Repent, be converted and be healed

“Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.”

“Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.”

“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: and he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, and the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.

But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The Ministry of Healing

The Worker’s Need (Part 15)

Chapter 42—Development and Service (Part 2)

Never think that you have learned enough, and that you may now relax your efforts. The cultivated mind is the measure of the man. Your education should continue during your lifetime; every day you should be learning and putting to practical use the knowledge gained. 

Remember that in whatever position you may serve you are revealing motive, developing character. Whatever your work, do it with exactness, with diligence; overcome the inclination to seek an easy task. 

The same spirit and principles that one brings into the daily labor will be brought into the whole life. Those who desire a fixed amount to do and a fixed salary, and who wish to prove an exact fit without the trouble of adaptation or training, are not the ones whom God calls to work in His cause. Those who study how to give as little as possible of their physical, mental, and moral power are not the workers upon whom He can pour out abundant blessings. Their example is contagious. Self-interest is the ruling motive. Those who need to be watched and who work only as every duty is specified to them, are not the ones who will be pronounced good and faithful. Workers are needed who manifest energy, integrity, diligence, those who are willing to do anything that needs to be done. 

Many become inefficient by evading responsibilities for fear of failure. Thus they fail of gaining that education which results from experience, and which reading and study and all the advantages otherwise gained cannot give them. 

Man can shape circumstances, but circumstances should not be allowed to shape the man. We should seize upon circumstances as instruments by which to work. We are to master them, but should not permit them to master us. 

Men of power are those who have been opposed, baffled, and thwarted. By calling their energies into action, the obstacles they meet prove to them positive blessings. They gain self-reliance. Conflict and perplexity call for the exercise of trust in God and for that firmness which develops power. 

Christ gave no stinted service. He did not measure His work by hours. His time, His heart, His soul and strength, were given to labor for the benefit of humanity. Through weary days He toiled, and through long nights He bent in prayer for grace and endurance that He might do a larger work. With strong crying and tears He sent His petitions to heaven, that His human nature might be strengthened, that He might be braced to meet the wily foe in all his deceptive workings, and fortified to fulfill His mission of uplifting humanity. To His workers He says, “I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done.” John 13:15. 

“The love of Christ,” said Paul, “constraineth us.” 2 Corinthians 5:14. This was the actuating principle of his conduct; it was his motive power. If ever his ardor in the path of duty flagged for a moment, one glance at the cross caused him to gird up anew the loins of his mind and press forward in the way of self-denial. In his labors for his brethren he relied much upon the manifestation of infinite love in the sacrifice of Christ, with its subduing, constraining power. 

How earnest, how touching, his appeal: “Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9. You know the height from which He stooped, the depth of humiliation to which He descended. His feet entered upon the path of sacrifice and turned not aside until He had given His life. There was no rest for Him between the throne in heaven and the cross. His love for man led Him to welcome every indignity and suffer every abuse. 

Paul admonishes us to “look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” He bids us possess the mind “which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:4-8. 

Paul was deeply anxious that the humiliation of Christ should be seen and realized. He was convinced that if men could be led to consider the amazing sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven, selfishness would be banished from their hearts. The apostle lingers over point after point, that we may in some measure comprehend the wonderful condescension of the Saviour in behalf of sinners. He directs the mind first to the position which Christ occupied in heaven in the bosom of His Father; he reveals Him afterward as laying aside His glory, voluntarily subjecting Himself to the humbling conditions of man’s life, assuming the responsibilities of a servant, and becoming obedient unto death, and that the most ignominious and revolting, the most agonizing—the death of the cross. Can we contemplate this wonderful manifestation of the love of God without gratitude and love, and a deep sense of the fact that we are not our own? Such a Master should not be served from grudging, selfish motives. 

