Friday: Further Thought ~ Trials, Tribulations, and Lists
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Test of Discipleship”, pages 57–65, in Steps to Christ.
“There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ and who really desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would say, Do not draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. . . . He desires to restore you to Himself, to see His own purity and holiness reflected in you. And if you will but yield yourself to Him, He that hath begun a good work in you will carry it forward to the day of Jesus Christ. Pray more fervently; believe more fully. As we come to distrust our own power, let us trust the power of our Redeemer, and we shall praise Him who is the health of our countenance” – Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 64.
Discussion Questions:
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Carmel, my wife, is a great list maker. She is a clerical type and lives by lists both for herself and me. And while I rebel at times at the length of the lists she makes for me I recognise that her organisational skills complement my skills, whatever they are, and we are a lot better off for having followed them. Her lists serve as a very practical reminder of what has to be done, and when they should happen in our family life.
And I think that the take away message from this week's lesson is that God expects us to be practical. As I said earlier this week. I hear a lot about prayer and fasting but we need to remember that prayer and fasting must be followed by action. What is the point of going hungry and praying all night, if at the end of it, the only thing you have achieved is that you are tired and hungry. "Waiting on the Lord" does not mean that you wait until you receive an epiphany. The Holy Spirit works in subtle ways - a thought germinates, a friend suggests, and then a plan of action develops.
We often quote the parable of the ten virgins as a lesson in preparedness, but there is perhaps another lesson too.
Sleeping is not such a good idea when action is called for. In fact Jesus makes a point of action in another parable:
It is worth reviewing this weeks lesson to see how prayer and fasting is often linked to planning and action. Maybe at our prayer meeting we need to take a pen and notepad and start making lists of action as well.
Genealogy gives credence to the Word of God
History - It is His story revealed through His word. Beginning of the conflict to the end of the conflict one theme reigns God is Love.
The people who were displaced did not forget the heritage of their homeland longed to return to the homeland.
The Levites did not have inheritance, or income. They choose not to return back to that hard life. Do you support your minister in his endeavor? The work cannot, will not be completed by the pastor alone.
As we are near the bend of making New Year resolutions, start once a quarter every fifth Sabbath fasting prayer. Please keep a prayer journal lest we forget the answered prayers. Encourage each other reviewing the answered prayers as witness to the congregation.
Living for God's kingdom will always require sacrifice. Flesh and Spirit will be contradictory to each other.
"you have known the pardoning love of Christ, Desire to be children of God, Do not draw back, often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus, do not be discouraged, not forsaken why? Christ is interceding for us. He desires to restore you to Himself, to see His own purity and holiness reflected in you."
Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 64.
What a powerful quote for us living in a sinful world not to despair.
“But now, this is what the LORD says — he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine’” (Isa. 43:1, NIV).
Names in the Bible are important, here we read that the LORD summoned Jacob by name and then changed his name to Israel.
Names in the Bible represent character.
Does it matter what names we use for the Triune Godhead?
Which do you prefer?
God the Father - Elohim, Abba Father, El Shaddai
God the Son - Yahweh, the LORD, Jesus Christ
God the Spirit - Holy Spirit
So many people these days take the name "God" or "Jesus Christ" in vain, that I therefore prefer to choose other options.
To which of the 3 should we pray?
I prefer to pray to Jesus and in writing to use 'the LORD' as He is our High Priest.
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God Heb 4:14
These are my questions and my preferences, I would be interested to hear your opinions and the reasons for them.
God is the owner of the Universe. And we are His children. We need to act like it. But not always we have this confidence. He never fails, we are the weak part. Let us rejoice and thank Him because He has defeated death!