Reverence and Awe

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

Morning:

"For me to live is Christ."–Philippians 1:21

Is Jesus Christ a means to an end? Is Christ there to simply point us in the right direction?

Spurgeon says "nay":

Paul's words mean more than most men think; they imply that the aim and end of his life was Christ-nay, his life itself was Jesus

Spurgeon exhorts us to not only live for Christ, but to live in Christ. Christ is not just a means to an end...Christ is our end!! There is nothing more precious to a follower of Christ, than the Savior Himself.

So...what should our life look like?

"its source, its sustenance, its fashion, its end, all gathered up in one word—Christ Jesus." (quote from evening)

"For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen."–Romans 11:36

Amen and Amen!


Evening:

You will not find a better truth to ponder on than this as a Christian...I am His!! What sweet words to meditate on just before you lay your head on your pillow and doze off.

"He, the Shepherd, sought the sheep, because they were His sheep; He has gone about 'to seek and to save that which was lost,' because that which was lost was His long before it was lost to itself or lost to Him. The church is the exclusive portion of her Lord; none else may claim a partnership, or pretend to share her love...let every believing soul drink solace out of these wells." (quote from Evening)

In times of doubt, despair or uncertainty...may the Lord cause my soul to "drink solace out of these wells."

I'm reminded of a hymn we sing at church written by William Gadsby:

The Love of Christ is Rich and Free

The love of Christ is rich and free;
Fixed on His own eternally;
Nor earth, nor hell, can it remove;
Long as He lives, His own He'll love.

His loving heart engaged to be
Their everlasting Surety;
'Twas love that took their cause in hand,
And love maintains it to the end.

Chorus
Love cannot from its post withdraw;
Nor death, nor hell, nor sin, nor law,
Can turn the Surety's heart away;
He'll love His own to endless day.

Love has redeemed His sheep with blood;
And love will bring them safe to God;
Love calls them all from death to life;
And love will finish all their strife.

He loves through every changing scene,
Nor aught from Him can Zion wean;
Not all the wanderings of her heart
Can make His love for her depart.

For His Glory,
Pastor Matt

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon