Monday, August 31, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: An Overlooked Precious Morsel of Truth

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

There is a precious morsel of truth often overlooked in Isaiah 61 where we read that "the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good tidings to the meek."

Those good tidings include the blessed truth that God's time for vengeance is much shorter than His time for blessing: vengeance lasts for only a "day," whereas His blessings are immeasurably longer. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me," says Jesus; "because the Lord has anointed Me ... to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, [but only] the day of vengeance of our God" (Isa. 61:1, 2).

The time of God's "vengeance" is only 1/365th of the time of His blessing! Can you imagine such a fraction? Yes, there is a time when God must take "vengeance," and it is a frightful time for those who are not reconciled to Him; but the character of God is such that His "acceptance" is far greater than His "vengeance."

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy" (Psalm 103:8). "The Lord is gracious and full of compassion" (111:4). His glorious character is beautifully unveiled in Jesus in His incarnation. Did He go around cursing people? No, Everywhere He went, He was only a blessing. He tells us, "That's what My Father is like!"

Finally, when wicked people could not stand His presence on earth and they crucified Him, in the midst of His physical and spiritual anguish He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing" (cf. Luke 23:34).

Let your alienated, worldly human heart be melted by beholding the Lamb of God!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 16, 2009.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Adventist Review Online | Adventist Evangelist, 48, Killed in U.S. Plane Crash

Adventist Review Online | Adventist Evangelist, 48, Killed in U.S. Plane Crash

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: The Promised Gift of the Latter Rain--Are We Even Concerned?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Millions of people around the world are longing for the second coming of Christ. They realize that this world is like the Titanic facing an iceberg. "Lord, save us!" is the cry of many.

But few realize what must happen before Christ can return. Jesus' words in Matthew 24:14 remind us that God is fair and merciful; it would not be just for Jesus to return until all have had the privilege of hearing the gospel message that alone can prepare them for His coming: "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." And Revelation 14:6-12 tells of three angels who proclaim the "everlasting gospel" to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people," symbolizing the work of the church to whom Christ has entrusted the mission of proclaiming the Good News of His salvation.

Revelation 18 describes the work of "another angel," a fourth, who joins the three with "great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory" (vs. 1, KJV).Then will come the final warning, the final proclamation of the gospel that will make possible a final judgment, so that Jesus can return. But before the church can be empowered to proclaim such a message, there must come the blessing of the latter rain outpouring of the Holy Spirit ("and when He has come, He will convict the world of sin," John 16:8). He will give the final gift of repentance.

But as it was when Christ was born in Bethlehem, few are concerned about the coming (or the delay!) of the latter rain. But there are some like the aged Simeon, to whom "it had been revealed ... that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ" (Luke 2:26). And there was old Anna who "looked for redemption" and was concerned for it more than for worldly wealth and pleasure (vss. 37, 38). These two recognized in the Baby in Mary's arms the long-awaited Savior of the world!

Are we even concerned for the promised gift of the latter rain? The few who are will, like Simeon and Anna, recognize the gift! There could be no disaster worse than sleeping through that blessing.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: December 24, 1998.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: Let the Children Come to Jesus

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Should fear be the motivation in leading someone (a child, for example) to be baptized? Whether the right answer is yes or no, let's not forget what Jesus said about letting the little children come to Him and don't hinder them; don't stop them (Matt. 19:14). Even if a child demonstrates a lack of mature sanctification, let's think of those arms of Jesus opened wide to welcome him or her. And if we have mistakenly "hindered" one, let Jesus give us the gift of repentance.

The story of one famous baptism inspires us. The Ethiopian eunuch riding in his chariot "down from Jerusalem to Gaza" was reading the Bible while jolting along. What had caught his attention was Isaiah 53, about the "Suffering Servant," wondering what the heart-arresting story meant. "Then the Spirit of the Lord said to Philip, 'Go near and overtake this chariot.'" Philip's response is inspiring: "Philip ran to him." Oh that the Lord may give us grace to be so instantly responsive! (See Acts 8:26-38.)

He began his soul-winning ministry by asking a question, usually a good way to break the ice: "Do you understand what you are reading?" The man needed a human being to illuminate his reading of the text! "How can I, unless someone guides me?" Thank the Lord, he welcomed Philip who eventually told him, "If you believe with all your heart, you may" be baptized.

What is required for baptism? That "believing with all the heart." What it means to "believe" is therefore important. In the Ethiopian's case, it was a heart appreciation of Isaiah 53. Excellent! Read the chapter, verse-by-verse, with a voice subdued by humility, letting the Spirit melt the heart. Let the children come to Jesus.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 15, 2002.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Friday, August 28, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: If Sabbath-Keeping Is "Boring," Here's Good News for You

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Keeping the Sabbath day is not a matter of cold obedience motivated by fear if we don't keep it, nor hope of reward if we do. That is Old Covenant day-keeping.

New Covenant Sabbath-keeping is heart-to-heart companionship with the One who is "the Lord of the Sabbath." He said to Moses, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest" (Ex. 33:14), thus teaching us that the "rest" that is in the Sabbath consists of enjoying His "presence." It is recognizing and believing that you are spending the day with your Savior, personally.

But one might say, "Keeping the Sabbath is boring! I can't wait until the 'sacred hours' are over so I can live again--turn on the TV, play games, go to the mall." If in the tiniest way this is your "Sabbath-keeping," here is Good News for you:

"The Lord of the Sabbath" will totally transform your experience, if you don't interpose a rebellious will to stop Him (He is the High Priest cleansing His sanctuary--He does the work). Of course, He feels wounded, slighted, and insulted by your resentment of His presence. You'd feel terrible to visit a friend and he avoids you and insults you. But "the Lord of the Sabbath" isn't there to take revenge. He's not mad at you; He feels terribly sorry for you. You are missing the joy of life itself, and on the way to miss eternity.

