The Reality of Life
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith...
, by Emmanuel Higgins
Time is moving so quickly! This year will see the end of my teenage years. Yes, I’m still young with much more to learn, but Oh! The more I see and experience of this life, the more I realise something is terribly wrong.
In John 8:44 the Bible says that Satan “is a liar, and the father of it.”. And in Revelation 12:9, Satan is the deceiver of the whole world. Satan is a master of lies and deception. It goes right back to the Garden of Eden where Eve listened to the lies of Satan.
Satan is more active today than he has ever been. He knows he doesn’t have much time left.
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not...” - 2. Corinthians 4:4
The ‘god of this world’, or Satan, is trying to blind our minds. When you are blind you can’t see what’s really happening, You can’t see reality.
re·al·i·ty /rēˈalətē/ - Noun: The world or the state of things as they actually exist...
Satan doesn’t want you to know reality, the state of things as they actually exist. He wants to deceive you, I and the entire world.
He does it by getting us to think somewhat like this.
Life is full of so many fun and exciting things to do.
I can’t wait for the soccer game with my mates tomorrow evening, it’ll be awesome!
Oh I’m just dying to see the latest Marvel’s The Avengers movie next Saturday night.
And of course with COD, GTA and the MMO games on my computer, there are so many entertaining things to do that make me feel so good.
And don’t let me forget the meeting with my girlfriend on Sunday, and that trip to the beach we’ve planned, and the epic party we’re gonna have that evening with all the food and drinks...
When I finish school, I’ll go for a top degree at some prestigious university, one that lets me hold up my head among my friends. I’m sure I’ll find some beautiful girl to marry and of course while studying I have lots of time to observe and have relationships. After studying I can settle down to a secure job with the luxuries and pleasures I’ve come to enjoy...
In one way or another, Satan wants us to be satisfied, engrossed and entertained by this world. He wants us to think that this life is actually fun, and to blind our minds to the great controversy going on around us. Something is terribly wrong.
I was speaking at a youth camp a while back when, after everyone else had left, a young lady stayed behind. With tear stained eyes she share her story. She explained how she was suffering under a sexually abusive father... I guess she was 17 or 18. I’ve never forgotten the suffering written on her face.
My grandfather passed away this year, I went to see his open coffin on the morning of the funeral day, and silently watched the anguish of those who had been closest to him.
These experiences, and more, have forever changed my outlook on life.
Life is not what it’s made out to be! I’ve seen just a glimpse of reality. If this sounds too sad or serious, I’m sorry, but it’s reality. Just look around you... Over the generations we have become so dumbed down to the signs of sin and suffering, that it no longer seems to affect us.
But oh, pray for your eyes to be opened, and look around you again. Do you see those people walking down the street, that young man with a singlet and tattoos... those young ladies... Do you see them as God sees them?
Or do you turn a blind eye to all this and just carry on with your comfortable life, saying; “it’s just too hard to go out of my way and seek lost souls. Anyhow, seeing reality will ruin my pleasant and prosperous life”.
Come on friends! It’s time we wake up. Every moment is precious. Don’t let Satan blind you. But may God strengthen your faith so you can see reality, every moment of the day. Daily people are deciding their eternal destiny. And while millions of people suffer, we find it so easy to laugh, joke and would turn every other sentence into something hilarious if we could. This spirit is not prompted by God.
I’ve seen a glimpse of reality. It has forever changed my outlook on life. Will you join me in the battle against Satan? Will you allow your eyes to be opened to reality?
To change habits is not easy, but we can be more than conquerors through the power of Christ. Memorising and repeating scripture is a powerful way to overcome Satan. Here is a powerful verse:
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” - 1. Corinthians 16:13
Let’s finish with this thought-provoking quote:
“We are living in a sad age of this world's history. … Everywhere we go we see men and women controlled by Satan, captives to do his will. They are blinded and know not that their destruction is near. … As we view the world bound in darkness and trammeled by Satan, how can we engage in levity, glee, careless, reckless words, speaking at random, laughing, jesting, and joking? It is in keeping with our faith to be sober, watching unto the end for the grace to be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” - Ellen G. White (Manuscript Releases vol. 18, pg 369)
20 Comment(s)
So wonderful that made me very refreshing
Thankyou...this really helped me.May Jehovah lord Bless you.
