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Arise! Shine! Your Light Is Come!

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For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. (Eph 5:8-10)

arise shine your light is come
arise shine your light is come

Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His experience testifies to the power of importunate prayer. It is now that we are to learn this lesson of prevailing prayer, of unyielding faith. The greatest victories to the church of Christ or to the individual Christian, are not those that are gained by talent or education, by wealth, or the favor of other people. They are those victories that are gained in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power. {CM 81.3}

As people who have light from the Lord, our actions should reflect our faith. We should live above reproach morally so that we will reflect God’s goodness to others. Jesus stressed this truth in the Sermon on the Mount

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Mat 5:15-16)

Christians ought to be seen, and they ought to let their light be seen. They should never even attempt to conceal it. If you are a lamp, you have no right to be under a bushel, or under a bed; your place is on the lampstand where your light can be seen. Not that they may glorify ourselves, but that they may glorify your Father who is in heaven.

“…it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…(Phil 2:13-15)

What do we do when we don’t feel like obeying? God has not left us alone in our struggles to do his will. He wants to come alongside us and be within us to help. God gives us the desire and the power to do what pleases him. The secret to a changed life is to submit to God’s control and let him work. Next time ask God to help you desire to do his will. John 7:17

To be like Christ, we must train ourselves to think like Christ. To change our desires to be more like Christ’s, we need the power of the indwelling Spirit (Phil 1:19), the influence of faithful Christians, obedience to God’s Word (not just exposure to it), and sacrificial service. Often it is in doing God’s will that we gain the desire to do it.

Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

Paul had an amazingly selfless attitude. He knew that some were preaching to build their own reputations, taking advantage of his imprisonment to try to make a name for themselves. Regardless of the motives of these preachers, Paul rejoiced that the Good News was being preached. Some Christians serve for the wrong reasons. Paul wouldn’t condone, nor does God excuse, their motives, but we should be glad if God uses their message, regardless of their motives.

To Live Is Christ

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. (Phil 1:15-20)

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (Phil 4:8-9)

We may all do what Jesus wants and trust Him to change our desires to His.

Those who attempt to know God’s will and do it will know intuitively that Jesus was telling the truth about himself. Have you ever listened to religious speakers and wondered if they were telling the truth? Test them: (1) Their words should agree with, not contradict, the Bible; (2) their words should point to God and his will, not to themselves.

Jesus once said: If you really want to obey God, you will know if what I teach comes from God or from me. If I wanted to bring honor to myself, I would speak for myself. But I want to honor the one who sent me. That is why I tell the truth and not a lie. (John 7:17-18, CEV)

This is why God says:

Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” (Rev 14:6-7)

The angel who preaches the gospel to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people helps to fulfill God’s promise that the gospel “will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations” (Mat 24:14) before Christ returns. But not all preaching is a good witness of Christ. Some of it is done for malicious or self centered, FEAR based reasons. (Phil 1:15-20)

The word gospel, which literally means “good news,” is used here only in Revelation. Even at this late stage in God’s judgment He continues to offer everlasting life to the world (John 3:16). The gospel message at this point asks unbelievers to fear God and give glory to Him

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the Justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Rom 3:23-26)

Justification Means Complete Pardon

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

There is nothing in faith that makes it our Savior. Faith cannot remove our guilt. Christ is the power of God unto salvation to all them that believe. The justification comes through the merits of Jesus Christ. He has paid the price for the sinner’s redemption. Yet it is only through faith in His blood that Jesus can justify the believer. {6BC 1071.9}

As a sinner, we cannot depend upon our own good works as a means of justification. We must come to the point where we will renounce all our sin, and embrace one degree of light after another as it shines upon our pathway. We simply grasp by faith the free and ample provision made in the blood of Christ. (Gal 6:14, Eph 2:13)

AS we believe the promises of God, which through Christ are made unto us sanctification and righteousness and redemption. And if we follow Jesus, we will walk humbly in the light, rejoicing in the light and diffusing that light to others.

Being justified by faith,we carry cheerfulness with him in his obedience in all his life. Peace with God is the result of what Christ is to him. The souls who are in subordination to God, who honor Him, and are doers of His Word, will receive divine enlightenment. In the precious Word of God there is purity and loftiness as well as beauty that, unless assisted by God, the highest powers of mankind cannot attain to {6BC 1071.10}

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

Each to Give THEIR Own Measure of Light

In the loneliest places, when we cannot remember what grace is, when we look in the mirror and see what we don’t want to be, so afraid to receive God’s love because we are in the midst of our dark night. We feel too sinful. We believe the devils lie that we are beyond God’s help. It is then that we can go to Gods Word and know that we are the one that Jesus loves. YOUR “eternal life” can only happen in the Light of the cross. (Gal 6:14)

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 who has given over their life to Jesus show the measure of light committed to them. As it shines forth the light will increase and grow brighter. Give out your light, let your light shine. Pour forth your beams mirrored from heaven. People of God! “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee”

You will rise again. No life is too far gone to rise again. Yes, we have to break so that love can make us whole. Love comes down to redefine us. And we rise again. Praise God. We rise again. For God’s glory.

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1 Pet 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

“Arise, shine, for your Light is come.” (Isa 60:1)

Belief in JESUS Means Everlasting Life

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He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. John 3:36.

everlasting life is Jesus
everlasting life is Jesus

When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. (2 Cor 5:17) A change is wrought which people can never accomplish for themselves. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan.

Christ is ready to impart all heavenly influences. He knows every temptation that comes to man, and the capabilities of every human agent. He weighs his strength. He sees the present and the future, and presents before the mind the obligations that should be met, and urges that common, earthly things shall not be permitted to be so absorbing that eternal things shall be lost out of reckoning.

The gifts of His grace through Christ are free to all. There is no choice but one’s own by which any may perish. God has set forth in His Word the conditions upon which every soul will be elected to eternal life–obedience to His commandments, through faith in Christ. God has elected a character in harmony with His law, and any one who shall reach the standard of His requirement, will have an entrance into the kingdom of glory. Christ Himself said, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”

What an exalted position to be identified with one in whom is all perfection centered, who is indeed the Majesty of heaven, but who loved us, although fallen, so much that language cannot express it! He for our sakes laid aside His royal robe, stepped down from the throne of heaven, and condescended to clothe His divinity with humility, and became like one of us except in sin, that His life and character should be a pattern for all to copy, that they might have the precious gift of eternal life. (SD Jan 17th)

Those who are true to their calling as messengers for God will not seek honor for themselves. Love for self will be swallowed up in love for Christ. No rivalry will mar the precious cause of the gospel. They will recognize that it is their work to proclaim, as did John the Baptist:

“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. They will lift up Jesus, and with Him humanity will be lifted up. “Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isa 57:15. {DA 179.5}

Trees Planted By The Waters

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Trees Planted By The Waters

Those who trust in the LORD will be blessed. They know that the LORD will do what he says. They will be strong like trees planted near a stream that send out roots to the water. They have nothing to fear when the days get hot. Their leaves are always green. They never worry, even in a year that has no rain. They always produce fruit. (Jer 17:7-8)

peace and truth
peace and truth

Many admire the broad, deep river which moves majestically in its onward course to the ocean. It is worthy of admiration; for it is doing its appointed work. But what of the thousand rivulets from the mountain side, which help to swell this noble stream? It is true that they are small and narrow; but they are indispensable, for without them the river could not exist. They are unitedly doing their appointed work in fertilizing the earth; their path through fields and meadows can be traced by the living green that lines their banks. Thus they are carrying out God’s plan, and adding to the prosperity of the world. The mighty river has worn for itself a channel through the everlasting hills; but in its place the brook is as necessary as the river. {RH, January 6, 1885 par. 8}

