Keys Storehouse

Keys to the Storehouse – Now or Never

by

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.

Keys to the Storehouse – Forgiveness

by

Forgiveness does not create character. Many believe that all they need is to be forgiven and they are ready to go to heaven. Could that belief be wrong? The following may give insight about forgiveness and character.

“In the work of restoring man from sin, there are two distinct phases, which every seeker after this restoration needs to understand very clearly and to distinguish, but which are often too little understood.

“First: Those who come to Christ are given forgiveness for all their past sins upon repentance. After man has repented and been forgiven he is not counted as guilty, but he does not yet have a good character—because forgiveness does not and cannot give character—cannot restore the image of God in man; it can only take away the existing condemnation. Therefore God could not restore the eternal life to those who receive forgiveness only, if they were to develop no character. Such people would only continue disobeying and needing forgiveness. …

“Second: A righteous character is developed through continued obedience—through overcoming. This experience must follow that of forgiveness. This is the proof of the sincerity of the repentance. … It is obedience which develops character. ‘Sanctification is the result of lifelong obedience.’ The Acts of the Apostles, 561. Forgiveness may be the work of a moment, but the development of a character cannot be done that quickly.

‘The precious graces of the Holy Spirit are not developed in a moment. Courage, fortitude, meekness, faith, unwavering trust in God’s power to save, are acquired by the experience of years.’ The Ministry of Healing, 454.

“Therefore in the present probation man is given another opportunity to demonstrate his loyalty to God through obedience.

“The great controversy in heaven between good and evil was transferred to this earth. Satan said that the obedience which God required could not possibly be rendered. And in the first probation given to man (Adam), Satan helped man to depart from obedience; and in the second probation which men now have, he does all he can to make it difficult and impossible for man to return to his obedience.

“And so all down through the ages God has been calling for obedience and helping man to obey, while Satan has been saying it could not be done, and doing all he could to prevent it. The history of the world and the church from that time to this would give the impression that Satan has been more successful than has God.” The Place of Health Reform in Character Development, Julius Gilbert White, 5, 6, Light Bearers “Present Truth” Ministries, 1989.

Ask God to forgive you and then make it a point to demonstrate your loyalty to God through obedience to all of His laws, health laws included. God is waiting for each of us to develop a righteous character. He is waiting for you!

Heavenly Father: What a miracle it is that Jesus died that He might cover our confessed sins and by His continued grace we may perfect a character fit for heaven. The devil is roaring to prevent this miracle so I plead for you to “Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not” (Psalm 17:5). Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Satan, Job and You

by

Our Lord allowed Satan the opportunity to test Job. Read again the first and second chapters of Job so that you may refresh your mind with what happened to Job, because each of us will be tested, as Job was by Satan, as allowed by the Searcher of hearts. Are you ready for the test?

“Of Job, the patriarch of Uz, the testimony of the Searcher of hearts was, ‘There is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil.’

“Against this man, Satan brought scornful charge: ‘Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast Thou not made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? … Put forth Thine hand now, and touch all that he hath;’ ‘touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse Thee to Thy face.’

“The Lord said unto Satan, ‘All that he hath is in thy power.’ ‘Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.’

“Thus permitted, Satan swept away all that Job possessed—flocks and herds, menservants and maidens, sons and daughters; and he ‘smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown’ (Job 1:8–12; 2:5–7).” Education, 155.

Think of Job’s experience as you read the following end time prophecy:

“As Satan accuses the people of God on account of their sins, the Lord permits him to try them to the uttermost. Their confidence in God, their faith and firmness, will be severely tested. As they review the past, their hopes sink; for in their whole lives they can see little good. They are fully conscious of their weakness and unworthiness. Satan endeavors to terrify them with the thought that their cases are hopeless, that the stain of their defilement will never be washed away. He hopes so to destroy their faith that they will yield to his temptations and turn from their allegiance to God.” The Great Controversy, 618.

Do not think that you or any other professed Christian will escape the testing time. No.

  • Satan will accuse us
  • Our Lord will permit Satan to try us to the uttermost
  • Our confidence in God and our faith and firmness will be severely tested

Oh my brothers and sisters, now is the time to build up our faith in Jesus as our Saviour and Redeemer. The testing time coming for each of us will “require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger—a faith that will not faint though severely tried.” Conflict and Courage, 369.

