Christian Leadership

 Christian Leadership - Praying Leadership--The path of men who are placed as leaders is not an easy one.  But they are to see in every difficulty a call to prayer.  Never are they to fail of consulting the great Source of all wisdom.  Strengthened and enlightened by the Master Worker, they will be enabled to stand firm against unholy influences and to discern right from wrong, good from evil.  They will approve that which God approves, and will strive earnestly against the introduction of wrong principles into His cause.--Prophets and Kings, p. 31. {ChL 4.1} 

     Christian Leadership is in Touch With God--Those engaged in the work of God cannot serve His cause acceptably unless they make the best use possible of the religious privileges they enjoy.  We are as trees planted in the garden of the Lord; and He comes to us seeking the fruit He has a right to expect.  His eye is upon each of us; He reads our hearts and understands our lives.  This is a solemn search, for it has reference to duty and to destiny; and with what interest is it prosecuted. {ChL 4.2} 

     Let each of those to whom are committed sacred trusts inquire: "How do I meet the inspecting eye of God?  Is my heart cleansed from its defilement? or have its temple courts become so desecrated, so occupied with buyers and sellers, that Christ finds no room?" The bustle of business, if continuous, will dry up spirituality and leave the soul Christless. {ChL 4.3} 

     Although they may profess the truth, yet if men pass along day by day with no living connection with God, they will be led to do strange things; decisions will be made not in accordance with the will of God.  There is no safety for our leading brethren while they shall go forward according to their own impulses.  They will not be yoked up with Christ, and so will not move in harmony with Him.  They will be unable to see and realize the wants of the cause, and Satan will move upon them to take positions that will embarrass and hinder.--Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 423. {ChL 4.4}

     Looking to Jesus--No man is so high in power and authority but that Satan will assail him with temptation.  And the more responsible the position a man occupies, the fiercer and more determined are the assaults of the enemy.  Let God's servants in every place study His word, looking constantly to Jesus, that they may be changed into His image.  The inexhaustible fullness and the all-sufficiency of Christ are at our command if we walk before God in humility and contrition.--Manuscript 140, 1902. {ChL 5.1} 

    Strong, Godly Leaders.--The man at the head of any work in God's cause is to be a man of intelligence, a man capable of managing large interests successfully, a man of even temper, Christlike forbearance, and perfect self-control. He only whose heart is transformed by the grace of Christ can be a proper leader.--MM 164.  {PM 255.2}  

     The path of men who are placed as leaders is not an easy one. But they are to see in every difficulty a call to prayer. Never are they to fail of consulting the great Source of all wisdom. Strengthened and enlightened by the Master Worker, they will be enabled to stand firm against unholy influences and to discern right from wrong, good from evil. They will approve that which God approves, and will strive earnestly against the introduction of wrong principles into His cause.--PK 31.  {PM 255.3}

Trust In the Lord

The wind's not always at our back,

The sky is not always blue.

Sometimes we crave the things we lack,

And don't know what to do.

~

Sometimes life's an uphill ride,

With mountains we must climb.

At times the river's deep and wide,

And crossing takes some time.

~

No one said that life is easy,

There are no guarantees.

So Trust in the Lord continually,

On calm or stormy seas.

~

The challenges we face today,

Prepares us for tomorrow.

For faith takes our fears away,

And peace replaces sorrow.

-Unknown Author

Sunlight

1. I wandered in the shades of night,
   Till Jesus came to me,
   And with the sunlight of His love
   Bid all my darkness flee.
   • Refrain:
     Sunlight, sunlight in my soul today,
     Sunlight, sunlight all along the way;
     Since the Savior found me, took away my sin,
     I have had the sunlight of His love within.
2. Though clouds may gather in the sky,
   And billows ’round me roll,
   However dark the world may be
   I've sunlight in my soul.
3. 
   
   
   While walking in the light of God,
   I sweet communion find;
   I press with holy vigor on
   And leave the world behind.
4. I cross the wide, extended fields,
   I journey o’er the plain,
   And in the sunlight of His love
   I reap the golden grain.
5. Soon I shall see Him as He is,
   The Light that came to me;
   Behold the brightness of His face,
   Throughout eternity.
   -Judson W. Van DeVenter, 1897 

Love, Joy, Peace

 This is a little something I wrote about Love, Joy and Peace. Three fruits of the spirit. We are having a youth Sabbath at a church tomorrow and this is my little 'sermon'.
Love:

1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love”. It is no surprise that love is the greatest. Love is the virtue of a Christian because love is the trait that characterized God most. Matthew 22:37-39 says, “..You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This love we are talking about isn't sentimental love and infatuation but selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love.  To love your neighbor as yourself is to love people with all your heart.  To love someone else the same way you love yourself is to care for someone as you care for yourself.  Love Does not envy, Love is not puffed up, Love is not rude, love does not seek its own, love is not easily provoked, love thinks no evil, love does not rejoice in iniquity.

