Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1.
God’s ambassadors must be an example to the unbelieving world and to the flock of God in words, in spirit, and in character. They must be one in heart. Christ prayed to His Father that this might be, and they are to answer that prayer in doing God’s will, in loving one another, in esteeming one another—not continually looking for slights, and watching to find something to which they can take exception. If they are looking to Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of their faith, they will not be regarding their precious selves with so much solicitude. They will be waiting and diligently hearkening to receive their orders from the Captain of their salvation, and they will not be saying, as did Peter, “Lord, and what shall this man do?” Christ said to Peter, “What is that to thee? follow thou me” (John 21:21, 22). We must not take our eyes off Jesus…. God has given to every man his work. When He gives to His servant a special work to do, what a pity it is that he will take up so many burdens that God has not appointed to him, but to some others to bear, and go on grumbling and complaining. What tongue can tell, what pen can trace and unfold, the mighty moral results of looking with earnest believing hearts unto Jesus, our Helper? “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). What a grand victory! Beholding, you become a changed man. Consider this: We behold, and catch the bright beams in the face of Jesus Christ. We receive as much as we can bear. Let us not stop to quarrel over circumstances, but keep Christ in view. Through the transforming power of the Holy Ghost we become assimilated to the image of the blessed Object we behold. Do not murmur nor find fault. Looking unto Jesus, the image of Christ is engraven upon the soul and reflected back in spirit, in words, in true service for our fellow beings. Christ’s joy is in our hearts, and our joy is full. This is true religion. Let us make sure to obtain it, and to be kind, to be courteous, to have love in the soul—that kind of love which flows forth and is expressed in good works, which is a light to shine to the world, and which makes our joy full.—Manuscript 26, September 11, 1889, “An Appeal for Unity and Harmony.”
The Upward Look p. 268
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for the firefighters who are fighting the fires in the western states. Connie
—-Please pray that David will be willing to get the help he needs. Buck
—-Please remember my nephew in prayer. He’s tested positive for Covid19. Monique
—-Please be praying that my heart medication is covered by insurance. It is the last resort for medication to try. Victoria
—-My best friend Mary’s grandson Noah is having surgery tomorrow. He has a tongue tied mouth and his cheeks are attached too. He is only 2 years old and all prayers are appreciated. Linda
—-please help me pray for Ginette who has been sick for two weeks and is now hospitalized! Y
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Dear Friends,
When I was young, I had a friend named June. Over the years, we had times when we were in the same class. We thoroughly enjoyed those times. When we were in high school in Physical Science, we got to sit side by side in the front row. That was so much fun! Whenever we dared, we would whisper and giggle about everything and anything. We got to choose lab partners, so we choose each other and had a great time doing the required experiments together.
During lab, we all were allowed to talk freely; so, of course, June and I always chatted happily as we did the experiments. One day, however, things became a little bit too exciting. While pouring a fairly mild (thankfully) acid into the beaker I was holding, June began laughing at something I had said. She laughed so hard that her hands became unsteady causing the acid to run down the side of the beaker I was holding. Immediately, I stuck my hands into the stream of continuously running water that was between our workstations. All seemed to be fine at first, but a little later the skin on the back of my right hand became yellow and hard and began to crack as I moved it. Eventually, new skin replaced the old and I had no lasting damage, but for awhile it was uncomfortable.
How often we “pour acid” upon others, that does far more damage and lasts far longer than what June accidentally did to me. How often the damage done through our words can never be undone. Solomon tells us, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Prov 18:8 God commands, “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people.” Lev 19:16 “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” David sang, “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? . . . He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” Psa 15:1, 3; 34:13
How often we “pour” another type of “acid” upon those around us. Peter speaks of this “acid” as being a busybody, a meddler. He advises, “let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” 1 Peter 4:15 Think of it! Meddling in others’ lives is listed alongside the sins of murder, thievery, and evildoing. “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth.” Rom 14:4 No matter how pure our motives might be, when we force our ideas upon others, when we meddle in their lives, we have overstepped our bounds. Indeed, our Heavenly Father does not even do so. He never forces His will upon us. Instead, He gently leads us into the way in which we should go, hoping that we will choose the right way.
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers.” 1 Peter 3:8-12
Rose
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