“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 KJV) Forgetting About Ourselves Paul said that he had been “crucified with Christ.” In other words, he had to stop thinking about himself in order to live for God. And we are encouraged to do the same. At this point you may be thinking, “What about me? Who is going to take care of me?” This is usually what prevents us from living the way God wants us to live. It always comes back to me. We are so accustomed to seeing our desires satisfied that the very thought of forgetting about ourselves even for one day can be frightening. But if we can muster up the courage to try it, we will be amazed at the freedom and joy we experience. The secret to having joy is giving your life away rather than trying to keep it. When you get the focus off of you and onto God, God can show you how to live a truly meaningful life. I encourage you to start your days by dedicating yourself to God. When you do, He will faithfully help you live a godly life. Prayer Starter: Lord, I offer You my eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet, heart, finances, gifts, talents, abilities, time, energy, all of me! It’s not about me. It’s all about You.-Joyce Meyer:Promises For Your Everyday...

Why Satan Seeks to Weaken Self-control—Satan seeks to lower the standard of purity and to weaken the self-control of those who enter the marriage relation, because he knows that while the baser passions are in the ascendancy, the moral powers grow steadily weaker, and he need have no concern as to their spiritual growth. He knows, too, that in no way can he better stamp his own hateful image upon their offspring, and that he can thus mold their character even more readily than he can the character of the parents. [12] – {AH 124.1} Adventist Home By Ellen G. WhiteH The Privileges of the Marriage Relation—Those professing to be Christians … should duly consider the result of every privilege [Note: On another occasion Mrs. White speaks of the “Privacy And Privileges Of The Family Relation.” See Testimonies for the Church 2:90.—Compilers.] of the marriage relation, and sanctified principle should be the basis of every action. [5] – {AH 122.1} In very many cases the parents … have abused their marriage privileges, and by indulgence have strengthened their animal passions. [6] – {AH 122.2} Adventist Home...

Our lives will not be all sunshine; there will be trials. “In the world ye shall have tribulation,” says Christ; but in me ye shall have peace. But the trials are for a purpose. Pride, selfishness, evil passions, and love of worldly pleasures, must all be overcome; therefore afflictions come to test and prove us, and show that these evils exist in the character. We must overcome them through divine strength and grace, that we may become like Jesus, our perfect pattern. Afflictions, crosses, temptations, adversity,—all our varied trials—are God’s workmen to refine and sanctify us, and make us channels of light to the world. And “our light affliction,” says Paul, “which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” – {BEcho July 15, 1892 Par. 6} Bible Echo : Ellen G....

Isaiah 38:1-5 King James Version (KJV) 38 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, 3 And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. 4 Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying, 5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen...

1 John 2:15-17 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” While this verse instructs us to not love the world, John 3:16 says that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. Know this, God’s redemptive plan to save us does not include saving the lust or pride of this earth that came with the fall of man. Ever since that day when Adam and Eve fell, man has been enslaved to those kind of sins. God loves us and orchestrated salvation through His Son in order to deliver us from that sinful nature that was birthed in us. Because of Jesus, we are able to believe by grace through faith in Him and be led by the Holy Spirit. Verse/Commentary courtesy of ‘Verse-A-Day’...

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16. – {BEcho July 15, 1892 Par. 1} Jesus is to be reflected in the Christian’s deportment; our characters must be beautiful with the graces of heaven. The presence of God is to be an abiding presence with us; wherever we are, we are to carry light to the world. Those around us should realize that the atmosphere of heaven surrounds us. – {BEcho July 15, 1892 Par. 2} Bible Echo: Ellen G....

    “For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:30-31 KJV...