Day 340 - Time to Rend our Hearts

Today's Reading: Joel 1-2 and Psalm 139

The chapters are whizzing by so quickly, I can hardly keep up... let alone get into them with much depth. However, I'm always convicted afresh as I read Joel 1-2 and Psalm 139.

In both places we see the call to serious heart searching...

"Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who fnoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?" (Joel 2:12-17)

Ellen White writes:

"To prepare a people to stand in the day of God, a great work of reform was to be accomplished. God saw that many of His professed people were not building of re eternity, and in His mercy He was about to send a message of warning to arouse them from their stupor and lead them to make ready for the coming of the Lord." (Great Controversy, p. 311)

But the fast God is calling us to is not in order to afflict the body for the sin of the soul, but rather to aid us in perceiving the grievous character of sin, in humbling the heart before God and receiving His pardoning grace... I always find that when I fast, my mind is more clear, my thinking more clear and I am aware of things I wasn't noticing before... That's why we should fast... to retune our spiritual sensitivities to God.

Psalm 139:23,24 says: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (This is my prayer!)

Tomorrow's Reading: Joel 3 and Revelation 5

Day 339 - And there was a Rainbow...

Today's Reading: Hosea 13-14 and Rev. 4

Today in Revelation 4, we see a description of God's throne... This verse really spoke to my heart today...

"And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald." (Rev. 4:3)

And there was a rainbow...

Think about the RAINBOW... it was one of the first special signs that God gave Noah and his family after the flood... a reminder of His promise, of His covenant, that He would never again send a flood upon the earth. A promise of His mercy and love...

Let's look back at God's promise in Genesis briefly...

"I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth." (Gen. 9:13-16)

Did you notice, God isn't saying, "When you see the rainbow it will remind you..." No. He actually says, "When I look upon it (from heaven), I will remember my covenant with you..."

When I was a kid, I use to love rainbows... and things with rainbows on them. But now, because of the new stigma attached to rainbows, unless it's painted in the sky, I stay away from rainbows... Isn't it sad how the enemy has taken the "sign of God's covenant" and used it as motto to say: "We forget You God, we mock Your face, we don't care about You, about Your covenant or anything in Your Word...we will live life as we please..." And yet... even still... God keeps painting His more glorious rainbow in the sky and He continues to say, "You may have forgotten me, but I have not forgotten you. You may blaspheme my laws, my commandments, but my arm of mercy is stretched out still..." Wow! Almost just brings tears to my eyes just writing these thoughts. As long as we see the rainbow, His arm is stretched out still... There is still hope.

Ellen White writes the following about the rainbow:

The rainbow spanning the heavens with its arch of light is a token of “the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature.” Genesis 9:16. And the rainbow encircling the throne on high is also a token to God’s children of His covenant of peace.  

As the bow in the cloud results from the union of sunshine and shower, so the bow above God’s throne represents the union of His mercy and His justice. To the sinful but repentant soul God says, Live thou; “I have found a ransom.” Job 33:24.  (Education, p. 115)

Let us look to the rainbow of God's mercy and live!

Tomorrow's Reading: Joel 1-2 and Psalm 139

Day 338 - Neither Hot nor Cold...

Today's Reading: Hosea 11-12 and Revelation 3

I'm always very sobered when I read again about the church of Laodicea... The Bible tells us, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knows not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:" (Rev. 3:15-17)

What somber words... especially because this is the church of today...

The True Witness says of a cold, lifeless, Christless church, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15, 16). Mark the following words: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Here is represented a people who pride themselves in their possession of spiritual knowledge and advantages. But they have not responded to the unmerited blessings that God has bestowed upon them. They have been full of rebellion, ingratitude, and forgetfulness of God; and still He has dealt with them as a loving, forgiving father deals with an ungrateful, wayward son. They have resisted His grace, abused His privileges, slighted His opportunities, and have been satisfied to sink down in contentment, in lamentable ingratitude, hollow formalism, and hypocritical insincerity. With pharisaic pride they have vaunted themselves till it has been said of them, “Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Verse 17). 

