Daily Living

Come Out of the Cities

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Every purpose under heaven has a season or designated time (Ecclesiastes 3:1). The time in which we are living is no exception, and the purpose of the church today is to proclaim the hour or time of God’s judgment. “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.” Revelation 14:7.

Notice the message; judgment is come. This is the time in which we are living and the ultimate purpose for which we now live. Friends, we are the remnant people of God and we must never forget that we are living in the time of God’s final judgment. The books containing our life records are now under investigation. Paul has warned us, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” II Corinthians 5:10. With the above truths in mind, are you ordering your life so as to be found without a spot in your character before the judgment seat of Christ?

In light of the fact that we are subject to judgment, how are we spending our time and where is our focus aimed? In Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, 191, Inspiration says, “Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God—candidates for heaven.” (Emphasis added.) According to this statement, it is time to prepare characters that God can seal for eternity.

Addressing parents, and more specifically fathers, we read, “The father’s duty to his children should be one of his first interests. … If the father would have his children develop harmonious characters, and be an honor to him and a blessing to the world, he has a special work to do. …

“The father is the highest priest of the family. … The care of his children from their infancy should be his first consideration; for it is for their present and eternal good that they develop right characters.” Reflecting Christ, 174, 179. One more quotation to add emphasis: “Parents should neglect no duty on their part to benefit their children. They should so train them that they may be a blessing to society here and may reap the reward of eternal life hereafter.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 429.

Parents, do you want to benefit your children? Do you want them to develop right, harmonious characters? How important is this to you? It is so important that, if you fail here, the final judgment will be more dangerous for you. Commenting on Jeremiah 13:20, Inspiration says, “Parents who have neglected their God-given responsibilities must meet that neglect in the judgment. The Lord will then inquire, ‘Where are the children that I gave you to train for Me? Why are they not at My right hand?’ …

“Parents, if you lose your opportunity, God pity you; for in the day of judgment God will say, ‘What have you done with My flock, My beautiful flock?’ ” Child Guidance, 561.

With this in mind, I will now ask where can parents or guardians secure the best advantages in the development of their children’s characters?

In Fundamentals of Christian Education, 326, we read: “Those who will take their families into the country, place them where they have fewer temptations. The children who are with parents that love and fear God, are in every way much better situated to learn of the Great Teacher, who is the source and fountain of wisdom. They have a much more favorable opportunity to gain a fitness for the kingdom of heaven.”

Notice that it is in the country that parents can secure the best advantages in the development of their children’s characters. With that in mind, where can parents secure the best disadvantages in the development of their children’s characters? This may sound ironic, but there are many parents who consciously or unconsciously disadvantage their children by dwelling in a certain environment.

“Send the children to schools located in the city, where every phase of temptation is waiting to attract and demoralize them, and the work of character building is tenfold harder for both parents and children.” (Emphasis added.) Ibid. Do you see the picture? Apparently, there are advantages to country living and disadvantages to city living. Brothers and sisters, remember that we are in the hour of God’s final judgment, and today God is saying, “Come out of the cities my people and be separate.”

From the beginning, God never desired that His people should huddle into cities. In fact, the first record we have of a city shows that it was built by a rebel murderer. “And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.” Genesis 4:17. We know that Cain was of the wicked one. So, the first city that we hear of was built by him who was under the inspiration of Satan.

“It was not God’s purpose that people should be crowded into cities, huddled together in terraces and tenements. In the beginning He placed our first parents amidst the beautiful sights and sounds He desires us to rejoice in today. The more nearly we come into harmony with God’s original plan, the more favorable will be our position to secure health of body, and mind, and soul.” The Ministry of Healing, 365.

“He wants us to live where we can have elbow room. His people are not to crowd into the cities. He wants them to take their families out of the cities, that they may better prepare for eternal life.” Country Living, 17. Friends, God is calling His people out of the cities. “Come out my people,” says the Lord.

Now someone may ask, “What is involved in coming out of the cities?” First of all, you must hear God’s call. Paul writes, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” II Corinthians 6:17–7:1.

Here we are exhorted to come out from among the wicked. We are told to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit in order to perfect holiness. Does this involve an exodus from the cities? Is this a call to come out from among the unclean, demoralized cities? What follows in this study is a series of commonly asked questions and answers about country living.

  1. What attracts many people to the cities?

  • “Holidays are numerous; games and horse racing draw thousands, and the whirl of excitement and pleasure attracts them away from the sober duties of life. Money that should have been saved for better uses is frittered away for amusements.” Country Living, 6.
  • “Parents flock with their families to the cities, because they fancy it easier to obtain a livelihood there than in the country.” Ibid., 5.

This last statement is one of vital importance. Many parents sacrifice their children at the altar of career or worldly wealth. It is a mistake to trade the children’s eternal life for the sake of temporal gains.

  1. Why should God’s people come out of the cities?

  • “The children, having nothing to do when not in school, obtain a street education. From evil associates, they acquire habits of vice and dissipation.” Ibid.
  • “The world over, cities are becoming hotbeds of vice. On every hand are the sights and sounds of evil. Everywhere are enticements to sensuality and dissipation. … Every day brings the record of violence—robberies, murders, suicides, and crimes unnamable.” Ibid., 5, 6.
  • “Believers who are now living in the cities will have to move to the country, that they may save their children from ruin.” Ibid., 19.

  1. What are some negative effects of living in the city?

  • “The physical surroundings in the cities are often a peril to health.” Ibid., 6.
  • Not only does Inspiration reveal the ill-effects of city living, but science also proves Inspiration to be true. Brandon Keim, a correspondent for Wired Science gives the following analysis: “Compared to their rural counterparts, city dwellers have higher levels of anxiety and mood disorders. The schizophrenia risk of people raised in cities is almost double. … Too much stress may ultimately alter the brain, leaving it ill-equipped to handle further stress and prone to mental illness.” www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/06/city-brains/.
  • Alok Jha, a science correspondent for The Guardian says, “The brains of people living in cities operate differently from those in rural areas, according to a brain-scanning study. … Previous research has shown that people living in cities have a 21 percent increased risk of anxiety disorders and a 39 percent increased risk of mood disorders. … Meyer-Lindenberg said that social fragmentation, noise or over-crowding might all be factors.” www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/jun/22/city-living-afffects-brain.

  1. What are some positive effects of living in the country?

  • “Take your children away from the sights and sounds of the city, away from the rattle and din of streetcars and teams, and their minds will become more healthy.” Country Living, 13.
  • “They should have a garden to cultivate, where they might find both amusement and useful employment. The training of plants and flowers tends to the improvement of taste and judgment, while an acquaintance with God’s useful and beautiful creations has a refining and ennobling influence upon the mind, referring it to the Maker and Master of all.” Ibid., 16.

  1. When should God’s people come out of the cities?

  • “Whenever possible, it is the duty of parents to make homes in the country for their children.” Ibid., 12.
  • “Get out of the large cities as fast as possible.” Ibid. Although we are told to leave the cities as fast as possible, we are also to use reason and not be rash in our movement. The following quotations bring a balance to our judgment:
  • “The time has come, when, as God opens the way, families should move out of the cities. The children should be taken into the country.” Ibid., 24.
  • “Let everyone take time to consider carefully; and not be like the man in the parable who began to build, and was not able to finish.” Ibid., 26.

  1. What institutions are we to have in the cities?

  • “Our restaurants must be in the cities; for otherwise the workers in these restaurants could not reach the people and teach them the principles of right living. And for the present we shall have to occupy meetinghouses in the cities.” Ibid., 11.
  • “In these cities we are to have houses of worship, as memorials for God. ” Ibid., 31. According to these statements, there are only two institutions that we are to have in the cities—our restaurants and churches.

  1. What institutions are not to be in the cities?

  • “Move out of the cities. Establish your sanitariums, your schools, and offices away from the centers of population.” Ibid., 28.
  • “God has sent warning after warning that our schools and publishing houses and sanitariums are to be established out of the city.” Ibid., 29. Notice the three institutions we are not to place in cities—sanitariums, schools, and offices.

