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Chap. 40 - A Night on the Lake
Listen to A Night on the Lake (http://remnant-online.com/Audio/DA40.mp3)
Seated upon the grassy plain, in the twilight of the spring evening, the people ate of the food that Christ had provided. The words they had heard that day had come to them as the voice of God. The works of healing they had witnessed were such as only divine power could perform. But the miracle of the loaves appealed to everyone in that vast multitude. All were sharers in its benefit. In the days of Moses, God had fed Israel with manna in the desert; and who was this that had fed them that day but He whom Moses had foretold? No human power could create from five barley loaves and two small fishes food sufficient to feed thousands of hungry people. And they said one to another, "This is of a truth that Prophet that should come into the world."
All day the conviction has strengthened. That crowning act is assurance that the long-looked-for Deliverer is among them. The hopes of the people rise higher and higher. This is He who will make Judea an earthly paradise, a land flowing with milk and honey. He can satisfy every desire. He can break the power of the hated Romans. He can deliver Judah and Jerusalem. He can heal the soldiers who are wounded in battle. He can supply whole armies with food. He can conquer the nations, and give to Israel the long-sought dominion.
In their enthusiasm the people are ready at once to crown Him king. They see that He makes no effort to attract attention or secure honor to Himself. In this He is essentially different from the priests and rulers, and they fear that He will never urge His claim to David's throne. Consulting together, they agree to take Him by force, and proclaim Him the king of Israel. The disciples unite with the multitude in declaring the throne of David the rightful inheritance of their Master. It is the modesty of Christ, they say, that causes Him to refuse such honor. Let the people exalt their Deliverer. Let the arrogant priests and rulers be forced to honor Him who comes clothed with the authority of God.
They eagerly arrange to carry out their purpose; but Jesus sees what is on foot, and understands, as they cannot, what would be the result of such a movement. Even now the priests and rulers are hunting His life. They accuse Him of drawing the people away from them. Violence and insurrection would follow an effort to place Him on the throne, and the work of the spiritual kingdom would be hindered. Without delay the movement must be checked. Calling His disciples, Jesus bids them take the boat and return at once to Capernaum, leaving Him to dismiss the people.
Never before had a command from Christ seemed so impossible of fulfillment. The disciples had long hoped for a popular movement to place Jesus on the throne; they could not endure the thought that all this enthusiasm should come to nothing. The multitudes that were assembling to keep the Passover were anxious to see the new prophet. To His followers this seemed the golden opportunity to establish their beloved Master on the throne of Israel. In the glow of this new ambition it was hard for them to go away by themselves, and leave Jesus alone upon that desolate shore. They protested against the arrangement; but Jesus now spoke with an authority He had never before assumed toward them. They knew that further opposition on their part would be useless, and in silence they turned toward the sea.
Jesus now commands the multitude to disperse; and His manner is so decisive that they dare not disobey. The words of praise and exaltation die on their lips. In the very act of advancing to seize Him their steps are stayed, and the glad, eager look fades from their countenances. In that throng are men of strong mind and firm determination; but the kingly bearing of Jesus, and His few quiet words of command, quell the tumult, and frustrate their designs. They recognize in Him a power above all earthly authority, and without a question they submit. {DA 378.4}
When left alone, Jesus "went up into a mountain apart to pray." For hours He continued pleading with God. Not for Himself but for men were those prayers. He prayed for power to reveal to men the divine character of His mission, that Satan might not blind their understanding and pervert their judgment. The Saviour knew that His days of personal ministry on earth were nearly ended, and that few would receive Him as their Redeemer. In travail and conflict of soul He prayed for His disciples. They were to be grievously tried. Their long-cherished hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed in a most painful and humiliating manner. In the place of His exaltation to the throne of David they were to witness His crucifixion. This was to be indeed His true coronation. But they did not discern this, and in consequence strong temptations would come to them, which it would be difficult for them to recognize as temptations. Without the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and enlarge the comprehension the faith of the disciples would fail. It was painful to Jesus that their conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to worldly aggrandizement and honor. For them the burden was heavy upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears.
The disciples had not put off immediately from the land, as Jesus directed them. They waited for a time, hoping that He would come to them. But as they saw that darkness was fast gathering, they "entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum." They had left Jesus with dissatisfied hearts, more impatient with Him than ever before since acknowledging Him as their Lord. They murmured because they had not been permitted to proclaim Him king. They blamed themselves for yielding so readily to His command. They reasoned that if they had been more persistent they might have accomplished their purpose.
Unbelief was taking possession of their minds and hearts. Love of honor had blinded them. They knew that Jesus was hated by the Pharisees, and they were eager to see Him exalted as they thought He should be. To be united with a teacher who could work mighty miracles, and yet to be reviled as deceivers, was a trial they could ill endure. Were they always to be accounted followers of a false prophet? Would Christ never assert His authority as king? Why did not He who possessed such power reveal Himself in His true character, and make their way less painful? Why had He not saved John the Baptist from a violent death? Thus the disciples reasoned until they brought upon themselves great spiritual darkness. They questioned, Could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted?
The disciples had that day witnessed the wonderful works of Christ. It had seemed that heaven had come down to the earth. The memory of that precious, glorious day should have filled them with faith and hope. Had they, out of the abundance of their hearts, been conversing together in regard to these things, they would not have entered into temptation. But their disappointment had absorbed their thoughts. The words of Christ, "Gather up the fragments, . . . that nothing be lost," were unheeded. Those were hours of large blessing to the disciples, but they had forgotten it all. They were in the midst of troubled waters. Their thoughts were stormy and unreasonable, and the Lord gave them something else to afflict their souls and occupy their minds. God often does this when men create burdens and troubles for themselves. The disciples had no need to make trouble. Already danger was fast approaching.
A violent tempest had been stealing upon them, and they were unprepared for it. It was a sudden contrast, for the day had been perfect; and when the gale struck them, they were afraid. They forgot their disaffection, their unbelief, their impatience. Everyone worked to keep the boat from sinking. It was but a short distance by sea from Bethsaida to the point where they expected to meet Jesus, and in ordinary weather the journey required but a few hours; but now they were driven farther and farther from the point they sought. Until the fourth watch of the night they toiled at the oars. Then the weary men gave themselves up for lost. In storm and darkness the sea had taught them their own helplessness, and they longed for the presence of their Master.
Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them.
At the moment when they believe themselves lost, a gleam of light reveals a mysterious figure approaching them upon the water. But they know not that it is Jesus. The One who has come for their help they count as an enemy. Terror overpowers them. The hands that have grasped the oars with muscles like iron let go their hold. The boat rocks at the will of the waves; all eyes are riveted on this vision of a man walking upon the white-capped billows of the foaming sea.
They think it a phantom that omens their destruction, and they cry out for fear. Jesus advances as if He would pass them; but they recognize Him, and cry out, entreating His help. Their beloved Master turns, His voice silences their fear, "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid."
As soon as they could credit the wondrous fact, Peter was almost beside himself with joy. As if he could scarcely yet believe, he cried out, "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water. And He said, Come."
Looking unto Jesus, Peter walks securely; but as in self-satisfaction he glances back toward his companions in the boat, his eyes are turned from the Saviour. The wind is boisterous. The waves roll high, and come directly between him and the Master; and he is afraid. For a moment Christ is hidden from his view, and his faith gives way. He begins to sink. But while the billows talk with death, Peter lifts his eyes from the angry waters, and fixing them upon Jesus, cries, "Lord, save me." Immediately Jesus grasps the outstretched hand, saying, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" Walking side by side, Peter's hand in that of his Master, they stepped into the boat together. But Peter was now subdued and silent. He had no reason to boast over his fellows, for through unbelief and self-exaltation he had very nearly lost his life. When he turned his eyes from Jesus, his footing was lost, and he sank amid the waves. {DA 381.6}
When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. "Fear not," He says; "for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." Isaiah 43:1-3.
Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him.
Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
No sooner had Jesus taken His place in the boat than the wind ceased, "and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went." The night of horror was succeeded by the light of dawn. The disciples, and others who also were on board, bowed at the feet of Jesus with thankful hearts, saying, "Of a truth Thou art the Son of God!"
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Richard,
This chapter has some really valuable info in it. Here is one of quotes that really speak to me. This is the second to last paragraph in the chapter.
"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
This quote was one of the things that really prompted my interest in the science of psychology. In realizing that my heredity, my personality, my own cultivation of those specific weaknesses that I have inherited along with those that I have picked up from just living, were the spark that caused me to understand that understanding who I am, where I came from, what my personality is like, what my temperament is like, are all things that the devil will use against me. It behooves me then to study these aspects of myself and understand them for the devil can and specifically does use them to tempt us.
Gary
[This message has been edited by Gary K (edited 10-14-2000).]
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Welcome to the study of this most beautiful book, Brother Gary! ) It is indeed good to realize our shortcomings, to recognize we have character defects that can only be removed as we abide in Christ. Most seem to never see, or see and then forget that we come into this world in need of a major transformation. It is not a modification of nature that we need, but an entire rebirth.
The passage you quoted, Brother Gary contains what we need to understand and remember. "Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation." Many who have truly given their hearts to Christ are like Peter who could walk on water for a moment, but then ended up in it. Poor Peter, it took him three and a half years to learn he needed Jesus every moment. He like many of us thought he could follow Jesus anywhere, but he did not realize his great need of Jesus. Our only hope is clinging to Jesus continually.
Jesus is coming soon and the Spirit is moving upon us to study for ourselves this great love wherewith God has loved us. As we behold Jesus we cannot but help but see our great need and His great power to save us. We must learn to cry out as Peter did "Lord save me" and we shall obtain the same results. Jesus will reach down and pick us up out of death's grip.
I like the object lesson God has given us in the caterpillar and the butterfly. What an example of what God is able to do with us if we will come to him just as we are.
Thank you, Brother Gary for pointing out this beautiful passage that gives us the solution to our problems. We now know why we are overcome and yield to sin. We do not realize our "constant dependence upon God." The cause of our sinning can be laid at own feet. We think we can live a life pleasing to God with out Him. We think we can love our neighbor as ourself while forgetting about God. It does not work. We need Jesus in the mind and in the heart if we are to love others as He loves us. He stands at the door, knocking. Let us invite Him in continually and He will stay. :)
Richard
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(1) "All day the conviction has strengthened. That crowning act is assurance that the long-looked-for Deliverer is among them. The hopes of the people rise higher and higher. This is He who will make Judea an earthly paradise, a land flowing with milk and honey. He can break the power of the hated Romans. He can deliver Judah and Jerusalem. He can heal the soldiers who are wounded in battle. He can supply whole armies with food. He can conquer the nations, and give to Israel the long-sought dominion."Just stop and think about how funny this sounds! Here Jesus has just performed a wonderful miracle...I can't even imagine what it must have been like to watch the food materialize in His hands! He has fed well over 5,000 people and the men are sitting there thinking: Hey, this guy heals illness and makes food. LET'S GO TO WAR!!! With an endless supply of food and a general who can heal every wound, we're sure of victory... the Jews apparently hadn't lost their Old Testament mentality. The sad things is, the disciples are thinking the same exact thing!!
This must have been frustrating for Jesus. Sometimes, He must have wondered "Did I really create these people?!" Other times He must have thought to Himself, "I knew I should have picked women disciples!!" ;D But, seriously it must have been frustrating. He longed to do some much for the people. But in a case like this, where He meets their needs miraculously, He hopes the thoughts of the people will turn to what He can do for their spiritual condition. But it doesn't...they're thinking about how they can use Jesus. I mean, let's face it: He WAS the greatest thing to come along since sliced bread! (Or falling manna...either way you want to look at it)
Jesus could have done just what they were thinking. He could have overtaken the Romans easily. There wouldn't have even been need for a war. Jesus could have wiped them out by snapping His fingers. But He didn't do it. Why not?
First, because God is not like that. He's never like that. He knows the use of force is really useless. I mean, take a look at the Old Testament – talk about shows of force and power! First you have the flood. And let's see, what good did that do? The first thing the people did once the ark landed was get drunk and then try to build a tower so tall that they could save themselves later. Then there was Sodom and Gomorrah. Well, what good did that do? 2 seconds later, Lot's having sex with his daughters. That sure didn't solve anything, now did it! Then we have all the thunder and lightening at Mount Sinai, and where did that get us? Dancing around the golden calf. The punchline: Force and power don't accomplish what God wants. He desires the free, intelligent service of love from His creatures, and it doesn't come through force or power.
So even if Jesus had overcome the Romans, it wouldn't have made a difference. Eventually, the people wouldn't have accepted Him any more then they did historically. They would have used Him to get what they wanted – freedom from the Romans, when what Jesus really wanted to give them was freedom from themselves, freedom from sin.
Second, God didn't do it because it wasn't the point. Who cares what the Romans are going to do to you if you're going to lose your eternal life? Kinda seems pointless when you look at it that way. Jesus wouldn't succumb to the pressure to overcome the Romans, because He didn't want His people to settle for that – that would be settling for less than they could have! He wanted to give them all the blessing of eternal life, and all they were after was the blessing of a few years out from under the Romans. What a waste!
Third, God didn't do it because God is not in the business of self-exaltation. If anyone had the power to exalt Himself, it's God. And if anyone has the authority and a million good reasons to exalt Himself, it's God. He deserves everything and we deserve nothing. But God didn't want people to be attracted to Him because He was a great hero or a great conqueror or a great king. He wanted them to come because they saw the truth about who He is and responded to it. God just wants companionship. In that way, He's no different than you or I. I think most times, God would like to just be noticed for who He is, accepted for who He is, and appreciated for it. (Plus, He wants to save us, too.)
How long has it been since you said, "You know what God? I like you a lot. I'm sure glad You are just the way You are. Thanks for being You." I bet He'd love to hear you say it! ;D
(2) "Jesus advances as if He would pass them; but they recognize Him, and cry out, entreating His help. Their beloved Master turns, His voice silences their fear, 'Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.'"
Have you ever noticed just how playful Jesus is? What a joker! Here He is, walking on the water out toward the boat. And then, when the disciples don't recognize Him, He speeds up and acts like He's going to pass them. When they see who it is and call for help, He turns to them (Oh, there you are!) and tells them not to be afraid. Can't you just see Him laughing? Why are you screaming – I'm here!!
We don’t give Jesus enough credit for His good-natured humor. His sarcasm and irony are all over the pages of the gospels. His joy is like a lightening bolt that hits you every time open the books of His life. He did come here to do an important job, the most important in the history of the universe. And I love so much the picture of God we see in Jesus. One of the things I like the most is seeing that Jesus had fun. He had great fun. He was a partier! He told jokes. He made friends, even a "best" friend. Above all, He had such a sense of humor.
One story that comes to mind is when He's telling the crowd that they shouldn't judge others or be condemning. What does He say? "Why do you think you can see clearly to remove that speck there? You might be able to see better if you take the 2x4 out of your eye. Once you remove that plank from your face, then maybe you can take this speck of dust you're so worried about out of your neighbor's eye."
