Blog Archives - WELCOME TO THE JOY OF TROY

May 11, 2020

5/11/2020

THE BRIGHTEST COMMANDMENT

        The children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.--Exodus 31:16-17

    After Jesus opened the door of the most holy, the light of the Sabbath was seen, and the people of God were tested, as the children Israel were tested anciently, to see if they would keep God's law. I saw the third angel pointing upward, showing the disappointed ones the way to the holiest of the heavenly sanctuary....

        It was represented to me that the remnant followed Jesus into the most holy place and beheld the ark and the mercy seat, and were captivated with their glory. Jesus then raised the cover of the ark, and lo! the tables of stone, with the ten commandments written upon them....They find nothing there informing them that the Sabbath has been abolished, or changed to the first day of the week. The commandment reads as when spoken by the voice of God in solemn and awful grandeur upon the mount, while the lightnings flashed and the thunders rolled; it is the same as when written with His own finger on the tables of stone: "Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God."

    They are amazed as they behold the care taken of the ten commandments. They see them placed close by Jehovah, overshadowed and protected by His holiness. They see that they have been trampling upon the fourth commandment of the Decalogue, and have observed a day handed down by the heathen and papists, instead of the day sanctified by Jehovah. They humble themselves before God and mourn over their past transgressions. (Early Writings, 254-256)

REFLECTION: In the ark was the golden pot of manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of stone which folded together like a book. Jesus opened them, and I saw the ten commandments written on them with the finger of God. On one table were four, and on the other six. The four on the first table shone brighter than the other six. But the fourth, the Sabbath commandment, shone above them all; for the Sabbath was set apart to be kept in honor of God's holy name. The holy Sabbath looked glorious--a halo of glory was all around it. I saw that the Sabbath commandment was not nailed to the cross....I saw that God had not changed the Sabbath, for He never changes. (Early Writings, 32-33)

May 10, 2020

5/10/2020

GOD LEADS--PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE

        You shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.--Deuteronomy 8:2

    There is not the least excuse for any soul to make mistakes or stumble into error. The Word of God is a sure guide; the terms of salvation and of prosperity are plainly defined....

    I am impressed by the Spirit of God to repeat these words of the Lord to His people as they assemble in general meeting. The instruction given to ancient Israel for their education and guidance is to be given in our gatherings; for our people need to be impressed with the fact that their prosperity depends upon strict obedience to every principle laid down; and by repeating this instruction to the people, we shall impress these principles more firmly upon their minds. These two chapters of Deuteronomy contain important instruction, concerning the keeping of God's commandments, and should be often presented to the people.

    The instruction...should also come to us with special force. That which the Lord required of His people as He led them through the wilderness was sanctification--sanctification of mind and soul and body. This He requires of every soul today. There is to be rendered to Him by His people obedience to His will. No excuse will be accepted for disobedience to His holy commandments.

    Moses was charged to repeat to the people [these] lessons...and this he did. No member of the congregation of Israel was left in ignorance regarding this duty. The same requirement rests upon us individually. (Letter 292, October 5, 1908)

REFLECTION: In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what God has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. 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. (Manuscript 139, December 19, 1892)

May 9, 2020

5/9/2020

SPIRIT OF PRAYER

        When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.--Matthew 6:6

    A spirit of solemn and earnest prayer was everywhere felt by the saints. A holy solemnity was resting upon them. Angels were watching with the deepest interest the effect of the message, and were elevating those who received it, and drawing them from earthly things to obtain large supplies from salvation's fountain.

    God's people were then accepted of Him. Jesus looked upon them with pleasure, for His image was reflected in them. They had made a full sacrifice, an entire consecration, and expected to be changed to immortality. But they were destined again to be sadly disappointed. The time to which they looked, expecting deliverance, passed; they were still upon the earth, and the effects of the curse never seemed more visible. They had placed their affections on heaven, and in sweet anticipation had tasted immortal deliverance; but their hopes were not realized.

    The fear that had rested upon many of the people did not at once disappear; they did not immediately triumph over the disappointed ones. But as no visible tokens of God's wrath appeared, they recovered from the fear which they had felt and commenced their ridicule and scoffing.

    The people of God were again proved and tested. The world laughed and mocked and reproached them; and those who had believed without a doubt that Jesus would ere then have come to raise the dead, and change the living saints, and take the kingdom, to possess it forever, felt as did the disciples at the sepulcher of Christ, "They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him." (Early Writings, 239-240)

REFLECTION: In order to have spiritual life and energy, we must have actual relationship with our heavenly Father....In order to commune with God, we must have something to say to Him concerning our actual life.

Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him. (Steps to Christ, 93)

May 8, 2020

5/8/2020

A LIVING EXPERIENCE FROM LIVING WATER

        Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again."--John 4:13

    In every part of the land, light was given upon the second angel's message, and the cry melted the hearts of thousands. It went from city to city, and from village to village, until the waiting people of God were fully aroused. In many churches the message was not permitted to be given, and a large company who had the living testimony left these fallen churches. A mighty work was accomplished by the midnight cry. The message was heart-searching, leading the believers to seek a living experience for themselves. They knew that they could not lean upon one another.

    The saints anxiously waited for their Lord with fasting, watching, and almost constant prayer. Even some sinners looked forward to the time with terror; but the great mass manifested the spirit of Satan in their opposition to the message. They mocked and scoffed, repeating everywhere, "No man knoweth the day nor the hour." Evil angels urged them on to harden their hearts and to reject every ray of light from heaven, that they might be fastened in the snare of Satan.

    Many who professed to be looking for Christ had no part in the work of the message. The glory of God which they had witnessed, the humility and deep devotion of the waiting ones, and the overwhelming weight of evidence, caused them to profess to receive the truth; but they had not been converted; they were not ready for the coming of their Lord. (Early Writings, 238-239)

REFLECTION: The cisterns will be emptied, the pools become dry; but our Redeemer is an inexhaustible fountain. We may drink, and drink again, and ever find a fresh supply. He in whom Christ dwells has within himself the fountain of blessing,--"a well of water springing up into everlasting life." From this source he may draw strength and grace sufficient for all his needs. (The Desire of Ages, 187)

May 7, 2020

5/7/2020

MIDNIGHT CRY

        At midnight a cry was heard: "Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!"--Matthew 25:6

    As the churches refused to receive the first angel's message, they rejected the light from heaven and fell from the favor of God. They trusted to their own strength, and by opposing the first message placed themselves where they could not see the light of the second angel's message. But the beloved of God, who were oppressed, accepted the message, "Babylon is fallen," and left the churches.

    Near the close of the second angel's message, I saw a great light from heaven shining upon the people of God. The rays of this light seemed bright as the sun. And I heard the voices of angels crying, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!"

    This was the midnight cry, which was to give power to the second angel's message. Angels were sent from heaven to arouse the discouraged saints and prepare them for the great work before them. The most talented men were not the first to receive this message. Angels were sent to the humble, devoted ones, and constrained them to raise the cry, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!"

    Those entrusted with the cry made haste, and in the power of the Holy Spirit sounded the message, and aroused their discouraged brethren. This work did not stand in the wisdom and learning of men, but in the power of God, and His saints who heard the cry could not resist it. The most spiritual received this message first, and those who had formerly led in the work were the last to receive and help swell the cry, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!" (Early Writings, 237-237)

REFLECTION: I seemed to be surrounded with light, and to be rising higher and higher from the earth. I turned to look for the advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me: "Look again, and look a little higher." At this I raised my eyes and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the advent people were traveling toward the city. Behind them, at the beginning of the path, was a bright light which an angel told me was the midnight cry. This light shone all along the path, that their feet might not stumble. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 58-59)

May 6, 2020

5/6/2020

ANGELS WITH A POWERFUL MESSAGE

        Saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand."--Revelation 14:7-9

    I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird."

    The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel's message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel's message. (Early Writings, 277)

REFLECTION: The work of this time is represented by the first, second, and third angels flying in the midst of heaven. The first angel has his message, the second follows the first and bears his message. But the first is not dropped; it loses none of its force as the second is proclaimed. So also with the third. These angels represent the people of God proclaiming the Word of God to the world, whereby are produced impressions so powerful that truth is separated from the rubbish of error and stands revealed in its unblemished pure beauty. These messages of truth open the most lofty contemplation of scenes through which they conduct us--solemn, refining, and awfully grand. (Manuscript 40, 1890)

May 5, 2020

5/5/2020

FROM THE PLOW TO THE PULPIT

        Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.--Revelation 3:3

    In all fields, nigh and afar off, men will be called from the plow and from the more common commercial business vocations, that largely occupy the mind, and will become educated in connection with men who have had experience--men who understand the truth. Through most wonderful workings of God, mountains of difficulty will be removed and cast into the sea....

    There is to be, at this period, a series of events which will reveal that God is master of the situation. The truth will be proclaimed in clear, unmistakable language. Those who preach the truth will strive to demonstrate the truth by a well-ordered life and godly conversation. And as they do this, they will become powerful in advocating the truth and in giving it the sure application that God has given it.

    In the name of the Lord do not permit yourselves to be held when the spiritual atmosphere is poisoned with skepticism and falsehood....Where falsehoods, regarding the Word and work of God, are reported as truth is no place for [those] who are preparing for the future, immortal life. We are seeking heaven, wherein can enter none who have changed the truth of God into a lie....

