Don't have time to pray??

As it has often been said, history is silent regarding the accounts of revivals that did not begin with prayer.  Why? Because they didn’t happen. No true biblically based revival has ever occurred anywhere throughout history apart from earnest prayer and sincere searching of God’s Word.

Furthermore, it could probably be shown on the record books of heaven that, no one has ever come to Christ who did not at once learn to pray.  The prayer might have only been, “Lord remember me!” as cried the thief on the cross next to Christ. Or it might have been the agonizing heart wrenching cries of a poor publican, “Lord, please be merciful to me a sinner.” In some case, maybe there have been no audible words at all, only the hidden longing of a thirsty heart. But whatever the form, in some way, once we become a true child of God, we pray. And if we remain a child of God, we pray. Prayer to the converted soul becomes as natural as taking another breathe.

So where do you stand my friend? Or where, should I say, do you kneel? Do you hunger to talk with God each day…? Or have you fallen away, like the person in the following poetic lines, trapped with the endless tasks at hand? Have you become too busy to pray?

I got up early one morning

And rushed right into the day!

I had so much to accomplish

That I didn't have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me,

And heavier came each task.

"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered.

He answered, "You didn't ask!"

I tried to come into God's presence;

I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided,

"Why, child, you didn't knock!"

I wanted to see joy and beauty,

But the day toiled on, gray and bleak.

I wondered why God didn't show me.

He said, "But you didn't seek."

I woke up early this morning,

And paused before entering the day.

I had so much to accomplish

That I had to take time to pray!

By Grace L. Naessen

Let's remember what really matters. Let's talk time to talk to our Heavenly father. Let's take time to pray!

Our biggest Thanksgiving Blessing!!

Today is the day that most North American's will be stuffing their faces with turkey and dressing. The turkey has always managed to get off scot free in our house, but there's always plenty of other scrumptious vegetarian dressing and goodies to eat.

But as we stop and ponder this day, let's think about what we have to be thankful for. Honestly, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?

As I've been thinking about this, my mind keeps coming back to one thing: What Christ did on Calvary!

How could we ask for any more than what God has already given us at Calvary? We are told, “The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with a love stronger than death. In giving up His Son, He has poured out to us all heaven in one gift. The Savior’s life and death and intercession, the ministry of angels, the pleading of the Spirit, the Father working above and through all, the unceasing interest of heavenly beings, all are enlisted in behalf of man’s redemption.”[i] He did not give just any gift, “He gave the choicest gift of Heaven, and [as a result] the treasures of Heaven are at our command.”[ii]

Yes, what an amazing gift we have received! Yet most of us today still do not comprehend or understand the significance of this gift and we do not claim the fullness that it brings. Instead we spend our lives going in circles trying to discover who we are, and how to fulfill our needs and reach our potential destiny. But contrary to what our modern culture tells us, this life is not to be about us.

Inspiration tells us bluntly, “Self is our greatest enemy, and day by day each must strive for victory.”[iii] That’s why we so desperately need to understand the gospel! Because until we stop seeking to fulfill self’s desires and self’s agenda, and learn to start spending our time seeking to discover who He is, we will stay on a endless “mir-ago-round,” going nowhere real fast. 

One of the most well known and quoted passages in all of Scripture is that of John 3:16. “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.” Although most of us probably know this verse by heart, how often do we stop to contemplate the significance it has over our lives today?

God – The greatest being

So Loved – The greatest principle

The World – The greatest people in need (that’s us)

That He Gave – The greatest action

His Only Begotten Son – The greatest gift

That Whosoever Believeth – The greatest invitation

Might not Perish – The greatest rescue from the greatest disaster

But have Eternal Life – The greatest lasting privilege and eternal joy

I think this is the REASON we all have to be MOST THANKFUL today!!! So, take time to thank the Lord today. Without this gift, life would be pointless. 

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[i] Steps to Christ, p. 21

[ii] 1^st Selected Messages, p. 324

[iii] Signs of the Times, August 26^th, 1897 Par. 9

Christ Agonized for You and Me!

"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word." John 17:20.