When you attend church feeling that the Sabbath is boring, it's no use to sing, "My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine." The more you sing or pray hypocritically, the more miserable you become. For you, "the law" functions as a jailer, a disciplinarian, the so-called tutor ("schoolmaster," KJV) of Galatians 3:22-25. Its job is precisely that--to make you miserable under the Old Covenant until you long for the New Covenant. You have evidence that the Lord loves you, and if your heart isn't as hard as a stone, you will sense that you are on the way to healing.

Now what do you do? Jesus tells clearly what your "job" is: "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent" (John 6:29).

"But I don't know how to believe!" Then make a choice to stop dis-believing. Let the first sacred moments of the Sabbath find you using some sanctified common sense: the Lord of the Sabbath comes with it. Be decent to Him, at least as much as you would if your neighbor dropped in for a visit. Tell Him of your frustrations. Be honest: tell Him, "Lord, I believe; [but] help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24; you can never go wrong if you pray that prayer).

Be courteous to your Guest, who is unseen but not unknown. Don't drive Him away. Give your Guest a chance to say something to your heart during these 24 holy hours.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 1, 2003.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: Abraham's Grand Final Victory

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

We should never leave the story of Abraham without seeing him through his grand final victory. It is true that he had failed miserably in his (and Sarah's) unbelief that let them fall into the Old Covenant. While God had given them the New Covenant promise of having a "child of promise" (Isaac), they had disbelieved and assumed they must "work" to help fulfill it--hence, Hagar and Ishmael. (Paul says they are the Old Covenant! See Gal. 4:22-25.)

Finally, after decades of heart-bitterness even while they were having daily family worship and doing their Sabbath-keeping, Sarah allowed her unbelieving heart to be melted in repentance (see Heb. 11:11). Her new and different feelings about God made it possible for her, "by faith," to "receive strength to conceive." All this time, they were "one flesh" and so Abraham shared the repentance with her.

Isaac came, well named--"laughter." He grew to be a most delightful teen, the joy of their hearts. Then the bomb! When Abraham was old and weak: the same voice of God that had made the promises now told him to offer the beloved son as a sacrifice on a hill to be known as Calvary (Gen. 22:1, 2). The years of bonding went further than if he'd been told to do this when Isaac was a baby. Father Abraham roused Isaac, and left without telling Sarah goodbye (vs. 3).

That three-day journey was the longest and saddest Abraham had ever taken. But when puzzled Isaac quizzed him, he expressed no Old Covenant despair as we would probably do. Instead, Abraham said, "My son, God will provide Himself a lamb" (vs. 8).

This was a shining tribute to "Christian education": Isaac then joined in the willingness of the sacrifice. He had learned to believe the New Covenant promises.

Note: Abraham didn't actually kill Isaac with his knife--but he made the full commitment to make the sacrifice. "You have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me," said God (vs. 12). It reflected Christ's cross. Christ didn't go into the literal Lake of Fire, but He made the full commitment, and thus He died the equivalent of our second death. (Let's say "Thank You!")

Now Abraham has finally earned his title, "Father of the Faithful."

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 23, 2006.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread.

Dial Daily Bread: The Good News in the Third Angel's Message

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Where is there any Good News in the terrible message of the third angel of Revelation 14:9-11?

(1) The "third angel follows" the first who tells "the everlasting gospel" to the world (vss. 6, 7). Obviously then the third also has Good News, even if we may be too blind to see it.

(2) The reason for the unprecedented wrath of God is seen in the preceding chapter: for the first time in 6000 years the world unites in a decree to slay God's true people (13:13-15). Any father worth his salt gets furious if someone tries to kill his helpless children. The mark of the beast is still future; and so is this "wrath." God will not be on a temper tantrum; His wrath will be 100 percent righteous, and under full control.

(3) Chapter 7 has detailed the proclamation of the seal-of-God message which has gone to all the world with the first and second angels' messages (and the message of His much more abounding grace will have lightened the earth; Rev. 18:1-4). This last message of grace has been despised and rejected by the world, before this terrible wrath can burst forth. The "beast" who plans to enforce the death decree will marshal the world to repeat the sin of crucifying Christ--this time in the person of His saints. What a response to His much more abounding grace! The Father forgave the world for crucifying His Son the first time; the second? Don't play games with Him.

(4) This message is Good News because it tells the world there's no need for even one person to get ensnared in Satan's clever counterfeit of the gospel--the mark of the beast. For the first time in world history, "all men" will be fully cognizant of the issues in the great controversy. And therein is the Good News--salvation from that wrath.

(5) The Greek of the expression "in the presence of" (14:10) means that those who worship the beast will have to look into the eyes of the Lamb. There is no fire hot enough to equal the anguish of those who look into the eyes of the Son of God and know at last that He died their second death, and whose love they have cruelly despised. No, Christ and the angels will not enjoy their anguish. He wants you to know all about it now.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: August 13, 2001.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Monday, August 24, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: The Most Blood-Curdling News in the Entire Bible

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Just when your weary, fearful heart is longing for some refreshing Good News, you bump into the most terrifying, blood-curdling news in the entire Bible: the third angel's message (Rev. 14:9-11). Or so it seems on the surface. Utterly new in world history, it's "the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation," that is, not a shred of mercy mixed in with it. (Always, the wrath of God has been mixed with mercy--a little hope or kindness included.) 

Why this unprecedented horror? What human sin will be so bad that it merits such apparent temper on the part of God? And why do "the holy angels" and even "the Lamb" seem apparently to enjoy watching these unfortunate mark-of-the-beast people roast in human agony?

The third angel's message says these lost souls "shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in [their] presence." Understand it as figuratively as you like, it still seems to come through as nothing but Bad News. The worst part: our meek and lowly, precious Jesus seems to enjoy watching this horror "in [His] presence," like the principals in the Spanish Inquisition dressing up in their finest to watch the heretics burn alive in "their presence" in the city square.

And yet a favorite author tells us that "the third angel's message in verity" is the "most precious" Good News ever sounded--a clearer understanding of justification by faith--just what your fearful, weary heart hungers for. And just what the world is dying to hear!

