Keep Your Armor On

The history of John affords a striking illustration of the way in which God can use aged workers. When John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos, there were many who thought him to be past service, an old and broken reed, ready to fall at any time. But the Lord saw fit to use him still. Though banished from the scenes of his former labor, he did not cease to bear witness to the truth. Even in Patmos he made friends and converts. His was a message of joy, proclaiming a risen Saviour….

The most tender regard should be cherished for those whose life interest has been bound up with the work of God. These aged workers have stood faithful amid storm and trial. They may have infirmities, but they still possess talents that qualify them to stand in their place in God’s cause. Though worn, and unable to bear the heavier burdens that younger men can and should carry, the counsel they can give is of the highest value.

They may have made mistakes, but from their failures they have learned to avoid errors and dangers, and are they not therefore competent to give wise counsel? They have borne test and trial, and though they have lost some of their vigor, the Lord does not lay them aside. He gives them special grace and wisdom…. The Lord desires the younger laborers to gain wisdom, strength, and maturity by association with these faithful men….

As those who have spent their lives in the service of Christ draw near to the close of their earthly ministry, they will be impressed by the Holy Spirit to recount the experiences they have had in connection with the work of God. The record of His wonderful dealings with His people, of His great goodness in delivering them from trial, should be repeated to those newly come to the faith. God desires the old and tried laborers to stand in their place, doing their part to save men and women from being swept downward by the mighty current of evil. He desires them to keep the armor on till He bids them lay it down.
Conflict and Courage p. 362
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for both Esther and Eileen as they are sick. Rose
—–Please keep me in prayer for strength
My father went in with a kidney stone in horrific pain
My new mom went in with a bad infection
And now my grandma fell and broke her hip and is having surgery
Please pray for my family. Shannon
—–prayer warriors, I just found out that I am losing my job in 30 to 60 days. A job I have had 17 years. I now need a new job. Ann
—–Please pray for Renee and her family. Her son was hit and killed by a car. Diane
—–Please help me pray ,I’ve been suffering bone illness and gouty athritis for almost 2 years..Sometimes it is very much painful. Editha
—–Please pray for Riana, 12 y.o, in Craiova, Romania. She is a member of the SDA church there. Just received news that she was hit by a car, and now is in coma. Very minimum chance to survive, I was told. She is a sweet girl, the only child, comes from a wonderful family. Mentari
—–Please say a prayer for me. I am scheduled to do two Sabbath programs October 7 in NC on Ellen White. Satan is not happy about it. I have hurt my arm on two door latches which caused a lot of bleeding. Just now I tripped in the kitchen and really hit my right knee in the fall. These are not usual happenings. I keep praying “I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me!” I was already praying to make it through God’s strength with my asthma. Coleen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,

Many years ago, Mrs. Russell was taking the train home from visiting a friend. When the train stopped at a station along the way, a beautiful, well-dressed young lady with a tiny baby boarded the train. She looked around at all the passengers and decided to sit beside Mrs. Russell. As the train pulled out of the station, the two women began to talk. Mrs. Russell was admiring the baby and before long the young lady asked her if she would please hold him while she went to the restroom. The train stopped at a station and more passengers got on. Some got off. Mrs. Russell talked to the baby and waited for his mother to come back. A half an hour passed. No mother. Forty-five minutes went by. She did not return.

Finally, Mrs. Russell stopped the conductor as he was walking by. She explained that the baby’s mother had not returned from the restroom and she was worried. The conductor checked. The restroom was empty. Then he remembered that the young lady had left the train at the last stop.
The conductor and the woman took the beautiful blanket off the little baby boy. Pinned to his garment was a note. It said, “Please care for my dear baby. When he is 21, he is to go to this bank in Chicago. At that time he will be told who he is and given enough money to go through the university.

When the train arrived in Battle Creek, Mrs. Russell took the baby to the authorities. She got permission to keep the baby and raise him as her own When James Russell was 21, Mrs. Russell told him this story. He was shocked and horrified! All his life, he had thought she was his real mother. Now he found that his real mother had abandoned him. He was repulsed and sickened by the whole situation. After thinking about it. He decided that he did not want to know who he was. He did not want his real mother’s money. Mrs. Russell had loved him. She had raised him. She was his mother: not the one who gave him birth.

When my mother was a little girl, she lived next door to James Russell. He was a bent-over, white-haired old man who walked on crutches because he had arthritis so badly. He had lived his life as a common laborer in a small house, when he could have had a good education and great riches. When I was a little girl, I used to look at his picture. He and his wife were standing on the steps of their very small wooden house. I would think of the mansion he could have had. It was within his reach. All he had to do was ask for it. But he would not..

Our Heavenly Father has provided a “bank account” for us, yet how many are like Jack and refuse to accept His Great Gift. All that can be done for mankind’s salvation has been done. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 It is probably the most familiar verse, but so full of meaning. Jesus is the “way, the truth, and the life.” He says, “No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” John 14:6 How our Dear Saviour longs for us to accept His great provision. How He desires us to put our hand in His and allow Him to give us His great gifts of love. He assures us, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.” Isa 49:15,16 “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isa 45:22 “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jer 31:3

May we never turn away from His marvelous grace. Let us accept His promise, “Ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and ye shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Luke 11:9 May we love Him with all our heart , and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength,” is my prayer. Mark 12:33

Rose