April 29

Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation--Mark 14: 38.

What may be the character of the temptations, we may not clearly discern until they are upon us; for if we knew all about them in advance, they would be but slight temptations. Watch, therefore, and pray always; for the only safe way is to be prepared; because your adversary, the devil, is seeking whom he may devour. He knows your weak points, and is ready to take advantage of them. We shall each need the graces of the Spirit in our hearts, as well as the Lord's "grace to help in time of need," if we would overcome.
My soul, be on thy guard,
Ten thousand foes arise,
The hosts of sin are pressing hard
To draw thee from the prize.
—Z '03, 119 (R 3178)

As long as we are in the flesh, temptations beset us on all sides. These will be powerless to allure us, if we heed the admonition, "watch and pray." Scrutinizing our dispositions, thoughts, motives, words, doings, surroundings and the influences operating upon us, in the light of the Word, will manifest the real nature of these suggestions; and heartfelt reliance on the power of God to deliver us, expressed in petitions for help in the name of Christ, will secure grace whereby a way of escape will be found—P '20, 32.

Parallel passages: Ex. 23: 13; 34: 12; Deut. 4: 9; Psa. 119: 9; Prov. 4: 23-26; Matt. 26: 38-46; Acts 20: 28-30; 1 Cor. 16: 13; Eph. 6: 18; Matt. 6: 5-13; 7: 7, 8; Luke 11: 11-13; 18: 1; Phil. 4: 6; 1 Tim. 2: 8; Heb. 4: 16.

Hymns: 13, 130, 136, 183, 35, 71, 239.
Poems of Dawn, 109: My Prayer.
Tower Reading: Z '13, 311 (R 5331).

Questions: What have my experiences this week been along the lines of the text? What helped or hindered me therein? What were the results?

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith--Gal. 6: 10.

The Christian is to be ready to do good at the expense of his own time and convenience to all men, but he is to be ready to lay down his life for the brethren—he is to seek opportunities for laying down his life day after day, in the sense of giving his time to the communication of the Truth, or helping the Lord's brethren in any manner, to put on the whole armor of God, and to stand in the evil day—Z '03, 121 (R 3180).

Opportunities for well-doing present themselves on every hand. They should be seized and utilized at first sight, even as the miner seizes the diamond or ruby at first sight. God's children should develop a positive Christianity, seeking to do good to anyone and to all. Our well-doing should be regulated by a sound mind, which will direct us to serve the brethren especially, but not to the exclusion of others, on the principle of our Lord's words, "This ought ye to do, and not to leave the other undone"—P '36, 48.

Parallel passages: 1 Cor. 15: 58; 2 Thes. 3: 13; 2 Cor. 4: 1; Heb. 10: 36; Eccles.3: 12; 9: 10; Matt. 5: 43, 44; John 9: 4; 12: 35; Psa.37: 3, 27; Mark 3: 4; Luke 6: 35; 1 Thes.5: 15; 1 Tim. 6: 17, 18; Titus 2: 14; 3: 8.

Hymns: 309, 70, 116, 210, 267, 275, 280.
Poems of Dawn, 169: Go Labor On.
Tower Reading: Z '13, 357 (R 5357).

Questions: Have I this week used opportunities for doing good? To whom? What were the circumstances? What was helpful or hindersome? What were the results?

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light--Rom. 13: 12.

The works of darkness would be any works whatever that would not stand the fullest investigation, that would not stand approval in the light of the new dispensation, if it were fully ushered in. Let us remember that we belong to the new dispensation, and not to the old, and should, therefore, live in accordance with our citizenship and our responsibility toward the Prince of Light and in opposition to the prince of darkness, his works and his ways—Z '03, 122 (R 3181).

The night of Satan's dark reign over the earth is almost ended. The day of Christ's joyous reign is at hand. As God's people we should cast off any and every work or quality imbued with the Adversary's spirit, and arm ourselves with every truth and grace of the Lord's Spirit. Thus our citizenship in the Kingdom of God will be properly attested, and our patriotism will be splendidly manifested, and that to the Divine pleasing—P '30, 31.

Parallel passages: Gen. 6: 5, 11; 8: 21; Psa. 51: 5; Prov. 20: 9; Eccles. 7: 20; Isa. 1: 5, 6; 51: 1; 64: 6; Jer. 17: 9; Matt. 7: 17; 15: 19; John 3: 19; Rom. 1: 21-32; 3: 9-19, 23; 6: 6, 19, 20; Gal. 5: 17, 19-21; Eph. 4: 17-22; 5: 11; Col. 3: 8; Eph. 6: 12-18; 1 Thes. 5: 8; John 3: 21; 15: 2-8; 2 Cor. 9: 8; Gal. 6: 4, 7-9.

Hymns: 192, 266, 82, 130, 13, 200, 272.
Poems of Dawn, 241: The Field of Battle.
Tower Reading: Z '15, 280 (R 5768).

Questions: Have I this week put off evil and put on good? How? What helped or hindered? With what results?

Let us walk honestly, as in the day--Rom. 13: 13.

Each one should see to it that he is honest, not only in matters of dollars and cents, but honest in his treatment of his neighbors, in his treatment of the brethren, and above all, honest in his confessions respecting his God and his faith. The test is being made along this line, and those who love the favor of men rather than the favor of God, and who dishonestly are willing to confess and profess a lie, will be given up to their lie, will be permitted to blight their eternal interests, will be proving themselves unfit for the Kingdom—whatever else they may ultimately become fit for—Z '03, 122 (R 3181).

God's people should live aboveboard. Their conduct should be a living expression and illustration of justice. With uprightness of heart should they give to all their dues. So should their conduct be, that at any time, and at all times, if seen by others, it should cause them no shame. They should walk honestly, as in the Millennial day, and as though seen by God and by all men—P '35, 61.

Parallel passages: Phil. 4: 8; Col. 1: 12, 13; Song 2: 7, 17; 1 Cor. 13: 12; Rev. 22: 5; 1 Pet. 2: 12; 2 Pet. 3: 11, 12; 2 Cor. 6: 7; Eph. 6: 13-18; 1 Pet. 4: 7, 8; 1 Thes. 5: 4-8; John 9: 4.

