Daily Devotion: Consequences of Unbelief by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Luke 1:18-25 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season."
- Luke 1:20 KJV

The gospel writer Luke described Zacharias and Elizabeth as an elderly couple, both advanced in years, and without children. Elizabeth was barren. Zechariah was a priest who married a woman of priestly descent. “They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord” (Luke 1:6).

Daily Devotion: The Rich Become Poor And Thee Poor Become Rich by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:8-15 KJV

Key Verse:  "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV

How little do we associate our most costly mercies, and even those which we are accustomed to esteem of a more ordinary character (although every mercy is infinitely great), with the abasement of our Lord! How seldom do we trace our happy moments, and hallowed joys, and high delights, and sacred scenes, and precious privileges, to this dark part of His eventful history! And yet all flow to us through this very channel, and, but for this, would never have been ours. When the ocean of His goodness rolls in upon me, wave on wave- when I feel the cheering warmth of creature smiles beaming sweetly and fondly- when I review, one by one, my personal, domestic, and relative mercies- when even the cup of cold water, presented by the hand of Christian kindness, moistens my lips, what is the thought that forces itself upon my mind? "All this springs from the deepest humiliation of my adorable Christ!" 

Daily Devotion: You Have Left Your First Love by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Revelation 2:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love."
- Revelation 2:4 KJV

Ever to be remembered, is that best and brightest of hours, when first we saw the Lord, lost our burden, received the scroll of promise, rejoiced in full salvation, and went on our way in peace. It was springtime in the soul; the winter was past; the mutterings of Sinai's thunders were hushed; the flashings of its lightnings were no more perceived. God was beheld as reconciled; the law threatened no vengeance, justice demanded no punishment. 

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

Bible Reading: Numbers 21:1-9 KJV

Key Verse:  "And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived."
- Numbers 21:9 KJV

The Book of Numbers, often seen as a record of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness, is rich with both history and prophetic insight. Even within this book, hidden among the genealogies, censuses, and accounts of rebellion, the presence of Jesus is evident. From the cloud by day to the pillar of fire by night, God is leading His people, but the subtle glimpses of Christ predict the greater salvation that would come. 

Let’s explore how Jesus is revealed in the Book of Numbers.

Daily Devotion: By The Hands Of The Mighty God by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Genesis 49:24 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)"
- Genesis 49:24 KJV

Our ancestors, you know, were celebrated bowmen. Victories were won at Cressy and Agincourt by the English cavalry, who were skilled in the use of the bow. Latimer says, in a sermon preached before the king, that no man could be a good archer who did not learn from his boyhood; and the custom he tells us was for the father to put his hands upon the son's hands, to teach him how to shoot, and throw the whole strength of his body into the bow. When the boy drew the bow, it was not the strength of his own arm that drew the string, nor was it the keenness of his eye that directed the arrow to the mark. The child appeared to draw the bow and to direct the arrow; but the hand of the father was upon the hand of the child, and the eye of the father was guiding the eye of the child; thus though the child seemed to draw the bow, it was the strength of the father that really pulled the string.

Daily Devotion: He Predicts The Rejection Of The False Professor by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:21-29 KJV

Key Verse:  "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
- Matthew 7:23 KJV

In this passage, Jesus gave a solemn warning to his own disciples, to those who professed to believe in him, and to those who called him "Lord, Lord." At the beginning of this sermon, he had declared, that except their righteousness should exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, they could not be saved. He had shown that the righteousness of the Pharisees was a mere outward form of religion, and he had warned his own followers against being satisfied with a mere form also. He declared that many would be lost through this sad mistake. "Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name?" and I will profess unto them, "I never knew you." In these words Jesus revealed himself as the Judge of men—even as the Son of God. 

Daily Devotion: Sorrow Comes by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel."
- Joshua 1:1-2 KJV

Sorrow came to you yesterday—and emptied your home. Your first impulse now is to give up and sit down in despair amid the wrecks of your hopes. But you dare not do it. You are in the line of battle, and the crisis is at hand. To falter a moment, would be to imperil some holy interest. Other lives would be harmed by your pausing. Holy interests would suffer—should your hands be folded. You must not linger even to indulge your grief. Sorrows are but incidents in life, and must not interrupt us. We must leave them behind, while we press on to the things that are before.

