new year

Inspiration – The Old Year and the New

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Already has the new year been ushered in; yet before we greet its coming, we pause to ask, What has been the history of the year that with its burden of records has now passed into eternity? The admonition of the apostle comes down the lines to every one of us, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” God forbid that at this important hour we should be so engrossed with other matters as to give no time to serious, candid, critical self-examination! Let things of minor consequence be put in the background, and let us now bring to the front the things which concern our eternal interests.

Christian brethren, as Christ’s ambassador I entreat you to inquire into the character of your thoughts, tempers, purposes, words, and works during the past year. What has been the nature of your experience? Compare the records of your religious life with the Bible standard, and pass judgment upon yourselves. Have the fruits of righteousness testified that you are in the faith, or have the fruits that you have borne, witnessed against you? This is a subject worthy of earnest, careful thought. Be thorough and impartial in your examination of the past year’s record. Do you see the defects in your character, and are you compelled to admit that you have made no decided advance in overcoming these unholy traits? Remember that if not overcome, these will surely separate you from the presence of a pure, holy, sin-hating God, and close the doors of the heavenly mansions against you.

How many have, in the past year, cherished heart-burnings and bitterness toward their brethren and sisters in the church? How many have thought and spoken unkindly of those who, like themselves, profess to be followers of Jesus? We may think we had an excuse for this; but is there any provocation of sufficient weight to excuse us in harboring unkindness and malice in our hearts? Said Jesus, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.” If we do not in our daily life exemplify these principles, we cannot be accepted before God. We must earnestly seek his grace to kill every fiber of the root of bitterness, and must let the love of Jesus take possession of our souls and reveal itself in our words and works, or we are not of Christ but of the wicked one.

The Church militant is not the church triumphant, and earth is not Heaven. The church is composed of erring, imperfect men and women, who are but learners in the school of Christ, to be trained, disciplined, educated for this life, and for the future, immortal life. No one of us can in our own strength represent the character of Christ; but if Jesus lives in the heart, the spirit dwelling in Him will be revealed in us; all our lack will be supplied. Who will seek at the beginning of this new year to obtain a new and genuine experience in the things of God? Make your wrongs right as far as possible. Confess your errors and sins one to another. Let all bitterness and wrath and malice be put away; let patience, long-suffering, kindness, and love become a part of your very being; then whatsoever things are pure and lovely and of good report will mature in your experience. Another year with its spotless record is before us; what shall that record be?

As a people we have not realized the work which should have been done in the last days of the old year, and much of it is left undone. The excitement of the Christmas holiday is now in the past, and what has been the record that has passed up to God? As we have professed to celebrate the birth of our Saviour, have our hearts been filled with gratitude for the infinite gift of God’s dear Son? Have our thoughts and affections been such as God can accept? Has Jesus been revered and honored? Has He been made prominent in our thoughts and plans? and have our gifts flowed into His treasury? Is it not true that in many instances Christ and His claims have been forgotten in the feasting and merriments, and that the honor due to Him has been given to man? Have not the thoughts, the labor, and the means been diverted from the proper object, and turned into a channel to please, honor, and exalt the human, rather than the divine?

I have felt most keenly our danger as a people on these occasions. I have feared that selfishness would be strengthened, that idolatry would be encouraged, and the love of God be crowded from our hearts; that the record borne to the heavenly courts would show that Christ was made of less consequence than earthly friends. I have feared that feasts and social gatherings would prove to be a snare of Satan to divert the mind from Christ and His great sacrifice in our behalf; that the very associations which should lead us to contemplate the work of redemption would be lost sight of in the observance of worldly customs, and that there would be less thought of Jesus and the mansions He has gone to prepare for those who love Him, than upon common occasions.

I see no objection to placing even in our churches a Christmas or New Year tree bearing fruit in gifts and offerings for the cause of God. We may thus take advantage of the occasion to turn the customary gifts of the season into the right channel. And such a holiday celebration is a useful lesson to our children, teaching them to bestow their gifts in a manner to honor their Redeemer. But when we devote our means and labor to feasting ourselves, we fail to render to God that honor which is His due.

I have resolved from this time to make Christ first and last and best in everything. I will not sanction feasts made to celebrate birthday or marriage anniversaries, but will bend all my energies to lift up Jesus among the people. I will seek to impress upon the minds of my brethren and sisters the great necessity of preparation of heart, by confession and humiliation, to be accepted of God and acknowledged as His dear children. My heart has ached as I have seen men honored, while Jesus was neglected and almost forgotten,—liberal gifts for earthly friends, but poor and meager offerings for Him to whom we owe our all.

Christ opened before us the bright path of peace, of joy, of Heaven; and what have we done for Him on these occasions when every word and act should express our gratitude for His wondrous love? How stands the record of the past Christmas? Have we given to Jesus all that there is of us? Have we denied self that we might show our affection for our best friend? Have we made a record that we shall not be ashamed to meet in the day of final accounts? If all realized as they should the shortness of time, the backslidings of our people, the perils which beset our pathway, the deceptions of Satan, and his victories over unguarded souls, there would be no feasting, no mirthful gatherings to pay honor to the human; but there would be a great humbling of heart before God, and earnest prayer for pardoning and sanctifying grace.

Peter, who once denied his Lord, was afterward forgiven by our Saviour, and entrusted with the work of feeding the flock of God. Yet when condemned to death, and about to suffer for Christ’s sake, the apostle begged that he might not be crucified in the same position as his Lord and Master, but that he might be nailed to the cross with his head downward. He felt that it was too great an honor for him to be put to death in the same manner as his Saviour whom he had denied. Would it not be well if our consciences were more sensitive? if we could possess more of the same spirit of contrition and humility? At a time when we are professedly celebrating Christ’s birth, should we not keep self in the background? Would it not be more appropriate to abase self and to exalt Jesus?

The perfection of our Saviour’s character awakens the admiration of angels and of men. Here is an exhaustless theme for thought. The brightest and most exalted of the sons of the morning heralded His glory at creation, and announced His birth with songs of gladness. They veil their faces before Him as He sits upon His throne; they cast their crowns at His feet, and sing His triumphs as they behold His resplendent glory. Our souls are cold and dull because we do not dwell upon the matchless charms of our Redeemer. If we occupy our thoughts in contemplating His love and mercy, we shall reflect the same in our life and character; for by beholding, we become changed. Oh, the mysteries of redemption! Only by exalting Jesus and abasing self can we celebrate aright the birth of the Son of God.

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, there is need of an impartial examination of our hearts to dispel the pleasing illusions of self-love. Our condition is helpless and hopeless unless infinite mercy is granted us daily, and pardon is written against our names in the heavenly records. Those only who see and feel their spiritual necessities will go to Jesus for that help which they so much need, and which He only can give. He alone can cleanse us from all sin. He alone can place upon us the robe of righteousness.

What fruit have we borne during the year that is now past? What has been our influence upon others? Whom have we gathered to the fold of Christ? The eyes of the world are upon us. Are we living epistles of Christ, known and read of all men? Do we follow the example of Jesus in self-denial, in meekness, in humility, in forbearance, in cross-bearing, in devotion? Will the world be compelled to acknowledge us to be the servants of Christ? What is our past record? What will be our future record? If we cannot without pain trace the workings of our own hearts and review the record of our lives, how can we stand before the Judge of all the earth, who is infinitely pure and holy, and who will determine our cases by the unerring standard of His perfect law?

