- The Author
- Foreword
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- Promise of Peace, January 1
- With One Accord, January 2
- Next Door to Heaven, January 3
- Cultivating the Soil, January 4
- Thou God Seest Me, January 5
- The Conflict Over, January 6
- Appreciating the Promises, January 7
- Christian Humility, January 8
- Beautiful Garments, January 9
- Antidote for Apathy, January 10
- Reconciliation First, January 11
- No Sleeping on the Job, January 12
- Agents for Heaven, January 13
- Have You Asked? January 14
- Help Is Promised, January 15
- Powerhouse of the Universe, January 16
- The Measure of Christianity, January 17
- Do All You Can Do, January 18
- One Day at a Time, January 19
- Heaven on My Side, January 20
- Brightest and Best, January 21
- Look at the Pattern, January 22
- Heavenly Dividends, January 23
- Perfect in Him, January 24
- Guidon of God, January 25
- Passport to Heaven, January 26
- Getting in Step, January 27
- Lord, You Know All About It! January 28
- The Christian's Rest, January 29
- Your Case Is Not Hopeless, January 30
- God Will Work With You, January 31
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- What God Expects, February 1
- How to Make an Impact, February 2
- For the Fearful, Faint, and Feeble, February 3
- Help in Study, February 4
- Blessings Without Number, February 5
- A Thankful Heart, February 6
- The Heavenly Mirror, February 7
- Strength From Struggle, February 8
- The New Life, February 9
- Promise of His Presence, February 10
- God's Goodness Displayed, February 11
- Ambassadors, February 12
- Heart Service, February 13
- Co-Laborers With God, February 14
- Reasonable Service, February 15
- God Hates Deception, February 16
- Take Time to Be Holy, February 17
- Heaven Begins Here, February 18
- Peace in His Presence, February 19
- Even a Child Is Known, February 20
- Strong in His Strength, February 21
- Anywhere, Lord, February 22
- Nothing to Fear, February 23
- How to Get Rid of Guilt, February 24
- Trust and Obey, February 25
- Secret of Sanctification, February 26
- Right Thinking, February 27
- Under Shepherds, February 28
- In His Steps, February 29
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- The Only Security, March 1
- Provoke to Love, March 2
- Acceptable Ambition, March 3
- Every Step of the Way, March 4
- More Than Words, March 5
- Open the Door, March 6
- Open the Top Windows! March 7
- What Love Does, March 8
- Follow the Directions, March 9
- Rule of Righteousness, March 10
- The Charming Christian, March 11
- Personal, Practical Piety, March 12
- Lighting the Path, March 13
- Birthright Blessings, March 14
- The Courteous Christian, March 15
- Assurance of Victory, March 16
- Talents Are for Use, March 17
- Price Tag of Sin, March 18
- Choosing and Doing, March 19
- Remedy for Ruin, March 20
- Contrition, Confession, Cooperation, March 21
- Probation and Perfection, March 22
- Behold His Solicitude! March 23
- The Consistent Christian, March 24
- Making Your Trial Balance, March 25
- Separating From Sin, March 26
- Settling Into Salvation, March 27
- His Abiding Presence, March 28
- Giving What You've Got, March 29
- Give Me Oil in My Lamp, March 30
- His Purchased Possession, March 31
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- Meeting the Requirements, April 1
- Heavenly Evaluation, April 2
- Triumph of the Truth, April 3
- Indescribable Glory, April 4
- Heavenly Guarantee, April 5
- Rectifying Wrong, April 6
- Christ, the Magnet, April 7
- Witnessing Instructions, April 8
- Living the New Life, April 9
- Shield of Protection, April 10
- The Majesty of God, April 11
- Kindness, a Virtue, April 12
- Christ, the Bread of Life, April 13
- Be His Messenger, April 14
- I Will Keep Thee, April 15
- Give as You Have Received, April 16
- Strength for the Day, April 17
- Constant Communion With God, April 18
- Repentance and Reformation, April 19
- Study to Be Approved, April 20
- Destiny for Eternity, April 21
- Prescription for Unity, April 22
- Look on the Bright Side, April 23
- Laws of Nature and Life, April 24
- Ever Onward, April 25
- The Christian Soldier, April 26
- Vindication of Our Message, April 27
- Guide Book to Salvation, April 28
- Complete Commitment, April 29
- Divine Prescription, April 30
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- Ellen White's Investments, May 1
- Achieving Through Christ, May 2
- Heavenly Invitation, May 3
- The Blessing of Labor, May 4
- Getting Rid of Sin, May 5
- Essentials of Salvation, May 6
- Recipe for Good Health, May 7
- Preparation for Heaven, May 8
- A Warning Dream, May 9
- Being Alive Unto God, May 10
- The Way, the Truth, the Life, May 11
- Ask, Believe, Claim, May 12
- Loving to Obey, May 13
- The Compassionate Christian, May 14
- Step by Step, May 15
- Unreserved Surrender, May 16
- Heart Holiness, May 17
- Fidelity to the Father's Family, May 18
- Obedience Is Sanctification, May 19
- Christ's Crowning Miracle, May 20
- Oneness With Christ, May 21
- The Purifying Process, May 22
- Securing Our Inheritance, May 23
- Zeal for Truth, May 24
