Key Verse: "verse"
- James 1:27 KJV
The world may say as it will of the Christian religion—but it is only by it that the human mind is exalted, and men rise into eternal glory. The pleasures of piety sweeten my acid griefs, and blunt my acute pains. In this I triumph over my troubles, defy my enemies; and outrun my woes. Here I relish unseen realities, taste spiritual joys, and eat of the hidden manna.
Key Verse: "But ye are not in the
flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his"
- Romans 8:9 KJV
Our possession of the Holy Spirit is the very essence of what it means to be a Christian. As noted in our Key Verse above, if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Those who belong to Christ have the Holy Spirit living within them. Moreover, if you have Him indwelling you, you will live like Him (vv. 10-13).
Key Verse: "But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid."
- John 6:20 KJV
Imagine yourself threading your way along a most
difficult and perilous path, every step of which is attended with pain and
jeopardy, and is taken with hesitancy and doubt. Unknown to you and unseen,
there is one hovering each moment around you, checking each false step, and
guiding each doubtful one; soothing each sorrow, and supplying each need.
All is calm and silent. Not a sound is heard, not a movement is seen; and
yet, to your amazement, just at the critical moment the needed support
comes- you know not from where, you know not from whom. This is no picture
of fancy.
Key Verse: "And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah."
- 1 Kings 17:16 KJV
See the faithfulness of divine love. You observe
that this woman had daily necessities. She had herself and her son to
feed in a time of famine; and now, in addition, the prophet Elijah was to be
fed too. But though the need was threefold—yet the supply of flour was not
used up, for she had a constant supply. Each day she made calls upon the
barrel—but yet each day it remained the same.
Key Verse: "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple."
- Psalm 119:130 KJV
The word "simple" means literally something which is not
folded or twisted together. But owing to the treacherous and desperately
deceitful heart of man, all, without exception, in a state of nature are the
reverse of this. All their plots and contrivances for worldly profit or
fleshly pleasure are tangled and complicated; and they are continually
twisting together some thread or other of carnal policy.
Key Verse: "And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us."
- Matthew 9:27 KJV
It appears that the Lord Jesus put the faith of the two blind men to a short trial; for he did not cure them as soon as they asked him; he waited until he was come into the house before he granted their petition. But how well they were rewarded for waiting, by their conversation with their Lord in the retirement of the house! The blind men spoke but little—"Yes, Lord." Those were their words; but these simple words pleased Jesus, for they were sincere words. What could we reply, if the Lord were to ask us whether we believed that he was able to do everything? Could we reply, "Yes, Lord." Let us in times of trouble remember that Jesus can do everything.
Key Verse: "And
in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident
token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God."
- Philippians 1:28 KJV
The word perdition is a sobering one. It means destruction, ruin, or eternal loss. In Scripture, it points not just to physical death, but to spiritual separation from God, a final and irreversible state for those who reject His truth.
Key Verse: "And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." - Isaiah 42:16 KJV
God leads often to good ends—through ways which to us seem dark. He can make crooked things, straight for us. Perhaps we shall find at the last, that many of the best things of our life, are things over which we grieve now as blunders. We do the best we can, and yet we fail, or seem to fail; but in God's eyes, the effort tells of love and of desire to please him, and thus wins from him warmer commendation than does many a piece of elaborate work, wrought in most intricate way.
Key Verse: "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." - Psalm 103:13 KJV
"Abba, Father!" is a Gospel word. A father bending
over the sick bed of his weak or dying child; a mother pressing, in
tender solitude, an infant sufferer to her bosom. These are the earthly
pictures of Almighty God. "As a father pities his children." "As
one whom his mother comforts — so will I comfort you!"
Key Verse: "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
- Matthew 6:15 KJV
To forgive our enemies, and forget the injuries which have been done to us, is a noble, though very difficult duty. And from the opposition it meets with from within, I find that it is above the natural man to perform. Nature would make less resistance to it—if forgiveness were less godlike and divine. There are some men who have done me injuries; and, alas! I find that I can scarcely recollect their names without remembering their injuries injuries against me—though done to me years ago—presenting themselves as if they had happened yesterday! This shows the bitterness and resentment of my mind, and the deep impressions such things make there; while the continual and abundant mercies of the Most High God are shamefully forgotten! But now let me compose my mind, and reconcile this to the duties of Christianity
Key Verse: "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."