Hymns: 164, 307, 13, 192, 114, 277, 58.
Poems of Dawn, 118: Thy Will Be Done.
Tower Reading: Z '12, 287 (R 5097).

Questions: Have I this week walked as though in the Kingdom? Under what circumstances? What was helpful or hindersome therein? What resulted therefrom?

My mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips, when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches--Psa. 63: 5, 6.

Prayer is not a privilege merely, but also a necessity—commanded as indispensable to our Christian growth. Whoever loses the desire to thank and worship and commune with the Father of mercies, may rest assured that he is losing the very spirit of sonship, and should promptly seek and remove the barrier—the world, the flesh or the devil. Every additional evidence of the Lord's confidence in us by the revealing to us of His character and Plan, so far from diminishing our worship and prayers, should multiply them. If our hearts are good soil, they will bring forth the more abundantly—Z '96, 161 (R 2004).

Whoever acts as a mouthpiece of Christ proclaims joyful doctrines; for God's eternal purpose is replete with blessing for all, reflects credit upon the Father and displays His wisdom, justice, love and power. Resting upon the Truth, as a bed, and contemplating the mercies of God in seasons of distress, the Christian may proclaim the Lord's Plan and thereby praise the Father's character. Our chief object in proclaiming the Lord's Word should be to manifest to others how praiseworthy, appreciable and adorable Jehovah our God and Father is!—P '34, 36.

Parallel passages: Lev. 7: 12; Psa. 34: 1; 50: 14, 23; 69: 30, 31; 107: 22; 116: 17; 119: 97; Isa. 63: 7; Hos. 14: 2; Eph. 5: 19, 20; Col. 3: 17; Phil. 4: 6; 1 Thes. 5: 18; 2 Thes. 1: 3; 1 Pet. 2: 5; 4: 11.

Hymns: 238, 23, 49, 296, 116, 44, 260.
Poems of Dawn, 268: My Psalm.
Tower Reading: Z '15, 311 (R 5785).

Questions: Have my meditations and speech this week been on the Lord's Word and Character? Under what circumstances? With what results?

If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf--1 Pet. 4: 16.

Sickness and discomfort of any sort, incurred by our energy in the service of the Truth, are permitted by our Father as evidences of our fidelity and love; because if not liable to such tribulations, or if relieved of them instantly by a miracle, the Lord's service would cost us no sacrifice and the test of our willingness to endure for the Truth's sake would be wanting. As it is, however, every ache or pain or wound of person or of feelings, and beheading socially or literally for the Truth's sake, becomes a witness of the Spirit, testifying to our faithfulness. And in all such tribulations we should rejoice greatly—as say our Lord and the Apostle Peter—Z '96, 166 (R 2004).

To suffer as a Christian means to suffer from the same causes, in the same forms, in the same spirit, for the same purposes, and with similar results as Jesus. Whoever is so highly favored, far from being ashamed, should count it the greatest privilege and cause for rejoicing and thanksgiving possible for a human being to have. It gives him fellowship with the Father, the Son and the saints, appreciation of their characters, great peace and joy in this life, preparation for the Kingdom, and eventually the prize of our calling—P '33, 63.

Parallel passages: Matt. 5: 10-12; Rom. 8: 35, 36; 1 Cor. 15: 31, 32; 2 Cor. 1: 5, 9; 12: 10; Gal. 2: 20; 6: 17; Phil. 1: 29; 3: 10; Heb. 10: 32-34; Jas. 1: 2, 12; 1 Pet. 1: 6, 7; 2: 19-24; 4: 12-14; 5: 1, 10.

Hymns: 134, 47, 114, 208, 302, 325, 326.
Poems of Dawn, 287: And Sitting Down, They Watched Him There.
Tower Reading: Z '15, 297 (R 5778).

Questions: What were this week's experiences in line with this text? How were they borne? What were the results?

My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus--Phil. 4: 19.

If you have no burning zeal to preach the good tidings of great joy, pray earnestly and faithfully and persistently for it, and strive for it, and you will soon have it. If you have a zeal and love for the Gospel, and lack ability to present it, pray for the ability, while you make full use of what you have. If you have the zeal and ability, and lack an opportunity, take it to the Lord in prayer as soon as you can, telling Him that you are faithfully using all the opportunities you have. Then watch for more opportunities, without slackening your hand to use the very humblest and smallest within your reach—Z '96, 163 (R 2004).

All Christians need wisdom, justice, love and power, which God has pledged Himself to develop in the faithful. Jehovah has in His unfathomable resources of Wisdom, Justice, Love and Power a plentitude of riches to supply all their needs. Generously indeed does He supply these to all who ask for them in and through His Son, whom He has made unto us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Deliverance—P '27, 55.

Parallel passages: Psa. 23; 34: 7-10; 50: 10; 65: 9-13; Prov. 8: 21; Isa. 25: 4; Mal. 3: 10; Matt. 6: 26-33; Rom. 8: 28; 2 Cor. 9: 8, 9; Heb. 13: 5, 6; 1 Pet. 5: 7; Eph. 1: 7; 3: 16.

Hymns: 67, 110, 63, 119, 121, 293, 301.
Poems of Dawn, 210: Take Heart.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 230 (R 5508).

Questions: Has God this week supplied my need? Under what circumstances? How did it affect me?

If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him--Heb. 10: 38.

The drawing back may at first be a very slight departure from the narrow way of sacrifice—only a looking back perhaps, with a sigh for the things behind; a little slowing up of speed in the race set before us; then a little disposition to compromise the Truth in favor of the cravings of the fallen nature. Thus the way is prepared for the arts of the Tempter, who is quick to note our weak points, and to take advantage of them in a manner best suited to our case. Subtle errors are brought to bear against the judgment; pleasing allurements, with a show of righteousness, are presented to the fleshly mind; and, almost imperceptibly, the soul forgets its "first love" for the Lord, and its first zeal for His service, and drifts away from the Truth and the spirit of it, being no longer led of the holy Spirit of God—Z '95, 93 (R 1798).

