The Glory of God

[Sean James]

When an earthly father welcomes the birth of his first child, a new relationship begins that had no pre-existence. But when Jesus was born into the human family, our Heavenly Father's yearning love over His Son had eternal pre-existence, for Christ was the Word made flesh who has existed from eternity past, fully God, but upon His birth, also fully man. Oh, what deep love the Father felt over His Son, and from this, we can learn of the depth of His love over us, as Christ's birth into our human family is a pledge of God's infinite love for us which led Him to give His Son to become one of us, live for us, die for us as our perfect sacrifice, and rise from the grave to take away the sting of death so we could live bold, fearless lives in harmony with heaven and be ready to live with God forever! What an amazing gift God has given us in Jesus! Praise the Lord for the Holy Spirit who woos our hearts to behold Christ, appreciate His love, and in yielding all we have and are to Him, God fills us with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as we gladly obey God from the heart up to the light of truth He has shown us!

The heart of the human father yearns over his son. He looks into the face of his little child, and trembles at the thought of life's peril. He longs to shield his dear one from Satan's power, to hold him back from temptation and conflict. To meet a bitterer conflict and a more fearful risk, God gave His only-begotten Son, that the path of life might be made sure for our little ones. “Herein is love.” Wonder, O heavens! and be astonished, O earth!

Especially in these last days, let us point each child to the loving example of Jesus and His blameless life, giving us hope and courage to go forward in the love of Christ to serve and bless, seeking to reach others in the way Jesus did it!

[Sean James]

God’s love for each of us is infinitely deep! We will experience the greatest level of happiness in knowing and loving Him!

“That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” In the light of the Saviour’s life, the hearts of all, even from the Creator to the prince of darkness, are revealed. Satan has represented God as selfish and oppressive, as claiming all, and giving nothing, as requiring the service of His creatures for His own glory, and making no sacrifice for their good. But the gift of Christ reveals the Father’s heart. It testifies that the thoughts of God toward us are “thoughts of peace, and not of evil.” Jeremiah 29:11. It declares that while God’s hatred of sin is as strong as death, His love for the sinner is stronger than death. Having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work. No truth essential to our salvation is withheld, no miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is left unemployed. Favor is heaped upon favor, gift upon gift. The whole treasury of heaven is open to those He seeks to save. Having collected the riches of the universe, and laid open the resources of infinite power, He gives them all into the hands of Christ, and says, All these are for man. Use these gifts to convince him that there is no love greater than Mine in earth or heaven. His greatest happiness will be found in loving Me.

By daily beholding afresh the loveliness of Jesus, let us come to more fully appreciate the value that Christ’s sacrifice places on each of us, yield our entire heart to him, and allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with all of the attributes of the divine nature! Not one of the fruits of the Spirit will be missing from our lives as long as we choose to continue to abide in union and communion with Christ as our living Savior! Such a vital connection with our God imputes and imparts to us His righteousness by faith so that we are enabled to obey God‘s holy law and live faithful in the sight of a holy God at this very moment and also through the time of trouble when Jesus ceases His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary so that He can come and take us home as our King! Praise God!

[Sean James]

Let Jesus make you divinely efficient! That can only happen when you willingly surrender your entire heart and life to Him, for He will impute and impart to you His righteousness! Such an experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ makes you a partaker of His divine nature, filling your life with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as you are simultaneously empowered to obey the law of God!

The offering from the heart that loves, God delights to honor, giving it highest efficiency in service for Him. If we have given our hearts to Jesus, we also shall bring our gifts to Him. Our gold and silver, our most precious earthly possessions, our highest mental and spiritual endowments, will be freely devoted to Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us.

Like the magi who gave their best to Jesus, as we give our best to him, there is no limit to the usefulness of our lives for His service as we abide in His infinite love!

[Sean James]

Follow the pattern Man, and you can see the way of a godly character clearly! As we learn of Christ day by day, surrender the whole heart to Him, and let Him fill us with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing--love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, goodness, faith and temperance, we are enabled by His abiding presence to be true and obedient, glorifying God! To be like Jesus--what a treasure!!

