Author Topic: The Desire of Ages--51--The Light of Life (Read 46083 times)

Philip T · « **Reply #80 on:** June 06, 2021, 08:08:27 AM »

The only condition upon which the freedom of man is possible is that of becoming one with Christ. "The truth shall make you free;" and Christ is the truth. Sin can triumph only by enfeebling the mind, and destroying the liberty of the soul. Subjection to God is restoration to one's self,--to the true glory and dignity of man. The divine law, to which we are brought into subjection, is "the law of liberty." James 2:12.

Total surrender to Christ, is the only way to become one with Him. Sin enters our lives when we let go of this connection with Christ, and let the world creep into our lives. To be one with Christ brings that peaceth passeth understanding into our hearts. And this is the state the church needs to reach for the final pouring out of the Holy Spirit.

Richard Myers · « **Reply #81 on:** June 06, 2021, 09:29:47 AM »

Quote from: Dorine on June 06, 2021, 05:03:18 AM

"Every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under the control of another power. He is not his own. He may talk of freedom, but he is in the most abject slavery. He is not allowed to see the beauty of truth, for his mind is under the control of Satan. While he flatters himself that he is following the dictates of his own judgment, he obeys the will of the prince of darkness. Christ came to break the shackles of sin-slavery from the soul. "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" sets us "free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:2.

It's a beautiful thing to experience the freedom that comes to a heart that is totally surrendered to Christ. It is true that the chains that bind us to our satanic habits are completely broken when Jesus is our Master. Then we know what true freedom is. Our spiritual eyes are opened to see the condition we have been rescued from and our hearts are overjoyed and grateful to Jesus who is light to our path and understanding. So many are bound by Satan, even church members. They need to look to Jesus and live for He is our only hope and salvation.

Amen Sister Dorine. Prior to conversion, we are at enmity with God and can do no good thing, we are captive to the law of sin and death. False teachers teach that Romans 7 is the converted Christian's experience. But, we read in Romans 7:23 "I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." We are indeed captive to the law of sin which is in us, it is our natural fallen nature. But, it is not an excuse for sin which is the point being made by the false teachers who claim Romans 7 is the experience after conversion. It may very well be IF the converted Christians takes his eyes off of Jesus. But, that does not make Romans 7 the Christian experience. Romans 8 is very clear on what the experience of a converted Christian is. When abiding in Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit, we are set free from the law of sin in our members. We do not believe in Holy flesh this side of the second coming. But, fallen flesh does not mean we cannot keep the commandments of God which is so widely taught in the church. Not only are we told that we are set free from the law of sin (Rom. 8:2 ), we read that those who have not the Spirit are none of His (Rom. 8:9).

It is a great blessing to have our Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy that keeps us from being deceived as the Holy Spirit brings to mind what we have read and He has shown us in the past. It was a blessing to read of Abraham's experience again. The greatest lesson that has ever been given to man was given to Abraham. Never has been a close test than his. We need to keep that lesson fresh in our mind daily.

Abraham learned of God the greatest lesson ever given to mortal. His prayer that he might see Christ before he should die was answered. He saw Christ; he saw all that mortal can see, and live. By making an entire surrender, he was able to understand the vision of Christ, which had been given him. He was shown that in giving His only-begotten Son to save sinners from eternal ruin, God was making a greater and more wonderful sacrifice than ever man could make.

Beacon · « **Reply #82 on:** September 01, 2021, 10:01:42 AM »

"In the work of redemption there is no compulsion. No external force is employed."

"Under the influence of the Spirit of God, man is left free to choose whom he will serve."

"In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom. The expulsion of sin is the act of the soul itself. "

"True, we have no power to free ourselves from Satan's control but...when we desire to be set free from sin, and in our great need cry out for a power out of and above ourselves, the powers of the soul are imbued with the divine energy of the Holy Spirit, and they obey the dictates of the will in fulfilling the will of God."

God is offering us True Freedom in this life and in the New Earth. The choice is " Our Own " Who's voice will we listen to, Jesus Or Satan? I'm hoping and trusting that each of us will be willing to listen to the voice of love coming from the heart of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #83 on:** September 01, 2021, 03:23:30 PM »

Amen, Brother Beacon!!

Let us recognize we need Jesus continually to do any good thing! Only abiding in Him is there an experience of all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing! Then we can gladly obey the law of God from the heart renewed by the Holy Spirit!

"To all who realized their need, Christ came with infinite help." {The Desire of Ages, page 475, paragraph 3}

God is faithful to heal our lives!

