No Power can Separate from Christ, November 10

Daily Devotionals

No Power can Separate from Christ, November 10

  Thursday, November 10, 2016

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35. OHC 320.1
How precious in time of need is the assurance of union with Jesus! ... We can say. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation?”—No, for this makes us feel that Christ alone is our refuge, and we flee to Him for shelter. “Or distress?”—No, for He is our consolation. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort: who comforteth us in all our tribulation....” 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4. OHC 320.2
“Or persecution?”—No; “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10.... “Or famine?”—No, for we have God’s promise,... “In famine he shall redeem thee from death.” Job 5:20. “... In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.” Psalm 37:19. In fleeing unto Jesus we shall be fully satisfied. “Or nakedness?”—Hear the voice of Jesus saying, “Buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” Revelation 3:18.... “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment.” Revelation 3:5.... OHC 320.3
“Or peril?”—No; Paul knew by experience what it was to be in peril.... “In perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren.” 2 Corinthians 11:26. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee.” 2 Corinthians 12:9.... “Or sword?” ... The sword cannot kill the soul, for the life is hid with Christ in God. OHC 320.4
Well may we ask with Paul, “Who shall separate us from the love of God?” And answer, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38, 39. OHC 320.5
 

Before the Heavenly Universe, November 10

Daily Devotionals

Before the Heavenly Universe, November 10

  Thursday, November 10, 2016

For we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 1 Corinthians 4:9. HP 321.1
God desires His children to show the world what it means to sit together in heavenly places in Christ, “that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:7). This kindness He expects us to bring into our dealings with one another.... HP 321.2
The Lord desires His children to esteem one another as the purchase of the blood of Christ. When they do this they will know what it means to sit together in heavenly places in Christ. Our lips need to be sanctified with a live coal from the altar of God. Then we shall speak words that are elevating, refining, ennobling, words that are filled with the fragrance of Christ’s righteousness, words that are a savor of life unto life. HP 321.3
Christ wants His followers to be like Him, because He desires to be correctly represented in the family circle, in the church, and in the world. He wants us to attend to ourselves. When we do this we shall find that we have enough to keep us busy. We are to accept Christ as our efficiency, our strength, that we may reveal His character to the world. This is the work resting upon us as Christians. We are to witness to the power of heavenly grace. HP 321.4
But are there not many who are ... like a chestnut bur, hurting those with whom they come in contact? ... Those who represent Christ will not speak harshly. Their words will be pleasant and helpful. “Speaking the truth in love,” we “grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ ...” (Ephesians 4:15). HP 321.5
God wants His sons and daughters to reveal before the synagogue of Satan, before the heavenly universe, before the world, the power of His grace, that men and angels may know that Christ has not died in vain. Let us show the world that we have power from on high.... May God help His people to get out of the rut into which they have fallen, and come to the place where they can walk and talk with God. Then, as they reflect the light and joy of heaven, God Himself will rejoice over them with singing. HP 321.6
 

Before the Heavenly Universe, November 10

Daily Devotionals

Before the Heavenly Universe, November 10

  Thursday, November 10, 2016

For we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 1 Corinthians 4:9. HP 321.1
God desires His children to show the world what it means to sit together in heavenly places in Christ, “that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:7). This kindness He expects us to bring into our dealings with one another.... HP 321.2
The Lord desires His children to esteem one another as the purchase of the blood of Christ. When they do this they will know what it means to sit together in heavenly places in Christ. Our lips need to be sanctified with a live coal from the altar of God. Then we shall speak words that are elevating, refining, ennobling, words that are filled with the fragrance of Christ’s righteousness, words that are a savor of life unto life. HP 321.3
Christ wants His followers to be like Him, because He desires to be correctly represented in the family circle, in the church, and in the world. He wants us to attend to ourselves. When we do this we shall find that we have enough to keep us busy. We are to accept Christ as our efficiency, our strength, that we may reveal His character to the world. This is the work resting upon us as Christians. We are to witness to the power of heavenly grace. HP 321.4
But are there not many who are ... like a chestnut bur, hurting those with whom they come in contact? ... Those who represent Christ will not speak harshly. Their words will be pleasant and helpful. “Speaking the truth in love,” we “grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ ...” (Ephesians 4:15). HP 321.5
God wants His sons and daughters to reveal before the synagogue of Satan, before the heavenly universe, before the world, the power of His grace, that men and angels may know that Christ has not died in vain. Let us show the world that we have power from on high.... May God help His people to get out of the rut into which they have fallen, and come to the place where they can walk and talk with God. Then, as they reflect the light and joy of heaven, God Himself will rejoice over them with singing. HP 321.6
 

