Cheerfulness Glorifies God, November 19
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17. TDG 332.1
Where there is a heart in which the light of heaven does not radiate, there is a solitude in which Christ cannot abide. By the side of every soul is an angel presence. I have been instructed that with Christ there was given to our world all the treasures of heaven. Nothing was reserved. If man does not open the door of his heart to Christ Jesus and commune with Him, satanic agencies will commune with him. TDG 332.2
It is to the glory of God that cheerfulness abound. If the softening, subduing influence of the grace of Christ be present, pleasant words will always be spoken. If one makes mistakes, go to the erring one alone. Speak not words of counsel with a vim, but modulate your voice. He who occupies an influential position as God’s steward should take special care not to irritate by word or act. He should speak pleasantly to every worker, and reveal no irritability or sourness of disposition…. TDG 332.3
Let everyone placed in a position of trust be as much more careful how he speaks and acts, as his position is greater in responsibility than the position of his fellow workers, for those connected with the work of God can please the Master by speaking kindly only. Any word spoken thoughtlessly or unadvisedly should be retracted on the spot. If the speaker forgets to do this, or if he does not regret his thoughtlessness, someone should in the spirit of Christ remind him of his duty to apologize, for we are to remember that as Christians professing to work in unity, we must not act like sinners, whose sinful words and works, unless repented of, will condemn them…. TDG 332.4
Christians are to love one another, as Christ has loved them. Upon the manifestation of this love hinges the world’s recognition of the truth of the gospel. It was for this that Christ prayed in the last prayer He offered. Christians must not act like unruly children. Before the world those who claim to be God’s children must give evidence that they have left behind them the childish ways of their unconverted life.—Letter 179, November 19, 1902, to C. P. Bollman, editor of the Southern Watchman, published in Nashville, Tennessee. TDG 332.5
A Foretaste of Heaven, November 20
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Revelation 21:5. TDG 333.1
In this morning’s meeting [a conference held in Battle Creek, Michigan], we were listening to the testimonies borne here, and as the last hymn was sung—“When shall we meet again, meet ne’er to sever?”—I almost forgot myself. My mind reached over to the other shore, to the time when there will be a grand meeting in the city of God around the great white throne, and the redeemed will be singing there of triumph, and of victory, and of praise to God and to the Lamb. Well now, it brought such a solemn, sweet feeling upon me; it softened my heart, and I could not prevent the tears from flowing. Oh, what happiness we shall enjoy, gathered round about the throne, clothed in the white robes of the righteousness of Christ. No more sorrow, no more separation, but to dwell in peace, to dwell in happiness, to dwell in glory through the ceaseless ages of eternity. What a happy, happy company we may be! TDG 333.2
Now let us consider the same privileges here. When we consider the infinite sacrifice of our Saviour that we might become children of God and members of the royal family, when we consider this exaltation, when we consider that all these privileges will be ours and may be ours every day, that we may have the privileges which belong to the sons and daughters of God, how can any one of us have any word of complaint? How can anyone utter one word of murmuring? How can it dwell in our hearts?TDG 333.3
We ought to be the most grateful people on the face of the earth. Our happiness is dependent on our faith in God—our confidence in Him. And then when we think of what a hope we have, of what a faith we have, that it reaches right into the other world; when we know that it will continue unto the ceaseless ages of eternity—I want to know how you feel in regard to these pleas that have been presented to you tonight? … TDG 333.4
If there is anything I can put into this work, that shall go. But there are many who are willing to give of their means, but they withhold themselves. Why is it we do not find more who give themselves to this work?—Manuscript 5, November 20, 1883, Sermon by Mrs. White at the closing morning meeting of the General Conference session, Battle Creek, Michigan. TDG 333.5
Preparing for Immortality, November 21
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4. TDG 334.1
Our time here is short at best, and we want every move we shall make to tell in the strengthening and the advancement of the cause of God…. Let your cry be to God, Convert my inmost soul. Plead with God for the transforming power of His grace. Hold fast to your Saviour as did Jacob, until God shall not only reveal to you yourself, but shall reveal to you Himself, and you shall see in Jesus a strength and support, a brightness and power you have never sensed and realized…. If your faith perseveringly grasps the promises, you will prevail. This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. TDG 334.2
As long as you are true to yourself, no adverse power of earth or hell will be able to destroy your peace or interrupt your communion with God. If you fear God, you need not walk in uncertainty. If you please Him you will secure everything which your soul requires. The language of an eminent Christian was, “There is nothing in the universe I fear, but that I shall not know all my duty, or shall fail to do it.” TDG 334.3
