Let Your Religion Show

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:15
Abraham was honored by the surrounding nations as a mighty prince and a wise and able chief. He did not shut away his influence from his neighbors. His life and character, in their marked contrast with those of the worshipers of idols, exerted a telling influence in favor of the true faith. His allegiance to God was unswerving, while his affability and benevolence inspired confidence and friendship and his unaffected greatness commanded respect and honor.
His religion was not held as a precious treasure to be jealously guarded and enjoyed solely by the possessor. True religion cannot be thus held, for such a spirit is contrary to the principles of the gospel. While Christ is dwelling in the heart it is impossible to conceal the light of His presence, or for that light to grow dim. On the contrary, it will grow brighter and brighter as day by day the mists of selfishness and sin that envelop the soul are dispelled by the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness.
The people of God are His representatives upon the earth, and He intends that they shall be lights in the moral darkness of this world. Scattered all over the country, in the towns, cities, and villages, they are God’s witnesses, the channels through which He will communicate to an unbelieving world the knowledge of His will and the wonders of His grace. It is His plan that all who are partakers of the great salvation shall be missionaries for Him. The piety of the Christian constitutes the standard by which worldlings judge the gospel. Trials patiently borne, blessings gratefully received, meekness, kindness, mercy, and love, habitually exhibited, are the lights that shine forth in the character before the world, revealing the contrast with the darkness that comes of the selfishness of the natural heart.
Conflict and Courage p. 59
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Prayer Requests
—– We found a perfect place to live. Please pray that if It is God’s will we will get the place. Debbie
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Dear Friends,
Two weeks before my tenth birthday, my mother married a man who was an alcoholic. My life became almost unbearable. After nearly four years he left in the middle of the night taking everything of value in the house except my mother’s guitar and amplifier. It was a relief to have him gone, but things did not get better for us in other ways. My mother had to sell her guitar and amp just so we could have food. Our landlord would not wait for the rent until my mother found a job, so we had to find a very cheap apartment. Life was very difficult.
Even though we were far from Jesus, He was near to us. I had been taught to pray the “Now I lay me down to sleep….” prayer and as I got older, I added my own words, and had a sort of faith in Him. He accepted that tiny spark of faith as the best I could offer. There were many times that He protected us in that crummy apartment over a music store, where our neighbors had long before chosen the “seamy sort” of life. He helped my mother find work, even though she did not recognize it as a blessing from Him. Eventually we could move to a better place. Life was still a struggle, and there were many times there was nothing to eat in the apartment except a little flour and sugar. But through it all, God protected us waiting and longing for the time when we would come to Him.
Jesus, speaking of His Heavenly Father, said, “for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt 5:45 God loves each person in this world whether they love Him back or not. His Spirit draws them, leading them into circumstances that will give them an opportunity to choose His way. He showers His blessings upon them even though they don’t know the Source of all blessings. His assuring words to each of us are, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” “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; thy walls are continually before me.” Jer 31:3 ; Ps 49:15,16
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:1-3 How loving and kind He is! He not only makes us His sons [a position, not gender], but, by beholding Him through meditating upon His Holy Word, He we become more and more like Him. (1 Cor 13:12)
May we come to Him now while we still have the opportunity. May we allow Him to change us into His likeness. May we share His love with others that they, too, may accept His Great Salvation is my prayer.
Rose