FAHAMUDROID

From the Heart — Day 59 of 365 Truth Conquers Evil, February 28 Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. Matthew 10:34 . The question has been asked, How can there be agreement between the statement, “I came not to send peace, but a sword,” and the song sung by the angels when Christ was born in the manger at Bethlehem, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”? The song of the angels is in harmony with the words of the prophet Isaiah, who, when he predicted the birth of Christ, declared Him to be the Prince of peace. The gospel is a glorious message of peace and goodwill to men; the blessing that Christ came to bring was that...

From the Heart — Day 58 of 365 The Power of Song, February 27 He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. Isaiah 51:3 . The melody of praise is the atmosphere of heaven; and when heaven comes in touch with the earth, there is music and song—“thanksgiving and the voice of melody.” Above the new-created earth, as it lay, fair and unblemished under the smile of God, “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” So human hearts, in sympathy with heaven, have responded to God's goodness in notes of praise. Many of the events of human history have been linke...

From the Heart — Day 57 of 365 Unquestioning Faith, February 26 The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. John 4:50 . In the city of Capernaum a nobleman's son lies sick unto death. In vain his father has tried to save him. A messenger comes with hurried steps to the mansion, and asks to see the nobleman. He tells him that he has just come from Jerusalem, and that there is in Galilee a prophet of God, declared by some to be the long-expected Messiah.... It may be that He can heal the child. As the nobleman listens, the expression of his countenance changes from despair to hope.... The hope born in his soul strengthens as he prepares for his journey. Before the day dawns, he is on his way to Can...

From the Heart — Day 56 of 365 God's Way, Not My Way, February 25 Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Psalm 25:4 . Sometimes one who professes to be a follower of Christ is heard saying, “You must not be surprised if I am rough, if I speak bluntly, if I manifest temper; it is my way.” You ask us not to be surprised! Is not Heaven surprised at such manifestations, since the plan of salvation has been devised, since an infinite sacrifice has been made on Calvary's cross, that you might reflect the image of Jesus? Will “your way” enter heaven? Suppose someone comes up to the pearly gates, and says, “I know that I have been rude and unkind, and that it is my disposition to lie and ...

From the Heart — Day 55 of 365 The Only Treasure, February 24 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 . A character formed after the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next.... Regard every moment of time as golden. Do not waste it in indolence, do not spend it in folly, but use it in grasping higher treasures. Cultivate the thoughts and expand the soul by refusing to allow the mind to be filled with unimportant matters. Secure every advantage within your reach for strengthening the intellect. Do not rest satisfied with a low standard. Be not content until, by faithful endeavor, watchfulne...

From the Heart — Day 54 of 365 What Is Faith? February 23 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 . The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, is a precious thought. The enemy of God and humanity is not willing that this truth should be clearly presented, for he knows that if the people receive it fully, his power will be broken. If he can control minds, so that doubt and unbelief and darkness shall compose the experience of those who claim to be the children of God, he can overcome them with temptation. The simple faith that takes God at His word should be encouraged. God's people must ...

From the Heart — Day 53 of 365 Godliness With Contentment, February 22 How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! Luke 18:24 . These words of the Savior are deeply significant and call for our earnest study.... Many who possess great wealth have obtained their riches by close dealing, by benefiting themselves at the expense of their fellow human beings; and they glory in their shrewdness in closing a bargain. Every dollar thus obtained, and the increase of every such dollar, has upon it the curse of God.... Wealthy men and women are to be more closely tested than they have ever yet been. If they stand the test, and remove the blemishes of dishonesty and injustice from their characters, and as faithful ...

From the Heart — Day 52 of 365 Becoming a Child of God, February 21 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. John 1:12 . If we could appreciate this great blessing, what an advantage it would be to us! We are given the privilege of being laborers together with God in the saving of our souls. Receiving and believing is our part of the contract. We are to receive Christ as our personal Savior, and are to continue to believe in Him. This means abiding in Christ, showing in Him, at all times and under all circumstances, a faith that is a representation of His character—a faith that works by love, and purifies the soul from all defilement.... We must eac...

From the Heart — Day 51 of 365 Dare to Be a Daniel, February 20 Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you. Acts 24:25 . No matter how sinful we have been, no matter what our position may be, if we will repent and believe, coming unto Christ, and trusting Him as our personal Savior, we may be saved to the uttermost. But how dangerous is the position of the one who knows truth but delays to practice it. How perilous it is for men and women to seek to amuse the mind, to gratify the taste and satisfy the reason, by neglecting what has been revealed as duty, and rambling off in search of something they do not know.... Jesus says, “Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.” ... Pra...

