NNEC Prayer MinistriesOctober 2017

1 John 4:18

THERE IS NO FEAR IN

LOVE——BUT——

63

Christ Triumphant, 7 Day 22Conflict and Courage, 315 Day 26Conflict and Courage, 357 Day 13God’s Amazing Grace, 176 Day 7God’s Amazing Grace, 237 Day 29God’s Amazing Grace, 252 Day 19In Heavenly Places, 14 Day 5Lift Him Up, 23 Day 20Lift Him Up, 151 Day 27Lift Him Up, 207 Day 8Maranatha, 101 Day 28My Life Today, 173 Day 16My Life Today, 179 Day 1My Life Today, 192 Day 30My Life Today, 257 Day 23Our Father Cares, 22 Day 31Our High Calling, 12 Day 9Our High Calling, 175 Day 2Reflecting Christ, 73 Day 17Reflecting Christ, 316 Day 14Sons and Daughters of God, 11 Day 10Sons and Daughters of God, 18 Day 6Sons and Daughters of God, 189 Day 21Sons and Daughters of God, 193 Day 25That I May Know Him, 69 Day 11The Faith I Live By, 59 Day 4The Sanctified Life, 53-55 Day 3The Upward Look, 223 Day 12The Upward Look, 358 Day 15To Be Like Jesus, 379 Day 24Ye Shall Receive Power, 29 Day 18

List of References

1

Love Heals Many WoundsBeloved, let us love one another: for love is ofGod; and every one that loveth is born of God,

and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7

From the Christian standpoint, love is power. Intellectualand spiritual strength are involved in this principle. Pure lovehas special efficacy to do good, and can do nothing but good.It prevents discord and misery and brings the truesthappiness. Wealth is often an influence to corrupt anddestroy; force is strong to do hurt; but truth and goodnessare the properties of pure love.

A man at peace with God and his fellow men cannot bemade miserable. Envy will not be in his heart; evil surmisingwill find no room there; hatred cannot exist. The heart inharmony with God is lifted above the annoyances and trialsof this life.

That which Satan plants in the heart—envy, jealousy, evilsurmising, evil speaking, impatience, prejudice, selfishness,covetousness, and vanity—must be uprooted. If these evilthings are allowed to remain in the soul, they will bear fruitby which many shall be defiled. Oh, how many cultivate thepoisonous plants, that kill out the precious fruits of love anddefile the soul!

Only the love that flows from the heart of Christ can heal.Only He in whom that love flows, even as the sap in the treeor the blood in the body, can restore the wounded soul.

Love's agencies have wonderful power, for they are divine.The soft answer that "turneth away wrath," the love that"suffereth long, and is kind," the charity that "covereth amultitude of sins"—would we learn the lesson, with whatpower for healing would our lives be gifted! How life wouldbe transformed, and the earth become a very likeness andforetaste of heaven!

Ellen White, My Life Today, 179

Day 1

62

Notes

61

The Renewed Heart LovesAs Christ Loved

A new commandment I give unto you,That ye love one another; as I have loved you,

that ye also love one another. John 13:34.

Jesus says, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Loveis not simply an impulse, a transitory emotion, dependentupon circumstances; it is a living principle, a permanentpower. The soul is fed by the streams of pure love that flowfrom the heart of Christ, as a well-spring that never fails. O,how is the heart quickened, how are its motives ennobled, itsaffections deepened, by this communion! Under the educationand discipline of the Holy Spirit, the children of God love oneanother, truly, sincerely, unaffectedly,—“without partiality,and without hypocrisy.” And this because the heart is in lovewith Jesus. Our affection for one another springs from ourcommon relation to God. We are one family, we love oneanother as He loved us. When compared with this true,sanctified, disciplined affection, the shallow courtesy of theworld, the meaningless expression of effusive friendship, areas chaff to the wheat.

To love as Christ loved means to manifest unselfishness atall times and in all places, by kind words and pleasant looks....Genuine love is a precious attribute of heavenly origin, whichincreases its fragrance in proportion as it is dispensed toothers...

Christ's love is deep and earnest, flowing like anirrepressible stream to all who will accept it. There is noselfishness in His love. If this heaven-born love is an abidingprinciple in the heart, it will make itself known, not only tothose we hold most dear in sacred relationship, but to all withwhom we come in contact. It will lead us to bestow little actsof attention, to make concessions, to perform deeds of kindness,to speak tender, true, encouraging words. It will lead us tosympathize with those whose hearts hunger for sympathy.

Day 31

Ellen White, Our Father Cares, 22 2

Notes

3

The Outflow of LoveBeloved, let us love one another: for love is ofGod; and every one that loveth is born of God,

and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7.

When the heavenly principle of eternal love fills the heart,it will flow out to others, not merely because favors arereceived of them, but because love is the principle of action,and modifies the character, governs the impulses, controlsthe passions, subdues enmity, and elevates the affections. Thislove is not contracted, so as merely to include "me and mine,"but is as broad as the world and as high as heaven. It is inharmony with that of the angel workers. This love, cherishedin the soul, sweetens the entire life, and sheds a refininginfluence on all around. Possessing it, we cannot but behappy, let fortune smile or frown. And if we love God with allthe heart, we must love His children also. This love is the spiritof God. It is the heavenly adorning that gives true nobilityand dignity to the soul.

A soul filled with the love of Jesus lends to the words, themanners, the looks, hope, courage, and serenity.... It awakensa desire for a better life; souls ready to faint are strengthened;those struggling against temptation will be fortified andcomforted. The words, the expression, the manners, throwout a bright ray of sunshine, and leave behind them a clearpath toward heaven. . . . Every one of us has opportunities ofhelping others. We are constantly making impressions uponthe youth about us. The expression of the countenance is itselfa mirror of the life within. Jesus desires that we shall becomelike Himself, filled with tender sympathy, exerting a ministryof love in the small duties of life. . . .

Our duty is to live in the atmosphere of Christ's love, tobreathe His love deeply, and to reflect its warmth around us.Oh, what a sphere of influence is open before us! How carefullywe should cultivate the garden of the soul, so that it may bringforth only pure, sweet, fragrant flowers! Words of love,tenderness, and charity sanctify our influence over others.

Ellen White, Our High Calling, 175

Day 2

60

Notes

59

Christian CourtesySocial to Save

As I have loved you,that ye also love one another. John 13:34

The value of courtesy is too little appreciated. Many whoare kind at heart lack kindliness of manner. Many whocommand respect by their sincerity and uprightness are sadlydeficient in geniality. This lack mars their own happiness anddetracts from their service to others. Many of life's sweetestand most helpful experiences are, often for mere want ofthought, sacrificed by the uncourteous.

The Holy Scriptures give us marked examples of theexercise of true courtesy. Abraham was a man of God. Whenhe pitched his tent he at once erected his altar for sacrificeand invited God to abide with him. Abraham was a courteousman. His life is not marred with selfishness, so hateful in anycharacter and so offensive in the sight of God. Witness hisconduct when about to separate from Lot. Though Lot washis nephew, and much younger than himself, and the firstchoice of the land belonged to Abraham, courtesy led him toforgo his right, and permit Lot to select for himself that partof the country which seemed to him most desirable. Beholdhim as he welcomes the three travelers in the heat of the dayand hastens to provide for their necessities. Again observehim as he engages in a business transaction with the sons ofHeth, to purchase a burying place for Sarah. In his grief hedoes not forget to be courteous. He bows before them,although he is God's nobleman. Abraham knew what genuinepoliteness was and what was due from man to his fellow men.