May the Lord give us a look into the Good News that is buried in this strange message. It's there, for sure. We just need New Covenant eyes to see it.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: August 12, 2001.
Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: Is Old Covenant Fear a True Source of Motivation?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

What can make an evil person become a good person? Is fear the true motivation?

It is generally recognized that fear can motivate an alcoholic to become sober. It can also motivate to national reformations, such as that of King Hezekiah, of whom we read: "He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, ... so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah ... He held fast to the Lord, ... and the Lord was with him" (2 Kings 18:1-7). That was when the rebuke of the Lord given in Revelation 3:14-21 to Laodicea apparently did not apply; for once God's people on earth were right with Him in heaven.

The Bible becomes almost eloquent describing the wonderful reformation accomplished by King Hezekiah. But to the extent that fear, even the fear of the Lord, prevailed in Hezekiah's grand reformation, we find that the motivation of fear failed miserably.

When the Lord worked a celestial miracle to signify His healing of King Hezekiah when he became seriously ill, sadly Hezekiah failed to give the honor and glory to the Lord (2 Kings 20).

Good King Hezekiah had a son named Manasseh who, when he came to the throne, reversed all the good that Hezekiah had done. The people followed him as readily as they had followed King Hezekiah!

The history of God's dealings with His chosen people through the ancient ages followed an up and down curve—it was often down, sad to say. Old covenant fear proved to be a weak source of motivation.

In the end of time, there will emerge a special people, "144,000" in number (whether that is a literal or symbolic number is not part of this discussion). Their experience of faith is described: "They sing a new song;" "in their mouth is found no guile;" "they are without fault before the throne of God" (Rev. 14:1-5).

Why this marvelous change? The answer is here: "These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes." Fear has no part in their "Christian experience." They are those who listen to preaching such as that of Paul to the Corinthians when he "determined not to know anything among [them] except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (cf. 1 Cor. 2:1, 2).

This is beginning to happen around the world now!

Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: June 8, 2008.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: An Intriguing Promise in Matthew 7:9

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Have you ever prayed for something good, and gotten "No," or received something disappointing, for an answer? There's an intriguing promise Jesus made in Matthew 7:9: "What man is there among you, who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?" We've heard much about parental abuse, but where is the father so hard-hearted as that? Yet our arch-enemy wants us to believe that when we beg our heavenly Father for something good, something we want that would be good for us, He either won't listen or He gives us something disappointing.

Jesus knows how we are tempted; He Himself once cried out, "My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matt. 27:46). Psalm 22 says that He complained because it seems God wouldn't hear or answer His prayer. And because Jesus knows how we are tempted, He assures us in Matthew 7:11, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?" And please note, He says that to everybody--the beginning of this Sermon on the Mount says, "And seeing the multitudes, ... He taught them" (Matt. 5:1, 2).

You don't have to earn His favor by doing good works before you pray to the One that Jesus says is your heavenly Father, any more than a child must earn the piece of bread he begs from his earthly father.

But then you ask, Isn't there a catch somewhere? Some fine print? Yes, and here it is: "He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6). That's what we need to do before we pray!

Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 23, 1997.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: The Air Is Pure--You Can Breathe It

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

When Moses chose "to suffer affliction with the people of God" (Heb. 11:25), he turned his back on "the treasures in Egypt." His life thereafter was one of almost unending toil and sacrifice and tears, until finally he died utterly alone on Mount Nebo and was buried there by angels.

But as compensation, he was permitted to go up into "the mount" and there fast, and commune with the Infinite One. Moses was the man, unique among all fallen descendants of Adam, "whom the Lord knew face to face" (Deut. 34:10), for "the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend" (Ex. 33:11). What do you think--would that be worth more than Egypt's wealth and luxury?

Who is "Moses" today? The wealth of the Vatican is enormous, probably far greater than all the wealth that the ancient Pharaohs ever dreamed of. Does the Vatican turn its back on the glory of this world, in order to "suffer affliction with the people of God"?

Or is "Moses" a symbol of the leadership of Protestant churches today? God enjoyed "friendly" communion with Moses "face to face." It was a pleasure for Him. One wonders if today He is lonely, neglected, like an elderly man in a nursing home who yearns for someone to talk with "face to face."

Where is the pastor, the church administrator, the leader, who climbs "the mount" and fasts and communes with God, and thinks God's thoughts with Him, then goes down into the Valley, his face shining with glory, to communicate the knowledge of God to the people? What a pity if such a leader, appointed by God to shepherd His flock, never takes time to go up in the "mount"! Or have we come to a time of electronic marvels and jet planes and satellite glory, so that talking with God face to face as Moses did is old-fashioned?

Well, we want some Good News--so here it is: Your "mount" is waiting for you, and there on top is the Infinite One waiting patiently to commune with you. The air there is pure; you can breathe it.

Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 2, 1999.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Sabbath School Today, Lesson 8, Quarter 3-15

Sabbath School Today

With the 1888 Message Dynamic

Biblical Missionaries

Lesson 8: Jesus: Cross-Cultural Missions

 

"Faith is the expecting the word of God to do what it says,
and the depending upon that word to do what it says."
--A. T. Jones [1]

______________________________________

Our lesson gives us several wonderful examples of "cross-cultural missions," and each example bears one of the most powerful concepts of the 1888 message--righteousness by faith. We could spend a little time on each example given in the lesson; however, the story of "The Roman Army Officer," or Centurion, will be our focus in this short essay.

In Luke 7:2-10 there is a delightful story of a Roman centurion who sent some Jewish elders on a mission to Jesus to request Him to come and heal his servant who was sick unto death. The elders displayed their arrogance, proudly recommending the Roman army officer because he loves the Jewish nation and has paid for a synagogue (church building) for them.