The bible also tells us to love our enemies not just people who are good to us.   Matthew 5:43-44 says, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Luke 6:27-28 says, “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” It is a lot easier to love someone who loves you then to love someone who doesn’t. Jesus is our perfect example on how to love our enemies. He was once hated by all men but He always treated them with love and compassion.  “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.  

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” John 15:10.

“Love suffers long and is kind;…thinks no evil;…rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails”.

Joy:

The definition of Joy is- A lively emotion of happiness, delight, to be glad, rejoice, cheerfulness.

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11.

“Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.”Psalms 4:7. Joy is a everlasting joy that is deeper than pain or any pleasure. Inward joy defeats discouragement and despair, it focuses on goodness and the love of God.  Joy comes from knowing and trusting in Jesus. As long as we trust in Jesus joy is steady and lasting. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:8. When Jesus comes again we will rejoice in being in his presence and the heavenly place prepared for us. But until than its a joy to know that God will supply all our needs.

I have found that there is no greater joy than to be obedient  to the will of God. Satan disobeyed God which brought war upon Heaven, sin, and death. All the sin and suffering in this world is the result of humans disobeying God and His law.  By obedience to the will of God by faith helps restore joy.  

“It is the duty of Christians to convince the world that the religion of Christ disrobes the soul of the garments of heaviness and mourning and clothes it with joy and gladness. Those who receive Christ as a sin pardoning Saviour are clothed with His garments of light. He takes away their sin and imparts to them His righteousness. Their joy is full.

“Who have better right than Christians to sing songs of rejoicing? Have they not the expectation of being members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King? Is not the gospel good tidings of great joy? When the promises of God are freely and fully accepted, heaven’s brightness is brought into the life.” A Call to Medical Evangelism and Health Education, p. 26 by Ellen G White.

Peace:

The definition of peace is- Completeness, or well being.

In John 14:27 it says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” God doesn’t want us to be afraid, He wants us to put our trust in Him, that we may have peace in knowing everything is under control. When I think of peace in this manner, I think of letting go of something I may be worrying about and put full trust in God.  I think of having peace between someone I know, not having tension between me and someone else.   

We may not realize but it is the love of self that brings unrest. If we take Christ at His word, and surrender to Him, rest our lives in his Hands, we will find true peace. Nothing can make a shadow cross our face when Jesus’ presence is with us.

By dying on the cross, Jesus won peace for us.  It is a free gift we may have by earnestly asking Christ Jesus. But there isn’t a person in this world that doesn’t go through some trails, pain, and suffering.  Peace comes through full surrender in trust in the loving and caring God Almighty!

“ Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts….” Colossians 3:15

WHATEVER It Takes

"There’s a voice calling me

From an old rugged tree

And He whispers, “Draw closer to Me

Leave this world far behind,

There are new heights to climb,

And a new place in Me you will find.”

~

For whatever it takes to draw closer to You, Lord

That’s what I’ll be willing to do.

For whatever it takes to be more like You,

That’s what I’ll be willing to do.

~

Take the dearest things to me,

If that’s how it must be,

To draw me closer to Thee,

Let the disappointments come,

Lonely days without the sun,

If through sorrow more like You I’ll become.

~

~

Take my houses, my lands,

change my dreams, change my plans

For I’m placing my whole life in Your hands

and if You call me today…

To a place far away

Lord, I’ll go, and Your will I’ll obey.

~

For whatever it takes to draw closer to You, Lord

That’s what I’ll be willing to do.

For whatever it takes to be more like You,

That’s what I’ll be willing to do.

~

I’ll trade sunshine for rain

Comfort for pain –

That’s what I’ll be willing to do -

For whatever it takes for my will to break

That’s what I’ll be willing to do

That’s what I’ll be willing to do."

-Unknown

These Days Are Stepping Stones

Someday when we look back

On days that seem unblessed,

We'll see how God used them

To Lead us to life's best.

~

Someday when we look back

On days when things went wrong,

We'll say, That brought us to

The place where we belong.

~

~

Someday when home at last-

Sade in Heaven above,

We'll praise God for dark days

As stepping stones of love.

-Perry Tanksley 

A Special Prayer For You- All My Wonderful Friends

May the Lord's presence

guard you day and night

And guide your every step

And give you strength and light.

~ 

~

May the spirit of God

Uphold you with his hand

When crisis moments come

Which you don't understand.

~

And may the peace of Christ

In all you say and do,

Increase and overflow-

This is my prayer for you.

