Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
Chapter 39— “Give Ye Them to Eat”
We are to exercise wisdom and judgment in every action of life, that we may not, by reckless movements, place ourselves in trial. We are not to plunge into difficulties, neglecting the means God has provided, and misusing the faculties He has given us. Christ’s workers are to obey His instructions implicitly. The work is God’s, and if we would bless others His plans must be followed. Self cannot be made a center; self can receive no honor. If we plan according to our own ideas, the Lord will leave us to our own mistakes. But when, after following His directions, we are brought into strait places, He will deliver us. Desire of Ages p.369
God’s Plans the Best
In His loving care and interest for us, often He who understands us better than we understand ourselves refuses to permit us selfishly to seek the gratification of our own ambition. He does not permit us to pass by the homely but sacred duties that lie next us. Often these duties afford the very training essential to prepare us for a higher work. Often our plans fail that God’s plans for us may succeed. The Ministry of Healing p. 473
These are words of encouragement. They are not to condemn us. We all make mistakes and fall. But, God is right there to pick us up. If we obey God’s instructions, we do not have to look far to fulfill our sacred duties. They are right there in front of us or right next to us. We only need to open our eyes and see. By using the faculties that God has provided for us today, it will prepare us for a higher work tomorrow. God loves us and understands us better than we understand ourselves. If we exercise the wisdom and judgement that God has blessed us with, He will bring us into strait places.
Our Father, God Almighty,
We thank you once again for giving us this privilege to still be able to come to You as Your people, Your children, Your saints, in worship, thanksgiving and prayer. We come to you, just as we are, as sinners, and yet you still receive us with Your love. For you know that I am a sinner, and we are all sinners. We are truly sorry and humbly repent of all our sins. But we cannot do anything by our own strength. We pray that You help us overcome the evils and temptations of this world. Grant us your strength, courage, and wisdom to make wise choices. To always seek You first in every action of life. To obey Your instructions implicitly. To not turn to the left or to the right, but to stay on that strait and narrow path that leads to Your heavenly kingdom. To overcome as You also overcame, that we would sin no more. Father, we pray that by Your mercy, compassion, and grace that You forgive us of our sins, the known and the unknown. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Save us, and so that through us, others may be saved. Let us receive Your character and let us be a light unto this dark world. Let us be an ensample unto others and a source of strength to them. By Your word, let them be led to Your truth, that they may experience true conversion. You understand us better than we understand ourselves. Create in us a clean heart, oh God, that we may walk in Your ways. The work is Yours, and if we are to bless others, Your plans must be followed. Often, we set out by our own ideas, our own devices and fail to see that Your sacred work lies right next to us. It is this work that prepares us for a higher work. We pray that You will open our eyes and prepare us for this work. Bless all the families and individuals that can hear this prayer. Let us not neglect the means You have provided nor misuse the faculties You have given us.
Prepare us for a higher work, that Your plans for us may succeed. Let everything we say, everything we do, and everything our hands touch be for the glory of Your name. Lord, it is our prayer that You will answer these prayers according to Your will. We thank You for all the blessings You have bestowed upon us. We thank You for being so good to us. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers and for giving us the victory over sin. Keep us faithful, give us the faith of Christ Jesus. All these things we ask and pray, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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