Morning, September 10
<< Morning, September 10 >>
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus--the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
Insight
We often feel that life is a failure unless we're getting a lot out of it: recognition, fun, money, success. But Paul considered life worth nothing unless he used it for God's work.
Challenge
What he put into life was far more important than what he got out. Which is more important to you--what you get out of life, or what you put into it?
Mark 3:13  And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.

Here was sovereignty. Impatient spirits may fret and fume, because they are not called to the highest places in the ministry; but reader be it thine to rejoice that Jesus calleth whom he wills. If he shall leave me to be a doorkeeper in his house, I will cheerfully bless him for his grace in permitting me to do anything in his service. The call of Christ's servants comes from above. Jesus stands on the mountain, evermore above the world in holiness, earnestness, love and power. Those whom he calls must go up the mountain to him, they must seek to rise to his level by living in constant communion with him. They may not be able to mount to classic honors, or attain scholastic eminence, but they must like Moses go up into the mount of God and have familiar intercourse with the unseen God, or they will never be fitted to proclaim the gospel of peace. Jesus went apart to hold high fellowship with the Father, and we must enter into the same divine companionship if we would bless our fellowmen. No wonder that the apostles were clothed with power when they came down fresh from the mountain where Jesus was. This morning we must endeavour to ascend the mount of communion, that there we may be ordained to the lifework for which we are set apart. Let us not see the face of man today till we have seen Jesus. Time spent with him is laid out at blessed interest. We too shall cast out devils and work wonders if we go down into the world girded with that divine energy which Christ alone can give. It is of no use going to the Lord's battle till we are armed with heavenly weapons. We must see Jesus, this is essential. At the mercy-seat we will linger till he shall manifest himself unto us as he doth not unto the world, and until we can truthfully say, "We were with him in the Holy Mount."


Jeremiah 32:39  and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them.

Ezekiel 36:26  "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Psalm 25:8-10  Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. • He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way. • All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

John 17:21  that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Ephesians 4:1-6  Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, • with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, • being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. • There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; • one Lord, one faith, one baptism, • one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ? 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

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