eres entrega en cada día,
una azucena que nos perfumas
en el sendero de nuestra vida.
Eres el ángel que cada día
mis pasos vigilas con devoción.
Eres mil versos hechos poesía,
eres, madre, mi dulce inspiración.
Eres amor de los mil amores
que aun en medio de sinsabores
vas paso a paso, sonriendo siempre,
llenando el mundo de bendiciones.
©Rhodi Alers de López
Suspiros del Alma , pág. 38
Y les daré corazón para que me conozcan que yo soy Jehová; y me serán por pueblo, y yo les seré a ellos por Dios; porque se volverán a mí de todo su corazón. Jeremías 24:7.
¿Estás ayunando y orando por la salvación de aquellos que deseas ver en el reino de los cielos? ¿Te llena de frustración no ver a tus hijos, familia o amigos progresando en su relación con Dios como anhelas? ¿Te desespera ver pasos en la dirección equivocada? Dios promete obrar en sus corazones (mentes) de modo que conozcan a Jehová y le reconozcan como Señor de sus vidas.
Dios obra de formas que tú y yo no podemos ni siquiera imaginar. Tiene todos los recursos a su disposición y no ha dejado a la deriva a aquellos por quienes oramos por salvación. Que cobre aliento tu corazón y reanude su intercesión en toda hora, con la seguridad de que esta es la voluntad de Dios: SALVAR. Aquel que dio a su Hijo por salvar a la humanidad caída, promete que ellos (aquellos por quienes estamos orando por salvación) cambiarán de rumbo: “se volverán a mí de todo su corazón”. O sea, no vendrán por los panes y los peces, vendrán porque el Espíritu Santo habrá tocado su corazón y habrán comprendido su necesidad de salvación. Ya no rechazarán el llamado, sino que correrán a los brazos del único que les puede salvar. ¡Gloria a Dios por cada hermosa promesa de salvación!
Amoroso Padre celestial, te alabo. Exalto tu bondad y gran amor. En esta hora, humillada ante ti, reconozco que tu especialidad es salvar. Tú amas a mis hijos, familiares y amigos más que yo. Tú diste a tu Hijo para que tengamos salvación. Hoy, confiando en tu promesa, agradezco tu disposición y tu poder para cambiar vidas. Te alabo porque eres fiel . Gracias porque cambiarás el corazón de mis hijos, familia y amigos; y ellos se volverán a ti sinceramente, para hacer tu voluntad. Gracias, gracias, gracias. En el nombre de Jesús, Amén.
COMPARTE ESTA PROMESA, QUE SEA DE BENDICIÓN EN TU FAMILIA Y MUCHAS FAMILIAS.
Esto no es algo casual. Cada semana apartamos este día para orar y ayunar en forma especial por este propósito.
¿Quién? Tú estás invitado. Únete en ayuno y oración por nuestros hijos y familia.
¿Cuándo? Cada viernes, de 1:00 pm hasta sábado, 1:00 pm. O sea, después del almuerzo del viernes, comenzamos el ayuno: evitamos la cena del viernes y el desayuno del sábado. Terminamos a la 1:00 pm el sábado, (a tiempo para disfrutar el almuerzo en familia).
¿Cómo hacerlo?
¿Qué más puedo hacer? Comparte esta promesa y esta invitación con otros que desean ver a sus familias en el reino de los cielos. Hagamos un cerco de oración alrededor de nuestras familias. Humillemos nuestras vidas en ferviente oración y ayuno. Dios responderá. Veremos su victoria.
Recuerda: Victoria se escribe con oración.
Dios te bendiga y conceda los pedidos de tu corazón conforme a su promesa y gran misericordia.
COMPARTE y COMENTA: ¿Cómo está Dios obrando en respuesta a tu oración?
Si ora solo, sin que ningún ser humano te escuche, esa es una oración privada. Si participa en alguna Reunión de Oración, o de una Línea de Oración, si ora junto a, o con una o más personas; pero también cuando ora solo en algún lugar donde otros le escuchen, estará elevando una oración pública, aunque no lo planifique así.
Cristo se refirió a la oración en público. “Y orando, no uséis vanas repeticiones, como los gentiles, que piensan que por su palabrería serán oídos” (Mateo 6:7).
Que nuestra Reunión de Oración sea guiada por el Espíritu Santo.
Comparte en un comentario:
¿Qué experiencia de bendición has vivido en la Reunión de Oración?
