The Good Shepherd's Appeal

I WILL seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away." Eze.xxxiv,16

"Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt.xi,28.

Why, O man, hast thou left me?

Why hast thou turned from Him that loved thee?

Why hast thou again joined thyself to thy enemy?

Remember that for thy sake I became flesh.

Remember that for thy sake I became poor.

Remember that for thy sake I was persecuted.

Remember that for thy sake I bore evil-speaking, reproaches, angry words, dishonor, wounds, spitting, blows, mockings, and bitter sufferings.

Remember that for thy sake I suffered a cruel death.

I was made low to exalt thee.

I was made poor to enrich thee.

I was dishonored to bring glory upon thee.

I was wounded to heal thee. I died that thou mightest have life.

Thou didst sin, and I took thy sin upon Myself.

Thou wast condemned to death, and I died for thee.

Dost thou despise my love. Instead of love, thou givest me hatred. Thou lovest sin, and not Me.

Thou laborest for thy passions, and not for Me.

Now what dost thou find in Me deserving of thy dislike?

Dost desire good for thyself? Every good is with Me.

Dost thou desire happiness? Every blessing is with Me.

Dost thou desire dignity? Who is more noble than the Son of God?

Dost thou seek exaltation? Who is higher than the King of heaven?

Dost thou desire wealth? I have all riches.

Dost thou desire wisdom? I am wisdom.

Dost thou desire friendship? Who is more worthy of love, and more loving than I? for I laid down My life for all.

Dost thou seek help? Who can help except Me?

Dost thou seek consolation in grief? Who can console except Me?

Dost thou seek rest? Come unto Me and I will give thee rest.

Dost thou seek peace? I am the peace of the soul.

Dost thou seek light? I am the light of the world.

Dost thou seek truth? I am the truth.

Dost thou seek the way? I am the way.

Dost thou seek a guide to heaven? I am the guide.

Why dost thou not wish to come unto Me?

Dost thou not dare to come? To whom is there an easier access?

Art thou fearful of asking? Whom coming unto Me with faith have I refused? Do thy sins hinder thee? I died for sinners. Does the multitude of thy sins distress thee? In Me is abundant mercy.

-Bishop Tehon.

O Blessed Daniel

Speak with me, O blessed Daniel.
Give me full assurance, I beseech thee.
Thou does prophesy concerning the lioness in Babylon;
For thou was a captive there.
Thou has unfolded the future regarding the bear;
For thou was still in the world,
And did see the things come to pass.
Then thou spoke to me of the leopard;
And whence can thou know this,
For thou art already gone to thy rest?
Who instructed thee to announce these things,
But He who formed thee in (from) thy mother's womb?
That is God, thou said.
Thou has spoken indeed, and that not falsely.
The leopard has arisen;
The he-goat is come;
He hath broken his horns in pieces;
He hath stamped upon him with his feet.
He has been exalted by his fall;
The four horns have come up from under that one.
Rejoice, blessed Daniel!
Thou has not been in error:
All these things have come to pass.
After this again thou has told me of the beast dreadful and terrible.
It had iron teeth and claws of brass:
It devoured and brake in pieces,
And stamped the residue with the feet of it.'
Already the iron rules;
Already it subdues and breaks all in pieces;
Already it brings all the unwilling into subjection;
Already we see these things ourselves.
Now we glorify God, being instructed by thee."

The Mind of a godly Young Woman

No one can so effectually ruin a woman's happiness and usefulness, and make life a heartsickening burden, as her own husband; and no one can do one hundredth part as much to chill the hopes and aspirations of a man, to paralyze his energies and ruin his influence and prospects, as his own wife. It is from the marriage hour that many men and women date their success or failure in this life, and their hopes of the future life. --AH 43

Let the woman who desires a peaceful, happy union, who would escape future misery and sorrow, inquire before she yields her affections…

What has been his past record?
Is his life pure?
Is the love which he expresses of a noble, elevated character, or is it a mere emotional fondness?
Has he the traits of character that will make me happy?
Can I find true peace and joy in his affection?
Will I be allowed to preserve my individuality, or must my judgment and conscience be
surrendered to the control of him as a husband? . .
Can he honor the Saviour’s claims as supreme?
Will he preserve body and soul, thoughts and purposes, pure and holy?
Has my lover a mother?
What is the stamp of her character?
Does he recognize his obligations to her?
Is he mindful of her wishes and happiness?
If he does not respect and honor his mother, will he manifest respect and love, kindness and attention, toward me as a wife?
When the novelty of marriage is over, will he love me still?
Will he be patient with my mistakes, or will he be critical, overbearing, and dictatorial?

