Question

Ask the Pastor – Archaeology and the Bible

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Question:

Have the discoveries of archaeology verified the reliability of the Bible, or are we still to take the Bible only on faith?

Answer:

Over the centuries, there have been many criticisms brought against the Bible concerning its historical reliability. These criticisms are usually based on a lack of evidence from outside sources to confirm the biblical record. Since the Bible is a religious book, many scholars take the position that it is self-endorsing and cannot be trusted unless there is some kind of validating evidence from non-biblical sources. In other words, the Bible is always questioned unless proven reliable, and, as a result, a lack of outside evidence places the biblical account in doubt.

This standard seems to be really different from that applied to other ancient writings, even though many of them, if not most, have a religious element. They are considered to be accurate, unless there is evidence to show that they are not. Although it is not possible to verify every inci-dent in the Bible, the discoveries of archaeology since the mid-1800s have revealed the reliability and trustworthiness of the Bible narrative. Following are some examples: The discovery of the Ebla archive in Northern Syria in the 1970s has revealed that the Bible’s story about the Patriarchs is true. These documents, written on clay tablets from around the year 2300 b.c., demonstrate that personal names and places in the Genesis account are genuine. The name Canaan was in use in Ebla—a name critics once said was not used at that time and was used incorrectly in the early chapters of the Bible. The word tehom (“the deep”), in Genesis 1:2, was said to be a late word demonstrating the late writing of the creation story. However, it has been found that it was part of the vocabulary at Ebla and was in use some 800 years before Moses. Ancient customs reflected in the stories of the Patriarchs in Genesis have also been found in clay tablets from Nuzi and Mari.

The Hittites were once thought to be a biblical legend, until their capital and records were discovered at Bogazkoy, Turkey. Many thought the biblical references to Solomon’s wealth were greatly exaggerated. But recovered records from the past show that the king indeed was extremely wealthy and that indeed his prosperity was as the Bible said. It was once claimed there was no Assyrian king named Sargon, as recorded in Isaiah 20:1, because this name was not known in any other record. Then, Sargon’s palace was discovered in Khorsabad, Iraq. The very event mentioned in Isaiah 20, his capture of Ashdod, was recorded on the palace walls. In addition to this, fragments of a stela memorializing the victory were found at Ashdod itself.

Another king who was in doubt was Belshazzar, the king of Babylon named in Daniel 5. The last king of Babylon in recorded history was Nabonidus. But tablets have been found showing that Belshazzar was Nabonidus’ son who served as coregent in Babylon. Again the Bible record comes through by showing that Belshazzar could in fact offer to make Daniel the third highest ruler in the kingdom for reading the handwriting on the wall. (Daniel 5:16.)

These are only a few of the many accounts of the Bible that have been verified by the archeological spade of time. If you are ever tempted to question the accuracy and truth of the Bible, just remember that it has been tested and questioned over the centuries, and has passed every test brought upon it. Because Jesus said, “I am coming again,” we can have full confidence that He will, based upon the trustworthiness of His Word.

Pastor Mike Baugher is a retired minister of the gospel. If you have a question you would like Pastor Mike to answer, e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org, or mail it to: LandMarks, Steps to Life, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.

Ask the Pastor – Hatred

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Question:

I have a problem with hatred. I have gained the victory over anger, for the most part, but I have a real problem with hatred. Is there any help for me at my old age?

Answer:

Hatred and anger are very closely related to each other. Usually the same circumstance will give rise to both of these emotions. We can define them differently by using the word anger or hatred, but they really arise from the same center of our being. Anger and hatred arise because of what someone does or says—either what we do to ourselves or what someone does or says to us or about us. Both of these can be overcome completely through the grace and power of God.

What we need to work on, by faith, is our perspective of what is happening. While we are to hate sin, we are to love the sinner, so we must change our perspective from the sinner to the sin. If the sinner makes us angry and we hate him, we are not working within the will of God. Leviticus 19:17 tells us that, “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart.” There is an opposite side to this, and that is hating evil. We can hate evil because we love the Lord. “Ye that love the Lord, hate evil.” Psalm 97:10.

