Daily Devotion: Consider Jesus - In The Forgiveness Of Injury by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Luke 23:32-39 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."
- Luke 23:34 KJV

If the Christian precept of FORGIVENESS be estimated by the magnitude of the injury forgiven, then these words of Jesus present to our view a forgiveness of an inconceivable and unparalleled injury. The greatest crime man ever committed was the crucifixion of the Son of God; and yet, for the forgiveness of that crime, the Savior prays at the very moment of its perpetration, fully persuaded of the sovereign efficacy of the blood His enemies were now shedding, to blot out the enormous guilt of the sin of shedding it.

Daily Devotion: Strengthen Thy Brethren by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Luke 22:28-35 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."
- Luke 22:32 KJV

How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer's never-ceasing intercession for us. When we pray—He pleads for us. And when we are not praying—He is advocating our cause, and by His supplications shielding us from unseen dangers. Notice the word of comfort addressed to Peter, "Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to have you—that he may sift you as wheat; but" what? "But go and pray for yourself." That would be good advice—but it is not so written. Neither does he say, "But I will keep you watchful, and so you shall be preserved." That would be a great blessing. No, it is, "But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not."

Daily Devotion: I Will Keep It Night And Day by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Isaiah 27:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day."
- Isaiah 27:3 KJV

The Lord Jesus Christ, who lives at God's right hand, has to send down supplies of his grace continually to keep your soul alive unto himself. Without this life being kept up and maintained by these continual supplies of his grace, you cannot pray, or read, or hear the word, or meditate with any feeling or profit. You cannot love the Lord and his blessed ways; you cannot submit to his righteous dealings; or hear the rod and him who appointed it. You may approach his throne, but your heart is cold, clouded, and unfeeling; your spirit sinks under the weight and burden of the trials and difficulties that are spread in your path; nor are you able to do anything that satisfies yourself, or that you think can satisfy God.

Daily Devotion: The Wise Men's Journey to Bethlehem by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Matthew 2:7-14 KJV 

Key Verse:  "When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was."
- Matthew 2:7 KJV

Herod had not been able to give the wise men exact information respecting the place where the King they sought would be found—he had only told them that he was in Bethlehem. But God did not leave them to search in vain. As they were on the way, the star they had seen in their own country appeared again, and stopped over the very house where the Savior was. This star could not have been like the stars we behold in the height of the heavens, for one of those stars could not point out any particular house—it must have been a light, floating in the air.

Daily Devotion: To Give His Life A Ransom For Many by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Matthew 20:27-34 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
- Matthew 20:28 KJV

The art of photography is now so perfect, that the whole picture of a large newspaper can be taken in miniature so small, as to be carried in a little pendant—and yet every letter and point be perfect.

Daily Devotion: Promised Deliverance by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Psalm 91:9-16 KJV

Key Verse:  "Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name."
- Psalm 91:14 KJV

Here we have the prodigal looking and longing for a father's welcome — the prisoner striving to break his chains and set himself free — the wounded bird struggling in the furrow, and wailing out its plaintive note, "Oh that I might fly away — and be at rest!"

"I will deliver him," is the gracious thought and declaration of an unseen but gracious God. "No, not only will I deliver him — save him from wrath and condemnation — but I will 'set him on high' — I will bestow exalted honors on him — I will adopt him as My child, and finally glorify him!"

Daily Devotion: Salvation Test 8 of 10: Saved Testify of Jesus by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: John 5:34-41 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
- John 5:39 KJV

In the previous test, you were asked to evaluate if you were ashamed of Jesus. Not being ashamed of Jesus could be passive, where you are willing to talk about Jesus if someone else brings Him up. John 5:39 takes it one step further saying, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." 

Daily Devotion: Anointed Preaching by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:"
- 1 Corinthians 2:4 KJV

Daily Devotion: Consider Jesus - In Communion With God by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Mark 1:35-42 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
- Mark 1:35 KJV

To whom can this impressive picture of high devotion properly apply but to Him whose life was one continuous act of prayer; whose vital and all-pervading atmosphere was communion with God? Jesus literally "walked with God." As man, He was deeply conscious of the spiritual necessities of man; and as the God-man Mediator, He felt the need of looking up to the Strong One for strength, to the Wise One for wisdom, to the Loving One for sympathy--in a word, to His Father in Heaven for the constant replenishing of His daily need from the boundless resources of His own Infinite Being, for the great work His Father had given Him to do.

