From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Jan 1 08:30:51 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2006 11:30:51 -0500 Subject: The Way of Righteousness Is Life Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124E334@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> The Way of Righteousness Is Life In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. Prov. 12:28 Another year now opens its fair unwritten pages before you. The recording angel stands ready to write. Your course of action will determine what shall be traced by him. You may make your future life good or evil; and this will determine for you whether the year upon which you have just entered will be to you a happy new year. It is in your power to make it such for yourself and for those around you. Let patience, long-suffering, kindness, and love become a part of your very being; then whatsoever things are pure and lovely and of good report will mature in your experience. Angels of God are waiting to show you the path of life. . . . Decide now, at the commencement of the new year, that you will choose the path of righteousness, that you will be earnest and true-hearted, and that life with you shall not prove a mistake. Go forward, guided by the heavenly angels; be courageous; be enterprising; let your light shine; and may the words of inspiration be applicable to you--"I write unto you, young men, because you are strong and have overcome the wicked one." If you have . . . given yourself to Christ, you are a member of the family of God, and everything in the Father's house is for you. All the treasures of God are open to you, both the world that now is and that which is to come. The ministry of angels, the gift of His Spirit, the labors of His servants--all are for you. The world, with everything in it, is yours so far as it can do you good. Even the enmity of the wicked will prove a blessing, by disciplining you for heaven. If "ye are Christ's" "all things are yours." >From My Life Today - Page 5 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Jan 2 04:42:01 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 07:42:01 -0500 Subject: I Consecrate My All Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124E34A@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> I Consecrate My All I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom. 12:1 God calls for whole-souled consecration to His ways. Our highest powers are to be carefully cultivated. Our talents are lent us by God for use, not to be perverted or abused. They are to be improved by use, that they may do the work of God. We are to give ourselves to the service of God, and we should seek to make the offering as nearly perfect as possible. God will not be pleased with anything less than the best we can offer. Those who love Him with all the heart will desire to give Him the best service of the life, and they will be constantly seeking to bring every power of their being into harmony with the laws that will promote their ability to do His will. Personal consecration is necessary, and we cannot have this unless heart holiness is cultivated and cherished. Let your prayer be, "Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee." This is a daily matter. The surrender of all our powers to God greatly simplifies the problem of life. It weakens and cuts short a thousand struggles with the passions of the natural heart. Religion is as a golden cord that binds the souls of both youth and aged to Christ. Through it the willing and obedient are brought safely through dark and intricate paths to the city of God. . . . How many times have the deep things of God been unfolded before us, and how highly should we prize these precious privileges. . . . The bright beams of Heaven's light are shining upon your pathway. . . . Receive and cherish every Heaven-sent ray, and your path will grow brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. >From My Life Today - Page 6 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Jan 3 06:16:48 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2006 09:16:48 -0500 Subject: I Give My Heart Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124E476@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> I Give My Heart My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. Prov. 23:26 The Lord says to every one of you, "My son, give Me thine heart." He sees your disorders. He knows that your soul is diseased with sin, and He desires to say to you, "Thy sins are forgiven." The Great Physician has a remedy for every ill. He understands your case. Whatever may have been your errors, He knows how to deal with them. Will you not trust yourself to Him? The blessing of God will rest upon every soul that makes a full consecration to Him. When we seek for God with all the heart, we shall find Him. God is in earnest with us, and He wants us to make thorough work for eternity. He has poured out all heaven in one gift, and there is no reason why we should doubt His love. Look to Calvary. . . . God asks you to give Him your heart. Your powers, your talents, your affections, should all be surrendered to Him, that He may work in you to will and to do of His good pleasure, and fit you for eternal life. When Christ dwells in the heart, the soul will be so filled with His love, with the joy of communion with Him, that it will cleave to Him; and in the contemplation of Him, self will be forgotten. Love to Christ will be the spring of action. Those who feel the constraining love of God, do not ask how little may be given to meet the requirements of God; they do not ask for the lowest standard, but aim at perfect conformity to the will of their Redeemer. With earnest desire they yield all, and manifest an interest proportionate to the value of the object which they seek. It is the submissive, teachable spirit that God wants. That which gives to prayer its excellence is the fact that it is breathed from a loving, obedient heart. >From My Life Today - Page 7 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Jan 4 05:53:41 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 08:53:41 -0500 Subject: Ask in Faith Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124E56E@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Ask in Faith Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:6 It is our privilege, our duty, to receive light from heaven, that we may perceive the wiles of Satan, and obtain strength to resist his power. Provision has been made for us to come into close connection with Christ and to enjoy the constant protection of the angels of God. Our faith must reach within the veil, where Jesus has entered for us. We must lay hold with firmer grasp on the unfailing promises of God. We must have faith that will not be denied, faith that will take hold of the unseen, faith that is steadfast, immovable. Such faith will bring the blessing of heaven to our souls. The light of the glory of God that shines in the face of Christ may shine upon us, and be reflected upon all around, so that it can be truly said of us, "Ye are the light of the world." And it is this connection of the soul with Christ, and this alone, that can bring light to the world. Were it not for this connection, the earth would be left in utter darkness. . . . The deeper the surrounding gloom, the brighter should shine out the light of Christian faith and Christian example. The fact that unbelief prevails, that iniquity is increasing all around us, should not cause our faith to grow dim or our courage to waver. . . . If we will but seek God with all our hearts, if we will work with that same determined zeal, and believe with that unyielding faith, the light of heaven will shine upon us, even as it shone upon the devoted Enoch. Oh that I could impress upon all the importance of exercising faith moment by moment, and hour by hour! We are to live the life of faith; for "without faith it is impossible to please God." Our spiritual strength depends upon our faith. >From My Life Today - Page 8 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Jan 5 06:10:04 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 09:10:04 -0500 Subject: All Things Are Possible Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124E6BB@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> All Things Are Possible All things are possible to him that believeth. Mark 9:23 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 evil trait, and resisting every temptation, however strong. The righteous have ever obtained help from above. How often have the enemies of God united their strength and wisdom to destroy the character and influence of a few simple persons who trusted in God. But because the Lord was for them, none could prevail against them. . . . Let them be separated from their idols and from the world, and the world will not separate them from God. Christ is our present, all-sufficient Saviour. In Him all fullness dwells. It is the privilege of Christians to know indeed that Christ is in them of a truth. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." All things are possible to him that believeth; and whatsoever things we desire when we pray, if we believe that we receive them we shall have them. This faith will penetrate the darkest cloud and bring rays of light and hope to the drooping, desponding soul. It is the absence of this faith and trust which brings perplexity, distressing fears, and surmisings of evil. God will do great things for His people when they put their entire trust in Him. Through faith God's children have "subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." And through faith we today are to reach the heights of God's purpose for us. >From My Life Today - Page 9 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Jan 6 04:30:13 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2006 07:30:13 -0500 Subject: Have Faith in God Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124E7B9@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Have Faith in God Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Isa. 26:4 His is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory and the majesty. Let us not limit the Holy One of Israel. . . . What a source to which we can look in all times of trouble; the heart can have no misgivings! Man is erring, stubborn, rebellious, and defiant even against God; but the Lord is kind and patient and of tender compassion. He has heaven and earth at His command, and He knows just what we need even before we present our necessities and desires before Him. We can see only a little way before us; "but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." He never becomes confused. He sits above the confusion and distractions of the earth, and all things are opened to His divine survey; and from His great and calm eternity He can order that which His providence sees is best. If we were left to ourselves to plan, we should make mistakes. Our prejudices, our weaknesses, our self-deceptions, and our ignorances would be manifest in many ways. But the work is the Lord's, the cause is His; He never leaves His workmen without divine directions. . . . Whatever burdens lay heavily, cast them on the Lord. He that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. Repose in God. He is kept in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on God. At times it will seem that you cannot take another step. Well, wait and know that "I am God." "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." . . . We need to cherish faith. * * * * * You must learn the simple art of taking God at His word; then you have solid ground beneath your feet. >From My Life Today - Page 10 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Jan 7 05:57:46 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2006 08:57:46 -0500 Subject: One with God through Faith Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124E814@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> One with God through Faith That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us. John 17:21 "I am the vine, ye are the branches." Can we conceive of a more intimate relation to Christ than this? The fibers of the branch are almost identical with those of the vine. The communication of life, strength, and fruitfulness from the trunk to the branches is unobstructed and constant. The root sends its nourishment through the branch. Such is the true believer's relation to Christ. He abides in Christ, and draws his nourishment from Him. This spiritual relation can be established only by the exercise of personal faith. This faith must express on our part supreme preference, perfect reliance, entire consecration. Our will must be wholly yielded to the divine will; our feelings, desires, interests, and honor, identified with the prosperity of Christ's kingdom and the honor of His cause, we constantly receiving grace from Him, and Christ accepting gratitude from us. When the intimacy of connection and communion is formed, our sins are laid upon Christ, His righteousness is imputed to us. He was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. We have access to God through Him; we are accepted through the Beloved. Whoever by word or deed injures a believer, thereby wounds Jesus. Whoever gives a cup of cold water to a disciple because he is a child of God, will be regarded by Christ as giving to Himself. It was when Christ was about to take leave of His disciples that He gave them the beautiful emblem of His relation to believers. . . . A union with Christ by living faith is enduring; every other union must perish. . . . The true believer chooses Christ as first and last, and best in everything. >From My Life Today - Page 11 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Jan 8 07:15:10 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2006 10:15:10 -0500 Subject: Doubting Nothing Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124E824@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Doubting Nothing O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Matt. 14:31 Life is not all made up of pleasant pastures and cooling streams. Trial and disappointment overtake us; privation comes; we are brought into trying places. Conscience-stricken, we reason that we must have walked far away from God, that if we had walked with Him, we should not have suffered so. Doubt and despondency crowd into our hearts, and we say, The Lord has failed us, and we are ill-used. Why does He permit us to suffer thus? He cannot love us; if He did He would remove the difficulties from our path. . . . He does not always bring us to pleasant places. If He did, in our self-sufficiency we should forget that He is our helper. He longs to manifest Himself to us, and to reveal the abundant supplies at our disposal, and He permits trial and disappointment to come to us that we may realize our helplessness, and learn to call upon Him for aid. He can cause cooling streams to flow from the flinty rock. We shall never know until we are face to face with God, when we shall see as we are seen and know as we are known, how many burdens He has borne for