Sunday
March 5
1. AWAKENING TO THE NEED
a. What summarizes the state of things among the people of the world-and our duty toward these souls perishing in darkness? Job 24:1-13; 29:16.
We are made the depositaries of rich blessings and have monopolized them as if they were wholly our own; but all who are enlightened by the grace of Christ should communicate the same to others. For God, through the Comforter, will work with every effort made in sincerity and truth, with His glory in view. He has paid the redemption price for a lost world, the world that Jesus loved, the world for which He died. Let the compassion and love of Jesus urge us to earnest efforts to reveal Christ to the world.-The Signs of the Times, December 7, 1891.
Heaven stands indignant at the neglect shown to the souls of men. Would we know how Christ regards it? How would a father and mother feel, did they know that their child, lost in the cold and the snow, had been passed by, and left to perish, by those who might have saved it? Would they not be terribly grieved, wildly indignant? Would they not denounce those murderers with wrath hot as their tears, intense as their love? The sufferings of every man are the sufferings of God's child, and those who reach out no helping hand to their perishing fellow beings provoke His righteous anger. This is the wrath of the Lamb.-The Desire of Ages, p. 825.
Monday
March 6
2. THE SHEEP OUTSIDE THE FOLD
a. What does Jesus prophesy about faithful souls in other Christian denominations? John 10:16.
We should not go out of our way to make hard thrusts at the Catholics. Among the Catholics there are many who are most conscientious Christians and who walk in all the light that shines upon them, and God will work in their behalf. Those who have had great privileges and opportunities, and who have failed to improve their physical, mental, and moral powers, but who have lived to please themselves and have refused to bear their responsibility, are in greater danger and in greater condemnation before God than those who are in error upon doctrinal points, yet who seek to live to do good to others. Do not censure others; do not condemn them.-Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 243.
Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness and alienation from God that exist in the churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ's true followers are still to be found in their communion. There are many of these who have never seen the special truths for this time. Not a few are dissatisfied with their present condition and are longing for clearer light. They look in vain for the image of Christ in the churches with which they are connected. As these bodies depart further and further from the truth, and ally themselves more closely with the world, the difference between the two classes will widen, and it will finally result in separation. The time will come when those who love God supremely can no longer remain in connection with such as are 'lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof' (2 Timothy 3:4, 5).
Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting the threefold warning of Revelation 14:6-12, the church will have fully reached the condition foretold by the second angel, and the people of God still in Babylon will be called upon to separate from her communion. This message is the last that will ever be given to the world; and it will accomplish its work. When those that 'believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness' (2 Thessalonians 2:12), shall be left to receive strong delusion and to believe a lie, then the light of truth will shine upon all whose hearts are open to receive it, and all the children of the Lord that remain in Babylon will heed the call: 'Come out of her, My people' (Revelation 18:4)."-The Great Controversy, p. 390.
Tuesday
March 7
3. A DISTINCTIVE BANNER
a. What illustration does the psalmist use to depict our spiritual calling? Psalm 60:4. Describe one pathway that may cause us to lose sight of that high calling.
Dear Brother and Sister B: You have both been presented before me as in danger spiritually. You were leaving the right path and were placing your feet in a broader road. Sister B was saying many things, in jots and tittles, here a little and there a little, which were as seed sown, and the harvest will surely come. She was encouraging unbelief and telling her husband that the road they had been traveling was altogether too narrow and lowly. She thought that her husband's qualifications were of a high order and should be exercised in a broader and more influential manner. Brother B was of the very same mind; in fact, he had led her into this train of thought. You both held the banner upon which was inscribed, 'The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus;' but as you met in your way with people whom you thought were popular, down came the banner, and you put it behind your backs, saying: 'If we let it be known that we are Seventh-day Adventists, then our influence will be at an end, and we shall lose many advantages.' I saw the banner of truth trailing behind you. Then the question arose: 'Why carry it at all? We can believe that which we see to be truth, but we need not let the educators and students know that we bear this unpopular banner.' There were those in your company who were not pleased or satisfied with these suggestions, but they weakly followed your influence in place of letting their light shine by holding aloft their standard. They hid their banners and marched on, fearing to let the light which was given them of heaven shine before all.
