Author Topic: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict  (Read 17965 times)

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Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #20 on: April 27, 2016, 07:14:09 AM »
Have you ever been alone, where no one understood why you do what you do when you are walking in the light of God's love and counsel? Be encouraged Jesus understands, He has been there frequently.

 Often He was asked, Why are you bent on being so singular, so different from us all? It is written, He said, "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways." Psalm 119:1-3.  Pg 89.
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: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #21 on: July 23, 2016, 06:42:53 AM »
  They knew that no authority could be found in Scripture for their traditions. They realized that in spiritual understanding Jesus was far in advance of them. Yet they were angry because He did not obey their dictates. Failing to convince Him, they sought Joseph and Mary, and set before them His course of noncompliance. Thus He suffered rebuke and censure.   

This is true today also. It is why they murdered Christ, and it is why apostates will want to kill those who are walking in the light of Truth. They are angry because their "dictates" which are contrary to Bible truth will not be followed. There are religions that will kill and have killed those who speak badly about their religion. We see this today, do we not? And has not history revealed this? And does not the Bible prophesy we shall see it again when those who keep the commandments of God are persecuted because they will not yield to those who dictate they ought to keep the sun day?
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #22 on: July 23, 2016, 11:02:34 AM »
I appreciate the point you brought out, Richard! We realize the same spirit of antagonism to truth will continue until Jesus comes, but I rejoice that God has revealed how Christ met situations so we can follow His lead. I gained encouragement from this thought:

As the condition of the people began to open to His mind, He saw that the requirements of society and the requirements of God were in constant collision. Men were departing from the word of God, and exalting theories of their own invention. They were observing traditional rites that possessed no virtue. Their service was a mere round of ceremonies; the sacred truths it was designed to teach were hidden from the worshipers. He saw that in their faithless services they found no peace. They did not know the freedom of spirit that would come to them by serving God in truth. Jesus had come to teach the meaning of the worship of God, and He could not sanction the mingling of human requirements with the divine precepts. He did not attack the precepts or practices of the learned teachers; but when reproved for His own simple habits, He presented the word of God in justification of His conduct. 

We have a sure foundation for how to deal with challenges in the church and society that contradict God's word--allow Jesus to abide in your heart and share His loveliness from His word.

I really love this chapter because it so clearly reveals Christ's character principles--that are also for us in Him!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

JimB

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #23 on: October 18, 2016, 05:39:22 AM »
At a very early age, Jesus had begun to act for Himself in the formation of His character, and not even respect and love for His parents could turn Him from obedience to God's word. "It is written" was His reason for every act that varied from the family customs. But the influence of the rabbis made His life a bitter one. Even in His youth He had to learn the hard lesson of silence and patient endurance.

 But to every temptation He had one answer, "It is written." He rarely rebuked any wrongdoing of His brothers, but He had a word from God to speak to them. Often He was accused of cowardice for refusing to unite with them in some forbidden act; but His answer was, It is written, "The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." Job 28:28


This reminds of the chapter on the temptations of Christ. His foundation to every objection and to every answer was the Word of God. It said earlier in the chapter...  Jesus seemed to know the Scriptures from beginning to end, and He presented them in their true import. So it would seem that we can also find our answers in the Word also. Reminds of the text that goes something like... thy word have I hid in my heart so I might not sin against thee...  It's much easier for the Holy Spirit to bring things to our memory if we are reading Word. This should be an encouragement that we answers to readily near by.
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest.  {DA 291.1}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #24 on: October 18, 2016, 06:51:31 AM »
Amen, Pastor Sean and Jim.  I too, like that verse you quote, Jim. Let's look at it in context. It points us to the power of a full surrender of the whole heart, not part of it. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy Word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalms 119:9-11. Many have been deceived by false pastors who teach that we can be saved (justified) when we have given part of the heart to Christ. This influence causes great problems in the church and in the family.

Jesus had many days of conflict because He lived out what was written in Scripture from an early age. Why was there so much conflict, even in His family? Mimi quoted the answer.


     At a very early age, Jesus had begun to act for Himself in the formation of His character, and not even respect and love for His parents could turn Him from obedience to God's word. "It is written" was His reason for every act that varied from the family customs. But the influence of the rabbis made His life a bitter one. Even in His youth He had to learn the hard lesson of silence and patient endurance.  86.1

If we would study the Bible as Jesus did, we too would have power to form characters after the divine similitude. The Bible is a revelation of Christ. "The Word was made flesh." By beholding His glory (character) we will be changed into the same image (character). Then we may take to the world the gospel and proclaim "fear God and give glory to Him." And, "here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."

