Keys Storehouse

Keys to the Storehouse – The Fence of Neutrality

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The heart … is desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. So, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.” II Corinthians 13:5. It is time to look carefully at ourselves and examine our feelings and motives. It is past time that we hasten away from the atmosphere of the world with its controlling power of worldly thoughts, opinions and influences. Self will never be conquered while lagging behind and sitting on the fence of neutrality. There is a war raging between the God of heaven and the gods of this world, and if you sincerely think you can remain neutral, you are sincerely wrong. Neutrality makes a statement that the gods of this world have conquered you and the battle over self has been lost.

In this world, if “self” is the conqueror and triumphs, it is Satan who is the driver. But Jesus Christ is in control of all whom choose to walk in the spirit in heavenly places. Self-will has been subdued in the Christian through true conversion and consecration to God through Jesus Christ. The heart is converted and Satan can find no entrance. “He is a new creature: old things are passed away.” II Corinthians 5:17.

“There are few really consecrated men among us, few who have fought and conquered in the battle with self.

Real conversion is:

  • a decided change of feelings and motives;
  • it is a virtual taking leave of worldly connections,
  • a hastening from their spiritual atmosphere,
  • a withdrawing from the controlling power of their thoughts, opinions, and influences.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 82.

What are some of these roadblocks that the self-focused person enjoys, even at the loss of his soul? He “that forsaketh not all that he hath,” says Jesus, “cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33).

  • Whatever shall divert the affections from God must be given up.
  • Mammon is the idol of many. Its golden chain binds them to Satan.
  • Reputation and worldly honor are worshiped by another class.
  • The life of selfish ease and freedom from responsibility is the idol of others.

“These are Satan’s snares, set for unwary feet. But these slavish bands must be broken; the flesh must be crucified with the affections and lusts. We cannot be half the Lord’s and half the world’s. We are not God’s people unless we are such entirely. Every weight, every besetting sin, must be laid aside. God’s watchmen will not cry, ‘Peace, peace,’ when God has not spoken peace. The voice of the faithful watchmen will be heard: ‘Go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord’ (Isaiah 52:11).” Ibid., 83.

Have you jumped off the fence, forsaken your “self” to walk in heavenly places? If not, do it now.

Heavenly Father: I am tired of lagging behind and sitting on the fence of neutrality. I plead for the courage to hasten from the atmosphere of the world, which is putting me to sleep spiritually. Take my heart Lord before it is cold in spiritual death, for I choose to walk with Thee. Save me from my “self.” Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – The True Fast

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In a society of plenty where most people eat far more than what is necessary for good health, there is great benefit in fasting. There are many ways to fast, but it can be done simply by eliminating just one meal on one day each week, or by fasting for a whole day drinking only water or juice. Basically, by withholding some food or drink the body is given an opportunity to rest and heal, resulting in the well being of the person.

God asks us to enter into another fast; one from doing our own thing so that others may receive a spiritual blessing through us. So, how do we do that?

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens [instead of binding them on], and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” Isaiah 58:6, 7.

The true fast is not mere formal service, but is spiritual. The Scripture, in Isaiah 58:6 and 10, describes this fast:to loose the bands of wickedness,

  • to undo the heavy burdens, and
  • to let the oppressed go free,
  • and that ye break every yoke;
  • to draw out your soul to the hungry,
  • and satisfy the afflicted soul.

Here is set forth the very spirit and character of the work of Christ. His whole life was a sacrifice of Himself for the saving of the world. Whether fasting in the wilderness of temptation or eating with the publicans at Matthew’s feast, He was giving His life for the redemption of the lost.

“Not in idle mourning, in mere bodily humiliation and multitudinous sacrifices, is the true spirit of devotion manifested, but it is shown in the surrender of self in willing service to God and man.” The Desire of Ages, 278.

“Let the sorrowful ones, who walk mournfully before the Lord, arise and help someone who needs help.” A Call to Medical Evangelism and Health Education, 25.

No more time should be wasted. Those who know Christ should never suffer depression or boredom. There are those in need; arise and help somebody who needs help! Remember, Christ’s whole life was one sacrifice for the saving of the world. What are you willing to give up in order to reach out to others in love and mercy?

“A legal religion can never lead souls to Christ; for it is a loveless, Christless religion. Fasting or prayer that is actuated by a self-justifying spirit is an abomination in the sight of God. The solemn assembly for worship, the round of religious ceremonies, the external humiliation, the imposing sacrifice, proclaim that the doer of these things regards himself as righteous, and as entitled to heaven; but it is all a deception. Our own works can never purchase salvation.” The Desire of Ages, 280.

