PRISONERS OF HOPE

December 2008
EDITORIAL..BR N. NKOMO
Even though his appointments have begun to look like more of the same, there has been a lot of
excitement the world over during the last month with the election of Obama into the White House
and his promise of change. Furthermore, in South Africa, a lot of people have been exhilarated by
the formation of a splinter party from within the ANC. Conversations between Adventists, of which
I have been privy but not party, have gotten me thinking over the last week or so.
In May of 1865, as the American Civil war drew to an end, the General Conference convened, and a
resolution on voting was approved with both James and Ellen White present. It said: “Resolved,
that in our judgment, the act of voting when exercised in behalf of justice, humanity, and right, is
in itself blameless, and may be at some time highly proper; but that the casting of any vote that
shall strengthen the cause of such crimes as intemperance, insurrection, and slavery, we regard as
highly criminal in the sight of Heaven. But we would deprecate any participation in the spirit of
party strife.” Review and Herald, May 23, 1865. To my knowledge this stance has not been re-
pealed to this date.
The counsel that we therefore received from our forebears is that, whenever items are put to the
ballot for public vote, there are a number of questions that we need to ask ourselves. The questions
are, is the item just, does the item protect humanity as a whole, is the item right, is it blameless
and is it proper. If the item up for voting passes this litmus test then we can be sure that it is in ac-
cordance with our Biblical convictions. Examples of items that would fit this bill would be voting
against relaxation of alcohol age limits, allowing prostitution, allowing sale of pornographic mate-
rial and allowing same-sex marriages or civil unions. To sum up the essence of the GC resolution;
we can with a clear conscience make our voices heard if anything that violates the principles of
God comes up for public vote, or if new laws that support the same are promulgated.
A second quote reads: “The Lord would have His people bury political questions. On these themes
silence is eloquence. Christ calls upon His followers to come into unity on the pure gospel princi-
ples which are plainly revealed in the word of God. We cannot with safety vote for political parties;
for we do not know whom we are voting for. We cannot with safety take part in any political
scheme. We cannot labor to please men who will use their influence to repress religious liberty,
and to set in operation oppressive measures to lead or compel their fellow-men to keep Sunday as
the Sabbath. The first day of the week is not a day to be reverenced. It is a spurious Sabbath, and INSIDE THIS ISSUE
the members of the Lord's family cannot participate with the men who exalt this day, and violate
Editorial .............................. ……1
the law of God by trampling upon His Sabbath. The people of God are not to vote to place such
My Wicked Child ................ .….2
men in office; for when they do this, they are partakers with them of the sins which they commit
while in office” GW, p391. Little counsel is paid to this quotation which is plain for all of us to un- For Jonathan‟s Sake ........... .….3
derstand. Search Me and Try Me ....... .….5
In this light, I found myself wondering as to why so many Adventists got so excited about Obama‟s Harden Not Your Hearts .... ..…6
victory. I found myself asking why it was that Adventists viewed a mere human as a hero. I found it Lift Up Your Heads ............. .….7
strange that someone ,with such a checkered past of supporting abortion bills, would be regarded A Wife‟s Gift From God ...... .….8
as a hero by Adventists. I found it outlandish that Adventists would regard someone that drinks Good Health…………………..….10
and smokes as one to be emulated. I found it extraordinary that Adventists could hold up one who
has thus far paid lip service to the abstinence message and has pushed the “condomize” message. I
found it bizarre that Adventists are so in love with one that has made it clear he wishes to legalize
homosexual and gay unions. I am dumbfounded. Will it be said of us as Spiritual Israel that we
“[are] a nation void of counsel, neither [is there any] understanding in them?” Where are the
youth that we can we compare to the children of Issachar “that had understanding of the times, to
know what Israel ought to do?”
I pray that we uphold Jesus as our hero and cease to be carried away with the same fervor that the
world is swept by. We ought to understand what is going on politically and the issue of preserving
religious freedom should be our chief consideration when voting or laboring to protect the princi-
ples of "justice, humanity, blamelessness, propriety and rightness."
Should we fear to vote? No! Only ask yourself why you are voting, for whom you are voting, and for
what that person represents in their life and what they stand for. Thereafter ,let the principles of
“justice, humanity and right” guide you with each voter ballot you take in hand, and with each ini-
tiative you vote upon. The last thing you want is to be counted as one of the “partakers with them
of the sins which they commit while in office.”
