12th July – Daily Devotions My Utmost for His Highest The Spiritually Self-Seeking Church …till we all come…to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ… —Ephesians 4:13 Reconciliation means restoring the relationship between the entire human race and God, returning it to what God designed it to be, that which Jesus Christ did in redemption. When the church becomes self-seeking and only interested in developing the organization, it loses its spiritual essence. The true reconciliation of the human race, according to His plan, is not just about realising Him in our individual lives, but also in our collective existence. Jesus Christ sent apostles and teachers for this very purpose— to bring into being and make known the corporate Person of Christ and His church, made up of many members. This underscores the importance of both personal and collective spiritual growth. We are not here to develop our spiritual life or enjoy a quiet spiritual retreat. We are here for the sole realisation of Jesus Christ to build His body. Am I building up the body of Christ, or am I only concerned about my personal development? My personal relationship with Jesus Christ is essential— “…that I may know Him…” (Philippians 3:10). But it's not just about knowing Him, it's about surrendering to Him. Fulfilling God’s perfect design requires my total surrender— completely abandoning myself to Him. Whenever I only want things for myself, the relationship is distorted. I will suffer great humiliation once I acknowledge and understand that I should not be concerned with knowing what God has done for me. But it should be about realising Jesus Christ Himself. My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace, Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God. Am I measuring my life by this standard or by something less? Bible in a Year: Psalms 4-6; Acts 17:16-34 WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS “I have chosen you” (John 15:16). Keep that note of greatness in your creed. It is not that you have God, but that He has got you. (fb)

11th July – Daily Devotions My Utmost for His Highest The Spiritually Vigorous Saint …that I may know Him… PHILIPPIANS 3:10 A saint should not take the initiative toward self-realisation but toward knowing Jesus Christ. A spiritually vigorous saint never believes that his circumstances randomly happen; he never thinks of his life as divided into the secular and the sacred. In every situation, he sees it as a means of obtaining a more excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ; he has an attitude of unrestrained abandon and total surrender. The Holy Spirit determines that we will have the realisation of Jesus Christ in every area of our lives, and He will bring us back to the same point until we do. Self-realisation only leads to the glorification of good works, whereas a saint of God glorifies Jesus Christ through his good works. Whatever we may be doing— even eating, drinking, or washing disciples’ feet— we must take the initiative of knowing and recognising Jesus Christ in it. Every phase of our life has its counterpart in the life of Jesus. Our Lord realised His relationship to the Father even in the most menial task. “Jesus, knowing…that He had come from God and was going to God,…took a towel…and began to wash the disciples’ feet…” (John 13:3-5). The aim of a spiritually vigorous saint is “that I may know Him…” Do I know Him? If not, I am failing Him. I am not here for self-realisation but to know Jesus Christ. In Christian work, our initiative and motivation are too often simply the result of realising that there is work to do and that we must do it. And yet that is never the attitude of a spiritually vigorous saint. He aims to achieve the realisation of Jesus Christ in every set of circumstances. Bible in One Year: Psalms 1-3; Acts 17:1-15 WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS “It is possible to know all about doctrine and yet not know Jesus. The soul is in danger when knowledge of doctrine outstrips intimate touch with Jesus; do I have a personal history with Jesus Christ? The one sign of discipleship is an intimate connection with Him, a knowledge of Jesus Christ that nothing can shake.” (fb)