The Desire of Ages--53--The Last Journey From Galilee

[Beacon]

"The only way in which we can gain a more perfect apprehension of truth is by keeping the heart tender and subdued by the Spirit of Christ."

"The soul must be cleansed from vanity and pride, and vacated of all that has held it in possession."

"Christ must be enthroned within."

"Human science is too limited to comprehend the atonement."

"The plan of redemption is so far-reaching that philosophy cannot explain it."

"It will ever remain a mystery that the most profound reasoning cannot fathom."

"The science of salvation cannot be explained; but it can be known by experience."

"Only he who sees his own sinfulness can discern the preciousness of the Saviour."

Lord "OPEN OUR EYES that we may see our great need of cleansing."

=========================
1
Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
    Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my eyes, illumine me,
    Spirit Divine!
2
Open my ears that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
3
Open my mouth and let me bear
Tidings of mercy everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.
4
Open my mind that I may read
More of Thy love in word and deed;
What shall I fear while yet Thou dost lead?
Only for light from Thee I plead.

Lyrics:Clara H. Scott
Music:Clara H. Scott]

[Beacon]

"The only way in which we can gain a more perfect apprehension of truth is by keeping the heart tender and subdued by the Spirit of Christ."

"The soul must be cleansed from vanity and pride, and vacated of all that has held it in possession."

"Christ must be enthroned within."

"Human science is too limited to comprehend the atonement."

"The plan of redemption is so far-reaching that philosophy cannot explain it."

"It will ever remain a mystery that the most profound reasoning cannot fathom."

"The science of salvation cannot be explained; but it can be known by experience."

"Only he who sees his own sinfulness can discern the preciousness of the Saviour."

Lord "OPEN OUR EYES that we may see our great need of cleansing."

=========================
1
Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
    Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my eyes, illumine me,
    Spirit Divine!
2
Open my ears that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
3
Open my mouth and let me bear
Tidings of mercy everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.
4
Open my mind that I may read
More of Thy love in word and deed;
What shall I fear while yet Thou dost lead?
Only for light from Thee I plead.

Lyrics:Clara H. Scott
Music:Clara H. Scott]

[Dorine]

"The omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit is the defense of every contrite soul. Not one that in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy's power. The Saviour is by the side of His tempted and tried ones. With Him there can be no such thing as failure, loss, impossibility, or defeat; we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. When temptations and trials come, do not wait to adjust all the difficulties, but look to Jesus, your helper."

This promise I claim each day.  As the Holy Spirit is withdrawn from the earth the assaults' of the devil increase but here is a promise that will keep us rejoicing through our trials knowing they are used of God to perfect our character and fit us for heaven.  It doesn't happen automatically. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and hearts fully surrendered moment by moment.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!

As we receive the Holy Spirit by asking for Him to come into our hearts, He fills us with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as we are empowered to obey God up to the light of truth He has shown us; conversion and sanctification is the result of that miracle of willingly surrendering all to Jesus and letting Him direct our steps!

"The omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit is the defense of every contrite soul. Not one that in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy's power. The Saviour is by the side of His tempted and tried ones. With Him there can be no such thing as failure, loss, impossibility, or defeat; we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. When temptations and trials come, do not wait to adjust all the difficulties, but look to Jesus, your helper." {The Desire of Ages, page 490, paragraph 5}

Nothing is too hard for God. Let us not look at what we can do, but what God can do for and through us when we are vitally united to Christ by faith. Life becomes an adventure of seeing Him work out His will and way in His perfect timing for His glory. Let us seek Him who alone can truly help us in every situation. He's got this! Trust Him!!

[Richard Myers]

Amen my brothers and sister. God loves us and wants us to have love, joy, and peace in this world. Do we know what is truth? The True Witness has a message for Seventh-day Adventists in our day. Read Rev. 3:20 in context. He speaks to us today.

     The True Witness says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock." Revelation 3:20. Every warning, reproof, and entreaty in the word of God or through His messengers is a knock at the door of the heart. It is the voice of Jesus asking for entrance. With every knock unheeded, the disposition to open becomes weaker. The impressions of the Holy Spirit if disregarded today, will not be as strong tomorrow. The heart becomes less impressible, and lapses into a perilous unconsciousness of the shortness of life, and of the great eternity beyond. Our condemnation in the judgment will not result from the fact that we have been in error, but from the fact that we have neglected heaven-sent opportunities for learning what is truth. 

[Beacon]

"Every warning, reproof, and entreaty in the word of God or through His messengers is a knock at the door of the heart."

