Dry Bones

Sometimes we all wonder, "Am I converted?" I think the best way to answer that question is to ask another: "What is the driving force behind all I choose to do?" Is it a desire to glorify GOD, or to please myself? Such a question shouldn't be answered hastily, else we are liable to reach the wrong conclusion. We should thoroughly examine ourselves, and answer honestly. No good will come from glossing over the truth to spare ourselves pain. It doesn't improve the current situation and will only lead to far greater pain in the future. If deep down the answer is the latter, it is true that that is both an uncomfortable and deplorable situation; but we should not give ourselves over entirely to despair. The fact that we recognize our lack, cutting though it may be, is something to rejoice over—not because the lack is good in and of itself, but because we are able to receive the help that Jesus longs to give.

Jesus wants to restore us, to breathe life into us again, just like He did the dry bones that Ezekiel saw in the valley (Ezekiel 37). In fact, those bones symbolize people like me and maybe you. "This class is well represented by the valley of dry bones Ezekiel saw in vision. "Those who have had committed to them the treasures of truth, and yet who are dead in trespasses and sin, need to be created anew in Christ Jesus." Ellen White, The Review and Herald, January 17, 1893.  Look at what He said to those bones: "And [I] shall put My spirit in you, and ye shall live" (v. 14).

He is able to do it, and He has done it for those who sincerely desired it. David wrote in Psalm 119:50, "This [is] my comfort in my affliction: for Thy word hath quickened [meaning revived] me." Yes, and He will do it for us too, if we ask and act in faith. Then we shall seek His glory in everything, and He will be glorified in us.

Blessings,
Jean

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Help to Stem the Tide

"The people will seldom rise higher than their minister. A world-loving spirit in him has a tremendous influence upon others. The people make his deficiencies an excuse to cover their world-loving spirit. They quiet their own consciences, thinking that they may be free to love the things of this life and be indifferent to spiritual things because their ministers are so. They deceive their own souls and remain in friendship with the world, which the apostle declares to be enmity with God." ~Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pg. 645.

The people will seldom rise higher than their minister. Wow. What a startling thought! At the same time, what a true statement this is. Until I read this quote in Gospel Workers, I had never given the idea much thought. As I mentally reviewed the pastors I've had over the years, and the congregations they were in charge of, however, I couldn't help but make the connection. I also couldn't help but wonder how this related to the rising apostasy in the church.

I'm not saying that the congregation's spiritual standing is due to the pastor's one hundred percent, nor do I mean to imply that it is impossible for the congregation to be different from the minister. No. We each have a responsibility to GOD, and "seldom" means rarely, not never.

Yet we have seen that "by beholding, we become changed". Influence is a subtle, yet powerful tool. Used in the right direction, it can do much good; used in the opposite direction...well, you get the picture. That is why we need to be extremely careful not to simply be spoon-fed by the pastor each week, but to evaluate everything he says by the Word, despite his position of leadership. Not everyone is strong enough to do this at first, however. Along with being good examples to our fellow members, we need to pray for our pastors. We need to pray that they will catch brighter beams of truth, that they will understand it more clearly, for their own sakes and the sake of their flocks--especially those that are easily swayed. Even the apostle Paul, who could be considered a pastor, wrote to the Thessalonians and said, "Brethren, pray for us" (1 Thessalonians 5:25).

I believe that if we all make an effort to assist our pastors through our prayers that we will see a definite difference in the church. No, it won't change everyone, but it might change a few that would have never changed otherwise, and this is one more way in which we will be able to stem the tide of wickedness among GOD's people. Will you help?

Blessings,
Jean

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Sometimes it seems like trials take forever to end. Even when you're doing all you can think of, it seems like it grows lengthier and heavier with each passing day. Sometimes it seems so dark you wonder if GOD notices and honestly cares, or whether He regards it with indifference. You wonder if He  really is listening and working for your good. You wonder if there is light at the end of the tunnel. Of course, it's easy to say there is. It's easy to say anything. It's not that easy to always believe it when everything seems to be going so badly.

Then there are those words that have a way of piercing the thick clouds of gloom and letting a ray of light, a ray of hope, in. The first thing that did this for me was 1 Peter 5:10. "But the GOD of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you]." Friends, what hope this brings! If you and I let Him, if you and I cooperate with Him the best we can, GOD will eventually bring good out of our sufferings.

In Acts of the Apostles,  chapter 51, page 527, Ellen White writes: "Thus Peter wrote to the believers at a time of peculiar trial to the church. Many had already become partakers of Christ’s sufferings, and soon the church was to undergo a period of terrible persecution. Within a few brief years many of those who had stood as teachers and leaders in the church were to lay down their lives for the gospel. Soon grievous wolves were to enter in, not sparing the flock. But none of these things were to bring discouragement to those whose hopes were centered in Christ. With words of encouragement and good cheer Peter directed the minds of the believers from present trials and future scenes of suffering 'to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.' 'The God of all grace,' he fervently prayed, “who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.'"

While I haven't yet experienced, at least in my own estimation, the sufferings of Christ, I do believe the words could go for any present trial. May we learn to look up, up, up to the blessings that await us after this is all over.

The second thing that encouraged me was a passage in the book Steps to Christ, on page 96: "The assurance is broad and unlimited, and He is faithful who has promised. When we do not receive the very things we asked for, at the time we ask, we are still to believe that the Lord hears and that He will answer our prayers." What an encouragement! It goes on to say, "We are so erring and short-sighted that we sometimes ask for things that would not be a blessing to us, and our heavenly Father in love answers our prayers by giving us that which will be for our highest good—that which we ourselves would desire if with vision divinely enlightened we could see all things as they really are. When our prayers seem not to be answered, we are to cling to the promise; for the time of answering will surely come, and we shall receive the blessing we need most. But to claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the particular thing that we desire, is presumption. God is too wise to err, and too good to withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly. Then do not fear to trust Him, even though you do not see the immediate answer to your prayers. Rely upon His sure promise, 'Ask, and it shall be given you.'"

I know that what I ask for is something He would like to give us all, but my heavenly Father is too wise to err. Perhaps now wouldn't be the best time for us to receive it, no matter how much we want it. Perhaps there are things we need to learn first. Whatever the case, I am once again reminded that He does care, that He does answer prayer, and that He will one day end these lessons of suffering. May we learn them well.

Yes, I'm reminded that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Blessings,
Jean

"Be Careful For Nothing"

Everyone has those moments, those days, where nothing seems to go right, where it seems life is just one big mess, one big burden. You're worried, mostly about things you have no power to change. You know, those times where you're bound to be in a bad mood, and do or say things you wish you never had. I struggle with not losing control in stressful situations such as these, and often I fail. The other day was one of those days. As I sat by the window full of anger and anguish, part of a Scripture came to me. I didn't know where it was, but I knew how it started, and I searched for it in my Bible's concordance. It was Philippians 4:6-7:

"Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto GOD. And the peace of GOD, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

"Be careful for nothing" means not to be full of care, or anxious about, anything. We are to pray and give thanks at all times, and if we do this, the peace of GOD will fill our hearts. Not before. We can't fully appreciate this privilege, though, until we come to the realization that worrying, fretting, or seeking feebly to fix things ourselves, will not do us an ounce of good. It won't. I can testify, unfortunately more times than I'd like to admit.

Do you see? It is our privilege to bring every problem to GOD and leave it in His hands, trusting He will work it out or show us what to do about it. In the meantime, we are to do our very best with the things we know how to do. He will take care of the rest.

Blessings,
Jean