How to Handle Your Problems

Prayer is the answer to every problem in life. It puts us in tune with Divine wisdom, which knows how to adjust everything perfectly. So often we do not pray in certain situations, because from our standpoint the outlook is hopeless. But, nothing is impossible with God. Nothing is so entangled that it cannot be remedied; no human relationship is too strained for God to bring out reconciliation and understanding; no habit is too deep rooted that it cannot be overcome; no one is so weak that he cannot be made strong; no one is so ill that he cannot be healed; no mind is so dull that it cannot be made brilliant. Whatever the need, if we trust God, He will supply it. If anything is causing worry or anxiety, let us stop rehearsing the difficulty and trust God for healing, love and power. Review 10/7/65

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

A Miracle in a Storm

While grocery shopping Andy noted the weather was nice except for some lightening in the west. Suddenly, in the store, Andy hurried me into the meat lockers. Protesting, I exclaimed, "We don't eat meat! What are you doing!?" Just then ceiling insulation began falling and customers were screaming, but still I did not understand that outside a horrific storm was taking place.

Driving home Andy was darting back and forth on the street to keep from hitting tree limbs strewn about. Meeting us at the back door our three pets had bugged out eyes and tongues hanging out. They looked silly, but were afraid of something that happened to the house.

The next morning we saw the problem, the top portion of the neighbor's pine tree had broken off and was sticking out of our roof like an arrow. The tree pierced the roof, but not the interior ceiling! No wonder our pets were frightened! There were over two hundred trees destroyed or damaged at the park across the street; and it is a miracle we did not lose all our big trees or home!

You are SAVED!

“We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all … By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:10-14.

No believing Christian need worry about their status in the judgment. As long as we continue to walk with Jesus, He will finish what He has began in us (Philippians 1:6). As long as we are being made holy, we are perfect. As long as we are advancing toward the goal, we are considered as if we had already reached the goal, for the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus paid the price for our sins forever.

*****

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment….” Hebrews 10:26, 27.

God gives this solemn warning to those who abuse His grace. This passage is not speaking of those who fall into occasional sin, but to those who cease trying to live holy lives and deliberately keep on sinning. God will judge even His own people .… and reject them if they turn away from following Him.

from Bible Readings, 2008 edition, p 204

Kidnapping

In 1972, my boyfriend, a leading high school actor, encouraged me to try out for a play. Haughtily he challenged, "I realize you are shy and do not have my acting ability, and therefore will not land a part, but at least try-out; it might do you some good.” Accepting his challenge, I was chosen for a non-speaking role in a citywide production.

One evening, after dress rehearsal, a fellow actor, a big, muscular man in his late-fifties, forcibly kidnapped me in the parking lot badly bruising my ribs. He was serious! This was not in fun!

At the time I was 17 years old, weighed 100 pounds, with a 20-inch waist, and did not have the strength to fight him off! Being powerless to escape I continually cried out, "Take me to my car at once!" However he drove to his apartment going through rough sections of town; I was too afraid of the area to escape.

Tenaciously I hung on to my status of virgin and kept it.

Praying to Jesus for help and protection He answered my prayer of faith and I only spoke the words God gave me.

After two hours of being alone with this man in his apartment he drove me back to my car commenting how he had "special plans” for me that night, but was strongly restrained from carrying them out. Praise God for His watch care and love!

Washed Out Bridge!

While crossing a country bridge Andy noticed, too late, that the bridge was almost completely washed out! Traveling at 30 miles per hour he had no time to stop, and the next thing he knew the washout was behind him!

Later Andy drove me to the spot and we photographed and measured the washout. It was seven feet across, twelve feet long, and ten feet deep. The tire tracks could be seen plainly in the soft dirt, going right to the edge on one side of the bridge and continuing on the other side. The car had not jumped the hole! Andy felt no bumps or jolts as is common when his little car goes over even the smallest pothole; he felt only complete smoothness.

Andy explains, "I drove over on the hand of God. There is no other explanation why the car did not fall in. God saved me."

"For God will give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways."
Psalm 91:11

Chicago vacation

For a Summer vacation we decided to drive to Chicago staying overnight in Joliet, Illinois. In the morning we debated whether to take a commuter train or Amtrak and after much debate and prayer chose Amtrak. After arriving in Chicago we learned the commuter had derailed!

While wandering around downtown Chicago we spotted several “Pompeii Exhibit” banners so walked to the museum and found a large crowd milling around. Being short I went closer to the front of the crowd to see what was going on, then started bouncing up and down to get a better view. Just then the museum guard said, “Everybody stand back! I can only let one more person in before the exhibit officially closes!” Just then Andy came over as the guard pointed at me saying, “I choose you to be the person to go in.” Squealing with delight I announced my husband was going in too and the guard agreed. The exhibit was well worth the time.