The interesting thing about all of this is that we are never commanded to hate the devil! We are to hate the evil and the sin, but not bring it into a personalized form. That places us in a position where we begin to judge a person’s motives and heart. “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.” Romans 2:1.

So, if we can come to understand things this far, then the next step in getting over hatred is to understand 11 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This is a transition that comes through faith. The New Testament makes it very clear that the burden of our life now becomes one of faith overshadowed by the grace of God that then moves us into an ever-changing pattern of living. This can only come through faith. It cannot come through any effort of our own in trying to overcome either anger or hatred. The more we exercise faith—which comes by hearing the Word—the more we become changed.

I know that this all seems like a lot of platitudes that sound good, but that do not really work. This is really not the case. If faith, which can bring change in the life, did not work, then the Christian way would have died out a long time ago. But because faith does work and it has been experienced by hundreds of millions over the centuries, Christianity survives today. The forces of evil try in every way possible to make of non-effect the Word of God, but it lives on. It is the continuous exercise of faith that counts and gives the victory. God has not left us to fall. He has promised to keep us from falling, which includes hatred of any kind and anger of any kind. “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy . . . .” Jude 24. Faith is that element which is able to make the spirit of forgiveness a workable commodity in the life. Forgiveness can take the anger and the hatred away and still leave life with meaning in the Lord, which is the only thing that makes life meaningful anyway.

Pastor Mike Baugher is a retired minister of the gospel. If you have a question you would like Pastor Mike to answer, e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org, or mail it to: LandMarks, Steps to Life, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.

Question – Must We Stop Sinning Now?

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Question:

Must we stop sinning and be perfect now?

Answer:

Sin is an intruder. It is such a deceitful and insidious evil that often it is not recognized for what it really is. It stuck its ugly head into God’s perfect kingdom and wanted to take over the government. It caused confusion and trouble in heaven and, eventually, war.

The end result of sin is destruction and death. God, as the source of all life, knew the ultimate end of sin, and He had to deal with it. His goal is to rid the universe of sin, but He had a great problem. His created beings did not understand the consequence of sin.

In order to get rid of a problem, one must recognize that there is a problem. Therefore, with much pain and patience God has dealt with sin for centuries. God’s goal will eventually be realized.

This earth is the devil’s strong- hold, and he has claimed it as his domain ever since he caused Adam and Eve to sin. Even Jesus called the devil the prince of this earth when He said to His disciples, just before His crucifixion, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” John 12:31. In Revelation 12:9, Jesus tells us that the devil is deceptive.

To rid the earth of sin is a very difficult, expensive, and painful process, for God cannot lie, but the devil uses lying and deceit all the time. Even the angels in heaven could not fully understand the problem until Jesus went through the cruel trial and endured the scourging and death on the cross. The whole universe, except the inhabitants of this earth, understood the problem at that time. Now the Lord has to deal with humanity and let sin reign until human beings can understand the problem of sin and no longer want anything to do with it.

In love to man, God devised a plan whereby man could be saved from sin, whereby the blood of Jesus Christ could free man from sin and the results of sin. God could have just wiped Satan and his followers from the earth, but that would not have explained the problem to the other inhabitants of the universe. And until they all understood, there was always the danger of it happening again. When sin is once done away with, it shall not happen again. We are told in Nahum 1:9 that “affliction shall not rise up the second time.”

Must we stop sinning and be perfect now? Yes! The Bible states, in Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” And, in Romans 12:2, we are told: “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” This means that we must be changed—transformed—into the character of Christ before He comes. We cannot do this by ourselves, for we can do nothing by ourselves to be saved. This transformation can only be done with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Since sin is going to be utterly destroyed and God is not going to allow sin to enter heaven, if we cling to sin, we will reap the results of sin. But praise God, Jesus died to give us the power to overcome sin. We need that power, because we are told, in Romans 3:23, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” But we are given the assurance that “by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Romans 5:17–19.)”

If you have a Bible question you would like answered, e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org, or mail it to: LandMarks, Steps to Life, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.