  1. How far should God’s people move from the cities?

  • “As far as possible, our institutions should be located away from the cities.” (Emphasis added.) Ibid. If we are not careful, we can literally take this statement too far. First of all, notice that it is our institutions that are to be located as far as possible from the cities. Nevertheless, the same principle can be applied to our homes. We should be located as far as possible from the corrupted cities. However, this does not specify how far that is. This does not mean that we should be so far away that it takes hours to get to the nearest city. There must be a balance in all we do. Notice the following quotations that bring this balance:
  • “… search for such properties in the rural districts, in easy access to the cities.” Ibid., 30.
  • “We shall find it necessary to establish our schools out of, and away from, the cities, and yet not so far away that they cannot be in touch with them, to do them good, to let light shine amid the moral darkness.” Last Day Events, 101.
  • “All that Lot and his family did in Sodom could have been done by them, even if they had lived in a place some distance away from the city.” Evangelism, 78.
  • “In searching for a place for the school the brethren found a farm of four hundred acres for sale about nine miles from Nashville.” Last Day Events, 105. Here’s a quotation that gives a specific distance. It may be useful in our planning to leave the cities.

  1. What is to be done in the cities?

  • “Now is the opportune time to work the cities; for we must reach the people there.” Medical Ministry, 300.
  • “As did Enoch, we must work in the cities but not dwell in them.” Country Living, 30.
  • “My [Ellen White’s] message is, ‘Let companies be organized to enter the cities. Seek proper locations for holding meetings. Circulate our literature. Make earnest efforts to reach people.’ ” Evangelism, 96.

  1. From where should the cities be worked?

  • It is said of Jesus, “And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.” Luke 21:37. Notice Jesus’ method of working the cities from an outpost. Inspiration confirms this.
  • “It is God’s design that our people should locate outside the cities, and from these outposts warn the cities, and raise in them memorials for God.” The Review and Herald, April 14, 1903.

What we have seen here is just a glimpse into the subject of country living. To learn more, you can read the pamphlet Country Living, which is available at Steps to Life Ministries. In conclusion, I want to draw your attention to three worthy examples.

In his childhood, Joseph had been taught the love and fear of God. By communion with God through nature and the study of God’s word, he gained strength of mind and firmness of principle. As a result, he became a righteous governor and a wise administrator. His life testified to the power of proper childhood training.

Moses, also, was raised for twelve years by his mother Jochebed, and during these years was laid the foundation of Moses’ greatness. Knowing that her son would one day dwell among those who knew not God, Jochebed sought earnestly to implant in her son’s heart love and loyalty to God. Consequently, Moses was one of the wisest military generals in ancient times and one of the meekest and humblest men to walk the earth.

Daniel, too, in his early years, was trained by his parents to develop habits of strict temperance. He was taught that physical, mental, and moral health depended upon a firm adherence to nature’s law. As the result of this teaching, the law of God was exalted in his mind and reverenced in his heart, and his life is an illustration of what constitutes a sanctified character.

The list could go on including Abel, Samuel, Elijah, and David. In spite of their failures, these men are still examples of righteous characters, and they all had something in common. What was it? In Country Living, 15, we read: “How many of these were reared in country homes. They knew little of luxury. They did not spend their youth in amusement. Many were forced to struggle with poverty and hardship. … They learned the lessons of self-reliance and self-control. … They were governed by principle, and they grew up pure and strong and true.” (Emphasis added.)

Beloved, do you want your children to possess pure, strong, and true characters? Are you ordering your life so as to be found without a spot in your character before the judgment seat of Christ? Here is God’s final call to you. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” II Corinthians 6:17. Will you answer the call? Will you come out of the cities?

Demario Carter is currently working as a Bible worker for Steps to Life. He may be contacted by email at: gospelworker@stepstolife.org.

Married to the Wrong Man

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Two young ministers, A. T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner, presented messages to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1888 on the subject of righteousness by faith. The message was presented at a Minneapolis, Minnesota, camp meeting where all the conference leaders were present, and as the meeting began, a spirit developed that was not welcoming the Jones and Waggoner message. After this camp meeting, Ellen White had opportunity to address the righteousness by faith message: “I have had the question asked, What do you think of this light that these men are presenting? Why, I have been presenting it to you for the last forty-five years—the matchless charms of Christ. This is what I have been trying to present before your minds. When Brother Waggoner brought out these ideas in Minneapolis, it was the first clear teaching on this subject from any human lips I had heard … . I have said to myself, It is because God has presented it to me in vision that I see it so clearly, and they cannot see it because they have never had it presented to them as I have. And when another presented it, every fiber of my heart said, Amen.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, 219.

The message given in 1888 was rejected, maybe because of selfishness, perhaps because some of those church leaders had not developed a converted heart and mind, able to be open enough to evaluate the message on its own merit instead of having a closed mind and rejecting it.

Mrs. White stated that, “The present message—justification by faith—is a message from God; it bears the divine credentials, for its fruit is unto holiness. Some who greatly need the precious truth that was presented before them, we fear did not receive its benefit. They did not open the door of their hearts to welcome Jesus as a heavenly guest, and they have suffered great loss. There is indeed a narrow way in which we must walk; the cross is presented at every step. We must learn to live by faith; then the darkest hours will be brightened by the blessed beams of the Sun of Righteousness.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 359.

“The reactions to the emphasis on this vital truth were mixed. At the 1893 general conference session, A. T. Jones, speaking of the reception of the truths set forth at Minneapolis, reported: ‘I know that some there accepted it; others rejected it entirely. You know the same thing. Others tried to stand half way between, and get it that way.’—General Conference Bulletin, 1893, 185.” “A Statement Presenting the Historical Backgrounds,” Ibid., Book 3, 158, 159.

The Jones/Waggoner message was really a message that will help us understand what it takes to be married with Christ. “Christ met and worked with all classes of human beings, seeking to save that which was lost. Will you who shall connect with men of different organisms and different temperaments, put on Christ, and respect one another as you desire to be respected?

“They must not put on their citizen’s dress, but the wedding garment. They have been married to Christ, and the robe of His righteousness is to clothe them. The church is the bride of Christ, and her members are to yoke up with their Leader.” The Gospel Herald, May 28, 1902.

The righteousness by faith message, Mrs. White said, needs to be repeated again before the Second Coming of Christ. “We are now living in a most perilous time, and not one of us should be tardy in seeking a preparation for the coming of Christ. … It will be too late to seek for the righteousness of Christ when the guests are called in and examined. Now is the time to put on the righteousness of Christ—the wedding garment that will fit you to enter into the marriage supper of the Lamb.” The Youth’s Instructor, January 16, 1896.

We need to understand what love is, and if that love develops and comes alive in our lives, we will together be waiting for the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour. But we need to find the code that will make us penetrate more deeply for the love of God and for Him to penetrate into our hearts and minds, able to have more control over our emotions, our feelings, our ways. Sometimes we want to do things that we should not do, but we should pray that we will be what Christ wants us to be for Him, not what we want to be.

To forfeit our own will is hard, but God will never allow us to do something that we are not capable of doing. He knows our heart, our mind, our capabilities; He knows what we can do and gives the power to do it.

Romans 7:1–7 gives the foundation of the message of this article. Once the foundation is laid, we can start building our building. Christ is the architect and will be the One to employ the workers who will do God’s will.

“Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed [or free] from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married [or capable, allowed to be married] to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ, that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruits unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

Christians, especially Seventh-day Adventists, read these passages and will not quite allow the Holy Spirit to assist us, to amplify the Scriptures, to be able to understand the very large picture of this passage. That was exactly what the Holy Spirit and angels from heaven inspired the minds and the hearts of Jones and Waggoner to present, a message to the people to bring a picture so wide and so open and so big that they could allow the Scriptures to come alive.

Some of the people, perhaps the ones who were really looking for a way to surrender themselves to God and to have a converted life and a connection with the Lord, found the message refreshing, but others who were not willing to give up their own lifestyle or their habits said, “This is nonsense!” So, they rejected it. They believed that the Lord knows why they do what they do and eat and drink what they do and they don’t need to hear any type of message that tells them what to do.

