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Cherish the Spirit of Happiness, August 17
For we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
1 Corinthians 4:9
.
The Lord is good, and greatly to be praised. Let us learn to praise Him with
our voices, and to realize that at all times we are in excellent companionship—
even with God and with His Son, Jesus. We are a spectacle to the unfallen
worlds, to angels, and to our fellow men. A realization of this will lead us to
go forth as the Lord may direct, with a firm, well-garrisoned heart.
Let us watch unto prayer. This will help us to realize that we are to be
under the control of Christ, our divine Leader. He endows us with steadiness
of purpose, with subdued, Christlike impulses, and with sound judgment,
enabling us to think soberly, and yet kindly. Time is altogether too short for
us to make ourselves unhappy. We will, my dear brother and sister, cherish
the spirit of happiness, because we know that we have a Saviour who loves
us, and who will bless us if we will welcome His presence into our hearts.
We cannot afford to use the talent of speech in a way that will not benefit
anyone. The Word of God regulates the source of our feelings and actions
toward one another, the state of the heart regulates the principles of the inner
life. Pure, unadulterated principles will prompt right words and acts. Our
talents must increase, else they will diminish.
We are to be Christ’s little children, learning of Him. We are fully to
believe and practice the truth we profess—that the end of all things is now
at hand. Every moment we must be prepared to witness the unfolding of
wonderful events. Daily we should reconsecrate our lives to the Lord’s service,
and open the door of the heart to welcome the heavenly Guest and to receive
of His love.
In the night season I have been praying much for a greater realization of
my Saviour’s love. Although I never lose His love from my heart, nevertheless
I greatly desire that it shall increase more and more, until of me it can be said,
“Ye are complete in him” (
Colossians 2:10
).
Let us always speak cheerful words, never allowing one wrathful word to
fall from our lips; for such a word may hurt some poor soul struggling for the
vital atmosphere of heaven.—
Letter 185, August 17, 1903
, to Elder and Mrs.
S. N. Haskell.
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