Mentone SDA Church

Thoughts from Bible Verse (242-973) -

Lasting affection

And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house. - 2 Samuel 19:30

Mephibosheth a son from the line of Saul, and David always had a tender relationship. David cared for Mephibosheth but the rebellion of Absalom brought about some questions about that relationship. Mephibosheth was left in Jerusalem when Absalom came and David had to inquire of the former’s loyalties to him. In the end, Mephibosheth proved faithful to David and was rewarded for this though he declined its reception.

Bible Verse (1608) -

Blending two lives

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24. – {FLB 252.1}
God has ordained that there should be perfect love and harmony between those who enter into the marriage relation. Let bride and bridegroom, in the presence of the heavenly universe, pledge themselves to love each other as God has ordained they should. – {FLB 252.2}
Around each family there is a sacred circle that should be kept unbroken. Within this circle no other person has a right to come. Let not the husband or the wife permit another to share the confidences that belong solely to themselves. Let each give love rather than exact it. Cultivate what is noblest in yourselves, and be quick to recognize the good qualities in each other. – {FLB 252.3}
Affection may be as clear as crystal and beauteous in its purity, yet it may be shallow because it has not been tested and tried. Make Christ first and last and best in everything. Constantly behold Him, and your love for Him will daily become deeper and stronger as it is submitted to the test of trial. And as your love for Him increases, your love for each other will grow deeper and stronger. – {FLB 252.4}
If Christ indeed is formed within, the hope of glory, there will be union and love in the home. Christ abiding in the heart of the wife will be at agreement with Christ abiding in the heart of the husband. They will be striving together for the mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those who love Him. – {FLB 252.5}
Only where Christ reigns can there be deep, true, unselfish love. Then soul will be knit with soul, and the two lives will blend in harmony. Angels of God will be guests in the home, and their holy vigils will hallow the marriage chamber. [See The Adventist Home, chapter 18, “Marital Duties and Privileges,” pages 121-128.] – {FLB 252.6}
The sweetest type of heaven is a home where the Spirit of the Lord presides. – {FLB 252.7}

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end. - Hebrews 8:14

Bible Verse (1607) -

The first marriage

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18. – {FLB 251.1}
Man was not made to dwell in solitude; he was to be a social being. Without companionship, the beautiful scenes and delightful employments of Eden would have failed to yield perfect happiness. Even communion with angels could not have satisfied his desire for sympathy and companionship. There was none of the same nature to love, and to be loved. – {FLB 251.2}
God Himself gave Adam a companion. He provided “an help meet for him”—a helper corresponding to him—one who was fitted to be his companion, and who could be one with him in love and sympathy. Eve was created from a rib taken from the side of Adam, signifying that she was not to control him as the head, nor to be trampled under his feet as an inferior, but to stand by his side as an equal, to be loved and protected by him. A part of man, bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, she was his second self; showing the close union and the affectionate attachment that should exist in this relation. “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it.” Ephesians 5:29.... – {FLB 251.3}
God celebrated the first marriage. Thus the institution has for its originator the Creator of the universe. “Marriage is honourable” (Hebrews 13:4); it was one of the first gifts of God to man, and it is one of the two institutions that, after the Fall, Adam brought with him beyond the gates of Paradise. When the divine principles are recognized and obeyed in this relation, marriage is a blessing; it guards the purity and happiness of the race, it provides for man’s social needs, it elevates the physical, the intellectual, and the moral nature. – {FLB 251.4}
The family tie is the closest, the most tender and sacred, of any on earth. It was designed to be a blessing to mankind. And it is a blessing wherever the marriage covenant is entered into intelligently, in the fear of God, and with due consideration for its responsibilities. – {FLB 251.5}

