January 17
We may daily and hourly keep ourselves in the Lord’s love by obedience to, and a growing love for the principles of righteousness. And we are to rejoice in every experience of life—its trials, difficulties, sorrows, disappointments, etc., no less than in its pleasures, if by any or all of these means the Lord shall instruct us and give us clearer insight into our own deficiencies, and a still clearer insight into that perfect law of liberty and love which He has established, and to which He requires our full and loyal heart-submission—Z ’02, 173 (R 3021).
The love of God, consisting of disinterested love for the Father and the Son with all the heart, mind, soul and strength, of disinterested love for the brethren more than to self and of disinterested love for mankind in general and even for our enemies as self, does not of itself under the present conditions remain in one’s heart. Whoever does not preserve it amid the conditions that would otherwise destroy it will surely lose it. If, therefore, we have attained this love, let us seek to maintain it—P ’34, 189.
Parallel passages: Deut. 33: 3, 12; Psa. 63: 3; 146: 8; Isa. 38: 17; Jer. 31: 3; John 3: 16; 14: 21, 23; 16: 27; 17: 10, 23, 26; Rom. 5: 8; 2 Cor. 13: 11; Eph. 2: 4; Col. 3: 14; 1 John 3: 1; 4: 8-19; Matt. 5: 43-48; 19: 19; Josh. 22: 5; Psa. 91: 14; John 13: 14, 15, 34, 35; 15: 12-19.
Hymns: 166, 95, 165, 196, 198, 267, 201.
Poems of Dawn, 79: Love’s Alchemy.
Tower Reading: Z ’02, 171 (R 3020).
Questions: Have I this week kept myself in the love of God? How? Why? In what circumstances? What helped or hindered therein? With what results?
LOVE is the filling from one’s own
Another’s cup.
Love is a daily laying down
And taking up;
A choosing of the stony path
Through each new day
That other feet may tread with ease
A smoother way.
Love is not blind, but looks abroad
Through other eyes;
And asks not “Must I give?” but “May
I sacrifice?”
Love hides its grief, that other hearts
And lips may sing;
And burdened, walks, that other lives
May, buoyant, wing.
Brother, hast thou a love like this
Within thy soul?
‘Twill change thy name to saint when thou
Dost reach thy goal.
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2016-01-02 - 2017-01-01 All dayYe are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's--1 Cor. 6: 19, 20.
At the opening of the new year, what lesson could be more important to us than this one, that we are not our own, but belong to another; that we are not, therefore, to seek to please ourselves, but to please Him; nor to seek to serve self, but to serve Him; nor to seek to obey self-will, but on the contrary His will? This means holiness in the most absolute and comprehensive sense of the word, not only separation from sin to righteousness, but separation from self (and the world) to the will of God in Christ—Z '97, 35 (R 2097).
Not only are God's people His by virtue of creation and sanctification, but also by virtue of redemption. It is therefore reasonable and appropriate that all they have and are should be made to reflect credit upon God their Owner and Creator; and this reasonable thing they should render with all their strength of faith, hope, love and obedience; for less than this were unworthy and unseemly—P '29, 189; P '30, 14.
Parallel passages: Matt. 20: 28; 1 Tim. 2: 5, 6; Acts 20: 28; Rev. 5: 9; 14: 4, 5; 2 Cor. 5: 14, 15;Titus 2: 14; 1 Cor. 7: 23; 10: 31; Gal. 3: 13; Heb. 9: 12; 1 Pet. 1: 18; 2: 9; Matt. 5: 16; John 15: 8;Phil. 1: 9-11.
Hymns: 191, 5, 15, 132, 178, 187, 215.
Poems of Dawn, 279: Another Year for Thee.
Tower Reading: Z '10, 199 (R 4632).
Questions: What has this text meant to me this week? Amid what circumstances? With what results?ANOTHER YEAR FOR THEE
ANOTHER year we welcome!
Dear Master, may it be,
In thought and word and action,
Another year for Thee!
Another year of leaning
Upon Thy loving breast,
Where heartaches, pain and sorrow
Are lost in happy rest.
Another year of proving
Thy holy, blessed will,
To find my joy in doing,
And in Thy hand hold still;
Another year of service,
To prove to Thee my love;
Another year of training
For greater works above.
Another year of trials
And the blessings that they bring;
Another year's protection
'Neath the shadow of Thy wing.
Another year of gladness!
Dear Master, may it be,
In living and in dying,
Another year for Thee! -
2016-01-03 - 2017-01-02 All dayPray without ceasing—1 Thes. 5: 17.
Whatever might be our natural inclinations with reference to definiteness and persistency in prayer, we must take our instructions from the Scriptures; and overcoming our natural predilections, we must as "little children" and as "dear children" conform our views and conduct to the instruction which is from above. Let us all, therefore, remember the words, "Ask [in My name], and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16: 24). The Heavenly Father has multiplied mercies, blessings and providences in store for His obedient and faithful children who will ask for them—Z '96, 162 (R 2004).
The Lord's people ought always to pray and not to faint. The answer long delayed is the blessing most valued. Therefore, continued seeking in prayer for the Father's favor will result in the deepening of our spirituality and the attainment of our holy desires—P '34, 189.
Parallel passages: 1 Pet. 4: 7; Luke 2: 37; 11: 5-13; 21: 36; Rom. 12: 12; Eph. 1: 15, 16; 6: 18;Phil. 4: 6, 7; Col. 1: 9; 4: 2; Psa. 5: 1-3; 42: 8; 109: 4; 116: 2; Dan. 6: 10; Acts 6: 4; 10: 2, 9;Rom. 1: 9; 1 Thes. 3: 10; 1 Tim. 5: 5; 2 Tim. 1: 3.
Hymns: 35, 239, 1, 26, 48, 69, 115.
Poems of Dawn, 115: Pray Without Ceasing.
Tower Reading: Z '15, 182 (R 5707).
Questions: What have been this week's experiences with ceaseless prayer? What helped or hindered therein? In what did they result?PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
UNANSWERED yet, the prayer your lips have pleaded
In agony of heart these many years?
Doth faith begin to fail, is hope declining,
And think you all in vain those falling tears?
Say not the Father hath not heard your prayer,
You shall have your desire, sometime, somewhere.
Unanswered yet? Tho' when you first presented
This one petition at the Father's throne,
It seemed you could not wait the time of asking,
So anxious was your heart to have it done.
If years have passed since then, do not despair,
For God will answer you sometime, somewhere.
Unanswered yet? But you are not unheeded;
The promises of God forever stand;
To Him our days and years alike are equal.
Have faith in God! It is your Lord's command.
Hold on to Jacob's angel, and your prayer
Shall bring a blessing down, sometime, somewhere.
Unanswered yet? Nay, do not say unanswered;
Perhaps your part is not yet wholly done.
The work began when first your prayer was uttered;
And God will finish what He hath begun.
Keep incense burning at the shrine of prayer,
And glory shall descend, sometime, somewhere.
Unanswered yet? Faith cannot be unanswered;
Her feet are firmly planted on the Rock.
Amid the wildest storms she stands undaunted,
Nor quails before the loudest thunder shock.
She knows Omnipotence hath heard her prayer,
And cries, "It shall be done, sometime, somewhere!" -
2016-01-10 - 2017-01-09 All dayTake, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience--Jas. 5: 10.
The right path is still the "narrow path" of self-abasement and self-denial—the path of meekness and humility—and it will require as much effort and grace to walk it this year as last, or possibly more; for the more we grow in grace and knowledge, the stronger will be the temptations to be boastful, puffed up, heady, high-minded; and the higher we climb in faith and hope and love and activity in the Lord's service, the more the great Adversary will oppose our progress, and the more his emissaries will slander, backbite and generally seek to injure us—Z '95, 3 (R 1751).
God's mouthpieces have ever been the targets of much abuse and the subjects of much suffering, which, like God, they have borne with much patience. Therein they have given an example worthy of imitation by all who would be the Lord's people and mouthpieces. The Lord's true people will be profited by taking them as an example and the Lord's name will thereby be glorified—P '34, 189.
Parallel passages: 2 Tim. 3: 16; 1 Pet. 1: 11; 2 Pet. 1: 20, 21; 2 Cor. 4: 16-18; 2 Tim. 2: 10-12; 1 Pet. 3: 13-18; 4: 13-19; Matt. 5: 10-12; 23: 34, 37; Luke 6: 22, 23, 26; Acts 5: 41; 7: 52; 2 Chron. 36: 16; Neh. 9: 26; 1 Thes. 2: 15; Job 1: 22; 2: 10; 42: 10.
Hymns: 102, 56, 57, 93, 94, 108, 179.
Poems of Dawn, 177: Broken Purposes.
Tower Reading: Z '13, 312 (R 5332).
Questions: What good did the prophets' example in endurance of evil do me this week? In what circumstances? What helped or hindered therein?BROKEN PURPOSES
My purposes are broken off; even the thoughts of my heart."--
Job 17: 11.
MY purposes are broken off,
So be it, blessed Lord;
With wisdom and with wondrous Love
Thy purposes are stored.
The thoughts of my poor heart give place
To Thy great plan for me;
In all Thy ways my soul can trace
Thy mercy rich and free.
My purposes are broken off,
Dear Lord, 'tis better so;
For higher are Thy ways than mine,
Who to the end dost know.
I praise Thee still though broken off
My purposes may be;
For in Thy glory I shall know
Thy will was best for me. -
2016-01-11 - 2017-01-10 All dayHis word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay--Jer. 20: 9.
Let us who are privileged to remain to this time of favor and blessing and enlightenment give glory to the Lord, and see to it that the loving disposition of John is manifested in us, and also his energy, his zeal; for while he is called the loving disciple, we are to remember also that he was, because of his impetuous zeal, styled, with his brother, Boanerges--sons of thunder. Let us be full of energy, full of sacrifices which love prompts, that we may glorify the Lord in our bodies and spirits, which are His—Z '01, 151 (R 2806).
