Category: bible study

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; (Song 2:12)

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; (Song 2:12)

God created the world, the beauty of nature, and the gift of love and He gave us senses to enjoy them. We should not let problems, conflicts, or the ravages of time ruin our ability to enjoy God’s gifts. In every flower, we are invited to take time to enjoy the world God has created. And to listen to God’s Voice. Each thing He has created has a message from Him to us.

I love all of His beautiful flowers. They are memories of Eden, pointing to the blessed country into which, if faithful, we shall soon enter. With each blossom, Jesus is leading my mind to the health-giving properties of the flowers and trees.

I can direct my mind to the lovely birds making the air musical with their happy songs, to the spires of grass and the gloriously tinted flowers in their perfection perfuming the air. All of these, each in their own distinctive voice, proclaim the love and skill of the heavenly Artist and show forth the glory of God.

Scripture makes use of flowers in many ways:

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; the fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

No matter what weather it is outside, it may be spring-time within. If your hearts have been frost-bound and barren, may they now begin to thaw at the approach of Jesus! Many of us have asked for His company, and believe that he will be here; and when he comes, he will make our souls rejoice. They shall be as watered gardens when the summer blossoms return again.

The invitation of every flower is to fellowship in the midst of the pure loveliness of nature, where all is adapted to meet and sustain the feelings of awakened love for Jesus and one another. The emotions of the soul are blended easily with the sensations derived from the outward world. When we carefully avoid extravagance, and put the soul first and not second, then the delights of the senses may help the heart to realize the deepest experience of Divine Communion.

Fields and meadows, as well as gardens, are covered with a variety of beautiful flowers now, which make walking around them totally delightful. By these, “flowers” may be meant as either the graces of the spirit in the saints, which, when during a wintertime with them, seem to be dead. Or at least are hid. But, upon a return of the Sun of Righteousness, revival, renewal are seen again. Or,the saints themselves, when in a flourishing condition, and in the exercise of grace; who may be compared to the flowers of the field for the production of them in the spring. Which is a kind of re-creation of them. Psalms 104:30; Fitly expressing the renovation of the Holy Spirit, to which our revival of them is owing. And for the beautiful fragrance of them, their character and service being of a sweet savor through the grace and righteousness of Christ.

For their beauty and ornament to the fields in which they grow, as saints are through Christ in themselves, and to the churches and interest of Christ; and for the happiness and cheerfulness in which the flowers appear in our spring or summer season, and so a proper emblem of the joy and consolation of the saints; where grace revives, Christ returns, and they are favored by communion with Jesus.

You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth. (Psalms 104:30)

Since the book of nature and the book of revelation bear the impress of the same master mind, they cannot but speak in harmony. By different methods, and in different languages, they witness to the same great truths. Science is ever discovering new wonders; but she brings from her research nothing that, rightly understood, conflicts with divine revelation. The book of nature and the written word shed light upon each other. They make us acquainted with God by teaching us something of the laws through which He works. Rightly understood, both the revelations of science and the experiences of life are in harmony with the testimony of Scripture to the constant working of God in nature.

In the hymn recorded by Nehemiah, the Levites sang

“Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preserves them all.” Neh 9:6.

The apostle Paul, writing by the Holy Spirit, declares of Christ that “all things have been created through Him, and unto Him; and He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Col 1:16-17, R.V., margin. The hand that sustains the worlds in space, the hand that holds in their orderly arrangement and tireless activity all things throughout the universe of God, is the hand that was nailed to the cross for us.

“When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13. Only by the aid of that Spirit who in the beginning “was brooding upon the face of the waters;” of that Word by whom “all things were made;” of that “true Light, which lights every person that comes into the world,” can the testimony of science be rightly interpreted. Only by their guidance can its deepest truths be discerned. Only under the direction of the Omniscient One shall we, in the study of His works, be enabled to think His thoughts after Him.

The first voice I hear in the forest speaks directly for God—for the Divine existence and presence with us in His works.

“The fool hath said in their heart, There is no God.”

Nature says in her heart, and in every color and feature of her beautiful flowers

“There is a God, and He is here!” (Heb 13:5, Deut 31:8)

Reading Time: 2 minutes

the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not be hesitate (Hab 2:3)

Evil and injustice seem to have the upper hand in the world. Like Habakkuk, Christians often feel angry and discouraged as they see what goes on. Habakkuk complained vigorously to God about the situation. God’s answer to Habakkuk is the same answer he would give us:

“If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.”

Though it appear to be long, do not be impatient; it will surely come; it will not tarry longer than the prescribed time, and this time is not far distant. Wait for it.

“Wait patiently.”

We must trust God even when we don’t understand why events occur as they do.

An appointed time speaks of a determined time in God’s eyes. Though it tarries, wait for it: God knows His plan and the outworking of all things in accordance with His purposes. Christians are responsible to study and proclaim His revelation while awaiting its fulfillment. it will surely come:

The assurance of fulfillment lies in God Himself. It will not tarry:

The fulfillment of the vision would not take any longer than God had planned.

The faith that strengthened Habakkuk and all the holy and the just in those days of deep trial was the same faith that sustains God’s people today. In the darkest hours, under circumstances the most forbidding, the Christian believer may keep his soul stayed upon the source of all light and power. Day by day, through faith in God, his hope and courage may be renewed. “The just shall live by his faith.” {CC 242.4}

We must cherish and cultivate the faith of which prophets and apostles have testified–the faith that lays hold on the promises of God and waits for deliverance in His appointed time and way. The sure word of prophecy will meet its final fulfillment in the glorious advent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as King of kings and Lord of lords.

With the prophet who endeavored to encourage Judah in a time of unparalleled apostasy, let us confidently declare, “The Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.” Let us ever hold in remembrance the cheering message, “The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come.” {CC 242.5}

Reading Time: 12 minutes

God Is Love (1 John 4:8)

Eros is a love that seeks only after God. Sounds great at first glance. But this is the foundation of almost every religion or spiritual quests. This is why great shrines and temples have been built. Eros is indeed a very serious searching for God.

Agape’ is much different than Eros. It is not limited to humans seeking after God. Agape’ includes God seeking after us too!

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jer 29:13)

“…for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

God always initiates and our part is simply one of response:

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10)

We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. (John 10:27-29)

If we perceive God’s love as Eros, we will tend to view God as kind of playing “hide and seek” with us. Making Himself as difficult as possible for us to find when we need Him. We will tend to believe that it is hard work to search out God, and we will almost always be unsure if we will be successful. In contrast, how near does God actually come to everyone of us?

