The Desire of Ages--55--Not With Outward Show

[Richard Myers]

An interesting chapter!  How many today need to have a similar awaking to the glory of God. We all will benefit from a deeper revelation of God's glory (His character). Like the disciples, even though we have received a revelation of the character of our Savior, we want more. At times we seem to be in a play, not really understanding the glory of the God we serve. How often we forget He is the Creator of all worlds. He keeps our heart beating. He loves us so much that He risked His Son that we might  be transformed in character that we might reflect His character to a world soon to perish.

Our brothers and sister have seen the light as it has come to us today. Praise God! We can be cleansed from sin and have a new heart. Jesus want to wash our heart whiter then snow.

 "But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ."  Now, as in Christ's day, the work of God's kingdom lies not with those who are clamoring for recognition and support by earthly rulers and human laws, but with those who are declaring to the people in His name those spiritual truths that will work in the receivers the experience of Paul: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Galatians 2:20. Then they will labor as did Paul for the benefit of men. He said, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20.

[Beacon]

Jesus said,  "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ."

"Now, as in Christ's day, the work of God's kingdom lies not with those who are clamoring for recognition and support by earthly rulers and human laws..."

"But with those who are declaring to the people in His name those spiritual truths that will work in the receivers the experience."

"Paul said: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Galatians 2:20.

"Then they will labor as did Paul for the benefit of men."

"He said, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20."

Are "YOU & I " Willing to be Reconciled to God??

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

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

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

I came home from the hospital this evening and felt deeply grateful for God's mercy and all of my remnant family ties who have also been praying. THANK YOU!!

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon!! Prayers have been answered for your healing!! Praise God!!!

Happy Sabbath!! Let's value what heaven really values and teach and practice God's word so many can be saved in God's appointed way!

"Not by the decisions of courts or councils or legislative assemblies, not by the patronage of worldly great men, is the kingdom of Christ established, but by the implanting of Christ's nature in humanity through the work of the Holy Spirit. 'As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.' John 1:12, 13. Here is the only power that can work the uplifting of mankind. And the human agency for the accomplishment of this work is the teaching and practicing of the word of God." {The Desire of Ages, page 509, paragraph 4}

Receiving God's word in complete surrender means that all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing, empowering us to obey God up to the light of His truth revealed in our path! Praise God!!

[Richard Myers]

Good to see you back dear Brother Beacon!! We have missed you much!! God is so very GOOD!!!  And in answer to your question, yes we very much want to be reconciled to God and remain reconciled to Him. This is our hope that we do not crucify our Lord again. And, as Pastor Sean has pointed out, the only way we can glorify our Lord is to be born again of the Spirit.

There are many today who sorrow over the evil in this world and they set out to change things not realizing their efforts will fail in bringing about a change. Jesus did not enter into what Rome did even as evil  as they were. It is the heart of man that needs to be transformed (cleansed). And that is the work entrusted to all who love the Lord our God with the whole heart.

     The government under which Jesus lived was corrupt and oppressive; on every hand were crying abuses,--extortion, intolerance, and grinding cruelty. Yet the Saviour attempted no civil reforms. He attacked no national abuses, nor condemned the national enemies. He did not interfere with the authority or administration of those in power. He who was our example kept aloof from earthly governments. Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men, but because the remedy did not lie in merely human and external measures. To be efficient, the cure must reach men individually, and must regenerate the heart.   
     Not by the decisions of courts or councils or legislative assemblies, not by the patronage of worldly great men, is the kingdom of Christ established, but by the implanting of Christ's nature in humanity through the work of the Holy Spirit. "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12, 13. Here is the only power that can work the uplifting of mankind. And the human agency for the accomplishment of this work is the teaching and practicing of the word of God.   

[Beacon]

"Now, as in Christ's day, the work of God's kingdom lies not with those who are clamoring for recognition and support by earthly rulers and human laws..."

"...But with those who are declaring to the people in His name those spiritual truths that will work in the receivers the experience of Paul."

 ""I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Galatians 2:20."

"Then they will labor as did Paul for the benefit of men."

"He said,"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20."

What a grand privilege and responsibility is our to be ambassadors for Jesus!!

