bible study – Page 12 – Light In The Clouds

SPIRITUALISM AND THE CHURCH: Part One

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But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, [misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning] (1 Tim 4:1-2, AMP)

Satan deceives people by offering a clever imitation of the real thing. The false teachers gave stringent rules (such as forbidding people to marry or to eat certain foods). This made them appear self-disciplined and righteous. Their strict disciplines for the body, however, could not remove sin (see Col 2:20-23). We must not be unduly impressed by a teacher’s style or credentials; we must look to their teaching about Jesus Christ. Their conclusions about Christ show the source of their message. (Life Application Notes re 1 Tim 4:1-2)

Another Christian writer warns us:

Many a star that we have admired for its brilliance will then go out in darkness. Those who have assumed the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christ’s righteousness, will then appear in the shame of their own nakedness. (PK 188).

Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of Spiritualism, the latter creates a world-wide bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of Spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience. (GC 588).

Jesus wants everyone to know whats coming. It would be irresponsible for Christians who know to not tell others. We warn each other all the time about the weather, or about various wars or social quandary. This is no different. The warning is being sounded in love. With a deep and compassionate care for everyone reading it.

When Jesus was talking about the time of the end, just before He comes again, He answered a question of concern by the disciples about “what are the signs of your coming?” (Mat 24:3) The very first thing that Jesus mentioned in His reply was to let no one deceive you.” (Mat 24:4)

Take heed that no man deceive you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am Christ, and will deceive many. (Mat 24:4-5)

Paul obviously knew about this warning from our Lord when he amplified the warning to say something very startling:

I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:29-30)

[People] will arise speaking perverse things. Already they have been working and speaking things which God has never revealed, bringing sacred truth upon a level with common things. Issues have been and will continue to be made of [people’s] conceited fallacies. None of which are true. The devisings of human minds will invent tests that are no tests at all, that when the true test shall be made prominent, (Rev 3:10) it shall be considered on a par with the man-made tests that have been of no value. We may expect that everything will be brought in and mingled with sound doctrine, but by clear, spiritual discernment, by the heavenly anointing, by The Holy Spirit we must distinguish the sacred from the common which is being brought in to confuse faith and sound judgment and demerit the great, grand, testing truth for this time.

Throughout the Bible, it has been a major problem that the Churches of the land become befuddled about plain doctrine from the Bible, and fail to make any difference between the holy and the unholy:

Her priests have broken My Law and have defiled My holy things. They have put no difference between the holy and the common, and have not taught between the unclean and the clean, and have hidden their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am defiled among them. (Ezekiel 22:26)

Paul had a tough time trying to warn the people of the day, as we see here by his comments after he warned about “the rise of false Christians in Church:

So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.(Acts 20:31-32)

Never, never was there a time when the truth will suffer more from being misrepresented, belittled, demerited through the perverse disputings of men than in these last days. Men have brought themselves in with their heterogeneous mass of heresies which they represent as oracles for the people. The people are charmed with some strange, new thing, and are not wise in experience to discern the character of ideas that men may frame up as something. But to call it something of great consequence and tie it to the oracles of God does not make it truth. Oh, how this rebukes the low standard of piety in the churches. Men who want to present something original will conjure up things new and strange, and without consideration will step forward on these unstable theories that have been woven together as a precious theory. And present it as a life and death question. {6BC 1064.6}

One of the key pillars of Spiritualism is deception. The very thing that Jesus has warned us about. The very first warning Jesus gave about the time of the end was about the rampant deception that Christians and the Churches would be directly confronted with:

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. (Mat 24:24-26)

My friends, we will soon see some very astounding things in “the news.” Will we see “Mary?” Will we see “Jesus” healing people? John The Revelator gives an even dimmer outlook on final events before Jesus comes:

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Rev 16:13-14)

During the “time of the end” (Dan 8:17) we will all experience massive deceptions, on a scale never known before in all of Earth’s history. (Dan 12:1) As we have just read in Scripture, there WILL BE “THE SPIRITS OF DEVILS WORKING MIRACLES .” (Rev 16:13-14)

Now, this is not hard to understand, in principle, but how many of you today actually believe this? And if you do believe that we will see this kind of thing, HOW will you determine what is from demons, and what is the truth as it is in Jesus? Will you believe it because its on the internet? Or, perhaps you will believe it more if it on ‘the news?” Or maybe a preacher of a church is telling you to believe something that is simply not true? Or even more convincing, will you believe it just because you see it or detect it with your five senses? I mean, if the spirits of demons are going to do real miracles in front of us, they will have to be really convincing to dupe so many people. (many will be deceived” Mat 24:11)

What is the one thing that is already being used to trick people into embracing the strongest deception that we will see just before our Lord returns? When I think about this question; I realize, with a chill down my spine, that we are already being primed for the great deception spoken of in Bible prophecy. We can note here how that the reason there is no such thing as a counterfeit three dollar bill, is because there is no such thing as a real three dollar bill. Deceptions of Biblical proportions are always based on some point of essential truth that the forces of evil wish to distract us from. And right on that point is what Jesus warns us about in Mat 24:24.

Jesus said that the final deception would be so powerful, so overwhelming, that it would run the danger of possible deceiving the very elect. “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Mat 24:24) The reason that demonic deception is often so completely convincing is because there is always some truth to it. Deception needs truth in order to be exposed. Something true. These “miracles of demons” will always use something true to try to convince us of something that is not true. The “father of lies” has been practicing his masterful art of deception for many years. Since Eden. (John 8:44, Gen 3:4)

The Bible is very clear about where all lies come from:

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.(John 8:44)

It would be very worthwhile now at this point to take a look in our Bibles at the very first lie ever promulgated by the devil:

“And the serpent said unto the woman, “YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE:” (Gen 3:4)

Why is Gen 3:4 the first lie? Because God said the complete opposite just one verse previous:

But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, LEST YE DIE. (Gen 3:3)

Other Bible versions make this truth even clearer:

But there is one tree we must not eat from. God told us, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden. You must not even touch that tree, or you will die.'” (Gen 3:4, ERV)

Scripture shows us the first lie. God says if we do certain things, collectively known as “sin” then we will “die.” It cannot get any clearer than this. Other prophets also realized this truth. The devil is the first being that has told us the opposite. “We will not die.” So whom do we believe? God or the devil?