-Perry Tanksley 

To Trust You Is To Believe

Sometimes it seems impossible

To trust in you, my Lord,

But then again, it's all I have

When my back's against the wall

~

The pressures forever mounting up

And worsens with little hope,

Though I pray and leave it with you,

It's so hard for me to cope

~

I know, O Lord, you teach us patience

Especially at those times,

You want us to trust completely,

Though answers are hard to find

~

And there are times it seems as though

You have stepped back from us,

We feel so much alone in our mess

Not knowing, you're watching with love

~

You never really leave us, Lord,

Nor forsake us in our need,

You only want us to trust you

And in your word believe

~

You know the circumstances we're in

And know the struggles we face,

The situation, when given to you,

Can empower our faltering faith

~

For in your word we're told to give

To you all our anxieties

And all the worries and fears we have,

Praying for the needed victory

~

For in due course you will come through

To bring the needed relief

And through it all we shall develop

A stronger and deeper belief.

© By M.S.Lowndes

Wait With Faith

Lord, you have faithfully shown me

So many times before

And this time is no exception, Lord,

And simply can't be ignored

~

That you know all that concerns my life,

Everything your eyes do see

You always come through at just the right time

To meet my every need

~

For nothing escapes your watchful eye,

No problem that we may cross

But so often, Lord, it seems as though

There's a delay in your response

~

I know it's a testing of our faith

To wait so patiently

You stretch us so our faith may grow,

Though we want it instantly

~

But it's for our good that you respond

In your time, not in ours,

For if you didn't - we'd stay as infants,

Getting everything right now

~

For us to grow more Christ-like,

We need to learn to wait,

For often that's the answer to prayer

And builds us up in faith

~

So I thank you for the answer to come

As I hand it over in prayer

Thank you that you're still working on me

And my breakthrough's drawing near.

© By M.S.Lowndes

As Dead as The Grave

   Right now my brother is having a violin lesson. He is having his lesson in a historian old church that is over two hundred years old. It still has the big old bell, and you can ring the bell by pulling a big long rope that hangs down inside of the church.
   Behind the old church is a graveyard. Around the graveyard is a 3 foot rock wall with a old gait. All the people that were buried in  this graveyard died a hundred years ago at least. Some even died in the early 1800's.
   I was (and am) sitting on the rock wall that surrounds the graveyard. I was praying and pleading with God to create in me a new heart. To make self, pride, and any other sinful and unchrist-like trait dead-as dead as these people in this grave.
   (Grave yards are so peaceful, 'gentle', and soothing to ones worry soul. Whenever I'm in a graveyard I feel close to Jesus, as if He is standing right beside me.)
   I got up, and began walking around looking at all the old grave stones, as I whispered a midst the soft breeze that blew and the rustling trees, "Yes, Lord, as dead as the people in this grave! And make me as gentle as the soft breeze that blows! As peaceful, and encouraging as this graveyard! Lord, as gentle as a kitten I want to be!" Tears began to flow as I thought of the woman I longed to become! I begged, and pleaded as I looked up into the beautiful clear blue sky, with tears in my eyes I managed to whisper, "Lord, please, I beg you! Make me a woman of true purity! One who is noble! One who is like a ray of sunshine in everyone's lives! One who speaks with the most tenderest voice. Who is ever so patient and kind! Please dear, Lord! Please make me a woman in your total likeness! Please, Lord!" A sense of peace, and assurance swept over me, and I felt a sense of freedom, and true peace.

    Oh, if only every girl would seek, and strive for true beauty! If only every girl would see, and seek for true value! If only every girl would TRULY strive to be 100% LIKE Christ! Some may say: "Oh yes, I am. I agree totally with you." If only they would search their hearts and lives they would find out that they have been wrong. And if only they would make the sacrifice today they would be so much happier in the end.
   I pray that every girl who professes to be a Christian will truly strive, not just strive, but will truly search their own hearts and lives, and ask God for wisdom and guidance. Step forward ready to fight, and do whatever it takes. Through the fight Jesus will be your strength. Without Him you are nothing, and can do nothing. Keep your eyes on Him. Talk with Him often, and continually ask Him for guidance. With Him as your guide it will be much harder to take a wrong step.
    My prayers are with you!


(Written Oct. 8, 2013). 

Oh the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus

Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free

Rolling as a mighty ocean

In it’s fullness over me.

Underneath me, all around me

Is the current of Your love

Leading onward, leading homeward

To Your glorious rest above.