All they want to know and be told is, “God loves me.” Of course He does love us, because He gave His life for us. Is that not obvious, is that not sufficient; isn’t that enough for us to understand the love of God?

An evil spirit was manifested in 1888. It was the type of spirit that crowds or clouds the minds of those who hear to fail in receiving the message. Sister White rebuked it saying that spirit is not from God but is of Satan. So we are going to look at the views and what that message was.

First of all, in these seven verses of Romans 7, we are going to look at four subjects—Number 1 is the flesh. Number 2 is the woman. Number 3 is the law. Number 4 is Christ or the second husband.

The law spoken of in these verses is the law of sin. We are bound to the law, which is sin, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). By nature we are married to the flesh, and we have no trouble at all satisfying all of the cravings and the desires of our flesh.

So as a Christian bound to the husband, the flesh, we go about satisfying the husband, pleasing our flesh. Since we are married to the flesh, and the law says we are bound together, we are one flesh. For that reason many Christians today have so much trouble and struggle to develop their relationship with the Lord, walking along the narrow path, because they are still married to their first husband.

That is the problem. Because we are selfish, pathetic individuals, we are married to the flesh, and we give the flesh whatever it wants. The Scripture says that those who are walking after the flesh, satisfy the flesh, but not the Spirit. But those who walk after the Spirit satisfy the Spirit and the flesh has no more control over the mind.

Many of us allow the body to control the mind, not the mind to control the body, because we are married to the flesh. When we allow the Holy Spirit to control the mind, this flesh has no more control. Paul “charges the Galatians to ‘walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.’ Galatians 5:16, 17. … After mentioning the fruits of the Spirit, … he adds, ‘And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.’ Verse 24.” Counsels on Health, 69.

So we often find ourselves living a miserable life never satisfied, entertaining ourselves and consuming things of the world to fulfill the cravings of the appetite of the flesh while continuing to feel empty.

When Jesus spoke, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15), He was saying, “If you love Me, and we are going to be married together, you will keep the laws of My Father, because of the laws that I am bound to My Father in love. If you love Me, you will keep the commandments.” The law of God is holy (Romans 7:12), and whosoever abides in the law will be holy.

Satan leads us to think that we are no longer under any law, but we are under grace. “It is the sophistry of Satan that the death of Christ brought in grace to take the place of the law. The death of Jesus did not change, or annul, or lessen in the slightest degree, the law of ten commandments. That precious grace offered to men through a Saviour’s blood, establishes the law of God. Since the fall of man, God’s moral government and His grace are inseparable. They go hand in hand through all dispensations. ‘Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.’ Psalm 85:10.” The Faith I Live By, 89.

Satan offers grace without laws, but that is a very misleading doctrine that has been spread. Isaiah 65 and 66, very clearly state that we are going to keep the Sabbath, which is part of the commandments, and the Bible is very clear that God’s law will still be kept in heaven. Who are they who have the “patience of the saints” (Revelation 14:12) and “keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17)? These are those who continue to keep the commandments of God.

In Romans 7, Paul is talking about the law of sin. If we are bound to our first husband, then we are married to the flesh. Many Christians desire the marriage Christ offers but are still married to the flesh. They become frustrated, feel unhappy, sad and depressed that they no longer find pleasure in entertainments. They try to find a way to satisfy the cravings of the flesh and retire to being slaves to that type of lifestyle.

How can we be released from that bondage? The Bible gives the answer in verses 3 and 4. When Jesus comes into our lives with compassion, understanding, love, and a willingness to give to us His life, and we say, “I want You in my life. I want to marry You.” The Lord says, “I can’t marry you because you’re married to the flesh; you have another master. I will not share; you must die to the flesh, then we can be one.”

The bottom line is that a lot of Christians today are walking into the world believing they are married to Christ when, in fact, they are not. They are married to themselves, to what they eat and drink, the movies they watch and those with whom they hang out and find their pleasure. The husband that they claim to have is not Christ but the husband of flesh. While living under this bondage it is impossible to bring fruits of righteousness unto God, but only fruits unto death.

The law condemns us, but the love of God gives us freedom in Christ Jesus. The question is: Do you really want that freedom? Do you hunger and thirst for it, or do you want both husbands in your life?

You cannot have two husbands. Either you are married to Christ or you are married to the flesh; you cannot have both. True freedom only comes through deliverance from the law of sin.

Consecrate yourself to God and the spirit of Christ will take control over your life and you will become a collaborator with Christ. To be totally surrendered to Him we will receive peace and protection and know the love of God, the pure agape love from heaven. Only then can you be complete in Him.

We each need to say unto God, “Lord, help me to make once in my life the right decision, the right move that can be this marriage for eternity, and You will be the last husband in my life. [Spiritually speaking, the last husband.] I make that decision to be faithful unto You and obedient unto You. I will not bring shame unto You; I will respect You, and I will obey Your word when You say what to do, because You know what is best in my life.”

There will be trouble; there will be tribulation, but the Bible is very clear: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1, 2.

Pastor Domingo Nuñez is director of Outreach Ministry for Steps to Life. He is involved in the coordination of world mission projects and he travels extensively, encouraging the many home churches supported by Steps to Life. He may be contacted at: 316-788-5559 or by email at: domingonunez@stepstolife.org.

Spiritual Insight – The Proof is in the Life

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Like the wind, which is invisible, yet the effects of which are plainly seen and felt, is the Spirit of God in its work upon the human heart. That regenerating power, which no human eye can see, begets a new life in the soul; it creates a new being in the image of God. While the work of the Spirit is silent and imperceptible, its effects are manifest. If your heart has been renewed by the Spirit of God, your life will bear witness to the fact. How? A change will be seen in your character. Not by occasional good deeds and occasional misdeeds, but by the tendency of your habitual words and acts. …

When the principle of love is implanted in your heart, [then] the new-covenant promise is fulfilled. “I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them” (Hebrews 10:16). And if the law is written in the heart, will it not shape the life? Obedience—the service and allegiance of love—is the true sign of discipleship. … Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience.

We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God, to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith. … If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in us, feelings, our thoughts, our purposes, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God as expressed in the precepts of His holy law. …

The condition of eternal life is now just what it always has been—just what it was in Paradise before the fall of our first parents—perfect obedience to the law of God, perfect righteousness. If eternal life were granted on any condition short of this, then the happiness of the whole universe would be imperiled. The way would be open for sin, with all its train of woe and misery, to be immortalized. …

We have no righteousness of our own with which to meet the claims of the law of God. But Christ has made a way of escape for us. He lived on earth amid trials and temptations such as we have to meet. He lived a sinless life. He died for us, and now He offers to take our sins and give us His righteousness. If you give yourself to Him, and accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous. Christ’s character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned.

More than this, Christ changes the heart. He abides in your heart by faith. You are to maintain this connection with Christ by faith and the continual surrender of your will to Him; and so long as you do this, He will work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. So you may say, “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). … Then with Christ working in you, you will manifest the same spirit and do the same good works—works of righteousness, obedience.

Steps to Christ, 57–62.

Forgiveness

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“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.”

Luke 6:37

Notice in the last part of that verse we are told that if we forgive, we will be forgiven. True forgiveness comes from only one Source—the Lord. As human beings, we sometimes like to think that the other person deserves what they get because of what they have done. Somehow we find it so hard to find forgiveness from the heart. When mistreated or, in our opinion, been dealt with unfairly, it is so easy to justify our desire to retaliate. We need so much help with that.

Forgiveness is a gift from God and is given to us from above. It not only comes from God but is required by Him and is an essential characteristic to have if we are ever to enter into His kingdom. Jesus has told us in the Lord’s prayer that He would forgive those who have forgiven others or as we forgive others. In our personal lives we need to learn how to forgive from the heart.

