EGW Dev 211212

EGW Dev 211212

If Christ is dwelling in our hearts, He will work in us “both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13. We shall work as He worked; we shall manifest the same spirit. And thus, loving Him and abiding in Him, we shall “grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:15. Steps to Christ, p. 75

It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

Christ resisted the temptations of the enemy with the only weapon that the soldier of the cross of Christ can successfully use—“It is written.” Where? In the Old and New Testaments. With these words we are to defend ourselves and warn others, holding forth to them the Word of life.

Many have never understood that Sunday is not the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. In his subtlety, Satan has covered up this fact and has presented a common day as sacred, that the whole world may become guilty before God by transgression. Many are utterly ignorant that they are not keeping the fourth commandment. It is essential for all to seek for truth from the divine Guidebook, that they may decide what the Lord says on this question. People have said much, but we cannot build our faith on the words of any person. There are two sides to this question. The God of heaven presents His law, and Satan holds out his spurious sabbath….

Sunday is a child of the Papacy. It has been nourished and cradled by the Protestant world as a genuine requirement of Jehovah; but it has no foundation in the Word of God. The Christian world is tested by their relation to this matter. God moves upon men and women to search the Scriptures for evidence to sustain Sunday. Those who search with a desire for truth will see that in the past they have been relying on tradition and have accepted an institution of the Papacy….

We are accountable only for the light that shines upon us. The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus are testing us. If we are faithful and obedient, God will delight in us and bless us as His own chosen, peculiar people. When perfect faith and perfect love and obedience abound, working in the hearts of those who are Christ’s followers, they will have a powerful influence. Light will emanate from them, dispelling the darkness around them, refining and elevating all who come within the sphere of their influence, and bringing to a knowledge of the truth all who are willing to be enlightened and to follow in the humble path of obedience.

Many have excused themselves from rendering their gifts to the service of Christ because others were possessed of superior endowments and advantages….

November 6, 2021November 6, 2021

Happy Sabbath 211106

Happy Sabbath 211106

God does not require us to give up anything that it is for our best interest to retain. In all that He does, He has the well-being of His children in view. Would that all who have not chosen Christ might realize that He has something vastly better to offer them than they are seeking for themselves. Man is doing the greatest injury and injustice to his own soul when he thinks and acts contrary to the will of God. No real joy can be found in the path forbidden by Him who knows what is best and who plans for the good of His creatures. The path of transgression is the path of misery and destruction. Steps to Christ, p. 46

From the Heart Devotional

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10.

Christ has identified His interest with that of suffering humanity; and while He is neglected in the person of His afflicted ones, all our assemblies, all our appointed meetings, all the machinery that is set in operation to advance the cause of God, will be of little avail….

All who are to be saints in heaven will first be saints upon the earth. They will not follow the sparks of their own kindling, they will not work for praise nor speak words of vanity, nor put forth the finger in condemnation and oppression; but they will follow the Light of Life, diffuse light, comfort, hope, and courage to the very ones who need help, and not censure and reproach….

The rich, clear light that has been shining upon our pathway has placed us on vantage ground, and we should improve every opportunity to do good. Christ came from the royal courts of heaven to seek and save the lost, and this is to be our work. The zeal which we manifest in this direction will show the measure of our love for Jesus and for others, [the measure] of our efficiency and missionary spirit.

To every member of the church is committed a work, and their sanctification will be seen in the efficiency, the unselfishness, the zeal and purity and intelligence, with which they do the work. The cause of humanity and religion must not retrograde. Progress is expected of those who have received great light and have many advantages.

The church must be a working church if it would be a living church. It should not be content merely to hold its own against the opposing forces of sin and error, not be content to advance with dilatory step, but it should bear the yoke of Christ and keep step with the Leader, gaining new recruits along the way.

When we are truly Christ’s, our hearts will be full of meekness, gentleness, and kindness, because Jesus has forgiven our sins. As obedient children we shall receive and cherish the precepts He has given and shall attend to the ordinances He has instituted. We shall be seeking constantly to obtain a knowledge of Him.—The Review and Herald, May 1, 1913.

Psalms 26
Vindicate me, O Lord, For I have walked in my integrity.
I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip.
Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.
For Your loving kindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth.
I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites.
I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked.
I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O Lord,
That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works.
Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells.
Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
In whose hands is a sinister scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes.
But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me.
My foot stands in an even place; In the congregations I will bless the Lord.

October 29, 2021October 29, 2021

Happy Sabbath 211030

Happy Sabbath 211030

Jesus makes it very clear that several things can trap and destroy Christians. He even told a story to illustrate His warning: “It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping” (Mark 13:34–36).

