November 13:  Glad Tidings.

Baptism, the Natural Response.
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them,...he testified and exhorted them saying,..."Be saved from this perverse generation."  Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.--Acts 2:14, 40, 41, NKJV

THE SCENE IS ONE OF INTEREST.  Behold the people coming from all directions to what the disciples witness to the truth as it is in Jesus.  They press in, crowding the temple.  Priests and rulers are there, the dark scowl of malignity still on their faces, their hearts still filled with abiding hatred against Christ....They had thought to find the apostles cowed with fear under the strong hand of oppression and murder, but they find them lifted above all fear and filled with the Spirit, proclaiming with power the divinity of Jesus of Nazareth.--The Acts of the Apostles, 42.

Under the influence of this heavenly illumination the scriptures that Christ had explained to the disciples stood out before them with the luster of perfect truth.  The veil that had prevented them from seeing to the end of that which had been abolished, was now removed, and they comprehended with perfect clearness the object of Christ's mission and the nature of His kingdom.  They could speak with power of the Saviour; and as they unfolded to their hearers the plan of salvation, many were convicted and convinced.  The traditions and superstitions inculcated by the priests were swept away from their minds, and the teachings of the Saviour were accepted.

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized."--The Acts of the Apostles, 44.

                    And they continued in the apostles' doctrines and fellowship,
                                           in the breaking of bread, and in prayers            

                              
                                                          --Acts 2:42, NKJV

November 12:  Glad Tidings.

Rooted to Overcome Trials and Temptations.
"The soul on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.  But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long.  They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word."--Matthew 13:20, 21, NLT

IT IS NOT BECAUSE MEN receive the word immediately, not because they rejoice in it, that they fall away.  As soon as Matthew heard the Saviour's call, immediately he rose up, left all, and followed Him.  As soon as the divine word comes to our hearts, God desires us to receive it; and it is right to accept it with joy.  "Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth."  Luke 15:7.  And there is joy in the soul that believes on Christ.  But those who in the parable are said to receive the word immediately, do not count the cost.  They do not consider what the word of God requires of them.  They do not bring it face to face with all their habits of life, and yield themselves fully to its control....

...Many receive the gospel as a way of escape from suffering, rather than as a deliverance from sin.  They rejoice for a season, for they think that religion will free them from difficulty and trial.  While life moves smoothly with them, they may appear to be consistent Christians.  But they faint beneath the fiery test of temptation.  They cannot bear reproach for Christ's sake.  When the word of God points out some cherished sin, or requires self-denial or sacrifice, they are offended....They look at the present inconvenience and trial, and forget the eternal realities.--Christ's Object Lessons, 46, 47.

                         For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.
                     It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.
                                                                                               --Romans 1:16, NLT

November 11:  Glad Tidings.

A Source of Wisdom and Happiness.
When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you.--Proverbs 2:10, 11, NKJV

EVERY MAN HAS THE OPPORTUNITY, to a great extent, of making himself whatever he chooses to be.  The blessings of the life, and also, of the immortal state, are within his reach.  He may build up a character of solid worth, gaining new strength at every step.  He may advance daily in knowledge and wisdom, conscious of new delights as he progresses, adding virtue to virtue, grace to grace.  His faculties will improve by use; the more wisdom he gains, the greater will be his capacity for acquiring.  His intelligence, knowledge, and virtue will thus develop into greater strength and more perfect symmetry.--Counsels on Diet and Food, 15.

Christ could have imparted to men knowledge that would have surpassed any previous disclosures, and put in the background every other discovery.  He could have unlocked mystery after mystery, and could have concentrated around these wonderful revelations the active, earnest thought of successive generations till the close of time.  But He would not spare a moment from teaching the science of salvation....

Our Saviour did not encourage any to attend the rabbinical schools of His day, for the reason that their minds would be corrupted with the continually repeated, "They say," or, "It has been said."  Why, then, should we accept the unstable words of men as exalted wisdom, when a greater wisdom is at our command?--The Ministry of Healing, 448, 449.

                                               For the Lord gives wisdom;
                         From His mouth come knowledge and understanding....
                                Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
                                                  Equity and every good path.
                                                 When wisdom enters your heart,
                                              And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
                                                      Discretion will preserve you;
                                                    Understanding will keep you.
                                                                                   --Proverbs 2:6, 9-11, NKJV

November 10:  Glad Tidings.

