sharing

How Do I Tell My Family?

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I have a confession to make. I don’t know how to witness to my family and friends.

I was raised a Seventh-day Adventist. I’ve studied the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. I’ve had the privilege of personally knowing some of the leading ministers in our faith.

But when it comes to sharing this knowledge and what I know to be right with my family and friends, I don’t know how. Why? Because I don’t know enough? No. Because I don’t want to offend anyone? Well, yes, maybe. But I think there is another deeper reason, a more personal one.

How can I tell anyone about the transforming, saving power of God that can change their life when I don’t think it has changed mine? Not because God doesn’t want to change me or doesn’t have the power to change me, but because I have not surrendered myself to His grace and power to effect that change in me. There, I said it.

Paul says in Romans 7:14, 15, 18, 19, “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. … For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” And I cry out with Paul in verse 24, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”

A short time before I moved from Nebraska to Kansas, I was given the opportunity to talk with a young man that my husband and I had befriended. It was the first time in the four years we had known each other that he had expressed an interest in religion. I told him that it wasn’t religion that mattered, but having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I pointed to my Bible and told him that if he wanted to know about God, if he wanted to know how to have a personal relationship with Him, that was where he would find out how.

You’re probably giving me a thumbs up.  Good job, right? I believe I told him the right things, but the difficulty for me is the knowledge that while I know what to say, I don’t myself always do what I tell others to do. And it is this fact that keeps me from stepping forward and proclaiming the power of God.

I know what God can do because the Bible tells me. It is undeniable that God has done many things for me my whole life, particularly after my husband’s death, but I still find it so hard to give up the worldly things that have been so much a part of my life for so long; and these things interfere with my desire to study more and to spend time in prayer. How often do we say, “I just don’t have the time,” but in reality, we fill our lives with things that do us no good and keep out the One who wants to share our lives; the only One who can help.

I need a change, a complete change in my life; one that comes only by prayer and study of God’s word, and this is what I find so hard to do. It’s what I want to do, but I don’t.

“The work of gaining salvation is one of co-partnership, a joint operation. There is to be cooperation between God and the repentant sinner. This is necessary for the formation of right principles in the character. Man is to make earnest efforts to overcome that which hinders him from attaining to perfection. But he is wholly dependent upon God for success. Human effort of itself is not sufficient. Without the aid of divine power it avails nothing. God works and man works. Resistance of temptation must come from man, who must draw his power from God. On the one side there is infinite wisdom, compassion, and power; on the other, weakness, sinfulness, absolute helplessness.

“God wishes us to have the mastery over ourselves. But He cannot help us without our consent and co-operation. The divine Spirit works through the powers and faculties given to man. Of ourselves, we are not able to bring the purposes and desires and inclinations into harmony with the will of God; but if we are ‘willing to be made willing,’ the Saviour will accomplish this for us, ‘… bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ’ (2 Corinthians 10:5).” The Acts of the Apostles, 482.

Friends, this is what I need. Maybe it’s what you need, too. If we are to be effective witnesses for God, then we must surrender to His Spirit. He will not change us if we are not willing to allow the changing.

“He who would build up a strong, symmetrical character, he who would be a well-balanced Christian, must give all and do all for Christ; for the Redeemer will not accept divided service. Daily he must learn the meaning of self-surrender. He must study the word of God, learning its meaning and obeying its precepts. Thus he may reach the standard of Christian excellence. Day by day God works with him, perfecting the character that is to stand in the time of final test. And day by day the believer is working out before men and angels a sublime experiment, showing what the gospel can do for fallen human beings.” Ibid., 483.

The end is no longer near. Jesus. Is. Coming! There is a world to warn. Family and friends need to be given the opportunity to choose for themselves as the Holy Spirit works in their lives. They must be given the truth with compassion and loving kindness; offending them should not be a concern if in the end, they accept Christ.

But while we are witnessing, we cannot neglect the work needed in our own lives so we are not left behind at Jesus’ appearing. If you aren’t right with God, now is the time because time is almost up.

