Daily Devotional

February 2, 2017

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In Planning, Consider the Unending Future

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 1 Timothy 4:8, NKJV.

The accounts of every business, the details of every transaction, pass the scrutiny of unseen auditors, agents of Him who never compromises with injustice, never overlooks evil, never palliates wrong....

Against all evildoers God's law utters condemnation. They may disregard that voice, they may seek to drown its warning, but in vain. It follows them. It makes itself heard. It destroys their peace. If unheeded, it pursues them to the grave. It bears witness against them at the judgment. A quenchless fire, it consumes at last soul and body.

"What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36, 37).

This is a question that demands consideration by every parent, every teacher, every student - by every human being, young or old. No scheme of business or plan of life can be sound or complete that embraces only the brief years of this present life and makes no provision for the unending future. Let the youth be taught to take eternity into their reckoning. Let them be taught to choose the principles and seek the possessions that are enduring - to lay up for themselves that "treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth" (Luke 12:33)....

All who do this are making the best possible preparation for life in this world. No man or woman can lay up treasure in heaven without finding life on earth thereby enriched and ennobled.

"Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" (1 Timothy 4:8). - Education, 144, 145.

From Devotional: To Be Like Jesus, p. 191.

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Thought of the Day

February 2, 2017

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Jesus pledges Himself to hear our prayers, declaring that He will hear them. - BE August 12, 1901

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Daily readings for 2017-02-02: To Be Like Jesus

Hi Raul Diaz,

To Be Like Jesus — Day 2 of 335

Everything Lost by Disobedience, February 2

For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:5, NKJV.

When Eve saw “that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat.” It was grateful to the taste, and, as she ate, she seemed to feel a vivifying power, and imagined herself entering upon a higher state of existence. Having herself transgressed, she became a tempter to her husband, “and he did eat” (Genesis 3:6).

“Your eyes shall be opened,” the enemy had said; “ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). Their eyes were indeed opened; but how sad the opening! The knowledge of evil, the curse of sin, was all that the transgressors gained. There was nothing poisonous in the fruit itself, and the sin was not merely in yielding to appetite. It was distrust of God's goodness, disbelief of His word, and rejection of His authority that made our first parents transgressors, and that brought into the world a knowledge of evil. It was this that opened the door to every species of falsehood and error.

Man and woman lost all because they chose to listen to the deceiver rather than to Him who is Truth, who alone has understanding. By the mingling of evil with good, their minds had become confused, their mental and spiritual powers benumbed. No longer could they appreciate the good that God had so freely bestowed.

Adam and Eve had chosen the knowledge of evil, and if they ever regained the position they had lost they must regain it under the unfavorable conditions they had brought upon themselves. No longer were they to dwell in Eden, for in its perfection it could not teach them the lessons which it was now essential for them to learn. In unutterable sadness they bade farewell to their beautiful surroundings and went forth to dwell upon the earth, where rested the curse of sin....

Although the earth was blighted with the curse, nature was still to be humanity's lesson book. It could not now represent goodness only; for evil was everywhere present, marring earth and sea and air with its defiling touch. Where once was written only the character of God, the knowledge of good, was now written also the character of Satan, the knowledge of evil. From nature, which now revealed the knowledge of good and evil, humankind was continually to receive warning as to the results of sin.—Education, 25, 26.

		The Ellen G. White Estate 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904, USA Phone: +1 301 680 6540 Help: subscribe@ellenwhite.org
Manage subscriptions | Unsubscribe | ellenwhite.org

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Daily readings for 2017-02-02: To Be Like Jesus

Hi Raul Diaz,

To Be Like Jesus — Day 2 of 335

Everything Lost by Disobedience, February 2

For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:5, NKJV.

When Eve saw “that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat.” It was grateful to the taste, and, as she ate, she seemed to feel a vivifying power, and imagined herself entering upon a higher state of existence. Having herself transgressed, she became a tempter to her husband, “and he did eat” (Genesis 3:6).

