Issue 28| Joy in the Morning | Sept/Oct 2018

Lilies in the City - September/October 2018 - Issue 28

lilies city

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Christ-like purit y in any environment

Good, Better,

best!

Peace & Joy

IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST

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MASTERING THE STUFF FOR PEACE WITHIN

Tasty Lentil Stew A CONSTANT STATE OF

Tranquility

Beyond

What the Eye Can See

THEN I STOPPED CONSULTING MY

fears

Finding

Joy in the Morning

Joy & Peace WHEN all SEEMS

DIM

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14 10

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12 25

22 2

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lilies city

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Christ-like purit y in any environment

Social Lily

6 In the Life of Christ: Peace 14 A Constant State of Tranquility 16 When All Seems Dim

Practical Lily Lily Eats Lily Lifestyle

10 Mastering the Small Stuff for Peace Within 18 Beyond What the Eye Can See 12 Tasty Lentil Stew 22 Then I Stopped Consulting My Fears 24 Finding Joy and Peace 25 In the Life of Christ: Joy

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture references are taken from the Authorized Version of the Bible (The King James Version).

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EDITOR'S NOTE

Joy in the Morning “Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has just turned on the fasten seatbelt sign..” The flight attendant’s spiel was cut short as the large plane lurched forward into a series of turbulents. We were about mid-flight and had come into some unexpected winds.

Passengers quickly grabbed for their books, papers, laptops and food as they slid off unsecured tray tables and laps. Women wailed and men clutched their armrests. Carry-on bags and suitcases clattered against each other in the overhead bins. I felt my body being roughly tossed right and then left as the pilot tried to maintain control of the aircraft. And then everything was still.

The whole scene lasted no more than 7 minutes, but each second felt long and drawn out. In the stillness, the whole aircraft held its breath, as if bracing for more. But nothing else came, and everyone exhaled.

“We ask that you stay seated and keep your seatbelts fastened securely over your hips...” The overheard voice came back on and continued giving more safety instructions. I heard some people chuckle at the irony.

As I continued peacefully in my seat, I reflected on the short-lived terror. The book of Proverbs speaks of joy being in the heart of those that have peace (see Prov. 12:20). Joy, a gift of the Holy Spirit, seems to be related to trial. The Apostle James counsels, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:2-4). The writer of Hebrews admits, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Heb. 12:11). The thought is clear: keep the end in mind, there's a purpose for the pain. And as the Psalmist so well put it "...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psa. 30:5).

In this issue we explore the realities of experiencing peace and joy internally so that it spills out in spite of unforeseen turbulence.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:6).

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Administrative STAFF

Almarie Hill Editor-in-Chief

Akilah Ballard Financial Manager

Delnita McDavid Associate Editor

"The lily on the lake strikes its roots down deep beneath the surface of rubbish and slime, and through its porous stem draws those properties that will aid its development, and bring to light its spotless blossom to repose in purity on the bosom of the lake. It refuses all that would tarnish and mar its spotless beauty.

We may learn a lesson from the lily, and although surrounded with influences that would tend to corrupt the morals and bring ruin upon the soul, we may refuse to be corrupted, and place ourselves where evil association shall not corrupt our hearts."

Have Any Questions For The Lilies Staff? Contact us: admin@liliesinthecity.org Photography: Telecla Thompson (cover, 2, 18, 20) Layout & Design: Abiola Osinjolu

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IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST

Peace – Ikemba Balogu

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peace

“NOW THE GOD OF BE WITH YOU ALL. AMEN.”

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here is not a more wondrous contemplation that can come to any mind, whether on this earth or in the heavens above, than the life of Christ as He dwelt here among men. For shortly after His death and upon the day of His resurrection, we have the record of the “Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6, emphasis added) in that gospel according to John (read John 20:1, 10-18).

Upon the early morning of the first day of the week and “while it was yet dark” (John 20:1) the Savior said to Mary, “Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God and your God ” (v. 17). Mary joyfully obeys and goes to tell the disciples “that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her” (v. 18). That is to say, that He must ascend to His Father, and their Father; and to His God and their God.

– Nadia Agnant

Therefore, as Mary went to give the disciples the message that she had received from the Lord, Jesus ascended to Heaven to fulfill the words of that wonderful prophecy which was spoken by Zechariah: “Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The Branch; and he shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the Lord: even He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne: and the counsel of PEACE shall be between them both [even, the Father and the Son]” (Zech. 6:12, 13, emphasis added).

Now, after the counsel of peace was established between them both, He descended from the heavenly courts into this world full of sin and woe to bear the glorious news to all of His disciples and would not be satisfied until all had received this glorious news.

