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The LORD is near Daily Devotional for 2023

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Sunday, December 31, 2023 The Three Appearings of Christ To those who eagerly wait for [Christ] He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Hebrews 9:28 NKJV The Three Appearings of Christ There are three appearings of Christ associated with the full aspect of salvation found in Hebrews 9:24–28. These three appearings have a past, a present, and a future bearing. 1. “He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb. 9:26). This happened in the past. It is an objective, historical work outside of ourselves which was done on our behalf by Christ. He was born to this end; “He appeared,” and He finished...More Saturday, December 30, 2023 Keep Building Then Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.” Nehemiah 4:10 NKJV Keep Building In about 445 bc, Nehemiah came to Jerusalem. Since the city’s destruction in 586 bc, 140 years earlier, it had remained mostly uninhabitable (Neh. 7:4). Now, with Nehemiah’s encouragement, people from other Judean towns joined in to repair the city walls. There was immediate opposition by those who did not want Jerusalem to prosper. Through ridicule, insult, and outright aggression they tried to stop the work. In response, the...More Friday, December 29, 2023 Christ the Morning Star I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star. Revelation 22:16 NKJV Christ the Morning Star Jesus is “the Bright and Morning Star.” Others will know Him in all His kingly glory as the Root and Offspring of David; the world will know Him as the Sun of Righteousness that will arise to chase the darkness away, and bring healing to this sorrow-stricken world; but only the Church will know Him as “the Bright and Morning Star.” When the sun shines, the stars cannot be seen. He has not yet arisen above the horizon of this dark world as the Sun of Righteousness, but while...More Thursday, December 28, 2023 Abraham and the God of Glory The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, “Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.” Acts 7:2–3 NKJV Abraham and the God of Glory It is remarkable that the God of glory has revealed Himself as the Father of glory (Eph. 1:17), as the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:8; Jas. 2:1) and as the Spirit of glory (1 Pet. 4:14). The God of glory, who called Abraham and attracted him to Himself, delivering him from idols, has also called us by drawing us to Himself, away from every form...More Wednesday, December 27, 2023 Let Us Begin Where Samson Ended Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life. Judges 16:30 NKJV Let Us Begin Where Samson Ended We have at the very end of Samson’s life a lesson emphasized for us, that if we are to be true victors, we must be victors over self. It was when Samson had done with Samson—alas, it was at the end of his life—he was done with the power of the enemy too. What is it that makes a happy deathbed for a...More Tuesday, December 26, 2023 Lessons on Jehoiachin (3)—To Do You Good in the End Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. He spoke kindly to him, and gave him a more prominent seat than those of the kings who were with him in Babylon … and [Jehoiachin] ate bread regularly before the king all the days of his life. 2 Kings 25:27–29 NKJV Lessons on Jehoiachin (3)—To Do You Good in the End We see a magnificent picture of God’s goodness in the release of Jehoiachin in the 37th year of his reign, when he was 55 years old. Manasseh humbled himself before God when in prison in Babylon; he was...More Monday, December 25, 2023 Joy to the World (3)—Joy Inexpressible Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10–11 NKJV Joy to the World (3)—Joy Inexpressible The good news that the angel brought the shepherds was to be great joy to all people. It brings great joy because it is the good news that God sent the Savior to redeem sinners. That wonderful news produces joy that is “inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Pet. 1:8). It is interesting to note that joy was not only...More Sunday, December 24, 2023 Prophecies of Christ (3)—Where He Would Be Born They will strike the judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” … He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God; and they shall abide, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth; and this One shall be peace. Micah 5:1–2, 4–5 NKJV Prophecies of Christ (3)—Where He Would Be Born The prophet Micah, a contemporary of...More Saturday, December 23, 2023 Joy to the World (2)—Good News Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10–11 NKJV Joy to the World (2)—Good News The angel appeared to the shepherds and encouraged them not to be afraid—which is a theme surrounding the birth of the Lord Jesus (Lk. 1:13, 30, 74; Mt. 1:20). The angel goes on to say, “I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” This could read, “I announce good news.” The word translated...More Friday, December 22, 2023 Joy to the World (1)—Do Not Be Afraid Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10–11 NKJV Joy to the World (1)—Do Not Be Afraid While the Lord Jesus was being born in the city of Bethlehem, outside the city, shepherds were keeping watch over their sheep that night. “And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid” (Lk. 2:9). It is interesting to note that every time...More Thursday, December 21, 2023 The Divine Comforter Comfort, yes, comfort My people! Isaiah 40:1 NKJV The Divine Comforter God means to comfort His people, but in doing so He has to bring before them very definitely their true condition in His sight; and then He shows His remedy. The first part of this message may not sound very comforting, and yet God must begin that way. God wounds that He may heal; He kills that He may make alive. We never know Him in the fullness of His power to sustain and comfort until we have come to the end of our own resources. In His gracious ministry of comfort, God always begins by showing us our need and our dependence...More Wednesday, December 20, 2023 Practical Exhortations From the Apostle Paul For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Romans 12:3 NKJV Practical Exhortations From the Apostle Paul The mostly practical part of the Epistle to the Romans begins with chapter 12. Paul shows in all his letters that he is a teacher, but not in a theoretical way. It is interesting how he introduces the following practical instructions here: through grace! God’s grace is not only for the sinner’s salvation, but also for the daily...More Tuesday, December 19, 2023 To Serve and Follow Him That in all things He may have the preeminence. Colossians 1:18 NKJV To Serve and Follow Him Do you think we shall want to talk about self when we get to heaven? I am sure that when the glory shines into our hearts, we will talk of nothing but Christ. If I am in sorrow and anyone talks about the world, does it cheer the heart? No! But if he talks of Christ and all His glory, the heart gets comfort directly. Why so vexed about self, so troubled in spirit? And why is there so little to be heard of Christ, who has brought us to where we get all the mind of God and of heaven? I should like to get the...More Monday, December 18, 2023 Prophecies of Christ (2)—His Virgin Birth Moreover the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God” … But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord!” Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:10–14 NKJV Prophecies of Christ (2)—His Virgin Birth This crucial prophecy was given under very trying circumstances. King Ahaz was one of the very worst kings of Judah....More Sunday, December 17, 2023 God’s Estimate of the Blood, Not Ours When I see the blood. Exodus 12:13 NKJV God’s Estimate of the Blood, Not Ours Where the blood was sprinkled, salvation was the result; and where no blood was seen, the plague fell. God passed through the land that night in judgment, and “there was not a house where there was not one dead” (Ex. 12:30). In the houses of Israel there was one dead: the lamb, the victim, the substitute. In the houses of Egypt there was one dead: the firstborn. In the houses of Israel the lamb had died instead of the firstborn, and that brought peace to many a household that night. You might have gone...More Saturday, December 16, 2023 The Flesh and the Spirit in a Believer For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5 NKJV The Flesh and the Spirit in a Believer No person ever becomes better or worse. A person’s state may become better or worse, but his nature remains precisely what it is. When one is saved, that nature does not become better; his sinful nature received from Adam remains as sinful as ever. But he receives from God a new nature that is itself absolute perfection. It is the nature seen in the Person of the Lord Jesus—a nature...More Friday, December 15, 2023 Lessons on Jehoiachin (2)—Humility and God’s Care Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remainder of the elders who were carried away captive. Jeremiah 29:1 NKJV Lessons on Jehoiachin (2)—Humility and God’s Care In chapter 29, we read that Jeremiah wrote a letter to the captives who had been carried away because of the discipline of God on His people. Jeremiah gives them several instructions from the Lord to settle in Babylon, seek the peace of the city, and pray for it—“for in its peace you will have peace” (Jer. 29:7)—as well as stern words concerning the false prophets among...More Thursday, December 14, 2023 Does God Hate Sinners? You hate all workers of iniquity. Psalm 5:5 NKJV Does God Hate Sinners? In recent times the idea has been suggested, from verses like this one, that God hates sinners. This stems from a misunderstanding of the characteristic differences between the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament addresses a man’s acts and his guilt, not his nature and his state. It deals with sins, the fruit—not with sin, the root. From Leviticus 4–5, some try to teach that the trespass offering was for sinful deeds and the sin offering was for a sinful nature. Simply reading Leviticus 4 is sufficient...More Wednesday, December 13, 2023 God Has Visited His People They glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” Luke 7:16 NKJV God Has Visited His People When we talk about visiting people, we usually mean to sit with them and talk for a while. It is certainly an important ministry to spend that kind of time with others. Everyone needs to be refreshed, and there is nothing like a face-to-face visit! But the biblical use of the term is a bit different. On several occasions in both the Old and New Testaments, God is said to visit His people—and it is never simply for a social call. When...More Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Prophecies of Christ (1)—Who He Would Be The Lord will build you a house. And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled … that I will set up your seed after you … and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son; and I will not take My mercy away from him … I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever. 1 Chronicles 17:10–14 NKJV Prophecies of Christ (1)—Who He Would Be King David had long wanted to build a temple to house the ark of the covenant. The prophet Nathan...More Monday, December 11, 2023 Recorded for Eternity Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the leader who began the thanksgiving with prayer. Nehemiah 11:17 NKJV Recorded for Eternity Mattaniah was one of the men who were chosen by the casting of lots to dwell in Jerusalem. He was part of that remnant who were living in Judah after the period of Babylonian captivity. The population of Jerusalem was very low. This under-population problem was solved by casting lots among the inhabitants of Judah and moving people into the city from the surrounding towns and villages. Mattaniah was placed on this list of...More Sunday, December 10, 2023 Revel in Him For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself. Hebrews 12:3 NKJV Revel in Him We know that the wages of sin is death. We know that Adam and Eve were warned that the day they ate of the fruit of the tree, which would be sin, they would die. We also understand that all have sinned and there was nothing we could do to resolve this problem—neither riches, nor works, nor our own self-righteousness could make us right with God. So by faith we understand and gratefully accept the finished work of our substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us. But we wonder...More Saturday, December 9, 2023 Paul’s Example of “First Love” for Christ Use diligence to come to me quickly. 2 Timothy 4:9 JND Paul’s Example of “First Love” for Christ Second Timothy has often been called Paul’s spiritual “last will and testament,” not only for Timothy but for any next generation of believers. Paul’s purpose in writing this letter from his cold prison cell was to encourage Timothy to continue on and not give up. Through this letter, Paul also challenges all believers to be true overcomers. What does that mean? Paul’s desire was for Timothy to keep following the Lord Jesus, no matter how difficult the circumstances, obstacles, or...More Friday, December 8, 2023 Lessons on Jehoiachin (1)—Humility and Deliverance Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officers went out to the king of Babylon; and the king of Babylon, in the eighth year of his reign, took him prisoner. 2 Kings 24:12 NKJV Lessons on Jehoiachin (1)—Humility and Deliverance Aside from the fact that Jehoiachin did evil in the sight of the Lord, his surrender to Nebuchadnezzar is the only action reported from this king. But in fact, this is the only action worth reporting, and we can learn something important from it. The words Jeremiah had prophesied concerning Jehoiachin were now fulfilled: he and...More Thursday, December 7, 2023 Call Upon the Lord He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:15 NKJV Call Upon the Lord This is what God says about a person who trusts completely in Him. His circumstances may be difficult, perhaps so difficult that he has no choice but to call upon the Lord. His call may be imprecise, impulsive, and born of need—an impulse prayer for help. But just such a call has its promises. God gives a fourfold promise: “I will answer him.” This is the first thing the believer needs in suffering, the assurance that we are not calling...More Wednesday, December 6, 2023 Paul’s Tears (3)—Our Resource Wherefore watch … And now I commit you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give to you an inheritance. Acts 20:31–32 JND Paul’s Tears (3)—Our Resource We have considered Paul’s tears in his service, and Paul’s tears as he warned the Ephesian elders about what was going to come. What then is our resource in these days? The apostle did not leave these elders, or ourselves today, without anywhere to turn. First he tells us we need to watch. We need to be on guard. We must remember that we are on a battleground, not a playground. We should...More Tuesday, December 5, 2023 Paul’s Tears (2)—In Warning Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. Acts 20:31 NKJV Paul’s Tears (2)—In Warning We have seen that Paul had tears in his service in this world. In verse 31, we also see that he shed tears as he warned the saints about what was going to come. He saw what would happen after his departure from this world. He knew what was going to come to that which is so precious to Christ, the Church of God which God purchased with the blood of His own Son (Acts 20:28–29). In a similar way, Moses knew what would happen to the children of...More Monday, December 4, 2023 Paul’s Tears (1)—In Service Ye know how I was with you all the time from the first day that I arrived in Asia, serving the Lord with all lowliness, and tears, and temptations, which happened to me through the plots of the Jews. Acts 20:18–19 JND Paul’s Tears (1)—In Service What could cause the apostle to shed tears? Paul’s address to the elders of Ephesus in Acts 20 tells us what caused him tears. In verse 19, the apostle tells us what characterized his service for the Lord: “all lowliness, and tears, and temptations.” In His service, Paul reflected the character of the Lord Jesus, who was meek and...More Sunday, December 3, 2023 Outside the Camp Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. Hebrews 13:12–13 NKJV Outside the Camp The book of Hebrews mentions no writer but begins with God. It shows the New Testament revelation to be consistent with the Old Testament, and at the same time to be in great contrast to it. Indeed, prophecies, types, and persons are seen to have their marvelous fulfillment in God now speaking from heaven in the Person of His Son, the Creator and Upholder of all things. His eternal...More Saturday, December 2, 2023 Midnight, Twilight, and Daylight There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night. John 3:1–2 NKJV Midnight, Twilight, and Daylight The history of this man who came to Jesus by night is very charming, because we see in it what I call progress in a man’s soul. We do not all get into the light in a moment, by a jump as it were; as a rule we get on slowly. True, this was the beginning with Nicodemus, for wherever the Holy Spirit mentions Nicodemus, He records the fact that he came to Jesus by night. John 3 tells us of his coming; the seventh chapter refers to him as “he who...More Friday, December 1, 2023 Following Mentors or Living by Faith Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest. 2 Chronicles 24:2 NKJV Following Mentors or Living by Faith Queen Athaliah had “destroyed all the royal heirs of the house of Judah” (2 Chr. 22:10). This was a wicked act by one who was a worshiper of Baal. But God intervened. He put a godly priest, Jehoiada, and his pious wife, Jehoshabeath, in the right place at the right time. They rescued Joash and hid him. Joash had been both preserved from harm as a child and brought up under the godly nurture of Jehoiada the priest. Joash was only one year...More Thursday, November 30, 2023 A Love That Is Irrevocable, Undeniable, and Unsurpassable The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you. Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back. Deuteronomy 7:6–8 NKJV; Psalm 91:14 NKJV; Isaiah 38:17...More Wednesday, November 29, 2023 God Hates and Punishes Pride (2) Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor. Proverbs 16:18–19 NKJV; Proverbs 29:23 NKJV God Hates and Punishes Pride (2) Throughout Scripture our great God shows us that He hates pride and deals with it most severely. Examples in God’s Word show us how individuals brought catastrophe upon themselves and many others because, in their pride, they set themselves to resist God. In Exodus...More Tuesday, November 28, 2023 God Hates and Punishes Pride (1) These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look. The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to bring to dishonor the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth. Proverbs 6:16–17 NKJV; Isaiah 23:9 NKJV God Hates and Punishes Pride (1) Throughout Scripture our great God shows us that He hates pride and deals with it most severely. Some examples of this are: In 1 Timothy 3:6 pride is referred to as the condemnation of the devil. Isaiah 14:12–17 and Ezekiel 28:12–19, which are addressed to the king of Tyre, in...More Monday, November 27, 2023 Lessons on Jehoiakim (3)—Rejection of God In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. Then he turned and rebelled against him. 2 Kings 24:1 NKJV Lessons on Jehoiakim (3)—Rejection of God Jehoiakim had been established by Pharaoh. But from his fourth year as king, Nebuchadnezzar went up and Jehoiakim became his servant. This is also the time of the first deportation, when Daniel, among others, was taken up to Babylon. The time of the nations had begun since the first year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. But after three years, King Jehoiakim rebelled against the king of Babylon. God...More Sunday, November 26, 2023 The Lord Jesus Went Out (3) He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull … where they crucified Him. John 19:17–18 NKJV The Lord Jesus Went Out (3) Matthew’s Gospel describes the Lord twice as One who “went out” (Mt. 13:1; 24:1). These instances were followed by His going out, carrying His own cross (Jn. 19:17). Solemn event! On that cross, the sinless One was going to be made sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21) during the three hours of darkness. True, He was cast out (Heb. 13:11), but prior to that, the Lord went out Himself: although they took Him, He was in charge, as seen in His going...More Saturday, November 25, 2023 The Lord Jesus Went Out (2) Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. Matthew 24:1 NKJV The Lord Jesus Went Out (2) In Matthew 13:1 we read that the Lord “went out” and left Israel’s leaders in order to concentrate on a new part in His ministry. At that occasion, He presented the parable of the Sower: despite being rejected, Christ continued a work of God as the divine Sower. And so He kept on sowing and teaching the Word, until His final rejection and death. Today, from the glory, He continues His work as Sower; after the rapture, He will also...More Friday, November 24, 2023 The Lord Jesus Went Out (1) Jesus went out from the house and sat down by the sea. Matthew 13:1 JND The Lord Jesus Went Out (1) Why did the Lord Jesus go out? He had come to His people, Israel, according to the prophecies of the Old Testament. Many of God’s predictions were fulfilled, partly or entirely, when Christ came into this world and started His public ministry in the land of Israel. There are other prophecies that will be fulfilled in relation to His second coming. Based on Scripture, the Jewish leaders had made a list of criteria in order to test anyone who would present himself as a possible Messiah....More Thursday, November 23, 2023 Thanks Be to God By Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 NKJV Thanks Be to God Christ is sitting as the accepted Sacrifice at the right hand of God. In that fact, there is something that tells us of the marvelous greatness of God in condescending to accept anything from us. How marvelous that He should keep that magnificent gift of His love ever before Him as the accepted Sacrifice, and then turn to poor things like you and me, and say, “I am looking for a sacrifice from you; I desire that there should come forth...More Wednesday, November 22, 2023 The Strength and Warmth of Christian Fellowship Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor … and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12 NKJV The Strength and Warmth of Christian Fellowship This is a text typically used for weddings. But the author obviously has a broader scope in mind when he writes about relationships and their blessings. Right in the first sentence he talks about effort. It does indeed take effort to maintain a relationship well. This applies in principle to all situations “under the sun” in which we are put together as human beings. But relationships among...More Tuesday, November 21, 2023 The Godly Preserved in the Last Days Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men … The wicked prowl on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men. Psalm 12:1, 8 NKJV The Godly Preserved in the Last Days The Lord, and His words, are the resource of the righteous in a day when the faithful fail from among those who profess the name of God, and when lawlessness and wickedness prevail on every side. A work of evil may be secretly undermining all that is of God while, at the same time, there may be a public display of the lawlessness of man. The godly...More Monday, November 20, 2023 Lessons on Jehoiakim (2)—Rejection of the Word [Jehoiakim] was sitting in the winter house in the ninth month, with a fire burning on the hearth before him. And it happened, when Jehudi had read three or four columns, that the king cut it with the scribe’s knife and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Jeremiah 36:22–23 NKJV Lessons on Jehoiakim (2)—Rejection of the Word When the word of the Lord that was written by Baruch under the dictation of Jeremiah was read to Jehoiakim, after only three or four columns, he cut and burned the writing in spite of the fact...More Sunday, November 19, 2023 Christ Bore Our Condemnation There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 NKJV Christ Bore Our Condemnation Have you ever got hold of the wonderful truth of being in Christ Jesus? For “there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” Why? Because there is nothing left to condemn. “Well,” you say, “that is a bold statement.” I do not deny it, for I know the blessedness and joy of it! There is nothing left to condemn—if you are in Christ Jesus. The truth of the gospel is this, that when the Lord Jesus was upon the cross, not only was He...More Saturday, November 18, 2023 Paul and Barnabas (5)—The Ministry of Reconciliation Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working. 