- John 19:30 KJV
The eyewitness John keenly observed two unusual things that happen at the crucifixion of Jesus. These facts made a deep impression on him as he watched the crucifixion taking place. The crucifixion took place on the day of preparation for the Passover festival that would begin at 6 p.m. The Jewish authorities felt an urgency to get the bodies off the crosses and buried before the sun went down.
Key Verse: "And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven."
- Luke 24:51 KJV
How touching and instructive was the parting interview! Oh, how worthy of Himself was this His final blessing! How harmonious with every previous act of His life was this its closing one! Blessing to the last, and while with outstretched hands that blessing was yet breathing from His lips, "received up into glory." Oh, how full of grace and love is our adorable Immanuel! What a heart of overflowing tenderness and blessing is His!
Key Verse: "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him."
- Psalm 62:5 KJV
It is the believer's privilege to use this language. If
he is looking for anything from the world, it is a poor "expectation"
indeed. But if he looks to God for the supply of his needs, whether in
temporal or spiritual blessings, his "expectation" will not be a vain one.
Constantly he may draw from the bank of faith, and get his need
supplied out of the riches of God's loving-kindness.
Key Verse: "Whom God hath set forth to
be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his
righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the
forbearance of God;"
- Romans 3:25 KJV
Propitiation is a deep and powerful word that means the turning away of wrath by the offering of a sacrifice. In the Bible, it refers to how Jesus Christ satisfied the righteous judgment of God against sin. God is holy and just, and sin must be punished, but in His love, He provided a way for that judgment to be fulfilled without destroying us. Jesus became that sacrifice.
Key Verse: "And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest."
- Jeremiah 45:5 KJV
Whatever schemes and projects the Lord's people may
devise that they may prosper and get on in the world, he rarely allows their
plans to thrive. He knows well to what consequences it would lead--that this
ivy creeping round the stem would, as it were, suffocate and strangle the
tree. The more that worldly goods increase, the more the heart is fixed upon
them; and the more the affections are set upon idols, the more is the heart
drawn away from the Lord. He will not allow his people to have their portion
here below. He, therefore, says to them in his providence, as well as in his
word, "Seek them not."
Key Verse: "While he yet spake, there
came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy
daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?"
- Mark 5:35 KJV
With what eagerness the ruler must have watched the
Savior's progress towards his house! It must have been a trial to him to see
the steps of his deliverer retarded by the surrounding crowd. But what a
blow it was to hear his child was actually dead! Those who brought the
message thought that Jesus could not now relieve the poor
father. They said, "Why trouble you the Master any further?" Yet why did
they speak thus? Is there anything too hard for the Lord? If he could
heal by his power, could he not also restore life by the same
power?
Key Verse: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
- Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
It is better that we should not know our future.
If we did, we would often spoil God's plan for our life. If we could see
into tomorrow, and know the troubles it will bring, we might be tempted to
seek some way of avoiding them, while really they are God's way to new honor
and blessing.
Key Verse: "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."
- Psalm 50:15 KJV
How varied are our days of trouble! Sickness,
with its hours of restlessness and languor. Bereavement, with its
rifled treasures and aching hearts. Loss of substance; the
curtailment or forfeiture of worldly possessions; riches taking to
themselves wings and fleeing away! Or, more severe than all — the wounds
from friends; abused confidence; withered affections; hopes scattered like
the leaves of autumn!
Key Verse: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us," - Ephesians 2:4 KJV
Many are the mercies we receive from heaven. It is
shocking to think how we convert these mercies into an occasion of sin, and
make them the cause of awful miseries. By the senses of the body the soul is
wounded. Our eyes, which should look straight on, and by which we may
search the scriptures of truth—are full of adultery, and used only in
conveying vain objects to our mind. Our ears, which should hear the
sound of the everlasting gospel, the words of life—take in only blasphemies,
backbitings, evil reports, impure discourse, vain blasphemies, and
contentions; and, alas! are entertained with these evil things! Our lips and
tongues, which should move only to mutual edification—are employed in
detraction and slander, and dwell on profane and trifling themes. Our
feet, that should carry us to the house of God, and about our lawful
affairs—run only to mischief, and are swift in the ways of wickedness.
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
How do I know that God has fully accepted the death of Jesus Christ as payment for my sins? “When Jesus died, He died as my representative, and I died in Him; when He rose, He rose as my representative, and I rose in Him. . . . I look at the cross of Christ, and I know that atonement has been made for my sins; I look at the open sepulcher and the risen and ascended Lord, and I know that the atonement has been accepted. There no longer remains a single sin on me, no matter how many or how great my sins may have been. My sins may have been as high as the mountains, but in the light of the resurrection the atonement that covers them is as high as heaven. My sins may have been as deep as the ocean, but in the light of the resurrection the atonement that swallows them up is as deep as eternity” (R. A. Torrey, The Bible and Its Cross, pp. 107-08).
