Personal Devotions
15
perfect overcomer here. The soul must submit to God before it can be
renewed in knowledge and true holiness. The holy life and character
of Christ is a faithful example. His confidence in His heavenly Father
was unlimited. His obedience and submission were unreserved and
perfect. He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister to others.
He came not to do His own will, but the will of Him that sent Him. In
all things He submitted Himself to Him that judgeth righteously. From
the lips of the Saviour of the world were heard these words, “I can of
mine own self do nothing.”—
Testimonies for the Church 3:106, 107
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[21]
The Lord cannot work with those who are self-sufficient—Do
the shepherds of the flock expect that God will work with them? From
the light that God has given me, I know that there might have been
twenty-fold more accomplished than has been accomplished, if the
workers had sought God for strength and support instead of depending
so much upon man. There is need of men of faith for this time, not
simply to be preachers, but to be ministers to the people of God. We
want men that walk with God daily, that have a living connection with
Heaven. The Lord cannot work with those who are self-sufficient, and
who exalt themselves. Self must be hid in Jesus. If we would see the
deep movings of the Spirit of God, we must have the truth as it is in
Jesus. The efficiency of a discourse depends on the application of the
truth to the heart by the Spirit of God. When Elijah sought God in the
mountains, a devouring fire swept by; but God was not in the flame. A
tempest rose, the thunder rolled, and the lightnings flashed; but God
was not in all this. Then there came a still small voice, and the prophet
covered his head before the presence of the Lord. It is the still, small
voice of the Spirit of God that has the power to convict and convert
men’s souls.—
The Review and Herald, June 18, 1889
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The people are far in advance of many ministers—Ministers
should seek a heart preparation before entering upon the work of help-
ing others, for the people are far in advance of many of the ministers.
They should untiringly wrestle in prayer until the Lord blesses them.
When the love of God is burning on the altar of their hearts, they will
not preach to exhibit their own smartness, but to present Christ who
taketh away the sins of the world.—
The Review and Herald, August
15, 1882
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Ministers learn to do without the Spirit of God—The reason
why there is so little of the Spirit of God manifested is that ministers