The Bible Is God's Message to Us.
I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.--Psalm 119:162, NKJV

WE ARE TO REGARD THE BIBLE as God's disclosure to us of eternal things--the things of most consequences for us to know.  By the world it is thrown aside as if the perusal of it were finished, but a thousand years of research would not exhaust the hidden treasure it contains.  Eternity alone will disclose the wisdom of this Book, for it is the wisdom of an infinite mind.--Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 443.

But there is but little benefit derived from a hasty reading of the Scriptures.  One may read the whole Bible through and yet fail to see its beauty or comprehend its deep and hidden meaning....

...Some portions of Scripture are indeed too plain to be misunderstood, but there are others whose meaning does not lie on the surface to be seen at a glance.  Scripture must be compared with scripture.  There must be careful research and prayerful reflection.  And such study will be richly repaid.  As the miner discovers veins of precious metal concealed beneath the surface of the earth, so will he who perseveringly searches the word of God as for hid treasure find truths of the greatest value, which are concealed from the view of the careless seeker.--Steps to Christ, 90.

If the time and effort spent to grasp the bright ideas of infidels were given to studying the precious things of the word of God, thousands who now sit in darkness and in the shadow of death would be rejoicing in the glory of the Light of life.--The Ministry of Healing, 440.

               "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life;
                                    and these are they which testify of Me."
                                                                                              --John 5:39, NKJV

November 9:  Glad Tidings.

Receive the Word With Joy and Rejoicing.
When your words come, I ate them; they were my joy and heart's delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.--Jeremiah 15:16, NIV

THE WORD OF GOD in the Old and New Testament, if faithfully studied and received into the life, will give spiritual wisdom and life.  This word is to be sacredly cherished.  Faith in the word of God and in the power of Christ to transform the life will enable the believer to work His works and to live a life of rejoicing in the Lord.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, 279.

The life in which the fear of the Lord is cherished will not be a life of sadness and gloom.  It is the absence of Christ that makes the countenance sad, and the life of pilgrimage of sighs.  Those who are filled with self-esteem and self-love do not feel the need of a living, personal union with Christ.  The heart that has fallen on the Rock is proud of its wholeness.  Men want a dignified religion.  They desire to walk in a path wide enough to take in their own attributes.  Their self-love, their love of popularity and love of praise, exclude the Saviour from their hearts, and without Him there is gloom and sadness.  But Christ dwelling in the soul is a wellspring of joy.  For all who receive Him, the very keynote of the word of God is rejoicing.--Christ's Object Lessons, 162.

                                         I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
                                         My soul shall be joyful in my God;
                               For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
                                  He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.
                                                                                             --Isaiah 61:10, NKJV

November 8:  Glad Tidings.

True and Complete Happiness.
We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us.  And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.--1 John 1:3, 4, NLT

THROUGH THE STUDY of the Scripture we obtain a correct knowledge of how to live so as to enjoy the greatest amount of unalloyed happiness.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, 374.

The teaching of the Bible has a vital bearing upon man's prosperity in all the relations of this life.  It unfolds the principles that are the cornerstone of a nation's prosperity--principles with which is bound up the well-being of society, and which are the safeguard of the family--principles without which no man can attain usefulness, happiness, and honor in this life, or can hope to secure the future, immortal life.  There is no position in life, no phase of human experience, for which the teaching of the Bible is not an essential preparation.  Studied and obeyed, the word of God would give to the world men of stronger and more active intellect than will the closest application to all the subjects that human philosophy embraces.  It would give men of strength and solidity of character, of keen perception and sound judgment--men who would be an honor to God and a blessing to the world.--Patriarchs and Prophets, 599.

                              "When I discovered your words, I devoured them,
                                       They are my joy and my heart's delight,
                                                   for I bear your name,
                                             O Lord God of Heaven's Armies.
                                          I never joined the people in their merry feasts.
                                             I sat alone because your hand was on me.
                                            I was filled with indignation at their sins."
                                                                                     --Jeremiah 15:16, 17, NLT

                  

November 7:  Glad Tidings.

Peace and Joy in the Spirit.
So do not let your good be spoken of as evil.  For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval.--Romans 14:16-18, NRSV

IT IS THE PRIVILEGE OF EVERY CHRISTIAN to enjoy the deep movings of the Spirit of God.  A sweet, heavenly peace will pervade the mind, and you will love to meditate upon God and heaven.  You will feast upon the glorious promises of His word.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 159.

When the Spirit of God controls mind and heart, the converted soul breaks forth into a new song; for he realizes that in his experience the promise of God has been fulfilled, that his transgression has been forgiven, his sin covered.  He has exercised repentance toward God for the violation of the divine law, and faith toward Christ, who died for man's justification.  "Being justified by faith," he has "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."  Romans 5:1.--The Acts of the Apostles, 476.

