Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

November 1– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“The church in your house.” 

—Philemon 2

Is there a Church in your house? Are parents, children, and friends all members of it, or are some still unconverted? Let’s give this question some thought today.

First, am I a member of the Church in this house? How wonderful it would be if all were saved from the oldest to the youngest! Let’s pray for this until the Lord grants it to us. It was probably one of Philemon’s dearest desires to have his whole household saved, but it wasn’t so at first. He had a wicked servant, Onesimus, who wronged him and ran away from his service. His master’s prayers followed him, and at last Onesimus heard the Apostle Paul preach.  He was converted, and he returned to Philemon not only to be a faithful servant but a dearly loved brother, adding to the Church in Philemon’s house.  Is someone in your house unconverted? Plead with God tenderly that he or she will return to their home with the good news of what grace has done!

If there is such a Church in our house, let us manage it well, performing all activity in the sight of God, even the common affairs of life with studied holiness, diligence, kindness, and integrity. More is expected of a Church than of an ordinary household; family worship must be more devout and hearty, internal love must be more warm and unbroken, and external conduct must be more like Christ. 

As a Church, let’s draw near to the great head of the one Church universal, and let us beg him to give us grace to shine before men to the glory of his name. [M&E]