Reasons for Believing

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Galatians 3:2

Our conducts are the windows through which others can see us through: how are we read by the world, community colleagues neighbors who know we are christian adventists, or . Is it possible that our conversion is grounded upon the wrong foundation? At one time in life I decided to be a vegetarian, that did not last even a year. It all began during a camp meetings when we received health messages that moved me to stop meat eating, I was only about 11 years old. I later realized it was a decision made out of excitement and had no scriptural nor spirit of prophecy foundational arsenal of knowledge to validate my position. It was easy for me to be lured out of it.

Paul is simply asked the Galatians were changes they made spirit led or were they their own walks of righteousness. His question to them is a kind of a wakeup call on what validated their committed walks of faith, their own goodness or the good news; was it their works or the works of Christ that made the difference?
Reaffirming our faith from time to time is in a way confirming our reasons for the faith we have. After many years of the Israelites perception of their secured position with God they discovered too late that they got it all wrong, to the point that when the Desire of All Ages was born in their midst they could not recognize him. “We should search the Scriptures and be able to give the reason for our faith. Says the prophet: ‘”The wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”‘ Ellen G. White 5 T p.452.

Waste of Time?

But he said, “You are idle! Idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’ Therefore go now and work; for no straw shall be given you, yet you shall deliver the quota of bricks.” Exodus 5:17-18

I once hear someone saying religion is for jobless and poor people, and further said – that is why most religious people are poor because they spend precious time in church instead of doing something useful. You may have heard similar remarks, but what did you think of those people and of yourself? At one point in life I was tempted to think they may have a point because it appears true when looked carelessly. Then I remembered the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Ellen White states the following concerning Pharaoh, “Everyone who stifles the admonitions of conscience is sowing the seeds of unbelief, and these will produce a sure harvest. By rejecting the first warning from God, Pharaoh of old sowed the seeds of obstinacy, and he reaped obstinacy.” Christ’s Object Lessons p.84. Today we have this condition with us Christians, we have no time for bible study, we go to the sanctuary for only 2 hours a week, we have no time for church activities that calls for our time, we do not take part in visitation or community projects, we have no time for Adventist men/women ministries activities. Those are all for those with little to do, they have nothing to keep them busy, they imagine.

The truth is opposite, If we have not put God first then we are wasting time with all that keeps us busy for our own good. Time is God given, every second for God’s glory is worth everything and highly valued, it is considered by heaven as well spent. “Life is too solemn to be absorbed in temporal and earthly matters, in a treadmill of care and anxiety for the things that are but an atom in comparison with the things of eternal interest. Yet God has called us to serve Him in the temporal affairs of life. Diligence in this work is as much a part of true religion as is devotion.” Christ’s Object Lessons p. 343.

What do you consider meaningless or waste of time? Would heaven consider that time valuable and meaningful or would it be equal to idleness, time wasted. Knowing our destiny in Christ and our fate in the deceiver should cause us to reconsider our ways, how and what we spend our time on.

Eliamani A.

Healing Wings

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. Malachi 4:2

The gospel ministry is not a one dimensional ministry, it is inclusive of the physical the mental and the spiritual dimensions in its totality. Physical to mean; bringing relieving solutions to those in physical bondage, ailing and suffering bodies. Healing the physical is preparing the soul to receive the spiritual healing. And so it is with the mind, well settled and balanced mind is potential in receiving the spiritual nurture and is the ground for the gospel reception. Jesus in his mission on earth placed this emphasis on healing all manner of sickness in order to reach the soul.

Healing is therefore not only a restoration of the physical form -(the body). It affects the physical and mental and the spiritual. Healing is required in all these spheres, that is what the gospel is about. God the total healer and the source of wholesomeness is in the business of reaching us and bring healing of the brokenness that creeped in through sin.

When we understand that God is the source of wholesome healing we will understand that total obedience or submission to his leading and his will is the way to that healing. That connection with God brings the joy, happiness and vibrant living, and wherever we go we carry along that contagious sense of completeness. The sun of righteousness is actually the presence of Christ in us. Christ in us will illuminate everywhere we are and cause others to know the Son of Righteousness who is able to heal completely.

In bringing healing to others, this is what Ellen White says to the medical missionaries; “Bring the sunshine of the Sun of Righteousness into the room of the sick and suffering.” To the teachers she said, “They catch the bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness and reflect these precious beams upon the children and youth whom they are educating.” (CE 152) You can only do so when that Sun of Righteousness is in charge of your life. One can present the source of healing that has been at work in his or her life.

People who are under the care and nurture of the Heavenly Father are a blessed lot, they live a joyous life of prosperity and wellbeing, their daily living is a manifestation of the fullness of life. They have no fears and worries, their mental, physical and spiritual health seem to be in perfect harmony. God desires that we submit to his leading and care, because he desires good for us. He wants us to prosper and be a true manifestation of God’s goodness in his people. Ours would become as the praise of the psalmist, Psalms 27:13 “I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.”