From there we walked to the Sears Tower, and went up to the observation deck on the 99th Floor. (The Sears Tower was once the world's tallest building!) From this height we saw the yellow smog below, and learned we had been in a smog alert all day! Just then the fire alarm went off!!! Women were screaming, but the security guard casually turned off the alarm. Seems a young boy pulled the fire alarm switch to see what would happen! Oh, my!

All this happened in one day! We were glad to take Amtrak back to Joliet and then back home.

Blessings

We lose many blessings because we overlook the blessings we receive daily, yearning for that which we don't have.

The common mercies which thickly cover our pathway are forgotten and undervalued. We may learn lessons from the humble things of God in nature. The flower in dark humble places responds to all the rays of light it can get, and puts forth its leaves. The caged bird sings in the sunless tenement, as if in a sunny mansion.

God knows whether we will make a wise use of His blessings. He will never give them to us to abuse. God loves the thankful heart, that trusts implicitly in His words of promise, gathering comfort and hope and peace from them; and God will reveal to us still greater depths of His love.

based on: Our High Calling page 10, White

Saved from Death

Being diabetic I take insulin before a meal. Just last night I took my insulin injection, and then ate a bowl of lettuce (an insulin shot is not needed to eat lettuce.) Five minutes later I became dizzy, slurred speech, light-headed, and could not stand without falling! I had no idea what was wrong! My husband half-carried me into the bedroom and I laid down. I prayed and my husband prayed. Neither of us realized that I was going into insulin shock and could die! But, God heard our prayers! In fifteen seconds I felt impressed to get out of bed and eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I was restored to health with no bad after-effects! All praise be to God!

Guardian Angel Encounter

Due to my parent’s full house at Christmas, Andy (my husband) and I stayed at the neighbor's guesthouse. At 10 p.m., while walking to the guesthouse alone, a strange man jumped out and said inappropriate words to me. Then he was startled and looked up as if he were seeing a person at least eight feet tall. He gasped, "Wow, your husband is tall!" I replied, "Yes, he is," and the stranger ran away. Then I realized Andy was not with me and what this strange man saw was my guardian angel!
*****

One snowy day there were loud voices outside the window. Peeking out the curtains I saw two horrible men throwing beer cans at our house and trying to smash the house gutters! I prayed, “Jesus, please do something!” Just then a deep, commanding voice said, “Stop!” I thought, “who was that?” and saw the men looking around, so knew they heard the voice too. Then they started throwing things at my house and trying to take the gutters off the house. Again the deep, commanding voice called out, Stop!”, and the two men looked shocked and took off running! Wanting to see the man who spoke with such authority I stepped out the front door and found no one. I believe God came to my rescue!

Encouragement

If there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any sharing of the Spirit, any warmth of affection and deep sympathy, then complete my happiness by being united in thought, love and agreement. Never act from motives of selfishness or conceit, but in humility think more of others than you do of yourself. [Put others first!] Look after the interests of others, as well as yourself.


Do all you have to do without complaining or arguing, so that you may be God's child: blameless, innocent, ...in the middle of an evil and warped world, but shining like a beacon in a dark place holding out the Word of Life to others. Thus you will be my pride and joy on the day when Jesus returns, proof that I did not.... work in vain. Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! Let your faith shine before all men. The Lord is near!

Excerpts from Philippians chapter 2

The coming of Jesus is not just talk - its close. Choose Jesus now!

Freedom of Opinion - Public School

Public elementary school, District 66 in Omaha, Nebraska, had many memorable, spiritual moments! For instance in two different grades our teachers treated us to Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories and Your Story Hour records. In sixth grade we discussed Noah's Flood, the long lives of pre-Flood people, the people of Hunza, why Pilgrim women did not wear make-up, and how our weekdays received their names from paganism.

In Glee Club and school choir, grades 1 through 12, we sang songs based on the Old Testament and this in Public School! However, when I checked out a Bible from the school library the principal promptly reprimanded me, saying Bible reading was for the home!


In Elementary School my class had four Jewish students and three of them were in the top five students! The reason for this, I believe, was their home life, which I witnessed first hand, even on Yom Kippur! In the Jewish home television was only for special events. After meals the dining room was used for study, the living room was for quiet play, and the bedroom was used only for sleeping. The parents were present, either in the dining room or living room, at all times to encourage, teach, and supervise.