Think of Christ, the adored of angels, in the attitude of a suppliant. He was a mighty petitioner, seeking at the hands of the Father fresh supplies of grace, and coming forth invigorated and refreshed, to impart His lessons of assurance and hope. Look at His kneeling form, as in the moonlit hours He pours forth His soul to the Father. Behold the angels watching the earnest suppliant. His prayer rises to all heaven in our behalf…. 

The disciples often witnessed Christ kneeling in prayer, their hearts broken and humbled. As their Lord and Saviour arose from His knees, what did they read in His countenance and bearing? That He was braced for duty and prepared for trial. Prayer was a necessity of His humanity, and His petitions were often accompanied with strong crying and with agony of soul as He saw the necessities of His disciples, who, not understanding their own dangers, were often, under Satan’s temptations, led away from duty into wrongdoing.

Christ’s life was pure and undefiled. He refused to yield to the temptations of the enemy. Had He yielded on one point, the human family would have been lost. Who can tell the agony that He endures as He sees Satan playing the game of life for the souls of those who claim to be His disciples, and sees them yielding point after point, allowing the soul’s defenses to be broken down? We can form no conception of the agony that He endures at this sight. One soul lost, one soul given up to Satan’s power, means more to Him than the whole world.... What an argument of power in the prayer, “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. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one” (John 17:21, 22). 

Christ is represented as hunting, searching, for the sheep that was lost. It is His love that encircles us, bringing us back to the fold, giving us the privilege of sitting together with Him in heavenly places. 

Today's Devotional thought was taken from In Heavenly Places, p. 76

Pain in the Evening, Joy in the Morning Part Two

  "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent,  Lord my God, I will praise you forever."  Psalms 30:11,12

It has been a year since Pam Lello, a former missionary, lost her husband in a fatal accident.  This morning, I received a wonderful email from her.  I have received permission from her to share this thought from her:

  "As I sat looking over the hills and valleys here in Maine, my thoughts took me back to a year ago when I also sat on a hill, over-looking the valleys and rivers of Papua New Guinea.  It seems like only yesterday that I was there because of our mission among the Ama people.  At that time tears were streaming down my face, my heart ached like it never had before and the sense of loneliness over whelmed me.  But through the most difficult time of my life the Lord was there for me.  I could feel His presence so close as the girls and I prepared to leave our home of 9 months to return to the states.  As we prepared to leave, my heart had a different type of ache and that was for the Ama families that we had grown to love and were leaving behind.  My prayers continue to lift toward heaven for the Ama people, but also for all those who haven’t heard about the love of Jesus and His plan of salvation too.  

I can truly say that I do not regret or blame God for what He allowed me to experience.  I have learned to love Jesus more, my faith has strengthened and once again I have surrendered my life to Him that I might serve in helping others.  It is this action of love that makes God’s love real.  When we step out of our comfort zone to help someone else, we have no time to think about our problems, our hardships or having self-pity.  My heart has been filled to over flowing in serving Jesus in this way and my prayer is that you will experience the same bubbly feeling that Jesus can share with you.  

Since I have experienced the contagious love of Jesus again, I have a hard time keeping it to myself.  Here in Maine the Lord has given me a mission field and has provided many opportunities for me to witness for Him.  I always had difficulty sharing God’s love with strangers in fear that I might not know know the right answers to questions people could ask.  But God doesn’t want us to worry about that.  He will give us the words to say.  So my friend, step out and try it.  

Witnessing for Jesus and sharing what He has done in my life is so rewarding when I know that through it all I have planted a little seed of hope in another one of God's children.  A seed that the Lord will nurture and help grow.  One day when we get to Heaven we will receive the greatest reward ever.  Because of you, family, neighbors and friends will come forward and thank you for the part you played in giving them the opportunity to choose Jesus.  I cannot wait to see the look on John’s face when he will witness all those who are in Heaven because he laid down his life for the Ama people."
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John and Pam, along with their two daughters, served as missionaries to the Ama people group in Papua New Guinea until her husband's fatal accident, exactly one year ago.  Because of the culture, it was no longer safe for Pam and the girls to continue their mission service there.  

Pain In the Evening, Joy In the Morning Part One

"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 8:18

It was Monday, November 26, 2012. I was in my office at work when I received the news: John Lello is dead.  At first I thought this was a joke.  But the moment I heard it was true was the moment I broke down and cried.

