Operation Global Rain » 2007

Dangerous game

I want to ask everyone to pray for a man and his son who are coming to our church. The man married one of our church members a few years ago, and he and his son began to attend with her regularly. They were both expressing a desire to join, but didn’t feel quite ready (good enough), as they had certain bad habits, etc.

Then the woman was hit by a car and died - the woman who introduced them to God and showed them how to live. They were devastated, as you might imagine. But they continue to come occasionally, especially the father. Several of our members make a point to visit them and help them any way they can, but we need the Holy Spirit’s power to lead and to open their hearts. The son is feeling the pull of his old life and friends, and is getting himself deeper into trouble even though he knows where it can lead.

The devil is working, but pray that God will out-work him!

Thanks and God bless!

-Eric Huffman

Manny and the Bridge Boys-Update

This has been a very busy this week.

Last week we did a survey at the houses of the streets where we had prayer-walked for the last six weeks and found a number of people who were interested in studying the word. One set up a specific time to study. As some of us went to the doors some of our group walked the streets continuing to pray. If any of you have read about Manny and the Bridge boys- Manny is coming to church and a Spanish prayer meeting, says he wants to change his life. He has done time, done alcohol and drugs, all that garbage. Today Juan was at church, the first time I ever saw him sober. Thank You Jesus.

Am now studying with a woman who comes to MY house. Our first topic of study: healthful living (!!!) Her choice. I never had anyone that eager to study God’s word before. Every week, when she arrives, I get us each a glass of water and she tells how she is starting to exercise and drink water and how much better she feels. This week I suggested that she addmore veges. She is talking about joining the woman’s prayer group I attend.

There are about 20 studies going on in our church right now that I know of . One 6th grade boy, Daniel comes to SS, church and PRAYER MEETING, the only child there. He goes out with our group that invites children to our children’s church and other programs and tells our people which houses have children. Then he goes up to the door and tells them they need to come that they will enjoy it.

WE recently hired a young member who has a degree in theology from Southern to be a part time Bible worker He is studying with 16 people.

2 weeks ago we started translating our sermons to headphone radios by a person in the pastor’s study. I was asked to preach last Sab. and a friend says I have now arrived as I have been translated.

This morning at our little church school there was a call to forgive and be forgiven and the kids responded beyond our wildest hopes, especially because many of our students are not Adventist. The girls who had been at each other’s throats were now promising to watch each other’s backs, in a spiritual sense, and remind each other of their pledges if they started losing it.

At this same time we have medical, legal, financial, and social issues that the devil keeps trying to sidetrack us with but praise be to God, he is a beaten foe. Ever since the Global Rain Intensive we have seen people with more of a heart for evangelism, people who only spectated in the past.

It’s not flashy like tongues of fire or a mighty rushing wind but the Holy Spirit is on the march in our area. Are we the only ones? Surely others have things they could share here. Let us have stories to bring courage and ideas of out reach to each other. May we hear Every Faucet Flowing and see Every Light Shining.

Yours in the Blessed Hope,

Shining

Mom’s Witness in Her Old Age

Mom can no longer walk or talk with understandable words but her years of love of Adventist viewing are speaking for her.

When I went to visit my mom yesterday, her caregiver, who is Catholic, said she wants to get an SDA dish. She just takes care of Mom on weekends and wants to have the 3ABN atmostphere at her son’s home when she starts babysitting week days for him. Wants her grandbaby to benefit from our programming. Praise be to God.

Updated daily-weekly chain prayer calendar.

updated-sda-prayer-calendar.pdf Brother and Sisters in Christ. Here is an updated recommended daily -weekly chain prayer calendar. It will be a blessing for us to pray daily for the same things in one accord. As we pray in faith believing… the Lord is going to answer our prayer in a marvelous way. Let’s join together praying for the Latter Rain of the Holy Spirit daily upon all these people and church leaders! Click on the prayer calendar link above and chose download, open or save.

Blessings, Matthew

My thoughts on labels of conservative or liberal in the church.

