Month: February 2020

WHAT DOES A WATCHMAN WATCH?

Marvin A MarcelinoLeave a comment

TOPIC  #3

What does a Watchman watch?

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Revelation 16:15 (KJV)

BIBLE REFERENCES: Look up 2 Samuel 13:34; 18:24-27; 2 Kings 9:17; 2 Chronicles 20:24; Nehemiah 4:9; 7:3; Isaiah 62:6; Jeremiah 31:6. In chapter 21

SOP COMMENTARIES:

There are many references to watchmen who kept an eye out for physical threats in the Bible: “Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came and said, ‘I see a company.’ And Joram said, ‘Take a horseman and send to meet them, and let him say, “Is it peace?”’” (2 Kings 9:17, ESV).

Watchmen safeguarded fields and vineyards during harvest time (Isaiah 5:1–2; Matthew 21:33; Mark 12:1) and acted as sentinels who announced the start of a new day (Psalm 130:6; Isaiah 21:11–12).

The Lord will not send His judgments for disobedience and transgression upon the world until he has sent his watchmen to give the message of warning. {KC 147.1}


Morning is coming, but also the night” is the reply in verse 12. This seems a strange answer; why did the watchman say ”…but also the night?” In the light of prophecy the answer is this: for the Christian the morning is coming; for the unbeliever the night of judgment is coming. If you are a believer in our Lord Jesus Christ your prospect is the coming of the dawn; if you are an unbeliever your prospect is the dark night of judgment. The “morning” speaks of the coming again of Jesus Christ (Revelation 22:16). Thank God we shall not experience the darkness of sin, of war, of want, forever. Look up Psalm 30:5.

  1. 1. The morning speaks of the certainty of His coming. Morning always follows night. The burden of biblical prophecy is the glorious truth of the certain return of the Lord Jesus.
  2. 2. The morning speaks of the nearness of His coming. Sometimes the night seems long, but relatively speaking the morning is always near, and so is the coming of Christ – look up Romans 13:12 and compare James 5:7.
  3. 3. The morning speaks of the pure joy of His coming. See Malachi 4:2. What a relief it is when, after a long night of trial and difficulty, the morning comes!

With these thoughts in mind, look up and compare John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. But how solemn to realise that it is not only the morning that is coming, but also “the night”! – unutterable joy for the Christian but indescribable sorrow, suffering and despair for the unbeliever. Night in scripture always means calamity (Job 35:10; Micah 3:6), and compare John 13:30 with 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. The Lord Jesus may return today, tonight, tomorrow…Will you be ready to meet Him when He comes?

 The church is God’s fortress, His city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted world. Any betrayal of the church is treachery to Him who has bought mankind with the blood of His only-begotten Son. From the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth. In every age the Lord has had His watchmen, who have borne a faithful testimony to the generation in which they lived. These sentinels gave the message of warning; and when they were called to lay off their armor, others took up the work. God brought these witnesses into covenant relation with Himself, uniting the church on earth with the church in heaven. He has sent forth His angels to minister to His church, and the gates of hell have not been able to prevail against His people.

God’s watchmen are to stand on the walls of Zion, and to give the warning, “The morning cometh, and also the night,”—the night wherein no man can work….  CET 221.1

There are many who do not understand the prophecies relating to these days, and they must be enlightened. It is the duty of both watchmen and laymen to give the trumpet a certain sound. Be in earnest, “cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”—Letter 1, 1875. {Ev 194.4}

God’s watchmen must not study how they shall please the people nor listen to their words and utter them; but they must listen to hear what saith the Lord, what is his word for the people. If they rely upon discourses prepared years before, they may fail to meet the necessities of the occasion. Their hearts should be laid open, so that the Lord may impress their minds, and then they will be able to give the people the precious truth warm from heaven.—Testimonies for the Church 5:252. {GW92 264.1

