And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly. 2 Peter 2:6.
The flames that consumed the cities of the plain shed their warning light down even to our time. We are taught the fearful and solemn lesson that while God’s mercy bears long with the transgressor, there is a limit beyond which men may not go on in sin. When that limit is reached, then the offers of mercy are withdrawn, and the ministration of judgment begins. }
The Redeemer of the world declares that there are greater sins than that for which Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. Those who hear the gospel invitation calling sinners to repentance, and heed it not, are more guilty before God than were the dwellers in the vale of Siddim. And still greater sin is theirs who profess to know God and to keep His commandments, yet who deny Christ in their character and their daily life. In the light of the Saviour’s warning, the fate of Sodom is a solemn admonition … to all who are trifling with Heaven-sent light and privileges.
The judgments of God are soon to be poured out upon the earth. “Escape for thy life” is the warning from the angels of God. Other voices are heard saying: “Do not become excited; there is no cause for special alarm.” Those who are at ease in Zion cry “Peace and safety,” while heaven declares that swift destruction is about to come upon the transgressor. The young, the frivolous, the pleasure loving, consider these warnings as idle tales and turn from them with a jest. Parents are inclined to think their children about right in the matter, and all sleep on at ease. Thus it was at the destruction of the old world and when Sodom and Gomorrah were consumed by fire. On the night prior to their destruction the cities of the plain rioted in pleasure. Lot was derided for his fears and warnings. But it was these scoffers that perished in the flames. That very night the door of mercy was forever closed to the wicked, careless inhabitants of Sodom.
The same voice that warned Lot to leave Sodom bids us, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, …and touch not the unclean” (2 Corinthians 6:17). Those who obey this warning will find a refuge.
Conflict and Courage p. 53
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Prayer Requests
—–I will be traveling to Eileen’s Sunday and Monday. Please pray for travelling mercies. Rose
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Dear Friends,
When Esther Marie was a little girl, her playmates were her brother and Travis, the little boy down the road. Because of this, she was very much a “tomboy.” The three children roamed the fields and woods together for hours nearly every day. They tracked animals, watched them interact with one another, played catch, climbed trees, etc. For the most part, they had a happy time.
Esther and Travis did not always get along well, however. They had their times when they would fight. One such time was when our church was having a campout, a nice time of fellowship together out in the woods on the bank of the Columbia River. Just what started the tussle between the two children this time, I never found out, but to put it mildly, they were not too happy with one another and decided to play separately for awhile.
During the time when Travis and Ronnie Jay were playing without her, Esther found a bull snake to be her friend. When she showed me, I told her to find a safe place to put it down as there were quite a few ladies who did not share her love for snakes. She found a very safe place to deposit that snake—in Travis’ sleeping bag. When he crawled into the sleeping bag an hour or two later, the whole camp heard his loud yell. The snake had been discovered! Of course that did not help their friendship much. He was not too happy with her at that moment.
The next day all was forgiven. They were playing happily together and all thoughts of the ordeal of the night before were forgotten. That is the beauty of little children. They see the best in others and are trusting and loving naturally. They might not always get along all of the time, but they do not hold a grudge. Tears turn into smiles within a few moments.
When Jesus was upon this earth, his disciples often fought over who would be the greatest. One day “Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 18:2-4 Of course, He was speaking of the loving, trusting, forgiving spirit of a little child and not one of the spoiled ones that we so often see.
One day Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Matt 18:21,22
A loving, forgiving spirit is very important to Jesus. It is something that He longs to help us develop. He counsels us, “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25, 26 Whether we have a tender and forgiving heart or not affects our relationship with the Great Giver of Forgiveness.
May we ask our Heavenly Father to give us a loving, tender, forgiving spirit for we do not possess it naturally. May we see others through our Saviour’s eyes and love them as does He. May we forgive as we have been forgiven for He bids us, “love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” Luke 6:35, 36
Rose

That Last Night
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