Wholehearted Devotion: Living Fully for Christ
Wholehearted Devotion: Living Fully for Christ
I found Spurgeon's Morning Devotion for November 14th particularly convicting so I added a prayer at the end.
"I will cut off them that worship and that swear by the Lord, and that swear by Malcham." - Zephaniah 1:5
Such persons thought themselves safe because they were with both parties: they went with the followers of Jehovah, and bowed at the same time to Malcham. But duplicity is abominable with God, and hypocrisy his soul hateth. The idolater who distinctly gives himself to his false god, has one sin less than he who brings his polluted and detestable sacrifice unto the temple of the Lord, while his heart is with the world and the sins thereof. To hold with the hare and run with the hounds, is a dastard's policy. In the common matters of daily life, a double- minded man is despised, but in religion he is loathsome to the last degree. The penalty pronounced in the verse before us is terrible, but it is well deserved; for how should divine justice spare the sinner, who knows the right, approves it, and professes to follow it, and all the while loves the evil, and gives it dominion in his heart?
My soul, search thyself this morning, and see whether thou art guilty of double-dealing. Thou professest to be a follower of Jesus--dost thou truly love him? Is thy heart right with God? Art thou of the family of old Father Honest, or art thou a relative of Mr. By-ends? A name to live is of little value if I be indeed dead in trespasses and sins. To have one foot on the land of truth, and another on the sea of falsehood, will involve a terrible fall and a total ruin. Christ will be all or nothing. God fills the whole universe, and hence there is no room for another god; if, then, he reigns in my heart, there will be no space for another reigning power. Do I rest alone on Jesus crucified, and live alone for him? Is it my desire to do so? Is my heart set upon so doing? If so, blessed be the mighty grace which has led me to salvation; and if not so, O Lord, pardon my sad offence, and unite my heart to fear thy name.
- C. H. Spurgeon
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Prayer
Heavenly Father,
You are the One true God who fills the heavens and the earth. In Your presence, no other can stand, and no rival can compete for Your glory. Yet, Lord, I confess that my heart is often divided, drawn to the idols of this world, and distracted by the desires of my flesh. I see the double-mindedness within me and recognize how it dishonors You. Forgive me, O God, for trying to serve two masters, for professing love for You while clinging to lesser things.
Father, I know that I cannot cleanse my own heart or strengthen my own resolve. I come to You, acknowledging my weakness, and ask for Your grace to search me and reveal every corner of my heart that is not wholly Yours. Unite my heart to fear Your name, so that my devotion may be undivided and my allegiance unshaken.
Lord Jesus, You alone are worthy of all my trust and love. Teach me to rest fully in You for my salvation, to depend on Your finished work on the cross, and to live with the singular purpose of glorifying You. Help me to renounce every false god that competes for my affection and to walk faithfully with You.
Holy Spirit, work in me the desire and ability to live wholeheartedly for Christ. Empower me to reject the subtle lies of the enemy and to resist the pull of the world. Fill me with a deeper love for Jesus, that my heart may be fully captivated by Him. Guide me in the path of righteousness and guard me from stumbling.
Father, I thank You that You are faithful and that Your grace is sufficient. Even as I struggle with my own frailty, I trust in Your promise to complete the good work You began in me. Be my strength, my portion, and my joy, and let my life be a testimony to Your greatness.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.