Because the Christian believes with intensity of conviction, therefore he speaks. It is as impossible for him to refrain from declaring God's Word, as it is to stay the waters of the Niagara from going over the falls. Those who do not receive the Truth from the love of it might and frequently do without good reason refrain from declaring it; but those who love God's testimonies will and must declare His grace on all suitable occasions—P '33, 191.
Parallel passages: Jas. 1: 21-23; 1 Pet. 2: 2; Heb. 4: 12; 2 Tim. 2: 15; Josh. 1: 8; 1 Chron.16: 15;Job 23: 12; Psa. 19: 7-11; 40: 8; 119: 14-20, 46, 54, 93, 97, 111, 143, 157-167, 172; Eccles. 5: 1;Isa. 55: 10, 11; Ezra 7: 10; Mal. 2: 6, 7; Luke 12: 42-44; Acts 4: 20, 31; 20: 22-24; 1 Cor. 9: 16-23; 2 Cor. 6: 3-7.
Hymns: 260, 70, 116, 164, 210, 275, 309.
Poems of Dawn, 261: Clear the Way.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 197 (R 5489).
Questions: Have I this week been zealous for the Word? How? Why? With what results?CLEAR THE WAY
MEN of thought, be up and stirring
Night and day.
Sow the seed, withdraw the curtain,
Clear the way.
Men of action, aid and cheer them
As you may.
There's a fount about to stream;
There's a light about to beam;
There's a warmth about to glow;
There's a flower about to blow;
There's a midnight blackness changing
Into gray.
Men of thought, and men of action,
Clear the way!
Once the welcome light hath broken,
Who shall say
What the unimagined glories
Of the day?
What the evil that shall perish
In its ray?
Aid the dawning, tongue and pen;
Aid it, hopes of honest men;
Aid it, paper; aid it, type;
Aid it, for the hour is ripe;
And our earnest must not slacken
Into play.
Men of thought, and men of action,
Clear the way!
Lo! a cloud's about to vanish
From the day;
Lo! the right's about to conquer--
Clear the way!
Many a brazen wrong to crumble
Into clay.
With that right shall many more
Enter smiling at the door;
With the giant wrong shall fall
Many others, great and small,
That for ages long have held us
For their prey.
Men of thought, and men of action,
Clear the way! -
2016-01-12 - 2017-01-11 All day
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted--Gal. 6: 1.
Let us learn well this lesson of reproving others very gently, very considerately, kindly, by a hint rather than a direct charge and detail of the wrong—by an inquiry respecting the present condition of their hearts rather than respecting a former condition, in which we know they have erred. We are to be less careful for the punishments that will follow wrongdoing than for the recovery of the erring one out of the error of his way. We are not to attempt to judge and punish one another for misdeeds, but rather to remember that all this is in the hands of the Lord; we are not in any sense of the word to avenge ourselves or to give any chastisement or recompense for evil—Z '01, 150 (R 2806).
To err is human, hence all commit faults. Helpfully to reprove is Divine, therefore but few can exercise this grace. Only the advanced Christian who has proper knowledge, love and self-control is capable of exercising well this office, and in his endeavor to help others, he must watch himself very carefully, lest while reproving others he himself should be found in fault—P '32, 197, 198.
Parallel passages: Isa. 57: 15; Rom. 15: 1, 7; 1 Cor. 8: 9, 11; 9: 22; Heb. 12: 13; Jas. 5: 19, 20; Prov. 24: 16; 28: 5; Rom. 8: 9, 14, 15; 1 Cor. 4: 21; 2 Thes. 3: 15; 2 Tim. 2: 25; 1 Cor. 10: 12.
Hymns: 198, 78, 95, 105, 125, 166, 267.
Poems of Dawn, 277: The New Leaf.
Tower Reading: Z '02, 197 (R 3033).Questions: What have been this week's experiences in line with this text? How were they accepted? What were the results?
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THE NEW LEAFHE came to my desk with a quivering lip--
The lesson was done--
"Dear teacher, I want a new leaf," he said,
"I have spoiled this one."
In place of the leaf, so stained and blotted,
I gave him a new one, all unspotted,
And into his sad eyes smiled--
"Do better now, my child."
I went to the throne with a quivering soul--The old year was done--
"Dear Father, hast Thou a new leaf for me?
I have spoiled this one."
He took the old leaf, stained and blotted,
And gave me a new one, all unspotted,
And into my sad heart smiled--
"Do better now, My child." -
2016-01-13 - 2017-01-12 All dayMy little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous--1 John 2: 1.
If we find that through lack of faith or weakness of the flesh a wrong step has been taken, contrary to the Lord's will and our best spiritual interests, no time should be lost in retracing the steps and in calling upon the Lord. We have an altar consecrated with the precious blood of Christ, far superior in every way to that which Abraham consecrated with the blood of typical animals; and the Apostle exhorts us, "Let us therefore come boldly [courageously, full of faith] unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4: 16)—Z '01, 233 (R 2847).
It is not right for the child of God to sin; but if he does, on repentance he can depend on the efficient advocacy of Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. As a skillful lawyer says every good thing in favor of his client, and puts the evil in the best possible light, so Jesus our Advocate covers over all our blemishes with His merit, and being in favor with the Court of Heaven, successfully advocates the cause of us, His clients—P '26, 189, 190.
Parallel passages: John 16: 7; Rom. 3: 20-26; 4: 24, 25; 8: 34; 10: 4; 1 Cor. 1: 30; 2 Cor. 5: 18; Phil. 3: 9; Heb. 7: 25; 9: 24; 1 John 1: 7; 2: 2; 4: 10.
Hymns: 190, 15, 168, 178, 187, 290, 207.
Poems of Dawn, 155: My Companion.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 201 (R 5491).
Questions: What experiences of the week have sent me to the Advocate? What was the effect?MY COMPANION
WITH me there walks a presence
Unseen to mortal view;
Hearing each word I utter,
Looking at all I do.
Watching to see what power
The Truth to my life imparts,
Longing to see His image
Growing within my heart.
Oh! does my conduct please Him?
Can He my words approve?
Or do I daily grieve Him
By woeful lack of love?
How all my heart is yearning
More like my Lord to be;
Oh! Friend, of unseen presence,
Help me to grow like Thee!
Before me goes my Captain;
Close must I follow on.
Even as He proved a victor,
So must I overcome.
Self rises up against me,
Fierce must the conflict be;
Forces of evil try me,
Satan opposes me.
My Captain commands me, saying,
"Comrade, you must not yield;
Gird on the Heavenly armor;
The Sword of the Spirit wield;
None but the overcomer
Shareth My Heavenly home!"
Help me, oh, Mighty Captain,
Ever to overcome!
Beside me stands the Master;
Points to the ripening grains,
Bids me thrust in the sickle,
Reaping what yet remains.
He will accept no idler,
I must work faithfully;
I must pass on to others
Truth that was given me;
Tell of the Heavenly Kingdom,
The blessings that are for all;
Praising the Heavenly Father,
Sounding the Heavenly call.
As each night comes upon me,
Can I rejoicing say,
"Dear Reaper, I've been faithful
To all I have met today?"
Close by me stands my Helper,
Knowing I must be tried;
Even as gold in a furnace,
I must be purified.
Trials alone bring patience,
Hate must be met by love;
Faith is wrought out in darkness
Reaching to things above.
Ah! Could I only trust Him,
His presence and power to aid,
Even 'mid deepest shadows
I would not be afraid.
Though the four winds be loosened,
And tempests around me roared,
I'd welcome the glorious privilege
Of dying with my dear Lord -
2016-01-14 - 2017-01-13 All dayI therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air--1 Cor. 9: 26.
It will be found a great help to the weaknesses of the fallen nature to have understandingly made a full consecration of the will, a full enlistment of every power and talent of mind and of body. He who takes this proper view of his consecration to the Lord and enlistment in the Lord's army, realizes that he has nothing more to give to the Lord, and hence, whatever struggle of the will he may have is all ended when he has finally decided: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." How important it is, therefore, that all the soldiers realize that the term of the enlistment is until death, and that there is no room for even considering any suggestion to withdraw from the battle and cease even for an hour to fight the good fight of faith—Z '03, 421 (R 3272).
In order successfully to prosecute the Christian life, knowledge of the things to be done and the constant appreciation and keeping of the end in view, are indispensable. As nonsensical as it would be for people to expect a reward for a race whose conditions and course they did not know or follow, so nonsensical would it be for people to expect to receive the Kingdom reward promised with Christ, if they do not know and observe the conditions under which, and the purpose for which it is offered, as well as the course to run—P '31, 191.
Parallel passages: 2 Chron. 20: 15, 17; Psa. 19: 5; Eccles. 9: 11; 1 Cor. 9: 24-27; Gal. 5: 7; Phil. 2: 16; 3: 14, 15; Heb. 6: 20; 12: 1, 2; Eph. 6: 11, 17; 1 Cor. 16: 13; 2 Tim. 2: 3, 4; 4: 7; Heb. 12: 10; 10: 32; 11: 34; 1 Tim. 6: 12.
Hymns: 20, 13, 78, 154, 145, 266, 273.
Poems of Dawn, 154: Nearing the Goal.
Tower Reading: Z '11, 136 (R 4809).
Questions: Have I this week been definite and purposeful in my Christian race and warfare? Why? How? In what circumstances? With what results?NEARING THE GOAL
WITH eyes aflame, with panting breath, they come,--
The runners,—every nerve and muscle tense,--
Urged forward by a thousand deafening cries,
On, on, they rush, when one, close to the goal,
For but one moment glances back in pride
To note how far he hath outrun the rest.
