Latest Posts

Reading Time: 4 minutes

God is my strength and power: and he makes my way perfect. 2 Sam 22:33.

Too often, we have little idea of the strength that would be ours if we would connect with the Source of all strength. We fall into sin again and again, and think it must always be so. We cling to our infirmities as if they were something to be proud of. Christ tells us that we must set our face as a flint if we would overcome.

For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.(Isa 50:7)

Jesus has borne our sins in His own body on the tree; and through the power He has given us, we may resist the world, the flesh, and the devil. Then let us not talk of our weakness and inefficiency, but of Christ and His strength. When we talk of Satan’s strength, the enemy fastens his power more firmly upon us. When we talk of the power of the Mighty One, the enemy is driven back. As we draw near to God, He draws near to us.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you. (1 Pet 5:6-7)

The Word of the eternal God is our guide. Through this Word we have been made wise unto salvation. This Word is ever to be in our hearts and on our lips. “It is written” is to be our anchor. Those who make God’s Word their counselor realize the weakness of the human heart and the power of the grace of God to subdue every unsanctified, unholy impulse. Their hearts are ever prayerful, and they have the guardianship of holy angels. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of God lifts up for them a standard against him.

So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.(Isa 59:19)

When God’s Holy Educating Spirit lifts up that standard, there is harmony in the heart; for the precious, powerful influences of truth will have their desired effect.

We must be better acquainted with our Bibles. We might close the door to many temptations, if we would commit to memory passages of Scripture. Let us hedge up the way to Satan’s temptations with “It is written.” We shall meet with conflicts to test our faith and courage, but they will make us strong if we conquer through the grace Jesus is willing to give. But we must believe; we must grasp the promises without a doubt.

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

Bid the tempted one look not to circumstances, to the weakness of self, or to the power of temptation, but to the power of God’s Word. All its strength is ours.

Friends, we always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.(1 Thes 1:2-5)

Gods promise is for you:

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee. (Isa 26:3)

We can never avoid strife in the world around us, but when we fix our thoughts on God, we can know perfect peace even in turmoil. As we focus our mind on God and his Word, we become steady and stable. Supported by God’s unchanging love and mighty power, we are not shaken by the surrounding chaos.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes  all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7)

Do you want peace? Keep your thoughts on God and your trust in him.

God’s peace is different from the world’s peace (see John 14:27). True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our citizenship in Christ’s Kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin. Let God’s peace guard your heart against anxiety.

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

Christ has promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to His church, and the promise belongs to us as much as to the first disciples. But like every other promise, it is given on conditions. There are many who believe and profess to claim the Lord’s promise; they talk about Christ and about the Holy Spirit, yet receive no benefit. They do not surrender the soul to be guided and controlled by the divine agencies. We cannot use the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is to use us. Through the Spirit God works in His people “to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Phil 2:13). But many will not submit to this. They want to manage themselves. This is why they do not receive the heavenly gift. Only to those who wait humbly upon God, who watch for His guidance and grace, is the Spirit given. The power of God awaits their demand and reception. This promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessings in its train. It is given according to the riches of the grace of Christ, and He is ready to supply every soul according to the capacity to receive. {DA 672.1}

Reading Time: 4 minutes

1 Corinthians 3:13-14 (ASV) each person’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each persons’s work of what sort it is. If anyones work shall abide which they have built thereon, they will receive a reward.

Some people have applied these verses to their personal spiritual growth. But Paul’s teaching here has more to do with our ministry to others. What do we do to build others up? Are we right and they wrong? Is that the kind of building we are expecting to “remain?”

Do we build on Christ as the foundation? Or do we build with something perishable?

Cease From Strife

We, the Christian witness, can can help build God’s Church with either lasting, eternal teachings, or with the ever changing temporary wisdom of the day. Do we attach others to ourselves as the foundation, or do we “attach” them to Christ? Do we use our abilities and spiritual gifts to build up others in the Church or to keep them tied to us somehow? Are we posturing as the “expert” or as the Witness?

Paul warned the church about such predicaments:

Acts 20:28-30 (KJV) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men shall arise, speaking distorted teachings, to draw away disciples after themselves.

Paul spoke plainly of the dissensions that had arisen in the Corinthian church, and exhorted the members to cease from strife. “I beseech you, brethren,” he wrote, “by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Cor 1:10) AA 302.1

As a witness for Christ we are to cease from anything that is strife. Or that leads to strife.

