The Need for Unity

Our great need is unity. We have not one soul that can be spared. The Lord calls upon us to unify in harmony with Bible truth. This should be repeated over and over in the family and in the church….

Said Christ, “As the Father gave me commandment, even so I do” (John 14:31). He came to our world on a mission from the Father. He came to bridge the gulf that sin had made between God and man. There was to be made a provision for a reconciliation, for a union of the human with the divine nature. Christ would sanctify all who believe in Him. In the gift of Christ to our world, God has provided for everyone a power to overcome evil. He has given unto us “exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4).

The great apostasy originally began in a denial of the love of God, as it is plainly revealed in the Word. Provision was then made whereby fallen man might have a powerful revelation of the love of God, and be given an opportunity to return to his allegiance to Jehovah. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “I lay down my life for the sheep,” says Christ (chap. 10:15). “The bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (chap. 6:51). Here is a revelation of the power mighty to save “to the uttermost.” God is light and love.

After the war in the heavenly courts Satan and his followers were cast out. As human beings, we are subject to the crafty wiles and temptations of this fallen foe. And unless we are kept by the power of Christ, we shall certainly be led away by the satanic sophistries by which the world is flooded. Our safety is to lean not on human power, on the arm of flesh, but upon the divine arm. Those who are partakers of the divine nature will not be beguiled by Satan.

Everyone will be tested. Men professing to be Christians will be placed in positions of trust, as guardians over the flock of God…. We are God’s property. In Jesus Christ we are to behold a pattern of what we should be. Every soul should be educated to look not to his fellow men, but unto Christ. He is the Author and the Finisher of our Faith.—Letter 172, May 15, 1907, to P. T. Magan, cofounder of Madison Institutions.
The Upward Look p. 149
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Prayer Requests
—-update—My sister passed away yesterday I am grateful to the Lord for allowing my sister to go to sleep she was suffering long enough. Praise god for His mercy. Also my oldest stepdaughter is failing. She is on oxygen but is not responding. her name is Marilyn please put her on the prayer chain. M
—-My precious daughter, Kristi, passed away from pneumonia and heart failure. My family and I are devastated. I would appreciate your prayers. Pam
—-I’m sending up a prayer and if you will join me I would be most grateful. I’m going in for treatment this morning. The last two days i have been very short of breath, this has never happened before and it is terrifying. I’m not sure what the Dr will have to say, I didn’t think it would attack so quickly so I’m praying, if it’s Gods will the treatment will work again. Debra
—-My mum is hospitalized for arthritis, keep praying for her, she can not walk. Jose
—PLEASE PRAY FOR MY HUSBAND TO CHANGE AND BECOME A CHRISTIAN VERY SOON BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE FOR HIM. HE HAS SOME VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS GOING ON IN HIS LIFE. Connie
—-Please pray for a friend and her husband. They are having a hard time wirh their marriage and they have a little boy. Tanya
—-Please pray for Brenda. Her back is broken. Rose
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Dear Friends,
Even before Ron and I had children, we determined that if at all possible, we would not take them to a babysitter. We were very serious about bringing “them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Eph 6:4 Throughout the years, we found that there were times when we had to let someone else watch our children, but for the most part, we “juggled” our schedules in such a way that one of us was home to train up our children in the way that they should go. (Prov 22:6)
Sometimes the jobs I had to do were not to my liking, but I was determined to do what was best for my children. One such job was at a fast food restaurant where I worked from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM. Working nights was hard for me. The only sleep I got was when they took a nap or after Ron got home in the evening but felt it was worth being home with my children during the day.
At work, I did all of the baking, sliced the vegetables, and had various other duties some of which I found most unpleasant. One of the least favorite part of my job was using the large slicing machine. I was afraid of the whirling blade. I have never been very coordinated, and I was afraid that my fingers as well and the food might get sliced. The onions posed the greatest danger. They were very strong and would always sting my eyes so badly, that tears would course down my cheeks and I could not keep my eyes open no matter how hard I tried. Running a slicing machine with closed eyes is very dangerous.
When I told Ron about my problem, he suggested that I take his skin diving mask to work and use it when slicing those strong onions. That worked very well! I looked ridiculous, and if I walked by the kitchen door, the customers stared, but I didn’t care. At least the fumes from the onions didn’t bother me any more and I could keep my fingers intact.
Just as that mask protected my eyes from the fumes of those strong smelling onions, so our Loving Redeemer has provided us with a protection from the onslaughts of the enemy. He provides us with “the whole armour of God, that [we] may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Eph 6:11-17
Let us reach out and put on that armour. Let us “be sober [and] vigilant; because [our] adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8,9 Let us diligently resist the evil one; for we have the promise that if we do, he will flee from us. (James 4:7)
Rose