Daily Devotion: Charge It To My Account

Bible Reading: Philemon 1:15-22 KJV 

Key Verse:  "If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;"
- Philemon 1:18 KJV

“Charge it.” “Charge it to my account.” Those are words we hear every day in the business world. But did you know that those words have eternal significance, too? “Imputation” (logizomai) is a word the apostle Paul used meaning, “to reckon,” “to charge to one’s account.”

Daily Devotion: All departures From God Come From Unbelief by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Hebrews 3:7-14 KJV

Key Verse:  "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God."
- Hebrews 3:12 KJV

Observe to what cause He traces all departure from God- unbelief. This is the sin which, in another place, he exhorts the Christian to "lay aside," as "the sin which does so easily beset us." What is the easy besetting sin of every child of God? Let any believer testify. 

Daily Devotion: Praising God by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Luke 2:13-20 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."
- Luke 2:20 KJV

What was the subject of their praise? They praised God for what they had heard—for the good tidings of great joy that a Savior was born unto them. Let us copy them; let us also raise a song of thanksgiving that we have heard of Jesus and His salvation.

Daily Devotion: Valley Of Tears by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 4:12 KJV 

Key Verse:  "He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail."
- 1 Samuel 2:9 KJV

The Lord sees his poor scattered pilgrims traveling through a valley of tears, journeying through a waste howling wilderness, a path beset with baits, traps, and snares in every direction. How can they escape? Why, the Lord keeps their feet, carries them through every rough place, as a tender parent carries a little child; when about to fall, graciously lays the everlasting arms underneath them, and when tottering and stumbling, and their feet ready to slip, mercifully upholds them from falling altogether. Thus the Lord keeps the feet of his saints.

Daily Devotion: Christ's Interview With The Restored Paralytic by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: John 5:10-16 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."
- John 5:14 KJV

We have in this history an instance of the bitter hatred of men to the truth. Why did the Jews accuse Jesus of having broken the Sabbath? Was it because they reverenced that day? By no means. We may judge of their respect for the Sabbath by their regard for the temple; and we know that they made it a den of thieves, and filled it with sheep, and oxen, and money-changers. They did not care in their hearts for the service of God. And had Jesus caused the paralytic to break the Sabbath? No! for though God had forbidden men to bear burdens on the Sabbath-days, He never intended that a sick man suddenly healed would not carry home his bed.

Daily Devotion: In Silence, God is Working by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Isaiah 55:6-13 KJV

Key Verse:  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord."
- Isaiah 55:8 KJV

As believers, we often find ourselves perplexed by the silence of our Heavenly Father. This will often bring uncertainty and doubt, wondering if God is still at work in our lives. It seems as though He has withdrawn His presence, leaving us to navigate the storms of life. It’s natural to feel this way when we’re facing challenges or when our prayers seem to go unanswered. But let us not be fooled by the illusion of His absence, for in God's silence, He is working wonders beyond our comprehension.

Daily Devotion: Job Was Confident That God Was His Friend by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Job 23:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments."
- Job 23:4 KJV

Job had confidence that God was his Friend, and that if he could stand before Him and tell Him all about his life—it would be well with him. Every Christian may have the same confidence. This does not mean that we have no sins, and that we can appear in God's presence and explain our acts to Him and show Him that we have done nothing wrong. We are sinners, and we can come before Him only with penitence and confession.

Daily Devotion: Bliss In Dying by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Revelation 14:12-19 KJV

Key Verse:  "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."
- Revelation 14:13 KJV

O my soul! is this blessedness yours in prospect? Are you ready, if called this night to lie down on your death-pillow, sweetly to fall asleep in Jesus? What is the sting of death? — It is sin. Is death, then, to you, robbed of its sting, by having listened to the gracious accents of pardoning love, "Be of good cheer, your sins, which are many, are all forgiven!" 

Daily Devotion: Prayer and Praise by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Psalm 72:11-18 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: Charge it to My Account by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Romans 5:6-13 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
- Romans 5:8 KJV

“Charge it.” “Charge it to my account.” Those are words we hear every day in the business world. But did you know that those words have eternal significance, too? “Imputation” (logizomai) is a word the apostle Paul used meaning, “to reckon,” “to charge to one’s account.”

Daily Devotion: Christ Shall Be Magnified by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Philippians 1:19-26 KJV

Key Verse:  "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death."
- Philippians 1:20 KJV

You shall not lack a Christ when most you need Him. He, who has been with you all your earthly pilgrimage, will be with you in its last step. The Shepherd, who has guided you through the wilderness, will not leave you when just emerging from it into the promised land. The Pilot, who has conducted you across the stormy main, will not resign the government just as the vessel enters the haven of rest. The Captain, who has conquered for and conquered in you, will not leave you when on the eve of the final conflict and the certain victory. Oh no! Jesus will be with you to the last. 