September 7 Special Fellowship Meal -

September 7 Special Fellowship Meal

Bible Verse (1606) -

The Eden Home

And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Genesis 2:8. – {FLB 250.1}
That home [the home of our first parents], beautified by the hand of God Himself, was not a gorgeous palace. Men, in their pride, delight in magnificent and costly edifices, and glory in the works of their own hands; but God placed Adam in a garden. This was his dwelling. The blue heavens were its dome; the earth, with its delicate flowers and carpet of living green, was its floor; and the leafy branches of the goodly trees were its canopy. Its walls were hung with the most magnificent adornings—the handiwork of the great Master Artist. – {FLB 250.2}
It was the design of God that man should find happiness in the employment of tending the things He had created, and that his wants should be met with the fruits of the trees of the garden. – {FLB 250.3}
In the surroundings of the holy pair was a lesson for all time—that true happiness is found, not in the indulgence of pride and luxury, but in communion with God through His created works. If men would ... cultivate greater simplicity, they would come far nearer to answering the purpose of God in their creation.... What are the possessions of even the most wealthy, in comparison with the heritage given to the lordly Adam? – {FLB 250.4}
The Garden of Eden was a representation of what God desired the whole earth to become, and it was His purpose that, as the human family increased in numbers, they should establish other homes ... like the one He had given. Thus in course of time the whole earth might be occupied with homes and schools where the words and the works of God should be studied, and where the students should thus be fitted more and more fully to reflect, throughout endless ages, the light of the knowledge of His glory. – {FLB 250.5}

Bible Verse (1605) -

The hand that never lets go

For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13. – {FLB 249.1}
The sun shone brilliantly on the dazzling snow of one of the highest mountains of the Alps, as a traveler followed his guide along the narrow path.... He had confidence in his guide, and followed fearlessly in his footsteps, though the track was entirely new to him. Suddenly he hesitated; for the bold mountaineer stepped across a narrow but very deep chasm, and then, holding out his hand, asked ... [him] to take it, and step across. Still the traveler hesitated, but the guide encouraged him to obey, saying reassuringly, “Take my hand; that hand never lets go.” – {FLB 249.2}
Dear young friends, One greater than any human guide calls upon you to follow Him over the heights of patience and self-sacrifice. The path is not an easy one.... All the way along, Satan has prepared pitfalls for the feet of the unwary. But following our Guide, we may walk with perfect security; for the path is consecrated by His footsteps. It may be steep and rugged, but He has traveled it; His feet have pressed down the thorns to make the way easier for us. Every burden we are called upon to bear, He Himself has borne. Personal contact with Him brings light and hope and power. Of those who follow Him, He says, “They shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:28. – {FLB 249.3}
We are to live only one day at a time. We do not have to do the work of a lifetime in a few hours. We need not look into the future with anxiety; for God has made it possible for us to be overcomers every day. – {FLB 249.4}
By the exercise of living faith today, we are to conquer the enemy. We must today seek God, and be determined that we will not rest satisfied without His presence. We should watch and work and pray as though this were the last day that would be granted us. – {FLB 249.5}
If you are right with God today, you are ready if Christ should come today. – {FLB 249.6}

…therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day. - Deuterenomy 5:15

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. - 2 Peter 3:18

Happy 35th Sabbath of 2024 Everyone!

We may have a thousand reasons to give up, but we only need the one reason who is Jesus, not to.

