Daily Devotion: See God's Footprint In Every Step by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Hebrews 4:9-16 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
- Hebrews 4:15 KJV

See Him bearing our sicknesses and our sorrows; more than this, carrying our iniquities and our sins. Think not that your path is a isolated one. The incarnate God has trodden it before you, and He can give you the clear eye of faith to see His footprint in every step.

Daily Devotion: God's Grapevine by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Ezekiel 15:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Son of man, what is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?"
- Ezekiel 15:2 KJV

These words are for the humbling of God's people; they are called God's grapevine—but what are they by nature more than others? They, by God's goodness, have become fruitful, having been planted in a good soil; the Lord has trained them upon the walls of the sanctuary, and they bring forth fruit to His glory. But what are they without their God? What are they without the continual influence of the Spirit, begetting fruitfulness in them?

Daily Devotion: Who Are the Gnostics by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 1 John 4:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."
- 1 John 4:1 KJV

Gnosticism, an early Christian heresy, posed a significant threat to the early Church, promoting ungodly beliefs and practices that contradicted the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. In this devotional, we will explore the nature of Gnosticism, its impact on the Church, and the importance of adhering to the truth of God's Word by drawing from various sources, including the Holy Scriptures, for guidance and wisdom.

Daily Devotion: We Have Redemption Through His Blood by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Colossians 1:10-17 KJV 

Key Verse:  "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
- Colossians 1:14 KJV.

Of all spiritual blessings made known to the soul by the power of God "a knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins" is the hardest to be obtained, and most prized when acquired. How many poor tried, exercised, distressed souls are at this very moment sighing and crying for the manifestation of this one blessing. These well know, and some of them by the painful experience of many years' hard bondage and travail, how hard it is to get forgiveness sealed on their heart.

Daily Devotion: Christ's Conversation With The Samaritan Woman by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: John 4:1-15 KJV 

Key Verse:  "There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink."
- John 4:7 KJV

Everyone must desire to know what our Savior thought fit to say to a poor ignorant woman, whom he met beside a well. He was always watching for opportunities of doing good to the souls and bodies of men. Though He was weary, and doubtless hungry and thirsty also, he was intent upon his Father's business; while we are continually making excuses for not speaking to people about their souls!

Daily Devotion: God Tests Us by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Exodus 16:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no."
- Exodus 16:4 KJV

Everything God gives or sends to us—tests us in some way. Trials test us, whether we will submit with humility and patience to the experiences that are sore and painful, and learn the lesson set for us in them.

Daily Devotion: Sanctifying Grace by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Philippians 1:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
- Philippians 1:6 KJV

Reader! Is the good work begun in you? Are you holy? Is sin being crucified? Are your heart's idols abolished, one by one? Is the world less to you — and eternity more to you? Is more of your Savior's image impressed on your character; and your Savior's love more enthroned in your heart? Is Salvation to you, "the one thing needful?" Oh! take heed! There can be no middle ground, no standing still; or if it is so, your position must be a false one.

Daily Devotion: Love In Saints by James Meikle

Bible Reading: 1 John 4:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
- 1 John 4:8 KJV

Love is a passion planted in the human bosom, which once was wholly a holy seed—but is now turned into the degenerate plant of a corrupted vine. Before sin entered into the world, love wholly centered on God; then the fire burnt purely, and the soul ascended in the sacred flame to God. Then there was sweet fellowship between heaven and earth, and man maintained communion with his Maker. Admiring the beauties of creation, his soul with pleasure ascended up the streams of created excellencies, to the fountain of uncreated glory and ravished with the view, he saw his interest in his Maker to be of a nobler kind than the lower world could claim. This was bliss, and it was this which made paradise so near akin to heaven. This, and not the blooming flowers; this, and not the verdant groves; this, and not the spreading streams; this, and not the fragrant oils; this, and not the bending boughs; this, and not the warbling birds; this, and not a cloudless sky; this, and not the sight of angels; this, and not their mutual love—made our first parents happy in their first abode.

Daily Devotion: Be Imitators of God by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;"
- Ephesians 5:1 KJV

Those words are startling, upsetting, impossible. It is “the ultimate ideal.”

“Be imitators of God.” There can be no higher standard than that. The apostle Paul boldly tells us if we are to be like God we must imitate Him.

How it is possible for us depraved sinners to possibly imitate the sovereign LORD of the universe?

Daily Devotion: The Cure For Pride by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: James 4:5-12 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
- James 4:10 KJV

In the previous devotionals we gained an understanding of pride and its dire consequences as described in Proverbs 16:18. Pride is a subtle yet destructive force that can creep into our lives, causing us to exalt ourselves above others. When we are proud, we are blinded to our own limitations and weaknesses, and we become arrogant and self-reliant. Thus relying on our own strength and wisdom rather than on God's guidance. This can lead to spiritual downfall and alienation from God. But there is a cure for pride.