Pam: "I was putting [the girls] to bed when suddenly we heard a loud banging on our door. 'Who would be visiting us so late at night?' I wondered. I whispered to the girls to turn off their flashlights. The banging continued. 'Pam! It’s Colin!' Recognizing the distressed voice of our friend from church, I opened the door and peered out into the darkness. Then came the words I will never forget: 'Pam, John is dead!'”

Chelsey:  "The next day Pam, the girls, along with John's body boarded the helicopter that came to pick them up to take them to the main mission post.  Pam's heart ached with profound loneliness.  Although she grieved the loss of her husband, her heart reached out to the Ama people."

Pam:  "Just before climbing into the helicopter, I addressed the [Ama people]. 'Please do not give up! Keep looking to Jesus. Encourage each other, and I will do my best to find another missionary to carry on the work John began. We worship a good God who loves and cares for us. I love all of you. If I do not see you again on this earth, we will meet on that glorious resurrection morning with John when Jesus will take us all to heaven.'

As the helicopter lifted us higher and higher, I looked down on the sea of devastated, hopeless faces of the people of May River. The Missionary they had prayed for so long had been snatched away. My heart went out to them. We had answered God’s call for their sakes.  We invited people to eat at our table, provided them with clean water, gave strangers a place to stay, clothed those in need and visited the sick and dying. Satan wasn’t happy with the work we were doing, and he did his best to stop it. Oh God, I cried, why did this have to happen? Again, I felt the weight of emptiness and loneliness crushing me. How I yearned for the assurance of God’s presence in my life.

'Look, Mommy!' cried Abby, 'Look at the beautiful rainbow in the clouds!' Tokengo, the pilot, later told me that the rainbow seemed to encircle our helicopter all the way to town. Again God showed me that He was with us, that He loved us and cared about our future and the future of the people in the Sepik region. He has wonderful things planned for the future because John laid down his life for the people of Papua New Guinea."

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Excerpts taken from a testimony by Pam Lello --  John and Pam, along with their two daughters, served as missionaries to the Ama people group in Papua New Guinea until her husband's fatal accident.  Because of the culture, it was no longer safe for Pam to continue her husband's work in the area.  Her testimony of her husband's death can be found by Clicking HERE!

Are you grasping?…or letting go??

If you notice, there are two different types of people traveling through life… Those that are grasping, and those that are letting go. 

Recently I was browsing thru some of my friend's posts on Facebook….this is not a good idea if you are short on time. Anyway, I find it interesting (and a bit sad actually) as I noticed how predominantly some of them (many of them) are focused on the acquirement and attainment of material possessions…. Like, "check out this new purse I bought? Isn't this the coolest thing?" or "I found the Volvo of my dreams" or "Guess how many shoes I have in my wardrobe?… what? 20, 30? No, guess again! It's more…" And they continue to rant and rave about this or that. 

In the meantime, thousands in the Philippines have just lost their homes due to a Typhoon, and thousands more never even had a home to begin with. Many who have never heard of the Savior will soon pass beyond our reach. Even here in the modern West, all around us people are dying, dying physically and dying spiritually…and we're crooning over our wardrobes, or our new car. 

But I can't just point fingers at others, I have to re-examine my own life as well… "Yikes, Lord! Do you see what I see? Oh, I'm so selfish, sometimes so lazy! Please forgive me." 

One couple I know show the opposite extreme though. Rather than grasping for more, they are letting it go. Preparing to go to Cambodia as missionaries, they are basically selling or giving away all their possessions. In fact, they are only taking over what they can carry with them on the plane. That's how much they are giving away! While most of us Christians are working on getting more, they are working very hard on getting less…and less…and in them I see the spirit of Christ! They are an example of what all of us should be.

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matt. 6:19-21

As my favorite Author writes, "We should be continually loosening our hold upon earth, and fastening it upon Heaven. Soon we must render an account to God for all the deeds done in the body. This accountability extends to our minutest acts, words, and thoughts, and even reaches to the unconscious influence that breathes out from our life like the fragrance from a flower. We must give an account, not only for what we have done both of evil and of good, but for what we might have done, but have neglected. Viewed in this light, life is a sacred trust. It is not mere play. Every moment of it is intensely real, fraught with eternal interests. Let us, then, realize our great need of Christ and our dependence upon him; and let us thank God that help has been laid upon One who is mighty to save." Signs of the Times, August 14, 1884, par. 15

I don't know about you, but I don't want to betray this sacred trust! Let's make every moment count. Rather than grasping, let's learn to lay up treasure in Heaven! Let's let go and give away!

[Note: If any of you would be interested to help support my friends, Bo and Kristin (pictured above with their family) as they head overseas to Cambodia, you can visit their personal website at: http://greatriverpeople.com Let's help them reach Cambodia for Christ!]

His Strength is made perfect in our Weakness…

These past few weeks have been a flurry of activity…with two different writing deadlines, as well as programs to plan for our next Bible Camp event, 2 television programs to prepare script for, and a month's worth of classes to organize for Bangladesh, there has been NOT A MOMENT to spare. (That's why I'm not managing to keep up with "Morning Sonshine" these days, for those of you readers that may have noticed! Thanks again Chelsey for pitching in.)

However, even in the midst of my flurry of never ending activity, I'm so thankful to know that God is on His throne and He's not hurried, nor are His feathers ever ruffled. I mean, can you ever imagine God up in Heaven saying, "Oh no! Oh no! I've got so much to do!!! How am I ever going to get it all done in time? What if I can't manage to help Melody today? What if I don't meet my deadlines for the other 8 billion people that need my watch care simply to have another day of life?" 

No, God's not doing that! He's got the whole world in His hands, yet He sits unruffled above it all. And He cares for each one of us as if there was only one of us! 

He's come through for me over and over again these past few weeks. One day this past week, I sat down at my computer and I told God, "I need to write this chapter, but I have no idea how I'm going to do it. I have no inspiration and I'm completely exhausted." I actually felt like crying, to be honest.

However, after some extended time in prayer, and taking some extra time in the Word, I told God, "You said your strength is made perfect in our weakness, well, I'm going to take your Word for it. I'm going to start writing, whether I feel like it or not, and I'm trusting you will show me what to say."

Would you believe it?? He did!!! He gave me the layout for one of the most difficult and yet important chapters in the book, and it came to me when I was feeling at a complete loss of where to begin. Truly, His grace is made perfect in our weakness.

So as you begin another day, no matter how overwhelmed, exhausted, or over-loaded and uninspired you may feel, just continue to surrender your burdens and your weakness to God. He's got the whole world in His hands…He can handle you!

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Cor. 12:9

Peace After a Storm

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Psalms 91:1 & 2

 We all have experienced "storms" in this life.  Storms can come in many forms such as a divorce, financial trouble, lost of a job, death of a friend or family member, a tragic accident, starvation, and the list continues on.  Whatever storm you may be dealing with at this present time, just remember you are not alone!  Jesus is with you in the storm just as He was with the disciples on the stormy sea.  The story about Jesus' disciples is not just about a physical storm.  They were battling a spiritual storm as well.

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”  He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”1

"How often the disciples' experience is ours! When the tempests of temptation gather, and the fierce lightnings flash, and the waves sweep over us, we battle with the storm alone, forgetting that there is One who can help us. We trust to our own strength till our hope is lost, and we are ready to perish. Then we remember Jesus, and if we call upon Him to save us, we shall not cry in vain. Though He sorrowfully reproves our unbelief and self-confidence, He never fails to give us the help we need. Whether on the land or on the sea, if we have the Saviour in our hearts, there is no need of fear. Living faith in the Redeemer will smooth the sea of life, and will deliver us from danger in the way that He knows to be best."2

The calmness after the storm is the best part.  The sun shines through the heavy dark clouds all the while a rainbow appears in all its glory.   May we always remember Jesus is with us in the storm and in the calmness of day. 
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1 Mark 4:35-422 
2 The Desire of Ages, P 336  

Taming the Tongue

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be." James 3:9 & 10

Since each one of us have a tongue and each one of us use it either for good or bad; we can all admit we are guilty of abusing the very organ God has created to be used for His glory.  The very organ that is to be used to praise the God of heaven is used to tear people down.  And the Lord is grieved.  

We were brought with a hefty price, with the blood of the Lamb, yet we view each other as not worthy of God's sacrifice, for humanity, by the usage of our words.  We call ourselves Christians and yet we turn people away by our foolishness of speech.  In all honesty, we do not deserve to take up the name "Christian" but God is forgiving and merciful enough to still consider us His children.

