Why me Lord?

2 Timothy 2:15  “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

In 1985, I sat with my family in the pew of our little Seventh Day Adventist Church in Oakdale, California. My husband age 38 had just retired from Dentistry in Ridgecrest, California, after working 14 years in the upper Mojave Desert. The choice of moving to the Western Slope of the Sierra’s was to provide us time to enjoy our two sons, Roger and Walter, and have a nearby church school for them to attend.

Walter was two years old, and been miraculously saved from a near drowning . . . in our own covered pool. He had no heartbeat, even with daddy doing CPR, me doing CPR, we prayed as a family, as Dr. Foster ran down the street from his house to yell, “Don’t stop, don’t stop!”

The phone call from Singapore, from my husband’s Aunt Viola was an invitation for us to come. They needed a Dentist to fill in. . . and we boarded the plane to far away places, with strange sounding names. The second phone call was from my husband’s childhood dentist, who was the dentist in Singapore working at the Youngblood Hospital. His Uncle was the President of the Singapore Seventh Day Adventist University of the South East Asian Division. Their home would be our home, as they took their furlough back to USA.

Our retirement had been cut short, when we lost a million dollars. . . and we both begin looking for a job. I found a Dental Hygienist was needed, and began to work, with Rog becoming Mr. Mom, watching baby Walter, who helped him go golfing at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club.

That Sabbath, my brother Franklin and his wife Sharon, and their two children about the age of my sons, returned from being missionaries in Malawi, Africa. They needed a home and place for Him to work, another Dentist among five now in our family.

That morning our church was busting at the seams, with people everywhere. Sabbath School Departments were overflowing with interested guests, and from the outside, one would say, we had a very exciting church and elementary school, children, Dorcas Society and everyone working and praying for our church to grow. P.S. And it did grow, we began a Spanish church group.

This particular Sabbath in Oakdale, I felt impressed ” to obey” words that seemed to be spoken to me in the color red. . .as if God intended me to do something. . . that did not seem right. . . because what I understood was, “Go rip up the preacher’s sermon.” Certainly that would be wrong, people would not understand, and Gary Waterhouse, his wife and children were our best friends. . . .we played and ate together many times, on Sabbath, as the children played a game of guess what Bible characters they were acting out, in the backyard swimming pool.

My Bible was open to the story of Onesimus, the friend of Paul. How could I embrass myself, and go to the front of the church, and rip up the preacher’s sermon. . .. surely this could not be from the Holy Spirit. I wrestled with the idea, Walter sitting next to me, daddy and Roger in the pew. They could not know the struggle inside me. . .They could not know the fear I had of denying the Holy Spirit….what would become of me, if I denied to obey? I could not put this thought away!

I begin to barter with God, maybe I could avoid being embarrassed, so the verse unlined in my red pencil, I would obey, if Gary read this verse. What were the chances, Gary would read this verse, in a church packed with members, visitors and overflowing into the baby’s cry room?

My restless body, turned, and became uncomfortable, as the sermon continued on about this loyal servant Paul was sending back home to be a witness. I find myself sighing even now, knowing I would hear Gary read the text, and I knew I would have to get up, and obey those words, I moved to his pulpit, sat down crying on a chair on the stage. Gary continued “reading” his altar call.

Gary would “continue reading his altar call” that he had written into his sermon, but he, come to find out, could not read the altar call for six years, he had not made an altar call, to invite his congregation to learn more about Jesus, His love, His care, His devotion to walk and talk with us.

The congregation began to move, visitors were coming forward, and Ben a young student in my junior room class came foward, in a group of twenty people that morning. People were amazed at how many were in need of giving their lives to the Lord that day. A friend went to the back to pray, she knew God was moving in a way they had never seen before. Carol/ not her real name, was so moved, she began to count how many people came forward. I was so shocked, I didn’t know what to do or say. Carol counted twenty people who came forward because of the altar call.

Sadly the minister had no plans of “what to do” if someone did come forward with the altar call. He had no invitation to enter Bible 101 class, or had no pen and paper, to write down their names and get their addresses, so he could encourage them.

