The preacher is to preach the Gospel. The Gospel is about Jesus Christ. Jesus came to save sinners. Sin is the transgression of the Law. See 1 John 3:4.
If there is no Law, as some contend, then there is no sin; if there is no sin, then there is no sinner; if there is no sinner, then there is no need of Christ; if there is no need of Christ, then there is no Gospel; and if there is no Gospel, then the preacher doesn't have much to say!
However, we know that sin exists, because the world is in such a sorry state. The world needs Jesus very badly.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Opening the Heart to God
“Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend.
"In the secret place of prayer, where no eye but God’s can see, no ear but His can hear, we may pour out our most hidden desires and longings to the Father of infinite pity; and in the hush and silence of the soul, that Voice which never fails to answer the cry of human need, will speak to our hearts." Signs of the Times, January 29, 1902, paragraph 1
"In the secret place of prayer, where no eye but God’s can see, no ear but His can hear, we may pour out our most hidden desires and longings to the Father of infinite pity; and in the hush and silence of the soul, that Voice which never fails to answer the cry of human need, will speak to our hearts." Signs of the Times, January 29, 1902, paragraph 1
Monday, August 18, 2014
Words from Malachi
Why worship God when the ungodly are rich and happy?
"Such words are spoken against Me!” says God.
But you reply, "What did we say against God?"
You have said, `it is useless to serve God for what difference does it make if we keep His Laws and live a moral life? The conceited are happy and the immoral have honor and prominence. It seems that even those who provoke God are exalted!'"
But the Lord hears those who love Him and witness about Him to others. The names of those who love and serve Him, and pray to Him are written in His Book of Remembrance.
"They will be My people", says God, "in the day when I return to claim My own. I will save those who love Me, as a man saves his own son that serves him. Then the difference between the righteous and the wicked will be discerned, between those who serve God and those who do not."
For the day is coming when all the ungodly will burn and be totally destroyed by fire. But to those who love Jesus, He will come again with salvation, and His chosen will be content and live forever.
The above quotes are from these Bible texts:
Malachi 3:13-18; 4:1-2.
"Such words are spoken against Me!” says God.
But you reply, "What did we say against God?"
You have said, `it is useless to serve God for what difference does it make if we keep His Laws and live a moral life? The conceited are happy and the immoral have honor and prominence. It seems that even those who provoke God are exalted!'"
But the Lord hears those who love Him and witness about Him to others. The names of those who love and serve Him, and pray to Him are written in His Book of Remembrance.
"They will be My people", says God, "in the day when I return to claim My own. I will save those who love Me, as a man saves his own son that serves him. Then the difference between the righteous and the wicked will be discerned, between those who serve God and those who do not."
For the day is coming when all the ungodly will burn and be totally destroyed by fire. But to those who love Jesus, He will come again with salvation, and His chosen will be content and live forever.
The above quotes are from these Bible texts:
Malachi 3:13-18; 4:1-2.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
An Animal's Love
"The intelligence displayed by many [mute] animals approaches so closely to human intelligence that it is a mystery.
The animals see and hear and love and fear and suffer. They use their organs far more faithfully than many human beings use theirs. They manifest sympathy and tenderness toward their companions in suffering.
Many animals show affection for those who have charge of them, far superior to the affection shown by some of the human race. They form attachments for man which are not broken without great suffering to them."
Ministry of Healing pages 315-316 by Ellen G White
The animals see and hear and love and fear and suffer. They use their organs far more faithfully than many human beings use theirs. They manifest sympathy and tenderness toward their companions in suffering.
Many animals show affection for those who have charge of them, far superior to the affection shown by some of the human race. They form attachments for man which are not broken without great suffering to them."