Shall we not in this new year seek to correct the errors of the past? It behooves us individually to cultivate the grace of Christ, to be meek and lowly of heart, to be firm, unwavering, steadfast in the truth; for thus only can we advance in holiness, and be made fit for the inheritance of the saints in light. Let us begin the year with an entire renunciation of self; let us pray for clear discernment, that we may understand our Saviour’s claims upon us, and that we may always and everywhere be witnesses for Christ.

Our time and talents belong to God, to be used for His honor and glory. It should be our earnest, anxious effort to let the light shine through our life and character to illumine the pathway Heavenward, that souls may be attracted from the broad road to the narrow way of holiness. Oh, that the followers of Christ had less desire to devote labor, time, and money, to feasts and celebrations in honor of earthly friends, and a greater desire to honor Jesus! I entreat you to bring to Him your gifts and offerings, and withhold not yourselves. Strong men are needed in the church, successful workers in the Lord’s vineyard, men and women who will labor that the church may be transformed to the image of Christ, rather than conformed to the customs and practices of the world. We have everything to gain or to lose. Let us see that we are on the side of Christ—the gaining side; that we are making sure work for Heaven.

—Signs of the Times, January 4, 1883.

From the Pen of Inspiration – Think on These Things

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Another year has almost passed into eternity. A few more days, and we shall enter a new year. My brethren and sisters, employ wisely the remaining hours of the old year. If you have in any wise neglected your duty, repent before God, and return to the path from which you have wandered. Remember how brief the period of life allotted you. You know not how soon your probation may close. Say not presumptuously, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain.” [James 4:13.] God may have different plans for you. Life is but a vapor, “that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth.” [Verse 14.] You know not how soon your hand may lose its cunning, your step its firmness. There is peril in a moment’s delay. “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” [Isaiah 55:6, 7.]

What is your stewardship? Have you during the past year robbed God in tithes and offerings? Look at your well-filled barns, at your cellars stored with the good things the Lord has given you, and ask yourselves whether you have returned to the Giver that which belongs to him. If you have robbed the Lord, make restitution. As far as possible, make the past right, and then ask the Saviour to pardon you. Will you not return to the Lord his own, before this year, with its burden of record, has passed into eternity? . . .

Let your prayers and your alms rise as a memorial before God. Remember that faith without works is dead. We are to pray, and we are to give all that we can, both of our labor and of our means, for the fulfillment of our prayers.

From age to age Jesus has been delivering his goods to men and women. Soon will come the day when he will call each to account for the use made of these goods. It is God who gives men power to get wealth. He waters the earth with the dews of heaven and with the showers of refreshing rain. He gives the sunlight, which warms the earth, awakening to life the things of nature, and causing them to flourish and bear fruit. And he asks for a return of his own.

Hoarded wealth is not merely useless; it is a curse. In this life it is a snare to the soul, drawing the affections away from the heavenly treasure. In the great day of God its witness to unused talents and neglected opportunities will condemn its possessor.

There are many who in their hearts charge God with being a hard master because he claims their possessions and their service. But we can bring to God nothing that is not already his. “All things come of thee,” said King David, “and of thine own have we given thee.” [1 Chronicles 29:14.] All things are God’s, not only by creation, but by redemption. All the blessings of this life and of the life to come are delivered to us stamped with the cross of Calvary. Review and Herald, December 23, 1902

Thoughts for the New Year

In God’s plan for His ancient people, He gave the command, “On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle.” [Exodus 40:2.] We have no tabernacle to set up as had the children of Israel, but we have a work of building to do, the importance of which all need to understand. Let us remember that character is not the result of accident, but day by day it is forming for good or for evil. Great importance attaches to this work of character building; for it is far-reaching in its results. We are builders for time and for eternity. Few realize the power of habit. Examine your own heart and life in the light of God’s Word, and ask yourself, “What has my record been for the year that is just closing? What advancement have I made in the Christian life? What victories have I gained? And what have I done to help others, and to lead them to Christ?”

God has not placed you in the world to lead an aimless life. He designs that you should be useful, and reach a high standard of moral excellence. To each one some work is given. During the old year have you performed your appointed tasks with cheerfulness and fidelity, having an eye single to the glory of God? Opportunities and privileges have been granted you; what use have you made of these gifts entrusted to you by our Heavenly Father? Have you made yourself a blessing to those around you? Have you done what you could to make them happy and win them to Christ?

All this is a part of your appointed work. God also requires each of us to subdue self, not giving the rein to self-indulgence or appetite, and to form characters that will stand the test of the judgment and go with us into the future life.

Shall the close of the year find you further advanced than you are today? Will you put away evil habits? Will you be considerate of others, faithful to do the work of a Christian? If you will carry the principles of right-doing into all the affairs of life, you will find that it will promote health of body, peace of mind, and prosperity of soul. You will have a strength, dignity, and sweetness of character that will have a transforming influence upon others.

We are now entering upon a new year, and may it prove a beginning of years to us. If in the old year we have made failures, let us commence the new by rectifying these errors as far as we can. If the old year has borne into eternity a spotted record of opportunities neglected and privileges slighted, let us see that that of the new year is free from these blemishes. Its days are all before us; let us begin now to make the history of each as it passes, such as we shall not tremble to meet in the judgment. Let us fill each one full of loving, helpful work for others. Let us develop all our powers, and make of ourselves all that God designed that we should.

In the keeping of God’s commandments there is great reward. A reward awaits the overcomer in the great day, when he shall hear from the lips of our Lord, “Well done, good and faithful servant;” [Matthew 25:23] and there is also a present reward in the peace and happiness that flow from the conscience at rest, from the sweet assurance that we enjoy the favour of God. “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.” [Psalm 25:10.] To all who walk in His ways the new year will be crowded with goodness and blessing. Australasian Union Conference Record, January 5, 1914.

Ellen G. White (1827–1915) is the most translated woman writer in the entire history of literature, and the most translated American author of either gender. Seventh-day Adventists believe that Mrs. White was appointed by God as a special messenger to draw the world’s attention to the Holy Scriptures and help prepare people for Christ’s second advent.

New Year Resolutions

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“Although in one sense the first day of a new year is no more to God than any other day, yet he often puts into the heart of his children at that time a desire to begin the new year with good resolves,—perhaps with plans to carry out some worthy enterprise,—and with purposes to depart from the wrongs of the old year, and to live the new year with new determination.” The Youth’s Instructor, February 11, 1908.

“I never make new year’s resolutions anymore,” a friend told me. “I never keep them anyway.”

Regrettably I can remember all too many resolutions I have made and let slip away. But I believe new year’s resolutions are worth making. Let me tell you why.

Time for Assessment

First, when we change calendars, at the beginning of the new year, is an excellent time for reassessment. How did last year go? How did we grow—not just physically or materialistically but in our spiritual life, in character perfection? What percentage of our lives is producing something of value for God?

