the church – Light In The Clouds

The Small Whisper

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These things are merely a whisper of God’s power at work. How little we would understand if this whisper ever turned into thunder! (Job 26:14, CEV)

This is one of the most stunning of all the verses in the Bible that describe the power of God. Job asserts that if we truly considered God’s great power, we would know that what we observe of creation represents the mere edges of His garment—just His whisper. What would happen to us if ever He were to thunder? (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary)

How faint is the whisper that we hear of Creator, in the midst of our troubles and trials.We often hear but a faint whisper of His power and His character. We struggle to believe in the midst of the fiery furnace, and we come out feeling burned beyond recognition. But then “one like unto The Son of Man is seen there in the flames beside us, and we then partake of THAT power, and His peace, which in the lowliest circumstances, remains “beyond our understanding.” We have only the “faint whisper” to hold onto. Perhaps this is what is being thought of when we hear

And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:12)

Elijah knew that the sound of a gentle whisper was God’s voice. He realized that God doesn’t reveal himself only in powerful, miraculous ways. To look for God only in something big (rallies, churches, conferences, highly visible leaders) may be to miss him because he is often found gently whispering in the quietness of a humbled heart. Are you listening for God? Step back from the noise and activity of your busy life and listen humbly and quietly for his guidance. It may come when you least expect it. (Life Application Notes)

It may seem that Job had far more than His fair share of trials, yet look at how his story ended:

“So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning” (Job 42:12).

Through his griefs Job came to his heritage. He was tried that his godliness might be confirmed. Strengthened. Manifest. Shining in the darkness. Coming forth as gold.

Surely my troubles are also intended to deepen my character and to clothe me in graces that I had so little of before? Surely, I come to my glory through eclipses, tears, death. My ripest fruit grows against the roughest wall. Job’s afflictions left him with higher conceptions of God and lowlier thoughts of himself. “Now,” he cried, “mine eye seeth thee.” (Job 42:5)

If, through pain and loss, I feel God so near in His majesty that I bend low before Him and pray “Thy will be done” (Mat 26:42) then I will I gain very much. God gave Job glimpses of the future glory, during the worst of his agony. In those wearisome days and nights, he penetrated within the veil, and could say, “I know that my Redeemer liveth.” Surely the latter end of Job was more blessed than the beginning.– In the Hour of Silence

It has been said that “Trouble never comes to a person unless she brings a nugget of gold in her hand.”

I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire so that you may be rich; and white garments so that you may be clothed, and the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and to anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see. (Rev 3:18, NIV)

Apparent adversity will finally turn out to be the advantage of the right if we are only willing to keep on working and to wait patiently. How steadfastly the great victor souls have kept at their work, dauntless and unafraid! There are blessings which we cannot obtain if we cannot accept and endure suffering. There are joys that can come to us only through sorrow. There are revealings of Divine truth which we can get only when earth’s lights have gone out. There are harvests which can grow only after the plowshare has done its work.– Selected

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most unsightly characters are layered and held together by massive scars; martyrs who have put on their coronation robes glittering with fire, and through their tears have the sorrowful first seen the gates of Heaven. — Chapin

The message to the Laodicean church is highly applicable to us as a people. It has been placed before us for a long time, but has not been heeded as it should have been. When the work of repentance is earnest and deep, the individual members of the church will buy the rich goods of heaven. When you choose to “buy” God’s promise is for you:

I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire so that you may be rich; and white garments so that you may be clothed, and the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and to anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see. (Rev 3:18, AFV)

To see the glory of God, to hear His voice in your calamity and heart ache, becomes that “faint whisper” that gives us all the assurance that we need today for whatever is happening around us.

The Laodicean message (Rev 3:18)is applicable to the church at this time. Do you believe this message? Did YOU buy your gold yet? Have you hearts that feel? Or are you constantly saying, We are rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing? Is it in vain that the declaration of eternal truth has been given to us to be carried to all the nations of the world? God has chosen a people and made them the repositories of truth weighty with eternal results. To them has been given the light that must illuminate the world. Has God made a mistake? Are we indeed His chosen instrumentalities? Are we the men and women who are to bear to the world the messages of Revelation fourteen, to proclaim the message of salvation to those who are standing on the brink of ruin? Do we act as if we were {7BC 961.9}

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you, For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the LORD shall arise upon you, and His glory shall be seen upon you. And the Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. (Isa 60:1-3)

Some people prefer to belong to the nightclub. They want that “gross darkness” in order to hide their darkness and disdain of the truth. (John 3:19-20)

We Are Each to Give Our Measure of Light. NOT someone else’s measure. Just our’s. Every shining star which God has placed in the heavens obeys His mandate, and gives its distinctive measure of light to make beautiful the heavens at night; so let every converted soul show the measure of light committed to him; and as it shines forth the light will increase and grow brighter. Give out your light. Pour forth your beams mirrored from heaven. O daughter of Zion, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee” {4BC 1153.3}

They who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever. (Dan 12:3)

There Is A Time To Hide

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“Hide yourself by the brook Cherith” (1 Kings 17:3).

Bible Prayer "hid with Christ" (Col 3:3) — Bible Prayer “hid with Christ” (Col 3:3)

God’s servants must learn the value of the hidden life. The person who is to take a high place before his fellow beings, must sometimes take a low place before their God.

Every saintly soul that would wield great power with other people must win it in some hidden Cherith. The acquisition of spiritual power is impossible, unless we can hide ourselves from others, even from ourselves in some deep place where we may absorb the power of the eternal God. Perhaps like a solar panel, absorbing the light and using it to provide power to others.

