Sealing Time Newsletter - Where Art Thou?
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"And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where
art thou?" (Genesis 3:9 KJV)Hi again friends,
I want to share an interesting experience I had several months ago with you. This experience has really affected my perception about the standing weekly date we have with the Lord. I pray that it makes a lasting impression on your hearts.
Late for the Date
The pressure was on and I was outside working on our big flatbed truck getting it ready for our move across the country. I had been out there working almost all day and was currently busy replacing the taillights and trailer light connector because the old original ones weren't working.
It was Friday and as the day began to fade I remembered that Sabbath would be coming soon. We lived in the forest and there were only two houses nearby. As it was getting late towards evening I was hurrying to finish my work, when I had the distinct feeling that someone was watching me. I paused for a second to look around. No one was there. I still felt as if someone was watching me, although this was not the same uncomfortable feeling you get when someone is watching you. As I looked down again and continued on with my work a distinct impression was flashed into my mind. Jesus was there to visit me. (As He visits every one of us on Sabbath.) The words inaudibly came into my mind, "Ryan I'm here to spend time with you." This simple sentence caught me off guard, and I hesitated. Second guessing and justifying myself with the thought, "I can just finish up tightening this one bolt.", I continued on with tightening the last bolt of the last taillight. But now the presence I'd felt before was gone and things didn't feel right.
When I'd finished and put away the tools it was about two minutes later. Still thinking about this experience, I headed inside for the night. As I came into the house, I checked the computer for the sundown time, as I judged by the amount of light out that it must be soon. We have a small program called "sun" that keeps track of the sundown and sunrise times. As I point the mouse pointer over the now dark sun icon it told me that sundown had just occurred. Guess what? Sundown had occurred exactly two minutes prior. The very moment I felt that presence was the very moment Sabbath had begun.
Immediately I felt terribly guilty. Not only had I worked on the Sabbath, but I had second guessed and justified away the prompting of the Holy Spirit to stop right that moment and go inside. Immediately the warning to guard the edges of the Sabbath flashed into my mind. I cannot explain to anyone with words strong enough what a powerful impression this experience has made on me. The realization of how I was treating the Lord did not fully register in my mind until I was brought face to face with this experience.
"Christ never forces His company upon anyone. He interests Himself in those who need Him. Gladly will He enter the humblest home, and cheer the lowliest heart. But if men are too indifferent to think of the heavenly Guest, or ask Him to abide with them, He passes on. Thus many meet with great loss." {DA 800.3}
'When you bring your own work into God's time, when you violate the Sabbath, your moral sense becomes clouded, and you cannot discern that your course is an offense to God. If your eyes could be opened, you would see the Saviour by your side with blood-stained hands. He was wounded for your transgressions; will you refuse to accept the great sacrifice that was made in your behalf?" {ST, June 2, 1890 par. 10}
Maybe some of you have this same problem I've struggled with, guarding the edges of the Sabbath, or trivializing a work done on Sabbath that should be done on the six working days. Maybe you have your own reasons to justify your actions. But friends, no reason, however good it might be, is good enough to put off visiting with our savior Jesus. This next Friday as you prepare for the Sabbath, I'm asking you to remember this experience and to be ready for the Lord when He comes to visit you. Remember He loves you and wants to bless you. Will you be ready for the date, or will Jesus pass on by? Just as in Adam's day the Lord is calling you, "where art thou?"
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." -Revelation 3:20 KJV
Jesus is coming soon! Are you ready? Is your family ready? Have you shared with someone today?
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Thanks,
Ryan McCoy
Sealing Time Ministries
PO Box 1003
Nampa, ID 83653
Email Address Information
208.453.1844 (office)
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-- "God does not own the pleasure seeker as His follower." {1T 269.1}
