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Wednesday, March 26, 2025 3:08 AM GMT+1 |
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The LORD is near Daily Devotional for 2025
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Monday, March 31, 2025 Joshua (13)—Seeking Greener Pastures The children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given us only one lot and one share to inherit, since we are a great people, inasmuch as the L??? has blessed us until now?” So Joshua answered them, “If you are a great people, then go up to the forest country and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and the giants, since the mountains of Ephraim are too confined for you.” Joshua 17:14–15 ???? Joshua (13)—Seeking Greener Pastures The tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim did not dispossess all the Canaanites from the territory of their inheritance. But...More Sunday, March 30, 2025 The Remembrance of You Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O L???, we have waited for You; the desire of our soul is for Your name and for the remembrance of You. With my soul I have desired You in the night, yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early. Isaiah 26:8–9 ???? The Remembrance of You In Isaiah 53, we read about the great sacrifice of our Lord Jesus: “It pleased the L??? to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief … You make His soul an offering for sin … He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the...More Saturday, March 29, 2025 The Cross of Christ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:17–18 ???? The Cross of Christ Much more is meant by the “cross of Christ” than the means of pardon for the sinner. To treat it only as the great remedy for man’s need, however true as far as it goes, is to rob it of an immense deal of its importance as well as to obscure the truth and shut out God’s...More Friday, March 28, 2025 Increasing and Abounding May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 ???? Increasing and Abounding Strong bonds of affection existed between Paul and his coworkers. They loved the believers in Thessalonica, a love that came from God, who is the Source of love (1 Jn. 4:7). It was poured out in the hearts of those who responded to God’s love. They received it when they became believers (Rom. 5:5). Wonderful grace! Yet there is always room for improvement and progress. The above verse indicates such a development with the words increase and abound....More Thursday, March 27, 2025 Construction or Destruction Lift up Your feet to the perpetual desolations. The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary. Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place; they set up their banners for signs. They seem like men who lift up axes among the thick trees. And now they break down its carved work, all at once, with axes and hammers. Psalm 74:3–6 ???? Construction or Destruction In Psalm 74, we have a complaint of Asaph concerning the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar. He tells us that at one time a man was accounted famous for going to Lebanon and, with an axe, hewing down trees, and with a...More Wednesday, March 26, 2025 Fellowship With the Father and the Son The life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 1 John 1:2–4 ???? Fellowship With the Father and the Son Life is ours by the free favor of God, and having the life, we have the privilege of the fellowship. It is true that some of the children only enjoy the fellowship...More Tuesday, March 25, 2025 The Father’s Discipline You have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the L???, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the L??? loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” Hebrews 12:5–6 ???? The Father’s Discipline This text is one that we sometimes would rather pass right over. It is often misunderstood and misapplied. But it is actually very encouraging because we are reminded of the loving hand of God the Father. These verses, and the ones that follow, deal with the subject of God’s discipline. When we hear the...More Monday, March 24, 2025 The Lord’s Pathway All the paths of the L??? are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. Psalm 25:10 ???? The Lord’s Pathway My soul, never follow your own paths. If you do, you will often be in danger of walking by sight rather than by faith, thus choosing the evil and refusing the good. Let this be your prayer: “Show me Your ways, O L???; teach me Your paths” (Ps. 25:4). And help me to commit my way to You and trust You to bring it to pass (Ps. 37:5). Oh for Caleb’s spirit which enabled him to say, “I wholly followed the L??? my God” (Josh. 14:8)! May we all...More Sunday, March 23, 2025 Worthy of Unceasing Praise Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. Psalm 43:3–4 ???? Worthy of Unceasing Praise God must be, and is, the Originator of all that is good. If one is to be led rightly, this must be by God sending out His light and His truth to lead in His own wise way. The truth does not leave me to decide for myself what is the best way to be led. If I receive the truth of God, it will lead me unerringly to God’s holy...More Saturday, March 22, 2025 Joshua (12)—Seeking the Blessing Caleb said, “He who attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife” … She answered, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs. Joshua 15:16, 19 Joshua (12)—Seeking the Blessing After seven years of fighting, the land was now being divided for an inheritance to the tribes. Judah was first in line, and 85-year-old Caleb, that intrepid old warrior and former spy, stepped forward to claim the portion he had been promised by Moses 45 years...More Friday, March 21, 2025 The Right Moment Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” John 2:4 ???? The Right Moment The Gospel of John shows the Lord Jesus as the Son of God who was sent by the Father and who lived in constant dependence on Him. This dependence is seen in not only what He did but