Beacon · « **Reply #84 on:** November 26, 2021, 08:10:20 PM »

"The wind is heard among the branches of the trees, rustling the leaves and flowers; yet it is invisible, and no man knows whence it comes or whither it goes.

"So with the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart."

"It can no more be explained than can the movements of the wind. A person may not be able to tell the exact time or place, or to trace all the circumstances in the process of conversion; but this does not prove him to be unconverted."

"By an agency as unseen as the wind, Christ is constantly working upon the heart. Little by little, perhaps unconsciously to the receiver, impressions are made that tend to draw the soul to Christ.

"These may be received through meditating upon Him, through reading the Scriptures, or through hearing the word from the living preacher. Suddenly, as the Spirit comes with more direct appeal, the soul gladly surrenders itself to Jesus. By many this is called sudden conversion; but it is the result of long wooing by the Spirit of God,--a patient, protracted process."

How thankful we should be for the transforming, wooing power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus will never give up on us but let us make sure that we don't give up on Him. It is through the Power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is knocking at our hearts door...but "we must open the door" because Jesus will never force anyone to accept Him.

I love the words of this hymn -- Read them carefully and prayerfully.

1 Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love the way you love,
and do what you would do.

2 Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until my will is one with yours,
to do and to endure.

3 Breathe on me, Breath of God,
so shall I never die,
but live with you the perfect life
for all eternity.

Author: Edwin Hatch (1878)
Tune: TRENTHAM

Dorine · « **Reply #85 on:** November 27, 2021, 06:29:50 AM »

"The Lord Jesus knew the ordeal through which the man was passing, and He gave him grace and utterance, so that he became a witness for Christ. He answered the Pharisees in words that were a cutting rebuke to his questioners. They claimed to be the expositors of Scripture, the religious guides of the nation; and yet here was One performing miracles, and they were confessedly ignorant as to the source of His power, and as to His character and claims. "Why herein is a marvelous thing," said the man, "that ye know not from whence He is, and yet He hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this Man were not of God, He could do nothing."

"The man had met his inquisitors on their own ground. His reasoning was unanswerable. The Pharisees were astonished, and they held their peace,--spellbound before his pointed, determined words. For a few moments there was silence. Then the frowning priests and rabbis gathered about them their robes, as though they feared contamination from contact with him; they shook off the dust from their feet, and hurled denunciations against him,--"Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us?" And they excommunicated him."

What a testimony for Jesus. When we are a follower of Christ we have nothing to fear from the enemy. Jesus will give us the words to speak when most needed. There may be severe consequences like this man experienced but what is most important is what God thinks of us, not man.

Richard Myers · « **Reply #86 on:** November 27, 2021, 08:53:33 AM »

Amen Sister Dorine! Those who love the Lord our God with the whole heart will be witnesses of His character. Those who do not surrender the whole heart, their righteousness is as filthy rags. This is the evidence of conversion, those who are truly the "children of Abraham."

The Pharisees had declared themselves the children of Abraham. Jesus told them that this claim could be established only by doing the works of Abraham. The true children of Abraham would live, as he did, a life of obedience to God. They would not try to kill One who was speaking the truth that was given Him from God. In plotting against Christ, the rabbis were not doing the works of Abraham. A mere lineal descent from Abraham was of no value. Without a spiritual connection with him, which would be manifested in possessing the same spirit, and doing the same works, they were not his children.
This principle bears with equal weight upon a question that has long agitated the Christian world,--the question of apostolic succession. Descent from Abraham was proved, not by name and lineage, but by likeness of character. So the apostolic succession rests not upon the transmission of ecclesiastical authority, but upon spiritual relationship. A life actuated by the apostles' spirit, the belief and teaching of the truth they taught, this is the true evidence of apostolic succession. This is what constitutes men the successors of the first teachers of the gospel.....

He whose heart has responded to the divine touch will be seeking for that which will increase his knowledge of God, and will refine and elevate the character. As a flower turns to the sun, that the bright rays may touch it with tints of beauty, so will the soul turn to the Sun of Righteousness, that heaven's light may beautify the character with the graces of the character of Christ.

Amen! This is what we want, the character of Christ, that we might be true and faithful witnesses of the power of His grace to transform sinners into saints.

Beacon · « **Reply #87 on:** February 21, 2022, 08:22:37 PM »

"Descent from Abraham was proved, not by name and lineage, but by likeness of character."

"So the apostolic succession rests not upon the transmission of ecclesiastical authority, but upon spiritual relationship.".

