"Just prior to His leaving His disciples for the heavenly courts, Jesus encouraged them with the promise of the Holy Spirit."
"This promised blessing, if claimed by faith, would bring all other blessings in its train, and it is to be given liberally to the people of God."
"Through the cunning devices of the enemy, the minds of God's people seem to be incapable of comprehending and appropriating the promises of God."
"The power of God awaits their demand and reception."
"He who is endowed with the Holy Spirit has great capacities of heart and intellect, with strength of will and purpose that is unconquerable."
"How little men can do in the work of saving souls, and yet how much through Christ if they are imbued with His Spirit."
"The Holy Spirit must be the living agency to convince of sin."
"The Spirit of God working in the heart, co-operates with the working of God through His human instrumentalities."--Special Testimonies.
"We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the Holy Spirit as the disciples prayed on the day of Pentecost. If they needed it at that time, we need it more today."
"Without the Spirit and power of God, it will be in vain that we labour to present the truth." Testimony No, 31, p. 153.

God has determined to leave nothing undone to recover man from the toils of the enemy. After Christ's ascension, the Holy Spirit was given to man to assist all who would co-operate with Him in the reshaping and remodelling of the human character. The Holy Spirit's part of the work has been defined by our Saviour. He says, "He will convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment." The Holy Spirit is the convicter, and sanctifier as well. As none can repent of their sins until they are convicted, the necessity of uniting the Spirit with us in our labour to reach the fallen is apparent. All of our human abilities will be exercised in vain unless we are united to the heavenly intelligences. It is through the lack of a knowledge of the vitalizing truth, and the corrupting influence of error, that men are fallen so low, sunk in the depths of sinful degradation. Angels and men are to work in harmony to teach the truth of God to those who are unlearned therein, that they may be set free from the bonds of sin. It is the truth alone that makes men free. This liberty, this freedom through the knowledge of the truth, is to be proclaimed to every creature.

Jesus Christ, God Himself, and the angels of heaven are interested in this grand and holy work. Man has been given the exalted privilege of revealing the Divine Character by unselfishly engaging in the effort to rescue man from the pit of ruin into which he has been plunged. Every human being who will submit to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit is to be used for the accomplishment of this divinely conceived purpose. Christ is the head of His church, and it will glorify Him the more to have every portion of that church engaged in the work for the salvation of souls.

But the human workers need to leave more room for the Holy Spirit to work, that the labourers may be bound together, and move forward in the strength of a united body of soldiers. Let all remember that we are "a spectacle unto the world, to angels, and to men." Therefore they should enquire with meekness and fear, What is my path of duty? Entire consecration in the service of God will reveal the moulding influence of the Holy Spirit at every step along the way. When apparent impossibilities arise in your path, present the ever-ready, complete efficiency of the Holy Spirit before your unbelieving heart, that it may shame away your over-cautious spirit. When your faith is weak, your efforts feeble, talk of the great Comforter, the Strength of heaven. When you are inclined to doubt that God is working, by His Holy Spirit, through human agents, remember that God has used the church, and is using it to the glory of His own name. If men will not obstruct the way, God will move upon the minds of many more to engage in active service for Him.

The Great General is not only leading a few generals; but the Captain of the Lord's host is leading the armies of both heaven and earth to battle; and they are marching on to the glorious victory. Every soldier is to put on the whole armour of God, and fight courageously, realizing that he is battling in full view of the invisible universe. If they will obey orders, the Lord's army will find themselves influenced by the Holy Spirit to work the works of God. The battle-field is glorified with the light shining from the cross of Calvary.

The promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit is not comprehended as it should be; the privileges to be enjoyed through its acceptance are not appreciated as they might be. God desires that His church should lay hold by faith upon His promises, and ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to help them in every place. He assures us that He is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those that ask Him, than parents are to give good gifts unto their children. Since it is possible for every one to have the heavenly unction, "ye need not that any man teach you," and there is no excuse for shunning responsibilities; no duty should be unwelcome, no obligation evaded. Christ Himself is the renewing power, working in and through every soldier by the agency of the Holy Spirit. The efficiency of the Spirit of God will make effective the labours of all who are willing to submit to His guidance.

God is moving upon every mind that is open to receive the impressions of His Holy Spirit. He is sending out messengers that they may give the warnings in every locality. God is testing the devotion of His churches, and their willingness to render obedience to the Spirit's guidance. Knowledge is to be increased. The messengers of heaven are to be seen running to and fro, seeking in every way possible to warn the people of the coming judgments, and presenting the glad tidings of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. The standard of righteousness is to be exalted. The Spirit of God is moving upon men's hearts, and those who respond to its influence will become lights in the world. Everywhere they are seen going forth to communicate to others the light they have received, as they did after the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. And as they let their light shine they receive more and more of the Spirit's power. The earth is lighted with the glory of God.
E.G.W.

]]> http://wsjlradio.com/articles/the-great-need-of-the-holy-spirit/feed/ 0 http://wsjlradio.com/articles/tested-and-tried/ http://wsjlradio.com/articles/tested-and-tried/#comments Tue, 09 Nov 2010 02:10:18 +0000 admin http://wsjl.familyfirstradio.net/?p=104 Tested and Tried.

Christians will be tested and tried. But if they are sincerely trying to serve God, strength will be given them for every conflict. They are not to listen to the false reports that come to their ears, but are to go straight forward in the path of duty. They are to learn to think for themselves, and their actions are ever to be in accordance with the word of God.

Do not go out of your way to call your enemy to account. His words of censure and malice are like sparks which, if not blown upon, will go out of themselves. Live down the evil reports of those whose tongues are set on fire of hell. If you stop to dispute, you will but open the way for further abuse. Often difficulties may be healed by silence. Let the evil talker alone. Go about your own work as one who has a sacred trust to fulfil. When you are criticised, move on as one who hears not. Your heart may be wounded: nevertheless, do not allow yourself to be turned aside from your work. Give your time and attention to matters of eternal interest.

Christ is your example. He came to this world, and in humanity lived the life that He desires you to live. Study His plans and methods and purposes. His life is our lesson book. A divine-human Saviour, He stands before us with the invitation, "Come unto Me, . . . and I will give you rest. . . . .My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

The life of Christ is a perfect revelation of the character of God. What then is our duty? Paul tells us. Christ revealed Himself to Paul as he was persecuting the saints, and the apostle declares. "I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision." Henceforth his one desire was to preach Christ and Him crucified. Writing to the Ephesians he says, "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ: and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

To us, also, this trust has been given,--the work of making known the unsearchable riches of Christ. How high a privilege is ours, and how willingly we should make all else secondary to the fulfilment of this trust!
E. G. W.