To draw back signifies to withdraw one's consecration, and to return to a life of sin, error, selfishness and worldliness. One's leaving an evil life and consecrating himself to God cause Jehovah much pleasure, as it is written, "The Lord taketh pleasure in all his saints." Accordingly God is more displeased with those who have known the way of life and have forsaken it than with those who never knew it. They are in the hands of the living God for destruction—P '20, 71.

Parallel passages: Gen. 19: 26; Psa. 85: 10; 125: 5; Hos. 11: 7; Luke 9: 62; 17: 32; Matt. 5: 13; 6: 23; John 17: 12; 2 Tim. 2: 12; Heb. 6: 4-9; 10: 26-31; 2 Pet. 2:1-22; 3: 17; 1 John 5:16.

Hymns: 13, 130, 136, 20, 95, 196, 198.
Poems of Dawn, 130: Be Vigilant.
Tower Reading: Z '12, 278 (R 5093).

Questions: What have been my temptations along the lines of this text? How did I overcome therein? What are my resolutions as to these experiences?

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain--1 Cor. 9: 24.

To gain the victory we must not only put on the armor of God, but we must also be heroes in the strife, and wage an aggressive warfare upon the lusts of the eye and flesh and pride of life and all the foes of righteousness and purity. Love—love for the Lord, for the Truth and for righteousness—must inspire us, or we shall never be victors. Love alone will keep us faithful even unto death, and make us meet for the inheritance of the saints. Where fervent love rules the heart, it implies that the heart is fully submitted to the Lord, and that means that nine tenths of the battle is already won. But, even then, as the Apostle says (Jude 21), we must keep ourselves in the love of God, in watchfulness and prayer and zeal; and grace will abound where love abounds—Z '95, 93 (R 1798).

The Christian life is compared to a race. To win the race, careful preparation, great exertion, undiminished perseverance, undeviating endeavor, and the closest possible adherence to regulations are required. He who neglects these will fail to win, while he who persists in these to the end will surely win. Our endeavor should be so to run as to win—P '36, 48.

Parallel passages: Psa. 19: 5; Eccles. 9: 11; Jer. 12: 5; Phil. 3: 14; Heb. 12: 1; 1 Cor. 9: 25-27; Gal. 2: 2; 5: 7; Phil. 2: 16; 2 Tim. 2: 5; 4: 7, 8; Eph. 6:12; 1 Tim. 6: 12; 1 Pet. 1: 4; 5: 4; Jas. 1: 12; Rev. 3: 11.

Hymns: 20, 1, 44, 71, 78, 130, 183.
Poems of Dawn, 288: He Leads Us On.
Tower Reading: Z '07, 260 (R 4050).

Questions: How have I run this week? What was my motive therein? What hindered or helped therein? What resulted therefrom?

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time--1 Pet. 5: 6.

It is indeed no easy matter to tread the pathway of humility, to check continually the human aspirations and to keep the sacrifice on the altar until it is fully consumed. But thus it is that we are to work out our own salvation as Christians with fear and trembling, lest we come short of worthiness for the reward that God has promised to the faithful overcomers who tread closely in the footsteps of our blessed Forerunner … who was meek and lowly of heart. It is when we are thus humble and faithful that the Lord makes us His chosen vessels to bear His name to others. Thus emptied of self, He can fill us with His Spirit and with His Truth, and we can go forth strong in the Lord of hosts and in His mighty power, to do valiant service as soldiers of the cross—Z '93, 7 (R 1486).

Christ is the mighty hand of God, under whom we are. To humble ourselves under Him would mean to empty ourselves of self-appreciation, whether it be along physical, mental, moral or religious lines, and to maintain that estimate of ourselves that the Spirit, Word and providences of God warrant us in having. Whoever, amid the varying scenes of life so humbles himself under Christ, will in due time be exalted by God under Christ—P '30, 31.

Parallel passages: Jas. 1: 9, 10; 4: 6; Isa. 57: 15; 66: 2; Job 22: 29; Prov. 15: 33; 29: 23; Dan. 4: 37; Luke 1: 52; 10: 21; 14: 10, 11; 18: 14; 1 Pet. 5: 3, 5; Matt. 5: 3; 11: 29; 18: 2-4; 20: 26, 27; 23: 12; Rom. 12: 3, 10, 16; 1 Cor. 13: 4; 2 Cor. 12: 5-12; Eph. 4: 2; 5: 21; Phil. 2: 3-11.

Hymns: 95, 21, 6, 1, 58, 105, 216.
Poems of Dawn, 51: Right Was The Pathway.
Tower Reading: Z '13, 56 (R 5185).

Questions: What were this week's experiences as to this text? How were they met? What was helpful or hindersome therein? In what did they result?

Let us walk … not in rioting and drunkenness--Rom. 13: 13.

Some have an intoxication for money, wealth; others an intoxication for business; others for dress; others for music; others for art; but as the Lord's people, who have gotten a glimpse of the new day, and the great work of God which is to be accomplished in that day, our hearts should be so absorbed in the work of God that these matters, which would be thought proper enough and right enough in others, worldly people—because they are not awake as we are, and because they see not the future as we see it—should be far from our conception and course—Z '03, 123 (R 3179).

Unless the Christian takes heed to his ways, he will become intoxicated with error, sin, selfishness and worldliness. Such intoxication inevitably leads him into spiritual rioting in which all law and order are forgotten, and violence to spiritual life and limb are inflicted upon those in his way. Destruction frequently marks his course, and the strong arm of the Divine law must put down this rioting in the Second Death—P '35, 61.

Parallel passages: Prov. 23: 20; Luke 21: 34; 1 Pet. 4: 3; Rom. 8: 29; 1 Cor. 6: 9; 1 Pet. 2: 11, 21, 22; Gal. 5: 16-26; 6: 18; Eph. 5: 5, 11, 14, 16; Col. 3: 8-10, 12.