"A life actuated by the apostles' spirit, the belief and teaching of the truth they taught, this is the true evidence of apostolic succession."

"This is what constitutes men the successors of the first teachers of the gospel."

"He whose heart has responded to the divine touch will be seeking for that which will increase his knowledge of God, and will refine and elevate the character."

"As a flower turns to the sun, that the bright rays may touch it with tints of beauty, so will the soul turn to the Sun of Righteousness, that heaven's light may beautify the character with the graces of the character of Christ."

May the words of this song below be a reflection of our hearts desire.

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)

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #88 on:** February 22, 2022, 04:34:23 AM »

Amen, Brother Beacon!!

When Jesus is revealed to our souls in His infinite loveliness, it is phenomenal the work that He can do in our hearts! If we but open the whole heart to Jesus to purify and cleanse, He will fill us with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing, simultaneously empowering us to affectionately obey God's law of love by His divine nature at work in and through us!

When Jesus was in His ministry, He faced questions in the way the Father led Him, also revealing to us today that He lived what He taught, and that is why He spake as never man spake!! He offers us His experience of converted victory over sin!

"But to their question, 'Who art Thou?' Jesus replied, 'Even that which I have also spoken unto you from the beginning.' John 8:25, R.V. That which had been revealed in His words was revealed also in His character. He was the embodiment of the truths He taught. 'I do nothing of Myself,' He continued; 'but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things. And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.' He did not attempt to prove His Messianic claim, but showed His unity with God. If their minds had been open to God's love, they would have received Jesus." {The Desire of Ages, page 465, paragraph 3}

To live as Jesus lived, to walk even as He walked--this is our privilege and destiny by the power of the Holy Spirit! Let us allow God to do all He longs to do through us today for His glory and eternal honor!!

Dorine · « **Reply #89 on:** February 22, 2022, 07:16:58 AM »

"Jesus heard what had been done; and finding him soon after, He said, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" For the first time the blind man looked upon the face of his Restorer. Before the council he had seen his parents troubled and perplexed; he had looked upon the frowning faces of the rabbis; now his eyes rested upon the loving, peaceful countenance of Jesus. Already, at great cost to himself, he had acknowledged Him as a delegate of divine power; now a higher revelation was granted him. To the Saviour's question, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" the blind man replied by asking, "Who is He, Lord, that I might believe on Him?" And Jesus said, "Thou hast both seen Him, and it is He that talketh with thee." The man cast himself at the Saviour's feet in worship. Not only had his natural sight been restored, but the eyes of his understanding had been opened. Christ had been revealed to his soul, and he received Him as the Sent of God."

The faith of this man is the same faith that is available to each one today. We are all given a measure of faith but it grows only as we use it. What impressed me was how quickly he received Jesus when He realized that Jesus was the Son of God. There was no resistance, just an open heart full of childlike acceptance ready to do what ever was asked of Him. What wonders are revealed to all who take Jesus at His word and accept Him as friend and Saviour.

Richard Myers · « **Reply #90 on:** February 22, 2022, 11:50:01 AM »

The Jews had so perverted the plan of salvation that they put to death the Son of God. It was not that way in the beginning. The father of the Jews, Abraham understood the lamb represented Jesus, as did Adam, Enoch, Daniel, and David.

Abraham had greatly desired to see the promised Saviour. He offered up the most earnest prayer that before his death he might behold the Messiah. And he saw Christ. A supernatural light was given him, and he acknowledged Christ's divine character. He saw His day, and was glad. He was given a view of the divine sacrifice for sin. Of this sacrifice he had an illustration in his own experience. The command came to him, "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, . . . and offer him . . . for a burnt offering." Genesis 22:2. Upon the altar of sacrifice he laid the son of promise, the son in whom his hopes were centered. Then as he waited beside the altar with knife upraised to obey God, he heard a voice from heaven saying, "Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me." Genesis 22:12. This terrible ordeal was imposed upon Abraham that he might see the day of Christ, and realize the great love of God for the world, so great that to raise it from its degradation, He gave His only-begotten Son to a most shameful death.
Abraham learned of God the greatest lesson ever given to mortal. His prayer that he might see Christ before he should die was answered. He saw Christ; he saw all that mortal can see, and live. By making an entire surrender, he was able to understand the vision of Christ, which had been given him. He was shown that in giving His only-begotten Son to save sinners from eternal ruin, God was making a greater and more wonderful sacrifice than ever man could make.

Beacon · « **Reply #91 on:** May 19, 2022, 08:00:58 PM »

"He whose heart has responded to the divine touch will be seeking for that which will increase his knowledge of God, and will refine and elevate the character."

