Category: bible study

Reading Time: 3 minutes

In our opening text for this week’s devotional, you will see why I like to stand and watch the eagles in the mountains.

On Eagle’s Wings

‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles wings and brought you to my mountain.’ (Exodus 19:4)

What could God possibly be trying to say here by mentioning that He “carried them on Eagle’s wings?”

When I watched this eagle pictured above in the mountains,near my place, I recall the speed, the skill, and the reliablility of the eagle’s wings to rise above the storm clouds, in his flight. He was very precise and powerful in the ways that he landed and took off. The Eagle’s flight is used here by God as a similitude of sorts to illustrate how God saves us. The speed, the surety, and the tender care with which the people of Israel were, transported from the house of bondage,is remarkable. The flight of an Eagle is truly a good way to illustrate God’s care for us.

The eagle of the Alps is sometimes beaten down by the tempest into the narrow defiles of the mountains. Storm clouds shut in this mighty bird of the forest, their dark masses separating her from the sunny heights where she has made her home. Her efforts to escape seem fruitless. She dashes to and fro, beating the air with her strong wings, and waking the mountain echoes with her cries. At length, with a note of triumph, she darts upward, and, piercing the clouds, is once more in the clear sunlight, with the darkness and tempest far beneath.

So too, we may be surrounded with difficulties, discouragement, and darkness. Falsehood, calamity, injustice, shut us in. There are clouds that we cannot dispel. We battle with circumstances in vain. There is one, and but one, way of escape. The mists and fogs cling to the earth; beyond the clouds God’s light is shining. Into the sunlight of His presence we may rise on the wings of faith. {Ed 118.2}

The flight of an eagle and how it so befittingly is expanded into a fuller detail gives us a figurative or symbolic illustration of the important work of redemption. In Deut 32:11-12) we see this illustration of the Christ’s work of redemption

Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreads its wings to catch them, and carries them on its feathers, so the LORD alone led his people. No foreign god was with him. (Deut 32:11-12)

The follower of Christ must have faith abiding in the heart; for without this it is impossible to please God. Faith is the hand that takes hold of infinite help; it is the medium by which the renewed heart is made to beat in unison with the heart of Christ. {MYP 102.3}

In her endeavors to reach her home, the eagle is often beaten down by the tempest to the narrow defiles of the mountains. The clouds, in black, angry masses sweep between her and the sunny heights where she secures her nest. For a while she seems bewildered, and dashes this way and that, beating her strong wings as if to sweep back the dense clouds. She awakens the doves of the mountains with her wild cry in her vain endeavors to find a way out of her prison. At last she dashes upward into the blackness, and gives a shrill scream of triumph as she emerges, a moment later, in the calm sunshine above. The darkness and tempest are all below her, and the light of heaven is shining about her. She reaches her loved home in the lofty crag, and is satisfied. It was through darkness that she reached the light. It cost her an effort to do this, but she is rewarded in gaining the object which she sought. {MYP 102.4}

This is the only course we can pursue as followers of Christ. We must exercise that living faith, which will penetrate the clouds that, like a thick wall, separate us from heaven’s light. We have heights of faith to reach, where all is peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. {MYP 103.1}

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.(John 14:27)

Is it any wonder that the Bible tells us that Jesus can “save to the uttermost, anyone that comes unto God by Him?” (Heb 7:25)

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge. His truth is your shield and armor.(Psalms 91:4)

Reading Time: 13 minutes

Reconciliation Predicted in Bible Prophecy

I have been thinking of the ministry of reconciliation lately. I have been surprised to find that the ministry of reconciliation was foretold in Bible prophecy!

Daniel 9:24 (KJV) “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity…”

As one writer puts it:

People will learn of the reconciliation for iniquity and of the everlasting righteousness which the Messiah has brought in through His sacrifice. Many will be brought to share the glorious liberty of the sons of God and will stand with God’s people to welcome the soon coming in power and glory, of our Lord and Saviour. 7T 149.2

The part of Bible prophecy about reconciliation is directly connected, I believe, to the Indigenous Reconciliation Ministry God is calling all churches to. Another paragraph that details Biblical reconciliation ministry in more detail reads as follows:

People will learn of the reconciliation for iniquity and of the everlasting righteousness which the Messiah has brought in through His sacrifice. The cross of Calvary is the great center. This truth acted upon will make Christ’s sacrifice effectual. This is that which Gabriel revealed to Daniel in answer to fervent prayer. It was of this that Moses and Elijah and Christ talked at His transfiguration. By the humiliation of the cross, He was to bring everlasting deliverance to all who would walk after Him, giving positive evidence that they are separated from the world (4BC 1172.6)

The Bible Has a Special Message About Reconciliation

What special message of entreaty has God sent to us through His appointed messengers?

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; and God, as it were, is exhorting you through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, “Be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor 5:20)

Through whom is this reconciliation made?

All things are from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (2 Cor 5:18)

What was required to bring about this reconciliation?

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His own Son, much more then, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the reconciliation. (Rom 5:10-11)

A Divine Remedy for Sin

The atonement of Christ is not a mere skillful way to have our sins pardoned; it is a divine remedy for the cure of transgression and the restoration of spiritual health. It is the Heaven-ordained means by which the righteousness of Christ may be not only upon us but in our hearts and characters. {6BC 1074.2}

What basis for reconciliation was made by Christ’s death?

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things to Himself; by Him, whether the things on the earth, or the things in heaven. (Col 1:19-20)

How was Jesus treated?

“Jesus was treated as we deserve that we might be treated as He deserves.” (DA 25)

[Jesus} was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isa 53:5)

It was not alone by dying on the cross that Christ accomplished His work of saving [humanity]. The disgrace and suffering and humiliation was a part of His mission. “He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” This entire penalty Christ bore for the sins of the transgressor; He has borne the punishment for every person and for this reason Jesus can ransom every soul, however fallen their condition, if they will accept the law of God as his standard of righteousness. {4BC 1147.5}

As Christians, we must note here in particular something that is sometimes controversial. Many of us will say “the cross is enough,” but do we realize here, exactly what we are saying? According to Isaiah 53, and other passages, when we say, “the cross,” it denotes a suite or group of doctrines that we collectively can call “the cross.” The Incarnation, the life before His three-year ministry, His trials by religious leaders, His death on the cross, His resurrection, and His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, are collectively known as “the cross.” The Bible is clear in Romans 5:10 where it tells us “We will be saved by his son’s life,” and that life is what the Bible views, collectively, as “the cross.” “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”(John 1:4)

What did John declare concerning Jesus?

On the next day, John sees Jesus coming to him, and he says, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

To what place did Jesus carry these sins?

Who Himself bore our sins WITHIN HIS OWN BODY on the tree, so that we, being dead to sins, may live unto righteousness; by Whose stripes you were healed. (1 Pet 2:24)

A Bridge Over the Gulf

By transgression man was severed from God, the communion between them was broken; but Jesus Christ died upon the cross of Calvary, bearing in His body the sins of the whole world, and the gulf between heaven and earth was bridged by that cross. Christ leads men to the gulf, and points to the bridge by which it is spanned, saying, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” {7BC 941.8}

In thus reconciling the world unto Himself, what attitude did God take towards fallen humanity? And all things are from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION; Which is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and He has entrusted to us this message of reconciliation. (2 Cor 5:18-19)

Satan Sees in Christ a Manifestation of God’s Character

There stood in the world One who was a perfect representative of the Father, one whose character and practices refuted Satan’s misrepresentation of God. Satan had charged upon God the attribute he himself possessed. Now in Christ he saw God revealed in His true character–a compassionate, merciful Father, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to Him in repentance, and have eternal life {6BC 1101.7}

What has made it all possible for God to treat sinners with such love, mercy, and grace?

