Blessings Promised to Those Who Abide in Christ: We Are Glad in The Lord

REST IN THE LORD

“My meditation of Him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the Lord” Psalms 104:34

“Rest yourself wholly in the hands of Jesus. Contemplate His great LOVE, and while you meditate upon HIS SELF-DENIAL, His infinite sacrifice made in our behalf in order that we should believe in Him, your heart will be filled with holy joy, calm peace, and indescribable love. As we talk of Jesus, as we call upon Him in prayer, our confidence that He is our personal, loving Saviour will strengthen, and His character will appear more and more lovely. . . . We may enjoy rich feasts of love, and as we fully believe that we are His by adoption, we may have a foretaste of heaven. Wait upon the Lord in faith. The Lord draws out the soul in prayer, and gives us to feel His precious love. We have a nearness to Him, and can hold sweet communion with Him. We obtain distinct views of His tenderness and compassion, and our hearts are broken and melted with contemplation of the love that is given to us. We feel indeed an abiding Christ in the would. . . . Our peace is like a river, wave after wave of glory rolls into the heart, and indeed we sup with Jesus and He with us. We have a realizing sense of the love of God, and we rest in His love. No language can describe it, it is beyond knowledge. We are one with Christ, our life is hid with Christ in God. We have the assurance that when He who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory. With strong confidence, we can call God our Father. Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. His Spirit makes us like Jesus Christ in temper, and disposition, and we represent Christ to others. When Christ is abiding in the soul the fact cannot be hid; for He is like a well of water springing up into everlasting life. We can but represent the likeness of Christ in our character, and our words, our deportment, produces in others a deep, abiding increasing love for Jesus, and we make manifest. . . .that we are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

Sons and Daughters of God by Ellen White for October 31st.

Learning “how” to “rest” in the Lord. . .to take time off to “think” of Him. . .was something that came out of my marriage. . .when Terry wanted to go for an evening drive. . . nature. . . . country side. . . . changing seasons. . . . harvesting and planting. . .farmers driven into the night, working over time, with HOPE, God will bring the “crop” We can only do so much. . . and then the Holy Spirit moves to the heart of mankind. . .to that we need to be a part of being “recreated” in our hearts. . .but giving GOD time to let us know, HE IS COMING SOON. . . Amen?

I can’t see JESUS worrying about tomorrow! He conquered the WORLD, the day he died, came alive and rose to heaven. . . now what can HE DO, to help us BELIEVE. . .HE can RAISE THE DEAD. . . .and at His Second Coming. . .HE WILL INVITE THE SAINTS, to Wake UP!. . .come alive. . .and be with Him, in His glorious Heavenly New Jerusalem. . .What a way to WAKE UP!

Blessings Promised to Those Who Abide in Christ: Christ in You the Hope of Glory

Blessed are the children

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27

“That which brings sickness of body and mind to nearly all is dissatisfied feelings and discontented repinings. They have not God they have not the hope which reaches to that within the veil, which is as an anchor to the soul both sure and steadfast. All who posses this hope will purify themselves even as He is pure. Such are FREE FROM RESTLESS LONGINGS, repinings, and discontent; they are not continually looking for evil and brooding over borrowed trouble. But we see many who are having a time of trouble beforehand; anxiety is stamped upon every feature; they seem to find no consolation, but have a continual fearful looking for of some dreadful evil. . . . Vain amusements will never correct the minds of such. They need the transforming influence of THE SPIRIT OF GOD in order to be HAPPY. They need to be benefited by the mediation of Christ, in order to realize consolation, divine and substantial. “For he that will LOVE LIVE, and see GOOD DAYS, let him . . . .[HATE] eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensure it.” . . . Those who have an experimental knowledge of this scripture are truly happy. . . . Christ in them the hope of glory will be health to the body and strength to the soul.

“The soul that is imbued with the love of Jesus. . . . loves to contemplate Jesus, and by beholding Him, will become changed into His likeness. Christ is formed within, the hope of glory. His confidence increases . . . . and his love deepens and widens, as he has the assurance that he is abiding in Christ, and Christ in him. . . . And we may look to Jesus for His tenderest sympathy and be encouraged to persevere, putting our whole trust in Him who has said, “Be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.”

