"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherever ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Eph. 6:16, 17.
God has provided abundant means for successful warfare against the evil that is in the world. The Bible is the armory where we may equip for the struggle. Our loins must be girt about the truth. Our breastplate must be righteousness. The shield of faith must be in our hand, the helmet of salvation on our brow; and with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, we are to cut our way through the obstructions and entanglements of sin....
Summoning Timothy before the bar of God, Paul bids him preach the Wood, not the sayings and customs of men; to be ready to witness for God whenever opportunity should present itself-before large congregations and private circles, by the way and at the fireside, to friends and to enemies, whether in safety or exposed to hardship and peril, reproach and loss..He was to reveal the patience and love of Christ, explaining and enforcing his reproofs by the truths of the Word.
To hate and reprove sin, and at the same time to show pity and tenderness for the sinner, is a difficult attainment....
We must guard against undue severity toward the wrong-doer; but we must also be careful not to lose sight of the exceeding sinfulness of sin. There is need of showing Christ=like patience and love for the erring one, but there is also danger of showing so great toleration for his error that he will look upon himself as undeserving of reproof, and will reject it as uncalled for and unjust. - Acts of the apostles, pp. 502-504.
October 14, 2016
October 10, 2016
AN EARNEST SPIRIT
"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Ps. 126:6.
Do your best, and God will accept your efforts. Take up the duty lying nearest you, and perform it with fidelity, and your work will be wholly acceptable to the Master. Do not, in your desire to do something great, overlook the smaller tasks awaiting you. - Messages to Young People, p. 96.
The coming of Christ is near, and hasteth greatly. The time in which to labor is short, and men and women are perishing. Said the angel, "Should not the men who have had great light co-operate with Him who sent His Son to the world to give light and salvation to men?" Shall men who have received the knowledge of the truth line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, show but little appreciation of Him who came to the earth that His divine power might be the heritage of every believing soul? It was thus that the divinity of Christ was to become effectual in the salvation of the race, and the intercession of our great High Priest avail before the throne of God. The plan was devised in heaven. Shall those who have been brought with such a price fail of appreciating the great salvation? - Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 105.
Missionaries should enter the field before they shall be compelled to cease labor. There are now open doors on every side; they cannot afford to wait to complete years of training; for the years before us are not many, and we need to work while the day lasts. - Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 359.
Do your best, and God will accept your efforts. Take up the duty lying nearest you, and perform it with fidelity, and your work will be wholly acceptable to the Master. Do not, in your desire to do something great, overlook the smaller tasks awaiting you. - Messages to Young People, p. 96.
The coming of Christ is near, and hasteth greatly. The time in which to labor is short, and men and women are perishing. Said the angel, "Should not the men who have had great light co-operate with Him who sent His Son to the world to give light and salvation to men?" Shall men who have received the knowledge of the truth line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, show but little appreciation of Him who came to the earth that His divine power might be the heritage of every believing soul? It was thus that the divinity of Christ was to become effectual in the salvation of the race, and the intercession of our great High Priest avail before the throne of God. The plan was devised in heaven. Shall those who have been brought with such a price fail of appreciating the great salvation? - Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 105.
Missionaries should enter the field before they shall be compelled to cease labor. There are now open doors on every side; they cannot afford to wait to complete years of training; for the years before us are not many, and we need to work while the day lasts. - Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 359.
October 07, 2016
WE LABOR WITH GOD
"For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's buiding." 1 Cor. 3:9.
He will use you and me and each human being who enters His service, if we will submit to His guidance. Each one is to stand in his watchtower, listening attentively to that which the Spirit has to say to him, remembering that his every word and act makes an impression, not only on his own character, but on the characters of those with whom he is connected....
Each day God works with His building, stroke upon stroke, to perfect the structure, that it may become a holy temple for Him. Man is to co-operate with God. Each worker is to become jst what God designs him to be, building his life with pure, noble deeds, that in the end his character may be a symmetrical structure, a fair temple, honored by God and man. There is to be no flaw in the building, for it is the Lord's. Every stone must be perfectly laid, that it may endure the pressure placed upon it. One stone laid wrong will affect the whole building. To you and to every other worker God gives the warning: "Take heed how you build, that your building may stand the test of storm and tempest, because it is founded on the eternal Rock." - Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 172, 173.
