Things I Learned from Holy Scripture, the Bible

Below are some things I learned from the Bible in 1974


1. Angels are not dead people since they existed before the creation of humans.

Job 38:6-7

2. We should carefully guard our words and actions so no one can use them against us. Others will see if our faith is genuine by our words and actions.

           3. It is better to store riches in Heaven than on earth. Mark 4:18-20, Luke 8:14, 

Luke 12:21

4. Satan will try to influence everyone.  Some influences will be subtle, others hard-hitting. Sometimes Satan will appear as an angel of light.  2 Corinthians 11:14

5. Saturday is the Lord's Day Sabbath. ( an unknown person from Georgia, USA mailed me a newspaper article entitled, “Why do the Heathen Rage.” Which confirmed from the Bible that Saturday is God’s Sabbath!)

Exodus 20:8-11, Luke 4:16, Isaiah 66:22-23! John 14:15,21,24. John 15:10.

            6. Jesus will come again visibly, unexpectedly and soon. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 

We are on Trial

We should never forget that we are placed on trial in this world, to determine our fitness for (Heaven).  None can enter Heaven whose characters are defiled by the foul blot of selfishness.

Therefore, God tests us here, by committing to us (earthly) possessions, that our
use of these may show whether we can be trusted with eternal riches.

Counsels on Stewardship, 22, e g white

Biblestudies.com

Excellent sources for Bible study: biblestudies.com

God's Free Love

God's love cannot be bought - He gives it freely.

He could not give anything less

When God gave His Son, Jesus, to die for humanity's sins, He could not have given anything greater - and He could not have given anything less.

Joy to the World !

The Prince of Heaven was among His people. The greatest gift of God had been given to the world.

Joy to the poor - for Christ had come to make them heirs of His kingdom!
Joy to the rich - for Christ would teach them how to secure eternal riches!
Joy to the ignorant - for Christ would make them wise unto salvation!
Joy to the educated - for Christ would open to them deeper mysteries than they had ever fathomed!

Truths that had been hidden from the foundation of the world would be opened to humanity by the Savior's mission.

based on Desire of Ages, p 277, E G White
 

Jesus' Second Coming & the Last Days

But no one knows the day or hour of Jesus coming, not even the angels nor Jesus Himself.
 Only the Father knows. Pay attention! Watch and pray! For you do not know when the time is. 
 Mark 13:32-33    
Jesus says, "I will return!" John 14:3

As time winds down, the intensity and frequency of the signs will increase.
 But, God will protect His faithful followers thru the last days.  Read Psalm 91.


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

INCREASING SIGNS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD
Discontented Employees, Disproportionate wealth, Money Troubles - James 5:1-6,8
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
Leaders & Pastors preach “Peace & Safety” – when there is neither
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 3:3-4,9-14

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 for the full scene of His coming

God's People are Safe

God who slumbers not, who in every crisis has been the strength and dependence of His people, will carry out His eternal purpose.

   He will thwart 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.

E G WHITE

No Mimic Battle

We do not understand as we should the great conflict going on between invisible agencies, the controversy between loyal and disloyal angels. Over every [person] good and evil angels strive. This is no make-believe conflict.

It is no mimic battle in which we are engaged. We have to meet most powerful adversaries, and it rests with us to determine which shall win. We are to find our Strength where the early disciples found theirs.

Signs of the Times, Feb. 17, 1914, E G White

See Blog January 12, 2015 - Stupendous Crisis

Finances

"There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; and one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches." Proverbs 13:7

"Better is a little with righteousness, than vast wealth without justice [God]." Proverbs 16:8

From a Bible view, God promises to provide for us when we put the principles of Heaven first in our lives.

 In a world where little is certain, in an age of tremendous financial insecurity, God promises that when we are faithful to Him, He will provide.

No one ever trusted God in vain. He never disappoints those who trust in Him.

Chapter by G Edward Reid, in the book God will Provide, pages 21, 27. by John Bradshaw of It Is Written

God's Precious Animals

In training animals I verbally correct only when necessary, and praise and love them constantly showing them respect. The pets return my love and respect more than one hundred percent.

Example: Being very ill, I passed out on the floor. Regaining conscientiousness I found my pets doing their best to help me. Timmy the cat was lying over my left ankle, Ivory the cat was laying over my right ankle, and Ingrid the dog was lying by my side. Only when I felt better did the animals leave their post. God uses even little animals to help.

"The intelligence displayed by many 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

Have You Ever Wondered about Heaven...?

Have you ever wondered what eternal life in Heaven and the Earth made new will be like?! Then I ask you to read Isaiah chapter 65, verses 17-18 and verses 21-25. Now read Revelation chapter 21, verses 1 thru 27, and continuing thru chapter 22, verses 1 to 7. These are the best descriptions I can find in Holy Scripture of Heaven. And they are awesome!!


"We do not propose undue speculation on the details of the future life. Its loveliness will surpass our fondest dreams, its beauty will excel our most enthusiastic imaginations, and its joy will soar above the flight of our highest hopes." God Speaks to Modern Man, p 602, Arthur E Lickey

"One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation....From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love." The Great Controversy, p 678, Ellen G White


"Now the dwelling of God is with humanity, and God will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain - for that is all gone forever!" Revelation 21:3-4


But now we desire a better country, a Heavenly country. God is not ashamed to be called our God, for He has prepared for us a City! Hebrews 11:16 - paraphrased

He Died

Jesus Christ died for us. The loving, lovely One for the lost sheep. He did not have to do this, but He died so that we might have immortal life in beautiful Heaven with Him for eternity.

Surrendered

As you cast yourself on Christ, you are fulfilling His purpose for you. You are no longer a law to yourself. But no violence is done to your will and your freedom of action. The mind is brought under the authority of a new law. But it is the royal law of liberty. The whole being is surrendered to God. The heart is transformed by the Spirit's power.

Battle Creek Letters, November 11, 1902
from Ellen G White to John Harvey Kellogg MD

Your Greatest Desire...

Have you determined to be rich? Then let these words in Matthew chapter six impress your heart and direct your life. They will teach you to be content, and to yield your will to the control of the Holy Spirit. You will not then be elbowing (back-stabbing)your fellow-worker that you may make room for your plans.

But your greatest desire will be to work in just the place that God has assigned you, and where He can look upon you with approval.

An Appeal for Unity and Confidence, pamphlet 14, p 13, Ellen G White

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

A Good Reputation

Choose a good reputation over great riches, for being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold

. Proverbs 22:1

Valentine's Day

In high school and college I was very particular as to who I dated. The guy had to show respect for himself; if he had no respect for himself how could he have respect for me?

 Respect was very important, as was morality, which included no smoking, drinking, drugs or lewd behavior. (I did not date much, but married a gem of a husband!)

 I did not start dating until I was almost seventeen.

 And am proud to say I kept my promise made at a young age and was a chaste virgin for my future husband.

We have been married over 40 (forty) consecutive years!

When We Receive our Heavenly Reward

"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.

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

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

Communion with Heaven

Those whose hearts are open to receive the support and blessing of God will walk in a holier atmosphere than that of earth and will have constant communion with Heaven.

Steps to Christ, p 99, E G White