Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 

— John 17:8,18, NKJV 

THE TESTIMONY 

Shall those who profess Christ seek the friendship of worldlings, but have no communion with the Saviour?

As ambassadors for Christ, we are entrusted with the important work of presenting the truth before the people; and we are to do this, not merely by voice and pen, but by example also.

“Except ye abide in me,” says Christ, “ye can do nothing.” We need him every day; we cannot part with him for an hour. Every faculty of our being belongs to him, and should be dedicated to his service. 

My brethren, if you know that this union with Christ is required of you, and then neglect to maintain a consistent walk and to live in the exercise of faith, the heart will become hardened in disobedience. The tendency is to become self-important and emboldened in a wrong course. It is your duty to abide in Christ. We must be daily learners in his school. We must know the way ourselves before we can teach others how to walk in it. 

“Search the Scriptures,” was the injunction of the Master... When we search the word of God, angels are by our side, reflecting bright beams of light upon its sacred pages. 

The mind must be exercised on the solemn truths of God’s word, or it will grow weak. We have the truth brought out in publications, but it is not enough to rely upon other men’s thoughts. We must examine for ourselves, and learn the reasons of our faith by comparing scripture with scripture. 

Take the Bible, and on your knees plead with God to enlighten your mind. If we would study the Bible diligently and prayerfully every day, we should every day see some beautiful truth in a new, clear, and forcible light. 

Let us become Bible students ourselves, and teach all who hear us to search the Scriptures. Preach your own words less, but establish Bible-readings. Let the Lord speak through his word directly to hearts; thus the truth will impress many minds, and the memory will retain it longer than it would a sermon. 

Grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. 

— The Review and Herald, March 4, 1884 

THE RESPONSE 

Seek to have communion with your Saviour. 

Exercise your mind in the solemn truths of God’s word. Examine the scriptures for yourself and learn by comparing scripture with scripture. 

Take the Bible and on your knees plead with God to enlighten your mind. Study the Bible prayerfully and diligently every day.

Establish Bible-readings and let the Lord speak through His word directly to hearts.