May 1
The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. Matthew 20:28
IF the
consecration be to the Lord, then every sacrifice of our just rights and
interests on behalf of ourselves as New Creatures, on behalf of husband or
children, father or mother, neighbors or friends, brethren in Christ, is
counted of the Lord as so much done to Him; whereas if the very same services
were rendered from any other standpoint--by any one unjustified, and not
consecrated to the Lord, or merely done to the individuals and not as a
sacrifice unto the Lord--these things would not count to us as priests, as our
sacrifices. Z.'03-407 R3265:4
May 2
All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy
3:12
OPPOSITION is to be expected, and will, doubtless, continue until we finish
our course in death. To submit patiently to this opposition is to sacrifice our
own natural preferences for the friendship and the pleasures of the
present life, and to endure hardness as good soldiers for the Truth's sake, in
whatever shape that hardness may come, in our effort to do the Lord's will and
work of advancing the interests of His Kingdom. To be really in the Lord's
service involves, first, the careful and continual study of God's plan; second,
the imbibing of its spirit; leading, thirdly, to an enthusiastic zeal for its
accomplishment, and to activity to the extent of ability in its service, at
whatever cost or sacrifice it may require. Z.'03-164,165 R3199:2
May 3
Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of
use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:14
THOSE who have real and sincere faith in God are willing to take Him at His
word: and with these the first principles of the doctrine should long ago have been
established; much of the superstructure of gold and silver and precious stones
should already be erected, and the work be steadily progressing. Such are able,
if they are loyal and true to God, to discern between truth and error. We ought
to know what we believe and why we believe it, and then should be bold
and uncompromising in declaring it; for "if the trumpet give an uncertain
sound who shall prepare himself to the battle?" Z.'03-167 R3200:5
May 4
The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but
the Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
IF we lose sight of the fact that God regards us from the standpoint of the
will, if we get to thinking of ourselves and God's estimate of us according to
the flesh, we are sure to get proportionately into darkness and confusion and
discouragement. But let us not forget on the other hand, that the spirit, or
will, is counted alive because of its righteousness, because it is in harmony with
God. Let us, therefore, never be slack in respect to the will, or intention
governing the conduct of our lives, but remember that any laxity will mean the
proportionate loss of spiritual life. To will right is always possible to us,
and nothing less than an absolutely loyal will could be acceptable to God in
Christ. Z.'03-171 R3203:2
May 5
If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Romans 8:13
THE conditions upon which we may continue our relationship to the Lord, and
our hope for a share in the glories of the First Resurrection are thus
definitely stated to include mortification of the deeds of the body --restraining
the fleshly inclinations, putting them to death, crucifying them, using them up
in the service of the Lord and His cause. Such mortification of the deeds of
the body, such a battle against the weaknesses of the flesh, is what the
apostle elsewhere speaks of as the "warfare," when he tells us that
the flesh warreth against the spirit, and the spirit in turn warreth against
the flesh, for the two are contrary, and will be opponents to the end of life;
and if the spirit has been willing, and has fought to the best of its ability
against the weaknesses of the flesh, the Lord will count the victory complete,
through the merit of the Redeemer. Z. '03-172 R3203:5
May 6
As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:14
THIS, then, is the guide by which we may know our true position, not only
at the beginning of the race, but to the end of it, viz., if we are led by the
Spirit of God --if that is the direction in which we are following, if that is
what we are seeking--then we are sons of God; He owns and accepts all who have
come unto Him through Christ, and who are trusting in the merit of the wedding
garment, and who continue in this attitude of heart. Z.'03-173 R3203:6
May 7
Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:16
WE should be prompt to tell others the best tidings we have; sympathy with
the groaning creation in the various trials of life should lead us to point to
the Lord's promises respecting the coming Kingdom and the blessings that should
then be to all the families of the earth. Whoever does not thus proclaim daily,
on every suitable opportunity, gives evidence either of lack of knowledge or of
faith in the revelation, or of selfishness, which the Lord cannot approve, and which,
if persisted in, will ultimately debar him from a share in the Kingdom. Z.'03-174
R3205:1
May 8
And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life. 1 John
2:25
WE all should understand that we have something to do in realizing the
gracious promises of God to us. In connection with the affairs of this present
life He has promised that our bread and water shall be sure, but this does not
imply that we shall neglect reasonable opportunities for securing these. He has
promised us also a share in the Kingdom by and by; but it is for us to make our
calling and election sure. God is thoroughly capable and thoroughly willing to
perform all of His part in connection with every matter, but it is to our
advantage that He calls us to show our faith by our works--by our co-operation
with Him in all reasonable ways. Z.'03-175 R3205:4
May 9
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him; rooted
and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught,
abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6,7
THE general sentiment among the teachers of false doctrines, who think it
is neither necessary nor advisable to be established in the faith is...that to
be established is to be a bigot. And so it is if one is so unfair in mind as to
accept and tenaciously hold that which he has never proved either by sound
logic or Bible authority. But he is not an unreasoning bigot who, in simple
faith, on the authority of God, accepts the Word of God. And such, and only
such, as do so are established in the Truth. The difference between a strong