That, my friends, is DIVINE humor! ;D
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Sister Kellee, good morning, afternoon in Europe :)
I think there is much more in the chapter than you have seen and I think your picture of Jesus is a little off. You are attempting to bring Jesus down from heaven in painting him as one of the youth in the world today. Jesus is not a "partyer". He is not having fun as He looks at the world today. He is crying. He looks at His church and weeps. Yes, there are things that make Him happy, and yes He rejoices when one sinner make a whole surrender, but the rest of the world is His too. Those that are having "fun" and have a continual party harty attitude cause much sorrow for our Saviour and our heavenly Father. Jesus is not a "joker".
Now, that I have taken a strong position on this, I encourage you to do your own study through the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy that you may know additional thoughts of God in regards to this subject. We have been given much light.
Jesus asks us to "weep between the porch and the altar." When Jesus asks us to remove the beam that is in our eye, it is so that we will stop hurting others so greatly. It is not a joke. We are causing multitudes to turn from Jesus by our un-Christian example. It is a solemn thought.
We should be a joyous people as we contemplate what Jesus is doing for us, but there is no reason to celebrate when we consider we have failed as a people and remain in the wilderness. A Sunday law is coming soon and many who are called Seventh-day Adventists have children that are breaking the Sabbath and will bow down to the false Sabbath. Time to party? No, I don't think so. It is time to consider what Jesus has suffered on our account and to give Him the whole heart that we might represent Him in character.
The closer we get to Jesus the less good we shall see in ourselves. The more we shall see what our sins have done to Him and our Heavenly Father. A good subject to reflect upon for many who are having a fun time.
Let us rejoice in our Saviour's love and work to find ways to share that love with those that are perishing in the world and in the church. :)
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And good morning to you Richard! Or is it afternoon there yet? :)
I think you have mis-read my post. Nowhere did I mean to imply that Jesus did not have a serious mission or that He was not serious when pointing out our sins or errors.
But there's no doubt that there is sarcasm in some of His words. (At least in the above-mentioned example.) And the whole picture which is painted by His words is downright hilarious. Just think of it literally for a second. This was all I was trying to say.
For another good example, think about the woman who asked to be blessed and God said "No no no, you cannot eat from the Master's table. Don't you know we don't feed the dogs?" Are you telling me that Jesus was being seriously? No...
And I'm not so sure the traditional picture of Jesus is as correct as we would think. He wasn't some aloof figure with eyes always cast heavenward in despair. (Granted, His spiritual eyes were always cast heavenward.)
He got down in the dirt and played with the kids. He also got down in the dirt and washed feet. He had both aspects in Him. But why do we always want to shun the fun side of Jesus?
This is a God-man who went to parties and made "wine," who feasted with His friends. He dined with the sinners and played with the babies. He healed people - and you think there wasn't some joy and dancing after some of those healings? You bet there was! There was awesome rejoicing!
Frankly, I think Jesus was probably a little disappointed that there weren't more parties. There should have been great rejoicing. This was Kingdom Come!! This was God with man. Yes, there was a serious mission, but it was all permeated and saturated with joy and love. God was with His babies, and for the first time in history, His babies could begin to understand what He was really like.
We can't imagine the kind of partying that will go on in heaven. Yes, there is sinful partying. But there's also righteous partying! ;D And I, for one (even if I'm the only one on this forum), think God loves a good party.
Kellee
Ps. Obviously, I don't comment about everything in the chapter. If I did that, I'd never get to work and then they'd fire me! :)
[This message has been edited by Kellee (edited 10-16-2000).]
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Dear Gary,
Thanks for that beautiful quote.
Sincerly
Dugald
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Desire of Ages
Chapter 40
A Night on the LakeOften strangers who meet me for the first time here in Germany get all googled eyed at discovering that I am a real original 'made in USA' gal. They then start to gush out all their secret dreams, visions and plans of either taking a 6 week trip or going and finding a job for permanent stay in America. I sort of represent the whole place and they look at me with such awe of having the language, the contacts and the rights to the Land that they do not have.
As the people who were just fed by Jesus out there in the hills slowly got to realize that He most certainly could be the promised Messiah, they started to do their own mental computing.
1. He'll be making Judah a earthly Paradise soon, 2. No food problems anymore because the land will be just flowing with milk and honey, 3. Each will be getting his/her personal dream, desire fullfilled, 4. The rule of the Romans will be broken, 4. He will heal all of deseases, wounds or demon possession, 5. He will be king and will conquer all nations so that Isreal will be dominate over all lands. Sensing that the people wanted to take Him by force to be their King before the appointed time that only the Father determines, Jesus took off from the crowd with his disciples with him.
At first Jesus went alone to the mountains to have a long struggle in private prayer with the Father. The content of His prayer was mainly for the followers of His. He prayed "for power to reveal to men the divine character of His mission, that Satan might not blind their understanding and pervert their judgement." "He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears."
Here comes now a bit that is hard to understand for me. The disciples were waiting for Jesus to come down out of the mountain from praying. But apparantly they didn't want to wait for him any longer and wanted to go to Capernaum to their house to spend the night without Him, l figured. So without waiting for Him any longer they took off in the boat to cross over to the City. That's what I couldn't understand. Why they didn't wait for him.
It could have been that they were in a bad mood toward Jesus for not grabbing the opportunity to make His 'outing' and declare his kingship, thereby getting the 'kingdom' as they figured it should be, into gear. Maybe they were entertaining unbelief that He was indeed the promised Messiah and was some cowardly imposter. Well, it seems they were getting themselves in quite a dither with their thinking and it is interesting to note this following quote from EW in this chapter about the sea storm: "Those were hours of large blessing to the disciples, (gathering the fragments after the 5K miracle) but they had forgotten it all. They were in the midst of troubled waters. Their thoughts were stormy and unreasonable, and the Lord gave them something else to afflict their souls (storm on the sea) and occupy their minds. God often does this when men create burdens and troubles for themselves." Now that an interesting Godly tactic I never considered to be happening in my life. Or in others. But it seems to take place at times.
You know..those disciples in the boat were in the middle of a life and death existance on that lake Bethsaida. They were toiling like mad at the oars to keep the boat afloat. The sounds, the winds, the rain, the tempest wasn't anything like what we watch on the screen of celluoid but for them it was life threatening reality. The darkness around them made everything worse.
Every one of you mothers know what it's like to watch your little wee one with compassion when it gets entangled in a task too big for it's age. That's the same compassion and more that our Jesus had as he watched the boat with His loved ones in it.
Here is a superb example of the condition of heart Jesus is seeking us to have before he can answer our prayers in emergencies. Ellen wrote : "In the storm and darkness the sea had taught them their own helplessness, and they longed for the presence of their Master." ..."When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them."
The answer 'in Jesus' came to them in an very unusual way, totally from out of the darkness in a very unconventional manner. When things happen not according to how we are accustom to we tend to go into a turkey flap and start resisting-- thinking our lives are at stake. We cry out in fear.
What is so beautiful in it's comfort is the moment we can hear deep in our own inner conscience those marvelous words . "Be of good cheer ; it is I ; be not afraid."
It was out of childlike trust coming from a heart full of joy at seeing the beloved one he had yearned for, that prompted Peter to say "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water." And at the invitation to come..he went. Now this is the source the that quote in all those times when we have been admonished in countless sermons, books, lectures, tracts, stories, devotionals. 'Keep your eyes on Jesus and you will not fall!'
Our brother Peter looked at the boys in the boat, then the waves and again at the boys in the boat...down he went !
Alright...the mercy and pity of the Lord was gracious to reach down and pick him up out of the water sputtering. The purpose of calling Peter to come to Him on that walk was not to get him drowned. His purpose was not to lead him into a position to perish. When the Lord calls each and everyone of us to follow Him he does not forsake us. "Fear not", He says : "for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." Isa. 43:1-3
The purpose of the trial was to show the disciple of His that "his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power." That is the purpose of our trials. So when temptation is talking to us don't trust yourself to handle the wooing. Exercise self-distrust and rely upon the Saviour. The ploy of Satan is to get us to be blind to our hereditary and cultivated traits of character defects. Learn knowledge of your weaknesses. Flee to Jesus in prayer.
"Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
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Joan
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Thus the disciples reasoned until they brought upon themselves great spiritual darkness. They questioned, Could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted?
The disciples had that day witnessed the wonderful works of Christ. It had seemed that heaven had come down to the earth. The memory of that precious, glorious day should have filled them with faith and hope. Had they, out of the abundance of their hearts, been conversing together in regard to these things, they would not have entered into temptation.
A warning that is good for all to consider. Where is our focus and and what do we speak of?
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I was once again blessed this Sabbath morning by reading this chapter.
One thing that is humbling and essential to the Christian life is realizing our constant need of Jesus--that without Him we can do no good thing.
I appreciated the second-to-last paragraph in this chapter immensely:
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
God has a plan for relief in the midst of every temptation or trial. As I sense my weakness and need of Jesus, His strength is made perfect in weakness. Today I was praising God for the privilege of getting to live on the most-blessed planet in the universe--the weakest of the weak, the place where sin does abound--but where grace does much more abound, the place where Jesus came to dwell with us as our Brother, the One who died for us and is going to not only ransom but exalt this planet to become the very headquarters of the universe--where the New Jerusalem will come and rest, and we will be able to eternally be His witnesses--of how our Loving Lord has led us at each step.
May we learn from the lesson of Peter today--to keep our eyes steadfastly upon Jesus, who is able to keep us from falling. It is as we abide in Him and live by faith upon Jesus Christ that all the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives--not one will be missing! Praise God!
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Amen, Pastor Sean!
Here, we find ourselves in a world as it was just before God destroyed every living thing off the face of the earth except what was in the sea and in the ark. It is amazing God allows evil to continue so long and to be so very hurtful. But, God has a plan. It is also a great blessing to find one who can rejoice in the fact that we are blessed to be chosen of God to do the most important work ever committed to men or angels. Pastor Sean looks beyond what he sees with his human eyes to the things which are not seen and are eternal. And, he has grasped the truth found in Romans chapter five, verses three through five. "We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
No matter where we find ourselves, no matter how dark appears the circumstances, we know all things work together for good for us as we abide in Christ and He in us. Not only so, but the plan of redemption involves more than our being saved from sin, it involves establishing the eternal security of the universe. Such a thought!! And, as Pastor Sean has pointed out, we are here at the climax of the "great controversy" between Christ and Satan, between good and evil. This Earth and what Christ has done is to be the study book of the universe for eternity. The power of His grace will be seen to be the power that insures sin will never rise again when the controversy ends.
We ought to praise God for the privilege of being one with Him and He being one of the human family! What humility! What a God we serve!!
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Pastor Sean said "May we learn from the lesson of Peter today--to keep our eyes steadfastly upon Jesus, who is able to keep us from falling."
Amen! We must keep our eyes upon Jesus that we cling to Him in order to keep from falling. It is His power that keeps us from falling. We must continue to give Him the whole heart in order to keep from falling. "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy..." Jude 1:24.
This truth applies to us today, not just to the 144,000. If we have Jesus in the heart, He will keep us from falling today.....and tomorrow....and the following days. He has promised He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. The promises of God never fail. This is a conditional promise. We must remain in a converted state, loving God with the whole heart, if the promise is to be ours. We must be filled with the Holy Spirit, born of the Spirit continually in order to keep from falling.
The Saviour knew that His days of personal ministry on earth were nearly ended, and that few would receive Him as their Redeemer. In travail and conflict of soul He prayed for His disciples. They were to be grievously tried. Their long-cherished hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed in a most painful and humiliating manner. In the place of His exaltation to the throne of David they were to witness His crucifixion. This was to be indeed His true coronation. But they did not discern this, and in consequence strong temptations would come to them, which it would be difficult for them to recognize as temptations. Without the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and enlarge the comprehension the faith of the disciples would fail. It was painful to Jesus that their conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to worldly aggrandizement and honor. For them the burden was heavy upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears.
The deceptions they had been taught could only be overcome through the Spirit of God.
As I read this morning, my mind was pointed to our continual need of Christ in our hearts if we hope to not be overcome by temptation. As Pastor Sean commented on this in our last reading of this chapter, so do I again today.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
We cannot walk on water unless our eyes are constantly focused upon Christ. If we are not abiding in Christ, we will fall just as did Peter. If you think you can resist sin without loving God supremely, then you have been greatly deceived as has the majority of the professing Christian world. Because of the false teachings in His time, even after 3 1/2 years, Jesus could not bring His disciples to understand their continual need of Him. They all would fall in consequence.
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How true, Richard. We see in the experience of the disciples the power of false teaching to leaven and destroy the Christian experience.
The disciples had not put off immediately from the land, as Jesus directed them. They waited for a time, hoping that He would come to them. But as they saw that darkness was fast gathering, they "entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum." They had left Jesus with dissatisfied hearts, more impatient with Him than ever before since acknowledging Him as their Lord. They murmured because they had not been permitted to proclaim Him king. They blamed themselves for yielding so readily to His command. They reasoned that if they had been more persistent they might have accomplished their purpose. {DA 379.2}
Unbelief was taking possession of their minds and hearts. Love of honor had blinded them. They knew that Jesus was hated by the Pharisees, and they were eager to see Him exalted as they thought He should be. To be united with a teacher who could work mighty miracles, and yet to be reviled as deceivers, was a trial they could ill endure. Were they always to be accounted followers of a false prophet? Would Christ never assert His authority as king? Why did not He who possessed such power reveal Himself in His true character, and make their way less painful? Why had He not saved John the Baptist from a violent death? Thus the disciples reasoned until they brought upon themselves great spiritual darkness. They questioned, Could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted? {DA 380.1}
It was because the disciples cherished the idea of Christ reigning as a temporal king that they allowed their minds to become filled with gloom and murmuring--but the very experience they were having was an experience devoid of the Spirit of Christ! Murmuring, impatience, and cherishing doubt are contrary to the lovely, sweet Holy Spirit, who, when abiding in the heart makes His presence known: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23). In this, they showed that they had fallen out of conversion who, just hours before, had been living channels of the blessing of heaven! What a privilege was theirs, and how quickly the light turned to darkness, for they had taken their eyes off Jesus. This is a lesson for us. Just because we have been enjoying the blessing of a converted, abiding relationship is no guarantee for even the next moment--we must continually yield to Jesus all our our heart and mind by beholding Him, believing Him, and walking in the way of His choosing.
The disciples felt themselves wiser than Christ, and wished that they had not so readily yielded to His words. If we are ever tempted to feel that we know better than Jesus, well would it be for us to reexamine the foundation upon which we think our hope is built! Christ is our only safety, our only sure foundation. He is infinite in wisdom--but it is a wisdom that the world sees as foolishness!
Many will say that they have Jesus, that they believe in Him and are planning to go to heaven. But these very ones are often like the disciples, who deny Christ by the spirit manifested in the daily life. We need to remember: "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." (Romans 8:9).
We need to take warning from this beautiful chapter in Desire of Ages and realize that a supposed hope, and nothing more, will prove our ruin. Our only assurance of eternal life is Christ abiding in the heart continually through living faith, our eyes stayed upon Him.
Many want to have something along the lines of an "insurance policy" relationship with Jesus. They want to feel that since they have never openly avowed that they reject the teachings of the Bible, or so long as they go to church, that they are still "saved," but the evidence of salvation is something incontrovertible: it is the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life manifested in all the fruits of the Spirit! You and I cannot counterfeit this--and when we choose to daily spend time beholding the loveliness of Jesus, we will experience the greatest miracle God could ever give: the miracle of a new heart, a new mind, in which Christ dwells by living faith!