©Rhodi Alers de López 2018
Directorio de Recursos Mujer de Hoy SNEC 2018. Felicitaciones en el nombre de Jesús para ti que eres líder. Sin duda tienes el mejor deseo de realizar una tarea que glorifique el nombre del Padre celestial y que llene las necesidades de tu grupo o Iglesia, mientras juntos procuran alcanzar a otros para el reino de Cristo.
Si te has preguntado cómo conseguir las personas que podrán ayudarte a llenar las necesidades de tu grupo o iglesia, el Directorio de Recursos para la Mujer de Hoy es la herramienta que necesitas.
Sus páginas están impregnadas de información útil para tu Ministerio. Incluye un listado de damas que han dedicado sus talentos a la causa de Dios.
Entre la gama de temas que estos recursos humanos pueden presentar se encuentran los siguientes:
También hallarás recursos que alaban a Dios con cánticos y damas que declaman.
El directorio está salpicado de imágenes y contiene el calendario de actividades que la Iglesia a nivel mundial estaremos llevando a cabo, además de información sobre el próximo retiro de damas de SNEC- (Asociación de El Sur de Nueva Inglaterra)
Es mi deseo que este Directorio de Recursos Mujer de Hoy 2018 te sea de gran bendición.
Comparte con otros su enlace. Deja tu comentario. Demos a Dios el corazón y obremos con alegría en la viña del Señor.
Oro: Padre celestial, gracias por darnos la oportunidad de servirte. Gracias por cada persona que responde a tu llamado y se pone en tus manos para realizar la tarea encomendada. Que tu Santo Espíritu sea nuestro Consejero y que tengamos un año de grandes logros y victorias para el reino de los cielos. En el nombre de Cristo Jesús, Amén.
Para algunos es fácil decidir, en otros casos, no tanto.
Hay un regalo de carácter urgente y de gran relevancia que está casi extinto en nuestro medio; y por cuya falta muchos mueren en gran agonía, y otros tantos gimen suplicando por una dosis del mismo. Se requiere en los hogares, en el trabajo, en el vecindario y la comunidad. Y no es menos urgente en la familia de la fe. Carece de costo monetario, pero tiene incalculable valor; y es de carácter eterno.
¿Dónde consigo este regalo?
No se consigue en los estantes de los comercios, pues nace en el corazón de quien reconoce su propia fragilidad y gran necesidad del mismo. Ese regalo lo trajo Cristo Jesús aquella noche de la primera Navidad en Belén. Vivió repartiendo su regalo y lo firmó con gruesas gotas carmesí en el Calvario. Ese regalo preciado y casi extinto se denomina “perdón”. Su almacén está abierto 24 horas al día, 7 días a la semana.
¿Quién de nosotros no lo necesita? Sin duda hay alguien cuya existencia será más llevadera si le ofreces el regalo de tu perdón. Y te aseguro que tú también te asegurarás paz mental, física y espiritual al regalar perdón a tu ofensor, aunque el tal no lo haya solicitado, e independientemente de si lo acepta o no. Admito que no siempre es fácil perdonar. ¡Pero testifico que sí es totalmente posible! Y Cristo lo demostró en la cruz.
¿Alguien te ofendió o lastimó con actitudes, hechos o palabras? Únicamente al reconocer lo mucho que Cristo a mí me perdonó se me hace posible perdonar a mi más cruel ofensor. Cristo nos dio perdón inmerecido. Sigamos su ejemplo y hagamos de ésta una verdadera Navidad, ofreciendo perdón a cuantos, de una u otra forma, nos lastimaron.
¿Y… Si todos regaláramos perdón?
Lo cierto es que todos los adornos, los cantos, los dramas, las fiestas y regalos, y aún nuestros servicios de adoración y nuestras ofrendas a Dios carecen de significado y propósito; peor aún: le causan repulsión, si no estamos dispuestos a regalar perdón así como deseamos que Cristo perdone nuestras ofensas (ver Amós 5:21-22, Isaías 1: 13-14). Porque si vosotros no perdonáis, tampoco vuestro Padre que está en los cielos os perdonará vuestras ofensas-Marcos 11:26. ¿Te imaginas una familia donde todos regalen perdón? ¿Te imaginas el cuadro de amor en la iglesia donde cada miembro tome la iniciativa y regale perdón a sus hermanos? Estoy segura que ése es el anhelo de Cristo, por cuanto nuestra falta de perdón a los demás limita su propia obra de perdón en nuestro favor.