Enter into the true fast—arise, reach out and help somebody!

Father: Help me to fast from myself. Show me how to reach out to others in such a way that they will receive that special blessing you have for them through me. Show me ways that will relieve the stress and burdens of another for whom You gave Your only begotten Son. Use me as an instrument of Your righteousness today. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Spot of a Hypocrite

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There are so many distractions to lead us from that quiet time with God. Many times when our prayer season begins, we are immediately disturbed by empty thoughts of the world which have nothing to do with our time with the Lord. Much quality time is lost when distractions of mind and heart are allowed to replace the time with God.

We are told to “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Be concerned! A wandering uncontrolled heart can cause the loss of your soul and may cause the spot of a hypocrite to appear on your soul. How you respond to a wandering heart is a reflection of carefulness or carelessness and gives evidence of either sincerity or hypocrisy. You see, a hypocrite can perform a round of duties never regarding the condition of his heart or its wanderings. Never be satisfied with an empty round of duties, including prayer.

“Christians should be careful that they keep the heart with all diligence. They should cultivate a love for meditation, and cherish a spirit of devotion. Many seem to begrudge moments spent in meditation, and the searching of the Scriptures, and prayer, as though the time thus occupied was lost. … To keep your heart in Heaven, will give vigor to all your graces, and put life into all your duties. To discipline the mind to dwell upon heavenly things, will put life and earnestness into all our endeavors.” The Review and Herald, March 29, 1870.

“The noble powers of the mind have been given to us by the Lord, that we may employ them in contemplating heavenly things.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 3, 1145.

The first thing you need to do when you find your heart under the powers of distraction is to humble yourself before God right then and call for assistance from heaven.

  • Each wandering thought should bring sorrow to your heart.
  • Lift your voice to God and ask Him to forgive you and to help you.
  • Tell Him you came to spend time with Him, but all of these thoughts are bombarding you.

Never consider this a small matter when something takes you away from communing with God. Plead for the Lord to never let you leave His presence until your heart is one with Him.

Our prayer should always be, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.

Father, I come to spend time with You. I am so sorry all of these thoughts are bombarding me; please forgive me. Lord, how can I claim the promise, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31) while these distractions will not let me wait peacefully in Thy presence? I would so enjoy this time of communion with You without any distractions of mind or heart. Grant me peace of mind and heart that I may sit with You in that secret place and find that fullness of joy in Thy presence. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – It is Almost Summer

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Look up! Keep looking up! It’s almost summer. Can you see the signs? God has told us about our summer. Right now it is winter, and we need now more than ever the sunshine of God’s presence.

“This life at best is but the Christian’s winter and the bleak winds of winter—disappointments, losses, pain, and anguish—are our lot here; but our hopes are reaching forward to the Christian’s summer, when we shall change climate, leave all the wintry blasts and fierce tempests behind, and be taken to those mansions Jesus has gone to prepare for those that love Him.” The Review and Herald, November 7, 1878.

Are you looking ahead and making plans? It is here on this earth that we prepare for heaven. “The time spent here is the Christian’s winter. Here the chilly winds of affliction blow upon us, and the waves of trouble roll against us. But in the near future, when Christ comes, sorrow and sighing will be forever ended. Then will be the Christian’s summer. All trials will be over, and there will be no more sickness or death.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 988.

Just think, “the day is coming in which the battle will have been fought, the victory won.” The Review and Herald, December 17, 1908.

I pray that each of you is fighting for your future eternal life. “If we had perpetual summer, we should not value as we do now its bright days and beautiful flowers. Through the winter months we look forward to the time when summer with its beauty will once more gladden the earth.

“So it is with the Christian life. We are pilgrims and strangers on the earth. Our sojourn here is as it were the Christian’s winter. But our faith and hope reach forward and upward to the better life, to the home that Christ has gone to prepare for those that love Him. ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him’ (I Corinthians 2:9). …

“There are many things to be overcome. Day by day the battle goes on. The struggle is lifelong; for Satan watches every opportunity to take advantage of us, that he may ensnare us to our ruin.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, 138.

But, when our winter has ended, “All will be a happy, united family, clothed with the garments of praise and thanksgiving—the robe of Christ’s righteousness. All nature in its surpassing loveliness will offer to God a constant tribute of praise and adoration. The world will be bathed in the light of heaven. The years will move on in gladness. The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold greater than it is now. Over the scene the morning stars will sing together, and the sons of God will shout for joy.” The Review and Herald, December 17, 1908.