I saw one approaching you with firm tread and grieved countenance. He said: 'Let no man take your crown.' Have you forgotten the humiliation endured by the Son of God in coming to our world, how He suffered abuse, reproach, insult, hatred, mockery, and betrayal, how He endured the shameful trial in the judgment hall after having suffered the superhuman assaults of Satan in the Garden of Gethsemane? Have you forgotten the wild cry from the mob, 'Crucify Him, crucify Him,' and how He died as a malefactor? Is the servant greater than his Lord? The followers of Jesus will not be popular, but will be like their Master, meek and lowly of heart. You are seeking to climb to the highest seat, but will find yourselves at last in the lowest."-Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 501, 502.
Wednesday
March 8
4. FAMILY GOALS
a. How can the aims and choices made by John the Baptist and his parents be an inspiration to families today? Luke 1:5-17; 3:1-4.
It was John's choice to forgo the enjoyments and luxuries of city life for the stern discipline of the wilderness. Here his surroundings were favorable to habits of simplicity and self-denial. Uninterrupted by the clamor of the world, he could here study the lessons of nature, of revelation, and of providence. The words of the angel to Zacharias had been often repeated to John by his God-fearing parents. From his childhood his mission had been kept before him, and he accepted the holy trust.-Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 221.
b. What distraction hinders many of us from the call of the hour? Luke 12:15.
Many, when they begin to gather earthly riches, commence to calculate how long it will be before they can be in possession of a certain sum. In their anxiety to amass wealth for themselves they fail to become rich toward God.-Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 403.
c. Along with this same preoccupation over material riches, what other obsession is distracting many of our youth away from the most important work in life? 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Proverbs 21:5.
The young are bewitched with the mania for courtship and marriage. Lovesick sentimentalism prevails. Great vigilance and tact are needed to guard the youth from these wrong influences. Many parents are blind to the tendencies of their children. Some parents have stated to me, with great satisfaction, that their sons or daughters had no desire for the attentions of the opposite sex, when in fact these children were at the same time secretly giving or receiving such attentions, and the parents were so much absorbed in worldliness and gossip that they knew nothing about the matter.-Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 60.
Thursday
March 9
5. A FRESH OUTLOOK
a. Why is it often necessary to reevaluate our life goals? Matthew 6:19-21.
You who are the elect and chosen ones are to receive the divine commission to yoke up with Christ. You must never grow weary in well-doing. The highest honor that can be conferred upon human beings, be they young or old, rich or poor, is to be permitted to lift up the oppressed, comfort the feeble-minded, and support the weak. The world is full of suffering; go, heal the sick, pray for the hopeless, preach the gospel to the poor.-The Youth's Instructor, November 2, 1899.
b. Describe one way that families can revitalize their experience. Psalm 126:6.
Self-supporting missionaries are often very successful. Beginning in a small, humble way, their work enlarges as they move forward under the guidance of the Spirit of God. Let two or more start out together in evangelistic work. They may not receive any particular encouragement from those at the head of the work that they will be given financial support; nevertheless let them go forward, praying, singing, teaching, living the truth. They may take up the work of canvassing, and in this way introduce the truth into many families. As they move forward in their work they gain a blessed experience. They are humbled by a sense of their helplessness, but the Lord goes before them, and among the wealthy and the poor they find favor and help. Even the poverty of these devoted missionaries is a means of finding access to the people. As they pass on their way they are helped in many ways by those to whom they bring spiritual food. They bear the message God gives them, and their efforts are crowned with success. Many will be brought to a knowledge of the truth who, but for these humble teachers, would never have been won to Christ.-Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 23.
Friday
March 10
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What special work should be done in behalf of the sheep that are still in the other fields?
2. How can I exert a better influence in my family-to realign our priorities?