Feliz Navidad
Demos a Cristo la alegría de regalar perdón a nuestro ofensor. Grande será su gozo al ver que, verdaderamente, Jesús ha nacido en nuestro corazón. Resonarán las notas del coro angélico cantando: “¡Al mundo paz, nació Jesús!… ¡El corazón ya tiene luz, y paz su santa grey!” Y no hay nada mejor que saborear la libertad y dulce victoria que trae el perdón al corazón que muestra humildad y está dispuesto a perdonar, preparándose así para recibir la plenitud del Espíritu Santo. Feliz Navidad a ti y los tuyos.
Tu amiga y hermana, Rhodi
¿Anhelas ver a tu familia en el cielo? ¡Sé parte de este momento especial!
PROMESA: “Pero yo os digo la verdad: Os conviene que yo me vaya; porque si no me fuera, el Consolador no vendría a vosotros; mas si me fuere, os lo enviaré. Y cuando él venga, convencerá al mundo de pecado, de justicia y de juicio” (Juan 16: 7-8).
Hacemos nuestra esta promesa.
Oramos:
Gracias, Padre celestial, por esta promesa que hoy pedimos se cumpla en nuestra familia. No deseamos que ninguno quede fuera de este círculo especial de oración. Obra en mi propio corazón. Obra en nuestros corazones. Obra en el corazón cada uno de aquellos que nos diste. Convéncenos del pecado y permite que lo veamos en su asquerosidad, tal cual es, para que arrepentidos, lo confesemos. Haznos sensibles a tu voz. Ayúdanos a comprender cuánto necesitamos ser revestidos de tu manto de justicia. Permite que ese día cuando los libros se abran en el juicio, nuestros nombres estén en el Libro de la Vida.
Hoy te suplico por mi familia y las familias de cada hermano y hermana que se inclina ante tu presencia pidiendo por la salvación de su familia. Concédenos el gozo de ver a nuestra pequeña grey preparándose para el encuentro con Cristo.
Lo suplico en el nombre de Jesús, nuestro Salvador, Amén.
¿Quién? Tú estás invitado. Únete en ayuno y Oración por nuestros hijos y familia.
¿Cuándo? Cada cada viernes, de 1:00 pm hasta el sabado a mediodía. (Viernes después de almuerzo, hasta almorzar el sábado con nuestra familia). O sea, solo evitamos la cena del viernes y el desayuno del sábado.
¿Cómo? Repasa en silencio la promesa para hoy. Aparta varios momentos en el día para hablar con Dios sobre tus amados que deseas ver en el cielo. Pide que la promesa compartida sea realidad en tu vida y la de toda tu familia. Si deseas, escribe la promesa en un lugar visible para recordativo tuyo.
¿Qué más puedo hacer? Comparte esta promesa y esta invitación con otros que desean ver a sus familias en el reino de los cielos. Hagamos un cerco de oración alrededor de nuestras familias. Humillemos nuestras vidas en ferviente oración y ayuno. Dios responderá. Veremos su victoria.
Recuerda: Victoria se escribe con oración. ©Rhodi Alers de López, 2017
Fifth Cry: “Lead me”-Additional reading
To be used with CALL TO FASTING & PRAYER, Sept 22nd, 2017
From the book Pastoral Ministry
Trust the Holy Spirit to use every worthy member of the church—Neither Conference officer nor minister has a call from God to indulge distrust of God’s power to use every individual who is considered a worthy member of the church. This cautiousness, so-called, is retarding almost every line of the Lord’s work. God can and will use those who have not had a thorough education in the schools of men. A doubt of His power to do this is manifest unbelief; it is limiting the Omnipotent power of the One with whom nothing is impossible. O for less of this unsanctified, distrustful caution! It leaves so many forces of the church unused; it closes up the way so that the Holy Spirit cannot use men; it keeps in idleness those who are willing and anxious to labor in Christ’s lines; it discourages many from entering the work who would become efficient laborers together with God if they were given a fair chance. Those who would be laborers, who see the great necessity for consecrated workers in the church and in the world, should seek strength in the secret places of prayer. They should go forth to labor, and God will bless them, and make them a blessing to others. Such members would give strength and stability to the church. It is the lack of spiritual exercise that makes church-members so weak and inefficient; but again I would ask, Who is to blame for the state of things that now exists?—The Review and Herald, July 9, 1895. {PaM 153.1}
Every Christian is anointed for the mission of sharing Christ—It is not merely the duty of the minister, but of every member of the church, to represent Christ to the world. They are to catch the rays of light from Jesus, and reflect them upon souls blinded by error and infatuated with false doctrines. They are to hold up the only true standard of righteousness, which is God’s holy law, while the world is holding up a false standard. Satan is seeking to present light for darkness, and darkness for light, the truth for error, and error for the truth. He would extinguish every ray of light shining from the throne of God, and in its place put his darkness. But the sons of God are here, every one of them, for the purpose of irradiating the world. The more light is despised, opposed, and condemned, the greater evidence they have in regard to their work to let their light shine forth to others. They receive their orders from God to guide souls to righteousness, truth, and heaven. The torch of truth must shine to willing as well as unwilling eyes. When Christ ascended on high, the church was to be the agent, or medium, through which light was to be communicated to the world. “Ye are the light of the world.” Every individual Christian is required of God to be a living, shining light in the world. He must wrestle with God in secret prayer; then he will go forth in the spirit of Christ to hold converse with men. Anointed for the mission, he bears with him the atmosphere of paradise. His words will be well-chosen, and his face will reflect the image of his Master. He will be the light of the world, a living epistle known and read by all men.—The Review and Herald, March 8, 1887. {PaM 153.2}