One of the best ways to learn how to do this is to contemplate on the life of Christ. We are told, “It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross.” The Desire of Ages, 83. Take each point one by one and meditate on each scene.

As we think about the value of things in this life we see that sin is the most expensive thing that is in this world. You may think it is expensive to buy a fancy car. You may think it is expensive to buy a luxurious house. But the most expensive thing in the world is sin, because sin cost the blood of our Saviour, God’s only dear son. It is only by His blood that we are cleansed from sin, and by accepting the gift we were offered at Calvary that we are able to forgive others.

The forgiving spirit is a gift to each of us from God. We cannot buy it. We cannot earn it, but we must accept it. It is well for us to remember that God forgives. In fact, in Micah 7:19 it says, “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

He takes our sins and casts them into the depths of the sea where they cannot possibly be retrieved. He not only forgives us, but He casts away our sins so that they are not part of us anymore. David said that he takes our sins and puts them away as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). This is the extent that we are to forgive others and to the same measure that we forgive, we will be forgiven.

One of the Bible writers that many of us, if not all of us, have gained a real Christian experience from is Paul. He witnessed the forgiveness of sin, which contributed to his conversion and subsequent life. The letters he wrote to encourage the early church, which make up a large part of the New Testament, have been a wonderful blessing and encouragement to Christians throughout the ages.

“The Saviour had spoken to Saul through Stephen, whose clear reasoning could not be controverted. The learned Jew had seen the face of the martyr reflecting the light of Christ’s glory—appearing as if ‘it had been the face of an angel’ (Acts 6:15). He had witnessed Stephen’s forbearance toward his enemies and his forgiveness of them. He had also witnessed the fortitude and cheerful resignation of many whom he had caused to be tormented and afflicted. He had seen some yield up even their lives with rejoicing for the sake of their faith.

“All these things had appealed loudly to Saul and at times had thrust upon his mind an almost overwhelming conviction that Jesus was the promised Messiah.” The Acts of the Apostles, 116.

Paul said he witnessed Jesus Christ through Stephen in his forbearance towards His enemies and his forgiveness. Paul thought upon that forgiveness and the appearance of Stephen as he gave up his life—his face looked like an angel.

I have long thought about how he was converted by that forgiveness and how important it is to each one of us. We never know how our actions or our expressions will affect the experience of another person. Let us from day to day continue with a forgiving spirit and a Christlike experience.

Remember always that others need our love and they need our forgiveness. May we always remember to do this as day by day we walk in the Christian way.

Ruth Grosboll, matriarch of Steps to Life, lived a long life in the service of her Master. She served as a missionary nurse in Myanmar, formerly Burma. In her later years she held the position of receptionist and correspondent at Steps to Life Ministry, blessing many people with her heartfelt encouraging letters. She is sadly missed to this day.

Spiritual Insight – Snares

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I saw that Satan bade his angels lay their snares especially for those who were looking for Christ’s second appearing and keeping all the commandments of God. Satan told his angels that the churches were asleep. He would increase his power and lying wonders, and he could hold them. “But,” he said, “the sect of Sabbathkeepers we hate; they are continually working against us, and taking from us our subjects, to keep the hated law of God. Go, make the possessors of lands and money drunk with cares. If you can make them place their affections upon these things, we shall have them yet. They may profess what they please, only make them care more for money than for the success of Christ’s kingdom or the spread of the truths we hate. Present the world before them in the most attractive light, that they may love and idolize it. We must keep in our ranks all the means of which we can gain control. … As they appoint meetings in different places, we (Satan and his angels) are in danger. Be very vigilant then.

  • Cause disturbance and confusion if possible.
  • Destroy love for one another.
  • Discourage and dishearten their ministers; for we hate them. …
  • Make covetousness and love of earthly treasures the ruling traits of their character. As long as these traits rule, salvation and grace stand back.
  • Crowd every attraction around them, and they will be surely ours. And not only are we sure of them, but their hateful influence will not be exercised to lead others to heaven. …”

Satan with his angels is on the ground to hinder the work. … He leads some in one way and some in another, always taking advantage of evil traits in the brethren and sisters, exciting and stirring up their natural besetments. …

Satan took advantage of the covetous, selfish disposition of Judas and led him to murmur when Mary poured the costly ointment upon Jesus. … [He] considered the liberal offering to Jesus extravagant. Judas prized his Lord just enough to sell Him for a few pieces of silver. And I saw that there were some like Judas among those who profess to be waiting for their Lord. Satan controls them, but they know it not. …

Satan and his angels mark all the mean and covetous acts of these persons and present them to Jesus and His holy angels, saying reproachfully, “These are Christ’s followers! They are preparing to be translated!” …

  • Angels turn in disgust from the scene.
  • God requires a constant doing on the part of His people; and
  • when they become weary of well-doing, He becomes weary of them. …
  • Every selfish, covetous person will fall out by the way.
  • Like Judas, who sold his Lord, they will sell good principles and a noble, generous disposition for a little of earth’s gain.

All such will be sifted out from God’s people. Those who want heaven must, with all the energy which they possess, be encouraging the principles of heaven. Instead of withering up with selfishness, their souls should be expanding with benevolence. Every opportunity should be improved in doing good to one another and thus cherishing the principles of heaven.

Jesus was presented to me as the perfect pattern. His life was without selfish interest, but ever marked with disinterested benevolence.

Early Writings, 266–269.

Knowing God

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Abraham was called a friend of God. “Art not thou our God, Who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before Thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham Thy friend for ever?” II Chronicles 20:7. James also said, “And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” James 2:23. In the book, Patriarchs and Prophets, 128, Ellen White wrote these words: “Abraham, ‘the friend of God,’ set us a worthy example. His was a life of prayer. Wherever he pitched his tent, close beside it was set up his altar.”

To become a friend of God, Abraham spent much time with Him on his knees praying. He set up an altar—morning and evening worship. I cannot think of anything more wonderful than having the Creator of the universe, the One Who holds all of the stars and planets in their place and conducts all of the little duties here on this earth and watches over each little thing, as a personal friend. Can you imagine what that means? We need to come to the place where we consider God not only our God and our Creator, which He is, and we do not want to take any of the reverence from that, but we also consider Him as a friend Who hears us, watches what we do and tends to things that happen around us so that our life can walk straight on to the kingdom of heaven.

Considering God as a friend helps to have Him closer to us and helps us to realize that we can turn and talk to Him. It is necessary to come to the place that when you are talking to God you realize that you are talking to a real person. He is your friend. He loves you.

One time, when I was a child, I heard a minister make the remark that the Bible is a love story from God to man. I thought that was funny and I didn’t understand that. But as the years have gone by and I study and read my Bible, I understand from the promises and from the loving things God has told us that it really is a love book to us as human beings. As we read and study we become conscious of His presence. That experience is crucial if someday we are going to be able to walk into the kingdom of God. We have to be able to recognize down here on earth that we have God’s presence, and as we talk and work, or whatever we do, we do it to please Him and not to please man.

Jesus told us, in John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” To know Jesus Christ is to have eternal life. We all have a desire to have eternal life, so what we need to do is learn to know God, to know Him better.

Jeremiah 9:23, 24 says, “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches.” This is the part of the verse I want you to pay close attention to. “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”

He says, “in these things I delight.” He delights in loving kindness.

He has given us a whole chapter in the Bible dedicated to teaching us about this subject. This is found in I Corinthians 13:1: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” Just to talk and talk is like sounding brass and tinkling cymbals, unless it is in love. We should love one another as we talk to them and think of them.

Paul continues in verses 2 and 3: “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. [Charity is the same as love.] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” The most important thing is that we love one another, and if we love one another we will love God.

Continuing with verse 4, “Charity [love] suffereth long, and is kind … .” You know, sometimes it takes a long time for a thought to get through, but “love suffereth long.” Sometimes people forget, and we say, “Well, I told you that before.” These quick answers, like, “I told you that before; why don’t you see it?” are not really love. Love suffereth long, and if a person has to be told the same thing ten times, it is still to be with love—it is to be kind and thoughtful.

