Keys Storehouse

Keys to the Storehouse – The Circuit of Beneficence

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The word beneficence means active goodness. Most people are unaware of any circuit of beneficence working around them. Oh how selfish the heart of man has become in living to itself!

“There is nothing, save the selfish heart of man, that lives unto itself.

  • No bird that cleaves the air, no animal that moves upon the ground, but ministers to some other life.
  • There is no leaf of the forest, or lowly blade of grass, but has its ministry.
  • Every tree and shrub and leaf pours forth that element of life without which neither man nor animal could live;
  • and man and animal, in turn, minister to the life of tree and shrub and leaf.
  • The flowers breathe fragrance and unfold their beauty in blessing to the world.
  • The sun sheds its light to gladden a thousand worlds.
  • The ocean, itself the source of all our springs and fountains, receives the streams from every land, but takes to give.
  • The mists ascending from its bosom fall in showers to water the earth, that it may bring forth and bud.” The Desire of Ages, 20, 21.

Even the joy of the angels is in giving!

“The angels of glory find their joy in giving –

  • giving love and tireless watchcare to souls that are fallen and unholy.
  • Heavenly beings woo the hearts of men;
  • they bring to this dark world light from the courts above;
  • by gentle and patient ministry they move upon the human spirit, to bring the lost into a fellowship with Christ which is even closer than they themselves can know.” Ibid., 21.

This circuit of beneficence, this active goodness, is going on all around us, but few are aware.

“But turning from all lesser representations, we behold God in Jesus. Looking unto Jesus we see that it is the glory of our God to give. … All things Christ received from God, but He took to give. So in the heavenly courts, in His ministry for all created beings: through the beloved Son, the Father’s life flows out to all; through the Son it returns, in praise and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all.

And thus through Christ the circuit of beneficence is complete, representing the character of the great Giver, the law of life.” Ibid.

Lucifer, the covering cherub, chose not to be part of the circuit, that active goodness, in heaven and is no longer walking in heavenly places. How do you choose? Are you a part of that beneficent circuit?

Father: I was not aware of the active goodness, that circuit, working around me. But now I want to be part of it each moment. Remove the selfishness from my heart that I may continually walk with Jesus and the angels. Help me to remember that all I receive from You, physically, mentally and spiritually, is to be joined into that circuit of beneficence—that active goodness, that it may flow continually. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – The Prickly Chestnut Bur

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Have you ever had somebody observe your attitude and say “ouch”? Why would they say such a thing? Could it be because you have “prickles”?

What a terrible thing to be prickled like a chestnut bur. Have you ever tried to touch a chestnut bur without being pricked? I am sure each of us would love to receive heavenly guests into our home but if our character is full of prickles, they will not abide with us.

“Unless we daily cultivate the precious plant of love we are in danger of becoming narrow, unsympathetic, bigoted, and critical, esteeming ourselves righteous when we are far from being approved of God. Some are uncourteous, abrupt, and harsh. They are like chestnut burs: they prick whenever touched. These do incalculable harm by misrepresenting our loving Saviour. …” Testimonies, vol. 5, 605.

“Never should we lose control over ourselves. Let us ever keep before us the perfect Pattern.

  • It is a sin to speak impatiently and fretfully
  • or to feel angry—even though we do not speak.
  • We are to walk worthy, giving a right representation of Christ.
  • The speaking of an angry word is like flint striking flint: it at once kindles wrathful feelings.
  • Never be like a chestnut bur. …

“When others are impatient, fretful, and complaining, because self is not subdued, begin to sing some of the songs of Zion. While Christ was working at the carpenter’s bench others would sometimes surround Him, trying to cause Him to be impatient; but He would begin singing some of the beautiful psalms, and before they realized what they were doing they had joined with Him in singing, influenced, as it were, by the power of the Holy Spirit, which was there.” In Heavenly Places, 246.

Their prickles were melted!

