Daily Devotion: Consider Jesus in Soul-Trouble

Bible Reading: John 12:24-31 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour."
- John 12:27 KJV

In this lay our Lord's greatest suffering--His soul-sorrow. Compared with this, the lingering, excruciating tortures of the cross--the extended limbs, the quivering nerves, the bleeding wounds, the burning thirst--were, as nothing. This was physical, the other spiritual; the one, the suffering of the body, the other, the anguish of the soul. Let a vessel traversing the ocean keep afloat, and she may still plough the deep and brave the tempest; but let the proud waves burst in upon her and she sinks. So long as our blessed Lord endured outwardly the gibes and insults and calumnies of men, not a complaint escaped His lips; but, when the wrath of God, endured as the Surety-Head of His people, entered within His holy soul, then the wail of agony rose strong and piercing--"[1] Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. [2] I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. [3] I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God." Psalm 69:1-3 KJV

Daily Devotion: Your Portion is Secure by Charles Spurgeon

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
- 2 Timothy 4:8 KJV

Doubting one! You have often said, "I fear I shall never enter heaven." Fear not! All the people of God shall enter there. I love the quaint saying of a dying man, who exclaimed, "I have no fear of going home; I have sent all before me; God's finger is on the latch of my door, and I am ready for Him to enter." "But," said one, "are you not afraid lest you should miss your inheritance?" "Nay," said he, "nay; there is one crown in heaven, which the angel Gabriel could not wear—it will fit no head but mine. There is one throne in heaven which Paul the apostle could not fill—it was made for me, and I shall have it."

Daily Devotion: A Blessed Fragrance Upon Your Spirit by J.C. Philpot

Bible Reading: Romans 8:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."
- Romans 8:5 KJV

None but those who are partakers of a heavenly birth feel heavenly realities to be their choice element, holy things their sweetest meditation, and the solemn worship of God their supreme delight. Look at this mark as a touchstone of divine life; for to be spiritually-minded a man must be spiritual, and to be spiritual he must have received the Spirit and been made a partaker of that "kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Rom. 14:17 KJV).

Daily Devotion: Salvation Test 5 of 10: Love God, Not The World by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 1 John 2:14-21 KJV 

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

How do you spend your money, time and energy? Where is your heart? The Bible says, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment." (Mark 12:30) What you love most is the God of your life. The Bible also says, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other." (Matthew 6:24)

Daily Devotion: Take My Yoke Upon You by J. R. Miller

Bible Reading: Matthew 11:24-30 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
- Matthew 11:29 KJV

We have to learn to live—if ever we are to live worthily. No one becomes a fine musician, without much learning. Nor can anyone take a piece of canvas, with palette, paints, and brushes—and at once paint a masterpiece.

Daily Devotion: A Gracious Remembrance by John MacDuff

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 2:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown."
- Jeremiah 2:2 KJV

Backslider! listen to this Divine retrospect — a precious and encouraging 'thought' regarding your past. This may be the present sorrowful feeling and confession of your heart, "I am not what once I was! Once I loved my God. I can remember hallowed seasons of communion and fellowship, of which, alas! the memory is now all that remains. I once was enabled to live, somewhat at least, under the sovereignty of that lofty motive, walking so as to please Him. But I have forsaken and forgotten my first love. I have to mourn over a treacherous, wandering heart! I am conscious of deterioration — spiritual declension. Self-indulged sin — permitted worldliness, in some subtle shape or form, has crept in — blunted the fine edge of conscience, dulled the sensibilities of my spiritual nature, dimmed my soul to its grander destinies, and left me to muse in my better moments, in sadness and tears, over the wreck of former joys!"

Daily Devotion: Communion With God, What It Is by James Meikle

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:7-14 KJV 

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

Communion with God is an expression often in my mouth—but which sinks no further. I may know the word—but neither its blessed import, nor glorious extent. My prayers and practice jar; for while I beg it with my lips, I study not to attain it in my life. Ah! what a stranger am I to that which I would gladly have flattered myself that I am acquainted with! Alas what do I know of walking with God—of that joy which is found in believing? What do I know of the lasting and abiding impressions of his inexpressible love! What do I know of that transforming vision, and assimilating sight which is enjoyed below, whereby the soul is changed into God's image, from glory to glory! What do I know of dwelling in his presence all the day long! What of pouring out my soul in prayer to him! and wrestling with him for the blessing! How seldom is my meditation of him sweet!