Church was dismissed, and what was to come my way. . . was to turn an event of God using the minister to finally “read” his written word, and Gary was frightened. . . to the point. . . he blamed me. . . for ripping up a note he had on his pulpit…as he continued reading the written sermon….that was written because he did not want to make a mistake….but he had not been able to read the altar call…until that day.

I sigh again. What could I have done, without the training I would receive later. . . years later. . . when I was invited to give a two week seminar in Romania. Then the head elder, a young Romanian Minister, Pastor Titus, looking like a Roman God, with his beautiful wife Ester, taught me how to give an altar call. . . because when it was written in the sermon. . . it was my time to stand up, go the podemn after the picture was shown of Jesus. . .and my legs didn’t want to work. . .the Pastor waved for me to follow him. . .as Emalian stepped unto the stage, I followed.

“If there is anyone here today, who would like to hear more about Jesus, please fill out the little pamphlets we gave you at the door and come forward. Behind me was picture of a rainbow, with children who looked very much like my own son Roger, awaiting the coming of Jesus. In front of me were little children sitting on round cane chairs, whose feet did not touch the floor. They would swing their feet as I gave the lecture with slides, and they woud listen to the lady from the United State of America, speaking in English, as Pastor Titus spoke his words, as my interpreter.

Could we one day find our churches full of divine agents, ready to give a sermon about Jesus, His love, His care, His patience and understanding. . . to an audience ready to come forward in an altar call to learn more about Him?

Can we begin to see a movement, going on in our own country, where 76 were baptized in Colorado and 23 in Missouri over Easter this year?

Never before have we seen a movement in our Government to end Freedom of Speech, purchased by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, to give us permission to speak up, and come boldly unto the Throne of Grace to find help in the time of need.

I have a nervous laugh. . . at the moment. . . thinking of how the trip to Romania began to shape my thinking of many ways to show others the story of Jesus. And His persistant urging to get us to open our Bibles, and let the Bible speak the words of Life.

Recently an old 92 year old saint in our Bible Study Class at her house, began reading her Bible from Genesis. . . and found our God created Earth in six literal days, from darkness to light, and then rested on the 7th day. . . the day Jesus himself was found teaching in the synagogues. . . the day He created for rest to begin at sundown on the sixth day of creation.

And I must ask why the calendars in Italy begin on the Second Day of Creation. . . so the Day of the Sun. . .so renamed. . . when the Romans changed the calender…so their day of worshipping the Sun God, Isis, would end up on the ….weekend…..with both Saturday and the first day of Creation would be Days off?

It’s 7:51 am, and Sabbath for me began last night. I was weary from the saddness of the accident, and ready for bed very early. Which makes getting up at 5:55 a.m. very easy.

If, I have been chosen to obey the Lord, certainly others would be confused. . . about a woman with her family. . . obeying a voice, to rip up the preacher’s sermon. And the result of 20 people coming foward to learn more about Jesus. . .would begin a. . . revival of primative Godliness. . . by those who hear the word of God and want to hear more about his love and forgiveness?

Are we prepared to share more about the love of Jesus, and annoint the sick, pray for the sick, lame and lazy, as my father would mutter. . . as we go about our business of healing the sick, raising the dead, like the twelve disciples of Jesus?

Are we prepared to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, the son of God, the Son of Man? Can we become His Sons and Daughters, because He wants to adopt us, and take us to the mansions He has prepared for us?

If so, consult the first book of the Bible, and learn why our planet was created to be destroyed by an angel created to glorify God, and who changed instead to make war against God’s Government. This is why we are here. . .for us to judge between Freedom purchased for us by Our God, His Son, and His Holy Spirt.

Take the challenge to be like Jesus, and attend a church that supports his mission of freedom within the boundaries of ten easy laws, that supports the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, Our Messiah!

Shabbat Shalom. . .is blessing on your and your family, this Sabbath day of rest from the worry, of this earth, and dwell on the fullness of His time. . .that has come to reveal His power over evil. . . in Revelation 11, as the plagues begin to fall. . . let our hearts beat for the Good Shepherd, who knows His sheep will follow Him. Amen . . . which means “so be it.”