Let’s consider the traps in Luke 21:34 along with Jesus’ warning in Mark. The first item is “carousing.” The original word comes from two Greek words, one for “head” and the other for “to sway or toss about.” The idea is that we can become so busy in life, so intoxicated with our adrenaline-driven schedules, that we lose our ability to think clearly. This rat race of constant running keeps us from spending daily time with Jesus.

GOD IS LOVE

Drunkenness, of course, speaks of the result of drinking alcoholic beverages, but it can refer to any addiction. People who have numbed their minds through pornography, illicit sex, romance novels, gambling, alcohol, drugs, movies, food, or evil companions are clinging to dependencies that keep them from Bible study, prayer, and Christian fellowship. They live in an unreal world trying to fill a void in their life that only Jesus can truly fill. Even the everyday cares of this life can so consume us that we don’t put first things first.

Finally, Mark 13 warns us that we can be spiritually asleep. It might be the biggest problem today. When a person is asleep, he doesn’t really know he is asleep. Taking our relationship with Jesus for granted can make sleepwalkers of those who, unless miraculously wakened, will sleep past the moment of truth.

KEY BIBLE TEXTS And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Luke 21:34

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True confession is always of a specific character… but all confession should be definite and to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you are guilty. Steps to Christ, p. 38

DEVOTIONAL

May 21, 2021May 21, 2021

Disappearing Light

Disappearing Light

THIS IS NOT ABOUT A PERSON, ENTITY OR NATION. THIS IS ABOUT A POWER THAT HAS DOMINATED THE WORLD FROM THE BEGINNING.

Deception has made its way to the many thousands of churches in the world today. It has become a battle of Religion VS God’s Law. Human interpretation has diluted the TRUTH so much that makes it confusing enough to believe which one is right. And in confusion people tend to go with the flow. (Because mostly everyone is agreeing doesn’t mean its true)

Darkness Before Dawn / Chapter 5 / Liberty of Conscience Threatened

America’s precious freedom of religious belief and practice is in danger of being destroyed by those who would force the conscience of the minority to conform to the wishes of the majority.

In the movements now in progress in the United States to secure for the institutions and usages of the church the support of the state, Protestants are following in the steps of papists.

If the reader would understand the agencies to be employed in the soon-coming contest, he has but to trace the record of the means which Rome employed for the same object in ages past. If he would know how papists and Protestants united will deal with those who reject their dogmas, let him see the spirit which Rome manifested toward the Sabbath and its defenders.

April 6, 2021May 22, 2021

Time of Trouble

The Time of Trouble

How shall Christ’s people stand in days of almost overwhelming opposition? Can we rely on God’s promises no matter what may come? Where can we find a safeguard from the storm?

As the Sabbath has become the special point of controversy throughout Christendom, and religious and secular authorities have combined to enforce the observance of the Sunday, the persistent refusal of a small minority to yield to the popular demand will make them objects of universal execration. It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an institution of the church and a law of the state ought not to be tolerated; that it is better for them to suffer than for whole nations to be thrown into confusion and lawlessness.

The same argument eighteen hundred years ago was brought against Christ by the “rulers of the people.” “It is expedient for us,” said the wily Caiaphas, “that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.” John 11:50. This argument will appear conclusive; and a decree will finally be issued against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, denouncing them as deserving of the severest punishment and giving the people liberty, after a certain time, to put them to death.

Romanism in the Old World and apostate Protestantism in the New will pursue a similar course toward those who honor all the divine precepts.

Read More from: Darkness Before Dawn – Chapter 8

March 20, 2021March 20, 2021

Happy Sabbath 210320

Happy Sabbath 210320

Unprecedented Crisis

Love Bible Verses

The Changing Image of Spiritism

It is true that spiritualism is now changing its form and, veiling some of its more objectionable features, is assuming a Christian guise. But its utterances from the platform and the press have been before the public for many years, and in these its real character stands revealed.

These teachings cannot be denied or hidden. Even in its present form, so far from being more worthy of toleration than formerly, it is really a more dangerous, because a more subtle, deception. While it formerly denounced Christ and the Bible, it now professes to accept both. But the Bible is interpreted in a manner that is pleasing to the unrenewed heart, while its solemn and vital truths are made of no effect. Love is dwelt upon as the chief attribute of God, but it is degraded to a weak sentimentalism, making little distinction between good and evil. God’s justice, His denunciations of sin, the requirements of His holy law, are all kept out of sight.

The people are taught to regard the Decalogue as a dead letter. Pleasing, bewitching fables captivate the senses and lead men to reject the Bible as the foundation of their faith. Christ is as verily denied as before; but Satan has so blinded the eyes of the people that the deception is not discerned.

