Messages

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The Life of Our Savior / Re: The Glory of God

« on: February 10, 2024, 05:49:13 AM »

Happy Sabbath!!

Do you remember? If you reflect on how God has treated you your whole life, it can really melt you. His goodness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). His love will break down the barriers that were keeping you from a complete surrender, and no matter how far you have fallen, or what you have done, there is hope for you in Jesus! Peter remembered the love of Christ after his disgraceful denial, and he was reconverted after that experience, because he remembered the love of Christ and chose to surrender all to Him. May we, too, never forget that infinite, unfathomable love!

A tide of memories rushed over him. The Saviour's tender mercy, His kindness and long-suffering, His gentleness and patience toward His erring disciples,—all was remembered. He recalled the caution, “Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” Luke 22:31, 32. He reflected with horror upon his own ingratitude, his falsehood, his perjury. Once more he looked at his Master, and saw a sacrilegious hand raised to smite Him in the face. Unable longer to endure the scene, he rushed, heartbroken, from the hall.

Knowing that God loves us should do something to our hearts. If we love Him, we will obey Him. All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will come into the life of one who is truly converted in full surrender to Christ. Oh, let us remember God's love and respond to Him by yielding humble, affectionate obedience to all of His commandments!

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The Life of Our Savior / Re: The Glory of God

« on: February 02, 2024, 05:07:18 AM »

What a joy it is to know and love a God who sees the WHOLE PICTURE of eternity! Because He sees things that way, we can start living and thinking that way, and it changes our perspective to be one of joy and gratitude that His plan to repopulate heaven with a holy, happy family of saints from this little world will be fulfilled!

Christ declared to His hearers that if there were no resurrection of the dead, the Scriptures which they professed to believe would be of no avail. He said, “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” God counts the things that are not as though they were. He sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished. The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life. God will be their God, and they shall be His people. There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints. This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing. The dead live unto Him.

Praise God for the power of God to raise the dead, which is also His same power to raise us from spiritual death and make us partakers of the divine nature! When we are vitally connected to Jesus by a living faith surrender, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be seen in our lives and we will be enabled by His divine grace to love God from the heart and love others as ourselves!

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The Life of Our Savior / Re: The Glory of God

« on: January 27, 2024, 03:58:58 AM »

Happy Sabbath!

The roles we have and the positions we occupy in God's selfless kingdom are really about character. And that is why Jesus said what He did.

“But to sit on My right hand, and on My left,” He continued, “is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of My Father.” In the kingdom of God, position is not gained through favoritism. It is not earned, nor is it received through an arbitrary bestowal. It is the result of character. The crown and the throne are the tokens of a condition attained; they are the tokens of self-conquest through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus set the perfect example of character. More than this, He died as our sacrifice to take our sinful character upon Himself. He did this to forgive and heal us, enabling us to partake of His perfect character by receiving His righteousness by His faith! Praise God for the love of Christ that constrains us to go forward in the path of self-denial because we love Him who first loved us. Such a life and character of true conversion to Christ will be manifest with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as we are enabled to obey the law of God from the heart up to the light He has shown us. Each day character is being built and formed by the motives, thoughts, feelings, words, and actions we choose; if we see our need of transformation, we can go to Jesus just as we are and surrender to Him so we can partake of the divine nature! For with God all things are possible! "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).

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The Life of Our Savior / Re: The Glory of God

« on: January 26, 2024, 07:22:04 AM »

Jesus raised the dead. He raised Lazarus, and that was such an amazing, undeniable miracle that a council was set up to try to plan what to do. Sadly, the voice of Satan was what was listened to, rather than the sweet, healing voice of the Holy Spirit.

At this council Christ's enemies had been deeply convicted. The Holy Spirit had impressed their minds. But Satan strove to gain control of them. He urged upon their notice the grievances they had suffered on account of Christ. How little He had honored their righteousness. He presented a righteousness far greater, which all who would be children of God must possess. Taking no notice of their forms and ceremonies, He had encouraged sinners to go directly to God as a merciful Father, and make known their wants. Thus, in their opinion, He had set aside the priesthood. He had refused to acknowledge the theology of the rabbinical schools. He had exposed the evil practices of the priests, and had irreparably hurt their influence. He had injured the effect of their maxims and traditions, declaring that though they strictly enforced the ritual law, they made void the law of God. All this Satan now brought to their minds.