All of us were like sheep that had wandered off. We had each gone our own way, but the LORD gave [Jesus}the punishment we deserved. (Isa 53:6, CEV)

It was/is because of our disobedience that we were separated from God. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isa 59:2) Even though we have so often refused to obey, God’s great love to us all at the Creation has been shed on all generations since that time. Not willing that anyone should perish, God the Father manifests the same love, in giving His only begotten Son, that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

Unity, Purpose, and Joy of Reconciliation

Exactly how did Jesus reconcile all people to God through the cross?

On the cross Christ did away with our hatred for each other. He also made peace between us and God by uniting Jews and Gentiles in one body. Christ came and preached peace to you Gentiles, who were far from God, and peace to us Jews, who were near God. And because of Christ, all of us can come to the Father by the same Spirit. (Eph 2:16-18, CEV)

What is the one, great purpose of reconciliation?

You used to be far from God. Your thoughts made you his enemies, and you did evil things. But his son became a human and died. So, God made peace with you, and now he lets you stand in his presence as people who are holy and faultless and innocent. But you must stay deeply rooted and firm in your faith. You must not give up the hope you received when you heard the good news. It was preached to everyone on earth, and I have become a servant of this message. (Col 1:21-23, CEV)

Through whom is the reconciliation received?

Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by his Son’s life. And in addition to everything else, we are happy because God sent our Lord Jesus Christ to make peace with us. (Rom 5:10-11)

None but the Son of God could accomplish our redemption; for only He who was in the bosom of the Father could declare Him. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it manifest. Nothing less than the infinite sacrifice made by Christ on behalf of fallen man could express the Father’s love to lost humanity.  {SC 14.2}

“God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” He gave Him not only to live among men, to bear their sins, and die their sacrifice. He gave Him to the fallen race. Christ was to identify Himself with the interests and needs of humanity. He who was one with God has linked Himself with the children of men by ties that are never to be broken. Jesus is “not ashamed to call them brethren” (Hebrews 2:11); He is our Sacrifice, our Advocate, our brother, bearing our human form before the Father’s throne, and through eternal ages one with the race He has redeemed–the Son of man. And all this that man might be uplifted from the ruin and degradation of sin that he might reflect the love of God and share the joy of holiness. {SC 14.3}

The price paid for our redemption, the infinite sacrifice of our heavenly Father in giving His Son to die for us, should give us exalted conceptions of what we may become through Christ. As the inspired apostle John beheld the height, the depth, the breadth of the Father’s love toward the perishing race, he was filled with adoration and reverence; and, failing to find suitable language in which to express the greatness and tenderness of this love, he called upon the world to behold it. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1. What a value this places upon man! Through transgression the sons of man become subjects of Satan. Through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ the sons of Adam may become the sons of God. By assuming human nature, Christ elevates humanity. Fallen men are placed were, through connection with Christ, they may indeed become worthy of the name “sons of God.”  {SC 15.1}

Such love is without a parallel. Children of the heavenly King! Precious promise! Theme for the most profound meditation! The matchless love of God for a world that did not love Him! The thought has a subduing power upon the soul and brings the mind into captivity to the will of God. The more we study the divine character in the light of the cross, the more we see mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness blended with equity and justice, and the more clearly, we discern innumerable evidence of a love that is infinite and a tender pity surpassing a mother’s yearning sympathy for her wayward child.  {SC 15.2}

All have sinned and are not good enough to share God’s divine greatness. They are made right with God by his grace. This is a gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ. God gave Jesus to forgive people’s sins through their faith in him. God can forgive them because the blood sacrifice of Jesus pays for their sins. God gave Jesus to show that he always does what is right and fair. He was right in the past when he was patient and did not punish people for their sins. And in our own time he still does what is right. God worked all this out in a way that allows him to judge people fairly and still make right any person who has faith in Jesus. (Rom 3:23-25, ERV)

The Father Abundantly Satisfied

The atonement that has been made for us by Christ is wholly and abundantly satisfactory to the Father. God can be just, and yet the justifier of those who believe. {6BC 1071.7}

This mercy and goodness are wholly undeserved. The grace of Christ is freely to justify the sinner without merit or claim on his part. Justification is a full, complete pardon of sin. The moment a sinner accepts Christ by faith, that moment he is pardoned. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to him, and he is no more to doubt God’s forgiving grace.  {6BC 1071.8}

There is nothing in faith that makes faith our Saviour. Faith cannot remove our guilt. Christ is the power of God unto salvation to all of them that believe. The justification comes through the merits of Jesus Christ. He has paid the price for the sinner’s redemption. Yet it is only through faith in His blood that Jesus can justify the believer.  {6BC 1071.9} The Bible says that Jesus is our Savior and that Jesus reconciled our iniquity by “the cross.” Faith is never our Savior, Jesus is. “The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said: Here is THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN of the world!” (John 1:29)

The sinner cannot depend upon [their] own good works as a means of justification. [They] must come to the point where [they] will renounce all [their] sin and embrace one degree of light after another as it shines upon his pathway. (2 Pet 3:18). We simply grasp by [the hand of faith] the free and ample provision made in the blood of Christ. We believe the promises of God, which through Christ are made unto him sanctification and righteousness and redemption. And if he follows Jesus, he will walk humbly in the light, rejoicing in the light and diffusing that light to others. Being justified by faith, we carry cheerfulness with [us] in [our] obedience in all [our] life. Peace with God is the result of what Christ is to [us]. The souls who are in subordination to God, who honor Him, and are doers of His Word, will receive divine enlightenment. In the precious Word of God there is purity and loftiness as well as beauty that, unless assisted by God, the highest powers of [humanity] cannot attain to {6BC 1071.10}

“…Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Eph 5:25-27)

In this beautiful passage from Ephesians 5, the Apostle is talking about how husbands are to love their wives. This is the perfect model of Biblical reconciliation. Loving one another “as Christ loved the Church.” Imagine what a wonderful world it would be if we all started to do this kind of reconciliation!

Only One Source of Light

Christ “loved the church and gave himself for it.” It is the purchase of His blood. The divine Son of God is seen walking amid the seven golden candlesticks. Jesus Himself supplies the oil to these burning lamps. He it is that kindles the flame. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”  {6BC 1118.7}

No candlestick, no church, shines of itself. From Christ emanates all its light. The church in heaven today is only the complement of the church on earth; but it is higher, grander–perfect. The same divine illumination is to continue through eternal ages. The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the light thereof. No church can have light if it fails to diffuse the glory it receives from the throne of God (MS 1a, 1890).  {6BC 1118.8}

Now is the time to start sharing the light of our reconciliation, our true Biblical reconciliation, with all whom Jesus has set in our path. It is God’s Word through His Spirit that cleanses/reconciles us all. “Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth.” (John 17:17)

For we ourselves also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, slaving for various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, THROUGH THE WASHING OF REGENERATION AND RENEWAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.(Tit 3:3-7).