and steadfast Christian and a bigot is that the one is established in the Truth,
while the other is established in error. Z.'03-199 R3215:2
May 10
Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5
THE fulness of the cup, running over, has a double significance. It is a
cup of joy and a cup of sorrow, and in both respects it overflows. He who would
partake of the joys of the Lord must also partake of His cup of suffering; we
must suffer with Him if we would reign with Him. But we count the sufferings of
this present time as not worthy to be compared with the glories that shall be
revealed in us, and hence we are enabled to rejoice in tribulation, so that as
the tribulations will overflow the rejoicing likewise overflows, and with the
apostle we can say, Rejoice, and again I say Rejoice! Z.'03-413 R3270:4
May 11
For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the
slaughter. Psalm 44:22
WE are to remember that we have each but one sacrifice; that it is to be
rendered to the Lord day by day in the improvement of every opportunity as it
comes to us, to serve Him and His. We are to remember that while it consists of
many little sacrifices, some of them too small to mention or even to consider,
nevertheless it will require all of these to complete the one sacrifice which
we made at the beginning of our induction into His family. When we gave our
wills, we gave our all; and any holding back in any of the little affairs of
life --any refusal to sacrifice that which we think would please the Lord--is a
keeping back of that much of what we have devoted to Him. Z.'03-408 R3266:6
May 12
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from
all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the
Lord. 2 Corinthians 7:1
HOW many of the prospective members of the Royal Priesthood find that they
have defilements along this line, malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy, evil
speaking! It is safe to say that every one has some, if not all, of these weaknesses
in the flesh to contend with--especially at the beginning of his entrance upon
the priestly vocation. How carefully all should seek to put all these away! How
each should scrutinize not only every act of life and every word and every
thought, but, additionally, every motive underlying his words, thoughts and
actions, so that they may be more and more purified from the earth defilements
and be more and more acceptable to the Lord! Z.'03-408 R3267:2
May 13
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1 Samuel 15:22
OUR heavenly Father wishes us to be very attentive to His Word, and not to
think for a moment that we can improve thereon, or that times and circumstances
will alter the propriety of our obedience to Him....Let us hearken to the Word
of the Lord and keep close to it, not fearing the results, but having faith
that He who keeps us never slumbers nor sleeps, and is too wise to err, as well
as competent to meet every emergency that could possibly come upon us as a
result of our obedience. Z.'03-218,219 R3224:2
May 14
Speaking the truth in love,...grow up into Him in all things, which is the
head, even Christ. Ephesians 4:15
WHAT is it to grow in grace? It is to grow in favor with the Lord through
an intimate personal acquaintance and fellowship of spirit with Him...To grow thus
in grace and not grow in knowledge is impossible; for the very object of such
communion is to build us up in a more perfect knowledge and acquaintance with the
Lord--to bring us into closer fellowship with the divine plan, and to give us
the privilege of being "workers together with Him" in executing that
plan. If, therefore, we love and obey the Lord and desire to grow in His favor,
His written Word is our daily meditation and study; and thus we grow in
knowledge. Z.'03-200 R3215:3
May 15
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines;
the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat: the
flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk
3:17,18
WE see that God permits evil in the world that the world may learn
certain lessons of bitter experience as to the natural rewards of evil doing,
but we see also a ministry of evil in respect to the saints--in their
testing and polishing and refining; making them ready, and proving them worthy,
as overcomers, to inherit the wonderful things which God has in reservation for
the faithful. Z.'03-94 R3168:2
May 16
...Thou shalt be called by a new name,...thou shalt also be a crown of glory in
the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Isaiah 62:2,3
LET us never forget that we are a "peculiar people," separate
from the great body of nominal Christians, as well as from the world, having
higher hopes, aims and ambitions and favored with a clearer insight into the deep
things of God, having been called out of our former darkness into His marvelous
light. And if thus separate from the world and from Christians who partake largely
of the worldly spirit, what wonder if we find them all out of harmony with us,
and either ignoring or opposing us. Z.'03-164 R3199:2
May 17
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh that whosoever
killeth you will think that he doeth God service. John 16:2
THE persecutions of today are more refined than in any previous period. The
faithful today are not stoned with literal stones or shot with literal arrows
or literally beheaded, but it is still true that the wicked shoot out arrows at
the righteous, "even bitter words," and many because of faithfulness
are reproved and slandered and cut off from fellowship--"beheaded for the testimony
of Jesus." Let all such emulate Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Let
their testimonies be given with radiant faces like his. Let their eyes of faith
perceive Jesus at the right hand of the Majesty on High as their Advocate and
Deliverer. Let their words be with moderation as were Stephen's, and let it be
true of them, as written of him, "full of grace and power" and "filled
with the Holy Spirit." Z.'97-57 R2109:6
May 18
We which have believed do enter into rest. Hebrews 4:3
OUR rest in the Lord is as complete as is our belief in Him. He who
believes fully rests fully; he who believes only partially rests but
partially. The ideal condition of the spiritual Israelite is the attainment of
a perfect rest, a perfect Sabbath-keeping, in his present experience, and a
waiting and laboring for another and still more complete rest--the actual rest of
the perfected condition--the rest that remains for the people of God. "Let
us therefore labor to enter into that rest [Sabbath], lest any man fall after
the same example of unbelief" [of fleshly Israel].-- Hebrews 4:9-11.