Question – Is there such a thing as an instant conversion?

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Question:

Is there such a thing as an instant conversion?

Answer:

What is an instant conversion? The word conversion means, “an experience associated with a definite and decisive adoption of religion.” It means that you change, you do a U-turn and go a different direction. It takes some people longer to change their minds than others. After the mind is changed, then the way of life has to be reeducated to the change; the old habits have to be forsaken and replaced with new habits, which often takes a period of time. But, when you talk about an instant conversion, you are usually talking about the time when the decision is made to follow the Lord.

An example of an instant conversion given in the Bible is of the thief on the cross. Such a conversion is sometimes called a deathbed conversion or an instant conversion. Let us look at what the Spirit of Prophecy has to say about this. Speaking of the thief on the cross, Ellen White wrote: “He had seen and heard Jesus, and had been convicted by His teaching, but he had been turned away from Him by the priests and rulers.” The Desire of Ages, 749.

So, actually, we might ask, Did the thief on the cross have an instant conversion? or was it the result of previous wooing by the Holy Spirit? Whatever the case, when it was brought about, it happened instantly.

We do not deny that there are people who are converted instantly, when they suddenly see and hear Christianity for the first time and see that it is something better than they have ever before known. But this is very rare. Usually the individual has heard the truth, read a book, had some Christian contact or other Christian influences, such as a grandparent, parents, or other relatives who were Christians. But these influences did not take hold previously. Then, when the truth is brought to the person’s mind in a meeting, a conversation, or through some irregularity happening in the life, it causes the person to give his or her heart to the Lord. He or she makes a sudden turn around, which may be called an instant conversion, because it happens so quickly, but it is actually the result of previous experiences and truths that the person had before heard.

Conversion is not just something that happens when you first give your heart to the Lord. Conversion needs to take place every day. Paul said, “I die daily.” 1 Corinthians 15:31. Jesus said, “If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23.

The Lord is longsuffering and merciful, not willing that any should perish. (11 Peter 3:9.) He bears long with the sinner, and the Holy Spirit pleads with the person until he either submits his heart to the Lord or turns to his own way, and his heart is too hard to impress anymore. At that time, the Lord leaves the individual to the result of his own choices. If he chooses to follow the Lord, the Holy Spirit abides with him, and he is given spiritual guidance and protection. If he chooses to follow his own inclinations, he is left to follow his own decisions and to reap the results of his own mistakes.

The Spirit of Prophecy informs us that, “Some among the redeemed will have laid hold of Christ in the last hours of life, and in heaven instruction will be given to those who, when they died, did not understand perfectly the plan of salvation. Christ will lead the redeemed ones beside the river of life, and will open to them that which while on this earth they could not understand.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 262.

If you have a Bible question you would like answered, e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org, or mail it to: LandMarks, Steps to Life, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.

Question – Scriptural Contradiction?

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Question:

John 1:18 says, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].” But Exodus 33:11 says, “The Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.” Are these texts contradictory?

Answer:

God did speak to Moses on more than one occasion. Read, for example, Numbers 12:6–8 and Exodus 24:9–11; compare John 9:29. In these passages, we see that God communicated directly with Moses, who was the leader of God’s people, and also with Aaron, his two sons, and the 70 elders of Israel. We also know that Moses was in direct communication with God when he received the Ten Commandments. It is also recorded that God spoke to Abraham. (See Exodus 6:3.)

We may begin to understand how all this is possible from Jesus’ response when Phillip said to Him, “Show us the Father.” John 14:8. Jesus’ answer is recorded in verses 9 and 10. From these verses, we may understand that Jesus represents the Father, and Jesus is God. So when it says that God spoke to Moses or to Abraham, we may understand that it was Jesus, for no man has seen God at any time.