To every man is given "his work," - the work for which hsi capabilities adapt him, the work which will result in greatest good to himself and to his fellow-men, and in greatest honor to God.
Thus our business or calling is a part of God's great plan, and, so long as it is conducted in accordance with His will, He Himself is responsible for the results. = Education, p. 138.
He will use you and me and each human being who enters His service, if we will submit to His guidance. Each one is to stand in his watchtower, listening attentively to that which the Spirit has to say to him, remembering that his every word and act makes an impression, not only on his own character, but on the characters of those with whom he is connected....
Each day God works with His building, stroke upon stroke, to perfect the structure, that it may become a holy temple for Him. Man is to co-operate with God. Each worker is to become jst what God designs him to be, building his life with pure, noble deeds, that in the end his character may be a symmetrical structure, a fair temple, honored by God and man. There is to be no flaw in the building, for it is the Lord's. Every stone must be perfectly laid, that it may endure the pressure placed upon it. One stone laid wrong will affect the whole building. To you and to every other worker God gives the warning: "Take heed how you build, that your building may stand the test of storm and tempest, because it is founded on the eternal Rock." - Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 172, 173.
To every man is given "his work," - the work for which hsi capabilities adapt him, the work which will result in greatest good to himself and to his fellow-men, and in greatest honor to God.
Thus our business or calling is a part of God's great plan, and, so long as it is conducted in accordance with His will, He Himself is responsible for the results. = Education, p. 138.
October 06, 2016
CAST THY BREAD UPON THE WATERS
"Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days." Eccl. 11:1.
No one can live the law of God without ministering to others. But there are many who do not live out Christ's merciful, unselfish life...They plan and study to please themselves. They act only in reference to self. Time is of value to them only as they can gather for themselves. In all the affairs of life this is their object. Not for others but for themselves do they minister. God created them to live in a world where unselfish service must be performed. He designed them to help their fellow-men in every possible way. But self is so large that they cannot see anything else. They are not in touch with humanity.Those who thus live for self are like the fig-tree, which made every pretension, but was fruitless....In the sentence pronounced on the fig-tree Christ demonstrates how fateful in His eyes is this vain pretense. He declares that the open sinner is less guilty tan is he who professes to serve God, but who bears no fruit to His glory. - The Desire of Ages, p. 584.
"I am debtor," Paul declares, "both to the Greeks and to the barbarians; both to the wise and to the unwise." So also are we. By all that has blessed our life above others, we are placed under obligation to every human being whom we might benefit.
These truths are not for the closet more than for the counting-room. The goods that we handle are not our own, and never can this fact safely be lost sight of. We are but stewards, and on the discharge of our obligation to God and man depend both the welfare of our fellow-beings and our own destiny for thsi life and for the life to come. - Education p. 139
No one can live the law of God without ministering to others. But there are many who do not live out Christ's merciful, unselfish life...They plan and study to please themselves. They act only in reference to self. Time is of value to them only as they can gather for themselves. In all the affairs of life this is their object. Not for others but for themselves do they minister. God created them to live in a world where unselfish service must be performed. He designed them to help their fellow-men in every possible way. But self is so large that they cannot see anything else. They are not in touch with humanity.Those who thus live for self are like the fig-tree, which made every pretension, but was fruitless....In the sentence pronounced on the fig-tree Christ demonstrates how fateful in His eyes is this vain pretense. He declares that the open sinner is less guilty tan is he who professes to serve God, but who bears no fruit to His glory. - The Desire of Ages, p. 584.
"I am debtor," Paul declares, "both to the Greeks and to the barbarians; both to the wise and to the unwise." So also are we. By all that has blessed our life above others, we are placed under obligation to every human being whom we might benefit.