The Bible says in Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

"As a flower turns to the sun, that the bright rays may touch it with tints of beauty, so will the soul turn to the Sun of Righteousness.."

"Then heaven's light may beautify the character with the graces of the character of Christ.

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

"Like the woman at the well, I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy.
And then I heard my Savior speaking—
“Draw from My well that never shall run dry.”

Fill my cup, Lord;I lift it up Lord;
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more.
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.
2
There are millions in this world who are seeking
For pleasures earthly goods afford.
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.
3
So my brother if the things that this world gives you
Leave hungers that won’t pass away,
My blessed Lord will come and save you
If you kneel to Him and humbly pray"

Lyrics and Music : Richard Blanchard (1925-2004)

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #92 on:** May 20, 2022, 05:41:23 AM »

Amen, Brother Beacon!!

What is love? Love is patient and love is kind, and it helps those who need it most. We need help so much, and God in infinite love offers us His help that we may be wholly transformed in His character.

"To all who realized their need, Christ came with infinite help." {The Desire of Ages, page 475, paragraph 3}

Let us accept in a full-heart surrender the help God offers us in Christ and receive all of the fruits of the Spirit in our lives without one missing even as we are empowered by His grace to obey God from a heart that is renewed in His image!

Dorine · « **Reply #93 on:** May 20, 2022, 05:41:49 AM »

The manifestation of divine power that had given to the blind man both natural and spiritual sight had left the Pharisees in yet deeper darkness. Some of His hearers, feeling that Christ's words applied to them, inquired, "Are we blind also?" Jesus answered, "If ye were blind, ye should have no sin." If God had made it impossible for you to see the truth, your ignorance would involve no guilt. "But now ye say, We see." You believe yourselves able to see, and reject the means through which alone you could receive sight. To all who realized their need, Christ came with infinite help. But the Pharisees would confess no need; they refused to come to Christ, and hence they were left in blindness,--a blindness for which they were themselves guilty. Jesus said, "Your sin remaineth."

Self righteousness is a grievous sin but God promises that all who come to him will find help. That's why it is vitally important to come into the presence of Jesus each morning with humble, contrite hearts. As we acknowledge our own weaknesses before Him and walking with Him through out the day, He immediately covers us with His righteousness and gives us power to resist temptation. Just like Enoch we may have a continual personal walk with God. There is no stronger testimony for Christ than a changed life. All the fruits of the spirit will be manifested and we will become the light of the world because Jesus dwells within through the work of the Holy Spirit just as was evident in the life of this man that Jesus healed.

Beacon · « **Reply #94 on:** August 14, 2022, 08:00:50 PM »

"Abraham learned of God the greatest lesson ever given to mortal."

"His prayer that he might see Christ before he should die was answered."

"He saw Christ; he saw all that mortal can see, and live."

"By making an entire surrender, he was able to understand the vision of Christ, which had been given him."

"He was shown that in giving His only-begotten Son to save sinners from eternal ruin, God was making a greater and more wonderful sacrifice than ever man could make."

Jesus encourages us to listen to His Invitation as recorded in Matthew 7:6-8 King James Version says...

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

What positive, confirming words are found in the above verses of God's Word! Are "WE" willing to SEEK and Find? Did you notice the positive, affirmative words " To him that knocketh it shall be opened?? Are we willing to put our Trust and Faith in the Word of God? You will not be disappointed!!

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

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #95 on:** August 15, 2022, 05:31:12 AM »

Amen, Brother Beacon!!

Are you truly free? True freedom can only be found in complete surrender to Christ, and He does not force any of us to yield to Him. But by His infinite love He reveals His loveliness of character as manifest in the gift of Himself in Christ, and God invites us to surrender fully to Him, and as we do and confess and forsake sin by the power He gives us in the free exercise of our will, He gives us a new heart and fills us with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing! Gladly we are empowered to obey God and walk in the highest freedom found in union and communion with God!

"In the work of redemption there is no compulsion. No external force is employed. Under the influence of the Spirit of God, man is left free to choose whom he will serve. In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom. The expulsion of sin is the act of the soul itself. True, we have no power to free ourselves from Satan's control; but when we desire to be set free from sin, and in our great need cry out for a power out of and above ourselves, the powers of the soul are imbued with the divine energy of the Holy Spirit, and they obey the dictates of the will in fulfilling the will of God." {The Desire of Ages, page 466, paragraph 4}

God will work in us to will and to do of His good pleasure, and we can be so thankful that His grace is sufficient for us and that He knows what we need before we even ask! Look to Him continually and abide in His love, for the greatest freedom found is in knowing and loving Him which enables us to do His will!

