CULTIVATING GOD'S GARDEN.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Romans 12:2

Man, fallen man, may be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that he can 'prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God"  How does he prove this.  By the Holy Spirit taking possession of his mind, spirit, heart and character.

The rubbish of questionable principles and practices is to be swept away.  The Lord desires the mind to be renovated, and the heart filled with the treasures of truth.

Truth has a power to elevate the receiver.  It has a sanctifying influence upon mind and character......... Only by a continual improvement of the intellectual as well as the moral powers can we hope to answer the purpose of our Creator.

A Christian should possess more intelligence and keener discernment than the worldling.  The study of God's word is continually expanding the mind and strengthening the intellect.  There is nothing that shall so refine and ellevate the character, and give vigor to every faculty, as the continual exercise of the mind to grasp and comprehend weighty and important truths.

The human mind becomes dwarfed and enfeeble when dealing with common place matters only, never rising above the level of time and sence to grasp the mysteries of the unseen.....

We are to cultivate the talents given us by God.  They are His gifts, and are to be used in their right relation to each other, so as to make a perfect whole.  God gives the talents, the powers of the mind, man makes the character.  The mind is the Lord's garden, and man must cultivate it earnestly, in order to form a character after the divine similitude.

                                                                        Our High Calling, p.106

TRIALS MEASURED.

'There hath no temptation taken you but such as it 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. 1 Cor.10:13.

'Our heavenly Father measures and weighs every trial before He permits it to come upon the believer. He considers the circumstances and the strength of the one who is to stand under the proving and test of God, and He never permits the temptations to be greater than the capacity of resistance....

Oh, there is a great work to be done for the people of God, ere they are prepared for translation to heaven! The heat of the furnace upon some must be severe to reveal the dross. Self will have to be crucified....

The tender compassion of God is toward His people. Faith, wondrous faith - it leads the people of God in straight paths. Without this faith we shall certainly misunderstand His dealings with us, and distrust His love and faithfulness. Whatever may be the trials and sufferings, .... let there be no faintheartedness, no peevish repining, no complaining....

A single ray of the evidences of the undeserved favor of God shining into our hearts will overbalance every trial of whatever character and however severe it maybe.'

Our High Calling, p323. E.G.White.