Has not the Lord Jesus sent message after message of rebuke, of warning, of entreaty, to these self-satisfied ones? Have not His counsels been despised and rejected? Have not His delegated messengers been treated with scorn, and their words been received as idle tales? Christ sees that which man does not see. He sees the sins which, if not repented of, will exhaust the patience of a long-suffering God. Christ cannot take up the names of those who are satisfied in their own self-sufficiency. He cannot importune in behalf of a people who feel no need of His help, who claim to know and possess everything. 

The great Redeemer represents Himself as a heavenly merchantman, laden with riches, calling from house to house, presenting His priceless goods, and saying, “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 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” (Revelation 3:18-20). – (FW 83-84)

Oh that we would ask God to help us escape from Laodicean wilderness Christianity... that we would become either hot or cold... that we would put away all pretense and seek after HIM with all our hearts, that we would know Him that we can share Him. This is my prayer today!

Tomorrow's Reading: Hosea 13-14 and Revelation 4

Day 337 - Warnings from the church at Ephesus

Today's Reading: Hosea 9-10 and Revelation 2

In today's reading, I'm inspired afresh as I see God's letter to the churches. Today we see Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira being addressed. So much depth in each one...

I've studied this in the past in depth, but desire to do this again as I haven't looked at Revelation for awhile... And in this day and age, we really should be studying this book, the "Revelation of Jesus Christ" to the churches.

The Bible says, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches..."

I believe these letters are quite significant for our life today... Just reading in Acts of the Apostles, let me share a few thoughts about the church of Ephesus that brings conviction to my heart today:

"At the first the experience of the church at Ephesus was marked with childlike simplicity and fervor. The believers sought earnestly to obey every word of God, and their lives revealed an earnest, sincere love for Christ. They rejoiced to do the will of God because the Saviour was in their hearts as an abiding presence. Filled with love for their Redeemer, their highest aim was to win souls to Him. They did not think of hoarding the precious treasure of the grace of Christ. They felt the importance of their calling; and, weighted with the message, “On earth peace, good will toward men,” they burned with desire to carry the glad tidings of salvation to earth’s remotest bounds. And the world took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. Sinful men, repentant, pardoned, cleansed, and sanctified, were brought into partnership with God through His Son. 

"The members of the church were united in sentiment and action. Love for Christ was the golden chain that bound them together. They followed on to know the Lord more and still more perfectly, and in their lives were revealed the joy and peace of Christ. They visited the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and kept themselves unspotted from the world, realizing that a failure to do this would be a contradiction of their profession and a denial of their Redeemer.  

"In every city the work was carried forward. Souls were converted, who in their turn felt that they must tell of the inestimable treasure they had received. They could not rest till the light which had illumined their minds was shining upon others. Multitudes of unbelievers were made acquainted with the reasons of the Christian’s hope. Warm, inspired personal appeals were made to the erring, to the outcast, and to those who, while professing to know the truth, were lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. 

"But after a time the zeal of the believers began to wane, and their love for God and for one another grew less. Coldness crept into the church. Some forgot the wonderful manner in which they had received the truth. One by one the old standard-bearers fell at their post. Some of the younger workers, who might have shared the burdens of these pioneers, and thus have been prepared for wise leadership, had become weary of oft-repeated truths. In their desire for something novel and startling they attempted to introduce new phases of doctrine, more pleasing to many minds, but not in harmony with the fundamental principles of the gospel. In their self-confidence and spiritual blindness they failed to discern that these sophistries would cause many to question the experiences of the past, and would thus lead to confusion and unbelief.  

"As these false doctrines were urged, differences sprang up, and the eyes of many were turned from beholding Jesus as the Author and Finisher of their faith. The discussion of unimportant points of doctrine, and the contemplation of pleasing fables of man’s invention, occupied time that should have been spent in proclaiming the gospel. The masses that might have been convicted and converted by a faithful presentation of the truth were left unwarned. Piety was rapidly waning, and Satan seemed about to gain the ascendancy over those who claimed to be followers of Christ. (pp. 578-580)

I've bolded the significant part of the reading above...

