Daily Devotional

This Holy Book has withstood the assaults of Satan, who has united with evil men to make
everything of divine character shrouded in clouds and darkness. But the Lord has preserved
this Holy Book by His own miraculous power in its present shape,—a chart or guidebook to
the human family to show them the way to heaven.... This Word ... is the guidebook to the
inhabitants of a fallen world, bequeathed to them, that by studying and obeying the directions,
not one soul would lose its way.

There never was a time when it was so important that followers of Christ should study the
Bible as now. Deceptive influences are upon all sides, and it is essential that you counsel with
Jesus, your best friend.... David declares, "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin
against thee." How many are betrayed into sin, because they have not, through prayerful study
of the Word of God, realized the sinfulness of sin, and found out how they may steadfastly resist
it. When temptation comes upon them, they seem to be off guard, and ignorant of the devices of
the enemy. We are living in perilous times, and as we draw near the close of earth’s history, there
will be no safety for those who do not become familiar with the Word of God.... Everything
that can be shaken, will be shaken.... The children of God have reached the most critical part
of their pilgrimage; for the nets and pitfalls of the enemy are on every side. And yet with the
guidance of the Lord, with that which is plainly revealed in His Word, we may walk securely and
not stumble.... A voice from heaven is addressing us in its pages.

Obedience to God’s Word is our only safeguard against the evils that are sweeping the world
to destruction.​

If from the beginning we had walked in the counsel of God, thousands more would have been
converted to the present truth. But many have made crooked paths for their feet. My brethren,
make straight paths, lest the lame be turned out of the way. Let no one follow a crooked path that
some one else has made, for thus you would not only go astray yourself, but would make this
crooked path plainer for some one else to follow. Determine that as for yourself, you will walk
in the path of obedience. Know for a certainty that you are standing under the broad shield of
Omnipotence. Realize that the characteristics of Jehovah must be revealed in your life, and that
in you a work must be accomplished that will mold your character after the divine similitude.
Yield yourself to the guidance of Him who is the Head over all.

We are doing our work for the judgment. Let us be learners of Jesus. We need His guidance
every moment. At every step we should inquire, "Is this the way of the Lord?" not, "Is this the
way of the man who is over me?" We are to be concerned only as to whether we are walking in
the way of the Lord.

God will honor and uphold every true-hearted, earnest soul who is seeking to walk before
Him in the perfection of Christ’s grace. He will never leave nor forsake one humble, trembling
soul. Shall we believe that He will work in our hearts? that if we allow Him to do so, He will
make us pure and holy, by His rich grace qualifying us to be laborers together with Him? Can we
with keen, sanctified perception appreciate the strength of His promises, and appropriate them,
not because we are worthy, but because by living faith we claim the righteousness of Christ?​

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much
more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Romans 5:10.​

The cross is invested with a power that language cannot express. Christ’s sacrifice in behalf
of the human race puts to shame our meager efforts and methods to meet and uplift humanity, to
help sinful men and women to find Jesus.

The work of the sons and daughters of God must be of a different character than has yet been
manifested by a large number. If they love Jesus, they will have enlarged ideas of the love that
has been expressed for fallen man, which required the provision of so expensive an offering to
save the human race. Our Saviour asks the cooperation of every son and daughter of Adam who
has become a son or daughter of God.... Our Saviour declares that He brought from heaven as a
donation eternal life. He was to be lifted up upon the cross of Calvary to draw all men unto Him.
How then shall we treat the purchased inheritance of Christ? Tenderness, appreciation, kindness,
sympathy, and love should be shown to them. Then we may work to help and bless one another.
In this work we have more than human brotherhood. We have the exalted companionship of
heavenly angels. They cooperate with us in the work of enlightening high and low.