Let these words be your motto: Stand up for Jesus, though it may require any sacrifice, any self-denial. Stand up for Jesus, anywhere, anywhere, stand up for Jesus. Do all your work as though you could see through the veil and God’s eye were directed full upon you, taking cognizance of every action. TDG 334.4
He hath purchased you with His own blood and, when you need His help, call upon Him and you will have it. It is then Jesus will stand up for you. Let your short, uncertain life be a continual preparation for the future immortal life. Temptation is allowed to come upon us to discover the character we possess and to improve our defects. There are continual solicitations to sin, which are disguised to deceive and allure the soul to ruin. Satan will transform himself into an angel of light and he is constantly plotting to rob God of His glory in the destruction of souls…. Hang your helpless soul on God. Follow the light given you of heaven.—Letter 42, November 21, 1879, to Edson White.
How to Keep Love Alive, November 22
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:20, 21. TDG 335.1
How much trouble and what a tide of woe and unhappiness would be saved if men, and women also, would continue to cultivate the regard, attention, and kind words of appreciation and little courtesies of life which kept love alive, and which they felt were necessary in gaining the companions of their choice. If the husband and wife would only continue to cultivate these attentions which nourish love, they would be happy in each other’s society and would have a sanctifying influence upon their families. They would have in themselves a little world of happiness and would not desire to go outside this world for new attractions and new objects of love…. TDG 335.2
If the hearts were kept tender in our families, if there were a noble, generous deference to each other’s tastes and opinions, if the wife were seeking opportunities to express her love by actions in her courtesies to her husband, and the husband manifesting the same consideration and kindly regard for the wife, the children would partake of the same spirit. The influence would pervade the household, and what a tide of misery would be saved in families! Men would not go from home to find happiness; and women would not pine for love, and lose courage and self-respect, and become lifelong invalids. Only one life lease is granted us, and with care, painstaking, and self-control it can be made endurable, pleasant, and even happy. TDG 335.3
Every couple who unite their life interest should seek to make the life of each as happy as possible. That which we prize we seek to preserve and make more valuable, if we can. In the marriage contract men and women have made a trade, an investment for life, and they should do their utmost to control their words of impatience and fretfulness, even more carefully than they did before their marriage, for now their destinies are united for life as husband and wife, and each is valued in exact proportion to the amount of painstaking and effort put forth to retain and keep fresh the love so eagerly sought for and prized before marriage.—Letter 27, November 22, 1872, to Brother Burton, an early church member in San Francisco, California.
Cunningly Devised Fables, November 23
And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. Daniel 8:14. TDG 336.1
In the future, great watchfulness will be needed. There is to be among God’s people no spiritual stupidity. Evil spirits are actively engaged in seeking to control the minds of human beings. Men are binding up in bundles, ready to be consumed by the fires of the last days. Those who discard Christ and His righteousness will accept the sophistry that is flooding the world. Christians are to be sober and vigilant, steadfastly resisting their adversary the devil, who is going about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. TDG 336.2
Men under the influence of evil spirits will work miracles. They will make people sick by casting their spell upon them, and then remove the spell, leading others to say that those who were sick have been miraculously healed. This Satan has done again and again. TDG 336.3
God will be the sanctuary of His people, if they will obey His word, believing and proclaiming the simple gospel truths that Christ proclaimed when in this world. We need now to pray as we have never prayed before. We are living in the great day of atonement, and we are to confess our sins, and make diligent work for repentance. We are to put all our capabilities to work, that we may be delivered from wicked and unreasonable men. Satan comes down as a beautiful angel, and presents lovely pictures before the eyes of those who have so perverted their ways before God that they do not see what they are or know what they need. The enemy has come down with great power, to work with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish. God calls for repentance and reconversion…. TDG 336.4
When the lives of God’s people are cleansed from moral and spiritual pollution; when their eyes are anointed with the heavenly eyesalve, they will see that they are poor, and wretched, and miserable, and blind, and naked. They will come to the fountain that has been opened for Judah and Jerusalem, and apply the cleansing blood of Christ to their poor, sin-sick souls. God grant that they make no delay in securing the advantages that He has prepared for all who love Him and keep His commandments.—Letter 259, November 23, 1903, to Mrs. L. M. Hall, a close friend and for many years matron of the Battle Creek Sanitarium.