“Ye know,” says Peter, “that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold.” 1 Peter 1:18. Oh, had these been sufficient to purchase the salvation of man, how easily it might have been accomplished by Him who says, “The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine”! Haggai 2:8. But the sinner could be redeemed only by the precious blood of the Son of God. Those who, failing to appreciate this wonderful sacrifice, withhold themselves from Christ’s service, will perish in their selfishness. 

https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/135.2620#2632

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the assurance of Your Holy Spirit to work within us to reflect the unselfish love and character and courage and faith of Jesus Christ, especially amid a storm of evil, keen disappointment, or circumstances designed to utterly discourage faith. In such circumstances, please bless us to wholly submit to Your divine power that others will unmistakably see You in us—that we are one with You as You are with Your Son Jesus—and be drawn into a saving relationship with You. We desire that we might have the mind of Christ to save souls and enjoy His experience of perfect obedience to Your will that we might one day soon stand in Thy glorious presence without fear of death. Thank You, because we ask it in the Awesome and Almighty name of Your Son, Jesus, our Saving King. Amen.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

DID YOU KNOW THIS…? What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. —1  Corinthians 6:19, 20 KJV [The WORD OF GOD—It’s the only flesh that is safe to eat (meditate on) to live forever!]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

FREE HEALTH TALK* open to the public Thursdays at 5pm at Country Life Natural Foods Store and Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurant, 1217 Eberhart Avenue, Columbus, GA. The topic for Thursday, April  9, is “Breaking the Fast (Cooking Class).”

*Exception: Cooking class $10

https://www.countrylifeonline.com/health-programs

WHGR 91.5 FM went LIVE noon on Thanksgiving Day 2025, for Hurtsboro (my childhood home town) and surrounding areas, including Tuskegee, Alabama.

If you want to support Christian programming for these final days, please visit
https://www.ucheepines.org/radio

Thank you!!!

****

I coordinate wonderful health and worshipful events and conferences online and onsite as a gospel medical missionary at Uchee Pines, a total plant-based health retreat, where doctors and practitioners specialize in lifestyle medicine. For more details, visit https://www.ucheepines.org/events
Therefore, if at any time you fail to receive this post as a text, please visit  
https://baiom.org/author/audreystovall/
where devotionals are first posted daily (almost without fail). From there devotionals are publicly shared to my page on FB, LinkedIn, and Signal (in My Story), and to a response-restricted group on WhatsApp (once again when I am able to find the time to successfully rebuild it).

NOTE: These began as daily texts to encourage my academy roommate and dear friend of nearly 50 years, until she suddenly passed March 2023. Now I continue to compile and send them to anyone who will receive them and to her family in honor of their mom. Lately, I have begun featuring consecutive chapter portions of a select Bible-based book.
If you agree to continue receiving them, then this is my personal gift to you; and in this way, I not only honor God but the memory of a very dear friend whom I desperately miss.
My personal prayer is that God will bless me to find ways to multiply this gift, so that we all may be encouraged to be found faithful in the sight of a Holy God, whenever Christ returns or our eyes are shut in the sleep of death.
It is a prayerful process that leads me to share from my personal study. 
So please feel free to forward to your loved ones or to anyone, as God leads you. I’m calling them Barb’s Devotionals.

Real talk—the truth shall make you free

Do you know God? Don’t answer to me. Don’t be quick to answer. I pray you seek The Holy Father for His Holy Spirit and pray. The Holy Spirit guides us into truth, gives us understanding, tells us what God has said; and tells us of things to come.

Are you free or are you under the law?

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, And his ears are open unto their prayers: But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

To do evil is to disobey God, to choose against His will; not being wholly surrendered to Him—not knowing Him, having no true knowledge of God:

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If you are saved of Jesus Christ, then you are His redeemed. So why do you stand proclaiming to still be a sinner? The saved of God are delivered from sin NOT in sin.

The soul that is saved by grace is not merely pardoned! No! The Word says this:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The Ministry of Healing

The Worker’s Need (Part 14)

Chapter 42—Development and Service

Christian life is more than many take it to be. It does not consist wholly in gentleness, patience, meekness, and kindliness. These graces are essential; but there is need also of courage, force, energy, and perseverance. The path that Christ marks out is a narrow, self-denying path. To enter that path and press on through difficulties and discouragements requires men who are more than weaklings. 