- Sit in His Shadow, May 25
- Claiming the Privileges, May 26
- Rejoice in the Lord, May 27
- The Indwelling Christ, May 28
- Reverence the Cause, May 29
- Without Spot, May 30
- Our Guardian Angels, May 31
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- The Real Christian, June 1
- Our Magnanimous Lord, June 2
- The Door Is Still Open, June 3
- Let No Man Deceive You, June 4
- Individual Preparation, June 5
- The Cost of Salvation, June 6
- His Grace Is Sufficient, June 7
- Go Work Today, June 8
- Adorning the Gospel, June 9
- Harvesttime, June 10
- Persevering Prayer, June 11
- God's Care for His Church, June 12
- The Sustaining Spirit, June 13
- Guard the Approaches, June 14
- Immortal Inheritance, June 15
- The Wonder of the Cross, June 16
- Let Us Hold Fast, June 17
- Fidelity in Service, June 18
- Every Member a Missionary, June 19
- Glorious Heritage, June 20
- Invitation to All, June 21
- To Love Is to Serve, June 22
- God's Dealings With Men, June 23
- Guidance in Perplexity, June 24
- Healthful Living, June 25
- Working of the Spirit, June 26
- Prayer Power, June 27
- A Lamp to Our Path, June 28
- To Whom Shall We Go? June 29
- Christian Attitude and Ambitions, June 30
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- A Sympathizing Saviour, July 1
- Ye All Are Brethren, July 2
- No Place for Pride, July 3
- Jesus Cares, July 4
- Truth Will Triumph, July 5
- Preach the Word, July 6
- The Fruits of Repentance, July 7
- Come Quickly, Lord, July 8
- A Standard Against the Enemy, July 9
- To God Be the Glory, July 10
- Spiritual Salt, July 11
- Matchless Love, July 12
- Work a Blessing, July 13
- Perfect Faith, July 14
- Foolish Fanaticisms, July 15
- Eating for Life, July 16
- A Life Like His, July 17
- Talents Entrusted for Service, July 18
- An Ever Present Help, July 19
- Eat for Strength, July 20
- Let Your Light Shine, July 21
- An Open Door, July 22
- Do You Know Your Lord? July 23
- Sow Beside All Waters, July 24
- Are You Building on the Rock? July 25
- According to Your Faith, July 26
- Little Men—Big Subjects, July 27
- Reward for Faithfulness, July 28
- God's Promise to Parents, July 29
- Promised: Strength for the Day, July 30
- How to Meet Opposition, July 31
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- Partakers of the Divine Nature, August 1
- Jesus, Your Friend at Court, August 2
- The Power of Truth, August 3
- Words Are Important, August 4
- Covered by Christ's Righteousness, August 5
- God Honors Humility, August 6
- Discernment of Duty, August 7
- As the Stars Forever and Ever, August 8
- Mother Love, August 9
- Satan's Sophistries, August 10
- Walking With the Unseen God, August 11
- Look to the Light, August 12
- Never Talk Discouragement, August 13
- Noah's Time and Ours, August 14
- The Divine Substitute, August 15
- Can You Claim God's Seal? August 16
- Cherish the Spirit of Happiness, August 17
- Cultivate Tenderness in the Home, August 18
- Danger of Doublemindedness, August 19
- Through Nature to Nature's God, August 20
- Controlled by the Great Designer, August 21
- God's Claim on You, August 22
- The Test of Sincerity, August 23
- Take Hold of Divine Strength, August 24
- God's Law Is Immutable, August 25
- Beware the Occult, August 26
- In the World, But Not of It, August 27
- Copying Christ's Methods, August 28
- Christian Prudence, August 29
- Genuine Sanctification, August 30
- The Mystery of Spiritual Growth, August 31
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- Receive That You May Give, September 1
- Written for Our Admonition, September 2
- More Privileged Than Angels, September 3
- Unseen Forces in Conflict, September 4
- Our Guide Into All Truth, September 5
- You Can Conquer, September 6
- Pride Goeth Before a Fall, September 7
- That Thy Faith Fail Not, September 8
- Consciousness of Sins Forgiven, September 9
- Christ Is Not Divided, September 10
- Keep on an Even Keel, September 11
- Christians Now, September 12
- Watch Your Words, September 13
- Cultivate Christlike Love, September 14
- If Judas Had Repented, September 15
- Take Jesus at His Word, September 16
- All Men Are Brothers, September 17
- Never Demean the Erring, September 18
- How to Have Heaven Here, September 19
- Christ Is the Way, September 20
- God Is a Person, September 21
- Have You Passed From Death to Life? September 22
- He Is Always With Me, September 23
- Partners With God, September 24
- Divine Grace, Our Greatest Need, September 25
- God's Constant Appeal, September 26
- Don't Neglect Little Things, September 27
- Press Toward the Mark, September 28
- Your Business Is God's Business, September 29
- A Great Work to Be Done, September 30
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- Ye Are God's Instruments, October 1
- Be God's Minuteman, October 2
- The Power of Transforming Grace, October 3
- To Every Man His Work, October 4
- The Great Commandment, October 5
- Practice Run for Heaven, October 6
- Power to Overcome, October 7
- Set Your Affections on Heaven, October 8
- Imitating the Pattern, October 9
- The Banquet of God's Word, October 10