    Human interpretations, the reception of fables, will spoil your faith, confuse your understanding, and make of none affect your faith in Jesus Christ....Why repent?--Because there have come in faults in the form of theories so subtle that by the influence of mind upon mind--through the agency of those who have departed from the faith--the wily foe will cause you imperceptibly to be imbued with the spirit that will draw you away from the faith. (Letter 230, July 5, 1906)

REFLECTION: Every follower of Christ has a part to act to bring men to accept the blessings heaven has provided. Let us closely examine ourselves and see if we have done this work. Let us question our motives and every action of our lives. Are there not many unpleasant pictures hanging in memory's halls? (Testimonies from the Church, vol. 5, 610)

May 4, 2020

5/4/2020

CHRISTIAN IMPOSTERS

        Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,...having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!--2 Timothy 3:2, 5

    In many of our organized churches the banner of truth is trailing in the dust because the members are not doing service to God, but are serving their own pleasure. They work through the influences that surround the soul. By precept and example, in self-indulgence, in their worldly habits of dress, in their words and actions, they testify against the truth, against self-denial, and the meekness of Christ. They are cold spiritually, and far separated from Christ. If they followed in the footsteps of Christ, they would be partakers of His self-denial, of His self-sacrifice, that they might lift up and save the souls that are ready to perish....

    Will the churches heed the Laodicean message? Will they repent or will they, notwithstanding that the most solemn message of truth--the third angel's message--is being proclaimed to the world, go on in sin? This is the last message of mercy, the last warning to a fallen world....

    Those who have had opportunities to hear and receive the truth and who have united with the Seventh-day Adventist church, calling themselves the commandment-keeping people of God, and yet possess no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal churches, will receive of the plagues of God just as verily as the churches who oppose the law of God. Only those that are sanctified through the truth will compose the royal family in the heavenly mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those that love Him and keep His commandments. (Letter 35, January 1, 1898)

REFLECTION: How often, in our own day, is the love of pleasure disguised by a "form of godliness!" A religion that permits men to observe the rites of worship and to devote themselves to selfish or sensual gratification is as pleasing to the multitudes now as in the days of Israel.

May 3, 2020

5/3/2020

A LIVING EXAMPLE

        In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility.--Titus 2:7

    The Lord has appointed every converted soul to witness for Him. The light that has been given to the individual members of His church is to shine forth, not merely in much talk, but in good works. Every talent entrusted to every soul is to be traded upon. The talents that might have been put out to the exchangers by those who have done nothing in the service of God will be required again with the improvements that the Lord required His stewards to make.

    Every jot of light, of stability, of influence, is to be used, not for self-pleasing, but for the Lord. We are to be yoked up with Christ in perfect obedience to the Lord [our] God, who is holy, just, and good. Thus God's people may develop characters of increasing consecration, efficiency, and tact, and act their part as laborers together with God.

    Why are so many so slow in recognizing the work they ought to do in seeking to save that which is lost? Consider prayerfully what is to be done. Kill indolence. Lay hold of personal labor. Too much labor is done by those who minister in word and doctrine in behalf of churches that should be set to work themselves. The church members should carry a weight of responsibility. They should keep their own souls in the love of God by exercising all the powers they have.

    By precept and example they should bear witness of the power of the truth and grace of Christ upon human hearts. This will commend the truth that the seventh day Sabbath is a sign between them and their God. Obedience in the observance of the Sabbath testifies of the sanctification received through its observance. (Letter 35, January 1, 1898)

REFLECTION: Every living Christian will advance daily in the divine life. As he advances toward perfection, he experiences a conversion to God every day; and this conversion is not completed until he attains to perfection of Christian character, a full preparation for the finishing touch of immortality. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, 505)

May 2, 2020

5/2/2020

OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE

        You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.--Matthew 5:14

    Our life here is a short period at best, and what and whom are we living and working for? And what will be the outcome of it all?...

    Whatever we are at heart will be revealed in character and will have an influence on those with whom we associate. Our words, our actions, are a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. And in the judgment we shall be brought face to face with those whom we might have helped in right, safe paths by choice words, by counsel, if we had connection with God daily, and a living, abiding interest in the saving of their souls. (Letter 27, May 29, 1892)

    If those who knew the truth, the present truth for this time, would individually realize that a responsibility rest upon them to communicate to those who know not the truth, the light the Lord has graciously given them, they would more nearly meet the mind of Christ. They would be His light, penetrating the darkness of error which covers the religious world, and which is as dense as the darkness that enveloped the Jewish nation in the days of Christ.

    Shall Seventh-day Adventists walk in the same path as did the Jewish nation? Shall the message to the Laodicean church be applicable to this people? Shall those who have seen great light, who have had large opportunities and many privileges, cease to do service as witnesses for Christ? Those who know the truth, but who feel no special burden to reveal corresponding works, will be like that servant who knew his Master's will, but did it not. (Letter 35, January 1, 1898)

REFLECTION: Every day we have an opportunity to reflect the light of Christ to those with whom we are in contact. So be ready to shine at home, in the workplace, grocery store, or wherever we may be. Don't miss your opportunity to be a shining light for Christ.