Force of Character

Men of stamina are wanted, men who will not wait to have their way smoothed and every obstacle removed, men who will inspire with fresh zeal the flagging efforts of dispirited workers, men whose hearts are warm with Christian love and whose hands are strong to do their Master’s work. 

Some who engage in missionary service are weak, nerveless, spiritless, easily discouraged. They lack push. They have not those positive traits of character that give power to do something—the spirit and energy that kindle enthusiasm. Those who would win success must be courageous and hopeful. They should cultivate not only the passive but the active virtues. While they are to give the soft answer that turns away wrath, they must possess the courage of a hero to resist evil. With the charity that endures all things, they need the force of character that will make their influence a positive power. 

Some have no firmness of character. Their plans and purposes have no definite form and consistency. They are of but little practical use in the world. This weakness, indecision, and inefficiency should be overcome. There is in true Christian character an indomitableness that cannot be molded or subdued by adverse circumstances. We must have moral backbone, an integrity that cannot be flattered, bribed, or terrified. 

God desires us to make use of every opportunity for securing a preparation for His work. He expects us to put all our energies into its performance and to keep our hearts alive to its sacredness and its fearful responsibilities. 

Many who are qualified to do excellent work accomplish little because they attempt little. Thousands pass through life as if they had no great object for which to live, no high standard to reach. One reason for this is the low estimate which they place upon themselves. Christ paid an infinite price for us, and according to the price paid He desires us to value ourselves. 

Be not satisfied with reaching a low standard. We are not what we might be, or what it is God’s will that we should be. God has given us reasoning powers, not to remain inactive, or to be perverted to earthly and sordid pursuits, but that they may be developed to the utmost, refined, sanctified, ennobled, and used in advancing the interests of His kingdom. 

None should consent to be mere machines, run by another man’s mind. God has given us ability, to think and to act, and it is by acting with carefulness, looking to Him for wisdom that you will become capable of bearing burdens. Stand in your God-given personality. Be no other person’s shadow. Expect that the Lord will work in and by and through you. 

https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/135.2618#2618

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the assurance of Your Holy Spirit to work within us to reflect the love and character and courage and faith of Jesus Christ, especially amid a storm of evil, keen disappointment, or circumstances designed to utterly discourage faith. In such circumstances, please bless us to wholly submit to Your divine power that others will see You in us—that we are one with You as You are with Your Son Jesus—and be drawn into a saving relationship with You. We desire that we might have the mind of Christ to save souls and enjoy His experience of perfect obedience to Your will that we might one day soon stand in Thy glorious presence without fear of death. Thank You, because we ask it in the Awesome and Almighty name of Your Son, Jesus, our Saving King. Amen.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

DID YOU KNOW THIS…? Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.—2 Peter 1:4 KJV [The WORD OF GOD—It’s the only flesh that is safe to eat (meditate on) to live forever!]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

FREE HEALTH TALK* open to the public Thursdays at 5pm at Country Life Natural Foods Store and Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurant, 1217 Eberhart Avenue, Columbus, GA. The topic for Thursday, April  9, is “Breaking the Fast (Cooking Class).”

*Exception: Cooking class $10

https://www.countrylifeonline.com/health-programs

WHGR 91.5 FM went LIVE noon on Thanksgiving Day 2025, for Hurtsboro (my childhood home town) and surrounding areas, including Tuskegee, Alabama.

If you want to support Christian programming for these final days, please visit
https://www.ucheepines.org/radio

Thank you!!!