“God wanted people to look for him, and perhaps in searching all around for him, they would find him. But he is not far from any of us.” (Acts 17:27, ERV)

The true light was coming into the world. This is the true light that gives light to all people. (John 1:9)

Friend, how near is Jesus to you now? How earnestly is He seeking you? Jesus is as near as the word of faith:

“THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART” (that is, the word of faith which we preach) (Rom 10:8)

Through His Word, Jesus is already there beside you. Jesus has found you. Jesus is knocking on the door to your heart right now:

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you. And you will eat with me. (Rev 3:20)

Says the true Witness, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” Every warning, reproof, and entreaty in the Word of God, or through His delegated messengers, is a knock at the door of the heart; it is the voice of Jesus, asking for entrance. With every knock unheeded, your determination to open becomes weaker and weaker. If the voice of Jesus is not heeded at once, it becomes confused in the mind with a multitude of other voices, the world’s care and business engross the attention, and conviction dies away. The heart becomes less impressible, and lapses into a perilous unconsciousness of the shortness of time, and of the great eternity beyond.{7BC 966.9}

The Heavenly Guest is standing at your door, while you are piling up obstructions to bar His entrance. Jesus is knocking through the prosperity He gives you. He loads you with blessings to test your fidelity, that they may flow out from you to others. Will you permit your selfishness to triumph? Will you squander God’s talents, and lose your soul through idolatrous love of the blessings He has given? {7BC 967.1}

Jesus is always near to us whether we realize it or not. (Heb 13:5)

LORD, you have tested me, so you know all about me. You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts from far away. You know where I go and where I lie down. You know everything I do. LORD, you know what I want to say, even before the words leave my mouth. You are all around me—in front of me and behind me. I feel your hand on my shoulder. (Psalms 139:1-5)

Your Spirit is everywhere I go. I cannot escape your presence. If I go up to heaven, you will be there. If I go down to the place of death, you will be there. If I go east where the sun rises or go to live in the west beyond the sea, even there you will take my hand and lead me. Your strong right hand will protect me. Suppose I wanted to hide from you and said, “Surely the darkness will hide me. The day will change to night and cover me.” Even the darkness is not dark to you. The night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same. You formed the way I think and feel. You put me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalms 139:7-13)

Eros is a love that is totally dependent upon the perceived value of it’s object/focus. Unlike Agape’ this Eros perception always changes. We will naturally treat the mayor or our boss in a nicer appearing way than we would say the garbage man, a criminal, or any number of other “less desirable” people set in our path. We sometimes treat the wealthy far better than the poor. We get out our best China or silver for the Queen or King, but not usually for some bum down the street or a cripple from the neighborhood. Agape’ is the complete opposite. Rather than being dependent on the perceived value or focus of it’s object, Agape’ always loves the “worthless” ones as easily as the “good” ones. Agape’ will create value in all of it’s objects:

“I will make a person more precious than fine gold;” (Isa 13:12)

God can and does take any kind of person and create value in them. As one Christian writer put it:

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

“If the cross does not find an influence in it’s favor, it creates an influence.” (MS 56, 1899)

God wants to do this with you. “If anyone is afar off they are made near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph 2:13)

But God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Rom 5:8-10)

Eros is a love that seeks to ascend, to climb up higher. Eros feeds on promotion, compliments, flattery, or praise. We see Eros everywhere. Schools. Politics. Business. Even in churches.. But with whom did this self-seeking Eros love have it’s beginning?

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isa 14:12-14)

Note in this passage of Isa 14 there are five examples with the word I in them. Lucifer, unlike Agape’ had I trouble.

Agape in contrast to Eros challenges the majority’s preference by coming down lower, that is by descending

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every person on their own things, but every person also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Phil 2:3-8)

if you look carefully in this passage of Phil 2 you will see seven distinct, downward steps that Jesus took in order to show us Agape.’ Though Jesus was in the form of God, Jesus did not count equality with God as something to acquire or to be grasped for. Hung onto desperately. At all costs. The Son of God gave up His crown and His divine position. Voluntarily. Jesus was motivated by Agape’ Jesus took the form of a servant. (slave) Angels are sometimes called servants. Ministering spirits. Sent to serve us:

But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Heb 1:13-14)

If Jesus had just become like one of them that would have been a huge compromise, or stepping down for Him. Because Jesus was/is their commander. The Bible tells us that Jesus stepped even lower than them.

Jesus was born in the likeness of human beings. No person has ever fallen so low but that the Son of God has come far enough to reach them. Once a person lets that Agape’ into their heart, all lingering traces of any “holier than thou” spirit melts away before Agape’ love. It is only with Agape’ that hearts can be effectively reached for Christ.

Being found in human form, Jesus humbled Himself. His Mother had Him in an old cattle shed. Was forced to wrap her little One, the baby Jesus, in rags, and then to lie Jesus down in a Donkey’s feed box. The life of Jesus amounted to that of a toiling peasant. But this was not yet enough. Jesus came down lower. Jesus “became obedient” unto death, even the death of the cross. The kind of death that Jesus was obedient to was not a mere escape from His responsibility. Jesus’ death consisted of actually going to hell. A living, conscious condemnation of every living cell and thought of His being. All under the assumed or understood frown of God. The seventh step that Jesus took made things very clear:

“Even the death of a cross.” In Jesus’ day, death on a cross was the most humiliating, hopeless, painful death anyone could ever imagine. Not only was it the cruelest death ever invented. Not only was it the most shameful. Being strung up on the cross naked in front of a jeering crowd who watched His agony with laughter and revelling. Death on a cross carried a built in horror, even deeper than any of this. Death on a cross then meant that Heaven had totally and forever cursed you. Turned their backs on you.

“And if a person has committed a crime punishable by death and they are put to death, and you hang them on a tree, their body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury them the same day, for a hanged person is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance. (Deut 21:22-23,Joshua 10:26-27,Gal 3:13)

This means that the kind of death that Christ died for us was of the lost souls who must at last perished in hopeless despair at the second coming. Jesus tasted the “second death:”

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death. (Rev 2:11)

Blessed and holy are they that have part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Rev 20:6)

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Rev 20:14)

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.(Rev 21:8)

This second death was the one that Jesus became “obedient” to. (Phil 2:8) While hanging upon the cross, Jesus cried out: “My God. My God. Why have you forsaken me?” (Mat 27:46)

Friend. Won’t you just now quiet your soul and reverently think about this? You and I are the ones who would have had to go through that horrible “second death” , the frightful eternal separation from God, if Jesus had not taken our place and died that death on the cross for us.

The extent of Jesus’ agony on the cross is barely understandable by us today. Those sufferings of Jesus were incomparably greater than any possible physical endurance of physical pain. Of the torture of any of the martyrs. There was no exaggeration or make believe about the burden that Jesus bore for us:

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But 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. (Isa 53:4-5)

In the eyes of the Jews, Christ had no beauty that they should desire Him. They looked for a Messiah who would come with outward display and worldly glory, one who would do great things for the Jewish nation, exalting it above every other nation on the earth. But Christ came with His divinity hidden by the garb of humanity, unobtrusive, humble, poor. They compared this man with the proud boasts they had made, and they could see no beauty in Him. They did not discern the holiness and purity of His character. The grace and virtue revealed in His life did not appeal to them.

The Book of Heaven also says:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isa 53:6)

What Is Iniquity?

Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (Isa 59:1-2)

Iniquity is anything that separates one from God. Iniquity separates people from god. Iniquity separates people from God, leaving the soul desperately distressed and alone. Destroying all sense of security or well being. Without a doubt, God has laid upon Jesus “the iniquity of us all.” (Isa 53:6). God has laid upon His own divine Son all of the same feelings of guilt, loneliness, insecurity, despair, and separation that we all know so well, even today.

