Daily readings for 2017-03-29: To Be Like Jesus

Hi Raul,

To Be Like Jesus — Day 57 of 335

God's Grace Essential to Right Use of Influence, March 29

Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. Luke 16:10, NRSV.

Character is power. The silent witness of a true, unselfish, godly life carries an almost irresistible influence. By revealing in our own life the character of Christ we cooperate with Him in the work of saving souls. It is only by revealing in our life His character that we can cooperate with Him. And the wider the sphere of our influence, the more good we may do. When those who profess to serve God follow Christ's example, practicing the principles of the law in their daily life; when every act bears witness that they love God supremely and their neighbor as themselves, then will the church have power to move the world.

But never should it be forgotten that influence is no less a power for evil. To lose one's own soul is a terrible thing; but to cause the loss of other souls is still more terrible. That our influence should be a savor of death unto death is a fearful thought; yet this is possible. Many who profess to gather with Christ are scattering from Him. This is why the church is so weak. Many indulge freely in criticism and accusing. By giving expression to suspicion, jealousy, and discontent, they yield themselves as instruments to Satan. Before they realize what they are doing, the adversary has through them accomplished his purpose. The impression of evil has been made, the shadow has been cast, the arrows of Satan have found their mark. Distrust, unbelief, and downright infidelity have fastened upon those who otherwise might have accepted Christ.

Meanwhile the workers for Satan look complacently upon those whom they have driven to skepticism, and who are now hardened against reproof and entreaty. They flatter themselves that in comparison with these souls they are virtuous and righteous. They do not realize that these sad wrecks of character are the work of their own unbridled tongues and rebellious hearts. It is through their influence that these tempted ones have fallen.

So frivolity, selfish indulgence, and careless indifference on the part of professed Christians are turning away many souls from the path of life. Many there are who will fear to meet at the bar of God the results of their influence. It is only through the grace of God that we can make a right use of this endowment.—Christ's Object Lessons, 340, 341.

		The Ellen G. White Estate 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904, USA Phone: +1 301 680 6540 Help: subscribe@ellenwhite.org
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Daily readings for 2017-03-29: To Be Like Jesus

Hi Raul Diaz,

To Be Like Jesus — Day 57 of 335

God's Grace Essential to Right Use of Influence, March 29

Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. Luke 16:10, NRSV.

Character is power. The silent witness of a true, unselfish, godly life carries an almost irresistible influence. By revealing in our own life the character of Christ we cooperate with Him in the work of saving souls. It is only by revealing in our life His character that we can cooperate with Him. And the wider the sphere of our influence, the more good we may do. When those who profess to serve God follow Christ's example, practicing the principles of the law in their daily life; when every act bears witness that they love God supremely and their neighbor as themselves, then will the church have power to move the world.

But never should it be forgotten that influence is no less a power for evil. To lose one's own soul is a terrible thing; but to cause the loss of other souls is still more terrible. That our influence should be a savor of death unto death is a fearful thought; yet this is possible. Many who profess to gather with Christ are scattering from Him. This is why the church is so weak. Many indulge freely in criticism and accusing. By giving expression to suspicion, jealousy, and discontent, they yield themselves as instruments to Satan. Before they realize what they are doing, the adversary has through them accomplished his purpose. The impression of evil has been made, the shadow has been cast, the arrows of Satan have found their mark. Distrust, unbelief, and downright infidelity have fastened upon those who otherwise might have accepted Christ.

Meanwhile the workers for Satan look complacently upon those whom they have driven to skepticism, and who are now hardened against reproof and entreaty. They flatter themselves that in comparison with these souls they are virtuous and righteous. They do not realize that these sad wrecks of character are the work of their own unbridled tongues and rebellious hearts. It is through their influence that these tempted ones have fallen.

So frivolity, selfish indulgence, and careless indifference on the part of professed Christians are turning away many souls from the path of life. Many there are who will fear to meet at the bar of God the results of their influence. It is only through the grace of God that we can make a right use of this endowment.—Christ's Object Lessons, 340, 341.

		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

March 28, 2017

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Hijos, no siervos

Así que, recibiendo nosotros un reino inconmovible, tengamos gratitud, y mediante ella sirvamos a Dios agradándole con temor y reverencia. Hebreos 12:28.

Hay muchos que profesan ser seguidores de Cristo, y sin embargo no son hacedores de su Palabra. No saborean esa Palabra porque les indica servicio que no les es agradable. No les gustan los sanos e íntimos reproches, las fervientes exhortaciones. No aman la justicia, pero son dominados despóticamente por sus propios impulsos humanos caprichosos.

Significa una enorme diferencia la forma en que servimos a Dios. El muchacho que estudia a regañadientes sus lecciones porque tiene que aprenderlas, nunca será un verdadero

estudiante. El hombre que pretende guardar los mandamientos de Dios porque piensa que debe hacerlo nunca entrará en el gozo de la obediencia.