For this reason, we continue precisely where we left off in the twentieth chapter of the book of John: “Then the same day AT EVENING, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and 7

stood in the midst, and saith unto them, PEACE BE UNTO YOU. And when He had so said, He shewed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, PEACE BE UNTO YOU: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost…

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came…

And after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, PEACE BE UNTO YOU” (vv.

19-26, emphasis added).

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And now, as Christ had given this message to the Jews first as represented by the first disciples, this message of peace was later extended unto the Gentiles, even unto you: “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers of the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both [God and man] one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us [that is, God and man], having abolished in His flesh the enmity… for to make in Himself of twain [God and man] one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both [Jew and Gentile] unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”

Yes, “Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord, and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked” (Eph. 2:11-17; Isa. 57:19-21; also read chap. 48:22).

Which will you have? Peace or no peace? Because these things were written “for us also, to whom it [His righteousness] shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 4:24, 25; 5:1, emphasis added).

Notice that it does not say, “we will have peace with God” but that “we have peace with God.” Neither did Jesus say unto the disciples, “Peace will be unto you” but He said “Peace be unto you.” Do you have peace? Or are you cumbered with a load of care? Trust in the word of God, “casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” Therefore, “be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things… and the God of peace shall be with you” (1 Pet. 5:7 emphasis added; Phil. 4:6-9, emphasis added).

“For the kingdom of God is… righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” and “the fruit of the Spirit is… peace.” So as Jesus Christ was given the Spirit without measure, we beseech you: “ask, and it shall be given you.” “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” “for everyone that asketh receiveth.” “Be filled with” “the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto day of redemption” (Rom. 14:17; Gal. 5:22; Matt.7:7; John 20:22; Matt. 7:8; Eph. 5:18; 4:30).

“Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

(Rom. 15:33).

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MASTERING THE STUFF FOR PEACE WITHIN – Queenette Jenkinson

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recent discussion with a friend on her struggles feeling peaceful lead me to some self-analysis, 'Am I content and peaceful? Is the joy of the Lord my strength?' I felt I was pretty calm, cool and collected p even upbeat usually (in comparison to others of course). Afterall, “godliness with contentment is great gain” as 1 Timothy 6:6 tells us. When I became bombarded with situations that showed me just how restless I really was, I was dumbfounded.

Sometimes, I longed to have someone else’s life or be elsewhere. I relayed this to that same friend who confessed, “I've been praying that God could show you.”

The truth is, on this side of heaven, we are building our characters. We all have sinful tendencies from birth. Verily, some of us may have a specific fruit of the Spirit that is more mature than others around them, but none of us have ALL of the virtues perfectly.

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MINOR SINS, RIGHT? NO BIG DEALS: Minor sins don't seem like such a big deal. “After all,” if we look around at our companions, “theirs are bigger than mine. So I don't have to be so hard on myself.”

But Satan, doesn't care how he gets a foothold as long as he has one and that’s exactly what we give him when we ignore minor sins.

1. IT IMPACTS OUR SOUL SALVATION AND WEAKENS THE GOSPEL:

In her book, Daring to Ask for More, author Melody Mason tells a story about flying from Canada. She was expecting to cross through US customs with ease.

She relates, “As it ended up, I spent forty-five minutes waiting for the officers in the side room to meet with me and I nearly missed my plane home…”1 All because she had forgotten and packed four harmless pieces of fruit Mason continues, “As I was thinking afterward, the spiritual implications were deafening. It all seemed so

“WE ARE NOT TO TRY TO BE PEACEFUL, JOYFUL, AND PATIENT BY OUR OWN .” small, so minor just like certain sins I'm prone to cherish. But these sins, if not surrendered, may very well keep me out of heaven! No sin is considered small in the sight of God. Inspiration states, “Even one wrong trait of character, one sinful desire, persistently cherished, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel” (emphasis added).2 What a pity to have our witness weakened because of something small!

2. IT WILL GROW TO MAJOR PROBLEMS:

Like Melody shared, a small seed can become a large sin problem. Failing to develop the fruit of joy and peace lead me to doubt God in certain areas of my life. I thought, ‘Father, let me handle this area of my life’ yet a “small sin” or character weakness stays alive. It is a seed and there exists an adversary (1 Pet. 5:8) who wants to make sure it grows. This benign harmless lack of joy and peace with my life grew from a seed to a massive oak tree, casting an unwanted shadow and darkness in my life. The heartache, pain and time of trial I experienced can’t be imagined.

