Devotional

“If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.”  —C.T. Studd, global missionary  

 First, he followed renowned missionary Hudson Taylor to China. 

 Then, he traveled and ministered faithfully in India. 

 Finally, he spent the later years of his life sharing the good news of Jesus in Africa. 

 C.T. Studd is an incredible example of a man determined to share the Gospel and take a stand for Christ … but it was not always this way. 

 When he was a young man, following Christ was the last thing on C.T.’s mind. He was a star on the Cricket field and was becoming well known as an athlete across England. 

 And yet, he knew something was missing in his life. 

 At the age of 18, C.T. was asked by a traveling preacher if he believed he would obtain eternal life after he died. And C.T. couldn’t answer! The preacher explained the plan of salvation, and C.T. accepted Christ. 

 His life was never the same again. He traveled to foreign lands to preach the Gospel and led countless people to the Lord. Though he had a wife and children to support, he gave any wealth he acquired to further the Kingdom. He even left his family behind in England while he ministered in Africa, his final missionary journey.  

 We are not all called to the foreign mission field. However, as God’s children, we do have a calling! The Great Commission is ours to do together, no matter our chosen profession. C.T. Studd understood this.  

 He wrote a famous poem, “Only One Life,” that perfectly sums up his life and ministry. One stanza says: 

 “When this bright world would tempt me sore,  

When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,  

Then help me Lord with joy to say;  

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.” 

 Do you live your life with this in mind? Are you willing to deny self to proclaim Christ? Is there a recognition that only what’s done for Christ will last?  

 Allow this thought to direct your priorities. Make new ones, if needed. Develop the mindset of servant of the Lord C.T. Studd. 

 My prayer this week—Lord, help me to live fully for you! To recognize that in the grand scheme of life, it is not fame or fortune that matters. It’s growing closer to you and sharing you with the lost. Help me gain an eternal perspective and set my priorities according to your Kingdom.