These questions have a vital bearing upon the well-being of every woman who enters the marriage relation.--FLB 257.

Let a young woman accept as a life companion only one who possesses pure, manly traits of character, one who is diligent, aspiring, and honest, one who loves and fears God--AH, p. 47

If you are blessed with God-fearing parents, seek counsel of them. Open to them your hopes and plans, learn the lessons which their life experiences have taught, and you will be saved many a heartache. Above all, make Christ your counselor. Study His word with prayer.--MYP 435.

Take God and your God-fearing parents into your counsel, young friends. Pray over the matter. . . . The step you are about to take is one of the most important in your life, and should not be taken hastily. While you may love, do not love blindly. --FLB 277.

Let those who are contemplating marriage weigh every sentiment and watch every development of character in the one with whom they think to unite their life destiny. Let every step toward a marriage alliance be characterized by modesty, simplicity, sincerity, and an earnest purpose to please and honor God. Marriage affects the afterlife both in this world and in the world to come. A sincere Christian will make no plans that God cannot approve. --MH 359


In business, men and women manifest great caution. Before engaging in any important enterprise, they prepare themselves for their work. Time, money, and much careful study are devoted to the subject, lest they shall make a failure in their undertaking. How much greater caution should be exercised in entering the marriage relation--a relation which affects future generations and the future life? Instead of this, it is often entered upon with jest and levity, impulse and passion, blindness and lack of calm consideration. The only explanation of this is that Satan loves to see misery and ruin in the world, and he weaves this net to entangle souls. He rejoices to have these inconsiderate persons lose their enjoyment of this world and their home in the world to come.--AH 72.

An unsanctified wife is the greatest curse that a minister can have. --Eva 677

Boys and girls enter upon the marriage relation with unripe love, immature judgment, without noble, elevated feelings, and take upon themselves the marriage vows, wholly led by their boyish, girlish passions.--AH 79.

A person's character is judged by his style of dress. A refined taste, a cultivated mind, will be revealed in the choice of simple and appropriate attire. Chaste simplicity in dress, when united with modesty of demeanor, will go far toward surrounding a young woman with that atmosphere of sacred reserve which will be to her a shield from a thousand perils.--Education, p. 248.

Young girls are forward, not modest and retiring as they once were. They engage the attention of the young men, do the courting by seeking their attention, hanging around, and talking with them. And it is a fact that the associations of the young men and women can not be encouraged without marriage being thought of and soon contracted. I write this to warn the young men and women not to be betrayed into foolish attachments which will prove their ruin in the end.--PH152 15.

Even if an engagement has been entered into without a full understanding of the character of the one with whom you intend to unite, do not think that the engagement makes it a positive necessity for you to take upon yourself the marriage vow and link yourself for life to one whom you cannot love and respect. Be very careful how you enter into conditional engagements; but better, far better, break the engagement before marriage than separate afterward, as many do. You may say, "But I have given my promise, and shall I now retract it?" I answer, If you have made a promise contrary to the Scriptures, by all means retract it without delay, and in humility before God repent of the infatuation that led you to make so rash a pledge. Far better take back such a promise, in the fear of God, than keep it, and thereby dishonor your Maker. --AH 48.

There is not one marriage in one hundred that results happily, that bears the sanction of God,
and places the parties in a position better to glorify Him.-- Testimonies vol.4 p.503

Love is a precious gift, which we receive from Jesus. Pure and holy affection is not a feeling, but a principle. Those who are actuated by true love are neither unreasonable nor blind.- MYP p.435

Love….. “rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.”-- 1 Corinthians 13:7.

The Mind of A Godly Young Man

“This question of marriage should be a study instead of a matter of impulse.” LYL 29

“Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord” (Proverbs 18:22).

“……a prudent wife is from the LORD.” Proverbs 19:14

“Married life is not all romance; it has its real difficulties and its homely details. The wife must
not consider herself a doll, to be tended, but a woman; one to put her shoulder under real, not
imaginary, burdens, and live an understanding, thoughtful life, considering that there are other
things to be thought of than herself.” FLB 256

“Every girl should learn to take charge of the domestic affairs of home, should be a cook, a
housekeeper, a seamstress. She should understand all those things which it is necessary that the
mistress of a house should know.” FLB 256.

There are very many girls who have married and have families, who have but little practical
knowledge of the duties devolving upon a wife and mother. They can read, and play upon an
instrument of music; but they cannot cook. They cannot make good bread, which is very
essential to the health of the family. They cannot cut and make garments, for they never learned
how. They considered these things unessential, and in their married life they are as dependent
upon some one to do these things for them as are their own little children.-- LYL 19.

