Are we really grounded on the WORD????

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but [man shall live] by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Matt 4:4

[Mel's comments: Sooooo....does that mean as Christians that if we are not living literally every day of our lives based on the WORD OF GOD, that we are not actually alive spiritually????]

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God....that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works!" II Tim 3:16

[Is this really possible? A man of God today.....perfect? The Bible seems to portray that it is! If we don't believe it or haven't experienced it, might there be something vital that we've been missing?]

"God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms. The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority - not one or all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain "thus saith the Lord" in its support.....It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the scriptures what is truth and then to walk in the light and encourage others to follow His example." GC 595 & 598

"It is not conclusive evidence that a man is a Christian because he evidences spiritual ecstasy under extraordinary circumstances. Holiness is not rapture: it is an entire surrender of the will to God; it is living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father; it is trusting God in trial, in darkness as well as in light; it is walking by faith and not by sight; it is relying on God with unquestioning confidence and resting in His love...Having brought conviction of sin, and presented before the mind the standard of righteousness, the Holy Spirit withdraws the affections from the things of this earth and fills the soul with a desire for holiness. "He will guide you into all truth." John 16:13, the Savior declared. If men are willing to be molded, there will be brought about a sanctification of the whole being. The Spirit will take the things of God and stamp them upon the soul. By His power the way of life will be made so plain that none need err therein." AA pg 51-53

"The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger - a faith that will not faint though severely tried. The period of probation is granted to all to prepare for that time. Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His victory is an evidence of the power of importunate prayer. All who will lay hold of God’s promises, as he did, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded. Those who are unwilling to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His blessing, will not obtain it. Wrestling with God - how few know what it is! How few have ever had their souls drawn out after God with intensity of desire until every power is on the stretch. When waves of despair which no language can express sweep over the suppliant, how few cling with unyielding faith to the promises of God." GC 621

"Those who endeavor to obey all the commandments of God will be opposed and derided. They can stand only in God. In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of God as revealed in His Word; they can honor him only as they have a right conception of His Character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict. To every soul will come the searching test: Shall I obey God rather than man? The decisive hour is even now at hand. Are our feet planted on the rock of God’s immutable word? Are we prepared to stand in defense of the commands of God and the Faith of Jesus." GC 595

[Above are a few of my favorite quotes from a collection I shared for Prayer Meeting yesterday. The topic was "Being a people of the WORD prepared for the Latter Rain." I know that for many of us, this is old hash.....but we all need to see with new eyes.....and I am praying that this might help propel us along that way....]