Character building is the most important work ever entrusted to human beings, and never before was its diligent study so important as now. Never was any previous generation called to meet issues so momentous; never before were young men and young women confronted by perils so great as confront them today. {CG 169.2}
Psalms 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
121:2 My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
121:3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
121:5 The LORD [is] thy keeper: the LORD [is] thy shade upon thy right hand.
121:6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
121:7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
121:8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
The requirements of our society and the requirements of God are in constant collision.
Men were departing from the word of God, and exalting theories of their own invention as they rationalise and add human theories to divine words.
Men use pressure to conform others to the square in which others have allowed themselves to be set to by culture, education and the exalted, educated position they believe they find themselves in and are rewarded for.
In the opposite position is the life of Christ which we are to emulate and teaches us about every facet of life and how to be free.
In health and the physical struggle for life Christ simplified His life and struggled not in the direction He should take but handed over His life. “With a liberality that can never be exceeded He gave, that He might save the rebellious sons of men and bring them to see His purpose and discern His love.”
For the politics we find ourselves in today we find the very same situation as described here Matthew 23:2 The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: that is in shaping the rules and regulations for the people
23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men’s shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers.
Jesus lived the life of a dutiful son twice. One of His Father in heaven and on earth and of his earthly parent Joseph. We know little of Joseph but that while for the sake of us, he Joseph become less that God should be seen through him and the mission to save us. As in the words of John the Baptist John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 3:30 He must increase, but I [must] decrease.
It was in this very same vein of thought that Jesus more often pointed to His God and Father and made that very special family connection for us.
The cornerstone that truly used the set square and form all things according to the Father’s will was not anything masonic but the open word of God not a secret society. John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou [then], Show us the Father?
The life of Jesus has a critical difference to ours- we are born but not of the Holy Spirit as Jesus was. Often as children we are taken captives already as first reasoning because the nature of man is at variance with God having both good and evil attributes taking sway and only a born again experience will take mastery of such a conflicting dilemma which we may face from an early age depending on our upbringing. But increasingly so this dilemma is absent as conscience is given by the instruction of good parents by instruction and decision making by the child. From an early age Jesus said I must be about my Father’s business speaking of His heavenly Father. He was about to introduce us to the one and only true God, who can be a constancy in our life.
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
Prayer Thank you Father that Jesus has introduced us to you through Him and that you gave your Son the very one that gave us life, breath and being. May we not be afraid as we travel through life because like Jesus we can be certain of who we are. As we consider at what odds and possibility of loss and danger to Himself Christ took on this mission we cannot express our gratitude enough. At what depth is the problem of sin that the death of Jesus is necessary to turn the hearts of men in the right direction. Help us to see and not trust in ourselves anymore. We ask it in Jesus name Amen
When Jesus spoke it was something altogether different that had never been experienced before, as a boy at the temple all were amazed at what this young child said for He processed a gift that He was about to impart – that is the Holy Spirit who can teach you more in a movement than all the great men of the world could try to teach you in a life time.
Something about the boy also won favour with God and man. AS you look at your life and the mistakes and the way you have lived do you not desire this goodness, this righteousness? But He points away from Himself to the one who gave Him everything His Father to share this close connection He experiences. Divinity that shared experience is given of a mystery by that which proceeds forth of the Father to the Son and from the Son to us- the Holy Spirit
Matthew 7:29 For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes.
12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
19:25 When his disciples heard [it], they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 19:26 But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
To enter heaven that mind that moved the sick to life and trusted implicitly in the Father is to be found in us.
Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine [is] this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
Power was given over the evil spirits or the power of evil angels.
Mark 6:49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
6:51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Power was given them over the elements, the power of faith rather than of presumption.
Luke 4:36 And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word [is] this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.
Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
All power is given unto us and most of all power over temptation and sin.
I believe when the world was formed those that saw the result of the work of the Son of God were amazed, as unfallen world looked on.
At the fall of man they again wondered as for the first time in universal history death took hold of nature and humanity.
