The Desire of Ages--5--The Dedication

[Philip T]

    The priest went through the ceremony of his official work. He took the child in his arms, and held it up before the altar. After handing it back to its mother, he inscribed the name "Jesus" on the roll of the first-born. Little did he think, as the babe lay in his arms, that it was the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory. The priest did not think that this babe was the One of whom Moses had written, "A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you." Acts 3:22. He did not think that this babe was He whose glory Moses had asked to see. But One greater than Moses lay in the priest's arms; and when he enrolled the child's name, he was enrolling the name of One who was the foundation of the whole Jewish economy. That name was to be its death warrant; for the system of sacrifices and offerings was waxing old; the type had almost reached its antitype, the shadow its substance.

Do we go through our religious life the same way as the Priest did, walking along on automatic not stopping to dwell upon Christ, reading, praying, contemplating up Christ, establishing a close one on one relationship with Jesus?  This paragraph is striking to me, if we do not have a close relationship with Christ, we go through life on automatic, we become like the priest, and will not be ready for Christ 2nd Advent when He comes in the clouds of glory just as the priest were not ready for His 1st Advent. Let us take time every day to draw close to our Savior. 

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon, Brother Richard, Sister Dorine and Brother Phil!

It is a choice. God chose to send His Son because He loves us, and we can choose to look to His greatest manifestation of the gift of Himself at the cross, and by beholding His love, we can be fully transformed in character! Look and live! All of the fruits of the Spirit will be manifest in our lives without one missing as long as we are fully surrendered to Christ and living up to all the light He has shown us!

  "At the cross of Calvary, love and selfishness stood face to face. Here was their crowning manifestation. Christ had lived only to comfort and bless, and in putting Him to death, Satan manifested the malignity of his hatred against God. He made it evident that the real purpose of his rebellion was to dethrone God, and to destroy Him through whom the love of God was shown." {The Desire of Ages, page 57, paragraph 2} 

Let us appreciate the great love manifested in Christ toward us and go forth to bless others as He has first blessed us! "We love Him, because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Would you be willing to let God use you to proclaim the everlasting gospel of His grace in the context of the Three Angels' Messages of Revelation 14 because of what Christ has done for you?

[Beacon]

"The gift of Christ reveals the Father's heart."


"It testifies that the thoughts of God toward us are "thoughts of peace, and not of evil." Jeremiah 29:11."

"It declares that while God's hatred of sin is as strong as death, His love for the sinner is stronger than death."

"Having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work."

"No truth essential to our salvation is withheld."

"No miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is left unemployed.

Favor is heaped upon favor, gift upon gift.

"The whole treasury of heaven is open to those He seeks to save."

John 3:16,17  SAYS..."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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

What will "OUR" response be to this awesome demonstration of Divine Love?

===========================

I致e wandered far away from God,
  Now I知 coming home;
The paths of sin too long I致e trod,
  Lord, I知 coming home.
    Coming home, coming home,
  Nevermore to roam;
Open wide Thine arms of love;
    Lord, I知 coming home.
2
I致e wasted many precious years,
  Now I知 coming home;
I now repent with bitter tears,
  Lord, I知 coming home.
3
I知 tired of sin and straying, Lord,
  Now I知 coming home;
I値l trust Thy love, believe Thy word;
  Lord, I知 coming home.
4
My soul is sick, my heart is sore,
  Now I知 coming home;
My strength renew, my hope restore:
  Lord, I知 coming home.
5
My only hope, my only plea,
  Now I知 coming home;
That Jesus died, and died for me;
  Lord, I知 coming home.
6
I need His cleansing blood, I know,
  Now I知 coming home;
O wash me whiter than the snow;
  Lord, I知 coming home.

Lyrics & Music : William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)

 

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon!

We find in Christ the only One who can truly discover to us our deepest thoughts and motives, and when we see how sinful we are, we are given the glorious promise of forgiveness and character restoration to His image as we yield the whole heart to Christ to cleanse and purify. When Christ comes into our hearts, all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen without one missing, and we are empowered to obey God's law of love up to all the light He has revealed as we affectionately do so because He first loved us!