 I LOVE YOU, MY WICKED CHILD BY SR T NKOMO
Love is a funny thing. It makes you do things you wouldn‟t
normally do. It takes you places you‟d never envisaged go-
ing. As a wife, I‟ve seen this in the things my husband does,
and the things I have done for him. But it‟s seen even more
in the actions we perform as parents. Love is painful. When
you love someone and they are hurting and there‟s nothing
you can do but to comfort them, it hurts. When I was grow-
ing up, I used to read fiction, and watch TV, and I remem-
ber scoffing (when a father would say to his son, before
chastising him or punishing him) “This will hurt me more
than it will hurt you.” I‟d say aloud “Then why do it? That‟s
obviously just a line” But now that I have my own two chil-
dren, I can see it. We want our children
to be perfect, just as Jesus was, but they
don‟t cooperate. Discipline is not only
about instilling rules, but also about
punishment for rebelliousness when
those rules have been broken, and it
truly does hurt when you have to chas-
tise-be it with a few well-placed flicks on
the finger, be it by using time-out, or be
it by removing the precious toy that is
being fought over. It hurts. But what
more when that child is now an adult. A
reasoning, sentient being who knows
how to read the Bible, knows what your
ideals are, yet refuses to obey? How
much more would it hurt then?
Let‟s look at this son called Absalom. Handsome man, a full
head of healthy hair, ambitious, energetic, gifted. What fa-
ther wouldn‟t be proud of having such a son? A son who was
physically flawless, from his toes all the way to the top of his
head. But, something went wrong.
How did David feel when Absalom plotted against him?
How did David feel when his precious first born son be-
trayed him in such a public manner? (2 Sam 15) His own
beloved son, removing him from his throne, making him
flee from one who came from his own loins. What anguish
that must have caused that father. Not only that, but to have
that son fornicate with your own concubine in plain view of
the nation that you once ruled (2 Sam 16:21)…to have that
son then pursue you in order to kill you. David‟s grief must
have been overwhelming. See him, the king, made to be a
vagabond, by his own son. Relying on others for sustenance,
not having access to his palace and the luxurious food
therein.
2
But when it comes time for battle, does this father avenge
himself and seek his son‟s life? No. He asks them to „deal
gently‟ with his son Absalom. A father‟s love knows no
bounds... He did not desire his son to be killed. Perhaps he
thought there was hope that he would repent of his wicked-
ness. And see his grief when he gets the news that his mur-
dering son has been killed. Does he rejoice that Absalom is
lost forever? Does he throw a banquet to celebrate the end
of the civil war? He weeps and groans, wishing he could
have taken the place of his erstwhile son. A love that only a
parent can understand.
In humility and sorrow David passed out of
the gate of Jerusalem, driven from his
throne, from his palace, from the ark of
God, by the insurrection of his cherished
son. The people followed in long, sad pro-
cession, like a funeral train. David's body-
guard of Cherethites, Pelethites, and six
hundred Gittites from Gath, under the com-
mand of Ittai, accompanied the king. But
David, with characteristic unselfishness,
could not consent that these strangers who
had sought his protection should be in-
volved in his calamity. He expressed sur-
prise that they should be ready to make this
sacrifice for him. Then said the king to Ittai
the Gittite, "Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to
thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger,
and also an exile. Whereas thou camest but yesterday,
should I this day make thee go up and down with us? Seeing
I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren:
mercy and truth be with thee." Ittai answered, "As the Lord
liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place
my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even
there also will thy servant be." These men had been con-
verted from paganism to the worship of Jehovah, and nobly
they now proved their fidelity to their God and their king.
David, with grateful heart, accepted their devotion to his
apparently sinking cause, and all passed over the brook
Kidron on the way toward the wilderness. PP p731/2.
I hope dear reader, that you have seen the parallel already,
but if not, let me spell it out. Jesus was our King, rightly
elected by the Father to be our Ruler, but Satan, together
with us, his helpers, desired to take over. We strayed, sin-
ning, killing, stoning the prophets, gossiping and using our
 FOR JONATHAN‟S SAKE…..BY BR K PIPIM
Continued from last edi- friend, etc.? Is there a promise you have long neglected?
tion:...Our Ethical Ob- Now is the time to make good on it. Better late than never.
ligation to Others. The The Motivation to Forgive. The third lesson we can
second lesson we learn learn from David‟s treatment of Mephibosheth is the moti-
from the account of vation to forgive. Why would David show kindness to Me-
David‟s treatment of Me- phibosheth, making him one of the king‟s sons and allow-
phibosheth is our ethical ing him to eat perpetually at the king‟s table? Why would
obligation to others. Why he adopt as his son one who hated him and who potentially
was David so eager to could work to undermine and usurp his government? Why
show kindness? did David forgive this grandchild of his avowed enemy?