The danger of depending only on what we perceive with our five senses is very real here in the book of Genesis:

“The woman could see that the tree was beautiful and the fruit looked so good to eat…” (Gen 3:6) The devil had Eve hook, line, and sinker here. Eve could see the serpent as “touching the forbidden fruit” The serpent plucked the fruit of the forbidden tree and placed it in the hands of the half-reluctant Eve. Then he reminded her of her own words, that God had forbidden them to touch it, lest they die. She would receive no more harm from eating the fruit, he declared, than from touching it. Perceiving no evil results from what she had done, Eve grew bolder. When she “saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat.” It was grateful to the taste, and as she ate, she seemed to feel a vivifying power, and imagined herself entering upon a higher state of existence. Without a fear she plucked and ate.

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food — Her imagination and feelings were completely won; and the fall of Eve was soon followed by that of Adam. The history of every temptation, and of every sin, is the same; the outward object of attraction, the inward commotion of mind, the increase and triumph of passionate desire; ending in the degradation, slavery, and ruin of the soul (James 1:15; 1 John 2:16).

Long has Satan been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world. The foundation of his work was laid by the assurance given to Eve in Eden, “Ye shall not surely die: in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4,5).

Little by little he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the development of Spiritualism. He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time, and the world will be swept into the ranks of this delusion. They are fast being lulled into a fatal security, to be awakened only by the outpouring of the wrath of God. {SR 398.2}

The spiritualism of today has simply taken this first lie from Eden and their intention is to make it the last lie. Paul said the following:

“…I fear that you will be tricked, just as Eve was tricked by that lying snake. I am afraid that you might stop thinking about Christ in an honest and sincere way. We told you about Jesus,and you received the Holy Spirit and accepted our message. But you let some people tell you about another Jesus. Now you are ready to receive another spirit and accept a different message. (2 Cor 11:3-4,CEV)

It seems that when it comes to the question about what happens when we die, that all kinds of ideas will come out of the wood work. Obviously, none of us are immortal, as is God, (1 Tim 1:17) and none of us have died before, we can only go by what is written and intended by scripture on this vital subject. 1 Cor 15:52 says none of us are immortal until the second coming of Jesus; and this makes perfect sense when we understand how the Bible describes death and the resurrection. IF as many are bound to say, we just go straight to heaven when we “die” then we really didn’t die, and we are immortal now. If we go to heaven right away when we die, then why would we need the cross?

Who is a liar but anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He who denies the Father and the Son is antichrist.(1 John 2:22)

The Bible describes it this way, the same way as He explained it in Eden:

“The wages of sin is death.” (Rom 6:23). But God, who alone is immortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until that day death is an unconscious state for all people. ” The dead know not anything.” (Eccl 9:4-5) When Christ, who is our life, appears, the resurrected righteous and the living righteous will be glorified and caught up to meet their Lord TOGETHER and IN THE CLOUDS.” The second resurrection, the resurrection of the unrighteous, will take place a thousand years later. (Rev 20:5-6)

A wise preacher who has mentored me in the past once encouraged me with the thought that “the gospel is wonderfully simple, and simply wonderful. And that is certainly true when it comes to this topic. Over the years I have wondered how so many theories could come in like a wave on the ocean and just wash away all the simplicity that is in Christ, only to substitute it with “the doctrine of demons,” that will “seduce by a false appearance.” (1 Tim 4:1-2)

There is hope for those who are still alive—it does not matter who they are. But this saying is true: A living dog is better than a dead lion. The living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything. They have no more reward. People will soon forget them. After people are dead, their love, hate, and jealousy are all gone. And they will never again share in what happens on earth. (Eccl 9:4-6, ERV)

Eccl 9:4-6 tells us clearly what happens when we die, and further, it emphasizes how that as long as we are alive, there is always hope for us in Christ. And so we can conclude that the Bible doctrine of the state of the dead is for the living. It gives us the warning and the assurance that even if we were a real dog, as long as we are breathing on this side of the ground; there is hope for us in Christ. “For a living dog is better than a dead lion.”

YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE?

Do we have some kind of unconscious soul that survives the physical death of our body? Lee Strobel, in his popular book, “The Case For Heaven,” asserts that yes we do. I have often wondered how anyone can believe such a thing. The Bible simply does not support this New Age idea which is just a repeat of the world’s first lie, (Gen 3:4) which was also used in the world’s first seance. (1 Sam 28:7-15).

The serpent duped Adam & Eve into thinking that “ye shall NOT surely die.” And this lie is being repeated almost everywhere today.

Christians need to remember it was the devil who said this, NOT Jesus or the Bible. (Gen 3:4-5). The Bible clearly reflects the fact that we shall surely die. The Bible says it happens to everyone “once” (Heb 9:27) and that death is “the last enemy to be destroyed,” (1 Cor 15:26) so why would Bible believing Christians say that only part of us goes to heaven and never dies, and the other part of us is mortal and “dies?” Strobel should know better than to use things we have coined as “Near Death Experiences” as a part of the alleged Bible “evidence” for his opinion that we go straight to heaven when we die.

Are there other texts that would agree with Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 ? Lest someone suspects “cherry-picking” I offer the following: Job 14:21, Isa 63:16, Job 7:8-10, Eccl 1:11, Eccl 2:16, Eccl 8:10, Isa 26:14.