Key Verse: "And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."
- Romans 5:11 KJV
The word atonement carries a beautiful, life-changing meaning: it is the act of making reconciliation between God and man. Sin created a separation, an unbridgeable gap between a holy God and fallen humanity. But through atonement, that gap is closed.
Key Verse: "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them."
- Luke 24:50 KJV
Let us approach the spot where the Redeemer ascended. It was from Mount Olivet, near to Bethany; so that the two accounts of Christ's ascension recorded by Luke, the one in his Gospel, and the other in his Acts of the Apostles, 1:12, perfectly, agree. How full of great, and holy, and solemn, yes, awful, associations would be that spot to Jesus!
Key Verse: "But
thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of
Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler
in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."
- Micah 5:2 KJV
The Lord Jesus had goings forth for His people as their
representative before the throne, long before they appeared upon the stage
of time. It was "from everlasting" that He signed the compact with His
Father, that He would pay blood for blood, suffering for suffering, agony
for agony, and death for death—in the behalf of His people. It was "from
everlasting" that He gave Himself up without a murmuring word—that from the
crown of His head to the sole of His foot He might sweat great drops of
blood, that He might be spit upon, pierced, mocked, rent asunder, and
crushed beneath the pains of death. His goings forth as our Surety were from
everlasting.
Key Verse: "Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."
- Ephesians 1:23 KJV
In the mind of God, and as chosen in Christ, the Church
is a perfect body. It is, therefore, the fullness of Christ. Just as our
head and members, in their union with each other, form one perfect
harmonious body, so it is with Christ and the Church. As the natural head
would be incomplete without the body, as the body would be incomplete
without the head, so it is with Christ mystical, and his body the Church.
Each needs the other, and the union of both makes the whole complete.
Key Verse: "Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched."
- Luke 8:44 KJV
Though the Gadarenes desired the Lord Jesus to depart out
of their coasts, there were others who gladly received him. So it is
now—while some find religious privileges a burden, there are others who are
longing to possess them. While some occupy seats in the house of God, and
count the service a weariness; there are others, confined at home by various
causes, envying, as David did, the happiness of the swallow, who builds his
nest on God's altars.
Key Verse: "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."
- John 20:21 KJV
The Son of God came down and lived in human form on the earth—that men might see God in the flesh. He said, "He who has seen me, has seen the Father." All the love, the gentleness, the patience, the compassion, the purity, the truth, the righteousness, which people saw in the life of Jesus—was simply a revealing of God. That is what God is like.
Key Verse: "And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
- Job 1:21 KJV
Noble posture this — to kneel and to adore! To see no
hand but ONE! Sabeans; Fire; Whirlwind; Sword — are all overlooked. The
Patriarch alone recognizes "the Lord" who gave and "the Lord" who has
taken away. What is the cause of so much dejection, needless sorrow,
and unchristian murmuring — in our hours of trial? It was what Rutherford
calls "our looking to the confused rollings of the wheels of second causes;"
a refusal to rise to "the height of the great argument," and confidently to
say, "May the will of the Lord be done!" A refusal to hear His voice; His
own loving voice, mingling with the accents of the wildest storm: "It is
I!" "When disaster comes to a city — has not the Lord caused it?" Is
there a bitter drop in the cup — and the Lord has not mingled it?
Key Verse: "Unto
the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in
Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call
upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:"
- 1 Corinthians 1:2 KJV
To be sanctified means to be set apart, made holy, and dedicated to God’s purposes. It is both a position and a process, something God has done for us through Christ, and something He continues to work within us daily.
Key Verse: "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
- Matthew 7:23 KJV
Alas! men now sin with impunity and boldness—but when I
dart my thoughts beyond the grave, and see the unrepentant sinning multitude
gathered before the dreadful bar, the angry tribunal—of the vindictive
Judge—how will they then look?
Key Verses: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
- Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
The Hebrew prophet Isaiah offered a great invitation to everyone to come to the fountain of grace. “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1).