Let this be our daily prayer: “I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13, 14).

[All emphasis supplied.]

Judy Rebarchek is a member of the LandMarks team. She can be contacted at: judyrebarchek@stepstolife.org

I Was Hungry

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Spiritual Lessons from Matthew 25:31–33, 41–46, NASB

“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. …

“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Two parables immediately precede this proclamation: the parable of the ten virgins, and the parable of the three servants who were given different numbers of talents or gifts. It is no accident that these immediately precede Jesus’ instruction on the sheep and the goats.

Concerning this passage of Scripture, Ellen White wrote:

“Those on the left hand of Christ, those who had neglected Him in the person of the poor and the suffering, were unconscious of their guilt. Satan had blinded them; they had not perceived what they owed to their brethren. They had been self-absorbed, and cared not for others’ needs.” The Desire of Ages, 639.

We have an obligation to our brethren.

“To the rich, God has given wealth that they may relieve and comfort His suffering children; but too often they are indifferent to the wants of others. They feel themselves superior to their poor brethren. They do not put themselves in the poor man’s place. They do not understand the temptations and struggles of the poor, and mercy dies out of their hearts. In costly dwellings and splendid churches, the rich shut themselves away from the poor; the means that God has given to bless the needy is spent in pampering pride and selfishness. The poor are robbed daily of the education they should have concerning the tender mercies of God; for He has made ample provision that they should be comforted with the necessities of life. They are compelled to feel the poverty that narrows life, and are often tempted to become envious, jealous, and full of evil surmisings. Those who themselves have not endured the pressure of want too often treat the poor in a contemptuous way, and make them feel that they are looked upon as paupers.

“But Christ beholds it all, and He says, It was I who was hungry and thirsty. It was I who was a stranger. It was I who was sick. It was I who was in prison. While you were feasting at your bountifully spread table, I was famishing in the hovel or the empty street. While you were at ease in your luxurious home, I had not where to lay My head. While you crowded your wardrobe with rich apparel, I was destitute. While you pursued your pleasures, I languished in prison.” Ibid., 639, 640.

Many are probably saying, “I know all that, AND I give to the poor. I am involved with this or that charity. Or, I give handouts to the homeless.” But if this is our thinking, we may still be among the goats.

Understanding this text in its correct interpretation was one of my struggles in coming to grips with the true understanding of Christianity and what it really meant. We are taught, even within Adventism, that this Scripture is about the physically poor, sick, blind and naked. We have A.D.R.A. We have Dorcas societies, soup kitchens and clothing banks. All of these serve a good purpose. However, let me paraphrase these paragraphs from The Desire of Ages with a spiritual perception and you will see that we get a vastly different view of this passage, and of our duty.

“To the rich in the knowledge of salvation, God has given spiritual wealth that they may relieve and comfort His children, suffering under the curse of sin; but too often they are indifferent to the wants of others. They feel themselves superior in the knowledge of the Scriptures, to their poor brethren who know not the way of salvation. They do not put themselves in the poor man’s place. They do not understand the temptations and struggles of the poor, without the armor of God for protection against the wiles of Satan, and mercy dies out of their hearts as they see these poor ones in their sin. In costly dwellings and splendid churches, with grand theological truths, the rich in their theories of God shut themselves away from the poor in spirit; the means that God has given to bless the needy is spent in pampering their pride of opinion and selfishness with the words of eternal life. The poor are robbed daily of the education they should have concerning the tender mercies of God, His forgiveness of sin, and His power to give victory over sin; for He has made ample provision that they should be comforted with the necessities of life—eternal life. They are compelled to feel the poverty that narrows life, restricting it to the poor and limited substitute for eternal life—the life of this world, and these poor are often tempted to become envious, jealous, and full of evil surmisings towards those whom God has set to be light bearers for His kingdom. Those who themselves have not endured the pressure of want for Bibles, for the riches of salvation, too often treat the poor in a contemptuous way, and make them feel that they are looked upon as paupers in eternal goods.

