Keys Storehouse

Our Own Hearts Deceive Us

by

Two years ago, I installed an electric fence in the backyard at my home. My dog, Finn, wears a collar that receives a signal from a transmitter inside the house that reminds him, if he gets too close to the fence, to remain within its confines. A green light on his collar’s receiver flashes telling me it is receiving a strong signal.

The fence is a two-wire barrier. If Finn gets too close to the first strand, he receives a warning tone, and if he stops there, nothing further happens. But if he gets too close to the second strand, he receives a more powerful, though painless, incentive to remain in the yard. Let me share with you just how powerful it is.

Not long ago, I noticed that the green light on the receiver was flashing red. This meant that the battery was or very near dead. If Finn got too close to the fence, there would be a weak warning tone or maybe no tone at all nor any other deterrent to keep him inside the fence. Finn had the ability to leave the backyard any time he chose. However, as accustomed as he was to receiving the warnings, he didn’t know that. Yet.

I don’t know how long the battery was weak or dead, but I watched him for two days go outside, wander around the backyard, sometimes for a very long time, or sit in his special spot, surveying his domain. He never tested the fence, and he never crossed it.

That got me thinking about our sinful nature, besetting sins, and how we are too often so settled in our lives of sin that we do not recognize the opportunity to leave that life when it comes.

“The secret of Satan’s power over God’s professed people lies in the deceitfulness of the human heart.” The Signs of the Times, December 13, 1899

Our own hearts deceive us. If we are satisfied to stay as we are, then the devil’s work is easy, but when we realize that we have the chance to be made better, to be changed, then he opens the floodgates against us.

I thought this quote from a popular Christian movie explains it pretty well.

“Sometimes the devil allows people to live a life free of trouble because he doesn’t want them turning to God. Their sin is like a jail cell, except it is all nice and comfy and there doesn’t seem to be any reason to leave. The door’s wide open. Till one day, time runs out, and the cell door slams shut, and suddenly it’s too late.” (God’s Not Dead, Pure Fix Entertainment 2014)

“We must be sanctified through the truth, be wholly consecrated to God … . Every moment that we are not on our watch we are liable to be beset by the enemy and are in great danger of being overcome by the powers of darkness. Satan commissions his angels to be vigilant and overthrow all they can; to find out the waywardness and besetting sins of those who profess the truth, and throw darkness around them, that they may cease to be watchful, take a course that will dishonor the cause they profess to love, and bring sorrow upon the church. The souls of these misguided, unwatchful ones grow darker, and the light of heaven fades from them. They cannot discover their besetting sins, and Satan weaves his net about them, and they are taken in his snare.” Early Writings, 105

Lord, help us to depend upon You alone, and to turn away from Satan’s snares.

Who Do We Think We Are?

by

One night not long ago, I woke up with the thought of balloons, and promptly went back to sleep. But the thought of balloons followed me for several days. I thought about helium-filled balloons being let loose to float up and around in the sky. I wondered what happened to them, and my brother told me that they eventually go high enough that they implode.

That started me thinking about the Tower of Babel. I couldn’t really make a spiritual connection between balloons and the Tower of Babel, so I dropped the balloons and focused on the Tower of Babel.

I don’t know how high the people building the Tower of Babel thought they could go, but their purpose was clear. So, let’s take a short look at why they built it.

The Flood happened because mankind had become so evil that God regretted creating them (Genesis 6:5–7). Think about that! A merciful, patient, and loving Father, driven to regret by the actions of His children.

While the Bible isn’t specific concerning the length of time, most religious scholars accept that the tower was built more than 200 years, or approximately three generations, after the Flood. These people knew of the Flood by word of mouth, passed down from one generation to the next; but it was still a significant event in their history.

Many of the descendants of Noah followed his example and obeyed God’s commandments, but some apostatized. They were unbelieving and rebellious, even disbelieving in the existence of God, attributing the Flood to natural causes. Convicted on a daily basis by the righteous conversation and godly lives of those who loved and followed God, these enemies of God decided to separate themselves from the faithful.

They journeyed until they found a large plain, and there they built a city and ultimately, the Tower of Babel. The Bible says they built their city in the Plain of Shinar located in present-day Iraq, but just exactly where in the Plain, we do not know.

They intended to dwell there together and not be scattered all about. They also reasoned that if they built the Tower high enough, if another flood came, they could save themselves by climbing to its upper reaches. They believed that the world would honor them and look upon them as gods, and they would rule over all the people.

