Psalm 78 Excerpts

Verse 13 – God divided the sea and caused them to pass through; and He made the waters stand up like a heap.
V 14 – In the daytime God led them with the cloud, and all night with a light of fire.
V 15 – He split the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them water in abundance like the depths.
V 16 – God brought streams out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
V 17 – But they sinned more against God by rebelling against Him in the wilderness.

 [God gave them life-saving gifts and they hated Him!]

V 21 – Therefore God heard this and was furious.
V 22 – Because they did not believe in Him, and did not trust in His salvation.
V 32 – In spite of this they still sinned, and did not believe in His wondrous works.
V 38 – But God, being full of compassion, forgave their sin, and did not destroy them. Yes, many a time God turned His anger away and did not stir up all His wrath.
V 39 – For He remembered that they were only dust.
V 41 – Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
V 56 – Yet they tested and provoked the Most High God, and did not keep His commandments.

Are We That Close?!

God protects those who obey His commands....

Satan has studied the secrets of the laboratories of nature, and he uses all his power to control the elements as far as God allows.

Satan has control of all whom God does not especially guard. Satan will favor and prosper some in order to further his own designs, and he will bring trouble on others and lead men to believe it is God who is afflicting them.

…[Satan] will bring disease and disaster, until populous cities are reduced to ruin and desolation. Even now he is at work. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great [fire storms], in fierce tornadoes, and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. …These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous.

And then Satan will persuade men that those who serve God are causing these evils. The class that have provoked the displeasure of Heaven will charge all their troubles upon those whose obedience to God’s commandments is a perpetual reproof to sinners.

 It will be declared that men are offending God by the violation of the Sunday sabbath; that this sin has brought calamities which will not cease until Sunday observance shall be strictly enforced; and that those who present the claims of the fourth commandment, thus destroying reverence for Sunday, are troublers of the people…. [and then comes Sunday observance laws]....

Now please read Luke 21:8-28.

 Are we really that close to the 2nd coming of Christ?!

Excerpts from The Great Controversy pp 589-590, E G White

Whatever Your Past Experience

Whatever may have been your past experience, however discouraging your present circumstances, if you will come to Jesus just as you are, weak, helpless, and despairing, our compassionate Saviour will meet you a great way off, and will throw about you His arms of love and His robe of righteousness.

He presents us to the Father clothed in the white raiment of His own character. He pleads before God in our behalf, saying: I have taken the sinner’s place. Look not upon this wayward child, but look on Me.

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing page 21 E G White

The Path where God Leads is Safe

The path where God leads may lie through the desert or the sea, but it is a safe path.
  Patriarchs & Prophets page 290 E G White

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 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, His people will be safe in His hands. E G White

Jesus is our friend; all Heaven is interested in our welfare; We may find rest and peace in God, casting all our care upon Him; for He cares for us. See 1 Peter 5:7
  Patriarchs & Prophets page 294 E G White

Christ will never abandon those for whom He has died. We may leave Him and be overwhelmed with temptation, but Christ can never turn from one for whom He has paid the ransom of His own life. Prophets & Kings page 176 E G White

Pursued with Loving Kindness

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 those 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 someone, 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

Jesus' Death Foretold in the Old Testament

Jesus says, "search the Scriptures for...they are they which testify of Me." And starting with Moses and the prophets He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.

The Lord God has spoken to Me and I have listened. I did not rebel nor turn away. I gave My back to the whip, and My cheeks to those who pulled out My beard. I did not hide from shame. They spit in My face. Because the Lord God helps Me you will not be dismayed. They gave Me gall for My meat and vinegar to drink. They bargained for My price thirty pieces of silver.

The Father says, "See, My Servant will prosper, He will be highly exalted. Yet many will be amazed when they see Him...they will see My Servant beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know He was a human. So shall He cleanse many nations."

The Son says, "My God! My God! Why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My roaring? But I am a worm...a reproach of men and despised by the people. All they that see Me laugh with scorn. They stick out their lips and shake their heads saying, `He trusted in the Lord that He would deliver Him, let God deliver Him, seeing He delights in Him.' They gape at Me with their mouths as a hungry and roaring lion. For dogs have encircled Me. The assembly of the wicked have enclosed Me. They pierce My hands and feet. They part My garments among them, and cast lots for My vesture."

"Into Thine hand I commit My spirit. For God will not leave Me in the grave, neither will You allow Your Holy One to decay." He keeps all His bones, not one of them is broken. He will see the results of His sufferings and will be satisfied. Because what My Righteous Servant has experienced many will have faith and be counted righteous before God, for He will bear all their sins. I call Him Mighty and Great because He died for our salvation. He was counted a sinner and He bore the sins of many and pled with God for sinners.

But, oh, how few believe it! Who will listen? To whom will God reveal His saving power? Before God He was a tender shoot, sprouting from a root in dry, sterile soil. But in our eyes there was no attractiveness about Him, nothing to make us want Him. We despised and rejected Him - a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with bitter grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way when He went by. He was despised and we didn't care. Yet it was our grief He bore, our sorrows that weighed Him down. And we thought His trials were a punishment from God for His own sins!

But He was wounded and bruised for our sins! He was chastised that we might have peace. He was lashed and we were healed. We are the ones that strayed away like sheep. We left God's path to follow our own. Yet God laid on Him the guilt and sins of every one of us! He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He never said a word. He was brought as a sacrificial Lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep is silent, so He stood silent before those condemning Him.

From prison and trial they led Him away to His death, but who among the people of that day realized it was their sins that He was dying for? That He was suffering their punishment. He was buried like a criminal in a rich man's grave, but He had done no wrong and had never spoken an evil word! Yet it was the Lord's good plan to bruise Him and give Him grief. But when His whole being had been made an offering for sin, then He will have many heirs. He will live again and God's plan shall advance.

Jesus says, "I will not forget you. See, I have engraved your name upon the palms of My hands. I will always remember you.”

The above quotes are from these Bible texts: John 5:39/ Luke 24:27/ Isaiah 50:5-7/ Psalm 69:21/ Zechariah 11:12/ Isaiah 52:13-15/ Psalm 22:1-8,13,16-18;34:20;16:10/ Isaiah 53:11,12;53:1-10;49:15-16

HOPE

Jesus is our Friend; all Heaven is interested in our welfare; ...We may find rest and peace in God, casting all our care upon Him; for He cares for us. See 1 Peter 5:7
 Patriarchs & Prophets 293-294, E G White

Christ will never abandon those for whom He has died. We may leave Him and be overwhelmed with temptation, but Christ can never turn away from one for whom He has paid the ransom of His own life.
 Prophets & Kings 176, E G White

New Signs

last weekend earthquakes in Kansas, Oklahoma and 2 in Los Angeles.
Then earthquakes this week in Chile, China, Panama, and Yellowstone in Montana.
 Now today tornados in Texas, Missouri, Kansas, and one tornado just outside of Saint Louis, Missouri.
 AND ALL OF THIS IN SEVEN DAYS!!!!! Sounds like right out of MATTHEW 24!

God hates no one - the devil hates everyone

Many bad things happen, but God doesn’t cause these problems - God hates no one. The devil hates everyone. Bad things happen to good people, it’s because of sin - not because God has forgotten you.

God is strong enough to force us to love Him, but God doesn’t use force, because He loves us. 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! Trust yourself to Jesus – He will care for you.

God planned for you before the world began. He longs for you to talk to Him about anything and everything that is on your mind - He always listens. I went to Jesus 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.


Casting all your cares upon Jesus; for He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, clears away all our sin. 1 John 1:7 There is no other Name [Jesus] under Heaven, given among men, whereby we are saved. Acts 4:12

God always Listens!

When you pray to the Christian God, He always listens!

Our Own Lawyer

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.


"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.

Jesus is Coming Again

Jesus said He would come again (John 14:3)

Angels believe & tell how Jesus will come (Acts 1:9-11)

Coming with Power & Glory on the clouds of Heaven (Matthew 26:64/ Matthew 24:30)

Every living person will see Jesus come (Revelation 1:7)

Every holy angel will come with Jesus (Matthew 24:31)

Last events of planet Earth (Revelation 16:18-21/ Revelation 6:12-17)

Righteous mortals put on immortality at Jesus' coming (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)

God's people will meet Jesus in clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18)

Jesus promised to return soon (Revelation 22:7, 12, 20)

Curses to Blessings

The Lord will turn a curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you!
The Lord is silently planning for thee in love, for it matters to Him about you!

GOD Planned for You

Many bad things have happened to me; but God didn’t cause these problems, God hates no one. The devil hates everyone. Bad things happen to good people, it’s because of sin - not because God has forgotten you. God is strong enough to force us to love Him, but God doesn’t use force, because He loves us. Jesus determined, (in council with His Father) to do everything possible, no matter the cost, to rescue poor sinners. Jesus loves you more than He values His own life - He died for you! Trust yourself to Jesus – He will care for you.

God planned for you before the world began. He longs for you to talk to Him about anything and everything that is on your mind. I went to Jesus with all my problems, and He has always looked 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.


Casting all your cares upon Jesus; for He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7
The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, clears away all our sin. 1 John 1:7
There is no other Name [Jesus] under Heaven, given among men, whereby we are saved. Acts 4:12

SIGNS OF JESUS' SOON COMING

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 I look forward to Jesus' soon coming, because then He will take us out of this crazy world and into Heaven!

The signs increase in intensity as we near the world's end.

SIGNS IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD
Increase of Earthquakes/Disasters [Weird/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 (Matt 24:29; Luke 21:25)

SIGNS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD
Disgruntled employees, labor and employer problems, (James 5:1-5)
Increase in Knowledge (Daniel 12:4)

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 5:2-6)

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)
Increase of Evil, so the Love of Many grows Cold (Matthew 24:12)

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 of God’s Ten Commandments (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
False christs/prophets - false “bible” teachings (Matt 24:11, 24; 2 Thess 2:1-12)
Scoffing at Jesus’ Soon Return (2 Peter 3:3-14)

When you see these signs, know Jesus coming is very near, but no one knows the day or hour, so always be ready! Matthew 24:33, 36, 42, 44. Do not be afraid, believe in God & Jesus. John 14:1-3.

Dear People

Dear People, God loves you all so much. Do not turn your back on Him - embrace Him as a true Friend and Confidant. Yes, He loves you, each and every one of you as individuals.

Nothing Withheld

God has withheld nothing from us that could promote our happiness or secure to us eternal riches. This Day with God, p 162

Utter Despondency?

Are you tempted to give way to feelings of anxious foreboding or utter despondency? In the darkest days, when appearances seem more forbidding, fear not. Have faith in God. He knows your need. He has all power. His infinite love and compassion never weary. Fear not that He will fail of fulfilling His promise. He is eternal truth. Never will He change the covenant He has made with those who love Him. And He will bestow upon His faithful servants the measure of efficiency that their need demands. Prophets & Kings, pp 164-165, White

Love & Care

…the greater our love for God, the stronger should be our love and care for those whom He has given us. The Saviour never taught idleness and abstract devotion, to the neglect of the duties lying directly in our pathway.

Life Sketches 80 E G White

Nothing to Fear

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 pilgrimage. Steps to Christ 89 E G White

God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led if they could see the end from the beginning and discern the glory of the purpose, which they were fulfilling as co-workers with Him. Desire of Ages 224
E G White.

We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history. Life Sketches 196 E G White