Alas! tripped by a pebble on the course,
He stumbles, falls, arises, but too late,--
Another sweeps ahead with blood-flecked lips
And bursting heart! One final, awful strain,
With superhuman effort, grand, supreme,
He leaps into the air,—and falls in death
Across the line,—a victor, but at what
A fearful cost!--he gave his life, his all!
I ponder o'er this tragedy of days
When Greece was mistress of the world, and say,
"Hast not thou also entered on a race,
My soul, in contest for a 'Crown of Life,'
A prize thou canst not win except thine all
Thou givest! Then, be wise, and watch and pray,
Turn not thine eyes one instant from 'the mark.'
For fear thou dash thy foot against some small,
Well-rounded truth, which in thy pride thou hast
O'erlooked, and thus thou stumble, fall, and though
Thou shouldst arise, 'twould be too late to win!"
"Ah, then, consider thy 'forerunner,' Christ,
Yea, call to mind the 'cloud of witnesses'
Around,—those noble, faithful ones of old,--
And strip thyself, my soul, of every weight;
Gird up thy loins, make straight paths for thy feet;
Breathe deeply of the Spirit's conquering power,
And run with patient, meek, enduring zeal!
Almost thou hast attained, my soul, my soul!
Shall angels, principalities, or powers,
Or height, or depth, or other creature, draw
Thee from the goal so near? Ah! Yes, so near,
The glory-light streams through the parting veil;
Have faith, press on, one effort, grand, supreme,--
And thou hast won in death Love's blood-bought crown!" -
2016-01-15 - 2017-01-14 All dayWhat doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?--Micah 6: 8.
That these are very reasonable requirements will be conceded by all. That God could not require less from those whom He is educating for the future judging of the world, is evident; and yet, all three of these qualities specified through the Prophet, are comprehended in the one word, Love. Love requires that we shall deal justly with our neighbors, with the brethren, with our families, with ourselves; that we shall seek to cultivate our appreciation of the rights of others—their physical rights, their moral and intellectual rights, their liberties; and that, appreciating these, we shall in no sense of the word abridge or deny them—Z '02, 172 (R 3020).
The sum of the Christian's duty is the fulfillment of the law of love toward God and man. To give every man his due, to exhibit the love of compassion for the weak, the unfortunate and the afflicted and deeply to appreciate the Divine character based upon a knowledge of our weaknesses and limitations in contrast with God's perfection, go a long way toward a proper comporting of oneself toward God and man—P '35, 183.
Parallel passages: Matt. 22: 36-40; Deut. 10: 12; Psa. 41: 1; Mark 11: 25, 26; Eph. 4: 32; Col. 2: 13; Deut. 5: 33; Matt. 11: 29; John 13: 4-17; Phil. 2: 5-8; 1 Pet. 5: 5, 6; 1 John 1: 7.
Hymns: 1, 198, 267, 95, 13, 196, 20.
Poems of Dawn, 93: Bearing God's Burdens.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 59 (R 5407).
Questions: What have I done with justice, mercy and humility this week? What prompted my actions therein? What resulted therefrom?
BEARING GOD'S BURDENS
I LONG had borne a weary load
Along life's rough and thorny road,
And oftentimes had wondered why
My friend walked burdenless, while I
Was forced to carry day by day
The cross which on my shoulders lay.
When, lo, one day the Master laid
Another cross on me! Dismayed
And faint, and trembling and distressed,
I cried, "Oh, I have longed for rest
These many days. I cannot bear
This other heavy load of care.
I pray Thee, Lord, behold this one--
Shall I bear both while he hath none?"
No answer came. The cross was laid
On my poor back, and I was weighed
Down to the earth. And as I went
Toiling along and almost spent,
Again I cried, "Lord, have I been
Untrue to Thee? Is it for sin
That I have done, that I must still
Carry this cross against my will?"
"My child," the Master's voice returned,
"Hast thou not yet the lesson learned?
The burden thou hast borne so long
Hath only made thee grow more strong,
And fitted thee to bear for Me
This other load I lay on thee.
Thy brother is too weak as yet
To have a cross upon him set.
God's burdens rest upon the strong--
They stronger grow who bear them long,
And each new burden is a sign
That greater power to bear is thine."
So now no longer I repine,
Because a heavy cross is mine,
But struggle onward with the prayer,
Make me more worthy, Lord, to bear! -
2016-01-16 - 2017-01-15 All dayInstant in prayer--Rom. 12: 12.
What a blessed privilege, dear fellow-disciples of the Lord, is ours, to be instant in prayer, to pray always—to lift up our hearts and minds to God at any time and in any place and to realize thus daily and hourly that the Father and our dear Lord Jesus continually abide with us. And then, when the active duties of the day have been performed under His eye and supervision, or at any time when the soul realizes its necessity, how precious is the privilege of entering into our closets and there, alone with God, unburdening our hearts—Z '95, 215 (R 1864).
Prayer is communion on the part of man with God. God, unlike human beings, is never wearied with believers who come to Him. Therefore such always have access to Him in prayer in Jesus' name. How gratefully, therefore, should we always appreciate and use this privilege! It will uplift us and gain for us blessings otherwise unobtainable. These blessings will be of a twofold kind: those coming from our exercising the prayer spirit (i.e., the reflex effect of prayer) and the answered gifts—P '30, 14.
Parallel passages: Luke 18: 1-8; 1 Thes. 5: 17; Col. 4: 2; Eph. 6: 18, 19; Acts 12: 5; 2: 42; Psa. 27: 8; 145: 18; Prov. 15: 8; Isa. 55: 6; Matt. 6: 5-15; 7: 7, 8; 1 Tim. 2: 8; Jas. 5: 16; Jude 20.
Hymns: 274, 35, 69, 115, 219, 239, 323.
Poems of Dawn, 30: To Jesus Always.
Tower Reading: Z '15, 182 (R 5707).
Questions: Was I instant in prayer this week? Why? How? Where?TO JESUS ALWAYS
I ALWAYS go to Jesus,
When troubled or distressed;
I always find a refuge
When I with Him can rest.
I tell Him all my trials,
I tell Him all my grief;
And while my lips are speaking
He gives my heart relief.
When full of dread forebodings,
And flowing o'er with tears,
He calms away my sorrows,
And hushes all my fears.
He comprehends my weakness,
The peril I am in,
And He supplies the armor
I need to vanquish sin.
When those are cold and faithless,
Who once were fond and true,
With careless hearts forsaking
The old friends for the new,
I turn to Him whose friendship
Knows neither change nor end:
I always find in Jesus
An ever faithful Friend.
I always go to Jesus;
No matter when or where
I seek His gracious presence,
I'm sure to find Him there.
In times of joy or sorrow,
Whate'er my need may be,
I always go to Jesus,
And Jesus comforts me. -
2016-01-18 - 2017-01-17 All dayNot slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord--Rom. 12: 11.
Let all who would run the race successfully look well to their zeal and activity in the Lord's work. If we bury our one or many talents under a weight of worldly cares and encumbrances which might be avoided or set aside; if we bury them under worldly ambitions for either self or family—whether this be by wasting consecrated time upon science, philosophy, music, art, business, politics, pleasures, or in pampering pride and appetite—then as unfaithful servants we shall ultimately go into outer darkness—Z '91, 9 (R 1281).
Activity in the affairs of life, particularly in the Lord's service, is indispensable to success. When a zealous spirit burning with enthusiasm is added thereto, the conditions of success are better fulfilled; and when this activity and zeal are given to the Lord under the direction of wisdom, His cause is much benefited; and the one exhibiting these qualities is greatly developed—P '33, 191.
Parallel passages: 1 Chron. 29: 17; 2 Chron. 15: 15; Ezra 7: 23; Psa. 42: 1, 2; 119: 139; Eccles. 9: 10; Isa. 62: 6, 7; John 9: 4; 1 Cor. 13: 3; 14: 12; 2 Cor. 4: 8-10, 13, 16-18; 9: 2; Gal. 4: 18; Col. 3: 22-24; Titus 2: 14; Jude 3; Rev. 3: 19.
Hymns: 277, 20, 13, 266, 272, 208, 78.
Poems of Dawn, 280: The Clock of Life.
Tower Reading: Z '13, 314 (R 5334).
Questions: Have I been zealous this week? Wherein? With what results?THE CLOCK OF LIFE
OUR Clock of Life is wound but once,
And no one has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop,
At late or early hour.
Now is the only time you own;
Live, love, toil with a will;
Place no faith in tomorrow, for
Your Clock may then be still. -
2016-01-19 - 2017-01-18 All dayO how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day--Psa. 119: 97.
It is a great privilege for Christians to study the Lord's Word, yet a great deal of study is done to no purpose. Study which is not put into practice is worse than a waste of time. Every reasonable opportunity should be used by the Lord's people to obtain a knowledge of the Divine Plan—even to the extent of sacrificing; but the child of the Lord will be particular to see that it is his own conveniences and comforts that he is sacrificing, and not chiefly the conveniences and comforts of others. The Bible study which is done merely at the expense of others is a sign of selfishness rather than of a rich indwelling of God's spirit of love—Z '99, 156 (R 2488).
God's Word is the most precious heritage of the Christian. Its doctrines, precepts, promises, exhortations, prophecies, histories and types are worthy of, and awaken his love. No themes are so delightful and absorbing for the meditating Christian as those of the Bible. Nor will any yield a richer blessing to those whose meditation on them is followed by a life conforming thereto, because these are spirit and life—P '32, 198.
Parallel passages: Job 23: 12; Psa. 1: 2; 19: 7-11; 40: 8; 119: 16, 20, 24, 35, 47, 48, 54, 70, 77, 92, 103, 111, 113, 119, 127, 131, 140, 143, 159, 162-167, 174; Jer. 15: 16; Luke 4: 22; 11: 28; Acts 17: 11; Rom. 15: 4; Col. 3: 16; 2 Tim. 2: 15; 3: 15-17.