“If need be, a young woman can dispense with a knowledge of French and algebra, or even of
the piano; but it is indispensable that she learn to make good bread, to fashion neatly fitting
garments, and to perform efficiently the many duties that pertain to homemaking” FB 256.

“Weigh every sentiment, and watch every development of character in the one with whom you think to
link your life destiny. While you may love, do not love blindly.” {AH 45.1}

“Examine carefully to see if your married life would be happy or inharmonious and wretched.”- AH 45.2

Let the questions be raised……

Is she worthy to stand by my side?
Will her influence ennoble and refine me?
Will she be fitted to bear her share of life’s burdens?
Will she bring happiness to my home?
Is [she] an economist?
Will she, if married, not only use all her own earnings, but all of mine to gratify a vanity, a love of appearance?
What has been her past record?
Is her life pure?
Is the love which she expresses of a noble, elevated character, or is it a mere emotional fondness?
Does she have traits of character that will make me happy?
Can she honor the Saviour's claims as supreme?
Will body and soul, thoughts and purposes, be preserved pure and holy?
Will this union help me heavenward?
Will it increase my love for God?
Will it enlarge my sphere of usefulness in this life?
Will she be patient with my mistakes?
Will she be one who will be patient and painstaking?
Will she cease to care for my parents at the very time when they need a strong son to lean upon?
Does she recognize his obligations to her mother?
Is she mindful of her wishes and happiness?

I know that to the mind of a man infatuated with love and thoughts of marriage these questions will be brushed away as though they were of no consequence. But these things should be duly considered, for they have a bearing upon your future life. --AH 46.

Marriage, in a majority of cases, is a most galling yoke. There are thousands that are mated but not matched. The books of heaven are burdened with the woes, the wickedness, and the abuse that lie hidden under the marriage mantle. This is why I would warn the young who are of a marriageable age to make haste slowly in the choice of a companion. The path of married life may appear beautiful and full of happiness; but why may not you be disappointed as thousands of others have been? --AH 44.

Great care should be taken by Christian youth in the formation of friendships and in the choice of companions. Take heed, lest what you now think to be pure gold turns out to be base metal. Worldly associations tend to place obstructions in the way of your service to God, and many souls are ruined by unhappy unions, either business or matrimonial, with those who can never elevate or ennoble. Never should God's people venture upon forbidden ground. Marriage between believers and unbelievers is forbidden by God. But too often the unconverted heart follows its own desires, and marriages unsanctioned by God are formed. --MYP 436.

Hundreds have sacrificed Christ and heaven in consequence of marrying unconverted persons. Can it be that the love and fellowship of Christ are of so little value to them that they prefer the companionship of poor mortals? Is heaven so little esteemed that they are willing to risk its enjoyments for one who has no love for the precious Saviour? 4T 507.2
Every marriage engagement should be carefully considered, for marriage is a step taken for life.
Both the man and the woman should carefully consider whether they can cleave to each other
through the vicissitudes of life as long as they both shall live --AH, p. 340

Give yourself sufficient time for observation on every point and then do not trust to your own judgment, and let the mother who loves you, and your father, and confidential friends, make critical observations of the one you feel inclined to favor. Trust not to your own judgment, and marry no one whom you feel will not be an honor to your father and mother, one who has intelligence and moral worth” --Letter 59, 1880.

He [Satan] is busily engaged in influencing those who are wholly unsuited to each other to unite
their interests. He exults in this work, for by it he can produce more misery and hopeless woe to the human family than by exercising his skill in any other direction.” --LYL 29

“Above all make Christ your counselor. Study His word with prayer” --MYP, p. 435

There is no safety for any man, young or old, unless he feels the necessity of seeking God for
counsel at every step .--AH, p. 331

“Let God teach you His way. Inquire of Him daily to know His will. He will
give unerring counsel to all who seek Him with a sincere heart” 9T p. 276..

If men and women are in the habit of praying twice a day before they contemplate marriage,
they should pray four times a day when such a step is anticipated. Marriage is something that
will influence and affect your life, both in this world and in the world to come.-- FLB 258

"A prudent wife is from the Lord." "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her. . . . She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her," saying, "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all." He who gains such a wife "findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord." Proverbs 19:14; 31:11, 12, 26-29; 18:22. MH 359.

THE BIBLE AT A GLANCE

This is intriguing, exciting. ...

Our journey began at GENESIS through EXODUS.

On the way, we saw LEVITICUS recording the NUMBERS of people of DEUTERONOMY,

while JOSHUA was waiting at beautiful gate for JUDGES to see RUTH calling loudly SAMUEL! SAMUEL!

