The Glory of God

[Sean James]

Wouldn’t it be nice to know that what you asked for was God’s will?

In some instances of healing, Jesus did not at once grant the blessing sought. But in the case of leprosy, no sooner was the appeal made than it was granted. When we pray for earthly blessings, the answer to our prayer may be delayed, or God may give us something other than we ask, but not so when we ask for deliverance from sin. It is His will to cleanse us from sin, to make us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life. Christ "gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father." Galatians 1:4. And "this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." 1 John 5:14, 15. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.

God always wants us forgiven and restored from sin, and what a blessing it is to pray and know we are forgiven when we ask in faith. When we are in union and communion with Christ, all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing. Then we can gladly, affectionately and consistently obey God’s law of love from the heart!

[Sean James]

What a joy it is to let Jesus use us!!

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves." 2 Corinthians 4:7, R. V. This is why the preaching of the gospel was committed to erring men rather than to the angels. It is manifest that the power which works through the weakness of humanity is the power of God; and thus we are encouraged to believe that the power which can help others as weak as ourselves can help us. And those who are themselves "compassed with infirmity" should be able to "have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way." Hebrews 5:2. Having been in peril themselves, they are acquainted with the dangers and difficulties of the way, and for this reason are called to reach out for others in like peril. There are souls perplexed with doubt, burdened with infirmities, weak in faith, and unable to grasp the Unseen; but a friend whom they can see, coming to them in Christ's stead, can be a connecting link to fasten their trembling faith upon Christ.
     We are to be laborers together with the heavenly angels in presenting Jesus to the world. With almost impatient eagerness the angels wait for our co-operation; for man must be the channel to communicate with man. And when we give ourselves to Christ in wholehearted devotion, angels rejoice that they may speak through our voices to reveal God's love.

When Christ has possession of the WHOLE heart, not only will we speak His words with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing, but we can know that the angels are with us to help us choose what to say and when! As affectionate obedience to God's law of love springs forth spontaneously from our lives as we abide in Christ, what a joy it is to thrive in His love and let Him work in and through us by His grace!

[Sean James]

What storms are you going through? Are you in perfect peace through complete surrender to Jesus? If so, whatever God allows, you can face with a peace that passes all understanding through abiding in Jesus!

When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm, He was in perfect peace. There was no trace of fear in word or look, for no fear was in His heart. But He rested not in the possession of almighty power. It was not as the "Master of earth and sea and sky" that He reposed in quiet. That power He had laid down, and He says, "I can of Mine own self do nothing." John 5:30. He trusted in the Father's might. It was in faith--faith in God's love and care--that Jesus rested, and the power of that word which stilled the storm was the power of God.

What a blessing to learn that we can do no good thing apart from Jesus, and yet when we surrender all to Him, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be seen in our lives as we affectionately obey God from the new heart God gives us as a miracle of His grace! 

[Sean]

Right now is the golden opportunity to turn to Jesus! Whatever you’re going through, whatever you’re facing, Christ has the grace and strength to get you through! Turn to Him with the touch of living faith surrender, and let Him bring about the miraculous transformation in your heart whereby all the fruits of the Spirit without one missing are manifest! Then you are empowered to gladly obey Jesus where He leads you!

The golden opportunity had come. She was in the presence of the Great Physician! But amid the confusion she could not speak to Him, nor catch more than a passing glimpse of His figure. Fearful of losing her one chance of relief, she pressed forward, saying to herself, “If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole.” As He was passing, she reached forward, and succeeded in barely touching the border of His garment. But in that moment she knew that she was healed. In that one touch was concentrated the faith of her life, and instantly her pain and feebleness gave place to the vigor of perfect health.

Like the woman who was healed in the touch of faith, Jesus has something infinitely better for you than you’ve ever known in the paths of sickness and doubt. Look up to Him and live!

[Sean James]

How does our Heavenly Father see us when we are truly converted, abiding in Jesus, and allowing the Holy Spirit to use us?

Jesus continues: As you confess Me before men, so I will confess you before God and the holy angels. You are to be My witnesses upon earth, channels through which My grace can flow for the healing of the world. So I will be your representative in heaven. The Father beholds not your faulty character, but He sees you as clothed in My perfection. I am the medium through which Heaven's blessings shall come to you. And everyone who confesses Me by sharing My sacrifice for the lost shall be confessed as a sharer in the glory and joy of the redeemed.   