We should be self-forgetful, ever ... watching foropportunities to cheer others and lighten and relieve theirsorrows and burdens by acts of tender kindness and littledeeds of love. These thoughtful courtesies, that, commencingin our families, extend outside the family circle, help make upthe sum of life's happiness.

Day 30

Ellen White, My Life Today, 192 4

Notes

5

Love Was Thatof a Repentant Sinner

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is ofGod; and every one that loveth is born of God,

and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7.

The apostle John was distinguished above his brethren as"the disciple whom Jesus loved." While not in the slightestdegree cowardly, weak, or vacillating in character, hepossessed an amiable disposition and a warm, loving heart.He seemed to have enjoyed, in a preeminent sense, thefriendship of Christ, and he received many tokens of theSaviour's confidence and love. He was one of the threepermitted to witness Christ's glory upon the mount oftransfiguration and His agony in Gethsemane; and to thecare of John our Lord confided His mother in those last hoursof anguish upon the cross.

The Saviour's affection for the beloved disciple wasreturned with all the strength of ardent devotion. John clungto Christ as the vine clings to the stately pillar. For hisMaster's sake he braved the dangers of the judgment hall andlingered about the cross; and at the tidings that Christ hadrisen, he hastened to the sepulcher, in his zeal outstrippingeven the impetuous Peter.

John's love for his Master was not a mere humanfriendship, but it was the love of a repentant sinner, who feltthat he had been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. Heesteemed it the highest honor to work and suffer in the serviceof his Lord. His love for Jesus led him to love all for whomChrist died. His religion was of a practical character. Hereasoned that love to God would be manifested in love to Hischildren. "We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say,I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he thatloveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he loveGod whom he hath not seen?" (1 Jn 4:19-20). The apostle's lifewas in harmony with his teachings.

Ellen White, The Sanctified Life, 53-55

Day 3

58

Notesthoughtful efforts to help where help is needed, the trueChristian shows his love for God and for his fellow beings. Hemay lose his life in service. But when Christ comes to gatherHis jewels to Himself, he will find it again.

57

Revealed by LoveA new commandment I give unto you,

That ye love one another; as I have loved you,that ye also love one another. By this shall allmen know that ye are my disciples, if ye have

love one to another. John 13:34, 35.

The golden chain of love, binding the hearts of the believersin unity, in bonds of fellowship and love, and in oneness withChrist and the Father, makes the connection perfect, andbears to the world a testimony of the power of Christianitythat cannot be controverted....

Satan understands the power of such a testimony as awitness to the world of what grace can do in transformingcharacter.... He will work every conceivable device to breakthis golden chain which links heart to heart of those whobelieve the truth and binds them up in close connection withthe Father and the Son.

Those who have never experienced the tender, winninglove of Christ cannot lead others to the fountain of life. Hislove in the heart is a constraining power, which leads men toreveal Him in the conversation, in the tender, pitiful spirit, inthe uplifting of the lives of those with whom they associate....

In the heart renewed by divine grace, love is the rulingprinciple of action. It modifies the character, governs theimpulses, controls the passions, and ennobles the affections.This love, cherished in the soul, sweetens the life, and sheds arefining influence on all around.

He who loves God supremely and his neighbor as himselfwill work with the constant realization that he is a spectacleto the world, to angels, and to men. Making God's will his will,he will reveal in his life the transforming power of the graceof Christ. In all the circumstances of life, he will take Christ'sexample as his guide.

Every true, self-sacrificing worker for God is willing tospend and be spent for the sake of others.... By earnest,

Ellen White, God’s Amazing Grace, 237

Day 29

6

NotesThe love which glowed in his heart for Christ, led him to

put forth the most earnest, untiring labor for his fellow men,especially for his brethren in the Christian church. . . .

John desired to become like Jesus, and under thetransforming influence of the love of Christ, he became meekand lowly of heart. Self was hid in Jesus. He was closelyunited to the Living Vine, and thus became a partaker of thedivine nature. Such will ever be the result of communion withChrist. This is true sanctification.

7

God Is LoveHe that loveth not knoweth not God;

for God is love. 1 John 4:8.

"God is love." His nature, His law, is love. It ever has been;it ever will be. . . .

Every manifestation of creative power is an expression ofinfinite love.

It is through His power that summer and winter, seedtimeand harvest, day and night, follow each other in their regularsuccession. It is by His word that vegetation flourishes, thatleaves appear, and the flowers bloom. Every good thing wehave, each ray of sunshine and shower of rain, every morselof food, every moment of life, is a gift of love.

The history of the great conflict between good and evil,from the time it first began in heaven to the final overthrowof rebellion and the total eradication of sin, is also ademonstration of God's unchanging love.

The gift of Christ reveals the Father's heart.God made to our world the wonderful gift of His only-

begotten Son. In the light of this act, it could never be said bythe inhabitants of other worlds that God could have donemore than He did to show His love for the children of men.He made a sacrifice that defies all computation.

Thousands have a false conception of God and Hisattributes. They are as verily serving a false god as were theservants of Baal. Are we worshiping the true God as He isrevealed in His Word, in Christ, in nature, or are we adoringsome philosophical idol enshrined in His place? God is a Godof truth. Justice and mercy are the attributes of His throne.He is a God of love, of pity and tender compassion. Thus Heis represented in His Son, our Saviour. He is a God of patienceand long-suffering. If such is the being whom we adore andto whose character we are seeking to assimilate, we areworshiping the true God.

Ellen White, The Faith I Live By, 59

Day 4

56

Notes"If thou wilt keep my charge," the Lord declares, "I will

give thee places to walk among these that stand by"—evenamong the angels that surround His throne. (Zec_3:7.) Bycooperating with heavenly beings in their work on earth, weare preparing for their companionship in heaven.

55

Motivated by LoveAnd this commandment we have from him,

That he who loveth God love his brother also.1 John 4:21.

Love is the basis of godliness. Whatever the profession, noman has pure love to God unless he has unselfish love for hisbrother. . . . When self is merged in Christ, love springs forthspontaneously. The completeness of Christian character isattained when the impulse to help and bless others springsconstantly from within—when the sunshine of heaven fills theheart and is revealed in the countenance. . . .

Connected with Christ, we are connected with our fellowmen by the golden links of the chain of love. Then the pity andcompassion of Christ will be manifest in our life. We shall notwait to have the needy and unfortunate brought to us. Weshall not need to be entreated to feel for the woes of others. Itwill be as natural for us to minister to the needy and sufferingas it was for Christ to go about doing good. . . .

