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OURNEEDOFGOD
“ ‘And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness…
..and God blessed them.’ ” Genesis 1: 26, 28
In t h e h e a r t o f e a c h o f u s , w h e t h e r young or old, rich or poor, intellectual or slow, hard working or not, whatever nationality, there are inexpressible long- ings for something that we do not now possess. This longing is implanted in the very centre of our being by a merciful God, that we may not be satisfied with our present conditions or achievements, whether bad or good, or better. God de- sires that we shall seek the best, and find in it the eternal blessing of our soul.
“Satan, by his conniving, wily schem- ing and craftiness, has perverted these longings of our human heart. He makes us believe that this desire may be satis- fied by pleasure, by wealth, by ease, by fame, or by power; but those of us who have been deceived by him find all these things become tedious, leaving our soul as empty and unsatisfied as before.
“It is God’s design that this longing of our human heart should lead us to the One who alone is able to satisfy it. The desire is of Him that it may lead to Him, the fullness and fulfilment of that desire.
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That fullness is found in Jesus the Christ, the Son of the eternal God.
“The earth was dark through misrep- resentation of God.
“ T h a t t h e g l o o m y s h a d o w s m i g h t be lightened, that the world might be brought back to God; Satan’s deceptive power was to be broken. This could not be done by force. The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God’s gov- ernment; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; force or authority cannot win it. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him; His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work only one being in the entire universe could do. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it known. Upon the world’s dark night the sun of righ- teousness must raise, “with healing in his wings.” Mal. 4:2.
“The plan for our redemption was not an afterthought, a plan formulated after the fall of Adam. It was a revelation of
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“By His humanity, Christ touched humanity; by His divinity, He lays hold upon the throne of God. As the Son of man, He gave us an example of obedience; as the Son of God, He gives us power to
“the mystery, which has been kept in si- lence through times eternal.” Rom. 16:
25, R.V. It was an unfolding of the prin- ciples that from eternal ages have been the foundation of God’s throne. From t h e b e g i n n i n g , G o d a n d C h r i s t k n e w of the apostasy of Satan, and of the fall of man through the deceptive power of the apostate. God did not ordain that sin should exist, but He foresaw its ex- istence, and made provision to meet the terrible emergency. So great was His love for the world, that He covenanted to give His only-begotten son, “that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
“Satan represents God’s law of love as a law of selfishness. He declares that it is impossible for us to obey its precepts.
“In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren.” Heb. 2:
17.
“If we had to bear anything, which J e s u s d i d n o t e n d u r e , t h e n u p o n t h i s point Satan would represent the power of God as insufficient for us. Therefore Jesus was “in all points tempted like as we are.” Heb. 4:15. He endured every trial to which we are subject. And He exercised in His own behalf no power that is not freely offered to us. As man, He met temptation, and overcame in the strength given Him from God. He says,
“I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, Thy law is within my heart.” Ps. 40:8. As He went about doing good, and healing all who were afflicted by Satan, He made plain to men the character of God’s law and the nature of His service. His life testifies that it is possible for us also to obey the Law of God .
“ B y H i s h u m a n i t y, C h r i s t t o u c h e d humanity; by His divinity, He lays hold
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upon the throne of God. As the Son of man, He gave us an example of obedi- ence; as the Son of God, He gives us power to obey.
“Christ was treated, as we deserve, t h a t w e m i g h t b e t r e a t e d a s H e d e - s e r v e s . H e w a s c o n d e m n e d f o r o u r sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death, which was ours, that we might receive the life, which was His. “With his stripes we are healed.” God has adopted human nature in the person of His Son.
“Through Christ’s redeem- ing work the government
of God stands justified. T h e o m n i p o t e n t O n e is made known as the G o d o f l o v e . S a t a n ’s c h a r g e s a r e r e f u t e d , and his character un- veiled. Rebellion can never again arise. Sin can never again enter the universe. Through eternal ages all are se- c u r e f r o m a p o s t a s y. B y l o v e ’s s e l f - s a c r i - fice, the inhabitants of earth and heaven are b o u n d t o t h e i r C r e - ator in bonds of indis- soluble union.
