Morning, November 28 Go To Evening Reading
"For I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and testified of the truth in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth."
—3 John 3
The truth was in Gaius, and Gaius walked in the truth. If the first had not been the case, the second could never have occurred; and if the second could not be said of him, the first would have been a mere pretense. Truth must enter the soul, penetrate and saturate it, or else it is of no value. Doctrines held as a matter of creed are like bread in hand, which ministers no nourishment to the frame, but doctrine accepted by the heart is as food digested, which, by assimilation, sustains and builds up the body. In us, truth must be a living force, a vibrant energy, an indwelling reality, a part of the woof and warp of our being. If it is in us, we cannot henceforth interest in it. A man may lose his garments or limbs, but his inward parts are vital and cannot be torn away without complete loss of life. A Christian can die, but he cannot deny the truth. Now it is a rule of nature that the inward affects the outward, as light shines from the center of the lantern through the glass: when, therefore, the truth is kindled within, its brightness soon beams forth in the outward life and conversation. It is said that the food of certain worms colors the cocoons of silk which they spin: and just so the nutriment upon which a man's inward nature lives gives a tinge to every word and deed proceeding from him. To walk in the truth imports a life of integrity, holiness, faithfulness, and simplicity—the natural product of those principles of truth the gospel teaches and the Spirit of God enables us to receive. We may judge the secrets of the soul by their manifestation in the man's conversation. Be it ours today, O gracious Spirit, to be ruled and governed by thy divine authority, so that nothing false or sinful may reign in our hearts, lest it extends its malignant influence to our daily walk among men.
Spurgeon, C. H. Morning and Evening: Daily Readings. London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1896. Print.
Go To Morning Reading Evening, November 28
"Seeking the wealth of his people."
—Esther 10:3
Mordecai was a true patriot; therefore, being exalted to the highest position under Ahasuerus, he used his eminence to promote the prosperity of Israel. In this, he was a type of Jesus who, upon his throne of glory, seeks not his own but spends his power for his people. It was well if every Christian would be a Mordecai to the church, striving according to his ability for its prosperity. Some are placed in stations of affluence and influence; let them honor their Lord in the high places of the earth and testify for Jesus before great men. Others have what is far better. Namely, close fellowship with the King of kings; let them be sure to plead daily for the weak of the Lord's people, the doubting, the tempted, and the comfortless. It will redound to their honor if they make much intercession for those who are in darkness and dare not draw nigh unto the mercy seat. Instructed believers may serve their Master greatly if they lay out their talents for the general good and impart their wealth of heavenly learning to others by teaching them the things of God. The very least in our Israel may at least seek the welfare of his people, and his desire, if he can give no more, shall be acceptable. It is the most Christlike and the happiest course for a believer to cease living to himself. He who blesses others cannot fail to be blessed himself. On the other hand, seeking our own personal greatness is a wicked and unhappy life plan; its way will be grievous, and its end will be fatal.
Here is the place to ask thee, my friend, whether thou art to the best of thy power seeking the wealth of the church in thy neighborhood? I trust thou art not doing it mischief by bitterness and scandal, nor weakening it by thy neglect. Friend, unite with the Lord's poor, bear their Cross, do them all the good thou canst, and thou shalt not miss thy reward.
Spurgeon, C. H. Morning and Evening: Daily Readings. London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1896. Print.
November 28: The Unity of Believers
2 Kings 20:1–21:26; Ephesians 4:1–32; Proverbs 8:27–36
It's easy to sort believers in a community based on the quantity of their service. Most of us could roll out the masking tape and divide those who contribute their time and efforts from those who don't. If we're honest, the topic easily divides us—it makes us feel used, overtasked, and resentful. But that's not Paul's picture of the unity of purpose in Ephesians. He describes the church as a body—one in which "every single part" is needed for the growth of the whole.
"But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow into him concerning all things, who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, joined together and held together by every supporting ligament, according to the working by the measure of every single part, the growth of the body makes for the building up of itself in love" (Eph 4:15–16).
God gives gifts to each supporting ligament—each person—to build the community. We are each given unique abilities for the growth of the body, and "every single part" is necessary to grow the body of Christ. But it is Christ who joins and holds the church together.
Because of Christ's unifying role, an essential aspect of growth as a community and as individuals includes speaking the truth in love—helping others grow to spiritual maturity in the gospel's validity. Instead of chiding, we can remind others of God's goodness to them through Christ. Instead of further ostracizing them, we can invite them in by speaking the truth with love, realizing that God has blessed them with special abilities that will soon be learned.
How can you use your gifts to serve your community? How can you lovingly help others recognize theirs?
Rebecca Van Noord
Barry, John D., and Rebecca Kruyswijk. Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan. Print. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012.
November 26
The concentration of spiritual energy
… save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Gal. 6:14.
If you want to know the power of God (i.e., the resurrection life of Jesus) in your mortal flesh, you must brood on the tragedy of God. Cut yourself off from prying personal interest in your own spiritual symptoms and consider bare-spirited the tragedy of God, and instantly the energy of God will be in you. "Look unto Me," pay attention to the objective Source, and the emotional energy will be there. We lose power if we do not concentrate on the right thing. The effect of the Cross is salvation, sanctification, healing, etc., but we are not to preach any of these; we are to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The proclaiming of Jesus will do its own work. Concentrate on God's center in your preaching; though your crowd may apparently pay no attention, they can never be the same again. If I talk my own talk, it is of no more importance to you than your talk is to me, but when I speak the truth of God, you will meet it again, and so shall I. We must concentrate on the great point of spiritual energy, the Cross, to keep in contact with that center where all the power lies, and the energy will he let loose. In holiness movements and spiritual experience meetings, the concentration is apt to be put not on the Cross of Christ but on the effects of the Cross.
The feebleness of the churches is being criticized today, and the criticism is justified. One reason for the weakness is that there has not been this concentration of spiritual energy; we have not brooded enough on the tragedy of Calvary or the meaning of Redemption.
Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost for His Highest: Selections for the Year. Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering, 1986. Print.
November 28
He touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank
Gen. 32:32
Whatever it is that enables a soul, whom God designs to bless, to stand out against Him, God will touch. It may be the pride of wealth, influence, or affection, but it will not be spared—God will handle it. It may be something as natural as a sinew, but God will feel it if it robs a man of spiritual blessing. It may be as small a thing as a sinew, but its influence in making a man strong in his resistance to benefit will be enough to condemn it—and God will touch it. And beneath that touch, it will shrink and shrivel, and you will limp to the end of life.
Remember that the sinew never shrinks save beneath the touch of the angel's hand—the touch of tender love.
F. B. Meyer
Hardman, Samuel G., and Dwight Lyman Moody. Thoughts for the Quiet Hour. Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing, 1997. Print.
Comments