The glory of heaven is in lifting up the fallen, comfortingthe distressed. . . . No distinction on account of nationality,race, or caste is recognized by God. . . . All men are of onefamily by creation, and all are one through redemption.Christ came to demolish every wall of partition, to throw openevery compartment of the temple, that every soul may havefree access to God. His love is so broad, so deep, so full, thatit penetrates everywhere. It lifts out of Satan's circle the poorsouls who have been deluded by his deceptions. It places themwithin reach of the throne of God, the throne encircled by therainbow of promise. . . .

Christ is seeking to uplift all who will be lifted tocompanionship with Himself, that we may be one with Himas He is one with the Father. He permits us to come in contactwith suffering and calamity in order to call us out of ourselfishness; He seeks to develop in us the attributes of Hischaracter—compassion, tenderness, and love. . . .

Ellen White, Maranatha, 101

Day 28

8

Notes

9

Most Exalted ThemeIn this was manifested the love of God toward

us, because that God sent his only begottenSon into the world, that we might live

through him. 1 John 4:9.

The plan of redemption, by which the merciful divine-human Redeemer rescued man from the thralldom of sin, isbeyond the comprehension of men or of angels. It is indeed amystery so surpassing, so grand, so sublime, that we cannever hope fully to understand it.

Christ's sacrifice for fallen man has no parallel. It is themost exalted, sacred theme on which we can meditate. Everyheart that is enlightened by the grace of God is constrainedto bow with inexpressible gratitude and adoration before theRedeemer for His infinite sacrifice.

In His life Jesus of Nazareth differed from all other men.. . . He is the only true model of goodness and perfection. Fromthe beginning of His ministry men began more clearly tocomprehend the character of God. . . . Christ's mission onearth was to reveal to men that God was not a despot, but aheavenly Father, full of love and mercy for His children. Hespoke of God by the endearing title of "My Father." . . .

In all the sufferings and afflictions of man there is an Eyeto pity, a Heart to love. "Like as a father pitieth his children,so the Lord pitieth them that fear him" (Psa_103:13). God'stenderest care is exercised over us. He pities us in ourweakness and in our sorrow. We may be despondent, evendespairing; the heavy clouds of affliction may be over us; butthere is light ahead. Beyond the gloom is a sympathetic,compassionate Friend, One who does not willingly grieve orafflict the children of men.

In the gracious blessings which our heavenly Father hasbestowed upon us we may discern innumerable evidences ofa love that is infinite, and a tender pity surpassing a mother'syearning sympathy for her wayward child. When we studythe divine character in the light of the cross we see mercy,

Ellen White, In Heavenly Places, 14

Day 5

54

NotesThe opposite and no less dangerous error is that belief in

Christ releases men from keeping the law of God; that sinceby faith alone we become partakers of the grace of Christ, ourworks have nothing to do with our redemption.

But notice here that obedience is not a mere outwardcompliance, but the service of love. The law of God is anexpression of His very nature; it is an embodiment of the greatprinciple of love, and hence is the foundation of Hisgovernment in heaven and earth. If our hearts are renewedin the likeness of God, if the divine love is implanted in thesoul, will not the law of God be carried out in the life? Whenthe principle of love is implanted in the heart, when man isrenewed after the image of Him that created him, the newcovenant promise is fulfilled. . . . Obedience—the service andallegiance of love—is the true sign of discipleship (Steps toChrist, pp. 59, 60).

53

The Principle of Lovein the Law

We love him, because he first loved us.1 John 4:19.

There is no evidence of genuine repentance unless it worksreformation. If he restore the pledge, give again that he hadrobbed, confess his sins, and love God and his fellowmen, thesinner may be sure that he has passed from death unto life.

When, as erring, sinful beings, we come to Christ andbecome partakers of His pardoning grace, love springs up inthe heart. Every burden is light, for the yoke that Christimposes is easy. Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice apleasure. The path that before seemed shrouded in darkness,becomes bright with beams from the Sun of Righteousness.

The loveliness of the character of Christ will be seen in Hisfollowers. It was His delight to do the will of God. Love to God,zeal for His glory, was the controlling power in our Saviour'slife. Love beautified and ennobled all His actions. Love is ofGod. The unconsecrated heart cannot originate or produce it.It is found only in the heart where Jesus reigns. "We love,because he first loved us" (1 Jn 4:19, RV). In the heart renewedby divine grace, love is the principle of action. It modifies thecharacter, governs the impulses, controls the passions,subdues enmity, and ennobles the affections. This love,cherished in the soul, sweetens the life and sheds a refininginfluence on all around.

There are two errors against which the children of God—particularly those who have just come to trust in His grace—especially need to guard. The first . . . is that of looking to theirown works, trusting to anything they can do, to bringthemselves into harmony with God. He who is trying tobecome holy by his own works in keeping the law, isattempting an impossibility. All that man can do withoutChrist is polluted with selfishness and sin. It is the grace ofChrist alone, through faith, that can make us holy.

Ellen White, Lift Him Up, 151

Day 27

10

Notestenderness, and forgiveness blended with equity and justice.In the language of John we exclaim: "Behold, what mannerof love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should becalled the sons of God" (1 Jn 3:1).

11

He Manifests His LoveToward Us

In this was manifested the love of God towardus, because that God sent his only begotten

Son into the world, that we might livethrough him. 1 John 4:9.

Every manifestation of creative power is an expression ofinfinite love. The sovereignty of God involves fullness ofblessing to all created beings. The psalmist says:

Strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.Righteousness and judgment are the foundation of thy

throne:Mercy and truth go before thy face.Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound;They walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.In thy name do they rejoice all the day;And in thy righteousness are they exalted.For thou art the glory of their strength.… Psa_89:13-18, R.V.

The history of the great conflict between good and evil, fromthe time it first began in heaven to the final overthrow ofrebellion and the total eradication of sin, is also ademonstration of God's unchanging love.... The law of lovebeing the foundation of the government of God, the happinessof all intelligent beings depends upon their perfect accord withits great principles of righteousness. God desires from all Hiscreatures the service of love,—service that springs from anappreciation of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forcedobedience.... So long as all created beings acknowledged theallegiance of love, there was perfect harmony throughout theuniverse of God. It was the joy of the heavenly host to fulfill thepurpose of their Creator. They delighted in reflecting His gloryand showing forth His praise. And while love to God wassupreme, love for one another was confiding and unselfish.There was no note of discord to mar the celestial harmonies.

Ellen White, Sons and Daughters of God, 18

Day 6

52

Notestransformed him shone with a Christlike radiance from hiscountenance. In adoration and love he beheld the Saviouruntil likeness to Christ and fellowship with Him became hisone desire, and in his character was reflected the characterof his Master.

51

Beloved DiscipleWe love him, because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19.

John is distinguished above the other apostles as "thedisciple whom Jesus loved" (Joh 21:20). . . . He received manytokens of the Saviour's confidence and love. He was one of thethree permitted to witness Christ's glory upon the mount oftransfiguration and His agony in Gethsemane, and it was tohis care that our Lord confided His mother in those last hoursof anguish upon the cross.

John's was a nature that longed for love, for sympathyand companionship. He pressed close to Jesus, sat by His side,leaned upon His breast. As a flower the sun and dew, so didhe drink in the divine light and life.