****

I coordinate wonderful health and worshipful events and conferences online and onsite as a gospel medical missionary at Uchee Pines, a total plant-based health retreat, where doctors and practitioners specialize in lifestyle medicine. For more details, visit https://www.ucheepines.org/events
Therefore, if at any time you fail to receive this post as a text, please visit  
https://baiom.org/author/audreystovall/
where devotionals are first posted daily (almost without fail). From there devotionals are publicly shared to my page on FB, LinkedIn, and Signal (in My Story), and to a response-restricted group on WhatsApp (once again when I am able to find the time to successfully rebuild it).

NOTE: These began as daily texts to encourage my academy roommate and dear friend of nearly 50 years, until she suddenly passed March 2023. Now I continue to compile and send them to anyone who will receive them and to her family in honor of their mom. Lately, I have begun featuring consecutive chapter portions of a select Bible-based book.
If you agree to continue receiving them, then this is my personal gift to you; and in this way, I not only honor God but the memory of a very dear friend whom I desperately miss.
My personal prayer is that God will bless me to find ways to multiply this gift, so that we all may be encouraged to be found faithful in the sight of a Holy God, whenever Christ returns or our eyes are shut in the sleep of death.
It is a prayerful process that leads me to share from my personal study. 
So please feel free to forward to your loved ones or to anyone, as God leads you. I’m calling them Barb’s Devotionals.

The last, final test of true Love (Agape) – Part 1

The seventh day Sabbath of Eloheem

“Thirty-five reasons Why I keep the Sabbath”

1. I keep the Bible Sabbath because God Himself kept the Bible Sabbath.

God made a sufficient proof of His regard for the true Sabbath by resting the very first seventh day that ever came to this earth.

Since:

God rested on the seventh day. Gen. 2:2. God rested on the seventh day. Ex. 31:17. God rested the seventh day. Ex. 20:11. God did rest the seventh day. Heb. 4:4.

Whereas:

The seventh day is the Sabbath. Ex. 20:10.

The seventh day is the Sabbath. Lev. 23:3.

The seventh day is the Sabbath. Deut. 5:14.

The seventh (day) is the Sabbath. Ex. 31:15.

The seventh, which is the Sabbath. Ex. 16:26.

Therefore:

It is as plain as day the Bible teaches that God himself kept the seventh-day Sabbath.

My first reason for keeping the Bible Sabbath is sufficient in itself to settle the whole question now and forevermore, God Himself kept the seventh-day Sabbath. That is conclusive evidence to substantiate and vindicate my keeping, your keeping, or any one else’s keeping of the seventh-day Sabbath; for who could be wrong or even be accused of doing wrong when he follows the example of God Himself in keeping the very Sabbath day which God kept.

2. Because God instituted it at creation for man to keep.

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

And God BLESSED the seventh day, and SANCTIFIED it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Gen. 2:1-3.

“For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD BLESSED the Sabbath day, and HALLOWED it.” Ex. 20:11.

God BLESSED the seventh day. Gen.2:1-3.

The Lord BLESSED the Sabbath day. Ex. 20:11.

God SANCTIFIED the seventh day. Gen. 2:1-3.

The Lord HALLOWED the Sabbath day. Ex.20:11

Please notice that God BLESSED and SANCTIFIED the seventh-day Sabbath at the end of creation. The blessing and sanctification show it was instituted at that time for man to keep.

“God BLESSED the seventh day.”Gen.2:1-3. God has said:

“I change not” (Mal.3:6.), and in Him there “is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17. Consequently when God BLESSES anything, the blessing cannot be “REVERESED” (Num. 23:20), because when God BLESSED anything, it “shall be BLESSED FOREVER.” 1Chron. 17:27.

“God SANCTIFIED the seventh day.” Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8

11. According to Webster’s dictionary “sanctify” means “to set apart to holy use.” The Bible states: “God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: BECAUSE that in it He HAD rested” (showing the day had already past before He blessed and sanctified it;) therefore He blessed and sanctified the seventh days then future, answering to the seventh day which had just past on which He HAD rested.

The above evidence clearly demonstrates the fact that God Himself has attached the utmost importance to the seventh-day Sabbath by His personal blessing and sanctification, thereby definitely fixing the seventh day for all time as the only and true Sabbath.

