From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Apr 26 13:28:46 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:28:46 -0400 Subject: The Grace of Humility In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Grace of Humility Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isa. 57:15. The grace of humility should be cherished by every one who names the name of Christ, for self-exaltation can find no place in the work of God. Those who would cooperate with the Lord of hosts must daily crucify self, placing worldly ambition in the background. They must be long-suffering and kind, full of mercy and tenderness to those around them. . . . True humility is the evidence that we behold God and that we are in union with Jesus Christ. Unless we are meek and lowly we cannot claim that we have any true conception of the character of God. Men may think that they are serving God faithfully; their talents, learning, eloquence, or zeal may dazzle the eye, delight the fancy, and awaken the admiration of those who cannot see beneath the surface, but unless these qualifications are humbly consecrated to God, . . . they are regarded by God as unprofitable servants. God has been waiting long for His followers to manifest true humility that He may impart rich blessings to them. Those who offer Him the sacrifice of a broken and contrite spirit will be hidden in the cleft of the rock and will behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world. As Jesus, the Sin Bearer, the all-sufficient Sacrifice, is seen more distinctly, their lips are tuned to the loftiest praise. The more they see of the character of Christ the more humble they become, and the lower their estimate of themselves. . . . Self is lost sight of in their consciousness of their own unworthiness and of God's wonderful glory. . . . Those who value a holy and happy walk with God, who prize the strength that a knowledge of Him brings; will leave nothing undone if only they may behold God. They will cherish the spirit that trembles at His word, and in every place and under every circumstance they will pray that they may be allowed to see His glory. >From That I May Know Him - Page 122 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Jan 1 14:50:12 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 1 Jan 2007 17:50:12 -0500 Subject: Unlock the Storehouse! In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Unlock the Storehouse! Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Eph. 3:8. In the Word of God there are rich mines of truth that we may spend our whole lifetime in exploring, and yet we shall find that we have only begun to view their precious stores. . . . There are unsearchable riches for us. It will take us all eternity to comprehend the riches of the glory of God and of Jesus Christ. . . . Christ has said: "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John 7:37). Have you exhausted the fountain? No, for it is inexhaustible. Just as soon as you feel your need, you may drink, and drink again. The fountain is always full. And when you have once drunk of that fountain you will not be seeking to quench your thirst from the broken cisterns of this world; you will not be studying how you can find the most pleasure, amusement, fun, and frolic. No, because you have been drinking from the stream which makes glad the city of God. Then your joy will be full, for Christ will be in you. Jehovah Immanuel--He "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," in whom dwells "all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:3, 9)--to be brought into sympathy with Him, to know Him, to possess Him, as the heart opens more and more to receive His attributes; to know His love and power, to possess the unsearchable riches of Christ, to comprehend more and more "what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Eph. 3:18, 19)--"this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord" (Isa. 54:17). There is no need for us to hunger, there is no need for us to thirst, while the storehouse of heaven is open for us and the key is given into our possession. What is the key? Faith, which is the gift of God. Unlock the storehouse; take of its rich treasures. >From That I May Know Him - Page 7 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Jan 2 06:12:28 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2007 09:12:28 -0500 Subject: Where Wisdom Begins In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Where Wisdom Begins The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Prov. 9:10. There is a wide difference between what God has given men capacity to become, and the degree of excellence to which they actually attain. The Word of God presents the most potent means of education, as well as the most valuable source of knowledge, within the reach of man. The understanding adapts itself to the dimensions of the subjects with which it is required to deal. If occupied with trivial, commonplace matters only, never summoned to earnest effort to comprehend great and eternal truths, it becomes dwarfed and enfeebled. Hence the value of the Scriptures, as a means of intellectual culture. . . . They lead directly to the contemplation of the most exalted, the most ennobling, and the most stupendous truths that are presented to the mind of man. They direct our thoughts to the infinite Author of all things. We see revealed the character of the Eternal, and listen to His voice as He communes with patriarchs and prophets. We see explained the mysteries of His providence, the great problems which have engaged the attention of every thoughtful mind, but which, without the aid of revelation, human intellect seeks in vain to solve. They open to our understanding a simple yet sublime system of theology, presenting truths which a child may grasp, but which are yet so far reaching as to baffle the powers of the strongest mind. The more closely God's Word is searched, and the better understood, the more vividly will the student realize that there is, beyond, infinite wisdom, knowledge, and power. . . . If the youth will but learn of the heavenly Teacher, as did Daniel, they will know that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. . . . Those who consecrate themselves to God, and who have the protection of His grace and the quickening influence of His Spirit, will manifest keener intellectual power than the mere worldling. They will be able to reach the highest, noblest exercise of every faculty. >From That I May Know Him - Page 8 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Jan 3 05:46:43 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2007 08:46:43 -0500 Subject: Who May Know God? In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Who May Know God? Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? Job 11:7. We cannot by searching find out God, but He has revealed Himself in His Son, who is the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of His person. If we desire a knowledge of God we must be Christlike. . . . Living a pure life through faith in Christ as a personal Saviour will bring to the believer a clearer, higher conception of God. . . . Eternal life is the reward that will be given to all who obey the two great principles of God's law--love to God and love to man. The first four commandments define and enjoin love to God; the last six, love to our fellow men. Obedience to these commands is the only evidence man can give that he possesses a genuine, saving knowledge of God. Love for God is demonstrated by love for those for whom Christ has died. While enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, Christ gave directions regarding this love. Distinctly and clearly He laid down the principles of heaven as rules that His chosen people were to observe in their dealings one with another. These principles Christ lived out in His life of humanity. In His teaching He presented the motives that should govern the lives of His followers. . . . Those who partake of God's love through a reception of the truth will give evidence of this by making earnest, self-sacrificing efforts to give the message of God's love to others. Thus they become laborers together with Christ. Love for God and for one another unites them to Christ by golden links. Their life is bound up with His life in sanctified, elevated union. . . . This union causes rich currents of Christ's love to flow continually into the heart, and then flow forth again in love for others. The qualities that it is essential for all to possess in order to know God are those that mark the completeness of Christ's character--His love, His patience, His unselfishness. These attributes are cultivated by doing kind actions with a kindly heart. >From That I May Know Him - Page 9 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Jan 4 14:11:30 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2007 17:11:30 -0500 Subject: Superficial Knowledge Not Enough In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Superficial Knowledge Not Enough To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col. 1:27. There are many mysteries in the Word of God that we do not comprehend, and many of us are content to stop our investigation when we have just begun to receive a little knowledge concerning Christ. When there begins to be a little unfolding of the divine purposes to the mind, and we begin to obtain a slight knowledge of the character of God, we become satisfied and think that we have received about all the light that there is for us in the Word of God. But the truth of God is infinite. With painstaking effort we should work in the mines of truth, discovering the precious jewels that have been hidden. . . . Jesus meant just what He said when He directed His disciples to "search the Scriptures" (John 5:39). Searching means to compare scripture with scripture, and spiritual things with spiritual. We should not be satisfied with a superficial knowledge. We do not half realize what the Lord is willing to do for His people. . . . Our petitions, mingled with faith and contrition, should go up to God for an understanding of the mysteries that God would make known to His saints. . . . An angel's pen could not portray all the glory of the revealed plan of redemption. The Bible tells how Christ bore our sins and carried our sorrows. Here is revealed how mercy and truth have met together at the cross of Calvary, how righteousness and peace have kissed each other, how the righteousness of Christ may be imparted to fallen man. There infinite wisdom, infinite justice, infinite mercy, and infinite love were displayed. Depths, heights, lengths, and breadths of love and wisdom, all passing knowledge, are made known in the plan of salvation. He who desires the truth in his heart, who longs for the working of its powers upon the life and character, will be sure to have it. Says the Saviour, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matt. 5:6). >From That I May Know Him - Page 10 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Jan 5 12:30:04 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2007 15:30:04 -0500 Subject: Christ the Eternal Word In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Christ the Eternal Word In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:13. Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father,--one in nature, in character, in purpose,--the only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. "His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." His "goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." And the Son of God declares concerning Himself: "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting. . . . When he appointed the foundations of the earth: then I was by him, as one brought up with him" (Isa 9:6; Micah 5:2; Prov. 8:22-30). The Father wrought by His Son in the creation of all heavenly beings. "By him were all things created, . . . whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him" (Col. 1:16). Angels are God's ministers, radiant with the light ever flowing from His presence, and speeding on rapid wing to execute His will. But the Son, the anointed of God, the "express image of his person," "the brightness of his glory," "upholding all things by the word of his power," holds supremacy over them all (Heb. 1:3). Christ was God essentially, and in the highest sense. . . . The Lord Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, existed from eternity, a distinct person, yet one with the Father. He was the surpassing glory of heaven. He was the commander of the heavenly intelligences, and the adoring homage of the angels was received by Him as His right. . . . There are light and glory in the truth that Christ was one with the Father before the foundation of the world was laid. This is the light shining in a dark place, making it resplendent with divine, original glory. >From That I May Know Him - Page 11 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Jan 6 06:05:36 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2007 09:05:36 -0500 Subject: The Great I Am In-Reply-To: Message-ID: The Great I Am Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. John 8:58. I AM means an eternal presence; the past, present, and future are alike with God. He sees the most remote events of past history and the far distant future with as clear a vision as we do those things which are transpiring daily. We know not what is before us, and if we did, it would not contribute to our eternal welfare. God gives us an opportunity to exercise faith and trust in the great I AM. . . . Our Saviour says, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad" (John 8:56). Fifteen hundred years before Christ laid off His royal robe, His kingly crown, and left His position of honor in the heavenly courts, assumed humanity, and walked a man among the children of men, Abraham saw His day, and was glad. "Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am" (verses 57, 58). . . . Christ was using the great name of God that was given to Moses to express the idea of the eternal presence {See Ex. 3:14.} Isaiah also saw Christ, and his prophetic words are full of significance. He says, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6). Speaking through him, the Lord says, "I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour. . . . Fear not: for I am with thee. . . . I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. . . . Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God. Yea, before the day was I am he. . . . I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King" (Isa, 43:3-15). . . . When Jesus came to our world, He proclaimed Himself, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). . . . The Lord must be believed and served as the great "I AM," and we must trust implicitly in Him. >From That I May Know Him - Page 12 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Jan 7 06:50:08 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 7 Jan 2007 09:50:08 -0500 Subject: Co-Workers in Creation In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Co-Workers in Creation And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. ... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Gen. 1:26, 27. After the earth was created, and the beasts upon it, the Father and Son carried out their purpose, which was designed before the fall of Satan, to make man in their own image. They had wrought together in the creation of the earth and every living thing upon it. And now God said to His Son, "Let us make man in our image." Adam and Eve came forth from the hand of their Creator in the perfection of every physical, mental, and spiritual endowment. God planted for them a garden and surrounded them with everything lovely and attractive to the eye, and that which their physical necessities required. . . . The holy pair looked upon nature as a picture of unsurpassed loveliness. The brown earth was clothed with a carpet of living green, diversified with an endless variety of self-propagating, self-perpetuating flowers. Shrubs, flowers, and trailing vines regaled the senses with their beauty and fragrance. The many varieties of lofty trees were laden with fruit of every kind and of delicious flavor. ... Adam and Eve could trace the skill and glory of God in every spire of grass and in every shrub and flower. The natural loveliness which surrounded them, like a mirror reflected the wisdom, excellence, and love of their heavenly Father. And their songs of affection and praise rose sweetly and reverentially to heaven, harmonizing with the songs of the exalted angels, and with the happy birds who were caroling forth their music without a care. There was no disease, decay, nor death anywhere. Life, life was in everything the eye rested upon. The atmosphere was impregnated with life. . . . Adam could reflect that he was created in the image of God, to be like Him in righteousness and holiness. His mind was capable of continual cultivation, expansion, refinement and noble elevation, for God was his teacher, and angels were his companions. >From That I May Know Him - Page 13 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Jan 8 06:48:15 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 09:48:15 -0500 Subject: A Sad Day for the Universe In-Reply-To: Message-ID: A Sad Day for the Universe Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Rom. 5:12. When our first parents were placed in the beautiful garden of Eden, they were tested in regard to their loyalty to God. They were free to choose the service of God, or by disobedience to ally themselves with the enemy of God and man. . . . If they disregard God's commands, and listened to the voice of Satan, as he spoke through the serpent, they would not only forfeit their claim to Eden, but to life itself. The first great moral lesson given Adam was that of self-denial. The reins of self-government were placed in his hands. Judgment, reason, and conscience were to bear sway. . . . Adam and Eve were permitted to partake of every tree in the Garden save one. There was only a single prohibition. The forbidden tree was as attractive and lovely as any of the trees in the Garden. It was called the tree of knowledge, because in partaking of that tree, of which God had said, "Thou shalt not eat of it," (Gen. 2:17) they would have a knowledge of sin, an experience in disobedience. With what intense interest the whole universe watched the conflict that was to decide the position of Adam and Eve. How attentively the angels listened to the words of Satan, the originator of sin, as he ... sought to make of none effect the law of God through his deceptive reasoning! How anxiously they waited to see if the holy pair would be deluded by the tempter, and yield to his arts! They asked themselves, Will the holy pair transfer their faith and love from the Father and Son to Satan? Will they accept his falsehoods as truth? Adam and Eve persuaded themselves that in so small a matter as eating of the forbidden fruit, there could not result such terrible consequences as God had declared. But this small matter was sin, the transgression of God's immutable and holy law, and it opened the floodgates of death and untold woe upon our world. . . . Let us not esteem sin as a trivial thing. >From That I May Know Him - Page 14 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Jan 10 05:27:21 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 08:27:21 -0500 Subject: The Mystery of Sin In-Reply-To: Message-ID: The Mystery of Sin Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so. ... Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. Eze. 28:14, 15. It is impossible to explain the origin of sin so as to give a reason for its existence. Yet enough may be understood concerning both the origin and the final disposition of sin, to make fully manifest the justice and benevolence of God in all His dealings with evil. Nothing is more plainly taught in Scripture than that God was in no wise responsible for the entrance of sin. . . . Sin is an intruder, for whose presence no reason can be given. It is mysterious, unaccountable; to excuse it, is to defend it. Could excuse for it be found, or cause be shown for its existence, it would cease to be sin. Our only definition of sin is that given in the word of God; it is "the transgression of the law;" (1 John 3:4) it is the outworking of a principle at war with the great law of love which is the foundation of the divine government. Sin originated in self-seeking. Lucifer, the covering cherub, desired to be first in heaven. He sought to gain control of heavenly beings, to draw them away from their Creator, and to win their homage to himself. . . . Thus he deceived angels. Thus he deceived men. He led them to doubt the word of God, and to distrust His goodness. . . . Thus he drew men to join him in rebellion against God, and the night of woe settled down upon the world. Sin appeared in a perfect universe. . . . The reason of its inception or development was never explained and never can be, even at the last great day when the judgment shall sit and the books be opened. . . . At that day it will be evident to all that there is not, and never was, any cause for sin. At the final condemnation of Satan and his angels and of all men who have finally identified themselves with him as transgressors of God's law, every mouth will be stopped. When the hosts of rebellion, from the first great rebel to the last transgressor, are asked why they have broken the law of God, they will be speechless. There will be no answer to give. >From That I May Know Him - Page 15 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Jan 10 05:30:38 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 08:30:38 -0500 Subject: Divine Enmity in the Soul In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Divine Enmity in the Soul And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Gen. 3:15. Adam and Eve stood as criminals before their God, awaiting the sentence which transgression had incurred. But before they hear of the thorn and the thistle, the sorrow and anguish which should be their portion, and the dust to which they should return, they listen to words which must have inspired them with hope. Though they must suffer . . . , they might look forward to ultimate victory. God declares, "I will put enmity." This enmity is supernaturally put, and not naturally entertained. When man sinned, his nature became evil, and he was in harmony, and not at variance, with Satan. The lofty usurper, having succeeded in seducing our first parents as he had seduced angels, counted on securing their allegiance and cooperation in all his enterprises against the government of Heaven. . . . But when Satan heard that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head, he knew that though he had succeeded in depraving human nature . . . , yet by some mysterious process God would restore to man his lost power, and enable him to resist and overcome his conqueror. It is the grace that Christ implants in the soul that creates the enmity against Satan. Without this grace, man would continue the captive of Satan, a servant ever ready to do his bidding. The new principle in the soul creates conflict where hitherto had been peace. The power which Christ imparts, enables man to resist the tyrant and usurper. Whenever a man is seen to abhor sin instead of loving it, when he resists and conquers those passions that have held sway within, there is seen the operation of a principle wholly from above. The Holy Spirit must be constantly imparted to man, or he has no disposition to contend against the powers of darkness. Shall we not accept the enmity which Christ has placed between man and the serpent? . . . We have a right to say, In the strength of Jesus Christ I will be a conqueror. >From That I May Know Him - Page 16 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Jan 11 06:05:48 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2007 09:05:48 -0500 Subject: A Star of Hope In-Reply-To: Message-ID: A Star of Hope Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29. To fallen man was revealed the plan of infinite sacrifice through which salvation was to be provided. Nothing but the death of God's dear Son could expiate man's sin, and Adam marveled at the goodness of God in providing such a ransom for the sinner. Through the love of God, a star of hope illumined the terrible future that spreads before the transgressor. Through the institution of the typical system of sacrifice and offering, the death of Christ was ever to be kept before guilty man, that he might better comprehend the nature of sin, the results of transgression, and the merit of the divine offering. Had there been no sin, man would never have known death. But in the innocent offering slain by his own hand he beheld the fruits of sin--the death of the Son of God in his behalf. He sees the immutable character of the law he has transgressed, and confesses his sin; he relies upon the merits of the Lamb of God. . . . In becoming man's substitute, in bearing the curse which should fall upon man, Christ has pledged Himself in behalf of the race to maintain the sacred and exalted honor of His Father's law. . . . God has given the world into the hands of Christ, that He may completely vindicate the binding claims of the law and make manifest the holiness of every principle. The sacrifice of beasts shadowed forth the sinless offering of God's dear Son, and pointed forward to His death upon the cross. But at the crucifixion type met antitype, and the typical system there ceased. . . . The Son of God is the center of the great plan of redemption which covers all dispensations. He is the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev. 13:8). He is the Redeemer of the fallen sons and daughters of Adam in all ages of human probation. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). >From That I May Know Him - Page 17 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Jan 12 04:59:38 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Darryl Thompson) Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 04:59:38 -0800 Subject: God's Character Revealed In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: God's Character Revealed But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom. 5:8. The fall of man, with all its consequences, was not hidden from the Omnipotent. Redemption was not an afterthought, a plan formulated after the fall of Adam, but an eternal purpose, suffered to be wrought out for the blessing not only of this atom of a world, but for the good of all the worlds that God had created. . . . When man sinned, all heaven was filled with sorrow. . . . Out of harmony with the nature of God, unyielding to the claims of His law, naught but destruction was before the human race. Since the divine law is as changeless as the character of God, there could be no hope for man unless some way could be devised whereby his transgression might be pardoned, his nature renewed, and his spirit restored to reflect the image of God. Divine love had conceived such a plan. . . . In the work of creation Christ was with God. He was one with God, equal with Him. . . . He alone, the Creator of man, could be his Saviour. No angel of heaven could reveal the Father to the sinner, and win him back to allegiance to God. But Christ could manifest the Father's love, for God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself. Christ could be the "daysman" between a holy God and lost humanity, one who could "lay his hand upon us both" (Job 9:33). . . . He proposed to take upon Himself the guilt and shame of sin--sin so offensive in the sight of God that it would necessitate separation from His Father. Christ proposed to reach to the depths of man's degradation and woe, and restore the repenting, believing soul to harmony with God. Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, offered Himself as a sacrifice and substitute for the fallen sons of Adam. Through creation and redemption, through nature and through Christ, the glories of the divine character are revealed. By the marvelous display of His love in giving "his only begotten Son," . . . the character of God is revealed to the intelligences of the universe. >From That I May Know Him - Page 18 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Jan 13 06:12:44 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2007 09:12:44 -0500 Subject: Love So Amazing! In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Love So Amazing! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16. Having undertaken the work of man's redemption, the Father would spare nothing, however dear, which was essential for the completion of His work. He would make opportunities for men; He would pour upon them His blessings; He would heap favor upon favor, gift upon gift, until the whole treasury of heaven was open to those whom He came to save. Having collected all the riches of the universe, and laid open all the resources of His divine nature, God gave them all for the use of man. They were His free gift. What an ocean of love is circulating, like a divine atmosphere, around the world! What manner of love is this, that the eternal God should adopt human nature in the person of His Son, and carry the same into the highest heaven! All the heavenly intelligences were watching with intense interest the warfare that was going on upon the earth--the earth that Satan claimed as his dominion. Every moment was big with eternal realities. How would the conflict end? The angels looked for the justice of God to be revealed, His anger to be aroused against the prince of darkness and his sympathizers. But lo, mercy prevailed. When the Son of God might have come to the world to condemn, He came as righteousness and peace, to save not merely the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but all the world--every son and daughter of Adam who would believe on Him, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. What an exhibition of the love of Jehovah! This is love without a parallel. Our Redeemer determined on nothing less than that through His merits the love of God should be transfused through the soul that believes in Him. As our life, the vitality of God's love is to circulate through every part of our nature, that it may abide in us as it dwells in Christ Jesus. United with Christ by living faith, the Father loves us as the members of Christ's mystical body, of which Christ is the glorified head. >From That I May Know Him - Page 19 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Jan 14 07:12:07 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 14 Jan 2007 10:12:07 -0500 Subject: Isaac a Figure of Christ In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Isaac a Figure of Christ By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called. Heb. 11:17, 18. The offering of Isaac was designed by God to prefigure the sacrifice of His Son. Isaac was a figure of the Son of God, who was offered a sacrifice for the sins of the world. God desired to impress upon Abraham the gospel of salvation of men. . . . He was made to understand in his own experience how great was the self-denial of the infinite God in giving His Son to rescue man from ruin. To Abraham no mental torture could be equal to that which he endured in obeying the command to sacrifice his son. ... With a breaking heart and unnerved hand, he takes the fire, while Isaac inquires, "Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" (Gen. 22:7). But oh, Abraham cannot tell him now! Father and son build the altar, and the terrible moment comes for Abraham to make known to Isaac that which has agonized his soul during all that long journey--that Isaac himself is the victim. . . . The son submits to the sacrifice because he believes in the integrity of his father. But when everything is ready, when the faith of the father and the submission of the son are fully tested, the angel of God stays the uplifted hand of Abraham, and tells him that it is enough. "Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me" (verse 12). Our heavenly Father surrendered His beloved Son to the agonies of the crucifixion. Legions of angels witnessed the humiliation and soul anguish of the Son of God, but were not permitted to interpose as in the case of Isaac. No voice was heard to stay the sacrifice. God's dear Son, the world's Redeemer, was insulted, mocked at, derided, and tortured, until He bowed His head in death. What greater proof can the Infinite One give us of His divine love and pity? "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Rom. 8:32). From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Jan 15 07:01:43 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:01:43 -0500 Subject: Christ the Mystic Ladder In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Christ the Mystic Ladder And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. Gen. 28:12. Jacob's experience as a wanderer from his home, when he was shown the mystic ladder, . . . was designed to teach a great truth in regard to the plan of salvation. . . . The ladder represented Christ. He is the channel of communication between heaven and earth, and angels go to and fro in continual intercourse with the fallen race. The words of Christ to Nathanael were in harmony with the figure of the ladder, when He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man" (John 1:51). Here the Redeemer identifies Himself as the mystic ladder that makes communication possible between heaven and earth. . . . In assuming humanity, Christ planted the ladder firmly upon the earth. The ladder reaches unto the highest heaven, and God's glory shines from its summit and illuminates its whole length, while the angels pass to and fro with messages from God to man, with petition and praise from man to God. . . . In the vision of Jacob was represented the union of the human and the divine in Christ. As the angels pass to and fro on the ladder, God is represented as looking down with favor upon the children of men because of the merit of His Son. . . . The gaining of eternal life is no easy thing. By living faith we are to keep on reaching forward, ascending the ladder round by round, seeing and taking the necessary steps; and yet we must understand that not one holy thought, not one unselfish act, can be originated in self. It is only through Christ that there can be any virtue in humanity. . . . But while we can do nothing without Him, we have something to do in connection with Him. At no time must we relax our spiritual vigilance, for we are hanging, as it were, between heaven and earth. We must cling to Christ, climb up by Christ, become laborers together with Him in the saving of our souls. >From That I May Know Him - Page 21 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Jan 16 05:48:42 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2007 08:48:42 -0500 Subject: Christ's First Advent Prefigured In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Christ's First Advent Prefigured By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Heb. 11:24, 25. While he {Moses} was sitting under the very shadow of the throne, the Spirit of the Lord stirred his heart to lift the crushing weight that was pressing his brethren into the lowest degradation and slavery. His heart ached with sorrow, as if he himself were in slavery, laboring in the brick kiln, and sharing their degradation. They were slaves, suffering under the cruel lash. They were a reproach and a hissing to all the Egyptians, from Pharaoh down to the lowest serf. But the Lord had singled out Moses as the one to deliver the oppressed race, and by forty years of exile, under the discipline of God, he was prepared for the work. Understanding the evil disposition of his own countrymen, knowing how many would be perverse and unreasonable, understanding that they might betray him, he was yet considering ways and means to accomplish their deliverance, though supposing that he himself had forfeited all right to be the instrument. But God, in the bush which though burning was yet unconsumed by the fire, presented Himself, and selected Moses as His agent. . . . Moses was accepted as a co-worker with God. He knew that scorn, hatred, persecution, and maybe death would be his portion if he should act any part in espousing the cause of the Hebrew captives. . . . He had stood in great popularity as the general of Pharaoh's armies, and he knew that now his name would be bandied round and falsified, but he esteemed "the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt" (Heb. 11:26). He laid down the prospect of a kingly crown, and took up the burdens of his oppressed and afflicted people. Moses was chosen of God to break the yoke of bondage upon the children of Israel, and . . . in his work he prefigured Christ's first advent to break Satan's power over the human family and deliver those who were made captives by his power. >From That I May Know Him - Page 22 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Jan 17 06:06:39 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2007 09:06:39 -0500 Subject: The Smitten Rock In-Reply-To: Message-ID: The Smitten Rock Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. Ex. 17:6. From the smitten rock in Horeb first flowed the living stream that refreshed Israel in the desert. During all their wanderings, wherever the need existed, they were supplied with water by a miracle of God's mercy. . . . It was Christ, by the power of His word, that caused the refreshing stream to flow for Israel. "They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ" (1 Cor. 10:4). He was the source of all temporal as well as spiritual blessings. Christ, the true Rock, was with them in all their wanderings. "They thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them." "They ran in the dry places like a river" (Isa. 48:21; Ps. 105:41). The smitten rock was a figure of Christ, and through this symbol the most precious spiritual truths are taught. As the life-giving waters flowed from the smitten rock, so from Christ, "smitten of God," "wounded for our transgressions," "bruised for our iniquities" (Isa. 53:4, 5), the stream of salvation flows for a lost race. As the rock had been once smitten, so Christ was to be "once offered to bear the sins of many" (Heb. 9:28). Our Saviour was not to be sacrificed a second time; and it is only necessary for those who seek the blessings of His grace to ask in the name of Jesus, pouring forth the heart's desire in penitential prayer. Such prayer will bring before the Lord of hosts the wounds of Jesus, and then will flow forth afresh the life-giving blood, symbolized by the flowing of the living water for Israel. . . . The refreshing water, welling up in a parched and barren land, . . . is an emblem of the divine grace which Christ alone can bestow, and which is as the living water purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul. He in whom Christ is abiding has within him a never-failing fountain of grace and strength. >From That I May Know Him - Page 23 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Jan 18 04:03:15 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:03:15 -0500 Subject: The Living Water In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Living Water And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Cor. 10:4. Christ combines the two types. He is the rock, He is the living water. The same beautiful and expressive figures are carried throughout the Bible. Centuries before the advent of Christ, Moses pointed to Him as the rock of Israel's salvation; the psalmist sung of Him as "my redeemer," "the rock of my strength," "the rock that is higher than I," "a rock of habitation," "rock of my heart," "rock of my refuge." In David's song His grace is pictured also as the cool, "still waters," amid green pastures, beside which the heavenly Shepherd leads His flock. Again, "Thou shalt make them," he says, "drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life." And the wise man declares, "The wellspring of wisdom {is} as a flowing brook." To Jeremiah, Christ is "the fountain of living waters"; to Zechariah, "a fountain opened . . . for sin and for uncleanness." Isaiah describes Him as the "rock of ages," and "the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." And he records the precious promise, bringing vividly to mind the living stream that flowed for Israel: "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them." "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground"; "in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert." The invitation is given, "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters." And in the closing pages of the sacred word this invitation is echoed. The river of the water of life, "clear as crystal," proceeds from the throne of God and the Lamb; and the gracious call is ringing down through the ages, "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." References: Deut. 32:15; Ps. 19:14; 62:7; 61:2; 71:3 (margin); 73:26 (margin); 94:22; 23:2; 36:8, 9; Prov. 18:4; Jer. 2:13; Zech. 13:1; Isa. 26:4 (margin); 32:2; 41:17; 44:3; 35:6; 55:1; Rev. 22:1, 17. >From That I May Know Him - Page 24 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Jan 19 04:17:20 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2007 07:17:20 -0500 Subject: God in Human Flesh In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: God in Human Flesh And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14. When we want a deep problem to study, let us fix our minds on the most marvelous thing that ever took place in earth or heaven-- the incarnation of the Son of God. Christ alone was able to represent the Deity. . . . God Himself must be revealed to humanity. In order to do this, our Saviour clothed His divinity with humanity. He employed the human faculties, for only by adopting these could He be comprehended by humanity. Only humanity could reach humanity. He lived out the character of God through the human body which God had prepared for Him. Had Christ come in His divine form, humanity could not have endured the sight. The contrast would have been too painful, the glory too overwhelming. Humanity could not have endured the presence of one of the pure, bright angels from glory; therefore Christ took not on Him the nature of angels; He came in the likeness of men. Looking upon Him, we behold the invisible God, who clothed His divinity with humanity in order that through humanity He might shed forth a subdued and softened glory, so that our eyes might be enabled to rest upon Him, and our souls not be extinguished by His undimmed splendor. We behold God through Christ, our Creator and Redeemer. It is our privilege to contemplate Jesus by faith, and see Him standing between humanity and the eternal throne. He is our Advocate, presenting our prayers and offerings as spiritual sacrifices to God. Jesus is the great sinless propitiation, and through His merit God and man may hold converse together. Christ has carried His humanity into eternity. He stands before God as the representative of our race. When we are clothed with the wedding garment of His righteousness, we become one with Him, and He says of us, "They shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy" (Rev. 3:4). His saints will behold Him in His glory, with no dimming veil between. >From That I May Know Him - Page 25 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Jan 20 05:58:08 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2007 08:58:08 -0500 Subject: The Babe of Bethlehem In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Babe of Bethlehem Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:11, 12. We cannot understand how Christ became a little, helpless babe. He could have come to earth in such beauty that He would have been unlike the sons of men. His face could have been bright with light, and His form could have been tall and beautiful. He could have come in such a way as to charm those who looked upon Him, but this was not the way that God planned He should come among the sons of men. He was to be like those who belonged to the human family and to the Jewish race. His features were to be like those of other human beings and He was not to have such beauty of person as to make people point Him out as different from others. He was to come as one of the human family, and to stand as a man before heaven and earth. He had come to take man's place, to pledge Himself in man's behalf, to pay the debt that sinners owed. He was to live a pure life on the earth, and show that Satan had told a falsehood when he claimed that the human family belonged to him forever, and that God could not take men out of his hands. Men first beheld Christ as a babe, as a child. His parents were very poor, and He had nothing in this earth save that which the poor have. He passed through all the trials that the poor and lowly pass through from babyhood to childhood, from youth to manhood. . . . The more we think about Christ's becoming a babe here on earth, the more wonderful it appears. How can it be that the helpless babe in Bethlehem's manger is still the divine Son of God? Though we cannot understand it, we can believe that He who made the worlds, for our sakes became a helpless babe. Though higher than any of the angels, though as great as the Father on the throne of heaven, He became one with us. In Him God and man became one, and it is in this fact that we find the hope of our fallen race. Looking upon Christ in the flesh, we look upon God in humanity and see in Him the brightness of divine glory, the express image of God the Father. >From That I May Know Him - Page 26 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Jan 21 10:29:06 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2007 13:29:06 -0500 Subject: A Light to the Young In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: A Light to the Young And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Luke 2:40. The example of Jesus is a light to the young as well as to those of mature years, for His was a representative childhood and youth. From His earliest years His example was perfect. In both His physical and His spiritual nature He followed the divine order of growth illustrated by the plant, as He wishes all youth to do. Although He was the majesty of heaven, the King of glory, He became a babe in Bethlehem, and for a time represented the helpless infant in its mother's care. In childhood He did the works of an obedient child. He spoke and acted with the wisdom of a child and not of a man, honoring His parents, and carrying out their wishes in helpful ways, according to the ability of a child. But at each stage of His development He was perfect, with the simple, natural grace of a sinless life. Joseph, and especially Mary, kept before them the remembrance of their child's divine Fatherhood. Jesus was instructed in accordance with the sacred character of His mission. His inclination to right was a constant gratification to His parents. The questions He asked them led them to study most earnestly the great elements of truth. His soul-stirring words about nature and the God of nature opened and enlightened their minds. On the rocks and knolls about His home the eye of the Son of God often rested. He was familiar with the things of nature. He saw the sun in the heavens, the moon and the stars fulfilling their mission. With the voice of singing He welcomed the morning light. He listened to the lark caroling forth music to its God, and joined His voice with the voice of praise and thanksgiving. Quiet and gentle, He seemed as one who was set apart. Whenever He could He went out alone into the fields and on the mountainsides to commune with the God of nature. When His work was done He wandered by the lakeside, among the trees of the forest, and in the green valleys, where He could think about God and lift His soul to heaven in prayer. >From That I May Know Him - Page 27 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Jan 22 10:33:11 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 13:33:11 -0500 Subject: A Child in the Temple In-Reply-To: Message-ID: A Child in the Temple Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? Luke 2:49. When Christ was twelve years old He went with His parents to Jerusalem to attend the feast of the Passover, and on their return He was lost in the multitude. After Joseph and Mary had searched for Him for three days, they found Him in the court of the Temple, "sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers" (Luke 2:46, 47). His parents listened in amazement as they heard His searching inquiries. . . . Though taking the attitude of a learner, Christ imparted light in every word He uttered. He interpreted the Scripture to the darkened mind of the rabbis, and gave them clear light in regard to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. The sharp, clear questions of the child learner brought a flood of light to their darkened understanding. The truth shone out as the clear shining of a light in a darkened place, as He received and imparted the knowledge of the plan of salvation. It is plainly stated that Christ grew in knowledge. What a lesson is found in this incident in the life of Christ for all youth! If they shall diligently search the Word of God, and through the Holy Spirit receive divine guidance, they will be able to impart light to others. . . . Mary, the mother of Jesus, . . . asked, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." Divine light shone through humanity as Jesus lifted His right hand and asked, "How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them" (verses 48-50). They did not comprehend the true meaning of His words. But, though He was the Son of God, He went down with His parents and came unto Nazareth, and was subject unto them. . . . At the age of twelve the Holy Spirit was abiding upon