3. MASTER IT NOW, OR REPEAT THE LESSON: It will be uncomfortable to go against our nature, even though we see the need for change and want to change to better reflect our Saviour and Best Friend. If you do not take the necessary steps to master joy and peace at your current level, the Lord would have to repeat the lesson and it may be more uncomfortable. Furthermore, this could delay your growth in other areas of spiritual development. We need to act in spite of our feelings or risk drawing out the growth process unnecessarily.

4. THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON:

Mason explains with this convicting sentence “It may be an impatient remark, a rolling of the eyes, a slip of the tongue, going against conscience in even the smallest way, or something else rather small and insignificant. But if we let one “character breach” in, more are sure to follow, and each one

Efforts

Satan holds up against Christ. “Every sinful desire we cherish affords [the enemy] a foothold. Every point in which we fail of meeting the divine standard is an open door for which he can enter to tempt and destroy us.

And every failure or defeat on our part give occasion for him to reproach Christ.” And is not that the most important reason.”3

OK, WHERE DO I START?:

In the chapter “Putting on God's Whole Armor,” Melody discusses following the Holy Spirit's leading in our character growth. “Now we must follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We must continue to turn from our habits and sinful thinking and behaviour and learn to live in obedience to God's Word. As we follow the Holy Spirit's promptings, He will lead us to take action in specific ways.”

FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT:

So let’s bring it all home. We are not to try to be peaceful, joyful, and patient by our own efforts. Remember what the Word says about our best efforts (see Isa. 64:6)? We are to spend time in Bible study and prayer, and the Spirit will provide strength and wisdom to overcome. “It's important that we stay on guard and not let Satan use our obedience against us... We must remember that we are saved “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy” (Titus 3:5).4

Christ is to be formed within, the hope of glory.5 Hi reader! I am praying for you. May God help you develop peace and strength in any storm. If we don’t meet on this earth, I look forward to hearing about your victory with as we walk the streets of gold. ~ Queen 1. Melody Mason, Daring to Ask for More (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2016),155.

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Ellen G White, In Heavenly Places (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1967), 363.

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Tasty Lentil Stew

– Angelique Manning

I absolutely love lentils! They are an excellent source of folate, manganese and protein. Not to mention that they are easy to prepare, versatile and nutritious.

I love a hot bowl of lentil stew with rice or quinoa or even by itself on a chilly afternoon. This is the time of year for soups, stews and chili so try this recipe and get warmed up!

Ingredients 1 1/2 cups dried lentils, sorted, soaked overnight and rinsed 1 tablespoon high-heat cooking oil* or 1/4 cup water 1 medium onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1-14 ounce can diced tomatoes 1 tablespoon tomato paste, (optional) 2 medium carrots, diced 1 medium potato, diced 6 cups vegetable broth 1 bay leaf 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper Salt to taste

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Instructions Heat oil or water in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Add onions and cook for about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.

Stir in celery, Italian seasoning, paprika, cumin and thyme and cook for 30 seconds.

Add lentils, tomatoes, tomato paste, carrots and potatoes, bay leaf and vegetable broth.

Bring to boil then reduce heat to simmer for about 40 minutes or until stew has reached the desired texture.

Remove bay leaf, season with salt and pepper and serve. *Some high-heat cooking oils are coconut, safflower and sunflower oil. These are better for your health when heated because they have a higher heat capacity and therefore minimal denaturation at those higher temperatures used in cooking.

Recipe Adapted from: https://healthiersteps.com/recipe/vegan-lentil-stew/

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A CONSTANT STATE OF

Tranquility – Samuel Tucker “...true joy can only be found in adherence to the commands of God.”

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hou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psa. 16:11).

There are many paths and many roads in the human experience that give the promise of peace and joy to no avail as they repeatedly end in disappointment and sorrow. There is only one path to be followed that has shown the full assurance of the happiness so eagerly sought for by every soul and that way is Christ.

As the sustainer of all things, Christ is the tree of life, offering all a variety of fruit to be enjoyed by the humble and obedient. Galatians 5:22 tells us that in the scale of importance the three most prominent fruits of the Spirit are “love, joy, peace.” Though love is the most essential fruit to be enjoyed by the Christian, we will keep joy and peace in focus here.

According to the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary, joy is

“The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good.” Anytime we feel these excited happy emotions over present or future good, joy has been experienced. It is God’s desire for us to experience this emotion but this is only possible by abiding in the presence and will of God. Many have sought to obtain this sanctified emotion through false mediums, while traveling false paths.

