Humble yourselves before God and resort to prayer, for you cannot and must not attempt to work at variance.
Walk the narrow plank of faith. Trust all on the promises of the Lord. Trust God in darkness. That is the time to have faith. But you often let feeling govern you. You look for worthiness in yourselves when you do not feel comforted by the Spirit of God, and despair because you cannot find it. You do not trust enough in Jesus, precious Jesus. You do not make His worthiness to be all, all. The very best you can do will not merit the favor of God. It is Jesus’ worthiness that will save you, His blood that will cleanse you. But you have efforts to make. You must do what you can on your part. Be zealous and repent, then believe. (Testimonies for the Church 1:167)
I saw that if we do not feel immediate answers to our prayers, we should hold fast our faith, not allowing distrust to come in, for that will separate us from God. If our faith wavers, we shall receive nothing from Him. Our confidence in God should be strong; and when we need it most, the blessing will fall upon us like a shower of rain.
When the servants of God pray for His Spirit and blessing, it sometimes comes immediately; but it is not always then bestowed. At such times, faint not. Let your faith hold fast the promise that it will come. Let your trust be fully in God, and often that blessing will come when you need it most, and you will unexpectedly receive help from God when you are presenting the truth to unbelievers, and will be enabled to speak the word with clearness and power.
Prayer is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that varies widely across different religious, spiritual, and cultural traditions. It is a form of communication with a higher power, often perceived as a deity or the divine, and serves various purposes depending on individual beliefs and practices.
Here are some perspectives on prayer:
1. **Communication with the Divine:**
– In many religious traditions, prayer is seen as a way to establish a connection with a higher power. It is a means of expressing gratitude, seeking guidance, requesting assistance, or simply conversing with the divine.
2. **Spiritual Reflection and Contemplation:**
– Prayer is not only about making requests or seeking intervention; it can also serve as a time for self-reflection and contemplation. It provides individuals with an opportunity to examine their thoughts, actions, and values.
3. **Cultural and Tradition:**
– Prayer is deeply embedded in the cultural and traditional fabric of many societies. It often plays a role in rituals, ceremonies, and rites of passage, contributing to a sense of community and shared identity.
4. **Meditative Practice:**
– Some view prayer as a form of meditation or mindfulness. It can be a way to achieve a state of inner peace, focus, and serenity. The act of prayer may involve calming the mind and finding a sense of centeredness.
5. **Expressing Gratitude:**
– Many prayers include expressions of gratitude for the blessings and experiences in one’s life. Gratitude is considered a positive emotion that can enhance well-being and foster a sense of contentment.
6. **Seeking Guidance and Support:**
– People often turn to prayer in times of difficulty, seeking guidance, comfort, or support. It can be a source of solace and a means of coping with life’s challenges.
7. **Intercessory Prayer:**
– Some individuals pray on behalf of others, engaging in intercessory prayer. This form of prayer involves requesting divine intervention or blessings for the well-being of others.
8. **Personal Transformation:**
– For some, prayer is a tool for personal transformation. It is a process through which individuals aspire to become better versions of themselves, aligning their actions with their values and spiritual beliefs.
9. **Diverse Interpretations:**
– The interpretation and practice of prayer vary widely among different religions and spiritual paths. While some emphasize formalized rituals, others prioritize spontaneous and personal communication with the divine.
10. **Skepticism and Atheism:**
– It’s important to note that not everyone engages in prayer, and some individuals, particularly those with atheistic or agnostic beliefs, may approach life’s challenges and questions through different means such as reason, science, or philosophy.
In summary, prayer is a deeply personal and culturally influenced practice that can serve various functions, ranging from communication with the divine to self-reflection and community bonding. Its meaning and significance are diverse and shaped by individual beliefs, cultural contexts, and religious traditions.
For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26
Leprosy, the dreaded disease so prevalent in the Bible, still exists today, though its definition has changed drastically. Now called Hansen’s disease, it refers to a specific type of bacterial infection treatable by antibiotics and much less contagious. The leprosy of the Bible was a different kind of monster—it was a death sentence. And like death, it was no respecter of persons.
Naaman was a very prestigious personage in ancient Syria. A war hero renowned for his bravery and honor, he was a captain of the Syrian army, wealthy, well-respected, and highly valued by Benhadad, the king (2 Kings 5:1). One would think that his was the epitome of a charmed life, except for one extremely important detail—Naaman was a leper.
This was not the kind of disease that stayed locked behind closed doors, a family secret, a skeleton in the closet. Everyone saw this; everyone knew what it meant—even the little captive slave girl that Naaman had brought back for his wife during one of his battles against the kingdom of Israel.