“Charity [love] envieth not … .” Don’t try to get better than the next fellow. Enjoy who and what he is and be happy for his accomplishments and that he is where he is. And “charity [love] vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.” It is not trying to show himself and say, “Hey, this is me; would you pay attention to me?”

“Love doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own …” Verse 5. If you watch children, you quickly acknowledge that they have to be trained. Children do so many things for one purpose, and that is to get attention. But according to I Corinthians 13, we don’t do that. Love does not behave itself unseemly, does not seek her own but seeks others.

It “is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” Sometimes we forget, and it is so easy to get provoked. We may lose something and find out that somebody has put it where it does not belong, and we are provoked at these things. But love does not do this, because you love the other person so much that it does not bother you. You don’t think evil about people. It is very easy to see somebody do something and then judge their motive in your mind. But love does not think evil about others.

“Charity [love] never faileth: whether there be prophecies, they shall fail …” Verse 8. Now, that really used to bother me, because I always thought that prophecies were supposed to be for sure. But if you stop and think about it, there are prophecies that fail because the conditions of the promises are not lived up to. There were prophecies for Jerusalem that it would stand forever, but look at what happened to it. The city was destroyed. However, in the end the prophecy will be fulfilled and it will stand forever in the New Jerusalem making the prophecy sure. The prophecy that it would stand here on earth failed because men failed God. So, prophecies may fail. “Whether there be tongues, they shall cease … .” We all eventually pass away. “Whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” There have been a lot of really bright people in this world, but when their time comes, they too vanish away.

“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” Verses 9, 10.

It is so wonderful that the Lord has described the meaning of loving kindness. What else does it say in Jeremiah 9:24? “Let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” He wants us to know that He exercises loving kindness—so He has given us the description of it. The next thing He says is that He exercises judgment. I read a little bit about this in the Spirit of Prophecy. God’s judgment is true, and you and I need not worry about being mistreated. We do not need to worry about when we get a raw deal on money, care or any other thing, or somebody thinks something about us that is not so and we get treated wrongly. We do not need to worry about those things, because God says He exercises judgment. He takes care of those things. He says, in Romans 12:19, “Vengeance is Mine.” You and I do not need to worry about vengeance or, if you have gotten a wrong deal, about paying somebody back, because the Lord is taking care of those things. He will exercise judgment. We on this earth need to let God take care of the judgments.

The last gift mentioned in Jeremiah 9:24 is so important and so wonderful. He exerciseth “righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” He wants to give us His robe of righteousness! Not one of us can really do right. We just cannot do the right thing all of the time. It is impossible, except as God exercises His righteousness and gives us His robe of righteousness. We must claim this robe of righteousness and practice it, because He says, “for in these things I delight.”

The three things that He says He delights in are: loving kindness, judgment and righteousness. Those are the three things that, as we study, we will become acquainted with God, Whom to know is to have eternal life. Surely each one of us wants to have eternal life. That is one reason we believe. He wants us to enter His kingdom, but the only way we can enter it is to have His beautiful robe of righteousness. We must wear this robe made up of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22, 23). These are the fibers that make up His robe. It is well for us to contemplate what God has for us, the wonderful things He will do for us and the goal that He has for us. His goal is that one day we will be with Him in glory. The only way we will do that is to accept His robe of righteousness and wear it day by day.

Remember, love suffers long and is kind. With this love we can perfect a character that will fit into the society of heaven. We are told to practice the kind of life that will be accepted in the society of angels. In The Signs of the Times, July 18, 1878, it says, “The principles of the commandments, carried out in the daily life ennoble and sanctify the heart and mind and give one a moral fitness through Jesus Christ, for the society of holy angels. Our all wise heavenly Father knew what rules were required to guard man from sin and to regulate his life, leading him to practice such virtues as would make him a fit subject for heaven.”

Just think, down here on earth we can begin to enjoy those blessings. It is here that we need to build a character that can stand and be clothed with the robe of Christ’s righteousness.

Ruth Grosboll, matriarch of Steps to Life, lived a long life in the service of her Master. She served as a missionary nurse in Myanmar, formerly Burma. In her later years she held the position of receptionist and correspondent at Steps to Life Ministry, blessing many people with her heartfelt encouraging letters. She is sadly missed to this day.

Insight – Torture or Silence

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When I am misunderstood and wrongly accused I find it very difficult not to justify myself and retaliate, but I know in my heart that is not the right thing to do.

Comment

It is human nature to give excuse and justify our actions. This reaction began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve hid from God after they had eaten the forbidden fruit and has been a character trait handed down throughout the generations. A patient and gentle reaction when wronged has never been a characteristic that is prized by sinners, but Jesus taught us a different way.

Silence in the Soul

“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 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 have no ambition to crowd and elbow ourselves into notice; but we feel that our highest place is at the feet of our Saviour.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 15.

An Abiding Guest

“When we receive Christ as an abiding guest in the soul, the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The Saviour’s life on earth, though lived in the midst of conflict, was a life of peace. … No storm of human or satanic wrath could disturb the calm of that perfect communion with God. And He says to us, ‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you’ (John 14:27).” Ibid.

What Destroys our Peace?

“It is the love of self that destroys our peace. While self is all alive, we stand ready continually to guard it from mortification and insult; but when we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God,

  • we shall not take neglects or slights to heart.
  • We shall be deaf to reproach and blind to scorn and insult.

‘Love suffereth long, and is kind …’ (I Corinthians 13:4–8).” Ibid., 16.

Happiness Drawn from Him

“Happiness drawn from earthly sources is as changeable as varying circumstances can make it; but the peace of Christ is a constant and abiding peace. It does not depend upon any circumstances in life, on the amount of worldly goods or the number of earthly friends. Christ is the fountain of living water, and happiness drawn from Him can never fail.” Ibid.

Torture of Retaliation

“Far better would it be for us to suffer under false accusation than to inflict upon ourselves the torture of retaliation upon our enemies.

    • The spirit of hatred and revenge originated with Satan, and can bring only evil to him who cherishes it. …

“Through humility and self-surrender we may become heirs with Him when ‘the meek shall inherit the earth’ (Psalm 37:11).” Ibid., 17.

New Age Worship

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Genesis 3 is a summary of principles introducing us to the beginning of what is called the New Age. Any philosophy on spiritual things that is not based upon the word of God leads in the wrong direction. It may include some truths from the Bible, like believing the truth of creation and a healthy diet, but without a firm foundation, that knowledge mixed with error can only produce an incorrect and false spirituality that will not last.

In the beginning God created the world and all that is in it. He made a beautiful garden to be a home for our first parents, Adam and Eve, and in the midst of the garden He planted the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Of all the trees in the garden, this tree was the only one that God held back from them, prohibiting them from eating of it. All of the others were to be for their food.

At the end of each creation day God declared His work “good.” Jesus, while on earth spoke with a rich young ruler who came to Him asking, “ ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.’ ” Luke 18:18, 19. When God said, at the end of each day of creation week, that what He saw was good, He meant that the things He made were like God but not God. The moon, the stars and all that was created were good. Everything created for man right down to the smallest mote in the sunbeam had, as they came from the Creator’s hand, the character of God impressed upon them. But though these things were like God, they were not God.

The New Age belief and pagan spirituality make created things, like the sun, moon and the forces of nature, gods to be worshiped instead of the creator God. From the tree of knowledge of good and evil Satan was able to introduce this seed of error craftily mixed with an element of truth.

Today, Eastern religions have become very popular presenting a diagram of the spiritual notion of the balancing of forces, half black and half white—some good in the bad and some bad in the good. This would mean that there is some bad in God and some good in Satan, but this is a deception. There was no poison in the garden home; there was no sin and there was nothing evil. The tree of knowledge of good and evil was put there as a test for Adam and Eve to choose to whom they would give their allegiance. Sin came about by the blending of truth with error. There was a preacher in the Garden of Eden, a preacher of unrighteousness, and as he preached his message to Eve she started to believe the principles of New Age—new philosophies that God did not create.

