Daily Devotion: They Ascended Up To Heaven In A Cloud by Charles Spurgeon

 Bible Reading: Revelation 11:12-19 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them."
- Revelation 11:12 KJV

Without considering these words in their prophetical connection, let us regard them as the invitation of our great Forerunner to His sanctified people. In due time there shall be heard "a great voice from heaven" to every believer, saying, "Come up hither." This should be to the saints the subject of joyful anticipation. Instead of dreading the time when we shall leave this world to go unto the Father—we should be panting for the hour of our emancipation. Our song should be,

Daily Devotion: Incorruptible Inheritance by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 1:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,"
- 1 Peter 1:4 KJV

Whatever you may have in this world, be it much or little, you must leave. And if you have no other inheritance than earth gives, where will be your portion in death and to all eternity? But if you are begotten again unto a lively hope, even if you do not enjoy the full assurance of faith, you have before you an inheritance which fades not away.

Daily Devotion: Christ Declares Whom God Will Forgive by Favell Lee Mortimer

 

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:8-15 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:"
- Matthew 6:14 KJV

Jesus here gives some instructions concerning the frame of mind in which prayer must be made. In the Lord's prayer we are directed to say, "Forgive us our debts, or trespasses, as we forgive our debtors, or those who have sinned against us." This petition seems like asking God not to forgive us if we do not forgive others. Some people might have been induced to wish that some part of the sentence was omitted, and that they were instructed simply to ask God to forgive them, whether they forgave others or not. But it would be of no use to make such a prayer; for God is determined not to forgive us unless we forgive others.

Daily Devotion: The Bravest Prayer In The Bible by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Psalm 139:17-24 KJV

Key Verse:  "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:"
- Psalm 139:23 KJV

When we do something wrong we pause and hope that no one saw what we did. We may even go as far as hoping that God was not paying attention, but in our heart we know that God sees it all. Most of us would never ask God to carefully examine our lives to identify sin. Yet in our key verse above, that is exactly what David did.

Daily Devotion: The Lord Is Who Judges Me by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 4:4 KJV

 

Key Verse:  "For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord."

- 1 Corinthians 4:4 KJV

There is a story of a young composer whose music was being performed. The audience was enthusiastic, applauding wildly as the composition was played. But the young man seemed utterly indifferent to all this applause. He kept his eye fixed intently on one man in the audience, watching every expression that played upon his features. It was his teacher. He cared more for the slightest mark of favor on his face—than for all the applause of the great company.

Daily Devotion: The Good Shepherd by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: John 10:11-18 KJV

Key Verse:  "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine."
- John 10:14 KJV

"The Good Shepherd" — well can the sheep who know His voice, attest the truthfulness and faithfulness of this endearing name and word. Where would they have been through eternity — had He not left His throne of light and glory, traveling down to this dark valley of the curse, and giving His life a ransom for them? Think of His love to each separate member of the flock — wandering over pathless wilds with unwearied patience and unquenchable ardor, ceasing not the pursuit — until He finds it.

Daily Devotion: A Wicked Thing To Depart From God In The Least by James Meikle

Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 15:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you."
- 2 Chronicles 15:2 KJV

The Lord is with us while we are with him—but when we forsake him, he hides his face, and departs from us, that we may not depart from him any more. It is dangerous to let the soul out of the heavenly frame; for the inclination being carnal, the affections corrupt, the will stubborn, and the heart deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked—it is with much labor, that the rebel is brought back again to obedience. Moreover, the soul above all things, receives a tinge and resemblance of that with which it is most conversant; hence the carnal mind stops not with its carnality—but even turns into enmity against God. While the soul which beholds the glory of the Lord, is changed into the same image, from glory to glory.

Daily Devotion: Come and Believe as Little Children by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Mark 10:13-16 KJV

Key Verse:  "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."
- Mark 10:15 KJV

In one of my pastorates I brought a message on the death and resurrection to a close, and as I began to issue the invitation for all who would believe on Jesus Christ as their Savior a seventy-year-old man came running down the aisle. He had put his faith in Jesus Christ as the sermon was being presented, and he wanted everyone to know it. Little did either of us know at the time, but several months later I would conduct his funeral.