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I am thankful for Jesus, and His knowledge of us and our character, and what we need daily:
Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him.
God is faithful to help us to see our weakness, and to cling to Jesus. In Christ is our only safety both now and ever. Without Him we can do nothing good, and without Him we have no power to resist sin. It is in Christ that our characters may be strengthened and elevated. Hallelujah!
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Amen, Pastor Sean! I too, was impressed with this truth. We need to keep our eyes upon Jesus. We are evil by nature, and if we are not filled with the Spirit of God, we shall not possess any good thing. We need Jesus in the morning, we need Jesus in the afternoon, we need Jesus in the night. When we forget Jesus, we become separated from Him, and are lawful prey. This we see so clearly presented in this chapter.
It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
Being evil by nature, we have defects of character. Our only hope is that we have the Spirit of God indwelling our hearts. Then, and then only are these defects of character hidden in Christ. The mind and heart are cleansed and given power to keep the evil unholy flesh under control. When we let loose of Jesus, those defects will come to light. There is no way that we can do any good thing for the right reason, unless we have Christ enthroned upon the heart. It is Christ's desire to come into our hearts today. Will we let Him have possession of the will, or will self keep Jesus out? This is the question we each face every single day of our lives. Until the second coming when we receive glorified bodies, holy flesh, we have a battle to fight moment by moment. We are completely dependent upon Jesus for power to do good. He graciously gives us time to learn of our need of Him, and to make a full heart felt surrender. It is this grace when allowed into the heart that transformed the character. It is by grace we are saved. Let us behold that wondrous love, and by beholding become transformed into His image from glory unto glory!
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Looking unto Jesus, Peter walks securely; but as in self-satisfaction he glances back toward his companions in the boat, his eyes are turned from the Saviour. The wind is boisterous. The waves roll high, and come directly between him and the Master; and he is afraid. For a moment Christ is hidden from his view, and his faith gives way. He begins to sink. But while the billows talk with death, Peter lifts his eyes from the angry waters, and fixing them upon Jesus, cries, "Lord, save me." Immediately Jesus grasps the outstretched hand, saying, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" Walking side by side, Peter's hand in that of his Master, they stepped into the boat together. But Peter was now subdued and silent. He had no reason to boast over his fellows, for through unbelief and self-exaltation he had very nearly lost his life. When he turned his eyes from Jesus, his footing was lost, and he sank amid the waves.
When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. "Fear not," He says; "for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." Isaiah 43:1-3.
Amen! We need to maintain our connection with Christ if we want to have the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. Love, peace, and joy are ours when Jesus abides in the heart. With this perfect love we have peace that passes all understanding no matter what the trial.
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Amen, Richard! It is only as we see our continual need of Jesus that we can be kept from temptation, and continue to reveal in the life all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing. What a precious lesson is here for us:
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
If we are looking to Jesus, and not to our weak selves, we will see our deep necessity of His grace and continual presence in the heart and mind, to keep us. But if we, like Peter, think that we are strong, then our "strength" becomes a weakness, for we fail to realize that our strength is in Jesus, who alone can keep us! Let us praise God that He loves us so much as to make this truth plain to us, that all of us--not matter how weak--may find perfection of character at conversion, when the heart is fully surrendered to Christ. As we abide in Christ, our weakness is hidden in Him, and He will give us divine grace and strength to overcome!
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When left alone, Jesus "went up into a mountain apart to pray." For hours He continued pleading with God. Not for Himself but for men were those prayers. He prayed for power to reveal to men the divine character of His mission, that Satan might not blind their understanding and pervert their judgment. The Saviour knew that His days of personal ministry on earth were nearly ended, and that few would receive Him as their Redeemer. In travail and conflict of soul He prayed for His disciples. They were to be grievously tried. Their long-cherished hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed in a most painful and humiliating manner. In the place of His exaltation to the throne of David they were to witness His crucifixion. This was to be indeed His true coronation. But they did not discern this, and in consequence strong temptations would come to them, which it would be difficult for them to recognize as temptations. Without the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and enlarge the comprehension the faith of the disciples would fail. It was painful to Jesus that their conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to worldly aggrandizement and honor. For them the burden was heavy upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears.
This always hits home to me every time I read it. Jesus prayed... not just for 5 minutes but for hours. Not for Himself but for others. If Christ, the creator of the universe, spent hours in prayer what does that mean for us. Yes, I realize that He did this in His humanity but that drives my point home even further. He was/is the example for all humanity and look at His prayer life! May the Lord help me to become more like Him in every way but especially prayer.
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Amen, Jim! Prayer is the life of the soul, and we need Jesus in our hearts that our prayers may be actuated by His Spirit.
Speaking of prayer, I have been listening recently to a series of messages about prayer from the Michigan Conference Camp Meeting that was held in 2015 (I still have the recordings). There were some points brought out about revival that I thought I'd share:
Evan Roberts spoke clearly to the 17 gathered in Wales:
"You must confess any known sin, and put any wrong done to man right again.
Second, you must put away any doubtful habit.
Third, you must obey the Spirit promptly.
Finally, you must confess your faith publicly."
I noticed the problem the disciples were having and it reveals that their hearts were separated from Jesus, and hence they could do no good thing:
The disciples had not put off immediately from the land, as Jesus directed them. They waited for a time, hoping that He would come to them. But as they saw that darkness was fast gathering, they "entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum." They had left Jesus with dissatisfied hearts, more impatient with Him than ever before since acknowledging Him as their Lord. They murmured because they had not been permitted to proclaim Him king. They blamed themselves for yielding so readily to His command. They reasoned that if they had been more persistent they might have accomplished their purpose.
When we are co-laborers with God, we need to remember that He is God, and we are finite human beings. When He bids us do something, let us obey the Spirit promptly. We may not have Jesus physically with us telling us to do something, but we do have His word, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the way He leads by His providential leadings and the promptings He puts on our hearts. Our only safe course is entire surrender to God and prompt obedience! Let us look to Jesus and do His will!
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Amen, Jim and Pastor Sean. We need Jesus. I think that today, like then, many do not understand their continual need of Jesus in order to do any good thing. In this chapter, Peter is being used to illustrate this lesson.
Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him.
Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation..... Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
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I absolutely love getting to spend a "thoughtful hour" each morning with Jesus--although this morning He gave me more than an hour to spend reflecting on His life, and I am so thankful that the more time we spend with Jesus, the more He will transform our characters. If you have some "spare time" (not that many people have that these days), why not choose to spend "extra time" with Jesus? It is by beholding Him that we are changed into His character. It is His character that we need in our experience to have rest and peace (and all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing--for this is the inevitable result of living by faith upon Him). So if we make investments in our families, in our homes, in our finances, why not choose the most important investment with our time--and spend even MORE TIME when possible that you may fall even more deeply in love with Him? I am finding that communion with God in these precious chapters of Desire of Ages and in the gospel accounts of Jesus' life are "investments in the thought life" so to speak. It is in our thoughts that God speaks to us. He wants our thoughts to be stayed upon Him so we can have perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). If we will fix our eyes upon the loveliness of Jesus, the transformation of character will be constant, because we will remain vitally connected to God by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This can only happen when we choose to spend this time with Jesus and surrender our whole heart to Him so He can cleanse it from selfishness and sin! Praise the Lord!!
As you read the statement below from Desire of Ages, think of this promise, "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Looking unto Jesus, Peter walks securely; but as in self-satisfaction he glances back toward his companions in the boat, his eyes are turned from the Saviour. The wind is boisterous. The waves roll high, and come directly between him and the Master; and he is afraid. For a moment Christ is hidden from his view, and his faith gives way. He begins to sink. But while the billows talk with death, Peter lifts his eyes from the angry waters, and fixing them upon Jesus, cries, "Lord, save me." Immediately Jesus grasps the outstretched hand, saying, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" Walking side by side, Peter's hand in that of his Master, they stepped into the boat together. But Peter was now subdued and silent. He had no reason to boast over his fellows, for through unbelief and self-exaltation he had very nearly lost his life. When he turned his eyes from Jesus, his footing was lost, and he sank amid the waves. {DA 381.6}
This is such a practical lesson when it comes to walking above the clamors of our fallen nature (that is unregenerate and justly condemned by a holy God). We retain our fallen flesh at conversion, but what is to be our relationship with the flesh? It is to be "crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20), and it will only remain so if we have our eyes fixed upon Jesus and do not let our minds wander from Him. Peter was walking by faith above the water--he was walking upon the very word Jesus had earlier said--"Come." But when Peter began to feel that he was "something" and looked at the other disciples in "self-satisfaction," he already had fallen spiritually at that point, and the sinking under the water was simply a physical manifestation of the spiritual fall he had experienced by taking his eyes off Jesus and thinking of self. See how Scripture describes this: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 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" (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). If we think we are standing on our own, we are self-deceived and have fallen by taking our eyes from Christ. Self is our enemy. We need to look constantly to Jesus with the eye of faith, or we WILL FALL. There is NOTHING GOOD in us by nature (Romans 7:18), and the sooner that we learn how much we need Jesus, the sooner we will learn that only He can keep our hearts and minds pure as we behold His loveliness by fully surrendering to Him moment-by moment. Yes, the lesson needs to be learned--because the sooner we have a consistent, abiding experience in Christ, the sooner we can be a part of helping the great controversy between Christ and Satan come to a close, for Jesus is preparing His people to walk with Him through the time of trouble such as never was (a time in which God's people are sealed and do not fall because they have LEARNED THIS LESSON of their CONTINUAL NEED OF JESUS). This is so important for us!! Jesus is SO SO SOON to return!!! We need this lesson for our lives today. We need to have our focus upon Christ and Him crucified, and not look to self. And it is by spending this thoughtful hour (and more time as you want the experience to go deeper and faster) that we learn how to overcome as Christ also overcame. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus, Jesus did not forsake him, but neither did Peter have eternal life while he was selfishly thinking of himself as better than the other disciples. In that moment, Christ was knocking for re-etnreace to Peter's heart, as Jesus does to any of us if we sin and separate from God by our own choice to fail to avail ourselves of the blessings given us in His promises. Thank God for this picture of love we see in Jesus: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Revelation 3:20-21)
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Amen! Why could Peter walk on water? Why did Peter fall? There is no reason to be ignorant of where the power came and why it left Peter. Either he trusted Jesus completely or he did not. We do not believe in once saved always saved, so it is possible that Peter trusted his life with Jesus when he stepped out of the boat, but being ignorant of his dependence upon Christ for his very life, he looked away from Jesus. What happens when I look away from Jesus? The very same thing that happened to Peter. Will we learn the lesson?
Jesus was soon to be murdered by the Jewish leadership. How did He feel about the lack of understanding revealed in His disciples?
When left alone, Jesus "went up into a mountain apart to pray." For hours He continued pleading with God. Not for Himself but for men were those prayers. He prayed for power to reveal to men the divine character of His mission, that Satan might not blind their understanding and pervert their judgment. The Saviour knew that His days of personal ministry on earth were nearly ended, and that few would receive Him as their Redeemer. In travail and conflict of soul He prayed for His disciples. They were to be grievously tried. Their long-cherished hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed in a most painful and humiliating manner. In the place of His exaltation to the throne of David they were to witness His crucifixion. This was to be indeed His true coronation. But they did not discern this, and in consequence strong temptations would come to them, which it would be difficult for them to recognize as temptations. Without the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and enlarge the comprehension the faith of the disciples would fail. It was painful to Jesus that their conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to worldly aggrandizement and honor. For them the burden was heavy upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears.
What was the problem? They misunderstood what the kingdom of God was like. They were having a hard time staying connected to Christ. They did not know they needed to be in full submission to His continually in order to do any good thing. They were still interested in "worldly aggrandizement and honor." How very sad. Jesus was in great agony as He prayed for them. What love!!
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We need Jesus to be able to walk on water--to walk above the clamors of our fallen nature and to choose to exercise a continual surrender of our will to Christ. I love reading of how Jesus invited Peter to come upon the water--not that he should perish, but that Peter should realize that what Peter saw Jesus doing he also could do as long as he was abiding in Christ, walking by faith. We learn to do what Jesus does by beholding His loveliness of character. How important it is that we take this "thoughtful hour" to commune with Christ, so we may be transformed into His likeness in preparation for heaven.
Matthew 14:28-31:
"And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"
Doubt does not make sense in the presence of Jesus. Doubt is the evidence that we are not steadfastly beholding Jesus and trusting Him. Unbelief is sinful, for it fails to appropriate the strength and grace that Christ is well able to provide for us! It is possible to live by faith and manifest all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing--but only as Christ abides in us moment-by-moment!
"Looking unto Jesus, Peter walks securely; but as in self-satisfaction he glances back toward his companions in the boat, his eyes are turned from the Saviour. The wind is boisterous. The waves roll high, and come directly between him and the Master; and he is afraid. For a moment Christ is hidden from his view, and his faith gives way. He begins to sink. But while the billows talk with death, Peter lifts his eyes from the angry waters, and fixing them upon Jesus, cries, 'Lord, save me.' Immediately Jesus grasps the outstretched hand, saying, 'O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?' Walking side by side, Peter's hand in that of his Master, they stepped into the boat together. But Peter was now subdued and silent. He had no reason to boast over his fellows, for through unbelief and self-exaltation he had very nearly lost his life. When he turned his eyes from Jesus, his footing was lost, and he sank amid the waves." {The Desire of Ages, page 381, paragraph 6}
Let us choose to keep our eyes of faith fixed upon Christ today moment-by-moment. He will preserve us!
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Amen, Pastor Sean. Lord, take away my wicked unbelief. There is no greater sin than unbelief.
Their long-cherished hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed in a most painful and humiliating manner. In the place of His exaltation to the throne of David they were to witness His crucifixion. This was to be indeed His true coronation. But they did not discern this, and in consequence strong temptations would come to them, which it would be difficult for them to recognize as temptations. Without the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and enlarge the comprehension the faith of the disciples would fail. It was painful to Jesus that their conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to worldly aggrandizement and honor. For them the burden was heavy upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears......
Unbelief was taking possession of their minds and hearts. Love of honor had blinded them. They knew that Jesus was hated by the Pharisees, and they were eager to see Him exalted as they thought He should be. To be united with a teacher who could work mighty miracles, and yet to be reviled as deceivers, was a trial they could ill endure. Were they always to be accounted followers of a false prophet? Would Christ never assert His authority as king? Why did not He who possessed such power reveal Himself in His true character, and make their way less painful? Why had He not saved John the Baptist from a violent death? Thus the disciples reasoned until they brought upon themselves great spiritual darkness. They questioned, Could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted?
So much is said here. What does this mean? "Without the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and enlarge the comprehension the faith of the disciples would fail."
It means that they were not in a converted state. They were not filled with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, they were filled with unbelief. They did not believe.....enough. What is the result of such unbelief? They questioned, Could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted?
And, when Jesus hung on the cross, they were filled with the same unbelief. After all Jesus had done for them, after all they had seen. How is it today? De we ever manifest "unbelief"? Every time we sin. When will we learn of our continual need of Jesus? What can we do to maintain our connection with Christ?