Ellen White has explained this seeming contradiction very well: “Since the sin of our first parents, there has been no direct communication between God and man. The Father has given the world into the hands of Christ, that through His mediatorial work He may redeem man and vindicate the authority and holiness of the law of God. All the communion between heaven and the fallen race has been through Christ. It was the Son of God that gave to our first parents the promise of redemption. It was He who revealed Himself to the patriarchs. . . . It was He who gave the law to Israel. Amid the awful glory of Sinai, Christ declared in the hearing of all the people the ten precepts of His Father’s law. It was He who gave to Moses the law engraved upon the tables of stone.” God’s Amazing Grace, 43.

“I have often seen the lovely Jesus, that he is a person. I asked him if his Father was a person, and had a form like himself. Said Jesus, ‘I am in the express image of my Father’s Person.’ ” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, 74.

“Those who realize the greatness and majesty of God, will take His name on their lips with holy awe. He dwelleth in light unapproachable; no man can see Him and live.” Early Writings, 122.

At the present time, angels behold the Father’s face, but we cannot. However, the time is coming when, as a result of the plan of salvation, all the redeemed of the Lord, because they have been restored to perfect holiness, will be able to see and openly communicate with both the Father and the Son.

“There is the New Jerusalem, the metropolis of the glorified new earth. . . .

“The people of God are privileged to hold open communion with the Father and the Son. ‘Now we see through a glass, darkly.’ 1 Corinthians 13:12. We behold the image of God reflected, as in a mirror, in the works of nature and in His dealings with men; but then we shall see Him face to face, without a dimming veil between. We shall stand in His presence, and behold the glory of His countenance.” The Faith I Live By, 363.

If you have a Bible question you would like answered, e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org, or mail it to: LandMarks, Steps to Life, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.

Question & Answer – What is an experimental religion?

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Having a personal experience:

“There is an element in the church at ______ that is detrimental to its spiritual interests. There is a great want of vital godliness, of experimental religion. I call no names. Let each search his own heart and understand his own imperfections. There are some who are ever leaning toward the world, ever lowering the standard of religion by their worldly conversation. They have not the love of God in their hearts. They are weak-handed when real help is needed in the church. This spiritual weakness is the result of their own unwillingness to bear burdens when and where they can help the most. When, however, there is any plan or device of their own to carry out, they are willing to assume any responsibility; to have their own way is their purpose. If that were a sanctified way, it would not be so bad; but it is not.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 114.

“Experience is knowledge derived from experiment. Experimental religion is what is needed now. … 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 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.

“To become a disciple of Christ is to deny self and follow Jesus through evil as well as good report. … Every darling indulgence that hinders our religious life must be cut off. … Will we put forth efforts and make sacrifices proportionate to the worth of the object to be attained?

“Every association we form, however limited, exerts some influence upon us. The extent to which we yield to that influence will be determined by the degree of intimacy, the constancy of the intercourse, and our love and veneration for the one with whom we associate. Thus by acquaintance and association with Christ we may become like Him, the one faultless Example.” Maranatha, 74.

Note: Although Sister White used the word “experimental,” we would more commonly use the word “experiential” today. Since Sister White’s time, “experimental” has acquired a connotation that implies untested or not yet settled or finalized.

Question – Is health reform really a part of the Gospel?

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Question

Is health reform really a part of the Gospel?

Answer

The principles of how to live healthfully are given to us to be a blessing. Is there anyone who really enjoys being sick or not feeling well or being in real pain and misery, which many times ends in premature death? “Only one lease of life is granted us; and the inquiry with every one should be, ‘How can I invest my powers so that they may yield the greatest profit? How can I do most for the glory of God and the benefit of my fellow men?’ For life is valuable only as it is used for the attainment of these ends.” Counsels on Health, 107.

The object of health reform is not just to give us better health, but to promote happiness, to give us clearer minds with which to think, and to prepare us for the heavenly kingdom. It is given in love for the human race that we might develop a character like that of Jesus.

From the very beginning of time here on this earth, Satan has been an enemy of God. The best way that he can fight against Him is to gain control of the human race. In the book Temperance, written by Ellen White, she states: “Satan is constantly on the alert to bring the race fully under his control. His strongest hold on man is through the appetite, and this he seeks to stimulate in every possible way.” Ibid., 13.