Hymns: 22, 49, 79, 238, 296, 311, 315.
Poems of Dawn, 6: The Word of Truth.
Tower Reading: Z '02, 265 (R 3070).
Questions: Have I this week delighted in and meditated on the Word? How? Why? With what results?THE WORD OF TRUTH
THE Word of Truth is like a stained-glass window rare,
We stand outside and gaze, but see no beauty there,
No fair design, naught but confusion we behold;
'Tis only from within the glory will unfold,
And he who would drink in the rapture of the view
Must climb the winding stair, the portal enter through.
The sacred door of Truth's cathedral is most low,
And all who fain would enter there the knee must bow
In deep humility. But once inside, the light
of day streams through and makes each color
heavenly bright,
The Master's great design we see, our hands we
raise
In reverent ecstasy of wonder, love and praise! -
2016-01-20 - 2017-01-19 All dayIf ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?--Heb. 12: 7.
Character cannot be developed wholly without trial. It is like a plant: at first it is very tender; it needs an abundance of the sunshine of God's love; frequent watering with the showers of His grace; much cultivating through the applied knowledge of His character as a good foundation for faith and inspiration to obedience; and then, when thus developed under these favorable conditions, it is ready for the pruning hand of discipline, and is also able to endure some hardness. And, little by little, as strength of character is developed, the tests applied to it serve only to develop more strength, beauty and grace, until it is finally fixed, developed, established, perfected—through suffering—Z '95, 107 (R 1806).
If from our natural fathers we are chastened for our profit, it should not be considered amiss if our Heavenly Father chastens us for our profit. To be without such chastisement is an evidence that we are not His sons; to receive such chastisement proves His Fatherhood and our sonship. Therefore they should not discourage us; but assured thereby that we are sons of God, let us likewise thereby be incited to betterment—P '26, 190.
Parallel passages: Heb. 12: 4-14; Deut. 8: 5; 2 Sam. 7: 14; Job 5: 17; Psa. 94: 12; Prov. 13: 13-24; 19: 18; 22: 15; 23: 13, 14, 24; 29: 15, 17; Rev. 3: 19.
Hymns: 307, 63, 67, 110, 293, 328, 333.
Poems of Dawn, 186: "Think it Not Strange!"
Tower Reading: Z '12, 389 (R 5147).
Questions: What disciplinary experiences did I have this week? How did I bear them? What effects did they work in me?"THINK IT NOT STRANGE!"
1 PET. 4: 12.
THINK it not strange, beloved,
When fiercely burns the fiery flame!
Think it not strange, but praise His name,
Who counts thee worthy to partake
Of painful sufferings for His sake.
Nor think it strange
When loved ones scornful from thee turn,
The Truth reject, the message spurn;
Consider Him who thus endured,
And Immortality secured!
Think it not strange, beloved,
If sometimes every door seem closed,
And all thine efforts be opposed,
But calmly wait in patience till
The master shall reveal His will.
Nor think it strange
When darker grown the "narrow way,"--
Press on, thy Master soon shall say,
"Enough, My child, thou hast well done,
Come, enter in, the Prize is won!" -
2016-01-21 - 2017-01-20 All dayIf any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me--Matt. 16: 24.
Cross-bearing is closely related to self-denial, and yet a distinction between them may be noted. Self-denial relates more particularly to passive obedience and endurance for the Lord's sake; cross-bearing has to do more especially with activities in the Lord's service, which we find to be contrary to our natural inclinations. Faithfulness in self-denial means courage and zeal; cross-bearing means victory, overcoming. Our self-denials may be victories in our own hearts, of which others may know nothing, and of which they should know nothing, if we desire to have the fullness of the Lord's blessing. Our cross-bearing, however, may be seen, to some extent at least, by those who are in close contact with us, and especially by those who are walking in the same "narrow way"—Z '00, 118 (R 2615).
Self-denial in the Christian sense is not simply abstinence from our rights, but abstinence from our rights for the Lord's sake. To bear the cross implies subjection of self to the Lord's will in service, from faith, hope, love and obedience in all life's affairs, especially amid untoward circumstances. Only those who practice such self-denial and cross-bearing are Christ's true followers, and as such shall at the end of their course be acknowledged by the Lord for a share in Christ's glorious Kingdom—P '31, 192.
Parallel passages: Gen. 22: 1-12; 2 Sam. 24: 24; Matt. 8: 19-22; 10: 37-39; 13: 44-46; 19: 12, 21; Luke 5: 11, 27, 28; 14: 33; 18: 27-30; 21: 2-4; Acts 20: 22-24; Rom. 6: 1-11; 14: 1-22; 15: 1-5; 1 Cor. 8: 13; 9: 12, 15, 18, 19, 23-27; 10: 24; Phil. 3: 7-9; Titus 2: 12; 1 Pet. 2: 11, 16; 4: 1, 2.
Hymns: 279, 8, 14, 47, 134, 192, 277.
Poems of Dawn, 41: The Call Divine.
Tower Reading: Z '06, 267 (R 3843).
Questions: What have been this week's experiences in line with this text? How were they met? In what did they result?THE CALL DIVINE
TO-DAY, to-morrow, evermore,
Through cheerless nights without a star,
Not asking whither or how far,
Rejoicing though the way be sore,
Take up thy cross
And follow Me.
I cannot promise wealth or ease,
Fame, pleasure, length of days, esteem--
These things are vainer than they seem--
If thou canst turn from all of these,
Take up thy cross
And follow Me!
I promise only perfect peace,
Sweet peace that lives through years of strife;
Eternal love, immortal life,
And rest when all these wanderings cease.
Take up thy cross
And follow Me!
My yoke is easy—put it on;
My burden very light to bear.
Who shareth this, My crown shall share--
The present cross insures the crown.
Take up thy cross
And follow Me! -
2016-01-22 - 2017-01-21 All dayBe of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD--Psa. 31: 24.
It would seem as though the Adversary at times attempts to discourage us by making us think that the trials and difficulties of the "narrow way" of sacrifice will be unavailing anyhow, and that we might as well give up. … And what course should we pursue at such a time? We should follow the example of our Lord, and seek the Father's face, anxious to know whether or not our interests are all right with Him; anxious for some assurances that while the world may hate us, and say all manner of evil against us falsely, we still have His approval; anxious for some fresh assurance that it will be well with us, that the Lord will grant us a part in the resurrection of the just—to life eternal—Z '01, 79 (R 2773).
Those who hope in the Lord are those who rely upon His Word and Providence. Since God is on their side, they may be of good courage, however distressing their circumstances in life may be, realizing that these must all work for the strengthening of their characters in Christ's likeness. Let these considerations encourage and strengthen them in every good word and work unto all well-pleasing in the sight of Him who so kindly blesses them—P '35, 183.
Parallel passages: Deut. 31: 23; Josh. 1: 5-9; 1 Chron. 22: 13; 2 Chron. 15: 7; 19: 11; 32: 7, 8; Psa. 25:1-22; 27:1-14; 31: 24; Ezek. 2: 6; 3: 9; John 16: 33; Rom. 8: 35-39; 1 Cor. 16: 13; Eph. 1: 19; 3: 16; 6: 10; Col. 1: 11; 2 Tim. 1: 7.
Hymns: 110, 137, 183, 197, 200, 273, 313.
Poems of Dawn, 289: God's Anvil.
Tower Reading: Z '13, 309 (R 5329).
Questions: Have I been encouraged and strengthened this week? How was it accomplished or hindered? What resulted therefrom?
GOD'S ANVIL
PAIN'S furnace-heat within me quivers,
God's breath upon the flame doth blow,
And all my heart in anguish shivers,
And trembles at the fiery glow;
And yet I whisper, As God will!
And in His hottest fire hold still.
He comes and lays my heart all heated,
On the hard anvil, minded so
Into His own fair shape to beat it,
With the great hammer, blow on blow;
And yet I whisper, As God will!
And at His heaviest blows hold still.
He takes my softened heart and beats it,
The sparks fly off at every blow;
He turns it o're and o're and heats it,
And lets it cool, and makes it glow;
And yet I whisper, As God will!
And in His mighty hands hold still.
Why should I murmur? For the sorrow
Thus only longer-lived would be;
It's end will come, and will, tomorrow,
When God has done His work in me;
So I say, trusting, As God will!
And trusting to the end, hold still.
He kindles, for my profit purely,
Affliction's glowing fiery brand,
And all His heaviest blows are surely
Inflicted by a master hand;
So I say, praying, As God will!
And hope in Him and suffer still. -
2016-01-23 - 2017-01-22 All dayBrethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God--1 Cor. 7: 24.
Duties may at times seem to conflict, but they do not really do so. A Christian's first duty is his hearty acknowledgment of his Creator and Lord, in all his ways. His second duty, if he be a husband and father, is toward his wife and children; or if she be a wife and mother, it is toward her husband and children. The marriage contract, by Divine arrangement, comes in as a first mortgage upon every husband's time and upon every wife's time—the demands of this mortgage must be reasonably met before anything can be properly done to or for outsiders—Z '99, 155 (R 2488).
The spirit of the age is restlessness. Almost everyone is seeking some change in life. Contentment should so mark the Christian's character, amid the prevalent discontent, as to move him to be satisfied where he is and with what he has, and therein should he remain until the Lord indicates the necessity of a change. Faith in God will insure this spirit—P '30, 14.
Parallel passages: 1 Cor. 7: 20; Luke 3: 12-14; Eph. 6: 5-8; Gen. 2: 15; Prov. 10: 4, 5; 12: 11, 24; 13: 4, 11; 14: 23; 20: 13; 22: 29; 31: 27; Eccles. 9: 10; 11: 6; Rom. 12: 11; Eph. 4: 28; 1 Thes. 4: 11, 12; 2 Thes. 3: 10-12.
