Daily Devotion: Evening Light by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Zechariah 14:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light."
- Zechariah 14:7 KJV

How inspiring is the thought of coming glory! How would we rise above our sins, and sorrows, and sufferings — if we could live under the power of "the world to come!" — were faith to take at all times its giant leap beyond a soul-trammeling earth, and remember its brighter destiny — if it could stand on its Pisgah Mount, and look above and beyond the mists and vapors of this land of shadows, and gaze on the "better country." But, alas! in spite of ourselves, the wings of faith often refuse to soar — the spirit droops — guilty fears depress — sin dims and darkens — God's providences seem to frown — God's ways are misinterpreted — the Christian belies his name, and his destiny.

Daily Devotion: Commands Of Jesus by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: John 14:8-15 KJV

Key Verse:  "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
- John 14:15 KJV

In the Sermon on the Mount, and other places in scripture, Jesus not only taught profound truths about the kingdom of God but also imparted a series of commands that challenge and transform our lives. As we delve into the teachings of Christ, we find that His words are not merely suggestions but divine directives that guide us towards spiritual maturity and obedience.

Daily Devotion: The Death Of The Wicked by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Proverbs 14:28-35 KJV 

Key Verse:  "The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death."
- Proverbs 14:32 KJV

The wicked and the righteous live a different life, and die a different death. Have not my eyes beheld the melancholy scene?—one hastening into the unseen world, unprepared and thoughtless. But perhaps he may sleep on in carnal security, until, stripped of flesh, he plunges into the raging flames! Have not my eyes seen a dying person, (methinks I see him still,) tossing and tumbling under the gnawing pangs of some acute disease: sleep debarred from his eyes, on whose lids sat the shadow of death, calling often, and in a melting manner, for help from his physician—but in vain? Every power is invaded, every part besieged—as death denies a moment's respite from the war. Yet we hear not one word of his eternal state, of his immortal soul; nor one request for mercy, from God as reconciled in his Son. When he was in health, the world was all his concern. As he desired he lived; and as he lived he died. As the tree grows, so it falls. Then may I live to God—and die in God: grow to grace—and fall to glory!

Daily Devotion: Christ Much and Christ More by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Psalm 116:12-19 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
- Psalm 116:15 KJV

Have you ever thought what it would be like if you could not die? How terrible it would be if your body had wasted away with a terrible disease and you could not die. I have conducted many funerals when loved ones have reluctantly said the deceased was better off because he was no longer suffering.

Daily Devotion: If Christ Is Not Raised, Your Faith Is Vain by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:16-23 KJV

Key Verse:  "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins."
- 1 Corinthians 15:17 KJV

Here was the grand evidence of the perfection and acceptance of His sacrifice. The atoning work of Jesus was in itself perfect and complete. It was all that God demanded, all that the Church required, and all that law and justice asked. Yet there lacked one proof that this work was accepted by God, and was satisfactory to divine justice. On the cross He had uttered that wondrous cry, which sent gladness through all heaven, and dismay through all hell- "It is finished." But, lo, He dies! 

Daily Devotion: Then The Lord Shall Go Out Before You by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 5:18-24 KJV

Key Verse:  "And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines."
- 2 Samuel 5:24 KJV

The members of Christ's Church should be very prayerful, always seeking the unction of the Holy One to rest upon their hearts, that the kingdom of Christ may come, and that His "will be done on earth, even as it is in heaven." But there are times when God seems especially to favor Zion, such seasons ought to be to them like "the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees." We ought then to be doubly prayerful, doubly earnest, wrestling more at the throne than we have been accustomed to do. Action should then be prompt and vigorous. The tide is flowing—now let us pull manfully for the shore. O for Pentecostal outpourings and Pentecostal labors.

Daily Devotion: God Is Rich In Mercy by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,"
- Ephesians 2:4 KJV

Mercy well suits a sensible sinner; and the riches of God's mercy especially suit those who are brought down in real extremity of soul to see and feel how abundant he must be in mercy, how overflowing in the exceeding riches of his grace, that they may venture to entertain a hope of a saving interest in it, as freely coming down to them in their low and lost estate.