Many are now perishing for want of knowledge. Shall we not give mind and soul and voice to proclaiming the truth as it is in Christ Jesus? To every worker I would say, Show to unbelievers that there is strength in God. Communicate your ideas in regard to what is required, by the words of warning, “Prepare to meet thy God!” Sow the seeds of truth by all waters. Wake up the watchmen, and, with them, bear the message in words of power. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” The increase of your own experience will be proportionate to your individual trust and confidence in God. {HFM 81.2}

The Lord has been insulted. The standard of truth, of the first, second, and third angels’ messages has been left to trail in the dust. If the watchmen are left to mislead the people in this fashion, God will hold some souls responsible for a lack of keen discernment to discover what kind of provender was being given to His flock. {2SM 394.2}

For myself I care not, my peace is not disturbed, but I do care for the watchmen whom God has placed on the walls of Zion who ought to give the trumpet a certain sound. You certainly ought to do something for your own sake, for Christ’s sake, for the truth’s sake. Why do you not let the right appear? Why do you remain as silent as the dead? Is this the way you defend the truth? … {3SM 350.3}

The watchmen are to be wide-awake to discern the outcome of all specious reasoning; for serious errors will be brought in to lead the people of God astray…. {RY 21.1}

The world is asleep, and as watchmen they are to give the warning note, to awake the sleepers to a sense of their danger. The churches know not the time of their visitation. How can they best learn the truth?—…. They are the Lord’s messengers, giving to multitudes in darkness and error the glad tidings of salvation. {PH122 1.3}

Read the whole of the third chapter of Revelation. Every word of this chapter is to be studied by those who are watching for souls as they that must give an account. “Watchmen, what of the night?” In clear, decided tones, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, let the watchmen respond, “The morning cometh, and also the night.” [Isaiah 21:11, 12.] We are now to guard every outpost. Thus saith the Lord to the watchmen, “If you permit one soul to pass into the shadow of uncertainty, if you lead souls on in wrong, and they never extricate themselves from the snare of the enemy, I will require at your hands the blood of the souls you have caused to become confused and to perish.” Let ministers and doctors in every place rouse themselves and not be stubborn in unbelief. {Lt100-1906.17}

This scene has been presented before me as fully as I could bear to behold it. Then the scene has changed, and representations of things existing at the present time have passed before me. I have seen men who have been placed in positions of trust as watchmen, molding and fashioning the work <in our conferences> in accordance with worldly policy which God condemns. {Lt257-1904.25}

Why is there so dim a perception of the true spiritual condition of the church? Are there not standing on the walls of Zion blind watchmen who do not perceive? Are not many unconcerned and well satisfied, as if the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night rested upon the sanctuary? Are there not those in positions of leadership, claiming to know God, who in life and character deny Him? Are there not many who count themselves as His chosen, peculiar people, yet are satisfied to live without the evidence that of a truth God is among them, to save them from Satan’s snares and attacks? Would we not now have much greater light if in the past we had received His admonitions, walked in the light as Christ is in the light, acknowledged His presence, and turned away from all dishonest practices? Then the light of heaven would have shone into the soul-temple, enabling us to comprehend the truth and to love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves. O how Christ is dishonored by those who, professing to be Christians, disgrace the name they bear by failing to make their lives correspond with their profession, by failing to treat one another with the love and respect that God expects them to reveal in kind words and courteous actions. {Ms32-1903.5}

The Lord is soon coming. The watchmen on the walls of Zion are called upon to awake to their God-given responsibility. Many of them are in the stupor of insensibility. God calls for watchmen who in the power of the Spirit will give to the world a warning message; who will proclaim the time of night. He calls for watchmen who will arouse men and women from their lethargy, lest they sleep the sleep of death. {Lt211-1903.24}

WHAT QUALIFIES AS A WATCHMAN?

Marvin A MarcelinoLeave a comment

TOPIC  # 2

What qualifies as a Watchman?

