Sanctification

"The character of Christ is an infinitely perfect character, and He must be lifted up, He must be brought prominently into view, for He is the power, the might, the sanctification and righteousness of all who believe in Him."—Manuscript 27, 1889.

The good news of justification

"Pardon and justification are one and the same thing. Through faith, the believer passes from the position of a rebel, a child of sin and Satan, to the position of a loyal subject of Christ Jesus, not because of an inherent goodness, but because Christ receives him as His child by adoption. The sinner receives the forgiveness of his sins, because these sins are borne by his Substitute and Surety. The Lord speaks to His heavenly Father, saying: “This is My child. I reprieve him from the condemnation of death, giving him My life insurance policy—eternal life—because I have taken his place and have suffered for his sins. He is even My beloved son.” Thus man, pardoned, and clothed with the beautiful garments of Christ’s righteousness, stands faultless before God." Reflecting Christ 1 March

Respect for each other

"The spirit of hate and revenge originated with Satan, and it led him to put to death the Son of God. Whoever cherishes malice or unkindness is cherishing the same spirit.... In the revengeful thought the evil deed lies enfolded, as the plant in the seed.... In the gift of His Son for our redemption, God has shown how high a value He places upon every human soul, and He gives to no man liberty to speak contemptuously of another. We shall see faults and weaknesses in those about us, but God claims every soul as His property—His by creation, and doubly His as purchased by the precious blood of Christ. All were created in His image, and even the most degraded are to be treated with respect and tenderness. God will hold us accountable for even a word spoken in contempt of one soul for whom Christ laid down His life.... " strong words

Encouragement

God is for You
 
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31, NLT Bible)
 
There are many misconceptions about God in the world today. Some people think He’s mad at them, and other’s think He’s keeping a list of all their wrongs. But that isn't what scripture tells us. Scripture tells us that God is gracious, patient, and loving; that He is forgiving and doesn't treat us as our sins deserve. Scripture tells us that God is for us, and if God is for us, who can be against us?
 
Think about that for a moment. The same God who created the heavens and earth, the one who spoke the universe into existence and knows everything about you, He is on your side and wants the best for you. I love today’s verse because it is a great reminder that when God is for you, no one can win against you. Not the pain of your past. Not any mistake you've made. Not the forces of hell, your worst enemy, a bad economy, a difficult housing market or anything else on this earth.
 
Today, instead of dwelling on what you're not, dwell on what He is — He is faithful, He is loving, He is with you and He is for you! And with God on your side, you are headed for victory all the days of your life!

Hope

Everlasting Happiness, December 21
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11. AG 363.1
During His ministry Jesus lived to a great degree an outdoor life.... Much of His teaching was given in the open air. AG 363.2
In the Bible the inheritance of the saved is called “a country” (Hebrews 11:16). There the heavenly Shepherd leads His flock to fountains of living waters. The tree of life yields its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the service of the nations. There are ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There the wide-spreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God’s people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home. AG 363.3
The Bible presents to our view the unsearchable riches and immortal treasures of heaven. Man’s strongest impulse urges him to seek his own happiness, and the Bible recognizes this desire and shows us that all heaven will unite with man in his efforts to gain true happiness. It reveals the condition upon which the peace of Christ is given to men. It describes a home of everlasting happiness and sunshine, where no tears nor want shall ever be known. AG 363.4
Let all that is beautiful in our earthly home remind us of the crystal river and green fields, the waving trees and living fountains, the shining city and the white-robed singers, of our heavenly home—that world of beauty which no artist can picture, mortal tongue describe.... AG 363.5
To dwell forever in this home of the blest, to bear in soul, body, and spirit, not the dark traces of sin and the curse, but the perfect likeness of our Creator, and through ceaseless ages to advance in wisdom, in knowledge, and in holiness, ever exploring new fields of thought, ever finding new wonders and new glories, ever increasing in capacity to know and to enjoy and to love, and knowing that there is still beyond us joy and love and wisdom infinite—such is the object to which the Christian’s hope is pointing. AG 363.6

Life as a gluten free vegan

So life a gluten free vegan isn't the easiest thing. I had a great day out with my good friend "Elly" today. We went to a craft fayre which interestingly enough consisted mostly of sweets chocolate and jewellery....go figure! Needless to say I bought nothing!
There was also a stall with some amazingly sweet smelling natural products. I wanted to to buy it all...so expensive! Walk away slowly.
Why was "Santa" offering us sweets?? I don't think Santa and I can be friends. He kinda freaks me out!
Then it was on to the vegan food open day! Great!!! Food! I was famished!
Being my naive self...I held on to hope that there might be at least one thing I could eat....ummm try nothing!!!
Everything was baked and wheat filled! *tears* the fun day out ended with a hungry little wheat intolerant vegan going to the chip shop...(1st time in years) and ordering chips. Life as a wheat intolerant vegan....good times!

Me me me!

So you know when you realise that you aren't actually the centre of the universe....it's like what....? You mean I've been living a lie all this time??! God has a way of showing us things that stop us in our tracks and, if we are attentive, rethink our way of thinking. If we aren't attentive...it will probably just make us momentarily unhappy but ultimately we carry on with life as we have always known it. I'm sad to say that for a large part of my short life, I have done the latter. Merrily floating along thinking "it's all good" when in reality...it's not even remotely good. Recently I've been learning me in an interesting way and I've come to realise that when God shows us who we really are...it's not always a pretty picture. Sometimes it's downright scary! So how does one deal? A wise man once wrote that many people are afraid of God's will but the sweetest and best thing one could ever do is to surrender one's own will to the FATHER and have His will instead. I'm learning that this fear is actually irrational...that in fact "Perfect love casteth out fear" but there's a catch...*gasp* For the fear to be cast out...we first need perfect love! And there is only one source...Neither Tom, Adam, nor Jerry can give me perfect love...this only comes from the Father...He is so misunderstood!

So here begins the documentation of my journey towards perfect love...stick around...I think it's gonna be an interesting one.