The Uses of Adversity
"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." Isaiah 61:3
"Affliction and adversity may cause much inconvenience and may bring great depression, but it is prosperity that is dangerous to spiritual life. Unless the human subject is in constant submission to the will of God, unless he is sanctified by the truth and has the faith that works by love and purifies the soul, prosperity will surely arouse the natural inclination to presumption... In the valley of humiliation, where men depend on God to teach them and to guide their every step, there is comparative safety. But let everyone who has a living connection with God pray for... those who are standing on a lofty pinnacle and who, because of their exalted position, are supposed to have much wisdom. Unless such men feel their need of an Arm stronger than the arm of flesh to lean upon, unless they make God their dependence, their view of things will become distorted and they will fall. {UL 259.3} The Lord has instructed me to urge everyone to realize that man is human. The church of Christ is in need of close communion with the Lord Jesus. Those who feel most their dependence upon God are usually those who have the least amount of earthly treasure on which to depend. Of all the trees, the Scotch fir tree is one of the best from which Christians may draw inspiring lessons. The Scotch fir requires less soil for its roots than any other tree. In a dry soil and amidst barren rocks it finds sufficient nourishment to keep it as green in the winter as in the summer. With the least amount of earth about its roots, it towers above all the other trees of the wood, reaching the highest toward heaven... The church members who are standing in their lot and place are trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord. Although their surrounding circumstances may be adverse, yet, like the fir tree with little soil about its roots, they constantly reach heavenward, drawing nourishment from above. Like the fragrant boughs of the fir tree, they impart grace for grace received. The hidden nourishment that comes from God is returned to Him in purest service... God calls for every man's best energies. No man can find in any human being the strength that will enable him to serve God with all his powers. He must be a partaker of the divine nature." -Manunoscript 145, 09/02/1902
#Devotional
"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." Isaiah 61:3
"Affliction and adversity may cause much inconvenience and may bring great depression, but it is prosperity that is dangerous to spiritual life. Unless the human subject is in constant submission to the will of God, unless he is sanctified by the truth and has the faith that works by love and purifies the soul, prosperity will surely arouse the natural inclination to presumption... In the valley of humiliation, where men depend on God to teach them and to guide their every step, there is comparative safety. But let everyone who has a living connection with God pray for... those who are standing on a lofty pinnacle and who, because of their exalted position, are supposed to have much wisdom. Unless such men feel their need of an Arm stronger than the arm of flesh to lean upon, unless they make God their dependence, their view of things will become distorted and they will fall. {UL 259.3} The Lord has instructed me to urge everyone to realize that man is human. The church of Christ is in need of close communion with the Lord Jesus. Those who feel most their dependence upon God are usually those who have the least amount of earthly treasure on which to depend. Of all the trees, the Scotch fir tree is one of the best from which Christians may draw inspiring lessons. The Scotch fir requires less soil for its roots than any other tree. In a dry soil and amidst barren rocks it finds sufficient nourishment to keep it as green in the winter as in the summer. With the least amount of earth about its roots, it towers above all the other trees of the wood, reaching the highest toward heaven... The church members who are standing in their lot and place are trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord. Although their surrounding circumstances may be adverse, yet, like the fir tree with little soil about its roots, they constantly reach heavenward, drawing nourishment from above. Like the fragrant boughs of the fir tree, they impart grace for grace received. The hidden nourishment that comes from God is returned to Him in purest service... God calls for every man's best energies. No man can find in any human being the strength that will enable him to serve God with all his powers. He must be a partaker of the divine nature." -Manunoscript 145, 09/02/1902
#Devotional
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"Does God Really Punish the Wicked For Eternity?"
Listen to the first episode of "Spirit of Prophecy" podcast where you can hear about God, prophecies, doctrines and Christian life experience.
https://youtu.be/FARWFBhmGOw
Available on Apple and Spotify podcasts.
#Podcast
Listen to the first episode of "Spirit of Prophecy" podcast where you can hear about God, prophecies, doctrines and Christian life experience.
https://youtu.be/FARWFBhmGOw
Available on Apple and Spotify podcasts.
#Podcast
YouTube
Does God Really Punish the Wicked For Eternity? Ep. 1 - Spirit of Prophecy Podcast
Also available to listen on Apple and Spotify Podcasts.