The twice-stated answer is: "For Jonathan’s sake" (2 Sam-
The answer is found in 1 uel 9:1, 7).
Samuel 20:11-17. There we read that David made a promise In the phrase "for Jonathan‟s sake," we find the most com-
to Jonathan that one day he (David) would pay back the pelling motivation to forgive others. As we mentioned ear-
kindness he himself had received from Jonathan. David lier, this phrase means "for Christ’s sake." In other words,
could have satisfied his conscience saying Jonathan was if we are looking for a reason to forgive and forget the ills
dead or that Mephibosheth never requested help. But no, we have suffered at the hands of others, the answer lies in
the king inquired and searched until he found Mephi- what Jesus, our divine Jonathan, has done for us. Those
bosheth. who understand the price Christ paid on Calvary for their
Though Mephibosheth never requested help, though he sins will not stubbornly withhold forgiveness from those
hated David and thus didn‟t deserve help, yet David who have hurt them. This is why the most forgiven person
showed kindness to him "for Jonathan‟s sake." Mephi- ought to be the most forgiving one.
bosheth received favor on account of the merits of Jona- Though it hurts to forgive, the Bible urges us—for Christ‟s
than. This is grace at work. sake—to do the unthinkable. Observe how often the expres-
Have you been searching for that one person you owe a sion "for Christ‟s sake" appears in the New Testament:…
debt—a schoolteacher, nurse, aunt, grandmother, pastor, Continued on p4

tongues to murder. We committed adultery, spiritual and for us. But if we allow the devil to take our lives, there is
physical. But God still loved us. He did not hunt us down to nothing more God can do. God will never force us to do
kill us, instead, He gave his angels charge over us, asking what we do not willingly do. There comes a time when our
them to „deal gently‟ with us, His children. He protected us children have grown up and are mature enough to make
as far as was possible. He also left His palace because of us, their own decisions. We cannot keep them in our homes
dwelt in the wilderness, being fed by mere humans, relying forever, making their choices for them, disciplining them
on them for sustenance. He endured being betrayed by not when they do wrong. We too must leave them to face the
only Judas, but the rest of the world that claimed to love consequences of their ac-
Him yet forsook Him, even plotting to murder Him. We tions, praying that they will
betrayed our heavenly Father, causing Him suffering and see how much we, and our
shame. Remember how Jesus wept over impenitent Jeru- heavenly Father, love them.
salem. That‟s how He weeps over us when we continue to May we be like Jesus, grow-
err. His grief is palpable, His anguish severe. And when all ing in wisdom and in stature
hope is gone, He leaves us with considerable anguish. “As I and in favour with all men
live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of and most importantly, in fa-
the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: vour with God. Has God not
turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O had enough pain to deal
house of Israel” with?
God gave us every chance to repent, He has done all He can

3
1. We must forgive one another for Christ’s sake: "And be
ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one an-
other, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven
you" (Ephesians 4:32).
2. We must pray for one another for Christ’s sake: "For
the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit,
that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for
me" (Romans 15:30).
3. We must become fools in the eyes of others and be de-
spised for Christ’s sake: "We are fools for Christ’s sake;
but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye
are honorable, but we are despised" (1 Corinthians 4:10).
4. We must preach the truth and be true servants of God
for Christ’s sake: "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ
Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’
sake" (2 Corinthians 4:5).
5. We must patiently endure the trials of life for Christ’s
sake: "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in re-
proaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for
Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2
Corinthians 12:10).
6. We must be willing to suffer for Christ’s sake: "For unto
you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on
Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Philippians 1:29).
7. We must suffer persecution for Christ’s sake: "Who now
rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is
behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body’s
sake, which is the church" (Colossians 1:24).
8. We must be willing to die for Christ’s sake: "For we
which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake,
that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our
mortal flesh" (2 Corinthians 4:11).
9. We must submit to good ordinances of those in power
for Christ’s sake: "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of
man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as su-
preme" (1 Peter 2:13).
