Our High Calling, p. 346

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Romans 13:11.

The great controversy is nearing its end. Every report of calamity by sea or land is a testimony to the fact that the end of all things is at hand. Wars and rumors of wars declare it. Is there a Christian whose pulse does not beat with quickened action as he anticipates the great events opening before us? The Lord is coming. We hear the footsteps of an approaching God.

This knowledge of the nearness of Christ’s coming should not be allowed to lose its force, and we become careless and inattentive, and fall into slumber—into an insensibility and indifference to realities… There are those who have the blazing light of truth shining all around them, and yet are insensible to it… They are not preparing for that great day which is soon to come to our world. They seem utterly insensible to religious truth.

Are there not some youth who are awake? Those who see that the night cometh, and also the morning, should work with untiring energy to arouse their sleeping associates... The rapidly diminishing space of time between us and eternity should more deeply impress us. Every day that passes makes one less left us to complete our work of perfecting character... As long as there are many asleep, many sporting away the precious hours in careless indifference, as it were, upon the very brink of the eternal world, those who do believe must be sober, must be awake, must be earnest and diligent, and watch unto prayer....

Our High Calling, p. 346

This is a passage from one of Ellen White’s devotional books, ‘Our High Calling.’ I wanted to share this passage with you as it is important to often remind ourselves of who we are. We are Christians dearly awaiting for Jesus’ second coming. Therefore it wouldn’t hurt to remind us of the time we are living in, that it is very soon. It is important to remind ourselves as the busy-ness of our lives may make us forget. Let us remember and let us be ready.

Aaron's Rod

“The rod of Aaron… had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds.” Numbers 17:8

When we read the Old Testament you can see a repeated cycle of God’s people complaining, rebelling, being punished, and returning to God. I wonder why it repeats the cycle so many times. It seems like we just cannot learn. I see that with Sebin in our house. She seems to repeat things no matter what even when we teach her not to do. For example, when it’s family worship time we gather together to sing and read. Sebin loves holding her Bible. But when she is not in a good mood, she throws the Bible! We would remind her that we shouldn’t throw things, especially God’s Word. At first she seems to understand, but some time later she would repeat that again!

Here in Numbers 16 we see Korah and the people rebelling against Moses and Aaron. The end of the chapter shows the consequences of the rebellion. In the following chapter the Lord speaks to Moses. The Lord tells each tribe to bring out their leader’s rod. The “rod of the man whom I [God] choose will blossom.” And it was “The rod of Aaron… had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds.” Numbers 17:8. I like how the Andrews Study Bible commentary describes this verse.

It says the following: This was particularly appropriate because the Hebrew term for “blossom” was also used for the high priestly golden crown, rendered “plate” in Ex. 28:36. Moreover, the bowls of the lampstand in the sanctuary were shaped like almond blossoms. This linked them to the idea of “watchfulness,” the meaning of the root from which the Hebrew word for “almond” is derived. Keeping the sanctuary lamps burning all night emphasized that God is always watching over His people.

What I was impressed by was the fact that ‘God is always watching over us.’ Regardless of what we may do, even to the point that we turn our backs to Him, He is watching over us. I make mistakes, all the time. Of course, there are consequences to that, too. But I know that my God is watching over me.

Light, sun, and moon

“Then God made two great lights: the great light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night… So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.” Genesis 1:16,19

This week as I read a children’s material and it was amazing because the following thought was explained at the children’s level. I had learned this in college but I am happy that children could understand how powerful God is. It’s about light, sun, and moon.

We know from the Bible that light was created on the first day, and the sun and moon on the fourth day. But we know that our light comes from the Sun. So how can this be? This is what the children’s material[1] reads: “God had a very important reason for waiting until day four to make the sun and moon and planets, or what we call the solar system… God knew that someday His human children would choose to forget about their Creator, and begin worshiping the things He made, instead of worshiping Him. [and thus there are many sun gods in the world.]

So when God created the world, He wanted to make sure that everyone knew that the sun was simply one little piece of His great creation. The sun is no the life-giver; God is the light-giver. He made the light before there ever was a sun.”

God is amazing. He has given numerous evidences throughout the whole Bible of who He is. He is not just some random god but He is the Creator God. And yet in our stubbornness mankind has turned away from Him by not worshiping Him throughout history. We should not be making the same mistake. As we stay faithful to the Word of God, I pray that we can experience our mighty God who is able to do anything!

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[1] VBS: The Creator is My Friend Book #3 Theme talks, pp. 8,9.

Copy Cat

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

Our time down in Texas was great for my daughter as well. She was able to spend more time with her grandparents and her younger cousin, too. I feel like Sebin grew more during our time down in Texas. Her speech and actions have definitely grown.

While we were down in San Antonio, we met a lot of people. As much as we met new people, we reunited with many of our close friends when I was young. We tried to catch up as much as we can in the given short period of time. I say short because there were a lot of activities to attend and a lot more others to meet. So every time I would have to say bye to these friends, I would say ‘See ya!’ I said it so many times to so many people. Well, Sebin was listening to me the whole time. So one time, as we were about to get into an elevator, Sebin waved to one of the strangers there and said, “Sheeee yaaaaa” It was so funny! I never her taught her to say that. She simply heard me say it numerous times and repeated me.

Couple days ago, I noticed Sebin started putting her hands into her pockets as she was walking. No one ever taught her to do that. And it seemed funny. I realized that I sometimes do that when I walk or stand in place. I put my hands in my pockets as many adults do. It came to realization how important an environment for my daughter as she grows. If she sees or hears negative and secular things around her, she will copy them. On the other hand, if she sees or hears positive and godly things, she will copy them.

As we practice to hear the word of God more frequently, we will learn to copy Him and be more like Him. It is as simple as that. Many times we tend to fall away from that practice. But when we remember that we are children of God, we should learn to be God’s copy cat.

Jerusalem Council

“Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts and faith.” Acts 15:7-9

This week was an amazing week for me. From Sunday evening to Wednesday morning, we were at the North American Division Pastoral Convention at Austin, Texas. It was a tremendous blessing to meet thousands of pastors and their families, worshiping together, and listening to amazing seminars.

On Wednesday afternoon, we took the bus to San Antonio, Texas to be a part of the 60^th General Conference Session. We attended the opening evening at the Alamodome. It was a taste of heaven as Christians from around the world gathered to worship together! I can’t wait until Sabbath worship (as I am writing this to you on Friday afternoon) to see the whole stadium packed to worship together!

General Conference Session is where we get together to make important decisions for the world church. It reminds us of the Jerusalem Council as mentioned in Acts 15. The church leaders and apostles got together to talk about the gospel work among the gentiles. We are one world church today. We are all children of God and His followers. The above verse tells us that the Holy Spirit is upon all of us.

I hope that this unity will be seen as decisions are made. I hope that we remember the important biblical principles as decisions are made. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the meeting as important decisions will be made for the world church.