Our God is so good! He has given us a new year. An opportunity to evaluate where we are and
where we need to be. As we look over the
past year let us give thanks where we have made progress in the Christian
walk. Let us repent at the remembrance of
our failures. Let us lay hold of the
grace, the power of God offered us to overcome and be victorious in this
battle against the devil. I personally give myself
unreservedly to my Savior.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not lean on your own
understanding. In all your ways submit
to Him and He will direct your paths."
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
"The path of the righteous is
as a shining light, Going and brightening till the day is
established." (Proverbs 4:18)
" Then we shall know, we who follow on to
know Jehovah. His going forth is established as the dawn. And He shall come to
us as the rain, as the latter and
former rain to the earth." (Hosea
6:3)
"Angels
are engaged night and day in the service of God for the uplifting of man in
accordance with the plan of salvation. Man is required to love God supremely,
that is, with all his might, mind, and strength, and his neighbor as himself.
This he cannot possibly do unless he shall deny himself. Said Christ:
"Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow Me."
Self-denial means to rule the spirit when passion is seeking for the
mastery; to resist the temptation to censure and to speak faultfinding words;
to have patience with the child that is dull and whose conduct is grievous and
trying; to stand at the post of duty when others may fail; to lift
responsibilities wherever and whenever you can, not for the purpose of
applause, not for policy, but for the sake of the Master, who has given you a
work to be done with unwavering fidelity; when you might praise yourself, to
keep silent and let other lips praise you. Self-denial is to do good to others
where inclination would lead you to serve and please yourself. Although your
fellow men may never appreciate your efforts or give you credit for them, yet
you are to work on.
Search carefully and see whether the truth
which you have accepted has become a firm principle with you. Do you take
Christ with you when you leave the closet of prayer? Does your religion stand
guard at the door of your lips? Is your heart drawn out in sympathy and love
for others outside of your own family? Are you diligently seeking a clearer
understanding of Scriptural truth, that you may let your light shine forth to
others? These questions you may answer to your own souls. Let your speech be
seasoned with grace and your demeanor show Christian elevation." (4T521)
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