For the first time a new teaching which again was verified by the physical reality occurred: creation is not its own but of the ownership of God, as the scripture says ‘a body hast thou prepared me.’ This is a very important teaching for a body is given and taken away at death, so you are not your own but for the righteous like Jesus they are given a body again at the latter day at the second coming when the dead shall be raised. This teaching is poorly understood for many do not follow the life, death and resurrection of Jesus but while attending a church believe the false teachings of men which is not rational concept that belongs to the creation story or to what Christ made plain in His own life.
And of all the created universe only Jesus had been given the power to create life and had processed life in Himself. For His mission to save man He laid aside His privilege as the first born to save the Sons of men.
Hubble said it would be self of us to consider that we are at the centre of the universe despite the colours of the stars (the blue, yellow, red planets) indicating the universe is traveling away from us. Would it not make sense the creator all that exists who died to rescue man was placed at the centre of the universe for all to witness the great story of salvation, the great story of the Father and His Son.
Prayer: What is the son of men that you should consider him and take pity upon Him, but laying aside ourselves we ask you to make us renewed in mind by your Spirit that we maybe partakers of that life you have given to this world and more importantly the world to come and we thank you Father in Jesus name Amen.
As Jesus was walking through Israel a daughter was brought to Him caught into adultery. She was thoroughly humiliated and the men who brought her thought themselves to be following mosaic rules and the mind of God while they sought to question His judgment. Alone with the woman He speaks hope to this lost soul- they that condemn you have gone and neither do I condemn you but go and sin no more. Those men were condemned by their own actions as Jesus wrote down their sins in the sand. When we think of our lives and often we were under a delusion to our true condition, the kindness of Jesus and His treatment and courtesy to people comes as a breath of fresh air. But forget not His word go and sin no more for at this time Malachi 3:1 He shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
Paul spoke of ‘judgment to come.’ The judgement in mercy goes forward for the righteous with Jesus representing us. The judgment is held for the righteous before the time of His coming. Unto 2300 days then shall the sanctuary be cleaned speaking of the atonement day. This day of atonement correlated with the restoration of the teachings of Christ and the restoration of the moral law and health laws and the manifestation of the Spirit of God to guide His church with power. The Seventh day advent movement is a testimony to a worldwide experience in which Christ is leading and manifesting Himself to His commandment keeping people. The time of judgement, blotting out of sins and the refreshing of His Spirit is now! Acts 3:19 As seen in both the representations of such by the earthly and the heavenly sanctuary angels are present in the ministration of the sanctuary for our benefit and will also be witnesses to the judgment.
And then if we be faithful 1 Corinthians 6:3 we shall judge angels, those who have fallen.
The Father is often portrayed a strict exacting person but see here what Jesus says John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: considering He is also priest on our behalf and a fellow in our trials, God is generous in His treatment toward us. And again the Father is represented by the person of His son.
The woman found in sin was more kindly treated than at the hand of men. She must of felt relief after that life threatening incident. But if she had doubted the release and the gift of life offered she would have remained in fear and doubt as many suffer and do. There are two types or repentance and fear Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. This of course is a different fear to ‘fear God and give glory to Him for His judgment is come.’ Revelation 14:6
James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham or the woman caught in adultery, believed God, and it was imputed unto him or her for righteousness: and she was called the Friend of God.
He who does nothing, but waits to be compelled by some supernatural agency, will wait on in lethargy and darkness. God has given his word. God speaks in unmistakable language to your soul. Is not the word of his mouth sufficient to show you your duty, and to urge its fulfillment? {CE 117.1} What says the word
Daniel 9:24 a time of judgement has been determined upon those who wish to be called His people, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Prayer: Father we thank you that you show mercy in committing judgement to one as yourself but also one as ourselves, to your dear Son, who knows exactly what we must endure in this life experience. We thank you that you have not humiliated us but blotted out our sin in the time of refreshing- that refreshment is your Spirit. Help us now as we continue to build characters after the likeness of Jesus, search us and help us to know our heats, wash us and make us clean that we may stand before you one day we ask in Jesus name Amen.