The tower was designed to exalt its builders and intended to make God’s promise to never destroy the world again with a flood of none effect. Who did they think they were? They built a tower with the intention of turning the attention of the world to themselves and their idolatry, and away from God. They intended to be worshiped as gods.

They built their tower to a great height, but God would not allow them to complete their work. He sent two angels to confound their language and all work stopped. All the people of Babel spread out across the land.

God then sent lightning from heaven and broke off the top of the tower, as an expression of His wrath, and to show rebellious mankind that He is supreme (The Story of Redemption, 72–74).

Dear Lord, help us to take to heart the Bible stories that You have especially included in Your book so that we can remember that You are Supreme in this universe, so that we can be drawn nearer to You, becoming more Christlike in character.

It’s Time

by

It was April 2014. Alumni weekend at Enterprise Academy. The weekend, like all those that had come and gone before, was a wonderful time to reconnect with friends you haven’t seen in a while, some maybe since graduation. For a lot of us now, that’s as long as a lifetime.

It was during this reunion that I reconnected with Roger, my then soon-to-be husband. Heidi who had been one of my best friends growing up was also there, and Ms. Sanders—Mrs. Hay for the last umpteen years—probably the most popular teacher for every class for decades. Former Reflectors of God’s Love members, and Beth, Debbie, Gary, Glenn, Rob, Brant, Cheryl, Warren, and Cherie, to name just a few. Parents and grandparents of many of the students, who had once been students themselves, were there, too.

Sid and Melody had a huge outbuilding on their property. Everybody brought food and set up a big potluck so that the members of the classes who wanted to come, could gather after Sabbath. Include good conversation and music from our class guitarists and musicians, and it was a weekend to remember.

Today, eleven years down the line, Sid and Melody have sold their property, and a couple years ago Sid contracted Covid and died, so did Ron. Dana had been fighting cancer for years, and, finally, the cancer won. Roger and I got married, and then he died. DJ lost both her husband and mother. Cheryl and Lee lost their mothers, too.

You’re probably tired of hearing me ask, “Are you ready for Jesus to come?” Friends, a reunion is coming. Just think, we will see our family and friends again; not for just a weekend, but for eternity. And best of all, we’ll see Jesus. We’ll sit at His feet and listen to the voice we’ve longed 6,000 years to hear, and feel the touch of His nail-scarred hand.

It’s time, no, it’s way past time. Let’s get ready to go home.

“And when you have finished your course, yours will be the unspeakable joy of being welcomed with the words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; … enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’ And with your loved ones around you, you will stand on Mount Zion, and cast your crown at Jesus’ feet, saying, Not unto us, but unto Thy name be glory.” The Signs of the Times, August 20, 1902

Is Anything Impossible for God?

by

With God all things are possible.
(Matthew 19:26; Mark 9:23; Luke 1:37)

But is that true?

The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 32:17, “There is nothing too hard for You [God].”

Inspiration tells us God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient.

“God always has been. He is the great I AM. … He is infinite and omnipresent.” The Upward Look, 326

“Nothing can happen in any part of the universe without the knowledge of Him who is omnipresent. Not a single event of human life is unknown to our Maker.” The Signs of the Times, July 14, 1881

“He [Jesus] was equal with God, infinite and omnipotent.” The Faith I Live By, 46

“The Lord God omnipotent, who reigneth in the heavens, declares, ‘I am with you.’ ” Ibid., 62

“Satan will move mightily from beneath, and will delude the world, while the Lord God Omnipotent will move from above and prepare a people to stand in the great day of His wrath.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 16, 177, 178

“God is omnipotent, omniscient, immutable.” Christ Triumphant, 291

“God is omniscient. No sin escapes His notice.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 21, 271

“The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, powers infinite and omniscient, receive those who truly enter into covenant relation with God.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, 1075

“The first and great commandment is, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.’ To love Him, the infinite, the omniscient One, with the whole strength, and mind, and heart, means the highest development of every power. It means that in the whole being—the body, the mind, as well as the soul—the image of God is to be restored.” The Signs of the Times, April 21, 1909

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
Genesis 18:14

Clearly, we can see from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy that God has all the qualifications to say what He means, and mean what He says, to create and maintain universes, to know every thought, to hear every cry, and to see every act, both good and bad.

God is all-powerful, present everywhere, and all-knowing, and yet, there is one thing that is impossible for Him.