The depth and fervor of John's affection for his Masterwas not the cause of Christ's love for him, but the effect of thatlove. John desired to become like Jesus, and under thetransforming influence of the love of Christ he did becomemeek and lowly. Self was hid in Jesus. Above all hiscompanions, John yielded himself to the power of thatwondrous life. . . . John knew the Saviour by an experimentalknowledge. His Master's lessons were graven on his soul.When he testified of the Saviour's grace, his simple languagewas eloquent with the love that pervaded his whole being.

It was John's deep love for Christ which led him alwaysto desire to be close by His side. The Saviour loved all theTwelve, but John's was the most receptive spirit. He wasyounger than the others, and with more of the child'sconfiding trust he opened his heart to Jesus. Thus he camemore into sympathy with Christ, and through him theSaviour's deepest spiritual teaching was communicated to thepeople. . . .

John could talk of the Father's love as no other of thedisciples could. He revealed to his fellow men that which hefelt in his own soul, representing in his character theattributes of God. . . . The beauty of holiness which had

Ellen White, Conflict and Courage, 315

Day 26

12

Notes

13

The Father'sImmeasurable Sacrifice

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but thathe loved us, and sent his Son to be thepropitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10.

Love is the underlying principle of God's government inheaven and earth, and it must be the foundation of theChristian's character. . . . And love will be revealed in sacrifice.

The plan of redemption was laid in sacrifice—a sacrificeso broad and deep and high that it is immeasurable. Christgave all for us, and those who receive Christ will be ready tosacrifice all for the sake of their Redeemer.

When Adam's sin plunged the race into hopeless misery,God might have cut Himself loose from fallen beings. Hemight have treated them as sinners deserve to be treated. Hemight have commanded the angels of heaven to pour out uponour world the vials of His wrath. He might have removed thisdark blot from His universe. But He did not do this. Insteadof banishing them from His presence, He came still nearer tothe fallen race. He gave His Son to become bone of our boneand flesh of our flesh. . . .

The gift of God to man is beyond all computation. Nothingwas withheld. God would not permit it to be said that He couldhave done more or revealed to humanity a greater measureof love. In the gift of Christ He gave all heaven.

Those who have professed to love Christ, have notcomprehended the relation which exists between them andGod, and it is still but dimly outlined to their understanding.They but vaguely comprehend the amazing grace of God ingiving His only-begotten Son for the salvation of the world.

In order to secure man to Himself and ensure his eternalsalvation, Christ left the royal courts of heaven and came tothis earth, endured the agonies of sin and shame in man'sstead, and died to make him free. In view of the infinite price

Ellen White, God’s Amazing Grace, 176

Day 7

50

Notes

49

To Enjoy Perfect LoveThere is no fear in love; but perfect love

casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18.

This is an important statement; for there are many whodesire to love and serve God, and yet when afflictions comesupon them, they do not discern the love of God in it, but thehand of the enemy. They mourn and murmur and complain;but this is not the fruit of love to God in the soul. If we haveperfect love, we shall know that God is not seeking to injureus, but that in the midst of trials, and griefs, and pains, He isseeking to make us perfect, and to test the quality of our faith.When we cease to worry about the future, and begin to believethat God loves us, and means to do us good, we shall trustHim as a child trusts a loving parent. Then our troubles andtorments will disappear, and our will will be swallowed upin the will of God.

Through an abiding Christ you will become Christlike incharacter. The Lord desires you to stand by His side, as a kind,patient, humble son of God. The Lord designs that the laborersin His service shall represent His love. . . .

Our relations with one another should be pleasant. Whenwe do right, the testimony of our own spirit and the testimonyof the Spirit of God bear witness that the human mind is underthe control of the divine mind. . . . His Word furnishes evidencefrom which we may draw the conclusion that we are indeedHis sons and daughters. . . . True love for God carries with ittrue, reverential trust. And he who loves God will love hisbrother also.

"Now abideth faith, hope, and charity, these three,"—faith,which takes hold of Omnipotence and refuses to be baffled;hope, which turns the future triumphs of the good and the trueinto present encouragement and joy; and love, whichconsecrates all to God and for God.

Ellen White, Sons and Daughters of God, 193

Day 25

14

Notespaid for man's redemption, how dare any professing thename of Christ treat with indifference one of His little ones?. . . How patiently, kindly, and affectionately should they dealwith the purchase of the blood of Christ!

15

Estimate of a Lost SheepHerein is love, not that we loved God,

but that he loved us. 1 John 4:10.

The Pharisees said that if Jesus were a true prophet, Hewould harmonize with them, and voice their precepts andmaxims, and treat the wretched publicans and sinners as theytreated them. In giving His Son to die for the sins of the world,the Lord God made manifest what was the estimate He placedupon men; for in giving Jesus to the world, He gave heaven'sbest gift. For this costly sacrifice the most profound gratitudeis demanded from every soul. Whatever may be the nation,kindred, or tongue, whether a man is white or black, he stillbears the image of God, and "the proper study of mankind isman," viewed from the fact that he is the purchase of the bloodof Christ. To show contempt for, to manifest hatred towardany nation, is to reveal the characteristic of Satan.

God has placed His estimate upon man in giving Jesus toa life of humiliation, poverty, and self-sacrifice, to contempt,rejection, and death, in order that man, His lost sheep, mightbe saved. Is it then a remarkable thing that all heaven isinterested in the ransom of man? Is it a wonderful fact thatten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousandsof angels are employed in ascending and descending on themystic ladder to minister to those who shall be heirs ofsalvation? Angels do not come to the earth to denounce andto destroy, to rule and to exact homage, but are messengersof mercy to cooperate with the Captain of the Lord's host, tocooperate with the human agents who shall go forth to seekand save the lost sheep. Angels are commanded to encampround about those who fear and love God.

The sympathy of all heaven is enlisted on behalf of thesheep that is wandering far from the fold. If the Pharisees hadbeen working in harmony with God, in place of uniting withthe adversary of God and man, they would not have beenfound despising the purchase of the blood of Christ. As thedelusions of Satan are broken from human minds, as the

Ellen White, Lift Him Up, 207

Day 8

48

NotesThose who will be humble enough to learn, the very

nobility of the world will consider it an honor to go to heavenin their company, and angels of God will cooperate with suchas are workers together with God. We need to hunger andthirst after righteousness, that we may have Christ in us as awell of water, springing up into everlasting life.—SpecialInstruction Relating to the Review and Herald Office and theWork in Battle Creek, pp. 4-6.

47

Everyone to Work for the LostAnd we have known and believed the love

that God has for us. God is love, and he whoabides in love abides in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:16, NKJV.

“If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love isperfected in us”; and that love cannot be restrained. . . . Onlyby becoming partakers of the divine nature can the law of Godbe fulfilled by men and women. Only those who love God withall their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and their neighbor asthemselves, can give glory to God in the highest, and peace onearth, good will to men. This was the work of Christ; and whenHis work is appreciated and represented by His followers, thegreat result will be achieved in the “joy that was set before him”in the saving of the souls for whom He gave His life.

The Lord has been laboring constantly from age to age toawaken in the souls of human beings a sense of their divinekinship, and thus to establish an order and divine harmonyproportionate to the great and eternal deliverance He haswrought out for everyone who will receive Him. The Lordcalls upon all who profess to believe in Him to be coworkerswith Him, to use every God-given ability, opportunity, andprivilege to lead perishing souls within the sphere of theirinfluence to Jesus Christ.