There are some examples in the Bible of people taking stock of their lives and determining or resolving to do better. For instance, Paul told the Corinthians, in 2 Corinthians 8:10, that they should be resolved or purposed to be ahead of where they were a year before. This would involve measuring where they were last year at this time and being sure that they have made progress during the ensuing 12 months. There is no indication that Paul told them to do this at the beginning of a new calendar year, but he referred to the year as a measuring unit.

Needed Change

Second, we all need to make changes in our lives. It is good, at times, to look honestly at our lives and determine to change some of the things that need changing. For example, it may be the time to rid our lives of a harmful habit that has been part of our lifestyle for some time. Or this may be the time to resolve to start daily Bible study. We may have tried this before with little success, but that should give us determination to fulfill the resolution this year.

In Genesis 28:20–22, Jacob made a resolution, or a vow, to give consistently and routinely to the Lord, specifying ten percent as his commitment. If we have not made such a commitment, this could be one of the changes we implement as part of our new year’s resolutions.

U-turns Allowed

Third, the beginning of a new year is an excellent time for mid-course corrections. In the back of my mother’s Bible is written a simple reminder: “God allows U-turns!” We may feel like failures in our attempted spiritual journey in the past, but there is no reason to continue down a road that is filled with sin and disappointment. We can turn around. We can make a fresh start.

God gives some wonderful promises to those, traveling down sinful paths, who are willing to make U-turns. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.” Jeremiah 18:8. “If the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.” Ezekiel 18:21, 22.

What better time to resolve to follow a different path than when a clean calendar, a new year, is before us?

Fear of Failure

There are some that fear making any kind of resolution, or commitment, believing such to be a vow to the Lord. Their belief is based on counsel given in Ecclesiastes 5:4, 5. “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for [he hath] no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better [is it] that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” With that deliberation, our very first action as we consider our new year’s resolutions should be seeking guidance from God. We should ask Him to show us where we need to improve in the coming year; ask Him to guide us in setting our goals, and ask Him to help us to keep the resolutions we make. “For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” James 4:15.

We should not flippantly enter into resolutions, or we will be doomed for failure. But we should not look at failure as a destructive end. It should be to us an opportunity to learn, a lesson in the importance of strengthening our prayer life, a chance to develop a stronger faith. One of my favorite Biblical characters is the apostle Paul. Talk about failure! Throughout his life he was opposed, persecuted, shipwrecked, stoned and left for dead, deserted by trusted co-workers, slandered, and scorned. Sometimes it seems that projects to which he had devoted years were turning to dust before his eyes. But during one of his stints in prison, we can see, from a letter he wrote, an unwillingness to quit: “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13, 14. Paul did not claim, however, to be able to do this of his own accord. He reveals the source of his strength in Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

If, during the last year, or years, you did not practice reliance on God as much as you should have, there is no time like this new year to make a resolution to change. Tell the Lord how you want the new year to be different for you. Spell out in your prayer some of the changes you would like to make, and ask Him to show you others that need to be made. Tell Him that you know you are going to need a lot of help to make these changes. Place yourself in His hands. Ask Him every day of the year to help you receive His strength, to give you a willing spirit to accept His wisdom and guidance as you incorporate in your life the changes you have resolved to make.

Now, you have a much better chance of a Happy New Year!

Anna Schultz writes from her home near Sedalia, Colorado.

Time

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Do you know what time it is? I do not mean the physical time but the time in this world’s history. Is time an important subject? Is time important to God? Yes, it is.

In view of recent world developments, and in light of the fact that we are beginning another year, time has been on my mind lately. It seems to me that time is always speeding up; things are happening faster and faster. I believe it is because God and the Holy Spirit are doing something special, and certainly Satan is doing his own speeding up process.

The subject of time is important, as is the use of time. When you think about it, time is the substance of life, and our whole eternity depends on what we do with our time right here, right now. I want to share a few facts concerning time. There are 86,400 seconds in one day. Our lifetimes are measured in heartbeats, approximately 70 heartbeats a minute for the normal person; 4,200 beats an hour; 100,000 beats per day, and 36 million beats a year. I am approximately 17,000 days old. Rather depressing, is it not? I have spent almost 5,700 days sleeping, about the same amount working, and 42,565 hours eating. Kind of makes your jaws hurt just thinking about it. Yet, what concerns me, of those 17,000 days that I have lived, is how much of that time have I spent with God—in His Word, on my knees, or doing something for Him. If we each analyzed ourselves, we would be startled by how little time, of all the time we have spent on this earth, we have given to God.

A study was done of Christians several years ago which showed that the average Christian spends less than five minutes a day with God. Unfortunately, that poll also showed that a lot of those Christians are the ones who stand in the sacred desk week after week. Five minutes a day in study or prayer! That is alarming!

What is Time?

Have you ever thought about what time is; have you tried to define it? We know it is valuable. Every one of us have been freely given 24 hours in each day—we did not have to pay a penny for it; it cost us nothing, yet if we wanted to, we could not buy one minute of it. Someone might say, “Oh, you can buy time at a parking meter for such and such an amount,” but you are not really buying time; you are renting that space for a certain period of time. If you could buy time, just think of the millionaires who would give everything they have for one more year of life.

Augustine, a theologian of the Catholic Church and supposedly one of the wisest of their faith, once said that he knew what time was, but if someone asked him what it was, he could not tell them. Plato, another esteemed to be a very wise man, said, “Time is a moving image of eternity.” That sounds pretty profound, but it really does not tell us anything. Einstein was a little more careful with his definition of time. He said, “Time is simply what a clock reads.” One of Webster’s dictionaries gives this definition: “Time is the whole series of days, years, and ages without any reference to any point or period.” Then having said nothing, he refers to Scripture where it says, “And time shall be no more.” (See Revelation 10:6.) It is interesting that man does not really know what time is, but God knows.

Einstein said that “Time is one of the greatest mysteries,” and that, perhaps, is why he was so careful with his definition of time. The Bible talks about the time of the end, and it also talks about the end of time. We live in the time of the end; soon we will see the end of time.

A Beginning

If time has an end, it had to have a beginning. Let us look at when that beginning occurred. Genesis 2:16, 17 says, “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” And you know what happened—Adam and Eve ate, and that day they should have died. But did they? No, we know that Adam lived to be 930 years old (see Genesis 5:5), and he died the first death only; it was not the wages of sin death, the second death. But the verses we just read in Genesis 2 meant that on that very day, when Adam and Eve sinned, they should have died, and they should have died forever, but instead, something marvelous happened.

Period of Grace

Sin began and time began. Sin is a precursor of time as we know it. When Adam and Eve sinned, God loved them so much that instead of the death penalty being fulfilled, like they deserved, He gave them a grace period that we call time—a life time, if you please. Sin entered and time began, so when you think about it, time is the measurement of the history of good and evil on this earth, as we know it.

What did we call it before we had time? We called it eternity, did we not? We could draw a big circle on the wall which would be the opening of a tunnel going off into eternity past, and we could draw another circle on the opposite wall, representing a tunnel going off into eternity future, and where we live would be a line in between those two tunnels that we call time. Time, as we know it, is really a yardstick of the moral, mental, and physical decay that is taking place on this planet. Because of God’s great love and patience, time is also a grace period for all men, women, and children to develop characters for that future, eternal, immortal life. It is also a time to learn of the Saviour and to have His image restored in us.

