Daily Devotion: Chastening Love by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Revelation 3:15-22 KJV 

Key Verse:  "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
- Revelation 3:19 KJV

Do the well known tones of a mother's voice hush the , that has been startled from its couch by unquiet dreams? These two "thoughts of God" above — the voice of our heavenly Parent — may well lull our tossed spirits to rest, and lead us to pillow our heads with confidence in His holy will.

Daily Devotion: Are You Truly Saved? by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 1 John 5:12-21 KJV 

Key Verse:  "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
- 1 John 5:13 KJV

The Bible tells us that very few people are truly saved. Matthew 22:14 states "For many are called, but few chosen." Matthew 7:14 says "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Very few people will make it into heaven; many will be surprised when they don't. So how can you determine if you are saved?

Daily Devotion: All of Grace by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"
- Ephesians 2:8 KJV

Grace—what a sweet fragrance. It is the greatest theme in the Bible.

Abounding grace, wondrous grace, boundless grace, fountain of grace, unfailing grace, unmeasurable grace, electing grace, matchless grace, overflowing grace, redeeming grace, pardoning grace, plenteous grace, unfailing grace, fullness of grace, efficacious grace, magnified grace, refreshing grace, sovereign grace, and salvation by grace, grace rich and free!

Daily Devotion: Consider Jesus as Forsaken by Man by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Matthew 26:50-56 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled."
- Matthew 26:56 KJV

What a sad contrast does this picture present to the one we have just been viewing--"Jesus, our fellow-sufferer." His time of suffering has now come, but, lo! "all His disciples have forsaken Him, and fled." Is there nothing, my soul, in this affecting and significant fact from which you may gather much that is instructive and consolatory concerning your own condition? We have been contemplating the sympathy of Jesus with His afflicted saints. And oh, what heart can conceive, or imagery portray, the reality, humanity, and tenderness of that sympathy! In all our afflictions He is afflicted, in all our trials He is tried, in all our persecutions He is persecuted, in all our temptations He is tempted. My soul! there is no sympathy among men, saints, or angels, that can compare with Christ's. And yet how thankful should you be for the smallest measure of human sympathy given you. It may have been, and doubtless was, but as a drop in comparison of the ocean-fullness of Christ's; nevertheless, that drop has proved inexpressibly and immeasurably soothing, sweetening many a bitter trial, gilding many a cloud, and lighting the pressure of many a burden. For this uplift your praiseful heart to God.

Daily Devotion: The Iniquity of the Holy Things by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Exodus 28:36-43 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord."
- Exodus 28:38 KJV

What a veil is lifted up by these words—and what a disclosure is made! It will be humbling and profitable for us to pause awhile, and see this sad sight. The iniquities of our public worship—its hypocrisy, formality, lukewarmness, irreverence, wandering of heart and forgetfulness of God—what a full measure have we there! The iniquities of our work for the Lord—its ambition, selfishness, carelessness, slackness, unbelief—what a mass of defilement is there! Our private devotions—their laxity, coldness, neglect, sleepiness, and vanity—what a mountain of dead earth is there! If we looked more carefully—we would find this iniquity of the holy things, to be far greater than appears at first sight.

Daily Devotion: Treasure In Earthen Vessels by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV

Key Verse:  "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
- 2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV

Be not surprised if you feel that in yourself you are but an earthen vessel; if you are made deeply and daily sensible unto what a frail body God has communicated light and life. Be not surprised if your clay house is often tottering; if sickness sometimes assails your mortal tabernacle; if in your flesh there dwells no good thing; if your soul often cleaves to the dust; and if you are unable to retain a sweet sense of God's goodness and love. Be not surprised nor startled at the corruptions of your depraved nature; at the depth of sin in your carnal mind; at the vile abominations which lurk and work in your deceitful and desperately wicked heart. Bear in mind that it is the will of God that this heavenly treasure which makes you rich for eternity should be lodged in an earthen vessel.

Daily Devotion: The birth of the Lord Jesus Christ by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Luke 2:1-7 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."
- Luke 2:7 KJV

It is very interesting to observe the providence of God with regard to the place of Christ's birth.

The prophet Isaiah had said that the Savior should be born in Bethlehem, (v. 2.) Yet Mary lived in Nazareth, about seventy miles distance from Bethlehem. God could easily have commanded Mary to go to Bethlehem—but instead of doing this, he caused circumstances to happen which induced her to go there.