- The Child's First School, October 11
- Don't Shun the Cross, October 12
- The Divine Refiner, October 13
- The Judgment Is Coming, October 14
- The Divine Commission, October 15
- Empty of Pride and Self-esteem, October 16
- Lip Service Religion, October 17
- Think on These Things, October 18
- Life-giving Water, October 19
- How to Face Bereavement, October 20
- Channels of Blessing, October 21
- Do Not Doubt, October 22
- What to Do With Depression, October 23
- Put Self Out of Sight, October 24
- Importance of Home Religion, October 25
- The Final Battle, October 26
- We Are in the Enemy's Land, October 27
- Childlike Faith, October 28
- Spirit-led Christians, October 29
- Satan Is Not Dead, October 30
- Just Rest in the Lord, October 31
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- Know for Yourself, November 1
- Things Wrought by Prayer, November 2
- Shining Christians, November 3
- As for Hidden Treasure, November 4
- Perfect—As He Is, November 5
- Dallying With Sin, November 6
- Heaven in Your Heart, November 7
- Stewards of God's Grace, November 8
- Follow on to Know the Lord, November 9
- Heaven Is Open to Us, November 10
- All Truth Radiates From Christ, November 11
- Into All the World, November 12
- No Time for Strife, November 13
- Let Christ Be Your Light, November 14
- Present Advantages and Future Benefits, November 15
- Our Refuge and Strength, November 16
- Our Special Work, November 17
- God Loves the Beautiful, November 18
- Cheerfulness Glorifies God, November 19
- A Foretaste of Heaven, November 20
- Preparing for Immortality, November 21
- How to Keep Love Alive, November 22
- Cunningly Devised Fables, November 23
- Honesty in Business Practices, November 24
- Hastening Christ's Coming, November 25
- School—Here and Hereafter, November 26
- Recipe for Health, November 27
- The Holy Spirit—The Gift of Gifts, November 28
- The Ministry of Heavenly Angels, November 29
- Daily Conversion, November 30
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- Fear to Disobey God, December 1
- Gifts to Fit Our Need, December 2
- Thankful for Every Moment, December 3
- Cure for Covetousness, December 4
- Light Out of Darkness, December 5
- Giving as We Receive, December 6
- Eternal Loss, December 7
- Obstinacy—Barrier to All Improvement, December 8
- How God Sees Greatness, December 9
- Hearts Filled With Christ's Peace, December 10
- That Your Joy May Be Full, December 11
- The Lord's Philosophy, December 12
- The Greatness of Humility, December 13
- When Truth Controls the Life, December 14
- Man-made Yokes, December 15
- Oddities and Eccentricities, December 16
- Observing Christmas, December 17
- Let Christ Guide, December 18
- Choose You This Day, December 19
- Gather Up the Fragments, December 20
- Flickering Lights, December 21
- Love Fulfills the Law, December 22
- Water Into Wine, December 23
- How to Be a Success, December 24
- God's Unspeakable Gift, December 25
- Unity, December 26
- Work in Christ's Lines, December 27
- Under His Wings, December 28
- Perfect Conformity to God's Will, December 29
- Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus, December 30
- Don't Let Anything Sidetrack You, December 31
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Foreword
A different plan has been adopted in assembling the materials for this E. G. White devotional book. Rather than gathering selections on a central theme, we have chosen, somewhat at random, appropriate inspirational messages written or presented orally by Ellen White on every calendar day of the year. The writings, usually an unbroken unit, have been chosen from forty-six of the seventy years of Ellen White's ministry. Selecting the items from letters of counsel and encouragement and sermons and articles has afforded an opportunity for choice presentations on a wide range of helpful topics.TDG 6.1
This procedure has opened up some interesting and often unusual insights into the ministry of God's special messenger. For example, we note her frequent habit of writing important counsel early in the morning while the rest of the household slept. It was so in 1905. The New Year was just one hour old when Ellen White arose that Sunday morning, January 1, and made her way to her writing room to start the day's activities. Of this she wrote:TDG 6.2
It is a cool morning. Built my fire. Bowed before the Lord in prayer. I have so many things burdening my mind. I asked the Lord Jesus to direct me, to guide me. What shall I trace with my pen this morning? ...TDG 6.3
I need the Great Guide to control my mind. What shall I trace with the pen first? ... Oh, how much I feel that I need the guidance of the Holy Spirit.—Manuscript 173, 1905.TDG 6.4