Are you ready? This is the game of eternal life. Satan wants to win the game against you and cause you to lose eternal life, eternal happiness because he has lost the battle. Don’t let him! Stand for God now no matter what earthly comforts you may lose. Now is the day of preparation. Job lost all, but God restored much more than he had lost. Will you let go of this world and stand for God at the loss of all earthly things?

Heavenly Father, Give me the strength now to do what is right, no matter what the cost. I want You to be able to say of me as you said about Job: “There is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil.” This is the desire of my heart. You have promised: “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psalm 37:4). I claim that promise. I choose eternal life with You rather than eternal death with the devil. Help me Lord! Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Is Obedience Necessary?

by

Is it true that no truth is so unimportant that obedience to it is unnecessary? Many will say: “Oh, it is just a little thing! God is forgiving and merciful—He knows our hearts!” Is obedience necessary? Is there really a violation of truth so small that God will overlook it? Would it be heaven if all of the “small” sins were brought in?

We live in a world of people who are brainwashed by media and movies, who watch play-acting on television and copy those things until their lives reflect what they watch. There are so many fake people play-acting that this behavior now seems to be the norm. Sin has become so common that it has become normal behavior. “The traditions of men, like floating germs, attach themselves to the truth of God, and men regard them as a part of the truth.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1094, 1095.

Seriously contemplate on the following:

“There is no truth so small but is worthy to be known, no duty so inconsiderable as to render obedience unnecessary or indifferent. Remember Lot’s wife, who for looking back was turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). Nadab and Abihu were smitten with fire from heaven for offering strange fire (Leviticus 10:1, 2). Achan was destroyed for saving of the spoils against God’s command (Joshua 7:20, 21). King Saul was threatened with the loss of his kingdom for being disobedient to God’s command, ‘for rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry; because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, He hath also rejected thee from being king’ (I Samuel 15:23). And the men of Bethshemesh, for looking into the ark of the Lord, ‘even He smote of the people above fifty thousand’ (I Samuel 6:19). Uzzah was slain for touching the ark of the Lord (I Chronicles 13:10). And the young man’s salvation rendered improbable for not parting with his possessions when commanded by Christ (Matthew 19:21). Ananias and his wife for telling a lie were struck with death (Acts 5:5). These by many are thought to be small sins; yet divine judgment attended these sinners, and it is but just that they who will not obey in little things should be denied a great reward.

“We see no such punishments in our days upon persons profaning the Sabbath. ‘Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil’ (Ecclesiastes 8:11).” Defense of the Sabbath, by George Carlow, 1847, 19, 20. Re-produced by HIS Vine Publishing Association.

Please do not think that any truth from God’s word is so small that it need not be taken seriously. Stand for truth today. Obedience is necessary.

Heavenly Father: The world around me has become so normal in my eyes that I have slipped and joined that which I thought was good but found it was drawing me away into thoughtlessness and little sins. Forgive me. Restore unto me spiritual eyesight that I may discern the devil’s floating germs in which the whole world has become entwined, allowing approval of little sins. I choose to serve You in truth and not serve the world in tradition. Please give me spiritual discernment and grace. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Angel Messenger

by

Are you one of those persons the word of God calls an angel? One meaning from the 1828 Webster’s dictionary is: “Literally, a messenger; one employed to communicate news or information from one person to another …”

“To prepare human beings for this event [Christ’s second coming], He has sent the first, second, and third angels’ messages. These angels represent those who receive the truth, and with power open the gospel to the world.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 978, 979.

The first angel said, “Fear God, and give glory to Him …” (Revelation 14:7). Is that angel you? You will know whether you are that angel by what you are thinking and doing. “To give glory to God is to reveal His character in our own, and thus make Him known.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 979.

Does your life reveal God’s character? “If the thoughts are wrong, the feelings will be wrong; and the thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 310. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). What fruits are we talking about? “… love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance …” (Galatians 5:22, 23). Those who truly embrace the truth and allow it to become part of their lives will bear these fruits which will flow through them and touch the people around them. All are called to be an angel with a special message from the heavenly courts.