“The gift to our world in sending Jesus is an exhibition of His grace which God Himself cannot surpass. … But one thing is impossible with God—the power of eclipsing the greatness of His gift in showing His love for fallen man.” That I May Know Him, 338

“[God] sent to our world the only Messenger that He could trust with His great treasure of pardon and grace. Christ. … And in this gift the Father gave all heaven to the world.” Lift Him Up, 208

“The gift of God to man is beyond all computation. Nothing was withheld. God would not permit it to be said that He could have done more or revealed to humanity a greater measure of love.” Sons and Daughters of God, 11

Friends, God, in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, freely gave everything, the Best that heaven had so that you and I could be restored to His image. Are we willing to surrender everything to Him?

“Let us come to God in faith, fully assured that as we surrender all to Him, He will make us Christlike in character. Then, one with Christ, we can reveal Him to the world.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 5, 342

“From the cross of Calvary, Christ calls for an unconditional surrender … . All we have should be consecrated to God.” The Faith I Live By, 244

Giving Up Heaven

by

Think about this. The children of Israel were determined to be God’s chosen people, rulers of the world, as they saw themselves, on their own terms. This led them to refuse Jesus as the Messiah. Further still, it led them to kill Him. There are people today, all over the world, who feel the same way and they exist even in our church. They want to go to heaven, but on their terms.

Imagine giving up heaven for a job that pays six figures and allows a person to travel all over the world on the company’s dime, but requires that he work one Sabbath a month. Or, not paying tithe for a long time to save up for that fancy sports car he has always wanted? Or, giving up heaven because he can’t give up that cup of coffee or latté? What about a big juicy steak with some equally juicy jumbo shrimp on the side? Or, a handful of M&Ms, a bowl of macaroni and cheese. Or, giving up heaven for your spouse or child?

Friends, it isn’t about what we give up, it’s the giving up—obedience or disobedience. The Bible tells us that there is nothing we should put ahead of God, not even our family. We can rationalize all we want, but just because we need a home doesn’t mean we have to buy a mansion. We need transportation, but we don’t need a Rolls Royce. We need food, but we need to consume food that is healthy for our bodies, and does not make us crave “the fleshpots of Egypt.” We need clothes, but we don’t need to spend thousands of dollars for the latest fashions so that we can fit in with the world. What keeps me from God, doesn’t have to be big; just that little darling sin I can’t seem to let go of.

“The Saviour of the world … laid aside His glory and clothed His divinity with humanity. He became the meek and lowly Jesus. He left His riches and glory in heaven and became poor that we, through His poverty, might be made rich. … But selfish men will repine and murmur if called to leave their little earthly treasure for Christ’s sake … ! No one can appreciate the blessings of redemption unless he feels that he can joyfully afford to make any and every sacrifice for the love of Christ. …

“You know but little of real sacrifice and genuine denial of self. … The young man who asked Jesus what he should do that he might have eternal life was answered: ‘Keep the commandments.’

“He confidently and proudly replied: ‘All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?’ Jesus looked pityingly upon the young man; He loved him, and He knew the words He spoke would forever separate the youth from Himself. Nevertheless, Jesus touched the plague spot of his soul. He said to him: ‘Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.’ The young man wanted heaven, but not enough to withdraw his affections from his earthly treasure. … His decision was to give up heaven and to cling to his earthly treasure. How many are now making the very same decision which fixed the destiny of this young man?” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, 219, 220

Not Home Yet

by

Colonel Henry Gariepy was born in 1930, and as a young man, joined the Salvation Army serving as an officer until his retirement in 1995. He was also the national editor-in-chief of the The War Cry during this time. He wrote more than 29 books and was a contributor to an additional 50 works ranging from devotional works to biography and history. One of his best known titles is 100 Portraits of Christ.

In this book, Colonel Gariepy tells of former president Theodore Roosevelt returning home from an African hunting safari. As he boarded the ocean liner at the African port, crowds cheered as he walked up the red carpet. He was given the finest suite aboard the ship. Stewards waited on him hand and foot during the journey home. The former president was the center of the entire ship’s attention.

Also, on board the vessel was another passenger, an elderly missionary who had given his entire life in God’s service in Africa. His wife had died, his children were gone, and he was now returning to his homeland alone. Not one soul on the ship noticed him.

Once the ocean liner arrived in the port of San Francisco, Roosevelt was given a hero’s welcome—whistles blowing, bells ringing, and the waiting crowd’s cheering—as he descended the gangplank. But nobody was there to welcome the returning missionary.

Alone, the elderly man found a small hotel for the night. As he knelt by his bed, his heart broke; “Lord, I am not complaining, but I don’t understand. I gave my life for You in Africa. But it seems to me that no one cares. I just don’t understand.”

