It's a Deal

Those who will:

1. put on the whole armor of God, and

2. devote some time every day to:

a. meditation and prayer, and to

b. the study of the Scriptures

will:

1. be connected with heaven,

2. have a saving, transforming influence upon those around them,

3. have great thoughts, noble aspirations, and clear perceptions of truth and duty to God;

6. will be yearning for purity, for light, for love, for all the graces of heavenly birth;

7. their earnest prayers will enter into that within the veil;

8. they will have a sanctified boldness to come into the presence of the Infinite One;

9. they will feel that heaven's light and glories are for them, and

10. they will become refined, elevated, ennobled by this intimate acquaintance with God.

Such is the privilege of true Christians!

Testimonies v. 5, 112–113

Excelsior

Why Creation Matters

The biblical doctrine of Creation (first things) and the biblical doctrine of Eschatology (last things) are the bookends that anchor the central (or “the center of”) biblical doctrine, Christology. With either bookend missing, the grand doctrine of soteriology (how we are saved) falls, and with it Adventism as a biblically-driven movement.

I dare you to read this and tell me there can be such a thing as an "Adventist Evolutionist!"

Excelsior

Third Person

DA 671 -

"The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail. (Wow!) The power of evil had been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men to this satanic captivity was amazing. (If that was true then, it applies a fortiori today!) Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of the divine power. (Change "would" to "will" and you have the Latter Rain.) It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world's Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church." That is perhaps the most powerful, practical promise in the world. She was making a profound statement about behavioral science, neuroscience, genetics, and epigenetics!

Holy Spirit, Mold me, Make me, Use me, Uphold me, Transform me. Amen.

Excelsior

Pocket Internship

I am in the midst of that peculiar period during the first year of law school when students compose and dispatch numerous formulaic requests for consideration, nervously trying to find the right balance between obsequious begging and arrogant bragging that will net them the perfect summer position. With internships on my mind, and a yearning for a deeper, more informed friendship with Jesus in my heart, I came across this inspiring* little quote:

"Upon the right improvement of our time depends our success in acquiring knowledge and mental culture. The cultivation of the intellect need not be prevented by poverty, humble origin, or unfavorable surroundings. Only let the moments be treasured.

A few moments here and a few there, that might be frittered away in aimless talk; the morning hours so often wasted in bed; the time spent in traveling on the trams or railway cars, or waiting at the station; the moments of waiting for meals, waiting for those who are tardy in keeping an appointment—if a book were kept at hand, and these fragments of time were improved in study, reading, or careful thought, what might not be accomplished. A resolute purpose, persistent industry, and careful economy of time will enable men to acquire knowledge and mental discipline which will qualify them for almost any position of influence and usefulness." Christ's Object Lessons, 344

What a neat, practical way to gain fitness for positions of influence and usefulness! This is a lesson I want to take to heart. Here are my ideas:

• listening to scripture songs on my way to school,
• reading snatches of StC during study breaks instead of flipping over to Google news,
• listening to GYC seminars while running

What ideas do you have?

Excelsior

*I wish there was a word that described this feeling better--not just inspiring, but also convicting. "Conspiring" doesn't seem to be quite what I'm looking for; maybe "invicting"?

Salvation, California-style

(http://gearjunkie.com/images/3902.jpg)

You're dead. Practically anyway. You're floundering on the floor of Death Valley, and it's merely a matter of time until the buzzards move in.

Good news: Jesus is there. He's come down into Death Valley, and He asks you if you want to live. When you say yes, He takes your hand. At that instant, you're saved. You've crossed over from Death to Life.

But Jesus doesn't stay still for long. He lives on top of Mt. Whitney, and He wants to take you with Him. But that entails movement--a constant stream of choices. "Will I keep holding His hand here?" "What about here?" "I'm tired; it's hot; I'd rather go the other way."

Salvation is simply a matter of clasping the hand of Jesus and choosing to keep holding on.

Ever Upward