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. ...

Help From the Holy Spirit

Earnest, persevering supplications to God in faith...can alone (help) to bring men the Holy Spirit's aid in the battle against (evil) principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and wicked spirits in high places.

The Desire of Ages, 431, Ellen G White

The Strong Man

"Physically, Samson was the strongest man upon the earth; but in self-control, integrity, and firmness (character), he was one of the weakest of men.".

The real greatness of a man is "measured by the power of the feelings that he controls."

Patriarchs and Prophets, pp 567,568,Ellen G White

Standards

It is a law both of the intellectual and the spiritual nature that by seeing we become changed.  The mind gradually adapts itself to the subjects upon which it is allowed to dwell.  It becomes assimilated to that which it is accustomed to love and reverence.

Man will never rise higher than his own standard of purity, goodness or truth.

  If self is his highest ideal, he will never attain to anything more exalted.  Rather, he will constantly sink lower and lower.  

The grace of God alone has power to exalt man.

based on The Great Controversy, 555, e g white

Satan's Tricks - Beguiled

Satan appeals to our reason by the presentation of elevating themes; he delights our imagination with enrapturing scenes; and he enlists our affections by his eloquent portrayals of love and charity.
He excites our imagination to lofty flights, leading men to take so great pride in their own wisdom that in their hearts they despise God.

The wisdom that spiritualism imparts is described as "not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish." James 3:15.

Satan will present his temptations in a manner to pervert the senses of all who are not shielded by divine power.

Satan beguiles people by flattery, by kindling a desire for forbidden knowledge, by exciting ambition for self-exaltation.

 It was cherishing these evils that caused his fall from Heaven, and through these evils he aims to ruin us!

based on The Great Controversy, 554, ellen g white

Lover of the Sea

On an ocean trip Ellen G White wrote," the waves ran high and we were tossed up and down so very grandly. I was highly elevated in my feelings, but had no words to say to any one. It was grand. The spray dashing over us. The watchful captain giving his orders, the ready hands to obey. The wind was blowing strong, and I never enjoyed anything so much in my life."
Letter 5, 1876, Ellen G White

On another voyage she wrote, that both the wind and "white capped, roaring billows" assaulted the ship. " I remained on deck after nearly all had abandoned it because of sea-sickness. I enjoyed the sight of the billows running mountain high, blue and green, and the dashing spray reflecting all the colors of the rainbow. Signs of the Times, July 18, 1878, Ellen G White

Experiencing the storm led her to think of the "majesty of God and His works....He holds the winds in His hand, He controls the waters. Finite beings, mere specks upon the broad deep waters of the Pacific, were we in the sight of God, yet angels of Heaven were sent from His excellent glory to guard that little sailboat that was careening over the waves. Oh the wonderful works of God!  So much above our comprehension!  He at one glance beholds the highest heavens and the midst of the sea...."..  Letter 5, 1876, Ellen G White

All Above quoted in: Walking with Ellen White, 29-30, George R Knight, Review & Herald

On Pain & Suffering and God

For eleven months I suffered from malarial fever and inflammatory rheumatism. During this time I experienced the most terrible suffering of my whole life. ...in all this there was a cheerful side. My Saviour seemed to be close beside me. I felt His sacred presence in my heart, and I was thankful.

These months of suffering were the happiest months of my life, because of the companionship of my Saviour....

I am so thankful that I had this experience, because I am better acquainted with my precious Lord and Saviour. His love filled my heart. All through my sickness His love, His tender compassion, was my comfort, my continual consolation.

Manuscript 75, 1893, ellen g white

Views of Colorado

While in Colorado Ellen White wrote:

I love the hills and mountains and forests of flourishing evergreens. I love the brooks, the swift-running streams of softest water which come bubbling over the rocks, through ravines, by the side of the mountains, as if singing the joyful praise of God....

We have, here in the mountains, a view of the most rich and glorious sunset it was ever our privilege to look upon. The beautiful picture of the sunset, painted upon the shifting, changing canvas of the heavens by the great master Artist, awakens in our hearts love and deepest reverence for God....

As we stand almost entranced before this picture of nature's unsurpassed loveliness, contemplating the glories of Heaven, of which we have a faint (view), we repeat softly to ourselves, "eye has not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."

Health Reformer, August 1873, Ellen G White