Oh the deep deep love

All I need and trust

Is the deep deep love of Jesus

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus

Spread His praise from shore to shore

How He came to pay our ransom

Through the saving cross He bore

How he watches o’re His loved ones

Those He died to make His own

How for them He’s interceding

Pleading now before the throne

Oh the deep,deep love of Jesus

Far surpassing all the rest

It’s an ocean full of blessing

In the midst of every test

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus

Mighty Savior, precious Friend

You will bring us home to glory

Where Your love will never end

-Sovereign Grace Music

Oh Great God

O great God of highest heaven 

Occupy my lowly heart 

Own it all and reign supreme 

Conquer every rebel power 

Let no vice or sin remain 

That resists Your holy war 

You have loved and purchased me 

Make me Yours forevermore 

I was blinded by my sin 

Had no ears to hear Your voice 

Did not know Your love within 

Had no taste for heaven’s joys 

Then Your Spirit gave me life 

Opened up Your Word to me 

Through the gospel of Your Son 

Gave me endless hope and peace 

Help me now to live a life 

That’s dependent on Your grace 

Keep my heart and guard my soul 

From the evils that I face 

You are worthy to be praised 

With my every thought and deed 

O great God of highest heaven 

Glorify Your Name through me 

Credits: 

Words and music by Bob Kauflin 

© 2006 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

Making Herself Beautiful

    "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."
 "Sometimes, much to my amusement, I read in the magazines those comical letters that girls write to the beauty specialists. If these letters could all be put together into one, it would read something like this: "How am I to make myself pretty so that I shall be admired for my good looks? I want to be rid of all my blemishes, my freckles, my pug nose, my pimples, and my stringy hair. I would have my hands very white and shapely and tender, and I would be neither too fat nor too thin. Tell me, Miss Specialist, how to make myself beautiful." The wise man of old has answered this question in words that are most appropriate: "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."
   Every girl is a lover of  beauty. Beautiful homes, beautiful furnishings, beautiful flowers, beautiful fruits, beautiful faces--anything wherein beauty is found, there will be found girls to admire it. From the time her little hands can reach up and her baby lips can lisp the words, she is admiring "pretty things". And when a little of that beauty is her own her delight is boundless.

   Every girl longs to be beautiful. There is in woman a nature, as deep as humanity, that compels her to strive for good looks. There is no more forlorn sorrow for a young girl than for her to be convinced that she is hopelessly ugly and undesirable. Oh, the bitter tears that have been shed over freckles, or a rough and pimply skin! And the energy that has been expended in painting and powdering and curling herself into beauty!
   A desire to be beautiful is not unwomanly. A woman who is not beautiful cannot properly fill her place. But, mark you, true beauty is not of the face, but of the soul. There is a beauty so deep and lasting that it will shine out of the homeliest face and make it pretty. This is the beauty to be first sought and admired. It is a quality of the mind and heart and is manifested in word and deed. A happy heart, a smiling face, loving words, and deeds, and a desire to be of service, will make any girl beautiful.
   A desire to be pretty is not to be completely condemned. Beauty of face and form are not given to every one; but when they are present they may be a blessing, if they are used rightly. But a girl need not feel that her life is blighted if she lacks these things. The proper care of her person and dress will make an otherwise homely girl good looking. What is more distasteful than a slovenly, untidy woman! Her hair disheveled, her face and neck in need of soap and water, her dress in need of repair, her shoes scuffed, she presents a picture that indeed repels. Though she might have a kind heart and many other desirable qualities, yet her unkempt appearance hides them from view. But a person who always keeps herself tastefully and tidily dresses and her person clean and neat is attractive and pleasing. Her personal care only increases the charm of her personality. It is to be regretted if any girl lacks a felling of concern and shame should she be caught in careless and untidy dress. She should take pleasure in keeping herself presentable and attractive, not only when she goes out or receivers quests, but for the pleasure of her family as well. But when a girl paints and powders till she looks like an advertisement for cosmetics, she shows a foolish heart, which is not beautiful.
   In the cloakroom of a certain school a question arose among some girls as to who had the most beautiful hands. The teacher listened to the girls thoughtfully. They compared hands and shared secrets of keeping them pretty, Amanda said that a girl could not keep perfect hands and wash dishes, or sweep. Marcia spoke of the evil effects of cold and wind and too much sunshine. Francis told of her favorite lotion. Phillipa spoke of proper manicuring. At last the teacher spoke.
   "To my mind Jennifer Higgins has the most beautiful hands of any girl in school," she said quietly.
  "Jennie Higgins!" exclaimed Amanda in amazement, "why her hands are rough and red and look as if she took no care of them. I never thought of them as beautiful."
   "I have seen those hands carrying dainty food to the sick, and soothing the brow of the aged. She is her widowed mother's main help. She does the milking and carries the wood and water, yes, and washes dishes night and morning, that her mother may be saved the hard work.  I have never known her to be too tired to speak kindly to her little sister and help her in her play. I have found those busy hands helping her brother with his kite. I tell you, I think they are the most beautiful hands I have ever seen, for they are always busy helping somewhere."
   This is the beauty for which every should strive, the beauty that comes from unselfishness and usefulness. Beauty of face and form is secondary in importance, though not to be despised. If used properly, personal beauty is a good gift; but if it turns a girl's head it becomes a curse to her.
   Think of such women who are well-known in Christian circles, who have lived noble lives, such as Susanna Wesley, Florence Nightingale, Amy Carmichael, or Corrie ten Boom, and consider whether you ever heard it discusses whether they were pretty or not. No one ever thinks of such trifles when speaking of those who are great if soul. It is the glamour girl or woman whose chief attraction is in face or form. Those articles in magazines that so exalt the idea of personal beauty are pandering to the lower part of nature. One may be perfectly  beautiful so far as that kind of beauty goes, and lack true beauty, which is like a royal diadem upon the head. Those who give much time to increasing their personal charms are living on a lower level than is altogether becoming to womanhood. A beautiful soul shining out of a plain face is far more attractive than a beautiful face out of which looks a soul full of selfishness and coldness.
   My dear friend, be not careless of the good looks that nature has given you; take care in dressing yourself and attending to personal neatness, that you may ever appear at your best. Seek goodness and purity first, then strive to keep the body in harmony with the beauty of the heart. Take time to make yourself presentable, but do not use the time before your mirror that should be given to loving service. Let your chief charm be of heart and spirit, not of face and form. Seek the true beauty, which lasts even into old age.
  Solomon expresses plainly the evil that comes to a woman who is beautiful of face but lacks the true beauty of soul. "As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion." As the swine would plunge the golden ring into the filth and the mire as he dug in the dirt, so will a pretty woman, in outward appearance only, drag her beauty down to the very lowest. There are many peculiar temptations to those who are only fair of face. Without true beauty of soul, a pretty face is a dangerous gift." -Beautiful Girlhood, Chapter .
  Lets all strive to have true beauty--beauty of heart!