1 Corinthians 9:6 NKJV Paul and Barnabas (5)—The Ministry of Reconciliation Everyone who is familiar with the New Testament and its history holds the apostle Paul in high esteem because of his labors for Christ. Similarly, when we consider Barnabas, it is always with admiration for his character and service, “a good man full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24). However, when we think about them as a ministry team, our minds tend to fixate on the incident at the beginning of Paul’s second missionary journey:...More Friday, November 17, 2023 Gleanings From the Life of Abigail (4)—Abigail’s Warning Please, let not my lord regard this scoundrel Nabal. For as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him! 1 Samuel 25:25 NKJV Gleanings From the Life of Abigail (4)—Abigail’s Warning Previously we considered the depths of frustration Abigail must have felt if she would publicly call her husband both a scoundrel and a fool. As a scoundrel, Nabal’s character was corrupt and worthless, literally, a “son of Belial.” As a fool, he possessed no godly wisdom, whether in business or at home. Abigail was certainly neither a scoundrel nor a fool, and this inequality in their...More Thursday, November 16, 2023 Heaven Opened on Christ and on the Believer When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him. Matthew 3:16 NKJV Heaven Opened on Christ and on the Believer We find in the Word four memorable occasions on which the heavens open. Christ is the object of each of these revelations; each has its special character. In the above verse, the Holy Spirit descends upon Him, and He is acknowledged the Son of God. At the end of John 1, He declares Himself to be the Son of Man. There, He mentions heaven being opened, with the angels of God ascending and descending upon Him. He is,...More Wednesday, November 15, 2023 Being Where God Wants Us to Be The Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Jonah 2:10 NKJV Being Where God Wants Us to Be Initially, Jonah refused to do what he knew to be the will of God. Has that not been true of all of us? But God brought Jonah to his senses and delivered him! Jonah came up from the depths of the sea humbled and chastened, but scarcely broken, for the concluding chapter of his book shows that he still had much to learn. But he had experienced the power of God to lay low those who rise up against His will, and he was also assured that, come what may, God will never cast off His...More Tuesday, November 14, 2023 Christ Praying About His Mission—Despite Opposition Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles. Luke 6:12–13 NKJV Christ Praying About His Mission—Despite Opposition The Lord had challenged the scribes and Pharisees about whether it was lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it. They would not answer Him, and He healed the man with a withered hand. But the scribes and Pharisees knew no shame, and, driven by madness,...More Monday, November 13, 2023 Lessons on Jehoiakim (1)—Rejection of the Messenger There was also a man who prophesied in the name of the Lord, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath Jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah. And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men and all the princes, heard his words, the king … killed him with the sword and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people. Jeremiah 26:20–21, 23 NKJV Lessons on Jehoiakim (1)—Rejection of the Messenger Uriah prophesied against Jerusalem and the land, “according to all the words of Jeremiah” (Jer. 26:20). Jehoiakim did not...More Sunday, November 12, 2023 A Divine Love Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. John 13:1 NKJV A Divine Love It is a common saying that love is blind, but I look upon it as a slander upon love. Most certainly it does not and could not apply to the love of Christ. He knew all that was in us, and He knows now all our ways and all our weakness and all our follies; but He loves us notwithstanding all, and in the power of that love He acts toward us in order to deliver us from all that He sees in us and about us which would...More Saturday, November 11, 2023 Gleanings From the Life of Abigail (3)—Abigail’s Endurance Please, let not my lord regard this scoundrel Nabal. For as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him! 1 Samuel 25:25 NKJV Gleanings From the Life of Abigail (3)—Abigail’s Endurance Along with Abigail’s wisdom and grace, there is the very practical matter of her strength to endure in a difficult marriage. “Nabal” means “fool.” Consider the depths of frustration Abigail must have felt if she would publicly call her husband a fool and a “scoundrel”—literally, a “son of Belial,” an expression describing a worthless, corrupt person. Perhaps Nabal was a...More Friday, November 10, 2023 Paul and Barnabas (4)—Failure Is a Teacher Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 2 Timothy 4:11 NKJV Paul and Barnabas (4)—Failure Is a Teacher It is sometimes said, “It takes a lot of grace to recognize a little grace,” and Barnabas truly had that disposition toward John Mark. He saw in him someone who had great potential, and he wanted to encourage it. This was Barnabas. Perhaps in his disagreement with Paul he had pushed too hard (Acts 15:39). He had missed God’s timing for Mark in ministry, but in principle he saw that John Mark would be useful in God’s work. The US Navy Seals have a...More Thursday, November 9, 2023 A Hand Full of Rest One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 4:6 NASB A Hand Full of Rest Work is a blessing. Anyone who ever had to look for a job for a long time, or even lost one, knows this from experience. God had given Adam work as an occupation, even before he and his wife fell into sin. However, the fact that work is laborious, that one has to fight—literally or figuratively—against thorns and thistles in the process, is a consequence of sin. How does God want us to do our work? In Ecclesiastes, the Preacher describes three options: two that he...More Wednesday, November 8, 2023 Some Basic Principles Underlying the Study of Prophecy (2) We have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19 NKJV Some Basic Principles Underlying the Study of Prophecy (2) The messages of the prophets were directed in first line to immediate situations and needs, but their writings always look far beyond these immediate situations. Thus, most prophecies can be said to have a double, and often even a triple fulfillment, the more immediate of these generally foreshadowing the more distant ones. Israel’s blessings were often...More Tuesday, November 7, 2023 Some Basic Principles Underlying the Study of Prophecy (1) Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7 NKJV Some Basic Principles Underlying the Study of Prophecy (1) Prophecy is the revelation to man—before it happens—of God’s purpose and plans. God has been pleased to share His purpose and plans with His servants, the prophets. Prophecy is never given merely to satisfy man’s curiosity about the future. No prophecy of Scripture is of any private or independent interpretation—all must be understood as being a part of one vast design, fitting into place in harmonious relation to the whole...More Monday, November 6, 2023 Gleanings From the Life of Abigail (2)—Abigail’s Grace Now David had said, “Surely in vain I have protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness … And he has repaid me evil for good.” 1 Samuel 25:21 NKJV Gleanings From the Life of Abigail (2)—Abigail’s Grace David’s words were accurate. He and his men had indeed shown kindness to Nabal, protecting his shepherds and flocks in the region of Carmel while Nabal remained at home a few miles away (1 Sam. 25:2, 15). When Nabal simply mocked him in return, David’s anger was aroused, showing that his motives were not entirely pure. David expected some favor in return, and the injustice of...More Sunday, November 5, 2023 God’s Love Displayed (3)—Christ Forsaken by God My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning? Psalm 22:1 NKJV God’s Love Displayed (3)—Christ Forsaken by God Christ is the chosen One of God, the delight of His Father in whose bosom He ever abides (Jn. 1:18). It is specifically as the sinless, spotless Lamb of God that Jesus Christ had to suffer the judgment for our sin and be forsaken of God. Darkness surrounded this scene, and we tread lightly here, for this is holy ground. We therefore limit ourselves to what Scripture tells us of it (cf. Mt. 27:45–50). This...More Saturday, November 4, 2023 The Qualifications of Our High Priest For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens. Hebrews 7:26 NKJV The Qualifications of Our High Priest Aaron and his sons were not at all suited to meet our need; their qualifications were far short of what is required. A High Priest fully suited to us must have infinitely higher characteristics: “The law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever” (Heb. 7:28). First, this High Priest...More Friday, November 3, 2023 Lessons on Jehoahaz (3)—Losing Our Wealth to This World Pharaoh Necho put [Jehoahaz] in prison … and he imposed on the land a tribute of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. Then Pharaoh Necho made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and changed his name to Jehoiakim … Jehoiakim gave the silver and gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give money according to the command of Pharaoh; he exacted the silver and gold from the people of the land, from every one according to his assessment, to give it to Pharaoh Necho. 2 Kings 23:33–35 NKJV Lessons on Jehoahaz (3)—Losing Our Wealth to This World These...More Thursday, November 2, 2023 Paul and Barnabas (3)—Who Was Right and Who Was Wrong? And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:39–41 NKJV Paul and Barnabas (3)—Who Was Right and Who Was Wrong? The contention between Paul and Barnabas over what to do with John Mark came to a climax, and to human eyes, it had a sad ending. We are surprised at what happened, shocked even. Not only had there been a “sharp contention” between these two men of God, but it had ended with them separating, as far as being...More Wednesday, November 1, 2023 Gleanings From the Life of Abigail (1)—Abigail’s Wisdom When the Lord has done for my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you … this will be no grief to you … that you have shed blood without cause. 1 Samuel 25:30–31 NKJV Gleanings From the Life of Abigail (1)—Abigail’s Wisdom Abigail shines as one of the brightest lights of the Old Testament. She spoke these words to David during the days when he lived as a fugitive from King Saul. David and those with him had protected the shepherds and flocks belonging to Nabal, Abigail’s wealthy husband. Yet when David asked Nabal for some token of favor, he replied with insult...More Tuesday, October 31, 2023 God’s Love Displayed (2)—Christ Rejected by His People He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. John 1:11 NKJV God’s Love Displayed (2)—Christ Rejected by His People The Lord Jesus was rejected as the Creator who had claims on this world (Jn. 1:10), but also specifically by the nation He had chosen. God chose Abram out of a land of idolatry and made him into a nation which found itself under forced labor in Egypt. Their cries went up and God heard them. He sent Moses and his brother to lead the people out with a great deliverance, yet at the very first trial we witness the hardheartedness of this nation. Instead of...More Monday, October 30, 2023 We Have a Savior Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior. Acts 5:31 NKJV We Have a Savior I am more than ever struck with the way in which Scripture gives prominence to the Person of Christ, as a testimony of the gospel. Christ is in the glory of God, having by His death first settled the question of sin. Christ, who is in the glory of God as the proof that God is completely glorified in the putting away of the sins of all who believe in Jesus, and in whose face shines the glory of God, is the Savior for a sinner today and forever. Just think for a moment what an immense thing it...More Sunday, October 29, 2023 He Sat Down He, having offered one sacrifice for sins, sat down in perpetuity at the right hand of God. Hebrews 10:12 JND He Sat Down The cross was the manifestation of goodness, in the midst of the wickedness of the world, in a way never to be found anywhere else. During Christ’s lifetime the heavens would open upon Him, and testify to His perfection and the Father’s delight in Him; and thus I learn the terrible evil of the heart that could resist such goodness. When I come to the cross, what a wretched creature I see myself to be; I have hated this blessed One, and, more than that, my sins brought Him...More Saturday, October 28, 2023 Lessons on Jehoahaz (2)—When the World Has Its Say The king of Egypt deposed [Jehoahaz] at Jerusalem … Then the king of Egypt made Jehoahaz’s brother Eliakim king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother and carried him off to Egypt. 2 Chronicles 36:3–4 NKJV Lessons on Jehoahaz (2)—When the World Has Its Say Jehoahaz and the people are now directly affected by the consequences of Josiah’s meddling in the affairs of this world, when he wanted to oppose the king of Egypt. When Necho heard that Jehoahaz was made king by the people of the land, he deposed him as king in Jerusalem,...More Friday, October 27, 2023 Paul and Barnabas (2)—When Godly Motives Clash Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. Acts 15:37–39 NKJV Paul and Barnabas (2)—When Godly Motives Clash Paul and Barnabas were about to begin their second missionary journey. Barnabas was “determined” to bring along John Mark, a young relative of his, who had accompanied them on their first journey. Paul “insisted” that they not take Mark with...More Thursday, October 26, 2023 God’s Love Displayed (1)—Christ Rejected By the World He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. John 1:10 NKJV God’s Love Displayed (1)—Christ Rejected By the World In the above verse we have some fundamental concepts rehearsed for us: 1) He was in the world; 2) the world was made through Him; and 3) the world did not know Him. We witness His wisdom, His power, and His greatness as Creator; as such, He is truly worthy to be praised (Rev. 4:11; Col. 1:16). How marvelous to realize that in all this vastness, complexity, and beauty, He has deigned to pay particular interest to the habitation...More Wednesday, October 25, 2023 Hannah: A Vessel Broken by Sorrow (4) My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation. 1 Samuel 2:1 NKJV Hannah: A Vessel Broken by Sorrow (4) Hannah’s heart was full of worship and praise for who God is and what He has done. She is occupied with about ten different attributes that describe who God is! Her brokenness was used by God to cause Hannah to think on His strength (1 Sam. 2:1), His holiness (2:2), the uniqueness of God (2:2), His omniscience (2:3), the justice of God (2:3), His omnipotence (2:4), the Great Provider (2:5), the Sovereign One (2:6–8),...More Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Noah, Daniel, and Job “Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness … Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord God. Ezekiel 14:12–14 NKJV Noah, Daniel, and Job The prophet Ezekiel served the Lord while living in Babylon with other Jewish captives. Daniel was already in Babylon too, forced into royal service. The kingdom of Judah still existed, but unrighteousness was rampant. Only about five years after Ezekiel received this message, Nebuchadnezzar came against Judah one final time. Jerusalem was...More Monday, October 23, 2023 Paul Unhindered Paul stayed two full years in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered. Acts 28:30–31 NASB Paul Unhindered It happens sometimes that we leave the key of the entry door in some secret place. Once we find it, we can access the house again. Similarly, some New Testament authors put the “key” to their writing at the end of their book or letter. This key provides insight into the character of the epistle or book and gives a clue how to read, understand, and interpret it. It...More Sunday, October 22, 2023 The Ram in Scripture (5)—The Consecration of the Priests Thou shalt take the second ram … and thou shalt slaughter the ram, and take of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and … of his sons, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the great toe of their right foot. Exodus 29:19–20 JND The Ram in Scripture (5)—The Consecration of the Priests Our God and Father had so much more in mind for us than being simply saved from the judgment we deserved. He would have us to be priests for Himself. In this portion of Scripture we see the consecration of the priests, and two rams are used. First, a bullock is offered...More Saturday, October 21, 2023 Paul and Barnabas (1)—A Great Team Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” Acts 15:36 NKJV Paul and Barnabas (1)—A Great Team God had linked together the apostle Paul and Barnabas in a special bond. They were a great ministry team, and as a team, had been mightily used by God. In their early days, Barnabas had been used by God to convince the frightened and suspicious saints of Jerusalem that Saul (Paul) of Tarsus was truly converted (Acts 9:26–27). Barnabas instinctively knew...More Friday, October 20, 2023 Teach All the Children All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 NKJV Teach All the Children God knows how to comfort. Here He comforts those from Israel who accept His judgment as just. He calls them “afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted” (Isa. 54:11), and tells them that they will not remain in this condition much longer. And not only they themselves will experience His liberating and helping grace, but He will also bless the coming generations. The word used here for “taught” is rendered elsewhere “to be...More Thursday, October 19, 2023 Hannah: A Vessel Broken by Sorrow (3) It happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard 1 Samuel 1:12–13 NKJV Hannah: A Vessel Broken by Sorrow (3) When considering Hannah’s deep sorrow, and her prayer, it may be instructive concerning those times when we do not know what to pray for. Sometimes, when the pain is so strong, the hurt is so deep that we do not know how to pray. Paul reminds us, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought” (Rom. 8:26). He...More Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Lessons on Jehoahaz (1)—The Form of This World Is Passing Away The people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in his father’s place. 2 Kings 23:30 NKJV Lessons on Jehoahaz (1)—The Form of This World Is Passing Away It is quite interesting that it is specifically mentioned in 2 Kings 23:30 that Jehoahaz had been anointed as king. Was it not the case for all the other kings? Yet, it is mentioned for him, even though he reigned only three months. This reminds us of the works and glory of man. “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away,...More Tuesday, October 17, 2023 Making the Most of What We Have (3) The people will curse him who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. Proverbs 11:26 NKJV Making the Most of What We Have (3) The picture we have in this verse is that of the farmer who has a good supply of grain, from which is made bread, which is often called the staff of life. In a time of necessity when people are hungry, perhaps even starving, this farmer is holding it back, keeping it off the market, waiting for an even more advantageous time to sell it. His selfishness brings him hatred and cursing, while people appreciate and bless the person who helps meet...More Monday, October 16, 2023 Finding Strength in God When Things Are Dark David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 KJV Finding Strength in God When Things Are Dark Happy is he who could rise from the very deepest depths of human misery, up to God, and His never failing resources! Faith knows God to be fully equal to all human need, human weakness, human failure, and human sin. God is above all, beyond all, beneath all; and the heart that apprehends Him is lifted above all the trials and difficulties of the way. There is no condition in which the Christian can find himself in which he may not count upon God. Is he crushed beneath the...More Sunday, October 15, 2023 The Ram in Scripture (4)—Trespass Offering And his trespass-offering shall he bring to Jehovah, a ram without blemish out of the small cattle according to thy valuation, as a trespass-offering unto the priest. And the priest shall make atonement for him before Jehovah, and it shall be forgiven him. Leviticus 6:6–7 JND The Ram in Scripture (4)—Trespass Offering In this section we are reminded that every sin against our neighbor is first of all a sin against God (Lev. 6:2). This is a solemn reminder. In this portion of Leviticus we are given some very specific sins that may be committed, such as stealing from someone. The trespass...More Saturday, October 14, 2023 Only Five Words I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 1 Corinthians 14:19 NKJV Only Five Words Reading this verse in context we understand that Paul is dealing with the issue of the gift of tongues in the Church, and the need for understandable speech. However, there are those who never open their mouths in the assembly meetings to praise or pray or read a portion of Scripture or speak a word of ministry. Some are afraid or have an inhibition, thinking that they are not eloquent, comparing themselves to others. Let us...More Friday, October 13, 2023 Praise the Lord Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6 NKJV Praise the Lord So ends the Book of Psalms, and therein is presented to us the result, as far as the earth is concerned, of the coming of the Lord into it. He is indeed the blessed Man of the first psalm, “who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law He meditates day and night” (Ps. 1:1–2). Every breath that He took was a “Hallelujah!”—a “Praise the Lord!” Every...More Friday, October 13, 2023 Lessons on Jehoiakim (1)—Rejection of the Messenger There was also a man who prophesied in the name of the Lord, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath Jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah. And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men and all the princes, heard his words, the king … killed him with the sword and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people. Jeremiah 26:20–21, 23 NKJV Lessons on Jehoiakim (1)—Rejection of the Messenger Uriah prophesied against Jerusalem and the land, “according to all the words of Jeremiah” (Jer. 26:20). Jehoiakim did not...More Thursday, October 12, 2023 Lessons on Josiah (3)—Want to Make a Difference? Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates; and Josiah went out against him … Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself so that he might fight with him, and did not heed the words of Necho from the mouth of God … And the archers shot King Josiah. 2 Chronicles 35:20, 22–23 NKJV Lessons on Josiah (3)—Want to Make a Difference? Josiah’s intervention against Necho is the last major event of his reign. Josiah became involved in the struggles and disputes of this world, and this marked the end of his useful walk for God. He had been at peace...More Wednesday, October 11, 2023 Hannah: A Vessel Broken by Sorrow (2) Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” 1 Samuel 1:8 NKJV Hannah: A Vessel Broken by Sorrow (2) No one understood just how deep Hannah’s bitter pain went or just how broken she felt. Her husband sought to help by reminding her just how good her situation was by saying, “Am I not better to you than ten sons?” Perhaps he meant well, as so many do when they try to help one who is deeply hurting. But he just did not understand the broken spirit. Eli the priest misjudged her,...More Tuesday, October 10, 2023 Don’t Be Afraid, Timothy God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power, and of love, and of wise discretion. 2 Timothy 1:7 JND Don’t Be Afraid, Timothy When Paul left Timothy in Ephesus, the Lord entrusted great responsibilities to this young disciple, who was the apostle’s delegate. After some time, Paul wrote him a letter with more instructions, promising he would come back (1 Tim. 3:14–15). But the apostle was arrested and sent to Rome. There he was put on trial, facing execution. Against this background—a struggle of life and death—Paul wrote Timothy to encourage and instruct him...More Monday, October 9, 2023 Making the Most of What We Have (2) The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. Proverbs 11:25 NKJV; Luke 6:38 NKJV Making the Most of What We Have (2) The King James Version of 1611 renders the first clause of this verse, “The liberal soul shall be made fat.” While the word fat generally has a negative connotation in North America today, this word has a positive meaning in the text...More Sunday, October 8, 2023 The Ram in Scripture (3)—Devotion Thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red. Exodus 26:14 JND The Ram in Scripture (3)—Devotion Here we have the skins of the ram to be used in the tabernacle. We do not have space to even begin to sketch out the symbolism in the tabernacle. We commend this very profitable study to our readers. First of all it speaks of Christ, secondly of His people, and thirdly of our approach to God. One of the coverings of the tent was to be of rams’ skins dyed red. This would speak to us of Christ’s complete devotion to His Father even unto death, the red...More Saturday, October 7, 2023 Learning From the Master The Lord God has given Me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning He awakens; He awakens My ear to hear as the those who are taught. Isaiah 50:4 ESV Learning From the Master From a prophetic point of view, this word speaks of Christ. When He lived on earth, He did not need to be taught, but heard “as those who are taught.” At the same time, this is a very practical word for His disciples today, for us; for “those who are taught” are disciples. Disciples learn from their master by following him, by imitating...More Friday, October 6, 2023 Heavenly Things in Hebrews Having therefore a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the confession. Hebrews 4:14 JND Heavenly Things in Hebrews Heavenly calling 3:1—The Lord Jesus is described as Apostle and High Priest. As Apostle, He comes from God to man on earth; as High Priest, He goes from man to God in heaven. He came from heaven and went to heaven, calling us there with Him. Heavenly gift 6:4—This section is a solemn warning against apostasy—falling away. They had “tasted of the heavenly gift,” the gift of the Holy Spirit. They experienced...More Thursday, October 5, 2023 A Perfect Man and a Perfect Work I have glorified You on the earth. John 17:4 NKJV A Perfect Man and a Perfect Work Who but the Lord could look up to heaven and say to the Father, “I have glorified You on the earth.” Alas! Fallen man has dishonored God on the earth. Man was made in the image and likeness of God, to be a true representative of God before the universe. If, however, now that man has fallen, the world were to form its ideas of God from man, the conclusion would be reached that God is an unholy, selfish, cruel, and vindictive being, without wisdom, love, or compassion. This indeed is the terrible...More Wednesday, October 4, 2023 Hannah: A Vessel Broken by Sorrow (1) He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 NKJV Hannah: A Vessel Broken by Sorrow (1) David reminds us that “the Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite [crushed] spirit” (Ps. 34:18). Hannah is an example of one who was crushed by deep sorrow; her brokenness is recorded for us in 1 Samuel 1. Hannah lived during the period of the judges, when men were not following God’s laws, but each “did what was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 21:25). Her husband Elkanah had another wife named Peninnah, who had children. Peninnah...More Tuesday, October 3, 2023 Lessons on Josiah (2)—To Continue in Spite of All [Josiah] stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book. 2 Chronicles 34:31 NKJV Lessons on Josiah (2)—To Continue in Spite of All A thing that is striking about Josiah’s character is his perseverance despite the fact that there seemed to be no future, no matter what he could do! His commitment to God was unwavering! Nothing was going to stop him from doing according to “the words of the...More Monday, October 2, 2023 Making the Most of What We Have (1) There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. Proverbs 11:24 NKJV Making the Most of What We Have (1) What are we doing with that which our Lord has entrusted to us to use for His glory? “Do business till I come,” He has told us (Lk. 19:13). The proverbs of wise King Solomon give us practical pointers on how to use what He has given us for maximum benefit and gain while we await His return. Let us look at one of these. Many Israelites were farmers. They grew barley and wheat on their allotments to feed...More Sunday, October 1, 2023 The Ram in Scripture (2)—The Substitute Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, behind was a ram caught in the thicket by its horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt-offering instead of his son. Genesis 22:13 JND The Ram in Scripture (2)—The Substitute Our verse above is the second mention of the ram in Scripture. Abraham is told to take his son, his only son whom he loved, and to offer him for a sacrifice on one of the mountains of Moriah. This chapter gives us a beautiful picture of the divine Father and His divine Son whom He loves: “The Father loves the Son” (Jn. 3:35). We...More Saturday, September 30, 2023 As a Man Spares His Own Son “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:17 NKJV As a Man Spares His Own Son The third expression of how God deals with His own as a man with his son is found in the last book of the Old Testament, in the Book of Malachi. This book describes a very sad state among the people of Israel. Most of them were unfaithful and could only expect the judgment of God. But there was a faithful remnant among them who were walking in the fear of the Lord. We find in this chapter a...More Friday, September 29, 2023 As a Man Disciplines His Son Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you. Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. Deuteronomy 8:4–6 NKJV As a Man Disciplines His Son God’s care for His people does not only mean that He carries them as a man carries his son, but also that He disciplines them as a man disciplines his son. The fact that God our Father disciplines us proves that we are His beloved children: “My son, do not despise...More Thursday, September 28, 2023 As a Man Carries His Son In the wilderness … you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place. Deuteronomy 1:31 NKJV As a Man Carries His Son There are a few verses in Scripture that describe God’s behavior towards His people as the behavior of a father towards his son. In today’s verse, we have, “as a man carries his son.” Moses in Deuteronomy is looking back on the forty years of wandering in the desert and how God carried them through in His mercy and grace. That these forty years of wandering in the wilderness were the result of...More Wednesday, September 27, 2023 A Prayer for God’s Will For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Colossians 1:9 NKJV A Prayer for God’s Will The apostle Paul probably never had the chance to visit Colosse. But one day he heard about a work of God there, about people who had come to faith in Jesus Christ. This immediately triggered something in him: from that day on, he began to pray for these young Christians and had not stopped since. We can do the same, praying for everyone with whom we are...More Tuesday, September 26, 2023 Great Is His Faithfulness Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:22–26 NKJV Great Is His Faithfulness Jeremiah wrote this when Judah was in a period of decline, culminating in the destruction of the temple and seventy years of captivity in Babylon. The people had turned away from the...More Monday, September 25, 2023 The Ram in Scripture (1)—The Promise Secured He said to [Abram], Take Me a heifer of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon … On the same day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram. Genesis 15:9, 18 JND The Ram in Scripture (1)—The Promise Secured We would like to consider how and where the ram is spoken about in Scripture. The ram is a male sheep, which often has substantial horns. The ram speaks of strength, and the Hebrew word is sometimes translated “mighty.” All of the animals used for sacrifice mentioned in Scripture have something to teach...More Sunday, September 24, 2023 The Privilege of the Lord’s Supper “Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.” So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover. Luke 22:11–13 NKJV The Privilege of the Lord’s Supper The two disciples, Peter and John, found things just as Jesus had told them. They had been directed to follow a man carrying a pitcher of water, which speaks to us of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. The room to which this...More

Friday, September 22, 2023 Lessons on Josiah (1)—To Resolutely Follow the Lord Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David … In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. 2 Chronicles 34:1–3 NKJV Lessons on Josiah (1)—To Resolutely Follow the Lord It is worth noting that, in contrast to Manasseh and Amon, Josiah committed himself at a young age to seek the Lord. This would have a decisive impact on the rest of his life, and for the better! The choices we make and the...More Thursday, September 21, 2023 Four People Who Said “My Lord” (4)—Paul the Apostle Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 NKJV Four People Who Said “My Lord” (4)—Paul the Apostle Paul was under house arrest and chained to a Roman soldier when he wrote these words to his beloved Philippians. In this epistle, he presents practical Christian experience based on the knowledge of Christ: 1. Christ our life in chapter one; 2. Christ our example in chapter two; 3. Christ our object in chapter three; 4....More Wednesday, September 20, 2023 Believers Today Can Learn From Job’s Example The Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before … Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. Job 42:10, 12 NKJV Believers Today Can Learn From Job’s Example Job was the subject of God’s wise workmanship, just as is true in the life of every believer. But there was a lesson that Job did not easily learn. Indeed, Job had an upright character, and he had serious, real respect for the greatness of God. Also, his conduct toward others was commendable. Spiritually, Job had relatively little to...More Tuesday, September 19, 2023 Riches of Liberality—Riches in Glory We make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 8:1–2 NKJV; Philippians 4:18–19 NKJV Riches of Liberality—Riches in Glory One purpose of the Epistle to...More Monday, September 18, 2023 Refreshing the Lord Jesus He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; therefore He shall lift up the head. Psalm 110:7 NKJV Refreshing the Lord Jesus Even though the Lord suffered so much, not only on the cross but also as He walked this world, yet there were some “brooks” that refreshed the Lord on the way. Let us consider some of these occasions—you may remember others as well. —Mary sitting at the feet of the Lord, enjoying His Word (Lk. 10:38–42); and later, anointing Him with the alabaster box of precious ointment of great price (Jn. 12:1–7). —The poor widow’s offering (Mk....More Sunday, September 17, 2023 Who Is Worthy? Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals? Revelation 5:2 NKJV Who Is Worthy? In Revelation 5, we have the redemption glories of Jesus, and there we see Him, as the Lamb slain, in the midst of the throne. The cry is sent forth, “Who is worthy to open the scroll?” In the hand of God there is a scroll. That scroll contains the purposes and counsels of God with regard to the earth. There goes out this challenge, “Who is worthy?” John says, “I wept much.” He knew he was not worthy himself, and he looked for someone to come up who was worthy. Would not Joseph, Moses, Samuel,...More Saturday, September 16, 2023 Watching and Doing Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching … Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Luke 12:37, 43 NKJV Watching and Doing Thus we have two things, namely, “watching” and “doing.” Which does Christ value most? The former, unquestionably, as is proved by the higher reward attached to it. To have Christ serving us in the glory is something far beyond any position which He may in His goodness assign to us. Let us, then, ever bear in mind, brethren, that our blessed Lord values, above all things, that loving...More Friday, September 15, 2023 Lessons on Amon (3)—Tomorrow Is Not Ours [Amon] did evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done; for Amon sacrificed to all the carved images which his father Manasseh had made, and served them. And he did not humble himself before the Lord, as his father Manasseh had humbled himself. 2 Chronicles 33:22–23 NKJV Lessons on Amon (3)—Tomorrow Is Not Ours We know the expression, “Like father, like son.” But was it really the case with Amon? In fact, Amon was different from his father in one important thing. Perhaps you have already noticed it when reading his deeds in the above verse: “he did not humble himself...More Thursday, September 14, 2023 Four People Who Said “My Lord” (3)—Thomas Called the Twin Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28 NKJV Four People Who Said “My Lord” (3)—Thomas Called the Twin Thomas was not in the room when Christ first appeared to the gathered disciples (Jn. 20:24). The other Gospels mention this interesting disciple, but it is only in John that we get his personal details. The first striking detail is his nickname: “the Twin.” It is unknown whether this was given to him in childhood or from Christ, who had the habit of giving His disciples names (Mk. 3:17; Jn. 1:42). Thomas has been likened to “Eeyore,” the character in...More Wednesday, September 13, 2023 Rooted in Christ I say this to the end that no one may delude you by persuasive speech … As therefore ye have received the Christ, Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and assured in the faith, even as ye have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:4, 6–7 JND Rooted in Christ Paul was in prison in Rome, far from the believers in Colosse. Epaphras had informed him that the enemy was attacking them. This was an all-out attack on four different fronts. Paul’s remedy, given by the Lord to equip the believers, was also multifaceted. We must equip ourselves according to...More Tuesday, September 12, 2023 God Uses Sufferings for Our Good Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. You are good, and do good, teach me Your statutes...It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. Psalm 119:67–68, 71 NKJV God Uses Sufferings for Our Good We often wonder and sometimes even speculate who the author of this longest and very wonderful psalm may be. But there is no question about agreeing with the thoughts it expresses. Today’s verses are found in a section acknowledging the value of the sufferings the psalmist had experienced. Not knowing the author of the psalm, we have no reason to...More Monday, September 11, 2023 Our Abiding Home In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 NKJV Our Abiding Home For the comfort of our hearts the Lord discloses to us the new home: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” Not only have we Christ in the glory our unfailing resource, but we have the Father’s house as our abiding home. For let us note that the word “mansions” is really “abodes,” a home which, once it is reached, will never more be left; there we shall...More Sunday, September 10, 2023 An Overflowing Heart My heart is welling forth with a good matter: I say what I have composed touching the King. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Thou art fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured into Thy lips: therefore God hath blessed Thee forever. Psalm 45:1–2 JND An Overflowing Heart The psalmist here was far from merely repeating things that he had heard. His heart was overflowing, his whole soul delighting in contemplating “the King”: therefore he spoke what he himself had composed concerning Him, his tongue being as the pen of one who writes with free-flowing ease. For he was not trying to...More Saturday, September 9, 2023 Prayer and Confession Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. James 5:16 NKJV Prayer and Confession This passage in James 5 shows that every circumstance can lead us into stronger spiritual health. As verse 13 says, if we are suffering, we should pray; if we are cheerful, we should sing to the Lord. Then verse 14 asks, “Is anyone among you sick?” Such a case calls for specific prayer by faithful, mature leaders of God’s people. Of course, this instruction does not prohibit collective prayer by all of us. But how encouraging it would be for one who is sick to...More Friday, September 8, 2023 Four People Who Said “My Lord” (2)—Mary Magdalene They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him. John 20:13 NKJV Mary Magdalene was one who deeply loved the Lord Jesus Christ. He had delivered her from seven demons; hence, as one who had experienced the grace of the Lord, she was very attached to Him (Lk. 8:2). We learn from her that heart affection for Christ—even when it is lacking knowledge—is rewarded with spiritual intelligence, and in her case, even beyond that of the apostles. To her was given the commission from Christ to go to “My brethren” with the astounding message that Christ had risen and would...More Thursday, September 7, 2023 Lessons on Amon (2)—Multiplying Sin [Amon] did not humble himself before Jehovah, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; for he, Amon, multiplied trespass. 2 Chronicles 33:23 JND Lessons on Amon (2)—Multiplying Sin Amon multiplied his trespass, or sin. It is a strong expression. What does it mean? The particular sin of Judah was idolatry. We read a second very similar expression in 2 Chronicles 36:14: “All the chiefs of the priests also, and the people, increased their transgressions, according to all the abominations of the nations.” As king, Amon was especially responsible for leading the people to do what was right...More Wednesday, September 6, 2023 Called by the Physician Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. Luke 5:31–32 NKJV Called by the Physician The tax collector Levi answered the call to follow Jesus. Immediately he made a big meal for his new Master in his house. Everyone present was allowed to participate. It was not such a noble company coming together here: the Pharisees and scribes contemptuously called them “tax collectors and sinners” and reproached Jesus’ disciples. When Jesus heard this, He Himself took the initiative to answer for...More Tuesday, September 5, 2023 Waiting O Lord—how long? Psalm 6:3 NKJV Waiting As we learn to trust the Lord, perhaps no spiritual challenge is more difficult than waiting. A number of the Psalms and several of the prophets repeat that prayer, “How long?” It is the cry of a heart which believes God can be trusted while also feeling keenly that dull ache of soul which often accompanies a long season of waiting. Consider the Book of Esther. It is a dramatic story, and we might often read the main events without noticing the details. For example, what must it have been like for Esther, Mordecai, and all the Jews in Persia...More Monday, September 4, 2023 Christ Is Sufficient To the end that their hearts may be encouraged, being united together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the full knowledge of the mystery of God; in which are hid all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge. And I say this to the end that no one may delude you by persuasive speech. Colossians 2:2–4 JND Christ Is Sufficient Paul’s intense spiritual battle in prayer was for the believers to be encouraged and united. The enemy seeks to discourage and divide. He knows that when we are encouraged, we are ready to produce fruit for God; he also knows that when...More Sunday, September 3, 2023 The Psalm of the Sin Offering (4) I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly, I will praise You. Psalm 22:22 NKJV The Psalm of the Sin Offering (4) Our text today is resurrection language. We find in John 20:17, after His resurrection, the Lord Jesus declared the name of the Father, saying to Mary, “Go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’” In Hebrews 2:12 we see this verse quoted referring again to our resurrected Lord, in the midst of the assembly, leading His own in praise to the Father! This points to a coming day...More Saturday, September 2, 2023 Are You Washed? The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 NKJV Are You Washed? If I talk of having fellowship with God, I must be able to bear and to enjoy His presence. It is not that I am good, but that God has cleansed me. It does not depend on the degree of my filthiness, but on His power to cleanse. When I have washed something, I do not keep thinking whether it was much dirty or a little dirty, but that now it is clean. And so with saints, “you are already clean” (Jn. 15:3), and God delights to look on me because He has washed me. It does not depend on my great or little...More Friday, September 1, 2023 Four People Who Said “My Lord” (1)—Elizabeth the Mother of John Why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Luke 1:43 NKJV Four People Who Said “My Lord” (1)—Elizabeth the Mother of John There are four people found in the New Testament who each, at critical junctures in their lives, exclaimed, “My Lord.” Elizabeth the wife of Zacharias, Mary Magdalene, Thomas the disciple, and the apostle Paul are all recorded to have uttered these words. What an example and lesson for our hearts we find in each of these godly believers! In today’s meditation, we will look at Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. What a...More Thursday, August 31, 2023 The Call to Simplicity But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craft, so your thoughts should be corrupted from simplicity as to the Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 JND The Call to Simplicity The tendency to hanker after the elaborate, the complicated, the far-fetched is always with us. The intellectual men of the world find the gospel far too simple, and they stumble at it. The trouble is, however, that believers whose strong point is their intellect, always have a tendency in the same direction, unless they walk in the spirit of self-judgment as regards intellectualism. If they do not maintain...More Wednesday, August 30, 2023 Gideon and the God of Patience Whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus. Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress … “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Romans 15:4–5 NKJV; Judges 6:11–12 NKJV Gideon and the God of Patience Gideon was in a winepress, out of sight of the enemy, working to get the food God was giving when the Midianites, Israel’s enemies, were destroying the...More Tuesday, August 29, 2023 The Present Place of Christ Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God! Acts 7:56 NKJV The Present Place of Christ The whole testimony of God now is to what Christ is in heaven; and we see the most amazing crowd of blessed things connected with Him there. People often talk of the heavenly calling as if it were but a piece of knowledge. It was not a piece of knowledge for Enoch to walk with God. Nor was it for Moses to realize the power of God while leading the people through the Red Sea. God being with him, he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. We are not Christians at...More Monday, August 28, 2023 Lessons on Amon (1)—A Way That Seems Right Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. But he did evil in the sight of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 33:21–22 NKJV Lessons on Amon (1)—A Way That Seems Right We find in Proverbs the following verse: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12). We could say that about Amon. He continued in the path of idolatry in which his father had walked for a long time, although Manasseh eventually humbled himself greatly before God and recognized that the Lord is God. Manasseh clearly proved his repentance by his...More Sunday, August 27, 2023 The Psalm of the Sin Offering (3) But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people. Psalm 22:6 NKJV The Psalm of the Sin Offering (3) In Psalm 22 there are several descriptions of the Lord Jesus that point to His suffering and His unique person and position as the Messiah. First, in our verse we hear Him say prophetically, “I am a worm, and no man.” This word for worm appears about 31 times in the Old Testament and is often translated “scarlet” or “crimson.” The worm that is being referred to here is called tola; it is a little worm that feeds on plants, and when crushed it makes a...More Saturday, August 26, 2023 God Keeps His Promises If you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place. Esther 4:14 NKJV God Keeps His Promises It is often noted that the Book of Esther does not once mention the name of God. No prophets are heard; no spoken prayers are recorded. The only writings consulted are the chronicles and laws of the Persian empire, not the Scriptures. Yet God is present all through this account. One example is found in the verse quoted above. Mordecai was speaking to Esther about the decree that all Jews in the Persian provinces, which included the land...More Friday, August 25, 2023 The Beast Versus the Son of Man I saw a beast rising up out of the sea. Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. Revelation 13:1 NKJV; Revelation 14:14 NKJV The Beast Versus the Son of Man From this solemn chapter of Revelation 13, we know that the times of the Gentiles will end in the most terrible form of dictatorship that the world has ever seen. Christendom, having apostatized from God, will fall into utter anarchy and confusion from which men will seek relief by submitting to a power that, though...More Thursday, August 24, 2023 Judge, Lawgiver, and King For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us. Isaiah 33:22 NKJV Judge, Lawgiver, and King The language of the current Israeli media sounds quite different from this prophet’s word. But when a remnant will have emerged from Israel, in the time of the seven-year tribulation, these faithful and steadfast ones will thus praise their God and Lord. It is an almost poetic language the prophet chooses here; an enumeration which he concludes with a triumphant exclamation of confidence. He attributes three characteristics to God, which in current...More Wednesday, August 23, 2023 Spiritual Formation Teaching every man, in all wisdom, to the end that we may present every man perfect in Christ. Whereunto also I toil, combating according to His working, which works in me in power. For I would have you know what combat I have for you, and those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in flesh; to the end that their hearts may be encouraged, being united together in love. Colossians 1:28–2:2 JND Spiritual Formation Paul had been called by the Lord of Glory to be His spokesman, to lead people to Him and to teach them. For this service, the Lord had gifted the apostle with many special...More Tuesday, August 22, 2023 Christ and the World Contrasted God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good. Acts 10:38 NKJV Christ and the World Contrasted The world goes on with its religion and its philanthropy. It does good, builds its hospitals, feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, and the like; but its inward springs of action are not Christ’s. Every motive that governed Christ all the way along is not that which governs men; and the motives which keep the world going are not those which were found in Christ at all. The unbeliever acknowledges Christ’s moral beauty, and selfishness can take...More Monday, August 21, 2023 The Power and Centrality of Christ [Jesus], being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Acts 2:23–24 NKJV; Revelation 19:10 NKJV The Power and Centrality of Christ They slew Him, God raised Him. And why? Because of the Lord’s high personal glory. He loosed the pains of death because it was not possible that He should be held by it. The hindrance to death’s power, as...More Sunday, August 20, 2023 The Psalm of the Sin Offering (2) To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Deer of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning? Psalm 22:1 NKJV The Psalm of the Sin Offering (2) Throughout the Old Testament, there are many animal sacrifices which typify the Lord Jesus Christ. The lamb, the ox, the ram, the goat, and the turtledove, all were slain on the altar for sacrifice. But in this psalm, Christ is compared to the deer of the dawn. A deer is a beautiful and graceful animal, here a deer of the morning, hinting at...More Saturday, August 19, 2023 Lessons on Manasseh (3)—The Fruit of the Light Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God … He took away the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord … He also repaired the altar of the Lord, sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it, and commanded Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel. 2 Chronicles 33:13, 15–16 NKJV Lessons on Manasseh (3)—The Fruit of the Light After Manasseh humbled himself greatly before the Lord, the Lord brought him back to Jerusalem. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God. This was no mere change of thought in Manasseh’s life. The reality of his deep humiliation and of a true repentance...More Friday, August 18, 2023 A Priest at the Right Hand of God for Us We have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God. Hebrews 4:14 NKJV A Priest at the Right Hand of God for Us The Christian is one who is not only forgiven but delivered. Christ has died for him, and he has died in Christ. Hence he is free, as one who is raised from the dead and alive to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. He is a new creation. He has passed from death to life. Death and judgment are behind him, and nothing but glory before him. He possesses an unblotted title and an unclouded prospect. Now, if all this be indeed true of every child of...More Thursday, August 17, 2023 Jonah’s Strange Complaint So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. Jonah 4:2 NKJV Jonah’s Strange Complaint What a strange complaint Jonah has here, complaining that God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, great in kindness, and forgiving. How could he complain about this, seeing that he himself had been disobedient to God’s command, and if God were not these things, Jonah could have...More Wednesday, August 16, 2023 Zacchaeus: A Story of Grace He sought to see Jesus who He was: and he could not for the crowd, because he was little in stature. Luke 19:3 JND Zacchaeus: A Story of Grace The story of Zacchaeus is unique to Luke’s gospel, and we only hear him speak once, at its close (v. 8). He had an image problem: he was a chief tax-gatherer, rich, and short (vv. 2–3). To his neighbors he was sinful (v. 7), no doubt because tax-gatherers were collaborators with the hated Roman power and had a reputation for being corrupt (cf. 3:12–13). A man in these circumstances tends to keep to himself. Whatever others thought about...More Tuesday, August 15, 2023 Job’s Darkest Day and His Best Day For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. Job 19:25–27 NKJV Job’s Darkest Day and His Best Day By the time we see Job in chapter 19, he has “hit bottom.” We see his deep pain, his discouragement at his circumstances, and of course his question, “Why?” He would see other dark days before the Lord would appear to him in chapter 38. He would continue his debate with his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar,...More Monday, August 14, 2023 True Christian Experience For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 NKJV True Christian Experience “To me, to live is Christ”—this is Christian life and experience in its fullness. It has often been remarked, and is well worth remembering, that Christians have many experiences which are not properly Christian experience. The man described in Romans 7 is undergoing an experience which will be for his future blessing, but it is not properly Christian experience, though it is clearly enough the experience of a Christian. Christ Himself, dominating and controlling the believer so much that his...More Sunday, August 13, 2023 The Psalm of the Sin Offering (1) My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning? Psalm 22:1 NKJV The Psalm of the Sin Offering (1) Four psalms which speak prophetically of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ each look at His death in a different way. Psalm 40 is the burnt offering psalm, which focuses on the purposes of God; Psalm 69 is the trespass offering, which emphasizes the penalty; and Psalm 22 describes the passion of the Lord as the sin offering. While there may not be one specific psalm that parallels with the peace offering, there are several that give the...More Saturday, August 12, 2023 Paul’s Admonishment—Practice Based on Position The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but has now been made manifest to His saints; to whom God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Christ in you the hope of glory: whom we announce, admonishing every man. Colossians 1:26–28 JND Paul’s Admonishment—Practice Based on Position God had entrusted to the apostle Paul a very special ministry: to show the believers who Christ is in heaven and how He is linked to them on earth. Called His saints, the believers—mainly taken from among the Gentiles, but also from...More Friday, August 11, 2023 When Laws Are Ungodly All the king’s servants who were within the king’s gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage … They told it to Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand; for Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew. Esther 3:2, 4 NKJV When Laws Are Ungodly As God’s people, we are sometimes confronted with situations like Mordecai’s. The law required everyone to pay homage to Haman. It is one thing to respect government officials, but it is another to revere a man as if he were God. When Mordecai refused, the...More Thursday, August 10, 2023 Lessons on Manasseh (2)—A Bad Start [Manasseh] did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. 2 Chronicles 33:2 NKJV Lessons on Manasseh (2)—A Bad Start How was it that Manasseh had such a bad start as king? Yet, he was brought up in the knowledge of God’s truth. We can be sure that Hezekiah did indeed make known the truth about God to his sons, according to Isaiah 38:19, and this included his child Manasseh. But Manasseh also had his responsibility to receive the truth being told to him from his father. In saying this, parents...More Wednesday, August 9, 2023 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (13)—Last Words I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6–8 NKJV Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (13)—Last Words After the great fire that destroyed much of Rome in 64 ad, many people thought that the emperor Nero had set the city on fire. He accused the Christians, whom the...More Tuesday, August 8, 2023 Christ’s Appreciation of Family Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. Luke 10:38 NKJV Christ’s Appreciation of Family At Bethany, we see Him adopting a family scene. Had Jesus disallowed the idea of a Christian family, He could not have been at Bethany, as we see He was. And yet, when we get Him there, it is only some new phase of moral beauty that we trace in Him. He is a friend of the family, finding, as we find to this day among ourselves, a home in the midst of them. “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” are...More Monday, August 7, 2023 Job’s Words Written in Stone Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead, forever! Job 19:23–24 NKJV Job’s Words Written in Stone This amazing prayer of Job, coming out of the very midst of his deep sufferings, is worthy of our utmost consideration. It is hard to know when the Book of Job was written, or the era in which Job actually lived. Most Bible scholars, for various reasons, place Job in very early times. Some believe that he lived during the same time as the patriarchs found in Genesis. Job wanted his words inscribed...More Sunday, August 6, 2023 The Psalm of the Burnt Offering (2) I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly. Psalm 40:9–10 NKJV The Psalm of the Burnt Offering (2) These verses belong to the second part of this messianic psalm, which presents the Lord Jesus as the Burnt Offering. Here we have the language of One who came to do the Father’s will, and we view a five-fold message that...More Saturday, August 5, 2023 From Top to Bottom The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Mark 15:38 NKJV From Top to Bottom The throne of the eternal Father has become the throne where the Nazarene is sitting, the One who died, “the Just for the unjust.” I can turn to that Christ and say, “Nothing can disturb me. That glorified Christ in God’s presence is the very ground of my peace.” How did Christ get to this throne? Through death. If He had not died, He might have been there alone, but never in any connection whatever with poor sinners. He did die, and there the glory of God shines forth. Directly when...More Friday, August 4, 2023 Are We Disciples? Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. Isaiah 8:16 NKJV Are We Disciples? It was a difficult time in Israel. Its heyday under David and Solomon was over. People and land had separated into a northern and a southern kingdom. Thus, the former unity was no longer visible. Unfaithfulness to God was widespread. The prophet Isaiah announces, “Therefore, behold, the Lord brings up over them the waters of the River, strong and mighty—the king of Assyria and all his glory … he will pass through Judah” (vv. 7–8). Yet at this very time, God sees among His apostate people...More Thursday, August 3, 2023 What Is Worship? The hour is coming and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth. John 4:23 JND What Is Worship? Here is that which may well act on the conscience of a saint. Have you ever worshiped God your Father in spirit and in truth? Or have you been content hitherto to mingle with the world and take part in its music, its architecture, its rituals? You know well that anybody can take part in these things. It is bringing back again the very substance and means of idolatry. Indeed, the apostle discerned this in the Galatians (Gal. 4:9) when they took up Jewish...More Wednesday, August 2, 2023 Lessons on Manasseh (1)—The Objective of God’s Discipline [Manasseh] did much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger. 2 Chronicles 33:6 NKJV Lessons on Manasseh (1)—The Objective of God’s Discipline We read that Manasseh provoked the Lord to anger. We too can sometimes provoke Him: “Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?” (1 Cor. 10:22). As a child of God, if we behave like those who are without hope and without God, the discipline of our God and Father will also come upon us, and His discipline has a very specific purpose: it is so that we partake of His holiness (Heb. 12:10). And if we are exercised by it, it will...More Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (12)—Still Pursuing God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind … This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me … Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth … Know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. 2 Timothy 1:7, 15; 2:15; 3:1 NKJV Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (12)—Still Pursuing Several references in the epistles as well as some of the early “Church Fathers” indicate that Paul was ultimately released from his imprisonment and traveled for a few...More Monday, July 31, 2023 The Father’s Business Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business? Luke 2:49 NKJV The Father’s Business Which of us would have said these words when we were twelve years old? His ways had been such that He would appeal to His parents as though they ought to have known from the tenor of His life what He was occupied with. Philippians 3 shows how Paul, a man of like passions with ourselves, might tread the same path, seeing and estimating the beauty of Christ. The effect was, first, that he counted all else dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord; and secondly,...More Sunday, July 30, 2023 The Psalm of the Burnt Offering (1) Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, “Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:6–8 NKJV The Psalm of the Burnt Offering (1) Psalm 40 is a messianic psalm because it speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ: His incarnation, the voluntary action of His coming, and the efficacy of His sacrifice. In verse 6 we learn of the inadequacy of the Levitical sacrifices, “Sacrifice and offering You did...More Saturday, July 29, 2023 Job’s Friends Miserable comforters are you all! Job 16:2 NKJV Job’s Friends One thing is clear about Job, he was no fair-weather believer; even in the darkest hours of his sufferings, he looked to God. However, he didn’t get any help from his friends. A well-known aphorism comes to mind when thinking of Job’s friends: “With friends like these, who needs enemies?” At first his friends wept for him, sat with him, and were silent for seven days (2:11–13). They probably should have remained silent. Job did not hold back his view of their advice: “But you forgers of lies, you are all...More Friday, July 28, 2023 Responding to Hurts and Injuries (4)—Paul Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19 NKJV Responding to Hurts and Injuries (4)—Paul Paul suffered like no other New Testament saint had. “In stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned … Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?” (2 Cor. 11:23–25, 29). Languishing in a Roman prison, he...More Thursday, July 27, 2023 Do Not Fret Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Psalm 37:1–2 NKJV Do Not Fret Instead of fretting, let the godly trust in the Lord, and they will find that while the wicked “shall soon be cut down,” those who trust will dwell in the land and be fed. Instead of fretting because of evildoers, let the believer delight in the Lord, and he shall be satisfied. Instead of being stumbled and turned out of the right way by reason of the prosperity of the wicked, let the...More Wednesday, July 26, 2023 Lessons on Hezekiah (3)—Deficient in Giving Glory In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death, and he prayed to the Lord; and He spoke to him and gave him a sign. But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him, for his heart was lifted up. 2 Chronicles 32:24–25 NKJV Lessons on Hezekiah (3)—Deficient in Giving Glory Hezekiah had been miraculously healed, and Judah miraculously delivered from the king of Assyria. God allowed Hezekiah to be tested by means of the visit of officials from Babylon in order to show what was in his heart. The facts of his miraculous healing and the great deliverance of the people from their enemies...More Tuesday, July 25, 2023 Pain or Joy? Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me. Ezekiel 6:9 NKJV Pain or Joy? How little do we understand the Lord’s thoughts and feelings due to our disobedience! In the above verse, we have the Lord’s complaint against Israel in how He was crushed by their disobedience; “crushed” is a very strong word. Psalm 69, speaking prophetically of the Lord, says that reproach had broken His heart. When speaking to Judas, He asked, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man...More Monday, July 24, 2023 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (11)—Godly Helpers I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains … I am sending him back...no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me … receive him as you would me. Philemon 10, 12, 16–17 NKJV Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (11)—Godly Helpers During his first imprisonment at Rome, Paul used the measure of liberty he had, though chained, in active service for his Lord. We appreciate the letters he wrote, usually associating another brother with him, like Timothy in this letter to Philemon, a well-to-do brother at whose home near Colosse an...More Sunday, July 23, 2023 A Pleasant Aroma for God Aaron’s sons shall burn [the peace-offering] on the altar upon the burnt-offering which lieth on the wood that is upon the fire: it is an offering by fire to Jehovah of a sweet odor. Leviticus 3:5 JND A Pleasant Aroma for God The peace offering was also exposed to the fire. Why? The fire depicts God’s holiness and righteousness, testing the sacrifice. Nothing inconsistent with God could be accepted. The peace offering passed the test, for it prefigured Christ’s perfect sacrifice. The testing by fire produced a sweet-smelling savor ascending to God, just as was true of the burnt offering (ch....More Saturday, July 22, 2023 Martha Served There therefore they made Him a supper, and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those at table with Him. John 12:2 JND Martha Served We meet Martha three times in the Gospels. On the first occasion she received the Lord Jesus and His disciples into her house—a catering challenge. Evidently, she cherished Him and His ministry, and wanted to make a home for Him who had “not where He may lay His head” (Lk. 9:58). But as many of us have discovered, service can eclipse the Lord if we are not careful. This is what happened here: Martha became so preoccupied with all the things she had to do that...More Friday, July 21, 2023 Responding to Hurts and Injuries (3)—The Lord Jesus Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. Luke 23:34 NKJV Responding to Hurts and Injuries (3)—The Lord Jesus Men hated the Lord Jesus. In fact, He said, quoting from Psalm 69, “Those who hate Me without a cause are more than the hairs of My head” (v. 4). The prophet Isaiah wrote, “He is despised and rejected by men” (Isa. 53:3). In Nazareth, Jesus warned the Jews that God’s grace would not be confined to them only, but would be extended to Gentiles also. This filled them with wrath, and they “rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the...More Thursday, July 20, 2023 Ruled by Impulse Herod feared John knowing that he was a just and holy man, and kept him safe; and having heard him, did many things, and heard him gladly. Mark 6:20 JND Ruled by Impulse There is little that commends Herod to our consideration. He was self-willed and immoral. Yet because Herod respected John as a just and holy man, at least he knew enough to protect him from the murderous wrath of Herodias. It is not fully clear what took place when he, “having heard him, did many things.” Some feel the conversations perplexed Herod; others feel they began to change him. In any case, it seems he did whatever...More Wednesday, July 19, 2023 God for Us What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 NKJV God for Us God does not always remove us from difficulty and danger. He does not take us out of this scene. The same things occur to us as to others, but it is a sweet thing to realize that God is our shield. It is not merely that we have escaped the danger; it was God’s mind to bring us into danger. He brought His people to the Red Sea, and to see the wrath of Pharaoh. He meant that they should be thrown upon His arm of power. He would endear Himself to us by delivering us from every perplexity. He...More Tuesday, July 18, 2023 Lessons on Hezekiah (2)—Deliverance and Praise This is the writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick and had recovered from his sickness … The living, the living man, he shall praise You, as I do this day; the father shall make known Your truth to the children. “The Lord was ready to save me; therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments all the days of our life, in the house of the Lord.” Isaiah 38:9, 19–20 NKJV Lessons on Hezekiah (2)—Deliverance and Praise After reigning fourteen years, Hezekiah became sick and near to death. He was about thirty-nine. The prophet Isaiah told him to set his house in order...More Monday, July 17, 2023 Job’s Children—On Earth and in Heaven Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning … He also had seven sons and three daughters. Job 42:12–13 NKJV Job’s Children—On Earth and in Heaven God had blessed Job and his wife with a large family; they had ten children in all, seven sons and three daughters (1:2). It appears that Job was somewhat worried about the spiritual state of his children—they seemed to enjoy the “good life” or party life a bit too much (1:4, 18). He would rise early in the morning and offer sacrifices for them (1:5) just in case they might have sinned. Then tragedy struck Job and...More Sunday, July 16, 2023 The Fat of the Peace Offering He shall present of the sacrifice of peace-offering an offering by fire to Jehovah; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is on the inwards. Leviticus 3:3 JND The Fat of the Peace Offering The fat of the peace offering is significant. Scripture records it for the first time with Abel’s sacrifice (Gen. 4:4), which was “more excellent” than what Cain brought (Heb. 11:4). This latter verse shows that the fat of the sacrifice emphasizes not only the excellence of the sacrifice, but also that it reflects something of the offerer. God’s Word often puts these two aspects...More Saturday, July 15, 2023 Isolation—False and True He has done all things well. Mark 7:37 NKJV Isolation—False and True There are few things more pitiable than what we call “a disappointed man.” He is always finding fault with others. He has never discovered the real root of the matter or the true secret of dealing with it. He is isolated, but his isolation is utterly false. He is miserable; and he will make all who are weak and foolish enough to listen to him as miserable as himself. How truly delightful and refreshing to turn from this dismal picture to the only perfect Man who ever trod this earth! His path was indeed an...More Friday, July 14, 2023 Does He Care? He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:38 NKJV Does He Care? What shame must have been theirs when in answer to their cry He rose up from His sleep and calmed the elements with a word! How outrageous must their doubts of Him have seemed when the winds retired at His bidding and the waves obeyed Him! Ah, why had they no faith? They might have stretched themselves beside Him and known the wonder of unbroken peace in the tempest, and made that night the most memorable by their confidence in...More Thursday, July 13, 2023 Responding to Hurts and Injuries (2)—David Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; wait for the Lord, and He will save you. Proverbs 20:22 NKJV Responding to Hurts and Injuries (2)—David God anointed David to be king instead of Saul. After he killed Goliath and delivered Israel from the Philistines, the women made a new “hit song,” and performed it in Saul’s hearing: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Sam. 18:7). Out of jealousy, Saul sought for an opportunity to kill David. David had to hide in caves, and in deserts. He had opportunity to exact his revenge when he and his men found Saul...More Wednesday, July 12, 2023 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (10)—Giving Thanks I thank my God upon every remembrance of you … I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again … I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God … All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. Philippians 1:3; 4:10, 17–18, 22 NKJV Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (10)—Giving Thanks These verses are from the letter Paul wrote to the Philippian believers...More Tuesday, July 11, 2023 Lessons on Hezekiah (1)—Diligent in the Lord’s Work Our fathers have been unfaithful and have done evil in the sight of the Lord our God, and they have abandoned Him … Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, so that His burning anger may turn away from us. My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and to be His ministers and burn incense. 2 Chronicles 29:6, 10–11 NASB Lessons on Hezekiah (1)—Diligent in the Lord’s Work The first thing Hezekiah did after the death of his father was to open the doors of the house of the Lord, repair them, and call the priests...More Monday, July 10, 2023 Converted to Wait for the Son You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven. 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10 NKJV Converted to Wait for the Son The coming of the Lord does not present itself, when we think of it rightly, as a thing we learn; but I see in Scripture that it is constantly identified with all the feelings and character of a Christian. Now in the beginning of 1 Thessalonians, believers were said to have been converted to wait for God’s Son from heaven. He was a living, personal reality to them. There is a great deal more in the passage, but that is the...More Sunday, July 9, 2023 The Peace Offering He shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and slaughter it at the entrance of the tent of meeting; and Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall sprinkle the blood on the altar round about. Leviticus 3:2 JND The Peace Offering The peace offering: how wonderful! The one who brought it identified with his offering in that he rested his hand on the ritually clean animal. This sacrifice “supported” the offerer, as was the case with the burnt offering—though not with the dove because it was too small. Through the laying on of the hands, the excellent qualities of the blameless sacrifice were...More Saturday, July 8, 2023 A True Ambassador for Christ Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20 NKJV A True Ambassador for Christ None can be too bad for Christ. If the enemy of our souls cannot keep us from coming to Christ by deceiving us with the notion that we are good enough for God without Him as our Savior, he will often attempt to make us believe we are too bad ever to be saved. But this is impossible, for “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom,” says Paul, “I am chief” (1 Tim. 1:15). Surely, since the chief of sinners has been saved already, none need to despair. “Where sin abounded,...More Friday, July 7, 2023 The Truth Stands Firm (For He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. Galatians 2:8–9 NKJV The Truth Stands Firm Although Paul appeared on the scene later than the first apostles of the Lord Jesus, yet his ministry was unreservedly approved by James, Peter, and John, who were recognized as pillars in the assembly....More Thursday, July 6, 2023 Responding to Hurts and Injuries (1)—Joseph You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good. Genesis 50:20 NKJV Responding to Hurts and Injuries (1)—Joseph Joseph’s brothers hated him. One day they threw him into an empty pit and decided to kill him, but they altered their murderous plan and sold him instead for twenty silver-pieces, splitting the proceeds among themselves. He was brought into Egypt. Famine had stricken Egypt and Canaan, and when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent his sons, Joseph’s brothers, there to buy food! Don’t we just marvel at how God works! In the meantime, Joseph had been...More Wednesday, July 5, 2023 Lessons on Ahaz (3)—We Become Like What We Occupy Ourselves With In the time of his trouble he transgressed yet more against Jehovah, this King Ahaz. And he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, which had smitten him; and he said, Since the gods of the kings of Syria help them, I will sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. 