The most highly exalted monarch to ever sit on an earthly throne, King Solomon, was a man greatly blessed of Jehovah. He had thrice been called the beloved of his heavenly Father, yet he was seduced into seeking refreshment from the broken cisterns of this temporary world.

After initial consecration to God and His work, he sacrificed his integrity and principles for the fleeting pleasures of seasonal sin, thus substituting true joy for a cheap counterfeit. “And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not

my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour” (Eccles. 2:10).

After this experience, Solomon declared all to be “vanity and vexation of spirit.” Repentant, Solomon was made wise unto the fact that true joy can only be found in adherence to the commands of God. “Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him” (8:12).

Peace is a state of mind that tends to elude the modern man, especially in his quest for notoriety, position, and fame. Though these may not be the aspirations of all, even the common man, in his struggle for a livelihood, is fighting to obtain even a few quiet moments of rest and contentment.

According to the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary, peace is, “In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation.” Few persons indeed, in honest sincerity would be able to say that this is their state of mind. To be so situated in a position of peace and rest, so as to forget the cares of this world with eyes upon the heavenly realm, especially in times of pressing trial, is an attainment few have achieved.

The three Hebrew worthies, while in the courts of Babylon where faced with a most pressing and difficult situation, the reverence of idolatry or loyalty to Christ with an immediate death sentence. Firm as a rock to principle and in the peace that only God can give, they calmly yet firmly replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Dan. 3:16-18). The promise of this peace, is what Christ promised to all his faithful friends, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psa. 16:11). To abide in the presence of God will bring the peace and joy so eagerly sought for by many a man but so elusive as to never

seem attainable. Simple communion with Heaven, through prayer and the searching of the scriptures will bring the everlasting joy given by the Spirit and promised by our Saviour. 1 Timothy 4:5 tells us that sanctification comes through “the word of God and prayer.” Although written within the context of certain foods and the eating of them, the principle to be extracted is that the word of God and prayer are the Lord’s means by which to bring sanctification.

The Holy Spirit, the third person of the heavenly trio, works through the agencies of prayer and the word to effect change in the heart, thus bringing sanctification to the soul and fruit in the life. “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11). By the continual practice of these spiritual necessities, Christ is kept as a close friend thus filling the soul with peace and joy, helping us in our daily lives to reveal the inner working of the Spirit.

Great blessings truly do come through daily prayer and the study of God’s word but when these are neglected a spiritual dearth takes place in the soul.

“So with us; by idle talk, evilspeaking, or neglect of prayer, we may in one day lose the Saviour’s presence, and it may take many days of sorrowful search to find Him, and regain the peace that we have lost.”1 Christ, the great head of our race understood what it meant to be loaded with care and responsibility.

Never there lived among men such a man weighted with matters of such large interests as Jesus but through it all he maintained His connection with Heaven. “...as He returned from the hours of prayer that closed the toilsome day, they marked the look of peace upon His face, the freshness and life and power that seemed to pervade His whole being.”2 Though faced with the cares of work, the responsibilities of home life, or necessities of spiritual labor, let us maintain our connection with our heavenly Father.

May we never substitute His presence for the gratifications of this present world. The Lord has promised His loyal and obedient joy and peace in all areas of life, if they will only and continually look to Him. 1. Ellen G White, The Desire of Ages (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1898), 83.1.

2. Ellen G White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905), 55.2.

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“When we look back at what the Lord has brought us through, we can be assured that we may have joy in our hearts. God never leaves us, nor forsakes us.”

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y brother recently went on a trip to Malawi for an entire month. He shared many stories about the joys and the challenges that come with serving others and with being immersed in a different culture. He said one thing in particular which left an impression on me. As he finished telling us about his travels he said, “One thing I really appreciate about the Malawian people is that, even though they don’t have much, they are very happy.”

In affluent countries, like the United States of America, we tend to complain about things that are so insignificant. When we look at our problems, our burdens don’t even compare to the difficulties which others may be facing in distant countries. The Word of God says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience”( James 1:2-3).

No matter what we may face, we shouldn’t worry!

God uses trials to shape us.

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The following quote closely relates to the verses we just read: “The trials of life are God's workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process; it is hard to be pressed down to the grinding wheel. But

the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple. Upon no useless material does the Master bestow such careful, thorough work. Only His precious stones are polished after the similitude of a palace.”1 How encouraging!

There are many stories in the Bible that include several examples pertaining to trials in the lives of God’s children. For many years, I have truly enjoyed reading the story of Ruth. It’s a short book, with only four chapters, but it holds so many important lessons for our admonition.

In the first chapter, we are introduced to Ruth, Orpah and Naomi. All of their husbands had died.

