We Must Claim God’s Promises

“Ask.” The asking makes it manifest that you realize your necessity; and if you ask in faith, you will receive. The Lord has pledged His word, and it can not fail. If you come with true contrition, you need not feel that you are presumptuous in asking for what the Lord has promised. When you ask for the blessings you need, that you may perfect a character after Christ’s likeness, the Lord assures you that you are asking according to a promise that will be verified. That you feel and know you are a sinner, is sufficient ground for asking for His mercy and compassion….

“Seek.” Desire not merely His blessing, but Himself…. Seek and ye shall find. God is seeking you, and the very desire you feel to come to Him, is but the drawing of His Spirit. Yield to that drawing. Christ is pleading the cause of the tempted, the erring, and the faithless. He is seeking to lift them into companionship with Himself. “If thou seek Him, He will be found of thee.”

“Knock.” We come to God by special invitation, and He waits to welcome us to His audience-chamber. The first disciples who followed Jesus were not satisfied with a hurried conversation with Him by the way; they said, “Rabbi, where dwellest Thou?” … Let those who desire the blessing of God, knock and wait at the door of mercy with firm assurance, saying, For Thou, O Lord, hast said, “Every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”—Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 130, 131.
With God at Dawn p. 88
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue to pray for Annie as she recovers from back surgery. Rose
—-Please pray for my fiance who is seriously sick at the moment. EN
—-Please pray for my sister-in-law, brother and family. She is given 1 week to live. She has been fighting for her life for two years. Pray God’s mercy and peace. Becky
—-David and his family needs your prayers. His depression is worse again. Buck
—-Please pray for my friend Susan. Her husband passed away yesterday from Covid. She is getting over it herself and now must plan his funeral. Jennifer
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Dear Friends,

In the days of long ago, the ships that traveled along the waterways of this country would occasionally come to a area where huge boulders lay beneath the surface. If their vessels hit one of these rocks, a large gash could be cut into its side causing the boat to sink. The captain would order the helmsman to stop at the beginning of the area of danger and wait for someone who knew where the safe channel was. As this pilot stepped aboard the ship, those on board trusted themselves to his care. He would take the helm and guide it safely through the place of danger.

This sinful, old planet is like those waterways—full of dangers on every side. Some of these dangers are recognized, and we tremble in perplexity and fear. Some are hidden from our view, and we continue on, unaware of the danger we are in. How much we need a Pilot to guide our “vessel” safely through to our destination. Praise God! We do have a Pilot Who knows the way! He assures us, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.” Isa 43:1-3 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8

Emily D. Wilson wrote a hymn that we used to sing that illustrates this very thing”

“Sometimes, when my faith would falter And no sunlight I can see, I just lift mine eyes to Jesus And I whisper, “Pilot me.” “Fear thou not, for I’ll be with thee; I will still thy Pilot be. Never mind the tossing billows; Take my hand and trust in Me.”

Often, when my soul is weary And the days seem, oh, so long, I just look up to my Pilot And I hear this blessed song: “Fear thou not, for I’ll be with thee; I will still thy Pilot be. Never mind the tossing billows; Take my hand and trust in Me.”

When temptations ’round me gather And I almost lose my way, Somehow, in the raging tempest, I can hear my Saviour say, “Fear thou not, for I’ll be with thee; I will still thy Pilot be. Never mind the tossing billows; Take my hand and trust in Me.”

May our response to our Dear Saviour be, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” “In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defense to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.” Ps 56:3; 31:1-3

Rose

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