Daily Devotion: The Most Relevant Verse In The Bible by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Genesis 3:14-21 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."
- Genesis 3:15 KJV

The KJV Bible is renowned for its rich language and theological depth, and possibly the most relevant verse in the entire text is found in Genesis 3:15. This verse often referred to as the "Protevangelium" or "Protoevangelium," carries profound significance for Christians as it sets the stage for the entire biblical narrative. It is the first prophecy in the Bible.

Daily Devotion: The Foundational Importance of Genesis by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Genesis 1:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."
- Genesis 1:1 KJV

Genesis may well be the most important book in the Bible. It is foundational to all matters discussed in the remainder of the Bible. In Genesis we learn about God, creation, science, man's purpose, marriage, family, Satan's plan, the original sin and why we need a Savior. To fully understand the other 65 books of the Bible, one needs be immersed in the fundamental concepts of Genesis. Below are a few of the important concepts:

Daily Devotion: Needful Grace by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 33:22-29 KJV

Key Verse:  "Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be."
- Deuteronomy 33:25 KJV

God does not give grace — until the hour of trial comes. But when it does come — the amount of grace, and the nature of the special grace required, is granted. My soul! do not dwell with painful apprehension on the future. Do not anticipate coming sorrows; perplexing yourself with the grace needed for future emergencies; tomorrow will bring its promised grace — along with tomorrow's trials.

Daily Devotion: Fear and Other Passions by James Meikle

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2:17-24 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king."
- 1 Peter 2:17 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: Backsliding Christians by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Proverbs 14:7-14 KJV 

Key Verse:  "The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself."
- Proverbs 14:14 KJV

Have you ever temporarily lapsed into unbelief and sin after you became a Christian? The condition of backsliding results from spiritual apathy or disregard for the truth of God’s Word. It results in a departure from a winsome confession of faith and Biblical ethical standards. Actions are affected by our attitudes toward God and His Word.

Daily Devotion: Come Forth As Gold by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Job 23:10-17 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."
- Job 23:10 KJV

Untried, untrodden, and unknown as your future path may be, it is, each step, mapped, arranged, and provided for in the everlasting and unchangeable covenant of God. To Him who leads us, who accepts us in the Son of His love, who knows the end from the beginning, it is no new, or uncertain, or hidden way. 

Daily Devotion: Temptation by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 11:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon."
- 2 Samuel 11:2 KJV

At that hour David saw Bathsheba. We are never out of the reach of temptation. Both at home and abroad we are liable to meet with allurements to evil. The morning opens with peril, and the shadows of evening find us still in jeopardy. They are well kept—whom God keeps—but woe unto those who go forth into the world, or even dare to walk their own house unarmed. Those who think themselves secure, are more exposed to danger than any others. The armor-bearer of Sin—is self-confidence.

Daily Devotion: The Role of Works in Salvation by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: James 2:13-20 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
- James 2:17 KJV

Like Grace and Faith that we explored in the last two devotionals, Works plays a role in salvation, but its role is much different than Grace and Faith. Continuing our analogy from the last devotional, if Grace is the door to salvation and Faith is the key to open it, then works is what is produced after passing through the door of salvation. In this devotional, we will explore the role of Works in salvation as described in the Bible.

Daily Devotion: The Role of Faith in Salvation by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Hebrews 11:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
- Hebrews 11:1 KJV

Like Grace that we explored in the last devotional, the role of Faith in salvation is also central to salvation. If Grace is a door leading to salvation, then Faith is the key that unlocks it. Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) tells us, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." In this devotional, we will explore the role of Faith in salvation as described in the Bible.

Daily Devotion: The Power of Christ's Resurrection by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."
- Colossians 3:1 KJV

How many there are even of those who desire to fear God who are kept down by the world, and to whom it has not lost its attractive power; who are held fast, at least for a time, by worldly business, or entangled by worldly people or worldly engagements. Their partners in business or their partners in life; their carnal relatives or their worldly children; their numerous connections or their social habits; their strong passions or their deep-rooted prejudices, all bind and fetter them down to earth. 

Daily Devotion: Andrew leads Simon to Christ by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: John 1:35-42 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone."
- John 1:42  KJV

It was with great delight that John the Baptist pointed sinners to the Savior. He had no greater joy than to see men leave him to follow Christ. On one occasion he saw the Lord, probably at some distance from the place where he stood, and he pointed him out to two of his disciples; for John had disciples, or people who followed him to learn his doctrine. He was more pleased that they would follow the great Master, than that they would stay with him. Behold in John the spirit of true religion! The faithful minister does not wish to be admired himself, but tries to persuade all to admire Christ.