La esencia y sabor de toda obediencia es la manifestación externa de un principio interno: el amor de la justicia, el amor de la ley de Dios. La esencia de toda justicia es lealtad a nuestro Redentor, hacer lo correcto porque es correcto. Cuando la Palabra de Dios es una carga porque corta directamente a través de las inclinaciones humanas, entonces la vida religiosa no es una vida cristiana, sino un esfuerzo penoso y tirantez, una obediencia forzada. Se han puesto a un lado toda la pureza y la piedad de la religión.

Pero la adopción en la familia de Dios nos hace hijos y no esclavos. Cuando el amor de Cristo entra en el corazón, nos esforzamos por imitar el carácter de Cristo... Mientras más estudiamos la vida de Cristo dispuestos a obedecer, más semejantes a Cristo nos volvemos. El Espíritu Santo infunde claro entendimiento en el corazón de cada verdadero hacedor de la Palabra. Mientras más crucificamos las prácticas egoístas impartiendo nuestras bendiciones a otros y ejerciendo nuestras facultades recibidas de Dios, más se fortalecerán las gracias celestiales y aumentarán en nosotros. Creceremos en espiritualidad, en paciencia, en fortaleza, en humildad, en delicadeza.—Carta 135, 1897.

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Daily Devotional

March 28, 2017

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Improving Opportunities for Service

Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:14, NKJV.

There is no religion in the enthronement of self. God asks us to be true to Him, to trade upon the talents He has given us, that we may gain others. His will must be made our will in all things. Any departure from this standard degrades our moral nature. It may result in lifting us up, in enriching us, and in seating us beside princes; but in the eyes of God we are unclean and unholy. We have sold our birthright for selfish interest and gain, and in the books of heaven it is written of us, Weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and found wanting.

But if we regard our talents as the Lord's gifts, and use them in His service by showing compassion and love toward our fellow beings, we are channels through which God's blessings flow to the world; and at the last great day we shall be greeted with the words "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

Time, laden with precious, golden opportunities for serving the Lord, is fast passing into eternity.... Are you improving these opportunities as they pass? You cannot afford to slight them; for you must stand before the judgment seat of God, to answer for the deeds done in the body. Do your words cheer and encourage those who come to you for help and comfort? Does your influence strengthen those with whom you associate? Are your possessions faithfully given to the Lord?

Consecrate yourself today to the Lord's service.... Cast your care upon the Lord, and on no account allow the things of the world to separate you from Him. Consecrate all you have and are to Him. This is but "your reasonable service." Do not delay; for there is peril in a moment's delay. A few more years at the longest will be yours to work for the Master, and then the voice which you cannot refuse to answer will be heard, saying, "Give an account of thy stewardship." - The Signs of the Times, January 21, 1897.

From Devotional: To Be Like Jesus, p. 74.

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Thought of the Day

March 28, 2017

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Wherever the love of God is cherished in the soul, there will be peace, there will be light and joy. - AH 19

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Daily Devotional

March 28, 2017

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Valuable Objects in Nature Are Pruned or Refined

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10, NKJV.

The furnace fires are not to destroy, but to refine, ennoble, sanctify. Without trial we would not feel so much our need of God and His help; and we would become proud and self-sufficient. In the trials that come to us we should see the evidences that the Lord's eye is upon us, and that He means to draw us to Himself. It is not the whole, but the wounded, who need a physician; it is those who are pressed almost beyond the point of endurance who need a Helper.

The fact that we are called upon to endure trial proves that the Lord sees something in us very precious, which He desires to develop. If He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not spend time in refining us. We do not take special pains in pruning brambles. Christ does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. It is valuable ore that He tests.

The blacksmith puts the iron and steel into the fire that he may know what manner of metal they are. The Lord allows His chosen ones to be placed in the furnace of affliction, in order that He may see what temper they are of, and whether He can mold and fashion them for His work.

It may be that much work needs to be done in your character-building, that you are a rough stone which must be squared and polished before it can fill a place in God's temple. You need not be surprised if, with chisel and hammer, God cuts away the sharp corners of your character, until you are prepared to fill the place He has for you. No human being can accomplish this work. Only by God can it be done. And be assured that He will not strike one useless blow. His every blow is struck in love, for your eternal happiness. He knows your infirmities, and works to restore, not to destroy.

When trials arise that seem unexplainable, we should not allow our peace to be spoiled. However unjustly we may be treated, let not passion arise. By indulging a spirit of retaliation, we injure ourselves. We destroy our own confidence in God, and grieve the Holy Spirit. There is by our side a witness, a heavenly messenger, who will lift up for us a standard against the enemy. He will shut us in with the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. Beyond this, Satan cannot penetrate. He cannot pass this shield of holy light. - The Signs of the Times, August 18, 1909.

From Devotional: To Be Like Jesus, p. 246.

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Thought of the Day

March 28, 2017

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The humble and broken heart, subdued by genuine repentance, will appreciate something of the love of God and the cost of Calvary. - SC 41

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