God is the giver of rest, for He says to all, “Come unto me … and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28; Ex. 33:14. God knows which is the right day on which to rest, and He has given man the seventh-day Sabbath as a day of rest:

“The seventh day thou shalt rest.” Ex. 23:12.

“The seventh day thou shalt rest.” Ex.34:21.

“The seventh [day] is the Sabbath of rest.” Ex. 31:15.

“The seventh day is the Sabbath of rest.” Lev.23:3. God appointed the seventh day as a Sabbath to be the day of rest from secular work, because that in it He Himself had rested, not from weariness or fatigue Isa. 40:28. But He rested on that day as an example for all humanity. God’s rest on the seventh day is the reason that man should do as God had done. Notice the following texts which prove that God rested on the seventh day:

God rested on the seventh day. Gen. 2:2. God rested on the seventh day. Ex. 31:17. God rested the seventh day. Ex. 20:11. God did rest the seventh day. Heb. 4:4.

No wonder in the New Testament after the cross the followers of Christ “RESTED the Sabbath day according to the commandment.” Luke. 23:56. No wonder the book of Hebrews in the New Testament positively states “There remaineth therefore a REST (keeping the Sabbath) to the people of God…. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Heb. 4:9, 11.

So we can see that the seventh-day Sabbath is not manmade but God-made. It is not only the oldest institution but also the first institution which God gave to man, it being older and as significant as the marriage institution. Since the setting apart of the seventh day as the Sabbath day was coincident with the ORIGIN of man, the observance of that seventh day as the Sabbath is to be coexistent and coextensive with the DURATION of man.

3. Because the Sabbath was made for man (mankind). Jesus said: “The Sabbath was made for man,” Mark 2:27. Man in this text means human being, mankind.” (Cf. Webster) Matt.4:4; John 1:9.

The Bible does NOT say: “The Sabbath was made for the JEWS.” But it does say: “The Sabbath was made for man.” Mark 2:27. It also says: The woman was made for the man. 1Cor.11:9.

How could the Sabbath be made for the Jew only when it was instituted at Creation (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11) 2,500 years before a Jew existed? This was after the time of Judah, because a Jew is “a descendant of Judah,” according to Young’s Concordance.

By Robert Franklin Correla

The Ministry of Healing

The Worker’s Need (Part 13)

Chapter 41—In Contact With Others (Part 6)

Forbearance Under Wrong (Part 4)

Not all who profess to be workers for Christ are true disciples. Among those who bear His name, and who are even numbered with His workers, are some who do not represent Him in character. They are not governed by His principles. These persons are often a cause of perplexity and discouragement to their fellow workers who are young in Christian experience; but none need be misled. Christ has given us a perfect example. He bids us follow Him. 

Till the end of time there will be tares among the wheat. When the servants of the householder, in their zeal for his honor, asked permission to root out the tares, the master said: “Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest.” Matthew 13:29, 30. 

In His mercy and long-suffering, God bears patiently with the perverse and even the falsehearted. Among Christ’s chosen apostles was Judas the traitor. Should it then be a cause of surprise or discouragement that there are falsehearted ones among His workers today? If He who reads the heart could bear with him who He knew was to be His betrayer, with what patience should we bear with those at fault. 

And not all, even of those who appear most faulty, are like Judas. Peter, impetuous, hasty, and self-confident, often appeared to far greater disadvantage than Judas did. He was oftener reproved by the Saviour. But what a life of service and sacrifice was his! What a testimony does it bear to the power of God’s grace! So far as we are capable, we are to be to others what Jesus was to His disciples when He walked and talked with them on the earth. 

Regard yourselves as missionaries, first of all, among your fellow workers. Often it requires a vast amount of time and labor to win one soul to Christ. And when a soul turns from sin to righteousness, there is joy in the presence of the angels. Think you that the ministering spirits who watch over these souls are pleased to see how indifferently they are treated by some who claim to be Christians? Should Jesus deal with us as we too often deal with one another, who of us could be saved? 

