As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6, 7.
We need to be converted daily. Our prayers should be more fervent; then they will be more effectual. Stronger and stronger should be our confidence that God’s Spirit will be with us, making us pure and holy, as upright and fragrant as the cedar of Lebanon.—Gospel Workers, 272.
Many receive applause for virtues which they do not possess. The Searcher of hearts weighs the motives, and often deeds highly applauded by men are recorded by Him as springing from selfishness and base hypocrisy. Every act of our lives, … is judged by the Searcher of hearts according to the motives which prompted it.—Gospel Workers, 275.
Those who are engaged in service for the Master need an experience much higher, deeper, broader, than many have yet thought of having. Many who are already members of God’s great family know little of what it means to behold His glory, and to be changed from glory to glory. Many have a twilight perception of Christ’s excellence, and their hearts thrill with joy. They long for a fuller, deeper sense of the Saviour’s love….
The Holy Spirit works with those who will be worked, moulds those who will be moulded, fashions those who will be fashioned. Give yourselves the culture of spiritual thoughts and holy communings. You have seen but the first rays of the early dawn of His glory. As you follow on to know the Lord, you will know that the “path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”—Gospel Workers, 274.
With God at Dawn p. 176
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Annie. She has not been able to sleep more than a couple of hours a night for many weeks. Rose
—-My dentist is searching for the truth after belong disillusioned about the faith he was raised in. I’m sharing with him as I’m able. Please pray for God to give me wisdom and to open his heart and guide him into all truth. His name is Dave. Daisy
—-I have an urgent prayer request, but I can’t give many details. A mother brought her children to America from a closed country. One child who recently become an Adventist wanted to go back to see the father. The mother advised against it several times. But the child really missed the father. When the child arrived back in the original country. the govt. made some claims that appear to be false to keep the child in isolation. Since that time the mother has not received any messages from the child and she is very worried and distraught.
Please pray that God does a miracle to protect the child from harm and/or gives special strength to endure…and that God strengthens faith through this trial. Pray also that the mother and other children will have courage and calmness in this very difficult time and that their faith that God always does what is best becomes stronger. anonymous
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago as I was walking from where I park my car to where I worked, I noticed several firetrucks and firemen around the building where the bail bonds are sold. Someone had become angry and had set it on fire. I watched each day as they pulled out half-burned furniture and boards. It made my several-block walk more interesting. As I was walking to work one day, I noticed the business was boarded up tightly, but the lingering smell of burned materials told any passerby that a fire had occurred.
Just as the burned business gave off a distinctive odor, so we give off an influence to all around. All that we do, all that we say, even the expression on our face tells others what we are like inside. If our heart is pure, our influence will be pure and shine forth with God’s love. If we have allowed evil thoughts to dwell within us, that evil will be spread to others.
Solomon says, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly in him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” Ecc 10:1 Just so, all that we see, all that we hear, all that we read leaves a mark upon us. That mark tells for good or for ill. That mark shows what we have allowed within. That mark changes us one way or the other. That mark causes us to give off a pleasant “aroma” or a repulsive “stink”. Paul advises, “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil 4:8
May we heed Paul’s admonition. May we hide God’s Word in our heart that we may be a savor of life unto life. (Ps 119:9; 2 Cor 2:16) May we “let [our] light so shine before men, that they may see [our] good works, and glorify [our] Father which is in heaven” is my prayer. Matt 5:16
Rose