Daily Devotion: The Defense Concluded by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: John 5:40-47 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."
- John 5:40 KJV

Thus ended the Savior's defense of himself before the chief Jews. These last verses we may call the application of the sermon. How forcibly could He speak to the conscience, who is himself like a two-edged sword, piercing to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow! (Heb. 4.) He knew that those to whom he spoke would not come unto Him. "You will not come unto me, that you might have life." And He knew why they would not. It was because they had not the love of God in their hearts. He said, (ver. 42,) "I know you that you have not the love of God in you." As Jesus was one with the Father, if men did not love God, they could not love Him. He was not such a Savior as they liked; he cared not for the pomps and vanities of the world, and he did not promise them as rewards to his followers—therefore men did not desire him for their Savior.

Daily Devotion: Who Has Jesus Called Us To Love by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 1 John 4:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."
- 1 John 4:7 KJV

In a world filled with division, hatred, and strife, the command to love one another stands as a beacon of hope. The Apostle John, in his first epistle, boldly proclaims, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God" (1 John 4:7). This divine call to love transcends all boundaries, extending beyond the confines of race, culture, and social status. It is hard to love everyone. Sometimes it is very hard to love those that, well, we should love, such as family. So, it is often really hard to love those we do not have an attachment to.

Daily Devotion: The Lord Restored His Prosperity by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Job 42:3-10 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before."
- Job 42:10 KJV

A great many people who try to be comforters, only lay thorns under aching heads. No art needs a more delicate touch, than the comforter's. The hands of most of us are too rough to be laid on throbbing hearts. No wonder Job felt that his friends were miserable comforters, or that he was not at first in a mood to pray for them. But until he could pray for them—blessing could not come to him.

Daily Devotion: A Speedy Coming by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Revelation 3:6-11 KJV

Key Verse:  "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."
- Revelation 3:11 KJV

"Even so! come, Lord Jesus!" "Why do the wheels of Your chariot tarry?" For six thousand years, this world has rolled on, getting timeworn with age, and wrinkled with sins and sorrows. A waiting Church sees the long-drawn shadows of twilight announcing, "The Lord is at hand!" Prepare, my soul, to meet Him! Oh! happy day, when your adorable Redeemer, so long dishonored and despised, shall be publicly enthroned in the presence of an assembled universe, crowned Lord of All, glorified in His saints, satisfied in the fruits of His soul's travail, destroying His enemies with the brightness of His coming — the lightning-glance of wrath — causing the hearts of His exulting people to "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory!" Prepare, my soul, to meet Him!

Daily Devotion: Love in God by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Psalm 90:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."
- Psalm 90:2 KJV

Love in the saints is a noble grace—but superlatively glorious in God. On it angels look, and admire; and I should look, and adore. Everything in God has the majesty of a God. Hence, his mercy is in the heavens; his truth reaches to the clouds; his justice is like majestic mountains; his judgments are a great deep; his pity is like that of a father; his patience great to a miracle; he is ready to forgive; his goodness is abundant unto all; and his love, in height, breadth, depth, and length—past knowledge.

Daily Devotion: Christian Perfection (II) by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:41-48 KJV

Key Verse:  "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
- Matthew 5:48 KJV

It is true that we will never be perfect in this life, but the perfections outlined by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount are still those for which we should aim and that we should increasingly attain by God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are to aim at Christ-like character as Jesus said in our Key Verse above. (Matthew 5:48).

Daily Devotion: Deliver Me From My Enemies by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Psalm 31:14-21 KJV 

Key Verse:  "My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me."
- Psalm 31:15. KJV

Let this precious truth divest your mind of all needless, anxious care for the present or the future. Exercising simple faith in God, "Do not be anxious about anything." Learn to be content with your present lot, with God's dealings with, and His disposal of, you. You are just where His providence has, in its inscrutable but all-wise and righteous decision, placed you. It may be a position painful, irksome, trying, but it is right. Oh, yes! it is right. Only aim to glorify Him in it. 

