Daily Devotion: She Done What She Could by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Mark 14:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying."
- Mark 14:8 KJV

A child offered her teacher a handful of weeds and grass, wilted and soiled, and said, "Here is a bouquet for you!" The teacher saw the love in the child's eyes, and accepted the gift with sincere gratitude. Just so, Christ accepts our smallest gifts or services—if He sees love in our heart.

Daily Devotion: Restoring Grace by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Hosea 14 KJV

Key Verse:  "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him."
- Hosea 14:4 KJV

Wandering again! And has He not left me to perish? Stumbling and straying on the dark mountains, away from the Shepherd's eye and the Shepherd's fold — shall He not leave the erring wanderer to the fruit of his own ways, and his truant heart to go hopelessly onward in its career of guilty estrangement?

Daily Devotion: Prayer And Praise by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Psalm 72:8-15 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised."
- Psalm 72:15 KJV

Prayer and praise is the employment of the two families of earth and heaven—the church-militant and the church-triumphant. Prayer is the native breathings of the heaven-born soul, the lispings of the child of grace, who when grown to the stature of a perfect man in Christ Jesus, and taken home to his higher house—breaks forth into melodious strains of praise. Prayer suits the state below, and praise the state above. Here I am vexed with sin and temptation, with needs and infirmities—therefore I pray. But there I shall be blessed with the removal of sin and temptation, of needs and infirmities—therefore I shall praise.

Daily Devotion: Behold The Glory of God by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Psalm 19:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."
- Psalm 19:1 KJV

Have you beheld the glory of God? The experience of all believers in Christ is expressed in the words of the apostle Paul, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Daily Devotion: Go To The Cross by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Titus 2:8-15 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
- Titus 2:14 KJV

There is no victory, over the indwelling power of sin, and there is no pardon for the guilt of sin, but as the soul deals with the blood of Christ. The great end of our dear Lord's death was to destroy the works of the devil. Sin is the great work of Satan. 

Daily Devotion: Turn Away My Eyes From Vanity by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:34-41 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way."
- Psalm 119:37 KJV

There are diverse kinds of vanity. The cap and bells of the fool; the mirth of the world; the dance, the lyre, and the cup of the dissolute. All these we know to be vanities; they wear upon their forefront, their proper name and title. Far more treacherous, are those equally vain things—the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches. A man may follow vanity as truly in his business—as in the theater. If he is spending his life in amassing wealth—he passes his days in a vain show. Unless we follow Christ, and make our God the great object of life, we only differ in appearance from the most frivolous. It is clear that there is much need of the first prayer of our text.

Daily Devotion: The Steps Of A Rabbi by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Luke 2:42-50 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."
- Luke 2:47 KJV

The word rabbi (or ravi) means "respected teacher" when roughly translated to English, but it is a rich, Hebrew concept that means much more. In modern times, a Rabbi is seen as the leader of a Jewish synagogue. The aspiration of every Hebrew boy was to be a Rabbi. Training began as soon as the young boy was old enough to understand. There were at least three stages that must be passed before man could become a Rabbi:

Daily Devotion: Make Your Calling Sure by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: 2 Peter 1:4-11 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:"
- 2 Peter 1:10 KJV

Have you any testimony to your effectual calling? Has grace indeed laid hold of your heart? O that you might know more fully—more powerfully—what a blessed hope of eternal life is laid up in the bosom of this heavenly calling, that it might cheer and encourage you to press on more and more to realize all that is given you in Christ, both for here and hereafter, in present grace and in future glory!

Daily Devotion: The Conversation Concluded by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: John 3:9-21 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?"
- John 3:9 KJV

Nicodemus was very ignorant of the meaning of the Scriptures; he knew the words, but not the things spoken of. He had no idea that a change of heart was necessary. He ought to have known it, because he had often read the words of the prophet Ezekiel, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh," (that is, a soft, tender, feeling heart,) Ezek. 36:26. Now this promise of a new heart, refers to the blessing of the new birth.