This September 6, Friday (7 pm) and September 7, whole day Sabbath

Bible Verse (1604) -

Keep looking up

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2. – {FLB 248.1}
Several years ago, while journeying from Christiania, Norway, to Goteborg, Sweden, I was favored with the sight of the most glorious sunset it was ever my privilege to behold. Language is inadequate to picture its beauty. The last beams of the setting sun, silver and gold, purple, amber, and crimson, shed their glories athwart the sky, growing brighter and brighter, rising higher and higher in the heavens, until it seemed that the gates of the city of God had been left ajar, and gleams of the inner glory were flashing through. For two hours the wondrous splendor continued to light up the cold northern sky—a picture painted by the great Master Artist upon the shifting canvas of the heavens. Like the smile of God it seemed, above all earthly homes, above the rock-bound plains, the rugged mountains, the lonely forests, through which our journey lay. – {FLB 248.2}
Angels of mercy seemed whispering: “Look up! This glory is but a gleam of the light which flows from the throne of God. Live not for earth alone. Look up, and behold by faith the mansions of the heavenly home.” This scene was to me as the bow of promise to Noah, enabling me to grasp the assurance of God’s unfailing care, and to look forward to the haven of rest awaiting the faithful worker.... – {FLB 248.3}
As God’s children, it is our privilege ever to look up, keeping the eye of faith fixed on Christ. As we constantly keep Him in view, the sunshine of His presence floods the chambers of the mind. The light of Christ in the soul-temple brings peace. The soul is stayed on God. All perplexities and anxieties are committed to Jesus. As we continue to behold Him, His image becomes engraved on the heart, and is revealed in the daily life.... – {FLB 248.4}
My dear young friends, ever keep Christ in view. Thus only can you keep the eye single to God’s glory. Jesus is your light and life and peace and assurance forever. – {FLB 248.5}

Bible Verse (1603) -

God’s helping hand

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15. – {FLB 247.1}
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.” He “sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16, 17. The love of God embraces all mankind. Christ, in giving the commission to the disciples, said: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” – {FLB 247.2}
All who are ordained unto the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men. Their hearts will throb in unison with the heart of Christ. The same longing for souls that He has felt will be manifest in them. Not all can fill the same place in the work, but there is a place and a work for all.... Every gift is to be employed for the advancement of His kingdom and the glory of His name. – {FLB 247.3}
Christ desires to use the youth in His service. He needs missionaries. The barren fields all over the world call to heaven for laborers. If the youth will give themselves to God, He will give them wisdom and knowledge, preparing them for service. If they will consecrate themselves to Him, He will make them vessels unto honor, into which He can pour the precious oil of the Spirit, to be imparted to others. God’s helping hand—this is what you may be if you will yield yourselves to His keeping. – {FLB 247.4}
To everyone who offers himself to the Lord for service, withholding nothing, is given power for the attainment of measureless results. For these God will do great things. – {FLB 247.5}
To young men and young women, as well as to those who are older, God will give power from above. With converted minds, converted hands, converted feet, and converted tongues, their lips touched with a living coal from the divine altar, they will go forth into the Master’s service, moving steadily onward and upward, carrying the work forward to completion. – {FLB 247.6}

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. - Philippians 3:7

Bible Verse (1602) -

In the channel of blessing

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25. – {FLB 246.1}
Never entertain the thought that you can be Christians and yet withdraw within yourselves. Each one is a part of the great web of humanity, and the nature and quality of your experience will be largely determined by the experiences of those with whom you associate.... Then let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. – {FLB 246.2}
Many declare that it is certainly no harm to go to a concert and neglect the prayer meeting, or absent themselves from meetings where God’s servants are to declare a message from heaven. It is safe for you to be just where Christ has said He would be.... Jesus has said, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20. Can you afford to choose your pleasure and miss the blessing? – {FLB 246.3}
If Christians would associate together, speaking to each other of the love of God, and of the precious truths of redemption, their own hearts would be refreshed, and they would refresh one another. – {FLB 246.4}
All should have something to say for the Lord, for by so doing they will be blest. A book of remembrance is written of those who do not forsake the assembling of themselves together, but speak often one to another. The remnant are to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.... We should not come together to remain silent; those only are remembered of the Lord who assemble to speak of His honor and glory and tell of His power; upon such the blessing of God will rest, and they will be refreshed. – {FLB 246.5}
We should improve every opportunity of placing ourselves in the channel of blessing.... The convocations of the church, as in camp meetings, the assemblies of the home church, and all occasions where there is personal labor for souls, are God’s appointed opportunities for giving the early and the latter rain. – {FLB 246.6}

Bible Verse (1601) -