Father: The winter here is rough. It is only by Your grace that we can gain the victory over the storms in our lives. We so look forward to the eternal summer You have promised to the faithful. Truly You are a shelter for us and a strong tower from the enemy. Guide us moment by moment as we battle the disappointments, losses, pain, and anguish during this winter. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – A Pill

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When we think of the word pill, we think of something that is annoying. Many times we forget that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28, 29.

The following quotations are taken from the book, Keeping the Heart, John Flavel, W. Baynes& Son, 1820, 35.

“Impatience makes the soul less fit to pray over its troubles, or receive the sense of that good which God intends by them.”

Our impatience tends to block the good that God intends.

“Affliction is a pill, which, being wrapped up in patience and quiet submission, may be easily swallowed. But discontent chews the pill, and so embitters the soul.”

I pray that each of you will not allow discontentment to embitter your souls and all patience and quiet submission make it easier to swallow.

“God throws away some comfort which He saw would hurt you, and you will throw away your peace after it.”

Could this be true for you? Have changes in your lifestyle caused you to throw away your “peace”?

The following true story demonstrates the love of God working to save a soul. He is also working to save your soul.

“Sister T loves this world. She is naturally selfish. She has suffered much with bodily infirmities. God permitted this affliction to come upon her, and yet would not permit Satan to take her life. God designed through the furnace of affliction to loosen her grasp upon earthly treasures. Through suffering alone could this be done. She is one of those whose systems have been poisoned by drugs. By taking these she has ignorantly made herself what she is; yet God did not suffer her life to be taken, but lengthened her years of probation and suffering that she might become sanctified through the truth, be purified, made white and tried, and, through the furnace of affliction, lose her dross, and become more precious than fine gold, even than the golden wedge of Ophir.” Testimonies to the Church, vol. 2, 184.

Has the love of the world become so deeply rooted in your hearts that it will require a severe trial to remove it? Are you ready to wrap up that “pill of affliction” in patience and quiet submission so that all the dross be removed and you can become more precious than fine gold? God loves you and He will do anything to get your attention and at last welcome you into His kingdom.

Father: Whatever the pill may be that I need, I know that Your grace is sufficient to help me through. Give me the patience needed to wrap around that pill of affliction and let quiet submission take over in my heart as You work a miracle of transformation in my life. I want to be part of Your kingdom now so that I may walk with You throughout eternity. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Knock! Knock! Knock!

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With all of the distractions that are drawing our attention, it is very hard for many to be aware that Somebody is knocking at the door. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” Revelation 3:20.

What are these knocks?

  • “Every warning, reproof, and entreaty in the word of God, or through his delegated messengers, is a knock at the door of the heart; it is the voice of Jesus, asking for entrance.” The Review and Herald, November 2, 1886.

What happens when you do not listen to these knocks?

  • “With every knock unheeded, your determination to open becomes weaker and weaker.
  • If the voice of Jesus is not heeded at once, it becomes confused in the mind with a multitude of other voices,
  • the world’s care and business engross the attention, and
  • conviction dies away.
  • The heart becomes less impressible, and
  • lapses into a perilous unconsciousness of the shortness of time, and of the great eternity beyond.” Ibid.

Are you listening to that knock?

“The heavenly Guest is standing at your door, while you are piling up obstructions to bar His entrance. Jesus is knocking through the prosperity He gives you. He loads you with blessings to test your fidelity, that they may flow out from you to others. Will you permit your selfishness to triumph? Will you squander God’s talents, and lose your soul through idolatrous love of the blessings He has given?” Ibid.

The last appeals are now being made by the knocking.

“Christ is making His last appeal to hearts. … how reluctant He is to give you up to separation from His love and presence forever! Still is heard the step of Him who waiteth at your door; His voice is yet pleading for entrance; but there is a point beyond which His forbearance will not reach. Shall the words be written over the doomed doorway,

  • ‘Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone’ (Hosea 4:17) …
  • He is joined to his idol of earthly treasure: let him alone?
  • He is joined to his idolatry of self: let him alone?” Ibid.

No time to loiter!

  • “You have no time to loiter, no time to consult your convenience. It is now, even now, that you are to be zealous and repent. Oh, it is peace that you need—Heaven’s forgiveness, peace, and love in the soul.
  • Money cannot buy it,
  • intellect cannot procure it,
  • wisdom cannot attain to it;
  • but Jesus offers it as a gift.

It is yours if you will but reach out your hand and grasp it. … We cannot be satisfied with a form of godliness. We must have the deep movings of the Spirit of God in the soul.” Ibid.

“Open your doors, says the great Merchantman, the possessor of spiritual riches, and transact your business with me. It is I, your Redeemer, who counsels you to buy of me.” Ibid., August 7, 1894.