Having engaged in the work, the amazing work of our redemption, Christ determined in
council with His Father to spare nothing, however costly, to withhold nothing however highly it
might be estimated, that would rescue the poor sinner. He would give all heaven to this work of
salvation, of restoring the moral image of God in man.... To be a child of God is to be one with
Christ in God, and to put forth our hands in earnest, self-sacrificing love to strengthen and bless​

True Missionary Effort Begins In The Home​

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and
ordinances of the Lord blameless. Luke 1:6.​

In forming a relationship with Christ, the renewed man is but coming back to his appointed
relationship with God.... His first duty is to his children and his nearest relatives. Nothing can
excuse him from neglecting the inner circle for the larger circle outside. In the day of final
reckoning fathers and mothers ... will be asked what they did and said to secure the salvation
of the souls they took upon themselves the responsibility of bringing into the world. Did they
neglect their lambs, leaving them to the care of strangers? ... A great good done for others will
not cancel the debt you owe to God to care for your children. The spiritual welfare of your family
comes first.

In rightly training and molding the minds of her children, mothers are entrusted with the
greatest mission ever given to mortals.

Whenever you take up the duty that lies nearest you, then God will bless you, and hear your
prayers. There are too many doing outside missionary work, while their own households are left
destitute of any such efforts,—going to ruin through neglect.... The first missionary work is to
see that love, light, and joy come into the home circle. Let us not be looking for some great
temperance or missionary work to do until we have first done the duties at home. Every morning
we should think, What kind act can I do today? What tender word can I speak? Kind words at
home are blessed sunshine. The husband needs them, the wife needs them, the children
need them.... It ought to be the desire of every heart to make as much heaven below as possible.

A soul saved in your own family circle or in your own neighborhood, by your patient,
painstaking labor, will bring as much honor to the name of Christ, and will shine as brightly​

We Are To Do Good To Our Neighbors​

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand
to do it Proverbs 3:27.​

So ready, so eager is the Saviour’s heart to welcome us as members of the family of God,
that in the very first words we are to use in approaching God, He places the assurance of our
divine relationship,—“Our Father.” ... In calling God our Father, we recognize all His children
as our brethren. We are all a part of the great web of humanity, all members of one family. In our
petitions we are to include our neighbors as well as ourselves. No one prays aright who seeks a
blessing for himself alone.

We are bound to the Lord by the strongest ties, and the manifestation of our Father’s love
should call forth the most filial affection and the most ardent gratitude. The laws of God have
their foundation in the most immutable rectitude, and are so framed that they will promote the
happiness of those who keep them.

In the lesson of faith that Christ taught on the mount, are revealed the principles of true
religion. Religion brings man into personal relation with God, but not exclusively; for the
principles of heaven are to be lived out, that they may help and bless humanity. A true child
of God will love Him with all his heart, and his neighbor as himself. He will have an interest
for his fellow-men. True religion is the work of grace upon the heart, that causes the life to flow
out in good works, like a fountain fed from living streams. Religion does not consist merely in
meditation and prayer. The Christian’s light is displayed in good works, and is thus recognized
by others. Religion is not to be divorced from the business life. It is to pervade and sanctify its
engagements and enterprises. If a man is truly connected with God and heaven, the spirit that
dwells in heaven will influence all his words and actions. He will glorify God in his works, and​

Being United As Children Of God​

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26.​

We seldom find two persons exactly alike. Among human beings as well as among the
things of the natural world, there is diversity. Unity in diversity among God’s children—the
manifestation of love and forbearance in spite of difference of disposition—this is the testimony
that God sent His Son into the world to save sinners.

The unity that exists between Christ and His disciples does not destroy the personality of
either. In mind, in purpose, in character, they are one, but not in person. By partaking of the
Spirit of God, conforming to the law of God, man becomes a partaker of the divine nature.
Christ brings His disciples into a living union with Himself and with the Father. Through the
working of the Holy Spirit upon the human mind, man is made complete in Christ Jesus. Unity
with Christ establishes a bond of unity with one another. This unity is the most convincing proof
to the world of the majesty and virtue of Christ, and of His power to take away sin.

The powers of darkness stand a poor chance against believers who love one another as Christ
has loved them, who refuse to create alienation and strife, who stand together, who are kind,
courteous, and tender-hearted, cherishing the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. We
must have the Spirit of Christ, or we are none of His.

In unity there is strength; in division there is weakness.