"'That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.' In the light of the Saviour's life, the hearts of all, even from the Creator to the prince of darkness, are revealed. Satan has represented God as selfish and oppressive, as claiming all, and giving nothing, as requiring the service of His creatures for His own glory, and making no sacrifice for their good. But the gift of Christ reveals the Father's heart. It testifies that the thoughts of God toward us are 'thoughts of peace, and not of evil.' Jeremiah 29:11. It declares that while God's hatred of sin is as strong as death, His love for the sinner is stronger than death. Having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work. No truth essential to our salvation is withheld, no miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is left unemployed. Favor is heaped upon favor, gift upon gift. The whole treasury of heaven is open to those He seeks to save. Having collected the riches of the universe, and laid open the resources of infinite power, He gives them all into the hands of Christ, and says, All these are for man. Use these gifts to convince him that there is no love greater than Mine in earth or heaven. His greatest happiness will be found in loving Me." {The Desire of Ages, page 57, paragraph 1}

Since true happiness is the result of holiness, it also follows that God is ever seeking to increase our happiness as we grow in God's grace and love and overcome through His power!

"Higher than the highest human thought can reach is God's ideal for His children. Godliness--godlikeness--is the goal to be reached. Before the student there is opened a path of continual progress. He has an object to achieve, a standard to attain, that includes everything good, and pure, and noble. He will advance as fast and as far as possible in every branch of true knowledge. But his efforts will be directed to objects as much higher than mere selfish and temporal interests as the heavens are higher than the earth." {Education, page 18, paragraph 3}

May you ever keep the heavenly realities before you, that Christ the hope of glory may live out His life through you in ways that exceed your highest expectations!

[Dorine]

In the day of final judgment, every lost soul will understand the nature of his own rejection of truth. The cross will be presented, and its real bearing will be seen by every mind that has been blinded by transgression. Before the vision of Calvary with its mysterious Victim, sinners will stand condemned. Every lying excuse will be swept away. Human apostasy will appear in its heinous character. Men will see what their choice has been. Every question of truth and error in the long-standing controversy will then have been made plain. In the judgment of the universe, God will stand clear of blame for the existence or continuance of evil. It will be demonstrated that the divine decrees are not accessory to sin. There was no defect in God's government, no cause for disaffection. When the thoughts of all hearts shall be revealed, both the loyal and the rebellious will unite in declaring, "Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? . . . for Thy judgments are made manifest." Revelation 15:3, 4.
 
What a dreadful day that will be for those who allow pride and selfishness to control their lives. But I think of those who have humbly followed in the footsteps of Jesus. It means surrender, affliction, trials and temptations but also joy and peace and contentment because they know Jesus and want to spend eternity with Him. Let's never get weary of sharing this wonderful truth. God will use us to bring souls to Him for healing and a place in His kingdom.

[Richard Myers]

Thank you my brothers and sister! What a joy it is to read of your thoughts!  Let us continue to "press together" learning and sharing the light being shed upon us. So much to understand!

 By the life and the death of Christ, the thoughts of men also are brought to view. From the manger to the cross, the life of Jesus was a call to self-surrender, and to fellowship in suffering. It unveiled the purposes of men. Jesus came with the truth of heaven, and all who were listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit were drawn to Him. The worshipers of self belonged to Satan's kingdom. In their attitude toward Christ, all would show on which side they stood. And thus everyone passes judgment on himself. 

The most weighty trust and the highest honor Christ can bestow upon us is to share in His sufferings. In so doing, we glorify the One gave all that we might not only  live, but have the same joy and rewards He has gotten in seeing precious souls redeemed!

[Beacon]

Thank you brother Richard for your kind and supportive remarks. It was encouraging to me and to know that what I have been sharing is inspiring and encouraging to others and I'm thankful God is able to use me, but as always , the Praise Belongs To Him who is working through the Holy Spirit on each of us, and having said that....

