A sick heart or a healthy one?

From Spurgeon's Morning & Evening -

"What think ye of Christ?" (Matt 22:42)

The great test of your soul’s health is, What think you of Christ? Is he to you "fairer than the children of men"-"the chief among ten thousand"-the "altogether lovely"? Wherever Christ is thus esteemed, all the faculties of the spiritual man exercise themselves with energy. I will judge of your piety by this barometer: does Christ stand high or low with you? If you have thought little of Christ, if you have been content to live without his presence, if you have cared little for his honour, if you have been neglectful of his laws, then I know that your soul is sick-God grant that it may not be sick unto death! But if the first thought of your spirit has been, how can I honour Jesus? If the daily desire of your soul has been, "O that I knew where I might find Him!" I tell you that you may have a thousand infirmities, and even scarcely know whether you are a child of God at all, and yet I am persuaded, beyond a doubt, that you are safe, since Jesus is great in your esteem. I care not for thy rags, what thinkest thou of His royal apparel? I care not for thy wounds, though they bleed in torrents, what thinkest thou of His wounds? are they like glittering rubies in thine esteem? I think none the less of thee, though thou liest like Lazarus on the dunghill, and the dogs do lick thee-I judge thee not by thy poverty: what thinkest thou of the King in his beauty? Has He a glorious high throne in thy heart? Wouldest thou set Him higher if thou couldest? Wouldest thou be willing to die if thou couldest but add another trumpet to the strain which proclaims His praise? Ah! then it is well with thee. Whatever thou mayest think of thyself, if Christ be great to thee, thou shalt be with Him ere long.

Either these are delightful words to ponder in your heart or offensive words to judge your heart's desire.

As the year closes and a new one lurks just around the corner, will Christ be the first and foremost in your thoughts, words, attitudes and deeds this year?

Beloved, seek Christ Jesus foremost in all you say, do, think and act upon. I'll pray that for you and you pray that for me! Let us commit to holding each other up so we can end 2006 in joy, gratitude and delight when we reflect upon our precious Lord and Savior!

Let us agree to pursue Christ in 2006. May our days bring praise to His holy name. May our minutes seek to glorify Him in all things. May our hearts shine Jesus…Him, and Him alone.

I love you all.