We too, will face many conflicts if we are faithful to obey God's Word. Even in families there are great conflicts because of the influence of pastors, as it was in the days of Christ. We thank God there are also faithful pastors in our day, as there were some faithful priests in the days of Jesus.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #25 on: October 18, 2016, 08:43:55 AM »
I appreciate your post, Richard, and it is so true that what guides in the formation of character is Scripture. But if you think about it, if all were to conform their lives to God's word and to form characters after the similitude of Christ, there would still be different kinds of character! I marvel that the experience of forming character is an individual work, and that God desires us to apply ourselves to form our own convictions from His word, rather that depending upon counsel from humanity. Character is the means whereby we glorify God. A character such as Christ formed we do not have, but we may begin forming such a character RIGHT NOW with A NEW HEART when we surrender our heart, mind, and will entirely to Him. I appreciate how Jesus encourages us in the work of character building because He Himself, by His Holy Spirit, comes to indwell our hearts and minds so that we will bear all of the fruits of His Spirit without one missing! Jesus Christ is our Savior, and our perfect Example. But if we do not consent to His work to entirely transform us after His divine similitude, we cannot be saved. We must come to Christ with a willingness to have Him empower us to live a new life altogether. I love how Jesus was simple in His habits, so He could effectively minister to as many as possible with the healing virtue of love.

The following paragraph has been a great encouragement to me in my life and ministry:

Jesus did not contend for His rights. Often His work was made unnecessarily severe because He was willing and uncomplaining. Yet He did not fail nor become discouraged. He lived above these difficulties, as if in the light of God's countenance. He did not retaliate when roughly used, but bore insult patiently. {DA 89.4}

I am struck by these words--since Jesus "lived above these difficulties" I see that we also, in time of trial, can realize that so long as we have a living connection with our Father in heaven, it matters not how uncomfortable the trial, for we can have the assurance that He is with us and will continually guide and help us to reveal His character to those around us. In our trials we have great opportunity to reveal God to others who know Him not, and have not the sense of His sustaining presence in their times of trial and difficulty. We can reveal the peace of heaven in our faces, which can only be obtained through communion with God in every situation. Praise the Lord for Jesus as we see Him in this beautiful chapter!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #26 on: January 13, 2017, 08:02:27 AM »
What a beautiful revelation of Jesus we see in this chapter!

Jesus loved His brothers, and treated them with unfailing kindness; but they were jealous of Him, and manifested the most decided unbelief and contempt. They could not understand His conduct. Great contradictions presented themselves in Jesus. He was the divine Son of God, and yet a helpless child. The Creator of the worlds, the earth was His possession, and yet poverty marked His life experience at every step. He possessed a dignity and individuality wholly distinct from earthly pride and assumption; He did not strive for worldly greatness, and in even the lowliest position He was content. This angered His brothers. They could not account for His constant serenity under trial and deprivation. They did not know that for our sake He had become poor, that we "through His poverty might be rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9. They could understand the mystery of His mission no more than the friends of Job could understand his humiliation and suffering.

Jesus' contentment revealed His willingness to be anything or nothing as His Father led the way, that we might be saved. He suffered more than Job suffered, but there is a parallel drawn in that His brothers did not understand what He was going through much like how Job's friends did not understand. Yet we can be thankful that in both Jesus' and Job's experience, we can see how God worked His purpose out. Jesus never sinned, and lived a perfect life to save us and die as our Sacrifice and Example. Job, though "perfect" (Job 1:1) when the controversy opens in the beginning of the Scripture narrative, did fall under the strong temptation to justify himself, and for this Elihu and God reproved him. He deeply repented, and God could then bless him more, for he was "perfect" but in a more mature sense than before he had fallen. Character we are building day by day in each choice and trial we face. Jesus chose to cling to God His Father in all times and circumstances. We need this connection today, and we can have it by beholding the loveliness of Jesus and yielding all our heart to Him! Praise the Lord!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #27 on: January 13, 2017, 07:41:24 PM »
Amen!!

Jesus was constantly under attack from the time He came into this world a helpless babe. Satan hated him and was intent on gaining the victory over Jesus, but he could not. It is sad to read about what happened to Jesus.