also when He did it. In chapter 2, Jesus’ mother noticed that the wine at the wedding feast had run out. Her indirect suggestion that Jesus may do something about it was rejected by the Lord as His time had not come. He did not listen to the well-meant remark of His mother but...More Thursday, March 20, 2025 A Short-Lived Revival The words of Jeremiah … to whom the word of the L??? came in the days of Josiah … until the carrying away of Jerusalem. Jeremiah 1:1–3 ???? A Short-Lived Revival As a young man, Jeremiah was called by the Lord to prophetic service. King Josiah was on the throne in Jerusalem, and a revival was underway. Josiah had removed the idolatrous displays that infected the land, even personally supervising the destruction of Baal’s altars (2 Chr. 34:3–5). Five years after Jeremiah’s call, a tremendous Passover feast was held—the greatest since the days of Samuel (35:18–19). It probably looked...More Wednesday, March 19, 2025 A False Messiah Is Coming The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 ???? A False Messiah Is Coming Many people in Thessalonica responded to the message of God’s good news and became believers. They turned to the living and true God. Their faith had three vital characteristics, as seen in their (1) work of faith, (2) labor of love, and (3) endurance or perseverance of hope (1 Th. 1:3). Today, we still need these features that show the reality of what we believe. The enemy wants believers to be satisfied with their profession, with a...More Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Let This Mind Be in You He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:14 ???? Let This Mind Be in You How wonderful to see God’s understanding of us and our needs. God knows our anxieties and fears and assures us to trust in Him. Many times He tells us, “fear not.” Someone once told me that the thought of this phrase is repeated 365 times in the Bible, one a day for the whole year. Even so, God recognizes that we may be fearful, and He makes provision for us. We see this in His instruction to Israel in relation to war. Those who feared the impending battle did not have to go out to fight (Dt. 20:8)....More Monday, March 17, 2025 The Power of God [You] are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:5 ???? The Power of God In addressing the believers that had been scattered due to persecution in Jerusalem and the surrounding area, Peter does not merely reassure them by saying their hardships were over, but he encourages them with the thought that they are being kept by the power of God. How infinitely better for them to undergo hardships under the watchful protection of the loving God in whom they had placed their faith, than to have a false sense of security in pleasant...More Sunday, March 16, 2025 Joshua (11)—The Glorious Victor Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the L??? had commanded Moses … So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the L??? had said to Moses; and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Then the land rested from war. Joshua 11:15, 23 ???? Joshua (11)—The Glorious Victor Joshua 11 relates how the peoples of the northern part of the land united together under Jabin, the king of Hazor, to fight against Israel. God tells us that “they went out, they and all their armies with them, as many people as the sand that is on the seashore...More Saturday, March 15, 2025 Consider Him For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Hebrews 12:3 ???? Consider Him Whereas the imagery given in Hebrews 12:1–2 is of a race, and of an object to focus on while we run, today’s verse goes a bit deeper. The writer encourages us to “consider Him.” This word consider means to “weigh the value of.” As we look at the life of the Lord Jesus and all that He endured, we will be encouraged to press on and to neither turn back nor give up on the journey of faith. The path of faith can...More Friday, March 14, 2025 Three Apples Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. Acts 16:31 ???? Three Apples It has been said, humorously, that three apples have changed the course of human history? Let us take them in reverse order. Apple Inc. has spearheaded the information technology revolution of recent years with their remarkable array of electronic products. Isaac Newton’s apple may not have fallen on his head, but it did make him think, “Why should that apple always descend perpendicularly to the ground?” His laws of gravity revolutionized scientific understanding of the day when first...More Thursday, March 13, 2025 God Had a Plan (2) But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Genesis 50:20 ???? God Had a Plan (2) God used Joseph in a mighty way to save and bless not only Egypt, but also his brothers, the very ones who had treated him so unfairly! When all had come to pass, he said to his brothers, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order … to save many people.” Joseph’s brothers had their plan for Joseph, and all the while God was working out His plan! The antitype to the story of Joseph...More Wednesday, March 12, 2025 God Had a Plan (1) Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. Genesis 45:4–5 ???? God Had a Plan (1) One of the wonderful things about the Word of God is that the truths revealed in its contents do not stand as isolated snippets or disassociated stories and events. Rather, they are woven and linked together throughout the Bible, supporting the overriding theme: the redemption of...More Tuesday, March 11, 2025 One Man There is still one man … but I hate him. Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him. 1 Kings 22:8 ????; Mark 12:6 ???? One Man This chapter of 1 Kings is very remarkable. We find on earth a godly king, Jehoshaphat, wrongly associating himself with a very wicked king, Ahab. At the same time, we find heaven opened to us, allowing us to view the way in which God in His sovereignty uses a lying spirit to lead Ahab to his destruction. And we also find one man on earth who is able to speak for Jehovah in heaven. Let us consider for a moment this last point, and...More Monday, March 10, 2025 Suffering for Christ For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did. 1 Thessalonians 2:14 ???? Suffering for Christ In this world full of turmoil, God has a people for Himself, disciples of the Lord Jesus. They have chosen to take a path marked by sufferings, which others have taken before. Many believers have gone through great conflicts. Yet they are willing to do so, eager to imitate the example of those who went before. It is like in an army, where fallen soldiers are being replaced by...More Sunday, March 9, 2025 A Precious Observance He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this is remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:19–20 ???? A Precious Observance The institution of the Lord’s Supper is like a beautiful jewel against a black background, precious to the hearts of those who love the Lord at a time when He has been cast out by Israel and the world. The bread which the Lord Jesus breaks symbolizes His body given for us, and...More Saturday, March 8, 2025 Joshua (10)—God Is for Us The L??? cast down large hailstones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died … So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people had revenge upon their enemies. Joshua 10:11, 13 ???? Joshua (10)—God Is for Us The Hivites in Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were under Israel’s protection. This did not please their neighbors to the south. Five kings of the Amorites under the leadership of the king of Jerusalem now camped before Gibeon with their armies to make war against it. The Gibeonites appealed to Joshua for help. Joshua and Israel’s warriors...More Friday, March 7, 2025 Using the Time While We Wait for Christ Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 ???? Using the Time While We Wait for Christ Never in the history of the world have things moved with such lightning speed. In the past decade, we have witnessed changes that we thought would take centuries for development. People may well cry, “What is next?” and “Where is all this leading?” In the light of the Word of God there is one sure and certain event of great magnitude that is coming soon—very soon. The Lord Jesus is coming! He will give that shout in the air which will call all who are sheltered...More Thursday, March 6, 2025 Living Epistles You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. 2 Corinthians 3:2–3 ???? Living Epistles It was a wonderful thing to call any company of saints in this world Paul’s epistle, that which set forth his mind and heart, the fruit of his testimony in the Spirit to the world. Such he declares the Corinthian assembly to be; no mere “lip service” this, but “written in our hearts,” yet...More Wednesday, March 5, 2025 A Wonderful Day Is Coming This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the L???, where I will meet you to speak with you. And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory. Exodus 29:42–43 ???? A Wonderful Day Is Coming It is a wonderful fact to know that a continual fragrance of Christ rises up to God. His Person and His work, that bring endless delight to His God and Father, are the foundation of every blessing. We stand before God, accepted in His beloved Son. When God looks upon Christ in glory,...More Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Christ Occupied With Us and We With Him And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43 ???? Christ Occupied With Us and We With Him One of the greatest blessings the soul can have is the power of entering into the refreshment the Lord Jesus Christ had while He was on the earth, and it is that which makes the scene between Himself and the dying thief so precious: not only that this poor man found light through an open door, but—the thought is so exceedingly precious—that He who saved that thief saw in him one of the fruits of the travail of His soul. This is very...More Monday, March 3, 2025 His Light and Truth Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me. Psalm 43:3 ???? His Light and Truth There are times when I have allowed myself to become discouraged over the trials and tribulations common to life in this fallen world. I do admit to some self-pity over all the lovely sights my blinded eyes are missing, and upon my own dependence upon others just to navigate about my darkened world. However, in Psalm 43, I believe there is much to encourage the soul! In this psalm, I believe we hear the voice of the faithful of Israel, who despite the trials posed by enemies around them, are longing for...More Sunday, March 2, 2025 The Patient Sufferer When the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Mark 15:33–34 ???? The Patient Sufferer All night long the blessed Lord of glory had been subjected to the vicious abuse of religious leaders who had before plotted His death. Then to this was added the ordeal of a second mock trial before a Roman judge who proclaimed His innocence, yet ordered Him to be scourged, and finally passed the...More |
Thursday, February 27, 2025 Saul of Tarsus Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Acts 26:9–10 ???? Saul of Tarsus Saul was born in the city of Tarsus in modern-day Turkey. He belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, and was named, in Greek, Saulos, from the Hebrew name Shaoul, meaning desired. Israel’s first king had the same name, and he was of the same tribe. Saul’s hometown, Tarsus, was part...More Wednesday, February 26, 2025 How Can I Know the Will of God? (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 ???? How Can I Know the Will of God? (2) We need to realize this is not an “on/off” matter. Our God may direct us to do different things at different times but there will never be any “down-time.” If the word for “present” in verse 1 means a once-for-all lifelong commitment, verse 2 tells us how we can sustain this day to day. The world has a completely different agenda. After all, its princes crucified the Lord...More Tuesday, February 25, 2025 How Can I Know the Will of God? (1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1 ???? How Can I Know the Will of God? (1) This is one of the most frequent questions Christians ask. How many sermons, books, websites, blogs and, yes, calendar texts, try to answer it, and yet God’s answer, in a nutshell, is in the first two verses of Paul’s letter to the Romans. It takes the form of an appeal founded on the pitying love of God which suffuses the way of salvation Paul has expounded in the preceding...More Monday, February 24, 2025 Four Generations The L??? has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the L??? has commanded him to be commander over His people. 