The apostle made no mention of the false teachers who were seeking to destroy the fruit of his labor. Because of the darkness and division in the church, he wisely forbore to irritate them by such references, for fear of turning some entirely from the truth. He called attention to his own work among them as that of “a wise master builder,” who had laid the foundation upon which others had built. But he did not thereby exalt himself; for he declared, “We are laborers together with God.” He claimed no wisdom of his own, but acknowledged that divine power alone had enabled him to present the truth in a manner pleasing to God. United with Christ, the greatest of all teachers, Paul had been enabled to communicate lessons of divine wisdom, which met the necessities of all classes, and which were to apply at all times, in all places, and under all conditions. AA 303.1

Paul knew that the higher Christian attainments can be reached only through much prayer and constant watchfulness, and this he tried to instill into their minds. But he knew also that in Christ crucified they were offered power sufficient to convert the soul and divinely adapted to enable them to resist all temptations to evil. With faith in God as their armor, and with His word as their weapon of warfare, they would be supplied with an inner power that would enable them to turn aside the attacks of the enemy. AA 307.1

The Corinthian believers needed a deeper experience in the things of God. They did not know fully what it meant to behold His glory and to be changed from character to character. They had seen but the first rays of the early dawn of that glory. Paul’s desire for them was that they might be filled with all the fullness of God, following on to know Him whose going forth is prepared as the morning, and continuing to learn of Him until they should come into the full noontide of a perfect gospel faith. AA 307.2

It is our own character and experience that determine our influence upon others. In order to convince others of the power of Christ’s grace, we must know its power in our own hearts and lives. The gospel we present for the saving of souls must be the gospel by which our own souls are saved. Only through a living faith in Christ as a personal Savior is it possible to make our influence felt in a skeptical world. If we would draw sinners out of the swift-running current, our own feet must be firmly set upon the Rock, Christ Jesus. {CSW 99.2}

The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, not the wearing of a cross or a crown, but it is that which reveals the union of man with God. By the power of His grace manifested in the transformation of character the world is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its Redeemer. No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life. The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian. {CSW 100.1}

“The safest place for me to be is where God wants me to be, even if I don’t want to be there.” -Dan Jackson (April 10, 2015)

Conclusion

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, Isa 55:11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isa 55:10-11, NIV)

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Good Grief

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our pains. Yet we esteemed Him stricken, struck by God, and afflicted. (Isa 53:4, TLV)

Grief and sorrow is an experience that we all have, at one time or another. Everyone, at one time or another reaches a time when the curtains must be drawn, and the moving grief enshrouds our soul. Sooner or later Gesthemane comes to us all.

In many cases, sorrow likes to be masked, or disguised. People that we meet today, or that we already know, might be smiling, even though their heart is broken. Seemingly, beyond repair. Out of reach for recovery. If the curtain that veils our humanity could be parted, perhaps we would see grief and sorrow that would cause us to quiet our voice, temper our opinions, and soften our steps as we deal with people undergoing the experience of losing a loved one, or some other severe tragedy.

Good Grief

My precious friends, I see today
There is light I have waited for
the sunrise shows the better way
and now I see Heavens open door

If only we knew each other better
Just you and I and all the rest
We would see past the outer shell
and feel the sorrows all unguessed

We would see in a different light
the griefs our neighbor has to bear
in love of Christ we bring His light
show all how Jesus Christ does care

We would quit our cold complaining
our hand of light and trust extend
If we only knew each other better
We would count each one our friend

The way I wait for light like this
is in the sunrise bright and fair
there is no one whom I want to miss
I pray you know the Savior’s care

– David T Battler, August 2025

In the contemplation of Christ we linger on the shore of a love that is measureless. We endeavor to tell of this love, and language fails us. We consider His life on earth, His sacrifice for us, His work in heaven as our advocate, and the mansions He is preparing for those who love Him, and we can only exclaim, O the height and depth of the love of Christ! “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 4:10; 1 John 3:1. {AA 333.3}

In every true disciple this love, like sacred fire, burns on the altar of the heart. It was on the earth that the love of God was revealed through Christ. It is on the earth that His children are to reflect this love through blameless lives. Thus sinners will be led to the cross to behold the Lamb of God. {AA 334.1}

To all who are in the valley of the shadow this day, the word of the Lord breaks forth like a beautiful sunrise on a summer morning:

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thes 4:16-17)