Father: I thank You for showing me that every warning, reproof, and entreaty in Your word or through Your messengers is a knock at the door of my heart, that it is the voice of Jesus asking for entrance. I do not want to be joined to these idols. Please give me spiritual discernment so that I may hear Your knock and grant me the grace to remove all obstructions so that I may open the door to You. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – New Homes

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It is sad what the Lord could not fulfill because of sin, but He has opened the door wide through Jesus Christ to a future that is indescribable.

What would have been if there had been no sin

“The home of our first parents was to be a pattern for other homes as their children should go forth to occupy the earth. … The blue heavens were its dome; the earth, with its delicate flowers and carpet of living green, was its floor; and the leafy branches of the goodly trees were its canopy. Its walls were hung with the most magnificent adornings—the handiwork of the great Master Artist. In the surroundings of the holy pair was a lesson for all time—that true happiness is found, not in the indulgence of pride and luxury, but in communion with God through His created works. If men would give less attention to the artificial, and would cultivate greater simplicity, they would come far nearer to answering the purpose of God in their creation. Pride and ambition are never satisfied, but those who are truly wise will find substantial and elevating pleasure in the sources of enjoyment that God has placed within the reach of all.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 49.

Our future if we are faithful

“With Jesus at our head we all descended from the city down to this earth, on a great and mighty mountain, which could not bear Jesus up, and it parted asunder, and there was a mighty plain. Then we looked up and saw the great city, with twelve foundations and twelve gates, three on each side, and an angel at each gate. We all cried out, ‘The city, the great city, it’s coming, it’s coming down from God out of heaven!’ And it came and settled on the place where we stood. Then we began to look at the glorious things outside of the city.

  • There I saw most glorious houses, that had the appearance of silver, supported by four pillars set with pearls most glorious to behold.
  • These were to be inhabited by the saints.
  • In each was a golden shelf. I saw many of the saints go into the houses, take off their glittering crowns and lay them on the shelf,
  • then go out into the field by the houses to do something with the earth; not as we have to do with the earth here—no, no. A glorious light shone all about their heads, and they were continually shouting and offering praises to God.” The Adventist Home, 546.

What God has prepared for us we just cannot imagine! We all must be faithful in the little things of this life and not get so caught up in the material things of this world that we lose out on eternal life. What a terrible loss it would be not to get to enjoy the miracle of eternal life in homes that will never rot.

Heavenly Father: You have prepared for me a mansion on land that will never fail. Help me not to collect the baubles of this world or get sidetracked by the devil’s temptations to indulge in worldly luxuries that will be burned up when You appear. Oh Lord, keep my eyes turned to Thee and let nothing of this world turn them away from our heavenly future. Remind me always that I am a sojourner here and my home is with Thee, in heavenly places! Amen.

 

Keys to the Storehouse – I Yearn for the Day

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“Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Hebrews 1:9.

This most wonderful Scripture refers to Jesus, but I yearn for the day to see this character representation reflected in each of God’s professed people, including myself. One of my daily Scripture prayers is, “Let this mind be in me which is also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5 personalized.)

With the mind of Christ, we also will love righteousness and hate iniquity. That word, iniquity, is the same word as transgression found in I John 3:4, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” When we ask for the mind of Christ, we are asking that we may also love righteousness and hate the transgression of the law, hate sin. Jesus hated sin but He loved righteousness.

And, if you will notice one more thing in Hebrews 1:9, it was because Christ loved righteousness and hated iniquity (sin), God anointed Him with the oil of gladness. That oil of gladness was the Holy Spirit. This is a real incentive to receive Christ; we also will love righteousness and hate sin.

“ ‘As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name’ (John 1:12). His promise is that if we accept His invitation, we shall be anointed with the oil of gladness, which is emptied from the two anointed ones into the hearts prepared to receive it. Shall we claim the promise? Shall we not receive the anointing of the holy oil?” The Southern Watchman, June 11, 1903.

Do you want the mind of Christ? He is knocking at the entrance into your heart. Will you open the door and allow Jesus to enter and bar every means that Satan can use to break in? If those doors are not barred, you will never hear God say to you, “thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity,” and you will never be anointed with the oil of gladness. Oh, what a sad loss, all because of loving iniquity and hating righteousness! Oh, what a terrible thing the devil has done to those who allow him to turn them around backwards and away from their Saviour!

Father, Oh, how I want the mind of Christ so that I may love righteousness and hate sin! My desire is to be anointed with the oil of gladness and to walk always in heavenly places. I choose today to take control of all of my senses and close every door in my life that Satan may have cracked. I willingly open the door to my Saviour, to receive Him for my very own, and to accept His righteousness and hate sin in its many forms. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – The Joy of Holiness

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The joy of holiness in this time in history is almost like an oxymoron, a seeming contradiction. Many really believe that those three words do not fit together and therefore choose a path contrary to holiness to enjoy the temporary emotional stimulation which they believe to be joy.