In sixth grade all the students explained different aspects of their religions (Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Atheist). From these discussions the varied backgrounds understood each other better. We were taught everyone has the right to believe as they wish despite anyone's opinion to the contrary. We were taught to believe in religious freedom, freedom of the press, and freedom to assemble peacefully.

Cats and Rabies Scare

While growing up there were many animal friends in our home: a red, longhaired Dachshund called Cricket; two green and yellow parakeets, both named Petie; a tank of fish; and an assortment of cats.

 Our cats included a heavy-muscled, gray-tabby named Tiger who “loved” to be dressed in doll clothes and wheeled around the cul-de-sac; Bootsy a long-haired black cat with tuxedo markings; and Buffy a elegant, twelve pound, long-hair, orange cat that lived to be seventeen years old.

In elementary school a stray cat bit me. Thinking I would be punished for touching a stray cat, I tried to hide my red, swollen hand from Mom. But Mom noticed the sore hand and questioned me as to the cause. Quickly officials began searching for the cat, and I was kept home from school and outdoor play. This made me irritable, which worried Mom and Dad even more, as they suspected rabies, which is deadly.

The local news told of a little girl who would have to undergo painful rabies shots unless a certain cat was found. (At this time rabies shots were deadly if one did not have rabies; but if they had rabies, but did not get the shot, they would die.) I began praying for the little girl little knowing she was me! The next day the officials located the cat and it was positively identified – the cat did not have rabies and I did not have to undergo shots. Praise God!!

Christ's Followers

Christ's followers are to become like Him, (by God’s grace to form characters in harmony with the principles of God’s holy law.) This is Bible sanctification. This work can be accomplished only through faith in Christ, by the power of the indwelling Spirit of God.

Those who experience Bible sanctification, will manifest a spirit of humility. They see their own unworthiness in contrast with the purity and exalted perfection of God.

While the Christian’s life will be characterized by humility, it should not be marked with sadness and self-depreciation. It is the privilege of everyone to live so that God will approve and bless them. It is not the will of our heavenly Father that we should be under condemnation and darkness.

Our heavenly Father orders everything in wisdom and righteousness, and we are not to be dissatisfied and distrustful, but to bow in reverent submission. God will reveal to us as much of His purposes as it is for our good to know, and beyond that we must trust the Hand that is omnipotent, the Heart that is full of love.

these are a few thoughts from the book: The Great Controversy

Must Read - Please!

Look constantly to Jesus. Take all your troubles to Him. He will never misunderstand you. He is the refuge of His people. Under the shadow of His protection we can pass unharmed. Believe in Him and trust in Him. He will not give you up to Satan. …The strength of heaven is at the command of God’s believing ones. The man who makes God his trust is barricaded by an impregnable wall. In Heavenly Places 176! E g white


When we come to Him in faith, every petition enters the heart of God. When we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we HAVE received it. Then we are to go about our duties assured that the blessing will be realized when we need it most. Desire of Ages 200, e g white


Never a prayer is offered, however faltering, never a tear is shed, however secret, never a sincere desire after God is cherished, however feeble, but the Spirit of God goes forth to meet it. Christ’s Object Lessons 208, 209, e g white

God will Never Abandon You

Christ will never abandon those for whom He has died. [Jesus died for every person who has ever been conceived.] We may leave Him and be overwhelmed with temptation, but Christ can never turn from one for whom He has paid the ransom of His own life. Prophets & Kings 176! e g white

God, who never sleeps, who in every crisis has been the strength and dependence of His people, will carry out His eternal purpose. He will thwart the designs of wicked men, and will bring to confusion the counsels of those who plot mischief against His people. He who is the King, the Lord of hosts…amidst the strife and tumult of nations, guards His children still. When the strongholds of kings shall be overthrown, when the arrows of wrath shall strike through the hearts of His enemies, God's people will be safe in His hands. Ellen G White

GOD'S VOICE

A few years ago, while seeing Andy’s grandparents’ graves, we remembered a unique mausoleum. The sealed door was open and Andy wanted to look inside. Feeling suddenly frightened I implored Andy not to get any closer. "Why,” he joked, “Dead people can't hurt you." But seeing how upset I was he agreed to leave and we drove to his parents' house. After telling Andy’s mother the ordeal she turned pale explaining, "I'm so glad you didn’t look inside! One hour ago we heard grave robbers had broken into the mausoleum and coffin, and the sheriff hasn't closed off the area yet. If you had gone in you would have seen the decomposed body!"
*****


While going door-to-door I left literature at one house and then went to the next home. Moments later the man at the first house came out asking me to discuss a Bible topic with him inside his house. At this point the Lord strongly prompted me that this man only meant to harm me and to “get going!” Declining the man’s coaxings I drove to another area, and since learned it was a good thing I did not go into his house! “For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Psalm 91:11.
*****


Having read that many people die without hope in the resurrection, I pray nightly for the Lord to be with all those who are dying, to comfort them and their families, and to save them all in His Kingdom.

