As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. 1 Peter 2:2.
No man, woman, or youth can attain to Christian perfection and neglect the study of the Word of God. By carefully and closely searching His Word we shall obey the injunction of Christ, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39. This search enables the student to observe closely the divine Model…. The Pattern must be inspected often and closely in order to imitate it. As one becomes acquainted with the history of the Redeemer, he discovers in himself defects of character; his unlikeness to Christ is so great that he sees he cannot be a follower without a very great change in his life. Still he studies, with a desire to be like his great Exemplar; he catches the looks, the spirit, of his beloved Master; by beholding he becomes changed.
All the philosophies of human nature have led to confusion and shame when God has not been recognized as all in all. But the precious faith inspired of God imparts strength and nobility of character. As His goodness, His mercy, and His love are dwelt upon, clearer and still clearer will be the perception of truth; higher, holier, the desire for purity of heart and clearness of thought. The soul dwelling in the pure atmosphere of holy thought is transformed by intercourse with God through the study of His Word. Truth is so large, so far-reaching, so deep, so broad, that self is lost sight of. The heart is softened and subdued into humility, kindness, and love.
The Bible … trains the mind to grapple with the deepest problems and to pursue the broadest explorations. It exalts the intellect. It saves the soul…. Take it as your mirror. It will be a faithful monitor, detecting the faults and errors of your character. It will strengthen every good trait.
That Word which reveals the guilt of sin, has a power upon the human heart to make man right and keep him so.
The Faith I Live By p. 223
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Prayer Requests
—- We’re at a new school, where most of the kids aren’t Christians. I’ve never taught at a school where the kids are so far behind and could really care less. . . . Please continue to pray for us and our mission here. It is so great! Also, please pray for our children, that while they are in the world, they do not become “of the world.” Tanya
===I just received an e-mail message that one of the professors at the college at which I am enrolled as a student, was hit by a car. That is all I know at the present time. Please pray for her. Her first name is Delia, Mark
—-Asking for prayers for a coworker Tami, she has breast cancer and is having a double mastectomy this morning at 8 am. Please pray for all involved in her care and her kids are probably needing some comfort. Danette
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Dear Friends,
Vernon Bliss, our pastor when we lived in Traverse City, Michigan, often preached on the verse, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Ps. 103:12 Pastor Bliss would remind us that no matter how long a person traveled east, he would never come to a point where he started going west. He would have to turn around deliberately and start walking west. Over thirty years have passed, yet that illustration of God’s wonderful forgiveness is still in my memory!
Perhaps one of the reasons that I can still remember so many of Pastor Bliss’ sermons is the fact that he was so kind to us. He took his calling as a pastor seriously visiting each member of his congregation, praying with them, helping them not only in their spiritual walk, but also in their day-to-day life. He and Mrs. Bliss reached out to Ron and me and became like parents to us. We spent many evenings and weekends at their home. When things went badly in our life, they were there to help pick up the pieces. Through them, I came to understand my Heavenly Father’s watchcare over us.
Our Dear Saviour gave a parable of the tender care, love, and forgiveness of our Great Father in Heaven saying, “A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” Luke 15:11-24
Think of it! The Great Creator and King of the Universe has been with us throughout our life, drawing us with His lovingkindness, wooing us by His Spirit, guiding us with His Hand, wanting only what is best for us, yearning for us to return to Him when we go astray. How many times have we hurt Him as badly as did the prodigal son. We have daily disobeyed His commandments of love, yet He is even now standing with His arms open wide ready to receive us. With tears in His voice, He pleads, “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Eze 33:11 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa 1:18 “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.” Isa 44:22 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matt 11:28 Indeed, He does not wait until we have become perfect to welcome us. No! He runs to meet us while we are still a great way off, places His Great Arms of Love around us, clothes us with His pure and spotless robe of righteousness, and walks beside us all the rest of the way to our Heavenly Home. What wonderful love! What marvelous grace! What tender mercy!
Let us come to Him now in full repentence, as the prodigal son came to his father. Let us accept His great love and forgiveness and allow Him to cloth us with His righteousness. Let us place our careworn hand in His All-powerful Hand and allow Him to lead us to His Heavenly Home where we will dwell with Him forevermore.
Rose

Transformed by Searching the Word