As we continue to pray for the Latter Rain of the Holy Spirit. We are suppose to be united all in one accord. I am concerned that much like the politicians, now many Christians are trying to place everyone in a category, either as conservatives or liberals. I have done this too. I now believe this is a mistake, it will not help to bring about unity of the faith. If we keep on doing this we will polarize each other, we will grow more apart. Look at the politicians they have come to hate each other and continue to polarize themselves from each other. The Lord Jesus said a house divided against itself cannot stand. This applies to the government and the church also. I believe the solution is not to conform to this world’s culture and of political labels. But understand although we do have differences we need to pray for one another and follow Christ example of love and patient and teach by example. It is not about being conservative or liberal. It is about being a genuine Christian. May Christ help us to learn how to love, teach and lead as He does. And how to disagree with out being angry or disrespectful. Although I have many views that may be considered conservative. I do not want to label my self a compassionate conservative any more, although I believe I am. But I want to stay away from trying to catergorize others with these labels which cause polarization.

I believe we can not say that Christ was completely conservative or liberal. And we need to be Christ like. Although He came to fulfil the Law and not destroy it and to preserve and conserve the values and principles of God’s Word and He taught us to hate sin. He also taught us not to reject or offend others but to hate the sin, but love the sinner. I do not want to put a label on Christ of either conservative or liberal. I want to believe that He cannot be put into any particular category, He is unique and He is God and He is all things to all men. Also the apostle Paul another very good Christian example said that he tries to be in harmony with all people, all things to all men, that thereby he may save some. As Christians our greater responsibility is to preach the love of Christ, not conservatism or liberalism. If we lift up Christ, He will draw all to Himself and give them that which they need most, a revelation of Him and God the Father. So, like the apostles of Christ day, let us pray for unity of the faith and with Christ like love, let us esteem each other more than our selves. Let us love each other as He has taught us. And he will convict and convince those who need to change and reform. . . .”Christ tears away the wall of partition, the self-love, the dividing prejudice of nationality, and teaches a love for all the human family. He lifts men from the narrow circle that their selfishness prescribes; He abolishes all territorial lines and artificial distinctions of society. He make no difference between neighbors and strangers, friends and enemies . He teaches us to look upon every needy soul as our neighbor and the world as our field” . . . Mount of Blessings p.42-43. May Christ unify us in His word, turth and love. Amen!

Free weekly SDA Prayer Warrior Calendar

Free weekly SDA Prayer Calendar to all brothers and sisters in Christ.

I am sending you this free weekly prayer warrior calendar, it will help us to devolop more daily prayer habits, compassion for others and of course the fact that God will answer our many collective prayers. Please use it and make copies for others. I am sending it to you as a pdf file attachment. When you open the attachment choose Save or Download for it to open in a calendar format, do not choose HTML.

Blessings, Matthew

What is the message that, if accepted, believed, and acted upon, will bring the latter rain?

“Amid the confusing cries will be borne a special testimony, a special message of truth appropriate for this time, which message is to be received, believed and acted upon.” E.G. White, Bible Commentary, Vol.7, p.984.

As far as I am concerned, for many years, I have studied the publications of the 1888 Message Study Committee. At first I was greatly helped as far as making me realize that the 1888 message was a most precious message sent from Heaven and that, sadly enough, it had been resisted by the leadership. See 1 S.M. 234,235.

Some years ago, my eyes were finally opened to see the simplicity of that message and I wondered why I had not heard about this Bible truth on this subject that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare!

In 1950, Wieland and Short published their first edition of THE 1888 MESSAGE RE-EXAMINED. It is a very interesting book except for one thing, the message itself is missing!!! In the book, the authors state that in 1950 the message was on the verge of being discovered:

“Many even in the world are trying to discover the light which God revealed to His people in 1888. No one has so far been successful. Religious thinkers are yearning for something no one clearly understands, though it would seem that a few are on the verge of discovery.” p.242,243.

37 years later, they published their revised edition of this book and on page 184, they had this confession to make:

“It would seem that 1888 presents a problem unique in the long history of God’s confrontation with His people. There is a precious truth involved therein that seems more elusive than any in the history of past ages.” Wieland and Short, 1888 Message Re-Examined, Second Edition, 1987, p.184.

On Sabbath, May 11, 1889, shortly after the Minneapolis conference, Mrs. White, while giving a lecture in Ottawa, Kansas, said, “We do not understand the matter of salvation. It is just as simple as ABC. But we don’t understand it.” Manuscript 1, 1889.

Earlier, at a morning talk during the General Conference in November of 1883, she spoke to the ministers who had gathered there, saying,

“Some seem to feel that they must be on probation and must prove to the Lord that they are reformed, before they may claim His blessing. But these dear souls may claim the blessing even now. They must have His grace, the Spirit of Christ, to help their infirmities, or they cannot form a Christian character. Jesus loves to have us come to Him, just as we are–sinful, helpless, dependent.”

