November 28
"Sin had become a science, and vice was consecrated as a part of religion. Rebellion had struck its roots deep into the heart, and the hostility of man was most violent against heaven. It was demonstrated before the universe that, apart from God, humanity could not be uplifted. A new element of life and power must be imparted by Him who made the world."
I’ve been reading about Martin Luther. He was a lad from a poor background whose father slowly rose to a good position. Young Martin became a Monk.
As we read about him we see him being the best Monk he could be. On his knees, marathon prayer sessions were the norm for him. Then he found a Bible. Not only did this spur him on to study, at which he excelled, but he also found truth – and that set him free.
I love what our passage for the day says, “A new element of life and power must be imparted by Him who made the world.” Jesus, who had wept for the state of the world had not turned His back on the world, he knew that simple condemnation would not change the people of the world – and He knew that He could not expect those people to change themselves. Leopards don’t change their spots either overnight – or ever.
Jesus had to give new life and power. True He came to set an example, but we were too far gone to be able to follow an example. Jesus had to give everything. He gave the Holy Spirit to convict of sin. He gave the model to follow. We know, from His friend Peter that God gives us “everything we need for life and Godliness”. More than that Jesus gave us His righteousness.
I am not to be recognised as Peter Sinner but as Prince Peter, royal member of the priestly family of God. There is hope, motivation and now a desire to hold my head up in different circles.
Now, how do I express that concept to the people I’m praying for? I don’t start by condemning them. I begin to meet their needs – by God’s grace. So do you.
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Housekeeping details for you
The point of this short blog will become clear if you decide to use this reading in the way we intend it. Netherfield Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in healthy churches. You can see what that means if you head to the relevant Healthy Churches page of the website. We also want other churches to be healthy. That means you can join in our campaign to create healthy churches, with healthy people serving the people in those churches.
A healthy church is one where Jesus comes first. A healthy church is one where the people work together to put Jesus first. One thing we are doing is to join people together to spread that news. I would like you to look at our prayer partners page. This will explain how we want you to use this short devotional. Very basically we want you to find a like-minded Christian friend who you will join with to : choose to pray together every day, decide together on a way to serve other people together, to help them grow as Christians - and to invite the Holy Spirit into your life every day. This blog that you will receive every day simply gives a common spiritual purpose. If you are a newcomer and want to join the blog with this object in mind click here
From October 21st this site will continue going through 'Desire of Ages' - but begin to advance rather faster than one paragraph at a time.
Our sister site, at the Upper Room, will progress at a rather slower pace - one paragraph at a time. If you want to head to our sister site for the slower trip through an excellent book you will eventually follow a link to the Upper Room. This will start on October 21st.