Yet we have no excuse to slash the hearts of men and women and children by our harsh, judgmental, condemning speech.  Every day we must surrender our tongues, our speech to the Lord and ask Him to guard our lips from speaking anything that will hurt or damage a human being.

"Set a guard over my mouth,Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips." Psalms 141:3

We are not perfect, yes, I realize that.  But God is asking for complete surrender of our hearts to Him and that includes our tongue!  May the Lord teach us how to speak and what to say in any circumstance or situation we may be part of.

    "It pains me to say that there are unruly tongues among church members. There are false tongues that feed on mischief. There are sly, whispering tongues. There is tattling, [unsuitable] meddling, [cunning] quizzing. Among the lovers of gossip some are [arouse] by curiosity, others by jealousy, many by hatred against those through whom God has spoken to reprove them. All these [inharmonious] elements are at work. Some conceal their real [motives], while others are eager to publish all they know, or even suspect, of evil against another."1
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1 TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH VOLUME 5, PAGE 94

Praising God

"He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen." Deuteronomy 10:21

I heard a wonderful testimony of a young lady who dedicated her life to the Lord through baptism today.  She said she once told God how to run her life:  "Lord, I need your help with being patient today."  "God, I need you to bless me today."  "God this person needs you, you need to get his attention."  Then she "heard" the Lord spoke to her one day...  She realized her relationship with God was entirely on herself, basically leaving God out of the equation.  She didn't like that.  She wanted to have a genuine, close relationship with God.

She started praising Him.  Her prayers became God-centered and self started to disappear.

"If the loving-kindness of God called forth from our hearts more thanksgiving and praise, we should have far more power in prayer. We should abound more and more in the love of God, and have more bestowed to praise him for. You who complain that God does not hear your prayers, change the present order, and mingle praise with your petitions. When you consider his goodness and mercies, you will find that he will consider your wants."[I]
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[I]  Bible Echo and Sign of Times, "Praise Ye the Lord"

Living With Heaven in Our Hearts--Prayer and Bible Study

How can we have a vibrant Christian life? By making God’s kingdom and character our top priority. By nourishing our souls daily on His Word of life (see John 6:53-58), and taking the time to converse with Him in honest, private prayer every day. 

As we get to know God through His Word and prayer, we will develop an abiding trust in Him, believing that He knows the best way for our lives, and we will want to follow wherever He leads. We will want to serve others as Jesus did, bringing hope and healing wherever we can. We will realize the true insignificance of the things the world values and will want to share the marvelous story of redemption with as many as possible. Coupled with that, because we genuinely care about others and their eternal welfare, we will feel the urgency of proclaiming the special three angels’ messages found in Revelation 14 to all the world. Starting with the “everlasting gospel,” these messages point to worshipping Him “that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Rev. 14:6, 7, KJV). 

But “how then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard” if no one shares Him with them (Rom. 10:14, KJV)? One of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of living a renewed, vibrant Christian life is having the privilege of sharing Jesus with others—both through our words and our actions.
 
I encourage each one of us to spend time in God’s Word, searching deeply for the messages He has for us today, and to take time to pray, asking Him for the blessings He longs to give—the blessings He spoke about long ago on a mountain by the Sea of Galilee, the blessings that come from living a life like Him today and point us to a life of eternal blessings at Christ’s soon coming.1
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1 Living With Heaven In Our Hearts, Ted Wilson

The Need for Reformation

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:22, 23.

Paul felt that the Lord’s requirements must be obeyed, His judgments avoided. Like Paul, we must make every effort to obtain the crown of life, which brings eternal honor to every victor. We must not be content to live useless lives.

What is humility? That sense of sin and unworthiness which leads to repentance. But we must be assured of the malignity of a disease before we feel our need of a cure. Those who do not realize the sinfulness of sin are not able to appreciate the value of the atonement and the necessity of being cleansed from all sin. The sinner measures himself by himself and by those who like himself are sinners. He does not look at the purity and holiness of Christ. But when the law of God brings conviction to his heart, he says with Paul, “I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died” (Romans 7:9)....

