I Must Decrease

That is why my happiness is now complete. He must grow greater and greater and I less and less. John 3:29, 30, Phillips.
In every stage of this earth’s history God has had His agencies to carry forward His work…. John the Baptist had a special work, for which he was born and to which he was appointed—the work of preparing the way of the Lord.39The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 5:1115.
When, after Christ’s ministry began, the disciples of John came to him with the complaint that all men were following the new Teacher, John showed how clearly he understood his relation to the Messiah, and how gladly he welcomed the One for whom he had prepared the way.
John had been called to lead out as a reformer. Because of this, his disciples were in danger of fixing their attention upon him … and losing sight of the fact that he was only an instrument through which God had wrought. But the work of John was not sufficient to lay the foundation of the Christian church. When he had fulfilled his mission, another work was to be done, which his testimony could not accomplish. His disciples did not understand this. When they saw Christ coming in to take the work, they were jealous and dissatisfied.
The same dangers still exist. God calls a man to do a certain work; and when he has carried it as far as he is qualified to take it, the Lord brings in others, to carry it still farther. But, like John’s disciples, many feel that the success of the work depends on the first laborer. Attention is fixed upon the human instead of the divine, jealousy comes in, and the work of God is marred. The one thus unduly honored is tempted to cherish self-confidence. He does not realize his dependence on God. The people are taught to rely on man for guidance, … and are led away from God.
The work of God is not to bear the image and superscription of man. From time to time the Lord will bring in different agencies, through whom His purpose can best be accomplished. Happy are they who are willing for self to be humbled, saying with John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Conflict and Courage p. 275
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Brian, Esther and the children as they will be traveling today. Also pray for us as we will be travelling tomorrow. Rose
—–Please keep us in your prayers. We are house hunting and would be so appreciative of some prayers that we find the right one. Maegan
—–Prayer Warrior’s I discovered my future in-laws and my oldest Son’s Fiancée ( who’s pregnant with twins girls) is playing with Wicca symbols on their Facebook profile. I’m praying nightly for my Adult children and grandchildren in the womb. My Son is a Christian…..I pray in the name of Jesus Christ Victory and Salvation of these souls. Lorrie
—–Please pray for the following request that I recently received:
I am facing heartache as my three adult children are not walking with the Lord in truth. Up until 5-6 years ago 2 of 3 were faithful to Him in many ways, reading His word… Now, as their adult lives have become difficult they have fallen away. I have blamed myself all I can for many different ways I failed in parenting but I gave them the best gift, the knowledge of Jesus, how to have a relationship with Him, end time truths. It is up to them now. I ask for prayer for them. Kimberly, Joshua and Melissa, their families and especially for our five granddaughters. Thank you. Diane
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Dear Friends,
My great-aunt Blanche was a beautiful girl. She was sweet and lady-like and very mature for her age. At 15, she seemed much older as she had had the care of her brother and sisters while her mother worked. One day she met Dale Dye, a man of 23, who was very much attracted to her. They talked for awhile and both went away thinking about the other. They saw each other a few times after that, and each time Dale felt more attracted to Blanche. She, in turn, felt drawn to him.
Finally Dale got up his courage and walked up the stairs to Blanche’s apartment. When my great-grandmother opened the door, she was surprised to see Dale there. She invited him in, and after a few minutes of “small talk,” he asked her if he could court Blanche.
There was silence for a few minutes. At last, my great-grandmother told him that he would have to wait until she was 20. He was free to visit Blanche there, but they could not date. Dale agreed to her stipulation.
At last, Blanche’ 20th birthday arrived! Both Dale and Blanche rejoiced! He invited her to take a walk with him. When he held her hand, Blanche’s heart felt like it would burst. On that walk, Dale asked her to marry him. Of course, the answer was “yes!” After a short engagement for the year 1906, they united their lives in a marriage that lasted until Dale died.
We are looking forward to a marriage as well. It is the marriage of the Lamb of God. We each have the privilege of being the bride. “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Rev 19:7-9
“The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen. Matt 22:2-14
Everyone is bidden to that wedding. Sadly, most will not come. Most are too wrapped up in the things of this life: its pleasures, its cares, its routine. Most do not even want to be in the presence of the very One Who gave His life for them . They are too full of their own plans, their own desires, their own little existence.
Even for those who accept the invitation, there is a time of examination. We must have on the wedding garment—the pure and spotless robe of Christ’s righteousness. We cannot make this robe ourselves, no matter how hard we try. Our Dear Saviour pleads, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Rev 3:18 This precious garment is bought “without money and without price.” Isa 55:1 All we need to do is to ask for it. It is His gift of love to us.
Precious Saviour! He loves us so much that He has supplied all we need to be saved. What more could He do? He will not force us to be saved, instead, He pleads with us to accept His free gift. Indeed, He “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14 With a yearning heart, He pleads, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, for why will ye die?” “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Eze 33:11, Isa 1:18, Jer 29:11-13
Let us, today while the door of mercy is still open, accept that wedding garment. Let us daily rejoice in our Dear Saviour’s love and grace. Let us to diligent to make our “calling and election sure: for if [we] do these things, [we] shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto [us] abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10,11
Rose