Our lives will not be all sunshine; there will be trials. “In the world ye shall have tribulation,” says Christ; but in me ye shall have peace. But the trials are for a purpose. Pride, selfishness, evil passions, and love of worldly pleasures, must all be overcome; therefore afflictions come to test and prove us, and show that these evils exist in the character. We must overcome them through divine strength and grace, that we may become like Jesus, our perfect pattern. Afflictions, crosses, temptations, adversity,—all our varied trials—are God’s workmen to refine and sanctify us, and make us channels of light to the world. And “our light affliction,” says Paul, “which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” – {BEcho July 15, 1892 Par. 6} Bible Echo : Ellen G....
Devotionals
Isaiah 38:1-5 King James Version (KJV) 38 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, 3 And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. 4 Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying, 5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen...
1 John 2:15-17 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” While this verse instructs us to not love the world, John 3:16 says that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. Know this, God’s redemptive plan to save us does not include saving the lust or pride of this earth that came with the fall of man. Ever since that day when Adam and Eve fell, man has been enslaved to those kind of sins. God loves us and orchestrated salvation through His Son in order to deliver us from that sinful nature that was birthed in us. Because of Jesus, we are able to believe by grace through faith in Him and be led by the Holy Spirit. Verse/Commentary courtesy of ‘Verse-A-Day’...
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16. – {BEcho July 15, 1892 Par. 1} Jesus is to be reflected in the Christian’s deportment; our characters must be beautiful with the graces of heaven. The presence of God is to be an abiding presence with us; wherever we are, we are to carry light to the world. Those around us should realize that the atmosphere of heaven surrounds us. – {BEcho July 15, 1892 Par. 2} Bible Echo: Ellen G....
“For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:30-31 KJV...
Appetites and Passions “Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul,” is the language of the apostle Peter. Many regard this text as a warning against licentiousness only; but it has a broader meaning. It forbids every injurious gratification of appetite or passion. Let none who profess godliness regard with indifference the health of the body, and flatter themselves that intemperance is no sin, and will not affect their spirituality. A close sympathy exists between the physical and the moral nature. Any habit which does not promote health, degrades the higher and nobler faculties. Wrong habits of eating and drinking lead to errors in thought and action. Indulgence of appetite strengthens the animal propensities, giving them the ascendency over the mental and spiritual powers. – {HR November 1, 1882 Par. 1} The Health Reformer: Ellen G. White 1 Peter 2:11 King James Version (KJV) 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the...