His blessing = His grace = Spirit of Christ.

This statement is a jewel but it must be put alongside a couple more statements. We must compare statement with statement as told in 1 S.M.42: “The testimonies themselves will be the key that will explain the messages given, as Scripture explains Scripture.”

Three years later, in July 4, 1892, an article written by Mrs. White appeared in the Signs of the Times in which she expressed, in clear, distinct lines, what we must do in order to obtain God’s blessing, that is, His grace, the Spirit of Christ. It must be read along with the statement we have just stated above. Here it is:

“It is not God’s will that you should be distrustful and torture your soul with the fear that God will not accept you because you are sinful and unworthy. Present your case (sinful, helpless, unworthy, dependent) before Him, pleading the merits of the blood shed for you upon Calvary’s cross.”

Say to Him, “Lord, I have no merit or goodness whereby I may claim salvation (His blessing, His grace, the Spirit of Christ to help my infirmities, to form a Christian character), but I present before you the all-sufficient merits of the all-atoning blood of the spotless Lamb of God. This is my only plea.”

If we will read these three statements in relation to the matter of salvation, we cannot help but marvel at the simplicity of the Gospel as presented in 1888. In these three statements we have the 1888 message in clear, distinct lines! No need to speculate endlessly. It is in harmony with the Laodicean message which brother Jones presented at the 1893 General Conference.

Many more passages can be quoted in support of the above but I will content myself, for now, to quoting only a few more.

”The merits of Christ’s sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf.” Steps to Christ, p.36.

If the Lord says that it is sufficient to present to Him the merits of Christ’s sacrifice in order for us to receive His blessing, His grace, the Spirit of Christ, to help our infirmities, to form a Christian character, then IT IS SUFFICIENT! He says so!!!

This was the word of the Lord in 1888:

“How long will you hate and despise the messengers of God’s righteousness. God has given them His message. They bear the word of the Lord: There is salvation for you but only through the merits of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit has been offered to you again and again.” T.M.96,97.

This is the word of the Lord, the word of our salvation. This is what we must do in order to be saved: present your helpless case before God pleading the merits of the blood that is of value beyond estimate!

“Believe it because it is the truth, because God says it, and lay hold upon the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour.” Faith and Works, p.76.

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” He is pleased with us when we believe that it is our privilege to look to Jesus, accept His merits and claim them as our own! Then “Jesus places His own merits upon us” and we are made partakers of His grace which accomplishes everything. His grace is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. See T.M.92.

The next statement is found under the subtitle REJECTING THE LIGHT. The context is 1888:

“Unless he makes it his lifebusiness to look to Jesus and to accept His merits which it is his privilege to claim, the sinner can no more be saved than Peter could walk upon the water unless he kept his eyes fixed steadily upon Jesus.” Testimonies to Ministers, p.93.

Moment by moment, we are to come before God as we are, sinful, helpless, dependent, keeping our eyes fixed steadily upon Christ, accepting His all-sufficient merits, believing it is our privilege to claim them, and then expect His blessing, His grace, the Spirit of Christ, to help our infirmities and to form a Christian character!

“Looking unto Jesus and trusting in His merits, we appropriate the blessings of light and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Testimonies, Vol.5, p.744.

This, according to the words of inspiration, is the 1888 message in clear, distinct lines! T.M.93.

Just as simple as ABC!

Some of our teachings, which include “accepting Christ as a personal Saviour,” have, over the years, become mere cliches, the result being that many of us have only a “nominal” faith in Christ.

“Many have a nominal faith in Christ, but they know nothing of that vital dependence upon Him which appropriates the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour.” 1 S.M.389.

Thus, “The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Christ as a personal Saviour: which appropriates His merits to ourselves.” Desire of Ages, p.347.

As far as I can remember, in all the years I have been connected with Adventism, I cannot say that the teaching that we are to daily appropriate the merits of Christ to ourselves in order to receive the gift that brings all other blessings in its train has been something that has been made much of, if at all! The arch-enemy of all righteousness has cast his shadow across our pathway to intercept every ray of heavenly light. The devil is afraid that we will do just what the Lord has invited us to do: to daily appropriate the merits of Christ to ourselves. He knows that if we do this consistently, we will be greatly blessed and that the powers of hell will not be able to prevail against us!

“Habitually dwelling upon Christ and His all-sufficient merits increases faith, quickens the powers of spiritual discernment, strengthens the desire to be like Him and brings into prayer an earnestness that makes it efficacious.” E.G. White, Gospel Worker, p.66.

