Daily Devotional for May 22
God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
THE spirit of the Lord imparted to His people is not a spirit of fear, but on the contrary a spirit of power, energy, zeal awakened by love;--loving devotion to God, and a desire to please and serve Him; loving devotion to the Truth, and a loving devotion to God's people and a desire to build them up in holy things, and to do good unto all men as we have opportunity--a spirit of a "sound mind;"--a mind that is fortified and strengthened by the Word of the Lord on every subject, and hence, while thoroughly fearless of man, is wise in judging of times, seasons and methods for using the energy of love which burns as a fire within the consecrated heart. Z.'97-170 R2166:1
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Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)
EACH one on this racecourse should examine himself, rather than examine others, in respect to progress in this narrow way; for each knows his own heart condition and the weaknesses of his own flesh better than any other knows these, the Lord alone excepted. Let us each note just where he is in the racecourse, rejoicing that he is in the race at all; considering it a great privilege to be thus called and privileged to enter in this race. If we find that we have passed the first quarter mark, let us rejoice and press on. If we find that we have passed the second also, let us rejoice so much the more, but not slack our running. If we find that we have passed the third quarter we may properly rejoice so much the more, and press with vigor on; and if we have attained to the fourth mark of perfect love, which includes even enemies, we have indeed cause for great rejoicing. The prize is ours if we but remain faithful. But, as the apostle says, “Having done all, stand”--with all the armor on; stand in various testings which will then, as much as ever along the racecourse, be brought to bear against us to divert us away from the mark, before the great Inspector and Giver of rewards shall say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” `Z'01-10` R2755:5 (Hymn 64)
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