The “laying on” of this “iniquity” is what is meant by the separation from His Father that Jesus suffered on the cross. Before one learns the Bible truth of Christ’s death on the cross, they fall into the Eros line of thinking and assume that “one such as Jesus could not possibly have felt forsaken!”

But the Book of heaven tells us that Jesus cried out in dramatic tones:

“My God! My God! Why have you forsaken Me?”

Was Jesus just playing the part like a dramatic actor, putting on a religious show for us on the stage? Or was this an honest, heart-felt cry from a heart tortured with bitter anguish?

Its important to note that Jesus did not bear this burden in the same way a person might carry a heavy load on their shoulders. Jesus had to carry this burden (separation) deep within His very own heart and soul. Peter says it this way:

“Who His own self bear our sins IN His body, on the cross.” (1 Pet 2:24) Therefore it was more in His nervous system, in His mind and soul, in the very core of His being that Jesus bore the killing load of sin for you.

Paul is even more explicit:

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Cor 5:20-21)

Jesus was not a sinner. The Bible says that Jesus was sinless. We are told in Scripture that Jesus was “made a curse for us, for it is written, cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree. (cross) [see Gal 3:13] The words “sin” and “curse” mean the same thing. In Gal 3:13 and 2 Cor 5:21 that is separation from God. Paul’s statements show that our Savior’s identity with sin as He bore His cross, was something horribly real. It was complete, permanent severance from The father, for The Book of Heaven tells us:

“the wages of sin IS death.” (Rom 6:23)

THAT death is the second death!

Since Jesus was “made to be sin” or “made a curse for us” then it is quite clear that Jesus was like wise made to suffer the “wages of sin” for us on the cross. (the second death) Our Lord Jesus is very closely attached to us:

For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, (Heb 2:11)

What is it that “death” or “the wages of sin” that our Lord has suffered for us? The Bible tells us about two kinds of death:

1/ sometimes in scripture, death is just called ‘sleep” (John 11:11,13) which is the death that people commonly speak of, that is appointed once for everyone. (Heb 9:27)

2/ The real thing. The second death. This death is permanent. (Rev 2:11, Rev 20:6, Rev 21:8) This second death is an eternal separation from God. No more life, light, or joy forever. It was this second death that Jesus tasted:

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (Heb 2:9) Since Jesus tasted this second death for us all, then the “sleep” that we commonly refer to for everyone as death cannot possibly be what Jesus tasted, because as the Bible says, everyone of us are appointed to suffer that death, the first death, once. For themselves. (Heb 9:27) After the first death comes the judgment. (and the second death). Whatever it was that Jesus tasted, it was so that we would not have to taste it ourselves that Jesus hung on that terrible cross.

And as it is appointed unto people once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Heb 9:27-28)

Reading Time: 7 minutes

“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Mat 14:29-30, NIV)

Peter did have a little bit of faith in the midst of his doubts and fear. By calling to Jesus and by coming to Jesus, Peter was brought to Christ. But this is just where we can see that human perceptions and sight were a major hindrance!

Those waves were none of Peter’s business once he started out by calling and coming to Jesus! The only thing that peter should have been concerned about was the pathway of divine light that was gleaming across the darkness from where Jesus stood.Even if that storm and tempest was ten times as bad as the Bible says it was, Peter should have had absolutely NO REASON to look and see.

Friends, when Jesus calls you over the waters, just come! Go gladly. Don’t look away from Jesus for even a moment!

It’s never going to be that by some kind of measuring or estimating the waves by our own perceptions that we will prevail. We will never grow strong by trying to measure the forces of the winds. As we see in Peter’s case, to scan the dangers may be to fall before it. To pause at the difficulties in calling and coming to Jesus is to have them break over your head to where you cannot survive until you are again focused on Him.

Does the way seem too difficult? Lift up your head, focus your eyes only on Jesus. When our Lord calls us out over the waters, we are to step gladly forth and look away from Him not even for a second or two. Just go forward. There is no other way!

Never before had a command from Christ seemed so impossible of fulfillment. The disciples had long hoped for a popular movement to place Jesus on the throne; they could not endure the thought that all this enthusiasm should come to nothing. The multitudes that were assembling to keep the Passover were anxious to see the new prophet. To His followers this seemed the golden opportunity to establish their beloved Master on the throne of Israel. In the glow of this new ambition it was hard for them to go away by themselves, and leave Jesus alone upon that desolate shore. They protested against the arrangement; but Jesus now spoke with an authority He had never before assumed toward them. They knew that further opposition on their part would be useless, and in silence they turned toward the sea. {DA 378.3}

Jesus now commands the multitude to disperse; and His manner is so decisive that they dare not disobey. The words of praise and exaltation die on their lips. In the very act of advancing to seize Him their steps are stayed, and the glad, eager look fades from their countenances. In that throng are men of strong mind and firm determination; but the kingly bearing of Jesus, and His few quiet words of command, quell the tumult, and frustrate their designs. They recognize in Him a power above all earthly authority, and without a question they submit. {DA 378.4}

When left alone, Jesus “went up into a mountain apart to pray.” For hours He continued pleading with God. Not for Himself but for men were those prayers. He prayed for power to reveal to men the divine character of His mission, that Satan might not blind their understanding and pervert their judgment. The Savior knew that His days of personal ministry on earth were nearly ended, and that few would receive Him as their Redeemer. In travail and conflict of soul He prayed for His disciples. They were to be grievously tried. Their long-cherished hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed in a most painful and humiliating manner. In the place of His exaltation to the throne of David they were to witness His crucifixion. This was to be indeed His true coronation. But they did not discern this, and in consequence strong temptations would come to them, which it would be difficult for them to recognize as temptations. Without the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and enlarge the comprehension the faith of the disciples would fail. It was painful to Jesus that their conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to worldly aggrandizement and honor. For them the burden was heavy upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears. {DA 379.1}

The disciples had not put off immediately from the land, as Jesus directed them. They waited for a time, hoping that He would come to them. But as they saw that darkness was fast gathering, they “entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum.” They had left Jesus with dissatisfied hearts, more impatient with Him than ever before since acknowledging Him as their Lord. They murmured because they had not been permitted to proclaim Him king. They blamed themselves for yielding so readily to His command. They reasoned that if they had been more persistent they might have accomplished their purpose. {DA 379.2}

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}

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}

They think it a phantom that omens their destruction, and they cry out for fear. Jesus advances as if He would pass them; but they recognize Him, and cry out, entreating His help. Their beloved Master turns, His voice silences their fear, “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.” {DA 381.3}

As soon as they could credit the wondrous fact, Peter was almost beside himself with joy. As if he could scarcely yet believe, he cried out, “Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water. And He said, Come.” {DA 381.4}

Looking unto Jesus, Peter walks securely; but as in self-satisfaction he glances back toward his companions in the boat, his eyes are turned from the Savior. The wind is boisterous. The waves roll high, and come directly between him and the Master; and he is afraid. For a moment Christ is hidden from his view, and his faith gives way. He begins to sink. But while the billows talk with death, Peter lifts his eyes from the angry waters, and fixing them upon Jesus, cries, “Lord, save me.” Immediately Jesus grasps the outstretched hand, saying, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” {DA 381.5}

Walking side by side, Peter’s hand in that of his Master, they stepped into the boat together. But Peter was now subdued and silent. He had no reason to boast over his fellows, for through unbelief and self-exaltation he had very nearly lost his life. When he turned his eyes from Jesus, his footing was lost, and he sank amid the waves. {DA 381.6}

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 you pass through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when you walk 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}

The enclosed hymn below  is ‘Jesus calls us: o’er the tumult’.  At the beginning of another week, it’s a reminder of our calling to serve God both through stormy times, and when the waters are calmer.

