Evening Devotional Snippet:Challenged,Revived and Inspired

Many of us have neglected to study the Scriptures. We have failed to develop such characters as Christ can use. The Son of God left the courts of glory and came to our world to partake of its temptations and hardships that He might lift us up and make us sons and daughters of God. He calls upon us individually to take up our appointed work wherever we are. We are to watch for souls as they that must give an account. We are to do what we can to minister to the spiritual needs of mankind....

Every day we are building character. Let us build on the Rock, Christ Jesus. This sure foundation will stand for every one of us.—Manuscript 85, August 21, 1909, sermon preached at Nevada, Iowa.

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11.

There are many who profess to be followers of Christ who do not have an eye single to His glory. They have their own ideas and standards, and they keep these before them instead of the standard of the Word of God. What we need is pure and undefiled religion. We need to plead for the righteousness that comes to the truly converted soul who accepts the life of the Redeemer as his example.

Let us not think that we can pass through this world doing just as we please and yet be accepted by God as followers of His Son. The gates of the City of God will never be thrown open to those who have not lifted the cross and followed after Christ in self-denial and self-sacrifice. We are never to lose sight of the fact that if ever we come into possession of the kingdom of glory, we must accept by faith the merits of Jesus Christ.-The Upward Look,p247

There is a world to be saved. What are you doing to cooperate with Christ? What are you doing to represent His humility of spirit? Are you seeking to become acquainted with those who are afflicted and suffering, and who need your help? Are you using your opportunities and advantages and means in winning souls to Christ? You may say, “I am not a minister, and therefore cannot preach the truth.” You may not be a minister in the generally accepted sense of the word; you may never be called to stand in the desk. Nevertheless, you can be a minister for Christ. If you will have your eyes opened to see the opportunities that present themselves for speaking a word to this soul and to that, God will speak through you to lead them to Christ.-The Upward Look,p.247

Love for God should lead us to find true enjoyment in learning and doing His will. Thus we become every day better prepared to be overcomers, examples of the power that heavenly grace has to uplift and ennoble human beings. Christ was tempted in all points like as we are, yet He overcame. And today He waits to hear and answer the earnest requests of His children for the grace that will enable them to overcome.-UL,p248

Lose no time in becoming acquainted with the principles that the children of God must follow. We are here to copy the character of Christ, to become familiar with His gentleness, His lowliness. This will place us where our record will be, “Ye are complete in him.” (Colossians 2:10). By patience, kindness, forbearance, we are to show that we are not of the world, that day by day we are learning the lessons that will fit us to enter the higher school.-UL,p248

The  statement below just bowled me over. I heard a pastor say it but I've came across it for the first time and it's profound.In fact, I need to just meditate on it and evaluate my spiritual life more closely than I ever had.

"When God's redeemed ones are called to heaven, they will not leave behind the advancement they have made in this life by beholding Christ. They will go on, learning more and still more of God. They will carry their spiritual attainments into the courts above, leaving nothing of heavenly origin in this world. As the books of heaven are opened, each overcomer is assigned his lot and place in heaven, in accordance with the advancement he has made in this life. "-UL,p248

I am rebuked,challenged,convicted of my errors and encouraged.Encouraged because so long as the Holy Spirit still convicts me,I still have time to make peace with God!

Never should a man ... be too proud to make the acknowledgment, “I have erred.” The least he can do, after he has sinned, is to show his sorrow and repentance. Men who do this will be honored by God, even though they make mistakes.—Manuscript 31, August 22, 1903, “Lessons From the Third Chapter of First John./UL,p248 

Women Empowerment-Intro

Just a thought on women empowerment

But I'll write about it some other time.After I've thoroughly researched the issue.

My thoughts for now:

There's something wrong about a system that seeks to 'empower' outside of God's principles.
I see these "you got it girl" statuses floating around;but if we can dig deep,what those messages insinuate is that:You do not need God,you can do it in all your strength".It goes on to add the lie that,you become an "ideal" woman.