“I saw a number of companies that seemed to be bound together by cords. Many in these companies were in total darkness; their eyes were directed downward to the earth, and there seemed to be no connection between them and Jesus. But scattered through these different companies were persons whose countenances looked light, and whose eyes were raised to heaven. Beams of light from Jesus, like rays from the sun, were imparted to them. … I heard the voice of an angel cry, ‘Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come’ (Revelation 14:7).

[Are you that angel crying to others: “Fear God and give glory to Him” by your actions and words? Have you so broken ties with the world around you that Jesus Christ is first in every area of your life?]

“A glorious light then rested down upon these companies, to enlighten all who would receive it. Some of those who were in darkness received the light and rejoiced. Others resisted the light from heaven, saying that it was sent to lead them astray. The light passed away from them, and they were left in darkness.” Early Writings, 240.

Live up to your high calling! Be the Lord’s messenger and take your position now! “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory [His character] shall be seen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:1, 2).

Heavenly Father: Help me to be one of those angels bearing the last message to a fallen world. I want to embrace all of the truth which You have shared with me that it may shine unto others through my actions and demeanor. Please allow Your glory to shine in and through me this day. Use me Father for I choose to be Your angel with Your last message to this perishing world. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Get Past Those Frustrations!

by

To strive means to make an earnest effort with deep heartfelt words and actions. Strive to get past frustrations.

Jesus said, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate …” (Luke 13:24). This gate is narrow, and many times it will contain difficulties and distresses. “A strait gate means a gate difficult to enter. … how hard it is for men and women to leave the world and the attractions it holds, and heartily and lovingly obey the commandments of God. The wide gate is easy to enter. Entrance through it does not call for the restrictions which are painful to the human heart. Self-denial and self-sacrifice are not seen in the broad way. There depraved appetite and natural inclinations find abundant room. There may be seen self-indulgence, pride, envy, evil surmisings, love of money, self-exaltation.” That I May Know Him, 304.

Strive to get past the frustrations of this world of pride, envy, jealousy, and similar faults.

“The belated traveler, hurrying to reach the city gate by the going down of the sun, could not turn aside for any attractions by the way. His whole mind was bent on the one purpose of entering the gate. The same intensity of purpose, said Jesus, is required in the Christian life. …

“The Christian life is a battle and a march. But the victory to be gained is not won by human power. The field of conflict is the domain of the heart. The battle which we have to fight—the greatest battle that was ever fought by man—is the surrender of self to the will of God, the yielding of the heart to the sovereignty of love. … The hereditary tendencies, the former habits, must be given up.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 141.

“Strive by prayer without ceasing. At all times, in all places, lift up your heart to God. Give Him no rest till you, like the psalmist, ‘awake with God’s likeness’ (Psalm 17:15) and are satisfied with it.

“Strive to enter in at the narrow gate. Strive, not only by this agony of soul, of conviction, of sorrow, of shame, of desire, of fear, of unceasing prayer.

“Strive, likewise, by putting in order all your conversation, your whole life, by walking with all your strength in all the ways of God—the way of innocence, of piety, and of mercy. Shun all the appearance of evil. Do all possible good to all people. Deny your own will in all things, and take up your cross daily.

“Be ready to cut off everything that would hinder, and to cast it from you. Be ready and willing to suffer the loss of possessions, of friends, of health—of all things on earth—so you may enter into the kingdom of heaven.” The Best of John Wesley on Prayer, 17, 2007 by Barbour Publishing, Inc. [Emphasis added.]

Strive today! Make that earnest effort today to walk with God. Soon it will be too late to strive. The invitation to walk with God will cease. Strive now!

Heavenly Father: Give me the courage right now to make that earnest effort to be in your kingdom, to strive with all of my heart and soul and to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). There is no future here. Through Jesus you have reserved in heaven my inheritance. Please keep me in the narrow way, out of the worldly stressors and in Thy presence where my peace may be found and my heavenly future secured. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Why Trials?

by

Have you noticed that the true character of a person comes out during a period of stress or trial? Many have watched the character of a professed Christian crumble under trial. We would never know what was truly in our hearts unless God allowed a trial, or test, to come upon us. In I Peter 1:7 we are told: “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

Pray that when a trial comes upon you, you will recognize that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Pray that your actions and reactions will reflect the character of our Saviour and not the character of the usurper of this world. We do not know what is in our hearts until we are tested.