Daily Devotion: No Rain, No Rainbow by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Genesis 9:8-13 KJV 

Key Verse:  "I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth."
- Genesis 9:13 KJV 

There can be no rainbow—unless it is raining. So we cannot see the brightest glory of God's grace, without entering into the experiences of trial. We can learn the full preciousness of the divine promises, only in the circumstances of need for which they were given.

Daily Devotion: Covenant Faitthfulness by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Isaiah 54:8-14 KJV

Key Verse:  "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee."
- Isaiah 54:10 KJV

The mountains are the most stable objects in the material world — nature's noblest emblem of immutability. But these have "change" written upon their stupendous brows. Time is furrowing them with wrinkles — and wearing down their colossal forms. Atmospheric influences are subjecting them to continual waste and decay. The snowy-crowned Alp is included in the doom, "All these things shall be dissolved!

Daily Devotion: Death by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Hebrews 9:22-28 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
- Hebrews 9:27 KJV

There is a lesson which concerns the whole world, which few of the world lay to heart; and that is—that all men are mortal. The lives of most people, deny the inevitability of death—they live as though they will never die.

I myself confess I must meet with death—but conclude myself immortal for the present, and so don't concern myself with death for the time being—though multitudes drop down around me. Ah! when do I think on death, or suppose its approach near? Many foolish pleasing scenes of life, do I think upon, in my imagination—but how seldom do I think upon the final scene of my death! When do I represent myself to myself, laid on a sick-bed, on a death-bed, with broken groans, cold sweats, trembling joints, languid looks, a failing pulse, and all the signs of death, while friends bewail around me? Or, when do I run through the more solemn and important part of the scene—how, when I leave the world, matters may stand between my soul and God? How I shall appear before the majesty of heaven, and stand in the tremendous judgment? Strange! Is this the practice of one who knows, and sincerely believes—that he must die?

Daily Devotion: Adopted Children of God by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Matthew 16:11-17 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

- Matthew 16:16 KJV

The term “Son of God” refers preeminently to Jesus Christ’s deity (Matt. 11:25-27; 16:16-17). He alone is one in substance and glory with God the Father. Believers in Christ, although “adopted” are never on a par with the uncreated, divine Son of God.

“Adoption” is the term the apostle Paul uses to describe the act of the Holy Spirit whereby the believing sinner becomes a member of God’s family, with all the privileges and obligations of family members.

We were “children of wrath” by nature (Eph. 2:3). However, those upon whom God bestows His saving grace become the “children of God.”

Daily Devotion: Consider Jesus - Our Paymaster

Bible Reading: Isaiah 53:1-10 KJV  

Key Verse:  "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."
- Isaiah 53:7 KJV

The Hebrew word here rendered "oppressed," signifies to exact, or, to demand payment. It is so rendered in the following passage--"The creditor shall not EXACT of his neighbor, nor of his brother, in the year of release." The word taskmaster comes from the same root; and as there is no noun prefixed to the original, the words may be fitly rendered--it was exacted of Him, demanded, required, and He was 'afflicted,' or, He answered. A truer view of the office and work of the Lord Jesus does not exist; nor is there a more gracious and comforting point of light in which a poor, sin-burdened, guilt-oppressed soul can study Him.

Daily Devotion: My sister, My spouse by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Song of Solomon 4:12 KJV

Key Verse:  "A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed."
- Song of Solomon 4:12 KJV

Observe the sweet titles with which the heavenly Solomon with intense affection, addresses His bride the church.

My sister—one near to me by ties of nature, partaker of the same sympathies. My spouse—nearest and dearest, united to me by the tenderest bands of love; my sweet companion, part of my own self.

My sister—by my Incarnation, which makes me bone of your bone and flesh of your flesh. My spouse—by heavenly betrothal, in which I have espoused you unto myself in righteousness.

Daily Devotion: Be Ye Separate by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:11-18 KJV

Key Verse:  "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."
- 2 Corinthians 6:17 KJV

If we are entangled in the love of the world, or fast bound and fettered with worldly anxieties, and the spirit of the world is rife in our bosom, all our profession will be vapid, if not worthless. We may use the language of prayer, but the heart is not in earnest; we may still manage to hold our head high in a profession of the truth, but its power and blessedness are neither known nor felt.

