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Higher Experience
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drowsiness and stupor they failed to receive the evidence that would
have strengthened their souls for the terrible scenes before them.
Thus today the very people who most need divine instruction often
fail to receive it, because they do not place themselves in communion
with heaven.
The temptations to which we are daily exposed make prayer
a necessity. Dangers beset every path. Those who are seeking to
rescue others from vice and ruin are especially exposed to temptation.
In constant contact with evil, they need a strong hold upon God lest
they themselves be corrupted. Short and decisive are the steps that
lead people down from high and holy ground to a low level. In a
moment decisions may be made that fix one’s condition forever. One
failure to overcome leaves the soul unguarded. One evil habit, if
not firmly resisted, will strengthen into chains of steel, binding the
whole person.
The reason why so many are left to themselves in places of
temptation is that they do not keep the Lord always before them.
When you permit your communion with God to be broken, your
defense is departed from you. Not all your good purposes and good
intentions will enable you to withstand evil. You must be men and
women of prayer. Your petitions must not be faint, occasional, and
fitful, but earnest, persevering, and constant.
It is not always necessary to bow on your knees to pray. Cultivate
the habit of talking with the Savior when you are alone, when you
are walking, and when you are busy with your daily work. Let your
heart be continually uplifted in silent petition for help, for light, for
strength, for knowledge. Let every breath be a prayer.
The Need for Jesus
As workers for God we must reach people where they are, sur-
rounded with darkness, sunken in vice, and stained with corruption.
But as we keep our minds upon Him who is our sun and shield,
the evil that surrounds us will not bring one stain on our garments.
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As we work to save souls who are ready to perish we shall not be
put to shame if we make God our trust. Christ in the heart, Christ
in the life, this is our safety. The atmosphere of His presence will
fill the soul with abhorrence of all that is evil. Our spirit may be