Daily Devotion: Affliction the Lot of Saints Below by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:15-22 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all."
- Psalm 34:19 KJV

While I am mortal, I must taste of the waters of Mara; drink of the cup of adversity; and swim the tempestuous ocean. It is the perfection of angels, that they could never experience the pain of mental disquiet, or the pangs of anguish. And it is the happiness of departed saints, to obtain joy for mourning, a crown for crosses; and to forget their misery, if not wholly, yet to remember it as waters, once swelled to a dreadful flood—but which now have forever flown away. It is, then the misery of the sons of men, only while here, to be, as it were, a mark set up for the arrows of tribulation, and to be engaged in constant war, and in perpetual broils. But it is the privileges of the Christian soldier to wear the shield of faith, with which he shall be able to quench the fiery darts of Satan, and to ward off the sling-stones of tribulation which pelt him from every quarter. How, then, may I triumph under all my afflictions? Consider,

Daily Devotion: Because Christ Lives by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Hebrews 7:20-28 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
- Hebrews 7:25 KJV

God supplies all of our spiritual needs through His infinite resources. The Holy Spirit indwells us with His power; therefore, as we walk in the Spirit, we shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. As we are occupied with Christ, we are kept from sin and thus “saved by His life” (Rom. 5:10).

Daily Devotion: He That Believeth On The Son Of God by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: 1 John 5:10-17 KJV 

Key Verse:  "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son."
- 1 John 5:10 KJV

The Spirit of God breaking, humbling, healing the heart; taking his own truth and transcribing it upon the soul; witnessing, sealing, sanctifying; opening the eye of the soul to the holiness of God's law- to its own moral guilt, poverty, helplessness, and deep need of Christ's blood and righteousness, thus leading it to rest on Him as on an all-sufficient Savior; thus producing "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit"- this is the truth experienced- this is the religion of the heart; and all other religion, beautiful as may be its theory, and orthodox as may be its creed, is worth nothing! 

Daily Devotion: The Angel of the Lord by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Genesis 22:11-19 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I."
- Genesis 22:11 KJV

There are Old and New Testament references to “angels of the Lord,” “an angel of the Lord,” and “the angel of the Lord.” In many instances in the Old Testament, it is specifying a unique being, separate from the other angels. This angel of the Lord speaks as God, identifies Himself with God and exercises the responsibilities of God. So who is this angel of the Lord?

Daily Devotion: Jesus In The Bible vs. The Secular World's Jesus by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Acts 1:5-12 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;"
- Acts 1:10 KJV

The Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who came to Earth to save humanity from their sins. Jesus is central to the Christian faith and is worshipped by millions of believers worldwide as God. However, the secular world has often presented a different version of Jesus, one that is more human and less divine. This devotional will delve into the differences between the Bible's Jesus and the secular world's Jesus.

Daily Devotion: Have you lost Christ by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Song of Solomon 3:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not."
- Song of Solomon 3:1 KJV

Tell me where you lost the company of Christ—and I will tell you the most likely place to find Him. Have you lost Christ in the closet by restraining prayer? Then it is there that you must seek and find Him. Did you lose Christ by sin? You will find Christ in no other way but by the giving up of the sin, and seeking by the Holy Spirit to mortify the member in which the lust dwells. Did you lose Christ by neglecting the Scriptures? You must find Christ in the Scriptures. It is a true proverb, "Look for a thing where you dropped it—it is there." So look for Christ where you lost Him—for He has not gone away.

Daily Devotion: Persecuted But Not Forsaken by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 KJV

Key Verse:  "Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;"
- 2 Corinthians 4:9 KJV

You may be cast down by many doubts and fears, and lose the sense of the Lord's love to your soul, but you cannot lose the reality, nor is your faith destroyed by the hottest flame. It is like gold; the fire melts away and separates the dross and tin, but never touches the gold. In your hottest trials your faith will not have lost a particle. Neither will your hope be destroyed, however you may be cast down about your state or standing; for not a particle of hope, or of any one Christian grace can ever be lost. They may seem to suffer diminishing as the apostle speaks, "If a man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss" (1 Cor. 3:15); but it is no real loss—it is merely the dross taken away, that he may come forth a vessel for the refiner.

Daily Devotion: Christ Purifies The Temple by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: John 2:11-17 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;"
- John 2:15 KJV

After working his first miracle, the Lord Jesus went to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, but he did not take up his abode there at present. Highly favored city, to be so early and so often visited by the Son of God! Truly she was exalted unto heaven, so great were her privileges. Do not we also enjoy very great privileges—we, who hold the word of God in our hands? May we profit more from our privileges than Capernaum did from hers!

Daily Devotion: Humility Is The Empty Hand Which God Fills by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Luke 14:3-11 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
- Luke 14:11 KJV

HUMILITY is an excellent grace. It is the empty hand which God fills. Self-conceit is weakness. We are strongest, when we distrust ourselves, and are thus led to lean upon God. Emptiness is the cup into which God puts blessing. Pride leaves no room for the divine strength. But there is a danger also in self-distrust. It sometimes makes a person shrink from duty. 