“But Christ beholds it all, and He says, It was I who was hungry for the bread of life eternal. I was thirsty for the living water. It was I who was a stranger to the Plan of Salvation. It was I who was sick with the leprosy of sin. It was I who was in the prison house, the bondage of Satan. While you were feasting at your bountifully spread table of the eternal truths of the Bible, I was famishing in the hovel or the empty street, without a Bible, without the knowledge of the way to the heavenly mansions. While you were at ease in your luxurious home, contemplating your eternal mansion, I had not where to lay My head, no comfort or peace. While you crowded your wardrobe with rich apparel, knowing of the robe of Christ’s righteousness, I was destitute, spiritually naked and cold. While you pursued your pleasures, I languished in the prison of sin.” The Desire of Ages, 639, 640.

And how is it that Christ could say this? Because, He says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me” (Matthew 25:45 NIV).

Let’s turn again to Inspiration to see just what is our obligation, our duty to our brethren. “The subject of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God. All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and work of their great High Priest. Otherwise it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which is essential at this time or to occupy the position which God designs them to fill.” The Great Controversy, 488. [Emphasis supplied.]

“The subject of the sanctuary was the key which unlocked the mystery of the disappointment of 1844. It opened to view a complete system of truth, connected and harmonious, showing that God’s hand had directed the great advent movement and revealing present duty as it brought to light the position and work of His people.” Ibid., 423. [Emphasis supplied.]

“The work to be carried on by the people of God is declared in the words of Inspiration: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Thy face, which shall prepare Thy way before Thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight’ (Mark 1:2, 3). ‘Behold My servant, whom I uphold; Mine elect, in whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him. He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. … He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for His law’ (Isaiah 42:1–4).” Testimonies, vol. 9, 64.

Jesus is coming again—SOON! He tells us, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” Can we do it if we do not have a clear understanding of the sanctuary message, of the investigative judgment taking place right now—a judgment before which every individual, whether they know about it or not, has to stand? According to the passages we have just read, we cannot.

“God invites all men to the fullest investigation of the claims of His law. His word is sacred and infinite. The cause of truth is to go forth as a lamp that burneth. Earnest study of the word of God will reveal the truth. Sin and wrong will not be sustained, but the law of God will be vindicated. ‘Thus saith God the Lord, He that created the heavens, and stretched them out; He that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; He that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house’ (verses 5–7). Christians are to seek their light from the word of God and then in faith go forth to give that light to those who sit in darkness.” Ibid.

“When Christ came to the world, he found that Satan had almost everything under his own control. Christ announced His mission at Nazareth. He said, ‘The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to teach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord’ (Isaiah 61:1, 2). This was His work. He went about doing good, and healing all those who were oppressed of the devil. There were whole villages where there was not a moan of sickness in any house, for He had passed through them and healed all their sick. His work gave evidence of His divine anointing. He had come to represent His Father to the world; and love, mercy, and compassion were displayed in every act of His life. His heart went out in tender sympathy to the children of men. This was His work in our world, to elevate humanity by combining divinity with humanity. He took man’s nature that He might reach man’s wants. With His human arm He encircled the race, and with His divine arm He grasped the throne of the Infinite, and united finite man with the infinite God, and earth with Heaven. Here was man, plunged in degradation, sin, and ruin, and Christ was willing to resign all His glory in order to offer to man the cup of salvation. Astonishment filled Heaven to see man’s indifference, to see man so lacking in appreciation of the things that would make for his peace.” The Signs of the Times, June 17, 1889.

The present truth message for Jesus and His disciples, the message of the angel at the first advent, was a message of peace and good will toward men. But now we see three angels flying in the midst of heaven proclaiming the present truth messages for our time. They are urgent messages of judgment, of consequences, and of protection from the consequences for being found guilty in the judgment.

These messages for our time are food for the hungry, water for the thirsty, freedom to those in bondage, healing for the sin-sick soul, the spiritually blind and naked. It is not some ecumenical, undefined, nebulous gospel of peace. Inspiration gives us ample, explicit and clear instruction.