But consider this:how do you even become a 'woman' outside of a relationship with the One who created you to be a woman?We cannot reach the full stature out of womanhood outside of God.Instead,we will go lower and lower.
And at the end,lose out on a relationship with God while rejecting salvation.The devil is indeed subtle.

Honestly,I was blind to the issue too.Nothing wrong when empowering women removes injustice though;but so much wrong when this empowerment threatens the role the woman is supposed to fill biblically as a wife and a mother.

DEVOTIONAL SNIPPET:CRITICISM AND ITS EFFECTS

The conversation should be upon spiritual and divine things; but it has been otherwise. If the association with Christian friends is chiefly devoted to the improvement of the mind and heart, there will be no after regrets, and they can look back on the interview with a pleasant satisfaction. But if the hours are spent in levity and vain talking, and the precious time is employed in dissecting the lives and character of others, the friendly intercourse will prove a source of evil, and your influence will be a savor of death unto death.250Testimonies for the Church 2:186, 187

Should a brother go astray, then is the time to show your real interest in him. Go to him kindly, pray with and for him, remembering the infinite price which Christ has paid for his redemption. In this way you may save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins.-Counsels for the Church,p174,175

Among some species of animals, if one of their number is wounded and falls, he is at once set upon and torn in pieces by his fellows. The same cruel spirit is indulged by men and women who bear the name of Christians. They manifest a pharisaical zeal to stone others less guilty than themselves. There are some who point to others’ faults and failures to divert attention from their own, or to gain credit for great zeal for God and the church.251Testimonies for the Church 5:58, 59/CCh,p.175 

The time spent in criticizing the motives and works of Christ's servants might better be spent in prayer. Often if those who find fault knew the truth in regard to those with whom they find fault, they would have an altogether different opinion of them. How much better it would be if, instead of criticizing and condemning others, everyone would say: “I must work out my own salvation. If I co-operate with Him who desires to save my soul, I must watch myself diligently. I must cut away every evil from my life. I must become a new creature in Christ. I must overcome every fault. Then, instead of weakening those who are striving against evil, I can strengthen them by encouraging words.”252Testimonies for the Church 8:83, 84

God's all-seeing eye notes the defects of all and the ruling passion of each, yet He bears with our mistakes and pities our weakness. He bids His people cherish the same spirit of tenderness and forbearance. True Christians will not exult in exposing the faults and deficiencies of others. They will turn away from vileness and deformity, to fix the mind upon that which is attractive and lovely. To the Christian every act of faultfinding, every word of censure or condemnation, is painful.255Testimonies for the Church 5:94-96

Every institution will have to battle with difficulty. Trials are permitted in order to test the hearts of God's people. When adversity befalls one of the Lord's instrumentalities, it will be shown how much real faith we have in God and in His work. At such a time let none view matters in the worst light and give expression to doubt and unbelief. Do not criticize those who carry the burdens of responsibility. Let not the conversation in your homes be poisoned with criticism of the Lord's workers. Parents who indulge this criticizing spirit are not bringing before their children that which will make them wise unto salvation. Their words tend to unsettle the faith and confidence not only of the children, but of those older in years.257Testimonies for the Church 7:183   

It lies in the choice,Part 1

"Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
² She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God."-Zephaniah 3:1-2

" Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
² But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
³ For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
⁴ None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
⁵ They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
⁶ Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.
⁷ Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths."-Isaiah 59:1-7


Both texts refer to filth and iniquity.
In both texts those who are sinning and those who are filthy have the freedom of choice
They choose
They choose according to their inclination

The first Scripture seems to be suggesting that the reason for the "filthiness" of this city is because they: do not obey the voice they hear,do not apply the correction-in ESV it says "she accepts no correction";does not trust in God and there's no communion between her and God-seperation.

In the second text we find an extension of what causes seperation between mankind and God-sin. 
What is sin?According to 1 John 3:4 we are told "sin is the transgression of God's law"(paraphrased) and is also defined as unrighteousness (1 John 5:17) and so forth.