On the contrary, Christ is seeking the human race to become the subjects of heaven to be under the kingdom of God. He is seeking to help them to learn to be like Himself, which is the only way to true life and happiness. To do this we must learn to obey His rules and live like Him. One of the first things that Jesus did when He came to save us was to fast 40 days in the wilderness to gain strength to give us the power to overcome the temptation of appetite.

“We have been redeemed by a costly ransom. Only by the greatness of this ransom can we conceive of its results. On this earth, the earth whose soil has been moistened by the tears and the blood of the Son of God, are to be brought forth the precious fruits of Paradise. In the lives of God’s people the truths of His word are to reveal their glory and excellence. Through His people Christ is to manifest His character and the principles of His kingdom.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 296.

So, now, since we have the power of choice, we may choose to have Satan’s diet or the diet that has been chosen for us by our Heavenly Father. The results of our choice we must accept.

The Gospel includes the good news that Jesus is coming again to take us home to heaven. It is the instruction as to how to prepare for our heavenly home, so that we will be ready to fit into the society of heaven and be prepared to live throughout eternity with Jesus and the angels. Surely the health reform message is part of the good news.

“Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Ibid. 69. The message of health reform is just part of the message that helps us to develop a character like Christ.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Question and Answer: Is the Spirit of Prophecy relevant today?

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Looking at this from a biblical standpoint, Paul said to Timothy, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The Spirit of Prophecy is part of “the word of truth.”

There are testimonies and prophecies in Ellen White’s writings that may not directly apply to you or to me personally, such as the testimony where Ellen White said that ladies as well as men should learn how to harness a horse. (See Education, 216, 217.) She was stating the practical truth for her time. Statements she made about bicycles and horses may well apply to automobiles and tractors today. From a practical standpoint, we can see that our religion needs to be applied in all our everyday activities.

“Great truths must be brought into little things. Practical religion is to be carried into the lowly duties of daily life. The greatest qualification for any man is to obey implicitly the word of the Lord.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 359.

We are blessed in having the instruction from the Spirit of Prophecy as a guide in our daily living. We may follow the principles given in these inspired writings in our business transactions, our health questions, our family discipline, our worship, our preparation for eternal life, and our social life. God has been very gracious to give us divine instruction on many things. These instructions are not rigid rules, but helpful guidelines to give us happiness while we are occupying this earth.

The following quotations from Ellen White’s writings are cautions we do well to heed:

“It is Satan’s plan to weaken the faith of God’s people in the Testimonies. Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures, and then the downward march to perdition. When the Testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in destruction.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 211.

“When the testing time shall come, those who have made God’s word their rule of life will be revealed. In summer there is no noticeable difference between evergreens and other trees; but when the blasts of winter come, the evergreens remain unchanged, while other trees are stripped of their foliage. So the falsehearted professor may not now be distinguished from the real Christian, but the time is just upon us when the difference will be apparent. Let opposition arise, let bigotry and intolerance again bear sway, let persecution be kindled, and the halfhearted and hypocritical will waver and yield the faith; but the true Christian will stand firm as a rock, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, than in days of prosperity.” The Great Controversy, 602.

Jesus is coming to take us home. May God bless you as you make your calling and election sure.

 

Question – How do you tell if a miracle is of the devil or of the Lord?

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Question:

How do you tell if a miracle is of the devil or of the Lord?

Answer:

What is a miracle? One dictionary definition of miracle is, “an unusual event that is ascribed to a supernatural power.”

We know that Jesus performed many miracles when He was here on earth. We also know that Revelation 15:13, 14 says, “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles . . . .” So, the devil works miracles, and he is out to deceive everyone he can.

Actually, by the miracle itself, it would be difficult to know the source, so we need to look at the situation a little further.

Christ works from love and seeks to establish His kingdom on that basis, without fraud or deceit. His kingdom is built on the foundation of the Ten Commandments.

Satan hates Christ and is trying to establish his own religion; therefore, his purpose of performing miracles is very different from Christ’s purpose. Satan seeks to deceive man and to exalt himself. “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 11 Corinthians 11:14, 15.