Brother Sean, It is so wonderful to see your post yesterday. I have missed your posts and have been praying for you that the Lord would hold you steady in whatever circumstances were preventing you from posting. It's good to have you back--Praise the Lord.

==========================================================

"God's hatred of sin is as strong as death, His love for the sinner is stronger than death."

"Having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work."

"No truth essential to our salvation is withheld."

"No miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is left unemployed."

"Favor is heaped upon favor, gift upon gift."

"The whole treasury of heaven is open to those He seeks to save."

"Having collected the riches of the universe, and laid open the resources of infinite power, He gives them all into the hands of Christ, and says...


"All these are for man."

"Use these gifts to convince him that there is no love greater than Mine in earth or heaven."

"His greatest happiness will be found in loving Me."

Have you ever tried to imagine the conversation that took place between God the Father, and Jesus the Son just before He left Heaven to commence His earthly journey?? What was that final Hug & Embrace like? Jesus left knowing full well the Risk, The Ungratefulness He would face. He foresaw the rejection by His own people and the horrible cruel ending of His earthly journey on the Cross of Calvary. The challenge of putting together a team of contentious men who after their conversion would continue on with the work of spreading the Good News??

He did for " YOU " & "ME" and for "ALL" who accept His "Invitation" for "ETERNAL LIFE"

May our Prayer be the same as expressed in the words of this hymn below.

==============================

Not I, but Christ be honored, loved, exalted,
Not I, but Christ be seen, be known and heard;
Not I, but Christ in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ in every thought and word.
    Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord,
  Oh, to be lost in Thee,
Oh, that it may be no more I,
    But Christ that lives in me.
2
Not I, but Christ to gently soothe in sorrow,
Not I, but Christ to wipe the falling tear;
Not I, but Christ to lift the weary burden,
Not I, but Christ to hush away all fear.
3
Christ, only Christ, no idle word e弾r falling,
Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound;
Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing,
Christ, only Christ, no trace of I be found.
4
Not I, but Christ my every need supplying,
Not I, but Christ my strength and health to be;
Christ, only Christ, for spirit, soul, and body,
Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me.
5
Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision,
Glory excelling soon, full soon I値l see;
Christ, only Christ, my every wish fulfilling,
Christ, only Christ, my all in all to be.

Lyrics:Mrs. Ada A. Whiddington (1891)
Music:Albert Benjamin Simpson (1843-1919)

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon! Praise the Lord for the blessing of being able to uplift Jesus who alone deserves all glory and honor! Your posts are a blessing and encouragement, and we need to encourage one another and exhort one another in the Lord!

As I was blessed to be at the Michigan Camp Meeting and traveling afterward during a lot of June, I had not been posting for a time, but I am happy to be back in the Upper Peninsula where I pastor and after a blessed conversation with Brother Richard, I decided to post again! God is so gracious!

What a gift Jesus is to us, and thankfully He can restore us into His image of unselfishness! God's healing power to renew our hearts and minds is so powerful that He can keep us from falling as we trust in Him day by day! Let us choose to yield to Christ and overcome sin through Him! He will give us the desire and capacity for serving Him in true conversion so all of the fruits of the Spirit will be manifest in our lives as we are empowered to obey God from the new heart!

"By the life and the death of Christ, the thoughts of men also are brought to view. From the manger to the cross, the life of Jesus was a call to self-surrender, and to fellowship in suffering. It unveiled the purposes of men. Jesus came with the truth of heaven, and all who were listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit were drawn to Him. The worshipers of self belonged to Satan's kingdom. In their attitude toward Christ, all would show on which side they stood. And thus everyone passes judgment on himself." {The Desire of Ages, page 57, paragraph 3}

May we all pass judgment on ourselves in the way of saying, "I surrender all" rather than choosing to go our own way. God is gracious to woo us and win us to His purity and power! In the midst of the greatest suffering and trials of this life we can have the peace that passes all understanding because we can recognize Christ living in us, the hope of glory!