Ministry of Healing pages 315-316 by Ellen G White
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
The Guiding Hand
To all who are reaching out to feel the guiding hand of God, the moment of greatest discouragement is the time when Divine help is nearest. Desire of Ages 528
In [Heaven] the mysteries that here [on earth] have annoyed and disappointed us will be made plain. We shall see that our seemingly unanswered prayers and disappointed hopes have been among our greatest blessings. Ministry of Healing 474
In [Heaven] the mysteries that here [on earth] have annoyed and disappointed us will be made plain. We shall see that our seemingly unanswered prayers and disappointed hopes have been among our greatest blessings. Ministry of Healing 474
Sunday, August 10, 2014
O, What a Night!
The first night we moved into our current house we had excitement! About 2 a.m., we heard unearthly sounds outside the bedroom window. Andy said he'd go outside and check on the matter. After waiting thirty minutes I made a search of the house, but could not locate Andy! Stepping outside I called out, but he did not answer!
The horrible noises continued so after calling the police and telling them the situation I closed the bedroom door and sat on the bed. Five minutes later the phone rang. Rushing to the kitchen phone (the only phone in the house) I ran into a man in the hall! He grabbed me as I hit him over and over in the chest! The deep, raspy voice said, "it's me!," but it did not sound like anyone I knew! Finally the voice began sounding coherent - it was Andy! Seems he fell asleep in the spare room and the phone woke him, he had never gone outside! The call was from the police verifying my earlier call. Andy’s explanation that no one called did not convince the officers and they came immediately. The officers checked our property for signs of an intruder, but could find nothing. What a night!!!
The horrible noises continued so after calling the police and telling them the situation I closed the bedroom door and sat on the bed. Five minutes later the phone rang. Rushing to the kitchen phone (the only phone in the house) I ran into a man in the hall! He grabbed me as I hit him over and over in the chest! The deep, raspy voice said, "it's me!," but it did not sound like anyone I knew! Finally the voice began sounding coherent - it was Andy! Seems he fell asleep in the spare room and the phone woke him, he had never gone outside! The call was from the police verifying my earlier call. Andy’s explanation that no one called did not convince the officers and they came immediately. The officers checked our property for signs of an intruder, but could find nothing. What a night!!!
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Stars & Planets
[The Hands that sustain the worlds in space and holds them in their orderly arrangement, are the Hands that were nailed to the cross!]
Look into the heavens! Who created all these stars and planets? He creates them in number calling each one by it's own name. By God's great might and strong power not one strays or is lost.
Why do you say that the Lord God does not see your troubles and is not being fair? Don't you know? Haven't you heard?! The everlasting God, the Creator of the Universe, never grows faint or tired. No one can fathom His understanding.
[Remember how He cares for the stars? He loves you even more!]
From Isaiah 40:26-28
Look into the heavens! Who created all these stars and planets? He creates them in number calling each one by it's own name. By God's great might and strong power not one strays or is lost.
Why do you say that the Lord God does not see your troubles and is not being fair? Don't you know? Haven't you heard?! The everlasting God, the Creator of the Universe, never grows faint or tired. No one can fathom His understanding.
[Remember how He cares for the stars? He loves you even more!]
From Isaiah 40:26-28
The Will of God
As you open your door to Christ’s needy and suffering ones, you are welcoming unseen holy angels. Desire of Ages 639, E G White
He who does the will of God, who walks in the path that God has marked out, cannot stumble and fall. The light of God’s guiding Spirit gives him a clear perception of his duty, and leads him aright till the close of his work.
Desire of Ages 527, E G White
In deciding upon any course of action, we are not to ask whether we can see that harm will result from it, but whether it is in keeping with the will of God.
Patriarchs & Prophets 634, E G White
He who does the will of God, who walks in the path that God has marked out, cannot stumble and fall. The light of God’s guiding Spirit gives him a clear perception of his duty, and leads him aright till the close of his work.
Desire of Ages 527, E G White
In deciding upon any course of action, we are not to ask whether we can see that harm will result from it, but whether it is in keeping with the will of God.
Patriarchs & Prophets 634, E G White
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