2 Chronicles 28:22–23 JND Lessons on Ahaz (3)—We Become Like What We Occupy Ourselves With What we read is very sad. As Ahaz made his choices, to go his way and not to listen to the Lord, great difficulties had come upon him and the people. We would think that this would make him think...More Tuesday, July 4, 2023 Job’s Wife Reconsidered Then [Job’s] wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” Job 2:9 NKJV Job’s Wife Reconsidered Job’s wife receives a fair amount of criticism, and perhaps, justly. Calvin, the famous theologian of Geneva, called Job’s wife “an instrument of Satan.” This is probably based on the fact that the words of Job’s wife immediately follow Satan’s attack upon Job (2:7–8). Many other Bible commentators follow this line of reasoning. Let us keep in mind that the apostle Peter had also once been the mouthpiece of Satan (Mt. 16:23), and he was forgiven...More Monday, July 3, 2023 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (9)—On to Rome The natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain … After three months we sailed … toward Rome … When the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us … Now when we came to Rome … Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him. Acts 28:2, 11–16 NKJV Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (9)—On to Rome The Lord saw to it that Paul and those with him were welcomed with kindness. Paul was bitten by a viper but suffered no ill effects, causing the people to say he was a god. He prayed for and healed the...More Sunday, July 2, 2023 Remembrance of the Ultimate Sacrifice The priest shall take from the oblation a memorial thereof, and shall burn it on the altar, an offering by fire to Jehovah of a sweet odor. And the remainder of the oblation shall be Aaron’s and his sons’: it is most holy of Jehovah’s offerings by fire. No oblation which ye shall present to Jehovah shall be made with leaven; for no leaven and no honey shall ye burn in any fire-offering to Jehovah. Leviticus 2:9–11 JND Remembrance of the Ultimate Sacrifice These verses remind us of the Lord Jesus whose whole life was a living sacrifice. During His life on earth, living among fallen and...More Saturday, July 1, 2023 The Lord Knows the Difference As He went, the multitudes thronged Him. Now a woman … touched the border of His garment … And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” Luke 8:42–45 NKJV The Lord Knows the Difference Peter and others thought the Lord’s question was peculiar: “The multitudes throng and press You,” they observed, “and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” (Lk. 8:45). But the Lord replied that power had gone out of Him, meaning someone had touched His garment with the touch of faith. The woman did indeed believe that the Lord could heal her of her long illness. Matthew 9 and Mark 5 explain her...More Friday, June 30, 2023 Influence (5)—The Levites Then you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant with Levi may continue … The lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. Malachi 2:4, 7 NKJV Influence (5)—The Levites The Lord commends the behavior of Levi. He is not referring to the whole tribe, of course, because these very priests to whom He speaks so severely were of that favored tribe. He refers to a remnant of Levi, like the sons of Levi in Exodus 32:26–29, and Phinehas in Numbers 25:7–13. But there were many of...More Thursday, June 29, 2023 Lessons on Ahaz (2)—Vain Is Man’s Deliverance At that time King Ahaz sent to the king of Assyria for help...So Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came against him and afflicted him instead of strengthening him. 2 Chronicles 28:16, 20 ESV Lessons on Ahaz (2)—Vain Is Man’s Deliverance Ahaz did not listen to the Lord’s word, and because of that his enemies came against him, and it went really badly for him and the people of Judah. The king of Israel even killed 120,000 soldiers and made 200,000 prisoners. But then we read of two surprising things. First, a prophet was sent from God to the army of Israel to tell them something along...More Wednesday, June 28, 2023 Hated By the Religious World Because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:19 NKJV Hated By the Religious World The world is a vast system embracing every race, class, and false religion, having in common their hatred of God. The world by which the disciples were immediately surrounded was the world of corrupt Judaism. Today, the world with which believers are mainly in contact is the world of corrupt Christendom. Its outward form may change from age to age; at heart it is ever marked by alienation from God and hatred to Christ. Why should these simple...More Tuesday, June 27, 2023 Trusting the Creator Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” Genesis 15:5 NKJV Trusting the Creator What an amazing object lesson; what a sight that must have been as Abraham looked up to the Middle Eastern sky, what splendor what magnificence! David too was mesmerized as he gazed at the sky, perhaps as a shepherd out in the field at night, or when fleeing from Saul out in the wilderness. His thoughts bubbled over, exclaiming, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what...More Monday, June 26, 2023 The Kingdom Appointed and the Flesh Revealed And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. Luke 22:24 KJV The Kingdom Appointed and the Flesh Revealed The Lord, ever full of gentleness and meekness, forgets Himself in His care for His disciples, and says to them, “He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve” (Lk. 22:26). He knows how to teach them, by His own example, what the love of God is; and at the same time He shows them the grace which is in Him, and all the faithfulness for which they are indebted to Him. “Ye are they which have...More Sunday, June 25, 2023 Grain Offering Prepared at Home If you bring as an offering a grain offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil. But if your offering is a grain offering baked in a pan, it shall be of fine flour, unleavened, mixed with oil. You shall break it in pieces and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering. If your offering is a grain offering baked in a covered pan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil. Leviticus 2:4–7 NKJV Grain Offering Prepared at Home God desires His people to bring to Him that which reminds Him of Christ and His sacrifice. That is...More Saturday, June 24, 2023 Influence (4)—Jonathan Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.” So his armorbearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart.” 1 Samuel 14:6–7 NKJV Influence (4)—Jonathan If I am drawn by grace to follow the Lord Jesus more closely, with more affection and more energy, it may influence another to more energy and exercise in divine things, and we could then go on together in common...More Friday, June 23, 2023 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (8)—Underway “There stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me”...So it was that they all escaped safely to land. Acts 27:23–25, 44 NKJV Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (8)—Underway Paul and some other prisoners were put in the charge of a centurion named Julius for the long voyage by sea to Rome. He treated Paul kindly at Sidon, their first stop, “and...More Thursday, June 22, 2023 Lessons on Ahaz (1)—Adding Faith to God’s Word The Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out now to meet Ahaz, you and your son Shear-jashub … and say to him, ‘Take care and be calm, have no fear...This is what the Lord God says: ”… If you will not believe, you certainly shall not last.”’” Isaiah 7:3–4, 7, 9 NASB Lessons on Ahaz (1)—Adding Faith to God’s Word At the beginning of Ahaz’s reign we see Isaiah going out with his son at the Lord’s command to meet the king. The hearts of the people were shaking in fear because of the Syrian king and the king of Israel who were jointly coming against Jerusalem. Isaiah had words of comfort...More Wednesday, June 21, 2023 Agur’s Prayer (2) Two things I request of You (deprive me not before I die): remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God. Proverbs 30:7–9 NKJV Agur’s Prayer (2) Agur asked the Lord for two specific things: integrity and contentment. We have looked at his desire for integrity; now let us look at the second part of this prayer, his desire to be satisfied with what God provided for him. This is called contentment. The apostle...More Tuesday, June 20, 2023 Agur’s Prayer (1) Two things I request of You (deprive me not before I die): remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God. Proverbs 30:7–9 NKJV Agur’s Prayer (1) Most of us have probably heard of the prayer of Jabez, but how familiar are you with the prayer of Agur? His prayer is actually the only recorded prayer in Proverbs. He asked the Lord for two specific things: integrity and contentment. Agur wanted to live...More Monday, June 19, 2023 Influence (3)—Simon Peter Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” John 21:2–3 NKJV Influence (3)—Simon Peter After Peter’s tragic fall and denial of the Lord Jesus, no doubt crushed by a sense of the depth of his failure, he said to some of his companions, “I am going fishing.” He may have concluded that he was now a reject, of no further use to the Master whom he had followed, and that he would now have to return to...More Sunday, June 18, 2023 Creator and Redeemer (2) In Him all the fullness of the Godhead was pleased to dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Itself, having made peace by the blood of His cross—by Him, whether the things on the earth or the things in the heavens. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in mind by wicked works, yet now has It reconciled. Colossians 1:19–21 JND Creator and Redeemer (2) When the Creator stepped into His own creation to become the Redeemer, God became Man. Paul, in presenting Christ’s greatness, emphasized that in Him the Fullness of the Godhead was pleased to dwell. Who can fathom this! Christ is...More Saturday, June 17, 2023 The Perfect Expression of God’s Thoughts The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it arose. The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north; the wind whirls about continually, and comes again on its circuit. All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to the place from which the rivers come, there they return again. Ecclesiastes 1:5–7 NKJV The Perfect Expression of God’s Thoughts Ecclesiastes is the great, classic book on “philosophy,” written by Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived. He confesses from the beginning of his book that philosophy only goes around in...More Friday, June 16, 2023 The First and Last Words of Peter Master, having labored through the whole night we have taken nothing, but at Thy word I will let down the net. Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. Luke 5:5 JND; 2 Peter 3:18 JND The First and Last Words of Peter These are the first and the last words of Simon Peter in Scripture. It has been said that he was the best fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. True or not, his experience let him down this time. He had expected empty nets and was astonished when a very full one exploded from the water (v....More Thursday, June 15, 2023 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (7)—Before Agrippa “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains” … Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Acts 26:27–29, 32 NKJV Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (7)—Before Agrippa King Agrippa and his sister Bernice had come to Caesarea to get acquainted with Festus. After they...More

Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Christianity in a Nutshell (3)—The Glorious Appearing For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11–13 NKJV Christianity in a Nutshell (3)—The Glorious Appearing Paul wrote to Titus that the “grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” Blessed truth revealed to us in the first coming of Christ! This was accomplished for us in the past. For the present, this grace teaches us that...More Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Christianity in a Nutshell (2)—Grace Teaching Us For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11–13 NKJV Christianity in a Nutshell (2)—Grace Teaching Us The apostle Paul wrote to his companion and fellow-laborer, Titus, in order to commission him to visit the assemblies in Crete. Titus would act as his deputy to establish elders in each assembly and to bring “sound doctrine” and other...More Monday, June 12, 2023 Christianity in a Nutshell (1)—Grace Has Appeared For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11–13 NKJV Christianity in a Nutshell (1)—Grace Has Appeared There are many difficult passages in the Word of God, and there are doctrines that are sometimes hard for us to articulate or even understand. The apostle Peter agreed with this assessment when he spoke about the apostle Paul’s writings,...More Sunday, June 11, 2023 Creator and Redeemer (1) He is the head of the body, the Assembly; who is the beginning, firstborn from among the dead, that He might have the first place in all things: for in Him all the fullness of the Godhead was pleased to dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Itself. Colossians 1:18–20 JND Creator and Redeemer (1) Through His resurrection, Christ has introduced a new order of things, of which He is the Firstborn, just as He is of creation. The Creator stepped into His own creation in order to become the Redeemer. There was none else who qualified to redeem, and so, God the Son came—sent by the Father and...More Saturday, June 10, 2023 Two Sons of Shaphan Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death. In their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up. Jeremiah 26:24 NKJV; Ezekiel 8:11 NKJV Two Sons of Shaphan Shaphan the scribe was an important figure in Judah. During Josiah’s revival, it was Shaphan who read the newly discovered book of the Law to the king (2 Ki. 22:8–10). A few years later, Shaphan’s son Ahikam proved himself to be one of the prophet Jeremiah’s only friends...More Friday, June 9, 2023 God’s Gentleman He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. Isaiah 42:2 NKJV God’s Gentleman This passage is definitely applied to our Lord in Matthew 12:17–21. It helped me greatly when I was a young man. Personally, I was so under the power of legality that I felt guilty if I rode in a streetcar without immediately rising to give my testimony. As soon as we left the corner, I would get to my feet and say, “Friends, I want to give my testimony for Jesus Christ, and I want to tell you how God saved me.” The conductor would come and say, “Sit down. We didn’t...More Thursday, June 8, 2023 That No Flesh Should Glory For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God … But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. 1 Corinthians 1:18, 27–29 NKJV That No Flesh Should Glory “To us who are being saved,” the message of...More Wednesday, June 7, 2023 Influence (2)—Lot Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place!” Genesis 19:12 NKJV Influence (2)—Lot When the two angels, sent by the Lord on their solemn errand to Sodom, were inside Lot’s house as his guests, and seemed to be in some danger of being molested by the wicked men of the city, the angelic messengers asked Lot a significant question: “Have you anyone else here?” With what pangs of conscience must Lot have listened to this question! Had he gone into Sodom alone he might have...More Tuesday, June 6, 2023 The Comfort of Grace in a Cold World Whom He justified, these He also glorified. Romans 8:30 NKJV The Comfort of Grace in a Cold World It is well to be exceedingly simple in our apprehension of this great truth. Some imagine that we can never know that our sins are forgiven while here. Now, if we cannot know that our sins are forgiven, we cannot know that God’s Word is true, and Christ’s work perfect. Will anyone maintain this? If not, both rest on the same basis. The forgiveness of sins and the truth of God’s Word are linked together in the precious gospel of Christ. Doubt the forgiveness of sins, and you call into question...More Monday, June 5, 2023 Appreciation for God’s Dwelling Place But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! 2 Chronicles 6:18 NKJV Appreciation for God’s Dwelling Place The very design of the temple was inspired by God, as David witnessed, saying, “The Lord made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans” (1 Chr. 28:19). Much of it was in keeping with the architecture and layout of the tabernacle. As grandiose as this all was, Solomon knew all too well that even this splendid house was not fit for the glory of...More Sunday, June 4, 2023 Christ’s Greatness Who is image of the invisible God, firstborn of all creation; because by Him were created all things, the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or authorities: all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all, and all things subsist together by Him. Colossians 1:15–17 JND Christ’s Greatness Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of the love of the Father (Col. 1:13). At the same time, He is truly God while He also represents God in this universe. Christ is the Image of the true God...More Saturday, June 3, 2023 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (6)—Before Festus [Paul] answered for himself, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.” But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?” So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged … I appeal to Caesar.” Acts 25:8–11 NKJV Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (6)—Before Festus The new governor, Porcius Festus, wasted no time. Three days after arriving at Caesarea he went up to...More Friday, June 2, 2023 Abiding in the Sunshine The Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. John 15:9 NKJV Abiding in the Sunshine The Lord says, “Abide in My love.” Our enjoyment of our blessings, as well as our power in testimony, will depend upon our abiding in the conscious sense of the love of Christ. Those other solemn words of the Lord, “You have left your first love,” indicate the first step on the road that leads to the ruin and scattering of the Christian company on earth (Rev. 2:4–5). When Christians walked in the enjoyment of divine love, nothing could stand against their united testimony. When they lost...More Thursday, June 1, 2023 Influence (1)—Abraham So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6 NKJV Influence (1)—Abraham There is no doubt that men’s lives influence, to some degree, the lives of others, especially of those who are near to them. Scripture gives us a number of examples which illustrate this principle at work. Its first occurrence was right at the outset of human history when Eve succumbed to the tempter’s allurements. It can be seen that she did not...More Wednesday, May 31, 2023 The Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 NKJV The Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ There is no glory to be compared with that in the face of Christ. Under law, you never get the light of the glory of God shining into the heart of man, without the conscience being awakened. I cannot stand in the presence of God; it tells me what I ought to be, and if I am not that, I cannot look at the glory. But when I see the glory of God in the face of...More Tuesday, May 30, 2023 Gideon’s End So it was, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel again played the harlot with the Baals. Judges 8:33 NKJV Gideon’s End Unfortunately, Gideon’s ending was not positive. When the men of Israel asked him to rule over them following the victory over the Midianites, he had said the right thing: “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you” (8:23). But while Gideon’s words were humble, his actions were not. After he rejected the throne, he lived like a king! He took many wives and had 70 sons. In fact, he named one of them, born by...More Monday, May 29, 2023 God’s Call (11)—Suffering Now, Eternal Glory to Come But the God of all grace who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, when ye have suffered for a little while, Himself shall make perfect, stablish, strengthen, ground: to Him be the glory and the might for the ages of the ages. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10–11 JND God’s Call (11)—Suffering Now, Eternal Glory to Come Our verse today is very precious. The God of all grace has called us. The God of glory called Abraham out of Mesopotamia to the land of Canaan. The God of all grace has called us out of “the present evil world” (Gal. 1:4). We might have been satisfied just to be...More Sunday, May 28, 2023 A Faithful Saying I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry … And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:12, 14–15 NKJV A Faithful Saying The apostle Paul strongly emphasizes the truth and the value of the message with which he had been entrusted. It is a message basic to all true Christianity—a simple message, yet marvelously sublime. “A...More Saturday, May 27, 2023 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (5)—Before Felix Felix … sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” Acts 24:24–26 NKJV Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (5)—Before Felix Five days after Paul had been brought to the Roman governor Felix, the high priest with the elders and an orator, Tertullus, came. They accused Paul of being “a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes”...More Friday, May 26, 2023 Beware of Ritualism Now the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of meeting there. Joshua 18:1 NKJV Beware of Ritualism Years went by and the Israelites became complacent and took the presence of the Lord for granted. Their appreciation for the reality of God dwelling among them dimmed and they began to think in similar terms to the idolatrous nations around them. The ark of the covenant was treated as a mere religious relic and a decorative good luck charm. They therefore reasoned to remove it from Shiloh and bring it with them in their war against the...More Thursday, May 25, 2023 How Do We Receive the Word The ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:15 NKJV How Do We Receive the Word? In the parable of the sower, the Lord described four types of soil. The seed that fell by the wayside, on rocky soil, or among thorns had no lasting growth. Only the seed that fell on good soil was able to produce any fruit. The parable is recorded in three different Gospels, and it is nice to notice how each one describes the good soil. The seed is identified as “the word of the kingdom” and “the...More Wednesday, May 24, 2023 Gideon’s Weapons Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers—they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing—and they cried, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” Judges 7:20 NKJV Gideon’s Weapons The story of Gideon should be a great encouragement to the Church in these last days of ruin. God does not need large numbers or especially gifted leaders to accomplish His purposes. We may not understand His plans, but we can trust His promises. After his army was reduced to just 300 men according to God’s command, Gideon equipped each one...More Tuesday, May 23, 2023 God’s Call (10)—Called Out of Darkness But ye are a chosen race … that ye might set forth the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness to His wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 JND God’s Call (10)—Called Out of Darkness We once were darkness. We not only were in darkness, but we were darkness (Eph. 5:8). Apart from God’s grace, we would have been ultimately in the “gloom of darkness” forever (2 Pet. 2:17). But our God has called us out of that darkness. As He once called to Adam and his wife who were hiding from Him; and as He once called Abraham out of the darkness of idolatry in Ur of the Chaldeans, so He has...More Monday, May 22, 2023 Christian Service and Its Motivation For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 NKJV Christian Service and Its Motivation I would ask you to ponder deeply that verse which I have written: the Son of Man is come to serve and to give. This is a divine reality. Jesus came into this world to meet our need, to serve us in all that in which we need His precious service, and to give His life a ransom for many; to serve us by bearing our sins in His own body on the tree and working out a full and an eternal salvation. He did not come to get, did not come to take, He did...More Sunday, May 21, 2023 Remember Me (6)—Make Use of the Opportunity Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Luke 23:42 NKJV Remember Me (6)—Make Use of the Opportunity The Scriptures predicted that the Messiah would be crucified along with criminals: “He was numbered with the transgressors” (Isa. 53:12). And not only through direct prophecy, as here in Isaiah, but also in “type” as seen in the life of Joseph (Gen. 40:21–22). The innocent Joseph was put into a prison house alongside Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker. He was numbered with the transgressors. One of these was condemned, the other restored—a...More Saturday, May 20, 2023 Paul’s Prayer for the Saints (2) Giving thanks to the Father, who has made us fit for sharing the portion of the saints in light, who has delivered us from the authority of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love: in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:12–14 JND Paul’s Prayer for the Saints (2) God the Father has given His own Son, the Son of His love—called the Son of the Father in 2 John 1:3—to bring “many sons” to glory (Heb. 2:10). This new relationship is summarized in seven points in Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1: 1. As sons, we enjoy an...More Friday, May 19, 2023 Paul’s Prayer for the Saints (1) We also, from the day we heard of your faith and love, do not cease praying and asking for you, to the end that ye may be filled with the full knowledge of His will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so as to walk worthily of the Lord unto all well-pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing by the true knowledge of God; strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory unto all endurance and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father. Colossians 1:9–12 JND Paul’s Prayer for the Saints (1) Paul was a man of prayer, and some of his prayers have been...More Thursday, May 18, 2023 Gideon’s Test And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me.