He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life. John 3:36.
Jacob and Esau met at the deathbed of their father. Once the elder brother had looked forward to this event as an opportunity for revenge, but his feelings had since greatly changed. And Jacob, well content with the spiritual blessings of the birthright, resigned to the elder brother the inheritance of their father’s wealth—the only inheritance that Esau sought or valued….
Esau and Jacob had alike been instructed in the knowledge of God, and both were free to walk in His commandments and to receive His favor; but they had not both chosen to do this. The two brothers had walked in different ways, and their paths would continue to diverge more and more widely.
There was no arbitrary choice on the part of God by which Esau was shut out from the blessings of salvation. The gifts of His grace through Christ are free to all. There is no election but one’s own by which any may perish…. Every soul is elected who will work out his own salvation with fear and trembling. He is elected who will put on the armor and fight the good fight of faith. He is elected who will watch unto prayer, who will search the Scriptures, and flee from temptation. He is elected who will have faith continually, and who will be obedient to every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. The provisions of redemption are free to all; the results of redemption will be enjoyed by those who have complied with the conditions.
Esau had despised the blessings of the covenant. He had valued temporal above the spiritual good, and he had received that which he desired. It was by his own deliberate choice that he was separated from the people of God. Jacob had chosen the inheritance of faith. He had endeavored to obtain it by craft, treachery, and falsehood; but God had permitted his sin to work out its correction…. The baser elements of character were consumed in the furnace fire, the true gold was refined, until the faith of Abraham and Isaac appeared undimmed in Jacob.
Conflict and Courage p. 71
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Prayer Requests
—–update—Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. The power of prayer in this case has been working miracles. Thomas has been released from UC, all the tests came back within normal range. The concern continues to be his erratic heart rate when sleeping. It goes from 60 resting to 145 during his sleep cycle. He will continue follow up with a Cardiac Pediatrician. However, the MD’s at __ have released him to return to his regular activities so feel confident this was some kind of anomaly. Your support and kindness are an inspiration to me. Thank you all! G
—–update—I have been to several specialists recently to address some vocal issues I have been having. You also know that I have been sick this week with the worst cough I have ever had (mostly due, I think, to my already existing throat issues). Because of that, I have bad laryngitis & and do not want to risk further damaging my voice by attempting a concert Saturday night. So. . . . Please pray for healing. Marion
Separate Ways