Thoughts of Hope

ENCOURAGEMENT !!!: 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. ...

Satan cannot force

Christ will give strength to all who seek it. No man, without his own consent, can be overcome by Satan. The tempter has no power to control the will or to force the soul to sin. He may distress, but he cannot contaminate. He can cause agony, but not Defilement.

The fact that Christ has conquered should inspire His followers with courage to fight manfully the battle against sin and satan.

The Great Controversy, 510, Ellen G White

Our Friend in Trials and Sufferings

Sometimes, we are called to pass through periods of trial and hardship.  Our future seems hedged with difficulties.  Our faith and loyalty are tested to the limit.  But NEVER does God desert us.  He awaits the right moment to come to our rescue.

 Maybe you are troubled, perplexed, and afraid; it may be because you have forgotten that you have Jesus for a Friend.   Jesus is “a very present help in trouble” Psalm 46:1.  Take Jesus at His word and go boldly and with confidence and tell Jesus all that is on your heart.

Unpardonable Sin

No one need to look upon the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit as mysterious. The unpardonable sin is the persistent refusal to repent.

In the Bible book of Acts, the apostle Paul pleaded with Governor Felix twice to repent, but Felix told Paul to go away and that he might call for Paul at a more convenient time. But Felix never called for Paul again.

Felix slighted his last offer of mercy; never was he to receive another call from God.

If we are honest with ourselves, we can count many calls from God to repent and be saved.
 How many calls will God give us? Felix had only two!

Based on writing of G Edward Reid

SIGNS OF JESUS SOON COMING

As time winds down, the signs of Jesus' coming increase!

INCREASING SIGNS IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD
Earthquakes/Disasters [Violent Weather?] - Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:11, 25
Famine, Strange New Diseases/Pestilence - Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:11
Signs in the Sun, Moon and heavenly bodies - Matthew 24:29; Luke 21:25

INCREASING SIGNS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD
Labor & Money Troubles - James 5:1-6
Increase in Knowledge - Daniel 12:4

INCREASING SIGNS IN THE POLITICAL WORLD
Disregard for Justice - Isaiah 59:12-14; James 5:6
Fear, Distress, Perplexity Everywhere - Luke 21:25-28
Wars & Rumors of War - Matthew 24:6, 7; Luke 21:9, 10
World Leaders and Pastors preach “Peace & Safety” –
1 Thessalonians 5:3; Jeremiah 6:14; Ezekiel 7:25

INCREASING SIGNS IN THE SOCIAL WORLD
Moral Collapse, Increase of Violence & Crime - 2 Timothy 3:1-6, 13
Love pleasure more than God - 2 Timothy 3:4
No Natural Affection - 2 Timothy 3:3
Disobedient to Parents / No Self Control - 2 Timothy 3:1-4
Evil increases, so the love of many grows indifferent - Matthew 24:12

INCREASING SIGNS IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD
Form of godliness, but denying God - 2 Timothy 3:5
Disregard for God’s will, but doing “religious” works - Matthew 7:21-23
Ignoring/Rebellion against God’s Truth - 2 Timothy 4:3-4
False christs & prophets - Matthew 24:11, 24
Scoffing at Jesus’ Promise to Return Soon - 2 Peter 3:3-14

The closer we come to the end, the more frequent the signs will come.

Limit to satan's Power

Satan… knows better than we do the limit of his power, and how easily he can be overcome if we resist him and face him. Through Divine strength, the weakest saint is more than a match for satan and all his [demons].

Testimonies Vol. 5, 293, E G White

HIT & RUN !

October 2015, I (Deb M)  was in a car accident.  I was sitting still and another car hit me head on then drove off – it was a hit and run! The air conditioner was decimated, the engine was shoved around, and the car was totaled to the tune of $6,800.00, but I had only two small bruises.

God protected me. God blesses!

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

One thing Satan loves...

Give your whole life to Jesus, not just parts here and there. God can only forgive the sins which you confess and give to Him.

One thing Satan loves is when people say they belong to God but continue living how they want.

“Pay attention, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” Mark 13:33.

Be ready for Jesus’ coming at any time. Don’t fool yourself into thinking it is in 20 years or even in 3 years from now. You might not live that long! Nobody knows - so be ready now!

Problems of Marriage

Satan hates marriage - this is no surprise. He is behind all marriage problems!

Satan causes strife, arguments, anger, adultery, jealousy, bitterness, envy, sexual sin, and a slew of other problems - especially those dealing with the emotions.

There is a war going on! Between Satan and his minions, and God and His holy angels. Between the devil and Gods people. [See this Blog site dated June 13, 2015 - No Mimic Battle].

Stay true to Jesus, ask His Holy Spirit for help and discernment. Focus on Jesus love for you.

Stay true to God and your spouse. Honor your marriage.

If there is violence, seek shelter, get help.