Richard Myers · « **Reply #96 on:** August 15, 2022, 10:22:58 AM »

Amen Brother Beacon! And since we surrender the whole to Christ daily, we can also understand the glory of God as His Son hung on the cross. We are healed by His stripes daily.

Amen Pastor Sean, I too saw the same truth this morning.

In the work of redemption there is no compulsion. No external force is employed. Under the influence of the Spirit of God, man is left free to choose whom he will serve. In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom. The expulsion of sin is the act of the soul itself. True, we have no power to free ourselves from Satan's control; but when we desire to be set free from sin, and in our great need cry out for a power out of and above ourselves, the powers of the soul are imbued with the divine energy of the Holy Spirit, and they obey the dictates of the will in fulfilling the will of God.
The only condition upon which the freedom of man is possible is that of becoming one with Christ. "The truth shall make you free;" and Christ is the truth. Sin can triumph only by enfeebling the mind, and destroying the liberty of the soul. Subjection to God is restoration to one's self,--to the true glory and dignity of man. The divine law, to which we are brought into subjection, is "the law of liberty." James 2:12.
The Pharisees had declared themselves the children of Abraham. Jesus told them that this claim could be established only by doing the works of Abraham. The true children of Abraham would live, as he did, a life of obedience to God.

How sad that even though many are called, few will choose to accept the Gift of God's Son and thus be able to live a life of obedience. How clever is the evil one to be able to deceive so very many who profess to serve God.

Beacon · « **Reply #97 on:** November 09, 2022, 08:02:40 PM »

"The only condition upon which the freedom of man is possible is that of becoming one with Christ."

"The truth shall make you free;" and Christ is the truth."

"Sin can triumph only by enfeebling the mind, and destroying the liberty of the soul."

"Subjection to God is restoration to one's self,--to the true glory and dignity of man."

"The divine law, to which we are brought into subjection, is "The law of liberty." James 2:12."[/b]

"The Pharisees had declared themselves the children of Abraham."

"Jesus told them that this claim could be established only by doing the works of Abraham.

"The true children of Abraham would live, as he did, a life of obedience to God."

Are "YOU - AM I " Willing to live a life of obedience to God and Trust His Guidance through all our Hills & Valleys?

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

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’s 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’ll 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 · « **Reply #98 on:** November 10, 2022, 04:36:40 AM »

The Lord Jesus knew the ordeal through which the man was passing, and He gave him grace and utterance, so that he became a witness for Christ. He answered the Pharisees in words that were a cutting rebuke to his questioners. They claimed to be the expositors of Scripture, the religious guides of the nation; and yet here was One performing miracles, and they were confessedly ignorant as to the source of His power, and as to His character and claims. "Why herein is a marvelous thing," said the man, "that ye know not from whence He is, and yet He hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this Man were not of God, He could do nothing."

Amen. What a witness for the grace and power of God. It infuriated the priests but that did not stop the once blind man from boldly declaring what Jesus had done for him. Christ will do the same for us. We may not be quick to speak. We may fumble over words but when Jesus needs us to speak for Him He will give us the ability to express clearly the thoughts that He has placed upon our minds. One thing that stood out to me was that we may not convince those we are speaking to of truth but there are those watching and listening with open hearts that the Holy Spirit will reach because Jesus has spoken to them through us.

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #99 on:** November 10, 2022, 09:35:48 AM »

Praise the Lord, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!

The light shines--we choose whether we will walk in it or reject the help that Jesus offers us! Let us all choose to walk in the light as He is in the light!

"The manifestation of divine power that had given to the blind man both natural and spiritual sight had left the Pharisees in yet deeper darkness. Some of His hearers, feeling that Christ's words applied to them, inquired, 'Are we blind also?' Jesus answered, 'If ye were blind, ye should have no sin.' If God had made it impossible for you to see the truth, your ignorance would involve no guilt. 'But now ye say, We see.' You believe yourselves able to see, and reject the means through which alone you could receive sight. To all who realized their need, Christ came with infinite help. But the Pharisees would confess no need; they refused to come to Christ, and hence they were left in blindness,--a blindness for which they were themselves guilty. Jesus said, 'Your sin remaineth.'" {The Desire of Ages, page 475, paragraph 3}

Christ came to take away our sins, and when we fully surrender to Him, all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing as we are empowred to gladly obey God's law of love! Christ helps us infinitely!