Daily Devotion: The Unlimited Offer by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: John 7:37-44 KJV 

Key Verse:  "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink."
- John 7:37 KJV

This is one of the most gracious "words" which ever "proceeded out of the mouth of God!" The time that it was uttered was an impressive one; it was on "the last, the great day" of the Feast of Tabernacles, when a denser multitude than on any of the seven preceding ones were assembled together. The golden bowl, according to custom, had probably just been filled with the waters of Siloam, and was being carried up to the Temple amid the acclamations of the crowd, when the Savior of the world seized the opportunity of speaking to them some truths of momentous import. Many, doubtless, were the "words of Jesus" uttered on the previous days — but the most important is reserved for the last. What, then, is the great closing theme on which He rivets the attention of this vast auditory, and which He would have them carry away to their distant homes? It is, The freeness of His own great Salvation, "If any man thirsts — let him come unto Me, and drink."

Daily Devotion: True Joy by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Galatians 5:19-26 KJV

Key Verse:  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,"
- Galatians 5:22 KJV

Sometimes, indeed, I am amazed at the joy of sinners, while those who have the greatest cause of exultation are rather too sad. Yes, I wonder that, on due consideration, joy of soul bursts not my mortal frame. Though I should never think highly of myself, yet I should never think lowly or basely of the manifestations of the love and favor of God. What shall I, then, think of this quiet of mind, this peace of God which passes understanding—pouring into my soul, and giving me the life of a prince—while one would be ready to conclude that I lived like a prisoner? What of this dwelling under the smile of Heaven? this joy that I have in believing these transforming glances of glory, which give a sweet promise of the fruition to come, and make me long for the day of perfect communion with God? What of my daily allowance from the table of the King, yes, sometimes my being allowed to eat at the King's table of the hidden manna, and bread of life—and to behold his glory with the eye of faith.

Daily Devotion: Conquering Love of Christ by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Galatians 2:14-21 KJV

Key Verse:  "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
- Galatians 2:16 KJV

Upon close examination there is only one way to explain the dramatic changes and resultant attitudes and motivations of the Jewish rabbi, Saul of Tarsus. He was a conquered man. He was in his own words, “a servant of Christ Jesus . . . and set apart for the gospel of God.” The most powerful, transforming force in his life was an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Daily Devotion: God Is... by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:27-34 KJV

Key Verse:  "And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all."
- 1 Corinthians 15:28 KJV

God Is A Spirit

In the Bible, there are numerous verses that describe who God is. One such passage is from John 4:24, which states, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." This verse emphasizes that God is a spirit, meaning, He is not confined to a physical form and exists beyond the material world.

Daily Devotion: Looking Unto Jesus by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Hebrews 12:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
- Hebrews 12:2 KJV

If Jesus is especially glorified in the faith of His people, let yours be a life of faith in all its minute detail. Live upon Him for spiritual supplies; live upon Him for temporal supplies. Go to Him in dark providences, that you may be kept from sinking: go to Him in bright providences, that you may be kept from falling. Go to Him when the path is rough, that you may walk in it contentedly: go to Him when the path is smooth, that you may walk in it surely. Let your daily history be a traveling to Jesus empty, and a coming from Jesus filled. 

Daily Devotion: They Had Been With Jesus by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Acts 4:13 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."
- Acts 4:13 KJV

A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have read 'lives of Christ', beautifully and eloquently written—but the best life of Christ is His living biography, written out in the words and actions of His people. If we were what we profess to be—and what we should be—we would be pictures of Christ! Yes, such striking likenesses of Him, that the world would not have say, "Well, it seems somewhat of a likeness;" but they would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, "He has been with Jesus! He has been taught of Him—he is like Him! He has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth, and he works it out in his life and every-day actions!"

Daily Devotion: I Am The Lord Who Heals You by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Exodus 15:20-27 KJV

Key Verse:  "And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee."
- Exodus 15:26 KJV

How does God heal the diseases of his people? He heals them chiefly by subduing them; for in this life they are never thoroughly healed. The promise runs--"He will subdue our iniquities" (Micah 7:19). To subdue them is to restrain their power. Thus he sees one suffering under the power of unbelief. He gives him faith--this subdues his unbelief. 

Daily Devotion: He Predicts The Rejection Of The False Professor by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:15 KJV

Key Verse:  "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
- Matthew 7:15 KJV

Our Savior had been showing his disciples the necessity of walking in the narrow way to heaven. He knew that many false teachers would arise, who would point out an easier way; and the Pharisees at that very time encouraged people, by their instructions and example, to walk in the broad road which leads to destruction.

