| Author | Message | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 64 Registered: 12-2003 |
Though I read this forum often and am greatly blessed and encouraged by so many of your posts, I don't often write. I think the reason is that I am just shy about 'speaking' on a public forum - probably left over baggage from the trauma of being raised in a judgmental atmosphere. For me, this forum has been a fountain of information and I come to you this morning asking you to share your knowledge with me.... I need help in finding information that points out the subtle errors woven into the 10 volume Bible Story set by Arthur Maxwell and also the Desire of Ages. The church I currently attend has this set in it's library!!!! as well as a copy of The Desire of Ages. I was taken aback to see these and told the person in charge that I was a former Adventist and recognized these as Adventist publications. She took my number and said she'd have the librarian call me during the week. I know the DofA is mostly copied but I'm sure there are many doctrinal errors woven into it -- the same with the Bible Story set and I wondered if anyone has documented some of the error in these volumes so I can give it to her for reference. Thank you SO much for any help you can give me. | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 785 Registered: 7-2004 |
Spokenfor, I have stocked the library at my church with copies of Greg Taylor's "Discovering the New Covenant" and Dale Ratlaff's "The Truths of SDA Truths", "Sabbath in Christ" and "Cultic Doctrines of SDA". Those books spell out very clearly the cultic nature of the religion. The librarian at my church read all those books and was amazed. She had many follow-up questions for me and was very well aware of Pacific Press and Review and Herald Publications by the time she was done with her research. These books are not only good for helping Christians understand the nature of the SDA church, they also open up new understanding of the New Covenant in a clear and wonderful way. It is my experience that many non-SDA Christians cling to the Old Covenant, too. Hope my experience helps you in some way. Blessings, Denise | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 1556 Registered: 7-2003 |
Spokenfor, I also found Desire of Ages and Great Controversy in my church library. Things get donated, and people just put them in was the explanation I got, but they immediately threw them away when I explained who the author was and her 'role'. As Denise, I also gave them Cultic Doctrine. I haven't read the books you mentioned, so can't answer your specific question, but if it's SDA I avoid it. | ||
| Jackob Registered user Username: Jackob Post Number: 433 Registered: 7-2005 |
Hi Spokenfor, Since I have not the books of Maxwell, I will limit my evaluation to the DA. Chapter 29, "The Sabbath" is perhaps a good chapter to start, because it's representative of the Sabbath view cherished by SDA church. For example, evangelicals who are saying that Jesus broke the Sabbath are put in the same category with the unbelieving jews of Jesus day.
Notice that here the difference between true believers and unbelievers is based on what somebody thinks about Jesus' attitude toward the Sabbath. In this way, the dividing wall of partition between jews and gentiles which was demolished by Jesus's death, is reusrrected again. But what I think is more dangerous is the Great Controversy theme presented in the DA, more explicitly in chapter 79, "It is Finished"
Interesting is the idea that until the cross Satan was somehow liked in the heavenly courts by the angels, and only by Jesus's death his true character was revealed. Now, image you being a holy angel, seeing thousands of years of suffering and death as a consequence of sin, and still have sympathy for the author of it, Satan! I'm still amazed how I could believe this. With other words, Jesus's death was neccesary for God to win in His cosmic battle with Satan, and show that Satan was a murderer. Beside this reason, there was another reason, to respond to the accusation made by Satan that God could not be a God of grace and justice, at the same time. With other words, God was in the position to clear His name
And now we came to the idea of the law, the idea that this was Satan's accusation, that the law of God cannot be kept, and those who are disregarding the Sabbath are doing Satan's work
I think that are many other grave distortions of the gospel presented in DA, these are not at all the only ones. | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 1717 Registered: 10-2004  |
Spokenfor, The Desire of Ages is filled with heresy and blasphemy throughout. It preaches another Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel (see 2 Corinthians 11:2-4). Here are a few more quotes, in addition to the ones posted by Jackob.
That quote is so blasphemous, there's almost too much to mention--from Jesus having "fear," to Him thinking He would not rise from the dead and that the Father would not accept His sacrific, to Him believing what Satan had said (mentioned in paragraph 5 of page 686), that Jesus would be forever separated from God--the quote is filled with polytheism (more than one god), blasphemy, and denials of Jesus being God. In fact, she says that even after His resurrection, Jesus still did not know that His sacrificed had been accepted by the Father!!!