Daily Devotion: The Dove Came To Him In The Evening by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Genesis 8:4-11 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth."
- Genesis 8:11 KJV

Blessed be the Lord for another day of mercy—even though I am now weary with its toils. Unto the preserver of men, I lift my song of gratitude. The dove found no rest out of the ark, and therefore returned to it; and my soul has learned yet more fully than ever, this day, that there is no satisfaction to be found in earthly things—God alone can give rest to my spirit.

Daily Devotion: Jesus In The Book Of Genesis by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: John 5:37-47 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
- John 5:39 KJV

The pages of the Old Testament are not merely a collection of historical accounts and prophetic writings, but they also hold a vivid portrayal of Jesus Christ, the central figure of our faith. As we delve into the ancient scriptures, we discover that the foreshadows, symbols, and types which all point to the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As John 5:39 points out, Jesus Himself said that the Old Testament was about Him. In this devotional, we will share references to Jesus in the book of Genesis. 

Daily Devotion: Patience Of Hope In Our Lord by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;"
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV

It is air and exercise that keep the body healthy. So it is spiritually. The graces of the Spirit need to be often exercised and well aired to keep them healthy—aired with the pure breath of heaven, and exercised with the operations of the Holy Spirit drawing them forth into activity and energy. And just as in nature a man gains health and strength by using his limbs and working his muscles, so in spiritual things these graces of the Spirit gain strength by use and exercise. Faith by working hard, hope by enduring much, and love by laboring long in the face of difficulties, become each more strengthened, more confirmed, more active, healthy, and energetic.

Daily Devotion: The Defense Continued by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: John 5:31-39 KJV

Key Verse:  "But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me."
- John 5:36 KJV

It is supposed that Jesus at this time was standing in the presence of the great council of the Jews, called the Sanhedrin. He had been accused of having healed the paralytic on the Sabbath-day; and then of having made himself equal with God. Did he deny either charge? By no means; but he more fully declared his own glory as the Son of God. He brought forth his witnesses. His first, a great witness, was his Father who sent him. (See ver. 32.) "There is another that bears witness of me."

Daily Devotion: I Shall Come Forth As Gold by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Job 23:1-10 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

God is invisible—and we cannot see Him. We know that He is working here and there, and we turn quickly to find Him—but our eyes get no glimpse of Him. We cannot lay our hand upon Him. We cannot see His face. Yet we know that while He is not visible to our sight—that He sees us always and knows our way where we are, what we are doing, what our circumstances and experiences are. "He knows!"

Daily Devotion: An End Of Weeping by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Isaiah 60:15-22 KJV

Key Verse:  "Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."
- Isaiah 60:20 KJV

Christ's people are a weeping band — though there is much in this lovely world to make them joyous and happy. Yet when they think of sin — their own sin, and the unblushing sins of a world in which their God is dishonored — need we wonder at their tears? Are we surprised that they should be called "Mourners," and their pilgrimage home a "Valley of Tears?" Sickness, bereavement, poverty and death following the track of sin — add to their mourning experience; and with many of God's best beloved, one tear is scarce dried — when another is ready to flow!

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: Christian Perfection (I) by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:41-48 KJV

Key Verse:  "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
- Matthew 5:48 KJV

How good does a person have to be in order to be saved? Perhaps we can best answer that question by asking, how perfect is God? As noted in our Key Verse above, Jesus said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). The LORD God told the children of Israel, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy(Leviticus 19:2; cf. Deut. 18:13).

Daily Devotion: Scriptural Gymnastics by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:43-48 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"
- Matthew 5:44 KJV

What if Jesus (and the Bible for that matter) really meant what was said. Our first knee jerk response to this statement is, 'Well of coarse, Jesus and the Bible means exactly what was said.' And that is true until what is said is a hard statement that goes against what we firmly believe.