We are not all called to do some great work. We may not all be engaged in laying large plans, in doing something that will make self prominent. There are small places to be filled, little duties that must be done; and much depends on faithfulness in these minor things in binding together and making effective the larger work. If the small duties are overlooked or neglected, the large plans will not accomplish the results designed, because the details upon which success depends have not received due attention. Christ says, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” (Luke 16:10){RH, January 6, 1885 par. 9}

The fountain of life has been opened for us at immense cost. (John 3:16) And yet how many there are who extol and admire it, but who will not drink of its healing, health- and life-giving waters. But the voices of those who do drink, will be tuned to loftiest praise. (Rev 12:11) The reason why there is not more gladness and rejoicing in God, is that so few drink of the living waters. Many point others to the crystal stream; they invite others to drink; but they themselves do not taste its pure waters. {RH, November 17, 1885 par. 5}

There is divine grace for all who will accept it; yet there is something for us to do. We often hear it said that it is what Jesus has done for us, and not anything that we can do for ourselves, that will secure for us heaven. This may be true in one sense, but in another it is not true. There is a work for us to do to fit ourselves for the society of angels. We must be like Jesus, free from the defilement of sin. He was all that he requires us to be; he was a perfect pattern for childhood, for youth, for adulthood. We must study the pattern more closely. {RH, November 17, 1885 par. 6}

The blessedness of confidence in God! We see it here set out in contrast with the misery of trusting in human wisdom or ability. Drought comes even to this tree, and times of trouble sometimes to the believer; but the drought does not affect the tree, for it has secret, underground sources from which it suctions up the water for its life; it spreads out its roots by the river; and blessed is that man who has a secret life, a secret strength, a secret comfort which sustains him in the trying hour. The world cannot perceive it, but he drinks it in, and lives upon it.

Jesus said:

“the trees growing in the field will produce their fruit” (Ezekiel 34:27)

Such are trees of righteousness, rooted in Christ, and planted in his church, and watered with his grace; these bring forth, bear, and are filled with the fruits of righteousness by him:and the earth shall yield her increase; the fallow ground of men’s hearts being broke up, and the seed of the word and of divine grace being sown in them, they bring forth fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold; see Psalms 67:1

Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.(Mat 7:20)

We should evaluate church leaders/teachers and even ourselves and our words by examining the lives. (2 Cor 13:5) Just as trees are consistent in the kind of fruit they produce, good teachers consistently exhibit good behavior and high moral character as they seek to live out the truths of Scripture. This does not mean we should have witch-hunts, throwing out Pastors or other church leaders/members, or any others who are less than perfect.

Every one of us is subject to sin, (Rom 3:23) and we must show the same mercy to others that we expect for ourselves. When Jesus talks about worthless trees, he means teachers who deliberately teach false doctrine. We must examine the teachers’ motives, the direction they are taking, and the results they are seeking.

What Makes an Evergreen Christian?

Seek to be an evergreen tree. Wear the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. Cherish the grace of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. This is the fruit of the Christian tree. Planted by the rivers of water, it always brings forth its fruit in due season {3BC 1142.2}

Mildness, gentleness, forbearance, long-suffering, being not easily provoked, bearing all things, hoping all things, enduring all things–these are the fruit growing upon the precious tree of love, which is of heavenly growth. This tree, if nourished, will prove to be an evergreen. Its branches will not decay, its leaves will not wither. It is immortal, eternal watered continually by the dews of heaven. {LYL 30.3}

The Christian a Sturdy Cedar

When the love of Jesus is abiding in the soul, many who are now but withered branches will become as the cedars of Lebanon, “whose root is by the great waters.” The cedar is noted for the firmness of its roots. Not content to cling to the earth with a few weak fibers, it thrusts its rootlets, like a sturdy wedge, into the cloven rock, and reaches down deeper and deeper for strong holds to grasp. When the tempest grapples with its boughs, that firm-set tree cannot be uprooted. What a goodly cedar might not every follower of Christ become, if he were but rooted and grounded in the truth, firmly united to the Eternal Rock {3BC 1151.5}

The Christian is likened to the cedar of Lebanon

I have read that this tree does more than send down a few short roots into the yielding loam. It sends strong roots deep down into the earth, and strikes down further and still further in search of a still stronger hold. And in the fierce blast of the tempest, it stands firm, held by its network of cables beneath. {BLJ 240.4}

So Christians strike roots deep into Christ. They have faith in their Redeemer. They know in whom they believe. They are fully persuaded that Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of sinners. The goodly sound of the gospel is received without conflicting doubts. The roots of faith strike deep down. Genuine Christians, like the cedar of Lebanon, do not grow in the soft surface soil, but are rooted in God, riveted in the clefts of the mountain rocks. {BLJ 240.5}

If the Christian thrives and progresses at all, they must do so amid strangers to God, amid scoffing, subject to ridicule. They must stand upright like the palm tree in the desert. The sky may be as brass, the desert sand may beat about the palm tree’s roots, and pile itself in heaps about its trunk. Yet the tree lives as an evergreen, fresh and vigorous amid the burning desert sands. Remove the sand till you reach the rootlets of the palm tree, and you discover the secret of its life; it strikes down deep beneath the surface, to the secret waters hidden in the earth.

Christians may be fitly represented by the palm tree. They are like Enoch; although surrounded by corrupting influences, their faith takes hold of the Unseen. They walk with God, deriving strength and grace from Him to withstand the moral pollution surrounding them. Like Daniel in the courts of Babylon, they stand pure and uncontaminated; their life is hid with Christ in God. They are virtuous in spirit amid depravity; they are true and loyal, fervent and zealous, while surrounded by infidels, hypocritical professors, godless and worldly men. Their faith and life are hid with Christ in God. Jesus is in them a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Faith, like the rootlets of the palm tree, penetrates beneath the things which are seen, drawing spiritual nourishment from the Fountain of life {3BC 1151.4}

The person who loves God meditates on the law of God day and night. They are instant in season and out of season. They bear the fruit of a branch vitally connected with the Vine. As they have opportunity, they do good; and everywhere, at all times and in all places, they find opportunity to work for God. They are one of the Lord’s evergreen trees; and will carry fragrance with them wherever they go.

A wholesome atmosphere surrounds their soul. The beauty of their well-ordered life and godly conversation inspires faith and hope and courage in others. This is Christianity in practice. Seek to be an evergreen tree. Wear the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. Cherish the grace of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness. This is the fruit of the Christian tree. Planted by the rivers of water, it always brings forth its fruit in due season. {ML 50.3}

The person who loves God meditates on the law of God day and night. They are instant in season and out of season. They bear the fruit of a branch vitally connected with the Vine. As they have opportunity,they always do good; and everywhere, at all times and in all places, they always find opportunity to work for God. They are one of the Lord’s evergreen-trees; and they carry a fragrance with them wherever they go. A wholesome atmosphere surrounds their soul. The beauty of their well-ordered life and godly conversation inspires faith and hope and courage in others.

This is Christianity in practice. Seek to be an evergreen-tree. Wear the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. Cherish the grace of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness. This is the fruit of the Christian tree. Planted by the rivers of water, it always brings forth its fruit in due season.

THE Reason For EVERY Season

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THE Reason For EVERY Season

“I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing” – (Ezekiel 34:26)

The struggle is real Jer 12 5
Jer 12:5

The struggle is real

What is your season today my friends?

Is it a season of drought or lack? Then according to God’s Word. According to the promise before us. That is the season for “showers of blessing.” Are you dealing with a season of great heaviness and black clouds? There is the Light of His promise in every cloud. “As thy day, so shall thy strength be.” (Deut 33:25)

Jesus still promises us today:

there shall be showers of blessing.” (Ezekiel 34:26,

Notice too, the word “showers” is in the plural. God will send all kinds of showers, according to our need. All of God’s precious blessings and assurances go together. All one package, according to each individual’s situation, as if they were all links in a golden chain.