Z.'99-253 R2534:5
May 19
We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please
ourselves. Romans 15:1
PRINCIPLES may never be abandoned for any consideration; but liberties and
personal rights may be ignored in the interest of others frequently and to
divine pleasing. The Apostle Paul was ready to go to any length in defense of
principle (Galatians 2:5,11), but in the sacrifice of his earthly rights
and privileges and liberties for the sake of Christ and the church, the apostle
evidently came next to our Lord Jesus, and is a noble example to all the
church. Z.'97-75 R2119:2
May 20
A peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:14
A "peculiar people,"--not peculiar in dress, nor in manners, nor
in language, nor in foolish, senseless forms and idiosyncrasies; but peculiar
in that it is separate from the world and the spirit of the world. It has the
Spirit of Christ--a spirit of full consecration to the Lord, and separateness
from the world and its selfish aims. It is peculiar in its adherence to the
Word of the Lord as its only law. It is peculiar in that it rejects worldly
wisdom when it conflicts with the divine revelation. It is peculiar in that it
is in the world, but not of the world. It is peculiar in that it has a decided faith
and acts in harmony with its faith, and with zeal. It is peculiar in that it is
self-sacrificing and knows no will but the will of its King. It is peculiar in
that it knows the Truth and is able to give a reason for the hope within while
others merely speculate and wonder and doubt. Z.'97-95 R2128:2
May 21
All Scripture, given by inspiration of God, is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God
may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16,17
IT will be well for us all to remember that all the graces of the Spirit,
all the progress in the knowledge of divine things to which we have already
attained, that may have helped us nearer to God and to holiness, have come to
us through the Scriptures of the Old Testament and through the words of our
Lord and His inspired apostles: nor will it ever be necessary to go to other
channels for the true wisdom which would prepare us for the salvation promised.
Z.'97-170 R2166:2
May 22
God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a
sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
THE spirit of the Lord imparted to His people is not a spirit of fear, but
on the contrary a spirit of power, energy, zeal awakened by love;--loving
devotion to God, and a desire to please and serve Him; loving devotion to the
Truth, and a loving devotion to God's people and a desire to build them up in
holy things, and to do good unto all men as we have opportunity,... a spirit of
a "sound mind;" a mind that is fortified and strengthened by the Word
of the Lord on every subject, and hence, while thoroughly fearless of man, is
wise in judging of times, seasons and methods for using the energy of love
which burns as a fire within the consecrated heart. Z.'97-170 R2166:1
May 23
Ye also ought to wash one another's feet. John 13:14
THIS would signify that the members of Christ's body should have a mutual
watch-care over one another's welfare; to keep each other clean, holy, pure, and
to assist one another in overcoming the trials and temptations and besetments
of this present evil world, arising from the three sources of temptation,
"the world, the flesh and the devil."...Only as we cultivate the
various graces of the spirit,--meekness, patience, gentleness, brotherly
kindness, love--can we hope to be specially helpful to others in putting on
these adornments of character and purities of life, and to get rid of
defilements of the world, and the flesh. Z.'97-243 R2201:6; R2202:4
May 24
Love...is not easily provoked. 1 Corinthians 13:5
HOWEVER natural depravity, and heredity, and nervous disorders may tend
toward the spirit of fretfulness, taciturnity, and touchiness, every heart
filled with the Lord's Spirit must oppose this disposition to evil in his
flesh, and must wage a good warfare against it. It will not do to say, "It
is my way;" for all the ways of the fallen nature are bad: it is the
business of the new nature to overcome the old nature in this as well as other
works of the flesh and the devil: and few show to our friends and households
more than this of the power of the grace of Love. This grace as it grows should
make every child of God sweet-tempered. Z.'97-247 R2204:4
May 25
Be not overcome of evil. Romans 12:21
WE are never to take up or to use evil words or methods or manners. To do
so is temporarily to join the enemy, or to admit that his implements and
methods are better than those of the Captain to whom we belong. To answer anger
with anger, evil report with evil report, bitter words with bitter words,
slander with slander, persecution with persecution, blow with blow, or any of
these, would be to endeavor to overcome evil with evil. This, which is natural