But their testimonials meant nothing to Jesus; here was a request for help, and His compassion responded. (Luke tells it because he loves to emphasize Jesus' love for Gentiles). Halfway there, Jesus is interrupted by the man's friends sent on another mission to tell Him, "Trouble not Thyself: for I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof," even though he probably had a sumptuous house if he could afford to pay for a new synagogue! Then he added, "But say in a word, and my servant shall be healed." He believed there is power in God's word! And Jesus marveled that a Gentile should have such "faith," that is, confidence that God is all-powerful.

But as we read the story in its context, we begin to see that the Roman soldier's faith was more than that. He had begun to understand his sinfulness in the light of Christ's righteousness, for he said two things. (1) "I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof," and (2) "neither thought I myself worthy to come unto Thee."

The centurion's faith was not a mere mental trust, but a heart-appreciation. An unusual love had filled this Roman solider's heart, for he was concerned for his servant, and not for himself. The faith he had already had transformed him and delivered him from selfishness. And so this story does help us understand the essential ingredient of true miracle healing: faith is a heart-appreciation of the sacrifice of Christ. [2]

A. T. Jones, one of the 1888 "messengers," wrote in the Review and Herald about the centurion's faith in the word of God:

"We have seen that the power abiding in the word of God is sufficient, only upon the speaking of that word, to create worlds. It is likewise sufficient, now that it is spoken to men, to create anew, in Christ Jesus, every one who receives it.

"Now what was it that the centurion expected would heal His servant? It was 'the word only,' which Jesus would speak. And after the word was spoken, what did the centurion depend upon--to what did he look for the healing power? It was 'the word only.' He did not look for the Lord to do it in some ways apart from the word. No. He heard the word, 'So be it done unto thee.' He accepted that word as it is in truth the word of God and expected it, depended upon it, to accomplish that which it said. And it was so. And that word is the word of God today as certainly as in the day that it was originally spoken. It has lost none of its power, for that word 'liveth and abideth forever.'" [3]

Ellen G. White also wrote about the Roman centurion, using the story as an example of his faith in contrast to that of the "brethren" she was addressing:

"Brethren, we want to come right up as a man and obtain a living experience here in this meeting. You want light enough that you can carry it with you into eternity. That is what you want. We have not half faith enough. We are only just beginning to learn as little children. The child first takes a step, and falls; and then takes another step, and finally learns how to walk. Now, we want to learn how to exercise faith.

"When the centurion came to Christ, just look at his faith. Why, he did not claim all the knowledge of the Jews; but here this centurion came, and he says, O Lord, You need not go away down there to heal my servant; You just say it and it will be done. What kind of power did he think was in Christ? Just what was invested in him. Now, said he, You may just say the word. I say to my servant, go, and he goeth, and I say to him, do this, and he doeth. Well now, all You have to say is to command, and it will be done.

"What was his insight? That there were angels all around Christ; the word of Christ would go right to that sick chamber and heal that soul. The Jews saw how Christ said to him, 'I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.' Now there are those outside of us that are standing in greater favor to God than we are; and why? Because they live up to every jot of light that they have. And we have light pouring in on us, and for months [since the 1888 General Conference Session] we have been pleading that the people would come up and accept the light; and they do not know whether to do it or not. They do not seem to see that they can come and drink, that they can open their hearts and let the Saviour in.

"My soul is agonized at times over these things. But I cannot do anything, I cannot speak to the heart; but God alone can speak to the heart. I entreat of you, as an ambassador of Jesus Christ, to bruise Satan under your feet. I beseech of you to begin to labor for yourself, labor for souls that are in darkness and unbelief. I beseech of you to spend your efforts in order to bring them where they can come where the living waters flow--where the light of heaven may come upon them, that they can stand amid the people as a light, and not as a shadow of darkness." [4]

A. T. Jones also wrote: "Plainly, it must be to little purpose to urge upon a person the necessity of cultivating faith, while that person has no intelligent idea of what faith is. And it is sadly true that, though the Lord has made this perfectly plain in the Scriptures, there are many church-members who do not know what faith is. …

"Faith comes 'by the word of God.' To the Word, then, we must look for it. …

"'When Jesus heard [what the centurion said], he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.'

"There is what Jesus pronounces faith. When we find what that is, we have found faith. To know what that is, is to know what faith is. There can be no sort of doubt about this; for Christ is 'the Author ... of faith,' and he says that that which the centurion manifested was 'faith;' yes, even 'great faith.'

"Where, then, in this is the faith?--The centurion wanted a certain thing done. He wanted the Lord to do it. But when the Lord said, 'I will come' and do it, the centurion checked him, saying, 'Speak the word only,' and it shall be done.

"Now, what did the centurion expect would do the work? 'The word ONLY.' Upon what did he depend for the healing of his servant? Upon 'the word ONLY.'

"And the Lord Jesus says that that is faith." [5]

--From the writings of Robert J. Wieland, A. T. Jones, and Ellen G. White

Endnotes:
[1] A. T. Jones, Lessons on Faith, p. 16; Review and Herald, Dec. 27, 1898.
[2] From the writings of Robert J. Wieland.
[3] A. T. Jones, "The Power of the Word II," Review and Herald, Oct. 27, 1896.
[4] Ellen G. White, "Who Will Accept the Light from Heaven?," Remarks at Bible School, Feb. 6, 1890; The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, Ms. 10, 1890, pp. 555, 556.
[5] A. T. Jones, Lessons on Faith, pp. 15, 16; Review and Herald, Dec. 6, 1898.

Note: "Sabbath School Today" is on the Internet at: 1888mpm.org

 

Monday, August 17, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: Jesus' Prayer for Us--"Sanctify [Us]"

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Jesus prayed a prayer to His Father for us all: "Sanctify them by Your truth: Your word is truth" (John 17:17).

What does "sanctify" mean? We all can agree that there is a difference between the character and the personality of someone who is "sanctified" and someone who is not. We want to live in Christian harmony: "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren [and sisters] to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1). Day after day it's a joy to live. It was possible to live like that as far back in history as King David's time. It would be heaven on earth to live that way today!