Daily Devotion: Jesus Lives To Make Intercession by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Hebrews 7:21-28 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

How sweet and consolatory to the believer is this view of our exalted Immanuel in the hour of bereavement- when confined to his chamber of solitude, or languishing upon his bed of "pining sickness"!

Daily Devotion: Arise And Depart by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Micah 2:6-13 KJV

Key Verse:  "Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction."
- Micah 2:10 KJV

The hour is approaching when the message will come to us, as it comes to all, "Arise, and go forth from the home in which you have dwelt, from the city in which you have done your business, from your family, from your friends. Arise, and take your last journey!"

Daily Devotion: Ambassadors For Christ by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 KJV

Key Verse:  "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
- 2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV

As Paul points out in our key verse above, once we are saved we are ambassadors for Christ. Being an ambassador for Christ is similar to the role of a foreign ambassador, representing a sovereign nation in a foreign land. Just as a diplomat acts as a go-between for two countries, Christians are called to act as representatives of God's Kingdom on earth.

Daily Devotion: Do Not Be Offended In Me by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Matthew 11:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me."
- Matthew 11:6 KJV

What is the feeling of your heart toward Jesus? What is the solemn desire of your soul? that he would come and make your heart his abode? that he would visit your soul with the light of his countenance? that he would sprinkle his blood upon your conscience? that he would make himself very near, very dear, and very precious? Do you count one word from his lips worth a thousand worlds? a smile of his countenance worth thousands of gold and silver? Then you are blessed. You are not stumbling upon the dark mountains of error. You are not stumbling at the perfections of the Son of God. You are not offended at a free gospel, an unconditional salvation.

Daily Devotion: The Lord's Prayer by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:9-13 KJV

Key Verse:  "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."
- Matthew 6:9 KJV

This prayer is so familiar to us, that we are in great danger of not considering its weighty meaning. A prayer taught by our blessed Savior himself ought to engage our deepest attention. Had we been told that such a prayer had been given, and had never heard the words, how we would have desired to hear them! We ought not to suppose that we are bound to use this prayer every time we pray. Jesus said, "After this manner pray." We find in this prayer a pattern for our prayers.

Daily Devotion: The Cloak Of Christ by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Matthew 9:19-26 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole."
- Matthew 9:21 KJV

The 'cloak of Christ' still trails nearby us. It is by us, when we open the Bible and read His words. It is by us, when we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit with us. It is by our beds of pain, when we are sick.

Daily Devotion: The Hairs Of Your Head Are All Numbered by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Matthew 10:26-33 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."
- Matthew 10:30 KJV

What a "word" is this! All that befalls you, to the very numbering of your hairs — is known to God! Nothing can happen by accident or chance. Nothing can elude His inspection. The fall of the forest leaf — the fluttering of the insect — the waving of the angel's wing — the annihilation of a world — all are equally noted by Him! Man speaks of great things and small things — but God knows no such distinction.

Daily Devotion: Science by James Meikle

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

True science is a study much commended. Where the works of nature are narrowly surveyed, they fill the mind with wonder and delight, and prove that their Creator must be God. O! says one, how the study of astronomy exalts the soul! And then he expatiates on the starry heavens, or skies filled with suns, with their dependent planets; or worlds unseen—and carries on his fruitful theme, until his lectures have filled the extension of space with spacious habitations for intelligent, though unintelligible beings.

Daily Devotion: Clothed With Fig Leaves Or Righteousness? by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Romans 2:11-18 KJV

Key Verse:  "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."
- Romans 2:16 KJV

There are no secrets with God. Adam and Eve learned that the hard way. The apostle Paul reminds us, that God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus (Rom. 2:16). The writer of Hebrews says, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:13).

Daily Devotion: Verses For Comfort During Trials by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;"
- 2 Corinthians 1:3 KJV

In the midst of life’s trials and tribulations, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, uncertain and even that God has abandoned you. However, the Bible provides us with countless verses that reminds us of God’s unwavering presence and His promise to guide us through every challenge. Let’s look at some verses that we can find comfort and strength in during the trials that we face.

Daily Devotion: For The Glory Of God by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: John 11:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby."
- John 11:4 KJV

The season of sickness is the schooling of the soul. More of God is unfolded then, and more of his truth is learned, than perhaps in any other circumstances. Oh, how the character, and the perfections, and the government of God become unfolded to his mind by the teachings of the Spirit of truth! 