The closer our union with Christ, the closer will be our union with one another. Variance and
disaffection, selfishness and conceit, are striving for supremacy. These are the fruits of a divided
heart, open to the suggestions of the enemy of souls. Satan exults when he can sow seeds of
dissension.​

Store The MindWith Divine Truth​

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye
might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world
through lust. 2 Peter 1:4.​

It is the duty of every child of God to store his mind with divine truth; and the more he does
this, the more strength and clearness of mind he will have to fathom the deep things of God. And
he will be more and more earnest and vigorous, as the principles of truth are carried out in his
daily life.

That which will bless humanity is spiritual life. He who is in harmony with God, will
constantly depend upon Him for strength. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which
is in heaven is perfect.” It should be our life work to be constantly reaching forward to the
perfection of Christian character, ever striving for conformity to the will of God. The efforts
begun here will continue through eternity. The advancement made here will be ours when we
enter upon the future life.

Those who are partakers of Christ’s meekness, purity, and love, will be joyful in God, and
will shed light and gladness upon all around them. The thought that Christ died to obtain for us
the gift of everlasting life, is enough to call forth from our hearts the most sincere and fervent
gratitude, and from our lips the most enthusiastic praise. God’s promises are rich, and full,
and free. Whoever will, in the strength of Christ, comply with the conditions, may claim these
promises, with all their wealth of blessing, as his own. And being thus abundantly supplied
from the treasure-house of God, he may, in the journey of life, “walk worthy of the Lord unto
all pleasing;” by a godly example blessing his fellow-men, and honoring his Creator. While
our Saviour would guard His followers from self-confidence by the reminder, “Without me, ye
can do nothing,” He has coupled with it for our encouragement the gracious assurance, “He that​

We Shall Inherit All Things​

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my
son (daughter). Revelation 21:7.​

In order to inherit all things, we must resist and overcome sin.

We may have joy in the Lord if we will keep His commandments. If we indeed have our
citizenship above, and a title to an immortal inheritance, an eternal substance, we have that faith
which works by love and purifies the soul.... We are members of the heavenly family, children
of the heavenly King, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. At His coming we shall have the
crown of life that fadeth not away.

The Monarch of heaven would have you possess and enjoy all that can ennoble, expand, and
exalt your being and fit you to dwell with Him forever, your existence measuring with the life of
God. What a prospect is the life which is to come! What charms it possesses! How broad and
deep and measureless is the love of God manifested to man!

The privileges granted to the children of God are without limit,—to be connected with Jesus
Christ, who, throughout the universe of heaven and worlds that have not fallen, is adored by
every heart, and His praises sung by every tongue; to be children of God, to bear His name, to
become a member of the royal family; to be ranged under the banner of Prince Immanuel, the
King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Son of God was the heir of all things, and the dominion and glory of the kingdoms of
this world were promised to Him.... Even as Christ was in the world, so are His followers. They
are the sons of God, and joint heirs with Christ; and the kingdom and dominion belong to them.

In place of the world, He will give you, for a life of obedience, the kingdom under the whole​

I Give My Heart​

My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. Proverbs 23:26.​

The Lord says to every one of you, “My son, give Me thine heart.” He sees your disorders. He
knows that your soul is diseased with sin, and He desires to say to you, “Thy sins are forgiven.”

The Great Physician has a remedy for every ill. He understands your case. Whatever may have
been your errors, He knows how to deal with them. Will you not trust yourself to Him?
The blessing of God will rest upon every soul that makes a full consecration to Him. When
we seek for God with all the heart, we shall find Him. God is in earnest with us, and He wants
us to make thorough work for eternity. He has poured out all heaven in one gift, and there is no
reason why we should doubt His love. Look to Calvary....

God asks you to give Him your heart. Your powers, your talents, your affections, should all
be surrendered to Him, that He may work in you to will and to do of His good pleasure, and fit
you for eternal life.