But there is one underlying principle that determines whether one sins or not and it depends on the choice one makes.For you to commit sin,you must  disregard God's law.On one side of the coin we cannot stop sinning until we abide in Christ and receive strength from Him.But on the other coin,we choose.We choose,even though the Holy Spirit may convict us ofsin-we decide,we are not forced.So,on the other side of the coin,we are to be blame for our sinful ways.

James 1 tells us,
¹⁴ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
¹⁵ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

For the lust to be conceived,we still have to choose whether to give in our lust or not

Why are we still sinning?We choose to.

 

REPOST: Courtship is not transport to God but your daily repenting heart is

No courter, no matter how godly and loving can complete your walk with God for you. I recall the first month I accepted Christ as my personal Saviour. Everything was well and got even ‘better’ when I was approached by a brother (one of the preachers in the church). Well I had accepted God and was living a ‘godly’ life…I guess the next step is to get a brother who is also dedicated and most importantly will help me strenthen my walk with God. The relationship went on about three to four months. Fast forward to a youth camp later that year, I met another brother (total opposite of the preacher). While still involved with the brother A, I accepted his proposal. Shocking isn’t it? It gets even worse. Anyway since honesty is the best policy after modesty as they say, I confessed to brother A that I met brother B and wish to continue my relationship with him instead.



Oh well, it was a long distance relationship but I ‘loved’ him, he attracted methemere than the preacher. So I figured he was the one or why would God allow me to feel for him that way right? As I said it was a long distance relationship of only meeting in June and December holidays…so you can conclude that the brother was no longer ‘feeling’ it.

Things got a little bit messy after that heart break of course. Especially with varsity coming, the timing couldn’t just be perfect. I went from one relationship to another promising one. From ‘I love you’ to ‘I need you’ to ‘I don’t know what my life would be without you’. In any case time passed and so did the relationships.

I came to my senses- if that’s what we mean by coming to church every Sabbath, reading my Bible and even venturing to some reforms. Things really seemed to be working out just as God wills. I got baptized later that year. My life was ‘truly’ dedicated and committed to God. And I wanted to grow even more, especially to do missionary service. And oh well, what a coincidence; brother C who is in the mission field proposed a courtship.

During the period of coming back to my senses I had been reading a lot about courtship- to know what it is, its principles and its beauty in harmony with God’s will and guidance. I should say, I did grow greatly spiritually or I would like to have believed I was growing considering the conversations, bible studies, fasting, devotions and prayer we shared.

The courtship went on for about two months and well, like it prayerfully begun, it was prayerfully ended. It had to end or I was going to continue a relationship with brother D before I ended it with brother C.I knew i was easily attracted, and because of the character of Christ he displayed i found myself being rebuked of continuing the courtship with my


lustful desires in mind. Nothing had happened yet (atleast officially) but my eyes were seeing and my feelings were giggling over other men. I felt this sincerity of fighting this weakness and thought it best i fight alone then when i have conquered i will commit myself. And to my surprise i did...…for a while ofcourse.

Fortunately for the brothers (as attracted as I was to them, believing it was meant to be that way or why else would God permit this sensuality) neither of them approached me or else history would have repeated itself, like with brother A.

Mission came; most was in place and some wasn’t (story coming soon -Confession of the night in the mission camp). However, that couldn’t hinder the work of the Lord certainly. Surprisingly there was no brother D to find attractive enough to pin under God’s opposed will of intimacy. Then there goes brother D simply offering his help and sister T is already hooked. She is REALLY in deep mess and totally shifts from lessons learnt from mission to total concentration if not total obsession to brother D. He sees the danger approaching and quickly calls it quits on communication. Just like brother C, he is saved from being a victim of another brother E.