Let us take the warning of Ephesus to our own heart today.

Lord help us not to repeat the mistakes of Ephesus. Let us not grow cold and weary with the message, looking for some "new" pleasing doctrine...

Tomorrow's Reading: Hosea 11-12 and Revelation 3 

Day 336 - Audience with Christ

Today's Reading: Hosea 7-8 and Ps. 137-138

I'm always inspired afresh of our need for greater humility when I read God's Word. Listen to today's encouragement:

"Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off." (Ps. 138:6)

Who gains entrance to the heavenly courts? Who gains audience with the King of Kings? If you think you deserve God's blessing, if you think you deserve His ear, or if you've earned your right to be answered, that's scary business. But if you don't feel worthy, that means YOU have an audience and He bends low to hear you!

Ellen White writes:

"[Who] will gain a passport to the heavenly courts... the poor in spirit, who crave the presence of an abiding Christ, the humble in heart, whose highest ambition is to do God's will--these will gain an abundant entrance. They will be among that number who have washed their robes and made them white in the blog of the Lamb."(Desire of Ages, p. 301)

I guess we can't emphasize this topic enough... Oh Lord, forgive us for our proud spirit, for our false humility. Give us hearts after You. Give us true humility!

[Apologies for the late postings. It seems these last few weeks I've been struggling getting my Bible blogging posts up on time! This is the last month and I want to finish strong, so I'm sorry for dropping the ball on this... May God help us to finish strong!] 

Tomorrow's Reading: Hosea 9-10 and Revelation 2

Day 335 - Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge

Today's Reading: Hosea 3-6 and Revelation 1

In today's reading, the life and drama of Hosea and his adulterous wife continues... so sad, and yet it is a picture of Israel, and it is a picture of much of the Christian world today. We profess to love the Lord, but we are living in love with the world. Lord have mercy.

Whenever I read Hosea 4:6, I am always sobered...

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."

This caused me such pain as I think of those, even those I love, who are being destroyed today for lack of knowledge, especially lack of knowledge about God.  

What is the beginning of knowledge? Prov. 1:7 tells us, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." 

Pride, stubbornness, spiritual apathy, complacency, and many other things close our eyes and ears from hearing the truth of God's Word. As one write once said, "Most people don't get much out of the Bible because they've already decided they aren't going to do what it says." 

That's why the appeal in Hosea 6 is so... appealing to my heart today...

"Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." (vs. 1-3)

My prayer today: Oh Lord, open our hearts to You and remove the blinders of sin and spiritual compromise from our eyes. May we not reject knowledge, may we not reject You, but wholeheartedly embrace Your calling, Your Word, Your commands in our lives today. Dear Lord, change us. Make us like You! Heal us. Bing up our wounds, come to us as the rain, as the latter and former rain upon the earth.

Tomorrow's Reading: Hosea 7-8 and Psalms 137-138

Day 334 - The Door of Hope

Today's Reading: Hosea 1-2 and Jude

In this morning's reading we begin the book of Hosea. Now I've already been studying Hosea with my Bible study group here in Maryland, and so far my honest estimations of this book are a bit depressing. I would hate to have been the prophet Hosea during this time period in Israel's history... but still, even in these difficult chapters, there are bright spots. And we know that God has the book of Hosea in His Word for a purpose... so it is our goal to discover that purpose.

In today's reading we see God calling Hosea to marry a prostitute, because Israel was committing whoredoms with the land. Israel is the Lord's unfaithful wife, and that's what Hosea is to show by his marriage to a prostitute, how the Lord deals with an unfaithful wife. So Hoseas marries Gomer. Each child that Gomer bares, God gives a specific name to, representing a curse that is to fall on Israel. (Like I said, how depressing)

However, even amidst the curses, there is also light at the end of the tunnel, for there is a promise of reconciliation. I love these verses from chapter 2.

