Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8.
It is unsafe to trust to feelings or impressions; these are unreliable guides. God’s law is the only correct standard of holiness. It is by this law that character is to be judged. If an inquirer after salvation were to ask, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” the modern teachers of sanctification would answer, “Only believe that Jesus saves you.” But when Christ was asked this question He said, “What is written in the law? how readest thou?” And when the questioner replied, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself,” Jesus said, “Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” Luke 10:26-28.
No value is attached to a mere profession of faith in Christ; only the love which is shown by works is counted genuine. Yet it is love alone which in the sight of Heaven makes any act of value….
The hidden selfishness of men stands revealed in the books of heaven…. Sad is the record which angels bear to heaven. Intelligent beings, professed followers of Christ, are absorbed in the acquirement of worldly possessions or the enjoyment of earthly pleasures. Money, time, and strength are sacrificed for display and self-indulgence; but few are the moments devoted to prayer, to the searching of the Scriptures, to humiliation of soul and confession of sin.
Satan invents unnumbered schemes to occupy our minds, that they may not dwell upon the very work with which we ought to be best acquainted. The archdeceiver hates the great truths that bring to view an atoning sacrifice and an all-powerful Mediator. He knows that with him everything depends on his diverting minds from Jesus and His truth.
Those who would share the benefits of the Saviour’s mediation should permit nothing to interfere with their duty to perfect holiness in the fear of God.
The Faith Live By p. 217
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Prayer Requests
—-I tore my calf muscle. Please pray that it heals quickly. Rose
—-Asking prayers for a young mother’s family who just discovered they may lose her. Prayers for strength for them to endure whatever is ahead. Lisa
—-I have a friend who is in danger, can you pray that her enemies will continue to flee. And that she will continue to live in peace and safety. That God will continue to send his angels to encamp around her. Rosemary
—-Please pray for my friend Diane and her special needs child. She was told that her child has MRSA in her blood and it has caused an infection in her heart. They started her daughter on an antibiotic but did not hold out much hope. I told her God is in control and His knowledge is above all we understand so for her not to lose faith. Kathy
—-prayer request please for one more very sick sister. Can’t go into detail. She’s mentally at wits end dealing with this physical illness. Her name is Deborah and she’s desperate. Heather
—-Please pray for my daughter who is going to have surgery on 9/26 and 10/10. She responded well to chemo, so we are praying that there are not any remaining cancer cells and for a good surgical outcome without complications. Thank you. Vicki
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, we went to a church which had an organ. (I miss churches having organs. They make the service so much more reverent.) When it was time for the children’s story, children from ages one to ten or eleven began walking to the front of the church, collecting an offering for the church school. Most walked down the center aisle, but several walked down the side aisles. One little boy, about two and a half, was one of those children. As he climbed up the step to the platform, he happened to notice the organ pedals. He stopped walking toward the gathering group of children and faced the organ. It was plain to see that he was tempted to explore those well-lit pedals. Deciding that he would resist the temptation, he joined the rest of the children.
The story held no interest for him. All he could think about was the organ. Soon, the temptation was too great. The little boy tiptoed away from the group and headed toward that large, musical instrument. Standing by the pedals, he hesitated a moment as though wondering if he should go through with his plan. Finally, he reached out one chubby hand and pressed down on the lowest pedal. A deep rumbling tone was his reward. This was fun. He tried another pedal. A different tone filled the church. Delighted, he stepped up onto those noisy pedals and began stepping from one to another. Discordant tones filled our ears.
At this, I jumped out of my front row seat and rushed to the little boy and began to guide him out from between the organ and its bench. He looked up startled. At the same time an older sister reached the toddler. Taking him from his position, she led him to the group of children. Before long, thoughts of that organ filled him mind. Creeping away from the group, he headed toward the object of his temptation. Big sister followed and swooped him up in her arms. Wriggling free, the boy ran toward his embarrassed parents yelling “NO!” at the top of his lungs.
It is not a sin to be tempted. It becomes sin when, instead of putting it out of our mind the enemy’s first suggestion, we toy with it as did that little boy. We know that we shouldn’t listen to the evil one, but soon we begin thinking of its possibilities. The more we think about it, the stronger the temptation becomes until we finally yield. Soon, our yielding become evident to all around.
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor 10:13 “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Rom 6:11-16
*Yield not to temptation, For yielding is sin. Each victory will help you some other to win. Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue, look ever to Jesus. He’ll carry you through.
Shun evil companions, bad language disdain, God’s name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain. Be thoughtful and earnest, kind-hearted and true, look ever to Jesus. He’ll carry you through.
To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown. Through faith we shall conquer, though often cast down. He Who is our Saviour our strength will renew. Look ever to Jesus. He’ll carry you through.
Ask the Saviour to help you, comfort, strengthen, and keep you. He is willing to aid you. He will carry you through.
May we heed our Dear Saviour’s words, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” Matt 26:41 May we flee from the enemy’s first whispered suggestion to do evil. May we “fight the good fight of faith” is my prayer. 1 Tim 6:12
Rose
*Yield Not to Temptation by Horatio R. Palmer

Schemes of Satan