Character-Building

"Let every man take heed how he builds."

   "The most precious earthly treasure a girl can have is good character. Her character is what she really is. If she will look beyond what she appears to be, and what people think of her, and look at her heart fairly and honestly, judging herself by the standards of right and wrong to which her own conscience gives approval, then she can know whether she has a good character. When a girl is misunderstood and misjudged, it is comforting to know that deep in her heart she has been true; but it will rob even her friends' approval if in her heart she knows she has been untrue.

   Character is not given to us; we build it ourselves. Others may furnish the material, may set before us the right standards and ideals, may give us reproof and correction, may guide our actions and mold our thoughts. But we build our own character. It is we who absorb the good influence about us, adopt the ideals, reach for the standards, and make ourselves what we are.

   Youth is the building time. From infancy, throughout childhood, material has been brought together that we may use in our building. There are home influences and teachings, intellectual instructions received in school, religious precepts moral standards of our childhood playmates, the characters of the men and women we know, and countless other avenues by which instruction has come to us.  The girl who has been reared in a Christian home and by careful, watchful parents has a far better opportunity to build good character than she whose life has been less guarded. It is in the days of youth that this assembled material is built into character. The nature is then pliable and habits are more easily formed and much more easily broken than in later years.

   Truth or falsehood, honesty or deceit, love or hatred, honor or reproach, obedience or rebellion, good or bad, day by day the building is going on. Through her infancy and childhood her parents have been responsible for her conduct; but now, when she has reached these important years, their responsibility is lessening and hers is increasing. Sometimes girls who have been quite submissive and obedient through childhood become independent and rebellious at this period, building into their characters a lifelong regret. But contrariwise, others who have been unruly as children now wake to their responsibility and begin laying into their building those that are good, upright, honest, and noble. But more often she who has learned to obey in her childhood builds the better character.

   Character-building is a serious undertaking. You would never guess it by watching the foolish behavior of some girls. Sometimes I have wondered why youth should be given the responsibility of laying the foundation of life's character just when the heart is most merry and the thoughts least settled; but if the responsibility came later it would be at a time when the help of parents and teachers is not to be had. The builder would then have to work alone, while now she has many helpers. Since youth is given such a serious undertaking, shouldn't one take earnest thought of what she is doing, that no wrong material is placed in her building? Can she afford, for the sake of present fun and frolic, to place in her character that which will weaken her all through life?

   Character-building goes on every day, for good or bad, each sees another stone hewn straight and true, or misshapen and crooked. If temptations are resisted and obstacles overcome, evil thoughts and feelings quenched, and kind and noble thoughts encouraged in their place, then a stone has been hewn for victory and right; but if temptations have been yielded to, and evil thoughts and feelings have been harbored and cultivated, if wrong motives have been allowed, then the stone is unfit for a good building. The choices you make now build the character that shall be yours through life.

   A patter is needed. No dressmaker would undertake a garment without some idea of how it should look when finished. She must by some means form her mind the picture of the dress as it is to be when it is done. Nor would she undertake a lady's coat by a kimono pattern. She would ask for a perfect pattern with which to work. A carpenter would not start a building until he first had a draft in mind of how the finished architecture should look. More than that, he would ask for a perfect pattern of every part of the building, so that he might have it entirely correct. 

