Showing posts with label Lessons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lessons. Show all posts
Monday, June 18, 2018
Lessons from Ingrid
ENCOURAGEMENT !!!: Lessons from a Rescue Dog: "All about us God has placed the beautiful things of nature that they may teach us about Him." The Wonderful Way (Dept. of Educa...
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Why Worship God?
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.
The above quotes are from these Bible texts: Malachi 3:13-18
"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."
Monday, October 26, 2015
GOD DOESN'T USE FORCE
God is so powerful that He could force us to love Him, but
God doesn’t use force, because He loves us and wants us to love Him back.
Even if you hate God – He still loves you.
Bad things happen to good people – it’s because of sin,
not because God hates you. God loves everyone. The devil hates everyone.
You don’t believe in God? He believes in you!
Trust yourself to God – He will care for you.
God planned for you before the world began. He longs for you to talk to Him about everything that is on your mind. God always listens.
I go to Him with all my problems and He always looks after me. As a small child I learned these things – it made all the difference in my life.
Often your mind may be
Clouded because of pain.
Then do not try to think.
You know that Jesus loves you!
He understands you.
You may do His will by simply
Resting in His arms.
Jesus determined, (in council with His Father), to do everything possible - no matter the cost - to rescue sinners. Jesus loves you more than He values His own life – He died for you!
God doesn’t use force, because He loves us and wants us to love Him back.
Even if you hate God – He still loves you.
Bad things happen to good people – it’s because of sin,
not because God hates you. God loves everyone. The devil hates everyone.
You don’t believe in God? He believes in you!
Trust yourself to God – He will care for you.
God planned for you before the world began. He longs for you to talk to Him about everything that is on your mind. God always listens.
I go to Him with all my problems and He always looks after me. As a small child I learned these things – it made all the difference in my life.
Often your mind may be
Clouded because of pain.
Then do not try to think.
You know that Jesus loves you!
He understands you.
You may do His will by simply
Resting in His arms.
Jesus determined, (in council with His Father), to do everything possible - no matter the cost - to rescue sinners. Jesus loves you more than He values His own life – He died for you!
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
God won't Force us to love Him
God is so powerful that He could force us to love Him, but God doesn’t use force, because He loves us and wants us to love Him back.
Jesus determined, (in council with His Father) to do everything possible, no matter the cost, to rescue sinners. Jesus loves you more than He values His own life – He died for you!
Bad things happen to good people – it’s because of sin, not because God hates you. God loves everyone. The devil hates everyone. You don’t believe in God? He believes in you! Trust yourself to God – He will care for you.
God planned for you before the world began. He longs for you to talk to Him about everything that is on your mind.
God always listens. I go to Him with all my problems and He always looks after me. As a small child I learned these things – it made all the difference in my life.
Often your mind may be
Clouded because of pain.
Then do not try to think.
You know that Jesus loves you!
He understands you.
You may do His will by simply
Resting in His arms.
Jesus determined, (in council with His Father) to do everything possible, no matter the cost, to rescue sinners. Jesus loves you more than He values His own life – He died for you!
Bad things happen to good people – it’s because of sin, not because God hates you. God loves everyone. The devil hates everyone. You don’t believe in God? He believes in you! Trust yourself to God – He will care for you.
God planned for you before the world began. He longs for you to talk to Him about everything that is on your mind.
God always listens. I go to Him with all my problems and He always looks after me. As a small child I learned these things – it made all the difference in my life.
Often your mind may be
Clouded because of pain.
Then do not try to think.
You know that Jesus loves you!
He understands you.
You may do His will by simply
Resting in His arms.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Religious Liberty in Public School
Public elementary school, District 66 in Omaha, Nebraska, had many memorable, spiritual moments!
In sixth grade we discussed the Biblical Flood, the long lives of pre-Flood people, why Pilgrim women did not wear make-up, and how our weekdays received their names from paganism.
In grades 1 through 12 our class sang songs based on the Old Testament and this in Public School!
However, when I checked out a Bible from the school library the principal promptly reprimanded me, saying Bible reading was for the home!
In sixth grade all the students explained different aspects of their religion (Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Atheist). From these discussions the varied backgrounds understood each other better. We were taught everyone has the right to believe as they wish despite anyone's opinion to the contrary.
We were taught to believe in religious freedom, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble peacefully, and liberty of conscience.
In sixth grade we discussed the Biblical Flood, the long lives of pre-Flood people, why Pilgrim women did not wear make-up, and how our weekdays received their names from paganism.
In grades 1 through 12 our class sang songs based on the Old Testament and this in Public School!
However, when I checked out a Bible from the school library the principal promptly reprimanded me, saying Bible reading was for the home!
In sixth grade all the students explained different aspects of their religion (Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Atheist). From these discussions the varied backgrounds understood each other better. We were taught everyone has the right to believe as they wish despite anyone's opinion to the contrary.