We of all kindreds, tongues, and people can agree that a "sanctified" person will be what 1 Corinthians 13 describes: He or she suffers long, is kind, doesn't envy, doesn't parade himself or herself, isn't puffed up, doesn't behave rudely, isn't provoked [easily, KJV], thinks no evil (that is, doesn't impute evil motives), bears all things patiently, doesn't rejoice when someone falls, believes and hopes all good things, and endures all bad things, and never breaks down the endurance of being crucified daily (Luke 9:23). This is being "sanctified"!

All this, but not being a coward or a "doormat"; Jesus confronted some people very directly, even sharply, but always His was a Christlike spirit. Oh, He could stand firm for what He knew is right (read Matt. 23:23-39)! No Christlike, sanctified person can be a coward!

Father! Please listen to Jesus' prayer in our behalf--"sanctify [us]"!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 29, 2007.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: The Inspired Bible Formula

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The inspired Bible formula has to be true: Listening to God's New Covenant promises + believing them = a changed heart and life (John 3:16, etc.). It's like a simple recipe in cooking: when God's promises are "mixed with faith," what comes out of the oven is genuine conversion (Heb. 4:2).

That was the miracle of "the hearing of faith" that the Galatians experienced when Paul preached Christ's sacrifice so clearly that they saw Him "crucified before them" (3:1-5). And it was the miracle of Abraham's sour, bitter wife Sarai's melting of heart and repentance by hearing God's Good News. This made it possible for her at last "by faith" to receive the miracle from God, to be with child, Isaac (Gen. 16:2; 17:15, 16; 18:9, 10; Heb. 11:11).

But there are counterfeits, and how can we tell the difference? Why are so many preaching "love, love, love," yet the listeners sense no need to overcome sin itself? What's wrong? There's nothing wrong with love itself if they just knew the right idea of it when the Bible says that "God is love" (1 John 4:8). They assume our natural egocentric human idea. The New Testament word is agape, and it's a totally different kind of love than we humans know naturally. It's impossible for an honest heart to hear, to understand, to contemplate, to "survey" that agape displayed in the "wondrous cross," and then go on in captivity to sin.

There are many contrasts between the two loves, but the greatest is this: the agape-love of Christ led Him to choose to go to hell, to die the equivalent of the hopeless second death, because of His love for us. "He poured out His soul unto death," "for He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (Isa. 53:12; 2 Cor. 5:21).

You can never understand the cross of Christ unless you understand Galatians 3:13: "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.'") He voluntarily took that "curse" upon Himself, gave up all thought of life eternal, "poured out His soul" completely. Contemplating that love plants it in our hearts; and lives are changed. Just be sure the Good News is not distorted by an intrusion of false doctrine, such as the non-biblical natural immortality of the soul.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 10, 2003.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread.

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: The Two Sisters We Can Never Forget

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

There are two sisters in the Bible whom we can never forget. The older, Martha, is portrayed as a lady who is fussy and on edge, always busy in the kitchen, and irritable about it because her sister Mary doesn't always share in getting the chores done. Their story is in Luke 10:38-42. Martha becomes the hostess at a big banquet (John 12:2). She is a very good lady, and hard-working, but she missed something that would have made her life happier.

Jesus appreciated being a guest in Martha's house in Bethany, a suburb of Jerusalem. It was a relief for Him from the pressure of sick people surrounding Him, and the constant hatred of the Jewish leaders. Martha was a "believer," but not a very "hungry" one.

Her younger sister Mary had also become a believer while living in exile in Magdala in Galilee. By piecing together all the context of this story, it becomes evident that their uncle had had a lot to do with raising Mary (the father is never mentioned; apparently he was out of the picture). Uncle Simon had begun molesting young Mary, who was vulnerable. Knowledge of the affair would have ruined Simon's career as a leader in the church in Jerusalem; and it seems that Mary took a "nosedive" into despair there in Magdala. She was an intelligent young woman, which made her despair all the more bitter. Many women can identify with her; she hated the man who had ruined her life, and apparently all men, too. She gave up hope that there is any such thing in the world as clean, pure love, and became a "basket case," possessed of "seven devils," as we read. Then she met Jesus. She had never encountered love such as was in Him. He could deliver her.

Thereafter she couldn't get enough of this agape-love. So when Jesus was a guest in Martha's house, Mary wanted to learn from Him all she could about the plan of salvation. Martha fussed at her for not helping more in the kitchen. Two good women, but Mary had "chosen that good part," said Jesus. Now, don't let yourself "starve" while slaving in the kitchens of life!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: June 1, 2004.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread.

Friday, August 14, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: The Only "News" the Lord Has for Anyone

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

King Saul had rebelled against the Lord continually for much of his reign as Israel's monarch. Then when the Lord raised up young David to be his successor, Saul became possessed by an insane jealousy which motivated him to try to kill the youth. (Thus, in the books of heaven Saul was now listed as a "murderer," because the books of heaven record the sins which we would have committed if we had had the opportunity.)

Time and again the dear Lord appealed to Saul to repent of this murderous hatred; and sometimes Saul made a feeble effort to respond. He even apologized to David and thanked him for sparing his life in the cave of Engedi where David and his men were hiding when the king innocently came in to attend to his needs (the story is in 1 Samuel 24:1-22). But King Saul held on to his jealous hatred.

Then finally the old king comes to Endor where he faces the last challenge of his life. A vast military host of the Philistines is gathered against the feeble armies of Israel; national disaster looms. Saul prays an empty prayer, without repentance. (The story is in 1 Samuel 28:1-6, but there was no change of heart in Saul's "inquiry" of the Lord.)

Then King Saul did something unforgivable: he prayed to Satan for wisdom and salvation--a desperately wicked thing to do. This now put himself and his kingdom into the hands of Satan.