Here is the only hope for transformation of character; thiswill give peace and joy in believing, and fit them for the societyof the heavenly angels in the kingdom of God. Oh, how earnest,persevering, and untiring should be the efforts of every sin-pardoned soul to seek to bring other souls to Jesus Christ, thattheir neighbors shall become joint-heirs with Jesus!

Whoever is your neighbor is to be sought for, labored for.Are they ignorant? Let your communication, yourassociation, make them more intelligent. The outcast, theyouth, full of defects in character, are the very ones Godenjoins upon us to help. “I came not to call the righteous,” saidChrist, “but sinners to repentance.” . . .

Ellen White, To Be Like Jesus, 379

Day 24

16

Notessinner looks to Calvary, and sees the costly offering that hasbeen given to save an apostate and ruined race, hecontemplates and is deeply moved by the love of God, andbecomes repentant. "Herein is love, not that we loved God,but that he loved us."

Oh, that we might comprehend the love of God, and evento a faint degree take in the compassion that has beenmanifested toward fallen man! How would we look and live!By beholding Christ man becomes changed and transformedin character from glory to glory. The conflict between lightand darkness is entered upon. Look, poor sinner, representedby the lost sheep after whom the shepherd is seeking, look tothe cross! . . . In the poor blind man restored to sight by thecompassionate Shepherd was one whom the self-righteousPharisees thought only worthy of . . . hatred (Signs of theTimes, Nov. 20, 1893).

17

The Bridge Love BuiltHerein is love, not that we loved God,

but that he loved us, and sent his Son to bethe propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10.

God's love for the world was not manifest because He sentHis Son, but because He loved the world He sent His Son intothe world that divinity clothed with humanity might touchhumanity, while divinity lays hold of divinity. Though sin hadproduced a gulf between man and his God, a divinebenevolence provided a plan to bridge that gulf. And whatmaterial did He use? A part of Himself. The brightness of theFather's glory came to a world all seared and marred withthe curse, and in His own divine character, in His own divinebody, bridged the gulf. . . . The windows of heaven wereopened and the showers of heavenly grace in healing streamscame to our benighted world. . . .

Had God given us less we could not have been saved. ButHe gave to our world so abundantly that it could not be saidthat He could love us more. Then how foolish is the positiontaken that there is to be a second probation after the first isexhausted. God has exhausted His benevolence . . . in pouringout all heaven to man in one great gift. Only incomprehending the value of this offering can we comprehendinfinity. O the breadth and height and depth of the love of God!Who of finite beings can comprehend it? . . .

God claims the whole of the affections of man, the wholeheart, the whole soul, the whole mind, the whole strength. Helays claim to all that there is of man, because He has pouredout the whole treasure of heaven by giving us His all at once,reserving nothing greater that heaven can do. . . .

When I commence writing on this subject, I go on and on,and try to get beyond the outer edge, but I fail. When we shallreach the mansions above, Jesus will Himself lead the white-robed ones, made white in the blood of the Lamb, to theFather. "Therefore are they before the throne of God, and

Ellen White, Our High Calling, 12

Day 9

46

Notes

45

John's Love and LoyaltyAnd we have known and believed

the love that God hath to us. God is love; andhe that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and

God in him. 1 John 4:16.

The confiding love and unselfish devotion manifested inthe life and character of John present lessons of untold valueto the Christian church. Some may present him as possessingthis love independent of divine grace; but John had, bynature, serious defects of character: he was proud andambitious and quick to resent slight and injury. . . .

John desired to become like Jesus, and under thetransforming influence of the love of Christ, he became meekand lowly of heart. Self was hid in Jesus. He was closelyunited to the Living Vine, and thus became a partaker of thedivine nature. Such will ever be the result of communion withChrist. This is true sanctification.

There may be marked defects in the character of anindividual, yet when he becomes a true disciple of Jesus, thepower of divine grace makes him a new creature. Christ's lovetransforms, sanctifies him. But when persons profess to beChristians, and their religion does not make them better menand better women in all the relations of life—livingrepresentatives of Christ in disposition and character —theyare none of His.

John enjoyed the blessing of true sanctification. But mark,the apostle does not claim to be sinless; he is seekingperfection by walking in the light of God's countenance. Hetestifies that the man who professes to know God, and yetbreaks the divine law, gives the lie to his profession. . . . Whilewe are to love the souls for whom Christ died, and labor fortheir salvation, we should not make a compromise with sin.We are not to unite with the rebellious, and call this charity.God requires His people in this age of the world to stand, asdid John in his time, unflinchingly for the right, in oppositionto soul-destroying errors.

Ellen White, My Life Today, 257

Day 23

18

Notesserve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth onthe throne shall dwell among them." Rev 7:15.

19

That God Sent His Son to DieThat We Might Live

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but thathe loved us, and sent his Son to be thepropitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10.

In redemption God has revealed His love in sacrifice, asacrifice so broad and deep and high that it is immeasurable."God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. . . ."

When Adam's sin plunged the race into hopeless misery,God might have cut Himself loose from fallen beings. Hemight have treated them as sinners deserved to be treated.He might have commanded the angels of heaven to pour outupon our world the vials of His wrath. He might haveremoved this dark blot from His universe. But He did not dothis. Instead of banishing them from His presence, He camestill nearer to the fallen race. He gave His Son to become boneof our bone and flesh of our flesh. "The Word was made flesh,and dwelt among us, . . . full of grace and truth." Christ byHis human relationship to men drew them close to God. Heclothed His divine nature with the garb of humanity, anddemonstrated before the heavenly universe, before theunfallen worlds, how much God loves the children of men.

The gift of God to man is beyond all computation. Nothingwas withheld. God would not permit it to be said that He couldhave done more or revealed to humanity a greater measureof love. In the gift of Christ He gave all heaven.

The Highest, who was with the Father before the worldwas, submitted to humiliation, that He might uplift humanity.Prophecy withdraws the veil, that we may behold the throneof heaven, that we may see upon that throne, high and liftedup, One who in human form, came to our world to suffer, tobe lacerated with stripes, and bruised for our iniquities.

Thus God showed His love for man. With Christ He gaveall heaven, that the moral image of God might be restored inman. . . . His grace in all its vastness is provided for all.

Ellen White, Sons and Daughters of God, 11

Day 10

44

Notesof will, that they may render Him voluntary service.-Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 33, 34.

43

God Is LoveGod is love; and he that dwelleth in love

dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16.

God is love.” His nature, His law, is love. It ever has been;it ever will be. “The high and lofty One that inhabitetheternity,” whose “ways are everlasting,” changeth not. WithHim “is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Isa57:15; Hab 3:6; Jam 1:17.

Every manifestation of creative power is an expression ofinfinite love. The sovereignty of God involves fullness of blessingto all created beings. . . . The history of the great conflictbetween good and evil, from the time it first began in heavento the final overthrow of rebellion and the total eradication ofsin, is also a demonstration of God’s unchanging love.

