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 

November 3:  Glad Tidings.

Teaching, Preaching, and Healing.
It came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.  And the twelve were with Him.--Luke 8:1, NKJV

CHRIST MIGHT HAVE OCCUPIED the highest place among the teachers of the Jewish nation, but He preferred rather to take the gospel to the poor.  He went from place to place, that those in the highways and byways might hear the words of truth.  By the sea, on the mountainside, in the streets of the city, in the synagogue, His voice was heard explaining the Scriptures.  Often He taught in the outer courts of the temple, that the Gentiles might hear His words.--The Ministry of Healing, 20.

Jesus watched with deep earnestness the changing countenances of His hearers.  The faces that expressed interest and pleasure gave Him great satisfaction.  As the arrows of truth pierced to the soul, breaking through the barriers of selfishness, and working contrition, and finally gratitude, the Saviour was made glad.  When His eyes swept over the throng of listeners, and He recognized among them the faces He had before seen, His countenance lighted up with joy.  He saw in them hopeful subjects for His kingdom.  When truths, plainly spoken, touched some cherished idol, He marked the change of countenance, the cold, forbidding look, which told that the light was unwelcome.  When He saw men refuse the message of peace, His heart was pierced to the very depths.--The Desire of Ages, 255.

                            And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,
                        preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness
                                             and all kinds of diseases among the people.
                                                                                        --Matthew 4:23, NKJV

November 2:  Glad Tidings.

God's Greatest Gift to the World.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord." --Luke 2:10, 11, NRSV

IN THE FIELDS  where the boy David had led his flock, shepherds were still keeping watch by night.  Through the silent hours they talked together of the promised Saviour, and prayed for the coming of the King to David's throne.  "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord."--The Desire of Ages, 47.

The Prince of heaven was among His people.  The greatest gift of God had been given to the world.  Joy to the poor; for Christ had come to make them heirs of His kingdom.  Joy to the rich; for He would teach them how to secure eternal riches.  Joy to the ignorant; He would make them wise unto salvation.  Joy to the learned; He would open to them deeper mysteries than they had ever fathomed; truths that had been hidden from the foundation of the world would be opened to men by the Saviour's mission.--The Desire of Ages, 277.

                                    For unto us a Child is born,
                                       Unto us a Son is given;
                            And the government will be upon His shoulder.
                                    And His name will be called
                              Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
                              Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
                                                                              --Isaiah 9:6, NKJV

November 1: Glad Tidings.

The Good News of Salvation.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.--Isaiah 12:3, NRSV

THE TRUE PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIANITY open before all a source of happiness, the height and depth, the length and breadth of which are immeasurable.  It is Christ in us a well of water springing up into everlasting life.  It is a continual wellspring from which the Christian can drink at will and never exhaust the fountain.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 565.

Why do we stay away from the fountain, when we can come and drink?  Who do we die for bread, when there is a storehouse full?  It is rich and free.  O my soul, feast upon it, and daily drink in heavenly joys.  I will not hold my peace.  The praise of God is in my heart and upon my lips.  We can rejoice in the fullness of our Saviour's love.  We can feast upon His excellent glory.---Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 98.

The last words spoken by Christ to John were: "The Spirit and the bride say, Come.  And let him that heareth say, Come.  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."  Revelation 22:17.  When we respond to God and say, "Lord, we come," then with joy shall we draw water out of the wells of salvation.--Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 370.

                              For God alone my soul waits in silence;
                                     from him comes my salvation.
                              He alone is my rock, and my salvation,
                                 my fortress; I shall never be shaken.
                                                                               --Psalm 62:1, 2, NRSV

October 31:  Happy People.

The Joy of Providing for Those in Need.
Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.  For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.--2 Corinthians 8:1-4, NKJV

NEARLY ALL THE MACEDONIAN BELIEVERS were poor in this world's goods, but their hearts were overflowing with love for God and His truth, and they gladly gave for the support of the gospel.  When general collections were taken up in the Gentile churches for the relief of the Jewish believers, the liberality of the converts in Macedonia was held up as an example to other churches....

The willingness to sacrifice on the part of the Macedonian believers came as a result of wholehearted consecration.  Moved by the Spirit of God, they "first gave their own selves to the Lord" 9(2 Corinthians 8:5), then they were willing to give freely of their means for the support of the gospel.  It was not necessary to urge them to give; rather, they rejoiced in the privilege of denying themselves even of necessary things in order to supply the needs of others.  When the apostle would have restrained them, they importuned him to accept their offerings.  In their simplicity and integrity, and in their love for the brethren, they gladly denied self, and thus abounded in the fruit of benevolence.--The Acts of the Apostles, 343.

                         For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
                    that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor,
                          that you through His poverty might become rich.
                                                                                  --2 Corinthians 8:9, NKJV

October 30:  Happy People.

The Gentiles Believed and Were Glad.
For so the Lord has commanded us: "I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth."  Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord.  And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.--Acts 13:47, 48. NKJV

PAUL AND BARNABAS visited Antioch in Pisidia and on the Sabbath day went into the Jewish synagogue and sat down....Being...invited to speak, "Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hands said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience."  Then followed a wonderful discourse....

The Spirit of God accompanied the words that were spoken, and hearts were touched.  The apostle's appeal to Old Testament prophecies, and his declaration that these had been fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, carried conviction to many a soul longing for the advent of the promised Messiah.  And the speaker's words of assurance that the "glad tidings" of salvation were for Jews and Gentiles alike, brought hope and joy to those who had not been numbered among the children of Abraham according to the flesh....

The interest aroused in Antioch of Pisidia by Paul's discourse brought together on the next Sabbath day, "almost the whole city...to hear the word of God.  But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

"Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.  For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth."

"When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed."  They rejoiced exceedingly that Christ recognized them as the children of God, and with grateful hearts they listened to the word preached.--The Acts of the Apostles, 170, 172, 173.

October 29:  Happy People.

Gladness at Peter's Liberation.
And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer.  When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.--Acts 12:13, 14, NKJV

TO PETER, IN PRISON AND CONDEMNED TO DEATH, God's angel appeared;...past the armed guards, the massive doors and great iron gateway with their bolts and bars, the angel led God's servant forth in safety.--Education, 255.

The apostle made his way at once to the house where his brethren were assembled and where they were at that moment engaged in earnest prayer for him.  "As Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.  And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.  And they said unto her, Thou art mad.  But she constantly affirmed that it was even so.  Then said they, It is his angel.

"But Peter continued knocking: and when they opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.  But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison."  And Peter "departed, and went into another place."  Joy and praise filled the hearts of the believers, because God had heard and answered their prayers and had delivered Peter from the hands of Herod.--The Acts of the Apostles, 148.

                                  And when Peter had come to himself, he said,
                             "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel,
                                      and has delivered me from the hand of Herod
                                  and from all the expectation of the Jewish people."
                                                                                                      --Acts 12:11, NKJV