Then, in the darkness, it was as if God reached down from heaven, and placing His hand upon the old man’s shoulder, He whispered, “Missionary, you’re not home, yet.”

It brings to mind the old King’s Heralds song, Welcome Home, Children.

Not Home Yet

A great day is coming

Heaven’s gates will open wide

And all who love the Lord may enter in

To join with their loved ones

Who in Jesus Christ have died

Their eternal life in heaven will begin

And the Lord Himself will greet us

Oh, what joy will fill that day

When with a smile of the proudest Father

He’ll look at us and say

Welcome home, children

This is the place I’ve prepared for you

Welcome home, children

Now that your work on earth is through

Welcome home children

You who have fought on so faithfully

Welcome home, children

Welcome home, children

Here where I am you shall always be

Forever rejoicing with Me

“Let your faith be pure and strong and steadfast. … When you rise in the morning, kneel at your bedside and ask God to give you strength to fulfill the duties of the day and to meet its temptations. Ask Him to help you to bring into your work Christ’s sweetness of character. Ask Him to help you to speak words that will draw those around you nearer to Christ.” Sermons and Talks, Vol. 1, 332, 333

Source: wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Gariepy

Do You Doubt God’s Love?

by

Do you doubt that God loves you? Are you afraid that your life has just been too bad for God to want to save you? Let me suggest a few words to help us remember just exactly how much He does love us.

  • Peter
  • David
  • Paul
  • Nebuchadnezzar
  • Job
  • Mary Magdalene
  • Jacob
  • The thief on the cross

“And great multitudes came unto Him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and He healed them.” Matthew 15:30

I am reminded of the song When Jesus Comes:

One sat alone beside the highway begging,
His eyes were blind, the light he could not see.
He clutched his rags and shivered in the shadows
Then Jesus came and bade his darkness flee.

From home and friends the evil spirits drove him,
Among the tombs he dwelt in misery;
He cut himself as demon powers possessed him,
Then Jesus came and set the captive free.

“Unclean, unclean!” the leper cried in torment,
The deaf, the dumb, in helplessness stood near;
The fever raged, disease had gripped its victim,
Then Jesus came and cast out every fear.

Their hearts were sad as in the tomb they laid him,
For death had come and taken him away;
Their night was dark and bitter tears were falling,
Then Jesus came and night was turned to day.

So men today have found the Saviour able,
They could not conquer passion, lust and sin;
Their broken hearts had left them sad and lonely,
Then Jesus came and dwelt, Himself, within.

When Jesus comes, the tempter’s power is broken;
When Jesus comes, the tears are wiped away,
He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory,
For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.

“Now when Jesus came … the Prince of heaven was among His people. The greatest gift of God had been given to the world. Joy to the poor; for Christ had come to make them heirs of His kingdom. Joy to the rich; for He would teach them how to secure eternal riches. Joy to the ignorant; He would make them wise unto salvation. Joy to the learned; He would open to them deeper mysteries than they had ever fathomed; truths that had been hidden from the foundation of the world would be opened to men by the Saviour’s mission.” The Desire of Ages, 277

“Jesus came to suffer in our behalf, that He might impart to us His righteousness. There is but one way of escape for us, and that is found only in becoming partakers of the divine nature.” The Review and Herald, March 1, 1892

“When Jesus came to our world, … He devoted His life to the teaching of those truths that pertain to the salvation of the soul. …

“God has claims upon every power of our being. His service demands the action of the whole man—all the heart, all the soul, all the strength, and all the mind. How to render this complete service to God is the only subject of any value in this life.” The Upward Look, 105

Predestined or Predestined

by

We are predestined to be saved because God created us to be His children. Sin and the separation it brings, had no place in His creation.

We are predestined to be saved because God formulated a plan so that if man exercised his free will and chose to love and serve another, there would be a way to bring him back.

We are predestined to be saved because Jesus came to this world to live the life that would restore us to the condition of holiness and righteousness that is necessary to live in the presence of Almighty God.

We are predestined to be saved because Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty that justly belongs to each one of us as sinners and to make forgiveness available to every man, woman, and child who choose to unite with Him as His child.

We are predestined to be saved when we accept the gift of salvation.

Everyone who commits his or her life to Christ is predestined to be saved, because God has promised that all who make a full surrender of their lives to Him are saved.

We are not predestined because God has a naughty or nice list on which He places a check mark by my name or your name and, regardless of our life, saves us while others on the list are left behind.