“In Christ the fam- i l y o f e a r t h a n d t h e family of heaven are bound together. Christ glorified is our brother.
| Heaven is enshrined in humanity, and humanity is enfolded in the bosom of infinite love.” Desire of Ages, Preface and Chap. One
“Men need to learn that the bless - ings of obedience, in their fullness, can be theirs only as they receive the grace of Christ. It is His grace that gives man power to obey the laws of God. It is this that enables him to break the bondage of evil habit. This is the only power that can make him and keep him steadfast in the right path.
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VOLUME 78, NO. 3
“Fame, genius, talent –all are powerless to gladden the sorrowful heart or to restore the wasted life.
The life of God in the soul is man’s only hope.”
“When the gospel is received in its pu- rity and power, it is a cure for the mala- dies that originated in sin. The Sun of Righteousness arises, “with healing in His wings.” Malachi 4:2. Not all this world bestows can heal a broken heart, or impart peace of mind, or remove care, or banish disease. Fame, genius, talent-- all are powerless to gladden the sorrow- ful heart or to restore the wasted life. The life of God in the soul is man’s only hope. MH 115
It is with a heart full of gratitude that I must thank the committee for giving me the task of searching out the reasons why we need God. I have been grow- ing as a Christian slowly year by year, by God’s grace. But I always had this
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block, it seemed that I never wanted to force anybody to love God or to believe what I believed, something was miss- ing, I could not understand what it was. Then this request came and as I stud- ied I realised that this is what I needed not only for myself but also for my wit- nessing, the reason why we need God. It is now written in my heart, it is truth that cuts with a sword, rightly dividing asunder.
In a world that is already wracked with war, Mr. Bush says that he is sick and tired of Saddam Hussein. The Amer- ican people are on the streets protesting they don’t want to go to war. Australia is s upporting M r. Bus h, even though many disagree. Australians in the past few months have been
through the Bali bomb- ing, drought, fires so d e v a s t a t i n g t h a t o n e person described it as
“balls of fire appear- ing out of nowhere.” The U.S. Space Shut- tle, Columbia has ex- ploded on re-entry in- to earth’s atmosphere, all 7 astronauts dead. C h a o s i s a l l a r o u n d and deepening.
Many are awaken- i n g a n d s e e i n g t h e i r need of God, because He is allowing all of t h i s t o h a p p e n t h a t t h e i r e y e s m a y b e o p e n . S o m e t i m e s w e can find these souls in t h e m o s t u n e x p e c t e d places or times.
I was talking to my h u s b a n d ’s S e c r e t a r y on the phone and told her that I was a little stressed as there was a |
lot happening in my life. She suggested that I go and do yoga. I said that, “No, I have a loving Saviour, Jesus. He answers my prayers and takes care of my family and I.” She was so happy, she asked, “Do you understand the Bible?” Do you think that I can come and study with you”? Je- sus is coming soon, I know; His spirit is falling all around us, are you ready for Jesus to come?
Each human being needs God. This is definite. Because God created us in His image. As we begin to study, our eyes are opened, the working of the Holy Spirit, the eye salve, is imparted. Our commis- sion is, ‘if you have experienced in your life the fulfilment of that need that God has implanted;
Study, pray and totally hide your life in the bosom of the Father as Jesus did. Ask the Lord, that your life, your ex- ample, your manner of speaking, your manner of dress, the things you eat, your kindness, your love, your patience for those around you, may speak more than words.
He will give you words to speak in the right time and in the right way, which, just like when I spoke to my husband’s Secretary, may not be known in advance t o y o u . T h e n c o n t i n u e t o f o l l o w t h e leading of the Lord in sharing what He has been to you, and how you have hope in Him. This will lead many to see the truths for this time.
Then, just as we need God to pour out grace to overcome and shine, so God needs us to arise and shine for the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:
1. Why do we need God? Each one of us may answer differently, but the truth is that the Creator of heaven and earth, the sea and the fountains of water, created us to need Him. May the love of God and our need of Him be instilled by his Spirit into our hearts always.
