Daily Devotion: Christ's second visit to Nazareth by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Mark 6:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him."
- Mark 6:1-6 KJV

This is the second visit that we read of Jesus making to Nazareth after he had begun his ministry. In his first visit there he had been shamefully treated, for his countrymen had attempted to hurl him headlong from the hill; yet he was so forgiving that he made a second visit to the ungrateful city. Jesus does not hastily give up any sinners whom he once has favored. Even when the first offer of mercy has been rejected, he vouchsafes another, and perhaps another still; for He is the God of patience. While he was preaching, very contemptuous thoughts arose in the people's hearts. None could deny that he had done mighty works, and that he spoke with extraordinary wisdom; but yet, because the people remembered him as the carpenter, and because they knew his relations to be poor people, with whom they were familiar, they would not listen to his words. What an instance their conduct affords of the greatness of human folly!

Daily Devotion: Rain by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Isaiah 55:6-13 KJV

Key Verse:  "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:"
- Isaiah 55:10 KJV

Everyone knows the effect of the rain, especially when it falls on a field that has been parched and withered. Its drops go down to the roots of the dying grass, the fading flowers, and the drooping trees—and soon new life appears everywhere. The grass is greener. The flowers revive and pour out fragrance. All vegetation is renewed. So it is when God's Word comes to a fainting, failing human life.

Daily Devotion: Pitying Love by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Psalm 103:10-17 KJV 

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!"

Daily Devotion: Bible Word – Iniquity by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Psalm 66:13-20 KJV

Key Verse:  "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:"
- Psalm 66:18 KJV

Iniquity is more than just sin. It speaks of deep moral corruption, a bending or twisting of what is right. While sin can describe a wrong act, iniquity points to a condition of the heart, an inward inclination away from God’s holiness. The word often carries the idea of premeditated or habitual wrongdoing, revealing how far the human heart can drift when it turns from the Lord.

Daily Devotion: The Excellency Of Religion by James Meikle

Bible Reading: James 1:20-27 KJV

Key Verse:  "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
- James 1:27 KJV

The world may say as it will of the Christian religion—but it is only by it that the human mind is exalted, and men rise into eternal glory. The pleasures of piety sweeten my acid griefs, and blunt my acute pains. In this I triumph over my troubles, defy my enemies; and outrun my woes. Here I relish unseen realities, taste spiritual joys, and eat of the hidden manna. 

Daily Devotion: Evidence of Members of God’s by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Romans 8:5-12 KJV

Key Verse:  "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his"
- Romans 8:9 KJV

Our possession of the Holy Spirit is the very essence of what it means to be a Christian. As noted in our Key Verse above, if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Those who belong to Christ have the Holy Spirit living within them. Moreover, if you have Him indwelling you, you will live like Him (vv. 10-13).

Daily Devotion: Do Not Be Afraid by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: John 6:17-24 KJV

Key Verse:  "But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid."
- John 6:20 KJV

Imagine yourself threading your way along a most difficult and perilous path, every step of which is attended with pain and jeopardy, and is taken with hesitancy and doubt. Unknown to you and unseen, there is one hovering each moment around you, checking each false step, and guiding each doubtful one; soothing each sorrow, and supplying each need. All is calm and silent. Not a sound is heard, not a movement is seen; and yet, to your amazement, just at the critical moment the needed support comes- you know not from where, you know not from whom. This is no picture of fancy.