Remember that you cannot read hearts. You do not know the motives which prompted the actions that to you look wrong. There are many who have not received a right education; their characters are warped, they are hard and gnarled, and seem to be crooked in every way. But the grace of Christ can transform them. Never cast them aside, never drive them to discouragement or despair by saying, “You have disappointed me, and I will not try to help you.” A few words spoken hastily under provocation—just what we think they deserve—may cut the cords of influence that should have bound their hearts to ours. 

The consistent life, the patient forbearance, the spirit unruffled under provocation, is always the most conclusive argument and the most solemn appeal. If you have had opportunities and advantages that have not fallen to the lot of others, consider this, and be ever a wise, careful, gentle teacher. 

In order to have the wax take a clear, strong impression of the seal, you do not dash the seal upon it in a hasty, violent way; you carefully place the seal on the plastic wax and quietly, steadily press it down until it has hardened in the mold. In like manner deal with human souls. The continuity of Christian influence is the secret of its power, and this depends on the steadfastness of your manifestation of the character of Christ. Help those who have erred, by telling them of your experiences. Show how, when you made grave mistakes, patience, kindness, and helpfulness on the part of your fellow workers gave you courage and hope. 

Until the judgment you will never know the influence of a kind, considerate course toward the inconsistent, the unreasonable, the unworthy. When we meet with ingratitude and betrayal of sacred trusts, we are roused to show our contempt or indignation. This the guilty expect; they are prepared for it. But kind forbearance takes them by surprise and often awakens their better impulses and arouses a longing for a nobler life. 

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1, 2. 

All who profess to be children of God should bear in mind that as missionaries they will be brought into contact with all classes of minds. There are the refined and the coarse, the humble and the proud, the religious and the skeptical, the educated and the ignorant, the rich and the poor. These varied minds cannot be treated alike; yet all need kindness and sympathy. By mutual contact our minds should receive polish and refinement. We are dependent upon one another, closely bound together by the ties of human brotherhood. 

“Heaven forming each on other to depend,
A master or a servant or a friend,
Bids each on other for assistance call,
Till one man’s weakness grows the strength of all.” 

It is through the social relations that Christianity comes in contact with the world. Every man or woman who has received the divine illumination is to shed light on the dark pathway of those who are unacquainted with the better way. Social power, sanctified by the Spirit of Christ, must be improved in bringing souls to the Saviour. Christ is not to be hid away in the heart as a coveted treasure, sacred and sweet, to be enjoyed solely by the possessor. We are to have Christ in us as a well of water, springing up into everlasting life, refreshing all who come in contact with us. 

https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/135.2552#2598

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the assurance of Your Holy Spirit to work within us to reflect the love and character of Christ, even amid a storm of evil and false accusations or keen disappointment. In such circumstances, please bless us to wholly submit to Your divine power that others will see You in us—that we are one with You as You are with Your Son Jesus—and be drawn into a saving relationship with You. We desire that we might have the mind of Christ to save souls and enjoy His experience of perfect obedience to Your will that we might one day soon stand in Thy glorious presence without fear of death. Thank You, because we ask it in the Awesome and Almighty name of Your Son, Jesus, our Saving King. Amen.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

DID YOU KNOW THIS…? Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.—2 Peter 1:4 KJV [The WORD OF GOD—It’s the only flesh that is safe to eat (meditate on) to live forever!]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

FREE HEALTH TALK* open to the public Thursdays at 5pm at Country Life Natural Foods Store and Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurant, 1217 Eberhart Avenue, Columbus, GA. The topic for Thursday, April  9, is “Breaking the Fast (Cooking Class) .”

*Exception: Cooking class $10

https://www.countrylifeonline.com/health-programs

WHGR 91.5 FM went LIVE noon on Thanksgiving Day 2025, for Hurtsboro (my childhood home town) and surrounding areas, including Tuskegee, Alabama.

