White Like Snow

In the vision that came to Isaiah in the temple court, he was given a clear view of the character of the God of Israel. “The high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy,” had appeared before him in great majesty; yet the prophet was made to understand the compassionate nature of his Lord….

In beholding his God, the prophet … had not only been given a view of his own unworthiness; there had come to his humbled heart the assurance of forgiveness, full and free; and he had arisen a changed man. He had seen his Lord. He had caught a glimpse of the loveliness of the divine character. He could testify of the transformation wrought through beholding Infinite Love. Henceforth he was inspired with longing desire to see erring Israel set free from the burden and penalty of sin. “Why should ye be stricken any more?” the prophet inquired. “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.” … The God whom they had been claiming to serve, but whose character they had misunderstood, was set before them as the great Healer of spiritual disease….

The heart of Infinite Love yearns after those who feel powerless to free themselves from the snares of Satan; and He graciously offers to strengthen them to live for Him. “Fear thou not,” He bids them; “for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” …

Have you, reader, chosen your own way? Have you wandered far from God? Have you sought to feast upon the fruits of transgression, only to find them turn to ashes upon your lips? … Return to your Father’s house. He invites you, saying, “Return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.” “Come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live.” 25Prophets and Kings, 314-320.
Conflict and Courage p. 235
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Prayer Requests
—-Please keep bud in prayer he was taken to the hospital he lost all feeling in his feet. he had a triple by pass a few months ago. even so come Lord Jesus . take us home, m.
—-Please pray for E and children. R
—-Prayers for friends whose 17 year old granddaughter vanished in the night. She is said to have wiped the memories clean of her computer and cell phone. Her family believes her to have been kidnapped, and there is an endangered person advisory out for her. Pray for her safety and return to her family. Aleta
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Dear Friends,

When I was in my late teens, I worked in a factory that made children’s clothing. The working conditions were not at all good, but it was a job and I was glad to have it. Many people were out of work at that time. We got paid by how many garments we did. My mother worked there too and did much better than I because she was much faster.

It was a Monday through Friday job and that left me free to go to church on Sabbath. (I had recently learned that the Sabbath was still God’s holy day and that man had made the change but that God had never changed it.) One week, however, our boss called a meeting for all employees. Everyone had to work on Saturdays. No one was to be excused. That was not a problem for my mother, but it was a big problem for me. I knew I could not go to work on that day. God had declared, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Ex 20:8-11

At that time unemployment rates were quite high and finding a job was not that easy. This thought pressed upon my mind, but I knew God could work things out. After praying, I went to Andy, the boss, and explained to him why I could not work on Sabbath. Andy told me that I was expected to be there anyway.

God raised up someone to help me. It was my own mother, who was very much against my religion. Yet God moved her to help me. She talked to Andy about it and God gave her the words Andy needed to hear. She said, “Andy, you of all people, should know why she cannot work on Saturday.” Andy, who was a Jew, understood. I did not lose my job. He let me continue working just the five days a week. I was very thankful that God used my mother to help me.

Jesus tells us, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 He, Himself, kept the Sabbath. “And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day.” Luke 4:15,16 Jesus spent much time teaching true Sabbath keeping because the Pharisees had added so many rules and regulations to the Sabbath that it had become a burden. For example, a person could not even carry a handkerchief on Sabbath. If a person spit on the ground, the Jewish leaders said that was breaking the Sabbath for it might water a plant. How ridiculous! In addition, they had many ways around those extra burdens that the leaders had imposed. If a person wanted to go farther than the distance that the leaders had declared to be a “Sabbath day’s journey” the person would go the distance the day before and hide a bit of food. That, then, became their “house” and they could go another Sabbath day’s journey from there. That made no sense at all.

Jesus taught that He is the Lord of the Sabbath. (Luke 6:5) He is the One Who made it when He created the world. (Gen 2:1-3) Jesus taught by His example that we should do good on the Sabbath for He often healed on that day. “And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.” Luke 13:10-17

May we keep the Sabbath from a heart of love to the One Who created it. May we keep all of His commandments for His commandments are holy and just and good. (Rom 7:12)

May we soon hear Him say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matt 25:23

Rose