This is such a great thread... I don't have much to contribute, but am learning such a lot from it. to Beryl and others posting here..

Hi, Pam. So glad to have you aboard. I am sure that you have something that you can contribute! Just write what you feel about the subject. We would love to hear whatever you have to say.

Beryl

When I think of "working out your own salvation;" I think of God, putting "something" in me; and me "working out," what He has put in.

We do not somehow ensure or arrange our own salvation. We simply work out into our life, or the life of others, what God puts in.

Hi, David. I think that is a great thought. God puts it there for us to use to His glory -- whether in our own lives, or in the lives of others.

Thanks,

Beryl

"Strength comes by exercise, activity is the very condition of life."

What is true in our natural life is equally true in our spiritual lives. Have you ever come across a church that is dead in its outreach to the community, or evangelistic endeavour? As often as not, that church is also spiritually dead! God knows that we are more fulfilled when the welfare of others is high on our agenda.

God bless,

Beryl

Sometimes we are loath to work for Christ, feeling that we may do or say the wrong thing, and not be a "good witness". Well -- sometimes we do think afterwards that we could have said something better -- but God can work in the other person's hearts with what we have put in their mind!

Give to God the best that you have -- and He can perform miracles with what you have given! Don't always look for "results". In the parable of the sowing of the seeds, if the farmer had been looking for 100% results, he would have been disappointed. As it was, he was probably very satisfied with the crop that he had, despite some of the seeds falling in the wrong places.

Sow with kindness, and the love of God. Never argue over little things. Be kind, gentle and loving. It is your job to sow in love, and God is the reaper.

God bless,

Beryl

Hello Beryl

I was wondering as I read this thread here again if you have ever seen the Happiness Digest "version" of Steps To Christ?

It has more contemporary pictures, and titles, but the text itself is the original.

One of the things that I like about this chapter nine, in Happiness Digest is that it is entitled: "Living Through Giving."

I have often heard people tell me how that when we suffer severe pain, illness, tragedy, and the like, cliche' things like "We are brought into sympathy with Christ, through the fellowship of His sufferings." I, being one who has had/still has severe pain and suffering, at times, cannot find any relief in such pious statements when they are made to me in the middle of some firestorm I may be in at the time. But, in Happiness Digest, pg.37, (chapt.9 SC), we read: "We are brought into sympathy with Christ, through the fellowship of His sufferings."

Was EGW being "pious" in the sense that I just referred to? No! because this is only the first sentence. Lets look at the next one: "Every act of self-sacrifice for the good of others, strengthens the spirit of beneficience in the giver's heart; allying him more closely to the Redeemer of the world, who "was rich, yet for your sakes...became poor, that ye, through His poverty might be rich." 2 Cor.8:9. And it is only as we thus fulfil the divine purpose in our creation that life can be a blessing to us."

To me, "fellowship of His sufferings" seems very closely associated to trying to bless others anyways; inspite of your own sufferings and problems. When we try to put ourself into the shoes of someone else who is suffering and needy; we see how Christ must have felt, being King of the Universe, and stooping down low enough to bless fallen mankind.

I think that perhaps I have at times suffered such discouragement because I could not find any encouragement when people in the church would say that my suffering and pain is God giving me "the fellowship of His sufferings." This makes it all too personally focused on me, and avoids this kind of other people focus that the prophet of the Lord is trying to get us involved in by trying to bless others in your path.

One of the ways that I have started to personally put this into action is to periodically round up an item or two of unused furniture or house-hold goods to donate to a thrift shop that supports women and children in trouble and poverty-stricken. One of the fellows who works there is almost deaf, and it can be a challenge to communicate with him at times; but it is amazing how my "junk" is their "treasure." They are so glad to get anything I bring in. I suppose I am trying to say that the people that are reached by this old thrift shop are God's children - His people, and therefore "His sufferings." It might be an odd way to look at this text; but there is an extraordinary "fellowship" with Jesus that takes place with me atleast, whenever I am led into places like this by Him...I don't know exactly how to put this in words - but I have sometimes felt His presence more during times like this than I have at church or on this forum. And I don't mean anything personal with that - it's just my experience and it may not be that of another. But, the look of delight on the face of this elderly almost deaf man when all I did was bring in a $30.00 item for them to sell was priceless. I don't know why we so often pass by so many opportunities to do so much. (ESPECIALLY AT CHURCH!!).

"Living by Giving" is indeed THE WORK AND THE LIFE!

David, you have expressed that very well. It is not the worth of what we give -- it is the spirit in which it is given.

For the last 9 years I have been a friend of a dear lady whom I found when I was delivering some blankets following a call for help. Yes, she had an acute alcohol problem -- made worse by the unwanted attention of her mother's "illegitemate husband", and her mother's uncaring, unloving, critical, attitude. How often she used to ask me (in tears), "Why doesn't my mother love me?" Well, I became the one who she used to introduce to everyone as "my foster-mum". She went through rehabilitation a number of times before success, but the years of alcoholism have given her a degree of brain-damage. She has developed a child-like faith in God. I visited with her today. Just 50 years of age, her liver is very bad. There is not much that they can do. I fear that life is giving out, but I am so glad that I hae been able to be a part of her life.

God bless,

Beryl

"Everyone, to the extent of his talent and opportunity, is to fulfill the Saviour's commission."

Wow! That means EVERYBODY! That puts us all on a level playing field! Right? W-e-l-l! Who gives us our talents? Oh, yes, some are born with them, but some also cultivate them! God can provide any talent that He sees that you would be able to use in His service -- and not all talents are inbuilt. Some come as a result of hard work! And some are given as a result of prayer. We ALL have at least one talent that we can devote to the work of God.

How do you propose to use your talent?

God bless,

Beryl

Now, THERE is a challenge -- we all have a part to play, whether in the "front line", or as the support personnel behind the scenes. No one person is exempted from this. Even if all we can do is pray -- that, too, is needed, and if that is really truly all that we can do, then God will certainly add to it His blessing.

God bless,

Beryl