The love of our heavenly Father in the gift of His only-begotten Son to the world, is enough to inspire every soul, to melt every hard, loveless heart into contrition and tenderness; and yet shall heavenly intelligences see in those for whom Christ died, insensibility to His love, hardness of heart, and no response of gratitude and affection to the Giver of all good things? Shall affairs of minor importance absorb the whole power of the being, and the love of God meet no return? Shall the Sun of Righteousness shine in vain? In view of what God has done, could His claims be less upon you? Have we hearts that can be touched, that can be impressed with divine love? Are we willing to be chosen vessels? Has not God His eye upon us, and has He not bidden us to send forth His message of light? We need an increase of faith. We must wait, we must watch, we must pray, we must work, pleading that the Holy Spirit may be poured out upon us abundantly, that we may be lights in the world.  {FE 198.1}

Jesus looked upon the world in its fallen state with infinite pity. He took humanity upon Himself that He might touch and elevate humanity. He came to seek and to save that which was lost. He reached to the very depth of human misery and woe, to take man as He found him, a being tainted with corruption, degraded with vice, depraved by sin, and united with Satan in apostasy, and elevate him to a seat upon His throne. But it was written of Him that “He shall not fail nor be discouraged,” and He went forth in the path of self-denial and self-sacrifice, giving us an example that we should follow in His steps. We should work as did Jesus, departing from our own pleasure, turning away from Satan’s bribes, despising ease, and abhorring selfishness, that we may seek and save that which is lost, bringing souls from darkness into light, into the sunshine of God’s love. We have been commissioned to go forth and preach the gospel to every creature. We are to bring to the lost the tidings that Christ can forgive sin, can renew the nature, can clothe the soul in the garments of His righteousness, bring the sinner to His right mind, and teach him and fit him up to be a laborer together with God.  {FE 199.1}

The converted soul lives in Christ. His darkness passes away, and a new and heavenly light shines into his soul. “He that wins souls is wise.” “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” What is done through the co-operation of men with God is a work that shall never perish but endure through the eternal ages. He that makes God his wisdom, that grows up into the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus, will stand before kings, before the so-called great men of the world, and show forth the praises of Him who hath called him out of darkness into His marvelous light. Science and literature cannot bring into the darkened mind of men the light which the glorious gospel of the Son of God can bring. The Son of God alone can do the great work of illuminating the soul. No wonder Paul exclaims

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”

The gospel of Christ becomes personality in those who believe, and makes them living epistles, known and read of all men. In this way the leaven of godliness passes into the multitude. The heavenly intelligences can discern the true elements of greatness in character; for only goodness is esteemed as efficiency with God.  {FE 199.2}

The true “ministry of reconciliation”, starts with The Holy Spirit, then it flows into us, and then it flows out to all whom Jesus sets in our daily path. This is the reconciliation that is predicted in Bible prophecy and in the three angel’s message of Rev 14:6-12)

Reading Time: 3 minutes

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

The average person makes over 35,000 decisions a day—approximately 1,500 decisions an hour if you are awake for 24 hours. From opening your eyes and getting out of bed to choosing to read this sentence, your life is composed of thousands of seemingly small decisions that shape the course of your day.

Every decision we make matters, but the most important decision we will ever make is whether to follow Jesus Christ. Believing in Jesus not only transforms our life on earth but also determines our eternal destiny. Those who believe and follow Jesus will one day join Him in heaven.

In a letter to the churches in ancient Rome, Paul writes:

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 10:9 NIV

Choosing to believe and follow Jesus changes everything. Not only are we saved for eternity, but we also get to have a relationship with God today. We have this assurance because God lives in us, and we live in Him. God’s Word tells us that when we believe in Him, the Spirit of God dwells within us, empowering us to live according to His will.

Wherever we go and whatever we do in life, God will always be with us. Since we have a relationship with Him, we can talk with Him anytime. His Spirit grants us peace when we are fearful and grace when we make mistakes.

The first step is to begin a relationship with Jesus. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we will have opportunities to share the hope we have in Jesus with others. So be bold when those opportunities arise to acknowledge Jesus publicly. God lives in you and goes with you everywhere—you have nothing to fear. Thank Him for His presence and grace today.

Our living hope has a NAME

IMMANUEL! GOD With Us!

The light and glory of Heaven carry that name, which He wishes us to embrace.

GOD with ME. Come if you are broken. If you need healing, He is where you will find it. When we are broken, JESUS takes all our shattered pieces and creates beautiful, world-class art with them!

Jesus wants to make you new. Jesus is all about transformation for He knows the Heavenly secret of the Christian life (Rom 12:2)

There is an eloquence far more powerful than words in the quiet, consistent life of a pure, true Christian. What a person is has more influence than what they say. – HDL 7.1

The officers sent to Jesus returned with the report that no one ever spoke as He spoke. The reason for this was that no one ever lived as He lived. Had His life been different, He could not have spoken as He did. His words carried convincing power because they came from a heart that was pure and holy, full of love, sympathy, benevolence, and truth. – HDL 7.2

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5)

Why not make the decision now to choose Jesus and change EVERYTHING? Jesus will never disappoint.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

It seems sometimes when we try to be silent before God and to diligently listen to His voice that so many other things start happening. Numerous cares, concerns, fears and griefs can sneak in so fast and literally ruin the precious moments with God. Job once experienced something similar. Lets look at what he said:

Job 4:16 (KJV) “It stood still… there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying…”

Its amazing how a thousand other voices from within and without start to clamor for the attention when we want to get close to God and truly listen to Him. Some are our own voices. Our own questions. Our own prayers. Other voices are suggestions from the tempter, the “father of lies.” (John 8:44) Voices from the world’s turmoil will greedily vie for our attention. No sooner do we begin to pray then do we start to get pulled pushed greeted by noisy adjustments or crazy upheaval. Of course then, we deem it so necessary to answer some of the voices. To listen to them. To even give them our undivided attention. Once any of those voices get your attention, they have succeeded in stopping your effectual praying.

“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:1) Then comes our persistent conflict of thoughts for tomorrow or for some other day. But God says simply: “be still my precious child.”

As we learn by practice to listen and obey, and shut our ears to every other sound, we will finger that the other voices cease, or we cease to hear them. Then there is left for us the still small voice in the depths of our being that begins to speak to the soul with inexpressible tenderness, power, and comfort.

As we listen. As we watch and wait, that still small voice becomes to us the voice of our heart-felt prayers. The voice of wisdom. The voice of duty. We will then not need to think so hard. To pray so hard. To trust so hard.

Everything Godly seems so hard to the struggling soul. But the still small voice is the Holy Spirits prayer in my heart. (Rom 8:26) Creator’s secret practice in the soul. Creator’s answer to all my questions. Creator’s life and strength for my whole body and soul. The very substance of all my knowledge. All my prayer. And all the blessings in my life. The Living Creator Himself as my life my all. (1 Cor 1:24, 1 Cor 1:30,Eph 1:17)

“Christ in me” ( Col 1:27) is how my spirit “drinks” in the life of our risen Lord. It’s what enables me to go forward to life’s conflicts and duties like a flower that has drawn in, through the shades of the night shadows, the cooling crystal drops of refreshing morning dew.

I must remember and rest in the fact that just as the morning dew never falls on a stormy night, so too, the sweet, revitalizing dew of God’s grace is rarely visible to the restless entrusting soul. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.” (John 1:14) “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12) Theories that do not recognize the atonement that has been made for sin, and the work that the Holy Spirit is to do in the hearts of human beings, are powerless to save. Christ lived the unpolluted life in this world to reveal to human beings the power of His grace that will be given to every soul that will accept Him as his Savior. {9MR 239.2}

When I think of the flower and the sustaining process as it rests perfectly quiet, perfectly still, in the solitude of the blackest night, I know that God us indicating to me that He wants to speak now.

He knows our lives are short, that they are like grass. He knows we are like a little wildflower that grows so quickly,
(Psalms 103:15)

Nature and revelation alike testify of God’s love. Our Father in heaven is the source of life, of wisdom, and of joy. Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature. Think of their marvelous adaptation to the needs and happiness, not only of man, but of all living creatures. The sunshine and the rain, that gladden and refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains, all speak to us of the Creator’s love. It is God who supplies the daily needs of all His creatures. In the beautiful words of the psalmist:

“The eyes of all wait upon Thee; And Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.” Psalm 145:15, 16. {SC 9.1}

The springs of heavenly peace and joy, unsealed in the soul of [God’s people] by the words of Inspiration, will become a mighty river of influence to bless all who connect with him. The Bible will not become a tiresome book to the student. Under a wise instructor the word will become more and more desirable. It will be as the bread of life, and will never grow old. Its freshness and beauty will [even]attract and charm the children and youth. It is like the sun shining upon the earth, perpetually imparting brightness and warmth, yet never exhausted. {COL 132.1}

God’s holy, educating Spirit is in His word. A light, a new and precious light, shines forth from every page. Truth is there revealed, and words and sentences are made bright and appropriate for the occasion, as the voice of God speaking to the soul. {COL 132.2}

Dear restless soul. It’s Creator’s turn now. The flowers are so beautiful. That’s why they are sent. God is telling us He is here. God is telling us He is waiting to speak.