us, and how many burdens He would have been glad to bear, if with childlike faith we had brought them to Him. . . . God's love is revealed in all His dealings with His people; and with clear, unclouded eyes, in adversity, in sickness, in disappointment, and in trial we are to behold the light of His glory in the face of Christ and trust to His guiding hand. But too often we grieve His heart by our unbelief. . . . God loves His children, and He longs to see them overcoming the discouragement with which Satan would overpower them. Do not give way to unbelief. Do not magnify your difficulties. Remember the love and power that God has shown in times past. >From My Life Today - Page 12 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Jan 9 04:10:29 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 07:10:29 -0500 Subject: The Touch of Faith Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124E84B@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> The Touch of Faith For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. Matt. 9:21, 22 To talk of religious things in a casual way, to pray for spiritual blessings without real soul hunger and living faith, avails little. The wondering crowd that pressed close about Christ realized no vital power from the contact. But when the poor, suffering woman, in her great need, put forth her hand and touched the hem of Jesus' garment, she felt the healing virtue. Hers was the touch of faith. Christ recognized that touch, and He determined there to give a lesson for all His followers to the close of time. He knew that virtue had gone out of Him, and turning about in the throng He said, "Who touched My clothes?" Surprised at such a question, His disciples answered, "Thou seest the multitude thronging Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me?" Jesus fixed His eyes upon her who had done this. She was filled with fear. Great joy was hers; but had she overstepped her duty? Knowing what was done in her, she came trembling, and fell at His feet, and told Him all the truth. Christ did not reproach her. He gently said, "Go in peace, and be whole of thy plague." Here was distinguished the casual contact from the touch of faith. Prayer and preaching, without the exercise of living faith in God, will be in vain. But the touch of faith opens to us the divine treasure house of power and wisdom; and thus, through instruments of clay, God accomplishes the wonders of His grace. This living faith is our great need today. We must know that Jesus is indeed ours; that His Spirit is purifying and refining our hearts. If the followers of Christ had genuine faith, with meekness and love, what a work they might accomplish! What fruit would be seen to the glory of God! >From My Life Today - Page 13 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Jan 10 04:21:35 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 07:21:35 -0500 Subject: God Shall Supply My Need Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124E9AC@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> God Shall Supply My Need My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19 It is difficult to exercise living faith when we are in darkness and discouragement. But this of all others is the very time when we should exercise faith. "But," says one, "I do not feel at such times like praying in faith." Well, then, will you allow Satan to gain the victory, simply because you do not feel like resisting him? When he sees that you have the greatest need of divine aid, he will try the hardest to beat you back from God. If he can keep you away from the Source of strength, he knows that you will walk in darkness and sin. There is no sin greater than unbelief. And when there is unbelief in the heart, there is danger that it will be expressed. The lips should be kept in as with bit and bridle, lest by giving expression to this unbelief you not only exert an injurious influence over others, but place yourselves upon the enemy's ground. If we believe in God, we are armed with the righteousness of Christ; we have taken hold of His strength. . . . We want to talk with our Saviour as though He were right by our side. . . . It is our privilege to carry with us the credentials of our faith, --love, joy, and peace. When we do this, we shall be able to present the mighty arguments of the cross of Christ. When we learn to walk by faith and not by feeling, we shall have help from God just when we need it, and His peace will come into our hearts. It was this simple life of obedience and trust that Enoch lived. If we learn this lesson of simple trust, ours may be the testimony that he received, that he pleased God. If we commit the keeping of our souls to God in the exercise of living faith, His promises will not fail us; for they have no limit but our faith. >From My Life Today - Page 14 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Jan 11 04:06:16 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 07:06:16 -0500 Subject: Pray in the Morning Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124EB02@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Pray in the Morning My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Ps. 5:3 The very first outbreathing of the soul in the morning should be for the presence of Jesus. "Without Me," He says, "ye can do nothing." It is Jesus that we need; His light, His life, His spirit, must be ours continually. We need Him every hour. And we should pray in the morning that as the sun illuminates the landscape, and fills the world with light, so the Sun of Righteousness may shine into the chambers of mind and heart, and make us all light in the Lord. We cannot do without His presence one moment. The enemy knows when we undertake to do without our Lord, and he is there, ready to fill our minds with his evil suggestions that we may fall from our steadfastness; but it is the desire of the Lord that from moment to moment we should abide in Him, and thus be complete in Him. . . . God designs that every one of us shall be perfect in Him, so that we may represent to the world the perfection of His character. He wants us to be set free from sin, that we may not disappoint Heaven, that we may not grieve our divine Redeemer. He does not desire us to profess Christianity, and yet not avail ourselves of that grace which is able to make us perfect, that we may be found wanting in nothing. Prayer and faith will do what no power on earth can accomplish. We are seldom, in all respects, placed in the same position twice. We continually have new scenes and new trials to pass through, where past experience cannot be a sufficient guide. We must have the continual light that comes from God. Christ is ever sending messages to those who listen for His voice. * * * * * It is a part of God's plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we not thus ask. >From My Life Today - Page 15 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Jan 12 04:16:19 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 07:16:19 -0500 Subject: Prayer Never Out of Place Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124EC23@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Prayer Never Out of Place Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Col. 4:2 There is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to God. There is nothing that can prevent us from lifting up our hearts in the spirit of earnest prayer. In the crowds of the street, in the midst of a business engagement, we may send up a petition to God, and plead for divine guidance. We may speak with Jesus as we walk by the way, and He says, I am at thy right hand. We may commune with God in our hearts; we may walk in companionship with Christ. When engaged in our daily labor, we may breathe out our heart's desire, inaudible to any human ear; but that word cannot die away into silence, nor can it be lost. Nothing can drown the soul's desire. It rises above the din of the street, above the noise of machinery. It is God to whom we are speaking, and our prayer is heard. Every earnest petition for grace and strength will be answered. . . . Ask God to do for you those things that you cannot do for yourselves. Tell Jesus everything. Lay open before Him the secrets of your heart; for His eye searches the inmost recesses of the soul, and He reads your thoughts as an open book. When you have asked for the things that are necessary for your soul's good, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. Accept His gifts with your whole heart; for Jesus has died that you might have the precious things of heaven as your own, and at last find a home with the heavenly angels in the kingdom of God. * * * * * If you will find voice and time to pray, God will find time and voice to answer. >From My Life Today - Page 16 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Jan 13 03:54:20 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 06:54:20 -0500 Subject: Pray Always Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124ED3C@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Pray Always Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:36 Remember that He was often in prayer, and His life was constantly sustained by fresh inspirations of the Holy Spirit. Let your thoughts, your inner life, be such that you will not be ashamed to meet its record in the day of God. Heaven is not closed against the fervent prayers of the righteous. Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, yet the Lord heard, and in a most striking manner answered his petitions. The only reason for our lack of power with God is to be found in ourselves. If the inner life of many who profess the truth were presented before them, they would not claim to be Christians. They are not growing in grace. A hurried prayer is offered now and then, but there is no real communion with God. We must be much in prayer if we would make progress in the divine life. When the message of truth was first proclaimed, how much we prayed. How often was the voice of intercession heard in the chamber, in the barn, in the orchard, or the grove. Frequently we spent hours in earnest prayer, two or three together claiming the promise; often the sound of weeping was heard and then the voice of thanksgiving and the song of praise. Now the day of God is nearer than when we first believed, and we should be more earnest, more zealous, and fervent than in those early days. Our perils are greater now than then. Souls are more hardened. We need now to be imbued with the Spirit of Christ, and we should not rest until we receive it. Cultivate the habit of talking with the Saviour. . . . Let the heart be continually uplifted in silent petition for help, for light, for strength, for knowledge. Let every breath be a prayer. >From My Life Today - Page 17 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Jan 14 06:29:39 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2006 09:29:39 -0500 Subject: Power in Prayer Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124EDD8@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Power in Prayer And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do. John 14:13 The petitions of a humble heart and contrite spirit he will not despise. The opening of our hearts to our heavenly Father, the acknowledgment of our entire dependence, the expression of our wants, the homage of grateful love--this is true prayer. Angels record every prayer that is earnest and sincere. We should rather dispense with selfish gratifications than neglect communion with God. The deepest poverty, the greatest self-denial, with His approval, is better than riches, honors, ease, and friendship without it. We must take time to pray. If we allow our minds to be absorbed by worldly interests, the Lord may give us time by removing from us our idols of gold, of houses, or of fertile lands. The young would not be seduced into sin if they would refuse to enter any path save that upon which they could ask God's blessing. If the messengers who bear the last solemn warning to the world would pray for the blessing of God, not in a cold, listless, lazy manner, but fervently and in faith, as did Jacob, they would find many places where they could say, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." They would be accounted of heaven as princes, having power to prevail with God and with men. True prayer, offered in faith, is a power to the petitioner. Prayer, whether offered in the public assembly, at the family altar, or in secret, places man directly in the presence of God. By constant prayer the youth may obtain principles so firm that the most powerful temptations will not draw them from their allegiance to God. The greatest victories to the church of Christ or to the individual Christian . . . are those victories that are gained in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power. >From My Life Today - Page 18 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Jan 15 06:32:33 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 09:32:33 -0500 Subject: Find God Through Prayer Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124EDDB@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Find God Through Prayer Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jer. 29:12, 13 There are two kinds of prayer--the prayer of form and the prayer of faith. The repetition of set, customary phrases when the heart feels no need of God, is formal prayer. . . . We should be extremely careful in all our prayers to speak the wants of the heart and to say only what we mean. All the flowery words at our command are not equivalent to one holy desire. The most eloquent prayers are but vain repetitions if they do not express the true sentiments of the heart. But the prayer that comes from an earnest heart, when the simple wants of the soul are expressed just as we would ask an earthly friend for a favor, expecting that it would be granted--this is the prayer of faith. The publican who went up to the temple to pray is a good example of a sincere, devoted worshiper. He felt that he was a sinner, and his great need led to an outburst of passionate desire, "God be merciful to me a sinner." . . . . After we have offered our petitions, we are to answer them ourselves as far as possible, and not wait for God to do for us what we can do for ourselves. The help of God is held in reserve for all who demand it. Divine help is to be combined with human effort, aspiration, and energy. But we cannot reach the battlements of heaven without climbing for ourselves. We cannot be borne up by the prayers of others when we ourselves neglect to pray; for God has made no such provision for us. . . . The unlovely traits in our characters are not removed, and replaced by traits that are pure and lovely, without some effort on our part. . . . In our efforts to follow the copy set us by our Lord, we shall make crooked lines. . . . Yet let us not cease our efforts. . . . Temporary failure should make us lean more heavily on Christ. >From My Life Today - Page 19 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Jan 16 07:12:18 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2006 