Jesus and He felt something of the burden of the mission for which He had come to our world. >From That I May Know Him - Page 28 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Jan 23 06:48:29 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 09:48:29 -0500 Subject: Keep the Saviour With You! In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Keep the Saviour With You! And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. Luke 2:43. Not one act in the life of Christ was unimportant. Every event of His life was for the benefit of His followers in future time. This circumstance of the tarry of Christ in Jerusalem teaches an important lesson. . . . Jesus was acquainted with hearts. He knew that, as the crowd returned in company from Jerusalem, there would be much talking and visiting which would not be seasoned with humility and grace, and the Messiah and His mission would be nearly forgotten. It was His choice to return from Jerusalem with His parents alone; for in being retired, His father and mother would have more time for reflection, and for meditation upon the prophecies which referred to His future sufferings and death. He did not wish the painful events which they were to experience in His offering up His life for the sins of the world, to be new and unexpected to them. He was separated from them in their return to Jerusalem. After the celebration of the Passover, they sought Him sorrowing three days. . . . Here is a lesson of instruction to all the followers of Christ. . . . There is necessity of carefulness of words and actions when Christians are associated together, lest Jesus be forgotten of them, and they pass along careless of the fact that Jesus is not among them. When they are aroused to their condition, they discover that they have journeyed without the presence of Him who could give peace and joy to their hearts, and days are occupied in returning, and searching for Him whom they should have retained with them every moment. Jesus will not be found in the company of those who are careless of His presence, and who engage in conversation having no reference to their Redeemer. . . . It is the privilege of all to retain Jesus with them. If they do this, their words must be select, seasoned with grace. The thoughts of their hearts must be disciplined to meditate upon heavenly and divine things. >From That I May Know Him - Page 29 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Jan 24 05:57:36 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 08:57:36 -0500 Subject: The Ideal for All Humanity In-Reply-To: Message-ID: The Ideal for All Humanity And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Luke 2:52. Christ lived the life of a toiler from His earliest years. In His youth He worked with His Father at the carpenter's trade, and thus honored all labor. Though He was the King of glory, yet by His practice of following a humble employment He rebuked idleness in every member of the human family, and dignified all labor as noble and Christlike. . . . From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Jan 25 05:49:47 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 08:49:47 -0500 Subject: The Meaning of Christ's Baptism In-Reply-To: Message-ID: The Meaning of Christ's Baptism Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. Matt. 3:13. Many had come to him [John] to receive the baptism of repentance, confessing their sins. . . . Christ came not confessing His own sins, but guilt was imputed to Him as the sinner's substitute. He came not to repent on His own account, but in behalf of the sinner. . . . Christ honored the ordinance of baptism by submitting to this rite. In this act He identified Himself with His people as their representative and head. As their substitute He takes upon Him their sins, numbering Himself with the transgressors, taking the steps the sinner is required to take, and doing the work the sinner must do. . . . After Christ rose up from the water. . . . He walked out to the bank of Jordan and bowed in the attitude of prayer. . . . As the believer's example, His sinless humanity supplicated support and strength from His heavenly Father, as He was about to commence His public labor as the Messiah. . . . Never before had angels listened to such a prayer as Christ offered at His baptism, and they were solicitous to be the bearers of the message from the Father to His Son. But, no! Direct from the Father issues the light of His glory. The heavens were opened and beams of glory rested upon the Son of God and assumed the form of a dove, in appearance like burnished gold. The dovelike form was emblematical of the meekness and gentleness of Christ. . . . From the opening heavens came these words: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." . . . Notwithstanding the Son of God was clothed with humanity, yet Jehovah, with His own voice, assures Him of His sonship with the Eternal. In this manifestation to His Son, God accepts humanity as exalted through the excellence of His beloved Son. Christ's prayer on the banks of the Jordan includes everyone who will believe in Him. The promise that you are accepted in the Beloved comes to you. God said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." . . . Christ has cleaved the way for you to the throne of the infinite God. >From That I May Know Him - Page 31 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Jan 26 06:15:43 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 09:15:43 -0500 Subject: The Wilderness Temptation In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Wilderness Temptation Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Matt. 4:1. Why was it that at the beginning of His public ministry Christ was led into the wilderness to be tempted? . . . He went, not in His own behalf, but in our behalf; to overcome for us. . . . He was to be tried and tested as a representative of the race. He was to meet the foe in personal encounter, to overthrow him who claimed to be the head of the kingdoms of the world. Satan met Him and tempted Him on the very points where man will be tempted. Our Substitute and Surety passed over the ground where Adam stumbled and fell. And the question was, Will He stumble and fall as Adam did over God's commandments? He met Satan's attacks again and again with "It is written," and Satan left the field of conflict a conquered foe. Christ has redeemed Adam's disgraceful fall, and has perfected a character of perfect obedience, and left an example for the human family. . . . Had He failed on one point in reference to the law of God, He would not have been a perfect offering, for it was on one point only that Adam failed. . . . Our Saviour withstood on every point the test of temptation, and in this way He has made it possible for man to overcome. Now, there is enough in this idea, in this thought, to fill our hearts with gratitude every day of our lives. As Jesus was accepted as our substitute and surety, every one of us will be accepted if we stand the test and trial for ourselves. He took our nature that He might become acquainted with the trials wherewith man should be beset, and He is our mediator and intercessor before the Father. Those who would overcome must put to the tax every power of their being. They must agonize on their knees before God for divine power. . . . Men may have a power to resist evil--a power that neither earth, nor death, nor hell can master; a power that will place them where they may overcome as Christ overcame. Divinity and humanity may be combined in them. >From That I May Know Him - Page 32 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Jan 27 05:24:08 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2007 08:24:08 -0500 Subject: The Wilderness Temptation In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: A Life Without Sin We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb. 4:15. Let us consider how much it cost our Saviour in the wilderness of temptation to carry on in our behalf the conflict with the wily, malignant foe. Satan knew that everything depended upon his success or failure in his attempt to overcome Christ with his manifold temptations. Satan knew that the plan of salvation would be carried out to its fulfillment, that his power would be taken away, that his destruction would be certain, if Christ bore the test that Adam failed to endure. The temptations of Satan were most effective in degrading human nature, for man could not stand against their powerful influence; but Christ in man's behalf, as man's representative, resting wholly upon the power of God, endured the severe conflict, in order that He might be a perfect example to us. There is hope for man. . . . The work before us is to overcome as Christ overcame. He fasted forty days, and suffered the keenest pangs of hunger. Christ suffered on our account beyond our comprehension, and we should welcome trial and suffering on our own account for Christ's sake, that we may overcome as Christ also overcame, and be exalted to the throne of our Redeemer. . . . We have everything to gain in the conflict with our mighty foe, and we dare not for a moment yield to his temptations. We know that in our own strength it is not possible for us to succeed; but as Christ humbled Himself, and took upon Himself our nature, He is acquainted with our necessities, and has Himself borne the heaviest temptations that man will have to bear, has conquered the enemy in resisting his suggestions, in order that man may learn how to be conqueror. He was clothed with a body like ours, and in every respect suffered what man will suffer, and very much more. We shall never be called upon to suffer as Christ suffered, for the sins not of one, but the sins of the whole world were laid upon Christ. He endured humiliation, reproach, suffering, and death, that we by following His example might inherit all things. >From That I May Know Him - Page 33 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Jan 28 09:31:30 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2007 12:31:30 -0500 Subject: Christ Suffered, Being Tempted In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Christ Suffered, Being Tempted For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Heb. 2:16. We need not place the obedience of Christ by itself, as something for which He was particularly adapted, by His particular divine nature, for He stood before God as man's representative and was tempted as man's substitute and surety. If Christ had a special power which it is not the privilege of man to have, Satan would have made capital of this matter. The work of Christ was to take from the claims of Satan his control of man, and He could do this only in the way that He came--a man, tempted as a man, rendering the obedience of a man. Would that we could comprehend the significance of the words, Christ "suffered being tempted" (Heb. 2:18). While He was free from the taint of sin, the refined sensibilities of His holy nature rendered contact with evil unspeakably painful to Him. Yet with human nature upon Him, He met the arch apostate face to face, and singlehanded withstood the foe of His throne. Not even by a thought could Christ be brought to yield to the power of temptation. Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of Himself, "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me" (John 14:30). The storms of temptation burst upon Him, but they could not cause Him to swerve from His allegiance to God. All the followers of Christ have to meet the same malignant foe that assailed their Master. With marvelous skill he adapts his temptations to their circumstances, their temperament, their mental and moral bias, their strong passions. He is ever whispering in the ears of the children of men, as he points to worldly pleasures, gains, or honors, "All this will I give you, if you will do my bidding." We must look to Christ; we must resist as He resisted; we must pray as He prayed; we must agonize as He agonized, if we would conquer as He conquered. >From That I May Know Him - Page 34 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Jan 29 05:40:18 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 08:40:18 -0500 Subject: Our Divine Redeemer In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Our Divine Redeemer Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Phil. 2:6. Jesus Christ "counted it not a thing to be grasped to be equal with God." Because divinity alone could be efficacious in the restoration of man from the poisonous bruise of the serpent, God Himself, in His only begotten Son, assumed human nature, and in the weakness of human nature sustained the character of God, vindicated His holy law in every particular, and accepted the sentence of wrath and death for the sons of men. What a thought is this! He who was one with the Father before the world was made had such compassion for a world lost and ruined by transgression that He gave His life a ransom for it. He who was the brightness of the Father's glory, the express image of His person, bore our sins in His own body on the tree, suffering the penalty of man's transgression until justice was satisfied and required no more. How great is the redemption that has been worked out for us! So great that the Son of God died the cruel death of the cross to bring to us life and immortality through faith in Him. This wonderful problem--how God could be just and yet the justifier of sinners--is beyond human ken. As we attempt to fathom it, it broadens and deepens beyond our comprehension. When we look with the eye of faith upon the cross of Calvary, and see our sins laid upon the victim hanging in weakness and ignominy there--when we grasp the fact that this is God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace--we are led to exclaim, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us" (1 John 3:1)! . . . When man can measure the exalted character of the Lord of hosts, and distinguish between the eternal God and finite humanity, he will know how great has been the sacrifice of Heaven to bring man from where he has fallen through disobedience to become part of the family of God. . . . The divinity of Christ is our assurance of eternal life. . . . He, the Sin Bearer of the world, is our only medium of reconciliation with a holy God. >From That I May Know Him - Page 35 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Jan 30 06:02:14 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 09:02:14 -0500 Subject: Marvel of the Heavenly Hosts In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Marvel of the Heavenly Hosts But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Phil. 2:7. It is important that we each study to know the reason of the life of Christ in humanity, and what it means to us--why the Son of God left the courts of heaven--why He stepped down from His position as commander of the heavenly angels who came and went at His bidding --why He clothed His divinity with humanity, and in lowliness and humility came to the world as our Redeemer. It was the marvel of the heavenly hosts that Christ should come to earth and do as He did--that His life here should be one of poverty, in such incomparable contrast with His glory in the heavenly courts. He might have come attended by the angelic throng. . . . Before the universe of heaven, Christ condescended to take upon Him the form of humanity, and stand among the lowly ones of earth, that He might reach them where they were, and by precept and example teach them, that though among the poor and oppressed they might be pure, and true, and noble. He came to reveal to the world that the life and character need not become contaminated amid poverty and lowliness. The lily that rests upon the bosom of the lake may be surrounded with weeds and unsightly debris, yet, unsullied, it opens its fragrant white blossom to the sunlight. It strikes its channeled stem down through the mass of rubbish to the pure sands beneath. Refusing everything that would defile, it gathers to itself only those properties that will develop into the spotless, fragrant flower. The lily is a representation of Christ among men. He came to a world all seared and marred with the curse, but He was not polluted by His surroundings. He was the Light, the Life, and the Way. He voluntarily became an inhabitant of earth, that He might grasp the whole world in His merciful arms and lay it in the arms of His heavenly Father. What love is manifested in this sacrifice, that the Lord Himself should come to the help of the fallen sons and daughters of Adam! >From That I May Know Him - Page 36 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Feb 1 05:55:13 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2007 08:55:13 -0500 Subject: The Greatness of Humility In-Reply-To: Message-ID: The Greatness of Humility And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Phil. 2:8. Christ came to this world for no other purpose than to manifest the glory of God, that man might be uplifted by its restoring power. All power and grace were given to Him. His heart was a wellspring of living water, a never-failing fountain, ever ready to flow forth in a rich, clear stream to those around Him. His whole life was spent in pure disinterested benevolence. His purposes were full of love and sympathy. He rejoiced that He could do more for His followers than they could ask or think. His constant prayer for them was that they might be sanctified through the truth, and He prayed with assurance, knowing that an almighty decree had been given before the world was made. He knew that the gospel of the kingdom would be preached in all the world; that truth, armed with the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit, would conquer in the contest with evil; and that the bloodstained banner would one day wave triumphantly over His followers. Yet Christ came in great humility. When He was here He pleased not Himself, but "humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." To His followers He says, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matt. 11:29). . . . From the root of true humility springs the most precious greatness of mind--greatness which leads men to conform to the image of Christ. Those who possess this greatness gain patience and trust in God. Their faith is invincible. Their true consecration and devotion keep self hidden. The words that fall from their lips are molded into expressions of Christlike tenderness and love. Having a sense of their own weakness, they appreciate the help which the Lord gives them, and they crave His grace that they may do that which is right and true. By their manner, their attitude, and their spirit, they carry with them the credentials of learners in the school of Christ. >From That I May Know Him - Page 37 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Feb 1 05:57:29 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2007 08:57:29 -0500 Subject: Christ the Revelation of God In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Christ the Revelation of God No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. John 1:18. Christ came to the world to reveal the character of the Father and to redeem the fallen race. The world's Redeemer was equal with God. His authority was as the authority of God. He declared that He had no existence separate from the Father. The authority by which He spoke and wrought miracles was expressly His own, yet He assures us that He and the Father are one. . . . Jesus had imparted a knowledge of God to patriarchs, prophets, and apostles. The revelations of the Old Testament were emphatically the unfoldings of the gospel, the unveiling of the purpose and will of the infinite Father. Through the holy men of old, Christ labored for the salvation of fallen humanity. And when He came to the world it was with the same message of redemption from sin, and restoration to the favor of God. What speech is to thought, so is Christ to the invisible Father. He is the manifestation of the Father, and is called the Word of God. God sent His Son into the world, His divinity clothed with humanity, that man might bear the image of the invisible God. He made known in His words, His character, His power and majesty, the nature and attributes of God. As legislator, Jesus exercised the authority of God; His commands and decisions were supported by the sovereignty of the eternal throne. The glory of the Father was revealed in the Son; Christ made manifest the character of the Father. He was so perfectly connected with God, so completely embraced in His encircling light, that he who had seen the Son had seen the Father. His voice was as the voice of God. . . . He says, "I am in the Father, and the Father in me." "No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:11; Matt. 11:27; John 14:9). >From That I May Know Him - Page 38 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Feb 2 06:58:24 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 09:58:24 -0500 Subject: Christ in the Home In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Christ in the Home And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. John 2:1, 2. On the occasion of the marriage feast He {Christ} desired to express His sympathy with, and approval of, those at the wedding. Christ did not come to this world to forbid marriage or to break down or destroy the relationship and influence which exist in the domestic circle. He came to restore, elevate, purify, and ennoble every current of pure affection, that the family on earth might become a symbol of the family in heaven. . . . Mothers are under the tender care of heavenly angels. How interestedly the Lord Jesus knocks at the door of families where there are little children to be educated and trained! How gently he watches over the mothers' interest, and how sad He feels to see children neglected. . . . In the home characters are formed; human beings are molded and fashioned to be either a blessing or a curse. To the mother the Lord has committed the younger members of the family as they come into our world weak and helpless. Infinite wisdom and infinite love does not commit this gentle office, so pregnant with eternal results, to the fathers, full of business plans and cares. Woman's heart is full of patience and love if that woman has surrendered her heart to God. She must cooperate with God and her husband in training the precious souls entrusted to her, to grow up into Christ Jesus. And the father, relying upon the grace of God, should bear the sacred responsibility that rests upon him as the husband, which means house-band. In babyhood and childhood, when the nature is pliable, God would have the firmest impressions made for right. A battle is constantly going on between the Prince of life and the prince of this world. The question to be settled is, Whom will the mother choose as her co-worker to mold and fashion the characters of her children? If she will learn that love is the key to the souls of her children, Christ will preside in the home, filling it with heavenly sunshine. This is His work in every home that will admit Him. >From That I May Know Him - Page 39 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Feb 3 06:14:37 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2007 09:14:37 -0500 Subject: Lover of Little Children In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Lover of Little Children Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them. Matt. 19:13-15. Children are the Lord's heritage. The soul of the little child that believes in Christ is as precious in His sight as are the angels about His throne. They are to be brought to Christ, and trained for Christ. They are to be guided in the path of obedience, not indulged in appetite or vanity. When the disciples sought to send away the mothers who were bringing their little ones to Christ, He rebuked their narrow faith, saying, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." He was grieved that the disciples should rebuke the mothers for bringing their children to Him; that His followers should say, by word or action, that His grace was limited, and that children should be kept away from Him. . . . A great responsibility rests upon parents, for the education and training which shape the eternal destiny of children and youth are received in their early childhood. The parents' work is to sow the good seed diligently and untiringly in the hearts of their children, occupying their hearts with seed which will bring forth a harvest of right habits, of truthfulness and willing obedience. Correct, virtuous habits formed in youth will generally mark the course of the individual through life. In most cases those who reverence God and honor the right will be found to have learned this lesson before the world could stamp its image of sin upon the soul. . . . O that parents were truly the sons and daughters of God! Their lives would then be fragrant with good works. A holy atmosphere would surround their souls. Their earnest supplications for grace and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit would ascend to heaven, and religion would be diffused through their homes as the bright, warming rays of the sun are diffused through the earth. >From That I May Know Him - Page 40 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Feb 4 10:46:48 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 4 Feb 2007 13:46:48 -0500 Subject: A Message for Boys and Girls In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: A Message for Boys and Girls Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Ps. 34:11. Every child and every youth should bear in mind, "I am of value in the sight of God; I am bought with a price, and I am the property of Jesus Christ. As a follower of Christ I am to practice His virtues, that I may represent my Saviour." Pray much. While at your work let your heart be uplifted to God. When you have committed to God the keeping of your soul, do not go away and act directly contrary to the prayer you have made. Watch as well as pray, lest you be overcome with temptation. Resist the first inclination to do wrong. Pray in your heart, "Jesus, help me; preserve me from evil," and then do what you know Christ would be pleased to have you do. . . . You may ask, as many others have done, How may I know that Jesus receives me and loves me? Shall I know by my feelings? No; by obedience to His Holy Word. Appropriate to yourself the rich promises of God. Believe His word that Jesus is abiding in your heart by faith. Through faith and trust in God you may have His peace, and you can then say, "I know in whom I have believed. I will listen to every whisper of His Holy Spirit." There is but one way to be victorious. Serve God with all your heart because you love Him. Seek Him daily because you love Him and know what He is to you. Be faithful in the little things, although no eye but the Lord's may review your work. Remember that you are doing service for Christ. You may now be obtaining a precious experience every day in serving God. Plant the principles of truth in your own soul, and reveal Christ in your character. Do not be satisfied with a common, low level. You can . . . resemble Christ in character. . . . Look unto Jesus constantly if you would advance step by step in the narrow path cast up for the chosen of the Lord to walk in, saying in your heart, "Thee will I seek, O God; Thee will I follow; Thee will I serve; under Thy guidance I can and will go forward." >From That I May Know Him - Page 41 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Feb 5 05:38:53 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 08:38:53 -0500 Subject: Armies of Missionary Children In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Armies of Missionary Children Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Prov. 20:11. God wants the children and youth to join the Lord's army. . . . The children have as strong temptations to meet, on the right hand and on the left, as do the older soldiers. Satan and his legions will work every device to ensnare the young. It is the privilege of the children to enlist in the army of the Lord and seek to persuade others to join their ranks. Children must be educated and trained for Jesus Christ. They must be trained to resist temptation and to fight the good fight of faith. Direct their minds to Jesus as soon as they can comprehend your lessons in simple words, easy to be understood. Teach them self-control. Teach them to begin the work of overcoming when young, and they will receive the precious help that Jesus can and will give, connected with prayerful efforts of parents. Cheer them with encouraging words for the battles they fight in resisting temptation and coming off conquerors through grace given them of Jesus Christ. . . . Parents should hang in memory's hall the precious sayings of Christ. The children will repeat the words they hear often on the parents' lips--of Christ, and faith, and truth. Precious truth may be spoken by children. Whole armies of children may come under Christ's banner as missionaries, even in their childhood years. Never repulse the desire of children to do something for Jesus. Never quench their ardor for working in some way for the Master. Children rightly educated will learn to love Jesus and to grieve if they think they have grieved the Saviour by any sin committed by them. Keep their hearts tender and sensitive by your own words and example. The angels of God are ever near your little ones. . . . Let love and tenderness, patience and self-control, be at all times the law of your speech. Winning love is to be like deep waters, ever flowing forth in the management of your children. All through His life, Christ performed acts of love and tenderness for the children. >From That I May Know Him - Page 42 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Feb 6 06:28:58 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2007 09:28:58 -0500 Subject: Missionary to the Poor In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Missionary to the Poor The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. Luke 4:18. The sufferings of humanity ever touched the heart and called forth the sympathy and love of Christ. He exercised pity and compassion toward those who were afflicted in soul or body. His example in the matter of treating the suffering and afflicted should teach us how to have compassion and pity for the sufferings of His creatures. Christ suffered in the flesh. . . . He knew what it was to suffer keen pangs of hunger, and He has given special lessons in regard to feeding the hungry and caring for the needy poor, and has declared that in ministering to the needy we are ministering to Himself in the person of His saints. He says, "I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat" (Matt. 25:35). He knew the discomfort and suffering of thirst, and He declared that a cup of cold water given in His name to any of His disciples should not lose its reward. Christ was an active, constant worker. He found the domain of religion fenced in by high, steep walls of seclusion as too sacred a matter for everyday life. He threw down the walls of partition, and exercised His helping power in behalf of every one who needed Him. He brought cheerfulness and hope to the desponding. . . . He did not ask, What is your creed? To what church do you belong? Active, earnest, loving interest marked His life. . . . The Lord Jesus knows what poverty means. He is the great missionary to the poor, the sick, the suffering. The King of heaven, He could have led a life of wealth and have lived among the wealthiest; but He chose poverty. And He has honored the poor who believe in Him, for He blessed them forever. Poverty with Christ is riches of the highest value. This poverty is sanctified and blessed. . . . In the humanity of Christ there are golden threads that bind the believing, trusting poor man to His own soul of infinite love. >From That I May Know Him - Page 43 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Feb 7 06:56:50 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2007 09:56:50 -0500 Subject: The Pattern Man In-Reply-To: Message-ID: The Pattern Man For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Cor. 8:9. This world has been visited by the Majesty of heaven, the Son of God. . . . Christ came to this world as the expression of the very heart and mind and nature and character of God. . . . But He laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown, and stepped down from His high command to take the place of a servant. He was rich, but for our sake, that we might have eternal riches, He became poor. He made the world, but so completely did He empty Himself that during His ministry He declared, ". . . the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.". . . Christ stood at the head of humanity in the garb of humanity. So full of sympathy and love was His attitude that the poorest was not afraid to come to Him. He was kind to all; easily approached by the most lowly. He went from house to house, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, comforting the mourners, soothing the afflicted, speaking peace to the distressed. He took the little children in His arms and blessed them, and spoke words of hope and comfort to the weary mothers. With unfailing tenderness and gentleness He met every form of human woe and affliction. Not for Himself, but for others did He labor. He was willing to humble Himself, to deny Himself. He did not seek to distinguish Himself. He was the servant of all. It was His meat and drink to be a comfort and a consolation to others, to gladden the sad and heavy-laden ones with whom He daily came in contact. Christ stands before us as the pattern Man, the great Medical Missionary,--an example for all who should come after. His love, pure and holy, blessed all who came within the sphere of its influence. His character was absolutely perfect, free from the slightest stain of sin. He came as an expression of the perfect love of God, not to crush, not to judge and condemn, but to heal every weak, defective character, to save men and women from Satan's power. He is the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of the human race. >From That I May Know Him - Page 44 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Feb 8 05:09:05 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2007 08:09:05 -0500 Subject: Tender, Loving, Compassionate In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Tender, Loving, Compassionate But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. Ps. 86:15. God has ordained according to the law of ministry that we should comfort one another in tenderness and love when great sorrows come upon us. No man liveth unto himself. No one dieth unto himself. Life and death both mean something to every human being. . . . God has enjoined the duty upon His human agents to communicate the character of God, testifying to His grace, His wisdom, and His benevolence, by manifesting His refined, tender, merciful love. . . . Jesus . . . was ever touched with human woe, and our hearts should be softened and subdued by His Holy Spirit, that we may be like Him. . . . Our work is to restore the moral image of God in man through the abundant grace given us of God by Jesus Christ. Everywhere we shall find souls ready to die, and how essential it is that the compassion of Christ shall be given us of Him, in order that we may never place one soul in defiance by not manifesting long forbearance and pitying tenderness. . . . I inquire, Will we ever learn the gentleness of Christ? Oh, how much we need to know Jesus and our heavenly Father that we may represent Him in character! . . . Jesus calls us to Himself not simply to refresh us with His grace and presence for a few hours, and then to send us forth from His light to walk apart from Him in sadness and gloom. No, no. He tells us that we must abide with Him and He with us. Wherever His work is to be done He is present--tender, loving, and compassionate. He has prepared for you and me an abiding dwelling place in Himself. He is our refuge. Our experience should broaden and deepen. Jesus has opened up all the divine fullness of His inexpressible love, and He declares to you, Ye "are labourers together with God" (1 Cor. 3:9). O what meaning these words have--"Abide in me" (John 15: 4), "Take my yoke upon you" (Matt. 11:29). Will we take it? for the promise is, "Ye shall find rest unto your souls." There is rest, complete rest in abiding in Christ. From That I May Know Him - Page 45 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Feb 9 06:11:15 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2007 09:11:15 -0500 Subject: An Attribute We May Share In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: An Attribute We May Share Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:36. Mercy is an attribute that the human agent may share with God, thus cooperating with Him. Mercy is kind, pitiful. Mercy and the love of God purify the soul and beautify the heart, cleansing the life from selfishness. . . . God's love for the angelic host is as a part of Himself, direct and positive in its divinity. God's love for the human race is a peculiar form--a love born of mercy, for the human subject is all-undeserving. . . . Mercy implies the imperfection of the object upon which it is bestowed. Because of man's imperfection, mercy was brought into active existence. Sin is not the object of God's love, but of His hatred. Yet He pities the sinner, because the guilty one bears the Creator's image and has received from Him the capabilities that make it possible for him to become a son of God, not through his own merits, but through the imputed merits of Jesus Christ, through the great sacrifice the Saviour has made in his behalf. . . . In the church militant the children of men will be ever in need of restoration from the results of sin. . . . We are all dependent on one another. Almost invariably a man who is superior to another man in some respect is inferior to him in other respects. Every human being on earth is subject to temptation. And all are in need of human influence and sympathy. . . . He who cooperates with God by showing mercy brings himself into a position where God will extend mercy to him, for he is in harmony with the divine attributes. God's love and mercy are ever extended toward sinners. Shall men who themselves have sinned against God, refuse to forgive and accept a repentant sinner? . . . God loved us while we were yet sinners. How clear and unmistakable the line of duty is made by the words, "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise" (Luke 6:31). . . . Only those who walk with Christ can be truly merciful. >From That I May Know Him - Page 46 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Feb 10 05:16:50 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 08:16:50 -0500 Subject: The Compassionate Healer In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Compassionate Healer And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. Matt. 14:14. Jesus, precious Saviour, never seemed to become weary of the importunities of the sin-sick souls and the sick with all kinds of diseases. "And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them" (Mark 6:34). This means a great deal to the suffering ones. He identified His interest with theirs. He shared their burdens. He felt their fears. He had yearning pity that was pain to the heart of Christ. O what love, what matchless love! He has become one with us that He might share with humanity in all their experience. He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet was without sin. Humanity is not to be demerited as a cheap and common thing. Christ clothed His divinity with humanity that humanity might be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Man is the object of His solicitude and great love. Redemption--O how much is comprehended in the word! All who will consent to be redeemed are uplifted and sanctified, redeemed through Jesus Christ from all commonness and earthliness, and enabled to cooperate with God in the great work of salvation. Jesus accepted humanity and revealed in His own life and character what man may be even when, in the providence of God, he is placed in the poorest circumstances of life. He had not even a penny wherewith to pay the tax money exacted, and wrought a miracle to obtain the little sum. Jesus, precious Saviour, was homeless and often hungry. He had not where to lay His head. He was wearied oft. Humanity is honored because Jesus assumed humanity to reveal to the world what humanity may become. He came to bring life and immortality to light, to fill the commonplace, homeliest pursuits of life with brightness. Jesus is bending over us, searching into our characters to see if His own character is reflected in us. >From That I May Know Him - Page 47 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Feb 11 09:07:14 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 12:07:14 -0500 Subject: Bearer of Our Afflictions In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Bearer of Our Afflictions That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. Matt. 8:17. Christ alone was able to bear the afflictions of the many. "In all their affliction he was afflicted" (Isa. 63:9). He never bore disease in His own flesh, but He carried the sickness of others. With tenderest sympathy He looked upon the suffering ones who pressed about Him. He groaned in spirit as He saw the work of Satan revealed in all their woe, and He made every case of need and of sorrow His own. No multiplicity of numbers distracted Him. No anguish overwhelmed Him. With a power that never quailed He cast out the evil spirits that possessed mind and body, while the pain of the sufferers thrilled through His whole being. The power of love was in all His healing. He identified His interests with suffering humanity. Christ was health and strength in Himself, and when sufferers were in His immediate presence, disease was always rebuked. It was for this reason that He did not go at once to Lazarus. He could not witness his suffering and not bring him relief. He could not witness disease or death without combating the power of Satan. The death of Lazarus was permitted that through his resurrection the last and crowning evidence might be given to the Jews that Jesus was the Son of God. And in all this conflict with the power of evil there was ever before Christ the darkened shadow into which He Himself must enter. Ever before Him was the means by which He must pay the ransom for these souls.... When He raised Lazarus from the dead He knew that for that life He must pay the ransom on the cross of Calvary. Every rescue made was to cause Him the deepest humiliation. He was to taste death for every man. . . . Of the suffering multitudes brought to Christ it is said, "He healed them all" (Matt. 12:15). Thus He expressed His love for the children of men. His miracles were part of His mission. . . . He knows how to speak the word "Be whole," and when He has healed the sufferer He says, "Go and sin no more." >From That I May Know Him - Page 48 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Feb 12 10:18:09 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 13:18:09 -0500 Subject: Sharing Heaven's Treasures In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Sharing Heaven's Treasures Freely ye have received, freely give. Matt. 10:8. The blessed Redeemer has set us an example in living out the precepts of the law. He says to His followers, "Freely ye have received, freely give." We are to have an open heart to receive the rich treasures of heaven, and our hearts are to be opened to let those rich treasures out to others. Oh, we need to abide in Christ, then we will be a constant channel through which God will communicate to our brethren and to the world His own gracious Spirit. . . . When we have an assurance which is bright and clear of our own salvation, we shall exhibit cheerfulness and joyfulness, which becomes every follower of Jesus Christ. The softening, subduing influence of the love of God, brought into practical life, will make impressions upon minds that will be a savor of life unto life. But a harsh, denunciatory spirit, if manifested, will turn many souls away from the truth into the ranks of the enemy. Solemn thought! To deal patiently with the tempted requires us to battle with self. But God has given Jesus to us, and believing on Him as our personal Saviour, all heaven is at our command. The purchased possession of Christ is around us on every hand. There is want, there is wretchedness and sin on every side. "Freely ye have received, freely give." "Oh, hearts are bruised, dead, And homes are bare and cold, And lambs for whom the Shepherd bled, Are straying from the fold. . . . . . "The captives to release, To God the lost to bring, To teach the way of life and peace, It is a Christlike thing." >From That I May Know Him - Page 49 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Feb 13 10:15:22 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 13:15:22 -0500 Subject: The Greatest Teacher In-Reply-To: Message-ID: The Greatest Teacher And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 1 John 5:20. The world's Redeemer did not come with outward display, or a show of worldly wisdom. Men could not see beneath the disguise of humility the glory of the Son of God.... Christ reached the people where they were. He presented the plain truth to their minds in the most forcible and simple language. The humble poor, the most unlearned, could comprehend, through faith in Him, the most exalted truths of God. No one needed to consult the learned doctors as to His meaning. He did not perplex the ignorant with mysterious inferences, or use unaccustomed and learned words of which they had no knowledge. The greatest Teacher the world has ever known was the most definite, simple, and practical in His instruction. . . . He attracted attention to purity of life, to humility of spirit, and to devotion to God and His cause without hope of worldly honor or reward. He must divest religion of the narrow, conceited formalism which made it a burden and a reproach. He must present a complete, harmonious salvation to all. The narrow bounds of national exclusiveness must be overthrown, for His salvation was to reach the ends of the earth. He rejoiced in spirit as He beheld the poor of this world eagerly accepting the precious message which He brought. He looked up to heaven and said, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes" (Matt. 11:25). . . . Men of the highest education and accomplishments have learned the most precious lessons from the precept and example of the humble follower of Christ, who is designated as "unlearned" by the world. But could men look with deeper insight they would see that these humble men had obtained an education in the highest of all schools, even in the school of the divine Teacher, who spake as never man spake. >From That I May Know Him - Page 50 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Feb 14 05:00:31 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 08:00:31 -0500 Subject: Teaching in Depth In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Teaching in Depth The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. John 7:46. Of Christ's teaching it is said, "The common people heard him gladly" (Mark 12:37). "Never man spake like this man," declared the officers who were sent to take Him. His words comforted, strengthened, and blessed those who were hungering for that peace which He alone could give. O how tender and forbearing was Christ! how filled with pity and tenderness were His lessons to the poor, the afflicted, and the oppressed! . . . His illustrations were taken from the things of daily life, and . . . had in them a wonderful depth of meaning. The fowls of the air, the lilies of the field, the seed, the shepherd and the sheep--with these objects Christ illustrated immortal truth, and ever afterward, when His hearers chanced to see these things of nature, they recalled His words. . . . Christ's words, so comforting and cheering to those that listened to them, are for us today. As a faithful shepherd knows and cares for his sheep, so Christ cares for His children. He knows the trials and difficulties surrounding each one. "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd," declares Isaiah: "he shall gather the lambs with his arms, and carry them in his bosom." Christ knows His sheep intimately, and the suffering and helpless are objects of His special care. . . . Christ has weighed every human affliction, every human sorrow. He bears the weight of the yoke for every soul that yokes up with Him. He knows the sorrows which we feel to the depth of our being, and which we cannot express. If no human heart is aroused to sympathy for us, we need not feel that we are without sympathy. Christ knows; and He says, Look unto Me, and live. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). I have borne your griefs and carried your sorrows. You have the deepest, richest sympathy in the tender, pitying love of your Shepherd. . . . His humanity is not lost in the exalted character of His Omnipotence. He is ever longing to pour out His sympathy and love upon those whom He has chosen, and who will respond to His invitation. >From That I May Know Him - Page 51 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Feb 15 13:58:47 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2007 16:58:47 -0500 Subject: Christ the Good Shepherd In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Christ the Good Shepherd I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14, 15. Jesus says, "I know my sheep." Let us consider this statement. We are known by God before we receive Him. "I know my sheep." How do souls become Christ's sheep? By choosing to receive Him. But Christ had first chosen them. He knew every one who would respond to His drawing, and He knew every one who would be inclined to receive Him but who, through popular opposing influences, would turn from Him, John says to all, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Those who heard the voice and did behold Jesus as the Lamb of God believed in Him and became His property from their own choice. But . . . their choosing of Christ was in response to His drawing. The love of Jesus was expressed to us before we loved Him. . . . To Jesus the whole human family is entrusted, as the flocks of sheep are entrusted to a shepherd. These sheep and lambs are to be tended with pastoral care. They will be guarded by the faithful Chief Shepherd, under the care of faithful under shepherds, and if they will obey the voice of the Chief Shepherd they will not be left to be devoured by wolves. . . . Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice, . . . and they follow me" (John 10:27). The Shepherd of Israel does not drive His flock, but He leads them. His attitude is wholly one of invitation. "My sheep hear my voice." If we are indeed sons and daughters of God we not only hear, but recognize the voice above all others. We appreciate the words of Christ, we distinguish the truth as it is in Jesus from all error, and the truth refreshes the soul, and fills it with gladness. . . . The beautiful illustration in Revelation 7 is a pastoral symbol. ". . . They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters . . ." (Rev. 7:16, 17). >From That I May Know Him - Page 52 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Feb 16 05:02:28 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 08:02:28 -0500 Subject: In the Bosom of the Shepherd In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: In the Bosom of the Shepherd He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isa. 40:11. A true shepherd knows and pities and helps the sheep that most need his help--those that are bruised and lame and feeble. "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd." Far more intimately than the patriarch Jacob knew the weak, the suffering, and the lame among his sheep, does the Chief Shepherd know His flock. He knows what no one else knows. He has Himself weighed every burden. No one knows the weight like Himself, for He has borne all our griefs, and carried all our sorrows. It was this that made Him a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. . . . If there is not another soul in the universe that regards you, the Lord God of Israel is looking upon you with thoughts of compassion, tenderness, and sympathy. He sees you with your strong impulses when fainthearted and discouraged. . . . You have the deepest, the richest, the most refreshing sympathy in the bosom of the great Shepherd. We have not an high priest who cannot sympathize with us, but One who was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. . . . Not only has every provision been made that when tried and tempted you should find help and strength and grace, but also that your influence upon other minds should be fragrant. Not only does Christ know every soul, and the temptations and trials of that soul, but He knows all the circumstances that irritate and chafe the spirit. Your great danger is in being self-sufficient. This will not do for a Christian. Christ will give you His patience if you ask for it. . . . God's abounding love and presence will give you the power of self-control. He will mold and fashion your mind and character. He will direct your aims and purposes and capabilities in a channel that will give you moral and spiritual power which you will not have to leave here in this world but can carry with you and retain through eternal ages. >From That I May Know Him - Page 53 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Feb 17 05:38:12 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2007 08:38:12 -0500 Subject: The Sons of God In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Sons of God But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 1:12. How did men treat Christ when He came? . . . "He came unto his own, and his own received him not" (John 1:11). Thus it is today. This history is being repeated, and will be repeated again and again before the Lord shall come in the clouds of heaven. The deceptions of Satan will be upon those who dwell on the earth.... "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God." . . . After fitting up this world as the dwelling place of man, God looked upon it, and rejoiced in it, pronouncing it very good. So He will accept of and rejoice in the reformation wrought out by those who, receiving Christ as their Saviour, have obtained power to become the sons of God. . . . The first chapter of Colossians shows us the heights to which it is our privilege to attain. We may be "filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding," walking "worthy of the Lord," "being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Col. 1:9-14). Is there not woe enough in this sin-stricken, sin-cursed earth to lead us to consecrate ourselves to the work of proclaiming the message that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)? This earth has been trodden by the Son of God. He came to bring men light and life, to set them free from the bondage of sin. He is coming again in power and great glory to receive to Himself those who during this life have followed in His footsteps. >From That I May Know Him - Page 54 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Feb 18 07:52:01 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 10:52:01 -0500 Subject: When Man Cooperates In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: When Man Cooperates For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phil. 2:13. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Rev. 3:20). Thus the world's Redeemer illustrates the work of the Holy Spirit upon the human heart. The living agent, by an act of faith of his own, places himself in the hands of the Lord for Him to work in him His good pleasure in His time. There must be a continual exercise of faith to be in Christ and keep in Christ, abiding by faith in Him. This is a training process, a constant discipline of the mind and heart, that Christ shall work His great work in human hearts. Self, the old natural self, dies, and Christ's will is our will, His way is our way, and the human agent becomes, with heart, mind, and intellect, an instrument in the hands of God to work no more wickedness but the righteousness of Christ. . . . In the divine arrangement God does nothing without the cooperation of man. He compels no man's will. That must be given to the Lord completely, else the Lord is not able to accomplish His divine work that He would do through the human agency. Jesus declared that in a certain place He could not do many mighty works among the people because of their unbelief. He wanted to do for them in that place just what He knew that they needed to have done, but He could not because unbelief barred the way. The potter cannot mold and fashion unto honor that which has never been placed in his hands. The Christian life is one of daily surrender, submission, and continual overcoming, gaining fresh victories every day. This is the growing up into Christ, fashioning the life into the divine Model. . . . Devotion, piety, and sanctification of the entire man come through Jesus Christ our righteousness. The love of God needs to be constantly cultivated. O how my heart cries out to the living God for the mind of Jesus Christ! I want to lose sight of self. >From That I May Know Him - Page 55 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Feb 19 09:53:29 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2007 12:53:29 -0500 Subject: Will You Let Him In? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Will You Let Him In? The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jer. 31:3. The work dearest to the heart of Christ is that of drawing souls to Him.... Look at Jesus, the Majesty of heaven. [FROM A PERSONAL LETTER OF APPEAL.] What do you behold in His life history? His divinity clothed with humanity, a whole life of continual humility, the doing of one act of condescension after another, a line of continual descent from the heavenly courts to a world all seared and marred with the curse, and in a world unworthy of His presence, descending lower and still lower, taking the form of a servant, to be despised and rejected of men, obliged to flee from place to place to save His life, and at last betrayed, rejected, crucified. Then, as sinners for whom Jesus suffered more than the power of mortal can portray, shall we refuse to humble our proud will? Study day and night the character of Christ. It was His tender compassion, His inexpressible, unparalleled love for your soul, that led Him to endure all the shame, the revilings, the abuse, the misapprehensions of earth. Approach nearer Him, behold His hands and His feet, bruised and wounded for our transgressions. "The chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Lose no time, let not another day pass into eternity, but just as you are, whatever your weakness, your unworthiness, your neglect, delay not to come now.... The call of Jesus to come to Him, the presentation of a crown of glory that fadeth not away, the life, the eternal life that measures with the life of God, has not been of sufficient inducement to lead you to serve Him with your undivided affections. . . . Be no longer on Satan's side of the question. Make decided, radical changes through the grace given you of God. No longer insult His grace. He is saying with tears, "Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life" (John 5:40). Now Jesus is inviting you, knocking at the door of your heart for entrance. Will you let Him come in? >From That I May Know Him - Page 56 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Feb 20 04:13:20 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2007 07:13:20 -0500 Subject: The Holy Spirit Our Helper In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Holy Spirit Our Helper For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom. 8:14. Through the ministry of the angels the Holy Spirit is enabled to work upon the mind and heart of the human agent and draw him to Christ. . . . But the Spirit of God does not interfere with the freedom of the human agent. The Holy Spirit is given to be a helper, so that man may cooperate with the Divine, and it is given to Him to draw the soul but never to force obedience. Christ is ready to impart all heavenly influences. He knows every temptation that comes to man, and the capabilities of each. He weighs his strength. He sees the present and the future, and presents before the mind the obligations that should be met, and urges that common, earthly things shall not be permitted to be so absorbing that eternal things shall be lost out of the reckoning. The Lord has fullness of grace to bestow on every one that will receive of the heavenly gift. The Holy Spirit will bring the God-entrusted capabilities into Christ's service, and will mold and fashion the human agent according to the divine Pattern. The Holy Spirit is our efficiency in the work of character building, in forming characters after the divine similitude. When we think ourselves capable of molding our own experience, we make a great mistake. We can never of ourselves obtain the victory over temptation. But those who have genuine faith in Christ will be worked by the Holy Spirit. The soul in whose heart faith abides will grow into a beautiful temple for the Lord. He is directed by the grace of Christ. Just in proportion as he depends on the Holy Spirit's teaching he will grow. The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul. We do not now see Christ and speak to Him, but His Holy Spirit is just as near us in one place as another. It works in and through every one who receives Christ. Those who know the indwelling of the Spirit reveal the fruit of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. >From That I May Know Him - Page 57 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Feb 21 05:54:36 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 08:54:36 -0500 Subject: A Hidden Treasure In-Reply-To: Message-ID: A Hidden Treasure Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Matt. 13:44. Without the kingdom of God we are lost . . . and are without hope in the world, but salvation has been provided for us through faith in Jesus Christ. He is the treasure, and when the rubbish of the world is swept away, we are enabled to discern His infinite value. . . . The divinity of Christ was as a hidden treasure. At times when He was upon earth divinity flashed through humanity, and His true character was revealed. The God of heaven testified to His oneness with His Son. At His baptism the heavens were opened and the glory of God in the similitude of a dove like burnished gold hovered over the Saviour, and a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17). But the nation to whom Christ came, though professing to be the peculiar people of God, did not recognize the heavenly treasure in the person of Jesus Christ. . . . The Majesty of heaven was not discerned in the disguise of humanity. He was the divine Teacher sent from God, the glorious Treasure given to humanity. He was fairer than the sons of men, but His matchless glory was hidden under a cover of poverty and suffering. He veiled His glory in order that divinity might touch humanity, and the treasure of immense value was not discerned by the human race.... "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). The treasure indeed is hidden under the garb of humanity. Christ is the unsearchable riches, and he who finds Christ finds heaven. The human agent who looks upon Jesus, who dwells by faith on His matchless charms, finds the eternal treasure. Christ does not use this parable to commend the man who hides the treasure until he can buy the field, but His object in using this illustration is to convey to our mind the value of spiritual things. To obtain worldly treasure, the man would make a sacrifice of his all, and how much more should we give for the priceless, heavenly treasure! >From That I May Know Him - Page 58 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Feb 22 07:03:04 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:03:04 -0500 Subject: Have You Enrolled? In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Have You Enrolled? My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. Prov. 23:26. Dear youth, the very best thing you can do is to enlist freely and decidedly in the army of the Lord. Surrender yourself into the hands of God, that your will and ways may be guided by the One who is unerring in wisdom and infinite in goodness. To withhold yourself from God is to rob God of that which is His own. The Lord hath need of you, and you have need of the Lord. It is not safe for you to put off the decisive step, or delay the matter of making a complete surrender of yourself to God. If you have not already given yourself to God, I beseech you to do it now. Let your name be enrolled in the heavenly records as one of the chosen and elect of God. . . . "God so loved the world, the he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). . . . It is through the inestimable gift of Christ that all our blessings come. Life, health, friends, reason, happiness, are ours through the merit of Christ. O that the young and the old might realize that all comes to them through the virtue of Christ's life and death, and acknowledge the ownership of God. . . . Even when we were under the control of a cruel master, even when the prince of darkness ruled our spirits, the Lord Jesus Christ paid the ransom price of His own blood for us. You have been bought with a price, even with the precious blood of Christ; you are His property, therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. . . . Were it not for the love freely given us of Christ, we should now be in hopeless despair, in spiritual midnight. Thank God every day that He gave us Jesus. Will you not accept His gift? Will you not be His witness? Time is short, and it becomes you to work while the day lasts, living an imperishable life, hiding your life with Christ in God. Then "when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Col. 3:4). >From That I May Know Him - Page 59 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Feb 23 07:02:11 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:02:11 -0500 Subject: "What Manner of Love"! In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: "What Manner of Love"! Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 1 John 3:1. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God" (John 1:12).... "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom. 8:14-18). John cannot find adequate words wherein to describe the amazing love of God to sinful man, but he calls upon all to behold the love of God revealed in the gift of His only begotten Son. Through the perfection of the sacrifice given for the guilty race, those who believe in Christ . . . may be saved from eternal ruin. Christ was one with the Father, yet when sin entered our world through Adam's transgression, He was willing to step down from the exaltation of One who was equal with God, who dwelt in light unapproachable by humanity, so full of glory that no man could behold His face and live, and submit to insult, mockery, suffering, pain, and death, in order to answer the claims of the immutable law of God, and make a way of escape for the transgressor by His death and righteousness. This was the work which His Father gave Him to do, and those who accept Christ, relying wholly upon His merits, are made the adopted sons and daughters of God--are heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. . . . Let no one . . . think that it is a condescension for any man, however talented or learned or honored, to accept Christ. Every human being should look to heaven with reverence and gratitude, and exclaim with amazement, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us." >From That I May Know Him - Page 60 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Feb 24 05:29:30 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 24 Feb 2007 08:29:30 -0500 Subject: "We Shall Be Like Him" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: "We Shall Be Like Him" Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2. Jesus, the world's Redeemer, knows all His children by name, and on those who believe shall come the glory of God. . . . Those who behold Jesus become changed to His image, become assimilated to His nature, and the glory of God that shines in the face of Jesus, is reflected in the lives of His followers. More and more the Christian is changed from glory to glory. . . . The more he looks on Christ, the more he loves and longs to look again, and the more light and love and glory he sees in Christ, the more his light increases. . . . It is by faith that the spiritual eye beholds the glory of Jesus. This glory is hidden until the Lord imparts the light of spiritual truth, for the eye of reason cannot see it. The glory and mystery of Christ remains incomprehensible, clouded by its excessive brightness, until the Lord flashes its meaning before the soul. . . . By faith the soul catches divine light from Jesus. We see matchless charms in His purity and humility, His self-denial, His wonderful sacrifice to save fallen man. Contemplation of Christ leads man to place a proper estimate upon himself. . . . The possibility of being like Jesus, whom he loves and adores, inspires within him that faith which works by love and purifies the heart. . . . Jesus is more precious to the soul that beholds Him by the eye of faith than is anything else beside, and the believing soul is more precious to Jesus than fine gold of Ophir. Christ looks upon His hands--the marks of the crucifixion are there--and He says, "I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me" (Isa. 49:16). The Christian is walled in by the rich full promises of an infinite God. The Lord is coming with power and great glory. All who have made Christ their refuge will reflect His image, and they will be like Him, for they shall see Him as He is. They are to be presented to Him without "spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing" (Eph. 5:27). >From That I May Know Him - Page 61 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Feb 25 07:55:43 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2007 10:55:43 -0500 Subject: Under the Great Teacher In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Under the Great Teacher Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor. 5:17. When true conversion takes place in the heart, it is made manifest in a transformation of character, for those who are converted become Christlike. Pride no longer lives in the heart, sin seems abominable. The converted soul hates the thing that depraves his moral sensibilities. He hates that which crucified the Lord of life and glory. Those who are truly converted grow in the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and as knowledge of Christ increases, they see more clearly where their own weakness lies; they realize the deep depravity of their natures. They understand the strength of sin, and know the power of their old habits. . . . They have daily a sense of their entire inability to do anything without the help of Jesus Christ, therefore they say to Him, "I cast my helpless soul upon Thee. 'In my hand no price I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling.'" As the sinner beholds the Lamb of God, he sees more clearly what provision God has made to take away the sins of the world. He sees the sufficiency and adaptation of the Spirit of grace for every conflict. The mysterious provision for the taking away of sin is Jesus Christ. . . . "He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). . . . The true Christian will not refuse to practice self-denial for Christ's sake. Those who are children of God are earnest workers; they are not slothful servants. There are no drones in the household of God. Every member of the household of faith has his work appointed to him. . . . If he is a learner in the school of Christ, he will learn how to give a testimony, how to pray, how to be a living witness for the Master. . . . The true Christian will be a diligent and constant student. He will realize that he lacks wisdom, strength, and experience, and he will place his will and all his interests in the care of the great Teacher. >From That I May Know Him - Page 62 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Feb 26 04:45:27 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2007 07:45:27 -0500 Subject: Redeemed by Christ's Blood In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Redeemed by Christ's Blood Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Peter 1:18, 19. "'Ye are not your own. . . . Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor. 6:19, 20). Will you give back to God that which He has ransomed with the price of His own blood? Will you give Him your reasoning powers; will you set them apart for His glory? They are His; He has bought them with a price. Will you place yourselves in the school of Christ, that your conscience may be enlightened, that it may be a good conscience, a faithful sentinel to guard the highest interests of the soul? Christ has purchased the affections; will you trifle with them, will you pervert them? Will you place them upon unworthy objects, center them upon human beings and make the creature instead of the Creator your god to worship? Or shall your affections be purified, ennobled, refined, and made to twine about your Creator and Redeemer? . . . God will not occupy a divided heart or reign from a divided throne. Every rival that holds the affections and diverts them from the God of love must be dethroned. The Lord demands all that there is of us, and there must be no reserve. Christ has purchased us, we are His heritage, and we are to be honored by being co-laborers with Jesus Christ. Wear the yoke with Christ, and daily walk with God. How shall we do this? By laying hold upon the help which God has provided. The Lord has said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matt. 7:7). God has bought us, and He claims a throne in each heart. Our minds and bodies must be subordinated to Him, and the natural habits and appetites must be made subservient to the higher wants of the soul. But we can place no dependence upon ourselves in this work. We cannot with safety follow our own guidance. The Holy Spirit must renew and sanctify us. In God's service there must be no halfway work. >From That I May Know Him - Page 63 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Feb 27 04:07:00 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 07:07:00 -0500 Subject: The Weight of God's Wrath In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Weight of God's Wrath All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isa. 53:6. In the Garden of Gethsemane Christ suffered in man's stead, and the human nature of the Son of God staggered under the terrible horror of the guilt of sin, until from His pale and quivering lips was forced the agonizing cry, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me"; but if there is no other way by which the salvation of fallen man may be accomplished, then "not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matt. 26:39). The power that inflicted retributive justice upon man's substitute and surety, was the power that sustained and upheld the suffering One under the tremendous weight of wrath that would have fallen upon a sinful world. Christ was suffering the death that was pronounced upon the transgressors of God's law. It is a fearful thing for the unrepenting sinner to fall into the hands of the living God. This is proved by the history of the destruction of the old world by a flood, by the record of the fire which fell from heaven and destroyed the inhabitants of Sodom. But never was this proved to so great an extent as in the agony of Christ, . . . when He bore the wrath of God for a sinful world. . . . Man has not been made a sin-bearer, and he will never know the horror of the curse of sin which the Saviour bore. No sorrow can bear any comparison with the sorrow of Him upon whom the wrath of God fell with overwhelming force. Human nature can endure but a limited amount of test and trial. The finite can only endure the finite measure, and human nature succumbs; but the nature of Christ had a greater capacity for suffering; for the human existed in the divine nature, and created a capacity for suffering to endure that which resulted from the sins of a lost world. The agony which Christ endured, broadens, deepens, and gives a more extended conception of the character of sin, and the character of the retribution which God will bring upon those who continue in sin. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. >From That I May Know Him - Page 64 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Feb 28 12:50:28 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 15:50:28 -0500 Subject: The Cross of Calvary In-Reply-To: Message-ID: The Cross of Calvary And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Luke 23:33. The cross of Calvary appeals in power, affording a reason why we should love Christ now, and why we should consider Him first, and best, and last, in everything. We should take our fitting place in humble penitence at the foot of the cross. We may learn the lessons of meekness and lowliness of mind as we go up to Mount Calvary, and, looking upon the cross, see our Saviour in agony, the Son of God dying, the Just for the unjust. Behold Him who could summon legions of angels to His assistance with one word, a subject of jest and merriment, of reviling and hatred. He gives Himself a sacrifice for sin. When reviled, He threatened not; when falsely accused, He opened not His mouth. He prays on the cross for His murderers. He is dying for them. He is paying an infinite price for every one of them. He would not lose one whom He has purchased at so great cost. He gives Himself to be smitten and scourged without a murmur. And this uncomplaining victim is the Son of God. His throne is from everlasting, and His kingdom shall have no end. . . . Look, O look upon the cross of Calvary; behold the royal victim suffering on your account. . . . The Son of God was rejected and despised for our sakes. Can you, in full view of the cross, beholding by the eye of faith the sufferings of Christ, tell your tale of woe, your trials? Can you nurse revenge of your enemies in your heart while the prayer of Christ comes from His pale and quivering lips for His revilers, His murderers--"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34)? . . . We must not shrink from the depths of humiliation to which the Son of God submitted in order to raise us from the degradation and bondage of sin to a seat at His right hand.... It is high time we devoted the few remaining precious hours of our probation to washing our robes of character and making them white in the blood of the Lamb, that we may be of that white-robed company who shall stand about the great white throne. >From That I May Know Him - Page 65 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Mar 1 07:07:09 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2007 10:07:09 -0500 Subject: "Despised and Rejected" In-Reply-To: Message-ID: "Despised and Rejected" He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isa. 53:3. How few have any conception of the anguish which rent the heart of the Son of God during His thirty years of life upon earth. The path from the manger to Calvary was shadowed by sorrow and grief. He was the Man of Sorrows, and endured such heartache as no human language can portray. He could have said in truth, "Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow" (Lam. 1:12). His suffering was the deepest anguish of the soul; and what man could have sympathy with the soul anguish of the Son of the infinite God? Hating sin with a perfect hatred, He yet gathered to His soul the sins of the whole world, as He trod the path to Calvary, suffering the penalty of the transgressor. Guiltless, He bore the punishment of the guilty; innocent, yet offering Himself to bear the penalty of the transgression of the law of God. The punishment of the sins of every soul was borne by the Son of the infinite God. The guilt of every sin pressed its weight upon the divine soul of the world's Redeemer. He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. In assuming the nature of man, He placed Himself where He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, that by His stripes we might be healed. In His humanity Christ was tried with as much greater temptation, with as much more persevering energy than man is tried by the evil one, as His nature was greater than man's. This is a deep mysterious truth, that Christ is bound to humanity by the most sensitive sympathies. The evil works, the evil thoughts, the evil words of every son and daughter of Adam press upon His divine soul. The sins of men called for retribution upon Himself, for He had become man's substitute, and took upon Him the sins of the world. He bore the sins of every sinner, for all transgressions were imputed unto Him. . . . "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" (Heb. 2:3). >From That I May Know Him - Page 66 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Mar 2 13:43:47 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2007 16:43:47 -0500 Subject: "Wounded for Our Transgressions" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: "Wounded for Our Transgressions" Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isa. 53:4, 5. The sincere Christian may indeed grieve as he sees the havoc sin has wrought, but only in a limited sense can the human agent comprehend the sadness of Christ as He looks upon sin as it exists in the human heart. . . . From the light of His exalted purity the world's Redeemer could see that the maladies from which the human family were suffering were brought upon them by transgression of the law of God. Every case of suffering He could trace back to its cause. He read the sad and awful history of the final end of unrepenting sinners. He knew that He alone could rescue them from the pit into which they had fallen. He alone could place their feet in the right path. His perfection alone could avail for their imperfection. He alone could cover their nakedness with His own spotless robe of righteousness. Christ wanted all. He could not endure that one should be lost. O if the human family could only see the results of sin in the transgression and violence and crime that exist in the world! If they could see the transformation of men from the image of God to the similitude of Satan! Man was created pure and holy, but through transgression he came to possess the attributes of Satan. . . . In coming to the world in human form, in becoming subject to the law, in revealing to men that He bore their sickness, their sorrow, their guilt, Christ did not become a sinner. He was pure and uncontaminated by any disease. Not one stain of sin was found upon Him. . . . He stood before the world the spotless Lamb of God. When suffering humanity pressed about Him, He who was in the health of perfect manhood was as one afflicted with them. This was essential, that He might express His perfect love in behalf of humanity. . . . Christ was strong to save the whole world. >From That I May Know Him - Page 67 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Mar 3 05:11:21 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2007 08:11:21 -0500 Subject: Depths of Humiliation In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Depths of Humiliation Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Heb. 2:14. Wondrous combination of man and God! . . . He {Christ} humbled Himself to man's nature. He did this that the Scripture might be fulfilled; and the plan was entered into by the Son of God, knowing all the steps in His humiliation, that He must descend to make an expiation for the sins of a condemned, groaning world. What humility was this! It amazed angels. The tongue can never describe it; the imagination cannot take it in. The eternal Word consented to be made flesh! God became man! It was a wonderful humility. But He stepped still lower; the Man must humble Himself as a man to bear insult, reproach, shameful accusations, and abuse. There seemed to be no safe place for Him in His own territory. He had to flee from place to place for His life. He was betrayed by one of His disciples; He was denied by one of His most zealous followers. He was mocked. He was crowned with a crown of thorns. He was scourged. He was forced to bear the burden of the cross. He was not insensible to this contempt and ignominy. He submitted, but, oh! He felt the bitterness as no other being could feel it. He was pure, holy, and undefiled, yet arraigned as a criminal! The adorable Redeemer stepped down from the highest exaltation. Step by step He humbled Himself to die--but what a death! It was the most shameful, the most cruel--the death upon the cross as a malefactor. He did not die as a hero in the eyes of the world, loaded with honors, as men in battle. He died as a condemned criminal, suspended between the heavens and the earth--died a lingering death of shame, exposed to the tauntings and revilings of a debased, crime-loaded, profligate multitude! . . . All this humiliation of the Majesty of heaven was for guilty, condemned man. He went lower and lower in His humiliation, until there were no lower depths that He could reach, in order to lift man up from his moral defilement. All this was for you. >From That I May Know Him - Page 68 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Mar 4 09:08:40 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 4 Mar 2007 12:08:40 -0500 Subject: Calvary--God's Crowning Work In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Calvary--God's Crowning Work Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10. The love of God was Christ's theme when speaking of His mission and His work. "Therefore doth my Father love me," He says, "because I lay down my life, that I might take it again" (John 10:17). My Father loves you with a love so unbounded that He loves Me the more because I have given My life to redeem you. He loves you, and He loves Me more because I love you, and give My life for you. . . . Well did the disciples understand this love as they saw their Saviour enduring shame, reproach, doubt, and betrayal, as they saw His agony in the Garden, and His death on Calvary's cross. This is a love the depth of which no sounding can ever fathom. As the disciples comprehended it, as their perception took hold of God's divine compassion, they realized that there is a sense in which the sufferings of the Son were the sufferings of the Father. . . . When our Redeemer consented to take the cup of suffering in order to save sinners, His capacity for suffering was the only limitation to His suffering. . . . By dying in our behalf, He gave an equivalent for our debt. Thus He removed from God all charge of lessening the guilt of sin. By virtue of My oneness with the Father, He says, My suffering and death enable Me to pay the penalty of sin. By My death a restraint is removed from His love. His grace can act with unbounded efficiency. Christ is our Redeemer. He is the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. He is the fountain in which we may be washed and cleansed from all impurity. He is the costly sacrifice that has been given for the reconciliation of man. The universe of heaven, the worlds unfallen, the fallen world, and the confederacy of evil cannot say that God could do more for the salvation of man than He has done. Never can His gift be surpassed, never can He display a richer depth of love. Calvary represents His crowning work. It is man's part to respond to His great love by appropriating the great salvation the blessing of the Lord has made it possible for man to obtain. >From That I May Know Him - Page 69 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Mar 5 08:18:50 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2007 11:18:50 -0500 Subject: Christ Our Divine Ransom In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Christ Our Divine Ransom Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3, 4. "In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:9). Men need to understand that Deity suffered and sank under the agonies of Calvary. Yet Jesus Christ, whom God gave for the ransom of the world, purchased the church with His own blood. The Majesty of heaven was made to suffer at the hands of religious zealots, who claimed to be the most enlightened people upon the face of the earth. Men whom God had created, and who were dependent upon Him for every moment of their lives, who claimed to be the children of Abraham, worked out the wrath of Satan upon the innocent Son of the infinite God. While Christ was bearing the heavy guilt incurred by transgression of the law, while in the very act of bearing our sins, of carrying our sorrows, He was mocked . . . by the chief priests and rulers. . . . It was there {on the cross} that mercy and truth met together, righteousness and peace embraced each other. Here is a theme which all need to understand. Here are lengths and breadths, depths and heights, that pass any computation. . . . The character of Christ is an infinitely perfect character. The Word declares Him. He is lifted up and proclaimed as the One who gave His life for the life of the world. . . . Christ gave His own life, that all the disloyal and disobedient might realize the truth of the promise given in the first chapter of John: "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). Tell it over and over again. We may become the sons of God, members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. All who accept Jesus Christ and hold the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end will be heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ to "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." >From That I May Know Him - Page 70 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Mar 6 12:08:31 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2007 15:08:31 -0500 Subject: Resurrection to New Life In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Resurrection to New Life Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Rom. 6:4. The repentant believer, who takes the steps required in conversion, commemorates in his baptism the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. He goes down into the water in the likeness of Christ's death and burial, and he is raised out of the water in the likeness of His resurrection--not to take up the old life of sin, but to live a new life in Christ Jesus. He who had said, "I lay down my life, that I might take it again" (John 10:17), came forth from the grave to life that was in Himself. Humanity died; divinity did not die. In His divinity Christ possessed the power to break the bonds of death. He declares that He has life in Himself to quicken whom He will. All created beings live by the will and power of God. They are recipients of the life of the Son of God. However able and talented, however large their capacities, they are replenished with life from the Source of all life. He is the spring, the fountain, of life. Only He who alone hath immortality, dwelling in light and life, should say, "I have power to lay it {my life} down, and I have power to take it again" (verse 18). . . . Christ was invested with the right to give immortality. The life which He had laid down in humanity, He again took up and gave to humanity. . . . Christ became one with humanity that humanity might become one in spirit and life with Him. By virtue of this union in obedience to the Word of God, His life becomes their life. He says to the penitent, "I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25). Death is looked upon by Christ as sleep--silence, darkness, sleep. He speaks of it as if it were of little moment. "Whosoever liveth and believeth in me," He says, "shall never die" (verse 26). . . . "He shall never see death" (John 8:51). And to the believing one, death is but a small matter. With him to die is but to sleep. "Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him" (1 Thess. 4:14). >From That I May Know Him - Page 71 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Mar 7 04:04:20 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 07:04:20 -0500 Subject: The Glorious Reunion in Heaven In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Glorious Reunion in Heaven Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. . . . He is the King of glory. Ps. 24:7-10. Christ came to earth as God in the guise of humanity. He ascended to heaven as the King of saints. His ascension was worthy of His exalted character. He went as one mighty in battle, a conqueror, leading captivity captive. He was attended by the heavenly host, amid shouts and acclamations of praise and celestial song. . . . All heaven united in His reception. The most precious fact to the disciples in the ascension of Jesus was that He went from them into heaven in the tangible form of their divine Teacher. . . . The last remembrance that the disciples were to have of their Lord was as the sympathizing Friend, the glorified Redeemer. . . . The brightness of the heavenly escort and the opening of the glorious gates of God to welcome Him were not to be discerned by mortal eyes. Had the track of Christ to heaven been revealed to the disciples in all its inexpressible glory, they could not have endured the sight. Had they beheld the myriads of angels, and heard the bursts of triumph from the battlements of heaven, as the everlasting doors were lifted up, the contrast between that glory and their own lives in a word of trial, would have been so great that they would hardly have been able to again take up the burden of their earthly lives. . . . Their senses were not to become so infatuated with the glories of heaven that they would lose sight of the character of Christ on earth, which they were to copy in themselves. They were to keep distinctly before their minds the beauty and majesty of His life, the perfect harmony of all His attributes, and the mysterious union of the divine and human in His nature. It was better that the earthly acquaintance of the disciples with their Saviour should end in the solemn, quiet, and sublime manner in which it did. His visible ascent from the world was in harmony with the meekness and quiet of His life." >From That I May Know Him - Page 72 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Mar 8 06:24:42 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2007 09:24:42 -0500 Subject: A Perfect Atonement In-Reply-To: Message-ID: A Perfect Atonement And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Rom. 5:11. Our great High Priest completed the sacrificial offering of Himself when He suffered without the gate. Then a perfect atonement was made for the sins of the people. Jesus is our Advocate, our High Priest, our Intercessor. Our present position therefore is like that of the Israelites, standing in the outer court, waiting and looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. . . . When the high priest entered the holy place, representing the place where our High Priest is now pleading, and offered sacrifice on the altar, no propitiatory sacrifices were offered without. While the high priest was interceding within, every heart was to be bowed in contrition before God, pleading for the pardon of transgression. Type met antitype in the death of Christ, the Lamb slain for the sins of the world. The great High Priest has made the only sacrifice that will be of any value. . . . In His intercession as our Advocate, Christ needs no man's virtue, no man's intercession. Christ is the only sin bearer, the only sin offering. Prayer and confession are to be offered only to Him who has entered once for all into the holy place. . . . Christ represented His Father to the world, and He represents before God the chosen ones in whom He has restored the moral image of God. They are His heritage. . . . No priest, no religionist, can reveal the Father to any son or daughter of Adam. Men have only one Advocate, one Intercessor, who is able to pardon transgression. Shall not our hearts swell with gratitude to Him who gave Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins? Think deeply upon the love the Father has manifested in our behalf, the love that He has expressed for us. We cannot measure this love. Measurement there is none. We can only point to Calvary, to the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. It is an infinite sacrifice. Can we comprehend and measure infinity? >From That I May Know Him - Page 73 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Mar 9 04:29:29 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Darryl Thompson) Date: Fri, 09 Mar 2007 04:29:29 -0800 Subject: A Conqueror Claiming His Victory In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: A Conqueror Claiming His Victory Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Heb. 2:17. Of the high priest of Israel we read, "Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually" (Ex. 28:29). What a beautiful and expressive figure this is of the unchanging love of Christ for His church! Our great High Priest, of whom Aaron was a type, bears His people upon His heart. . . . Christ as the great high priest, making a perfect atonement for sin, stands alone in divine majesty and glory. Other high priests were only types, and when He appeared, the need of their services vanished . . . . Let human beings, subject to temptation, remember that in the heavenly courts they have a high priest who is touched with the feeling of their infirmities, because He Himself was tempted, even as they are. Christ is the minister of the true tabernacle, the high priest of all who believe in Him as a personal Saviour, and His office no other can take. He is the high priest of the church. . . . Christ offered up His broken body to purchase back God's heritage, to give man another trial. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7:25). By His spotless life, His obedience, His death on the cross of Calvary, Christ interceded for the lost race. And now, not as a mere petitioner does the Captain of our salvation intercede for us, but as a conqueror claiming His victory. His offering is complete, and as our intercessor He executes His self-appointed work, holding before God the censer containing His own spotless merits and the prayers, confessions, and thanksgiving of His people. Perfumed with the fragrance of His righteousness, these ascend to God as a sweet savor. The offering is wholly acceptable, and pardon covers all transgression. >From That I May Know Him - Page 74 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Mar 10 05:56:20 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 08:56:20 -0500 Subject: Momentarily Offering Sacrifice In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Momentarily Offering Sacrifice Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Rom. 8:34. Christ Jesus is represented as continually standing at the altar, momentarily offering up the sacrifice for the sins of the world. He is a minister of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man. . . . A daily and yearly typical atonement is no longer to be made, but the atoning sacrifice through a mediator is essential because of the constant commission of sin. Jesus is officiating in the presence of God, offering up His shed blood, as it had been a lamb slain. . . . Christ, our Mediator, and the Holy Spirit are constantly interceding in man's behalf, but the Spirit pleads not for us as does Christ who presents His blood, shed from the foundation of the world; the Spirit works upon our hearts, drawing out prayers and penitence, praise and thanksgiving. . . . The religious services, the prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin ascend from true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary; but passing through the corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can never be of value with God. They ascend not in spotless purity, and unless the Intercessor who is at God's right hand presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not acceptable to God. All incense from earthly tabernacles must be moist with the cleansing drops of the blood of Christ. He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits, in which there is no taint of earthly corruption. He gathers into this censer the prayers, the praise, and the confessions of His people, and with these He puts His own spotless righteousness. Then, perfumed with the merits of Christ's propitiation, the incense comes up before God wholly and entirely acceptable. . . . O, that all may see that everything in obedience, in penitence, in praise and thanksgiving must be placed upon the glowing fire of the righteousness of Christ. The fragrance of this righteousness ascends like a cloud around the mercy seat. >From That I May Know Him - Page 75 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Mar 11 10:42:38 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 11 Mar 2007 13:42:38 -0400 Subject: An Advocate Clothed in Our Nature In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: An Advocate Clothed in Our Nature My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1. God's appointments and grants in our behalf are without limit. The throne of grace itself is occupied by One who permits us to call Him Father. . . . He has placed at His altar an Advocate clothed in our nature. As our Intercessor, Christ's office work is to introduce us to God as His sons and daughters. He intercedes in behalf of those who receive Him. With His own blood He has paid their ransom. By virtue of His merits He gives them power to become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. And the Father demonstrates His infinite love for Christ by receiving and welcoming Christ's friends as His friends. He is satisfied with the atonement made. He is glorified by the incarnation, the life, death, and mediation of His son. In Christ's name our petitions ascend to the Father. He intercedes in our behalf, and the Father lays open all the treasures of His grace for our appropriation, for us to enjoy and impart to others. . . . Christ is the connecting link between God and man. . . . He places the whole virtue of His righteousness on the side of the suppliant. He pleads for man, and man, in need of divine help, pleads for himself in the presence of God, using the influence of the One who gave His life for the life of the world. As we acknowledge before God our appreciation of Christ's merits, fragrance is given to our intercessions. As we approach God through the virtue of the Redeemer's merits, Christ places us close by His side, encircling us with His human arm, while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite. He puts His merits, as sweet incense, in the censer in our hands, in order to encourage our petitions. . . . Yes, Christ has become the medium of prayer between man and God. He has also become the medium of blessing between God and man. >From That I May Know Him - Page 76 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Mar 12 05:27:34 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 08:27:34 -0400 Subject: When Jesus Interposes In-Reply-To: Message-ID: When Jesus Interposes For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Heb. 9:24. Our precious Redeemer is standing before the Father as our intercessor. . . . Let those who would meet the divine standard search the Scriptures for themselves, that they may have a knowledge of the life of Christ and understand His mission and work. Let them behold Him as their Advocate, standing within the vail, having in His hand the golden censer from which the holy incense of the merits of His righteousness ascends to God in behalf of those who pray to Him. Could they thus behold Him they would feel an assurance that they have a powerful, influential Advocate in the heavenly courts, and that their suit is gained at the throne of God. What an experience may be attained at the footstool of mercy, which is the only place of sure refuge! You may discern the fact that God is back of His promises, and not dread the issue of your prayers or doubt that Jesus is standing as your surety and substitute. As you confess your sins, as you repent of your iniquity, Christ takes your guilt upon Himself and imputes to you His own righteousness and power. To those who are contrite in spirit He gives the golden oil of love and the rich treasures of His grace. It is then that you may see that the sacrifice of self to God through the merits of Christ makes you of infinite value, for clothed in the robe of Christ's righteousness you become the sons and daughters of God. Those who ... ask forgiveness in the name of Jesus will receive their request. At the very first expression of penitence Christ presents the humble suppliant's petition before the throne as His own desire in the sinner's behalf. He says, "I will pray the Father for you" (John 16:26). Jesus, our precious Saviour, could not see us exposed to the fatal snares of Satan and forbear making an infinite sacrifice on our behalf. He interposes Himself between Satan and the tempted soul and says, "'Get thee behind me, Satan.' Let me come close to this tempted soul." He pities and loves every humble, trembling suppliant. >From That I May Know Him - Page 77 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Mar 13 06:14:43 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2007 09:14:43 -0400 Subject: Salvation to the Uttermost In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Salvation to the Uttermost Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Heb. 7:25. What does intercession comprehend? It is the golden chain which binds finite man to the throne of the infinite God. The human agent whom Christ has died to save importunes the throne of God, and his petition is taken up by Jesus who has purchased him with His own blood. Our great High Priest places His righteousness on the side of the sincere suppliant, and the prayer of Christ blends with that of the human petitioner. Christ has urged that His people pray without ceasing. This does not mean that we should always be upon our knees, but that prayer is to be as the breath of the soul. Our silent requests, wherever we may be, are to be ascending unto God, and Jesus our Advocate pleads in our behalf, bearing up with the incense of His righteousness our requests to the Father. The Lord Jesus loves His people, and when they put their trust in Him, depending wholly upon Him, He strengthens them. He will live through them, giving them the inspiration of His sanctifying Spirit, imparting to the soul a vital transfusion of Himself. He acts through their faculties and causes them to choose His will and to act out His character. With the apostle Paul they then may say, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). . . . The Lord will not leave His afflicted, tried children to be the sport of Satan's temptations. It is your privilege to trust in Jesus. The heavens are full of rich blessings. . . . We have not because we ask not, or because we do not pray in faith, believing that we shall be blessed with the special influence of the Holy Spirit. To the true seeker through the mediation of Christ the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit are imparted. >From That I May Know Him - Page 78 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Mar 14 07:20:07 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 10:20:07 -0400 Subject: Safe in Every Storm In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Safe in Every Storm Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Heb. 6:19, 20. Hope has been set before us, even the hope of eternal life. Nothing short of this blessing for us will satisfy our Redeemer, but it is our part to lay hold upon this hope by faith in Him who has promised. We may expect to suffer, for it is those who are partakers with Him in His sufferings who shall be partakers with Him in His glory. He has purchased forgiveness and immortality for the sinful, perishing souls of men, but it is our part to receive these gifts by faith. Believing in Him, we have this hope as an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast. We are to understand that we may confidently expect God's favor not only in this world but in the heavenly world, since He paid such a price for our salvation. Faith in the atonement and intercession of Christ will keep us steadfast and immovable amid the temptations that press upon us in the church militant. Let us contemplate the glorious hope that is set before us, and by faith lay hold upon it. . . . We gain heaven not through our own merits but through the merits of Jesus Christ. . . . Let your hope not be centered in yourself, but in Him who has entered within the vail. Talk of the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is true that we are exposed to great moral peril; it is true that we are in danger of being corrupted. But this danger threatens us only as we trust in self and look no higher than our own human efforts. In doing this we shall make shipwreck of faith. In Christ our hope of eternal life is centered. . . . Our hope is an anchor to the soul both sure and steadfast when it entereth into that within the vail, for the tempest-tossed soul becomes a partaker of the divine nature. He is anchored in Christ. Amid the raging elements of temptation he will not be driven upon the rocks or drawn into the whirlpool. His ship will outride the storm. >From That I May Know Him - Page 79 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Mar 15 06:07:03 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 09:07:03 -0400 Subject: Jesus Holds Us Fast! In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Jesus Holds Us Fast! My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:27, 28. In the courts above, Christ is pleading for His church--pleading for those for whom He has paid the redemption price of His blood. Centuries, ages, can never lessen the efficacy of His atoning sacrifice. Neither life nor death, height nor depth, can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus; not because we hold Him so firmly, but because He holds us so fast. If our salvation depended on our own efforts, we could not be saved; but it depends on the One who is behind all the promises. Our grasp on Him may seem feeble, but His love is that of an elder brother; so long as we maintain our union with Him, no one can pluck us out of His hand. Jesus, precious Jesus, "merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty" (Ex. 34:6, 7). O how privileged we are that we may come to Jesus just as we are and cast ourselves upon His love! We have no hope but in Jesus. He alone can reach us with His hand to lift us up out of the depths of discouragement and hopelessness and place our feet upon the Rock. Although the human soul may cling to Jesus with all the desperate sense of his great need, Jesus will cling to the souls bought by His own blood with a firmer grasp than the sinner clings to Him. I read this over and over again, for it is so full of assurance: "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:14-16). . . . What a Saviour we have--a risen Saviour, One who can save all who come unto Him! >From That I May Know Him - Page 80 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Mar 16 04:03:05 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 07:03:05 -0400 Subject: The Mystery of Godliness In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Mystery of Godliness He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?. Rom. 8:32. Before this wonderful, priceless gift was bestowed, the whole heavenly universe was mightily stirred in an effort to understand God's unfathomable love, stirred to awaken in human hearts a gratitude proportionate to the value of the gift. Shall we for whom Christ has given His life, halt between two opinions? Shall we give God only a mite of the powers of our nature? Shall we return only a part of the capabilities and powers lent us by God? Can we do this while we know that He who was Commander of all heaven . . . , realizing the helplessness of the human race, came to this earth in human nature to make it possible for us to unite our humanity to His divinity? He became poor that we might come into possession of the heavenly treasure, a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. To rescue the fallen race, He descended from one humiliation to another, until He, the divine-human suffering Christ, was uplifted on the cross, to draw all men unto Him. The Son of God could not have shown greater condescension than He did; He could not have stooped lower. This is the mystery of godliness, the mystery which has inspired heavenly agencies so to minister through fallen humanity that in the world an interest will be aroused in the plan of salvation. This is the mystery that has stirred all heaven to unite with man in carrying out God's great plan for the salvation of a ruined world, that men and women may be led, by the signs in the heavens and in the earth, to prepare for the second coming of our Lord. . . . As the Head of the church Christ is authoritatively calling upon every person who claims to believe on Him to follow His example of self-denial and self-sacrifice. . . . They are called upon to rally without delay under the blood-stained banner of Christ Jesus. Withholding nothing, they are to make an entire offering for the attainment of eternal, measureless results--the salvation of souls. >From That I May Know Him - Page 81 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Mar 17 06:05:49 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2007 09:05:49 -0400 Subject: A Bridge for the Gulf In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: A Bridge for the Gulf Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6. When Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," He uttered a truth of wonderful significance. The transgression of man had separated earth from heaven, and finite man from the infinite God. As an island is separated from a continent, so earth was cut off from heaven, and a wide channel intervened between man and God. Jesus bridged this gulf, and made a way for man to come to God. He who has no spiritual light sees no way, has no hope, and men have originated theories of their own regarding the way to life. . . . But the only name given among men whereby they can be saved is Jesus. Across the gulf that sin has made come His words, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."... Man can be justified alone through the imputation of Christ's righteousness. Man is justified freely by God's grace through faith, and not by works, lest any man should boast. Salvation is the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. . . . After the enemy had betrayed Adam and Eve into sin, the connection between heaven and earth was severed, and had it not been for Christ, the way to heaven would never have been known by the fallen race. . . . Christ is the mystic ladder, the base of which rests upon the earth, and whose topmost round reaches to the throne of the Infinite. The children of Adam are not left desolate and alienated from God, for through Christ's righteousness we have access unto the Father. "By me," said Christ, "if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture" (John 10:9). Let earth be glad, let the inhabitants of the world rejoice, that Christ has bridged the gulf which sin had made, and has bound earth and heaven together. A highway has been cast up for the ransomed of the Lord. The weary and heavy laden may come unto Him and find rest to their souls. The pilgrim may journey toward the mansions that He has gone to prepare for those who love Him. >From That I May Know Him - Page 82 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Mar 18 07:06:49 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2007 10:06:49 -0400 Subject: The Priceless Pearl In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Priceless Pearl Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matt. 13:45, 46. This goodly pearl represents the priceless treasure of Christ, as does the gold hid in the field. In Christ we have everything that is needful for us in this life, and that which will make up the joy of the world to come. All the money in the world will not buy the gift of peace and rest and love. These gifts are provided for us through faith in Christ. We cannot purchase these gifts from God; we have nothing with which to buy them. We are the property of God, for mind, soul, and body have been purchased by the ransom of the life of the Son of God. . . . Then what is it to buy the eternal treasure? It is simply to give back to Jesus His own, to receive Him into the heart by faith. It is cooperation with God; it is bearing the yoke with Christ; it is lifting His burdens. . . . The Lord Jesus laid aside His royal crown, He left His high command, He clothed His divinity with humanity, in order that through humanity He might uplift the human race. He so appreciated the possibility of the human race that He became man's substitute and surety. He places upon man His own merit, and thus elevates him in the scale of moral value with God. Christ is the atoning sacrifice. He left the glory of heaven, He parted with His riches, He laid aside His honor, not in order to create love and interest for man in the heart of God, but to be an exponent of the love that existed in the heart of the Father. . . . Jesus paid the price of all His riches, He assumed humanity, He condescended to a life of poverty and humiliation, in order that He might seek and save that which was lost. Through the grace of Christ we may be strengthened and matured, so that though now imperfect we may become complete in Him. We have mortgaged ourselves to Satan, but Christ came to ransom and redeem us. We cannot purchase anything from God. It is only by grace, the free gift of God in Christ, that we are saved. >From That I May Know Him - Page 83 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Mar 19 14:58:51 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Darryl Thompson) Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2007 13:58:51 -0800 Subject: Christ's Precious Jewels In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Christ's Precious Jewels And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Mal. 3:17. The kingdom of heaven is represented as being like unto a merchantman "seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." This parable has a double significance, and applies not only to man seeking the kingdom of heaven, but to Christ seeking His lost inheritance. Through transgression man lost his holy innocence, and mortgaged himself to Satan. Christ, the only begotten Son of God, pledged Himself for the redemption of man, and paid the price of his ransom on the cross of Calvary. He left the worlds unfallen, the society of holy angels in the universe of heaven, for He could not be satisfied while humanity was alienated from Him. The heavenly Merchantman lays aside His royal robe and crown. Though the Prince and Commander of all heaven, He takes upon Him the garb of humanity, and comes to a world that is marred and seared with the curse, to seek for the one lost pearl, to seek for man fallen through disobedience. . . . He finds His pearl buried in rubbish. Selfishness encrusts the human heart, and it is bound by the tyranny of Satan. But He lifts the soul out of its darkness to show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. We are brought into covenant relationship with God, and receive pardon and find peace. Jesus finds the pearl of lost humanity, and resets it in His own diadem. . . . He would inspire the most sinful, the most debased, with hope. He says, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37). When a soul finds the Saviour, the Saviour rejoices as a merchantman that has found his goodly pearl. By His grace He will work upon the soul until it will be like a jewel polished for the heavenly kingdom. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." >From That I May Know Him - Page 84 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Mar 20 05:31:42 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 08:31:42 -0400 Subject: Life's Best Things In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Life's Best Things I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10. Every moment of our life is intensely real. Life is no play; it is charged with awful importance, fraught with eternal responsibilities. When we look upon life from this point of view, we realize our need of divine help. The conviction will be forced upon us that a life without Christ will be a life of utter failure, but if Jesus abides with us, we shall live for a purpose. We shall then realize that without the power of God's grace and Spirit we cannot reach the high standard He has placed before us. There is a divine excellence of character to which we are to attain, and in striving to meet the standard of heaven, divine incentives will urge us on, the mind will become balanced, and the restlessness of the soul will be banished in repose in Christ. How often do we come in contact with people who are never happy. They fail of enjoying the contentment and peace that Jesus can give. They profess to be Christians but they do not comply with the conditions upon which the promise of God is fulfilled. Jesus has said, "Come unto me. . . . Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30). The reason why many are in a state of unrest is that they are not learning in the school of the Master. The submissive, self-sacrificing child of God understands by experience what it is to have the peace of Christ. Life's best things--simplicity, honesty, truthfulness, purity, unsullied integrity--are not to be bought or sold. They are free to the illiterate as to the educated, to the white man as to the black man, to the poor man as to the king upon his throne. . . . In the field of life we are all sowing seeds. As we sow, so shall we reap. Those who sow self-love, bitterness, jealousy, will reap a like harvest. Those who sow unselfish love, kindness, tender thoughtfulness for the feelings of others, will reap a precious harvest. >From That I May Know Him - Page 85 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Mar 21 06:01:19 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 09:01:19 -0400 Subject: The Most Profitable Investment In-Reply-To: Message-ID: The Most Profitable Investment I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Ps. 139:14. Only one lease of life is granted us here, and the inquiry with every one should be, How can I invest my life that it may yield the greatest profit? Life is valuable only as we improve it for the benefit of our fellow creatures and the glory of God. Careful cultivation of the abilities with which the Creator has endowed us will fit us for usefulness here and eternal life in the world to come. That time is well spent which is directed to the establishment and preservation of sound physical and mental health. . . . It is easy to lose health, but it is difficult to regain it. . . . We can ill afford to dwarf or cripple a single function of mind or body by overwork or by abuse of any part of the living machinery. So sure as we do this, we must suffer the consequences. It is our first duty to God and our fellow beings to develop all our powers. Every faculty with which the Creator has endowed us should be cultivated to the highest degree of perfection, that we may be able to do the greatest amount of good of which we are capable. The grace of Christ is needed to refine and purify the mind; this will enable us to see and correct our deficiencies, and to improve that which is excellent in our characters. This work, wrought for ourselves in the strength and name of Jesus, will be of more benefit to society than any sermon we might preach. The influence of a well-balanced, well-ordered life is of inestimable value. . . . There are few as yet who are aroused sufficiently to understand how much their habits of diet have to do with their health, their characters, their usefulness in this world, and their eternal destiny. The appetite should ever be in subjection to the moral and intellectual organs. The body should be servant to the mind, and not the mind to the body. All should understand in regard to their own physical frames, that with the psalmist they may be able to exclaim, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." >From That I May Know Him - Page 86 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Mar 22 10:43:23 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2007 13:43:23 -0400 Subject: Entrusted Capital In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Entrusted Capital Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. John 12:35. This is the warning we would give to you who claim to believe the truth. "Yet a little while is the light with you." We would ask you to consider the shortness of human life, how swiftly time is passing. Golden opportunities and privileges are within our reach. The plenteous, abundant mercy of God is waiting your demand upon its richest treasures. The Saviour is waiting to dispense His blessings freely, and the only question is, Will you accept them? The rich provisions have been made, and light is shining in a variety of ways; but this light will lose its preciousness to those who do not appreciate it, who do not accept and respond to it, or, having received it, do not pass the light along to others. Your life, your soul, your strength, your capabilities, your powers of mind and body, are to be regarded by you as entrusted capital to be improved for your Lord during the period of your life. You are to stand in your allotted order in God's great army, to work out His plan in saving your own soul and the souls of others. This you may do by living a consistent Christian life, by putting forth earnest efforts, by learning in the school of Christ His ways, His purposes, and subordinating your will and way to the will and way of Christ. . . . The Christian is to live a life distinctly different from that of the worldling. The worldling lives a cheap quality of life. He consents not to spiritual life. It is he who has the love of God that has life; it is he whose hope is centered, not in this world, but in Christ, the great center. . . . "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" (1 John 5:12). Those who believe in Christ derive their motive power and the texture of their characters from Him in whom they believe. "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2 Cor. 13:5). >From That I May Know Him - Page 87 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Mar 23 04:20:03 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 07:20:03 -0400 Subject: The Life God Uses In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Life God Uses Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Isa. 43:7. Our life is the Lord's, and is invested with a responsibility that we do not fully comprehend. The threads of self have become woven into the fabric, and this has dishonored God. Nehemiah, after gaining so great an influence over the monarch in whose court he lived and over his people in Jerusalem, instead of ascribing praise to his own excellent traits of character, his remarkable aptness and energy, stated the matter just as it was. He declared that his success was due to the good hand of God that was upon him. He cherished the truth that God was his safeguard in every position of influence. For every trait of character by which he obtained favor he praised the working power of God. . . . We need to sense deeply that all influence is a precious talent to be used for God. . . . We need to appreciate every capability we possess, because it is lent capital, to be improved to God's glory. . . . There is constant temptation for human beings to consider that any influence they have gained is the result of something valuable in themselves. The Lord does not work with these, for He will not give to any human being the glory that belongs to His own name. . . . He makes the humble, trustful servant His representative--the one who will not lift himself up and think of himself more highly than he ought to think. The life of such a one will be dedicated to God as a living sacrifice, and that life He will accept and use and sustain. He longs to make men wise with His own wisdom, that that wisdom may be exercised in His own behalf. He manifests Himself through the consecrated humble worker. . . . Carry every entrusted capability as a sacred treasure, to be used in imparting to others the knowledge and grace received. In this you will answer the purpose for which God gave them. The Lord requires us to sink self in Jesus Christ, and let the glory be all of God. >From That I May Know Him - Page 88 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Mar 24 14:53:54 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2007 17:53:54 -0400 Subject: Monitor and Friend In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Monitor and Friend Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. Deut. 32:7. Life is like a voyage. We have storm and sunshine, but we bear in mind that we are nearing the desired haven. We shall soon be beyond the storms and tempests. Our present duty is to hearken to the voice that says, "Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matt. 11:29). We must accept this invitation daily. The past is contained in the book where all things are written down. We cannot blot out the record, but we can learn many things if we choose. The past should teach us its lessons. As we make the past our monitor, we may also make it our friend. As we call to mind that in the past which has been disagreeable, let it teach us not to repeat it. In the future let nothing be traced which will cause regret in the by-and-by. We may now avoid a bad showing. Every day we live we are making our history. Today is ours, yesterday is beyond our amendment or control. Then let us not grieve the Spirit of God today, for tomorrow we shall not be able to recall this day; it will be yesterday to us. . . . Jesus Christ has plentiful help and grace for all who will appreciate it. The Lord is our helper; with Him is forgiveness. He alone can blot out the sins of the past. He can strengthen the mind. If we regard the past as no longer our enemy but as a friend to warn us off the ground we should not approach, it will prove a true friend. . . . Will we grasp and appreciate the good, and refuse the evil? Will we walk humbly with God? . . . We must not fail nor be discouraged; then the present work, now passing beyond our control, will be our paymaster. . . . We have only a little period in which to work. We are not to educate ourselves to worry. Keep the eye upward, fixed upon the mark of our high calling in Christ Jesus. We have a work to do; let us do it as in the sight of the whole universe of heaven. We are not to faint, to stumble on in unbelief. God desires us to look to Him as our sufficiency and strive to be complete in Him. >From That I May Know Him - Page 89 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Mar 27 04:07:17 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2007 07:07:17 -0400 Subject: Sowing and Reaping In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Sowing and Reaping Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Gal. 6:7, 8. What is it to sow to the flesh? It is to follow the desires and inclinations of our own natural hearts. Whatever may be our profession, if we are serving self instead of God we are sowing to the flesh. The Christian life is a life of self-denial and cross bearing. We are to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. . . . We cannot inquire, What is for our convenience? but only, What are our orders? No one looks upon the life of a soldier as a life of self-pleasing and gratification. We are on the battlefield today, and two great forces are ever contending for the mastery. . . . What are you sowing in your daily life? Are you sowing to your flesh? Are you thinking only of your pleasure, your convenience? sowing to pride and vanity and ambition? . . . I entreat you to sow to the Spirit. Every temptation resisted will give you power to sow to the Spirit in another time of trial. If you are sowing faith, rendering obedience to Christ, you will reap faith and power for future obedience. If you are seeking to be a blessing to others, God will bless you. . . . The joy we give to others will be reflected upon us again, for as we sow, we shall reap. . . . Abundant provision has been made that all who desire to live a godly life may have grace and strength through Jesus our divine Redeemer. The Christian's life is not to be one of burdens and cares, although the cross must be lifted and the burdens borne; for the servants of God are to draw peace and strength from the Source of their strength, and in so doing they will find life full of happiness and peace. . . . The whole being must be consecrated to God, for our precious Saviour never shares a divided heart. Our inclinations and desires must be under the control of the Spirit of God, and then we shall be strengthened to fight the good fight of faith. We should daily ask, What are the Captain's orders? >From That I May Know Him - Page 92 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Mar 28 06:58:53 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2007 09:58:53 -0400 Subject: Life Not to Be Trifled With In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Life Not to Be Trifled With So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Rom. 14:12. All of us, as beings blessed of God with reasoning powers, with intellect and judgment, should acknowledge our accountability to God. The life He has given us is a sacred responsibility, and no moment of it is to be trifled with, for we shall have to meet it again in the record of the judgment. In the books of heaven our lives are as accurately traced as in the picture on the plate of the photographer. Not only are we held accountable for what we have done, but for what we have left undone. We are held to account for our undeveloped characters, our unimproved opportunities. . . . It is love of selfish ease, love of pleasure, your self-esteem, self-exaltation, that prevents you from learning the precious life lessons in the school of Christ. It is the Christian's duty not to permit surroundings and circumstances to mold him, but to live above surroundings, fashioning his character according to the divine Model. He is to be faithful in whatever place he is found. He is to do his duty with fidelity, improving the opportunities given him of God, making the most of his capabilities. . . . If you are abiding in Christ, learning in His school, you will not be rude, dishonest, or unfaithful. The cross of Christ cuts to the root of all unholy passions and practices. Whatever the nature of your work, you will carry the principles of Christ into your labor and identify yourself with the task given into your hands. Your interest will be one with that of your employer. If you are paid for your time, you will realize that the time for work is not your own, but belongs to the one who pays you for it. If you are careless and extravagant, wasting material, squandering time, failing to be painstaking and diligent, you are registered in the books of heaven as an unfaithful servant. . . . Faithfulness, economy, caretaking, thoroughness, should characterize all our work. . . . "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much" (Luke 16:10). >From That I May Know Him - Page 93 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Mar 29 08:12:10 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 11:12:10 -0400 Subject: Molded After His Character In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Molded After His Character But we all, with open face beholding as in 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. When a man turns away from human imperfections and beholds Jesus, a divine transformation takes place in his character. He fixes his eye upon Christ as on a mirror which reflects the glory of God, and by beholding he becomes changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. . . . Turn your eyes from the imperfections of others and fix them steadfastly on Christ. With a contrite heart, study His life and character. You need not only to be more enlightened, but quickened, that you may see the banquet that is before you, and eat and drink the flesh and blood of the Son of God, which is His Word. By tasting the good Word of Life, by feeding on the Bread of Life, you may see the power of a world to come, and be created anew in Christ Jesus. If you receive His gifts you will be renewed unto holiness, and His grace will bring forth in you fruit unto the glory of God. The Holy Spirit reveals Christ to the mind, and faith takes hold of Him. If you accept Christ as your personal Saviour, you will know by experience the value of the great sacrifice made in your behalf upon the cross of Calvary. The Spirit of Christ working upon the heart conforms it to His image, for Christ is the model upon which the Spirit works. By the ministry of His Word, by His providences, by His inward working, God stamps the likeness of Christ upon the soul. To possess Christ is your first work, and to reveal Him as One who is able to save to the uttermost all who come to Him is your next work. To serve the Lord with full purpose of heart is to honor and glorify His name by dwelling upon holy things, by having a mind filled with the vital truths revealed in His Holy Word.... Goodness, meekness, gentleness, patience, and love are the attributes of Christ's character. If you have the spirit of Christ, your character will be molded after His character. >From That I May Know Him - Page 94 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Mar 30 08:37:54 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2007 11:37:54 -0400 Subject: How to Enjoy Heaven In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: How to Enjoy Heaven Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4. The design of God in giving us rich promises is stated by the apostle Peter--that we "might be partakers of the divine nature." We must have earthly, worldly tastes transformed to the divine and heavenly. Heaven would be no heaven to you or to me if our tastes and our meditations and our temper were not Christlike. The pure and heavenly mansions which Christ has gone to prepare for His children are such as the redeemed alone can value by being made meet for them by the inward work of grace in their hearts. I might picture to you the blessedness of heaven, the crowns laid up for the conquerors, the white linen which is the righteousness of Christ, the palm branches of victory, and the harps of gold. But all these alone will not make heaven a place of bliss for any one of us. Without any of these, if we have pure and holy characters, we would be happy, for we would have Jesus and His love. Purity and innocence and conformity to Christ's character will make heaven enjoyable. All the faculties will be strengthened, all in harmony. Perfect bliss can only dwell in the heart where Christ reigns supreme. Christ came to our world to die, the Just for the unjust, . . . that He might elevate and ennoble men and women and stamp His divine image upon them. For this His Spirit strives with us that there may be an ever advancing vigor and perfection of spiritual life. We need not retain one sinful propensity. . . . As we partake of the divine nature, hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong are cut away from the character, and we are made a living power for good. Ever learning of the divine Teacher, daily partaking of His nature, we cooperate with God in overcoming Satan's temptations. God works, and man works, that man may be one with Christ as Christ is one with God. Then we sit together with Christ in heavenly places. The mind rests with peace and assurance in Jesus. >From That I May Know Him - Page 95 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Mar 31 07:33:37 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2007 10:33:37 -0400 Subject: Provision for Every Emergency In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Provision for Every Emergency How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him. Heb. 2:3. The divine Author of salvation left nothing incomplete in the plan; every phase of it is perfect. The sin of the whole world was laid upon Jesus, and divinity gave its highest value to the suffering of humanity in Jesus that the whole world might be pardoned through faith in the Substitute. The most guilty need have no fear but that God will pardon, for because of the efficacy of the divine sacrifice the penalty of the law will be remitted. Through Christ the sinner may return to allegiance to God. How wonderful is the plan of redemption in its simplicity and fullness. It not only provides for the full pardon of the sinner but also for the restoration of the transgressor, making a way whereby he may be accepted as a son of God. Through obedience he may be the possessor of love and peace and joy. His faith may unite him in his weakness to Christ, the source of divine strength, and through the merits of Christ he may find the approval of God, because Christ has satisfied the demands of the law, and He imputes His righteousness to the penitent, believing soul. . . . What love, what wonderful love, was displayed by the Son of God. ... Christ takes the sinner from the lowest degradation, and purifies, refines, and ennobles him. By beholding Jesus as He is, the sinner is transformed and elevated to the very summit of dignity, even to a seat with Christ upon his throne. . . . The plan of redemption provides for every emergency and for every want of the soul. If it were deficient in any way, the sinner might find some excuse to plead for neglect of its terms, but the infinite God had a knowledge of every human necessity, and ample provision has been made to supply every need. . . . What, then, can the sinner say in the great day of final judgment as to why he refused to give attention, the most thorough and earnest, to the salvation proffered him? >From That I May Know Him - Page 96 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Apr 1 07:16:37 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 1 Apr 2007 10:16:37 -0400 Subject: Source of All Light In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Source of All Light Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12. Jesus of Nazareth declared Himself the Light of the world. What think ye of Him? What position does He occupy among the world's religious teachers? Hundreds, yes thousands, of men are recognized as having been great thinkers, men who speculated, who published their theories, and charmed the minds of many with their intellectual and moral attainments. These so-called great men who have left to the world the productions of their life of thought have been ranked as the wisest men the world has ever known. But these cannot compare with Christ. There was a revelation before man's productions were brought forth. His finite knowledge is but the result of beholding the wondrous things that have been shining in our world contained in the teachings of Christ, the greatest of all teachers. Whatever great ideas man may have evolved have come through Christ. Every precious gem of thought every flash of the intellect, is revealed by the Light of the world. . . . Christ makes no apology when He declares, "I am the light of the world." He was, in life and teaching, the gospel, the foundation of all pure doctrine. Just as the sun compares with the lesser lights in the heavens, so did Christ, the Source of light, compare with the teachers of His day. He was before them all, and shining with the brightness of the sun, He diffused His penetrating, gladdening rays throughout the world. . . . Measured by finite minds, men are called learned and great, but with all their boasted wisdom, their science and learning, they cannot thus know God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. . . . No man who has ever lived, or who ever will live, can claim to be the infallible guide, the supreme revealer of truth. Men may seek to reach the highest standard in learning, but there is One, "a teacher sent from God," who still stands higher than they. No human teacher can equal Him. >From That I May Know Him - Page 97 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Apr 2 15:52:29 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Darryl Thompson) Date: Mon, 02 Apr 2007 15:52:29 -0700 Subject: Christ's Blessings Universal In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Christ's Blessings Universal That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John 1:9. The grace of Christ is not confined to a few. The message of mercy and forgiveness brought from heaven by Christ was to be heard by all. Our Saviour says, "I am the light of the world." (John 8:12). His blessings are universal, reaching to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples. Christ came to break down every wall of partition ... that every soul, whether Jew or Gentile, might be a free worshiper and have access to God.... Through varied channels the heavenly messengers are in active communication with every part of the world, and when man calls upon the Lord with a true and earnest heart, God is represented as bending from His throne above. He listens to every yearning cry, and answers, "Here am I." He raises up the distressed and oppressed. He bestows His blessings on the evil as well as on the good. In every precept that Christ taught, He was expounding His own life. God's holy law was magnified in this living representative. He was the revealer of the infinite mind. He uttered no uncertain sentiments or opinions, but pure and holy truth. . . . He invites men to take a close view of God in Himself, in the infinite love therein expressed. To know God is the most wonderful knowledge that men can have. There is much wisdom with worldly men, but with all their wisdom they behold not the beauty and majesty, the justice and wisdom, the goodness and holiness, of the Creator of all worlds. The Lord walks among men by His providences, but His stately steppings are not heard, His presence is not discerned, His hand is not recognized. The work of Christ's disciples is to shine as lights, making manifest to the world the character of God. They are to catch the increasing rays of light from the Word of God and reflect them to men enshrouded in the darkness of misapprehension of God. The servants of Christ must rightly represent the character of God and Christ to men. >From That I May Know Him - Page 98 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Apr 3 05:32:43 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2007 08:32:43 -0400 Subject: Equality of Believers in Christ In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Equality of Believers in Christ For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. . . . There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal. 3:26-28. The secret of unity is found in the equality of believers in Christ. The reason for all division, discord, and difference is found in separation from Christ. Christ is the center to which all should be attracted; for the nearer we approach the center, the closer we shall come together in feeling, in sympathy, in love, growing into the character and image of Jesus. With God there is no respect of persons. Jesus knew the worthlessness of earthly pomp, and He gave no attention to its display. In His dignity of soul, His elevation of character, His nobility of principle, He was far above the vain fashions of the world.... He desired not the applause of men.... Wealth, position, worldly rank in all its varieties and distinctions of human greatness, were all but so many degrees of littleness to Him who had left the honor and glory of heaven, and who possessed no earthly splendor, indulged in no luxury, and displayed no adornment but humility. The lowly, those bound with poverty, pressed with care, burdened with toil, could find no reason in His life and example which would lead them to think that Jesus was not acquainted with their trials, knew not the pressure of their circumstances, and could not sympathize with them in their want and sorrow. The lowliness of His humble, daily life was in harmony with His lowly birth and circumstances. The Son of the infinite God, the Lord of life and glory, descended in humiliation to the life of the lowliest, that no one might feel himself excluded from His presence. He made Himself accessible to all. He did not select a favored few with whom to associate and ignore all others. All men are of one family by creation, and all are one through redemption. Christ came to demolish every wall of partition, ... that every soul may have free access to God. His love is so broad, so deep, so full, that it penetrates everywhere. >From That I May Know Him - Page 99 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Apr 4 11:38:01 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2007 14:38:01 -0400 Subject: Linked in a Common Brotherhood In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Linked in a Common Brotherhood But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Acts 10:35. Jesus taught that the religion of the Bible does not consist in selfish exclusiveness, in personal enjoyment, but in the doing of loving deeds, in bringing the greatest good to others, in genuine goodness. . . . His life was free from all pride and ostentation. . . . Although He was the Creator of all worlds He yet testified of Himself while on earth that "the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" (Matt. 8:20). . . . Jesus was the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, and yet in His human life He was patient, kind, courteous, benevolent, full of love for little children, and full of pity and compassion for the tempted, the tried, and the oppressed. Of Himself He said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set a liberty them that are bruised,...." (Luke 4:18, 19). Coming to earth to fulfill so gracious a mission, He was yet homeless, and often hungry and athirst. The men of His own nation hunted Him with craft and intrigue, with jealousy and hatred. . . . He died a most shameful death, and made a full and complete sacrifice, in order that no one might perish, but that all might come to repentance. He made an atonement for every repenting, believing soul, in order that all might find in Him a sin bearer. If those who believe in Him will but practice His words, which are spirit and life; if they will follow His example, and become a precious light to the world, they will do that for the world which no human philosophy can accomplish. The lessons of Christ lay a foundation for a religion in which there is no caste--where Jew and Gentile, free and bond, are linked in a common brotherhood, equal before God, because they are all branches of the living Vine. They believe in Christ as their personal Saviour. >From That I May Know Him - Page 100 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Apr 5 09:31:43 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2007 12:31:43 -0400 Subject: One Plan for All Time In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: One Plan for All Time But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Acts 15:11. God's truth is the same in all ages, although differently developed to meet the wants of His people in various periods. Under the Old Testament dispensation every important work was closely connected with the sanctuary. In the holy of holies the great I AM took up His abode. . . . There, above the mercy seat, overshadowed by the wings of the cherubim, dwelt the Shekinah of His glory, the perpetual token of His presence, while the breastplate of the high priest, set with precious stones, made known from the sacred precincts of the sanctuary the solemn message of Jehovah to the people. Wonderful dispensation, when the Holy One, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, thus manifested His glory, and revealed His will to the children of men! The typical sacrifices and offerings of that dispensation represented Christ, who was to become the perfect offering for sinful man. Besides these mystic symbols and shadowy types pointing to a Saviour to come, there was a present Saviour to the Israelites. He it was, who, enshrouded in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, led them in their travels, and He it was who gave direct words to Moses to be repeated to the people. . . . He who was equal with the Father in the creation of man was commander, lawgiver, and guide to His ancient people. Many look upon the days of Israel as a time of darkness, when men were without Christ, without repentance and faith. Many hold the erroneous doctrine that the religion of the children of Israel consisted in forms and ceremonies in which faith in Christ had no part. But men in that age were saved by Christ as verily as men are saved by Him today. . . . Christ was shadowed forth in the sacrifices and symbols, which were to last till type should reach antitype in His coming to our world. The Hebrews rejoiced in a Saviour to come. We rejoice in a Saviour who has come, and who is coming again. . . . Christ's blood avails for us, as it did for ancient Israel. >From That I May Know Him - Page 101 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Apr 6 04:57:45 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2007 07:57:45 -0400 Subject: Through Christ to God In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Through Christ to God God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5:19. All through the pages of sacred history, where the dealings of God with His chosen people are recorded, there are burning traces of the great I AM. . . . In all these revelations of the divine presence, the glory of God was manifested through Christ. Not alone at the Saviour's advent, but through all the ages after the fall and the promise of redemption, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself." Christ was the foundation and center of the sacrificial system in both the patriarchal and the Jewish age. Since the sin of our first parents, there has been no direct communication between God and man. The Father has given the world into the hands of Christ, that through His mediatorial work He may redeem man, and vindicate the authority and holiness of the law of God. All the communion between heaven and the fallen race has been through Christ. It was the Son of God that gave to our first parents the promise of redemption. It was He who revealed Himself to the patriarchs. