He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37, 38.
As Elijah, divinely directed in seeking a successor, passed the field in which Elisha was plowing, he cast upon the young man’s shoulders the mantle of consecration…. To him it was the signal that God had called him to be the successor of Elijah…. Elisha must count the cost—decide for himself to accept or reject the call. If his desires clung to his home and its advantages, he was at liberty to remain there. But Elisha understood the meaning of the call…. Not for any worldly advantage would he forgo the opportunity of becoming God’s messenger, or sacrifice the privilege of association with His servant…. Without hesitation he left a home where he was beloved, to attend the prophet in his uncertain life.
Because they are not connected with some directly religious work, many feel that their lives are useless, that they are doing nothing for the advancement of God’s kingdom…. Because they can serve only in little things, they think themselves justified in doing nothing. In this they err. A man may be in the active service of God while engaged in the ordinary, everyday duties—while felling trees, clearing the ground, or following the plow. The mother who trains her children for Christ is as truly working for God as is the minister in the pulpit.
Many long for special talent with which to do a wonderful work, while the duties lying close at hand, the performance of which would make the life fragrant, are lost sight of…. Success depends not so much on talent as on energy and willingness. It is not the possession of splendid talents that enables us to render acceptable service, but the conscientious performance of daily duties, the contented spirit, the unaffected, sincere interest in the welfare of others. In the humblest lot true excellence may be found. The commonest tasks, wrought with loving faithfulness, are beautiful in God’s sight.
Conflict and Courage p. 221
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Prayer Requests
—–Sherie who is in a comatose like state (over a year now). Pray for Salvation, Deliverance, and Healing. Melissa
—–Please pray for my friend’s niece Andrea she was hit by a car and is in serious condition. Roberta
—–Please keep me in your prayers. Got a strange rash Loraine
—–Need prayers for my friend Tory.. she is in a tough living situation and also is dealing with health issues. Eva
—–I need prayers for my granddaughter and her mom.they are having medical issues. Lois
—–I have an urgent prayer request. a friend of mine just called. her ex- sister in law called her at 1:00 am this morning to let her know that her granddaughter was in a horrible accident. yesterday afternoon her boyfriend the high speed driver was killed . she is hurt very bad they had to air flight her to _____. in serious condition. her name is Haley.. Also please pray for a woman in her 70’s whose husband has cancer and is taking chemo and radiation they give him 40 % chance of surviving. her name is Peggy.. I also need special prayer on Thursday. MC
—–My 84-year-old mother just had a massive stroke. She is dying, and is now under hospice care. I’m heading to _____ to see her, probably for the last time. We are so sad. Please pray for her and her husband Bill. SW
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Dear friends,
Last evening, Ron went over to a friend’s house to put in an inline fuel filter. They expected that it would take only about ten minutes. What was supposed to take ten minutes took over two hours—long, struggling hours. Once installed, the truck would not start. They tried everything imaginable, but nothing worked. Then they thought something had been bumped and gotten loose. They checked every connection. Nothing. They primed the filter. Nothing. Finally, they looked up that particular fuel filter on the internet. There was a Youtube video listed. After watching it, they followed the directions in the video and the truck started with no trouble.
Just so, our Great Creator has given us directions to put our life together in the right way. How important, then, it is for us to read and follow those directions. James urges us, “be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25 How vital it is for us to memorize God’s Holy Word. The Psalmist David found Scripture memory the secret of his walk with God. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.” Psa 119:9-12
As we meditate upon God’s Word, the Holy Spirit reveals so many gems of truth in each text, that it becomes an exciting experience. Jeremiah says, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jer 15:16 David adds, “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Psa 119:15,16, 19:7-11 As we hide God’s Word in our hearts, we become changed into His image. Paul tells us, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor 3:18
How many times the Author of the Bible will bring the Scriptures to our mind when we need them. Indeed, Jesus used this principle when tempted in the wilderness. He answered each temptation by quoting Scripture. “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” Matt 4:1-11
May we each day, hide God’s Word in our heart, that we may draw ever nearer to Him. May we be diligent to search the Scriptures for they testify of our Dear Saviour and His great love for us. May we daily pray as did David, ” Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psa 19:14
Rose