Daily Devotion: Prophecies Fulfilled Part 3 of 3 by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:21-28 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21 KJV

In Part 1 of this devotional we learned that God wants you to know that He is real and He is who He says He is. We also noted that one of the best ways to prove the validity of the Bible is to look at what was prophesied in the Bible, and to see if it came true, and consider just how difficult the prophecy was to fulfill. In Part 2 of this devotional, we selected eight prophecies from more than 300 prophecies of the coming Messiah that have already been fulfilled. Below is a summary of the eight prophecies along with their probabilities:

Daily Devotion: Prophecies Fulfilled Part 2 of 3 by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-21 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21a KJV

In Part 1 of this devotional we learned that God wants you to know that He is real and that He is who He says He is. We also noted that one of the best ways to prove the validity of the Bible is to look at what was prophesied in the Bible and see if it came true, and consider the difficulty of the prophecy. We then listed several of the 300 prophecies of the coming Messiah that have already been fulfilled. Below is more details on just eight of the fulfilled prophecies:

Daily Devotion: Prophecies Fulfilled Part 1 of 3 by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 2 Peter 1:14-21 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
- 2 Peter 1:21 KJV

God wants you to know that He is real and that He is who He says He is. The saved know that He is real by the changes in their life and the Holy Spirit that dwells within them. But what about an agnostic that says, 'Sure I believe a higher power created the world, but why should I believe it is your God.'?

Daily Devotion: The Soul's Enlargement On High by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Proverbs 2:10-19 KJV 

Key Verse:  "When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;"
- Proverbs 2:10 KJV

Here the soul, confined to to its clay tenement, is like a royal personage in prison, whose grand attendance is not seen, because he cannot come abroad. While this heaven-born excellency is here below, wisdom differs but a little from folly: understanding is but a few degrees removed from ignorance: and all the mental powers are feeble. But O the enlargement of the soul in heaven! This map of future glories, now folded up in flesh, shall be extended in breadth and length above. How penetrating then shall wisdom be! how active every power! how vigorous the flame of love! how enlarged the understanding! and how beautiful in the heights of glory shall the whole soul appear!

Daily Devotion: Baptized into Christ by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Romans 6:3-10 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?"
- Romans 6:3 KJV

The word "baptized" is not the translation of the Greek work in Romans 6:3-4, but a transliteration spelling it out in English letters. The word in the original language means to dip. The figurative use of the word means to take on a new identification. After I dip a white shirt into red dye I no longer refer to it as the “white shirt,” but the red shirt. It has a new identification.

Daily Devotion: The Trinity by Octavius Winslow

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

The doctrine of the Trinity is to the Christian the key of the Bible. The Spirit imparting skill to use it, and the power, when used, it unlocks this divine arcade of mysteries, and throws open every door in the blest sanctuary of truth. But it is in the light of salvation that its fitness and beauty most distinctly appear- salvation in which Jehovah appears so inimitably glorious- so like Himself. The Father's love appears in 'sending' His Son; the Son's love in 'undertaking' the work; the Holy Spirit's love in 'applying' the work. 

Daily Devotion: Jesus Our Teacher and Our Lesson by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Luke 24:25-32 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself."
- Luke 24:27 KJV

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had a most profitable journey. Their companion was the best of teachers; the interpreter one of a thousand, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The Lord Jesus condescended to become a preacher of the gospel, and He was not ashamed to exercise His calling before an audience of two people, neither does He now refuse to become the teacher of even one. Let us court the company of so excellent an Instructor, for until He is made unto us wisdom—we shall never be wise unto salvation.

Daily Devotion: Truth Came By Jesus Christ by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: John 1:16-22 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."
- John 1:17 KJV

The way to learn truth is to be much in prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ; as you lie upon your bed, as engaged in your daily occupation, to be from time to time looking up to the Lord himself as he sits upon his throne of grace, and be begging of him to teach you himself, for he is the best teacher. The words which he speaks, they "are spirit and life." What he writes upon our hearts is written in characters which will "stand every storm and live at last."

Daily Devotion: Non-Canonical Books by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 1:16-23 KJV 

Key Verse:  "(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)"
- 2 Samuel 1:18 KJV

As we delve into the rich tapestry of Christian literature, we often focus our attention solely on the canonized books of the Bible. However, there is much wisdom and insight to be gained from non-canonical texts, such as the Book of Enoch. In this devotional, we will explore the usefulness of these texts and how they can enrich our spiritual lives.

Daily Devotion: Ante-Nicene Fathers Writings by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Proverbs 22:17-24 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge."
- Proverbs 22:17 KJV

For the first 300 years after the death of Jesus, Christians were persecuted and martyred for their beliefs. Conversely, the church has never grown as fast as it did during that time. During this period to become a Christian and to be baptized was a death sentence - no one then was just playing church. Tertullian, a second-century church father who lived in Carthage, North Africa during the time when the blood of martyrs soaked the earth, maintained that the more Christians were persecuted and killed, the more they would multiply because “the blood of Christians is seed.” 

