Tag / ministry of healing

by In Light Of The Cross

Even When we Make Mistakes Jesus Never Leaves or Forsakes us

This coming April I will be celebrating 21 years in Florida. I have a heart full of wonderful memories and experiences here, but it was not exactly a smooth start when I first came here.

I would not trade the last 21 years for anything. However, there were a few bumps in the road when I first got here. For one thing I was not prepared for the  spike in car insurance prices. Also, I first came to Florida as a local hire Bible Worker, which means my pay came from the local church I was hired by and not the conference office. The church made some mistakes in quoting my salary, and in the end the conference had to point out to them that my actual salary was much less than what was quoted in my offer letter.  After such a mistake I wanted to leave right away, but  I was broke and had no money to move back home to Texas.

So, there I was back in 2004 in a strange place with no money, without any close friends yet and a job that was not going to pay enough for me to get by. It looked like I had made a huge mistake. I thought I was so foolish to have made  this move when I ran across this passage that sprang hope into my heart.

Whatever our situation, if we are doers of His word, we have a Guide to direct our way; whatever our perplexity, we have a sure Counselor; whatever our sorrow, bereavement, or loneliness, we have a sympathizing Friend. If in our ignorance we make missteps, the Saviour does not forsake us. We need never feel that we are alone. Angels are our companions. The Comforter that Christ promised to send in His name abides with us. In the way that leads to the City of God there are no difficulties which those who trust in Him may not overcome. There are no dangers which they may not escape. There is not a sorrow, not a grievance, not a human weakness, for which He has not provided a remedy. –Ellen White, Ministry of Healing, Pages 248-249

I found this passage to be so encouraging! Even if I had made missteps and ignorantly ended up in the wrong state with the wrong job Jesus was still with me and was still going to care for me! That passage comforted me with all the assurance I needed to hear. So many times, we comfort each other with promises that God will take care of us when we are making wise choices, but now I was assured Jesus is still with me and cares for me when I make mistakes.

Incidentally during this time I thought I had found a better job here in Florida. The pest control man came to my church one day during the week, and I started talking to him, and asked if he was hiring. He told me he was, and we talked, and he had already basically hired me when he asked how I was going to do my Bible work while working for him. Now keep in mind the pest control man was not a Seventh-day Adventist. I told him I would be quitting my Bible Worker job to work for him. He stepped away from me and waving his hands, he said, “No way! I am not going to hire you. I will not be responsible for taking a man out of the ministry!”

Soon things started turning around, and I got raises, and other miraculous things started falling into place. More importantly I started making some of the best friends I have ever had, and God blessed my ministry with scores of Bible studies and baptisms. My church became very supportive of me and my ministry, and it soon became apparent that I had made no mistake by coming to Florida. I look back now and see how even when I was broke I was never stuck in Florida. I was securely fastened in God’s loving hands. 21 years later I look back now, and think about the pest control man refusing to hire me because he was not going to take me out of the ministry. That was a God thing! God had a plan the entire time.

Still, that passage from Ministry of Healing was so encouraging.

If in our ignorance we make missteps, the Saviour does not forsake us. We need never feel that we are alone.

21 years later, after hundreds of baptisms, and countless Bible studies and precious friendships forged along the way, I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that moving to Florida was no mistake. God knew exactly what He was doing the entire time. However, I do make mistakes. I do make wrong choices sometimes. How good to know that even when I make mistakes, or missteps as Ellen Whtie calls them, Jesus is still with me, loving and caring for me. Friend, I have no idea where you are right now. Maybe you have made missteps or maybe you are exactly where God planned for you to be the whole time, but things may a little rough right now. Either way, your Savior will not forsake you even when you make missteps. You are not alone. Jesus is with you just as much as He was with me. Jesus loves me a lot I know, but I am not His favorite. He loves you just as much, and some wonderful miracles are headed your way too!

You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.

by In Light Of The Cross

Jesus Wept; The Bible and Human Emotions, Lesson 6

I am writing today from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.

Thoughts on Lesson 6. You may also download the SS lessons to your android phone.

 Often your mind may be clouded because of pain. Then do not try to think. You know that Jesus loves you. He understands your weakness. You may do His will by simply resting in His arms. It is a law of nature that our thoughts and feelings are encouraged and strengthened as we give them utterance. While words express thoughts, it is also true that thoughts follow words. If we would give more expression to our faith, rejoice more in the blessings that we know we have,–the great mercy and love of God,–we should have more faith and greater joy. No tongue can express, no finite mind can conceive, the blessing that results from appreciating the goodness and love of God. Even on earth we may have joy as a wellspring, never failing, because fed by the streams that flow from the throne of God.  {Ministry of Healing, p. 251-3}

After reading the following passage from Steps to Christ, I have adopted the attitude of, picking the flowers, and leaving the thorns alone.  As we collect memories from our lives, why not pick the flowers and leave the thorns alone?

