MORNING FEBRUARY 1
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Whom having not seen, ye love.
We walk by faith, not by sight. — We love him, because he first loved us. — And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. — In whom ye trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. — God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. — Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
I PET. 1:8. II Cor. 5:7. -I John 4:19. -I John 4:16. -Eph. l:13. -Col. 1:27. I John 4:20. John 20:29. -Psa. 2:12.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 1
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The Lord Our Righteousness.
We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. — I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him. — To her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord ... that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.
JER. 23:6. Isa. 64:6. Psa. 71:16. -Isa. 61:10. Luke 15:22. -Rev. 19:8. Php. 3:8,9.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 2
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Oh that thou wouldest keep me from evil.
Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. — The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches, feed me with food convenient for me: lest I be full and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. — I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible. — He that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. — The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations.
1 Chr 4:10. Luke 22:46. -Matt. 26:41. Prov. 30:7-9. Psa. 121:7. -Jer. 15:21. -I John 5:18. Rev. 3:10. -II Pet. 2:9.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 2
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One star differeth from another star in glory.
By the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all. — Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.
They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righeousness as the stars for ever and ever.
I COR. 15:41. Mark 9:34,35. -I Pet. 5:5,6. Php. 2:5-7,9,10. Dan. 12:3.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 3
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Be strong, and work; for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. — I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. — Strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. — The joy of the Lord is your strength.
Thus said the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets. — Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not. — The Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might.
If God be for us, who can be against us? — Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.
Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. — Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
HAG. 2:4. John 15:5. -Php. 4:13. -Eph. 6:10. -Neh. 8:10. Zech. 8:9. -Isa. 35:3,4. -Judg. 6:14. Rom. 8:31. -II Cor. 4:1. Gal. 6:9. -I Cor. 15:57.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 3
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The darkness hideth not from thee.
His eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. — Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? ... Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; ... nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness ... Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. — He that keepeth thee will not slumber. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.
PSA. 139:12. Job 34:21,2. -Jer. 23:24. Psa 91:5,6,9,10. -Psa. 121:3,5-7. Psa. 23:4.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 4
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The Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
Truly if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is a heavenly. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt. — The just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. — No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. — Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
He which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
DEUT. 17:16. Heb. 11:15,16,25,26. -Heb. 10:38,39. -Luke 9:62. Gal. 6:14. -II Cor. 6:17. Php. 1:6.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 4
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They talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. — Comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Let us not ... judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. — We ... that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourelves.
Charity ... rejoiceth not in iniquity. — Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
PSA. 69:26. Zech. 1:15. Gal. 6:1. Jas. 5:20. -I Thes. 5:14. Rom. 14:30. -Rom. 15:1. I Cor. 13:4,6. -I Cor. 10:12.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 5
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I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. — She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. — If by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. — Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. — Our Saviour Jesus Christ, ... hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. — For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
JOHN 10:10. Gen. 2:17. -Gen. 3:6. Rom. 6:23. -Rom. 5:17. - I Cor. 15:21,22. -II Tim. 1:10. I John 5:11,12. -John 3:17.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 5
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The judgment-seat.
We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth. — When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. — Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. — There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.
We are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
II COR. 5:10. Rom. 2:2. -Matt. 25:31,32. Matt. 13:43. -Rom. 8:33,34. -Rom. 8:1. I Cor. 11:32.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 6
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The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich. — For where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. — Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. — According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
I TIM. 1:14. II Cor. 8:9. -Rom. 5:20. Eph. 2:7-9. -Gal. 2:16. -Tit. 3:5,6.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 6
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I am ... the bright and morning Star.
There shall come a star out of Jacob.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. — Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bethel.
Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.
I am the light of the world. — I will give him the morning star.
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: ... lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
REV. 22:16. Num. 24:17. Rom. 13:12. -Song 2:17. Isa. 25:11,12. John 8:12. -Rev. 2:28. Mark 13:33,37.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 7
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When thou has eaten and are full, ... thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God. — One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. — He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks. — The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, ... who forgiveth all thine iniquities; ... who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies.
DEUT. 8:10. Deut. 8:11. -Luke 17:15-18. I Tim. 4:4,5. -Rom. 14:6. -Prov. 10:22. Psa. 103:1-4.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 7
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Jesus ... was moved with compassion toward them.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. — We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. — Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way. — He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
MATT. 14:14. Heb. 13:8. -Heb. 4:15. -Heb. 5:2. -Mark 14:37,38. Psa. 103:13,14. Psa. 86:15,16.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 8
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Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends.
The Lord said, shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do? — It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. — God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. — Even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.
Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. — The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him: and he will shew them his covenant. — I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
JOHN 15:15. Gen. 18:17. -Matt. 13:11. -I Cor. 2:10. -I Cor. 2:7. Psa. 65:4. -Psa. 25:14. -John 17:8. John 15:14.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 8
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Thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.
The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but feIlowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. — If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion.
ISA. 60:18. Rev. 21:14. Eph. 2:19-22. -I Pet. 2:3-5. Psa. 65:1.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 9
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Now he is comforted.
Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. — He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth. — These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters. — God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
LUKE 16:25. Isa. 60:20. -Isa. 25:8. -Rev. 7:14-17. -Rev. 21:4.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 9
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The night cometh when no man can work.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, ... they ... rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. — There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest. — Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. — The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.
I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: hence-forth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
JOHN 9:4. Rev. 14:13. -Job 3:17. -I Sam. 28:15. Eccl. 9:10. -Psa. 115:17. II Tim. 4:6-8. Heb. 4:9,10.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 10
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The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single thy whole body also is full of light.
The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spint of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. — Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. — We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image ... even as by the Spirit of the Lord. — God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: ... that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.
LUKE 11:34. I Cor. 2:14. -Psa.119:18. John 8:12. -II Cor. 3:18. -II Cor. 4:6. Eph. 1:17,18.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 10
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He smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed.
All our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that rock was Christ. — One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. — He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. — My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. — Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
PSA. 78:20. I Cor. 10:1-4. -John 19:34. -Isa. 53:5. John 5:40. -Jer. 2:13. John 7:37. -Rev. 22:17.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 11
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They that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord harkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
It came to pass that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. — Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst ot them. — My fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. — Exhort one another daily, while it is called to day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. — Behold, it is written before me.
MAL. 3:16. Luke 24:15. -Matt. 18:20. -Php. 4:3. Col. 3:16. -Heb. 3:13. Matt. 12:36,37. -Isa. 65:6.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 11
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The trees of the Lord are full of sap.
I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shalt be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. — Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
I the Lord have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish.
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.
PSA. 104:16. Hos. 14:5,6. -Jer. 17:7,8. Eze. 17:24. Psa. 92:12-14.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 12
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They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.
I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am: that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
I will come again, and receive you unto myself. — He shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe ... in that day. — We which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. — Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
MAL. 3:17. John 17:6,9,10,24. John 14:3. -II Thes. 1:10. -I Thes. 4:17. -Isa. 62:3.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 12
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I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. — The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth ... No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God ? — When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. — Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
EXO. 33:18. II Cor. 4:6. -John 1:14,18. Psa. 42:2. -Psa. 27:8. II Cor. 3:18. -John 17:24.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 13
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Upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
The man Christ Jesus. — Made in the likeness of men ... found in fashion as a man. — Forasmuch ... as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death.
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. — Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. — What and if ye shall see the Son of Man ascend up where he was before? — He raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. — In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God.
EZEK. 1:26. I Tim. 2:5. -Php. 2:7,8. -Heb. 2:14. Rev. 1:18. -Rom. 6:9. -John 6:62. -Eph. 1:20. -Col. 2:9. II Cor. 13:4.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 13
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Thy word hath quickened me.
The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
As the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. — I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men ... As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. — The word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
PSA. 119:50. I Cor. 15:45. John 5:26. -John 11:25,26. John 1:4,12,13. John 6:63. -Heb. 4:12.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 14
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Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. — The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. — Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. — Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
MATT. 3:15. Psa. 40:8. Matt. 5:17,18. -Isa. 42:21. -Matt. 5:20. Rom. 8:3,4. -Rom. 10:4.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 14
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1 am thy part and thine inheritance.
Whom have I in heaven but thee! and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. — The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places ; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is ... Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
My beloved is mine, and I am his.
NUM. 18:20. Psa. 73:25,26. -Psa. 16:5,6. Lam. 3:24. Psa. 119:111. Psa. 63:1,7. Song 2:16.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 15
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Who can say, I have made my heart clean?
The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. — They that are in the flesh cannot please God.
To will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. — We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags: and we all do fade as a leaf: and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
The scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. — God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
PROV. 20:9. Psa. 14:2,3. -Rom. 8:8. Rom. 7:18,19. -Isa. 64:6. Gal. 3:22. -II Cor. 5:19. I John 1:8,9.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 15
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The floods lift up their waves.
The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. — O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it?
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.
Peter ... walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
PSA. 93:3. Psa 93:4. -Psa. 89:8,9. Jer. 5:22. Isa.43:2. Matt. 14:29-31. Psa. 56:3.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 16
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Thy name is as ointment poured forth.
