Do this to glorify God. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

To preach good tidings to the poor,

To heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives,

To open the prison for those who are bound,

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,

To proclaim the day of vengeance of our God,

To comfort all who mourn,

To console those who mourn in Zion,

To give them beauty for ashes,

To give them the oil of joy for mourning,

To give them the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,

That they may be called trees of righteousness,

The planting of the Lord

That He may be glorified.

(Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Is 61:1–3.)

My Thoughts:

    God is so good to me. He loves me so much.

    When I reflect on these verses from Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Is 61:1–3., I wonder why they focus on the poor, the captives, and those who mourn. Then I realized: these verses describe the condition of humanity—my condition. Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Ro 6:23. says, "For the wages of sin is death..."

    I need to know that God loves me. I need healing for my sinful and broken heart. I need freedom from sin. I need a way out of the prison of my sinfulness. I need to hear about the Lord's pleasure and His acceptable year. I even need to hear about the day of vengeance.

    Let me pause here for a moment. Verse 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Is 61:2. mentions "the acceptable year of the Lord" and contrasts it with "the day of vengeance of our God." Think about that for a second—an entire year of the Lord's favor versus a single day of vengeance. God is so good to me. He loves me so much that He wants me to know this: vengeance is not His focus. It’s a single day. Not 360 days, not eternity—just one day. Isn't that amazing? Thank You, Jesus!

    And then, God promises to comfort me in my mourning—the mourning for the death of self. He even allows me to take the time to mourn this loss. Then, He promises to exchange my ashes for beauty. How incredible is that? He will anoint me with the oil of joy and clothe me with the garment of praise.

    This garment of praise reminds me of the story of the prodigal son. But anyway, back to Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Ro 6:23.: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

    This is the blueprint. I first need to know that my Lord loves me. Not only does He love me, but He loves me so much that He gave His only begotten Son so I could be saved. In response, I’m called to share His love and proclaim His goodness to others.

    But how good is my God? Oh, He is more than good—He is love. If you haven’t seen my God and my Savior, I dare you to find Him. Jeremiah 29:13And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Je 29:13. says, "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."

Steps in Conversion

    I recently stumbled upon a powerful quote:

         "Repentance, faith, and baptism are the requisite steps in conversion."

– Letter 174, 1909 Repentance, faith, and baptism are the requisite steps in conversion. Christ Himself was baptized by John. When John would forbid Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?” Jesus replied, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.” [Matthew 3:14, 15.]

Letters and Manuscripts—Volume 24 (1909), Lt 174, 1909, par. 2.

    It got me thinking. Imagine this: you welcome a beautiful baby into the world, weighing 8 pounds and 5 ounces. A year goes by, and the baby is still the same weight. Another year passes, and nothing changes—no growth, no development, no progress. Wouldn’t you be alarmed? Concerned? Heartbroken?

    Now, here’s the tough question: could this be a mirror of our spiritual lives as Seventh-day Adventists?

    Many of us have been in the church for years—some for 8, 10, even 20 years—sitting in the same pews, singing the same hymns, and listening to sermon after sermon. Outwardly, we might appear to be solid, “converted” Christians. But has there been real growth? Has our faith matured?

    The truth is sobering: complete conversion is something we will only fully realize when Jesus returns. But here’s the challenge—conversion is not a one-time event; it’s a journey, a daily process of surrender and transformation. Yet so often, we convince ourselves that we’re spiritually wealthy, that we’ve “arrived” because of what we know or how we act. But listen to what Jesus says:

        "You do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”

– Revelation 3:17-19 (NKJV) Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Re 3:17–19.

    This is a call to wake up. Every day, we’re invited to commit our lives to Christ anew, to seek His wisdom, and to grow in Him. When Jesus says, “Buy from Me gold refined in the fire”, He’s asking us to immerse ourselves in His Word, to listen for His voice, and to embrace His refining work in our lives.

    Ellen G. White puts it beautifully in Patriarchs and Prophets:

        "God speaks to His people in blessings bestowed; and when these are not appreciated, He speaks to them in blessings removed, that they may be led to see their sins, and return to Him with all the heart."

– Patriarchs and Prophets, p 470 The removal of their beloved leader would be a far stronger rebuke to Israel than any which they could have received had his life and mission been continued. God would lead them to feel that they were not to make the life of their future leader as trying as they had made that of Moses. God speaks to His people in blessings bestowed; and when these are not appreciated, He speaks to them in blessings removed, that they may be led to see their sins, and return to Him with all the heart.

Ellen Gould White, The Story of Patriarchs and Prophets as Illustrated in the Lives of Holy Men of Old, vol. 1, Conflict of the Ages Series (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1890), 470.

