Ixtheus Christian Devotionals

  Rom. 12:1
  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, 
  that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, 
  holy, acceptable unto God, 
  which is your reasonable service. 

  A sad old man dying of cancer told a pastor friend this tragic story: "Years ago 
  in Sweden God called me to preach-to this I agreed, if He would enable me to sell
  my farm. The very next day a man made me an offer, but I hesitated, telling him to 
  return on the morrow.

  "After prayer I promised God I would preach if the buyer would agree to take my 
  job as Sunday School superintendent. The man said, 'That is the very chance I 
  have wanted.' He paid me for the farm but rather than use the money to prepare 
  for the ministry, I went to America.

  "The first year in America my wife died, leaving me with five children. Very soon
   after, my oldest daughter died. Still I would not surrender to God's will. I preached
   a little on the side but did not obey God in giving my full time. I lost a good
   business, pleaded bankruptcy and left town.

  "Then I went into the hardware business and prospered for a time, but one of my 
  sons who assisted me in the work began a systematic robbery of the till. Again I
   was forced into bankruptcy.

  "These things did not come upon me accidentally. They were the hand of God. 
  Now I am dying of cancer- I have only three months to live. Weeping he said, "I 
  know I am saved, but oh the loss. I will soon be ushered into His presence to give 
  account of a whole life of disobedience."

  What a tragedy! Wasted time, talents, treasure and testimony. He might have 
  become the "Moody" of Sweden.
  WASTED TIME

  Think of the many years this man wasted. Lost time is gone forever. Life is too
   short to be frittered away on self. It isn't how long you live but how you live that 
  really counts.

  David Brainerd, the great missionary to the American Indians, died when only 29. 
  But his utter abandonment to the will of God, his crushing burden for the souls of 
  men, his many hours of agonizing intercessory prayer challenge us to this day. He 
  accomplished so much during his short life because he lived not unto himself 
  "but unto Him which died for them, and rose again" (II Cor. 5:15).

  The love of Christ compelled him to follow the steps of his master who...did always
   those things that pleased the Father (John 8:29). At the judgement seat of Christ 
  we will give account of precious time squandered in rebellion against God's will.
  WASTED TALENTS

  It isn't the number of talents you possess but your use of them that counts. You can
  shamefully waste them in sin, foolishly let them die under the rubbish of little petty
  things that eat up your valuable time and attention or wisely develop them for 
  God's glory and service.

  "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus" 
  (Col. 3:17). What right have you to misuse God-given talents, gifts and abilities 
  rather than use them to produce fruit and testimony for your Lord?
  WASTED TREASURE

  Full surrender includes the purse and checkbook. God entrusted you with money
  that you might know the joy of using it to speed the gospel to the heathen, 
  evangelize world-wide through the printed page, aid struggling preachers and 
  Christian workers, relieve poverty-stricken suffering saints and in many other
  ways support God's work.
  The liberal soul enjoys a thrill that the stingy, close-fisted, religious tight-wad
  knows nothing about. If all God's children would place their treasure at the 
  wounded feet of their living Lord, every phase of Gospel work would prosper 
  without the begging, pleading, driving for funds that characterizes Christian 
  work of our day.
  YIELD YOURSELF TO GOD

  What are you doing with your time, talents and treasure? Do you want God to 
  bless your life and use your testimony? Then bow before Him now and say, 
  "Dear Lord Jesus, I thank Thee for giving Thyself on the cross for me. I know 
  Thou art alive from the dead, exalted as Lord of all. Here and now, the best I
  know how, I yield myself, my all, without hesitation or reservation, once and for all, 
  utterly to Thee. Have Thy way in my life now and forever. By Thy grace, I will go 
  where Thou dost lead, I will speak what Thou dost command, I will be what Thou 
  dost choose. I will do Thy will as Thou dost reveal it for Thy glory."

Bible Tracts Inc. PO Box 188 Bloomington, IL 61702-0188
http://www.ibnet.org/Tracts.HTM

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IXTHEUS CHRISTIAN DEVOTIONALS 
ALWAYS FREE OF CHARGE
(but not necessarily  free of COST)
feel free to redistribute these materials to whomever you want...
be careful to observe copyright information where appropriate...
for questions, comments, help or suggestions, or subscriptions, contact us at
 ixtheus@execpc.com

Visit my evangelistic presentation at...
http://www.execpc.com/~ixtheus

God Bless You.....brother bob.......<><

If you have comments or questions, email me at ixtheus@execpc.com