The Bible tells us that “the wages of sin is death.” (Rom 6:23) If we go to Heaven as soon as we die then this cannot be true! But God, who alone is immortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. The Bible says nothing about part of us being mortal and the other part immortal. No one is immortal in whole or in part until the second coming of Jesus. (see 1 Cor 15:50-54) Until that day death is an unconscious state for all people because they wait for the resurrection when those who have died in Christ will be resurrected TOGETHER with those who remain and are alive at His second coming. (see 1 Thes 4:13-18). Verses 15-18 emphasize strongly that When Christ, who is our life, appears, the resurrected righteous and the living righteous will be glorifed and caught up TOGETHER (at the same time) to meet their Lord IN THE AIR. Now, if we were to believe that when people die they go straight to heaven, then we have a real problem with the Bible’s account of the resurrection. Essentially, there is no need for a resurrection if we go straight to heaven when we die.

The Sadducees said there was no resurrection. (Mat 22:23, Mark 12;18, Luke 20:27) Jesus said “Jesus said to her, I am the Resurrection and the Life! He who believes in Me, though he die, yet he shall live.” (John 11:25) The Bible explains the reason we cannot believe that people go straight to Heaven when they die, because then there is no need for a resurrection either:

But if Christ is proclaimed, that He was raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is worthless, and your faith is also worthless. And we are also found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified of God that He raised Christ; whom He did not raise if the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ is not raised. And if Christ is not raised, your faith is foolish; you are yet in your sins. Then also those that fell asleep in Christ were lost. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. (1 Cor 15:12-19)

The second resurrection, the resurrection of the unrighteous, will take place a thousand years later. (Job 19:25-27; Psalms 146:3-4 ; Eccl 9:5-6; Eccl 9:10; Dan 12:2; Dan 12:13; Isa 25:8; John 5:28-29; John 11:11-14; Rom 6:23; Rom 16:1-27; 1 Cor 15:51-54; Col 3:4; 1 Thes 4:13-17; 1 Tim 6:15; Rev 20:1-10.)

There are several stories in the Bible that many Christians have been taught “prove” that we go to heaven as soon as we die. Lets take a look at one of the more popular ones.

WORLD’S FIRST SEANCE WITH THE WITCH OF ENDOR

The Philistine army moved into Shunem, set up its camp, and made ready to attack Israel. His mood far from optimistic, King Saul positioned Israel’s army on nearby Mount Gilboa. In the past, the assurance of God’s presence had enabled Saul to lead Israel against its foes fearlessly. But he had turned from serving the Lord, and when the apostate king had tried to contact God about the outcome of the impending battle, God had refused to communicate with him. The ominous fear of the unknown morrow weighed heavily upon Saul. If only Samuel were here. But Samuel was dead and could no longer counsel him. Or could he?

Locating a medium who had escaped his earlier witch hunts, the tall king stooped to inquiring through her about the outcome of the next day’s battle. He requested:

“Bring up Samuel for me.”

During the seance the medium “‘saw a spirit ascending out of the earth.’” (1 Sam 28:13) This spirit, that the witch thought was a god, informed the apostate king that not only would Israel lose the war,but that he and his sons would be killed in that battle the very next day. (see 1 Samuel 28). The prediction came true. But was it really Samuel’s spirit that made the prediction? How could a medium, condemned by God, or an apostate king have power over the spirit of Samuel-God’s prophet? And where did Samuel come from-why did his spirit arise “out of the earth” if its true that we go to heaven as soon as we die?

What had death brought to Samuel? If it wasn’t Samuel’s spirit that spoke to Saul, who or what was it? If we believe that one goes straight to heaven as soon as we die, then we are left with no way to prove from scripture of what sort the spirit is that we are engaging with. I have had Christians who have read Strobel’s book, for example, and they just told me

“Oh I would know if it was an evil spirit!”

But exactly HOW would they know? Intuition? Really?

Let us see some more of what the Bible teaches on the subject of death, communication with the dead, and the resurrection

HARMONY THROUGHOUT THE SCRIPTURES

Many honest Christians who have not studied the complete teaching of the Bible on death have been unaware that death is a sleep until the resurrection. They have assumed that various passages support the idea that the spirit or soul has a conscious existence after death. Careful study reveals that the consistent teaching of the Bible is that death causes the cessation of consciousness. In Eden we read from the book of Genesis how that mankind does not “have a soul,” but rather, we are a soul.

The Bible says that God breathed into the first pair and ONLY THEN did they “become a living soul.” (Gen 2:7)

See Rest Of Message in SPIRITUALISM AND THE CHURCH PART TWO

From Glory To Glory! Thats My New Name!

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The Lord Is There.

“…From now on, the name of the city will be THE LORD IS THERE.” (Ezekiel 48:35, ERV)

Here is where Ezekiel tells us that the Divine Presence should be in the city of which he speaks; and should be there so fully and so powerfully, that it should give rise to this special name for the city itself; and that the very name, “Jehovah shammah,” should remind all of us even today of the beautiful glorious Being who had condescended to make this city his habitation. Jesus came down that we might go up! Jesus was treated as we deserve that we might be treated as he deserves. All things are eventually made right by the cross:

To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be Just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Rom 3:26)

The book of Ezekiel begins by describing the holiness of God that Israel had despised and ignored. As a result, God’s presence departed from the Temple, the city, and the people. The book ends with a detailed vision of the new Temple, the new city, and the new people—all demonstrating God’s holiness. The pressures of everyday life may cause us to panic, to focus on the here and now and thus forget God.

That is why prayer, study of God’s Word, and worship is so important; it takes our eyes off our current worries, gives us a glimpse of God’s holiness, and allows us to look toward his future Kingdom. God’s presence makes everything glorious, and worship brings us into his presence. God’s presence is all we really need.

In the last verse of Ezekiel, the prophet has in view an ideal city; whether in any material form it is to be realized, we must wait to see. But this will be its prominent characteristic, that God will be there. A great voice will be heard out of Heaven, saying,

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with humanity, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people; and God Himself shall be with them and be their God.”

