Dear Friends in Christ, ~Heather~ ~*Glimpse From The Lighthouse*~ Theme Verse~ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation Study: ~Overcomers~ What exactly is an overcomer? Why should we be overcomers? Was Jesus one? What did He overcome? What should we overcome, as His followers? What are the rewards God has for overcomers? Definition: "Overcomer: 1. To get the better of in a stuggle or conflict. 2. To prevail over (opposition, temptations, etc.). 3. To overpower or overwhelm in body or mind. 4. To gain the victory." (From Random House Dictionary) So, an overcomer would be someone who prevails or gains the victory over something! Why should we be overcomers? For one, Jesus was one, and He is our Example! Rev. 3:21 says "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne." Also, 1 John 5:4 states: "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world..." If we are born of God, which we hopefully are!, then we will be overcomers! What did Jesus overcome, and what should we as Christians overcome? John 16:33 says "... I have overcome the world." Revelation also tells us that He will overcome Satan and the antichrist. He has overcome sin, sorrow, suffering, and death, by His death. So, what do we need to overcome? 1 John 5:4 says we will overcome the world. Also, Rev. 12:11 says we will overcome Satan. We need to overcome the sin, hate, bitterness, and other evil things in our own hearts, and then we will have the victory over Satan and over the world. With Jesus' help, this is perfectly possible! We can all be overcomers with Him! Last question: What are the rewards that Jesus has for overcomers: Revelation tells us of many wonderful things Jesus has planned for the overcomers. :) Revelation 3:5 "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." Revelation 21:7 "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son." Revelation 2:7 "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Revelation 21:7 "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son." May we all be overcomers in the end!! :)
Hello everyone! My sincere apologies... I can hardly believe I actually took this long to do a newsletter! I'm so sorry! Anyway I hope you're all doing well and enjoying the beginnings of winter!
I will try to do the next newsletter much sooner. :) But I need your help!! You can send me practically anything... as long as it has some sort of spiritual application. :) Poems, songs, Bible verses you want to share, book reviews, recipes, prayer requests, praises..... Thanks so much to everyone who contributed to this newsletter. :)
I think the next one will be slightly seasonally themed... I'll do some sort of study or something having to do with Jesus' birth/Christmas, I THINK. If I get around to doing another one before Christmas. :) So if you have anything that would go along with that, that you want to contribute, FEEL FREE! :)
Then for the first newsletter in January, I had an idea. I want you to send me the name of your favorite hymn, your favorite quotation from it, and why it is meaningful to you. :) Please do this! I'd like to get 10 back. And that should be relatively easy, seeing I send this newsletter to 83 people. =)
Thanks everyone! Have a wonderful week and may God abundantly bless you!!!!
Love,
your friend in Christ,
December 8,2008
hath appeared to all men, teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, godly,
in this present world,
looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Who gave Himself for us, that He might
purify us and redeem unto Himself
a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:11-14
Prayer Requests:
NOTE: I'm really really really sorry I haven't done a newsletter in about 2 months!!!!!!!! Some of these prayer requests are a little old. I'm including them anyway.... but if they no longer apply, I'm sorry! =/ Here goes.
1. Brenna wanted me to put her on the list because she was leaving for college and was a little nervous... that was awhile ago, but we could still pray for her! =) Thanks!
2. Angela requested prayer for Mary Lou and Annie that they would start coming back to church and be baptized, and that she could be a blessing to them.
Praises:
1. Korah is thankful she survived chicken pox although she was almost 19 when she got it. =)
2. And Korah is thankful her keyboard still works after kind of getting hot candle wax inside. :)
3. Sara's brother, his wife, and their son have been going to church and they love it! Praise God!
4. Sara's family has started talking to her sister Brenda again, and she is about to have a baby. :)
Poem:
"The Battle"
As we go about our lives from day to day,
A battle's raging over you and me.
Two forces strive to gain our loyalty.
And who wins it is up to us to say.
By the little choices that we make we may
Determine who will win us ultimately.
On Satan's side is sin and misery.
On Jesus' side, the everlasting day.
The battle has been fought, the victory won.
The blood has been shed and the price is paid.
All that's left is for you to choose your side.
The devil wants you on his losing one.
But Jesus says: "Choose Me, you'll be repaid.
You are My child; it was for you I died."
God bless!!!! Talk to you later. :)
Friday, December 12, 2008
Glimpse From The Lighthouse Issue # 23
Sorry!
We are sorry we haven't gotten a newsletter posted sooner! We will try to get the next one on here soon! Thank you so much for your patience!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Glimpse From The Light House Newsletter #22
Dear Friends in Christ,
Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing great, and enjoying the beginnings of fall and getting back to school... :) I do wish it were still really summer, like June or July or something... I miss the fun things of summer and having more free time! Well, I do like school. Anyway, I'm again sorry that it's been so long since I did a newsletter! I've been very bad about it! :( I will try to do better! And I'm taking submissions for the next newsletter, if anyone has any poems, stories with a good spiritual message, book reviews, prayer requests or praises, etc... :) I just realized I haven't done one since YD camp... well for those of you whom I have not talked to since July, YD camp was really really awesome and ssuucchh a blessing to me! I had a wonderful time there!:) :) For my new friends from YD camp this year, this is a newsletter I do, hope you enjoy it. :)
Have a wonderful day in Christ!!God bless!