God created man for His glory. He will not, cannot endure the presence of sin in His dominion. If there are in the church those who are willfully sinning against God, every possible means should be used to bring them to repentance. If this is not done, God’s name is dishonored. He is too pure to look upon iniquity with favor....

Adam’s sin would be regarded by the churches of today as a simple mistake, to be at once forgiven and no more thought of. But God’s standard is high and His word immutable, and all selfish, covetous practices are an abomination in His sight. The hearts of believers need to be purified, sanctified, refined, ennobled....

Look up, my brethren. Has the gospel lost its power to impress hearts? Is it because the regenerating influence of the Spirit of Christ has died away that hearts are not purified, sanctified, and prepared for the Holy Spirit? No; the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of the living God, is with us yet; but it must be wielded with earnestness. Let us use it as did God’s sanctified ones of old. By its living, quickening power it will cut its way to hearts....

The Lord calls for a reformation all through our ranks.... When the church is awakened, decided changes will be made. Men and women will be converted, and so filled will they be by the Spirit of God that they will pass from country to country, from city to city, proclaiming the message of truth. With hearts filled with earnest love for souls, they will open their Bibles and present the Word.— 

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Manuscript 2, January 2, 1900, “The Need of a Reformation.”

Distractions!

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart,” He says. “I will be found by you” (Jer. 29:13, 14).

This is how it works:  I open my laptop; I click open Microsoft Word and stare at the screen for about 10 minutes just hoping I can magically create a world of music through words.  Right now I am hoping for something magical to happen yet so far nothing is popping out of the hat.  Let me tell you this, eventually something magical does happen even if it takes moments to see the affects of it.

As I speak I am being constantly interrupted by some ordeal or another without warning.  When something happens I tend to have to deal with the situation right on the spot.  In all honesty that’s okay.  Jesus was interrupted many times, he didn’t seem to mind one bit.  In fact, He found His greatest ministry opportunities when He was interrupted.  Examples would be:  While Jesus praying at night in the Mount of Olives, Nicodemus interrupted Him, or as Jesus spoke in the synagogue one Sabbath a demon possess man cried out interrupting Him.  There are other examples and you can find them throughout the Gospels.


Interruption can also be a negative.   Satan uses unnecessary interruptions to prevent one from spending time with God or reaching out to a certain individual. Interruptions do not need to control us!  Let God control our distractions!

"Lift your gaze up, and up, and up. Let the cares of life and all the hassles and all the distractions-the noise, the rush, the worry-fall away. Cast all your needs and wants, hopes and fears, on the one who loves you with an everlasting love."1  

Here’s the thing… I will tell you one thing.  Don’t let the interruptions of this world take a hold of you, instead take control of the interruptions. 


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1 Facing Giants, William Johnsson, Adventist Review article

Planet In Distress

"Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door." Mark 13:29

"My heart cries out with pain for the millions and millions who are suffering the world over from the waves of disasters and conflict that are roiling the globe.  My heart cries out for those whose lives have been turned upside down by super typhoon Haiyan.  But more than anything else, my heart cries out for those who are going to a Christless grave.  With so many in the world accepting that the increasingly dire situation is the “new normal” and working to figure out how to live in it, is there a contingent of Christians who will decide that the new normal is indeed the opening of the final days of the earth – the end times – and resolve to live accordingly?  By saying “live accordingly” I mean that they decide that they will stop pursuing worldly things and will instead become totally dedicated to proclaiming the soon coming of Christ and to readying to meet Him. 

As we see the world continue to come slowly apart at the seams, there are those who will wake up and realize that chasing money or fame or any other indulgence in vanity will net them nothing and, at that moment, there is potential for awakening and for Christ to enter their heart.  