Jenny Nalder, Australia SW |
HOWTOENJOYAHAPPYMARRIAGE
How wonderful it is to see a happy family! Is it not? To have success
in marriage is one of the greatest joys of life.
It is said that shared happiness is dou- ble the happiness, and that shared grief is only half the grief. Love is a true balm for the soul in these times of great trou- ble, disillusion and disappointment.
The purpose of marriage should be
the fusion of two characters that come
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to be one and mutually help each other out. The wife will feel protected by her husband, and he shall feel helped by his wife, especially in times of sickness or during troublesome times. The plan of God was such that in the beginning He said: “It is not good for man to be alone; I shall make him an helpmeet” Gen 2:
18. An intimate relationship must exist in the marriage relationship that should last an entire lifetime.
Regrettably, it is not always like this, millions of couples become frustrated in their yearning desire for happiness, and those who are most affected by all this are the children.
In the United States, 6 500 divorces take place per day; this is more than a million hundred thousand per year. O u t o f e v e r y 1 0 w o m e n b e t w e e n t h e ages of 30 and 40 years of age, 6 out of
10 become divorced at least once. 25% of those younger than 18 years of age lack a father or a mother, and it is estimated that this number will increase about 50% next year. It is also thought that of all the couples that marry this year, more than half will end up getting divorced; and more than 60% of the children born to these people will spend part of their life in a divided home. In France, one out every two marriages ends up in divorce. In Canada, more than 40% of the couples
that unite in their first wedding sepa-
rate from each other.
In the for- mer Soviet Union, more than 70% of the divorc- es that take place happen during the first 10 years of marriage. Africa, Asia and Latin America, |
What alarming perspectives for this world! We should do something!
G o d d o e s n ’ t w a n t t h i s , b e c a u s e when He created man, He established marriage with the sacred purpose of a partnership that was based in helping each other out mutually, as well as to love each other, and to raise children in a sound and stable environment while re- maining united. “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What there- fore God hath joined together, let not man out asunder” (Matthew 19:6).
Reasons for Unhappiness
Each home is a world unto itself. The circumstances that cause a couple to fail may vary, but we shall mention a few that stand out:
1 . A n E r r o n e o u s P e r c e p t i o n o f M a r- riage.
Novels and movies that portray sen- timental topics are responsible for creat- ing a fantasy world for the youth. Upon marrying, those people unconsciously e x p e c t f r o m t h e i r s p o u s e s o m e t h i n g that real life cannot give them and they become disillusioned. Adultery is seen as something common and divorce is seen as the first route of escape. From their childhood they see dramatic shows on TV, which inevitably become part of their thought system and this gives them distorted values.
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2 . A D e v i a t i o n f r o m h e a l t h y p r i n c i - ples.
All estrangement from the principles of God brings much suffering and with time it leads to a separation, and as a consequence there is great suffering for the children. Alcoholism and laziness are also responsible for the many tensions and failures in the home.
3. Incompatible Characters.
When there exists a violent temper, a selfish spirit, a cold heart, unfounded jealousies, grudge bearing, bitterness, and an irreconcilable spirit, arguments arise that can produce a gradual distanc-
ing if we do not seek the solution that
God offers us for these cases.
4. Lack of Communication and Things in Common.
When there is little time spent with one another, one enters the married rou- tine and there is little time left for com- munication. The TV, chat rooms, or the Internet rob from many families the time that should be devoted to one another.
5. Economic Problems Are Also a Fac- tor.
A l a c k o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g i n d a y t o day planning and a difference in mu- tual desires, as well as the lack of trust in the management of home economy and the distance caused by seeking jobs that are farther away from home are of- ten the triggers to many problems, not to mention debt contracts that are dif- ficult to pay.
6. Interference From a Third Party.
There are numerous stories told about the proverbial mother in law. When she p e r h a p s u n c o n s c i o u s l y c o n s i d e r s h e r daughter in law as an intruder who has stolen her son away, tensions may arise.
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh “Gen.