Daily Devotion: The Angel's visit to Joseph by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Matthew 1:18-25 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."
- Matthew 1:20 KJV

Matthew wrote his gospel before any of the other evangelists. He wrote it for the Jews especially; and therefore he very often refers to the Old Testament, (held in such reverence by the Jews,) and shows that Jesus fulfilled what the prophets had said. Luke and Mark, who wrote for the Gentiles especially, often explain Jewish customs, but Matthew always alludes to them, as customs well understood. Matthew himself had been a tax-collector, before he was called to be one of the apostles of the Lord. His other name was Levi. Luke speaks of him by that name. Luke 5:27.

Daily Devotion: God Establishes His Covenant by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Genesis 9:8-16 KJV

Key Verse:  "And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;"

- Genesis 9:9 KJV

It is strange how God's care extends even to animals. This covenant was not with man only—but with all the animal creation as well. Think of God making a covenant with the cattle that roam in the valleys, the sheep that graze in the meadows, the birds that fly in the air, and even with the insects that chirp in the fields. Yet that is what he did! We know, too, that this divine care is real. There are other promises which contain the same assurances.

Daily Devotion: Sufficient Grace by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:8-16 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

The apostle's 'thoughts' were desponding ones — when his God whispered in his ear this precious thought of comfort. A thorn in the flesh — a messenger from Satan — had been sent to buffet him! We know not what this thorn may have been. God purposely leaves it unidentified, that each may make an individual application to his own particular case and circumstances.

Daily Devotion: Contentment by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:9-14 KJV

Key Verse:  "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
- Philippians 4:11 KJV

What would you have, O my soul! to make you content? You have much in hand, and more in hope. You have the comforts of life, and the means of salvation; the word preached and the sacraments dispensed; an open vision, and an English Bible. You have the possession of the life that now is, and the promise of that which is to come. If you are not so blessed as some, you are not so miserable as others. If there are many in a higher and better state in the world than you, (and should you quarrel?) there are more in a lower and worse condition, (and should not you wonder that you are so blessed?)

Daily Devotion: Accepted in Beloved by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Revelation 20:12 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."
- Revelation 20:12 KJV

There is always the tension in the Christian life between the “now” and the “yet to be.” However, what we are now in the eyes of God is what we shall be in practice when we stand before Him in complete, perfect sanctification in glory.

Daily Devotion: Consider Jesus as Afflicted by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Isaiah 53:1-10 KJV 

Key Verse:  "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."
- Isaiah 53:7 KJV

For this Jesus was born. His mission to our world involved it. In the righteous arrangement of God, sin and suffering, even as holiness and happiness, are one and inseparable. He came to destroy the works of the devil; and sin, being Satan's master-work, Jesus could only destroy it as He Himself suffered, just as He could only 'abolish death' as He Himself died. He was truly "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." In the gospel according to Isaiah--the fifty-third chapter of which might have been written by a historian recording the event of the Savior's sufferings after it had transpired, rather than by a prophet predicting it seven hundred years before it took place--the circumstances of our Lord's afflictive life are portrayed with a fidelity of narration and vividness of description which can only find their explanation in "the Spirit of Christ, which was in him, testifying beforehand of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow."

Daily Devotion: To Live is Christ by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Philippians 1:21-30 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
- Philippians 1:21 KJV

The believer did not always live to Christ. He began to do so when God the Holy Spirit convinced him of sin, and when by grace he was brought to see the dying Savior making an atoning sacrifice for his guilt. From the moment of the new and celestial birth—the man begins to live to Christ. Jesus is to believers the one pearl of great price—for whom we are willing to part with all that we have. He has so completely won our love, that it beats alone for Him; to His glory we would live, and in defense of His gospel we would die. He is the pattern of our life, and the model after which we would sculpture our character.

Daily Devotion: Fiery Trial by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 4:10-18 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:"
- 1 Peter 4:12 KJV

The "fiery trial," then, is not a strange thing which happens only to a few of the Lord's family, but is more or less the appointed lot of all. Do we not hear the Lord saying to his Zion, "I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction?" All then who are chosen, must pass through the furnace of affliction, and all know experimentally the fiery trial, for by it they are made partakers of Christ's sufferings.