If God gives converting grace, He will surely give us comforting grace. Jesus will give “showers of blessing!”  As CH Spurgeon once put it:

“Look up today, Oh parched plant. Open thine leaves and flowers for a Heavenly Watering.”

“Let but thy heart become a valley low,
And God will rain upon it
till it surely will overflow.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, I ask you today: transform my thorn into a flower. And I want my thorn transformed into a flower please. Job got the sunshine after the rain, but has the rain been all waste? Job wants to know, I want to know, if the shower had nothing to do with the shining?
I thank you too Lord, because Your Cross can tell me the answer to this question. You O Lord have crowned Your own sorrow. May this be my crown too is my prayer in Jesus’ name. I only triumph in YOU as I learn the radiance of the rain, and the Light in every cloud.

Fruitful Life Seeks Showers As Well As Sunshine.

“The landscape, brown and sere beneath the sun,
Needs but the cloud to lift it into life;
The dews may damp the leaves of tree and flower,
But it requires the cloud-distilled shower
To bring rich verdure to the lifeless life.

“Ah, how like this, the landscape of a life:
Dews of trial fall like incense, rich and sweet;
But bearing little in the crystal tray
Like nymphs of night, dews lift at break of day
And transient impress leave, like lips that meet.

“But clouds of trials, bearing burdens rare,
Leave in the soul, a moisture settled deep:
Life kindles by the magic law of God;
And where before the thirsty camel trod,
There richest beauties to life’s landscape leap.

“Then read thou in each cloud that comes to thee
The words of Paul, in letters large and clear:
So shall those clouds thy soul with blessing feed,
And with a constant trust as thou dost read,
All things together work for good. Fret not, nor fear!”

(author unknown)

Let your soul dwell in the timeless, changeless, tireless God. There is none like Him. He will ride through heaven to help you, will thrust out the enemies that resist your progress, will be your fountain and dew, your corn and wine, and will place beneath you arms as tender as they are loving. However low you fall, they will always be underneath. As your day, so your strength!

Jesus has been raised up from the dead to be our plant of renown. Planted in the grave of death, He has become with His faithful people a Vine, whose shadow covers the hills, and enriches the hearts and lives of men with luscious fruit. And because He lives, we shall live also. His resurrection implies and guarantees our own.

Light, life, joy, peace, and power shall be manifest in all the assemblies of Christ’s people.

I the Lord will be YOUR God, I the Lord have spoken it. And I will make with you all a covenant of peace,With you that were lost, that were driven away, that were sick, that were broken, My promise is sure. My Word will always be the Light in your clouds. (Psalms 119:105, Rev 1:7)

When the darkest of clouds is over the whole earth (Rev 3:10)  Jesus Himself will still be THE Light in every cloud.

Behold, He comes with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, and those who pierced Him will see Him, and all the kindreds of the earth will wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.(Rev 1:7)

He has made the earth by His power; He has established the world by His wisdom, and has stretched out the heavens by His understanding. When He utters His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and He causes the mists to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings with rain and brings forth the wind out of His treasures. (Jer 51:15-16)

Ask rain from Jehovah in the time of the latter rain. Jehovah shall make storm clouds, and He gives them showers of rain, grass to everyone in the field. (Zech 10:1)

(For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth plants fit for those by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God. (Heb 6:7)

The only ONE who can actually change the climate is Jesus:

He causes the vapors to rise from the end of the earth; He makes lightnings for the rain; He brings wind out of His storehouses. (Psalms 135:7)

JESUS: the reason for every season!

None Besides God!

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Asa prayed to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one but you who can help the weak when they are vastly outnumbered. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you and have marched on your behalf against this huge army. O LORD, you are our God; don’t let [anyone] prevail against you!” (2 Chron 14:11, NET)

"only by The Blood of The Lamb"
“only by The Blood of The Lamb”

The RV version of the Bible says it like this:

“Lord, there is none beside thee to help.” (2 Chron 14:11, RV).

As Christians, as the adopted sons and daughters of God, we can remind God of His entire responsibility and claim this promise in prayer and by stepping out in faith, towards the direction of said prayer.

“There is none beside thee to help.”

The odds against Asa were enormous. There was a million soldiers in arms against him, in addition to three hundred chariots. It seemed impossible to hold his own against that vast multitude. There were no allies who would come to his help; his only hope, therefore, was in God. According to Rev 3:10  we will all face such times of severe testing where we can only rely on Jesus and His word. There will be no other avenue of hope of help. But so often so may of us tend to rely on our own knowledge, our own actions as the religious panacea that is needed.

It may be that your difficulties have been allowed to come to such an alarming a pitch that you might also be compelled to renounce all creature aid, all human comforts and resources to which in lesser trials you have had recourse, and cast yourself back on your Almighty Friend.

Most of us Christians don’t worry too much about such things as long as we have our properties, our assets, our savings,our beliefs liturgical practices. But are any of these able to take the place of relying ONLY on Christ? As Paul stated it:

When I talked with you or preached, I didn’t try to prove anything by sounding wise. I simply let God’s Spirit show his power. That way you would have faith because of God’s power and not because of human wisdom. (1 Cor 2:4-5, CEV)

Put Jesus between yourself and the your biggest impossibility. Your very worst enemy. To Asa’s faith, God seemed to stand right between the might of Zerah and himself, as one who had no strength. Nor was he mistaken. We are told that the Ethiopians were destroyed before the Lord and before His host, as though celestial combatants flung themselves against the foe in Israel’s behalf, and put the large host to rout, so that Israel had only to follow up and gather the spoil.

In verity, our God is Jehovah of hosts, who can summon unexpected reinforcements at any moment to aid His people. Believe that He is there between you and your difficulty, and what baffles you will flee before Him, as clouds before the gale. “”The LORD said He would dwell in the dark cloud.” (1 Kings 8:12) Exodus 19:9  And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.” So Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.

There truly IS “light in every cloud.” That light is Jesus! He has assured us in many Bible passages that He alone is the “light of the world.” Joh 8:12  Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

“When nothing whereon to lean remains,
When strongholds crumble to dust;
When nothing is sure but that God still reigns,
That is just the time to trust.

“’tis better to walk by faith than sight,
In this path of yours and mine;
And the pitch-black night, when there’s no outer light
Is the time for faith to shine.” (author unknown)

Maybe we think of our faith and our Christian walk as failure. Maybe the way seems impossible. But according to the everlasting gospel, it is just at such a time when the gospel can go forth with ever increasing light and power:

Exodus 19:9 Glory of Cloud Emanated From Christ.

The cloud that guided Israel, stood over the tabernacle. The glory of the cloud emanated from Jesus Christ, who from the midst of the glory talked with Moses, as He had talked with him from the burning bush. The brightness of God’s presence was enshrouded in the darkness of the cloud which He made His pavilion, that the people could endure to look upon the cloud, as seeing Him who is invisible. This was God’s plan whereby He might approach man {1BC 1103.12}

Jesus once said:

“Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” (John 6:12)

Christ often tests us to show what we shall say and do in the presence of overwhelming difficulty, but He always knows the way out. We at once begin to calculate our paltry resources, and to confess their inadequacy. We come back to explain that when we have done our utmost, we can provide very little. Then He steps in, determined that everyone shall be filled, with an ample supply left over. He makes His guests sit down in comfort on the grass, because there is plenty of time, as well as an abundance of food, for a happy and comfortable meal. We must bring Him what we have, however small it may be; the Church must enter into His great plan and arrange the people for the banquet; we too must distribute the food and gather up the broken pieces. The world is to be fed by the cooperation of Christ and His Church.