Redemption Defined

When you are thinking about the definition of time, you really need to ask other questions: What is the definition of redemption? Why are we here? What is this time all about? The Spirit of Prophecy says, “The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the restoration in the human soul of the image of God. [That is what redemption is all about, that is the whole purpose. We will find that it is also the purpose of time on this planet.] From the first intimation of hope in the sentence pronounced in Eden [Genesis 3:15] to that last glorious promise of the Revelation, ‘They shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads’ (Revelation 22:4), the burden of every book and every passage of the Bible is the unfolding of this wondrous theme,—man’s uplifting,—the power of God, ‘which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ 1 Corinthians 15:57.

“He who grasps this thought has before him an infinite field for study. He has the key that will unlock to him the whole treasure house of God’s word. . . .

“This is the highest study in which it is possible for man to engage. As no other study can, it will quicken the mind and uplift the soul. . . .

“The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the word of God. This word imparts power; it begets life. Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature and re-creates the soul in the image of God.

“The life thus imparted is in like manner sustained. ‘By every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4) shall man live.

“The mind, the soul, is built up by that upon which it feeds; and it rests with us to determine upon what it shall be fed. It is within the power of everyone to choose the topics that shall occupy the thoughts and shape the character. . . .

“With the word of God in his hands, every human being, wherever his lot in life may be cast, may have such companionship as he shall choose. In its pages he may hold converse with the noblest and best of the human race, and may listen to the voice of the Eternal as He speaks with men. As he studies and meditates upon the themes into which ‘the angels desire to look’ (1 Peter 1:12), he may have their companionship. He may follow the steps of the heavenly Teacher, and listen to His words as when He taught on mountain and plain and sea. He may dwell in this world in the atmosphere of heaven, imparting to earth’s sorrowing and tempted ones thoughts of hope and longings for holiness; himself coming closer and still closer into fellowship with the Unseen; like him of old who walked with God, drawing nearer and nearer the threshold of the eternal world, until the portals shall open, and he shall enter there. He will find himself no stranger. The voices that will greet him are the voices of the holy ones, who, unseen, were on earth his companions—voices that here he learned to distinguish and to love. He who through the word of God has lived in fellowship with heaven, will find himself at home in heaven’s companionship.” Education, 125–127.

That passage reveals to us very plainly the plan of salvation—what the whole thing is about, what the Bible is about, its purpose, and what time is actually for. It is for the purpose of restoring the image of God in man. The time in which we live is a probationary time, an interim time between two eternities, a time to form characters for that future, immortal life. That is why time remains.

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.” Ephesians 5:1, 2. Ephesians 4:30 states, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” It cost a lot for God to give us this grace period called time in which we live.

What If

Have you ever wondered what could have happened the moment Adam and Eve sinned? That very moment they basically chose a new god for themselves; they chose a new leader. God could have said, “Okay, you have your new god. I will just take My things and go home, and we will see how long your new god can sustain you.” How long could that god have sustained them? Not even for a second!

What things could God have taken home, if He had had that attitude? The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the very earth on which we stand, the sunshine, everything that sustains life God could have taken, because Adam and Eve, our first parents, had forfeited the right to any of those things.

Actually, what would have happened would have been eternal separation from God. Of course, God did not allow that. He gave His Son to stand in the place of fallen man, and His Son experienced the separation for us. He paid the penalty—that second death that was naturally ours because of sin. Everything that man had forfeited was bought back at a very high price. That is why we are told in the Spirit of Prophecy that everything that sustains life is a gift of God, stamped with the cross of Calvary. (See Education, 197, 198; Christ’s Object Lessons, 362.) It all cost a high price to be given back to us. Every breath, every cup of water—and even our time.

Redeem Time

“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil, Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is].” Ephesians 5:3–17.

Notice in verse 16 it says that we are to redeem the time. In other words, we are to rescue as much time back from evil as we possibly can. We need to pray for wisdom to do that. Sabbath-keeping is a real good place to start with that process, is it not? Redeeming time is what each one of us does when we attend Sabbath services. Every one could make a choice to be somewhere else. We could be out shopping, or we could be on our way to some sporting event—many of which take place on the Sabbath day. Or we could be in front of a television, letting Satan tell us his visions. We could be doing anything, be anywhere, doing whatever we felt like, but God has called us to a special place on His special day so we can rescue back some of that time from evil. That is what the Sabbath is all about. It is one of the times, the most special of times, to which God has called us. But we are to redeem our time throughout the week also. Every day we need to rescue time from evil.

People who want to be restored to God, who want to redeem time, are careful about that in which they get involved. So many things are out there to eat up our time. The commandment says to “remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8. If we do not remember the Sabbath all through the week, we will not be ready to keep it holy when it arrives. We will still be busy—busy trying to get all of those last minute things done right before sundown. Then we end up going over the time, do we not? We need to remember the Sabbath throughout the week to keep it holy.

There is a war going on between Christ and His angels and Satan and his angels. That battle is over our minds and over our allegiance; it is over our time. If we could just pull back the curtain on the great controversy, we would be amazed at the activity that is going on of which we are not aware, unless we let God reveal it to us.

Squandered or Wisely Used

Many people commit suicide when they reach middle age, because they become so disillusioned with their life. They look back and think about how unwisely they used their time leading up to that point—what the psychologists call a mid-life crisis, and they become very depressed and discouraged because of what they did not do with their time. They think about what they could have been, how they could have used their time to become what they wanted to be, and they become very discouraged.

Instead of discouragement, we need to look forward. We need to make the most of the time we have left. We need to do what God said, and seek to redeem whatever time is left us and not let it go to waste. The short amount of time that we have left we will be forming characters for time and eternity, if we use it wisely. How precious we should consider time to be when we really think about it.

The Spirit of Prophecy says, “Of no talent [such as time, gifts, money, homes,—the many things with which we are blessed] He has given will He require a more strict account than of our time. The value of time is beyond computation. Christ regarded every moment as precious, and it is thus that we should regard it. . . . We have but a few days of probation in which to prepare for eternity. We have no time to waste, no time to devote to selfish pleasure, no time for the indulgence of sin. It is now that we are to form characters for the future, immortal life. It is now that we are to prepare for the searching judgment. . . .

“We are admonished to redeem the time. But time squandered can never be recovered. We cannot call back even one moment. The only way in which we can redeem our time is by making the most of that which remains, by being co-workers with God in His great plan of redemption.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 342. [Emphasis Supplied.]

Are you spending your time being restored? Is that the main purpose of your time? Are you helping others to be restored into God’s image? There is someone who is trying to steal our time, as you well know.

A little boy had a Grandma who was known for being able to say something good about everybody. One day the little boy said, “Grandma, I bet I know someone that you can’t say something good about.”

“Who?” Grandma asked.

“The devil,” the little boy replied.

“Oh, yes I can,” Grandma said. “He’s not lazy.”

No, the devil is not lazy. Just look at Revelation 12:12: “Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” He knows that his time is very short, so he is very busy. But the question is, do we know how short our time is? He knows how short his time is, and he is making good use of it; but do we know, and are we making good use of our time? If we could just pull back that curtain on the great controversy, we would see just how busy he really is, and how busy his angels are in working for the destruction of souls—yours and mine.