=======================
1
Not I, but Christ be honored, loved, exalted,
Not I, but Christ be seen, be known and heard;
Not I, but Christ in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ in every thought and word.
    Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord,
  Oh, to be lost in Thee,
Oh, that it may be no more I,
    But Christ that lives in me.
2
Not I, but Christ to gently soothe in sorrow,
Not I, but Christ to wipe the falling tear;
Not I, but Christ to lift the weary burden,
Not I, but Christ to hush away all fear.
3
Christ, only Christ, no idle word e’er falling,
Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound;
Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing,
Christ, only Christ, no trace of I be found.
4
Not I, but Christ my every need supplying,
Not I, but Christ my strength and health to be;
Christ, only Christ, for spirit, soul, and body,
Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me.
5
Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision,
Glory excelling soon, full soon I’ll see;
Christ, only Christ, my every wish fulfilling,
Christ, only Christ, my all in all to be.

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

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon!!

How blinding selfishness and earthliness are! Let’s look to Jesus in humble faith, yield the whole heart to Him, and allow Him to produce in and through us a new character revealing all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as Christ supernaturally empowers us to obey the Ten Commandments!

“Because of their selfishness and earthliness, even the disciples of Jesus could not comprehend the spiritual glory which He sought to reveal unto them. It was not until after Christ’s ascension to His Father, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers, that the disciples fully appreciated the Saviour’s character and mission. After they had received the baptism of the Spirit, they began to realize that they had been in the very presence of the Lord of glory. As the sayings of Christ were brought to their remembrance, their minds were opened to comprehend the prophecies, and to understand the miracles which He had wrought. The wonders of His life passed before them, and they were as men awakened from a dream. They realized that ‘the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.’ John 1:14. Christ had actually come from God to a sinful world to save the fallen sons and daughters of Adam. The disciples now seemed, to themselves, of much less importance than before they realized this. They never wearied of rehearsing His words and works. His lessons, which they had but dimly understood, now came to them as a fresh revelation. The Scriptures became to them a new book.” {The Desire of Ages, page 506, paragraph 4}

The beauty and power of the Bible can be ever-fresh to us as we abide in Christ, appreciating His character, renouncing selfishness and earthliness, because we dwell in the kingdom of God that has begun within the heart. Thankfully, God’s kingdom endures forever, while selfishness and earthliness pass away.

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear brothers!!  How dimly we see what we could see.    But, as we behold as in a glass the gory of God, we see enough that we love Him with all of the heart!

 Jesus answered, "The kingdom of God cometh not with outward show; [margin]: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." The kingdom of God begins in the heart.

Love the Lord our God with all of the heart and you will be in heaven, in a world without sin. It  begins here on this dark spot in the universe!

[Beacon]

'After the disciples had received the baptism of the Spirit, they began to realize that they had been in the very presence of the Lord of glory."

"As the sayings of Christ were brought to their remembrance, their minds were opened to comprehend the prophecies, and to understand the miracles which He had wrought."

"The wonders of His life passed before them, and they were as men awakened from a dream."

"They realized that 'the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.' John 1:14."

"Christ had actually come from God to a sinful world to save the fallen sons and daughters of Adam."

"The disciples now seemed, to themselves, of much less importance than before they realized this."

"They never wearied of rehearsing His words and works."

"His lessons, which they had but dimly understood, now came to them as a fresh revelation.

"The Scriptures became to them a new book."

This is the daily experience we need!! We need to spend more time with Jesus every day!!


Are "WE" willing to do that??

======================
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)

[Richard Myers]

Amen Brother Beacon. At times it seems like I have awakened from a dream  also.  It is the God of heaven that we serve, How is it that we could let our minds wander away from Him during the day? One day we will wake up and discern the glory of the Savior we serve.

