We should not become discouraged and give way to doubt, and think that our prayers are not noticed.  We should rely more securely upon Christ and leave our case with God to answer our prayers in His own way.  God has not promised to bestow His blessings through the channels we have marked out ... The plans of God are always the best, although we may not always discern them.  Perfection of Christian character can be obtained only through labor, conflict, and self-denial.  We do not always count upon this, and do not consider the painful and often protracted process of purifying necessary for us in order that we may be conformed to the image of Christ.  God frequently answers our prayers in a way we least expect.  He brings us into positions which are the most trying, to reveal what is in our hearts.  To further the development of Christian graces He will place us in circumstances which will demand increased exertion on our part to keep our faith in lively exercise.  {OHC 313.3} 

The life of obedience to all of God's commandments is a life of progression, a life of constant advancement.  As the elect, precious, have increased understanding of the mediatorial work of Jesus Christ, they see and grasp the rich promises that come through the righteousness of Christ.  The more they receive of the divine grace the more they work on the plan of addition.  {19MR 339.3} 

Why do we not so prepare our hearts that we will take the promise, and, through the operation of the Holy Spirit receive Christ as an ever abiding power, to be our sufficiency, our acknowledged power for maintaining our strength, that we may reveal to friend and foe that we have an abiding Christ?  It is the privilege of everyone to exert an influence, individually, as one who has received Christ and who believes in Him.  {2SAT 274.3} 

Sometimes the thought arises, Is it the will of God for me to stand almost alone, as it were, with those who ought to be standing with me and sustaining me, working in various ways to counteract the testimonies given me by God?  These reflections are extremely painful, but when I stand before the people, the power of God comes upon me, and I am strengthened to speak the word of reproof and warning.  And the promise is fulfilled, "The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you."  {1888 580.1}

Pray much.  Much prayer is necessary to successful effort.  Prayer brings strength.  Prayer has "subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, turned to flight the armies of aliens."  {SW, February 23, 1904 par. 6} 

The commandments of finite, sinful men are to sink into insignificance beside the Word of the eternal God.  Truth is to be obeyed at any cost, even tho gaping prisons, chain-gangs, and banishment stare us in the face.  If you are loyal and true, that God who walked with the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, who protected Daniel in the lions' den, who manifested himself to John on the lonely island, will go with you wherever you go.  His abiding presence will comfort and sustain you; and you will realize the fulfilment of the promise, "If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." {ST, May 6, 1897 par. 18} 

Keep your eye fixed upon Christ.  With humility of mind seek for a nearness to God.  In words, in conduct, in life, confess Christ.  Examine yourselves whether you are in the faith, and when God sends you a message, do not begin to criticise it, and see if it is suitable to put into print, but inquire, Does this message lay bare my condition?  Where am I in the Christian life?  Is my soul in the love of God?  Does Christ heal my backslidings?  Have I confessed my sins, and can I claim his promise?  Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.  Now is the time to prepare for the crisis, that when put to the test, you may stand, and having done all, stand.  {RH, May 10, 1892 par. 6} 

"The sower soweth the word."  Christ came to sow the world with truth.  Ever since the fall of man, Satan has been sowing the seeds of error.  It was by a lie that he first gained control over men, and thus he still works to overthrow God's kingdom in the earth and to bring men under his power.  A sower from a higher world, Christ came to sow the seeds of truth.  He who had stood in the councils of God, who had dwelt in the innermost sanctuary of the Eternal, could bring to men the pure principles of truth.  Ever since the fall of man, Christ had been the Revealer of truth to the world.  By Him the incorruptible seed, "the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever," is communicated to men.  1 Peter 1:23.  In that first promise spoken to our fallen race in Eden, Christ was sowing the gospel seed.  But it is to His personal ministry among men and to the work which He thus established that the parable of the sower especially applies.  {COL 37.1} 

We must not think that by walking in the path of obedience, we shall escape trials; for the enemy will do all in his power to hinder us from gaining heaven.  But the Saviour has promised to help us.  Have you trials?  So had Jesus.  Are you tempted?  So was He -- in all points like as we are.  He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.  He came unto His own, and His own received him not.  "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God."   "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."  {5MR 251.1} 

When, on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, they understood more fully the truths that Christ had spoken in parables.  Much of the teaching that had been a mystery to them was made clear.  But not even then did the disciples receive the complete fulfillment of Christ's promise.  They received all the knowledge of God that they could bear, but the complete fulfillment of the promise that Christ would show them plainly of the Father was yet to come.  Thus it is today.  Our knowledge of God is partial and imperfect.  When the conflict is ended, and the Man Christ Jesus acknowledges before the Father His faithful workers, who in a world of sin have borne true witness for Him, they will understand clearly what now are mysteries to them.  {MH 420.4} 

The conditions of eternal life, under grace, are just what they were in Eden -- perfect righteousness, harmony with God, perfect conformity to the principles of His law.  The standard of character presented in the Old Testament is the same that is presented in the New Testament.  This standard is not one to which we cannot attain.  In every command or injunction that God gives there is a promise, the most positive, underlying the command.  God has made provision that we may become like unto Him, and He will accomplish this for all who do not interpose a perverse will and thus frustrate His grace.  {MB 76.2} 

As you faithfully do your work, your mind will be assimilated to the mind of Christ.  By prayer and supplication seek for the promised blessing.  Ask God to give you a true comprehension of the work to be accomplished.  Do not allow yourself to be drawn away or hindered by any counter-influence.  Act faithfully your part in bringing blessing to your fellow men.  Praise God for the privilege of co-operating with him in his work.  As you put your whole heart into the work to be done, you will enter into true companionship with your fellow workers.  You will see Christ in your brethren.  {RH, March 1, 1906 par. 7}

Professing Christians need a decided re-conversion.  When they practice the teachings of Christ, they will find that his gentleness has made them great.  "Learn of me," is the Saviour's command.  Yea, learn how to present truth under the divine influence of the Holy Spirit.  There is power for those who receive Christ; for we read, "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."  His promise is that if we accept his invitation, we shall be anointed with the oil of gladness, which is emptied from the two anointed ones into the hearts prepared to receive it.  Shall we claim the promise?  Shall we not receive the anointing of the holy oil?  {SW, June 11, 1903 par. 3} 

Let us have that faith that takes hold of the promises of God, and will not let go; faith that will live in adversity, clouds and gloom, and although trembling, will find its way through every obstacle, up within the second vail, and there grasp the desired blessing.  A dead faith will do us no good.  We must have a living faith, and then we shall have a living experience.  {RH, January 10, 1856 par. 10}