Friday, June 16, 2023

Those who live merely for “me and mine” will fail of Heaven....

 

Friendly sympathy and real feelings of tender interest for others would bring to your souls blessings ... and would bring you into close relation to our Redeemer, whose advent to the world was for the purpose of doing good, and whose life we are to copy.—Testimonies for the Church 3:527.

The love and interest of Christ’s followers must be as broad as the world. Those who live merely for “me and mine” will fail of Heaven.—Testimonies for the Church 3:530.

We should have words and deeds of tender consideration for others. We can manifest a thousand little attentions in friendly words and pleasant looks, which will be reflected upon us again. Thoughtless Christians manifest by their neglect of others that they are not in union with Christ. It is impossible to be in union with Christ and yet be unkind to others and forgetful of their rights. Many long intensely for friendly sympathy. God has given each of us an identity of our own, which cannot be merged in that of another; but our individual characteristics will be much less prominent if we are indeed Christ’s and His will is ours. Our lives should be consecrated to the good and happiness of others, as was our Saviour’s. We should be self-forgetful, ever looking out for opportunities, even in little things, to show gratitude for the favors we have received of others, and watching for opportunities to cheer others, and lighten and relieve their sorrows and burdens by acts of tender kindness and little deeds of love. These thoughtful courtesies, that, commencing in our families, extend outside the family circle, help make up the sum of life’s happiness, and the neglect of these little things makes up the sum of life’s bitterness and sorrow.—Testimonies for the Church 3:539. RRe
169

 

Christ did not stoop to enter into controversy with Satan. He might have brought against him the cruel work which his deceptions had wrought in heaven, causing the ruin of a vast number of its inhabitants. He might have pointed to the falsehoods told in Eden, that had led to Adam's sin and brought death upon the human race. He might have reminded Satan that it was his own work in tempting Israel to murmuring and rebellion, which had wearied the long-suffering patience of their leader, and in an unguarded moment had surprised him into the sin for which he had fallen under the power of death. But Christ referred all to His Father, saying, The Lord rebuke thee.” Jude 9. Hvn 100

 

 

Her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. Luke 1:58. KJV