Love,
~Heather~
~*Glimpse From The Lighthouse*~
September 15,2008
Theme Verse~
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men,teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, godly,
in this present world,
looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Who gave Himself for us, that He might
purify us and redeem unto Himself
a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:11-14
Study:
~Draw Nigh to God~
James 4:7-8 says 'Submit yourselves therefor to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.'
God wants us to draw near to Him. And this should also be our desire as Christians!
Why should we 'draw nigh to God'?
- He gives us strength to resist temptation (James 4:7-8, Prov. 10:29, Ps. 28:8).
- He takes away our fear, and He delivers us from trouble (Ps. 27:1, Ps. 46:1).
- God wants us to draw near to Him, and it will give us joy! (Ps. 27:8, Ps. 16:8,9,11)
- We will have hope (Ps. 16:8-9, Ps. 71:5) and...
- If we continually grow nearer to God, Jesus says, in John 14:3, 'I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.' Then we'll be about as close to God as we can get - we'll live with Him for all of eternity!
'A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust. Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ. Your weakness is united to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might! So you are not to look to yourself, not to let the mind dwell upon self, but look to Christ. Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, the perfection, of His character. Christ in His self-denial, Christ in His humiliation, Christ in His purity and holiness, Christ in His matchless love - this is the subject for the soul's contemplation. It is by loving Him, copying Him, depending wholly upon Him, that you are to be transformed into His likeness.'
~Ellen White, Steps to Christ, pg. 62
:) God bless!!!
I thought this hymn went well with the study...
'Nearer, Still Nearer'
Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart Draw me, my Savior so precious Thou art! Fold me, oh, fold me close to Thy breast Shelter me safe in that Haven of Rest Shelter me safe in that Haven of Rest Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring Naught as an offr'ing to Jesus, my King Only my sinful, now contrite heart Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart Nearer, still nearer, Lord, to be Thine! Sin, with its follies, I gladly resign All of its pleasures, pomp and its pride Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last Till safe in glory my anchor is cast Through endless ages ever to be Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee! |
Prayer Request
Please pray for Des's friend who used to be an Adventist, but has turned away. She really needs prayer. Thanks!
Book Review
'Aim High, by Terry Lyndon Johnsson with Kay D. Rizzo- my favorite book yet! “You can’t do it, dummy! You’re too stupid!”- Terry heard this all throughout his childhood, yet somehow got to the point of meeting four USA presidents, being on the Honour Guard, and witnessing to gangsters! This “somehow” and what comes after is what this book is about, and really shows that the “somehow” for all our circumstances to be solved, for others to come to Christ, for us to be victorious, is Jesus and His power alone! HIGHLY recommend this book to all of you- you’ll eat it up in two nights and “cry”when it’s over!'
~Jessica Carvajal
Friday, July 11, 2008
Glimpse From The Lighthouse Issue #21
Dear Friends in Christ,
Hi everyone!! I hope you are all doing great! I'm really enjoying summer - it's finally hot here. :) Yay!!... and it's 3 days til YD camp! I'm soooooooooo excited! =) Well, anyway... here is a final newsletter before I leave, and hopefully I will do one soon after I get back. :) I hope you're all having a wonderful summer!!! May God continue to bless you all! :) Have a GREAT Day!!
Love,
Heather
P.S. Looking for submissions for the next newsletter!!! :)
July, 10 2008 Issue 21
Theme Verse~
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men, teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, godly,
in this present world,
looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Who gave Himself for us, that He might
purify us and redeem unto Himself
a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:11-14
Study:
~God has a plan... for you~
God has a plan for each of our lives. Even though we may not realize it, He has a purpose for our life here on Earth, and if we allow Him, He will lead and direct us toward that purpose. :) Jeremiah 29:11 says 'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.'
God wants to work out His plan for our lives. He wants us to give Him control. We can never be happier than when we are in His Will. :) 'Never will the human heart know happiness, until it is submitted to be molded by the Spirit of God.' (From Messages to Young People, E.G. White, pg. 56-57.) When we are submitted to God, our lives will have true meaning. :)
God's plan for us includes...
~Spending time with Him in Bible study and prayer (John 5:39 and Matthew 6:9).
~Witnessing for Him (1 Peter 2:9).