There is comfort in this for the sorrowful; because where God is, there cannot be sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. God shall wipe away all tears from off all faces. No cypress-trees line the streets of that city; no dirge intrudes upon the glad singing of praise; no sob or groan will be possible.

There is comfort for the doubting and perplexed. Truly devoted souls sometimes walk in darkness and have no light, learning to walk by faith. But there “where God is” all mysteries will be unraveled, all problems solved, every question answered; there will be no night, no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God shall lighten it, and the Lamb shall be the lamp thereof.

Here, “where God is” Ezekiel foresees the return of God in all His glory to His people! Praise The Lord!

Those who do what is right will praise your name; those who are honest will live in your presence. (Psalms 130:13, ERV)

If we could see ahead into the future, perhaps like this Christian writer this is what we might see:

Soon I heard the voice of God, which shook the heavens and the earth. There was a mighty earthquake. Buildings were shaken down on every side. I then heard a triumphant shout of victory, loud, musical, and clear. I looked upon the company, who, a short time before, were in such distress and bondage. Their captivity was turned. A glorious light shone upon them. How beautiful they then looked! All marks of care and weariness were gone, and health and beauty were seen in every countenance.

Their enemies, the heathen around them, fell like dead ones; they could not endure the light that shone upon the delivered, holy ones. This light and glory remained upon them, until Jesus was seen in the clouds of heaven, and the faithful, tried company were changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, from glory to glory. And the graves were opened, and the saints came forth, clothed with immortality, crying, “Victory over death and the grave”; and together with the living saints they were caught up to meet their Lord in the air, while rich, musical shouts of glory and victory were upon every immortal tongue. {EW 272.3}

GOD is good, a hiding place in tough times. He recognizes and welcomes anyone looking for help, No matter how desperate the trouble. But cozy islands of escape He wipes right off the map. No one gets away from God. (Nah 1:7-8, Message)

To people who refuse to believe, God’s presence, His second coming, seems as a punishment, like an angry fire. To those who love him, God’s mercy is a refuge, “a very present help in trouble,” supplying all their needs without diminishing our supply. But to God’s enemies he is an overwhelming flood that will sweep them away.

The relationship we have with God is up to us. What kind of relationship will you choose?

The words of Christ to the Pharisees come home with power to every living soul to whom the light of the Sun of Righteousness has been revealed. To those who have caught a glimpse of celestial truth, to whom have come some rays of enlightenment, is the warning given. For your souls’ sake do not turn away and be disobedient to the heavenly vision.

You may have seen something in regard to the righteousness of Christ, but there is truth yet to be seen clearly, and that should be estimated by you as precious as rare jewels. You will see the law of God and interpret it to the people in an entirely different light from what you have done in the past, for the law of God will be seen by you as revealing a God of mercy and righteousness.

The atonement, made by the stupendous sacrifice of Jesus Christ, will be seen by you in an altogether different light. You will see sin in its heinous character. But this the Jews did not desire to see. Jesus said to them things like:

“Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life.”

“For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved.”

“Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness of the truth. But I receive not testimony from man; but these things I say, that ye might be saved.”

Jesus appeals to them to recall the deep conviction that was upon them under the messages of John. Jesus said:

“[John The Baptist], He was a burning and a shining light; and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have a greater witness than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you; for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.”

The witness of the Father had been given. THIS witness is our doctrine, our warning. Our comfort. Our hope.

“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him; and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” {ST, November 13, 1893 par. 2}

This is what God told us:

God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life, but whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11-12, ERV)

ANYONE who believes in God’s Son as BOTH Savior and Lord has eternal life now. This is the promise. God’s promise is for YOU.

In the life of the disciple John true sanctification is exemplified. During the years of his close association with Christ, he was often warned and cautioned by the Savior; and these reproofs he accepted. As the character of the Divine One was manifested to him, John saw his own deficiencies, and was humbled by the revelation. Day by day, in contrast with his own violent spirit, he beheld the tenderness and forbearance of Jesus, and heard His lessons of humility and patience. Day by day his heart was drawn out to Christ, until he lost sight of self in love for his Master. The power and tenderness, the majesty and meekness, the strength and patience, that he saw in the daily life of the Son of God, filled his soul with admiration. He yielded his resentful, ambitious temper to the molding power of Christ, and divine love wrought in him a transformation of character. {AA 557.1}

In striking contrast to the sanctification worked out in the life of John is the experience of his fellow disciple, Judas.

Like his associate, Judas professed to be a disciple of Christ, but he possessed only a form of godliness. He was not insensible to the beauty of the character of Christ; and often, as he listened to the Saviour’s words, conviction came to him, but he would not humble his heart or confess his sins. By resisting the divine influence he dishonored the Master whom he professed to love.

John warred earnestly against his faults; but Judas violated his conscience and yielded to temptation, fastening upon himself more securely his habits of evil. The practice of the truths that Christ taught was at variance with his desires and purposes, and he could not bring himself to yield his ideas in order to receive wisdom from heaven. Instead of walking in the light, he chose to walk in darkness. Evil desires, covetousness, revengeful passions, dark and sullen thoughts, were cherished until Satan gained full control of him. {AA 557.2}

John and Judas are representatives of those who profess to be Christ’s followers. Both these disciples had the same opportunities to study and follow the divine Pattern. Both were closely associated with Jesus and were privileged to listen to His teaching. Each possessed serious defects of character; and each had access to the divine grace that transforms character. But while one in humility was learning of Jesus, the other revealed that he was not a doer of the word, but a hearer only. One, daily dying to self and overcoming sin, was sanctified through the truth; the other, resisting the transforming power of grace and indulging selfish desires, was brought into bondage to Satan. {AA 558.1}

