"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord."  {ST, September 29, 1887 par. 1} 

What greater promises could be given us than are found in these verses?  A cunning and cruel foe attends our steps, and is working every moment, with all his strength and skill, to turn us from the right way.  Ever since he succeeded in overcoming our first parents in their beautiful Eden home, he has been engaged in this work.  More than six thousand years of continual practice has greatly increased his skill to deceive and allure.  On the other hand, he who once yields to temptation becomes spiritually weak, and yields more readily the second time.  Every repetition of sin blinds his eyes, stifles conviction, and weakens his power of resistance.  Thus while the power of the human race to resist temptation is continually decreasing, Satan's skill and power to tempt are continually increasing.  This is one great reason why the temptations of the last days will be more severe than those of any other age.  {ST, September 29, 1887 par. 2} 

Your life is precious in the sight of God.  He has a work for you to do.  It is not unfolded to you now, but just walk on trustingly without a single word of doubt, because this would grieve the dear Jesus and show that you were afraid to trust Him.  Lay your hand in His ... Oh, what love, what tender love has Jesus manifested in our behalf!  The Bible promises are the pinks and the roses and the lilies in the garden of the Lord.  Oh, how many walk a dark path, looking to the objectionable, unlovely things on either side of them, when a step higher are the flowers!  They think they have no right to say they are children of God and to lay hold on the promises set before them in the gospel, because they do not have the evidence of their acceptance with God.  They go through painful struggles, afflicting their souls as did Martin Luther before he learned to cast himself upon Christ's righteousness.  {4MR 179.2} 

Avoid running into temptation.  When temptations surround you, and you cannot control the circumstances which expose you to them, then you may claim the promise of God and with confidence and conscious power exclaim, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).  There is strength for you all in God.  But you will never feel your need of that strength which alone is able to save you unless you feel your weakness and sinfulness.  {1MCP 317.3} 

"Wherefore," the apostle Peter continues, "I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth."  No matter how long the Christian pilgrim may have been traveling in the way of life eternal, he needs often to recount the mercies of his heavenly Father, and gather hope and courage from the promises of the Word.  Daily he is to remember that an eternal life insurance policy is offered to every one who gives diligence to do those things that will bring growth in grace and in a knowledge of the truth.  Laying aside all manner of foolishness and unprofitable conversation, he is to seek to come into right relationship with God, that he may reveal the fruits of the Spirit.  {NPU Gleaner, March 9, 1910 par. 7} 

The followers of Christ must aim to reach a high standard, and God has promised them help in this work.  In his word are many promises of his love and care.  The youth who desire to be faithful followers of Christ will not place themselves on doubtful ground.  They will not associate with those of a trifling character, but, daily depending on God for strength, watching unto prayer, they will keep their morals pure.  They will withdraw from every circle that would lead them to be careless and dishonor God.  They will write "forbidden" against the temptation to indulge in the use of tobacco in any form, to take the wine-cup, or to use any kind of intoxicating beverage.  Such youth will stand as under the shield of Omnipotence; they will be secure, defended as by an impregnable wall.  Because they thus co-operate with the will of God, and obey the "thus saith the Lord," the Holy Spirit is their constant safeguard.  They are partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  In the books of heaven it will be recorded of them that they are overcomers through the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.  {YI, November 12, 1896 par. 2} 

At every meeting we attend our prayers should ascend that at this very time, God will impart warmth and moisture to our souls.  As we seek God for the Holy Spirit, it will work in us meekness, humbleness of mind, a conscious dependence upon God for the perfecting latter rain.  If we pray for the blessing in faith, we shall receive it as God has promised.  {FLB 334.5}

Do not be afraid to trust God.  Rely upon his sure promise, "Ask, and ye shall receive."  Do not let go of the promise, even though you do not see an immediate answer to your prayers.  God is too wise to err, and too good to withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly.  Man is erring, and although his petitions may be sent up from an honest heart, he does not always ask for the things that are good for him or that will glorify God.  When this is so, our wise and good Father hears our prayers, and answers, sometimes immediately; but he gives us the things that are for our good and his own glory.  If we could look into his plan, we should clearly see that our prayers are answered in wisdom and love.  And through the temptations and trials of life the promise will be fulfilled, "I will guide thee with mine eye."  {SW, March 24, 1908 par. 12} 

All that has perplexed us in the providences of God will in the world to come be made plain.  The things hard to be understood will then find explanation.  The mysteries of grace will unfold before us.  Where our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken promises, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony.  We shall know that infinite love ordered the experiences that seemed most trying.  As we realize the tender care of Him who makes all things work together for our good, we shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.  {9T 286.2} 

"The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  At infinite cost the salvation of man has been purchased.  The world may refuse the gift, but this will not lessen its value, or relieve men of its responsibility.  When he was upon earth Jesus said to those who refused him, "Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life."  There are many who are refusing to respond to the drawing love of Christ today.  Jesus calls, but many refuse to respond to the invitation.  They will not avail themselves of the privilege of having Jesus for their personal Saviour.  They do not come in humility and faith, that they may know by a personal experience what they are to Jesus, and what he is to them.  But the promise is, "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied."  Jesus will not rest until he leads his followers unto the realms of perfect joy and glory.  {ST, February 27, 1893 par. 5}

The answer may come with sudden velocity and overpowering might; or it may be delayed for days and weeks, and our faith receive a trial.  But God knows how and when to answer our prayer.  It is our part of the work to put ourselves in connection with the divine channel.  God is responsible for his part of the work.  He is faithful who hath promised.  The great and important matter with us is to be of one heart and mind, putting aside all envy and malice, and, as humble supplicants, to watch and wait.  Jesus, our Representative and Head, is ready to do for us what he did for the praying, watching ones on the day of Pentecost.  {3SP 272.2} 

There is a work to be done by the Holy Spirit in the heart; when this is accomplished, bitter tears will no longer flow forth, but the promise will be fulfilled, "The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14).  You can stand only in God.  When the heart is reconciled to God, the fact will be made manifest in your association with your brethren.  It will be seen that Christ is abiding in the soul temple.  {UL 314.7} 

When the Third Angel's Message shall go forth with a loud voice, the whole earth shall be lightened with His glory, the Holy Spirit is poured out upon His people.  The revenue of glory has been accumulating for this closing work of the Third Angel's Message.  The prayers that have been ascending for the fulfillment of the promise, the descent of the Holy Spirit, not one has been lost.  Each prayer has been accumulating, ready to overflow and pour forth a healing flood of heavenly influence and accumulated light all over the world.   {1MR 180.2} 

If we walk in the light, we may come to the throne of grace with holy boldness.  We may present the promises of God in living faith, and urge our petitions.  Although we are weak, and erring, and unworthy, "the Spirit helpeth our infirmities."  But too often our prayers are moulded by coldness and backsliding.  Those who do not deny self and lift the cross of Christ, will have no courage to approach a heart-searching God.  We must learn to watch unto prayer, and to be importunate.  We must accustom ourselves to seek divine guidance through prayer; we must learn to trust in Him from whom our help cometh.  Our desires should be unto God; our souls should go out after Him, and their attitude should always be that of supplication.  {BEcho, September 24, 1894 par. 5} 

And to all who seek him with true repentance, God gives the assurance: "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee."  These promises are full of comfort and hope and peace.  {RH, December 16, 1890 par. 30}