For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20.
The precious Bible is the garden of God, and His promises are the lilies, and the roses, and the pinks.
How I wish that we might all believe in the promises of God…. We are not to look into our hearts for a joyful emotion as an evidence of our acceptance with Heaven, but we are to take God’s promises and say, “They are mine. The Lord is letting His Holy Spirit rest upon me. I am receiving the light; for the promise is, ‘Believe that ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them.’ By faith I reach within the veil and lay hold of Christ, my strength. I thank God that I have a Saviour.”
The Scriptures are to be received as God’s word to us, not written merely, but spoken. When the afflicted ones came to Christ, He beheld not only those who asked for help, but all who throughout the ages should come to Him in like need and with like faith. When He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee”; when He said to the woman of Capernaum, “Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace,” He spoke to other afflicted, sin-burdened ones who should seek His help.
So with all the promises of God’s Word. In them He is speaking to us individually, speaking as directly as if we could listen to His voice. It is in these promises that Christ communicates to us His grace and power. They are leaves from that tree which is “for the healing of the nations.” Received, assimilated, they are to be the strength of the character, the inspiration and sustenance of the life.
Let youth grasp the hand of infinite power. Faith grows by exercise. Feed upon the promises; be content to rely on the simple promise of God’s Word.
Hang in memory’s hall the precious words of Christ. They are to be valued far above silver or gold.
Faith I Live By p. 9
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray Healing, Deliverance, Restoration and Abundant Provision for Maria, her family, and all of her loved ones. Edward
—–Please pray for my brother, Sam. He had colon surgery Friday and is still in ICU. Fran
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Dear Friends,
Dear Friends,
When Esther Marie was six, she and Ronnie Jay loved playing in the field behind our house. There were lots of tall weeds in the field and they pretended they were in a jungle. It was not the best place for her to play, however. Because of having had meningitis a few months before, Esther could not see up close very well and was always getting prickers from those weeds in her eyes.
One time, the prickerhad stuck into her eyeball. Try as I might, I just could not get that tiny straw-colored object out. By strong magnification, the doctor was able to see it and remove the offending object. Then the doctor gave me some ointment to put into Esther’s eye.
How she hated that ointment! Being only six, she did not really understand why she needed it. She just knew that it stung, so she hated it. Esther would hide from me whenever it was time to put it into her eye. It was quite a challenge to find her. She was very good at hiding. She could curl up into a tiny ball in some out-of-sight place, hold very still, and be very quiet. But even though she hid, she would eventually be found and have that miserable stuff put into her eye.
We are all in need of spiritual eyesalve even more than was Esther Marie. How much we need that spiritual eyesalve! It is of utmost importance to know what is truth. Our whole future depends upon it. The True Witness counsels us to receive that eyesalve from Him, that we may have the discernment so needed when every wind of doctrine is blowing. He says, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Rev 3:18 The eyesalve that He offers us does not hurt and sting our eyes like the medicine that Esther had to take. It gives us the discernment to detect the devises of the enemy of souls. It helps us to see the traps he lays for our feet. The devil attempts to counterfeit all the wonderful gifts that our Great Creator has provided for us.
Often times he uses others to lead us astray. Only with the Heavenly eyesalve can we turn from these deceptive influences. God tells us His feelings about those who lead His people into the wrong paths, “Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness, yet I sent them not, nor commanded them” Jer 23:32 Jesus warns us, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.” Matt 7:15,16, 24:24
Jesus gives us the key to discernment, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God” John 7:17 And how can we do this? Just before going to the cross, Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them through Thy truth. Thy Word is truth.” 17:17 David explains, “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” Ps 119:104 “Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.” vs. 11 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Ps 19:7-11
May we ask our Great Redeemer for the eyesalve that He freely offers. May we read His Word and obey it that we may have that discernment necessary to stand in these last days. May we test all that we read, all that we hear with God’s Holy Word knowing that “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa 8:20
Rose