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Friday, March 29th, 2024
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Daily Devotionals
Mornings and Evenings with Jesus
Devotional: March 7th

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Morning Devotional

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free; but Christ is all, and in all. - Colossians 3:11.

A POWERFUL writer has justly said that “there are some persons who have no essentials, and there are others who have no circumstantials, in their creed.” And this testimony is to a considerable extent true. There are many persons who seem altogether regardless of doctrinal sentiments and principles; all opinions are equally important with them. Then there are others who regard almost every thing as equally important in religion. They lay as much stress on the discipline of a church, as upon its doctrines; upon the mode of administering an ordinance, as upon the ordinance itself; they plead as much for the “tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin,” as for the “weightier matters of the law,”-“judgment, mercy, and faith:” while one of these parties has no room for faith, the other has no room for charity. The former are slaves of licentiousness, and the latter are the dupes of legality. We are, however, required to distinguish between things that differ; and to regulate our attention towards them by the degree of their qualities.

Surely there are differences between a speculative opinion and a practical truth,-between the ornament of a bridge and the keystone of the arch. We should, therefore, be concerned to regulate our opinions and conduct by those parts of the Scriptures which diminish the value of inferior things in religion and magnify the importance of superior ones,-those Scriptures which inspire us with “everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace;” which lead to reconcile Christians to each other, and embattle them only against a common foe; so that, if they must strive, they may be led “to strive together for the faith once delivered to the saints.” And such is the language of the apostle when he says, “The kingdom of God is not in word but in power;” and, again, “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” And, in this place, “Christ is all, and in all.”

Evening Devotional

Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. - 1 Timothy 6:17.

EVERY creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. While some abuse temporal blessings and comforts, there are others who are almost afraid to make use of them. It is always desirable we should be sensible of our desert, and that we are not worthy of the least of all the mercies bestowed upon us; yet it is equally important we should feel that we are welcome to enjoy the goodness our heavenly Father has provided for us. It is true, we have by sin forfeited all claim to God’s goodness; but the Saviour has restored to believers this right:-

“He sank beneath our heavy woes,

To raise us to a throne,

There’s ne’er a gift his hand bestows

But cost his heart a groan.”

They are therefore now again become ours, yea, more ours than ever they were before. The Apostle here would have believers to understand that they are not to be unobservant of the seasons of the year, nor be blind to the beauties of the garden nor insensible to the fragrance of the rose, nor look with indifference upon the valleys when they stand thick with corn, or on the little hills when they rejoice on every side; but that they should avail themselves of their high privilege, for every Christian can look around upon all the works of creation, and say, “My Father made them all.” Indeed there is no one can enjoy the good things of nature like one of God’s beloved children, because he connects a sacredness with them, being ransomed by the Saviour’s death, so that he cannot use them indifferently or improperly. And then he relishes the love of the Giver in the gift, and as Watts says-

“How sweet our daily comforts prove,

When they are season’d by his love.”

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