How long will you keep our Creator waiting?

Reading Time: 10 minutes

The Gift of the Spirit

Let me assure you, it is better for you that I go away. I say this because when I go away I will send the Helper to you. But if I did not go, the Helper would not come. “When the Helper comes, he will show the people of the world how wrong they are about sin, about being right with God, and about judgment. – from Jesus. (John 16:7-8)

God’s holy, educating Spirit is in His word. A light, a new and precious light, shines forth from every page. Truth is there revealed, and words and sentences are made bright and appropriate for the occasion, as the voice of God speaking to the soul. {COL 132.2}

The Gift Of The Spirit
(taken from Acts of The Apostles, chapter 5)

When Christ gave His disciples the promise of the Spirit, He was nearing the close of His earthly ministry. He was standing in the shadow of the cross, with a full realization of the load of guilt that was to rest upon Him as the Sin Bearer. Before offering Himself as the sacrificial victim, He instructed His disciples regarding a most essential and complete gift which He was to bestow upon His followers–the gift that would bring within their reach the boundless resources of His grace. “I will pray the Father,” He said, “and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees  Him not, neither knows Him: but ye know Him; for He dwells with you, and shall be in you.” John 14:16, 17. The Savior was pointing forward to the time when the Holy Spirit should come to do a mighty work as His representative. The evil that had been accumulating for centuries was to be resisted by the divine power of the Holy Spirit. {AA 47.1}

What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost? The glad tidings of a risen Savior were carried to the uttermost parts of the inhabited world. As the disciples proclaimed the message of redeeming grace, hearts yielded to the power of this message. The church beheld converts flocking to her from all directions. Backsliders were reconverted. Sinners united with believers in seeking the pearl of great price. Some who had been the bitterest opponents of the gospel became its champions. The prophecy was fulfilled, “He that is feeble . . . shall be as David; and the house of David . . . as the angel of the Lord.” Zechariah 12:8. Every Christian saw in his brother a revelation of divine love and benevolence. One interest prevailed; one subject of emulation swallowed up all others. The ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ’s character and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom. {AA 48.1}

“With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” Acts 4:33. Under their labors were added to the church chosen men, who, receiving the word of truth, consecrated their lives to the work of giving to others the hope that filled their hearts with peace and joy. They could not be restrained or intimidated by threatening. The Lord spoke through them, and as they went from place to place, the poor had the gospel preached to them, and miracles of divine grace were wrought. {AA 48.2}

So mightily can God work when men give themselves up to the control of His Spirit. {AA 49.1}

The promise of the Holy Spirit is not limited to any age or to any race. Christ declared that the divine influence of His Spirit was to be with His followers unto the end. From the Day of Pentecost to the present time, the Comforter has been sent to all who have yielded themselves fully to the Lord and to His service. To all who have accepted Christ as a personal Savior, the Holy Spirit has come as a counselor, sanctifier, guide, and witness. The more closely believers have walked with God, the more clearly and powerfully have they testified of their Redeemer’s love and of His saving grace. The men and women who through the long centuries of persecution and trial enjoyed a large measure of the presence of the Spirit in their lives, have stood as signs and wonders in the world. Before angels and men they have revealed the transforming power of redeeming love. {AA 49.2}

Those who at Pentecost were endued with power from on high, were not thereby freed from further temptation and trial. As they witnessed for truth and righteousness they were repeatedly assailed by the enemy of all truth, who sought to rob them of their Christian experience. They were compelled to strive with all their God-given powers to reach the measure of the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. Daily they prayed for fresh supplies of grace, that they might reach higher and still higher toward perfection. Under the Holy Spirit’s working even the weakest, by exercising faith in God, learned to improve their entrusted powers and to become sanctified, refined, and ennobled. As in humility they submitted to the molding influence of the Holy Spirit, they received of the fullness of the Godhead and were fashioned in the likeness of the divine. {AA 49.3}

The lapse of time has wrought no change in Christ’s parting promise to send the Holy Spirit as His representative. It is not because of any restriction on the part of God that the riches of His grace do not flow earthward to men. If the fulfillment of the promise is not seen as it might be, it is because the promise is not appreciated as it should be. If all were willing, all would be filled with the Spirit. Wherever the need of the Holy Spirit is a matter little thought of, there is seen spiritual drought, spiritual darkness, spiritual declension and death. Whenever minor matters occupy the attention, the divine power which is necessary for the growth and prosperity of the church, and which would bring all other blessings in its train, is lacking, though offered in infinite plenitude. {AA 50.1}

Since this is the means by which we are to receive power, why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit? Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, and preach concerning it? The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. For the daily baptism of the Spirit every worker should offer his petition to God. Companies of Christian workers should gather to ask for special help, for heavenly wisdom, that they may know how to plan and execute wisely. Especially should they pray that God will baptize His chosen ambassadors in mission fields with a rich measure of His Spirit. The presence of the Spirit with God’s workers will give the proclamation of truth a power that not all the honor or glory of the world could give. {AA 50.2}

With the consecrated worker for God, in whatever place he may be, the Holy Spirit abides. The words spoken to the disciples are spoken also to us. The Comforter is ours as well as theirs. The Spirit furnishes the strength that sustains striving, wrestling souls in every emergency, amidst the hatred of the world, and the realization of their own failures and mistakes. In sorrow and affliction, when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing, and we feel helpless and alone,–these are the times when, in answer to the prayer of faith, the Holy Spirit brings comfort to the heart. {AA 51.1}

It is not a conclusive evidence that a man is a Christian because he manifests spiritual ecstasy under extraordinary circumstances. Holiness is not rapture: it is an entire surrender of the will to God; it is living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father; it is trusting God in trial, in darkness as well as in the light; it is walking by faith and not by sight; it is relying on God with unquestioning confidence, and resting in His love. {AA 51.2}

It is not essential for us to be able to define just what the Holy Spirit is. Christ tells us that the Spirit is the Comforter, “the Spirit of truth, which proceeds  from the Father.” It is plainly declared regarding the Holy Spirit that, in His work of guiding men into all truth, “He shall not speak of Himself.” John 15:26; 16:13.{AA 51.3}

The nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Men cannot explain it, because the Lord has not revealed it to them. Men having fanciful views may bring together passages of Scripture and put a human construction on them, but the acceptance of these views will not strengthen the church. Regarding such mysteries, which are too deep for human understanding, silence is golden. {AA 52.1}

The office of the Holy Spirit is distinctly specified in the words of Christ: “When He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 16:8. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin. If the sinner responds to the quickening influence of the Spirit, he will be brought to repentance and aroused to the importance of obeying the divine requirements. {AA 52.2}

To the repentant sinner, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, the Holy Spirit reveals the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. “He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you,” Christ said. “He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 16:14; 14:26. {AA 52.3}

The Spirit is given as a regenerating agency, to make effectual the salvation wrought by the death of our Redeemer. The Spirit is constantly seeking to draw the attention of men to the great offering that was made on the cross of Calvary, to unfold to the world the love of God, and to open to the convicted soul the precious things of the Scriptures. {AA 52.4}

Having brought conviction of sin, and presented before the mind the standard of righteousness, the Holy Spirit
withdraws the affections from the things of this earth and fills the soul with a desire for holiness. “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13), the Savior declared. If men are willing to be molded, there will be brought about a sanctification of the whole being. The Spirit will take the things of God and stamp them on the soul. By His power the way of life will be made so plain that none need err therein. {AA 52.5}