Key Verses: "I
John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in
the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called
Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,"
- Revelation 1:9-10 KJV
Our adorable Immanuel frequently reveals the most brilliant beams of His glory in seasons of the most painful trial and deepest gloom. The dark providential dispensations of God often bring out in richer radiance the glories of His beloved Son, as the darkness of night reveals more distinctly and brightly the existence and beauty of the heavenly bodies. For the manifestation of this remarkable revelation of His risen glory to His servant, our Lord selects precisely such an occasion- an occasion which, to the eye of reason, would appear the most unfavorable and improbable; but to faith's eye, ranging beyond second causes, the most appropriate for such a revelation of Jesus. The emperor Domitian, though not released from his fearful responsibility for the act, was but the instrument of executing the eternal purpose of grace and love.
Key Verse: "Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;"
- Psalm 91:9 KJV
The Israelites in the wilderness were continually exposed
to change. Whenever the pillar stopped its motion, the tents were
pitched; but tomorrow, before the morning sun had risen, the trumpet
sounded, the ark was in motion, and the fiery, cloudy pillar was leading the
way through the narrow paths of the mountain, up the hillside, or along the
arid waste of the wilderness. They had scarcely time to rest a little,
before they heard the sound of "Away! this is not your rest; you must still
be onward journeying towards Canaan!" They were never long in one place.
Even wells and palm trees could not detain them. Yet they had an abiding
home in their God, His cloudy pillar was their roof-tree, and its flame by
night their household fire. They must go onward from place to place,
continually changing, never having time to settle, and to say, "Now we are
secure—in this place we shall dwell." "Yet," says Moses, "though we are
always changing, Lord, you have been our dwelling-place throughout all
generations."
Key Verse: "What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded."
- Romans 11:7 KJV
Those who are blinded by the god of this world, have no
knowledge of what power and feeling and savor and dew are; they see not
these things, they are blind to their reality, they are dead to their
importance; but the living family of God, who are brought by his blessed
Spirit into some apprehension of eternal realities, have eyes to see what
power is, and hearts too, to desire to feel its manifestation.
Key Verse: "And they said unto him,
Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise
the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?"
- Luke 5:33 KJV
This is a difficult passage, and it has been explained in
different ways; so that we can scarcely forbear wishing that our Savior
himself had given an explanation of these parables. Yet surely he would not
have left them unexplained, if it were not possible by attentive
consideration to unravel their meaning.
Key Verse: "Christ hath redeemed us
from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written,
Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"
- Galatians 3:13 KJV
The word redeemed is one of the most beautiful words in the Christian faith. To redeem means to buy back, to rescue, or to pay a price to set someone free. In the Bible, it describes what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. Humanity was enslaved to sin, unable to free itself, but God paid the price for our freedom.
Key Verse: "Jesus said, Take ye away
the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him,
Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days."
- John 11:39 KJV
We find in all our Lord's life, an economy of miracle. He never put forth supernatural power, unless it was necessary. Could not Jesus have taken away the stone himself? Certainly he could. The power that could call the dead to life, could easily have lifted back the piece of rock from the door of the tomb. But there is always something left for human hands to do.
Key Verse: "And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest."
- Exodus 33:14 KJV
Moses asked to be shown "the way." Here is the answer:
The way is not shown; but better than this, God says, "Trust Me — I
Myself will go with you!" Afflicted one! hear the voice addressing you from
the cloudy pillar. It is a wilderness promise which "the God of Jeshurun"
speaks to His spiritual Israel still. He who led His people of old "like a
flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron," will manifest towards you the same
Shepherd love. The way may be very different from what we
could have wished; what we would have chosen. But the choice is in
better hands. He had His own wise and righteous ends in every diverse
turning in it.
Key Verse: "And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better."
- Hebrews 7:7 KJV
I am ever guilty of some folly, some unaccountable folly.
Either my faith condemns my fears, or my fears accuse my faith of folly. I
may safely trust to God as my guardian and guide, in the darkness of the
valley death, where I must walk alone. Why should I distrust him in the
high-way of life, where thousands walk with me? Dare I commit the concerns
of my soul to him, and hope for salvation in his name; yet distrust him with
the cares of my present life, nor hope for its necessaries in his
providence? Can I venture my soul into his hand, and think it safe through
the intricate mazes of an eternal duration, yet doubt if I may depend on his
promise and providence, through the few windings of a transitory life?
Key Verse: "The Lord
hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an
everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee"
- Jeremiah 31:3 KJV
God is in love with you! The LORD God says to every Christian believer, “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3). Those words are a great encouragement for every believer. God’s love for you is an eternal love. It is filled with unfailing care and mercy. He does not say, “I will love you,” but “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”
Key Verse: "And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves."
