for my son who is filled with hate and refuses to believe in God. Dan
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, Ronnie Jay brought cable TV to our house. I enjoyed a few programs that I hadn’t seen before. One of them was a program where people bought an old home and found many clues as to who had lived in the house over the years. Some occupants had been famous, others not so well known. Some of the antiques, letters, and paintings found when remodeling were worth thousands: others were only interesting because they are part of the history of the home.
Some of those homes were like the old Victorian-style house my great-aunt lived in after her husband died. The house was really not hers but her daughter and son-in-law owned it. They made an apartment for her in her need. Even after Dorothy died, Ed allowed her to stay there and provided for her needs. (She lived there until she was about 88, when a massive stroke made it necessary to place her in a private care home.)
When I was a little girl, I used to love to visit Auntie Blanche. I would climb the stairs to her apartment with anticipation because I knew that she always had something special for me to do, or to taste, or to see. One of my favorite things was to visit the large room upstairs beside her apartment that had been the ballroom. Painted on the walls were ladies in their beautiful evening gowns and gentlemen in their tuxedos. I could almost hear the music they seemed so real. It was empty and dark since Dorothy had died, but I would often wander around in it and imagine happier days.
There are treasures found in God’s Word much more valuable than anything found in these old homes from yesteryear. The treasure found therein brings everlasting joy rather than the fleeting pleasures the homes’ occupants had enjoyed. Jesus speaks of these treasures. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matt 13:44-46 That treasure is His Holy Word and all the promises that it contains. How important it is that we set aside all that interferes with our digging deep within its pages. We should, with joy, anticipate the discoveries that await us for they point to “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”. John 14:6
As we open its pages, we can hear the Author say to us, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jer 33:3 Each time we read, the same Holy Spirit, Who inspired holy men to write the Scriptures, is there to enlighten our minds with the truth contained therein. Jesus promised, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. John 16:13-15
By His Word we are changed and sanctified. What a treasure that is! Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17 The Psalmist David says, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. . . .Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. . . . Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Ps 119:89-91,105,133
God’s Word is above every other book. It is God’s message of love and hope and joy for each of us. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jer 15:16
May we spend time in His Word each day. May we be guided by its precepts. May we be filled with His Spirit as we discover the great and marvelous treasures He has there for us is my prayer.
Rose