Steps with Christ

Hälsade

Den senaste tiden har Herren verkligen talat till min trötta ande. Under min dagliga vandrig har jag fått känslan av total hjälplöshet och mitt mod har vikit ifrån mig. Allt omkring mig verkade så otroligt meningslöst. Allt är bara så tröttsamt, den ständiga frestelsen, fiendens brinnande pilar som alltjämt regnar från alla håll, den ständiga striden, kampen mot köttet och jaget. För att inte tala om striden med och mot alla andra människor i världen. Alltjämt måste man vakna till en dag av strid och blodutgjutelse. Till en dag fylld av synd och avfall, tårar och förtvivlan. Till och med vänner, bekanta, släkt och familj kan man plötsligt finna sig i strid med. Vart är Herren den rättfärdiga som skippar rätt?! Vart är den levande Guden som dömer och bringar rättvisa?! Vart är Gud, min styrkas borg, vart är Herren Han som strider för Sitt folk?!

Ibland reser sig alla fiendens hinder likt berg och stora kullar inför mig och styrkan viker från mig. Tänk om man bara kunde få sluta ögonen och bara vilja, vilja i Herren. Men än finns det verk att göra för dem som älskar Gud.

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." - 1Ti 6:12

Se på korset

"Look at the cross of Calvary. It is a standing pledge of the boundless love, the measureless mercy, of the heavenly Father. O that all might repent and do their first works. When the churches do this, they will love God supremely and their neighbors as themselves. Ephraim will not envy Judah, and Judah will not vex Ephraim. Divisions will then be healed, the harsh sounds of strife will no more be heard in the borders of Israel. Through the grace freely given them of God, all will seek to answer the prayer of Christ, that His disciples should be one, even as He and the Father are one. Peace, love, mercy, and benevolence will be the abiding principles of the soul. The love of Christ will be the theme of every tongue, and it will no more be said by the True Witness, "I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love" (Rev. 2:4). The people of God will be abiding in Christ, the love of Jesus will be revealed, and one Spirit will animate all hearts, regenerating and renewing all in the image of Christ, fashioning all hearts alike. As living branches of the True Vine, all will be united to Christ, the living head. Christ will abide in every heart, guiding, comforting,  sanctifying, and presenting to the world the unity of the followers of Jesus, thus bearing testimony that the heavenly credentials are supplied to the remnant church. In the oneness of Christ's church it will be proved that God sent His only-begotten Son into the world." - {1SM 385.1}

Vilken enighet vi skulle ha om hela Israel gjorde kärleken till Gud deras första och främsta prioritering! Stridigheterna skulle åtminstone upphöra inom Guds folk och vi skulle reflektera Guds kärlek på ett mycket heligare sätt. Vilken tröst det skulle vara om hela Israel stod enade i kärlek, hopp och sanning.

Himlen väntar

Kyrkan skall vara en försmak av himlen. Vår kärleksgemenskap i Kristus skall vara de som skiljer oss från de hedniska nationerna omkring oss. Men kyrkan är uppbyggd av människor och människor är inte alltid vad de borde vara. Är det kärleken till Gud som bringar oss samman och till samförstånd och enighet? Eller sätter vi upp våra egna normer och stadgar, låter vi våra brustna jag vara vår enighet?

När man fått en glimt av himlen och den kärlek som Kristus visar oss och vill att vi visar mot varandra tynar denna världens alla rikedomar bort. Här finns inget som håller mig kvar. Denna jord har inget att ge mig. Den ständiga striden kämpar jag för Herren, för Hans stora namns skull. För Hans rättfärdighets skull. Det kommer vara min lön, att se och höra Herren förklaras rättfärdig och sann av alla skapade varelser. Det och den nya jorden, ovillkorlig kärlek, lydnad, perfekt harmoni och Kristus rättfärdighet skinande som solen från alla de frälstas klädnad.

"The wonderful things I there saw I cannot describe. Oh, that I could talk in the language of Canaan, then could I tell a little of the glory of the better world. I saw there tables of stone in which the names of the 144,000 were engraved in letters of gold. After we beheld the glory of the temple, we went out, and Jesus left us and went to the city. Soon we heard His lovely voice again, saying, "Come, My people, you have come out of great tribulation, and done My will; suffered for Me; come in to supper, for I will gird Myself, and serve you." We shouted, "Alleluia! glory!" and entered into the city. And I saw a table of pure silver; it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it. I saw the fruit of the tree of life, the manna, almonds, figs, pomegranates, grapes, and many other kinds of fruit. I asked Jesus to let me eat of the fruit. He said, "Not now. Those who eat of the fruit of this land go back to earth no more. But in a little while, if faithful, you shall both eat of the fruit of the tree of life and drink of the water of the fountain." And He said, "You must go back to the earth again and relate to others what I have revealed to you." Then an angel bore me gently down to this dark world. Sometimes I think I can stay here no longer; all things of earth look so dreary. I feel very lonely here, for I have seen a better land. Oh, that I had wings like a dove, then would I fly away and be at rest!" - {EW 19.1}

Vi kan stå ut, trots vår upplevda ensamhet, trots denna världs mörker och smärta.

"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." - Mat 28:20

"<A Psalm of David.> Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them. For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him? False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it. This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up. Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me. Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long." - Psa 35

"I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication. What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper." - Psa 30:8-10

Amen

Now I have finally begun memorizing verses of the Bible regularly. Two verses a week is my current goal and this is the two first from the past week. I´m memorizing them in Swedish but posting them in English.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." - 2 Ti 3:16-17

This is one of my absolute favorites in all Scripture. I can´t begin to explain the depths of spiritual meaning and importance these verses has to me and for you. It brings to the Bible student a whole new and deeper experience and lays out the groundwork and most basic principle of all Bible studies. In these verses we also find the most staggering claim that all the scripture is inspired by God. That means all and not just the part I like to study or the principles I personally like to follow. And we also find the motivation to why we are to study all the inspired Scriptures of God. The answer given us; so "That the man of God may be perfect," (2 Ti 3:17) and "throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Ti 3:17).