"It is the voice of Jesus asking for entrance."

"With every knock unheeded, the disposition to open becomes weaker."

"The impressions of the Holy Spirit if disregarded today, will not be as strong tomorrow."

"The heart becomes less impressible, and lapses into a perilous unconsciousness of the shortness of life, and of the great eternity beyond."

"Our condemnation in the judgment will not result from the fact that we have been in error, but from the fact that we have neglected heaven-sent opportunities for learning what is truth."

This short post suggests to "ME" that it's time for another Personal Introspection of my own standing with Jesus and I would suggest that "WE" all should participate. I want to be Ready to Meet Jesus --How about you??

==========================
1
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
  Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
  It must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
  His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
  And Christ is Lord indeed.
    Stand up for Jesus
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
  It must not, it must not suffer loss.
2
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
  The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
  In this His glorious day.
Ye that are men, now serve Him
  Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger.
  And strength to strength oppose.
3
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
  Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you;
  Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor,
  And, watching unto prayer,
Where duty calls, or danger,
  Be never wanting there.
4
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
  The strife will not be long:
This day the noise of battle,
  The next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh
  A crown of life shall be;
He, with the King of glory,
  Shall reign eternally.

Lyrics:George Duffield (1818-1888)
Music:Adam Geibel (1855-1933)

[JimB]

The omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit is the defense of every contrite soul. Not one that in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy's power. The Saviour is by the side of His tempted and tried ones. With Him there can be no such thing as failure, loss, impossibility, or defeat; we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. When temptations and trials come, do not wait to adjust all the difficulties, but look to Jesus, your helper.

The author and finisher of our faith!

[Beacon]

"The omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit is the defense of every contrite soul."

"Not one that in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy's power."

"The Saviour is by the side of His tempted and tried ones."

"With Him there can be no such thing as failure, loss, impossibility, or defeat; we can do all things through Him who strengthens us."

"When temptations and trials come, do not wait to adjust all the difficulties, but look to Jesus, your helper."

If "WE" stay close to Jesus  every day "WE" will be victorious over Satan!!

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


1
Come, every soul by sin oppressed,
  There’s mercy with the Lord;
And He will surely give you rest
  By trusting in His Word.
 
Only trust Him! Only trust Him!
  Only trust Him now!
He will save you! He will save you!
    He will save you now!
2
For Jesus shed His precious blood
  Rich blessings to bestow;
Plunge now into the crimson flood
  That washeth white as snow.
3
Yes, Jesus is the Truth, the Way,
  That leads you into rest;
Believe in Him without delay,
  And you are fully blest.
4
Come then, and join the holy band,
  And on to glory go;
In Christ’s redemption take your stand,
  And all His goodness know.

Lyrics:John Hart Stockton (1813-1877)
Music:John Hart Stockton (1813-1877)

[Dorine]

  It is no part of Christ's mission to compel men to receive Him. It is Satan, and men actuated by his spirit, that seek to compel the conscience. Under a pretense of zeal for righteousness, men who are confederate with evil angels bring suffering upon their fellow men, in order to convert them to their ideas of religion; but Christ is ever showing mercy, ever seeking to win by the revealing of His love. He can admit no rival in the soul, nor accept of partial service; but He desires only voluntary service, the willing surrender of the heart under the constraint of love. There can be no more conclusive evidence that we possess the spirit of Satan than the disposition to hurt and destroy those who do not appreciate our work, or who act contrary to our ideas.

May the spirit of Jesus reign in our hearts and lives as we interact with our brothers and sisters and those we are witnessing to.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!

Praise God for the Holy Spirit working out His will in our lives, reproducing Christ's character in us and giving us the most intimate connection with our heavenly Father! All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing flow into our lives as we are vitally united to Christ by a continual, complete surrender to Him who gave all of for us!

"The omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit is the defense of every contrite soul. Not one that in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy's power. The Saviour is by the side of His tempted and tried ones. With Him there can be no such thing as failure, loss, impossibility, or defeat; we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. When temptations and trials come, do not wait to adjust all the difficulties, but look to Jesus, your helper." {The Desire of Ages, page 490, paragraph 5}

Whatever you are facing right now, commit it to God and let Him unfold His ideal will for you! Rejoice! Jesus is coming again and the Holy Spirit is sent from heaven to prepare us so we can effectually fulfill our mission to reach every nation, kindred, tongue and people with the everlasting gospel of God's infinite grace!