“The man or woman who preserves the balance of the mind when tempted to indulge passion stands higher in the sight of God and heavenly angels than the most renowned general that ever led an army to battle and to victory. Said a celebrated emperor when on his dying bed, ‘Among all my conquests there is but one which affords me any consolation now, and that is the conquest I have gained over my own turbulent temper.’ [His prickles melted!] Alexander and Caesar found it easier to subdue a world than to subdue themselves. After conquering nation after nation, they fell—one of them ‘the victim of intemperance, the other of mad ambition.’ ” Child Guidance, 95. They died in their prickles!

“But are there not many who are … like a chestnut bur, hurting those with whom they come in contact? … Those who represent Christ will not speak harshly. Their words will be pleasant and helpful.” In Heavenly Places, 321.

“By our joyfulness we reveal that our life is hid with Christ in God, that in Him we find the most blessed companionship, and that through His grace we have a living connection with heaven.” Ibid., 246.

“The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control.” Sons and Daughters of God, 84. No prickles!

Heavenly Father: I do not want to be as a chestnut bur, full of prickles. Please remove everything that causes harm from my heart so that others may not experience pain from my attitude, words or actions. I would love to have others, along with heavenly guests, find a peaceful atmosphere—no more prickles, in my home or in my presence. Thank you Father. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Oh, What an Excuse!

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How often have you heard the excuse, “It is natural”? Or have you used that excuse yourself?

“I have seen professed Christians act out their natural infirmities,

  • let their evil temper get the victory over them, and
  • after the excitement has passed, reflection and reason teaches them they have greatly erred.
  • They excuse themselves by saying,
  • ‘It’s natural for me to be quick, it’s my temperament.’ …

“I have heard the most covetous and selfish, when reproved for these sins, urge the excuse, ‘It’s natural. I was taught to be so.’ O, what an excuse for a Christian, ‘It’s natural.’

  • ‘It’s natural’ to give way to a passionate temper.
  • ‘It’s natural’ to indulge in pride.
  • ‘It’s natural’ to be covetous and selfish.

“Let me ask you professed Christian, are you going into heaven with all these ‘natural’ infirmities unsubdued? No, never! Heaven will not be marred with the presence of any with ‘natural’ infirmities.

“Well since these infirmities must be overcome, what shall we do?

  • Shall we excuse ourselves by saying ‘It’s natural?’ or
  • shall we rather go about the work earnestly to subdue self, and
  • take the steps necessary to be taken, to accomplish the object?

“ ‘It’s natural’ is the excuse that comes from a carnal heart. The axe has not been laid at the root of the tree. There has not been a thorough acquaintance with the heart, and poisonous weeds that choke every good growth have been permitted to flourish there. These evils must be rooted out, these besetments overcome, or lose heaven.

“Look to the rock that is higher than you, plead with God in secret prayer for grace. All these ‘natural’ infirmities can be overcome by grace. But the ‘natural,’ carnal, heart is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be. If the carnal mind is subdued, you will not hear so frequently, ‘It’s natural.’

  • Satan loves to hear this.
  • His angels rejoice that you have not grace sufficient to overcome ‘natural’ infirmities.
  • They triumph at these words, ‘It’s natural.’

“But Jesus says, ‘my grace is sufficient for you.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9). Yes it is sufficient to overcome and subdue the ‘natural,’ carnal, heart.

“Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation (Mark 14:38). Earnest, fervent prayer will avail much when tempted to speak wrong. Say not a word until you first pray, then watch with all your powers. Set a watch before the door of your lips. Jesus knows just how hard you try to overcome, and His all-sufficient grace will be imparted, and with holy trust, you may rejoice in your Redeemer Who giveth you the victory.” The Youth’s Instructor, November 1, 1857. [All emphasis author’s.]

Keys to the Storehouse – Immature Wheat

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Many of the people we may think to be tares in the church are really just immature wheat. Another word for immature is undeveloped. The Lord may still be working on that person and this is one reason that Jesus asks us not to “gather up the tares, ye may root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” Matthew 13:29, 30.

“The Lord Jesus made clear that there are tares among the wheat, meaning that there will be unworthy ones in the church. It does not change the fact, however, that the field in which the wheat is growing is God’s field. The wheat is still God’s wheat. But He makes it clear in this parable that there will always be the insincere and the sincere, the hypocrite and the genuine, the thoughtless and the thoughtful. They will be going to church together.