1 Samuel 13:14 ???? Four Generations When God chose David to sit on the throne, something new began. David was a man after God’s own heart. From youth to old age, he displayed a life of faith. Even when he failed through tremendously offensive sins, he made no excuses but genuinely repented. Centuries later, the days of David were still a reference point for God’s people (Neh. 12:46). Solomon took the throne next. He asked God for understanding, and his kingdom...More Sunday, February 23, 2025 A New and Living Way Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19–22 ???? A New and Living Way It will be noticed that these four verses complete one full sentence. Earlier in Hebrews 10, the writer was demonstrating the superiority of Christ’s sacrifice. Here he goes on to...More Saturday, February 22, 2025 Joshua (8)—Privileged to Have God’s Word There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers who were living among them. Joshua 8:35 ???? Joshua (8)—Privileged to Have God’s Word God gave Israel a complete victory over Ai, but it was not the easy victory that they in self-confidence had originally expected to gain with just three thousand warriors. Once the victory was won, Joshua and the people did what Moses had commanded in Deuteronomy 27. Joshua built an altar of large whole stones on which he offered...More Friday, February 21, 2025 Salvation to All The gospel of Christ … is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16 ???? Salvation to All During His earthly ministry we hear the Lord Jesus tell His disciples not to go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Mt. 10:5–6); and to the woman at the well of Sychar He says, “salvation is of the Jews” (Jn. 4:22). This may seem strange at first glance, yet He is not limiting salvation to the nation of Israel, but rather, He is making it clear that salvation would come from this nation....More Thursday, February 20, 2025 Be Still God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 ???? Be Still I find Psalm 46 to be most comforting, despite the turbulent times in which we live, because there we are assured that God Himself is our refuge, come what may in this world. Today, do we not see the unbelievers raging everywhere we look, and isn’t faith in the Lord being challenged on every side? We see wars and mass killings, severe weather events, and all manner of terrible diseases; and these events seem to be growing in number and intensity by the day. On top of that, it seems that all that...More Wednesday, February 19, 2025 Approved by God Just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 ??? Approved by God The Lord Jesus called Saul of Tarsus out of darkness to light. After a time of training in God’s school, He entrusted him with the special task of proclaiming His message of salvation to Jews and Gentiles. He became God’s spokesperson, sent to many places and countries, serving his new Master with great devotion and amazing results. Saul did not volunteer for this task. On the contrary, he had not been willing at...More Tuesday, February 18, 2025 Take Heed It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle. 2 Samuel 11:1 ???? Take Heed The story of David’s fall is a sad but very instructive portion of Scripture. His sin and the long-lasting consequences have a number of lessons for us. God wants us to learn from others’ mistakes, so much so that a significant portion of Scripture is dedicated to this sad story. We know that David was a man after God’s heart, so if it could happen to him, we are not exempt from such failure too: “let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). What...More Monday, February 17, 2025 Divine Commission and the Divine Presence (3) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19–20 ???? Divine Commission and the Divine Presence (3) God called Moses and told him He was going to “send” him to Pharaoh with the message of deliverance to His people. Though Moses protested this, because of a sense of his own inadequacy, God assured him, “I will certainly be with you” (Ex. 3:10, 12). In a similar...More Sunday, February 16, 2025 “This Man” Finished the Work But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:12–14 ???? “This Man” Finished the Work What an object for our souls! “But this Man!” This Man, the Lord Jesus, is in contrast to every priest who “stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins” (Heb. 10:11). The writer of the Book of Hebrews has set this Man before us throughout...More Saturday, February 15, 2025 The Exquisite Graciousness of Christ Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 ???? The Exquisite Graciousness of Christ How wonderful Christ is! How He watches to bless us! Is there something that is the one care of your heart? And is that one care half as much to you as you are to Christ? Do not think that His eye has not been on each one of us today. We little appreciate how He looks on us as those given Him of the Father, a people for whom He has so well done what He has done, a people so identified with His own heart’s affections. Ah! Christ loves to hear His people speak of Him and for Him....More Friday, February 14, 2025 Joshua (7)—Achan’s Sin Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things … Therefore, the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies. Joshua 