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“W
hy do we not exercisegreater faith in theDivine Physician?As He worked for the man withthe palsy, so He will work todayfor those who come to Him forhealing. We have great need ofmore faith. I am alarmed as I seethe lack of faith among our people.We need to come right into thepresence of Christ, believing thatHe will heal our physical and
spiritual inrmities.
“We are too faithless. Oh, how Iwish that I could lead our peopleto have faith in God! They neednot feel that in order to exercisefaith they must be wrought up intoa high state of excitement. All theyhave to do is to believe God’s Word, just as they believe one another’sword. He hath said it, and He willperform His Word. Calmly rely onHis promise, because He means allthat He says. Say, He has spokento me in His Word, and He will
fulll every promise that He has
made. Do not become restless. Betrustful. God’s Word is true. Actas if your heavenly Father could be trusted. . . .” 1SM 83.Remember the story of theparalytic? Mark 2:2-5: “Andstraightway many were gatheredtogether, insomuch that there wasno room to receive them, no, notso much as about the door: and hepreached the word unto them. Andthey come unto him, bringing onesick of the palsy, which was borneof four. And when they could notcome nigh unto him for the press,they uncovered the roof where hewas: and when they had broken itup, they let down the bed whereinthe sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said untothe sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”We are told that it is our“privilege” to exercise faithin God’s promises. “It is theprivilege of every soul to exercisefaith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Reecting Christ,
130. A privilegeis something that we are entitledto.
Webster’s
denes privilege as “a
special advantage or immunity or
 benet not enjoyed by all, and/or
a right reserved exclusively by aparticular person or group.”As children of the heavenlyKing, we have certain privileges,one of them being able to exercisefaith in our Father. We are able,as Paul says, to come
boldly
untothe throne of grace. Hebrews 4:16:“Let us therefore come boldly untothe throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and nd grace to
help in time of need.”Now, the Lord recognizes thateven though it is a privilege, someare so despondent, things are sodark, that they can’t see throughthe clouds of despair. It is hard forthem to “exercise” their faith. It isin times like these that I especiallylike this quote from God throughSister White:“If you cannot rely upon yourown faith, rely upon the faith ofothers. We believe and hope foryou. God accepts our faith in your behalf.” 2T 319.Can you imagine the grace ofGod, to allow others to exercisetheir faith in your behalf? When
I consider these aributes of
our heavenly Father, I beginto understand how and whythe heavenly intelligences areconstantly praising His name!Who can you serve that is morepitiful and merciful than our God?It reminds me of Psalm 103:14:“For he knoweth our frame; heremembereth that we are dust.”And again, what God saysin the book of Isaiah: “For mythoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways,saith the LORD. For as the heavensare higher than the earth, so are myways higher than your ways, andmy thoughts than your thoughts.”Isaiah 55:8-9.The Lord is so good, so merciful,and so kind to us, that if we endup
not
turning to Him, it will becompletely our own faults. We willthen be asked the question:“And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge,I pray you, betwixt me and myvineyard. What could have beendone more to my vineyard, that Ihave not done in it?” Isaiah 5:3-4.Can you see why Sister Whitewas almost agonizing over the factthat we do not
trust
our heavenlyFather, that we don’t utilize ourprivilege to exercise faith? Canyou also see why it is so importantfor us individually to exercise ourfaith? It may not be for us; it may be for our children, our spouses,our church friends and others.Let us act as if we
believe
that weare royalty, that we are indeed . . .children of the heavenly King!
 Joe Olson serves as theexecutive director andchairman of the boardof Hope International.He also travels as aninternational speaker.
Editorial
 
 Joe Olson
    P    h   o   t   o   s   :    ©    H   e   m   e   r   a    P    h   o   t   o    O    b    j   e   c   t   s    C    D    (   n   o   t   e    b   o   o    k    )   ;    i    S   t   o   c    k    P    h   o   t   o .   c   o   m    (    b   a   c    k   g   r   o   u   n    d    )
2
Our Firm Foundation
 
O M
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It is the mission of Hope Internationaland the editors of
Our Firm Foundation
to clearly presentChrist and His truth. The days remaining for this worldare few, and we must work quickly. We must boldlyproclaim the historic truths of Adventism that place
us on so rm a foundation in the midst of this troubled
world.—
Editors
Edito Emeitus:
Ron Spear
Executie Diecto:
Joe Olson
executivedirector@hopeint.org
Edito:
Heidi Heiks
editorial@hopeint.org
Bookstoe Maage:
Kaye Olson
shipping@hopeint.org
Hoe Fo Health Cete:
Heather Olson, R.N.
hopeforhealth@hopeint.org
Layout & Desig:
Paul & Mihaela Williams
MontanaDigitalCreations.comMontanaMusicalCreations.com
Our Firm Foundation
is published monthly by:
Hoe Iteatioal
P.O. Box 220Knoxville, IL 61448 USA
Phone: (309) 343-1844 
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pm
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Central TimeFriday: 8:00
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Fax: (309) 343-3721Email:
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Web:
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A H I
Hope International is a lay ministry founded, supported,and operated by Seventh-day Adventists to assist God’sChurch in the proclamation of the Everlasting Gospel inevery way that is consistent with the principles of Godas revealed in Inspiration.
I  W
We are accepting article-length manuscripts (1850to 2250 words) for possible publication in
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paper neatly typed. Include a digital picture and a short bio. Please address all correspondence to Editors,
OurFirm Foundation
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S I:
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S  S T:
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Content credited in this publication is the property of its respective owner(s), and is licensed or used withpermission. Other items are the property of Hope International.
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Children’s Story Product Catalog Historical Footnotes  News Watch Health Gem Letters to the Editor Teological Waymarks 
 page 4
 Editorial 
 page 2
Ellen G. White
A life of unyielding integrity wins the respect of Christian and worldling alike.
 
 What It Means to Be a Christian
Heidi Heiks
How and When Christ’s Sanctuary Ministry Was “TakenAway:” Church-State Issues in AD 538.
 
Understanding Aright the “Daily,”Scripturally and Historically –
Part 6
 Joe Olson Anonymous
Pride and self-sufficiency lead to a crippled experienceand spiritual death.A colporteur recounts experiences in his service tothe Lord and repeats the call for laborers.
 
Pride - Te King KillerTe Power o the Printed Page
 page 23 page 29 page 28 page 25 page 24 page 31
Table of Contents
Volume 22, Number 7 July 2007
of 00

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