Again, there's so many problems in these two paragraphs. First of all, the first part that I bolded diminishes both the Crucifixion and the Resurrection! Then she makes it sound like Jesus did not let Mary touch Him, when the Greek actually says that Jesus said, "Stop clinging to Me." Then EGW even says that He wouldn't let Mary worship Him!!! And that He still didn't know that His sacrifice had been accepted by the Father, until He went to heaven (she thus teaches more than once ascension) and "hear from God Himself"! Then she says that the Father had made a covenant with Christ, and that this covenant was that He would receive repentant and obedient man. Then she says that "Christ was to complete His work"--this is after the Resurrection!!! Here are some additional quotes from the chapter "It Is Finished" (chapter 79), that Jackob quoted from:
Really, that whole chapter is so bad, as is the whole book... Here is one last quote from The Desire of Ages, which clearly teaches a false gospel, among other false teachings:
On www.thebiblestory.com, there are a couple of sample stories from The Bible Story set. Here is a quote from a story entitled "Jesus, Friend of Children" (which gives a Scripture reference of "Matthew 18: 1-14; 19:13-15") which very outright teaches a false gospel of salvation by works:
Jeremy (Message edited by jeremy on February 25, 2007) | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 65 Registered: 12-2003 |
Dear Denise, Melissa and Jackob - thank you for your helpful replies. I will definitely get copies of the books you mentioned to donate to the church's library - a very good idea. Melissa, they did tell me exactly what you said -- that many people donate books and they don't really screen them. I will make sure I tell the librarian to be aware of anything from Review and Herald and Pacific Press. Those are very insightful quotes from DA Jackob. I will share them with her. I wanted to be able to give her some examples of the heresy in these volumes to back up what I tell her about Adventism. I suspect that a lot of Christian's aren't aware of what Adventism teaches and tend to dismiss them as a harmless sort of sect. | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 66 Registered: 12-2003 |
Jeremy, I think I was posting while you were -- thank you too, for those excellent quotes. It's just astounding how blatant they are and yet for most of my life I would have read them without skipping a beat. It's almost scary how Adventist propaganda just pops up everywhere -- in Christian churches, doctor's offices, places you don't really expect to see it. It's so benign looking and people are just unaware of it. | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 469 Registered: 6-2006  |
Jeremy, quote: "But what did Jesus mean when He said, 'the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these'? Are all children ready for heaven? Oh, no indeed. I can think of some who are so naughty and rude and disobedient they would turn heaven into a madhouse if they should ever get there. Others are so destructive they would tear the New Jerusalem to pieces in no time at all if Jesus were to let them in. Jesus was thinking of sweet, innocent, unspoiled children when He said, 'The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.' He had in mind those dear boys and girls who respect and obey their parents and who try to be helpful and unselfish at home and at school. Heaven will be made up of people like this. And if we are not like this now? Then we must change or be left out. That is why Jesus wants us to come to Him, so He can change us. He wants to make us as kind, patient, tenderhearted, and sweet-tempered as He was as a boy." It's interesting that salvation has NOTHING to do with believing in Christ, and everything to do with being a good and well-behaved person. Also, where are the scriptures about Jesus being a "sweet-tempered boy"? Did I miss something?  You always come through with the goods. Leigh Anne | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5441 Registered: 12-2003  |
Thank you from me, too, Jackob and Jeremy. Those quotes are so revealing. You know what really bothers me? The ASSUMPTION Ellen makes in stating that Satan accused God of being unfair, of establishing a law that could not be kept. Without this foundational assumption, there would be no framework for the great controversy idea. Yet NOWHERE does the Bible EVER suggest that Satan accused God of unfairness or of establishing a law that cannot be kept. He makes plenty of accusationsóagainst the brethren, against Job's integrity, against God's integrity (telling Eve she would not die), etc., but I'm not aware of any place that Satan accused God of establishing an unkeepable law. Quite frankly, the Bible itself states that the law was given so that sin would increase (Romans 5:20). Yet no one ever seems to question Ellen's foundational statement: that Satan accused God of being unfair. The ENTIRE great controversy idea is built upon a faslehood. It's so sublte but pervasive and amazingly deceptive. Colleen | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 1718 Registered: 10-2004 |