“So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.” Ezekiel 33:7

BIBLE REFERENCES: Ezekiel 33:9; Isaiah 56:10; Hebrews 13:17;

SOP COMMENTARIES:

We who profess to believe the Word are to be faithful watchmen. {Ms99-1908.23}

Obedience is the only course of action for a true watchman: “But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved” (Ezekiel 33:9).

The role of spiritual watchman continues in the New Testament in the form of church leaders: “Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit” (Hebrews 13:17, NLT).

As a people we are not half awake to a sense of our necessities and to the times in which we live. Wake up the watchmen. Our first work should be to search our hearts and to become reconverted. We have no time to lose upon unimportant issues.—Letter 46, 1910 (Medical Ministry, 304). {MTC 28.3}

It is the privilege of the watchmen on the walls of Zion to live so near to God, and to be so susceptible to the impressions of His Spirit, that He can work through them to tell sinners of their peril, and point them to the place of safety. Chosen of God, sealed with the blood of consecration, they are to rescue men and women from impending destruction. Faithfully are they to warn their fellow-men of the sure result of transgression, and faithfully are they to safeguard the interest of the church. At no time may they relax their vigilance. Theirs is a work requiring the exercise of every faculty of the being. In trumpet tones their voices are to be lifted, and never should they sound one wavering, uncertain note. Not for wages are they to labor, but because they cannot do otherwise, because they realize that there is a woe upon them if they fail to preach the gospel. {GW 15.2}

In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the word of God. They have been given a work of the most solemn import-the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention. {GRC 48.4}

Seventh-day Adventists have been set as watchmen and light-bearers in our churches everywhere and especially in the cities. As God’s people we have been entrusted with the work of saving souls {Lt12a-1910.3}

WATCHMAN, WHAT IS IT?

Marvin A Marcelino2 Comments

TOPIC  #1

What is a Watchman?

“I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth” Isaiah 62:6-7

BIBLE REFERENCES:

Look up 2 Samuel 13:34; 18:24-27; 2 Kings 9:17; 2 Chronicles 20:24; Nehemiah 4:9; 7:3; Isaiah 62:6; Jeremiah 31:6. In chapter 21

SOP COMMENTARIES:

Watchmen in the Bible were guards responsible for protecting towns and military installations from surprise enemy attacks and other potential dangers. Ancient Israelite cities often stationed watchmen on high walls or in watchtowers. Their job was to keep watch and warn the townspeople of impending threats.

The Hebrew word translated “watchman” means “one who looks out,” “one who spies,” or “one who watches.” Sometimes watchmen were scouts who looked out for approaching friends as well as enemies

What does it mean to set a watchman?

“For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth” (Isaiah 21:6).

In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the word of God. They have been given a work of the most solemn import-the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention. {GRC 48.4}

The watchmen on the walls of Zion are called upon to awake to their God-given responsibilities. God calls for watchmen who, in the power of the Spirit, will give to the world the last warning message; who will proclaim the time of night. He calls for watchmen who will arouse men and women from their lethargy, lest they sleep the sleep of death.587 {CCh 327.6}

Christ’s ministers and TEACHERS are the spiritual guardians of the people entrusted to their care. Their work has been likened to that of watchmen. In ancient times sentinels were often stationed on the walls of cities, where, from points of vantage, they could overlook important posts to be guarded, and give warning of the approach of an enemy. Upon their faithfulness depended the safety of all within. At stated intervals they were required to call to one another, to make sure that all were awake and that no harm had befallen any. The cry of good cheer or of warning was borne from one to another, each repeating the call till it echoed round the city. AA 360.3

