Prove All Things

Today's Devotion Wednesday, February 05, 2020

Prove All Things

Today's Text Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

“In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the testimonies of His Spirit. There was never a time when God instructed His people more earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the course that He would have them pursue.” Testimonies for the Church 5:661. The instruction that was given in the early days of the message is to be held as safe instruction to follow in these its closing days. The Review and Herald, July 18, 1907. Let the Testimonies be judged by their fruits. What is the spirit of their teaching? What has been the result of their influence? “All who desire to do so can acquaint themselves with the fruits of these visions....” “This work is of God, or it is not. God does nothing in partnership with Satan. My work ... bears the stamp of God or the stamp of the enemy. There is no halfway work in the matter. The Testimonies are of the Spirit of God, or of the devil.” Testimonies for the Church 5:671. The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18. Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God's remnant people in the true testimony. He will bring in spurious visions, to mislead and mingle the false with the true, and so disgust people that they will regard everything that bears the name of visions, as a species of fanaticism; but honest souls, by contrasting false and true, will be enabled to distinguish between them. Letter 12, 1890. “When the Testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in destruction. Testimonies for the Church 5:672. 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 Word of God tells us to prove all things and to hold on to that which is good, for there will come in the last days those who will attempt to deceive the people of God. The first words of Jesus to His disciples when they asked about the last days was "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Matthew 24:4, 5). While we look to this as something that is to come in the future, the sad reality is that it has already taken place in the church today. The deception of Satan has been in the church for some time now. While the prophet of God was still alive this deception was could not have taken place, but since the passing of Mrs. White and the church pioneers, this deception has steadily progressed into the hearts and minds of the church. Little by little and generation after generation the doctrine of the trinity has crept into the church unto it was formally accepted as one of the fundamental beliefs of the church at the General Conference meeting in Dallas Texas in 1980. How is the doctrine of the trinity a false Christ? Because in claiming that the Son of God is only a metaphor it denies both the Father and the Son. This being called "God the Son" is not the only begotten (born) Son of God but is a counterfeit Christ. Jesus warned us of this and this was foretold in Scripture. "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." (1 John 2:22, 23). We are told in Scripture to prove all things and test them against the Word of God. The Scriptures tell us that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God; the angels declare it; the apostles were a witness to it; even the demons testified of it. But most importantly the Father Himself has declared it. Yet today the church teaches us to worship God the Son a being that is not really the Son of God. This deception is so complete that though the plain words of Scripture are given, they will not receive it. How sad it is that the church has forsaken the true Son of God for the counterfeit "God the Son". As such it is truly in the Laodicean condition "... and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." (Revelation 3:17). The church is naked because they do not have the righteousness of Christ, and the trinity has blinded the people so that they cannot see their true condition before God. My friend it is time for us to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15). It is time to look away from the false god of the trinity unto the One true God through His Son Jesus Christ today. God bless,

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

Trinity vs Adventism Part 1 with Nadar Mansour This message explores the conflict between the Trinity doctrine and the main pillars of the SDA faith. Nader Mansour examines the relation between them and whether they are compatible or not. 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: The Servant of Man

The Testimony of Jesus

Today's Devotion Tuesday, February 04, 2020

The Testimony of Jesus

Today's Text And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10

Above all other books, the Word of God must be our study, the great textbook, the basis of all education. Testimonies for the Church 6:131. The Testimonies are not to belittle the Word of God, but to exalt it and attract minds to it, that the beautiful simplicity of truth may impress all. Testimonies for the Church 5:665. I took the precious Bible and surrounded it with the several Testimonies for the Church.... Here, said I, the cases of nearly all are met. The sins they are to shun are pointed out. The counsel that they desire can be found here, given for other cases situated similarly to themselves. God has been pleased to give you line upon line and precept upon precept. But there are not many of you that really know what is contained in the Testimonies. You are not familiar with the Scriptures. If you had made God's Word your study, with a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to Christian perfection, you would not have needed the Testimonies.... The Lord designs to warn you, to reprove, to counsel, through the testimonies given, and to impress your minds with the importance of the truth of His Word. The written testimonies are not to give new light, but to impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration already revealed. Man's duty to God and to his fellow man has been distinctly specified in God's Word; yet but few of you are obedient to the light given. Additional truth is not brought out; but God has through the Testimonies simplified the great truths already given and in His own chosen way brought them before the people to awaken and impress the mind with them, that all may be left without excuse. Testimonies for the Church 2:605. If we disregard them [the warnings in the Testimonies], what excuse can we offer? Testimonies for the Church 8:298. 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, one of the hallmarks of the Seventh-day Adventist church is the testimony of Jesus Christ which is the spirit of prophecy. Through the counsels and writings of Ellen White given to the church by Jesus, we were to be brought into a closer relationship with Him. But sadly the church has not heeded the warnings given. The understanding of the Scriptures and prophecy was never to replace the guidance of the Spirit of Jesus, but was simply to bring us to Him. Notice what the Scriptures say about this. "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:" (2 Peter 1:19). Our understanding of prophecy was only to bring us to the true object of prophecy which is Jesus Christ. The words of Scripture and prophecy were given that we may be brought into a closer relationship with God through His Son, but like so many in the past we have refused to move beyond that which we have been given. "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son," (Hebrews 1:1, 2). If we had been heeding the Scriptures and the prophet of God we would receive the Son of God within our hearts and He would guide us to all truth. In the last days the true follower of Jesus will not be marked by a denomination, but by the indwelling of Jesus within their hearts. "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." (Revelation 14:12). What is the faith of Jesus? It is the indwelling of the Spirit of God within our hearts. The 144,000 will have the character of God written upon their foreheads. "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." (Revelation 14:1). My friend, as Seventh-day Adventists we have failed to move beyond the mere understanding of prophecy unto the object of it which is Jesus Christ. We have failed to receive Jesus within our hearts and as such we are in a most terrible condition believing we have Christ when we do not. It is time for us to heed the warnings given to us by Jesus saying "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:19, 20). God bless,

