Prayer and Promises

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. — Colossians 3:1,2, NIV 

The professed people of God should pray more, and talk less; for we are altogether too earthly. Our minds dwell too much on earthly things. We are to be as pilgrims and strangers on the earth, passing on to a better country. 

Are there those here who have been sinning and repenting, sinning and repenting, and will they continue to do so till Christ shall come? May God help us that we may be truly united to Christ, the living vine, and bear fruit to the glory of God! Many feel rich, and regard themselves as in need of nothing; but may such confess their sins, and let the Spirit of God into their hearts. 

Let us elevate the thoughts, and take hold upon things that are of real value, gaining an education here that will be of value in the world to come. Shall we not seek the Lord with earnestness, repent of our backslidings, mourn that we have neglected his word, that we do not know the truth better, and turn to him with all the heart, that he may heal us, and love us freely? Today let us take a step toward heaven. Christian character is not achieved in an instant, but day after day we are to add to our faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity. It is in this way that we are to be made ready for the coming of Christ. 

The latter rain is to fall upon the people of God… Have we defilement and sin in the heart? If so, let us cleanse the soul temple, and prepare for the showers of the latter rain. The refreshing from the presence of the Lord will never come to hearts filled with impurity. May God help us to die to self, that Christ, the hope of glory, may be formed within! I must have the Spirit of God in my heart. I can never go forward to do the great work of God, unless the Holy Spirit rests upon my soul. “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” The day of judgment is upon us. O that we may wash our robes of character, and make them white in the blood of the Lamb! 

— The Review and Herald, April 21, 1891 

Dear Lord, I seek to be truly united with You, the living vine. Let my life bear fruit to Your glory. I need You, O Lord, help me to die to self that You may be formed within. Help me elevate my thoughts heavenward, for I am only a pilgrim on this earth passing on to a better county. I long to have Your Spirit in my heart. Heal me. Cleanse my soul and purify my heart that it may be prepared for the showers of the latter rain.