We are to study the entire Bible so that we can be perfect and ready to do all good works. Notice please! Not just the
good works we wish to do or the ones we are at ease to do, but rather all good works.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." - Eph 2:10

The Bible is so beautiful I can´t stand it! Notice please that God already have ordained the good works we are to do! How can that be, were do we find those good works we are ordained to walk in?

"If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit." - Lev 26:3-4

"Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him." - Deu 8:6

"And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?" - Deu 10:12-13

"This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:" - Deu 26-16-17

"The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways." - Deu 28:9

"And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:" - 1 King 2:3

"And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it." - 2 Jn 1:6

The good works God already have ordained for us to do in Christ Jesus is the good works of following His perfect law and will out of love to God and our fellow men. It´s as simple as that, if we love God we will do His will as revealed to us through the law and the prophets. Therefore, to not do according to the law and the prophets are to not love the one who gave the law and inspired the prophets. The Lord wants to make of us a peculiar people that are following His way and His judgments, not the judgments of the world or our own.

"In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity," - Tit 2:7

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:" - Heb 10:24

We are to be examples for others to follow. We are to be the light of this world showing everybody that obedience to God is liberty from sin! This we are only able to do with a sincere heart and with love. This is the good works Jesus wants us to practice.

"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." - 1 Pet 2:12

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - Matt 5:16

Again and again this principle and this line of thought are repeated throughout the Scriptures. Here we find another reason to why we are to do the will of the Lord walking in His law. We see that our actions in obedience to the law will glorify God the Father. What joy we should feel having the privilege to actually glorify the Creator, our God the Lord Jehovah! The thought is baffling and hard to even grasp. We created and fallen humans are able to glorify the Father in heaven. And all we have to do is to follow His revealed will and path of good works to walk in. Doesn´t this truth bring tears to your eyes also? This has brought me a solemn understanding of what importance the will and path of God really has for me.

Notice please what this verse also says about what the Scriptures dose for us.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" - 2 Ti 3:16

The Scriptures, law, the prophets and the testimonies, gives us good doctrines of belief and good principle to act or walk after. They are also good for reproof. Now that's a hard one. Not many, even among the most solid of Bible believing Christians, today are at ease with having their actions, decisions and behavior being reproved by the Scriptures. Seldom have those that are walking in their own path wanted to hear of what they are doing in contrast to the will of the Lord. But that's actually one of the reasons why we have the Scriptures and one of the requirements for being perfect and furnished to do all good works. Moreover the Scriptures are to correct us, they are to make right what we have done wrong. This is one of the most fascinating and wondrous things with the will of God. He does not simply tell us what are good or bad for us but He also tells us what to do if we by any chance should transgress His law. He makes know to us how we can correct our way and our life to bring it back into harmony with His will. And of course, the Scriptures instruct us to what righteousness is and what righteousness is not. "Is this the righteous thing to do?" We should ask ourselves, and the answer lies in the law, prophets and the testimonies.

Now, as always, I have managed to write much more than originally intended. And I could go on and on for ages. That's why I don't write so often, because I know I will get stuck. But I guess a break from the everyday routine should be welcomed. So I will move on to the next part of Scripture I have memorized during the week.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matt 11:28-30

This part of Scripture have much similarity with the previously one. What´s the burden of every man and woman? I know my burden is my past and present sins. And my attempts to walk in the statues and commandments of the Lord. When heavy laden with my path I bring this verse back to memory and look up. And there He is. My Savior and Redeemer! Right before me on the narrow path He stands, urging me on and calling me with that tender and lovingly voice that first called me out of Egypt and Babylon unto this narrow and straight path throw the wilderness of this earthly and forsaken desert. "Take my yoke upon you" He says, and I look up at the enormous burdens I already have on my back. I look at the chains around my arms and feet dragging me down making every step one of toil and hardship. I look at the chains piercing my flesh making my carnal mind and body scream with every step on the way from Egypt. And I call out; "Lord, how am I supposed to take your yoke also when I´m perishing from my own?". "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your soul" He calls back. My mind wanders, and I remember that Christ had no own burden for He bore the burdens of all the inhabitants of the earth. And yet He was meek and lovely in heart, He didn't crumble or fall to the ground. From His life and present that stream of life was always gushing forth biding all to come and drink of the water of life. How come? I asked myself. How did He make it? He was born by a woman and grew up on this earth just as I did. How did He make it?! And then I remember and I look up again. The Lamb of God holding His hands out calling for me. And I could see the difference between us. I see His pierced hands and remembered, Christ loved not His live unto death. Thou He was chosen from above, thou He was the Messiah of old, thou He had the rights of the eternal God Jehovah. He left it all and chose to die for me instead. The different was love. The love of self-denial and that of sacrifice. His only desire was to do the will of the Father despite what it was and how hard it was to do it. "The truth shall set you free", and the "law is the truth" rings throw my head (Joh 8:32, Psa 119:142). "I am meek and lowly in heart and my yoke is easy, take it upon you" the Savior again bids me. And suddenly the chains drop from my hands and feet. I take upon my shoulders the yoke of Christ and I feel the love of others replacing the love of self. Suddenly I see others in the desert, others that have fallen under their heavy burdens. And my attention is drawn to those how have lost their way along the pursuit of everlasting communion with Christ. The yoke of Christ, the yoke of love to God and love to man, is not heavy.

That's what this part of Scripture dose for me. It speaks to me of the total commitment Jesus had to the will of the Father. The love and tender mercies He had for us in following not His own desires but rather that of our heavenly Father. It speaks to me making void all excuses for not giving heed to the law and the prophets. And it grants me love and meekness in heart to obey and pledge my allegiance to my Father, not loving my own life unto death.