If we choose to listen to the voice of Satan and obey his suggestions, we will manifest the works of Satan--who seeks to steal, kill and destroy. But if we listen to the voice of Jesus and surrender fully to Him, all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing as we are enabled to do God's will revealed in His law from the new heart He gives us! Let us choose the way of faith working by love!

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The Life of Our Savior / Re: The Glory of God

« on: January 25, 2024, 04:43:16 AM »

The love Christ has is deep and personal. We can be His close friends--like Lazarus, Martha and Mary!

Among the most steadfast of Christ's disciples was Lazarus of Bethany. From their first meeting his faith in Christ had been strong; his love for Him was deep, and he was greatly beloved by the Saviour. It was for Lazarus that the greatest of Christ's miracles was performed. The Saviour blessed all who sought His help; He loves all the human family, but to some He is bound by peculiarly tender associations. His heart was knit by a strong bond of affection to the family at Bethany, and for one of them His most wonderful work was wrought.

Trust Him through your trials. Because Jesus loves you, He leads in the way that is best. When we surrender the whole heart to Christ, all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing. Jesus allowed Lazarus to get sick and die, but He resurrected Him to illustrate the depth of His love and His power over death! Jesus can deliver you, too, from the power of death--sin! Trust Him fully!

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The Life of Our Savior / Re: The Glory of God

« on: January 24, 2024, 03:31:22 AM »

Jesus loves you. He loved the rich young ruler, too. But He loved him too much to let him pursue a course of life that would allow him to remain self-deceived, and thus Jesus called this man to follow him, sell what he had, and give to the poor. Had he done this, he could have enjoyed the love, joy and peace of the Holy Spirit with all of the attributes (fruits) of the divine nature in his life without one missing. Without making that full surrender, he would only have the transient things of this life, and an inner sorrow that could never be filled (sadly, that is what he chose).

We were made to know and love God, and apart from Him in the path and plan He has for us, our souls will not experience true life fulfillment. We need to SEE our need of Jesus, just like how Jesus addresses the Laodicean Church (Revelation 3:14-22), and when we do accept the reproof in love, we can have total character transformation by receiving Christ's gold tried in the fire (faith working by love), white raiment (Christ's perfect righteousness revealed in right doing from right motives), and eyesalve (the continual presence of the Holy Spirit to give us spiritual discernment of our continual need of Jesus). Let us allow Jesus to do the needed work in our characters by afresh beholding His infinite loveliness, yielding to Him the WHOLE heart, and walking in the path of His choosing! True, affectionate obedience to all of God's holy commandments is the fruit of knowing and loving God in a complete surrender!

The ruler's possessions were entrusted to him that he might prove himself a faithful steward; he was to dispense these goods for the blessing of those in need. So God now entrusts men with means, with talents and opportunities, that they may be His agents in helping the poor and the suffering. He who uses his entrusted gifts as God designs becomes a co-worker with the Saviour. He wins souls to Christ, because he is a representative of His character.

As we reveal Jesus in a world that is desperately in need of a revelation of lives that are not bent on self-seeking, but rather choose to live for God's glory, He is calling each of us to be "all in" for Him. Will you come to Christ as He draws you and choose to surrender all?

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The Life of Our Savior / Re: The Glory of God

« on: January 23, 2024, 06:21:37 PM »

Let us choose to unite with Jesus in winning souls--especially children--to Christ! All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be revealed in our lives as we surrender fully to Christ and let Him live out His life in us! Praise God!

The Christian worker may be Christ's agent in drawing these children to the Saviour. By wisdom and tact he may bind them to his heart, he may give them courage and hope, and through the grace of Christ may see them transformed in character, so that of them it may be said, “Of such is the kingdom of God.”

The kingdom of God begins in the heart that is truly converted. Even a little child can have the peace and love that Jesus gives them as they grow in His grace and truth! Praise God!

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The Life of Our Savior / Re: The Glory of God

« on: January 22, 2024, 04:10:28 PM »

Let it go! When we surrender fully to Christ, all the selfishness and earthliness that would tend to obstruct the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness can be cast away as worthless dross so we can abide in Christ in an affectionate union and communion with the Savior who is powerful enough to restore the most broken sinner into a transformed saint reflecting all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing! What a joy to overcome in Christ and obey His commandments because they are the definition of true happiness! We can learn from the struggles of the experiences the disciples had in finding what truly matters and keeping Christ in His infinite loveless central! Praise God for the love of Christ!