Daily Devotion: Jesus Turns Water Into Wine by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: John 2:1-10 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim."
- John 2:7 KJV

The Lord Jesus began his ministry by a miracle. Several of his disciples beheld this display of his power. It is probable Nathanael was one of them; for though he is not mentioned in the list of the twelve apostles, it is generally supposed that Bartholomew, the apostle, was the same person as Nathanael.

Daily Devotion: Always Say Goodbye by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Genesis 37:7-14 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem."
- Genesis 37:14 KJV

Joseph left his home in good spirits. We can imagine his good-by as he set out. The family would see him off, expecting him to fare well and to return again in good time. Not one of them dreamed that it would be twenty years before they should see his face again! If they had imagined this, then their parting that morning would have been very tender.

Daily Devotion: Needful Grace by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:"
- 2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV

All-sufficiency in all things! Believer! Surely you are "thoroughly equipped for every good work!" Grace is no scanty thing, doled out in pittances. It is a glorious treasury, which the key of prayer can always unlock — but can never empty. It is a fountain — full, flowing, ever flowing, over flowing!

Daily Devotion: Universal Improvement by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:10-17 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. 

Daily Devotion: Bad News – Good News by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:8-15 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
- Ephesians 2:8 KJV

One of the basic principles of sharing Christ with your friends is that you have to present some bad news before you can share the good news. The Bible contains both bad news and good news. The bad news is that we have a very serious problem. The Bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23 KJV).

Daily Devotion: The Bible, Our Final Authority by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 3:10-17 KJV 

Key Verse:  "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
- 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV

In a world filled with uncertainty and competing voices, it is critical to have a reliable source of truth and wisdom to guide our lives. For Christians, this source is none other than the Holy Bible. As the inerrant, inspired Word of God, the Bible serves as our ultimate authority for faith and practice. This devotional will explore the Bible's authority and its significance for believers, using specific references from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.

Daily Devotion: Hierarchy Of Truth by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 2:15-22 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
- 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

Doctrines that are specifically spelled out, such as 'we are not to commit adultery' (Exodus 20:14) are easily understood and rarely controversial. Albeit, some cults twist what the Bible says and try to justify the adultery, but all truly born again Christians would agree that adultery is a sin. However, born again saved Christians may have a difference of opinion on non-core doctrines in the Bible, or things that appear to be contradictions. So, what is a person to do?

Daily Devotion: It Pleased The Father by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Colossians 1:16-23 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;"
- Colossians 1:19 KJV

All wisdom to guide, all power to uphold, all love to soothe, all grace to support, all tenderness to sympathize, dwells in Christ. Let us, then, gird ourselves to a fresh taking hold of Christ. We must walk through this year not by sight, but by faith- and that faith must deal simply and directly, with Jesus. "Without me you can do nothing." But with His strength made perfect in our weakness, we can do all things. Oh, be this our course and our posture- "coming up from the wilderness leaning on her Beloved." 

Daily Devotion: Toil-Worn Laborer by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Hebrews 4:8-16 KJV 

Key Verse:  "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."
- Hebrews 4:9 KJV

How different will be the state of the believer in heaven—from what it is here! Here he is born to toil and suffer weariness—but in the land of the immortal, fatigue is never known. Anxious to serve his Master, he now finds his strength unequal to his zeal: his constant cry is, "Help me to serve You, O my God." If he is thoroughly active, he will have much labor; not too much for his desire—but more than enough for his power, so that he will cry out, "I am not wearied of the labor—but I am wearied in it!"

Daily Devotion: Two Things To Take Us To Heaven by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Revelation 19:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready."
- Revelation 19:7 KJV

We need two things to take us to heaven; a title to it, and a fitness for it. Our only title to heaven is the blood and righteousness of the Son of God—that blood which "cleanses from all sin," and that righteousness which "justifies us from all things from which we could not be justified by the law of Moses." Nothing unclean or defiled can enter heaven. This is God's own testimony—"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Rev. 21:27 KJV).

Daily Devotion: Philip leads Nathanael to Christ by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: John 1:43-51 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
- John 1:45 KJV

It is very interesting to know how holy men were brought to the knowledge of Christ. In this passage we have an account of the means by which Philip and Nathanael were first led to their Savior. Jesus himself found Philip, and said, "Follow me." Have we heard the voice of Jesus thus speaking to our hearts? He does thus call to us from heaven. May we have grace to reply, "Lord, I will follow you." When David heard the Lord say, "Seek my face," he replied, "Your face, Lord, will I seek." (Ps. 27.)

Daily Devotion: Fear Not by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: 2 Kings 6:10-17 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."
- 2 Kings 6:16 KJV

It is not enough just to put on a bold face and compel ourselves to be brave or appear brave. It will not do merely to try to make ourselves think there is no danger—when we know very well that there is danger. We cannot play tricks on ourselves. The true secret of confidence and fearlessness in danger—is faith in the divine keeping, not in thinking there is no peril. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 KJV