You have a choice. . .

I have a duty to perform today . . by default the men have cloistered to have their own men’s retreat, leaving the women to hold down the fort. And pray this old lady finds the right words to say today. . .

 

“Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks?”

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And Paul said, “Who art thou, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, ‘to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, (he used to kill) and from the Gentiles (those who were not circumcised) unto whom now I send thee. To open their eyes, and to turn darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are ‘sanctified by faith . . . that is in me.”

To the Hebrew, Jewish by blood, Saul, humbled by God, came Jesus with a purpose for him to stop killing the Gentiles, those who were not circumcised . . . . To open their eyes, and turn darkness to light, away from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness and an inheitance. . .they are sancified by believing, what their eyes see. . . that is in me…..Jesus explained to Saul, the writer, the multilingual student of the wise. . .

Could you be that man, Jesus stops you in your pursuit of Christ followers? Could you see that Christ has his arms opened to the men who seek to crucify Him again?

Why is society seeking for pleasure in unrighteousness, bad behavior, unkind words, and thoughtless gestures? When God forgives our sins, because He created mankind, to experience the cause and effect of evil clashing against good?

Can we blame God for creating us, to be the last living example of man’s inhumanity to man? And can we without the words, the thoughts, the actions, like Jesus did, when they spit in his face?

When two thirds of the heavenly angels, decided not follow Lucifer and his angels to earth, to compete for the Rulership of Heaven, the diabolical underhanded, secret societies, developed by the enmies of God, know their cruelty has reached a point, even God cannot permit them. . . to destroy the earth.

Yes, its time to judge GOD, JESUS, and HIS HOLY SPIRIT, to see if we want to live under His Ten Rules, knowing He can read our mind and knows our motives?

Yes, its time for Michael the Archangel, to put His foot upon the head of Lucifer, his arch enemy. . . .and to end this parade of poor examples of society, to trade truth for absolute power.

Yes, I bite my tongue, and truly mean we canot trust an Artificial Intelligence….when we know how many times our own computers have to be cleaned up….the wisdom of God is trustworthy! He alone knows the dreams and desires of our heart. . .to forgive, because He has forgiven us. . .to learn by experience, the pain and agony of being humbled. . .

And being humble, before the Lord of Heaven, reminds us how He humbled himself…to be the sacrifice for our sins. . .so we can meet him face to face….again. . . like the disciples. . . who walked and talked with Him.

Take this time to cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, get off your knees and pray for those who dispitfully use you. . .and come bodly to the Throne of Grace in time of need….His arm is never to short to reach you, love you, and make a journey for you to understand…He cares!

When Jesus stopped a hypocrite named Saul, who was killing Christians, He turned an evil power into a very intelligent creative minister to the Gentiles! How humbling it that? To find God stopping Saul in his tracks, renaming him Paul, who is considered the great apostle to the Gentiles.

Pray for someone else today.

Pray for God to let you annoint someone, to heal someone, as you invite God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit to incircle the one He leads you to!

Olive oil…the drug of choice. . .to allow God’s healing to flow through you, to others….and you would be surprised to know how many hurting people, wished to be forgiven, for being the people. . .God has created, to love them. . . and allow His healing. . .to be extended to the human race.

Disciples of Jesus have no power to heal, but the power to invite the Holy Spirit to do it….cure a hurting world!

Amen.

Rejoice in the Rich Treasures of God’s Grace

Luk 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Luk 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. Luk 2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. Luk 2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. Luk 2:44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. Luk 2:45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. Luk 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. Luk 2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. Luk 2:48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. Luk 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

“And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto three, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.” Deuteronomy 26:11.