Remember to not just memorize Scripture for the sake of memorizing only. Don't learn to cite Scripture, learn how to live it. Learn how to apply it in all aspects of your life. Hide the Word not in your mind, hid it in your hearth (Psa 119:11).

This little string of words can help you remember and deepen your memorizing experience.

"Who tells why this verse is important for me?" "Vem förmedlar varför versen är viktig för mig?"

•1.       "Who tells" the verse? To who is the verse told?

•2.      What is the person trying to "tell"?

•3.      "Why" does the person tell this?

•4.      "This verse" memorizes the verse.

•5.      "Important for me", why is this verse important for me?

I wish you good luck with your memorizing and I hope you are doing it in the right spirit for the right reasons. Remember, in the heart not the mind, let the Holy Spirit write it upon your heart and apply it practically in your life.

Then we all can join in the song of the psalmist as we walk through this desert day by day camping closer and closer to the land of Canaan.

"ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly." - Psa 119:1-8

Amen.

May God keep you and bless you.

The Twelve Spies

Thoughts from "Patriarchs and Prophets" Chap. 34 by Ellen G. White

At the banks of Jordan

The children of Israel had finally come to the only natural obstacle left before they could enter the land that had been promised to their father Abraham. But before entering upon the conquest of Canaan the Israelites asked the Lord for permission to send spies in to the Promised Land to search the land. And the Lord answered giving them permission;

"Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them. And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel." - Num 13:2-3

Among the children of Israel were chosen twelve spies, one ruler and leader as representative of every tribe of Israel to search the Promised Land before entering with the whole nation.

The spies was gone for forty days and returned thereafter to the camp of Israel on the other side of the Jordan.

"And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it." - Num 13:27

"And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs." - Num 13:23

What a feeling it must have been! God had promised Israel this land and now finally they were on the border of it with information about the land that praised it as flowing with milk and honey. The spies even brought a cluster of grape so big that it had to be carried between two men on a staff! The people must have been in a hurry to enter upon the land they had been promised by the God of heaven and earth.

Distrust and Unbelief

"But after describing the beauty and fertility of the land, all but two of the spies enlarged upon the difficulties and dangers that lay before the Israelites should they undertake the conquest of Canaan. They enumerated the powerful nations located in various parts of the country, and said that the cities were walled and very great, and the people who dwelt therein were strong, and it would be impossible to conquer them." - {PP 387.3}

Instead of pushing the people onwards to claim the Promised Land and the fruits thereof ten of the twelve spies spoke to the people of the great obstacle and hindrance that lay before them if they would try to take the land. Here things stated to go in the wrong direction.

We should never enlarge upon the problems and troubles of life or our mission. Instead we are to walk in the presence of the Lamb of God trusting in His word and promises. In this story we can see clearly the result of unbelief and of letting our mind dwell on the great obstacles and trails of life instead of the power and great helper we have in God.

Says the prophet;

"Now the scene changed. Hope and courage gave place to cowardly despair, as the spies uttered the sentiments of their unbelieving hearts, which were filled with discouragement prompted by Satan. Their unbelief cast a gloomy shadow over the congregation, and the mighty power of God, so often manifested in behalf of the chosen nation, was forgotten." - {PP 388.1}

What was the result of the spies giving a bad report of the land? And what spirit was behind their unbelief?

The people were discouraged and they forgot the mighty power of God that had been manifested earlier in their behalf! This I have found to be true in my own experience. When faced with great problems and when life seems really difficult we tend to forget what God have promised us in the past and the power and signs He has given us. We forget our own history and personal experience with our Maker and thus we make unsanctified decisions based sole upon the arm of flesh instead of the Omnipotent´s right arm of righteousness. Distrust and unbelief comes suddenly and swiftly and few are so grounded in the faith and word of Jesus that they can stand without being discouraged.

"In their unbelief they limited the power of God and distrusted the hand that had hitherto safely guided them. And they repeated their former error of murmuring against Moses and Aaron. "This, then, is the end of our high hopes," they said. "This is the land we have traveled all the way from Egypt to possess." They accused their leaders of deceiving the people and bringing trouble upon Israel."  {PP 388.2}

This is almost always the case when dealing with unbelief and distrust. If we do not believe in the power of our God we are doing all what the devil wants us to do. When we distrust the power of God we are unable to lay hold upon the precious promises of the Bible and God will not be able to help us.

"The people were desperate in their disappointment and despair. A wail of agony arose and mingled with the confused murmur of voices. Caleb comprehended the situation, and, bold to stand in defense of the word of God, he did all in his power to counteract the evil influence of his unfaithful associates. For an instant the people were stilled to listen to his words of hope and courage respecting the goodly land. He did not contradict what had already been said; the walls were high and the Canaanites strong. But God had promised the land to Israel. "Let us go up at once and possess it," urged
Caleb; "for we are well able to overcome it.""  {PP 388.3}

But two of the twelve spies had the faith in God to stand up and point the people to the words spoken to them. Caleb did not lie and he did not try to alter the description given of the land. He only put the description in contrast to the power of their Helper. As should we do today, we are not to dwell on our problems and the obstacle of life or of following God. We are to place every test, event, problem and worries in contrast to our Savior. Unbelief will lead you away from trusting the Lord as He wants you to trust in Him. It will be you doom.