These truths are not for the closet more than for the counting-room. The goods that we handle are not our own, and never can this fact safely be lost sight of. We are but stewards, and on the discharge of our obligation to God and man depend both the welfare of our fellow-beings and our own destiny for thsi life and for the life to come. - Education p. 139
October 05, 2016
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matt. 5:16.
Throughout the world, messengers of mercy are needed. There is a call for Christian families to go into communities that are in darkness and error, to go to foreign fields, to become acquainted with the needs of their fellow men, and to work for the cause of the Master. If such families would settle in the dark places of the earth, places where the people are enshrouded in spiritual gloom, and let the light of Christ's life shine out through them, what a noble work might be accomplished.
This work requires self-sacrifice. While many are waiting to have every obstacle removed, the work they might do is left undone, and multitudes are dying without hope and without God. Some for the sake of commercial advantage, or to acquire scientific knowledge, will venture into unsettled regions, and cheerfully endure sacrifice and hardship; but ow few for the sake of their fellow men are willing to move their families into regions that are in need of the gospel.
To reach the people, wherever they are, and whatever their position or condition, and to help them in every way possible, - this is true ministry. By such effort you may win hearts, and open a door of access to perishing souls.
In all your work remember that you are bound up with Christ, a part of the great plan of redemption. The love of Christ, in a healing, life-giving current, is to flow through your life. As you seek to draw others within the circle of is love, let the purity of your language, the unselfishness of your service, the joyfulness of your demeanor, bear witness to the power of His grace. - Ministry of Healing, pp. 155, 156.
Throughout the world, messengers of mercy are needed. There is a call for Christian families to go into communities that are in darkness and error, to go to foreign fields, to become acquainted with the needs of their fellow men, and to work for the cause of the Master. If such families would settle in the dark places of the earth, places where the people are enshrouded in spiritual gloom, and let the light of Christ's life shine out through them, what a noble work might be accomplished.
This work requires self-sacrifice. While many are waiting to have every obstacle removed, the work they might do is left undone, and multitudes are dying without hope and without God. Some for the sake of commercial advantage, or to acquire scientific knowledge, will venture into unsettled regions, and cheerfully endure sacrifice and hardship; but ow few for the sake of their fellow men are willing to move their families into regions that are in need of the gospel.
To reach the people, wherever they are, and whatever their position or condition, and to help them in every way possible, - this is true ministry. By such effort you may win hearts, and open a door of access to perishing souls.
In all your work remember that you are bound up with Christ, a part of the great plan of redemption. The love of Christ, in a healing, life-giving current, is to flow through your life. As you seek to draw others within the circle of is love, let the purity of your language, the unselfishness of your service, the joyfulness of your demeanor, bear witness to the power of His grace. - Ministry of Healing, pp. 155, 156.
October 04, 2016
GOD DIRECTS OUR SERVICE
"And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness he has the noon day." Isa. 58:10.
As we see the necessities of the poor, the ignorant, the afflicted, how often our hearts sin. We question, "What avail our feeble strength and slender resources to supply this terrible necessity? Shall we not wait for some one o greater ability to direct the work, or for some organization to undertake it?" Christ says, "Give ye them to eat." Use the means, the time, the ability, you have. Bring your barley loaves to Jesus.
Though your resources may not be sufficient to feed thousands, they may suffice to feed one. In the hand of Christ they may feed many. Like the disciples, give what you have. Christ will multiply the gift. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. That which seemed but a meager supply will prove to be a rich feast. - Ministry of Healing, pp. 49, 50.
Our hearts are to be so filled with the love of Christ that our words of thanksgiving shall warm other hearts. This is service that all can perform, and the Lord accepts it as offered to Himself. He makes if efficacious, imparting to the earnest worker to grace that reconciles man to God.
May the Lord help His people to realize that there is earnest work to be done. May He help them to remember that in the home, in the church, and in the world the are to work the works of Christ. They are not left to labor alone. The angels are their helpers. And Christ is their helper. Then let them labor faithfully and untiringly. In due season they will reap, if they faint not.
