Arise Shine
MS-95-'07 August 29, 1907.
A message has been given me for our people in S. Calif. God bids you, “Arise and shine.” Now, just now, let every believing soul study to comprehend the words of Christ. “Ye are the light of the world.” It is no time now to become weakened and discouraged. This is a time for every soul to humble his heart before God in confession of mistakes and sins, and to wait upon the Lord that His spiritual strength may be renewed.LLM 241.4
Day by day God's faithful, commandment-keeping people are to become better prepared to let their light shine forth amid the moral darkness of a world that is rapidly filling up its cup of apostasy, and becoming as it was in the days of Noah. Knowing the time, we are to set in operation every agency that can be employed in doing missionary work for Christ. The great aim of those who profess to believe the third angels’ message, should be to bring all their powers into active service in the cause of God.LLM 241.5
Not all are called to engage in the same line of labor, but to every man and woman who enters the service of Christ, are given responsibilities to bear, and a special work to do. My brethren and sisters, Christ sends you this message, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me.” Humble your hearts before God, and seek counsel of Him who never makes a mistake. Under His guidance you will never go astray. You need to seek as you have never sought before for an understanding of the word of God. Pray that the Lord will open your understanding, and turn your whole heart to the One who has bought you with an infinite price. You are Christ's purchased possession. Ask Him to tell you what He would have you do.LLM 241.6
Letters come to me from near and from far, asking for definite instruction in regard to individual duty. I gladly refer these inquirers to the words of Christ, spoken just before His ascension to heaven. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo; I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”LLM 242.1
Before leaving them, the Saviour outlined to His disciples the work in which they were to engage. They did not yet fully comprehend the mission to which, as the followers of Christ, they had given themselves. Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them. Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.”LLM 242.2
As the Lord's missionaries, a great work was before the disciples; but they were to be witnesses for Christ first in Jerusalem where His enemies thought to extinguish the torch of truth that had been lighted. In their cruel murder of the Saviour, and by the false reports they had circulated regarding His resurrection, they thought to remove all witness to the truth. But these falsehoods were to be met by the positive testimony of the disciples. They had talked with Christ after His resurrection; they had been eye-witnesses of His ascension.LLM 242.3
The enemies of Christ had supposed that the disciples would be intimidated by the events that had taken place, and would give up their faith in the Messiah. They were astonished when they saw with what boldness these humble followers took up the work where Christ had laid it down. Multitudes from many parts of the world were gathered at Jerusalem at the time of the crucifixion of Christ, and these had heard the false reports regarding the Messiah. Before these multitudes the disciples, with the power of the Holy spirit resting upon them, bore witness to the truth of the words of Christ, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” The gospel message heard by these representatives of other nations, was carried by them to their homes; the scenes they had witnessed at the crucifixion of Christ and on the day of Pentecost were related; and the message of repentance and remission of sins preached in Christ's name, was carried to many places.LLM 242.4
In the words of the Saviour, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,” the work of the followers of Christ in every age was outlined. There is a promise for us in His assurance, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.” Brethren, shall we not take up our work, not seeking to carry burdens which the Lord has not committed to us, but doing that to which we are called, with a spirit of thoroughness, earnestness, and willingness? If we do our work faithfully, the Lord will complete His part of the contract, fulfilling the promise of His presence, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Let us not allow our faith to waver, but putting our dependence in God, let us teach all things whatsoever He has commanded. Day by day we need to receive divine instruction. I pray that every laborer may ask, and believe, and receive, the promise, “Lo, I am with you alway.”LLM 243.1
O, how much less we are doing as a people than we should be doing! Even those in responsible positions do not realize their privileges and duties. And how weak seem my words, how inadequate to set before God's people what He requires of them. I am distressed as I see the work developing, and note how difficult it is to support the agencies appointed for the diffusion of the light of the gospel. The Lord demands more of His people than they are doing.LLM 243.2
The invitation is given to all, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”LLM 243.3
Those who have a part in the work and cause of God should be careful that they strike no discordant notes. There are some who have been laboring in the S. Calif. Conference who need to lay off the armor for a while until they learn Christ's method of working. They need to be converted; for they give the impression to others that they consider all the other workers out of harmony with them. Thus the seeds of dissension and strife are sown. When these workers take upon them the yoke of Christ, and learn of Him who is meek and lowly in heart, they will return to God in acceptable service the talents He has lent them, and in doing this they will find rest unto their souls. They will hunger and thirst after righteousness, and their desire will be satisfied in a new and living experience. They will become daily students of the word of God; and guided by the light shining from that word, they will follow on to know the Lord, whose going forth is prepared as the morning.LLM 243.4
No worker is to consider it his duty to administer reproof, to point out existing evils, and stop with this. Such work does not accomplish any good, but only disheartens and discourages. Plain, sensible, intelligent discourses should be preached to the churches, that will show the need of seeking the Lord in Prayer, and of opening the heart to the light of life, and that will lead church members to engage in humble work for God. To every man God has given a work; to each worker who engages in service for Him, He gives a part to act in communicating light and truth.LLM 243.5
The appointed leaders of our churches need themselves to seek the Lord with humble, broken hearts; then they will discern their own defects of character. They need to present their cases before the Lord, asking, what shall I do that I may comprehend my individual duty? What shall I do that I may meet the mind and will of God? And when you have asked this question, my brethren, do not yield the point until you have surrendered soul, body, and spirit to God. Then God can stamp His image on your soul.LLM 244.1