God has provided salvation through His Son, and when we accept that salvation and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us to be, once again, holy and righteous, then we become a part of His people, His church, all of whom are predestined to be saved by virtue of their acceptance of salvation and obedience to God’s law.

“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself … .” Ephesians 1:4, 5, first part

“These promises are not made to a few, but to all who will come to the heavenly banquet that God has prepared by sending His Son to our world to die in our behalf, that through faith in Him, we should become one with God. … The predestination of which God speaks includes all who will accept Christ as a personal Saviour, who will return to their loyalty, to perfect obedience to all God’s commandments. This is the effectual salvation of a peculiar people, chosen by God from among men. All who are willing to be saved by Christ are the elect of God. It is the obedient who are predestinated from the foundation of the world.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 6, 388

God gives me the ability to reject His offer of salvation, but if I do not reject salvation, if I seek to develop a Christlike character, then I am predestined to be saved.

“The struggle is lifelong and the victory is certain. Every soul who has Christ abiding in him … will maintain a noble spirit, after the holy example of Christ. He will represent Christ’s character, maintaining integrity, purity, and holiness.” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 938, 939

The Wrong Way

by

On October 25, 1964, the Minnesota Vikings were playing the San Francisco 49ers. Before the game was over, one of the worst gaffes in NFL history would occur.

Jim Marshall, Minnesota’s star defensive end, intercepted the football and ran 66 yards to score a touchdown for the Vikings—or so he thought. Marshall, a veteran of the game, was so thrilled with his touchdown that he threw the ball out of bounds in celebration, only to then realize that his touchdown was not in his own end zone. He had run 66 yards in the wrong direction to make a touchdown for San Francisco.

As he ran for the end zone, Marshall was convinced that he was running in the right direction. Once he crossed the goal line into the end zone, he was certain that he made a touchdown for the Vikings. But that certainty didn’t make Marshall’s error true.

Marshall was part of the Vikings’ famous “Purple People Eaters” defensive line. He had played 20 seasons in the NFL in 282 straight games. The Vikings won the game that day, in spite of Marshall’s error, but his stellar career was forever marred. It was much easier to remember his 66-yard, wrong-way run, than his 20 seasons of achievement.

Source: history.com/this-day-in-history/worst-nfl-mistakes-gaffes-jim-marshall-minnesota-vikings

As I read about Marshall’s mistake and what it could have cost his team, I was reminded of the following verse:

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12

“A man is traveling, and comes to a place where there are several roads, and a guide-board indicating where each one leads. If he disregards the guide-board, and takes whichever road seems to him to be right, he may be ever so sincere, but will in all probability find himself on the wrong road. …

“It is not enough to have good intentions; it is not enough to do what a man thinks is right … . His soul’s salvation is at stake, and he should search the Scriptures for himself. However strong may be his convictions, however confident he may be … this is not his foundation. He has a chart pointing out every way-mark on the heavenward journey, and he ought not to guess at anything, but to know what is truth. He should search the Scriptures on bended knees; morning, noon, and night, prayer should ascend from secret places, and a continual prayer should arise from his heart that God will guide him into all truth.” The Signs of the Times, July 17, 1884

“It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light, and encourage others to follow his example. We should day by day study the Bible diligently, weighing every thought, and comparing scripture with scripture.” The Review and Herald, June 28, 1906

Lord, keep our minds clear, our eyes focused on, and our feet turned into the path, the only right path, that leads to You.

Patience

by

Recently, I read a Facebook post written by a gentleman with whom I attended academy some years ago. He has a profound depth of understanding of different aspects of life and spirituality. I was so impressed with this one, I wanted to share it:

Our inner self can be trained to wait on God, even though our outer self is stressed and anxious for answers. This is difficult in our fast-paced society, where the spiritual discipline of waiting on the Lord is often lacking.

We want everything—right now. But if we are always in a hurry, we will miss out on the close fellowship with God that takes time to develop. He will speak to our hearts if we are patient enough to listen.

After slaying the prophets of Baal, Elijah learned a valuable lesson about waiting on God. The Lord told him to stand on a mountain. A great wind came, followed by an earthquake, then a great fire, but the Lord was in none of these.

It was only after the wind, the earthquake, and the fire had all died away that the Lord spoke in a still, small voice. Had Elijah been impatient he would not have heard the Lord’s voice.

If we are to pray effectively, we must choose to wait patiently and listen for His word. Waiting and listening takes the focus off us and places it on Him, who is the answer to all our needs.

It is often in the silence that follows turmoil that the power of God is moving most mightily. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach us to wait in His presence.

Gaylen Healzer