Doing It My Way

As individuals we all like to have our 'own way'.... As kids we fight and compete to have our own way in everything. As a Christian should we then strive to have our own way? Dear readers I considered the matter quite a bit and discovered that sadly there are only two 'ways'. Folks a person can either do things God's way or satan's way. You're either following satan or God. The Bible clearly illustrates this in the broad way (leads to destruction etc), or the narrow way (leads to eternal life).
Recently during family worship one night with my kids, we read a very thought provoking passage from the book 'Desire of Ages' written by Ellen G White, Chapter 51 'The Light of Life', page 466: "Every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under the control of another power. He is not his own. He may talk of freedom, but he in the most abject slavery. He is not allowed to see the beauty of truth, for his mind is under the control of satan. While he flatters himself that he is following the dictates of his own judgment, he obeys the will of the prince of darkness." The italics are mine and highlight how satan deceives us into thinking that when we do something we think we're following our own conscience but it shows we actually place ourselves in bondage to him.
After the above reading my son said that we can never do our own thing. As he so aptly put it its either we're doing God's thing or satan's thing, never our own. So then who are you yielding to? Is it the Holy One or the serpent? This question is for myself also and one that we need to ask ourselves ever so often. Do you want to be free? The only true freedom is found in obedience to Jesus Christ. His Word declares that who the Son of Man (Jesus) has made free is free indeed! This my friends is true freedom. Allow Jesus to liberate you today and you will rejoice in His Glorious freedom.
I recommend as eye-opening thought provoking reading material books by Ellen G White. It will enrich your Christian experience and help you to grow. As usual be blessed.






















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An Adventist Christmas

How do adventists celebrate Christmas?....Well, I can't speak for all of adventism but only of my own experiences with my church and family. In my church there are quite a few year end celebrations for various church groups e.g. AY (Adventist Youth), other church ministries also the entire church. It is a time that the church places more emphasis on the less fortunate in society and in helping them to have a good christmas. This is done through concerted fund raising and donations made by both members and non members.
On a personal level my family and I do not celebrate Christmas as many do. In a way I do celebrate Christmas everyday as I rejoice in the birth of Jesus Christ! I think that as Christians we ought to be glad and give thanks for the Son of God coming to this sinful earth to go eventually die for sinful humanity. On the day that the world celebrates as the birth of Christ my kids and I awake early as usual and have our morning worship. We may sing some songs that are considered Christmas carols. Incidentally in our family we sing carols at any time of the year. We go through our normal routine of breakfast, cleaning of the house, playtime, etc. We do this as there is NO word of scripture that commands us to celebrate the birth of Christ or that Jesus was born on the 25th of December. So readers beware! If in doubt check your Bibles!
This Sabbath the youth department of my home church is going to carry goodies to an orphange. I think that this is in keeping with the commands of Christ concerning helping those in need. So dear readers have a blessed holiday and remember the One who died for you and I many years ago: Jesus Christ
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Revenge and God

Revenge is sweet! Or so the saying goes.... What does God say about taking revenge and getting even. For about one year now I have been subjected to a severe, unwarranted attacks obviously originating from the enemy of God and man - Satan. I have been through the fire for the past year and have thought several times of dealing with those who are trying to destroy my life with 'an eye for an eye' attitude (they 'do' me and I 'do' them back worse). This would have brought great satisfaction to me...if i were of the world. But Christ lives within me, sooo what did I do? Welll...I started to pray as never before. I began to take my Christianity more seriously (not that I hadn't been serious before). I started studying the Bible and the writings of Ellen White to discover why this was happening to me and by extension my family. As I read the Bible I was struck by how the prophets of old in many instances did NOTHING when oppressed by enemies. Even our beloved Saviour did nothing when His enemies taunted Him on the cross. The Bible even says in Romans 12:17 that we ought not to Recompense to no man evil for evil. Furthermore it states in Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
So then if God will deal with those who oppress you and are determined to make your life miserable because you are a Christian, why should I try to do God's work? Let us leave God to do what he has promised to deal with those who treat us thus. Now some who name the name of Christ do justly get opposition due to their inconsistent lives. So I (and you) need to examine ourselves to see if there are aspects of our lives that are not in accordance with God's will. Now God has entrusted to us our work: To carry the gospel to the entire world. So I now leave the scheming and plotting to those agents of Satan. I will stand still and see the glory of the Lord.
The past year has been highly challenging as never before, but God has taken me through each trap set for me by evil persons and I am here still. Make no joke about it Satan wants to destroy all who obey Christ. So far I have seen one person who sorely oppressed me start to come to church on a Sabbath. I think this is great as Jesus died for all of humanity even the wicked. May God have mercy on us all but more so on those who oppress His people. Be blessed.


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The blessings of the Seventh day Sabbath

It's sabbath morning again! I have had a really terrible week and I'm really thankful for the Sabbath day. This week was terribly challenging: problems with my health, spouse, financial but not the kids thank God. So it's with a grateful heart that I spend this sabbath day. I can and have put aside all these problems/ challenges for one whole day. Imagine that- a problem free day! An entire day devoted to God. The weekly sabbath day has been a real blessing to me and my family for many years. It is like a soothing shower of rain after a drought. The sabbath offers us a chance to recharge ourselves after a week of challenges, trials, downfalls and triumphs. It prepares one to be ready for the challenges of the coming week which as usual will be filled with lots of temptations and stress etc. So come on and rest awhile in God's appointed day of rest the seventh day sabbath. You will be glad you did! Be blessed!


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Is it hard to be a Christian?

I have often pondered this question... Is it hard to be a Christian? Jesus states that His burden is easy and His yoke is light. This sounds like it easy to be a Christian. But it is not easy for some people. At times I feel quite despondent over personal issues in my life at present. It's quite difficult being a Christian in a home of non Christians. There are moments when I feel like giving up but at those times I remember the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for me on the cross. I think it can be a challenge given one's circumstances but it is worth every sacrifice, insult or humiliation one has to face. God allows trials to make us better people and for us to be more like Christ. I now pray for God to help me through each day. So being a Christian can be difficult at times but God is still in control of everything. This gives me the assurance I need at those times I feel like giving up. So don't give up, God will see you through it all. Be blessed.


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