Author Topic: Third Quarter--2013--SDA SS LESSON 11--Reformation--Thinking New Thoughts  (Read 10538 times)

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Richard Myers

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Re: Third Quarter--2013--SDA SS LESSON 11--Reformation--Thinking New Thoughts
« Reply #20 on: September 13, 2013, 01:13:39 PM »
As we prepare for Sabbath School, let us consider why it is important that we be "thinking new thoughts". In a church that needs to see revival and reformation there is only one way that this can happen, we must think new thoughts. Why is this?

"We shall be individually, for time and eternity, what our habits make us. The lives of those who form right habits, and are faithful in the performance of every duty, will be as shining lights, shedding bright beams upon the pathway of others; but if habits of unfaithfulness are indulged, if lax, indolent, neglectful habits are allowed to strengthen, a cloud darker than midnight will settle on the prospects in this life, and forever debar the individual from the future life."  CG 202


This is rather easy to understand, but what has it to do with thinking new thoughts? Our thoughts and feelings repeated will form our character. "Any one act, either good or evil, does not form the character; but thoughts and feelings indulged prepare the way for acts and deeds of the same kind. It is . . . by a repetition of acts that habits are established and character confirmed."  CG 199.

"The formation of character is a work that is steadily advancing, and how careful children and youth should be in regard to the habits they form! You will be for time and eternity what the habits you now form make you. Your principles and practices once formed determine your character. No one suddenly develops, as did Hazael, into a deep-dyed sinner, cruel and merciless. It took time for the moth to do its work of destruction so quietly in the dark; and it takes time, little by little, for a child or youth to be easy and happy and feel secure in a course of prevarication, a course of sin hidden from human eyes. Any one act, either good or evil, does not form the character, but thoughts and feelings indulged, prepare the way for acts and deeds of the same kind. A single glass of wine may lead to the formation of a habit most difficult to overcome, and is the first step which may lead to dishonesty, theft, and murder. What you do once, children and youth, you will do more readily the second time. It is the starting in any wrong course that must be guarded against. Be careful not to let your feet take the first step in any evil way. If you will lay the foundation for your character in a pure, virtuous life, seeking help and strength from God, your character will not be like the moth-eaten garment, but it will be firm and solid."  YI, December 15, 1886


If we want to see a reformation in our own lives, we must be thinking new thoughts. If we want to give glory to God, we must reflect His character in our own lives. To do so means that the character defects in our lives must be overcome. This happens when we behold Jesus and begin thinking new thoughts.

"Christ has given us no assurance that to attain perfection of character is an easy matter. A noble, all-round character is not inherited. It does not come to us by accident. A noble character is earned by individual effort through the merits and grace of Christ. God gives the talents, the powers of the mind; we form the character. It is formed by hard, stern battles with self. Conflict after conflict must be waged against hereditary tendencies. We shall have to criticize ourselves closely, and allow not one unfavorable trait to remain uncorrected."  COL 331.

In order to do this work, we must have Jesus. We must allow Christ to take possession of the heart. We must be living for Him, not ourselves. Let us choose today whom we shall serve.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: Third Quarter--2013--SDA SS LESSON 11--Reformation--Thinking New Thoughts
« Reply #21 on: September 13, 2013, 02:05:01 PM »
It is possible to think new thoughts, to be revived from spiritual death? Can we be filled with the Spirit of God? Can our characters be a revelation of Jesus Christ? Many argue against this, yet it is true.

Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can "be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Romans 3:26. 
 
God's love has been expressed in His justice no less than in His mercy. Justice is the foundation of His throne, and the fruit of His love. It had been Satan's purpose to divorce mercy from truth and justice. He sought to prove that the righteousness of God's law is an enemy to peace. But Christ shows that in God's plan they are indissolubly joined together; the one cannot exist without the other. "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Psalm 85:10. 

By His life and His death, Christ proved that God's justice did not destroy His mercy, but that sin could be forgiven, and that the law is righteous, and can be perfectly obeyed. Satan's charges were refuted. God had given man unmistakable evidence of His love.  Desire of Ages 762


Amazing! Trust not in the arm of flesh. "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jeremiah 10:23. Trust in Jesus. He will not let us down!
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

wigina

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Re: Third Quarter--2013--SDA SS LESSON 11--Reformation--Thinking New Thoughts
« Reply #22 on: September 15, 2013, 07:23:09 AM »
It is not easy to think new thoughts! Before the deluge the the people could not think new thoughts they could not get it into their brains that water could pour from above! And they perished.
It is the same today we have been given precious light that faith without works is dead, that the Lord Jesus is coming with His reward ready! Yet most of us are waiting to be saved on the day of His second coming. When the door of mercy closes no man can enter the Holy of Holies. No man can be saved after that! It is time to think new thoughts. It is time to have elevated thought processes! For we must be ready to receive the Lord now not tomorrow.
The Lord Jesus is always ready to help us in our quest to think new thoughts as long as we commit it to Him.

Richard Myers

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Re: Third Quarter--2013--SDA SS LESSON 11--Reformation--Thinking New Thoughts
« Reply #23 on: September 15, 2013, 11:10:57 AM »
Amen, wigina! The power of God is immeasurable! We do not have the power to change our minds, but we do have the power to choose life instead of death. We do have the power to learn of God. We do have the power to behold something good instead of something evil. If we will come to Jesus just as we are, He will empower us to do that which we cannot do on our own. If we will cease resisting His drawing, we would all be changed into His image from glory to glory. Our part in this is immeasurably small, His part is immeasurably large. His promises are true! "Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-30. New thoughts are a result of a changed life....which begins when we make a full surrender of self.  Revival will come when we see our continual need of Jesus and let Him take over the responsibilities in our lives. That requires true faith, not a profession of faith. Faith will grow if we follow the counsel. Man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Amen!! Thanks for your encouragement, wigina! God will have a people who love Him and keep His commandments.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.