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Jesus prayed earnestly, and He invites us to follow Him and pray as He did for others. Unbelief was making it so difficult for those whom He was training for His service to see things clearly, and we need to daily pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit that we would rightly appreciate the life and teachings of Jesus, so we can discern His loveliness and value the sacrifice made for our souls. Let us, by beholding Christ in His earnestness in prayer, be encouraged to know that He can give us this experience with Him, too.
"When left alone, Jesus 'went up into a mountain apart to pray.' For hours He continued pleading with God. Not for Himself but for men were those prayers. He prayed for power to reveal to men the divine character of His mission, that Satan might not blind their understanding and pervert their judgment. The Saviour knew that His days of personal ministry on earth were nearly ended, and that few would receive Him as their Redeemer. In travail and conflict of soul He prayed for His disciples. They were to be grievously tried. Their long-cherished hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed in a most painful and humiliating manner. In the place of His exaltation to the throne of David they were to witness His crucifixion. This was to be indeed His true coronation. But they did not discern this, and in consequence strong temptations would come to them, which it would be difficult for them to recognize as temptations. Without the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and enlarge the comprehension the faith of the disciples would fail. It was painful to Jesus that their conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to worldly aggrandizement and honor. For them the burden was heavy upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears." {The Desire of Ages, page 379, paragraph 1}
Through the Holy Spirit, we can be enabled to pray as did Jesus, and God will hear and answer our prayers!
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Amen Pastor Sean. We are wholly dependent upon the holy spirit for our understanding of spiritual things. And, after the Holy Spirit has revealed to us our evil Fallen nature, it is he who reveals the loveliness of Jesus and our great need of him in order to be transformed and saved. Without his spirit indwelling our hearts we are none of His, Romans 8:9. As Jesus told Nicodemus, we must be born again. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. We must be born again of the Spirit. And when we are truly converted, when we are fully surrendered to Jesus, the Holy Spirit will take possession of the heart, and when He does this, He brings with Him all of the fruits of the Spirit, not one is missing. This is what it means to truly be a Christian.
What happens to the Christian who has been converted when he takes his eyes off of Jesus? Unbelief comes into the mind. How could the disciples forget who Jesus is after all they witnessed? "They questioned, Could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted?"
The disciples had not put off immediately from the land, as Jesus directed them. They waited for a time, hoping that He would come to them. But as they saw that darkness was fast gathering, they "entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum." They had left Jesus with dissatisfied hearts, more impatient with Him than ever before since acknowledging Him as their Lord. They murmured because they had not been permitted to proclaim Him king. They blamed themselves for yielding so readily to His command. They reasoned that if they had been more persistent they might have accomplished their purpose.
Unbelief was taking possession of their minds and hearts. Love of honor had blinded them. They knew that Jesus was hated by the Pharisees, and they were eager to see Him exalted as they thought He should be. To be united with a teacher who could work mighty miracles, and yet to be reviled as deceivers, was a trial they could ill endure. Were they always to be accounted followers of a false prophet? Would Christ never assert His authority as king? Why did not He who possessed such power reveal Himself in His true character, and make their way less painful? Why had He not saved John the Baptist from a violent death? Thus the disciples reasoned until they brought upon themselves great spiritual darkness. They questioned, Could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted?
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"Looking unto Jesus, Peter walks securely; but as in self-satisfaction he glances back toward his companions in the boat, his eyes are turned from the Saviour........he begins to sink. But while the billows talk with death, Peter lifts his eyes from the angry waters, and fixing them upon Jesus, cries, "Lord, save me." "Immediately Jesus grasps the outstretched hand, saying, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"
I am comforted with the words "Immediately Jesus grasps the outstretched hand." And then we see them hand and hand walking to the boat. Jesus is always ready to answer our call for help and grasping our hand He keeps us safe.
"When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. "Fear not," He says; "for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou are Mine."
I thank God every day for the promises and lessons in His word that show us His love and compassion.
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I love the story of the disciples on the boat when they face the great storm. Jesus allowed that trial that they would sense their need of His help. Jesus lovingly allows us to go through trials so that we may realize our need of His constant help. Only by listening continually to His voice, by having an abiding experience with Him through continual surrender to Him, can we enjoy the blessed union and communion of the soul with Christ, which will manifest itself in the effectual working of the Holy Spirit in and through us--evidenced by all of the fruits of the Spirit in our lives without one missing!
"Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them." {The Desire of Ages, page 381, paragraph 1}
"At the moment when they believe themselves lost, a gleam of light reveals a mysterious figure approaching them upon the water. But they know not that it is Jesus. The One who has come for their help they count as an enemy. Terror overpowers them. The hands that have grasped the oars with muscles like iron let go their hold. The boat rocks at the will of the waves; all eyes are riveted on this vision of a man walking upon the white-capped billows of the foaming sea." {The Desire of Ages, page 381, paragraph 2}
"They think it a phantom that omens their destruction, and they cry out for fear. Jesus advances as if He would pass them; but they recognize Him, and cry out, entreating His help. Their beloved Master turns, His voice silences their fear, 'Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.'" {The Desire of Ages, page 381, paragraph 3}
What is your storm today? Look to Jesus. He has rest of soul to offer you--a rest that can keep you in "perfect peace" (Isaiah 26:3) no matter how trying the circumstances around you may be. We need Jesus continually. We cannot walk on water or resist even the slightest temptation unless we simply come and behold the Lamb of God, and by beholding Him allow Him to change us as we surrender our will to Him constantly so He can abide in us. Abiding in Him, we may flourish. We will find life's burdens light because we have been with Jesus, who bore our burden of guilt and sin to the cross. The loveliness of Jesus' character is drawing upon each of our hearts even now! Let us look and live today!
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Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis. Such a good reminder that every choice leads one way or the other. The older I get the more I don't believe in just circumstances or whatever you wish to call it. There are two powers both desiring our allegiance both "interfere" with our daily lives. One for our good, the other for our destruction. If we would be conscious of this more it make help us make good decisions and choices with the aide of the Holy Spirit.
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This story amazes me in that it shows us that even what we think is our purest motives of standing for Christ and truth can actually be motivated by love of self leading to murmuring and unbelief. We are always in danger of putting our wisdom above Gods wisdom.
"Unbelief was taking possession of their minds and hearts. Love of honor had blinded them. They knew that Jesus was hated by the Pharisees, and they were eager to see Him exalted as they thought He should be. To be united with a teacher who could work mighty miracles, and yet to be reviled as deceivers, was a trial they could ill endure. Were they always to be accounted followers of a false prophet? Would Christ never assert His authority as king? Why did not He who possessed such power reveal Himself in His true character, and make their way less painful? Why had He not saved John the Baptist from a violent death? Thus the disciples reasoned until they brought upon themselves great spiritual darkness. They questioned, Could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted?"
After all they had witnessed of the wonders of Jesus' works they now start to doubt because things were not going the way they thought they should.
We are in the same danger today of running ahead of Christ and trying to 'make' things happen according to our plans. We can not take our eyes off Jesus for a moment for when we do we are doomed to fail just like Peter.
But the good news is that Jesus is waiting and ready to take us by the hand and lift us to safety just as He did for Peter when we cry 'save me'. He is so lovingly patient as He continually teaches us to look to Him and be saved. He is the way, the life and the truth. These stories are revealing to me many of my own weaknesses.
Thank you Lord for not giving up on me and gently leading and guiding each step of my life. Bless our TRO family today as we walk the narrow road with you. In Your loving name Jesus; Amen.
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Amen, Sister Dorine. This paragraph has always reminded me of how much we need Jesus. How easy it is to let a false idea take hold and lead us away from Jesus. We cannot afford to take our eyes off of the One who loves us so. The disciples wandered in and out of Jesus. Here we see the real problem is not keeping there focus upon Christ and allowing "unbelief" to come into their minds.
Unbelief was taking possession of their minds and hearts. Love of honor had blinded them. They knew that Jesus was hated by the Pharisees, and they were eager to see Him exalted as they thought He should be. To be united with a teacher who could work mighty miracles, and yet to be reviled as deceivers, was a trial they could ill endure. Were they always to be accounted followers of a false prophet? Would Christ never assert His authority as king? Why did not He who possessed such power reveal Himself in His true character, and make their way less painful? Why had He not saved John the Baptist from a violent death? Thus the disciples reasoned until they brought upon themselves great spiritual darkness. They questioned, Could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted?
There is no greater sin than unbelief. "Could Jesus be an imposter?" Unbelievable!! After so long with Jesus they could allow such a thought!!!! We see the results as Jesus hung upon the cross. They thought if He was the Son of God, He would not be dying upon the cross. False doctrine is just as dangerous today as it was then.
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There are trials in the Christian life. Greater trials are coming. Have we learned yet our dependence upon Christ? Do we understand that we can do no thing apart from Christ? How many times have I fallen because I did not turn to Christ! Peter did not learn the lesson from falling into the water.
Let us learn it now.
When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. "Fear not," He says; "for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." Isaiah 43:1-3.
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"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 3}
I am so happy God teaches me each day as I look to Him for guidance. Jesus knows what is best, and He knows what He is preparing you and me for--higher than we can even ask or think!
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"Often our plans fail that God's plans for us may succeed." {The Ministry of Healing, page 473, paragraph 3} This is clearly seen in the way Jesus has the crowd disperse after the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus does not tell them that their hope of crowning Him king is a false hope, but He does not allow what they are sure is a great plan. Sometimes God lets our plans fail so we can have His plans. And if we are struggling to accept His will, He often lets us pass through trial to teach us our great dependence on Him (as the disciples would keenly learn out on the lake in the great storm). Jesus knows how to reach our hearts--and all things work together for good to them that love God!
"Jesus now commands the multitude to disperse; and His manner is so decisive that they dare not disobey. The words of praise and exaltation die on their lips. In the very act of advancing to seize Him their steps are stayed, and the glad, eager look fades from their countenances. In that throng are men of strong mind and firm determination; but the kingly bearing of Jesus, and His few quiet words of command, quell the tumult, and frustrate their designs. They recognize in Him a power above all earthly authority, and without a question they submit." {The Desire of Ages, page 378, paragraph 4}
When a decisive command came from Jesus, there was obedience. And this is the same Jesus who spoke gentle words of healing to the sinner. Christ's authority and firmness are no less an outflow of His love, for God's love is a perfect blend of mercy and justice. Submission to God is the best course--even when it crosses our own plans and ideas. After all, God is preparing us for heaven, and He desires first to have heaven in our hearts where reign all of the fruits of His Spirit without one missing, as we gladly follow in His way of obedience!
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Amen Pastor Sean.
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"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis." DA Chapter 40
The devil knows how important the issues of the daily life are, and no doubt you along with many others, have discovered just how hard he tries to make sure we don't have " Time " for our daily prayers and devotional study. He does his best to cause family challenges. Stress at work. Yes, and sometimes even with our church attendance and participation in Sabbath School and the Divine worship Service. Also in the out reach programs to share the "Good News" with others.
"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely." DA Chapter 40
I love the promise of Jesus found in Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." But it can't happen without our willingness to spend time with Him everyday. After all He has done for us will you join with me and make a strong commitment to meet with Him on a daily basis as we journey on in 2019.
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"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
So often when the waters of life seem calm we are sometimes tempted to believe that we are well grounded and secure against temptation. Pride always comes before a fall and this counsel in today's chapter clearly reveals our true condition. "Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
I am truly thankful that Jesus does not give up on me when I fall. What a patient teacher He is and with such gentleness. May we learn from the lessons of the past so that by God's grace and trusting in Him we will not repeat them.
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Amen, Dorine! God has precious lessons to teach us so we can realize our continual need of Jesus! May we abide in Christ, so that His presence can be manifest in all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing in the most trying circumstances of life! We have no power to resist temptation except Christ remain upon the throne of our hearts!
"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 3}
Our circumstances are God's means of teaching us, so we can prayerfully look at where God has us right now and discern His plan! This reminds me of this incredible promise: "The Father's presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world. Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. He who is imbued with the Spirit of Christ abides in Christ. Whatever comes to him comes from the Saviour, who surrounds him with His presence. Nothing can touch him except by the Lord's permission. All our sufferings and sorrows, all our temptations and trials, all our sadness and griefs, all our persecutions and privations, in short, all things work together for our good. All experiences and circumstances are God's workmen whereby good is brought to us." {The Ministry of Healing, page 488, paragraph 4}
I choose to appreciate what God is doing each moment in my life--and may each of us let every experience bring us much closer to Christ!
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If Jesus is leading your life, then anything He calls you to do is really also His promise to be with you and make the experience possible. Crossing the lake in the great storm seemed impossible for the disciples, but with Jesus, all things are possible! Let us keep our eyes upon Him as He shows us our weak points of character and allows us to rely completely upon Him for strength, grace, and power to live the life of faith--a life that reveals all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing!
"Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 1}
He calls us that He may walk with us, and we may walk with Him--hand in hand through the great storms of life that only build our faith in Him as One who is able to carry us through the greater trials ahead as Jesus is soon to return!!
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"Seated upon the grassy plain, in the twilight of the spring evening, the people ate of the food that Christ had provided. The words they had heard that day had come to them as the voice of God. The works of healing they had witnessed were such as only divine power could perform. But the miracle of the loaves appealed to everyone in that vast multitude. All were sharers in its benefit. In the days of Moses, God had fed Israel with manna in the desert; and who was this that had fed them that day but He whom Moses had foretold? No human power could create from five barley loaves and two small fishes food sufficient to feed thousands of hungry people. And they said one to another, "This is of a truth that Prophet that should come into the world."
Jesus said... In Matthew 11:28 -- Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. In every circumstance of our lives Jesus is the answer to all our longings and needs. In the hymn " What a Friend we have in Jesus" we find these words..." Oh what peace we often forfeit - Oh what needless pain we bare - All because we do not carry - Everything to God in Pray. We may find ourselves to be passing through a storm like the disciples did on the lake when it appeared that all would be lost. But we must not forget that whatever storms we are passing through Jesus is there. He said..." I will never leave you nor forsake you " Let us keep our eyes upon Jesus and by faith trust Him to bring us safely through all the experiences, trails and tests on our earthly journey to the kingdom above.
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It is interesting and sad that the disciples wondered if Jesus was indeed their Messiah. :(
They had a problem similar to that which we need to understand. When I preach that we come into the world in need of a Savior because we can do no good thing, there are some who think they can do good things prior to being converted. They think I am a heretic. They do not see that because we have a fallen evil nature we need Jesus in the heart every minute of every day if we do not want to sin. This is a serious theological heresy we face in the church. Many believe they are saved when they commit a known sin, or that they may have pride in the heart that they do not know of. When we love Jesus supremely, the Holy Spirit takes possession of the heart and cleanses it as white as snow. We have a pure heart when we make a full heart surrender to Christ. We will not come to the point of daily walking with Jesus unless we see our need of His continual presence. So it was with the disciples prior to the cross.
Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him.
Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation.