“ Judges 7:2 NKJV Gideon’s Test Can you imagine how Gideon must have felt when the Lord told him his army was too big? They were outnumbered 135,000 to 32,000 to begin with—a factor of over 4 to 1. In accordance with the provision of the law (Dt. 20:8), over two-thirds of the soldiers who were fearful returned home, and suddenly he was down to 10,000 men. Then the Lord said that the people were still too many! You must be...More Wednesday, May 17, 2023 The First and Last Words of Paul And he said, Who art Thou, Lord? The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Acts 9:5 JND; 2 Timothy 4:22 JND The First and Last Words of Paul The first time we hear Saul speak, it is to answer the Lord’s question from heaven: “Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute Me?” (Acts 9:4–5). Saul had approved the killing of Stephen (Acts 8:5). Years later, Paul confirmed this in his address to the Jews in Jerusalem who tried to kill him (22:20). He never forgot that he was complicit in the death of a fellow Jew who was in Christ before him. No doubt as Saul kept the...More Tuesday, May 16, 2023 A Balm of Healing Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people? Jeremiah 8:22 NKJV A Balm of Healing A balm is an aromatic, medicinal substance derived from plants. Gilead was an area east of the Jordan River, well known for its spices and ointments. The balm of Gilead was a high-quality ointment with healing properties made from the resin taken from a flowering plant. There are three specific references to the “balm of Gilead” in Scripture. In Genesis 37:25, we read of the caravan of Ishmaelites who had balm from...More Monday, May 15, 2023 Love Divine Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised. Song of Songs 8:7 JND Love Divine Pure love is strong, vital, unquenchable. No mere circumstance in the universe can put out its living flame. How much higher is this than people’s mere affections for one another! Divorce courts cry aloud the shameful vanity of the so-called “love” of couples who are married for a time, then no longer love one another! A little lapping of the waters of trying circumstances, shallow as they may be, is enough to...More Sunday, May 14, 2023 Remember Me (5)—The Joy of the Lord Remember me, O my God, for good! Nehemiah 13:31 NKJV Remember Me (5)—The Joy of the Lord Four times in Nehemiah’s book, which records his work in Jerusalem, he prayed that God would remember him (5:19; 13:14, 22, 31). Nehemiah was continually under direct, personal attack, from both within and without. Through subtlety, intrigue, and threats of violence, the enemies of God did their best to derail him. Obviously the enemy did not want the walls of Jerusalem to be restored. Nehemiah’s only resource was to cast himself upon God; he was doing God’s work, and the “joy of the...More Saturday, May 13, 2023 God’s Call (9)—Called by the Gospel Unto Glory God has chosen you from the beginning to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereto He has called you by our glad tidings, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 JND God’s Call (9)—Called by the Gospel Unto Glory Paul could give thanks for the Thessalonian saints, “brethren beloved of the Lord” (v. 13). We may not always feel loved, but we are loved by the Lord more than we can even understand. We are told that God chose these believers (and us, too) from the beginning to salvation in sanctification of...More Friday, May 12, 2023 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (4)—Endangered The high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by [Paul] to strike him on the mouth … some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy. They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “… we are ready to kill him before he comes near.” Acts 23:2, 12–13, 15 NKJV Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (4)—Endangered The Roman commander brought Paul before the Jewish council the day after the riot (Acts 22:23–25), hoping to find out why...More Thursday, May 11, 2023 Gideon’s Altars So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace. Judges 6:24 NKJV Gideon’s Altars After Gideon realized he had seen the Angel of the Lord face to face, he feared for his life. The Lord comforted him by saying, “Peace be with you; do not fear.” One of the paradoxes of the Christian life is that the Lord gives us peace that He might send us out to war! In response, Gideon built an altar to worship God, which he called YHWH Shalom: The-Lord-Is-Peace. The same night, the Lord instructed Gideon to tear down the community altar of Baal on his father’s...More Wednesday, May 10, 2023 Life for Overcomers To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God … You will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life … He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelation 2:7, 10; 3:5 NKJV Life for Overcomers As a group, the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 experienced many difficulties of faith. In addition to severe persecutions, they had to address doctrinal...More Tuesday, May 9, 2023 The Bridegroom and the Bride (9) His mouth is most sweet: yea he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, yea, this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. Song of Songs 5:16 JND The Bridegroom and the Bride (9) His mouth is most sweet. This verse concludes her description of her Beloved, a description that began in verse 10: “My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.” She spoke in verse 13 of His lips which are like “lilies, dropping liquid myrrh.” Her tenth and last description of Him is about His mouth. Whatever He says is pleasing to the Father. He knew the value of everything He said, because...More Monday, May 8, 2023 Eternal Life And these shall go away into eternal punishment, and the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:46 JND Eternal Life How long is eternity? There are figures of speech that flippantly use terms like, “this is taking forever.” This is not meant to be literal. But when we speak of “eternal life” there is no exaggeration, and we certainly should consider it in a literal manner. Various ones have tried to explain the timespan involved with eternity in creative ways, yet these stories tend to engender a sense of boredom and restlessness rather than represent the glorious sentiment that will be...More Sunday, May 7, 2023 Remember Me (4)—A Remnant Remembers Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive … And they shall know that I am the Lord. Ezekiel 6:9–10 NKJV Remember Me (4)—A Remnant Remembers Ezekiel was the quiet prophet; there was a long period of time in which Jehovah had forbidden him to speak at all; when his wife died he was not permitted to even mourn for her (3:26–27; 24:16–18). But when he did speak, his words were given to him directly from heaven. Our text today is a word which Ezekiel was commanded to declare to the remnant of Jews. Firstly, the reasons for the...More Saturday, May 6, 2023 God’s Call (8)—Called by Grace God, who set me apart even from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace. Galatians 1:15 JND God’s Call (8)—Called by Grace The call that has reached us is entirely grace. As the apostle Paul tells us in Romans 4:4–5, “Now to him that works the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but of debt: but to him who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.” In other words, if salvation, or anything else, is received because of our own works and our efforts, this is not grace. This would be simply receiving the reward for our...More Friday, May 5, 2023 Pouring Out Your Heart Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him. Psalm 62:8 NKJV Pouring Out Your Heart Our Father wants His children to call to Him with the burdens of their heart. Have you cried out to God in faith? Be assured that He is listening! Psalm 55:22 encourages us to, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Peter experienced this firsthand while in the midst of one of the fiercest storms this seasoned fisherman had ever endured. When the Lord invited Him to come, Peter stepped out of the boat:...More Thursday, May 4, 2023 Are You Ready to Be Used? Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. John 6:11 NKJV Are You Ready to Be Used? Both the Lord and the disciples saw the physical need of the crowd and had compassion on them. The Lord asked His disciples how the multitude could be fed. The disciples recognized their inability to do so, but the Lord was able. The disciples themselves searched for that which could be used and brought what they found to the Lord. He took what was available and, after having...More Wednesday, May 3, 2023 Gideon’s Faith Gideon said to God, “If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said—look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor.” Judges 6:36–37 NKJV Gideon’s Faith Sometimes we criticize Gideon for asking for signs after hearing God’s spoken word. Certainly, we should not use his fleece as a pattern for determining the mind of the Lord in our lives. But there is a lot we can learn from his story about faith, obedience, and living as overcomers despite overwhelming odds. Gideon asked for the signs of the fleece to confirm, not discern, God’s will and strengthen his faith. Although...More Tuesday, May 2, 2023 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (3)—At Jerusalem The commander ordered [Paul] to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging … And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?” Acts 22:24–25 NKJV Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (3)—At Jerusalem Scripture gives us no details about the prisons Paul was frequently put into until we come to his final trip to Jerusalem. He was bringing a gift from Gentile assemblies for needy saints there. As he went, the Holy Spirit told him not to go, warning him...More Monday, May 1, 2023 God’s Call (7)—Called into Fellowship God is faithful, by whom ye have been called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9 JND God’s Call (7)—Called into Fellowship Our verse begins with the wonderful expression, “God is faithful.” This is repeated three times in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, He is faithful to not allow us to be tempted or tested above what we are able to bear. He knows us and our spiritual strength, and so limits the extent of whatever testing may come. In 2 Corinthians 1:18, we read that God is faithful in what He says, directly or through His apostles. So Paul...More Sunday, April 30, 2023 Remember Me (3)—A Man of Sorrows O Lord, You know; remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. Jeremiah 15:15 NKJV Remember Me (3)—A Man of Sorrows Jeremiah is known as the “weeping prophet.” He preached for forty years without seeing any apparent fruit for his labors and sufferings among God’s people. They did not listen to his warnings, and they actively persecuted him. Someone has said, “If you want joy, serve sinners; if you want sorrow, serve the saints.” This may be hyperbole, but there is more than just an element of truth in it. Jeremiah’s heart for God’s people and his sorrow...More Saturday, April 29, 2023 At the Feet of Jesus Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thine understanding. Luke 10:27 JND At the Feet of Jesus Luke gives four beautiful accounts of people at the feet of Jesus: In chapter 7 a forgiven sinner now loving much—her heart was made right; In chapter 8 a demoniac, now clothed and sensible—his soul was made right; In chapter 8 a father, whose daughter had been raised in weakness, beseeching the Lord—his strength was made right; In chapter 10 a woman, Mary, listening to His...More Friday, April 28, 2023 You Must be Born Again—A Gospel Message There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” John 3:1–2 NKJV You Must be Born Again—A Gospel Message Nicodemus had a mere human conviction of Christ; he knew that He was a teacher come from God. When they saw His miracles, many believed on Him. How many Christians are like that now! Giving a mere human assent to who He is. It is not insincerity or dishonesty, but they do not really know Him. There...More Thursday, April 27, 2023 The Bridegroom and the Bride (8) His legs, pillars of marble, set upon bases of fine gold: his bearing as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. Song of Songs 5:15 JND The Bridegroom and the Bride (8) His legs, pillars of marble, set upon bases of fine gold. The pillars of marble speak of His stability. What a contrast with our feeble knees and our tendency at times to “halt between two opinions.” The marble speaks of the white color that we have seen several times during the bride’s description of her Beloved. He is white, His eyes are washed with milk, His lips are lilies, His belly is bright ivory, and His legs are pillars of...More Wednesday, April 26, 2023 Apostasy Then and Now They shall go … to seek Jehovah; but they shall not find Him: He hath withdrawn Himself from them ...The princes of Judah are become like them that remove the landmark: I will pour out My wrath upon them like water. Hosea 5:6, 10 JND Apostasy Then and Now With these words the Lord addresses Israel’s priests and princes. Yet His very reprimanding Israel shows how much He cares for His people. If He were indifferent, would He still challenge them about their relationship with Him? God charges the leaders with shifting the boundaries. The drift from what is of God into what is of man was the bane...More Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (2)—At Philippi The magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailor to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:22–25 NKJV Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (2)—At Philippi Here God lets us visualize one episode of what in 2 Corinthians 11 Paul refers to as “beaten with rods,”...More Monday, April 24, 2023 God’s Call (6)—God Will Not Change His Mind For the gifts and the calling of God are not subject to repentance. Romans 11:29 JND God’s Call (6)—God Will Not Change His Mind In Romans 9–11, Paul discusses God’s ways with Israel in the past (ch. 9), in the present (ch. 10), and in the future (ch. 11). Today, individuals from Israel are saved and added to the Assembly of God (Eph. 2:13–18). However, God is not done with the nation of Israel. In a future day, this nation, which has been guilty of crucifying their Messiah, will be restored, and all the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will yet be fulfilled. This is our God...More Sunday, April 23, 2023 Remember Me (2)—Victory in Death Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God.” Judges 16:28 NKJV Remember Me (2)—Victory in Death Samson had a special calling of God upon his life. He is one of three people in the Bible who was a Nazarite from birth: the prophet Samuel and John the Baptist were the other two. Normally, Nazariteship was a voluntary vow, and it was for a limited period of time (Num. 6), but Samson, like Samuel and John who followed him, was a Nazarite from the womb until death. A Nazarite was someone who embodied the...More Saturday, April 22, 2023 Digging Into the Word of God Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. 2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV; Jeremiah 15:16 NKJV Digging Into the Word of God What is God performing when His Word is preached and taught? David would answer that the Word of God is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” and that “the entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Ps. 119:105, 130). According to the parable of the sower,...More Friday, April 21, 2023 You Have Been Heard—The Answer Will Come He said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.” Daniel 10:11–12 NKJV You Have Been Heard—The Answer Will Come This precious answer to Daniel’s prayer must have filled his heart with adoration toward the living God. Daniel’s heart...More Thursday, April 20, 2023 Following the Master He goes up into the mountain, and calls whom He Himself would, and they went to Him. And He appointed twelve that they might be with Him, and that He might send them to preach, and to have power to heal diseases, and to cast out demons. Mark 3:13–15 JND Following the Master Mark’s Gospel describes the Lord Jesus as God’s Servant and Prophet. He is also presented as the One who called disciples to follow and represent Him in this world after He would be gone to heaven. The above verses emphasize His greatness, even though He always was a humble Servant. In Scripture, the mountain...More Wednesday, April 19, 2023 Making a Beginning In the second year after their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak made a beginning. Ezra 3:8 ESV Making a Beginning After decades of captivity for the Jews in Babylon, God stirred up the Persian ruler Cyrus to proclaim their liberty. More than 40,000 returned to Judah. After settling in their towns, they gathered in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices on the rebuilt altar and to observe the Feast of Tabernacles (Ezra 3:1–5). However, “the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid” (v. 6). Workers...More Tuesday, April 18, 2023 Power for the Faint They that wait upon Jehovah shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not tire; they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 JND Power for the Faint It is not because of lack of power that God does not give immediate release from trial and tribulation. His understanding is infinite, and He is working out His own counsels for our blessing when He permits affliction to fall upon us and continue to oppress us. We must learn the lesson put before Job: that man cannot fathom His plans, so should seek to submit without question to His providential...More Monday, April 17, 2023 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (1)—Persecuted In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned. 2 Corinthians 11:23–25 NKJV Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (1)—Persecuted The phrases above list some of the sufferings the apostle Paul was made to endure during the early years of his involvement in the Lord’s service. He is not glorying in his tribulations here; nor does he mention these sufferings when giving his testimony before the Jewish mob in Acts 22 or when speaking before...More Sunday, April 16, 2023 Remember Me (1)—A Request But remember me when it is well with you. Genesis 40:14 NKJV Remember Me (1)—A Request In many ways Joseph is a remarkable type of Christ: hated by his brothers, rejected and sold to the Egyptians, eventually exalted as Prime Minister over Egypt; a shadow of the sufferings and glories of the Lord Jesus—this we well know. In the scene described here, Joseph was absolutely innocent of any crime yet had been languishing in prison for eleven long years. He had not been idle, however, and the warden of the prison put Joseph in charge over all the other prisoners. As much as...More Saturday, April 15, 2023 God’s Call (5)—Not of Our Works That the purpose of God according to election might abide, not of works, but of Him that calls. Romans 9:11 JND God’s Call (5)—Not of Our Works Romans 9–11 is written to reconcile the grace of the gospel which goes out to all the world with the special promises made to Abraham and his descendants. The apostle Paul begins with illustrations from Israel’s history. First, we are told that “not all are Israel which are of Israel” (9:6). He uses the illustration of Isaac and Ishmael. We are reminded of Jehovah’s word to Abraham: “In Isaac shall a seed be called to thee” (v....More Friday, April 14, 2023 The Christian’s Attitude in a Troubled World And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15 NKJV The Christian’s Attitude in a Troubled World What a small thing is the wisdom of man! But what of that? The Lord is coming, and we belong to heaven. In the Church there is neither Greek, barbarian, nor Scythian (Col. 3:11). We are Christ’s servants, sure of our Master’s victory, a victory which will give peace to the whole world; meanwhile, in the place where He has set us, we are witnesses to the peace which God gives even now. The love and grace of God which set us...More Thursday, April 13, 2023 The Bridegroom and the Bride (7) His hands gold rings, set with the chrysolite; His belly is bright ivory, overlaid with sapphires. Song of Songs 5:14 JND The Bridegroom and the Bride (7) “His hands gold rings, set with the chrysolite.” His head is pure gold and so are His hands—His thoughts as well as His actions. The heavens are the work of His fingers (Ps. 8:3). His hand touched the leper and he became clean. It touched the eye of the blind and he could see. It touched the coffin of a dead young man, and when He told him to rise, he immediately sat up and spoke and was restored to his widowed mother (Lk. 7:11–17). The...More Wednesday, April 12, 2023 Obedience and Dependence Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith”...So he went and did according to the word of the Lord...Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there”... So he arose and went to Zarephath...And it came to pass after many days that the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab”...So Elijah went. 1 Kings 17:2–3, 5, 8–10; 18:1–2 NKJV Obedience and Dependence Elijah comes on the scene during one of the...More Tuesday, April 11, 2023 The Authority of Christ All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18 NKJV The Authority of Christ Authority is the right to exercise power. History has borne out the truth of what the 18th-century British politician, Lord Acton, said: “Power tends to corrupt; and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This has been the track record of emperors and kings. The more power they acquire, the less their sense of morality. Jesus rode into Jerusalem as the King of Israel. He began by cleansing the temple, thus securing God’s rights. But the scribes and Pharisees confronted Him by asking, “By...More Monday, April 10, 2023 The First and Last Words of Nicodemus Rabbi, we know that Thou art come a teacher from God, for none can do these signs that Thou doest unless God be with him. Does our law judge a man before it have first heard from himself, and know what he does? John 3:2 JND; John 7:51 JND The First and Last Words of Nicodemus Many were impressed by the signs the Lord Jesus did in Jerusalem but, impervious to His words, they believed on His name in an outward way only (Jn. 2:23–25). Nicodemus was different. This “teacher of Israel” (3:10) was one of the Pharisees, the strictest sect in Judaism, but he came to the “teacher from...More Sunday, April 9, 2023 Resurrection and the New Creation The Lord is risen indeed. Luke 24:34 KJV Resurrection and the New Creation In resurrection, the Lord breaks forth, laden with the full fruit of complete victory over all the power of the enemy. The previous season had been man’s “hour, and the power of darkness” (Lk. 22:53), Satan’s time for the putting forth of all his strength. But wherein they dealt proudly, the Lord was above them (Ex. 18:11); and this is our comfort, that the enemy has been met in the height of his strength and pride. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus was the second morning in the history of creation. When...More Saturday, April 8, 2023 Whom Are You Seeking? Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” John 20:15–16 NKJV Whom Are You Seeking? As we grow in the Lord and are occupied with Him, our affection for the Lord Jesus grows. But there are many things that can hinder and even block our vision of Him. This resurrection scene provides the antidote for hearts that have the vision of Christ...More Friday, April 7, 2023 Consider Him For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself. Hebrews 12:3 NKJV Consider Him When we reflect on the hostility that the Lord experienced, we bow our heads in worship. He was the One who made all things, and by His power they not only consist but also subsist. Realizing this, how amazing to think that He was judged, abused, and dealt with in such a disgraceful way: the Creator by His own creatures! He came to be the Savior and yet as an infant was hunted down to be killed. Coming to His own, they received Him not. He was the One who did all things...More Thursday, April 6, 2023 Phinehas and the Holiness of God Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, and rose up from among the assembly, and took a javelin in his hand. Numbers 25:7 JND Phinehas and the Holiness of God We are living in a day of grace, and so we are not called to the kind of action that Phinehas undertook. However, the moral principles we may learn from this story are still relevant for us today. Many Christians in our generation refuse to take a stand against evil among the professed people of God. They condemn as “javelin throwers” those who take a stand out of love for the Lord and for His people. Grace...More Wednesday, April 5, 2023 God’s Call (4)—The Effective Call to Blessing But whom He has predestinated, these also He has called; and whom He has called, these also He has justified; but whom He has justified, these also He has glorified. Romans 8:30 JND God’s Call (4)—The Effective Call to Blessing The first expression in our verse, predestinated, took place in eternity past, and likewise the last expression, glorified, takes us into eternity to come. In between we have God’s present dealing with His people today. The word predestinated means to be marked out for blessing. In election God chooses people for blessing. In predestination, He chooses the...More Tuesday, April 4, 2023 A Home in Glory In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 NKJV A Home in Glory His coming will indeed close our wilderness journey. It will heal all the breaches among the people of God; it will gather together the divided and scattered saints. It will end the sorrows, the trials, and the labors of His people. It will take us out of a scene of darkness and death and usher us into a home of light and life and love. All this it will do and more, but, above all else, it will bring us into the company of Jesus. As He can say, “I...More Monday, April 3, 2023 The Way of Peace Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear … The way of peace they have not known. Isaiah 59:1–2, 8 NKJV The Way of Peace The book of Isaiah speaks often about peace, starting with the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6 and closing with “peace like a river” in Isaiah 66:12. These are beautiful references, but in between there are many passages like the one above. The Lord has declared the sins of the house of...More Sunday, April 2, 2023 The Cross Is Too Vast to Comprehend The word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but to us that are saved it is God’s power … God has been pleased by the foolishness of the preaching to save those that believe. 