Some time ago I was talking with one of my old friends from back in my high school days on the phone. When suddenly the conversation took a fearsome course. I had expected for some time that all wasn't as it should be with my friend and now he opened up for me. There was a part of his life that was not as it should be he stated. He had lost all hope that this part of his life would become expectable before Christ. The conversation turn dark and gloomy and I could hear on my friend's voice that he was hardening his hearth. As the spies returned to give a bad report of the land making the people too lose their trust in the Lord, so my friend gave a really bad report of the situation and all his focus was on the obstacle and problems of life. The conversation went back and forth for a few minutes and then I finally asked him. "Are you telling me that Jesus Christ, our risen Savior, can't heal your hurt and make you situation blossom again? Surely, if we trust in the Lord He can make us clean, if we are ready to head His promises and take in possession what He have promised us." The answer came as a shock for me and my heart and soul fell as tears started to make their way down my face. "No, he said. Even Christ couldn't help now; it´s too infected with sin."

How? How I asked myself could my friend say that? I never thought I'd hear those words from any of my sister or brothers in Christ. "What could I do?", I asked myself. If he doesn't even believe in the power of Jehovah's only begotten Son? What could I then do?! As the ten spies unbelief were urge on by satan, the enemy of souls, so this poor human had lost himself in the snares of the deceiver. With tears of anguish running down my face I tried to reason with him, but in vain. He only hardened his heart with every word I spoke until he finally said in despair and anger. "I don´t want to talk with you anymore, I have work to do tomorrow." "Please", I pleaded, "what if you and I were to study the Word of God and pray together and see if it really was no hope, don´t do anything rash. Let's seek comfort and wisdom from God." "NO", he replied. "I already know the will of the Father concerning this matter, there is no hope..." After that day he never called to speak with me again.

Even when writing this down, months after the incident. Tears still fall from my face over those words of unbelief and distrust. Oh, how I want to go to Heaven, where all is light and glory. Oh I long to be with Jesus, O I long to be with God. Sometimes I think I can stay here no longer. I feel very lonely here, for I've seen a better land. Oh, that I had wings like a dove! Then would I fly away, and be at rest. How I yearn to sit at the Saviors feet and have all my tears blotted out!

What a different meaning the words of my Lord have today because of this experience.

"Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me." - Mat 17:17 

If only he would come, as the Savior calls after him. If only he would have come to the Lord. But it isn't my decision to make. Thou this experience have brought me much sadness I now understand the words of the Savior and the prophets much clearer;

"Character is revealed by a crisis. ... It will be made manifest whether or not there is any real faith in the promises of the word of God. It will be made manifest whether or not the soul is sustained by grace, whether there is oil in the vessel with the lamp." - {RH, September 17, 1895 par. 9}

"Testing times come to all. How do we conduct ourselves under the test and proving of God? Do our lamps go out? or do we still keep them burning? Are we prepared for every emergency by our connection with Him who is full of grace and truth? ... We shall be judged according to the character we have formed. It is perilous to neglect to prepare the soul for eternity, and to put off making our peace with God until upon a dying bed. It is by the daily transactions of life, by the spirit we manifest, that we determine our eternal destiny. He who is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much. If we have made Christ our pattern, if we have walked and worked as he has given us an example in his own life, we shall be able to meet the solemn surprises that will come upon us in our experience, and say from our heart, "Not my will, but thine, be done."" - {RH, September 17, 1895 par. 10}

It´s hard to hear and even harder to say. But if we are not warned we will not be ready. And if we do not understand what evil we have done in the past, how are we then to redeem those things and make them right before the brightness of His coming shall fall upon us?

Fruits of Unbelief

"These men, having entered upon a wrong course, stubbornly set themselves against Caleb and Joshua, against Moses, and against God. Every advance step rendered them the more determined. They were resolved to discourage all effort to gain possession of Canaan. They distorted the truth in order to sustain their baleful influence. It "is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof," they said. This was not only an evil report, but it was also a lying one. It was inconsistent with itself. The spies had declared the country to be fruitful and prosperous, and the people of giant stature, all of which would be impossible if the climate were so unhealthful that the land could be said to "eat up the inhabitants."" - {PP 389.1}

One sin leads to another and soon the ten spies turn all their power over to the enemy because of pride and stubbornness. It´s unbelievable what lengths man is ready to go so that he does not have to admit having been in wrong and done evil.

"But when men yield their hearts to unbelief they place themselves under the control of Satan, and none can tell to what lengths he will lead them." - {PP 389.1}

"Revolt and open mutiny quickly followed; for Satan had full sway, and the people seemed bereft of reason." - {PP 389.2}

When man turn from the precepts of God and His will they will do anything to hinder and silence any rebuke. As did Cain when Abel´s pure faith and self-denial called for Cain to render the same faith and obedience to God or apostasies.

Rash and passionate purpose or Love and a sound mind

"In humiliation and distress "Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel," not knowing what to do to turn them from their rash and passionate purpose." - {PP 389.3}

As shown thought the Bible, inspiration and the story I shared one of the most distinct marks of the devils influence is the rash and passionate actions unchecked and unsanctified by the Word of God.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." - 2Ti 1:7 

False repentance

After the rebellion of the children of Israel God punished the ten spies and the whole nation. They were to wander again back into the wilderness for forty years and all but the faithful Caleb and Joshua would enter the Promised Land of the people. This the people could not accept and they finally became aware of their sins against the Lord.

"Now they seemed sincerely to repent of their sinful conduct; but they sorrowed because of the result of their evil course rather than from a sense of their ingratitude and disobedience. When they found that the Lord did not relent in His decree, their self-will again arose, and they declared that they would not return into the wilderness. In commanding them to retire from the land of their enemies, God tested their apparent submission and proved that it was not real. They knew that they had deeply sinned in allowing their rash feelings to control them and in seeking to slay the spies who had urged them to obey God; but they were only terrified to find that they had made a fearful mistake, the consequences of which would prove disastrous to themselves. Their hearts were unchanged, and they only needed an excuse to occasion a similar outbreak. This presented itself when Moses, by the authority of God, commanded them to go back into the
wilderness." - {PP 391.4}

As is the case very often with humans. We tend to regard past sins a light and of none importance or consequence. We do not learn from what wrongs we have done in the past and instead we are doomed to repeat past sins. Only if the heart is made new in Christ and we be founded upon the rock dose we stand a chance against our own nature.