From the Heart — Day 50 of 365 Our Need of the Holy Spirit, February 19 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 . The Holy Spirit is not only to sanctify but to convict. We cannot repent of our sins until we are convicted of our guilt. How necessary, then, it is that we should have the Holy Spirit with us as we labor to reach fallen souls. Our human abilities will be exercised in vain unless they are united with this heavenly agency.... In the work of saving sinners, we and angels are to work in harmony, teaching the truth of God to those who are unlearned therein, in order that they may be set free from the bonds of sin. Truth alone can make us free. The liberty that comes through a knowledge of...

From the Heart — Day 49 of 365 Let Your Light Shine, February 18 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. John 3:21 . In His sermon on the mount, Christ presented to the people the fact that personal piety was their strength. They were to surrender themselves to God, working with Him with unreserved cooperation. High pretensions, forms, and ceremonies, however imposing, do not make the heart good and the character pure. True love for God is an active principle, a purifying agency.... The Jewish nation had occupied the highest position; they had built walls great and high to enclose themselves from association with the heathen world; they had represented th...

From the Heart — Day 48 of 365 God's Blessings and Our Responsibility, February 17 “Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:7 . Satan constantly presents the sins and wrongs of those who claim to be the children of God, and he taunts the angels of God with their defects. What will bring the Lord's people into a right position before Him? The Lord answers the question in Malachi, saying, “Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.” When we seek the Lord with full purpose of heart, He will be found of us. Daniel purposed in his heart that he would be true to the God of heaven. He determined that he would not eat of the king's meat, ...

From the Heart — Day 47 of 365 Heavenly Attributes, February 16 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. John 17:17 . Every moment of our probationary time is precious, for it is our time for character-building. We should give most diligent heed to the culture of our spiritual nature. We should watch our hearts, guarding our thoughts lest impurity tarnish the soul. We should seek to keep every faculty of the mind in the very best condition, that we serve God to the extent of our ability. Nothing should be permitted to interrupt our communion with God.... We have a work to do in this world, and we must not allow ourselves to become self-absorbed, and so forget the claims of God and humanity upon us. If we seek God with ea...

From the Heart — Day 46 of 365 United With Our Maker, February 15 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 1 John 2:6 . There is a great work for us to do if we would inherit eternal life. We are to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live a life of righteousness. Many teach that all that is necessary to salvation is to believe in Jesus; but what saith the word of truth? “Faith without works is dead.” We are to “fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,” take up the cross, deny self, war against the flesh, and follow daily in the footsteps of the Redeemer. There is no salvation for us except in Jesus, for it is through faith in Him that we receive power t...

From the Heart — Day 45 of 365 Adding and Multiplying, February 14 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2 . We are not to trust in our faith, but in the promises of God. When we repent of our past transgressions of His law, and resolve to render obedience in the future, we should believe that God for Christ's sake accepts us and forgives our sins. Darkness and discouragement will sometimes come upon the soul and threaten to overwhelm us, but we should not cast away our confidence. We must keep the eye fixed on Jesus, feeling or no feeling. We should seek to faithfully perform every known duty, and then calmly rest in the promises of God.... We may not feel today the...

From the Heart — Day 44 of 365 Led by the Spirit, February 13 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands. Isaiah 49:16 . There are two courses of action which we may pursue. One leads us away from God, and shuts us out of His kingdom; and in this path are envying, strife, murder, and all evil deeds. The other course of action we are to follow, and in its pursuance will be found joy, peace, harmony, and love.... It is the love that glowed in the bosom of Jesus which we most need; and when it is in the heart, it will reveal itself. Can we have the love of Jesus Christ in the heart, and that love not go out to others? It cannot be there without testifying that it is there. It will reveal itself in the words, in the very expre...

From the Heart — Day 43 of 365 Developing a Godlike Character, February 12 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22, 23 . People can be just what they choose to be. Character is not obtained by receiving an education. Character is not obtained by amassing wealth or by gaining worldly honor. Character is not obtained by trying to have others fight the battle of life for us. It must be sought, worked for, fought for; and it requires a purpose, a will, a determination. To form a character which God will approve requires persevering effort. It will take a continual resisting of the powers of darkness to stand under the bloodstained banner of ...