~Following and obeying His Commandments, so we can be healthy and happy. :)
God longs to work out His purpose in each of our lives. Will we let Him? Will we give Him control so He can fit us for the work He has for us?? :)
Prayer Requests:
2. Please pray for Aaron, from Jessica's school - he's been on the prayer list before. He is now going to church, although not an Adventist one, but it is a start! :)
3. Please pray for Stacey's cousins and the Wagners.
Poem/Quote Corner:
I Am My Neighbor's Bible
I am my neighbor's Bible;
He reads me when we meet;
Today he reads me in my home-
Tomorrow, in the street.
He may a relative or friend,
Or slight acquaintance be;
He may not even know my name,
Yet he is reading me.
And pray, who is this neighbor,
Who reads me day by day,
To learn if I am living right,
And walking as I pray?
Oh, he is with me always,
To criticize or blame,
So worldly wise in his own eyes,
And 'Sinner' is his name.
Dear Christian friends and brothers,
If we could only know
How faithfully the world records
Just what we say and do;
Oh, we would write our record plain,
And come in time to see
Our worldly neighbor won to Christ
While reading you and me.
~??
Quote:
'Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God!' ~Corrie Ten Boom :)
Love,
Heather
Friday, June 6, 2008
Glimpse from the Lighthouse Issue # 20
Dear Friends in Christ,
Hello everyone!! :) How are you all? I'm doing well. I hope you're enjoying.... well, whatever weather you're having there! Ha ha. This study is on heaven... as you probably already know. :)
Well, I really don't have much to say, so I think I will say BYE and have a blessed week!! God bless! :)
Love,
Heather
June 6, 2008
Theme Verse~
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men, teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, godly,
in this present world,
looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Who gave Himself for us, that He might
purify us and redeem unto Himself
a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:11-14
Study:
~HEAVEN~
Our last newsletter was about Jesus' second coming, so I thought this one should be on heaven! :) If we are faithful to God on this earth, He will take us to Heaven when He comes back for His children. He says in Rev. 3:21, 'To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne...' and in Revelation 2:10 'Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life!' :)
Heaven will be a far more glorious place than we can ever imagine! 1 Corinthians 2:9 says '...Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him!'
In Heaven we will find streets paved with gold, gates made with a single pearl, beautiful rolling hills, the pure river of life, and the tree of life which bears 12 different fruits. (Rev. 21:22) There we will meet people from all ages who have stood firm for God. We will be able to meet Adam, Daniel, John, Martin Luther, Ellen White, etc. :) There we will be given white robes, crowns, and harps. :)
I think one of the greatest rewards awaiting us in Heaven is finding the people we've led to Christ, and didn't even know it! Isn't that awesome to think about?
But I know the best part of Heaven will be meeting Jesus, our Lord & Saviour, face to face! We can thank Him for dying for us, for loving us enough to want to live with us. We will dwell with God for all eternity. He will be our God, and we will be His people. (Rev. 21:3) Won't that be amazing, to live with God? :) :)
I also think meeting our guardian angels will be quite interesting! :)
Heaven is a wonderful, beautiful, glorious place, we cannot even comprehend it. But we do know that it will be infinitely better than life on this sin-filled earth, however attractive it may seem. We will be very happy in Heaven, we know. :)
I want to go to Heaven. I want to live forever with Jesus and the redeemed of all ages! I want to be forever free from sin, sadness, suffering, and death! How about you? Let's keep pressing forward!
I love this quote about heaven:
'In the Bible theinheritance of the saved is called 'a country'. Hebrews 11:14-16. Therethe heavenly Shepherd leads His flocks to the fountains of livingwaters. The tree of life yields its fruit every month, and the leavesof the tree are for the service of the nations. There the ever-flowingstreams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast theirshadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There thewide-spreading plains swell into the hills of beauty, and the mountainsof God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful plains, beside thoseliving streams, God's people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shallfind a home.'
Great Controversy, page 675. :)
Prayer Requests:
'Please pray for me' -anonymous :)
Um... anything else?
'Well Done My Child - Your race is over.
You have fought the fight,
You have kept the faith,
You have followed Him all of your days.
Well Done My Child - Your crown is waiting.
Here is your robe of white.
Your mansion is just in sight.
Come into the city of Light -
Well Done, My Child!'
The song 'Well Done My Child'
We Speak of the Realms
Elizabeth Mills
We speak of the realms of the blest,
That country so bright and so fair,
And oft are its glories confessed
But what must it be to be there!
We speak of its pathway of gold
Its walls decked with jewels so rare,
Its wonders and pleasures untold
but what must if be to be there!
We speak of its freedom from sin,
From sorrow, temptation and care,
From trials without and within
But what must it be to be there!
We speak of its service of love
Of robes which the glorified wear,
Of the church of the Firstborn above
But what must it be to be there!
Our mourning is all at an end,
When, raised by the lifegiving word,
We see the new city descend,
Adorned as a bride for her Lord;
The city so holy and clean,
No sorrow can breathe in the air;
No gloom of affliction or sin,
No shadow of evil, is there.
Do Thou, in midst temptation and woe,
For heaven my spirit prepare;
And shortly I also shall know
And feel what it is to be there.