When Christ dwells in the heart, the soul will be so filled with His love, with the joy of
communion with Him, that it will cleave to Him; and in the contemplation of Him, self will be
forgotten. Love to Christ will be the spring of action. Those who feel the constraining love of
God, do not ask how little may be given to meet the requirements of God; they do not ask for the
lowest standard, but aim at perfect conformity to the will of their Redeemer. With earnest desire
they yield all, and manifest an interest proportionate to the value of the object which they seek

It is the submissive, teachable spirit that God wants. That which gives to prayer its excellence​

The Spirit To Glorify Christ In Me​

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:14.​

In these words Christ declares the crowning work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit glorifies
Christ by making Him the object of supreme regard, and the Saviour becomes the delight, the
rejoicing, of the human agent in whose heart is wrought this transformation....

Repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ are the fruits of the renewing power of the
grace of the Spirit. Repentance represents the process by which the soul seeks to reflect the
image of Christ to the world.

Christ gives them the breath of His own Spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts
forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind. The grace of God enlarges and multiplies
their faculties, and every perfection of the divine nature comes to their assistance in the work
of saving souls. Through cooperation with Christ they are complete in Him, and in their human
weakness they are enabled to do the deeds of Omnipotence.

It should be the work of the Christian’s life to put on Christ and to bring himself to a more
perfect likeness of Christ. The sons and daughters of God are to advance in their resemblance
to Christ, our pattern. Daily they are to behold His glory and contemplate His incomparable
excellence.

O that the baptism of the Holy Spirit might come upon you, that you might be imbued with
the Spirit of God! Then day by day you will become more and more conformed to the image of
Christ, and in every action of your life the question would be, “Will it glorify my Master?” By
patient continuance in well-doing you would seek for glory and honor, and would receive the gift of​

The Whole EarthWill Be Lightened​

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power;
and the earth was lightened with his glory. Revelation 18:1.​

The end of all things is at hand. God is moving upon every mind that is open to receive the
impressions of His Holy Spirit. He is sending our messengers that they may give the warning
in every locality. God is testing the devotion of His churches and their willingness to render
obedience to the Spirit’s guidance. Knowledge is to be increased. The messengers of Heaven
are to be seen running to and fro, seeking in every possible way to warn the people of the
coming judgments and presenting the glad tidings of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The standard of righteousness is to be exalted. The Spirit of God is moving upon men’s hearts,
and those who respond to its influence will become lights in the world. Everywhere they are seen
going forth to communicate to others the light they have received as they did after the descent of
the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. And as they let their light shine, they receive more and
more of the Spirit’s power. The earth is lighted with the glory of God.

This message will close with power and strength far exceeding the midnight cry. Servants
of God, endowed with power from on high, with their faces lighted up, and shining with holy
consecration, went forth to proclaim the message from heaven.

Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. A spirit
of intercession was seen, even as was manifested before the great Day of Pentecost. Hundreds
and thousands were seen visiting families and opening before them the Word of God. Hearts
were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest.
On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be​

Principle Not To Be Sacrificed For Peace​

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto
you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27.​

There always have been and always will be two classes on the earth to the end of time—the
believers in Jesus, and those who reject Him. Sinners, however wicked, abominable, and corrupt,
by faith in Him will be purified, made clean, through the doing of His word.... Those who reject
Christ and refuse to believe the truth will be filled with bitterness against those who accept Jesus
as a personal Saviour. But those who receive Christ are melted and subdued by the manifestation
of His love and His humiliation, suffering, and death in their behalf....

The peace that Christ gave to His disciples, and for which we pray, is the peace that is born
of truth, a peace that is not to be quenched because of division. Without may be wars and
fightings, jealousies, envies, hatred, strife; but the peace of Christ is not that which the world
giveth or taketh away. It could endure amid the hunting of spies and the fiercest opposition
of His enemies.... Christ did not for an instant seek to purchase peace by a betrayal of sacred
trusts. Peace could not be made by a compromise of principles.... It is a grave mistake on the
part of those who are children of God to seek to bridge the gulf that separates the children of
light from the children of darkness by yielding principle, by compromising the truth. It would
be surrendering the peace of Christ in order to make peace or fraternize with the world. The
sacrifice is too costly to be made by the children of God to make peace with the world by giving
up the principles of truth.... Then let the followers of Christ settle it in their minds that they will
never compromise truth, never yield one iota of principle for the favor of the world. Let them​