“I saw the necessity of the messengers, especially, watching and checking all fanaticism wherever they might see it rise. Satan is pressing in on every side, and unless we watch for him, and have our eyes open to his devices and snares, and have on the whole armor of God, the fiery darts of the wicked will hit us. There are many precious truths contained in the word of God, but it is present truth that the flock needs now. I have seen the danger of the messengers running off from the important points of present truth, to dwell upon subjects that are not calculated to unite the flock and sanctify the soul. Satan will here take every possible advantage to injure the cause.

“But such subjects as the sanctuary, in connection with the 2300 days, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, are perfectly calculated to explain the past Advent movement and show what our present position is, establish the faith of the doubting, and give certainty to the glorious future. These, I have frequently seen, were the principal subjects on which the messengers should dwell.” Early Wrtings, 63. [Emphasis supplied.]

As a church, are we fulfilling the true gospel commission, preaching “this gospel of the kingdom” whose “present truth” message is the Most Holy Place message of the sanctuary in heaven? Or is our Lord saying to us that it was He who was hungry and thirsty. While we were feasting at our bountifully spread table, He was famishing in a hovel or empty street. While we were at ease in our luxurious homes, He had not where to lay His head. While we crowded our wardrobes with rich apparel, He was destitute and while we pursued our own pleasure, He languished in prison in the person of one of His children.

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot’ (Revelation 3:14, 15 NASB).”

God sends His message of love to us. He sees that unless we repent, He will have to say to us that we sat spiritually rich (in our own eyes), feeling that we have all the truth (we have need of nothing) and yet in our spiritual arrogance, pride and self-satisfaction, left those destitute of the knowledge of His grace—His great, eternal, life-giving present truth messages on the outside, cold, hungry for the truths of salvation, naked without the robe of Christ’s righteousness, in bondage to the yoke of sin, in the prison house of suffering, and eventually eternal death. He sees us, by our actions, saying “peace on earth, and good will to men.” He will have to say to us “ ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me’ ” (Matthew 25:41 NASB). Oh, “Saddest of all words that ever fell on mortal ear are those words of doom, ‘I know you not’ (Matthew 25:12).” Christ’s Object Lessons. 413.

This is how these words we read earlier of Inspiration can be true. “Those on the left hand of Christ, those who had neglected Him in the person of the poor and the suffering, were unconscious of their guilt.” We do not recognize that it is our gift, our privilege, and our duty to know, to understand, to live, and to give the “present truth” message of Christ’s work in the Most Holy Place to those languishing in the bondage of sin. We do not really take in the fact that as we sit, complacent, self-satisfied, foolish virgins, having vast opportunity for and knowledge of the truth, but not the burning zeal of the Holy Spirit to share it, that we are Laodicea—we are to face the consequences—“I will spew [vomit forcefully] you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16 RSV) and His words, “depart from Me” “I know you not.”

Let us heed the voice of the “True Witness.” He knows our true condition. We may fool ourselves but we cannot fool God. In fact, according to our study of Inspiration, most people will be self-deceived. But the “True Witness” who KNOWS, has told us ahead of time that we may escape those “saddest of all words — ‘I know you not.’ ”

 Brenda Douay is a staff member at Steps to Life. She may be contacted by email at: brendadouay@stepstolife.org.

Insights from the Book of Isaiah (II) – Sharing With Our Neighbors

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February 4 – 10, 2018

Key Text

“Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even My witnesses. Is there a God beside Me? yea, there is no God; I know not any” (Isaiah 44:8).

Study Help: Prophets and Kings, 367–378.

Introduction

“We should know individually and be able to tell others that every promise of God is true. It is by bearing a straightforward testimony in word and work, that we are counted as true, faithful witnesses for Christ.” The Review and Herald, July 7, 1903.

Sunday 

1              REACHING THE UNREACHED

  • Describe the Lord’s plan for His sheep who are outside His fold. Ezekiel 34:12–14. What was the modern-day messenger of God bidden to say about this need?