Reading Time: 7 minutes

And right away when Judas came to Jesus, he said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. (Mat 26:49-50)

Why Friend?

Our opening text for today has always made me wonder. Made me struggle. I mean don’t we all have a list of some kind with people we would never in a million years call “friend?” Even though Jesus knew Judas’s wicked heart and actions, Jesus offered called Judas friend. Jesus offered Judas friendship and an opportunity to change his mind on his very wrong course of action. The words translated “why have you come” according to the original language may also mean “Do what you have come to do.”

In Mat 26:50 when Judas goes to betray Jesus Jesus asked Judas

“friend, what have you come here for?”

I have always found it very interesting that Jesus called Judas a friend. Jesus didn’t call him a backstabber. Jesus didn’t call him a traitor. Jesus called Judas a friend. And that intrigues a lot of people. It shows us that Jesus was able to look beyond Satan using a human being, and that we’re wrestling not with flesh and blood, as it talks about in Ephesian 6:12 but against principalities, against wicked spirits in high places. Jesus knew Satan was using Judas. And he was able to look past Judas and see who the real enemy was.

Many times Satan will use people that are very close to us to hurt us. Many times they don’t even know they’re hurting us. Many times they’ll say something that we’ll take offense at. They never meant it to be offensive. They will often do something that we misinterpret. They didn’t mean for us to take it that way. To be hurt by it. Satan is always hurting us with loved ones by having us misconstrue what was said. Misconstrue what was done. The real battle isn’t with our loved ones it’s with Satan. Jesus realized that. Jesus was able to look past that. Past the flesh and blood. Past Judas. Jesus saw the real enemy with Satan. Jesus was still able to call Judas friend. Jesus always called it the way he saw it. I’m sure if Jesus was calling Judas friend, as far as Jesus was concerned, Judas was his friend. I’ve had people tell me:

“that word friend in the original manuscripts, that that just means acquaintance. It doesn’t really mean a close friend.”

In Psalm 41:9 we have a prophecy of Jesus being betrayed by Judas. This verse says “my familiar friend.” Not just an acquaintance. A familiar friend who I shared bread with, meaning, I ate with him. And in Bible times if you ate with somebody that was a declaration of your friendship. And often a public declaration back in those days. That’s why the Pharisees were so upset. When Jesus was eating with sinners, he was declaring his friendship with them. That word companion is a Latin word.  A companion is someone you eat bread with. And so when Jesus was eating with sinners, he was declaring, “these are my friends.” When it tells us in Psalm 41:9,my own familiar friend,who I shared bread with,has turned against me that means more than an acquaintance. It means a friend.

Praise God! Jesus was able to look past the flesh and blood and see that the real enemy was Satan. At the cross,we are encouraged to do the same. This is the ultimate example of Agape’ Love! It tells us in 2 Cor 5:19-21 that Jesus became sin for us who knew no sin,so that we may become the righteousness of God in him. And then in verse nineteen, it says,this ministry of reconciliation has been given to us. Jesus died on the cross to reconcile us to him. Jesus was treated the way we deserve, so we can be treated the way Jesus deserves. Jesus was treated the way my worst enemy deserves to be treated. Jesus died for all such people.

This can only mean that Jesus fulfilled the law by His death on Calvary. Sadly some Christians view this word fulfilled as somehow saying that Jesus did away with God’s law by dying on the cross. Nothing can be further from the Truth! I guess there are many who feel they can do two things at once. Many people will tell you that they can. But what about going your own way (Isa 53:6) and then transgressing God’s law, or laws, whenever you see fit to cancel out one or more of them? And then trying to follow God at the same time? Has that ever really worked for anyone? Is it possible to have Agape’ and yet knowingly sin, or transgress God’s law?

Love avoids doing any wrong to one’s fellow man, and is therefore complete obedience to Law. (Rom 13:10)

In Romans 13:14 we read:

But be like the Lord Jesus Christ, so that when people see what you do, they will see Christ. Don’t think about how to “fulfill” satisfy the desires of your sinful self. Jesus always lived to “fulfill” or to demonstrate how to live out God’s laws in the everyday life, up to and including the cross.

In the KJV it does use the word “fulfill” We can note here that the word “fulfill” as used and intended in Scripture, is the very same word “fulfill” that we see in Rom 13:10 which reads:

Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

This is a serious matter for all believers. James 2:10 admonishes us:

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, they are guilty of all.

John adds that The Lord’s Church in the last days, in the end times, will be particularly distinguished by a decided obedience to all of God’s commandments:

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Rev 12:17)
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Rev 14:12)

Is it too hard to practice Agape’ love today? Is it even possible to be like Jesus and showing the world how to practice God’s law in our everyday life? Well Jesus promised in John 14:15

“if you love Me you will be able to keep my commandments” (John 14:15)

“Loving me empowers you to obey my commands. (John 14:15,TPT)

Obedience Possible in Our Humanity.

We are not to serve God as if we were not human, but we are to serve Him in the nature we have, that has been redeemed by the Son of God; through the righteousness of Christ we shall stand before God pardoned, and as though we had never sinned. We will never gain strength in considering what we might do if we were angels. We are to turn in faith to Jesus Christ, and show our love to God through obedience to His commands {5BC 1142.5}

By God’s grace, we can now treat our enemy the way Jesus deserves to be treated. Jesus gave us the ministry of reconciliation. Jesus was treated as we deserve that we might be treated as He deserves. Jesus gave us the example of looking past the flesh and blood and seeing that the real enemy is the Devil. And so seeing that the real enemy is Satan, we can still love our brother and sister. Through Christ, we can bring about reconciliation. The reconciliation that Jesus died for on the cross. That’s what Jesus was thinking when he called Judas his friend’ Instead of calling Judas a traitor. Instead of calling Judas a backstabber. Jesus realized the real enemy is Satan.

True Agape’ Love In Action

Jesus gave to us the ministry of reconciliation.

And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and has appointed us to serve in the ministry of reconciliation. We are to tell how God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. Not charging people’s transgressions to their account. Jesus has entrusted to us the Message of this reconciliation. (2 Cor 5:18-19)

Does it seem like you’ll never be able to call someone in your life friend? Finding it hard to believe that Jesus is your Friend?

“Love covers ” (Proverbs 10:12).
“Be eager in pursuit of this love” (1 Cor 13:7-13, Weymouth).

