He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:7.
If we will put self out of sight and come into right relation to God, we will manifest a forbearance and kindness that will make us a blessing to all with whom we associate. We need to come into right relation to God, for we are not safe unless we place ourselves under the broad shield of Omnipotence. Only there can God work through us to will and to do of His good pleasure, as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling….
Many of us need a clearer understanding of what it means to be an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. We need to learn, as we follow on to know the Lord, that His going forth is prepared as the morning. You have watched the rising sun and the gradual breaking of day over the earth. Little by little the light increases till the sun appears. Then, growing constantly stronger, the light increases until we have the full glory of the day. This preparation of the morning is a beautiful illustration of what God desires to do for us in the perfecting of our Christian experience. We cannot afford to do a haphazard work in this world. We are seeking for a life that measures with the life of God….
We need to keep ever before us the course that Christ followed. It was an overcoming course. When the devil came to Him in the wilderness of temptation, bidding Him command that the stones be made bread, that He might satisfy His hunger, the Saviour, though faint from want of food, refused to follow his suggestion…. It was in the order of God that He should have this experience that He might be touched with the feelings of the hungry, and know how to sympathize with those who were suffering and in want….
As the enemy worked to overcome the Saviour, so he will work with the human family today. But in every time of trial and difficulty, remember that Christ has passed through similar experiences, and He came out from every trial without a stain of sin upon His character. He came to show what every member of the human family may become through His grace. He understands every difficulty that we must meet, and He stands ready to strengthen those who struggle with Him against the powers of evil. He waits to hear and answer their prayers.
When heaven is won, and we pass through the gates of the City of God to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant;—enter thou into the joy of thy Lord,” how small will seem the trials and difficulties that have beset our pathway here.—Manuscript 17, August 19, 1911, sermon preached at Long Beach, California.
The Upward Look p. 245
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-I have a job opportunity and need prayer that the Lord will lead whether it is the right job for me. JT
—-I feel the pain in my chest i dont know what is it. I need prayer. Pray also for my kids. Jose
—-Please pray for Mary Lou. Just admitted to hospital having a heart attack. Edmond
—-Please pray for one of our grandsons. He struggles with depression and anxiety. He needs God’s deliverance. Kathy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
Esther is twenty-two weeks pregnant and you can be assured that we are looking forward to the day when little Jonathan is born and we can hold him in our arms. Babies are so cute, and each mother thinks her baby is the cutest of all! We rejoice as we watch them grow and develop from newborn to an adult.
How much that is like the Christian life. Jesus taught a lesson to Nicodemas one night that was for us as well. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:5-7 “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth” Luke 15:7 Think of it! When we accept Jesus as our Savior, spiritually we are like a newborn babe and there is great rejoicing in Heaven much like we rejoice when a baby is born. Peter speaks of this new birth, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23
Just as a baby should grow and develop, so should the Christian be constantly growing into the image of his Redeemer. As we grow spiritually by adding “to faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity,” we will bring joy to our Redeemer’s Great Heart of Love. As we exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, as we behold Him in His Holy Word, we become more like Him. (2 Peter 1:5, 6; Gal 5:22, 23; 2 Cor 3:18)
Paul spoke to the believers in the Corinthian church about their lack of growth. “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Cor 2:1-3 When speaking to the Hebrews, he said, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Heb 5:12-14 We are in danger of being as were they. Through the neglect to fill our mind with spiritual things we become spiritually weak as is a little baby. This brings pain to the One Who gave His Life for us.
May we “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” “that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” may we “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance.” 2 Peter 3:18; Eph 4:15, 16; 6:10-18
Rose