The Twenty Ninth of September.

AMONG WHOM YE SHINE --- Philippians 2:15.

"Abstain from all appearance of evil." --- 1 Thessalonians 5:22.

"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." --- Philippians 2:15.

Lord, I desire to shine in good works, the genuine fruits of faith; therefore will I give myself up to thee, to purge me that I may bring forth more fruit. Looking upon myself as thine, I would not only abstain from evil, but the very appearance of it.

Some are satisfied with knowing they are blameless, and care not what others think of them; but, for the gospels sake, I desire to appear blameless before others, lest some offence should come through me; which, as far as in me lieth, I would prevent. Thy children, O God, are as lights in the world. O, pour thy grace, that heavenly oil, into my lamp, and so trim it that it may give light unto all around, that they may be led to glorify thy holy name.

O Lord, my stubborn will subdue,
Create my ruined frame anew,
Dispel my darkness by the light,
Into all truth my spirit guide,
But from mine eyes for ever hide
All things displeasing to thy sight.

Be heaven now my soul's abode;
Hid be my life with Christ in God;
My spirit, Lord, be one with thine;
Let all my works in thee be wrought,
And fill'd with thee be all my thought,
Till in me thy full likeness shine.

Devotion for September 29