 Jesus answered, "The kingdom of God cometh not with outward show; [margin]: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." The kingdom of God begins in the heart. Look not here or there for manifestations of earthly power to mark its coming. "The days will come," He said, turning to His disciples, "when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it." Because it is not attended by worldly pomp, you are in danger of failing to discern the glory of My mission. You do not realize how great is your present privilege in having among you, though veiled in humanity, Him who is the life and the light of men. The days will come when you will look back with longing upon the opportunities you now enjoy to walk and talk with the Son of God. Because of their selfishness and earthliness, even the disciples of Jesus could not comprehend the spiritual glory which He sought to reveal unto them. It was not until after Christ's ascension to His Father, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers, that the disciples fully appreciated the Saviour's character and mission. After they had received the baptism of the Spirit, they began to realize that they had been in the very presence of the Lord of glory. As the sayings of Christ were brought to their remembrance, their minds were opened to comprehend the prophecies, and to understand the miracles which He had wrought. The wonders of His life passed before them, and they were as men awakened from a dream. They realized that "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:14. Christ had actually come from God to a sinful world to save the fallen sons and daughters of Adam. The disciples now seemed, to themselves, of much less importance than before they realized this. They never wearied of rehearsing His words and works. His lessons, which they had but dimly understood, now came to them as a fresh revelation. The Scriptures became to them a new book.

  It is as true now as in apostolic days, that without the illumination of the divine Spirit, humanity cannot discern the glory of Christ. The truth and the work of God are unappreciated by a world-loving and compromising Christianity. Not in the ways of ease, of earthly honor or worldly conformity, are the followers of the Master found. They are far in advance, in the paths of toil, and humiliation, and reproach, in the front of the battle "against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12, R. V. And now, as in Christ's day, they are misunderstood and reproached and oppressed by the priests and Pharisees of their time.   
     The kingdom of God comes not with outward show. The gospel of the grace of God, with its spirit of self-abnegation, can never be in harmony with the spirit of the world.   

As it was then, so it is today. God is with us, but He wants to be in us. What a privilege!!

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon and Brother Richard! Praise God that we can choose to keep our minds stayed on Him as we pray, sing, meditate upon His word, and go forth to bless others like Jesus did! Our life can be one of continual union and communion! The sweeter the fellowship with Jesus, the more encouraging it is to stay vitally connected to God by the Holy Spirit!

Let's help build up the kingdom of God by following Christ's method that brings true success!

"Not by the decisions of courts or councils or legislative assemblies, not by the patronage of worldly great men, is the kingdom of Christ established, but by the implanting of Christ's nature in humanity through the work of the Holy Spirit. 'As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.' John 1:12, 13. Here is the only power that can work the uplifting of mankind. And the human agency for the accomplishment of this work is the teaching and practicing of the word of God." {The Desire of Ages, page 509, paragraph 4}

When Jesus is received as a personal Savior from sin into the life and we abide in Him, His kingdom of grace begins in our hearts and we partake of His divine nature which is revealed in true obedience to God's commandments up to the light we have received with the accompanying witness of all of the fruits of the Spirit in the life without one missing! As such a complete surrender is continued in the Christian life, we can go from victory to victory in extending the triumph of the cross, for Jesus is coming very soon to take His converted children home!

[Beacon]

"It is as true now as in apostolic days, that without the illumination of the divine Spirit, humanity cannot discern the glory of Christ."

"The truth and the work of God are unappreciated by a world-loving and compromising Christianity."

"Not in the ways of ease, of earthly honor or worldly conformity, are the followers of the Master found."

"They are far in advance, in the paths of toil, and humiliation, and reproach, in the front of the battle "against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12, R. V."

"And now, as in Christ's day, they are misunderstood and reproached and oppressed by the priests and Pharisees of their time."   
   
"The kingdom of God comes not with outward show."

"The gospel of the grace of God, with its spirit of self-abnegation, can never be in harmony with the spirit of the world."

Are 'WE' wiling to bury "SELF" So that "ONLY JESUS" will be "Seen & Heard ??
===========================

1
Not I, but Christ be honored, loved, exalted,
Not I, but Christ be seen, be known and heard;
Not I, but Christ in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ in every thought and word.
    Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord,
  Oh, to be lost in Thee,
Oh, that it may be no more I,
    But Christ that lives in me.
2
Not I, but Christ to gently soothe in sorrow,
Not I, but Christ to wipe the falling tear;
Not I, but Christ to lift the weary burden,
Not I, but Christ to hush away all fear.
3
Christ, only Christ, no idle word e’er falling,
Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound;
Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing,
Christ, only Christ, no trace of I be found.
4
Not I, but Christ my every need supplying,
Not I, but Christ my strength and health to be;
Christ, only Christ, for spirit, soul, and body,
Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me.
5
Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision,
Glory excelling soon, full soon I’ll see;
Christ, only Christ, my every wish fulfilling,
Christ, only Christ, my all in all to be.