The o'er the bright fields we shall roam,
In glory celestial and fair,
With saints and with angels at home,
And Jesus Himself will be there.
I'm Going Home
William Hunter
My heav'nly home is bright and fair,
Nor pain nor death can enter there;
Its glitt'ring tow'rs the sun outshine,
That heav'nly mansion mine shall be.
My Father's house is built on high,
Far, far above the starry sky;
When from this earthly prison free,
That heav'nly mansion mine shall be.
Let others seek a home below,
Which flames devour or waves o'er flow;
Be mine a happier lot to own
A heav'nly mansion near the throne.
Both submitted by "R". THANK YOU!!
Thanks! :) Everyone, have a great week, and GOD BLESS!!!!
Love,
Heather (Posted by R)
Friday, May 16, 2008
Glimpse From The Lighthouse Issue # 19
Dear Friends in Christ,
Hi everyone!! How are you doing??? I am doing well! Now friends, I am SOOOOOOOOO sorry it has taken me SOOOOOOOOO long to do a newsletter!!! I have had the study done for quite awhile, just needing to type it in... anyway, I will 'try' to do better! But anyway, I hope you've all been doing very well!! :) I'm enjoying spring, it's really starting to feel like spring here now. :) We have flowers blooming... so pretty! And it's been soooooooo hot! It's awesome. :) :) :)
The topic next time is heaven! So... any contributions will be greatly appreciated!!! :) Thanks in advance. :)
I hope you have a wonderful day in Christ!!! May God abundantly bless each of you!!!!!!!!
Your sister in Christ,
♥Heather
Glimpse From The Lighthouse
May 16, 2008Number 19 Theme Verse~
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men, teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, godly,
in this present world,
looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Who gave Himself for us, that He might
purify us and redeem unto Himself
a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:11-14
Study:
~The Glorious Appearing~
Titus 2:23 (part of our theme verse) says 'Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.' The glorious appearing -Christ's second Coming. :) I know I've already had studies on Titus 2, so I don't want to say too much about that verse but I wanted to look at the 2nd Coming!! :)
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 tells about Christ's coming: "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
Ellen White talks a lot about Christ's coming in chapter 19 of "Last Day Events". First, there will be "a mighty earthquake." Mountains sink and inhabited islands disappear, she says. That is amazing to think of!!
It thrills me to think what the resurrection will be like. :) I thought this quote was really amazing:
"What a scene will these mountains and hills [in Switzerland] present when Christ, the Lifegiver, shall call forth the dead! They will come from caverns, from dungeons, from deep wells, where their bodies have been buried." (E.G.W. Letter 97)God will announce the time of Christ's coming. Ellen White says the saints will recognize the voice of God, but the wicked will think it's just thunder and an earthquake! Isn't that interesting? We need to get to know our Lord so we will be on His side and recognize His voice. =)
Christ's coming will far exceed anything we can ever imagine. His glory will be incredible to behold. One more E. White quote! - "The child of God will be terror-stricken at the first sight of the majesty of Jesus Christ. He feels that he cannot live in His holy Presence. But the word comes to him as to John, "Fear Not." (That I May Know Him, pg. 360-361)
The wicked, however, are a different story! They will cry to the rocks and mountains, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb!" (Rev. 6:16) The wicked can't stand in God's presence, and they are slain. We don't want to be in that group!! I want to be in the group that travels with Jesus to heaven. :)
One last quote form Last Day Events:
'Oh, how glorious it will be to see Him and be welcomed as His redeemed ones! Long have we waited, but our hope is not to grow dim! If we can but see the King in His beauty we shall be forever blessed. I feel as if I must cry aloud, "Homeward Bound!" '
8Testimonies. pg. 253
Our hope is not to grown dim! We must keep pressing forward, ever looking to that blessed day! Let us stay faithful. May we all be in the group which follows the Lamb. We are "homeward bound". :)
Prayer Requests:
1. Angela requests prayer for her aunt and uncle and their kids; they are Catholic but they've been studying the Bible. :)
2. Please pray that Jade's dad will find a job.
3. Jade also wants us to pray that her family can move to the country. :)
4. Please pray for Savanna
5. Please pray for John that he will come to know the Lord
6. Please pray for my aunt, Jo. =)
Thanks!!!!!!!
Poem by Kezzia Keener
Jesus Christ is coming
He's coming very soon.
In the clouds He's coming
To take us home with Him!
Jesus Christ is coming
Oh, we must wait, and pray
We must watch for Him each day
Til He comes to take us home
Jesus Christ is coming
Oh, we must tell the world!
We must tell them of that day
When He's coming back to reign
Jesus Christ is coming
He's coming in the sky
With power and majesty
He's coming back to reign!