Isaiah 8:20 says, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.” If a minister is preaching and performing miracles, and at the same time teaching people to worship on Sunday and tolerating smoking, drinking, or other sinful devices, then I would say that the results of his work are not from Christ. His miracles are for the purpose of establishing Satan’s kingdom here on earth. There is no light in his message.

It would be expected that a person praying for a miracle would be doing three things: keeping all ten of the commandments; seeking the Lord’s will, not just his or her own will; and asking for forgiveness of past sins and for power to be freed from sin in the future.

Ellen White gives light on this subject: “The way in which Christ worked was to preach the Word, and to relieve suffering by miraculous works of healing. But I am instructed that we cannot now work in this way, for Satan will exercise his power by working miracles. God’s servants today could not work by means of miracles, because spurious works of healing, claiming to be divine, will be wrought.

“For this reason the Lord has marked out a way in which His people are to carry forward a work of physical healing, combined with the teaching of the Word. Sanitariums are to be established, and with these institutions are to be connected workers who will carry forward genuine medical missionary work. . . .

“This is the provision the Lord has made whereby gospel medical missionary work is to be done for many souls.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 54.

“As we near the end of time, falsehood will be so mingled with truth, that only those who have the guidance of the Holy Spirit will be able to distinguish truth from error. We need to make every effort to keep the way of the Lord. We must in no case turn from His guidance to put our trust in man.” Maranatha, 192.

Question – “Pray without ceasing.” How is this possible?

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Question:

The Bible says, in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” How is this possible? I have a husband and three children and a home to care for.

Answer:

Thank you for your inquiry. There are many people in the same situation as you; in fact, some with more than three children. I understand very well your dilemma, and Jesus understands also. He came down here to rescue us from this sinful world and to experience what life is like here on earth. Therefore, we can trust Him and the counsel given through His messenger, Ellen White.

“Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 333.

“Christ commands, ‘Pray without ceasing’; that is, keep the mind uplifted to God, the source of all power and efficiency.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 510.

The question that might be asked is, what is prayer? Prayer is communicating with God, talking to Him as to a friend, and He talking to you. So when He is directing you in your work, and you are carrying out His will in your life, you are in an attitude of prayer.

For instance, when you are preparing food for your family and you fix the food to the best of your ability, according to the health rules that God has given us in the inspired pages, you really are in an attitude of prayer. Your mind is continually trying to please God, and He is leading you.

“Christ has urged that His people pray without ceasing. This does not mean that we should always be upon our knees, but that prayer is to be as the breath of the soul. Our silent requests, wherever we may be, are to be ascending unto God, and Jesus our Advocate pleads in our behalf, bearing up with the incense of His righteousness our requests to the Father.

“The Lord Jesus loves His people, and when they put their trust in Him, depending wholly upon Him, He strengthens them. He will live through them, giving them the inspiration of His sanctifying Spirit, imparting to the soul a vital transfusion of Himself. He acts through their faculties and causes them to choose His will and to act out His character. With the apostle Paul they then may say, ‘I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me’ (Galatians 2:20). . . .

“The Lord will not leave His afflicted, tried children to be the sport of Satan’s temptations. It is your privilege to trust in Jesus. The heavens are full of rich blessings. . . . We have not because we ask not, or because we do not pray in faith, believing that we shall be blessed with the special influence of the Holy Spirit. To the true seeker through the mediation of Christ the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit are imparted.” That I May Know Him, 78.

“The injunction of the Saviour is, ‘Pray without ceasing.’ The heart is to be continually going out in desire for the presence and grace of Jesus, that the soul may have divine enlightenment and heavenly wisdom.” The Signs of the Times, December 16, 1889.

So, praying without ceasing is to be continually doing God’s will—in dressing, eating, communicating with friends, business, doing home duties, or whatever your occupation is. And when you are caring for the children—God’s special Heritage—and trying to raise them according to God’s plan, you are definitely fulfilling God’s desire, and you would be continually in an attitude of prayer.