God placed His church in the earth that it might be the light of the world. But the self-indulgent course of many church members, and the rising up of self to take the lines of control, have resulted in diffusing darkness rather than light. God's professing people need to seek Him in sincere sorrow of heart, because there is so little life in the church, so little effort put forth to let the light shine in good works. We are laborers together with God, “The apostle Paul declares: ‘Ye are God's husbandry; ye are God's building.” God designs that life-giving beams shall, through the individual members of the church, shine forth to the world. Receiving that light from the Source of all light, they are to reflect that light to others. But this can be done only as the church draws near to God and lives in close connection with the giver of life and light. The purity and simplicity of Christ, revealed in the lives of His humble followers will witness to the possession of genuine piety. The believer who is imbued with a true missionary spirit, will be a living epistle, known and read of all men. He is a partaker of the divine nature and therefore escapes the corruptions that are in the world through lust.LLM 244.2
The field is the world. Christ declares, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” My brethren you would increase your pleasure in the Lord if you would practise self-denial. If you would resolve to love God truly and keep His commandments, you would discern the duties that devolve upon you as laborers together with God. You would willingly bring Him your offerings. You would faithfully and joyfully tithe your income, that His work in home and foreign fields might be advanced. The truth would go forth from your lips in no feigned words. Your zeal and piety would be greatly increased, and the unbelieving world would see that you have been in communion with God, and have learned of Him.LLM 244.3
When this is your experience, no words of censure or blame will fall from your lips for those who are your fellow-workers, because you are taught of God, and are learning to speak the words of Christ. Your earnest prayers for pardon for your own defects, and for the blessing of God upon your efforts, will show that your lips have been converted. And this will touch the cold hearts of unbelievers. They will distinguish between the human and the divine.LLM 244.4
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We read that on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, no man said that aught that he possessed was his own. All they owned was held for the advancement of the wonderful reformation. And thousands were converted in a day. When the same spirit actuates believers today and they give back to God His own with the same liberality, a wide and far-reaching work will be accomplished.LLM 245.1
The Spirit of the Lord has been working with His people, and many have given liberally for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God on the earth. Brethren, let us take hold anew, holding ourselves and all that we have in readiness to meet the demands of the cause of God upon us.LLM 245.2
Ellen G. White
*****
B.-260-'07. August 29, 1907.
Dear Brother and Sister Burden,
I have been very anxious to learn something of the meetings you have been holding; W. C. White had written us no particulars. I should be glad if you would bear in mind that I am intensely interested in this meeting, and desire to know about it. Has it meant victory or defeat?LLM 245.3
One night this week, I think it was Sunday, I did not sleep any through the entire night; and again on Wednesday I had a wakeful night. I slept for a short time before three o'clock. While I lay awake, I spent the time in prayer that God would give to His people sanctified and converted minds, that individually they might comprehend their duty, and learn to reveal the power of the truth in sound speech that cannot be condemned.LLM 245.4
The talent of speech is a precious talent. The riches of the grace of Christ, which He is ever ready to bestow upon us, we are to impart in true, hopeful words. “Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice.” If we would guard our words, so that nothing but kindness shall escape our lips, we will give evidence that we are preparing to become members of the heavenly family. In words and works we shall show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. O, what a reformative influence would go forth if we as a people would value at its true worth the talent of speech and its influence upon the human souls.LLM 245.5
The Sabbath meetings, the morning and evening worship in the home, the services held in the chapel,—all should be vitalized by the Spirit of Christ. Each member of the sanitarium family should confess Christ openly and with gladness, expressing the joy and comfort and hope that is written in the song. Christ is to be set forth as the Chiefest among ten thousand, and the One altogether lovely. He is to be set forth as the Giver of every good and perfect gift, the One in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. If we would do this, all narrowness must be set aside, and we must call into exercise the love of Christ. The joy we experience in this love will be a blessing to others.LLM 245.6
I am bidden to say to the sanitarium family, Let your social meetings, and all your religious exercises be characterized by a deep earnestness and a joy that expresses the love of God in the soul. Such meetings will be profitable to all; for they will bind heart to heart. Let there be earnest seasons of prayer; for prayer will give strength to the religious experiences. Confess Christ openly and bravely, and manifest at all times the meekness of Christ.LLM 246.1
The Lord would have the family of workers at Loma Linda be channels of light. If we will keep the heart and mind opened heavenward, cherishing the comfort of His grace in the heart, the presence of Christ will be revealed. Let earnestness and zeal come into your lives. Make no backward movements. The Lord is our helper, our guide, our shield, our exceeding great reward. Do not allow levity to come into your experience, but cultivate cheerfulness; for this is an excellent grace. We cannot afford to be unmindful of our words and deportment.LLM 246.2
During the past night I seemed to be standing before a large congregation, speaking to the people the words of life. I long to understand more perfectly about this meeting that was presented to me. I seemed to hear the sweet melody of praise to God, and expressions of gratitude were coming from souls that were the recipients of the grace of Christ. The voice of praise and thanksgiving was heard, and countenances were aglow with the light of the love of God. It seemed that angel's voices united with those in the meeting who were offering praise to God.LLM 246.3
My father was a very cheerful Christian. No doleful testimony was ever suffered to go forth from his lips. When those about him were giving mournful testimonies, his voice would be heard, “What doth much increase the store? When I thank Him, He gives me more.”LLM 246.4
We all have very much to be thankful for; let us open our lips in praise and thanksgiving to God. Let us come nearer to the Lord Jesus, and acknowledge our daily obligations to Him. He has made it possible for us to secure for ourselves a very happy life even in this world of sin, and holds out the hope of being continually in His presence in the kingdom He is preparing for His people. Should not these thoughts call forth from us praise and thanksgiving? May the Lord bless you, and bless the sanitarium family, is my prayer.LLM 246.5
Ellen G. White