Now Is the Time for Preparation

Those professed believers who come up to the time of trouble unprepared, will, in their despair, confess their sins before the world in words of burning anguish, while the wicked exult over their distress. The case of all such is hopeless. When Christ stands up, and leaves the most holy place, the time of trouble commences, the case of every soul is decided, and there will be no atoning blood to cleanse from sin and pollution. As Jesus leaves the most holy, He speaks in tones of decision and kingly authority: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:11, 12).

Those who have delayed a preparation for the day of God cannot obtain it in the time of trouble, or at any future period. The righteous will not cease their earnest, agonizing cries for deliverance. They cannot bring to mind any particular sins; but in their whole life they can see little good. Their sins have gone beforehand to judgment, and pardon has been written. Their sins have been borne away into the land of forgetfulness, and they cannot bring them to remembrance. Certain destruction threatens them, and, like Jacob, they will not suffer their faith to grow weak because their prayers are not immediately answered. Though suffering the pangs of hunger, they will not cease their intercessions. They lay hold of the strength of God, as Jacob laid hold of the angel; and the language of their soul is “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me” (Genesis 32:26).

That season of distress and anguish will require an effort of earnestness and determined faith that can endure delay and hunger, and will not fail under weakness, though severely tried. The period of probation is the time granted to all to prepare for the day of God.—The Signs of the Times, November 27, 1879.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 343
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Peter as he has covid. Also pray for some friends who are also sick with it. Rose
—-Please pray for me. I need to find good loving homes for three puppies that I have. Pease pray that God will help me to do this soon. I am having a hard time taking care of them with my fractured spine. Connie
—-Please pray for my wife, Laurie, she’s been sick for a week and her breathing is off and on and she’s feeling terribly weak! We don’t know what this is. David
—-Continued prayers for Maya. She has now been diagnosed with severe osteoporosis. With her medical conditions, it’s now surprising. She will be getting injections every few months, and with all her medical conditions she is likely to have side effects. But she is in terrible pain in her bones now, so the possible benefit is outweighing and side effects. On a plus side, she has to take the injections at the cancer hospital, so if there are complications, they should be prepared for them… Prayers that it is a quick treatment (30 minutes rather than the potential 3 hours) and that she can have some relief from her pain. She is 5 but non-verbal. She does use a device to help with communication, but how can a 5-year-old describe that sort of pain as opposed to a bump or small booboo? Oh, and they were finally able to get her a proper hospital bed that she cannot climb out of, but also is proper height for mom and dad to care for her without her rolling out of bed. She also got a new chair and was happy it was her favorite color. I know previously I had mentioned that insurance was fighting the bed, and the one they would approve had a very low profile, causing mom to have to bend way over, I think about 2ft off the ground, or just above mom Jenny’s knees. Jennifer
—-I’m asking for prayer for my husband. Hes having some weight loss and trembling in his hands. Heather
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Dear Friends,

There were times when my grandfather worked two jobs to provide for us. I missed my grandfather greatly during those times. Winter evenings were especially long and boring without his companionship. Occasionally, my grandmother would unpack her stereoscope to entertain me. How I looked forward to that treat! Each card had two identical photographs printed side by side. When placed in the stereoscope’s slot and viewed through the eyepiece, a three-dimensional picture would appear. It was joy for me to view far off places and people in old-fashioned clothes doing old-fashioned things. I would look at these wonders with awe. I knew that I had to handle these objects with the utmost care, as they were irreplaceable.

Studying God’s Holy Word is much like looking through that stereoscope. The Holy Spirit revealed to patriarchs and prophets great messages for those around them. These great messages were not only for them but for us as well. Reading the Bible from cover to cover is fine as far as it goes, but as we compare what each of the Bible writers had to say upon a certain subject, we get the depth of meaning that just one text could not give. Isaiah tells us that in studying it, “precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” Isa 28:10

Paul tells us that the Holy Scriptures “are able to make [us] wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim 3:15-17

How important it is, therefore, that we diligently study, by comparing text with text, God’s Great Love Letter to us. It is the “sword of the Spirit.” Eph 6:17 By it, our Dear Saviour defeated the devil during the wilderness temptations. Over and over again He answered, “It is written.” (Matt 4:1-11 ) How His Great Heart of Love longs for us to follow His example of using the Scriptures to defeat the foe. He tells us, “blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:28 David sang, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Ps 19:7-10

May we “study to show [ourselves] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we, as we compare “spiritual things with spiritual” behold the wondrous things God longs to impart to us. (1 Cor 2:13; Ps 119:18) May we meditate daily upon the Scriptures and “give [ourselves] wholly to them; that [our] profiting may appear to all.” 1 Tim 4:15

Rose