Hymns: 130, 315, 71, 78, 83, 136, 1.
Poems of Dawn, 46: The Narrow Way.
Tower Reading: Z '13, 323 (R 5338).

Questions: What were this week's experiences connected with this text? How were they met? What was their outcome?

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the participation of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the participation of the body of Christ? For we being many are one loaf--1 Cor. 10: 16, 17.

It is one cup, though it be the juice of many grapes, even as it is one loaf, though it be from many grams. The grains cannot maintain their individuality and their own life, if they would become bread for others; the grapes cannot maintain themselves as grapes, if they would constitute the life-giving spirit; and thus we see the beauty of the Apostle's statement that the Lord's people are participants in the one loaf and cup. There is no other way that we can attain the new nature than by accepting the Lord's invitation to drink of His cup, and be broken with Him as members of the one loaf, and to be buried with Him in baptism into His death, and thus to attain with Him resurrection glory, honor and immortality—Z '01, 76 (R 2771).

While the primary thought symbolized in the Memorial Supper is that of justification, its secondary thought is consecration. From this standpoint the cup symbolizes the sufferings incident to the sacrificial dying process, poured out by the Father for us to endure, and the bread represents the humanity of the Church given over unto death sacrificially. Thus in the Memorial the death of the Church as well as that of Jesus is pictured forth—P '34, 46.

Parallel passages: Ex. 12: 3-14, 18, 21-28; Matt. 26: 26-28; Mark 14: 22-25; 10: 35-39; Luke 12: 50; John 18: 11; 1 Cor. 11: 23-34; Luke 22: 19, 20; Rom. 6: 1-11; 8: 10, 17; 12: 1; 1 Cor. 15: 29-34; 2 Cor. 1: 5; 4: 8; Gal. 2: 20; Phil. 3: 10; Col. 1: 24; 2 Tim. 2: 10-12; 1 Pet. 2: 19-24; 3: 17, 18; 4: 13-19; Col. 1: 27; 1 Cor. 12: 12, 13; Heb. 3: 1; 7: 26, 27; 1 Pet. 2: 5, 9; Heb. 10: 4-10; 13: 10-14; 9: 13-23.

Hymns: 122, 276, 160, 191, 281, 31, 322.
Poems of Dawn, 54: The One Loaf.
Tower Reading: Z '13, 327 (R 5341).

Questions: Have I this week fellowshipped with the Lord and the brethren in suffering? In what ways? Under what circumstances? What helped or hindered therein? With what results?

Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you--John 6: 53.

Gladly, dear Lord, we eat (appropriate to our necessities) the merit of Thy pure nature sacrificed for us—for our justification. Gladly, too, we will partake of the cup of suffering with Thee, realizing it to be a blessed privilege to suffer with Thee, that in due time we may also reign with Thee; to be dead with Thee, that in the everlasting future we may live with Thee, and be like Thee and share Thy love and Thy glory as Thy Bride. Oh! that we may be faithful, not only in the performance of the symbol, but also of the reality. Blessed Lord, we hear Thy Word saying, "Ye shall indeed drink of my cup and be baptized with my baptism." Lord, we are not of ourselves able thus to sacrifice; but Thy grace is sufficient for us; for we are wholly Thine, now and forever—Z '99, 51 (R 2436).

To eat the flesh of the Son of Man means in part to appropriate by faith His perfect humanity; and to drink His blood means in part to appropriate His perfect life by faith. Thus we appropriate from Christ an exact equivalent of our debt on account of Adam's sin; and this appropriated perfect humanity and life reckon us as being perfect and having perfect life. Without this appropriation we are dead in Adam and cannot have life, but with it we have life. To eat His flesh and to drink His blood, particularly the latter, also mean in part the Church sharing with Him in the sacrificial death—P '33, 63.

Parallel passages: Matt. 26: 26-28; 1 Cor. 11: 23-29; John 6: 47-58; 1 Cor. 10: 16; Rom. 6: 3-10; 8: 10; 1 Cor. 15: 29-34; Col. 1: 24; 2 Tim. 2: 10-12; Heb. 13: 13-16.

Hymns: 325, 123, 277, 135, 259, 132, 299.
Poems of Dawn, 55: "Until He Come."
Tower Reading: Z '13, 328 (R 5342).

Questions: Did I this week eat His flesh and drink His blood? How? Why? With what results?

He hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors--Isa. 53: 12.

As everyone who follows the Master's footsteps must needs have some Gethsemane experiences, so also each must have a taste at least of all the Master's experiences. Let us not forget, then, to look about us for opportunities for serving the "brethren," the "little ones," the fellow disciples of Christ. Let each be careful not to add to the reproaches that must fall upon all the followers of the Lamb, but on the contrary to offer words of sympathy, and to help bear each other's crosses, difficulties and trials by the way. Thus can we best show to our Lord and Head how we would have appreciated the opportunity of helping Him bear His cross on the way to Calvary—Z '99, 125 (R 2473).

Our Lord's death was not a seeming death. His death was actual. His very being was surrendered in death. The process by which it was done was a slow, lingering one, covering a space of 3½ years, and working through physical exhaustion, mental sorrow and physical violence. So greatly did He love us that He went for parts of three days into the death state on our behalf; nor were His final hours passed amid ameliorating conditions. Though innocent of sin and crime, He was put to death as a sinner and criminal with sinners and criminals—P '27, 55.

Parallel passages: Gen. 3: 15; Psa. 22: 1-21; 69: 21; Isa. 53:1-12; Dan. 9: 26; Zech. 12: 10; 13: 7; Matt. 27: 1-50; Mark 15: 1-37; Luke 23: 1-46; John 18: 28—19: 30.

Hymns: 168, 5, 28, 132, 135, 246, 290.
Poems of Dawn, 27: Christ Within.
Tower Reading: Z '12, 228 (R 5064).

Questions: What effect did Jesus' death have upon me this week? What were the circumstances and the results?

Father, into thy hands I commend [deposit] my spirit--Luke 23: 46.

