Unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Hebrews 4:2.
Life is a sacred trust…. Christ has given us this present time in which to prepare for the home above. Just in accordance with the life which the human agent lives in the time of probation granted him will be the decision made regarding his case by the Judge of all.
We need to realize the necessity of exercising that faith which is acceptable to God—the faith which works by love and purifies the soul. Without faith it is impossible to hear the Word in such a way as to profit by the hearing, even though it be presented in a most impressive manner….
Unless we mix faith with our hearing of the Word, unless we receive the truths we hear as a message from heaven, to be carefully studied, to be eaten by the soul and assimilated into the spiritual life, we lose the impression of the Spirit of God. We do not understand by experience what it means to find rest by receiving the divine assurances of the Word.
The importance of studying the Word cannot be overestimated. Its promises are large, and full of richness. In no case should we fail of securing the heavenly treasure. Christ is our only security. We cannot trust to human reasoning. The world is full of men and women who cherish deceptive theories, and it is dangerous to listen to them….
The religion of Jesus Christ works a reformation in life and character. The true Christian seeks constantly for the grace that changes the objectionable features of the natural character. Instead of speaking sharp, dictatorial words, he speaks the words of encouragement that Christ would speak were He in his place. He shows benevolence to all, not only to the few who may flatter him and exalt his wisdom. The purity and holiness revealed in Christ’s life radiates from the life of the true Christian.
Christians are to be light bearers in the world, shining amid the darkness of sin and crime. In the kingdom of this world, the principalities and powers that take Satan as their leader must constantly be met. Following Christ’s example of cross bearing and self-denial makes those who receive Christ children of God. “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). They are victors in the battle of life; for they have put on the new man, “which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:10).—Manuscript 30, March 2, 1902, “Christlikeness in Business Dealings.”
The Upward Look p. 75
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Haleigh. Cris
—-Going through a rough time. Please pray for God to intervene. Renee
—-My Aunt Ginger is in need of prayer. She is being sent to the hospital with a tear in her aorta. Shirley
—-Our neighbor Kim’s father and son-in-law are in the hospital. Please pray for her and the family. Rose
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Dear Friends,
One winter when we lived in Pennsylvania, it snowed so much that snow was about seven feet deep on the level. Ron decided to make Eileen, age 4, a snow cave in the back yard. He was sure that she would have many hours of fun in her own little snow house. He worked and worked to make it a fun and safe place for her. Then he and Eileen crawled inside. They played together happily. She was delighted!
Eileen really liked her snow cave, but didn’t play in it like Ron thought that she would. Day after day, the snow cave stood empty. Ron was disappointed. I urged her to play in the nice cave he had made for her, but soon she was back inside. Finally she explained that it was only fun if we were in the cave with her. She was lonely for our presence. That nice snow cave held no joy, when she was in it all alone.
It is much the same with our Great Creator, the One Who “created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited.” Isa 45:18 Think of it! His greatest joy is spending time with us. Having sweet communion with us as He had in the beginning with our first parents.
“In six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day” in that perfect world of His creation. Ex 20:11 He, Who looked upon the work of His hands and pronounced them “very good” did not create an empty world. Gen 1:31 He created beings who could spend time with Him, who could love Him, who could appreciate the gifts that He showered upon them. Each day He spent time with Adam and Eve in close fellowship. He walked through their garden with them and explained the marvels of creation to them. The fellowship and sweet harmony that they felt, filled them with joy and great happiness.
One day, however, all was different. When Adam and Eve “heard the voice of the LORD God (as He was) walking in the garden in the cool of the day (for their normal time of meeting): Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” Gen 3:8 They had listened to the evil one, who wanted to spoil God’s happiness. And through their sin, had lost that sweet face to face communion with their Maker.
God’s Great Heart of Love was filled with unutterable grief as He saw the beings that He had created in His own image, begin to take on the characteristics of the evil one. Their sweet harmony was broken. Their evening walk together in close communion was a thing of the past. The worship of all of the angels and all of the unfallen beings on all of the unfallen worlds held no joy for our Creator now. He longed to have sweet harmony with these fallen children of His as well. His Great Heart of Love could not bear the thought that they would have to bear the consequences of their sin. “Christ Jesus volunteered to make “himself of no reputation, and (take) upon him the form of a servant, and [be] made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” to restore us to fellowship with Him forevermore. Eph 2:7,8 What love! What sacrifice! It is beyond comprehension.
May we accept His marvelous grace. May we continually love Him with all of our heart, mind, and strength. May we reach out to those around us and bring them to our Dear Saviour’s feet, that they, too, may be restored into sweet harmony with the One Who loves us so.
Rose

Mix Faith With Hearing