Ellen G. White Estate

Struggling to Pray? This Simple Advice Will Help!

“The life of prayer is the strength of true godliness. Our faith must be revealed to the world as a living, acting faith, bringing in its train all the Christian graces. The great and glorious work committed to us in acting a part in the plan of salvation is wonderfully high and exalted. We cannot weigh its merits. We are to walk by faith; and as we strive to appreciate the possibilities, and realize the immensity of the plan of salvation, it is our privilege to pray with the apostle Paul, that we may be able to “comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of God, which passeth knowledge.” [Ephesians 3:18, 19.] Lift Him up, the Man of Calvary. Let the mind dwell upon the beauties of His character, until by beholding, you become changed into the same image. A life of prayer and faith will lead us to speak of His praise and tell of His power. We must search the Word of God, making it a part of ourselves. A spirit of humility, the Spirit of Christ, will help us to know Him who has called us to glory and virtue.”

— Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 22 (1907), Lt 28, 1907, par. 6

A Sabbath Rest Isn’t Optional — It's Sacred!

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. There is no doubt in the commandment; all is positive. God sanctified the very day of His rest. The foundation of the Sabbath was laid when the foundation of the earth was laid. The man of sin has led the way in tampering with God’s Sabbath, and the Christian world has followed and has dressed up Sunday in Christian garb and presented it to the world. God hates robbery for offerings. Never before has there been a time when there was such a need for the people of God to vindicate and magnify the law of God. When we see the law made void, what position should we occupy? Should we compromise? No; because the world chooses to transgress the law is no reason why we should do so. There is a world that is going down to ruin. God bears long with evil and therefore men presume upon His clemency. But God keeps a reckoning with nations, as is seen in case of the Amorites. What shall we do in this time when iniquity is prevailing?

— Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 4 (1883 - 1886), Ms 6, 1884, par. 5

Thinking About Marriage?

Wisdom Every Future Spouse Should Read First

A sincere Christian will not advance his plans in this direction without the knowledge that God approves his course. He will not want to choose for himself, but will feel that God must choose for him. We are not to please ourselves, for Christ pleased not Himself. I would not be understood to mean that anyone is to marry one whom he does not love. This would be sin. But fancy and the emotional nature must not be allowed to lead on to ruin. God requires the whole heart, the supreme affections.

— The Review and Herald, September 25, 1888.

Make Haste Slowly — Few have correct views of the marriage relation. Many seem to think that it is the attainment of perfect bliss; but if they could know one quarter of the heartaches of men and women that are bound by the marriage vow in chains that they cannot and dare not break, they would not be surprised that I trace these lines. Marriage, in a majority of cases, is a most galling yoke. There are thousands that are mated but not matched. The books of heaven are burdened with the woes, the wickedness, and the abuse that lie hidden under the marriage mantle.

— The Adventist Home, p. 43.3

Are you depressed?

We do not wish to consult our own feelings; we do not wish to be depressed if we feel that a discouragement comes upon us. We are not to allow ourselves to be depressed, because the promises are for us, and we are to take them. We are to rejoice in the promises, and we are to be made glad in Jesus Christ. Why, it is everything to us whether we are in a living connection with Jesus Christ, or not. It is everything. And if we do not always feel that we are in an exalted position of enjoyment, that is no evidence that we are not the Lord’s.

Trials will come upon us. Others’ trials will come upon us; as we see that there is danger, any danger to any of Christ’s disciples, we shall feel sad, we shall feel grieved and distressed. But we can go to them just as Christ has told us in the early part of the history, and just tell your difficulties or tell how you feel between Him and you alone. And then you may be reconciled to your brother or your sister, and they to you. You may remove a great difficulty out of their way by a little explanation, so that you can be in harmony.

— Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 23 (1908), Ms 141, 1908, par. 5-6

Unless some question of vital importance is involved, be ready to yield your own opinion rather than to create a dispute. Even though you may by argument gain your point, yet you may place a burden upon some one else far outweighing the advantage you think you will gain. It is hard to heal the wounds caused by harsh words.

Often you may preserve peace by guarding the tongue. Never introduce into your conversation matters that will create strife, hurting your own soul and the souls of others. Keep your differences to yourself. Tell them only to God.

Do not let Satan mold and fashion you. He ever stands ready to put evil insinuations into your mind. He seeks to justify himself in his course of rebellion against God by demonstrating that human beings upon the earth can no more keep the law of God than could he and his angels in heaven.

“Ye are not your own.” The Lord Jesus has a right to your wholehearted and faithful, persevering energies. “Ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20]

— Letters and Manuscripts, Volume 18 (1903), Ms 60, 1903, par. 7

“When I first found myself in a state of helplessness, I deeply regretted having crossed the broad waters [to Australia]. Why was I not in America? Why at such expense was I in this country [Australia]? Time and again I could have buried my face in the bed quilts and had a good cry. But I did not long indulge in the luxury of tears. I said to myself, “Ellen G. White, what do you mean? Have you not come to Australia because you felt that it was your duty to go where the Conference judged it best for you to go? Has not this been your practice?” I said “Yes.” “Then why do you feel almost forsaken, and discouraged? Is not this the enemy’s work?” I said, “I believe it is.” I dried my tears as quickly as possible and said, “It is enough; I will not look on the dark side any more. Live or die, I commit the keeping of my soul to Him who died for me.” I then believed that the Lord would do all things well, and during this eight months of helplessness, I have not had any despondency or doubt. I now look at this matter as a part of the Lord’s great plan, for the good of His people here in this country and for those in America and for my good. I cannot explain why or how, but I believe it. And I am happy in my affliction; I can trust my Heavenly Father.”

—Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 7 (1891-1892), Lt 18A, 1892, par. 4

If Satan can so deceive human minds as to change the day God has pronounced blessed and holy, then there is no sacred day. The Lord's memorial is of no value, for it ceases to be a memorial that He is the Creator of the world, its Lord and Sovereign. Satan claims to have the possession of the world, and he offered it as a bribe to Christ if He would fall down and worship him, but the Lord Jesus rebuked him. Satan hated Christ because He was preferred before him. He hated Him because he saw Him rolling back the hellish darkness of the hellish shadow he had thrown over the Sabbath, which loaded it with traditions and customs. It became of no force, but was a rigorous burden in the place of being regarded as “a delight, the holy of the Lord,” and “honourable.” [Isaiah 58:13.] If he made the Sabbath to be dishonored, then the Lord would be dishonored. Christ came to reveal God, to place the Sabbath free from the human traditions and rubbish under which it had been buried, and place it on its eternal basis.

—Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 7 (1891-1892), Ms 43B, 1891, par. 11