"And they rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the LORD hath promised: for we have sinned." - Num 14:40

"And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper." - Num 14:41 

You see, false repentance is the repentance of a fool. They know that they had done something wrong and sinned against God. That's the first step, a very good step. But where do we turn our attention to seek for forgives of our sins?

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" - Act 2:37

This is what we are to do, we are to ask. We are not to act again on our impulses and self-will as did the children of Israel on the banks of Jordan. We are to ask for guidance and light upon the right path to choose when we have sinned. Sin always carries with it responsibility for the action. We cannot presume to have turned from our wicked ways if we do not make right the wrong we have done.

The stubborn children of Israel didn´t listen to Moses, the prophet whom God have chosen to lead the people. They did not care that the lawgiver looked upon them with sadness and anger over their false repentance and wicked deeds.

"But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the

LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. Then the Amalekites came down, and the

Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto

Hormah." - Num 14:44-45

Here we have it, false revival and false repentance doesn't ask what to do. It doesn't seek guidance from above. It acts rash and on presumption and sets its course without the arc of the covenant containing the Ten Commandments and the writings of the prophet going before. Every true believer will turn to the law and to the prophets to find the right way to walk after coming out of Egypt. And as the children of Israel forty years later entered Canaan they had the Levites carrying the arc of the covenant before the whole nation. Thus are the people of God today, the modern Israel, going to enter heavenly Canaan with the Ten Commandments and the writings of the prophet going before them.

"Forced to submission at last, the survivors "returned, and wept before the Lord;" but "the Lord would not hearken" to their voice. Deuteronomy 1:45. By their signal victory the enemies of Israel, who had before awaited with trembling the approach of that mighty host, were inspired with confidence to resist them. All the reports they had heard concerning the marvelous things that God had wrought for His people, they now regarded as false, and they felt that there was no cause for fear. That first defeat of Israel, by inspiring the Canaanites with courage and resolution, had greatly increased the difficulties of the conquest. Nothing remained for Israel but to fall back from the face of their victorious foes, into the wilderness, knowing that here must be the grave of a whole generation." - {PP 394.3}

Because of their great sin of unbelief, forgetting Gods past dealing with them, trying to silence the messengers of God, their false repentance, their rash and unsanctified actions and because they would not hearken to the law and to the prophet believing that they could claim the promises of God without obeying the law of love and not seeking to do the right thing taking responsibility for their sins they had committed according to God's word and will, they brought misery to the nation and to Gods name. God forbid that we trample upon the name and law of Jehovah. As followers of Christ we are to vindicate the law of God among the heathen nation showing that by obedience to Gods law and will you will prosper.

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." - 1Jn 5:3 

"Those who are truly the followers of Christ, will not serve God only when it is in accordance with their inclination, but, as well, when it involves self-denial and cross-bearing." - {CE 113.1}

Have you walked in your own judgments and reasoning as of late? Have you overlooked the claim God has on your life today? One friend of mine once said, very wisely, when asked what his plans were for the future. My friend answers and said, "I have some realistic choices to choose from, but I don't want to make any rash decision in my own strength and flesh. And I want to be careful that I do not break or make void any promises and commitments I´m under or have made." That's the true Christian spirit, the spirit of seeking after the old paths (Isa 58:12, Jer 6:16). The spirit of "the law and the prophets first", even before life itself. The spirit of self-denial.

"Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." - Jas 4:13-17

There is something in your life that's not in harmony with the Saviors will. Somewhere deep inside the Holy Ghost is trying to prick your heart. We are standing upon the banks of Jordan today. Will you turn from the law and the prophets, to follow your own path and your own righteousness? It´s not enough to read the laws and speak of the prophets. You have to live the law and the prophets in perfect submission and love of God and you fellow man.

"As long as you live, you are accountable to God to keep His way. . . ." - {AH 187.1}

Do you delight in the law of the lord, Psa 1:2, are you willing to march behind the arc of the covenant containing the law and the prophets, are you willing to enter heavenly Canaan as Christ specified? Lay you life and plans down before the Lord. Only you know what the Holy Ghost is trying to communicate. Only you know what you have to make right. Do not terry, obedience before death should be your battle cry.

Dear heavenly Father. Create in us a new heart, a heart that does not only have the appearance of Christendom. But a heart whereon you can write you law upon. Help us to have faith in you promises and your words. Help our unbelief and forgive us our sins. Give us the power to make past wrongs right before you. Help us to let the great cleaner cleans our heart and life from all rubbish and dirt. Give us the power of love, the power to love. The power to take responsibility for our actions and words. Help us to represent Christ in thought, words and deeds. Give us of you Holy Spirit Father, and take our experience with heaven to a higher level, step by step, day by day. Do this according to Your will, Your commandments and laws. Not according to our will. We ask this in the name of Your only begotten Son and our dear Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen

The Last Words of Joshua

Thoughts from "Patriarchs and Prophets" Chap. 49 by Ellen G. White

Testing Blessing

As soon as the war for Canaan was over the children of Israel entered upon a time of peace and temporal prosperity. Israel was finally in possession of the Promised Land and God himself had fought for them during the conquest of the land from the heathen nations. All seemed well and as the children of God now enjoyed their allotted part of the land they soon forgot their Lord and helper. You see, the Israelites thought that their struggle and testing was over. But that presumption could not be further from the truth. Says the prophet;

"Some years had passed since the people had settled in their possessions, and already could be seen cropping out the same evils that had heretofore brought judgments upon Israel." - {PP 521.2}

"God is testing us by blessings bestowed and blessings removed. Shall we learn the lesson He would teach us? Will we bear His test and proving? God has worked for His people by His Holy Spirit. By the bestowal of wonderful blessings, He has striven to awaken in them a desire to impart the light entrusted to them. "I have come to you in love," He says. "I have come to you in mercy and judgment; yet you would not learn the lesson I sought to teach. My Spirit has been grieved by your failure to respond to My love." To those who claim to be His servants and yet depart from His way, He says, "If thou art destroyed, Thou thyself art responsible. Ye would not come unto me, that ye might have life."" - {BCL 106.1}

"God is testing and proving you. He has been giving His blessings to you with a lavish hand and is now watching to see what use you are making of them..." - {3T 249.2}

Share the Blessing

When blessed with riches of spiritual or temporal origin God is watching what you are making of His gifts to you. Remember what the disciples did with the bread Christ blessed and gave to them.