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

[Dorine]

"Jesus answered, "The kingdom of God cometh not with outward show; [margin]: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." The kingdom of God begins in the heart. Look not here or there for manifestations of earthly power to mark its coming."

When the world sees in us the indwelling of God's kingdom they will acknowledge that we are different in a way they have never known. With Jesus in the heart they will witness a life laden with all the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance and they will all be evident without one missing. That is the proof that the kingdom of God has come to reside in the heart

[Philip T]

The kingdom of God comes not with outward show. The gospel of the grace of God, with its spirit of self-abnegation, can never be in harmony with the spirit of the world. The two principles are antagonistic. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14. 


I was struck with this paragraph, we are either of this world, or willing to humble ourselves before God and allow His Holy Spirit to direct and lead our lives, there is no middle ground, it is one or the other. Which one do we chose to follow today? Our eternal life depends on the choice we make.

[Richard Myers]

Amen dear friends!

Not by the decisions of courts or councils or legislative assemblies, not by the patronage of worldly great men, is the kingdom of Christ established, but by the implanting of Christ's nature in humanity through the work of the Holy Spirit. "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12, 13. Here is the only power that can work the uplifting of mankind. And the human agency for the accomplishment of this work is the teaching and practicing of the word of God.   

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

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

Let it go! When we surrender fully to Christ, all the selfishness and earthliness that would tend to obstruct the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness can be cast away as worthless dross so we can abide in Christ in an affectionate union and communion with the Savior who is powerful enough to restore the most broken sinner into a transformed saint reflecting all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing! What a joy to overcome in Christ and obey His commandments because they are the definition of true happiness! We can learn from the struggles of the experiences the disciples had in finding what truly matters and keeping Christ in His infinite loveless central! Praise God for the love of Christ!

"Because of their selfishness and earthliness, even the disciples of Jesus could not comprehend the spiritual glory which He sought to reveal unto them. It was not until after Christ's ascension to His Father, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers, that the disciples fully appreciated the Saviour's character and mission. After they had received the baptism of the Spirit, they began to realize that they had been in the very presence of the Lord of glory. As the sayings of Christ were brought to their remembrance, their minds were opened to comprehend the prophecies, and to understand the miracles which He had wrought. The wonders of His life passed before them, and they were as men awakened from a dream. They realized that 'the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.' John 1:14. Christ had actually come from God to a sinful world to save the fallen sons and daughters of Adam. The disciples now seemed, to themselves, of much less importance than before they realized this. They never wearied of rehearsing His words and works. His lessons, which they had but dimly understood, now came to them as a fresh revelation. The Scriptures became to them a new book." {The Desire of Ages, page 506, paragraph 4}

There is no limit to what God can do with us as we are all in, all the time, all the way!!!!

[Beacon]

"It was not until after Christ's ascension to His Father, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers, that the disciples fully appreciated the Saviour's character and mission."

"After they had received the baptism of the Spirit, they began to realize that they had been in the very presence of the Lord of glory."

"As the sayings of Christ were brought to their remembrance, their minds were opened to comprehend the prophecies, and to understand the miracles which He had wrought. The wonders of His life passed before them, and they were as men awakened from a dream."

"They realized that "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:14"

"Christ had actually come from God to a sinful world to save the fallen sons and daughters of Adam. The disciples now seemed, to themselves, of much less importance than before they realized this. They never wearied of rehearsing His words and works. His lessons, which they had but dimly understood, now came to them as a fresh revelation."

"The Scriptures became to them a new book."

Should not "WE" not also be earnestly praying for the same "Born Again" Experience??