According to the everlasting gospel, there is hope among the fragments. if your heart has been broken by grief, by worry, by fear, or by anything else, JESUS will just make art with the pieces. We are borne by the anguish we bear, and as Christ-followers, we turn that into the love that we want to give. This can only happen as we reach out to Him in total dependence. (John 14:6) We can take all the tattered fragments of our life to Jesus and He will  make beautiful art out of the pieces.  (Eccl 3:11, Rom 8:28), Praise God!

Isa 43:19  Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

Isa 42:16  I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them.

None Besides Thee: If you are facing battles you feel you can’t possibly win, don’t give up. In the face of a vast horde of enemy soldiers, Asa prayed for God’s help, recognizing his powerlessness against such a mighty army. The secret of victory is first to admit the futility of unaided human effort and then to trust God to save. His power works best through those who recognize their limitations (2 Cor 12:9). It is those who think they can do it all on their own who are in the greatest danger. (Life Application Study Bible Notes)

God Will Work With Us When We Trust Him.

And Asa cried out to the LORD his God, and said, “LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!”  (2 Chron 14:11)

This is an appropriate prayer for us to make today. Generally speaking, our current prospects are anything but flattering. There are vast numbers arrayed against the truth, whom we must meet in presenting the light to others. Our hope is not in our knowledge of the truth, and in our own ability, but in the living God … There should be … living faith for the mighty God to manifest His power, else all will prove a failure. God defeated the enemies of Israel. He put their forces into disorder. They fled they knew not whither. Who can stand before the Lord God of Israel? {3BC 1131.10}

Now we are not warring against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. The Lord would encourage us to look to Him as the source of all our strength, the One who is able to help us. We may look to [other people], and they will give us counsel, and yet this may be defeated; but when the God of Israel undertakes work for us, He will make it a success. We want to know that we are right before God; if we are not right before Him, then we want to make an earnest effort to come into right relation to Him. We must individually do something ourselves. We are not to risk our eternal interest upon guesswork. We must set everything right; we must follow out the requirements of God, and then expect God to work with our efforts. 2 Chron 20:15. God works in us by the light of His truth. We are to be obedient to all His commandments. {3BC 1132.1}

If only  we could take this point into consideration, that the work in which we are engaged is not our work, but God’s work, and we as humble instruments are laborers together with Him; and with an eye single to God’s glory, (Mat 6:22) not mistake the beginning of the Christian life for its consummation, but see the necessity of training upon the earth to prepare us for doing God’s will! We are not to lift up ourselves, not to be self-confident, but to trust in God, knowing that He is willing and able to help us. God will work with His people, but we want to be in that position where our trust and confidence will become firm in Him (RH May 10, 1887). {3BC 1132.2}

The application Asa made to God on occasion of the threatening cloud which now hung over his head, 2 Chron 14:11.

The very one that sought God in the day of his peace and prosperity could with holy boldness cry to God in the day of his trouble, and call him his God. His prayer is short, but has much in it.

1. He gives to God the glory of his infinite power and sovereignty: It is nothing with thee to help and save by many or few, by those that are mighty or by those that have no power. See 1 Sam 14:6. God works in his own strength, not in the strength of instruments (Psalms 21:13), it is his glory to help the weakest and to perfect strength out of the seemingly impossibilities that we face. “We do not say, Lord, take our part, for we have a good army for thee to work by; but, take our part, for without you we have no power.” (John 14:6)

2. He takes hold of their covenant-relation to God as theirs. O Lord, our God! and again:

“Thou art our God, whom we have chosen and cleave to as ours, and who has promised to be ours.” (Exodus 6:7, Rev 21:7)

God’s promises in these verses were fulfilled to the letter when the Hebrews left Egypt. He freed them from slavery, became their God, and accepted them as his people. Then he led them toward the land he had promised. When the Hebrews were rescued from slavery, they portrayed the drama of salvation for all of us. When God redeems us from sin, he delivers us, accepts us, and becomes our God. Then he leads us to a new life as we follow him.

3. He pleads their dependence upon God, and the eye they had to him in this expedition. He was well prepared for it, yet trusted not to his own preparations,saying instead:

“Lord, we rest wholly in YOU, and in YOUR name we go against this multitude, by warrant from YOU, aiming only for your glory, and trusting to YOUR strength alone.”

4. He interests God in their cause: “Let not man” (meaning mortal man) “prevail against thee. If he prevail against us, it will be said that he prevails against YOU , because thou art our God, and we rest on YOU and go forth in your name, which YOU encouraged us to do. The enemy is a mortal, impermanent thing. The gospel is “everlasting.” (Rev 14:6) Make it to appear what an unequal match he is for an immortal God. Lord, maintain your honor and your glory in our life now.”

“Hallowed by thy name.”

Now we are not warring against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. The Lord would encourage us to look to Him as the source of all our strength, the One who is able to help us. We may look to men, and they will give us counsel, and yet this may be defeated; but when the God of Israel undertakes work for us, He will make it a success.

We want to know that we are right before God; if we are not right before Him, then we want to make an earnest effort to come in right relation to Him. We must individually do something ourselves. We are not to risk our eternal interest upon guesswork. We must set everything right; we must follow out the requirements of God, and then expect God to work with our efforts. 2 Chron 20:15. God works in us by the light of His truth. We are to be obedient to all His commandments. {3BC 1132.1}

The work in which we are engaged as Christians is not our work, but God’s work, and we as humble instruments are laborers together with Him; and with an eye single to God’s glory, not mistake the beginning of the Christian life for its consummation, but see the necessity of training upon the earth to prepare us for doing God’s will! We are not to lift up ourselves, not to be self-confident, but to trust in God, knowing that He is willing and able to help us. God will work with His people, but we want to be in that position where our trust and confidence will become firm in Him {3BC 1132.2}

As Paul would say:

My teaching and my speaking were not with wise words that persuade people. But the proof of my teaching was the power that the Spirit gives. I did this so that your faith would be in God’s power, not in human wisdom. (1 Cor 2:4-5, ERV)

Paul had written briefly to the church, admonishing them “not to company” with members who should persist in profligacy; but many of the believers perverted the apostle’s meaning, quibbled over his words, and excused themselves for disregarding his instruction. {AA 300.1}

In my other letter I told you not to have anything to do with immoral people. But I wasn’t talking about the people of this world. You would have to leave this world to get away from everyone who is immoral or greedy or who cheats or worships idols. I was talking about your own people who are immoral or greedy or worship idols or curse others or get drunk or cheat. Don’t even eat with them! Why should I judge outsiders? Aren’t we supposed to judge only church members? (1 Cor 5:9-12, CEV)

We cannot pray other than:

“O LORD, there is no one but you who can help the weak when they are vastly outnumbered. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you and have marched on your behalf against this huge army. O LORD, you are our God; don’t let [anyone] prevail against you!” (2 Chron 14:11, NET)

Perfectly Broken

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Perfectly Broken

“By reason of breakings they purify themselves” (Job 41:25 LSV).

light in your clouds
light in your clouds

I recall an experience downtown in a major city recently that seems to resonate with today’s subject. Perfectly Broken. I came across a man who was obviously living on the streets, and he was passed out in the doorway of a convenience store. I was stunned to see that all the many people coming and going into that store were quite literally just walking over him and simply ignoring him. One lady even stepped on his arm, she just sneered down at him for being in the way when she was in such a hurry to buy her cigarettes and coffee.