Jesus is our example. There are many who dwell with interest upon the period of His public ministry, while they pass unnoticed the teaching of His early years. But it is in His home life that He is the pattern for all children and youth. The Saviour condescended to poverty, that He might teach how closely we in a humble lot may walk with God. He lived to please, honor, and glorify His Father in the common things of life. His work began in consecrating the lowly trade of the craftsmen who toil for their daily bread. He was doing God's service just as much when laboring at the carpenter's bench as when working miracles for the multitude. And every youth who follows Christ's example of faithfulness and obedience in His lowly home may claim those words spoken of Him by the Father through the Holy Spirit, “Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in whom My soul delighteth.” Isaiah 42:1.

[Sean James]

Imagine getting to hear the voice of Jesus! When Mary and Jospeh left Jerusalem without Jesus as recorded in Luke 2, when they finally found Him again in the temple, they knew it was Jesus--just by His voice! May we also learn to cultivate the serious yet melodious manner of speaking we find in Christ. How? By surrendering our whole heart to Him and learning to cultivate godliness of character. In such joyful union and communion with Christ in the experience of true conversion, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be seen in our lives as we are enabled by His divine grace to obey all of the commandments of God up to the light shining upon our pathway!

Returning to Jerusalem, they pursued their search. The next day, as they mingled with the worshipers in the temple, a familiar voice arrested their attention. They could not mistake it; no other voice was like His, so serious and earnest, yet so full of melody.

Let us also realize that Jesus (though we hear His voice by faith) loves to speak and sing His love over us! "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17). Praise God for such love--even in His voice!!

[Sean James]

Does your life and character need some weeding? Come to Jesus, the Master who is able to cultivate the good traits in your life and help you to choose to let Him remove whatever is not in harmony with His character. All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be seen in our lives as long as we live by faith on the Son of God, guiding us in the true experience of affectionate obedience to do God's will! Let us trust in Him fully and allow Jesus to transform us into His image!!

He taught all to look upon themselves as endowed with precious talents, which if rightly employed would secure for them eternal riches. He weeded all vanity from life, and by His own example taught that every moment of time is fraught with eternal results; that it is to be cherished as a treasure, and to be employed for holy purposes. He passed by no human being as worthless, but sought to apply the saving remedy to every soul. In whatever company He found Himself, He presented a lesson that was appropriate to the time and the circumstances. He sought to inspire with hope the most rough and unpromising, setting before them the assurance that they might become blameless and harmless, attaining such a character as would make them manifest as the children of God. Often He met those who had drifted under Satan's control, and who had no power to break from his snare. To such a one, discouraged, sick, tempted, and fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood. Others He met who were fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls. These He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side, and would give them the victory. Those whom He thus helped were convinced that here was One in whom they could trust with perfect confidence. He would not betray the secrets they poured into His sympathizing ear.

[Sean James]

We need Jesus continually!!

The birth of a son to Zacharias, like the birth of the child of Abraham, and that of Mary, was to teach a great spiritual truth, a truth that we are slow to learn and ready to forget. In ourselves we are incapable of doing any good thing; but that which we cannot do will be wrought by the power of God in every submissive and believing soul. It was through faith that the child of promise was given. It is through faith that spiritual life is begotten, and we are enabled to do the works of righteousness.

All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be seen in our lives as we surrender fully to Christ as Jesus abiding in us enables us to obey God’s law from the new heart He gives us!

[Sean James]

Praise God that Jesus is the Lamb of God!! He takes away our sin as we by grace through faith surrender fully to Him!! Then He lives out His perfect life in us and fills us with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing! His Spirit makes possible true obedience from the heart! ❤️

None among the hearers, and not even the speaker himself, discerned the import of these words, “the Lamb of God.” Upon Mount Moriah, Abraham had heard the question of his son, “My father, ... where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” The father answered, “My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering.” Genesis 22:7, 8. And in the ram divinely provided in the place of Isaac, Abraham saw a symbol of Him who was to die for the sins of men. The Holy Spirit through Isaiah, taking up the illustration, prophesied of the Saviour, “He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,” “and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:7, 6); but the people of Israel had not understood the lesson. Many of them regarded the sacrificial offerings much as the heathen looked upon their sacrifices,—as gifts by which they themselves might propitiate the Deity. God desired to teach them that from His own love comes the gift which reconciles them to Himself.