    That quote humbles me. How often do we, in our pride and self-reliance, push God to the margins? How often do we justify our sins or rely on our own strength? And yet, God, in His infinite love, sometimes withholds blessings—not to punish us, but to bring us back to Him.

    This reminds me of my own need for daily repentance. Conversion isn’t just a one-time event marked by baptism; it’s a daily dying to self and living anew in Christ. Without repentance, faith, and a continual commitment to baptism’s deeper meaning, we risk stagnation—remaining like that unchanged 8-pound baby, unable to grow or mature spiritually.

    Jesus’ words echo in my heart:

        "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent."

– Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Re 3:19.

So here’s my prayer: that each day, we take the steps toward true conversion. That we repent, have faith, and live out the meaning of our baptism. Let’s not settle for spiritual complacency but strive for growth, trusting that Christ’s love will sustain and transform us.

Let’s grow together in Him.

– A.F. Lolowang

AudioVerse, heard on 5/21/2010

As I was studying my Bible, I was disturbed somehow and I had this feeling to play this file that I've downloaded from AudioVerse.org and was really blessed. I do hope that you too will be blessed. Happy Sabbath and God bless. :)

Live Profoundly, by Shawn Boonstra

A Work of Reform

The Great Controversy, Chapter 26.

"Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved" (John 3:20).

Hallowed by the Creator's rest and blessing, the Sabbath was kept by Adam in his innocence in Eden. From that day to the present, the knowledge of God's law has been preserved in the earth, and the Sabbath of the fourth commandment has been kept by God's people.
Those who received the light concerning the sanctuary and the unchanging nature of the law of God were filled with joy and wonder as the saw the beauty and harmony of the system of truth that opened to their understanding. But truths that would place them at variance with the world were not welcome to many who claimed to be followers of Christ. Those who did not search the Scriptures for themselves were content to accept conclusions in accordance with their desires. The majority of Miller's followers rejected the truths concerning the sanctuary and the law of God, and many also renounced their faith in the Advent Movement.
The history of ancient Israel is a striking illustration of the past experience of the Adventist body. Had the Israelites kept trusting God, who led them out of Egypt, they would have gone directly into the Promised Land. It was not God's will that Israel should wander forty years in the wilderness. In the same way, it was not God's will that Christ's coming should be so long delayed.

Key Thought: The great obstacle both to the acceptance and to the promulgation of truth is the fact that it involves inconvenience and reproach. This is the only argument against the truth which its advocates have never been able to refute. But this does not deter the true followers of Christ. These do not wait for truth to become popular....
"Whatever may be their profession, it is only those who are world servers at heart that act from policy rather than principle in religious things. We should choose the right because it is right, and leave consequences with God" (The Great Controversy,p. 460).

Today's Lesson: The majority have always chosen the path of least resistance, preferring to please self rather than God.

The Voice of Stern Rebuke

The Voice of Stern Rebuke

Prophets and Kings, Chapter 10.

"Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee" (1 Kings 17:9 - KJV).

Elijah had been miraculously fed for many months by the Brook Cherith, but now the brook had run dry. The widow whom God had designated to care for His prophet was not an Israelite, but she was a believer in the true God and walked in all the light shining on her pathway. Amazingly, Elijah could not find safety in Israel but had to find refuge in a foreign country.
The widespread famine had affected the widow, as well, and when Elijah arrived, he discovered how little food she had. In fact, the remaining oil and meal would make only one final meal for her and her son. After that, starvation seemed to be their only prospect. So, Elijah's request for a little food was a true test of her faith. And what a reward she received in response to her remarkable faith! Her barrel of meal and her jar of oil did not fail until the familne ended and the rains returned.
Three years had gone by since Elijah had stood before Ahab and announced God's judgments against Israel. now, when the prophet and the king again came face to face, Ahab's first question was, "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" (1 Kings 18:17). How typical for the wrongdoer to hold God's messenger for the consequences of his own departure from righteousness!
But Elijah turned the question back on Ahab and requested that he gather 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets that ate at Jezebel's table for a meeting on Mount Carmel.

Key Thought: "Today there is need of the voice of stern rebuke; for grievous sins have separated the people from God. Infidelity is fast becoming fashionable.... The smooth sermons so often preached make no lasting impression; the trumpet does not give a certain sound. Men are not cut to the heart by the plain, sharp truths of God's word" (Prophets and Kings, p. 140).

Today's Lesson: In times of crisis, God is looking for those who are prepared to take an unambiguous stand for the right regardless of consequences.
Love Makes a Way: Walking with Jesus from Eden to Eternity, Herbert Edger Douglass

Random thought... What does it take to be with God?