We were taught to believe in religious freedom, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble peacefully, and liberty of conscience.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Lessons from a Rescue Dog
"All about us God has placed the beautiful things of nature that they may teach us about Him." The Wonderful Way (Dept. of Education, General Conference of S.D.A., 1955, page 412.)
Our dear Ingrid, the rescue collie dog, has been a true blessing - teaching us lessons about God. She was saved from what we believe was an abusive home, and Ingrid is constantly thankful for being rescued.
Ingrid teaches us about God’s protection. When I am bathing, Ingrid lays outside the bathroom door as protection. One day Andy came home unexpectedly (using the front door) and I was in the shower. According to Andy, Ingrid crouched by the front door and was growling deep in her throat with hackles up because she did not expect Andy, and Ingrid felt I was in danger. After a few seconds she recognized Andy and made little apologetic sounds and allowed him to enter the house.
Ingrid teaches us how to be obedient to God. She does this by paying close attention to our every word and action. When asked to perform a chore she does it willingly and without hesitation. If only we would remember to be obedient when God asks us to do something for Him.
Ingrid teaches us to remain close to God. Whenever Andy comes home, (using the back door), no matter the time, Ingrid bounds out with great enthusiasm and greets him at the back door. If only we had as much enthusiasm for Christ and His return.
Ingrid is faithful and remaining close is her way of worshipping us.
We really loved Ingrid for she was a true friend. We prayed for the right dog and found her, and we like to think that perhaps Ingrid was "praying" for the right home and that her prayers were answered too!!!
Our dear Ingrid, the rescue collie dog, has been a true blessing - teaching us lessons about God. She was saved from what we believe was an abusive home, and Ingrid is constantly thankful for being rescued.
Ingrid teaches us about God’s protection. When I am bathing, Ingrid lays outside the bathroom door as protection. One day Andy came home unexpectedly (using the front door) and I was in the shower. According to Andy, Ingrid crouched by the front door and was growling deep in her throat with hackles up because she did not expect Andy, and Ingrid felt I was in danger. After a few seconds she recognized Andy and made little apologetic sounds and allowed him to enter the house.
Ingrid teaches us how to be obedient to God. She does this by paying close attention to our every word and action. When asked to perform a chore she does it willingly and without hesitation. If only we would remember to be obedient when God asks us to do something for Him.
Ingrid teaches us to remain close to God. Whenever Andy comes home, (using the back door), no matter the time, Ingrid bounds out with great enthusiasm and greets him at the back door. If only we had as much enthusiasm for Christ and His return.
Ingrid is faithful and remaining close is her way of worshipping us.
We really loved Ingrid for she was a true friend. We prayed for the right dog and found her, and we like to think that perhaps Ingrid was "praying" for the right home and that her prayers were answered too!!!
Monday, March 23, 2015
Who can Comprehend the Love....
Who can comprehend the love that God has shown in sending Christ to save perishing souls?
I am conscious that language is far too feeble to depict this love. And our minds can not take it in. It is impossible even for the angels fully to comprehend how completely God identifies His interests with those of His blood-bought heritage, and how tenderly He deals with the tried and tempted....
How much God loves human beings, we never can compute. The universe is filled with proofs of His measureless benevolence.
Excerpt from Battle Creek Letters, November 11, 1902
from Ellen G White to John Harvey Kellogg MD
I am conscious that language is far too feeble to depict this love. And our minds can not take it in. It is impossible even for the angels fully to comprehend how completely God identifies His interests with those of His blood-bought heritage, and how tenderly He deals with the tried and tempted....
How much God loves human beings, we never can compute. The universe is filled with proofs of His measureless benevolence.
Excerpt from Battle Creek Letters, November 11, 1902
from Ellen G White to John Harvey Kellogg MD
Thursday, March 5, 2015
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
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
Saturday, February 14, 2015
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!
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.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Satan is Not Permitted...
Satan is not permitted to read our thoughts; but he is a keen observer, and he marks the words and actions, and skillfully adapts his temptations to meet the cases of those who place themselves in his power.
If we would work to repress sinful thoughts and feelings, giving them no expression in words or actions, Satan would be defeated, for he could not prepare his temptations to meet our case.
True Revival, p 10, E G White
If we would work to repress sinful thoughts and feelings, giving them no expression in words or actions, Satan would be defeated, for he could not prepare his temptations to meet our case.
True Revival, p 10, E G White
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Neglect of Truth
IN THE TRUTH OF HIS WORD, God has given to humanity a revelation of Himself; and to all who accept them they are a shield against the deceptions of Satan.
It is a neglect of these truths that has opened the door to the evils which are now becoming so widespread in the religious world.
The nature and the importance of the law of God have been, to a great extent, lost sight of.
A wrong conception...of the divine law...has resulted in lowering the standard of piety in the church.
The Great Controversy p 465 E G White
It is a neglect of these truths that has opened the door to the evils which are now becoming so widespread in the religious world.