Daily Devotion: You Must Die There by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 32:45-52 KJV

Key Verse:  "And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people:"
- Deuteronomy 32:50 KJV

To each of us the summons will sometime come: "Go away from your farm, your store, your desk, your books, your pleasure, into the silence of your own room—and die." We may not hear the voice, when we lay down our work at nightfall, nor be conscious that we are going away to die; but this will not alter the fact. We will come to our last hour—when the voice none can resist will call us from earth.

Daily Devotion: The Little Flock by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: John 10:27 KJV

Key Verse:  "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
- John 10:27 KJV

The music of the Shepherd's voice again! Another comforting "word," and how tender! His flock, a little flock, a feeble flock, a fearful flock — but a beloved flock — loved of the Father, enjoying His "good pleasure," and soon to be a glorified flock — safe in the fold, secure within the kingdom! How does He quiet their fears and misgivings? As they stand panting on the bleak mountainside, He points His crook upwards to the bright and shining gates of glory, and says, "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you these!" What gentle words! what a blessed consummation! Gracious Savior, Your gentleness has made me great!

Daily Devotion: Godly Women In The Bible by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Proverbs 31:10-17 KJV

Key Verse:  "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."
- Proverbs 31:10 KJV

Proverbs 31 provides a detailed description of a virtuous woman, emphasizing her value and the importance of her character.  In the Bible, Godly women are celebrated for their qualities, and exemplify faith, obedience, and courage. Each woman's story offers profound lessons and inspiration to all women.

Daily Devotion: On The Scriptures by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Hebrews 4:9-16 KJV

Key Verse:  "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
- Hebrews 4:12 KJV

An entertaining history, or a striking description of some famous battle will challenge our attention, and cause us to light another candle. But a small portion of the scriptures suffices us; yes, some are more occupied with a well-written romance, than with all the interesting truths of the word of God. This is my lamentation.

Daily Devotion: Conflict -- Not Condemnation by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: Romans 7:25-8:7 KJV

Key Verse:  “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”
- Romans 7:25-8:1 KJV

It is very unfortunate that there is a chapter division separating Romans 7:25 and 8:1. C. H. Spurgeon observes correctly: “We once heard a friend say, ‘I have gone out of seventh of Romans into the eighth.’ Nonsense! There is no getting out of one into the other, for they are one. I thank God with all my heart that since my conversion I have never known what it is to be out of the seventh of Romans, nor out of the eighth of Romans either. The whole passage has been solid truth to my experience. I have struggled against inward sin, and rejoiced in complete justification at the same time” (Sermons Preached in 1886 by C. H. Spurgeon, vol. xvii, p. 274).

Daily Devotion: A Time To Die by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: Psalm 116:8-15 KJV 

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

It is solemnly true that there is a "time to die." Ah! affecting thought- a "time to die!" A time when this mortal conflict will be over- when this heart will cease to feel, alike insensible to joy or sorrow- when this head will ache and these eyes will weep no more- best and holiest of all- a time "when this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality," and we shall "see Christ as He is, and be like Him."

Daily Devotion: Our Sins Are Like A Cloud by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Isaiah 44:21-28 KJV

Key Verse:  "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee."
- Isaiah 44:22 KJV

Attentively observe the INSTRUCTIVE SIMILITUDE: our sins are like a cloud. As clouds are of many shapes and shades, so are our transgressions. As clouds obscure the light of the sun, and darken the landscape beneath, so do our sins hide from us the light of Jehovah's face, and cause us to sit in the shadow of death. They are earth-born things, and rise from the miry places of our nature; and when so collected that their measure is full, they threaten us with storm and tempest. Alas! that, unlike clouds, our sins yield us no genial showers—but rather threaten to deluge us with a fiery flood of destruction. O you black clouds of sin, how can it be fair weather with our souls while you remain?

Daily Devotion: Walking Before God by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Psalm 116:8-15 KJV

Key Verse:  "I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living."
- Psalm 116:9 KJV

There is a distinction between walking before God and walking with God. To walk before God is to walk with an abiding sense of God's eye being upon us; to walk with a desire to do those things which are pleasing in his sight; to walk in his ordinances blameless; to walk before his people with our garments unspotted by the world; in a word, to walk before him in private as in public, alone and in company, before the Church and the world, by day and by night, as we should walk if we had a personal view of his glorious majesty in heaven before our eyes.