10:12:18 -0500 Subject: Examples of Prayer Life Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124EDEE@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Examples of Prayer Life If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7 The patriarchs were men of prayer, and God did great things for them. When Jacob left his father's house for a strange land, he prayed in humble contrition, and in the night season the Lord answered him through vision. . . . The Lord comforted the lonely wanderer with precious promises; and protecting angels were represented as stationed on each side of his path. . . . Joseph prayed, and he was preserved from sin amid influences that were calculated to lead him away from God. When tempted to leave the path of purity and uprightness, he rejected the suggestion with, "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" Moses, who was much in prayer, was known as the meekest man on the face of the earth. . . . While he was leading the children of Israel through the wilderness, again and again it seemed that they must be exterminated on account of their murmuring and rebellion. But Moses went to the true Source of power; he laid the case before the Lord. . . . And the Lord said, "I have pardoned according to thy word." . . . Daniel was a man of prayer, and God gave him wisdom and firmness to resist every influence that conspired to draw him into the snare of intemperance. Even in his youth he was a moral giant in the strength of the Mighty One. . . . In the prison at Philippi, while suffering from the cruel stripes they had received, their feet fast in the stocks, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praise to God; and angels were sent from heaven to deliver them. The earth shook under the tread of these heavenly messengers, and the prison doors flew open, setting the prisoners free. * * * * * Prayer takes hold upon Omnipotence, and gains us the victory. >From My Life Today - Page 20 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Jan 17 04:19:26 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2006 07:19:26 -0500 Subject: Mother's Prayers Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124EE1F@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Mother's Prayers For I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. Isa. 49:25 Those who keep the law of God look upon their children with indefinable feelings of hope and fear, wondering what part they will act in the great conflict that is just before them. The anxious mother questions, "What stand will they take? What can I do to prepare them to act well their part, so that they will be the recipients of eternal glory?" Great responsibilities rest upon you, mothers. . . . You may aid them to develop characters that will not be swayed or influenced to do evil, but will sway and influence others to do right. By your fervent prayers of faith you can move the arm that moves the world. . . . The prayers of Christian mothers are not disregarded by the Father of all. . . . He will not turn away your petitions, and leave you and yours to the buffetings of Satan in the great day of final conflict. It is for you to work with simplicity and faithfulness, and God will establish the work of your hands. The lifework performed on earth is acknowledged in the heavenly courts as a work well done. With joy unutterable, parents see the crown, the robe, the harp, given to their children. . . . The seed sown with tears and prayers may have seemed to be sown in vain, but their harvest is reaped with joy at last. Their children have been redeemed. When the "well done" of the great Judge is pronounced, and the crown of immortal glory is placed upon the brow of the victor, many will raise their crowns in sight of the assembled universe and, pointing to their mothers, say, "She made me all I am through the grace of God. Her instruction, her prayers, have been blessed to my eternal salvation. >From My Life Today - Page 21 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Jan 18 03:58:43 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 06:58:43 -0500 Subject: Search the Scriptures Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124EFC6@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Search the Scriptures O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out. Rom. 11:33 In the Scriptures thousands of gems of truth lie hidden from the surface seeker. The mine of truth is never exhausted. The more you search the Scriptures with humble hearts, the greater will be your interest, and the more you will feel like exclaiming with Paul: "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! . . ." Every day you should learn something new from the Scriptures. Search them as for hid treasures, for they contain the words of eternal life. Pray for wisdom and understanding to comprehend these holy writings. If you would do this, you would find new glories in the Word of God; you would feel that you had received new and precious light on subjects connected with the truth, and the Scriptures would be constantly receiving a new value in your estimation. The great truths necessary for salvation are made as clear as noonday. . . . A single text has proved in the past, and will prove in the future, to be a savor of life unto life to many a soul. As men diligently search, the Bible opens new treasures of truth, which are as bright jewels to the mind. You must dig deep in the mine of truth if you would find its richest treasures. Comparing scripture with scripture, you may find the true meaning of the text; but if you do not make the sacred teachings of God's Word the rule and guide of your life, the truth will be nothing to you. . . . If any part of God's Word condemns any habit you have cherished, any feeling you have indulged, any spirit you have manifested, turn not from the Word of God; but turn away from the evil of your doings, and let Jesus cleanse and sanctify your heart. >From My Life Today - Page 22 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Jan 19 04:13:08 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 07:13:08 -0500 Subject: The Bible Stands without a Peer Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0124F11C@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> The Bible Stands without a Peer Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jer. 33:3 No other study will so ennoble every thought, feeling, and aspiration as the study of the Scriptures. No other book can satisfy the questionings of the mind and the craving of the heart. By obtaining a knowledge of God's Word, and giving heed thereto, men may rise from the lowest depths of ignorance and degradation to become the sons of God, the associates of sinless angels. . . . As an educating power, the Bible is without a rival. Nothing will so impart vigor to all the faculties as an effort to grasp the stupendous truths of revelation. The mind gradually adapts itself to the subjects upon which it is allowed to dwell. If occupied with commonplace matters only, it will become dwarfed and enfeebled. . . . In its wide range of style and subjects the Bible has something to interest every mind and appeal to every heart. . . . In it the most simply stated truths are involved--principles that are as high as heaven and that encompass eternity. There is no position in life, no phase of human experience, for which the Bible does not contain valuable instruction. Ruler and subject, master and servant, buyer and seller, borrower and lender, parent and child, teacher and student--all may here find lessons of priceless worth. But above all else, the Word of God sets forth the plan of salvation: shows how sinful man may be reconciled to God, lays down the great principles of truth and duty which should govern our lives, and promises us divine aid in their observance. It reaches beyond this fleeting life, beyond the brief and troubled history of our race. It opens to our view the long vista of eternal ages--ages undarkened by sin, undimmed by sorrow. >From My Life Today - Page 23 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Jan 20 12:49:12 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2006 15:49:12 -0500 Subject: The Bible Begets New Life Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B060A@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> The Bible Begets New Life Being born again . . . by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 1 Peter 1:23 In the Bible the will of God is revealed. The truths of the Word of God are the utterances of the Most High. He who makes these truths a part of his life becomes in every sense a new creature. He is not given new mental powers, but the darkness that through ignorance and sin has clouded the understanding is removed. The words, "A new heart also will I give you," mean, "A new mind will I give you." A change of heart is always attended by a clear conviction of Christian duty, an understanding of truth. He who gives the Scriptures close, prayerful attention will gain clear comprehension and sound judgment, as if in turning to God he had reached a higher plane of intelligence. The Bible contains the principles that lie at the foundation of all true greatness, all true prosperity, whether for the individual or for the nation. The nation that gives free room for the circulation of the Scriptures opens the way for the minds of the people to develop and expand. The reading of the Scriptures causes light to shine into the darkness. As the Word of God is searched, life-giving truths are found. In the lives of those who heed its teachings there will be an undercurrent of happiness that will bless all with whom they are brought in contact. Thousands have drawn water from these wells of life, yet there is no diminishing of the supply. Thousands have set the Lord before them, and by beholding have been changed into the same image. Their spirit burns within them as they speak of His character, telling what Christ is to them and what they are to Christ. . . . Thousands more may engage in the work of searching out the mysteries of salvation. . . . Each fresh search will reveal something more deeply interesting than has yet been unfolded. >From My Life Today - Page 24 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Jan 21 05:48:43 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2006 08:48:43 -0500 Subject: My Counsellor and Guide Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B0611@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> My Counsellor and Guide Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Ps. 73:24 The Christian evidence that we need, is found not in the experience of men, but in our Bibles. The Word of God is the man of our counsel; for it brings us down from age to age, bearing its testimony to the unchangeableness of the truth. Not one of the ancient defenses of the word of God, appropriate for special times, has become worn out. No part of the Bible has died from old age. All the past history of the people of God is to be studied by us today, that we may benefit by the experiences recorded. Men break their word, and prove themselves untrustworthy, but God changes not. His word will abide the same forever. Give the Word its honored position as a guide in the home. Let it be regarded as the Counsellor in every difficulty, the standard of every practice. . . . There can never be true prosperity to any soul in the family circle unless the truth of God, the wisdom of righteousness, presides. We all need a guide through the many straight places of life, as much as the sailor needs a pilot over the sandy bar or up the rocky river. . . . The sailor who has in his possession chart and compass, and yet neglects to use them, is responsible for placing the lives of those on board his vessel in peril. The vessel may be lost by his neglect. We have a Guidebook, the Word of God, and we are inexcusable if we miss the way to heaven, for plain directions have been given us. The Bible presents a perfect standard of character; it is an infallible guide under all circumstances, even to the end of the journey of life. >From My Life Today - Page 25 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Jan 22 06:44:26 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 09:44:26 -0500 Subject: Food for My Soul Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B061B@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Food for My Soul Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart. Jer. 15:16 It is impossible for any human mind to exhaust one truth or promise of the Bible. One catches the glory from one point of view, another from another point; yet we can discern only gleamings. The full radiance is beyond our vision. As we contemplate the great things of God's Word, we look into a fountain that broadens and deepens beneath our gaze. Its breadth and depth pass our knowledge. As we gaze, the vision widens; stretched out before us, we behold a boundless, shoreless sea. Such study has vivifying power. The mind and heart acquire new strength, new life. This experience is the highest evidence of the divine authorship of the Bible. We receive God's Word as food for the soul through the same evidence by which we receive bread as food for the body. Bread supplies the need of our nature; we know by experience that it produces blood, bone, and brain. Apply the same test to the Bible; when its principles have actually become the elements of character, what has been the result? what changes have been made in the life?