Like the Leaves of Autumn

At the Delaware church, we have sent off our first mailing of The Great Controversy. It will be arriving at the homes in city route 1 in Delaware any day now. Please pray that angels will direct people's attention to this life-saving book, and that the readers will send for free Bible studies. Inspiration counsels us: "The Great Controversy should be very widely circulated. It contains the story of the past, the present, and the future. In its outline of the closing scenes of this earth's history, it bears a powerful testimony in behalf of the truth. I am more anxious to see a wide circulation for this book than for any others I have written; for in The Great Controversy, the last message of warning to the world is given more distinctly than in any of my other books." --Letter 281, 1905 (Colporteur Ministry, 127).

Call me old-fashioned, but I still believe that the Lord wants to use this incredible book to reach precious souls in our day! Elder Ted N.C. Wilson has sent these books out in the D.C. area. We are in good company. This project is a collaboration between the Review and Herald and Amazing Facts. The latter handles the Bible study requests. Churches can easily get the contact information of interested readers, through Amazing Facts. For more information, call Steve at 800-600-7197.

The Obama administration is trying to have truthful books like this one outlawed and labeled as "hate propaganda" through the hate crime bill, HR1913. Satan is doing what he can to shut down all efforts to share God's truth. Please keep this matter in your prayers, and please consider sending The Great Controversy to a mailing route in your area, while time remains.

A Book Every Adventist Should Read

The Omega Rebellion by Rick Howard. Published by Remnant Publications. I've looked this book over, and it is very well put together. It is a solid portrayal of the dangers of the Emergent Church movement, and its infiltration into the remnant church of God. It contains a good history, and a sufficient body of information on contemplative prayer and spiritual formation. Wonderful insights from Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy. I think every Adventist should have a copy of this book and read it prayerfully. We need to be aware of what is around us, and we need to have the courage to stand up and be counted, when it comes to speaking out against heresy and unbiblical practices. I realize that there are some who feel that this is all a bunch of alarmism. But I really don't care what men think. I want to be a God-pleaser, not a man-pleaser. How about you.

Who Do You Hang With?

"I was shown the necessity of those who believe that we are having the last message of mercy, being separate from those who are daily imbibing new errors. I saw that neither young nor old should attend their meetings; for it is wrong to thus encourage them while they teach error that is a deadly poison to the soul and teach for doctrines the commandments of men. The influence of such gatherings is not good. If God has delivered us from such darkness and error, we should stand fast in the liberty wherewith He has set us free and rejoice in the truth. God is displeased with us when we go to listen to error, without being obliged to go; for unless He sends us to those meetings where error is forced home to the people by the power of the will, He will not keep us. The angels cease their watchful care over us, and we are left to the buffetings of the enemy, to be darkened and weakened by him and the power of his evil angels; and the light around us becomes contaminated with the darkness. 

I saw that we have no time to throw away in listening to fables. Our minds should not be thus diverted, but should be occupied with the present truth, and seeking wisdom that we may obtain a more thorough knowledge of our position, that with meekness we may be able to give a reason of our hope from the Scriptures. While false doctrines and dangerous errors are pressed upon the mind, it cannot be dwelling upon the truth which is to fit and prepare the house of Israel to stand in the day of the Lord."  ~Ellen G. White. Early Writings, pp. 124-125

"Sabbathkeepers should not be in partnership with unbelievers. God's people trust too much to the words of strangers, and ask their advice and counsel when they should not. The enemy makes them his agents, and works through them to perplex and take from God's people." ~Ellen G. White. Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, page 200

"Those employed in any department of the work whereby the world may be transformed, must not enter into alliance with those who know not the truth. The world know not the Father or the Son, and they have no spiritual discernment as to the character of our work, as to what we shall do or shall not do. We must obey the orders that come from above. We are not to hear the counsel or follow the plans suggested by unbelievers. Suggestions made by those who know not the work that God is doing for this time will be such as to weaken the power of the instrumentalities of God. By accepting such suggestions, the counsel of Christ is set at nought. . . ." ~Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers, page 463

"There is no time now to range ourselves on the side of the transgressors of God's law, to see with their eyes, to hear with their ears, and to understand with their perverted senses. We must press together. We must labor to become a unit, to be holy in life and pure in character. Let those who profess to be servants of the living God no longer bow down to the idol of men's opinions, no longer be slaves to any shameful lust, no longer bring a polluted offering to the Lord, a sin-stained soul." ~Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers, page 471

Regarding False Witness

"A false witness will not go unpunished,
      And he who speaks lies will not escape." Proverbs 19:5

It occurs to me that the Lord considers false witness to be a sin of the highest kind. We know this because He made sure this particular "thou shalt not" was part of the moral law of Ten Commandments. God loves truth. He is the Author of truth. And He wants truth to come out of our mouths, especially when talking about Him and about other people. We need to be very careful that we do not malign or cast suspicion on someone when we are discussing them or that which pertains to them. We do not know their motives nor the context of their actions. If we have actual evidence that what they are doing is against God's will, that is different. Then we are to go to them and address it with them. If they do not hear us, we are to take one or two with us. If they still do not hear us, we are to take it to the church, and if they still are not turning from their sin they are to be removed from the fellowship of the church or censured. Then a time of repentance and reconciliation occurs in which the church lovingly guides the erring back to the safety of a converted relationship with God. This is the basic process we are to follow.