From the beginning, God has been working by His Holy Spirit through human instrumentality for the accomplishment of His purpose in behalf of the fallen race. This was manifest in the lives of the patriarchs. To the church in the wilderness also, in the time of Moses, God gave His “good Spirit to instruct them.” Nehemiah 9:20. And in the days of the apostles He wrought mightily for His church through the agency of the Holy Spirit. The same power that sustained the patriarchs, that gave Caleb and Joshua faith and courage, and that made the work of the apostolic church effective, has upheld God’s faithful children in every succeeding age. It was through the power of the Holy Spirit that during the Dark Ages the Waldensian Christians helped to prepare the way for the Reformation. It was the same power that made successful the efforts of the noble men and women who pioneered the way for the establishment of modern missions and for the translation of the Bible into the languages and dialects of all nations and peoples. {AA 53.1}

And today God is still using His church to make known His purpose in the earth. Today the heralds of the cross are going from city to city, and from land to land, preparing the way for the second advent of Christ. The standard of God’s law is being exalted. The Spirit of the Almighty is moving upon men’s hearts, and those who respond to its influence become witnesses for God and His truth. In many places consecrated men and women may be seen communicating to others the light that has made plain to them the way of salvation through Christ. And as they continue to let their light shine, as did those who were baptized with the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, they receive more and still more of the Spirit’s power. Thus the earth is to be lightened with the glory of God. {AA 53.2}

On the other hand, there are some who, instead of wisely improving present opportunities, are idly waiting for some special season of spiritual refreshing by which their ability to enlighten others will be greatly increased. They neglect present duties and privileges, and allow their light to burn dim, while they look forward to a time when, without any effort on their part, they will be made the recipients of special blessing, by which they will be transformed and fitted for service. {AA 54.1}

It is true that in the time of the end, when God’s work in the earth is closing, the earnest efforts put forth by consecrated believers under the guidance of the Holy Spirit are to be accompanied by special tokens of divine favor. Under the figure of the early and the latter rain, that falls in Eastern lands at seedtime and harvest, the Hebrew prophets foretold the bestowal of spiritual grace in extraordinary measure upon God’s church. The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the beginning of the early, or former, rain, and glorious was the result. To the end of time the presence of the Spirit is to abide with the true church. {AA 54.2}

But near the close of earth’s harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of man. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain; and it is for this added power that Christians are to send their petitions to the Lord of the harvest “in the time of the latter rain.” In response, “the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain.” “He will cause to come down . . . the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain,” Zechariah 10:1; Joel 2:23. {AA 55.1}

But unless the members of God’s church today have a living connection with the Source of all spiritual growth, they will not be ready for the time of reaping. Unless they keep their lamps trimmed and burning, they will fail of receiving added grace in times of special need. {AA 55.2}

Those only who are constantly receiving fresh supplies of grace, will have power proportionate to their daily need and their ability to use that power. Instead of looking forward to some future time when, through a special endowment of spiritual power, they will receive a miraculous fitting up for soul winning, they are yielding themselves daily to God, that He may make them vessels meet for His use. Daily they are improving the opportunities for service that lie within their reach. Daily they are witnessing for the Master wherever they may be, whether in some humble sphere of labor in the home, or in a public field of usefulness. {AA 55.3}

To the consecrated worker there is wonderful consolation in the knowledge that even Christ during His life on earth sought His Father daily for fresh supplies of needed grace; and from this communion with God He went forth to strengthen and bless others. Behold the Son of God bowed in prayer to His Father! Though He is the Son of God, He strengthens His faith by prayer, and by communion with heaven gathers to Himself power to resist evil and to minister to the needs of men. As the Elder Brother of our race He knows the necessities of those who, compassed with infirmity and living in a world of sin and temptation, still desire to serve Him. He knows that the messengers whom He sees fit to send are weak, erring men; but to all who give themselves wholly to His service He promises divine aid. His own example is an assurance that earnest, persevering supplication to God in faith–faith that leads to entire dependence upon God, and unreserved consecration to His work–will avail to bring to men the Holy Spirit’s aid in the battle against sin. {AA 56.1}

Every worker who follows the example of Christ will be prepared to receive and use the power that God has promised to His church for the ripening of earth’s harvest. Morning by morning, as the heralds of the gospel kneel before the Lord and renew their vows of consecration to Him, He will grant them the presence of His Spirit, with its reviving, sanctifying power. As they go forth to the day’s duties, they have the assurance that the unseen agency of the Holy Spirit enables them to be “laborers together with God.” {AA 56.2}

Reading Time: 5 minutes

The one who has the Son has eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have eternal life. (1 John 5:12,AFV)

Jesus Is My Friend

The people who have the Son have eternal life. Those who do not have the Son of God do not have eternal life.” (1 John 5:12) [my paraphrase]

There was a day about two years ago when my life was in a terrible crises of grief, anger, and hopelessness. I had been a Christian for years and realized I had never known how to be a friend of God. It bothered me a lot because I felt like I was in some kind of Religious Jail, just going through the motions prescribed for me by others.

One day I went to my favorite sandy beach area on the Athabasca River. In frustration and with tears I cried out to the Creator that I wanted to know what He thinks of me. How do I know for sure who He is and what He thinks of me?

I ended up writing something in the sand, scratching out in 3 foot high letters “I am the one Jesus loves.” After all, this is what all my “churchy friends” kept saying to me. But they would never be able to tell me more.

I didn’t realize it at the time but this day was the start of a true friendship with Jesus. When I scrawled those letters in the sand that was actually my prayer. I really wanted to belong to Jesus. To know Him personally as a Friend.

Now, I like to tell people about my friendship with our Creator. In the verse that I quote at the top of this article it says “if we HAVE the Son then we have [eternal] life.

The best way I can describe what this means is by my own experience. Maybe I could just point out the main idea from the human realm of our experience?

When I tell you that I HAVE a friend, what exactly do I mean by that? What does it mean for us to HAVE a friend, to HAVE a spouse, to HAVE a sibling, a parent, or other loved ones?

In our human relationships that we all HAVE the answer to the question is simple. If I say I have a friend, then of course I talk with them, they talk with me, and we go places and do things together. That is generally what we all mean when we say we HAVE.

For me, when I say I HAVE a friend in Jesus, it simply means that I talk to Him, Jesus talks to me, and my friend Jesus even wants for us to go places and do things together.

When I speak to my friend Jesus, it is often through prayer. When Jesus speaks to me it is often through His Word in The Book of Heaven.

I have been finding that when my Friend Jesus and I go places and do things together that things really happen. Someone who helped introduced me to my Heavenly Friend who was also “going places and doing things together with Jesus” came to me in my hour of urgent need.

I was on my death bed. Dying of the miseries caused by massive burns in a house fire. The fire was caused because of drug addiction and other problems. That night on my hospital bed a nurse came up to me, took my hand and quietly said “David, I’m going to stay right here with you until you are not afraid.”

I have grown to believe that was the day when it started to dawn on me, my Friend Jesus was right there, His hands through the nurses hands. And now I live with purpose, recovery, and strength. Now I can be that same friend to others. I am no longer in that Religious Jail.

To have Jesus as a Friend means to me that no matter how many injuries scars or griefs I have, I can always talk to Him. Jesus always talks to me. And we go places and do things together.

Being Friends with Jesus is THE hope that pulls me closer. Sets my spirit free. My hope has a NAME and I would love to see you all also have THAT hope.

Today, my prayer for you is simple. I pray that

” your eyes [be] focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!” (Eph 1:18-19, MSG)

If you too want to HAVE Jesus, you can. Ask Him just now to come into your heart. To be in your life. To be your one true Friend who will never forsake you. (Heb 13:5)

Do you HAVE Jesus, today?

