Read the story from Matthew 25:1-13
The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit's working. They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their old nature to be broken up.
This class are represented also by the stony-ground hearers. They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating its principles. Its influence is not abiding. The Spirit works upon man's heart, according to his desire and consent implanting in him a new nature; but the class representing the foolish virgins have been content with a superficial work. They do not know God. They have not studied His character; they have not held communion with Him; therefore they do not know how to trust, how to look and live.
Their service to God degenerates into a form. "They come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as My people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after covetousness" Ezekiel 33:31.
The apostle Paul points out that this will be the special characteristic of those who live just before Christ's second coming. He says, "In the last days perilous times will come; for men shall be lovers of their own selves;...lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
Christ Object Lessons, Ellen G. White, pg. 411
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
TRUSTING GOD: Lesson from the Sermon on the Mount
"In His Sermon on the Mount, Christ taught His disciples precious lessons in regard to the necessity of trusting in God. These lessons were designed to encourage the children of God through all ages, and they came down to our time full of instruction and comfort. The Savior pointed His followers to the birds of the air as they warbled their carols of praise, unencumbered with thoughts of care, for 'they sow not, neither do they reap.' And yet the great Father provides for their needs. The Savior asks, 'Are ye not much better than they? Matthew 6:26.
The great Provider for man and beast opens His hand and supplies all His creatures. The birds of the air are not beneath His notice. He does not drop the food into their bills, but He makes provision for their needs. They must gather the grains He has scattered for them. They must prepare the material for their little nests. They must feed their young. They go forth singing to their labor, for 'your heavenly Father feedeth them.' And 'are ye not much better than they?' Are not you, as intelligent, spiritual worshipers, of more value than the birds of the air? Will not the Author of our being, the Preserver of our life, the One who formed us in His own divine image, provide for our necessities if we but trust in Him?
Steps to Christ, Ellen G. White, pg. 123
The great Provider for man and beast opens His hand and supplies all His creatures. The birds of the air are not beneath His notice. He does not drop the food into their bills, but He makes provision for their needs. They must gather the grains He has scattered for them. They must prepare the material for their little nests. They must feed their young. They go forth singing to their labor, for 'your heavenly Father feedeth them.' And 'are ye not much better than they?' Are not you, as intelligent, spiritual worshipers, of more value than the birds of the air? Will not the Author of our being, the Preserver of our life, the One who formed us in His own divine image, provide for our necessities if we but trust in Him?
Steps to Christ, Ellen G. White, pg. 123
TRUST
"It is the love of self that brings unrest.
When we are born from above, the same mind will be in us that was in Jesus, the mind that led Him to humble Himself that we might be saved. Then we shall not be seeking the highest place.
We shall desire to sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn of Him. We shall understand that the value of our work does not consist of making a show and noise in the world, and in being active and zealout in our own strength. The value of our work is in proportion to the impartation of the Holy Spirit.
Trust in God brings holier qualities of mind, so that in patience we may possess our souls."
Desire of Ages, Ellen G. White, pg. 330-331
When we are born from above, the same mind will be in us that was in Jesus, the mind that led Him to humble Himself that we might be saved. Then we shall not be seeking the highest place.
We shall desire to sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn of Him. We shall understand that the value of our work does not consist of making a show and noise in the world, and in being active and zealout in our own strength. The value of our work is in proportion to the impartation of the Holy Spirit.
Trust in God brings holier qualities of mind, so that in patience we may possess our souls."
Desire of Ages, Ellen G. White, pg. 330-331
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
THE LAW OF LIBERTY
Jesus saves us from our sins. If God could have saved us in our sins, then there would have been no need for Jesus to die for our redemption.
Sin is a transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us (1 John 1:10), for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
We keep the law as an outshowing of our love for God. If we love him, we will keep his commandments (John 14:15). His commandments are not grevious (1 John 5:3), on them hang the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:40 & Romans 13:10). In keeping them, they'd be no desire to rebel against parental authority, no desire to kill, no desire to be unfaithful or commit adultery, no desire to covet or steal, no temptation to "save our skins" by lying and a definite desire to honor our parents (regardless of whether they're worthy of it or not).
Since, men (and women) transgress God’s law, then we have to rebuke our children, lock our doors, guard our marriages, protect our property, endure the failings of our parents, and admit when we've done wrong.
The Lord's Law is the law of liberty (James 1:25 & 2:12), not a law of restrictions or bondage, and in keeping them there is great reward (Psalm 19:11).