But even so the Lord had no bad news to tell King Saul: it was not too late for the king to repent and to cast himself and his kingdom on the mercy of the Lord; it was not too late for jealousy-ridden Saul to humble his heart and save both himself and his kingdom. If Saul had been willing to humble his heart in repentance and prayer to the Lord, the Lord would have received him and forgiven him; but his prayer was empty of repentance--still the Lord had no bad news for the man.

But Satan, through the witch of Endor, poured a "ton" of bad news on the poor king's head, and the result was that he died in utter despair at his own hand (31:1-6). The Lord never drives a despairing soul to suicide!

The only "news" the Lord has for anyone--at any time--is good news.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 28, 2008.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: The Only "News" the Lord Has for Anyone

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

King Saul had rebelled against the Lord continually for much of his reign as Israel's monarch. Then when the Lord raised up young David to be his successor, Saul became possessed by an insane jealousy which motivated him to try to kill the youth. (Thus, in the books of heaven Saul was now listed as a "murderer," because the books of heaven record the sins which we would have committed if we had had the opportunity.)

Time and again the dear Lord appealed to Saul to repent of this murderous hatred; and sometimes Saul made a feeble effort to respond. He even apologized to David and thanked him for sparing his life in the cave of Engedi where David and his men were hiding when the king innocently came in to attend to his needs (the story is in 1 Samuel 24:1-22). But King Saul held on to his jealous hatred.

Then finally the old king comes to Endor where he faces the last challenge of his life. A vast military host of the Philistines is gathered against the feeble armies of Israel; national disaster looms. Saul prays an empty prayer, without repentance. (The story is in 1 Samuel 28:1-6, but there was no change of heart in Saul's "inquiry" of the Lord.)

Then King Saul did something unforgivable: he prayed to Satan for wisdom and salvation--a desperately wicked thing to do. This now put himself and his kingdom into the hands of Satan.

But even so the Lord had no bad news to tell King Saul: it was not too late for the king to repent and to cast himself and his kingdom on the mercy of the Lord; it was not too late for jealousy-ridden Saul to humble his heart and save both himself and his kingdom. If Saul had been willing to humble his heart in repentance and prayer to the Lord, the Lord would have received him and forgiven him; but his prayer was empty of repentance--still the Lord had no bad news for the man.

But Satan, through the witch of Endor, poured a "ton" of bad news on the poor king's head, and the result was that he died in utter despair at his own hand (31:1-6). The Lord never drives a despairing soul to suicide!

The only "news" the Lord has for anyone--at any time--is good news.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 28, 2008.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: "Signs" in the Heavens

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

About this time every August our earth's rotation around the sun brings us near the tail of a comet with tiny grains of sand-like material that glow white hot as they strike our atmosphere. We call these shooting stars as they flash across our midnight sky. This August meeting is with the Perseid meteors. There is another similar encounter that occurs in November.

In Matthew 24:29 Jesus spoke of "signs" in the heavens that would indicate that we are entering "the time of the end" that Daniel spoke of (11:35; 12:4). It's in the Savior's great sermon on the end of the world: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days" the signs were to appear. He has been describing the persecutions of the Dark Ages, which Daniel and Revelation both pinpoint as 1260 years between 538 and 1798 A.D., when so many true followers of Jesus were martyred.

But the actual martyrdoms in Europe ended soon after the Lisbon earthquake of 1755. Mark reports the timing more precisely as "in those days, after that tribulation" (13:24, 25), "the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light." Thoughtful people who revered the Bible recognized this "sign" in the mysterious May 19, 1780, darkening of the sun. Then Jesus added: "the stars will fall from heaven." On the night of November 13, 1833, the most spectacular burst of shooting stars ever seen was in populous New England. Again, people who revered the Bible were reassured that we have entered into Daniel's great "time of the end."

Some keep expecting that God must repeat these "signs in the heavens" in order for His people to be well warned. But when Thomas refused to believe the historical reports by his fellow disciples of the resurrection, Jesus rebuked him (John 20:27). God expects us to respect the record of history!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: August 13, 2005.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: What to Do About Conflicts in "Christian" Churches

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

With hundreds of different Christian denominations in the world, how can you know which one is right? Is there one with teachings you can stake your life on? Of Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity, can you be sure which one is true? This writer is positive that the Biblical Christ is the Savior of the world. And He ordained His apostles to proclaim His true gospel message to the world.

But what to do about conflicts in "Christian" churches? Is the Bible clear that one is correct? It is crystal clear that the issue of "the mark of the beast" will catalyze humanity (Rev. 13:11-18). We'll have to know how to differentiate between truth and counterfeit.

And what do you do when you are convinced there is one true "remnant church" designated for these last days (Rev. 12:17; 14:12), and yet it is also torn apart by controversy and disunion? In the days of Christ, He was clear that "salvation is of the Jews" (John 4:22); the true church was that Temple in Jerusalem which He said was "My Father's house" (2:16). But He split that "church" wide open with controversy. If you had been living there you would have wondered how this lowly man from Nazareth could be right and the great theologians and leaders in the Temple could be wrong. But that was the way things were. Honest people were confused; they watched and listened and pondered, just as we do today.

Jesus cleared things up for us all: "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority ... He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but he who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him" (7:16-18).

That settled it for every honest-hearted person: the teachings of Jesus separated the people into two classes--those who ended up crying "Crucify Him!" and those who believed in Him and took up their cross to follow. And now today His teachings will again separate the world into two classes: those who accept "the mark of the beast" and those who receive "the seal of God" (Rev. 7:1-4; 17:14). We are now choosing sides. Life is serious business.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 5, 2004.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Monday, August 10, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: The Baptism of Repentance

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Shortly before Jesus met the woman at the well at Sychar (John 4), John the Baptist had baptized Him. But that meant a prerequisite of repentance, for the only people that John could baptize were those who had repented. But Jesus never had sinned! Then how could He let Himself be baptized? To be baptized without repenting would be hypocrisy, for John's mission was only "the baptism of repentance" (Acts 19:4). John knew this. That's why he refused Him the rite.

