Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 2 Corinthians 13:5, R.S.V.
Nothing is more treacherous than the deceitfulness of sin. It is the god of this world that deludes, and blinds, and leads to destruction. Satan does not enter with his array of temptations at once. He disguises these temptations with a semblance of good. . . . Beguiled souls take one step, then are prepared for the next. . . . Oh, how Satan watches to see his bait taken so readily, and to see souls walking in the very path he has prepared! . . .
There is a necessity for close self-examination, and to closely investigate in the light of God’s word, Am I sound, or am I rotten, at heart? Am I renewed in Christ, or am I still carnal at heart, with an outside, new dress put on? Rein yourself up to the tribunal of God, and see as in the light of God if there is any secret sin, any iniquity, any idol you have not sacrificed. Pray . . . as you have never prayed before, that you may not be deluded by Satan’s devices; that you may not be given up to a heedless, careless, and vain spirit. . . .
One of the sins that constitute one of the signs of the last days, is that professed Christians are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Deal truly with your own souls. Search carefully. How few, after a faithful examination, can look up to Heaven and say, “. . . I am not a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God.” How few can say, “I am dead to the world, . . . and when He who is my life shall appear, then shall I also appear with Him in glory.”
The love and grace of God! Oh precious grace! more valuable than fine gold. It elevates and ennobles the spirit beyond all other principles. It sets the heart and affections upon Heaven. While those around us may be engaged in worldly vanity, pleasure-seeking, and folly, the conversation is in heaven, whence we look for the Saviour; the soul is reaching out after God for pardon and peace, for righteousness and true holiness. Converse with God and contemplation of things above transform the soul into the likeness of Christ. Maranatha p. 49
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Prayer Requests
——Please pray for Eliazar who was just diagnosed with lymphoma. Rose
—–Please pray for my best friend Vicki she has breast cancer and having a hard time dealing with it. also Jami’s dad passed away . and Cathy fell today and broke her wrist, she had to have surgery today because she really did a number on it. thanks. Mary
——Please, help me pray for peace in Nigeria. I hear news of terrorist attacks almost on a daily basis from the country. The government is not able to hold the terrorists in check. The terrorists are being sponsored by politicians who do not want the present leadership. It is complicated but I know that only God can restore peace. Please help me pray for peace. The need is urgent. EN
——I am way too busy at the moment. Need prayers for strength and energy to accomplish the things I need to get done and also to be able to do the things that I want to do with my writing and to be able to encourage others more. Karen
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Dear Friends,
Facebook has brought old friends, classmates, and family closer to each other even though it has the potential to take up way too much time out of our day. I’m always delighted to hear from friends whether they are from the past or from more recent times. I especially enjoy the family photos posted there.
Even more than we enjoy hearing from those who are dear to us or even from old friends or classmates, so our Great Creator looks forward to hearing from us. He longs to have us talk to Him, to bring Him all our perplexities, to share with Him our joys, to ask His advice, to listen as He speaks to us through His Word and through that “still small voice,” to have the friendship with our Saviour as did David who said, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Ps 55:17
Paul advises, “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thes 5:17 As we go through the day, we may be conscious of our Dear Saviour’s presence. Yet, how often we forget, that He desires to be part of all we do, all we say, all we think. How often He waits for us to think of Him, but we go through our daily routine with scarcely a thought heavenward.
He promises, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8 Blessed promise! As we pray, He instructs us. As we meditate on His Word, He enlightens us. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” Ps 119:11-16
May we draw near to our Loving God. May our sweetest thoughts be of Him. May the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart be acceptable unto our Dearest Friend is my prayer.
Rose