Gospel,
where we read, "Jesus, knowing that He came from God, and went to God,
riseth from supper and began to wash the disciples' feet." It was because
He knew His high dignity and His high destiny that He could stoop to the
lowest place and that place could not degrade Him.

God give to us the Divine insignia of heavenly rank, a bowed head, a meek
and lowly spirit.

DECEMBER 20.

"That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles,
ministering the Gospel of God" (Rom. xv. 16).

This is a very beautiful and practical conception of missionary work.
There is a great difference in being consecrated to our God. We may be
consecrated to our work and consecrated to our God. We may be consecrated
and fitted to do missionary work, and utterly fail, if He should call us
to do something different. But when we are consecrated to Him, we shall be
ready for anything He may require of us, and be as well qualified to serve
Him by the sick bed of a brother, or even in the secular duties of home,
as in standing in the pulpit or leading a soul to Christ.

Paul's conception is holy work, or a special sacrifice, and directly unto
Christ, and Christ alone; and he stood as one should stand at the altar of
incense, lifting up with holy hands the Gentile nations unto God, and
laying all his work like fragrant incense before the throne, pleased only
with what would please his Master, and stand the test of His inspection,
and the seal of His approval in that glorious day.

This is the spirit of true service.

DECEMBER 21.

"Give us day by day our daily bread" (Luke xi. 3).

It is very hard to live a lifetime at once, or even a year, but it is
delightfully easy to live a day at a time. Day by day the manna fell, so
day by day we may live upon the heavenly bread, and live out our life for
Him. Let us, breath by breath, moment by moment, step by step, abide in
Him, and, just as we take care of the days, He will take care of the
years.

God has given two precious promises for the days. "As thy days so shall
thy strength be," is His ancient covenant, and the literal translation of
our Master's parting words to His disciples is, "Lo, I am with you all the
days, even unto the end of the age."

Like the little water spider that goes down beneath the waters of the pool
enclosed in a bubble of air, and there builds its nest and rears its
young, and lives its little life in that bright sphere down beneath the
s