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His Gifts are to Stablish and Strengthen Us, April 23
But the Lord of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory
by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you
perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1 Peter 5:10
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Blessed is the soul who can say, “I am guilty before God: but Jesus
is my Advocate. I have transgressed His law. I cannot save myself; but I
make the precious blood that was shed on Calvary all my plea. I am lost
in Adam, but restored in Christ. God, who so loved the world as to give
His only begotten Son to die, will not leave me to perish while repentant
and in contrition of soul. He will not look upon me, for I am all unworthy;
but He will look upon the face of His Anointed, He will look upon my
Substitute and Surety, and listen to the plea of my Advocate, who died
for my sin, that I might be made the righteousness of God in Him. By
beholding Him I shall be changed into His image. I cannot change my
own character, save by partaking of the grace of Him who is all goodness,
righteousness, mercy, and truth. But by beholding Him, I shall catch His
spirit, and be transformed into His likeness....” The heart that is filled with
the grace of Christ will be made manifest by its peace and joy; and where
Christ abides, the character will become purified, elevated, ennobled, and
glorified
The Creator of all worlds proposes to love those who believe in His
only-begotten Son as their personal Saviour, even as He loves His Son.
Even here and now His gracious favor is bestowed upon us to this mar-
velous extent. He has given to men the gift of the Light and Majesty of
heaven, and with Him He has bestowed all the treasures of heaven. Much
as He has promised us for the life to come, He also bestows princely gifts
upon us in this life, and as subjects of His grace, He would have us enjoy
everything that will ennoble, expand, and elevate our characters
The Lord has in readiness the most precious exhibitions of His grace
to strengthen and encourage
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55
The Youth’s Instructor, November 8, 1894
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56
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 234
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57
Testimonies For The Church 6:413
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122