Hymns: 4, 134, 208, 307, 277, 267, 275.
Poems of Dawn, 295: My Service.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 212 (R 5498).
Questions: What have I done as to remaining in my calling this week? What hindered or helped? What resulted therefrom?MY SERVICE
I ASKED the Lord to let me do
Some mighty work for Him;
To fight amid His battle hosts,
Then sing the victor's hymn.
I longed my ardent love to show,
But Jesus would not have it so.
He placed me in a quiet home
Whose life was calm and still,
And gave me little things to do,
My daily round to fill;
I could not think it good to be
Just put aside so silently.
Small duties gathered round my way,
They seemed of earth alone;
I, who had longed for conquests bright
To lay before His throne,
Had common things to do and bear,
To watch and strive with daily care.
So then I thought my prayer unheard,
And asked the Lord once more
That He would give me work for Him
And open wide the door--
Forgetting that my Master knew
Just what was best for me to do.
Then quietly the answer came:
"My child, I hear thy cry;
Think not that mighty deeds alone
Will bring thee victory.
The battle has been planned by Me,
Let daily life thy conquests see." -
2016-01-24 - 2017-01-23 All dayLet not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart--Prov. 3: 3.
While justice is the first feature of the commandment of love, it is not the end of its requirements; it requires that, going beyond strict justice, our love shall prompt us to the exercise of mercy and forgiveness. And in thus exercising mercy, we are again but copying Divine love. … Hence in our dealings with others who, like ourselves, are fallen and imperfect, we are to remember this feature and not only be just toward them but, additionally, to be merciful, generous, kind, even to the unthankful, that thus we may be children of our Father in heaven—Z '02, 171 (R 3020).
Truth is the Lord's Word; and mercy is the application of the Lord's Word amid the distress of the present. No jeweled chain forms a better adornment than these are to the Christian's character. Love for mercy and truth should be crystallized in the heart. So crystallized, they become our eternal adornment, making us more attractive than the rarest gem or the costliest diadem, and shed their bright luster all about us—P '34, 189.
Parallel passages: Psa. 37: 26; 85: 10; Prov. 11: 17; 14: 21, 22, 31; 20: 28; 21: 21; Hos. 4: 1; 12: 6; Mic. 6: 8; Matt. 5: 7; 23: 23; Luke 6: 36; Rom. 12: 8; Col. 3: 12, 13; Jas. 2: 13; Prov. 23: 23; Zech. 8: 16, 19; 1 Cor. 13: 6; Eph. 4: 25; 2 Cor. 6: 7, 8; Rom. 2: 8; Gal. 3: 1; 2 Thes. 2: 10.
Hymns: 267, 22, 49, 296, 95, 82, 105.
Poems of Dawn, 134: Be Strong.
Tower Reading: Z '13, 275 (R 5309).
Questions: Have I this week laid hold on, clung to and practiced mercy and truth? How? Why? In what circumstances? What helped or hindered therein? With what results?BE STRONG
BE strong to bear, O heart of mine,
Faint not when sorrows come.
The sum of all these ills of earth
Prepares thee for thy home.
So many burdened ones there are
Close toiling by thy side,
Assist, encourage, comfort them,
Thine own deep anguish hide.
What though thy trials may seem great?
Thy strength is known to God,
And pathways steep and rugged lead
To pastures green and broad.
Be strong to love, O heart of mine,
Live not for self alone;
But find, in blessing other lives,
Completeness for thine own.
Seek every hungry heart to feed,
Each saddened heart to cheer;
And when stern justice stands aloof,
In mercy draw thou near.
True, loving words and helping hands
Have won more souls for Heaven
Than all the mixed and various creeds
By priests and sages given.
For every grief a joy will come,
For every toil a rest;
So hope, so love, so patient bear--
God doeth all things best.
Be strong to hope, O heart of mine,
Look not on life's dark side;
For just beyond these gloomy hours
Rich, radiant days abide.
Let hope, like summer's rainbow bright,
Scatter thy falling tears,
And let God's precious promises
Dispel thine anxious fears. -
2016-01-25 - 2017-01-24 All dayTake therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself--Matt. 6: 34.
Our Lord assures us that if the main thought of our hearts is His service and the promotion of righteousness and an attainment of the Kingdom, which God has promised to them that love Him, then we need carry no anxious cares respecting the future. As His disciples we will have trials and tribulations enough, day by day, and will need daily to lean upon the Lord's arm as we seek to walk our narrow way. Sufficient for each day will be the evil of itself; and thanks be to God also, we have the promise that daily His grace shall be sufficient for us—Z '98, 44 (R 2259).
Worry plows furrows not only in the forehead, but also in the heart. The heart that trusts in the sufficiency of God's providences for every need is not only free from worry, but full of joy and peace, and looks with hopeful eyes into the future. It is therefore profitable for all things, having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come—P '33, 191.
Parallel passages: Matt. 6: 25-33; Job 38: 41; Psa. 104: 10, 11; 147: 9; Luke 12: 24-26, 31; Phil. 4: 19; 1 Kings 3: 13; Psa. 34: 9; 37: 25; Rom. 8: 32; Psa. 127: 2; Matt. 13: 22; Luke 21: 34; 1 Cor. 7: 32, 33; Phil. 4: 6; 2 Tim. 2: 4; Psa. 37: 5; 55: 22; Jer. 17: 7, 8; Heb. 13: 5.
Hymns: 56, 307, 93, 106, 63, 313, 328.
Poems of Dawn, 153: Strength Sufficient.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 230 (R 5508).
Questions: What have this week's experiences been along the lines of this text? How were they met? In what did they result?STRENGTH SUFFICIENT
OH, ask not thou, "How shall I bear
The burden of tomorrow?"
Sufficient for the day the care,
Its evils and its sorrow,
God imparteth by the way
Strength sufficient for the day. -
2016-01-26 - 2017-01-25 All day
When ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance--Matt. 6: 16.
Fasting is specially commendable to the Lord's people at times when they find themselves lacking in spirituality and exposed to severe temptations from the world, the flesh and the devil; for by impoverishing the physical force and vitality, it may assist the full-blooded and impulsive to self-control in every direction. We believe that a majority of Christians would be helped by occasional fasting, a very plain diet for a season, if not total abstinence. But fastings to be seen and known of men or to be conjured up in our own minds as marks of piety on our part, would be injurious indeed and lead to spiritual pride and hypocrisy, which would far outweigh their advantages to us in the way of self-restraints—Z '98, 45 (R 2260).
Those who afflict themselves to appear religious before others are as bad as those who pray and do alms to be seen of men. The Christians' fast is self-denial and should be entered into with grateful, joyous appreciation as a coveted opportunity for the Lord's glory. And the more of self-denial they can manifest in this spirit the sweeter is the perfume of faith, hope, love and obedience that ascends from them in prayer to God—P '32, 198.
Parallel passages: Isa. 58: 5; Deut. 12: 18; 1 Sam. 2: 1; 1 Chron. 16: 27; Ezra 6: 22; Neh. 8: 10, 12; 12: 43; Psa. 4: 7; 5: 11; 16: 5-11; 30: 11; 68: 3; 89: 15, 16; 97: 11, 12; 126: 5, 6; Luke 6: 22, 23; John 15: 11; 16: 20, 22, 24, 33; Acts 16: 25, 34; 2 Cor. 6: 10; 7: 4; 8: 2; 12: 10; Heb. 10: 34; Jas. 1: 2; 1 Pet. 4: 13.
Hymns: 248, 41, 151, 179, 204, 247, 310.
Poems of Dawn, 42: Courage! Press On.
Tower Reading: Z '11, 222 (R 4858).Questions: Have I this week rejoiced or been sad amid my self-denials? Why? With what results?
COURAGE! PRESS ON
TIRED! Well, what of that?
Didst fancy life was spent on beds of ease,
Fluttering the rose leaves scattered by the breeze?
Come, rouse thee! work while it is called to-day:
Courage! arise! go forth upon thy way.Lonely! and what of that?
Some must be lonely; 'tis not given to all
To feel a heart responsive rise and fall,
To blend another life within its own:
Work can be done in loneliness. Work on.Dark! Well, what of that?
Didst fondly dream the sun would never set?
Dost fear to lose thy way? Take courage yet!
Learn thou to walk by faith, and not by sight;
Thy steps will guided be, and guided right.Hard! Well, what of that?
Didst fancy life one summer holiday,
With lessons none to learn, and naught but play?
Go—get thee to thy task! Conquer or die!
It must be learned; learn it, then, patiently. -
2016-01-27 - 2017-01-26 All dayKeep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life--Prov. 4: 23.
It is not sufficient that we acknowledge sin in its various forms to be evil, and that we resolve that we will strive against it, because it is under the Lord's ban. In addition to this we are to root out of our hearts every longing, every desire for everything not thoroughly approved by the Lord. Oh, what a cleansing this would mean in the hearts and lives, and especially in the thoughts of many who have named the name of Christ! Many who fail to note this point find themselves continually beset by temptations, because, while outwardly avoiding gross immoralities, they secretly harbor sympathies for things condemned, desiring that they might have them, if only they were not forbidden—Z '99, 140 (R 2479).
The heart must be guarded with all diligence, both with regard to what enters and what leaves it. With great attention and care should we keep evil out of the heart and seek to fill it with good. So doing our lives will result in good, and not in evil. For as a man thinketh in his heart so is he! Our characters are thus formed, and our destinies are thus determined—P '26, 190.
Parallel passages: Deut. 5: 29; 6: 5, 6; 1 Chron. 28: 9; 2 Chron. 12: 14; Psa. 22: 26; 31: 10; 57: 7; Prov. 14: 30; 16: 1; Jer. 17: 9, 10; Matt. 5: 8; 9: 4; 15: 18, 19; Rom. 2: 5; 10: 8; Heb. 3: 8; 4: 12.