Daily Devotion: Hardships, Losses, Sorrows by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Exodus 16:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger."
- Exodus 16:3 KJV

It is a sad thing when we allow life's disappointments to make us despondent! The problem of Christian living in this troublesome world, is not to escape experiences of hardship—but to retain sweetness of spirit in all such experiences.

Daily Devotion: Restraining Grace by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Luke 22:25-32 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:"
- Luke 22:31 KJV

What a scene does this unfold!
Satan tempting — Jesus praying!
Satan sifting — Jesus pleading!
"The strong man assailing" — "the stronger than the strong" beating him back!

Daily Devotion: All Plenitude In Christ by James Meikle

Bible Reading: John 1:13-20 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."
- John 1:16 KJV

All plenitude is in Christ, to answer all the needs of His people. In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, that out of His fullness I may receive all spiritual blessings!

Daily Devotion: Before and After by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

Whenever any person becomes a new creature in union with Christ, he or she becomes a new person altogether. There is a whole new creation whenever a person comes to be in Christ. The effect is the old life is passed away and a new life has begun. Everything becomes new in Christ. The person who is in Christ and has experienced the new birth is a part of the new creation.

Daily Devotion: The Two Most Powerful Words In The Bible by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Matthew 4:18-25 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
- Matthew 4:19 KJV

Words are powerful. Throughout time people have spoken words that changed the course of history. Some were spoken during times of crisis while others were spoken to inspire greatness. Speech as a means of communication is the most effective tool God created for people. Consider these powerful secular quotes:

Daily Devotion: His Unspeakable Gift by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:8-15 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."
- 2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV

The Atonement itself precludes all idea of human merit, and, from its very nature, proclaims that it is free. Consider the grandeur of the Atonement- contemplate its costliness: incarnate Deity- perfect obedience- spotless purity- unparalleled grace and love- acute and mysterious sufferings- wondrous death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession of the Savior, all conspire to constitute it the most august sacrifice that could possibly be offered. 

Daily Devotion: Cain And Able by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Genesis 4:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground."
- Genesis 4:2 KJV

As a shepherd, Abel sanctified his work to the glory of God, and offered a sacrifice of blood upon his altar, and the Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering. This early type of our Lord is exceedingly clear and distinct. Like the first streak of light which tinges the east at sunrise—it does not reveal everything—but it clearly manifests the great fact that the sun is coming.

Daily Devotion: These All Died In Faith by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Hebrews 11:10-17 KJV 

Key Verse:  "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."
- Hebrews 11:13 KJV

When death came it did not rob them of their faith. They held with their believing hand in death every truth which they had held with their believing hand in life. It is in death that the gospel is such a blessing when held by a believing hand. 

Daily Devotion: Christ's Conversation With Nicodemus by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: John 3:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:"
- John 3:1 KJV

What can be so interesting as to hear how the Savior instructed a person who desired to know the way of salvation! What a privilege Nicodemus enjoyed when he talked alone with the Son of God! What a privilege we enjoy when we read the account of this conversation!

Daily Devotion: Your Reasonable Service by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Romans 12:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
- Romans 12:1 KJV

A Christian man had quoted this verse, urging those whom he had addressed to present their bodies to God as a living sacrifice. When he closed, a good friend who sat beside him said, "John, the next time you quote that verse, you would better quote all of it."

Daily Devotion: Comforting Grace by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: John 14:18-25 KJV 

Key Verse:  "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."
- John 14:18 KJV

Blessed Jesus! How Your presence sanctifies trial; takes loneliness from the chamber of sickness; and the sting from the chamber of death! Bright and Morning Star! Precious at all times, You are never so precious as in "the dark and cloudy day!" The bitterness of sorrow is well worth enduring — to have Your promised consolations.

Daily Devotion: Truth Over Tradition by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Matthew 15:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"
- Matthew 15:3 KJV

As mentioned in earlier devotionals, Satan has given all true Christian denominations (those that share the fundamentals of faith) some lies to go along with the truth taught from the Bible. Some denominations have more lies than others, but all seem to have acquired some lies. The lies are often carried forward through "Traditions." For centuries the church has been given volumes of knowledge and yet with that knowledge so little change has taken place. In fact, the church has slipped from its height in the third century. We do not need more information, what we need is "revelation" and "truth."