10. The Lord will richly bless and save us if we endure
unto the end for Christ’s sake: "Blessed are ye, when men
shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all man-
ner of evil against you falsely,
for My sake" (Matthew 5:11;
cf. Luke 6:22). "And ye shall
be hated of all men for My
name’s sake: but he that
shall endure unto the end,
the same shall be
saved" (Mark 13:13).
It is obvious from the above
passages that the most com-
pelling reason to do the right
thing, including forgiving
4
those who have hurt us, is "for Christ‟s sake." The more we
understand the amazing grace of God‟s forgiveness, the
more our motivation to forgive others. The basis and moti-
vation to forgive others is what Christ has done for us.
What It Means to Forgive and Forget. Forgiveness is
a conscious decision of the mind and heart to remit freely
the offense of another, regardless of the cost. Unfortu-
nately, many of us have difficulty forgiving others because
we confuse forgiveness with what it is not.
1. Forgiveness is not excusing the wrong conduct of others.
Excusing says, "That‟s okay," and seems to suggest that
what a person did wasn‟t really wrong or that he or she
couldn‟t help it. But forgiveness is not excusing or justify-
ing the wrong conduct of a person. On the contrary, the
very nature of forgiveness suggests that what a person did
was wrong and inexcusable. Covering up sin (which is
what excusing is) cannot bring about forgiveness. The Bi-
ble says, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but
whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have
mercy" (Proverbs 28:13). True forgiveness honestly ac-
knowledges that something a person did is wrong, but
chooses, by the grace of God, to overlook it.
2. Forgiveness is not weakness. Sometimes we think that
when we forgive others it is a sign of weakness or coward-
ice. Who wants to be perceived as a doormat? The truth,
however, is that forgiveness never springs from weakness,
but rather from a position of strength and power. It takes a
person with patience and inner strength to forgive. When
God chooses to forgive us, it is not because He is power-
less. Only those with resolute convictions and sterling
character can forgive truly. The irony is that as long as we
choose not to forgive, we become the slaves of those who
have hurt us.
3. Forgiveness is not merely forgetting. Forgetting is to
lose the remembrance or recollection of something. It is a
passive process in which the passing of time causes a thing
to fade from memory. Christian forgiveness, however, is
not the result of amnesia. Instead, it is an active process in
which a person makes a conscious choice not to mention,
recount, or think about the injury suffered.
When God says He will remember your sins no more (see
Hebrews 8:12), it does not mean He cannot remember our
sins, but that He will not remember them. It is a conscious
choice on His part not to reckon those sins against us or
take action on them. Even better news is that when we
make a conscious decision to forgive and to stop dwelling
on the offense of another, the Lord works a miracle in us so
that the hurt we have suffered loses its bite—to the extent
that the painful memory fades away.
…..To Be Continued
 SEARCH ME AND TRY ME ...BY SR K VENA
Search me oh God and know my heart,
A heart deceitful above all things not even I can know it.
You who sees deep within me, delving into avenues I never knew existed, search me and show me things I‟ve never seen before.
Bring before me all that You would have me submit to You in humility.
Search me oh God as the woman searched for her lost piece of silver.
Filthy is my heart as was her household, yet search me and know me.
Find me as she found her silver coin and with joy rejoiced with her neighbors: so shall You rejoice with the heavenly hosts.
Please search me oh God and know my heart.

Try me oh God and know my thoughts.

Though the trials You bring may seem to press hard upon me,
I know that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Though my heart painfully aches and I feel that my mind is in turmoil I know that when my mind is stayed on Thee, You will grant
me perfect peace, a peace that passes all understanding, a peace that this world can never give me.

Try me and know my thoughts for they are evil continually.

Try me, break me Lord. Let me fall upon that Rock for I know that as He breaks me, so shall He also mend me, making me perfectly
whole.
Try me that even if I have nothing and I am alone, I may still be able to stand, holy and acceptable unto God.
Let this mind be in me which was also in Christ Jesus.
Please try me oh God and know my thoughts.
And see if there be any wicked way in me.
The multitudes of my words lack no sin.
What I behold with the windows to my soul bring sin in me.
The work of my own hands can never be good.
The paths that I tread seem right to me but the ends thereof are the ways of death.
See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

For I know that You are faithful to forgive my sins and though they be as scarlet they shall be as white as the snow. The path of the
just is as a light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Thou oh Sun of Righteousness shine Thy light in me and through
me that all men may see You and glory be given unto You.

Search me oh God and know my heart, try me oh God and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead
me in the way everlasting.