Talking of brother E,here he comes and became more than hope but reality. True man of God, highly devoted and like brother C, leads holy conversations. Brother E courts me prayerfully for a period of 4 months until due to my attraction to brother F. The difference this time is Brother F,doesnt propose to me,we just deciding to go with the flaw. And boy do we know what that means.Brother F is not steady and calls it off less than 3 weeks and well if I remember well, the last prayer was when I ended my relationship with brother E. Until now when God spoke through me the past week and decided to offload.

I don’t know how talking about it will help. All I know is only God can convict and convert a soul to truly live a Christ-like life.

I entered many relationships with the hope that they will tighten or rather complete my walk with Christ, but always I fell back because I was never truly converted. I still lusted after men. I still sought for their attention and was always in their company.the  thought that getting a preacher would encourage me to repent more, a missionary would help me to find an identity in Christ’s vineyard and a devoted man will help me continue to the vows I have made with God.

Oh how wrong I was and many other sisters I know and might not know. The devil truly knows our weaknesses and brings them as a form of a spiritual revival, when it’s actually a cover-up for the sins we rejoice in. it is clear that I always had a desire of a man. Hence I never lasted in any of the relationships that were godly centred.

I was never complete in my walk with God personally, how did I expect another individual to sacrifice Isaac for me, if my heart was still concerned about the lamb?



By:Thubelihle

Originally shared here

4th YEAR ANNIVERSARY-REFLECTION,PART 1:

God has been there from the beginning.
He blessed me with a mother,who was not born into a Seventh Day Adventist church,but through His righteous hand had taken her out of a small city called Jansenville to settle in Port Elizabeth.There,through his servants,my mom and her two aunts found the Adventist message and since then,she has walked with God.Unfortunately,her two aunts left the church.

But mom remained.And many years later she married an Adventist and a year later we were born.Unfortunately,my dad left the church too.But my mom continued and she raised us in the Word.I remember how she used to tell us stories about Daniel as we slept together in one bed with my twin.I remember how when she was an Adventurer teacher she would invite all the Adventures from our church to our shack,cook for all of us and teach us about Ellen G.White.How God called her,a weak vessel and sickly.

I remember how she,uneducated because of certain circumstances,she always sought to bring us in the way of the Lord.She would take us to church every Sabbath.Tried to provide not only for our physical needs but also for our spiritual.

I am thankful to God for keeping her unmoved,so that,even though I'd leave the church,I would reflect and realize she was right all along.When I got into my teen years,there were certain aspects that disappointed me in our events.It was also becoming clear that we were poor.

I chose education over God.I put His  Sabbath aside.I wanted Rhodes University.I wanted to be rich so that I could take my mom away from the mud,the shack that always got wet whenever it rained and more.So,I worked hard,woke up at dawn so that I could get the 40 points.I wanted to be a psychologist because the mind fascinated me and my heart,although selfish,wanted to listen to the woes of others.But dad said a BA degree like his wouldn't feed me.I decided social worker will do;but money called first,so I chose Pharmacy.I wanted to prove I was intelligent too.

Then I went,with just the knowledge that God exists but the year off church had made me weak spiritually and I decided I'd choose Him again since He gave me what I wanted.It was a different world.Rhodes was beautiful.I was exposed to many white people,other tribes and more.I claimed to be a SDA but I was no fully so-in fact,my mom was, not I.I lived in a bubble where I didn't have to worry about rain anymore and I started to like rain since there was no mud around.Breakfast was always insured,so was lunch and supper.At least a burden was off my mom's shoulders.

But God had more than a degree for me.He wanted to draw me to Himself.As I continued to be part of SDASM I fell inlove.Inlove with the zeal that these young Christians had.They had genuine love for God,humility and joy.I wanted this God who could transform people to be principled.So,God continued to court me-It was then that I saw how much He loved me and How life was vain without Him.