“Thanksgiving and priase should be expressed to God for temporal blessings and for whatever comforts He bestows upon us. God would have every family that He is preparing to inhabit the etneral mansions above, give glory to Him for the rich treasures of His grace. Were children, in the home life, educated and trained to be grateful to the Giver of all good things, we would see an element of heavnely grace manifest in our families. Cheerfulness would be seen in the home life, and coming from such homes, the youth would bring a spirit of respect and reverence with them into the school-room, and into the church. There would be attendance in the sanctuary where God meets with His people, a reverence for all the ordinances of His worship, and greateful praise and thanksgiving would be offered for all the gifts of his providence. . . .

“Every temporal blessings would be received with gratitude, and every spiritual blessing become doubly precious because the perception of each member of the household had become sanctified by the Word of truth. The Lord Jesus is very near to those who thus appreciate His gracious gifts, tracing all their good things back to the benevolent, loving, care-taking God, and recognizing Him as the great Fountain of all comfort and consolation, the inexhaustible Source of Grace.

“If we would give more expression to our faith, rejoice more in the blessings that we know we have, the great mercy and love of God, we should have more faith and greater joy. No tongue can express, no finite mind can conceive, the blesssing that results from appreciating the goodness and love of God. Even on earth we may have joy as a wellspring never failing because fed by the streams that flow from the throne of God.”

Sons and Daughters of God, by Ellen White, p. 122, for April 25, 2023.

Let Us Come Boldly To The Throne of Grace

Here the 7 eyed, 7 horned, Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, pleads His Blood, His Love, to save all mankind.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16.

“Jesus knows the needs of His children, and He loves to listen to their prayers. Let the children shut out the world and everything that would attract the thoughts from God, and let them feel that they are alone with God, that His eye looks into the inmost herat, and reads the desire of the soul, and that they may talk with God. In humble faith you may claim His promises, and feel that although you have nothing in yourself whereby you may claim the favor of God, because of the merits and righteousness of Christ, you may come boldly to the throne of gace, and find help in time of need. There is nothing that can make the soul so strong to resist the tempations of Satan in the great conflict of life, as to seek God in humility, laying before Him your soul in all its helplessness, expecting that He will be your helper and your defender.

“With the trusting faith of a little child, we are to come to our heavenly Father, telling Him of all our needs. He is always ready to pardon and help. The supply of divine wisdom is inexhaustible, and the Lord encourages us to draw largely from it. The longing that we should have for spiritual blessings is described in the words, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after three, O God.” We need a deeper soul-hunger for the rich gifts that heaven has to bestrow.

“We are to hunger and thirst after righteousness.

“O that we might have a consuming desire to know God by experimental knowledge, to come into the audience chamber of the Most High, reaching up the hand of faith, and casting our helpless souls upon the One mighty to save. His loving kindness is better than life.

“He desires to bestow on the children of men the riches of an eternal inheritance. He kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.”

Sons and Daughters of God, by Ellen White, p. 121, for Apriol 24, 2023.

God’s Grace Sufficient for Every Need

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“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for three; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“If you have given yourself to God, to do His work, you have no need to be anxious for tomorrow. He whose servant you are, knows the end from the beginning. The events of to-morrow, which are hidden from your view, are open to the eyes of Him who is omnipotent.

“When we take into our hands, the management of things, with whcih we have to do, and depend upon our own wisdom for success, we are taking a burden which God has not given us, and are trying to bear it without His aid. We are taking upon ourselves the responsiblity that belongs to God, and thus are really putting ourselves in His place. We may well have anxiety, and anticipate danger and loss; for it is certain to befall us. But when we really believe that God loves us, and means to do us good, we shall cease to worry about the future. We shall trust God as a child trusts a loving parent. Then our troubles and torments will disappear; for our will is swallowed up in the will of God.

“Christ has given us no promise of help in bearing to-day the burdens of tomorrow. He has said, “My grace is sufficient for thee”; but, like the manna given in the wilderness, His grace is bestrowed daily, for the day’s need. Like the hosts of Israel in their pilgrim life, we may find morning by morning the bread of heaven for the day’s supply.

“One day alone is ours, and during this day we are to live for God. For this one day we are to place in the hand of Christ, in solemn service, all our purposes and plans, casting all our care upon Him, for he careth for us. “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil.”

