Thursday, June 14, 2012

Will I Obey Today? Or will I put it off til tomorrow?

Although I consider myself an avid Bible student, and am often searching out the meaning of some passage of scripture, I haven't been reading through the whole Bible consistently like I should. So I have really been enjoying the "REVIVED BY HIS WORD" initiative that my friends at the General Conference started this spring. Each day the members of God's church (that's all of us) are encouraged to read one chapter of the Bible TOGETHER, and for those who do this together online, there is a forum where someone officially writes on today's chapter, then we can all discuss what we are learning and share. Being among one of those requested to write, I have already spent extensive time this past month studying the book of Leviticus. (Obviously, I'll be commenting on some upcoming portions of Leviticus.) Honestly, when I began studying Leviticus for the RBHW project, I wondered if I'd be able to find something good to comment on, but I underestimated the lessons contained in this book. Already, I have learned so much and have been bursting at the seams to share. And I am continuing to learn day by day, as I journey along with the RBHW family in the current daily readings. What a blessing!

Today, June 14th, we find ourselves at Exodus 9, and many of the bloggers are discussing the different plagues that fell on Egypt, and how they relate to us today. Lots of powerful thoughts being shared.

Yesterday, the reading was Exodus 8. And yesterday, the RBHW official commentator made a profound statement that really impacted me. The plague of frogs was upon Egypt, and Moses when talking to Pharaoh asked "when" he (Pharaoh) wanted the frogs to be removed. Pharaoh's response was "Tomorrow!"

Here's what our commentator on Exodus 8, Kenneth Matthews Jr, wrote regarding this:

"In verse 9 & 10, a remarkable and all-too-human aspect of humanity is seen in Pharaoh’s response to Moses’ question: when shall I ask God to remove the frogs from your palaces, homes and kitchens? Pharaoh answers like the defiant sinner he is. “TOMORROW!” Can you believe it? Christians today (Pharaoh) would rather wallow in sin one more day than to ask God to remove the sin IMMEDIATELY! We should not be too hard on Pharaoh of old, when we are apt do the same thing he did."

As I've been reflecting on how Pharaoh PUT OFF deliverance from the frogs ONE MORE DAY, it has struck a chord in my heart as I've realized some things that I've PUT OFF allowing God to deliver me from, little compromises that I've been reluctant to surrender and let go. I keep telling myself, "It's not a big deal. I'll do something about it later." In fact, it's easier to put it off and do something about it later, because the "sins of my heart" are not a nuisance to me like the frogs of Egypt probably were to Pharaoh. But God has convicted me… "Mel, although these sins seem little and inconsequential….these things are eating away from my relationship with you. You must do everything in your power to take action TODAY and put away every sin I convict you of NOW!!! Don't be like Pharaoh and put off til tomorrow the deliverance you need today!"

Wow. I couldn't sleep last night thinking about it. I will not procrastinate anymore on what God is asking me to do. I will obey today. As I was tossing in my bed last night, God brought to mind some passages from inspiration that speak to this very thing:

"Even one wrong trait of character, one sinful desire cherished, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel. The prevalence of a sinful desire shows the delusion of the soul. Every indulgence of that desire strengthens the soul’s aversion to God. The pains of duty and the pleasures of sin are the cords with which Satan binds men in his snares. Those who would rather die than perform a wrong act are the only ones who will be found faithful." 5th Testimononies, p. 53

"However trifling this or that wrong act may seem inthe eyes of men, no sin is small in the sight of God. Man’s judgment is partial, imperfect; but God estimates all things as they really are." Steps to Christ, p. 30

I shared these thoughts with my RBHW family, and I also told them the following:

I could keep what God is doing in my heart to myself, but I was just thinking to share with all of you, because isn't this the whole purpose of WHY we need to be REVIVED by His WORD??? These aren't just cool stories we are studying, or lessons for the people of long ago. They are for us as a people TODAY! And they are to change and transform our hearts today, so we don't make the same mistakes as those long ago. Let's listen to whatever the Holy Spirit is telling us today and not harden our hearts any longer! Let's not rationalize away the petty sins of our lives any more!

"Wherefore then do YE HARDEN YOUR HEARTS as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts?...While it is said TODAY, if you will hear his voice, harden NOT your hearts..." 1 Sam. 6:6; Hebrews 3:15

Monday, June 11, 2012

Counterfeit Rain Clouds

The phrase "Praying for Rain" has come to mean a whole lot more in my life the last couple months as we've been going through a pretty severe drought here in Arkansas. Usually the months of April and May are filled with rain and everything is thriving and green, like a jungle. But not this year! It's been everything we can do to keep the garden growing, and our lake in the front yard is getting lower and lower. I've never seen it go dry, but I'm wondering if this might be the year…

Every day our cry to God has become more urgent… "God, please send
us rain! We need it so desperately!" It made me wonder if my spiritual cry for rain was as urgent as my physical cry for rain, would God be more willing and quick to answer?

