Lift Up The Standards as The Great Controversy Intensifies “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete.” (2 Corinthians 13:8, 9, NKJV.) “God has appointed apostles, pastors, evangelists, and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith. God declares to His people, “Ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” There must be a continual advancement. Step by step His followers must make straight paths for their feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way. – Those who would labor for God must work intelligently to replenish the deficiencies in themselves and glorify the Lord God of Israel by standing in the light, working in the light of the Sun of Righteousness. Thus they will carry the church forward and upward and heavenward, making its separation from the world more and more distinct. – As they assimilate their character to the divine Pattern, men and women will not guard their own personal dignity. With jealous, sleepless, loving, devoted interest, they will guard the sacred interest of the church from the evil which threatens to dim and cloud the glory that God intends shall shine forth through it. They will see that Satan’s devices have no place or countenance in it by encouraging faultfinding, gossiping, evil speaking, and accusing of the members; for those things would weaken and overthrow it. – There never will be a time in the history of the church when God’s workers can fold their hands and be at ease, saying, “All is peace and safety.” Then it is that sudden destruction cometh. Everything may move forward amid apparent prosperity; but Satan is wide awake, and is studying and counseling with his evil angels another mode of attack where he can be successful. The contest will wax more and more fierce on the part of Satan; for he is moved by a power from beneath. – As the work of God’s people moves forward with sanctified, resistless energy, planting the standard of Christ’s righteousness in the church, moved by a power from the throne of God, the great controversy will wax stronger and stronger, and will become more and more determined. Mind will be arrayed against mind, plans against plans, principles of heavenly origin against principles of Satan. Truth in its varied phases will be in conflict with error in its ever-varying, increasing forms, and which, if possible, will deceive the very...

“It’s very important we stay tuned into God’s word. Otherwise, how will we know if we are receiving the truth according to Christ’s teaching? Couldn’t we easily be misguided if we are not well versed with the truth? God has blessed us with an important tool, the Bible. Let’s use it correctly to steer ourselves in the right direction as well as to determine if others are teaching us correctly. Are you familiar with the Bible to determine if others are teaching according to what it says? “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (KJV) ( Acts 17:11 )...

“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (KJV) ( James 1:3 ) Yes, we do endure trials that will test our faith. Yes, we may fail and not behave as honorably as we would like, but use it as a learning experience. The next time you find yourself getting swept away in drama, bitterness, and anger, step away. Regain your composure and consult God to provide you with the attitude and words that will allow you to respond in a loving manner and produce an endurance of faith....

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”(Ephesians 2:4, 5, 8-10...

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” (Revelation 22:12. – Was Christ a false prophet when He uttered these words? More than eighteen hundred years have passed since John heard this great truth, and the Lord has not yet come to reign. But shall we give up looking for His appearance? Shall we say, “My Lord delayeth his coming”? “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints” (Jude 14)…. The doctrine of Christ’s coming was made known at this early date to the man who walked with God in continual communion. The godly character of this prophet is to represent the state of holiness to which the people of God must attain who expect to be translated to heaven…. Shall we say we have been deceived in regard to the doctrine of Christ’s near coming? … Shall we say that all our work to make ready a people prepared for His coming has been for nought? Never…. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; … and let us consider one another to provoke”—unto doubts and unbelief, and apostasy? No, but “unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, … but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:23-25). – We must have a knowledge of the Scriptures, that we may trace down the lines of prophecy and … see that the day is approaching, so that with increased zeal and effort we may exhort one another to faithfulness…. Give up our faith? lose our confidence? become impatient? No, no. We will not think of such a thing…. See how the specifications of the prophecies have been and are fulfilling. Let us lift up our heads and rejoice, for our redemption draweth nigh. It is nearer than when we first believed. Shall we not wait patiently, filled with courage and faith? Shall we not make ready a people to stand in the day of final reckoning? – {TMK 348.5} That I May Know Him: Ellen G...

“The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop. If He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not spend time in refining us. He does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. It is valuable ore that He refines. The blacksmith puts the iron and steel into the fire that he may know what manner of metal they are. The Lord allows His chosen ones to be placed in the furnace of affliction to prove what temper they are of and whether they can be fashioned for His work.” – {HDL 9.2 Help in Daily Living by Ellen G....

1) “Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end.” 2) “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” 3) “If I had my time over I would do the same again. So would any man who dares call himself a man.” 4) “I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.” 5) “Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.” 6) “A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.” 7) “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.” 8) “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” 9) “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” 10) “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” 11) “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” 12) “Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front.” 13) “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” 14) “I hate race discrimination most intensely and in all its manifestations. I have fought it all during my life; I fight it now, and will do so until the end of my days.” 15) “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable...