Come Just as You Are

Today's Devotion Friday, June 21, 2019

Come Just as You Are

Today's Text Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. Jeremiah 13:23

God does not regard all sins as of equal magnitude; there are degrees of guilt in His estimation, as well as in that of man; but however trifling this or that wrong act may seem in the eyes of men, no sin is small in the sight of God. Man's judgment is partial, imperfect; but God estimates all things as they really are. The drunkard is despised, and is told that his sin will exclude him from heaven; while pride, selfishness, and covetousness too often go unrebuked. But these are sins that are especially offensive to God; for they are contrary to the benevolence of His character, to that unselfish love which is the very atmosphere of the unfallen universe. He who falls into some of the grosser sins may feel a sense of his shame and poverty and his need of the grace of Christ; but pride feels no need, and so it closes the heart against Christ, and the infinite blessings He came to give. The poor publican who prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13), regarded himself as a very wicked man, and others looked upon him in the same light; but he felt his need, and with his burden of guilt and shame he came before God, asking for His mercy. His heart was open for the Spirit of God to do its gracious work and set him free from the power of sin. The Pharisee's boastful, self-righteous prayer showed that his heart was closed against the influence of the Holy Spirit. Because of his distance from God, he had no sense of his own defilement, in contrast with the perfection of the divine holiness. He felt no need, and he received nothing. If you see your sinfulness, do not wait to make yourself better. How many there are who think they are not good enough to come to Christ. Do you expect to become better through your own efforts? ... There is help for us only in God. We must not wait for stronger persuasions, for better opportunities, or for holier tempers. We can do nothing for ourselves. We must come to Christ just as we are. Steps to Christ, 30, 31. Yield yourself to Christ without delay; He alone, by the power of His grace, can redeem you from ruin. He alone can bring your moral and mental powers into a state of health. Your heart may be warm with the love of God; your understanding, clear and mature; your conscience, illuminated, quick, and pure; your will, upright and sanctified, subject to the control of the Spirit of God. You can make yourself what you choose. If you will now face rightabout, cease to do evil and learn to do well, then you will be happy indeed; you will be successful in the battles of life, and rise to glory and honor in the better life than this. Testimonies for the Church 2:564, 565. Note: In some areas phrases have been omitted by the compilers for whatever reason. I have restored them as underlined text, that the full intent of the author may be given.

My Thoughts: My friend, there is nothing that we can do to recommend ourselves to God. Just as the leopard cannot change his spots, so too are we unable to change our carnal hearts. We sin because it is in our nature to do so. Without the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ living within us, we have no power to resist sin. As such we need to come to Jesus just as we are and allow Him to come into our lives that His Spirit may dwell within us. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24). This is the first step in the process of fitting us for heaven. When the sinner accepts Christ as their Savior, the new birth of His Spirit justifies the sinner before God. The next step is to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, to fit us to live in the sight of a holy God without any spot or wrinkle in our characters. This process while important does not save us, for we are already saved. The work that we do in overcoming the defilement that sin has wrought within our characters is not a work of salvation, but the work of fitting us for heaven. This is the work of Christ upon the heart. As we daily surrender our wills to His, He transforms the carnal desires of our heart into holy and righteous desires. My friend, though at times it may seem like you will not gain the victory over sin, we have the promise that we will. As Jesus was victorious in the wilderness, so too will we also be victorious, for it is not us that lives but Christ that lives within us. He is the author and finisher of our faith. "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" (Philippians 1:6). God bless,

I encourage your comments: wtaitague@gmail.com or directly in the blog (Click Here)

Justification and Sanctification - Wes Taitague What is the difference between justification and sanctification? Are both necessary, and if so, which comes first? This and many more questions are answered in this message. This message was presented by at the Guam Advent Bible Fellowship service on June 8, 2019. RESOURCES: Archive of Daily Devotions Melodies of Prayer Free Bible & Commentary Bible Study Resources The Truth About God The Final Protest Revelation1412.org Recommended YouTube Channels (New) The Advent Bible Fellowship YouTube channel Open Face Fellowship Revelation 14:12 Pro-life Andrew Smyrna Gospel Ministry Line of Truth Ministries

Monday: A Personal Pardon

Restitution Is Required

Today's Devotion Thursday, June 20, 2019

Restitution Is Required

Today's Text If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. Ezekiel 33:15

No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin; it is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct. Holiness is wholeness for God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven. The Christian in his business life is to represent to the world the manner in which our Lord would conduct business enterprises. In every transaction he is to make it manifest that God is his teacher. “Holiness unto the Lord” is to be written upon daybooks and ledgers, on deeds, receipts, and bills of exchange. Those who profess to be followers of Christ, and who deal in an unrighteous manner, are bearing false witness against the character of a holy, just, and merciful God. Every converted soul will, like Zacchaeus, signalize the entrance of Christ into his heart by an abandonment of the unrighteous practices that have marked his life. Like the chief publican, he will give proof of his sincerity by making restitution. The Lord says, “If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; ... none of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: ... He shall surely live.” Ezekiel 33:15, 16. If we have injured others through any unjust business transaction, if we have overreached in trade, or defrauded any man, even though it be within the pale of the law, we should confess our wrong, and make restitution as far as lies in our power. It is right for us to restore not only that which we have taken, but all that it would have accumulated if put to a right and wise use during the time it has been in our possession. The Desire of Ages, 555, 556. If we have in any manner defrauded or injured our brother, we should make restitution. If we have unwittingly borne false witness, if we have misstated his words, if we have injured his influence in any way, we should go to the ones with whom we have conversed about him, and take back all our injurious misstatements. Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 59. It will not be long before probation will close. If you do not now serve the Lord with fidelity, how will you meet the record of your unfaithful dealing? ... If you have refused to deal honestly with God, I beseech you to think of your deficiency, and if possible to make restitution. If this cannot be done, in humble penitence pray that God for Christ's sake will pardon your great debt. Begin now to act like Christians. Make no excuse for failing to give the Lord His own. Now, ... while it is not yet too late for wrongs to be righted, while it is called today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts. Counsels on Stewardship, 99, 100. Note: In some areas phrases have been omitted by the compilers for whatever reason. I have restored them as underlined text, that the full intent of the author may be given.

My Thoughts: My friend, the story of Zacchaeus is an evidence that the Spirit of God was working within the heart of this chief of publicans. Even before Jesus came unto his house, Zacchaeus began to go back and make right the wrongs that he had committed in his dealings with others. In contrast to the conversion of Zacchaeus, is the rich young ruler, who had thought that he had kept the commandments of God from his youth, but went away sorrowful from Jesus when the price of eternal life was presented to him. The young ruler, though sincere in his desire to obtain eternal life, had ignorantly been transgressing the law of God by putting his influence and riches ahead of God in his heart. When the light of truth was brought before him he went away sorrowful, for the restitution that was required of him was in his mind too great a sacrifice. Jesus said unto him "... sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me." (Luke 18:22). Many today are like the rich young ruler. They have a sincere desire to serve God, but they have been deceived into believing that God is a trinity. When the truth is presented to them, they reject the truth and determine not to walk in the light given them; holding to their cherished idea of God as a trinity. Though Zacchaeus was in the eyes of the Jews a great sinner, his heart was melted by the love of God manifested toward him. This brought about a transformation of soul and he surrendered his life to Jesus. This surrender led him to correct the wrongs that he had done against others as much as was in his power. If the love of God is living within our hearts, we will do all in our power to do the same. God bless,

I encourage your comments: wtaitague@gmail.com or directly in the blog (Click Here)

Justification and Sanctification - Wes Taitague What is the difference between justification and sanctification? Are both necessary, and if so, which comes first? This and many more questions are answered in this message. This message was presented by at the Guam Advent Bible Fellowship service on June 8, 2019. RESOURCES: Archive of Daily Devotions Melodies of Prayer Free Bible & Commentary Bible Study Resources The Truth About God The Final Protest Revelation1412.org Recommended YouTube Channels (New) The Advent Bible Fellowship YouTube channel Open Face Fellowship Revelation 14:12 Pro-life Andrew Smyrna Gospel Ministry Line of Truth Ministries