Prophecy is fast fulfilling. More, much more, should be said about these tremendously important subjects. The day is at hand when the destiny of every soul will be fixed forever. This day of the Lord hastens on apace. The false watchmen are raising the cry, “All is well”; but the day of God is rapidly approaching. Its footsteps are so muffled that it does not arouse the world from the deathlike slumber into which it has fallen. While the watchmen cry, “Peace and safety,” “sudden destruction cometh upon them,” “and they shall not escape”; “for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” It overtakes the pleasure-lover and the sinful man as a thief in the night. When all is apparently secure, and men retire to contented rest, then the prowling, stealthy, midnight thief steals upon his prey. When it is too late to prevent the evil, it is discovered that some door or window was not secured. “Be ye also ready: for in an such hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” People are now settling to rest, imagining themselves secure under the popular churches; but let all beware, lest there is a place left open for the enemy to gain an entrance. Great pains should be taken to keep this subject before the people. The solemn fact is to be kept not only before the people of the world, but before our own churches also, that the day of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly. The fearful warning of the prophecy is addressed to every soul. Let no one feel that he is secure from the danger of being surprised. Let no one’s interpretation of prophecy rob you of the conviction of the knowledge of events which show that this great event is near at hand. {FE 335.2}

Christ’s ministers and TEACHERS are the spiritual guardians of the people entrusted to their care. Their work has been likened to that of watchmen. In ancient times, sentinels were often stationed on the walls of cities, where, from points of vantage, they could overlook important points to be guarded, and give warning of the approach of an enemy. Upon their faithfulness depended the safety of all within. At stated intervals they were required to call to one another, to make sure that all were awake, and that no harm had befallen any. The cry of good cheer or of warning was borne from one to another, each repeating the call till it echoed round the city. {GW 14.2}

In all our institutions watchmen of experience are needed to guard every post of duty, lest the enemy steal in and cause an influence to pervade our institutions that will do injury to many souls. {Lt64-1903.3}

“Watchman, what of the night?” Are the watchmen to whom comes this cry able to give the trumpet a certain sound? Are the shepherds faithfully caring for the flock as those who must give an account? Are the ministers of God watching for souls, realizing that those under their care are the purchase of the blood of Christ? A great work is to be done in the world, and what efforts are we putting forth that it may be accomplished? The people have listened to too much sermonizing; but have they been instructed as to how to labor for those for whom Christ died? Has there been a line of work devised and laid out before the people in such a way that each one saw the necessity of taking part in the work? {PH007 9.2}

SO YOU DOUBT… (on faith matters)

Marvin A Marcelino1 Comment

James 1:6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

Matthew 14:31 immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Mark 4:40  And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Luke 24:25 And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

Matthew 16:8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread?

Luke 12:22-29  And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, … how much more valuable you are than the birds!  “And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span?…”But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith!

Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help And rely on horses, And trust in chariots because they are many And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!

Romans 14:22-23 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

Doubt is not the absence of faith; doubt is the questioning of faith. You can only doubt what you already believe. Doubt is questioning what you believe. Unbelief is a determined refusal to believe. Doubt is a struggle faced by the believer. Unbelief is a condition of the unbeliever. Unbelief involves spiritual blindness and a determined resistance to God. There may be some people who feel their problem is doubt, when actually the real problem is their unbelief. The issue is not that they doubt their faith, but that they do not have a faith to doubt. They need to believe the things that God has revealed, and act upon them: Doubt and unbelief are different, so discerning the difference is of great importance. Colin Smith

When presented with the evidence, the doubter turns into the believer. That is doubt. Unbelief, on the other hand, is a choice. Unbelief says, “I hear what you are saying, and I choose not to believe it. I reject what you are saying altogether.” Unbelief is a matter of the will. It is refusing to believe God’s Word and obey what He tells us to do. It is not necessarily bad to have moments of doubt. Sometimes we need to go through the foyer of doubt to get into the sanctuary of certainty. Greg Laurie  

There is a difference between a doubter and an unbeliever. A doubter looks for a reason to believe. An unbeliever looks for any reason not to believe. God accepts doubters, but He rejects unbelievers.

Impact of the Weight of Evidence.–Those who desire to doubt will have plenty of room. God does not propose to remove all occasion for unbelief. He gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and a teachable spirit, and all should decide from the weight of evidence. God gives sufficient evidence for the candid mind to believe; but he who turns from the weight of evidence because there are a few things which he cannot make plain to his finite understanding will be left in the cold, chilling atmosphere of unbelief and questioning doubts, and will make shipwreck of faith.–5T 675, 676 (1889).