The serpent said unto the woman, “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Genesis 3:1. It was a certainty, that as a result of transgressing the will of God, there would be death, but the seed of doubt was planted there, it took root and germinated.

Paul says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. This is a very clear statement. By eating that fruit offered by Satan, our first parents transgressed God’s law; they stole what was not theirs and committed murder. By that simple act they caused the death of billions of their descendants. Every imaginable sin has now come into this world as a result of that first indiscretion. How simple it seems; how horrid the results!

Satan well knows that for sin or error to be attractive and effective it has to be connected with truth. Sin and its results, devoid of any truth, would stand out in all of its unattractiveness and horror without anything to attract the unsuspecting person. That is why yin and yang exist, the black has some white and the white has some black creating a very cunning and deceptive belief.

Genesis 3:1 says, “Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” In other words, did God say that? Seriously, is that what He said? Are you sure He said that? Here, with all of his subtle cunning, Satan created doubt in the mind of Eve as to what instruction God had actually given.

Then Satan outright contradicts what God had said: “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.” Verse 4. In Genesis 3 verses 1 and 4, we see the beginning of New Age, the beginning of the teaching of false and erroneous doctrines; a false philosophy resulting in a false system of religion. As we see in Genesis 3:1, the idea of questioning or inculcating doubt in the certainty of God’s word is the foundation of New Age and false religion.

We have been told that man was made a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7), but New Age says that man is an angel. God says He created man, but the New Ager says man is god! The whole belief that man “shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4) as a result of his transgression of God’s command implying doubt in connection with the truth, is the foundation of false religion and the New Age.

From this idea of not really dying, we have a myriad of false concepts that have come into the world—soul migration, reincarnation, and other different types of beliefs of what happens to you when you die and that there is some other consciousness or some kind of life. Even some people who claim to believe in the Bible tend to believe that there is some after-life that is separated from consciousness in this form.

The Bible says, “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing.” Ecclesiastes 9:5. They experience no more hatred or variance for there is no more consciousness because there is no more memory in the grave where they go. The Bible is very clear in Ecclesiastes 9 that whatever you have to do, do it while you are alive for there will not be another opportunity in the grave. This being the truth, how then do so many have the idea that there is so much light after death and that the soul goes on and on? Unbelief mixes truth with error becoming a faulty foundation bearing doubt in the clear word of God.

Within this foundation of truth and error there is really no penalty for sin for “you will not surely die.” Not only is there no penalty for sin, but the soul lives on in some kind of life after death. In Genesis 3:5 it says, “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods.” That is the ideal illumination, eyes opened. By partaking of this secret truth Satan claims that the mysteries of the world will be revealed, bringing out that which is already in you by partaking of his spiritual exercises and various practices and “you shall be as gods.” However, unless God Himself has revealed them, those mysteries of the world belong with God alone.

What the devil actually says here is that by your transgression of God’s instruction, you will not die and your eyes will be opened. You will mix both good and evil and by this method you will become like God. It is no wonder Jesus said that Satan was “a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44.

Martial Arts

All martial arts widely practiced in the East and other various places are connected with religion and usually the religion of the town from which it came. The postures and stances are forms of worship. When entering the traditional school, it is necessary to first bow to the creator of the skies, which is usually a picture on the wall of the person who developed that particular type of martial art. The picture is always situated on the eastern wall. After bowing in that direction, to the place of the rising sun, you then bow to the senior student or the teacher. After bowing to these three, you make a triangle and place it upon the floor, bowing down and placing your forehead into this triangle. The forehead is the location in the brain where the frontal lobe is situated. This is the place of all reasoning and from here all decisions are made. By bowing into the triangle, the will is submitted to the leader or picture of the leader and also to the instructor. This routine is by no accident and is very significant.

New Age religion, like paganism, encompasses the worship of the solar system—the sun and stars. As well as the animals, the powers of man, including his sexual power is worshiped as in the ancient Baal worship. The serpent is revered, considering it to be the greatest creature and believing it to be one of the highest forms of divinity.

In many religions today various portions or principles can be found that were forbidden in the book of Genesis.

The foundation of New Age is contraindicated in the Bible. The eyes of many have been taken away from worshiping God to worshiping His creation, the sun, moon and the stars.

God has revealed His character, His good, in His creation. A study of the human body with its healing and restorative powers, all reveal the character of God demonstrating His love and compassion. Even when we transgress He wants to bring us healing. His creation has no power of its own, but so many direct their worship to mere objects instead of the Source of all power.

Many say they simply use items to enhance their worship with God, but who is it that has the right to dictate worship? Who is it who dictates what is right and what is wrong; is it the creature or the Creator? Who is able to argue with God? Job tried! He did not sin, but he tried to dialog with God Who made him realize his place. Job became quiet realizing the majesty and creative power of God as He started showing him all these mysteries and various things He had created in the world (Job 38; 39). Job came to the conclusion that he had to close his mouth at the wisdom and manifold power of God (Job 40:4, 5).

We cannot tell God what we need to do in order to worship Him. Cain thought he could adjust his sacrifice to the fruit of his own labor (Genesis 4:3), from the sacrificial lamb that God had instructed. He found out the hard way that it was not accepted (verse 5). It is interesting that the result of Cain’s disobedience was to kill his brother, whose offering God accepted. This same attitude has existed throughout the generations, resulting in religious persecution up to today where hatred is still exhibited against those who continue to worship God in the manner He has commanded.

God is not happy when we endeavor to make up our own rules when it comes to worship. Paul says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” Romans 1:18.

As we recognize the qualities and power that God has put in His creation, we are to fall on our knees and recognize His greatness and glory and direct our praise to Him, not bow down and worship beasts and things whether they be living or just representations of them. By worshiping the creature we “hold the truth in unrighteousness.” It says, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest [made clear or made evident] in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him [the things we cannot see, the spiritual things, the things that are not able for our eyes to see clearly] from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:19, 20.

We are to examine creation in order to understand the Creator and God has left us no excuse. There was a time when everyone knew who God was. Adam and Eve knew who God was; they saw Him face to face and their children saw the angels with the flaming swords guarding the entrance to the garden so that they would no longer have access to the tree of life. Our first ancestors had much evidence of divine power and understood these things. But, “when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God [they did not give Him praise and reflect His character], neither were thankful; but became vain [self-centered] in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Verse 21. They had the truth and they held it in unrighteousness, their own imagination, which became vain or unprofitable, or outside of what God had said. How insulting to God for man to praise the stars, the gold and silver, fall down and worship things able to be burned and destroyed instead of the One who gave them for man’s enjoyment and for him to see His manifold love and return to Him the deserved blessings for being a good Father.

Man would rather cut down a tree, cutting it up into pieces and from that tree build a house. He would then build a fire and take some of the wood to warm himself. Out of another piece he would make some implements of very different furniture, and then take a part of it and make a god and fall down and worship it. How ignorant is man to think that a piece of wood or stone has any power, yet he will fall down and say, “This is my god, hear me!” (See Isaiah 44:14–17.)

Many today are under the same delusion of pagan worshipers, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” Romans 1:22.

All of the pagan mystery religions are based upon the concept of giving you wisdom. Darwinism, Buddhism and the various other religions of the East all claim to give the highest form of wisdom. The books of these various teachings are seen as fruit to be desired to make one wise, but they all result in transgression against the law of God.

James says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally.” James 1:5. All wisdom comes from God through His word. We are to meditate upon God’s word. It is not to meditate in the way that New Age teaches to blank out the mind, resisting all thoughts and impressions to the reciting of some poem, or some cone or mantra or looking at nature.

Eastern meditation is clearly not meditating on God’s word, but emptying the mind, disallowing the prompting of the Holy Spirit’s conviction of sin, which is the only means of revealing our need of a Saviour. The vacant mind makes it susceptible to the deception of the evil one who promises the false wisdom. We are told to meditate on God’s word, which will develop the mind, allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin. It is very dangerous to block out the impressions that come from the Holy Spirit.

