Is Christ Central?

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." - Ephesians 1:7

‎"If the Lord Jesus Christ is not crucial, central, vital, and occupying the very center of our meditation and our living, thinking, and praying, we have no right to look for revival." - Martin Lloyd-Jones

Here is a question for us to ponder today: Is the Lord Jesus Christ really central in our lives?  It is amazing how many people you can talk to that profess to be Christians but yet you never hear them mention the name of Christ.

Is Christ crucial, vital, and central to your life?  Is Christ at the center of your meditation, living, praying, and worship?  I know that many times I fail to make Christ central in my life.  I might say that He is with my words, but I deny it with my actions.  Could it be that the reason we are not seeing revival in our churches and in our own personal lives is because Christ is not central?  When you and I make Christ central in our lives it will make a difference!

There is a great deal of so-called Christianity that is quite Christ-less.  We must remember that it is all about Jesus Christ, and Him alone!

Prayer For Today:

Heavenly Father, may I remember and never forget the centrality of Christ in all things!  Forgive me for denying Your centrality in all things by my actions.  May You occupy my every thought, meditation, and prayer.  Help me to see that You are crucial, vital, and central to my life.  In Jesus name, Amen!

He Hath Said

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." - Hebrews 13:5


I normally don't do this, but as I was reading through one of my devotions this morning, the Lord really spoke to my heart.  I was reading from Spurgeon and I want to share what he had to say about three words from the above verse, "He hath said."  Even though it is only three words, the reality of what those three words communicate is tremendous.

If we can only grasp these words by faith, we have an all-conquering weapon in our hand. What doubt will not be slain by this two-edged sword? What fear is there which shall not fall smitten with a deadly wound before this arrow from the bow of God’s covenant? Will not the distresses of life and the pangs of death; will not the corruptions within, and the snares without; will not the trials from above, and the temptations from beneath, all seem but light afflictions, when we can hide ourselves beneath the bulwark of “He hath said”? Yes; whether for delight in our quietude, or for strength in our conflict, “He hath said” must be our daily resort. And this may teach us the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore you miss its comfort. You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch which would unlock the door, and you might be free; but if you will not look for it, you may remain a prisoner still, though liberty is so near at hand. There may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacopoeia of Scripture, and you may yet continue sick unless you will examine and search the Scriptures to discover what “He hath said.” Should you not, besides reading the Bible, store your memories richly with the promises of God? You can recollect the sayings of great men; you treasure up the verses of renowned poets; ought you not to be profound in your knowledge of the words of God, so that you may be able to quote them readily when you would solve a difficulty, or overthrow a doubt? Since “He hath said” is the source of all wisdom, and the fountain of all comfort, let it dwell in you richly, as “A well of water, springing up unto everlasting life.” So shall you grow healthy, strong, and happy in the divine life. 

Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening : Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.

Honoring Jesus Christ

"Honour the Lord, with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase; So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." - Proverbs 3:9-10


If you were to ask most Christians if they honor God, most of them would probably say they do.  Let's examine our hearts today and ask ourselves the following the questions.  Do I really and truly honor Jesus Christ?  Do I honor Christ with my substance?  Do I honor Christ with the firstfruits of my increase?  It is one thing to just be generic and say that we honor God, but it is another matter entirely to say that we are honoring Jesus Christ with all of our substance and the firstfruits of our increase.

Will we choose to honor the Lord Jesus Christ today in EVERYTHING?  If we fail to honor Christ, we are inviting trouble into our lives.

Most of us lead very busy and hectic lives, barely having time for anything that is not part of our normal worldly routine.  When was the last time that you simply paused and thanked your Heavenly Father for His air that He allows you to breathe?  When was the last time you thanked the Lord for the innumerable ways He has blessed you?

Most Christians also seem to find it hard to truly honor Christ with their substance and the firstfruits of their increase.  Why?  The answer is simple, most of us are financially in debt to the point that we are unable to honor Christ with our substance.  Instead of giving the firstfruits of our increase to the Lord we have to give them to the credit card companies.  Are you honoring the Lord with your substance?  Are you honoring Him with the firstfruits of ALL your increase?

We are messing up big time when we fail to honor Jesus Christ in EVERYTHING and with ALL we have!  We must honor Christ for who He is and not just for what He has done for us.  Jesus Christ is worthy of ALL honor and praise!

Are you just honoring Christ on Sunday mornings?  Are you just honoring Christ with your words?  Are you just honoring Christ with your leftovers?  If we are truly going to honor Jesus Christ we must do it everyday, we must do with more than just words, and we must do it with the firstfruits of our increase!

Prayer For Today:

Lord, help me today to honor You with not only my words but with everything.  Thank you Father for Your goodness, mercy, and grace.  Help me always to honor you through my words, deeds, and even my finances.  I praise you from the depths of my heart for who You are, and not just for what You have done for me.  Help me to honor You with all that I am.  In Jesus name, Amen!