Such transformation of character as is seen in the life of John is ever the result of communion with Christ. There may be marked defects in the character of an individual, yet when such a one becomes a true disciple of Christ, the power of divine grace transforms and sanctifies them. Look to Christ, behold the attractive loveliness of His character, and by beholding you will become changed into His likeness. The mist that intervenes between Christ and the soul will be rolled back as we by faith look past the hellish shadow of Satan and see God’s glory in His law, and the righteousness of Christ. {6BC 1097.3}

Enoch kept the Lord ever before him, and the Inspired Word says that he “walked with God.” He made Christ his constant companion. He was in the world, and performed his duties to the world; but he was ever under the influence of Jesus. He reflected Christ’s character, exhibiting the same qualities of goodness, mercy, tender compassion, sympathy, forbearance, meekness, humility, and love. His association with Christ day by day transformed him into the image of Him with whom he was so intimately connected. Day by day he was growing away from his own way into Christ’s way, the heavenly, the divine, in his thoughts and feelings. He was constantly inquiring, Is this the way of the Lord? His was a constant growth, and he had fellowship with the Father and the Son. This is genuine sanctification {6BC 1097.7}

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Cor 10:3-5)

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, humanity will trust that he truly knows how to help those who are being tempted. (Heb 2:18, Remedy New Testament)

Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we are changed from glory to glory, until we are is like Him whom he adores. (2 Cor 3:18)

“From Glory To Glory.” That’s my new name! (Exodus 28:29, Rev 2:17, Rev 3:12)

Today, may we all choose to live now in that city called

“The Lord Is There!”

This is my prayer, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

THE LORD IS THERE

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“…And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.” (Ezekiel 48:35, NIV)

The manner of expressing a spiritual meaning by giving a name to a city, a people, or the like, has good reason behind it:

“Jehovah is there”, because Yahweh will never again withdraw from it, as He once withdrew, but will hold it as His everlasting possession.”

The visible presence of God’s glory, once represented in the tabernacle and in the temple, had departed, and should not return in quite the same form.

Yet Ezekiel in “visions of God” sees a temple reconstructed to receive the glory of the divine presence, a prophetic vision fulfilled in Emmanuel (“God with us”), who tabernacled among all of humanity.John 1:14. Compare Rom 9:25; Rev 21:2-3.

Begin Again Vol 1

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The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come (Song 2:12)

No matter what kind of clouds and storms might be in your life, it may be spring-time within. If your hearts have been frost-bound and barren, may they now begin to thaw at the approach of Jesus! Many of us have asked for his company, and believe that he will be here; and when he comes, he will make our souls rejoice. They shall be as watered gardens when the spring returns again.

According to the flowers, it is never too late to begin again.

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

For me, flowers are the definition of success

If you have seen the power of the storm
and have had the quiet moment with God
You will hear each sparkling moment telling
of the flower’s life saying under the clouds

Begin again with Jesus

if you have broken dreams. lost hopes
did you fall short for everyone you love
recall flowers in the unexpected storm
folding and closing, even got crushed
But it is already planning to begin again.

Begin again with Jesus,

You are the flowers of God

Salt Of The Earth

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SALT Of The Earth

There’s a reason God has placed you on this earth.

Find out your divine purpose in this scriptural message from Pastor John Bradshaw.

“You are like salt to humanity: preserving the knowledge of God, providing the flavor of heaven, and increasing the thirst for God. But if salt loses its saltiness, unless it becomes salty again, it is useless and will be thrown out and trampled upon. “You are beacons of light in a world of darkness. A shining city on a hill cannot be hidden, and people don’t light a lantern and hide it under a bucket. No! They display it prominently, so everyone receives its light. (Mat 5:13-15, Remedy New Testament)

If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value. If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are of little value to God. If we are too much like the world, we are worthless. Christians should not blend in with everyone else. Instead, we should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food.

No Self-originated Light.

The light that shines from those who receive Jesus Christ is not self-originated. It is all from the Light and Life of the world. He kindles this light, even as He kindles the fire that all must use in doing His service. Christ is the light, the life, the holiness, the sanctification of all who believe, and His light is to be received and imparted in all good works. In many different ways His grace is also acting as the salt of the earth; whithersoever this salt finds its way, to homes or communities, it becomes a preserving power to save all that is good, and to destroy all that is evil {5BC 1085.2}

Understand The Vision

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This poem is based on Daniel 8 & 9

I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. (Dan 9:4-5)

By the River of Ulai, the prophet “looked up”
As he was seeking
And when he “lifted up his eyes,” Daniel heard
King Jesus speaking
And down the corridors of time to the beast of
This our troubled day
We see the “Little Horn” is speaking peace as he
Forces church his way.

In the “latter times” of his kingdom when
Transgressions marked are “full.”
The time “appointed for the vision” on the
Mind of each will pull
“Dark sentences” embraced the King, when
transgressors all “stood up”
For they only “stand” to destroy; to deceive
We dare not, ever, drink the cup

Daniel fainted at this little bit that he could
See while rapt in vision
Saying how “no one understood” it; as they held
Truth in derision
But the prophet understood the vision as the
Angel swiftly flew
For Daniel prayed and “made confession;” nothing
Less could ever do

In this vision of the end Gabriel spoke to Daniel
Past his praying and his tears
For Jeremiah, wrote before him of the long and
“Desolate years”
And gave Daniel understanding from “the books;” all
The “numbers of the days”
And we can have the understanding too; as we walk
These times in God’s sweet ways.

70 Weeks were “determined” for Jerusalem of old so
That everyone could see
How God will send His mighty angel when we need to
Know the prophecy
Daniel knew the secret

of the walk we all must make With Jesus in our day
He truly understood the “numbers of the years”

for Daniel learned to pray

(“Consider The Vision” Daniel 9:23)

YOUR Father Knows What You Need

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Don’t be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Mat 6:8, GW)

Many have questioned the meaning of the statement your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. “Then why should we pray?” they ask. Prayer is not man’s attempt to change the will of God. God’s method of changing our will is to bring it into conformity with His will. More than changing things, prayer changes people. Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance to answer, but laying hold of His willingness to help! Prayer, in the life of the true believer, is an act of total confidence and assurance in the plan and purpose of God.