Many are worshiping God out of fear, rather than love. This stems from a doctrine that most are aware of, and even taught by their pastors and teachers - the doctrine of eternal torment and burning…
Many are worshiping God out of fear, rather than love. This stems from a doctrine that most are aware of, and even taught by their pastors and teachers - the doctrine of eternal torment and burning…
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Forwarded from Sunday Laws Are Coming
“The super rich “preppers” planning to save themselves from the apocalypse”
Yup, just as the Bible said they would:
Isaiah 2:12,19-21 KJV
[12] For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: [19] And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. [20] In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; [21] To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.”
Revelation 6:15-17 KJV
[15] And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; [16] And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: [17] For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”
Jesus is coming VERY SOON! Get right with Him today, don’t wait, your eternity depends on it!
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/sep/04/super-rich-prepper-bunkers-apocalypse-survival-richest-rushkoff
Yup, just as the Bible said they would:
Isaiah 2:12,19-21 KJV
[12] For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: [19] And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. [20] In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; [21] To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.”
Revelation 6:15-17 KJV
[15] And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; [16] And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: [17] For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”
Jesus is coming VERY SOON! Get right with Him today, don’t wait, your eternity depends on it!
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/sep/04/super-rich-prepper-bunkers-apocalypse-survival-richest-rushkoff
the Guardian
The super-rich ‘preppers’ planning to save themselves from the apocalypse
Tech billionaires are buying up luxurious bunkers to survive a societal collapse they helped create, but like everything they do, it has unintended consequences
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Forwarded from Sunday Laws Are Coming
🔴 Pope Francis: We must be like St. Ignatius of Loyola and make Good Decisions by Listening to Our Own Hearts (Article Below)
Francis went on to say: "We are continuing our reflection on discernment – in this time we will speak every Wednesday about spiritual discernment – and for this it can help us to refer to a specific witness. One of the most instructive examples is offered to us by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, with a decisive episode in his life."
For those who do not know, St. Ignatius of Loyola began the secret catholic cultic society called the "Society of Jesus" - otherwise known as the Jesuits.
Loyola taught in his 13th spiritual exercise this:
"Thirteenth Rule. To be right in everything, we ought always to hold that the white which I see, is black, if the Hierarchical Church so decides it, believing that between Christ our Lord, the Bridegroom, and the Church, His Bride, there is the same Spirit which governs and directs us for the salvation of our souls. Because by the same Spirit and our Lord Who gave the ten Commandments, our holy Mother the Church is directed and governed."
Loyola encouraged and even taught a blind loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church - which is Babylon herself. He taught to obey without her question.
Mr. Francis, you are incorrect. We must not follow blindly, nor discard and render mute our God given discernment. On top of that, our carnal hearts cannot determine much of anything for they mislead us greatly. They sway back and forth in emotion, to and fro in feeling and excitement, and they cannot be trusted in following.
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
Mark 7:21 " For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,"
📖But we have God's Word to trust, which guides us continually as a bright beacon of light.
Psalm 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
That is why God must give us a new heart from within, with His law of love the ten commandments, etched upon it.
Hebrews 10:16-17 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2022/documents/20220907-udienza-generale.html
Francis went on to say: "We are continuing our reflection on discernment – in this time we will speak every Wednesday about spiritual discernment – and for this it can help us to refer to a specific witness. One of the most instructive examples is offered to us by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, with a decisive episode in his life."
For those who do not know, St. Ignatius of Loyola began the secret catholic cultic society called the "Society of Jesus" - otherwise known as the Jesuits.
Loyola taught in his 13th spiritual exercise this:
"Thirteenth Rule. To be right in everything, we ought always to hold that the white which I see, is black, if the Hierarchical Church so decides it, believing that between Christ our Lord, the Bridegroom, and the Church, His Bride, there is the same Spirit which governs and directs us for the salvation of our souls. Because by the same Spirit and our Lord Who gave the ten Commandments, our holy Mother the Church is directed and governed."
Loyola encouraged and even taught a blind loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church - which is Babylon herself. He taught to obey without her question.