Daily Devotion: Pray One For Another by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: James 5:13-20 KJV

Key Verse:  "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
- James 5:16 KJV

As an encouragement cheerfully to offer intercessory prayer, remember that such prayer is the sweetest God ever hears, for the prayer of Christ is of this character. In all the incense which our Great High Priest now puts into the golden censer—there is not a single grain for Himself. His intercession must be the most acceptable of all supplications—and the more our prayer is like Christ's, the sweeter it will be. Thus while petitions for ourselves will be accepted, our pleadings for others, having in them more of the fruits of the Spirit, more love, more faith, more brotherly kindness, will be, through the precious merits of Jesus—the sweetest oblation that we can offer to God—the very fat of our sacrifice.

Daily Devotion: Lord You Are In Our Midst by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 14:7-14 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not."
- Jeremiah 14:9 KJV

If the Lord has ever been in our soul to manifest there a sense of his goodness and mercy, we can then make use of this as our plea, "Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us." If he has ever heard your prayer he is with you; if he has ever given you a promise he is with you; if he has ever touched your heart with his finger he is with you; if he has ever favored you with a smile he is with you. And though taking the general run of your experience he may be a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turns aside to tarry for a night, or though even as it may seem, as if he were astonished at what you are--a mighty man that cannot save, still every token for good encourages you to cling, to cleave, to hang round him, to catch hold of his feet as the Shunamite caught Elisha by the feet, and would not be thrust away; for you cannot but feel that, with all that you are and have been, you dearly love him, and have a good hope, if not a clear testimony, that he loves you.

Daily Devotion: Christ Forbids Ostentation In PRAYER by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."
- Matthew 6:5 KJV

Our Savior continued to expose the emptiness of the works in which the Pharisees prided themselves. One of these was giving. This has been already considered. Another was prayer. Let us now direct our attention to this subject. The customs of Judea were very different from ours. The synagogues were always open, and people resorted to them, as well as to the temple, in order to pray. There was no harm in the custom, and many people no doubt went to the synagogues to pray in sincerity, as we know one poor tax-collector went to the temple, and sincerely said, "God be merciful to me, a sinner."

Daily Devotion: The Sweet Psalmist

Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 23:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,"
- 2 Samuel 23:1 KJV

Think of the influence of David's psalms. Take one for example, the twenty-third. Who can count up the blessings it has left, in its wanderings through the world? How many children have learned to say it almost with their first efforts at speech! How many sick people have listened to its sweet, musical accents, as it has been read in softened tones in the hushed chamber! How many dying ones have lisped the beautiful sentences as the gloom gathered about them, especially lingering on the words: "Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me." This precious psalm has been like a beautiful angel, flying up and down through the world, bearing its joy and gladness to hearts of young and old, of rich and poor.

Daily Devotion: The Father Glorified by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: John 15:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
- John 15:8 KJV

When surveying the boundless ocean of covenant mercy — every wave chiming, "God is Love!" — does the thought ever present itself, "What can I do for this great Being who has done so much for me?" Recompense, I cannot! No more can my purest services add one iota to His un-derived glory, than the tiny candle can add to the blaze of the sun at noonday, or a drop of water to the boundless ocean. Yet, wondrous thought! from this worthless soul of mine there may roll in a revenue of glory which He who loves the broken and contrite spirit will "not despise." "Herein is My Father glorified — that you bear much fruit."

Daily Devotion: People Tested By God by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-19 KJV

Key Verse:  "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:"
- 1 Peter 4:12 KJV

In the Bible, there are numerous examples of individuals who were tested by God to strengthen their faith and character. When we are going through trials, tribulations and tests, we want to know that someone else has gone through something similar, and that they successfully came through it. Let us look at some famous people in the Bible that were tested and passed the test.

Daily Devotion: Only A Rumor Heard Of The Triumphant State by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Matthew 13:41-48 KJV

Key Verse:  "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field."
- Matthew 13:44 KJV

This thought is now come into my mind—that the triumphant state of glory is but little understood, even after all the divine descriptions given thereof in sacred revelation. Not that God cannot tell—but man cannot hear; for when Paul was caught up to the third heaven, and his ear opened to hear the Hosannas of the higher house, he says, he had heard ineffable things, which it was not fit, proper, or becoming for a man to reveal, because the language of eternity cannot be adapted to the dialect of time. After all the pleasing and glorious metaphors used to represent eternal felicity, still there is a deficiency, though neither from the fullness of that felicity, nor the divine Relater—but from us who hear. Were the definition too refined, the relation too sublime, we would not be able to comprehend it. Therefore, things that make up the excellences of this lower world, on which men fix their esteem, place their delight and settle their affections—are chosen to illustrate it.