2:24. When love waxes cold, there may be emotional or sexual dissatisfaction. W h e n o n e h a l f t h r e a t e n s d i v o r c e f o r some trivial reason, deep wounds are m a d e a n d a w a l l i s e r e c t e d b e t w e e n both. God wants to help the each fam- ily to be happy. If there are problems in your home, if tensions exist and the uni- ty of the family is threatened, don’t think about divorce, instead think of finding the solution. Let us always keep in mind that love comes from God and if His love has become cold, it is enough for us to go
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to the fount that will supply us with the exact measure needed of an unequaled love of superior quality, just as Paul states in 1 Cor. 13:4-7 “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave unseemly, seeketh n o t h e r o w n , i s n o t e a s i l y p r o v o k e d , thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniq- uity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things.” But…
What should be done when marriage
is on the brink?
A l a d y w e n t t o i n t e r v i e w a m e d i c a l friend.
– ” I w a n t t o d i v o r c e m y h u s b a n d ” was the broken–hearted woman’s com- plaint.
–”Why? –asked the doctor.
–”Because he has another.”
–”Well if you divorce him, you will only be doing him a favor, for that is most likely what he wants”. |
– ” W h a t c a n I d o ? ” t h e w o m a n asked.
– ” M a k e h i m f a l l i n l o v e w i t h y o u first, and then divorce him.” counseled the doctor.
–”How can I do this?”
–”Compliment him three times per day. “
–”You expect me to compliment him although he doesn’t treat me right? That is crazy!”
–”Try it! Instead of criticizing him, recognize his positive qualities. Does he dress well? Does he know how to carry himself? Is he trustworthy? If so, tell him.”
The woman decided to try this out. A
couple of months later she met her medi- cal friend again, who immediately asked about her husband.
–”I did it!” Exclaimed the woman.
“He is deeply in love with me.”
– ” We l l t h e n , n o w y o u c a n l e a v e him,” said the doctor.
–”No” Answered the woman, “Not n o w, b e c a u s e I a m a l s o i n l o v e w i t h him.” |
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That is why beloved reader, you must begin by changing your own attitude. In- stead of dwelling on criticisms that hurt others and cause a separation, dwell only on what is positive. Recognize the good qualities of your spouse and tell him so sincerely. And you will see that you will end up winning him over. And the most important thing is that you yourself shall be the happiest half.
The Fundamental Law of Happi- ness
We often hear complaints such as these:
“My husband doesn’t make me happy”,
“My wife should be different.” Do not think solely in receiving, but also in giv- ing, because by “making your neighbor happy you will become happy yourself.” The apostle Paul says: “It is blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) The Lord wants every marriage to have full- ness of joy and that is why He also tells us in His word: “Finally, brethren, fare- well. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
2 Cor. 13:11 What a wonderful promise the Lord has made for those who enter the marriage vow including God in their lives!
Decide to make your spouse happy. S e e k f o r t h e a p p r o p r i a t e m o m e n t t o talk to each other and try to identify the things that you don’t like about your- |
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selves. Both should lay their cards on the table, don’t think only about your own happiness, but in your partner ’s. Don’t try to change your partner, instead try to change yourself, and... You shall see the results!
Let us try to follow this counsel. Are you willing to pay the price in order to have happiness in your home? First of all, let us look at the origin of marriage a n d t h e f o u n d a t i o n s t h a t t h e C r e a t o r gave. After He had made man: “And the LORD God said ‘it is not good, that man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him….And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead |
thereof; And the ribs, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman for she was taken out of Man” Gen 2:18, 21-23.
The Lord created the woman by tak- ing a rib from man. This shows us that the wife is part of the husband. He did not take her from his head so that she would not be above him, nor from his feet so that she would not be trampled by him or treated as a servant. She was to be at his side and be his suitable helpmeet. The Lord continued saying: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” Gen 2:24.
