Keys Storehouse

Keys to the Storehouse – Broken or Crushed

by

Being broken sounds terrible but it would be much worse to be crushed.

“To those who believe, Christ is the sure foundation. These are they who fall upon the Rock and are broken. Submission to Christ and faith in Him are here represented. To fall upon the Rock and be broken is to give up our self-righteousness and to go to Christ with the humility of a child, repenting of our transgressions, and believing in His forgiving love. And so also it is by faith and obedience that we build on Christ as our foundation. …

“This is the only foundation upon which we may securely build. It is broad enough for all, and strong enough to sustain the weight and burden of the whole world. And by connection with Christ, the living stone, all who build upon this foundation become living stones. Many persons are by their own endeavors hewn, polished, and beautified; but they cannot become ‘living stones’ (I Peter 2:4), because they are not connected with Christ. Without this connection, no man can be saved. Without the life of Christ in us, we cannot withstand the storms of temptation. Our eternal safety depends upon our building upon the sure foundation. Multitudes are today building upon foundations that have not been tested.” The Desire of Ages, 599.

What does it mean to fall on the Rock and be broken? To fall on the Rock, as gleaned from above, is to

  • Yield submission to Christ
  • Have faith in Him
  • Give up self-righteousness
  • Go to Christ with the humility of a child
  • Repent of transgressions
  • Believe in His forgiving love
  • By faith and obedience build on Christ, “the sure foundation”
  • Become living stones

The Jews were destroyed by the Rock. Why?

“And on ‘whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder’ (Matthew 21:44). The people who rejected Christ were soon to see their city and their nation destroyed. Their glory would be broken, and scattered as the dust before the wind. And what was it that destroyed the Jews? It was the rock which, had they built upon it, would have been their security.

  • It was the goodness of God despised,
  • the righteousness spurned,
  • the mercy slighted.
  • Men set themselves in opposition to God, and all that would have been their salvation was turned to their destruction.

All that God ordained unto life they found to be unto death. In the Jews’ crucifixion of Christ was involved the destruction of Jerusalem. The blood shed upon Calvary was the weight that sank them to ruin for this world and for the world to come.” Ibid., 600.

Father: The Jews crucified Jesus, Thine only begotten Son, and were crushed. I know that by every sin, Jesus is wounded afresh and I do not want to be guilty as were the Jews. I repent of my transgressions and by faith and obedience fall upon the Rock Christ Jesus to be broken so that He can restore the pieces of my life and mold me into a living stone for His temple.

Keys to the Storehouse – Exercising the Faith Muscle

by

In your attempt to be strong, are you exercising the right muscle? In the spiritual realm we are to exercise the courage of faith. As the muscles in our bodies need to be exercised, so our spiritual muscles are to be exercised, specifically our “ faith muscle ” and not our “doubt muscle.”

  1. When surrounded by an enemy army, numberless as the sands of the sea, Gideon’s army of 300 shouted, “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon” (Judges 7:18, 20). The faith muscle was exercised.
  2. Joshua’s men shouted victory against walls absolutely impregnable (see Joshua 6). Again, the faith muscle was exercised.
  3. Paul and Silas, chained in the prison, sang faith at the midnight hour, and were immediately delivered (see Acts 16). The faith muscle was exercised.
  4. Spies were sent into the land of Canaan and ten came home talking doubt. They exercised the wrong muscle, the “doubt muscle” instead of the “faith muscle” and they perished. The two remaining spies that exercised their “faith muscle” received the fulfillment of God’s promise (see Numbers chapters 13, 14).

God works through and rewards those who exercise the “faith muscle.” Faith will never increase unless it is put to the test, so “exercise! exercise! exercise!”

“We dishonor God when we do not go forth from the dark cellar of doubts into the upper chamber of hope and faith. When the Light shineth in all its brightness,

  • let us take hold on Jesus Christ by the mighty hand of faith. [Exercise that faith muscle.]
  • No longer cultivate your doubts by expressing them and pouring them into other minds, and thus becoming an agent of Satan to sow the seeds of doubt. [Refuse to exercise that doubt muscle.]
  • Talk faith, live faith, cultivate love to God; evidence to the world all that Jesus is to you. Magnify His holy name. Tell of His goodness; talk of His mercy; and tell of His power.” Christ Triumphant, 127.
  • Exercise that “faith muscle”—sing faith and talk faith—let it swell!

