Intercessory Prayers for Souls

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Matt. 18:19.

I remember in Battle Creek when there were those who felt the burden for the unconverted, and those who were in darkness and saw no light; then prayer meetings were appointed that they might make the strength of God their strength. In every case the heavenly intelligences worked with these efforts, and souls were saved.

If there is a large number in the church, let the members be formed into small companies, to work not only for the church members, but for unbelievers. If in one place there are only two or three who know the truth, let them form themselves into a band of workers. Let them keep their bond of union unbroken, pressing together in love and unity, encouraging one another to advance, each gaining courage and strength from the assistance of the others. Let them reveal Christlike forbearance and patience, speaking no hasty words, using the talent of speech to build one another up in the most holy faith. Let them labor in Christlike love for those outside the fold. . . . As they work and pray in Christ's name, their numbers will increase.

There is home missionary work that is to be done, and we hear the plea, So long as there is so much sin and such need of labor in our own country, why manifest such zeal for foreign countries? I answer, Our field is the world. . . . The Savior directed His disciples to begin their work in Jerusalem, and then pass on through Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Only a small proportion of the people accepted the doctrine; but the messengers bore the message rapidly from place to place, passing from country to country, lifting the standard of the gospel in all the near and far-off places of the earth. But there was a preparatory work. The Savior's promise was, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me." Those who will not follow their own will and desires, but seek counsel of the Lord, will not be dull scholars for the Lord will teach them.

>From Maranatha - Page 38

_______________________________________
Devotional subscription administration:
http://egwlists.whiteestate.org/mailman/listinfo/devotional

Troubles On All Sides

Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. Zeph. 2:3.

There is no sadder spectacle than that of those who have been purchased by the blood of Christ . . . turning to jest the messages graciously sent to them in the gospel, denying the divinity of Christ, and trusting to their own finite reasoning, and to arguments that have no foundation. When tested with affliction, when brought face to face with death, all these fallacies they have cherished will be melted away like frost before the sun.

How terrible it is to stand by the coffin of one who has rejected the appeals of divine mercy! How terrible to say: Here is a life lost! Here is one who might have reached the highest standard, and gained immortal life, but he surrendered his life to Satan, became ensnared by the vain philosophies of men, and was a plaything of the evil one! The Christian's hope is an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast, and entereth into that which is within the veil, whither Christ the forerunner is for us entered. We have an individual work to do to prepare for the great events that are before us.

The youth should seek God more earnestly. The tempest is coming, and we must get ready for its fury by having repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord will arise to shake terribly the earth. We shall see troubles on all sides. Thousands of ships will be hurled into the depths of the sea. Navies will go down, and human lives will be sacrificed by millions. Fires will break out unexpectedly, and no human effort will be able to quench them. The palaces of earth will be swept away in the fury of the flames. Disasters by rail will become more and more frequent; confusion, collision, and death without a moment's warning will occur on the great lines of travel. The end is near, probation is closing. Oh, let us seek God while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near! The prophet says: "Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger."

>From Maranatha - Page 37

_______________________________________
Devotional subscription administration:
http://egwlists.whiteestate.org/mailman/listinfo/devotional

Blessings Upon the Watchful Ones

Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find
watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them
to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. Luke 12:37.

God has always given men warning of coming judgments. Those who had faith in
His message for their time, and who acted out their faith, in obedience to
His commandments, escaped the judgments that fell upon the disobedient and
unbelieving. The word came to Noah, "Come thou and all thy house into the
ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me." Noah obeyed and was saved.
The message came to Lot, "Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will
destroy this city." Gen. 7:1; 19:14. Lot placed himself under the
guardianship of the heavenly messengers, and was saved. So Christ's
disciples were given warning of the destruction of Jerusalem. Those who
watched for the sign of the coming ruin, and fled from the city, escaped the
destruction. So now we are given warning of Christ's second coming and of
the destruction to fall upon the world. Those who heed the warning will be
saved.

Because we know not the exact time of His coming, we are commanded to watch.
"Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find
watching." Luke 12:37. Those who watch for the Lord's coming are not waiting
in idle expectancy. The expectation of Christ's coming is to make men fear
the Lord, and fear His judgments upon transgression. It is to awaken them to
the great sin of rejecting His offers of mercy. Those who are watching for
the Lord are purifying their souls by obedience to the truth. With vigilant
watching they combine earnest working. Because they know that the Lord is at
the door, their zeal is quickened to co-operate with the divine
intelligences in working for the salvation of souls. These are the faithful
and wise servants who give to the Lord's household "their portion of meat in
due season." Luke 12:42. They are declaring the truth that is now specially
applicable. As Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses each declared the truth for
his time, so will Christ's servants now give the special warning for their
generation.

>From Maranatha - Page 36

_______________________________________
Devotional subscription administration:
http://egwlists.whiteestate.org/mailman/listinfo/devotional