Key Verse: "She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying."
- Mark 14:8 KJV
Many people would have kept the jar of perfume until Jesus was dead, and would then have broken it to anoint his cold body. At least, that is the way too many of us do in these days. We wait until our friend dies—and then send our flowers and speak our words of appreciation. Should we not learn a lesson from Mary?
Key Verse: "Father, I will that they
also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may
behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before
the foundation of the world."
- John 17:24 KJV
This is not the petition of a suppliant — but the claim of a conqueror! There was only one request He ever made, or ever can make — that was refused; it was the prayer wrung forth by the presence and power of superhuman anguish: "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me!" Had that prayer been answered, never could one consolatory "word of Jesus" have been ours. "If it is possible" — but for that gracious parenthesis, we must have been lost forever! In unmurmuring submission, the bitter cup was drained; all the dread penalties of the law were borne, the atonement completed, an all-perfect righteousness wrought out; and now, as the stipulated reward of His obedience and sufferings — the Victor claims His trophies.
Key Verse: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV
Though every child in the family of heaven has real fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ; yet there are happy times and pleasant moments, when a divine fellowship is carried on between the soul and God. A carnal world ridicules the idea; and no wonder, for the "natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, because they are foolishness to him."
Key Verse: "And it came to pass,
that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will
follow thee whithersoever thou goest."
- Luke 9:57 KJV
The call to discipleship is on Christ’s terms, not ours. The cost of discipleship is determined by the Lord, and not by the servant. In our desperate attempt to play the numbers game in today’s churches we invite people to come and join without any regard to the cost of discipleship. Jesus Christ is Lord; He is the only Lord.
Key Verse: "And he said unto me, It is
done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto
him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."
- Revelation 21:6 KJV
The grace that is in Christ Jesus must, from its very nature, be unpurchasable. It implies absolute poverty in the creature, and infinite affluence in God. Could it, by any possibility, be purchased, it would cease to be what it now is, the "grace of God." Because it is so great, so rich, and infinite, God has made it as free as the sun, the light, and the air.
Key Verse: "And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi."
- Genesis 25:11 KJV
Hagar had once found deliverance there and Ishmael had
drank from the water so graciously revealed by the God who lives and sees
the sons of men; but this was a merely casual visit, such as worldlings pay
to the Lord in times of need, when it serves their turn. They cry to Him in
trouble—but forsake Him in prosperity. Isaac dwelt there, and
made the well of the living and all-seeing God, his constant source of
supply.
Key Verse: "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
- Philippians 4:11 KJV
Contentment is a precious gift that comes from trusting in God's provision and sufficiency, regardless of our circumstances. The apostle Paul teaches us that true joy and peace are found not in abundance or want, but in a heart that is satisfied with what God has given.
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
Our blessed Lord offered himself for sin; that is, that
he might put away sin by the sacrifice of himself--"Who his own self bore
our sins in his own body on the tree" (1 Pet. 2:24). It was absolutely
necessary either that the sinner should suffer in his own person, or in that
of a substitute. Jesus became this substitute; he stood virtually in the
sinner's place, and endured in his holy body and soul the punishment due to
him; for he "was numbered with the transgressors." He thus, by the shedding
of his most precious blood, opened in his sacred body a fountain for all sin
and all uncleanness (Zech. 13:1).
Key Verse: "And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat."
- Luke 7:36 KJV
Two opposite characters are described in this interesting history; Simon the Pharisee and the weeping sinner! Simon was probably respected by his neighbors, and accounted a religious man, but he was not accepted in the sight of Jesus. The woman had been a gross and open sinner, yet she was accepted by her Savior. Now what was the reason of this difference? Does Jesus love sin? God forbid!
Key Verse: "Now before the feast of
the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should
depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which
were in the world, he loved them unto the end."
- John 13:1 KJV
Follower of Jesus—you may write your own name into this verse, and it will be as true as it was of the company at the table that night! Having loved you—Jesus loves you unto the end!
Key Verse: "Father, I will that they
also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may
behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before
the foundation of the world."
- John 17:24 KJV
This is not the petition of a suppliant — but the claim of a conqueror! There was only one request He ever made, or ever can make — that was refused; it was the prayer wrung forth by the presence and power of superhuman anguish: "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me!" Had that prayer been answered, never could one consolatory "word of Jesus" have been ours. "If it is possible" — but for that gracious parenthesis, we must have been lost forever! In unmurmuring submission, the bitter cup was drained; all the dread penalties of the law were borne, the atonement completed, an all-perfect righteousness wrought out; and now, as the stipulated reward of His obedience and sufferings — the Victor claims His trophies.