I went over to help him and called 911 for help and then I had people glaring and hollering at me for getting in their royal way. In today’s world, broken things are looked down upon, avoided, rejected, or ignored, and sometimes, just thrown out. Anything we no longer need; we often just throw it away. Damaged goods are rejected, and that includes people.

In marriage, when relationships break down, the tendency is to walk away and find someone new rather than work at reconciliation. Unseemly “men” abusing their wives until they cannot take it anymore. And then calling themselves “Christian” or saying “she made me do that.” Everything is now fair game by the worldly standard that rejects broken things. Broken people are not wanted by so many.

The world is full of people with broken hearts, broken spirits and broken relationships. But there is hope amongst the fragments. Because of “the everlasting gospel” (Rev 14:6), we may bring all the broken fragments of our life to Jesus and He makes art with the pieces. (John 6:37)

Here are just a few scriptures that talk about some aspect of “broken pieces” (fragments) that others have experienced.

1/ “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

There is something about reaching a breaking point that causes us to seek the Lord more sincerely and to experience Jesus more fully.

2/ King David, for example, was once a broken man, and he prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me… The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:10, 17).

Conversely, there are some things in our lives that need to be broken: pride, self-will, stubbornness, and sinful habits, for example. These are also things that can be perfectly broken by THE unseen Hand. (Dan 2:34, Dan 2:45)

When we personally feel our brokenness, God is there. Jesus cares:

3/ “I live in a high and holy place, but also with anyone who is contrite and lowly in spirit” (Isaiah 57:15).

Truly, Jesus uses most for His glory those people and things which are most perfectly broken. The sacrifices He accepts are broken and contrite hearts. (Psalms 51:17). It was the breaking down of Jacob’s natural strength at Peniel that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual power. (Gen 32:20).

4/ It was breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb, by the stroke of Moses’ rod that let out the cool waters to thirsty people. (Exodus 17:6)

5/ It was when the 300 elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, that the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. (Judges 7:19-20)

6/ It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support. (2 Kings 4:1-7)

7/ It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court, that she obtained favor to rescue her people from death. (Esther 4:14)

8/ It was when Jesus took the five loaves and broke them, that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. (John 6:12)

9/ It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the house. (Luke 7:37)

10/ It was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear, that his inner life was poured out, like a crystal ocean, for thirsty sinners to drink and live.

11/ It is when a beautiful grain of corn is broken up in the earth by DEATH, that its inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. (Mark 4:28)

And thus, on and on, through all history, and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spiritual life, God uses and fixes BROKEN THINGS. How can we be fixed if we are not broken? Of a truth, we are not useless to Jesus when we are broken and grieving. It is quite the opposite.

Those who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-will, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and broken in worldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and broken in health; those who are despised and seem utterly forlorn and helpless, must know that Jesus is in the active business of befriending each soul who is searching and open to His leading. To something bigger. To something better. Jesus is drawing near to, and using anyone who asks or desires for God’s glory.

“The lame take the prey,” Isaiah tells us. (Isaiah 33:23).

When certain of the disciples were headed to Emmaus, sad, dejected, and losing all hope, they started talking about Jesus, and right then, the minute they started talking about their Lord: Jesus Himself drew near:

“And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them.” (Luke 24:15)

I am reminded of a horrifying thing that happened a few years ago in Nova Scotia. A young lady was raped by four young men at a house party and the young men decided it would be a good idea to share a few pictures of what they were doing to her on “Social Media” (so called). These disgusting photos were widely shared, not just in Nova Scotia, but around the world. At this time in our history the provincial law enforcement entities involved decided it was “safer” for them to blame the poor victim of this horrific crime against her person.

IMO, victim blaming in and of itself should be a crime against humanity as it simply doubles the terror of the victims involved. The entire family was devastated, but the young lady who was the victim was so distraught after intense bullying from many people who blamed/threatened her, hung herself to stop her terrible pain and suffering. This story made me cry and caused a lot of distress. I was mortified to learn all the evil details. I believe after reading all I could find about this event that this family that was completely broken by this crime done to them. But then I came across one final detail that happened shortly after this young lady committed suicide which really blessed me and made me realize more than ever how resilient people can be in their brokenness.

It was one of those things that came as a complete surprise, and it seemed to somewhat echo the Biblical idea how that.

“…all things work together for good…” (Rom 8:28).

Apparently, the parents of this young lady decided to participate in that Province’s organ donation program as their daughter was just 14 and her organs were in very good shape because of her young age. As the article explained, another young teen age girl received her heart, and four other people had their life saved from one or another of her organs. So, at the end of this tragic story, the young lady who had all this happen to her saved 5 lives. As the dad said:

“Now I can rest in the fact that a part of her is still living, still here today, in and through others.”

This made me think of how, being perfectly broken, that anyone can all bring all of the resulting little fragments of our brokenness to Jesus and He will “make art with the pieces.”

Jesus said “Gather up the fragments that NOTHING be lost.

I remember standing beside the stretcher in emergency the day my own son was in a life-threatening state. I was told he “Might die any moment.” I was so distraught I could hardly speak but I managed to whisper in his ear how I loved him no matter what. No matter how broken he was I would be there to help him pick up the pieces. I told him I was praying for him and how Jesus would always be there for us and that he still had a good life to live. I prayed with all my heart for his life and his soul. And I remember well a couple of years later when he sent me a very special text. After he got established again with a job, I told him the next thing I am going to pray for is for him to finally find a woman who was truly good for him. A few months after this he sent me the text:

“Dad, you got to stop praying it’s working too well!”

His brokenness was turned to praise. He is in love and doing well now.

I was once told I would never work again, and the government put me on a permanent disability pension. I was told I would never be able to climb mountains, lift weights, nothing like that. Today I do all those things and more.

Friends, do not feel discouraged, for from the lips of our Lord, who died to save anyone who calls on Him, we all have this promise:

“Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me in Judea, and in Jerusalem, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

If we Christians would smarten up and put ourselves in the broken paths of someone every time, we encounter them to make it a path to prayer, what mighty things would be happening around us? And not just during the “holidays.” How about the rest of the year?

Jesus, in His Word, assures everyone how they are to “receive power from on high.”  THIS is THE Very Good News! We must collectively and individually put away all hardness, all denunciation of our brethren, our neighbors, friends or family, all criticisms, and turn that into the path of prayer. We can and must rest “perfectly broken” at the feet of our Lord. The Holy Spirit is our only need in our abject brokenness!

The amazing story of Mary in the Bible is a beautiful way to see this “power” in action:

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” (John 12:3). There are gifts that we may rightly proportion to the character and necessities of the ones upon whom we bestow them. Jesus meets us all at the point of our felt and expressed needs. Not many of the poor would appreciate Mary’s offering, or our Lord’s sacrifice of Himself on the rude cross, which gift was infact the highest that could be given.

That ointment was a symbol of the overflowing heart of the giver. It was an outward demonstration of a love fed by heavenly streams until it overflowed. And that ointment of Mary, which the disciples called waste, is repeating itself a thousand times in the open and susceptible hearts of many people today. Jesus is preparing His own forth second coming.

Are you broken and hurting now?

You may come to Jesus, rest at His feet with all the fragments, which he will then divide and multiply for the blessing of both you and others whom He will put in your path. (John 6:12, John 6:37). Jesus wants us to “gather up all of our fragments” of whatever is broken and bring it to Him in prayer so that “NOTHING IS LOST.” (John 6:12). Many of us would likely be tempted to say when they are going through a period of brokenness:

“I called upon him, but he gave me no answer” (Song 5:6).

The Lord, when He has given great faith, has been known to try it by long delays. He has suffered His servants’ voices to echo in their ears as from a stormy sky. They have knocked at the golden gate, but it has remained unmovable, as though it were rusted upon its hinges.

