Let this be a prayer for you and me

May your character not be a writing upon the sand, but an inscription upon the rock! -- Charles Spurgeon, Morning & Evening devotional guide.


Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening devotional book has been very impactful for me these last few weeks. If you are looking for encouragement and strength through Jesus, I highly recommend this book.

Here is an excerpt from the July 11 morning devotion. It has been my prayer this last couple of days. Let it be yours as well!

First, the verse:

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. - 1 Peter 5:10

...May your character not be a writing upon the sand, but an inscription upon the rock! May your faith be no "baseless fabric of a vision," but may it be builded of material able to endure that awful fire which shall consume the wood, hay, and stubble of the hypocrite. May you be rooted and grounded in love. May your convictions be deep, your love real, your desires earnest. May your whole life be so settled and established, that all the blasts of hell, and all the storms of earth shall never be able to remove you... (more)

Why should Christians imitate Christ?

A few months ago, I started reading Charles H. Spurgeon's Morning and Evening daily devotional and if I could sum up the book in one word I would say, "encouragement."

Reading the devotions is a great way to help me make sure I stay focused on the Lord both day and night. If I'm faithful to my effort, I read the devotions for the day as the first thing I do in the morning and the last thing I do at night.

It has been one of the most encouraging books I have ever read. Rather than trying to par down today's morning devotion and give my two cents, I've cut and paste the entire devotion. It's just too good to mess with!

Here is this morning's verse and devotion by Charles H. Spurgeon:

"So to walk even as He walked." — 1 John 2:6

HY should Christians imitate Christ? They should do it for their own sakes. If they desire to be in a healthy state of soul—if they would escape the sickness of sin, and enjoy the vigour of growing grace, let Jesus be their model. For their own happiness' sake, if they would drink wine on the lees, well refined; if they would enjoy holy and happy communion with Jesus; if they would be lifted up above the cares and troubles of this world, let them walk even as He walked. There is nothing which can so assist you to walk towards heaven with good speed, as wearing the image of Jesus on your heart to rule all its motions.

It is when, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are enabled to walk with Jesus in His very footsteps, that you are most happy, and most known to be the sons of God. Peter afar off is both unsafe and uneasy. Next, for religion's sake, strive to be like Jesus. Ah! poor religion, thou hast been sorely shot at by cruel foes, but thou hast not been wounded one-half so dangerously by thy foes as by thy friends. Who made those wounds in the fair hand of Godliness? The professor who used the dagger of hypocrisy. The man who with pretences, enters the fold, being nought but a wolf in sheep's clothing, worries the flock more than the lion outside. There is no weapon half so deadly as a Judas-kiss. Inconsistent professors injure the gospel more than the sneering critic or the infidel. But, especially for Christ's own sake, imitate His example. Christian, lovest thou thy Saviour?

Is His name precious to thee? Is His cause dear to thee? Wouldst thou see the kingdoms of the world become His? Is it thy desire that He should be glorified? Art thou longing that souls should be won to Him? If so, imitate Jesus; be an "epistle of Christ, known and read of all men."

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