Daily Devotion: The Prophecy of Zacharias by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Luke 1:67-80 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;"
- Luke 1:76 KJV

What great mercy God showed to Zacharias! Not only He restored his speech, but He enabled him to prophesy. Zacharias in his song does not speak so much about his own son, as about the Savior whom his son was to serve. This shows that his heart was fixed upon spiritual blessings, and not upon his own earthly comfort, or honor.

Daily Devotion: Weed Out The Incompetent by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Judges 7:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand."
- Judges 7:3 KJV

Through God wanted only a few men—he wanted the best. So the first thing was to weed out the incompetent. The army would be stronger with all these sent home—rather than with them all straggling along. There were twenty thousand cowards; and the ten thousand brave men would be stronger alone than the thirty thousand, having the timid thousands among them.

Daily Devotion: Divine Joy by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Zephaniah 3:12-20 KJV 

Key Verse:  "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."
- Zephaniah 3:17 KJV

Wondrous 'thought of God!' — God resting in His love — His love not for unsinning angels — but for fallen, redeemed man! The idea is, the joy and satisfaction of one reposing after the completion of some arduous work. God rested at creation — He rejoiced with joy over a new-born world. But this was a feeble type of His delightful rest and rejoicing over the new-born ransomed soul.

Daily Devotion: Experience by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And patience, experience; and experience, hope:"
- Romans 5:4 KJV 

How good is it to trust in God, and wait for kindness at his hand! When hope is gone, and all endeavors rendered useless, his watchful providence grants me my request, opens a door for me, and does all that I desire—which is truly good for my soul. O how I admire the kindness of his love, and the wise disposal of his providence! When disappointments thronged thick on me, I knew not what to think, or what to do; but through your grace, I waited for your counsel, and have not waited in vain. Your time, your way, your method, are the best. You clearly see through dark scenes, and know my frame, and best what suits it—than the deepest penetration of my heart ever can.

Daily Devotion: Acceptable to God by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Romans 12:1-9 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
- Romans 12:2 KJV

How can a sinful person ever be acceptable to a holy God?

God takes sin seriously; it will be severely punished unless atonement is acceptable according to God’s standard.

Sin is a barrier that separates a person from God. In the Old Testament God dealt with man’s sin by substitution (Lev. 1:4; 4:20; 7:7; Lev. 16).

Daily Devotion: Consider Jesus as Tempted by Satan by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Matthew 4:1-10 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil."
- Matthew 4:1 KJV

It is a consolatory reflection to the child of God that, since the temptations of Satan constitute so severe, yet so essential a part of his spiritual training for glory, Jesus, his Surety-Head, was Himself subjected to a like discipline, equally as essential, yet infinitely more severe, to the completeness of His mediatorial character as the High Priest "touched with the feeling of our infirmities." My soul! devoutly consider your Jesus in this interesting point of light, and with faith's lowly hand pluck a rich cluster of refreshing fruit from Him, your living, life-giving, and life-sustaining Vine. Never forget that, through electing love, and most free and sovereign grace, you are an engrafted branch of that Vine; and that all the fruit that grows upon, and that all the fruitfulness that springs from it (Hos. 14:8), belongs to you. "He that abides in me, the same brings forth much fruit."

Daily Devotion: The Hand of the Lord by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Ezekiel 33:22 KJV

Key Verse:  "Now the hand of the Lord was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb."
- Ezekiel 33:22 KJV

In the way of judgment, this may be the case; and, if so—be it mine to consider the reason of such a visitation, and hear the rod, and Him who has appointed it. I am not the only one who is chastened in the night season; let me cheerfully submit to the affliction, and carefully endeavor to be profited thereby.

Daily Devotion: I Am The Door by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: John 10:1-9 KJV 

Key Verse:  "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
- John 10:9 KJV

There is a finding pasture in PROVIDENCE. A sweet and healthy pasture indeed this is--to watch the Lord's providential dealings with us spread through a long series of years. It is seeing the Lord's providential hand which makes the commonest temporal mercies sweet. Every nibble of grass or lock of hay which we can believe to be specially provided for us by the hand of that good Shepherd becomes thereby doubly sweet.

Daily Devotion: The Birth of John by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Luke 1:57-66 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son."
- Luke 1:57 KJV

When Elizabeth's son was born, her relations and friends came to rejoice with her. Worldly people, when they are prosperous, are often envied by their friends—but pious people, when they have received any great mercy, generally have friends who really rejoice with them.