to our fallen natures, is what we are commanded to avoid, that we may the more
thoroughly cultivate the new nature. To be misled by the adversary to use his
methods in any of these ways is to be overcome of evil. Z.'97-267 R2215:1
May 26
Knowledge puffeth up, but love buildeth up. 1 Corinthians 8:1
ALL who seek to teach the divine plan to others are exposed to peculiar
temptations, so that the honor of serving the Lord and His people demands a
correspondingly larger measure of the graces of the Holy Spirit, as well as of
knowledge....Whoever, therefore, would be an instructor of others, a
mouth-piece of the Lord, should cultivate all the various graces of the Holy
Spirit, including meekness; that these combined (Love) with knowledge, may
build up himself as well as build up those to whom he ministers. Z.'97-277
R2219:6
May 27
In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Philippians
2:3
PAUL exhorts that all shall cultivate the grace of humility, and that in
every affair each shall take heed that "nothing be done through strife or
vain glory," that self-laudation and strivings for pre-eminence be thoroughly
put away as the greatest enemies to the Spirit of the Lord and the blessing of
the church. On the contrary, each should have that lowliness of mind which can
see the good qualities of fellow members and appreciate some of these qualities
at least as superior to his own. All the talents, and all the abilities, need never
be expected in any one person in any congregation. So, then, each may, if he be
of lowly mind, see in others certain good qualities or graces superior to his
own, and should delight to recognize these and to esteem their possessor
accordingly. Z.'97-296 R2228:1
May 28
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the
body [so long as we feel entirely contented with present conditions --ourselves
and our surroundings], we are absent from the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6
IF we were living near to Him, "walking with God," we would not
feel perfectly satisfied with present attainments, conditions, etc.; but would
feel like pilgrims and strangers, seeking a better rest, a better home, "which
God hath in reservation for them that love Him." But this, as the apostle
explains (verse 7), is true only of those who walk by faith and not by sight. "But
we are confident [full of faith toward God, we rejoice to walk by faith], and
are well pleased rather to be from home [homeless, pilgrims and strangers on the
earth], and to be at home with the Lord" in the spirit of our fellowship. Z.'97-305
R2231:4
May 29
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you:...Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
THE more we overcome the world, the flesh and the devil, the more we seek
to do the will of our Father who is in heaven, the more we seek for the
fellowship and communion of our dear Redeemer, the more we seek to do those
things which are pleasing in His sight, so much the more will we have of the
joy and peace which no man taketh from us, and which trials, difficulties and
persecutions can only make the more sweet and precious. Z.'97-306 R2232:5 "Ye
now therefore have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart shall
rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."--John 16:22
May 30
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation. Romans 12:12
HERE is an important part of the great battle of the Christian's life. He
must fight the natural tendencies of the old nature and confidently anticipate
the victory in the strength of the great Captain of his Salvation. He must not
succumb to the flattering and deceptive influences of prosperity, nor faint
under the burdens of adversity. He must not allow the trials of life to sour
and harden his disposition, to make him morose, or surly, or bitter, or unkind.
Nor may he allow pride or ostentation or self-righteousness to grow and feed
upon the temporal good things which the Lord's providence has granted him to
test his faithfulness as a steward. Z.'95-20 R1759:3
May 31
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy
brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Romans 14:21
IT is a very serious crime against the law of love and against the Lord's
injunction, to cause one of His brethren to stumble (Matthew 18:6), but
it would also be a crime in His sight for us to stumble others,--to hinder them
from becoming brethren, and of the household of faith. Hence, it is clear that
although knowledge might remove all prohibition of our consciences and all
restraints of our liberty, yet love must first come in and approve the liberty
before we can exercise it. Love places a firm command upon us, saying, --Thou
shalt love the Lord with all thine heart, and thy neighbor as thyself. Love,
therefore, and not knowledge, not liberty, must finally decide every question. Z.'03-43
R3145:6