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Christian Service
prayer. They will need to make earnest supplication that through the
grace of Christ they may be saved from taking pride in their work, or
of making a savior of their activity. They must constantly look to Jesus,
that they may realize that it is His power which does the work, and
thus be able to ascribe all the glory to God. We shall be called upon
to make most decided efforts to extend the work of God, and prayer
to our heavenly Father will be most essential. It will be necessary to
engage in prayer in the closet, in the family, and in the church.—
The
Review and Herald, July 4, 1893
.
In the estimation of the rabbis, it was the sum of religion to be
always in a bustle of activity. They depended upon some outward
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performance to show their superior piety. Thus they separated their
souls from God, and built themselves up in self-sufficiency. The same
dangers still exist. As activity increases, and men become successful
in doing any work for God, there is danger of trusting to human plans
and methods. There is a tendency to pray less, and to have less faith.
Like the disciples, we are in danger of losing sight of our dependence
on God, and seeking to make a savior of our activity. We need to look
constantly to Jesus, realizing that it is His power which does the work.
While we are to labor earnestly for the salvation of the lost, we must
also take time for meditation, for prayer, and for the study of the Word
of God. Only the work accomplished with much prayer, and sanctified
by the merit of Christ, will in the end prove to have been efficient for
good.—
The Desire of Ages, 362
.
Encouragement to Beginners in Christian Service
The most successful toilers are those who cheerfully take up the
work of serving God in little things. Every human being is to work
with his life-thread, weaving it into the fabric to help complete the
pattern.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:115
.
We are to make our everyday duties acts of devotion, constantly
increasing in usefulness, because we see our work in the light of
eternity.—
Testimonies for the Church 9:150
.
The Lord has a place for every one in His great plan. Talents that
are not needed are not bestowed.—
Testimonies for the Church 9:37
.
Each has his place in the eternal plan of heaven. Each is to work in
co-operation with Christ for the salvation of souls. Not more surely is