Hymns: 183, 130, 125, 78, 136, 1, 13.
Poems of Dawn, 111: Watch and Pray.
Tower Reading: Z '11, 396 (R 4904).
Questions: Have I been diligently keeping my heart this week? What helped or hindered? What were the effects?WATCH AND PRAY
CHRISTIAN, seek not yet repose,
Hear thy gracious Savior say,
"Thou art in the midst of foes:
Watch and pray."
Principalities and powers
Mustering their unseen array,
Watch for thine unguarded hours:
"Watch and pray."
Gird thy heavenly armor on,
Wear it ever, night and day;
Ambush'd lies the Evil One:
"Watch and pray."
Hear, above all, hear thy Lord,
Him thou lovest to obey;
Hide within thy heart His words:
"Watch and pray."
Watch, as if on that alone
Hung the issue of the day;
Pray that help may be sent down:
"Watch and pray." -
2016-01-28 - 2017-01-27 All dayHe that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels--Rev. 3: 5.
The faithful overcomers watch and keep their garments unspotted from the world. … "They have not defiled their garments," they have "kept their garments unspotted from the world." They have not been willing to permit sin to contaminate them and to separate them from the Lord, but have quickly applied for and obtained the precious blood to remove every stain. They are so heartily opposed to sin and so earnest about the keeping of this garment unspotted that the Adversary gets no hold upon them—"the wicked one catcheth them not." All this indicates a full submission of their wills to the will of Christ—they are "dead with him," and hence could not willingly practice sin—Z '97, 161 (R 2159).
The overcomer will attain to the highest acquisition, a pure character, and such a character inscribed in the covenant through fulfillment of its obligations will never be blotted out. On the contrary, it will be praised by the Son before the Father and the holy angels. It will be the equipment for the honor, work and rewards in the Kingdom. It will last forever, even as the Psalmist says, "Your heart shall live forever!"—P '31, 192.
Parallel passages: 1 Kings 19: 18; Ezek. 9: 4; Eph. 5: 25-27; Rev. 19: 8; Psa. 45: 14; Matt. 7: 21; Rev. 12: 11; Neh. 13: 14; Ex. 32: 32, 33; Psa. 69: 28; Rev. 21: 27; 13: 8; 17: 8; Phil. 4: 3; Matt. 10: 32; Luke 12: 8; Matt. 25: 21.
Hymns: 201, 192, 312, 125, 230, 58, 92.
Poems of Dawn, 207: Ascend, Beloved.
Tower Reading: Z '15, 118 (R 5668).
Questions: What have been this week's experiences and hopes in line with this text? In what did they result?ASCEND, BELOVED
ASCEND, beloved, to His joy;
Thy festal day hath come;
Tonight the Lamb doth feast His own,
Tonight He with His Bride sits down,
Tonight puts on the spousal crown,
In the great upper room.
Ascend, beloved, to thy Love;
This is the day of days;
Tonight the bridal song is sung,
Tonight ten thousand harps are strung,
In sympathy with heart and tongue,
Unto the Lamb's high praise.
The festal lamps are lighting now,
In the great marriage hall;
By angel bands the board is spread,
By angel hands the sacred bread
Is on the golden table laid;
The King His own doth call.
Long, long deferred, now comes at last,
The Lamb's glad wedding day;
The guests are gathering at the feast,
The seats in heavenly order placed,
The royal throne above the rest--
How bright the whole array!
Sorrow and sighing are no more;
The weeping hours are past;
Tonight the waiting will be done,
Tonight the wedding robe is on;
The glory and the joy begun,
The hour hath come at last.
Within the hall is heav'nly light;
Around, above, is love;
We enter to go out no more;
We raise the song unsung before;
We doff the sackcloth that we wore,
For all is joy and love.
Ascend, beloved, share His life;
Our days of death are o'er;
Mortalilty hath done its worst,
The fetters of the tomb are burst,
The last hath now become the first,
Forever, evermore.
Ascend, beloved, to the feast,
Make haste, the day hath come;
Thrice blest are they the Lamb doth call
To share the heavenly festival
In the new Salem's palace hall,
Our everlasting home. -
2016-01-29 - 2017-01-28 All dayThe fear [reverence] of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom--Psa. 111: 10.
This is the only proper attitude of the creature toward the Creator, the Author of our being, and the Creator, Preserver and Lord of the whole universe. When He speaks, therefore, our ears should be reverently attentive to His voice, and every power alert to do His bidding. Our safety, our happiness, and that nobility of character which prompts to love and gratitude, and which promptly and wisely heeds instruction and advances in knowledge and wisdom, all depend primarily upon our supreme reverence for the Lord. And therefore the Lord would foster and cultivate in us that becoming filial reverence that is due to His name—Z '96, 155 (R 2002).
Wisdom not only includes knowledge but also the practical application of knowledge to good purposes. The highest and the best things are those that concern man in his proper relationship toward God and his fellow-men. How evident it is, therefore, that the source of wisdom is reverence for God, since it enables one to come into a proper relationship to God and man and realize its calls—P '35, 183.
Parallel passages: Deut. 4: 6; 5: 29; 6: 2; 10: 12; Job 28: 28; Psa. 111: 1-9; 25: 8-14; Prov. 1: 7-9, 21-23; 2: 1-11; Eccles. 8: 12; Zeph. 3: 7; Mal. 3: 16; Matt. 11: 25-30; Luke 1: 49, 50; John 14: 15-17; Acts 10: 35.
Hymns: 11, 55, 83, 63, 202, 130, 176.
Poems of Dawn, 88: My Trust in Him.
Tower Reading: Z '06, 299 (R 3861).
Questions: Did I reverence God this week? What helped or hindered therein? Did I receive good from the experience?
MY TRUST IN HIM
I CANNOT always see the way that leads
To heights above;
I sometimes quite forget He leads me on
With hand of love.
But yet I realize the path must lead me to
Immanuel's land,
And when I reach life's summit, I shall know
And understand.
I cannot always trace the onward course
My bark must take;
But looking backward, I behold afar
Its shining wake
Illumined with God's Light of Love, and so
I onward go
In perfect trust that He who holds the helm
The course must know.
I cannot always see the plan on which
He builds my life;
For oft the sound of hammer, blow on blow,
The noise of strife,
Confuse me till I quite forget He knows
And oversees,
And that in all details with His great plan
My life agrees.
I cannot always understand
The Master's rule;
I cannot always do the tasks He gives
In Life's hard school;
But I am learning with His help to solve
Them one by one;
And when I cannot understand, to say,
"Thy will be done." -
2016-01-30 - 2017-01-29 All dayJesus spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint--Luke 18: 1.
In coming to God we need have no fear that He is too busy with other matters of greater importance, or that He is weary of our coming to Him repeatedly with things of small importance. It was to assure us against this very thing that our Lord spoke the parable of the importunate widow, who was heard and answered on account of her importunity. In so doing we evince both the earnestness of our desires and our faith that our prayers will be answered, if we faint not from lack of faith or zeal when the answer is delayed, as often it must necessarily be, since time is an important element in all God's work—Z '95, 214 (R 1864).
How blessed the assurance that the privilege of prayer is ever accessible to the child of God! How glorious is the assurance that omnipotent Love sits on the throne, favoring us! This should encourage us in every perplexity, since omnipotent Love is invincible. Therefore, yoked with God, we can never fail. Our strength will be equal to every demand, and our victories will follow one another in quick succession, until a complete conquest is attained in and by Christ Jesus—P '30, 14.
Parallel passages: Luke 2: 37; 11: 5-13; 21: 36; Matt. 15: 27, 28; 21: 22; John 15: 7; 16: 23; Rom. 12: 12; Isa. 62: 6, 7; Psa. 118: 5; 2 Cor. 12: 8, 9; 1 Thes. 5: 17; Heb. 4: 16; 1 John 5: 14; 3: 22; Jas. 1: 5, 6; Jer. 29: 13.
Hymns: 239, 1, 26, 50, 56, 57, 136.
Poems of Dawn, 57: Trust in the Lord.
Tower Reading: Z '13, 277 (R 5310).
Questions: What experiences did I have this week in line with this text? How were they met? What helped or hindered therein? What were their results?TRUST IN THE LORD
PSALM 52: 8.
O TRUST thyself to Jesus,
When conscious of thy sin--
Of its heavy weight upon thee,
Of its mighty power within.
Then is the hour for pleading
His finished work for thee;
Then is the time for singing,
"His blood was shed for me."
O trust thyself to Jesus,
When faith is dim and weak,
And the very One thou needest
Thou canst not rise to seek.
Then is the hour for seeing
That He hath come to thee;
Then is the time for singing,
"His touch hath healed me."
O trust thyself to Jesus,
When tempted to transgress
By hasty word, or angry look.
Or thought of bitterness.
Then is the hour for claiming
Thy Lord to fight for thee;
Then is the time for singing,
"He doth deliver me."
O trust thyself to Jesus,
When daily cares perplex,
And trifles seem to gain a power
Thine inner soul to vex.
Then is the hour for grasping
His hand who walked the sea;
Then is the time for singing,
"He makes it calm for me."
O trust thyself to Jesus,
When some truth thou canst not see
For the mists of strife and error,
That veil its form from thee.
Then is the hour for looking
To Him to guide thee right;
Then is the time for singing,
"The Lord shall be my light."
O trust thyself to Jesus,
In bright and happy days,
When tasting earthly gladness,
Or winning human praise.
Then is the hour for hiding
In the shadow of His wings;
Then is the time for singing,
"Praise to the King of kings!"
O trust thyself to Jesus,
When thou art wearied sore,
When head or hand refuses
To think or labor more.
Then is the hour for leaning
Upon the Master's breast;
Then is the time for singing,
"My Savior gives me rest."