Note: “As I traveled through the South on my way to the Conference, I saw city after city that was unworked. What is the matter? The ministers are hovering over churches, which know the truth, while thousands are perishing out of Christ. If the proper instruction were given, if the proper methods were followed, every church member would do his work as a member of the body. He would do Christian missionary work. But the churches are dying, and they want a minister to preach to them. They should be taught to bring a faithful tithe to God, that He may strengthen and bless them. They should be brought into working order, that the breath of God may come to them. They should be taught that unless they can stand alone, without a minister, they need to be converted anew, and baptized anew. They need to be born again.” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 1750.

“The world is to be warned. Ministers should work earnestly and devotedly, opening new fields and engaging in personal labor for souls, instead of hovering over the churches that already have great light and many advantages.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 255.

Monday

2              STRENGTHENED BY SERVICE

  • What saving light must be given to every person on earth? Isaiah 42:6; Mark 16:15. How have we as individual believers often neglected this duty—especially when assembled in larger congregations?

Note: “The commission of Christ is to be carried out to the letter. God’s people must consecrate to Him their means and their capabilities. The faithful soldiers of the cross of Christ are to go forth without the camp, bearing the reproach, and following in the path of self-denial trodden by the Redeemer.

“The ministers who are hovering over the churches, preaching to those who know the truth, would better go into places still in darkness. Unless they do this, they themselves and their congregations will become dwarfed. Our religion has become weak and sickly because the members of the church have left their first love. They might be strong men and women in Christ if they would obey the Lord’s directions. …

“The world is perishing in sin. How much longer will you allow yourselves to be held from the great, needy vineyard, when the history of this world is so near its close?” The Review and Herald, February 9, 1905.

“There are many of the members of our large churches doing comparatively nothing, who might accomplish a good work, if, instead of crowding together, they would scatter into places that have not yet been entered by the truth.” Ibid., November 26, 1914.

  • What must every minister and layperson keep in mind? Isaiah 43:11.

Note: “The people of God who have had light and knowledge have not carried out the high and holy purposes of God. They have not advanced from victory to victory, adding new territory, lifting up the standard in the cities and their suburbs. Great spiritual blindness has been shown by those who have had great light flashed upon them by the Lord, but who have not advanced in the light to greater and still greater light. Church members have not been encouraged to use spiritual nerve and muscle in the work of advancement. …

“In every church young men and young women should be selected to bear responsibilities. Let them make every effort to qualify themselves to help those who know not the truth. God calls for earnest, whole-souled workers. The humble and contrite will learn by personal experience that beside Him there is no savior.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 139. [Emphasis author’s.]

Tuesday 

3              REFRESHMENT FOR THE THIRSTY

  • What does God promise to do for those who seek to carry out His will wholeheartedly? Isaiah 44:3, 4.

Note: “We are taught in God’s word that this is the time, above all others, when we may look for light from heaven. It is now that we are to expect a refreshing from the presence of the Lord. We should watch for the movings of God’s providence as the army of Israel watched for ‘the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees’ (2 Samuel 5:24)—the appointed signal that heaven would work for them.

“God cannot glorify His name through His people while they are leaning upon man and making flesh their arm. Their present state of weakness will continue until Christ alone shall be exalted; until, with John the Baptist, they shall say from a humble and reverent heart: ‘He must increase, but I must decrease’ (John 3:30). Words have been given me to speak to the people of God: ‘Lift Him up, the Man of Calvary. Let humanity stand back, that all may behold Him in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered.’ …

“It is to the thirsting soul that the fountain of living waters is open. … [Isaiah 44:3 quoted.] To souls that are earnestly seeking for light and that accept with gladness every ray of divine illumination from His holy word, to such alone light will be given. It is through these souls that God will reveal that light and power which will lighten the whole earth with His glory.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 728, 729.

  • Describe the folly of the world in trusting to their idols. Isaiah 44:9, 14–17; 46:5–8. What refreshing news do these idol worshipers need to hear? Isaiah 44:22; Psalm 103:11–13.