Because of their selfishness and earthliness, even the disciples of Jesus could not comprehend the spiritual glory which He sought to reveal unto them. It was not until after Christ's ascension to His Father, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers, that the disciples fully appreciated the Saviour's character and mission. After they had received the baptism of the Spirit, they began to realize that they had been in the very presence of the Lord of glory. As the sayings of Christ were brought to their remembrance, their minds were opened to comprehend the prophecies, and to understand the miracles which He had wrought. The wonders of His life passed before them, and they were as men awakened from a dream. They realized that “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14. Christ had actually come from God to a sinful world to save the fallen sons and daughters of Adam. The disciples now seemed, to themselves, of much less importance than before they realized this. They never wearied of rehearsing His words and works. His lessons, which they had but dimly understood, now came to them as a fresh revelation. The Scriptures became to them a new book.

There is no limit to what God can do with us as we are all in, all the time, all the way!!!!

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The Life of Our Savior / Re: The Glory of God

« on: January 21, 2024, 09:06:09 AM »

We all need help. In Jesus we find infinite help for our infinite need. Only He can redeem and uplift us from the ruin and degradation which sin has wrought. But when we fully surrender to Christ, all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing and we shall be enabled to reflect Christ's character to those who need hope and healing. Abiding in Jesus makes it possible for us to be true, effectual medical missionaries to seek and save the lost. The kind, merciful man--who just happened to be a Samaritan--was just such an example of revealing Christ's character. We are to "go and do likewise."

"Ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness." Galatians 6:1. By faith and prayer press back the power of the enemy. Speak words of faith and courage that will be as a healing balsam to the bruised and wounded one. Many, many, have fainted and become discouraged in the great struggle of life, when one word of kindly cheer would have strengthened them to overcome. Never should we pass by one suffering soul without seeking to impart to him of the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God.

Praise God for the gift of salvation that motivates and empowers us to live like Christ. There is no greater joy than keeping Jesus first, putting others next, and self last.

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The Life of Our Savior / Re: The Glory of God

« on: January 20, 2024, 04:41:54 AM »

Happy Sabbath!!

Let us appreciate more fully the ministry of the Holy Spirit in lifting our thoughts and desires to Jesus, our ever-present Savior and guide!

The omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit is the defense of every contrite soul. Not one that in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy's power. The Saviour is by the side of His tempted and tried ones. With Him there can be no such thing as failure, loss, impossibility, or defeat; we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. When temptations and trials come, do not wait to adjust all the difficulties, but look to Jesus, your helper.

Jesus is stronger than Satan. Talk and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in Him and abide in His love so that all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing may be revealed in our lives as we follow the path Jesus marks out for us in true obedience to all of His holy commandments!

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The Life of Our Savior / Re: The Glory of God

« on: January 19, 2024, 01:44:43 AM »

What is your motivation?

It is not the fear of punishment, or the hope of everlasting reward, that leads the disciples of Christ to follow Him. They behold the Saviour's matchless love, revealed throughout His pilgrimage on earth, from the manger of Bethlehem to Calvary's cross, and the sight of Him attracts, it softens and subdues the soul. Love awakens in the heart of the beholders. They hear His voice, and they follow Him.

When we are moved by the love of Christ, we have the true, enduring motivation to follow Him all the way to heaven, in whatever paths of service He knows are best for us both in this life and in the life to come. The key to true happiness is entire conformity of the will to God's will, ever keeping before us God's goodness that leads us to repentance and transformation of life. By surrendering the whole heart to Jesus Christ, the divine-human Savior, we live by faith in an affectionate union and communion of our souls with Him whereby all of the fruits of the Spirit are seen in our lives as we gladly obey God's law up to the light of truth He has shown us! Praise God for the motivation of love! "We love Him, because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).

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The Life of Our Savior / Re: The Glory of God

« on: January 18, 2024, 01:59:42 AM »

What would it be like to look upon the face of Jesus for the first time? In the case of the blind man whose eyes Jesus fully healed, we can reflect on how wonderful a countenance He beheld! By faith, we also can look upon the loveliness of the countenance of Jesus, looking forward to the day when we will see Him face to face if we keep surrendering to His will and letting the Holy Spirit direct our lives heavenward!