From the book: This Day With God
The Lord has men of His appointment whom He will use in His work so long as they allow themselves to be used in accordance with His good pleasure. He can never use any one who is seeking to humble someone else. Humble yourselves, brethren. When you do this, it is possible for holy angels to communicate with you, and place you on vantage ground. Then your experience, instead of being faulty, will be filled with happiness. Seek to relate yourselves in harmony with God’s leadings, and then you will be susceptible to the movings of His Holy Spirit. {TDG 35.6}
The Lord is coming. The end of all things is at hand. There remains but little time in which to develop character.—Manuscript 47, January 27, 1910, “Come Into Line.” {TDG 35.7}
From: The Story of Redemption
Chapter 58—The Loud Cry
I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” Revelation 18:2. {SR 399.1}
The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel’s message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel’s message. {SR 399.2}
Angels were sent to aid the mighty angel from heaven, and I heard voices which seemed to sound everywhere, “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:4, 5. This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, joining it as the midnight cry joined the second angel’s message in 1844. The glory of God rested upon the patient, waiting saints, and they fearlessly gave the last solemn warning, proclaiming the fall of Babylon and calling upon God’s people to come out of her, that they might escape her fearful doom. {SR 399.3}
The light that was shed upon the waiting ones penetrated everywhere, and those in the churches who had any light, who had not heard and rejected the three messages, obeyed the call and left the fallen churches. Many had come to years of accountability since these messages had been given, and the light shone upon them, and they were privileged to choose life or death. Some chose life and took their stand with those who were looking for their Lord and keeping all His commandments. The third message was to do its work; all were to be tested upon it, and the precious ones were to be called out from the religious bodies. {SR 400.1}
A compelling power moved the honest, while the manifestation of the power of God brought a fear and restraint upon their unbelieving relatives and friends so that they dared not, neither had they the power to, hinder those who felt the work of the Spirit of God upon them. The last call was carried even to the poor slaves; and the pious among them poured forth their songs of rapturous joy at the prospect of their happy deliverance. [Note.—That there will be slavery at the time of the second advent is made clear by the prophet John in Revelation 6:15, 16, in his vivid description of “every bondman, and every free man” calling for the “mountains and rocks” to fall on them and hide them “from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne.”—Compilers.] Their masters could not check them; fear and astonishment kept them silent. Mighty miracles were wrought, the sick were healed, and signs and wonders followed the believers. God was in the work, and every saint, fearless of consequences, followed the convictions of his own conscience and united with those who were keeping all the commandments of God; and with power they sounded abroad the third message. I saw that this message will close with power and strength far exceeding the midnight cry. {SR 400.2}
Servants of God, endowed with power from on high, with their faces lighted up, and shining with holy consecration, went forth to proclaim the message from heaven. Souls that were scattered all through the religious bodies answered to the call, and the precious were hurried out of the doomed churches, as Lot was hurried out of Sodom before her destruction. God’s people were strengthened by the excellent glory which rested upon them in rich abundance and prepared them to endure the hour of temptation. I heard everywhere a multitude of voices saying, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12. 402 {SR 401.1}
Chapter 59—The Close of Probation
I was pointed down to the time when the third angel’s message was closing. The power of God had rested upon His people; they had accomplished their work and were prepared for the trying hour before them. They had received the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the living testimony had been revived. The last great warning had sounded everywhere, and it had stirred up and enraged the inhabitants of the earth who would not receive the message. {SR 402.1}
I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer’s inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing the Ten Commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice said, “It is done.” And all the angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made the solemn declaration, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Revelation 22:11. {SR 402.2}
Every case had been decided for life or death. While Jesus had been ministering in the sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. Christ had received His kingdom, having made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was consummated. And the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, was given to Jesus and the heirs of salvation, and Jesus was to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. {SR 402.3}
As Jesus moved out of the most holy place, I heard the tinkling of the bells upon His garment; and as He left, a cloud of darkness covered the inhabitants of the earth. There was then no mediator between guilty man and an offended God. While Jesus had been standing between God and guilty man, a restraint was upon the people; but when He stepped out from between man and the Father, the restraint was removed and Satan had entire control of the finally impenitent. {SR 403.1}