I Will Love As Christ Loved​

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John
13:35.​

If we would be true lights in the world, we must manifest the loving, compassionate spirit of
Christ. To love as Christ loved means that we must practice self-control. It means that we
must show unselfishness at all times and in all places. It means that we must scatter round us kind words and pleasant looks. These cost the giver nothing,
but they leave behind a precious fragrance. Their influence for good cannot be estimated. Not
only to the receiver, but to the giver, they are a blessing; for they react upon him. Genuine
love is a precious attribute of heavenly origin, which increases in fragrance in proportion as it is
dispensed to others....

God desires His children to remember that in order to glorify Him, they must bestow their
affection on those who need it most. None with whom we come in contact are to be neglected.
No selfishness in look, word, or deed is to be manifested to our fellow beings, whatever their
position, whether they be high or low, rich or poor. The love that gives kind words to only a few,
while others are treated with coldness and indifference, is not love, but selfishness. It will not in
any way work for the good of souls or the glory of God. We are not to confine our love to one or
two objects.

Those who gather the sunshine of Christ’s righteousness, and refuse to let it shine into the
lives of others, will soon lose the sweet, bright rays of heavenly grace, selfishly reserved to be
lavished upon a few.... Self should not be allowed to gather to itself a select few, giving nothing
to those who need help the most. Our love is not to be sealed up for special ones. Break the​

I Will Sing Unto The Lord​

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright
will I shew the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23.​

Come to Jesus just as you are, sinful, weak, and needy, and He will give you the water of life.
You want a faith that reaches through the hellish shadow that Satan casts athwart your pathway.
He is busily inventing amusements and fashions which will so take up men’s minds that they
shall not be able to spare any time for meditation. Teach your children to glorify God, not to
please themselves. They are His children—His by creation and by redemption. Teach them to
shun the amusements and follies of this degenerate age. Keep their minds clean and pure in the
sight of God.... Praise God. Let your conversation, your music, your songs all praise Him who
has done so much for us. Praise God here, and then you will be fitted to join the heavenly choir
when you enter the city of God. Then you can cast your glittering crowns at the feet of Jesus,
take your golden harps, and fill all heaven with melody. We shall praise Him with an immortal tongue.

As our Redeemer leads us to the threshold of the Infinite, flushed with the glory of God, we
may catch the themes of praise and thanksgiving from the heavenly choir round about the throne;
and as the echo of the angels’ song is awakened in our earthly homes, hearts will be drawn closer
to the heavenly singers. Heaven’s communion begins on earth. We learn here the keynote of its
praise.

Praise the Lord; talk of His goodness; tell of His power. Sweeten the atmosphere that
surrounds your soul.... Praise, with heart and soul and voice, Him who is the health of your​

Growth In Grace Begins At Home​

The Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk
uprightly. Psalm 84:11.​

There are many who do not grow in grace because they fail of cultivating home religion.

The members of the family are to show that they are in constant possession of a power
received from Christ. They are to improve in every habit and practice, thus showing that they
keep constantly before them what it means to be a Christian.

Those who are Christians in the home will be Christians in the church and in the world.

Grace can thrive only in the heart that is being constantly prepared for the precious seeds of
truth. The thorns of sin will grow in any soil; they need no cultivation; but grace must be carefully
cultivated. The briers and thorns are always ready to spring up, and the work of purification must
advance continually.

That which will make the character lovely in the home is that which will make it lovely in
the heavenly mansions. If you are ... to be the light of the world, that light is to shine in your
home. Here you are to exemplify the Christian graces, to be lovable, patient, kind, yet firm....
You need to seek constantly the highest culture of mind and soul.... As a humble child of God,
learn in the school of Christ; seek constantly to improve your powers, that you may do the most
perfect, thorough work at home, by both precept and example.... Let the light of heavenly grace
irradiate your character, that there may be sunlight in the home.

The measure of your Christianity is gauged by the character of your home life. The grace of
Christ enables its possessors to make the home a happy place, full of peace and rest.​