Thank you Kezzia; that goes great with the topic. =)GOD BLESS YOU EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAVE A WONDERFUL SABBATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE,
♥Heather♥
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Glimpse from the Lighthouse Issue #18
Dear Friends in Christ,
Hello! I hope you are all doing well. :) I am! Ha ha. Well, again, I'm sorry I have let the time run away from me without doing a newsletter again. I'll TRY to do better, but you know... it may be awhile. But anyway, notice I'm announcing the topic next time, that the study will be on! So... it'll be about Christ's Second Coming, so if any of you have any poems, book reviews, songs, etc, etc, that have to do with that topic, that would be extra special.Or of course, if you have something that doesn't go with the topic, don't hesitate to send it in anyway!!! :) Thanks so much!
I hope each of you has a most wonderful day! May God bless you abundantly more than you could ever ask or think. :)
Keep shining!!
Much love,
your sister in Christ,
Heather :)Glimpse From The Lighthouse
April 9, 2008Number 18 Theme Verse~
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men, teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, godly,
in this present world,
looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Who gave Himself for us, that He might
purify us and redeem unto Himself
a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:11-14Study::
~The Time of The End~We are living in the very last days of life on Earth. I know we've probably been hearing this all our lives, but do we really take it seriously? We need to realize that Jesus really IS coming soon!! Probation is going to close! And what if we are not ready?! What a terrible thought. We must 'get ready, be ready, live ready.'
My family and I have been studying 'Last Day Events' by E.G. White, for Sabbath School. It is an AMAZING book! It gives you a sense of urgency to get ready for Jesus' coming. :) And to prepare others for His coming. :) We most 'work, for the night is coming'!
Revelation 3:11 says 'Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.'
And John 9:4 ~ 'I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.'
During these last 'hours' before judgment closes, we must secure our own relationship with Jesus - we must be sure we are grounded firmly in His Word, or we will be drawn away. We must have a love of the truth.
Ellen White says 'Not one in 20 whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history!' That is a scary thought! [Christian Service, page 41]
Another quote also shows the importance of working for God, not ONLY having a relationship with Him yourself is enough. 'Those who make no decided effort, but simply wait for the Holy Spirit to compel them to action, will perish in darkness. You are not to sit still and do nothing in the work of God.' (Christian Service 228)
We must be ready for Jesus' coming ourselves, AND help to prepare others! :)
Evangelism, page 707 ~ The work is soon to close. The members of the church militant who have proved faithful will become the church triumphant!
Now, I wasn't sure exactly what the word 'militant' meant, so I looked it up in the Random House Dictionary. This is what it said: 'vigorously active or agressive, especially in support of a cause. 2. engaged in warfare or fighting.' We are on a battlefield. We are fighting a war! We must be actively 'fighting' for our Lord if we are to become a part of the church triumphant! :)
'There will be an army of steadfast believers who will stand firm as a rock through the last test.' ~Selected Messages 3
Jesus says '...hold fast til I come!' Rev. 2:25
'Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.' Revelation 3:11
Prayer Requests~
1. This is from Abigail:
'Please pray that God will sell our house Quickly and find us agood place to live where we can have a garden and live the way Heintended us to. We REALLY need our house to sell!!!'
2. That is all, so just pray for everybody in general that we may all remain true to Christ through the end! :)
I really liked this!!! Below...
The next time you feel God can't use you, remember the following people:
Noah was a drunk...
Abraham was too old...
Isaac was a day-dreamer...
Jacob was a liar...
Joseph was abused...
Moses couldn't talk...
Gideon was afraid...
Rahab was a prostitute...
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer...
David had an affair and was a murderer...
Elijah was suicidal...
Johan ran from God...
Job went bankrupt...
Zaccheus was too small...
Peter denied Christ...
The Disciples fell asleep while praying...
Mary Magdelene was demon possessed...
The Samaratin Woman was divorced - more than once...
Paul was too religious...
AND LAZARAUS WAS DEAD!!!!!
Now, what's your excuse???
'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
May God bless you, my dear friends! =) Have the most wonderful week ever, and keep choosing Jesus.
With Love,
Heather
(Posted by R)
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Glimpse from the Lighthouse Issue #17
Dear Friends in Christ,
Hello! I hope you are all doing well!! :) I am! :) I have been still pretty busy, but I did manage to get out a newsletter in a little shorter time than last time. =) I'm sorry it's still been over a week though. Oh well. ;)
Actually, this study might be a little different, because I didn't make it just for the newsletter, it's actually an essay I had to write for school. I'm not sure how good of an essay it is, but I thought that to save time, I'd put it in here... I hope you don't mind!!! :) I thought it'd do. =)
I hope you are all enjoying the beginnings of spring!!
Have a most blessed day! God bless.
Happy Sabbath!!!!!!!!!!
Much love,
your sister in Christ,
Heather :)
March 14, 2008
Theme Verse~
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men, teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, godly,
in this present world,
looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Who gave Himself for us, that He might
purify us and redeem unto Himself
a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:11-14
~Jesus Understands~
Even though we live in a world that is filled with sorrow, suffering, and death, we can know that we have a loving and understanding Friend who will help us through. Jesus understands every sorrow, every trial we must go through, every temptation Satan throws in our path. Jesus came to Earth in humble human form; He lived with pain, sadness, and temptation just like we have to.
