Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29.
For a time the Baptist’s influence over the nation had been greater than that of its rulers, priests, or princes. If he had announced himself as the Messiah, and raised a revolt against Rome, priests and people would have flocked to his standard. Every consideration that appeals to the ambition of the world’s conquerors Satan had stood ready to urge upon John the Baptist. But with the evidence before him of his power, he had steadfastly refused the splendid bribe. The attention which was fixed upon him he had directed to Another. Now he saw the tide of popularity turning away from himself to the Saviour. Day by day the crowds about him lessened….
The disciples of John came to him … saying, “Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou bearest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.” Through these words, Satan brought temptation upon John. Though John’s mission seemed about to close, it was still possible for him to hinder the work of Christ. If he had sympathized with himself, and expressed grief or disappointment at being superseded, he would have sown the seeds of dissension, would have encouraged envy and jealousy, and would seriously have impeded the progress of the gospel.
John had by nature the faults and weaknesses common to humanity, but the touch of divine love had transformed him. He dwelt in an atmosphere uncontaminated with selfishness and ambition, and far above the miasma of jealousy…. It was his joy to witness the success of the Saviour’s work….
Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of self-abnegation. He sought not to attract men to himself, but to lift their thoughts higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God. He himself had been only a voice, a cry in the wilderness. Now with joy he accepted silence and obscurity that the eyes of all might be turned to the Light of life. Those who are true to their calling as messengers for God will not seek honor for themselves. Love for self will be swallowed up in love for Christ.
Conflict and Courage p. 274
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for traveling mercies for Esther and the children today. Rose
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Dear Friends,
Esther has always enjoyed cooking. When she was too little to reach the stove, she would climb up on a chair so she could reach. We all enjoy eating what she makes. One day when Esther was in her mid-teens, she decided to make something for her lunch. Since she was the only one home, she looked for something small to cook in. I had glass pans that were specially made for stove top use, but the flat, glass top to my slow cooker was not. She didn’t realize that. Esther put some food into it, put it on the burner, turned on the stove, and then, without knowing why, left the room.
When she came to her senses, she was looking out of the little window in the back door. She said to herself, “What am I doing here.?” At that moment, she heard an explosion. Rushing back to the kitchen, she saw what was left of that glass cover. There were countless pieces everywhere. While she was cleaning up the mess, Esther suddenly realized that if she had not gone into the laundry room and looked out of the back door, she would have been badly hurt. As she picked up a large dagger-like piece, she thanked God for His protecting care!
Even though our Loving Saviour is “upholding all things by the word of his power,” He is never too busy for us. He cares for even the smallest details of our life. He assures us, “I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee” Jer 15:20 “Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing, and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, I will help thee.” Isa 41: 10-13
We can say with confidence as did David, “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.” Ps 56:11 “I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” Ps 73:23-26 “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?….Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me, even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee, but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret…Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect, and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.” Ps 139:1-18
How great and good God is! He is so close to us! He watches over us with such tender care! Only when we are in Heaven, will we realize how many times He has delivered us out of the hand of the enemy of souls. Let us trust Him fully. Let us allow Him to have complete control of our lives. Let us give all our love to the One Who loves us so.
Rose

Ready to Step Aside