--"Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." In its power men and women have broken the chains of sinful habit. They have renounced selfishness. The profane have become reverent, the drunken sober, the profligate pure. Souls that have borne the likeness of Satan have been transformed into the image of God. The change is itself the miracle of miracles. A change wrought by the Word, it is one of the deepest mysteries of the Word. We cannot understand it; we can only believe, that, as declared by the Scriptures, it is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." A knowledge of this mystery furnishes a key to every other. It opens to the soul the treasures of the universe, the possibilities of infinite development. >From My Life Today - Page 26 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Jan 23 04:05:48 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 07:05:48 -0500 Subject: My Light Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B064D@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> My Light The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Ps. 119:130 It is a light shining in a dark place. As we search its pages, light enters the heart, illuminating the mind. By this light we see what we ought to be. We see in the Word, warnings and promises, with God behind them all. We are invited to search this Word for aid when brought into difficult places. If we do not consult the Guidebook at every step, inquiring, Is this the way of the Lord? our words and acts will be tainted by selfishness. We shall forget God, and walk in paths that He has not chosen for us. God's Word is full of precious promises and helpful counsel. It is infallible; for God cannot err. It has help for every circumstance and condition of life, and God looks on with sadness when His children turn from it to human aid. He who through the Scriptures holds communion with God will be ennobled and sanctified. As he reads the inspired record of the Saviour's love, his heart will melt in tenderness and contrition. He will be filled with a desire to be like his Master, to live a life of loving service. . . . By a miracle of His power He has preserved His Written Word through the ages. This book is God's great director. . . . It flashes its light ahead, that we may see the path by which we are traveling; and its rays are thrown back on past history, showing the most perfect harmony in that which, to the mind in darkness, appears like error and discord. In that which seems to the worldling an inexplicable mystery, God's children see light and beauty. Happy is the man who has discovered for himself that the Word of God is a light to his feet and a lamp to his path--a light shining in a dark place. It is heaven's directory for men. >From My Life Today - Page 27 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Jan 24 06:51:57 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 09:51:57 -0500 Subject: A Treasure in My Heart Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B080F@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> A Treasure in My Heart Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart. Job 22:22 It is of the greatest importance that you continually search the Scriptures, storing the mind with the truths of God. You may be separated from the companionship of Christians and placed where you will not have the privilege of meeting with the children of God. You need the treasures of God's Word hidden in your heart. All over the field of revelation are scattered grains of gold--the sayings of the wisdom of God. If you are wise, you will gather up these precious grains of truth. Make the promises of God your own. Then when test and trial come, these promises will be to you glad springs of heavenly comfort. Temptations often appear irresistible because, through neglect of prayer and the study of the Bible, the tempted one cannot readily remember God's promises and meet Satan with the Scripture weapons. But angels are round about those who are willing to be taught in divine things; and in the time of great necessity they will bring to their remembrance the very truths which are needed. Thus "when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." The heart that is stored with the precious truths of God's Word is fortified against the temptation of Satan, against impure thoughts and unholy actions. Keep close to the Scriptures. The more you search and explain the Word, the more your mind and heart will be fortified with the blessed words of encouragement and promise. Let us commit its precious promises to memory, so that, when we are deprived of our Bibles, we may still be in possession of the Word of God. >From My Life Today - Page 28 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Jan 25 04:09:53 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 07:09:53 -0500 Subject: Morning and Evening Worship Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B0959@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Morning and Evening Worship O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. Ps. 95:6 The Lord has a special interest in the families of His children here below. Angels offer the smoke of the fragrant incense for the praying saints. Then in every family let prayer ascend to heaven both at morning and at the cool sunset hour, in our behalf presenting before God the Saviour's merits. Morning and evening the heavenly universe takes notice of every praying household. Come in humility with a heart full of tenderness and with a sense of the temptations and dangers before yourselves and your children; by faith bind them upon the altar, entreating for them the care of the Lord. Ministering angels will guard children who are thus dedicated to God. Family worship should not be governed by circumstances. You are not to pray occasionally, and when you have a large day's work, neglect it. In thus doing you lead your children to look upon prayer as of no special consequence. Prayer means very much to the children of God, and thank offerings should come up before God morning and evening. Says the Psalmist, "O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation." It should be a pleasure to worship the Lord. . . . He desires that those who come to worship Him shall carry away with them precious thoughts of His care and love, that they may be cheered in all the employments of daily life, that they may have grace to deal honestly and faithfully in all things. In the home it is possible to have a little church which will honor and glorify the Redeemer. * * * * * When we have good home religion we will have excellent meeting religion. >From My Life Today - Page 29 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Jan 26 07:55:10 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2006 10:55:10 -0500 Subject: Teach Them Diligently Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B0AED@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Teach Them Diligently And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children. Deut. 6:6, 7 In his childhood, Joseph had been taught the love and fear of God. Often in his father's tent, under the Syrian stars, he had been told the story of the night vision at Bethel, of the ladder from heaven to earth, and the descending and ascending angels, and of Him who from the throne above revealed Himself to Jacob. He had been told the story of the conflict beside the Jabbok, when, renouncing cherished sins, Jacob stood conqueror, and received the title of a prince with God. A shepherd boy, tending his father's flocks, Joseph's pure and simple life had favored the development of both physical and mental power. By communion with God through nature and the study of the great truths handed down as a sacred trust from father to son, he had gained strength of mind and firmness of principle. Younger than Joseph or Daniel was Moses when removed from the sheltering care of his childhood's home; yet already the same agencies that shaped their lives had molded his. Only twelve years did he spend with his Hebrew kindred; but during these years was laid the foundation of his greatness; it was laid by the hand of one little known to fame. . . . Through no other woman, save Mary of Nazareth, has the world received greater blessing. Knowing that her child must soon pass beyond her care, . . . she sought to implant in his heart love and loyalty to God. And faithfully was the work accomplished. In arousing and strengthening a love for Bible study, much depends on the use of the hour of worship. The hours of morning and evening worship should be the sweetest and most helpful in the day. Let it be understood that into these hours no troubled, unkind thoughts are to intrude; that parents and children assemble to meet with Jesus and to invite into the home the presence of holy angels. >From My Life Today - Page 30 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Jan 27 03:28:55 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2006 06:28:55 -0500 Subject: Bow Before God Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B0BA9@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Bow Before God Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:10. If ever there was a time when every house should be a house of prayer, it is now. Infidelity and skepticism prevail. Iniquity abounds. Corruption flows in the vital currents of the soul, and rebellion against God breaks out in the life. Enslaved by sin, the moral powers are under the tyranny of Satan. The soul is made the sport of his temptation; and unless some mighty arm is stretched out to rescue him, man goes where the arch rebel leads the way. And yet in this time of fearful peril some who profess to be Christians have no family prayer. . . . The idea that prayer is not essential is one of Satan's most successful devices to ruin souls. Prayer is communion with God, the fountain of wisdom, the source of strength and peace and happiness. Jesus prayed to the Father "with strong crying and tears." . . . "Pray one for another," James says; "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." By sincere, earnest prayer parents should make a hedge about their children. They should pray with full faith that God will abide with them, and that holy angels will guard them and their children from Satan's cruel power. . . . How appropriate it is for parents to gather their children about them before the fast is broken and point them to the heavenly Father, who so liberally gives them the bounties of His providence! How fitting for them to thank Him for His protection during the night and to ask for His help and grace and the watchcare of His angels during the day! How fitting, also, when evening comes, to gather once more before Him and praise Him for the mercies and blessings of the day that is past! >From My Life Today - Page 31 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Jan 28 06:10:10 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2006 09:10:10 -0500 Subject: Confess Your Faults One to Another Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B0C44@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Confess Your Faults One to Another Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16 I am instructed to urge upon our people most earnestly the necessity of religion in the home. Among the members of the household there is ever to be a kind, thoughtful consideration. Morning and evening let all hearts be united in reverent worship. At the season of evening worship let every member of the family search well his own heart. Let every wrong that has been committed be made right. If during the day, one has wronged another or spoken unkindly, let the transgressor seek pardon of the one he has injured. Often grievances are cherished in the mind, and misunderstandings and heartaches are created that need not be. If the one who is suspected of wrong be given an opportunity, he might be able to make explanations that would bring relief to other members of the family. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another," that ye may be healed of all spiritual infirmities, that sinful dispositions may be changed. Make diligent work for eternity. Pray most earnestly to the Lord and hold fast to the faith. Trust not in the arm of flesh, but trust implicitly in the Lord's guidance. Let each one now say, "As for me, I will come out, and be separate from the world. I will serve the Lord with full purpose of heart." . . . The Lord will show His loving favor to those who will keep His commandments. The Word, the living Word, received and obeyed, will be a savor of life unto life. The reception of the truth will regenerate and cleanse the sinful heart. This work of individual purification of character cannot be safely delayed. . . . With confession and prayer, take your stand to be wholly the Lord's henceforth and forever. . . . We cannot afford to delay this work of confession and humbling of soul, that our offerings may be acceptable unto God. Fullness of joy is to be found in an entire surrender to God. >From My Life Today - Page 32 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Jan 29 09:28:25 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2006 12:28:25 -0500 Subject: Worship God and Be at Peace Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B0C4D@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Worship God and Be at Peace And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. Isa. 54:13 Your home is a little world of itself. . . . You are the ones who must decide whether your children shall choose the service of God or the service of mammon, eternal life or eternal death. . . . Like the patriarchs of old, those who profess to love God should erect an altar to Him wherever they pitch their tent. . . . Let the father, as priest of the household, lay upon the altar of God the morning and evening sacrifice, while the wife and children unite in prayer and praise. In such a household Jesus will love to abide. From every Christian home a holy light should shine forth. Love should be revealed in every act. It should flow out in all home intercourse, showing itself in thoughtful kindness, in gentle, unselfish courtesy. There are homes where this principle is carried out--homes where God is worshiped and truest love reigns. From these homes morning and evening prayer ascends to God as sweet incense, and His mercies and blessings descend upon the suppliants like morning dew. Let us raise our eyes to the open door of the sanctuary above, where the light of the glory of God shines in the face of Christ, who "is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him." . . . The soul may ascend nearer heaven on the wings of praise. God is worshiped with song and music in the courts above, and as we express our gratitude, we are approximating to the worship of the heavenly hosts. "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth" God. Let us with reverent joy come before our Creator, with "thanksgiving, and the voice of melody." >From My Life Today - Page 33 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Jan 30 03:51:35 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2006 06:51:35 -0500 Subject: Timothy's Life a Result of Family Religion Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B0C5A@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Timothy's Life a Result of Family Religion Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim. 3:14, 15 Those who profess the name of Christ should not neglect to establish the family altar, where they can seek God daily with all the earnestness with which they would seek Him in a religious assembly. We may learn precious lessons in this respect from the life and character of Timothy. From a child Timothy had known the Scriptures. Religion was the atmosphere of his home. The piety of his home life was . . . pure, sensible, and uncorrupted by false sentiments. . . . The Word of God was the rule which guided Timothy. He received his instruction, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. And the spiritual power of these lessons kept him pure in speech and free from all corrupting sentiments. His home instructors cooperated with God in educating this young man to bear the burdens that were to come upon him at an early age. . . . The lessons of the Bible have a moral and a religious influence upon the character as they are wrought into the practical life. Timothy learned and practiced these lessons. He had no specially wonderful talents, but his work was valuable because he used his God-given abilities as consecrated gifts in the service of God. His intelligent knowledge of the truth and of experimental piety gave him distinction and influence. The Holy Spirit found in Timothy a mind