For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Ephesians 3:14, 15.
The perception of God’s love works the renunciation of selfishness. In calling God our Father, we recognize all His children as our brethren. We are all a part of the great web of humanity, all members of one family.132Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 105.
No distinction on account of nationality, race, or caste, is recognized by God. He is the Maker of all mankind. All men are of one family by creation, and all are one through redemption. Christ came to demolish every wall of partition, to throw open every compartment of the temple courts, that every soul may have free access to God.133Prophets and Kings, 369, 370.
He came to show that His gift of mercy and love is as unconfined as the air, the light, or the showers of rain that refresh the earth.134Gospel Workers, 46.
His love is so broad, so deep, so full, that it penetrates everywhere. It lifts out of Satan’s influence those who have been deluded by his deceptions, and places them within reach of the throne of God, the throne encircled by the rainbow of promise.135Prophets and Kings, 370.
God is our Father and Governor…. The principles which rule in heaven should rule upon earth, the same love that animates the angels, the same purity and holiness that reign in heaven, should, as far as possible, be reproduced upon earth.136Testimonies for the Church 4:268.
If you call God your Father, you acknowledge yourselves His children, to be guided by His wisdom and to be obedient in all things, knowing that His love is changeless. You will accept His plan for your life. As children of God, you will hold His honor, His character, His family, His work, as the objects of your highest interest. It will be your joy to recognize and honor your relation to your Father and to every member of His family. You will rejoice to do any act, however humble, that will tend to His glory or to the well-being of your kindred.137Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 105, 106.
The Faith I Live By p. 65
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for E and her children that God will guide and provide. R
—-Asking for prayers for my nephew Tyler. His life has been a mess since childhood and is now homeless and on drugs. He feels no love and no hope. Asking for a hedge of protection around him and that he will come to the Lord where he will find both love and peace. J
—- Please pray for my son who has serious issues with his legs and not to get sepsis. He doesn’t believe in God and could die if the infection gets worse. He won’t deal with doctors. Trust issues. Pray the Lord can reach him. Connie
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Dear Friends,
When we lived in North Carolina, we lived near a large man-made lake. It was a short walk from our house to the access for those who lived near the lake. From May through October, we swam almost every day. It was not the main part of the lake where we swam. It was one of Baden Lake’s many narrow inlets.
Even though it gave the appearance of being a short way across, it was really farther than any but the most experienced swimmer could cross. Every year someone would attempt to cross it and drown. Often alcohol was involved. The drink gave them too much confidence in their ability to swim well. They did not take into consideration that others had perished trying the same feat. That would be the last thing they ever did.
Alcohol—what a scourge for mankind. It befogs the brain making rational thought impossible. It causes untold misery. Its addicts to drink up all their money with no consideration of their family’s needs. Indeed, many become so abusive that they drive their family away.
The Bible speaks of two types of wine although the translators lumped both types under the one word. It warns against fermented wine but allows the fresh juice of the grape. If you check the word out in a concordance you will find that it was the fermented kind that caused so many problems. Noah got drunk and uncovered himself. (Gen 9:21) It was when Lot was drunk that he committed the sin of incest. (Gen 19:31-38) Nadab and Abihu perished because strong drink had clouded their minds so much that they offered up strange fire unto the Lord and perished at His hand. (Lev 10:1-11)
Solomon warns, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” Pro 20:1 How accurately he describes its effects. “Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.” Prov 23:29-35 Isaiah declares, “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!” “they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.” Isa 5:11; 28:7, 8
May we determine to turn away from all that befogs the brain, that we may have a clear mind to worship our Great Redeemer is my prayer.
Rose