It was impossible for the plagues to be poured out while Jesus officiated in the sanctuary; but as His work there is finished, and His intercession closes, there is nothing to stay the wrath of God, and it breaks with fury upon the shelterless head of the guilty sinner, who has slighted salvation and hated reproof. In that fearful time, after the close of Jesus’ mediation, the saints were living in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. Every case was decided, every jewel numbered. Jesus tarried a moment in the outer apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, and the sins which had been confessed while He was in the most holy place were placed upon Satan, the originator of sin, who must suffer their punishment. [Note.—This suffering of Satan is in no sense a vicarious atonement. As indicated in a previous chapter: “As man’s substitute and surety, the iniquity of men was laid upon Christ.” (See p. 225.) But after those who accept Christ’s sacrifice have been redeemed, it is certainly just that Satan, the originator of sin, should suffer the final punishment. As Mrs. White has said elsewhere, “When the work of atonement in the heavenly sanctuary has been completed, then in the presence of God and heavenly angels, and the host of the redeemed, the sins of God’s people will be placed upon Satan; he will be declared guilty of all the evil which he has caused them to commit.”—The Great Controversy, 658.—Compilers.] {SR 403.2}
Too Late! Too Late!
Then I saw Jesus lay off His priestly attire and clothe Himself with His most kingly robes. Upon His head were many crowns, a crown within a crown. Surrounded by the angelic host, He left heaven. The plagues were falling upon the inhabitants of the earth. Some were denouncing God and cursing Him. Others rushed to the people of God and begged to be taught how they might escape His judgments. But the saints had nothing for them. The last tear for sinners had been shed, the last agonizing prayer offered, the last burden borne, the last warning given. The sweet voice of mercy was no more to invite them. When the saints, and all heaven, were interested for their salvation, they had no interest for themselves. Life and death had been set before them. Many desired life, but made no effort to obtain it. They did not choose life, and now there was no atoning blood to cleanse the guilty, no compassionate Saviour to plead for them and cry, “Spare, spare the sinner a little longer.” All heaven had united with Jesus, as they heard the fearful words, “It is done. It is finished.” The plan of salvation had been accomplished, but few had chosen to accept it. And as mercy’s sweet voice died away, fear and horror seized the wicked. With terrible distinctness they heard the words, “Too late! too late!” {SR 404.1}
Those who had not prized God’s Word were hurrying to and fro, wandering from sea to sea, and from the north to the east, to seek the Word of the Lord. Said the angel, “They shall not find it. There is a famine in the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but for hearing the words of the Lord. What would they not give for one word of approval from God! but no, they must hunger and thirst on. Day after day have they slighted salvation, prizing earthly riches and earthly pleasure higher than any heavenly treasure or inducement. They have rejected Jesus and despised His saints. The filthy must remain filthy forever.” {SR 404.2}
Many of the wicked were greatly enraged as they suffered the effects of the plagues. It was a scene of fearful agony. Parents were bitterly reproaching their children, and children their parents, brothers their sisters, and sisters their brothers. Loud, wailing cries were heard in every direction, “It was you who kept me from receiving the truth which would have saved me from this awful hour.” The people turned upon their ministers with bitter hate and reproached them, saying, “You have not warned us. You told us that all the world was to be converted, and cried, Peace, peace, to quiet every fear that was aroused. You have not told us of this hour; and those who warned us of it you declared to be fanatics and evil men, who would ruin us.” But I saw that the ministers did not escape the wrath of God. Their suffering was tenfold greater than that of their people. 406 {SR 405.1}
Fourth Cry: “Lead me”-Additional reading
To be used with CALL TO FASTING & PRAYER, Sept 22nd, 2017
From the book” Fundamentals of Christian Education
Chapter 32—The Education Most Essential for Gospel Workers
There are Christian workers who have not received a collegiate education because it was impossible for them to secure this advantage; but God has given evidence that He has chosen them. He has ordained them to go forth and labor in His vineyard. He has made them effectual co-workers with Himself. They have a teachable spirit; they feel their dependence upon God, and the Holy Spirit is with them to help their infirmities. It will quicken and energize the mind, direct their thoughts, and aid in the presentation of truth. When the laborer stands before the people to hold forth the words of life, there is heard in his voice the echo of the voice of Christ. {FE 242.1}
It is evident that he walks with God; that he has been with Jesus and learned of Him. He has brought the truth into the inner sanctuary of the soul; it is to him a living reality, and he presents the truth in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. The people hear the joyful sound. God speaks to their hearts through the man consecrated to His service. As the worker lifts up Jesus through the Spirit, he becomes really eloquent. He is earnest and sincere, and is beloved by those for whom he labors.