   Likewise, no character is built right and true if the builder has not in her mind a picture of the woman she wants to be. And the pattern for good character must be chosen carefully. The carpenter will not undertake a pretty cottage from the print of a barn, nor can a girl build a right, true character if she patterns after those whose lives are not right and true.

   She who has an ideal character is first of all pure and true, then earnest and sincere, patient and gentle, and more ready to serve than to be served. It is easier to build bad than good character. One can always go downhill with less difficulty than up, and glide with the current than row against it, and it is easier to drift with the crowd than to stand for the right. Bad character grows without effort. Just to be careless and indifferent to consequence may be the cause of downfall in one who would like to be noble. They who fall have been weak, for good character is strong.

   Choose well as the days go by. Build for all time, not just for present pleasure. What you are building will bring you praise and satisfaction all your life, or it will be your curse and disgrace. Keep your measuring rod at hand and use it without stint. Reject all that falls short, no matter how pleasant it may look. "Is it right?" "Would it be for my good?" "Is it glorifying to God?" are questions which you should be continually asking yourself as you decide what to do and what to leave undone. Many things that are fun end in wrong, much that seems pleasurable after a while comes to be evil, and everything like this should be rejected without hesitation. To do right will often mean a struggle, but it is always worth the effort. We dare not allow ourselves to be continually guided by what others do.

   Christ is our Perfect Pattern, and only those who form their lives after Him are building the best character. He is the one great Pattern for us, His children." -Beautiful Girlhood, chapter 4. 

   

100% or 98%?

   As I gaze into the rolling mountains, I gaze in wonder of the amazing Creator of the beautiful things before me. What a Mighty Creator is He! So big, so High, so tender, so patient, so Perfect, so Holy. As I think on...I think of His character, and how He is 100% surrendered and connected to his Father above. It made me question whether I was really 100% surrendered to Him, and connected with my Heavenly Father! Had I truly let Him come in and abide 100%? Had I written upon my heart "Come in 100%, Jesus!" or is written upon my heart "Come in 98%, Jesus"? If Jesus is in my heart 98%, who is in the other 2%? Satan. But Jesus can not abide where Satan is. Jesus longs to come into your heart 100%! Not 86%, or 98% or even 99%. He wants to come in and abide 100%!

"Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, 

and open the door, I will come into him....! Revelation 3:30.

   Don't we want Jesus to come into our hearts and lives 100%? Jesus promises, "I WILL". He didn't say, "I might", He said He will come into your heart, if you hear His tender voice calling to you and open the door to Him. But don't open the door 98% or 99%. Open the door 100%! Write upon the door of your heart "Come in 100% Jesus, stay out 100% Satan!" 

   Let Jesus live in you and shine through you. And never close the door to Him!

Follow Christ in Service and Self-Denial

  "Christ made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." Phil. 2:7
   "How many there are who accept Christ and apparently live a Christian life, until their circumstances change! Perhaps they come into the possession of property. Thous God tests them, to see if they will be wise stewards. But they fail to endure the proving. They use for self-gratification that which they should devore to feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. In want and distress, God's children are calling to Him. Many are dying for want of the necessaries of life....
   There is a world to be warned. To us has been entrusted this work. At any cost we must practice the truth. We are to stand as self-sacrificing minutemen, willing to suffer the loss of life itself, if need be, in the service of God. There is a great work to be done in a short time...Everyone who is finally crowned citor will, by noble, determined effort to serve God, have earned the right to be clothes with Christ's righteousness. To enter the crusade against Satan, bearing aloft the bloodstained banner of the cross of Christ--this is the duty of every Christian...
   The most difficult sermon to preach and the hardest to practice is self-denial. The greedy sinner, self, closes the door to the good which might be done, but which is not done because money is invested for selfish purposes. But it is impossible for anyone to retain the favor of God and enjoy communion with the Saviour, and at the same time be indifferent to the interests of his fellow beings who have no life in Christ, who are perishing in their sins.

   Christ has left us a wonderful example of self-sacrifice. He pleased not Himself, but spent His life in the service of others. He made sacrifices at every step, sacrifices in which none of His followers can ever make, because they have never occupied the position He occupied before He came to this earth. He was commander of the heavenly hosts, but He came here to suffer for sinners. He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that through His poverty we might be made rich. Because He loved us, He laid aside His glory and took upon Him the form of a servant. He gave His life for us. What are we giving Him?!
   As we follow Him in the path of self-denial, lifting the cross and bearing it after Him to His Father's home, we shall reveal in our lives the beauty of the Christ-life. At the alter of self-sacrifice--the appointed place of meeting between God and the soul--we receive from the hand of God the celestial torch which searches the heart, revealing the need of an abiding Christ."
--Review and Herald, Jan. 31, 1907
 