Seeds of Doubt Lie Buried.–Those who are troubled with doubts and have difficulties which they cannot solve should not throw other weak minds into the same 677 perplexity. Some have hinted or talked their unbelief and have passed on, little dreaming of the effect produced. In some instances the seeds of unbelief have taken immediate effect, while in others they have lain buried quite a length of time, until the individual has taken a wrong course and given place to the enemy, and the light of God has been withdrawn from him and he has fallen under the powerful temptations of Satan. Then the seeds of infidelity which were sown so long ago spring up. Satan nourishes them, and they bear fruit. … And when they have not stood in the clear light of God, Satan has used them as agents and has through them transmitted his fiery darts to minds not prepared to resist what has come from their ministers.--1T 378 (1863).

Chronic Doubter Centers on Self.–It is a great misfortune to be a chronic doubter, keeping the eye and thoughts on self. While you are beholding self, while this is the theme of thought and conversation, you cannot expect to be conformed to the image of Christ. Self is not your savior. You have no redeeming qualities in yourself. “I” is a very leaky boat for your faith to embark in. Just as surely as you trust yourself in it, it will founder. Discouraged doubters, how can you expect to find your heart glowing with the love of Christ? How can you expect His joy to remain in you and your joy to be full while you are meditating and feeding upon your own imperfect characters?—EGW Lt 11, 1897.

Shut the Door of Your Heart to Doubts.–When the devil comes with his doubts and unbeliefs, shut the door of your heart. … –MS 17, 1894. (Ephesians 6:12).

Doubts Disappear in Seeking to Bless Others.–There are many who complain of their doubts, who lament that they have no assurance of their connection with God. This is often attributable to the fact that they are doing nothing in God’s cause. Let them seek earnestly to help and bless others, and their doubts and despondency will disappear. –5T 395 (1885).

What to Do With Doubt.–You hurt the heart of Christ by doubting, when He has given us such evidences of His love in giving His own life to save us that we should not perish, but have everlasting life. He has told us just what to do. “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).–Lt 10, 1893. 679

Cause of Doubt–Love of Sin.–Disguise it as they may, the real cause of doubt and skepticism in most cases is the love of sin. The teachings and restrictions of God’s Word are not welcome to the proud, sin-loving heart, and those 678 who are unwilling to obey its requirements are ready to doubt its authority. In order to arrive at truth we must have a sincere desire to know the truth and a willingness of heart to obey it….–SC 111 (1892).

Cherished by the Uncircumspect.–Doubt and unbelief are cherished by those who do not walk circumspectly. They have a painful consciousness that their life will not abide the test of the Spirit of God, whether speaking through His Word or through the testimonies of His Spirit that would bring them to His Word. Instead of beginning with their own hearts and coming into harmony with the pure principles of the gospel, they find fault and condemn the very means that God has chosen to fit up a people to stand in the day of the Lord.–MS 1, 1883. (1SM 45.)

The More You Talk Doubt, the Darker It Grows (counsel to a doubting TEACHERS).–I saw that angels of God were looking sorrowfully toward you. They had left your side and were turning mournfully away, while Satan and his angels were grinning in exultation over you. If you had yourself battled with your doubts and not encouraged the devil to tempt you by talking out your unbelief and loving to dwell upon it, you would not have attracted the fallen angels about you in such numbers. But you chose to talk your darkness; you chose to dwell upon it; and the more you talk and dwell upon it, the darker and darker you grow. You are shutting out from you every ray of heaven’s light, and a great gulf is coming between you and the only ones who can help you. If you proceed in the way you have started, misery and woe are before you. —1T 430, 431 (1864).

