Author Topic: The Desire of Ages--68--In the Outer Court (Read 39447 times)

Richard Myers · « **Reply #80 on:** September 01, 2022, 12:32:29 PM »

Such beautiful and wonderful truths!! We who love the Lord our God with the whole heart understand how it was that Christ glorified His Father. It is also our privilege to glorify God: "Fear God and give glory to Him." How did Jesus glorify His Father?

Then came divine submission to His Father's will. "For this cause," He said, "came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy name." Only through the death of Christ could Satan's kingdom be overthrown. Only thus could man be redeemed, and God be glorified. Jesus consented to the agony, He accepted the sacrifice. The Majesty of heaven consented to suffer as the Sin Bearer. "Father, glorify Thy name," He said. As Christ spoke these words, a response came from the cloud which hovered above His head: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." Christ's whole life, from the manger to the time when these words were spoken, had glorified God; and in the coming trial His divine-human sufferings would indeed glorify His Father's name.

Notice it is the Father who said "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." It was and would be the Father's power working through His innocent So that did and would glorify His holy name. How has His people done in giving glory to His holy name? From Ezekiel:

36:22   Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not [this] for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.
36:23   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.
36:24   For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
36:25   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.

We have done no better than Israel. But, we read here a powerful promise as to what Jesus is going to do. No, He has already begun to sprinkle clean water upon a rebellious people.

Beacon · « **Reply #81 on:** November 26, 2022, 08:08:12 PM »

"Jesus said, He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."

"All who would bring forth fruit as workers together with Christ must first fall into the ground and die."

"The life must be cast into the furrow of the world's need."

"Self-love, self-interest, must perish. "

"The law of self-sacrifice is the law of self-preservation."

"The husbandman preserves his grain by casting it away."

"So in human life.To give is to live."

"The life that will be preserved is the life that is freely given in service to God and man."

"Those who for Christ's sake sacrifice their life in this world will keep it unto life eternal."

What a Blessed and Sacred Trust is our's, to be true representatives of Our Lord Jesus working in His Harvest Fields.
==================================
1
Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves;
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
2
Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
By and by, the harvest and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
3
Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,
Tho’, the loss sustained, our spirit often grieves;
When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Lyrics:Knowles Shaw (1834-1878)
Music : George A. Minor (1845-1904

Dorine · « **Reply #82 on:** November 27, 2022, 06:50:06 AM »

"The life spent on self is like the grain that is eaten. It disappears, but there is no increase. A man may gather all he can for self; he may live and think and plan for self; but his life passes away, and he has nothing. The law of self-serving is the law of self-destruction. "If any man serve Me," said Jesus, "let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor." All who have borne with Jesus the cross of sacrifice will be sharers with Him of His glory. It was the joy of Christ in His humiliation and pain that His disciples should be glorified with Him. They are the fruit of His self-sacrifice. The outworking in them of His own character and spirit is His reward, and will be His joy throughout eternity. This joy they share with Him as the fruit of their labor and sacrifice is seen in other hearts and lives. They are workers together with Christ, and the Father will honor them as He honors His Son."

Only as we keep Jesus foremost in our hearts and minds will we live a life of self-sacrifice and humility. We will not be self absorbed or worried by what is coming in the future but with joy share in the experience of all those who have lived and died in Christ. No matter what befalls us we meet it with joy because we are also sharing in the sufferings of Jesus. He gave His life for us. Because of His love for us we love Him and are willing to lay down our lives for Him and our brethren? The honor the Father gives His Son is also given to all who have given their lives to Christ in self sacrifice.

Richard Myers · « **Reply #83 on:** November 27, 2022, 07:46:27 AM »

Amen my dear brother and sister!! It is a hard lesson to learn, but Christ came to show us the way. When we love the Lord our God with the whole heart, then our lives will be given to help others. What is the result? It is more than our salvation and even more than the salvation for sinners we influence. It is for the safety of the entire universe. He is drawing all to Himself and we are the fruit of His suffering. We are to be His witnesses of the power of His love to transform sinners into saints.....and to keep us from sinning.