"And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children." - Mat 14:15-21

The Savior blessed the bread, then He gave it to the disciples and the disciples gave it to the multitude of people. As the disciples of old we are today to share our blessings with the multitude and not keep it for our own. We are not to be mesmerized by the blessings bestowed upon God´s Israel. For as in the time of ancient Israel so it is in the time of the modern. We have gain a great victory and God have given into our hand all the nations of the earth. The pure faith is delivered to the saints of the most High, the true bread of life have been blessed by the Son and handed over to us. How dare we settle into our own share of the promise and not subdue the entire land given unto us? How dare we let our senses be drawn away from the God that have given us all our bread that we cherish so greatly? If you have been given a special light from the Lord it is your obligation to tell your fellow men.

Have modern Israel conformed to the world, are the minds and senses of God´s chosen people more drawn to their own riches, light and prosperity than to the law and will of their God?

Blessings or Curses?

"Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you. When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you." - Jos 23:15-16

As God have bestowed His blessing and held His protecting hand over His children, so He will redraw His blessings and protection if they do not comply to His demands. We may think that we are rich, prosperous and of good health but we are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:" - Rev 3:17.

The admonition of Joshua and the deception of Satan

Joshua saw that the Israelites was settling down and in their prosperity slipped further and further from depending wholly on God and obeying His will and thus he warned the people of departing from the reveled will of God.

"Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day." - Jos 23:6-7

Keep the law God gave to you trough Moses and you will prosper, keep it not and you will break the convent between Israel and the Lord of lords and King of kings. As Christ blessed the bread and gave it to the disciples how´s duty was to share it with the multitudes, Christ gave the law of love to His disciple Moses how shared it with the children of Israel. And as the children of Israel received the law they in turn were to pas the blessing on to the heathen nation around them.

"Satan deceives many with the plausible theory that God's love for His people is so great that He will excuse sin in them; he represents that while the threatenings of God's word are to serve a certain purpose in His moral government, they are never to be literally fulfilled. But in all His dealings with his creatures God has maintained the principles of righteousness by revealing sin in its true character--by demonstrating that its sure result is misery and death. The unconditional pardon of sin never has been, and never will be. Such pardon would show the abandonment of the principles of righteousness, which are the very foundation of the government of God. It would fill the unfallen universe with consternation. God has faithfully pointed out the results of sin, and if these warnings were not true, how could we be sure that His promises would be fulfilled? That so-called benevolence which would set aside justice is not benevolence but weakness." - {PP 522.2}

"God is the life-giver. From the beginning all His laws were ordained to life. But sin broke in upon the order that God had established, and discord followed." - {PP 522.3}

It is the working of Satan in those who try to pardon or baptize sin in human reasoning and a cloak of Christianity. We are not to excuse sin and we are not to run from our responsibility towards God and the covenant of love.

""If it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah," he said, "choose you this day whom ye will serve." Joshua desired to lead them to serve God, not by compulsion, but willingly. Love to God is the very foundation of religion. To engage in His service merely from hope of reward or fear of punishment would avail nothing. Open apostasy would not be more offensive to God than hypocrisy and mere formal worship." - {PP 523.1}

"A theoretical knowledge of the truth is essential, but the knowledge of the greatest truth will not save us; our knowledge must be practical. God's people must not only know His will, but they must practice it. Many will be purged out from the numbers of those who know the truth, because they are not sanctified by it. The truth must be brought into their hearts, sanctifying and cleansing them from all earthliness and sensuality in the most private life. The soul temple must be cleansed. Every secret act is as if we were in the presence of God and holy angels, as all things are open before God, and from Him nothing can be hid." - {TSB 86.4}

Does the law of God seem evil unto us today? Are professed Christians eager to do away with the will of God and replace it with the will of the flesh? You have just to take a quick look at the children of God today to see that we are repeating the same sin as did Israel of old! We are excusing sin with the thought that it seems evil to us to serve the Lord. The revealed will of the Lord is hard for us to take into account. We want to follow our own "good" will; we think that we can determine for ourselves what is good and what is evil. We want to make our own righteousness were we are the judge and not the Word and will of God. Like Lucifer before us in heaven we are trying to establish our own righteousness apart from the will of God. While we search the scriptures to learn the great truths and doctrines of the Bible we do not search it to change our own lives. We do not consult the Word of God before making choices or determine our future course. The love of the Lord is growing cold and the love of our own decision-making capacity and wisdom is taking control of our life. We are handing our hands over to the enemy of souls and to the lawless one.