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses understood the gospel. They looked for salvation through man's Substitute and Surety. . . . The solemn service of the sanctuary typified the grand truths that were to be revealed through successive generations. The cloud of incense ascending with the prayers of Israel represents His righteousness that alone can make the sinner's prayer acceptable to God; the bleeding victim on the altar of sacrifice testified of a Redeemer to come; and from the holy of holies the visible token of the divine presence shone forth. Thus through age after age of darkness and apostasy, faith was kept alive in the hearts of men until the time came for the advent of the promised Messiah. Jesus was the light of His people,--the light of the world,--before He came to earth in the form of humanity. . . . From Him has come every ray of heaven's brightness that has fallen upon the inhabitants of the earth. In the plan of redemption, Christ is the Alpha and the Omega,--the First and the Last. >From That I May Know Him - Page 102 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Apr 7 06:07:50 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2007 09:07:50 -0400 Subject: One Family in Christ In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: One Family in Christ For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Eph. 3:14, 15. Through faith in Christ we become members of the royal family, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. In Christ we are one. As we come in sight of Calvary, and view the royal Sufferer who in man's nature bore the curse of the law in his behalf, all national distinctions, all sectarian differences, are obliterated; all honor of rank, all pride of caste is lost. The light shining from the throne of God upon the cross of Calvary forever puts an end to man-made separations between class and race. Men of every class become members of one family, children of the heavenly King, not through earthly power, but through the love of God who gave Jesus to a life of poverty, affliction, and humiliation, to a death of shame and agony, that He might bring many sons and daughters unto glory. It is not the position, not the finite wisdom, not the qualifications, not the endowments of any person that makes him rank high in the esteem of God. The intellect, the reason, the talents of men, are the gifts of God to be employed to His glory, for the upbuilding of His eternal kingdom. It is the spiritual and moral character that is of value in the sight of Heaven, and that will survive the grave. . . . All who are found worthy to be counted as the members of the family of God in heaven, will recognize one another as sons and daughters of God. They will realize that they all receive their strength and pardon from the same source, even from Jesus Christ who was crucified for their sins. They know that they are to wash their robes of character in His blood, to find acceptance with the Father in His name, if they would be in the bright assembly of the saints, clothed in the white robes of righteousness. The family is named after the Father. Those who enter the heavenly mansions will have the name of the Father and the name of the city of God written in their foreheads. They will bear the divine superscription and be partakers of the divine nature. >From That I May Know Him - Page 103 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Apr 8 11:00:10 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2007 14:00:10 -0400 Subject: The Sum and Substance In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Sum and Substance And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3. The sum and substance of the whole matter of Christian grace and experience is contained in believing on Christ, in knowing God and His Son whom He hath sent. But here is where many fail, for they lack faith in God. Instead of desiring to be brought into fellowship with Christ in His self-denial and humiliation, they are ever seeking for the supremacy of self. . . . O if we did but appreciate the love of God, how our hearts would be expanded, our limited sympathies would be enlarged, and break away from the icy barriers of selfishness, and our comprehension would be deeper than it now is. . . . It is because we do not know God, we do not have faith in Christ, that we are not deeply impressed with the humiliation He endured in our behalf, that His abasement does not lead us to the humbling of self, to the exalting of Jesus. . . . O if you loved Him as He has loved you, you would not shun an experience in the dark chapters of the suffering of the Son of God! In order to be partakers with Christ in His sufferings, we must behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. When we contemplate the humiliation of Christ, beholding His self-denial and self-sacrifice, we are filled with amazement at the manifestation of divine love for guilty man. When for Christ's sake we are called to pass through trials that are of a humiliating nature, if we have the mind of Christ we shall suffer them with meekness, not resenting injury, or resisting evil. We shall manifest the spirit that dwelt in Christ. . . . We are to understand what the sacrifice, the labors, and the sufferings of Christ are, in order that we may cooperate with Him in working out the great scheme of redemption. The knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ expressed in character is the very highest education. It is the key that opens the portals of the heavenly city. This knowledge it is God's purpose that all who put on Christ shall possess. >From That I May Know Him - Page 104 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Apr 9 10:51:45 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2007 13:51:45 -0400 Subject: Water for the Thirsty In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Water for the Thirsty In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. John 7:37. Once a year, at the Feast of Tabernacles, the children of Israel called to mind the time when their fathers dwelt in tents in the wilderness, as they journeyed from Egypt to the land of Canaan. The services of the last day of this feast were of peculiar solemnity, but the greatest interest centered in the ceremony that commemorated the bringing of water from the rock. When in a golden vessel the waters of Siloam were borne by the priests into the temple, and, after being mingled with wine, were poured over the sacrifice on the altar, there was great rejoicing. . . . On this occasion, above all the confusion of the crowd and the sounds of rejoicing, a voice is heard: "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." The attention of the people is arrested. Outwardly all is joy, but the eye of Jesus, beholding the throng with the tenderest compassion, sees the soul parched and thirsting for the waters of life. . . . The gracious invitation, "Come unto me, and drink," comes down through all the ages to our time. And we may stand in a position similar to that of the Jews in the time of Christ, rejoicing because the fountain of truth has been opened to us, while its living waters are not permitted to refresh our thirsty souls. We must drink. . . . As the children of Israel celebrated the deliverance that God wrought for their fathers, and His miraculous preservation of them during their journeyings from Egypt to the Promised Land, so should the people of God at the present time gratefully call to mind the various ways He has devised to bring them out from the world, out from the darkness of error, into the precious light of truth. . . . We should gratefully regard the old waymarks, and refresh our souls with memories of the loving-kindness of our gracious Benefactor. . . . As we journey onward, what a blessed privilege is ours to accept the invitation of Christ, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." >From That I May Know Him - Page 105 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Apr 10 05:27:23 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2007 08:27:23 -0400 Subject: Bread for the Hungry In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Bread for the Hungry Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John 6:35. Many are starved and strengthless because, instead of eating of the Bread which came down from heaven, they fill their minds with things of minor importance. But if the sinner will partake of the Bread of Life, he will, regenerated and restored, become a living soul. The Bread sent down from heaven will infuse new life into his weakened energies. The Holy Spirit will take of the things of God and show them to him, and if he will receive them his character will be cleansed from all selfishness, and refined and purified for heaven. To the careless, the indifferent, the unconcerned, those standing on the precipice of ruin, Christ says: Open the door of your heart; give Me entrance, and I will make you a child of God. I will transform your weak, sinful nature into the divine image, giving it beauty and perfection. . . . Not only does Christ give us the Bread of Life, but the Water of Life, which He gives, is as a well of water, springing up into everlasting life. It possesses life-giving properties and purifying efficacy for it proceeds from the throne of God. Those who will permit God to work in them will grow up unto the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. Every power of the mind and body will be used in the service of God. . . . He has wonderful blessings to give to those who will receive Him. He is mighty in strength and wonderful in counsel. By the ministration of the Holy Spirit, He seeks to impress His image upon our characters. If we will feed upon Him we shall become new creatures in Christ Jesus. The virtues of a true Christian character, the excellences that are revealed in the character of Christ, will be seen in the life born of the Spirit. Man, with his human nature, will become a partaker of divinity. The power of Christ will work to sanctify every part of the being, diffusing life, activity, and soundness through the whole, and developing spiritual efficiency. >From That I May Know Him - Page 106 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Apr 11 09:28:59 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:28:59 -0400 Subject: Partakers of Christ In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Partakers of Christ I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. John 6:51. Bread cannot benefit us unless we eat it, unless it becomes a part of our being. A knowledge of Christ will avail nothing unless we become like Him in character, bearing the same likeness, and representing His spirit to the world. Christ is of no value to us unless He is formed within, the hope of glory. If we do not know Him as our personal Saviour, a theoretical knowledge will do us no good. Water will not quench thirst unless we drink it. Bread will not satisfy hunger unless we eat it. If we are feeding spiritually upon Christ we are partakers of His nature, we are eating of His flesh. . . . When Christ uttered these words many of His disciples were in doubt as to what He meant, and He explained His words, saying: "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). If Christ is to you as a valuable treasure, if you find in Him your greatest satisfaction, if He is prized and cherished above all others, if you regard everything else as loss that you may win Him, you are eating of His flesh and drinking of His blood and are becoming conformed to His image. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled. The invitation is: "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? . . . eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness" (Isa. 55:1, 2). . . . All heaven rejoices at the redemption of the lost race. Christ rejoiced in the secret consciousness of what He purposed to do for man. He desires to do far more abundantly than we are able to ask or think. The fountain of His inexpressible love is inexhaustible, and it flows toward all those who believe in Him. >From That I May Know Him - Page 107 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Apr 12 05:44:03 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 08:44:03 -0400 Subject: A Change of Raiment In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: A Change of Raiment I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Isa. 61:10. "And he shewed me Joshua the high priest"--a representative of the people who keep the commandments of God--"standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him" (Zech. 3:1). Christ is our High Priest. Satan stands before Him night and day as an accuser of the brethren. With his masterly power he presents every objectionable feature of character as sufficient reason for the withdrawal of Christ's protecting power, thus allowing Satan to discourage and destroy those whom he has caused to sin. But Christ has made atonement for every sinner. Can we by faith hear our Advocate saying, "The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; . . . is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" (verse 2). "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments" (verse 3). Thus sinners appear before the enemy who by his masterly, deceptive power has led them away from allegiance to God. With garments of sin and shame the enemy clothes those who have been overpowered by his temptations, and then he declares that it is unfair for Christ to be their Light, their Defender. . . . Hear the words of Jesus: . . . I will blot out his transgressions. I will cover his sins. . . . The filthy garments are removed; for Christ says, "I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee" (verse 4). The iniquity is transferred to the innocent, the pure, the holy Son of God; and man, all undeserving, stands before the Lord cleansed from all unrighteousness, and clothed with the imputed righteousness of Christ. Oh, what a change of raiment is this! He takes every sin away, and puts on us His robe of righteousness woven in the loom of heaven. . . . We are adopted into the heavenly family, and we shall inherit the mansions prepared for those who are obedient. >From That I May Know Him - Page 108 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Apr 13 14:03:55 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 17:03:55 -0400 Subject: A Change of Raiment In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Christ Our Peace and Righteousness Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:31. He who has the spotless robe of righteousness, woven in the loom of heaven, in which is not a thread that sinful humanity can claim, is at the right hand of God, to clothe His believing children in the perfect garment of His righteousness. Those who are saved in the kingdom of God will have nothing of which to boast in themselves; the praise and the glory will all flow back to God. . . . It is not now the work of the sinner to make peace with God, but to accept Christ as his peace and righteousness. Thus man becomes one with Christ and one with God. There is no way by which the heart may be made holy, save through faith in Christ. Yet many think that repentance is a kind of preparation which men must originate themselves before they can come to Christ. They must take steps themselves in order to find Christ a mediator in their behalf. It is true that there must be repentance before there is pardon, but the sinner must come to Christ before he can find repentance. It is the virtue of Christ that strengthens and enlightens the soul, so that repentance may be godly and acceptable. . . . Repentance is as certainly a gift of Jesus Christ as is forgiveness of sins. Repentance cannot be experienced without Christ, for it is the repentance of which He is the author that is the ground upon which we may apply for pardon. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that men are led to repentance. It is from Christ that the grace of contrition comes, as well as the gift of pardon, and repentance as well as forgiveness of sins is procured only through the atoning blood of Christ. Those whom God pardons He first makes penitent. When the sinner accepts Christ and lives in Him, Jesus takes his sins and weaknesses and then grafts the repentant soul into Himself, so that he sustains the relation to Christ that the branch does to the vine. We have nothing, we are nothing, unless we receive virtue from Jesus Christ. >From That I May Know Him - Page 109 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Apr 14 05:49:26 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 08:49:26 -0400 Subject: Justified by Faith In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Justified by Faith Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Rom. 5:1, 2. When God pardons the sinner, remits the punishment he deserves, and treats him as though he had not sinned, He receives him into divine favor, and justifies him through the merits of Christ's righteousness. The sinner can be justified only through faith in the atonement made through God's dear Son, who became a sacrifice for the sins of the guilty world. No one can be justified by any works of his own. He can be delivered from the guilt of sin, from the condemnation of the law, from the penalty of transgression, only by virtue of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ. Faith is the only condition upon which justification can be obtained, and faith includes not only belief but trust. . . . The sinner is represented as a lost sheep, and a lost sheep never returns to the fold unless he is sought after and brought back to the fold by the shepherd. No man of himself can repent, and make himself worthy of the blessing of justification. The Lord Jesus is constantly seeking to impress the sinner's mind and attract him to behold Himself, the Lamb of God. . . . We cannot take a step toward spiritual life save as Jesus draws and strengthens the soul, and leads us to experience that repentance which needeth not to be repented of. . . . The faith that is unto salvation is not a casual faith, it is not the mere consent of the intellect, it is belief rooted in the heart, that embraces Christ as a personal Saviour. . . . When the soul lays hold upon Christ as the only hope of salvation, then genuine faith is manifested. This faith leads its possessor to place all the affections of the soul upon Christ; his understanding is under the control of the Holy Spirit, and his character is molded after the divine likeness. His faith is not a dead faith, but a faith that works by love, and leads him to behold the beauty of Christ, and to become assimilated to the divine character. >From That I May Know Him - Page 110 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Apr 15 05:22:58 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2007 08:22:58 -0400 Subject: Our Perfect Pattern In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Our Perfect Pattern He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matt. 16:15, 16. To human eyes Christ was only a man, yet He was a perfect man. In His humanity He was the impersonation of the divine character. God embodied His own attributes in His Son--His power, His wisdom, His goodness, His purity, His truthfulness, His spirituality, and His benevolence. In Him, though human, all perfection of character, all divine excellence, dwelt. And to the request of His disciple, "Shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us," He could reply, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" "I and my Father are one" (John 14:8, 9; 10:30). . . . The strong denunciation of the Pharisees against Jesus was, "Thou, being a man, makest thyself God" (John 10:33), and for this reason they sought to stone Him. Christ did not apologize for this supposed assumption on His part. He did not say to His accusers, "You misunderstand me; I am not God." He was manifesting God in humanity. Yet He was the humblest of all the prophets, and He exemplified in His life the truth that the more perfect the character of human beings, the more simple and humble they will be. He has given to men a pattern of what they may be in their humanity, through becoming partakers of the divine nature. . . . The centuries that have passed since Christ was among men have not lessened the confidence of our testimony that Christ is all that He claimed to be. Today the question may be repeated, "What think ye of Christ?" (Matt. 22:42), and without a moment's hesitation the answer may be given, "He is the light of the world, the greatest religious thinker and teacher the world has ever known." All who hear His voice today, all who study the principles set forth in His teaching, must say, in truthfulness, as did the Jews of His day, "Never man spake like this man." "Is not this the Christ?" (John 7:46, 4:29). >From That I May Know Him - Page 111 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Apr 16 07:53:41 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 10:53:41 -0400 Subject: An All-sufficient Saviour In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: An All-sufficient Saviour Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Isa. 45:22. Many are making laborious work of walking in the narrow way of holiness. To many the peace and rest of this blessed way seems no nearer today than it did years in the past. They look afar off for that which is nigh; they make intricate that which Jesus made very plain. He is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). The plan of salvation has been plainly revealed in the Word of God, but the wisdom of the world has been sought too much, and the wisdom of Christ's righteousness too little. And souls that might have rested in the love of Jesus have been doubting and troubled about many things. . . . We are wounded, polluted with sin. What shall we do to be healed from its leprosy? . . . In the wilderness, when the Lord permitted poisonous serpents to sting the rebellious Israelites, Moses was directed to lift up a brazen serpent and bid all the wounded look to it and live. But many saw no help in this Heaven-appointed remedy. . . . If you are the conscious of your wants, do not devote all your powers to representing them and mourning over them, but look and live. Jesus is our only Saviour, and notwithstanding millions who need to be healed will reject His offered mercy, not one who trusts in His merits will be left to perish. . . . Satan suggests that you are helpless and cannot bless yourself. It is true; you are helpless. But lift up Jesus before him: "I have a Saviour. In Him I trust, and He will never suffer me to be confounded. In His name I triumph. He is my righteousness, and my crown of rejoicing." ... It may seem to you that you are sinful and undone, but it is just on this account that you need a Saviour. If you have sins to confess, lose no time. These moments are golden. . . . Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled, for Jesus has promised it. Precious Saviour! His arms are open to receive us, and His great heart of love is waiting to bless us. >From That I May Know Him - Page 112 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Apr 17 05:49:31 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2007 08:49:31 -0400 Subject: Profession Not Enough In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Profession Not Enough Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matt. 7:21. A profession of religion is of no value unless good works testify to the sincerity and reality of its claim. . . . Those who make great professions and do not bear the fruits of godliness make it manifest that they are not abiding in the True Vine, for "by their fruits ye shall know them." They are dead branches. . . . Conversion has become a matter of perplexity to many because of the confusing doctrines that are taught in regard to what is religion. Coming to Christ means something more than belonging to the church. There are many whose names are registered on the leaves of the church record but whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life. Coming to Christ does not require a severe mental effort and agony. It is simply accepting the terms of salvation that God has made plain in His Word. God desires the willing service of our hearts. He has endowed us with reasoning faculties, with talents of ability, and with means and influence, to be exercised for the good of mankind, that we may manifest His spirit before the world. Precious opportunities and privileges are placed within our reach, and if we neglect them we rob others, we defraud our own souls, and dishonor our Maker. We shall not want to meet these slighted opportunities and neglected privileges in the day of judgment. Our eternal interests for the future depend on the present diligent performance of duty in improving the talents that God has given into our trust for the salvation of souls. . . . True religion works out the principles of God's law--love to God and love to man. Those who will be accepted of Heaven will have put their talents out to the exchangers for the glory of God and the good of humanity. They will have become laborers together with God, and will receive the approval of the Master when He comes in the clouds of heaven. Religion is something more than a profession, something deeper than an impulsive feeling. It is doing the will of God. >From That I May Know Him - Page 113 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Apr 18 05:46:24 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Thompson, Darryl) Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2007 08:46:24 -0400 Subject: The Righteousness That God Requires In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Righteousness That God Requires For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5:20. The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was of a selfish character, consisting of external forms. The righteousness which God requires is internal as well as external. The heart must be purified, else Christ cannot be enthroned there. The life must be conformed to the will of God. External forms cannot take the place of inward piety. The Jewish teachers exalted themselves as righteous; they called all those who differed from them accursed, and closed the gates of heaven to them, declaring that those who had not learned in their schools, were not righteous. But with all their criticisms and exactions, with all their forms and ceremonies, they were an offense to God. They looked down upon and despised the very ones precious in the sight of the Lord. . . . Human devices, human plans, and human counsels will be without power. Only in Christ Jesus will the church near the period of Christ's coming be able to stand. She is required of her Redeemer to advance in piety, to have increasing zeal, understanding better as she nears the end that her own "high calling" is "of God in Christ Jesus." There are glorious truths to come before the people of God. Privileges and duties which they do not even suspect to be in the Bible will be laid open before the followers of Christ. As they follow on in the path of humble obedience, doing God's will, they will know more and more of the oracles of God, and be established in right doctrines. The baptism of the Holy Spirit will dispel human imaginings, will break down self-erected barriers, and will cause to cease the feeling that "I am holier than thou." There will be a humble spirit with all, more faith and love; self will not be exalted. . . . Christ's spirit, Christ's example, will be exemplified in His people. We shall follow more closely the ways and works of Jesus. . . . The love of Jesus will pervade our hearts. >From That I May Know Him - Page 114 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Apr 27 07:57:21 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:57:21 -0400 Subject: A Heavenly Partnership In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: A Heavenly Partnership Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:6. All heaven enters into copartnership with those who come to Christ for eternal life, submitting themselves to Him as those who have made a surrender of all to God. God requires His servants to stand under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel, striving in His power to keep the principles of truth pure and uncorrupted. They must never step aside from the path of self-denial and humility which every true Christian must travel. As they thus cooperate with God, Christ is formed within, "the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27). Clad in His meekness and lowliness they find their highest joy in doing His service. Earthly ambition gives way to a desire to serve the Master. "Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off." "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise" (Ps. 138:6; 51:17). Those who reveal the meek and lowly spirit of Christ are tenderly regarded by God. Nothing is unnoticed by Him. He marks their self-denial, their effort to uplift Christ before the world. Though these humble workers may be looked upon with scorn by the world, they are of great value in the sight of God. Not only the wise, the great, the beneficent, will gain a passport into the heavenly courts--not only the busy worker, full of zeal and restless activity. No; the pure in heart, in whose lips there is found no guile; the poor in spirit, who are actuated by the Spirit of an abiding Christ; the peacemaker, whose highest ambition is to do God's will--these will gain an abundant entrance. They are God's jewels, and will be among that number of whom John writes, "I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, . . . saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth" (Rev. 19:6). They have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. "Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them" (Rev. 7:15). >From That I May Know Him - Page 123 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Apr 28 05:15:45 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2007 08:15:45 -0400 Subject: Light for the Humble In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Light for the Humble The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. Ps. 25:9. Anything like pride in learning and dependence upon scientific knowledge which you place between your soul and the word of the Bible will most effectually close the door of your heart to the sweet, humble religion of the meek and lowly Jesus. . . . It is the humble in heart that receive the enlightenment of Heaven that is more precious than the boasted wisdom of the world. . . . He {the repenting sinner} . . . becomes spiritual, and discerns spiritual things. The wisdom of God enlightens his mind, and he beholds wondrous things out of God's law. This salvation which offers pardon to the transgressor, presents to him the righteousness that will bear the scrutiny of the Omniscient One, gives victory over the powerful enemy of God and man, provides eternal life and joy for its receiver. . . . It is the completeness of salvation that gives it its greatness. No man can measure or understand it by worldly wisdom. It may be contemplated with the most profound and concentrated study, but the mind loses itself in the untraceable majesty of its Author. But the soul united with God in meditation of His unfathomable riches is expanded, and becomes more capable of comprehending to a greater depth and height the glories of the plan of salvation. . . . His abilities develop and strengthen to comprehend and to do with increased skill and wisdom the requirements of God. The mind devoted unreservedly to God, under the guidance of the divine Spirit develops generally and harmoniously. The weak, vacillating character becomes changed through the power of God to one of strength and steadfastness. Continual devotion and piety establish so close a relation between Jesus and His disciple that the Christian becomes like Him in mind and character. After association with the Son of God the humble follower of Christ is found to be a person of sound principle, clear perception, and reliable judgment. He has a connection with God, the Source of light and understanding. >From That I May Know Him - Page 124 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Apr 29 07:00:30 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2007 10:00:30 -0400 Subject: The Merits of Jesus' Blood In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Merits of Jesus' Blood My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Ps. 34:2. He {the true Christian} realizes that an infinite sacrifice has been made for him, and that his life is of inestimable value through the merits of Jesus' blood, intercession, and righteousness. But while he comprehends the exalted privileges of the sons of God, his soul is filled with humility. There is no boasting of holiness from the lips of those who walk in the shadow of Calvary's cross. They feel that it was their sin which caused the agony that broke the heart of the Son of God. . . . Those who live nearest to Jesus feel most deeply their own unworthiness, and their only hope is in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. Like Moses, they have had a view of the awful majesty of holiness and they see their own insufficiency in contrast with the purity and exalted loveliness of Jesus. Is there not occasion for humility? Is there not need of feeling our utter dependence upon Christ every day and hour? . . . He took on Him our nature, and became sin for us, that we might have "remission of sins that are past" (Rom. 3:25), and through His divine strength and grace might fulfill the righteous requirements of the law. Whoever takes the position that it makes no difference whether or not we keep the commandments of God is not acquainted with Christ. Jesus says, "I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love" (John 15:10), and those who follow Jesus will do as He has done. . . . Satan will seek to entice you to enter into the paths of sin, promising that some wonderful good will result from the transgression of God's law, but he is a deceiver. He would only work your ruin. . . . Christ came to break the rule of the evil one. . . . Man was so weakened through transgression that he did not possess sufficient moral power to turn from the service of Satan to the service of the only true God; but Jesus, the Prince of life, to whom is committed "all power in heaven and earth," will impart to every soul who desires salvation the strength necessary to overcome the enemy of all righteousness. >From That I May Know Him - Page 125 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Apr 30 06:49:11 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 09:49:11 -0400 Subject: To God Be the Glory In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: To God Be the Glory Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Jer. 9:23, 24. This is the most precious reproof and encouragement, the most important lesson for every soul that is trying to serve God. Here is expressed in plain words that in which the Lord delights. All who understand and know God will know Him as One that exercises loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness. If they walk humbly with God they will be enabled to keep the way of the Lord, to do His will in all kindness, compassion, mercy, tenderness, and love, for God has said, "In these things I delight." Then how careful should we be in regard to the fruit of the lips, that we dishonor not God by dealing unkindly with the purchase of His blood. If we express the character of God, we shall be Christian gentlemen and gentlewomen. . . . Our prosperity as a people depends wholly upon our dependence upon God for our sufficiency, grace, and perfection of character in and through our Saviour, who has paid the ransom for us with His own glorious merits. Those who know Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour have the privilege of being educated and trained in a higher school than that of men, and of being tutored under higher wisdom than that of finite beings. They may come under the tutorship of the greatest Teacher the world ever knew, and partake of the same knowledge that He gave to Daniel. Those who are humble in heart, those who feel their need of higher wisdom and do not rely upon their own finite judgment, but search earnestly to know the will of God, may draw from the Source of all knowledge, and obtain grace, prudence, discretion, and judgment. They will realize the fulfillment of the assurance of God's Word: "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple" (Ps. 119:130). >From That I May Know Him - Page 126 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue May 1 06:36:20 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Tue, 1 May 2007 09:36:20 -0400 Subject: "The Spot of His Children" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: "The Spot of His Children" Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. Ps. 144:15. I will thank the Lord my God for His great goodness and mercy and love expressed to the human family. I am impressed we should cultivate cheerfulness; and what does this do? It reveals to the world the peace and comfort that it is our privilege to claim. It is not honoring our Lord and Saviour to carry a shade of gloom. Many do this. . . . "Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass; because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children" (Deut. 32:1-5). "Not the spot of his children." They do not possess the character of the sons and daughters of God; do not in spirit, in words, in actions, appear as the people who love God and keep His commandments. "Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?" "For the Lord's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye" (verses 6, 9, 10). The tenderness of God to His people, His unceasing care for them, the riches of the wisdom of the methods He has taken to lead them to Himself, demand our gratitude offerings expressed in most earnest devotion to serve Him with all humility of mind and contrition of soul. The Lord is gracious, and He would have His people represent His loving-kindness by acknowledgment in cheerful thanksgiving to God. All who appreciate the favors of God will be a happy people. >From That I May Know Him - Page 127 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed May 2 06:49:50 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Wed, 2 May 2007 09:49:50 -0400 Subject: Live Up to Your Profession In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Live Up to Your Profession I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. Eph. 4:1. Christ demands that those who take His name honor that name in spirit and word and deportment. In thought, word, and deed they are to be Christlike. Those who claim to be Christians and yet do not reveal in the life the virtues of Christ's character bear witness against the Saviour. They dishonor Him, putting Him to open shame. . . . The revelation of His grace in humanity is an evidence of the power of the truth. Those who profess to follow Christ and yet do not reveal this grace . . . must know that their profession is a fraud. . . . A professing Christian cannot descend to the world's level without dishonoring the religion of Christ and making himself disloyal. Such a one is offensive to God. The Lord cannot own him as His disciple. The Christian is to stand on vantage ground as a laborer together with God. But he is never to exalt himself. He is firmly to refuse the inducements presented by those who have no love for truth and righteousness, but his refusal is to be made in a Christlike spirit, not Pharisaically, with an attitude which says, "Stand aside; I am holier than thou." He must show that he cannot enter into sin because he is pledged by a most holy profession to honor the Lord Jesus Christ. By precept and example he is to discountenance all departure from Bible principles. But at the same time, by the manifestation of Christlike love, he is to make the religion of Christ attractive. He is to allow no bigotry to be seen in his life, but is to reveal tender compassion for those who have wandered away from Christ. . . . Walk and work in the spirit of Christ. Stand ever on guard, for temptations will come, and the Lord's disciples are to be as true as steel to principle. . . . Be sure to reveal the character of Christ. The Lord will be your efficiency, your strength, and your exceeding great reward if you will trust constantly in Him. >From That I May Know Him - Page 128 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu May 3 11:46:30 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Thu, 3 May 2007 14:46:30 -0400 Subject: An Individual Work In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: An Individual Work As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Col. 2:6, 7. If ever there was a time when those who claim to be Christians should be all that the name comprehends, it is now. Are we following Christ in very reality? . . . This is an individual work. We are to look earnestly to our own standing and accountability. . . . Are those who know the truth for this time anchored in Bible doctrines? Are our weapons, "Thus saith the Lord," "It is written"? Is our anchor cast within the vail? Are we individually rooted and grounded in gospel truth so that we may be established, strengthened, and settled in the faith? Are we, as those who have the knowledge of the mysteries of God, those to whom God has committed the living oracles, loyal and true to our stewardship? Those who are truly converted will reveal, as missionaries for God, what the truth means to them in its transforming efficiency and sanctifying power. If we are weighted with the treasures of eternal truth we shall proclaim to a world perishing in sin what it signifies to have the sanctifying, redeeming love of Christ in the soul. If we are verily and truly united in Christ, it is because truth has taken possession of the soul temple. . . . The heart that has opened its doors to Jesus will love pure, cleansing, transforming truth, and will zealously contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. Let no man stop short of entire, unreserved surrender to God. Begin the work in the heart. Look away from the course of action pursued by others to Christ. You have a soul to save or a soul to lose, and this is too important a question to be regarded indifferently. One of the most earnest prayers in the Inspired Word is, "Create in me a clean heart, O God" (Ps. 51:10); and from One who loved us and gave His life for us comes the great and important assurance, "A new heart also will I give you" (Eze. 36:26). >From That I May Know Him - Page 129 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri May 4 04:23:29 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Fri, 4 May 2007 07:23:29 -0400 Subject: Perfection Through Christ's Merits In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Perfection Through Christ's Merits Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matt. 5:48. Christ presents before us the highest perfection of Christian character, which throughout our lifetime we should aim to reach. . . . Concerning this perfection Paul writes: "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after. . . . I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:12-15). . . . How can we reach the perfection specified by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ--our Great Teacher? Can we meet His requirement and attain to so lofty a standard? We can, else Christ would not have enjoined us to do so. He is our righteousness. In His humanity He has gone before us and wrought out for us perfection of character. We are to have the faith in Him that works by love and purifies the soul. Perfection of character is based upon that which Christ is to us. If we have constant dependence on the merits of our Saviour, and walk in His footsteps, we shall be like Him, pure and undefiled. Our Saviour does not require impossibilities of any soul. He expects nothing of His disciples that He is not willing to give them grace and strength to perform. He would not call upon them to be perfect if He had not at His command every perfection of grace to bestow on the ones upon whom He would confer so high and holy a privilege. He has assured us that He is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. Our work is to strive to attain in our sphere of action the perfection that Christ in His life on the earth attained in every phase of character. He is our example. In all things we are to strive to honor God in character. In falling day by day so far short of the divine requirements, we are endangering our soul's salvation. We need to understand and appreciate the privilege with which Christ invests us, and to show our determination to reach the highest standard. We are to be wholly dependent on the power that He has promised to give us. >From That I May Know Him - Page 130 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat May 5 05:52:44 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sat, 5 May 2007 08:52:44 -0400 Subject: The Science of Holiness In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Science of Holiness To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. 