With full confidence our dear Redeemer looked up to the Father, and full of faith declared that He committed all of life and all of the blessed hopes for the future to the Father's love and to the Father's power, to be provided in harmony with the Father's Plan and Word. And so must we, as followers in our Master's footsteps, look forward with faith, and in our dying hour commit all our interests to the keeping of Him who has manifested His love for us, not only in the gift of His Son as our Redeemer, but all our journey through—in His providential care, as well as in the exceeding great and precious promises which go before us and give us strength, comfort and assurance—Z '99, 128 (R 2473).

Though but a few moments before His death our Lord felt Himself abandoned by God, just at the moment of His death He recovered the consciousness of God's favor, and therefore addressed Him as Father; and so complete was His confidence in the Father's favor that without the shadow of a doubt He committed His hopes for future existence into the Father's power, having perfect assurance that the Father would restore Him to life. The literal rendering shows that He also deposited with the Father His human life-rights and His right to human life, for the use of others—P '20, 71.

Parallel passages: 1 Chron. 5: 20; 2 Chron. 33: 12, 13; Job 1: 20, 21; 2: 9; Psa. 22: 1-21; 31: 5; 89: 26; Isa. 53:1-12; Matt. 26: 39; John 8: 11; Acts 7: 59, 60; 21: 14; 1 Pet. 2: 21-24; Phil. 2: 8; Heb. 2: 9, 14; 12: 3, 4; 1 Pet. 4: 12-14, 19; 2 Tim. 4: 6.

Hymns: 5, 15, 132, 187, 168, 190, 246.
Poems of Dawn, 189: He Knows.
Tower Reading: Z '15, 38 (R 5621).

Questions: What has Christ's deposited merit meant to me this week? How has His trust in God affected me this week? What blessings flowed from these to me this week and through me to others?

They shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him--Mal. 3: 17.

Had the Lord sent us forth to seek His elect, we might have gathered in some whom He rejects as unworthy, because we are unable to read the heart. This thought should make us very humble, gentle and meek toward all, and very trustful of the Lord, and very much inclined to look for His leading in respect to our labors as His servants, just as Samuel looked to the Lord in connection with the anointing of David—Z '03, 223 (R 3225).

The Lord makes glorious promises to those who seek Him as the chief object in their lives. He makes them His own, even His own sons, and this will be particularly manifested in the great day. With tender regard does He deal with them. No earthly father ever treated his children with greater leniency than Jehovah treats His children who delight to do His will—P '36, 48.

Parallel passages: Psa. 66: 16; 56: 8; Isa. 65: 13, 14; Heb. 3: 14; Psa. 135: 4; John 17: 6, 9, 10, 24; Isa. 62: 3; Psa. 103: 8-13; Song of Solomon 2: 16; John 10: 27-30; 1 Cor. 3: 23; 6: 20; Gal. 5: 24; 2 Thes. 1: 7-10; Ex. 19: 5; Deut. 7: 6; Titus 2: 14; 1 Pet. 2: 9; Rom. 8: 32; 2 Cor. 6: 18; 1 John 3: 1-3.

Hymns: 29, 18, 21, 72, 155, 201, 204.
Poems of Dawn, 259: Coming By and By.
Tower Reading: Z ' 12, 326 (R 5119).

Questions: How has this text affected me this week? Why? Under what conditions? With what results?

The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you--1 John 2: 27.

The blessing and power of the Lord accompanied David's anointing in some manner—just how, we may not understand—enabling him to progress in knowledge, etc., and fitting and preparing him for the duties of the office to which he had been anointed. May we not consider as an antitype to this, the anointing which comes upon the Church from the time of her acceptance with the Lord? Ours is not a physical anointing, nor are the blessings conferred of a temporal character; it is as New Creatures that we grow in grace and knowledge and love, and as New Creatures that, by and by, we shall be perfected in the First Resurrection and come to the Throne with our Lord and Master as our Head—Z '03, 223 (R 3225).

It never entered the minds of the ancients that the Anointed would consist of a company, but to the Gospel Church this mystery has been made clear, and their position in this anointed company remains secure to the faithful. The holy heart and mind begotten in them at their consecration was the earnest of their inheritance, the immutable pledge of God's faithfulness to the faithful—P '30, 31.

Parallel passages: Psa. 18: 50; 20: 6; 23: 5; 45: 7; Heb. 1: 9; Psa. 89: 20-23; Isa. 11: 2, 3; 61: 1-3; Dan. 9: 24; Matt. 3: 16, 17; Acts 4: 27; 10: 38; 2 Cor. 1: 21; 1 John 2: 20, 27; 1 Cor. 12: 12, 13; 15: 23.

Hymns: 1, 21, 90, 14, 165, 217, 218.
Poems of Dawn, 42: Full Consecration.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 297 (R 5549).

Questions: What has this text meant to me this week? How? With what results?

though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are made partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy--1 Pet. 4: 12, 13.

In an unfriendly world we can expect to receive only the reproaches of our Master, for the servant is not above his Lord. The world, the flesh and the devil oppose our way. There are fightings within and fears without, and many are the arrows and fiery darts aimed at the righteous. But what is the safe attitude of the soul under afflictions and severe testings? Is it not in silence before God, waiting and watching first to see His leading, His will, in every matter before presuming to touch things that often involve so much? So the Psalmist suggests, saying, "I was dumb with silence; I held my peace, even from good [even from doing or saying what seemed good in my own sight]"—Z '96, 31 (R 1937).

It should not surprise God's children when trials come, for their consecration implies suffering with Christ. Nor should it discourage them; rather it should be the cause of rejoicing, because it affords them the privilege of suffering with Christ, an experience which should make all the sweeter the glory to follow. The greater the suffering endured, the greater will be the glory to be revealed. Well may this thought encourage us—P '35, 61.

Parallel passages: Rom. 6: 1-11; 8: 10, 17; 2 Cor. 1: 5; 4: 10; 1 Cor. 15: 29-34; Mark 10: 35-39; Col. 2: 11, 12; Gal. 2: 20; 2 Tim. 2: 10-12; Phil. 3: 10; 1 Pet. 2: 19-24; 3: 14, 17, 18; 4: 16, 19; Heb. 7: 26, 27; 13: 10-16; 10: 4-10, 19; 9: 13-23; 1 Pet. 2: 5, 9.