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"A violent tempest had been stealing upon them, and they were unprepared for it. It was a sudden contrast, for the day had been perfect; and when the gale struck them, they were afraid. They forgot their disaffection, their unbelief, their impatience. Everyone worked to keep the boat from sinking. It was but a short distance by sea from Bethsaida to the point where they expected to meet Jesus, and in ordinary weather the journey required but a few hours; but now they were driven farther and farther from the point they sought. Until the fourth watch of the night they toiled at the oars. Then the weary men gave themselves up for lost. In storm and darkness the sea had taught them their own helplessness, and they longed for the presence of their Master."
This reminds me of times in my life when I was so caught up in the gloom of unhappiness that God allowed a more intense tempest to blow to wake me up to my sin of ingratitude and my great need of Him.
We are all on a storm tossed sea of sin. We can either work to exhaustion to ride it ourselves to no avail or we can call out for help to the One who is ever watching and waiting for that humble surrendered cry.
"Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them.
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Dorine, thank you for these thoughts. I think most reading can relate to what you've shared. It can be easy to focus on problems themselves instead of the "Problem Solver".
When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them.
Amen!
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"Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him.
Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis. Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation....Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis."
I feel impressed to share a quote with you this morning from the book "The Sanctified Life " which again reminds us of the importance of our daily communion with Jesus.
"The testing time will come to all, when the hopes of many who have for years thought themselves secure, will be seen to be without foundation. When in new positions, under varied circumstances, some who have seemed to be pillars in the house of God reveal only rotten timber beneath the paint and varnish. But the humble in heart, who have daily felt the importance of riveting their souls to the eternal Rock, will stand unmoved amid the tempests of trial, because they trusted not to themselves. “The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his” (2 Timothy 2:19). {SL 12.1}
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Amen, Brother Beacon!
May we learn of Christ each day the lesson He designs to teach us, so that our whole heart may be surrendered to Him and we can discern step by step the way He wants us to go. We individually need to have an experience of knowing the voice of God from His word, from prayer, and the direct influence of the Spirit of God addressing our hearts. God also uses nature and providential leadings to help us discern His will. As we commit our ways to Him, He will direct our steps. As we share what God is doing in our lives, it can bring hope and encouragement to them as well to know that we serve a living God of infinite love!
"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 3}
May we realize our continual need of Jesus to do any good thing, and as we abide in Him and He in us, He will manifest all of the fruits of His Spirit without one missing through the character that He is daily fitting to be stronger and more useful in the winning of souls and the service He designs for us through all eternity!
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"The words of Christ, "Gather up the fragments, . . . that nothing be lost," were unheeded. Those were hours of large blessing to the disciples, but they had forgotten it all. They were in the midst of troubled waters. Their thoughts were stormy and unreasonable, and the Lord gave them something else to afflict their souls and occupy their minds. God often does this when men create burdens and troubles for themselves. The disciples had no need to make trouble. Already danger was fast approaching."
I marvel at the contrast between the disciples frustration, anger and impatience toward Jesus and the way in which He responded to these unbelieving, ungrateful men. Such sweet, gentle love is bestowed upon them. They were never out of His sight or mind. Yet He knew they needed a greater storm to assail them in order for them to realize their great need of Him.
We can probably all relate to this because I know in my own life I can look back and see how He has used the same methods to get my attention. Let's never doubt our Saviours love and plans for us.
Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
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Amen dear Sister! Many think that Jesus does not bring upon us trouble. But, He loves us too much to let us go on in "unbelief." If Satan will not intervene, then God will discipline us when needed. It is only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely. If like Peter we turn from Christ and walk in our own strength, then God may choose to inflict upon us something to get our attention. When we get to heaven by God's grace, we shall be shown all that God did in order to save us, and we shall then see that this is exactly what we would have wanted Him to do.
Looking unto Jesus, Peter walks securely; but as in self-satisfaction he glances back toward his companions in the boat, his eyes are turned from the Saviour. The wind is boisterous. The waves roll high, and come directly between him and the Master; and he is afraid. For a moment Christ is hidden from his view, and his faith gives way. He begins to sink. But while the billows talk with death, Peter lifts his eyes from the angry waters, and fixing them upon Jesus, cries, "Lord, save me." Immediately Jesus grasps the outstretched hand, saying, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" Walking side by side, Peter's hand in that of his Master, they stepped into the boat together. But Peter was now subdued and silent. He had no reason to boast over his fellows, for through unbelief and self-exaltation he had very nearly lost his life. When he turned his eyes from Jesus, his footing was lost, and he sank amid the waves.
There is no greater sin than "unbelief." At one moment Peter's faith allowed Him to walk on water. But, when He let his mind wander from Christ, unbelief took over. He did not know of his continual need of Jesus in order to walk with Him on troubled waters. As Brother Beacon and Pastor Sean have pointed out "Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely." God either allows or brings a daily test that we might see our continual need of Him and thus cling to Him that we might obtain the victory.
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"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis... Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation..... Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
I pray that we will have the courage and understand the importance of inviting Jesus to guide us in all our daily decisions and when situations arise and we're not sure which path to take remember ask ourselves the question. WWJD which means What Would Jesus Do?
God's Mighty Promise as found in Isaiah 40:31 King James Version (KJV) says..." But they that wait upon the Lord ( Daily ) shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
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Amen Brother Beacon! Character is the subject. Our characters are to be transformed. Sinners are to become saints. This is only possible when we trust God will all we are and all we have. We must learn of Him who gave all for us. He gave all for me. It is grace that transforms, and we need to be transformed daily.
Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him.
Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Like Peter, we are to understand there is nothing good in us until we allow Christ to take possession of the heart. When we take our eyes off of Jesus we end up in the water. We need Jesus continually in order to resist the smallest temptation to sin. Let us this one day cling to Christ that our characters may reflect His.
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Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
The way has been made so very plain. There is no need for us to be taken by surprise. The conflict between good and evil is raging and we are in the middle of it. Never can we think that our faith can never be shaken. God in His great mercy has been warning us of Satan's great deceptions and how overpowering they are when faced with in our own strength. But the last sentence is a promise to cling to because Jesus does not lie."Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
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Amen, Brother Beacon, Brother Richard, and Sister Dorine!!
Jesus desires us to sense our continual need of Him, and become strong in His strength as our weakness is united to His divine nature by the promises of His word. When we have that union and communion with Christ, all of the fruits of the Spirit will be manifest in and through us and we are enabled to be living witnesses of His character to this world and the onlooking universe! What a privilege and responsibility God has entrusted to us!
"Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 2}
As we learn from the trials of today, they help prepare us for the bigger trials in the future! Look unto Jesus and live!!
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"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely." DA Chapter 40
From the Book " The Sanctified Life " We read this counsel & warning...
"The testing time will come to all, when the hopes of many who have for years thought themselves secure, will be seen to be without foundation. When in new positions, under varied circumstances, some who have seemed to be pillars in the house of God reveal only rotten timber beneath the paint and varnish. But the humble in heart, who have daily felt the importance of riveting their souls to the eternal Rock, will stand unmoved amid the tempests of trial, because they trusted not to themselves. “The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his”" (2 Timothy 2:19). {SL 12.1}
"Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely." DA Chapter 40
It would do well for us all to remember this old adage....HE WHO FAILS TO PREPARE - PREPARES TO FAIL....Jesus has given us access to all the treasures of Heaven but unless we now have a daily walk with Him we will only reveal " rotten timber beneath the paint and varnish of our lives when the testing time comes.
God says through His Word in Joshua 24:15 "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." I pray that this will be our answer also -- HAPPY SABBATH.
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Amen, Brother Beacon!
Happy Sabbath to all!!
God wants to teach us more today as we learn of Him. Let us surrender the whole heart for Jesus to purify so we may overcome through Him, manifesting all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as long as Jesus reigns in our hearts by faith!
"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 3}
Trust and obey, for there is no other way--and may we always keep our eyes on Jesus!
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Amen Brother Beacon and Pastor Sean. It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour each day contemplating the life of Christ. By so doing we shall be recreated into His image (character). When we spend time with Him, we will learn of His great love for us and thus we will love Him with all we have and all we are. Our faith becomes saving faith when we know Him as it s our privilege.
When we do not maintain our connection with Christ, it is because we forget who He is and our continual need of Him to do any good thing. Jesus will allow great trials to come to us that we will understand our need of Him. As a parent will allow the child to learn hard lessons, so does our loving Father and our Savior allow us to see how needy we are.
The disciples had that day witnessed the wonderful works of Christ. It had seemed that heaven had come down to the earth. The memory of that precious, glorious day should have filled them with faith and hope. Had they, out of the abundance of their hearts, been conversing together in regard to these things, they would not have entered into temptation. But their disappointment had absorbed their thoughts. The words of Christ, "Gather up the fragments, . . . that nothing be lost," were unheeded. Those were hours of large blessing to the disciples, but they had forgotten it all. They were in the midst of troubled waters. Their thoughts were stormy and unreasonable, and the Lord gave them something else to afflict their souls and occupy their minds. God often does this when men create burdens and troubles for themselves. The disciples had no need to make trouble. Already danger was fast approaching.
A violent tempest had been stealing upon them, and they were unprepared for it. It was a sudden contrast, for the day had been perfect; and when the gale struck them, they were afraid. They forgot their disaffection, their unbelief, their impatience.
Too often so it is with us.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
May God grant us His blessings on this Sabbath day. It is a sign to the world that we are His. Let us be faithful witnesses that a world soon to perish will know there is a God of great power and love that watches over us.
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For sundown worship last evening hubby read from the book Faith and Works. It was the story of the impotent man. When Christ told him to pick up his bed and walk he did exactly as he was told. He did not question how or when. Then it says,
"This is the faith that we need. But if you stop to explain everything and reason out every point, you will die in your sins, because you will never be satisfied."
Then as I read today's reading this stood out and seemed to go hand in hand with what we read last evening.
Unbelief was taking possession of their (disciples) minds and hearts. Love of honor had blinded them. They knew that Jesus was hated by the Pharisees, and they were eager to see Him exalted as they thought He should be. To be united with a teacher who could work mighty miracles, and yet to be reviled as deceivers, was a trial they could ill endure. Were they always to be accounted followers of a false prophet? Would Christ never assert His authority as king? Why did not He who possessed such power reveal Himself in His true character, and make their way less painful? Why had He not saved John the Baptist from a violent death? Thus the disciples reasoned until they brought upon themselves great spiritual darkness. They questioned, Could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted?
If they had continued in this line of thinking they would have been lost in their unbelief but praise God through the grace of God and being reminded through the frightening storm who Jesus was they were brought back into humility, surrender and belief. Isn't God good? He does not give up trying to get our attention unless we cross the line into the point of no return. When His wooing love no longer penetrates our cold hard hearts He has no recourse but to let us go. How sad but that is love. He can not force anyone against their will but if He sees a flicker of hope He will not give up.
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As we learn to see as God sees by the faith of Jesus that He imparts, we will come to realize that trials mean benefit and every blessing is a trial. How so? In trials we often more clearly see our need of Christ, and our relationship with Him deepens. In blessing, we may be tempted to think that God is blessing us on account of some goodness inherent in ourselves (fatal deception), when the blessings He gives us are to equip us to bless others! Oh, may we realize that God's kingdom is upside down from the world, that the true coronation of Christ was on Calvary's cross, and the blessing God has in store for His remnant people is the time of trouble when their earthliness is consumed, thus uniting them in such marital intimacy with Christ the Husband of the Church that they are eternally one with Him by an experience so rare and beautiful that they will sing of it for eternity!
"When left alone, Jesus 'went up into a mountain apart to pray.' For hours He continued pleading with God. Not for Himself but for men were those prayers. He prayed for power to reveal to men the divine character of His mission, that Satan might not blind their understanding and pervert their judgment. The Saviour knew that His days of personal ministry on earth were nearly ended, and that few would receive Him as their Redeemer. In travail and conflict of soul He prayed for His disciples. They were to be grievously tried. Their long-cherished hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed in a most painful and humiliating manner. In the place of His exaltation to the throne of David they were to witness His crucifixion. This was to be indeed His true coronation. But they did not discern this, and in consequence strong temptations would come to them, which it would be difficult for them to recognize as temptations. Without the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and enlarge the comprehension the faith of the disciples would fail. It was painful to Jesus that their conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to worldly aggrandizement and honor. For them the burden was heavy upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears." {The Desire of Ages, page 379, paragraph 1}
Jesus prayers were answered. He is now in the Heavenly Sanctuary praying EARNESTLY for us, that in all of our experiences we will realize that He is building a spiritual, not a temporal kingdom. As we choose Christ this day by a fresh, complete surrender of our whole heart to Him, He blots our our sins as we confess and forsake them, imbues us with all of the fruits of the Spirit so that not one is missing, and prepares us to act our part upon the wider stage to which His providence has assigned us. Let us not be discouraged when trials come, but turn continually to Jesus!!
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"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
May we remember these words as we face the unknowns of today. As we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus He will lead us through troubled waters. As the world is now facing a pandemic and fear is in many hearts those that know Jesus are at peace. Not with a lazy, careless attitude but knowing that while we do all we can to protect ourselves and others God will do the rest. That brings peace to my heart.
-
"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis. Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation....Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis."
"Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world.. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them[/u]"[/b][/font][/color]
The words of this song Day by Day spoke to my heart this morning...
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
2
Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.
3
Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand.
-
When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. "Fear not," He says; "for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." Isaiah 43:1-3.
These words bring such peace to my soul. No matter what trials I may face He is there. He promises help in time of need when I ask. Just like Peter who called out to the Saviour to save him from drowning we may call upon our Lord and He will answer. What ever trial you may be facing right now. Humbly call upon Him. Sometimes the difficulties we go through are of our doing but God's grace forgives when we ask and He says "go and sin no more". He may have to tell us this many times. The important thing is that we never resist coming to Him. As we look to Him and behold His great love to us we will respond in love to Him. The fruit of the Spirit will be event in our lives and we will walk with Him in peace, joy and obedience continually.
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Amen dear Sister Dorine! The gospel is a very simple message. If we sin today, we still have an Intercessor (Mediator). Jesus does not forsake us. We see the process when Peter sinned after taking His eyes off of Jesus. He fell in the water and was in need of a Savior. Where was Jesus? He was right there calling out to Peter. When Peter cried out to save him, Jesus did. So it is with us. We may understand that we still have a Mediator who will forgive sins. But, the day is fast approaching when we will have no Mediator. How do we prepare for this day? By ceasing to sin. How does that happen? By developing a character that always clings to Christ so we do not sin. It will become a hateful thing to us. Are you and I there yet? We need to love Jesus so much we do not want to mis-represent Him by sinning. Just because you do not hear this from the pulpit or read it in our periodicals does not mean it is not the truth.
In today's reading we can better understand why we sin and how God at times responds.
Unbelief was taking possession of their minds and hearts. Love of honor had blinded them. They knew that Jesus was hated by the Pharisees, and they were eager to see Him exalted as they thought He should be. To be united with a teacher who could work mighty miracles, and yet to be reviled as deceivers, was a trial they could ill endure. Were they always to be accounted followers of a false prophet? Would Christ never assert His authority as king? Why did not He who possessed such power reveal Himself in His true character, and make their way less painful? Why had He not saved John the Baptist from a violent death? Thus the disciples reasoned until they brought upon themselves great spiritual darkness. They questioned, Could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted?