Notice the language of the Psalmist which Paul uses here.
One lord is speaking to another Lord, from God the Father to the Son: Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son [he saith], Thy throne, O God, [is] for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness [is] the sceptre of thy kingdom.
1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, [even] thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
1:11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
1:12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
We should understand that the Father, is overall and Christ introduces us to the family. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son,”– not a son by creation, as were the angels, nor a son by adoption, as is the forgiven sinner, but a Son begotten in the express image of the Father’s person, and in all the brightness of his majesty and glory, one equal with God in authority, dignity, and divine perfection. In him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. {ST, May 30, 1895 par. 3}
Jesus creator of all offers to start His life again, and that being at risk to His own life for the sake of lost humanity. Worlds, millions of them with happy inhabited beings must have been shocked as the news was sent to them that there was war in heaven. What does that mean for all, and what will be the outcome. Next the creator of all is to become as the created to save a dying race.
Here He is as a baby and again as a boy. Angels and worlds who had bowed to the creator now observe this strange and wonderful manifestation of God as human. As a boy Jesus starts his life in a very practical way- as a carpenter. He learns to use the body that the Father has prepared for Him- this is the creation of the Father, the creation of a Son- one in mind and attributes. What unfolded, occurred in the coming forth of Christ from the Father we may never fully understand. Christ His only begotten loved Son- is one in mind and in Spirit with the Father. He takes up the challenges of life all over again, expanded the mind, learning to walk and eat, write, use tools in the carpenter shop. Who in eternity would have dreamt that this would be and how He would present Himself in the war against Lucifer.
What profession did He chose? Not a lawyer or a teacher in the schools of Israel but a builder, a teacher of that which He created, in the open field. His own handy work He had to study and learn from one who knew the science behind all to one who studies the sciences.
He learns with the ruler and the square and begins the building. The builder often contacts specialists for the more intricate work of the building. A good carpenter if he can also build is the person to get for the building because he has the ability to make quality doors and windows that are not pre fab but are solid, beautiful in their design, built to last and would naturally have a very good idea on all the building, from its foundation to its completion. Learning to build must start somewhere and why not now for the work we begin on earth will be taken into eternity where we are told we shall build our own homes and plant gardens. At this point of time this is very important especially for young people to learn. Here are two good reasons:
1 The blessings of an all-round education will bring success in Christian missionary work. Through its means souls will be converted to the truth. {CT 531.2}
2 The time is soon coming when God’s people, because of persecution, will be scattered in many countries. Those who have received an all-round education will have the advantage where they are.–5MR 280 (1908). {LDE 152.1}
Joseph I believe was good at his trade as was Jesus as he was taught at his side, taking on one of the most valuable and privileged of professions, for God has given for man everything for a garden and materials for making a home to give man a part to play in life by which he maybe proud and also in a lesser degree creative.
The mason’s is spiritualism play on the real builder Christ. The false always mimics the true. Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];
Prayer: Dear Father in heaven how great though art, as is your Son, so worthy of honour and praise. A septor of righteousness that is forever we shall be glad to find rest and peace under. Help us to build characters physically and Spiritually as Jesus did while here on earth. We need your grace and all the help you have offered. Thank you and we ask for your Spirit to fill us, as we empty ourselves and we ask it all in Jesus name Amen.
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. His character as ours was about to be tried. The prince of this world comes to us, and we fall. Hold on to Jesus for he comes again and by Jesus he shall find nothing in me.
Christ suffered 40 days without food sustained by God but yet He was weak and weary as Elijah was in the wilderness.
We pray and we think that God has sent us a way out of a problem, but we must not take this for granted. Are you hungry, alone, asking for change, a new experience? Beware. Here Satan comes as a roaring lion. To act as a friend, to persuade you through human contact away from the ways of heaven.
We cannot win such a battle on our own and Satan thought to destroy us there in the wilderness. We need something outside of ourselves to overcome him. Trust not in yourself.
Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul. {COL 159.3}
Lucifer appears as an angel of light before the young man Jesus. He uses the scripture and Jesus is challenged upon his own words. The sin of presumption is an assumption by many. It has Christian attributes and uses scripture and often it’s even in a church building but they know not God.
‘Thousands have a false conception of God and His attributes. They are as verily serving a false god as were the servants of Baal.’ How? They keep not the law or love the brethren and are self-justified and presume. They pray not as they ought or spend time by the Word to speak to them and change the heart. Psalms 50:21 These [things] hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether [such an one] as thyself: [but] I will reprove thee, and set [them] in order before thine eyes. In other words you thought you knew Him and sure you acknowledged Him but you did not act upon the word to control the senses or you presumed that God had heard you when in fact you should have turned to Him in the time of trial and proved all things lest you should fall. This is the experience that Lucifer thought to capture Jesus through- a insinuation and again the attack through a half truth of the scripture. Jesus concept and trust in the Father though was firm.
Matthew 4:3 If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. He was not the super Christ- He was tried and weary, He was hungry, the time when the enemy comes in. Satan suggests would God treat his Son as such and leave Him in this condition? Look at me and how is this that you are found here in this condition? Are you really the Christ? He had to make a decision so as not to fall and He remained firm. Every sense Lucifer would try to make entrance by he tried. A false knowledge of God is Satan’s way to find entrance by his ministers. 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 11:15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Notice Mathew 4:5 he takes him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple. A supernatural experience. Satan is moving Jesus’ experience. Physical experience would also try the hearts of the disciples by which they observing all that Jesus did would be amazed.
Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
How many times do we assume this? By gospel of good and evil we assume by calling on His name alone that He can save us when the heart is not changed because we never knew Him.
Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Here the temptation was two edged. An angel of light presents to Him an easy way out of hardship he now faces on behalf of men. He may also be incensed by this temptation but He answered by it is written.
Prayer: Father help us to empty ourselves and not trust or have confidence in what we are and have or could do. We are weak help us for the trial that will come to God’s people that will make us also question our experience if we should be tried by loneliness, desertion, church people, hunger and warmth in the time soon to arise upon the whole world. Help us in the complexity of the daily experience so we can be ready. You know how hard that can be and the trials many face right now. Forgive our sins, we lay them at the cross asking your forgiveness, and we forgive also others and move forward and be our companion as we walk in your way, in Jesus name we ask it Amen.
We have this insight in to Jesus’ situation- his brethren did not believe in Him. We often think of Him as an only child but in God’s providence there were brothers.
While the Jews sought to kill him his brothers doubted him saying John 7:3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 7:4 For [there is] no man [that] doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world. 7:5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.
Ok thinking about this- you have someone who threatens your life and your own family has no time for it and actually adds to your distress. What are you going to feel, what are you going to do and how to react to those you thought should have known better and are meant to be family to you
Of His disciples none understood His nature and His mission. So relaying to them His true thoughts and feelings was something they were not ready for. ‘What, could ye not watch with me one hour?’ He says to his disciples. How reluctant to help and frustrating is it that those around us sit on their hands while we struggle. What did Christ do with these thought and feeling and frustrations?
We take it for granted that Jesus was of the Holy Spirit and in a situation He just knew but God wants us to start to grow as did the boy Jesus in favour with God and men and in knowledge- knowledge of what- ourselves and God and His Son and wisdom. What wisdom? / wisdom to negotiate the world successfully. This would mean keeping the commandments of God and holding on to the testimony of Jesus. Again with His disciples Luke 22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. We need to look at His situation squarely in the face and measure it against our situation whatever it be. Divorce, rebellious children, a dispute.
In this born again experience or the experience of the life of Christ, having the same mind we must make an assessment and Paul points to some indicators by which we can judge ourselves- not others but ourselves. 1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? Galatians 5:20 hatred, variance, emulations or envious rivalry, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 5:21 Envying, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. I have taken some word out of Paul’s writing to pin point the most commonest of faults amongst brethren that are seen in the daily life that need our best attention.