O trust thyself to Jesus,
When thou art tried with pain;
No power for prayer, the only thought
How to endure the strain.
Then is the hour for resting
In His perfect love for thee;
Then is the time for singing,
"He thinks and cares for me."
O trust thyself to Jesus,
In days of feebleness,
When thou canst only dumbly feel
Thine utter helplessness.
Then is the hour for proving
His mighty power in thee;
Then is the time for singing,
"His grace sufficeth me."
O trust thyself to Jesus,
When thou art full of care
For wanderers whom thou canst not win
Our blessed hope to share.
Then is the hour for trusting
Thy Lord to bring them nigh;
Then is the time for singing,
"He loves them more than I."
O trust thyself to Jesus,
When loved ones pass away,
When very lonely seems thy life,
And very dark thy way.
Then is the hour for yielding
Entirely to His will;
Then is the time for singing,
"I have my Savior still."
O trust thyself to Jesus,
When flesh and heart do fail,
And thou art called to enter
Death's dark, o'ershadowed vale.
Then is the hour for saying,
I will no evil fear;
Then is the time for singing,
"Lord, Thou art with me here."
O trust thyself to Jesus,
As thy spirit takes its flight,
From every earthly shadow,
To the realm of perfect light.
Then is the hour for shouting,
"Christ hath done all for me!"
Then is the time for singing,
"He gives the victory!" -
2016-01-31 - 2017-01-30 All dayThe meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way--Psa. 25: 9.
Such a disposition is essential to those who would receive the wisdom which comes from above. They must have a humble appreciation of their own deficiencies and lack of wisdom, else they cannot receive freely, heartily, the wisdom which God is pleased to grant in the present time only to those who are in the attitude of heart to receive it. And it will be seen also that this humility of mind is essential as a basis for the spirit of a sound mind, for who is in a proper condition to think justly, reasonably, impartially, except first of all he have a humble disposition? Hence we must agree that humility is a primary element in the disposition or mind of Christ—Z '00, 68 (R 2585).
To be teachable, one must be humble. To be taught of God, humility is indispensable: Only those emptied of self can be filled with God; but so emptied, they are prepared to receive knowledge that far transcends the greatest heights of human wisdom, since God Himself will be their great Teacher and His wisdom embraces all things—P '34, 189.
Parallel passages: Psa. 22: 26; 37: 11; 76: 8, 9; 147: 6; 149: 4; Eccles. 10: 4; Isa. 11: 4; 29: 19; Zeph. 2: 3; Matt. 5: 5, 38-42; 11: 29; 1 Cor. 6: 7; 2 Cor. 10: 1; Gal. 6: 1; Eph. 4: 1, 2; Col. 3: 12, 13; 2 Tim. 2: 24, 25; 1 Pet. 3: 4.
Hymns: 71, 136, 145, 315, 128, 160, 154.
Poems of Dawn, 69: How Strong and Sweet My Father's Care!
Tower Reading: Z '13, 381 (R 5370).
Questions: What have been this week's experiences in line with this text? How were they met? In what did they result?HOW STRONG AND SWEET MY FATHER'S CARE!
1 PETER 5: 7.
HOW strong and sweet my Father's care!
The words, like music in the air,
Come answering to my whispered prayer--
He cares for thee.
The thought great wonder with it brings--
My cares are all such little things;
But to this truth my glad faith clings,
He cares for me.
Yea, keep me ever in Thy love,
Dear Father, watching from above,
And let me still Thy mercy prove,
And care for me.
Cast me not off because of sin,
But make me pure and true within,
And teach me how Thy smile to win,
Who cares for me.
O still, in summer's golden glow,
Or wintry storms of wind and snow,
Love me, my Father: let me know
Thy care for me.
And I will learn to cast the care
Which like a heavy load I bear
Down at Thy feet in lowly prayer,
And trust in Thee.
For naught can hurt me, shade or shine,
Nor evil thing touch me, nor mine,
Since Thou with tenderness Divine
Dost care for me -
2017-01-01 - 2017-12-31 All day
O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard, which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved--Psa. 66: 8, 9.
Thanks be to God that His grace has preserved us, "kept us from falling," through another year; that so many of us are still of one heart and of one mind in respect to His Word and its service! When we remember that the Adversary is to be permitted to bring "strong delusions" upon the Lord's people for the very purpose of sifting out all not truly His (2 Thes. 2: 1-12), it should surely call forth our thanks to God that the opening of another year finds us still standing fast, appreciating the Truth, and in full accord with all the Divine appointments by which He has kept us from falling—Z '03, 3 (Z 3125).
The true people of God exhort one another to speak highly of His Word and to cause the message that embodies His attributes to be understood. He preserves the existence of His true people throughout their entire course. He does not, nor will He allow them to be overthrown nor to lose their position in Christ, the solid Rock on which they stand—P '35, 182.
Parallel passages: Joel 2: 26; Psa. 103:1-22; 104: 1; 105: 1-7; 91: 1-16; 92: 1-5, 10-15; Rom. 8: 31-39; 1 Pet. 1: 2-9; Jude 24, 25; Psa. 40: 1-4; 115: 18; 145: 1, 2; Isa. 33: 16; Matt. 10: 28-31.
Hymns: 34, 235, 236, 237, 238, 145, 120.
Poems of Dawn, 274: The Year Before Us.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 216 (R 5500).
Questions: Have I this week made His praise known? How did it energize me and keep me from stumbling? What will I do with His praise this year?
THE YEAR BEFORE US
STANDING at the portal of the opening year,
Words of comfort meet us, hushing every fear;
Spoken through the silence by our Father's voice,
Tender, strong and faithful, making us rejoice.
Onward, then, and fear not, children of the day;
For His Word shall never, never pass away.
"I, the Lord, am with thee, be thou not afraid;
I will help and strengthen, be thou not dismayed.
Yea, I will uphold thee with Mine own right hand;
Thou art called and chosen in My sight to stand."
Onward, then, and fear not, children of the day;
For His Word shall never, never pass away.
For the years before us, oh, what rich supplies!
For the poor and needy, living streams shall rise;
For the sad and mournful, shall His grace abound;
For the faint and feeble, perfect strength be found.
Onward, then, and fear not, children of the day;
For His Word shall never, never pass away.
He will never fail us, He will not forsake;
His eternal covenant He will never break;
Resting on His promise, what have we to fear?
God is all-sufficient for the coming year.
Onward, then, and fear not, children of the day;
For His Word shall never, never pass away. -
2017-01-04 - 2018-01-03 All day
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD--Psa. 27: 14.
Time is an important element in all God's plans: we are not, therefore, to be disappointed when the test of endurance is applied while the blessings we crave tarry long. God took time to frame the world and to fit it for human habitation; time to give the world its necessary experience with evil; time to prepare for the advent of Christ as the world's Redeemer; time for the preparation of the Church and the rest of His Gospel-Age people to share in His glorious reign; and time must be allowed for the shaping and adjusting of the individual affairs of His people. God has not forgotten when the answers to our prayers seem to tarry long. He who heeds the sparrow's fall and numbers the very hairs of our heads is not indifferent to the faintest call or the smallest necessity of His humblest child—Z '95, 20 (R 1759).
The providences of God on behalf of His people involve many delays to test their patience. Those who endure these tests with courageous hearts will thereby become strong in the Lord. Therefore they wait on the Lord amid all the varying circumstances of life, assured that He who is for them will manifest this in every time of need that comes into their lives—P '33, 191.
Parallel passages: Jer. 14: 22; Psa. 25: 3, 5, 21; 39: 7; 123: 2; 62: 1, 2, 5; 33: 20; 37: 7; Hos. 12: 6; Gal. 5: 5; Psa. 130: 5, 6; 40: 1; 25: 21; 69: 3; Mic. 7: 7; Dan. 12: 12; Isa. 40: 31; 64: 4.
Hymns: 313, 7, 92, 102, 201, 214, 318.
Poems of Dawn, 209: Wait, O Thou Weary One, a Little Longer.
Tower Reading: Z '15, 190 (R 5711).
Questions: Have I this week waited upon the Lord? How? Why? With what results?
WAIT, O THOU WEARY ONE, A LITTLE LONGER
WAIT, O thou weary one, a little longer,
A few more years—it may be only days;
Thy patient waiting makes thee all the stronger;
Eternity will balance all delays.
Wait, O thou suffering one, thy days of sorrow
Bring to thy weary soul its richest gain;
If thou a Christian art, a brighter morrow
Will give thee ten-fold joy for all thy pain.
Wait, O thou anxious one; the cloud that hovers
In gathering gloom above thine aching head
Is sent of God in mercy, and He covers
Thee with His heavenly mantle overspread.
Be patient and submissive; each disaster
Will bring thee nearer to thy loving Lord.
These trials make thee like thy blessed Master,
Who knows them all, and will His grace afford.
Be patient and submissive; strength is given
For every step along the weary way.
And for it all thou'lt render praise to Heaven,
When dreary night gives place to perfect day.
Yes, perfect day, the day of God eternal,
When not a shadow shall flit o'er the scene
In that fair land where all is bright and vernal,
And we will be with Christ, and naught between.
Wait, then, dear heart; control thy sad emotion;
God will subdue each angry wind and wave,
And when the voyage ends across life's ocean,
Within the haven of sweet rest will save. -
2017-01-05 - 2018-01-04 All day
The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me--Rom. 15: 3.
Let us see to it that we bear the reproaches of Christ as He bore them—with pity and prayer for the erring and depraved, if perchance God may grant them repentance; and with humble fortitude esteeming it a privilege to prove our devotion to the Lord by enduring hardness in His service as good soldiers. He was not surprised by the exhibitions of human depravity; He knew that He was in an unfriendly world bound by sin and largely under the dominion of the prince of darkness, and therefore He expected reproaches, taunts and persecutions, all of which He endured patiently while His great loving heart, almost unmindful of its own sufferings, was full of pity and loving concern for others—Z '96, 83 (R 1963).