The question is, have Christ’s servants planted a seed so it can sprout at this opportune moment?  Are we, brothers and sisters, planting seeds for Christ, even though the soil may look cold and stony and hard at the current moment?  The good news -the very good news – for those who labor for Christ is that soon and very soon we will see the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and what is now a discouraging and unrewarding work will turn rapidly into a profoundly encouraging work as thousands are converted in a day.  But – and this is a key point – our planting of seeds should, as much as humanly possible, be done before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain since the seed must be planted before it can sprout and since workers will be overwhelmed with opportunities in the brief opening of the window in the days ahead.  We really do need to be vigorously and unashamedly about our Masters’ business."1

"When telling us what was coming, Christ also told us in the same verses not to fear.  We should therefore be level headed, loving, compassionate; and should be using a significant portion of our time, resources, and influence to tell people that Christ is coming soon and that all must choose for Him or against Him.  Spreading the message of His love and salvation is the primary thing we should be about."2

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By Scott Christiansen, Author of a book and a blog that is titled: "Planet In Distress" 

1 Blog post title: "SUPERTYPHOONS, DISEASE, HUNGER, CONFLICT: THE NEW NORMAL"
2  Blog post title: “UNPREDICTABLE PANDEMIC” WARNING

Divine Guidance Through Prayer

We May Learn God’s Will for us Through Prayer—The Lord works in no haphazard way. Seek Him most earnestly in prayer. He will impress the mind, and will give tongue and utterance. The people of God are to be educated not to trust in human inventions and uncertain tests as a means of learning God’s will concerning them. Satan and his agencies are always ready to step into any opening to be found that will lead souls away from the pure principles of the Word of God. The people who are led and taught of God will give no place to devisings for which there is not a “Thus saith the Lord.”(Selected Messages 2:326.)

Pray for God’s Guidance—You must educate your judgment so that it shall not be feeble and inefficient. You must pray for guidance, and commit your way unto the Lord. You must close your heart against all foolishness and sin, and open it to every heavenly influence. You must make the most of your time and opportunities, in order to develop a symmetrical character.—(Fundamentals of Christian Education, 302.)

Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.” This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.—(Steps to Christ, 70).

Prayer for God’s Guidance May Be Offered Anytime, Anywhere—There is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to God. There is nothing that can prevent us from lifting up our hearts in the spirit of earnest prayer. In the crowds of the street, in the midst of a business engagement, we may send up a petition to God and plead for divine guidance, as did Nehemiah when he made his request before King Artaxerxes. A closet of communion may be found wherever we are. We should have the door of the heart open continually and our invitation going up that Jesus may come and abide as a heavenly guest in the soul.—(Steps to Christ, 99.) [i]

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[i]Prayer, by Ellen White P. 222,223

Freedom From Sin

In this life we struggle with sin--impatience, greed, lying, anger, fornication, theft, and the list continues on.  Because of our sinful nature, we often experience grief and turmoil.  The good news is we can be free from the burdens of sin but it does not guarantee us a life of bliss and happiness all the time.  Even when we do away with sin in our lives, we will still have issues to deal with that will cause us to feel all kinds of emotions.

In fact, the Bible makes it clear we will suffer persecution and trials (2 Timothy 3:12).  But we have the assurance He will go through the hardships with us (Psalms 91:15); He will strengthen us and help us (Isaiah 41:10). 

Just because the Lord is more than willing to deliver us from trouble does not mean we should continue in sin.  In fact, we are strongly encouraged to forsake all sin and live a perfect, blameless life.
  
"...Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 7:1.  "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48.

"We must go to Jesus, humble the heart before him, and confessing our sins, forsake them. We must cease to transgress the law of God, but exercise repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only one who can remove these defiled garments of sin, and clothe us in the robe of Christ’s righteousness."[i]

Therefore we can be free from sin through the righteousness of Jesus!  "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."  Romans 3:21-26 
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[i] "The Youth Instructor" by Ellen G White, August 18, 1886

You Are Worthy of Jesus

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." 1 Timothy 1:15

Have you ever evaluated your relationship with God and came to the conclusion you will never be able to have the confidence or the assurance that you are worthy enough for Christ?  I know I have.  In fact, a few months ago, I expressed my feelings to the Lord and told Him I am not worthy to have Him in my life.  To my surprise, God responded to my inquiry by placing upon my heart an understanding that Christ's blood made me worthy of Him.
 
"We are not worthy of God’s love, but Christ, our surety, is worthy, and is abundantly able to save all who shall come unto Him.

...If the enemy can lead the desponding to take their eyes off from Jesus, and look to themselves, and dwell upon their own unworthiness, instead of dwelling upon the worthiness of Jesus, His love, His merits, and His great mercy, he [Satan] will get away their shield of faith and gain his object; they will be exposed to his fiery temptations. The weak should therefore look to Jesus, and believe in Him; they then exercise faith.