Let the love of Christ heal you and Dave you to the uttermost!!

[Sean James]

You ALWAYS have a choice. The freedom to choose is something God has given us, and we can choose to rely on God's word and let Him fulfill His promises to us as we gladly obey Him, or we can distrust Him and choose to follow Satan in the path of sin, which is the transgression of the law. As we see Jesus in the wilderness of temptation, it is so encouraging to know that He chose the path of faith so we can choose that, too! As we surrender fully to Christ, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be seen in our lives as we are empowered by His divine grace to obey God's law up to the light He has revealed to us!

Jesus met Satan with the words of Scripture. “It is written,” He said. In every temptation the weapon of His warfare was the word of God. Satan demanded of Christ a miracle as a sign of His divinity. But that which is greater than all miracles, a firm reliance upon a “Thus saith the Lord,” was a sign that could not be controverted. So long as Christ held to this position, the tempter could gain no advantage.

Satan has no advantage over us when we depend on God's word. Our trials will only refine and purify our characters, helping them to grow stronger, each time we choose to trust God and obey Him because we love Him who first loved us!

[Sean James]

Temptations come to us all, as Satan, the world and our own fallen nature present areas in which we will be tempted to draw away from God and yield to sin. But none of us are ever FORCED to sin. We can acknowledge our sinfulness, come in our need to Jesus, repent of our sin in true confession and forsaking of sin, and in full surrender let Him fill our hearts and minds with the Holy Spirit so that we can discern the reality and application of God's promises for us in each situation. Let us abide in Jesus in full surrender, allow Him to reveal through us all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing, and gladly obey God up to the light that He has shed on our pathway. Only by abiding in Christ can we overcome! Remember that every temptation resisted strengthens the character!!

So we may resist temptation, and force Satan to depart from us. Jesus gained the victory through submission and faith in God, and by the apostle He says to us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” James 4:7, 8. We cannot save ourselves from the tempter's power; he has conquered humanity, and when we try to stand in our own strength, we shall become a prey to his devices; but “the name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10. Satan trembles and flees before the weakest soul who finds refuge in that mighty name.

Jesus, our mighty refuge, offers us His word as an anchor to hold us steadfast when the storms of temptation come. Let us allow Him to safely guide us in the heavenward path as by grace we faith we walk, even as He walked!

[Sean James]

It's a win-win! As we seek to win others to Christ, not only are those souls blessed, but the unselfish ministry to reach others also helps our characters to become like Jesus! It is as we surrender to Him the whole heart that He imbues us with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as we are empowered to do God's will in true obedience to all of God's commandments!

And he who seeks to give light to others will himself be blessed. “There shall be showers of blessing.” “He that watereth shall be watered also himself.” Proverbs 11:25. God could have reached His object in saving sinners without our aid; but in order for us to develop a character like Christ's, we must share in His work. In order to enter into His joy,—the joy of seeing souls redeemed by His sacrifice,—we must participate in His labors for their redemption.

As we unite our interest with Christ, He gives us the greatest joy of becoming like Him and reaching others for His eternal kingdom! There is no limit to the usefulness of those who put self aside to go and bless others!

[Sean James]

What an Example! Jesus shows us a godly way of interacting with people, while being true to His Father's will at each step. While He Himself chose to remain single, Jesus attended the wedding feast with His disciples and offers us a beautiful witness of how we can interact with others in a way that points their thoughts up to heaven! Praise God for the gift of salvation in Jesus and the experience He gives us in serving the Lord in all circumstances.

