At one time John engaged in a dispute with several of his brethren as to which of their number should be accounted greatest. They did not intend their words to reach the ear of the Master; but Jesus read their hearts, and embraced the opportunity to give His disciples a lesson of humility. It was not only for the little group who listened to His words, but was to be recorded for the benefit of all His followers to the close of time. "And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all" (Mark 9:35).
Those who possess the spirit of Christ will have no ambition to occupy a position above their brethren. It is those who are small in their own eyes who will be accounted great in the sight of God. "And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me" (verses 36, 37).
What a precious lesson is this for all the followers of Christ! Those who overlook the life duties lying directly in their pathway, who neglect mercy and kindness, courtesy and love, to even a little child, are neglecting Christ. John felt the force of this lesson and profited by it.
On another occasion his brother James and himself had seen a man casting out devils in the name of Jesus, and because he did not immediately connect himself with their company, they decided that he had no right to do this work, and consequently forbade him. In the sincerity of his heart John related the circumstance to his Master. Jesus said, "Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part" (verses 39, 40).
Again, James and John presented by their mother a petition requesting that they might be permitted to occupy the highest positions of honour in Christ's kingdom. The Saviour answered, "Ye know not what ye ask" (Mark 10:38). How little do many of us understand the true import of our prayers! Jesus knew the infinite sacrifice at which that glory must be purchased, when He, "for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame" (Heb. 12:2). That joy was to see souls saved by His humiliation, His agony, and the shedding of His blood.
This was the glory which Christ was to receive, and which these two disciples had requested that they might be permitted to share. Jesus asked them, "Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can" (Mark 10:38, 39).
How little did they comprehend what that baptism signified! "Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is repared" (verses 39, 40).
{The Sanctified Life 54-57}
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Watch and Pray
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. Mark 13:33.
"Take ye heed, watch and pray" were the words of our Saviour spoken in reference to the time of the end, and His second coming to take His faithful children home.
First, you are to watch. Watch, lest you should speak hastily, fretfully and impatiently. Watch, lest pride should find a place in your heart. Watch, lest evil passions should overcome you, instead of your subduing them. Watch, lest a careless, indifferent spirit comes upon you, and you neglect your duty and become light and trifling, and your influence savor of death, rather than life.
Second, you are to pray. Jesus would not have enjoined this upon you, unless there was actual necessity for it. It is well known to Him that of yourself you cannot overcome the many temptations of the enemy, and the many snares laid for your feet. He has not left you alone to do this; but has provided a way that you can obtain help. Therefore He has bid you to pray.
To pray aright is to ask God in faith for the very things you need. Go to your chamber, or in some retired place, and ask your Father for Jesus' sake to help you. There is power in that prayer that is sent up from a heart convinced of its own weakness, yet earnestly longing for that strength that comes from God. The earnest, fervent prayer will be heard and answered. Go to your God who is strong, and who loves to hear children pray, and, although you may feel very weak, and find yourself at times overcome by the enemy, because you have neglected the first command of our Saviour, to watch, yet do not give up the struggle. Make stronger efforts yourself than before. Faint not. Cast yourself at the feet of Jesus, who has been tempted, and knows how to help such as are tempted. Confess your faults, your weakness, and that you must have help to overcome, or you perish. And as you ask, you must believe that God hears you. . . . God will help you. Angels will watch over you.
But before you can expect this help, you must do what you can on your part. Watch and pray. Let your prayers be fervent. Let this be the language of your heart, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." Have a set time, a special season for prayer at least three times a day. Morning, noon, and at night Daniel prayed to his God, notwithstanding the king's decree, and the fearful den of lions. He was not ashamed or afraid to pray, but with his windows opened he prayed three times a day. Did God forget His faithful servant when he was cast into the lions' den? O, No. He was with him there all night. He closed the mouths of these hungry lions, and they could not hurt the praying man of God (Youth's Instructor, October 1855).
From Lift Him Up - Page 368
"Take ye heed, watch and pray" were the words of our Saviour spoken in reference to the time of the end, and His second coming to take His faithful children home.
First, you are to watch. Watch, lest you should speak hastily, fretfully and impatiently. Watch, lest pride should find a place in your heart. Watch, lest evil passions should overcome you, instead of your subduing them. Watch, lest a careless, indifferent spirit comes upon you, and you neglect your duty and become light and trifling, and your influence savor of death, rather than life.