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)

God always hears Our Cries

Amid the anthems of the celestial choir, God hears the cries of the weakest human being.

 We pour out our heart’s desire in our closets, we breathe a prayer as we walk by the way, and our words reach the throne of the Monarch of the Universe

. [Our prayers] may be inaudible to any human ear, but they cannot die away into silence, nor can they be lost through the activities of business that are going on.

   Nothing can drown the soul’s desire. 

  Christ’s Object Lessons 177, E G White

WORKING

"When the redeemed stand before God, precious souls will respond to their names who are there because of our faithful, patient and earnest persuasions to flee to the Stronghold (God).

 "Thus, those who in this world have been laborers together with God will receive their reward."

Testimonies to the Church, Volume 8, 196-197, E G White

Before our eyes...

Today men and nations are being tested by the plummet in the hand of Him who makes no mistake...

. Today the signs of the times declare that we are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. 

Everything in our world is in agitation. Before our eyes is fulfilling the Savior's prophecy of the events to precede His coming.

Prophets & Kings, pp 536-537, E G White

See blog Jan 12, 2015 - Stupendous Crisis

I Love You...Says God

God says, "I love you with eternal love, pursuing after you with loving kindness. Whoever believes in Me and keeps My Commandments loves Me, and My Father will love them who love Me and I will love them and manifest Myself to them. For God so loved the human race that He gave His only Son, that anyone who believes in Him will not suffer eternal death but will have eternal life."

This is love: not that we love God, but that He loves us, and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. No one has a greater love than the One who lays down His life for His friends.

Dear Friend, since God loves us this much, we should love each other. We love because God first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates another, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for others."

Dear Friend, I close my letter with these last words. Be a mature Christian, pay attention to what I have written, be in unity, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you always. And to know the love of Christ, which surpasses all understanding….

 Now to God who is able to do all things super-abundantly beyond what we think or ask...to Him be the glory... throughout all generations, forever. Amen!


The above quotes come from these Bible texts (variety of versions): Jeremiah 31:3/ 1 John 14:21/ John 3:16/ 1 John 4:9-10/ John 15:13/ 1 John 4:11,19-20/ John 13:35/ 2 Corinthians 13:11/ Ephesians 3:19-21

The Answer by Deb M

There will come an Answer, though the time is unknown.
It is God’s only Answer, He will send His Own.
It is God's perfect Answer for all humanity;
He brings peace, joy and freedom, love and dignity.


Men have their own answers, but strange as it seems,
They say war is the answer for all men's sufferings.
But I know God has the Answer to hate, bloodshed and war;
For Christ is the Answer the world needs nothing more.


Soon Christ will come,
And will end this world of strife
Christ, [pause]
Our only Hope and Life

SIGNS of Jesus' Second Coming

Do not be afraid, believe in God & Jesus. John 14:1-3
Like a woman’s labor pains, the Frequency & Severity of the Signs Increase until Jesus comes. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3; Matthew 24:7-8



INCREASING SIGNS IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD
Earthquakes/Disasters [Violent Weather?] - Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:11, 25
Famine, Strange New Diseases/Pestilence - Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:11
Signs in the Sun, Moon and heavenly bodies - Matthew 24:29; Luke 21:25

INCREASING SIGNS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD
Labor & Money Troubles - James 5:1-6
Increase in Knowledge - Daniel 12:4

INCREASING SIGNS IN THE POLITICAL WORLD
Disregard for Justice - Isaiah 59:12-14; James 5:6
Fear, Distress, Perplexity Everywhere - Luke 21:25-28
Wars & Rumors of War - Matthew 24:6, 7; Luke 21:9, 10
World Leaders/Pastors preach “Peace & Safety” –
1 Thessalonians 5:3; Jeremiah 6:14; Ezekiel 7:25

INCREASING SIGNS IN THE SOCIAL WORLD
Moral Collapse, Increase of Violence & Crime - 2 Timothy 3:1-6, 13
Love pleasure more than God - 2 Timothy 3:4
No Natural Affection - 2 Timothy 3:3
Disobedient to Parents / No Self Control - 2 Timothy 3:1-4
Evil increases, so the love of many grows indifferent - Matthew 24:12

INCREASING SIGNS IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD
Form of godliness, but denying God - 2 Timothy 3:5
Disregard for God’s will, but doing “religious” works - Matthew 7:21-23
Ignoring/Rebellion against God’s Truth - 2 Timothy 4:3-4
False christs & prophets - Matthew 24:11, 24
Scoffing at Jesus’ Promise to Return Soon - 2 Peter 3:3-14

God's Leading Statesmen

God has His agents among the leading men and women of the nation. With unanswerable arguments statesmen who fear the Lord are influenced by holy angels to oppose measures that would greatly impede the work of God. Thus a few people will hold in check a powerful current of evil.

Based on The Great Controversy, chapter 38-The Final Warning, page 610, E G White