that could be molded and fashioned to become a temple for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. . . . The youth should place themselves under the teaching of the Holy Scriptures and weave them into their daily thoughts and practical life. Then they will possess the attributes classed as highest in the heavenly courts. They will hide themselves in God, and their lives will tell to His glory. >From My Life Today - Page 34 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Jan 31 11:43:58 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2006 14:43:58 -0500 Subject: Abraham Built an Altar Wherever He Went Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B0F15@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Abraham Built an Altar Wherever He Went And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him. And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, . . . and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord. Gen. 12:7, 8 The life of Abraham, the friend of God, was a life of prayer. Wherever he pitched his tent, close beside it was built an altar, upon which was offered the morning and evening sacrifice. When his tent was removed, the altar remained. And the roving Canaanite, as he came to that altar, knew who had been there; and when he had pitched his tent, he repaired the altar and worshiped the living God. So the homes of Christians should be lights in the world. . . . Fathers and mothers, each morning and evening gather your children round you, and in humble supplication lift your hearts to God for help. Your dear ones are exposed to temptation and trial. Daily annoyances beset the path of young and old. Those who would live patient, loving, cheerful lives must pray. Victory can be gained only by resolute and unwavering purpose, constant watchfulness, and continual help from God. Parents, each morning consecrate yourselves and your family to God for that day. Make no calculation for months or years; these are not yours. One brief day is given you. As if it were your last on earth, work during its hours for the Master. Lay all your plans before God, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Accept His plans instead of your own, even though their acceptance requires the abandonment of cherished projects. Thus the life will be molded more and more after the divine Example. Eternity alone will reveal the good results with which such seasons of worship are fraught. >From My Life Today - Page 35 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Feb 1 07:03:20 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2006 10:03:20 -0500 Subject: God's Gift of the Spirit Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B0FF0@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> God's Gift of the Spirit And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:16, 17 During the Jewish economy the influence of God's Spirit had been seen in a marked manner, but not in full. For ages prayers had been offered for the fulfillment of God's promise to impart His Spirit, and not one of these earnest supplications had been forgotten. Christ determined that when He ascended from this earth He would bestow a gift on those who had believed on Him and those who should believe on Him. What gift could He bestow rich enough to signalize and grace His ascension to the mediatorial throne? It must be worthy of His greatness and His royalty. He determined to give His representative, the third person of the Godhead. This gift could not be excelled. He would give all gifts in one, and therefore the divine Spirit, that converting, enlightening, and sanctifying power, would be His donation. . . . It came with a fullness and power, as if for ages it had been restrained, but was now being poured forth upon the church. . . . Believers were reconverted. Sinners united with Christians seeking the pearl of great price. . . . Every Christian saw in his brother the divine similitude of benevolence and love. One interest prevailed. One object swallowed up all others. Every pulse beat in healthy concert. The only ambition of the believers was to see who could reveal most perfectly the likeness of Christ's character, who could do the most for the enlargement of His kingdom. * * * * * The Holy Spirit was sent as the most priceless treasure man could receive. >From My Life Today - Page 36 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Feb 2 04:15:55 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2006 07:15:55 -0500 Subject: Climactic Moment Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B10FC@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Climactic Moment Who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap. Mal. 3:2. The people of Israel, because of their sinfulness, were forbidden to approach the mount when God was about to descend upon it to proclaim His law, lest they should be consumed by the burning glory of His presence. If such manifestations of His power marked the place chosen for the proclamation of God's law, how terrible must be His tribunal when He comes for the execution of these sacred statutes. How will those who have trampled upon His authority endure His glory in the great day of final retribution? . . . When the divine Presence was manifested upon Sinai, the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire. . . . But when Christ shall come in glory with His holy angels the whole earth shall be ablaze with the terrible light of His presence. . . . Never since man was created had there been witnessed such a manifestation of divine power as when the law was proclaimed from Sinai. . . . Amid the most terrific convulsions of nature the voice of God, like a trumpet, was heard from the cloud. The mountain was shaken from base to summit, and the hosts of Israel, pale and trembling with terror, lay upon their faces upon the earth. He whose voice then shook the earth has declared, "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven." . . . When Moses came from the divine Presence in the mount, where he had received the tables of the testimony, guilty Israel could not endure the light that glorified his countenance. How much less can transgressors look upon the Son of God when He shall appear in the glory of His Father, surrounded by all the heavenly host, to execute judgment upon the transgressors of His law and the rejecters of His atonement. . . . But amid the tempest of divine judgment the children of God will have no cause for fear. "The Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel." The day that brings terror and destruction to the transgressors of God's law, will bring to the obedient, "joy unspeakable, and full of glory." >From My Life Today - Page 37 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Feb 3 03:57:01 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2006 06:57:01 -0500 Subject: A High Standard Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B1238@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> A High Standard And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. Lev. 20:26. I also saw many do not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of the Lord without a high priest in the sanctuary through the time of trouble. Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully. I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and were looking to the time of "refreshing" and the "latter rain" to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God. Those who . . . fail to purify their souls in obeying the whole truth . . . will come up to the time of the falling of the plagues, and then see that they needed to be hewed and squared for the building. But there will be . . . no Mediator to plead their cause before the Father. Before this time the awfully solemn declaration has gone forth, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." I saw that none could share the "refreshing" unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action. We should, therefore, be drawing nearer and nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Let all remember that God is holy and that none but holy beings can ever dwell in His presence. We are today to watch that we offend not in word or deed. . . . We must today seek God and be determined that we will not rest satisfied without His presence. We should watch and work and pray as though this were the last day that would be granted us. How intensely earnest, then, would be our life. How closely would we follow Jesus in all our words and deeds. >From My Life Today - Page 38 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Feb 4 04:34:41 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2006 07:34:41 -0500 Subject: For the Unity of the Saints Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B1302@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> For the Unity of the Saints I . . . beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eph. 4:1-3 The stars of heaven are all under law, each influencing the other to do the will of God, yielding their common obedience to the law that controls their action. And, in order that the Lord's work may advance healthfully and solidly, His people must draw together. The spasmodic, fitful movements of some who claim to be Christians are well represented by the work of strong but untrained horses. When one pulls forward, another pulls back, and at the voice of their master, one plunges ahead, and the other stands immovable. If men will not move in concert in the great and grand work for this time, there will be confusion. . . . If men wear the yoke of Christ, they cannot pull apart; they will draw with Christ. . . . To the prophet, the wheel within a wheel, the appearance of living creatures connected with them, all seemed intricate and unexplainable. But the hand of infinite wisdom is seen among the wheels, and perfect order is the result of its work. Every wheel, directed by the hand of God, works in perfect harmony with every other wheel. By the influence of the Spirit, the most discordant may be brought into harmony. Unselfishness is to bind God's people together with firm, tender bonds. There is a vast power in the church when the energies of the members are under the control of the Spirit, gathering good from every source, educating, training, and disciplining self. Thus is presented to God a powerful organization, through which He can work for the conversion of sinners. Thus heaven and earth are connected, and all divine agencies cooperate with human instrumentalities. >From My Life Today - Page 39 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Feb 5 06:50:22 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2006 09:50:22 -0500 Subject: Truth Revealed by God's Prophets Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B1312@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Truth Revealed by God's Prophets Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7 Before the entrance of sin, Adam enjoyed open communion with his Maker; but since man separated himself from God by transgression, the human race has been cut off from this high privilege. By the plan of redemption, however, a way has been opened whereby the inhabitants of the earth may still have connection with heaven. God has communicated with men by His Spirit, and divine light has been imparted to the world by revelations to His chosen servants. "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21. . . . The Infinite One by His Holy Spirit has shed light into the minds and hearts of His servants. He has given dreams and visions, symbols and figures; and those to whom the truth was thus revealed, have themselves embodied the thought in human language. "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets." Amos 3:7. In His providence the Lord has seen fit to teach and warn His people in various ways. By direct command, by the sacred writings, and by the spirit of prophecy has He made known unto them His will. In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the Testimonies of His Spirit. There was never a time when God instructed His people more earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the course that He would have them pursue. Of special value to God's church on earth today--the keepers of His vineyard--are the messages of counsel and admonition given through the prophets who have made plain His eternal purpose in behalf of mankind. In the teachings of the prophets His love for the lost race and His plan for their salvation are clearly revealed. >From My Life Today - Page 40 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Feb 6 04:13:05 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2006 07:13:05 -0500 Subject: The Spirit of Prophecy-A Gift for Me Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B1323@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> The Spirit of Prophecy--A Gift for Me The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Rev. 19:10 God has been pleased to communicate His truth to the world by human agencies, and He Himself, by His Holy Spirit, qualified men and enabled them to do this work. He guided the mind in the selection of what to speak and what to write. The treasure was entrusted to earthen vessels, yet it is, nonetheless, from Heaven. The testimony is conveyed through the imperfect expression of human language, yet it is the testimony of God; and the obedient, believing child of God beholds in it the glory of a divine power, full of grace and truth. In His Word God has committed to men the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are to be accepted as an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. . . . As presented through different individuals, the truth is brought out in its varied aspects. One writer is more strongly impressed with one phase of the subject; he grasps those points that harmonize with his experience or with his power of perception and appreciation; another seizes upon a different phase; and each, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, presents what is most forcibly impressed upon his own mind--a different aspect of the truth in each, but a perfect harmony through all. And the truths thus revealed unite to form a perfect whole, adapted to meet the wants of men in all the circumstances and experiences of life. . . . Yet the fact that God has revealed His will to men through His Word has not rendered needless the continued presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, the Spirit was promised by our Saviour, to open the Word to His servants, to illuminate and apply its teachings. And since it was the Spirit of God that inspired the Bible, it is impossible that the teaching of the Spirit should ever be contrary to that of the Word. >From My Life Today - Page 41 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Feb 7 04:09:41 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2006 07:09:41 -0500 Subject: Believe and Prosper Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A012B14B8@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Believe and Prosper Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 2 Chron. 