"The heart of man may be the abode of the Holy Spirit. The peace of Christ that passeth understanding may rest in your soul, and the transforming power of His grace may work in your life and fit you for the courts of glory. But if brain and nerve and muscle are all employed in the service of self, you are not making God and heaven the first consideration of your life. It is impossible to be weaving the graces of Christ into your character while you are putting all your energies on the side of the world. You may be successful in heaping up treasure on the earth for the glory of self, but "where your treasure is, there you heart will be also" (Matt. 6:21). Eternal considerations will be made of secondary importance. You may take part in the outward forms of worship, but your service will be an abomination to the God of heaven..." (That I May Know Him Aug. 4)

A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust. Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ. Your weakness is united with His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might. So you are not to look to yourself, not to let the mind dwell on self, but look to Christ. Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, the perfection, of HIs character. Christ in His self-denial, Christ in His humiliation, Christ in HIs purity and holiness, Christ in His matchless love,--this is the subject for the soul's contemplation. It is by loving Him, copying him, depending wholly upon Him, that you are to be transformed into His likeness. (STC p. 70, 71)

It would be well for us to spend a thoughful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit." (DA p. 83)


"LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN YOUR HEARTS," AND "BE YE THANKFUL" (Col. 3:15

Some Words..

I have been having a really exciting summer. Lots of things to do...babysitting, changing lots of diapers, spending time with my wonderful family, and some time with friends too. One thing that I have been noticing more and more recently is how easy it is to compromise my relationship with the Lord. Just today I almost caught myself giving in to the pressure...giving up for the sake of "it's to hard to say no". But then I thought of the martyr's who risked their very lives for Jesus. Although my punishment wasn't being burned at the stake, I realized if I couldn't stand up in this small situation, I was never going to be able to. I have been finding that in life God is constantly calling us to a higher standard. The devil wants me to be pulled down and uses all the things in his power in order to do so. But the Lord is stronger and way more powerful then the devil and He has a way. A much more challenging, much more character building way. But a way whose reward is far more rewarding then the way of this world. It is eternally priceless...

And all those times when we feel like giving up because the straight and narrow hurts to much? We need to remember that His way is always best, even if it doesn't feel like it. He has a plan--a purpose. Ellen White says, "When God brings us into trial, He has a purpose to accomplish for our good. Jesus did not presume on God’s promises by going unbidden into temptation, neither did He give up to despondency when temptation came upon Him. Nor should we. “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” He says, “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High: and call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” 1 Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 50: 14, 15 DA 128

"When I am afraid I will trust in You." Psalm 56:3 

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

Thank you Lord for caring so much. Help me to trust you, that you will help me to fulfill your purpose in my life.  I love you so much.