Mark 15:29-32 tells us Jesus was ridiculed, mocked, reviled. His own people rejected Him, abused Him, and, finally, killed Him.
We also read that Jesus was tempted by Satan (Hebrews 4:15). He was tempted like we are, but He overcame the devil. Jesus knows what it is like to be weak, but He trusted God for strength and it was granted.
Jesus had sorrows while He was on Earth. He wept with grief over the faithlessness and unbelief of His disciples (John 11:32-40). He was touched by the pain and suffering of humanity.
Jesus went through incredible agony as He suffered and died on the cross for our sins. Most of us cannot even comprehend the physical anguish of the cross, much less the mental anguish of bearing every sin ever commited by all mankind! But He bore it for US. :)
Jesus even knows what it is like to feel forsaken, totally abandoned by the only One who cares about you. Mark 15: 34 says He 'cried... saying, ... 'My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?'' Jesus felt forsaken by God. We don't even have to go through that! We may, in our doubt and unbelief, feel like God has left us, but He HAS promised never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Yes, Jesus can truly understand every trial, sorrow, and temptation we must face. He does know what it is like, because He has experienced the same thing Himself! But not only does He understand, He can help us with our problems, sorrows, and temptations!
Romans 8:1 tells us there is 'no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit'. And verse 2 says 'the law of the Spirit of life' sets us 'free from the law of sin and death'! Jesus sets us free.
Hebrews 4:16 tells us about Jesus' 'throne of grace', where we will find 'mercy, and... grace to help in time of need'.
Jesus understands! And He will help us too, if we will only let Him. :)
Prayer Requests:
1. Please pray for Katie's evangelistic series that is coming up! She's going to preach every other night. :)
2. Please pray for Aaron, an agressive guy in Jessica's class.
3. Please pray for Stacey's cousins. :)
4. Please pray for Nick - I'm sure some of you know about him - he was in a car accident and he's still in a coma. It's been 6 weeks or more. So please pray! (Request from Katie.)
5. Please pray for a friend of Brenna's - her parents are going through a divorce and she's hurting right now! Thanks!
I liked this quote from Review & Herald! Hahna sent it out and I thought I would add it to the newsletter. :)
'It is essential to live by every word of God, else our old nature willconstantly reassert itself. It is the Holy Spirit, the redeeming graceof truth in the soul, that makes the followers of Christ one with oneanother, and one with God. He alone can expel enmity, envy, andunbelief. He sanctifies the entire affections. He restores thewilling, desirous soul from the power of Satan unto God. This is thepower of grace. It is a divine power. Under its influence there is achange from the old habits, customs, and practices which, whencherished, separate the soul from God; and the work of sanctificationgoes on in the soul, constantly progressing and enlarging.'
Until next time, may God bless each of you abundantly!!!!!!
Much love,
Heather
(posted by R)
Monday, March 3, 2008
Glimpse From The Lighthouse Issue #16
Dear Friends in Christ,
Hello! I hope you're all doing well! Things are pretty good here! I am sooooo sorry I haven't been doing the newsletters! I just get busy and put it off... anyway, I'm really sorry. I will try to do them more often!! =) And thank you to all those who submitted things! I'll take more, for the next newsletter! ;)
Spring is coming here. =) Our flowers are coming up and some of them have buds already, and it is getting warmer! Although it IS raining here, that is a part of spring too. ;)
I hope you all have a most blessed week! May God abundantly bless you! :)
Much love,
Heather
Glimpse From The Lighthouse
No. 16 March 3, 2008
Theme Verse~
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men, teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, godly,
in this present world,
looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Who gave Himself for us, that He might
purify us and redeem unto Himself
a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:11-14Study::
~To Honor or Not to Honor~
1 Samuel 2:30 says "... Them that honor Me, I will honor..." That's a verse that has really influenced some decisions I've made! :) I have it in a little frame in my room. So, God says, if we honor Him, put Him first, and do our best to please Him, He will honor us in return! And if we do NOT honor God, and give Him first place, He will "lightly esteem" us (see last part of 1 Sam. 2:30).
We have only two choices! We can choose to honor God above all else, or we can serve the Devil and self. A lot in Deuteronomy talks about the blessings of following God, and the consequences of forsaking Him! It is quite amazing! :)
1 John 14:21 says "He that hath My Commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him." One way we can honor God is by keeping His Commandments. :)
Psalms 91:14-15 tells us that when we love God, He will be with us in trouble, He will deliver us, and he will honor us. :)
Deuteronomy 30:15 ~
"See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His Commandments, and His statutes, and His judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
BUT if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land...
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing, and cursing: therefore choose LIFE!!, that both thou and thy seed may live: that thou mayest lovethe Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days..."