Key Verse: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV
Though every child in the family of heaven has real fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ; yet there are happy times and pleasant moments, when a divine fellowship is carried on between the soul and God. A carnal world ridicules the idea; and no wonder, for the "natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, because they are foolishness to him."
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
H. A. Ironside used to say, “Where there is light there are bugs!” He was referring to the cults and sects that take a truth and go to the extreme or form their own exclusive groups.
Key Verse: "And the priest shall look
on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague
is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his
flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and
pronounce him unclean."
- Leviticus 13:3 KJV
In the Old Testament, leprosy was one of the most feared diseases. It wasn't just a physical ailment, it also carried heavy spiritual and social consequences. Those afflicted were declared "unclean" and were forced to live outside the camp, separated from family, worship, and community (Leviticus 13:45-46). This separation and corruption of the body is a powerful picture of sin, how it corrupts, isolates, and ultimately destroys.
Key Verse: "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light."
- Psalm 36:9 KJV
What a fountain of life is Jesus! The dead, on whose ear falls the sound of His voice, live. There is grace in Christ- quickening, regenerating, life-giving grace; and to whomsoever that grace is imparted, he that was lying cold and inanimate in the valley begins to move, to live, to breathe, and to arise. One touch of Christ, a whisper of His voice, a breath of His Spirit, begets a life in the soul that never dies. What a fountain of life is Jesus!
Key Verse: "Thou gavest also thy good
spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth,
and gavest them water for their thirst."
- Nehemiah 9:20 KJV
Common, too common is the sin of forgetting the Holy
Spirit. This is folly and ingratitude. He deserves well at our hands,
for He is good, supremely good. As God, He is good essentially. He shares in
the threefold ascription of Holy, holy, holy, which ascends to the Triune
Jehovah. Unmixed purity and truth, and grace is He.
Key Verse: "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
- John 15:8 KJV
The bearing of much fruit not only brings glory to God,
but proves such rich fruit-bearers to be genuine disciples of the Lord
Jesus. Now, though there is no merit in their bearing fruit, they sometimes
get comfort from it, as proving an abiding union with Christ. "If you keep
my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's
commandments and abide in his love." There is no maintaining of holy
confidence in the soul but by walking in godly obedience; nor can there be
any true spiritual communion with God while the guilt of disobedience lies
hard and heavy on the conscience. To make straight paths for our feet; to
walk in the fear of God; to live to his glory, are not only sweet tests of
genuine discipleship, but faith, hope, and love cannot be maintained without
them.
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
We have now read the end of our Savior's discourse to the
people, after John the Baptist's messengers had departed. The beginning
of the discourse contains warnings and reproofs, but the end is
filled with thanksgivings, invitations, and entreaties. Jesus intermingled
prayer to his Father with his addresses to the people. What a privilege we
enjoy in being permitted to know what he said to his Father! He spoke aloud
that men might be edified; for on one occasion he declared, when engaged in
prayer, "because of the people who stand by, I said it," (John 11:42.)
Key Verse: "And whosoever shall give
to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the
name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his
reward."
- Matthew 10:42 KJV
We never can know what the full outcome of our simplest kindnesses will be. We speak a cheerful word to one who is discouraged. We pass on, scarcely giving another thought to the matter. Yet perhaps our word has saved a life from despair, helped a fainting robin back unto its nest again, or changed a destiny from darkness to light.
Key Verse: "Father, I will that they
also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may
behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before
the foundation of the world."
- John 17:24 KJV
This is not the petition of a suppliant — but the
claim of a conqueror! Christ's people are a sorrowing people! Chastisement
is their badge; "great tribulation" is their appointed discipline. When they
enter the gates of glory, Christ is represented as wiping away tears from their
eyes. But, weeping ones, be comforted! Your Lord's special mission to earth —
the great errand He came from Heaven to fulfill, was "to bind up the
brokenhearted." Your trials are meted out by a tender hand! He knows
you too well — He loves you too well — to make this world
tearless and sorrowless!
Key Verse: "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
- Colossians 3:2 KJV
The Bible speaks often about the world, but it uses the word in different ways. Sometimes it refers to the physical earth that God created, sometimes to the people who live in it, and often to the sinful system opposed to God. As followers of Christ, we are called to understand these distinctions and walk wisely.
Key Verse: "For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"
- Revelation 6:17 KJV
I have hitherto had faint views of divine wrath, though I have indeed had frightful apprehensions of fire; gloomy ideas of the bottomless pit, and shocking thoughts of the state of the damned. But, there is one expression of our Savior's, which gives me a clearer view of divine vengeance, than all the anguish of the damned can do. Observe the God-man in his spotless innocence—suffering in our stead, carrying our sorrows, and bearing our grief.
