‘You cannot serve both God and money’ (Matthew 6:24)

Our God is a jealous God. He requires the devotion of the heart, the consecration of all the powers, and we cannot enjoy religion without these. Persons who try to unite God and the world, the service of sin and the service of God, cannot be happy.

We must be decided. Well, who is to be God TODAY? Who is to have the heart, the talents, the affections TODAY? Is gain, carnal pleasure, or worldly company to be the idol today? Or is Jesus to have the thoughts, the desires and the talents? Shall we seek His glory and aim at His honour? Or shall we say to some worthless bramble, “Come thou and reign over us”?

Choose you, whom you will serve. Attempt not to reconcile opposing claims, but let God or money have the whole. Surely you are ready to cry out – “Thine am I, Jesus, and You only will I serve!”

But you can only serve Him acceptably, as you serve Him with the grace He imparts. He has provided, promised, and invites you to receive. Let us therefore have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and fear. Serving God in the spirit of adoption is true happiness.

Oh, let Thy love my soul inflame,
And to Thy service sweetly bind;
Transfuse it through my inmost frame
And mould me wholly to Thy mind.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘O blessed, blessed state, of overflowing grace! This love-visit led me into very close and familiar communion with the Lord, on the subject of the ministry, and now I wait an answer. My Saviour appears altogether lovely, and I feel persuaded that He will do right. I want to know Him, love Him, live upon Him, and glorify Him. Christ is precious, and now hope revives, faith is in full exercise, love works in my bosom, and the cause of God lies near to my heart.’