Dare to be a Daniel...dare to stand alone.

Salvation in Christ

When we daily accept Christ, we open ourselves to the entire salvation process. Christ both justifies (Romans 5:1,2) us through His sacrificial death and sanctifies (1 Thessalonians 5:23) us through His righteous life. At all times we must depend completely upon Christ. He is the source of our salvation and life, both now and in the future. Christ has made possible the only way of escape from sin and this earth.

Through Faith Alone (clarifying the issues)

Many young men are sent forth to Labor who do not understand the plan of salvation and what true conversion is; in fact, they need to be converted. We neeed to be enlightened on this point, and the ministers need to be educated to dwell more particularly upon the subjects which explain true conversion. All who are baptized are to give evidence that they have been converted. There is not a point that needs to be dwelt upon more earnestly, repeated more frequently, or established more firmly in the minds of all than the imposibility of fallen man meriting anything by his own best good works. Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

When this question is investigated we are pained to the heart to see how trivial are the remarks of those who ought to understand the mystery of Godliness. They speak so unguardedly  of the true ideas of our brethren who profess to believe the truth and teach the truth. They come far short of the real facts as they have been laid open before me. The enemy has so entangled their minds in the mist of fog and earthliness and it seems so ingrained into their understanding that it has become a part of theire faith and character. It is only a new conversion that can change them and cause them to give up these false ideas- for this is just what they are shown to me to be. They cling to them as a drowning man clings to a life preserver, to keep them from sinking and making shipwreck of faith.

Christ has given me words to speak: “Ye must be born again, else you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Therefore all who have the right understanding of this manner should put away their controversial spirit and seek the lord with all their hearts. Then they will find Christ and can give distinctive character to their religious experience. They should keep this matter-the simplicity of true Godliness- distinctly before the people in every discourse. This will come home to the heart of every hungering, thirsting soul who is longing to come into the assurance of hope and faith and perfect trust in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let the subject be made distinct and plain that it is not possible to effect anything in our standing before God or in the gift of God to us through creature merit. Should faith and works purchase the gift of salvation for anyone, then the Creator is under obligation to the creature. Here is an opportunity for falsehood to be accepted as truth. If any man can merit salvation by anything he may do, then he is in the same position as the Catholic to do penance for his sins. salvation, then, is partly of debt, that may be earned as wages. If man cannot by any of his good works, merit salvation, then it must be wholly of grace, recieved by man as a sinner because he recieves and believes in Jesus. It is wholly a free gift. Justification by faith is placed beyond controversy. And all this controversy has ended, as soon as the matter is settled that the merits of fallen man in his good works can never procure eternal life for him.

-Faith and Works: Ellen G white

By the grace of God I was baptized yesterday in the most beautiful river side setting. Father, Son, Holy Spirit, friends and family all the angels of heaven watching over as I made the commtiment to die to self and follow Christ with my all. Some good friends of mine gave me this book, “Faith and Works” by Ellen G White and just a few pages in the Lord captured my heart yet again by setting before me exactly what I needed to hear at just the right time. It just shows that as you follow Christ he will do magnificent things and constantly remind you that you are on the right path. This chapter was an absolute blessing to me and I pray that it be a blessing to you as well :)

Today is the day

A heart made new

Forever, My Lord

I will follow you

God Hears prayer

And God hears prayer. Christ has said, “If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John14:14. Again He says, “If any man serve Me, him will my Father honor.” John12:26. if we live according to his word, every precious promise He has given will be fulfilled to us. We are undeserving of his mercy, but as we give ourselves to Him, He receives us. He will work for and through those who follow Him.

But only as we live in obedience to His Word can we claim the fulfillment of His promises. The psalmist says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Psalm 66:18. If we render to Him only a partial halfhearted obedience, His promises will not be fulfilled to us.

In the the Word of God we have instruction relative to special prayer for the recovery of the sick. But the offering of such prayer is a most solemn act, and should not be entered upon without careful consideration. In many cases of prayer for the healing of the sick, that which is called faith is nothing less than presumption.

Many persons bring disease upon themselves by their self-indulgence. They have not lived in accordance with the natural law or the principles of strict purity. Others have disregarded the laws of health in their habits of eating and drinking, dressing, or working. often some form of vice is the cause of feebleness of mind or body. Should these persons gain the blessing  of health, many of them would continue to persue the same course of heedless transgression of God’s natural and spiritual laws, reasoning that if God heals them in answer to prayer, they are not at liberty to continue their unhealthful practices and to indulge perverted appetite without restraint. If God were to work a miracle in restoring these persons to health, He would be encouraging sin.

It is labor lost to teach people to look to God as a healer of their infirmities, unless they are taught also to lay aside unhealthful practices. In order to recieve His blessing in answer to prayer, they must cease to do evil and learn to do well. Their surroundings must be sanitary, their habits of life correct. They must live in harmony with the law of God, both natural and spiritual.

Source: Life at it’s best (Ministry of Healing)

Have a happy Sabbath everyone and my the Lord’s blessings be upon you on this day :)