5
 HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS...BY SR WHITE
Lk 13:34-35 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the light, will not heed more decided evidences of the truth. If
prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how the tender appeals of God fail to meet with a response in
often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen the heart of the sinner, the first impressions made upon his
[doth gather] her brood under [her] wings, and ye would mind lose their significance, and he is finally left in dark-
not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily ness. The invitation is full of love. The light is as bright
I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until [the time] come when he finally refuses it, as when it first dawned upon his
when ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name soul; but through rejection of light, his soul becomes full of
of the Lord. darkness, and does not realize what is the peril of disre-
garding the light. Christ says to such a soul, "Yet a little
In every age there is given to men their day of light and
while is the light with you." SD, p182
privilege, a probationary time in which they may become
reconciled to God. But there is a limit to this grace. Mercy The Saviour watches for a response to His offers of love
may plead for years and be slighted and rejected; but there and forgiveness, with a more tender compassion than that
comes a time when mercy makes her last plea. The heart which moves the heart of an earthly parent to forgive a
becomes so hardened that it ceases wayward, suffering son. He cries af-
to respond to the Spirit of God. ter the wanderer, "Return unto Me,
Then the sweet, winning voice en- and I will return unto you." Malachi
treats the sinner no longer, and re- 3:7. But if the erring one persistently
proofs and warnings cease. That refuses to heed the voice that calls
day had come to Jerusalem. Jesus him with pitying, tender love, he will
wept in anguish over the doomed at last be left in darkness. The heart
city, but He could not deliver her. that has long slighted God's mercy,
He had exhausted every resource. becomes hardened in sin, and is no
In rejecting the warnings of God's longer susceptible to the influence of
Spirit, Israel had rejected the only the grace of God. Fearful will be the
means of help. There was no other doom of that soul of whom the
power by which they could be deliv- pleading Saviour shall finally de-
ered. DA p587 clare, he "is joined to idols: let him
alone." Hosea 4:17. It will be more tolerable in the day of
Christ did not fulfill men's expectations; His life was a re-
judgment for the cities of the plain than for those who have
buke to their sins, and they rejected Him. So now the truth
known the love of Christ, and yet have turned away to
of God's word does not harmonize with men's practices and
choose the pleasures of a world of sin. PP, p165
their natural inclination, and thousands reject its light.
Men prompted by Satan cast doubt upon God's word, and Trifle not with God, lest He leave you to your own crooked
choose to exercise their independent judgment. They ways. It is life or death with you. Which will you choose? It
choose darkness rather than light, but they do it at the peril is a fearful thing to contend with God and resist His plead-
of their souls. Those who caviled at the words of Christ, ings. 2T, p296
found ever-increased cause for cavil, until they turned from
the Truth and the Life. So it is now. God does not propose Pr 29:1 . He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his]
to remove every objection which the carnal heart may bring neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without rem-
against His truth. To those who refuse the precious rays of edy.
light which would illuminate the darkness, the mysteries of Many a man professes to accept the testimonies, while they
God's word remain such forever. From them the truth is have no influence upon his life or character. His faults be-
hidden. They walk blindly, and know not the ruin before come stronger by indulgence until, having been often re-
them. DA p587/588 proved and not heeding the reproof, he loses the power of
self-control, and becomes hardened in a course of wrong-
If the sinner hesitates, and fails to appreciate the light that doing. If he is overworked, if weakness comes upon him, he
has reached his intellect and stirred the emotions of his has not moral power to rise above the infirmities of charac-
soul, and refuses to render obedience to God, the light ter which he did not overcome; they become his strongest
grows dim, has less and less force, and finally vanishes points, and he is overborne by them. 1SM, p47 ...To p8
from his view. Those who fail to appreciate the first rays of
6
 LIFT UP YOUR HEADS...
NEWS HEADLINES OVER THE LAST MONTH:
“Jobless ranks hit 10
million, most in 25
years”, “Economists see
U.S. headed for pro-
longed recession”,
“CORRECT: S&P 500
losses nearly $1 trillion
more than 2000-02”,
“Home Prices Tumble in
80 Percent of U.S. Cit-
ies”, “Problem’ Banks
Rose 46% in Third
Quarter, FDIC Says”,
“Volcker Is Said to Fore-
see Extended Economic Slump in U.S.”, “Goldman sees
jobless rate at 9%, GDP shrinking into 2009”, “Malls, ho-
tels next victims in new mortgage crisis”
NEWS: Every day another state or city reports a fresh
problem raising funds in the bond market. For the week
ending 26 September 2008, some $6bn in new municipal
debt issues were expected, yet only $100m came to the
market……Two weeks ago, Erie County, New York could
not complete a $75m bond issue because of the unavailabil-
ity of investors, jeopardising the county's entire $12m pay-
roll. Last week, the state of Massachusetts went into the
market for its routine $400m to be used for quarterly pay-
ments to cities and towns but the bond issue came up
$170m short. Meanwhile, Missouri is having trouble raising
a bond to pay for essential road and bridge repairs.