Daily Devotion: The Wisdom and Knowledge of God by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Romans 11:29-36 KJV 

Key Verse:  "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
- Romans 11:33 KJV

Our knowledge is limited. We see only little fragments of truth. We are like children on the shore of the sea, gathering a few pebbles and shells—while the ocean's depths are hidden from us. Says Zophar: "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave—what can you know?" Job 11:7-8

Daily Devotion: Pardoning Grace by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Isaiah 1:16-23 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
- Isaiah 1:18 KJV

My soul! your God summons you to His audience chamber! Infinite purity seeks to reason with immense vileness! Deity stoops to speak to dust! Do not dread the meeting. It is the most gracious — as well as most wondrous of all conferences. Jehovah Himself breaks silence! He utters the best tidings a lost soul or a lost world can hear, "God is in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing unto men their trespasses." What! Scarlet sins, and crimson sins! and these all to be forgiven and forgotten! The just God "justifying" the unjust! — the mightiest of all beings, the kindest of all!

Daily Devotion: Slander by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Psalm 31:10-17 KJV

Key Verse:  "For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life."
- Psalm 31:13 KJV

What a wicked world do we live in! If happy and successful—we are envied; if miserable—we are despised; and in every condition—slandered. With the psalmist of old, I may say, "the mouth of the slanderer is opened against me." With him I may add, "They have spoken against me without a cause." O that, with him, I could also say, "But I gave myself to prayer!"

Daily Devotion: The Role of Grace in Salvation by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:3-10 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

The role of Grace in salvation is central to Christian theology. Grace is an essential part of God’s character, and is closely related to His benevolence, love, and mercy. In this devotional, we will explore the role of Grace in salvation as described in the Bible.

Daily Devotion: The Vital Role of Jesus' Resurrection in Salvation by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Mark 16:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him."
- Mark 16:6 KJV

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a core belief of Christian faith and theology. It is a crucial component of our understanding of salvation and the forgiveness of sins. In this post, we will explore the importance of Jesus' resurrection and its relevance to salvation.

Daily Devotion: A Zeal for the Righteousness of God by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Romans 10:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge."
- Romans 10:2 KJV

The apostle Paul prayed to God for the salvation of those who “...have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:2-3 KJV).

Daily Devotion: You Have Not Passed This Way Before by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Joshua 3:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore."
- Joshua 3:4 KJV

How solemn is the reflection that with a new cycle of time commences, with each traveler to Zion, a new and untrodden path! New events in his history will transpire- new scenes in the panorama of life will unfold- new phases of character will develop- new temptations will assail- new duties will devolve- new trials will be experienced- new sorrows will be felt- new friendships will be formed- and new mercies will be bestowed. How truly may it be said of the pilgrim journeying through the wilderness to his eternal home, as he stands upon the threshold of this untried period of his existence, pondering the unknown and uncertain future, "You have not passed this way heretofore!"

Daily Devotion: The Lamb Of God by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Revelation 14:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads."
- Revelation 14:1 KJV

The apostle John was privileged to look within the gates of heaven, and in describing what he saw, he begins by saying, "I looked, and there before me was the Lamb!" This teaches us that the chief object of contemplation in the heavenly state, is "the Lamb of God." Nothing else attracted the apostle's attention, so much as that Divine Being, who has redeemed us by His blood. He is the theme of the songs of all glorified spirits and holy angels.

Daily Devotion: One Drop Of This Holy Anointing Oil by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: 1 John 2:22-29 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."
- 1 John 2:27 KJV

Have you ever had a solitary drop of this holy anointing oil fall upon your heart? One drop, if it be but a drop, will sanctify you forever to the service of God. There was not much of the holy anointing oil used for the service of the tabernacle, when we consider the size and quantity of what had to be consecrated, for Moses had to anoint therewith the whole of the tabernacle of the congregation, as well as all the vessels, with all their various accessories. 

Daily Devotion: The record of John concerning Christ by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: John 1:19-34 KJV 

Key Verse:  "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
- John 1:29 KJV

During the time of the Lord's temptation, John was preaching in the wilderness. Many supposed he was the promised Savior; for though he did no miracle, (John 10:41,) he was evidently a very wonderful prophet. There were in Jerusalem seventy chief men, who met together to consult about public matters, and who were called the council, or the Sanhedrin. These Jews were proud and unbelieving. They sent a company of priests and Levites to ask John who he was, probably supposing that he would readily answer people who filled holy offices, especially as he himself was a priest. But he did not wish men to honor him, and he plainly told these priests he was not the Christ. Then they wanted to know whether he was Elijah; for Malachi the prophet had declared that Elijah would come before Christ came, (4:5, 6.) But though John had come in the spirit and power of Elijah, he was not Elijah himself. The priests then asked him whether he was that prophet. What prophet did they mean? They meant to ask whether John was any one of the old prophets risen from the dead. He declared that he was not, and then told them who he was—A voice crying in the wilderness. But these priests were not satisfied with the answer—they wanted to know why he baptized, as if he were some great person, and had great authority. As they were of the sect of the Pharisees—those formal self-righteous people—they must have been much offended with John for having once called them a generation of vipers. John took this occasion to praise the Lord Jesus, and to speak of his greatness. He even told them that he stood among them, though they knew him not.