There is peace in believing, and joy in the Holy Ghost.  Believing brings peace, and trusting in God brings joy.  Believe, believe! my soul says, believe.  Rest in God.  He is able to keep that which you have committed to His trust.  He will bring you off more than conqueror through Him who hath loved you.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, 319.

                  And hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured
                    into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
                              
                                                              --Romans 5:5, NRSV

November 6:  Glad tidings.

The Most Valuable Treasure.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid, and for joy over it he goes and sells all that has and buys that field."--Matthew 13:44, NKJV

IN THE PARABLE THE FIELD containing the treasure represents the Holy Scriptures.  And the gospel is the treasure.  The earth itself is not so interlaced with golden veins and filled with precious things as is the word of God.--Christ's Object Lessons, 104.

When Christ was on earth, He was brought in contact with some whose imaginations were fevered with the hope of worldly gain.  They were never at rest, but were constantly trying something new, and their extravagant expectations were aroused only to be disappointed.  Jesus knew the wants of the human heart, which are the same in all ages; and He called their attention to the only permanent riches.  "The kingdom of heaven," said He, "is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy there-of goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field."  He tells men of treasure beyond estimate, which is within the reach of all.  He came to earth to guide their minds in their search for this treasure.  The way is marked out; the very poorest who will follow Him will be made richer than the most wealthy upon earth who know not Jesus, and they will be made increasingly rich by sharing their happiness with others.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 261.

                               Keep your life free from the love of money,
                           and be content with what you have; for he has said,
                                      "I will never fail you or forsake you."
                                                                                   --Hebrews 13:5, NRSV

November 5:  Glad Tidings.

A Joyous Work to Bring Glad Tidings to Others.
And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?  That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"--Romans 10:15, NLT

IT WAS AT THE ORDINATION OF THE TWELVE that the first step was taken in the organization of the church that after Christ's departure was to carry on His work on the earth....

Look upon the touching scene.  Behold the Majesty of heaven surrounded by the Twelve whom He has chosen.  He is about to set them apart for their work.  By these feeble agencies, through His word and Spirit, He designs to place salvation within the reach of all.

With gladness and rejoicing, God and the angels beheld this scene.  The Father knew that from these men the light of heaven would shine forth; that the words spoken by them as they witnessed for His Son, would echo from generation to generation till the close of time.--The Acts of the Apostles,18.

Today the Saviour calls us, as He called Matthew and John and Peter, to His work.  If our hearts are touched by His love...we shall rejoice to be co-workers with Christ....If we make God our strength we shall have clear perceptions of duty, unselfish aspirations; our life will be actuated by a noble purpose.--The Ministry of Healing. 480

All who commune with God will find abundance of work to do for Him.  Those who go forth in the spirit of the Master, seeking to reach souls with the truth, will not find the work of drawing souls to Christ a dull, uninteresting drudgery.  They are charged with a work as God's husbandmen, and they will become more and more vitalized as they give themselves to the service of God.  It is a joyous work to open the Scriptures to others.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, 118.

                                             How beautiful on the mountains
                                   are the feet of the messengers who brings good news,
                                              the good news of peace and salvation,
                                              the news that the God of Israel reigns!
                              
                                                                  --Isaiah 52:7, NLT

November 4:  Glad Tidings.

Paul and Barnabas Brought Them to Antioch.
And now we are here to bring you this Good News.  The promise was made to our ancestors, and God has now fulfilled it for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus.  This is what the second psalm says about Jesus: "You are my Son.  Today I have become your Father."--Acts 13:32, 33, NLT

EVERY TRUE DISCIPLE is born into the4 kingdom of God as a missionary.  He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life.  The receiver becomes a giver.  The grace of Christ in the soul is like a spring in the desert, welling up to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the water of life.--The Desire of Ages, 195.

During His ministry, Jesus had kept constantly before the disciples the fact that they were to be one with Him in His work for the recovery of the world from the slavery of sin.  When He sent forth the Twelve and afterward the Seventy, to proclaim the kingdom of God, He was teaching them their duty to impart to others what He had made known to them.  In all His work He was training them for individual labor, to be extended as their numbers increased, and eventually to reach to the uttermost parts of the earth.  The last lesson He gave His followers was that they held in trust for the world the glad tidings of salvation.--The Acts of the Apostles, 32.

                                 Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared,
                         "It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews....
                                       For the Lord gave us this command when he said,
                                                 'I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
                                    to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.' "
                                                                                                    --Acts 13:46, 47, NLT