Daily Devotion: Jesus Was Truly And Purely Human by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Hebrews 2:11-18 KJV

Key Verse:  "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."
- Hebrews 2:17 KJV

Partaking of our nature, nothing that was human was foreign to Him but the sin that tainted and defaced it. Separate from it all that is fallen, exorcize every evil spirit from the soul, expel every low sentiment from the mind, extirpate every selfish feeling from the heart, and let all that remains of our humanity, be its pure affections, its exquisite sensibilities, its refined feelings, its noble purposes, its lofty, generous, and delicate sentiments of sympathy and love, and you have a perfect portrait of our Lord and Savior. Our Lord, as man, was truly and purely human. 

Daily Devotion: The Crown Of Righteousness by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:11-18 KJV

Key Verse:  "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
- 2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV

In our Christian pilgrimage it is well, for the most part, to be looking forward. Forward lies the crown, and onward is the goal. Whether it is for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for the inspiring of our love—the future must, after all, be the grand object of the eye of faith! Looking into the future—we see sin cast out, the body of sin and death destroyed, the soul made perfect, and fit to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light. Looking further yet, the believer's enlightened eye can see death's river passed, the gloomy stream forded, and the hills of light attained on which stands the celestial city. He sees himself enter within the pearly gates, hailed as more than conqueror, crowned by the hand of Christ, embraced in the arms of Jesus, glorified with Him, and made to sit together with Him on His throne, even as He has overcome and has sat down with the Father on His throne.

Daily Devotion: Know Christ For Yourself by J.C. Philpot

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

Key Verse:  "Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?"
- Song of Solomon 1:7 KJV

If you say that you want food and rest, to know Christ for yourself and to enjoy his presence and love, the Lord gives you two directions to attain to the enjoyment of these two blessings–

Daily Devotion: Christ's Defense Of Himself Before The Sanhedrin by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: John 5:17-30 KJV

Key Verse:  "Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise."
- John 5:18 KJV

This is part of our Lord's defense of himself against the Jews. We know not in what place he made this defense. Some think he made it before the great council of seventy people, called the Sanhedrin; and others think He made it in the temple. But all must allow that he made it publicly to the great and learned Jews, who were his deadly enemies, and who even then sought to kill him. They wanted to find an accusation against him, and the accusation they now made was that of Sabbath-breaking.

Daily Devotion: God Is Our Truest And Best Friend by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Job 23:3-10 KJV

Key Verse:  "Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me."
- Job 23:6 KJV

Job was sure that if he could only get to God, that he would find in him a friend. He had been learning more and more of God's real nature, and had at least some thought of the true character of the mighty God. Especially does he seem to have gotten some glimpses of the divine Redeemer, who was his Friend. Thus a few chapters back he says: "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!" Job 19:25-27

Daily Devotion: Let Us Not Be Weary In Well Doing by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Galatians 6:7-14 KJV

Key Verse:  "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
- Galatians 6:9 KJV

Believer! all the glory of your salvation belongs to Jesus — none to yourself! Every jewel in your eternal crown is His — purchased by His blood, and polished by His Spirit. The confession of time — will be the ascription of all eternity: "By the grace of God I am what I am!" But though "all is of grace," your God calls you to personal strenuousness in the work of your high calling — to "labor," to "fight," to "wrestle," to "agonize;" and the heavenly reaping will be in proportion to the earthly sowing: "He who sows sparingly — shall also reap sparingly; and He who sows bountifully — shall also reap bountifully!" What an incentive to holy living, and increased spiritual attainments!

Daily Devotion: Clues To The Ultimate Conspiracy by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Daniel 7:15-22 KJV 

Key Verse:  "These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth."
- Daniel 7:17 KJV

As mentioned in an earlier devotional, Conspitatoral History, Satan has a plan, and he is executing his plan through the cabal that sits over the governments of this world. Satan has been forced to work through people on earth, at least until God casts him out of the heavenly realm.

Daily Devotion: On A Blind Beggar by James Meikle

Bible Reading: John 9:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?"
- John 9:8 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.