NEWS: A hundred banking systems must be in trouble. So
far, 100 countries are bailing their banks or are underwrit-
ing their banking systems.
NEWS: First came the banks looking for a federal rescue
plan to stay afloat. Next it was the automakers seeking a
bailout. And now state governments say they too, need
emergency federal assistance to remain solvent….
Eight states — New Jersey, California, Kentucky, Missouri,
Wisconsin, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Arkansas —
are nearly solvent, with reserves to cover four to six months
of average payments. And an additional six states fall into
the seven- to 11-month range — Pennsylvania, Minnesota, head of the Catholic Church's department for interfaith
Idaho, Illinois, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
COMMENT: For those of us that are not yet worried about
what is happening globally the above snippets should be
7
sufficient to give us a jolt. The saying goes “when America
sneezes, the world catches a cold”. When American States
can no longer raise cash from the markets in order to pay
salaries and for other essential services, it is a recipe for
disaster, not only for them but for the rest of the world. The
only way to prevent the troubled states going bankrupt will
be for the American government to begin bailing out the
various states. This will involve printing more money which
will lead to dire consequences for the American economy
and by extension the world economy.
NEWS: The Catholic Church wants Sunday observance
enshrined in EU law. The European Parliament is debating
changes to its Working Time Directive. The Vatican wants a
clause in this law that would force every citizen in the Euro-
pean Union to rest on Sunday…..The bill is being revised.
During the second reading, in October, seven Members of
the European Parliament tabled an amendment saying that
the minimum rest period “shall in principle include Sun-
day.” The Brussels-based Commission of the Bishops‟ Con-
ferences of the European Community (comece) agrees, rec-
ommending the directive should say “the minimal weekly
rest must include Sunday.” The amendment stated, “The
likelihood of sickness in companies that require staff to
work on Sundays is greater than in companies that do not
require staff to work on Sundays. The health of workers de-
pends, among other factors, on their opportunities to rec-
oncile work and family life, to establish and maintain social
ties and to pursue their spiritual needs. Sunday, as the tra-
ditional weekly rest day,
contributes to these objec-
tives more than any other
day of the week.”
COMMENT: We pray
that this quote shakes us
out of our slumber as Ad-
ventists. Much happens in
the corridors of power of
which we know nothing of. This one thing we know though,
we are living in the time of tarrying and we ought to be
ready!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran,
contact…has thanked Muslims for bringing God back into
the public sphere in Europe and said believers of different
faiths had no option but to engage in interreligious dia-
logue….
Jer 5:3 O LORD, [are] not thine eyes upon the truth? thou
hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast
consumed them, [but] they have refused to receive correc-
tion: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they
have refused to return.
The person who is drawn again and again by his Redeemer,
and who slights the warnings given, yields not to his con-
victions to repent, and heeds not when he is exhorted to
seek pardon and grace, is in a perilous position. Jesus is
drawing him, the Spirit is exerting His power upon him,
urging him to surrender his will to the will of God; and
when this invitation is unheeded, the Spirit is grieved away.
The sinner chooses to remain in sin and impenitence, al-
though he has evidence to encourage his faith, and more
evidence would do no good. . . . There is another drawing to
which he is responding, and that is the drawing of Satan.
He yields obedience to the powers of darkness. This course
is fatal, and leaves the soul in obstinate impenitence. This
is the blasphemy that is most general among men, and it
works in a most subtle way, until the sinner feels no re-
morse of conscience, no repentance, and consequently has
no pardon.
Those who resist the Spirit of God think that they will re-
pent at some future day
when they get ready to take
a decided step toward refor-
mation, but repentance will
then be beyond their power.
According to the light and
privileges given will be the
darkness of those who re-
fuse to walk in the light
while they have the light.