7:11–12 ???? Joshua (7)—Achan’s Sin God is holy! This we dare not forget. After the great victory at Jericho, Israel had gone on to send some three thousand men to capture Ai, a small nearby city. But to their shock and consternation they had been routed, and thirty-six of their men had been killed in battle. Joshua and the elders fell down before the ark of Jehovah until...More Thursday, February 13, 2025 Sanctification (2) To open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me. Acts 26:18 ???? Sanctification (2) Here, faith is the instrument by which we are said to be sanctified, because it connects us with Christ. The very moment the sinner believes on the Lord Jesus Christ he becomes linked with Him. He is made one with Him, complete in Him, accepted in Him. This is true sanctification and justification. It is not a process. It is not a gradual work. It is not...More Wednesday, February 12, 2025 Sanctification (1) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells. Romans 7:18 ???? Sanctification (1) Are you a true believer? If so, have you found any improvement in your old nature? Is it a single whit better now than it was when you first started on your Christian course? You may, through grace, be able to subdue it more thoroughly; but it is nothing better. If it be not mortified, it is just as ready to spring up and show itself in all its vileness as ever. “The flesh” in a believer is in no wise better than “the flesh” in an unbeliever. If this be forgotten, it would be hard to...More Tuesday, February 11, 2025 Divine Commission and the Divine Presence (2) Then the L??? turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” And the L??? said to him, “Surely I will be with you.” Judges 6:14 ????; Judges 6:16 ???? Divine Commission and the Divine Presence (2) When Jehovah appeared to Gideon to call him to fight the Midianites. He said, “The L??? is with you, you mighty man of valor!” (Judg. 6:12). An interesting salutation to a man hiding in a winepress! The first question that Gideon asked God—and it probably had been on his mind for a while—was,...More Monday, February 10, 2025 Hidden Things Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and I will shew thee great and hidden things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3 ??? Hidden Things Let us consider together three points in the above verse: 1. “Call unto Me.” Here we have the gracious invitation of the Lord to His people to call to Him in the midst of all their distress, difficulty, and need. Do we feel the lack of our own resources, whether wisdom or strength or anything else? He desires to be our resource. How many believers look within themselves or look to their brethren or, sadly, look to the world for the resources...More Sunday, February 9, 2025 Christ Is “Better” Having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Hebrews 1:4 ???? Christ Is “Better” The writer of the Book of Hebrews opens by establishing the fact that the Lord Jesus, the eternal Son of God, who became a Man for the purpose of offering Himself as the sacrifice for sin, is superior to everyone and everything else! Here in today’s verse, he uses the word “better,” which is used at least thirteen times throughout the Book of Hebrews. The word that has been translated as better actually means “greater,...More Saturday, February 8, 2025 Love Your Brothers Hatred stirs up strife. Proverbs 10:12 ???? Love Your Brothers By the Spirit of God, the apostle who tells us “God is love” also warns us against hating our brother. In three successive chapters of 1 John, we find his strongly worded admonitions. The one who hates his brother walks in darkness (2:9–11) and is a murderer (3:11–15). Further, he who claims to love God is called a liar if he also hates his brother (4:20–21). These passages even imply that the one who hates his brother might not be a true believer, since “no murderer has eternal life abiding in him”; and “he...More Friday, February 7, 2025 Joshua (6)—Rahab’s New Life Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house … Joshua spared Rahab the harlot, her father’s household, and all that she had. So she dwells in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. Joshua 6:17, 25 ???? Joshua (6)—Rahab’s New Life When Israel had followed the Lord’s detailed instructions for a whole week, at Joshua’s direction they gave a great shout, and the priests blew with their trumpets and Jericho’s wall fell flat. Israel could rush in from every direction and take the city, killing the people and...More Thursday, February 6, 2025 Keeping Our Eyes on Christ Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God! Acts 7:56 ???? Keeping Our Eyes on Christ There is nothing the children of God need to judge themselves about so much as neglecting to walk in this world with their eyes fixed on Christ. If God has taken you out of the power of darkness, it is to have you up with Christ above. Heaven is now your only place. Stephen was “full of the Holy Spirit.” Do we Christians think enough of that? The effect of it on Stephen was that he looked up steadfastly into heaven, not just as an expression that he was...More Wednesday, February 5, 2025 Divine Commission and the Divine Presence (1) Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt … I will certainly be with you. Exodus 3:10, 12 ???? Divine Commission and the Divine Presence (1) God will never ask us to do something for Him, be it little or great, without His presence also aiding and empowering us. Jehovah had appeared to Moses in the burning bush with the purpose of calling him to a special service: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their...More Tuesday, February 4, 2025 The Yearnings of the New Nature God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 1 John 5:11 ???? The Yearnings of the New Nature The child of God, in the normal, right state of his affections, looks on to the future, when all hindrance shall be abolished, and when he, spirit, soul, and body, shall be like the Lord in the liberty of the glory. He also