Grieve Not the Spirit

Conscience is the voice of God, heard amid the conflict of human passions; when it is resisted, the Spirit of God is grieved.97Testimonies for the Church 5:120.

Men have the power to quench the Spirit of God; the power of choosing is left with them. They are allowed freedom of action. They may be obedient through the name and grace of our Redeemer, or they may be disobedient, and realize the consequences.98Gospel Workers, 174.

The sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit does not lie in any sudden word or deed; it is the firm, determined resistance of truth and evidence.99SDA Bible Commentary 5:1093.

It is not that God sends out a decree that man shall not be saved. He does not throw a darkness before the eyes which cannot be penetrated. But man at first resists a motion of the Spirit of God, and, having once resisted, it is less difficult to do so the second time, less the third, and far less the fourth. Then comes the harvest to be reaped from the seed of unbelief and resistance. Oh what a harvest of sinful indulgences is preparing for the sickle! …

On the other hand, every ray of light cherished will yield a harvest of light. Temptation once resisted will give power to more firmly resist the second time; every new victory gained over self will smooth the way for higher and nobler triumphs. Every victory is a seed sown to eternal life.100Testimonies for the Church 5:120.

God destroys no one. The sinner destroys himself by his own impenitence.101Testimonies for the Church 5:120.

No one need look upon the sin against the Holy Ghost as something mysterious and indefinable. The sin against the Holy Ghost is the sin of persistent refusal to respond to the invitation to repent.102SDA Bible Commentary 5:1093.

There is no … hope of the higher life, but through the submission of the soul to Christ.
The Faith I Live By p. 58
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Prayer Requests
—-update—Ron is doing well after his procedure and will be going back to work on Monday. It looks like the procedure was successful! Thankyou for your prayers. Rose
—-Please pray for Andrew who was in an automobile accident and has a severe brain injury.
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Dear Friends,

This week, I was watching a program where a YouTuber was visiting a museum. I like to watch him because he actually shows what is in the museum rather than taking of themselves in the museum like so many do. As I was watching, I saw an old trunk just like the one in my grandparents’ attic. Memories of that fascinating place came flooding into my mind. That attic was not like most attics. It was an unfinished room on the same floor as were the bedrooms. I wasn’t allowed in there unless someone was with me. No doubt, it was because my grandmother was afraid I would get into her stuff.
The attic was dark, even on sunny days because the window was very small and the low-wattage light bulb hanging from the ceiling did not penetrate the dusty gloom. There were boxes and some old furniture, nothing of value in it, but the object that meant a great deal to my grandmother was that dusty, gray trunk that looked like that one I saw on TV.

On the rare occasion when my grandmother would huff and puff up the stairs to visit the attic, I knew I was in for great adventure. As she took the key out of her pocket and opened the attic door, my excitement knew no bounds. As she unlocked that trunk which was full of her special treasures, I was right there watching with interest and curiosity. As she handled each item fondly, she would tell me a little about them. There were some pictures and letters that were written during the civil war by some relative. There was a watch fob made of her mother’s hair. My favorite was a dress that had belonged to her cousin. It was a pale peach color, covered with a pattern of glass beads. My grandmother would hold that dress and tell me how happy she had been to receive it when she was a teenager.

God’s Word contains treasure far greater than anything in that old trunk that was so dear to my grandmother. The Scriptures contain a Heavenly instead of an earthly prize. Paul speaks of this prize that we all may obtain. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” 1 Cor 9:24, 25 Think of it! In the pages of the Bible we find the way to eternal life! Inside the Book of Books, we find the crown that never perishes unlike the laurel wreath that the athletes in Paul’s day received. James speaks of this treasure-crown, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12 Peter also tells us “when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:4

May we so live that we may declare as did the Apostle Paul when nearing the end of his life, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Tim 4:7, 8

Rose