We are seen as clothed in Christ's character--and our lives will bear witness while on earth, with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as we affectionately obey God's law of love from the heart renewed by His grace! May you today go forth to bless others as Jesus has first blessed you!

[Sean James]

Where do we find true rest?

In all who are under the training of God is to be revealed a life that is not in harmony with the world, its customs, or its practices; and everyone needs to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God. We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10. Here alone can true rest be found.  And this is the effectual preparation for all who labor for God. Amid the hurrying throng, and the strain of life's intense activities, the soul that is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace. The life will breathe out fragrance, and will reveal a divine power that will reach men's hearts. 

When we surrender the whole heart to Jesus and commune with Him, with nature and with our own hearts, we find rest in His divine presence through receiving the personal application of His word to our lives. As we experience the depth of true conversion, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be seen in our lives, for Christ also empowers us to affectionately obey God from the heart He renews by divine grace! Such a life will bless others!

[Sean]

Don’t let your mind dwell upon what you don’t have, look to Jesus and trust His provision!

The means in our possession may not seem to be sufficient for the work; but if we will move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before us. If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. The little that is wisely and economically used in the service of the Lord of heaven will increase in the very act of imparting. In the hand of Christ the small supply of food remained undiminished until the famished multitude were satisfied. If we go to the Source of all strength, with our hands of faith outstretched to receive, we shall be sustained in our work, even under the most forbidding circumstances, and shall be enabled to give to others the bread of life.

When we surrender the entire heart to Christ, He gives us a new heart filled with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing! Then by His divine grace, we are empowered to affectionately obey God, keeping His commandments in relational freedom! We will delight to give the bread of life to others!

[Sean James]

Troubles and trials are often part of our experience in this life, but who can we always turn to in them? Who is always near to deliver and give us strength to go through them? Jesus is always there to help us, and more than just help us through the trial, He desires to dwell in our hearts as we surrender fully to Him! Then He can manifest through us all of the fruits of the Spirit and empower us to obey Him because He first loved us! Let us look upon Jesus and not lose sight of Him in our trials, no matter how intense they may be!

When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. "Fear not," He says; "for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." Isaiah 43:1-3. 

By looking to Jesus continually, we are strengthened not just for the present trial, but our character is developed to be able to bear greater trial in the future, and thus God can be glorified by the revelation of His character in His people! Let us not lose sight of Jesus from the eye of faith for a moment!

[Sean James]

Happy Sabbath!! Let us keep looking up to Jesus!! Then His grace converts us fully as we surrender the WHOLE heart to Him, cooperating with Him to obey Him out of love and allow Him to manifest through us all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing!

By looking constantly to Jesus with the eye of faith, we shall be strengthened. God will make the most precious revelations to His hungering, thirsting people. They will find that Christ is a personal Saviour. As they feed upon His word, they find that it is spirit and life. The word destroys the natural, earthly nature, and imparts a new life in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit comes to the soul as a Comforter. By the transforming agency of His grace, the image of God is reproduced in the disciple; he becomes a new creature. Love takes the place of hatred, and the heart receives the divine similitude. This is what it means to live "by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." This is eating the Bread that comes down from heaven.

As we walk with Jesus this day, let us keep our focus on what Christ is doing in the heavenly sanctuary and how He is preparing a people to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator, because He will have a people that reflect Him and have experienced His victory over sin! Hallelujah!

[Sean James]

Let's cut to the chase and deal with the REAL issues that are important to our souls!

The questions that most concern us are, Do I believe with saving faith on the Son of God? Is my life in harmony with the divine law? "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life." "And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments." John 3:36; 1 John 2:3. 

As we surrender FULLY to Christ and accept His grace to empower us to affectionately obey God's Ten Commandments (including the fourth, which enjoins the observance of the seventh day Sabbath), we are not only given all of the fruits of the Spirit, but we are kept from falling back into sin as long as we choose to abide in Him!

[Sean]

Let’s be sincere by keeping our eyes of faith clearly stayed upon Christ in constant surrender of our entire heart! Then He miraculously imputes His righteousness to us by giving us a new heart and imparts to us all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing, simultaneously empowering us to affectionate obedience to His holy law of love, the Ten Commandments!

The religion of Christ is sincerity itself. Zeal for God’s glory is the motive implanted by the Holy Spirit; and only the effectual working of the Spirit can implant this motive. Only the power of God can banish self-seeking and hypocrisy. This change is the sign of His working. When the faith we accept destroys selfishness and pretense, when it leads us to seek God’s glory and not our own, we may know that it is of the right order. “Father, glorify Thy name” (John 12:28), was the keynote of Christ’s life, and if we follow Him, this will be the keynote of our life. He commands us to “walk, even as He walked;” and “hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” 1 John 2:6, 3.