Like Jeremiah, we have cried out:

“Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.” (Lam 3:44)

But there IS Light in every cloud. Thus, have true saints in every age, every nation tongue tribe and people continued long in patient waiting, seemingly without reply, not because their prayers were not sincere, nor because they were unaccepted, but because it so pleased Him who is our Savior and Lord, and who gives according to His own good pleasure. (see Phil 2:13). Our patient waiting may just be that light in the clouds of/for others. (2 Cor 1:3-4).

Many think that when God comforts us, our troubles should just go away. But if that were always so, people would turn to God only out of a desire to be relieved of pain and not out of love for Him. We must understand that being “comforted” can also mean receiving strength, encouragement, direction, and hope to deal with our troubles. In other words, if Jesus leads us to it; then He will surely bring us through it. Not over it, not around it, but right through it.

In my experience, the more I suffer, the more comfort God gives to me. If you are feeling overwhelmed, ask and allow God to comfort you. Remember that every trial you endure will help you to comfort other people who are suffering similar troubles. This is why there is always “light in the clouds.” (Lev 16:2, Psalms 18:11, Psalms 104:3, Isa 19:1, Mat 17:5, etc.)

If it pleases Jesus to ask that our patience exercise itself, shall He not do as He will with His own? Clearly then, no prayer is ever lost. No praying breath was ever spent in vain. (1 Cor 15;58) There is no such thing as prayer unanswered or unnoticed by God, and some things that we count as refusals or denials are simply delays designed for our own best good. Jesus will sometimes delay His help that He may try our faith and invigorate our prayers.

The boat may be covered with the waves, and Jesus may sleep on; but He will wake up before it sinks. He sleeps, but He never oversleeps; and there are no “too lates” with The Savior. (Mark 4:39). Perfectly broken is rest in Christ by bringing to Him, all the fragments of our broken lives and shattered hearts. Our stolen dreams.

Let fervor for Jesus come into your hearts, and unfeigned love among yourselves. If you bite and devour one another, you shall be devoured one of another. Harshness and unkindness are a curse to any home, and it is like a desolating hail in the church, or out in the community.

How I wish that I could speak unto thousands:

“Come unto Jesus in all your brokenness.”

Do not wrap any kind of pretend love like a garment about you and say, “I believe the truth. So, I am righteous.” That never works!

Rather surrender your wills which you have idolized and let the will of God be done in you perfectly. Don’t step over the guy in the hallway, don’t keep disrespecting your wife! Stop beating your kids. You don’t need to smoke. You don’t need dope. Call Someone for help!

When the Jailer led Paul and Silas out of the prison, he was completely broken. And all he could respond with was a quivering question:

“What must I do to be saved?”

They said to him, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all who live in your house.” So, Paul and Silas told the message of the Lord to the jailer and all the people who lived in his house. (Acts 16:31-32)

No matter how badly your home is fragmented, no matter how broken your heart is, no matter how lost your fondest dreams are, if you are not safe in your own home, if you think you want to “end it” you can begin again. I did! I know many others who did! And I know you can too.

Begin again to rest. But this time rest in Christ. You are the one that Jesus loves! That will never change!

Jesus says:

“Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give YOU rest!

When the Apostles were in that jail they “suffered extreme torture because of the painful position in which they were left, but they did not murmur. Instead, in the utter darkness and desolation of the dungeon, they encouraged each other by words of prayer and sang praises to God because they were found worthy to suffer shame for His sake. Their hearts were cheered by a deep and earnest love for the cause of their Redeemer. Paul thought of the persecution he had been instrumental in bringing upon the disciples of Christ, and he rejoiced that his eyes had been opened to see, and his heart to feel, the power of the glorious truths which once he despised. {AA 213.4}

It may be true that many are cruel and vindictive, or criminally negligent of the solemn responsibilities devolving upon them, but God had not forgotten to be gracious to His servants. All heaven was interested in the men who were suffering for Christ’s sake in that jail, in their brokenness and angels were sent to visit the prison. At the angel’s footsteps, the ground shook, the heavily bolted prison doors were thrown open; the chains and fetters fell from the hands and feet of the prisoners; and a bright light flooded the prison.  {AA 215.1}

The same light will be in your clouds. Now and always. Don’t let your holiday spirit obscure the fact that a time of trouble such as never was looming over our world. (Dan 12:1, Rev 16:18) If ever there was brokenness, if ever there were fragments to be gathered and brought to Jesus, that time is now. Its not the climate or the pestilence that is “the emergency” it is the fact that there are so many fragments and overwhelming brokenness and there is no one that wants to gather them unto our Lord and Savior!! (Luke 10:2)

Friends, the time has come to proclaim the everlasting gospel far beyond the structured confines of our own little religious boxes. In our brokenness, terror and grief, Jesus says that through our broken pieces, by the fragments of our lives, the way is preparing for the gospel to GO! Don’t receive it just to save your own skin! Save it for the purpose of imparting to others! THAT is being perfectly broken!

Believing in Christ and receiving His transforming grace is not guesswork, but a work which causes Christ’s virtues to be reflected in mind and character. When you gain this experience, you will say, “I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. The Lord Jesus shall be my portion forever.” The power of the cross will move in you the mysterious springs of hope and fear, adoration, and love. Angels are watching and waiting and will witness to the fact that the world has you not.

Jesus has found you sitting at His feet to learn from Him, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Henceforth, surrendering your will to the will of Christ, you are drawn into a region where the cross is the central object. The world fades from your view. The glory shining from the threshold of heaven is the all-attractive influence. The riches of the grace of Christ hold you in willing obedience. You are only too glad to impart to others the gift you have received.  {LHU 252.3}

Is it your desire to turn up the volume of “The Loud Cry?”

“God’s purpose is to disentangle His followers from all worldly conniving and policy, and to give them a work identical with the work that Christ did.” (Ms. Releases, Vol 18:109)

“Connected with Christ it will be as natural for us to minister to the needy and suffering as it was to Christ to go about doing good.” ( COL 385)

 

Unto You a Savior

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Unto You a Savior

finding the light
finding the light

The King of glory stooped low to take humanity. Rude and forbidding were His earthly surroundings. His glory was veiled, that the majesty of His outward form might not become an object of attraction. He shunned all outward display. Riches, worldly honor, and human greatness can never save a soul from death; Jesus purposed that no attraction of an earthly nature should call men to His side. Only the beauty of heavenly truth must draw those who would follow Him. The character of the Messiah had long been foretold in prophecy, and He desired men to accept Him upon the testimony of the word of God.

The angels had wondered at the glorious plan of redemption. They watched to see how the people of God would receive His Son, clothed in the garb of humanity. Angels came to the land of the chosen people. Other nations were dealing in fables and worshiping false gods. To the land where the glory of God had been revealed, and the light of prophecy had shone, the angels came. They came unseen to Jerusalem, to the appointed expositors of the Sacred Oracles, and the ministers of God’s house. Already to Zacharias the priest, as he ministered before the altar, the nearness of Christ’s coming had been announced. Already the forerunner was born, his mission attested by miracle and prophecy. The tidings of his birth and the wonderful significance of his mission had been spread abroad. Yet Jerusalem was not preparing to welcome her Redeemer.

With amazement the heavenly messengers beheld the indifference of that people whom God had called to communicate to the world the light of sacred truth. The Jewish nation had been preserved as a witness that Christ was to be born of the seed of Abraham and of David’s line; yet they knew not that His coming was now at hand. In the temple the morning and the evening sacrifice daily pointed to the Lamb of God; yet even here was no preparation to receive Him. The priests and teachers of the nation knew not that the greatest event of the ages was about to take place. They rehearsed their meaningless prayers, and performed the rites of worship to be seen by men, but in their strife for riches and worldly honor they were not prepared for the revelation of the Messiah. The same indifference pervaded the land of Israel. Hearts selfish and world-engrossed were untouched by the joy that thrilled all heaven. Only a few were longing to behold the Unseen. To these heaven’s embassy was sent.