Bring Jesus Into the Home

"Day by day there's Someone who knocks upon our door. For He delights to enter our home though rich or poor, a cottage tent or mansion, it matters not at all, for God is seeking hearts and homes, that open to His call. Do you hear His knocking? Christ calls to us today. Have we surrendered our hearts to heavens will and way? If we invite His presence, what joy can He compare? To have within our family, that costly Pearl so rare. Jesus wants to join us in every daily task. In work and school to grant us the spirit that we ask. Christ wants to be the sunshine, that brightens up our hearts to shine out through our family, to every home on earth.  --Bring Jesus into the home. Let His fragrance fill each room. Let His peace and joy pervade each heart and drive away the gloom. Let the smile of His face, and the wonder of His grace, Be the life we choose to trace within our Home". -Lauralea Leffler

Jesus, Lover of My Soul

Jesus, lover of my soul,

Let me to Thy bosom fly,

While the billows near me roll,

While the tempest still is high.

Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,

Till the storm of life be past;

Safe into haven guide;

Oh, receive my soul at last!

~

~

Other refuge have I none;

Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;

Leave, O leave me not alone!

Still support and comfort me.

All my trust on Thee I bring;

Cover my defenseless head

With the shadow of They wing.

~

Thou, O Christ, art all I want,

More than all in Thee I find;

Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,

Heal the sick and lead the blind.

Just and holy is Thy name,

I am all unrighteousness;

Vile and full of sin I am,

Thou art full of truth and grace.

~

Plenteous grace with Thee is found--

Grace to cover all my sin;

Let the healing streams abound;

Make and keep me pure within.

Thou of life the Fountain art,

Freely let me take of Thee;

Spring Thou up within my heart,

Rise to all eternity!

-C. Wesley

Self-Discipline

  "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." "He has conquered self--the strongest foe man has to meet.
   The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. He who can stand unmoved amid a storm of abuse is one of God's heroes.
   To rule the spirit is to keep self under discipline; to resist evil; to regulate every word and deed by God's great standard of righteousness. He who has learned to rule his spirit will rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances, to which we are daily exposed, and these will cease to cast a gloom over his spirit.
   It is God's purpose that the kingly power of sanctified reason, controlled by divine grace, shall bear sway in the lives of human beings. He who rules his spirit is in possession of this power.

         Power of Self-control 
   In childhood and youth the character is most impressible. The power of self-control should then be acquired. By the fireside and at the family board influences are exerted the results of which are as enduring as eternity. More than any natural endowment, the habits established in early years will decide whether a man shall be victorious or vanquished in the battle of life.
   In the use of language, there is, perhaps, no error that old and young are more ready to pass over lightly in themselves than hasty, impatient speech. They think it is a sufficient excuse to plead, "I was off my guard, and did not really mean what I said." But God's Word does not treat it lightly. The Scripture says: "Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him." "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."
   The largest share of life's annoyances, its heartaches, its irritations, is due to uncontrolled temper. In one moment, by hasty, passionate, careless words, may be wrought evil that a whole lifetime's repentance cannot undo. Oh, the hearts that are broken, the friends estranged, the lives wrecked, by the harsh, hasty words of those who might have brought help and healing!
   Overwork sometimes causes a loss of self-control. But the Lord never compels hurried, complicated movements. Many gather to themselves burdens that the merciful Heavenly Father did not place on them. Duties He never designed them to perform chase one another wildly. God desires us o realize that we do not glorify HIs name when we take so many burdens that we are overtaxed, and, be coming heart-weary and brain-weary, chafe and fret and scold. We are to bear only the responsibilities that the Lord gives us, trusting in Him, and thus keeping our hearts pure and sweet and sympathetic.

        Ruling the Spirit
   There is a wonderful power in silence. When impatient words are spoken to you, do not retaliate. Words spoken in reply to one who is angry usually act as a whip, lashing the temper into greater fury. But anger met by silence quickly dies away. Let the Christian bridle his tongue, firmly resolving not to speak harsh, impatient words. With the tongue bridled, he may be victorious in every trial of patience through which he is called to pass.
   In his own strength man cannot rule his spirit. But through Christ he may gain self-control. In His strength he may bring his thoughts and words into subjection to the will of God. The religion of Christ brings the emotions under the control of reason and disciplines the tongue. Under its influence the hasty temper is subdued, and the heart is fill with patience and gentleness.
   Hold firmly to the ONe who has all power in heaven and in earth. Though you so often fail to reveal patience and calmness, do not give up the struggle. Resolve again, this time more firmly, to be patient under every provocation. And never take your eyes off your divine Example." Review and Herald, Oct. 31, 1907.