Not one person who complies with the conditions will be disappointed at the end of the race. Not one soul who is earnest and persevering will fail of success. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. The weakest saint, as well as the strongest, may wear the crown of immortal glory. All may win who, through the power of divine grace, bring their lives into conformity to the will of Christ. The practice, in the details of life, of the principles laid down in God’s word, is too often looked upon as unimportant–a matter too trivial to demand attention. But in view of the issue at stake, nothing is small that will help or hinder. Every act casts its weight into the scale that determines life’s victory or defeat. And the reward given to those who win will be in proportion to the energy and earnestness with which they have striven. {AA 313.2}

No matter how high the profession, anyone whose heart is not filled with love for God and their fellow humans is not a true disciple of Christ. Though one should possess great faith and have power even to work miracles, yet without love that faith would be worthless. Some might display great liberality; but should they, from some other motive than genuine love, bestow all their goods to feed the poor, the act would not commend them to the favor of God. In their zeal the odd one might even meet a martyr’s death, yet if not actuated by love, they would be regarded by God as a deluded enthusiast or an ambitious hypocrite. {AA 318.2}

The Way of Love/Agape’

If I can speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but am destitute of Love, I have but become a loud-sounding trumpet or a clanging cymbal. If I possess the gift of prophecy and am versed in all mysteries and all knowledge, and have such absolute faith that I can remove mountains, but am destitute of Love, I am nothing. And if I distribute all my possessions to the poor, and give up my body to be burned, but am destitute of Love, it profits me nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love knows neither envy nor jealousy. Love is not forward and self-assertive, nor boastful and conceited. She does not behave unbecomingly, nor seek to aggrandize herself, nor blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs. She finds no pleasure in injustice done to others, but joyfully sides with the truth. She knows how to be silent. She is full of trust, full of hope, full of patient endurance. Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they will be done away with; if there are languages, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be brought to an end.

For our knowledge is imperfect, and so is our prophesying; but when the perfect state of things is come, all that is imperfect will be brought to an end. When I was a child, I talked like a child, felt like a child, reasoned like a child: when I became a man, I put from me childish ways. For the present we see things as if in a mirror, and are puzzled; but then we shall see them face to face. For the present the knowledge I gain is imperfect; but then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And so there remain Faith, Hope, Love–these three; and of these the greatest is Love. (1 Cor 13:1-13, Weymouth)

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits (1 Cor 13:7)

Our society confuses love and lust. Unlike lust,

God’s kind of love is directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves. It is utterly unselfish. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. It is impossible to have this love unless God helps us set aside our own natural desires so that we can love and not expect anything in return. Thus, the more we become like Christ, the more love we will show to others.

I may give away everything I have to help others, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing by doing all this if I don’t have love. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it.
Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.(1 Cor 13:3-7,ERV)

By a comparison of the church with the human body, the apostle aptly illustrated the close and harmonious relationship that should exist among all members of the church of Christ.

“By one Spirit,” he wrote, “are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him. And if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. . . . God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” {AA 317.2}

And then, in words which from that day to this have been to men and women a source of inspiration and encouragement, Paul set forth the importance of that love which should be cherished by the followers of Christ:

“Though I speak with the tongues of people and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.” {AA 318.1}

No matter how high the profession, one whose heart is not filled with love for God and their fellow human beings is not a true disciple of Christ. Though they should possess great faith and have power even to work miracles, yet without love anyone’s faith would be worthless. We might display great liberality; but should we,from some other motive than genuine love, bestow all their goods to feed the poor, the act would not commend anyone to the favor of God. In our zeal we might even meet a martyr’s death, yet if not actuated by love, we would be regarded by God as a deluded enthusiast or an ambitious hypocrite. {AA 318.2}

“Love suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up.” The purest joy springs from the deepest humiliation. The strongest and noblest characters are built on the foundation of patience, love, and submission to God’s will. {AA 319.1}

Love “does not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil.” Christ-like love places the most favorable construction on the motives and acts of others. It does not needlessly expose their faults; it does not listen eagerly to unfavorable reports, but seeks rather to bring to mind the good qualities of others. {AA 319.2}

Love “rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” This love “never faileth.” It can never lose its value; it is a heavenly attribute. As a precious treasure, it will be carried by its possessor through the portals of the city of God. {AA 319.3}

“And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” {AA 319.4}

As the Apostle Peter said it

The time is near when all things will end. So keep your minds clear, and control yourselves. This will help you in your prayers. Most important of all, love each other deeply, because love makes you willing to forgive many sins. Open your homes to each other and share your food without complaining. God has shown you his grace in many different ways. So be good servants and use whatever gift he has given you in a way that will best serve each other. (1 Peter 4:7-10)

Pure religion is an imitation of Christ. A religion that is built on self-confidence and selfishness is worthless. The true Christian is a follower of Christ. This following means walking in the light. The heart must be opened to receive the heavenly guest. As long as the heart is closed against His entrance, there can be in it no abiding peace. No sunshine can flood the chambers of the soul temple, breaking through the mist and cloud. {6BC 1101.2}

God’s care for His heritage is unceasing. He suffers no affliction to come upon His children but such as is essential for their present and eternal good. He will purify His church, even as Christ purified the temple during His ministry on earth. All that He brings upon His people in test and trial comes that they may gain deeper piety and greater strength to carry forward the triumphs of the cross. {AA 524.3}

There had been a time in Peter’s experience when he was unwilling to see the cross in the work of Christ. When the Savior made known to the disciples His impending sufferings and death, Peter exclaimed, “Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee.” Mat 16:22. Self-pity, which shrank from fellowship with Christ in suffering, prompted Peter’s remonstrance. It was to the disciple a bitter lesson, and one which he learned but slowly, that the path of Christ on earth lay through agony and humiliation.

But in the heat of the furnace fire he was to learn its lesson. Now, when his once active form was bowed with the burden of years and labors, he could write, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” {AA 525.1}

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:37-39)

Over the next two weeks we will be sharing some Bible studies on The Truth About Love. Next week’s title is “God Is Agape.” And the third and final title is “Learning More About Agape.”

We hope you are drawn closer to Jesus by studying this material and that you will share with others this good news.

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5.

What mind are we talking about here?

Lets have a look at the previous few verses to get the context:

Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement he has brought us, the comfort of his love, our sharing in his Spirit, and the mercy and kindness he has shown us. If you enjoy these blessings, then do what will make my joy complete: Agree with each other, and show your love for each other. Be united in your goals and in the way you think. In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves. Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too. (Phil 2:1-4, ERV)

In your life today, think the way Christ Jesus thought. (Phil.2:5)

God expects those who bear the name of Christ to represent Him in thought, word, and deed. Their thoughts are to be pure and their words and deeds noble and uplifting, drawing those around them nearer to the Savior. For it was Jesus who said

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32, NIV)

In the life of the true Christian there is nothing of self. Self is dead. There was no selfishness in the life that Christ lived while on this earth. Bearing our nature, He lived a life wholly devoted to the service of others.

“Therefore, be perfect” (Matthew 5:48) is God’s word to us today.