What a sin would rest upon any one who should listen to such a man merely to criticize, to notice bad grammar, or incorrect pronunciation, and hold these errors up to ridicule. The speaker who has not a thorough education may sometimes fall into errors of grammar or pronunciation; he may not employ the most eloquent expressions or the most beautiful imagery, but if he has himself eaten of the Bread of Life; if he has drunk of the Fountain of Life, he can feed the hungry souls; he can give of the Water of Life to him that is athirst. His defects will be forgiven and forgotten. His hearers will not become weary or disgusted, but will thank God for the message of grace sent them through His servant. {FE 243.1}
From Book: The Great Controversy,
No truth is more clearly taught in the Bible than that God by His Holy Spirit especially directs His servants on earth in the great movements for the carrying forward of the work of salvation. Men are instruments in the hand of God, employed by Him to accomplish His purposes of grace and mercy. Each has his part to act; to each is granted a measure of light, adapted to the necessities of his time, and sufficient to enable him to perform the work which God has given him to do. But no man, however honored of Heaven, has ever attained to a full understanding of the great plan of redemption, or even to a perfect appreciation of the divine purpose in the work for his own time. Men do not fully understand what God would accomplish by the work which He gives them to do; they do not comprehend, in all its bearings, the message which they utter in His name. {GC 343.2}
From Book: Pastoral Ministry
If the minister is surrendered, the Holy Spirit speaks through every discourse and makes it effective—It is the efficiency of the Holy Spirit that makes the ministry of the Word effective. When Christ speaks through the minister, the Holy Spirit prepares the hearts of the listeners to receive the Word. The Holy Spirit is not a servant, but a controlling power. He causes the truth to shine into minds, and speaks through every discourse where the minister surrenders himself to the divine working. It is the Spirit that surrounds the soul with a holy atmosphere, and speaks to the impenitent through words of warning, pointing them to Him who takes away the sin of the world.—Gospel Workers, 155. {PaM 187.1}
From Book: Selected Messages, No. 3
Unsafe Counselors
The interests of the cause of God are not to be committed to men who have no connection with heaven. Those who are disloyal to God cannot be safe counselors. They have not that wisdom which comes from above. They are not to be trusted to pass judgment in matters connected with God’s cause, matters upon which such great results depend. If we follow their judgment, we shall surely be brought into very difficult places, and shall retard the work of God. {3SM 300.2}
Those who are not connected with God are connected with the enemy of God, and while they may be honest in the advice they give, they themselves are blinded and deceived. Satan puts suggestions into the mind and words into the mouth that are entirely contrary to the mind and will of God. Thus he works through them to allure us into false paths. He will mislead, entangle, and ruin us if he can. {3SM 300.3}
Anciently it was a great sin for the people of God to give themselves away to the enemy, and open before them either their perplexity or their prosperity. Under the ancient economy it was a sin to offer sacrifice upon the wrong altar. It was a sin to offer incense kindled by the wrong fire. {3SM 300.4}
We are in danger of mingling the sacred and the common. The holy fire from God is to be used in our efforts. The true altar is Christ; the true fire is the Holy Spirit. This is our inspiration. It is only as the Holy Spirit leads and guides a man that he is a safe counselor. If we turn aside from God and from His chosen ones to inquire at strange altars we shall be answered according to our works. {3SM 300.5}
Let us show perfect trust in our Leader. Let us seek wisdom from the Fountain of wisdom. In every perplexing or trying situation, let God’s people agree as touching the thing they desire, and then let them unite in offering prayer to God, and persevere in asking for the help they need. We are to acknowledge God in all our counsel, and when we ask of Him, we are to believe that we receive the very blessings sought.—Manuscript 196, 1898. {3SM 301.1}
Cooperation With Divine Agencies
The people of God on earth are the human agents that are to cooperate with divine agencies for the salvation of men. To the souls that have joined themselves to Him, Christ says, “You are one with Me, ‘labourers together with God’” (1 Corinthians 3:9). God is the great and unperceived actor; man is the humble and seen agent, and it is only in cooperation with the heavenly agencies that he can do anything good. It is only as the mind is enlightened by the Holy Spirit that men discern the divine agency. And hence Satan is constantly seeking to divert minds from the divine to the human, that man may not cooperate with Heaven. He directs the attention to human inventions, leading men to trust in man, to make flesh their arm, so that their faith does not take hold upon God. {2SM 123.1}
And when our light becomes darkness, how shall we be a light to the world? {2SM 123.3}