There are few who have any just conception of the deceptive power of spiritualism and the danger of coming under its influence. Many tamper with it merely to gratify their curiosity. They have no real faith in it and would be filled with horror at the thought of yielding themselves to the spirits’ control.

But they venture upon the forbidden ground, and the mighty destroyer exercises his power upon them against their will.

Let them once be induced to submit their minds to his direction, and he holds them captive. It is impossible, in their own strength, to break away from the bewitching, alluring spell. Nothing but the power of God, granted in answer to the earnest prayer of faith, can deliver these ensnared souls.

< Darkness Before Dawn >

March 13, 2021April 9, 2022

Come Thou Fount

Come Thou Fount

A beautiful song composed by a sincere christian whose single intent is to praise God Almighty despite the trouble and trials in life ..

Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me ever to adore Thee,
May I still Thy goodness prove,
While the hope of endless glory,
Fills my heart with joy and love.

Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
Hither by thy help I’ve come;
And I hope, by thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed his precious blood

O, to grace how great a debtor,
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind me closer still to thee.

Christmas Behind Bars ( Whats it about? )

February 24, 2021February 24, 2021

It’s All About Love

It’s All About Love

Nothing is more important than love. After all, the two great commandments are all about loving God with all our hearts and loving our neighbor as ourselves (1 John 4:8).

But as Benjamin Franklin said, “Time is the stuff of which life is made.” Love depends on time. Whether that means a date with your significant other, a road trip with the family, or gathering with a church community each week to worship God, all love relationships are nurtured and flourish in the context of quality time.

And to be sure, quality time is not what happens in a typical family on a weekday morning, when everybody is gulping down food, primping hair, and ransacking closets for elusive clothing as they get ready to rush off to work, school, and appointments.

No—quality time means we take a deep breath, pause, rest, and listen to the ones we love. We mesh together and absorb one another into our lives. Our love relationships do not grow racing by one another, or even racing side by side, but in resting together. They also flourish best when we have a healthy love relationship with God. And that love is exactly why the subject of this magazine is so important in this hyper-accelerated age.

In the pages that follow, we’ll explore the history, mystery, and relevance of a day of rest that the Bible calls the Sabbath, “a bridge that connects heaven and earth, God and people.”

It’s an extraordinary gift that so many have forgotten, but as you’ll see clearly, the main reason God wants us to “remember the Sabbath” has everything to do with love.

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February 23, 2021February 23, 2021

Treasure

Treasure

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah.29.13

People are transformed by studying the Bible.

A graduate with a Major in Marketing worked in a number of corporations in the sales marketing division. He later opened his own computer and cellphone business in a busy suburb. His business was successful, yet he sensed a quest to find better in his spiritual life. Then he started attending various religious denominations that he could find and settled with one which had the doctrine “Once Saved, Always Saved!”.

Despite being content in the current spirituality, a stumble on the verse in Romans 6:15 (What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.) got him to entertain doubts about the doctrine. Which led him to study the Bible more deeply.

After a study on the subject, he presented it to the church meeting and asked the question: Do we really need to keep the Ten Commandments? Some pastors responded NO, while others said YES but only nine (that’s excluding the fourth Sabbath commandment) based on Colossians 2:16 (Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:).

This got him confused and from a more Sabbath study led to:

Isaiah 8:20 (To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them)

Isaiah 56 (Thus saith the Lord …)

Isaiah 58:13 (If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words)

A prayer and asking for guidance led to more confusion. To make matters worse, his best friend hated him, his girlfriend left him, then he gave up on religion.

It was a dark point in his life and he cried to the Master. ‘Is this the result of keeping Your Commandments?’ He almost gave up hope until he read the Bible more sincerely which gave comfort.

After months of studying the Bible without going anywhere in the spiritual aspect, a customer one day entered the shop bargaining for a low price to get his computer fixed. Something caught the spiritual attention to a label on the gadget ‘Master of Arts in Religion’. Asking the confusing question, he asked the client ‘Do we really need to keep the Ten Commandments?’. Instead of an answer he was asked a different question, ‘What is sin?’ Not sure of an answer he replied, ‘a disobedience by Adam and Eve’. That is true the client replied with yet another question, ‘What is the definition of sin?’.

1 John 3:4 (Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.)

What is your religion? the shop owner asked. ‘Brother, religion is not important; the truth is more important.’

This led to a more searching the scriptures, gathering of fundamental beliefs from different denominations until one day he stumbled on some literature ‘The Great Controversy‘.

Oh what joy to walk with Christ daily. Preparing to receive the prize for those who search and do daily. The shop owner is now a missionary. He sold the business and is working on saving others by spreading the Good News of the Saviour’s coming.

Lord, thank You for not leaving sincere seekers of Your Word in the dark. You guide them in their search and help them find the mark.

February 5, 2021February 23, 2021