1 Thess. 3:13. The ethics inculcated by the gospel acknowledge no standard but the perfection of God's mind, God's will. God requires from His creatures conformity to His will. Imperfection of character is sin, and sin is the transgression of the law. All righteous attributes of character dwell in God as a perfect, harmonious whole. Every one who receives Christ as his personal Saviour is privileged to possess these attributes. This is the science of holiness. . . . The glory of God is His character. . . . This character was revealed in the life of Christ. That He might by His own example condemn sin in the flesh, He took upon Himself the likeness of sinful flesh. Constantly He beheld the character of God; constantly He revealed this character to the world. Christ desires His followers to reveal in their lives this same character. Before the world, God is developing us as living witnesses to what men and women may become through the grace of Christ. We are enjoined to strive for perfection of character. The divine Teacher says, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48). Would Christ tantalize us by requiring of us an impossibility? Never, never! What an honor He confers upon us in urging us to be holy in our sphere, as the Father is holy in His sphere! He can enable us to do this, for He declares, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matt. 28:18). This unlimited power it is our privilege to claim. . . . God works with those who properly represent His character. Through them His will is done on earth as it is done in heaven. . . . It is our lifework to be reaching forward to the perfection of Christian character, striving constantly for conformity to God's will. Day by day we are to press upward, ever upward, until of us it can be said, "Ye are complete in him" (Co. 2:10). >From That I May Know Him - Page 131 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun May 6 07:02:06 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sun, 6 May 2007 10:02:06 -0400 Subject: Abiding in Christ In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Abiding in Christ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4. "Abide in me" are words of great significance. Abiding in Christ means a living, earnest, refreshing faith that works by love and purifies the soul. It means a constant receiving of the spirit of Christ, a life of unreserved surrender to His service. Where this union exists, good works will appear. The life of the vine will manifest itself in fragrant fruit on the branches. The continual supply of the grace of Christ will bless you and make you a blessing, till you can say with Paul, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" (Gal. 2:20). The sacred union with Christ will unite the brethren in the most endearing bonds of Christian fellowship. Their hearts will be touched with divine compassion one for another. . . . Coldness, variance, strife, are entirely out of place among the disciples of Christ. They have accepted the one faith. They have joined to serve the one Lord, to endure in the same warfare, to strive for the same object, and to triumph in the same cause. They have been bought with the same precious blood, and have gone forth to preach the same message of salvation. . . . Those who are constantly drawing strength from Christ will possess His spirit. They will not be careless in word or deportment. An abiding sense of how much their salvation has cost in the sacrifice of the beloved Son of God will rest upon their souls. Like a fresh and vivid transaction the scenes of Calvary will present themselves to their minds and their hearts will be subdued and made tender by this wonderful manifestation of the love of Christ to them. They will look upon others as the purchase of His precious blood, and those who are united with Him will seem noble and elevated and sacred because of this connection. The death of Christ on Calvary should lead us to estimate souls as He did. His love has magnified the value of every man, woman, and child. >From That I May Know Him - Page 132 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon May 7 09:51:08 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Mon, 7 May 2007 12:51:08 -0400 Subject: Genuine Fruit Bearing In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Genuine Fruit Bearing I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5. Said Christ, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman." "I am the vine, ye are the branches." "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (John 15:1, 5, 2). That unpruned branch may have looked good to human eyes but the eye of One who never slumbers nor sleeps leaves it not alone to die of discouragement. The Husbandman pruneth it, that it may produce fruit unto life eternal. . . . Whenever professed Christians are constantly flaunting their leaves of profession before the eyes of others, there is no real fruit to the glory of God. Their religious life and experience seem satisfactory to themselves. They have exaggerated emotions, effusive expressions of fervor, and highest exaltations. Their religion consists largely in feeling and excitement. There is very little in their own souls that corresponds to their profession of faith. Self is their ideal of perfection. They value more the outward impression they make upon others than the inner life which is hidden with Christ in God. Let everyone who would reveal Christ by being a doer of His Word, become rooted in Christ Jesus, rooted and grounded in the truth. Put away all self-assertion. Let living and acting the lessons of Christ Jesus speak of your perfect obedience to Jesus Christ. . . . The formation of the character must go on day by day, hour by hour. The inward working of the Holy Spirit is revealed outwardly in the appearance of fruit, ripening and perfecting to the glory of God. The inward life speaks in the outward action, in the producing of rich fruit. This is showing forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. If the Lord Jesus is formed within, the hope of glory, the life will be rich in good works, corresponding with the truth which they profess to believe. >From That I May Know Him - Page 133 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue May 8 08:09:23 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Tue, 8 May 2007 11:09:23 -0400 Subject: Glorious Possibilities Before Us In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Glorious Possibilities Before Us Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Phil. 2:5. How glorious are the possibilities set before the fallen race! Through His Son, God has revealed the excellency to which man is capable of attaining. Through the merits of Christ man is lifted from his depraved state, purified, and made more precious than the golden wedge of Ophir. It is possible for him to become a companion of the angels in glory, and to reflect the image of Jesus Christ. . . . Yet how seldom he realizes to what heights he could attain if he would allow God to direct his every step! God permits every human being to exercise his individuality. He desires no one to submerge his mind in the mind of a fellow mortal. Those who desire to be transformed in mind and character are not to look to men, but to the divine Example. God gives the invitation, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." By conversion and transformation men are to receive the mind of Christ. Every one is to stand before God with an individual faith, an individual experience, knowing for himself that Christ is formed within, the hope of glory. . . . As our example we have One who is all and in all, the Chiefest among ten thousand, One whose excellency is beyond comparison. He graciously adapted His life for universal imitation. United in Christ were wealth and poverty; majesty and abasement; unlimited power, and meekness and lowliness, which in every soul who receives Him will be reflected. . . . O that we might more fully appreciate the honor Christ confers upon us! By wearing His yoke and learning of Him, we become like Him in aspiration, in meekness and lowliness, in fragrance of character, and unite with Him in ascribing praise and honor and glory to God as supreme. Those who live up to their high privileges in this life will receive an eternal reward in the life to come. If faithful we shall join the heavenly musicians in singing with sweet accord songs of praise to God and to the Lamb. >From That I May Know Him - Page 134 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed May 9 08:01:15 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Wed, 9 May 2007 11:01:15 -0400 Subject: Limitless Heights to Reach In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Limitless Heights to Reach Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13. "Gird up the loins of your mind," says the apostle; then control your thoughts, not allowing them to have full scope. The thoughts may be guarded and controlled by your own determined efforts. Think right thoughts and you will perform right actions. You have, then, to guard the affections, not letting them go out and fasten upon improper objects. Jesus has purchased you with His own life; you belong to Him, therefore He is to be consulted in all things as to how the powers of your mind and the affections of your heart shall be employed. . . . Every wrong tendency may be, through the grace of Christ, repressed, not in a languid, irresolute manner, but with firmness of purpose, with high resolves to make Christ the pattern. Let your love go out for those things that Jesus loved, and be withheld from those things that will give no strength to right impulses. With determined energy seek to learn, and to improve the character every day. You must have firmness of purpose to take yourself in hand and be what you know God would be pleased to have you. Thoughts of God and of heaven are ennobling. There is no limit to the height you may reach, for it will be like swimming in waters where there is no bottom. . . . There is nothing belittling in the pure religion of Christ. The gospel received will bow down the loftiness of human understanding and lay the haughtiness of man low, that God alone may be exalted. But in this it does not dwarf the intellect and cripple the energies. . . . True religion unfolds and calls out the mental energies. Conviction and repentance of sin, renunciation of self, and trust in the merits of the blood of Christ cannot be experienced without the individual being made more thoughtful, more intellectual, than he was before. No one will become mentally imbecile by having his attention directed to God. Connection with God is connection with all true wisdom. >From That I May Know Him - Page 135 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu May 10 08:37:36 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Thu, 10 May 2007 11:37:36 -0400 Subject: The Preciousness of Christ In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Preciousness of Christ His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. S. of Sol. 5:16. We should bring the attractiveness of Christ into our Christian service. The soft beams of the Sun of Righteousness should shine into our hearts, that we may be pleasant and cheerful and have a strong and blessed influence on all around us. The truth of Jesus Christ does not tend to gloom and sadness. . . . We must look away from the disagreeable to Jesus. We must love Him more, obtain more of His attractive beauty and grace of character, and cease the contemplation of others' mistakes and errors. We should remember that our own ways are not faultless. We make mistakes again and again. . . . No one is perfect but Jesus. Think of Him and be charmed away from yourself, and from every disagreeable thing, for by beholding our defects faith is weakened. God and His promises are lost from sight. . . . O what deep, rich experiences we might gain if we were devoting all our God-given ability to seeking knowledge and spiritual strength from God! . . . How little we really know of sweet communion with God. How little we know the mysteries of the future life. We may know far more than we do know if all our powers are sanctified to discern the character of Christ. There are heights for us to reach, depths of experience to sound, if we are to be the light of the world.... Let the mind expand, that you may take in the heavenly beauties of the blessed promises. Only believe in Jesus and learn in the school of the greatest Teacher the world ever knew, and His grace will act mightily upon the human intellect and heart. His teaching will give clearness to the mental vision. It will give compass to the thoughts; the soul hunger will be filled. The heart will be softened and subdued and filled with glowing love, that neither discouragement, despondency, affliction, or trial can quench. God will open to the mind's eye His preciousness and His fullness. Then let us love and labor. I point you to Christ, the Rock of Ages. >From That I May Know Him - Page 136 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri May 11 04:33:51 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Fri, 11 May 2007 07:33:51 -0400 Subject: Influence of Our Words In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Influence of Our Words And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Col. 3:17. Men are greatly under the influence of their own words. You are not conscious how much you are affected by your words. You accustom yourself to speak in a certain way, and your thoughts and actions follow your words. One accustoms himself to assert certain things in regard to himself, and at last he comes to believe them. Our thoughts produce our words and our words react upon our thoughts. If a man forms the habit of using sacred words reverently, he will form the custom of carefulness of speech, knowing that there is a Witness to every word uttered. When the feelings become excited and the speech is exaggerated, the mode of speaking is always extreme. It acts and reacts upon ourselves. The Word declares, "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matt. 12:37). If our words act upon ourselves they act more powerfully upon others. There is great mischief done by words spoken. God alone knows and measures the result of a careless, exaggerated mode of speaking. There is much swearing done in spirit. . . . You are reproducing your own character in others. You may express many things that will create in other minds a course of thought which will lead them into false paths. God may spare you to outlive your exasperated feelings and come to have sensible thoughts. You may outlive your doubts, and through repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ escape from the snare of the fowler. You may pass into the sunshine of faith, but oh, you may never be conscious . . . that these words are doing their mischievous work in the soil of the hearts of others, and poisoning it. Here is a harvest some must reap. . . . Raise the standard for Christ Jesus and have all your words select, seasoned with salt. Cultivate true dignity. . . . Let your words feel the influence of the converting power of God. Let wholesome words be spoken. >From That I May Know Him - Page 137 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat May 12 06:07:56 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sat, 12 May 2007 09:07:56 -0400 Subject: A Holy Listener In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: A Holy Listener There is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Ps. 139:4. Every hour of the day we should realize that the Lord is near, that He sees all we do, and hears every word we utter. . . . Cheap, earthly, unchristian words may be represented as "strange fire," and with this God can have nothing to do. The loud, boisterous laugh is a denial of God in the soul, for it reveals that the truth is not ruling in the heart. . . . By our vain words and unchristian example we dishonor God, and imperil not only our own souls but also the souls of those with whom we associate. The example which Christ has given to the world forbids all levity and cheapness, and if the life is made fragrant by the grace of God, these elements will not appear. A genuine cheerfulness, an uplifting influence, will flow forth from all who love God and keep His commandments. And this carries with it a convincing, converting power. "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12), says the apostle. Why with fear and trembling? Lest you shall in any way misrepresent your holy faith by lightness, by trifling, by jesting or joking, and thus give others the impression that the truth which you profess has no sanctifying influence upon the character. As followers of Christ we should make our words such as to be a help and an encouragement to one another in the Christian life. Far more than we do, we need to speak of the precious chapters in our experience. We should speak of the mercy and loving-kindness of God, of the matchless depths of the Saviour's love. Our words should be words of praise and thanksgiving. If the mind and heart are full of the love of God, this will be revealed in the conversation. . . . Great thoughts, noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth, unselfish purposes, yearnings for piety and holiness, will bear fruit in words that reveal the character of the heart treasure. When Christ is thus revealed in our speech, it will have power in winning souls to Him. >From That I May Know Him - Page 138 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun May 13 08:11:48 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sun, 13 May 2007 11:11:48 -0400 Subject: Our Example in Self-control In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Our Example in Self-control Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. 1 Peter 2:22, 23. The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. We should copy the example of Jesus, for when He was reviled, He reviled not again, but "committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." Our Redeemer met insult and mockery with uncomplaining silence. All the cruel taunts of the murderous throng who exulted in His humiliation and trial in the judgment hall could not bring from Him one look or word of resentment or impatience. He was the Majesty of heaven, and in His pure breast there dwelt no room for the spirit of retaliation, but only for pity and love. There seems to be a mist before the eyes of many, for they fail to discern spiritual things, and do not recognize the workings of Satan to entrap their souls. Christians are not to be the slaves of passion; they are to be controlled by the Spirit of God. But many become the sport of the enemy, because when temptation comes, they do not rest in Jesus, but worry themselves out of His arms. . . . We make failures in our little, daily difficulties, and allow them to irritate and vex us; we fall under them, and so make stumbling blocks for ourselves and others. But blessings of the greatest importance are to result from the patient endurance of these daily vexations, for we are to gain strength to bear greater difficulties. . . . O that we might control our words and actions! . . . What harm is wrought in the family circle by the utterance of impatient words, for the impatient utterance of one leads another to retort in the same spirit and manner. Then come words of retaliation, words of self-justification, and it is by such words that a heavy, galling yoke is manufactured for your neck, for all these bitter words will come back in a baleful harvest to your soul. . . . How much better to have the oil of grace in the heart, to be able to pass by all provocation, and bear all things with Christlike meekness and forbearance. >From That I May Know Him - Page 139 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon May 14 04:13:53 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Mon, 14 May 2007 07:13:53 -0400 Subject: Dignity Without Pride In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Dignity Without Pride My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. . . . My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. Job 27:4-6. We should preserve the strictest chastity in thought, and word, and deportment. Let us remember that God sets our secret sins in the light of His countenance. There are thoughts and feelings suggested and aroused by Satan that annoy even the best of men, but if they are not cherished, if they are repulsed as hateful, the soul is not contaminated with guilt, and no other is defiled by their influence. O that we each might become a savor of life unto life to those around us! There is great need of a deeper appreciation of the holy truth of God. If all had a realization of the solemnity and weight of the message, many sins that are now carelessly committed would cease from among us. Is there not too often the common thought and communication mingled with the sacred themes of truth? Wherever this is done, the standard is lowered. Your example leads others to regard the truth lightly, and this is one of the greatest sins in the sight of God. It is the privilege of every one to so live that God will approve and bless him. You may be hourly in communion with Heaven; it is not the will of your heavenly Father that you should ever be under condemnation and darkness. It is not pleasing to God that you should demerit yourself. You should cultivate self-respect by living so that you will be approved by your own conscience, and before men and angels. It is not an evidence of true humlity that you go with your head bowed down and your heart filled with thoughts of self. It is your privilege to go to Jesus and be cleansed, and to stand before the law without shame and remorse. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1). While we should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought, the Word of God does not condemn a proper self-respect. As sons and daughters of God we should have a conscious dignity of character, in which pride and self-importance have no part >From That I May Know Him - Page 140 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue May 15 08:23:20 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 11:23:20 -0400 Subject: Cheerfulness With Sobriety In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Cheerfulness With Sobriety Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. Prov. 8:6. [EARLY MORNING DIARY ENTRY, JULY 12, 1897.] I ask that the Holy Spirit shall control my thoughts through the day. I plead for wisdom in judgment, clearness of brain, and understanding, that I may see the treasures in the Word of God and bring out the precious truth in the simplest language. Thus did the greatest Teacher the world ever knew. I feel more and more impressed with the greatness of the subject of the Lord's soon appearing in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. This faith moves me greatly to observe due solemnity at all times and in all places, but while I enjoin upon myself and others to be sober, they are not to cherish sadness and gloom. . . . While we are not to be gloomy, but cheerful and happy, there is to be no silliness, but a sobriety in harmony with our faith. Words and actions form character. Therefore our words should be clean, pure, simple, yet elevated. The gift of speech is a valuable talent, and the Lord has no pleasure in hearing low, cheap, degrading nonsense which tastes strongly of vice and revelry. No Christian should condescend to imitate and catch such habits from another. . . . These evil, silly words are discordant notes and contribute to the happiness of no one. They are a detriment to spirituality. The Word of God forbids them. "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matt. 12:35-37). "And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?" (Matt. 9:4). Jesus reads the hearts and minds and thoughts. . . . There is a Witness present, tracing every word spoken and every act performed, good or evil. >From That I May Know Him - Page 141 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed May 16 06:22:17 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Wed, 16 May 2007 09:22:17 -0400 Subject: "With Joy Unspeakable" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: "With Joy Unspeakable" Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 1 Peter 1:8. He [Christ] says, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (John 15:10, 11). In Him there is joy that is not uncertain and unsatisfying. If the light that flows from Jesus has come to you, and you are reflecting it upon others, you show that you have joy that is pure, elevating, and ennobling. Why should not the religion of Christ be represented as it really is, as full of attractiveness and power? Why should we not present before the world the loveliness of Christ? Why do we not show that we have a living Saviour, one who can walk with us in the darkness as well as in the light, and that we can trust in Him? . . . But minds that are occupied with frivolous reading, with exciting stories, or with seeking after amusement, do not dwell upon Christ, and cannot rejoice in the fullness of His love. The mind that finds pleasure in foolish thoughts and trifling conversation is as destitute of the joy of Christ as were the hills of Gilboa of dew or rain. . . . We need to be constantly filling the mind with Christ, and emptying it of selfishness and sin. The life in which the fear of the Lord is cherished will not be a life of sadness and gloom. It is the absence of Christ that makes the countenance sad and the life a pilgrimage of sighs. . . . But Christ dwelling in the soul is a wellspring of joy. For all who receive Him, the keynote of the Word of God is "rejoicing." Why should not our joy be full--full, lacking nothing? We have the assurance that Jesus is our Saviour, and that we may freely partake of the rich provision He has made for us. . . . It is our privilege to seek constantly the joy of His presence. He desires us to be cheerful and to be filled with praise to His name. He wants us to carry light in our countenances and joy in our hearts. >From That I May Know Him - Page 142 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu May 17 05:43:02 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Thu, 17 May 2007 08:43:02 -0400 Subject: Under God's Guardianship In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Under God's Guardianship Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. . . . The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. Ps. 121:4-7. [EARLY MORNING DIARY ENTRIES.] July 16, 1897. I awakened this morning at three o'clock and lifted my heart in prayer and thanksgiving to God for His watchful care over the household. I pray the Lord to take us all under His guardianship today and make His face to shine upon us. I pray most earnestly that He will honor our humble dwelling with His abiding presence in our home. We may every individual in the family have the converting power of God daily upon heart and character. The religion of Christ in the heart is the wellspring of life. It is the living water that Christ will give to every thirsting soul that asks Him. There are many who keep religion in practice far from the soul temple, and their faith is not in Jesus Christ. . . . The heavenly Guest should be invited to occupy the throne of the soul, to control every impulse of the mind, and to bring even the thoughts into subjection to Jesus Christ. . . . July 26, 1897. I render thanks unto my heavenly Father for His blessing, after seeking the Lord in prayer. I go to my heavenly Father as a child in need goes to his temporal earthly father. We know that God must be interested in us, as the earthly parent is interested in his child, but to a much larger degree. I place myself as His child, and in simple faith ask for the small favors as I would ask for larger gifts, believing the Lord hears the simple, contrite prayer. I keep saying in my heart, He loves me, He wants my love, and He wants me to be happy. "No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." "For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory." "O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee" (Ps. 84:11, 12). I will appropriate His promises to myself, and will be glad in the Lord and ever praise His holy name. >From That I May Know Him - Page 143 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri May 18 06:29:03 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Fri, 18 May 2007 09:29:03 -0400 Subject: The Voice of Nature In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Voice of Nature And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. Gen. 1:31. God does not design that we shall take no pleasure in the things of His creation. . . . He watches with a Father's joy the delight of His children in the beautiful things around them. While on earth the Redeemer of the world sought to make His lessons of instruction plain and simple, that all might comprehend them; and can we be surprised that He should choose the open air as His sanctuary, that He should desire to be surrounded by the works of His creation? . . . The things which His own hand had made He took as His lesson book. He saw in them more than finite minds could comprehend. The birds, caroling forth their songs without a care, the flowers of the valley glowing in their beauty, the lily that reposed in its purity on the bosom of the lake, the lofty trees, the cultivated land, the waving grain, the barren soil, the tree that bore no fruit, the everlasting hills, the bubbling stream, the setting sun tinting and gilding the heavens--all these He employed to impress His hearers with divine truth. He connected the work of God's finger in the heavens and upon the earth with the Word of life. From these He drew His lessons of spiritual instruction. He would pluck the lilies, the flowers of the valley, and place them in the hands of the little children, as instructors to proclaim the truth of His Word. . . . The beauties of nature have a tongue that speaks to us without ceasing. The open heart can be impressed with the love and glory of God as seen in the works of His hand. The listening ear can hear and understand the communications of God through the things of nature. There is a lesson in the sunbeam and in the various objects of nature that God has presented to our view. The green fields, the lofty trees, the buds and flowers, the passing cloud, the falling rain, the babbling brook, the sun, moon, and stars in the heavens--all invite our attention and meditation, and bid us become acquainted with Him who made them all. >From That I May Know Him - Page 144 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat May 19 07:02:03 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sat, 19 May 2007 10:02:03 -0400 Subject: Tokens of God's Love Everywhere In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Tokens of God's Love Everywhere For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else. Isa. 45:18. Through the goodness of God we have been surrounded with innumerable blessings. There are tokens of His love on every hand. Nature seems to be rejoicing before us. The beautiful things in heaven and earth express the love and favor of the Lord of hosts toward the inhabitants of the world. The sunshine and the rain fall on the evil and the good. The hills and seas and plains are all speaking eloquently to the soul of man of the Creator's love. It is God who brings the bud to bloom, the flower to fruit, and it is He who supplies our daily needs. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without the Father's notice. Our minds should go up in gratitude and adoration to the Giver of every good and perfect gift. We should teach our children to consider the works of God. They should be instructed on His love and the provision He has made for their salvation. Lead them to give their young hearts as a grateful offering, fragrant with love, to Him who has died for them. Point out the attractive loveliness of the earth, and tell them of the world that is to come that shall never know the blight of sin and death, where the face of nature will no more wear the shadow of the curse. Lead their young minds to contemplate the glories of the reward that awaits the children of God. Cultivate their imaginative powers by picturing the splendor of the new earth and the city of God; and when they are charmed with the prospect, tell them it will be more glorious than their brightest imagination can portray. . . . The poet and the naturalist have many things to say about nature, but it is the Christian who enjoys the beauty of the earth with the highest appreciation, because he recognizes his Father's handiwork and perceives His love in flower and shrub and tree. No one can fully appreciate the significance of hill and vale, river and sea, who does not look upon them as an expression of the love of God to man. >From That I May Know Him - Page 145 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun May 20 17:03:35 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sun, 20 May 2007 20:03:35 -0400 Subject: Evidences of God's Greatness In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Evidences of God's Greatness For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. Ps. 92:4, 5. The scenery through which we passed [ELLEN WHITE IS HERE DESCRIBING A CARRIAGE JOURNEY IN SWITZERLAND.] was altogether too majestic, too awfully grand, to give anything like a description that can compare to the scenery as it really is. The battlements of rocks--the timeworn rocky walls that have stood since the Flood, washed with the mountain torrents--stand out smooth as if polished, while rocks diverse from these in shape are seen in regular layers, as if art had fashioned them. Here . . . we viewed the most interesting, grand scenery that our eyes ever looked upon. The rocks ascend higher and still higher from the earth, and growing from these rocks are beautiful, dark-colored pines intermingled with the lighter and most beautiful living green of the maple and beech. . . . Such wild grandeur, such solemn scenery, carries one back to the period when the waters rose to the highest points of land, and the unbelieving antediluvians perished for their great wickedness in the waters of the Flood. As we look upon . . . the rocks of every conceivable shape, we say, "How wonderful, O Lord, are thy works in all the earth." The softening, subduing touches penciled by the great Master Artist in the beautiful arrangement of dress of dark and living green, this beautiful combination of colors to cover the rugged, time-seamed rocks! Then the deep gorges, the noisy, fast-rushing streams, and the grand mountains covered with forest trees in their beautiful summer robes! The view is grand in the extreme, and presents to the senses such high and holy and strong and sacred ideas of God our Maker. And then the thought that we may call Him Father! . . . If anyone can look upon this scenery without being impressed with the greatness and majesty of God, his heart must indeed be unimpressible. I do so long for a closer connection with God. This God of majesty and might may be our Father, our Friend, our hope and crown of rejoicing. >From That I May Know Him - Page 146 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon May 21 04:07:02 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Mon, 21 May 2007 07:07:02 -0400 Subject: On the Preparation Day In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: On the Preparation Day Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Ex. 20:8. [DIARY ENTRY.] Friday, Feb. 21, 1896. This day is preparation day. We would come up to the Sabbath with our work closed up in proper shape and not dragging into the Sabbath. We must commence in the morning to look after every piece of clothing if we have neglected to do this through the week, that our garments may be neat and orderly and comely to appear in the place where God's people assemble to worship Him. . . . Entering upon new business should be avoided, if possible, but endeavor to close up the things already started that are half accomplished. Prepare everything connected with the household matters so that there shall be freedom from worries, and the mind be prepared to rest and to meditate upon heavenly things. There needs to be much more close investigation of the week past. Review it and see if, as a branch of the living Vine, you have drawn nourishment from the parent Vine to bear much fruit to the glory of God. If there has been feverish excitement, if hasty words have been spoken, if passion has been revealed, these have surely been the working on Satan's side of the question. Clear the heart by confession. Sincerely make everything right before the Sabbath. Examine your own selves, whether ye be in the faith. We need to guard our own souls constantly, lest we make a great profession but, like the flourishing fig tree spreading its branches in pretentious foliage, reveal no precious fruit. Christ is hungering to see and receive fruit. Leaves of profession without fruit are to Christ just as worthless as those of the fig tree which He cursed. . . . The humble dependence upon God, the faith that takes Him at His word and trusts Him at all times and under all circumstances, is the wearing of the yoke of Christ. The Christian brings all his passions under control to God. Then if the thoughts are brought into captivity to Jesus Christ, there is a healthful growth in beauty and grace of character. >From That I May Know Him - Page 147 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue May 22 05:46:31 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Tue, 22 May 2007 08:46:31 -0400 Subject: Through Nature to Nature's God In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Through Nature to Nature's God But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Cor. 2:9. If our hearts were softened and subdued with the love of God they would be open to discern His mercy and loving-kindness, as expressed to us in every shrub and in the profusion of blooming flowers which meet our eye in God's world. The delicate leaf, the spires of grass, every lofty tree, is an expression of the love of God to His children. They tell us that God is a lover of the beautiful. He speaks to us from nature's book, that He delights in the perfection of beauty of character. He would have us look up through nature to nature's God, and would have our hearts drawn out in love and affection to Him as we view His created works. . . . God designs that the scenes of nature should influence the children of God to delight in the pure, simple, quiet beauty with which our Father adorns our earthly home. Jesus tells us that the mightiest king that ever swayed a scepter could not compare in gorgeous array to the simple flowers that God has clothed with loveliness. . . . We must be preparing for the white robe of character, in order that we may pass within the pearly gates of the city of God to a heaven of bliss. Revelation presents the scene--fountains of living waters, rivers that are as clear as crystal proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb, trees of living green growing on either side of this river of life. . . . We have in the glorious things of nature a mere shadow of the original which we shall see in their full loveliness in the Paradise of God. Let us learn the precious lesson which God designed we should. He who careth for the simple flowers in their season, will He not much more care for you whom He has created in His own image? Look upon these things of beauty. God prepares and clothes them with a robe of loveliness, and yet they perish in a day. All these earthly, temporal beauties are to be appreciated as the voice of God speaking to us of the treasures and glories of the unseen and the eternal. >From That I May Know Him - Page 148 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed May 23 07:08:31 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 10:08:31 -0400 Subject: Honoring God in the Home In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Honoring God in the Home Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col. 3:16. This is what we need in our households. There is in it no fault-finding, no harshness; but peace, and joy, and rest in the Lord. . . . God calls for loving service. He calls upon parents to speak lovingly and tenderly to their children. Let them see that you think they help you. Give them responsibilities to bear, small ones at first, and larger ones as they grow older. Never, never, let them hear you say of them, "They hinder me more than they help me.". . . How many there are who forget that the home is a school in which children are trained to work either for Christ or Satan. Fathers and mothers, remember that every word you speak in the hearing of your children has an influence upon them, an influence either for good or for ill. Remember that if you find fault with one another you are educating your children to find fault. With your children around you, bow before the Father in heaven. Ask Him for help to guard the trust He has given you. Let your petitions be short and earnest. Say, "Heavenly Father, I want my children to be saved. Grant me the aid of Thy Spirit that I may so train them that they may be counted worthy to inherit eternal life." Train your children to offer their simple words of prayer. Tell them that God delights to have them call upon Him. We can subdue our children only as we subdue ourselves. But there are so many parents who have brought with them into the home life their hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong. They have not left their childishness behind. They scold their children for things which should never be noticed. Parents, never scold your children. Deal firmly but kindly with them. Keep them busy. Make them feel that they are a part of the family firm, that they can help mother and father. Thank them for what they do for you. Let your home be a place where God is loved and honored. >From That I May Know Him - Page 149 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu May 24 09:07:46 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Thu, 24 May 2007 12:07:46 -0400 Subject: In God's Workshop In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: In God's Workshop Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5 The Word of God has served as a mighty cleaver to separate the children of God from the world. As they are taken out of the quarry of the world they are as rough stones, unfit for a place in the glorious temple of God. But they are brought into the Lord's workshop, to be hewed and squared and polished, that they may become precious, accepted stones. This work of preparation for the heavenly temple is going on continually during probationary time. We are naturally inclined to desire our own way and will, but when the transforming grace of Christ takes hold upon our hearts the inquiry of our souls is, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" When the Spirit of God works within us, we are led to will and to do of the Lord's good pleasure, and there is obedience in heart and action.... Christians are to be God's noblemen, who will never grovel in bondage to the great adversary of souls, but will bind themselves to God, catching inspiration from Him whom they love, who is high and lifted up. The soul that loves God rises above the fog of doubt; he gains a bright, broad, deep, living experience, and becomes meek and Christlike. His soul is committed to God, hid with Christ in God. He will be able to stand the test of neglect, of abuse and contempt, because his Saviour has suffered all this. He will not become fretful and discouraged when difficulties press him, because Jesus did not fail or become discouraged. Every true Christian will be strong, not in the strength and merit of his good works, but in the righteousness of Christ, which through faith is imputed unto him. We are to occupy some place in the Lord's spiritual temple, and the important question is not as to whether you are a large or a small stone, but whether you have submitted yourself to God that He may polish you and make you emit light for His glory. If we are in the Lord's temple we must emit light. Are we permitting the heavenly Builder to hew and square and polish us? Have we faith to rest in Him? >From That I May Know Him - Page 150 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri May 25 06:17:47 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Fri, 25 May 2007 09:17:47 -0400 Subject: God's Spiritual Temple In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: God's Spiritual Temple In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Eph. 2:21, 22. The gospel is designed for all, and it will bring together in church capacity men and women who are different in training, in character, and in disposition. Among these will be some who are naturally slack, who feel that order is pride, and that it is not necessary to be so particular. God will not come down to their low standard.... The people of God have a high and holy calling. They are Christ's representatives. Paul addresses the church in Corinth as those who are "sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints" (1 Cor. 1:2). . . . If we have habits of speech and deportment that do not rightly represent the Christian religion we should at once set about the work of reform. As we represent Christ to the world, let us form such habits as will honor Him. Everywhere hidden from observation, agencies are at work to draw souls from Christ, and God would have still more powerful agencies at work among His people to attract souls to Christ. The Jewish Temple was built of hewn stones quarried out of the mountains, and every stone was fitted for its place in the Temple, hewed, polished and tested, before it was brought to Jerusalem. And when all were brought to the ground, the building went together without the sound of an ax or hammer. This building represents God's spiritual temple, which is composed of material gathered out of every nation and tongue and people, of all grades, high and low, rich and poor, learned and ignorant. These are not dead substances, to be fitted by hammer and chisel. They are living stones quarried out from the world by the truth, and the great Master Builder, the Lord of the temple, is now hewing and polishing them and fitting them for their respective places in the spiritual temple. When completed, this temple will be perfect in all its parts, the admiration of angels and of men, for its builder and maker is God. Truly, those who are to compose this glorious building are "called to be saints." >From That I May Know Him - Page 151 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat May 26 06:27:55 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sat, 26 May 2007 09:27:55 -0400 Subject: Soldiers of Christ In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Soldiers of Christ By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. 