“Some whom we think in our humanness to be tares are only immature wheat. They need to ‘grow in grace’ (2 Peter 3:18). Our Lord makes very clear also that no man is to judge which are tares and which are immature wheat. Mistakes and sins are committed. But He said, ‘Let both grow together until the harvest …’ (Matthew 13:30).

“If someone were to ask, How could a person who deals dishonestly be anything but a tare? Let us not forget that even if he is a tare at the moment, there is the possibility of his yet receiving the new birth.” Lovely Lord of the Lord’s Day, Glenn and Ethel Coon, 59, 60.

An example of the difficulty of determining whether or not a professed Christian is genuine is that of Judas.

“Judas, had he died before the last journey to Jerusalem, would have probably gone down in history as a great church leader, a spiritual giant for God. Yet all the while he was at heart a traitor. His real character did not surface until the last night before the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus did not expose him, however, during those three years. Yet Jesus knew, as He said, ‘Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil’ (John 6:70)?

“On the other hand, Peter, who denied his Master with cursing and swearing, came through like pure gold and preached the sermon on the Day of Pentecost. Aren’t you glad that the responsibility for judging character is not left with us?” Ibid., 119.

“Christ has plainly taught that those who persist in open sin must be separated from the church, but He has not committed to us the work of judging character and motive.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 71.

Father: I am so thankful that You have asked me to keep my eyes stayed upon Thee and not on others. I pray for Thy wisdom and light to shine in and through me so that any immature wheat may have the opportunity to receive that light and to grow, or develop and ripen into wheat ready to be gathered into Thy barn. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – What is Your Delight

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There is Nero, that monster of cruelty and vice, beholding the joy and exaltation of those whom he once tortured, and in whose extremist anguish he found Satanic delight. His mother is there to witness the result of her own work; to see how the evil stamp of character transmitted to her son, the passions encouraged and developed by her influence and example, have borne fruit in crimes that caused the world to shudder.” The Story of Redemption, 424.

“Martin Luther [was] zealous, ardent, and devoted, knowing no fear but the fear of God, and acknowledging no foundation for religious faith but the Holy Scriptures, Luther was the man for his time; through him, God accomplished a great work for the reformation of the church and the enlightenment of the world.” Ibid., 340.

We are told that, “Above everything else he delighted in the study of God’s word. He had found a Bible chained to the convent wall, and to this he often repaired.” Ibid., 341.

“Now, for the first time, he looked upon the whole Bible. With mingled awe and wonder he turned the sacred pages; with quickened pulse and throbbing heart he read for himself the words of life, pausing now and then to exclaim, ‘Oh, if God would give me such a book for my own!’ ” Ibid., 340.

What is your delight?

Adam and Eve “were charmed [delighted] with the little songsters around them, wearing their bright yet graceful plumage, and warbling forth their happy, cheerful music. The holy pair united with them and raised their voices in harmonious songs of love, praise, and adoration to the Father and His dear Son for the tokens of love which surrounded them. They recognized the order and harmony of creation, which spoke of wisdom and knowledge that were infinite. Some new beauty and additional glory of their Eden home they were continually discovering, which filled their hearts with deeper love and brought from their lips expressions of gratitude and reverence to their Creator.” Ibid., 22, 23.

“She [Eve] ate, and was delighted with the [forbidden] fruit. It seemed delicious to her taste, and she imagined that she realized in herself the wonderful effects of the fruit.” Ibid., 35.

Do you delight in what is forbidden?

“He [Satan] had delighted to control so powerful a race, and wished them to live to practice their abominations, and increase their rebellion against the God of heaven.” Ibid., 67.

What is your delight?

  • Is it satanic delight like Nero, watching wickedness, suffering, death in movies?
  • Is it studying God’s word and sharing it as Luther did?
  • Is it delight in God’s creation?
  • Is it delight in taking part in things that God’s word has forbidden?
  • Is it taking delight in control of people and things?
  • Or do you delight yourself in the Lord?

Do you honestly know the true desire of your own heart?

God’s word says, “Delight thyself also in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). [All emphasis added.]