But the work of human redemption is not all that is accomplished by the cross. The love of God is manifested to the universe. The prince of this world is cast out. The accusations which Satan has brought against God are refuted. The reproach which he has cast upon heaven is forever removed. Angels as well as men are drawn to the Redeemer. "I, if I be lifted up from the earth," He said, "will draw all unto Me."

Philip T · « **Reply #84 on:** November 27, 2022, 08:25:37 AM »

Then came divine submission to His Father's will. "For this cause," He said, "came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy name." Only through the death of Christ could Satan's kingdom be overthrown. Only thus could man be redeemed, and God be glorified. Jesus consented to the agony, He accepted the sacrifice. The Majesty of heaven consented to suffer as the Sin Bearer. "Father, glorify Thy name," He said. As Christ spoke these words, a response came from the cloud which hovered above His head: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." Christ's whole life, from the manger to the time when these words were spoken, had glorified God; and in the coming trial His divine-human sufferings would indeed glorify His Father's name.

What love Jesus had for His father, his whole mission on earth glorified the father, what love for all as he consented again to give up His life that we may claim the free gift of grace and hence eternal life.

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #85 on:** November 28, 2022, 09:38:58 AM »

Amen, Brother Beacon, Sister Dorine, Brother Richard, and Brother Philip! What a joy to see such unity in the truth as it is in Jesus!! Jesus is truly coming soon!!

When we appreciate the loveliness of Jesus and all that He has done for us, we will realize that we are part of a story and a plan that is bigger than us! The universe gets to be a safe place for relational love in freedom to expressed because of what Christ has accomplished and what we have gone through as His people--"the Lamb's wife"--with Him!!

"But the work of human redemption is not all that is accomplished by the cross. The love of God is manifested to the universe. The prince of this world is cast out. The accusations which Satan has brought against God are refuted. The reproach which he has cast upon heaven is forever removed. Angels as well as men are drawn to the Redeemer. 'I, if I be lifted up from the earth,' He said, 'will draw all unto Me.'" {The Desire of Ages, page 626, paragraph 1}

Turning in complete surrender to Christ means that all of character attributes of the fruit of the Spirit will be manifest in our lives without one missing, enabling us to affectionately obey God from the heart He renews and keeps pure by His atoning blood and ever-living word! What a gift it is to be the recipients of such infinite grace and not only be redeemed, but point as many others as possible to Him as Savior, King and Redeemer! Praise the Lord!!

Beacon · « **Reply #86 on:** February 21, 2023, 08:35:21 PM »

"Only through the death of Christ could Satan's kingdom be overthrown."

"Only thus could man be redeemed, and God be glorified."

"Jesus consented to the agony, He accepted the sacrifice."

"The Majesty of heaven consented to suffer as the Sin Bearer. "Father, glorify Thy name," He said."

"As Christ spoke these words, a response came from the cloud which hovered above His head: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."

"Christ's whole life, from the manger to the time when these words were spoken, had glorified God; and in the coming trial His divine-human sufferings would indeed glorify His Father's name."

Are "WE"willing to be used as God sees Fit to Glorify His Holy Name??

======================
1
Earthly pleasures vainly call me,
I would be like Jesus;
Nothing worldly shall enthrall me,
I would be like Jesus.
Be like Jesus, this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long!
I would be like Jesus.
2
He has broken every fetter,
I would be like Jesus;
That my soul may serve Him better,
I would be like Jesus.
3
All the way from earth to glory,
I would be like Jesus;
Telling o’er and o’er the story,
I would be like Jesus.

