Praying for a Larger Experience

I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Psalm 119:32.
The ten holy precepts spoken by Christ upon Sinai’s mount … made known to the world the fact that He had jurisdiction over the whole human heritage. That law of ten precepts of the greatest love that can be presented to man is the voice of God from heaven speaking to the soul in promise, “This do, and you will not come under the dominion and control of Satan.” There is not a negative in that law, although it may appear thus. It is DO, and Live.
The God of heaven has placed a benediction upon them that keep the commandments of God. Shall we stand as a peculiar people of God, or shall we trample upon the law of God and say it is not binding? God might just as well have abolished Himself.
His law is the echo of His own voice, giving to all the invitation, “Come up higher. Be holy, holier still.” Every day we may advance in perfection of Christian character.
As the stars tell us that there is a great light in heaven with whose glory they are made bright, so Christians are to make it manifest that there is a God on the throne of the universe whose character is worthy of praise and imitation.
The bright beams of heaven’s light are shining upon your pathway, dear youth, and I pray that you may make the most of your opportunities. Receive and cherish every heaven-sent ray, and your path will grow brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.
We gain … strength by walking in the light, that we may have energy to run in the way of God’s commandments. We may gain an increase of strength at every step we advance heavenward.
We need constantly a fresh revelation of Christ, a daily experience that harmonizes with His teachings. High and holy attainments are within our reach. Continual progress in knowledge and virtue is God’s purpose for us.
The Faith I Live By p. 95
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Prayer Requests
—-Rita’s family friend was 6 months pregnant went into premature labor, and she lost the baby yesterday morning. The mom had an extreme reaction to the anesthetic and almost died too. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. RJ
—-Please pray for a co-worker of mine that is coming to an Easter program at my church. My co-worker has never really shown any interest in God. But, my daughter invited her to come hear her sing and my coworker took off work to be there. Please pray that the beautiful story of Jesus and his love will melt this woman’s heart and she’ll give her heart to him. Jesse
—-Please to continue pray for my wife again with she has a edema in her left arm result of cancer in her breast. Jervis
—-I need lifted up in prayers. I have been so blessed that I’m not needing to take my post op narcotic pain meds for my c section recovery. I’m having a complication, like a stitch came out and I have an opening in my incision. I’m not sure what is taking home health so long yo get back with me, but I’m to get care each day (cleaning and redressing the wound). Please pray for healing and quick recovery. I’m not opposed to my pain meds, I just haven’t felt this need, as in I’m not in any pain. With this complication I don’t want to unnecessarily take the meds. Also, I’m breastfeeding and don’t want to risk passing anything to my new baby. Jennifer
—-leaving early this morning on a long drive. About 12 hrs to go get my daughter. Please pray for safety. Brenda
—–A long time classmate’s daughter is pregnant with twins and has to be bed-ridden from January to due date of April 7. Please pray for her and her babies health! RL
—-PLEASE JOIN ME in PRAYER for RUSSELL’s operation…cancer came back…he needs us…and Jesus too….the operation is Thursday, March 15th. Shannon]
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Dear Friends,
After my mother was laid off from work, her friend Mary Esther invited her to move down to Florida. There was a small house for rent next door to her that would be just right for my mother. When my mother got there, she was delighted. Not only was the house ideal so was the yard. Several orange trees, a palm, and many flowers and plants were arranged attractively around the fenced yard. She was so happy.
When we went down to visit her sometime later, she happily served us fruit from her own orange trees. We were so surprised at the taste of the tree-ripened fruit. There was not a bit of acid that characterizes the store variety. Only the most delightful sweetness was in this fruit. While we were there, Mary Esther also shared some grapefruit from her trees. Again, the taste was much sweeter and better overall than what we were used to.
So it is in the Christian’s life. The longer we are connected to the Vine, the sweeter should our “fruit” be. Our Dear Saviour tells us, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:1-11
Often, during this abiding with the Vine, we must pass through painful processes to sweeten our fruit. Christ’s parable of the fig tree becomes our experience. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” Luke 13:6-9 So the trials and troubles of our life are part of His plan to make us a sweet and beautiful part of His vineyard. Paul encourages us, “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Heb 12:5-14
May we allow the Master Gardener to do His work. May we yield ourselves fully and completely to His leading. May the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance—be the sweetness in our life each day.
Rose