Not only that, Colleen, but when Satan talked to Eve, he was trying to deceive her, but he himself knew the truth about God. EGW's assertion is that Satan accuses God to God Himself, and she makes it sound like Satan does not know the truth about God--that He is holy, righteous, just, etc. Also, according to EGW, Satan's accusations actually put God Himself in limbo--He is on trial and everything (including God Himself) has to be in jeopardy for thousands of years, until the perfected lives of Adventists vindicate/save God from Satan. In other words, God needs our help to stave off Satan's threat to Him! Who is really more powerful, and "God," in this scenario? Satan, according to EGW. Jeremy | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 998 Registered: 4-2000  |
In 1965, I personally met and even had a picture taken taken with Arthur S. Maxwell (Uncle Arthur) in Minneapolis. I well remember "Uncle Arthur" proudly saying that he never consulted any commentary in writing the ten-volume THE BIBLE STORY set. However, he failed to mention that Ellen White was in his mind when he wrote those books. As a former publishing leader, I have sold many thousands of dollars worth of THE BIBLE STORY set, and I trained others to sell these books as my job required. Oh yes, the worst thing I ever had to do was to sell dirty books for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. These "dirty books" were literally filthy due to being repossessed items. Indeed, it is hard enough to sell new SDA literature without having to sell "dirty" (soiled) SDA literature as well. These repossessions came largely from student and quit colporteur accounts. The regular literature evangelists in the field had to resell their own books (without a commission) that came back to them for a series of reasons. Unless they made these resales by a certain date each month their car insurance, education assistance for their children, and medical insurance would be in jeopardy. BTW, I discarded all copies of THE BIBLE STORY set several years ago together with other SDA subscription literature. Yes, we even repossessed Ellen White's books. There were even a few isolated, difficult cases where a sheriff was involved in repossessing Uncle Arthur's and Ellen White's books due to non-payment. What a mess and what a tragedy for all involved! Dennis Fischer | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 375 Registered: 12-2004 |
Dennis, An absolutely amazing story. I can tell you are still shaking your head. | ||
| Blessed Registered user Username: Blessed Post Number: 18 Registered: 1-2007 |
I am so surprised that a non-SDA church would have these books in its library. Spokenfor I think that you are doing the right thing to speak to the librarian and find out how these books got there. Many evangelicals no nothing or very little about Adventism and do not look at the books closely to see what is really in them. This is an eye opener for all of us. Dd what a good idea to give them Greg's book and have this type of reading available in our church libraries. I will definitely look into this in my own church library. Blessed | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5446 Registered: 12-2003 |
I agree, Spokenforóby all means, talk to the librarian. It is jolting to realize, when we finally get up our "nerve" to go to a Sunday church, that most of the people we meet really don't know anything about Adventism and aren't sure why we left! It's important to hang onto what we know God is leading us to doóand it's also important to talk with each other as God makes it possible. It really does take 2 to 5 years to process Adventism and all it meant to us after we leave. It's vital to be involved with a healthy church, but it's also important to be able to talk to each other as we do here and even in person sometimes! I love the idea, Dd, of giving Greg's and Dale's books to the libraries. Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 540 Registered: 9-2006  |
I talked to my Pastor a minute last night after church, I had sent him over about 30 pages of material on Adventism plus a cd. I ask him if he got anything out of the material and he said ìOh yes, it gave him much needed informationî. He mentioned the Bible story set, he said he had it in his home and he stated that he did not know they were Adventist material. I said ìDid you read them?î he said ìYes, they are just harmless Bible storiesî I just walked way shaking my head I guess. As I have not seen them or read them I had nothing to say, but I have become like you guyís, I am leery of anything put out by Adventist. You are correct I believe when you say the general evangelical world knows nothing about Adventism. Most every day now God has been giving me little openings to drop a word about the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, to minister silently, covertly? To them (Adventist) without contending with them, I am still of the mind that if I dispute with them I will lose any chance I had of ministering to them. One thing was said by one of our visiting missionaries last night was that it is our job to be obedient; it is Godís job to convict and save. I must give this statement more thought in depth. I put much more confidence in the prayers prayed for them than what I am able to say. I think in the past I have worried about Gods part in the equation more than my obedience and I need to give that thought, prayer and study and to let him bring correction to my thinking. Please pray for me for guidance, I need your prayers. Your resident ìNever been Adventist-Former Adventist-Pentecostalî mixture of whatever I have turned into. River Jesus said of himself John 10:9 "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. | ||