Daily Devotion: Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Genesis 9:11-18 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:"
- Genesis 9:14 KJV

So always, too, in spiritual life, whenever a cloud is in the sky—the rainbow appears on the cloud, the rainbow of divine promise, of God's love and grace. We are accustomed to say that every cloud has a silver lining, and the saying is true. In other words, every dark providence has a bright, shining side. As God sees it, there is a blessing in it. It is not always true that we can see the rainbow on the cloud; sometimes we can see only gloom and shadow. But faith can always be sure of good in every trial, in every sorrow, in every loss, even when the natural eye cannot see it. "We know that all things work together for good—to those who love God."

Daily Devotion: The Significance of Jesus' Burial in Salvation by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 6:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
- Romans 6:4 KJV

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ are central to Christian faith and theology. However, the events surrounding Jesus' burial are often overlooked, despite their critical role in our understanding of salvation. In this article, we will explore the importance of Jesus' burial as described in the Bible.

Daily Devotion: Love In Its Fourfold Extension by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21 KJV 

Key Verse:  "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,"
- Ephesians 3:17 KJV

Some things may have—height as the heavens, depth as the sea, and breadth and length as the earth. But divine love has a height which cannot be seen, a depth which cannot be sounded, a length which cannot be limited, and a breadth which cannot be measured! O Lord! may I know your love in its depth, in bringing me out of the lowest hell; in its height, in setting me on the Redeemer's throne; in its breadth, in making me an heir of God; and in its length, in eternalizing my bliss in the regions of glory! This love, in its depth, recovers and restores fallen man to endless felicity; in its height, crowns and confirms the church of the first-born; the inhabitants of the better country walk at liberty in its breadth, and rejoice in its length, its eternal duration.

Daily Devotion: A Virgin, Immanuel and the Incarnation by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Isaiah 7:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Thus saith the Lord God, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass."
- Isaiah 7:7 KJV

Ahaz was faithless. Neighboring countries of Syria and Israel banned together to fight the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Ahaz, the king of Judah, sent for the king of Assyria to come to his rescue.

Daily Devotion: Consider Jesus - In His Second Appearing by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Titus 2:8-15 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"
- Titus 2:13 KJV

A Savior 'to come' has been the hope of the Church of God in every age and dispensation. The Old Testament saints looked for His coming to save; the saints of the New Testament look for His coming to reign--even "The GLORIOUS appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ." There are, in fact, three personal appearances of our Lord mentioned in the Scriptures. His first, when "He APPEARED to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." The second, "Now to APPEAR in the presence of God forever." The third, when "He shall APPEAR the second time without sin (that is, without a sin-offering) unto salvation." In each of these appearances of Jesus, my soul! you have a personal and precious interest. His past appearance was to save you, His present appearance is to intercede for you, His future appearance will be to glorify you.

Daily Devotion: No Cause For Death In Himself by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Daniel 9:20-27 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined."
- Daniel 9:26 KJV

Blessed be His name, there was no cause for death in Himself. Neither original nor actual sin had defiled Him—and therefore death had no claim upon Him. No man could have taken His life from Him justly, for He had done no man wrong; and no man could even have slain Him by force—unless He had been pleased to yield Himself to die. But lo, one sins—and another suffers. Justice was offended by us—but found its satisfaction in Him. Rivers of tears, mountains of offerings, seas of the blood of bullocks, and hills of frankincense, could not have availed for the removal of sin; but Jesus was cut off for us, and the cause of wrath was cut off at once—for sin was put away forever.

Daily Devotion: Fire That Never Goes Out by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 31:2-9 KJV 

Key Verse:  "They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn."
- Jeremiah 31:9 KJV

Until God is pleased to pour out upon us the spirit of grace and of supplications, we cannot worship him aright; for God is a Spirit, and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth; nor can we without this spirit offer up that spiritual sacrifice which is acceptable to him through Jesus Christ. When this spirit has been once given and kindled in a believer's breast, it never dies out. It is like the fire upon the bronze altar, which was first given by the Lord himself from heaven, and concerning which God gave this command—"The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out" (Lev. 6:13 KJV). This fire might sink low; it might be covered with the ashes of sacrifice, but it never was allowed to go out for lack of supply of fuel.

Daily Devotion: The Third Temptation Of Christ by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Matthew 4:8-11 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me."
- Matthew 4:9 KJV

Though Jesus had resisted two temptations, Satan was not dismayed. Here we have an instance of the persistence of our great enemy. Though he may have failed in one attempt to injure us, he will make another, and sometimes he succeeds better the second time than he did the first.

Daily Devotion: The Crucial Role of Jesus' Death in Salvation by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 5:5-12 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
- Romans 5:6 KJV

The Bible teaches that salvation is not something that can be earned or achieved through good works, but rather it is a free gift from God, made possible through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This gift is available to all who believe in Him and accept Him as their Lord and Savior.