The disciples had that day witnessed the wonderful works of Christ. It had seemed that heaven had come down to the earth. The memory of that precious, glorious day should have filled them with faith and hope. Had they, out of the abundance of their hearts, been conversing together in regard to these things, they would not have entered into temptation. But their disappointment had absorbed their thoughts. The words of Christ, "Gather up the fragments, . . . that nothing be lost," were unheeded. Those were hours of large blessing to the disciples, but they had forgotten it all. They were in the midst of troubled waters. Their thoughts were stormy and unreasonable, and the Lord gave them something else to afflict their souls and occupy their minds. God often does this when men create burdens and troubles for themselves. The disciples had no need to make trouble. Already danger was fast approaching.
There is no greater sin than "unbelief." Yet, as Brother Beacon has pointed out, Jesus does not forget us. He is there to reach out a helping hand to bring the heart back into reconciliation with Him.
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"It was painful to Jesus that their ( His Disciples ) conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to worldly aggrandizement and honor. For them the burden was heavy upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears."
"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; and by His grace nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
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.
Today let us make renewed commitment to make our Saviour, Jesus Christ, That He may be First and Last in all our thoughts and actions.
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Jesus knows our characters better than we know ourselves. He sees where we need to grow and the areas where we tend to think "I can do this" rather than to realize, "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). Will we learn the lesson that Peter's experience on the sea can teach us? Will we not for a moment think that we can live a life of Christian purity and consistency without constant union and communion with Christ? Oh, let us look away from self to Jesus and walk securely as in utter self-distrust we surrender all we have and are to Christ!!
May the whole experience with Covid-19 teach us to trust to Christ for our health and protection, and how quickly events in our world can change.
And may the tragic events surrounding the murder of George Floyd teach us that true justice and mercy is not consistently experienced by people in our world, and that we need to cry out to God Him to help guide all to act in harmony with true justice and faithfulness. May we realize that great changes are soon to take place in our world and that we need to learn to treat everyone now with the compassion of Christ and not think that we can do so without Jesus in our hearts. Even our "enemies" who may try to kill us are those we should pray for and show the greatest love, Jesus Himself modeling this at Calvary when He prayed, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).
May this forgiving love of Christ flow through your heart today as we seek to do our part to be lights in a dark, stormy world needing each person to experience the power of grace that leads to conversion in a new heart and a new mind filled with all the fruits of the Spirit without one missing, thus being in readiness for the soon coming of Jesus--for this is our troubled world's only ULTIMATE solution!
"Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 2}
Jesus does not want us to come up to the time of trouble to fall flat on our face in fear, unbelief, and discouragement. He wants us to learn here in the daily experiences He is offering us to depend on Him for the vital union and communion that alone can give us the wisdom to know how to walk securely in the storms of life as we look upon Jesus and let the Holy Spirit transform us from glory to glory, from character to character, to become ever more like our Savior!
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Let us not forget our continual need of Jesus today to do any good thing. When the whole heart is yielded to Him, He brings forth all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing!
"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, 'I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word.' But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 4}
Jesus knows the best way to lead us today. Let us walk by faith abiding in Him so He may bring forth the peace of His presence--a peace that passes all understanding--even in the midst of the greatest storms of life!
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"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis. Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation....
Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely...
It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis."
"Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world.. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them.
[/u]
The words of this song Day by Day again spoke to my heart this morning and I hope they do for you to.
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
2
Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.
3
Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand.
-
"Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him."
How I praise God for His marvelous grace. His love for us is so great that He allows storms of difficulty and trials to help us see our own weaknesses. He is preparing us to face the greatest tests we have ever faced. If we could see behind the scenes we would see the raging battle that is taking place to save each one that comes to Jesus. Satan rules by hate but Jesus seeks and woos by love.
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"When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. "Fear not," He says; "for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." Isaiah 43:1-3.
If your faith is weak today this should bring courage to your heart. Our victory and safety is in Jesus so let's keep our eyes on Him. Even when we do fall He will hear our earnest cry for help and instantly reach down and pull us to safety once again.
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Amen, Sister Dorine!
You are going to be tempted today. It is a given. But God has also promised that you need NEVER yield to that temptation and sin. "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" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Let us learn our continual need of Jesus! When we are abiding in Him and fully surrendered to Him, He fills our hearts with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing so that we may affectionately obey God's law of love--the Ten Commandments!
"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, 'I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word.' But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 4}
Let us walk with Jesus today like Enoch. Let us learn from Peter's experience of falling when he took his eyes off Jesus that unless our eyes are fixed on Him, we cannot have a victorious Christian experience. Only in and through Christ may our lives be strong, and useful to be a true blessing to others for the glory of God!
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Amen Pastor Sean, God measures a trial for us each day that we might have opportunity to give glory to Him.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
Is it not amazing that God is bringing us into unity of doctrine. There is much we can comment on in this chapter, but God wants us to know He is guiding our minds to bring us into unity of understanding of His Word.
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"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them..
[size=14ptIt is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation....Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis."[/b][/font]
[/u][/size]
"Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world.. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them[/u]"[/b][/font][/color]
The words of this song Day by Day spoke to my heart this morning...
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
2
Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.
3
Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand.
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"The disciples had that day witnessed the wonderful works of Christ. It had seemed that heaven had come down to the earth. The memory of that precious, glorious day should have filled them with faith and hope. Had they, out of the abundance of their hearts, been conversing together in regard to these things, they would not have entered into temptation..
..But their disappointment had absorbed their thoughts. The words of Christ, "Gather up the fragments, . . . that nothing be lost," were unheeded. Those were hours of large blessing to the disciples, but they had forgotten it all..
..They were in the midst of troubled waters. Their thoughts were stormy and unreasonable, and the Lord gave them something else to afflict their souls and occupy their minds. God often does this when men create burdens and troubles for themselves. The disciples had no need to make trouble. Already danger was fast approaching."
How often have we been guilty of the same type of behavior!! We tend to focus on the Problem instead of the Power of the Lamb. Today I would remind myself and all of you that we need to daily " Turn our Eyes Upon Jesus - Look full in His Wonder Face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His Glory and Grace.
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"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis."
When we come to the end of each day and review the choices we have made, do we see victories over old habits and attitudes or have we fallen over and over because we kept taking our eyes off Jesus. I'm so thankful for each new day because that is all that is given me. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is unknown. If we take the day moment by moment looking unto Jesus we will not fall. But if we do fall, praise God we still have a mediator that forgives and transforms. So many hearts are weary and burdened with guilt from the sins of yesterday and worried sick about tomorrow. What a horrible state the devil loves to keep souls in. Jesus is not harsh or pointing His finger at us. His heart yearns for us to come to Him just as we are with all our life long bad habits, weaknesses and sins. He then is able to do for us what is impossible for us to do for ourselves in cleansing us and transforming us into His character. Why would anyone put off receiving such a gift of true freedom?
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Amen dear sister! Love, joy, and peace today and every day that we keep our eyes upon Jesus. Poor Peter, did not learn the lesson of His continual need of Jesus in order to resist the smallest temptation.
Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him.
Amen! It is such a blessing to come here day after day and see that the lesson Peter had not learned is understood. If we allow our minds to wander away from Jesus, we end up in the water as did Peter. When we learn the lesson, we shall be able to stand in the day of great trial which is soon to break upon us. Each day we are being strengthened as long as we abide in Christ and He in us.
As Brother Beacon has pointed out, we need to daily keep our eyes upon Jesus. Satan had distracted the disciples and had them thinking of the great life when they got Jesus sitting on an earthly throne. Instead of understanding the blessings God had given them, they were creating trouble for themselves.
"The disciples had that day witnessed the wonderful works of Christ. It had seemed that heaven had come down to the earth. The memory of that precious, glorious day should have filled them with faith and hope. Had they, out of the abundance of their hearts, been conversing together in regard to these things, they would not have entered into temptation..
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Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely[/b]
The only way to victory over sin is Jesus, When we become puffed up or full or ourselves, thinking we have achieved, We have taken our eyes off of Jesus, and in that moment Satan strikes at our weakness and we fall. Our only hope is to stay focused upon Jesus, then we can walk safely from Satan that great deceiver, who walks this earth seeking whom he may destroy.
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Amen Brother Philip! Then God will have a church that reflects His character amid the darkness that is overspreading this world!! Lord help us today to die to self and stay connected to you!!
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Amen, Brother Beacon, Sister Dorine, Brother Richard, and Brother Philip!
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ sustain us so that we let Him keep us from falling into sin as we fix our eyes upon His loveliness! Well would it be to spend a thoughtful hour each day contemplating the life of Christ, point by point, especially the closing scenes relating to Gethsemane and Calvary! What love God has lavished upon our poor, frail human race in sending Jesus! Then, when we face trouble in our lives, the Holy Spirit can help us remember how great a struggle Jesus passed through, and He can keep our souls abiding in His perfect peace accompanied by all of the other fruits of the Spirit without one missing!
"When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. 'Fear not,' He says; 'for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.' Isaiah 43:1-3." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 1}
We have the privilege of serving a God who knows the future. There is nothing hidden from Him. Whatever trials He allows today, let us accept them graciously and learn more deeply of our continual need of Jesus. Our Savior Himself suffered and learned obedience, preparing Him for the greater trials that befell Him in Gethsemane and at Calvary. Because He never separated from His Father, when the sin of the whole world was crushing out His life and bringing Him through extreme mental agony, He still by faith trusted the Father and in submission to His will gained the victory, exclaiming by faith (not feeling), "It is finished" (John 19:30). May we learn to depend upon God's word and not on our feelings so that when the time of trouble comes just before Jesus returns in power and great glory, our lives will be found abiding in Jesus even though our mental anguish may be immense. May you choose to abide in Christ today, for He can prepare us for what is coming!
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You are like an open book. Jesus reads your character and knows just what lessons are needful that you may understand your weakness and continual need of Him to do any good thing. When we truly realize and believe the loveliness of Jesus' character and trust Him completely by having our eyes of faith fixed upon Him, no matter what storm He allows, we can walk securely in the plain path of love and duty that will help us be prepared for greater trial as we approach the soon coming of Jesus! Such a character experience of continual union and communion with Christ in full-heart surrender means all of the fruits of the Spirit will be manifest through our lives without one missing as we grow more like our Savior continually in true affectionate obedience to His law of love!
"Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 2}
May we not seek to find strength in self, but in Christ. He is our sufficiency, and His promise is sure to the weakest soul who takes hold of His grace by faith: "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" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
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"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
I have learned the hard way that when I think I am too strong, too enlightened, too wise to ever fall I am about to take a terrible and humiliating tumble. The story of Peter shows us that in ourselves we are hopeless, helpless people. The disciples who allowed dissatisfaction to dominate their feelings and conversation show us what happens when we take our eyes off Jesus. Honor was so important to them but they were seeking it from the wrong place. What greater honor could we receive than to view the cross and realize what Jesus went through for you and me. May our hearts be ever humble and hungry for the righteousness of Christ. The world will never find Him in us until we have received Him ourselves.
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When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. "Fear not," He says; "for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." Isaiah 43:1-3. [/b]
As long as we keep our eye on Jesus, we are safe, when he take our eyes of Jesus and focus on the things on this world, we like Peter sink in the waves of sin. Jesus calls us for a purpose, he will not take his love and care from us while we focus on him and work to complete the purpose he has for us to accomplish. We need to learn to keep our eye focused upon Jesus and Jesus alone.
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Amen dear friends!! God had taught them of their continual need of Jesus. It is such a blessing to be in unity of faith and doctrine with my friends!
A violent tempest had been stealing upon them, and they were unprepared for it. It was a sudden contrast, for the day had been perfect; and when the gale struck them, they were afraid. They forgot their disaffection, their unbelief, their impatience. Everyone worked to keep the boat from sinking. It was but a short distance by sea from Bethsaida to the point where they expected to meet Jesus, and in ordinary weather the journey required but a few hours; but now they were driven farther and farther from the point they sought. Until the fourth watch of the night they toiled at the oars. Then the weary men gave themselves up for lost. In storm and darkness the sea had taught them their own helplessness, and they longed for the presence of their Master.
Yes it was the sea that taught them, but we understand that it was God who had guided the sea. So it is today. God will teach us in one way or the other that we need Him continually to be safe from all that comes to us. What a God we serve!!
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"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them."
"It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis."
"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation....Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
"Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world.. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them."
The words of this song Day by Day spoke to my heart this morning...
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
2
Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.
3
Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand.
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"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation."
"We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects."
"Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis."
"Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ."
Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him."
"It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis."
"Jesus had not forgotten them.The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world.. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples.
"When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them."
The question is...Have we learned a lesson from this account???
"Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world.. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples."
When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them.
HAPPY SABBATH TO ALL THE REMNANT FAMILY GOD AROUND THE WORLD.
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Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Each day of our lives God is instructing(teaching) us and preparing us for a life of service to Him and in the process of doing this we are being prepared to stand at the end of time. This is the life of sanctification we walk every day with Jesus, we need to learn like Peter to place our hand in Jesus hand and surrender our will to His will.
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....."Until the fourth watch of the night they toiled at the oars. Then the weary men gave themselves up for lost. In storm and darkness the sea had taught them their own helplessness, and they longed for the presence of their Master.
Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them.
Just when we think we are finished Jesus is there to answer our call for help. I was impressed with the fact that on the stormy sea Jesus walked past the boat as if to go on by but as soon as they called out to Him He immediately answered. Jesus does not push His way into our lives. He makes Himself plainly available waiting for us to recognize Him and reach out to Him. How many ways can He show His love for us? How many stories of His selfless life does it take to convince us that He works untiringly to bring us into a saving, trusting relationship with Him so that the boisterous waves of life will not overwhelm us.
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Amen dear sister! Jesus had not forgotten them, but they had forgotten Him. There is a lesson for us. Jesus is right here, but we forget this all too often.
My dear brothers have understood the lesson today. We need to hold on to Jesus else we have no power to resist the smallest temptation. Our characters are being formed each day. We are either becoming more like Jesus or we are going in the other direction. It is thus that our characters are being formed.
Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
Today will decide tomorrow to a great degree.
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Listen to the voice of Jesus. He can dispel our fears and implant in our hearts and minds His divine nature, so powerful that we can live above the pull of the world, the flesh and the devil, and in each storm of life walk by faith, not by sight! Then all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be revealed in a life of affectionate obedience to all the commandments of God!
"They think it a phantom that omens their destruction, and they cry out for fear. Jesus advances as if He would pass them; but they recognize Him, and cry out, entreating His help. Their beloved Master turns, His voice silences their fear, 'Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.'" {The Desire of Ages, page 381, paragraph 3}
Let us choose Jesus moment-by-moment by having His thoughts in our minds, for we are invited to live by every word that proceeds from His mouth--no matter how great the trial that would tempt us to have our minds diverted from Him, for Christ is the Word made flesh! He will dwell in every heart that is fully yielded to Him! Will you choose Jesus?
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"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis. Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation.....Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
Jesus wants to be the center of all our affections. That is the only way we will, in our weaknesses, be victorious over temptation. Jesus working in us and through us keeps us from falling. As we keep our eyes on Jesus moment by moment we will experience a relationship with Him that will keep us steadfast by His grace.
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"The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples."
"With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world."
"As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples."
"When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them."
The question is...Have we learned a lesson from this account???