Daily Devotion: These Have No Root by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Luke 8:11-18 KJV 

Key Verse:  "They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away."
- Luke 8:13 KJV

My soul, examine yourself this morning by the light of this text. You have received the Word with joy; your feelings have been stirred and a lively impression has been made; but, remember, that to receive the Word in the ear is one thing—and to receive Jesus into your very soul is quite another. Superficial feeling is often joined to inward hardness of heart, and a lively impression of the Word is not always a lasting one.

Daily Devotion: We Must Have Endurance by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: James 5:7-14 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."
- James 5:11 KJV

The words translated "endure" and "patience" are the same in the original; and in fact, the example of Job is given as an instance of the happiness of those who endure. The same word is also used by our blessed Lord, where he says, "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." (Matt. 10:22 KJV). We have need then of endurance. As he that runs a race needs not so much swiftness as enduring strength to hold out to the end, never to give up as long as he can drag one limb before another; as the British soldier must never allow himself to be conquered; so it is in the Christian race--we must never give up; we must never say "die;" we must never allow ourselves to be beaten by sin or Satan.

Daily Devotion: The Wise Men's Arrival at Jerusalem by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Matthew 2:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,"
- Matthew 2:1 KJV

We find from Matthew's account, that our Savior returned to Bethlehem after he had been presented to the Lord in the temple. Perhaps his parents intended to bring him up in Bethlehem, as it was the city of David their forefather. But God did not choose that his Son should be brought up in a renowned city, but in the despised city of Nazareth; and we shall see that he caused events to happen which obliged him to leave Bethlehem.

Daily Devotion: Let Him Be Your Servant by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Matthew 20:20-27 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:"
- Matthew 20:27 KJV

There are some people with a little measure of "position" who seem to accept all favors shown to them, and all services rendered to them by others, as due to them because of their exalted rank, or their exceeding importance among men. They stand upon their dignity, and in effect demand attention, and a degree of subserviency from their plain, ordinary fellow-men. They complain, if by any accident they appear not to receive their due quota of honor. They seem to feel that their high place among men—entitles them to a great deal of consideration; and they are offended if they do not get it!

Daily Devotion: Salvation Test 7 of 10: Not Ashamed Of Jesus by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 10:10-17 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."
- Romans 10:11 KJV

The Bible is very clear that we are not to be ashamed of Jesus. As noted in our key verse, Romans 10:11, "...Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." Romans 1:16 says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." 

Daily Devotion: Universal Improvement by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:12-19 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
- Ephesians 5:16 KJV

As there is not a moment of time but I must account for, so there is nothing that happens me but I should improve. Miseries I should improve—to remind me of my pedigree, that my first father has sinned. Mercies I should improve—in admiring the fountain whence, and the freeness with which they flow. Prosperity I should improve—in cheerful devotion. Adversity I should improve—in consideration. Riches I should improve—in charity.

Daily Devotion: Always in Abundant Supply by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Matthew 14:15-21 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full."
- Matthew 14:20 KJV

Jesus Christ is all-sufficient to meet our every need, but if He is going to meet our needs we must be willing to recognize our needs and call upon Him. There must be a turning to Him for help. He can supply every spiritual need we face in life if we respond to His abiding presence.

Daily Devotion: Consider Jesus - In Soul-Trouble by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: John 12:26-33 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour."
- John 12:27 KJV

In this lay our Lord's greatest suffering--His soul-sorrow. Compared with this, the lingering, excruciating tortures of the cross--the extended limbs, the quivering nerves, the bleeding wounds, the burning thirst--were, as nothing. This was physical, the other spiritual; the one, the suffering of the body, the other, the anguish of the soul. Let a vessel traversing the ocean keep afloat, and she may still plough the deep and brave the tempest; but let the proud waves burst in upon her and she sinks. So long as our blessed Lord endured outwardly the gibes and insults and calumnies of men, not a complaint escaped His lips; but, when the wrath of God, endured as the Surety-Head of His people, entered within His holy soul, then the wail of agony rose strong and piercing--"[1] Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. [2] I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. [3] I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God." Psalm 69:1-3 KJV

Daily Devotion: I shall see God by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Job 19:22-29 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"
- Job 19:26 KJV

Mark the subject of Job's devout anticipation "I shall see God." He does not say, "I shall see the saints" though doubtless that will be untold felicity—but, "I shall see God." It is not, "I shall see the pearly gates, I shall behold the walls of jasper, I shall gaze upon the crowns of gold," but "I shall see God." This is the sum and substance of heaven; this is the joyful hope of all believers. It is their delight to see Him now in the ordinances, by faith. They love to behold Him in communion and in prayer; but there in heaven—they shall have an open and unclouded vision, and thus seeing "Him as He is," they shall be made completely like Him. Likeness to God—what more can we wish for? And a sight of God—what can we desire better?