Christ seldom gathered His disciples alone to receive His words. Here in Mat 6, Jesus did not choose for His audience those only who knew the way of life. It was His work to reach the multitudes who were in ignorance and error. He gave His lessons of truth where they could reach the darkened understanding. He Himself was the Truth, standing with girded loins and hands ever outstretched to bless, and in words of warning, entreaty, and encouragement, seeking to uplift all who would come unto Him. {DA 298.1}

JESUS: Befriends the Sinner in Us

Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He has brought us by faith into this experience of God’s grace, in which we now live. And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory! We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval, and his approval creates hope. This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us. For when we were still helpless, Christ died for the wicked at the time that God chose. (Rom 5:1-6, GNB)

The hope that believers have of their future glory with God will not disappoint them by being unfulfilled. They will not be put to shame or humiliated because of their hope. The reason the believer can be so confident is that the love of God has been poured out.

“Them that are afar off are made near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph 2:13)

There are no exceptions. The love of God has been poured out. For the gays, for the adulterers, for the liars, for the thieves, the Catholics, the Protestants, and everyone in between, and especially for the self-righteous professors of Christendom who act as though they are better than “all those others.”

The moment a person receives Jesus, trusts in Him, that person receives the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9), who constantly encourages them in their hope in God. (see also John 1:12)

There is no one you could name who needs to miss out on this hope.

While We Were Yet Sinners

Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. “With His stripes we are healed.” {DA 25.2}

In the year 1874, William Gladstone was competing in the election for prime minister of the United Kingdom. Well known among his contemporaries for being a highly capable man by virtue of his sharp wit, expansive knowledge, and decorated track record, Gladstone was a formidable candidate for the role. Yet it was his opponent, Benjamin Disraeli, who seemed to have the endearing edge. What made Disraeli more attractive to some was his widely known and celebrated ability to help people see their own value. While Gladstone had no problem helping people see how important important he was as an accomplished man, Disraeli helped people see how important they were.

One evening, a woman named Jennie Jerome, famously known as the mother of Sir Winston Churchill, had an opportunity to converse with each of the candidates at a dinner party. When asked by a reporter about the experience and her impression of each of the candidates, she replied, “When I left the dining room after sitting next to Gladstone, I thought he was the cleverest man in England. But when I sat next to Disraeli, I left feeling that I was the cleverest woman.” [Sauls, Scott. A Gentle Answer (pp. 3-4). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition].

In His ministry, Jesus often turned his attention to those accustomed to being ignored, mistreated, discarded, and despised by the general public.

If you were sick, poor, sexually damaged, or paralyzed by guilt and shame, for just a few examples, Jesus would move toward you and tell you what nobody else would:

YOU MATTER. YOU ARE LOVED.

One of the most remarkable things about Jesus is his affection for and gentleness toward not the righteous, but towards sinners; not the healthy, but the sick; not those who have their act together, but those who are falling apart; not those who are clean, but those who are damaged and dirty. “This man welcomes sinners,” the scribes and Pharisees charged, “and eats with them” (Luke 15:2 NIV). [Sauls, Scott. A Gentle Answer (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition].

I Only Know I’m Loved

’When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost sometimes
That’s why I chose this way”

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble –
needing God to be my guide

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
asking humbly to be taught

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible
but God believes I’m worth it

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache
which is why I seek God’s name

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I’m loved’

by Carol Wimmer 1988

Some Find Disappointment In Jesus

Christ disappointed the hope of worldly greatness. In the Sermon on the Mount He sought to undo the work that had been wrought by false education, and to give His hearers a right conception of His kingdom and of His own character. Yet He did not make a direct attack on the errors of the people. He saw the misery of the world on account of sin, yet He did not present before them a vivid delineation of their wretchedness. He taught them of something infinitely better than they had known. Without combating their ideas of the kingdom of God, He told them the conditions of entrance therein, leaving them to draw their own conclusions as to its nature. The truths He taught are no less important to us than to the multitude that followed Him. We no less than they need to learn the foundation principles of the kingdom of God. {DA 299.3}

Christ’s first words to the people on the mount were words of blessing. Happy are they, He said, who recognize their spiritual poverty, and feel their need of redemption. The gospel is to be preached to the poor. Not to the spiritually proud, those who claim to be rich and in need of nothing, is it revealed, but to those who are humble and contrite. One fountain only has been opened for sin, a fountain for the poor in spirit. {DA 299.4}

The proud heart strives to earn salvation; but both our title to heaven and our fitness for it are found in the righteousness of Christ. The Lord can do nothing toward the recovery of man until, convinced of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency, he yields himself to the control of God. Then he can receive the gift that God is waiting to bestow. From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld. He has unrestricted access to Him in whom all fullness dwells. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isa 57:15. {DA 300.1}

In The Garden Alone

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We live in a world of constant turmoil and trials. But, it has been my personal experience that God will give us the strength we need; and He will look after all those things that we are unable to do ourselves:

The Garden Alone

Based on Luke 22:39-46

“And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him.”

God was with Him in the Garden alone

And Jesus conquered by strength divine

But the separation went deeper than bone

As the battle began; God drew the line.

The Father didn’t want to remove the cup

The disciples slept from sorrow and fear

And while Gabriel came to lift Jesus up

His sweat poured out as blood and tear.

As crises supreme did heart and soul break

Jesus came alone, to fight by petition there

The angel assured Him He made no mistake

For now He might answer the sinners prayer.

We all have to go to the Garden alone

We have to bring our worry and care

And when we go, we glimpse the throne

For in the Garden; our Lord is there.

Jesus conquered by strength not his own

And we can have this encounter today

As we go by faith to our garden alone

To walk with Him the blood-stained way.