The work of our personal salvation also depends upon our cooperation with the divine agencies. God has imparted to us moral powers and religious susceptibilities. He has given His Son as a propitiation for our sins, that we might be reconciled to God. Jesus lived a life of self-denial and sacrifice, that we might follow His example. He has given the Holy Spirit to be in Christ’s stead in every place where help is needed. He employs the heavenly intelligences to bring divine power to combine with our human efforts. But we must accept the gift of God, we must repent, and believe in Christ. We must watch, we must pray, we must obey the requirements of God. We must practice self-denial and self-sacrifice for Christ’s sake. We must grow up into Christ by constant connection with Him. Whatever turns the mind away from God to trust in man, or conform to a human standard, will prevent us from cooperating with God in the work of our own salvation. This is why the Lord forbade His people to form any alliance with the heathen, “lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee” (Exodus 34:12). He said, “They will turn away thy son from following me” (Deuteronomy 7:4). And the same principle applies to the association of Christians with the ungodly. {2SM 123.4}
Third Cry: “Fill me”-Additional reading
To be used with CALL TO FASTING & PRAYER, Sept 22nd, 2017
From the book: Ye Shall Receive Power
The Holy Spirit is promised to all who will ask for it. When you search the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit is by your side, personating Jesus Christ. The truth is a living principle made to shine in precious clearness to the understanding, and then, oh, then, it is time to speak words from the living Christ. “We are labourers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Christ said to the woman of Samaria, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water…. A well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:10-14). {YRP 328.3}
From the book: Counsels to the Church
Unity Must Precede the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
Notice that it was after the disciples had come into perfect unity, when they were no longer striving for the highest place, that the Spirit was poured out. They were of one accord. All differences had been put away. And the testimony borne of them after the Spirit had been given is the same. Mark the word: “The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul.” Acts 4:32. The Spirit of Him who died that sinners might live animated the entire congregation of believers. {CCh 98.4}
The disciples did not ask for a blessing for themselves. They were weighted with the burden of souls. The gospel was to be carried to the ends of the earth, and they claimed the endowment of power that Christ had promised. Then it was that the Holy Spirit was poured out, and thousands were converted in a day. {CCh 98.5}
So it may be now. Let Christians put away all dissension and give themselves to God for the saving of the lost. Let them ask in faith for the promised blessing, and it will come. The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was “the former rain,” and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be more abundant. What is the promise to those living in these last days? “Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee.” “Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.” Zechariah 9:12; 10:1.128
The following is an important advise. Please pay attention:
None of us should go to the camp meeting [regional meetings] depending on the ministers or the Bible workers to make the meeting a blessing to us. God does not want His people to hang their weight on the minister. He does not want them to be weakened by depending on human beings for help. They are not to lean, like helpless children, upon someone else as a prop. As a steward of the grace of God, every church member should feel personal responsibility to have life and root in himself. {CCh 248.3}
The success of the meeting depends on the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. For the outpouring of the Spirit every lover of the cause of truth should pray. And as far as lies in our power, we are to remove every hindrance to His working. The Spirit can never be poured out while variance and bitterness toward one another are cherished by the members of the church. Envy, jealousy, evil surmising, and evilspeaking are of Satan, and they effectually bar the way against the Holy Spirit’s working. {CCh 248.4}
To be used with CALL TO FASTING & PRAYER, Sept 22nd, 2017
Additional material for the Second Cry: “Cleanse me”
From the book: Steps to Christ, page 41
The examples in God’s word of genuine repentance and humiliation reveal a spirit of confession in which there is no excuse for sin or attempt at self-justification. Paul did not seek to shield himself; he paints his sin in its darkest hue, not attempting to lessen his guilt. He says, “Many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.” Acts 26:10, 11. He does not hesitate to declare that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15. {SC 41.1}
The humble and broken heart, subdued by genuine repentance, will appreciate something of the love of God and the cost of Calvary; and as a son confesses to a loving father, so will the truly penitent bring all his sins before God. And it is written, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. {SC 41.2}
From the book Great Controversy
Chapter 28—Facing Life’s Record
“I beheld,” says the prophet Daniel, “till thrones were placed, and One that was Ancient of Days did sit: His raiment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool; His throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.” Daniel 7:9, 10, R.V. {GC 479.1}