Hymns: 299, 114, 134, 244, 326, 259, 325.
Poems of Dawn, 174: Perfect Through Suffering.
Tower Reading: Z ' 15, 297 (R 5778).

Questions: Have I this week suffered with Christ? How? Why? With what results?

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things--Matt. 12: 34, 35.

Our first concern, then, should be for the heart—that its affections and disposition may be fully under the control of Divine grace; that every principle of truth and righteousness may be enthroned there; that justice, mercy, benevolence, brotherly kindness, love, faith, meekness, temperance, supreme reverence for God and Christ, and a fervent love for all the beauties of holiness, may be firmly fixed as the governing principles of life. If these principles be fixed, established, in the heart, then out of the good treasure of the heart the mouth will speak forth words of truth, soberness, wisdom and grace—Z '96, 30 (R 1937).

The heart is the source of our words and acts; therefore as one's words and acts are, his heart is. A good heart overflows in good words and acts; a wicked heart, in evil words and acts. How necessary, therefore, to keep the heart pure! To all the Lord's followers the admonition is certainly appropriate, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4: 23)—P '34, 47.

Parallel passages: Luke 6: 45; Psa. 37: 30; Prov. 10: 20; 12: 6, 17-19; 15: 4, 23; Deut. 5: 29; 6: 5, 6; 1 Sam. 16: 7; 1 Chron. 28: 9; 2 Cor. 12: 14; Psa. 51: 10; Jer. 17: 9, 10; Matt. 5: 8; 12: 33, 36, 37; 15: 18-20; 23: 26; Heb. 3: 8.

Hymns: 116, 44, 130, 125, 136, 49, 154.
Poems of Dawn, 146: Scatter Seeds of Kindness.
Tower Reading: Z '06, 92 (R 3746).

Questions: What were this week's experiences in line with this text? How did this text prove true in this week's experiences? What were the results?

    This does not mean that the Lord's people are to be content with the usual routine of daily life in the home or in the shop, and are to say to themselves, "God accepts my labor as though it were given directly to Him in some other more desirable form," but it does mean that each person so situated should day by day carefully scan his earthly duties and obligations to see in what manner he could justly and properly cut off moments, hours or days from the service of earthly things and earthly interests that now might be given to sacrifice for spiritual things and spiritual interests of himself or others. The consecrated heart, the self-denying disciple, is the one who will improve the moments as they swiftly fly, using them as far as possible in the Father's business—Z '03, 407 (R 3265).

One's character is manifest in all he does; therefore his treatment of little things and small duties is as good an evidence of his character as is his conduct in great things. This is the Divine rule of estimating character, and measures the saints, whose faithfulness to the Lord in the little things of the present life He considers a sufficient guarantee of their faithfulness in the great things of the future—P '33, 63.

Parallel passages: Zech.4: 10; Matt. 25: 21; Luke 16: 11, 12; 19: 17; Heb. 3: 2; Prov. 28: 20; Matt. 10: 22; 24: 45-47; 1 Cor. 4: 2; Rev. 2: 7, 10, 17, 26, 27; 3: 5, 11, 12, 21.

Hymns: 312, 13, 110, 114, 183, 197, 200.
Poems of Dawn, 295: My Service.
Tower Reading: Z '15, 234 (R 5740).

Questions: Have I this week been faithful? In what things? At what cost? With what results?

We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need--Heb. 4: 15, 16.

In the moment of temptation the heart should lift itself to the great Master, in full assurance of faith, recognizing His love, His wisdom and His ability to help us, and His willingness to make all things work together for good to those who love Him. Asking for assistance in such a time of need would surely draw to us the Lord's counsel and help and strength for righteousness, truth, purity and love; and thus we shall be hourly victorious, daily victorious, and finally victorious—Z '98, 23 (R 2248).

There is no experience of trial from the flesh, the world and Satan falling to the lot of the Lord's people that the Lord has not in principle endured. Even though His temptations were not along the line of sin, but along the line of worldliness and natural selfishness, they were nevertheless keen, and worked in Him sympathy for us under like trials. This should give us confidence to approach God through and in Him for help in every time of need—P '27, 55.

Parallel passages: Heb. 2: 17, 18; 3: 1; 5: 1-5; 7: 11-28; 8: 12; 9: 23; Luke 23: 34; John 14: 6, 13-16; 16: 23-26; 17: 20-22; Rom. 8: 34; 1 Cor. 10: 13; Eph. 3: 12; Heb. 10: 19-21.

Hymns: 96, 139, 167, 168, 299, 35, 239.
Poems of Dawn, 35: There's Only One.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 358 (R 5585).

Questions: What experiences of this week have been in line with this text? How was I exercised by them?

I say unto you, That every idle [unprofitable or pernicious] word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment--Matt. 12: 36.

If, in the daily scrutiny of our ways, which is the duty of every Christian, we discover that in any particular our words have been dishonoring to the Lord, we should remember that in the name of our Advocate we may approach the Lord in prayer, explain to our Heavenly Father our realization of the error, our deep regret at our failure to honor His name and His cause by a holy walk and conversation, and humbly request that the sin be not laid to our charge, but that it may be blotted out through His gracious provision for our cleansing through Christ, humbly claiming that in His precious blood is all our hope and trust. Thus we should render up our account for every idle word; and by our words of repentance, supplemented by the merit of Christ applied by faith, shall we be acquitted—Z '96, 32 (R 1937).

The words that are uttered are but expressions of one's sentiments, and therefore go to make up one's character. Idle words are useless and pernicious thoughts expressed, and inevitably undermine character. When one comes on trial for life, this undermining of character will have to be accounted for and righted. It behooves each one therefore to pray: "Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth, keep the door of my lips"—P '20, 71.