The word joy means the emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; gladness; delight. Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Fifth Edition, 1939.

By looking around you can see the emotional expectation of good, gladness and delight in this world. But, without the word holiness, this turns out to be just a temporary upheaval of emotions. Many of these experiences bring sorrow and sin into the life and not the joy of holiness.

So, “What is holiness? Doing everything with an eye single to the glory of God. Holiness is so living that men shall see your good works, and by seeing them shall glorify God. This is the work of the unfallen angels of heaven. This was the life work of Christ upon the earth. Christ has given this command to every soul that believes in His name.” The Medical Missionary, October 1, 1893.

Again, “What is holiness? It is willing, whole-hearted service to your Redeemer. You are to be a representative of God in this world. God wants you to take your religion right along with you into your business relations. At every turn, you should remember that you are a representative of Christ. Ask your Heavenly Father to give you strength to flee from evil, that you may not fall under temptation, and become a captive of Satan.” The Review and Herald, August 14, 1888.

And again, “What is holiness? It is wholeness to God. Our words, our actions, the manner of spirit manifested, is the outward and visible manifestation of what is within, and testifies as to whether we have on the robe of Christ’s righteousness, woven in the loom of heaven, or are clothed with our own natural citizen’s dress. We are to give evidence to the world in our outward acts as to what is the influence of the truth upon our hearts. The world observes our lives, hears our words, watches and measures our characters by these outward signs, and estimates the truth we profess to believe, according to that which we reveal as having been accomplished by it for us.” Ibid., July 18, 1893.

Read again the above three paragraphs and ask yourself if you have found the joy of holiness. In Steps to Christ, 25, it says of David, “He longed for the joy of holiness—to be restored to harmony and communion with God.”

Could it be that you are out of harmony and communion with God? Remember David’s prayer: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit.” Psalm 51:10–12. The joy of holiness is included in the joy of salvation. Plead for it as did David.

Father: I want that joy of holiness within my heart. Bring my heart into harmony and communion with Thee. Remove from my heart anything that would cause me to be out of harmony with Thee. Create in me a clean heart so that the joy of Your holiness may flow forth as streams of blessing to others. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Whatever Comes!

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The strength of our faith is very important. We can understand a little better about our faith by looking at our own fruits, taking note of our actions and reactions.

In The Ministry of Healing, 488, we are told that our “faith can

  • endure trial
  • resist temptation
  • bear up under disappointment …”

Does this describe your faith? Often times when our mind is not walking in heavenly places we forget that whatever comes to us comes from the Saviour who surrounds us with His presence. Train your mind to remember that nothing can touch you except by the Lord’s permission. What a thought! We really can rest in Him knowing that,

  • “all our sufferings and sorrows
  • all our temptations and trials
  • all our sadness and griefs
  • all our persecutions and privations
  • all things work together for our good

All of our experiences and circumstances are God’s workmen whereby good is brought to us.” (See Ibid., 489.)

How is your faith? Think about how much good is being brought to you through God’s workmen. We are promised in Matthew 24:13, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

Remember, even through the many tears shed and the many hardships to go through, our faith in Him will shine through us because we will represent Him in character. Our faith will endure that trial, our faith will resist that temptation and our faith will bear up under disappointment and our God will be glorified.

“Think you not that Christ values those who live wholly for Him? Think you not that He visits those who, like the beloved John in exile, are for His sake in hard and trying places? God will not suffer one of His truehearted workers to be left alone, to struggle against great odds and be overcome. He preserves as a precious jewel everyone whose life is hid with Christ in Him.” Ibid., 488.

“I saw that the enemy will contend either for the usefulness or the life of the godly, and will try to mar their peace as long as they live in this world. But his power is limited. He may cause the furnace to be heated, but Jesus and angels will watch the trusting Christian, that nothing may be consumed but the dross. The fire kindled by Satan can have no power to destroy or hurt the true metal. It is important to close every door possible, against the entrance of Satan.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 309.

Is your life hid in Christ? How is your faith? Remember, we are precious in His sight. Be strong and of a good courage, go forward in the strength of your Saviour and close all doors against the entrance of Satan.

Father: Whatever may come, prepare my heart to reflect the character of Jesus. Show me any door that may be open to the entrance of the enemy and grant me the grace to close it permanently. Remind me each moment that nothing can touch me except by Your permission and that these trials are Your workmen for good. I thank You for Your unceasing love and mercy upon me. Amen.