Success in this life, success in gaining the future life, depends upon a faithful, conscientious attention to the little things. Perfection is seen in the least, no less than in the greatest, of the works of God. The hand that hung the worlds in space is the hand that wrought with delicate skill the lilies of the field. And as God is perfect in his sphere, so we are to be perfect in ours. The symmetrical structure of a strong, beautiful character is built up by individual acts of duty. And faithfulness should characterize our life in the least as well as in the greatest of its details. Integrity in little things, the performance of little acts of fidelity and little deeds of kindness, will gladden the path of life; and when our work on earth is ended, it will be found that every one of the little duties faithfully performed, has exerted an influence for good,–an influence that can never perish. {CE 217.2}

And in order that we might obey this word, He sent His only-begotten Son to this earth to live in our behalf a perfect life. We have before us His example, and the strength by which He lived this life is at our disposal. In thought, word, and act Jesus was sinless. Perfection marked all that He did. He points us to the path that He trod, saying, “If any person will come after me, let them deny themselves, and take up their cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

We are to copy no human being. There is no human wise enough to be our criterion. We are to look to the man Christ Jesus, who is complete in the perfection of righteousness and holiness. He is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the pattern man. His experience is the measure of the experience that we are to gain. His character is our model. Let us, then, take our minds off the perplexities and the difficulties of this life and fix them on JESUS, that by beholding we may be changed into His likeness.

The Role of the Church in the Community

“Our neighbors are not merely our associates and special friends; they are not simply those who belong to our church, or who think as we do. Our neighbors are the whole human family. Everyone who is the object of God’s love. NO ONE is a little bit less than us than anyone in our modern Churchianity systems and institutions and abusive priestcraft. No value is attached to a mere profession of faith in Christ; only the love which is shown by heart-felt works is counted genuine. Yet it is love alone which in the sight of Heaven makes any right impulse act of value because all right impulses come from Jesus and His Holy Educating Spirit.

The Book of Heaven reveals the saddest question I have ever heard:

“Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)

Can you believe it? This is a question that caused endless dispute. The priests back in the day had no doubt as to the heathen and the Samaritans. These were strangers and enemies to them. Not much different than how many Christians choose today to treat gays or other marginalized struggling souls that are not “one of us.” And if we listen to such people with their “Bible excuses” why its OK to publically villify a particular group of people,you will be sickened. Atleast I hope you would be!

Where should the distinction be made among the people of their own nation and among the different classes of society? Whom should the priest, the rabbi, the elder, regard as neighbor? They spent their lives in polished ostentatious rounds of ceremonies to make themselves “pure.” Contact with the ignorant and careless multitude, they taught, would cause defilement that would require wearisome effort to remove. Were they to regard the so-called “unclean” as neighbors?

This question Christ answered in the parable of the good Samaritan. He showed that our neighbor does not mean merely one of the church or faith to which we belong. It has no reference to race, color, or class distinction. Our neighbor is every person who needs our help. Our neighbor is every soul who is wounded and bruised by the adversary. Our neighbor is everyone who is the property of God. {COL 376.2}

Recently I was struck with a nasty bout of pneumonia in my left lung. I was kind of just rotting away in my apartment getting worse each day. At one point I knew I was getting far too dehydrated but I was too sick to get up and get something to drink. One of my dear Catholic friends decided about this same time that I was too quiet for too long so they checked up on me and gave me a big jug of orange juice. Thats all it took friends. Is for someone to care enough to see how I was doing and that was the moment I started to recover.

We are to have an intense interest in Christ Jesus, for He is our Savior. He came to this world to be tempted in all points as we are, to prove to the universe that in this world of sin human beings can live lives that God will approve. Let us seek for the blessings that JESUS has placed within our reach, that we may impart to others the special blessings by which we are saved. We will reap what we sow in this life my friends. And in Christ we may be made capable of receiving more and still more of His grace, and that we may be filled with a living, active, growing faith—a faith that believes the promise

“Lo, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

If others look at you and how you live your life and as a result they too believe the promise, well thats mission accomplished. You will hear the melodious words of Christ Himself:

‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (Mat 25:23, ESV)

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. (Isa 7:10-11)

Ahaz appeared righteous by saying he would not test God with a sign (“I will not test the LORD like that”). He sure sounded proud and important when he declared this. His use of ad hominem excuses is almost admirable here. Even though God had actually told him to ask, Ahaz didn’t really want to know what God would say.

Often we use some “Bible” excuse, especially a juicy theological tidbit. Such as not wanting to bother God or blaming some theological question that concerns us—to keep us from communicating with Jesus and in wanting to carry out His express will.

I was once reamed out publically by a family member for trying to say that gays and genders etc were no worse than any other person. We have all sinned and come short. But this person was so proud of all their theological excuses for why I was so wrong. Made sure all my family and friends knew about it. Quoted lots of Bible verses to “prove” it. Jesus didnt seem to matter here. Just self-justification and making sure I appeared wrong, guilty, etc before everyone. Such arrogant words sound just as hollow today as when they came from the mouth of Ahaz back in the day.

CHURCH! Its time to get it right! There is NO ONE who is a little less before God than we are! Period! True story! End of story!

The religion of Christ uplifts the receiver to a higher plane of thought and action, while at the same time it presents the whole human race as equally, alike, as the objects of the love of God. Being purchased by the sacrifice of his Son. “Jesus Christ The Righteous. ” (1 John 2:1)

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.  We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. (1 John 2:1-3, NIV)

Fenced From Satan’s Attacks

“If any person sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.” How careful is the Lord Jesus to give no occasion for a soul to despair. How He fences about the soul from Satan’s fierce attacks. If through manifold temptations we are surprised or deceived into sin, He does not turn from us and leave us to perish. No! No! that is not our Savior. Christ prayed for us. He was tempted in all points like as we are; and having been tempted, He knows how to succor those who are tempted. {7BC 948.2}

At the feet of Jesus, the rich and the poor, the learned and the ignorant, meet together, with no thought of cast or creed or race or tongue or people or any kind of worldly pre-eminence.

All earthly distinctions are forgotten as we look upon Him whom our sins have pierced. The self-denial, the condescension, the infinite compassion of JESUS who was highly exalted in heaven, puts to abject shame and poverty all human pride, self-esteem, and preferential social castes or cliques.

Pure and undefiled religion manifests its heaven-born principles in bringing into oneness all who are sanctified through the truth.

