No Compromise

In the experience of Daniel and his companions we have an instance of the triumph of principle over temptation to indulge the appetite. It shows us that through religious principle young men may triumph over the lusts of the flesh, and remain true to God’s requirements, even though it costs them a great sacrifice.

What if Daniel and his companions had made a compromise with those heathen officers, and had yielded to the pressure of the occasion, by eating and drinking as was customary with the Babylonians? That single instance of departure from principle would have weakened their sense of right and their abhorrence of wrong. Indulgence of appetite would have invoked the sacrifice of physical vigor, clearness of intellect, and spiritual power. One wrong step would probably have led to others, until, their connection with Heaven being severed, they would have been swept away by temptation….

While Daniel clung to his God with unwavering trust, the spirit of prophetic power came upon him. While he was instructed of man in the duties of court life, he was taught of God to read the mysteries of future ages, and to present to coming generations, through figures and similitudes, the wonderful things that would come to pass in the last days.49The Youth’s Instructor, June 25, 1903.

God designed that man should be constantly improving, daily reaching a higher point in the scale of excellence. He will help us, if we seek to help ourselves. Our hope of happiness in two worlds depends upon our improvement in one. At every point we should be guarded against the first approach to intemperance.

Dear youth, God calls upon you to do a work which through His grace you can do…. Show a purity of tastes, appetite, and habits that bears comparison with Daniel’s. God will reward you with calm nerves, a clear brain, an unimpaired judgment, keen perceptions. The youth of today whose principles are firm and unwavering, will be blessed with health of body, mind, and soul.
Conflict and Courage p. 248
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Chelsea as she had a horrible dream last night. The adversary presses but our Lord is bigger. Josue [Please pray for Chelsea and Josue also because they recently lost their baby.]
—–Please pray for Brenda’s mom, Mary. She’s in intensive care. Pastor D
—–update—Brittany was told her contract would not be renewed, so she chose to resign. Pray that she finds a job. Jennifer
—–Please pray for Doug. (non-medical need) Michael
—–Please pray for my daughter Camille regarding job situation. Angie
—–Please pray for my daughter Cassandra and grandson Emmanuel. Vanessa
—–Please pray for my daughter, JayDen..She has to have surgery today. Shannon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome to Rose’s Devotional

Families to Reflect the Goodness of God

As the father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those that fear him. Psalm 103:13, N.I.V.

Bring the sunshine of heaven into your conversation. By speaking words that encourage and cheer, you will reveal that the sunshine of Christ’s righteousness dwells in your soul. Children need pleasant words. It is essential to their happiness to feel approval resting upon them. Strive to overcome harshness of expression, and cultivate soft tones. Catch the beauty contained in the lessons of God’s Word, and cherish this as essential to the happiness and success of your homelife. In a happy environment the children will develop dispositions that are sweet and sunshiny.

True beauty of character is not something that shines out only on special occasions, the grace of Christ dwelling in the soul is revealed under all circumstances. He who cherishes this grace as an abiding presence in the life will reveal beauty in character under trying as well as under easy circumstances. In the home, in the world, in the church, we are to live the life of Christ. There are souls all around in need of conversion. When the law of God is written upon the heart, and is witnessed to in a holy character, those who know not the power of the grace of Christ will be led to desire it, and will be converted.

A solemn review is now taking place in the courts above. The thought of the decisions now being made in heaven should urge parents to diligence in training their children in the fear and love of God. Not by severe words and punishment for wrongdoing will the most be accomplished, but by watchfulness and prayer, lest they be taken by the snares of the enemy. . . .

Every family that has a knowledge of the truth for this time, is to make it known to others. The Lord’s people are to get ready for the doing of a special work. The children as well as the older members of the family are to act their part in seeking to save those who are perishing. From His youth Christ was, to all with whom He associated, an influence that drew them toward higher things. So the youth today may exert a power for good that will draw souls to God.

Parents need to appreciate more fully the responsibility and honor that God has placed upon them, in making them, to the child, the representative of Himself. The character revealed in the contact of daily life will interpret to the child, for good or for evil, those words of God:

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.”–Signs of the Times, Nov. 14, 1911.

Reflecting Christ p. 185

““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““

Prayer Requests

—– Please pray for ?Cookie? who works with my daughter. She has battled cancer before and is a survivor. She left for a cruise and while on the cruise wouldn?t get out of bed for two days. She has been rushed back to the states and is in intensive care. She has a tumor on her brain. Her children are beside themselves. Please pray for her, her children and those who know her and work with her. Pray that God will bring these people closer to Him and that He will guide the doctors as they make decisions for her treatment. Thank you. Bev

—–My 87 year old Grandma fell at the house Saturday night and broke her left femur. I was hoping you could help us request prayer for Marcella . I am at the hospital 24/7. Any assistance would be appreciated. Laurie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Friends,

Before Ron went to college to become an avionic technician, life was very hard. One year he had a job where he made so little that I had to go daily to the woods to pick up wood to get a little heat during the frigid Pennsylvanian winter. This was when Eileen was two. I was often tempted to feel so alone and forsaken, but I was not forsaken. My Heavenly Father saw my distress and supplied our need as He promises to do. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19 “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Ps 107:13-15

One day a church member came over to visit and saw our condition. Immediately he loaded his truck with coal and brought it to us. How good it felt to have good heat! How thankful we were for his kindness! All the rest of that winter he made sure that we had coal. Helping us was a little thing to him, but it meant much to us.

Jesus tells a parable concerning our heartfelt concern for and treatment of others in Matthew 25:31-40. “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Those righteous followers of our Dear Saviour were not helping others in order to reap a reward. No! They were moved with compassion as was their Master when He saw the multitude. “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” Matt 14:14 They responded to the needs of others from a loving heart just as He did. Our Loving Creator saw every deed done for those in need. What joy those kindnesses brought to His Great Heart of Love!

May we use the blessings that God has given us wisely. May we use our talents, our time, our financial blessings as He directs—-not for selfish desires, but for the benefit of others. May we give ourselves and all that we have to Him daily is my prayer.

Rose