The Invitation

Your life may be filled with tears, fears, or sins, but do not despair. Jesus loves you so much, that He died for you; and now He is risen; and now Jesus lives for you! (John 11:25, Heb.7:25). Even though troubles may surround you and fill you, God has still given you the power of choice. He invites you in Joshua 24:15,

“…Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.”

Who am I when all seems so dark and scary, and there is seemingly no hope?

“I am the one that Jesus loves.”

Its about the cross. The cross is the only thing that levels the playing field for us all. The cross is exactly how Jesus makes all things right.

“that He might be JUST and the JUSTIFIER of all who believe in Jesus” (Rom 3:26) PTL.

This is what will apply also to all who wonder “where was/is God?” The cross closes up the distance.

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

Christ declares, “I, if I be lifted up from the earth, 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! {6BC 1113.5}

“I am the one Jesus loves.”

This is our identity in Christ. The cross is our proof. The cross is our doctrine. The cross is our warning. The cross is my hope in every situation. (Gal 6:14)

Come Unto Me
(Mat 11:28)

Do hurts of this world; cares of your life
Crush the heart’s hope; pierce like a knife?
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, come unto Me.’

Families break up, by death do we part
Temptations assault, sinking the heart.
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

The hurting soul says ‘Can’t come at all!’
As they toss and turn against His call.
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

Are you dark or lonely, do you sadly frown?
Are you sick or fearful, or lonely or down?
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

You’re mad or glad, or rich or poor?
You can’t resist some evil lure?
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

The story of your life may be Galilee
Raging turmoil, no hope you see.
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

Come unto Jesus; and “rest” you’ll find
Whenever a burden shall tie or bind
Your Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

– by David T Battler

 

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph 2:12-13, ESV)

It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross. {DA 83.4}

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
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 sorrows and fear
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 sinner’s prayer

We all have to go to The Garden alone
We have to bring all the worry and care
For when we go we glimpse the throne
Yes, in The Garden, our Lord is there

Jesus conquered by strength not His own
And we can have that encounter today
As we go by faith to our Garden alone
To walk with Him, the blood-stained way.

– by David T Battler, all rights reserved world wide

“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 and 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.”

In the wilderness of temptation, in the Garden of Gethsemane, and on the cross, our Saviour measured weapons with the prince of darkness. His wounds became the trophies of His victory in behalf of the race. When Christ hung in agony upon the cross, while evil spirits rejoiced and evil men reviled, then indeed His heel was bruised by Satan. But that very act was crushing the serpent’s head. Through death He destroyed “him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14. This act decided the destiny of the rebel chief, and made forever sure the plan of salvation. In death He gained the victory over its power; in rising again, He opened the gates of the grave to all His followers. In that last great contest we see fulfilled the prophecy, “It shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15. {PK 701.3}

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2.

Our Redeemer has opened the way, so that the most sinful, the most needy, the most oppressed and despised, may find access to the Father.

“O Lord, Thou art my God;
I will exalt Thee,
I will praise Thy name;
For Thou hast done wonderful things;
Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”
Isaiah 25:1. {PK 702.1}

In proclaiming the truths of the everlasting gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, God’s church on earth today is fulfilling the ancient prophecy, “Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.” Isaiah 27:6. The followers of Jesus, in co-operation with heavenly intelligences, are rapidly occupying the waste places of the earth; and, as the result of their labors, an abundant fruitage of precious souls is developing. Today, as never before, the dissemination of Bible truth by means of a consecrated church is bringing to the sons of men the benefits foreshadowed centuries ago in the promise to Abraham and to all Israel,–to God’s church on earth in every age,–

“I will bless thee, and thou shalt be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2. {PK 703.1}

Reading Time: 12 minutes

According to the Creator’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thes 4:15-18, NIV)

When Christ comes to gather to Himself those who have been faithful, the last trump will sound, and the whole earth, from the summits of the loftiest mountains to the lowest recesses of the deepest mines, will hear. The righteous dead will hear the sound of the last trump, and will come forth from their graves, and rise TOGETHER with the righteous living, to be clothed with immortality, and to meet their Lord in the clouds.

If, as some teach, the dead are already in heaven with Jesus, why are they resurrected at His second coming? Why did Jesus tell the disciples they would be with Him again when He returned instead of when they died?

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:3, ESV)

And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10-11, ESV)

Many people today are choosing to consult with lost loved ones through spiritualism, such as taro cards and mediums. Even some church members are falling for this deception.

Why does God forbid us to consult with our departed loved ones, in any way, shape, or form, if indeed they are alive and can talk to us? .

Here is some of what God says about consulting spiritualists and the supposed spirits of the dead?

Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. (Lev 19:31).

The work of dealing with familiar spirits was pronounced an abomination to the Lord and was strictly forbidden under penalty of death. The very name of witchcraft is now held in contempt. The claim that people can hold communications with evil spirits is regarded as a fable of the dark ages. But spiritualism, which now numbers its converts by many millions, has made its way into scientific circles, which has invaded churches, and has found favor in legislative bodies and even in the courts of kings-this major, end time deception is but a revival, in a new disguise, of the witchcraft condemned and prohibited by God Himself in days of old.

If there were no other evidences of the real character of spiritualism, it should be enough for the Christian that the spirits make no difference between righteousness and sin. No differences between holy or unholy.

Her priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. (Ezekiel 22:26, ESV)

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4, KJV)

Where does the spirit go at death?

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it (Eccl 12:7).

At death, the body which was made from the ground returns to the ground and the spirit or breath returns to God who gave it. Nowhere does the Bible call this life force a soul. We do not have a soul. We are a soul. “Breath” plus the body = “a living soul.” We do not have a soul. We are a soul.

Is this spirit, that returns to God, conscious?

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten (Eccl 9:5).

At death the thoughts perish, the mind no longer functions because the heart beat ceases and oxygen no longer is received by the brain in order for it to function. As a result, the dead do not know anything.

What did Jesus call death?

These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead (John 11:11-14).

Death is looked upon by Christ as sleep-silence, darkness, sleep. He speaks of it as if it were of little moment. Whosoever liveth and believeth in Me, He says, shall never die. And to the believing one death is but a small matter. With Him, to die is but to sleep.

What did the Psalmist David call death?

Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; (Psalms 13:3).

Writers of the Old Testament also called death, sleep. It is a state of unconsciousness in which we are unaware of what is going on.

Is there any memory in this sleep of death?

For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? (Psalms 6:5).For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun… Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest (Eccl 9:5-6; Eccl 9:10).

In death we will not remember God we will not see God or talk to Him, and in death no one will give thanks to God. Popular theology represents the righteous dead as in heaven, entered into bliss, and praising God with an immortal tongue, but Hezekiah could see no glorious prospect in death:

For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness. (Isa 38:18-19, NIV)

These words agree with the testimony of the Psalmist, David.

Did David go to heaven when he died?

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day…For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, (Acts 2:29; Acts 2:34).

Peter on the day of Pentecost declared that the patriarch David is both dead and buried and his sepulchre (tomb) is still here on earth with us today. For David is not ascended into the heavens. The fact that David remains in the grave until the resurrection proves that the righteous do not go to heaven at death. If for four thousand years the righteous had gone directly to heaven at death, how could Paul have said that if there is no resurrection, they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. No resurrection would be necessary.

Even Jesus Himself did not go to Heaven right away, until He was resurected:

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Act 1:10  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Act 1:11  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.(Acts 1:9-11)

Where will the dead be when Jesus resurrects them at His second coming?

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28-29).

At the general resurrection of the just, (Acts 24:15) at the second appearing of Christ in the clouds of heaven, the dead that are in their graves shall hear His voice and come forth to life. Not only the earth but the heavens themselves, shall be shaken. A few graves were opened at the resurrection of Christ, but at His second coming all the precious dead, from righteous Abel to the last saint that died, shall awake to glorious immortal life.

