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Surplus And Deficit by Charley Gunter

Today's Devotions

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Showcase: Assorted Treats

  • Man’s Search for Meaning, Victor E Frankl +

    Victor Frankl, a Jewish psychiatrist and survivor of Auschwitz Concentration Camp during World War II, writes compellingly on the human Read More
  • A Literary Sabbath +

    Lynne Baab's Sabbath Keeping: Finding Freedom in the Rhythms of Rest (InterVarsity Press, 2005) is a beautiful meditation on the Read More
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4 1 11bThese days all of us are accutely aware of the job market, the stock market, the real estate market, or the status of our current earnings. Our son Charley talked with God one day about his "balance sheet."

Heavenly Father, I have a large surplus and a great deficit. I have a surplus of selfishness and wanting my own way, right now. I have a great deficit of obedience and, by extension, love for You. You said, "If you love Me, do the things I command you." I haven't been loving You like I should. It shows to me, if to no one else.

Bankrupt me of my surplus. Remove from me the selfishness and disobedience that I so readily choose. Replace it with a deep and growing love for You and teach me to know You more deeply. Help me keep my mind set on things above, not on earthly things.

God, I feel small and needy. I need You infinitely more than You need me. Yet You chose me before I knew You. Amazing! Hold on to me. Keep me in Your love, in Your will, and in Your way. Help me to live for You today. I can't change what was, and I can't control what will be. Help me to value the time that You give me, moment by moment, so that I will spend it doing things of eternal value, not storing up treasures on earth, not entertaining myself, not indulging my selfishness, not passing the time to pass the time. Put me to work doing Your work, whatever You would have me do. I'm willing and available, even if not qualified or able.

You are my strength, my rock, my fortress, my refuge, and my shield. Of whom then shall I be afraid? You love me with a perfect love, more than I could ever earn or deserve. Thank You, Father. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Think about this:
Can't we all identify with this true accounting of the state of our hearts? Let God audit your current spiritual "books" and give you an accounting of your heart's assets and liabilities. You might want to discuss your spiritual "balance sheet" with Him.

Reflections to Consider

  • Corporate Spirituality

    Encouragement, Accountability, and Worship Solitude, community and ministry are three areas requiring balance and integration in the Christian walk. The Read More
  • Companion of the Souls

    When the two disciples recognised Jesus as he broke the bread for them in their house in Emmaus, he "vanished Read More
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Publications

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Music

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Audio & Video

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Favorites

  • Transforming this World: The Hope of Glory by NT Wright +

    Wright confronts the perspective that this world doesn’t matter, and that we live only to be in heaven. He shows Read More
  • What is Good in a World that Defies Hope: a talk by NT Wright +

    This is the second part of three talks by NT Wright at Harvard University in November, 2008 on the topic Read More
  • The Stream, the Lake and the River: NT Wright +

      Acts 2.1-21; John 7.37-39; a sermon at the Eucharist on the Feast of Pentecost, 11 May 2008, by the Read More
  • Jesus in the Perfect Storm by NT Wright +

    Zechariah 9.9-17; Luke 19.28-48; A sermon for Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011, In the University Chapel of St Salvator, St Read More
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Hidden Blessings

  • Warfare Spirituality +

    The Trinity function as farmers of our souls, actively caring for God’s creation: an ongoing, radical reclamation of His creation. Read More
  • You are free +

    The Jesus who calmed a sea of deadly, stormy waves, whose arrival sent thousands of demons cringing and cowering to Read More
  • Deliver us from Evil +

    Spiritual warfare is something that few Christians, regardless of their denomination, are accustomed to thinking about, let alone engaging in. Read More
  • Baby, you're a rich man! +

    The lover of money will not be satisfied with money; nor the lover of wealth, with gain. This also is Read More
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