Sons and Daughters of God, by Ellen White for October 30.

John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

P.S. Why should JOHN 16:33 not be quoted every day???

BE OF GOOD CHEER, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. . .His death, His resurrection. . .is the reason we HAVE GOOD CHEER. . .what more is there to say?

Why did Jesus connect “in the world ye shall have tribulation” with “BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER I HAVE OVER COME THE WORLD” I think I needed that!

Blessings Promised to Those Who Abide in Christ The Reviled Are Blessed

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” Matthew 5:11

“There was NEVER one who walked among men more cruelly slandered than the Son of man. He was derided and mocked because of His unswerving obedience to the principles of GODS HOLY LAW. They hated Him without a cause. Yet He stood calmly before His enemies, declaring that reproach is a part of the Christian legacy, counseling His followers how to meet the arrows of malice, bidding them not to faint under persecution.”

“While slander may blacken the reputation, it can not stain the character. That is in God’s keeping. So long as we do not consent to sin, there is no power, whether human or satanic, that can bring stain upon the soul. A man whose heart is stayed upon God is just the same in the hour of his most afflicting trials and most discouraging surroundings as when he was in prosperity, when the light and favor of God seemed to be upon him. His words, his motives, his actions may be misrepresented and falsified, but he/she does not mind it, because he/she has greater interests at stake. Like Moses, he or she endures as “seeing Him who is invisible.” . . .

“Christ is acquainted with all that is misunderstood and misrepresented by men. His children can afford to wait in calm patience and trust, no matter how much maligned and despised; for nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest, and those who honor God shall be honored by Him in the presence of men and angels.

“When men shall revile you and persecute you,” said Jesus “rejoice, and be exceeding glad.”

Matthew 5:11-12.  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.   Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 

“Great is the REWARD IN HEAVEN” of those who are witnesses for Christ through persecution and reproach. While the people are looking for earthly good, Jesus points them to a heavenly reward. But He does not place it all in the future life; it begins here.”

Sons and Daughters of God, by Ellen White for October 28.

Blessings Promised to Those Who Abide in Christ The Persecuted Receive the Kingdom

Persecuted

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10.

“Jesus does not present to His followers the hope of attaining earthly glory and riches, and of having a life free from trial, but He presents to them the priviledge of walking with their Master in the paths of self-denial and reproach, because the world knows them not.” He who came to redeem the world, was opposed by the united forces of the adversaries of God and man. In an unpitying confederacy, evil men and evil angels arrayed themselves against the Prince of peace. Though His every word and act breathed of divine compassion, His unlikeness to the world provoked the bitterest hostility. Because He would give no license for the exercise of the evil passions of our nature. He aroused the fiercest opposition and enmity. So it is with all who will live godly in Christ Jesus. Between righteousness and sin, love and hatred, truth and falsehood, there is an irrepressible conflict. When one presents the love of Christ and the beauty of holiness, he is drawing away the subjects of Satan’s kingdom, and the prince of evil is aroused to resist it. Persecution and reproach await all who are imbued with the Spirit of Christ. The character of the persecution changes with the times; but the principle–the spirit that underlies it–is the same that has slain the chosen of the Lord ever since the days of Abel.

“As men seek to come into harmony with God, they will find that the offense of the cross has not ceased. Principalities and powers and wicked spirits in high places arrayed against all who yield obedience to the law of heaven. Therefore, so far from causing grief, persecution would bring joy to the disciples of Christ; for it is an evidence that they are following in the steps of their Master. . . .

“Through trials and persecution, the glory–character–of God is revealed in His chosen ones.”

Sons and Daughters’ of God, by Ellen White for October 27.

If God answers my prayers, and gives me the sign, the book I wrote on the Seven Thunders is true. . .I will feel like Simon hit the golden buzzer. . .like he gives rewards to those around the world who have talent. I am unconfident in myself. . .which seems to be a gift when walking in His presence. . .who wouldn’t feel unworthy?