Sons and Daughters of God, by Ellen White, p. 119, for April 23, 2023.

The Treasures of God’s Grace Are for us!

God Changes Our Empty Lamps Into Full Lamps

“The wise took oil in their vessels with their Lamps.” Matthew 25:4.

“Let every youth consider the parable of the ten virgins. All had lamps, that is, an outward semblance of religion; but only five of them had inward piety. Five of them were wanting in the oil of grace. The Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit, was not abiding in their hearts. Without the oil of grace, of what use was it to bear about a lamp of profession? However high may be the position held by a professor of religion, if the oil of grace is wanting, he has nothing with which to feed his lamp, and it cannot send forth clear, shining rays or light. . . .

“The reason why the Bridegroom delays is because He is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. O the precious longsuffering of our merciful Saviour! O that each of the dear youth would appreciate the value of the soul that has been purchased at infinite cost on Calvary!O that each one would place a proper estimate upon the capabilities that have been given him of God! Through Christ you may climb the ladder of progress, and bring every power under the contorl of Jesus. . . . In spirit, in thought, in word, and in action, you may make manifest that you are moved by the Spirit of Christ, and you life may wield a power of influence over others.

“We are living in altogether too solemn a period of the world’s history to be careless and negligent. . . . You must pray, believe, and obey. In your own strength you can do nothing; but in the grace of Jesus Christ, you can employ your powers in such a way as to bring the greatest good to your own soul, and the greatest blessing to the souls of others. Lay hold of Jesus, and you will diligently work the works of Christ, and will finally receive the eternal reward.”

Sons and Daughters of God, by Ellen White, p. 118 for April 21, 2023.

God Changes Our Constant Complaing Praise

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Someone captured the sunset this evening…and that is a reason to praise the Lord!

“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalms 107:8

“We are heaven-bound, and we should show the attractive part of our faith. We should not go as a cirppled band of mourners, groaning and complaining all along the journey to our Father’s house.

“Those professed Christians who are constantly complaining, who seem to think happiness and a cheerful countenance a sin, have not the genuine attirbues of religion. Those who look upon nature’s beautiful scenery as they would upon a dead picture; who choose to look upon dead leaves rather than to gather the beautiful flowers; who take a mournful pleasure in all that is melancholy in the language spoken to them by the natural world; who see no beauty in valleys clothed in living green, and grand mountain heights clothed with verdure; who close their senses to the joyful voice that speaks to them in nature, . . . -these are not in Christ.

“Suppose we change this order of things. . . . Suppose you try to count all your blesssings. You have thought so little upon them, and they have been so continual, that when reverse or afflictions come, you are grieved, and think God is unjust. You do not call to mind how little gratitude you have manifested for all the blessing of God. You have not deserved them; but because they have flowed in upon you day by day, year by year, you have looked upon them as a matter of course, thinking it was your right to receive every advantage, and give nothing in return. . . . The blessings of God are more than the hairs of our head, more than the sands of the seashore. Meditate upon His love and care for us, and may it inspire you with love that trials cannot interrupt not afflications quench.

“If we could only see the many dangers from which we are daily preserved by the holy angels, instead of complainging of our trials and misfortunes, we would talk cointinually of the mercies of God.”

Sons and Daughters of God, by Ellen White, p. 116, for April 19, 2023.

God Changes Our Stubborn Wills to Sanctificed Wills

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“As the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”

“Let no one say, “I cannot overcome my defects of character”; for it this is your decision, then you cannot have eternal life. The impossibility is all in your will. If you will not, that constitutes the cannot.

“The real difficulty is the corruption of an unsanctified herat, and an unwillingness to submit to the will of God. When there is a determined purpose born in your heart to overcome, you will have the disposition to overcome, and will cultivate those traits of character that are desirable, and will engage in the conflict with steady, persevering effort. You will cultivate right practices in little things. The difficulty of overcoming will be lessened in proportion as the heart is sanctified by the grace of Christ.

“What a work might have been done for us as individuals, if our proud and stubborn wills had been wholly submerged in the will of God, and our souls lifted up from earthliness to a higher purer atmosphere!