Mr. Francis, you are incorrect. We must not follow blindly, nor discard and render mute our God given discernment. On top of that, our carnal hearts cannot determine much of anything for they mislead us greatly. They sway back and forth in emotion, to and fro in feeling and excitement, and they cannot be trusted in following.
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
Mark 7:21 " For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,"
📖But we have God's Word to trust, which guides us continually as a bright beacon of light.
Psalm 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
That is why God must give us a new heart from within, with His law of love the ten commandments, etched upon it.
Hebrews 10:16-17 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2022/documents/20220907-udienza-generale.html
For the Fearful, Faint, and Feeble
"Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." Psalm 37:3
"Trust in the Lord." Each day has its burdens, its cares, and perplexities; and when we meet, how ready we are to talk of our difficulties and trials. So many borrowed troubles intrude, so many fears are indulged, such a weight of anxiety is expressed, that one might almost suppose that we had no pitying, loving Saviour, ready to hear all our requests, and to be to us a present help in every time of need. Some are always fearing and borrowing trouble. Every day they are surrounded by the tokens of God's love, every day they are enjoying the bounties of His providence; but they overlook these present blessings. Their minds are continually dwelling upon something disagreeable which they fear may come: or some difficulty may really exist, which, though small, blinds their eyes to the many things which demand gratitude. The difficulties which they encounter, instead of driving them to God, the only source of help, separate them from Him, because they awaken unrest and repining. Brethren and sisters, do we well to be thus unbelieving? Why should we be ungrateful and distrustful? Jesus is our friend. All heaven is interested in our welfare; and our anxiety and fear grieve the Holy Spirit of God. We should not indulge in a solicitude which only frets and wears us, but does not help us to bear trials. No place should be given to that distrust of God which leads us to make a preparation against future want the chief pursuit of life, as though our happiness consisted in these earthly things, and we could gain them while ignoring the fact that God controls all things. You may be perplexed in business; your prospects may grow darker and darker, and you may be threatened with loss. But do not become discouraged; cast your care upon God, and remain calm and cheerful. Begin every day with earnest prayer, not omitting to offer praise and thanksgiving. Ask for wisdom to manage your affairs with discretion, and thus prevent loss and disaster. Do all you can on your part to bring about favorable results. Jesus has promised divine aid, but not aside from human efforts." - Review and Herald, 02/03/1885.
#Devotional
"Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." Psalm 37:3
"Trust in the Lord." Each day has its burdens, its cares, and perplexities; and when we meet, how ready we are to talk of our difficulties and trials. So many borrowed troubles intrude, so many fears are indulged, such a weight of anxiety is expressed, that one might almost suppose that we had no pitying, loving Saviour, ready to hear all our requests, and to be to us a present help in every time of need. Some are always fearing and borrowing trouble. Every day they are surrounded by the tokens of God's love, every day they are enjoying the bounties of His providence; but they overlook these present blessings. Their minds are continually dwelling upon something disagreeable which they fear may come: or some difficulty may really exist, which, though small, blinds their eyes to the many things which demand gratitude. The difficulties which they encounter, instead of driving them to God, the only source of help, separate them from Him, because they awaken unrest and repining. Brethren and sisters, do we well to be thus unbelieving? Why should we be ungrateful and distrustful? Jesus is our friend. All heaven is interested in our welfare; and our anxiety and fear grieve the Holy Spirit of God. We should not indulge in a solicitude which only frets and wears us, but does not help us to bear trials. No place should be given to that distrust of God which leads us to make a preparation against future want the chief pursuit of life, as though our happiness consisted in these earthly things, and we could gain them while ignoring the fact that God controls all things. You may be perplexed in business; your prospects may grow darker and darker, and you may be threatened with loss. But do not become discouraged; cast your care upon God, and remain calm and cheerful. Begin every day with earnest prayer, not omitting to offer praise and thanksgiving. Ask for wisdom to manage your affairs with discretion, and thus prevent loss and disaster. Do all you can on your part to bring about favorable results. Jesus has promised divine aid, but not aside from human efforts." - Review and Herald, 02/03/1885.