Key Verse: "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
- Romans 6:11 KJV
The apostle Paul wrote of Christ, “For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:10-11). The believer’s “old man” or “old self” is what he was spiritually before he believed on Christ when he was still under sin, powerless, depraved, ungodly and even an enemy of God.
Key Verse: "She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
- John 8:11 KJV
See how Christ manifests His abhorrence of the sin, while He throws His shield of mercy around the sinner. The Lord does not justify the sinner's transgression, though He justifies the sinner's person. In the great matter of salvation, justification and sanctification, pardon and holiness, are essentially and inseparably united. When the Lord Jesus dismisses a sinner with a sense of acquittal in his conscience, it is ever accompanied with that most affecting of all exhortations, "Sin no more."
Key Verse: "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
- Philippians 4:11 KJV
These words show us that contentment is not a natural propensity of man. "Ill weeds grow quickly." Covetousness, discontent, and murmuring are as natural to man—as weeds are to the soil. We need not sow thistles and weeds; they come up naturally enough, because they are indigenous to earth. Just so, we need not teach men to complain; they complain fast enough without any education.
Key Verse: "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped."
- Isaiah 35:5 KJV
That these miracles are effected by the power of the gospel is plain from the words that immediately precede, "Behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you" (Isa. 35:4). And how does God come and save but in the gospel, and by making it his own power unto salvation?
Key Verse: "Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:"
- Matthew 11:20 KJV
We find from this passage that the preaching of the Lord Jesus produced very little effect upon men's hearts. In order that people be converted, it is necessary, not only that the preaching be faithful, but that the hearts of the hearers be prepared—for otherwise the tongues of holy men, or of angels, or even of the Son of God, may speak in vain.
Key Verse: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" - Hebrews 9:27 KJV
Death is one of life’s greatest certainties, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood subjects. For the child of God, the Bible paints death not as the end, but as a doorway to eternal life in Christ. The Word of God is clear that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Death is not the conclusion of existence—it is a transition. The body returns to dust, but the soul goes on to meet God.
Key Verse: "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
- 1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV
You may think you have no influence over any other lives—but you have. There are those who will do what you do, and be what you are. If you are reverent, they will be reverent; if you are false, they are false. Your influence touches many other lives, and leaves either blessing or curse.
Key Verse: "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." - John 16:14 KJV
The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus in the unfoldings of His person, and His character, and His work — to His redeemed people! The Spirit is the great ministering agent between the Church on earth — and its glorified Head in Heaven. He carries up to Christ, the Intercessor on the throne — the ever-recurring needs and trials, the perplexities and sins — of each believer! And receiving out of His inexhaustible treasury of love — He carries down to us: comfort for our sorrows — strength for our tears — fullness for our emptiness!
Key Verse: "We love him, because he first loved us."
- 1 John 4:19 KJV
To love you—is my honor. That I may love you—is my privilege. And in as far as I do love you—so far am I happy. How is it, then, that this divine duty of loving you meets with so much opposition! Hell and earth bid me hate you; sinners will not let me avow my love to you; corruption within, cares and concerns without, check my love; unbelief cools my love, "for faith works by love," and love bears proportion to faith. Immoderate fear, and love of anything besides you, is a clog to my love; and imperfect apprehensions of your glorious self, deaden my love to you. In what a melancholy case am I! It is death to live, and not to love; yet I live, and cannot love you! I can love my friend, and hate my enemy; but I cannot love my God, nor hate my enmity. I can love what I think beautiful in the creature, with love more than fit; why then not love the Rose of heaven, the chief among ten thousand, who is altogether lovely, and whose love is, like himself, unchangeable!
Key Verse: "God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"
- Romans 6:2 KJV
God takes sin seriously. Sin is a terrible thing in the Christian’s life. That is why God did not overlook sin, but dealt with it in one complete stroke of judgment by sending Christ to die for us on the cross. Now that we have been saved by grace can we live any way we so please? Can we sin it up now that our fire insurance has been paid in full?
Key Verse: "Rest in the Lord,
and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who
prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to
pass."
- Psalm 37:7 KJV
It is just this simple, patient waiting upon God in all our straits that certainly and effectually issues in our deliverance. In all circumstances of faith's trial, of prayer's delay, of hope deferred, the most proper and graceful posture of the soul- that which insures the largest revenue of blessing to us and of glory to God- is a patient waiting on the Lord.
Key Verse: "All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad."