The Son of God gave all—life and love and suffering—for our redemption. And can it be that we, the unworthy objects of so great love, will withhold our hearts from Him? Every moment of our lives we have been partakers of the blessings of His grace, and for this very reason we cannot fully realize the depths of ignorance and misery from which we have been saved.

Many make a serious mistake in their religious life by keeping the attention fixed upon their feelings and thus judging of their advancement or decline. Feelings are not a safe criterion. We are not to look within for evidence of our acceptance with God. We shall find there nothing but that which will discourage us. Our only hope is in 'looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith' (Hebrews 12:2). There is everything in Him to inspire with hope, with faith, and with courage. He is our righteousness, our consolation and rejoicing....

A sense of our weakness and unworthiness should lead us with humility of heart to plead the atoning sacrifice of Christ. As we rely upon His merits we shall find rest and peace and joy. He saves to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him."[i]

"Fallen men are placed where, through connection with Christ, they may indeed become worthy of the name 'sons of God.'"[ii]

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[i] God's Amazing Grace, p. 185
[ii] Step to Christ, p. 15.1,2

Infinite Possibilities…if we just Abide!

In every human being Christ discerned infinite possibilities. He saw men as they might be, transfigured by His grace—in “the beauty of the Lord our God.” Psalm 90:17. Looking upon them with hope, He inspired hope. Meeting them with confidence, He inspired trust. Revealing in Himself man’s true ideal, He awakened, for its attainment, both desire and faith. In His presence souls despised and fallen realized that they still were men, and they longed to prove themselves worthy of His regard. In many a heart that seemed dead to all things holy, were awakened new impulses. To many a despairing one there opened the possibility of a new life.

Christ bound them to His heart by the ties of love and devotion; and by the same ties He bound them to their fellow men. With Him love was life, and life was service. “Freely ye have received,” He said, “freely give.” Matthew 10:8.

It was not on the cross only that Christ sacrificed Himself for humanity. As He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), every day’s experience was an outpouring of His life. In one way only could such a life be sustained. Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with Him. To the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty, men now and then repair; they abide for a season, and the result is manifest in noble deeds; then their faith fails, the communion is interrupted, and the lifework marred. But the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by continual communion; and His service for heaven and earth was without failure or faltering.

As a man He supplicated the throne of God, till His humanity was charged with a heavenly current that connected humanity with divinity. Receiving life from God, He imparted life to men.

And you want to know what is so amazing? His experience can be ours!!

*Today's devotional thought came from the book Education, p. 80. Due to my need to stay away from Internet for a few days while I continue to focus on writing, I'm asking Chelsey to pick up again posting for a bit. :-) Thanks Chelsey!

Are we sleeping when we should be praying?

Christ, when facing the biggest trial of His life in Gethsemane, asked His disciples to join together in prayer. Unfortunately, they failed to do this, being too sleepy, and because of this suffered great loss. In fact, we are told, “It was in sleeping when Jesus bade him watch and pray that Peter had prepared the way for his great sin [the sin of denying Christ three times]. All the disciples, by sleeping at that critical hour, sustained great loss.”[i]

What loss might God’s work be sustaining today because we are scared, or too sleepy, to come together to watch and pray?

Thankfully, what the disciples failed to do that night in Gethsemane, they learned to do from then on. We are told, “After his death, the disciples often prayed together in the place where they assembled for worship; they also resorted to the temple at the hour of prayer.”[ii] 

Satan knows how powerful united prayer is! It’s no surprise that he’s working overtime to keep God’s people from coming together in unity to pray!

"There is need of a strong and united influence to co-operate with the Captain of our salvation in taking the spoil from the power of the enemy, and making men and women free in Christ. Shall we not every one seek to stimulate others to work for fallen man? Pray earnestly, unitedly, perseveringly, for spiritual power. The fountain of grace and knowledge is ever flowing. It is inexhaustible. It is from this abundant fullness that we are supplied."[iii]

Today let’s seek to embrace the gift God has given us in prayer, for truly, it is one of our most powerful tools for helping finish the work.

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[i] Desires of Ages, p. 714

[ii] Signs of the Times, Aug 14, 1884, par 11

[iii] Signs of the Times, Aug 14, 1884, par 11