Roses or Thorns?
The guide told the discouraged woman to stop focusing on these.
Thorns
Christians who constantly murmur and complain give a false representation of this.
God and the Christian life?
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have ________ the ________." John 16:33
overcome; world
If we represent Christ, how will His service appear to those around us?
Attractive, as it really is
“'Hitherto hath the Lord _____ us,' and He will ____ us to the end." 1 Samuel 7:12, SC 125.1
helped; help
Instead of gathering thorns, the guide told her to gather these three flowers.
Roses, lilies, and pinks
Satan loves to make religion appear this way.
What is gloomy, difficult, and joyless?
"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also ______ give us _____ _________?" Romans 8:32
freely; all things
Jesus came not to be ________ ______, but to______.
ministered unto; minister
The Lord wants His sons and daughters to be these three things.
happy, peaceful, and obedient
"Are not ______ __________, like the fragrant flowers, growing beside your path on every hand? Will you not let their beauty and sweetness fill your heart with joy?" SC 117.1
God's promises
According to the chapter, angels are listening for this from us.
The kind of report we bear about our heavenly Master
"As thy days, _____ _______ ______ _______ ______." Deuteronomy 33:25
so shall thy strength be
Though Jesus was called a Man of Sorrows, He was never this.
gloomy or morose
"The trial will not exceed the ______ that shall be given us to bear it." SC 125.2
strength
"The briers and thorns will only _____ and ______ you; and if you gather only these things, and present them to others, are you not, besides slighting the goodness of God yourself, _______ those around you from walking in the ____ of _____?" SC 117.2
wound; grieve; preventing; path; life
Make it a rule never to utter one word of these two things.
Doubt and discouragement
"None of us _______ to ______." Romans 14:7
liveth; himself
What should flow out to others if we dwell upon Christ's love and pity toward us?
the same spirit of love
"And by and by the gates of heaven will be thrown open to admit God’s children, and from the lips of the King of glory the benediction will fall on their ears like richest music...." SC 125.3
What benediction will that be?
“Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:34.
"When Satan tempts you, breathe not a word of _____ or ________. If you choose to open the door to his suggestions, your mind will be filled with distrust and rebellious questioning. If you talk out your feelings, every doubt you express not only reacts upon ______ but it is a seed that will germinate and bear fruit in the life of ______, and it may be impossible to counteract the influence of your words. You yourself may be able to recover from the season of temptation and from the snare of Satan, but others who have been swayed by your influence may not be able to escape from the ____ you have suggested. How important that we speak only those things that will give ________ ______ and _____!" SC 119.1
"When Satan tempts you, breathe not a word of doubt or darkness. If you choose to open the door to his suggestions, your mind will be filled with distrust and rebellious questioning. If you talk out your feelings, every doubt you express not only reacts upon yourself, but it is a seed that will germinate and bear fruit in the life of others, and it may be impossible to counteract the influence of your words. You yourself may be able to recover from the season of temptation and from the snare of Satan, but others who have been swayed by your influence may not be able to escape from the unbelief you have suggested. How important that we speak only those things that will give spiritual strength and life!" SC 119.1
What happens when we speak words of hope and holy cheer?
we brighten and strengthen the lives of others
"My ______ I give unto you: not as the _______ giveth, give I unto you. Let not your _______ be troubled, neither let it be ______.” “These things have I spoken unto you, that My ____ might remain in you, and that your ____ might be full.” John 14:27; 15:11.
peace; world; heart; afraid; joy; joy
How can we attract the thoughts of Jesus when we talk with a friend?
When you take the hand of a friend, let praise to God be on your lips and in your heart. This will attract his thoughts to Jesus. SC 119.2
"In view of the glorious inheritance that may be his, “what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26. He may be poor, yet he possesses in himself a _____ and ______ that the world could never bestow. The soul redeemed and cleansed from sin, with all its noble powers dedicated to the service of God, is of ________ _______; and there is joy in heaven in the presence of God and the holy angels over one soul redeemed, a joy that is expressed in songs of holy triumph." SC 126.2
wealth; dignity; surpassing worth
"Let us group together the blessed assurances of His love, that we may look upon them continually: ____________________________ ...these are the pictures which God would have us contemplate." SC 118.1
What 4 things are mentioned as pictures God would have us to contemplate?
1. The Son of God leaving His Father’s throne, clothing His divinity with humanity, that He might rescue man from the power of Satan;
2. His triumph in our behalf, opening heaven to men, revealing to human vision the presence chamber where the Deity unveils His glory;
3. The fallen race uplifted from the pit of ruin into which sin had plunged it, and brought again into connection with the infinite God,
4. and having endured the divine test through faith in our Redeemer, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and exalted to His throne
Christians are set as what on the way to where?
lightbearers on the way to heaven
God is sending a love letter through you to the world.
Finish these two Bible verses:
“As Thou hast sent Me into the world_____." John 17:18, 23.
“Ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ_____." 2 Corinthians 3:3, 2.
“As Thou hast sent Me into the world,” said Jesus, “even so have I also sent them into the world.” “I in them, and Thou in Me; ... that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me.” John 17:18, 23. The apostle Paul says to the disciples of Jesus, “Ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ,” “known and read of all men.” 2 Corinthians 3:3, 2.
What continually characterized the countenance of Christ? What 4 things did Christ carry wherever He went?
"His countenance did not wear an expression of grief and repining, but ever one of peaceful serenity. His heart was a wellspring of life, and wherever He went He carried rest and peace, joy and gladness." SC 120.3
Through Christ abiding in our hearts, we too can carry rest, peace, joy, and gladness with us wherever we go :-)
"Let us keep fresh in our memory all the tender mercies that God has shown us... thus strengthening ourselves for all that is before us through the remainder of our pilgrimage." SC 125.1
What 6 tender mercies are mentioned in the text?
1. the tears He has wiped away
2. the pains He has soothed
3. the anxieties removed
4. the fears dispelled
5. the wants supplied
6. the blessings bestowed