Here's the wonder: the sinless Son of God lets Himself be lowered into the water the same as any common sinner, making a public confession of repentance. Jesus actually did experience repentance. He had to, or John could not have baptized Him; but it was not for His own sins, but for ours. Therefore it was a corporate repentance. Totally sinless, He was "made … to be sin for us, who knew no sin" (2 Cor. 5:21). He identified with the human race so closely that He felt that our sins were His own. Jesus learned how to feel that burden for others, including the five-times divorcee at the well.

The earth must someday soon be lightened with the glory of "the third angel's message in verity," when a multitude of all nations and tongues will join Him in winning every one in the world who is willing to believe the gospel.

Rather than a few celebrities on a wide screen or through electronics, that fourth angel's ministry must be performed by humble people working on a personal heart-to-heart level. Their "training"? Seldom that of "literary institutions," but knowing the Good News that is better than we have ever thought.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: September 30, 1997.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: A Tragic Misconception About the Second Death

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

There is a popular view that "Christ could not have died the world's second death, because He was resurrected! He lived again! Anyone who dies the second death is experiencing 'Goodbye life, forever!'" But this is a tragic misconception.

This popular view is in what Paul referred to when he said, "I do not frustrate the grace of God!" (Gal. 2:21). It's a frustration of the truth of the cross of Christ, leaving it to be a meaningless icon on a church roof or worn as jewelry around the neck.

The "love of Christ" which "constraineth us" to selfless living for His glory is deprived of its power, for if He did not die our second death, then His death was only the sweet oblivion that our universal death is--a "sleep" (cf. John 11:11-13). Both of the thieves crucified with Him died that sweet death; they couldn't wait to bite down hard on that sponge of narcotic given to all crucified victims, so they could just pass out. No, that was not the "death" that the Son of God died. He refused to take that narcotic! He must "be made to be sin for us," and feel our guilt to the uttermost.

It's true that Christ's Enemy in the great controversy has changed the holy Sabbath day, but his supreme achievement has been to rob the sacrifice of Christ of its significance, and thus cast contempt upon His love revealed at the cross. Covering up this truth reduces it to the dimension of our egocentric human affection which we call "love." The result: his magnificent accomplishment after all the millennia of human history--the paralyzing lukewarmness of spirit that pervades Christ's last days' church (Rev. 3:14-16; 12:17). A true appreciation of what Christ accomplished at His cross would cure this last and greatest problem.

We can't understand the cross unless we grasp what Paul says in Galatians 3:13: "Christ was made a curse for us (for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree')," referring to what Moses said, "He who is hanged [on a tree] is accursed of God" (Deut. 21:22, 23). That's the horror in the darkest hell that Jesus gave Himself to (Acts 2:27). Christ is the only man ever who died that death--what yours and mine would have to be, but for Him dying it. Let the truth sink in; then you'll be "constrained," too (2 Cor. 5:14, 15).

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: September 29, 2006.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Thursday, August 06, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: The Burden on Jesus' Heart

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

When Jesus, the night before His death, prayed His last prayer to His heavenly Father in John 17 in the presence of His few disciples, He clearly distinguished between two classes of people: The first group are the "all flesh" mentioned in verse 2. He says that the Father sent Him into the world so that He might give to them "eternal life." The second group are the people whom the Father gave Him who are "out of the world" (vs. 6). To them He says He "has manifested Your name," and they have received the blessing which the Father has given to the world "in Christ."

The fact that many "out of the world" don't want to receive the gift God has given them does not mean that the gift was not given to them. If a person refuses to believe in Christ, that does not mean that Christ did not die for him. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" long before you or I chose to believe or disbelieve!

Our unbelief cannot annul the faith of God, says Paul in Romans 3:3. In the final judgment before the Great White Throne at the end of the biblical millennium (Rev. 20:11-15), the lost will realize that their life-long unbelief was a rejection of the "eternal life" which the Father had given them "in Christ." They will see themselves as Esau who "despised" and "sold" the birthright that God had given (not merely offered) him (Gen. 25:34; Heb. 12:16). May the realization of the gift given move our hearts out of our collective lukewarmness today!

Jesus had a burden on His heart that last night: the disunity that has plagued His followers through the ages. Could it be that the root of that tragically persistent disunity is the unconscious refusal of "Christian" hearts to appreciate that the gift was given to the world? Could it be that in our "lukewarm" hearts we want to limit the love of Christ and reduce salvation to a mere offer? Do we want to glory in our own initiative to receive? When we enter the New Jerusalem do we want to say, "I'm here because I believed! I grabbed the offer! I took the initiative in my salvation!"?

It seems likely that those who enter will humbly say, "I'm unworthy! I'm here only because of the grace of God, not because I took the initiative to believe. To Him alone be all the glory! I thank Him for all the troubles He allowed me to have so that unbelieving I might learn to believe!"

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 17, 2001.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Wednesday, August 05, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: The Brightest Light in Over 6000 Years

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The "Last Generation" idea has caught the interest of thoughtful Bible-lovers worldwide. All the grand salvation themes come together to constitute a crescendo of Bible truth like a choir singing a "new song" that has never struck such a high note: "They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the [twenty-four] elders; and no one could learn that song except the 144,000, who were redeemed from the earth" (Rev. 14:3).

Imagine the excitement that would thrill the musical world if someone were to discover the manuscript of Beethoven's Tenth Symphony (the world has never heard more than those famous "nine"). But nothing like that has ever happened. The "Last Generation" Bible idea is of far greater impact for it will thrill seekers of truth from "every nation, tribe, tongue, and people" (vs. 6). Deep convictions in hearts come together in unison.

Another biblical image of the last generation movement is a forest fire in people's hearts. No church hierarchy can put it out. Although the "elders" over 120 years ago did quench the flame, now the Holy Spirit is unmistakably in charge, and honest-hearted people will make their way through every obstacle to grab it. The quiet, even painful ministry of gospel-lovers worldwide has at last borne fruit.

