April 30Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light — 1 Pet. 2:9.
The very object of our being called into this light is that we may let it shine. If we do not let it shine we are unworthy of it, and the treasure will be taken away and we shall be left in darkness. If indeed we have received the light and have consecrated ourselves fully to God, let us ask ourselves, What am I doing to show forth the praises of Him who has called me out of darkness? Am I going forth with these tidings to my neighbors near and far? Can I truly affirm that I am: All for Jesus, all for Jesus-- All my being's ransomed powers; All my thoughts, and words, and doings, All my days and all my hours? —Z '03, 165 (R 3199). God's people are selected from the rest of mankind to become sharers in His Kingdom, a people separate from others and dedicated to the Lord, a possession entirely the Lord's. To such a destiny, to such a high privilege are they called, that they might reflect credit upon God by proclaiming in words and acts, His wisdom, justice, love and power. This being our calling, let us hold up His attributes before others by our teachings and example—P '36, 48. Parallel passages: Ex. 19:5, 6; Deut. 7:6; 10:15; Dan. 7:18, 22, 27; Isa. 61:6; 66:21; Zech. 6:12, 13; 1 Pet. 1:2; 2:5; Eph. 1:4, 5; Matt. 5:16; John 15:8; Titus 2:14; Acts 20:28; Rom. 8:23-25; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6; John 17:9. Hymns: 225, 41, 322, 153, 216, 310, 6. Poems of Dawn, 38: Lord, Here I Bring Myself. Tower Reading: Z '14, 151 (R 5460). Questions: How did this week's text affect me? In what circumstances? With what result? |
|
LORD, HERE I BRING MYSELF
LORD, here I bring myself,
'Tis all I have to give,
My heart's desire is wholly this,
Henceforth for Thee to live;
To own no will but Thine,
To suffer loss or shame,
All things to bear, if only I
May glorify Thy name;
Henceforth mine every power
Each day for thee to use,
My hands, my feet, my lips, mine all,
As Thou, my Lord, shalt choose.
Dear Lord, my constant prayer
Is for increase of grace,
That I by faith may walk with Thee,
Till I behold Thy face.
LORD, here I bring myself,
'Tis all I have to give,
My heart's desire is wholly this,
Henceforth for Thee to live;
To own no will but Thine,
To suffer loss or shame,
All things to bear, if only I
May glorify Thy name;
Henceforth mine every power
Each day for thee to use,
My hands, my feet, my lips, mine all,
As Thou, my Lord, shalt choose.
Dear Lord, my constant prayer
Is for increase of grace,
That I by faith may walk with Thee,
Till I behold Thy face.