Honesty in Business Practices, November 24
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. Romans 12:11. TDG 337.1
The servants of God are obliged to be more or less connected with the worldly by business transactions, but they should buy and sell with a realization that the eye of God is upon them. No false balances or deceitful weights are to be used, for these are an abomination to the Lord. In every business transaction a Christian will be just what he wants his brethren to think he is. His course of action is guided by underlying principles. He does not scheme, therefore, he has nothing to conceal, nothing to gloss over. He may be criticized, he may be tested, but his unbending integrity will shine forth like pure gold. He is a blessing to all connected with him, for his word is trustworthy. He is a man who will not take an advantage of his neighbor. He is a friend and benefactor to all, and his fellow men put confidence in his counsel…. TDG 337.2
A truly honest man will never take advantage of weakness or incompetency in order to fill his own purse. He accepts a fair equivalent for that which he sells. If there are defects in the articles sold, he frankly tells his brother or his neighbor, although by so doing he may work against his own pecuniary interests. In all the details of life the strictest principles of honesty are to be maintained. These are not the principles which govern our world, for Satan—deceiver, liar, and oppressor—is the master, and his subjects follow him and carry out his purposes. But Christians serve under a different Master, and their actions must be wrought in God, irrespective of all selfish gain. Deviation from perfect fairness in a business deal may appear as a small thing in the estimation of some, but our Saviour did not thus regard it. His words on this point are plain and explicit: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10)…. TDG 337.3
In the Christian world today fraud is practiced to a fearful extent. God’s commandment-keeping people should show that they are above all these things. The dishonest practices which mar the dealing of man with his fellow man should never be practiced by one who professes to be a believer in present truth.—Letter 3, November 24, 1878, to Brother O, a colporteur given to questionable business practices.
Hastening Christ’s Coming, November 25
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God. 2 Peter 3:11, 12. TDG 338.1
I was in England at the time of the queen’s jubilee. [Queen victoria’s golden jubilee in 1887.] Her picture was in all the windows, upon paper, upon glass, on everything. Everything was done to keep her in the memory and thoughts of the people. Such parades! Thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars expended upon that occasion. Why, the people paid dollars, just for a place to sit in the windows and see the parade. Two or three hundred dollars paid for a position in a window to see the queen. TDG 338.2
I was right there in London when this excitement took place. It made me sad…. They had the right to do this, but I thought: …Here we are looking for the Lord to come in the clouds of heaven. Do we keep Him in mind? If we really believe in Jesus, if we really believe in His coming, if we are abiding in Christ, we shall not be complaining about every little cross. We shall be thinking of what Christ our Saviour has done in our behalf. As we look at the cross of Calvary, our petty vexations will vanish from sight. Why should we not as Christians lift Him up, the Man of Calvary? Why, Christ laid aside His robes of glory, and for our sakes He became poor. He was rich, and He became poor, that through His poverty we might become rich. TDG 338.3
That sacrifice will be lost to us, unless we lay hold upon Christ by faith. We have no righteousness of ourselves at all. All the prophecies show us that the end of all things is at hand. Let us be getting our hearts right before God…. TDG 338.4
There is a life beyond. An eternity. A life of happiness. No death can enter there. There will be no malarial taint there. No sickness, or pain or sorrow. Do you not want to be there? The streets are paved with gold, and you will see the King in His glory. I must be there. I must see the King in His majesty. Don’t lead people to believe they can go there and take their sins right along. The characters must be changed here. We must learn to sing the songs of redemption here, if we ever sing the songs of redemption in heaven. Sing of God’s goodness. Talk of His power.—Manuscript 20, November 25, 1888, “A Good Sermon.” TDG 338.5