| Olga Registered user Username: Olga Post Number: 45 Registered: 11-2005 |
I happened to see these books in the library at the Methodist Church I've been visiting; couldn't believe it! Quote: "Jesus was thinking of sweet, innocent, unspoiled children when He said, 'The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.' He had in mind those dear boys and girls who respect and obey their parents and who try to be helpful and unselfish at home and at school. Heaven will be made up of people like this." It is indeed amazing how reading the type of statement above I wouldn't have given it a second thought while still an SDA. Now, whenever I read these things my jaw drops and I shake my head: "how on earth could I've ever believed this sort of stuff; what kind of Jesus was I serving?" If this stuff were true, what hope would I have for my children (I mean, they are lovely but at least once or twice a day, they might act selfishly or they may do something that goes against the 'rules' - yet, I find my children worthy of my love no matter how many times they disobey or act in unlovely ways). This is saying that we must perfect ourselves before we come to God so he can find us worthy of His Kingdom, and should we lack that perfection, then coming to Him will help us get fit for the Kingdom. What to make of the stories of those Jesus sought out who weren't perfect for the kingdom (Mary, the tax collector-Zacheus? the woman at the well?). Has the verse about the little children he blessed ever been rewritten to fit the SDA view? wonder how it reads in the Clear Word book they have. I expect it might read something like this: "And the people brought their "sweet, innocent, unspoiled children" to Jesus so he could put his hands on them and pray for them... "Let the little "sweet, innocent, unspoiled children" come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like these "sweet, innocent, unspoiled children" How do little children reading these stories feel (guilty, unworthy of God's love? do they feel God loves them even if they stole a cookie from the cookie jar that day? do they think they won't make it to heaven?; I can imagine the nightmares they must have). I remember about a year ago, my oldest son wanted to get in the van ahead of his brother. Trying to not get upset about this 'selfish' behavior, I said something about a verse in the Bible that says that those who want to be first in Heaven will be last (I was sort of paraprasing Matthew 19:30 in a way I thought he could understand). My son quickly replied that it was okay with him if he wasn't the first one in heaven since he knew he would still get in, and with that he took his seat ahead of his brother. Thinking about it now, yes, he was being 'selfish' but he has something I didn't have while growing up: he's sure he'll be welcomed into God's kingdom, even if he's last. The Good News are indeed good news, they are also so simple, even a child can understand them. Isn't that Jesus' point? We must become like children. Just my 2 inflated cents. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5448 Registered: 12-2003 |
Wow, interesting plaque on the church wall, Olga! And River, thank you for sharing your thoughts about your missionary's talk. BTW, Diana (Flyinglady) called me this weekend. Her computer is still being fixed, but I told her I'd share her story. She felt strongly impressed to stop on Saturday and see her old SDA pastor when she was driving by as church let out. She went in and told him that she wanted to thank him for telling their Sabbath School class three years ago to read the New Testament. She told him she had done just that and had discovered Jesus. She also told him that she was no longer Adventist but was worshiping at a different church and was happy in the Lord. She said he told her he was happy that she was doing well, and he said he could see that she was happy. Nothing more definite was said, but she said she knew she was supposed to see him that very day, and she's confident that God is doing more than can be seen. Praise God for His faithfulness to us all! Colleen | ||
| Olga Registered user Username: Olga Post Number: 46 Registered: 11-2005 |
Colleen, I was actually referring to this quote from earlier posters (had I seen this posted on the church wall, I would have run faster than Speedy Gonzalez!!!); sorry for the confusion! Anyways, I wonder if they have any other SDA books in their library. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5454 Registered: 12-2003 |
oopsóI probably read too fast, Olga! Sorry! Colleen | ||
| Pheeki Registered user Username: Pheeki Post Number: 862 Registered: 1-2003 |
Jockob posted: By shedding the blood of the Son of God, he had uprooted himself from the sympathies of the heavenly beings. Ellen forgets that Jesus laid His life down only to pick it up again. Satan had no control over Jesus' death...it was Jesus' plan and His doing. There's one more for your list. | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 67 Registered: 12-2003 |
