The price of heaven.

"Now, as never before, we need to understand the true science of education. If we fail to understand this, we shall never have a place in the kingdom of God. "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent." If this is the price of heaven, shall not our education be given on these lines? Christ must be everything to us."
{SpM 56.4}

Grace

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:11-13

Grace.
We hear a lot about the grace of God; how it is extended to sinners and it is by His grace alone that we can be considered His children. This is what grace does for us, but what affected me this morning is what graces does to us.
Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness, worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly. It also directs us to look for the day of our Lord’s return: the One who sacrificed all so we could be partakers of that grace.
"Marvelous grace of our loving Lord…"

We have but a little while...

We have only a little while to wage the warfare; then Christ will come, and the conflict will close. Then our last efforts to work with Christ and advance his kingdom, will have been made. Some who have stood at the fore-front of the battle, zealously resisting incoming evil, fall at the post of duty; the living gaze sorrowfully at the fallen heroes; but there is no time to cease work. They must close up the ranks, seize the banner from the hand palsied by death, and with renewed energy vindicate the truth and the honor of Christ. As never before, resistance must be made against sin,-- against the powers of darkness. The time demands energetic and determined activity on the part of those who believe present truth. If the time seems long as we wait for our Deliverer to come; if, bowed by affliction and worn with toil, we feel impatient to receive an honorable release from the warfare, let us remember--and let the remembrance check every murmur--that we are left on earth to encounter storm and tempest, to perfect Christian character, to become better acquainted with God our Father and with Christ our elder brother, and to work for the Master in winning many souls to Christ. "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever."

{SW, January 26, 1904 par. 13}

Press Forward.

As I look back over my life I see, though faintly now, a grand design and a loving designer who longs to walk this road, called life, with me. His hands have always been outstretched for me, when I’ve failed and when I’ve pressed close; He’s been there through the pain and the joy, a shelter to flee from the pressure and sadness of this world, a strength in time of weakness: a friend, none rivaled.
He’s been the other pair of footprints traced in the sands of time, the other I see walking with me. Sometimes I forget, sometimes the tears blind my vision, but he’s always been faithful.

Now I look forward to the uncertainty of the future, and wonder what my part is in His plan.
One thing’s for sure, God isn’t done with me yet. There are more souls to seek, more pilgrims to encourage, and more ground to gain. It feels so overwhelming, there’s so much to lose, and so much more to gain. Will I be faithful with my entrusted talent: will you...?

There’s work to be done, and a battle to be fought and won- let’s press forward.
Soli Deo Gloria


I do not know what next may come


Across my pilgrim way


I do not know tomorrow’s road,


Nor see beyond today.


But this I know; my Savior knows


The path I cannot see,


And I can trust His wounded hand


To guide and care for me.





I do not know what may befall


Of sunshine or of rain;


I do not know what may be mine


Of pleasure or of pain.


But this I know; my Savior knows


And whatso’er it be’


Still I can trust His love to give


What will be best for me.





I do not know what still awaits


Or what the future brings;


But with the glad salute of faith


I hail its opening wings!


For this I know: that in my Lord


Shall all my needs be met,


And I can trust the heart of Him


Who has not failed me yet.


Author Unknown




Love the Truth

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matthew 24:24
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Rejecting truth is a serious matter. There are many who were once strong Christians that allowed the seeds of doubt to be planted, and as a result are infidels and some of Satan's most effective agents. Matthew says, "if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." What is the difference between the elect, and those that are deceived? I believe the answer lies in 2 Thessalonians 2:10 ".... because they received not the love of the truth... And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion..."

God has not removed every obstacle or doubt from his word, but those that love the truth will count no sacrifice too great to obtain it; though scorned and slighted, and with tears they walk alone. They will have their reward.



"The time is coming when Satan will work miracles right in your sight, claiming that he is Christ; and if your feet are not firmly established upon the truth of God, then you will be led away from your foundation. The only safety for you is to search for truth as for hid treasure. Dig for the truth as you would for treasures in the earth, and present the word of God, the Bible, before your Heavenly Father and say, Enlighten me; teach me what is truth.... You should store the mind with the word of God; for you may be separated and placed where you will not have the privilege of meeting with the children of God." RH April 3, 1888

Words of wisdom

The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Ecclesiastes 9:17

What can be more contemptible...?

"What can be more contemptible than being proud of our talents? It is like a beggar being puffed up with the idea that he is rich, because some one has given him a few coppers." Young Lady's Guide

How often we fall into this trap, but isn't this what started the whole mess of sin...?
Oh, save us from ourselves!