"And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt... And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD... And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God." (Hosea 2:15,19-20,23)

Even when it seems things could not get worse, and the curses of heaven are falling all around, I see that there is still hope. He is still a God of mercy. There is a door of hope for those who repent and believe.

Ellen White writes the following:

"In the last days of this earth’s history, God’s covenant with His commandment-keeping people is to be renewed... They will turn from every idol that binds them to earth, and will 'worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.' They will free themselves from every entanglement and will stand before the world as monuments of God’s mercy. Obedient to the divine requirements, they will be recognized by angels and by men as those that have kept 'the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.' Revelation 14:12."  (Prophets and Kings, p. 299)

The Lord is our door of Hope! Let's not hesitate. Let's turn from our sin, from our spiritual compromise and walk through that door of Hope today!

Tomorrow's Reading: Hosea 3-6 and Revelation 1

Day 333 - Be Patient...He Hears our Prayers!

Today's Reading: Daniel 10-12 and Ps. 135-136

Well today's reading assignment was pretty hefty! And I'm not even going to try to delve into any of the deeper meanings or content of Daniel 10-12. The last time I looked in depth at Daniel 11 was probably in high school when we had to write a paper on it. To be honest, it's always seemed above my head... however I will be the first to admit that "it seeming over my head" is no excuse to ignore deeper study. I need to understand these chapters better. In fact, one of my desires and goals in the coming days is to study Daniel and Revelation together in more depth... but it's not going to happen at the moment when I'm on a marathon race through the Bible.

However, even in my superficial reading of these chapters this morning, I was really blessed. As I was reading Daniel 10 today, I was struck by the fact that Daniel prayed 21 days, and when Gabriel finally arrived at Daniel's side the angel told him the following about what had been taking place behind the scenes:

"Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia." (Daniel 10:12-13)

Sometimes we feel like it takes awhile for God to hear our prayers... there is a delay and we just don't know what is happening... we wonder if He is hearing. But in Daniel's story we see that God heard immediately... from the time Daniel set his heart to understand....before he even spoke the words, God heard. However, there is a supernatural battle going on behind the scenes. It's a real battle. We can't see it, but it's still real... and there was a wrestle between Gabriel and the kingdom of Persia (powers of Satan) before Michael (Christ) came to assist in the battle and before they broke through in victory...

So this story gives me great courage and hope when I'm praying for the salvation of loved ones or about the gospel going forward. There may be a delay in our receiving the answer to our prayers, but it's not because God's has not heard. He has heard and He is working now, behind the scenes even in ways that we cannot see. But there's a battle going on. That's why we should not give up until we see the answer come.

In Christ Object Lessons, Ellen White writes the following: "There is no danger that the Lord will neglect the prayers of His people. The danger is that in temptation and trial they will become discouraged, and fail to persevere in prayer." (p. 175)

Tomorrow's Reading: Hosea 1-2 and Jude

Day 332 - But for Thy Great Mercies...

Today's Reading: Daniel 8-9 and 3 John

Well, in this morning's reading, we have Daniel 8:14, one of the most significant verses for Seventh-day Adventist. But my focus today is not going to be on the "cleansing of the sanctuary," nor on the 70 week prophecy of Daniel 9 (I'll save that commentary for the scholars) but rather my focus is going to be on Daniel's life and the heart of his prayers. 

Daniel was such an earnest and steadfast man of God... and in Daniel 9 we see a beautiful example of the heart of Daniel as he prayed. Here's just a brief glimpse of that prayer -- but I encourage you to read the whole chapter.

"And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land...O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies."

Oh that we could pray like Daniel. We are not worthy, we do not present our supplications for our righteousness sake, but because of thy great mercies...

Interesting side note: If you take time to analyze the full prayer, we see all the components of "United Prayer" in Daniel's prayer: We see praise, worship, confession, supplication, and more praise... beautiful!