“You have to talk faith, you have to live faith, you have to act faith, that you may have an increase of faith. Exercising that living faith, you will grow to strong men and women in Christ Jesus.” Faith and Works, 78.

Don’t use that doubt muscle. “The more you dwell upon discouragement, talking to others about your trials and enlarging upon them, to enlist the sympathy which you crave, the more discouragements and trials you will have. Why mourn over that which you cannot avoid?” In Heavenly Places, 247.

Those who talk faith and cultivate faith will have a strong faith muscle. Those who cherish and express doubts will have a strong doubt muscle. Which muscle group are you strengthening? Your actions and words will answer that question.

Look away from circumstances and look to God (II Corinthians 4:18). Daily exercise that faith muscle!

We are told: “He will teach them to exercise the courage of faith. He will make them strong by uniting their weakness to His might, wise by connecting their ignorance with His wisdom.” The Signs of the Times, June 23, 1881.

Father: I am astounded at how You were able to work through the faith that was exercised by Gideon, Joshua, Paul, Silas and many more. My faith muscle is in need of a lot more exercise. Teach me to exercise the courage of faith by uniting my weakness to Your might. Inspire me to talk, live and act faith. I want my “doubt muscle” to shrink and my “faith muscle” to grow in leaps and bounds. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Go Forward–Never Backward

by

Many times in our busy lives we forget about Lot’s wife, who also was very busy—so busy that her affections, instead of being directed toward God, were tied with silken cords of affection to people and things.

“The angels of God visited Sodom to bring forth Lot that he should not perish in the overthrow of the city. They bade him bring his family, his wife, and the sons and daughters who had married in wicked Sodom, and they told him to flee from the place …

“And Lot went out and warned his children. … But he seemed to his sons-in-law as one who mocked. … They had great possessions, and could not believe it possible that beautiful Sodom, in a rich and fertile country, would be destroyed by the wrath of a sin-avenging God.

“Lot returned sorrowfully to the angels, and repeated the story of his failure. Then the angels commanded him to arise, and take his wife, and the two daughters who were yet in his house and leave the city. But Lot was sad; the thought of leaving his children and his wife, for she refused to go without them, almost broke his heart. They would all have perished in the terrible ruin of Sodom, had not the Lord, in His great mercy, sent his angels to the rescue.

“Lot was paralyzed by the great calamity about to occur; he was stupefied with grief at the thought of leaving all that he held dear on earth. But as he lingered, the angels of God laid hold upon his hand, and the hands of his wife and two daughters, and brought them out of the city …

“Lot pleaded to remain; he distrusted God. Living in the wicked city had weakened his faith and confidence in the justice of the Lord. … He was continually pleading for himself, and this unbelief caused the destruction of his wife.

“She looked back to Sodom, murmuring against the dealings of God, and was changed to a pillar of salt, that she might stand as a warning to all those who disregard the special mercies and providences of Heaven. After this terrible retribution, Lot no longer dared to linger by the way, but fled into the mountains, according to the directions of the angels.

“The case of Lot should be a warning to all those who wish to live a godly life, to separate themselves from all influences calculated to lead them away from God” (see Genesis 19). The Review and Herald, November 14, 1882. [Emphasis added.]

Though Lot’s wife was led out of the city by angels, the city was still in her heart. As she longed for that which she had left behind, she looked back one last time and it cost her her life. Would you, like Lot, be stupefied with grief or look back as did his wife leaving behind your possessions at the command of the Lord? Ask God to search your heart right now. Pray: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23, 24.

Remember Lot’s wife. Go forward!

“There can be no compromise between God and the world, no turning back to secure earthly treasures.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 167.

Heavenly Father: You have said to me: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above … 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. Give me strength to look forward toward heaven and not back to the things of this earth. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – The Circuit of Beneficence

by

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

by

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!

by

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

by

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

by

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 …”

by

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!

by

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.