July 10

“But Christ is all, and in all.” Colossians 3:11

The Body of Christ is not Jew and Greek, barbarian and Scythian, but one new man, without national distinctions. The following story is a good illustration.

After the First World War, some Christian brothers from England went to Germany to attend a conference. One of the brothers in Germany rose to introduce the visitors, saying, “Now that the war is over, we have some English brothers visiting us, to whom we extend our warmest welcome.”

Among those introduced, one stood up and replied, “We are not English brothers, but brothers from England.” How well spoken were those words! For remember, even in the church in Jerusalem this mistake began to be made when a dispute arose between the Hebrews and the Grecians (Acts 6).

It is good that at Antioch the disciples came to be called Christians, for in the Church there is neither national distinction nor racial difference, but only Christ who is all and in all. How satisfactory this is!

July 9

“Behold, here is thy pound, which I kept laid up in a napkin.” Luke 19:20      

Napkins or handkerchiefs should be used for wiping off the sweat of toil. No one’s napkin should be misapplied to the wrapping up of his talent. Whether a church can grow prevailingly does not depend on whether or not those who receive five talents, or ten, come forth and serve.

The weight of responsibility for growth rests on those with one talent. If the one-talented are employed and growing, all in the church will be well; but if they bury their talent, then the whole church stagnates.

Thus we have only one hope; namely, that the weight of emphasis in every local church should be placed, not on those who are especially qualified, but on those less-gifted ones whom men despise. You have to tell them that God approves of their wiping off the perspiration of honest work for him, and that without it that work will not be done.

July 8

“From a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.” 2 Timothy 3:15

One way of leading children to the Lord is an effective “family altar.” In Genesis, the tent and the altar were closely associated. In other words, worship and the family are connected. This is why family prayer and Bible reading together are so indispensable today. Parents must lead their children in simplicity, not just praying for them but with them, and also teaching each child how to pray for himself.

In a family gathering, the children must be the first consideration. Family worship can be a failure because it is too long or too profound. The exposition must be on the children’s level, not that of the parents, who can worship and be taught in the church. Prayer with them must be in words and ideas they can understand. We must try to attract the children to Christ and let their response to him be spontaneous. Always let them feel they matter to God.