It was a Jeremiah 2 experience.God was asking:

⁴ Hear ye the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:
⁵ Thus saith the Lord, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

As I realized through the conviction of the Holy Spirit that I had been blind to His mercy and goodness,He continued to pursue me and He proposed:
  

²² Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God.-Jeremiah 3:22

And today I,like the Israelites admit:


Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.-Jeremiah 3:22

-Salvation is not in our parents or churches (Ezekiel 18:4) ; but is found through a personal relationship with God
"Though these three men,Noah,Daniel,and Job,were in it,they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness,saith the Lord."-Ezekiel 14:14 
-Salvation is not found in any reform-For in Christ is salvation-Acts 4:12
-Salvation is not in a relationship with a godly man/woman-a converted sinner cannot save you
-Salvation is a personal thing

AUGUST:WOMEN'S MONTH

I am falling inlove with August :).I was spiritually born on the 11th of August and some sisters that I hold dear were born this month.Not only so,it has a significance in South Africa.

On the 9th of August 1956, about 20 000 women from diffrent races marched to the Union Buildings with about 10 000 petitions against the "pass law".Sixty years later, here am I,free to move around without my dompas (Identification Document).Here am I with the freedom to go from one place to another without the fear tof being stopped by a white policeman.This is an example of what happens when women unite.

We no longer have these laws but there are still many issues that need women-women of all ages
.Like the little girl wearing the same clothes because she has none.
Like the little child who has fallen and is crying
Like the young girl who has no goals in life
Like the young boy who's being bullied
Like the young boy who's facing peer pressure
Like the young girl who finds herself pregnant,confused,and alone
Like the youg people who find themselves bound by lust,addiction,and more
Like the young children who know nothing about God and how much He loves them
Like the granny who needs her house to be cleaned and food to eat
I can go on and on

As a Christian woman I have duty to God and mankind-not only on special occasions.But the truth is,at times I've left my post unattended.One thing that still tears my heart is the fact that even with an increase in condoms and contraceptives,teenage pregnancy is still on the rise.It goes on to show that the problem is not with pregnancy,but it's an underlying  cause and indeed this is a societal issue.

Whenever a young girl I know falls pregnant,I always ask myself:where was I?Had I availed myself would this still be the case?Had I availed my case would she still need a validation from the male that she is loved,beautiful,and more?Had I availed myself would she continued in the way leading to death?Had I been accepting would she come and tell me what's on her mind or what is it that's bothering her?Had I been more focused on others than myself?

I realize now that the issue is that we have not opened a safe space where we can just open up to each other.A space where no-one is trying to be holy.But a space where we can meet,talk about our struggles,advise each other,read God's Word for counsel and continue from there.But this is not possible without accepting others and loving one another-aspects I really need to work on since I tend to be rigid minded and have all these  childish expectations but God is helping.

Can we make the gospel personal,because it is!It cuts through the darkest corners.I wish we could just have a month where we just use the Sabbath to meet as sisters and just talk.Not talk about the beast,the sanctuary,but talk about who God is,how He loves us and how He sees us and from that understanding,we can go on to prepare to meet Him.I mean,what's the point of talking about Jesus' coming when we still do not have victory over things which may seem like nothing?

So,like One Sister told me of her dream to have Friday sessions with other women just talking about real issues and counselling and learning together,I'm for it.I mean,what's the point of us going to church while still slaves to sin and us putting up religious faces?I'm not saying we should stop going to church,I'm saying let's be real.Real in the sense that we are sinning and we need strength and we need to hear how others overcame and have been saved from making certain mistakes.Less sermonizing and more teaching and praying.

5th August 1995: A SPECIAL DAY IN HEAVEN'S DIARY

Mokgethwa,today we celebrate your life :).First and foremost I thank God for preserving your life.
Furthermore,I'm thankful that our paths have crossed:).

I remember when I first met you in person,your smile quickly calmed me as you bought me study aids in first year.
Since then,each encounter has been marked by a smile from your side.
With each passing  encounter,your smile has continued to surface,with hugs encompassing them up to this moment.