So we sit in the church pew asking for forgiveness and worshiping God when we fail to practice
Galatians 5:22 the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And again strife and conflict which is seen to start from the home is carried forward to the next week.
We need to crucify the affections or feeling that though however justified in our own mind leads to this misrepresentation of Jesus. Slow to speak and answer and easy to forgive and easy to be entreated must mark those that carry the gospel of Jesus. These are Paul’s words.
Having detached from the influence of the world but then again in our punctured sphere because of the wounds we have received we take up the soap opera again (that we thought we left behind) in our mind, to be then lived in our lives. Galations 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Philippians 2:3 [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. How many are really willing to help others, go and seek them out rather than a welcome because they cross your path. Are we thinking upon the things of others or our own- our own family only and just what is immediate to us.
“You have shunned disagreeable responsibilities and have not gone to the erring and visited them, and manifested an interest and love for them, and made yourselves familiar with them. You have not had a spirit of Christlike forgiveness. You have marked out just such a course that all must come up to before you could throw over them your mantle of charity. You are not required to cloak sin, but to exercise that pitying love for the erring which Christ has exercised toward you. You are not where you feel pinching want, or where your souls are galled and distressed with the conduct of disobedient, rebellious children. In your family there is no dissenting voice. You have all that heart can wish. Yet, notwithstanding your favorable surroundings, you have faults and errors, and much to overcome in order to be free from spiritual pride, selfishness, a hasty spirit, jealousy, and evil surmisings. {2T 76.1} Your interest, and efforts, and anxieties are for your family and your relatives. But you have not entertained the idea of reaching out for others around you, overcoming your reluctance to exert an influence outside of a special circle. You idolize yours, and shut yourselves within yourselves. That the Lord may save me and mine is the great burden. This spirit will have to die before you can flourish in the Lord and make spiritual advancement, before the church can grow and souls be added unto them of such as shall be saved. {2T 76.3}”
The love of God must be contemplated and our love expanded as we practice His attributes of generosity. How shall we bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore? Ps 115:18
We must learn to place the best possible construction upon doubtful conduct of others. . . . If we are ever suspecting evil we are in danger of creating what we allow ourselves to suspect. . . . We cannot pass along without sometimes having our feelings hurt and our temper tried, but as Christians we must be just as patient, forbearing, humble, and meek as we desire others to be. Oh, how many thousand good acts and deeds of kindness that we receive . . . pass from the mind like dew before the sun, while imaginary or real injury leaves an impression which it is next to impossible to efface! The very best example to give to others is to be right ourselves, and then leave ourselves, our reputation, with God and not show too great anxiety to right every wrong impression and present our case in a favorable light. . . . {OHC 237.2}
The neglect to cultivate tender consideration and forbearance for one another has caused dissension, distrust, faultfinding, and general disunion. God . . . calls upon us to put away this great sin and to strive to answer the prayer of Christ that His disciples may be one as He is one with the Father. . . . It is the special work of Satan to cause dissension, . . . that the world should be deprived of the most powerful testimony Christians can give it that God has sent His Son to bring into harmony turbulent, proud, envious, jealous, bigoted minds. . . . {OHC 237.3}
Prayer: Father how we cannot trust our own thoughts and feelings and need to see and contemplate yours. Give us discernment and fortitude we ask it in Jesus name.
The disciples were of a small group who caught a sense of the times in which they lived and when John said behold the lamb they were ready to follow – they believed on the Son of God.
John 1:37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 1:38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou ..
They were about to get to know God through His representative. They were going to listen and about to have hands on real life experiences. Kind of like being instructed on a sport like sky diving and have to face your fears and learn to trust one who is experienced. They had to learn to surrender to God’s way of dealing with a situation. In the time in which we live just prior to the enforcement of the mark of the beast under the punishment of death, in a time of trouble such has never been since the world was formed we need to learn to learn quick by ministry experience what it means to surrender situations of intense anxiety and fear to God and let Him take control. To ride through trouble around us and yet be in peace. I used to think that Jesus knew His Father so well that in the storm that surrounded Him He slept on the boat and the meaning there was lost only learn in part. In the troubles of family and divorce and church upheaval we desperately need the mind of Christ. Little tests of character for greater when one’s faith and existence is on the line and how will we react in desperate times. Shall we be sustained by the peace of Christ?