The Christian pilgrim does not yield to his desire to rest. He moves steadily forward, saying, "The night is far spent; the day is at hand." - Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 18.
As we see the necessities of the poor, the ignorant, the afflicted, how often our hearts sin. We question, "What avail our feeble strength and slender resources to supply this terrible necessity? Shall we not wait for some one o greater ability to direct the work, or for some organization to undertake it?" Christ says, "Give ye them to eat." Use the means, the time, the ability, you have. Bring your barley loaves to Jesus.
Though your resources may not be sufficient to feed thousands, they may suffice to feed one. In the hand of Christ they may feed many. Like the disciples, give what you have. Christ will multiply the gift. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. That which seemed but a meager supply will prove to be a rich feast. - Ministry of Healing, pp. 49, 50.
Our hearts are to be so filled with the love of Christ that our words of thanksgiving shall warm other hearts. This is service that all can perform, and the Lord accepts it as offered to Himself. He makes if efficacious, imparting to the earnest worker to grace that reconciles man to God.
May the Lord help His people to realize that there is earnest work to be done. May He help them to remember that in the home, in the church, and in the world the are to work the works of Christ. They are not left to labor alone. The angels are their helpers. And Christ is their helper. Then let them labor faithfully and untiringly. In due season they will reap, if they faint not.
The Christian pilgrim does not yield to his desire to rest. He moves steadily forward, saying, "The night is far spent; the day is at hand." - Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 18.
October 03, 2016
MESSENGERS OF GOD
"As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world." John 17:18.
But when we give ourselves wholly to God, and in our work follow His directions, He makes Himself responsible for its accomplishment. HE would not have us conjecture as to the success of our honest endeavors. Not once should we even think of failure.We are to co-operate with One who knows no failure.
We should not talk of our own weakness and inability. This is a manifest distrust of God, a denial of His Word. When we murmur because of our burdens, or refuse the responsibilities He calls upon us to bear, we are virtually saying that He is a hard master, that He requires what He as not given us power to do....God works by whom He will. He sometimes selects the humblest instrument to do the greatest work; for His power is revealed through the weakness of men. We have our standard, and by it we pronounce one thing great and another small; but God does not estimate according to our rule. ...It does not rest with us to pass judgement on our talents or to choose our work. We are to take up the burdens that God appoints, bearing them for His sake, and ever going to Him for rest. Whatever our work, God is honored by whole-hearted, cheerful service. He is pleased when we take up our duties with gratitude, rejoicing that we are accounted worthy to be co-laborers with Him. - Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 363, 364.
Christ accepts, oh, so gladly, every human agency that is surrendered to Him. He brings the human into union with the divine, that He may communicate to the world the mysteries of incarnate love. - Mount of Blessing, p. 71.
But when we give ourselves wholly to God, and in our work follow His directions, He makes Himself responsible for its accomplishment. HE would not have us conjecture as to the success of our honest endeavors. Not once should we even think of failure.We are to co-operate with One who knows no failure.
We should not talk of our own weakness and inability. This is a manifest distrust of God, a denial of His Word. When we murmur because of our burdens, or refuse the responsibilities He calls upon us to bear, we are virtually saying that He is a hard master, that He requires what He as not given us power to do....God works by whom He will. He sometimes selects the humblest instrument to do the greatest work; for His power is revealed through the weakness of men. We have our standard, and by it we pronounce one thing great and another small; but God does not estimate according to our rule. ...It does not rest with us to pass judgement on our talents or to choose our work. We are to take up the burdens that God appoints, bearing them for His sake, and ever going to Him for rest. Whatever our work, God is honored by whole-hearted, cheerful service. He is pleased when we take up our duties with gratitude, rejoicing that we are accounted worthy to be co-laborers with Him. - Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 363, 364.
Christ accepts, oh, so gladly, every human agency that is surrendered to Him. He brings the human into union with the divine, that He may communicate to the world the mysteries of incarnate love. - Mount of Blessing, p. 71.
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