Exercise Increases Faith; E.G.White “But let them ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” James 1:6. Faith … reaches out to grasp the hand of Christ, knowing that He will hold more firmly than it is possible for the human hand to hold, and that He will never let go. While the human agent is willing to be led, Christ will lead him…. Faith is the very lifeblood of the soul. Its presence gives warmth, health, consistency, and sound judgment. Its vitality and vigor exert a powerful though unconscious influence. The life of Christ in the soul is as a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life. It leads to a constant cultivation of the heavenly graces and to a kindly submission in all things to the Lord. It enables us to reveal that Christ is abiding in the soul…. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Have we not proved this in the past as we have moved out in faith to produce the things now seen? … Faith is not only to look forward to things unseen; it is to be confirmed by looking at past experience, at tangible results, the verification of God’s Word…. Pray, “Lord, increase my faith.” Faith quickens the senses to work diligently to produce results. Faith elevates and ennobles the powers of the soul, enabling it to lay hold upon the unseen…. Entanglements in secular business are sometimes permitted by God to stir the sluggish faculties to more than common action, that He may honor faith by the bestowal of rich blessings. This is a means of advancing His work. But those who are without faith will never learn. By unbelief they dishonor their Lord. Unless they are converted, they will make shipwreck of their faith. They stand in the way of advancement, and this the Lord will not tolerate. He desires His people, even in the darkest shadow, to trust in Him. Satan is permitted to throw his shadow across their pathway that their dormant faith may be aroused to pierce the cloud, and find light and courage and life beyond…. Looking unto Jesus, not only as our Example, but as the Author and Finisher of our faith, let us go forward, having confidence that He will supply us with all the strength that is needed for every duty. Eternal life is presented to us. Let us do all in our power to gain it.—Manuscript 18, February 27, 1901, “Canvassing for Christ’s Object Lessons.”  From  The Upward Look p.72  by Ellen G. White.  To download free...

Marriage—Christ and the Church 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband’ ‘ Ephesians  5: 22-29...

Psalm 139:23-24 King James Version (KJV)  23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  Prayer/Song Search Me, O God Search me, O God, And know my heart today; Try me, O Savior, Know my thoughts, I pray. See if there be Some wicked way in me; Cleanse me from every sin And set me free. I praise Thee, Lord, For cleansing me from sin; Fulfill Thy Word, And make me pure within. Fill me with fire Where once I burned with shame; Grant my desire To magnify Thy Name. Lord, take my life, And make it wholly Thine; Fill my poor heart With Thy great love divine. Take all my will, My passion, self, and pride; I now surrender, Lord, In me abide. O Holy Ghost, Revival comes from Thee; Send a revival, Start the work in me. Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need; For blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) Composer James Edwin Orr Writes Search Me O God, also Known as Cleanse Me  (1912-1987) was a well-known Baptist minister, historian, lecturer, author and revivalist. He wrote numerous books and composed a number of...

AN AMAZING FACT: In 1961, 21-year-old civil rights activist John Lewis got off a bus in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Upon entering a “whites only” waiting room, he was attacked and beaten bloody by a young white man named Elwin Wilson. Years later, the two met in person and Wilson apologized for his actions. Lewis responded, “I forgive you. I don’t have any ill feelings, any bitterness, any malice.”  The atmosphere in the southern United States during the Civil Rights movement was full of explosive tension. As the movement for racial equality gained momentum, non-violent demonstrations were often met with violence and even death. Young John Lewis, who would later become a senator, survived more than one brutal attack. But this situation ended differently, with resolution and forgiveness. Wilson apologized, reporting that he had found the Lord and recognized his wrong; Lewis described it as a moment of grace and forgiveness, representing what the struggle was about. In Matthew, Jesus shares a story with His disciples about an ungrateful servant who, after having been forgiven of his debts, went after a fellow servant who owed him a small sum and threw him in prison. The angry master sent the first servant back to prison. Jesus told the disciples, “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” John Lewis made that difficult choice. Rather than harboring anger for how unjustly he had been treated, he chose to forgive from his heart. We might not have experienced a violent physical attack, but most of us have been wronged in some way. Will we choose to forgive? KEY BIBLE TEXTS Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.  – Matthew 18:32-35 Source: The AF Daily Devotional  These readings are taken from the Moving Mountains Daily Devotional. Click here to order your...

Definition of JOY : [a:] the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight  [b:] the expression or exhibition of such emotion : gaiety [c:] a state of happiness or felicity : bliss [d:] a source or cause of delight    “God is the source of life and light and joy to the universe. Like rays of light from the sun, like the streams of water bursting from a living spring, blessings flow out from Him to all His creatures. And wherever the life of God is in the hearts of men, it will flow out to others in love and blessing.” From Steps to Christ p.78 –  Ellen G. White    Verses from the Bible on Joy (KJV) “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Proverbs 15:13 “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20 “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Psalm 126:5 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”  James 1:2-4  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.” Galatians 5:22 ” Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. “Luke 15:10 ” Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24 ” But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:13 ” For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”  Psalms 30:5 “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his...

Royal Superstar! by Dianna Martin Today I realized since before birth I was destined to become a Royal Superstar. As you can see being royal is not easy, but things always come together for my good. If you are wondering how can this be, Dianna a celebrity? Well, listen closely! Every event in my life has been guided and produced by the greatest producer in the world. I have starred in many great productions and some of the best known to mankind. These films are the result of my personal decisions and life’s response to them. I will admit, all of my films are not always recorded with innocence, at times, there can be mistakes. However, my producer continues to give me opportunities to be chosen for the best roles at the right time in my life. He specializes in forgiving my mistakes, strengthening me in all of my weaknesses, and picking me up each time I have disappointed him, myself, or those around me. My producer not only cares about my life, but he has cared for everyone around me. Therefore, I would to take this moment to personally, “thank each of my stars and co-stars” which are my family and friends. In every part of my life you have played a significant role whether or not you were aware. You see, my producer has challenged me on many levels and today I am introducing you to my producer, God. In addition, I want to pass a challenge on to you. If you accept, your life will have a unique transformation; this is a promise, because I stand as a witness. My challenge to you is to look back on your life and ask yourself who has been the producer in your life and what kind of relationship do you have with them? If you are unable to reflect or relate, then, remind yourself of the life challenges you had to overcome to be where you are today. What life choices were you subconsciously guided to make? If your memories have touched a soft spot in your heart and made you cry, it is OKAY! They say having these feelings opens the doorway to mental freedom and crying has a way of cleaning up the issues and mistakes, in which, we find a hard time forgiving ourselves for. If you have come this far in reading this message, I urge you to take a second look at your life in order to know the royalties you possess as a child of God. The gifts and talents you have been given are free. They are free because someone stepped in on your behalf to claim your life and forgive...