Pray for that test or trial, so you may know and understand what is really in your heart. Pray for the Lord to disclose what is really in the heart. There is no way for us to know when we are under the control of the devil unless something happens that brings forth our real character. We are told:

“Christ desires nothing so much as to redeem His heritage from the dominion of Satan. But before we are delivered from Satan’s power without, we must be delivered from his power within.

  • The Lord permits trials in order that we may be cleansed from earthliness, from selfishness, from harsh, unchristlike traits of character.
  • He suffers the deep waters of affliction to go over our souls in order that we may know Him and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, in order that we may have deep heart longings to be cleansed from defilement, and may come forth from the trial purer, holier, happier.

“Often we enter the furnace of trial with our souls darkened with selfishness; but if patient under the crucial test, we shall come forth reflecting the divine character. …” Christ’s Object Lessons, 174, 175. [Emphasis added.]

Pray moment by moment that the Lord will keep your heart no matter what kind of trial comes. “There is no danger that the Lord will neglect the prayers of His people. The danger is that in temptation and trial they will become discouraged, and fail to persevere in prayer.” Ibid.

Pray for a character that will draw others to the Saviour! Remember to persevere! Those trials “… are not worthy to be compared with the eternal weight of glory awaiting the overcomer. They are God’s workmen, ordained for the perfection of character. However great the deprivation and suffering of the Christian, however dark and inscrutable may seem the way of Providence, he is to rejoice in the Lord, knowing that all is working for his good.” The Review and Herald, May 6, 1902.

Father: Try me that I may see what my real self is like. Try me that I may see and repent of my shortcomings. Try me that I may come forth as gold tried in the furnace after it has done its work on my heart and removed all of the devil’s control within me. I want to be saved and not stuck with self and aligned with the devil and lose eternal life. Oh, help Lord! Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Out of Egypt

by

It is interesting to note that many people, when quoting the first commandment, leave off the prior verse. In fact, quoting Exodus 20:2 first would give many an understanding of verse 3 which says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

The Lord has brought us “out of Egypt” and we do not want to return. “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage” (Exodus 20:2). Have you ever considered the kind of bondage in which you were ensnared while all the time thinking you were free? This world is full of attractions that bind the unsuspecting to its whirlwind of never-ending, time-consuming activities which, in themselves may not be that bad, but which pull your thoughts away from the heavenly attractions. It is the goal of the god of this world to attract people’s thoughts away from the God of heaven!

“Many who should be setting their tents nearer to the land of Canaan are pitching their camp nearer to Egypt. They are not living in the light of the Sun of Righteousness. Many attend places of amusement to gratify the taste, but no spiritual strength is gained by so doing, and you will find yourself on the losing side. To encourage the love of amusement is to discourage the love of religious exercises, for the heart becomes so crowded with trifling, with what is pleasing to the natural heart, that there is no room for Jesus. …” That I May Know Him, 307.

God does not want you to slip back to Egypt—back into bondage! “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1–3).

The God of heaven has rescued us from the land of Egypt—the world, the house of bondage. When God brought His people out of Egypt, He asked them to follow Him, to give Him glory and worship. We can become so used to following the Egyptians, the world, their ways and habits that we continue to fall back. The question to ask ourselves is, “Are we still in Egypt and following her ways?”

Ask God to open your eyes that you may see where your heart is tending, toward the world’s ways or toward heaven’s ways. Many are steadily retreating toward Egypt. “Instead of going forward to perfection, they are going back to the darkness and bondage of Egypt. Their minds are not exercised unto godliness and true holiness.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 123.

“Let it be the ambition of those who profess to believe present truth, to be written as men whose lives are hid with Christ in God, men whom gold cannot buy, who though tempted as was Moses, like him, esteemed the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, 97.

Heavenly Father: Take my heart and keep it focused on following You. I do not want to be in bondage to the world’s activities and ways. You have brought me out of the house of bondage and have given me freedom through Jesus. Please give me the grace not to return to the attractions and whirlwind of this world. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Just a Little

by

When I was in grade school, my mother worked and I was home alone after school. During those times I would search the house just to see what Mom and Dad had. Wow, did I find something awesome! I found my mother’s gallon dime jar in her closet. I had never seen so many dimes in one place. I was just awed. I decided that Mom would not miss a few dimes and so I decided to use a few of them. Every day I would take just a few dimes and I would stop at the little market while walking home from school and buy some Fritos and pop! I thought I was in “dime heaven.” What I did not realize was that Mom’s jar was slowly going down and that judgment was about to come—and it did! Oh I felt so bad, but the damage was done. Of course, Mom forgave me, but it was a lesson that I never forgot.