The nature and the importance of the law of God have been, to a great extent, lost sight of.
A wrong conception...of the divine law...has resulted in lowering the standard of piety in the church.
The Great Controversy p 465 E G White
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Are the Deceased Dead or Alive?
Here is the question: Do the dead come back to give us counsel?
God's Word says: "As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away: so he that goes down to the grave shall come up no more. He will return no more to his house, neither will his place know him anymore." Job 7:9-10. After studying this subject with a certain woman, she exclaimed: "Then who is it that appears in my bedroom and talks to me, if it is not my dead husband?"
Here is the dilemma. If what we have read from the Bible is true, and it is, then who gives the messages in the darkened room? Who is masquerading in the disguise of those loved and lost? Who is so perfectly impersonating the voice and appearance of a loved one taken by death?
God tells us who these powers are! The Bible identifies these powers or beings, that parade as the dead, as fallen angels who were cast out of Heaven with Satan. See Revelation 12:9-10. Keep in mind that angels are not the spirits of the dead. Angels existed long before this world was created and before a person ever died. Job 38:7.
I realize that it may be difficult to grasp the idea that evil angels can actually work miracles. But this fact is the key to understanding the psychic phenomena with which we are bombarded today. Remember: the supernatural, the miraculous, does not necessarily come from God! When that fact is fully established in your mind, you are safe guarded from many deceptions.
"For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles." Revelation 16:14. "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." 2 Corinthians 11:13-14.
Now we see that it is possible for a fallen angel to be disguised as a dead loved one. According to the Bible these spirits, which come to us and claim to be loved ones taken by death are not dead people, they are not living people, and they are not people at all! They are fallen angels masquerading in the form of loved ones!
Friend, your Bible makes it very clear that humanity's only hope of living again is the first Resurrection, not at death or in death. Loved ones torn from us by death will be reunited with us again on Resurrection morning.
"Behold, I show you a mystery...in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump.... For the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.... This mortal must put on immortality." 1 Corinthians 15:51-55.
“For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ will rise first: then we which are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so will we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.
God's Word says: "As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away: so he that goes down to the grave shall come up no more. He will return no more to his house, neither will his place know him anymore." Job 7:9-10. After studying this subject with a certain woman, she exclaimed: "Then who is it that appears in my bedroom and talks to me, if it is not my dead husband?"
Here is the dilemma. If what we have read from the Bible is true, and it is, then who gives the messages in the darkened room? Who is masquerading in the disguise of those loved and lost? Who is so perfectly impersonating the voice and appearance of a loved one taken by death?
God tells us who these powers are! The Bible identifies these powers or beings, that parade as the dead, as fallen angels who were cast out of Heaven with Satan. See Revelation 12:9-10. Keep in mind that angels are not the spirits of the dead. Angels existed long before this world was created and before a person ever died. Job 38:7.
I realize that it may be difficult to grasp the idea that evil angels can actually work miracles. But this fact is the key to understanding the psychic phenomena with which we are bombarded today. Remember: the supernatural, the miraculous, does not necessarily come from God! When that fact is fully established in your mind, you are safe guarded from many deceptions.
"For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles." Revelation 16:14. "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." 2 Corinthians 11:13-14.
Now we see that it is possible for a fallen angel to be disguised as a dead loved one. According to the Bible these spirits, which come to us and claim to be loved ones taken by death are not dead people, they are not living people, and they are not people at all! They are fallen angels masquerading in the form of loved ones!
Friend, your Bible makes it very clear that humanity's only hope of living again is the first Resurrection, not at death or in death. Loved ones torn from us by death will be reunited with us again on Resurrection morning.
"Behold, I show you a mystery...in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump.... For the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.... This mortal must put on immortality." 1 Corinthians 15:51-55.
“For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ will rise first: then we which are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so will we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Blessings
We lose many blessings because we overlook the blessings we receive daily, yearning for that which we don't have.
The common mercies which thickly cover our pathway are forgotten and undervalued. We may learn lessons from the humble things of God in nature. The flower in dark humble places responds to all the rays of light it can get, and puts forth its leaves. The caged bird sings in the sunless tenement, as if in a sunny mansion.
God knows whether we will make a wise use of His blessings. He will never give them to us to abuse. God loves the thankful heart, that trusts implicitly in His words of promise, gathering comfort and hope and peace from them; and God will reveal to us still greater depths of His love.
based on: Our High Calling page 10, White
The common mercies which thickly cover our pathway are forgotten and undervalued. We may learn lessons from the humble things of God in nature. The flower in dark humble places responds to all the rays of light it can get, and puts forth its leaves. The caged bird sings in the sunless tenement, as if in a sunny mansion.
God knows whether we will make a wise use of His blessings. He will never give them to us to abuse. God loves the thankful heart, that trusts implicitly in His words of promise, gathering comfort and hope and peace from them; and God will reveal to us still greater depths of His love.
based on: Our High Calling page 10, White
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