One day, the little slave, she of a pure, compassionate heart, told Naaman’s wife of a prophet in her homeland, a man used mightily by the true God who would be able to cure her master (v. 3). And Naaman and his wife believed her. What trust they must have had in the little Israelite, and how powerful a testament to her character and to the work God had done in her young heart!
So, with consent and letters of introduction from Benhadad himself, Naaman journeyed to Israel in search of this prophet. After an audience with Joram, king in Israel, who, if not for the prophet’s own interception, might have faithlessly spoiled the Syrian’s purpose, Naaman was led directly to the door of Elisha, the very man of whom his servant girl had spoken (vv. 6–9). There he arrived with his splendor and his entourage and bearing a mountain of payment in gold, silver, and clothing (v. 5).
Now the moment of truth had come. Who was this great prophet who could perform so great a miracle?
Reflect: How can we find blessings through our physical ailments? Why is it that we seem to seek after God more often and more consistently when we are physically distressed?
Naaman was about to be tested. In lieu of Elisha, there came a messenger with specific instructions: “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean” (2 Kings 5:10).
Naaman was livid. He had come all this way, and this plebeian could not even spare the time to see him (v. 11)? Then, to add insult to injury, he was expected to bathe in that filthy excuse for a river (v. 12)? Was he so degraded that a sewage dump was better than he?
Infuriated, he started for home. But Naaman was generally a reasonable man, and his entourage knew that. It was his pride that had been wounded, nothing more. So they began to talk some sense back into him. “My father,” said his servants, “if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” (v. 13).
And Naaman had to admit they were correct. He saw now that it had been his own ego which had gotten in the way of his own well-being.
So he went to the Jordan River and did all that the prophet had commanded—and was healed (v. 14). Amazed, he rushed back to the prophet’s home. This time, Elisha came out to meet him.
“Indeed,” exclaimed Naaman, “now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel” (v. 15).
He knew it was not the river itself nor the ritual nor even the prophet who had cured his leprosy. Instantly, Elisha’s God became his God (v. 17). A new convert, he still had much to learn, for one, that God’s miracles were free gifts, not transactions (v. 16); and he would still have much with which to contend upon his return home to a people and king who worshipped false gods (v. 18). But Naaman had proved in his heart to be a man who sought truth, a man who was willing to admit his faults, a man who would give his all to God.
We know not what happened to Naaman after he returned to Syria, but his genuine conversion was singled out by the Messiah Himself (Luke 4:27).
Reflect: Are you in a position of authority? Are you willing to learn from others, even your subordinates? Remember, “Pride goes before destruction …” (Proverbs 16:18).
There is in human beings a disposition to esteem themselves more highly than others, to work for self, to seek the highest place; and often this results in evil surmisings and bitterness of spirit. The ordinance preceding the Lord’s Supper is to clear away these misunderstandings, to bring men and women out of their selfishness, down from their stilts of self-exaltation, to the humility of heart that will lead them to serve each other.
Only through Christ can we find harmony with God and be made holy.
The holy Watcher from heaven is present at this season to make it one of soul searching, of conviction of sin, and of the blessed assurance of sins forgiven. Christ in the fullness of His grace is there to change the current of the thoughts that have been running in selfish channels. The Holy Spirit quickens the sensibilities of those who follow the example of their Lord. As the Saviour’s humiliation for us is remembered, thought links with thought; a chain of memories is called up, memories of God’s great goodness and of the favor and tenderness of earthly friends….
Whenever this ordinance is rightly celebrated, the children of God are brought into a holy relationship, to help and bless each other. They covenant that the life shall be given to unselfish ministry. And this, not only for one another. Their field of labor is as wide as their Master’s was. The world is full of those who need our ministry. The poor, the helpless, the ignorant, are on every hand. Those who have communed with Christ in the upper chamber will go forth to minister as He did.
Obviously, there are many things in our world that threaten our relationship with God. Sometimes people fall rapidly from grace. At other times, moving away from truth happens in a subtle manner. One constant temptation for some—and among the greatest of dangers—is divided loyalties.
Many Christians have two loves that divide their hearts: love for Jesus, and love for the world and its sinful practices. Trying to satisfy both sides won’t work. Jesus warned, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24). We must choose one side.
God’s Word says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). It is impossible to love the things that we know are wrong and still give our hearts to Jesus.
Still, too many people want to see how closely they can follow the world and still be considered Christians. They want the benefits of Christianity, but they also desire to conform to the world; they want to fit in and participate in its pleasures. People in this situation aren’t being honest with themselves or with God. They are attempting to walk a narrow thread that doesn’t exist.
