Daily Devotion: Indifference by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Song of Solomon 4:16 KJV

Key Verse:  "Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits." - Song of Solomon 4:16 KJV

Anything is better than the dead calm of indifference. Our souls may wisely desire the cold north wind of trouble—if that alone can be sanctified to the drawing forth of the perfume of our graces. We should not shrink from the most wintry blast that ever blew upon plants of grace. Did not the spouse in this verse humbly submit herself to the reproofs of her Beloved; only entreating Him to send forth His grace in some form, and making no stipulation as to the peculiar manner in which it should come? Did she not, like ourselves, become so utterly weary of deadness and unholy calm—that she sighed for any visitation which would motivate her to action?

Daily Devotion: Elect Unto Obedience by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 1:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."
- 1 Peter 1:2 KJV

Peter declares that we are "elect unto obedience." Election unto eternal life, unto salvation, unto the blood of sprinkling many gladly hear of, receive, and profess. This, they say, is sweet and precious doctrine. And so indeed it is. But do they find or feel any similar sweetness and preciousness in being chosen and ordained to know and do the will of God? 

Daily Devotion: He Sends Out His Twelve Apostles by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Matthew 10:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease."
- Matthew 10:1 KJV

The Lord Jesus had exhorted his disciples to pray that God would send laborers into his harvest. He had scarcely given the command before he answered the prayer by appointing these twelve disciples to preach the word. He sent them forth by two and two, that they might have a counselor, a companion, and a friend upon the journey. It is well not to enter upon difficult undertakings alone. We are creatures that need sympathy. Fellow-laborers in Christ's vineyard have often found great comfort in each other, and become mutually endeared. None but Christians know the love that binds those together who work, with a single heart, in the same spot for the same Master.

Daily Devotion: The Beauty of Humility by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: James 4:8-15 KJV

Key Verse:  "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
- James 4:10 KJV

Humility is one of the most powerful yet misunderstood virtues in the Christian life. The world often equates humility with weakness, but Scripture reveals it as a position of strength, one that invites the favor and presence of God.

Daily Devotion: Consider Carefully How You Listen by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Luke 8:11-18 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have."
- Luke 8:18 KJV

We hear a great deal about the "fearful responsibility" of those who preach and teach the Word of God. No doubt it is a solemn thing to speak for God to men. Those who are called to this duty, should be very faithful. But there is also a "fearful responsibility" attached to hearing the Word. One of our Lord's most earnest words was: "Consider carefully how you listen."

Daily Devotion: A Gracious Removal by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Isaiah 57:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come." - Isaiah 57:1 KJV

How this thought reconciles to earth's saddest separations! The early (what we are apt to think the too early) graves of our "loved and lost" have saved them from much sorrow, much suffering, much sin! Who can tell what may have been brooding in a dark horizon? The fairest vessel; the life freighted with the greatest promise — might have been made shipwreck on this world's treacherous sea! My God knows what is best! If He plucked His lily soon — it was to save it some rough blast! If He early folded His lamb — it was to save it having its fleece soiled with earthly corruption! If the port of glory was soon entered — it was because He foresaw the threatening tempests that was screened from our limited vision; "So He brought them to the haven where they would be!"

Daily Devotion: The Aggrandizing Visit by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Revelation 3:15-22 KJV

Key Verse:  "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
- Revelation 3:20 KJV

If a fellow-creature, who has gathered together more riches than many of his acquaintance, or has attained to more honor, and has more high-sounding titles than others, condescends, as they call it, to visit an inferior, or to admit an inferior to visit him—the whole neighborhood is astonished, and the men that receive the compliment consider themselves as highly honored by it. Yet what is this person with whose visit they are so delighted—but a 'fellow worm of the earth'—a mere insect, which crawls on the face of the ground? As, however, infinite wisdom has divided the inhabitants of the world into different classes, distinctions, and orders, for a time, the sons of men are not to despise such a visit; but as it is only for a time, the saints the sons of God, are not to idolize it, or think that riches and honor are the channel through which the favor and love of God to his people is conveyed.