Let Beams of Light Dispel Shadows of Doubt.–We need to be filled with all the fullness of God, and we shall then have life, power, grace and salvation.  How shall we obtain these great blessings? Christ has died that we might receive them by faith in His name. He has freely offered us light and life. Then why should we persist in driving pegs on which to hang our doubts? Why should we fill the gallery of the mind with gloomy scenes of doubt? Why not let the bright beams of the Sun of righteousness shine into the chambers of heart and mind and dispel the shadows of unbelief? Turn to the Light, to Jesus the precious Saviour. Instead of beholding the flaws and defects of some human being, turn to contemplate the character of Him in whom there is no imperfection. Jesus is the “chiefest among ten thousand,” the One “altogether lovely.” We are not to make any man our pattern. God has given us a perfect model in His only begotten Son, and by beholding Him we shall become changed into His image. Look upon Christ, whose throne is high and lifted up, and the train of His glory fills the temple.–Und MS 23.   

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The Anatomy of Mission Failure: When the Possible Becomes Impossible

Image Marvin A MarcelinoLeave a comment

What transforms a difficult mission into an impossible one? The seeds of failure are rarely found in the external obstacles themselves, but are sown long before the first setback, within the very foundation of the endeavor. A mission becomes impossible when it is built upon a fragile core, a critical disconnect between ambition and capability.

This disintegration manifests in multiple, fundamental ways. First, there is a crisis of purpose and belief: a mission falters when its leaders lack a full understanding of the message, possess incorrect motivation, or have not truly internalized the belief they ask of others. How can one lead where they have not walked, or share a truth they have not lived? Second, there is a failure of essence: the mission is starved of its essential ingredients. It lacks the necessary resources, the divine connection or support that provides resilience, or, most critically, the iota of love and right spirit that gives the work its soul and sustains it through adversity. Without this core integrity, the most detailed plan is an empty shell.

Ultimately, true impossibility is less about the daunting nature of the goal and more about the profound absence of the core ingredients required to reach it. Failure, therefore, is not a sudden moment of collapse, but the inevitable culmination of missing essentials, a hollow foundation that cannot bear the weight of its own ambition.

You said you are a missionary, before you proceed answer these questions from the Scriptures: Click the link below;
https://prepared4life.home.blog/2020/02/08/god-asks-3/

What leads to a mission’s failure? Here are the critical reasons.

One’s mission in the world is inextricably linked to the understanding of one’s own self. Without a firm grasp on your own identity, any external mission you undertake will lack foundation and authenticity. The journey outward must be preceded by a journey inward. The first mission is self-discovery. To find your purpose, you must first find yourself. You cannot lead others to a place you have not found yourself.

Discover who you really are:
https://prepared4life.home.blog/2024/08/26/you-are-gods-special-child/
https://prepared4life.home.blog/2024/08/25/my-true-identity-in-christ-jesus/

No mission can succeed without love. Love is the indispensable ingredient of every mission. Without love, the mission is empty. No love, no mission. The smallest love is mightier than the largest task. Without that fundamental ember of love, no mission, however grand, can truly thrive. Love is the first and final requirement. No mission can succeed without love.Love is the indispensable ingredient of every mission. Without love, the mission is empty.

Discover the love you need:
https://prepared4life.home.blog/embers-of-light/publications/

The Spirit determines the outcome. The right spirit is the soul of the mission. Without the right spirit, the mission is empty. A mission is only as strong as the spirit behind it. A weak spirit dooms a strong mission. Fortify the spirit, and the mission will follow. It is the spirit, more than the strategy, that ultimately determines a mission’s outcome. The spirit determines the outcome. A weak spirit dooms a strong mission. Fortify the spirit, and the mission will follow.

Know what it takes to have the Spirit:
https://prepared4life.home.blog/2019/09/02/the-holy-spirit-grieves-when/

Where the motive is weak, the mission fails. A mission built upon an impure or flawed motivation is doomed from the outset. The integrity of any endeavor is rooted in the purity of its initial motivation. Without a “why” to sustain it, the “how” and the “what” will inevitably crumble. Right motivation is non-negotiable for any mission. Without proper motivation, no mission can succeed. The “why” determines the success of the “what. You cannot succeed in a mission without the correct motivation.