The blood of Jesus is pleading with power and efficacy for those who are back-slidden, for those who are rebellious, for those who sin against great light and love. Satan stands at our right hand to accuse us, and our Advocate stands at God’s right hand to plead for us. (Heb 7:25)  JESUS has never lost a case that has been committed to Him. We may trust in our Advocate; for He pleads His own merits in our behalf. Hear His prayer before His betrayal and trial. Listen to His prayer for us; for He had us in remembrance. {7BC 948.5}

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

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:1-2)

The restoring is to be done, not in a proud, officious, masterly manner, but in the spirit of meekness. Do not cast your brother aside, saying. He has disappointed me, and I shall not try to help we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (Heb 12:9-15)

“…remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,(Eph 2:12-14)

Be the change that you desire to see in others. (2 Cor 5:17)

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causes  us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish; to the one we are a savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all people; forasmuch as you are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart. And such trust have we through Christ to Godward; not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament.” “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but, by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. . . . For which cause we faint not; but though our outward person perish, yet the inward person is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Those who profess the name of Christ, are to represent Christ as their pattern and example. They are to unfold to others the truth in its purity, and make known to them what are the privileges and responsibilities of the Christian life; and this can be done by the professed follower of Christ only as they themselves conform their character to the sacred principles of truth. There must be no betrayal of sacred trusts on the part of any one who professes to be a child of God. There must be no obliterating of the line of demarcation between Christians and the world. There must be no bringing down of the truth to a low, common level; for this will dishonor God, who has given an infinite sacrifice in the gift of his Son for the sins of the world. Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5.

By nature the heart is evil, and “who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.” Job 14:4.

No human invention or policy can find a remedy for the sinning soul.

The fountain of the heart must be purified before the streams can become pure. Anyone who is trying to reach heaven by their own works in keeping the law is attempting an impossibility. There is no safety for one who has merely a legal religion, a form of godliness. The Christian’s life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. (2 Cor 5:17) There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit.

It is God’s Holy Educating Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church. 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}

Like the wind, which is invisible, yet the effects of which are plainly seen and felt, is the Spirit of God in its work upon the human heart. That regenerating power, which no human eye can see, begets a new life in the soul; it creates a new being in the image of God. The thoughtless and wayward become serious. The hardened repent of their sins, and the faithless believe. The gambler, the drunkard, the licentious, become steady, sober, and pure. The rebellious and obstinate become meek and Christlike. When we see these changes in the character, we may be assured that the converting power of God has transformed the entire person. Anyone who looks to Christ in simple, childlike faith is made a partaker of the divine nature through the agency of the Holy Spirit. {FLB 55}

Reading Time: 11 minutes

Wresting the Scriptures

They that are unlearned and unstable wrest the scriptures, unto their own destruction. 2 Pet 3:16.

In the second letter addressed by Peter to those who had obtained “like precious faith” with himself, the apostle sets forth the divine plan for the development of Christian character. He writes: {AA 529.1}

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  {AA 529.2}

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  {AA 529.3}

These words are full of instruction and strike the keynote of victory. The apostle presents before the believers the ladder of Christian progress, every step of which represents advancement in the knowledge of God, and in the climbing of which there is to be no standstill. Faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity are the rounds of the ladder. We are saved by climbing round after round, mounting step after step, to the height of Christ’s ideal for us. Thus, He is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.  {AA 530.1}

The position that it is of no consequence what people believe is one of Satan’s most successful deceptions. They know that the truth, received in the love of it, sanctifies the soul of the receiver; therefore, some people are constantly seeking to substitute Bible truth with false theories, fables, another gospel.

The vague and fanciful interpretations of Scripture, and the many conflicting theories concerning religious faith, that are found in the Christian world are the work of our great adversary to confuse minds so that they shall not discern the truth. And the discord and division which exist among the churches of Christendom are in a great measure due to the prevailing custom of wresting the Scriptures to support a favorite theory. Instead of carefully studying God’s word with humility of heart to obtain a knowledge of His will, many seek only to discover something odd or original.

To sustain erroneous doctrines or unchristian practices, some will seize upon passages of Scripture separated from the context, perhaps quoting half of a single verse as proving their point, when the remaining portion would show the meaning to be quite the opposite. With the cunning of the serpent, they entrench themselves behind disconnected utterances construed to suit their carnal desires. Thus do many willfully pervert the word of God.  Others, who have an active imagination, seize upon the figures and symbols of Holy Writ, interpret them to suit their fancy, with little regard to the testimony of Scripture as its own interpreter, and then they present their vagaries as the teachings of the Bible.

Whenever the study of the Scriptures is entered upon without a prayerful, humble, teachable spirit, the plainest and simplest as well as the most difficult passages will be wrested from their true meaning.

The Word of God is plain to all who study it with a prayerful heart. Every truly honest soul will come to the light of truth. Jesus says the best way to learn for yourself if something is true or not is to WANT to do whatever God’s Word tells them to do:

“If you really want to obey God, you will know if what I teach comes from God or from me.” (John 7:17)

In the great and measureless gift of the Holy Spirit are contained all of heaven’s resources. 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 all were willing to receive, all would become filled with His Spirit. It is the privilege of every soul to be a living channel through which God can communicate to the world the treasures of His grace, the unsearchable riches of Christ. There is nothing that Christ desires so much as agents who will represent to the world His Spirit and character. There is nothing that the world needs so much as the manifestation through humanity of the Savior’s love. All heaven is waiting for channels through which can be poured the holy oil to be a joy and blessing to human hearts.  {COL 419.1-2}

Do not read the word in the light of former opinions; but, with a mind free from prejudice, search it carefully and prayerfully. If, as you read, conviction comes, and you see that your cherished opinions are not in harmony with the word, do not try to make the word fit these opinions. Make your opinions fit the word. Do not allow what you have believed or practiced in the past to control your understanding. Open the eyes of your mind to behold wondrous things out of the law. Find out what is written, and then plant your feet on the eternal Rock.  {MYP 260.2}

The Knowledge of God’s Will

Our salvation depends upon our knowledge of God’s will as it is contained in His word. Never cease asking and searching for Truth. You need to know your duty. You need to know what you must do to be saved. And it is God’s will that you shall know what He has said to you. But you must exercise faith. As you search the Scriptures, you must believe that God is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.

“Light is sown for the righteous.” (Psalms 97:11).

And no church can advance in holiness unless its members are earnestly seeking for truth as for hid treasure.  Jesus petitioned the Father in His prayer:

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17)

Self-satisfaction Is Not Sanctification

“Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.” A pleasant, self-satisfied feeling is not evidence of sanctification. The Bible is the standard by which to test the claims of all who profess sanctification. Jesus prayed that His disciples might be sanctified through the truth, and He says

“Thy word is truth;” while the psalmist declares, “Thy law is the truth.” (Psalms 119:142)

All whom God is leading will manifest a high regard for the Scriptures in which His voice is heard. The Bible will be to them “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the children of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim 3:16) “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” (Mat 7:16,20)

All the while Jesus was at Jerusalem during the feast He was shadowed by spies. Day after day new schemes to silence Him were tried. The priests and rulers were watching to entrap Him. They were planning to stop Him by violence. But this was not all. They wanted to humble this Galilean rabbi before the people.  {DA 455.1}

On the first day of His presence at the feast, the rulers had come to Him, demanding by what authority He taught. They wished to divert attention from Him to the question of His right to teach, and thus to their own importance and authority.  {DA 455.2}

“My teaching is not Mine,” said Jesus, “but His that sent Me. If any man wills to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God, or whether I speak from Myself.” John 7:16-17, R. V.