Father: I do not want any of the devil’s attributes. Oh, what a terrible thing to be like Nero who delighted in watching wickedness and suffering. Remove any such delight from my heart and replace it with a heart like Jesus’, full of heavenly love. Help me to turn away from earthly pleasures and delight in the things pertaining to heaven. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – “Thou Wilt Keep …”

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Caroline had just been told of the death of a loved one. As Helen took a chair beside Caroline, she began to quote the Bible promise of Isaiah 26:3: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.”

With calm assurance, Helen Way began directing Caroline’s thinking. … Placing an arm around Caroline’s shoulders, Helen Way began kindly, but firmly, “You will not be helped by giving way to grief. Let me give you a Bible promise. This promise tells you that there is absolute peace found in Christ.” …

Within moments, Helen Way had persuaded Carolyn Deck to repeat this wonderful promise after her. Helen Way had explained the meaning of the promise, word by word.

“ ‘Thou,’ refers to the Lord Himself. That word is extremely important, for it tells us the center of peace.  ‘Thou,’ – God – is the foundation of this peace. Self is not the center of peace. Neither is trouble. But the center of peace is our Lord Himself.”

Distraught minds can actually find peace only in a Person. And that Person is the Lord. This fact is the foundation of another marvelous statement of insight as recorded in the book Education, page 297: “When once the gaze is fixed upon Him, the life finds its center.”

Helen Way then added, “… the next words indicate the certainty of peace in Christ. ‘Thou wilt keep’; It does Not say, He may keep us in peace. It makes a strong statement. It conveys mighty assurance.” Thou wilt keep signifies it is not a transitory, but a permanent experience.

“ ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,’ ” Helen went on. This is not a peace that is fractional. It is perfect. It is absolute under all circumstances. This is the peace God promises. It is a perfect peace. “Whose mind is stayed on Thee.”

Helen Way went through each word, or group of words, step by step. She came to the word “stayed.” Caroline would never be healed of her extreme sorrow by staying her mind on the trouble. She would never recover from the shock by thinking occasionally of Christ. She must stay her mind on Him. It was as if Helen were dealing with hysteria. She knew, and assured Caroline, “You will gain nothing by giving in to grief. It will not help you at all.”

Helen uses this promise successfully whenever anyone comes to her with a problem, or a disturbed mind. This promise is her solution to their problem.

  1. The very first word, “Thou”. What is this promise talking about? You or God? – God!
  2. “Thou wilt.” Is there any question about that statement? No, He will do it.
  3. “Thou wilt keep” Is this to be an occasional experience? No. It is something that is constant.
  4. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace.” Is this peace only when you have no troubles? No. This says “perfect peace.”
  5. Then this verse tells us to whom the promise will apply—“whose mind is stayed on Thee.” This is entirely conditioned on your mind, and where you keep it. Your mind is stayed on God, if this promise is going to be fulfilled to you.
  6. “And then the last part of this verse states why this promise is so effective—“because he trusteth in Thee.”
  • Trust in yourself? No!
  • Trust – In your ability to work out your problems? No!
  • Trust – Your sorrows? No!
  • You rather trust in God’s comprehension of what is going on.
  • Trust – His overruling providence.
  • Trust – His ability to resolve the problem.

Excerpts from The Answer was Created, by Glenn and Ethel Coon, 116-124. Copyright by Glenn and Ethel Coon 1973.

Father: Help me to trust in Thee no matter what happens for Thou wilt keep me in perfect peace because I do trust in Thee. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Beware! Danger Stalks!

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Beware! Danger Stalks!

There is much theoretical, or academic knowledge floating around in people’s minds, but, very little heart action is seen. What is needed is active knowledge for when it is inactive, danger is stalking around and that danger is Satan!

“Experience is knowledge derived from experiment. Experimental religion is what is needed now. ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good.’ Some—yes, a large number—have a theoretical knowledge of religious truth, but have never felt the renewing power of divine grace upon their own hearts. …

  • They believe in the wrath of God, but put forth no earnest efforts to escape it.
  • They believe in heaven, but make no sacrifice to obtain it.
  • They believe in the value of the soul and that erelong its redemption ceaseth forever. Yet they neglect the most precious opportunities to make their peace with God.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 221.