See and match how much you care?:
https://prepared4life.home.blog/2025/09/18/are-you-jesus-2/

If you don’t understand it, you can’t share it. Know the message inside and out before you take it out. A mission built upon an impure or flawed motivation is doomed from the outset. The integrity of any endeavor is rooted in the purity of its initial motivation. Without a “why” to sustain it, the “how” and the “what” will inevitably crumble. To share a message, you must first possess it. Master the message before starting the mission. No mission succeeds without a deep understanding of its core message.

What are you to share:
https://prepared4life.home.blog/2019/07/27/the-adventist-memorandum/

The first believer must be the leader. You can’t light a fire in another’s heart if it’s not burning in your own. Authentic persuasion is impossible without genuine personal conviction. The most fundamental requirement for leading others to a belief is to embody that belief oneself. To inspire belief, you must first believe. Conviction in others begins with conviction in oneself. You cannot sell a faith you haven’t bought. One cannot lead others to a belief that one does not truly hold oneself. You cannot convince others of something you do not genuinely believe.

Discover what and who the faith is:
https://prepared4life.home.blog/2024/08/24/you-are-faith/

You can’t lead where you haven’t walked. The best teachers are those who have been students of the experience themselves. One cannot authentically facilitate an experience for others without having first journeyed through it themselves. The authority to guide others is born from the humility of having been there first. To offer an experience, you must first possess it. Authentic guidance requires personal experience. You cannot guide others through an experience you haven’t had yourself. To lead others to an experience, you must first have undergone it yourself.

Have you gone through these processes?:
https://prepared4life.home.blog/2019/07/29/when-god-takes-away/

The right ingredients make any mission possible. No mission is impossible with the necessary ingredients. Divine connection is the bedrock upon which all successful missions are built. With the right ingredients, any spiritual mission, no matter how impossible it seems, can be accomplished. Even the most daunting of missions becomes achievable when one possesses all the necessary components for success. A seemingly impossible task is merely one that lacks the right components; once they are assembled, the impossible falls away. With the right ingredients, any mission, no matter how impossible it seems, can be accomplished. Any seemingly impossible mission can be achieved with the right ingredients.

Here are some examples of those successful missionaries:
https://prepared4life.home.blog/2019/08/06/lord-help-me-to-be/

Life often reminds us of our limits. There are things we cannot do on our own strength, no matter how hard we try. Yet in recognizing these impossibilities, we discover a greater truth: our deepest needs point us back to God, the source of all power and purpose.

What is impossible for us is possible with God. He gives love when we lack it, wisdom when we seek it, and strength when we fall short. Trust Him, and you will find that nothing is truly impossible when His Spirit works through you.

The Best Corona to Acquire

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When the pandemic came, it was said that the cause is of virus origin. In 2019, scientists identified a novel coronavirus. They named it severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2 for short. However, WHO announced “COVID-19” as the name of this new disease on 11 February 2020, following guidelines previously developed with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV.”

Until now, the origin of this virus remains unknown. However, it is certain that certain events in life are influenced by unseen forces. If this virus is not man-made, it could be attributed to the principalities of darkness.

Ephesians 6:12 provides clarity on this matter, stating that “our struggle is not merely against human beings, but against rulers, authorities, and the powers of darkness in this world, as well as spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.”

Considering this perspective, it is intriguing that out of countless names, the virus was named after something central to the Christian faith – the Crown of Life. Unfortunately, whenever people hear the word “corona,” it evokes negative emotions due to their unpleasant experiences. The enemy of God has intentionally caused people to develop a strong aversion to the concept of “corona.” What many fail to realize is that the corona (or crown) that God is preparing for us is an expression of His love. Let us remain focused on pursuing the Crown of Life that God has in store for each of us.