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\ / Charles Spurgeon's MORNING & EVENING http://www.heartlight.org/
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Monday, January 12, 2009
MORNING:
"Ye are Christ's."
-- 1 Corinthians 3:23
"Ye are Christ's." You are his by donation, for the Father gave you to
the Son; his by his bloody purchase, for he counted down the price for
your redemption; his by dedication, for you have consecrated yourself
to him; his by relation, for you are named by his name, and made one of
his brethren and joint-heirs. Labour practically to show the world that
you are the servant, the friend, the bride of Jesus. When tempted to
sin, reply, "I cannot do this great wickedness, for I am Christ's."
Immortal principles forbid the friend of Christ to sin. When wealth is
before you to be won by sin, say that you are Christ's, and touch it
not. Are you exposed to difficulties and dangers? Stand fast in the
evil day, remembering that you are Christ's. Are you placed where
others are sitting down idly, doing nothing? Rise to the work with all
your powers; and when the sweat stands upon your brow, and you are
tempted to loiter, cry, "No, I cannot stop, for I am Christ's. If I
were not purchased by blood, I might be like Issachar, crouching
between two burdens; but I am Christ's, and cannot loiter." When the
siren song of pleasure would tempt you from the path of right, reply,
"Thy music cannot charm me; I am Christ's." When the cause of God
invites thee, give thy goods and thyself away, for thou art Christ's.
Never belie thy profession. Be thou ever one of those whose manners are
Christian, whose speech is like the Nazarene, whose conduct and
conversation are so redolent of heaven, that all who see you may know
that you are the Saviour's, recognizing in you his features of love and
his countenance of holiness. "I am a Roman!" was of old a reason for
integrity; far more, then, let it be your argument for holiness, "I am
Christ's!"
EVENING:
"I have yet to speak on God's behalf."
-- Job 36:2
We ought not to court publicity for our virtue, or notoriety for our
zeal; but, at the same time, it is a sin to be always seeking to hide
that which God has bestowed upon us for the good of others. A Christian
is not to be a village in a valley, but "a city set upon a hill;" he is
not to be a candle under a bushel, but a candle in a candlestick,
giving light to all. Retirement may be lovely in its season, and to
hide one's self is doubtless modest, but the hiding of Christ in us can
never be justified, and the keeping back of truth which is precious to
ourselves is a sin against others and an offence against God. If you
are of a nervous temperament and of retiring disposition, take care
that you do not too much indulge this trembling propensity, lest you
should be useless to the church. Seek in the name of him who was not
ashamed of you to do some little violence to your feelings, and tell to
others what Christ has told to you. If thou canst not speak with
trumpet tongue, use the still small voice. If the pulpit must not be
thy tribune, if the press may not carry on its wings thy words, yet say
with Peter and John, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have
give I thee." By Sychar's well talk to the Samaritan woman, if thou
canst not on the mountain preach a sermon; utter the praises of Jesus
in the house, if not in the temple; in the field, if not upon the
exchange; in the midst of thine own household, if thou canst not in the
midst of the great family of man. From the hidden springs within let
sweetly flowing rivulets of testimony flow forth, giving drink to every
passer-by. Hide not thy talent; trade with it; and thou shalt bring in
good interest to thy Lord and Master. To speak for God will be
refreshing to ourselves, cheering to saints, useful to sinners, and
honouring to the Saviour. Dumb children are an affliction to their
parents. Lord, unloose all thy children's tongue.
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=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
THE DREAM GIVER: FOLLOWING YOUR GOD-GIVEN DESTINY, by Bruce Wilkinson
In this study of Exodus, Wilkinson exhorts Christians to leave our
comfort zones, brave wilderness trials, confront "border bullies," and
enter the "Promised Land" of God's will.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?153
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
MORNING & EVENING from HEARTLIGHT /\/\
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http://www.heartlight.org/spurgeon \/
Morning & Evening is the classic devotional by 19th-century writer
and preacher Charles Spurgeon. It's part of HEARTLIGHT Magazine,
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