We have only two choices! Which will it be? Life, or death? Blessing, or cursing? Good, or evil?
...Them that honor Me.....
I will honor.
~1 Sam. 2:30
Prayer Requests:
1. Please pray for Sharon's Russian friends.
2. Please pray that Sharon will be a good witness for our Saviour.
3. Please pray for my friend who is having a hard time. :)
4. Please pray for Angela's aunts and uncles. :)
5. Please pray for all of us, that we will stay true to God and we will all be in heaven some day. I'm not just saying this because it sounds nice! The struggle is very real, and Jesus really IS coming soon! May we all be ready!
Praises:
Angela says, her grandmother who was sick is doing much better now! And her uncle is back from India safely. :)
I think that is all... I hope I'm not forgetting anything! I just want to put a little poem in here, for fun. =) I really enjoyed it and it has a good lesson.
~A wise old owl lived in an oak.
The more he saw, the less he spoke.
The less he spoke, the more he heard.
Why can't we all be like that bird!~
By E. H. Richards. :)
BYE, GOD BLESS, AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY EVERYONE!!! LOVE YOU!
YOUR FRIEND IN CHRIST,
HEATHER ANN(Posted By: AJ)
Monday, February 25, 2008
ASAP
Hello everyone,
We will be getting the next Glimpse From The Lighthouse E-Newsletter to you as soon as possible.
Thank you for your patience!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Glimps From The Lighthouse Issue: #15
Dear Friends in Christ,
Hello! I hope you all are doing great! I am! :) We have had soo much snow this week (I know, Katie.... you can laugh if you want!) But anyway, we are doing well. :) I have been busy and I'm sorry I haven't done a newsletter in awhile, but I'll try to do better! It goes faster now and it's a lot easier because I recently discovered (TA DA!) copying & pasting! I don't really know why I didn't know about that before, and those of you who are technically oriented might laugh at me, but oh well. =) I'm glad I finally discovered that nice tool! :) Oh, I want to thank all of you who sent in submissions! I had a lot this time, thank you sooo much!! :)Well, everyone, have a most wonderful week, and may God richly bless you till we meet again!! :)
Much Love,
~Heather
Glimpse From The Lighthouse
Number 15, February 2, 2008
Theme Verse~
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men, teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, godly,
in this present world,
looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Who gave Himself for us, that He might
purify us and redeem unto Himself
a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:11-14
Study::
~Righteousness~
'The righteous Lord loveth righteousness; His countenance doth behold the upright.' Psalms 11:7. God is righteous, His character is righteous, His kingdom is righteous, and His children will be righteous too! Righteousness will be given to us by God; we have none of our own, but when God's character is perfected in us, His perfect righteousness covers us. :) Revelation 19:7-8 says 'The marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.' God's entime church will wear a robe of righteousness. :)
Zephaniah 2:3 tells us to 'seek righteousness.' Righteousness is like God's reward for His faithful children. We are not perfect now, but we will be! I love 2 Timothy 4:8: 'Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.' A crown of righteousness! I like that thought. =)
You know, the Bible talks about the way of righteousness (2 Peter 2:21), the ministry of righteousness (2 Corinthians 3:9), the armor if righteousness (2 Corinthians 6:7), the hope of righteousness by faith (Galatians 5:5), the fruits of righteousness (Philippians 1:11), a crown of righteousness (previously mentioned - 2 Tim. 2:21), a scepter of righteousness (Hebrews 1:8), the Law of righteousness (Romams 9:31), and the King of righteousness (Heb. 7:2) Anyway I thought that was neat! I like lists, and I'd never seen that before.... anyway.
I love this Steps to Christ quote: 'Since we are sinful, unholy, we cannot perfectly obey the holy Law. We have no righteousness of our own with which to meet the claims of the law of God. But Christ has made a way of escape for us! He lived on earth amid trials and temptations such as we have to meet. He lived a sinless life. He died for us, and now He offers to take our sins and give us His righteousness! If you give yourself to Him, and accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous. Christ's character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned!'
Steps to Christ, page 62. :)
May we all be found righteous in the end!! =)
Prayer Requests
1. Korah requests prayer for everyone in her class at BMA.
2. Angela requests prayer for her grandma who is sick
3. Angela's uncle is in India. =) Prayer for him.
4. Des requests prayer for her brother and dad, who doesn't know which way to go with his work.
5. Angela requests prayer for her horse's leg that has been injured.
Praises/Prayer Answers
'Coaching Gymnastics the first day was like a nightmare; I had NO IDEA what I was doing! They put me to help-coach a class thatwas higher than I am certified to coach, and I was so clueless. I didn’ttell my boss anything, but only prayed to God, asking Him to change myassignment to a rec. class, one with less “choreography”, so tospeak, if it was His will. He had allowed me to be placed with the advancedgymnasts, and He had a plan. The next Wednesday I walk in to the gym, preparedfor a second nightmare, still praying within, and lo and behold, the Seniorcoach told me, so I could use my skills better, that he had moved me to the recclass!!!! Total answer to a request that only my Father knew. God is sowonderful.'