Harmony of duty and inclinations/circumstances and reason

"There are thousands at the present day who are pursuing a similar course. They would have no difficulty in understanding their duty if it were in harmony with their inclinations. It is plainly set before them in the Bible or is clearly indicated by circumstances and reason. But because these evidences are contrary to their desires and inclinations they frequently set them aside and presume to go to God to learn their duty. With great apparent conscientiousness they pray long and earnestly for light. But God will not be trifled with. He often permits such persons to follow their own desires and to suffer the result. "My people would not hearken to My voice. . . . So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels." Psalm 81:11, 12. When one clearly sees a duty, let him not presume to go to God with the prayer that he may be excused from performing it. He should rather, with a humble, submissive spirit, ask for divine strength and wisdom to meet its claims." - {PP 440.4}

The children of Israel had a duty towards God, they where to subdue all the nations in the Promised Land and they where to show the world that by abiding in the Lord we would prosper. They were to keep His law written and given by Moses so that they would not break his covenant. As are we today to keep the laws handed down to us by Christ trough the prophets of old. The modern Israel must learn the lesson of ancient Israel. And we are also called to subdue the nations around us and to bring them into the fold of Jesus Christ. To show them that if they abide in the law of Christ, they will find peace.

We are not to presume to go to God and learn His will. His will is plainly set before us in the Bible or clearly indicated by circumstances and reason. We are to know the will of the Lord and do accordingly. Inspiration is very clear on this point, the Word of God and the Word of God alone! No human thoughts of the flesh are to guide us. We are to hearken to the voice of God, not subdue it when it doesn't speak according to our will.

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." - 1 Jn 5:3

"Alas! how few there are, even among professed Christians, who do the right for its own sake..." - {CTBH 128.1}

Serve in sincerity and in truth

"Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." - Jos 24:14-15

All that we can do is to serve the Lord in sincerity and in truth. We can´t make others to obey the counsels of Christ. But we can make sure our own house follow the Lamb wherever He walks. And we can thous set an example for other to follow in forsaking the world and our flesh for the pure will and counsel of God. What peace it is to know that the God of Israel is on your side, that your consciousness can be clean before God although the brothers and sisters of Israel will not hearken to the Saviors voice and statues. The prophets God sent to Israel of old was often disregarded and alone. Like outcasts they had to rely wholly upon God and they had to stand alone, the whole world was against them and their own people wanted to silence their messages and their reproaching of the peoples sins. We are called to stand firm in our conviction and our understanding. We cannot allow dethroning Christ and the government of heaven just because others do so? And we are not to say that we follow the Lord just because other does so either. This is a solem call to all professed Christians! Is the Lord of Israel your god or is your god that of the world? If the Lord is your god, follow Him in everything, if not, do not linger in His presence lukewarm for He will spue you out.

"Joshua endeavored to lead his hearers to weigh well their words, and refrain from vows which they would be unprepared to fulfill." - {PP 524.2}

"While they trusted in their own strength and righteousness, it was impossible for them to secure the pardon of their sins; they could not meet the claims of God's perfect law, and it was in vain that they pledged themselves to serve God. It was only by faith in Christ that they could secure pardon of sin and receive strength to obey God's law. They must cease to rely upon their own efforts for salvation, they must trust wholly in the merits of the promised Saviour, if they would be accepted of God." - {PP 524.1}

Have I transgressed the law of God and walked in my own judgments of lately? Have you? Maybe you have thought that your own righteousness was enough, maybe you have been fighting that bad fight of faith in your own strength? But the Lord is calling us to abide in Him and His will. He will help us to turn from our wicked ways. Turn from the arm of flesh to the cleft of the Rock of Ages. From theoretical knowledge to practical experience and living.

"A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work." - Review and Herald, March 22, 1887.

"Who of our youth can know anything of what is truth, in comparison with error, unless they are acquainted with the Scriptures? The simplicity of true godliness must be brought into the education of our young people, if they are to have divine knowledge to escape the corruptions that are in the world through lust. Those who are truly the followers of Christ, will not serve God only when it is in accordance with their inclination, but, as well, when it involves self-denial and cross-bearing." - {CE 113.1}

Will you stand today an onward as a self-denying, cross-bearing Christian and Israelite how abides in God alone? Will you surrender self to Christ and make right what you have done previously wrong? Have you neglected practical living and want to have that revival of true godliness? Do you want to surrender your will to God and fulfill the requirements of the law of love? I know I have neglected doing right for a long time in my life. And I know God took me out of the miry clay and put me upon the solid Rock of Ages. That Rock how also is the law and will of the Lord. I beseech ye brethren to put away the arm of the flesh and take up the cross of our Savior. Make right was is wrong among you and conform to the will of the Lord, even if it´s hard and inconvenient do not excuse sin and do not hide the requirements of the covenant of the Lord anymore in a clock of baptized heathenism. Do not follow the Lord only when it suits you. Be a true Israelite in the strength of our risen Savior and subdue the the world.

Lord and heavenly Father. Thank you for the plainly reveled will of Yours in the Word. Thanks for the true righteousness of Christ and for Your counsels Lord. Forgive us our sins and blot out our iniquities. Create in us a new heart, a heart that Your holy Spirit can write Your law upon. Give us strength to examine our behavior and our actions. Give us strength and heavenly wisdom to search the Scriptures for light to what we are supposed to do as we are pricked in the heart. Help us to love Your ways and fear the ways of man. Help us to discern right from wrong according to Your will and not our own will. Be with us today and bring into our lives a revival of true godliness. Bless us Lord according to Your will.

In Your Son and our Saviors precious name we pray,

Amen.

God morgon alla!

Ledsen att jag inte hunnit med att skriva så mycket på sista tiden men Herren har verkligen välsignat mitt liv den sista tiden och Hans verk i mitt liv och i min omgivning har gett mig lite tid till övers. Men nu har Herren öppnat dörren för mig att dela med mig också till er hur Fadern leder mig och uppenbarar för mig Hans vilja genom Ordet.
 
Vill dela med mig av en tanke jag fick en kväll under bön och studie av Guds Ord här om veckan.

"Så har vi genom er tro fått nytt mod när det gäller er, bröder, och det mitt i alla svårigheter och lidande. Nu lever vi, när ni står fasta i Herren." - 1 Tess 3:7-8

Låt Herrens inspirerade Ord tala till dig. Öppna dig i uppriktigt bön och åkallan för Guds Andes ledning!