As you go forth today in God’s plans for you, let Him work in you both to will and to do according to His good pleasure!

[Sean James]

Praise the Lord for the open door to salvation!!

"In faith the woman of Phoenicia flung herself against the barriers that had been piled up between Jew and Gentile. Against discouragement, regardless of appearances that might have led her to doubt, she trusted the Saviour's love. It is thus that Christ desires us to trust in Him. The blessings of salvation are for every soul. Nothing but his own choice can prevent any man from becoming a partaker of the promise in Christ by the gospel." {The Desire of Ages, page 403, paragraph 2}

Let us trust the Lord's grace and walk where He leads us to go! He is able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him! Let us always choose Christ and surrender the whole heart to Him, so that all of the fruits of the Spirit will be manifest in our lives without one missing, even as we affectionately obey God from a new heart!

[Sean James]

Be a link! Let God use you as you surrender the whole heart to Jesus so you are not only a converted missionary manifesting all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing, but allow God to make you a link to others so they are drawn to Christ by your life, words and example! Be like Jesus all day long by beholding Him continually! That is why it would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ, taking it point by point, and letting our imagination dwell especially upon the closing scenes of His life! By beholding we become changed!

Love for souls for whom Christ died means crucifixion of self. He who is a child of God should henceforth look upon himself as a link in the chain let down to save the world, one with Christ in His plan of mercy, going forth with Him to seek and save the lost. The Christian is ever to realize that he has consecrated himself to God, and that in character he is to reveal Christ to the world. The self-sacrifice, the sympathy, the love, manifested in the life of Christ are to reappear in the life of the worker for God. 

Praise the Lord for the power of God's grace to transform us from rebellious sinners into repentant, adopted saints of His who love Him wholeheartedly with the new heart He gives us filled with His Spirit! The greatest miracle is the conversion of a soul, and a consistent life in Christ is a great miracle! Let God work that miracle in your life and in reaching others!!

[Sean James]

What is the answer? To turn to Jesus and to admit that we need strong faith that He offers us as we acknowledge our own sinful unbelief. Then Christ will readily work in and through us as we acknowledge Him in full surrender and accept His strength and grace! All of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing as we abide in Jesus in true conversion! Then we are empowered by His divine grace to live a life of continual victory over sin through affectionately obeying God's law of love!

 "If Thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us." How many a sin-burdened soul has echoed that prayer. And to all, the pitying Saviour's answer is, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." It is faith that connects us with heaven, and brings us strength for coping with the powers of darkness. In Christ, God has provided means for subduing every sinful trait, and resisting every temptation, however strong. But many feel that they lack faith, and therefore they remain away from Christ. Let these souls, in their helpless unworthiness, cast themselves upon the mercy of their compassionate Saviour. Look not to self, but to Christ. He who healed the sick and cast out demons when He walked among men is the same mighty Redeemer today. Faith comes by the word of God. Then grasp His promise, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37. Cast yourself at His feet with the cry, "Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief." You can never perish while you do this--never. 

Jesus is ready to help us no matter how weak or faith may seem. He is the one who offers us His faith that is strong, for it is surrender to the word of God!

[Sean James]

Happy Sabbath!! Let us keep our eyes of faith fixed on Christ to have a moment-by-moment miraculous experience of all of the fruits of the Spirit in our lives without one missing!

Let the repenting sinner fix his eyes upon “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29); and by beholding, he becomes changed. His fear is turned to joy, his doubts to hope. Gratitude springs up. The stony heart is broken. A tide of love sweeps into the soul. Christ is in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life. When we see Jesus, a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief, working to save the lost, slighted, scorned, derided, driven from city to city till His mission was accomplished; when we behold Him in Gethsemane, sweating great drops of blood, and on the cross dying in agony,—when we see this, self will no longer clamor to be recognized. Looking unto Jesus, we shall be ashamed of our coldness, our lethargy, our self-seeking. We shall be willing to be anything or nothing, so that we may do heart service for the Master. We shall rejoice to bear the cross after Jesus, to endure trial, shame, or persecution for His dear sake.

May we never look down at our difficulties, but always up at our Savior who has power to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him! Nothing is too hard for the Lord!! When the whole heart is yielded to Him, there is no limit to what He can do for us as we grow in His grace!