Daily Devotion: Church of Christ by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV

Key Verse:  "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
- 1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV

All of us who are trusting in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior are members of the true church of Christ. We are members of His body. We have experienced the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of His grace. “We are accepted in the Beloved,” and we are “redeemed through His blood.”

Daily Devotion: He Will Rest In His Love by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Zephaniah 3:13-20 KJV

Key Verse:  "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."
- Zephaniah 3:17 KJV

The marginal reading of the passage is exceedingly beautiful and expressive: "He will be silent because of His love." Divine wrath is silent, because love has hushed it. Divine justice is silent, because love has satisfied it. Sin is silent, because love has condemned it. Satan is silent, because love has vanquished him.

Daily Devotion: Praying Always by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV

Key Verse:  "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
- Ephesians 6:18 KJV

What multitudes of prayers we have put up, from the first moment when we learned to pray. Our first prayer was a prayer for ourselves; we asked that God would have mercy upon us, and blot out our sin. He heard us. But when He had blotted out our countless sins—then we had more prayers for ourselves. We have had to pray for sanctifying grace, for constraining and restraining grace; we have been led to crave for a fresh assurance of faith, for the comfortable application of the promise, for deliverance in the hour of temptation, for help in the time of duty, and for succor in the day of trial. We have been compelled to go to God for our souls—as constant beggars, asking for everything.

Daily Devotion: This Is The True God And Eternal Life by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: 1 John 5:13-21 KJV

Key Verse:  "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."
- 1 John 5:20 KJV

O the blessedness, which eternity itself can never exhaust, of possessing eternal life! There is something to my mind so singularly blessed in the expression "eternal life," that I cannot help dwelling upon it. How the thought, the feeling of it expands the breast! Compared with it, how poor, base, and low is our temporal life and all its concerns--the short span which God has allotted to us here below! And do observe how our eye is directed by holy John to the true God as being himself eternal life. He is not only the Giver, the Spring, the Subject, the Object of it--He himself is it all. O if he has but quickened our souls by his Spirit and grace, we carry now, even now, eternal life in our breast! for this eternal life is the precious fruit on earth of that eternal life in heaven which was with the Father and was manifested unto us (1 John 1:2).

Daily Devotion: Christ Forbids Ostentation In Giving by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Mark 12:38-44 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing."
- Mark 12:42 KJV

Webster defines ostentation as "excessive display; vain and unnecessary show especially for the purpose of attracting attention, admiration, or envy; pretentiousness." The Lord Jesus now began to show the emptiness of the good works in which the Pharisees gloried. He had declared what false views they entertained of the law of God, and now he shows that their best actions were nothing worth, because they were done from wrong motives.

Daily Devotion: Why Does God Allow Us To Suffer Through Trials, Tribulations And Tests 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

We will all face trials, tribulations and tests in our lives. As noted in our key verse above, if God's Only Begotten Son, Jesus, was persecuted, they will also persecute us. So, why does God allow us to suffer through Persecution, Trials, Tribulations and Tests? Let us consider four reasons why.

Daily Devotion: Solomon's Wives Turned His Heart To Other Gods by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: 1 Kings 11:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father."
- 1 Kings 11:4 KJV

The Arabs have a tradition that for a long time a little worm was gnawing in the staff on which Solomon leaned, until at last the staff broke and the great king fell. It was at the king's heart—that the worm was really gnawing.

Daily Devotion: The Unveiled Dealings by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: John 13:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter."
- John 13:7 KJV

O blessed day, when the long sealed book of mystery shall be unfolded, when the "fountains of the great deep shall be broken up," "the channels of the waters seen," and all discovered to be one vast revelation of unerring wisdom and ineffable love! Here we are often baffled at the Lord's dispensations; we cannot fathom His ways — like the well of Sychar — they are deep, and we have nothing to draw with. But soon the "mystery of God will be finished;" the enigmatical "seals," with all their inner meanings, opened. When that "morning without clouds" shall break, each soul will be like the angel standing in the sun — there will be no shadow; all will be perfect day!

