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PAUSE TO PONDER…
1. Take Time to Think
August 15th
“Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.” Lamentations 3:40, 41
“I would appeal to the youth to consider their ways, to take time to think, to weigh their actions. . . . Compassed with temptation as you are, nothing will be sufficient as a safeguard against evil except the indwelling of Christ in your hearts through faith in His righteousness. You must practice His virtues, making Him your daily pattern….
“Good character does not come by chance; it is formed by persevering, untiring effort. The youth should seek to make all that is possible of themselves, by improving every entrusted talent and capability to the glory of God. The world’s Redeemer says, ‘Without me ye can do nothing’ (John 15:5). Faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour will give strength and solidity to your character. Those who have faith in Christ will be sober-minded, ever remembering that God’s eye is upon them, that angels of God are watching to see what manner of characters they will develop….
“Individually, probation is granted to you in order that you may form characters for the future, immortal life. Precious, golden moments are given you that you may improve them according to the light which the Lord has graciously permitted to shine upon you from the throne of His glory. . . . Christ is the greatest teacher the world ever knew. Where He abides in the heart by faith, His spirit will become a vitalizing agent to purify and vivify the soul….
“The truth in the heart will surely have a correcting influence on the character. Hold the truth as from God, as a treasure of the highest value, that must not be dimmed or tarnished by evil practices that are wholly out of harmony with its holy character. Under the divine influence of truth the mind will be strengthened, the intellect invigorated, and that which is useless will be discarded for that which is pure and beneficial. Under the influence of truth the Christian character will develop through the knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent.”
TMK 233.2 – 233.5
💡 “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Revelation 3:11
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PAUSE TO PONDER…
2. A Holy Watcher
August 16th
“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13
“In every place, at every hour in the day, there is a holy Watcher who balances every account, whose eye takes in the whole situation, whether it is one of fidelity or one of disloyalty and deception.
“We are never alone. We have a Companion whether we choose Him or not. Remember, young men and young women, that wherever you are, whatever you are doing, God is there. To your every word and action you have a witness–the holy, sin-hating God. Nothing that is said or done or thought can escape His infinite eye. Your words may not be heard by human ears, but they are heard by the Ruler of the universe. He reads the inward anger of the soul when the will is crossed. He hears the expression of profanity. In the deepest darkness and solitude He is there. No one can deceive God; none can escape from their accountability to Him.
” ‘O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me,” writes the psalmist. “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. . . . If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.’ (Psalm 139:1-12)”
“Day by day the record of your words, your actions, and your influence is being made in the books of heaven. This you must meet.
“All heaven is interested in our salvation. The angels of God are . . . marking the deeds of men. They record in the books of God’s remembrance the words of faith, the acts of love, the humility of spirit, and in that day when every man’s work shall be tried of what sort it is, the work of the humble follower of Christ will stand the test, and will receive the commendation of Heaven. “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.’ (Matthew 13:43)” TMK 234.2 – 234.6
💡 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
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POETRY
“Whatever you think, never think what you feel
You would blush, in the presence of God, to reveal;
Whatever you speak, in a whisper or clear,
Say nothing you would not like Jesus to hear.
“Whatever you read, though the page may allure,
Read nothing of which you are perfectly sure
Consternation at once would be seen in your look
If God should say solemnly, ‘Show Me that book.’
“Whatever you write, though in haste or in heed,
Write nothing you would not like Jesus to read;
Whatever you sing, in the midst of your glees,
Sing nothing His listening ear would displease.
“Whenever you go, never go where you fear
Lest the great God should ask you,’How camest thou here?”
Turn away from such pleasure you’d shrink from pursuing
If God should look down and say, ‘What are you doing?’
“Whatever you wear, can you be very sure
That the feelings it quickens are blameless and pure?
Would your face be un-blushing and conscience be clear,
Should your wardrobe be opened and Jesus appear?
“When you think, when you speak,when you read, when you write,
When you sing, when you walk, when you seek for delight,
To be kept from all wrong when at home or abroad,
Live always as under the eyes of the Lord.”*
“May God help us to search the Scriptures daily to discover how to know His will in our eating, drinking, dressing, talking, and looking. Then may we have the love to apply His desires happily to our daily Christian way of life.”*
* Excerpt from the book, “Creeping Compromise” written by the late Elder Joe Crews.