The wonderful promise of Jesus to each one of us is found in John 14:27...Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
May God Bless each of you and keep you wrapped up in "His Peace" today.
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Amen!! If we shall learn of God's grace so that we love Him with the whole heart, then we will cling to Him that we might not sin against Him. When we let the mind wander away from Him we have no defense against the temptation to sin.
Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him.
Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation
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"It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ."
"Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him."
"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. "
"It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis."
"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation."
"As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them."
When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Let us determine to change that by turning our eyes upon Jesus.
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O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
2
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu’rors we are!
3
His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
2
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu’rors we are!
3
His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Lyrics and Music:Helen Howarth Lemmel (1863-1961)
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Amen, Brother Beacon!! Let us keep our eyes on Jesus!!
Troubles and trials are often part of our experience in this life, but who can we always turn to in them? Who is always near to deliver and give us strength to go through them? Jesus is always there to help us, and more than just help us through the trial, He desires to dwell in our hearts as we surrender fully to Him! Then He can manifest through us all of the fruits of the Spirit and empower us to obey Him because He first loved us! Let us look upon Jesus and not lose sight of Him in our trials, no matter how intense they may be!
"When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. 'Fear not,' He says; 'for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.' Isaiah 43:1-3." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 1}
By looking to Jesus continually, we are strengthened not just for the present trial, but our character is developed to be able to bear greater trial in the future, and thus God can be glorified by the revelation of His character in His people! Let us not lose sight of Jesus from the eye of faith for a moment!
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"The disciples had that day witnessed the wonderful works of Christ. It had seemed that heaven had come down to the earth. The memory of that precious, glorious day should have filled them with faith and hope. Had they, out of the abundance of their hearts, been conversing together in regard to these things, they would not have entered into temptation. But their disappointment had absorbed their thoughts. The words of Christ, "Gather up the fragments, . . . that nothing be lost," were unheeded. Those were hours of large blessing to the disciples, but they had forgotten it all. They were in the midst of troubled waters. Their thoughts were stormy and unreasonable, and the Lord gave them something else to afflict their souls and occupy their minds. God often does this when men create burdens and troubles for themselves. The disciples had no need to make trouble. Already danger was fast approaching."
This reminds me of God's church today. Troubles from every side are lurking and taking many down. Their faith has been based on their own ideas and understanding and not on the word of God. I'm so thankful that God does not give up on anyone. He will send storms of another kind to redirect thoughts back to our great need of Him. The lessons in God's word are for our benefit that we may be strengthened when tempted with discouragement.
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Amen!! We glory in our tribulation when we understand that it works for God's glory and our good when we are abiding in Jesus. God measures a trial for us each day. This ought to encourage us that when we face tribulation, it is God that measures just how much we need. :)
Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Amen! It is the character being formed one way or the other that prepares us for eternal life or eternal death. The choice is entirely ours. Let us choose Jesus!!
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"When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour."
"Let us determine to change that by turning our eyes upon Jesus."
====================
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
2
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu’rors we are!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
3
His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Lyrics & Music :Helen Howarth Lemmel (1863-1961)
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Looking unto Jesus, Peter walks securely; but as in self-satisfaction he glances back toward his companions in the boat, his eyes are turned from the Saviour. The wind is boisterous. The waves roll high, and come directly between him and the Master; and he is afraid. For a moment Christ is hidden from his view, and his faith gives way. He begins to sink. But while the billows talk with death, Peter lifts his eyes from the angry waters, and fixing them upon Jesus, cries, "Lord, save me." Immediately Jesus grasps the outstretched hand, saying, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" Walking side by side, Peter's hand in that of his Master, they stepped into the boat together. But Peter was now subdued and silent. He had no reason to boast over his fellows, for through unbelief and self-exaltation he had very nearly lost his life. When he turned his eyes from Jesus, his footing was lost, and he sank amid the waves." {DA 381.6}
We are so prone to take our eyes off of Jesus when the waters are smooth but when troubles come, in His love, He allows us to be tested so that we may see our weaknesses and how much we need Him every moment of every day. My prayer each day is that Jesus will take my hand and walk with me through out the day as I keep my eyes steadfast on Him.
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Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!
To glory in tribulation means to trust that God is love and praise Him in all the circumstances that He allows to befall us. While we know He is good and kind, and as we trust His divine leading, we can rejoice in Him even amid the most trying circumstances, knowing that His grace is sufficient for us and that He has His way to keep us in a state of true conversion, or, if we have yet to experience it or neglected to maintain that connection with Christ by a living faith surrender of the whole heart, to bring us through the needed trials that will allow us choose to be connected or get re-connected so all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing may be manifest in our lives as we affectionately obey God! When we go through trial in a thoroughly converted state, the glory goes to God as those seeing us in the trial and the onlooking universe realize that God is able to keep His finite people abiding in Him and glorifying Him, even as Jesus did, all the way to the cross!
"When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. 'Fear not,' He says; 'for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.' Isaiah 43:1-3." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 1}
Trials mean benefit in the sense that they develop and reveal character more clearly. Let's thank God today for all that He brings us through because He loves us and is preparing us for heaven! Before we enter there, He is giving us heaven in our hearts, sealing His people so that they are settled into the truth intellectually and spiritually so they will never be moved from His character and word!
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Amen my dear friends! It is a hard lesson to learn, but we do indeed understand that like Peter we too often take our eyes off of Jesus. And when we do, we end up in the water just as did Peter. "Unbelief and self-satisfaction" is our problem at times as it was with Peter.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
As Jesus told the disciples in Gethsemane, we must watch and pray, we must continually be looking unto Jesus in order to not sin. We are evil by nature and our only hope is to maintain our connection with Christ. This we may do if we realize our sinfulness and weakness and the power of grace to transform sinners into saints.
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"The disciples had that day witnessed the wonderful works of Christ.
It had seemed that heaven had come down to the earth.
"The memory of that precious, glorious day should have filled them with faith and hope."
Had they, out of the abundance of their hearts, been conversing together in regard to these things, they would not have entered into temptation.
"But their disappointment had absorbed their thoughts."
"The words of Christ, "Gather up the fragments, . . . that nothing be lost," were unheeded."
"Those were hours of large blessing to the disciples, but they had forgotten it all."
"They were in the midst of troubled waters. Their thoughts were stormy and unreasonable, and the Lord gave them something else to afflict their souls and occupy their minds."
"God often does this when men create burdens and troubles for themselves. "
Let's be honest here!....How many times have "WE" been guilty of the same type of thinking & actions? Thank God He doesn't leave us in that condition but extends His Mercy & Grace! Should we not do the same for our fellow man??
==============================
1
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:Richard Blanchard (1925-2004)
Music:Richard Blanchard (1925-2004)
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Amen, Brother Beacon!
We need help--constantly--from Jesus. He longs to teach us day by day of our continual need of Him to do any good thing. As we abide in Him, He imparts to us the strength of His character so all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing are in our lives. Gladly we can obediently go in the path His providence assigns! May you today let the Lord lead you constantly!
"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, 'I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word.' But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 4}
"When I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10). While the strength of character God offers us is found in humility and surrender, it is only by union and communion with Christ that we can walk above the pull of the world, the flesh and the devil.
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Amen my dear brothers!! When we forget about Jesus, trouble is coming, it is on its way. We need Jesus continually in order to do any good thing and to resist the smallest temptation.
Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
What is that "wider stage"? It is different for different people. Some will not see death and go through a time of trouble such as never was. The important question is how do we prepare for what God has planned for us? God does not wave a magic wand and change our character, our strength to resist temptation. No, today we are facing tests. God measures them for us each day. Why? Because every time we pass the test our faith grows stronger, our ability to resist sin grows stronger day by day. Habits are being formed to resist sin at higher levels. It is character that God is working with us to produce. He wants us to reflect His character more and more. We can only do that as we abide in Him and we are filled with the Holy Spirit who empowers us to be able to keep His commandments. Day by day through obeying the truth we come to understanding not only our continual need of Jesus, but we better understand the gift He gives in making us stronger Christians. Unlike Adam living in holy flesh who could not resist eating from the forbidden tree, God has re-created us that through Him we will not sin living in fallen flesh.
It is the daily test that God uses to reveal to us our great need of Him continually and His ability to keep us from sin as we cling to Him. What a loving and omnipotent God we love and serve!!
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"Amid the storms of temptation Peter could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour."
"It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak."
"Not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ."
"Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him."
"Day by day God instructs His children.".
By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them.
It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation.
It is only by Renewing our connection with Jesus " Day by Day " That we will be prepared to be of service.
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1
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
2
Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.
3
Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand.
Lyrics:Lina Sandell; Translated by A. L. Skoog
Music:Oscar Ahnfeldt
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"No sooner had Jesus taken His place in the boat than the wind ceased, "and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went." The night of horror was succeeded by the light of dawn. The disciples, and others who also were on board, bowed at the feet of Jesus with thankful hearts, saying, "Of a truth Thou art the Son of God!"
When Jesus takes His place in our boat (our hearts) we too will experience a calm peaceful joy that is beyond description. In words and actions we will bow at His feet and acknowledge His divinity and grace. Without Jesus there is fear, restlessness and uncertainty. The disciples did not need to go through this experience if they had learned previous lessons Jesus was teaching them. How many unnecessary storms have we had to go through because we did not learn prior lessons. We can thank God with all our hearts that He does not leave us during those times but longingly waits for us to call upon Him for help. We are weak but He is strong and He will supply our need when we ask. What a beautiful, precious Saviour is Jesus my Lord.
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Amen dear sister!! Jesus does not forsake us when we sin. He came into this world to save us. Why is it that we would sin when we know of His love for us? Because we are a forgetful people and our only hope is continual dependence upon Him. When we take our eyes off of Him, we will surely fall. When we call out for help, He is there.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
It is a hard lesson to learn, and a painful one, for when we forget Jesus and sin, we hurt the One we love. We crucify Jesus afresh when we sin. And when we sin, Satan laughs in Jesus' face. And, we delay His coming. Jesus knows all this, yet He is patient with us. We still have an Intercessor who stands between us and death. What is He doing today? He is pouring clean water upon His church. Those who doubt His love for His organized church need to study to show themselves approved. Whether it is the wind or water, He is revealing His grace to those who still have opportunity to be cleansed from sin. From the lips of 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.
37:5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
37:6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.
37:7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.
37:8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but [there was] no breath in them.
37:9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
37:10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
37:11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.
37:12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
37:13 And ye shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,
37:14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken [it], and performed [it], saith the LORD.
Let us not be discouraged, but continue to pray that we cease sinning and glorify our Savior and hasten His soon coming. He cannot come until His people cease dirtying the heavenly sanctuary with our sins. While pouring clean water upon His people, He is removing His Spirit from the world. Good is called evil and evil called good. National apostasy is bringing national ruin to all nations in the world. Let His people be a light in this dark spot in the universe that He may be glorified.
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When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. "Fear not," He says; "for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." Isaiah 43:1-3.
When reading this, I remembered a story about Charles Spurgeon, the great evangelist, after a powerful sermon a lady from the congregation approached him, shook his hand and stated what a powerful sermon you delivered today. His response "so the devil tells me every day." Pride does come before the fall, when we take our eyes off of Jesus, and look at ourselves. Satan strikes, we fall, only by surrendering self to Jesus, and keeping our eyes focused on Him can we overcome.
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Praise the Lord!! Amen, Brother Beacon, Sister Dorine, Brother Richard, and Brother Philip!!
God is faithful and He is able to work all things together for good to them that love Him. Whether we avail ourselves of the blessings He has in store for us in the experience He brings us through, it is a choice we make. Peter could have learned in his experience in nearly drowning on the sea and being saved by Jesus that He needed Jesus continually--and that would have proved a key difference for when he would be tempted to deny knowing Christ. Had he realized that Jesus was able to keep him and felt his own weakness, he need not have denied Jesus three times. Oh, let us learn how much we need Jesus on a moment-by-moment basis, as through continual surrender to Him all of the fruits of the Spirit will be manifest in our lives without one missing as long as we are truly converted. Then through abiding in Jesus we can be cheerfully obedient to all God has revealed to us by His grace!
"Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,—to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 2}
The grace of God is sufficient for us to keep us from falling into sin, but the strength is not in ourselves, it is in Christ. When Christ lives out His life in us, we can be consistently godly witnesses of what He is to us--a living Savior and Friend who only wants to make us truly happy both in this life and in the life to come, even as we seek to reach many more for Christ!!
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"Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish."
"He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us."
"Fear not,"He says;"for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name thou art Mine."
"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." Isaiah 43:1-3."
Quote from Pastor Sean...."Peter could have learned in his experience in nearly drowning on the sea and being saved by Jesus that He needed Jesus continually--and that would have proved a key difference for when he would be tempted to deny knowing Christ.
Amen Pastor Sean. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and trust Him with "ALL" our hearts.
========================
1
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
2
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu’rors we are!
3
His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Music and Words--Helen Howarth Lemmel (1863-1961)
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Amen, Brother Beacon! Praise the Lord that the spiritual lessons the Lord has been showing me can be a blessing to others as we share together and experience the unity Christ prayed for (John 17)!
You are fully known by Someone. Let Christ's loving knowledge of you lead you to completely trust Him and accept His plans for your life, heed His warnings, and graciously appreciate the way He will help you learn what is needed to be kept from falling into temptation. May we all learn to be humble and teachable so Jesus can do in and through us what He longs to do! When we yield our whole heart to Him and abide in His love, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will flow through our lives in unselfish blessing of others, as Christ enthroned on our hearts enables us to obey the royal law of love, the Ten Commandments!
"Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,—to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 2}
The trials we face are for growth of character and benefit to prepare us for future trials. Jesus Himself modeled this by His experience, as we see from Hebrews 5:8: "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which He suffered." Had Peter remembered that he could only be kept from sin by keeping his eyes on Jesus and trusting fully in His grace, Peter would have been able to resist the temptation to deny Jesus three times, and could have had a much happier experience with Jesus. Oh, let us realize that all that God tells us is really to deepen our loving relationship with Him and to make us happier as we abide in His holiness! Praise the Lord!!
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Amen my dear brothers! It is a hard lesson to learn, but God is trying to teach us by the daily tests He allows into our lives.
Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
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"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation."
"We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved."
We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word."
"But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects."
"Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
Are "WE" taking the time each day to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith??
=======================
1
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
2
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu’rors we are!
3
His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Lyrics & Music : Helen Howarth Lemmel (1863-1961)
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Amen my dearest brother! Until we understand our constant need of a vital connection with Christ, we will continue to fall just as did Peter when he took his eyes off of Jesus. Many do not understand what a fallen nature is and that our only hope is found in knowing God and looking to Him for power to do what is right. It is grace that saves us and we need to be saved every single day, hour, and moment. As Brother Beacon has shared, today's reading points us to this great need and prophesies that those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation.
Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
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My eyes were drawn to this post made 23 years ago. Nothing has changed in 23 years in regards to the truth seen here.
Richard, This chapter has some really valuable info in it. Here is one of quotes that really speak to me. This is the second to last paragraph in the chapter.
"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis. Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
This quote was one of the things that really prompted my interest in the science of psychology. In realizing that my heredity, my personality, my own cultivation of those specific weaknesses that I have inherited along with those that I have picked up from just living, were the spark that caused me to understand that understanding who I am, where I came from, what my personality is like, what my temperament is like, are all things that the devil will use against me. It behooves me then to study these aspects of myself and understand them for the devil can and specifically does use them to tempt us.