She was in her comfortable writing room on the eastern end of the second floor at Elmshaven, well known to many Seventh-day Adventists. That morning the Holy Spirit led her mind first to the students of Oakwood college, for whom she penned a four-page message of encouragement. In the years before this her writing had been done in a variety of settings such as her Sunnyside home at Cooranbong in Australia; her apartment on the second floor of the central publishing house in Basel, Switzerland; her Healdsburg home close to the college in Northern California; and her home at Battle Creek. In early years at Battle Creek when her home was small and often filled with children and visitors, she wrote in the corner of the library at the Review and Herald office.TDG 6.5
Travel by train, boat, or horse and buggy did not prevent her from writing. At the close of this book a short historical outline of her activities and travels will provide a general setting for a number of the readings.TDG 6.6
Early in her work Ellen White chose to include personal counsels in her published books, because the “warning and instruction” that applied to one person often contained principles and advice that might well apply to another (see Testimonies for the Church 5:658, 659). She was not given light for each individual who might be in need of counsel.TDG 7.1
In 1905, at the age of 77, as she was nearing the close of her lifetime of heavy correspondence, she wrote, “I am endeavoring by the help of God to write letters that will be a help, not merely to those to whom they are addressed, but to many others who need them.”—Letter 79, 1905.TDG 7.2
Such letters might be devoted wholly to an important message to the person addressed, or, if to an acquaintance, might contain some newsy items, as well as spiritual truths based on the many visions given to her through the years. Selections from the thousands of such letters in the Ellen G. White files make up much of this volume of precious readings. Some are letters to presidents of the General Conference, some were written to local conference executives. One is a letter to a harassed mother. There are letters to sanitarium managers, to physicians, to individuals under heavy temptations, to young people, and to saints in their golden years. There are letters to businessmen and to editors of the Review and Herald. Some were even written to her own sons, who, like any Seventh-day Adventist, stood in need of counsel and encouragement. A number of letters were to women workers and wives of workers.TDG 7.3
General manuscripts, penned to meet various situations, were drawn upon in this collection, as were her extensive daily writings and diaries. These abound in spiritual lessons, encouragement, and counsel. Hundreds of sermons were reported stenographically and are on file as E. G. White manuscripts. All of these manuscripts provide rich sources for the readings in this volume.TDG 7.4
For variety, a few excerpts are taken from her periodical articles that appeared in the weekly issues of the Review and Herald and Signs of the Times over a period of more than sixty years.TDG 7.5
A source reference appears with each reading, giving its file reference as well as the name, position, and location of the individual addressed. For sermons and manuscripts, the title together with the year and date of writing are provided. Many readers will turn first to these credit lines to learn the setting for the devotional message. If the person addressed held different positions through the years, he is identified by the one he held at the time Ellen White wrote to him.TDG 7.6
If a particular personal message chosen by Ellen White for publication was highly personal or confidential, she was careful to protect the identity of the person addressed. With her practice in mind, in a few cases we have have not used names in this book. In all other instances, however, we have included the names and places because they contribute to a better understanding of the counsel given. This information provides sidelights otherwise not known, and helps to make this devotional volume a treasure of counsel for persons of all ages.TDG 8.1
Certain names appear frequently—Dr. J. H. Kellogg, medical superintendent of the Battle Creek Sanitarium; Elders G. I. Butler and A. G. Daniells, presidents of the General Conference; G. B. Starr, evangelist and sanitarium chaplain; J. A. Burden, sanitarium manager in Australia and California; and W. C. White, who assisted his mother and filled a number of important leadership positions in the Church. Several letters are addressed to her other son, Edson White, or to Edson and Emma White after their marriage in 1870. Some very choice messages of counsel to newlyweds were written to Edson and Emma in their early married life. Edson's career took him through publishing house management, song writing and publication, Sabbath school leadership, and finally pioneer missionary work among the blacks in the Southern States.TDG 8.2
In three or four instances, paragraphs have been rearranged so that the selection ends on a positive tone. Otherwise, the paragraphs appear as they were first written by Ellen White.TDG 8.3
It is our prayer that This Day With God will help you to face each day with increased gratitude for God's grace and with renewed determination to live in harmony with his will so that we may all stand with the redeemed on the sea of glass in heaven.TDG 8.4