For the first time the blind man looked upon the face of his Restorer. Before the council he had seen his parents troubled and perplexed; he had looked upon the frowning faces of the rabbis; now his eyes rested upon the loving, peaceful countenance of Jesus. Already, at great cost to himself, he had acknowledged Him as a delegate of divine power; now a higher revelation was granted him.

God has more light and truth for us if we will walk in it. This restored man was open to truth, grateful for what Jesus had done in restoring His sight. So Jesus loves to restore our spiritual sight so we can discern the truth as it is in Him and walk in true conversion whereby all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing are manifest in the life! If we are willing to be made willing, true obedience from the heart will be our highest delight!

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The Life of Our Savior / Re: The Glory of God

« on: January 17, 2024, 04:56:14 AM »

Let's truly listen to Jesus by yielding our heart and will to Him. The facts of Jesus' ministry, the inspiration of the word of God and God's existence cannot be denied, but they will prove of no avail if the whole heart is not surrendered to the Holy Spirit. When that entire surrender is made in childlike faith and trust, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be seen in the life without one missing! Such a new birth produces a life that is brought supernaturally into harmony with God's law of love. Such a miracle Jesus offers us each day. By beholding Him, we become changed into the image of His infinite loveliness!

“My teaching is not Mine,” said Jesus, “but His that sent Me. If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God, or whether I speak from Myself.” John 7:16, 17, R. V. The question of these cavilers Jesus met, not by answering the cavil, but by opening up truth vital to the salvation of the soul. The perception and appreciation of truth, He said, depends less upon the mind than upon the heart. Truth must be received into the soul; it claims the homage of the will. If truth could be submitted to the reason alone, pride would be no hindrance in the way of its reception. But it is to be received through the work of grace in the heart; and its reception depends upon the renunciation of every sin that the Spirit of God reveals. Man's advantages for obtaining a knowledge of the truth, however great these may be, will prove of no benefit to him unless the heart is open to receive the truth, and there is a conscientious surrender of every habit and practice that is opposed to its principles. To those who thus yield themselves to God, having an honest desire to know and to do His will, the truth is revealed as the power of God for their salvation. These will be able to distinguish between him who speaks for God, and him who speaks merely from himself. The Pharisees had not put their will on the side of God's will. They were not seeking to know the truth, but to find some excuse for evading it; Christ showed that this was why they did not understand His teaching.

If we truly want to understand God's word, we need to put it into practice in our lives. Then the victory over sin that Jesus offers us become our lived experience as a powerful witness to the grace of God as sufficient to transform a sinner into a saint, and keep such a new creation growing in grace and godliness!

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The Life of Our Savior / Re: The Glory of God

« on: January 16, 2024, 07:36:47 AM »

We need wisdom. Christ is our source of wisdom. As we look to Him, His selfless life example shows us that He understood His purpose in this world and acted in accordance always with the Father's plans. So our experience may be if we are fully surrendered to Christ and abiding in His selfless love so all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing may be manifest in our lives for His glory as we walk in true obedience to all of His commandments!

The world for Christ was not a place of ease and self-aggrandizement. He was not watching for an opportunity to seize its power and its glory. It held out no such prize for Him. It was the place into which His Father had sent Him. He had been given for the life of the world, to work out the great plan of redemption. He was accomplishing His work for the fallen race. But He was not to be presumptuous, not to rush into danger, not to hasten a crisis. Each event in His work had its appointed hour. He must wait patiently. He knew that He was to receive the world's hatred; He knew that His work would result in His death; but to prematurely expose Himself would not be the will of His Father.

We can trust God fully as we journey in this fallen world on a mission to reach souls as Jesus leads us all the way!

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The Life of Our Savior / Re: The Glory of God

« on: January 15, 2024, 01:23:37 AM »

Are you in love with Jesus? Because if you are so in love with Him that you surrender all you have and are to Him, you are tasting true greatness! "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3-4).

Again Jesus explained to the disciples that His kingdom is not characterized by earthly dignity and display. At the feet of Jesus all these distinctions are forgotten.

What a blessing to forget about self and focus on Jesus! What a blessing to forget about all the things that the world tends to use to base our worth or identity on, and instead focus on union and communion with Jesus in true conversion! Such an experience will be unmistakably witnessed in all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing in a life of true obedience to all of God's commandments! THAT IS LOVE IN ACTION!!