I've once been 21 years old too *haha* but with my little experience I've learnt the beauty of walking with God.I've learnt that God is one person you can truly count on,as you know yourself.

My prayer for you is that with each passing hour you may give you will to God
I pray that God will preserve your smile in the midst of the storms
I pray that you always love children,so that those who feel rejected find solace and love in you
I pray that you keep singing-in and out of tune and you continue speaking life
I pray that God may add to you MORE wisdom,faith,virtue,temperance and more
I pray that you love for truth may increase daily and your desire be unto God
I pray that as sin abounds,holiness may abound in your life
I pray that as lawlessness continues,you may continue walking in the narrow way
I pray that you may continue  being a blessing to your family,friends,brethren and healthcare system at large and to everyone
I pray that everytime God looks at you He may exclaim,"This is my beloved daughter,in whom I am well pleased"

I thank you for covering my lack
For sharing your space and more with me
For landing an ear
For showing me a different side of life
For singing with me
For praying with and for me


God bless you and may He finish the good work He has started in you!

I dedicate Deuteronomy 7:9 to you!


I now pronounce you 21 years old :D

Thankful Tuesday

Of late,I have become reluctant to write because I want to apply more.I think from now on I want to spend more time growing,learning and just focusing on reality.Its so easy to talk about aspects that you are not struggling with while neglecting those you have to work on.I do not want to be a hypocrite- painting Christianity one-sided,while privately disrespecting God and have people wonder if I have two personalities.One from the blog and the real one.Perhaps I will start writing about the victories God has given me so that at least one person knows that sin is real and strength to overcome comes from Christ.

With that said,I am thankful for the gift of friendship and sisterhood.Thankful for one particular individual.During the June break we spent about three weeks together and I have learnt a lot from her.I see her as my younger sister but she has certain traits that I would like God to grant me with and being in her presence brings so much joy;not only to me but to many more.

She is gentle
She is humble
She loves serving others and loves people
She is not afraid of admitting she does not know something and has a teachable Spirit

I love how she is so absorbed with the desire to know God more and to do His will

She is just a beautiful soul to be around.She accepts others as they are and would rather submit than fight for her rights.

She loves her family.She is a good cook but more than anything a baker.

She is one amongst the younger sisters I admire.

Glad that in this world of pretense there are souls that are pure,genuine and accepting.It is so much joy to get to a point where you are not scared to admit your faults and pray with and for each other.

Post-Mission-Part 1

I must confess,prior this mission I really loved health expos as I felt they were more relevant to my field and they really are a door to reaching out people.Often,some people are less open to the Word-God's Word that is.But the minute you talk about health,they listen.So,I've learnt that the health message must go hand-in-hand with the gospel.

But this time around our audience was different.We spent three weeks at a Cape Town community in KuilsRiver.When we started we were about 11 and we stayed at different places.Since the schools were closed,we had to move out of student residence and it would not have been convenient for us to travel to and fro anyway.So,each family at church adopted us and I am so glad they did.I'll share about that some other time,under the title "adoptive parents" or something like that :).All I can say is,I found another family in Cape Town that is just awesome.

The idea for the mission was that there were going to be two groups:one for the vocational bible school and door-to-door group.But due to lack of a venue for the school,we couldn't have them and as I look back I am thankful.When our plans seem to fail,God has something better in mind,that will accomplish much than the failed plan.

.

One part of the community consists of coloured people and most houses are brick and they have electricity.It also has many young people and children running around.The place is rife with drug use.It also consist of some foreigners from Angola,Rwanda and Zimbabwe.


So,ja,we started doing door-to-door and handing out VOP lessons and sharing stories with children on the street.All I can say is,there is a group of people that is really hungry for God's Word.They are waiting and when we come,they will readily listen.There's another group that is surrounded by the bond of the devil and they need to be pointed back to the Saviour who is mighty to save .

We would meet each morning at 9 and have personal devotion.We were reading the book of Acts and each person shared.Then after that we'd have a study on the lessons we'd share with the people.We covered the purpose of man,the origin of evil,the character of God,judgement,repentance,and so forth.We worked in pairs-two brothers or a sister and a brother.