“Your eyes shall be opened,” the enemy had said; “ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). Their eyes were indeed opened; but how sad the opening! The knowledge of evil, the curse of sin, was all that the transgressors gained. There was nothing poisonous in the fruit itself, and the sin was not merely in yielding to appetite. It was distrust of God's goodness, disbelief of His word, and rejection of His authority that made our first parents transgressors, and that brought into the world a knowledge of evil. It was this that opened the door to every species of falsehood and error.

Man and woman lost all because they chose to listen to the deceiver rather than to Him who is Truth, who alone has understanding. By the mingling of evil with good, their minds had become confused, their mental and spiritual powers benumbed. No longer could they appreciate the good that God had so freely bestowed.

Adam and Eve had chosen the knowledge of evil, and if they ever regained the position they had lost they must regain it under the unfavorable conditions they had brought upon themselves. No longer were they to dwell in Eden, for in its perfection it could not teach them the lessons which it was now essential for them to learn. In unutterable sadness they bade farewell to their beautiful surroundings and went forth to dwell upon the earth, where rested the curse of sin....

Although the earth was blighted with the curse, nature was still to be humanity's lesson book. It could not now represent goodness only; for evil was everywhere present, marring earth and sea and air with its defiling touch. Where once was written only the character of God, the knowledge of good, was now written also the character of Satan, the knowledge of evil. From nature, which now revealed the knowledge of good and evil, humankind was continually to receive warning as to the results of sin.—Education, 25, 26.

		The Ellen G. White Estate 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904, USA Phone: +1 301 680 6540 Help: subscribe@ellenwhite.org
Manage subscriptions | Unsubscribe | ellenwhite.org

---

Daily readings for 2017-02-02: To Be Like Jesus

Hi Raul Diaz,

To Be Like Jesus — Day 2 of 335

Everything Lost by Disobedience, February 2

For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:5, NKJV.

When Eve saw “that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat.” It was grateful to the taste, and, as she ate, she seemed to feel a vivifying power, and imagined herself entering upon a higher state of existence. Having herself transgressed, she became a tempter to her husband, “and he did eat” (Genesis 3:6).

“Your eyes shall be opened,” the enemy had said; “ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). Their eyes were indeed opened; but how sad the opening! The knowledge of evil, the curse of sin, was all that the transgressors gained. There was nothing poisonous in the fruit itself, and the sin was not merely in yielding to appetite. It was distrust of God's goodness, disbelief of His word, and rejection of His authority that made our first parents transgressors, and that brought into the world a knowledge of evil. It was this that opened the door to every species of falsehood and error.

Man and woman lost all because they chose to listen to the deceiver rather than to Him who is Truth, who alone has understanding. By the mingling of evil with good, their minds had become confused, their mental and spiritual powers benumbed. No longer could they appreciate the good that God had so freely bestowed.

Adam and Eve had chosen the knowledge of evil, and if they ever regained the position they had lost they must regain it under the unfavorable conditions they had brought upon themselves. No longer were they to dwell in Eden, for in its perfection it could not teach them the lessons which it was now essential for them to learn. In unutterable sadness they bade farewell to their beautiful surroundings and went forth to dwell upon the earth, where rested the curse of sin....

Although the earth was blighted with the curse, nature was still to be humanity's lesson book. It could not now represent goodness only; for evil was everywhere present, marring earth and sea and air with its defiling touch. Where once was written only the character of God, the knowledge of good, was now written also the character of Satan, the knowledge of evil. From nature, which now revealed the knowledge of good and evil, humankind was continually to receive warning as to the results of sin.—Education, 25, 26.

		The Ellen G. White Estate 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904, USA Phone: +1 301 680 6540 Help: subscribe@ellenwhite.org
Manage subscriptions | Unsubscribe | ellenwhite.org

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Devoción Matutina en español

February 1, 2017

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Tened cuidado con lo que leéis

Porque Jehová da la sabiduría, y de su boca viene el conocimiento y la inteligencia. El provee de sólida sabiduría a los rectos. Proverbios 2:6, 7.

