Prayer and Promises

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. — Romans 12:17,18,21, BSB 

Keep yourselves where the three great powers of heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, can be your efficiency. These powers work with the one who gives himself unreservedly to God. The strength of heaven is at the command of God’s believing ones. The man who takes God as his trust is barricaded by an impregnable wall. 

Be careful of your words. If any one speaks evil of you, even though it be without occasion, do not retaliate. It will not pay you. Accuse no one wrongfully, and if you are wrongfully accused, keep silent. Live peaceably with all men, and let the atmosphere surrounding your soul be sweet and fragrant. If you will battle against selfish human nature, you will go steadily forward in the work of overcoming hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong. By patience, long-suffering, and forbearance, you will accomplish much. Remember that you can not be humiliated by the unwise speech of some one else, but when you speak unwisely, you humiliate yourself, and lose a victory you might have gained. 

The faithful performance of today’s duties will prepare you to take hold of tomorrow’s work with fresh courage, saying, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped me.” Ever stand as minute men before God. Let the prayer of your heart be, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Imbue me with thy Spirit, and strengthen me for thy work.” Thus you will grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ. 

Christian workers can never attain the highest success until they learn the secret of strength. They must give themselves time to think, to pray, to wait upon God for a renewal of physical, mental, and spiritual power. They need the uplifting of his Spirit. Receiving this, they will be quickened by fresh life. The wearied frame and tired brain will be refreshed, the burdened heart will be rested. 

Our spiritual life is sustained by the word of God… Those who receive and assimilate this word, making it a part of every act, of every attribute of character, will grow strong in the strength of God.

— The Southern Watchman, February 23, 1904 

Father God, I give myself unreservedly to You. I need Your help and strength to keep silent when I am treated unfairly instead of retaliating. I put my trust in You, give me victory over my selfish nature. Imbue me with Your Spirit that I may learn patience and tolerance and to live peaceably with all people. Uplift me, O Lord, let the atmosphere surrounding my soul be sweet and fragrant.