A fellow by the name of David Brainerd (April 20, 1718 – October 9, 1747) was an American Presbyterian minister and missionary to the Native Americans among the Delaware Indians of New Jersey. Missionaries such as William Carey and Jim Elliot, and Brainerd’s cousin, the Second Great Awakening evangelist James Brainerd Taylor (1801–1829) cite Brainerd as their source of inspiration. David Brainerd had many hours each day of “secret prayer,” in the woods of North America. He did not think he could face his calling by God without being “hidden” like that.

“Turn thee eastward,” the prophet was bidden, “and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee.” {PK 121.2} Just as in the days of Elijah, when we are “hidden with Christ,” God will still provide for our every need. Patmos, the seclusion of the Roman prisons, the Arabian desert, the hills and vales of Palestine, are forever memorable as the Cheriths of those who have gone before us.

Our Lord found His Cherith at Nazareth, and in the wilderness of Judea; amid the olives of Bethany, and the solitude of Gadara. None of us, therefore, can dispense with some Cherith where the sounds of human voices are exchanged for the waters of quietness which are fed from the throne; and where we may taste the sweets and imbibe the power of a life hidden with Christ.(Elijah, by Meyer).

Keep your mind on things above, not on worldly things. Col 3:3 You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:3-4, GW)

“Take up the shield of faith, in your “Cherith” by which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Eph 6:16)

When self is hid in Jesus, we are shielded from the darts of the enemy. {7BC 908.1}

LET Your Light Shine

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Happy Sabbath To All: Today’s Testimony

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…(Rev 12:11, NIV)

Every week there is a special day, set apart, sanctified, and blessed by God for anyone who desires truth, and to do whatever God says. (John 7:17-18, ERV)

Its called The Sabbath.

For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:11)

Therefore, when I say “Happy Sabbath” to people, I mostly mean that I wish them well, I wish them all the best that Jesus has to give.

I have often thought of the Sabbath as His crowning act of creation. Therefore, for me, it is a case of resting in His love on this special day, which by the way is not called “the law of Moses.” The commandment is specific and tells us it is

“The Sabbath of The Lord thy God.” (Exodus 20:10-11)

Let us rest in His “everlasting love.

Let us rest in the love of Him who has each one of us “engraved on the palms of His hands.” His nail-scarred hands. The hands that created the Sabbath, also made the tree that was used to make the cross where he was crucified. Let us rest in that love. (Eph 2:13)

I recently made a new friend in the town where I live. He was just some dude I met along the days journeys a couple of days ago. We had some Bible discussion for several hours. He just had this amazing thirst to know whatever he could learn about Jesus. It was so refreshing to share testimonies and scripture with him. At one point he told me that he prayed to Jesus the other day, and he said in his prayer:

“My Jesus, you have been so good to me even before I was saved. (Rom 5:8) What can I do for you now, my Lord?”

My friend told me that God answered him as follows:

“Nothing. Just go tell others what I have done.” (Luke 7:22, Luke 4:18-19, Mat 11:5, Mat 28:10, etc)

As with every Sabbath, this is a special day where I can praise God. I sometimes learn more from the people I study with than what I try to teach them. We spent hours sharing testimonies and scripture. My new friend also shared with me about sheep and goats. We were discussing about the part in the Bible where Jesus separates the sheep from the goats. (Mat 25:33) I said to him

“I have always wondered why Jesus put the “sheep” on His right, and the “goats” on His left. Any thoughts on that?”

My friend replied “yes,” and then he announced proudly:

“right is the opposite of wrong!”

Well my friend has sheep on his farm and we shared a good chuckle as I exclaimed

“so thats why you have sheep!”

At this point, my friend shared a powerful testimony:

“I caught my first fish 2 weeks after I was saved.” (see Mark 1:17)

At first I had no idea what he meant. And then as his story unfolded he told me this:

Two weeks after I was saved, my wife woke me up in the middle of the night and said with tears:

“I want to give my heart to Jesus”

Friends, have you caught your first “fish” yet?

What an “infallible proof” (Acts 1:3) this testimony was/is for the following scripture:

“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all who live in your house.” (Acts 16:31)

My friends, God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments.

“Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).

Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ’s church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabits eternity can alone constitute a church.

In summary, belonging to a specific denomination does not give anyone religious privilege or “authority”) for one reason being that the Bible says ALL authority has been given to Jesus. (Mat 28:18) Certain churches who claim to have THAT authority have wreaked more ruin and disaster on our poor earth than anyone, anywhere, anytime.

In preaching the doctrine of the second advent back in the 1800s, a Christian by the name of, William Miller, and his associates, had labored with the sole purpose of arousing people to a preparation for the coming judgment in Bible prophecy. They had sought to awaken professors of religion to the true hope of the church and to their need of a deeper Christian experience. They labored also to awaken the unconverted to the urgent need of immediate repentance and conversion to God.

“They made no attempt to convert people to a sect or party in any religion. Hence they labored among all parties and sects, without interfering with their organization or discipline.” {GC 375.1}

“In all my labors,” said Miller, “I never had the desire or thought to establish any separate interest from that of existing denominations, or to benefit one at the expense of another. I thought to benefit all. Supposing that all Christians would rejoice in the prospect of Christ’s coming, and that those who could not see as I did would not love any the less those who should embrace this doctrine, I did not conceive there would ever be any necessity for separate meetings. My whole object was a desire to convert souls to God, to notify the world of a coming judgment, and to induce my fellow men to make that preparation of heart which will enable them to meet their God in peace. The great majority of those who were converted under my labors united with the various existing churches.”–Bliss, page 328. {GC 375.2}

Jesus calls us to LET our light shine. Meaning that we already have it. (Isa 60:1)

We just have to “let it.” (Mat 5:16)

From Glory To Glory! Thats My New Name!

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The Lord Is There.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is what God told us:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“The Lord Is There!”

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