Jesus reproved self-indulgence in all its forms, yet He was social in His nature. He accepted the hospitality of all classes, visiting the homes of the rich and the poor, the learned and the ignorant, and seeking to elevate their thoughts from questions of commonplace life to those things that are spiritual and eternal. He gave no license to dissipation, and no shadow of worldly levity marred His conduct; yet He found pleasure in scenes of innocent happiness, and by His presence sanctioned the social gathering. A Jewish marriage was an impressive occasion, and its joy was not displeasing to the Son of man. By attending this feast, Jesus honored marriage as a divine institution.

As we surrender all to Jesus, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be seen in our lives. We will be enabled to live in true obedience to God's law as the new heart Jesus gives us expands in union and communion with Him! Let us choose to reflect Christ to others by abiding in Him!

[Sean James]

The presence of Christ in the soul--this is our continual need! He alone can bring true happiness, contentment, and effectiveness. When we invite Him into our hearts to abide with us by the Holy Spirit, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be revealed in our lives, and we shall be enabled to obey God's law of love up to the light He has revealed to us!

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17. No man can of himself cast out the evil throng that have taken possession of the heart. Only Christ can cleanse the soul temple. But He will not force an entrance. He comes not into the heart as to the temple of old; but He says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.” Revelation 3:20. He will come, not for one day merely; for He says, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; ... and they shall be My people.” “He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” 2 Corinthians 6:16; Micah 7:19. His presence will cleanse and sanctify the soul, so that it may be a holy temple unto the Lord, and “an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21, 22.

When the Holy Spirit ls living in us, we can have true joy in His service and strength and grace for each life situation. He will keep us from falling into sin if we let Him keep us moment by moment! "I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day" (Isaiah 27:3). Will you let Jesus abide in you? He asks for a full-heart surrender!

[Sean James]

Happy Sabbath!!

Since your life here in this world is temporary, wouldn't it be important to know how to receive eternal life? Thankfully, God reveals this to us clearly in His word!

How, then, are we to be saved? “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,” so the Son of man has been lifted up, and everyone who has been deceived and bitten by the serpent may look and live. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. The light shining from the cross reveals the love of God. His love is drawing us to Himself. If we do not resist this drawing, we shall be led to the foot of the cross in repentance for the sins that have crucified the Saviour. Then the Spirit of God through faith produces a new life in the soul. The thoughts and desires are brought into obedience to the will of Christ. The heart, the mind, are created anew in the image of Him who works in us to subdue all things to Himself. Then the law of God is written in the mind and heart, and we can say with Christ, “I delight to do Thy will, O my God.” Psalm 40:8.

When Christ is invited into the heart that is fully surrendered to Him, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be seen in the life! The Holy Spirit makes possible true obedience to God's Ten Commandments, and then we can go forth as effectual witnesses to point others to Jesus and share the way of salvation in Him! Praise God!!

[Sean James]

It's not that complicated. But it is VERY IMPORTANT!!!! We are sinful and we cannot save ourselves. But if we come to Christ and acknowledge our need, accept the grace that He gives us that moves us to repentance, confess and forsake our sins, and truly believe that He pardons us so we can be partakers of the divine nature by abiding in His promises, then we will gladly let God direct our path in His service according to His providences. We need to keep Jesus ever before us as our Savior and Example!

Christ could say, “I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me.” John 5:30. To Him it is declared, “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.” Hebrews 1:9. The Father “giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him.”

So with the followers of Christ. We can receive of heaven's light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We cannot discern the character of God, or accept Christ by faith, unless we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. To all who do this the Holy Spirit is given without measure. In Christ “dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in Him ye are made full.” Colossians 2:9, 10, R. V.

Praise God that Christ IS ENOUGH for EACH OF US! We need to daily be in His word so we can know we are following His character, His counsel, and His plan for us. He lovingly fills the converted believer with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing, enabling us to obey Him because we love Him, and strengthening us for present truth duty! We are to respond to the message in Revelation 3:14-22 to overcome even as Jesus did, give the Three Angels' Messages to prepare the world for the second coming of Christ, and realize our continual need of Jesus to do any good thing. When the Holy Spirit is leading us, we are truly free in the blessedness of obedience!