Never, never, feel at liberty
A WIFE‟S GIFT FROM GOD.... BY SR A WATERS
The dawn is breaking; the birds begin their songs of praise,
the air is cool and fresh, and dew dots the grass and flowers.
Another beautiful day is bursting open-a gift of God for a
new day of life. As I awake to these blessings God is pouring
forth, my thoughts go to another blessing sleeping quietly
beside me, his breathing is slow and relaxed. Thank you
Lord for the miracle of life. Thank you for my husband.
Thank you for a new day and all the gifts you've already
given to me/us today and for those yet to come.
Do we even recognize the love of God through His
daily benefits, or are we just taking them for granted?
How about you wives? Are you sometimes more thankful for
a sunny day than you are for your dear husband? Perhaps it
8
to trifle with the opportunities granted to you. Study the
will of God; do not study how you can avoid keeping the
commandments of God, but study rather how you may
keep them in sincerity and truth and truly serve Him whose
property you are. TMK, p244
Pr 28:14 . Happy [is] the man that feareth alway: but he
that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
There is a God in Israel, with whom is deliverance for all
that are oppressed. Righteousness is the habitation of His
throne. There is danger in departing in the least from the
Lord's instruction. When we deviate from the plain path of
duty, a train of circumstances will arise that seems irresisti-
bly to draw us further and further from the right. Needless
intimacies with those who have no respect for God will se-
duce us ere we are aware. Fear to offend worldly friends
will deter us from expressing our gratitude to God or ac-
knowledging our dependence upon Him. We must keep
close to the word of God. We need its warnings and encour-
agement, its threatenings and promises. We need the per-
fect example given only in the life and character of our Sav-
iour. 5T, p197/8
Absorbed in selfish aims and sinful indulgences, the soul is
"hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Heb. 3:13. The
spiritual faculties are paralyzed. Men hear the word, but
understand it not. They do not discern that it applies to
themselves. They do not realize their need or their danger.
COL, p44
Hb 3:12-14 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of
you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living
God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day;
lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of
sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the be-
ginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.
isn't in your first thought, but do you recognize the blessing
he is and give thanks for him?
I‟ve met wives who are disappointed and discontented with
their husbands, irritated and resentful, ungrateful and bit-
ter. Their joy is gone, their marriage a disappointment. They
look for happiness and fulfillment in others, in hobbies, in
careers, in things; but they don‟t look to God, the author of
love and life.
I encourage you, whether you find yourself in discouraging
circumstances or if you have a good marriage, that our love
and respect for our husbands can even be better. The more
we take our eyes off ourselves and look to God for His Love
to permeate our hearts, the more love we will have for our rable. If we would focus more on our spouse's strengths
husbands. We will be channels through which God's love and not on his weaknesses, and focus on the Lord instead
can flow to our spouse, first receiving the blessing, then of ourselves, we would find an inward motivation flowing
passing it on. out of us in loving kindness. Our attitudes would change,
our discontent, disappointment, discouragement, irrita-
I have found the blessing by first choosing to be thankful- tion, anger, hurt, and resentment would dissipate and love
thankful for my husband for what he has done, for the ways would reign where once there was an ugly evil.
he has provided, his companionship and love, his protec-
tion and help, his care for the children, his hard work, hon- We will find it easier to submit to our husbands and allow
esty, and leadership. List as many things as you can and them to be the head of our homes as we learn to be submis-
thank the Lord for these. This gets our eyes off ourselves sive to Christ and allow Him to be the head of our hearts.
and puts them on God, which will then help us to see (Eph. 5:22) It isn‟t a drudgery, it isn‟t a forced will. It is a
through His loving eyes the many blessings we cheerful submission (obedience, meekness, and assent) to
experience through our husbands. His leadership, and that of our husbands.

Second, I look for ways to demonstrate my appreciation for Practically, this means that if my husband says “no” to a
my husband to him. The first opportunity certain food that I happen to like even
comes at the beginning of the day. When I though I know it‟s not good for me, I find
first wake up, I‟ll often turn to my husband, that my joy comes through honest submis-
cuddle him and whisper, “I love you” before sion, which is always respectful. He wants
I ever get out of bed. I‟ll lay my head on his what is best for his family. I agree and find
shoulder and begin thanking the Lord for strength to resist the temptation, even when
those blessings I mentioned above and I‟m alone or know I can sneak it without
more. This certainly sets the tone of my day him finding out. If he‟s not comfortable with
and in my heart it prepares me to look for a blouse or sweater that
ways through the day to continue to express he feels is too tight, I trust his judgment as a
love and appreciation. man and my husband who wants to protect
our marriage. It‟s my joy to hear and choose
God will help us know what will best to submit to his recommendations.