I love what Ellen White writes regarding Daniel's life: 

"The prophet Daniel was an example of true sanctification. His long life was filled up with noble service for his Master. He was a man “greatly beloved” (Daniel 10:11) of Heaven. Yet instead of claiming to be pure and holy, this honored prophet identified himself with the really sinful of Israel as he pleaded before God in behalf of his people: “We do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousness, but for Thy great mercies.” “We have sinned, we have done wickedly.” He declares: “I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people.” And when at a later time the Son of God appeared, to give him instruction, Daniel says: “My comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.” Daniel 9:18, 15, 20; 10:8. (Great Controversy, p. 470)

May we like Daniel, recognize our littleness and our utter desperate need of our Savior. May we cling to His mercies and claim His mercies. This is our only hope...

Tomorrow's Reading: Daniel 10-12 and Ps. 135-136

Day 331 - The Danger of Heresies in the Church

Today's Reading: Daniel 6-7 and 2 John

Well, I'm skipping over all the beast stories from Daniel and looking again at 2 John.

As I read today's passages, I see so many similarities to things we face today. Listen to these verses:

"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed." (2 John 7-10)

Ellen White writes these sobering words:

"John was filled with sadness as he saw these poisonous errors creeping into the church. He saw the dangers to which the church was exposed, and he met the emergency with promptness and decision. The epistles of John breathe the spirit of love. It seems as if he wrote with a pen dipped in love. But when he came in contact with those who were breaking the law of God, yet claiming that they were living without sin, he did not hesitate to warn them of their fearful deception. 

Writing to a helper in the gospel work, a woman of good repute and wide influence, he said: “Many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed: for he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 

We are authorized to hold in the same estimation as did the beloved disciple those who claim to abide in Christ while living in transgression of God’s law. There exist in these last days evils similar to those that threatened the prosperity of the early church; and the teachings of the apostle John on these points should be carefully heeded. “You must have charity,” is the cry heard everywhere, especially from those who profess sanctification. But true charity is too pure to cover an unconfessed sin. While we are to love the souls for whom Christ died, we are to make no compromise with evil. We are not to unite with the rebellious and call this charity. God requires His people in this age of the world to stand for the right as unflinchingly as did John in opposition to soul-destroying errors." (AA 554)

Let us love the souls for whom Christ died, but let us make no compromise with evil! Let us be "Beriens" studying the Word so we will not be deceived.

Tomorrow's Reading: Daniel 8-9 and 3 John

Day 330 - This is the confidence...

Today's Reading: Daniel 4-5 and 1 John 5

So much history and depth in these chapters... but I'm going to focus on one of my favorite passages from 1 John 5 today.

The Bible reads as follows: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hearth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." (1 John 5:14,15)

So there's a condition given in this verse... it doesn't say we get whatever we ask. It says if we ask anything "according to His Will." 

How do we know God's will?! I guess this is the million dollar question, everyone is asking. This is my thoughts as I study Scripture. 

• We can know that anything that advances God's Kingdom is according to His will
• We can know that our experiencing victory over sin is according to God's will
• We can know that the salvation of souls is according to God's will (although He will not force!)
• We can know that God being glorified in our lives and relationships is according to His will
• We can know that anything we are encouraged to do in Scripture is according to His will

Really, the best way to know God's will is to immerse ourselves in His Word, for His Word shares His heart. And as we saturate our mind and our life in His Word, and apply His Word to our life, we will know what He's wanting to do. The Bible says, "If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it will be done unto you!" So as we abide in Him, and as His Word is internalized in our life... we will be praying prayers according to His will...

Can we know clearly if THIS JOB is the one that we should have? Can we know clearly if THIS MAN or WOMAN is the one we should marry? Can we know clearly if this LOCATION is the place we should live? Not necessarily... in fact I caution people against trying to force God's hand in these areas, or teaching people that if you just have enough faith, God will do it. That's presumption, not faith. But if we pray with open hands, willing for however God leads, praying that He will be glorified, praying that His kingdom will advance, than we can know safely that God will answer that prayer, because it is His will that He be glorified and His will be accomplished in our lives.  

