John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Days will come and go
Life will pass us by
Many moments low
With rain clouds in the sky
The sun will shine away
But the clouds may make it night.
Though the sun be out all day
Clouds still may block the light
So what then may we do
When the way is not so clear
When seekers like me and you
Are not sure where to steer
If we have not light
How then will we see
And how then will we fight
For what we have believed
We must take out our lamps
As we walk the narrow way
Laboring as ants
So that we may not go astray
Our light does not depend
On season or on year
It’s sometimes hard to comprehend
How it’s always close and near
But Jesus never flickers
Never dims and never fades
And His power never withers
Amongst the tallest of all waves
It is He who is the Light
The Bright and Morning Star
And it is He who ends the night
And seals up every scar
Whether sorrow, ache, or pain
He knows how much it hurts
He will send His healing rain
And then turn them into forts
Forts that can withstand
The storms of every season
Forts not built on sand
But upon the Rock who is our reason
Our reason to live
Our hope if we die
He’s the reason we give
Our best in this life—Joseph Olivier
Haggai 1:13 "Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the Lord’s message to the people, saying, 'I am with you, says the Lord.'"
I don't know how
I know not where
But I do feel now
That I am in despair
All these choices before me
Yet they all might seem right
Many voices confuse me
And won't quiet down without a fight
All these feelings I feel
All these issues I face
Yet I know they’ll reveal
Another story of Grace
Every step is a struggle
For every breath there's a fight
And all these feelings to smuggle
Into my dear heart much fright
What more can I do?
I have fought all I could
Father I give it to You.
"Thank you my child,
I knew eventually you would.”
“When you have just finished
I have only begun
The work won't be diminished
For it is built on My Son."
But how shall I build?
I haven't done this before.
"Don't worry, I've willed
For you to learn how and more
You must start with a choice
To trust fully in Me
Accept My Word as the Voice
That will in your life be supreme"
I know it's not easy
But Lord this, I must do
I will trust that You're with me
No matter how dark the view
I know not what's before me
But I know it is best
So I wait now before Thee
And put You to the test
You have promised me wisdom
And You will grant understanding
As I continue to listen
By your grace I'll be standing
As I now begin
To build on the Rock
There's no doubt that I'll win
And run past those who mock
For with You there's great gain
There is strength through this pain
Lord my passions, restrain
And please help me to remain
May Your Spirit be the Oil
May my life be the flame
So that through this life of toil
It will shine forth Your Great Name
Great God your great Name
Is far greater than all
Forever and always the same
In Holiness and Majesty, You stand tall
"Fear not, I am with thee
My Hand shall not depart
From your life and your family
As you are formed into art"—Joseph Olivier
"To all who are reaching out to feel the guiding hand of God, the moment of greatest discouragement is the time when divine help is nearest. They will look back with thankfulness upon the darkest part of their way. "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly," 2 Peter 2:9. From every temptation and every trial He will bring them forth with firmer faith and a richer experience." – Desire of Ages 528.3
1 Peter 4:12-13 "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."
Blessed be the trial.
That lifts my eyes above.
That leads me on to self-denial.
And reveals the Father's love.
Blessed are the times.
When darkness may surround me.
Then Jesus in His beauty shines.
And puts His arms around me.
Blessed be the days.
When things are not so clear.
When clouds may block the shining rays.
Yet I hold my Savior dear.
Blessed be the wait.
That I may long endure.
That reminds me I'm not bound by fate.
And that God's promises are sure.
Blessed be the loss.
That leads me on to variance.
That leads me to behold the cross.
And rekindles my experience.
Blessings may be few.
To our unaccustomed view.
But they take on different forms.
And sometimes deviate from the norms.
Still in store for you.
Will be something much larger.
But what you need to do.
Continue clinging to your Father.—Joseph Olivier
"Nothing can be more helpless, nothing can be more dependent, than the soul that feels its nothingness and relies wholly upon the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour. The Christian life is a life of warfare, of continual conflict. It is a battle and a march. But every act of obedience to Christ, every act of self-denial for His sake, every trial well endured, every victory gained over temptation, is a step in the march to the glory of final victory."—Our Father Cares 134.5
Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"
Many are the ways
That God shows us the map
And He will show some of the ways
The enemy will try to trap
God will warn of his devices
And supply strength to overcome
God will show you what the right is
So you won't be overrun
The Devil's work is quite progressive
Unnoticeable at first
But then temptations grow successive
And after sin we're left with thirst
What we thought had been so sweet
Has now become so sour
We still might be on our feet
But yet have forfeited God's power
Yet with a call
It all could change
Yes we may fall
But the Savior will rearrange
Jesus will change your heart
He will restore your soul
And because you are His work of art
You will again be made whole—Joseph Olivier
"There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ and who really desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would say, Do not draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."— Steps to Christ 64.1