“And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.” (KJV) ( Luke 5:27 ) When we choose to follow Jesus, little do we realize that we are embarking on an adventure. We will be stepping outside of our comfort zone and we are never the same again. Our Guide provides all of our needs along the way. We just need to be ready and willing when He calls us to follow wherever He leads us. If you feel led to step outside of your comfort zone, but you are hesitating, take a step of faith. Jesus will lead and provide for you....

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (KJV) ( 1 Thessalonians 5:9 ) After reading through the Old Testament people often mistake God as being quick to anger. This is further from the truth. God saved us by offering up His son as a sacrifice. He did this so that we can have a personal relationship with Him. He hears your prayers and responds to your heart with love. He showers you with blessings and brings healing to your life. Our God chose to save us out of love, not anger. If you see God as an angry God, take a closer look....

The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Matthew 25:4. – {AG 214.1} The two classes of watchers [in the parable of the ten virgins] represent the two classes who profess to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith. By the lamps is represented the Word of God…. The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit…. – {AG 214.2} In the parable, all the ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. All had lamps and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen no difference between them. So with the church that lives just before Christ’s second coming. All have a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ’s near approach, and confidently expect His appearing. But as in the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is heard, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him,” many are unready…. They are destitute of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His Word is of no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart…. Without the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be able to distinguish truth from error, and they will fall under the masterful temptations of Satan…. – {AG 214.3} The grace of God has been freely offered to every soul…. But character is not transferable. No man can believe for another…. No man can impart to another the character which is the fruit of the Spirit’s working…. – {AG 214.4} We cannot be ready to meet the Lord by waking when the cry is heard, “Behold, the Bridegroom!” and then gathering up our empty lamps to have them replenished…. In the parable the wise virgins had oil in their vessels with their lamps. Their light burned with undimmed flame through the night of watching…. So the followers of Christ are to shed light into the darkness of the world. Through the Holy Spirit, God’s word is a light as it becomes a transforming power in the life of the receiver. By implanting in their hearts the principles of His word, the Holy Spirit develops in men the attributes of God. The light of His glory—His character—is to shine forth in His followers. – {AG 214.5} Ask God to give you much of the oil of His grace. – {AG 214.6} From Gods Amazing Grace by Ellen G....

God made man perfectly holy and happy; and the fair earth, as it came from the Creator’s hand, bore no blight of decay or shadow of the curse. It is transgression of God’s law—the law of love—that has brought woe and death. Yet even amid the suffering that results from sin, God’s love is revealed. It is written that God cursed the ground for man’s sake. Genesis 3:17. The thorn and the thistle—the difficulties and trials that make his life one of toil and care—were appointed for his good as a part of the training needful in God’s plan for his uplifting from the ruin and degradation that sin has wrought. The world, though fallen, is not all sorrow and misery. In nature itself are messages of hope and comfort. There are flowers upon the thistles, and the thorns are covered with roses. “God is love” is written upon every opening bud, upon every spire of springing grass. The lovely birds making the air vocal with their happy songs, the delicately tinted flowers in their perfection perfuming the air, the lofty trees of the forest with their rich foliage of living green—all testify to the tender, fatherly care of our God and to His desire to make His children happy. [From Steps to Christ, Page 9, 10 by Ellen G. White. Read more books at E.G.White Writings] “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;” Genesis 3:17  King James Version...

The disciples were worried. “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.  And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark 4:37-41  (KJV) We often ask the same question when things in our life aren’t going as planned, when we are in trouble, feeling overwhelmed with the storms in our life. We too ask and feel like, ”Jesus don’t care” But He does care and love us, He came to earth from His home in Heaven, was born in a manger, got beaten and battered then hung on a cross where He died for you and me. That is how much JESUS cared and loved us, so much that he died to save us from our sins. My Prayer: Dear Jesus help me not to doubt your love when I am going through the storms in my life, but to trust you because you love me. Lord, I believe; please help me in my time of doubt. Thank you for dying for me. Amen....

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6) The professing follower of Christ is to overcome every selfish trait of character. By well-doing he is to form a correct pattern, and testify in his life to the character of Christ, and to God’s unselfish love for the human race. In works of mercy and love and sympathy, by showing kindness on the right hand and on the left, he is to repeat the works of Christ. Christ came to the earth to give to men the pattern of the perfect character that all must obtain who would be welcomed to the future heavenly world. He found His pleasure in unwearied works for the good of men. His object in coming to our world was to leave an example of what the human character must become in order to be fitted for the society of heaven. The Holy Spirit leaves no member of the church to develop a character that is without comeliness. He claims for every man and woman the privilege of becoming a child of light, an influence for righteousness, an example of a Christlike life. This is God’s way of helping the church. Satan is working in every way to thwart the purpose of God, and God desires that His professing people shall make no mistakes, but that every move may be a right move. The Head of the church on earth requires the members of the church to surrender their will to the will of God in willing obedience. God has united the agencies of the church on earth with the church in heaven.—Manuscript 141, June 19, 1907, “Words to Church Members.” This devotional is from The Upward Look by Ellen G. White. To read more books by Ellen G. White, visit...