Colleen, what you said about processing adventism by talking with each other is so true and so important. We need to connect with others who understand what we've been through so that we can encourage one another. Though I often feel like I have nothing to add to all the wisdom and insight posted here, I am blessed by reading it - I feel like I'm part of it. Talking in person to the few others I know that have left adventism is theraputic for me - it has only been three years and I'm slowly healing. It takes time doesnt' it? There is just so much associated with leaving - from loss of identity and social structure to unlearning false doctrine and re-learning truth. I sometimes feel like I should be over it and in many ways I am. But integrating into 'normal' Christianity has been slower for me and my family. Well I am totally off the 'topic' here and rambling....thank you all for your input. I still haven't heard from the librarian... | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 543 Registered: 9-2006 |
Spokenfor: you said that "it has only been three years and I'm slowly healing." It has been 35 years since God by his miraculous power delivered from the bondage and I am still "slowly healing". What is "normal Christianity?" My Advance in "normal Christianity has been a turtle crawl. I know what you mean by your use of the word "normal Christianity", you mean outside of Adventism I think, but I just got to thinking of the word "normal Christianity". Am I a normal Christian? As I look back over those 35 years it looks really messy. My own heart is a bloody battlefield, I got up at three this morning and every morning I get up I face that same battlefield of the heart and the sword of the Spirit plunges into the old flesh, maybe that was what Paul meant when he said "I die daily" you reckon? As touching the words of EGW it seems like most of her writings smack of the flesh and man's reasoning, not God's, she just reeks of the flesh and her results reeks of the flesh, nothing about her looks like the Holy Spirit that I know. Just raving a little bit this morning. Thanks for being there and letting me know that I do not struggle alone. River | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 68 Registered: 12-2003 |
River, I'm smiling at your post and my own term of 'normal Christianity" - it sounds funny now,like what is 'normal' anyway. But I did mean Christianity outside of adventism. Though we attend a large church pretty regularily, we haven't really made an effort to connect with anyone there personally. Maybe just haven't been ready?? After the close knit group we were in while adventists it seems so lonely out here. The church we attend encourages small group meetings but my husband hasn't been interested in getting involved. Recently, the Lord has brought two wonderful Christian women into my life and we are talking about studying and praying together... River, I agree that the battlefield of the heart/mind is always an active one. I struggle daily with my own fears and discouragments. Everything from a pit of self induced anxiety and panic to discouragment over losing loved ones I had prayed so desparately for, to seeing my family struggle under the bondage of oppression without any obvious desire to be set free from adventism....But through it all, Jesus has been faithful to hold me tightly in his hand and deliver me from pain and despondancy over and over again. His Word gives me strength and courage to keep going. | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 69 Registered: 12-2003 |
That last post sounded like I am chronically depressed which I'm not -- in betweeen the times of struggle there is a lot of joy and peacefulness! The sad/difficult stuff will always be there but it doesn't affect me constantly. I praise God for that! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5463 Registered: 12-2003 |
Spokenfor, you make total sense to me! You are right that this process is slow. And River is right that the walk of Christianity is long and slow and often painfulóbut once we are in Christ, the outcome is totally sure. It really does take years to process, debrief, and learn what is real after Adventism. The process for former Adventists is just like that for former Mormons, JW, and other cults. It takes on the average 2 to 5 years. This fact alone is one of the things that emphasizes to me the true nature of Adventism. Pretty much everything we thought we knew about spiritual things has to be relearned or redefined. If we were "escaping" from mere doctrinal error, the process would be more like going to school and learning new "stuff", thus enalrging our world view. Instead, we are emerging from a form of brainwashing that has a profound spiritual component. We really have to redefine all our words and understandings. We have to learn that what we thought was white is black, and vice versa. I had lunch today with a friend who is a former of about three years. She said her most profound realization at this point is that discovering the true gospel and coming to know Jesus doesn't only result in knowing what is true about Him. Along with that commitment to embracing truth comes the (often surprising and daunting) fact that God begins also to show us the truth about ourselves and our lives that we had previously rationalized and ignored. It's hard when we discover that the fellowship we had with all our "familiar" Adventist groups was not the true fellowship of the Spirit that Paul talks about in Philippians 3:1. It was