The Sovereign of the universe was not alone in His workof beneficence. He had an associate-a coworker who couldappreciate His purposes, and could share His joy in givinghappiness to created beings. “In the beginning was the Word,and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” . . .Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with theeternal Father-one in nature, in character, in purpose-theonly being that could enter into all the counsels and purposesof God. . . .

The Father wrought by His Son in the creation of allheavenly beings. “By him were all things created . . . whetherthey be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:all things were created by him, and for him.” . . . The Son, theanointed of God, the “express image of his person,”“thebrightness of his glory,”“upholding all things by the word ofhis power,” holds supremacy over them all. . . .

The law of love being the foundation of the government ofGod, the happiness of all intelligent beings depends upon theirperfect accord with its great principles of righteousness. Goddesires from all His creatures the service of love-service thatsprings from an appreciation of His character. He takes nopleasure in a forced obedience, and to all He grants freedom

Ellen White, Christ Triumphant, 7

Day 22

20

Notes

21

Calvary—God's Crowning Work

Herein is love, not that we loved God,but that he loved us, and sent his Son to bethe propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10.

The love of God was Christ's theme when speaking of Hismission and His work. "Therefore doth my Father love me," Hesays, "because I lay down my life, that I might take it again"(Joh_10:17). My Father loves you with a love so unboundedthat He loves Me the more because I have given My life toredeem you. He loves you, and He loves Me more because I loveyou, and give My life for you. . . . Well did the disciplesunderstand this love as they saw their Saviour enduring shame,reproach, doubt, and betrayal, as they saw His agony in theGarden, and His death on Calvary's cross. This is a love thedepth of which no sounding can ever fathom. As the disciplescomprehended it, as their perception took hold of God's divinecompassion, they realized that there is a sense in which thesufferings of the Son were the sufferings of the Father. . . .

When our Redeemer consented to take the cup of sufferingin order to save sinners, His capacity for suffering was the onlylimitation to His suffering. . . . By dying in our behalf, He gavean equivalent for our debt. Thus He removed from God allcharge of lessening the guilt of sin. By virtue of My onenesswith the Father, He says, My suffering and death enable Me topay the penalty of sin. By My death a restraint is removed fromHis love. His grace can act with unbounded efficiency.

Christ is our Redeemer. He is the Word that became fleshand dwelt among us. He is the fountain in which we may bewashed and cleansed from all impurity. He is the costlysacrifice that has been given for the reconciliation of man. Theuniverse of heaven, the worlds unfallen, the fallen world, andthe confederacy of evil cannot say that God could do more forthe salvation of man than He has done. Never can His gift besurpassed, never can He display a richer depth of love. Calvary

Ellen White, That I May Know Him, 69

Day 11

42

Notes

41

To Confess ChristWhosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son

of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.1 John 4:15.

The confession of which John here speaks, is not the resultof a nominal faith, but is the result of an abiding faith in theliving Saviour,—the result of believing that the blessings ofsalvation are brought within our reach through the sufferingsand death of Christ, who was raised from the dead, and everliveth to make intercession for us. We should feel assured thatJesus is our Saviour, and that life would not be enjoyable, norafford us peace or hope, if He had not loved us and givenHimself for us.

Our claim to Christ's righteousness is without a flaw, if wemeet the conditions upon which it is promised. God hasbestowed upon us all heaven in one rich gift, and whatever thegift includes is ours, if we accept Christ as our personalSaviour. . . . Speak of Jesus, educate the tongue to speak of Hismercy, to tell of His power, showing forth the praises of Himwho hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Christian youth, you are a spectacle unto the world, toangels, and to men. Be brave in God. Put on the whole armorof God, and let unbelievers about you see that your life is notspoiled because you stand loyal and true to all thecommandments of God. You can be, and God requires you tobe, a decided witness for Him.

We need to dwell on the words of courage that Christ spoketo His disciples toward the close of His earthly ministry. . . .Though a cruel death was just before Him, Christ's words toHis followers were full of hope. He desired to bring all thecomfort possible to their hearts. Let us be strong in Him.

Ellen White, Sons and Daughters of God, 189

Day 21

22

Notesrepresents His crowning work. It is man's part to respond toHis great love by appropriating the great salvation theblessing of the Lord has made it possible for man to obtain.

23

Christ's Death Brings LifeHerein is love, not that we loved God,

but that he loved us, and sent his Son to bethe propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10.

Satan had declared to his synagogue that not a singlehuman soul would maintain his loyalty to God's command-ments. One soul saved would prove this statement to be false.One soul saved would demonstrate the righteousness of God'sgovernment. Created in the image of God, man must not beleft for Satan to rule and ruin. Christ came to this earth, andby a life of obedience showed that man could obey. Hecanceled the guilt resting upon the sinner. That the sinnermight stand before God clothed with His robe of righteous-ness, He clothed Himself with the robe of sorrow.

Who can fathom the suffering of Christ in the Garden ofGethsemane, as He felt to its fullest extent the weight of thesin of the world? So keenly did He feel the sinfulness of sinthat for a moment the cup trembled in His hand, and allheaven heard the agonizing cry, "O my Father, if it bepossible, let this cup pass from me" (Mat_26:39). "Neverthe-less not my will, but thine, be done" (Luk_22:42). The omnipo-tent God suffered with His Son.

Stand before the cross of Calvary, and learn from it thecost of redemption. With breaking heart the holy Suffererupon the cross of Calvary looks up to God, and cries, "My God,my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mat_27:46). Theangels of heaven sympathized with their loved Commander.Gladly would they have broken their ranks and gone to Hisassistance. But this was not God's plan. Our Saviour trod thewine press alone, and of the people there was none with Him.

The plan of redemption was laid to bring salvation withinreach of sinners. Christ has carried out His purpose. His deathhas brought eternal life to all who will accept Him as apersonal Saviour. But many, many of those He died to saverefuse to return their loyalty. The world is fast becoming asit was before the Flood. . . .

Ellen White, The Upward Look, 223

Day 12

40

NotesCommander, who had walked with him and talked with himwhile in his holy innocence, whom angels honored andworshiped, must be brought down from His exalted positionto die because of his transgression?

Adam was informed that an angel's life could not pay thedebt. . . . But the Son of God, who had in unison with the Fathercreated man, could make an atonement for man acceptableto God, by giving His life a sacrifice and bearing the wrath ofHis Father. Angels informed Adam that, as his transgressionhad brought death and wretchedness, life and immortalitywould be brought to light through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ(The Story of Redemption, pp. 46-48).

39

A Door of Hope for SinnersWe have seen and do testify that the Father

sent the Son to be Saviour of the world.1 John 4:14.

The angels of God were commissioned to visit the fallenpair and inform them that although they could no longerretain possession of their holy estate, their Eden home,because of their transgression of the law of God, yet their casewas not altogether hopeless. They were then informed thatthe Son of God, who had conversed with them in Eden, hadbeen moved with pity as He viewed their hopeless condition,and had volunteered to take upon Himself the punishmentdue to them, and die for them that man might yet live, throughfaith in the atonement Christ proposed to make for him.