Ellen White counseled: “Take a book with you to read when traveling on the cars [trains—the popular mode of transportation in her day; the principle still applies] or waiting in the depot. Employ every spare moment in doing something. In this way an effectual door will be closed against a thousand temptations. Had King David been engaged in some useful employment he would not have been guilty of the murder of Uriah. Satan is ever ready to employ him who does not employ himself.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 412. How are you using your time?

Time Extended

Time is apparently extended for now. Anyway it seems to us that time just goes on and on and on. Because of the apparent extension, many are tempted to become indifferent. Romans 13:11–14 says, “And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfill] the lusts [thereof].”

If every one of us lived the way these four verses said, imagine how things would be. People would look at us and they would take notice that we had been with Jesus. The work would go very quickly, and many people would be convinced of what we were saying. There is going to be a group of people who will live like that. Soon they will go home to Heaven for eternity.

Christ’s Soon Return

Most of us have been hearing for some time that Christ is coming soon. That message began to be emphasized very strongly back in the 1800s by William Miller. But it was not a new truth. It was a truth that had been lost during the Dark Ages, and it needed to be relearned, just as the Sabbath had been lost and needed to be relearned. Here we are in 2003, and we are still saying that Jesus is coming soon.

Let us put things into perspective. From the time that Adam and Eve sinned, standing on the brink of eternity past, about 1,656 years later was the Flood. About 2,400 years after that was the time of Christ. About 1,800 years after that was 1776, the independence of this nation. Then 1798 the time of the end began, the time that the papacy received the deadly wound (see Daniel 12:7). Then 1844 marked the great disappointment, when everybody thought that Christ was going to come back. Now here we are today, 2003, soon to witness the Second Coming, followed by the millennium, right next to eternity future. Here is basically 6,000 years spread out, and when you put it into proportion, 1844 was not very long ago. When you look at it from God’s perspective, it has not been a very long time.

Time Ticks Down

A kitchen timer ticks away the minutes and dings when its set time stops. It does not tell us what time it is; it only tells us how much time is left. Each one of us has a clock like that in heaven. We cannot see it, but we can know by faith that it is ticking away. For some there may be plenty of time left, but for others there may be very little time.

The clock of time is wound just once for each of us. We have to live today and every day like it is the last day. In this little space of time the most important issues of eternity will be resolved in the minds of God’s whole universe. Because of what took place on this little planet, in this little stretch here called time, the great controversy will be settled, and sin will never rise again a second time.

I do not know what time it is, but I know one thing for sure—it is later than it has ever been before in the history of the world. “So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12. I would encourage you to ask God for wisdom to use whatever time you have left to His honor and glory.

Steve Currey is currently a Bible worker for Steps to Life Ministry.

The Pen of Inspiration – Thoughts for the New Year

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A new year has dawned upon us. What is the character of the history that has been recorded in heaven, as day by day has glided by with its burden of good or evil? Have not many of you, my brethren and sisters, a spotted record to meet? Have you not failed to improve many of the opportunities which the old year afforded you for forming correct habits and building right characters? Have you made of yourselves all that God designed you should? Do you know more of the truth than you did one year ago? Have you practiced self-control, seeking daily to be sanctified through the truth, that your life might reflect light upon the pathway of others?

God has left each one a work to do for himself. Have you been faithful in this work? Have you studied to conform your character in every particular to the law of God? Have you sought to discover and remedy every defect in yourselves that would have a tendency to lead others from the path of strict rectitude? Has your life been so molded by the word and Spirit of God as to make you a blessing to all with whom you associate?

You are in danger from corruption within and temptation without. There are evil habits and traits of character which are constantly inclining you to selfishness and weakness of principle. During the past year, Satan has been diligent in his efforts to turn you away from beholding yourselves; and many of you have erred in leaving God’s own established standard to follow an imperfect one of your own devising. But none need err from the way, for God has given his own beloved Son to be our guide to Paradise. We are to copy his pure, spotless, and holy life; and through his grace we may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Year by year increasing light is shining upon our pathway. . . . If that light has been faithfully improved, we may look for still greater light in the year that is before us. Dear brethren and sisters, the increased light that you receive places you under greater obligation to God. Your Christian growth should be in accordance with the privileges you enjoy. Each day as it passes should find you better prepared to meet new trials and bear new responsibilities. Do you appreciate this fact? Do you realize your duty to others? Consider the influence that every word and act of your life may have upon those around you. A lasting impression may be made, which will react upon yourself in blessing or in cursing. This thought gives an awful solemnity to life, and should drive us to God in humble prayer that he will guide us by his wisdom.

If all could realize this subject as it has been presented to me, many would live much more carefully than they now do. It is easy for professed Christians to extol Jesus, his perfections and his loveliness, while, under the appearance of great devotion, they are very exacting toward others, exercising over them an iron rule. It is easy for them to talk of the truth, and the importance of keeping the commandments of God, when they have never made a practical application of the principles of truth in their every-day life. They have not made a success of serving God, and so have lost the precious comfort and support which is derived from communion with him.

We belong to Jesus. He has bought us with his precious blood; and we owe him a debt of gratitude which we can never repay, but which we should daily acknowledge by willing, unselfish service. If we realize this as we should, we shall be Christlike. Like him, we shall deny self that we may do others good. But during the past year, how much time has been devoted to self-serving that ought to have been given to the Lord. How much money has been needlessly expended on trifles to gratify taste and please the eye. How much has been spent for the gratification of appetite, when plain, simple food would have been better and more nourishing, giving greater physical and mental strength.

Some have failed to present to God the tithes and offerings which belong to him. Such should awaken to a sense of their duty. The words of the prophet Malachi apply to them: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse; for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed, for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.” [Malachi 3:8–12.]

Wherever there has been any neglect on your part to give back to the Lord his own, repent with contrition of soul, and make restitution, lest his curse rest upon you. Many are in a cold, backslidden state on account of their robbery of God; and now the Lord calls upon them to redeem the past. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse,” he says, “and prove me now herewith.” When you have done what you can on your part, withholding nothing that belongs to your Maker, you may ask him to provide means to send the message of truth to the world. The work of God would have been much farther advanced than it now is, had each member of the church suitably expressed his gratitude to God for the priceless gift of eternal life through Christ.

To each of us some work is assigned in the vineyard of the Lord. There is enough for all to do; none need stand idle. Have you been faithful in your appointed task, doing what you could to win others to the truth? How many have been led to the cross of Christ through your individual efforts? Have you by precept and example pointed your fellowmen to the Lamb of God, or have you, by assimilating to the world, directed their thoughts and affections into a wrong channel?

Many of you have made great mistakes the last year; will you repeat these mistakes during the year upon which you have just entered? Human judgment is finite; and men in their blind self-will often trust to their own opinion, and take a course that cuts directly across the path of God’s providence, and defeats his ends. You need to examine yourself carefully to see what is the tendency of your course. The Spirit of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, and it will reveal to you your standing and the nature of your work.

God alone can tell what will transpire during the year . . . . It may be in our lives and in the history of our cause more eventful than any that has preceded it. . . . Evidences that the Lord is at work should not lead us to settle down satisfied and at ease. The light of truth is to go into remote and darkened corners of the earth. Each unfolding of his providence, each token that his hand is in the work to move it forward with power, is designed to arouse us to greater zeal and earnestness, while we look for still more wonderful and glorious triumphs of the truth in the future.

