Key Verse: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
- Psalm 46:1 KJV
It is one of the most blessed truths of the covenant of grace, that the God of the covenant is a very present help in every time of trouble. Loving His people as He does, dwelling in them by His Spirit, their people and circumstances continually before Him in the person and the intercession of His dear Son, how can He possibly lose sight of them for a single moment?
Key Verse: "Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the Lord was there:"
- Ezekiel 35:10 KJV
Edom's princes saw the whole country left desolate, and counted upon its easy conquest; but there was one great difficulty in their way—quite unknown to them, "The Lord was there"; and in His presence lay the special security of the chosen land. Whatever may be the machinations and devices of the enemies of God's people, there is still the same effectual barrier to thwart their design. The saints are God's heritage, and He is in the midst of them, and will protect His own.
Key Verse: "That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ."
- Philippians
1:10 KJV
If divine light has enlightened your mind, and divine
life quickened your heart, and you love the Lord and his people, you must
approve of the things that are excellent. For they are so commended to your
conscience that you can no more do otherwise than you can tell a deliberate
lie or call black white. And as you approve of them, you will disapprove of
everything which is contrary to, or falls short of this excellency.
Key Verse: "And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,"
- Luke 8:2 KJV
In these verses we have a description of our Savior's diligence, of his poverty, and of his humility.His diligence was unwearied. He went as an itinerant (or a wandering preacher) from place to place. He knew the value of the souls of men, and the danger in which they lay; and being full of love, he delighted in declaring the glad tidings of salvation.
Key Verse: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
- 1 John 2:15 KJV
When we look around us, it is easy to be captivated by the glitter and noise of this present world. Its pleasures call to us, its systems try to mold us, and its values often run contrary to the will of God. But as believers in Christ, we are reminded again and again that this world is not our home, we are pilgrims, strangers, and sojourners here, called to set our affection on things above.
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?
Bible Reading: Philippians 4:1-8 KJV Key Verse: " Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. " - Philippians 4:...