reach the heart of our husbands. Per-
haps organizing his clothes for him in the closet or dresser; Often it is the little things in marriage where the lack of re-
polishing his shoes; having dinner ready for him; washing spect and an unwillingness to be submissive occurs, not
the windows; dusting the house; keeping the bathroom over moral issues. Thus it is true that in the little things
clean; vacuuming out the car, washing it and maybe even we either build a happy, loving marriage or we
waxing it-these are all expressions in deeds that say I love destroy it. We do not lose our individuality by becoming
you! I take care of myself and wear nice clothes that he all God wants us to be in our marriage. We do not lose our
likes, which lets him know that he‟s important to me. Greet identity but rather become more complete, respectable,
him at the door with a smile and kind words. “I‟m glad and respected. We become one with Him, one with our
you‟re home! How was your day?” Accept the typical short husbands-a beautiful expression of true love.
answers of “fine”, “good”, or “OK”. Don‟t meet him with all
your problems. As you provide a loving and nurturing envi- We need to develop respect for our husbands by putting
ronment he will open up to you. Have the children ready the best construction on their words and actions. We can-
and happy to meet father. Settle their differences before not truly know another‟s motives (although sometimes we
father arrives so the home is peaceful and happy. may be right through experience with them). As we train
our hearts to put a positive construction on their words and
Look for ways to serve him. If we really have a desire for a deeds, we will find we have greater understanding and
loving marriage, a fulfilled relationship, a happy home, we sympathy for them and through our influence can encour-
must be willing to do what Christ did for us to have that age them to grow, to improve, to connect with Christ and
relationship with us. He gave all-everything. His focus was- find victory.
n't what will I get out of this, but rather “Yea, I have
loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with So tomorrow as the dawn begins to break, the birds raise
lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3 Because their songs of praise, the cool, gentle breeze blows and we
He loves us, He draws us to Himself through lovingkind- awaken to a new day of life, let's begin by thanking God for
ness. That means we don't just do things as an act of kind- our blessings and demonstrate our love to the one by our
ness, but that the spring of action is love. They are insepa- side.
9

PRISONERS OF
HOPE
The bulk of this newsletter is
authored by members of the
Mowbray SDA church whose
desire is to provide a thought
provoking newsletter for Ad-
ventists dwelling on the banks
of Jordan; in the process ap-
pealing to entire fidelity to the
Bible and the Spirit of Proph-
ecy.
What important wish (prayer, margin KJV) is expressed by the apostle con-
cerning Gaius?
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy
soul prospereth." 3 John 1:2.
Why is it necessary to preserve the body in health?
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Rom. 12:1.
When one is truly sanctified, how much of him will be affected?
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul
and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thess. 5:23.
How did the apostle guard himself?
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I
have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." 1 Cor. 9:27.
Is it expedient to eat everything that it is lawful to eat?
"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me,
but all things edify not." 1 Cor. 10:23.
Is God's glory to be considered even in one's eating?
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor.
10:31.
What are our bodies said to be?
"What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which
ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" 1 Cor. 6:19.
What is the Christian's duty concerning his body in view of the fact that the
Spirit of God has taken possession of it?
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which are God's." 1 Cor. 6:20.
What does the apostle say God will do to those who defile or mar this temple
of His, the human body?
"If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy,
which temple ye are." 1 Cor. 3:17.
Can the body be defiled with improper food or drink?
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the
king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank." Dan. 1:8.
What sort of food did Daniel desire?
"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of
all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall
be for meat." Gen. 1:29.
What kind of flesh did the Lord afterward permit man to eat?
"Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven footed, and cheweth the cud, among the
beasts, that shall ye eat." Lev. 11:3.
By what term was this class of creatures distinguished from the other?
"Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female; and of
beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female." Gen. 7:2.
Which one of these now commonly eaten was mentioned as being unfit even
to touch?
"And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto
you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass." Deut. 14:8.
Why did the Lord thus restrict the Hebrews?
"For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a
peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Thou shalt not
eat any abominable thing." Deut. 14:2, 3
What does the Lord say of those who are found eating swine's flesh and the
like, when Christ comes?
"For behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind, to render
His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire... They that sanctify themselves,
and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh,
and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord." Isa.
66:15-17.
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