Will each of you who believe present truth earnestly inquire, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” His Spirit is at work upon minds, preparing them to receive the truth. Let your efforts be fully up with the openings of his providence. Do something, do it now; and let the record of the new year be one that you will not be ashamed to meet.

Review and Herald, January 20, 1885.

Pen of Inspiration – Lift Him Up During The New Year

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“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.

“Already has the new year been ushered in; yet before we greet its coming, we pause to ask, What has been the history of the year that with its burden of records has now passed into eternity? The admonition of the apostle comes down the lines to every one of us, ‘Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.’ God forbid that at this important hour we should be so engrossed with other matters as to give no time to serious, candid, critical self-examination! Let things of minor consequence be put in the background, and let us now bring to the front the things which concern our eternal interests.

“No one of us can in our own strength represent the character of Christ; but if Jesus lives in the heart, the spirit dwelling in Him will be revealed in us; all our lack will be supplied. Who will seek at the beginning of this New Year to obtain a new and genuine experience in the things of God? Make your wrongs right as far as possible. Confess your errors and sins one to another. Let all bitterness and wrath and malice be put away; let patience, long-suffering, kindness, and love become a part of your very being; then whatsoever things are pure and lovely and of good report will mature in your experience. What fruit have we borne during the year that is now past? What has been our influence upon others? Whom have we gathered to the fold of Christ? The eyes of the world are upon us. Are we living epistles of Christ, known and read of all men? Do we follow the example of Jesus in self-denial, in meekness, in humility, in forbearance, in cross-bearing, in devotion? Will the world be compelled to acknowledge us to be the servants of Christ?

“Shall we not in this new year seek to correct the errors of the past? It behooves us individually to cultivate the grace of Christ, to be meek and lowly of heart, to be firm, unwavering, steadfast in the truth; for thus only can we advance in holiness, and be made fit for the inheritance of the saints in light. Let us begin the year with an entire renunciation of self; let us pray for clear discernment, that we may understand our Saviour’s claims upon us, and that we may always and everywhere be witnesses for Christ.” The Signs of the Times, January 4, 1883.

“Lift up Jesus, you that teach the people. Lift Him up in exhortations, in sermons, in songs, in prayer. Let all your efforts be directed to pointing souls, confused, bewildered, and lost, to ‘the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ Bid them look and live.” The Review and Herald, April 12, 1892.

“Angels of God are waiting to show you the path of life. … Decide now, at the commencement of the new year, that you will choose the path of righteousness, that you will be earnest and true-hearted, and that life with you shall not prove a mistake. Go forward, guided by the heavenly angels; be courageous; be enterprising; let your light shine; and may the words of inspiration be applicable to you—‘I write unto you, young men, because you are strong and have overcome the wicked one.’

“If you have … given yourself to Christ, you are a member of the family of God, and everything in the Father’s house is for you. All the treasures of God are open to you, both the world that now is and that which is to come. The ministry of angels, the gift of His Spirit, the labors of His servants—all are for you. The world, with everything in it, is yours so far as it can do you good. Even the enmity of the wicked will prove a blessing, by disciplining you for heaven. If ‘ye are Christ’s’ ‘all things are yours.’ ” My Life Today, 5.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1.

“God calls for whole-souled consecration to His ways. Our highest powers are to be carefully cultivated. Our talents are lent us by God for use, not to be perverted or abused. They are to be improved by use, that they may do the work of God.

“We are to give ourselves to the service of God, and we should seek to make the offering as nearly perfect as possible. God will not be pleased with anything less than the best we can offer. Those who love Him with all the heart will desire to give Him the best service of the life, and they will be constantly seeking to bring every power of their being into harmony with the laws that will promote their ability to do His will.

“Personal consecration is necessary, and we cannot have this unless heart holiness is cultivated and cherished. Let your prayer be, ‘Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.’ This is a daily matter.

“The surrender of all our powers to God greatly simplifies the problem of life. It weakens and cuts short a thousand struggles with the passions of the natural heart. Religion is as a golden cord that binds the souls of both youth and aged to Christ. Through it the willing and obedient are brought safely through dark and intricate paths to the city of God. …

“How many times have the deep things of God been unfolded before us, and how highly should we prize these precious privileges. … The bright beams of Heaven’s light are shining upon your pathway. … Receive and cherish every Heaven-sent ray, and your path will grow brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.” My Life Today, 6.

“My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.” Proverbs 23:26.

“The Lord says to every one of you, ‘My son, give Me thine heart.’ He sees your disorders. He knows that your soul is diseased with sin, and He desires to say to you, ‘Thy sins are forgiven.’ The Great Physician has a remedy for every ill. He understands your case. Whatever may have been your errors, He knows how to deal with them. Will you not trust yourself to Him?

“The blessing of God will rest upon every soul that makes a full consecration to Him. When we seek for God with all the heart, we shall find Him. God is in earnest with us, and He wants us to make thorough work for eternity. He has poured out all heaven in one gift, and there is no reason why we should doubt His love. Look to Calvary.

“God asks you to give Him your heart. Your powers, your talents, your affections, should all be surrendered to Him, that He may work in you to will and to do of His good pleasure, and fit you for eternal life.

“When Christ dwells in the heart, the soul will be so filled with His love, with the joy of communion with Him, that it will cleave to Him; and in the contemplation of Him, self will be forgotten. Love to Christ will be the spring of action. Those who feel the constraining love of God, do not ask how little may be given to meet the requirements of God; they do not ask for the lowest standard, but aim at perfect conformity to the will of their Redeemer. With earnest desire they yield all, and manifest an interest proportionate to the value of the object which they seek.

“It is the submissive, teachable spirit that God wants. That which gives to prayer its excellence is the fact that it is breathed from a loving, obedient heart.” Ibid., 7.

Heart Analysis

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The end of another year is approaching, and as you look over the past year and see what has been accomplished you may ask yourself, has my faith in the God of heaven strengthened? Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).That faith is then tested and tried and is strengthened by being exercised with trials.

Have you “fought the good fight of faith” (II Timothy 4:7) through each trial and gained the victory over those corrupt and sinful habits that we all struggle with? “Every man has corrupt and sinful habits that must be overcome by vigorous warfare. Every soul is required to fight the fight of faith.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1111.

When you are tested and tried, your own heart’s desires come forth and you are drawn either heavenward or earthward. I trust that the trials of this past year have drawn you nearer to heaven and not nearer to this world and that temper or impatient spirit has become subdued and you have experienced victory through Jesus Christ. Consider the perseverance of an eagle and remember what Isaiah 40:31 says: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” As we “wait” upon the Lord, we expect or anticipate something from Him and we are given strength like the wings of an eagle. Read the following and praise the Lord!

“The eagle of the Alps is sometimes beaten down by the tempest into the narrow defiles of the mountains. Storm clouds shut in this mighty bird of the forest, their dark masses separating her from the sunny heights where she has made her home. Her efforts to escape seem fruitless. She dashes to and fro, beating the air with her strong wings, and waking the mountain echoes with her cries. At length, with a note of triumph, she darts upward, and, piercing the clouds, is once more in the clear sunlight, with the darkness and tempest far beneath. So we may be surrounded with difficulties, discouragement, and darkness. Falsehood, calamity, injustice, shut us in. There are clouds that we cannot dispel. We battle with circumstances in vain. There is one, and but one, way of escape. The mists and fogs cling to the earth; beyond the clouds God’s light is shining. Into the sunlight of His presence we may rise on the wings of faith.” Education, 118, 119.