School—Here and Hereafter, November 26
They crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Hebrews 6:6. TDG 339.1
Each one must heed for himself the call, “Come unto me, …and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)…. The Lord Jesus has paid your tuition fees. All that you have to do is to learn of Him. The Christlike politeness practiced in the higher school is to be practiced in this lower school, by both old and young believers. TDG 339.2
All who learn in Christ’s school are under the training of heavenly agencies; and they are never to forget that they are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. They are to represent Christ. They are to help one another to become worthy of admission into the higher school. They are to help one another to be pure and noble, and to cherish a true idea of what it means to be a child of God. They are to speak encouraging words. They are to lift up the feeble hands and strengthen the feeble knees. Upon every heart there is to be inscribed the words, as with the point of a diamond, “There is nothing that I fear, save that I shall not know my duty, or shall fail to do it.” We are living in a time when we should seek the Lord most earnestly…. TDG 339.3
There are many ways in which human beings can crucify the Son of God afresh, and put Him to open shame. The worship of worldly business so confuses the mind that Satan stealthily approaches, and insidiously gains entrance. He has many theories by which to lead astray those who will be led. The erroneous views of God that the world is entertaining are skepticism in disguise, preparing the way for atheism. By hasty words and selfish deeds, men often grieve the heart of Christ. Thus Satan works untiringly to lead them to disloyalty. As he gains control of minds, he makes upon them lasting impressions, and the realities of eternity fade away. TDG 339.4
A self-controlled spirit, words of love and tenderness, honor the Saviour. Those who speak kind, loving words, words that make for peace, will be richly rewarded. We are the appointed ministers of Christ, and we are to let His Spirit shine forth in the meekness and lowliness learned of Him.—Letter 257, November 26, 1903, to Dr. J. H. Kellogg. TDG 339.5
Recipe for Health, November 27
Eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! Ecclesiastes 10:17. TDG 340.1
Eat at regular periods. By wrong habits of eating, you are preparing yourself for future suffering. It is not always safe to comply with invitations to meals, even though given by your brethren and friends, who wish to lavish upon you many kinds of food. You know that you can eat two or three kinds of food at a meal without injury to your digestive organs. TDG 340.2
When you are invited out to a meal, shun the many varieties of food that those who have invited you set before you. This you must do if you would be a faithful sentinel. When food is placed before us, which, if eaten, would cause the digestive organs hours of hard work, we must not, if we eat this food, blame those who set it before us for the result. God expects us to decide for ourselves to eat that food only which will not cause suffering to the digestive organs…. TDG 340.3
Often the different kinds of food placed in the stomach do not agree, and fermentation is the result. This is the cause of many stomach difficulties. Eat at regular hours, and eat wholesome food. Do not place in the stomach too great a variety of food at one meal. TDG 340.4
I dare not say to you or to anyone else, You must eat only two meals a day. But I do say that too much food should not be placed in the stomach at one time, for when this is done, the stomach has no chance to do its work properly. For some, three meals a day are better than two. TDG 340.5
For thirty years, I have taken only two meals a day, and I have not eaten between meals. I know for my own part that two meals can be so arranged as to be perfectly convenient. Yet no one is to make his own case a criterion for others. Each one should study carefully the organism of his body, that he may know how to deal intelligently with the body, and that he may be sure that intemperance in eating is not destroying the vital forces of the system. Each one should know for himself how to care properly for the machinery of the body, for no one else can do this for him.—Letter 324, November 27, 1905, to Elder W. W. Simpson, an evangelist in Los Angeles, California. TDG 340.6