Matthew 14:22-33 NKJV - Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

On this story of “Jesus walking on the lake”, I found a great lesson in it that I wish to share toward young people who walk with Christ.
Let's look at the scenario in the disciples' point of view. Jesus has made His disciples to go ahead before Him. It is night time, and they were tossed by the wave to the middle of the sea without Jesus’ presence in their boat.

I believe that in our Christian life, like the disciples, Jesus let trials and tribulations to come into our life and we often have to go through darkness, tribulations and trials, until we found ourselves living in the middle of nowhere, being tossed by the media and the influence of this world until Jesus walked on water to meet us and even when we’ve found Him, fears and doubts came, like the disciples that they could not even recognize Jesus.

Once Jesus introduced himself to them and assured them to not worry, Peter asked Jesus if he can come to Him on the water and Jesus said, “Come.”

I really love this story and the statement of Jesus. “Come.”
When we get to know Christ, and when Christ enters our life, we are tried through the waves of the world to see our dedication for Him. Are we really committed to serve Him? So when we are committed to go to Christ, Jesus opened up His arm and tells us to “come.” Isn’t it exciting?
As Peter walks to meet Jesus on the water, the Bible says that the wind was boisterous (rough and stormy) and Peter was afraid and he began to sink.
What does it take for young people to walk with Jesus?
Call on Him, get out of your comfort zone, and even though you will be doing something impossible like walking on water, with Jesus, you can do it.
We got to understand that working for Jesus enrage Satan and he will send us rough and stormy winds in our life to keep our focus away from Jesus and he’ll causes us to be afraid.
Jesus does not promise that when you come to Him everything will be wonderful but He promised He’ll be there, just come to Him. Peter, with no hesitation took the chance to do something impossible, to walk on water for Jesus. Peter, in his walk with Jesus had fallen more than once, he betrayed Jesus, yet, Jesus opened up His arms and told Peter to “come.” No matter how far you’ve gone from Christ, with open arms, nailed on the cross, he asks us to come to Him.
That's the thought of my day. May God bless you in a way that you can not imagine, for His thought surpasses yours and mine. :) God bless.

Devotional - Liberty of Conscience Threatened (TGC Chap 35.)

"I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast." - Revelation 13:3, NKJV.

100+ World leaders attended
pope John Paul II's funeral

List of world dignitaries that
attended pope John Paul II's funeral
can be found here:
http://www.religion-cults.com/pope/tributes.htm

Let the restraints now imposed by secular governments be removed and Rome be reinstated to her former power, and there would quickly be a revival of her tyranny and persecution. Of course, there are sincere, genuine Christians in the Roman Catholic communion, living up to the best light they have—just as there are good Christians in every church.

President G. W. Bush with
pope John Paul II in 6-4-2004

Presiden W. J. Clinton and wife
with pope John Paul II in 10-5-1995

But as a religious system, Roman Catholicism is no more in harmony with the gospel of Christ now than it has been at any earlier period in its history. The Protestant churches are in great darkness or they would discern the solid growth of Catholicism throughout the world. Protestants have made compromises and concessions which Catholics themselves are surprised to see and fail to understand.

President G. H. W. Bush with
pope John Paul II in 5-27-1989

President R. Reagan with
pope John Paul II in 5-2-1984

The Roman Catholic Church today presents a fair front to the world, covering her record of cruelties with apologies. The papacy can be winsome in its appeal, embracing two types of people—those who want to be saved by their own merits and those who want to be saved without giving up sin. This is a secret of Rome's power.

Presiden J. Carter with
pope John Paul II in 10-6-1979

President R. M. Nixon with
pope Paul VI in 9-28-1970

God has given us warnings in His Word of the dangers posed to religious liberty in the last days. As freedom are removed, those who believe God and obey Him will suffer persecution.

President L. B. Johnson with
pope Paul VI in 10-4-1965

President J. F. Kennedy with
pope Paul VI in 7-2-1963

President D. D. Eisenhower with
pope JohnXXIII in 12-6-1959

Key Thought: " Protestants little know what they are doing when they propose to accept the aid of Rome in the work of Sunday exaltation. While they are bent upon the accomplishment of their purpose, Rome is aiming to re-establish her power, to recover her lost supremacy. Let the principle once be established in the United States that the church may employ or control the power of the state; that religious observances may be enforced by secular laws; in short, that the authority of church and state is to dominate the conscience, and the triumph of Rome in this country is assured" (The Great Controversy, p.581).

Today's Lesson: Movements are taking place today that will result in all the world looking to the papacy for spiritual guidance and direction.

1 Corinthians 1:25 - 29

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.