Angels attend Joseph and Mary as they journey from their home in Nazareth to the city of David. The decree of imperial Rome for the enrollment of the peoples of her vast dominion has extended to the dwellers among the hills of Galilee. As in old time Cyrus was called to the throne of the world’s empire that he might set free the captives of the Lord, so Caesar Augustus is made the agent for the fulfillment of God’s purpose in bringing the mother of Jesus to Bethlehem. She is of the lineage of David, and the Son of David must be born in David’s city. Out of Bethlehem, said the prophet, “shall He come forth . . . that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity.” Micah 5:2, margin. But in the city of their royal line, Joseph and Mary are unrecognized and not honored. Weary and homeless, they traverse the entire length of the narrow street, from the gate of the city to the eastern extremity of the town, vainly seeking a resting place for the night. There is no room for them at the crowded inn. In a rude building where the beasts are sheltered, they at last find refuge, and here the Redeemer of the world is born.

Men know it not, but the tidings fill heaven with rejoicing. With a deeper and more tender interest the holy beings from the world of light are drawn to the earth. The whole world is brighter for His presence. Above the hills of Bethlehem are gathered an innumerable throng of angels. They wait the signal to declare the glad news to the world. Had the leaders in Israel been true to their trust, they might have shared the joy of heralding the birth of Jesus. But now they are passed by.

God declares, “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.” “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness.” Isaiah 44:3; Psalm 112:4. To those who are seeking for light, and who accept it with gladness, the bright rays from the throne of God will shine.

In the fields where the boy David had led his flock, shepherds were still keeping watch by night. Through the silent hours they talked together of the promised Savior, and prayed for the coming of the King to David’s throne. “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

At these words, visions of glory fill the minds of the listening shepherds. The Deliverer has come to Israel! Power, exaltation, triumph, are associated with His coming. But the angel must prepare them to recognize their Savior in poverty and humiliation. “This shall be a sign unto you,” he says; “Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

The heavenly messenger had quieted their fears. He had told them how to find Jesus. With tender regard for their human weakness, he had given them time to become accustomed to the divine radiance. Then the joy and glory could no longer be hidden. The whole plain was lighted up with the bright shining of the hosts of God. Earth was hushed, and heaven stooped to listen to the song,

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Oh that today the human family could recognize that song! The declaration then made, the note then struck, will swell to the close of time, and resound to the ends of the earth. When the Sun of Righteousness shall arise, with healing in His wings, that song will be re-echoed by the voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many waters, saying, “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” Revelation 19:6.

As the angels disappeared, the light faded away, and the shadows of night once more fell on the hills of Bethlehem. But the brightest picture ever beheld by human eyes remained in the memory of the shepherds. “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”

Departing with great joy, they made known the things they had seen and heard. “And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God.”

Heaven and earth are no wider apart today than when shepherds listened to the angels’ song. Humanity is still as much the object of heaven’s solicitude as when common men of common occupations met angels at noonday, and talked with the heavenly messengers in the vineyards and the fields. To us in the common walks of life, heaven may be very near. Angels from the courts above will attend the steps of those who come and go at God’s command.

The story of Bethlehem is an exhaustless theme. In it is hidden “the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.” Romans 11:33. We marvel at the Savior’s sacrifice in exchanging the throne of heaven for the manger, and the companionship of adoring angels for the beasts of the stall. Human pride and self-sufficiency stand rebuked in His presence. Yet this was but the beginning of His wonderful condescension. It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man’s nature, even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity. What these results were is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life.

Satan in heaven had hated Christ for His position in the courts of God. He hated Him the more when he himself was dethroned. He hated Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners. Yet into the world where Satan claimed dominion God permitted His Son to come, a helpless babe, subject to the weakness of humanity. He permitted Him to meet life’s peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss.

The heart of the human father yearns over his son. He looks into the face of his little child, and trembles at the thought of life’s peril. He longs to shield his dear one from Satan’s power, to hold him back from temptation and conflict. To meet a bitterer conflict and a more fearful risk, God gave His only-begotten Son, that the path of life might be made sure for our little ones. “Herein is love.” Wonder, O heavens! and be astonished, O earth!

(taken from the book The Desire Of Ages)

Hope Has A Name

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Hope Has A Name

“His name shall be called Emmanuel…God with us.” (Mat 1:23) .
“The Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6).

hope has a name
hope has a name

“There’s a song in the air!
There’s a star in the sky!
There’s a mother’s deep prayer,
And a baby’s low cry!
And the star rains its fire
While the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King.”

A few years ago a striking Christmas card was published, with the title, “If Christ had not come.” It was founded upon our Savior’s words, “If I had not come.” The card represented a clergyman falling into a short sleep in his study on Christmas morning and dreaming of a world into which Jesus had never come.

In his dream he found himself looking through his home, but there were no little stockings in the chimney corner, no Christmas bells or wreaths of holly, and no Christ to comfort, gladden and save. He walked out on the public street, but there was no church with its spire pointing to Heaven. He came back and sat down in his library, but every book about the Savior had disappeared.

A ring at the door-bell, and a messenger asked him to visit a poor dying mother. He hastened with, the weeping child and as he reached the home he sat down and said, “I have something here that will comfort you.” He opened his Bible to look for a familiar promise, but it ended at Malachi, and there was no gospel and no promise of hope and salvation, and he could only bow his head and weep with her in bitter despair.

Two days afterward he stood beside her coffin and conducted the funeral service, but there was no message of consolation, no word of a glorious resurrection, no open Heaven, but only “dust to dust, ashes to ashes,” and one long eternal farewell. He realized at length that “He had not come,” and burst into tears and bitter weeping in his sorrowful dream.

Suddenly he woke with a start, and a great shout of joy and praise burst from his lips as he heard his choir singing in his church close by:

“O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels,
O come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.”
Let us be glad and rejoice today, because “He has come.” And let us remember the annunciation of the angel, “Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11).

“He comes to make His blessing flow,
Far as the curse is found.”

May our hearts go out to the people in heathen lands who have no blessed Christmas day. “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and SEND PORTIONS TO THEM FOR WHOM NOTHING IS PREPARED.” (Neh 8:10).

(taken from Streams In The Desert)

Finding The Light

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Finding the light is not a doctrine – It is about a Person.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

finding the light
finding the light

If there is no light that you can see now; then look to where you last did see light, for even “while you are sitting in darkness; the Lord will be a light unto you. (Micah 7:8)

When temptations assail you, when care, perplexity, and darkness seem to surround your soul, look to the place where you last saw the light. Rest in Christ’s love and under His protecting care. When sin struggles for the mastery in the heart, when guilt oppresses the soul and burdens the conscience, when unbelief clouds the mind, remember that Christ’s grace is sufficient to subdue sin and banish the darkness. Entering into communion with the Savior, we enter the region of peace. MH 250 (1905).

The Healing Promises

“The Lord redeems the soul of His servants:
And none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate.”
Psalm 34:22.

“In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence:
And His children shall have a place of refuge.”
Proverbs 14:26.

“Zion said, Jehovah hath forsaken me, and
The Lord hath forgotten me.
Can a woman forget her sucking child,
That she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?

Yea, these may forget, yet will not I forget thee.
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands.”
Isaiah 49:14-16, A.R.V.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
Be not not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My
righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10.

