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 

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