Sin is a transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us (1 John 1:10), for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
We keep the law as an outshowing of our love for God. If we love him, we will keep his commandments (John 14:15). His commandments are not grevious (1 John 5:3), on them hang the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:40 & Romans 13:10). In keeping them, they'd be no desire to rebel against parental authority, no desire to kill, no desire to be unfaithful or commit adultery, no desire to covet or steal, no temptation to "save our skins" by lying and a definite desire to honor our parents (regardless of whether they're worthy of it or not).
Since, men (and women) transgress God’s law, then we have to rebuke our children, lock our doors, guard our marriages, protect our property, endure the failings of our parents, and admit when we've done wrong.
The Lord's Law is the law of liberty (James 1:25 & 2:12), not a law of restrictions or bondage, and in keeping them there is great reward (Psalm 19:11).
Thursday, July 2, 2009
ORPAH'S WARNING GOES UNHEEDED
A few years ago, Oprah exposed the dangers of beef and the mad-cow disease it was tainted with. As powerful as Oprah was at that time and still is, there were people more powerful than she, who forced her to stop her claims. Thanks be to God that the God of Heaven is more powerful than those people. It is with that assurance that boldness is given to share this information.
In addition to the population, the size of our citizens have increased exponentially. I'm sure that you have noticed that relatives, friends, neighbors, and maybe even you, have ballooned in the past couple of years. Your diet hasn't changed much, but your body seems to have taken on a mind of its own.
The information out there is overwhelming and the source list is so extensive that I won't even bother to share them. Besides, I'm sure that you already know what I am about to share. Everyone knows it. Knowledge is not the problem! The daily choices we make, that's the root of the issue!
In modern society, there was a time when only those who could afford meat, ate meat. Now, even African, Asian and other plant food rich cultures have adopted a meat based diet, and as a result are dying from the diseases that were only seen in other parts of the world.
The consumption of beef, pork, chicken and fish has become the staple in people's diets because of overwhelming and well-placed advertising that shapes social thinking. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables have been given low priority and the digestive system and our mental aquity has paid the price.
This could be a really lengthy discourse on the dangers of eating meat, heart disease, high cholesterol notwithstanding. Religious and secular authorities will echo the same sentiment, but most of society seems to have stopped up their ears and turned a blind eye to the problem.
It's a little bigger than meat my friends. It's about preparing for heaven. If that's not your goal, then this just won't make much sense to you (a prayer was offered on your behalf). If heaven is your goal, then you must realize that diet or appetite is a very overlooked component in our spiritual walk.
Eve fell on the point of appetite, not to mention that she broke a few commandments in the process (#1, #8 & #10). Jesus was first tempted by the Devil in the wilderness on the point of appetite. Esau gave up his birthright for a bowl of lentils. The children of Israel craved the depraved diet of Egypt that they begged for meat and when they received it, gorged until it came out of their noses. Lastly, Paul warned against those "whose God is their belly."
This matter of appetite is nothing to be taken lightly. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile (destroys) the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." (1 Corinthians 3:16,17)
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)
In addition to the population, the size of our citizens have increased exponentially. I'm sure that you have noticed that relatives, friends, neighbors, and maybe even you, have ballooned in the past couple of years. Your diet hasn't changed much, but your body seems to have taken on a mind of its own.
The information out there is overwhelming and the source list is so extensive that I won't even bother to share them. Besides, I'm sure that you already know what I am about to share. Everyone knows it. Knowledge is not the problem! The daily choices we make, that's the root of the issue!
In modern society, there was a time when only those who could afford meat, ate meat. Now, even African, Asian and other plant food rich cultures have adopted a meat based diet, and as a result are dying from the diseases that were only seen in other parts of the world.
The consumption of beef, pork, chicken and fish has become the staple in people's diets because of overwhelming and well-placed advertising that shapes social thinking. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables have been given low priority and the digestive system and our mental aquity has paid the price.
This could be a really lengthy discourse on the dangers of eating meat, heart disease, high cholesterol notwithstanding. Religious and secular authorities will echo the same sentiment, but most of society seems to have stopped up their ears and turned a blind eye to the problem.
It's a little bigger than meat my friends. It's about preparing for heaven. If that's not your goal, then this just won't make much sense to you (a prayer was offered on your behalf). If heaven is your goal, then you must realize that diet or appetite is a very overlooked component in our spiritual walk.
Eve fell on the point of appetite, not to mention that she broke a few commandments in the process (#1, #8 & #10). Jesus was first tempted by the Devil in the wilderness on the point of appetite. Esau gave up his birthright for a bowl of lentils. The children of Israel craved the depraved diet of Egypt that they begged for meat and when they received it, gorged until it came out of their noses. Lastly, Paul warned against those "whose God is their belly."
This matter of appetite is nothing to be taken lightly. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile (destroys) the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." (1 Corinthians 3:16,17)
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)
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