In contrast, God tells us that we should “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed” (Romans 12:2). He wants us to be changed and conformed to the image of Christ, not the world. The Bible says, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). The Lord wants us to become like Jesus so we can be trusted in heaven.
KEY BIBLE TEXTS “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
There are at least 37 different parables that Jesus told. Some of these stories are repeated in three of the Gospels, but the book of John does not contain any of them. People can listen without hearing, but it’s impossible to hear without listening. When people truly hear someone, they take the words into their hearts. The words stay with them as they consider the meaning and absorb what was said. Really hearing someone involves a commitment.
The Pharisees listened to Jesus speak, but they didn’t really hear Him. Though they might have understood the literal meaning of His stories, they never grasped the deeper concepts about God and His kingdom. His words entered their ears but never made it to their hearts, perhaps because they had decided in advance that they would not believe what He had to say. Their hearts were hardened against Him.
After telling the story of the sower, Jesus explained to His disciples why He spoke in parables. He quoted a prophecy from Isaiah that was fulfilled by the attitudes of the Pharisees who were, by their own choice, spiritually blind and deaf.
God always desires people to turn from their sins and be forgiven. If the Pharisees had been willing to hear Jesus and take His words to heart, God would have been glad to accept them.
KEY BIBLE TEXTS “And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.”
“And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:”
“That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.”
No person has ever been saved by attempting to keep the law. In our own power, it is impossible and always has been from Adam all the way up to our time. All who have been saved in all ages have been saved by grace. As 2 Timothy 1:9 points out, this grace didn’t begin at the cross but was established “before time began.” The first gospel presentation was given after Adam and Eve sinned. The Lord said to the serpent, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (Genesis 3:15).
The law has many purposes. It is the basis of God’s covenant (Exodus 20); it is our standard of judgment (Psalm 119:172); and it points out sin. The apostle James colorfully illustrates how the law is like a mirror that reveals sin in our lives (James 1:23–25). The law does not remove sin. Only Christ can save us from sin. The apostle Paul writes, “By deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20, my emphasis). This means every human being who has ever lived cannot be justified by trying to keep the law. Once you sin, it’s just too late.
Some believe Jesus introduced grace on Earth. It is true that Christ provided the means of grace through His sacrifice, but such grace was extended to all mankind. Those before the cross looked forward to Jesus’ atonement; those after the cross look back on it. Many in the Old Testament understood and received God’s grace. Noah “found grace” (Genesis 6:8); Moses found grace (Exodus 33:17); the Israelites found grace (Jeremiah 31:2); and Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and many other Old Testament characters were saved “by faith” according to Hebrews 11.
KEY BIBLE TEXTS Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 2 Timothy 1:9
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”
The last six (6) commandments are unto fellow men
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”
“You shall not murder.”
“You shall not commit adultery.”
“You shall not steal.”
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
All of the commandments are summed up into two
‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’
It is of the highest importance that Sabbath keepers live out their faith in every particular. They should be prompt and neat, and keep their business matters all straight….
None should be so fearful of being like the world that it will lead them to be careless in their houses, leaving things in disorder and uncleanness. It is not pride to be neat in dress, cleanly in person, orderly and tasteful in their household arrangements…. These outside appearances tell the business character of those living in the house, and not only this but the religious character of its inmates. It is impossible for a slack, disorderly person to make a good Christian. Their lives, in temporal and religious things, are just as disorderly as their dress, houses, persons, and premises.
There is order in heaven. There are rules and regulations which govern the whole heavenly host. All move in order. All there is cleanly, all in perfect harmony. And everyone who will be counted worthy to enter heaven will be thoroughly disciplined and will be without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. The uncultivated have spots and wrinkles upon them now. They had better lose no time in commencing the work of cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord.
God loves purity, cleanliness, order, and holiness. God requires all His people who lack these qualifications to seek them and never rest until they obtain them. They must commence the work of reform and elevate their lives, so that in conversation and deportment their acts, their lives, will be a continual recommendation of their faith and will have such a winning, compelling power upon unbelievers that they will be compelled to acknowledge that they are the children of God.
The truth as it is in Jesus will not degrade but elevate the receiver, purify his life, refine his taste, sanctify his judgment.
God is our Father, who loves and cares for us as His children; He is also the great King of the universe. The interests of His kingdom are our interests, and we are to work for its upbuilding. Heaven, p. 22.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, Where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
The end of all things is at hand. What we have done must not be allowed to place the period to our work.
Many are losing the right way, in consequence of thinking that they must climb to heaven, that they must do something to merit the favor of God. They seek to make themselves better by their own unaided efforts. Heaven p. 11.