“Christ conquered in divine strength, and so must every tempted soul overcome. God was with Christ in the Garden of Gesthemane; and by this experience of Christ, we are to learn to trust our heavenly Father; at all times, and in all places, , we are to believe that he is tender, true, and faithful – able to keep that which is committed to His care. In the agonizing struggle of Christ, our Substitute and Surety; the Father was beside His Son, and He is beside every soul that struggles with discouragement and difficulty.”

Called To The Cross

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But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Gal 6:14,, NET)

welcome the lord Jesus — called to the cross

In today’s crazy world, there is nothing to depend upon; except for Jesus. Christ, and Him crucified. Prophets of old echoed such ideas all the time:

The LORD says, “Wise people should not boast that they are wise. Powerful people should not boast that they are powerful. Rich people should not boast that they are rich. (Jer 9:23). If people want to boast, they should boast about this: They should boast that they understand and know me. They should boast that they know and understand that I, the LORD, act out of faithfulness,fairness, and justice in the earth and that I desire people to do these things,” says the LORD. (Jer 9:24)

I read something earlier this week that seemed to have some connection to the idea that we sometimes do not recognize whats really going on in the world or in our lives. It was a story about a farmer who decided that God spoke to him about going into the ministry. He was out in one of his pastures looking up into the sky and it looked to him as though the cloud formations were forming the letters GPC in the sky. The farmer took this to be a message from God. He was thinking that it must stand for “Go Preach Christ.”

Years later, it appeared that there was just one problem after the next, and his ministry did not seem to be doing very well. And around that same time; one of his friends suggested that those letters, GPC might have meant “Go Plow Corn?”

Today, a similar thing is happening. We see what is going on in the world. Our hearts are failing us for fear. (Luke 21:26). We are not hearing the call of Christ to His cross. All we see are false flags,
impossible situations, and hopeless outlooks on the future. Some of us are even saying, in unison with some of the people in the early days of history:

“Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Pet 3:4).

We must learn to not only hear correctly God’s call, but to also interpret what He is saying to us in that call. Hope is wherever God’s amazing grace works on us, and while embracing the cross means that we
see hope in suffering; in hopeful suffering. Jesus is very near. Is that even possible? Dare we call it “the gift of suffering?”

When we “come to the cross,” we enter the school of love. (Mat 16:24, John 15:13). This is the very heart and mission of the cross.

“Nothing can separate us from the love of God which was in Christ Jesus.” That love is our hope. That love is “Christ and Him crucified.” Consider that when Jesus was most helpless and weak; that it was right from the cross where He wrought His greatest works for us. Our salvation! The greatest grace has arisen out of the greatest trouble! (Gen 50:20, Rom 8:28). By living in hope, we are united in that “being one” (John 17:11,22) that Jesus had talked about in Scripture.

When we embrace our helplessness,accept it all as an essential part of our walking daily with our own cross, (see Luke 9:23), then our sufferings are joined with that of Christ. Christ and Him crucifed. A true Christian finds meaning in suffering, for embracing the cross is never just for ourselves. “The cross” is not just for our own good. We live in hope. If we know Jesus, (John 17:3) we are living epistles of His Hope, and we join with Him in the fellowship of His sufferings.(Phil 3:10). Christians of all stripes find meaning,unity, and hope, when they embrace “Christ and Him crucified.” We live in hope. The cross was/is our hope. The only solid hope. And hope is contagious. In the cross, Jesus does not abandon us. As one Christian remarked years ago:

“The cross is steady while the world is turning.”

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor 13:13).

We are all called to the cross:

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all people unto me. (John 12:32)

Like the farmer that we looked at in the beginning of this article, we can mistaken this call to the cross, as something to avoid. Something to fix. Something to improve. Something “good” that we can do. The cross, is certainly not an option we usually want to present to others, when we can just present correct doctrine, because its “too negative.” If we are called “in Christ,” we will know our calling is one of Hope, because the Bible also tells us that “nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:38-39).

We are offered the hope of Calvary when we accept that even though we were/are far away from Jesus; we are made near, only by the blood of Christ:

But now in Christ Jesus you who used to be far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph 2:13)

The cross of Calvary should appeal to the benevolence of every follower of the Savior. The principle there illustrated is to give. “He that saith he abides in Him ought himself also so to walk,even as He walked.” (1 John 2:6). The work of redemption involves consequences of which it can be very difficult for us to have any conception of being called to the cross. To most of us it doesn’t seem like a great place to be. (Isa 53:1-3).

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

As the sinner, drawn by the power of Christ, approaches the uplifted cross, and kneels before it, there is a new creation. A new heart is given to the supplicant. They become a new creature in Christ Jesus. Holiness finds that it has nothing more to require. (Eph 2:13). God Himself is both Just, and “the Justifier of anyone which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26). And “whom He justified, them He also glorified.” (Romans 8:30).

Great as is the shame and degradation through sin,or on the cross, even greater will be the honor and exaltation through redeeming love. To human beings striving for conformity to the divine image there is imparted an outlay of heaven’s treasure, an excellency of power, the blood of Christ that will place them higher than even the angels who have never fallen. The soul finds rest only in cherishing meekness and lowliness of
heart.

The peace of Christ is never found where selfishness reigns. The soul cannot grow in grace when it is self-centered and proud. Jesus assumed the position that we must take in order that the peace of Christ may abide in the heart. Those who have offered themselves to Christ to become His disciples must deny self daily, must lift up the cross and follow in the footsteps of Jesus. They must go where His example leads the way.

The only-begotten Son of God took upon Him the nature of human beings, and established His cross between earth and heaven. Through the cross, people are drawn to God, and God to us. Justice moved from its high and awful position, and the heavenly hosts,the armies of holiness, drew near to the cross, bowing with reverence; for at the cross justice was satisfied. Through the cross the sinner was drawn from the stronghold of sin, from the confederacy of evil, and at every approach to the cross our heart relents and in penitence we cry, “It was my sins that crucified the Son of God.” At the cross we leave our sins, and through the grace of Christ the character is transformed. The Redeemer raises the sinner from the dust, and places them under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As the sinner looks upon the Redeemer, they will find hope, assurance, and joy. Faith takes hold of Christ in love. Faith works by love, and purifies the soul.

