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Testimonies for the Church Volume 7
alone with God. As we bow before God in humble prayer, He places a
live coal from His altar upon our lips, sanctifying them to the work of
giving Bible truth to the people.
I am instructed to say to my fellow workers: If you would have the
rich treasures of heaven, you must have secret communion with God.
Unless you do this, your soul will be as destitute of the Holy Spirit as
were the hills of Gilboa of dew and rain. When you hurry from one
thing to another, when you have so much to do that you cannot take
time to talk with God, how can you expect power in your work?
The reason so many of our ministers preach tame, lifeless dis-
courses is that they allow a variety of things of a worldly nature to
take their time and attention. Unless there is constant growth in grace,
we shall be wanting in words suitable for the occasion. Commune
with your own heart, and then commune with God. Unless you do
this, your efforts will be fruitless, made thus by unsanctified hurry and
confusion.
Ministers and teachers, let your work be fragrant with rich spiritual
grace. Do not make it common by mixing it with common things.
Move onward and upward. Cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of
the flesh and of the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord.
We need to be converted daily. Our prayers should be more fervent;
then they will be more effectual. Stronger and stronger should be our
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confidence that God’s Spirit will be with us, making us pure and holy,
as upright and fragrant as the cedar of Lebanon.
* * * * *
Gospel ministers are to keep their office free from all things secular
or political, employing all their time and talents in lines of Christian
effort.
* * * * *
To fasten a minister to one place by giving him the oversight
of business matters connected with the work of the church is not
conducive to his spirituality. To do this is not in accordance with the
Bible plan as outlined in the sixth chapter of Acts. Study this plan, for
it is approved of God. Follow the word.