I am living my life. House, car, wife, children, business. I am not living for the glory of God but the glory of me, even though Gods glory is in me. We are his vessels in his likeness living our lives in a constant battle of white noise and suffering. To be oh so righteous and full of self worth may in its own serve a darker purpose. This may be end times it may not. The fact is it doesn't matter. What matters is what is in our hearts. How we place our own actions in our heads our minds. Our souls are stained from birth and will always give away our weakness of mortality and our despiration to live as well as we can. Every man cannot walk in rags and give everything away. That is not the glory of God. Understanding ourselves our weakness our strength. Bringing others up when we can and supporting them when they are down. Advice, understanding, support, love, these are tools for daily use. Satan is all around that has been the case from the dawn of time. He was cast into this world given to us to provide a question, another option, is pleasure false when we truly feel it. Are all things material sinful. We are God. He is in us. With out us he would not exist. Our voices that he gave us to praise him are his voice. His free will freely given is his gift to us for him. We are all God he is in us all we touch the depth of despair or the hight of joy through him in us. We can't abdicate life to his glory when his glory is our understanding of ourselves. We are all sinners. We are all mortal eternal glory will not be ours. Eternal glory will be God's word spoken till the end of time. We are the right hand of our Lord. Death will not be a glorious reunion but a final resting place for our sacks. Living life is our reality as a promise to live for ever is given through the word of man our glory is to God today. Our eternal life is helping his word carry on through the ages. God gives us belief if we seek it. Understanding if we can find it. Every man's potential is to be God's word, action and vision we are his vessels. He is in us. We are God. The teaching, writings and actions of men representing God while giving themselves to there own pleasures and agendas are a constant reminder that no matter what has been said and written are only words. The action of yourself is the only true measure of your closeness to God and his true word. These words are not many and the vast amount of words written to guide us are there for exactly that. We are not all the same though our journey starts and ends the same. Birth and death . Light and darkness . Our battle is not outside but in us. Our word can be spread but true meaning through actions, living life is not a sin, we all have the potential to create life. We are creators of life, god can only exist through us. We give God his glory so that his basic teaching can lead us through a path that never ends.
truth can be found in the wisdom teachings of gaia
Really helped me tonight!
definitely
that is so true
What you've told is partially correct.
what is free will,
according to you?
Amen! Thank you for those blessed words Emmanuel. It's such a blessing to see a youth ministering to others. I commend you and wish to be able to do the same. I am also a youth and I feel like I haven't done much to show others what a wonderful savior we have; I actively participate in church, I sing in the choir, and all sorts of other things but I know in my heart that I am not doing enough. I can imagine of all those moments I have passed up to share with others the word of God and the blessings he has bestowed upon me. It's those little moments like when you were at the park that show us we should take on every opportunity that comes our way to just share to others of our loving Father.
Just recently at our church the youth decided to have a 3 month study of the Sanctuary and then on youth day we will invite our community and other churches and we'll give a sermon, have special songs and a vegan luncheon afterwards. I am excited but at the same time very terrified, public speaking is not my forte but I know that God has called upon my heart to do this. I ask for God to grant me the strength to minister to even just one soul on that day. Seeing what you are doing here is such a blessing and encouragement for me to do the same. Thank you.
Emmanuel, you are in your teens? How encouraging it is to see someone so young but so wise. Oh to see more teens like you in this dark time in which we are living. May you continue to proclaim the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world!
Emmanuel, you did a great job. I really like this gem so I will spend much time in Prayers and also do good with others as we all know that we are living in a sad age of this world's history. There is an Adventist Lifestyle Center which focuses on health in three ways: the spiritual, physical and emotional aspects.
Amen brother! Thank you for sharing this gem.
And yes, let's be truly earnest about our time with God & the true object of life!
Oh yes, may the grief that touched Christ's heart, also touch ours!
That third step is probably one we don't think about as much as prayer and Bible study. Although it's really just as important!
I know what you mean... it's not so straightforward.
Once we have that connection with God, the still small voice can speak to our conscience, and guide our witnessing. I had an interesting experience recently...