Daily Devotion: Perfect in Christ Jesus by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Colossians 1:22-28 KJV

Key Verse:  "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:"
- Colossians 1:28 KJV

Do you not feel in your own soul—that perfection is not in you? Does not every day teach you that? Every tear which trickles from your eye—weeps "imperfection"; every harsh word which proceeds from your lip—mutters "imperfection." You have too frequently had a view of your own heart—to dream for a moment of any perfection in yourself. But amidst this sad consciousness of imperfection, here is comfort for you—you are "perfect in Christ Jesus." In God's sight, you are "complete in Him;" even now you are "accepted in the Beloved."

Daily Devotion: How the Church Should Treat Widows, The Elderly And The Poor by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Matthew 25:34-41 KJV

Key Verse:  "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
- Matthew 25:40 KJV

As we reflect on the importance of caring for widows, the elderly, and the poor, we are reminded of the weighty responsibility that rests on the shoulders of spiritual leaders. Pastors, in particular, are called to shepherd their flocks with compassion and integrity. Unfortunately, history has shown that some have failed to uphold this standard, exploiting the very ones they were entrusted to serve.

Daily Devotion: For The Lord Gives Joy In Sorrow by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 KJV 

Key Verse:  "As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."
- 2 Corinthians 6:10 KJV

Though the Christian in himself is sorrowful, and has reason to be so all the day long, yet so far as he has any views by faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, any good hope through grace, or any manifestation of his Person, work, blood, and love, he may be always rejoicing. No, his very sorrow opens up a way for joy.

Daily Devotion: The Miracle At The Pool Of Bethesda by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: John 5:2-9 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk."
- John 5:8 KJV

Can we hear of this pool without being reminded of that fountain for sin which Jesus has provided in his Gospel? This pool was called Bethesda, which signifies "House of mercy." And has not Jesus opened a house of mercy in his Word? The poor sick people who sat near the water's side represent diseased souls, such as we all have by nature; only our souls are far more diseased than their bodies were—for some of them were blind, and others halt, and others withered, but our souls are diseased in all their powers. Neither had they all been afflicted many years. Even the man who had been thirty-eight years sick had not been sick from his birth—but our souls have been diseased by sin ever since we were born!

Daily Devotion: I Know God Can Do Everything by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Job 42:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee."
- Job 42:2 KJV

We cannot do what we desire to do. Many of our purposes are thwarted. We desire to do good and beautiful things, and we try—but our achievements fall far below our thought. Our clumsy hands cannot fashion the loveliness which our hearts dream of. Our faltering weakness cannot do the brave things our souls aspire to do. No artist ever paints on his canvas—all the beauty of his ideal. No singer ever expresses—all the music which burns within him as he sings. No eloquent orator ever utters—all that he feels as he pleads for truth or for justice.

Daily Devotion: Peace In Believing by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: John 14:24-31 KJV

Key Verse:  "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
- John 14:27 KJV

"You will keep him in perfect peace — whose mind is stayed on You." "Perfect Peace!" What a blessed attainment! My soul! is it yours? I am sure it is not — if you are seeking it in a perishable world, or in the perishable creature, or in your perishable self. Although you have all that the world would call enviable and happy, unless you have peace in God, and with God — all else is unworthy of the name — a spurious thing, which the first breath of adversity will shatter, and the hour of death will utterly annihilate!

Daily Devotion: All Plenitude In Christ by James Meikle

Bible Reading: John 1:10-17 KJS 

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! Have I destroyed myself by sin? I have deliverance from Him who is mighty to save from sin and wrath!

Daily Devotion: Carnal Mind and a New Mind by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Romans 1:24-32 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"
- Romans 1:28 KJV

George Whitfield, the eighteenth century evangelist, was correct when he said, “If the unregenerate man could enter heaven, he would be so unhappy in heaven, that he would ask God to let him run down to hell for shelter.” How could the enemies of God sit down at the banquet of the Lamb of God?

Daily Devotion: Is Your Spiritual Leader Beyond Reproach by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 KJV 

Key Verse:  "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;"
- 1 Timothy 3:2 KJV

Pastors and religious leaders must be held to a high standard of accountability, as they have a significant influence on the lives of their congregation and the broader community. When they claim divine excuses for their actions or inactions, it can lead to a lack of transparency, trust, and accountability within the church.

