It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! Luke 17:1.
God is bringing out a people and preparing them to stand as one, united, to speak the same things, and carry out the prayer of Christ for his disciples. . . . “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us. . . .”
There are little companies continually arising who believe that God is only with the very few, the very scattered, and their influence is to tear down and scatter that which God’s servants build up. . . . The people who are putting forth every effort in accordance with God’s word to be one, who are established in the message of the third angel, they look upon with suspicion, for the reason that they are extending their labor, and are gathering souls into the truth. They look upon them as being worldly, because they have influence in the world. . . .
One man arises, claiming to be led of God, who advocates the heresy of the non-resurrection of the wicked. . . . Another cherishes erroneous views in regard to the future age. . . . They all want full religious liberty, and each one goes independent of the others, and yet claims that God is especially at work among them. . . . These people are not sane; they are carried away with a false excitement, and we know that they do not have the truth. . . . Would to God they would be reformed or give up the Sabbath. They would not then stand in the way of unbelievers. . . .
God is angry with those who pursue a course to make the world hate them. If a Christian is hated because of his good works, and for following Christ, he will have a reward. But if he is hated because he does not take a course to be loved, hated because of his uncultivated manners, and because he makes the truth a matter of quarrel with his neighbors, and because he has taken a course to make the Sabbath as annoying as possible to them, he is a stumbling-block to sinners, a reproach to the sacred truth, and unless he repents it were better for him that a millstone were hung about his neck, and he cast into the sea.
Maranatha p. 157
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Prayer Requests
——Prayers would be greatly appreciated for our family…we will be dealing with potentially serious health issues and received some news today. Not life threatening but serious non the less. Kellie
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Dear Friends,
For some reason, driving in Spokane, Washington, always confused me. For the five years that we lived near that city, I never could seem to get my directions straight. When Ron would tell me to go north, I invariably would turn toward South Hill. I did this so consistently, that it became a family joke. I always countered with, “Well, South Hill is up and north on a map is always up, so I must be going north. That’s logical. I can’t be wrong.”
So it is with so many on the road of life. They have turned “south” when they should be going “north.” The Bible warns, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov 14:12 Isaiah’s words describe us so well, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Isa 53:6 There are millions who are rushing down the path which leads to destruction without realizing what the end will be. Those millions go through life thinking that all is well, but in the end they will hear those frightful words, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt 7:23
How much we need a Shepherd. How much we need a Guide Who has trod the path before us to show us the way. Praise God! He Who left Heaven to save us longs to be our Shepherd! His Great Heart of Love yearns to take us in His Arms and show us the way, but we must ask Him. He never forces Himself upon us. “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isa 40:11 Our Great Redeemer has promised to lead us on the right path. “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isa 30:21 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8 Moreover, He assures us, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 Think of it! Our Great Shepherd gladly gave His life so that we may live! What love! What wondrous love!
Our Good Shepherd pleads, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt 7:13,14 May we heed His call. May we follow His directions, so that we will not find ourselves on the wrong road. May we continually “follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth” is my prayer.
Rose