Christ ... hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. — Unto you therefore which believe he is precious. — God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. — In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
If ye love me, keep my commandments. — The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. — The house was filled with the odour of the ointment. — They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. — Emmanuel ... God with us. — His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. — The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
SONG 1:3. Eph. 5:2. -I Pet. 2:7. -Php. 2:9. -Col. 2.9. John 14:15. -Rom. 5:5. -John 12:3. -Acts 4:13. Psa. 8:1. -Matt. 1:23. -Isa. 9:6. -Prov. 18:10.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 16
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We that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened.
Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee ... Mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. — O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves ... which have the first-fruits of the Spirit ... groan within ourselves waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. — Now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.
Shortly I must put off this my tabernacle. — For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this cor-ruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
II COR. 5:4. Psa. 38:9,4. -Rom. 7:24. Rom. 8:22,23. -I Pet. 1:6. II Pet. 1:14. -I Cor. 15:53,54.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 17
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The whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire.
They took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: where they crucified him. — The bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. — The fellowship of his sufferings.
Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings: that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. — Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
LEV. 4:12. John 19:16,18. -Heb. 13:11-13. -Php. 3:10. I Pet. 4.13. -II Cor. 4:17.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 17
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God created man in his own image.
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. — For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. — I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. — If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.
GEN. 1:27. Acts 17:29. Eph.2:4,5,10. -Rom. 8:29. I John 3:2. -Psa. 17:15. Rev. 21:7. -Rom. 8:17.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 18
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Thou art my hope in the day of evil.
There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. — I will sing of thy power; yea I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning; for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
In my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. Thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. I cried to thee, O Lord: and unto the Lord I made supplication. What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper.
For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. — Sorrow shall be turned into joy. — Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
JER. 17:17. Psa. 4:6. -Psa. 59:16. Psa. 30:6,8-10. Isa. 54:7,8. - John 16:20. -Psa. 30:5.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 18
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Adam ... begat a son in his own likeness.
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? — Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Dead in trespasses and sins; ... by nature the children of wrath, even as others. — I am carnal, sold under sin. That which I do I allow not; for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.
By one man sin entered into the world, ... by one man's disobedience many were made sinners. — If through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
GEN. 5:3. Job 14:4. -Psa. 51:5. Eph. 2:1,3. -Rom. 7:14,15,18. Rom. 5:12,19. -Rom. 5:15. Rom. 8:2. I Cor. 15:57.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 19
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The Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. — If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbradeth not; and it shall be given him. — The foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. — God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. That no flesh should glory in his presence.
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. — Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.
All bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. — Never man spake like this man. — Of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
PROV. 2:6. Prov. 3:5. -Jas. 1:5. -I Cor. 1:25. -I Cor. 1:27,29. Psa. 119:130. -Psa. 119:11. Luke 4:22. -John 7:46. -I Cor. 1:30.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 19
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The year of my redeemed is come.
Ye shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, ... and unto his family.
Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs and the earth shall cast out the dead.
The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction.
Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is his name.
ISA. 63:4. Lev. 25:10. Isa. 26:19. I Thes. 4:16,17. Hos. 13:14. Jer. 50:34.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 20
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He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied.
Jesus ... said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. — He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. — To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which be purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. — That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. — Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
ISA. 3:11. John 19:30. -II Cor. 5:21. Isa. 43:21. -Eph. 3:10,11. -Eph. 2:7. Eph. 1:13,14. -I Pet.2:9.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 20
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The day of temptation in the wilderness.
Let no man say, when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin.
They lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
He himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. — Simon, Simon, ... Satan hath desired to have you, that he might sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not.
HEB. 3:8. Jas. 1:13-15. Psa. 106:14. Luke 4:1-3. Heb. 2:18. -Luke 22:31,32.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 21
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I am the Lord which sanctify you.
I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other people. And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.
Sanctified by God the Father. — Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. — The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus ... that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. — Our Saviour Jesus Christ ... gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. — Both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. — For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. — Through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.
LEV. 20:8. Lev. 20:24,26. Jude 1. -John 17:17. -I Thes. 5:23. Heb. 13:12. -Tit. 2:13,14. -Heb. 2:11. -John 17:19. -I Pet. 1:2.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 21
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Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
That which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
PSA. 97:11. Psa. 126:5,6. I Cor. 15:27. I Pet. 1:3,6,7.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 22
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What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single thy whole body shall be full of light.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. — Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn turn to the left. — I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
PSA. 25:12. Matt. 6:22. Psa. 119:105. -Isa. 30:21. -Psa. 32:8-11. Jer. 10:23.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 22
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When thou liest down, thou shall not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
There arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. — He giveth his beloved sleep.
They stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. — Absent from the body, ... present with the Lord.
PROV. 3:24. Mark. 4:37,38. Php. 4:6,7. Psa. 4:8. -Psa. 127:2. Acts 7:59,60. -II Cor. 5:8.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 23
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The blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. — The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. — It is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Abel, ... brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof ... The Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering. — Christ ... hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. — Having ... boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
HEB. 12:24. John 1:29. -Rev. 13:8. -Heb. 10:4,5,10. Gen. 4:4. -Eph. 5:2. Heb. 10:22. -Heb. 10:19.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 23
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Who knoweth the power of thine anger?
From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? — The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. — Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. — Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.
God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. — That he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
PSA. 90:11. Matt. 27:45,46. -Isa. 53:6. Rom. 8:1. -Rom. 5:1. -Gal. 3:13. I John 4:9,10. -Rom. 3:26.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 24
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Thus saith the Lord God, I will yet for this be enquired of.
Ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. — This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. — If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. — Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. — Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. — Ye shall ask in my name; and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me. Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
EZEK. 36:37. Jas. 4:2. Matt. 7:7,8. -I John 5:14,15. -Jas. 1:5. -Psa. 81:10. -Luke 18:1. Psa. 34:15,17. -John 16:26,27,24.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 24
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Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?
I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. — O Lord, thou art our father, we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. — It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.
Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments.
He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. — Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. — It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. — Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.
Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. — These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
JOB 2:10. Psa. 119:75. -Isa. 64:8. -I Sam. 3:18. Jer. 12:1. Mal. 3:3. -Heb. 12:6. -Matt. 10:25. -Heb. 5:8. I Pet. 4:13. -Rev. 7:14.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 25
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Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. — Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may he able to stand against the wiles of the devil. — And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. — Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. — Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. — This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
JAS. 4:7. Isa. 59:19. -Matt. 4:10,11. Eph. 6:10,11. -Eph. 5:11. -II Cor. 2:11. -I Pet. 5:8,9. -I John 5:4. Rom. 8:33.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 25
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Oh that I knew where I might find him!
Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his ser-vant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.
Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. — Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. — Now in Christ Jesus ye who sometime were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.
Lo, I am with you alway. — I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. — The Comforter ... dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
JOB 23:3. Isa. 50:10. Jer. 29:13. -Luke 11:9,10. I John 1:3. -Eph. 2:13,18. I John 1:6. Matt. 28:20. -Heb. 13:5. -John 14:16,17.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 26
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Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.
Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. — Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. — I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste and delayed not to keep thy commandments. — Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. — We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins. — Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is say, his flesh: and having a high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
LAM. 3:40. Psa. 26:2. -Psa. 51:6. -Psa. 119:59,60. -I Cor. 11:28. I John 1:9. -I John 2:1. -Heb. 10:19-22.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 26
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There was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud,... and I will look upon it, that I may remember the ever-lasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. — An everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure. — That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.
We declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto their children, in that He hath raised up Jesus again.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.
REV. 4:3. Gen. 9:12,13,16. -II Sam. 23:5. -Heb. 6:18. Acts. 13:32. Heb. 13:8.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 27
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Reckon ye yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. — I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Because I live, ye shall live also. — I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God ... For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
ROM. 6:11. John 5:24. -Gal. 2:19,20. John 14:19. -John 10:28-30. Gal. 3:1,3.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 27
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God ... giveth ... liberally, and upbraideth not.
Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
The grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many ... The free gift is of many offences unto justi-fication.
God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
JAS. 1:5. John 8:10,11. Rom. 5:15,16. Eph. 2:4-7. Rom. 8:32.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 28
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God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God ... hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God him. — God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
JOHN 3:16. II Cor. 5:18-21. -I John 4:8-11.
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EVENING FEBRUARY 28
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The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord.
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone a her ... And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last.
Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. — If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
PROV. 20:27. John 8:7,9. Gen. 3:11. Jas. 4:17. -I John 3:20,21. Rom. 14:20,22. Psa. 139:23,24.
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MORNING FEBRUARY 29
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Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. — Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry ... Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. — The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
PROV. 27:1. II Cor. 6:2. -John 12:35,36. Eccl. 9:10. Luke 12:19-21. Jas. 4:14. -I John 2:17.
to read any of the above bible verses using an i-bible:
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EVENING FEBRUARY 29
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Thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. — The same yesterday, and today, and forever.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. — The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
God is not a man, that he should lie: neither the son of man, that he should repent. — It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
This man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. — Fear not; I am the first and the last.
PSA. 102:27. Psa. 90:2. Mal. 3:6. -Heb. 13:8. Jas. 1:17. -Rom. 11:29. Num. 23:19. -Lam. 3:22. Heb. 7:24,25. -Rev. 1:17.