Daily Devotion: To Know the Lord by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Hosea 6 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."
- Hosea 6:3 KJV

"To know the Lord" is to know experimentally and spiritually the power of Jesus' blood and righteousness; to know our eternal union with him; to know him so as to be led by the Spirit into soul communion with him, that we may talk with him as a man talks with his friend; to know him so that the secrets of his heart should be revealed to us, and we enter by faith into the length and breadth and depth and height of the love of Christ which passes knowledge; to know him so as to drink into his spirit, and to have his image stamped by the Holy Spirit upon our souls; to know him as coming down into our hearts out of his glorious sanctuary, filling our souls with his presence and his love; to know him as formed in us the hope of glory, making our bodies his temple, dwelling in us, breathing himself into us, speaking in us, moving as it were every affection of our heart and every faculty of our soul. Thus to know the Lord is the sum and substance of vital godliness.

Daily Devotion: Anna the Prophetess by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Luke 2:36-43 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day."
- Luke 2:37 KJV

We have read of Simeon's blessing the infant Savior—and we now hear of another witness, even Anna, an aged prophetess.

Anna, it appears, had led a very holy life. We do not know her exact age; but if she had been a widow eighty-four years, and if she had been married for seven years, she must have been at this time above a hundred years old, even supposing that she had married at a very early period of life. It is said that "she departed not from the temple." By this, we understand that she lived so near the temple, as to enable her to attend all its services. When, at nine in the morning, the lamb was offered on the altar, Anna was there; and again at three, when the evening lamb was sacrificed, Anna was not absent. She delighted in the psalms continually sung in the holy courts; she listened to the daily blessings of the priest. There are now many aged Christians, who, like Anna, dwell near some house of God, and delight in attending the services; and, even when their power of hearing has failed, they yet take pleasure in joining in the prayers of God's assembled believers. How sweet for them to think that they will soon ascend, where "Congregations never break up, and sabbaths never end."

Daily Devotion: Salvation Test 6 of 10: Love For The Brethren by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 1 John 3:13-20 KJV

Key Verse:  "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death."
- 1 John 3:14 KJV

So much of our life is spent with those that we work with, along with family and friends. Many of these people are not saved, but we enjoy spending time with them because they help break up the drudgery of the work day, or we have share interests with them such as sewing, cooking, sports, hunting, fishing, TV programs, etc. 

Daily Devotion: Correction In Measure by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 30:6-13 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For I am with thee, saith the Lord, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet I will not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished."
- Jeremiah 30:11 KJV

Here is a gracious and alleviating "thought of God" in a season of trial, "I will correct you," says He. He does not disguise that He will send affliction — that He will subject His own people to chastisement. He knows them too well — He loves them too well — to allow the unbroken sunshine, the unfurrowed, waveless sea. The rough stone needs polishing — the musical chord must be strained to give forth sweet sounds — notes of harmony; but all is "in measure."

Daily Devotion: Fear and Other Passions by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Proverbs 9:9-16 KJV 

Key Verse:  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."
- Proverbs 9:10 KJV

Four things I should fear—God, myself, temptation, and sin. I should fear God, for his greatness; self, for its infirmity; temptation, for its danger; and sin for its defilement. I should fear God with love; myself with caution; sin with hatred; and temptation with resolution. The fear of God will take away the fear of man; the fear of self will moderate the love of self; the fear of sin will make watchful against sin; and the fear of temptation will be an antidote against temptation. My fear of God should be constant with cheerfulness; of self, constant with trembling; of sin, constant with watchfulness; and of temptation, constant with vigilance. The first is my attainment; the second is my duty; the third is my wisdom; and the fourth is my prudence.

Daily Devotion: All Things for and Through God by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Hebrews 2:9-15 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,"
- Hebrews 2:11 KJV

Old Bishop John Ryle said truthfully: “It is not open sin, or open unbelief, which robs Christ of His professing servants, so much as the love of the world, the fear of the world, the cares of the world, the business of the world, the money of the world, the pleasures of the world, and the desire to keep in touch with the world. This is the great rock on which thousands of young people are continually making shipwreck. They do not object to any article of the Christian faith. They do not deliberately choose evil and openly rebel against God. They hope somehow to get to heaven at last, and they think it proper to have some religion. But they cannot give up their idol: they must have the world. And so after running well and bidding fair for heaven while boys and girls, they turn aside when they become men and women and go down the broad way which leads to destruction. They begin with Abraham and Moses and end with Demas and Lot’s wife.”