Reflect on whether God’s purpose was accomplished in your life this past year. “It is God’s purpose to manifest through His people the principles of His kingdom. That in life and character they may reveal these principles, He desires to separate them from the customs, habits, and practices of the world. He seeks to bring them near to Himself, that He may make known to them His will.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 9.

Have you separated yourself from the customs, habits and practices of the world so God could make known to you His will? And did you find out that His will for you and me is to restore in us His image?

Knowing that God has begotten us again unto a hope that is living should give us the love and thankfulness in our hearts that we cannot but praise Him in our daily lives. In Ezekiel 37:1–10, it says that God will bring life again into dead bones. While you are walking in the midst of the ways and practices of this world, then you are in the middle of a bunch of dry bones. Only the God of heaven can give you life. You can find life only in heavenly places. There is no life when you walk in the footsteps of the god of this world, doing what you want, thinking what you want to think because heavenly thoughts have been blocked from entering your mind. The god of this world does not want you to take time to think on things of God: “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. These are the thoughts that keep our hearts in the heavenly places where God dwells. Is that where you want to be?

Those who walk in the ways of this world, deviating from the straight, appointed road, are dead in trespasses and sins and have fallen short of the glory of God, His character.

The way of the world is a very dangerous path to walk on. It is without Christ and without hope. Satan, the leader on this path, has lost the companionship of God and the heavenly angels and wants you to also lose that companionship.

Have you remembered to pray, Lord, “hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not”? Psalm 17:5. Your footsteps will not slip if you are sincere in this prayer.

How often have you said, “I can do all things,” but forgot where that strength comes from?

In Ephesians 4:1, we are asked to walk worthy, to live or conduct ourselves worthily, of the vocation wherewith we are called. That vocation or calling is to be a Christian, Christ-like, and to reveal the principles of the heavenly kingdom where our citizenship is. How has your conduct been? Did you conduct yourself in a Christ-like manner during the trials or the testing and proving of your faith, and what kinds of fruits did you see come forth from yourself? Did you allow a few sour responses of impatience or anger, etc., arise or did you allow the Holy Spirit to bear fruit of holiness?

The first fruit of the Holy Spirit is love. It would be beneficial to review the meaning of that love spoken of in I Corinthians 13:4-8, and compare it with your own life. We are told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12, last part). Jeremiah 17:9 speaks about the heart being “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Often we cannot see our own shortcomings, so as David did, it is good always to 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. Pray this prayer and the Lord will allow an experience in your life that will show you what is really in your heart, whether it is heavenly or earthy. So watch and pray, and our gentle Savior will give you grace to see yourself and then give you power to overcome.

“The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul. We do not see Christ and speak to Him, but His Holy Spirit is just as near us in one place as in another. It works in and through every one who receives Christ. Those who know the indwelling of the Spirit reveal the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1112.

This year is just about over and we have much to be thankful for. Our most wonderful God is rich in mercy and He loves us so much. He has brought us through another year—even though we have left Him out of our hearts and lives at times! Oh, behold what manner of love and mercy!

Our Heavenly Father deserves a song of praise and thanksgiving from our hearts. We will never realize how much He has protected us. “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3. “Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews 13:15.

Praise God for Jesus Christ who is our peace, our mediator who is in the Most Holy Place in heaven right now, waiting to hear from us. He is waiting to grant us freedom from this world and its trespasses and sins. Kneel before him now and ask forgiveness for your trespasses and sins. The Holy Spirit is putting that prayer into your heart right now. Accept it and go to Jesus right now while He is still there. One day soon He will stand up and say, “It is finished!”Then it will be too late; we will no longer be able to have our sins forgiven because we waited too long.

This year is ending. Let us re-commit our hearts to Him. Let us claim the promise that, “If we will trust Him, and commit our ways to Him, He will direct our steps in the very path that will result in our obtaining the victory over every evil passion, and every trait of character that is unlike the character of our divine Pattern.” Our High Calling, 316. For what more can we ask?

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” Romans 13:12.

Let each one of us find ourselves at the end of this year sitting in heavenly places with Him, our Savior, our friend and our brother. Let us also begin a new year in that same place with God’s blessings.

Judy A. Hallingstad is part of our LandMarks team. She can be contacted by email at: landmarks@stepstolife.org.

Food for Life – A New Year

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Happy New Year!  Another year now opens its fair unwritten pages before you. The recording angel stands ready to write. Your course of action will determine what shall be traced by him. You may make your future life good or evil; and this will determine for you whether the year upon which you have just entered will be to you a happy new year. It is in your power to make it such for yourself and for those around you. Let patience, long-suffering, kindness, and love become a part of your very being; then whatsoever things are pure and lovely and of good report will mature in your experience.

“Angels of God are waiting to show you the path of life . . . Decide now, at the commencement of the new year that you will choose the path of righteousness, that you will be earnest and true-hearted, and that life with you shall not prove a mistake. Go forward, guided by the heavenly angels; be courageous; be enterprising; let your light shine; and may the words of inspiration be applicable to you— ‘I write unto you, young men, because you are strong and have overcome the wicked one.’

“If you have . . . given yourself to Christ, you are a member of the family of God and everything in the Father’s house is for you. All the treasures of God are open to you, both the world that now is and that which is to come. The ministry of angels, the gift of His Spirit, the labors of His servants—all are for you. The world, with everything in it is yours so far as it can do you good. Even the enmity of the wicked will prove a blessing, by disciplining you for heaven. If ‘ye are Christ’s’ ‘all things are yours.’ ” My Life Today, 5. [Ellipsis in the original.]

“For Christ’s sake, my brethren and sisters, make the most of the hours of the New Year to place the precious light of present truth before the people. The Angel of the covenant is empowering His servants to carry the truth to all parts of the world. He has sent forth His angels with the message of mercy; but, as if they did not speed on their way fast enough to satisfy His heart of yearning love, He lays on every member of His church the responsibility of proclaiming this message. ‘Let him that heareth say, come.’ Every member of the church is to show his loyalty by inviting the thirsty to drink of the water of life. A chain of living witnesses is to carry the invitation to the world. Will you act your part in this great work?” Colporteur Ministry, 18.

“A new year has commenced. What has been the record of the past year in your Christian life? How stands your record in heaven? I entreat you to make an unreserved surrender to God. Have your hearts been divided? Give them wholly to the Lord now. Make a different life history the coming year from that of the past. Humble your souls before God . . . put away all pretense and affectation. Act your simple, natural self. Be truthful in every thought and word and deed, and ‘in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves’ . . . As long as you look to Christ, you are safe.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 521, 522. [Emphasis supplied.]

Shall we not reform our diets also this New Year? One of the main subjects in the Spirit of Prophecy is healthful living. “In the judgment we shall see how seriously God regards the violation of the laws of health.” Counsels on Diets and Food, 40.