The Peacemakers Are Called God’s Children

Those who see compassion for Jesus are His Children. . . .Where were you on 9-11-2001?

“Christ is the “Prince of peace,” and it is His mission to restore to earth and HEAVEN, the peace that SIN has broken. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Whoever consents to renounce sin, and open his hear to the love of Christ, becomes a partaker of this heavenly peace.

“There is no other ground of peace than this. The grace of Christ received into the heart, subdues enmity; [the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something:” decades of enmity between the two countries”] it allays strife, and fills the soul with love. He who is at peace with God and his fellow-men can not be made miserable. Envy will not be in his heart; evil surmising’s will find no room there; hatred can not exist. The heart that is in harmony with God is a partaker of the peace of heaven, and will diffuse its blessed influence on all around. The spirit of peace will rest like dew upon hearts weary and troubled with worldly strife.

“Christ’s followers are sent to the world with the message of peace. Whoever, by the quiet, unconscious influence of a holy life, shall reveal the love of Christ; whoever, by word or deed, shall lead another to renounce sin and yield his heart to God, is a peacemaker.

“And blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” The spirit of peace is evidence of their connection with heaven. The sweet savor of Christ surrounds them. The fragrance of the life, the loveliness of the character, reveal to the world the fact that they are children of God. Men take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus. “Every one that loveth is born of God.” “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his,” but “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons and daughters of God.” “And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people people as the dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarries’ not for man, nor waits for the sons of men.”

Sons and Daughters of God, by Ellen White for October 26.

The dew comes on the grass, and farmers and lawn mower guys, wait for its rain, to water the grass, before he begins to work mowing the lawn of working in the fields. It is like the “morning” rest, a time to relax, sit with the family, go to the coffee shop, and say hello to friends. . .while dear ones the flowers are covered with dew, dear ones the world is waiting for the sun of righteousness to rise. . .from His Kingdom. . .to come back to earth and bring His children back to their HOME. . . in Heaven. . .that is waiting for you.

If we had NO HOPE, NO SAVIOUR, no promise of a better tomorrow. . . . we have no reason to live, laugh, cry and wonder why we are so attached to this world, when there is a heaven to win and a hell to shun. How can I learn to let go of this life. . .and walk into the heaven that is. . . . a place of wonder. . .peace and no end of love for all mankind? Do farmers have an advantage to stop and wonder at the miracles that happen after they plant the seeds? Do farmers have more chances to praise the Lord. . .as the continual fear is “something will break down” and they know with prayer. . .God will get them through another day?

A farmer sheepishly mentioned he crossed the bridge with his huge combine, then he heard a pop, and his tire had caught the last part of the bridge, the rim had caved in. His day was about to change, and another financial drain. . .unless he could do a MacGyver. . . and bypass the expense by using his torch to reset the caved in rim. . . the guys at the wheel and tire shop shook their heads. . .there is no way for you to fix that rim. . .they went to lunch. . .and the farmer headed home to pick up his torch. . .by evening the guys had left, a can of yellow spray, would dry overnight. . .the rim was ready for the new tire. . . and once again the farmer. . . was ready to say . PRAISE THE LORD. . .that’s just another time, God provided a way, for us to not have the extra expense. . .and He has given me the gift . . . I so much needed for this. . . a chance to PRAISE HIS NAME!.

What is there about a farmer, that makes Him praise the Lord? Or can we all find a blessing. . . in our day. . . to find His way to help us fix our problems?

My problem, has grown for twenty years, once I found out, the Bible, and Revelation of Jesus Christ, prophesized 9-11-2001. . . sure enough. . . GOD KNEW, because He is omnipotent . . . that we can empathize with Israel surrounded by fanatic Islam, that wishes to conquer an ancient faith, that was born in Bethlehem, taken to Egypt, lived in Nazareth, and in ONE DAY, a KINGDOM was born. . .for God to lead them our of slavery into the FREEDOM of obeying just Ten Laws. . . that show dignity and respect for it’s Creator. . .