Lyrics:James Rowe (1866-1933)
Music:Bentley DeForest Ackley (1872-1958)

Dorine · « **Reply #87 on:** February 22, 2023, 04:33:22 AM »

"Now is the judgment of this world," Christ continued; "now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto Me. This He said, signifying what death He should die." This is the crisis of the world. If I become the propitiation for the sins of men, the world will be lighted up. Satan's hold upon the souls of men will be broken. The defaced image of God will be restored in humanity, and a family of believing saints will finally inherit the heavenly home. This is the result of Christ's death. The Saviour is lost in contemplation of the scene of triumph called up before Him. He sees the cross, the cruel, ignominious cross, with all its attending horrors, blazing with glory.

But the work of human redemption is not all that is accomplished by the cross. The love of God is manifested to the universe. The prince of this world is cast out. The accusations which Satan has brought against God are refuted. The reproach which he has cast upon heaven is forever removed. Angels as well as men are drawn to the Redeemer. "I, if I be lifted up from the earth," He said, "will draw all unto Me."
Our daily readings on the life of Christ bring me such hope and encouragement. What ever burdens I must carry because of my love for Jesus, He makes light so that I may bear them. Just as the Greeks yearned to see Jesus there are those all around us that are hungering for a better life. May we lift up Jesus to them in words and acts of kindness, never wavering. Our walk with Jesus must be balanced and consistent or it will only bring confusion to those we are wanting to help.

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #88 on:** February 22, 2023, 06:53:37 AM »

Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!!

The seed is Jesus, the word of God, who in dying on Calvary and rising from the dead offers us eternal life as we consent to die to sin and abide in His righteous life! All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will flow through the life that is truly converted and abiding in Him in true obedience! More and more glory unfolds to our hearts and minds as we contemplate the infinite love manifest toward us in Christ's death on the cross! It starts now, and continues forever!!

"The seed buried in the ground produces fruit, and in turn this is planted. Thus the harvest is multiplied. So the death of Christ on the cross of Calvary will bear fruit unto eternal life. The contemplation of this sacrifice will be the glory of those who, as the fruit of it, will live through the eternal ages." {The Desire of Ages, page 623, paragraph 3}

Let us praise God more and more for His wonderful power and grace towards us to transform sinners into saints and keep us from falling back into sin and the way of death! The path of life found through union and communion with Christ is infinitely better than anything we are tempted to do that is wrong!

Richard Myers · « **Reply #89 on:** February 22, 2023, 07:48:23 AM »

Amen my dear friends! Such love!! And we ought to reflect that same love. It is a hard lesson to learn, but will bring glory to God. It is His reward for His suffering, His pain, His death.

"If any man serve Me," said Jesus, "let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor." All who have borne with Jesus the cross of sacrifice will be sharers with Him of His glory. It was the joy of Christ in His humiliation and pain that His disciples should be glorified with Him. They are the fruit of His self-sacrifice. The outworking in them of His own character and spirit is His reward, and will be His joy throughout eternity. This joy they share with Him as the fruit of their labor and sacrifice is seen in other hearts and lives. They are workers together with Christ, and the Father will honor them as He honors His Son.
The message of the Greeks, foreshadowing as it did the gathering in of the Gentiles, brought to the mind of Jesus His entire mission. The work of redemption passed before Him, from the time when in heaven the plan was laid, to the death that was now so near at hand. A mysterious cloud seemed to enshroud the Son of God. Its gloom was felt by those near Him. He sat rapt in thought. At last the silence was broken by His mournful voice, "Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour?" In anticipation Christ was already drinking the cup of bitterness. His humanity shrank from the hour of abandonment, when to all appearance He would be deserted even by God, when all would see Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. He shrank from public exposure, from being treated as the worst of criminals, from a shameful and dishonored death. A foreboding of His conflict with the powers of darkness, a sense of the awful burden of human transgression, and the Father's wrath because of sin caused the spirit of Jesus to faint, and the pallor of death to overspread His countenance.