yearns after the conscious favor of his God’s presence day by day, and longs to know more of Christ, and to live in His enjoyed communion until the glory comes. This, though varying in intensity, and though interrupted by the influences of the world, is true of...More Monday, February 3, 2025 Be a Berean They received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. Acts 17:11–12 ???? Be a Berean It is a great blessing to read brother Luke’s report in his Gospel about the Son of Man who came to this earth. His second account, the Book of Acts, is an important addition to “all that Jesus began both to do and teach” (Acts 1:1). Sometimes called the Acts of the Apostles, it describes what the Lord Jesus had been doing after He ascended to...More Sunday, February 2, 2025 Our Object in Heaven We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. Hebrews 8:1 ???? Our Object in Heaven This is the third of five times in the book of Hebrews where the writer mentions that the Lord Jesus has sat down at the right hand of God. This is not simply repetition without purpose; each time it is mentioned there is a specific point the Spirit of God is seeking to put before us. First, in Hebrews 1:3 we read, “when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” In the context the writer sets...More Saturday, February 1, 2025 Joshua (5)—The Captain of the Lord’s Army It came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand … He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the L??? I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Then the Commander of the L???’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so. Joshua 5:13–15 ???? Joshua (5)—The Captain of the Lord’s Army It was on the tenth day of the...More Friday, January 31, 2025 Waiting on God (2) Those who wait on the L??? shall renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31 ???? Waiting on God (2) The word “wait” in Isaiah 40:31 has the thought of simply and singly looking to Him. It also embraces waiting for Him, and expecting from Him. It is a very full word. That accounts for it being variously translated. One word in English does not give the fullness of its meaning. It is upon God alone then we are to wait. We are to look to Him; to wait for Him; and to expect from Him only. In this exercise, we deepen in the knowledge of that which is before the mind of God; and that displaces things which...More Thursday, January 30, 2025 Waiting on God (1) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the L??? shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30–31 ???? Waiting on God (1) The Lord Jesus knew well where to turn for help as He pressed forward in the path of faith. God was His confidence, as the will of God was His delight, and He ceased not to turn to Him. His own strength might be weakened in the way (Ps. 102:23), but He knew where to find the source of strength unfailing, and to...More Wednesday, January 29, 2025 Members of the Body As we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Romans 12:4–5 ???? Members of the Body The human body is an amazing masterpiece of God’s workmanship, encompassing so great an array of intricate details that the psalmist exclaims, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:14). It is a wonderful example of diversity in unity, for it embraces members totally diverse in character and operation, yet all function together in marvelous unison....More |
Monday, January 27, 2025 He Hears Our Cries In my distress I called upon the L???, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry entered His ears. 2 Samuel 22:7 ???? He Hears Our Cries The history of the nation of Israel is given for our learning, and as we read through the various accounts, one cannot help but relate to some of their experiences. As Christians we have highs and we have lows, and Israel was no different. As they transitioned from the wilderness to the Promised Land, God gave them Joshua as a leader, a type of Christ. While Joshua was with them, they served the Lord. This “high,” if we...More Sunday, January 26, 2025 Joshua (4)—The Work of the Lord Jesus Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan, as the L??? had spoken to Joshua … and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day. Joshua 4:8–9 ???? Joshua (4)—The Work of the Lord Jesus The long-awaited day had come! Although it was overflowing all its banks, Israel had crossed the Jordan. By God’s command the ark, borne on...More Saturday, January 25, 2025 The Free Offer to All Let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17 ???? The Free Offer to All Every man is left without excuse. God can say to all who have rejected His gospel, “I would, but you would not” (cf. Mt. 23:37). There is absolutely no such thing as “reprobation” in the Word of God, meaning the consignment, on God’s part, of any number of His creatures to everlasting damnation. Everlasting fire is prepared for the devil and his angels (Mt. 25:41). Men will rush into it. “Vessels of wrath” are fitted, not by God, but by themselves, to...More Friday, January 24, 2025 Proving Jesus Is the Christ Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” Acts 17:2–3 ???? Proving Jesus Is the Christ The apostle Paul had presented God’s Word in Thessalonica’s synagogue during three consecutive Sabbaths. Luke reports that Paul reasoned with them from the Scriptures, which indicates that the apostle interacted with his audience as he read and interpreted the Scriptures: “Explaining and...More Thursday, January 23, 2025 The Everlasting Light Thy judgments are a great deep … with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light. Psalm 36:6, 9 ??? The Everlasting Light Just as the natural sun sometimes sinks in clouds, so the Christian occasionally has a bright rising, and a still brighter noon, yet goes down in gloom. But we know that when the day of immortality breaks, the last vestige of earth’s shadows will forever flee away. The Lord promises then, although we do not know what He is doing, we shall know hereafter (Jn. 13:7). He seems to keep some things from us to test our faithfulness or to lead us to live in a...More Wednesday, January 22, 2025 Possible and Not Possible Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.