 Many, walking along the path of life, dwell upon their mistakes and failures and disappointments, and their hearts are filled with grief and discouragement. While I was in Europe, a sister who had been doing this, and who was in deep distress, wrote to me, asking for some word of encouragement. The night after I had read her letter I dreamed that I was in a garden, and one who seemed to be the owner of the garden was conducting me through its paths. I was gathering the flowers and enjoying their fragrance, when this sister, who had been walking by my side, called my attention to some unsightly briers that were impeding her way. There she was mourning and grieving. She was not walking in the pathway, following the guide, but was walking among the briers and thorns. “Oh,” she mourned, “is it not a pity that this beautiful garden is spoiled with thorns?” Then the guide said, “Let the thorns alone, for they will only wound you. Gather the roses, the lilies, and the pinks.” 

     Have there not been some bright spots in your experience? Have you not had some precious seasons when your heart throbbed with joy in response to the Spirit of God? When you look back into the chapters of your life experience do you not find some pleasant pages? Are not God’s promises, like the fragrant flowers, growing beside your path on every hand? Will you not let their beauty and sweetness fill your heart with joy? 

     The briers and thorns will only wound and grieve you; and if you gather only these things, and present them to others, are you not, besides slighting the goodness of God yourself, preventing those around you from walking in the path of life? 

     It is not wise to gather together all the unpleasant recollections of a past life,–its iniquities and disappointments,–to talk over them and mourn over them until we are overwhelmed with discouragement. A discouraged soul is filled with darkness, shutting out the light of God from his own soul and casting a shadow upon the pathway of others.  Thank God for the bright pictures which He has presented to us. Let us group together the blessed assurances of His love, that we may look upon them continually: The Son of God leaving His Father’s throne, clothing His divinity with humanity, that He might rescue man from the power of Satan; His triumph in our behalf, opening heaven to men, revealing to human vision the presence chamber where the Deity unveils His glory; the fallen race uplifted from the pit of ruin into which sin had plunged it, and brought again into connection with the infinite God, and having endured the divine test through faith in our Redeemer, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and exalted to His throne–these are the pictures which God would have us contemplate.  {Steps to Christ, p. 117-18}

by In Light Of The Cross

Redemption in Romans, Lesson 11

I am writing today from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.

Friday’s section of this week’s SS Lesson asks, “What can we learn from the mistakes of many in ancient Israel? How can we avoid doing the same things today?”

I think as a whole we have the same struggle ancient Israel had when it comes to a proper association with the rest of the world. It appears to me, that either we join them in “Baal worship” or we have nothing to do with them whatsoever.  Jesus showed us the perfect balance to take.  In Matthew 5:13 Jesus says we are the salt of the earth. Salt is to have saving qualities. At the same time, salt must be mixed with the food in order to have any kind of savor. Likewise we must have some association with the world. Please allow me to share some quotes from the classic Desire of Ages and Ministry of Healing, that may help us find a healthy balance.

As disciples of Christ we shall not mingle with the world from a mere love of pleasure, to unite with them in folly. Such associations can result only in harm. We should never give sanction to sin by our words or our deeds, our silence or our presence. Wherever we go, we are to carry Jesus with us, and to reveal to others the preciousness of our Saviour. But those who try to preserve their religion by hiding it within stone walls lose precious opportunities of doing good. Through the social relations, Christianity comes in contact with the world. Everyone who has received the divine illumination is to brighten the pathway of those who know not the Light of life.   We should all become witnesses for Jesus. Social power, sanctified by the grace of Christ, must be improved in winning souls to the Saviour. Let the world see that we are not selfishly absorbed in our own interests, but that we desire others to share our blessings and privileges. Let them see that our religion does not make us unsympathetic or exacting. Let all who profess to have found Christ, minister as He did for the benefit of men.  –Desire of Ages, p.  152

  Jesus saw in every soul one to whom must be given the call to His kingdom. He reached the hearts of the people by going among them as one who desired their good. He sought them in the public streets, in private houses, on the boats, in the synagogue, by the shores of the lake, and at the marriage feast. He met them at their daily vocations, and manifested an interest in their secular affairs. He carried His instruction into the household, bringing families in their own homes under the influence of His divine presence. His strong personal sympathy helped to win hearts.– Desire of Ages, p. 151

     Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me.”–The Ministry of Healing, p. 143

How big of a mission field do you have as an ambassador for Christ? How many non Christians do you have on your cell phone contact list? In other words how many non Christians do you come in contact with on a friendly every day basis?  How many non Christians do you have as Facebook friends? Are you being exclusive and reclusive like the Pharisees or are you reaching out to the world in the same way Christ did? Christ calls us all to be missionaries. He may not need us to go overseas but He may be asking you to leave your big comfy church and Christian Community and move to a dark county where there are no churches for miles and start mingling with the people there and start a new church. He may be asking you to drop out of your church softball league and join a secular league where you can reach people you could reach no other way. I am just thinking out loud here, but you get the idea. 🙂 In Isaiah 58 God tells ancient Israel that while they thought they were worshipping God by debating theology in the temple with their friends, that real worship is going out to share His love and mercy with the world.

You may find more studies and devotionals at In Light Of The Cross.