Key Verse: "And
in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident
token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God."
- Philippians 1:28 KJV
The word perdition is a sobering one. It means destruction, ruin, or eternal loss. In Scripture, it points not just to physical death, but to spiritual separation from God, a final and irreversible state for those who reject His truth.
Key Verse: "And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." - Isaiah 42:16 KJV
God leads often to good ends—through ways which to us seem dark. He can make crooked things, straight for us. Perhaps we shall find at the last, that many of the best things of our life, are things over which we grieve now as blunders. We do the best we can, and yet we fail, or seem to fail; but in God's eyes, the effort tells of love and of desire to please him, and thus wins from him warmer commendation than does many a piece of elaborate work, wrought in most intricate way.
Key Verse: "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." - Psalm 103:13 KJV
"Abba, Father!" is a Gospel word. A father bending
over the sick bed of his weak or dying child; a mother pressing, in
tender solitude, an infant sufferer to her bosom. These are the earthly
pictures of Almighty God. "As a father pities his children." "As
one whom his mother comforts — so will I comfort you!"
Key Verse: "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
- Matthew 6:15 KJV
To forgive our enemies, and forget the injuries which have been done to us, is a noble, though very difficult duty. And from the opposition it meets with from within, I find that it is above the natural man to perform. Nature would make less resistance to it—if forgiveness were less godlike and divine. There are some men who have done me injuries; and, alas! I find that I can scarcely recollect their names without remembering their injuries injuries against me—though done to me years ago—presenting themselves as if they had happened yesterday! This shows the bitterness and resentment of my mind, and the deep impressions such things make there; while the continual and abundant mercies of the Most High God are shamefully forgotten! But now let me compose my mind, and reconcile this to the duties of Christianity
Key Verse: "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."
- John 19:30 KJV
The eyewitness John keenly observed two unusual things that happen at the crucifixion of Jesus. These facts made a deep impression on him as he watched the crucifixion taking place. The crucifixion took place on the day of preparation for the Passover festival that would begin at 6 p.m. The Jewish authorities felt an urgency to get the bodies off the crosses and buried before the sun went down.
Key Verse: "And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven."
- Luke 24:51 KJV
How touching and instructive was the parting interview! Oh, how worthy of Himself was this His final blessing! How harmonious with every previous act of His life was this its closing one! Blessing to the last, and while with outstretched hands that blessing was yet breathing from His lips, "received up into glory." Oh, how full of grace and love is our adorable Immanuel! What a heart of overflowing tenderness and blessing is His!
Key Verse: "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him."
- Psalm 62:5 KJV
It is the believer's privilege to use this language. If
he is looking for anything from the world, it is a poor "expectation"
indeed. But if he looks to God for the supply of his needs, whether in
temporal or spiritual blessings, his "expectation" will not be a vain one.
Constantly he may draw from the bank of faith, and get his need
supplied out of the riches of God's loving-kindness.
Bible Reading: Philippians 1:23-30 KJV Key Verse: " And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident...
