February 3My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh — Prov. 4:20, 22.
Few recognize the influence of the mind over the body. God has so organized our beings that pure, noble, holy thoughts in general have not only an elevating and ennobling effect upon the mental and moral constitution, but also an invigorating influence upon the physical system. And, on the contrary, every unclean, ignoble, unchaste, unholy thought (as well as act) has a direct effect not only toward debasement of mind and morals, but also toward the germination of seeds of disease already in the constitution of the fallen race—Z '96, 180 (R 2013). God exhorts His children to apply both their minds and their hearts to His teachings. No wonder He wishes us to learn His Word, since through the Word of God we are fitted for life everlasting. Not only to the elect of the Gospel Age, but also to the non-elect of the Millennial Age will the Word give life. It is the fountain of eternal life as well as of perpetual youth; and he who finds and drinks this water finds what the Spaniard sought in vain—the fountain of perpetual youth and life—P '27, 15. Parallel passages: Ex. 13:9; Deut. 29:29; Josh. 1:8; Job 23:12; Psa. 12:6; 17:4; 19:7-11; 119:9, 11-20; Prov. 6:20-23; Matt. 7:24-27; Luke 11:28; John 5:24; 17:17. Hymns: 296, 79, 49, 311, 306, 322, 22. Poems of Dawn, 8: How Readest Thou? Tower Reading: Z '13, 163 (R 5246). Questions: Have I this week meditated on the Word? How? When? With what results? |
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HOW READEST THOU?
LUKE 10:16
'TIS one thing now to read the Bible through,
Another thing to read, to learn and do;
'Tis one thing now to read it with delight,
And quite another thing to read it right.
Some read it with design to learn to read,
But to the subject pay but little heed;
Some read it as their duty once a week,
But no instruction from the Bible seek;
Whilst others read it without common care,
With no regard to how they read or where.
Some read it as a history, to know
How people lived three thousand years ago.
Some read to bring unto themselves repute,
By showing others how they can dispute;
Whilst others read because their neighbors do,
To see how long 'twill take to read it through.
Some read it for the wonders that are there,
How David killed a lion and a bear;
Whilst others read—or rather in it look—
Because, perhaps, they have no other book.
Some read the blessed Book—they don't know why,
It somehow happens in the way to lie;
Whilst others read it with uncommon care,
But all to find some contradictions there.
One reads with father's specs upon his head,
And sees the thing just as his father did;
Another reads through Campbell or through Scott,
And thinks it means exactly what they thought.
Some read to prove a pre-adopted creed,
Thus understand but little what they read;
And every passage in the Book they bend
To make it suit that all-important end.
Some read the Book to find that God is love,
Whilst others read—the opposite to prove.
Some people read, as I have often thought,
To teach the Book, instead of being taught.
LUKE 10:16
'TIS one thing now to read the Bible through,
Another thing to read, to learn and do;
'Tis one thing now to read it with delight,
And quite another thing to read it right.
Some read it with design to learn to read,
But to the subject pay but little heed;
Some read it as their duty once a week,
But no instruction from the Bible seek;
Whilst others read it without common care,
With no regard to how they read or where.
Some read it as a history, to know
How people lived three thousand years ago.
Some read to bring unto themselves repute,
By showing others how they can dispute;
Whilst others read because their neighbors do,
To see how long 'twill take to read it through.
Some read it for the wonders that are there,
How David killed a lion and a bear;
Whilst others read—or rather in it look—
Because, perhaps, they have no other book.
Some read the blessed Book—they don't know why,
It somehow happens in the way to lie;
Whilst others read it with uncommon care,
But all to find some contradictions there.
One reads with father's specs upon his head,
And sees the thing just as his father did;
Another reads through Campbell or through Scott,
And thinks it means exactly what they thought.
Some read to prove a pre-adopted creed,
Thus understand but little what they read;
And every passage in the Book they bend
To make it suit that all-important end.
Some read the Book to find that God is love,
Whilst others read—the opposite to prove.
Some people read, as I have often thought,
To teach the Book, instead of being taught.