[Dorine]

In the day of final judgment, every lost soul will understand the nature of his own rejection of truth. The cross will be presented, and its real bearing will be seen by every mind that has been blinded by transgression. Before the vision of Calvary with its mysterious Victim, sinners will stand condemned. Every lying excuse will be swept away. Human apostasy will appear in its heinous character. Men will see what their choice has been. Every question of truth and error in the long-standing controversy will then have been made plain. In the judgment of the universe, God will stand clear of blame for the existence or continuance of evil. It will be demonstrated that the divine decrees are not accessory to sin. There was no defect in God's government, no cause for disaffection. When the thoughts of all hearts shall be revealed, both the loyal and the rebellious will unite in declaring, "Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? . . . for Thy judgments are made manifest." Revelation 15:3, 4.

But even though the lost utter those words they are not words of repentance or sorrow for sin. If given another chance they would go on living just as they always had. They speak words of truth but hate them. Time is running out and there are many who would turn from their wicked ways if only they would see a sermon in shoes. May our lives reflect the life of Jesus because we are spending that thoughtful hour each day with Him and maintaining our relationship with Him throughout the day.

[Beacon]

"The gift of Christ reveals the Father's heart."

"It testifies that the thoughts of God toward us are "thoughts of peace, and not of evil." Jeremiah 29:11.

"It declares that while God's hatred of sin is as strong as death..."

"His love for the sinner is stronger than death."

"Having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work."

"From the manger to the cross, the life of Jesus was a call to self-surrender, and to fellowship in suffering."

"It unveiled the purposes of men." Jesus came with the truth of heaven, and all who were listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit were drawn to Him."

"The worshipers of self belonged to Satan's kingdom."

"In their attitude toward Christ, all would show on which side they stood."

"Thus everyone passes judgment on himself. "

Therefore, we need to honestly ask ourselves, with an open heart, the question...What is "OUR" Attitude/Commitment towards Christ??

===============================

1
I致e wandered far away from God,
  Now I知 coming home;
The paths of sin too long I致e trod,
  Lord, I知 coming home.
    Coming home, coming home,
  Nevermore to roam;
Open wide Thine arms of love;
    Lord, I知 coming home.
2
I致e wasted many precious years,
  Now I知 coming home;
I now repent with bitter tears,
  Lord, I知 coming home.
3
I知 tired of sin and straying, Lord,
  Now I知 coming home;
I値l trust Thy love, believe Thy word;
  Lord, I知 coming home.
4
My soul is sick, my heart is sore,
  Now I知 coming home;
My strength renew, my hope restore:
  Lord, I知 coming home.
5
My only hope, my only plea,
  Now I知 coming home;
That Jesus died, and died for me;
  Lord, I知 coming home.
6
I need His cleansing blood, I know,
  Now I知 coming home;
O wash me whiter than the snow;
  Lord, I知 coming home.

Lyrics/Music by William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)

[Richard Myers]

Amen Brother Beacon!! God loves us, else why would He take the risk of losing His innocent Son!!!

     "That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." In the light of the Saviour's life, the hearts of all, even from the Creator to the prince of darkness, are revealed. Satan has represented God as selfish and oppressive, as claiming all, and giving nothing, as requiring the service of His creatures for His own glory, and making no sacrifice for their good. But the gift of Christ reveals the Father's heart. It testifies that the thoughts of God toward us are "thoughts of peace, and not of evil." Jeremiah 29:11. It declares that while God's hatred of sin is as strong as death, His love for the sinner is stronger than death. Having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work. No truth essential to our salvation is withheld, no miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is left unemployed. Favor is heaped upon favor, gift upon gift. The whole treasury of heaven is open to those He seeks to save. Having collected the riches of the universe, and laid open the resources of infinite power, He gives them all into the hands of Christ, and says, All these are for man. Use these gifts to convince him that there is no love greater than Mine in earth or heaven. His greatest happiness will be found in loving Me. 

He allows Him to suffer and us also, for our good and His glory!!