What if we could love those who preside over our GOVERNMENT. . . .like we Love Jesus, who laid down His life to win our souls. . .to see and love Him? Does He live? I know He lives, because He lives within my heart. . . .and in all the good people I see and know around me. . . JESUS LIVES! There are young men and women who know right from wrong and they suffer as they choose to be honest and working with Jesus rather than against Him and His Law. . . that brings freedom, justice and mercy to all. . .no matter the color of the skin.

Blessings Promised to Those Who Abide in Christ The Merciful Shall Have Mercy

Mercy. . .

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7

“The heart of man is by nature cold and dark and unloving; when ever one manifests a spirit of mercy and forgiveness, he does it not of himself, but through the influence of the Divine Spirit moving upon his heart. “We love, because He first loved us.”

“God is Himself the source of all mercy. His name is “merciful and gracious.” He does not treat us according to our desert. He does not ask if we are worthy of His love, but He pours upon us the riches of His love, to make us worthy. He is not vindictive, He seeks not to punish, but to redeem. Even the severity which He manifests through His providences is manifested for the salvation of the wayward. He yearns with intense desire to relieve the woes of mankind. . . All whose hearts are in sympathy with the heart of Infinite Love will seek to reclaim, and not to condemn. Christ dwelling in the soul is a spring that never runs dry. Where He abides, there will be an overflowing of beneficence.

“To the appeal of the erring, the tempted, the wretched victims of want and sin, the Christian does not ask, Are they worthy? but, How can I benefit them? In the most wretched, the most debased, he sees souls whom Christ died to save. . . .The merciful are those who manifest compassion to the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed. . . .

“He who has given his life to God in ministry to His children, is linked with Him who has all the resources of the universe at His command. His life is bound up by the golden chain of the immutable promises with the life of God. The Lord will not fail him in the hour of suffering and need. “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” And in the hour of final need the merciful shall be received into everlasting habitations.”

Sons and Daughters of God, by Ellen White for October 25.

Blessings Promised to Those Who Abide in Christ The Hungry and Thirsty Shall be Filled

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“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

“Righteousness is holiness, likeness to God; and “God is love.” It is conformity to the law of God; for “all thy commandments are righteousness;” and “love is the fulfilling of the law.” Righteousness is love, and love is the light and the life of God. The righteousness of God is embodied in Christ. We receive righteousness by receiving Him.”

“Not by painful struggles or wearisome toil, not by gift or sacrifice, is righteousness obtained; but it is freely given to every soul who hungers and thirsts to receive it. . . .

“No human agent can supply that which will satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul. But Jesus says:” . . . I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

“As we need food to sustain our physical strength, so do we need Christ, the bread from heaven, to sustain spiritual life, and impart strength to work the works of God. As the body is continually receiving the nourishment that sustains life and vigor, so the soul must be constantly communing with Christ, submitting to Him, and depending wholly upon Him.

“As the weary traveler seeks the spring in the desert, and finding it, quenches his burning thirst, so will the Christian thirst for and obtain the pure water of life, of which Christ is the fountain. . . . We need not seek to quench our thirst at shallow streams; for the great fountain is just above us, of whose abundant waters we may freely drink, if we will rise a little higher in the pathway of faith.

“The words of God are the well-springs of life. As you seek unto those living springs, you will, through the Holy Spirit, be brought into communion with Christ. . . . You will know that Christ is leading you; a divine Teacher is at your side.”

Blessings Promised to Those Who Abide in Christ the Meek Shall Inherit the Earth

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“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

“These were occasions when Christ spoke with an authority that sent His words home with irrestible force, with an overwhelming sense of the greatness of the Speaker, and the human agencies shrunk into nothingness in comparison with the One before them. They were deeply moved to listen, they were spellbound and entranced, and conviction came to their minds. Every word made for itself a place, and the hearers believed and received the words that they had no power to resist. Every word He uttered seemed to be the hearers as the life of God. He was giving evidence that He was the light of the world and the authority of the church, claiming pre-eminence over them all.

“Jesus places meekness among the first qualification for His kingdom. In His own life and character the divine beauty of this precious grace is revealed. . . .