Friday: Come Just as You Are

Forgiven as we Forgive

Today's Devotion Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Forgiven as we Forgive

Today's Text For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matthew 7:2

We can receive forgiveness from God only as we forgive others. It is the love of God that draws us unto Him, and that love cannot touch our hearts without creating love for our brethren. After completing the Lord's Prayer, Jesus added: “If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14, 15. He who is unforgiving cuts off the very channel through which alone he can receive mercy from God. We should not think that unless those who have injured us confess the wrong we are justified in withholding from them our forgiveness. It is their part, no doubt, to humble their hearts by repentance and confession; but we are to have a spirit of compassion toward those who have trespassed against us, whether or not they confess their faults. Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 113, 114. Nothing can justify an unforgiving spirit. He who is unmerciful toward others shows that he himself is not a partaker of God's pardoning grace. In God's forgiveness the heart of the erring one is drawn close to the great heart of Infinite Love. The tide of divine compassion flows into the sinner's soul, and from him to the souls of others. The tenderness and mercy that Christ has revealed in His own precious life will be seen in those who become sharers of His grace. But “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” Romans 8:9. He is alienated from God, fitted only for eternal separation from Him. It is true that he may once have received forgiveness; but his unmerciful spirit shows that he now rejects God's pardoning love. He has separated himself from God, and is in the same condition as before he was forgiven. He has denied his repentance, and his sins are upon him as if he had not repented. But the great lesson of the parable lies in the contrast between God's compassion and man's hardheartedness; in the fact that God's forgiving mercy is to be the measure of our own. “Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?” We are not forgiven because we forgive, but as we forgive. The ground of all forgiveness is found in the unmerited love of God, but by our attitude toward others we show whether we have made that love our own. Wherefore Christ says, “With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged.” Christ's Object Lessons, 251. Let Christ, the divine Life dwell in you and through you reveal the heaven-born love that will inspire hope in the hopeless and bring heaven's peace to the sin-stricken heart. As we come to God, this is the condition which meets us at the threshold, that, receiving mercy from Him, we yield ourselves to reveal His grace to others. Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 114, 115. Note: In some areas phrases have been omitted by the compilers for whatever reason. I have restored them as underlined text, that the full intent of the author may be given.

My Thoughts: My friend, as we forgive others for the wrongs that they have done against us, it shows the love of God that is in us. To forgive is a fruit of the Spirit of Christ, for as Christ forgave us, so too will we manifest His spirit in forgiving others. When Jesus was dying on the cross He said "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34). Though they had just scourged and ridiculed Him, His heart was filled with compassion for those who were crucifying Him. This is not a love born of a carnal heart, this is the divine love of God. It is not natural to man, but is born of heaven. As a follower of Christ we must ourselves manifest this type of love. It is impossible for us to manufacture this love, it must come from the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ within our hearts. To truly forgive others that have wronged us is a manifestation of Christ working in us. My friend, if you are finding it hard to forgive others, bring your unforgiving spirit to Christ and lay it at His feet. Open your heart to Him and ask Him to implant within you His love. As we draw nigh unto God in this way, He will in no wise cast us out. Pray for those who despitefully use us, for as we thus pray for them, we are allowing the Spirit of Jesus to come in and implant His divine love within us. May the love of God be in you thorough His Son Jesus Christ today. God bless,

I encourage your comments: wtaitague@gmail.com or directly in the blog (Click Here)

Justification and Sanctification - Wes Taitague What is the difference between justification and sanctification? Are both necessary, and if so, which comes first? This and many more questions are answered in this message. This message was presented by at the Guam Advent Bible Fellowship service on June 8, 2019. RESOURCES: Archive of Daily Devotions Melodies of Prayer Free Bible & Commentary Bible Study Resources The Truth About God The Final Protest Revelation1412.org Recommended YouTube Channels (New) The Advent Bible Fellowship YouTube channel Open Face Fellowship Revelation 14:12 Pro-life Andrew Smyrna Gospel Ministry Line of Truth Ministries

Thursday: Restitution is Required