[Beacon]

"God's hatred of sin is as strong as death, His love for the sinner is stronger than death."

Having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work.

No truth essential to our salvation is withheld, no miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is left unemployed.

Favor is heaped upon favor, gift upon gift. The whole treasury of heaven is open to those He seeks to save.

"Having collected the riches of the universe, and laid open the resources of infinite power, He gives them all into the hands of Christ, and says, "All these are for man. Use these gifts to convince him that there is no love greater than Mine in earth or heaven."

"His greatest happiness will be found in loving Me."

"ARE WE" Willing to Trust & Obey??
=======================
1
When we walk with the Lord
  In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
  While we do His good will,
  He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
    Trust and obey,
For there痴 no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
  But to trust and obey.
2
Not a shadow can rise,
  Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
  Not a doubt or a fear,
  Not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3
Not a burden we bear,
  Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
  Not a grief or a loss,
  Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
4
But we never can prove
  The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
  For the favor He shows,
  And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5
Then in fellowship sweet
  We will sit at His feet,
Or we値l walk by His side in the way;
  What He says we will do;
  Where He sends, we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Lyrics:John Henry Sammis (1846-1919)
Music:Daniel Brink Towner (1850-1919)

[Dorine]

"These humble worshipers had not studied the prophecies in vain. But those who held positions as rulers and priests in Israel, though they too had before them the precious utterances of prophecy, were not walking in the way of the Lord, and their eyes were not open to behold the Light of life.      So it is still. Events upon which the attention of all heaven is centered are undiscerned, their very occurrence is unnoticed, by religious leaders, and worshipers in the house of God. Men acknowledge Christ in history, while they turn away from the living Christ. Christ in His word calling to self-sacrifice, in the poor and suffering who plead for relief, in the righteous cause that involves poverty and toil and reproach, is no more readily received today than He was eighteen hundred years ago.

God has promised to take care of those who love Him. As we receive from God we in turn share those blessings with others in need. It's a beautiful plan that God has in place. Let's learn from the lessons of the past and the counsel for today by spending quality time each day in God's word and in prayer. May we spend time in silence so that we may hear Him speak to us. In doing so Christ will be the motivation for all we do and say through out the day.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!!

At some point, EVERYONE will confess that God's ways are true and right. Why not start now, and enjoy the love experience His life offers you in Christ? As we yield our wills to Christ, He gives us new hearts and minds that are filled with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as we abide in Him in true obedience to His commandments! The best time to come to Christ is RIGHT NOW and to stay vitally connected to Him by letting His thoughts, motives, purposes and experiences become ours by union and communion with Jesus!

"In the day of final judgment, every lost soul will understand the nature of his own rejection of truth. The cross will be presented, and its real bearing will be seen by every mind that has been blinded by transgression. Before the vision of Calvary with its mysterious Victim, sinners will stand condemned. Every lying excuse will be swept away. Human apostasy will appear in its heinous character. Men will see what their choice has been. Every question of truth and error in the long-standing controversy will then have been made plain. In the judgment of the universe, God will stand clear of blame for the existence or continuance of evil. It will be demonstrated that the divine decrees are not accessory to sin. There was no defect in God's government, no cause for disaffection. When the thoughts of all hearts shall be revealed, both the loyal and the rebellious will unite in declaring, 'Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? ... for Thy judgments are made manifest.' Revelation 15:3, 4." {The Desire of Ages, page 58, paragraph 1}

While all the loyal and rebellious will all come to the same conclusion in the end, how much joy we can bring to the heart of God as we enter into the fellowship of the mystery of His love today and abide in His will! Then we are ready for eternity, for we have heaven in our hearts through Christ!

[Richard Myers]

Amen my brothers and sister!  So much in today's reading! It took me a long time to understand the most weighty trust and the highest honor God has bestowed upon us is to partake in the sufferings of our Savior. For the young today how much greater for you to learn this now instead of waiting many years like me.