I tell this story because that is how it is when we do things that we know to be wrong but do them anyway because nobody sees us. But Somebody is watching and is saddened by our actions and is writing in the books of heaven all about it. There is one that is very happy about our actions because he, Satan, put the thought into our minds. We simply followed his bidding and because of that we will end up with him, out of heaven, unless we repent and turn from wrong.

It is good to remain loyal to God. Why? Because our “… capacity to know, to enjoy, and to love would continually increase.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 51.

God has warned us as He warned Adam and Eve of the danger that threatens us! Satan does not want you to be obedient and walk with God. His disobedience cost him the joy of heaven and he wants you to follow him.

“To man, the crowning work of creation, God has given power to understand His requirements, to comprehend the justice and beneficence of His law, and its sacred claims upon him; and of man unswerving obedience is required.

“Like the angels, the dwellers in Eden had been placed upon probation; their happy estate could be retained only on condition of fidelity to the Creator’s law. They could obey and live, or disobey and perish.” Ibid., 52 53.

“But should they once yield to temptation, their nature would become so depraved that in themselves they would have no power and no disposition to resist Satan.” Ibid., 53.

When our hearts are devoid of the love of God and His ways, our enemy finds access and leads us to follow his evil ways causing hurt to ourselves and others.

Close those doors that give Satan access. Continually fill your mind with Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy which will put a block on the devil’s suggestions. Remember, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Heavenly Father: I am so sorry for following the devil’s impressions. Help me to think on heavenly things at all times, according to Philippians 4:8 so that the devil will not be able to lead me into things that will keep me out of my heavenly home which you have prepared for me. Please set my affections only on heavenly things and not on the things of this earth. Remind me always that even a little will hurt—eternally! Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – All Things Considered

by

You and I are walking in the presence of the Judge of the whole earth! “… all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13).

Have you considered what the “all things” consist of? Let’s look at a little list that is among the “all things” being viewed by the Judge:

  • Our words
  • Our plans
  • Our meditations
  • The motives of our hearts

“The case of every individual worker is registered in Heaven. Let us consider this.

  • Do we want our light and frivolous remarks heard in the presence of angels and before God?
  • Do we want the words of pride, that exhibit self, left on the books to condemn us in the Judgment?
  • Do we want our plans for self-exaltation written in the unerring records?

Let us ever remember that the Lord, who gave His life for us, is watching with intense interest our course of life, and that angels are witnessing our ways. Seek that singleness of purpose that will lead us to glorify God, and not self. Oh, that each might say when tempted, as did our Lord, ‘The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me’ (John 14:30). …” The Signs of the Times, March 23, 1888.

What will be considered in your case? Will your words, your plans, your meditations give glory to the God of heaven or the god of this world. O that you and I could say as did our Lord, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”

“Angels will be commissioned to guard you from the devices of the adversary, and to minister to all your needs. And the object of all this abundant solicitude must, on his part, [A] depart from all iniquity, and perfect holiness in the fear of God. [B] He must watch and pray. [C] He must fight the good fight of faith, [D] resist the devil that he may flee from him, and [E] endure hardness as a good soldier of the cross of Christ. He has to wage a constant conflict with unseen foes, and only through Christ can he come off victorious. He must cultivate courage to surmount the difficulties obstructing his pathway, and build up a character of integrity and virtue, representing to the world the character of his Redeemer. …

“We need to be refined, cleansed from all earthliness, till we reflect the image of our Saviour, and become ‘partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust’ (2 Peter 1:4). Then we shall delight to do the will of God, and Christ can own us before the Father and before the holy angels as those who abide in Him, and He will not be ashamed to call us brethren.” Ibid.

Heavenly Father: Thank you for the angels You have commissioned to guide me. I need Your grace to keep my words, my plans, my thoughts on the heavenly and not on the worldly. I do not want to walk with the god of this world. I do not want You to be ashamed of me. Help me to fight the good fight of faith and resist the devil in all areas of my life. Amen.