Daily Devotion: Private Experience by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Isaiah 40:10-17 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?"
- Isaiah 40:12 KJV

O the wonderful condescension of God! If he looks into heaven, among thrones and dominions, seraphim and cherubim—it is humility, stupendous humility. How much more when he casts his caring eyes on this inferior world of ours! But still most of all, when he hears the cries, and answers the requests, of one who is infinitely less than the least of all his mercies! "You have heard, and I am revived; you have answered me, and I am confirmed in my belief of your love towards me. Lord! henceforth let all my love be yours and on you let all my faith depend."

Daily Devotion: Be Filled With The Holy Spirit by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:13-20 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"
- Ephesians 5:18 KJV

The greatest need of the born again Christian is to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  When we are under the control of the Holy Spirit, we will always glorify Jesus Christ. He will be exalted in our speech and in our behavior.

Daily Devotion: The Thin Veil by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: John 16:25-33 KJV 

Key Verse:  "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

Could we draw aside, for a moment, the thin veil that separates us from the glorified saints, and inquire the path along which they were conducted by a covenant God to their present enjoyments, how few exceptions, if any, would we find to that declaration of Jehovah- "I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction." 

Daily Devotion: He Opened Their Eyes by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Luke 24:45-53 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,"
- Luke 24:45 KJV

He whom we viewed last evening as opening Scripture, we here perceive opening the understanding. In the first work He has many fellow-laborers—but in the second He stands alone. Many can bring the Scriptures to the mind—but the Lord alone can prepare the mind to receive the Scriptures. Our Lord Jesus differs from all other teachers; they reach the ear—but He instructs the heart; they deal with the outward letter—but He imparts an inward taste for the truth, by which we perceive its savor and spirit. The most unlearned of men become ripe scholars in the school of grace—when the Lord Jesus by His Holy Spirit unfolds the mysteries of the kingdom to them, and grants the divine anointing by which they are enabled to behold the invisible.

Daily Devotion: The Cloud by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Isaiah 4 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence."
- Isaiah 4:5 KJV

The glory of the Lord is his presence in the soul, for that is represented by the cloud, as it was when his glory filled the house of God, which Solomon built. Now this glory of the Lord in the cloud and smoke by day, and in the shining of a flaming fire by night, is to be a defense, both upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion and upon her assemblies. A defense against what? Chiefly against four things.

Daily Devotion: Christ Speaks Of The Temple Of His Body by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: John 2:18-25 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But he spake of the temple of his body."
- John 2:21 KJV

How could the Jews desire a sign of Christ's right to clear the temple of the traders? What could have enabled him to send out these profane men but the power of God? Was not that a sign of his authority? Yet still the Jews, or the chief men of Jerusalem, desired a sign; but Christ refused to give them any, except that great sign of his own resurrection from the dead. This is God's constant way of dealing—he gives no sign to those who wish not to believe in him, and who only ask for a sign as an excuse for their unbelief.

Daily Devotion: Rabbi Jesus by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: John 1:44-51 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel."
- John 1:49 KJV

The next several devotionals will be based on information in Dwain Miller's excellent book Jesus the Rabbi: Unlocking the Hebraic Teaching of Yeshua. This book fills in many blanks for a lot of areas of the life of Jesus. In today's world Jesus is filtered through the Western culture which is vastly different than the Hebrew culture in which Jesus lived. Many things are left out of the Bible because at the time it was written the information was common knowledge or it was simply a part of the culture people were living in.

Daily Devotion: You Will Have Tribulation In This World by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: John 16:27-33 KJV 

Key Verse:  "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

The word tribulation is very suggestive. It comes from a root which means 'a flail'. The thresher uses the flail to beat the wheat sheaves, that he may separate the golden wheat from the chaff and straw.

Daily Devotion: Restraining Grace by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Luke 22:31-38 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

What a scene does this unfold! Satan tempting — Jesus praying! Satan sifting — Jesus pleading! "The strong man assailing" — "the stronger than the strong" beating him back!