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

Trinity vs Adventism Part 1 with Nadar Mansour This message explores the conflict between the Trinity doctrine and the main pillars of the SDA faith. Nader Mansour examines the relation between them and whether they are compatible or not. 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

Wednesday: Prove All Things

"Fear Thou Not ... I Am With Thee"

Today's Devotion Monday, February 03, 2020

"Fear Thou Not ... I Am With Thee"

Today's Text Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

It was not long after the passing of the time in 1844 that my first vision was given me. I was visiting a dear sister in Christ, whose heart was knit with mine; five of us, all women, were kneeling quietly at the family altar. While we were praying, the power of God came upon me as I had never felt it before. I seemed to be surrounded with light, and to be rising higher and higher from the earth. I turned to look for the Advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me: “Look again, and look a little higher.” At this I raised my eyes and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the Advent people were traveling toward the city.... I related this vision to the believers ..., who had full confidence that it was from God. The Spirit of the Lord attended the testimony, and the solemnity of eternity rested upon us. An unspeakable awe filled me, that I, so young and feeble, should be chosen as the instrument by which God would give light to His people.... In a second vision, which soon followed the first, I was shown the trials through which I must pass, and that it was my duty to go and relate to others what God had revealed to me.... I prayed earnestly for several days, and far into the night, that this burden might be removed from me and laid upon someone more capable of bearing it. But the light of duty did not change. Testimonies for the Church 1:58-62. My Saviour declared me to be His messenger. “Your work,” He instructed me, “is to bear My word.... My Spirit and My power shall be with you.... It is the Lord that giveth the messages.” Selected Messages 1:32. I do not write ... expressing merely my own ideas. They are what God has opened before me in vision—the precious rays of light shining from the throne. Testimonies for the Church 5:67. 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 the Spirit of God in Christ was with Ellen White, so too is He with us today. How sad it is that so many have been taught to believe that the Holy Spirit is a different being from the Father and the Son when in reality it is the Spirit of God in Christ that lives within us. When Jesus was speaking to His disciples plain truths about what was to come in John 14, their preconceived ideas prevented them from understanding the plain truths that He was revealing to them. As such He begin to use a parable, or more simply an illustration so that they could more readily understand. The Comforter that He was speaking of was not literally true, but was only a illustration of how He would be with them while He was, as a man, up in heaven. He would be with them by His Spirit. Notice what He said. "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:16-18). The first thing that we need to understand is that this is a parable (see John 16:25.), and as such the Comforter is only a illustration, similar to how Jesus said that He was the Good Shepherd in John 10:11 & 14. In the passage above He says that the Comforter is the Spirit of truth, when in verse 6 He said "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." He said that they already know him for he dwells with them, and than says that he shall be in them. Then He speaks plainly saying "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:18). If the comforter was a different person from Christ, then how is it that He could say that He would come to them? Even the disciples understood that this Comforter was to be Jesus, but they could not understand how this would happen. Notice what they said "Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?" (John 14:22). My friend, the wonderful truth is that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ that lives within us. Though He is united with humanity and ministers in the heavenly sanctuary, by His Spirit He ministers within the sanctuary of our hearts. What a comfort it is to know that Jesus is our Comforter. God bless,

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

Trinity vs Adventism Part 1 with Nadar Mansour This message explores the conflict between the Trinity doctrine and the main pillars of the SDA faith. Nader Mansour examines the relation between them and whether they are compatible or not. 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

Tuesday: The Testimony of Jesus