We all know what mischief an unruly tongue will do if left to run at will. Those who have been brought together in church capacity have bound themselves by their act in joining the church to keep evil speaking out of their ranks. It is the duty of those in responsible positions in the church to closely guard this matter to see that order and harmony are preserved in the church….
Never are you to tear one another down, for you are doing Satan’s work. Day by day you are to help one another to grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ. In this work you close the door to the enemy. The power of speech is a great talent to bless others or a great curse to cause dissension and strife.
The one who gives himself up to finding fault with this one and that one is neglecting his own precious soul. And those who allow such a one to carry on his un-Christlike work unrebuked are themselves accountable before God of injury to their brethren….
Can we expect the blessing of God to rest upon a church when the members are cherishing bitterness against one another? … Those in whose hearts Christ abides will show in their lives the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness. Those who are controlled by the enemy will be filled with envy, strife, malice, and evil-surmising….
If one of those of whom these cruel words are spoken were tonight lying cold in death, how different would be the words spoken of him. How often this is the case: While a person is living and could be blessed by kind words, unkind, bitter words are spoken of him, but when his work is ended, and his hands are folded in death, words of love and appreciation are spoken. But the words of love fall upon ears that hear not. They are spoken to hearts that cannot be comforted. It is too late! Oh, if some of these words of love could have been spoken in life, how much better it would have been….
God desires His people to bring into their homes all the peace and joy and love that it is possible for them to have. The love that they bring into the home, they will bring into the church. My brethren and sisters, you can bring the peace of heaven into the home and into the church, if you will sanctify to God the talent of speech.—Manuscript 26, July 15, 1886, “Evil-speaking,” a sermon preached in Oslo, Norway
The Upward Look p. 210
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Prayer Requests
—-Prayer Requests from last evening’s prayer meeting: Pray for a safe reopening of our church soon.—Pray for James’ daughter, Rene, who has Hodgkin’s Lymphoma—Pray for Joyce’s young relative who was hurt seriously in an accident.—Pray for safe travel for Mike and Larry and for Larry’s health—Pray that Brian does not get a tic-borne disease from the tic that had been on him for a few days before discovered. Also pray that BG will get air conditioning so it won’t be so hot at work.—Pray for Barb’s daughter who just separated from her husband as his alcoholism is getting worse.—Sherlyn asks that the important package she sent her son overseas will arrive with no problems.—Pray for Sarah—Pray for Minnie’s son who is on the road a lot.—Pray for Dan’s father who had surgery and his mother-in-law who needs special care.
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Dear Friends,
When I was a little girl, my mother used to take me to many enjoyable places for a little vacation. Holland, Michigan during the time of the Tulip Festival was one of those places. Holland was like stepping into a storybook or visiting the real Holland that is on the other side of the world. During the festival, the residents would dress in traditional Dutch costumes and there would be parades, craftsmen who made wooden shoes and various other articles for sale, acres of tulips to view, windmills, etc. It is a cherished memory
Just as, my mother took me to many places when I was young, so we will someday have the privilege of roaming the Universe and seeing all of the wonders of creation. We will “follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” Rev 14:4 Think of it! Soon Jesus will come to take us to His Glorious Heavenly Kingdom. We will see our Dear Saviour face to face! He will embrace us and welcome us with the words, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt 25:34 Our Heavenly Father, Himself, will “wipe away all tears from [our] eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev 21:4 We will “sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven” and hear from their own lips the way that the Lord led in their life. Matt 8:11 We will meet the angel, who has guarded us since our birth and listen to the stories of the many times he protected us even times when we did not know that we were in danger. We “shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. [We] shall not build, and another inhabit; [we] shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. [We] shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for [we] are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and [our] offspring with [us.] And it shall come to pass, that before [we] call, [our Great Creator] will answer; and while [we] are yet speaking, [He] will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat.” Isa 65:21-25 How I look forward to that time!
May we soon look up and see our Great Redeemer coming in the clouds to take us to His Heavenly Home. May we all worship together around the throne of the Great Creator of the Universe. May that time come soon is my prayer.
Rose