Amidst the Strife of Nations....

He who slumbers not, who in every crisis has been the strength and dependence of His people, will carry out His eternal purpose.  He will halt the designs of wicked men, and will bring to confusion the counsels of those who plot mischief against His people.

 He who is the King, the Lord of hosts…amidst the strife and tumult of nations guards His children still.  When the strongholds of kings shall be overthrown, when the arrows of wrath shall strike through the hearts of His enemies, God’s people will be safe in His hands.   By Ellen G White

Read Psalm 91 - in Holy Scripture, the Bible

Biblestudies.com

Excellent sources for Bible study: biblestudies.com

Clouded because of Pain

“Often your mind may be
Clouded because of pain.
Then do not try to think.
You know that Jesus loves you!
He understands your weakness.
You may do His will by simply
Resting in His arms.”
Ministry of Healing 251
E G White


And the Lord your God will
Turn a curse into a blessing
For you,
Because the Lord your God
Loves You!
Deuteronomy 23:5


Those who have a humble, trusting,
contrite heart, God accepts,
and hears their prayer, and
When God Helps
All obstacles will be overcome.
Prayer 33
E G White

Depression

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you or forsake you.  Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

Do not be afraid!  For it is your [heavenly] Father’s desire to give you the kingdom of Heaven.  Luke 12:32

In the day of trouble I will call to God, and He will answer me. Psalm 86:7

Cast your worries on the Lord and He will sustain you. Psalm 55:22

God heard my cry for mercy when I called to Him for help…Be strong and take courage all you who hope in the Lord.  Psalm 31: 22, 24

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry.  Psalm 34:15

Our Defense Attorney in the Final Judgment

          The Biblical judicial system was not like ours.  The one bringing the charges served as prosecutor.  The judge served as defense attorney.  If the judge realized the charges were serious, he could call for the accused's eldest male relative to sit at his right side to help him with the defense.

          Jesus speaks with the Father, because they are both on the same side defending us against Satan's accusations!!  This is why the Bible speaks of looking forward to God's Judgment.  It means vindication to those who love and obey the Lord!!

          "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ..." 2 Corinthians 5:10.  "The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son."  John 5:22.

           "Who is to judge us?  It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, for He is at the right hand of God, who intercedes for us!"  Romans 8:34.   "And to testify that it is He [Jesus] who was ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and dead."  Acts 10:42.

          Jesus speaks, "My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me."  John 8:16.   "…if anyone sins, we have an Attorney with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous." 1 John 2:1.  "He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man God ordained."  Acts 17:31.

           "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  1 John 1:9.  Jesus says, "But I say to you, that every idle word that people speak, they will give account thereof in the Day of Judgment!"  Matthew 12:36.  

           "As many as have sinned in the Law [Ten Commandments] shall be judged by the Law.  Romans 2:12.   We shall be "judged by the Law of liberty" [the Ten Commandments].  James 2:12.

           "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His Commandments, for this is the whole duty of humanity.  For God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil."  Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14.

A Sympathizing Friend

Whatever our situation, if we are doers of His word, we have a Guide to direct our way;
whatever our perplexity, we have a sure Counselor;
whatever our sorrow, bereavement or loneliness, we have a Sympathizing Friend (His name is Jesus Christ).

Ministry of Healing 249 E G White

Do not Neglect Secret Prayer

Do not neglect secret prayer, for it is the soul of religion. With earnest, fervent prayer, plead for purity of soul. Plead as earnestly, as eagerly, as you would for your mortal life, were it at stake.
Testimonies Vol. 1, 163 (1885, E G White)

Constant, Perfect Peace

There will be peace, constant peace, flowing into the soul, for the rest is found in perfect submission to Jesus Christ. Obedience to God’s will finds rest. The disciple that walks in the meek and [humble] steps of the Redeemer finds rest, which the world cannot give, and the world cannot take away. ‘Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.’ 

[Gentleness & humbleness], which ever characterized the life of the divine Son of God, possessed by His true followers, brings contentment, peace, and happiness that elevate them above the slavery of artificial life.