The question of these quibblers Jesus met, not by answering the evasion, but by opening truth vital to the salvation of the soul. The perception and appreciation of truth, He said, depends less upon the mind than upon the heart. Truth must be received into the soul; it claims the homage of the will. If truth could be submitted to the reason alone, pride would be no hindrance in the way of its reception. But it is to be received through the work of grace in the heart; and its reception depends upon the renunciation of every sin that the Spirit of God reveals.

Humanity’s advantages for obtaining a knowledge of the truth, however great these may be, will prove of no benefit to him unless the heart is open to receive the truth, and there is a conscientious surrender of every habit and practice that is opposed to its principles. To those who thus yield themselves to God, having an honest desire to know and to do His will, the truth is revealed as the power of God for their salvation. These will be able to distinguish between him who speaks for God, and him who speaks merely from himself. The Pharisees had not put their will on the side of God’s will. They were not seeking to know the truth, but to find some excuse for evading it; Christ showed that this was why they did not understand His teaching.  {DA 455.3}

He now gave a test by which the true teacher might be distinguished from the deceiver:

“They that speak from themselves seek their own glory: but those who seek the glory of Him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” John 7:18, R. V.

Anyone that seeks their own glory is speaking only from themselves. The spirit of self-seeking betrays its origin. But Christ was seeking the glory of God. He spoke the words of God. This was the evidence of His authority as a teacher of the truth. {DA 456.1}

Do you ask, what shall I do to be saved? You must lay your preconceived opinions, your hereditary and cultivated ideas, at the door of investigation. If you search the Scriptures to vindicate your own opinions, you will never reach the truth. Search to learn what the Lord says. If conviction comes as you search, if you see that your cherished opinions are not in harmony with the truth, do not misinterpret the truth to suit your own belief, but accept the light given. Open mind and heart that you may behold wondrous things out of God’s word.  {COL 112.3}

God has called His people to glory and virtue, and these will be manifest in the lives of all who are truly connected with Him. Having become partakers of the heavenly gift, they are to go unto perfection, being “kept by the power of God through faith.” 1 Pet 1:5.

It is the glory of God to give His virtue to His children. He desires to see men and women reaching the highest standard; and when by faith they lay hold of the power of Christ, when they plead His unfailing promises, and claim them as their own, when with an importunity that will not be denied they seek for the power of the Holy Spirit, they will be made complete in Him.  {AA 530.2}

Having received the faith of the gospel, the next work of the believer is to add to his character virtue, and thus cleanse the heart and prepare the mind for the reception of the knowledge of God. This knowledge is the foundation of all true education and of all true service. It is the only real safeguard against temptation; and it is this alone that can make one like God in character. Through the knowledge of God and of His Son Jesus Christ, are given to the believer “all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” No good gift is withheld from him who sincerely desires to obtain the righteousness of God.  {AA 530.3}

“This is life eternal,” Christ said, “that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3.

And the prophet Jeremiah declared:

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glories glory in this, that he understand and know  Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” Jer 9:23-24.

Scarcely can the human mind comprehend the breadth and depth and height of the spiritual attainments of him who gains this knowledge.  {AA 531.1}

None need fail of attaining, in their human sphere, to perfection of Christian character. By the sacrifice of Christ, provision has been made for the believer to receive all things that pertain to life and godliness. God calls upon us to reach the standard of perfection and places before us the example of Christ’s character. In His humanity, perfected by a life of constant resistance of evil, the Savior showed that through co-operation with Divinity, human beings may in this life attain to perfection of character. This is God’s assurance to us that we, too, may obtain complete victory. {AA 531.2}

Two Ways to Study Your Bible, fig 1.

be not conformed to this world: but be  transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:2)

CONFORMED

TRANSFORMED

1/ what you read	1/ how you read
2/ read to be informed	2/ read to be transformed
3/ cover as much as possible, as quickly as possible Process of movement from one part to the next to master/control the text. Bring text under our control, then justify our “control,” (interpretation), defend it against any other controls (interpretations)	3/ no concern at all for the number of materials covered. Instead of covering the materials or the lesson, you try to uncover it. You might just hold on to one verse or sentence or passage for quite a while to do this
4/ informational reading done in a hurry. Superficial. Analytical, critical, judgmental. We read through the filters of our own knowledge or experience, our own desires, our own hurts, our own wants, our own needs. This is the cognitive, rational, intellectual approach. Today’s professed Bible scholars call it “higher criticism” or “critical thinking.” The Word of God cannot fully speak to such people. They are not truly open to it. The Bible becomes a tool that we use or control. Often people doing this will quote many texts to “prove” a point	4/ formational reading is in depth. You are seeking to allow the passage to open out to you it’s deeper dynamics, it’s multiple layers of meaning. Instead of rushing off to the next sentence, paragraph, or chapter you seek to move deeper and deeper into the text. You allow the text to begin to be the intrusion of the Word of God into your life to address you personally, to encounter you where you are at. By taking your time with a given text, the Word encounters you in it The Word of God encounters you in it, the Word of God speaks to you through it. Often only one verse or phrase will be needed to change your heart
5/ Problem solving mentality. Read quickly just to find something that will “work” for us so that we can make some changes in our spiritual life at points where we deem it to not be “working” properly. This is mostly an unconscious activity. You just do it rotely, automatically. You put yourself in control All your “study” and energy are spent trying to justify your control and “proving” your “faith.”	5/ You allow the text to master you. You come to the text with the openness to hear, to receive, to respond. To be a servant of the Word rather than a master of the text. You give up control to be in control. You don’t try to be good. You don’t try to justify your holiness. You only follow the text to see what God says.  (John 7:17)
6/ A one track mind that evades any intimate dialogue with the text. A preformed agenda or preference, [doctrine] govern the “interpretation” and forms the plan of attack. Thereby forming the perception of truth on other things besides the Bible text such as “well everybody else does it.”	6/ The text becomes the subject of our reading relationship. We are the object that is shaped by the text. We willingly stand ourselves before the text and await its address. Ready for the wonder working Word to exercise control over what we are inside. To form the truth in us based only upon Gods Word.
7/ Your encounter with a Biblical text needs two levels of understanding. The first is a preliminary unravelling of the meaning of the text itself. “VORVERSTANDNIS” which mostly means “a knowledge acquired by study. Like a “word study.”  This is the informational dynamic. Very important sometimes. But should never stand alone. When it does then a true picture of God, who He is, what He is trying to say, can never be formed in the mind of life.  ” Vorverstandnis” in advance, previous understanding, understanding, comprehension	7/ There is a second, deeper level of understanding rather than just a purely informational level. It is a living insight which grows out of personal involvement and relatedness. “LEBENSVERHALTNIS”  Only on this level is the meaning of the Bible really, fully grasped. Only in the formational mode, where the surrender of our innermost thoughts to the text take place can we become true listeners who are totally receptive and accessible for the purpose of being addressed and formed by the living Word of God. “Lebensverhaltnis” relationships, how you live your life, your environment, circumstances of life

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105)

Thy word is a lamp

This is illustrated thus by Solomon, Proverbs 6:23:

“The commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”

God’s word is a candle which may be held in the hand to give us light in every dark place and chamber; and it is a general light shining upon all his works, and upon all our ways.