Thus was presented to the prophet’s vision the great and solemn day when the characters and the lives of men should pass in review before the Judge of all the earth, and to every man should be rendered “according to his works.” The Ancient of Days is God the Father. Says the psalmist: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.” Psalm 90:2. It is He, the source of all being, and the fountain of all law, that is to preside in the judgment. And holy angels as ministers and witnesses, in number “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,” attend this great tribunal. {GC 479.2}
“And, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away.” Daniel 7:13, 14. The coming of Christ here described is not His second coming to the earth. He comes to the Ancient of Days in heaven to receive dominion and glory and a kingdom, which will be given Him at the close of His work as a mediator. It is this coming, and not His second advent to the earth, that was foretold in prophecy to take place at the termination of the 2300 days in 1844. Attended by heavenly angels, our great High Priest enters the holy of holies and there appears in the presence of God to engage in the last acts of His ministration in behalf of man—to perform the work of investigative judgment and to make an atonement for all who are shown to be entitled to its benefits. {GC 479.3}
In the typical service only those who had come before God with confession and repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin offering, were transferred to the sanctuary, had a part in the service of the Day of Atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and investigative judgment the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God. The judgment of the wicked is a distinct and separate work, and takes place at a later period. “Judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel?” 1 Peter 4:17. {GC 480.1}
The books of record in heaven, in which the names and the deeds of men are registered, are to determine the decisions of the judgment. Says the prophet Daniel: “The judgment was set, and the books were opened.” The revelator, describing the same scene, adds: “Another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” Revelation 20:12. {GC 480.2}
The book of life contains the names of all who have ever entered the service of God. Jesus bade His disciples: “Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20. Paul speaks of his faithful fellow workers, “whose names are in the book of life.” Philippians 4:3. Daniel, looking down to “a time of trouble, such as never was,” declares that God’s people shall be delivered, “everyone that shall be found written in the book.” And the revelator says that those only shall enter the city of God whose names “are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Daniel 12:1; Revelation 21:27. {GC 480.3}
“A book of remembrance” is written before God, in which are recorded the good deeds of “them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.” Malachi 3:16. Their words of faith, their acts of love, are registered in heaven. Nehemiah refers to this when he says: “Remember me, O my God, … and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God.” Nehemiah 13:14. In the book of God’s remembrance every deed of righteousness is immortalized. There every temptation resisted, every evil overcome, every word of tender pity expressed, is faithfully chronicled. And every act of sacrifice, every suffering and sorrow endured for Christ’s sake, is recorded. Says the psalmist: “Thou tellest my wanderings: put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book?” Psalm 56:8. {GC 481.1}
There is a record also of the sins of men. “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Says the Saviour: “By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36, 37. The secret purposes and motives appear in the unerring register; for God “will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.” 1 Corinthians 4:5. “Behold, it is written before Me, … your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 65:6, 7. {GC 481.2}
Every man’s work passes in review before God and is registered for faithfulness or unfaithfulness. Opposite each name in the books of heaven is entered with terrible exactness every wrong word, every selfish act, every unfulfilled duty, and every secret sin, with every artful dissembling. Heaven-sent warnings or reproofs neglected, wasted moments, unimproved opportunities, the influence exerted for good or for evil, with its far-reaching results, all are chronicled by the recording angel. {GC 482.1}
From Counsels on Diet and Food, pages 32-33
Unready for the Loud Cry
In order to be fitted for translation, the people of God must know themselves. They must understand in regard to their own physical frames, that they may be able with the psalmist to exclaim, “I will praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” They should ever have the appetite in subjection to the moral and intellectual organs. The body should be servant to the mind, and not the mind to the body.—Testimonies for the Church 1:486, 487, 1867 {CD 33.1}
Preparation for the Refreshing
I was shown that if God’s people make no efforts on their part, but wait for the refreshing to come upon them and remove their wrongs and correct their errors; if they depend upon that to cleanse them from filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of the third angel, they will be found wanting. The refreshing or power of God comes only on those who have prepared themselves for it by doing the work which God bids them, namely, cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.—Testimonies for the Church 1:619, 1867 {CD 33.3}