La curiosidad de los hombres los ha conducido en todos los tiempos a buscar el árbol del conocimiento, y con frecuencia piensan que están sacando los frutos más elegidos, cuando, como Salomón en su investigación, descubren que todo es vanidad, y que no es nada en comparación con la ciencia de la verdadera santidad.— The Youth’s Instructor, 27 de octubre de 1898, pp. 845.

Los libros de los escritores incrédulos no deberían tener lugar en la biblioteca de aquellos que creen servir a Dios. Serían mejor material para vuestra estufa que alimento para la mente. Los libros de autores infieles han sido la causa de ruina para muchas almas. Los hombres han estudiado todos estos libros de inspiración satánica, y han quedado confundidos respecto de qué es la verdad. Satanás se pone al lado de los que abren un libro tal, y educará la mente que se ocupe de esta literatura y hechizará de tal modo el alma que casi será imposible romper la infatuación. Que ningún creyente se halague con la idea de su firmeza, y de que no será movido de la posición de su fe. No puede colocarse ninguna confianza en la naturaleza humana cuando el alma se separa de Dios.— The Youth’s Instructor, 23 de noviembre de 1893, pp. 365.

Estamos rodeados por la incredulidad. La misma atmósfera parece estar cargada con ella; y resistiremos su poder únicamente con el esfuerzo constante. Los que aprecian la salvación de su alma debieran descartar los libros de los infieles como rechazarían la lepra.

A los jóvenes quiero decir: Tened cuidado con lo que leéis. Mientras la mente sea dirigida por conductos equivocados mediante la lectura indebida, es imposible para vosotros hacer que la verdad de Dios sea vuestro constante tema de meditación. Si hubo alguna vez un tiempo cuando el conocimiento de las Escrituras era más importante que cualquier otra cosa, ese tiempo es ahora. Insto a los jóvenes y a los ancianos a que hagan de la Biblia su libro de texto. En ella encontraréis la verdadera norma para el carácter.— The Signs of the Times, 19 de mayo de 1887, pp. 1.

No dediquéis el precioso talento de la vista a leer aquello que no os beneficiará. ... Los poderes de la mente, el alma y el cuerpo deben santificarse para el servicio del Señor Jesús, quien os ha comprado con su sangre.—Carta 339, 1905, pp. 3.

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Daily Devotional

February 1, 2017

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To Avoid Darkness, Stay Close to God

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18, NKJV.

Some are not naturally devotional, and therefore should encourage and cultivate a habit of close examination of their own lives and motives, and should especially cherish a love for religious exercises and for secret prayer. They are often heard talking of doubts and unbelief, and dwelling upon the wonderful struggles they have had with infidel feelings. They dwell upon discouraging influences as so affecting their faith, hope, and courage in the truth and in the ultimate success of the work and cause in which they are engaged, as to make it a special virtue to be found on the side of the doubting.

At times they seem to really enjoy hovering about the infidel's position and strengthening their unbelief with every circumstance they can gather as an excuse for their darkness. To such we would say: You would better come down at once and leave the walls of Zion until you become converted....

But what is the reason of these doubts, this darkness and unbelief? I answer: These men and women are not right with God. They are not dealing honestly and truly with their own souls. They have neglected to cultivate personal piety. They have not separated themselves from all selfishness and from sin and sinners. They have failed to study the self-denying, self-sacrificing life of our Lord and have failed to imitate His example of purity, devotion, and self-sacrifice.

The sin which easily besets has been strengthened by indulgence. By their own negligence and sin they have separated themselves from the company of the divine Teacher....

We are engaged in an exalted, sacred work. Those who profess to be called to teach the truth to those who sit in darkness should not be bodies of unbelief and darkness themselves. They should live near to God, where they can be all light in the Lord. The reason why they are not so is that they are not obeying the Word of God themselves; therefore doubts and discouragements are expressed, when only words of faith and holy cheer should be heard.Testimonies for the Church 2:513-516.

From Devotional: To Be Like Jesus, p. 18.

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