November 17:  Glad Tidings.

The Expression of the Principle of Love.
And I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I love.--Psalm 119:47, NKJV

THERE IS NOT A COMMANDMENT of the law that is not for the good and happiness of man, both in this life and in the life to come.  In obedience to God's law, man is surrounded as with a hedge and kept from the evil.--Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 52.

The law given upon Sinai was the enunciation of the principle of love, a revelation to earth of the law of heaven.  It was ordained in the hand of a Mediator--spoken by Him through whose power the hearts of men could be brought into harmony with its principles.  God had revealed the purpose of the law when He declared to Israel, "Ye shall be holy men unto Me."  Exodus 22:31,.--Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 46.

The new-covenant promise is, "I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them."  Hebrews 10:16.  While the system of types which pointed to Christ as the Lamb of God that should take away the sin of the world was to pass away at His death, the principles of righteousness embodied in the Decalogue are as immutable as the eternal throne.  Not one command has been annulled, not a jot or tittle has been changed.  Those principles that were made known to man in Paradise as the great law of life will exist unchanged in Paradise restored.  When Eden shall bloom on earth again, God's law will be obeyed by all beneath the sun.--Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 50.

             This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord:
                                            I will put My laws into their hearts,
                                            and in their minds I will write them.
                                                                                            --Hebrews 10:16, NKJV

November 16:  Glad Tidings.

Delighting in the Law.
I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law in my delight.--Psalm 119:174, NKJV

WHAT A GOD IS OUR GOD!  He rules over His kingdom with diligence and care, and He has built a hedge--the Ten Commandments--about His subjects to preserve them from the results of transgression.  In requiring obedience to the laws of His kingdom, God gives His people health and happiness, peace and joy.  He teaches them that the perfection of character He requires can be attained only by becoming familiar with His word.--Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 454.

Where there is not only belief in God's word, but a submission of the will to Him; where the heart is yielded to Him, the affections fixed upon Him, there is faith--faith that works by love and purifies the soul.  Through this faith the heart is renewed in the image of God.  And the heart that in its unrenewed state is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, now delights in its holy precepts, exclaiming with the psalmist, "O how love I Thy law!  Thy law! It is my meditation all the day."  Psalm 119:97, Steps to Christ, 63.

                         "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you,
                   but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him,
                      to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
                             and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statues
                                 which I commanded you today for your good?  Indeed heaven
                                  and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God,
                                                also the earth with all that is in it.
                                   The Lord delighted only in your fathers, to love them;
                                         and He chose their descendants after them,
                                             you above all peoples, as it is this day."
                                                                                         --Deuteronomy 10:12-15, NKJV

November 15:  Glad Tidings.

The Word Is the Light Sought by Many.
So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him.--Luke 8:40, NKJV

THE TRUTH THAT WE HEAR will save us only as we gladly accept it, showing in our lives the result of its working, growing in grace and in a knowledge of God.--Notebook Leaflets From the Elmshaven Library, vol. 1, 13.

Christ "came unto His own, and His own received Him not."  John 1:11.  The light of God shone into the darkness of the world, and "the darkness comprehended it not."  John 1:5.  But not all were found indifferent to the gift of heaven....In different nations there were earnest and thoughtful men who had sought in literature and science and the religions of the heathen world for that which they could receive as the soul's treasure.  Among the Jews there were those who were seeking for that which they had not.  Dissatisfied with a formal religion, they longed for that which was spiritual and uplifting.  Christ's chosen disciples belonged to the latter class, Cornelius and the Ethiopian eunuch to the former.  They had been longing and praying for light from heaven; and when Christ was revealed to them, they received Him with gladness.--Christ's Object Lessons, 116.

                           There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius,
                              a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
                         a devout man and one who feared God with all his household,
                     who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always....
                         ...And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished,
                         as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit
                                           had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
                              
                                                              --Luke 10:1, 2, 45, NKJV

November 14:  Glad Tidings.

God's Word for All.
"Since David himself called the Messiah 'my Lord,' how can the Messiah be his son?"  The large crowd listened to him with delight.--Mark 12:37, NLT

CHRIST'S MANNER of teaching was beautiful and attractive, and it was ever characterized by simplicity.  He unfolded the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven through the use of figures and symbols with which His hearers were familiar; and the common people heard Him gladly, for they could comprehend His words.  There were no high-sounding words used, to understand which it was necessary to consult a dictionary.

Jesus illustrated the glories of the kingdom of God by the use of experiences and occurrences of earth.  In compassionate love and tenderness He cheered and comforted and instructed all who heard Him; for grace was poured upon His lips that He might convey to men in the most attractive way the treasures of truth.

The Saviour's voice was as music to the ears of those who had been accustomed to the monotonous, spiritless preaching of the scribes and Pharisees.  He spoke slowly and impressively, emphasizing those words to which He wished His hearers to give special heed.  Old and young, ignorant and learned, could catch the full meaning of His words....The people were very attentive to Him, and it was said of Him that He spoke not as the scribes and Pharisees, for His word was as of one who had authority.--Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 240.

          He entered the synagogue and taught.  And they were astonished at His teaching.
                     for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
                              
                                                                        --Mark 1:21, 22, NKJV

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