January Recipe:

Oat Crackers

4 Cups quick oats – (ground in a blender)

4 Tbs. date sugar or date rolls *

1 tsp. sea salt

1 Cup finely ground walnuts

*Place dates in blender with nuts or oats to pulverize.

Mix all ingredients well. Add enough water, cashew milk, or soymilk to knead the mixture into dough. Measure out 1/2 of the above dough and roll out very thin on parchment paper between sheets of plastic.

Bake on parchment or cookie sheet or any of the modern non-stick sheets until done, about 20 minutes at 300° degrees.

Thanks to Frances Brown of San Antonio, Texas, for this delicious recipe. We used it in our live-in clinic in Texas.

The End

Food for Life – The New Year

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Happy New Year to each one of you.

“Another year now opens its fair unwritten pages before you. The recording angel stands ready to write. Your course of action will determine what shall be traced by him. You may make your future life good or evil; and this will determine for you whether the year upon which you have entered will be to you a happy new year. It is in your power to make it such for yourself and for those around you. . . .

Angels of God are waiting to show you the path of life. . . . Decide now, at the commencement of the new year, that you will choose the path of righteousness; that you will be earnest and true-hearted, and that life with you shall not prove a mistake. Go forward, guided by the heavenly angels; be courageous; be enterprising; let your light shine; and may the words of inspiration be applicable to you—‘I write unto you, young men, because you are strong and have overcome the wicked one.’” My Life Today, 5.

“The blessing of God will rest upon every soul that makes a full consecration to Him. . . . Those who feel the constraining love of God; do not ask how little may be given to meet the requirements of God, they do not ask for the lowest standard, but aim at perfect conformity to the will of their Redeemer. . . . It is the submissive, teachable spirit that God wants. That which gives to prayer its excellence is the fact that it is breathed from a loving, obedient heart.” Ibid., 7.

“Life is a gift of God. Our bodies have been given us to use in God’s service, and He desires that we shall care for an appreciate them. Our bodies must be kept in the best possible condition physically, and under the most spiritual influences. . . .

“The law of temperance must control the life of every Christian. . . . We are under sacred obligations to God so to govern our bodies and rule our appetites and passions that they will not lead us away from purity and holiness, or take our minds from the work God requires us to do.

Those who serve God in sincerity and truth will be a peculiar people, unlike the world, separate from the world. Their food will be prepared, not to encourage gluttony or gratify a perverted taste, but to secure to themselves the greatest physical strength, and consequently the best mental conditions.

Every careless, inattentive action, any abuse put upon the Lord’s wonderful mechanism, by disregarding His specified laws in the human habitation, is a violation of God’s Law.” Ibid., 125, 127.

It is my prayer this New Year, that as we study together God’s messages to us through the Spirit of Prophecy on the subject of diet and healthful living, and review the many medical findings that have been released in the laws few years, we will renew our vows to our Creator, to live according to God’s plan for His remnant people. Let us remember that “True temperance teaches us to dispense entirely with everything hurtful and to use judiciously that which is healthful.” Temperance, 138.

January’s Recipes:

Tofu Mayonnaise

16 oz. pkg. tofu

1/3 cup of lemon juice

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 Tablespoon onion powder

1 Tablespoon ground dill (optional)

1/4 cup pineapple concentrate

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup Fruit Source (granulated)

1/2 cup cashew pieces

4 oz. can chopped olives

Place first eight ingredients in blender on high speed and blend until smooth.Then add cashews and continue blending until very smooth. Pour into container and add the chopped olives and stir well. For use as sour cream on baked potatoes, omit olives and use chives. This also makes a delicious dip for chips (the baked variety with no oil, or Frito-Lay makes delicious Tostitos with nothing but corn and salt.)

 

Olive Pimento Spread

Place in blender on high speed:

1 cup water

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 small can of olives

1 Tablespoon onion powder

1/4 cup Fruit Source (granulated)

4-6 oz. pimentos

Blend until smooth and then slowly add 2 cups of cashew pieces and continue blending until very smooth. Remove from blender and add the chopped olives, or if you prefer you may use sliced olives. Without the sweetening and olives this sauce is very good on steamed broccoli and cauliflower.

 

Fruit Spread

20 oz. can crushed pineapple

large bananas

1 cup date pieces

1 /2 teaspoon sea salt

1 pkg. frozen strawberries (blackberries, boysenberries, raspberries, or blueberries may be used.)

Place first four ingredients in blender on high and blend till smooth. Then add the berries, frozen or fresh, and continue blending until very smooth. This is delicious on raisin-nut toast, waffles, or pancakes.

Inspiration – Thoughts for the New Year

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Although in one sense the first day of the new year is no more to God than any other day, yet He often puts into the hearts of His children at that time a desire to begin the new year with new resolves—perhaps with plans to carry out some worthy enterprise—and with purposes to depart from the wrongs of the old year and to live the new year with new determinations.

In God’s plan for His ancient people, He gave the command, “On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle” (Exodus 40:2). We have no tabernacle to set up as had the children of Israel, but we have a work of building to do, the importance of which all need to understand. Let us remember that character is not the result of accident, but day by day it is forming for good or for evil. Great importance attaches to this work of character building; for it is far-reaching in its results. We are builders for time and for eternity. Few realize the power of habit. Examine your own heart and life in the light of God’s Word, and ask yourself, “What has my record been for the year that is just closing? What advancement have I made in the Christian life? What victories have I gained? And what have I done to help others, and to lead them to Christ?”

God has not placed you in the world to lead an aimless life. He designs that you should be useful, and reach a high standard of moral excellence. To each one some work is given. During the old year have you performed your appointed tasks with cheerfulness and fidelity, having an eye single to the glory of God? Opportunities and privileges have been granted you; what use have you made of these gifts entrusted to you by our Heavenly Father? Have you made yourself a blessing to those around you? Have you done what you could to make them happy and win them to Christ?

All this is a part of your appointed work. God also requires each of us to subdue self, not giving the rein to self-indulgence or appetite, and to form characters that will stand the test of the judgment and go with us into the future life.

Shall the close of the year find you further advanced than you are today? Will you put away evil habits? Will you be considerate of others, faithful to do the work of a Christian? If you will carry the principles of right-doing into all the affairs of life, you will find that it will promote health of body, peace of mind, and prosperity of soul. You will have a strength, dignity, and sweetness of character that will have a transforming influence upon others.

We are now entering upon a new year, and may it prove a beginning of years to us. If in the old year we have made failures, let us commence the new by rectifying these errors as far as we can. If the old year has borne into eternity a spotted record of opportunities neglected and privileges slighted, let us see that that of the new year is free from these blemishes. Its days are all before us; let us begin now to make the history of each as it passes, such as we shall not tremble to meet in the judgment. Let us fill each one full of loving, helpful work for others. Let us develop all our powers, and make of ourselves all that God designed that we should.

In the keeping of God’s commandments there is great reward. A reward awaits the overcomer in the great day, when he shall hear from the lips of our Lord, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23); and there is also a present reward in the peace and happiness that flow from the conscience at rest, from the sweet assurance that we enjoy the favour of God. “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies” (Psalm 25:10). To all who walk in His ways the new year will be crowded with goodness and blessing.

Australian Union Conference Record, January 5, 1914.