“Self-will and pride are evils that turned angels into demons and barred the gates of heaven against them.

“You cannot control your impulses, your emotions, as you may desire, but you can countrol the will, and you can make an entire change in your life. By yielding up your will to Christ, your life will be hid with Christ in God, and allied to the power which is above all principalities and powers. You will have strength from God that will hold you fast to His strength; and new light, even the light of living faith, will be possible to you. . . . . There will be in you a power, an earnestness, and a simplicity that will make you a polished instrument in the hands of God.”

Changes Our Slothfulness to Dispatch by the Grace of God

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“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11

“There are young men and young women who are very much opposed to order and discipline. . . . They pay no heed to rules for rising and retiring at regular hours, but burn the midnight oil, and then lie in bed in the morning. . . Would it not be well to break up the habit of turning the precious hours into night, and turning the hours of night into day by the use of artificial light.

“As far as possible, it is well to consider what is to be accomplished through the day. Make a memorandum of the different duties that await your attention, and set apart a certain time for the doing of each duty. Let everything be done with thoroughness, neatness, and dispatch. . . .

“Give yourself a number of minutes to do the work, and do not stop to read papers and books that take your eye, but say to yourself, “No, I have just so many minutes to which to do my work, and I must accomplish my task in the given time,” . . . Let those who are naturally slow of movement, seek to become active, quick, energetic, remembering the words of the apostle, “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” . . .

“If you are under the control of slow, dilatory movements, if your habits are of a lazy order, you will make a long job out of a short one; and it is the duty of those who are slow, to reform, and to become more expeditious. If they will, they can overcome their fussy, lingering habits. . .

“Earnest, persrvering effort will place you on the vantage ground of victory; for he who strives to overcome in and through the grace of Christ will have divine enlightment, and will undersand how great truths can be brought into little things, and religion can be carried into the little as well as into the large concerns of life.”

Sons and Daughters of God, by Ellen White, p. 114, for April 17, 2023.

The Grace of God Accomplishes Changes Our Rudeness to Refinement

“When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. But he placed his right hand on me and said, “Stop being afraid! I am the first and the last, Rev 1:18 the living one. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever! I have the keys of Death and Hades. Rev 1:19 Therefore, write down what you have seen, what is, and what is going to happen after this.” (Revelation 1:17-19)

James and John were called the fishermen given the nickname “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus, who accomplished a miracle of refinement for John, the one called to scribe the words of God, to reveal Jesus Christ in the book of Revelation.

“Habits often repeated, make character. Children who allow themselves to speak rudely to one another, and to be impolite at home, are forming habits that will cling to them in after life, and that will be most difficult to overcome. Thy do not show that they fear the Lord. They do not manifest refinement of character; their disposition becomes coarse, lacking in civility and that which constitutes refinement of manners; and all this casts a reflection upon the home training. In the behavior of children away from home, strangers can read, as in an open book, the history of the home life. They read there of duties left undone, of want of thoughtfulness, of lack of self forgetfulness, of a disposition of toward strife, fretfulness, impatience; while those who show that they have the fear of the Lord before them will, in character and in words, testify of a home where love is cherished, where there is peace, where patience is cultivated, where attention is given to the little proprieties of life, each mindful of his duty to make others happy. . . .

“Are you all preparing to become members of the heavenly family? Are you seeking in the home life to be fitted to become members of the Lord’s family? If so, make the home life happy by mutual self-sacrifice. If we want Jesus in our home, let kind words only be spoken there. The angels of God will not abide in a home where there is strife and contention. Let love be cherished, and peace, and Christian politeness, and angels will be your guests.

“If children and youth seek to be kind and courteous at home, thoughtfulness will become an abiding habit. Every-day politeness will cause them to be always polite. Home is the very place in which to practice self-denial and thoughtfulness to each member of the family; thus it is with the family in heaven, thus it will be when the scattered families of earth are reunited in the heavenly home.”

Sons and Daughters of God, by Ellen White, p. 113 for April 16th, 2023.