- Luke 23:12 KJV
How striking and solemn the instruction conveyed in this incident! Pilate and Herod, standing in the attitude of the deadliest hate to each other, are now made friends! And what strange but mighty power has thus suddenly subdued their animosity, and turned their hatred into love? What mystic chain has drawn and bound together these hostile rulers?
Key Verse: "Then
the priest shall consider: and, behold, if the leprosy have covered all
his flesh, he shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: it is all
turned white: he is clean."
- Leviticus 13:13 KJV
This regulation appears somewhat strange—yet there was
wisdom in it, for the growing out of the disease, proved that the
constitution was sound. This evening it may be well for us to see the
typical teaching of so remarkable a rule.
Key Verse: "And
she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his
sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake
myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him."
- Judges 16:20 KJV
The human heart is shaped by what it repeatedly sees and hears. When we allow ourselves to remain around sin, whether in our environment, our entertainment, our conversations, or our habits, our conscience can slowly grow dull. What once troubled us may begin to feel normal. Scripture warns us about this subtle but dangerous process.
Key Verse: "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." - James 1:18 KJV
If we look at the work of the Spirit on the heart, we shall see how, in all his sacred dealings and gracious movements, he invariably employs truth as his grand instrument. Does he pierce and wound? It is by the truth; for the "sword of the Spirit is the word of God," and that we know is "the word of truth." If he mercifully heals, if he kindly blesses, it is still by means of truth; for the promise is, "Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth has come, he will guide you into all truth." And when he thus comes, it is as a Comforter, according to those gracious words, "But when the Comforter has come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me."
Key Verse: "And as Jesus passed forth
from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of
custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed
him."
- Matthew 9:9 KJV
We have great reason to be interested in the calling of
Matthew, for it was he who wrote the history of our Lord which we are now
reading. It is supposed that his calling took place some time before the
events we have lately considered; but we have deferred noticing it, because
the feast to publicans and sinners was given at this period of the
history; and it seemed most convenient to consider the calling and the feast
at the same time.
Key Verse: "Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again."
- John
11:23 KJV
There is wondrous music in these words, as they are spoken in the ears of sorrowing ones beside the coffin and by the new-made grave. It was a dim teaching in Martha's time—but soon afterward that occurred which made it bright and clear as day. Jesus himself lay in the grave, and then rose from death, walking forth in the light and radiancy of immortal youth.
Key Verse: "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:"
- 1 Peter 1:6 KJV
What a blessed motto and superscription over the dark
lintels of sorrow: "If need be!" Every sharp arrow from the
quiver of God is feathered with it! Write it, child of affliction, over
every trial your God sees fit to send! If He calls you down from the sunny
mountain heights — to the dark glades, hear Him saying, "There is a need
be!" If He has dashed the cup of prosperity from your lips, curtailed
your creature comforts, diminished your "basket and your store," hear Him
saying, "There is a need be!" If He has ploughed and furrowed your soul with
severe bereavement; extinguished light after light in your dwelling; hear
Him therefore stilling the tumult of your grief: "there is a need be!"
Key Verse: "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:"
- Luke 16:19 KJV
Who is more an object of ridicule than the rich miser—who goes supperless to bed, because he will not give one farthing out of his immense sums to purchase food; being afraid to live on what he is never able to spend, and anxious to heap up what he can never enjoy.
Key Verse: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
- Romans 8:28 KJV
Where is God at work in your life? Are you going through some deep hurt, pain or suffering? Could God perhaps be doing a special work through your present circumstances? One of the greatest promises in the Bible is found in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Key Verse: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7 KJV
In a world filled with noise, uncertainty, and constant pressure, peace often feels fragile, here one moment and gone the next. Yet the peace God offers is not like the peace the world gives. It is deeper, steadier, and supernatural.
Key Verse: "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."
- John 16:14 KJV
One essential and important office of the Spirit is to
glorify Christ. And how does He most glorify Christ, but by exalting His
atoning work, giving to it the preeminence, the importance, and the glory it
demands; leading the sinner, whom He has first convinced of sin, to accept
of Jesus as a willing, an all-sufficient Savior; to cast away all trust in
self, all reliance upon a covenant of works, which is but a covenant of
death, and thus going entirely outside of himself, to take up his rest in
the blood and righteousness of Immanuel, the God-man Mediator. Oh, what
sweet, holy delight must it be to the Spirit of God when a poor sinner, in
all his conscious nothingness, is led to build upon Jesus, the "tried stone,
the precious corner-stone, the sure foundation!"
Bible Reading: James 1:20-27 KJV Key Verse: "verse" - James 1:27 KJV The world may say as it will of the Christian rel...