When do the dead go to heaven or hell?

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels(Mat 25:31-34; Mat 25:41)

It is when Jesus comes again that the righteous are separated from the unrighteous. We have seen from the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:51-53; 1 Thes 4:16-17) that when the Son of man comes the righteous dead are raised incorruptible, and the righteous living are changed. By this great change they are prepared to receive the kingdom of God. Humanity, in their present state is mortal, corruptible, but the kingdom of God will be incorruptible, enduring forever. Therefore man in his present state cannot enter into the kingdom of God. But when Jesus comes He confers immortality upon His people; then He calls them to inherit the kingdom of which they have hither to been only heirs.

When did the Thief on the cross look forward to being with Jesus? Did Jesus assure him of salvation and going to Heaven that very day?

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise (Luke 23:42-43).

The punctuation in the Bible was supplied by the translators. There was no punctuation in the original Greek. The comma should go after the word to-day, (truly I say unto you today, you will be with Me in Paradise), for Jesus Himself did not go to heaven that day. To the last of His work Christ is a sin-pardoner. At deepest midnight as the Star of Bethlehem was about to sink into oblivion, lo there shines amid the moral darkness with distinct brightness the faith of a dying sinner as he lays hold upon the dying Saviour. The thief asked in faith, in penitence, in contrition. He asked in earnestness as if he fully realized that Jesus could save him if He would. And the hope in his voice was mingled with anguish as he realized that if He did not, he would be lost.

Jesus often illustrated truth with parables which, like prophecies, use symbols. Yet some have rejected the very truth Jesus so plainly taught about death by taking literally some of the symbols in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16). What did Jesus say would happen to those who try to understand parables without having (or knowing) what the rest of the Bible says on a subject?

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand (Mat 13:10-13).

Jesus spoke in parables that He might teach a deeper spiritual principle. It is given to the honest in heart to know the mysteries of the kingdom, but to those who have no desire to learn and understand it is not given. In other words, they could not discern and understand the deep truths He desired to teach.

The great Teacher brought His hearers in contact with nature that they might listen to the voice which speaks in all created things; and as their hearts became tender and their minds receptive, He helped them to interpret the spiritual teaching of the scenes upon which their eyes rested. The parables, by means of which He loved to teach lessons of truth, show how open His spirit was to the influences of nature and how He delighted to gather the spiritual teaching from the surroundings of daily life.

What was the devil’s first lie?

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. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: (Gen 3:3-4).

Had Eve refrained from entering into argument with the tempter she would have been safe; but she ventured to parley with him and fell victim to his wiles. It is thus that many are still overcome. They doubt and argue concerning the requirements of God; instead of obeying the divine commands they accept human theories, which but disguise the devices of Satan. Ye shall not surely die, was a lie told to Eve and Adam, for God said, The soul that sinneth, it shall die (Eze 18:20).

Immortality, which was promised to man on condition of obedience, had been forfeited by transgression. Only through Creator can immortality be obtained.

With what promise did Paul tell us to comfort one another when death occurs?

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thes 4:15-18).

Amid the reeling of the earth, the flash of lightning, and the roar of thunder, the voice of the Son of God calls forth the sleeping saints. He looks upon the graves of the righteous, then, raising His hands to heaven, He cries: Awake, awake, awake, ye that sleep in the dust, and arise! Throughout the length and breadth of the earth the dead shall hear that voice, and they that hear shall live. And the whole earth shall ring with the tread of the exceeding great army of every nation, kindred, tongue and people. From the prison house of death they come, clothed with immortal glory, crying: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory (1 Cor 15:55). And the living righteous and the risen saints unite their voices in a long, glad shout of victory.

Isn’t Creator’s way really the best? Instead of floating around somewhere after death, a person sleeps until they are bodily resurrected as Jesus was. And, since we are unconscious, the resurrection is the next instant we will be conscious to him! Instead of a dying baby going to a strange place alone, the next thing he knows will be his mother’s smiling face and open arms.

The theory of the immortality of the soul was one of those false doctrines that Rome, borrowing from paganism, incorporated into the religion of Christendom. Martin Luther classed it with the “monstrous fables that form part of the Roman dunghill of decretals.”–E. Petavel, The Problem of Immortality, page 255. Commenting on the words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes, that the dead know not anything, the Reformer says: “Another place proving that the dead have no . . . feeling. There is, saith he, no duty, no science, no knowledge, no wisdom there. Solomon judgeth that the dead are asleep, and feel nothing at all. For the dead lie there, accounting neither days nor years, but when they are awaked, they shall seem to have slept scarce one minute.”– Martin Luther, Exposition of Solomon’s Booke Called Ecclesiastes, page 152. {GC 549.2}

Nowhere in the Sacred Scriptures is found the statement that the righteous go to their reward or the wicked to their punishment at death. The patriarchs and prophets have left no such assurance. Christ and His apostles have given no hint of it. The Bible clearly teaches that the dead do not go immediately to heaven. They are represented as sleeping until the resurrection. 1 Thes 4:14; Job 14:10-12. In the very day when the silver cord is loosed and the golden bowl broken (Eccl 12:6), man’s thoughts perish. They that go down to the grave are in silence. They know no more of anything that is done under the sun. Job 14:21. Blessed rest for the weary righteous! Time, be it long or short, is but a moment to them. They sleep; they are awakened by the trump of God to a glorious immortality. “For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1Co_15:52-54. As they are called forth from their deep slumber they begin to think just where they ceased. The last sensation was the pang of death; the last thought, that they were falling beneath the power of the grave. When they arise from the tomb, their first glad thought will be echoed in the triumphal shout: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Cor 15:55. {GC 549.3}

Will you accept our Creator’s assurance that we will all go to heaven TOGETHER, at the same time, after the resurrection?

Reading Time: 10 minutes

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea Mat 14:25

Jesus Felt the Necessity of Being Alone with God

The fourth watch began at three am, and continued till six am. It was therefore between the hours of three and six in the morning that Jesus made his appearance to his disciples.

It had been a day of great trial and stress for Jesus, and when the sun set, the danger was not yet over. There were huge risks in that enthusiastic crowd that surged and swayed upon the mountain side. The miracle of His feeding the five thousand had made a powerful impression upon everyone. It had struck deep into these volatile hearts. And when the cry rang out along the hillside that “Jesus is King!” who could have known where the echoes of that cry might end up? Jesus recognized the peril of the hour. Jesus felt the urgent necessity of prayer. It was a moment in the Master’s life when His greatest desire was to be alone with God. Full of that quiet authority that moved the crowd as wonderfully as it calmed the sea, Jesus urged the disciples to depart, and sent the crowds away. How they would talk as they traveled homeward!

Disciples Learn Dependence in The Storm

Meantime the storm had arrived with great fury. The clouds seemed to have swept away the stars. The wind came screeching through the trees and the countryside. The ocean was rising high. Out in the midst of it toiled the disciples, Masterless, shelterless, helpless. It was a wild night after a weary day. It was a strange fulfillment of their promised rest (Mark 6:31). But we must question if any rest among the hills could have taught them as much as did that unmanageable time in the boat when that storm hit. That very evening they had been telling Jesus what to do. (Mat 14:15). They giving Jesus advice about how to handle that crowd of five thousand men. They were eager to control that huge crowd for Jesus—and now they cannot even manage their little boat. It was a very blessed and very humbling experience for the disciples who were stuck out in that crazy storm.

Being stuck in that storm put the disciples back into their proper place again. It wrote upon their hearts, as if in a picture, that the secret of Christian power today is dependence.

Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life’s great crisis. {DA 382.3}

Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, “I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word.” But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely. {DA 382.4}

No sooner had Jesus taken His place in the boat than the wind ceased, “and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.” The night of horror was succeeded by the light of dawn. The disciples, and others who also were on board, bowed at the feet of Jesus with thankful hearts, saying, “Of a truth Thou art the Son of God!” {DA 382.5}

When We Want Jesus We Do Not Recognize Him

The that night wore on, and every wave that dashed against or into the boat deepened the disciples need of Jesus. Increased the fear in their heart. The crowds were home now, the children were asleep, and every light by the lake side was out. Then with the breaking of the day came Jesus. Walking on the water towards their boat. At first, they spied a form, moving along the waves of the sea. Lost for a moment in the rough waves, now dimmed by the torrents of waves and their spray. Though they had longed for Jesus, and prayed for Jesus, and although this actually was Jesus, they did not know Jesus when they saw Him walking on the waves. They cried out for fear.

Sometimes we get the very thing we ask, and we do not recognize it when it comes. Sometimes we are blessed with the very help we need, and yet we are sometimes even more troubled than before. The disciples cried out “It is a spirit!” The demon of the tempest was rushing about and Jesus—where was He? Who can describe their joy when the familiar voice rang over the white crests, “Be of good cheer; it is I. Be not afraid!”

One Stood Out

Now there are times when a man’s character is revealed, and one of these times is often that of storm. When we find Jesus sleeping in the tempest, it teaches us His perfect trust in God. When we rehearse Paul’s conduct in the shipwreck, it opens a window into that noble heart. So here, from all the disciples, one stands out; and amid the spray, and in the driving wind of that wild morning, there falls a shaft of light on Simon Peter. It is Peter who cries across the storm, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee.” It is Peter who flings himself upon the waves to get to Christ. And it is Peter who begins to sink, and would have gone to the depths but for the hand of Jesus. There is the strength and there is the weakness of that hero. There is the story of his life condensed. When the wind ceased, and the ship’s company knelt down to worship Jesus, none felt so deeply as Peter that this was the Son of God.

When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Savior. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. “Fear not,” He says; “for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passes through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior.” Isa 43:1-3. {DA 382.1}

Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,–to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Savior. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him.
{DA 382.2}

Long Delays of Heaven

A violent tempest had been stealing upon them, and they were unprepared for it. It was a sudden contrast, for the day had been perfect; and when the gale struck them, they were afraid. They forgot their disaffection, their unbelief, their impatience. Everyone worked to keep the boat from sinking. It was but a short distance by sea from Bethsaida to the point where they expected to meet Jesus, and in ordinary weather the journey required but a few hours; but now they were driven farther and farther from the point they sought. Until the fourth watch of the night they toiled at the oars. Then the weary men gave themselves up for lost. In storm and darkness the sea had taught them their own helplessness, and they longed for the presence of their Master. {DA 380.3}

Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them. {DA 381.1}

At the moment when they believe themselves lost, a gleam of light reveals a mysterious figure approaching them upon the water. But they know not that it is Jesus. The One who has come for their help they count as an enemy. Terror overpowers them. The hands that have grasped the oars with muscles like iron let go their hold. The boat rocks at the will of the waves; all eyes are riveted on this vision of a man walking upon the white-capped billows of the foaming sea. {DA 381.2}

Among the many lessons of this miracle we can note three of the more notable ones. First we look at the long delays of heaven. The night must have seemed endless to the twelve. Hour after hour dragged on, and hour after hour brought no word of Jesus. And it was not till the Roman guard in Caesarea had changed for the fourth watch, that the beloved voice was heard over the waves. Had they lost heart and hope? Did they suspect that Jesus had forgotten them? We are always ready to think ill of God, because of God’s great method of delay. But of this be sure that when our need is greatest, God is closest. He may delay, He will not disappoint. We must be schooled out of our impatience somehow. We must be trained in waiting and in trusting. It was not only for a night of prayer that Jesus lingered. It was to teach His own that patience of hope which was to win such triumphs for the Church.

Jesus Comes by The Unexpected Road

Unbelief was taking possession of their minds and hearts. Love of honor had blinded them. They knew that Jesus was hated by the Pharisees, and they were eager to see Him exalted as they thought He should be. To be united with a teacher who could work mighty miracles, and yet to be reviled as deceivers, was a trial they could ill endure. Were they always to be accounted followers of a false prophet? Would Christ never assert His authority as king? Why did not He who possessed such power reveal Himself in His true character, and make their way less painful? Why had He not saved John the Baptist from a violent death? Thus the disciples reasoned until they brought upon themselves great spiritual darkness. They questioned, Could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted? {DA 380.1}

The disciples had that day witnessed the wonderful works of Christ. It had seemed that heaven had come down to the earth. The memory of that precious, glorious day should have filled them with faith and hope. Had they, out of the abundance of their hearts, been conversing together in regard to these things, they would not have entered into temptation. But their disappointment had absorbed their thoughts. The words of Christ, “Gather up the fragments, . . . that nothing be lost,” were unheeded. Those were hours of large blessing to the disciples, but they had forgotten it all. They were in the midst of troubled waters. Their thoughts were stormy and unreasonable, and the Lord gave them something else to afflict their souls and occupy their minds. God often does this when men create burdens and troubles for themselves. The disciples had no need to make trouble. Already danger was fast approaching. {DA 380.2}

Evidently, Christ comes by unexpected roads. That night the twelve were longing for their Master, but they never dreamed that He would come that way. If any sail went beating up the lake, their hopes rose, for Jesus might be there. But even Peter, most sanguine of them all, had never guessed that the waves would be His street. Yet by that unexpected avenue the King approached, and on unlikeliest highways He is coming still. By what strange roads Christ enters human hearts! By what strange ways He comes into our homes! A word, a visit of a stranger perhaps, a sickness or a death—and He is here. We may  thank Jesus for our time with our beloved companions of Hunger Want Desolation Impending Destruction Caught in the middle of the terrible storm, it is all so different from what we had looked for, that we do not even recognize it is our Lord. There are ten thousand thoroughfares for Jesus. His ways of entrance into human souls are endless. Let me not bind Him. Let me not limit Him either to my preconceptions or my prayers. He puts to shame my well worn offers of salvation, and comes to all of us by unexpected roads.

We Sink When We Only See the Storm

And lastly, this meets me in the story: we sink when we see nothing but the storm. When Peter looked to Jesus he was safe. But perhaps a wave came and towered like a wall before him, and for the moment he could not see his Lord. He saw the waves, he felt the spray, he heard the wind. But he looked and he saw no face, no arm, no hand, and in that moment Peter began to sink. Do we still detect that presence in the tempest? Do we discern the presence and the love of God in the confusion of our day of trials or troubles? When we see nothing but the storm, we sink. When we see Christ  in the madness of the storms in our lives, then we triumph.

Jesus always comes in the storm. It had been a great relief to escape from the pressure of the crowd to His place of prayer, on heights swept by the evening breeze and lighted by the holy stars. But Jesus tore Himself away because His friends needed Him. He is watching us also in the storm and will certainly come to our help. Jesus uses the element we dread the most as the best path for His approach. When the waves were endangering the boat, Jesus walked on them. In our lives are people and circumstances that we dread, it is through these that the greatest blessing of our lives will come, if we look through them to Christ.

We wait for it. We expect His coming. But it is sometimes delayed. The gray dawn was already beginning to spread over the scene. The disciples’ strength was spent. He was not too late to be of service, but just in time to save them from despair. Be of good cheer, and if Jesus bids you come to Him on the water, or in the terrible storm; always believe that His commands are enablings.

Keep looking to Jesus, not at the storm. You, who are wanting to get to Jesus, should make a heroic effort to get to Him. Walking on the water to get to Jesus. Walking on the water might seem to be an idle and useless exhibition. To walk on the water to go to Jesus is another matter. Try it, and may the Lord enable you to get to Jesus in the middle of your worst storm! There is Light in every cloud. Expect it.