The truth always involves a cross. Those who will not believe, oppose and deride those who do believe. The fact that its presentation creates a storm of opposition, is no evidence against the truth. The prophets and apostles imperiled their lives because they would conscientiously obey God. And our Savior declares that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” This is one of the Christian’s legacies.

A large number of people who make a profession of religion are a class that are easily convinced; but they have only a superficial religion. As far as outward appearances are concerned, they are bright converts; but they are like the man who started to build without counting the cost of his enterprise, and they are not able to finish. They are like that farmer who incorrectly hear God’s call.

There are those who receive the precious truth with joy; they are exceedingly zealous, and express amazement that all cannot see the things that are so plain to them. They urge others to embrace the doctrine that they find so satisfying. They hastily condemn the hesitating, and those who carefully weigh the evidences of the truth, and consider it in all its bearings. They call such ones cold and unbelieving. But in the time of trial, these enthusiastic persons too often falter and fail. They did not accept the cross as a part of their religious life, and they turn from it with dampened ardor, and refuse to take it up. They do not make the Lord Jesus their strength from the beginning to the end, and do not know what it means to fall upon the Rock and be broken. (Dan 2:34, Luke 8:13,1 Peter 2:6-8 ).

If they realized their great need, the Lord could be their strength, and would put his seal upon them. But they did not “die to self” that they might be born again, and their life was not hid with Christ in God. They did not become laborers together with God, bearing the cross, lifting the burden, that they might understand how great were the blessings of the service of Christ, in contrast to the poor pleasures of the world. If they had done this, like Paul, they would have been a partaker with Christ in his sufferings, and would have been able to exclaim, “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The cross of Calvary challenges, and will finally vanquish every earthly and hellish power. In the cross all influence centers, and from it all influence goes forth. It is the great center of attraction; for on it Christ gave up His life for the human race. This sacrifice was offered for the purpose of restoring people to our original perfection. It was offered to give us an entire transformation of character, making us more than a conqueror. Those who in the strength of Christ overcome the great enemy of God and man will occupy a position in the heavenly courts above angels who have never fallen. Christ declares,

“I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me.”

If the cross does not find an influence in its favor, it creates an influence. Through generation succeeding generation, the truth for this time is revealed as present truth. Christ on the cross was the medium whereby mercy and truth met together, and righteousness and peace kissed each other. This is the means that is to move the world. {LHU 230.3}

Just as we are thinking to ourselves that Jesus does not notice or care about our plight, our suffering; His Word shines forth with just the assurance we need:

“I have carried you close to My Heart…” (Isa 40:11)

The Cross A Center In The World.

The cross stands alone, a great center in the world. It does not find friends, but it makes them. It creates its own agencies. Christ proposes that people shall become laborers together with God. He makes human beings His instrumentalities for drawing all people unto Himself. A divine agency is sufficient only through its operation on human hearts with its transforming power, making people colaborers with God {5BC 1138.1}.

“The cross speaks life and not death to the soul that believes in Jesus. Welcome the precious, life-giving rays that shine from the cross of Calvary. God would not deprive his people of blessings. It is Satan that interposes his shadow of darkness and creates misgiving and doubts, in order that we may not discern the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness shining from the cross of Calvary. Reach up for the blessing, believe for the blessing. Your Savior who died upon the cross is God’s gift to a fallen world, and that gift embraces all heaven. Walk not in the shadow of the cross. Do not give expression to weeping, lamentation, and woe; but encourage your soul to hope and joy. The cross points you upward to a living Savior, who, as your advocate, is pleading in your behalf.”

So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Heb 7:25)

No matter what kind of dark cloud we are under, the promise is sure:

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. (Isa 45:3).

Jesus was born again that we might be born again! Jesus was treated as we deserve that we might be treated as he deserves!

Truly, there is Light in every cloud. There is always a little light.

Give Thanks. Always.

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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thes 5:16-18)

The Thessalonian believers were true missionaries. Their hearts burned with zeal for their Savior, who had delivered them from fear of “the wrath to come.” (1 Thes 1:10) Through the grace of Christ a marvelous transformation had taken place in their lives, and the word of the Lord, as spoken through them, was accompanied with power. With constant thanksgiving. Hearts were won by the truths presented, and many souls were added to the number of believers.

Joy as used in Paul’s letters here reflects the mark of a true Christian. the Christian (Rom. 14:17) and a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). It is often associated with the firm hope of the Christian (Rom 5:2–5; Rom 12:12). “Pray without ceasing” suggests a mental attitude of prayerfulness, continual personal fellowship with God, and consciousness of being in his presence throughout each day. Christians are marked by thanksgiving in all types of circumstances. (Eph 5:4, Eph 5:20 Col 2:7 Col 3:15, Col 3:17 Col 4:2). These verses are all talking about 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18.

Our joy, prayers, and thankfulness should not fluctuate with our circumstances or feelings. Obeying these three commands—be joyful, never stop praying, and be thankful—often goes against our natural inclinations. When we make a conscious decision to do what God says, however, we will begin to see other people and our circumstances in a new perspective. When we do God’s will, we will find it easier to be joyful and thankful. And most of all to love one another with “unfeigned love.” No pretending to love someone for some kind of private gain to ourselves… But the kind of love where you practice what you preach about the love of Christ and people know it. (1 Pet 1:22 Acts 4:13)

“Put everything to the test. [Heb 4:12] Accept what is good” (1 Thes 5:21)

Throughout life’s toils and trials the peace of God and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ can be our consolation and support. The apostle challenged believers of his day to not become weary in well-doing, and pointed them to his own example.

Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus. (1 Thes 5:18, ERV)

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one of them to say ‘thank you?’