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21 JND The Cross Is Too Vast to Comprehend There is nothing like the cross! It stands in all its solitary greatness and grandeur in the center of eternity. It is the wonder of every intelligent creature, for on it is inscribed not only evil and hatred of fallen beings, but also the goodness and love of God. Out of the shadows of the past we see it looming in all its brightness and...More Saturday, April 1, 2023 A Mighty Man of Wealth Naomi had a relation of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz. Ruth 2:1 JND A Mighty Man of Wealth Boaz as a kinsman is a lovely type of Christ. Christ was able to do the part of the near kinsman in His death and resurrection. Two things come out in Christ the Savior: He is the full revelation of God, and He is a perfect Man too. There is a Man who can deliver you from the lake of fire, a Man who can bring you in righteousness to God, “a mighty man of wealth,” and His name, His peerless name, is Jesus. He was rich. He had...More Friday, March 31, 2023 The Bridegroom and the Bride (6) His cheeks are as a bed of spices, raised beds of sweet plants; His lips lilies, dropping liquid myrrh. Song of Songs 5:13 JND The Bridegroom and the Bride (6) What a difference between those who know the Lord Jesus and therefore love Him and honor Him, and those who do not know Him and, blinded by Satan, hate Him and despise Him. The former see His cheeks “as a bed of spices”; the latter see Him as despised and rejected of men, and as One to be smitten on His cheeks and spat upon. The unsaved say, “There is no beauty that we should desire Him” (Isa. 53:2), but the saved will say with the...More Thursday, March 30, 2023 God’s Call (3)—All Things Work Together for the Called But we do know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to purpose. Romans 8:28 JND God’s Call (3)—All Things Work Together for the Called Notice the phrase “all things.” This verse does not tell us that all things are good. We know that the circumstances of our lives are not always good. Bereavement, sickness, disability, and war in themselves are not good. These things came about because of sin being present in the world. Originally God declared His creation to be “very good” (Gen. 1:31). But now it is scarred by the results of...More Wednesday, March 29, 2023 The Importance of Faithfulness in God’s Work I appointed as treasurers over the storehouse Shelemiah the priest and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites … for they were considered faithful, and their task was to distribute to their brethren. Nehemiah 13:13 NKJV The Importance of Faithfulness in God’s Work Nehemiah had a big work to do in restoring the walls of the city of Jerusalem, but the number of people to do the work were “few” (7:4). This was a critical situation, but there were some faithful ones with him, like Hananiah, who “was a faithful man and feared God more than many” (7:2). What a testimony to...More Tuesday, March 28, 2023 Living in the Light of the Judgment Seat We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:8–10 NKJV Living in the Light of the Judgment Seat If we, like the apostle Paul, lived our lives in the light of the day that is coming, what a difference it would make. It is far easier to sing “Nothing but Christ as on we...More Monday, March 27, 2023 The Waters of Marah Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea … Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter … and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. Exodus 15:22–25 NKJV The Waters of Marah Marah is in itself never pleasant. The Christian’s spirit with regard to all the sorrow and sin that is in the world can never be apathy, never indifference. We are never placed in a position in which we should not be sensitive to the scene we are passing through. On the contrary, we are in the very position in which we shall...More Sunday, March 26, 2023 Christ’s Obedience in Fulfilling God’s Will I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8 NKJV Christ’s Obedience in Fulfilling God’s Will This was our blessed Lord’s motive for coming into the world! He was not only willing to do God’s will, but also able to do it. Moreover, He not only lived to do God’s will, but He was ready to die for doing God’s will. What a Savior! The citation of this passage in Hebrews 10 emphasizes that with Christ’s coming into this world an entirely new order of things has been introduced, in which there is no failure at all. It is the very opposite of...More Saturday, March 25, 2023 The Spiritual Sense of “Hearing” Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not.” So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands; so he blessed him. Genesis 27:21–23 NKJV The Spiritual Sense of “Hearing” Isaac believed the end of his life was near. He was at least 100 years old (as we calculate from Genesis 25:26 and 26:34), and he desired to bless Esau, his elder son....More Friday, March 24, 2023 Christ the Standard and Touchstone As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of me. John 6:57 NKJV Christ the Standard and Touchstone It is our sweet privilege to set the Lord always before us. He is our model. As He was sent into the world, so are we. What did He come to do? To glorify God. How did He live? By the Father. This makes it all so simple. Christ is the standard and touchstone for everything. It is no longer a question of mere right and wrong according to human rules. It is simply a question of what is worthy of Christ. Would He do this or that? Would He go...More Thursday, March 23, 2023 What Can We Learn From Job? (4) When Job’s three friends heard … each one came … to comfort him … they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great. The Lord said … “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has … My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him. Job 2:11–13 NKJV; Job 42:7–8 NKJV What Can We Learn From Job? (4) Hearing of Job’s calamity, three of Job’s friends come to visit him. They mean well, wanting to...More Wednesday, March 22, 2023 Blinded Minds But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2 Corinthians 4:3–4 NKJV Blinded Minds Even when the gospel is preached as it should be preached, there are found those who do not believe; and the explanation is that the devil has blinded their eyes. The sun in the heavens has not been eclipsed, but a very dark blind has been dropped over the window of their little room. The light of the gospel of the glory...More Tuesday, March 21, 2023 Christian Intimacy I commend to you Phoebe, our sister … Salute Maria, who labored much for you. Timotheus, my fellow-workman. Romans 16:1, 6 JND; Romans 16:21 JND Christian Intimacy A beautiful feature of New Testament Christianity is the unaffected, intimate manner in which the people of God address one another. Cultural norms may change from one place to another. Conventions in society may change with the passage of time. But the Word of God does not change. It is clear from passages such as Romans 16 and Colossians 4 that, when greetings were given, believers addressed one another on a first-name...More Monday, March 20, 2023 The First and Last Words of David What shall be done to the man that smites this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? Bless now Jehovah your God. And all the congregation blessed Jehovah the God of their fathers. 1 Samuel 17:26 JND; 1 Chronicles 29:20 JND The First and Last Words of David It is not until David is with the army of Israel, facing the Philistines, that we hear him speak. His words show how much he loved God and His people. Others trembled at Goliath’s threats, but he burned with indignation that...More Sunday, March 19, 2023 Remember His Love Keep yourselves in the love of God. We love because He has first loved us. Jude 1:21 JND; 1 John 4:19 JND Remember His Love How important it is for us to remember God’s love for us; this gives us strength. The apostle John refers to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved (Jn. 13:23). John did not boast about his love to the Lord but rather he enjoyed, bathed in, dwelt in the love of God for him. When we read the story of Jonathan we read that he loved David as his own soul (1 Sam. 18:3). Similarly, Jonathan’s sister Michal loved David too and they married. But sadly...More Saturday, March 18, 2023 Every Heir and Every Hair Athaliah … arose and destroyed all the royal heirs of the house of Judah. 2 Chronicles 22:10 NKJV Every Heir and Every Hair The wicked Queen Athaliah destroyed all the royal seed, the male descendants of King David. The whole sad story and happy ending is recorded in 2 Chronicles 22–23. Her effort to destroy the royal seed was thwarted by the intervention of godly Jehoiada. One child, Joash, was preserved. A dramatic moment in messianic history! The ancestor of Christ was preserved; had Joash been killed, the Savior could not have been born into the world (humanly speaking); but God’s...More Friday, March 17, 2023 Our Heavenly High Priest Such a high priest became us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and become higher than the heavens. Hebrews 7:26 JND Our Heavenly High Priest Aaron and his sons were not at all suited to meet our need: their qualifications were far short of what is required. A high priest fully suited to us must have infinitely higher characteristics. First, He must be holy in character, having unvarying love of good and hatred of evil. Second, in conduct He must be harmless, having no element of disregard for the need or welfare of others. Third, in contact He must be undefiled, not in any...More Thursday, March 16, 2023 The Bridegroom and the Bride (5) His eyes are like doves by the water-brooks, washed with milk, fitly set. Song of Songs 5:12 JND The Bridegroom and the Bride (5) When the bride in the Song of Songs was asked by the daughters of Jerusalem what distinguished her Beloved from others, she had no difficulty speaking of His unique qualities. In the verse quoted above, she spoke of His eyes. The eyes express the inner feelings of a person, whether feelings of love and compassion or of hatred and anger. No one can see what is in somebody’s eyes unless one comes close to him. She has gazed long enough at the face of her Bridegroom to...More Wednesday, March 15, 2023 There Is Nothing Good in the Flesh We do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells. 2 Corinthians 4:5 NKJV; Romans 7:18 NKJV There Is Nothing Good in the Flesh The greatest hindrance to the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer is self. Good self or bad self is still self. Self-esteem, self-worth, self-image, self-love are at best the occupation with the wrong man—the very man whom God has set aside and condemned in the death of Christ. God is not attempting to improve man in the flesh; instead He...More Tuesday, March 14, 2023 God’s Call (2)—The Call to Service And God called to him out of the midst of the thorn-bush and said, Moses, Moses! And he said, Here am I. And Moses said to the children of Israel, See, Jehovah has called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri. Exodus 3:4 JND; Exodus 35:30 JND God’s Call (2)—The Call to Service In our texts today, we see God’s call to two men to serve Him. In a similar way, He calls believers today to serve Him, too. In 1 Corinthians 1:1, we see that the apostle Paul describes himself as a called apostle or apostle by calling. It was not his own decision to become an apostle, but the decision...More Monday, March 13, 2023 What Can We Learn From Job? (3) [Job’s] sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them … and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job 1:4–5 NKJV What Can We Learn From Job? (3) There are important lessons on family life here. God had given Job a large family. His seven sons and three daughters enjoyed each other’s company,...More Sunday, March 12, 2023 Christ Alone on the Cross My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning? Psalm 22:1 NKJV Christ Alone on the Cross The Gospels display the One in whom was no selfishness. They tell out the heart that was ready for everybody. No matter how deep His own sorrow, He always cared for others. He could warn Peter in Gethsemane, and comfort the dying thief on the cross. His heart was above circumstances, never acting under them, but ever according to God in them. We see that He was always sensible to them, and we often get in the Psalms expressions of what His heart...More Saturday, March 11, 2023 The Joy of Sharing the Gospel. But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ. Philippians 1:12–13 NKJV The Joy of Sharing the Gospel It is always a sad sign, and an evidence of spiritual decline, when the heart loses its interest in the message of grace. Some are so occupied with the deeper truths of the Word of God that they allow themselves to speak slightingly of the simplicity of the gospel. Paul was the preeminent teacher...More Friday, March 10, 2023 A Word of Comfort From Isaiah (2) A...smoking flax He will not quench. Isaiah 42:3 NKJV A Word of Comfort From Isaiah (2) When a lamp burned down to the end of the wick, it would only sputter and smoke without making any light. Since such a smoldering wick was useless, it was put out and thrown away. The smoking flax represents people whose lives are worn out; there is more smoke than light coming from them. Their testimony has become ineffective. Perhaps you feel like a smoking flax. Has your light simmered down until it just smokes, almost gone out? Are you discouraged because your light does not shine brightly? Our...More Thursday, March 9, 2023 A Word of Comfort From Isaiah (1) A bruised reed He will not break. Isaiah 42:3 NKJV A Word of Comfort From Isaiah (1) Shepherds used to make sweet music with reeds, but they were useless when broken because the air could not go through, and when one became too bruised the shepherd would just throw it away. Are you a broken reed? Are you no longer able to make sweet music in the service of the Lord? If your life has been so bruised, your mind, your heart, or body, and you feel, “Oh, I am no longer any good to anybody,” perhaps the Lord Jesus is saying to you, “Come to Me; bring Me the bruised heart, mind, or body, and I will...More Wednesday, March 8, 2023 Catching People They enclosed a great multitude of fishes. And their net broke. And they beckoned to their partners who were in the other ship to come and help them, and they came, and filled both the ships, so that they were sinking. But Simon Peter, seeing it, fell at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord … And Jesus said to Simon, Fear not; henceforth thou shalt be catching men. Luke 5:6–8, 10 JND Catching People What does catching fish have to do with catching people? This miracle shows that, despite our shortcomings, Christ wants to use believers to “catch” people—to...More Tuesday, March 7, 2023 Don’t Quit These all died in faith … Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13, 16 NKJV Don’t Quit Hebrews 11 has been called the “Heroes’ Hall of Faith.” It presents illustrations of faith, not in an abstract way, but in the real lives and circumstances of these Old Testament worthies. When we read through this chapter, we see the exploits of faith accomplished by these saints, what they did “by faith.” However, when we compare chapter 11 with what is recorded of them in the Old Testament, sometimes we notice the Holy Spirit puts...More

Monday, March 6, 2023 God’s Call (1)—From the Beginning And Jehovah Elohim called to Man, and said to him, Where art thou? Genesis 3:9 JND God’s Call (1)—From the Beginning The story of the fall in Genesis 3 is familiar to us. Man was created “upright” (Eccl. 7:29), but fell to the temptation of the serpent. Adam and his wife sewed fig leaves together to try to cover themselves. However, as soon as they heard God’s voice, they hid among the trees of the garden. They were guilty and they knew it. How wonderful is the Word of God! From the beginning we see what is true for sinners—even today. If salvation is to come to mankind, God...More Sunday, March 5, 2023 Do You Miss Me? The Lord Jesus … said … this do in remembrance of Me. 1 Corinthians 11:23–24 JND Do You Miss Me? The Lord Jesus cannot bear to be forgotten by those He loves to the end. Worthless hearts, some may say truly. Yes, but Jesus cares for them: He has died to make them His, and counts on our remembrance of Him—giving us only that which may be the sweet expression of Him and His death for us. If the Supper of the Lord means anything then, it means this, that we love Him and miss Him in the world that has cast Him out. He invests it with just this character Himself: “For as often as ye shall eat...More Saturday, March 4, 2023 What Can We Learn From Job? (2) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience … Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. The Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils. James 1:2–3, 13 NKJV; Job 2:6–7 NKJV What Can We Learn From Job? (2) Psalm 119:68 plainly states that God is good and does good. Sin is abhorrent to Him; it is totally...More Friday, March 3, 2023 A New Nature That Does Not Change Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV A New Nature That Does Not Change When God says that He does not change (Mal. 3:6), it does not mean that He decides not to change, but that by nature God is immutable—He is unchangeable. This only stands to reason, since any change whatsoever would put His deity in question. If God is perfect, then any deviation is away from perfection; conversely, if it is a change toward perfection, then it began from a position that was less than...More Thursday, March 2, 2023 The Day of Vengeance Surely He is God who judges in the earth. Psalm 58:11 NKJV The Day of Vengeance The first portion of this psalm describes the condition of the world immediately preceding the judgment of the living nations. It will be evident that the government of the earth in man’s hands has entirely failed. The sons of men no longer speak nor act righteously. As in the days that preceded the judgment of the flood, men were corrupt and filled with violence in their ways (Gen. 6:11); so, before the judgment falls upon the present world, it will again be manifest that their hearts are utterly corrupt...More Wednesday, March 1, 2023 The Importance of Prophecy And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place. 2 Peter 1:19 NKJV The Importance of Prophecy The objection to the study of prophecy arises from a root of unbelief, sometimes deeply hidden, which supposes all blessing to depend on the measure in which a subject bears immediately on one’s self or one’s circumstances. Thus when some cry out that prophecy is not essential, I would ask, “Essential to what?” If they mean essential to salvation, we agree. But then on what ground do such objectors stand! The anxiety to examine only...More Tuesday, February 28, 2023 Treasure in Earthen Vessels It is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:6–7 NKJV Treasure in Earthen Vessels When we come to realize how wretched the flesh within us is, then we need to see that God is teaching us to look away from ourselves and unto Christ. As we look unto Him, His moral features will be impressed upon us. Some of these features are obedience and dependence...More Monday, February 27, 2023 The Bridegroom and the Bride (4) His head is as the finest gold; His locks are flowing, black as the raven. Song of Songs 5:11 JND The Bridegroom and the Bride (4) The bride spoke of her Beloved as the absolutely holy One, who is distinguished from all others. Now she goes into more detail. His head is as the finest gold. The head is the source of thoughts, plans, and purposes. His thoughts and His purposes are pure as fine gold. David says of Him, “But how precious are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” (Ps. 139:17). The Beloved’s thoughts are expressed in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts...More Sunday, February 26, 2023 They Talked About His Decease Behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elias: who appeared in glory, and spake of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem. Luke 9:30–31 KJV They Talked About His Decease They talked of His decease which He was to accomplish: three precious and important words. They tell us of the intimacy, the personal intimacy, that there is between the Lord and the elect in the realms of glory. As it was in the Garden of Eden at the beginning, and then among the patriarchs, and then with the disciples and their divine Master, so will it be in the ages of glory. There will be...More Saturday, February 25, 2023 The Urim and Thummim Thou shalt put into the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, that they may be upon Aaron’s heart when he goeth in before Jehovah; and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before Jehovah continually. Exodus 28:30 JND The Urim and Thummim The breastplate of judgment was part of the priestly ephod. It was through the Urim (“lights”) and Thummim (“perfections”)—possibly precious stones that were kept in a pouch or pocket of the breastplate—that the Lord made known His thoughts. Exactly how, we do not know, but it was the high priest who used...More Friday, February 24, 2023 What Can We Learn From Job? (1) My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:10–11 NKJV What Can We Learn From Job? (1) The story of Job is in all likelihood one of the oldest accounts in the Bible. It is set in the time before God had called Israel to be His chosen people on earth and had given them the Law. God is seen here still dealing directly with individuals, probably even before...More Thursday, February 23, 2023 Waiting Upon God by Faith When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.” Genesis 17:1 NKJV Waiting Upon God by Faith This is the fifth time we read that the Lord appeared to Abram, but the last recorded time God spoke to Abram was thirteen years earlier. Abram had experienced the Lord as he began to walk by faith in chapters 12–13. He had learned the importance of relying on His God in chapters 14–15 as he warred by faith. But now in chapter 16–17 Abram and his wife are finding it hard to wait on the Lord by faith. God had...More Wednesday, February 22, 2023 In the Word and on Your Knees He hath satisfied the longing soul and filled the hungry soul with good. Psalm 107:9 JND In the Word and on Your Knees I look at the various New Testament Epistles as having been written along the lines of Psalm 107:9. There is satisfaction in the Christian’s Savior and Lord for all the longings created in his breast by the new birth, and directed by the Spirit. At the same time there is goodness beyond telling, the very goodness of God in Christ, which in blessing us puts anything like hunger forever at a distance. If you, therefore, read in order to learn Him, praying God to enlighten you, and...More Tuesday, February 21, 2023 Paul’s Benediction to the Corinthians (3) The communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV Paul’s Benediction to the Corinthians (3) Paul concludes his benediction to the Corinthian believers with “the communion [or fellowship] of the Holy Spirit.” This is the only time we get this expression in the Bible. Christ told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would come after He returned to heaven. Indeed it was necessary that He return to heaven in order that the Holy Spirit could come. Christ would not abandon them, or leave them orphans—the Helper’s presence would be like having the Lord...More Monday, February 20, 2023 Our Strong Tower The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NKJV Our Strong Tower The phrase “a strong tower” is only used three times in Scripture. The other two references help to explain it. In Judges 9:46–49, Abimelech, Gideon’s son, attacked the tower of Shechem and it fell. It was only a tower. But in verses 50–53, there was a “strong tower” in a city called Thebez. Abimelech tried to destroy it too, but a woman dropped a piece of millstone on his head, and he was destroyed instead! The strong tower stood. It could not be...More Sunday, February 19, 2023 The Throne of God and Our Feet Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. John 13:3–5 NKJV The Throne of God and Our Feet Here, then, we have a most marvelous presentation of Christ’s present service toward “His own which are in the world.” There is something peculiarly precious in the expression, “His own.” It brings us so...More Saturday, February 18, 2023 The First and Last Words of Moses Why art thou smiting thy neighbor? Happy art thou, Israel! Who is like unto thee, a people saved by Jehovah? Exodus 2:13 JND; Deuteronomy 33:29 JND The First and Last Words of Moses Moses might well have reigned over Egypt, but God was at work in his life and he “refused to be called son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction along with the people of God than to have the temporary pleasure of sin” (Heb. 11:24–25). Seeing an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, he killed him, thinking, says Stephen, “that his brethren would understand that God by his hand was giving...More Friday, February 17, 2023 Dependence Upon God—A Constant Necessity The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. Romans 8:7 NKJV Dependence Upon God—A Constant Necessity There is no such thing as mending the flesh by even one atom. In innocence it broke down; without law it is grossly and horribly ignorant; under law, rebellious, not subject, neither could be. Bring in grace, and it spits in the face of the One who brings it in; put the Holy Spirit in a man, and the flesh lusts against the Spirit; put a man in the third heaven, and when he comes down the flesh will be puffed up about it (2 Cor. 12:7). The...More Thursday, February 16, 2023 A Good Question The people sent Sherezer … to ask the priests who were in the house of the Lord of hosts, and the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?” Zechariah 7:2–3 NKJV A Good Question The people were rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. They had returned from captivity long before, but after laying the