Daily Devotion: Pride Destroys Relationships by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 18:5-12 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul."
- 1 Samuel 18:12 KJV

Pride is a dangerous force that can destroy relationships and lead to division, envy, and strife. Its venomous touch can turn admiration into envy, friendship into rivalry, and loyalty into betrayal. The Bible offers numerous examples of the destructive nature of pride, including the tragic story of King Saul. 

Daily Devotion: Pride Is A Source of Evil by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Proverbs 8:6-13 KJV 

Key Verse:  "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate."
- Proverbs 8:13 KJV

Pride is a dangerous source of evil that can lead us away from God and towards evil which will cause us to stumble in our spiritual journey. The Bible warns against the dangers of pride, reminding us of the consequences of an arrogant spirit. In this devotional, we'll explore the impact of pride on our lives and how pride can manifest as a source of evil, drawing insights from the timeless wisdom of the Holy Scriptures for guidance and direction.

Daily Devotion: Pride Leads To Contention by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Proverbs 13:3-10 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom."
- Proverbs 13:10 KJV

Pride is a destructive force that can lead to contention, strife, and division. The Bible warns against the dangers of pride, reminding us of the consequences of an arrogant spirit. Our Key Verse above points out that pride leads to contention. The path of pride is a lonely one, marked by bitterness and strife. It isolates us from meaningful relationships and robs us of the joy and peace that come from humility. Pride breeds insecurity, as we constantly feel the need to prove ourselves, defend our egos and hid our short-comings, often through lies and deceit. 

Daily Devotion: Pride Is A Snare by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Psalm 59:10-17 KJV

Key Verse:  "For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak."
- Psalm 59:12 KJV

Pride is a dangerous trap that can ensnare us, leading us away from God and causing us to stumble in our spiritual journey. The Bible warns against the dangers of pride, reminding us of the consequences of an arrogant spirit. As we explore the impact of pride on our lives, let us turn to the wisdom of the Holy Scriptures for guidance and insight.

Daily Devotion: Pride Separates Us From God by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Psalm 10:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."
- Psalm 10:4 KJV

Pride is a destructive force that can separate us from God and hinder our spiritual growth. As we explore the impact of pride on our relationship with God, let us turn to the wisdom of the Holy Scriptures for guidance and insight.

Daily Devotion: Pride Renders Us Unteachable by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Proverbs 1:2-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:"
- Proverbs 1:5 KJV

Those who live as if they know everything never bother about personal growth. Their ego convinces them that they have arrived, and they quit growing intellectually and spiritually. Humility not only shapes our character but also determines our receptiveness to learning from God and others. Pride, on the other hand, acts as a barrier, rendering us unteachable. Let us delve into this truth through the lens of scripture.

Daily Devotion: The Most Dangerous Sin by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Isaiah 14:12-19 KJV 

Key Verse:  "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!"
- Isaiah 14:12 KJV

Sin is a falling short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). So there’s either righteousness (perfection) or unrighteousness, it is either one or the other. James 2:10 states, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." Thus, all sins are equal to God in that all sins are by definition “unrighteous” and “imperfect.” However, there is hope because 1 John 1:9 tells us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Daily Devotion: They Had Been With Jesus by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Acts 4:12-18 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."
- Acts 4:13 KJV

We have a right to look for one or more of the moral features of our dear Lord's character in His people. Some resemblance to His image; something that marks the man of God; some lowliness of mind- gentleness of temper- humility of deportment- charity- patience in the endurance of affliction- meekness in the suffering of persecution- forgiveness of injuries- returning good for evil- blessing for cursing- in a word, some portion of "the fruit of the Spirit," which is "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." 

Daily Devotion: God Has Many Ways Of Humbling His People by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Luke 22:31-38 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And he was sore athirst, and called on the Lord, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?"
- Judges 15:18 KJV

Samson was thirsty and ready to die. The difficulty was totally different from any which the hero had met before. Merely to get thirst assuaged, is a small matter—as compared to be delivered from a thousand Philistines! but when the thirst was upon him, Samson felt that little present difficulty more weighty than the great past difficulty out of which he had so specially been delivered.

Daily Devotion: As The Showers Upon The Grass by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 32:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:"
- Deuteronomy 32:2 KJV

In the falling of the natural dew there is something soft, still, and gentle. We therefore read, "We will light upon him as the dew falls on the ground" (2 Sam. 17:12), that is, stealthily and unseen. It does not rush down like the pelting hail, but falls stilly and often imperceptibly; so that we scarcely know it has fallen, until we go out in the morning and see every blade of grass tipped with the sparkling dew-drops; by these bright gems we know that dew has fallen during the still hours of the night.