God’s Plan for Support of His Work, October 23

Daily Devotionals

God’s Plan for Support of His Work, October 23

  Sunday, October 23, 2016

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Proverbs 11:25. HP 303.1
The Lord has made the proclamation of the gospel dependent on the consecrated ability and the voluntary gifts and offerings of His people. While He has called men to preach the Word, He has made it the privilege of the whole church to share in the work by contributing of their means to its support. And He has bidden them also to care for the poor, as representatives of Himself. A tithe of all our income the Lord claims as His own, to be devoted solely to the support of those who give themselves to the preaching of the gospel. And besides this He asks of us gifts and offerings for His cause and also to supply the needs of the poor.... HP 303.2
The Lord is ever bestowing His blessings and mercies upon men. Should He withdraw these gifts we should perish. Every moment He has His human family in view. “He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). He gives us “fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). It is God who gives men power to get wealth. The quick, sharp thought, the ability to plan and execute, are from Him. It is He who blesses us with health and opens ways for us to acquire means by diligent use of our powers. And he says to us, “A portion of the money I have enabled you to gain is Mine. Put it into the treasury in tithes, in gifts and offerings, that there may be meat in Mine house—that there may be something to sustain those who carry the gospel of My grace to the world.” HP 303.3
God might have carried forward His work in the world, and have provided for the poor, without the cooperation of man. He asks for our service and our gifts, not only that we may thus manifest our love for Him and our fellow men but because the service and sacrifice for the good of others will strengthen the spirit of beneficence in the giver’s heart, allying us more closely to Him who was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich. And it is only as we thus imitate the Saviour’s example that our characters will be developed in His likeness. HP 303.4
 

God’s Prior Claims, October 22

Daily Devotionals

God’s Prior Claims, October 22

  Sunday, October 23, 2016

And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth. Deuteronomy 8:17, 18. HP 302.1
Those who love God supremely will realize that they are rich beyond computation in the wealth that God gives them.... Man possesses nothing to which he has an exclusive right. He does not even own himself; for he has been bought with a price, even the blood of the Son of God. Christ has a claim on all the property in our world. He can set in operation a train of circumstances which will sweep away the accumulated gain of years. He can also call in needed help for His children.... HP 302.2
It is God who gives man the breath of life. We cannot originate; we can only collect that which God has originated. He is our guardian, our counsellor; and more than this, from His liberal supply we derive all the skill, tact, and ability that we possess.... All you possess is His gift, for you had nothing with which to create or purchase it. It is given you, not to become a wedge to separate you from Him, but to help you in doing His service. HP 302.3
The moment a man loses sight of the fact that his capabilities and possessions are the Lord’s, that moment he is embezzling his Lord’s goods. He is acting the part of an unjust steward, provoking the Lord to transfer His goods to more faithful hands. God calls upon those to whom He has entrusted His goods to handle them faithfully, to show to the world that they are laboring for the salvation of sinners. He calls upon those who profess to be under His supervision not to misrepresent Him in character.... He daily loadeth us with benefits.... Let us glorify Him by imparting to others the abundance He has bestowed upon us. HP 302.4
O for love, sacred, holy, unselfish love! Let us, as the Lord’s representatives, realize what a terrible thing it is to misrepresent the Saviour by revealing selfishness. God calls upon His sons and daughters to show to the world that He is not selfish, but full of liberal, unselfish plans. He is waiting for channels through which to communicate the wealth of His love. HP 302.5
 

The Peril of Riches, October 21

Daily Devotionals

The Peril of Riches, October 21

  Thursday, October 20, 2016

     Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Mark 10:24, 25.  {HP 301.1} 

     It is God's plan that riches should be used properly, distributed to bless the needy and to advance the work of God. If men love their riches better than they love their fellow men, better than they love God or the truths of His Word, if their hearts are on their riches, they cannot have eternal life. . . . Here souls are proved; and like the rich young man, many go away sorrowful because they cannot have their riches and a treasure in heaven too. . . .  {HP 301.2} 
     "With God all things are possible" (verse 27). . . . Truth, sent home to the heart by the Spirit of God, will crowd out the love of riches. The love of Jesus and the love of money cannot dwell in the same heart. The love of God so far surpasses the love of money that the possessor breaks away from his riches and transfers his affections to God. Through love he is then led to minister to the wants of the needy and to assist the cause of God. It is his highest pleasure to make a right disposition of his Lord's goods. He holds all that he has as not his own, and faithfully discharges his duty as God's steward. . . . In this way it is possible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. . . .  {HP 301.3}
     Some give of their abundance, yet feel no lack. They do not practice self-denial for the cause of Christ. They give liberally and heartily, but they still have all that heart can wish. God regards it. The action and motive are strictly marked by Him, and they will not lose their reward.  {HP 301.4} 
     But those who have less means must not excuse themselves because they cannot do as much as some others. Do what you can. Deny yourself of some article you can do without and sacrifice for the cause of God. Like the poor widow, cast in your two mites. You will actually give more than all those who give of their abundance; and you will know how sweet it is to deny self, to give to the needy, to sacrifice for the truth, and to lay up treasure in heaven.  {HP 301.5}