#Devotional
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Bible Truth Channel
"Does God Really Punish the Wicked For Eternity?" Listen to the first episode of "Spirit of Prophecy" podcast where you can hear about God, prophecies, doctrines and Christian life experience. https://youtu.be/FARWFBhmGOw Available on Apple and Spotify…
"Eternal Hellfire Untangled"
Question for you - Have you ever thought to yourself; how could someone believe in a God that tortures and burns people for all eternity? Well, in the last episode we went through many verses in the Bible showing why hellfire is not for eternity, but rather an event that comes to an end. God is love and just, and will recompense with a perfect balance for all unrepented sins committed on this earth. We learned in the last episode that the wages of sin is death in Romans 6:23 - not eternal life for the wicked.
We also learned that it was satan's first and is his oldest trick in his book of deceptions when he said “ye shall not surely die” as the result of sin when talking to Eve in the garden of Eden. He has been using this for thousands of years because of how well it works.
In this episode, we will go through Bible verses that are used by the majority to say that a loving God punishes people in burning hellfire for all eternity in screaming pain, torture, and unbearable agony. If you haven't, please go listen to the first episode to get clarity on this topic of hellfire.
https://youtu.be/x65MLQVjpKE
Available on Apple and Spotify podcasts.
#Podcast
Question for you - Have you ever thought to yourself; how could someone believe in a God that tortures and burns people for all eternity? Well, in the last episode we went through many verses in the Bible showing why hellfire is not for eternity, but rather an event that comes to an end. God is love and just, and will recompense with a perfect balance for all unrepented sins committed on this earth. We learned in the last episode that the wages of sin is death in Romans 6:23 - not eternal life for the wicked.
We also learned that it was satan's first and is his oldest trick in his book of deceptions when he said “ye shall not surely die” as the result of sin when talking to Eve in the garden of Eden. He has been using this for thousands of years because of how well it works.
In this episode, we will go through Bible verses that are used by the majority to say that a loving God punishes people in burning hellfire for all eternity in screaming pain, torture, and unbearable agony. If you haven't, please go listen to the first episode to get clarity on this topic of hellfire.
https://youtu.be/x65MLQVjpKE
Available on Apple and Spotify podcasts.
#Podcast
YouTube
Eternal Hellfire Untangled | Part 2 of 2 | Spirit of Prophecy Podcast - Ep.2
Question for you - Have you ever thought to yourself; how could someone believe in a God that tortures and burns people for all eternity? Well, in the last episode we went through many verses in the Bible showing why hellfire is not for eternity, but rather…
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Forwarded from Sunday Laws Are Coming
Two 7.2 Magnitude Earthquakes Slam Taiwan One After Another: Tsunami Warning Issued in US
Matthew 24:6-8
[6] And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. [8] All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
Luke 21:11
[11] And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.”
"The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. The agencies of evil are combining their forces, and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.” - Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 11. {ChS 52.2}
Matthew 24:6-8
[6] And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. [8] All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
Luke 21:11
[11] And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.”
"The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. The agencies of evil are combining their forces, and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.” - Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 11. {ChS 52.2}
Self Must Die
"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." 2 Thessalonians 2:10
"The truths of the Word of God possess a sanctifying, transforming power. If received into the heart, and carried into the life, they will prove a savor of life unto life... There is a work to be done for some who feel no special need of help. It is because they do not feel their needy condition, that they do not reform. They carry the mold of a spoiled character. Unless these souls experience the new birth, they will never see the kingdom of heaven. Unless evil is put away from the life, they cannot be welcomed to the presence of holy angels. God will never again permit to enter the courts of heaven that which will harm and destroy. We are beset by Satan on the right hand and on the left. He is constantly seeking to spoil the faith of those connected with the work of God. But our precious faith is not to be corrupted by unconverted elements that Satan can use for the poisoning of minds and the deceiving of souls. We need to pray more and to talk less. We need to learn of Christ and to become like Him in meekness and lowliness of heart. We need to understand how necessary it is that we die to self. Self-crucifixion will place souls on vantage ground. I entreat those [of you] who profess to be Christians to die to self that you may be stirred with a new life by the Holy Spirit's power. Satan is working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish. Daily we need the converting power of God, or we cannot walk in the footprints of Christ. As the mind is enlightened in regard to what is purity and sanctification, and the heart responds to the strivings of the Holy Spirit, a daily conversion will be the result. In the day of final award two classes will stand before the Judge of all the earth. To those who have failed to walk in the footsteps of Christ the words will be spoken, "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:23). Those who have brought the pure, unadulterated truths of the Word of God into the practical life will hear the benediction, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant:...enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (chap. 25:21). We can never enter the City of God until we have learned to die to self, and there dwells within the soul the spirit of Christ." - Manunoscript 69, 09/12/1909
