Don't Worry, Be Happy

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

It's been a looooong time since I last posted something here. During those silent weeks, thoughts about a lot of things raced my mind. I worried about work, health, weight, friends, relationship with God, my future, etc.

I talked to my friends and I was glad that I did. They reminded me of the pieces of advice I used to give and some that I did not realize -- timeless principles that I should live by. The words of the Preacher are true, "For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him [that is] alone when he falleth; for [he hath] not another to help him up. (Ecclesiastes 4:10)". Friends, you know who you are. Thanks for being there at those moments.

I wasted precious hours by worrying much. It's human to worry and be anxious, but we should make every effort to shun that away. The difference between human and animals is that we have the ability to choose our reaction in every situation we are at. Problems have power over us ONLY if we let them dominate. The best way to deal with them is to leave them at Jesus' feet. Of course, we still need to do something about it but there's a great deal of difference if we work on them without stress and anxiety.

Trials are God's way to mold us and perfect our character. We should be happy even when we have trials because we know God cares to polish us. Let our minds be clear and in perfect peace. In the next trial, I will read this post again and tell myself, "don't worry, be happy".

Lamentations 3:21-23 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.

Yesterday, we were studying the Scriptures and the writings of Ellen White and I was impressed by the following passages.  

The severity of the retribution awaiting the transgressor may be judged by the Lord's reluctance to execute justice. The nation with which He bears long, and which He will not smite until it has filled up the measure of its iniquity in God's account, will finally drink the cup of wrath unmixed with mercy.  {GC 627.2}  All the judgments upon men, prior to the close of probation, have been mingled with mercy. The pleading blood of Christ has shielded the sinner from receiving the full measure of his guilt; but in the final judgment, wrath is poured out unmixed with mercy.  {GC 628.2}

Although God is the God of mercy, He is also the God of justice.  He will eventually pronounce His judgment to restore the paradise that was lost to sin.  Here, I recognize God's love in His reluctance to execute justice.  He wants more people to be saved.  Christ, as High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, continually pleads with God to save souls.  Great is Christ's faithfulness!

Let's continue to be patient, moving forward under Christ's banner.  I myself have a lot of struggles and blocks to overcome.  Setting yourself aside for God is a continuous process.  Soon, pretty soon, we'll be overcomers.  I am awaiting this blessed day when Christ will return in all glory.

Soon there appears in the east a small black cloud, about half the size of a man's hand. It is the cloud which surrounds the Saviour and which seems in the distance to be shrouded in darkness. The people of God know this to be the sign of the Son of man. In solemn silence they gaze upon it as it draws nearer the earth, becoming lighter and more glorious, until it is a great white cloud, its base a glory like consuming fire, and above it the rainbow of the covenant. Jesus rides forth as a mighty conqueror. Not now a "Man of Sorrows," to drink the bitter cup of shame and woe, He comes, victor in heaven and earth, to judge the living and the dead. "Faithful and True," "in righteousness He doth judge and make war." And "the armies which were in heaven" (Revelation 19:11, 14) follow Him. With anthems of celestial melody the holy angels, a vast, unnumbered throng, attend Him on His way. The firmament seems filled with radiant forms--"ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands." No human pen can portray the scene; no mortal mind is adequate to conceive its splendor. "His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise. And His brightness was as the light." Habakkuk 3:3,4. As the living cloud comes still nearer, every eye beholds the Prince of life. No crown of thorns now mars that sacred head; but a diadem of glory rests on His holy brow. His countenance outshines the dazzling brightness of the noonday sun. "And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords." Revelation 19:16.  {GC 640.3}

Refiner's Fire

Malachi 3:2-3 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

1 Pet 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Gold and silver are tried in fire to remove the dross, the impurities. Our faith, as we progress through the light that God is pleased to give us, is made perfect by Christ's refining fire. It is more precious than silver and gold. Let us then look at trials with thanksgiving. In times of trials, I find strength and relief in clinging to God and His promises. Some of those I've encountered appeared so great and yet, I am not consumed. God is faithful in His promise "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore you are not consumed".

I am also inspired to know that when the Refiner purifies gold and silver, He also gets a share of the same heat that purifies these metals. Christ understands and feels what we are going through; and is anxious to get us out of the fire. When the Refiner sees His image perfectly reflected in us, He will get us out of the furnace. We will then be ready, as a spotless bride, waiting for Christ's second coming.

Below is the lyrics of Refiner's Fire. You can get the chords from http://www.higherpraise.com/lyrics1/RefinersFire2.htm I love Passion's version of this song.




Refiner's Fire

Purify my heart
let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart,
let me be as gold, pure gold

CHORUS:
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
is to be holy
set apart for You Lord.
I choose to be holy
set apart for you my master,
ready to do your will.

Purify my heart,
cleanse me from within and make me holy.
Purify my heart,
cleanse me from my sin, deep within.

Crossroads...

A crossroad has become a common symbol for major life choices. By taking the road less taken -- the narrow path -- people make a difference in their lives. I have chosen to take that path. Join me as I journey through the road less traveled by...

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.