The New Age belief is very dangerous, but the majority of people allow their children to watch cartoons and various television shows that teach its principles in a far more effective way than any temple or book can do. If you research the authors and the creators of these things, you will find that they are New Age advocates following these religions. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7.

This philosophy is pervading the whole earth, flooding it from many different channels, and we must be vigilant and fight against it. God is not the forces of nature—He created them! God is not the sun, moon and the stars. God is not internal energy—God is the creator of all these things! Each is to have its proper place but never an object of worship. It is in vain that man says, “I’m god too, so I’m going to take this stone and make my image, made in the image of a man. I will take this gold and make an image of a calf and worship it. I will make an image of Buddha and worship it.” Others keep those trinkets, claiming they don’t actually worship them but just have them to help them find God. That is like Aaron, supposedly in charge of the Israelites while Moses was on the mount receiving the tables of commandments, while trying to excuse himself for building the golden calf in the wilderness said that he just threw the chains and the bracelets inside the oven and the big calf jumped out!

When confronted with truth, don’t run in a different direction. There is only one way to find wisdom and one way of salvation and that is through Jesus Christ who was in the image of God. Laying aside His divinity He took on human nature that we might be partakers of His glory. We were originally made in the image of God and by Satan’s deception inherited the image and character of Satan, but we have all been invited to receive Christ’s robe of righteousness and once more reflect the image of God physically, mentally and spiritually.

We are to be restored and live godly by the power of God under the principle of purity.

John R. Cofer is currently engaged in establishing training schools under the name, The Schools of the Prophets for the youth. He and his wife, Maria, have established a digital media company to create and promote video media teaching the unique message of Adventism using social media such as Facebook and Youtube. He can be contacted by email at: landmarks@stepstolife.org.

Weapons of War

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For eight minutes there was a major attack called “shock and awe” on the city of Baghdad by the American military and her allies. This war strategy was specifically intended to completely destroy Saddam Hussein’s strongholds and any and every support base that he might have had, especially in the capital city. This attack was made possible because weeks before, previous assaults were made on significant points of defense which ultimately demolished them all, leaving Mr. Saddam Hussein and the people of Iraq totally vulnerable to the assaults of America and her allies. In order to seriously weaken or cripple an enemy in war, one of the first, if not the first thing that the attacking army seeks to destroy, is the enemy’s communication systems and units. By so doing the adversary knows that the enemy is significantly weakened and is therefore at his mercies; it’s only a matter of time and victory will be realized.

In like manner also as it is in the physical realm, so it is in the spiritual realm. Satan is waging war on the Christian daily and the first point of defense he goes after is the Christian’s line of communication known as prayer. We are told by God’s messenger that, “Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures, will be overcome by his attacks. Therefore he invents every possible device to engross the mind.” The Great Controversy, 519.

The South African missionary, Andrew Murray, wrote concerning the value of prayer. He said, “When I meet with God in prayer, His presence is my strength for service.” In the book The Acts of the Apostles, 564, we are given a wonderful definition of prayer: “Prayer is heaven’s ordained means of success in the conflict with sin and the development of Christian character. The divine influences that come in answer to the prayer of faith will accomplish in the soul of the suppliant all for which he pleads. For the pardon of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for a Christlike temper, for wisdom and strength to do His work, for any gift He has promised, we may ask; and the promise is, ‘Ye shall receive’ (Matthew 21:22).”

The apostle Paul in his letter to the Christians at Ephesus states: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Ephesians 6:10–18.

Interestingly, Paul uses the phrase “praying always” which is similar to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) which he admonished the Thessalonian believers to do. In the literal sense, these two phrases mean, praying in every season or on every occasion. The Apostle having to identify to the Ephesian Christians the war, the nature of the war, as well as the kind of enemy they are up against, goes on further to instruct them as to the weapons needed in this battle. He hastens to tell them of the need to put on the whole armour of God, which involves:

  • the girdle of truth,
  • the breastplate of righteousness,
  • sandals of the gospel of peace,
  • the shield of faith,
  • the helmet of salvation, and
  • the sword of the Spirit.

For Paul, prayer is not another weapon; rather, it is the spirit and the manner in which the whole armour is to be worn and the battle fought. The apostle is here urging it as a perpetual state of mind, a continuous attitude of communion with God. This was what Jesus contemplated as recorded by Doctor Luke, “And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Luke 18:1. And in his epistle to the Philippian church the apostle Paul encourages them, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6.

So what we are here made to understand is that “the armour of God” and prayer work together. The armour of God is calculated to defend against cunning attacks that would otherwise destroy the Christian warrior. On the other hand, prayer is the attitude that is maintained by the Christian as he wears the armour and which enables him to continue to wear it. Therefore, it is needful that every Christian keep in mind this fact: “The life of a true Christian is a life of constant prayer. He knows that the light and strength of one day is not sufficient for the trials and conflicts of the next. Satan is continually changing his temptations. Every day we shall be placed in different circumstances; and in the untried scenes that await us we shall be surrounded by fresh dangers, and constantly assailed by new and unexpected temptations. It is only through the strength and grace gained from heaven that we can hope to meet the temptations and perform the duties before us.” Gospel Workers, 257.

Again I need to remind us that Satan’s studied effort is to destroy this means of defense in the experience of the Christian, for he knows far more than we do of the power and value of prayer. This we are told by the Servant of the Lord: “The prayer of faith is the great strength of the Christian and will assuredly prevail against Satan. This is why he insinuates that we have no need of prayer. The name of Jesus, our Advocate, he detests; and when we earnestly come to Him for help, Satan’s host is alarmed. It serves his purpose well if we neglect the exercise of prayer, for then his lying wonders are more readily received. That which he failed to accomplish in tempting Christ he accomplishes by setting his deceitful temptations before man.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 296.

This is how Jesus lived a sinless life; this is how He defeated the Devil every step of the way while He sojourned here on earth. The gospel writer Mark tells us concerning Christ’s prayer life, “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” Mark 1:35.

Jesus started each day by communicating with His Father because He knew that prayer is the life of the soul and without it He would surely be defeated by the enemy-Satan. Christ, our great example, also knew that the Devil dreads prayer for he has no power over the one who maintains a consistent prayer life. We are reminded that, “There is a mighty power in prayer. Our great adversary is constantly seeking to keep the troubled soul away from God. An appeal to heaven by the humblest saint is more to be dreaded by Satan than the decrees of cabinets or the mandates of kings.” The Signs of the Times, October 27, 1881.

We are also told that, “Prayer unites us with one another and with God. Prayer brings Jesus to our side, and gives to the fainting, perplexed soul new strength to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. Prayer turns aside the attacks of Satan.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 250.

My question to you is, when was the last time you truly prayed? When was the last time you gained victory over Satan? How important is prayer to you? Are you being constantly defeated by the Devil? Please remember this: “Satan leads many to believe that prayer to God is useless and but a form. He well knows how needful are meditation and prayer to keep Christ’s followers aroused to resist his cunning and deception. By his devices he would divert the mind from these important exercises, that the soul may not lean for help upon the Mighty One and obtain strength from Him to resist his attacks.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 295.

So what is our only safety? “Praying always”; “Pray without ceasing”; “… enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6.

In the book Prophets and Kings, 82, we are told, “When Solomon should have been in character as a sturdy oak, he fell from his steadfastness under the power of temptation. When his strength should have been the firmest, he was found to be the weakest.

“From such examples we should learn that in watchfulness and prayer is the only safety for both young and old. Security does not lie in exalted position and great privileges. One may for many years have enjoyed a genuine Christian experience, but he is still exposed to Satan’s attacks. In the battle with inward sin and outward temptation, even the wise and powerful Solomon was vanquished. His failure teaches us that, whatever a man’s intellectual qualities may be, and however faithfully he may have served God in the past, he can never with safety trust in his own wisdom and integrity.”