Misrepresentation of our Heavenly Father's character by the Adversary's delusions and misunderstandings of His purpose through humanity's sinfulness and ignorance, make Him the reproach of the irreligious. Those who take His part as His true people for His sake bear in His defense reproaches from the same persons, but not necessarily nor usually with the same things—P '32, 197.
Parallel passages: Psa. 69: 9; Mark 12: 35-40; Luke 12: 50; Rom. 6: 1-11; 8: 10, 17, 18; 15: 2, 3; 1 Cor. 15: 29-34; 2 Cor. 1: 5; 4: 8—5: 9; Gal. 2: 20; Phil. 3: 10; Col. 1: 24; 2: 11, 12; 2 Tim. 2: 10-12; 1 Pet. 2: 19-24; 3: 13-18; 4: 12-19.
Hymns: 134, 135, 203, 277, 299, 325, 326.
Poems of Dawn, 185: Patience.
Tower Reading: Z '12, 323 (R 5116).
Questions: What have been this week's experiences in line with this text? How were they received? How did they affect me?
PATIENCE
THE purple grape must be crushed
To make the sweet, red wine,
And furnace fires must fiercely burn,
The drossy gold to refine;
The wheel must cruelly grind,
Else where the jewel's light?
And the steel submit to the polishing,
Or how would the sword grow bright?
How then, my soul, wilt thou
The Spirit's fruits possess,
Except thou lovingly yield thyself
To the Hand that wounds to bless?
Then patiently let the fire
Consume all earthly dross--
Thou canst not hope to wear the Crown,
If thou refuse the Cross! -
2017-01-06 - 2018-01-05 All day
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom--Psa. 90: 12.
The Christian, in numbering his days, does not do so with a doleful or disconsolate sentiment, although he does so with sobriety. He counts the days as they go as so many blessings, so many privileges, so many opportunities to "show forth the praises of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light," to render assistance to others in the pilgrim journey, and to develop in himself more and more of the character pleasing in the sight of God—to become more and more a copy of God's dear Son—Z '01, 333 (R 2895).
The Restitution class under an experience with righteousness will pray that they may be enabled so to study their lives under the experience with evil as to learn the hatefulness of sin and the lovableness of righteousness—the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom. This prayer will be answered by the Lord in a way that will prove to their eternal good in truth and righteousness—P '26, 189.
Parallel passages: Job 12: 2, 3, 7-13, 16, 17, 22; 28: 12-28; 32: 9; Psa. 107: 43; 111: 10; Prov. 1: 5, 7, 20-33; 2: 1-20; 3: 13-26, 34, 35; 4: 4-22; 8: 1-9; 16: 16, 20-24; 1 Cor. 1: 24, 30; Jas. 1: 5.
Hymns: 74, 296, 136, 79, 22, 44, 49.
Poems of Dawn, 137: If We Had But a Day.
Tower Reading: Z '15, 151 (R 5688).
Questions: What experiences of this week especially inculcated wisdom? How did I act amid them? What were their effects?
IF WE HAD BUT A DAY
WE should fill the hours with the sweetest things,
If we had but a day;
We should drink alone at the purest springs
On our upward way;
We should love with a lifetime's love in an hour,
If the hours were few;
We should sleep, not for dreams, but for fresher power,
To be and to do.
We should hold our wearied or wayward wills
To the clearest light;
We should keep our eyes on the heavenly hills,
If they lay in sight;
We should hush our murmurs of discontent
At a life's defeat;
We should take whatever a good God sent
With a rest complete.
We should waste no moment in weak regret,
If the days were but one,
If what we remember and what we forget
Went out with the sun;
We should be from our clamorous selves set free,
To work and to pray;
To be what the Father would have us be,
If we had but a day. -
2017-01-07 - 2018-01-06 All day
Speak evil of no man--Titus 3: 2.
If once the soldiers of the cross would get the proper thought, that slander and evil-speaking are assassinations of the character of another, and that defamation is robbery of another's good name, the sooner they will see this matter in its truly awful light, as it must appear in the Lord's sight; and once seeing the matter from this true, Divine standpoint, it must awaken the new heart, mind and will to the greatest activity possible in the overcoming of such works of the flesh and of the devil. Each will seek to purge out the old leaven of malice and envy and strife and crookedness and evil-speaking, that he may be pure in heart, a copy of the Lord—Z '03, 425 (R 3272).
Each one of us has so many failings and others have so many good qualities, that it is unbecoming in any of us to speak ill of anyone. Our own floors should be cleanly swept before we attempt to sweep the floors of others, and the sweeping will help us better to sympathize with others. Only then may we say uncomplimentary things of others when their telling is prompted by the Golden Rule to prevent sure injury, if they are not told—P '31, 191.
Parallel passages: Ex. 22: 28; Psa. 10: 7, 8; 34: 13; 41: 5-9; 64: 2-5; Prov. 4: 24; 10: 11, 19, 31, 32; 12: 5, 6, 13, 17-19; 15: 1, 4, 28; 16: 27, 28; 26: 20-23, 28; Eccles. 10: 11, 20; Isa. 32: 6, 7; Matt. 12: 34-37; Eph. 4: 25, 29, 31; Jas. 3: 5-10; 4: 11.
Hymns: 116, 32, 70, 151, 223, 260, 272.
Poems of Dawn, 273: Three Gates of Gold.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 264 (R 5528).
Questions: Did I this week speak good or evil? Why? What were the circumstances, hindrances and results?
"THREE GATES OF GOLD"
LET every thought thy lips would utter pass three
gates of gold,--
But, if through these it fails to pass, then let it not
be told;
And o'er each gate in silver letters written thou wilt
find,
Above the first one, "Is it true?" the second, "Is it kind?"
And "Is it necessary?" o'er the third one and the
last.
Then guard thy thoughts, let none escape, save those
these gates have passed! -
2017-01-08 - 2018-01-07 All day
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men--1 Thes. 5: 15.
According to the Scriptural standard, the true people of God should be the most polished, the most refined, the most polite, the most generous, the most kind, of all the people in the world—and should be all these in the most absolute sense—not in the mere sense of an outward form and appearance of kindness, gentleness, etc., so common in the world; but a gentleness, a kindness, proceeding from the heart, proceeding from an appreciation of the Lord's Spirit and the spirit of the Truth, the spirit of love, and the spirit of justice, also—Z '01, 297 (R 2877).
The spirit of vengeance is the spirit of Satan, as the spirit of meekness and non-retaliation is the Spirit of the Lord. Therefore, all who have the Lord's Spirit will constantly be on the alert to do good, whether to friend or foe, doing good according to opportunity to all men, especially to the household of faith. Ever following this course their hearts will more and more approximate the likeness of the Lord's—P '35, 182.
Parallel passages: Lev. 19: 18; Deut. 32: 25; Psa. 94: 1; Prov. 20: 22; Matt. 5: 38-41; Rom. 12: 12-17, 19-21; Heb. 10: 30; 1 Pet. 2: 23; 3: 9; Gal. 6: 10; 1 Thes. 3: 12; 1 Tim. 6: 18.
Hymns: 125, 267, 196, 198, 315, 95, 208.
Poems of Dawn, 114: Just for Today.
Tower Reading: Z '16, 149 (R 5897).
Questions: Have I this week rendered evil for evil, good for evil or evil for good? What were the circumstances, the motives and the effects?
JUST FOR TODAY
LORD, for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray;
Keep me from any stain of sin just for today.
Let me both diligently work and duly pray;
Let me be kind in word and deed just for today.
Let me be slow to do my will, prompt to obey;
Help me to sacrifice myself just for today.
Let me no wrong nor idle word unthinking say;
Set Thou Thy seal upon my lips just for today.
So for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray,
But keep me, guide me, hold me, Lord, just for today. -
2017-01-09 - 2018-01-08 All day
Who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive?--1 Cor. 4: 7.
All of the Lord's consecrated people should realize that they have come into the present grace and truth, not by their own wisdom nor by the wisdom of others, but through the wisdom and grace of the Lord. The same thought should be entertained by all who serve the people of God as ministers, servants in any department, in any manner responsible to the Lord for their position in the household of faith, and their opportunities to serve as the Lord's mouthpieces should be felt and confessed. But failure to confess it implies a failure rightly to appreciate it—Z '03, 430 (R 3277).
Our differing from others in the important things in life (whether in talents, station or privilege with respect to God's service) comes not from ourselves, but from God. It is He who makes us to differ one from the other. Humility, therefore, is the proper attitude of mind toward our position in the Lord's service. Boasting is excluded, because all is a favor from Him—P '30, 14.
Parallel passages: Jas. 1: 17; John 3: 27; 1 Cor. 12: 11; Rom. 12: 3, 6; 1 Pet. 4: 10; Eph. 2: 8, 9; Phil. 2: 13; Mic. 6: 8; Matt. 5: 3; Luke 14: 11; 17: 10; 22: 24-27; 1 Cor. 1: 28, 29.
Hymns: 95, 11, 46, 99, 121, 176, 293.
Poems of Dawn, 81: His Way is Best.
Tower Reading: Z '13, 231 (R 5284).
Questions: What were this week's experiences in line with this text? How were they met? In what did they result?
HIS WAY IS BEST
JUST why I suffer loss
I cannot know;
I only know my Father
Wills it so.
He leads in paths I cannot understand;
But all the way, I know, is wisely planned.
My life is only mine
That I may use
The gifts He lendeth me
As He may choose.
And, if in love some boon He doth recall,
I know that unto Him belongeth all.
I am His child, and I
Can safely trust;
He loves me, and I know
That He is just;
Within His love I can securely rest,
Assured that what He does for me is best.