Through Christ a door of hope was opened that man,notwithstanding his great sin, should not be under theabsolute control of Satan. Faith in the merits of the Son of Godwould so elevate man that he could resist the devices of Satan.Probation would be granted him in which, through a life ofrepentance and faith in the atonement of the Son of God, hemight be redeemed from his transgression of the Father's law,and thus be elevated to a position where his efforts to keepHis law could be accepted.

The angels related to them the grief that was felt in heavenas it was announced that they had transgressed the law ofGod, which had made it expedient for Christ to make the greatsacrifice of His own precious life.

When Adam and Eve realized how exalted and sacred wasthe law of God, the transgression of which made so costly asacrifice necessary to save them and their posterity from utterruin, they pleaded to die themselves, or to let them and theirposterity endure the penalty of their transgression, ratherthan that the beloved Son of God should make this greatsacrifice. The anguish of Adam was increased. He saw thathis sins were of so great magnitude as to involve fearfulconsequences. And must it be that heaven's honored

Ellen White, Lift Him Up, 23

Day 20

24

NotesChrist declares, "As the days of Noe were, so shall also the

coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that werebefore the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying andgiving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into theark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them allaway; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be"(Mat_24:37-39).

Let not those who have had great light fold their hands,content to do nothing.—Manuscript 66, July 28, 1901,"Fragments: Work in the South."

25

“Love One Another”Herein is love, not that we loved God,

but that he loved us, and sent his Son to bethe propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also tolove one another. 1 John 4:10-11.

After the ascension of Christ, John stands forth as afaithful, earnest laborer for the Master. . . . The love for Christwhich glowed in his heart led him to put forth earnest,untiring labor for his fellow men, especially for his brethrenin the Christian church.

Christ had bidden the first disciples love one another asHe had loved them. . . . After the descent of the Holy Spirit,when the disciples went forth to proclaim a living Saviour,their one desire was the salvation of souls. They rejoiced inthe sweetness of communion with saints. They were tender,thoughtful, self-denying, willing to make any sacrifice for thetruth's sake. In their daily association with one another, theyrevealed the love that Christ had enjoined upon them. . . .

But gradually a change came. The believers began to lookfor defects in others. . . . They lost sight of the Saviour and Hislove. . . . John, realizing that brotherly love was waning inthe church, urged upon believers the constant need of this love.. . . It is not the opposition of the world that most endangersthe church of Christ. It is the evil cherished in the hearts ofbelievers that works their most grievous disaster and mostsurely retards the progress of God's cause. There is no surerway of weakening spirituality than by cherishing envy,suspicion, faultfinding, and evil surmising. On the other hand,the strongest witness that God has sent His Son into the worldis the existence of harmony and union among men of varieddispositions who form His church. . . .

Unbelievers are watching to see if the faith of professedChristians is exerting a sanctifying influence upon their lives;and they are quick to discern the defects in character, theinconsistencies in action. . . . Christians are all members of

Ellen White, Conflict and Courage, 357

Day 13

38

Notesanother, taste for yourself. Experience is knowledge derivedfrom experiment. Experimental religion is what is needednow. "Taste and see that the Lord is good."

37

Seen and HeardAnd we have seen and do testify that

the Father sent the Son to bethe Saviour of the world. 1 John 4:14.

As a witness for Christ, John entered into no controversy,no wearisome contention. He declared what he knew, whathe had seen and heard. He had been intimately associatedwith Christ, had listened to His teachings, had witnessed Hismighty miracles. Few could see the beauties of Christ'scharacter as John saw them. For him the darkness had passedaway; on him the true light was shining. His testimony inregard to the Saviour's life and death was clear and forcible.Out of the abundance of a heart overflowing with love for theSaviour he spoke; and no power could stay his words.

He could testify: "That which was from the beginning,which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes,which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, ofthe Word of life; (for the Life was manifested, and we haveseen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life,which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) thatwhich we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that yealso may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship iswith the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:1-3).

So everyone may be able, through his own experience, to"set his seal to this, that God is true" (John 3:33, A.R.V.). Hecan bear witness to that which he himself has seen and heardand felt of the power of Christ. He can testify: "I needed help,and I found it in Jesus. Every want was supplied, the hungerof my soul was satisfied; the Bible is to me the revelation ofChrist. I believe in Jesus because He is to me a divine Saviour.I believe the Bible because I have found it to be the voice ofGod to my soul."

How shall we know for ourselves God's goodness and Hislove? The psalmist tells us—not, hear and know, read andknow, or believe and know; but—"Taste and see that the Lordis good" (Psa 34:8). Instead of relying upon the word of

Ellen White, God’s Amazing Grace, 252

Day 19

26

Notesone family, all children of the same heavenly Father, with thesame blessed hope of immortality. Very close and tendershould be the tie that binds them together. . . . "Let us not lovein word," the apostle writes, "but in deed and in truth."

27

John's CharacterReflected Christ

Herein is love, not that we loved God,but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be

the propitiation for our sins.Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to

love one another. 1 John 4:10-11.

The confiding love and unselfish devotion manifested in thelife and character of John present lessons of untold value to theChristian church. John did not naturally possess the lovelinessof character that his later experience revealed. By nature hehad serious defects. He was not only proud, self-assertive, andambitious for honor, but impetuous, and resentful underinjury. He and his brother were called "sons of thunder." Eviltemper, the desire for revenge, the spirit of criticism, were allin the beloved disciple. But beneath all this the divine Teacherdiscerned the ardent, sincere, loving heart. Jesus rebuked hisself-seeking, disappointed his ambitions, tested his faith. ButHe revealed to him that for which his soul longed—the beautyof holiness, the transforming power of love. . . .

The lessons of Christ, setting forth meekness and humilityand love as essential to growth in grace and a fitness for Hiswork, were of the highest value to John. He treasured everylesson and constantly sought to bring his life into harmonywith the divine pattern. . . . His Master's lessons were gravenon his soul. When he testified of the Saviour's grace, hissimple language was eloquent with the love that pervadedhis whole being.

It was John's deep love for Christ which led him always todesire to be close by His side. The Saviour loved all the Twelve,but John's was the most receptive spirit. He was younger thanthe others, and with more of the child's confiding trust heopened his heart to Jesus. Thus he came more into sympathywith Christ, and through him the Saviour's deepest spiritualteaching was communicated to the people.

Ellen White, Reflecting Christ, 316

Day 14

36

Notes

35

The Spirit Moves Among UsHereby know we that we dwell in him,and he in us, because he hath given us

of his Spirit. 1 John 4:13.

Though we cannot see the Spirit of God, we know that menwho have been dead in trespasses and sins become convictedand converted under its operations. The thoughtless andwayward become serious. The hardened repent of their sins,and the faithless believe. The gambler, the drunkard, thelicentious, become steady, sober, and pure. The rebellious andobstinate become meek and Christlike. When we see thesechanges in the character, we may be assured that the convertingpower of God has transformed the entire man. We saw not theHoly Spirit, but we saw the evidence of His work on the changedcharacter of those who were hardened and obdurate sinners.As the wind moves in its force upon the lofty trees and bringsthem down, so the Holy Spirit can work upon human hearts,and no finite man can circumscribe the work of God.