        No Excuse for Sinning
   "The tempter's agency is not to be accounted an excuse for one wrong act. Satan is jubilant when he hears the professed followers of Christ making excuses for their deformity of character. It is these excuses that lead to sin. There is no excuse for sinning. A holy temper, a Christlike life, is accessible by every repenting, believing child of God." The Desire of Ages, p. 311

What True Surrender to God Involves

   "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." John 17:3.
  "Wait not for some magical change to be wrought in you, without taking the requisite steps yourself. Life must be with you a humble working out your own salvation with fear and trembling, fir it is God that worketh in you to will and to do of His good pleasure. Halt not, but escape for your life....
   Christ requires that we shall press together, that we shall be one with Him as He is one with the Father. You must depend on God, be disciplined and trained for the higher life. Yes, depend on God; wait His pleasure; follow Him; rely in obedience on the strength of His Word.
   To obey when it seems the hardest is true surrender to God. This will quicken your moral nature and subdue your pride. Learn to submit your will to God's will, and you will be made meet for inheritance of the saints in light."--Manuscript 12, 1888.
   "A general faith is not enough. We must put on the robe of Christ's righteousness and wear it openly, bravely, decidedly, exhibiting Christ, and not expect too much of finite man, but keep looking unto Jesus, and become ravished with the perfections of His character. Then we shall individually make manifest the character of Jesus, and make it evident that we are invigorated by the truth; because it sanctifies the soul and brings into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."--Letter 14, 1891
  "Every missionary will have hard battles to fight with self, and these combats will not become fewer. But if we are constantly growing in Christian experience, if we continue to look to Jesus in faith, strength will be given us for every emergency. All the powers and faculties of a regenerated nature must be brought  into constant, daily exercise. Every day we shall have occasion to crucify self, to war against inclination and a preserve temperament that would draw the will in a wrong direction. The repose and triumph of victory are not yet ours, except as we by faith enter into the victory that Christ has gained for us." --Letter 4, 1892
  "The promises of God accepted  in genuine faith have a fragrant influence upon the life and the character, making the human agent to reflect the image of the Divine...God works on His part....,imparting grace to the one who imparts in his life the graces given him in representing genuine sanctification to the world in his own character."--Manuscript 45, 1900.
 

Victory--Jared Caster

Faithful in That Which is Least

”He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.”

     It is conscientious attention to what the world terms “little things” that makes life a success. Little deeds of charity, little acts of self-denial, speaking simple words of helpfulness, watching against little sins,–this is Christianity. A grateful acknowledgment of daily blessings, a wise improvement of daily opportunities, a diligent cultivation of intrusted talents,–this is what the Master calls for.

     He who faithfully performs small duties will be prepared to answer the demands of larger responsibilities. The man who is kind and courteous in the daily life, who is generous and forbearing in his family, whose constant aim it is to make home happy, will be the first to deny self and make sacrifices when the Master calls.

         

                                 A Well-Balanced Character 

     We may be willing to give our property to the cause of God, but this will not count unless we give Him also a heart of love and gratitude. Those who would be true missionaries in foreign fields must first be true missionaries in the home. Those who desire to work in the Master’s vineyard must prepare themselves for this by a careful cultivation of the little piece of vineyard He has intrusted to their care.

     As a man “thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Many thoughts make up the unwritten history of a single day; and these thoughts have much to do with the formation of character. Our thoughts are to be strictly guarded; for one impure thought makes a deep impression on the soul. An evil thought leaves an evil impress on the mind. If the thoughts are pure and holy, the man is better for having cherished them. By them the spiritual pulse is quickened, and the power for doing good is increased. And as one drop of rain prepares the way for another in moistening the earth, so one good thought prepares the way for another.  {MYP 144.1}

     The longest journey is performed by taking one step at a time. A succession of steps brings us to the end of the road. The longest chain is composed of separate links. If one of these links is faulty, the chain is worthless. Thus it is with character. A well-balanced character is formed by single acts well performed. One defect, cultivated instead of being overcome, makes the man imperfect, and closes against him the gate of the Holy City. He who enters heaven must have a character that is without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Naught that defileth can ever enter there. In all the redeemed host not one defect will be seen.

        Faithfulness in Everyday Life God’s work is perfect as a whole because it is perfect in every part, however minute. He fashions the tiny spear of grass with as much care as He would exercise in making a world. If we desire to be perfect, even as our Father in heaven is perfect, we must be faithful in doing little things. That which is worth doing at all is worth doing well. Whatever your work may be, do it faithfully. Speak the truth in regard to the smallest matters. Each day do loving deeds and speak cheerful words. Scatter smiles along the pathway of life. As you work in this way, God will place His approval on you, and Christ will one day say to you, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

     At the day of judgment, those who have been faithful in their everyday life, who have been quick to see their work and do it, not thinking of praise or profit, will hear the words, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Christ does not commend them for the eloquent orations they have made, the intellectual power they have displayed, or the liberal donations they have given. It is for doing little things which are generally overlooked that they are rewarded. “I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat,” He says. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.”–The Youth’s Instructor, January 17, 1901