- Psalm 45:8 KJV
And who are thus privileged to make the Savior glad? His church—His people. But is it possible? He makes us glad—but how can we make Him glad? By our love. Ah! we think it so cold, so faint; and so, indeed, we must sorrowfully confess it to be—but it is very sweet to Christ. Hear His own eulogy of that love in the golden Canticle: "How sweet is your love, my treasure, my bride! How much better it is than wine! Your perfume is more fragrant than the richest of spices!" See, loving heart, how He delights in you. When you lean your head on His bosom, you not only receive joy—but you give Him joy. When you gaze with love upon His all-glorious face, you not only obtain comfort—but impart delight.
Key Verse: "And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation."
- Genesis 7:1 KJV
When God commanded Noah to build the ark, it was more than a rescue vessel—it was a foreshadowing of salvation in Jesus Christ. The world in Noah’s day was filled with violence and corruption, yet God in His mercy provided a way of deliverance. That way was the ark, a single door, and safety from judgment. Just as the ark was God’s appointed means of saving Noah and his family, Christ is God’s appointed way of saving sinners today.
Key Verse: "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
- 1 Peter 1:5 KJV
Those who are kept by the power of God through faith, are often in their minds troubled and anxious, fearing whether this salvation will ever reach their souls--whether they may not prove castaways--whether the work upon their heart is genuine--whether they are under divine teachings. But the Lord says they are "kept by his power through faith unto salvation"--kept as in this garrisoned city, until salvation shall come in all its glory, sweetness, bliss and blessedness into their heart; preserved and encompassed by all the attributes of God from making shipwreck of faith, until they "receive the end of their faith, even the salvation of their souls."
Key Verse: "They are like unto
children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and
saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned
to you, and ye have not wept."
- Luke 7:25-36 KJV
We now refer to Luke's account of our Savior's discourse about John the Baptist, because it contains some particulars omitted by Matthew. The Lord Jesus declared that the people, and even the publicans, believed John the Baptist's preaching, while the Pharisees despised it. The publicans were great sinners, most of them being notoriously dishonest in the collection of taxes. When John declared to them that their sins were great, and deserved punishment, they justified God, that is, they acknowledged that God's sentence was just, and they gladly received baptism as a sign of their need of being cleansed from their iniquities. But when John delivered the same truths to the Pharisees, telling them they were the children of the devil, and a generation of vipers, they were offended; they rejected the counsel of God against themselves, and did not desire to be baptized, because they thought they were already clean in heart and in life. Thus it often is now. Some who have committed open gross sins are brought to repentance; while others, who have led regular, and apparently religious lives, will not believe that on account of the secret sins of their hearts, they ought to humble themselves before God.
Key Verse: "And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?"
- John 9:2 KJV
Are troubles sent to punish us for our sins? The people in Christ's day thought so. But Jesus gave a different explanation. He said the man was blind—that the works of God should be displayed in his life. His blindness led him into contact with Jesus—and thus brought him a double blessing, the opening of his natural eyes, and the opening of his soul's eyes. Probably he would never have met Jesus—but for his misfortune of blindness. If he had not been blind, this miracle of his healing would never have been wrought!
Key Verse: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."
- Matthew 28:18 KJV
What an empire is this! Heaven and earth — the Church militant — the Church triumphant — angels and archangels — saints and seraphs are under Christ's supreme authority! At His mandate: the billows were hushed — demons crouched in terror — the grave yielded its prey! "Upon His head are many crowns!" He is made "Head over all things!" Yes! over all things, from the minutest — to the mightiest. He holds the stars in His right hand — He walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, feeding every candlestick with the oil of His grace, and preserving every star in its spiritual orbit.
Key Verse: "Verily, verily, I say
unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me,
hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is
passed from death unto life."
- John 5:24 KJV
Mathematicians have never attempted to measure eternity, or the duration of the world to come. Here the finite mind has no idea of eternity but by succession of ages, and yet succession belongs to time, not to eternity. Days, weeks, and months, are nothing there; years, ages and generations are lost there; hundreds, thousands, and millions are no more there; times, eras, and determinate durations are forever gone there; all is fixed, all eternal there! There is no first and last, sooner and later, in eternity; for though Abel, with respect to time, was sooner plunged into perpetuity, yet no sooner than the saints that shall be alive at the last day, with respect to eternity.
Key Verse: "For
by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in
earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or
principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:"
- Colossians 1:16 KJV
Our great God and Savior knows everything, is everywhere, and is all-powerful. The LORD God knows me because He made me, and since He made me, I am responsible to Him for my actions. That’s probably the biggest reason why people do not want to accept the fact that God created man. But whether a person acknowledges the facts about creation or not, he or she will still have to answer to Him personally.
