Prayer and Promises

 

THE PROMISE 

 

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

— Philippians 1:9,11, NLT 

 

THE TESTIMONY 

 

This world is our school,—a school of discipline and training. We are placed here to form characters like the character of Christ, and to acquire the habits and the language of the higher life. 

 

The principles of God’s government,—the only principles that will endure from everlasting to everlasting,—are to be followed. 

 

Let us allow God to control our minds... Men of the world are striving for the supremacy. God’s followers are to keep Christ ever in view, inquiring at every step, “Is this the way of the Lord?” A holy desire to live the life of Christ is to fill their hearts. 

 

O that our people could realize what advantages would be theirs if they would look constantly to Jesus... Pressing close to Him, and holding communion with Him, we become like Him. Through the transforming power of the Spirit of Christ, we are changed in heart and life. 

 

I see such need of the deep working of grace on minds, such need of the sanctification of body, soul, and spirit, that I plead with the Lord to fill His workers with a realization that without Him they can do nothing. 

 

The Lord Jesus Christ is our efficiency, our all and in all. Let there be no lifting up of self unto vanity; for of ourselves we are unable to do any good thing. Let us give ourselves to God in unreserved surrender, learning daily from the One who, though the Majesty of heaven, walked this earth in meekness and lowliness. 

 

In His strength we are constantly to reach forward to gain the prize of our high calling in Christ, urging our way through difficulties, keeping our eyes fixed on our Leader, never losing a sense of our need of the higher life. 

 

One thing is certain: We must be constantly reaching forward to the excellence to which God wishes us to attain. We must not fail or become discouraged. Perplexities will arise that will try the souls of God’s workers. Expecting trials, let us keep ourselves braced by prayer and trust. 

 

— Australasian Union Conference Record, February 1, 1904 

 

THE RESPONSE  

 

Keep Christ ever in view, inquire at every step, “Is this the way of the Lord?” 

 

Press close to Him. Hold communion with Him and become changed in heart and life. 

 

In His strength constantly reach forward. Urge our way through difficulties keeping our eyes fixed on our Leader. 

 

Expecting trials, keep ourselves braced by prayer and trust.