[Beacon]

"The omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit is the defense of every contrite soul."

"Not one that in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy's power."

"The Saviour is by the side of His tempted and tried ones."

"With Him there can be no such thing as failure, loss, impossibility, or defeat."

"We can do all things through Him who strengthens us." When temptations and trials come, do not wait to adjust all the difficulties, but look to Jesus, your helper."

God said it and I believe it!! Now How About YOU

=======================
1
Encamped along the hills of light,
  Ye Christian soldiers rise,
And press the battle ere the night
  Shall veil the glowing skies;
Against the foe in vales below
  Let all our strength be hurled;
Faith is the victory, we know,
  That overcomes the world.
 
Faith is the victory!
Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory,
  That overcomes the world.
2
His banner over us is love,
  Our sword the Word of God;
We tread the road the saints before
  With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,
  Swept on o’er every field;
The faith by which they conquered death
  Is still our shining shield.
3
On every hand the foe we find
  Drawn up in dread array;
Let tents of ease be left behind,
  And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head,
  With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,
  And echo with our shout.
4
To him that overcomes the foe,
  White raiment shall be giv’n;
Before the angels he shall know
  His name confessed in heav’n;
Then onward from the hills of light,
  Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
  In Jesus’ conqu’ring name.

Lyrics:John Henry Yates (1837-1900)
Music:Ira David Sankey (1840-1908) bio


 

[Dorine]

The only way in which we can gain a more perfect apprehension of truth is by keeping the heart tender and subdued by the Spirit of Christ. The soul must be cleansed from vanity and pride, and vacated of all that has held it in possession, and Christ must be enthroned within. Human science is too limited to comprehend the atonement. The plan of redemption is so far-reaching that philosophy cannot explain it. It will ever remain a mystery that the most profound reasoning cannot fathom. The science of salvation cannot be explained; but it can be known by experience. Only he who sees his own sinfulness can discern the preciousness of the Saviour. 

Again we see the loving mercy of Jesus that draws the hearts of the lost. But, "Only he who sees his own sinfulness can discern the preciousness of the Saviour."

[Richard Myers]

Amen my brother and sister! It was heart work with Christ, and so it ought to be with us.  We want "Our hearts with love aflame."

      Even the disciples failed of understanding all that Jesus desired to reveal to them; but from time to time, as they surrendered themselves to the Holy Spirit's power, their minds were illuminated. They realized that the mighty God, clad in the garb of humanity, was among them. Jesus rejoiced that though this knowledge was not possessed by the wise and prudent, it had been revealed to these humble men. Often as He had presented the Old Testament Scriptures, and showed their application to Himself and His work of atonement, they had been awakened by His Spirit, and lifted into a heavenly atmosphere. Of the spiritual truths spoken by the prophets they had a clearer understanding than had the original writers themselves. Hereafter they would read the Old Testament Scriptures, not as the doctrines of the scribes and Pharisees, not as the utterances of wise men who were dead, but as a new revelation from God. They beheld Him "whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." John 14:17.
     The only way in which we can gain a more perfect apprehension of truth is by keeping the heart tender and subdued by the Spirit of Christ. The soul must be cleansed from vanity and pride, and vacated of all that has held it in possession, and Christ must be enthroned within. Human science is too limited to comprehend the atonement. The plan of redemption is so far-reaching that philosophy cannot explain it. It will ever remain a mystery that the most profound reasoning cannot fathom. The science of salvation cannot be explained; but it can be known by experience. Only he who sees his own sinfulness can discern the preciousness of the Saviour.  

[Beacon]

"The only way in which we can gain a more perfect apprehension of truth is by keeping the heart tender and subdued by the Spirit of Christ."

"The soul must be cleansed from vanity and pride, and vacated of all that has held it in possession, and Christ must be enthroned within."

"Human science is too limited to comprehend the atonement."

"The plan of redemption is so far-reaching that philosophy cannot explain it. It will ever remain a mystery that the most profound reasoning cannot fathom."

"The science of salvation cannot be explained; but it can be known by experience. Only he who sees his own sinfulness can discern the preciousness of the Saviour."

Are "WE' willing to admit our sinfulness and "OUR" Great need of the Saving Grace of our Saviour??

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

1
I know not why God’s wondrous grace
  To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
  Redeemed me for His own.
 