The Spirit of God is manifested in different ways upondifferent men. One under the movings of this power willtremble before the Word of God. His convictions will be so deepthat a hurricane and tumult of feeling seem to rage in his heart,and his whole being is prostrate under the convicting powerof the truth. When the Lord speaks forgiveness to the repentingsoul, he is full of ardor, full of love to God, full of earnestnessand energy, and the life-giving Spirit which he has receivedcannot be repressed. Christ is in him, a well of water springingup into everlasting life. His feelings of love are as deep andardent as was his distress and agony. His soul is like thefountain of the great deep broken up, and he pours forth histhanksgiving and praise, his gratitude and joy, until theheavenly harps are tuned to notes of rejoicing. He has a storyto tell, but not in any precise, common, methodical way. He isa soul ransomed through the merits of Jesus Christ, and hiswhole being is thrilled with the realization of the salvation ofGod.—Review and Herald, May 5, 1896.

Ellen White, Ye Shall Receive Power, 29

Day 18

28

NotesJesus loves those who represent the Father, and John could

talk of the Father's love as no other of the disciples could. Herevealed to his fellow men that which he felt in his own soul,representing in his character the attributes of God. The gloryof the Lord was expressed in his face. The beauty of holinesswhich had transformed him shone with a Christlike radiancefrom his countenance. In adoration and love he beheld theSaviour until likeness to Christ and fellowship with Himbecame his one desire, and in his character was reflected thecharacter of his Master.—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 539-545.

29

Blend in UnityBeloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to

love one another. 1 John 4:11.

The world is looking with gratification at the disunion[seen] among Christians. Infidelity is well pleased. God callsfor a change among His people. Union with Christ and withone another is our only safety in these last days. Let us notmake it possible for Satan to point to our church members,saying, "Behold how these people, standing under the bannerof Christ, hate one another. We have nothing to fear fromthem while they spend more strength fighting one anotherthan in warfare with my forces."

After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the disciples went forthto proclaim a risen Saviour, their one desire the salvation ofsouls. They rejoiced in the sweetness of communion withsaints. They were tender, thoughtful, self-denying, willing tomake any sacrifice for the truth's sake. In their dailyassociation with one another they revealed the love that Christhad commanded them to reveal. By unselfish words and deedsthey strove to kindle this love in other hearts. . . .

But the early Christians began to look for defects in oneanother. Dwelling upon mistakes, encouraging suspicion anddoubt, giving way to unkind criticism, they lost sight of theSaviour and of the great love He had revealed for sinners.They became more strict in regard to outward ceremonies,more particular about the theory of the faith, more severe intheir criticisms. In their zeal to condemn others, theythemselves erred. They forgot the lesson of brotherly love thatChrist had taught. And, saddest of all, they were unconsciousof their loss. They did not realize that happiness and joy weregoing out of their lives, and that soon they would walk indarkness, having shut the love of God out of their hearts.

The apostle John realized that brotherly love was waningin the church, and he dwelt particularly upon this point. Upto the day of his death, he urged upon believers the constantexercise of love for one another. . . .

Ellen White, The Upward Look, 358

Day 15

34

Noteslive by the life of God. In Christ dwells "all the fullness of theGodhead bodily" (Col 2:9); and the life of Jesus is mademanifest "in our mortal flesh" (2 Co 4:11). That life in you willproduce the same character and manifest the same works asit did in Him. Thus you will be in harmony with every preceptof His law; for "the law of the Lord is perfect, restoring thesoul" (Psa 19:7, margin). Through love "the righteousness ofthe law" will be "fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh,but after the Spirit" (Rom 8:4).—Thoughts From the Mountof Blessing, pp. 76-78.

33

God's Law Of LovePerfected In Us

If we love one another, God dwelleth in us,and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:12.

The conditions of eternal life, under grace, are just whatthey were in Eden—perfect righteousness, harmony with God,perfect conformity to the principles of His law. The standardof character presented in the Old Testament is the same thatis presented in the New Testament. This standard is not one towhich we cannot attain. In every command or injunction thatGod gives there is a promise, the most positive, underlying thecommand. God has made provision that we may become likeunto Him, and He will accomplish this for all who do notinterpose a perverse will and thus frustrate His grace.

With untold love our God has loved us, and our loveawakens toward Him as we comprehend something of thelength and breadth and depth and height of this love thatpasseth knowledge. By the revelation of the attractiveloveliness of Christ, by the knowledge of His love expressedto us while we were yet sinners, the stubborn heart is meltedand subdued, and the sinner is transformed and becomes achild of heaven. God does not employ compulsory measures;love is the agent which He uses to expel sin from the heart. Byit He changes pride into humility, and enmity and unbeliefinto love and faith. . . .

He tells us to be perfect as He is, in the same manner. Weare to be centers of light and blessing to our little circle, evenas He is to the universe. We have nothing of ourselves, but thelight of His love shines upon us, and we are to reflect itsbrightness. "In His borrowed goodness good," we may beperfect in our sphere, even as God is perfect in His.

Jesus said, Be perfect as your Father is perfect. If you arethe children of God you are partakers of His nature, and youcannot but be like Him. Every child lives by the life of hisfather. If you are God's children, begotten by His Spirit, you

Ellen White, Reflecting Christ, 73

Day 17

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NotesIn the church of God today brotherly love is greatly lacking.

Many of those who profess to love the Saviour neglect to lovethose who are united with them in Christian fellowship. . . .

Harmony and unity existing among men of varieddispositions is the strongest witness that can be borne thatGod has sent His Son into the world to save sinners. It is ourprivilege to bear this witness. But in order to do this, we mustplace ourselves under Christ's command. Our charactersmust be molded in harmony with Christ's character; ourwills must be surrendered to His will.—Manuscript 143, Dec.10, 1903, "Unity."

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Loving Thoughtfulnessin the Home

If we love one another, God dwelleth in us,and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:12

Make your home atmosphere fragrant with tenderthoughtfulness.

Home is to be the center of the purest and most elevatedaffection. Peace, harmony, affection, and happiness shouldbe perseveringly cherished every day, until these preciousthings abide in the hearts of those who compose the family.

The reason there are so many hardhearted men andwomen in our world is that true affection has been regardedas weakness and has been discouraged and repressed. Thebetter part of the nature of persons of this class was pervertedand dwarfed in childhood, and unless rays of divine light canmelt away their coldness and hardhearted selfishness, thehappiness of such is buried forever. If we would have tenderhearts, such as Jesus had when He was upon the earth, andsanctified sympathy, such as the angels have for sinfulmortals, we must cultivate the sympathies of childhood, whichare simplicity itself.

Commend your children whenever you can. Make theirlives as happy as possible. . . . Keep the soil of the heart mellowby the manifestation of love and affection, thus preparing itfor the seed of truth. . . . The Lord gives the earth not onlyclouds and rain but the beautiful, smiling sunshine, causingthe seed to germinate and the blossoms to appear.

An approving glance, a word of encouragement orcommendation, will be like sunshine in their hearts, oftenmaking the whole day happy.

The happiness of husband and children should be moresacred to every wife and mother than that of all others.

Ellen White, My Life Today, 173

Day 16

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Notes