“ Mark 9:23 ???? Possible and Not Possible When we come to the end of ourselves, it is good to know that all things are possible with God. This declaration is found three times in the Gospel of Mark. First, a desperate father in Mark 9 brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples, but they could not cast out the evil spirit. A faithless generation (Mk. 9:19) looked on as the demon threw the pitiable boy to the ground at the very moment he approached the Lord: “If You can do anything, have compassion on us...More Tuesday, January 21, 2025 Joshua (3)—The Faith of Rahab The L??? your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the L???, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. Joshua 2:11–13 ???? Joshua (3)—The Faith of Rahab The two spies Joshua had sent to spy out Jericho are also called messengers. To Jericho and its king they were spies who should be sought and killed. To Rahab the prostitute and her family they proved...More Monday, January 20, 2025 A Sympathetic High Priest Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14–16 ???? A Sympathetic High Priest Today’s verses inform us of an extremely important area of our Lord’s priestly work. Presently, because the Lord Jesus Christ has suffered and died, rose again and...More Sunday, January 19, 2025 The Prince of Life In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4 ???? The Prince of Life Human life began when God took what He had formed from the dust and breathed into it the breath of life to form a living being (Gen. 2:7). Death came in shortly after when the first couple doubted God’s motives (3:5–6), and this set in motion the all-too-familiar cycle we witness today, where life is continuously interrupted by death. It took the Prince of Life to come and disrupt this reality over which we have no control. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have...More Saturday, January 18, 2025 The Attitude of the Antediluvians (2) Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen … prepared an ark … by which he condemned the world. Hebrews 11:7 ???? The Attitude of the Antediluvians (2) God had divinely warned Noah about the coming flood. At this time in man’s history, there was not yet a written revelation from God to man, no Bible; thus He had divinely warned Noah about this judgment to come. Thus God put Noah to work in the great project of building the ark according to the design revealed to him. However, Noah was not just building, he was also preaching. In fact, the Bible calls him a “preacher of...More Friday, January 17, 2025 The Attitude of the Antediluvians (1) Will you keep to the old way which wicked men have trod, who were cut down before their time, whose foundations were swept away by a flood? They said to God, “Depart from us! What can the Almighty do to them?” Yet He filled their houses with good things. Job 22:15–18 ???? The Attitude of the Antediluvians (1) An interesting statement is found in the Book of Job concerning Noah’s flood. The prevailing attitude of the antediluvians—people who perished in the great flood—is described. The Book of Genesis describes how violence and corruption had filled the earth at that time (Gen....More Thursday, January 16, 2025 Serving the Living and True God You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10 ???? Serving the Living and True God Only two possibilities exist: life or death, heaven or hell, joy or gnashing of teeth, hope or gloom. The choice is not difficult. That’s why many in Thessalonica had turned to the living and true God, away from idols, demons, doom, and the terror of death. New priorities and activities marked them. Serving the living and true God, instead of...More Wednesday, January 15, 2025 Genuine Reconciliation When he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned.” When he had called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king. Then the king kissed Absalom. Luke 15:20–21 ????; 2 Samuel 14:33 ???? Genuine Reconciliation The story of David’s relationship with his son Absalom is sad, but it has important lessons for us. When Absalom murdered his brother Amnon, he fled to Geshur where he stayed for three years (2 Sam....More Tuesday, January 14, 2025 A Special Love And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 ???? A Special Love Departed saints have not yet got full blessing, but an immense step onward. The position of believers is not changed by death. They were waiting when down here; they are now waiting still in the glory with the Lord in that state of separation from the body. In the case of Stephen, we see how the Lord takes the soul at once to be with Himself; and all beloved departed ones who have died in Jesus are in the experience of that state. This meets the heart when sorrowing under bereavement, and tasting the...More Monday, January 13, 2025 Joshua (2)—Obedience to the Word To the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh Joshua spoke, saying, “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the L??? commanded you” … So they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you.” Joshua 1:12–13, 16–17 ???? Joshua (2)—Obedience to the Word Moses had died. Thirty days of mourning for him had ended. God had commissioned Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land. He had promised to be with him and to give him victory over all the enemies...More Sunday, January 12, 2025 Apostle and High Priest Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house … as a servant … but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. Hebrews 3:1–2, 5–6 ???? Apostle and High Priest By addressing his readers as “holy brethren,” the writer is seeking to remind them that they have been set apart for the purposes of heaven. They are no longer an earthly...More Saturday, January 11, 2025 Thirst for God As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Psalm 42:1–2 ???? Thirst for God Do we hunger and thirst for the presence of God? David, in the Psalms, uses some very descriptive similes and metaphors to describe the longing that came from deep within his soul for the presence of God. This need was more intense and urgent to David’s soul than the food and water which is so critical for life itself. In Psalm 42:2, we read, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” And then, in...More Friday, January 10, 2025 All Christians in Every Place To the church of God which is at Corinth … with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. 