counterfeit fellowship based on a shared culture and shared deception. It often feels like being yanked out of the womb when we find ourselves outside that Adventist fellowshipóand yet the "real deal" is so much deeper and more satisfying. It's hard to let go of the Adventist "closeness" and admit that it was really often painful, competitive, and emotionally/personally "unsafe". It makes us feel vulnerable and wary, and we fear true fellowship with other Christ-followers. It takes time for us to realize that we have to trust Jesus to guard our hearts and minds and not fear the fellowship of those who truly love Jesus. True Christian fellowship "feels" different from our old familiar Adventist "fellowship"óbut it's far more satisfying and real. It takes time to learn that we can trust Jesus as we risk being vulnerable with people who don't share our cultural background. We were taught to distrust those who were different from usóbut trusting other Christ-followers is exactly what Jesus calls us to do in Him. Yes, it takes time, and the process is often frightening and painful. But it is worth itóand God is faithful! Colleen | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 70 Registered: 12-2003 |
Thank you for those encouraging words Colleen. They ring so true to what I am discovering. I lost so many 'friends' when we left adventism but for the most part those relationships were as you said - based on shared culture and deception. There was nothing to hold them together once we were no longer part of the 'club'. After some wilderness time the Lord has begun to bring new friendships into my life - some locally and some long distance but they are based on something deeper and more lasting - our love for Jesus Christ and his truth. The difference is astounding. Yes, God IS faithful! | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 545 Registered: 9-2006 |
Faith alone is really a hard thing at times. If we are honest with ourselves. If we are open before God. If we acknowledge our imperfection. I know from some of your remarks on the forum that the former Adventist sometimes faces doubt ìWhat if Iím wrong and they are right?î But folks, as a ìnever has beenî I sometimes face the same thing. At times a niggling doubt comes in to haunt me ìWhat if Iím not good enough?î ìWhat if, in the last day, Jesus says, ìYou had it all wrong and you should have perfected yourself.î ìYou should have been better!î It is at these times that I go to the word and reread such scriptures as this John 18:9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none." Jesus is not a loser, I may be a loser in my flesh but Jesus is not a loser. The word has power to give us hope, assurance and confidence. It is the sword of the Spirit; it cuts through doubt like a sharp knife through hot butter. The Holy Spirit who lives in us rejoices in Gods word and it brings peace to our heart. John I 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. These and many other such scriptures can lead us out of the doldrums of doubt. Not that I have reason to write this this morning except to share a little. River | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5469 Registered: 12-2003 |
River, thank you for reminding us that we all share common temptations and doubts. Those are the nature of our humanity and the nature of Satan's deceptions. I love your words, "The word has power to give us hope, assurance and confidence. It is the sword of the Spirit; it cuts through doubt like a sharp knife through hot butter. The Holy Spirit who lives in us rejoices in Gods word and it brings peace to our heart." You are so right. I am convinced that God asks us to read His word even when we are paralyzed by doubt and fear. We don't have to "feel" like it or even completely understand or concentrate on it, we just have to choose to place ourselves where we can be fed and nurtured. He asks us to read His word and also to pray. It is when we are obedient because we know He is truthful that we begin to receive the peace and confidence that He is really there with us. Thank you for your encouaragement this morning, River! Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3425 Registered: 3-2004  |
Colleen, thanks for posting for me about my visit to the SDA pastor. I will explain a little more. The SDA are renting the community church 5 minutes from me. I have been wanting to stop there and tell the pastor thanks for challenging our SS class 3 years ago to read only the NT with nothing else. Well, I accepted the challenge and met Jesus Christ. He led me out of adventism. Last week as I drove past the church God impressed me to stop there on my way home. I even had to make a u-turn to do that. I walked in and asked for the pastor. He recognized me as I walked up to him. He even hugged me. I told him thanks for the challenge to read only the NT. I had done it and had met Jesus and am now a member of a Christian church. He would like me to go back and visit. I will, and I will go with a few books to give to him and his wife, a pastor also. Please pray for him. He appeared to be happy that I am happy where God has me. I have a feeling that he is struggling. Why would he challenge the class to read only the NT, without any other books. So, when God impresses me to go again, with the books I will go. I am always amazed at how awesome God is. Diana |