Daily Devotion: John's Imprisonment by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Luke 3:16-23 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison."
- Luke 3:20 KJV

The beautiful discourse that we lately read was the last discourse of John the Baptist that we find in the Scriptures. Soon after delivering it, he was cast into prison. It was Herod who imprisoned him. This Herod was the son of that Herod who slew the babes of Bethlehem, and he resembled his father in wickedness. As he was the governor of a fourth part of the land of Canaan, he is called a tetrarch, (which means the governor of the fourth part of a kingdom.) The Romans had made him governor of Judea. He had heard John preach. We are not informed whether he had gone into the wilderness to hear him, or whether he had sent for John into his palace; but we are told what effect John's preaching produced upon him. If we refer to Mark's gospel, we shall find an account of the sort of impression it made upon him. (Mark 6:20.) "Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and a holy." Herod had a reverence for the character of John; though a wicked man, he respected John. This affords us a lesson. Perhaps we feel a respect for some holy men, yet this is not a proof that we are holy ourselves.

Daily Devotion: Blue, Purple And Scarlet Fine Linen by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Exodus 35:24-31 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen."
- Exodus 35:25 KJV

Many young ladies make beautiful things—but do not bring them to Christ. They keep them for their own adornment. But these women brought their fine handiwork to the Lord. They spun beautiful threads to be woven into the curtains and embroideries of the tabernacle. 

Daily Devotion: Restoring Grace by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Philippians 1:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
- Philippians 1:6 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: Why Jesus Was So Popular by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Matthew 11:25-30 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
- Matthew 11:30 KJV

When a rabbi had authority (semikhah) he made his own context of teaching or interpretation of the Torah, and it was called his "yoke." That is why Jesus said in Matthew 11:30, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Have you ever wondered why Jesus was so popular and how He drew crowds of thousands to hear Him speak? The answer is simple.

Daily Devotion: On A Blind Beggar by James Meikle

Bible Reading: John 9:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth."
- John 9:1 KJV

Poor man! you walk in darkness, though presented on every side with noon-day beams. You must commit yourself to your fellow-creatures, and by them be led from door to door. Who can but sympathize with your condition, and pity you? Poison unknown to you may be poured into your cup. You may fall into the fire or the water, or a ditch. You may dash your foot against every stone, and have the naked sword brandished at your bosom, while ignorant of your danger.

Daily Devotion: Behold, What Manner of Love by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: John 11:28-36 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Jesus wept."
- John 11:35 KJV

Jesus wept at the tomb of His friend Lazarus. The Jewish people who saw Him responded to one another, "...Behold, how He loved him" (John 11:36).

C. H. Spurgeon said to his congregation in London, "Most of us here, I trust, are not mere onlookers, but we have a share in the special love of Jesus. We see evidences of that love, not in the tears, but in the precious blood that He so freely shed for us. . . . Behold how He loves us!"

Daily Devotion: Forgotten Sin by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Luke 22:55-62 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice."
- Luke 22:61 KJV

His Lord's solemn prediction of his sin he seemed quite to have forgotten. But when that look met his eye, it summoned back to memory the faded recollections of the faithful and tender admonitions that had forewarned him of his fall. There is a tendency, in our fallen minds to forget our sinful departures from God. David's threefold backsliding seemed to have been lost in deep oblivion, until the Lord sent His prophet to recall it to his memory. 

Daily Devotion: So All Israel Shall Be Saved by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Romans 11:22-29 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:"
- Romans 11:26 KJV

When Moses sang at the Red Sea, it was his joy to know that all Israel were safe. Not a drop of spray fell from that solid wall—until the last of God's Israel had safely planted his foot on the other side the flood. That done, immediately the floods dissolved into their proper place again—but not until then. Part of that song was, "You in your mercy have led forth the people which you have redeemed."

Daily Devotion: Book Of Like by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Psalm 38:5-12 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee."
- Psalm 38:9 KJV

Many of the Lord's people cannot clearly read their names in the book of life; many are the doubts and fears that work in their bosom whether the Lord really has begun a work of grace upon their souls, and whether they truly are among the Lord's living family. But this thing they must know—whether at times and seasons they can lie in humility at the footstool of mercy, and appeal to a heart-searching God—"All my desire is before you."

Daily Devotion: John's Testimony about Jesus by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: John 3:22-36 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him."
- John 3:28 KJV

How little did the Jews understand the character of John the Baptist! Some of them thought that he would be jealous of the Lord Jesus. How was that possible, when he came into the world to bear witness to Him, and to persuade men to believe in Him? Some people came to John, complaining that Jesus baptized, and that all men came to him. John earnestly desired that all men would come to Christ; not come to him only to be baptized with water, but to be washed from their sins, and baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Daily Devotion: A Special Rabbi With Semikhah by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:21-29 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
- Matthew 7:29 KJV

Have you ever read something in the Bible and thought, 'That is interesting. I wonder what that means exactly?' Many times there is more to what you are reading. Sometimes it is cultural, that just flies over our head since we are not familiar with the culture that was present in bible times. Today we are going to look at two of those instances. The first is what was meant when people said Jesus spoke with authority. The second one is, what was the significance of the events that happened right after Jesus was baptized.