If we are willing to sacrifice our life, then Christ will receive His reward. As Sister Dorine has shared, "The defaced image of God will be restored in humanity." The greatest of all miracles!! It was not easy for Jesus to suffer this humiliation, so it is not easy for us. In the end, which we approach, all who love God supremely will suffer humiliation, bearing unfair condemnation, even death for standing for truth, for standing for God. Are we daily gaining strength of character so that we are able?

Richard Myers · « **Reply #90 on:** May 19, 2023, 08:19:38 AM »

Jesus came to this dark spot in the universe that we might know God. That we would know of His great love and power. He came to suffer on our account. Have we learned the lesson? Have we picked up our cross that we might reflect His character? Are living for the benefit of others?

The grain of wheat that preserves its own life can produce no fruit. It abides alone. Christ could, if He chose, save Himself from death. But should He do this, He must abide alone. He could bring no sons and daughters to God. Only by yielding up His life could He impart life to humanity. Only by falling into the ground to die could He become the seed of that vast harvest,--the great multitude that out of every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, are redeemed to God.
With this truth Christ connects the lesson of self-sacrifice that all should learn: "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." All who would bring forth fruit as workers together with Christ must first fall into the ground and die. The life must be cast into the furrow of the world's need. Self-love, self-interest, must perish. And the law of self-sacrifice is the law of self-preservation. The husbandman preserves his grain by casting it away. So in human life. To give is to live. The life that will be preserved is the life that is freely given in service to God and man. Those who for Christ's sake sacrifice their life in this world will keep it unto life eternal.

Richard Myers · « **Reply #91 on:** May 19, 2023, 08:20:53 AM »

Quote from: Beacon on October 23, 2019, 06:16:25 PM

"He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." All who would bring forth fruit as workers together with Christ must first fall into the ground and die. The life must be cast into the furrow of the world's need. Self-love, self-interest, must perish. And the law of self-sacrifice is the law of self-preservation. The husbandman preserves his grain by casting it away. So in human life. To give is to live. The life that will be preserved is the life that is freely given in service to God and man. Those who for Christ's sake sacrifice their life in this world will keep it unto life eternal. The life spent on self is like the grain that is eaten. It disappears, but there is no increase. A man may gather all he can for self; he may live and think and plan for self; but his life passes away, and he has nothing. The law of self-serving is the law of self-destruction"

" All who have borne with Jesus the cross of sacrifice will be sharers with Him of His glory. It was the joy of Christ in His humiliation and pain that His disciples should be glorified with Him. They are the fruit of His self-sacrifice. The outworking in them of His own character and spirit is His reward, and will be His joy throughout eternity. This joy they share with Him as the fruit of their labor and sacrifice is seen in other hearts and lives. They are workers together with Christ, and the Father will honor them as He honors His Son."[/font]

What a HIGH CALLING is ours! What tremendous Privilege and Honor has been given to those who are wiling to TAKE UP THE CROSS & FOLLOW JESUS in service to " Others ". BUT....It requires us to Die To Self so that we can be Filled with Holy Spirit POWER. Jesus said...Without Me Ye Can Do " NOTHING " --- Are You Willing? --- Am I willing? Jesus again said... "You are either for Me or against Me! No man can serve two masters" Which one will we choose??

Our dear Brother Beacon is doing better. God hears our prayers!

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #92 on:** May 19, 2023, 03:48:33 PM »

Amen, Brother Richard! Praise God for the recovery He is granting Brother Beacon!! Happy Sabbath as it comes!

Let us realize what Jesus really values--a life and character that is willing to come into harmony with Him!

"'If any man serve Me,' said Jesus, 'let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor.' All who have borne with Jesus the cross of sacrifice will be sharers with Him of His glory. It was the joy of Christ in His humiliation and pain that His disciples should be glorified with Him. They are the fruit of His self-sacrifice. The outworking in them of His own character and spirit is His reward, and will be His joy throughout eternity. This joy they share with Him as the fruit of their labor and sacrifice is seen in other hearts and lives. They are workers together with Christ, and the Father will honor them as He honors His Son." {The Desire of Ages, page 624, paragraph 2}

We can look forward to eternity, not just with our loving God, but also with all the redeemed whom the Holy Spirit helped us to reach for Jesus by abiding in Him! All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be seen in our lives as long as we are fully surrendered to Jesus and humbly obeying Him up to the light He has revealed to us! Praise God!