Daily Devotion: The Excellent Happiness Of The Blessed by James Meikle

Bible Reading: James 4:10-17 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
- James 4:14 KJV

Time is short, and eternity is long! Yet, in this short time, I must prepare for long eternity! O! what a duration is before me! But what a foolish infatuation is within me—that I should mind the trifling things of time, and forget the great concerns of eternity! Truly, when I compare eternity and time, I am astonished that eternity does not swallow up time in my concerns and meditations. With what deceptive phantasies and delusive dreams—are we entertained here—in comparison to that divine understanding, intuitive knowledge, spiritual discoveries, vigor and activity of soul, we shall be possessed of, when we awake to immortality, from all the slumbers of a transitory life!

Daily Devotion: Christianity is Christ by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Acts 11:23-30 KJV

Key Verse:  "And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."
- Acts 11:26 KJV

There is no other way to say it. Christianity is Christ. Christianity is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ. If the focus is on anything else it is not Christianity. That great truth is stated throughout the New Testament. In fact, everything in the Old Testament leads up to that great truth regarding His person and work.

Daily Devotion: He Will Guide You Into All Truth by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: John 16:12-19 KJV

Key Verse:  "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
- John 16:13 KJV

New and enlarged views of the Holy Spirit mark a regenerate mind. Having received the Holy Spirit as a quickener, he feels the need of Him now as a teacher, a sanctifier, a comforter, and a sealer.

Daily Devotion: Jesus Answered by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Matthew 11:25 KJV

Key Verse:  "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."
- Matthew 11:25 KJV

This is a singular way in which to commence a verse, "At that time, Jesus answered." If you will look at the context, you will not see that any person had asked Him a question, or that He was in conversation with any human being. Yet it is written, "Jesus answered and said, I thank You, O Father." When a man answers, he answers a person who has been speaking to him. Who, then, had spoken to Christ? His Father! Yet there is no record of it; and this should teach us that Jesus had constant fellowship with His Father, and that God spoke into His heart so often, so continually, that it was not a circumstance singular enough to be recorded. It was the habit and life of Jesus to talk with His Father.

Daily Devotion: Kabbalah by J.E. Smith

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Bible Reading: Acts 7:42-48 KJV

Key Verse:  "Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them..."
- Acts 7:43 KJV

Practitioners of the occult within Judaism codified their beliefs in a sub-religion that became known as Kabbalah. On the surface Kabbalism appears to be Judaism in reality which is the exact opposite of Judaism. The Kabbalah offers an occult counter explanation to the revelations of the Jewish prophets and the history of the Israelites. The Kabbalah depicts Moses as an occult figure whose purpose was to initiate the Israelites back into the more enlightened and advanced teachings of Egypt. Teachings of all secret societies flow through the Kabbalah.¹

Daily Devotion: Spiritual Hunger by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Psalm 107:1-9 KJV

Key Verse: "For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness."
- Psalm 107:9 KJV

We find the living family of God sometimes set forth under the character of the 'hungry'. Let us see what they are hungering after. Is it pleasure, honor, promotion, respectability? O no; these toys and baubles cannot satisfy the spiritual hunger of a living soul. They cannot hunger after that on which they cannot feed. They hunger then after righteousness, as the Lord said--"Blessed are you who hunger and thirst after righteousness." They hunger after God himself in his blessed manifestations; they hunger after the bread of life which came down from heaven, that a man should eat thereof and not die.

Daily Devotion: Christ Enjoins The Forgiveness Of Enemies by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:40-48 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 5:43 KJV

It is written in Lev. 19, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The Pharisees for many ages past had given a very imperfect explanation of this law. They had not explained the term "neighbor" aright. They had declared that it applied to those who loved us, and did not include those who hated us. But this was not true. Every human being is, in one sense, our neighbor. We are therefore commanded to love all. God had never said, "You shall hate your enemy;" for, though he had desired the Jews to form no friendships with heathen nations, he had never commanded them to hate or injure them from feelings of revenge. It was man who had added, "You shall hate your enemy." How easy it was to obey such a law! By nature we love our friends, and hate our enemies. As Christ said, "Even the publicans love those who love them." The publicans were people of very bad character, who generally defrauded in collecting the taxes, and who were therefore much despised—yet even they behaved with kindness and respect to their particular friends. The Pharisees had no reason to be proud of such righteousness as this.

