Some years ago, while rowing on Lake Goguac [in Michigan] with my husband, we saw a beautiful lily, I asked my husband to get it for me, and to pluck it with as long a stem as he could. He did so, and I examined it. In the stem was a channel through which flowed the nourishment best suited to the development of the lily. This nourishment it took, refusing the vileness with which it was surrounded. It had a connection with the sand far below the surface, and from there drew the sustenance which caused it to develop … its loveliness.
Christ says, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (Matthew 6:28, 29). No artist can produce the beautiful tints which God gives to the flowers. “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” (verse 30).
Nature is our lesson book. Christ used the objects of nature to impress truth on the minds of His hearers…. “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? … for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (verses 31-34).
Let us do all we can to show our children that there is a heaven to win and a hell to shun. Let us teach them to strive for everlasting life…. Bring your children up in the admonition of the Lord, and you have fitted them to work in the church, you have fitted them to go forth into missionary fields, you have fitted them to shine in the courts of the Lord.
Parents, do not try to follow the ever-changing fashions of the degenerate age. It does not pay. At the last day God will ask you, “What have you done with My flock, My beautiful flock?” How will you answer Him if you have betrayed your trust? For Christ’s sake I beseech of you to guard your children. Do not be cross or hasty. Give them happy things to think of….
Strive with all the power God has given you to gain the crown of everlasting life, that you may cast it at the feet of the Redeemer, and touching the golden harp, fill all heaven with rich music.—Manuscript 31, April 14, 1901, “The Christian Life.”
The Upward Look p. 118
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Esther’s friend, Dannie, as she and her family travels across country to locate in a new area. Rose
—-Please pray for my good friend Amby.She has just suffered a heart attack and is in need of open heart surgery being airlifted to ____ many prayers needed. Julie
—-Please pray for my friend’s wife Allison. She has terminal cancer. They have a preschool age daughter. Laura
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
When Eileen was a little girl, she wanted to have a plant all of her own. Since we were very poor at the time, I could not afford to buy one, so I suggested that she plant a grapefruit seed from the grapefruit that she was eating. Soon it became a little tree. Over the years, as we moved from place to place, Eileen nurtured that tree repotting it when it grew too big for its pot. It grew and grew until it was in a very large pot and had to be trimmed occasionally or it would have gone through the roof.
So it is with God’s Word. When we receive it into our heart, it can grow into something beautiful, or it can wither and die. It is our choice. As we open the pages of our Great Redeemer’s Holy Book, we learn His will for our life. We can choose to follow His will. If we do, Jeremiah’s experience can be ours. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jer 15:16 David says, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.” “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psa 119:12,105
As we meditate upon His precepts, they become a part of us, the fruit of the Spirit love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” becomes a part of our life and shines forth to those around Gal 5:22-25 As our Great Creator recreates us, He bids us to share His great love with others. When our Dear Saviour was returning to His Father’s House, He gave a commission to His disciples. This commission is also for us today. He said, “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Acts 1:8; Matt 28:18-20
How our Dear Saviour longs to work through us to fulfill His great commission that His followers may grow and spread throughout the world just as that grapefruit seed has become a tree. How patiently He waits for us to allow Him to use us to further His Great Kingdom of Love. Jesus spoke of this very thing. “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” Matt 13:31,32
Jeremiah describes those who follow the Word, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” Jer 17:7,8 It is not an easy work, but we have the promise, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psa 126:5,6
As we bring others to the foot of the cross, our joy is full. As they in turn win others, how quickly the light shines forth. Soon Jesus can come. Soon we, and those we’ve brought to our Dear Saviour, will “be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thes 4:17 Think of it! Walking with Jesus, following Him whithersoever He goes,(Rev 14:4) not alone, but with those we have brought to Him. What a joyous day that will be!
May we allow God’s Word to germinate and grow within our heart. May we spread His Good News of salvation far and wide. May we soon see our Loving Saviour face to face is my prayer.
Rose
Nature Is Our Lesson Book