Disappointment, affliction, and acute bereavement cause intractable sorrow. A wayward child etches pronounced lines on the faces of parents, Afflictions sometimes whitens the hair prematurely, while bereavement causes so many to be bowed over with grief and pain and tears.In the words of Solomon:

“By sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” (Proverbs 15:3)

I have been finding in my own experience how grief and sorrow do have a special ministry in our lives, if we would be open to it. I have found it impossible to understand just why sorrow comes in the ways that we usually see. But what I do know is that our sorrows and griefs can either produce bitterness or a closer walk with God. I remember when my late wife died in my arms that I just kept praying over and over “Dear God, please give me strength.” “Do not let me go.” “Renew a right spirit in me.” “Restore unto me the joy of your salvation.” For a while, I found drugs to be my path, and then it was total despair, and then there was God. Immanuel. God with me. And now, by God’s grace, it’s nothing but the blood of jesus for me.

I have personally seen how my trials have been God’s workmen by which He has removed many impurities and roughness from my character. Oh no! I am not perfect, but I am perfect for Him. Jesus wants me now, more than ever. Upon no useless material does our God bestow such careful, thorough work.

Praise God! My sorrow is tempered by the special knowledge that Jesus Himself “has borne my griefs, and carried my sorrows.” (Isa 53:4) Jesus has led me to a Godly sorrow [which] worketh repentance to salvation,” (2 Cor 7:10). And when Jesus does that it has caused me to sorrow over the loss of my loved ones, but as His Word reminds us “we sorrow not as others which have no hope.” (1 Thes 4:13) And now, praise God, I look forward to the day of days when our beleagured earth is made new, and “sorrow and siging shall flee away.”

The Old Testament prophets knew this truth well. That’s why one said

“Therefore with joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation.” (Isa 12:3)

Soon, and very soon, that blessed promise of our Lord and Savior

“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Mat 5:4)

That comfort is how we may get closer to Jesus. As we are told by the Apostle Paul

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (2 Cor 1:3-4)

My friends, “He who walked with the Hebrew worthies in the fiery furnace will be with His followers wherever they are. His abiding presence will comfort and sustain. In the midst of the time of trouble –trouble such as has not been since there was a nation– His chosen ones will stand unmoved. Satan with all the hosts of evil cannot destroy the weakest of God’s saints. Angels that excel in strength will protect them, and in their behalf Jehovah will reveal Himself as a “God of gods,” able to save to the uttermost those who have put their trust in Him.” {CC 252.5}

Those who have borne the greatest sorrows are frequently the ones who carry the greatest comfort to others, bringing sunshine wherever they go. Such ones have been chastened and sweetened by their afflictions; they did not lose confidence in God when trouble assailed them, but clung closer to His protecting love. Such ones are living proof of the tender care of God, who makes the darkness as well as the light and chastens us for our good. Christ is the light of the world; in Him is no darkness. Precious light! Let us live in that light! Bid adieu to sadness and repining. Rejoice in the Lord always. {AG 122.3}

It is your privilege to receive grace from Christ that will enable you to comfort others with the same comfort wherewith you yourselves are comforted of God. . . . Let each try to help the next one. Thus you may have a little heaven here below, and angels of God will work through you to make right impressions. Seek to help wherever you can. Cultivate the best dispositions that the grace of God may rest richly upon you. {AG 122.4}

Reading Time: 3 minutes

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

On Eagle’s Wings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reading Time: 13 minutes

Reconciliation Predicted in Bible Prophecy

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

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

As one writer puts it:

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

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

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

The Bible Has a Special Message About Reconciliation

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

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

Through whom is this reconciliation made?

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

What was required to bring about this reconciliation?

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

A Divine Remedy for Sin

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

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

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

How was Jesus treated?

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

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

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

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

What did John declare concerning Jesus?

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

To what place did Jesus carry these sins?

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

A Bridge Over the Gulf

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

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

Satan Sees in Christ a Manifestation of God’s Character

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

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

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

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

Unity, Purpose, and Joy of Reconciliation

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

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

What is the one, great purpose of reconciliation?

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

Through whom is the reconciliation received?

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Father Abundantly Satisfied

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

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

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

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

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

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

Only One Source of Light

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reading Time: 3 minutes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our living hope has a NAME

IMMANUEL! GOD With Us!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reading Time: 4 minutes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How long will you keep our Creator waiting?

Reading Time: 10 minutes

The Gift of the Spirit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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