Vad avslöjar dessa verser om Paulus kärlek och omtanke för de som kommit till tro genom hans tjänst  för Gud? Jo det avslöjar för oss att Paulus i alla de svårigheter och lidanden som satan kastar framför honom och sätter i hans väg får nytt mod när andra visar upp stark tro på Gud. Vilken ofattbar kärlek och  vilken ofattbar gåva Paulus måste bära på från Herren. Att han, trots mörkret i de egna livet och omgivning, finner tröst i att andra visar prov på deras tro! Kan du tänka dig? Han till och med går så långt att säga att nu lever vi när ni står fasta i Herren! Det för tårar till ögonen att föreställa sig den kärlek Paulus måste ha hafft till sin nästa.

Det leder blicken till mig själv i rannsakan av mitt hjärta. Älskar jag min nästan så som jag älskar mig själv? Eller älskar jag mig mer än min nästa och låter min vilja och egoism tynga alla i min omgivning? Har jag den kärlek som Paulus bar på i sitt hjärta, har jag i mitt hjärta den kärlek som Jesus bar på till alla människor? Skulle du kunna bära alla världens straff och smärtor med inget annat ljus i ditt liv än att din nästa står fast i Herren?

"Hur skall vi tillräckligt kunna tacka Gud för all den glädje som ni är för oss inför vår Gud? Natt och dag ber vi mycket och ivrigt om att få träffa er och ställa till rätta det som brister i er tro. Måtte vår Gud och Fadern själv och vår Herre Jesus leda vår resväg till er." - Tess 3:9-11

Det tar inte slut där, Paulus beskriver att de är så glada för deras skull att han inte vet hur de tillräckligt kan tacka Gud för all glädje de har. Vilken kontrast mellan Paulus kärlek till sin nästa och den kärlek som i alla fall jag upplever dominerar mellan de som bekänner sig följa Herren idag och vår nästa.

Och trots att Paulus och hans medarbetare har det ortolligt svårt och jobbigt, trots att dem lider varje dag under satans ständiga attacker och försök att hindre evangeliets framfart så låter inte Paulus stressen, smärtan och alla svårigheter han möter förmindska kärleken till sina bröder och systrar i Kristus. Om något blir den ännu större! Vilken skillnad på den själviska kärleken till sig själv och de egna behoven och den rena käleken som utgår från Kristus Jesus! Han till och med tar sig tid att skriva långa brev med hjälsningar, tillrättavisningar och uppmaningar trots den situationen han själv är i! Vilket exempel av sann gudsfruktan och kärlek! Han till och med ber och hoppas att Gud och Fadern själv och Herren Jesus skall leda deras vägar till varandra så att han kan träffa dem. Det är min uppfattning att sådan ovillkorlig och osjälvisk kärlek idag är en bristvara bland Guds barn.

Hur är din kärlek till din nästa? Bär du lidelse och smärta i glädje över andras tro på Gud, eller glädjer du dig över din egen tro och blir till lidelse och smärta för din nästa? Pekar dina handlingar, tal och uppträdande mot andra på den enorma kärleken Gud visade oss alla genom Hans Son Jesus Kristus?

Min bön för idag kan sammanfattas med följande verser...

"Och må Herren låta er växa till och överflöda i kärlek till varandra och till alla människor, så som vår kärlek till er gör, så att han styrker era hjärtan och gör er oförvitliga och heliga inför Gud och Fadern, när vår Herre Jesus kommer med alla sina heliga." - 1 Tess 3:12-13

Amen
 

God morgon!

Dagens andakt kommer från Kol 1. Läs gärna hela kapitlet, det finns mycket att förundras över. Kommer dela med mig av några verser som idag talat extra mycket.

"Han har frälst oss från mörkrets välde och fört oss in i sin älskade Sons rike. I honom är vi friköpta och har fått förlåtelse för våra synder." - Kol 1:13-14

Kan det finnas något mer försäkrande och tröstande än att vakna upp till dessa ord? Varje morgon borde vi stiga upp med Kristi offer för vår skull i sinnet. Jag tror vi måste lära oss att uppskatta mer och mer den enorma gåvan vi har i vår Herre Jesus Kristus. Vi är friköpta och förlåtna våra synder genom Lammets blod!

"Också ni som en gång var främmande för Gud och genom ert sinnelag och genom era onda gärningar hans fiender, också er har han nu försonat med sig, när han i sin jordiska kropp led döden. Han vill låta er träda fram inför sig heliga, fläckfria och oförvitliga, om ni verkligen står fasta och väl grundade i tron och inte låter er rubbas från hoppet i det evangelium som ni har hört och som har predikats för allt skapat under himlen och som jag, Paulus, har blivit satt att tjäna." - Kol 1:21-23 

Tack vare Jesus offerdöd är jag försonad med Honom! O, om man ändå kunde sjunga ordentligt! Men Herren ser till hjärtat och inte till hur rösten låter som tur är.

Vi har också ett otroligt löfte vi inte får missa i dessa verser. Om vi står fasta och är väl grundade i tron vill Jesus ställa oss heliga, fläckfria och oförvitliga inför Honom! Se till att du vet vad du tror och var noga med att grunda din tro i Guds Ord och inte i vad människor säger. Se till att du vet vad Bibeln lär så skall du inte rubbas från hoppet.

Min bön är att Gud skall föra oss in i hela sanningen om Hans karaktär och vilja. Att Han skall hjälpa oss att ödmjukt söka sanningen i Bibeln och inte bara lyssna till vad folk säger åt oss att tro. Jag ber också att vi skall få kraft att hålla Guds lag så att Han kan ge oss den heliga Anden i allt större mått. Att vi en dag skall kunna stå heliga, fläckfria och oförvitliga inför Kristus.

Amen