So instead of trying to get God to answer our prayers the way we want, let's focus on getting to know more of God's heart... Then His desires become our desires and we become one with Him!

Tomorrow's Reading: Daniel 6-7 and 2 John

Day 329 - But if Not... God is still Good!

Today's Reading: Daniel 1-3 and Ps. 132-134

I love the story from Daniel 3 in today's reading. We find Daniel's three friends facing a great dilemma. Nebuchadnezzar has built himself a huge golden image and has commanded that everyone bow down and worship at the sound of the music. But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego seem to have missed the cue... They remain standing, and as a result, they should have instantly been killed, but King Nebuchadnezzar gives them another chance... perhaps maybe they did not understand the command or the consequences for disobedience.

So the king gives his directions to them clearly one more time: "Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?" (Daniel 3:15)

Look at the challenge he has given to these three men, but especially to their God. I love their brave reply...

"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." (Daniel 3:16-18)

These three men, boldly let it be known that their God was able to deliver them from the burning fiery furnace... BUT EVEN IF HE DID NOT DELIVER, they still would not bow down. 

I love this story and it has encouraged me in my own faith in so many ways. In fact, I remember about 17 years ago when one of my closest friends came down with Colon cancer. The prognosis was dismal, and things did not look good. I was crying as I was driving to the hospital to see her. "Why God, did you allow this to happen to her? She doesn't deserve this! She's healthy... she's even vegan. She does everything right. Why does she have cancer? Why is she going to die?" I sobbed out to God that day. And I remember clearly God speaking to my heart, as if a person was right there in the car with me. "Melody, I'm able to deliver. I'm able to heal. I'm able to save her life, just like I saved the life of Daniel's three friends in the fiery furnace. But even if I don't save her, will you still trust me?" 

More tears rushed down my face... as I cried out to God. "YES LORD! I will trust You! I know You are able to save her life. I know You can intervene, but even if You don't, I will trust You."

Well, thankfully God did intervene. She had surgery, but God blessed and today 17 years later she is still with us, healthy and strong. But I never forgot the lesson I learned that painful day. It's stuck with me through many years and came to me again 2 summers ago when my own mother was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. I know God can spare her life, but even if He doesn't, I will still trust Him! 

So inspiring to read this story again today!

Tomorrow's Reading: Daniel 4-5 and 1 John 5

Day 328 - A Shore of Inexhaustible Love

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 48 and 1 John 4

In 1 John 4, we are reminded of God's love for us, and the love that He wants us to have for each other. And if we have truly tasted His love, I think it will only be natural for us to reach out in love to others... the problem is, many are professing to be Christians, but I don't think they've truly tasted of His great love, they are not being refilled daily with His love, for there is very little love in their hearts for others. We can't give what we don't have. We must stay at Jesus feet, drink deeply of all that He has to give, and drink some more, for we are leaky vessels. If we walk apart from Him, we will run dry...

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that liveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that liveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us." (1 John 4:7-12)

I love the following thought, written in the margin of my Bible, from the pen of Inspiration:

"In the contemplation of Christ we linger on the shore of a love that is measureless. We endeavor to tell of this love, and language fails us. We consider His life on earth, His sacrifice for us, His work in heaven as our advocate, and the mansions He is preparing for those who love Him, and we can only exclaim, O the height and depth of the love of Christ! “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 4:10; 3:1. In every true disciple this love, like sacred fire, burns on the altar of the heart. It was on the earth that the love of God was revealed through Christ. It is on the earth that His children are to reflect this love through blameless lives. Thus sinners will be led to the cross to behold the Lamb of God. (Acts of the Apostles, 334)

I love lingering of the shore of His inexhaustible love...

Tomorrow's Reading: Daniel 1-3 and Ps. 132-134

Day 327 - The River of Healing

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 46-47 and 1 John 3

In today's reading we learn about a river of healing that is to flow throughout the world. Listen to this vision of Ezekiel...

"Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh." (Ezekiel 47:8-9)

I didn't understand exactly what was happening here until I read the following from Ellen White. 