Daily Devotion: Consider Jesus in Soul-Trouble

Bible Reading: John 12:24-31 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour."
- John 12:27 KJV

In this lay our Lord's greatest suffering--His soul-sorrow. Compared with this, the lingering, excruciating tortures of the cross--the extended limbs, the quivering nerves, the bleeding wounds, the burning thirst--were, as nothing. This was physical, the other spiritual; the one, the suffering of the body, the other, the anguish of the soul. Let a vessel traversing the ocean keep afloat, and she may still plough the deep and brave the tempest; but let the proud waves burst in upon her and she sinks. So long as our blessed Lord endured outwardly the gibes and insults and calumnies of men, not a complaint escaped His lips; but, when the wrath of God, endured as the Surety-Head of His people, entered within His holy soul, then the wail of agony rose strong and piercing--"[1] Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. [2] I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. [3] I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God." Psalm 69:1-3 KJV

Daily Devotion: Your Portion is Secure by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
- 2 Timothy 4:8 KJV

Doubting one! You have often said, "I fear I shall never enter heaven." Fear not! All the people of God shall enter there. I love the quaint saying of a dying man, who exclaimed, "I have no fear of going home; I have sent all before me; God's finger is on the latch of my door, and I am ready for Him to enter." "But," said one, "are you not afraid lest you should miss your inheritance?" "Nay," said he, "nay; there is one crown in heaven, which the angel Gabriel could not wear—it will fit no head but mine. There is one throne in heaven which Paul the apostle could not fill—it was made for me, and I shall have it."

Daily Devotion: A Blessed Fragrance Upon Your Spirit by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Romans 8:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."
- Romans 8:5 KJV

None but those who are partakers of a heavenly birth feel heavenly realities to be their choice element, holy things their sweetest meditation, and the solemn worship of God their supreme delight. Look at this mark as a touchstone of divine life; for to be spiritually-minded a man must be spiritual, and to be spiritual he must have received the Spirit and been made a partaker of that "kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Rom. 14:17 KJV).

Daily Devotion: Salvation Test 5 of 10: Love God, Not The World by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 1 John 2:14-21 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him."
- 1 John 2:15 KJV

How do you spend your money, time and energy? Where is your heart? The Bible says, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment." (Mark 12:30) What you love most is the God of your life. The Bible also says, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other." (Matthew 6:24)

Daily Devotion: Take My Yoke Upon You by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Matthew 11:24-30 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
- Matthew 11:29 KJV

We have to learn to live—if ever we are to live worthily. No one becomes a fine musician, without much learning. Nor can anyone take a piece of canvas, with palette, paints, and brushes—and at once paint a masterpiece.

Daily Devotion: A Gracious Remembrance by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 2:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown."
- Jeremiah 2:2 KJV

Backslider! listen to this Divine retrospect — a precious and encouraging 'thought' regarding your past. This may be the present sorrowful feeling and confession of your heart, "I am not what once I was! Once I loved my God. I can remember hallowed seasons of communion and fellowship, of which, alas! the memory is now all that remains. I once was enabled to live, somewhat at least, under the sovereignty of that lofty motive, walking so as to please Him. But I have forsaken and forgotten my first love. I have to mourn over a treacherous, wandering heart! I am conscious of deterioration — spiritual declension. Self-indulged sin — permitted worldliness, in some subtle shape or form, has crept in — blunted the fine edge of conscience, dulled the sensibilities of my spiritual nature, dimmed my soul to its grander destinies, and left me to muse in my better moments, in sadness and tears, over the wreck of former joys!"

Daily Devotion: Communion With God, What It Is by James Meikle

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:7-14 KJV 

Key Verse:  "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV

Communion with God is an expression often in my mouth—but which sinks no further. I may know the word—but neither its blessed import, nor glorious extent. My prayers and practice jar; for while I beg it with my lips, I study not to attain it in my life. Ah! what a stranger am I to that which I would gladly have flattered myself that I am acquainted with! Alas what do I know of walking with God—of that joy which is found in believing? What do I know of the lasting and abiding impressions of his inexpressible love! What do I know of that transforming vision, and assimilating sight which is enjoyed below, whereby the soul is changed into God's image, from glory to glory! What do I know of dwelling in his presence all the day long! What of pouring out my soul in prayer to him! and wrestling with him for the blessing! How seldom is my meditation of him sweet!