Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8.
At this time—the last days of this earth’s history—we are to make the book of Revelation a special study. Why? Because it depicts the scenes that we are to meet. We need to understand what we are to meet, and how we are to meet it. We must know what efforts we are to make, so that in this perilous time we shall not be taken by the enemy’s devices. We know that the last great conflict will be Satan’s most determined effort to accomplish his purposes. He will come, not only as a roaring lion, but as a seducer, clothing sin with beautiful garments of light that he may take human beings in his snare.
The Lord desires us to realize that it is of great importance that we stand in these last days upon the platform of eternal truth. Those who think that the church militant is the church triumphant make a great mistake. The church militant will gain great triumphs, but it will also have fierce conflicts with evil that it may be firmly established upon the platform of eternal truth. And every one of us should be determined to stand with the church upon this platform….
There are those today who call the Revelation a sealed book. [It is a mystery,] but it is a mystery unfolded. We need to understand what it tells us in regard to the scenes that are to take place in the last days of this earth’s history. The enemy will bring in everything that he possibly can to carry out his deceptive designs. Are they not lacking in wisdom who have no desire to understand in regard to the things that are to take place on this earth? …
In a representation which passed before me, I saw a certain work being done by medical missionary workers. Our ministering brethren were looking on, watching what was being done, but they did not seem to understand. The foundation of our faith, which was established by so much prayer, such earnest searching of the Scriptures, was being taken down, pillar by pillar. Our faith was to have nothing to rest upon—the sanctuary was gone, the atonement was gone….
Do you wonder that I have something to say, when I see the pillars of our faith beginning to be moved? Seductive theories are being taught in such a way that we shall not recognize them unless we have clear spiritual discernment.—Manuscript 46, May 18, 1904, “The Foundation of Our Faith,” a talk given at Berrien Springs, Michigan.
The Upward Look p. 152
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Prayer Requests
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Dear Friends,
Computers and texting have certainly sped up communication with our friends and family. Letters that took days to reach their destination via the postal system take only a few seconds.
Just as we can get a quick response because of modern technology, so we can always ask our Loving Heavenly Father for help in every situation. Indeed, the Great King of the Universe longs to hear our requests and delights to answer. Even though we may not get an immediate answer to our prayer, we can be assured that He always hears. Jesus reminds us, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Matt 7:11 Although the answer may not be what we expect and may not come as soon as we’d like, He always answers. He does not always answer “Yes.” Sometimes we ask for the wrong things. “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:3 Because of His great love for us, He does not always give us what we want, but He gives us what we need. And through it all, He is there, just waiting for us to commune with Him.
A few years ago, I saw a survey on the amount of time spent in prayer each day. The average was three minutes. How lonesome God must be to hear from us! Indeed, He is filled with longing desire for our voice to be lifted up to Him. He pleads, ” Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jer 33:3
Think of it! He, alone, can help us, yet we tend to forget the very One Who can solve our problems. How His Great Heart of Love must ache with sadness to watch us go about our daily duties with scarcely a thought Heavenward.
When He walked this earth, our Blessed Saviour felt a strong need to pray. In fact, he sometimes spent all night in prayer and supplication. “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12 If He, Who is one with the Father, had need of constant communion with His Heavenly Father, should not we spend more time in communion with Him?
Paul advises, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” Col 4:2 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Phil 4:6 Just as a parent is overjoyed by the sincere love of their child, so He loves to hear us praise Him when our hearts are full of love and gratitude to Him Who gave His All for us.
Just as we want our children to confide in us, to come to us when they have a problem, to tell us all their joys; so our Heavenly Father longs to have us tell Him all that is going on in our life. He is standing there just waiting to guide, just waiting to help us. He says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matt 7:7
Let us “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thes 5:17. Let us walk in constant communion with God just as Enoch did so long ago. Let it be said of us, as it was of Abraham, that we are the friend of God.
Rose
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/6Mj8d0MOnGA/beware-seductive-theories.html
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