“Ye that have been borne by Me from your birth,
That have been carried by Me from your earliest breath,
Even to your old age I am the same;
Even to hoar hairs I will carry you;
I have done it, and I will still bear you;
I will carry, and I will deliver you.”
Isaiah 46:3, 4, Noyes.

Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise. It is a positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and feelings–as much a duty as it is to pray. If we are heaven-bound, how can we go as a band of mourners, groaning and complaining all along the way to our Father’s house? {MH 251.1}

Those professed Christians who are constantly complaining, and who seem to think cheerfulness and happiness a sin, have not genuine religion. Those who take a mournful pleasure in all that is melancholy in the natural world, who choose to look upon dead leaves rather than to gather the beautiful living flowers, who see no beauty in grand mountain heights and in valleys clothed with living green, who close their senses to the joyful voice which speaks to them in nature, and which is sweet and musical to the listening ear–these are not in Christ. They are gathering to themselves gloom and darkness, when they might have brightness, even the Sun of Righteousness arising in their hearts with healing in His beams. {MH 251.2}

Often your mind may be clouded because of pain. Then do not try to think. You know that Jesus loves you. He understands your weakness. You may do His will by simply resting in His arms. {MH 251.3}

It is a law of nature that our thoughts and feelings are encouraged and strengthened as we give them utterance.

While words express thoughts, it is also true that thoughts follow words. If we would give more expression to our faith, rejoice more in the blessings that we know we have,–the great mercy and love of God,–we should have more faith and greater joy.” {MH 251.4}

In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what the Lord has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history. {RH, October 12, 1905 par. 22}

Its not wrong to fall down, or to make a mistake, or to utterly fail, or to suffer great tragedy. None of these things declare in any way who or what you are. It all just means you are still in the race.

But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. (Micah 7:7-8)

When darkness assails you, when care, perplexity, and doubt seem to surround your soul, look to where you last saw the light. Rest totally in God’s love, and in His protecting care. When the bleakness of the storm struggles for mastery in the heart, when guilt oppresses the soul, or doubts burden the conscience, when unbelief clouds the mind, remember, God’s grace is sufficient to subdue it all and to guide you into the region of true peace, where God’s grace will bring you patience, trustfulness, and melt away the restless waves of weakness. He will warm your heart with His own sweet Spirit; He will revive your soul.

If you are struggling right now, may you remember that tomorrow is another day. And that there is always hope. May you remember what a gift you are to the world, and that you are perfect just the way you are. May you remember that even when you feel lonely, you are never truly alone; for as the Bible says you are surrounded by angels who love you beyond measure.

The Holiness Of Jesus In The Great Controversy Vol 2

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The Great Controversy Advances

“…those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again.” (Mark 13:19) 

light in the clouds
light in the clouds

Scripture tells us that the great controversy between good and evil, between Christ and Satan will reach a literal boiling point.

Think things are bad now?

Maybe its time to examine what Scripture tells us about last day events and how to be prepared. Jesus’ words here in Mark 13:19 are directly alluding to other passages in the Old Testament, showing us how the Bible is united on what is happening in the great controversy. Note here in the book of Daniel, for one example:

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which Stands for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. Dan 12:1

Several of the disciples marked the words of Jesus regarding a time of trouble such as never was since the world began:

“For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.” (Mat 24:21)

Even the beloved Psalmist has noted some promises we can count on during the coming world crises:

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. (Psalms 27:5)

The major preparation needed for Jesus’ second coming is for us to be born again:

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3)

Here is how we are born again:

You have made yourselves pure by obeying the truth. Now you can have true love for your brothers and sisters. So love each other deeply—with all your heart. You have been born again. This new life did not come from something that dies. It came from something that cannot die. You were born again through God’s life-giving message that lasts forever. (1 Pet 1:22-23)

For whatsoever is born of God overcomes  the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4.

The Scriptures say, “Our lives are like the grass of spring, and any glory we enjoy is like the beauty of a wildflower. The grass dries up and dies, and the flower falls to the ground. But the word of the Lord lasts forever.” And that word is the Good News that was told to you. (1 Pet 1:24-25)

While Jesus, our Intercessor, pleads for us in heaven, the Holy Spirit works in us, to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Phil 2:13,Luke 11:13)

All heaven is interested in the salvation of the soul. what reason have we to doubt that the Lord will and does help us?

We who teach the people must ourselves have a vital connection with God. In Spirit and Word we should be to the people as a wellspring, because Christ is in us a well of water springing up unto everlasting life. Sorrow and pain may test our patience and our faith; but the brightness of the presence of the Unseen is with us, and we must hide self behind Jesus.

Talk courage to your church; lift them up to God in prayer. Tell them that when they feel that they have sinned, and cannot pray, it is then the time to pray.

Many feel humiliated at their failures, that they have been overcome by the enemy in the place of overcoming. Worldliness, selfishness, and carnality have weakened them, and they think it is no use to approach unto God; but this thought is one of the enemy’s suggestions. Ashamed they may be, and deeply humbled; but they must pray and believe. As they confess their sins, He who is faithful and just will forgive them their sins, and cleanse them from all unrighteousness (see 1 John 1:9). Though the mind may wander in prayer, be not discouraged, bring it back to the throne, and do not leave the mercy seat until you have the victory.

Are you to think your victory will be testified by strong emotion? No!

“this is the victory that overcomes  the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

The Lord knows your desire; by faith keep close to Him, and expect to receive the Holy Spirit.

The office of the Holy Spirit is to control all our spiritual exercises. The Father has given His Son for us that through the Son the Holy Spirit might come to us, and lead us unto the Father. Through divine agency, we have the spirit of intercession, whereby we may plead with God, as a person pleads with their friend.

Even you who are bad know how to give good things to your children. So surely your heavenly Father knows how to give the Holy Spirit to the people who ask him.” (Luke 11:13)

Jesus assures us of the essential role of The Holy Spirit in being ready for whatever comes our way:

Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. (John 14;24-29)

Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would help them remember what he had been teaching them. This promise ensures the validity of the New Testament. The disciples were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life and teachings, and the Holy Spirit helped them remember without taking away their individual perspectives. We can be confident that the Gospels are accurate records of what Jesus taught and did (see 1 Cor 2:10-14).

The Holy Spirit will always help us in the same way. As we study the Bible, we can trust him to plant truth in our mind, convince us of God’s will, and remind us when we stray from it. (1 Cor 2:10-14)

Don’t be fooled during these serious times we live in. If you are told or if you believe that Bible prophecy and other truths cannot be accurately determined, Jesus says the following that there is but one way for us to know for sure whats what:

People who really want to do what God wants will know that my teaching comes from God. They will know that this teaching is not my own. If I taught my own ideas, I would just be trying to get honor for myself. But if I am trying to bring honor to the one who sent me, I can be trusted. Anyone doing that is not going to lie.(John 7:17-18, ERV)

Those who attempt to know God’s will and do it will know intuitively that Jesus was telling the truth about himself. Have you ever listened to religious speakers and wondered if they were telling the truth? Test them: (1) Their words should agree with, not contradict, the Bible; (2) their words should point to God and his will, not to themselves. (Life Application Notes)

Many are deceived today in the same way as were the Jews. Religious teachers read the Bible in the light of their own understanding and traditions; and the people do not search the Scriptures for themselves, and judge for themselves as to what is truth; but they yield up their judgment, and commit their souls to their leaders. The preaching and teaching of His word is one of the means that God has ordained for diffusing light; but we must bring every man’s teaching to the test of Scripture. Whoever will prayerfully study the Bible, desiring to know the truth, that he may obey it, will receive divine enlightenment. They will understand the Scriptures.

“If any person is willing to do whatever God reveals to them in His Word, they will know what is true or not true.” John 7:17 {DA 459.1}