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Amen, Brother Beacon and Brother Richard!!
Because God loves us, He allows trials in our lives that prepare us for greater trials, as His great desire is to see His character reflected in us so we are ready to be with Him in heaven where all is happiness, peace and glory! Peter was graciously given an opportunity to see his own weakness so he need not have denied Jesus before Christ's crucifixion. Let's learn from today's trials to prepare us for the ones yet to come leading up to the second coming of Christ!
"Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,—to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 2}
Without one missing, all of the fruits of the Spirit will abide in our hearts to be reflected in the life if we are fully surrendered to Christ and walking in harmony with His will in true obedience! Let's learn of Christ today in humility and go forth to be a blessing by having profited from God's daily instruction!!
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What a contrast! The disciples were on the verge of arranging to have Jesus crowned as an earthly king, and Jesus moments later is praying in agony and tears that this STRONG DECEPTION about the nature of His mission and kingdom would be uprooted from the hearts of those whom He was training for heaven. Oh, what PAIN this brought to Jesus, but praise God that His prayers and labors for them were not in vain! After the storm on the lake had helped to reveal to the disciples their helplessness and need of Jesus, their hearts were more open to keep learning that Christ's kingdom is not of this world. Oh, let us allow Christ into the heart in full surrender so all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be revealed in the life, for this is the evidence that a soul has passed from the self-seeking worldly kingdom to the kingdom of heaven, where selfless love in truth reigns in all who truly obey God because they REALLY believe His word is truth and love Him whom the truth reveals! Error is never harmless. Do not fall for the deception that says it does not really matter what a person believes, for through false theories Satan seeks to gain power over the mind to lead to distrust of the word of God.
"When left alone, Jesus 'went up into a mountain apart to pray.' For hours He continued pleading with God. Not for Himself but for men were those prayers. He prayed for power to reveal to men the divine character of His mission, that Satan might not blind their understanding and pervert their judgment. The Saviour knew that His days of personal ministry on earth were nearly ended, and that few would receive Him as their Redeemer. In travail and conflict of soul He prayed for His disciples. They were to be grievously tried. Their long-cherished hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed in a most painful and humiliating manner. In the place of His exaltation to the throne of David they were to witness His crucifixion. This was to be indeed His true coronation. But they did not discern this, and in consequence strong temptations would come to them, which it would be difficult for them to recognize as temptations. Without the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and enlarge the comprehension the faith of the disciples would fail. It was painful to Jesus that their conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to worldly aggrandizement and honor. For them the burden was heavy upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears." {The Desire of Ages, page 379, paragraph 1}
If Jesus prayed VERY EARNESTLY that His disciples be delivered from Satan's deceptions, let us believe that EVEN NOW Jesus is STILL PRAYING EARNESTLY as our High Priest in heaven that His church not be pulled away from the truth of His word, for He is the One who counsels us thus:
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (Revelation 3:14-22).
In contrast to flattering the church with words of "all is well," Christ earnestly, lovingly rebukes His people BECAUSE HE LOVES SO MUCH!! May we lay aside all false theories and doctrines that do not find place in the word of God, daily enter into an affectionate union and communion with Jesus by spending a thoughtful hour upon His life, especially the closing scenes, and be WIDE AWAKE to duty to give the Three Angels' Messages to the WHOLE WORLD (Revelation 14:6-12). Let self-interest be crucified so the life is bound up in God's purpose to save a world soon to perish in a last day events scenario that will blend church and state and lead many professed followers of Christ astray if they do not heed the warnings in the word of God given in love and mercy. As we become like Christ in mind and character by beholding His loveliness continually, the messages given will take effect under the power of the Holy Spirit! Pray for the early and latter rain, ever keeping the present-truth message of Christ the center who CAN DELIVER us from ALL SIN and DECEPTION in the way that He knows best!! Praise God!!!
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"When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! "
"We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls."
"Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us."
'Fear not,' He says; 'for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.' Isaiah 43:1-3."
What great calming promises the Word of God reveals to us. No wonder Jesus could say "
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 "
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1
Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal;
Chart and compass come from Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
2
As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boisterous waves obey Thy will
When Thou say’st to them, “Be still.”
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
3
Through death’s valley I may pass,
Still Thy grace will fear surpass;
In Thy presence I will rest,
And, while leaning on Thy breast,
I will hear Thee say to me,
“Lyrics:Edward Hopper (1816-1888)
Music:John Edgar Gould (1822-1875)
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Amen my dear brothers! You have chosen to warn us of our danger. We all like sheep have gone astray! Why is this? Over and over we are told of our weakness and our great need of a Savior. Not once, but continually we need Jesus. When we take our eyes off of Him, we no longer can walk on water or do any good thing. We have no protection from the temptation that will come daily.
Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
Oh how I wish all would join us in daily beholding our Savior! Each day we receive fresh stores of grace that prepares us for what is coming upon the world.
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Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
This last sentence is so true of our walk with Jesus in the path of sanctification. None of the prophets, disciples, apostles or Holy min of God, ever claimed to have arrived, to the sinless state in their lives. They all stated the fall short of the glory of God, and it is the same with us, if we are bold enough to claim we have arrived, we are perfect. E.G. White states to make such a statement is presumption. Let us all remember our need for a Savior.
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"When left alone, Jesus 'went up into a mountain apart to pray.'
"For hours He continued pleading with God. Not for Himself but for men were those prayers."
"He prayed for power to reveal to men the divine character of His mission, that Satan might not blind their understanding and pervert their judgment."
"The Saviour knew that His days of personal ministry on earth were nearly ended, and that few would receive Him as their Redeemer."
"In travail and conflict of soul He prayed for His disciples."
They were to be grievously tried. Their long-cherished hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed in a most painful and humiliating manner.
"In the place of His exaltation to the throne of David they were to witness His crucifixion."
This was to be indeed His true coronation. But they did not discern this, and in consequence strong temptations would come to them, which it would be difficult for them to recognize as temptations.
"Without the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and enlarge the comprehension the faith of the disciples would fail."
"It was painful to Jesus that their conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to worldly aggrandizement and honor."
"For them the burden was heavy upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears."
Are "WE" willing to do the same for our families including our church family and those we work with everyday??
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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 given;
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’ conquering name.
Lyrics:John Henry Yates (1837-1900)
Music:Ira David Sankey (1840-1908)
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"Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
What a blessing to go back and read the posts of others. God gives us strength and courage in the fellowship of like-minded friends in Christ. Victory in Christ truly is a day by day, moment by moment experience. It is not to be treated lightly by presuming we are ok. We must hunger and thirst for truth as if we were in a desert without water or food. God will never fail us when we come to Him in faith and obedience.
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Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!
It's not always the way it seems. If you were in the crowd after the feeding of the five thousand, it may have seemed like the "perfect" opportunity to seize the enthusiasm and crown Jesus king! But that wasn't the kind of king Jesus came to be. While many expected an earthly conquerer to deliver Israel from the Romans, Christ actually came to be a perfect sacrifice and lay down His life at the cross. He came to establish the kingdom of heaven in the hearts of those who would let Him save them from sin. But because the misunderstanding of the nature of Christ's kingdom was so strong, Christ commanded the crowd to disperse, sent His disciples away to cross the lake, and then sought solace in the Father's presence to help solve the crisis that necessitated serious heart work for the people and His own disciples.
"When left alone, Jesus 'went up into a mountain apart to pray.' For hours He continued pleading with God. Not for Himself but for men were those prayers. He prayed for power to reveal to men the divine character of His mission, that Satan might not blind their understanding and pervert their judgment. The Saviour knew that His days of personal ministry on earth were nearly ended, and that few would receive Him as their Redeemer. In travail and conflict of soul He prayed for His disciples. They were to be grievously tried. Their long-cherished hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed in a most painful and humiliating manner. In the place of His exaltation to the throne of David they were to witness His crucifixion. This was to be indeed His true coronation. But they did not discern this, and in consequence strong temptations would come to them, which it would be difficult for them to recognize as temptations. Without the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and enlarge the comprehension the faith of the disciples would fail. It was painful to Jesus that their conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to worldly aggrandizement and honor. For them the burden was heavy upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears." {The Desire of Ages, page 379, paragraph 1}
Similar temptations still exist today. The world clamors for our attention, and we need a daily, fresh conversion to overcome sin and realize that the second coming of Jesus is not merely about being delivered from this present evil world, but about first being cleansed from sin while Christ is still ministering as our High Priest! If we are still sinning at Christ's return, we will be lost. But if we overcome as we heed His counsel (Revelation 3:14-22), we have nothing to fear for the future as we remember what He has done for us and His teaching in our past history. Jesus is still praying for us at this present time. "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25). The Holy Spirit is also praying for us. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26). If we avail ourselves of the divine help offered us, we can resist the temptation to put the wrong emphasis on things in these last days, and realize that Christ is very delirious to develop in us His loveliness of character as we abide in Him. A truly converted soul will reveal all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing, and like Christ, will be able to be patient and cheerful in a life of true obedience to all of God's commandments! Let's walk in the victory of Jesus!
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Amen my dear friends!! It is deadly to take our eyes off of Jesus. Thank God for His great love that saves us from ourselves!
When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. "Fear not," He says; "for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." Isaiah 43:1-3....... In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power.....Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.
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"Day by day God instructs His children."
"By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them."
"It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis."
"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation."
"We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved."
"We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word."
"But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects."
"Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
Our daily prayer should be " Lord open my eyes that I may see my true spiritual condition and the courage to make the changes needed."
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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
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"A violent tempest had been stealing upon them, and they were unprepared for it. It was a sudden contrast, for the day had been perfect; and when the gale struck them, they were afraid. They forgot their disaffection, their unbelief, their impatience. Everyone worked to keep the boat from sinking. It was but a short distance by sea from Bethsaida to the point where they expected to meet Jesus, and in ordinary weather the journey required but a few hours; but now they were driven farther and farther from the point they sought. Until the fourth watch of the night they toiled at the oars. Then the weary men gave themselves up for lost. In storm and darkness the sea had taught them their own helplessness, and they longed for the presence of their Master."
This brings courage to my heart this morning. This year has brought many a storm to our family and still rages but we see in it the subduing power of God bringing us closer to Him and to each other. We are experiencing the blessings that are in trials when we give it to Christ and trust Him to work everything out according to His will. Each trial builds our faith and prepares us for the next one. Let's encourage one another to fix our eyes on Jesus so that when the storms hit we will be secure in His care.
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Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. [/b]With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them.
At the moment when they believe themselves lost, a gleam of light reveals a mysterious figure approaching them upon the water. But they know not that it is Jesus. The One who has come for their help they count as an enemy. Terror overpowers them. The hands that have grasped the oars with muscles like iron let go their hold. The boat rocks at the will of the waves; all eyes are riveted on this vision of a man walking upon the white-capped billows of the foaming sea.
There is comfort here, but also something to see, Jesus never forgets us, even when we become discontented and question the ways of God, he is with us, and when we surrender these thoughts to God he is instantly at our sides, saving us from the storms of life.
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Like an open book, Jesus reads your true character. He allows you to go through trials today that, if borne by His grace, will prepare you to stand faithfully when greater tests and trials come. We see this illustrated in the experience of Peter.
"Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,—to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 2}
When Peter denied Jesus three times right before Christ's crucifixion, it was because Peter failed to learn the lesson of His continual need of Jesus to do any good thing earlier in his experience. Do we realize our continual need of Jesus, moment by moment? If we do, and we surrender fully to Him, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be revealed in our lives, and we will be enabled to obey God from the new heart that is transformed by His grace, daily bearing greater and greater trials that prepare us for wider service and a fuller reflection of the loveliness of Jesus. "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which he suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). Christ, the sinless Son of God, also grew and learned through trials, but we can praise God that He endured those trials without ever letting go of His Father and sinning through unbelief. The faith of Jesus is PERFECT faith! By faith, Jesus trusted that the Father was preparing Him to become the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world; but it was still a struggle for the Father and the Son; we see this struggle in Gethsemane and at Calvary; in Gethsemane, Christ chose the Father's will that led to His crucifixion and resurrection, making salvation accessible to us. Though we are sinners and have fallen short of God's glory of character, the moment we come to God in true repentance and let Jesus be Lord and Savior of our lives, He will live through us by the Holy Spirit, so we can start "walking on water" so to speak, and live in His supernatural victory. Will you let it become reality in your life today? He can keep you and me from falling, but if we do fall through unbelief or neglect of Him, we have an advocate with the Father to help us get back up and walk faithfully with Him in preparation for His glorious, soon second coming!
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Amen men my dear friends. So much truth about our human nature Iwhen not fully surrendered.
Unbelief was taking possession of their minds and hearts. Love of honor had blinded them. They knew that Jesus was hated by the Pharisees, and they were eager to see Him exalted as they thought He should be. To be united with a teacher who could work mighty miracles, and yet to be reviled as deceivers, was a trial they could ill endure. Were they always to be accounted followers of a false prophet? Would Christ never assert His authority as king? Why did not He who possessed such power reveal Himself in His true character, and make their way less painful? Why had He not saved John the Baptist from a violent death? Thus the disciples reasoned until they brought upon themselves great spiritual darkness. They questioned, Could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted?
After all they witnessed!
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"He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us.
" "Fear not," He says; "for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." Isaiah 43:1-3 ".
"In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power.....Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them."
"It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis."
"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation."
"We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved.
We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word."
"But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects."
"Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."
It is "ONLY" by spending time with Jesus in Prayer, Praise and Study of His Awesome Promises that we will be able to withstand the storms sent by the enemy to destroy our Spiritual Life Line with Jesus. We need to take more time for Spiritual Introspection and make sure our Faith will Hold in the Storms of our lives!
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1
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Stedfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.
2
It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand,
For ’tis well secured by the Savior’s hand;
And the cables passed from His heart to mine,
Can defy the blast, through strength divine.
3
It will firmly hold in the straits of fear,
When the breakers have told the reef is near;
Though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,
Not an angry wave shall our bark o’erflow.
4
It will surely hold in the floods of death,
When the waters cold chill our latest breath;
On the rising tide it can never fail,
While our hopes abide within the veil.
Lyrics:Priscilla Jane Owens (1829-1907)
Music:William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)
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Amen, Brother Beacon!
Praise God that we can learn from Peter's experience of our continual need of Jesus. By looking constantly to Jesus with the eye of faith, we shall be strengthened and empowered to walk above the stormy waters of temptation that would lead us to sin and death! By a complete surrender to Christ we experience a new heart with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as we gladly obey God up to the light He has shown us!
"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, 'I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word.' But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 4}
Since we are in a great controversy between Christ and Satan, it is so important to understand that we are not safe without Jesus for a moment. The eye of faith can be stayed on the promises of God, for by His word we get to partake of the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust. Jesus can both satisfy and provide for us moment by moment.
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Amen my dear brothers! We must not forget God. He is at our side, even in our heart as long as we keep our eyes and ears open to Him.
Then the weary men gave themselves up for lost. In storm and darkness the sea had taught them their own helplessness, and they longed for the presence of their Master.
Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them.