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| To Each a Work Appointed by God — Years ago I saw that our people were far behind in obtaining that knowledge which would qualify them for positions of trust in the cause. Every member of the church should put forth efforts to qualify himself to do work for the master. To each has been appointed a work, according to his ability. Even now, at the eleventh hour, we should arouse to educate men of ability for the work, that they may, while occupying positions of trust themselves, be educating by precept and example all who are associated with them. { PM 79.4}
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| One man, B by name, came all the way from Michigan with a special message for Sister White. He said that Sister White had been appointed by God to occupy the position occupied by Moses, and that he, B, was to occupy the position of Joshua. Thus the work was to be carried forward. Sister White’s work was to be united with his work, and we were to proclaim the truth with power. { 1SM 43.3}
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| The Saviour called his disciples to him and bade them mark the widow’s poverty; and as they stood looking at her, words of commendation from the Master’s lips fell unexpectedly upon her ear: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all.” Tears of joy filled the poor woman’s eyes as she felt that her act was understood and appreciated by Jesus. Many would have advised her to appropriate her small pittance to her own use rather than to give it into the hands of well-fed priests, to be lost among the many and costly gifts donated to the temple; but Jesus understood the motives of her heart. She believed in the service of the temple as appointed by God, and she was anxious to do her utmost to sustain it. She did what she could, and her act was destined to be as a monument to her memory through all time, and her joy in eternity. Her heart went with her gift, the amount of which was estimated, not by its intrinsic value, but by the love to God and interest in his work which had prompted the deed. { 3SP 72.1 }
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| Oh, how much better it would be if all who do this were connected with some other work than the sacred institutions appointed by God as His great centers! They are supposed to be under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; but this is a mistake. They do not do the work of God faithfully; they do not give evidence that they realize its sacred character. Their influence misleads others, causing them to regard lightly God’s instrumentalities ordained for the saving of souls, and leading them to think that they may bring in their own ideas and common thoughts and plans. Thus a low, cheap level is reached, and God is greatly dishonored. { TM 402.3}
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| Christ’s presence and His word, “Lo, I am with you alway,” is our wisdom and our righteousness. It is the living Presence that makes the living Word. The kingdom comes to us not in word only, but in power. It is unwavering faith in Christ’s presence that gives us power. Press forward unitedly to the help of the Lord, all of one heart and one mind. Depend not on human wisdom. Look beyond human beings to the One appointed by God to carry our griefs and sorrows. Taking God at His word, move forward with steadfast, persevering faith. You will see of His salvation. { AUCR June 15, 1902, par. 5 }
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| The Lord calls upon young men to enter the harvest field and work diligently as harvest hands. He calls upon them to work for him, not to labor with the churches already established, but to connect with experienced laborers in work in the great harvest field. Let young men of ability go forth and trade on their talents. As they go, let them trust to the guidance of the Lord. No one living has been appointed by God to say what subject matter they shall present to the people. He who has called young men to labor in the gospel will give them evidence that they are chosen vessels, and will give them words to speak to the people. God’s ministers are not to be made mere machines to grind out certain subjects by human dictation. { SW January 29, 1901, par. 2 }
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| When David commanded what was contrary to God’s law, it became sin to obey. “The authorities that exist are appointed by God” ( Romans 13:1), but we are not to obey them contrary to God’s law. The apostle Paul explains the principle by which we should be governed: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” ( 1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV). { BOE 363.4 }
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not appointed by God
| Those who have any connection with God’s work in any of our institutions must have a connection with God, and must be committed to do right under all circumstances that they may know where they will be found in the day of trial. No one connected with the sacred work of God can remain on neutral ground. If a man is divided, undecided, unsettled, until he is sure that he will lose nothing, he shows that he is a man God cannot use. But many are working in this line. They have not been appointed by God, or else they have decidedly failed to be worked by the mighty agency of the Holy Spirit. { SpTA10 38.2 } |
| Those who have any connection with God’s work in any of our institutions must have a connection with God, and must be committed to do right under all circumstances, that they may know where they will be found in the day of trial. No one connected with the sacred work of God can remain on neutral ground. If a man is divided, undecided, unsettled, until he is sure that he will lose nothing, he shows that he is a man God can not use. But many are working in this line. They have not been appointed by God, or else they have decidedly failed to be worked by the mighty agency of the Holy Spirit. — Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, page 403.2 { ChL 51.2}
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