Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Matthew 4:11.
After the foe had departed, Jesus fell exhausted to the earth. He had endured the test, but He now was fainting on the field of battle. What hand was there to be put beneath His head? How was He to be given care and nourishment so that He might regain His strength? Was He to be left to perish after gaining the victory? Oh, no; the angels of heaven had watched the conflict with intense interest, and they now came and ministered to the Son of God as He lay like one dying. He was strengthened with food, comforted with the message of His Father’s love and the assurance that all heaven triumphed in His victory. He returned from the wilderness to proclaim with power His message of mercy and salvation.
What if Satan had gained the victory? What hope would we have had? Christ came to reveal to worlds unfallen, to angels, and to the human race that in God’s law there is no restriction that we cannot obey. He came to represent God in humanity. He met every requirement that we are asked to meet.—Manuscript 155, 1902 (Sermons and Talks, 2:219, 220).
In their conflicts with Satan, the human family has all the help that Christ had. They need not be overcome. They may be more than conquerors through Him who has loved them and given His life for them…. The Son of God in His humanity wrestled with the very same fierce, apparently overwhelming, temptations that assail us—temptations to indulgence of appetite, to presumptuous venturing where God has not led them, and to the worship of the god of this world, to sacrifice an eternity of bliss for the fascinating pleasures of this life. Everyone will be tempted, but the Word declares that we shall not be tempted above our ability to bear. We may resist and defeat the wily foe.
Every soul has a heaven to win and a hell to shun. And the angelic agencies are all ready to come to the help of the tried and tempted soul. He, the Son of the infinite God, endured the test and trial in our behalf. The cross of Calvary stands vividly before every soul. When the cases of all are judged, and they are delivered to suffer for their contempt for God and their disregard of His honor in their disobedience, not one will have an excuse, not one will need to have perished. It was left to their own choice who should be their prince, Christ or Satan. All the help Christ received, every person may receive in the great trial.—Letter 116, 1899.
Christ Triumphant p. 195
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Calvin. He has a spinal tap on July 24. Pray that this will give him relief from his symptoms. Mike
—-Please pray for Buddy who has a sore on his leg and pain in his eye. Kay
—-Please pray for a lady named Carey. She has stage 4 lung cancer and is in hospice. She is really having a hard time now (probably with her breathing). I don’t know if she is a Christian. She is probably in her mid to late 50s. Mary
—-a friend of ours is dealing with cancer and has recently been hospitalized. Please pray for God’s hand to bring healing if He so wills. Her name is Cynthia. David
—-Please pray earnestly for E and her children that the devil will leave them alone. R
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Dear Friends,
In the 1970’s, Ron went to college to learn to be an avionics technician. Many times, over the years, he shared with me how God helped him to repair a certain piece of airplane equipment that was beyond he ability to fix. Whenever he got to the point that he had no idea how to fix the problem, his habit was to go into a quiet place and pray for wisdom and help. Praise God! He received the help that he needed and suddenly realize what to do, and the piece of avionic equipment would soon be repaired.
Just as Ron earnestly prayed for wisdom to fix a problem with the airplane equipment, so we must “pray without ceasing” for power from On High to overcome sinning. 1 Thes 5:17 Just as Ron did not give up until whatever he was working on was repaired, so we are to “give diligence to make our calling and election sure.” I Peter 1:10 Yet, how many times we become discouraged and feel like laying aside the armor and giving up fighting the fight of faith. Paul advises, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity (agape love).” 1 Cor 16:13,14 John adds, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:3-5
To be an overcomer, we must lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run with patience the race that is set before us, continually looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith for the help and strength we so much need. (Heb 12:1, 2) Our Dear Saviour promises, “he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matt 24:13 In our own strength, we cannot persevere for we will soon become discouraged. In our own strength, we cannot overcome. In our own strength, we cannot truly keep God’s Commandments. We might be vigilant for a time and appear to do so, but eventually we will tire and let down our guard and give up the faith. In our own strength we cannot endure unto the end “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: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance.” Eph 6:12-18
May we remember to go to the Captain of our Faith for the help and strength we need to “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness, fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,” and gain the victory over every sin is my prayer. 1 Tim 6:11,12
Rose

The Redeemer Comforted After Enduring the Test