Richard Myers · « **Reply #93 on:** August 11, 2023, 03:58:40 PM »

Amen

The seed buried in the ground produces fruit, and in turn this is planted. Thus the harvest is multiplied. So the death of Christ on the cross of Calvary will bear fruit unto eternal life. The contemplation of this sacrifice will be the glory of those who, as the fruit of it, will live through the eternal ages.

Beacon · « **Reply #94 on:** August 13, 2023, 08:09:18 PM »

"All who would bring forth fruit as workers together with Christ must first fall into the ground and die. The life must be cast into the furrow of the world's need."

"Self-love, self-interest, must perish."

"The law of self-sacrifice is the law of self-preservation. "

"The husbandman preserves his grain by casting it away.

" So in human life. To give is to live. "

The life that will be preserved is the life that is freely given in service to God and man."

"Those who for Christ's sake sacrifice their life in this world will keep it unto life eternal."

Jesus invites us to participate in His mission to save us and others as it says in Luke 9:23,24

"And he said to them all, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."

The question is..Are You - Am I - Willing to take up the Cross and be Willing to be a "living demonstration of His Love"?

===============================
1
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy [redemption],*
Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.
2
Living for Jesus who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
3
Living for Jesus wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
4
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

Lyrics:Thomas Obediah Chisholm (1866-1960)
Music:Carl Harold Lowden (1883-1963)

Dorine · « **Reply #95 on:** August 14, 2023, 05:02:53 AM »

"The message of the Greeks, foreshadowing as it did the gathering in of the Gentiles, brought to the mind of Jesus His entire mission. The work of redemption passed before Him, from the time when in heaven the plan was laid, to the death that was now so near at hand. A mysterious cloud seemed to enshroud the Son of God. Its gloom was felt by those near Him. He sat rapt in thought. At last the silence was broken by His mournful voice, "Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour?" In anticipation Christ was already drinking the cup of bitterness. His humanity shrank from the hour of abandonment, when to all appearance He would be deserted even by God, when all would see Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. He shrank from public exposure, from being treated as the worst of criminals, from a shameful and dishonored death. A foreboding of His conflict with the powers of darkness, a sense of the awful burden of human transgression, and the Father's wrath because of sin caused the spirit of Jesus to faint, and the pallor of death to overspread His countenance."

Do we rejoice in our trials or do we say "why me?" Jesus suffered as no human has ever suffered and He promises to be with us through all of our trials. When Jesus has our whole heart we will not be concerned about self but rather what we can do to bring others to the knowledge of Jesus who is the answer to every problem we may face. The lesson of the buried seed is such a powerful lesson for each of us.

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #96 on:** August 14, 2023, 05:49:57 AM »

Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!

The selfless act of God giving His Son to save the human family that led to the sufferings and death of Christ on the cross is so opposite to the character of Satan. Christ's death would destroy the hold of Satan on the hearts and minds of those who would be drawn to God in His love. As each soul is drawn to God and chooses to fully surrender to Him, a supernatural new birth takes place in which all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing come into the life. Then the soul that used to be a slave of sin now delights to obey God's Ten Commandments from the heart. Let's learn to daily keep the sacrifice of Christ before us to strengthen and motivate us to walk in God's loving will!