20:20 The light of prophecy still burns for the guidance of souls, saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it." It shines on the pathway of the just to commend, and on the way of the unjust to lead to repentance and conversion. Through its agency sin will be rebuked and iniquity unmasked. It is progressive in the performance of its duty to reflect light on the past, the present, and the future. If those who have received the light will appreciate and respect the testimonies of the Lord, they will see the religious life in a new light. They will be convicted. They will see the key that unlocks the mysteries that they have never understood. They will lay hold of the precious things that God has given them to profit withal and will be translated from the kingdom of darkness into God's marvelous light. Those who despise the warning will be left in blindness to become self-deceived. But those who heed it, and zealously go about the work of separating their sins from them in order to have the needed graces, will be opening the door of their hearts that the dear Saviour may come in and dwell with them. He has made provision that all may be holy and happy if they choose. Sufficient light has been given to this generation, that we may learn what our duties and privileges are and enjoy the precious and solemn truths in their simplicity and power. We are accountable only for the light that shines upon us. The commandments of God and the testimony 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. >From My Life Today - Page 42 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Feb 8 04:30:16 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2006 07:30:16 -0500 Subject: To Convict Me of Sin Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0130482F@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> To Convict Me of Sin And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me. John 16:8, 9 The office of the Holy Spirit is distinctly specified in the words of Christ: "When He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin. If the sinner responds to the quickening influence of the Spirit, he will be brought to repentance, and aroused to the importance of obeying the divine requirements. As Saul yielded himself fully to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, he saw the mistakes of his life, and recognized the far-reaching claims of the law of God. He who had been a proud Pharisee, confident that he was justified by his good works, now bowed before God with the humility and simplicity of a little child, confessing his own unworthiness and pleading the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. Saul longed to come into full harmony and communion with the Father and the Son; and in the intensity of his desire for pardon and acceptance, he offered up fervent supplications to the throne of grace. The prayers of the penitent Pharisee were not in vain. The inmost thoughts and emotions of his heart were transformed by divine grace, and his nobler faculties were brought into harmony with the eternal purposes of God. Christ and His righteousness became to Saul more than the whole world. The conversion of Saul is a striking evidence of the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit to convict men of sin. It is through the mighty agency of the Holy Spirit that the government of Satan is to be subdued and subjected. It is the Holy Spirit that convinces of sin and expels it from the soul by the consent of the human agent. . . . Through the merits of Christ man may be able to exercise the noblest powers of his being and expel sin from his soul. >From My Life Today - Page 43 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Feb 9 04:25:34 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2006 07:25:34 -0500 Subject: To Enlighten My Understanding Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A01304991@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> To Enlighten My Understanding The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Eph. 1:17, 18 For the mind renewed by the Holy Spirit, divine beauty and celestial light shine from the sacred page. That which is to the earthly mind a desolate wilderness, to the spiritual mind becomes a land of living streams. The Holy Spirit alone can cause us to feel the importance of those things easy to be understood, or prevent us from wresting truths difficult of comprehension. It is the office of heavenly angels to prepare the heart so to comprehend God's Word that we shall be charmed with its beauty, admonished by its warnings, or animated and strengthened by its promises. We should make the psalmist's petition our own, "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." God's holy, educating Spirit is in His Word. A light, a new and precious light, shines forth from every page. Truth is there revealed, and words and sentences are made bright and appropriate for the occasion, as the voice of God speaking to them. We need to recognize the Holy Spirit as our enlightener. That Spirit loves to address the children, and discover to them the treasures and beauties of the Word. The promises spoken by our Great Teacher will captivate the senses and animate the soul of the child with a spiritual power that is divine. There will grow in the receptive mind a familiarity with divine things which will be as a barricade against the temptations of the enemy. . . . The sparks of heavenly love will fall upon the hearts of the children as an inspiration. >From My Life Today - Page 44 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Feb 10 04:01:00 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2006 07:01:00 -0500 Subject: To Bring All Things to My Remembrance Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A01304AB9@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> To Bring All Things to My Remembrance The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26 Christ has risen from the dead, proclaiming over the rent sepulcher, "I am the resurrection and the life." He has sent His Spirit into our world to bring all things to our remembrance. By a miracle of His power He has preserved His Written Word through the ages. Shall we not, then, make this Word our constant study, learning from it God's purpose for us. The servants of Christ were to prepare no set speech to present when brought to trial. Their preparation was to be made day by day in treasuring up the precious truths of God's Word, and through prayer strengthening their faith. When they were brought into trial, the Holy Spirit would bring to their remembrance the very truths that would be needed. . . . A daily, earnest striving to know God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, would bring power and efficiency to the soul. The knowledge obtained by diligent searching of the Scriptures, would be flashed into the memory at the right time. But if any had neglected to acquaint themselves with the words of Christ, if they had never tested the power of His grace in trial, they could not expect that the Holy Spirit would bring His words to their remembrance. Christ has made every provision for us to be strong. He has given us His Holy Spirit, whose office is to bring to our remembrance all the promises that Christ has made, that we may have peace and a sweet sense of forgiveness. If we will but keep our eyes fixed on the Saviour and trust in His power, we shall be filled with a sense of security; for the righteousness of Christ will become our righteousness. >From My Life Today - Page 45 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Feb 11 05:41:57 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 08:41:57 -0500 Subject: To Transform My Character Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A01304B3D@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> To Transform My Character But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor. 3:18 It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil and to impress His own character on His church. . . . When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, it transforms the life. Sinful thoughts are put away, evil deeds are renounced; love, humility, and peace take the place of anger, envy, and strife. Joy takes the place of sadness, and the countenance reflects the joy of heaven. No one sees the hand that lifts the burden or beholds the light descend from the courts above. The blessing comes when by faith the soul surrenders itself to God. Then that power which no human eye can see, creates a new being in the image of God. The Holy Spirit is the breath of spiritual life in the soul. The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ. It imbues the receiver with the attributes of Christ. . . . The religion that comes from God is the only religion that will lead to God. In order to serve Him aright, we must be born of the divine Spirit. This will purify the heart and renew the mind, giving us a new capacity for knowing and loving God. It will give us a willing obedience to all His requirements. This is true worship. It is the fruit of the working of the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit every sincere prayer is indited, and such prayer is acceptable to God. Wherever a soul reaches out after God, there the Spirit's working is manifest, and God will reveal Himself to that soul. For such worshipers He is seeking. He waits to receive them and to make them His sons and daughters. >From My Life Today - Page 46 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Feb 12 07:46:09 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 12 Feb 2006 10:46:09 -0500 Subject: To Endow Me with Power from Above Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A01304B4F@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> To Endow Me with Power from Above But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8 The Holy Spirit was to descend on those who love Christ. By this they would be qualified, in and through the glorification of their Head, to receive every endowment necessary for the fulfilling of their mission. The Life-giver held in His hand not only the keys of death but a whole heaven of rich blessings. All power in heaven and earth was given to Him, and having taken His place in the heavenly courts, He could dispense these blessings to all who receive Him. The church was baptized with the Spirit's power. The disciples were fitted to go forth and proclaim Christ, first in Jerusalem, where the shameful work of dishonoring the rightful King had been done, and then to the uttermost parts of the earth. The evidence of the enthronement of Christ in His mediatorial kingdom was given. God desires that the receivers of His grace shall be witnesses to its power. Those whose course has been most offensive to Him He freely accepts; when they repent, He imparts to them His divine Spirit, places them in the highest positions of trust, and sends them forth into the camp of the disloyal to proclaim His boundless mercy. Provision is made by God Himself for every soul that turns to the Lord, to receive His immediate cooperation. The Holy Spirit becomes His efficiency. It is the Spirit's power that we need. This can do more for us in one minute than we can ever accomplish by talking. Only to those who wait humbly upon God, who watch for His guidance and grace, is the Spirit given. The power of God awaits their demand and reception. This promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessings in its train. >From My Life Today - Page 47 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Feb 13 05:07:16 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2006 08:07:16 -0500 Subject: To Raise a Standard Against the Enemy Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A01304B75@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> To Raise a Standard Against the Enemy When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Isa. 59:19 Jesus gives the Holy Spirit in large measure for great emergencies, to help our infirmities, to give us strong consolation. Those who are continually learning in the school of Christ will be able to pursue the even tenor of their way, and Satan's efforts to throw them off their balance will be signally defeated. Temptation is not sin. Jesus was holy and pure, yet He was tempted in all points as we are, but with a strength and power that man will never be called upon to endure. In His successful resistance He has left us a bright example, that we should follow His steps. If we are self-confident or self-righteous we shall be left to fall under the power of temptation; but if we look to Jesus and trust in Him we call to our aid a power that has conquered the foe on the field of battle, and with every temptation He will make a way of escape. When Satan comes in like a flood, we must meet his temptations with the sword of the Spirit, and Jesus will be our helper and will lift up for us a standard against him. The Holy Spirit was promised to be with those who were wrestling for victory, in demonstration of all mightiness, endowing the human agent with supernatural powers and instructing the ignorant in the mysteries of the kingdom of God. That the Holy Spirit is to be the grand helper is a wonderful promise. . . . The imparted Holy Spirit enabled His disciples, the apostles, to stand firmly against every species of idolatry and to exalt the Lord and Him alone. By His Spirit He is everywhere present. Through the agency of His Spirit and His angels He ministers to the children of men. >From My Life Today - Page 48 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Feb 14 04:12:55 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2006 07:12:55 -0500 Subject: To Glorify Christ in Me Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A01304CFA@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> To Glorify Christ in Me He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:14 In these words Christ declares the crowning work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit glorifies Christ by making Him the object of supreme regard, and the Saviour becomes the delight, the rejoicing, of the human agent in whose heart is wrought this transformation. . . . Repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ are the fruits of the renewing power of the grace of the Spirit. Repentance represents the process by which the soul seeks to reflect the image of Christ to the world. Christ gives them the breath of His own Spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind. The grace of God enlarges and multiplies their faculties, and every perfection of the divine nature comes to their assistance in the work of saving souls. Through cooperation with Christ they are complete in Him, and in their human weakness they are enabled to do the deeds of Omnipotence. It should be the work of the Christian's life to put on Christ and to bring himself to a more perfect likeness of Christ. The sons and daughters of God are to advance in their resemblance to Christ, our pattern. Daily they are to behold His glory and contemplate His incomparable excellence. O that the baptism of the Holy Spirit