"Wonderful is the work which the Lord designs to accomplish through His church, that His name may be glorified. A picture of this work is given in Ezekiel’s vision of the river of healing: “These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that everything that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live:... and by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.” Ezekiel 47:8-12.

From the beginning God has wrought through His people to bring blessing to the world. To the ancient Egyptian nation God made Joseph a fountain of life. Through the integrity of Joseph the life of that whole people was preserved. Through Daniel God saved the life of all the wise men of Babylon. And these deliverances are as object lessons; they illustrate the spiritual blessings offered to the world through connection with the God whom Joseph and Daniel worshiped. Everyone in whose heart Christ abides, everyone who will show forth His love to the world, is a worker together with God for the blessing of humanity. As he receives from the Savior grace to impart to others, from his whole being flows forth the tide of spiritual life." (Acts of the Apostles, p. 13)

 Beautiful! May we be a channel through which God's healing hand can touch those around us. May we, as we abide in Him, be that river of blessings to the world...

[No internet access, thus the late postings here! Enjoying some time this weekend with my family!]

Tomorrow's Reading: Ezekiel 48 and 1 John 4

Day 326 - I am their Inheritance!

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 44-45 and Ps. 129-131

I love this simple thought in Ezekiel 44. And that is that God is our inheritance!

The context is that in Ezekiel 44, God is giving instructions to the Levites, as they are set apart:

"And in the day that he goeth into the sanctuary, unto the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his sin offering, saith the Lord GOD." (vs. 27)

And then God's Word gives this beautiful statement of promise for the Levites. 

"And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession." (vs. 28)

Now, I know that this is written to the Levites, but seriously... isn't this a beautiful gift God has given them. HE is their possession. He is their inheritance. How much better can it get for us today as Christians? 

There's a beautiful song by Fernando Ortega that I just love... "Give me Jesus." That is the cry of my heart today! 

Truly He is our inheritance and our possession. We can lose everything else... and many have already. But still in Him, we are blessed. So many many blessings! And our reward is coming! 

Happy Thanksgiving friends!

Tomorrow's Reading: Ezekiel 46-47 and 1 John 3

Day 325 - To Know means Obedience in Love!

Today's Reading: Ezek 42-43 and 1 John 2 

"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." (1 John 2:3)

As I read today's passage in 1 John, I think of what it means to be in a love relationship with another. If we love them, we are going to naturally want to do what pleases them, what they ask us to do, what makes them happy... that's evidence of our love. And the same is with our relationship with God. If we truly love Him, we will follow what He asks us to do. We will keep His commandments...

Ellen White writes: "A mere profession of discipleship is of no value. The faith in Christ which saves the soul is not what it is represented to be by many. “Believe, believe,” they say, “and you need not keep the law.” But a belief that does not lead to obedience is presumption. The apostle John says, “He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4. Let none cherish the idea that special providences or miraculous manifestations are to be the proof of the genuineness of their work or of the ideas they advocate. When persons will speak lightly of the word of God, and set their impressions, feelings, and exercises above the divine standard, we may know that they have no light in them." (Mount of Blessings, p. 146)

The Bible goes on:

"But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." (1 John 2:5-6)

[Glad to finally be with my family again in Arkansas... Just flew home Monday, which means I kinda fell off the bandwagon this morning getting my blog posted... forgive me! But praise the Lord for a breath of fresh air in the Ozarks. I still am working during this time at home, but at least I can be with my family when I'm not working. God is good.]

Tomorrow's Reading: Ezekiel 44-45 and Ps. 129-131

Day 324 - That Your Joy May Be Full!

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 40-41 and 1 John 1

His desire is that our joy would be full... and that joy will be full when we walk with Him. But if we say we have fellowship with God, but walk in darkness, we deceive ourselves...