    Because the life of Jesus condemned evil, He was opposed, both at home and abroad. His unselfishness and integrity were commented on with a sneer. His forbearance and kindness were termed cowardice. 

Do we not see the same today when those who reflect Christ's character are treated in the same manner? Forbearance and kindness to those who are great sinners is indeed termed "cowardice." It is contrary to the world to show mercy to one who is readily seen to be unacceptable. Who would do such a thing? Only a coward fearful of the consequences of not being loving and tolerant.  :(  It is sad when this comes from within God's church.
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Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #28 on: April 10, 2017, 06:50:17 AM »
I love the consistent picture of the loveliness of Jesus that emerges as we read from The Desire of Ages. Jesus came to point souls to the only remedy, not debate them:

    From the time when the parents of Jesus found Him in the temple, His course of action was a mystery to them. He would not enter into controversy, yet His example was a constant lesson. He seemed as one who was set apart. His hours of happiness were found when alone with nature and with God. Whenever it was His privilege, He turned aside from the scene of His labor, to go into the fields, to meditate in the green valleys, to hold communion with God on the mountainside or amid the trees of the forest. The early morning often found Him in some secluded place, meditating, searching the Scriptures, or in prayer. From these quiet hours He would return to His home to take up His duties again, and to give an example of patient toil. 

Jesus would not permit Himself to be drawn into controversy--that was not the purpose of His mission. He came to reach hearts that were willing to be drawn. May we follow His lovely example, by experiencing the use of our time the way He did--meditating, searching the Scriptures, and going to His Father in prayer. As we thus commune with God, we will find that controversy and the spirit of debate is foreign to the religion of Christ, and we will pray for those who oppose the truth, but not enter into the same spirit. We may love all as did Jesus by having the experience He had through faith!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #29 on: April 10, 2017, 06:53:41 AM »
Amen, Pastor Sean. What an example Jesus is to all who will look unto Him!

If we will give the whole heart to Christ, we shall be changed in character. We will follow the example of Christ in helping others, and following the law of God instead of the wisdom of man. This will cause us the very same difficulties it caused Jesus.

     To those who were in need He would give a cup of cold water, and would quietly place His own meal in their hands. As He relieved their sufferings, the truths He taught were associated with His acts of mercy, and were thus riveted in the memory.
     All this displeased His brothers. Being older than Jesus, they felt that He should be under their dictation. They charged Him with thinking Himself superior to them, and reproved Him for setting Himself above their teachers and the priests and rulers of the people. Often they threatened and tried to intimidate Him; but He passed on, making the Scriptures His guide.   


Notice why it is the "right arm" of the gospel works. Acts of mercy enable the truth to be "riveted in the memory."
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

JimB

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #30 on: July 06, 2017, 05:31:41 AM »
All this displeased His brothers. Being older than Jesus, they felt that He should be under their dictation. They charged Him with thinking Himself superior to them, and reproved Him for setting Himself above their teachers and the priests and rulers of the people. Often they threatened and tried to intimidate Him; but He passed on, making the Scriptures His guide.   

I find this interesting in a couple of ways. One, in that it doesn't take much to ruffle the feathers of the opposition. Two, He didn't let it bother Him. He just made the Scriptures His guide and went on about His duties. And this reminds me of the coming chapter about His temptation in the wilderness. Where knowing scripture kept Christ from being deceived and in relying on the Word won the victory over temptation.

One side thought, I know some Christians who want nothing to do with the Old Testament. Yet, this was where Christ Himself found comfort and truth and a weapon to fend off satan.
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest.  {DA 291.1}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #31 on: July 06, 2017, 06:14:57 AM »
Amen, Jim.  The world is not converted. The world was in the church.

I saw something this morning that is interesting also.  Who reared His brothers?  Yet, what a difference between them!

     Jesus was misunderstood by His brothers because He was not like them. His standard was not their standard. In looking to men they had turned away from God, and they had not His power in their lives. The forms of religion which they observed could not transform the character. They paid "tithe of mint and anise and cummin," but omitted "the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith." Matthew 23:23. The example of Jesus was to them a continual irritation. He hated but one thing in the world, and that was sin. He could not witness a wrong act without pain which it was impossible to disguise. Between the formalists, whose sanctity of appearance concealed the love of sin, and a character in which zeal for God's glory was always paramount, the contrast was unmistakable. Because the life of Jesus condemned evil, He was opposed, both at home and abroad. His unselfishness and integrity were commented on with a sneer. His forbearance and kindness were termed cowardice. 
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #32 on: July 06, 2017, 07:52:14 PM »
Amen, Richard and Jim! I was so blessed reading this morning, and wanted to share a thought that blessed me today in beholding the loveliness of Jesus:

  But to every temptation He had one answer, "It is written." He rarely rebuked any wrongdoing of His brothers, but He had a word from God to speak to them. Often He was accused of cowardice for refusing to unite with them in some forbidden act; but His answer was, It is written, "The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." Job 28:28. 