2 Cor. 6:7. The church of Christ may be fitly compared to an army. The life of every soldier is one of toil, hardship, and danger. On every hand are vigilant foes, led on by the prince of the powers of darkness, who never slumbers and never deserts his post. Whenever a Christian is off his guard, this powerful adversary makes a sudden and violent attack. Unless the members of the church are active and vigilant, they will be overcome by his devices. What if half the soldiers in an army were idling or asleep when ordered to be on duty; the result would be defeat, captivity, or death. Should any escape from the hands of the enemy, would they be thought worthy of a reward? No; they would speedily receive the sentence of death. And is the church of Christ careless or unfaithful, far more important consequences are involved. A sleeping army of Christian soldiers--what could be more terrible! ... The Master calls for gospel workers. Who will respond? All who enter the army are not to be generals, captains, sergeants, or even corporals. All have not the care and responsibility of leaders. There is hard work of other kinds to be done. Some must dig trenches and build fortifications, some are to stand as sentinels, some to carry messages. While there are but few officers, it requires many soldiers to form the rank and file of the army, yet its success depends upon the fidelity of every soldier.... There is earnest work to be done by us individually if we would fight the good fight of faith. Eternal interests are at stake. We must put on the whole armor of righteousness, we must resist the devil, and we have the sure promise that he will be put to flight. The church is to conduct an aggressive warfare, to make conquests for Christ, to rescue souls from the power of the enemy. God and holy angels are engaged in this warfare. Let us please Him who has called us to be soldiers. >From That I May Know Him - Page 152 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun May 27 17:50:35 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sun, 27 May 2007 20:50:35 -0400 Subject: The Proof of Our Discipleship In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Proof of Our Discipleship By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35. There is nothing that can so weaken the influence of the church as the lack of love....The people of the world are looking to us to see what our faith is doing for our characters and lives. They are watching to see if it is having a sanctifying effect on our hearts, if we are becoming changed into the likeness of Christ. They are ready to discover every defect in our lives, every inconsistency in our actions. Let us give them no occasion to reproach our faith. It is not the opposition of the world that will most endanger us; it is the evil cherished right in our midst that works our most grievous disaster. It is the unconsecrated lives of halfhearted professors that retard the work of the truth and bring darkness upon the church of God. There is no surer way of weakening ourselves in spiritual things than to be envious, suspicious of one another, full of faultfinding and evil surmising.... When you are associated together, be guarded in your words.... If the love of the truth is in your heart you will talk of the truth. You will talk of the blessed hope that you have in Jesus. If you have love in your heart you will seek to establish and build up your brother in the most holy faith. If a word is dropped that is detrimental to the character of your friend or brother, do not encourage this evil speaking. It is the work of the enemy. Kindly remind the speaker that the Word of God forbids that kind of conversation. We are to empty the heart of everything that defiles the soul temple, that Christ may dwell within. Our Redeemer has told us how we may reveal Him to the world. If we cherish His spirit, if we manifest His love to others, if we guard one another's interests, if we are kind, patient, forbearing, the world will have an evidence by the fruits we bear that we are the children of God. It is the unity in the church that enables it to exert a conscious influence upon unbelievers and worldlings. >From That I May Know Him - Page 153 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon May 28 07:58:08 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Mon, 28 May 2007 10:58:08 -0400 Subject: Come Where the Light Shines In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Come Where the Light Shines Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Heb. 10:25. It is no small matter for a family in an unbelieving community to stand as representatives for Jesus, keeping God's law. We are required to be living epistles, known and read of all men. This position involves fearful responsibilities. In order to live in the light we must come where the light shines. It is not well for the people of God to lose the privilege of associating with those of like faith with themselves, for the truth loses its importance in their minds.... They are not strengthened by the words of the living preacher.... The faith of most Christians will waver if they constantly neglect to meet together for conference and prayer. If it were impossible for them to enjoy such religious privileges, then God would send light direct from heaven by His angels, to animate, to cheer, and to bless His scattered people. But He does not propose to work a miracle to sustain the faith of His children. They are required to love the truth enough to make some effort to secure the privileges and blessings vouchsafed them of God.... "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him" (Mal. 3:16, 17). It will pay, then, to improve the privileges within our reach, and even at some sacrifice to assemble with those who fear God and speak for Him. For He is represented as hearkening to those testimonies, while angels write them in a book. God will remember those who have met together and thought upon His name.... They will be as precious jewels in His sight when His wrath shall fall on the shelterless head of the sinner. >From That I May Know Him - Page 154 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue May 29 04:11:07 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Tue, 29 May 2007 07:11:07 -0400 Subject: A Life of Strength In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: A Life of Strength I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. John 9:4. The Christian life does not consist merely in the exercise of meekness, patience, humility, and kindness. One may possess these precious and amiable traits and yet be nerveless and spiritless, and almost useless when the work goes hard. Such persons lack the positiveness and energy, the solidity and strength of character, which would enable them to resist evil, and would make them a power in the cause of God. Jesus was our example in all things, and He was an earnest and constant worker. He commenced His life of usefulness in childhood. At the age of twelve He was "about his Father's business." Between the ages of twelve and thirty, before entering upon His public ministry, He led a life of active industry. In His ministry Jesus was never idle. Said He, "I must work the works of him that sent me...." The suffering who came to Him were not turned away unrelieved. He was acquainted with each heart and knew how to minister to its needs. Loving words fell from His lips to comfort, encourage, and bless, and the great principles of the kingdom of heaven were set before the multitudes in words so simple as to be understood by all. Jesus was a silent and unselfish worker. He did not seek fame, riches, or applause, neither did He consult His own ease and pleasure. ... He did not shirk care and responsibility, as many do who profess to be His followers.... The claims of Christ upon our service are new every day. However complete may have been our consecration at conversion, it will avail us nothing unless it be renewed daily, but a consecration that embraces the actual present is fresh, genuine, and acceptable to God. We have not weeks and months to lay at His feet; tomorrow is not ours, for we have not yet received it, but today we may work for Jesus. Today we may lay our plans and purposes before Him for His inspection and approval....This is God's day, and you are His hired servant. >From That I May Know Him - Page 155 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed May 30 06:02:43 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Wed, 30 May 2007 09:02:43 -0400 Subject: Imitating Christ In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Imitating Christ Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him. Heb. 3:1, 2. In giving to men an example of what they should be and do, Jesus, the world's Redeemer, did not have a smooth path to travel.... Jesus had been the commander of heaven, yet on earth He was as one that serveth. Uncomplainingly He endured privations, and lived the life of a poor man. He did not indulge in the luxuries that many who claim to be His followers surround themselves with; He studied not at all His pleasure, ease, or convenience. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. His whole life was one of self-denial, expressing the prayer, "Not my will, but thine, O God, be done." Christ is our pattern, and those who follow Christ will not walk in darkness, for they will not seek their own pleasure. To glorify God will be the continual aim of their life. Christ represented the character of God to the world. The Lord Jesus so conducted His life that men were compelled to acknowledge that He had done all things well. The world's Redeemer was the light of the world, for His character was without fault. Though He was the only begotten Son of God, and the heir of all things in heaven and earth, He did not leave an example of indolence and self-indulgence.... Christ never flattered any one. He never deceived or defrauded, never changed His course of straightforward uprightness to obtain favor or applause. He ever expressed the truth. The law of kindness was in His lips, and there was no guile in His mouth. Let the human agent compare his life with the life of Christ, and through the grace which Jesus imparts to those who make Him their personal Saviour, reach the standard of righteousness. Let him imitate the example of Him who lived out the law of Jehovah, who said, "I have kept my Father's commandments" (John 15:10). Those who follow Christ will be continually looking into the perfect law of liberty, and through the grace given them by Christ, will fashion the character according to the divine requirements. >From That I May Know Him - Page 156 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu May 31 11:49:41 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Thu, 31 May 2007 14:49:41 -0400 Subject: Grace an Educator In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Grace an Educator I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; . . . who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 1:4-8. In this world we have temporal duties to perform, and in the performance of these duties we are forming characters that will either stand the test of the judgment or be weighed in the balances and found wanting. We may do the smallest duties nobly, firmly, faithfully, as if seeing the whole heavenly host looking upon us. Take a lesson from the gardener. If he wishes a plant to grow he cultivates and trims it; he gives water, he digs about its roots, plants it where the sunshine will fall upon it, and day by day he works about it; and not by violent efforts, but by acts constantly repeated, he trains the shrub until its form is perfect and its bloom is full. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ works upon the heart and mind as an educator. The continued influence of His Spirit upon the soul trains and molds and fashions the character after the divine model. Let the youth bear in mind that a repetition of acts, forms habits, and habit, character. . . . Is the love of Christ a living, active agent in your soul, correcting, reforming, refining you, and purifying you from your wrong practices? There is need of cultivating every grace that Jesus through His suffering and death has brought within your reach. You are to manifest the grace that has been so richly provided for you, in the small as well as in the large concerns of life. . . . Great truths can be brought into little things, and religion can be carried into the little as well as into the large concerns of life. The commandments of God are exceeding broad, and the Lord is not pleased to have His children disorderly, to have their lives marred by defects and their religious experience crippled, their growth in grace dwarfed, because they persist in cherishing hereditary and cultivated deficiencies in wrong habits that will be imitated by others and thus be perpetuated. If the grace of Christ cannot remedy these defects, what then constitutes transformation of character? >From That I May Know Him - Page 157 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Jun 1 07:30:36 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2007 10:30:36 -0400 Subject: A New Song in Our Hearts In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: A New Song in Our Hearts And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Ps. 40:3. He who believes in Christ becomes one with Christ, to show forth the glory of God, for God hath put a new song into his mouth, even praise unto the Lord. He daily desires to know more of Christ, that he may become more like Him. He discerns spiritual things and enjoys contemplation of Christ, and by beholding Him he is changed, imperceptibly to himself, into the image of Christ. . . . He does not place his dependence for acceptance with God upon what he can do, but relies wholly upon the merits of Christ's righteousness. Yet he knows that he cannot be slothful and be a child of God. He searches the Scriptures that testify to him of Christ, that present before him the perfect Pattern. . . . Precious truth is unfolded to his mind, and he receives it into the inner sanctuary of the soul. The attractions of the world become tame to him, for the glory and value of eternity are opened before him. He can say with the apostle, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God" (1 Cor. 2:12). . . . He who has a genuine experience in the things of God will not be indifferent to those who are in darkness, but will inquire, What would Jesus say to these poor needy souls? He will seek to let his light shine forth. He will pray for wisdom, grace, and tact, that he may know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. In place of engaging in trifling conversation, in jesting and joking, he will as a faithful steward of the grace of God, make the most of his opportunity, and the seed sown will spring up and bear fruit unto life eternal. The treasure of truth is in his heart, and he brings forth good things. The wellspring of life is in his soul, and the living waters flow forth. . . . Is this your experience? Are you growing up into Christ, your living head? . . . O that the youth may consider the life of Christ, and copy the Pattern! >From That I May Know Him - Page 158 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Jun 2 05:54:24 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2007 08:54:24 -0400 Subject: No Standing Still In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: No Standing Still To them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:1, 2. What a grand theme this is for contemplation--the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ! Contemplating Christ and His righteousness leaves no room for self-righteousness, for the glorifying of self. In this chapter there is no standstill. There is continual advancement in every stage in the knowledge of Christ. Through the knowledge of Christ is life eternal. In His prayer Jesus says, "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). In God we are to glory. . . . "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written. He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (1 Cor. 1:30, 31). . . . We have been called to the knowledge of Christ, and that is to the knowledge of glory and virtue. It is a knowledge of the perfection of the divine character, manifested to us in Jesus Christ, that opens up to us communion with God. It is by the great and precious promises that we are to become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. What possibilities are opened up to the youth who lay hold of the divine assurances of God's Word! Scarcely can the human mind comprehend what is the breadth and depth and height of the spiritual attainments that can be reached by becoming partakers of the divine nature. The human agent who yields obedience to God, Who becomes a partaker of the divine nature, finds pleasure in keeping the commandments of God, for he is one with God; he holds as vital a relation with God as does the Son to the Father. What privileges and blessings are granted to those who have obtained like precious faith with the disciples of Christ! Nothing is withheld from them. >From That I May Know Him - Page 159 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Jun 3 10:35:55 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2007 13:35:55 -0400 Subject: Adding and Multiplying In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Adding and Multiplying According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3. We may attain unto glory and virtue, though weak, sinful morals, by learning daily lessons in the school of Christ, by becoming conformed to the divine image, by manifesting His excellence of character, by adding grace to grace, by climbing round by round the ladder heavenward, by becoming complete in the Beloved. As we shall work upon the plan of addition, by faith adding grace to grace, God will work upon the plan of multiplication, and multiply grace and peace unto us. . . . If our youth would take heed to the rules laid down in this chapter and practice them, what an influence they would exert on the side of right! . . . No longer would the law which they have transgressed be a yoke of bondage, but it would be the law of liberty, the freedom of sonship. Having repented toward God, having exercised faith in Christ, they have experienced forgiveness, and esteem the law of God above gold, yea, above fine gold. Jesus is the sin bearer. He takes away our sins, and makes us partakers of His holiness. O what tender, pitying love dwells in the heart of Christ toward the purchase of His blood! He is able to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God by Him. There is power in these precious promises, and we should cooperate with the working of Christ, devoting all our God-given talents to the service of the Master, that the Holy Spirit may work through us to the glory and honor or Christ. Students should have a growing, expanding idea of what it means to be a Christian. To be a Christian means to be a learner in the school of Christ. It means the connecting of soul, mind, and body with divine wisdom. When this union exists between the soul and God, we are taught of God, who gives wisdom and knowledge. His Spirit imparts thoughts that are clear the holy, and gives the knowledge that lives through eternal ages. Those who are consecrated, diligent, . . . fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, will reap an eternal reward. >From That I May Know Him - Page 160 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Jun 4 06:32:54 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2007 09:32:54 -0400 Subject: When You Are Growing In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: When You Are Growing But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18. It is the privilege of the young, as they grow in Jesus, to grow in spiritual grace and knowledge. We may know more and more of Jesus through an interested searching of the Scriptures and then following the ways of truth and righteousness therein revealed. Those who are ever growing in grace will be steadfast in the faith, and moving forward. There should be an earnest desire in the heart of every youth who has purposed to be a disciple of Jesus Christ to reach the highest Christian standard, to be a worker with Christ. If he makes it his aim to be of that number who shall be presented faultless before the throne of God he will be continually advancing. The only way to remain steadfast is to progress daily in divine life. Faith will increase if, when brought in conflict with doubts and obstacles, it overcomes them. . . . If you are growing in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ you will improve every privilege and opportunity to gain more knowledge of the life and character of Christ. Faith in Jesus will grow as you become better acquainted with your Redeemer by dwelling upon His spotless life and His infinite love. . . . When you are growing in grace you will love to attend religious meetings, and you will gladly bear testimony of the love of Christ before the congregation. God, by His grace, can make the young man prudent, and He can give to the children knowledge and experience. They can grow in grace daily. . . . Set your aim in life high, as did Joseph and Daniel and Moses, and take into consideration the cost of the character building, and then build for time and for eternity. . . . In doing this work for yourself you are having an influence on many others. . . . How much strength a word of hope, courage, and determination in a right course will give one who is inclined to slide into habits that are demoralizing! The firm purpose you may possess in carrying out good principles will have an influence to balance souls in the right direction. There is no limit to the good you may do. >From That I May Know Him - Page 161 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Jun 5 07:07:04 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2007 10:07:04 -0400 Subject: Reaching the Stature of Christ In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Reaching the Stature of Christ Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Eph. 4:13. The tremendous issues of eternity demand of us something more than an imaginary religion. A stately form of worship and high devotional ceremonies do not constitute a light to the world, and yet truth that is looked upon and admired in the same way as a beautiful picture or lovely flower, and not brought into the inner sanctuary of the soul, is thought by many to be all that is required in a worshiper. . . . We shall be saved eternally when we enter in through the gates into the city. Then we may rejoice that we are saved, eternally saved. But until then we need to heed the injunction of the apostle, and to "fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of us should seem to come short of it" (Heb. 4:1). Having a knowledge of Canaan, singing the songs of Canaan, rejoicing in the prospect of entering into Canaan, did not bring the children of Israel into the vineyards and olive groves of the Promised Land. They could make it theirs in truth only by occupation, by complying with the conditions, by exercising living faith in God, by appropriating His promises to themselves. . . . Christ is the author and finisher of our faith, and when we yield to His hand we shall steadily grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour. We shall make progress until we reach the full stature of men and women in Christ. Faith works by love, and purifies the soul, expelling the love of sin that leads to rebellion against, and transgression of, the law of God. . . . Through the agency of the Holy Spirit the character is transformed and the mind and will of the human agent are brought into perfect conformity to the divine will, and this is conformity to the divine standard of righteousness. To those who are thus transformed Christ will say, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city" (Rev. 22:14). >From That I May Know Him - Page 162 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Jun 6 07:53:24 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2007 10:53:24 -0400 Subject: Are You Growing Up? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Are You Growing Up? But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. Eph. 4:15. It is no real evidence that you are a Christian because your emotion is stirred, your spirit stirred by truth. The question is, Are you growing up into Christ, your living head? Is the grace of Christ manifested in your life? God gives His grace to men, that they may desire more of His grace. God's grace is ever working upon the human heart, and when it is received, the evidence of its reception will appear in the life and character of its recipient, for spiritual life will be seen developing from within. The grace of Christ in the heart will always promote spiritual life, and spiritual advancement will be made. We each need a personal Saviour or we shall perish in our sins. Let the question be asked of our souls, Are we growing up unto Christ, our living head? Am I gaining advanced knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ whom He hath sent? We do not see the plants grow in the field, and yet we are assured that they do grow, and may we not know of our own spiritual strength and growth? When we are truly Christ's, our hearts will be full of meekness, gentleness, and kindness, because Jesus has forgiven our sins. As obedient children we shall receive and cherish the precepts He has given, and shall attend to the ordinances He has instituted. We shall be seeking constantly to obtain a knowledge of Him. His example will be our rule of life. Those who are Christ's disciples will take the work where He left it and carry it forward in His name. They will copy the words, the spirit, the practices, of none but Him. Their eye is upon the Captain of their salvation. His will is their law. And as they advance, they catch more and clearer views of His countenance, of His character, of His glory. They do not cling to self, but hold fast His Word. . . . They reduce their knowledge of His will to practice. They hear and do the things that Jesus teaches. . . . Such are entitled to all the promises of His Word. Becoming one with Christ, they do the will of God, and exhibit the riches of His grace. >From That I May Know Him - Page 163 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Jun 7 06:29:17 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2007 09:29:17 -0400 Subject: Growth and Fruit Bearing In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Growth and Fruit Bearing That your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Phil. 1:9, 10. It is the Lord's desire that His followers shall grow in grace, that their love shall abound more and more, that they shall be filled with the fruits of righteousness. . . . Where there is life, there will be growth and fruit bearing; but unless we grow in grace, our spirituality will be dwarfed, sickly, fruitless. It is only by growing, by bearing fruit, that we can fulfill God's purpose for us. "Herein is my Father glorified," Christ said, "that ye bear much fruit" (John 15:8). in order to bear much fruit, we must make the most of our privileges. We must use every opportunity granted us for obtaining strength. A pure, noble character, with all its grand possibilities, has been provided for every human being. But there are many who have not an earnest longing for such a character. They are not willing to part with the evil that they may have the good. Great opportunities are placed within their reach. But they neglect to grasp the blessings that would place them in harmony with God. They work at cross-purposes with the One who is seeking their good. They are dead branches, having no living union with the Vine. They cannot grow. One of the divine plans for growth is impartation. The Christian is to gain strength by strengthening others. "He that watereth shall be watered also himself" (Prov. 11:25). This is not merely a promise; it is a divine law, a law by which God designs that the streams of benevolence, like the waters of the great deep, shall be kept in constant circulation, continually flowing back to their source. . . . Christians, is Christ revealed in us? Are we doing all in our power to gain a body that is not easily enfeebled, a mind that looks beyond self to the cause and effect of every movement, that can wrestle with hard problems and conquer them, a will that is firm to resist evil and defend the right? Are we crucifying self? Are we growing up unto the full stature of men and women in Christ? >From That I May Know Him - Page 164 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Jun 8 06:20:29 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2007 09:20:29 -0400 Subject: Marks of True Sanctification In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Marks of True Sanctification And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess. 5:23. The work of sanctification begins in the heart, and we must come into such a relation with God that Jesus can put His divine mold upon us. We must be emptied of self in order to give room to Jesus, but how many have their hearts so filled with idols that they have no room for the Redeemer of the world. The world holds the hearts of men in captivity. They center their thoughts and affections upon their business, their position, their family. They hold to their opinions and ways, and cherish them as idols in the soul. . . . We must be emptied of self. But this is not all that is required, for when we have renounced our idols, the vacuum must be supplied. . . . As you empty the heart of self you must accept the righteousness of Christ. Lay hold of it by faith. . . . If you open the door of the heart, Jesus will supply the vacuum by the gift of His Spirit, and then you can be a living preacher in your home, in the church, and in the world. You can diffuse light, because the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness are shining upon you. Your humble life, your holy conversation, your uprightness and integrity, will tell to all around that you are a child of God, an heir of heaven, that you are not making the world your dwelling place, but that you are a pilgrim and a stranger here, looking for a better country, even an heavenly. . . . In order to keep the world in its proper subordination it is necessary to have more than a mere casual, nominal faith in Christ. Many might give assent to the fact that Jesus was the Son of God and yet fail to have saving faith. Jesus must be all in all to the soul. You must believe in Him as your personal and complete Saviour. True sanctification will be evidenced by a conscientious regard for all the commandments of God, by a careful improvement of every talent, by a circumspect conversation, by revealing in every act the meekness of Christ. >From That I May Know Him - Page 165 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Jun 9 06:20:47 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2007 09:20:47 -0400 Subject: Jesus Our All In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Jesus Our All But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Cor. 1:30. It is growth in knowledge of the character of Christ that sanctifies the soul. To discern and appreciate the wonderful work of the atonement transforms him who contemplates the plan of salvation. By beholding Christ he becomes changed into the same image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. The beholding of Jesus becomes an ennobling, refining process. . . . The perfection of Christ's character is the Christian's inspiration. . . . Christ should never be out of the mind. The angels said concerning Him, "Thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). Jesus, precious Saviour! assurance, helpfulness, security, and peace are all in Him. He is the dispeller of all our doubts, the earnest of all our hopes. How precious is the thought that we may indeed become partakers of the divine nature, whereby we may overcome as Christ overcame! Jesus is the fullness of our expectation. He is the melody of our songs, the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. He is living water to the thirsty soul. He is our refuge in the storm. He is our righteousness, our sanctification, our redemption. The power of Christ is to be the comfort, the hope, the crown of rejoicing, of every one that follows Jesus in his conflict, in his struggles in life. He who truly follows the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world, can shout as he advances, "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4). What kind of faith is it that overcomes the world? It is that faith which makes Christ your own personal Saviour--that faith which, recognizing your helplessness, your utter inability to save yourself, takes hold of the helper who is mighty to save, as your only hope. It is faith that will not be discouraged, that hears the voice of Christ saying, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, and my divine strength is yours." . . . "Lo, I am with you alway." >From That I May Know Him - Page 166 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Jun 10 09:28:35 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2007 12:28:35 -0400 Subject: An Abiding Motive In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: An Abiding Motive For the love of Christ constraineth us. 2 Cor. 5:14. In every act of life Christians should seek to represent Christ-- seek to make His service appear attractive. Let none make religion repulsive by groans and sighs and a relation of their trials, their self-denials, and sacrifices. Do not give the lie to your profession of faith by impatience, fretfulness, and repining. Let the graces of the Spirit be manifested in kindness, meekness, forbearance, cheerfulness, and love. Let it be seen that the love of Christ is an abiding motive; that your religion is not a dress to be put off and on to suit circumstances, but a principle--calm, steady, unwavering. Alas that pride, unbelief, and selfishness, like a foul cancer, are eating out vital godliness from the heart of many a professed Christian! When judged according to their works, how many will learn, too late, that their religion was but a glittering cheat, unacknowledged by Jesus Christ. Love to Jesus will be seen, will be felt. It cannot be hidden. It exerts a wondrous power. It makes the timid bold, the slothful diligent, the ignorant wise. It makes the stammering tongue eloquent, and rouses the dormant intellect into new life and vigor. It makes the desponding hopeful, the gloomy joyous. Love to Christ will lead its possessor to accept responsibilities for His sake, and to bear them in His strength. Love to Christ will not be dismayed by tribulation, nor turned aside from duty by reproaches. Pure love is simple in its operations, and separate from every other principle of action. When combined with earthly motives and selfish interests, it ceases to be pure. God considers more with how much love we work, than the amount we do. Love is a heavenly attribute. The natural heart cannot originate it. This heavenly plant only flourishes where Christ reigns supreme. Where love exists, there is power and truth in the life. Love does good and nothing but good. Those who have love bear fruit unto holiness, and in the end everlasting life. >From That I May Know Him - Page 167 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Jun 11 05:28:16 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2007 08:28:16 -0400 Subject: First Things First In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: First Things First While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:18. Satan has worked continually to eclipse the glories of the future world, and to attract the whole attention to the things of this life. He has striven so to arrange matters that our thought, our anxiety, our labor, might be so fully employed in temporal things that we should not see or realize the value of eternal realities. The world and its cares have too large a place, while Jesus and heavenly things have altogether too small a share in our thoughts and affections. We should conscientiously discharge all the duties of everyday life, but it is also essential that we should cultivate above everything else, holy affection for our Lord Jesus Christ. Views of heavenly things do not incapacitate men and women for the duties of this life, but rather render them more efficient and faithful. Although the grand realities of the eternal world seem to charm the mind, engross the attention, and enrapture the whole being, yet with spiritual enlightenment there comes a calm, heaven-born diligence that enables the Christian to take pleasure in the performance of the commonplace duties of life. . . . The contemplation of the love of God manifested in the gift of His Son for the salvation of fallen men will stir the heart and arouse the powers of the soul as nothing else will. The work of redemption is a marvelous work; it is a mystery in the universe of God. But how indifferent are the objects of such matchless grace! . . . If our senses had not been blunted by sin and by contemplation of the dark pictures that Satan is constantly presenting before us, a fervent and continuous flow of gratitude would go out from our hearts toward Him who daily loads us with benefits of which we are wholly undeserving. The everlasting song of the redeemed will be praise to Him who hath loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood; and if we ever sing that song before the throne of God we must learn it here." >From That I May Know Him - Page 168 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Jun 12 13:16:42 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:16:42 -0400 Subject: Fitting Up for Heaven References: Message-ID: <002b01c7ad2e$979984f0$07411eac@thompsondm90> Fitting Up for Heaven But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. Heb. 11:16. We profess to be pilgrims and strangers on earth, journeying to a better country, even an heavenly. If we are indeed but sojourners here, traveling to a land where none but the holy can dwell, we shall make it our first business to become acquainted with that country; we shall make diligent inquiry as to the preparation needed, the manners and character which we must have in order to become citizens there. Jesus, the King of that land, is pure and holy. He has commanded His followers, "Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16). If we are hereafter to associate with Christ and sinless angels we must here obtain a fitness for such society. This is our work--our all-important work. Every other consideration is of minor consequence. Our conversation, our deportment, our every act, should be such as to convince our family, our neighbors, and the world that we expect soon to remove to a better country. . . . Those whose faith is daily confirmed and strengthened by their works will become acquainted with self-denial in restricting appetite, controlling ambitious desires, bringing every thought and feeling into harmony with the divine will. . . . The land to which we are traveling is in every sense far more attractive than was the land of Canaan to the children of Israel. . . . What stayed their progress just in sight of the goodly land?. . . . It was their own willful unbelief that turned them back. They were unwilling to risk anything upon the promises of God. . . . The history of the children of Israel is written as a warning to us "upon whom the ends of the world are come." We are standing, as it were, upon the very borders of the heavenly Canaan. We may, if we will, look over on the other side and behold the attractions of the goodly land. If we have faith in the promises of God we shall show in conversation and in deportment that we are not living for this world, but are making it our first business to prepare for that holy land. >From That I May Know Him - Page 169 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Jun 13 06:27:46 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 09:27:46 -0400 Subject: "Stedfast Unto the End" In-Reply-To: <002b01c7ad2e$979984f0$07411eac@thompsondm90> References: <002b01c7ad2e$979984f0$07411eac@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000001c7adbe$a19a8b80$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> "Stedfast Unto the End" For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end. Heb. 3:14. We must all exercise faith. I am praying to the Lord to give me strength and health and clearness of mind, and I believe He hears my prayers. We are exhorted to be sober and watch unto prayer, but this does not mean that we are to mourn and repine, like orphaned children. True, the struggle for continual advancement in the Christian life must be lifelong, but our advancement in the heavenly path may be hopeful. If we manifest an intense energy, proportionate to the object for which we are striving, even eternal life, we are made partakers of Christ and of all the rich graces He is willing and ready to give to those who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality. If we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end we shall see the King in His glory. I do not ask for smooth paths, but I do supplicate my heavenly Father for an increase of faith, that I may surmount every apparent difficulty. He is able and willing to give us the Comforter, but we must have firmness and decision, maintaining under all circumstances a pure, Christian integrity and confidence in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The exhortation comes to us, "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness" (2 Peter 3: 17). Eternal interests are to be gained, even the salvation of our souls, and every day we are to watch and be sober. Yet we are to be cheerful, thanking the Lord for His blessings. We must have faith, living faith. God is our efficiency, the source of all power. His resources cannot be exhausted. We can have a daily, abundant supply. . . . For every one whose hands seem to be weakening and losing their hold, I have the word, Grasp the standard more firmly. Faith says, Go forward. You must not fail nor be discouraged. There is no weakness of faith in him who is constantly advancing. >From That I May Know Him - Page 170 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Jun 14 06:07:06 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2007 09:07:06 -0400 Subject: The Coming of the Comforter Message-ID: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> The Coming of the Comforter 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. Christ was about to depart to His home in the heavenly courts, but He assured His disciples that He would send them the Comforter, who would abide with them forever. To the guidance of this Comforter all may implicitly trust. He is the Spirit of truth; but this truth the world can neither see nor receive. . . . Christ desired His disciples to understand that He would not leave them orphans. "I will not leave you comfortless," He declared: "I will come to you" (John 14:18, 19). . . . Precious, glorious assurance of eternal life! Even though He was to be absent, their relation to Him was to be that of a child to its parent. . . . The words spoken to the disciples come to us through their words. The Comforter is ours as well as theirs, at all times and in all places, in all sorrows and in all affliction, when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing and we feel helpless and alone. These are times when the Comforter will be sent in answer to the prayer of faith. There is no comforter like Christ, so tender and so true. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. His Spirit speaks to the heart. Circumstances may separate us from our friends; the broad, restless ocean may roll between us and them. Though their sincere friendship may still exist, they may be unable to demonstrate it by doing for us that which would be gratefully received. But no circumstances, no distance, can separate us from the heavenly Comforter. Wherever we are, wherever we may go, He is always there, one given in Christ's place, to act in His stead. He is always at our right hand, to speak soothing, gentle words, to support, sustain, uphold, and cheer. The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul. This Spirit works in and through every one who receives Christ. Those who know the indwelling of this Spirit reveal its fruit--love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. >From That I May Know Him - Page 171 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Jun 15 05:38:23 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007 08:38:23 -0400 Subject: Our Divine Credentials In-Reply-To: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> Our Divine Credentials Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. John 17:11. The unity, the harmony, that should exist among the disciples of Christ is described in these words: "That they may be one, as we are." But how many there are who draw off and seem to think that they have learned all they need to learn. . . . Those who choose to stand on the outskirts of the camp cannot know what is going on in the inner circle. They must come right into the inner courts, for as a people we must be united in faith and purpose. . . . It is through this unity that we are to convince the world of the mission of Christ, and bear our divine credentials to the world. . . . "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me" (John 17:23). Can we comprehend the meaning of these words? Can we take it in? Can we measure this love? The thought that God loves us as He loves His Son should bring us in gratitude and praise to Him. Provision has been made whereby God can love us as He loves His Son, and it is through our oneness with Christ and with each other. We must each come to the fountain and drink for ourselves. A thousand around us may take of the stream of salvation, but we shall not be refreshed unless we drink of the healing stream ourselves. We must see the beauty, the light of God's Word for ourselves, and kindle our taper at the divine altar, that we may go to the world, holding forth the Word of life as a bright, shining lamp. . . . How precious are these words! "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory" (verse 24). . . . Christ wills that we should behold His glory. Where? In the kingdom of heaven. He wills that we should be one with Him. What a thought! How willing it makes me to make any and every sacrifice for His sake! He is my love, my righteousness, my comfort, my crown of rejoicing, and He wills that we should behold His glory. >From That I May Know Him - Page 172 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Jun 16 05:48:23 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007 08:48:23 -0400 Subject: Oneness With Christ and the Father In-Reply-To: <000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> <000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> Oneness With Christ and the Father That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 17:21. Let these words be oft repeated and let every soul train his ideas and spirit and action daily that he may fulfill this prayer of Jesus Christ. He does not request impossible things of His Father. He prays for the very things which must be in His disciples in relation to their oneness to each other and their unity and oneness with God and Jesus Christ. Anything short of this is not attaining to perfection of Christian character. The golden chain of love, binding the hearts of the believers in unity, in bonds of fellowship and love, and in oneness with Christ and the Father, makes the connection perfect, and bears to the world a testimony of the power of Christianity that cannot be controverted. . . . Then will selfishness be uprooted and unfaithfulness will not exist. There will not be strife and divisions. There will not be stubbornness in anyone who is bound up with Christ. Not one will act out the stubborn independence of the wayward, impulsive child who drops the hand that is leading him and chooses to stumble on alone. . . . "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34, 35). Satan understands the power of such a testimony as a witness to the world of what grace can do in transforming character. He is not pleased that such a light shall shine forth from those who claim to believe in Jesus Christ, and he will work every conceivable device to break this golden chain which links heart to heart of those who believe the truth and binds them up in close connection with the Father and the Son. . . . We believe in Jesus Christ. We unite our souls to Christ. He says, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit. . . . These things I command you, that ye love one another." (John 15:16, 17). >From That I May Know Him - Page 173 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Jun 17 07:48:35 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007 10:48:35 -0400 Subject: God's Measurement of My Character In-Reply-To: <000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> <000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> God's Measurement of My Character For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Cor. 10:12. Many measure themselves among themselves, and compare their lives with the lives of others. This should not be. No one but Christ is given us as an example. He is our true pattern, and each should strive to excel in imitating Him. . . . To be a Christian is not merely to take the name of Christ, but to have the mind of Christ, to submit to the will of God in all things. Many who profess to be Christians have yet to learn this great lesson. Many know little of what it is to deny self for Christ's sake. They do not study how they can best glorify God and advance His cause. But it is self, self, how can it be gratified? Such religion is worthless. In the day of God those who possess it will be weighed in the balance and found wanting. What men may say, what their opinion of us may be, amounts to very little. The question that concerns us is, What is God's measurement of my character? . . . He who sustains another man in a wrong course of action is not on God's side, but on the enemy's. "So did not I," Nehemiah says, "because of the fear of God" (Neh. 5:15). Every soul is to gird himself for the spiritual conflict before us. The world's plans, the world's customs, the world's conniving, are not for us. We are to say, "So did not I, because of the fear of God." Selfishness, dishonesty, craftiness, are trying to intrude into hearts. Let us not give them room. Nehemiah kept his eye single to the glory of God. . . . By the stability of his course of action he gave evidence that he was a brave Christian. His conscience was cleansed, refined, and ennobled by obedience to God. He refused to depart from Christian principles. Upon all who believe in Christ is laid the obligation of walking worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called, to reveal the character of Christ. The cross will honor every Christian who honors it. >From That I May Know Him - Page 174 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Jun 18 06:31:50 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007 09:31:50 -0400 Subject: Holiness a Companion of Humility In-Reply-To: <000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> <000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> Holiness a Companion of Humility Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5. How many cling with tenacious grasp to their self-termed dignity, which is only self-esteem. These seek to honor themselves instead of waiting in humbleness of heart for Christ to honor them. In conversation more time is spent in talking of self than in exalting the riches of the grace of Christ. . . . True holiness and humility are inseparable. The nearer the soul comes to God, the more completely is it humbled and subdued. When Job heard the voice of the Lord out of the whirlwind, he exclaimed, "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6). It was when Isaiah saw the glory of the Lord and heard the cherubim crying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts," that he cried out, "Woe is me! for I am undone" (Isa. 6:3, 5). Daniel, when visited by the holy messenger, says, "My comeliness was turned in me into corruption" (Dan. 10:8). Paul, after he was caught up into the third heaven and heard things that it was not lawful for a man to utter, speaks of himself as "less than the least of all saints" (Eph. 3:8). It was the beloved John, who leaned on Jesus' breast and beheld His glory, who fell as one dead before the angel. The more closely and continuously we behold our Saviour, the less shall we see to approve in ourselves. He who catches a glimpse of the matchless love of Christ counts all other things as loss, and looks upon Him as the chiefest among ten thousand and as the one altogether lovely. As seraphim and cherubim look upon Christ, they cover their faces with their wings. Their own perfection and beauty are not displayed in the presence and glory of their Lord. Then how improper it is for men to exalt themselves! Let them rather be clothed with humility, cease all strife for supremacy, and learn what it means to be meek and lowly of heart. He who contemplates God's glory and infinite love, will have humble views of himself, but by beholding the character of God, he will be changed into His divine image. >From That I May Know Him - Page 175 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Jun 19 05:22:14 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 08:22:14 -0400 Subject: Why Be Lifted Up? In-Reply-To: <000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> <000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90> Why Be Lifted Up? Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Phil. 2:3, 4. There is nothing which will weaken the strength of a church like pride and passion. . . . Christ has given us an example of love and humility and has enjoined upon His followers to love one another as He has loved us. We must in lowliness of mind esteem others better than ourselves. We must be severe upon our own defects of character, be quick to discern our own errors and mistakes, and make less of the faults of others than of our own. We must feel a special interest in looking upon the things of others--not to covet them, not to find fault with them, not to remark upon them and present them in a false light, but to do strict justice in all things to our brethren and all with whom we have any dealings. A spirit to work plans for our own selfish interest so as to grasp a little gain, or to labor to show a superiority or rivalry, is an offense to God. The spirit of Christ will lead His followers to be concerned not only for their success and advantage, but to be equally interested for the success and advantage of their brethren. This will be loving our neighbor as ourselves. . . . Jesus alone is to be exalted. Whatever may be the ability or the success of any one of us, it is not because we have manufactured these powers ourselves; they are the sacred trust given us of God, to be wisely employed in His service to His glory. All is the Lord's entrusted capital. Why, then, should we be lifted up? Why should we call attention to our own defective selves? What we do possess in talent and wisdom is received from the Source of wisdom, that we may glorify God. . . . Pride of talent, pride of intellect, cannot exist in hearts that are hid with Christ in God. . . . Then let us humble ourselves, and adore Jesus, but never, never, exalt self in the least degree. . . . If the motive of all our life is to serve and honor Christ and bless humanity in the world, then the dreariest path of duty will become a bright way-- a path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in. >From That I May Know Him - Page 176 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Jun 20 06:43:11 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 09:43:11 -0400 Subject: "Take Heed Unto Thyself" In-Reply-To: <000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90> <000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org> "Take Heed Unto Thyself" Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Tim. 4:16. Some seem to think that there is a certain amount of virtue in expressing their dissatisfaction in whatever is being done by others. . . . There was Judas; Christ permitted him to be a member of the church, notwithstanding his covetous, avaricious character. He had some traits that might have been used to the glory of God, but he did not try to overcome the defects in his character. Christ bore with him long and patiently. . . . He had the same lessons set before him that were given to the other apostles, which would have set him right had he made a right use of them, but he did not sustain a right relation to Heaven. Christ knew his true condition, and gave him an opportunity. He connected John with the church, not because John was above human frailties, but that He might bind him to His great heart of love. If John overcame his defects of character, he would stand as a light to the church. Peter, if he corrected his faults, would inherit the promises of God. And Jesus said to him, after His resurrection, notwithstanding that he had but a few days before denied Him, "Feed my sheep," and "Feed my lambs" (John 21:16, 15). He could trust Peter now, for he had obtained an experience in the things of God. . . . John was constantly learning to copy the life of Jesus. He was learning in Christ's school. . . . Lesson after lesson Christ gave to His disciples, that they might know the will of the Father and shine as lights in the world. John and Peter were men whom God could trust, but Judas was not. They had received and heeded the lessons and gained the victory, but Judas had failed at every trial. He saw his faults, but instead of correcting them revenged himself by picking flaws in others around him. . . . Paul says to Timothy, "Take heed unto thyself"; that is, seek God first for thyself. Let us individually turn our attention to ourselves, diligently guard our own souls, and set a Christlike example before those whom we would criticise. >From That I May Know Him - Page 177 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Jun 21 06:52:08 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007 09:52:08 -0400 Subject: Revealing Christ in Character In-Reply-To: <000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90> <000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org> Message-ID: <000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org> Revealing Christ in Character In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Titus 2:7, 8. Let not anyone be afraid of going to extremes while he is a close student of the Word, humbling the soul at every step. Christ must dwell in him by faith. He, their Exemplar, was self-possessed. He walked in humility. He had true dignity. He had patience. If we individually possess these traits. . . there will be no extremists. Christ never erred in His judgment of men and of truth. He was never deceived by appearances. He never raised a question but what was clearly appropriate. He never gave an answer but what was fitting and right to the point. He silenced the voice of the cavilling, shrewd, and cunning priests by penetrating through the surface and reaching the heart, flashing light into their consciences, which annoyed them; but they would not yield to conviction. Christ never went to extremes, never lost self-control or the balance of mind under any excitement. He never violated the law of good taste and discernment when to speak and when to keep silent. Then if all who claim to see the precious golden rays of the light of the Sun of Righteousness will follow the example of Christ there will be no extremists. . . . Let calmness and self-possession be cultivated and perseveringly maintained, for this was the character of Christ. . . . We hear no noisy protestations of faith, nor do we see tremendous bodily contortions and exercises in the Author of all truth. Remember, in Him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. If Christ is abiding in our hearts by faith, we shall, by beholding the manner of His life, seek to be like Jesus--pure, peaceable, and undefiled. We shall reveal Christ in our character. We will not only receive and absorb light but will also diffuse it. We will have more clear and distinct views of what Jesus is to us. The symmetry, loveliness, and benevolence that were in the life of Jesus Christ will be shining forth in our lives. >From That I May Know Him - Page 178 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Jun 22 05:26:12 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:26:12 -0400 Subject: Tares Among the Wheat In-Reply-To: <000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90><000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org> <000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org> Message-ID: <000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90> Tares Among the Wheat Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Matt. 13:30. In this world we shall become hopelessly perplexed (as the devil wants us to be) if we keep looking upon those things that are perplexing, for by dwelling upon them, and talking of them, we become discouraged. . . . We may create an unreal world in our own mind or picture an ideal church, where the temptations of Satan no longer prompt to evil, but perfection exists only in our imagination. The world is a fallen world, and the church is a place represented by a field in which grow tares and wheat. They are to grow together until the harvest. It is not our place to uproot the tares, according to human wisdom, lest under the suggestions of Satan the wheat may be rooted up under the supposition that it is tares. The wisdom that is from above will come to him who is meek and lowly in heart, and that wisdom will not lead him to destroy, but to build up the people of God. . . . None need to err, none need to lose the golden moments of time in their short life history through seeking to weigh the imperfections of professed Christians. Not one of us has time to do this. If we know what is the manner of character Christians should develop, and yet see in others that which is inconsistent with this character, let us determine that we will firmly resist the enemy in his temptations to make us act in an inconsistent way, and say, "I will not make Christ ashamed of me. I will more earnestly study the character of Christ in whom there was no imperfection, no selfishness, no spot, no stain of evil, who lived not to please and glorify Himself, but to glorify God and save fallen humanity. I will not copy the defective characters of these inconsistent Christians; the mistakes that they have made shall not lead me to be like them. I will turn to the precious Saviour, that I may be like Him, follow the instruction of the Word of God, which says, 'Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus'" (Phil. 2:5). >From That I May Know Him - Page 179 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Jun 23 05:52:36 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:52:36 -0400 Subject: As We Are Forgiven In-Reply-To: <000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90><000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org><000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org> <000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000301c7b595$6002cfa0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> As We Are Forgiven And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matt. 6:12. It is most difficult, even for those who claim to be followers of Jesus, to forgive as Christ forgives us. The true spirit of forgiveness is so little practiced, and so many interpretations are placed upon Christ's requirement, that its force and beauty are lost sight of. We have very uncertain views of the great mercy and loving-kindness of God. He is full of compassion and forgiveness, and freely pardons when we truly repent and confess our sins. . . . Peter, when brought to the test, sinned greatly. In denying the Master he had loved and served, he became a cowardly apostate. But his Lord did not cast him off; He freely forgave him. . . . Henceforth, remembering his own weakness and failures, he would be patient with his brethren in their mistakes and errors. Remembering the patient love of Christ toward him, affording him another opportunity to bring forth the fruit of good works, he would be more conciliatory toward erring ones. . . . The Lord requires of us the same treatment toward His followers that we receive of Him. We are to exercise patience, to be kind even though they do not meet our expectations in every particular. . . . The last six commandments specify man's duty to man. Christ did not say, You may tolerate your neighbor, but, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." . . . The love of Jesus needs to be brought to bear upon our lives. It will have a softening, subduing influence upon our hearts and characters. It will prompt us to forgive our brethren even though they have done us injury. Divine love must flow from our hearts in gentle words and kindly actions to one another. The fruit of these good works will hang as rich clusters upon the vine of character. . . . Rejoicing in Christ as your Saviour, pitiful, compassionate, and touched with the feeling of your infirmities, love and joy will be revealed in your daily life. If you love Him who died to redeem mankind you will love those for whom He died. >From That I May Know Him - Page 180 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Jun 24 06:59:01 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:59:01 -0400 Subject: How to Settle Your Troubles In-Reply-To: <000301c7b595$6002cfa0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90><000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org><000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org><000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90> <000301c7b595$6002cfa0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000001c7b667$d1f79960$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> How to Settle Your Troubles Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Matt. 8:15. We should carefully consider what is our relation to God and to one another. We are continually sinning against God, but His mercy still follows us; in love He bears with our perversities, our neglect, our ingratitude, our disobedience. He never becomes impatient with us. We insult His mercy, grieve His Holy Spirit, and do Him dishonor before men and angels, and yet His compassions fail not. The thought of God's long-suffering to us should make us forbearing to one another. How patiently should we bear with the faults and errors of our brethren when we remember how great are our own failings in the sight of God. How can we pray to our heavenly Father, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matt. 6:12) if we are . . . exacting in our treatment of others? . . . If you think your brother has injured you, go to him in kindness and love, and you may come to an understanding and to reconciliation. . . . If you succeed in settling the trouble you have gained your brother without exposing his frailties, and the settlement between you has been the covering of a multitude of sins from the observation of others. . . . It takes special watchfulness to keep the affections alive and our hearts in a condition where we shall be sensible of the good that exists in the hearts of others. If we do not watch on this point, Satan will put his jealousy into our souls; he will put his glasses before our eyes, that we may see the actions of our brethren in a distorted light. Instead of looking critically upon our brethren we should turn our eyes within, and be ready to discover the objectionable traits of our own character. As we have a proper realization of our own mistakes and failures, the mistakes of others will sink into insignificance. Satan is an accuser of the brethren. He is on the watch for every error, no matter how small, that he may have something on which to found an accusation. Keep off from Satan's side. >From That I May Know Him - Page 181 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Jun 25 05:33:25 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2007 08:33:25 -0400 Subject: Look for the Good In-Reply-To: <000001c7b667$d1f79960$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90><000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org><000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org><000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b595$6002cfa0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> <000001c7b667$d1f79960$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000001c7b725$06c623b0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> Look for the Good Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil. 4:8. We are a part of the great web of humanity. We become changed into the image of that upon which we dwell. Then how important to open our hearts to the things that are true and lovely and of good report. Let into the heart the light of the Sun of Righteousness. Do not cherish one root of bitterness. Christ was infinite in wisdom and yet He thought best to accept Judas, although He knew what were his imperfections of character. John was not perfect; Peter denied his Lord; and yet it was of men like these that the early Christian church was organized. Jesus accepted them that they might learn of Him what constitutes a perfect Christian character. The business of every Christian is to study the character of Christ. . . . Judas alone did not respond to divine enlightenment. . . . He braced his soul to resist the influence of the truth; and while he practiced criticising and condemning others, he neglected his own soul, and cherished and strengthened his natural evil traits of character until he became so hardened that he could sell his Lord for thirty pieces of silver. O let us encourage our souls to look to Jesus! . . . It is not an uncommon thing to see imperfection in those who carry on God's work. . . . Would it not be more pleasing to God to take an impartial outlook, and see how many souls are serving God and glorifying and honoring Him with their talents of means and intellect? Would it not be better to consider the wonderful, miracle-working power of God in the transformation of poor degraded sinners. . .? The most unfavorable matters . . . should not cause us to feel perplexed and discouraged. Everything that causes us to see the weakness of humanity is in the Lord's purpose to help us to look to Him, and in no case put our trust in man, or make flesh our arm. >From That I May Know Him - Page 182 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Jun 26 07:50:43 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2007 10:50:43 -0400 Subject: Sheep and Wolves In-Reply-To: <000001c7b725$06c623b0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90><000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org><000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org><000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b595$6002cfa0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b667$d1f79960$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> <000001c7b725$06c623b0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000401c7b801$5fb60170$1f220450$@org> Sheep and Wolves But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Matt: 5:44. In these last days, when iniquity shall abound and the love of many shall wax cold, God will have a people to glorify His name, and stand as reprovers of unrighteousness. They are to be a "peculiar people," who will be true to the law of God when the world shall seek to make void its precepts, and when the converting power of God works through His servants, the hosts of darkness will array themselves in bitter and determined opposition. . . . Satan is at enmity with the truth, and he will instigate against its advocates every manner of warfare. We must have our lives so hid with Christ in God that when bitter speeches and scornful words and unkind looks meet us, we shall not permit our feelings to be stirred up against this class, but shall feel the deepest sympathy for them, because they know nothing about the precious Saviour whom we claim to know. We must remember that they are in the service of one who is the bitterest enemy of Jesus Christ, and that while all heaven is opened to the sons and daughters of God, they have no such privilege. You ought to feel that you are the happiest people upon the face of the whole earth. Notwithstanding, as Christ's representatives, you are as sheep in the midst of wolves, you have One with you who can help you under all circumstances, and you will not be devoured by these wolves if you keep close to Jesus. How careful you should be to represent Jesus in every word and action! You should feel when you arise in the morning, and when you go out upon the street, and when you come in, that Jesus loves you, that He is by your side, and that you must not cherish a thought that will grieve your Saviour. . . . The evil angels may be all around you to press their darkness upon you, but the will of God is greater than their power. And if you do not in word or action, or in any way, make Christ ashamed of you, the sweet blessing and peace of God will be in your heart every day you live. >From That I May Know Him - Page 183 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Jun 27 06:44:34 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2007 09:44:34 -0400 Subject: A Time to Close the Mind In-Reply-To: <000401c7b801$5fb60170$1f220450$@org> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90><000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org><000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org><000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b595$6002cfa0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b667$d1f79960$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b725$06c623b0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> <000401c7b801$5fb60170$1f220450$@org> Message-ID: <000001c7b8c1$4c65b000$e5311000$@org> A Time to Close the Mind Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. James 4:11. If Satan can employ professed believers to act as accusers of the brethren, he is greatly pleased, for those who do this are just as truly serving him as was Judas when he betrayed Christ, although they may be doing it ignorantly. . . . Floating rumors are frequently the destroyers of unity among brethren. There are some who watch with open mind and ears to catch flying scandal. They gather up little incidents which may be trifling in themselves, but which are repeated and exaggerated until a man is made an offender for a word. Their motto seems to be, "Report, and we will report it." These talebearers are doing the devil's work with surprising fidelity, little knowing how offensive their course is to God. If they would spend half the energy and zeal that is given to this unholy work in examining their own hearts, they would find so much to do to cleanse their souls from impurity that they would have no time or disposition to criticize their brethren, and they would not fall under the power of this temptation. The door of the mind should be closed against, "they say" or "I have heard." Why should we not, instead of allowing jealousy or evil surmising to come into our hearts, go to our brethren, and, after frankly but kindly setting before them the things we have heard detrimental to their character and influence, pray with and for them? . . . Let us diligently cultivate the pure principles of the gospel of Christ, the religion, not of self-esteem, but of love, meekness, and lowliness of heart. Then we shall love our brethren and esteem them better than ourselves. Our minds will not dwell on the dark side of their character; we shall not feast on scandal and flying reports. But "whatsoever things are ...of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise," we shall "think on these things" (Phil. 4:8). >From That I May Know Him - Page 184 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Jun 28 08:52:10 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2007 11:52:10 -0400 Subject: Fragrant With Heaven's Blessing In-Reply-To: <000001c7b8c1$4c65b000$e5311000$@org> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90><000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org><000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org><000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b595$6002cfa0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b667$d1f79960$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b725$06c623b0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b801$5fb60170$1f220450$@org> <000001c7b8c1$4c65b000$e5311000$@org> Message-ID: <000001c7b99c$49cc21e0$dd6465a0$@org> Fragrant With Heaven's Blessing Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. James 3:13, 14. What is lying against the truth? It is claiming to believe the truth while the spirit, the words, the deportment, represent not Christ but Satan. To surmise evil, to be impatient and unforgiving, is lying against the truth, but love, patience, and long forbearance are in accordance with the principles of truth. Truth is ever pure, ever kind, breathing a heavenly fragrance unmingled with selfishness. . . . To be unkind, to denounce others, to give expression to harsh, severe judgments, to entertain evil thoughts, is not the result of that wisdom which is from above. . . . The language of the Christian must be mild and circumspect, for his holy faith requires him to represent Christ to the world. All those who abide in Christ will manifest the kind, forgiving courtesy that characterized His life. Their works will be works of piety, equity, and purity. They will have the meekness of wisdom, and will exercise the gift of the grace of Jesus. "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, . . . and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col. 3:15, 16). This was Christ's practice. He was often assailed by temptation, but in place of yielding or being provoked, He sang God's praises. With spiritual songs He stopped the fluent speech of those whom Satan was using to create strife. . . . When those who love God are tempted, let them sing the praises of their Creator rather than speak words of accusing or faultfinding. The Lord will bless those who thus try to make peace. Trust in God. Be careful not to give the enemy any advantage by your unguarded words. Keep looking to Jesus. He is your strength. . . . Be so considerate, so tender, so compassionate, that the atmosphere surrounding you will be fragrant with Heaven's blessing. >From That I May Know Him - Page 185 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Jun 29 05:59:34 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:59:34 -0400 Subject: The Greatest Service In-Reply-To: <000001c7b99c$49cc21e0$dd6465a0$@org> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90><000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org><000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org><000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b595$6002cfa0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b667$d1f79960$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b725$06c623b0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b801$5fb60170$1f220450$@org><000001c7b8c1$4c65b000$e5311000$@org> <000001c7b99c$49cc21e0$dd6465a0$@org> Message-ID: <000a01c7ba4d$577f5800$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> The Greatest Service Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Eph. 4:32. The greatest service we can render to the cause of God, and which will reflect steady beams of light upon the pathway of others, is to be patient, kind, steadfast as a rock to principle, God-fearing. This will constitute us the salt of the earth, the light of the world. We shall be often disappointed, for we shall not find perfection in those who are connected with us, and they will not see perfection in us. It is only by agonizing effort on our part that we shall become unselfish, humble, childlike, teachable, meek and lowly of heart, like our divine Lord. We must bring our hearts and minds up to a high point of education in spiritual and heavenly things. This world is not heaven, but it is the workshop of God for the fitting up of His people for a pure and holy paradise. And while each one of us is to feel that he is a part of the great web of humanity, he must not expect that others in that web will be without a flaw any more than himself. Mistakes will be made, and if the erring are willing to be corrected, a valuable experience is gained, so that their defeat is turned to victory. You should consider that many of your own errors are not brought to light, and be careful not to make the mistakes and imperfection of others appear in their worst light, either to yourself or to others. No man is perfect, and unjust criticism indulged towards others is not wise or Christlike. . . . We have a serious, solemn work to do for ourselves to cleanse our own souls from spot and stain if we will stand before the Son of man when He shall appear, acquitted of Him. We must be educators as well as reformers. To cut loose from every one who errs and does not follow our own ideas is not doing as Christ is doing for us. We are all fallible, and we need pity, forbearance, kindly consideration, and sympathetic love for those with whom we are connected. We are all unworthy of the love and confidence of God. >From That I May Know Him - Page 186 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sat Jun 30 05:05:02 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 08:05:02 -0400 Subject: Building Up One Another In-Reply-To: <000a01c7ba4d$577f5800$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90><000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org><000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org><000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b595$6002cfa0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b667$d1f79960$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b725$06c623b0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b801$5fb60170$1f220450$@org><000001c7b8c1$4c65b000$e5311000$@org><000001c7b99c$49cc21e0$dd6465a0$@org> <000a01c7ba4d$577f5800$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000601c7bb0e$e3b3dbe0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> Building Up One Another We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Rom. 15:1. God does not want us to place ourselves upon the judgment seat and judge each other. . . . When we see errors in others, let us remember that we have faults graver, perhaps, in the sight of God than the fault we condemn in our brother. Instead of publishing his defects, ask God to bless him and to help him to overcome his error. Christ will approve of this spirit and action, and will open the way for you to speak a word of wisdom that will impart strength and help to him who is weak in the faith. The work of building one another up in the most holy faith is a blessed work, but the work of tearing down is a work full of bitterness and sorrow. Christ identifies Himself with His suffering children, for He says, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matt. 25:40). . . . Every heart has its own sorrows and disappointments, and we should seek to lighten one another's burdens by manifesting the love of Jesus to those around us. If our conversation were upon heaven and heavenly things, evil speaking would soon cease to have any attraction for us. . . . Instead of finding fault with others, let us be critical with ourselves. The question with each one of us should be, Is my heart right before God? Will this course of action glorify my Father which is in heaven? If you have cherished a wrong spirit, let it be banished from the soul. It is your duty to eradicate from your heart everything that is of a defiling nature. Every root of bitterness should be plucked up, lest others be contaminated by its baleful influence. Do not allow one poisonous plant to remain in the soil of your heart. Root it out this very hour, and plant in its stead the plant of love. Let Jesus be enshrined in the soul. Christ is our example. He went about doing good. He lived to bless others. Love beautified and ennobled all His actions, and we are commanded to follow in His steps. >From That I May Know Him - Page 187 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Sun Jul 1 07:27:00 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2007 10:27:00 -0400 Subject: The Highest Learning In-Reply-To: <000601c7bb0e$e3b3dbe0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90><000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org><000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org><000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b595$6002cfa0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b667$d1f79960$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b725$06c623b0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b801$5fb60170$1f220450$@org><000001c7b8c1$4c65b000$e5311000$@org><000001c7b99c$49cc21e0$dd6465a0$@org><000a01c7ba4d$577f5800$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> <000601c7bb0e$e3b3dbe0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000001c7bbeb$e3d0f760$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> The Highest Learning For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 4:6. This knowledge--the knowledge of the glory of God--is the highest class of learning that mortals can obtain. And "we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us" (2 Cor. 4:7). Human fallacies are abundant and specious. Unseen agencies are at work to make falsehood appear as truth; errors are clothed with a deceptive garb that men may be led to accept them as essential to higher education. And these fallacies will deceive many of our students unless they are thoroughly guarded, and unless they are led by the Spirit of God to take the grand and holy truths of the Word into their hearts and minds, accepting these as the principles underlying the higher education. No instruction can exceed in value the pure instruction of God, which comes for the enlightenment of all who will be enlightened. . . . There can be no education higher than that which was given by the Great Teacher. There is nothing more detrimental to the soul's interest, its purity, its true and holy conceptions of God and of sacred and eternal things than constantly giving heed to and exalting that which is not from God. It poisons the heart and degrades the understanding. Pure truth can be traced to its divine Source by its elevating, refining, sanctifying influence upon the character of the receiver. At this time when every conceivable thing is being brought in to confuse the people of God, let your spiritual eyesight be strengthened; let your faith in the Word of God be firm. Know for yourselves that the words and teachings of Christ, which are the words and teachings of Jehovah, contain the highest instruction it is possible for men to gain. When any would seek to confuse your minds, repeat to them the words of Christ, "No man can serve two masters" (Matt. 6:24). Let the Word of the Lord stand forth clearly and distinctly. >From That I May Know Him - Page 188 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Mon Jul 2 06:41:25 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2007 09:41:25 -0400 Subject: Greatest Educator of All Time In-Reply-To: <000001c7bbeb$e3d0f760$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90><000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org><000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org><000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b595$6002cfa0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b667$d1f79960$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b725$06c623b0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b801$5fb60170$1f220450$@org><000001c7b8c1$4c65b000$e5311000$@org><000001c7b99c$49cc21e0$dd6465a0$@org><000a01c7ba4d$577f5800$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000601c7bb0e$e3b3dbe0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> <000001c7bbeb$e3d0f760$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000101c7bcae$b06c2fc0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> Greatest Educator of All Time The people were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matt. 7:28, 29. The world's men of learning are not easily reached by the practical truths of God's Word. The reason is, they trust to human wisdom and pride themselves upon their intellectual superiority, and are unwilling to become humble learners in the school of Christ. Our Saviour did not ignore learning or despise education, yet He chose unlearned fishermen for the work of the gospel because they had not been schooled in the false customs and traditions of the world. They were men of good natural ability and of a humble, teachable spirit, men whom He could educate for His great work. In the ordinary walks of life there is many a man patiently treading the round of daily toil, all unconscious that he possesses power which if called into action would raise him to an equality with the world's most honored men. The touch of a skillful hand is needed to arouse and develop those dormant faculties. It was such men whom Jesus connected with Himself, and He gave them the advantages of three years' training under His own care. No course of study in the schools of the rabbis or the halls of philosophy could have equaled this in value. The Son of God was the greatest educator the world ever knew. The learned lawyers, priests, and scribes scorned to be taught by Christ. They desired to teach Him, and frequently made the attempt, only to be defeated by the wisdom that laid bare their ignorance and rebuked their folly. . . . They knew that He had not learned in the schools of the prophets, and they could not discern the divine excellence of His character beneath the lowly disguise of the Man of Nazareth. But the words and deeds of the humble Teacher, recorded by the unlettered companions of His daily life, have exerted a living power upon the minds of men from that day to the present. Not merely the ignorant and humble, but men of education, intellect, and genius reverently exclaim, with the wondering and delighted listeners of old, "Never man spake like this man" (John 7:46). >From That I May Know Him - Page 189 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Tue Jul 3 07:00:27 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2007 10:00:27 -0400 Subject: Facing the Light In-Reply-To: <000101c7bcae$b06c2fc0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90><000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org><000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org><000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b595$6002cfa0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b667$d1f79960$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b725$06c623b0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b801$5fb60170$1f220450$@org><000001c7b8c1$4c65b000$e5311000$@org><000001c7b99c$49cc21e0$dd6465a0$@org><000a01c7ba4d$577f5800$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000601c7bb0e$e3b3dbe0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7bbeb$e3d0f760$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> <000101c7bcae$b06c2fc0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000301c7bd7a$827601a0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> Facing the Light Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. Luke 11:35, 36. The moment the eye is turned from Jesus, darkness is seen, darkness is felt, for Jesus only is light and life and peace and assurance forever. "If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light" (Matt. 6:22). . . . What is it to have a single eye? It is to have a disposition to look upon Christ, for by beholding we become changed from glory to glory, from character to character. As we keep Christ in view, the bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness shine upon us and flood the chambers of the mind and heart and fill the soul temple with light. As the Light of the world shines upon us, we diffuse it to those around "as when the bright shining of a candle doth give . . . light." The soul that is stayed upon God commits to Christ all that perplexes, all that annoys, all that gives anxiety. The light of Christ shines in the soul in all goodness and peace, for in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. . . . Those who behold Christ will never plead that their own will may be done, or that their old ways and habits may be left undisturbed. As they behold Jesus, His image becomes engraved on heart and soul, and in all their practices they reflect His example upon the world. Day by day the hands, the feet, the tongue, follow the dictates of the spiritual nature, and faith makes their path a path that grows brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. Everything that keeps us from attaining unto the likeness of Christ is working out for us eternal loss. Then let no one plead for a continuance of his own way. Let no one seek to excuse his deficiencies of character by saying, It is "my way." Cooperate with Jesus Christ and you will see that your own way is a way full of deficiency and fault, and that if it is not corrected it will cause you to put into your character building traits that will be as rotten timbers. . . . Let nothing of these defects of character be found in your building. Build on the rock Christ Jesus. >From That I May Know Him - Page 190 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Wed Jul 4 05:52:53 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2007 08:52:53 -0400 Subject: Opening the Mysteries of Redemption In-Reply-To: <000301c7bd7a$827601a0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90><000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org><000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org><000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b595$6002cfa0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b667$d1f79960$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b725$06c623b0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b801$5fb60170$1f220450$@org><000001c7b8c1$4c65b000$e5311000$@org><000001c7b99c$49cc21e0$dd6465a0$@org><000a01c7ba4d$577f5800$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000601c7bb0e$e3b3dbe0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7bbeb$e3d0f760$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000101c7bcae$b06c2fc0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> <000301c7bd7a$827601a0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000101c7be3a$3cb27f20$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> Opening the Mysteries of Redemption Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. Luke 24:45. The Lord wants every one of us to have a deeper, richer experience in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He desires that we shall grow in knowledge--not earthward, but heaven-ward, upward to Christ our living Head. How high, how great, is this knowledge to be? To the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. We cannot grow too much, we cannot gather up too many of the precious rays of light that God sends us. . . . We know falsehoods are coming in like a swift current, and that is just the reason why we want every ray of light that God has for us, that we may be able to stand amid the perils of the last days. . . . O how Christ longs to open before us the mysteries of redemption! He longed to do this for His disciples when He was among them on earth, but they were not far enough advanced in spiritual knowledge to comprehend His words. He had to say to them, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now" (John 16:12). O how much better could they have borne the terrible ordeal through which they had to pass at His trial and crucifixion if they had advanced and been able to bear the instruction of Christ! Shall we not let Jesus open our understanding? . . . We are on the borders of the eternal world, and we must have a testimony with which all heaven shall be in harmony. The Lord is coming, and we must be ready! Every moment I want His grace--I want the robe of Christ's righteousness. We must humble our souls before God as never before, come low to the foot of the cross, and He will put a word in our mouths to speak for Him, even praise unto our God. He will teach us a strain from the song of the angels, even thanksgiving to our heavenly Father. We can do nothing of ourselves, but God wants to touch our lips with a living coal from off the altar. He wants to sanctify our tongues--to sanctify our whole being. >From That I May Know Him - Page 191 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Thu Jul 5 05:33:01 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2007 08:33:01 -0400 Subject: Object of the Oracles In-Reply-To: <000101c7be3a$3cb27f20$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90><000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org><000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org><000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b595$6002cfa0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b667$d1f79960$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b725$06c623b0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b801$5fb60170$1f220450$@org><000001c7b8c1$4c65b000$e5311000$@org><000001c7b99c$49cc21e0$dd6465a0$@org><000a01c7ba4d$577f5800$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000601c7bb0e$e3b3dbe0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7bbeb$e3d0f760$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000101c7bcae$b06c2fc0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7bd7a$827601a0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> <000101c7be3a$3cb27f20$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> Message-ID: <000601c7bf00$a089f750$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> Object of the Oracles The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Ps. 119:130. The light and understanding which God's Word imparts is not designed merely, or chiefly, to promote intellectual culture. For an object higher than any earthly or temporal good were the holy oracles committed unto men. We see therein revealed the great plan of human redemption, the means devised to free mankind from the power of Satan. We see Christ, the Captain of our salvation, meeting the prince of darkness in open battle, and single-handed, obtaining the victory in our behalf. We learn too that by this victory was opened to us a door of hope, a source of strength, and that we may, as faithful soldiers, fight our own battles with the wily foe, and conquer in the name of Jesus. The powers of darkness must be met by every soul. The young as well as the old will be assailed, and all should understand the nature of the great controversy between Christ and Satan, and should realize that it concerns themselves. . . . It is not enough to have an intellectual knowledge of the truth. . . . There must be an entrance of the Word into the heart. It must be set home by the power of the Holy Spirit. The will must be brought into harmony with its requirements. Not only the intellect but the heart and conscience must concur in the acceptance of the truth. The entrance of God's Word gives understanding to the simple-- those who are untaught in the wisdom of the world. The Holy Spirit brings the saving truths of the Scriptures within the comprehension of all who desire to know and do the will of God. Uneducated minds are enabled to grasp the most sublime and soul-stirring themes that can engage the attention of men--themes that will be the study and the song of the redeemed through all eternity. It is the knowledge which God's Word supplies, and which can be found nowhere else, that we need above every other. We want to know what to do in this our day to escape the snares of Satan and to win the crown of glory. >From That I May Know Him - Page 192 From devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org Fri Jul 6 05:30:15 2007 From: devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org (Daily Devotional) Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2007 08:30:15 -0400 Subject: Wisdom From the Father of Light In-Reply-To: <000601c7bf00$a089f750$0201a8c0@thompsondm90> References: <000001c7ae84$e9163010$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7af4a$105cdaf0$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b014$a09bd470$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000901c7b0ee$95513260$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000401c7b1ad$0740e320$5a01a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b26c$786b0480$00411eac@thompsondm90><000001c7b340$f1fcbda0$d5f638e0$@org><000001c7b40b$5c6bd840$154388c0$@org><000401c7b4c8$858da560$5e01a8c0@thompsondm90><000301c7b595$6002cfa0$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b667$d1f79960$0201a8c0@thompsondm90><000001c7b725