Because the first and second KINGS of CHRONICLES are coming to visit EZRA, NEHEMIAH and ESTHER

for the misfortune of JOB, their brother. As they notice that PSALMS was teaching his children

PROVERBS concerning ECCLESIASTES and SONGS OF SOLOMON. This coincided with the peroid that

ISAIAH and JEREMIAH were engaged in LAMENTATION for EZEKIEL and DANIEL. By the time AMOS

and OBADIAH were not around. Three days ago, HOSEA, JOEL and JONAH were reported to have

traveled in the same ship with MICAH and NAHUM to jerusalem. More also, HABAKKUK visited

ZEPHANIAH who introduced him to HAGGAI a friend of ZECHARIAH whose cousin is MALACHI.

Immediately after the old tradition, MATHEW, MARK, LUKE and JOHN involved in ACTS with the

ROMANS behaving like the CORINTHIANS who were always at loggerhead with the GALATIANS. At that

time, the EPHESIANS realizing that the PHILIPPIANS are interested in the case, they made known to

the COLOSSIANS who suggested to the THESSALONIANS that they should first of all see TIMOTHY who

has gone to the house of TITUS whowas teaching PHILEMON his younger younger brother how to read

and write HEBREW. On hearing, JAMES asked PETER to explain to him how the three JOHNS have

disclosed to JUDE the REVELETION of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God Bless.

It's In The Valley's I Grow

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then I have to remember
That it's in the valleys I grow.

If I stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.

I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys I grow.

I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.

My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.


Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow!

by Jane Eggleston

I Should Not Have Been Born

One of the greatest stories of the bible is the exodus from Egypt and the experiences of Israel. As I read and study these inspired writings I see that I not only worship a God who hears prayers but who also hears prayers.

And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. – Exodus 3:7, 8


The Lord delivered ancient Israel from the bondage of Egypt and led them through the wilderness into the earthly Canaan, or the "promised land." Even though I am thrilled by God’s leading in the wilderness the sad truth is that not every who left Egypt made it to Canaan. How was it possible that the very people that were crying day and night for deliverance failed to see the Promised Land? Sad but it is a fact even today. Not everyone who has been delivered from the bondage of sin will welcome Jesus as His personal Saviour.

Perhaps the question that deserves our attention is--How did it all happen? Moses speaking he says

[There are] eleven days' [journey] from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadeshbarnea.)—Duet 1:2

And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness, which ye saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites, as the LORD our God commanded us; and we came to Kadeshbarnea. –Duet 1:19

Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days.—Duet 2:1

What made them to turn back?


And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.—Numbers 32:13.

Out of about two million people who left Egypt to Canaan only two made it, Joshua and Caleb. It very interesting to also note that the exodus movement is typical of the gathering of modern Israel out of the darkness of modern Egypt and spiritual Babylon to lead them into the heavenly Canaan.

The prophet of the remnant church commenting on these verses she had this to say…

“It was not the will of God that Israel should wander forty years in the wilderness; he desired to lead them directly to the land of Canaan, and establish them there, a holy, happy people. “—GC p 458

“For forty years did unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion shut out ancient Israel from the land of Canaan. The same sins have delayed the entrance of modern Israel into the heavenly Canaan.…It is the unbelief, the worldliness, unconsecration, and strife among the Lord's professed people that have kept us in this world of sin and sorrow so many years.” 1SM p 69

It appears that we are repeating the history of the children of Israel. And the problem did not start now as early prior as 1888 Ellen G. White was shown that time was short . Please take note of the dates of the quotes…
Because time is short, we should work with diligence and double energy. Our children may never enter college.--3T 159 (1872). {LDE 36.4}

It is really not wise to have children now. Time is short, the perils of the last days are upon us, and the little children will be largely swept off before this.--Letter 48, 1876. LDE 36

In this age of the world, as the scenes of earth's history are soon to close and we are about to enter upon the time of trouble such as never was, the fewer the marriages contracted the better for all, both men and women.--5T 366 (1885). LDE 37

The hour will come; it is not far distant, and some of us who now believe will be alive upon the earth, and shall see the prediction verified, and hear the voice of the archangel and the trump of God echo from mountain and plain and sea to the uttermost parts of the earth.--RH July 31, 1888. LDE 37

I know that if the people of God had preserved a living connection with Him, if they had obeyed His Word, they would today be in the heavenly Canaan. --General Conference Bulletin, March 30, 1903.

It is clear from the above quotes that we should not have been born. But here we are today let us not repeat the mistakes that our fathers made. We live in times when truth is rejected , error accepted, families disconnected, youth misdirected , immoral people respected, communities crime infected and only chaos is expected but God wants us to shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.

Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.”-COL p 69.


How Long Will the Mansions Be Empty…