A.Eliamani

You Have Seen

Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Exodus 19:4

Those words of the text above are the words of God to the Israelites through His servant Moses. Human tendency to leave for today and forgetting the source of provision and success that has brought us thus far is the reason for our failures. “Speed Kills” is a reminder of what we already know. We already know that over-speeding can lead to fatal accident. That knowledge is based on what we have seen, heard, or experienced; none doubts that fact but this continues to happen. I had an uncle who enjoyed riding his bicycle very fast he was known in his community as a fast rider and many considered him a dangerous rider. He was warned many times but never heeded; it was a matter of time he would meet his end. That time came when he had a fatal accident which led to paralysis and then death. He took for granted God’s goodness, he did not appreciate the way God sustained him even when he was careless. Forgetting or ignoring the source of our existence in our daily conducts can lead to a tragic end.

We see God’s presence in our past living and can testify of how He has brought us through thick and thin, that should be for a reason. The text has three key elements I would like to state; one is in “what I did to the Egyptians” God dealt with Egyptians harshly, he destroyed their army, he killed their first borns, he allowed them to suffer plagues punished them for intending to cause harm to the chosen ones of God. Egyptians were enemies of God’s people and thus God’s enemies. Today, if your are in Christ your enemy the ‘Egyptian’ will keep pursuing you. He does not easily give up he intends to keep you in bondage and if necessary destroy you.

Secondly in “bare you on eagles’ wings” is a demonstration of how Swiftly God has swooped us away from our enemies, from dangerous circumstances. In Him we are no longer in the hands of the enemy we are in his protective care. The enemy is still in pursuit but stands no chance when we are on the wings of the almighty God. Israelites were terrified of the Egyptian army even declare they were better-off serving them than dying in wilderness. Moses on the other hand had known God and experienced His deliverance and had no fear. “Moses felt no fear of the consequences. His calm and assuring reply to the people was, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”– E.G.White {EP 196.3}.

Finally, God does not rescue us from Satan and take us to unknown seclusion or hideout destination no, He takes us to Himself into his presence. We remain in this world to testify of Him our refuge while he empowers us to overcome daily temptations. He wants us to be his again by redemption as were his in creation. He wants them to see his power to save free us from bondage.

A. Eliamani

Armor of Light

The night is nearly over, and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light..But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no plans to satisfy the fleshly desires. Romans 13:12,14

Jesus declared himself as the light of the world in John 8:12

“I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” He offers life where there is darkness and death, He is the source of light and in Him there is no darkness. Christ’s life is in its entirety hope and life to a dying people of the world.

The devils on the other hand has no hope and has not life to offer therefore is busy disrupting people in their quest for life. It is this we are advised to discard ‘deeds of darkness’ he wants a big company in his destruction.

The break of day signifies a newness of life and hope. While in darkness we had fear, doubts and danger all around us but when the daybreak appears we become hopeful and glad for new opportunity in life. That is also the sign of advancing time, as the text above has shown, the one event is soon ending and another is about to start. The end of sin and the beginning of life eternal. Leaving sin yet not leaving any provision for sin ‘make no plans’ in our daily living.

While in darkness we may have become adopted or accustomed to deeds of darkness, such would be a hindrance to eternal life. The night hours are the times we were still given to life of sin and disobedience to God; the call to change and taking on the armor of light is the call to life in Christ hence the daylight is a life of holiness and obedience to God. The new life is in itself a shield from the devil’s attack a life of victory from the temptation and total dependence of God.

Speaking of Paul’s words to the corinthians Ellen White stated the following: “With faith in God as their armor, and with His word as their weapon of warfare, they would be supplied with an inner power that would enable them to turn aside the attacks of the enemy.” – {Acts of Apostles p.307}

A.Eliamani

Be Sure You’re Standing

There is a need for all mankind to know where they stand in faith and understand where they are grounded; is it in science or technology the wisdom of this world or is it in God. Both young and old people have decisions to make while pursuing their livelihood, wealth, fame, or anything important in their lives now and the future. All choices we make have timer value to it.; temporary or eternal value. Knowing God and his will should therefore be man’s greatest mission.

“The greatest minds, if not guided by the word of God in their research, become bewildered in their attempts to trace the relations of science and revelation. Because the Creator and his works are so far beyond their comprehension that they are unable to explain them by natural laws, they regard Bible history as unreliable. Those who doubt the reliability of the records of the Old and New Testament, will be led to go a step farther, and doubt the existence of God; and then, having lost their anchor, they are left to beat about upon the rocks of infidelity.  These persons have lost the simplicity of faith. There should be a settled belief in the divine authority of God’s holy word. The Bible is not to be tested by men’s ideas of science. Human knowledge is an unreliable guide” –E. G. White, Christian Education p. 193

We should never rely on the wisdom of the world for our decision making that will be our greatest mistake in decision making. It is not what others think to be right or what sound logical that would be right for you, it is only what the LORD God requires of us that matters. But first you need to know God and believe in him.

“But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee ..” Deutronomy 4:29-31, KJV

It is essential to be grounded on firm foundation: the questions you need to ask early in life are: 1. How can you be sure of Life here and in the world to come (sure of Salvation)     2. What do you believe 3. Is what you believe enough for you or there is a desire for better?

More reading on this: Beginning A Relationship With God