These are some of the lessons I learnt:

-As a missionary,you must have a personal experience with God and you must have a consistent walk with God.When you have an experience,then you carry much conviction.You speak about what you've seen and what you've experienced yourself and what God continues to do in your life.So you are acquainted with the struggles of those you are trying to win because you are a sinner.To put it clearly,"As His representatives among men,God does not choose angels who have never fallen,but human beings,men of like passions with those they seek to save.Christ took humanity that He might reach humanity.A divine-human Saviour was needed to bring salvation to the world.And to men and to women has been committed the sacred trust of making knows the 'unsearchable riches of Christ' -Ephesians 3:8"-The Acts of the Apostles,p.318

-You must first love those you work with before you can love the souls outside.This sounds easier than said.Honestly,it's hard.What makes it hard?Self and different personalities.Initially,there were clashes.Why?Because I'm someone who expects others to act in a certain way.Don't command me around without a please *coughs*.I really need the meek and quiet spirit-pray for me as I pray for myself.But I later understood that we're different and it was really hard initially.But as I prayed for these individuals I begin to love them truly and I even miss them.I've learnt that love is a choice.Often,it's easy to love those who think like us,held the same views,not too loud etc.But I guess one has to spend more time with people and understand them.I had one brother teaching me on social relations.Also,unity is very crucial :) or the work fails.Also,the Holy Spirit is needed.Why am I sharing this?To let others know this journey is a struggle and one needs to continue pray and overcome.Also,for those who think they are struggling.For some loving is not a problem,it's something else.But God is faithful!These statements really kept me and they keep pushing me as I go on to relate to others:

"Every association of life calls for the exercise of self-control, forbearance, and sympathy. We differ so widely in disposition, habits, education, that our ways of looking at things vary. We judge differently. Our understanding of truth, our ideas in regard to the conduct of life, are not in all respects the same. There are no two whose experience is alike in every particular. The trials of one are not the trials of another. The duties that one finds light are to another most difficult and perplexing.
So frail, so ignorant, so liable to misconception is human nature, that each should be careful in the estimate he places upon another. We little know the bearing of our acts upon the experience of others. What we do or say may seem to us of little moment, when, could our eyes be opened, we should see that upon it depended the most important results for good or for evil."-Ministry of Healing,ch.41,p.483

"So long as we are in the world, we shall meet with adverse influences. There will be provocations to test the temper; and it is by meeting these in a right spirit that the Christian graces are developed. If Christ dwells in us, we shall be patient, kind, and forbearing, cheerful amid frets and irritations. Day by day and year by year we shall conquer self, and grow into a noble heroism. This is our allotted task; but it cannot be accomplished without help from Jesus, resolute decision, unwavering purpose, continual watchfulness, and unceasing prayer. Each one has a personal battle to fight. Not even God can make our characters noble or our lives useful, unless we become co-workers with Him. Those who decline the struggle lose the strength and joy of victory.  "-Ministry of Healing,ch.41,p.487

I really advise that missionaries to read chapter 41 of the Ministry of Healing.Actually the whole book is great-practical tips on being a Christian and a missionary :).

To be continued,hopefully,since I have so much to write about that making a series of one subject just ends up in my journal etc.God is great and He is faithful <3!

1st July 2016:Reflection

Yay,we onto the 7th month!This year is going so fast!

So far,so good because God is faithful in ALL that he has promised.He is a covenant-keeping God.

He is so gracious.

He answers prayers,especially when we cry to him sincerely,with an understanding of how filthy we are and how much we need His grace.

Walking with Him has been a joy and he has been teaching beautiful lessons.

More than anything,He has been my refuge and strength,a VERY present help in need.

He has been a refuge in times of weariness,fear,and in good times too.

MY plea:taste and see how good God is!

Glad it's Sabbath soon!