One of the great values of prayer is to help us to identify and know for certain who really is our enemy, whom are we fighting against! For sure it is not a human being for Paul tells us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood.” Ephesians 6:12. Therefore the enemy we are fighting against is not any of our brethren or sisters, thus we should be mindful as to how we treat each other. In counseling some leaders and members about the great need to watch and pray, Ellen White made the following remarks: “Men undertake the job of tinkering up the defective character of others, and only succeed in making the defects much worse. They would better leave God to do His own work, for He does not regard them as capable of reshaping character.

“What they need is to be imbued with the spirit of Christ. … The less of the meekness and lowliness of Christ the human agent has in his spirit and character, the more he sees perfection in his own methods and imperfection in the methods of others. Our only safety is to watch unto prayer, and to counsel together.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 191.

The Christian’s enemy is the devil, the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10) and we can only overcome him as we watch unto prayer and pray without ceasing!

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James 4:7, 8.

Remember dearly beloved, “Secret prayer is the strength of the Christian. He cannot live and flourish in the Lord without constant watchfulness and earnest prayer.” In Heavenly Places, 218. Amen!!!

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at: 718-882-3900.

Why Some Prayers are Not Answered

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The English Puritan Theologian Thomas Brooks (1608–80), made reference to the attitude human beings should possess as it pertains to getting our prayers answered. He states, “God looks not at the oratory of your prayers, how elegant they may be; nor at the geometry of your prayers, how long they may be; nor at the arithmetic of your prayers, how many they may be; not at logic of your prayers, how methodical they may be; but the sincerity of them He looks at.”

He also agrees that, “If you would have God hear you when you pray, you must hear Him when He speaks. He stops His ears against the prayers of those who stop their ears against His laws.

God hears no more than the heart speaks; and if the heart be dumb, God will certainly be deaf.”

I believe Thomas Fuller, the English Theologian contemporary to Thomas Brooks was in full agreement with him when he wrote, “Leave not off praying to God: for either praying will make thee leave off sinning; or continuing in sin will make thee desist from praying.”

I am therefore in agreement with the Scottish Poet Robert Burns (1759–96), who wrote, “They never sought in vain that sought the Lord aright.”

It is certainly true that Satan continues to cause us not to receive answers to our prayers by making us do things which he knows will directly place us out of harmony with God. In his assault on the Christian he not only makes us become preoccupied with things of minor importance to the neglect of prayer, but he further leads us to become involved in sinful and ungodly practices, of which he is fully aware will prevent our prayers from being answered. In this way our Christian profession is a mockery, for we are no different in character from the sinner who knows not Jesus! Indeed we are but the Devil’s children using the Lord’s name.

It is necessary to identify some of the things Satan leads us to do, which will ultimately prevent us from enjoying a growing, victorious prayer life with God.

Why Some Christian Prayers are Not Answered

1 Lack of faith – “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:21, 22.

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24.

We are reminded by God’s servant, “Learn to believe, as you pray to God for help.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 88. Also, we are told that, “The prayer of faith is the great strength of the Christian and will assuredly prevail against Satan.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 296.

It is evident therefore that the Devil understands the importance of faith in the prayer life of the Christian, thus he leads many to become unbelievers, for in this way he is sure of his prey.

2 Prayers will not be answered if people deliberately disobey God or who purpose to do so – The Scripture states, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Psalm 66:18.

“The Lord is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.” Proverbs 15:29.

“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” Proverbs 28:9.

“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” I John 3:22.

In order for prayer to be acceptable to God, it must be coupled with a purpose to forsake all known sins. So what we need to understand most seriously is that sin allowed in the heart becomes a fatal hindrance to prayers being answered. Now please remember that prayer is the Christian’s strength and Satan knows this fact very well. It is no wonder he causes us to devalue prayer, then engages us in all kinds of sins that we find difficult to give up. When this is our experience we are left totally vulnerable to his attacks.

The servant of the Lord says, “If we live according to His word, every precious promise He has given will be fulfilled to us. We are undeserving of His mercy, but as we give ourselves to Him, He receives us. He will work for and through those who follow Him.

“But only as we live in obedience to His word can we claim the fulfillment of His promises. The psalmist says, ‘If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me’ (Psalm 66:18). If we render to Him only a partial, halfhearted obedience, His promises will not be fulfilled to us.” The Ministry of Healing, 226, 227.

3 Our prayers will not be answered if they are “form or lip” service – “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. … But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.” Matthew 6:5, 7, 8.

The Lord, through the prophet Hosea, talks about those who cry to Him in a halfhearted manner. “And they have not cried unto Me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against Me.” Hosea 7:14. “Such petitions are prayers of form, lip service only, which the Lord does not accept.” In Heavenly Places, 73.

4 God will not hear our prayers if our home relationship is not right –The word of God, as stated by the apostle Peter, reveals this fact. “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” I Peter 3:7. Note carefully, the husband who does not treat his wife with Christian respect need not expect God to answer his prayers. This principle forms the bedrock for answered prayers within the family circle, understanding clearly that the husband and father is the one responsible to God for the spiritual direction of the household. This also is true; the wife and children must be aware that their mistreatment of the husband and father will most assuredly prevent their prayers from being answered as well!

Could this be the reason why so many Christian homes are severely affected by Satan’s assaults, because prayers are not being answered as a consequence of the fact that things are not right at home?

5 An unforgiving spirit and an unwilling attitude to reconcile will no doubt hinder our prayers from being answered – Matthew 6:14 tells us, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Also, in chapter 5:23, 24 the following is recorded: “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”

“When our duty is so plainly marked out, why do so many church members go contrary to a plain ‘Thus saith the Lord,’ and speak of their difficulties to those who know nothing in regard to them or in regard to those whom these difficulties concern? Jesus the great Teacher, has told us what our duty is. Our gifts, our prayers are not acceptable to God while we leave this duty undone, and let the poison of envy, evil-surmising, and jealousy, take possession of our souls, and spoil our union and happiness. …

“A few words of explanation might change entirely the views of those who have been at variance, cherishing bitter feelings. We cannot be obedient to the law of God until we put out of the mind all differences, until we allow our hearts to be softened and subdued by the Spirit of Christ. Our prayers are hindered by our pride of heart, by our refusal to confess faults and to remove wrong impressions.” This Day With God, 19.

“The Lord Jesus has given special directions as to what each of His ‘little children’ is to do. When we pray, ‘Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us’ (Matthew 6:12), do we do our part to answer this prayer? … If our brother has ought against us, we are to leave on the altar the gift we have brought to God, and be reconciled to our brother. Then we are to come and offer our gift. This is the only way in which we can keep in our hearts the peace of God.” Ibid. This is one of the most successful ways that the devil utilizes in destroying the Christian! He sets church members against each other and then hardens them in an unforgiving spirit and irreconcilable attitude knowing very well that such disposition will cause their prayers not to be heard.

This matter is so important that I hope you will feel the weight of the matter. In an article entitled, “Instruction to Church Members,” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, April 8, 1902, the following is recorded: “Christ sees that little heed is paid to His instruction. His people come to Him in prayer, asking favors of Him, while at the same time they are cherishing hatred against their brethren, not only thinking, but speaking evil of them. God cannot bless them; for they refuse to put out of the way that which causes discord and variance. They would not appreciate the blessing of God should He give it to them as they desire. …

“It is impossible for their prayers to reach His throne, because the rebellion of disobedience is the substance of their petitions.” [Emphasis supplied.]

6 Failure to humble ourselves leads to unanswered prayer – “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” Luke 18:10, 11.

7 Prayer motivated by selfishness cannot be answered – The apostle James states, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:3.

8 Failure to pray in the name of Jesus will lead to unanswered prayer – John 14:13, 14 says, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.”

Ask yourself, Are you under the devil’s assaults with any, if not all of these? Satan knows that prayer is the life of the Christian, the strength and stronghold of every believer, and this is why he is doing everything to cut off our communication with heaven. This is why he works overtime to lock us in these areas whereby our prayers will never be heard. As long as this is the case with us we will never gain victory over sin and the devil, and for certain we will lose Heaven. Well, Jesus says to you and me today, “Come unto me!” Amen!

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at: 718-882-3900.