Parallel passages: Psa. 26: 1-4; 50: 3-6; 139: 23, 24; Jer. 11: 20; 20: 12; 2 Thes. 1: 4, 5; Matt. 25: 14-30; 1 Cor. 11: 31; Ezek. 18: 20-28; Matt. 11: 22; 12: 37-42; 25: 31-46; John 5: 22-30; Acts 17: 31; Rom. 2: 5-16; 1 Pet. 4: 5, 7.

Hymns: 63, 67, 230, 333, 24, 73, 171.
Poems of Dawn, 143: In the Presence of the King.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 245 (R 5517).

Questions: What have been this week's experiences respecting this text? What lessons did I learn from them?

That on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience--Luke 8: 15.

Everyone who will be a sacrificer must of necessity be meek, humble, teachable, else very shortly he will get out of the way. He must also learn to develop the grace of the Lord along the line of patience, because it certainly requires patience to deny ourselves and to submit at times to injustice where there is no proper means of avoiding it without doing injury to the Lord's cause or to some of His people. It also implies a cultivation of brotherly kindness and, in a word, the development of the whole will of God in our hearts and lives, namely, love, which must be attained in a large and overcoming measure ere we shall have completed our work of sacrificing—Z '03, 408 (R 3265).

An honest and good heart is the best of all possessions, for to such hearts God gives the Truth, and in such hearts the Truth remains, and through such hearts the Truth works, bringing forth an abundant fruitage, ultimately ripening into the Divine likeness, necessary for all who would share with Christ in administering the affairs of the Kingdom—P '36, 48.

Parallel passages: Job 23: 11, 12; Psa. 119: 11, 129; Luke 11: 28; Acts 17: 11; Matt. 13: 23; John 8: 31; 14: 21; 15: 5, 8; Jas. 1: 22, 25; Heb. 3: 14; Rom. 2: 7; Heb. 10: 36; 12: 1; 4: 2; 1 Pet. 2: 1, 2; Psa. 1: 1-3; Col. 1: 6, 10.

Hymns: 125, 22, 49, 154, 198, 267, 315.
Poems of Dawn, 73: Even So, Father.
Tower Reading: Z '15, 228 (R 5736).

Questions: What have been this week's experiences in line with this text? How were they received? What did they effect?

Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification--Rom. 15: 2.

The lesson to each disciple of the Lord is that the special mission of his office, vocation, calling in the present time, is to sacrifice. … One form of service frequently not discerned by the Lord's disciples is the opportunity of renouncing our own ways or plans, our own methods or preferences, and in the interests of peace accepting instead the plans, the preferences of others—where it is merely a matter of personal preference, and where we believe the Lord will be as willing to have the matter one way as another. We can in the interests of peace sacrifice our preferences to the wishes of others, if we see some good can be gained by such a course—Z '14, 308, 309 (R 5555).

From the connection, we see that St. Paul means by one's neighbor, a fellow disciple of the Lord Jesus, and others in a lesser sense. It is not only the duty, but also the privilege of the disciple of Christ to deny self in order to please the others, not their flesh, however, but their new hearts, minds and wills. This pleasing is to be for their good, so that they may be built up in faith, hope and love—P '30, 31.

Parallel passages: Matt. 8: 19-22; 10: 37-39; 13: 44-46; 16: 24, 25; 19: 12, 21; Luke 14: 26-33; 21: 2-4; John 12: 25; Acts 20: 22-24; 21: 13; Rom. 14: 1—15: 5; 1 Cor. 6: 12; 8: 10-13; 9: 12-27; 10: 23, 24; Phil. 2: 4; 3: 7-11; 1 Pet. 2: 11-16; 4: 1, 2; Jude 20, 21.

Hymns: 224, 8, 23, 95, 134, 170, 259.
Poems of Dawn, 165: A Little Light.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 69 (R 5412).

Questions: Have I this week denied self for the brethren? How? Why? What helped or hindered therein? With what results?

Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him--Heb. 11: 6.

"According to thy faith be it unto thee," would seem to be the Lord's method of dealing with all who are His disciples, from first to last of their Christian walk and experience. Faith when He seems not to notice us; faith when things seem to be going prosperously with us in our spiritual affairs and in our temporal affairs; and faith equally strong when the currents and forces seem all to be against us. The victory that overcomes the world is the faith that in all conditions is able to look up to the Lord with absolute confidence in His goodness and faithfulness, and to realize that, according to His promise, eventually all things will work together for good to us because we are His people—Z '00, 139 (R 2625).

Except love, nothing is more pleasing in the sight of God than faith. The Father, therefore, is pleased with those who exercise confidence in His character. Accordingly, those who distrust His character, impugning, as they thereby do, His wisdom, justice, love and power, cannot but be displeasing and, therefore, unacceptable to Him, because "without faith it is impossible to please God." Therefore let us have faith in God—P '35, 62.

Parallel passages: Heb. 11:1-40; Acts 14: 15; Rom. 4: 11, 12, 16, 18, 19; 1 Thes. 1: 9; 1 Tim. 4: 10; 1 John 5: 4; John 3: 15-18, 36; Gen. 15: 1; Matt. 5: 12; 6: 1, 2, 5, 16; 10: 41, 42; 6: 33; Jer. 29: 13; 2 Pet. 1: 5, 10; 3: 14.

Hymns: 174, 198, 125, 21, 58, 32, 92.
Poems of Dawn, 90: Is It for Me?
Tower Reading: Z '15, 197 (R 5716).

Questions: What were this week's experiences in line with this text? How were they met? What results did they bring?

He that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his--Heb. 4: 10.

Instead of demanding one day of the seven, the law of love really controls, regulates our entire time; seven days of the week we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength; seven days of the week we are to love our neighbor as ourselves; and seven days in the week we are to rest also—rest from our own works; rest by faith in the finished work of Christ; rest in the love of God; and rest in the peace of God which passes understanding, ruling in our hearts continually—Z '02, 205 (R 3037).