By the life and the death of Christ, the thoughts of men also are brought to view. From the manger to the cross, the life of Jesus was a call to self-surrender, and to fellowship in suffering. It unveiled the purposes of men. Jesus came with the truth of heaven, and all who were listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit were drawn to Him. The worshipers of self belonged to Satan's kingdom. In their attitude toward Christ, all would show on which side they stood. And thus everyone passes judgment on himself. 

[Beacon]

"Satan has represented God as selfish and oppressive, as claiming all, and giving nothing, as requiring the service of His creatures for His own glory, and making no sacrifice for their good."

"But the gift of Christ reveals the Father's heart."

It testifies that the thoughts of God toward us are "thoughts of peace, and not of evil." Jeremiah 29:11.

"It declares that while God's hatred of sin is as strong as death."

"His love for the sinner is stronger than death."

"He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work."

"No truth essential to our salvation is withheld."

"No miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is left unemployed. Favor is heaped upon favor, gift upon gift."


"The whole treasury of heaven is open to those He seeks to save."

Our response should be nothing less  than ..." All To Jesus I Surrender - All to Him I Freely Give."Let's focus on what will last for all eternity!

=======================
1
All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
    I surrender all,
  I surrender all.
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
    I surrender all.
2
All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
3
All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
4
All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
5
All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory to His name!

Lyrics:Judson W. Van de Venter (1855-1939)
Music:Winfield Scott Weeden (1847-1908)

[Dorine]

"Anna also, a prophetess, came in and confirmed Simeon's testimony concerning Christ. As Simeon spoke, her face lighted up with the glory of God, and she poured out her heartfelt thanks that she had been permitted to behold Christ the Lord.      These humble worshipers had not studied the prophecies in vain. But those who held positions as rulers and priests in Israel, though they too had before them the precious utterances of prophecy, were not walking in the way of the Lord, and their eyes were not open to behold the Light of life.      So it is still. Events upon which the attention of all heaven is centered are undiscerned, their very occurrence is unnoticed, by religious leaders, and worshipers in the house of God. Men acknowledge Christ in history, while they turn away from the living Christ. Christ in His word calling to self-sacrifice, in the poor and suffering who plead for relief, in the righteous cause that involves poverty and toil and reproach, is no more readily received today than He was eighteen hundred years ago.

May we follow Jesus once again and learn from His life and teachings how we are to live.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!!

Do you believe you can be like Jesus? Well, that is what God desires and designs for each of us to become like! By beholding we become changed, and as we behold His loveliness of character, surrender the whole heart to Him, in true repentance confess and forsake our sins, and abide in His love, we are changed by the Holy Spirit who comes to live in our lives, manifesting through the converted soul all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing in harmony with God's law of love! What an amazing gift salvation is, knowing the spotless Lamb of God came to take our sins and transform our characters to prepare us for heaven!

"The offerings presented to the Lord were to be without blemish. These offerings represented Christ, and from this it is evident that Jesus Himself was free from physical deformity. He was the 'lamb without blemish and without spot.' 1 Peter 1:19. His physical structure was not marred by any defect; His body was strong and healthy. And throughout His lifetime He lived in conformity to nature's laws. Physically as well as spiritually, He was an example of what God designed all humanity to be through obedience to His laws." {The Desire of Ages, page 50, paragraph 3}

When we appreciate more fully all that Christ has done for us and is even now doing for us in heaven as our High Priest, we will become more and more fruitful for His everlasting kingdom that cannot be moved!

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear brothers and sister!  We see the love of the Father as we did yesterday. And, we see the faithfulness of Jesus to do His Father's will despite the rejection of it by most. And, we see again that Christ came to reveal their great love that we might be transformed and made fit for heaven. Again and again we are shown that God has power to keep us from sin.

He had already been subjected to the rite of circumcision, as a pledge of His obedience to the law. 

Which all Jews were to do. And when we are baptized, do we pledge to obey His law of love?  Satan says we can't keep it, thus God is unfair. God is not unfair. We can keep His commandments, all of them if we will love the Lord our God with all of the heart and our neighbor as ourselves.