”You want to be like little children, hanging upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. Then you will be fortified. How? The angels of God will be around you as a wall of fire; the righteousness of Christ will go before you and the glory of God will be your rearward.” Our Father Cares, p.122.

“You cannot save yourself from the tempter’s power, but he trembles and flees when the merits of Christ’s precious blood are urged.” Testimonies, Vol.5, p.317.

Thus, “Through the merits of Christ we may find the approval of God.” E.G. White, Our Father Cares, p.122.

sky

p.s. “Who can measure the infinity of Christ’s sacrifice?” The value of that sacrifice is beyond estimate; “The Father bowed in acceptance of the sacrifice.” “God bowed His head, satisfied.” Therefore, we are “to hold in abomination all other merits save those of Jesus. See G.C.221.

Thus, Mrs. White spoke of “the faith that lays right hold upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour to bring Christ’s righteousness into the life. Clothed with the robe of His righteousness and not with your own righteousness, you will not depend upon what you can do or what you will do… for Christ’s righteousness accomplishes everything… it is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God.” Faith and Works, p.65,66,27; T.M.92.

In 1888 Mrs. White spoke clearly:

”We have been at work on the law, the law, until we get as dry as the hills of Gilboa, without dew or rain. Let the law take care of itself. Let us trust in the merits of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. May the Lord help us that our eyes may be anointed with eyelsalve that we may see… with astonishment the utter worthlessness of creature merit to earn eternal life.” 1888 Materials, Vol.2, p.557; F.W.23.

But “When we seek to gain Heaven through the merits of Christ, the soul makes progress.” F.W.94.

”God will accept everyone that comes to Him trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. Then loves springs up in the heart. There may be no ecstasy of feeling but there is an abiding, peaceful trust.” 1 S.M.354. And “Love is the fulfillment of the law.” Rom.13:10.

”Jesus was treated as we deserve that we might be treated as He deserves.” D.A.25.

p.s. would appreciate your comments!

Excuses similar to such as others are making re the Fourth Commandment?

Jeremiah 26 - “Walk in My Law!”

Are there more blessings to be gleaned from the first three Commandments than is generally being appreciated by Seventh-day Adventists?

Is it possible that we as Seventh-day Adventists are making similar excuses re the first three Commandments as are Sunday keeping Christians re keeping the true Sabbath as defined in the Fourth Commandment?

What is one important application of Satan’s third temptation to Yeshua? Cf. Matthew 4:9-10 and my response to Shining’s post, Tax Attack (Sept 2, 2007,) under the OGR section Prayer Requests!

Press this link: Jeremiah 26 - “Walk in My Law!”

And the Phone Rang

Last Sabbath when we were having our monthly potluck the phone rang. My husband answered to hear a young lady asking if we had Bibles that included new testaments.

He said yes, and the whole rest of the Bible too.

OK, she said, and hung up.

Then 5 minutes later the phone rang again. Same voice, this time asking how much the Bible cost. John explained that we give them free. Oh, she said. Where is your church? Incredulous that someone could have our number and not know where we are located, John gave her the directions. By this time everyone is fascinated and our Bible worker is going to get a Bible from our stash.

Five minutes later she called again. She was lost. Eventually she arrived. She is a high school student and she wants to know more about the Bible. How she came to call US we do not yet know. But she said she has 6 brothers and she thinks they would all enjoy having a Bible and studying.

Over the years and especially in the last few months we have distributed Signs and invitations to meetings with good responce for our kids’ programs but no adult responce so we are much shocked. Please pray for this contact.

Tax Attack

Dear Friends, the dragon is angry. Last night aft sundown some members of our church who are very active in working for the Kingdom received word that the IRS of the USA is disallowing all their controbutions to our local church. I will tell you that our local church has always been very careful in its handling of money. As many in our congregation give liberal portions of our income, many of us have been audited many times. Never have we had a problem. Someone we know who worked for GCAS and for a while for a tax accountant informs us that the implications of this for the American church is incalculable.

I find myself asking myself if I have given all I could while the giving has been easy. Will I give as willingly if I cannot count it on my taxes? How will I feel with what I have left when we are no longer able to support God’s work with our funds at all? What else is ahead of us? Will such things wake more of our people out of their sleep? What way can we respond so that God’s kingdom is promoted?

Please pray that we will know how best to respond to this.