Daily Devotion: The Parable Of The Fishing-Net by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Matthew 13:47-54 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:"
- Matthew 13:47 KJV

The parable of the net cast into the sea was calculated particularly to interest the disciples, many of whom were fishermen. They were accustomed, after the toils of the day, to sort the fish they had taken. This employment affords a lively image of the distinctions that will be made at the last day. The net represents the word of the Gospel, which is preached to many, and which many profess to believe. The disciples were shortly to begin the work of preaching it. Great success would accompany their endeavors; but yet that success would be attended by much disappointment. Many to whom they preached would prove hypocrites. Some of these would be detected in their lifetime, but others not until the judgment-day.

Daily Devotion: Your Labor Is Not In Vain by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV

Jesus walks no more among men, doing his deeds of love—but he sends his followers forth to do the works in his name. We ought to abound in all loving ministry just as he did. It is not enough to be good, gentle, sweet, amiable, kindly, patient. It is beautiful to live such a life; and its influence is far-reaching, like the fragrance of Mary's ointment. But we must also be full of good works. We must be winners of souls. We must live to do good to men, to comfort sorrow, to feed hunger, to relieve distress, to cheer the disheartened, to break chains and liberate sin's captives, to stand up for the truth, to do battle for the right. We are to be like Christ, and we begin to be like Christ—only when we begin to be useful.

Daily Devotion: The Reason For Chastisement by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Hebrews 12:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." - Hebrews 12:6 KJV

What! God loves me — when He is discharging His quiver upon me — when He is emptying me from vessel to vessel — when He is causing the sun of my earthly joys to set in clouds? Yes! O afflicted, tempest-tossed one, He chastens you — because He loves you! This trial comes from His own tender, loving hand — from His own tender, unchanging heart!

Daily Devotion: The Madness Of The World In Their Choice by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Mark 12:10-17 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:"
- Mark 12:10 KJV

Why does the world reject the Savior of the world? Why do they abhor him who is altogether lovely—and hate him who is the best Friend of mankind? Had I the tongue of a cherub, which has heard the language of glory, and mingled in the discourse of the multitudes before the throne for these five thousand years; or could I talk in every tongue, extend my voice to every nation, and speak so loud and long, that the assembled universe should hear—what should be my theme, my darling, favorite theme? Surely the Son of God, the Savior of the world. How would I dwell on his divine nature, and enlarge on his enrapturing relationship to his people—until all the needy nations fell prostrate adorers before the throne of their kinsman-Redeemer, and their God!

Daily Devotion: Either We Die Or He Dies by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
- Romans 5:8 KJV

The Scriptures are very clear that the wrath of God is visited upon sinners or else that the Son of God dies for them. Either sinners are punished for their sins or else there takes place a substitution. Either the sinner dies or the substitute dies.

Daily Devotion: Rejoicing In The Lord by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Psalm 118:21-29 KJV

Key Verse:  "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24 KJV

Every morning we awaken to a gift, a day God Himself has made. It may unfold with joy or challenge, sunlight or storm, but no matter what it holds, one thing remains true: the day belongs to the Lord. Because of that truth, we can choose to rejoice.

Daily Devotion: Doubting by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Matthew 14:31 KJV

Key Verse:  "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"
- Matthew 14:31 KJV

Doubting faith is not doubtful faith. If the believer has not the faith of assurance, he may have the faith of reliance, and that will take him to heaven. All the doubts and fears that ever harassed a child of God cannot erase his name from the Lamb's book of life, nor take him out of the heart of God, nor shut him out of glory. "Unbelief," says Rutherford, "may perhaps tear the copies of the covenant which Christ has given you; but He still keeps the original in heaven with Himself. Your doubts and fears are no parts of the covenant; neither can they change Christ."