And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18.
Man was not made to dwell in solitude; he was to be a social being. Without companionship, the beautiful scenes and delightful employments of Eden would have failed to yield perfect happiness. Even communion with angels could not have satisfied his desire for sympathy and companionship. There was none of the same nature to love, and to be loved.
God Himself gave Adam a companion. He provided “an help meet for him”—a helper corresponding to him—one who was fitted to be his companion, and who could be one with him in love and sympathy. Eve was created from a rib taken from the side of Adam, signifying that she was not to control him as the head, nor to be trampled under his feet as an inferior, but to stand by his side as an equal, to be loved and protected by him. A part of man, bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, she was his second self; showing the close union and the affectionate attachment that should exist in this relation. “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it.” Ephesians 5:29….
God celebrated the first marriage. Thus the institution has for its originator the Creator of the universe. “Marriage is honourable” (Hebrews 13:4); it was one of the first gifts of God to man, and it is one of the two institutions that, after the Fall, Adam brought with him beyond the gates of Paradise. When the divine principles are recognized and obeyed in this relation, marriage is a blessing; it guards the purity and happiness of the race, it provides for man’s social needs, it elevates the physical, the intellectual, and the moral nature.
The family tie is the closest, the most tender and sacred, of any on earth. It was designed to be a blessing to mankind. And it is a blessing wherever the marriage covenant is entered into intelligently, in the fear of God, and with due consideration for its responsibilities.
The Faith I Live By p. 251
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Prayer Requests
—-I have a neighbor; a young woman who has recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She is scheduled for a hysterectomy and radical chemo. Please, I know she is afraid and needs our prayers for comfort and healing. Katherin
—-I am very sick I can’t sleep, a strong flu and cough I need your prayer. Jose
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Dear Friends,
My grandmother and her friend, Cora, who lived on the other side of town rarely got to visit together. Neither had a car. My grandparents didn’t have a telephone, so they normally wrote letters. A personal visit was no easy undertaking as it meant a walk of several blocks to the bus stop, ride the bus to town, and transfer to another bus and ride the rest of the way. It is no wonder that they rarely saw one another.
One day, when I was about 4, she decided to visit Cora. Since I was not yet in school, she had to take me with her. This was the first time she had ever taken me anywhere, so I was quite excited. Cora, on the other hand, was not overjoyed that her friend had brought a child with her and scowled at me. I looked at her with surprise and a tinge of fear in my eyes. Now that I’m older, I can understand her feelings. Cora lived alone, and since she had no children or grandchildren, she had many delicate figurines sitting everywhere. In her mind those expensive figurines and four-year-old girls just did not mix. I could feel her watching me, although she never said a word to me. The scowl on her face was enough for me to know what she was thinking.
My grandmother, seemed unaware of Cora’s discomfiture. She suggested that I look at all the pretty things in the other room so they could visit in private. Cora said nothing our of politeness, although I could tell that she was not pleased. Cora need not have worried so much. I had been taught from a very early age to keep my hands behind me when I looked at something breakable. I wandered into the dining room and enjoyed looking at the beautiful objects she had in and on top of intricately carved wooden and glass cases. This kept me occupied for their entire visit.
How often we are like Cora keeping to ourselves the great truths we have found in God’s Holy Word and the blessings He showers upon us. These treasures are far more precious than Cora’s expensive figurines. How often we keep them to ourselves and are silent when we should be sharing them with those all around us. There is a battle going on—a battle with eternal consequences, yet how often we live our lives as though these treasures were exclusively ours.
Jesus gives us an illustration that speaks of our hoarding of blessings. “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” Luke 12:16-20
The Great Light of the World declares, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16 A candle shines wherever it is placed. It does not selfishly keep its light to itself, but blesses all with its ability to illuminate. Paul admonishes, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim 4:2 Our Mighty Captain commands, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matt 28:19-10 We may never be called to preach a sermon or go to a foreign land as a missionary, but we can let our light shine where we are. We can fulfill His command as we daily give our lives, our plans, our all to the Master following His directions as we go throughout our day.
May we daily let our light shine brightly, for if we do not, our light will become darkness. May we allow His Holy Spirit to flow through us to those around. May we always be quick to share the treasures He has given us with those who are perishing is my prayer.
Rose

The First Marriage