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Flame Throwers |
  In
Belarus, during the children's meetings we had some boys attending that
did not seem like they wanted to hear anything. In fact it seemed their
plan was to disrupt the meetings. They took matches, lit them and threw
them burning into the seats of children behind them. I protested the
helpers decision to throw these boys out. We gave them jobs and asked them
quiz questions till near the end of the meetings these boys responded to
God's love. They helped hand out Bible lessons and greet children each
evening as they came. They also came over to say good bye and were part of
the many who gave their hearts to God. They taught me that defiant,
disruptive children can respond to the Bible stories. They do need Jesus
and should never be banned from the meetings. Perhaps they need God's love
more than all the rest. |
| One day while leading the meeting, it was particularly
difficult. We had misunderstandings and disagreements with other brothers
in the church. They insisted the young people should not give their hearts
too God till they were twenty or twenty two. They had reasons due to what
they had been through. Many had been harmed for standing for what the WORD
of God teaches. Since young people have to attend school on the seventh
day Sabbath, the children and youth would best not choose to obey God till
they were in their twenties and out of the army. They told me if I
insisted on encouraging them to stand for Jesus like Daniel, I would cause
trouble for everyone. By the time they were through blasting me with these
harsh words, My knees were trembling. I knew what God wanted. I had to
keep on teaching the Bible truths no matter what man would say to me.
Could I keep on when they were telling me to stop? It took courage. I just
smiled courageously and went into the room where the children waited. I
had chosen to obey God rather than man and knew it would bring me only
trouble.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. |
 Later
on as I was telling the story of the plagues in Egypt, I came to the
plague on hail. I spoke the word hail and a heavy outburst of hail poured
out of the sky as if God had it all planned. Then as the translator got to
the word "hail" in Russian, another outburst from the clouds
loudly exited the clouds. My boys heard it in English, saw the drama and
ran to the windows. Then when the Russian words were spoken the Russian
kids understood and ran to watch at the windows. All were surprised and
knew God was doing it. I thought of the final plagues at the end of the
world and how God promised plagues on those who had stopped missionaries
from doing their work.
It seemed like God was right there next to me as I was teaching. I could lean on Him if I was weak. He seemed so close to me. It was an affirmation. He had told me that He approved of what I was doing and would do all He could to help. There was no doubt in my mind about WHO I was working for and WHO I would obey rather than man. |
 The
wife of the adult evangelist was unfortunately outside walking her
restless boy. They had to run for cover. The hail was large and came down
in the pelting deluge. She told me that at the time she wondered if I had
anything to do with the sudden hail storm. It surprised me that she said
that. It puzzles me to this day.
I know God sent that hail to help me know I was on His team and He was proud of me and ready to help in my every challenge. God heard my desperate prayer under the withering harsh words. He knew I needed courage and He chose a most unusual way to send me help. |
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How does God counsel us to meet opposition like I was facing? A most interesting conclusion can be drawn from the story of David and Goliath. I invite you to review the story and then look at these comments: As he came nearer to David, he saw but a stripling, called a boy because of his youth. His countenance was ruddy with health; and his slender form, unprotected by armor, displayed all its youthful outline in marked contrast to the massive proportions of the Philistine. {ST, August 10, 1888 par. 4} Israel did not defy Goliath, but Goliath made his proud boasts against God and His people. The defying, the boasting, and the railing must come from the opposers of truth, who act the Goliath. But none of this spirit should be seen in those whom God has sent forth to proclaim the last message of warning to a doomed world. {CC 162.5} "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." {CC 164.2} In the presentation of unpopular truth, which involves a heavy cross, preachers should be careful that every word is as God would have it. Their words should never cut. They should present the truth in humility, with the deepest love for souls, and an earnest desire for their salvation, and let the truth cut. They should not defy ministers of other denominations, and seek to provoke a debate. They should not stand in a position like that of Goliath when he defied the armies of Israel. Evangelism p. 162 by Ellen White 1-11. Goliath About Twelve Feet Tall.--The Philistines propose their own manner of warfare, in selecting a man of great size and strength, whose height is about twelve feet; and they send this champion forth to provoke a combat with Israel, requesting them to send out a man to fight with him (1SP 370). {2BC 1018.5} "I was shown that Brother K and other ministers have acted too much the part of Goliath. And then after they have dared and provoked discussion they have trusted in their prepared arguments, as Saul wanted David to trust in his armor. They have not, like humble David, trusted in the God of Israel, and made Him their strength. They have gone forth confident and boastful, like Goliath, magnifying themselves and not hiding behind Jesus. They knew the truth was strong, and therefore have not humbled their hearts and in faith trusted in God to give the truth the victory. They have become elated and lost their balance, and frequently the discussions have not been successful, and the result has been an injury to their own souls and to the souls of others. " {3T 219.2} |