But when we cast doubt on another and malign them wrongfully, this is bearing false witness, and the Bible condemns it.

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits" [Matt. 7:15, 16].

"There are some who have departed from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and these in their turn seduce others through falsehood and misrepresentation. These false teachers are represented by Christ as ravening wolves. Their work is to tear down that which God through His agencies is seeking to build up. 'Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make My people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded; yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God'" [Micah 3:5-7].~Manuscript Releases, Vol. 16, page 89

"When those who controvert the truth of God send for men to oppose truth with falsehood and error, this is the time to watch the influence their words have upon the congregation. Those who do not want a knowledge of the truth will greedily partake of the dish of pleasing fables presented to them. They will listen diligently to the falsehoods and ravening of the wolves in sheep's clothing. They are of those who rejoice in iniquity. They infuse into the hearts of those who do not want God's way the same wicked opposition that is in their own hearts. And they will act out the same spirit toward God's commandment-keeping people in this time as the Jews did when they refused to believe the truths which Christ unfolded before them. Christ presented before this people the prophecies of the Old Testament Scriptures, showing them that by their rejection of Him they were fulfilling those prophecies. But they continued in their evil course, and followed to the end the works which stand registered against them in the books of heaven, and which have brought eternal infamy upon them as a nation." ~Manuscript Releases, Vol. 16, page 90

"The matter is carried from man to God, so that if one bears false witness, it is not to man, but to the great God, who reads the heart, and knows the exact truth in every case. Our laws make it a high crime to take a false oath. God has often visited judgment upon the false swearer, and even while the oath was on his lips, the destroying angel has cut him down. This was to prove a terror to evildoers." ~Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, page 202

Press On!

"The work rests upon us to perfect holiness. When God sees us doing all we can on our part, then He will help us. Angels will aid us, and we shall be strong through Christ strengthening us. Do not neglect secret prayer. Pray for yourself. Grow in grace. Advance. Don't stand still, don't go back. Onward to victory. Courage in the Lord, my dear boy. Battle with the great adversary only a little longer, and then release will come, and the armor will be laid off at the feet of our dear Redeemer. Press through every obstacle. If the future looks somewhat clouded, hope on, believe on. The clouds will disappear, and light again shine." -- Ellen G. White. Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 663

Inspired Snapshot of Truth

“The men in responsible positions have disappointed Jesus. They have refused precious blessings, and refused to be channels of light, as He wanted them to be. The knowledge they should receive of God that they might be a light and blessing to others, they refuse to accept, and thus become channels of darkness. The Spirit of God is grieved. Never can the heart be stirred up with envy, with evil-surmising, with evil reports, but the intellect becomes unbalanced, and cannot decide correctly any controverted point. The attributes of Satan which have found entrance to the soul, cannot harmonize with truth.” -- Ellen G. White. Ms 113-89. Manuscript Release 895

A very important camp meeting

http://www.campmeetingohio.webs.com 

This link will take you to our camp meeting website. Speakers include Samuel Pipim, Roy Gane, Alden Ho, Wes Youngberg, Rick Howard, and Gerry and Nancy Wagoner. Dates are June 8-12, 2011. The theme is "Forward to Zion." You can make room and camping reservations on the website.

Although this is a hometown camp meeting sponsored by a handful of churches, we are trying to create more of an awareness around Ohio. This is no different than the common practice of the other hometown camp meetings. Yet our camp meeting is being attacked and maligned by some who are influential. This is unfortunate and also nonsensical. So keep this meeting in your prayers. Just like Nehemiah, let us gather strength from our Lord and His Word. Let us continue to move forward, even in the midst of turbulence. Let's work for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God, and be vigilant with our eyes wide open, and armed with the sword of the Word of God as we work. Our motives are pure, and this meeting will uplift Christ, it will help people prepare for His coming, and it will train us for active soulwinning.

Strong in His Strength

This is Ash. Short for Asher. He's our little guy--full of gumption, and very active. He's a little bigger now. His pose reminds me how invincible we sometimes think we are. Yet all the while we are but babes in the arms of Christ, the Good Shepherd. We are strong only in His strength. Our loving obedience is prompted and facilitated by His Spirit, who resides within. As faithful disciples, we are empowered by our Leader, not merely in a figurative or managerial sense, but in a literal sense. All of His callings are enablings, and all of His commands are promises, for Jesus actively works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

Life Enhancing Truth

I believe this is what Jesus gives us when He gives us Himself. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He offers to us newness, wholeness, healing, meaning, empowerment, acceptance, assurance, forgiveness, and cleansing. This blog is dedicated to Jesus Christ, because of His awesome power to save, and His ability to lead us safely through this life.