If you want to support Christian programming for these final days, please visit
https://www.ucheepines.org/radio

Thank you!!!

****

I coordinate wonderful health and worshipful events and conferences online and onsite as a gospel medical missionary at Uchee Pines, a total plant-based health retreat, where doctors and practitioners specialize in lifestyle medicine. For more details, visit https://www.ucheepines.org/events
Therefore, if at any time you fail to receive this post as a text, please visit  
https://baiom.org/author/audreystovall/
where devotionals are first posted daily (almost without fail). From there devotionals are publicly shared to my page on FB, LinkedIn, and Signal (in My Story), and to a response-restricted group on WhatsApp (once again when I am able to find the time to successfully rebuild it).

NOTE: These began as daily texts to encourage my academy roommate and dear friend of nearly 50 years, until she suddenly passed March 2023. Now I continue to compile and send them to anyone who will receive them and to her family in honor of their mom. Lately, I have begun featuring consecutive chapter portions of a select Bible-based book.
If you agree to continue receiving them, then this is my personal gift to you; and in this way, I not only honor God but the memory of a very dear friend whom I desperately miss.
My personal prayer is that God will bless me to find ways to multiply this gift, so that we all may be encouraged to be found faithful in the sight of a Holy God, whenever Christ returns or our eyes are shut in the sleep of death.
It is a prayerful process that leads me to share from my personal study. 
So please feel free to forward to your loved ones or to anyone, as God leads you. I’m calling them Barb’s Devotionals.

How to effectively pray – Part 9

Breaking down and destroying strongholds

1. First— Before anything else. First and foremost! Prayers, Supplications, Intercessions and Giving of Thanks to God. First thing in the morning, and once again at the beginning of every undertaking. Since none can be unbound from the Prince of Darkness without prayer, it is our duty to pray, intercede, to plead. Yes, plead!

2. Second—To PLEAD-urge reasons for or against; to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; as, to plead for the life of a criminal; to plead in his favor; to plead with a judge or with a father. O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor!‖ Job 16:21

Recently we were in a small prayer group, and one of the suppliants used the word –Plead– in supplicating the throne of grace for a sick individual amounst us. When the prayer was finished one in the group said. ―We are NOT BEGGERS!! WE TELL GOD WHAT WE WANT! WE DO NOT PLEAD OR BEG GOD!― This attitude is one of extreme pride. Yes, we are to come boldly before the throne of grace with our petitions and requests, but with all humility. The Bible is very clear that there is not one earthly potentate higher than God. He will bring down the high, and the mighty.

Jer.13:18 ―Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.‖

The PROUD shall be abased! Therefore we are to: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.‖ James. 4:10

And be submissive to our elders– those older than us, and also to godly men in leadership roles. This shows that we fear God. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:‖1Peter.5:5,6

This however does not mean that when a leader teaches error we must submit and believe it. No, our first and highest loyalty is to God and His truth.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary: PLEAD, v.t. To discuss, defend and attempt to maintain by arguments or reasons offered to the tribunal or person who has the power of determining; as, to plead a cause before a court or jury. In this sense, argue is more generally used by lawyers.

To allege and offer in a legal plea or defense, or for repelling a demand in law; as, to plead usury; to plead a statute of limitations.

In Scripture, to plead the cause of the righteous, as God, is to avenge or vindicate them against enemies, or to redress their grievances. Isa 51.

Remember: There are legal ramifications in the Spiritual warfare, just as in the court case. This is why we must use the weapons of our warfare– but that is the subject of another chapter. Our third point here is:

3. To supplicate with earnestness. On one occasion a small band of Salvation Army workers wrote to General Booth decrying their ineffectiveness in winning souls and asking what they should do. He sent back a two-word message. “TRY TEARS”. This is a Biblical principle.

Biblical Examples:

Our First Example is that of Moses:

Exodus 32:30-33 ―And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

The Second Example- Job:

Job 1:5 And it was so, when the days of their (His Children) feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.