Years ago, in the middle of the night, I awoke with the impression that my California friend, actor James Stewart, was dying. I began praying for the Lord to be very near to James, and for him to ask and receive forgiveness of his sins. An hour later I felt peace that James was safe and fell back asleep. The next morning I learned James had died during the night. Though saddened I believe he will be resurrected at Jesus’ Second Coming. This is a great comfort to me.

Angel Voices

"I will hear what God the Lord will speak...." Psalms 85:8 [KJV] I fully believe the Lord can and will impress people; if He does not then why does the Bible say to "test the spirits, whether they are from God" (See 1 John 4:1).


At work I was strongly impressed by God to leave my office desk and go to the other side of the room. I thought, "How strange!" When reaching the opposite wall a large ceiling fixture fell down breaking my chair and smashing the window next to my desk. It pays to listen to God!


My husband Andy was lying under the car doing engine work with the motor running. While moving a linkage an audible voice called out, "Don't touch!" Getting out from under the car Andy looked to see who was standing next to him. There was no one. Crawling back under the car he moved the linkage again when the voice called out, “Don’t touch!” Andy did a double take of what he was doing; he was moving the gearshift linkage to the reverse position. Since the engine was running another move on the linkage would have caused the car to run over Andy’s chest!

Thanksgiving

I bless the Holy God with all my heart. Yes, I will bless the Lord, and not forget the glorious things He does for me.

He forgives all my sins. He heals me! He ransoms me from death. He surrounds me with loving-kindness and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like a strong eagle! He gives justice to all who are treated unfairly.

He is merciful and tender towards those who don't deserve it. He is slow to get angry and full of kindness and love. He never holds a grudge nor remains angry forever. He has not punished us as we deserve for all our sins, for His mercy towards those who fear and honor Him is as great as the heaven’s heights above the earth. He has removed our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. He is like a Father to us, tender and sympathetic to those who reverence Him.

But the loving-kindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting to those who love and reverence Him. His salvation is to...those who are faithful to His Commandments and remember to obey Him.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to God till my dying breath. May He be pleased by all these thoughts about Him, for He is the Source of all my joy!

The above quotes are taken from these Bible texts: Psalm 103:1-22; 104:1, 2, 24, 33, 34.

ANCIENT PROPHECY

Christ’s Birth Foretold in the Old Testament of the Holy Scriptures


The people who walk in darkness will see a great Light. A Light will shine on all those who live on the earth, the land of the shadow of death. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and thick darkness the people, but the Lord will arise upon you and His glory will shine upon you. Nations will come to His Light, and kings to the brightness of His coming.


A Star will come out of Jacob, and a Scepter will rise out of Israel. But you, Bethlehem, though you are small among the tribes of Judah, out of you will come One who will be Ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold a virgin will conceive and bear a Son and will name Him "Immanuel" [God with us].


For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. These will be His royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government and peace.


He will judge your people with righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. He will defend the afflicted and save the children of the poor and needy. He will crush the oppressor. He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak, the poor and the needy, and save them from death. His Name will endure forever - may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through Him, and they will call Him blessed.


God says, "See I Lay a Stone in Zion, a tried Stone, a precious Cornerstone, that is safe to build on. The one who trusts in Him will never lose courage!"


The above quotes are taken from these Bible texts
Isaiah 9:2; 60:2,3/ Numbers 24:17/ Micah 5:2/
Isaiah 7:14; 9:6,7/ Psalm 72:2,4,6,7,12,13,17/
Isaiah 28:16

Best Friend Forever

Jesus is eager to be your best friend. He has not changed with the changing years. His love is as strong, His understanding as perfect, His sympathy as deep, as He was in Bible days. He is just as eager to be helpful today as at any time past.


Sometimes, we are called to pass through periods of trial and hardship. Our future seems hedged with difficulties. Our faith and loyalty are tested to the limit. But NEVER does God desert us. He awaits the right moment to come to our rescue.


Maybe, at this moment, you are troubled, perplexed, and afraid; it may be because you have forgotten that you have such a Friend. Jesus is “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” Psalm 46:1. So why not take Jesus at His word and go boldly, and with confidence, and tell Him all that is on your heart.


The Wonderful Creator, the Glorious Savior, is also your Friend Forever!