Daily Devotion: Christ Describes The Wrong And The Right Way by Favell Lee Mortimer

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:12-20 KJV

Key Verse:  "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
- Matthew 12-14 KJV

Who can hear our Savior's golden rule without approving it! And who can hear it without condemning himself! "Do for others what you would like them to do for you." He who has kept the same is a perfect man, and has done all the law and prophets taught. We must confess with sorrow that we have broken it a thousand times, and that we need pardon through the Savior's blood for these manifold transgressions. But though we have transgressed, yet if we desire to please God, we shall find this rule an admirable guide. God knows our ignorance, and has graciously furnished us with a rule that will apply to every circumstance in which we can be placed. On every occasion we should imagine ourselves to be in the place of our neighbor, and say, (for instance,) "If I were a parent, how would I expect my child to behave towards me; if I were a child, my parent; if I were a master, how would I require my servant to conduct himself; if I were a servant, how would I wish my master to deal with me; if I were suffering pain, what would I desire the healthy to do to alleviate my misery; if I were sunk in poverty, what would I think the rich ought to do, when they beheld my destitution?"

Daily Devotion: Sin Is Still Sin in God’s Eyes by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 12:1-8 KJV

Key Verse:  "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
- Romans 12:2 KJV

The world we live in today celebrates what God calls sin. What was once shameful is now flaunted; what was once condemned is now praised. Society may legalize it, normalize it, and even call it “progress,” but God’s Word has not changed. Just because society accepts it, that does not make it right. Sin is still sin in God’s eyes.

Daily Devotion: Beautiful Ending by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 32:45 KJV

Key Verse:  "And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel:"
- Deuteronomy 32:45 KJV

So we all shall do some day. Moses knew it was the end for him; we may not know when our end is at hand. Any word of ours, spoken amid glee and merriment, may be our last!! If we always thought of this—would it not make us more careful? Would we ever say an unkind word to a friend, if we felt that we may never have an opportunity to unsay it or repent of it? Would we ever utter an angry, untrue, or unclean word—if we only remembered that it may be the last utterance our lips shall give forth?

Daily Devotion: The World Conquered by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: John 16:26-33 KJV

Key Verse:  "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
- John 16:33 KJV

And shall I be afraid of the world, which is already conquered? The Almighty Victor, within view of His crown, turns around to His faint and weary soldiers — and bids them take courage. They are not fighting their way through untried enemies. The God-Man Mediator "knows their sorrows." "He was tempted in every way, just as we are." "Both He who sanctifies (that is, Christ), and those who are sanctified (His people), are all of one (nature)." As the great Predecessor, He heads the pilgrim band, saying, "I will show you the path of life." The way to Heaven is consecrated by His footprints! Every thorn that wounds them — has wounded Him before. Every cross they can bear — He has borne before. Every tear they shed — He has shed before. There is one respect, indeed, in which the identity fails — He was "yet without sin;" but this recoil of His holy nature from moral evil gives Him a deeper and more intense sensibility towards those who have still corruption within, responding to temptation without.

Daily Devotion: On The Scriptures by James Meikle

Bible Reading: Matthew 22:23-30 KJV

Key Verse:  "Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God."
- Matthew 22:29 KJV

An entertaining history, or a striking description of some famous battle will challenge our attention, and cause us to light another candle. But a small portion of the scriptures suffices us; yes, some are more occupied with a well-written romance, than with all the interesting truths of the word of God. This is my lamentation.

Daily Devotion: Condemned! by Wil Pounds

Bible Reading: John 3:16 KJV

Key Verse:  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
- John 3:16 KJV

Jesus Christ is the best gift God could ever give. God so loved the sinful, lost, depraved world that He gave His very best. Can you imagine what it would be like to reject what God considers to be His greatest gift? The purpose of God giving His gift was to save men, not condemn them. 

Daily Devotion: I Am Not Alone by Octavius Winslow

Bible Reading: John 16:26-33 KJV

Key Verse:  "Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me."
- John 16:32 KJV

Oh, what words are these! Who can harm you now? What can befall you? When and where can you be alone, if your heavenly Father is with you? He is with you on the ocean; He is with you on the land. He is with you in your exile; He is with you at home. 

Daily Devotion: It Is A Dangerous Thing To Be Prosperous by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:12-16 KJV

Key Verse:  "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."
- Philippians 4:12 KJV

There are many who know "how to be abased" who have not learned "how to abound." When they are set upon the top of a pinnacle, their heads grow dizzy, and they are ready to fall. The Christian far more often disgraces his profession in prosperity, than in adversity. It is a dangerous thing to be prosperous. The crucible of adversity is a less severe trial to the Christian, than the refining-pot of prosperity. Oh, what leanness of soul and neglect of spiritual things—have been brought on through the very mercies and bounties of God!