Second, you are to pray. Jesus would not have enjoined this upon you, unless there was actual necessity for it. It is well known to Him that of yourself you cannot overcome the many temptations of the enemy, and the many snares laid for your feet. He has not left you alone to do this; but has provided a way that you can obtain help. Therefore He has bid you to pray.
To pray aright is to ask God in faith for the very things you need. Go to your chamber, or in some retired place, and ask your Father for Jesus' sake to help you. There is power in that prayer that is sent up from a heart convinced of its own weakness, yet earnestly longing for that strength that comes from God. The earnest, fervent prayer will be heard and answered. Go to your God who is strong, and who loves to hear children pray, and, although you may feel very weak, and find yourself at times overcome by the enemy, because you have neglected the first command of our Saviour, to watch, yet do not give up the struggle. Make stronger efforts yourself than before. Faint not. Cast yourself at the feet of Jesus, who has been tempted, and knows how to help such as are tempted. Confess your faults, your weakness, and that you must have help to overcome, or you perish. And as you ask, you must believe that God hears you. . . . God will help you. Angels will watch over you.
But before you can expect this help, you must do what you can on your part. Watch and pray. Let your prayers be fervent. Let this be the language of your heart, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." Have a set time, a special season for prayer at least three times a day. Morning, noon, and at night Daniel prayed to his God, notwithstanding the king's decree, and the fearful den of lions. He was not ashamed or afraid to pray, but with his windows opened he prayed three times a day. Did God forget His faithful servant when he was cast into the lions' den? O, No. He was with him there all night. He closed the mouths of these hungry lions, and they could not hurt the praying man of God (Youth's Instructor, October 1855).
From Lift Him Up - Page 368
Monday, December 28, 2009
Pumpkin Cake
BATTER:
3 Tbsp. grapeseed Vegenaise
1/2 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 c. canned pumpkin
1/3 c. canola oil
1 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
GLAZE:
1 c. firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 c. soy margarine
1/4 c. soymilk
1 c. powdered sugar
2 tsp. pure vanilla
1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all batter ingredients and stir until well mixed. Spray an 8 x 8” pan or 6 mini bundt pans with a non-stick cooking oil spray. Spread batter evenly in pan or fill bundt pans 3/4 full, and bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
2. Remove from oven and drizzle with glaze. If using mini bundt pans, trim them so two will fit together to look like a pumpkin. Drizzle with glaze and decorate with caramels shaped into stems, vines and leaves.
3. To prepare glaze, combine brown sugar, soymilk and soy margarine in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring constantly, for one minute. Stir in vanilla, then powdered sugar.
Cinda Sanner
3 Tbsp. grapeseed Vegenaise
1/2 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 c. canned pumpkin
1/3 c. canola oil
1 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
GLAZE:
1 c. firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 c. soy margarine
1/4 c. soymilk
1 c. powdered sugar
2 tsp. pure vanilla
1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all batter ingredients and stir until well mixed. Spray an 8 x 8” pan or 6 mini bundt pans with a non-stick cooking oil spray. Spread batter evenly in pan or fill bundt pans 3/4 full, and bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
2. Remove from oven and drizzle with glaze. If using mini bundt pans, trim them so two will fit together to look like a pumpkin. Drizzle with glaze and decorate with caramels shaped into stems, vines and leaves.
3. To prepare glaze, combine brown sugar, soymilk and soy margarine in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring constantly, for one minute. Stir in vanilla, then powdered sugar.
Cinda Sanner
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Looking Unto the Unseen
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
- 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Paul writes to the church in Corinth that although they be afflicted, and cast down, although they are persecuted, troubled on every side that these tribulations are, indeed light, and for a moment. Though around them circumstances seem unfavourable their affections are set on those things that are heavenly, those things which are eternal and cannot be seen.
The pleasures of this earth are not hidden but, rather, are in plain sight, and appear appealing and satisfying. The devil, knowing that his time is short, determinedly, seeks to entice us, and goes out of his way to lure us with the pleasures of sin, the pride of life, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes.
When Jesus was in the wilderness, it was the devil himself, who took Him to the exceeding high mountain and showed Christ all the kingdoms and glory of this world. Satan brought before the eyes of Christ a beautiful and glory-filled panorama of palaces and kingdoms and declared that these would be Christ’s, if He would only bow down before the deceiver. However, Christ knew that the Kingdom which was His Father’s in Heaven was worth much more than the temporal monarchies on earth, although He could not see the Kingdom, He set his mind heavenward. The affliction therefore proved to be light and Christ, although on this degraded and dark world, looked with eyes of faith to the Kingdom awaiting Him.