“Satan believes the truth and trembles, yet this kind of faith possesses no virtue. Many who have made a high profession of faith are deficient in good works.” Ibid., vol. 2, 657. The devil loves it when people just believe. Beware of belief without action for that is where danger lurks!

  • “They may read the Bible, but its threatenings do not alarm or its promises win them.
  • They approve things that are excellent, yet they follow the way in which God has forbidden them to go.
  • They know a refuge, but do not avail themselves of it.
  • They know a remedy for sin, but do not use it.
  • They know the right, but have no relish for it.
  • All their knowledge will but increase their condemnation. They have never tasted and learned by experience that the Lord is good.” Ibid., vol. 5, 221, 222.

Beware! Head knowledge will not do you or anyone else any good unless it reaches out through the heart and touches others. “The Christian life is a warfare. … Today sin is cherished and excused. The sharp sword of the Spirit, the word of God, does not cut to the soul. Has religion changed? Has Satan’s enmity to God abated? A religious life once presented difficulties and demanded self-denial. All is made very easy now. And why is this? The professed people of God have compromised with the power of darkness. …

“The path to heaven is no smoother now than in the days of our Saviour.” Ibid., 222.

The danger of compromise is so strong. Knowledge is exceptional but heart action is lifeless. Pray for that new heart and compromise no longer with Satan. Beware! Your life and the lives of all around you are in danger.

Father: I praise you for Your longsuffering and mercy toward us. The war is at a standstill and we have made compromises. Our lights have grown dim in the shadow of Satan’s darkness. We need Thy truth to shine through our hearts for we have buried it beneath the dust of our lives. Help us to bring forth Thy truth that it may dispel the darkness around us. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Provoked to Destruction

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Through the action of the masses, Satan attempted to provoke Jesus, through the mob, to lose the image of God. He continues using the same methods today hoping to destroy the image of God in Christ’s followers, thus causing them to be lost as he is.

“Satan instigated [provoked] the cruel abuse of the debased mob led on by the priests and rulers,

  • to provoke, if possible, retaliation from the world’s Redeemer, or
  • to drive Him to deliver Himself by a miracle from the hands of His persecutors, and
  • thus break up the plan of salvation.
  • one stain upon His human life,
  • one failure of His humanity to bear the terrible test imposed upon it,
  • would make the Lamb of God an imperfect offering, and the redemption of man would be a failure.” The Present Truth, January 7, 1886.

Is Satan provoking you? Be strong dear Christian! Do not join under the black banner! “I saw Satan planting his banner in the households of those who profess to be God’s chosen ones, but those who are walking in the light should be able to discern the difference between the black banner of the adversary and the bloodstained standard of Christ.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 200.

Are your eyes open to any provocations of Satan? Ask for spiritual discernment! Look or lose!

“Each son and daughter of Adam chooses either Christ or Barabbas as his general. And all who place themselves on the side of the disloyal are standing under Satan’s black banner, and are charged with rejecting and despitefully using Christ. They are charged with deliberately crucifying the Lord of life and glory.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1107.

“The Holy Spirit is an effective helper in restoring the image of God in the human soul.” The Faith I Live By, 52.

On the other hand, Satan’s spirit is a destructive force and will do anything to place us under his black banner. “Satan had declared to his synagogue that not a single human soul would maintain his loyalty to God’s commandments. One soul saved would prove this statement to be false. One soul saved would demonstrate the righteousness of God’s government. Created in the image of God, man must not be left for Satan to rule and ruin.” The Upward Look, 223.

Here are just a few of Satan’s tricks of provocation. He provokes jealousy, opposition, a hasty reply, anger, children and adults to wrath, tempers, opposition, the divine displeasure, controversies, debate, the wrath of God, and much more. Is there anything in your character that responds to Satan’s provocation causing you to reflect his character and to enlist you under his banner?

Watch and pray! Learn to identify which spirit is working with you and around you by watching carefully. Learn to identify and distinguish the fruits of the Holy Spirit in your life from the fruits of Satan.