To enter into rest implies that we accept Christ's finished work as our justification before God, and that we abide with perfect assurance in the consciousness of the reckoned enjoyment of all Millennial blessings. He who has this faith, instead of going about to establish his own righteousness, has peace in the sense of enjoying Christ's righteousness. Thus justifying faith gives Him the rest of justification. Furthermore, in consecration, ceasing from living for self and the world, and looking forward with perfect assurance to the successful outcome of God's Plan, he has the same kind of rest that God enjoys—P '34, 47.

Parallel passages: Heb. 3: 7—4: 11; Job 22: 21, 26; 34: 29; Psa. 4: 8; 17: 15; 25: 12; 29: 11; 37: 4, 11, 37; 119: 165; 125: 1, 5; Prov. 3: 17, 24; Isa. 26: 3, 12; 28: 12; 53: 5; 54: 10, 13; 57: 2, 19; John 14: 27; 16: 33; Acts 10: 36; Rom. 5: 1; 8: 6; 14: 17; 15: 13; Gal. 5: 22; Eph. 2: 14-17; Phil. 4: 7, 9; Col. 3: 15; 2 Thes. 3: 16.

Hymns: 251, 97, 115, 179, 244, 305, 307.
Poems of Dawn, 83: Assurance.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 25 (R 5387).

Questions: What have been this week's experiences in line with this text? How were they met? What helped or hindered therein? In what did they result?

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus--Phil. 2: 5.

To have the mind of Christ is indeed the one requirement of lawful striving—a mind which humbly and faithfully submits itself to the will of God as expressed in His great Plan of the Ages, and which devotes all energy to the accomplishment of His will, because of an intelligent appreciation of the ends He has in view. If so filled with the same mind that was in Christ Jesus, we, like Him, will desire to be as free as possible from entangling earthly affairs, and to have our time as free as possible for the Lord's service, and then to devote all energy, ability and effort to that service—Z '02, 265 (R 3069).

The mind that was in Christ Jesus disposed Him to self-emptying of His prehuman nature and to self-sacrifice, even to the ignominious death of the cross, that He might glorify God. Such a disposition is surely the fitting attitude of everyone who loves God supremely. As supreme love for self leads to self-exaltation, so supreme love for God leads to self-humiliation, that He may be exalted; and as truly as one abases Himself under God's mighty hand, so truly will the Lord exalt him in due time—P '33, 64.

Parallel passages: Isa. 53:1-12; Matt. 11: 29; 20: 26, 27; 23: 12; John 13: 14, 15; Rom. 15: 3; 2 Cor. 8: 9; Phil. 2: 7, 8; 1 Pet. 2: 21; Phil. 3: 7-9; Heb. 13: 13; Prov. 3: 34; 15: 33; 25: 6, 7; Isa. 57: 15; 66: 2; Jer. 45: 5; Luke 22: 24-27; Jas. 4: 6, 10; 1 Pet. 5: 3, 5, 6.

Hymns: 322, 167, 168, 144, 4, 134, 229.
Poems of Dawn, 82: Just to Let Thy Father Do What He Will.
Tower Reading: Z '11, 440 (R 4928).

Questions: Have I this week abased myself for the Lord's sake? How? Under what circumstances? With what results?

We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us--Rom. 5: 3-5.

We have need of patience, and that can only be gained by trials. We have need of faith, and that can only be developed by necessities. We have need of experience for our future work, which can be gained only by such experiences as permit us to be touched with a feeling of the infirmities and difficulties and trials of those about us, to whom we shall be ministers and representatives in God's Kingdom. For us, then, the lesson of present experiences is to resist evil, and not with evil, but with good—Z '03, 348 (R 3228).

In themselves tribulations are not to be gloried in, but we may glory in them, when they work in us patience; and such perseverance in well-doing is rewarded by God's approval, which, when realized, fills the heart with hope for ultimate victory. Nor is this hope vain, because God delights in giving this victory to those whose hearts are filled with Divine love, a love that is the choice fruit of the holy Spirit given us by God in Christ Jesus—P '27, 55.

Parallel passages: Matt. 5: 11; 1 Pet. 3: 12-14; 2 Cor. 4: 16-18; 7: 4; Heb. 12: 5-13; Jas. 1: 2-4, 12; Phil. 1: 20; 2 Tim. 1: 12; 2 Cor. 1: 22; Gal. 4: 6; Eph. 1: 13, 14.

Hymns: 300, 305, 263, 92, 201, 166, 90.
Poems of Dawn, 203: Our Blessed Hope.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 291 (R 5544).

Questions: What were this week's experiences along the line of this text? How did I receive them? What did they accomplish for me?

Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light--1 Pet. 2: 9.

The very object of our being called into this light is that we may let it shine. If we do not let it shine we are unworthy of it, and the treasure will be taken away and we shall be left in darkness. If indeed we have received the light and have consecrated ourselves fully to God, let us ask ourselves, What am I doing to show forth the praises of Him who has called me out of darkness? Am I going forth with these tidings to my neighbors near and far?
Can I truly affirm that I am:
All for Jesus, all for Jesus--
All my being's ransomed powers;
All my thoughts, and words, and doings,
All my days and all my hours?
—Z '03, 165 (R 3199).

God's people are selected from the rest of mankind to become sharers in His Kingdom, a people separate from others and dedicated to the Lord, a possession entirely the Lord's. To such a destiny, to such a high privilege are they called, that they might reflect credit upon God by proclaiming in words and acts, His wisdom, justice, love and power. This being our calling, let us hold up His attributes before others by our teachings and example—P '36, 48.

Parallel passages: Ex. 19: 5, 6; Deut. 7: 6; 10: 15; Dan. 7: 18, 22, 27; Isa. 61: 6; 66: 21; Zech. 6: 12, 13; 1 Pet. 1: 2; 2: 5; Eph. 1: 4, 5; Matt. 5: 16; John 15: 8; Titus 2: 14; Acts 20: 28; Rom. 8: 23-25; Rev. 1: 6; 5: 10; 20: 6; John 17: 9.

Hymns: 225, 41, 322, 153, 216, 310, 6.
Poems of Dawn, 38: Lord, Here I Bring Myself.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 151 (R 5460).

Questions: How did this week's text affect me? In what circumstances? With what result?