Note: “God longs to breathe into prostrate humanity the breath of life. And He will not permit any soul to be disappointed who is sincere in his longing for something higher and nobler than anything the world can offer. Constantly He is sending His angels to those who, while surrounded by circumstances the most discouraging, pray in faith for some power higher than themselves to take possession of them and bring deliverance and peace. In various ways God will reveal Himself to them and will place them in touch with providences that will establish their confidence in the One who has given Himself a ransom for all, ‘that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments’ (Psalm 78:7).” Prophets and Kings, 377, 378.

Wednesday 

4              ENLARGING OUR BORDERS

  • What does God want His despised, forsaken remnant to do? Psalm 5:11; Isaiah 54:1.

Note: “All the fifty-fourth chapter of Isaiah is applicable to the people of God, and every specification of the prophecy will be fulfilled.” “Ellen G. Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1148.

  • Explain the assurance given to those who open their hearts and homes to others. Isaiah 54:2, 3; Hebrews 13:1, 2.

Note: “God has given me a message for His people. They must awake, spread their tents, and enlarge their borders. My brethren and sisters, you have been bought with a price, and all that you have and are is to be used to the glory of God and for the good of your fellow men. Christ died on the cross to save the world from perishing in sin. He asks your co-operation in this work. You are to be His helping hand. With earnest, unwearying effort you are to seek to save the lost. Remember that it was your sins that made the cross necessary. When you accepted Christ as your Saviour you pledged yourself to unite with Him in bearing the cross. For life and for death you are bound up with Him, a part of the great plan of redemption.

“The transforming power of Christ’s grace molds the one who gives himself to God’s service. Imbued with the Spirit of the Redeemer, he is ready to deny self, ready to take up the cross, ready to make any sacrifice for the Master. No longer can he be indifferent to the souls perishing around him. He is lifted above self-serving. He has been created anew in Christ, and self-serving has no place in his life.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 9, 10.

  • What amazing promises are associated with this type of missionary work? Isaiah 54:4, 5, 10, 17.

Note: “God’s everlasting arm encircles the soul that turns to Him for aid, however feeble that soul may be. The precious things of the hills shall perish; but the soul that lives for God, unmoved by censure, unperverted by applause, shall abide forever with Him.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 328.

Thursday 

5              PROMISING PROSPECTS AHEAD

  • What does God want us to be to those around us, and what assurances are there for those who undertake this work? 2 Chronicles 16:9; Isaiah 11:10–13; 57:13, 14.

Note: “The groups of missionaries in heathen lands have been likened by the prophet to ensigns set up for the guidance of those who are looking for the light of truth. …

“The day of deliverance is at hand. … Among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, He sees men and women who are praying for light and knowledge. Their souls are unsatisfied; long have they fed on ashes. (See Isaiah 44:20.) The enemy of all righteousness has turned them aside, and they grope as blind men. But they are honest in heart and desire to learn a better way. Although in the depths of heathenism, with no knowledge of the written law of God nor of His Son Jesus, they have revealed in manifold ways the working of a divine power on mind and character.

“At times those who have no knowledge of God aside from that which they have received under the operations of divine grace have been kind to His servants, protecting them at the risk of their own lives. The Holy Spirit is implanting the grace of Christ in the heart of many a noble seeker after truth, quickening his sympathies contrary to his nature, contrary to his former education.” Prophets and Kings, 375–377.

“The Lord sends the message, ‘Take up the stumbling-block out of the way of My people.’ Earnest effort is to be put forth to counterwork the influences that have kept back the message for this time. A solemn work is to be done in a short space of time.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1148.

Friday 

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1              If we are truly converted, what should we be willing to do in our churches?

2             Explain the disadvantage of large congregations.

3             To whom only will light be given, and what will they do with this light?

4             In what ways can I “enlarge” my “tent” for the Lord?

5             What steps can we take to help those who are blindly groping for light?