Daily Devotion: Solomon's Heart by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: 1 Kings 11:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father."
- 1 Kings 11:4 KJV

The Arabs have a tradition that for a long time a little worm was gnawing in the staff on which Solomon leaned, until at last the staff broke and the great king fell. It was at the king's heart—that the worm was really gnawing.

Daily Devotion: The Power Of Prayer by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: John 14:13 KJV

Key Verse:  "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
- John 14:13 KJV

Blessed Jesus! it is You who has unlocked to Your people the gates of prayer. Without You, they must have been shut forever. It was Your atoning merit on earth that first opened them; it is Your intercessory work in Heaven that keeps them open still.

Daily Devotion: Saints Unknown, Stars Unseen by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Psalm 149:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints."
- Psalm 149:1 KJV

As there are stars in the sparkling skies of heaven of different magnitudes and glory—so there are saints of different stations in the church of God. Some like stars of the first magnitude, point out the way to bliss; while others, like stars of a second, third, and fourth magnitude, sparkle with an upright walk, and heavenly conversation, and condemn a wicked world. All these glorify God, as it were, in an active manner.

Daily Devotion: Christ Our Sanctification by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV

Key Verse:  "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV

The cross of Jesus Christ is a demonstration of the infinite wisdom of God. Every philosophy of life is proven by what it ultimately produces in a person’s life.  God’s wisdom produces perfect righteousness. God made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21).

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

Bible Reading: Leviticus 1:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord."
- Leviticus 1:3 KJV

The Book of Leviticus, while primarily focused on the laws and rituals of the Israelites, does contain many foreshadows of Jesus Christ and His ultimate sacrifice. This devotional explores how the burnt offering described in Leviticus chapter 1 points to the perfect and eternal sacrifice of Jesus.

Daily Devotion: How To See The Kingdom of God by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: John 3:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
- John 3:3 KJV

Regeneration is a work standing alone and distinct from all the other operations of the Divine Spirit. It is to be carefully distinguished from conversion, adoption, justification, and sanctification; and yet must be regarded as forming the basis and the spring-head of them all. For instance, there can be no conversion without a principle of life in the soul; for conversion is the exercise of a spiritual power implanted in man.

Daily Devotion: The Father Sent The Son by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: 1 John 4:14-21 KJV

Key Verse:  "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world."
- 1 John 4:14 KJV

It is a sweet thought that Jesus Christ did not come forth without His Father's permission, authority, consent, and assistance. He was sent by the Father—that He might be the Savior of men. We are too apt to forget that, while there are distinctions as to the persons in the Trinity, there are no distinctions of honor. We too frequently ascribe the honor of our salvation, or at least the depths of its benevolence, more to Jesus Christ—than we do the Father. This is a very great mistake. What if Jesus came? Did not His Father send Him? If He spoke wondrously, did not His Father pour grace into His lips, that He might be an able minister of the new covenant?

Daily Devotion: Living Faith by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no."
- Deuteronomy 8:2 KJV

When you look back upon the way the Lord has led you these many years in the wilderness, can you not see how circumstance after circumstance, and event after event arose, to prove what was in you; whether godly fear, whether simplicity and sincerity, whether a desire to fear God, whether a dread to offend him, whether the life and power of vital godliness, or whether little else than an empty profession without the life-giving power of God in the soul?

Daily Devotion: Christ Forbids Revenge by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:38-45 KJV

Key Verse:  "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."
- Matthew 5:39 KJV

These directions have excited a great deal of surprise. It seems to proud man impossible that God should expect him to bear injuries without complaint, or desire of revenge. Let us inquire in what manner these directions are to be understood. The words, "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," are the words of God, and Jesus did not contradict his Father's words, which were his own also, but he explained them. The Pharisees had misunderstood them, and represented them falsely to the people. Those words, "eye for eye," were a direction given to the civil authorities. See Ex. 21. It was to be their rule of punishment. If a man put out another man's eye, the civil authority might not take away his life on that account, but might assign a punishment equal to the injury he had inflicted. But this command was never intended to encourage revenge. The judge executes justice for the public good, and men may bring others to justice on the same account; but they may not practice private revenge from feelings of hatred and anger.