Key Verse: "But I say unto you, That
whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger
of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be
in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be
in danger of hell fire."
- Matthew 5:22 KJV
Our Key Verse above notes we are not to call a person a fool. However, the Bible speaks often about the fool—not to mock or demean, but to warn us. A “fool” in Scripture is not merely someone lacking intelligence, but someone who rejects wisdom, despises correction, and turns away from God’s truth. The sobering words of Scripture remind us to avoid the path of foolishness and instead walk in wisdom.
Key Verse: "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."
- Malachi 3:6 KJV
It is no small attainment to be built up in the faithfulness of God. This forms a stable foundation of comfort for the believing soul. Mutability marks everything outside of God. Look into the Church, into the world, into our families, ourselves, what innumerable changes do we see on every hand!
Key Verse: "And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life."
- 2 Kings 25:30 KJV
Jehoiachin was not sent away from the king's palace with a 'supply' to last him for months—but his provision was given him as a daily pension. Herein he well pictures the happy position of all the Lord's people. A daily portion is all that a man really needs. We do not need tomorrow's supplies; for that day has not yet dawned, and its needs are as yet unborn. The thirst which we may suffer in the month of June—does not need to be quenched in February, for we do not feel it yet. If we have enough for each day as the days arrive—we shall never know want. Sufficient for the day—is all that we can enjoy.
Key Verse: "Now we have received, not
the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might
know the things that are freely given to us of God."
- 1 Corinthians 2:12 KJV
What thick clouds of darkness spread themselves at times over our souls; all things out of sight; our signs and tokens buried, as it were, in mist. It is like a sea fog, that comes out of the bosom of the vasty deep, and hides all objects from view. The ships are on the sea, notwithstanding, but this deep fog prevents their being seen. So with our souls at times--all is misty, cloudy, and no signs can be seen of the work of God upon our hearts. And yet we "know" them, by receiving the Spirit of God, for it is the only way whereby they can be known. We can only see light in God's light; only believe by God's faith; only love by God's love; therefore can only know the things freely given to us of God by the revelation of the Spirit.
Key Verse: "Verily I say unto you,
Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than
John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of
heaven is greater than he."
- Matthew 11:7-17 KJV
God has said, "those who honor me I will honor."—(1 Sam. 2:30.) John the Baptist honored Christ much in his preaching, and now we hear how greatly Christ honored him. The Lord, who knows all men, declared that no prophet greater than John had ever appeared. Elijah, who raised the widow's son, was not greater; for though John had performed no miracle, he knew more of Christ than any who had come before him.
Key Verse: "Then spake Jesus again
unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me
shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
- John 8:12 KJV
We are always coming to points we have never passed before. Every new temptation is such a point. We cannot get through it unless we have a guide.
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
How we treasure the last sayings of a dying parent! How specially cherished and memorable are his last looks and last words! Here are the last words, the parting legacy, of a dying Savior. It is a legacy of peace. What peace is this? It is His own purchase — a peace arising out of free forgiveness through His precious blood. It is sung in concert with "Glory to God in the highest" — a peace made as sure to us, as eternal power and infinite love can make it! It is peace the soul needs, that is nowhere else to be found — but through the blood of His cross! "Being justified by faith — we have peace with God." "HE gives His beloved rest!"
Key Verse: "And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do."
- Genesis 11:6 KJV
The story of the Tower of Babel is one of the most striking moments in Scripture where the collective pride of humanity rose up in defiance against the sovereign God. At its core, Babel is not just about architecture—it’s about ambition, rebellion, and the dangerous illusion that man can dethrone God.
Key Verse: "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
- 1 Corinthians 13 KJV
How many great geniuses have employed their noble talents on subjects of human love! And by their flowery expressions, pitch up the imaginary bliss in these luscious scenes to such a height, as if nothing more sublime could be pursued by immortal souls! And how easy such trifling subjects gain on carnal minds, mournful experience may convince us. But where is he who dwells on the Divine Lover, and expatiates on his matchless grace, with strokes that melt the soul with astonishment and rapture? How often does the poet, in his paean of a created beauty, step beyond the truth, talk at random, yes rove above possibility itself! But here, in the love of the Son of God, we can never exceed. It is higher than heaven, and brought him down from his father's bosom to our earth! It is deeper than hell, and brought us up from thence! It is larger than the sea, and can never be exhausted! Broader than the earth, and can never be described. How vehemently did the heavenly flame burn, even "when sorrows of death compassed him about, when the pains of hell took hold on him!"
Bible Reading: Mark 14:8 KJV Key Verse: " She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying...