#Devotional
"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." 2 Thessalonians 2:10
"The truths of the Word of God possess a sanctifying, transforming power. If received into the heart, and carried into the life, they will prove a savor of life unto life... There is a work to be done for some who feel no special need of help. It is because they do not feel their needy condition, that they do not reform. They carry the mold of a spoiled character. Unless these souls experience the new birth, they will never see the kingdom of heaven. Unless evil is put away from the life, they cannot be welcomed to the presence of holy angels. God will never again permit to enter the courts of heaven that which will harm and destroy. We are beset by Satan on the right hand and on the left. He is constantly seeking to spoil the faith of those connected with the work of God. But our precious faith is not to be corrupted by unconverted elements that Satan can use for the poisoning of minds and the deceiving of souls. We need to pray more and to talk less. We need to learn of Christ and to become like Him in meekness and lowliness of heart. We need to understand how necessary it is that we die to self. Self-crucifixion will place souls on vantage ground. I entreat those [of you] who profess to be Christians to die to self that you may be stirred with a new life by the Holy Spirit's power. Satan is working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish. Daily we need the converting power of God, or we cannot walk in the footprints of Christ. As the mind is enlightened in regard to what is purity and sanctification, and the heart responds to the strivings of the Holy Spirit, a daily conversion will be the result. In the day of final award two classes will stand before the Judge of all the earth. To those who have failed to walk in the footsteps of Christ the words will be spoken, "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:23). Those who have brought the pure, unadulterated truths of the Word of God into the practical life will hear the benediction, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant:...enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (chap. 25:21). We can never enter the City of God until we have learned to die to self, and there dwells within the soul the spirit of Christ." - Manunoscript 69, 09/12/1909
#Devotional
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Cultivate Christlike Love
"He that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile." 1 Peter 3:10
"The Christian parent should never lose the sense that he is one of God's little children, and that he is to cultivate a courteous, compassionate disposition, because he is an educator. He is to represent Jesus to his children. In his dealing with them, there is to be seen no impetuosity, and neither is there to be seen the cold, icy dignity that freezes love in the heart. He is to be so kind, so tender, that the hearts of the children will be softened and subdued, prepared to receive the love and grace of Christ. No harsh words are to be spoken by a Christian to any one, old or young. Such words are prompted by the enemy... We are taught in the Word of God to be kind, tender, pitiful, courteous. Cultivate Christlike love. Let all that you do bear the impress of this love. Those who do not speak the words and do the works of Christ are trying to climb into heaven by some other way than through the door... Do not endeavor to preserve your cold, un-Christlike dignity. This is not religion; it is not Christianity. What you need is the light that shines in the face of Christ to cause your faces to shine with the brightness of His love. Put away your cast-iron dignity. God has not told you to cherish any such thing. Let your hearts be filled with the love of Christ. Then Christlike sympathy will shine forth from your faces... There are some serving in holy things who have no faith in God or His power. They multiply their efforts to gain salvation by their own devices. How pitiful are their vain endeavors to justify themselves, and to hold their footing against the downward current of evil. They are powerless; for they do not make God their trust... God is the eternal, uncreated fountain of all good. All who look to Him and trust in Him find Him to be this. To those who serve Him, cleaving to Him as their heavenly Father, He gives the assurance that He will fulfil His promises. His joy will be in their hearts, and their joy will be full." -Letter 203, 09/14/1903
#Devotional
"He that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile." 1 Peter 3:10