Naomi, being the mother in law to these two women, urged them to go back to their countries because she claimed that she had nothing to offer them. Orpah leaves, but there’s a stark contrast with Ruth. She begs to stay with her mother inlaw (please read Ruth 1:16-17). She had learned to love the ways of the TRUE God, and she had faith that despite the death of her husband, things would get better.

An inspired commentary says, “Ruth had, indeed, fully understood her mother-in-law’s meaning; but there was another sacrifice which she must be prepared to make, if she followed Naomi. She

WHEN all SEEMS

DIM – Aniza Moore

must not only be parted from her people, and give up forever all worldly prospects, but she must also be prepared to turn her back upon her ancestral religion. But Ruth had long made her choice, and the words in which she intimated it have deservedly become almost proverbial in the church.”2 I believe that the love of Jesus was residing in Ruth’s heart. When an individual reflects this type of love, it is because they are filled with true joy.

What saddens me, is that although Ruth decided to stay with Naomi, Naomi was bitter over the devastation that consumed her life. She couldn’t see past it… Ruth was able to empathize with her, yet she remained hopeful. We see two parallels here. I pray that when our lives seem to be out of control, we will cling to Jesus and count it all joy.

In the second and third chapters, we see a relationship developing between Boaz and Ruth.

Yet, she was still focused on providing for herself and for her mother-in-law. True joy is experienced when we serve others. The pen of inspiration states, “But Ruth was “simple” in heart; or, as the New Testament expresses it, her “eye was single,” and God preserved her. And now, in the altered circumstances, she still acts quite in character with her past. She complains not of her poverty; she explains not how unused she had been to

such circumstances; but she takes humbly, and with surprised gratitude, that to which she had no claim, and which as a “stranger” she had not dared to expect.”3 That's the type of behavior that all Christians should reflect on a daily basis.

In the fourth chapter, we see a culmination of God working in the lives of His children. Even through trials, the Lord blessed Ruth. Who would have thought that a Moabite woman would be the great grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus! God’s way is always the best way. Imagine what would have happened if Ruth had left just as her sister-in-law did. God saw Ruth’s heart and saw that she was sincere towards wanting to serve Him and that she also wanted to be helpful to her mother in-law. I’m sure Ruth was very joyful the day that she married Boaz. We must remember that God wants us to be joyful, even when things seem bleak. He can help us through whatever we may face. When we look back at what the Lord has brought us through, we can be assured that we may have joy in our hearts.

God never leaves us, nor forsakes us (Heb. 13:5).

Blessed be His Holy Name!

1. Ellen G. White, My Life Today (Hagerstown, Maryland: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1952), 97.

2. Alfred Edershiem, Bible History Old Testament (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Pub. Assn., 1876-1887), 3:160.

3. Ibid., 163.

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Beyond

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What the Eye Can See

– Nadia Agnant

"AND WITHOUT FEAR, COMES PEACE. COMES JOY. COMES HAPPINESS."

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hroughout the New Testament, the concept of peace and joy beyond the current circumstances is omnipresent. On many occasions, the Lord Himself and his apostles remind readers that there is peace within the presence of God and that this peace God gives us is not as the world gives but is one that is unshakeable.1 The prolific New Testament author, Paul, also writes that he is at peace no matter what he goes through.2 I must admit that in our busy, dangerous world, it was hard for me to apply this notion of complete peace, regardless of circumstances, troubles and struggles.

I have inherited my mother’s sense of paranoia, and even without it, there is enough trouble out there to worry and not experience joy, nor peace. Pausing to think about it and remind myself that God does not lie has allowed me to understand how this can actually become a reality.

Worry comes from fear. It comes from the feeling that your life is slipping out of our control, that we are powerless before what comes our way. But as Christians, we should know that all we do is made possible by the Lord himself who provides us with the will and the power to do them.3 I’ve come to the liberating conclusion that I indeed have no control over my life, except the power to choose to let God abide in me or to let the enemy crush me. With that comes the relief that the One 1919

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who is in control of my life will never change. He knows the future, desires my happiness so much that He gave His life for me. He controls everything and has promised me that He will not allow me to be tempted above my capacity.4 Once we come to realize that we have no control but that we can choose to give the control to God, we become less fearful.

And without fear, comes peace. Comes joy.

Comes happiness.

God has put so much in place to allow us to have peace and joy: • The Ten Commandments, one of His clearest tools to keep us from harm.

• Prayer to communicate with him and be reas sured that all things work together for our good.

• A church family to allow us to experience the joy and peace of one another.