“Human nature is ever struggling for expression, ready for contest; but he who learns of Christ is emptied of self, of pride, of love of supremacy, and there is a silence in the soul. Self is yielded to the disposal of the Holy Spirit. Then we are not anxious to have the highest place. . . . We feel that our highest place is at the feet of our Saviour. . . .

“Lowliness of heart that meekness which is the fruit of abiding in Christ, is the true secret of blessing. “He will beautify the meek with salvation.” . . . It was through the desire of self-exaltation that sin entered into the world and our first parents lost the dominion over this fair earth, their kingdom! It is through self-abnegation that Christ redeems that which was lost. And He says we are to overcome as He did. Through humility and self surrender we may become heir with Him, when the “meek shall inherit the earth.”

Sons and Daughters of God, by Ellen White for October 23.

Blessings Promised to Those Who Abide in Christ Those Who Mourn Shall Be Comforted

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

“The mourning here brought to view is true heart sorrow for sin. . . . As one is drawn to behold Jesus uplifted on the cross, he discerns the sinfulness of humanity. He sees that it is sin which scourged and crucified the Lord of glory. He sees that, while he has been loved and with unspeakable tenderness, his has been a continual scene of in gratitude and rebellion. He has forsaken his best Friend, and abused heaven’s most precious gift. He has crucified to himself the Son of God afresh, and pierced anew that bleeding and stricken heart. He is separated from God by a gulf of sin that is broad and black and deep, and he mourns in brokenness of heart. Such mourning “shall be comforted.” God reveals to us our guilt that we may flee to Christ, and through Him be set free from the bondage of sin, and rejoice in the liberty of the sons of God. In true contrition we may come to the foot of the cross, and there leave our burdens. . .

“The Saviour’s words have a message of comfort to those also who are suffering affliction of bereavement. Our sorrows do not spring out of the ground. God “doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” When He permits trials and afflictions, it is “for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.” If received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the mans of turning our eyes to heaven. How many there are who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to seek comfort in Him.

“The Lord will work for all who put their trust in Him. Precious victories will be gained by the faithful. Precious lessons will be learned. Precious experiences will be realized. . .

“Christ lifts up the contrite heart, and refines the mourning soul, until it become His abode.”

Sons and Daughters of God, by Ellen White for October 22.

“IMAGINE” said the teacher, “that there existed a world where people wore jewelry in the shape of an electric chair.”

Or a cross?

” . . . where models of electric chairs crowned the pinnacles of sacred buildings, where people sang songs about one particular electric chair. Imagine a world where people found in this electric chair hope, mercy, love, forgiveness, restoration, redemption, and new life. What would you think?”

“I would think,” I replied, “that it was CRAZY.”

“Yes, but with one slight change, what I just described was this world. Just replace ne instrument of capital punishment with another and you have earth.”

“Replace it with what?”

“Replace the electric chair . . . with the CROSS. The cross is as much an instrument of execution as is the electric chair, the gallows, or the guillotine. But what makes it different from every other instrument of execution is that Messiah, the Son of God, died on it. And that changes everything. We live in a world where people wear jewelry in the shame of an instrument of capital punishment, where sacred buildings are crowned with reproductions of this instrument of death, where people sing songs about it, and where multitudes find in it love, hope mercy, and new life. What does that reveal?

“How radical it is.”

“Yes, and how radical is the power of God in Messiah. To take an instrument of execution and transform it into an object of love and mercy, in which people find hope, grace, and new life-only the Messiah, only the Son of God, could make such a thing a reality. An instrument made to bring death now brings life . . . now causes us to come alive . . . an instrument of JUDGMENT made to bring DEATH, now causes us to be released from JUDGMENT . . . the most evil object of ancient times that’s the power of God. And so in that same object is the power to turn every DARKNESS in your life into LIGHT, every sorry into joy, every death into resurrection. That’s the miraculous mystery and radical power of the execution stake that has become the sign . . .of everlasting LOVE.

THE MISSION: Apply today this most radical power to turn darkness into light, defeat into victory, and death to life. Start turning things upside down.

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn in the, The Book of Mysteries.

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn turns darkness into LIGHT. . .with a reminder of a CROSS.