Daily Devotion: Christ Forbids Worldly Anxiety by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:24-34 KJV

Key Verse:  "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"
- Matthew 6:25 KJV

Our Savior had charged his disciples not to lay up treasures upon earth. In this passage He gives them another command that appears much more difficult to obey, that is, He forbids them to be anxious about needful food and clothing. We are naturally inclined to think it impossible not to be anxious about the means of our support; but God graciously offers many arguments to prevent our indulging in such cares.

Daily Devotion: Traits Of A Narcissist (1 of 4) by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 12:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
- Romans 12:3 KJV

Narcissism and pride are related concepts, but they differ in their nature and implications. Research indicates that unhealthy pride, particularly arrogant pride, can be a precursor to narcissism. While not everyone with unhealthy pride develops narcissism, addressing and managing this trait can prevent it from escalating into a more severe condition. [1, 2, 3]

Daily Devotion: Shepherding In The Wilderness by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Exodus 3:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb."
- Exodus 3:1 KJV

For forty years Moses had been shepherding sheep in the wilderness. It appears to us as if all those years were lost. We can see how profitably the first forty were spent. Those earlier years under his mother's influence—he carried their lessons and impress to the end. Then those years in the schools of Egypt and in the palace he learned much there which was essential to his mission. But what did that long period in the desert do toward fitting him to be a leader, a lawgiver, the builder of a nation? Far more, no doubt, than we can tell. All that while, his character was knitting itself into strength. He was learning self-discipline. In the wilderness, he was taught many a lesson which made him more fit for his work—lessons he could never have learned in the busy life of Pharaoh's palace.

Daily Devotion: The Gracious Verdict by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: John 8:11 KJV

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

How much more tender is Jesus — than the tenderest of earthly friends! The Apostles, in a moment of irritation, would have called down fire from heaven on obstinate sinners — but their Master rebuked the unkind suggestion. Peter, the trusted but treacherous disciple, expected nothing but harsh and merited reproof for faithlessness — but He who knew well how that heart would be bowed with penitential sorrow, sends first the kindest of messages, and then the gentlest of rebukes — "Do you love Me?"

Daily Devotion: Our Only Joy In The World To Come by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Psalm 16 KJV

Key Verse:  "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
- Psalm 16:11 KJV

Truly, O worldlings! I pity you. Now you seem to be great and full of fun. But, though you shine on the outside, there is an awful blank within. If in this life only I have hope, I would of all men be most miserable; for the greatest thing I could either hope for, or desire below, are trifling in comparison of the great and glorious things of eternity that I aspire after. What good would my life do me, did I not live to die, that I may live forever? What would my time be—but a rotation of toils and troubles, did it not afford me an opportunity to prepare and improve for eternity? How would every forethought about this present life trouble me, did not the solid hope of a future world sustain me?

Daily Devotion: Commitment To Christ by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Romans 8:31-39 KJV

Key Verse:  "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,"
- Romans 8:38 KJV

When we trust or yield ourselves to Christ, there is a true commitment just like in a healthy marriage. How tragic that many marriages are dysfunctional and are a poor example of long lasting commitments.

Daily Devotion: The Wind Blows Defiantly by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: John 3:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."
- John 3:8 KJV

Mark how striking is the figure. The wind bids defiance to man's governing power. It is as sovereign in its influence as it is irresistible in its strength. We cannot command it, nor can we control it. It is alike out of our power to summon it, as it is to soothe it. It comes, we know not where; it goes, we know not where. "So is every one that is born of the Spirit."

Daily Devotion: He Shall Save His People by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Matthew 1:18-25 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."
- Matthew 1:21 KJV

Many people, if they are asked what they understand by salvation, will reply, "Being saved from hell—and taken to heaven." This is one result of salvation—but it is not one tenth of what is contained in that blessing. It is true our Lord Jesus Christ does redeem all His people from the wrath to come; He saves them from the fearful condemnation which their sins had brought upon them; but His triumph is far more complete than this. He saves His people "from their sins." Oh! sweet deliverance from our worst foes. Where Christ works a saving work—He casts Satan from his throne, and will not let him be master any longer.

Daily Devotion: The Secret To Getting Along With People by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 12:14-21 KJV

Key Verse:  "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
- Romans 12:18 KJV

The most persistent problem believers and unbelievers face on a daily basis is our inability to get along with people. Seems we are all struggling to just tolerate most of the the people we are around on a daily basis. It does not have to be this way. The book of Proverbs provides us with the secret to getting along with people and having true friends.

Daily Devotion: He Shall Bring It To Pass by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Psalm 37:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
- Psalm 37:5 KJV

What shall God bring to pass? The thing that lies deepest in the heart--"your way." Does not 'your way' lie deepest in your soul--the path that God has led, the path that God is now leading you by? You may be troubled in your soul, doubting and fearing in your mind, distressed in your feelings; you may sink down to the lowest point that a child of God can sink to; yet that way, in which you are so deeply sunk, if the Lord enables you from time to time to commit it to him, and trust in him, he will bring to pass above what your heart desires.