• Our own family, which should be a foretaste of heaven.6 In our busy world and our hectic lifestyles, we should still make sure we are exposed to the peace of nature, to the simple joys in our daily lives. A lot of us are blinded by what we desire and are rendered unable to appreciate what we have. A lot of us are overwhelmed with goals we have set for ourselves and thus unable to wait upon God in peace and joy, firmly believing that He will give us exactly what we need, exactly when we need it. How much easier would life be if we didn’t feel pressure to reach certain goals or a certain status? How much lighter would our burden be if we did not fear tomorrow or the consequence of every single choice we make?

The truth is that Jesus did not lie when He told us that His yolk is light;7 the yolk He offers us is simply to allow Him to do as He pleases in our lives and to trust him. If only we could accept that this is the only way to have the best possible life on this earth! If only we stopped trying to control what we cannot control, to foresee what is way beyond

our capacities…How much easier would our lives be!

Jesus offers to handle all the aspects of our lives: love, money, health…He wants it all.

The smartest thing we can do is to invest our lives in the One who has dominion over everything and who wants our best. No matter the struggles or the temptation, knowing that doing exactly what Christ recommended will allow us to experience victory is one of the most powerful weapons we could have. This world is a battlefield; don’t you want Someone to fight for you as you remain joyful and peaceful? God says to remain silent and to let God fight for you. I dare you to give it a try!

1. John 14:27.

2. Phil.4:5-9.

3. Phil. 2:13.

4. 1 Cor. 10:13.

5. Rom. 8:28.

6. Ellen G. White, Letters to Young Lovers (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 2001 ), 10.

7. Matt. 11:30.

“I’VE COME TO THE

liberating

CONCLUSION THAT I INDEED HAVE NO CONTROL OVER MY LIFE, EXCEPT THE POWER TO CHOOSE TO LET GOD

abide IN

ME OR TO LET THE ENEMY CRUSH ME.” 21

THEN I STOPPED CONSULTING MY

fears

– Stephanie Hamilton

S 22

tories of transformation are all throughout the Bible: which ones do you find most memorable? Is it the story of Peter who denied Christ but after the Holy Ghost came upon him, preached Christ even in the face of persecution?

It could also be the story of persecutor Saul being transformed into the zealous apostle Paul. Whatever the story, the power of God to bring man into an experience with Jesus regardless of what the man was before is always amazing. As someone who has battled with anxiety disorder, God has given me His joy and peace through a simple trust in His word.

Here is my story of transformation.

At the age of thirteen I experienced my first panic attack and I was utterly terrified. I could not breathe,

my chest was tightening, I could not gather my thoughts— it was complete brain fog. My temperature rose and I felt that I was about to lose control of myself. I was sure I was dying. The panic attacks became more frequent over my lifetime and I was finally diagnosed in 2016 with an anxiety disorder called agoraphobia.

From my own experience, agoraphobia is irrational, sudden, crippling and lasting fear. My life was thereafter so consumed in fear that I was convinced that every breath I took would be my last. I feared death, I feared life, I feared going into public, I had no desire to leave my house and spent days in bed needlessly worried about my condition. I did not know what

origin IN THE

“PEACE AND JOY FIND THEIR HEART OF CHRIST.” had brought this sudden fear into my life and no matter how hard I tried, I seemed to now be under its government.

With every task, from as minute as going to the grocery store to as large as going to work, I seemed to consult my fears first and they would restrain me from doing normal everyday duties.

How long did I have to go through this? Until I claimed God’s healing promise of joy and peace.

There is very little joy or peace that a world like ours can offer us. Yet Jesus, our example, lived a joy and peace filled life here. The life of Christ on earth, though He had sore trials, was a happy life.

Of Him the psalmist writes “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Psa. 16:11, emphasis added).

Peace and joy find their origin in the heart of Christ. He spoke these words to his heartbroken disciples, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you…” ( John 14:27). Though people become perplexed Christ offers to them his own peace as a precious promise. Christ yearns “…to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isa. 61:3).

Through my battle with anxiety, I was happy to see in the word of God many “exceeding great and precious promises” (2 Pet. 1:4) upon which I could rest my weary head and in which I could rejoice. The word of God when it is studied, believed and assimilated into the life, makes of the heart a sanctuary where the Holy Spirit is ever welcomed.

This Holy Guest brings with Him treasures to bestow on the one who hosts Him. Among these treasures is found joy and peace.

The mild sedatives that were prescribed to calm my fears were ineffective and I refused to rely on them at all. My only hope was in the promises God had written to me years before I was born because He knew I would face such fear.