We know that the Lord longs to send us His Holy Spirit…and He tells us to ask and He will give!

“Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.” Zech. 10:1

In Acts of the Apostles, we are encouraged:

"The lapse of time has wrought no change in Christ’s parting promise to send the Holy Spirit as His representative. It is not because of any restriction on the part of God that the riches of His grace do not flow earthward to men. If the fulfillment of the promise is not seen as it might be, it is because the promise is not appreciated as it should be. If all were willing, all would be filled with the Spirit. Wherever the need of the Holy Spirit is a matter little thought of, there is seen spiritual drought, spiritual darkness, spiritual declension and death. Whenever minor matters occupy the attention, the divine power which is necessary for the growth and prosperity of the church, and which would bring all other blessings in its train, is lacking, though offered in infinite plenitude. Since this is the means by which we are to receive power, why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of theSpirit? Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, and preach concerning it? The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. For the daily baptism of the Spiritevery worker should offer his petition to God. Companies of Christian workers should gather to ask for special help, for heavenly wisdom, that they may know how to plan and execute wisely. Especially should they pray that God will baptize His chosen ambassadors in mission fields with a rich measure of His Spirit. The presence of the Spirit with God’s workers will give the proclamation of truth a power thatnot all the honor or glory of the world could give." Acts of the Apostles, p. 50

However, as I've been thinking about rain, God brought another illustration to my mind. It actually came in the wee hours of the morning a couple weeks back. We had a forecast of rain, but as of yet had not seen any. However, I was awakened to the distant sound of rumbling thunder. How happy I was! As the storm got nearer, the thunder got louder, and even lightning appeared, but still no rain. I drifted off to sleep, only to be awakened again by the storm…but still…no rain! Oh yes, the wind blew, the thunder cracked…but it seemed all for nought, for no rain fell. "What kind of storm is this?" I thought to myself. "One that makes all the noise but brings no rain?"

And then, somewhere between dreamland and semi-wakefulness, the thought came to my mind how we can tell the difference between the true and false teachers in the last days!

You see, we've all been told that we need the Holy Spirit, and we all know that we need rain. However, not all those that seek this will find it. There are many movements out there that are seeking to work up the power of the Holy Spirit. There's lots of noise, lots of commotion, lots of fanaticism… but this is not the falling of the True Rain! This is an illusion sent from the enemy! The enemy cannot produce rain through counterfeit works… He only makes people think the storm and showers are here, but really, it's all just a big show.

In Last Day Events, we are told:

“Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth, there will be, among the people of the Lord, such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times.... The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he [Satan] will endeavor to prevent it, by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power, he will make it appear that God’s special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world.... There is an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true with the false, that is well adapted to mislead. Yet none need be deceived. In the light of God’s Word it is not difficult to determine the nature of these movements. Wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible, turning away from those plain, soul-testing truths which require self-denial and renunciation of the world, there we may be sure that God’s blessing is not bestowed. ‘Ye shall know them by their fruits." Last Day Events, p. 158

You see, a storm that has no rain does not produce fruit. It may look like power, and exhibit power, but it's just a big blundering noisy giant. But if the spirit is not falling and bringing conviction to the heart, conviction that turns our hearts from sin, we can know…this is not a storm God has sent. It is not the revival that we should be praying for!

We need a storm to come that will flood this land with RAIN…not make believe imaginations and warm fuzzy feelings…but true rain, an
d true growth as a result!

“We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the Holy Spirit as the disciples prayed on the Day of Pentecost. If they needed it at that time, we need it more today. Moral darkness, like a funeral pall, covers the earth. All manner of false doctrines, heresies, and satanic deceptions are misleading the minds of men. Without the Spirit and power of God it will be in vain that we labor to present the truth.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 158

So I'm still praying for Rain…but I want to make sure it's the real thing, not just a make-believe show! Join me and let's seek God together…

We need rain upon our land!

Tuesday, June 05, 2012

You are Invited!!!!

You are INVITED to attend one of our upcoming 2012 ARME events!
  • July 4th-8th, Pacific Union College, Angwin, California
  • August 22nd-26th - Bali, Indonesia
  • September 19th-23rd - Indianapolis, Indiana
  • December 12th-16th - Oahu, Hawaii
To learn more about what ARME is all about, check out this short YouTube I made recently!