=============================
1
Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole,
I want Thee forever to live in my soul;
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
    Whiter than snow; yes, whiter than snow;
  Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
2
Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,
Apply Thine own blood and extract every stain;
To get this blest cleansing I all things forego;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
3
Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
And help me to make a complete sacrifice;
I give up myself and whatever I know;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
4
Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat;
I wait, blessed Lord, at Thy crucified feet;
By faith, for my cleansing I see Thy blood flow;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
5
Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait;
Come now, and within me a new heart create;
To those who have sought Thee Thou never saidst, No;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lyrics:James Nicholson
Music:William Gustavus Fischer

[Dorine]

"The government under which Jesus lived was corrupt and oppressive; on every hand were crying abuses,--extortion, intolerance, and grinding cruelty. Yet the Saviour attempted no civil reforms. He attacked no national abuses, nor condemned the national enemies. He did not interfere with the authority or administration of those in power. He who was our example kept aloof from earthly governments. Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men, but because the remedy did not lie in merely human and external measures. To be efficient, the cure must reach men individually, and must regenerate the heart."

Counsel pertinent for us today. Let's not forget our mission here on earth by getting caught up in the politics of the world. We must obey until it crosses the line of what God commands of us and continually moving on with a passion and a mission of searching for lost souls.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!

There is so much more. Jesus was yearning that His disciples would grasp the deep, spiritual meaning of His words and the kingdom He had come to establish in their hearts. But so often they missed it. Selfishness and earthliness often kept them distracted from what Christ was seeking to accomplish. Oh, let us learn from their experience and appreciate more fully all that Christ is to us by receiving the Holy Spirit into our hearts in a complete surrender, converting us to manifest all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as we abide in Christ and obey God up to the light He has shown us.

"'The days will come,' He said, turning to His disciples, 'when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.' Because it is not attended by worldly pomp, you are in danger of failing to discern the glory of My mission. You do not realize how great is your present privilege in having among you, though veiled in humanity, Him who is the life and the light of men. The days will come when you will look back with longing upon the opportunities you now enjoy to walk and talk with the Son of God. Because of their selfishness and earthliness, even the disciples of Jesus could not comprehend the spiritual glory which He sought to reveal unto them. It was not until after Christ's ascension to His Father, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers, that the disciples fully appreciated the Saviour's character and mission. After they had received the baptism of the Spirit, they began to realize that they had been in the very presence of the Lord of glory. As the sayings of Christ were brought to their remembrance, their minds were opened to comprehend the prophecies, and to understand the miracles which He had wrought. The wonders of His life passed before them, and they were as men awakened from a dream. They realized that 'the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.' John 1:14. Christ had actually come from God to a sinful world to save the fallen sons and daughters of Adam. The disciples now seemed, to themselves, of much less importance than before they realized this. They never wearied of rehearsing His words and works. His lessons, which they had but dimly understood, now came to them as a fresh revelation. The Scriptures became to them a new book." {The Desire of Ages, page 506, paragraph 1}    

May God's word be ever fresh and new to you as you let Him reveal the glory of His spiritual kingdom, growing in grace to do His will each day!

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear friends! Yes, we all need to be born again of the Spirit. We must have a new heart cleansed from sin. We must have a new nature. God has promised us this new nature, that we can become partakers of God's divine nature.

 Not by the decisions of courts or councils or legislative assemblies, not by the patronage of worldly great men, is the kingdom of Christ established, but by the implanting of Christ's nature in humanity through the work of the Holy Spirit. "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12, 13. Here is the only power that can work the uplifting of mankind. And the human agency for the accomplishment of this work is the teaching and practicing of the word of God.   

[Dorine]

Not by the decisions of courts or councils or legislative assemblies, not by the patronage of worldly great men, is the kingdom of Christ established, but by the implanting of Christ's nature in humanity through the work of the Holy Spirit. "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12, 13. Here is the only power that can work the uplifting of mankind. And the human agency for the accomplishment of this work is the teaching and practicing of the word of God.   

We must be doers of His word. It has to be more than intellectual knowledge. God only accepts the heart that is truly surrendered, in all it's weaknesses, to Him. He gives us power to overcome. That is a thrilling truth for we are all tempted and tried in different ways to deny our Saviour.
James 1:14  But each one is tempted by his own lusts, being drawn away and being seduced by them.
James 1:15  Then lust, when it conceives, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 

We are all sinners but when abiding in Christ we do not knowingly sin for Christ has promised that when we are tempted He has given us a way of escape.
1Co_10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
James 4:7  Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
James 4:8  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

And let us remember that when we do fall we have this promise,1John 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 1John 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

All heaven is by our side to help if we just accept His invitation to follow Him. May we never doubt it.