Strengthened by the Spirit

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. Ephesians 3:16.
Jesus says, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24. There is a condition to this promise—that we pray according to the will of God. But it is the will of God to cleanse us from sin, to make us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life. So we may ask for these blessings, and believe that we receive them, and thank God that we have received them. It is our privilege to go to Jesus and be cleansed, and to stand before the law without shame or remorse….
Through this simple act of believing God, the Holy Spirit has begotten a new life in your heart. You are as a child born into the family of God, and He loves you as He loves His Son.
Now that you have given yourself to Jesus, do not draw back, do not take yourself away from Him, but day by day say, “I am Christ’s; I have given myself to Him;” and ask Him to give you His Spirit, and keep you by His grace. As it is by giving yourself to God, and believing Him, that you become His child, so you are to live in Him. The apostle says, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.” Colossians 2:3.
Some seem to feel that they must be on probation, and must prove to the Lord that they are reformed, before they can claim His blessing. But they may claim the blessing of God even now. They must have His grace, the Spirit of Christ, to help their infirmities, or they cannot resist evil.
The Spirit furnishes the strength that sustains striving, wrestling souls in every emergency, amidst the hatred of the world, and the realization of their own failures and mistakes. In sorrow and affliction, when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing, and we feel helpless and alone—these are the times when, in answer to the prayer of faith, the Holy Spirit brings comfort to the heart.
The Faith I Live By p. 141
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray that God will help Jennifer find the perfect job for her. She has been trying to find one that will let her keep Sabbath the way God wants her to and she is having some difficulty with this. Frank
—-Update- 5-16-18- Praising God! The Doctors are calling Legend a miracle baby. She hasn’t made any stops backwards only forward. She is intermittently responding to light in her eyes. She continues to wake up. All of her organs are working how they are intended to. They will do a scan of her brain tonight or tomorrow morning. Keep Praying!! Bridget
—-Please pray for my nephew Arnold JR as he hasn’t spoken to his father Arnold SR for years and years and my brother is 87 years old and in bad health! Please pray for him too! Nila
—-Please pray for my children who will be travelling on vacation next week. Rose
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Dear Friends,
Next week, Brian and Esther with their children will be going across country to visit his family as his niece is graduating from high school. Graduation is such a special time. It is the culmination of four years of hard work. It reminds me of the time Ronnie Jay and I went to a graduation ceremony at Enterprise Academy, as two friends of his were graduating. Joy was upon each student’s face while marching into the well-decorated gymnasium. The students listened attentively as the assistant pastor gave the sermon and the school’s principal presented the honors and diplomas to the students. No one seemed jealous that they did not receive every honor. Everyone was happy with their own whether it was large or small. At the end of the ceremony, the class tossed their caps into the air in jubilation, then marched to the outside to form a reception line.
Soon, there will be a “graduation ceremony” that will top all earthly ones. As we stand upon that ” sea of glass like unto crystal,” joy will fill each heart. Rev 4:6 Our Dear Saviour, Himself, will place a crown upon each head. “When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:4 James exclaims, “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
John speaks of this time, “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.” “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women [a woman in Revelation is symbolic for a church, in this case it is speaking of not being defiled by the teachings of the false church]; for they are virgins [posses a pure doctrine unmixed with the wine of Babylon]. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. Rev 14:1-5, 14-16; 7:10-15
Think of it! From that sea of glass, we will hear our Loving Redeemer’s say, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt 25:34 As He throws back those pearly gates, we will joyously march triumphantly into the New Jerusalem where a celebration dinner awaits us. “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” Luke 12:37 What a joyful time that will be! Praise God! The One Who gave His life for us, will be the happiest of all. “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” Zeph 3:17 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev 14:12
May we “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:14 May we all take part in that glorious “graduation ceremony.” May we hear our Great Creator’s voice as He sings for joy over His redeemed ones is my prayer.
Rose