There also should our affections be directed, though our wily woe seek to distract and detract our eyes from the King, let us be as Moses ‘choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.’
Let us seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing that this will work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, because all things that we desire will be added unto us. (So long as they be in accordance to His will)
Let not our selfish desire for so-called happiness, detract us from the beauties of Christ, but let our desire and hunger for righteous lift our eyes unto the One who is righteous. For, he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.- 1 John 2:14-16
LiFE Ministries Team
All Bible verses are taken from the King James Version 1611. -
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
1 John 2:16
Hebrews 11:25-26
Matthew 6:33
1 John 3:7
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
- 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Paul writes to the church in Corinth that although they be afflicted, and cast down, although they are persecuted, troubled on every side that these tribulations are, indeed light, and for a moment. Though around them circumstances seem unfavourable their affections are set on those things that are heavenly, those things which are eternal and cannot be seen.
The pleasures of this earth are not hidden but, rather, are in plain sight, and appear appealing and satisfying. The devil, knowing that his time is short, determinedly, seeks to entice us, and goes out of his way to lure us with the pleasures of sin, the pride of life, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes.
When Jesus was in the wilderness, it was the devil himself, who took Him to the exceeding high mountain and showed Christ all the kingdoms and glory of this world. Satan brought before the eyes of Christ a beautiful and glory-filled panorama of palaces and kingdoms and declared that these would be Christ’s, if He would only bow down before the deceiver. However, Christ knew that the Kingdom which was His Father’s in Heaven was worth much more than the temporal monarchies on earth, although He could not see the Kingdom, He set his mind heavenward. The affliction therefore proved to be light and Christ, although on this degraded and dark world, looked with eyes of faith to the Kingdom awaiting Him.
There also should our affections be directed, though our wily woe seek to distract and detract our eyes from the King, let us be as Moses ‘choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.’
Let us seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing that this will work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, because all things that we desire will be added unto us. (So long as they be in accordance to His will)
Let not our selfish desire for so-called happiness, detract us from the beauties of Christ, but let our desire and hunger for righteous lift our eyes unto the One who is righteous. For, he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.- 1 John 2:14-16
LiFE Ministries Team
All Bible verses are taken from the King James Version 1611. -
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
1 John 2:16
Hebrews 11:25-26
Matthew 6:33
1 John 3:7
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Life of John
A New Creature Through Grace
The confiding love and unselfish devotion manifested in the life and character of John present lessons of untold value to the Christian church. Some may represent him as possessing this love independent of divine grace; but John had, by nature, serious defects of character; he was proud and ambitious, and quick to resent slight and injury.
The depth and fervor of John's affection for his Master was not the cause of Christ's love for him, but the effect of that love. John desired to become like Jesus, and under the transforming influence of the love of Christ, he became meek and lowly of heart. Self was hid in Jesus. He was closely united to the Living Vine, and thus became a partaker of the divine nature. Such will ever be the result of communion with Christ. This is true sanctification.
There may be marked defects in the character of an individual, yet when he becomes a true disciple of Jesus, the power of divine grace makes him a new creature. Christ's love transforms, sanctifies him. But when persons profess to be Christians, and their religion does not make them better men and better women in all the relations of life--living representatives of Christ in disposition and character--they are none of His.
{The Sanctified Life 53-54}
The confiding love and unselfish devotion manifested in the life and character of John present lessons of untold value to the Christian church. Some may represent him as possessing this love independent of divine grace; but John had, by nature, serious defects of character; he was proud and ambitious, and quick to resent slight and injury.
The depth and fervor of John's affection for his Master was not the cause of Christ's love for him, but the effect of that love. John desired to become like Jesus, and under the transforming influence of the love of Christ, he became meek and lowly of heart. Self was hid in Jesus. He was closely united to the Living Vine, and thus became a partaker of the divine nature. Such will ever be the result of communion with Christ. This is true sanctification.
There may be marked defects in the character of an individual, yet when he becomes a true disciple of Jesus, the power of divine grace makes him a new creature. Christ's love transforms, sanctifies him. But when persons profess to be Christians, and their religion does not make them better men and better women in all the relations of life--living representatives of Christ in disposition and character--they are none of His.
{The Sanctified Life 53-54}
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)