Let us take into consideration three important things from this verse:
To Leave:
This means to establish an adult rela- tionship with our parents in a new way and to relate to each other in a different manner. Children continue being either a son or daughter but their priorities are centered around their new family. At this point, we are more interested to take into account the ideas, opinions, and habits of our spouse instead of our parents. Eat- ing habits, standards of education, and important decisions have to be made by the couple according to their own judge- ment and not their parents. Parents have to be prepared to let go of their son or daughter since they have formed their
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own family nucleus now.
Something has changed in our emo- tions, we no longer depend upon the approval, assistance or counsel of our parents in the same way we did when we were single. Affections are now turned towards our spouse. It is now that we should depend first of all upon God, and secondly, in a flexible standard of com- munication with our spouse.
We s h o u l d b e w i l l i n g t o “ f o rg e t ” , in other words to free ourselves from grudges, bitterness or conflicts that ex- isted between our parents and ourselves. Before taking the decision to get mar- ried, there should be a mutual agreement made by both sides to not enter into con- flict within the marriage.
Parents have to learn to let go of their
children even if they see things that they
do not like. They are not to think that
“ t h a t m a n o r t h a t w o m a n h a s s t o l e n a w a y m y s o n o r d a u g h t e r ” , i n s t e a d they should feel as if they “have gained a new son or a new daughter” and gained grandsons and granddaughters.
The couple should primarily focus on the relationship they have with their husband or wife before any other human relationship, the affections for the spouse should have first place in the heart and nobody else should come before him. Of course, they may dedicate some time for
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their own parents but the greatest devo- tion should be for their spouse.
Another word mentioned in this Bib- lical text states
“...and they shall cleave”
What does this mean? To become one is to be united in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, in pleasure and in pain, in happiness and in grief, in the good times and in the bad, when there is an agreement about something as well as when there is a difference of opinion. If there are differences, they should be discussed with patience and with love, and without forcing the other one to un- derstand our reasoning. Together they should seek for the counsel of the Lord
and try to resolve their problems togeth-
er, without fleeing from them. A battle has never been won yet by escaping.
To become united means to be in- volved with each other for a lifetime because what God has joined together let no man part asunder.
One flesh
W h a t d o e s i t m e a n t o b e c o m e “ o n e flesh”? It is true that this includes sex- ual and physical unity, which is good, w o n d e r f u l a n d h o l y w i t h i n m a r r i a g e . Each one should try to make the other one happy. Yet, physical unity is not everything. They should also be
one, in a spiritual sense. To be honest and true with each other, there should be
no secrets that the other one cannot s h a r e .
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We should be intimate in our conver- sation as well as honest and willing to bare our soul.
To be one means to share everything, our bodies, our possessions, our goods, ideas, talents, problems, successes, fail- ures, sufferings and victories. “Look not every man on his own things, but every man on the things of others”, as Paul ex- presses it: “let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3, 4).
Although there may be differences of opinion, we shall remain united with our spouse with the chords of love and by being faithful to our vows.
H a p p y h o m e s h a v e t h e f o l l o w i n g points in common:
Compromise and Understanding
Happy homes value their family as a unit that is above every other need or their own goals. They should be will- ing to put aside those things that can t h r e a t e n t h e i r e x i s t e n c e a s a c o u p l e . T h e y s h o u l d a t t e m p t t o u n d e r s t a n d the desires, dreams and feelings of the other one. Let us try to understand the psychology of both men and women. What is the most important thing for a man? His job, and of course, his wife. And what is the most important thing for the woman? To be heard and to be understood. To achieve a true compro- mise with our spouse means to under- stand their feelings, needs and priori- ties. If the following factors are taken into account, the spouse will be greatly helped by feeling that he or she is truly understood and appreciated. The hus- band and wife should help each other to mutually develop their character. The husband should realize that the opinion of the wife is just as valuable as a man’s. The apostle Peter writes: “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” 1
Peter 3:7
M a k e h e r g r o w i n s e l f - e s t e e m a n d g r a t i t u d e , a n d s h e w i l l n o t hold grudges. A woman’s intu- ition is usually more exact than the logic of a man. Let her ex- press her feelings. Take into c o n s i d e r a t i o n y o u r w i f e ’s |
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