"'Now is the judgment of this world,' Christ continued; 'now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto Me. This He said, signifying what death He should die.' This is the crisis of the world. If I become the propitiation for the sins of men, the world will be lighted up. Satan's hold upon the souls of men will be broken. The defaced image of God will be restored in humanity, and a family of believing saints will finally inherit the heavenly home. This is the result of Christ's death. The Saviour is lost in contemplation of the scene of triumph called up before Him. He sees the cross, the cruel, ignominious cross, with all its attending horrors, blazing with glory." {The Desire of Ages, page 625, paragraph 4}

The glory God revealed at Calvary's cross will be our science and song not just in this life, but for eternity. Praise God for the power of His love and grace to transform sinners into saints and renew lives into His image! What is bearing the cross for the human agent who responds to Jesus?

"We are to bear the yoke of Christ that we may be placed in complete union with Him. 'Take my yoke upon you,' He says. Obey My requirements. But these requirements may be in direct opposition to the will and purposes of the human agent. What then is to be done? Hear what God says: 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.' The yoke and the cross are symbols representing the same thing,—the giving up of the will to God. Wearing the yoke unites finite man in companionship with the dearly beloved Son of God. Lifting the cross cuts away self from the soul, and places man where he learns how to bear Christ’s burdens. We cannot follow Christ without wearing His yoke, without lifting the cross and bearing it after Him. If our will is not in accord with the divine requirements, we are to deny our inclinations, give up our darling desires, and step in Christ’s footsteps...." {The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, page 1090, paragraph 8}

Let us choose continually to walk in harmony with Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Richard Myers · « **Reply #97 on:** August 14, 2023, 07:38:43 PM »

Amen my dear friends. Many may talk about unity, but it is impossible to be in Christian unity unless we are filled with the Holy Spirit. And if that be the case, then Christ is rewarded by our faithful witness of the power of grace to transform si nners into saints. When we sin, we deny Jesus His reward for all He suffered. Prayerfully consider this.

"If any man serve Me," said Jesus, "let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor." All who have borne with Jesus the cross of sacrifice will be sharers with Him of His glory. It was the joy of Christ in His humiliation and pain that His disciples should be glorified with Him. They are the fruit of His self-sacrifice. The outworking in them of His own character and spirit is His reward, and will be His joy throughout eternity. This joy they share with Him as the fruit of their labor and sacrifice is seen in other hearts and lives. They are workers together with Christ, and the Father will honor them as He honors His Son.

Yes! And not only now, but...."His reward, and will be His joy throughout eternity." Oh how we ought to pray for the joy we can have by giving Jesus what He truly wants.

Beacon · « **Reply #98 on:** November 08, 2023, 08:05:22 PM »

"The law of self-sacrifice is the law of self-preservation. "

"The husbandman preserves his grain by casting it away.

" In human life. To give is to live. "

"The life that will be preserved is the life that is freely given in service to God and man."

"Those who for Christ's sake sacrifice their life in this world will keep it unto life eternal."

"Jesus invites us to participate in His mission to save us and others. "

"It says in Luke 9:23,24 "And he said to them all, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."

Are "WE" Willing to take up our cross daily and follow Him???

====================
1
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fulness see,
More of His love who died for me.
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fulness see,
More of His love who died for me.
2
More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.
3
More about Jesus; in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in every line,
Making each faithful saying mine.
4
More about Jesus; on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of Peace.

Lyrics:Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (1851-1920)
Music:John Robson Sweney (1837-1899)

Dorine · « **Reply #99 on:** November 09, 2023, 05:08:34 AM »

The grain of wheat that preserves its own life can produce no fruit. It abides alone. Christ could, if He chose, save Himself from death. But should He do this, He must abide alone. He could bring no sons and daughters to God. Only by yielding up His life could He impart life to humanity. Only by falling into the ground to die could He become the seed of that vast harvest,--the great multitude that out of every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, are redeemed to God.

Jesus takes the simple things of nature to teach profound eternal truths. Gardener's understand this in principle but all need to understand the spiritual meaning that Jesus is trying to instill in each mind and heart. All who accept Christ are His seed who are planted on this earth to be fruitful for Him, both in our own lives and for the saving of lost souls.