Daily Devotion: He Came Into The World To Save Sinners by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-19 KJV

Key Verse:  "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."
- 1 Timothy 1:15 KJV

He came into the world to save sinners- and He will save you. His compassion inclines Him to save sinners- His power enables Him to save sinners- His promise binds Him to save sinners. And, oh, how easy is it to be saved when the Holy Spirit draws the heart to Christ! It is not great faith, nor deep experience, nor extensive knowledge that are required. 

Daily Devotion: Mary Pondered Them In Her Heart by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Luke 2:15-22 KJV

Key Verse:  "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."
- Luke 2:19 KJV

There was an exercise on the part of this blessed woman, of three powers of her being: (1.) her memory—she kept all these things; (2.) her affections—she kept them in her heart; (3.) her intellect—she pondered them. So that memory, affection, and understanding, were all exercised about the things which she had heard.

Daily Devotion: He Has Made With Me An Everlasting Covenant by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 23:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow."
- 2 Samuel 23:5 KJV

O the blessedness of having a manifest interest in the blood of the covenant, and thus to have a testimony that God has made a covenant with his dear Son upon our behalf; that our names are written in the book of life; and that Christ is our Mediator at the right hand of the Father! What are all earthly blessings compared with this? What are health and strength and riches and all the goods of this life; what is everything that the carnal heart can desire or the covetous mind grasp; what is all compared with an interest in the everlasting covenant, and in the love and blood and righteousness of the Lord the Lamb? What is earth, with all its attractions, compared with an interest in the precious, precious blood of a dying Jesus?

Daily Devotion: The Paralytic Let Down Through The House-Top by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Luke 5:16-26 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus."
- Luke 5:19 KJV

The Lord Jesus, being prevented for a time from entering the towns by the immense crowds that collected wherever he went, retired into the wilderness. How blessed was the use which he made of his retirement! He gave himself unto prayer. And shall we venture to live without prayer—without much prayer—without fervent prayer! How can we hope for any peace of mind without prayer to the God of peace?

Daily Devotion: Happy Is The Man Whom God Corrects by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Job 5:17-24 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:"
- Job 5:17 KJV

He is not happy at the time! No one enjoys having troubles, sufferings, sorrows. Therefore this verse appears very strange to some people. They cannot understand it. It is contrary to all their thoughts of happiness. Of course, the word happy is not used here in the world's sense. In the world's estimation, "happiness is the pleasure that comes from the things that happen. It depends on personal comfort, on prosperous circumstances, on kindly and congenial conditions. When these are taken away the happiness is destroyed."

Daily Devotion: Encouragement To The Desponding by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: John 6:34-41 KJV 

Key Verse:  "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
- John 6:37 KJV

Cast out! My soul! how often might this have been your history! You have cast off your God — might He not often have cast out you? Yes! cast you out as fuel for the fire of His wrath — a sapless, fruitless cumberer! And, notwithstanding all your ungrateful requital for His unmerited forbearance — yet He is still declaring, "As I live, says the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies!" Your sins may be legion — the sand of the sea may be their befitting type — the thought of their vileness and aggravation may be ready to overwhelm you; but be still! your patient God waits to be gracious! Oh! be deeply humbled and softened because of your guilt, and resolve to dedicate yourself anew to His service, and so coming, He will by no means cast you out!

Daily Devotion: Persecution or a Great Awakening by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: John 15:20-27 KJV

Key Verse:  "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also."
- John 15:20 KJV

Paul David Washer (born 1961) is an American Protestant Christian evangelist affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Washer reports converting to Christianity while studying to become an oil and gas lawyer at the University of Texas at Austin. He moved to Peru where he became a missionary for 10 years.

Daily Devotion: Private Experience

Bible Reading: 2 Peter 3:2-9 KJV

Key Verse:  "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
- 2 Peter 3:8 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: Carefully Read Warning Label by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: John 1:4-11 KJV 

Key Verse:  "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not."
- John 1:10 KJV

Depravity. That is not a beautiful word. It means that the corruption of sin has extended to all aspects of our nature, including our entire being. Because of that corruption there is nothing man can do to merit or influence in any way a saving relationship with a holy God.

Daily Devotion: We Are Glad When We Are Weak by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:7-14 KJV

Key Verse:  "For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection."
- 2 Corinthians 13:9 KJV

Seek larger degrees of grace. Let your standard be the loftiest, and your aim the highest. Place no limit to that which God has not limited. Never cease expecting until He ceases giving. If you are satisfied with your present measure of grace, a worse sign you could not have. To be content with being stationary in the divine life places you in a doubtful position. It is an essential property of grace that it grows. It is the immortal seed of God, and must, from its very nature, germinate.