Nobody has to study psychological tricks to induce people against their will. "The Lord has kindled a fire in Zion" (Lam. 4:11). The Holy Spirit will motivate them to forsake all that has held them back; the last generation idea punctuates soul-winning ministry; there is no time-setting, but there is seen the final significance of the Daniel and Revelation teaching since the commencement of "the time of the end" in 1798 (Dan. 11:35; 12:4). There is awareness that God does have a time schedule.

The light that shines so brightly is the accumulated rays from millennia of growth in grace, "the path of the just" that "like the shining sun ... shines ever brighter unto the perfect day" (Prov. 4:18). It's the brightest light in over 6000 years; it cannot pass unrecognized. Christ will be honored.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: December 7, 2007.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Noah--A Type of God's Church Today

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

What kind of picture do we see of Noah and his ark? A prophet who believes disaster is coming on the world and warns people to avoid it and save themselves? The King James Version of Hebrews 11:7 says plainly that his motivation was "fear"--"warned of God, ... [he] moved with fear."

Noah was a type of God's church today, warning the world of disaster yet to come. Does this mean that the motivation in our work must be based on a form of terrorism? Is that what will awaken modern man to prepare for the coming "time of trouble"? Scary pictures and stories? Well, we must say yes, for scary things are surely coming. But wait a moment: does terrorist-fear really work as a converting message? Let's look at the Bible a little more closely here.

In Hebrews 11:7 (KJV) the word that is translated as "fear" is not "phobos," but a different word (eulabeomai) which is translated in the New King James Version as "godly fear," meaning a holy reverence. Peter calls Noah "a preacher of righteousness" (2 Peter 2:5). In other words, his message was not negative; he was not constantly railing against unrighteousness, but preaching positively for righteousness.

If we look a little deeper into what the Bible says, we discover that there is only one kind of "righteousness"--that which is "by faith." Righteousness by works turns out to be unrighteousness dictated by fear motivation. Fear may induce people to become "converts" and be baptized; but such fear seldom if ever can produce a lovable, selfless Christ-like character. It's the insurance policy kind of "assurance." We go on a trip and we don't worry night and day about the house burning down; it's "covered" by the policy. But that "policy" did nothing for our hearts to change us from being selfish to unselfish; it only satisfies egocentric fear.

Was that what Noah wanted to give people--an insurance policy against flood damage to satisfy their egocentric concerns? Hebrews 11:7 makes his message clear: he "became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." He preached "Christ and His righteousness." He understood the gospel as Good News. His entire career was motivated by a heart appreciation of the love of God, for it was "by faith Noah ... prepared an ark to the saving of his house." A response to God's love kept him at his job for 120 years. That's what can keep us busy, too.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 23, 2001.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Tuesday, August 04, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: The Right Physician for Every Depressed Person

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Sometimes we humans go through harrowing, traumatic experiences that leave us with the problem of depression and nightmares. Our minds are overburdened trying to understand the guilt we may think we are involved in, and the underlying fear that oppresses us. It's easy for people who haven't been through this "hell" to say rather flippantly, "Oh, Jesus will help you!" but the problem continues. Then in desperation, we start taking prescription drugs, and lo, and behold, they do help! But in our better judgment, we long to find relief without drugs, for now we fear side effects.

Superficial "help" only makes the problem worse. Isaiah quotes the Father saying of Christ, "By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many" (53:11). Paul considers that this "knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord" is an "excellency" (Phil. 3:8) more precious than winning any jackpot. Paul says he wants to "know" Christ and "the fellowship of His sufferings" (Phil. 3:8, 10). Could this "knowledge" be better than drugs?

Jesus went through the Ultimate human experience of trauma--in Gethsemane and on His cross. He experienced it as a human Being, but it was unspeakably worse because He was also divine so He suffered the pain on an infinite scale. That made Him become the exactly right Physician for every depressed person, male or female.

Psalms 22 and 69 can introduce you to understand His hellish trauma (it was actual hell that He endured!). He is your real brother. As you listen and share with Him what this hell was, you become "a partaker of Christ's sufferings" (1 Peter 4:13), which means you see how "He was wounded for our transgressions, ... bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace [nightmares?] was upon Him"; then the blessing comes--"and by His stripes we are healed" (Isa. 53:5).

Walk softly: this is more than "psychology." It's Bible.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: July 29, 2005.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Saturday, August 01, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: The Prized Possession of the Saints

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The closer we come to what the Bible speaks of as "the end of the world" (Matt. 24:3), the more intimate will the people of God become with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Their acquaintance will become like that of a couple who meet, get slightly acquainted, then fall in love, become engaged, and finally marry; no woman on earth will become the "bride of Christ," but there is a body of people known as "the church" who will "make herself ready" for that epochal "wedding" (cf. Rev. 19:7, 8; Eph. 5:23-27).

A "paradigm shift" in understanding is a mild term to describe the upheaval that will occur in the spiritual experience of God's people as they near when Christ closes His High Priestly ministry in the Most Holy Apartment. This tremendous spiritual upheaval will be a new motivation supplanting our old egocentric one.

We have always responded to the desire to be saved, but it's still the desire for a reward. We have sung the little song, "I Shall Wear a Crown in My Father's House," we have contemplated exchanging "the cross for a crown," we have widely taught that "securing our own salvation is the highest duty of life."

In the closing up of the Day of Atonement, a new motivation begins to take over: a concern for Christ that He receive His reward, that He be crowned King of kings and Lord of lords; our concern for Him eclipses that old one of egocentricity. This won't be righteousness by works; it will be a new chapter in righteousness by faith. At last, "perfect agape [will] cast out fear" (1 John 4:18). A new heart-appreciation of what it cost the Son of God to die for us will be grasped.

But this will not be the prized possession of the saints; it will be their communication to the world of "Christ and Him crucified" as the world has never before heard it in such clarity since Pentecost.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 26, 2007.

Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."