Father: Thank you for sending Thine only begotten Son to fight the battle with Satan. Thank you Jesus for remaining faithful through all of the provocations and attacks of Satan. Give me peace of mind and heart that I may remain focused on heavenly things and not be drawn away from Your presence by any attempt by Satan to enlist me under his black banner. Amen!

Keys to the Storehouse – Step Fast, But Not Back

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Now is not the time to be going backward. There is no time to reverse our direction or step back from that narrow path leading to the heavenly country. Don’t look back as Lot’s wife did. We are strangers in this country and there is no reason for us to step back and look.

Many of our brethren took that step backward. “But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.” Manuscript Releases, Book 1, 107. The Lord said, “Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward” (Isaiah 1:4). Terrible thought.

Do not be tempted to join the crowd that is stepping back.

“The people of God in these last days must expect to enter into the thick of the conflict; for the prophetic Word says, ‘The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ’ (Revelation 12:17).” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1153.

You need to be aware that, “those who have decided to obey the commandments of God will understand by experience that they have adversaries who are controlled by a power from beneath. Such adversaries beset Christ at every step, how constantly and determinedly no human being can ever know. Christ’s disciples, like their Master, are followed by continual temptation.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 170.

Who is pursuing? “Satan hopes to lead them to sin, and cast dishonor upon God.” Ibid., 171. Don’t step back, but step fast.

“In the professedly Christian world, even in the professed churches of Christ, how few are governed by Christian principles. In business, social, domestic, even religious circles, how few make the teachings of Christ the rule of daily living. …

“Every day brings its heart-sickening record of violence and lawlessness, of indifference to human suffering, of brutal, fiendish destruction of human life. Every day testifies to the increase of insanity, murder, and suicide. Who can doubt that satanic agencies are at work among men with increasing activity to distract and corrupt the mind, and defile and destroy the body?” The Ministry of Healing, 142, 143. They have stepped back.

We must step fast. “Said the angel, Deny self; ‘ye must step fast.’ Some of us have had time to get the truth and to advance step by step, and every step we have taken has given us strength to take the next. But now time is almost finished, and what we have been years learning, they will have to learn in a few months. They will also have much to unlearn and much to learn again. …” Early Writings, 67.

Heavenly Father: There is no time to step back. No time to turn away from heavenly principles. There is an urgency to step fast. “Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not” (Psalm 17:5). As I step fast, guide my every thought and action so that I will follow Your leading wherever You send me and not step back—even for one moment. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Now or Never

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The following are two statements which we really need to think on as they pertain to our spiritual preparation. Pablo Picasso stated: “Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone” and Benjamin Franklin said: “You may delay, but time will not.”

Today is the day to make our decisions. Tomorrow is not ours and it may never be ours.

  • “It is now that we must keep ourselves and our children unspotted from the world.
  • It is now that we must wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb.
  • It is now that we must overcome pride, passion, and spiritual slothfulness.
  • It is now that we must awake and make determined effort for symmetry of character.

‘Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts’ (Hebrews 3:15). We are in a most trying position, waiting, watching for our Lord’s appearing. The world is in darkness. ‘But ye, brethren,’ says Paul, ‘are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief’ (I Thessalonians 5:4).

  • It is ever God’s purpose to bring light out of darkness,
  • joy out of sorrow, and
  • rest out of weariness for the waiting, longing soul.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 215, 216.

We may stop our spiritual preparations, but time stops for nobody. We may slow down, but the seconds tick on and continue to pass. Are you lagging behind?

“Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will

  • never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. …
  • never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. …
  • never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts.

All who receive the seal must be without spot before God—candidates for heaven.” Ibid., 216.

Think on the things of God today and prepare your heart for life in heaven now. Tomorrow is not yours, but today is. This moment will pass. As it passes, will it be filled with heavenly treasures that will be stored for you? Or, will it be empty and heavy with sorrows and regrets?

Heavenly Father: You have given me this day to do all to Thy glory. Help me to let go of the world and prepare for heaven. Let my thoughts be placed on heavenly things so that I may avoid all sorrows and regrets as time passes. Please continue to remind me that time stops for nobody and that I only have this moment to walk in Thy ways. Amen.