Our High Calling 98 by E G White

Lay All Your Plans Before God

Lay all your plans before God, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate.

Accept His plans instead of your own, even though their acceptance requires the abandonment of cherished projects.

Testimonies for the Church, Volume 7, page 44, E G White

The remainder of our life...

Let us look to the monumental pillars, reminders of what the Lord has done to comfort us and to save us from the hand of the destroyer.

Let us keep fresh in our memory all the tender mercies that God has shown us:
the tears He has wiped away,
the pains He has soothed,
the anxieties removed,
the fears dispelled,
the wants supplied,
the blessings bestowed -
thus strengthening ourselves for all that is before us through the remainder of our [life]...

Steps to Christ 89, E G White

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

OLD TESTAMENT - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. You will have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3

2. You will not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth, or that is in the water under the earth. You will not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto thousands that love Me and keep My Commandments. Exodus 20:4-6

3. You will not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain.
Exodus 20:7

4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days you may work, and do all your work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, daughter, manservant, maidservant, thy animals, nor the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Exodus 20:8-11

5. Honor your father and mother, that your days be long upon the land which the Lord thy God gives to you. Exodus 20:12

6. You will not murder. Exodus 20:13

7. You will not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14

8. You will not steal. Exodus 20:15

9. You will not lie about a neighbor. Exodus 20:16

10. You will not covet your neighbor’s house, wife, servants, animals, or anything that is your neighbor’s. Exodus 20:17


NEW TESTAMENT - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. You will worship the Lord your God. and Him only will you serve. Matthew 4:10

2. Little children, keep yourselves from idols 1 John 5:21
...abstain from idols... Acts 15:20
Do not be idolaters... 1 Cor. 10:7

3. That the Name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed. 1 Timothy 6:1

4. For He spoke in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all His works. There remains a rest [‘keeping of a Sabbath’ margin] to the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works as God did from His. Hebrews 4:4, 9, 10

5. Honor thy father and thy mother. Matthew 19:19

6. Thou shalt not murder. Matthew 19:18

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Matthew 19:18

8. Thou shalt not steal. Romans 13:9

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness. Romans 13:9

10. Thou shalt not covet. Romans 7:7

Our God of all Comfort

God speaks to us in a special way in times of testing. This is presented with the sincere desire that you might be strengthened as God speaks to you in your time of need, and that you, through the “Comfort of Scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4.


“Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforts us in our trials.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not worry, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms (eternal strength).” Deuteronomy 33:27

“Like a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those that fear Him. For He knows our frame, He remembers that we are only dust.” Psalm 103:13-14

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“God will keep you in perfect peace, when your mind is focused on God, because you trust in God.” Isaiah 26:3

[Jesus said,] These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you will have trials, but be happy, because I have overcome the world!” John 16:33


“Now for a while, if need be, you are in heaviness through many trials and temptations. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than purified gold, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the coming of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7


[The Lord said,] “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
 [Paul’s response was,] “Most gladly I will glory in my infirmities and trials that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

As you claim God’s promises by faith, He will grant you:

His triumph in the midst of testing.
His joy in the midst of sorrow.
His peace in the midst of trouble.

Beware! of Self-pity

We need to beware of self-pity. Never indulge the feeling that you are not esteemed as you should be, that your efforts are not appreciated, that your work is too difficult.

Let the memory of what Christ has endured for us silence every murmuring thought.

The Lord has no place in His work for those who have a greater desire to win the crown than to bear the cross.

Ministry of Healing 476, E G White

God Rescues Every Time

God hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

The righteous face many troubles, but God rescues them every time.

Psalm 34:17-19

Happiness & Safety

Your only safety and happiness are in making Christ your constant counselor. You can be happy in (Jesus) if you had not another friend in the wide world. Your feelings of unrest and homesickness or loneliness may be for your good. Your heavenly Father means to teach you to find in Him the friendship and love and consolation that will satisfy your most earnest hopes and desires.

…Do not be overanxious about anything. Go quietly about your duty which the day brings you. Do the best you can, ask God to be your helper.

 Our High Calling, p 64, E G White