Jesus lived a life of spotless purity. When we have Christ living in us, we may also cultivate an experience in which we minister to souls by our lives, and have a word from God to speak to them, for to educate is to redeem. Jesus was after their hearts--and when we see that as the essential work, we will also seek to reach hearts with Christ's love that softens and wins those who are willing. There is still a place for rebuke and reproof, but having a character like Christ is the place we must start--by beholding Him, we are being changed!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #33 on: October 01, 2017, 09:26:55 AM »
I love Jesus and I love being able to have the privilege to follow His example in character building through His continual help by the Holy Spirit!

"From the time when the parents of Jesus found Him in the temple, His course of action was a mystery to them. He would not enter into controversy, yet His example was a constant lesson. He seemed as one who was set apart. His hours of happiness were found when alone with nature and with God. Whenever it was His privilege, He turned aside from the scene of His labor, to go into the fields, to meditate in the green valleys, to hold communion with God on the mountainside or amid the trees of the forest. The early morning often found Him in some secluded place, meditating, searching the Scriptures, or in prayer. From these quiet hours He would return to His home to take up His duties again, and to give an example of patient toil." {The Desire of Ages, page 89, paragraph 6}

By holding continual communion with God we are enabled to form perfect characters through the imputed and imparted righteousness of Christ! What an incredible opportunity we have in Christ today!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #34 on: December 27, 2017, 06:20:11 AM »
“Jesus was the healer of the body as well as of the soul. He was interested in every phase of suffering that came under His notice, and to every sufferer He brought relief, His kind words having a soothing balm. None could say that He had worked a miracle; but virtue—the healing power of love—went out from Him to the sick and distressed. Thus in an unobtrusive way He worked for the people from His very childhood. And this was why, after His public ministry began, so many heard Him gladly. “– {The Desire of Ages, page 92, paragraph 1}

I am so thankful that Jesus’ love will flow out through us as long as we abide in Him by a full surrender of all our heart—and His love is always accompanied by all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #35 on: December 28, 2017, 09:53:43 PM »
Amen!  If we will learn of Him, if we will receive His love, then we will love Him supremely, for He is worthy to be loved. And, if we will live by a "thus saith the Lord," then we will find ourselves pressing together with others who love God supremely. The sheep are being separated from the goats by the truth. "It is written" is what we are to live by. Then, we shall be looked upon as Jesus was looked upon by all who do not love God with the whole heart. His brothers were offended, as were the priests.

     In every gentle and submissive way, Jesus tried to please those with whom He came in contact. Because He was so gentle and unobtrusive, the scribes and elders supposed that He would be easily influenced by their teaching. They urged Him to receive the maxims and traditions that had been handed down from the ancient rabbis, but He asked for their authority in Holy Writ. He would hear every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; but He could not obey the inventions of men. Jesus seemed to know the Scriptures from beginning to end, and He presented them in their true import. The rabbis were ashamed to be instructed by a child. They claimed that it was their office to explain the Scriptures, and that it was His place to accept their interpretation. They were indignant that He should stand in opposition to their word.
     They knew that no authority could be found in Scripture for their traditions. They realized that in spiritual understanding Jesus was far in advance of them. Yet they were angry because He did not obey their dictates. Failing to convince Him, they sought Joseph and Mary, and set before them His course of noncompliance. Thus He suffered rebuke and censure.   
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: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #36 on: March 23, 2018, 10:35:55 PM »
As there was conflict over the actions of Jesus, so it will be with all who accept Bible truth and walk in the light.