"The Christian parent should never lose the sense that he is one of God's little children, and that he is to cultivate a courteous, compassionate disposition, because he is an educator. He is to represent Jesus to his children. In his dealing with them, there is to be seen no impetuosity, and neither is there to be seen the cold, icy dignity that freezes love in the heart. He is to be so kind, so tender, that the hearts of the children will be softened and subdued, prepared to receive the love and grace of Christ. No harsh words are to be spoken by a Christian to any one, old or young. Such words are prompted by the enemy... We are taught in the Word of God to be kind, tender, pitiful, courteous. Cultivate Christlike love. Let all that you do bear the impress of this love. Those who do not speak the words and do the works of Christ are trying to climb into heaven by some other way than through the door... Do not endeavor to preserve your cold, un-Christlike dignity. This is not religion; it is not Christianity. What you need is the light that shines in the face of Christ to cause your faces to shine with the brightness of His love. Put away your cast-iron dignity. God has not told you to cherish any such thing. Let your hearts be filled with the love of Christ. Then Christlike sympathy will shine forth from your faces... There are some serving in holy things who have no faith in God or His power. They multiply their efforts to gain salvation by their own devices. How pitiful are their vain endeavors to justify themselves, and to hold their footing against the downward current of evil. They are powerless; for they do not make God their trust... God is the eternal, uncreated fountain of all good. All who look to Him and trust in Him find Him to be this. To those who serve Him, cleaving to Him as their heavenly Father, He gives the assurance that He will fulfil His promises. His joy will be in their hearts, and their joy will be full." -Letter 203, 09/14/1903
#Devotional
How to Have Heaven Here
Desire a better country, that is, an heavenly." Hebrews 11:16
We want to seek with all the powers that God has given us to unfold the Scriptures to those who are in darkness. There is happiness, hope, and peace for the desponding. We cannot afford to give our God-given ability and devote it to the commonplace things of this earth. We want a faith that will grasp the promise set before us in the gospel. What if we should lose our soul? It would be better for us had we never been born. One soul is worth more than all the gold and silver that could be heaped up on this earth... We want to cultivate living faith in God. We want to have our eyes turned away from the attractions of this earth and centered upon heaven and heavenly things. We do not want the earth to intervene between us and God, but we want an eye single to the glory of God. We talk of heaven and of its blessing, and it would be a great loss to lose it. Well then, if it so lovely, so desirable, bring it into this life, bring it into your families and educate your children not to live for this world but for the future, immortal life... You can have a little heaven here below, if you will only get your eye fixed upon God--not looking at Christ half the time and at the world the other half. When you live for God, He will put His everlasting arm beneath you, and then He says, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). Do you believe it? I can testify this is so. By my past experience I can testify that I would not [want to] have one trial less, one sorrow less, for Paul says, "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen" (2 Corinthians 4:17, 18). We want to look at the things of eternal interest, that we may think seriously in regard to what use we have made of our reasoning powers, whether we have tried to strengthen them with idle things which we cannot take with us when we shall be caught up to meet Christ in the air... We want to be fitting that we may have an abundant entrance into the city of God... Everything compared with this is of no consequence." -Manunoscript 16, 09/19/1886
#Devotional
Desire a better country, that is, an heavenly." Hebrews 11:16
We want to seek with all the powers that God has given us to unfold the Scriptures to those who are in darkness. There is happiness, hope, and peace for the desponding. We cannot afford to give our God-given ability and devote it to the commonplace things of this earth. We want a faith that will grasp the promise set before us in the gospel. What if we should lose our soul? It would be better for us had we never been born. One soul is worth more than all the gold and silver that could be heaped up on this earth... We want to cultivate living faith in God. We want to have our eyes turned away from the attractions of this earth and centered upon heaven and heavenly things. We do not want the earth to intervene between us and God, but we want an eye single to the glory of God. We talk of heaven and of its blessing, and it would be a great loss to lose it. Well then, if it so lovely, so desirable, bring it into this life, bring it into your families and educate your children not to live for this world but for the future, immortal life... You can have a little heaven here below, if you will only get your eye fixed upon God--not looking at Christ half the time and at the world the other half. When you live for God, He will put His everlasting arm beneath you, and then He says, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). Do you believe it? I can testify this is so. By my past experience I can testify that I would not [want to] have one trial less, one sorrow less, for Paul says, "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen" (2 Corinthians 4:17, 18). We want to look at the things of eternal interest, that we may think seriously in regard to what use we have made of our reasoning powers, whether we have tried to strengthen them with idle things which we cannot take with us when we shall be caught up to meet Christ in the air... We want to be fitting that we may have an abundant entrance into the city of God... Everything compared with this is of no consequence." -Manunoscript 16, 09/19/1886
#Devotional
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