Here's the straight Word of the Lord. I cannot improve on the Word! Such bold pure undiluted truth here in todays reading:

"And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanest us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (I John 1:5-7)

Referencing this passage, Ellen White writes:

This was the spirit and life of the message that John bore to all in his old age, when he was nearly one hundred years old. The standard-bearers are holding fast their banners. They are not loosening their hands on the banner of truth until they lay off the armor. One by one the old warriors’ voices become silent. Their place is vacant. We see them no more, but they being dead yet speak, for their works do follow them. Let us treat very tenderly the few aged pilgrims remaining, esteeming them highly for their works’ sake." Manuscript 33, 1890.

Beautiful words from John's final years... may we take them to heart!

[Just back from Cuba at 2 am this morning. Thanks for your prayers. God really blessed! Now headed home on another flight to be with my family in Arkansas for Thanksgiving!]

Tomorrow's Reading: Ezek 42-43 and 1 John 2 

Day 323 - What Kind of Christian's ought we to be?

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 38-39 and 2 Peter 3 

Today my blog comments will be from 2 Peter 3. The counsel in this chapter is to remind people to get ready for Christ' return. And yes He IS coming! Many may scoff and say, "Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." (2 Peter 3:4)

In the context of this, we find the promise of 2 Peter 3:9, which I claim often in prayer:

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Such a beautiful promise He's given us... And how His heart is aching for His children! He doesn't want anyone to be lost. But He is allowing the refiners fire to purge our souls, and to show our true allegiance.

The Bible goes on to say: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.." (2 Peter 3:10-11)

Ellen White writes the following in Christ Object Lessons:

"Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, (2 Peter 3:12). Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain." (p. 69)

That last sentence haunts me... "Were all who profess His name bearing fruit for His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel..."

We can't change others... but we can, through the power of the Holy Spirit, change ourselves. Let us be among those that bear fruit for HIS glory...

Tomorrow's Reading: Ezekiel 40-41 and 1 John 1

Day 322 - A New Heart will I give You!

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 36-37 and Psalm 126-128

I love Ezekiel 36... for I am reminded my condition as a sinner... and how God has redeemed me and given me a new heart and life in Him!

"And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God." (Ezekiel 36:23-28)

Again I have to turn to the words of Inspiration as I read this chapter. What encouragement we see here... as we recognize our sin... He saves us!

"In the whole Satanic force there is not power to overcome one soul who in simple trust casts himself on Christ. “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.”  

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The Lord says, “Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God.” “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness and from all your idols will I cleanse you.” 1 John 1:9; Jeremiah 3:13; Ezekiel 36:25. 

But we must have a knowledge of ourselves, a knowledge that will result in contrition, before we can find pardon and peace. The Pharisee felt no conviction of sin. The Holy Spirit could not work with him. His soul was encased in a self-righteous armor which the arrows of God, barbed and true-aimed by angel hands, failed to penetrate. It is only he who knows himself to be a sinner that Christ can save." (Christ Object Lessons, p. 157-158)

Do we see ourselves as we truly are! Do we recognize our sin and filthiness? Do we recognize our desperate need of the blood of Christ?

Tomorrow's Reading: Ezekiel 38-39 and 2 Peter 3 

Day 321 - Biblical warnings against False Prophets

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 34-35 and 2 Peter 2

It's interesting that after yesterday's reading of being called to be "Watchman on the Wall" in today's reading of 2 Peter 2, we see the warning against false teachers. This is the warning against the false watchman...

Here's a few characteristics of false prophets:

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." vs. 1

"And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you..." vs. 3

"But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities." vs. 10 (Ouch... that rings a bit too close to home right now...)

"But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption..." vs. 12

"Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children..." vs. 14

"These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever." vs. 17

"While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." vs. 19

Listen to these final sobering words from this chapter....

"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." vs. 20-21

We need to be careful that we do not place ourselves in judgement of others... but the Bible is so clear... I am amazed as I read it, the parallels that I see in these passages to what we see happening in our world today... The Lord has given us the truths of His Word so that we will not be deceived by the false prophets of today's generation... Lord help us to have eyes to see!

Tomorrow's Reading: Ezekiel 36-37 and Ps. 126-128