1 Corinthians 1:2 ???? All Christians in Every Place By the Spirit of God, the apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Corinth, probably around the year 54 ??. He had taught the Word of God among them for eighteen months or more (Acts 18:11), and evidently he had remained in contact with them since that time (1 Cor. 5:9). In this letter, the Lord used Paul to address a number of important issues. The epistle’s introduction is...More Thursday, January 9, 2025 Eagles’ Wings You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Exodus 19:4 ???? Eagles’ Wings The Lord uses this remarkable bird as an illustration of His grace! When Israel arrived at the border of Canaan, Moses rehearsed it in the ears of the people: “He found him in a desert land … He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the L??? alone led him” (Dt. 32:10–12). The eagle...More Wednesday, January 8, 2025 Turning to God You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10 ???? Turning to God The believers in Thessalonica had turned to God from all kinds of idols. We sometimes say that they turned from the idols to God, which is true. But the way it is written emphasizes God’s greatness, in contrast to the idols. This is not an unimportant matter, because it shows the secret of the salvation of these new believers. The true and living God had attracted them in...More Tuesday, January 7, 2025 Fear Not They come from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying, Thy daughter has died, why troublest thou the teacher any further? But Jesus … says to the ruler of the synagogue, Fear not; only believe. Mark 5:35–36 ??? Fear Not We may wonder what thoughts filled the heart of Jairus as the report came to him from his house saying his daughter was dead. He had gone to the Lord Jesus knowing He was able to heal his daughter. The Lord had set off on the journey to his home. But there was a delay. Another need had come to light, a woman who was in desperate need of help. For twelve years she had...More Monday, January 6, 2025 Inviting the Lord In Do not pass on by Your servant. He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. He indicated that He would have gone farther. Genesis 18:3 ????; Mark 6:48 ????; Luke 24:28 ???? Inviting the Lord In In Abraham’s story in Genesis 18, he looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. This was not a coincidence. The Lord did not need to go by Abraham’s tent to get to Sodom, but He had an appointment with Abraham. Rather than walk up to Abraham’s tent, the Lord allowed Abraham to display his affection for the Lord by standing nearby while Abraham ran up...More Sunday, January 5, 2025 A Man in the Glory But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9 ???? A Man in the Glory The book of Hebrews begins by setting the glories of the Lord Jesus before us as the Son of God: “Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person” (Heb. 1:3). Chapter two goes on to set the glories of the Lord Jesus as the Son of Man before us. This chapter reminds us that where the first man, Adam, failed, the Lord Jesus has recovered all...More Saturday, January 4, 2025 Joshua (1)—Prepared for Conflict Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. Joshua 1:6–7 ???? Joshua (1)—Prepared for Conflict Joshua had been Moses’ faithful attendant throughout Israel’s long journey through the wilderness. Now Moses was dead. Joshua was the new leader who was to bring his people into the...More Friday, January 3, 2025 The Ethiopian Eunuch—A Dead Man Come to Life (2) Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Acts 8:36 ???? The Ethiopian Eunuch—A Dead Man Come to Life (2) Now it always followed in those days that the moment a person believed he was dead, and that Christ had died for him, he had his burial there and then. Indeed, the Lord Jesus expressly taught His disciples to bury everybody that believed. On the day of Pentecost, 3,000 believed, and immediately there were 3,000 buried that very day. It was just so with this Ethiopian: the moment he...More Thursday, January 2, 2025 The Ethiopian Eunuch—A Dead Man Come to Life (1) A man of Ethiopia, a eunuch … [who] had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Acts 8:27–28 ???? The Ethiopian Eunuch—A Dead Man Come to Life (1) An Ethiopian, of great worldly authority, was driving through the desert; he had been to worship in the city of God. If anything could have been done, in any city, to improve his spiritual condition, Jerusalem was the place. As yet, he knew not his dead condition. Reading the Word of God, where the prophet Isaiah describes the adorable Substitute, he read these words: “He was...More Wednesday, January 1, 2025 A Day in the Life of Anah—A New Year’s Meditation This was the Anah who found the water in the wilderness as he pastured the donkeys of his father Zibeon. Genesis 36:24 ???? A Day in the Life of Anah—A New Year’s Meditation Don’t skip over the genealogies when reading the Bible. Anah was a man found in Esau’s genealogical record, thus an Edomite, from a nation which would eventually become bitter enemies of God’s people. Nevertheless, God has been pleased to record Anah’s name in the Bible for our benefit. It is a wonderful fact that the God who created the universe with its innumerable blazing orbs, the God who lifts up...More |
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