The Devil: A Roaring Lion!

Lately, I have really been shown how deceitful and evil the devil is. He knows just what to tempt us with, he knows our weakest points, and he longs to see us fall. Recently I have noticed, that often the devil will attack hardest, those who have just been victorious. Do you ever gain a victory, and after the awe at how God worked to help you gain that victory fades, you find yourself struggling almost harder then before the victory? I read in Messages to Young People, the chapter called fortitude, and I encourage each of you to read it as well. It starts out, "Those who are finally victorious will have seasons of terrible perplexity and trial in their religious life; but they must not cast away their confidence." Just a bit later, "It is his (the devils) delight to cause the children of God to go shrinkingly, tremblingly, and painfully along, under continual doubt. He seeks to make the pathway as sorrowful as possible; but if you keep looking up, not down at your difficulties, you will not faint in the way, you will soon see Jesus reaching His hand to help you, and you will only have to give Him your hand in simple confidence, and let Him lead you. As you become trustful, you will become hopeful." The devil wants us to be filled with doubt and sorrow. He wants us to be terribly perplexed, confused. But we must keep our minds clear and focused, and most importantly, full of trust and confidence in God. When we don't understand everything that is happening to us, this is when we must have full trust that God does know. So often, I find myself thinking, "Ok...then I will just sit here and trust God, and let Him do all the work." That is true to a sense, but listen to what Messages to Young People says a bit later, "If we are self-indulgent, and too lazy to put forth earnest effort to cooperate with the wonderful work of God, we shall meet with loss in this life, and loss in the future, immortal life." We must do everything in our power (which isn't very much compared with God's power) to search the scriptures, keep our minds in continual prayer for help. These things are easier said then done, and the devil knows that. After a victory, it is easy to feel that we are ok now! It's ok to let down our guard. No! Never let down your guard, that is what the devil is waiting for! This is why after victories, we often find ourselves failing worse then before. Then we find ourselves doubting God. Doubting if He is really there. We get confused in trying to solve the problems in our own strength....and that is when the devil steps in. So, my friend, I encourage you to read the chapter called fortitude. Do everything in your power to keep your mind on God, and in prayer, search the scriptures, and when you don't understand something? Be filled with a trust that God does. This will leave no room for the temptations of the devil.

Summer

Sisters are a Blessing!

The other day (week) we just had some fun taking pictures together! I love my sisters!

Praise along with our prayers...

Shall all our devotional exercises consist in asking and receiving? Shall we be always thinking of our want and never of the benefits we receive? Shall we be recipients of His mercies and never express our gratitude to God, never praise Him for what He has done for us? We do not pray, anyone, too much, but we are too sparing of giving thanks. If the loving-kindness of God called forth more thanksgiving and praise, we would have far more power in prayer. We would abound more and more in the love of God and have more bestowed to praise Him for. You who complain that God does not hear your prayers, change your present order and mingle praise with your petitions. When you consider His goodness and mercies you will find that He will consider your wants. Pray, pray earnestly and without ceasing, but do not forget to praise. -TC vol. 5, 317

Waiting

God has been teaching me a lot about waiting, and about the patience that comes with it. This weekend, me and my family were at Rosario beach, and Pastor Alex Brian gave the Saturday evening worship. That morning in Sabbath School we had been talking about Christ's second coming, and how much we were looking forward to it. I can't wait for that day, when I can look into Jesus' eyes! But here I am sitting here waiting....waiting for this sinful world to come to an end so I can be with Jesus in a perfect world. In Matthew 24:3 Jesus' disciples asked Him when He would come again. And Jesus gave them an answer, but not the answer they were looking for. Yet Jesus, in His wisdom, gave them the answer that they needed. First he gives them several signs to look for, but He doesn't give them a date. Then He tell's 3 parables that would make them think. The first parable (Matthew 25:1) is of the ten virgins. In this parable, the virgins didn't know when the bridegroom would be coming, yet they prepared themselves, and waited. The key here, is that yes, they were waiting, but they were ready to meet the bridegroom whenever He came. In the same way, we as Christians, must be ready and prepared to see Jesus whenever He comes. We will be waiting, but not sleeping. So, what are we going to do while we wait? Jesus tells the next parable, about the talents. (verse 14) Jesus was saying, while your waiting, invest your talents. Become all that you can be. We aren't to sit idle, but we are to work and invest and use the talents that God has given us. But how are we supposed to use our talents? What are we supposed to invest in? Jesus tells the third parable. This is when Jesus comes again, and separates the sheep and the goats. What makes the difference between these two groups? It's who they invested in, and how they spent their time on earth. Notice, the sheep spent their time and effort helping others. This is what Christ has called us to do while we patiently wait for His return. Be ready at all times, use the talents God has given us to reach out to those around us and help them get ready. As I imagine Christ ascending into the sky in-front of the disciples, I can just hear Jesus saying, "My children, I will return! This isn't a goodbye, only a see you later! And while your waiting for me to return and take you with me, spread my word! Tell the world of my love for them. Be ready at all times, for you know not when I shall return. But help all those around you, and you will be ready when I come to take you to be with me forever!"

Strength

Satan presents many temptations to the youth. He is playing the game of life for their souls, and he leaves no means untried to allure and ruin them. But God does not leave them to fight unaided against the tempter. They have an all-powerful Helper. Stronger far then their foe is He who in this world and in human nature met and conquered Satan, resisting every temptation that comes to the youth today...In His strength the youth can endure hardness as good soldiers of the cross. Strengthened with His might, they are enabled to reach the high ideals before them. The sacrifice made on Calvary is the pledge of their victory. -Messages to Young People

Backpacking