Faith would be no theological text book matter but hands on the ground experience. Is this what you and I have today? Are we like the disciples one of a few willing to experience the lamb? To speak in His name?
Jesus looks at his disciples there was strife and envying and to be Peter He says when you are converted or in another mind; when you have a changed mind. Everyone was right in his own eyes. Just like in a church. They have all heard the gospel and viewed the Man and considered they knew Him but none of them did intimately for they did not have the mind of Christ. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death. When a person considers themselves right in their own ways and ideas and there are many doing that at the same time then there is discord.
When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is Satan’s constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ. 1The pleasures of the world, 2 life’s cares and perplexities and sorrows, 3 the faults of others, or 4 your own faults and imperfections–to any or all of these he will seek to divert the mind. Do not be misled by his devices.
Many who are really conscientious, and who desire to live for God, he too often leads to dwell upon their own faults and weaknesses, and thus by separating them from Christ he hopes to gain the victory. They feels hurt, discontent and fearful, anxious and nervous and dwell on how others have mistreated them or anxious for the day ahead and everything they have to do. How many in a church or even marriage dwell on the self and the faults of others while praying and professing Jesus’ name.
We should not make self the center and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved. All this turns the soul away from the Source of our strength. Commit the keeping of your soul to God, and trust in Him. Steps to Christ P713
1 timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. Note wholesome words and the teachings of Christ. Sin is contagious and sent through a person angry and hurt and lacking love and forgiveness, as an infectious disease stirring up the natural heart and testing the heart of those who bear Jesus’ Name. The justification and blaming, the evil surmising and negative self-blaming and blaming of others must stop if we wish to be in the company of heaven.
Therefore conversion or retraining the mind is of no small matter and it is in the experiences of life as we co-operate, not just pray but act together with the Spirit of God. Like an infectious disease is sin in which Jesus refused to be caught and from which His disciples needed to be taught. Jesus said to Peter when you are converted and when all of them would be converted not only would they know about God they would have the same peace and trust in the Father as He had, without the disputes they had before coming to the cross of Christ.
These hurts and disputes common to humanity are emphasized through the rock music or the blues and in this way sin strangles the heart and for some both the law of God and the law of sin war within, instead of victory through the words and Spirit of Christ.
Prayer: teach us your way and not our way we ask in Jesus name Amen
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Jesus faced sin in Gethsemane, and was draw into a real life struggle as we are, perhaps a few of you might know what that means when you have been separated from someone you love dearly and that relationship has been destroyed forever. How the thoughts and feelings are mangled and confused and the burden become very heavy, sometimes to the point of death. Here at the cross there is this same situation but much more at stake. Jesus at every step and facing the cross gives to us the keys of how to face an emergency and the reaction to this in the light of a caring Father- the provenience of God. We find it incredible that Jesus is able to do what He did at this instant of time and with the threat and hurt to His own well being, when we consider as a man like ourselves He had like we the same thoughts and feelings of humanity yet of course without sin, He failed not. It seemed an impossible task. But 1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.
As the last beams of light passed from His eyes from the realities of this sin hardened world He could not see His future. To the last and this time with unseen foe, He quotes scripture drinking the cup which the Father has given Him to drink. Psalms 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
He carries our burdens and tears, as the light fades from our eyes and our life given is taken away, we thank God that He gave up His life that He might give life to us though undeserving. Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Its incredible that the light of the world which has both physical and Spiritual meaning laid down His life and let the light He had created pass from his consciousness for our sakes. ‘When God gave His Son, He gave all heaven. He could give no more.’ Thank you my God, we leave this world with the assurance of your words we thank you that you made a way of life for us, is it any wonder that the crowns of life given the redeemed of all ages are thrown down at your feet.