~Jessica Carvajal. :)
Angela wants to praise God for giving her the opportunity to have a part in teaching others about Him!
Book Review by Jessica Carvajal
Jack, An Incredible Life,by Jolena Taylor King.
From birth ‘till latest event, thecreation of The Clear Word, Jack Blanco’s life is a must-read. He growsup in the US,for the first about 9 years of his life. On a visit with his mother to Germany to meethis grandparents, his mother decides life would be much better for him there. Sheplanned to see him in a year, yet their plans were abruptly interrupted by theHitler movement. When he plans to follow higher education…the incrediblehappens! This is just the beginning of what God saw him through to woo Him,with loving tenderness, as the Bible says, to Himself. As you read, brace yourselffor some sad goodbyes, and prepare to embark on a life that reveals the beautyof God.
Poem
Submitted by Ashley Kanomata
Help Others
If any word of mine
My make a life the brighter,
If any little song of mine
May make a heart he lighter,
God help me speak that little word
and take my bit of singing,
And drop it in some lonely vale
To set he echoes ringing
If any little care of mine
May make a friends the fleeter,
If any lift on mince may ease
The burden of another,
God give me love and care and strength
To help my toiling brother.
~Auther Unknown~
Yes, we serve a mighty God;
He made the tiny bean pod:
He created the starry sky;
He made the butterfly:
He spoke and there were hills;
and lovely birds with their bills:
And he also made the dew;
But best of all He made YOU:
Thank you for being my friend!!
~By Angela DeRose
All right, God bless you all!!! Have a wonderful day!
Love Heather
'Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
Be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand
of My righteousness.'
~Isaiah 41:10~
Sent with much love from your friend in Christ,
Heather
(Posted by AJ)
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Glimpse From the Lighthouse Issue#14
Dear Friends in Christ,
Hello! How are you all? I'm doing well! I have been busy since I sent the last newsletter, but doing good! =) I hope the same for you. :) We haven't had much more snow so that is good! (in my opinion anyway! My sister would disagree!) I have had a good year so far, and I hope all of you have too! I think 2008 will be great. :) Well, may God bless you all, and have a safe and happy week!!! :)
Much love,
~Heather~
P.S. Contributions! (I really hate to bug you about this though, so don't feel like you have to send anything. =)) But I will accept prayer requests, praises, spiritual poems, book reviews about true, good books, songs, etc..... Thanx!! :)
Glimpse From the Lighthouse
No. 14 January 19, 2008
Theme Verse~
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men, teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, godly,
in this present world,
looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Who gave Himself for us, that He might
purify us and redeem unto Himself
a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:11-14
Study: Living for Christ
God has put us here on earth for a little while, and though the world is dark and sin-filled, He does not leave us alone. He is always with us, and He gives us power to live for Him and to fight Satan!
Romans 14:8 says: 'For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.' We are to live 'unto the Lord'! I found a few other principles for our Christian living:
'...We shall live with Him [Christ] by the power of God...' 2 Corinthians 13:4
We are to 'live in peace.' 2 Corinthians 13:11
'The just shall live by faith.' Galatians 3:11We 'should live unto righteousness' 1 Peter 2:24
We should 'live honestly' Hebrews 13:18
And we should live 'in the Spirit' of God! Galatians 5:25
So as Christian young people, we are to live
~unto the Lord
~with Christ by the power of God
~in peace
~by faith
~unto righteousness
~honestly
~and in the Spirit of God!
When we are living for Christ, Satan will assail us. But, God is on our side, and with His help, Satan will NOT be victorious! Great Controversy, page 510, says 'The more nearly the Christian imitates the divine Pattern, the more surely will he make himself a mark for the attacks of Satan.'
Satan doesn't want us to walk with God and live for Him. He will try to dissuade us.
BUT - 'Satan assailed Christ with his fiercest and most subtle temptations, but he was repulsed in every conflict. Those battles were fought in our behalf! Those victories make it possible for us to conquer. Christ will give strength to all who seek it. No man without his own consent can be overcome by Satan. The tempter has NO power to control the will or to force the soul to sin. He may distress, but he cannot contaminate. He can cause agony, but not defilement! The fact that Christ has conquered should inspire His followers with courage to fight manfully the battle against sin and Satan.'
From Great Controversy, page 510.
Jesus says: 'And lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.' Mt. 28:20. =)
Prayer Requests:
Katie requests prayer for one of her friends who is having a hard time with one of his courses in school.
Please pray for the rest of us, that we will grow closer to Jesus this year than ever before, and that we will all remain faithful.
I think that is all for this time, sorry I don't have any poems!! :(
And now, friends, may God bless you
As you go on your way.
And by God's grace I'll meet you
On heaven's shore some day!!
Love, Heather :)
(posted by "R")
