We finished the devotional book That I May Know Him yesterday, so we will be starting the book This Day With God written by Ellen G. White. It is a compilation of letters and other writings which were written to specific individuals but which principles apply to our lives as well. It is my hope that you will get a blessing from it.
With One Accord
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:6.
Many are on the enchanted ground of the enemy. Things of the least importance–foolish social parties, singing, jesting, joking–engross their minds and they serve God with a divided heart. In these things you have one unseen in your midst, helping you–Satan is present, full of hellish exultation. The declaration of Christ, “No man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24), is unheeded.
After the ascension of Christ, the Holy Spirit did not immediately descend. There were ten days after His ascension before the Holy Spirit was given. This time was devoted by the disciples to most earnest preparation for receiving so precious an endowment. The rich treasures of heaven were poured out to them after they had searched their own hearts diligently and had sacrificed every idol. They were before God, humbling their souls, strengthening their faith, confessing their sins. And their hearts were in harmony with one another. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:1, 2). The church needs a similar experience right here at the great heart of the work. Are we searching our hearts, preparing for the heavenly grace to be received? The Lord is waiting to be gracious.
The Lord will reveal Himself to His people, but they must be unitedly engaged in the work of seeking the Lord. . . . The work which is to be carried forward at this time is a most important one. It is a life and death question. . . .
Shall the enemy [be allowed], right at this solemn time, to bring in a condition of things–of diversion and pleasure–to absorb the mind and fill it with vain, trifling thoughts that have no place for God, eternity, or heaven?–Manuscript 38, 1890, diary, Battle Creek, Michigan, Jan. 2, 1890.
This Day With God p. 10
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for my father-in-law Larry. We are at the ER with him. I also am not feeling well and could use prayer. Eileen
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Dear Friends,
I was thinking today about when I homeschooled my children. When we lived in North Carolina there were some great educational television programs that I incorporated in their lessons. I used a video on the Heimlich Maneuver for Eileen’s health class one week. That Sabbath morning, I was eating cereal when Eileen, who was thirteen at the time, said something funny. I looked up at her and laughed. When I did, the soggy cereal slipped down my throat and stuck on top of my epiglottis. Of course I couldn’t breathe in that condition and got a panicked look on my face. Instantly, Eileen knew what was wrong and tried the Heimlich Maneuver on me. That soggy cereal would not budge. Loudly she called to Ron who was in the bathroom shaving. “Daddy, you get in here right now!!!” Now my children were always taught to be polite and respectful and she would never have spoken to him in that way. Ron, hearing the panic in her voice rushed in with shaving cream still on half his face. I had stood up by this time and things were looking black around the edges of my vision. All that wonderful air and I could get none of it. Ron tried the same maneuver but to no avail. Then he picked me up around the waist and shook me up and down. Suddenly I could feel the cereal become airborne and I immediately swallowed. Air, glorious air filled my lungs. I was so thankful that she had viewed that video so that she knew instantly what was wrong.
I wrote the above on Facebook a few days ago and one of my friends remarked how God had known that was going to happen and had led me to use that video on the Heimlech Maneuver for Eileen’s health class. Praise God! She was right in what she said. He always knows the end from the beginning. Our Great Protector reminds us, “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” Isa 46:9, 10 He can never be taken by surprise.
Moreover, our Wonderful Redeemer commands His angels to protect and defend us. Surely they were helping Ron pick me up around the waist and shake me up and down. (I weigh much more than he does.) Paul says, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Heb 1:14 David declares, “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:7, 8
Merciful Saviour! The words of a song written by Fredrick Faber come to mind,
“There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, Like the wideness of the sea; There’s a kindness in His justice, Which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows Are more felt than up in Heaven; There is no place where earth’s failings Have such kindly judgment given.
There is welcome for the sinner, And more graces for the good; There is mercy with the Savior; There is healing in His blood.
There is grace enough for thousands Of new worlds as great as this; There is room for fresh creations In that upper home of bliss.
For the love of God is broader Than the measure of our mind; And the heart of the Eternal Is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more simple, We should take Him at His word; And our lives would be all sunshine In the sweetness of our Lord.
May we trust ourselves to the One Who Loves us so much that He “gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 May we allow Him to lead us in every aspect of our lives knowing that He has our best interest in mind. May we “praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” is my prayer. Psalm 107:8
Rose