But “I know Whom I have believed
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
  Unto Him against that day.”
2
I know not how this saving faith
  To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His word
  Wrought peace within my heart.
3
I know not how the Spirit moves,
  Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
  Creating faith in Him.
4
I know not what of good or ill
  May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
  Before His face I see.
5
I know not when my Lord may come,
  At night or noon-day fair,
Nor if I’ll walk the vale with Him,
  Or “meet Him in the air.”

Lyrics:Daniel Webster Whittle (1840-1901)
Music:James McGranahan (1840-1907)


HAPPY SABBATH TO ALL GOD'S VAST UNIVERSE

[Dorine]

The rainbow of promise encircling the throne on high is an everlasting testimony that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. It testifies to the universe that God will never forsake His people in their struggle with evil. It is an assurance to us of strength and protection as long as the throne itself shall endure.

The struggle with sin is very real and if we are not spending that precious time with Jesus every morning we will be overcome. There is such sweet assurance knowing that Jesus knows and understands our struggles and is with us through it all, giving us strength and comfort to endure as long as we stay in a humble surrendered relationship with Him. We experience victories that strengthen our faith and even in the heat of the battle a deep peace permeates our soul. Keep clinging to Jesus. He's our only help and hope.

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear sister and brother!  If we want to follow the path of Jesus, He will bring those seeking truth to us as we seek to share the gospel message. It is such a blessing to find these precious souls. Those who have been greatly blessed to hear the truth ought to walk in that light. If the truth is rejected, the heart becomes hardened and habits of disobedience are formed.

     The True Witness says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock." Revelation 3:20. Every warning, reproof, and entreaty in the word of God or through His messengers is a knock at the door of the heart. It is the voice of Jesus asking for entrance. With every knock unheeded, the disposition to open becomes weaker. The impressions of the Holy Spirit if disregarded today, will not be as strong tomorrow. The heart becomes less impressible, and lapses into a perilous unconsciousness of the shortness of life, and of the great eternity beyond. Our condemnation in the judgment will not result from the fact that we have been in error, but from the fact that we have neglected heaven-sent opportunities for learning what is truth. 

The True Witness is Jesus. And It is He who is knocking on the door fo the heart. It is Jesus pleading with the sinner to allow Him into the heart. He loves us all very much!

[Dorine]

The omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit is the defense of every contrite soul. Not one that in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy's power. The Saviour is by the side of His tempted and tried ones. With Him there can be no such thing as failure, loss, impossibility, or defeat; we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. When temptations and trials come, do not wait to adjust all the difficulties, but look to Jesus, your helper.

Ah, such peaceful assurance that Jesus is mine and I am His. As we cheerfully obey Him may we put our full trust in Him always and in every circumstance.

[JimB]

Very precious was the instruction given to the disciples. The parable of the importunate widow and the friend asking for bread at midnight gave new force to His words, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Luke 11:9. And often their wavering faith was strengthened by the memory that Christ had said, "Shall not God do justice for His elect, which cry to Him day and night, and He is long-suffering over them? I say unto you, that He will do them justice speedily." Luke 18:7, 8, R. V., margin.

He is right there to help us!

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear brother and sister! Jesus loves us and wants to protect us from the temptations that come daily. Let us keep our eyes upon Him who gave all that we might have love, joy, and peace!

The True Witness says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock." Revelation 3:20. Every warning, reproof, and entreaty in the word of God or through His messengers is a knock at the door of the heart. It is the voice of Jesus asking for entrance. With every knock unheeded, the disposition to open becomes weaker. The impressions of the Holy Spirit if disregarded today, will not be as strong tomorrow. The heart becomes less impressible, and lapses into a perilous unconsciousness of the shortness of life, and of the great eternity beyond. Our condemnation in the judgment will not result from the fact that we have been in error, but from the fact that we have neglected heaven-sent opportunities for learning what is truth....... 

The apostle Paul says, "When I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10. When we have a realization of our weakness, we learn to depend upon a power not inherent. Nothing can take so strong a hold on the heart as the abiding sense of our responsibility to God. Nothing reaches so fully down to the deepest motives of conduct as a sense of the pardoning love of Christ. We are to come in touch with God, then we shall be imbued with His Holy Spirit, that enables us to come in touch with our fellow men. Then rejoice that through Christ you have become connected with God, members of the heavenly family. While you look higher than yourself, you will have a continual sense of the weakness of humanity. The less you cherish self, the more distinct and full will be your comprehension of the excellence of your Saviour. The more closely you connect yourself with the source of light and power, the greater light will be shed upon you, and the greater power will be yours to work for God. Rejoice that you are one with God, one with Christ, and with the whole family of heaven.