might come upon you, that you might be imbued with the Spirit of God! Then day by day you will become more and more conformed to the image of Christ, and in every action of your life the question would be, "Will it glorify my Master?" By patient continuance in well-doing you would seek for glory and honor, and would receive the gift of immortality. >From My Life Today - Page 49 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Feb 15 04:06:07 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 07:06:07 -0500 Subject: Love Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A01304EDA@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Love The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Gal. 5:22, 23 To all who believe, He is as the tree of life in the Paradise of God. His branches reach to this world, that the blessings which He has purchased for us may be brought within our reach. . . . He has given us a Comforter, the Holy Spirit, which will present to us the precious fruit from the tree of life. From this tree we may pluck and eat, and we may then guide others to it, that they also may eat. The man who loves God meditates on the law of God day and night. He is instant in season and out of season. He bears the fruit of a branch vitally connected with the Vine. As he has opportunity, he does good; and everywhere, at all times and in all places, he finds opportunity to work for God. He is one of the Lord's evergreen trees; and he carries fragrance with him wherever he goes. A wholesome atmosphere surrounds his soul. The beauty of his well-ordered life and godly conversation inspires faith and hope and courage in others. This is Christianity in practice. Seek to be an evergreen tree. Wear the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. Cherish the grace of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness. This is the fruit of the Christian tree. Planted by the rivers of water, it always brings forth its fruit in due season. If we have the love of Christ in our souls, it will be a natural consequence for us to have all the other graces--joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. . . . When the love of Christ is enshrined in the heart, . . . His presence will be felt. >From My Life Today - Page 50 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Feb 16 04:16:19 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 07:16:19 -0500 Subject: Joy and Peace Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A01305084@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Joy and Peace Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Rom. 15:13 The Lord has determined that every soul who obeys His word shall have His joy, His peace, His continual keeping power. Such men and women are brought near Him always, not only when they kneel before Him in prayer, but when they take up the duties of life. He has prepared for them an abiding place with Himself, where the life is purified from all grossness, all unloveliness. By this unbroken communion with Him, they are made colaborers with Him in their lifework. Words cannot describe the peace and joy possessed by him who takes God at His word. Trials do not disturb him, slights do not vex him. Self is crucified. Day by day his duties may become more taxing, his temptations stronger, his trials more severe; but he does not falter; for he receives strength equal to his need. Those who are learning at the feet of Jesus will surely exemplify by their deportment and conversation the character of Christ. . . . Their experience is marked less with bustle and excitement than with a subdued and reverent joy. Their love for Christ is a quiet, peaceful, yet all-controlling power. The light and love of an indwelling Saviour are revealed in every word and every act. There have been times when the blessing of God has been bestowed in answer to prayer, so that when others have come into the room, no sooner did they step over the threshold than they exclaimed, "The Lord is here!" Not a word had been uttered, but the blessed influence of God's holy presence was sensibly felt. The joy that comes from Jesus Christ was there; and in this sense the Lord had been in the room just as verily as He walked through the streets of Jerusalem, or appeared to the disciples when they were in the upper chamber, and said, "Peace be unto you." >From My Life Today - Page 51 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Feb 17 03:52:46 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 06:52:46 -0500 Subject: Long-Suffering Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A013051AF@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Long-Suffering Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. Col. 1:11 Love is the law of Christ's kingdom. The Lord calls upon every one to reach a high standard. The lives of His people are to reveal love, meekness, long-suffering. Long-suffering bears something, yea, many things, without seeking to be avenged by word or act. "Long-suffering" is patience with offence; long endurance. If you are long-suffering, you will not impart to others your supposed knowledge of your brother's mistakes and errors. You will seek to help and save him, because he has been purchased with the blood of Christ. "Tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother." "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." To be long-suffering is not to be gloomy and sad, sour and hardhearted; it is to be exactly the opposite. Try to live peaceably with all men, and let the atmosphere surrounding your soul be sweet and fragrant. The Lord hears every unwise word that is spoken. If you will battle against selfish human nature, you will go forward steadily in the work of overcoming hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong. By patience, long-suffering, and forbearance you will accomplish much. Remember that you cannot be humiliated by the unwise speeches of someone else, but that when you answer unwisely, you lose a victory that you might have gained. Be very careful of your words. Forbearance and unselfishness mark the words and deeds of those who are born again to live the new life in Christ. >From My Life Today - Page 52 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Feb 18 05:36:33 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2006 08:36:33 -0500 Subject: Gentleness Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A01305264@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Gentleness Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. 2 Sam. 22:36 You are to represent Christ in His meekness and gentleness and love. True gentleness is a gem of great value in the sight of God. We want a spirit of gentleness. We cannot live right in the family circle without it. In order to have the proper control of our children, we must manifest a spirit of gentleness and of meekness and of long-suffering. We do not want to have a faultfinding, fretful, scolding spirit. If we teach them to have a spirit of gentleness, we must have a spirit of gentleness ourselves; . . . if we would have them manifest a spirit of love toward us, we must manifest a gentle, loving spirit toward them. But at the same time there need be no weakness or unwise indulgence on the part of parents. The mother must have firmness and decision. She must be as firm as a rock, and not swerve from the right. Her laws and rules should be carried out at all times and under all hazards, but she can do this with all gentleness and meekness. . . . The children will grow up God-fearing men and women. No member of the family can enclose himself within himself, where other members of the family shall not feel his influence and spirit. The very expression of the countenance has an influence for good or evil. His spirit, his words, his actions, his attitude toward others, are unmistakable. . . . If he is filled with the love of Christ, he will manifest courtesy, kindness, tender regard for the feelings of others, and will communicate to his associates, by his acts of love, a tender, grateful, happy feeling. It will be made manifest that he is living for Jesus. . . . He will be able to say to the Lord, "Thy gentleness hath made me great." >From My Life Today - Page 53 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Feb 19 08:18:24 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 11:18:24 -0500 Subject: Goodness Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0130526D@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Goodness A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord. Prov. 12:2 True goodness is accounted of Heaven as true greatness. The condition of the moral affections determines the worth of the man. A person may have property and intellect, and yet be valueless, because the glowing fire of goodness has never burned upon the altar of his heart. Goodness is the result of divine power transforming human nature. By believing in Christ, the fallen race he has redeemed may obtain that faith which works by love and purifies the soul from all defilement. Then Christlike attributes appear: for by beholding Christ men become changed into the same image from glory to glory, from character to character. Good fruit is produced. The character is fashioned after the divine similitude, and integrity, uprightness, and true benevolence are manifested toward the sinful race. The Lord has placed every human being on test and trial. He desires to prove and to try us, to see if we will be good and do good in this life, to see if he can trust us with eternal riches, and make us members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. There is no limit to the good you may do. If you make the Word of God the rule of your life, and govern your actions by its precepts, making all your purposes and exertions in the fulfilling of your duty a blessing and not a curse to others, success will crown your efforts. You have placed yourself in connection with God; you have become a channel of light to others. You are honored by becoming co-laborers with Jesus; and no higher honor can you receive than the blessed benediction from the lips of the Saviour: "Well done, good and faithful servant." >From My Life Today - Page 54 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Feb 20 08:43:04 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2006 11:43:04 -0500 Subject: Faith Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0130528C@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Faith The just shall live by his faith. Hab. 2:4 On one occasion, when meditating concerning the future, he said, "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He will say unto me." Graciously the Lord answered him: "Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. . . . The just shall live by his faith." The faith that strengthened Habakkuk and all the holy and the just in those days of deep trial was the same faith that sustains God's people today. In the darkest hours, under circumstances the most forbidding, the Christian believer may keep his soul stayed upon the source of all light and power. Day by day, through faith in God, his hope and courage may be renewed. "The just shall live by his faith." In the service of God there need be no despondency, no wavering, no fear. The Lord will more than fulfill the highest expectations of those who put their trust in Him. He will give them the wisdom their varied necessities demand. . . . We must cherish and cultivate the faith of which prophets and apostles have testified--the faith that lays hold on the promises of God and waits for deliverance in His appointed time and way. The sure word of prophecy will meet its final fulfillment in the glorious Advent of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as King of kings and Lord of lords. The time of waiting may seem long, the soul may be oppressed by discouraging circumstances, many in whom confidence has been placed may fall by the way; but with the prophet who endeavored to encourage Judah in a time of unparalleled apostasy, let us confidently declare, "The Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him." Let us ever hold in remembrance the cheering message, "The vision is yet for an appointed time . . . : though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. . . . The just shall live by his faith." >From My Life Today - Page 55 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Feb 21 04:18:24 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 07:18:24 -0500 Subject: Meekness Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A013052B0@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Meekness The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. Ps. 25:9 Jesus loves the young. . . . He bids them learn of him meekness and lowliness of heart. This precious grace is rarely seen in the youth of the present day, even in those who profess to be Christians. Their own ways seem right in their eyes. In accepting the name of Christ they do not accept His character or submit to wear His yoke; therefore they know nothing of the joy and peace to be found in His service. Meekness is a precious grace, willing to suffer silently, willing to endure trials. Meekness is patient and labors to be happy under all circumstances. Meekness is always thankful and makes its own songs of happiness, making melody in the heart of God. Meekness will suffer disappointment and wrong and will not retaliate. A meek and quiet spirit will not be ever looking out for happiness for itself, but will seek for self-forgetfulness and find sweet content and true satisfaction in making others happy. It is not the seeking to climb to eminence that will make you great in God's sight, but it is the humble life of goodness, of fidelity that will make you the object of the heavenly angels' special guardianship. The Pattern Man . . . lived nearly thirty years in an obscure Galilean town, hidden away among the hills. All the angel host was at His command, yet He did not claim to be anything great or exalted. . . . He was a carpenter, working for wages, a servant to those for whom He labored, showing that heaven may be very near to us in the common walks of life, and that angels from the heavenly courts will take charge of the steps of those who come and go at God's command. * * * * * The perfect fruit of faith, meekness, and love often matures best amid storm clouds and darkness. >From My Life Today - Page 56 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Feb 22 04:07:58 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2006 07:07:58 -0500 Subject: The Promise of Power Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A01305448@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> The Promise of Power For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:5 It is not because of any restriction on God's part that the riches of His grace do not flow to men. His gift is godlike. He gave with a liberality that men do not appreciate because they do not love to receive. If all were willing to receive, all would be filled with the Spirit. . . . We are too easily satisfied with a ripple on the surface, when it is