I began to dig for the promises of God and prayed that God would help me believe them. I some-

times felt doubt cloud my thoughts as if I could not claim any of these as my own, but on my knees I would cry like the father of the demoniac in Mark chapter 9 “…Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief.” He answered every prayer.

I first tasted of joy and peace during my anxiety when I accepted the promise of tribulation. Yes! Tribulation is mine. It is not a strange phenomenon when we face suffering. “…In the world ye shall have tribulation” is the promise of John 16:33.

How marvelous though, that this promise of tribulation is preceded by the words, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.” Jesus still speaks those word to us. Not only does He encourage us to have peace He also says “be of good cheer.” Be Joyful! Why? “I (Jesus) have overcome the world.” The Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah had already overcome every trial in my behalf. Resting in this belief, the darkness that encircled my life was dispelled.

“Words cannot describe the peace and joy possessed by him who takes God at His word. Trials do not disturb him, slights do not vex him. Self is crucified. Day by day his duties may become more taxing, his temptations stronger, his trials more severe; but he does not falter; for he receives strength equal to his need.”1 Search for the promises of God dear readers. Look for those that apply to your present situation. Read them out loud, say them in your prayers and understand that when those words came from the mouth of God that He thought of you and those words were meant for your ears to hear and your heart to believe. Ever remember His words “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Gal. 5:22). “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 15:13).

1.

Ellen G. White, My Life Today (Washington, DC: Review and

Herald Pub. Assn., 1952), 51.

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Finding

Joy & Peace

– Olabode Aladenika

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“B

ut the fruit of the Spirit is… joy, peace…” (Gal. 5:22). Who has never had a moment where they were sorrowful? Who has never experienced anxiety about the future? Unfortunately these may be experiences that we are all too familiar with.

But God’s original design and desire for humanity included neither of these. In fact, these feelings are a result of sin. Sin has brought misery and fear for the future. Sin has clouded our minds and shifted our focus from God to our troubles. This has caused us to focus on our problems, instead of the only One who can fix them. The Lord in His mercy has provided remedies for sorrow and anxiety: joy and peace.

Jesus is also the source of peace. He does not give us only His joy but also His peace. “My peace I give unto you” (John 14:27). We tend to be worried about things that are beyond our control, but “worry is blind and cannot discern the future.”1 Jesus asks a thought provoking question. “Which of you by taking thought (being anxious) can add one cubit unto his stature?” (Matt. 6:27). Obviously the answer is no one! In reality, worrying about issues has never actually helped a situation get any better.

God actually tells us what to do when dealing with anxiety. “Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6).

Joy is happiness or cheerfulness. Although having joy is a great feeling, we need to make sure that we have the right source for our joy. Sometimes people find their joy in things. It can be in positions as well as possessions. King Solomon went down this route and found out that at the end of the day “all is vanity” (see Eccles. 2:1-11). Jesus knows where the true source of joy comes from, and the source never runs out. He doesn’t desire for us to have just some joy, but He wants us to be full of joy!

As we focus on God instead of our circumstances, we are guaranteed to have peace, even the “peace which passeth all understanding” (4:7). God has promised that if we keep our minds on Him, that He Himself will keep us in perfect peace (see Isa. 26:3). It’s so true that we often forfeit peace and bear needless pain all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, emphasis added).

Jesus also had joy in the most trying of circumstances. There are times when we know that we desire something but we have to go through hardship in order to get it. There are even times when God desires something for us but we must go through trials in order to obtain it. Jesus had to do the same thing. It is for the reward we seek that we are to endure the trials before us, and it was “for the joy that was set before Him” that He “endured the cross” (Heb. 12:2). We are to “count it all joy” when we “fall into diverse temptations” (James 1:2). We are to “rejoice and be exceeding glad” when we are persecuted and evil spoken of for His name’s sake (Matt. 5:10-12). We are to “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). How is this possible? This joy can only be received from Christ, because it is His joy.

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11, emphasis added). We receive His joy by receiving Him, by drawing close to Him, and by asking Him. It is in Him that we must place our trust, and it is in Him that we have our peace.

As we draw near to God in prayer, we will find our sorrow flee away. “In thy presence is fulness of joy” (Psa. 16:11, emphasis added). Circumstances may place us in trying situations, but we are to always remember, that the Prince of Peace is with us always. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ bestows to us His joy and His peace. How are we to receive the Holy Spirit? “Ask and it shall be given” (Matt.

7:7). Although in the beginning we may see that sorrow and anxiety are pulling us away from God, we may use these to draw ourselves near to Him in prayer. After all: "There is a place of full release, Near to the heart of God; A place where all is joy and peace, Near to the heart of God." Draw near to the heart of God and receive of the fruit of the Spirit: Joy and Peace.

1. Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1898), 330.

2. Cleland Boyd McAfee, Near to the Heart of God. 1903.

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“...IT IS THE MIND THAT MUST BE TRANSFORMED, THE THOUGHTS AND THE DESIRES THAT MUST BE MADE ENTIRELY NEW, AND THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL THE KEEPING OF THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD BE JOYFUL AND NOT GRIEVOUS, LIGHT AND NOT BURDENSOME.”

I IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST

Joy

– Ikemba Balogu

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n Christendom today, it is often the case that many find entire obedience to the commandments of God grievous and burdensome.

And this is to such a degree that now many sects within Christianity have proclaimed that the law of God was abolished at the cross and therefore, there is no divine obligation to obey God’s commandments.

However, many who sincerely find complete obedience to the commandments of God grievous and burdensome, and therefore assume that the Lord has abolished His commandments upon the cross, have permitted themselves to be misled and deceived concerning the truth.

“For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are NOT grievous” (1 John 5:3, emphasis added). And Christ Himself has said: “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matt.

11:30, emphasis added).

To the contrary, complete obedience to the commandments of God is the only way to be joyful and to keep the commandments of God is the only way to remain joyful. Therefore, Christ Himself evinces this truth: “If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things

have I spoken unto you, that MY joy might remain in you, and that YOUR joy might be full” (John 15:10, 11, emphasis added). Thus, obedience to the law of God and faith in His word is the only way to have the joy of Christ and to be always full of joy. For “he that keepeth Thy law, HAPPY [or JOYFUL] is he” (Prov. 29:18, emphasis added).

But someone says: If this is so, why does it seem that the experiences of most professed Christians testify that the law of God is indeed grievous and not joyful, that it is burdensome and not light? The answer to this is simple. It is because they have sought to keep the law of God in altogether the wrong way; they have sought to keep the law of God with a carnal mind. For it is only “with the mind” that anyone can obey or “serve the law of God” but “the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE” (Rom. 7:25; 8:7, emphasis added).

This is the sole reason many professed Christians find the law of God to be grievous and burdensome.

Thus, it is the mind that must be transformed, the thoughts and the desires that must be made entirely new, and then and only then will the keeping of the commandments of God be joyful and not grievous, light and not burdensome. For it is written: “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2, emphasis added). “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Yes, “we have the mind of Christ” (Phil. 2:5; 1 Cor. 2:16, emphasis added).

Now, to have “the mind of Christ” is to be “spiritually minded”; because the “mind of Christ” never minds the things of the flesh but always and only minds the things of the Spirit. “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 5:6,7, emphasis added). And more than this, when a person’s mind, thoughts, and desires are under the “renewing of the Holy Ghost [that is, the Spirit of God]” (Titus 3:5, emphasis added), when his mind, thoughts, and desires are all brought under “the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5 emphasis added), “he is a new creature: old things [that is, the things of the flesh] are passed away; behold all things are become new” (5:17, emphasis added). And all things, being

new, are the things of the Spirit; “for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10, emphasis added).

But how is it that “the mind of Christ,” being the spiritual mind, is able to keep the law of God but the mind of man, being the carnal mind, is not able to keep the law of God? Answer: This is so because the law of God is not carnal but spiritual. For Paul declares: “We know that the law is spiritual” (Rom. 7:14, emphasis added).

Thus, the commandments of God, being only spiritual, can only be kept by a spiritual mind.

And since the only mind among men that ever served the spiritual law of God without erring in thought or in action is the mind of Christ, it follows that the mind of Christ is the only spiritual mind that any man can ever receive and therefore, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. SO THEN with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin” (Rom. 7:25, emphasis added).

This is the only way to keep the commandments of God; He is the only way to keep the commandments of God. This is the only way that His joy might remain in us; He is the only way that our joy may be full. For “in Thy presence there is fullness of joy” and “the kingdom of God is…righteousness, peace, and joy IN THE HOLY GHOST” (Psa. 16:11; Rom. 14:17, emphasis added).

For “the fruit of the Spirit is…joy”; and as Jesus Christ was given the Spirit without measure, we beseech you: “ask, and it shall be given you.” “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” “for everyone that asketh receiveth.” “Be filled with” “the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto day of redemption” (Gal. 5:22; Matt.7:7; John 20:22; Matt. 7:8; Eph. 5:18; 4:30).

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power OF THE HOLY GHOST” (Rom. 15:13, emphasis added).

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