temple’s foundation they were discouraged by opposition. For nearly twenty years their work ceased until God used Haggai and Zechariah to stir them up. At this point in Zechariah 7, the people had been spiritually awakened and now asked...More Wednesday, February 15, 2023 What Else Do You Need? After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Genesis 15:1 NKJV What Else Do You Need? In chapter 14, Abraham had just had two great victories. First He rescued Lot, and then He resisted the temptation of the king of Sodom. He was able to do both of these things by relying on His God and enjoying the resources that were provided by Melchizedek, king of Salem, who is a picture of the Lord Jesus. After these things, the word of the Lord appears to Abram preparing him for other...More Tuesday, February 14, 2023 Paul’s Benediction to the Corinthians (2) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV Paul’s Benediction to the Corinthians (2) The end of Paul’s second epistle to the Corinthians is something every believer should consider. How easily we sometimes glide over verses such as this benediction, thinking them relatively unimportant or unnecessary. We certainly believe them to be inspired, but somehow they are only viewed (subconsciously) as a poetic, if not mundane, punctuation to the main message. Let us now consider Paul’s...More Monday, February 13, 2023 Scruples of Conscience (2)—(Holi)days One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not … to the Lord he does not observe it … why do you judge … Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Romans 14:5–6, 10 NKJV Scruples of Conscience (2)—(Holi)days God had told His earthly people Israel to observe special feast days, telling them how, when, and with what sacrifices they were to be celebrated. While some Jewish Christians...More Sunday, February 12, 2023 When the King Is at His Table There they made Him a supper. While the king is at his table, my spikenard sends forth its fragrance. John 12:2 NKJV; Song of Songs 1:12 NKJV When the King Is at His Table It was not often in this sad world that anyone made a supper for the Lord. There at last they spread a feast for Him who spread a feast for all the world. There the King sat at His table, and there the spikenard of the bride sent forth its fragrance. It had been blessed to sit at His feet as a learner and hear His word, but Mary’s spikenard sent forth no fragrance there. It was blessed to fall at His feet...More Saturday, February 11, 2023 The High Priest’s Breastplate Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment on his heart, when he goes in to the sanctuary, for a memorial before Jehovah continually. Exodus 28:29 JND The High Priest’s Breastplate God had said to Pharaoh, “Let My son go, that he may serve Me” (Ex. 4:23). After the ten plagues, Israel had been delivered from Egyptian bondage so that they might serve the Lord. However, once they had been delivered from bondage and were going through the wilderness, it became clear that they were not able to serve Him. Even though they had said three times, “All that...More Friday, February 10, 2023 The Christian Is an “Epistle of Christ” But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV The Christian Is an “Epistle of Christ” The apostle Paul had been in stressful situations, as found in other portions of this book: “We were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves” (2 Cor. 1:8–9). In spite of outward dangers, Paul does not faint or become discouraged. Instead he sees himself identified in...More Thursday, February 9, 2023 Don’t Neglect the Instruction of Proverbs My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck. Proverbs 1:8–9 NKJV Don’t Neglect the Instruction of Proverbs In these words we have the divine reason for the book of Proverbs. God would save all who heed what is there recorded from the heartbreaking experiences and aimless wanderings of the man who was chosen to write them. There are two ways of learning the emptiness of the world and the character of sin. One, and by far the commonest way, is to tread the thorny...More Wednesday, February 8, 2023 Scruples of Conscience (1)—Foods We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself. Romans 15:1–3 NKJV Scruples of Conscience (1)—Foods Beginning in Romans 14, the apostle Paul takes up difficulties arising from the cultural and spiritual backgrounds of the believers at Rome. Many new believers there were Jewish. The Law God had given His earthly people had told them which foods were clean and could be eaten and which were unclean and thus were not to be eaten. Gentile...More Tuesday, February 7, 2023 The Bridegroom and the Bride (3) My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. Song of Songs 5:10 JND The Bridegroom and the Bride (3) As soon as the bride was asked about her Beloved, in what way he was more than another beloved, in what way he is unique and matchless, she had no hesitation in answering. She was delighted to describe her Beloved (vv. 10–16). We will now consider what she says. The first thing that distinguishes Him is that He is white. The Bible uses the word white as a symbol of purity, as in Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as...More Monday, February 6, 2023 Paul’s Benediction to the Corinthians (1) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV Paul’s Benediction to the Corinthians (1) A benediction is a theological term used to describe a short invocation for divine help, blessing, and guidance. It is traditionally read at the end of a Christian meeting or “service” before the people depart. In the New Testament there are several benedictions; these usually occur toward the end of an epistle or the end of a section of an epistle (Rom. 15:13; Gal. 6:18; Eph. 6:23–24; 1 Th. 5:23–24; Heb....More Sunday, February 5, 2023 Things Seen at the Cross He who did not spare His own Son. Romans 8:32 NKJV Things Seen at the Cross The Lord Jesus, the eternal Son of God, humbled Himself and became Man. He took the lowest place. He was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. What must this have been for the Lord! What must it have been for the Lord when Judas betrayed him with a kiss! What must it have been for Him to have soldiers spit in His face, to be scourged by them, and to become the object of their rude mockery and scorn! Yet more, how must it have affected Him to have to carry our sins, to be made sin for us, and then to...More Saturday, February 4, 2023 A New Creation—Not According to the Flesh Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh … Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:16–17 NKJV A New Creation—Not According to the Flesh Christ is no longer bodily among us in this world, and because we also now live in connection with Him, a new order of things has come in. Even Christ Himself is known by us in a new way. Paul had not been among those who knew Christ “according to flesh” in the days of His flesh. But even if he had been, he would have known Him thus no longer. But also we know no man after the flesh. As...More Friday, February 3, 2023 The Table of Showbread You shall set the showbread on the table before Me always. Exodus 25:30 NKJV The Table of Showbread The tabernacle in the wilderness was set up for the specific purpose that God might dwell among His people and be glorified in their midst. Of all God’s instructions, one point is striking in particular: the term continually occurs seven times in God’s directives given to Moses in Exodus. Many things in the tabernacle system illustrate various aspects of Christ’s person and work. This helps us understand God’s desire that the things which speak of Christ should continue. As to the...More Thursday, February 2, 2023 Do Not Receive False Teachers Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. 2 John 9–11 NKJV Do Not Receive False Teachers Second John is the only epistle in Scripture addressed to a woman. It emphasizes the truth of Scripture that must be maintained diligently and faithfully, even by a gentle, tenderhearted woman and sister in the Lord. Many deceivers...More Wednesday, February 1, 2023 Care for the Member The body is not one member but many … But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased … But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 1 Corinthians 12:14, 18, 24–25 NKJV Care for the Member Some time ago a man was moving a very large, heavy piano and in the process it fell on his big toe crushing it very badly, so much so that the doctors recommended amputation. The man refused, so over the months there were...More Tuesday, January 31, 2023 Are We in Tune With Him? Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23–24 NKJV Are We in Tune With Him? Up to the knowledge you have of divine things, is your heart in tune with Him? Could you say, “Search me”? It is a painful process sometimes. “Lead me in the way everlasting.” Beloved friends, there is a way everlasting, and it is in that way everlasting that God comes and searches the heart. Are you content to have every motive searched out? It must be so if our communion with God and...More Monday, January 30, 2023 Separation From Sinful Associations Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage. 2 Chronicles 18:1 JND Separation From Sinful Associations Jehoshaphat was one of Judah’s finest kings. He sought after God, walking in the ways of David his forefather. He removed idolatry throughout the land. He made sure that his people were taught the law of the Lord. When attacked by a confederation of hostile armies, he led his people in seeking the face of the Lord and later in praising Him for the victory. His prayer on that occasion vibrates with rich instruction for us. But Jehoshaphat...More Sunday, January 29, 2023 Christ Is Our Righteousness Him who knew not sin He has made sin for us, that we might become God’s righteousness in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 JND Christ Is Our Righteousness When the father fell upon the neck of the repentant prodigal, and imprinted on his cheek the kiss of love, he said to his servants, “Bring out the best robe and clothe him in it” (Lk. 15:22). It was the best robe. There could be nothing superior to it. It was the highest possible character of fitness for the father’s presence. But the illustration fails to convey the full blessedness of the righteousness which every believer now is made in Christ,...More Saturday, January 28, 2023 God’s View of Usefulness I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:9 NKJV God’s View of Usefulness A question often arises about “usefulness.” Satan often beguiles by it. He may have suggested to John that he would be more useful if he were to compromise a little, and keep out of trouble for the sake of being free for his service to saints. Useful to whom? To God or to men? God may be able to show out more of His glory by laying men aside. The...More Friday, January 27, 2023 Eliashib’s Testimony Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate. Nehemiah 3:1 NKJV Eliashib’s Testimony When God’s people first returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity, Jeshua the high priest helped rebuild the temple (Ezra 3:2, 8). Now, almost 75 years later, his grandson Eliashib (see Neh. 12:10) took the lead in repairing the city walls. It is God’s principle that His work must be done in a priestly character—that is, with a clear realization that we are serving in the presence of the Lord. It was good that Eliashib, a mature, older leader among his...More Thursday, January 26, 2023 The Bridegroom and the Bride (2) Where has your beloved gone, O most beautiful among women? Where has your beloved turned, that we may seek him with you? Song of Songs 6:1 ESV The Bridegroom and the Bride (2) Two things led the daughters of Jerusalem to ask the bride of this lovely song this question. First, they have been noticing her beauty. Not only is she beautiful, but she is most beautiful among women. That is, her beauty is unique. It is spiritual beauty. It is the beauty of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. She is attired with compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, a...More Wednesday, January 25, 2023 The Remedy for Carnal Christians I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 1 Corinthians 3:1–3 NKJV The Remedy for Carnal Christians In reflecting on this portion of Scripture, we must bear in mind the great object the apostle Paul had before him. He longed to see the Corinthian saints lifted up and out of their...More Tuesday, January 24, 2023 Salvation Even in Judgment The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NKJV Salvation Even in Judgment This wonderful verse sits in the middle of three chapters of fierce judgment against Nineveh. Nahum is called of the Lord to prophesy judgment on the very people who repented when Jonah had reluctantly preached to them. But time had passed and the people of Nineveh had gone back to their wicked ways. In the first chapter we read of the declaration of judgment, in chapter 2 of the power of judgment, and in chapter 3 of the finality of such judgment. Three chapters of...More Monday, January 23, 2023 Coming Out and Gathering Together And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins.“ Revelation 18:4 NKJV Coming Out and Gathering Together Babylon the Great is the culmination of the present evil world that lies under the sway of the wicked one in opposition to God, just as in John’s day Rome epitomized the antagonism towards Christianity. Although it is often described as the apostate church, it actually encompasses a religious and commercial aspect. The first is emphasized in Revelation 17, where it is viewed as a corrupt religious system represented by a great harlot....More Sunday, January 22, 2023 Jacob a True Worshiper Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He had talked with him, a pillar of stone, and poured on it a drink-offering, and poured oil on it. Genesis 35:14 JND Jacob a True Worshiper Jacob’s experiences have been described for the instruction and encouragement of all believers. God’s wisdom was displayed in Abraham, the father of all believers, and in his life many features of God the Father come to light. Isaac’s birth and life provide illustrations of the Son of the Father, whereas in Jacob the emphasis is on a progressive work by the Holy Spirit, a work that ultimately led to a complete...More Saturday, January 21, 2023 Serving the Lord Together (3)—John Mark John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem … Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them to Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work … so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. Acts 13:13, 15:37–39 NKJV; 2 Timothy 4:11 NKJV Serving the Lord Together (3)—John Mark The story of John Mark is one of the many accounts in Scripture showing God’s patience in training His servants, and how He...More Friday, January 20, 2023 Beware of Turning Loose the Jackals Samson went and caught three hundred jackals, and took torches, and turned tail to tail, and put a torch in the midst between the two tails. And he set the torches on fire, and let them run into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, and the olive gardens. Judges 15:4–5 JND Beware of Turning Loose the Jackals Samson goes and takes jackals—a strange thing for a Nazarite to be tampering with: the unclean beast that roams around Palestine, the beast that feeds upon carrion, that hides the bones of its prey until it is ready to renew its...More Thursday, January 19, 2023 The First and Last Words of Jacob Sell me now thy birthright. All these are the twelve tribes of Israel … and [Jacob] blessed them: every one according to his blessing he blessed them. Genesis 25:31 JND; Genesis 49:28 JND The First and Last Words of Jacob After hunting, Esau returns to the family encampment to find his younger brother has cooked dinner: “Feed me, I pray thee … for I am faint.” He receives the curt answer at the top of our page, Jacob’s first words in Scripture. He seems to have had them in mind for some time, waiting for the right moment to take advantage of his impulsive brother. That moment...More Wednesday, January 18, 2023 Jesus Only When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Matthew 17:8 NKJV Jesus Only I am very thankful that I live in a day when I have only got to do with Jesus. I have not to tremble before Moses now. I have not to fear Elijah now. I have not to think that redemption is to be got by what I ought to be, or by turning my thoughts in upon myself. Neither law-keeping nor reformation can meet my case. The moment has arrived when God the Father says, “This is my beloved Son, hear Him!” (Mk. 9:7). I have heard the voice of Jesus. Have you heard His voice? Have you not? Ah! Do you not...More Tuesday, January 17, 2023 Serving the Lord Together (2)—Paul I have appeared to you … to make you a minister and a witness … I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you. Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing” … Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. Acts 26:16–17 NKJV; Acts 15:36, 40 NKJV Serving the Lord Together (2)—Paul When Paul, then Saul of Tarsus, a raging persecutor, was nearing Damascus, intending to arrest believers...More Monday, January 16, 2023 The Purpose of Wilderness Trials Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14–15 NKJV The Purpose of Wilderness Trials Paul’s two letters to the Corinthians are wilderness epistles, and the saints are viewed as having been set apart from the world by a divine call. To the eye of faith, this world has become a wilderness, providing nothing to sustain faith. As a Christian passes through this world, his desire and purpose should be to live a life of complete dependence and obedience...More Sunday, January 15, 2023 The Destroyer and the Lamb When He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. Exodus 12:23 NKJV The Destroyer and the Lamb The “destroyer” was going to pass through the land of Egypt to kill the firstborn of every house. He was representative of Jehovah, an angelic being who had the power to destroy with death. Hence sometimes this “destroyer” is called, “the angel of death.” This angel of death passed over the houses in Egypt that were marked with blood. The blood would signify to him that a death...More Saturday, January 14, 2023 How Good Is Your Vision? 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NKJV How Good Is Your Vision? How we view things in life affects the way we live our lives! Perspective is everything. This is true in our spiritual lives as well. The question for us to ponder today is, “How do we see the Lord?” Some see Him as a good man, others as a rejected man. He was indeed all of these. Pilate brought Him out before them and declared, “Behold the Man!” (Jn....More Friday, January 13, 2023 Spiritual Encouragement From David (2) Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah. Psalm 62:8 NKJV Spiritual Encouragement From David (2) We have all heard the story of the man who built his house on the rock, and how the storms came for him despite having built on the rock. He did not avoid the storms, but his house would not be shaken by them. Do you feel like you have waves beating down on you? What had once been a soothing rhythm of splashes as tides moved in and out now may seem like an incessant crashing of wave after wave. You may feel overwhelmed and doubts...More Thursday, January 12, 2023 Spiritual Encouragement From David (1) He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. Psalm 62:6 NKJV Spiritual Encouragement From David (1) David’s thoughts of God are vivid in their description. There was nothing more firm or dependable to David than his God. God is not one of many rocks, or on his top five list of defenses. David could say, “He only is my rock,” and “He is my defense.” Too often we rely on God, but only for some things; we turn to God in certain situations, but not in all of them. One cannot accurately and faithfully state, “I shall not be moved” if there is even an ounce...More Wednesday, January 11, 2023 Serving the Lord Together (1)—Barnabas Joses … named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet … Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark … Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. Acts 4:36–37; 15:37, 39 NKJV Serving the Lord Together (1)—Barnabas Joses was a Levite, the tribe God had chosen to serve Him. Now a disciple, he sold his land in Cyprus and brought the proceeds to the apostles. They began calling him Son of Encouragement—Barnabas—the name we know him...More Tuesday, January 10, 2023 Valuing Your Inheritance Naboth said to Ahab, Jehovah forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to thee! 1 Kings 21:3 JND Valuing Your Inheritance Naboth lived in an evil day in Israel. King Ahab had sold himself to do evil in the sight of the Lord, and his wife, Jezebel, was even worse, urging him on in his evil course. There had been a short-lived revival when the prophet Elijah had defeated 850 false prophets on Mount Carmel and all the people had shouted, “Jehovah, He is God!” But the Word of God gives no evidence that this wonderful confession really touched the lives of the people. They...More Monday, January 9, 2023 Showing Forth Christ’s Praises in Our Life You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9–10 NKJV Showing Forth Christ’s Praises in Our Life In bright contrast to Israel’s rebellious rejection of their true Messiah, the beloved saints of God today are said to be “a chosen generation.” Here is the true election of God, those chosen by Him whose knowledge brought into...More Sunday, January 8, 2023 The Priest Who Never Dies That … we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge … even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:18–20 NKJV The Priest Who Never Dies Our text today would have had a special resonance for these Hebrew believers who were wavering between going back to the temple system in Jerusalem and continuing on in the walk of faith in Jesus Christ. This epistle had the perfect answer for them by pointing them to the Law of Moses, which they fully trusted as inspired by God, pointing them to the cities of refuge found in Numbers...More Saturday, January 7, 2023 The Bridegroom and the Bride (1) What is thy beloved more than another beloved, thou fairest among women? What is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us? Song of Songs 5:9 JND The Bridegroom and the Bride (1) Solomon wrote the three books that follow the Psalms. In the first, Proverbs, he uses the title “Lord.” In the second, Ecclesiastes, he speaks of “God,” but in the third, The Song of Songs, he uses only the pronoun “He.” Yet in all of these Solomon was speaking of the same Person, the Lord God, Jehovah Elohim, who is Jesus our Lord. The Song of Songs opens with the statement, “Let...More Friday, January 6, 2023 The Purpose of Tests We also boast in tribulations, knowing that tribulation works endurance; and endurance, experience; and experience, hope. Romans 5:3–4 JND The Purpose of Tests Experience! This is quite a popular word these days in the world of computers, cars, sports, and other things. With God, it already existed a long time ago. As part of God’s school, experience can be paraphrased as the ability of passing a process of being tested, with the objective of passing the test—and, I might add, getting out of it stronger than before. This specific word “experience” occurs seven times in the New Testament....More Thursday, January 5, 2023 The Preeminence of Worship Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: “Who am I, O Lord God?” 2 Samuel 7:18 NKJV The Preeminence of Worship What was the effect of the Lord’s promises upon the heart of David? We have the answer in that one pithy statement: “Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: ‘Who am I?’” Mark the attitude, and ponder the question. They are full of deep meaning. “He sat.” This is rest and sweet repose. He wanted to go to work too soon. No, says God, you must sit down and look at My work, and trace My actings on your behalf in the past, the...More Wednesday, January 4, 2023 Be Like a Locust Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. Mark 1:6 NKJV Be Like a Locust John the Baptist’s diet of locusts and wild honey may not be one we would choose, but it sustained him. The locusts are especially interesting because, unlike most flying insects, they were classified as clean animals. According to Old Testament dietary laws, any flying insects which have jointed legs for jumping, such as locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers, were clean and could be eaten (Lev. 11:21–22). Other flying insects creep upon the earth...More Tuesday, January 3, 2023 Sin Can Be Forgiven—But There Are Always Consequences You have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. 2 Samuel 12:14 NKJV Sin Can Be Forgiven—But There Are Always Consequences When confronted by the prophet Nathan about his sins against Uriah and Bathsheba, David confessed and was assured that he had been forgiven. But although he was forgiven, the consequences of his sins would be very grave, not only for his life personally but also with regard to the honor and glory of God. His actions gave great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. Years later King Manasseh had a similar experience. He sinned in...More Monday, January 2, 2023 Abiding in Christ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:4–5 NKJV Abiding in Christ Abiding in Christ presents our privilege, as well as our responsibility, to constantly walk in dependence upon Christ. As one has said, abiding in Christ is practical habitual nearness of heart to Him. If we have learned that fruit is the reproduction of the character of Christ, expressed by “love,...More Sunday, January 1, 2023 A New Year’s Meditation—My Angel Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Exodus 23:20 NKJV A New Year’s Meditation—My Angel The children of Israel had been set free from the bondage of Egypt by the miraculous and mighty events which transpired at the Passover and the crossing of the Red Sea. God had been at work on their behalf and they had seen the salvation of the Lord. God had promised to bring them into a land of “milk and honey,” a promised land. However, they would spend forty years in the wilderness before getting there due to their...More

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