our privilege to expect the deep moving of the Spirit of God. With the reception of this gift, all other gifts would be ours; for we are to have this gift according to the plentitude of the riches of the grace of Christ, and He is ready to supply every soul according to the capacity to receive. Then let us not be satisfied with only a little of this blessing, only that amount which will keep us from the slumber of death, but let us diligently seek for the abundance of the grace of God. Promise after promise is given, assuring us of the fullness of power that God has, and yet we are so weak in faith that we do not grasp the power. O how much we need a living, earnest faith in the truths of God's Word! This great need of God's people is constantly before me. . . . What can we do to arouse them to see that we are living in the very evening of this earth's history? . . . We need to seek for a faith that will lay hold of the arm of Jehovah. Only to those who wait humbly upon God, who watch for His guidance and grace, is the Spirit given. The power of God awaits their demand and reception. This promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessings in its train. It is given according to the riches of the grace of Christ, and He is ready to supply every soul according to the capacity to receive. >From My Life Today - Page 57 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Feb 23 06:14:53 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2006 09:14:53 -0500 Subject: Preparing for Power Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A013056A7@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Preparing for Power Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19 Instead of being worked by the Holy Spirit, many, even among those engaged in the solemn work of God, are barring the way against its holy, life-giving influences. They freely criticize and judge their brethren, and yet they do not realize the necessity of earnestly looking into the divine mirror to see what spirit they themselves are manifesting. Their defects of character they regard as virtues, and cling to them. . . . Let there be a work of reformation and repentance. Let all seek for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As with the disciples after the ascension of Christ, it may require several days of earnestly seeking God and putting away of sin. When God's people are worked by the Holy Spirit, they will manifest a zeal that is according to knowledge. . . . They will reflect the light that God has been giving for years. The spirit of criticism will be put away. Filled with the spirit of humility, they will be of one mind, united with one another and with Christ. When a man is filled with the Spirit, the more severely he is tested and tried, the more clearly he proves that he is a representative of Christ. The peace that dwells in the soul is seen on the countenance. The words and actions express the love of the Saviour. There is no striving for the highest place. Self is renounced. The name of Jesus is written on all that is said and done. When the truth in its simplicity is lived in every place, then God will work through His angels as He worked on the day of Pentecost, and hearts will be changed so decidedly that there will be a manifestation of the influence of genuine truth, as is represented in the descent of the Holy Spirit. >From My Life Today - Page 58 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Feb 24 09:18:54 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2006 12:18:54 -0500 Subject: Tarrying for Power Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0135328E@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Tarrying for Power Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49 Every truly converted soul will be intensely desirous to bring others from the darkness of error into the marvelous light of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the whole earth with His glory, will not come until we have an enlightened people, that know by experience what it means to be laborers together with God. When we have entire, wholehearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure; but this will not be while the largest portion of the church are not laborers together with God. God cannot pour out His Spirit when selfishness and self-indulgence are so manifest; when a spirit prevails that, if put into words, would express that answer of Cain--"Am I my brother's keeper?" . . . When the hearts of the believers are warm with the love for God, they will do a continual work for Jesus. They will manifest the meekness of Christ and display a steadfast purpose that will not fail nor be discouraged. God will use humble men to do His work, for there is a large vineyard calling for laborers. The promise of the Holy Spirit is not limited to any age or to any race. Christ declared that the divine influence of His Spirit was to be with His followers unto the end. From the day of Pentecost to the present time, the Comforter has been sent to all who have yielded themselves fully to the Lord and to His service. . . . The more closely believers have walked with God, the more clearly and powerfully have they testified of their Redeemer's love and of His saving grace. The men and women who through the long centuries of persecution and trial enjoyed a large measure of the presence of the Spirit in their lives, have stood as signs and wonders in the world. >From My Life Today - Page 59 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Feb 25 05:20:15 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2006 08:20:15 -0500 Subject: Receiving the Power Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A013532DE@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Receiving the Power And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. . . . And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:2-4 The Spirit came upon the waiting, praying disciples with a fullness that reached every heart. The Infinite One revealed Himself in power to His church. It was as if for ages this influence had been held in restraint, and now Heaven rejoiced in being able to pour out upon the church the riches of the Spirit's grace. The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the "former rain," and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be more abundant. To the end of time the presence of the Spirit is to abide with the true church. But near the end of earth's harvest a special bestowal of the spiritual grace is promised, to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of men. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain; and it is for this added power that the Christians are to send their petitions to the Lord of the harvest "in the time of the latter rain." In response, "The Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain." . . . Those only who are constantly receiving fresh supplies of grace will have power proportionate to their daily need and their ability to use that power. Instead of looking forward to some future time when, through a special endowment of spiritual power, they will receive a miraculous fitting up for soul winning, they are yielding themselves daily to God, that He may make them vessels meet for His use. Daily they are improving the opportunities for service that lie within their reach. Daily they are witnessing for the Master wherever they may be, whether in some humble sphere of labor in the home or in a public field of usefulness. >From My Life Today - Page 60 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Feb 26 09:18:54 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 12:18:54 -0500 Subject: Witnessing With Power Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A013532F2@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Witnessing With Power With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33 What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit? Thousands were converted in a day. The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power and bathed in the lightnings of heaven, cut its way through unbelief, overcoming Satanic agencies and magnifying the Lord as possessing supreme power. Everywhere the gospel was proclaimed. Those who proclaimed it had no grievous complaints to make. The hearts of the disciples were surcharged with a benevolence so full, so deep, so far reaching, that it impelled them to go to the ends of the earth, testifying, God forbid that we should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. As they proclaimed the gospel as the power of God unto salvation, hearts yielded to the power of the Holy Spirit. New territory was daily added to the church. In every place converts confessed Christ. Those who had been the bitterest opponents of the truth became her champions. . . . The disciples . . . were weighted with the burden for the salvation of souls. The gospel was to be carried to the uttermost parts of the earth, and they claimed the endowment of the power that Christ had promised. Then it was that the Holy Spirit was poured out, and thousands were converted in a day. So may it be now. Instead of man's speculations, let the Word of God be preached. Let Christians put away their dissensions and give themselves to God for the saving of the lost. Let them ask in faith for the blessing, and it will come. Zeal for God moved the disciples to bear witness to the truth with mighty power. Should not this zeal fire our hearts with a determination to tell the story of redeeming love, of Christ, and Him crucified? >From My Life Today - Page 61 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Feb 27 04:15:47 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 27 Feb 2006 07:15:47 -0500 Subject: I Want That Power Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A0135331B@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> I Want That Power And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. Joel 2:28, 29 We are living in the last days, in a time when we may expect much from the Lord. These words should bring us to the throne of grace to claim great things of Him. Here the promise is given that on the men and women and on our sons and daughters the Holy Spirit is to come; and "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." This brings to view a wonderful work to be done, for which we need the converting power of God in our hearts every day. It is our privilege to experience this. Heaven is full of blessings, and it is our privilege to claim the rich promises of God for our individual selves. We need to seek the Lord day and night that we may know just what steps to take and just what we ought to do. The Lord has a special work to do for us individually. As we see the wickedness of the world brought to light in the courts of justice and published in the daily papers, let us draw near to God, and by living faith lay hold of His promises, that the grace of Christ may be manifest in us. We may have an influence, a powerful influence, in the world. If the convicting power of God is in us, we shall be enabled to lead souls that are in sin to conversion. In the closing scenes of this earth's history, many . . . children and youth [who receive a true Christian education] will astonish people by their witness to the truth, which will be borne in simplicity, yet with spirit and power. They have been taught the fear of the Lord, and their hearts have been softened by a careful and prayerful study of the Bible. In the near future many children will be endued with the Spirit of God, and will do a work proclaiming the truth to the world. . . . They will do a work in the world that not all the powers of evil can counteract. >From My Life Today - Page 62 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Feb 28 14:49:46 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:49:46 -0500 Subject: The Whole Earth Will Be Lightened Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A013536AD@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> The Whole Earth Will Be Lightened And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. Rev. 18:1 The end of all things is at hand. God is moving upon every mind that is open to receive the impressions of His Holy Spirit. He is sending our messengers that they may give the warning in every locality. God is testing the devotion of His churches and their willingness to render obedience to the Spirit's guidance. Knowledge is to be increased. The messengers of Heaven are to be seen running to and fro, seeking in every possible way to warn the people of the coming judgments and presenting the glad tidings of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. The standard of righteousness is to be exalted. The Spirit of God is moving upon men's hearts, and those who respond to its influence will become lights in the world. Everywhere they are seen going forth to communicate to others the light they have received as they did after the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. And as they let their light shine, they receive more and more of the Spirit's power. The earth is lighted with the glory of God. This message will close with power and strength far exceeding the midnight cry. Servants of God, endowed with power from on high, with their faces lighted up, and shining with holy consecration, went forth to proclaim the message from heaven. Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. A spirit of intercession was seen, even as was manifested before the great Day of Pentecost. Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families and opening before them the Word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly influence. >From My Life Today - Page 63 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Mar 1 06:43:14 2006 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2006 09:43:14 -0500 Subject: Esther Message-ID: <3372F6BF2D889A488C241FDFD857316A01353727@gcmail2.gc.sda.org> Esther And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14 A certain day was appointed on which the Jews were to be destroyed and their property confiscated. Little did the king realize the far-reaching results that would have accompanied the complete carrying out of this decree. Satan himself, the hidden instigator of the scheme, was trying to rid the earth of those who preserved the knowledge of the true God. . . . But the plots of the enemy were defeated by a Power that reigns among the children of men. In the providence of God, Esther, a Jewess who feared the Most High, had been made queen of the Medo-Persian kingdom. Mordecai was a near relative of hers. In their extremity they decided to appeal to Xerxes in behalf of their people. Esther was to venture into his presence as an intercessor. "Who knoweth," said Mordecai, "whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" The crisis that Esther faced demanded quick, earnest action; but both she and Mordecai realized that unless God should work mightily in their behalf, their own efforts would be unavailing. So Esther took time for communion with God, the source of her strength. "Go," she directed Mordecai, "gather to