​September 1

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel — Acts 9:15.
 
It is because we see Jesus to be the Father's choice that we unite ourselves to Him; it is because we see the Father's character manifested in Him that we leave all to follow Him. Similarly, if we lend our aid, our support to any human being in connection with the Divine Plan and service, it should be simply upon this ground—not merely a personal magnetism or favoritism, but because our hearts are touched by the Lord with a realization of the leader's being of His appointment—Z '03, 206 (R 3218).
 
Expressive is the figure here used. As a vessel is used by one to convey some blessing to another, so the servants of God are instruments for conveying the Lord's blessings to others. As a choice vessel would be used to convey the highest blessings, so Paul, a choice vessel in every way, has been used by the Lord to confer some of the richest blessings of Truth ever offered by the Almighty. As he ministered to Jews, Gentiles and even kings, so he left a permanent blessing, whose sweet odor permeates even to our times. His service has been of the largest fruitfulness. Like Paul we should seek to be choice vessels—P '32, 136.
 
Parallel passages: Acts 13:2; 22:21; 25:22, 23; 26:1, 17; Rom. 1:1, 5; 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 15:10; Gal. 1:15; 2:7, 8; Eph. 3:7, 8; 1 Tim. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:11.

Hymns: 44, 70, 116, 164, 210, 260, 309.
Poems of Dawn, 164: My Heart's Desire.
Tower Reading: Z '01, 182 (R 2823).

Questions: Have I this week testified to the Truth? How? Why? With what results?

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MY HEART'S DESIRE

DEAR Master, long I've sought
A grain of "wheat" to find,
My heart's desire has been,
Just one with truth to bind!

Perhaps Thou canst not trust
Thy servant with this work,
Because some earth-born pride
Within my breast doth lurk.

If thou dost find this, Lord,
Oh, send affliction's fire,
Burn out the dross, the gold refine,
And grant my heart's desire!

Perhaps I've sought a path,
Thou hast not marked for me,— 
Forgive, I only thought
Some work to do for Thee!

I own no will of mine,
The place I would not choose,
But simply give mine all
To Thee as Thou canst use.

My thoughts, my words, my deeds,
Dear Lord, make pure by fire,— ​
Ah, then, I know that Thou
Canst grant my heart's desire!

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