I was having lunch in a park by myself one Sabbath. On the next table just a few meters away was a bunch of perhaps 8-10 rough looking youth. I felt strongly impressed to introduce myself and talk with them (which I didn't want to do!). I ended up asking them for a spare fork, because I forgot to bring one, ate my lunch, and then went for a walk.
While I was walking, I kept being impressed to go back and talk with them. But these impressions went totally against what I wanted to do. It was a bit of a mental battle. Not wanting to expose myself by going up to them, but also knowing that this may be the only time I see these people, and God will hold me responsible for missed opportunities.
I slowly walked back hoping they had gone. As I got back they were just about to leave. Again the impression was so strong to just go up to them and start a conversation about "what is the purpose of life".
Anyhow, to make a long story short, I did go up and talk with them. It was so amazing! We got talking about the purpose of life, and it was such a blessing to share with them. Afterwards I was so overjoyed!
I learnt from this experience to listen more to the voice of conscience. Also, witnessing goes against my selfish nature. I didn't want to talk with those youth because it would leave my 'self' vulnerable.
Ultimately we need to pray about every situation, pray for wisdom and discernment. The devil can also put thoughts in our mind. But! if the impression is going against the grain of self and if it's something Christ would do, then let's die to self! And submit ourselves to the will of Christ!
Yes, so true...
I think it's a question we need to ask ourselves each day, feeling our great need of that change. Just think of the Saviour at the top of Olivet, crying over his people whom he could not gather under His wings, because they would not...may we never give Him that stabbing heart grief because we are so absorbed in the 'cares of this life'... may our reading of the Bible and prayers be earnest, heartfelt and persevering and not formal I pray!
I think the other aspect which is perhaps not so straightforward and needs to be led by wisdom from a connection with God, is the third step taken from the holy place in the sanctuary - letting our light shine. Sometimes I wonder if I am too passive in this and need to more actively look for opportunities. Either way, I know that is the most stimulating thing for infusing new life into prayer and Bible study. Does anyone have any comments on this aspect (it's nice to share thoughts together)?
Yes Hannah & Rebekah those things certainly are powerful.
Yes Antoinette, I ask myself that too.
What we must do is pray... earnestly pray!
Pray for the burden of souls to be placed on us. Perhaps it has been before, but let's pray for a deeper burden for souls than ever before.
Pray, earnestly pleading with God for greater faith. More faith means, eternal things become more real. As eternal things become more real, we begin to see everything in a different light.
Pray for a deeper understanding of God's fathomless love.
Then let's lose sight of self & it's interests entirely, and bend every nerve, fibre and muscle of our being to save perishing souls!
It's easy to forget these things as we go through the day. So again, let's pray and ask God to help us remember, to continually bring these things fresh to our mind. Pray, sing and repeat scripture whenever we can.
Oh, and I don't mean we should go around in a sad, depressed state. Yes, this world is in a sad state, and yes it is deadly serious. But we can still have a deep peace and joy, knowing that the end of our faith is eternal life...
Yes Chanel, Prayer and Bible study is so vital!
Amen. That is so true. Thank you for your encouragement, Emmanuel.
Oh, more and more I am seeing the importance of Bible study and prayer as here lies the secret of our spiritual strength. Let us draw from the source of power more!
Yes Hannah, scripture songs, hymns, and other spiritual songs are great too.
Memorising Bible verses and passages have also been of great benefit to me. When my mind is not busy I can improve the time by hiding God's word in my heart and because it is in my heart, God can bring it to mind when I need it most.
Spending time in prayer and Bible study is certainly a great way. I also find personally learning scripture songs, hymns and other spiritual songs a great help. Especially when things get hard though out the day.
How do we change? By spending more time in prayer and Bible study.
By beholding we become changed (But we all with open face beholding, as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18). We need to spend our time beholding who we would like to be like. If we want to be godly, we need to spend a fair amount of time with God every day.
I know that I personally don't spend enough time in Bible study and prayer, yet I do know that the time that I do spend has and continues to make a difference in my life.
May God bless you.
What can I say? so what shall we do, how do we change?
Amen... I don't know what else to say...