    In every gentle and submissive way, Jesus tried to please those with whom He came in contact. Because He was so gentle and unobtrusive, the scribes and elders supposed that He would be easily influenced by their teaching. They urged Him to receive the maxims and traditions that had been handed down from the ancient rabbis, but He asked for their authority in Holy Writ. He would hear every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; but He could not obey the inventions of men. Jesus seemed to know the Scriptures from beginning to end, and He presented them in their true import. The rabbis were ashamed to be instructed by a child. They claimed that it was their office to explain the Scriptures, and that it was His place to accept their interpretation. They were indignant that He should stand in opposition to their word.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #37 on: March 24, 2018, 03:32:00 AM »
"From the time when the parents of Jesus found Him in the temple, His course of action was a mystery to them. He would not enter into controversy, yet His example was a constant lesson. He seemed as one who was set apart. His hours of happiness were found when alone with nature and with God. Whenever it was His privilege, He turned aside from the scene of His labor, to go into the fields, to meditate in the green valleys, to hold communion with God on the mountainside or amid the trees of the forest. The early morning often found Him in some secluded place, meditating, searching the Scriptures, or in prayer. From these quiet hours He would return to His home to take up His duties again, and to give an example of patient toil." {The Desire of Ages, page 89, paragraph 6}

When we surrender fully to Jesus, we will also go where He did to find happiness--to be with our Heavenly Father in nature, in His word, and in prayer. We will seek to find every possible opportunity for turning aside to go be with the One we love, and thus we shall also be transformed in character, that even in all we do the impress of His character--the unmistakable manifestation of all of the fruits of His Spirit without one missing--will be revealed in our lives. Jesus loves us and invites us to follow Him this Sabbath day! Praise God for a whole day set apart for communion with God!!! 
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #38 on: March 24, 2018, 05:18:09 AM »
Amen!! And when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, our lives will be a witness of the God we love. We will have great joy, but we shall also suffer greatly. We become partakers of what Christ suffered.

Yet through childhood, youth, and manhood, Jesus walked alone. In His purity and His faithfulness, He trod the wine press alone, and of the people there was none with Him. He carried the awful weight of responsibility for the salvation of men. He knew that unless there was a decided change in the principles and purposes of the human race, all would be lost. This was the burden of His soul, and none could appreciate the weight that rested upon Him. Filled with intense purpose, He carried out the design of His life that He Himself should be the light of men. 
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict
« Reply #39 on: June 19, 2018, 02:22:37 AM »
I love--words fail to describe how much I love--spending time with Jesus in the early morning hours of the day. Before the sun rises, and before the birds even begin their song, it is a joy and blessing to follow Jesus to the quiet place, far from the rapid pace, where transformation of character is wrought--in the audience chamber with God, beholding the loveliness of Jesus, and getting to know His heart in a way that gives me the freedom to know who I truly am. Such awareness of His infinite love for me in spite of my weakness and sinfulness encourages me to realize my continual need to have Him abiding in my heart by faith to make and keep it pure by His presence! I love how Jesus was focused on the important thing: character building, and helping others to build character!

"He taught all to look upon themselves as endowed with precious talents, which if rightly employed would secure for them eternal riches. He weeded all vanity from life, and by His own example taught that every moment of time is fraught with eternal results; that it is to be cherished as a treasure, and to be employed for holy purposes. He passed by no human being as worthless, but sought to apply the saving remedy to every soul. In whatever company He found Himself, He presented a lesson that was appropriate to the time and the circumstances. He sought to inspire with hope the most rough and unpromising, setting before them the assurance that they might become blameless and harmless, attaining such a character as would make them manifest as the children of God. Often He met those who had drifted under Satan's control, and who had no power to break from his snare. To such a one, discouraged, sick, tempted, and fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood. Others He met who were fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls. These He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side, and would give them the victory. Those whom He thus helped were convinced that here was One in whom they could trust with perfect confidence. He would not betray the secrets they poured into His sympathizing ear." {The Desire of Ages, page 91, paragraph 1}

Jesus was safe to go to. He loved everyone. He looked on people in a way that caused them to know they were valued, and had an infinite purpose in God's great plan. I am so thankful for how He weeded vanity from my life--movies, music, and lawlessness--but I love how Jesus laid down good things (heaven, his own food, and his own reputation) in order to bless as many as possible, to reach as many hearts with the Father's tender, paternal love. May I have such an experience is my prayer; may we each have such an experience--which is gained day by day in this "thoughtful hour" beholding, yielding to, and being changed by the loveliness of the character of God in Christ! This is the greatest miracle this side of heaven, and can be consistently lived by constant surrender of the will to Him who lives to make intercession for us, and to prepare us for His imminent return in glory! 
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}