GOD’S WORD FOR OCTOBER 14

We are using Charles Spurgeon book, “The Risen King.”  It’s a collection of well chosen excerpts from Spurgeon’s  “Easter” sermons in devotional form, put together by Jeff Medders.   Pastor Spurgeon lived from 1834 to 1892  in London, England, and had a unique gift of understanding and showing the depth of our faith.  Thus, his reverential title as the Prince of Preachers.   Even though we’re not in or near that season, every day is a good day to focus on Christ’s sacrifice and victory for us!

*** ***

ANOINTED AND ADORED

John 12:1-3

“Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.  There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.   Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.”

Mary’s deed came from a soul all on fire – the deed of a woman filled with deep devotion and reverent love.  Deep thought led to burning love, and burning love led to immediate action.  Beloved friends, Christ’s church needs a band of men and women full of enthusiasm, who will go beyond others in devotion to the Lord Jesus.  We need missionaries who will dare to die to carry the gospel to regions beyond.  We need ministers who will defy public opinion and with flaming zeal burn a way into people’s hearts.  We need men and women who will consecrate all that they have by daring deeds of heroic sacrifice.  Oh, that all Christians were like this!  Where are we to get them?  How are they to be produced?

The Holy Spirit’s way to train men and women who will greatly serve Christ is to lead them to deep thought and quiet contemplation.  There they obtain the knowledge and vital principles which are the fuel of true zeal.  You cannot leap into great devotion; neither can you be preached into it nor dream yourself into it nor be electrified into it by revivalism.  It must, through the divine energy of the Holy Spirit, arise out of watchful dealing with your soul and the near and dear communion with your Savior.  You must sit at His feet, or you will never anoint them.  He must pour His divine teaching into you or you will never pour out precious ointment upon Him.  Mary is the great model of spiritual service for Christ.

As Mary brought all of the costly perfume to Jesus, she poured all of it upon Him.  She didn’t fear judgment from Judas – this was all for Jesus.  I do not think she gave a thought to Martha or to Lazarus or to any of them.  The whole pound was for Jesus.  The highest way of living is to live for Jesus and altogether for Jesus – not caring what another says or judges but feeling that, as Christ has bought us with His blood, we are His from the crown of our head to the sole of our foot, and we therefore have no master but our Redeemer.  Consecrate to the Savior all that you have; every faculty, power, possession, and ability.  Half a pound of pure nard would not have sufficed.  That half-pound in reserve would have spoiled the deed.  Perhaps we would never have heard of Mary’s act at all if it had been less complete.  Half a heart given to Christ?  Never.  Half a life given to Christ?  Half your faculties, half your powers given to Christ?  It is an unworthy gift.  He gave you His all, and He claims all of you.

Brothers and sisters, do you live for Jesus in this way?  Do we not perform many actions under the impulse of secondary motives?  For my part, I like sometimes to do an act of which I feel “I am doing it alone for Jesus.  Whether a soul shall be saved or not is not my main care, but I am speaking this good word for His honor.  If God accepts it and it glorifies Jesus, my end is served.”

Oh, it is a blessed thing to feel that you are living not as a servant of man nor of the church nor of the denomination or party but for Him whose precious blood has bought you!

O dear soul, if you wish to fill the house with sweet odor,  bring your whole self and pour out your heart at His feet!!

*** ***

Deuteronomy 6:5; 10:12; 11:13; 13:3; 30:6;  Joshua 22:5;  Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30 and Luke 10:27

….. ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

Psalm 9:1

I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;

I will tell of all Your marvelous works.

Jeremiah 29:12-13

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Psalm 73:26

My flesh and my heart fail;

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 119:2

Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,

Who seek Him with the whole heart!

1 John 4:19

We love Him because He first loved us.

1 Corinthians 8:3

But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

1 Chronicles 28:9

…… know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.

Published by liveinthelightofourlord

View all posts by liveinthelightofourlord