To read any of the above Bible verses using an i-Bible:
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4. 'Ctrl-V' to paste Ref., 5. 'Update' to read.
Comment on Morning February 01
So far in the history of God's people in this world, there are few who had physically seen the Lord personally. The Apostles and those other disciples had certainly seen Him. Then people who followed, like the Apostle Paul, did see Him when He appeared to them miraculously, even after His resurrection and ascension. Beyond that Sacred Scriptures, there are yet others who claimed to have seen Him like the Apostle Paul. These last cases we cannot verify in any way. But, we must acknowledge that majority of believers alive in this present world, have not seen the Lord physically.
So the Apostle Peter was generally right when He wrote: "Whom having not seen, ye love." (1Pe. 1:8) We who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, do love Him, and we should not be afraid to say so affectionately. "We love him, because he first loved us." (1Jo. 4:19) He taught us what is the true meaning of love. Even fallen men often claim to love each other; but they do not know what is true love. "God is love." (1Jo. 4:16) It is not possible to love rightly and yet have no knowledge of God. ".. he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, .." None can come to God and know Him except through our Lord Jesus Christ. He shows and demonstrated to us what is true love. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (Joh. 3:16) We believe and love Him Who brought us this love of God.
This world has no hope because of the absence of this love in their heart. This love is primarily manifested in the love for the brethren ("philadelphia"). "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" (1Jo. 4:20) "... all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Rev. 21:8) Like our Lord Jesus, when we love we lay down our lives for the brethren. (1Jo. 3:16)
How do you show your love for the Lord Jesus?
Comment on Evening February 01
"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" (Mat. 7:22). And there will be others who "shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD .." (2Ch. 20:17) The latter are those who can say on that day, "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." (Isa. 61:10)
Without this "best robe", the prodigal son can never be readmitted forever - he can never be "this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." (Luk. 15:22, 32) God shall say to all those, His chosen ones, who have returned to Him, "Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him." Otherwise, He shall ask them, "Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?". (Mat. 22:12)
How shall you be clothed on that great and glorious day? (Phi. 3:8,9)
Comment on Morning February 02
Here we are living in this dark and sinful world, while awaiting our eternal blessed destination in Heaven! This is also the will of our Heavenly Father so that we might experience His sanctifying grace. So, while we wait for glory, do we know how to conduct ourselves in this world?
"Oh that thou wouldest keep me from evil." (1 Chr 4:10) Yes, in getting ready for the perfect world - Our Father's House - should we not be doing that while we live here below? Our Lord also warns us, "Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. — The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Luk 22:46; Mat. 26:41) So, we must pay attention to our spirit and flesh at work in our lives. The more we are aware of their activities, the more we will pray for none of us is sufficient for this battle of faith, all by oursleves.
More practically, Pro. 30:7-9 teaches us what two things to ask while living on this earth. It is better that you discover what these verses say by yourself then for me to tell you. Sometime during this day, get hold of a Bible, read and meditate upon these few verses seriously. They all have to do with being kept from evil.
What we ask is also what the Lord promised in the first place: "The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul." (Psa. 121:7) We can be sure that such holy desire in our bosom shall be granted if we seek them sincerely. In that way, he "that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." (1Jo. 5:18) Are you afraid of the wicked one, the devil? Go to the Lord and tell Him all about it! Follow close to Him Who loves you and has defeated the devil alread at Calvary. "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations." (2Pe. 2:9)
Are we godly while living in an ungodly world?
Comment on Evening February 02
When we talk about stars, to the astronomers they are about the wonders of the skies; to the worldly people, they are about the celebrities, those who are popular in the entertainment world. How about to us, strangers and pilgrims in this world? If we do not know, we do not know how to "soshine".
In any world, "One star differeth from another star in glory." (1Co. 15:41) This may due to many factors, but it is not for us to compare and to strive to be the brightest. In astronomy, it is better that the heavens be filled with stars of different glory than to have them all competing and shining their brightest to us. They do get brighter as they get nearer to us. Do we really want all the stars in the heavens to be nearest to us? Jesus said to those who compete, "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all." (Mar 9:35)
It is good always to be humble "under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." (1Pe. 5:6) To be humble means to be thankful to be where He wants us to be, say what He wants us to say and do what He wants us to do. He will take care of how we appear before others in glory. That is not our concern. He knows how to draw His Map in the sky for the travelers who look up to Him. We are not just to shine, but "soshine" that men may glorify our Father in Heaven.
Christ, our Lord, "soshine" and "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow." (Phi. 2:10) We should arm ourselves with the same mind as that of our Lord.
"They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righeousness as the stars for ever and ever." (Dan. 12:3)
Are we stars in the Christian world?
Comment on Morning February 03
We who serve the Lord have every reason to be strong in the cause of His Kingdom. In time of fierce battle, it is the strong who wins and not those who are discouraged and without any more strength to draw from. Our Leader, the Lord of hosts, often encourages us, "Be strong, and work; for I am with you." (Hag. 2:4)
He did not say that His most powerful weapons or His capable generals or His any other things, that are with us, and therefore we can be strong. Rather He said that He Himself is with us. Is it not better that He Himself is with us than that His is with us? Where He is there will His be also.
He is with His people, like the vine is with the branch. What is the branch without the vine? Jesus said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (Joh.15:5) But with Christ supporting me, "I can do all things .." (Phi. 4:13) With or without Him results in "nothing" or "all things" respectively. Is His promise to be with us not significant enough to make us strong? His strength is the strength that had already overcome all the evils in this world. His strength is the strength that is designed and being now expanded on our behalf. As Christians, it is our duty to say to each other, "Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not." (2Co. 4:1)
The battle may be fierce and our own strength limited, but we need not be afraid that we might be defeated, for the victory is already won at Calvary and the Victor is with us to lead in battle. We must fight courageously and sing, "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1Co. 15:57)
From where are you drawing your invincible strength?
Comment on Evening February 03
If you have to hide somewhere, you might think that a dark and shadowy place would be a good place to go. Indeed, generally and naturally, that is true since light reveals and shows, darkness must have the opposite tendency. In a dark night without street lamp, wearing dark clothes walking around may endanger you as you are indeed quite hidden from the motorists.
But with God, " the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee." (Psa. 139:12) Cursed are people who have something to hide from God. How could they? And why should they? As believers, we have nothing to hide from Him for all our sins are gone, all because of Calvary. We acknowledge and flee from them always relying upon the blood of Christ. In fact, we want to walk in the light and have everything exposed before Him Who loves us. His presence drives away all the evils around us. "Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; ... nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness ... Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." (Psa 91:5,6,9,10)
When are we going to stop playing hide and seek with the Lord?
Comment on Morning February 04
When we backslide we should go back to the point where we start to go astray rather than to have the wishful thinking that we can find a short-cut to the right path again. More often than not, we get more hopelessly lost. But, when we have left "the land of bondage", it is not for us to return there for any reason at all. Nothing good will come out of returning there. "The Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way." (Deu 17:16)
God's people "desire a better country, that is a heavenly." (Heb. 11:15) Here, in this present world, they do not feel at home and often are reproached by the world for feeling that way. According to this world, Christians should enjoy the treasures in this world. So, on this earth, God's people learn to esteem "the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt." For believers, the cities of this world are cities of destruction. To live comfortably in any of them is to live in great danger. Once, we sought the comfort of this world. But, now we shall never want to return there any more.
When we try to return to the city of death we find that ".. there between us stands the cross two arms outstretched to save, Like a watchman set to guard the way from that eternal grave." "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Gal. 6:14) The way of the Cross leads home and we must never despise It in any way. The more we suffer for the Gospel's sake and Its righteousness' sake, them more the Cross becomes precious to us.
How can a pilgrim enjoys his journey home with His Lord walking side by side with him?
Comment on Evening February 04
In His chastisement of His people, He does afflict and wound them in His love. That is the reason Scriptures call God's chastening "grievous". Stating this, God's Word is not teaching us, believers, that we should "talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded." (Psa. 69:26) Of course, neither is God's Word teaching us to comfort the chastened ones by saying that God is being too harsh with His people. Certainly, God expects us to stand on His side to correct the wayward ones. Our involvement is to assure the suffering ones that God is right in His affliction and that we must bear our sufferings with true penitence and desire to be reconciled to God. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (Gal. 6:1)
The aim of restoration is to stop the course of sin. Sin when started and not stopped will continue to flow in greater measure and affect more people. "He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." (Jas. 5:20) Whatever we do, we must be careful not to promote sin in anyway. "Let us not ... judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. — We ... that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourelves." (Rom. 14:30; 15:1)
Are we helping the weak when we treat light their erroneous way?
Comment on Morning February 05
The Lord Jesus came into the world to save the world. This does not mean that all men, head for head, would be saved. The salvation of the world does not mean that there will be no hell where for those wicked human beings will suffer eternal punishment. The Word of God is clear on such severe judgment of God. However, it is also clear that "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (Joh. 3:17)
The entrance of sin into the human race took place when Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden rebelled against God by eating the forbidden fruit in the midst of the garden. This means that the human race was first created without sin, but with true knowledge, righteousness and holiness. God's Word also reveals that "by one man's offence death reigned by one". (Rom. 5:17) The human race is in it present miserable state of sin because of that one man's offence in the Garden of Eden. Some may think this to be unfair because they cannot accept the basic concept of corporate responsibility. So, their problem is not only with the Fall of Adam, but with many other areas in life where corporate responsibility is inevitable. God had the prerogative to create human beings in such a way that they are a race under a certain head. So, Adam, the first, only perfect man, was head of the race. What he did, he did it on behalf of the race. His fall plunged the whole human race into sin and misery.
God also has the prerogative to recreate the human race under another headship, to save as "by one", just as the entrance of sin was as "by one" - "... much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Rom. 5:17) "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1Co. 15:22)
The Word of God reveals that God has no other plan to save the world except this one stated above. Jesus said, "No man comes unto the Father, but by me." (Joh. 14:6) A rejection of this way for any other ways of salvation is to try and save oneself without God. "God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (1Jo. 5:11, 12)
When we have the Son, we have Him as our Christ, that is, as our Prophet, Priest and King. He reveals God's will to us. He offers sacirfices and prayers for us. He gives us laws and governs us.
Do you have the Son of God?
Comment on Evening February 05
In this present age, there are many problems involving injustice, which are not resolved. Some simply take law into their own hands and do whatever they think is right without any regard for anyone. Others, simply accept that this world is without justice anyway and one must try to outwit others to survive, or just admit defeat manfully - survival of the fittest. But, God's Word insisted that there is "The judgment-seat." (2Co. 5:10)
There is no human society possible without some kind of judgment-seat. No group of human beings can come together and live in peace with each other without some kinds of common laws controlling their behaviour. No common laws is meaningful without some kind of common judgment-seat. And, it can be observed by all thinking person that the best court we have among men is limited, as far as perfect justice is concerned. So, at best, it is a matter of "beyond reasonable doubt." Perfect justice calls for "what is" and not "what is beyond reasonable doubt." Only a judge who knows what is, and able to demonstrate that, can judge perfectly to the satisfaction of all.
So, "We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth". (Rom. 2:2) Jesus is the "truth" (Joh. 14:6), and when "the Son of man [Jesus] shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats." (Mat. 25:31, 32) "Sheep" and "goats" are pictures of those who are justified and others who are condemned, respectively.
Now, at this present time, the "sheep" and "goats" are so mixed that we often cannot tell them apart from a distant. But when the Final Judgment-seat shall pass, then "shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father." (Mat. 13:43) Those who shine are those whom God justifies and for whom Christ "died, yea, rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Rom. 8:33, 34) "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 8:1)
Do you know why we, who have "no condemnation", "are chastened of the Lord"? (1Co. 11:32)
Comment on Morning February 06
Scriptures teach "the grace of God that bringeth salvation". (Tit. 2:11) The Arminians started to popularize the idea of "common grace" at Dordt, and since then, this concept of "common grace" has robbed God's people of the proper appreciation of the "grace" of Scriptures.
Biblical grace is not without "faith" and "love". "The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." (1Ti. 1:14) Only such a grace can save poor sinners like us. "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich." (2Co. 8:9) With sin abounding, what shall we do without the grace of God? "For where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." (Rom. 5:20) While we must not take grace for granted, we cannot live without God's grace for a moment.
When finally life here is over and we enter into our eternal rest, we will understand God's purpose for our salvation. "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:7-9) - "... predestinated ... To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Eph. 1:5-6)
We must never forget that we are wretched sinners all by ourselves; and that we are only saved because of the mercy and grace of God in Jesus Christ. Never think for a moment that we can survive if Christ should forsake us. He will never forsake us, not only because He is faithful and unchangeable, but also because He is sinless and would never break His oath made towards us that ".. by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:". (Heb. 6:18) It is blasphemy to suggest that Christ can sin. Such blasphemy leaves the Christians without hope.
What kind of hope do you have in our Lord Jesus Christ?
Comment on Evening February 06
For us Christians living in this present age, we have much to look out for as we journey to our Heavenly Home. This is because we are living in a very fast changing world. With the advent of computers, this whole world is changing so fast that many cannot cope with the change. Even the weather is having a hard time.
"And as he [Jesus] sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Mat. 24:3-14)
"Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: ... lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." (Mar. 13:33, 37)
Take heed - are you and am I watching and praying?
Comment on Morning February 07
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1Co. 10:31) Who among human beings does not eat or drink? Maybe, those who are under special medical care and are fed artificially. But in normal living, none of us are said to be without eating and drinking. This means that God expect of us (every normal human being) to live to the glory of God. Not to do so is to sin against Him. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23)
What is true of all human being is more true of believers who claim that the Lord God has delivered them from the house of bondage and bring them to their Heavenly home. "When thou has eaten and are full, ... thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee." (Deu. 8:10) Moses warned God's people because there is the tendency in sinners to take things (especially the good things) for granted and forget the Giver. (Deu. 8:11)
Some think that the above ingratitude is not possible for those who have tasted of Jesus' goodnesss shown them. But did not the encounter of Jesus with the ten lepers whom He healed suggested that only 10% return to give thanks? (Luk. 17:15-18) Are you "a tithe" and a tithing one?
We eat to the Lord when we give God thanks for the food. (Rom. 14:6) When we thank God for everything, everything is directed to Him as well. When all things are referenced to Him, then all things are united in Him as one. Herein lies the perfect unity and harmony of all things - the perfect mind-map!!! "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it." (Pro. 10:22) This is the Lord's holiness, which we long to experience in His grace.
"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, ... who forgiveth all thine iniquities; ... who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies." (Psa. 103:1-4)
Where is He leading us if not to this land of blessing?
Comment on Evening February 07
That in this life we have often failed the Lord, there can be no doubt. "The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." (Mar. 14:38) Was that not the experience of Jesus' disciples when they were with Him praying in the garden? They were supposed to watch and pray together with Him. But what were they all doing? (Mar. 14:37) That was unbecoming of believers who had experienced so much of the Lord's goodness. But before we carry on chiding them any further, let us ask if we are any better than them. When the great Apostle Paul considered such things in his heart, he cried, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Rom. 7:24) What would ours be like?
"Jesus ... was moved with compassion toward them." (Mat. 14:14) If Jesus give us what we truly deserved, He would forsake us forever and we perish in Hell. But thanks be to God, "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." (Psa. 103:13, 14) Are we always forgeting what He remembers concerning us? Do we really, really want Him to deal with us as we truly deserve? Oh, foolish us! He is not as unfaithful and as sinful as we think Him to be.
"Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid." (Psa. 86:15, 16)
What kind of a Jesus are we portraying to the world by the example of our lives?
Comment on Morning February 08
"Friends of God" - that is what Christians ought to be as they grow to maturity! Jesus said, "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends." (Joh. 15:15) The difference between a servant and a friend is that the former need not be given to know the inner motive of his Master in all He does whereas to the latter He shares often with him His inner thoughts. (Joh. 15:15) When Jesus observes that we are His friends indeed, He will start to call us such and begin more and more to share with us. "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." (Joh. 15:14) If you are genuinely interested in what Jesus is doing, start to become a very obedient person.
Abraham was called the "friend of God" in James 2:23. To this friend, God shared His secret intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah of old. (Gen. 18) "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him: and he will shew them his covenant." (Psa. 25:14) You with whom God has covenanted, do you know His secret and covenant?
"It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. — God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. — Even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory." (Mat. 13:11; 1Co. 2:18, 7) "I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me." (Joh. 17:8) Have you received and believed His Word? In what way do you show that?
Are you a friend of God? Or, do you remain His enemy?
Comment on Evening February 08
What are the diferences between "walls" and "gates"? Both are meant to separate, with the former in a more permanent form than the latter. Why does anyone want to separate from others? Isn't fellowship the key to learning and improving?
"Thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise." (Isa. 60:18) Permanent separation speaks of salvation and limited access of praise. Why? All because of the presence of sins and evil around us. Indeed, in the new heavens and new earth, there would be no more "sea" to separate land from land as that place is without sins and evil. (Rev. 21:1) God cannot tolerate schism in a perfect place and so the devil was cast out. (Rev. 12) And He would not receive any as His sons and daughters, who would not separate themselves from evil in this present world. (2Co. 6:17, 18) Is God speaking to you like a Father to His "sons" and "daughters"? Why?
Jesus is the "walls" of salvation to protect us from all evil. And He is also the door, the "gates" to give us many occasions of praise. "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (Joh. 10:9) The shepherds, with their sheep in the mountainous shelters, are literally the "doors" to guard and protect while the sheep rest for the night. The next morning they lead them out to the surrounding green pastures to feed again. The "gate" let them out and leads them to wonderful experiences which are causes of eternal praises, not of the sheep themselves, but of the God of their salvation. "Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion." (Psa. 65:1)
For whose praises are you and am I destined?
Comment on Morning February 09
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" (Heb. 9:27 ) When we read this verse we often think only of the judgment of eternal death to warn sinners, bring them to repentance of sin and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. That is all true. And this verse also suggests that there is a time to comfort God's chosen people who suffer while in this hostile world. "Now he is comforted." These were the words of Abraham concerning Lazarus, the beggar when the latter arrived in paradise. (Luk. 16:25)
Heaven, the place where God's people shall dwell forever, is a place of comfort. "Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended." (Isa. 60:20) The ancient people appreciated the presence of the sun and moon more than we do today. This does not mean that the sun and moon were better to them then than to us now. Today we take them for granted to our own hurt. Anyway, it is a fact that much of our lives are tied up with the sun and moon. For one thing, without them there can be no life on earth!!!
Heaven is a place without sun and moon, not as if we can survive without what they can give, but only because "the Lord shall be thine everlasting light." The Lord is better than our present sun and moon. With Him as our light the days of the waning sun and moon ("of thy mourning") shall be ended. We mourn for lack of light or light that flickers all the time causing things around us to be unclear and, at times, confusing and frightening. This will all be over when we see Christ. "He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth." (Isa. 25:8) He shall vindicate His beloved people who fear and trust in Him.
In that perfect, happy and comforted state, His people shall serve Him perfectly. "Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them." (Rev. 7:14-16) There the Lamb shall feed His servants and lead them to "the living fountains of waters." (Rev. 7:17) There we fully understand and experience what it means to be served in serving.
Are you suffering now for Christ's sake? Take courage, it will be worth it all when we see Him again. "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Rev. 21:4)
Comment on Evening February 09
As there will be a time of rest at the end of the journey, so there is now the present time for labour and travel. "The night cometh when no man can work." (Joh. 9:4) The future rest is not unrelated to the present labour and journey. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, ... they ... rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." (Rev. 14:13)
Therefore, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." (Ecc. 9:10) For most of us, we have our graves waiting for us. As believers we see the graves as the gateways to our eternal, blessed rest. But, in the matter of serving God and man in this present evil world, do we not see the graves as cessation of the many opportunities to engage our "work, .. device, .. knowledge, .. wisdom" which the Lord has graciously given us?
What will come will come, whether or not we are ready for it. But since the Lord is pleased to reveal such things to us, let us fight the good fight of faith and be like the Apostle Paul who wrote: "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day." (2Ti. 4:6-8)
Is it time to get up?
Comment on Morning February 10
The eyes of a human body is its most remarkable organ of information reception. There are, of course, other organs of information gathering beside the eyes. For examples, we have the ears to receive sound information and the nose the smell information. The gathering of all these information is vital for the human body to act and react with this world in a meaningful way. Through the language of light, remarkable information can be received from far away places. The body needs this light to act meaningfully. The eyes interpret this light for the body's use. "The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single thy whole body also is full of light." (Luk. 11:34)
Eye that is single is sharp and accurate - well-focused. By such an eye, everything is seen in its proper and rightful place as it ought to be. They all fit harmoniously with each other and together with God at their very centre. A body with such an eye is full of light. That full-of-light body is most glorious as it exists and moves perfectly and harmoniously with all other bodies.
"The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spint of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1Co. 2:14) When our eyes are open by God, our body shall be full of the light of God's Word.
Jesus is the light of the world: he who follows Him shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (Joh. 8:12) Are you a follower of Jesus? If so, can you discern between light and darkness? If so, where are you walking - in darkness or do you have the light of life with you? A follower of Jesus is one in whom there is that light commanded by God to shine. (2Co. 4:6) That light gives "the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." True followers of Jesus grow in the knowledge of the glorious God as they keep looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of their faith. They are happy people whose body is full of light.
They know what is true wisdom. They have hope and understand what is "the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints." (Eph. 1:17,18) They are not envious of others, but are people to be envied at. They are the blessed, hidden ones of God.
How is your body doing?
Comment on Evening February 10
Squeeze a sponge soaked in water and you notice how the water flows out. Try doing that to a piece of rock and see if any drop of water would flow. Moses "smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed." (Psa. 78:20) A great miracle indeed! Praise the Lord! Water flows from an empty, broken source. It is all of God.
"My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." (Jer. 2:13) Never meddle with the "fountain of living waters". Any attempt to add on to It, pollutes and forsakes It. This is a great evil. Another, is to produce broken cisterns to collect the living water. How foolish it is for a man to try and establish his own righteousness before God. We hold no water when we come to God with our "filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6). But, when God is pleased to break and mold us, we shall overflow with "blood and water" like our Lord was. "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isa. 53:5)
Do you have Him alone for your righteousness?
Comment on Morning February 11
Do you fear the Lord? There are two kinds of fear - one healthy while the other very unhealthy. The unhealthy one speaks of a hateful fear - a fear that seek the destruction of its source. The healthy one causes a certain respect for its source and the development of a right relationship with it. The latter, reverential fear is what we seek to have towards God. Such a fear is the beginning of wisdom and understanding.
The more we know Him, the more we stand in awe of Him. We fear Him and would gladly serve Him as His willing slave forever, in eternal gratitude for receiving us as such. He is our joy and delight and we ".. spake often one to another: ... and ... thought upon his name." (Mal. 3:16) Do we know enough of Him in real time, to want to talk often about Him to one another? He is real and at work in the midst of His people whether or not they are conscious of His blessed presence. For those who work out their salvation with fear and trembling, talking of Him comes naturally, with great excitement and praises towards Him.
The Lord takes delight in such people. ".. a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and thought upon his name." (Mal. 3:16) It is enough that the Almighty has remembrance of us. Let the whole world forget us, if it will. It does not matter, so long as the Lord remembers us. What He delights to see in us is our joyful excitement in wanting to share our true knowledge of Him with others. "Where two or three are gathered together in my name," (to speak "often one to another"), "there am I in the midst of them." (Mat. 18:20) What do we talk about often to each other whenever we meet one with another in fellowship? "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Col. 3:16)
The eyes are the wonderful creation of God for receiving while the tongue for transmitting. What is transmitted by the tongue can be very devastating to the hearers and to oneself. But, where "your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt"(Col. 4:6), your tongue can be properly used for the glory and priase of God, and the good and comfort of God's people.
Is our life worth remembering? And by whom? For what reason?
Comment on Evening February 11
God's children are compared to trees in Holy Scriptures. In fact, in Psa. 104:16 they are even called the "trees of the Lord .. full of sap."
No plant can grow without water in one form or another. The best form is that of the dew from above, and Jehovah is "as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shalt be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon." (Hos. 14:5, 6)
The dew water, together with the mysterious works of the other elements, like, sun, air and earth, provides all that is necessary for the plant to grow and flourish. As the Lord's trees we must trust His provision, hope in Him and let Him have His way with us. "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." (Jer. 17:7, 8)
The way of the Lord with His trees is to resist the proud, but to give grace to the humble. "I the Lord have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish." (Eze. 17:24) This is how our Gardener takes care of us, His plants. We are not sufficient of such things, but to be humble and accept His good ways with us. If we are thus "planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing." (Psa. 92:12-14)
Are we floushing in the house and courts of our God? (Joh. 15:1-8)
Comment on Morning February 12
David was not allowed to build the House of the Lord personally according to God's plan, but he was allowed to gather all the necessary materials for such a task. So, there was a season of gathering and a season of assembling what had been gathered, even by his son, Solomon.
Now is the time for the Son of God to gather His people out of every nation, tongue and tribe. In any gathering there must be some sign to look out for, lest one waste time and effort in gathering the wrong thing. Some think that the sign to look out for is the credible expression of faith in God and Christ. And, so only these people are baptized and received into the Church. Even among these people there may be differences because of differing views as to what constitute the "credible expression of faith"? Others may think that even infants of believers should be gathered into the church of Jesus Christ, and so baptize them as well. And among these people, there are also differences of opinion as to the ground for the inclusion of these infants into the church, and how they are to be treated.
Meanwhile (as the above debates go on concerning the visible church) our Lord and Master is gathering His Invisible Church in preparation for the New Heavens and the New Earth. What is He looking for, which He shall one day say, "They shall be mine ... in that day when I make up my jewels"? (Mal. 3:17) He told us indirectly in His High-priestly, pascal prayer, before making His Atonement for us, in Joh. 17. In this prayer He addressed the people He was looking for as ".. the men which thou gavest me out of the world: .. thine they were ... they have kept thy word ... I pray for them .. not for the world, ... I am glorified in them ..." (vss. 6,9,10,24) No one reading this intimate conversation between Father and Son, should doubt that there was something deeper going on between Them, which may not be so obvious to many of us. The Son was never looking for anyone else than those whom the Father gave Him. The Father did not give Him the whole world (every human being, head for head), because the Son, Who knows better, did not pray for them. The Father and Son know these people and are looking out for them to gather them as they come along in time. These people hear, receive and keep God's Word. In them Christ is glorified.
Among all creatures, there is none like man, who was created after the image and likeness of God. Among men, there is none like our Lord Jesus Christ, in Whom dwell the fullness of the Godhead. That glory of His shall be seen in "that day" - "He shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe ... in that day." (2Th. 1:10). We who are gathered are His precious jewels, "a crown of glory", "a royal diadem" (Isa. 62:3).
How much more of us must be removed before we glitter for Him?
Comment on Evening February 12
When a person looks into the mirror to tidy himself or herself up, what is he or she actually trying to do? In his mind, what constitute tidiness? He is tidy when he sees his mirror image resembles the mental image he has of himself. Here we are talking about his physical features.
But a human being is also a rational, moral creature. As such he can form a moral and spiritual image of himself. The mirror, which shows him his current moral and spiritual appearance, is the Law of God. He compares what he sees in God's Law to his own mental, spiritual image of himself and tidy himself up accordingly. But the natural man is darkness and therefore does not have a true, proper and consistent spiritual image of himself. So, what the Law reveals does not benefit him as he would tidy himself according to the vanity of his own imagination from time to time.
But for a child of God, this is different for "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2Co. 4:6) This means that in the heart of every child of God there is the personalized, moral, spiritual image of God's Son, according to which, he tidies himself whenever he looks into the perfect law of liberty. He lives a humble life of acknowledging the truth always and seek the blood of Christ for cleansing of all his sins. In that way he has fellowship with the Father and the Son. (1Jo. 1) In that way, we "all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2Co. 3:18)
Where can we, who fall short of the glory of God, behold that glory so as to be transformed into it?
Comment on Morning February 13
If you are not still alive somewhere in this world, then, no doubt, you must be dead, as far as being alive in this present world is concerned. All we know from experience is about being alive. We have no experience at all of what it means to be dead while we are alive here.
Though we have no knowledge of death from the point of personal experience, nor do we know what lies ahead of people who are dead, yet we can know, for sure, something of death by observing it happening to others around us. First, the death of a person cannot prevent the continuation of existence and development of the rest of this present world. Secondly, a dead person immediately ceases to interact with and influence the rest of the world in an active, living way. "... there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." (Ecc. 9:10) In other words, if we are keen to affect and effect, in a living way, this present world, we better do so while we have breath. So, as far as we can see, death limits our active, living influence upon this world.
The above is generally true for all men, except those who have conquered death. To conquer death means to submit to the power of death and defeat that power by making it of no essential effect. The effect of the power of death is to prevent the dead from having any more living influence upon this present world. So far, there is only one human being who conquers death in this sense. This is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. He said, "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and , behold, I am alive evermore." (Rev. 1:18) "Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God." (Rom. 6:9)
Christ "liveth by the power of God ... we shall live with him by the power of God." (2Co. 13:4) God's power is His living influence upon this present world. He is the living God. In Christ, though we are dead, we continue to influence this world in a living way!
What is death to you and me who are in Christ?
Comment on Evening February 13
To "quicken" means to make alive and active. "Thy word hath quickened me" (Psa. 119:50) means that God's Word makes us alive and active. Living thing can move and grow. Living human beings not lonly live and grow, but they also try to find the meaningfulness of living and growing. They would enjoy their lives in the satisfaction of their basic, rational, moral and spiritual capabilities. To be quickened is to be alive in this sense of the word.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, "the last Adam, was made a quickening spirit." (1Co. 15:45) He is that Word that was made flesh and dwell among us (Joh. 1:14), and He quickens us to make our lives meaningful and exciting, in harmony with the will of God.
When we have Christ, we have the life, which is "the light of men." (Joh. 1:4) We know where we are going when we have light to guide us. Let us stay in sweet communion with the Lord (with the light) so that we might be quickened yet more and more.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, governs us by His Spirit and Word. The Spirit He sends in His Father's Name, is the same Spirit of truth, Who inspired the Holy Scriptures. As we search the Holy Scriptures prayerfully under the direction of the Spirit, we are enlightened more and more. In His Light we see light in this world. Things around us never happen by chance. They all happen according to the appointment of God. In the light of Holy Scriptures, we understand His goal and purpose in the things He sends us, be they pleasant or unpleasant, "good" or "evil". He promised us His people that all things work out together for good to those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose. This is a great comfort to us, and His Word indeed quickens us.
Are you rejoicing in His Word today?
Comment on Morning February 14
God's people in this world has the calling "to fulfill all righteousness" - "it becometh us" to do so (Mat. 3:15). If the righteousness here is the actual righteousness of everyone in the people of God, head for head, then we must have fail miserably even to this very day. What then did our Lord mean by "all righteousness"?
The imminent action related to this fulfillment of "all righteousness" was the baptism of Christ by John, the Baptist. Like many who flocked to John, Jesus also went to him to be baptized. When John saw Jesus, he felt uncomfortable having to baptize Him Who is sinless, since his was a baptism of repentance of sin. In fact, John felt that Christ should baptize him instead. The fulfillment of "all righteousness" has to do with what happen to our Lord Jesus Christ - in this case, His baptism. And what happened to Him was a matter "becometh us", the people of God. John agreed and baptized Jesus. All God's people agree that Christ's baptism of repentance was something He underwent on behalf of His people, whom He came to represent. So, all other things, including His coming crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, were done as fulfillment of "all righteousness". All God's people agree on this matter. Jesus told the Apostle Peter, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." (Joh. 13:8) The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sins. (1Jo. 1:7)
His righteousness on our behalf is one witnessed by the law and the prophets. He said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." (Mat. 5:17, 18)
The scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day sought to be justified by their own righteousness, which is of the law. They not only taught the moral laws of God, but also their own inventions, as that attainable moral standard by which a person may be justified before God. Jesus said, "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Mat. 5:20) So the Apostle Paul wrote that he would want to "be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: .. " (Phi. 3:9)
By the works of the law, no flesh shall be justified. (Gal. 2:16) So, for us believers, salvation is not a matter of the perfect obedience to the law of God. This does not mean that we may declare telling lie as not a sin, nor committing adultery another, just because the keeping of them has nothing to do with our salvation. We are saved not by good works, but unto good works. One of the good works we do is to call sin "sin", and be faithful to maintain that.
As we walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh, we are transformed more and more to be like Christ, and the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us. This is the life of sanctification which starts with justification.
Are we one with each other and with Christ?
Comment on Evening February 14
Was the prodigal son thinking of food better than pig's when reached his father's house? Was he still thinking that he was the heir of his father's wealth? He might have been first awakened by the horrible food from the sty. But, by the time he confessed in his heart that he had sinned against heaven and his father and am no more worthy to be called his son, he was thinking only of his father's forgiveness and reception of his repentance. As far as working relationship, he was prepared to be willing slave. He has come to appreciate his father - better than all He can give.
Jehovah said to His priest, "1 am thy part and thine inheritance." (Num. 18:20) We are made His priests, and He gives us Himself. "Whom have I in heaven but thee! and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." (Psa. 73:25, 26) Is there a better gift than the Giver Himself?
Having the God as He reveals Himself to be in His Word, it is a grave sin and foolishness to turn anywhere else for help and comfort in times of need. Prayerlessness is an indication of ignorance of the God of Scriptures. There is none greater and there is none more approachable to the truly humble in heart than Jehovah God. We can count on Him at all times.
To whom are you turning to today?
Comment on Morning February 15
Are you clean from sin while in this life? There are two ways in which we may say a person is clean from sin. Either he has committed none at all to begin with or else, he must have discovered something which can remove his sin.
God's Word is clear that there are only three human beings who were clean in the first sense. Adam and Eve were created without sin and to begin with they were clean because they had not committed any at all. The other man without sin is our Lord Jesus Christ, the "last Adam" (1Co. 15:45) or secon man (1Co. 15:47). While the first two fell into sin later and became needful of cleansing, the last One overcame sin by living a perfect life without falling.
The rest of us can only be clean by the second way, the way of cleansing. So, "Who can say, I have made my heart clean?" (Pro. 20:9) It was the Lord Himself who "looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." (Psa. 14:2, 3)
If we are honest with ourselves we would join the Apostle Paul to cry out, "To will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." (Rom. 7:18, 19) In the same token we could also join Isaiah of old in his outcry: "We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags: and we all do fade as a leaf: and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." (Isa. 64:6) To say that we can do something to gain God's and Christ's favour is so unthinkable for us as believers. If His conjugal relationship with us is based upon our faithfulness or any other virtue we might have, then we have no hope, and any of His other spouses (if any) cannot take real comfort in this vain life. We are not saved to be the Bride of Christ, but we are saved as the Bride of Christ. It is all of grace.
Can a leopard change its spots?
Comment on Evening February 15
Often we do no think much of the rising tide of the sea when we are told that it was only one inch higher. One inch of water higher in a small cup is no problem for any of us to lift up. But one inch of water higher in an ocean, is unthinkable for us to lift up. What power is needed for "The floods [to] lift up their waves"? (Psa. 93:3) May the Lord help us to see that He "on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea." (Psa. 93:4) The recent tsunami was a very rare world event, which we are privileged to read of in our own life time! What power was unleashed within that few hours - unthinkable! Our God is greater than any and all tsunamis combined!
"O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them." (Psa. 89:8, 9) Never measure the Lord's faithfulness by your own, or you will be thrown into confusion.
And when it was time, the Lord just caused the tsunami to retreat behind the boundary of the sands by the seashores! What power is this? "Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it?" (Jer. 5:22)
Where are you now? In what kind of a trouble do you find yourself? "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee." (Isa.43:2)
".. wherefoer didst thou doubt?" (Mat. 14:31)
Comment on Morning February 16
As rational creatures, we do things for some reasons. We give name to things also with some reasons - some good and profound reasons while others not so good. When God gives the name "Jesus" to the baby born in Bethlehem, it was with very good reason. What else can we expect from God Who does all things well? He was called Jesus because He would save His people from their sins. "Thy name is as ointment poured forth." (Song 1:3)
When one pours forth the ointment (or perfume), the whole surrounding is filled with its smell immediately. To those who know the implications of Jesus' Name, the mention of It brings immediate joy and gladness. It speaks of salvation and hope for the helpless and hopeless. It speaks of the experience of true love. True love is hard to come by in this world of sin, and here is the true love from heaven above. What a joy to know that such things exist in God's world.
Love begets love. We love Him because He first loves us. If we love Him, we keep His commandments. (Joh. 14:15) His commandment is that we love one another as He loves us. This is all about keeping the Law of God. True love is not in opposition against the Law of God. It is the motive behind the giving and keeping of God's Law.
Isaiah the prophet gave us a list of His name in Isa. 9:6 - "His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." (Pro. 18:10) As we grow in grace, it is good to pay attention to the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ and Its meaning to us. No one can feel more secure than those Who know His Name.
Can you smell It whenever It is poured forth?
Comment on Evening February 16
"Tabernacle" simply means "tent". We live in tent if we are travelling from place to place for a long period of time and are in need of camping overnight from day to day, like the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness. A human life is like a long journey for a soul of man. This soul live in a "tent", his body, and would soon vacate it when the man dies. The human body now is only a temporary place of abode like a tent.
"We that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened." (2Co. 5:4) Why are we, believers, groaning, "being burdened", while in this life? Are we not tbe blessed ones who have eternal life from our Lord Jesus Christ? We are groaning and burdened because we find our "tent" not well equipped for our ever renewed souls. We long for a glorified body to express our saved and thankful life forever and ever. This present "tent" is simply not good enough. We discover that to be true, more and more, as we grow in grace. It is the "body of this death" according to the Apostle Paul in Rom. 7:24. The outward man perishes while the inward man is renewed day by day.
The day when we shall "put off this my tabernacle" is when our Lord Jesus comes for us. (2Pe. 1:14; Joh. 14:1-3) This is at the time of our death or at the time of His Second Coming.
The day when we shall "put on" the glorified body, is the Second Coming of Christ. "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." (1Co. 15:51-54)
When was the last time you groaned and are burdened?
Comment on Morning February 17
"The whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire." (Lev. 4:12) "Without the camp" does not mean a place where there is no camp to be found. Rather it means a place outside of the camp. In the context of Lev. 4:12, "the camp" refers to that whole vast region where the children of Israel pitched their tents in the wilderness while on their way to the promised land. As the Tabernacle was at the centre of the Camp compound, "without the camp" must have been quite a distant from the Tabernacle. The significant meaning of this expression is the idea of rejection by the community - to be excommunicated. The community is meant to be an holy, clean people, but the bullock had become unclean as a sin offering, having borne all the sins of the community. Therefore it must be taken "without the camp" to be exposed.
The bullock was a picture of Jesus Christ, our sin offering, "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (Joh. 1:29) "The bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach." (Heb. 13:11-13)
The sufferings of Jesus was such that "He came unto his own, and his own received him not." (Joh. 1:11) If we suffer of a similar nature, we should never be discouraged for we have entered into "the fellowship of his sufferings." (Phi. 3:10) In fact, we can rejoice. "Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings: that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." (1Pe. 4:13) "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Rom. 8:17) Such sufferings are only "for a moment", but the glory is of "eternal weight". (2Co. 4:17)
Which do you prefer - glory in time and suffering in eternity or suffering in time and glory in eternity? Some would insist on their own way and reject God's plan totally.
Comment on Evening February 17
Worship is the highest form of admiration and appreciation. The more we appreciatte and admire an object, the more we become attached to and dependent on it. Obsession and addiction are natural result of worship. They are very harmful when the object of worship is any but God, the Mighty Creator.
As we should not treat our fellow human beings as dumb stocks and blocks, but people with some basic human rights, so must we never treat God as a helpless, dumb idol. "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device." (Acts 17:29) Rather, we should worship Him alone as the true and living God. There is no greater blessing than to be obsessed and addicted to the Living God.
"God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Eph. 2:4, 5, 10) The way of love is the way of transformation, the way to Christlikeness. (Rom. 8:29) In this way, we "know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1Jo. 3:2)
What are the challenges posted by the world, if they are not all its alternatives to the worship of the God of our Salvation? Are we overcoming the world? (Rev. 21:7)
Comment on Morning February 18
What is light if it cannot shine? Or, what is salt if it has no taste? Here we are dealing with the very basic attribute of a thing - the quality that makes a thing what it is, so that that thing becomes as nothing without that very essential quality.
Man was created after the image and likness of God - a unique quality indeed, which enabled man to do rejoice and parise his Creator like no other creatures are capable. What is the meaning of man when he can no longer do that for one reason or another? When that happened man also began to do the opposite - to sing the praises of the devil, to pormote his lies! Man became undone and worthy of eternal punishment, like the devil himself.
It belongs to a redeemed child of God to want to praise Him at all times and in a perfect way. Thus he longs for heaven as that is the place where he can find perfect satisfaction to be what he ought to be. But to be around in this sinful world, he longs to be as useful to God as possible, with whatever he has at any given time with much thanksgiving.
He must not feel useless just because more "no-mores" slowly creep into his outward man that perishes. He must keep focus on the God Who can do wondrously, and often more, with little or much as He pleases. God's strength is made perfect in weakness! "In my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. Thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. I cried to thee, O Lord: and unto the Lord I made supplication. What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper." (Psa. 30:6,8-10)
God's forsaking of His people, at worst, is only for a moment. "For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer." (Isa. 54:7,8) Do we know this character of God in deep appreciation and thankfulness? Or do we testify against Him - bearing false witness of Him by our behaviour and declaration?
Are you sorrowing and weeping because of your sins and unworthiness? If so, your "Sorrow shall be turned into joy." and "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (John 16:20. -Psa. 30:5) There is always hope in God.
As we approach the end time, do we not find faith waning all around us? Let's be named among the remnant who return to give thanks.
Comment on Evening February 18
Symptomatic treatment has its place in health care provided the sickness is known, monitored and the patient's body not too ill to find it's own cure. But it can be deceiving and most harmful when the real cause of sickness is not known and temporary relief taken as improvement of health.
Many, who do not know the depth of our depravity in Adam, are contented with a half-baked understanding of our redemption that is in Jesus Christ, our Lord. This is evident in our support of the conditional covenant and promises of God, and the error of justification by faith and works. God's Word paint a bleak picture of our depravity. "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?" "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. " (Job. 14:4; Psa. 51:5) "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." (Mat. 19:26)
To those who search their hearts, like David of old, they do know what a single man (Adam) can do to bring down the whole human race into the our present state of sin and misery. This is the work of God in His mercy shown to us.
But these same people also know that "If through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many." (Rom. 5:15) Such people find their hope alone in Jesus alone and not in themselves, in any sense of the word. It is all of the Sovereign Grace of God.
Th law of sin and death is at work in our present evil world. But in the Covenant of God, there is a different law (or principle) at work, which gives us the victory that overcome the world. "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Rom. 8:2)
Which event in the whole history of mankind is foundatonal to the salvation of the human race? Is your own personal salvation also based upon the same or upon something else?
Comment on Morning February 19
Who can deny that "Wisdom is the principal thing; .." ? (Psa. 4:7) There be many who are full of knowledge, but from the way they make use of such knowledge, it is evident that there is a lack of wisdom. The result of such lack of wisdom is pathetic as we can see the good potential of knowing so much. ".. therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."
But our current wisdom and understanding are still imperfect and in the making. Therefore, before the perfect Almighty One, we should "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Pro. 3:5) Like Solomon, we should humble ourselves to ask wisdom from God. We should ask for that which we lack but ought to have. We often fear to ask vainly imagining that those who see us begging may reproach us for lacking wisdom. This may be partly true when dealing with our fellowmen. But, the reverse is true when we are dealing with God. It is unbecoming of any human being to speak to God as if he has all wisdom and understanding! In His own way and time, God will certainly reproach such proud hearts. Therefore, "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbradeth not; and it shall be given him." (Jam. 1:5)
If there is such a thing as foolishness with God, the Apostle Paul wrote that it "is wiser than men." (1Co. 1:25) So, in dealing with God there is no room for foolishness. Thus the book of Proverbs equate unrighteousness with foolishness and righteousness with wisdom. Similarly, if there is such a thing as "weakness" in God, then it "is stronger than men." Thus we are no surprised to note that "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the [so called - lck] wise. That no flesh should glory in his presence." (1Co. 1:27, 29)
The rejection of God's Word call to question the presence of wisdom. Jeremiah gave that warning to God's people of his days thus: "The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?" (Jer. 8:9) "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." (Psa. 119:130) That is just at the entrance, what if you are given a tour around the city of wisdom? "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Psa. 119:11)
Christ is the Word made flesh and dwells among us. (Joh. 1:14) It is of God, and not of us, that we are in Christ Jesus. It is also of God that Christ is "made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." (1 Cor. 1:30)
Wherein lies your wisdom and understanding?
Comment on Evening February 19
The wise man in Ecclesiastes observes that there are many kinds of perpetual cycles in this created world so that there is nothing really principally new in this world, even though we have new human beings born into this world to go through the same cycles again and again - committing the same mistakes and vanities all over again in every generation! That the wise man finally faces the "conclusion of the whole matter" of chapter 12:13 shows that he was endored with the true wisdom from above. With God in the picture to judge all things finally, these endless cycles are brought to their meaningful end. All cycles find their meaning in the infinitely Large Cycle in God, Where the Arc is also a Straight Line.
The Year of Jubilee, as observed by God's people in the Old Testament era, is a reminder of the final judgment and renewal of all things to start all over again. We read of this unique one-year long celebration of Jubilee in Lev. 25:10 - "Ye shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, ... and unto his family." Easton Bible Dictionary gives the following six advantages of this institution: "1. It would prevent the accumulation of land on the part of a few to the detriment of the community at large. 2. It would render it impossible for any one to be born to absolute poverty, since every one had his hereditary land. 3. It would preclude those inequalities which are produced by extremes of riches and poverty, and which make one man domineer over another. 4. It would utterly do away with slavery. 5. It would afford a fresh opportunity to those who were reduced by adverse circumstances to begin again their career of industry in the patrimony which they had temporarily forfeited. 6. It would periodically rectify the disorders which crept into the state in the course of time, preclude the division of the people into nobles and plebeians, and preserve the theocracy inviolate." Most, if not all, politicians today lack the above wisdom in the government of their countries.
Though the right thing to do by every Human Government in this present order of things, at best, it is only a type of the New Heaven and the New Earth. The cycle of this present age is destined to pass away, giving way to the New Cycle we read of in Rev. 21.
With the reality of Jubilee in our heart and mind how should we view and treat ourselves and others around us?
Comment on Morning February 20
Objectively, we know that God, from Whom are all things, ought to be praised perfectly and forever. And as a being of senses, we also long to praise Him with our subjective perception of Him. So He touches every aspect of our being with His love that we might eternally praise Him with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
"He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Cor. 5:21) Our hearts are touched by such sacrificial love our Lord shown us on the Cross of Calvary where He suffered and died for us. This was the plan of God from the very beginning, so that He, the perfectly Just One, might be fully satisfied even when He justifies sinners like us.
In the atoning work of Christ, not only was God satisfied, but we, who are saved, are given every reason to praise Him. In that work we are "formed" for God and "shall shew forth my praise." (Isa. 43:21) We praise Him in ever greater measure because in Christ "might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose .. in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Eph. 3:10, 11) The manifold wisdom of God is such that It reaches "unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places." Believers, in this life already, should never be contented with the "mercy drops" that is always falling around them. Rather they should yield to the Spirit's control to become the "peculiar people" showing "forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." (1Pe. 2:9) Those who know the true wisdom from above have nothing to be envious about the devilish wisdom of the world, displayed by its princes and princesses - the idols and celebrities of our age. We do not sing their praises, but that of the God of our Salvation.
Are you fast becoming what you rejoice in?
Comment on Evening February 20
Wilderness and deserts are places where there is scarcity of food and water. Life is hard in such places. And as such the very physical body of a man begin to suffer and legitimately crave for replenishment. In such dire need, when one's life is sometimes even threatened, one feels it proper to do what one may normally considers as wrong. In other words, one is tempted to do wrong under such circumstances.
So we are not surprise that "the day of temptation" is "in the wilderness." (Heb. 3:8) The children of Israel "tempted God in the desert." (Psa. 106:14) "Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil." (Luk. 4:1-3) So, while we should be always ready to face the devil's onslaughts, we should be exceptionally careful in time of great need. We must be watchful for such turn of events and be always prayerful to seek God's help at all times. When we pray without ceasing, the devil would find it difficult to tempt us with his lies.
Temptation has no place in the presence of God. This is because "God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man." (Heb. 2:18) When we talk about "in the presence of God" we are not thinking of it in an objective sense. In that sense, God is omnipresent and objectively all things are always in His presence. We cannot escape from Him as Psa. 139 tells us. In the subjective sense, often people behave as if God is not around to witness what is happening. Believers should cultivate the sense of the Holy Presence of God in all their lives. To begin with, we must believe whatever God tells us about Himself in His Word. Then, we must consider again and again the implications of the presence of such a Being. Finally, we must seek to magnify this God for others around us to see. In that way we live subjectively "in the presence of God". Temptation has no place in such a presence. So the devil had to be cast out of heaven (Rev. 12) and leave the Lord at the end of the 40 days. (Luk. 4:1-13)
Are you tempted by the devil to sin against God? Never be discouraged. The Lord Himself "hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." (Heb. 2:18) Do go to Him for help for He prays for you as He did for the Apostle Peter, "that thy faith fail not." (Luk. 22:31, 32)
Is each victory over temptation helping you to win some others?
Comment on Morning February 21
To sanctify is to make holy. Holiness is that quality and virtue in a rational, moral being, which serves to unite all things in perfect harmony and blessedness. For God holiness is dedication and consecration to Himself as the only good. For all other rational, moral creatures, it is dedication and consecration to the Almighty Creator alone.
God's people are those whom God is pleased to sanctify. (Lev. 20:8) Because He Himself is holy, He wants His people to be such as well. "I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other people. And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine." (Lev. 20:24, 26) Without holiness "no man shall see the Lord." (Heb. 12:14)
God is truth and only in the truth can there be oneness and harmony. Therefore, the work of sanctification is always done through the truth. "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (Joh. 17:17)
Sanctification is a process which begins already right here in this present imperfect world. It involves the preservation of our "whole spirit and soul and body" in blamelessness "unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1Th. 5:23) "For their sakes", Jesus said, "I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth." (Joh. 17:19) The next time you observe the sanctified life of Christ, be reminded of your own calling to be sanctified through the truth.
True sanctification serves to promote "obedience" towards God and complete reliance upon the "sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." (1Pe. 1:2)
Are you and am I being sanctified? How?
Comment on Evening February 21
Here in this life we are all passing through the valley of tears. When we shall one day stand at the threshold of the New Heaven and the New Earth, we will be told that the former things are passed away for "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain." (Rev. 21:4)
Through this valley of tears, "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart." (Psa. 97:11) "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psa. 126:5, 6) As you go along do not forget to bring your "precious seed" with you whether you may go. And remember to sow it, even with tears, if need be. The rest will be history when we finally arrive at eternity - with joy unspeakable and full of glory. In this way we do find some comfort through this valley - "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God." (Isa. 40:1)
By "the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead", "a lively hope" is destined for those who are born again, the people of God. (1Pe. 1:3) Because He rose and lives, we shall also rise and live with Him forever. We are in Him Who is our Covenant Head - our faithful and sinless Husband, our only Hope!
Are you comforted here and will you be comforted throughout eternity? How?
Comment on Morning February 22
How blessed is a man who is taught by the Lord God Himself, the Mighty Creator! Who could be so privileged? "What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose." (Psa. 25:12) One who fears God is also one who pays close attention to His Word and tries to obey every bit of it with joy and thankfulness.
If this place is dark, it is dangerous to wander about without any light to show the way. "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single thy whole body shall be full of light." (Matt. 6:22) We must walk with our eyes opened if we want to walk in the light. God gives us eyes to see, not to shut them when we need the light. Have you any eye to see? If so do use them often if you do not want to stumble.
If we faithfully use our God-given faculties to perceive His Word and will, we will discover that It is near at hand to help appropriately. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. — Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn turn to the left." (Psa. 119:105. -Isa. 30:21) The Word that guides us is the applied Word, not the letters that kill.
A horse or a mule does not have understanding and therefore it is easier to just coerce it into desired activities rather than trying to teach and instruct them. For those who have understanding the reverse is true. "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." (Psa. 32:8-11) Those saved by God's mercy are no horses or mules. Their understanding are opened by grace to enjoy the ways of God.
A man is responsible for his own actions, but he is not the master of his own destiny. "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." (Jer. 10:23) God saves whom He wills. We can leave the end to Him, but be faithful to walk uprightly before Him each step of the way.
Are you learning from the Lord? Is He teaching you?
Comment on Evening February 22
The human body is created in such a way that it can and should rest every now and then. So we can and should sleep to recuperate. When we sleep we are very much less alert so that we are become vulnerable to the surrounding evil. "When thou liest down, thou shall not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet." (Pro. 3:24) What a sweet promise of God this is to weary saint who needs rest.
Our Lord Jesus literally experienced this wonderful grace of God. "There arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow." (Mark. 4:37,38)
Worry causes us to be sleepless. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Php. 4:6,7) Christians must learn to share everything with God. There is nothing to hide as He knows them all any way. We cast all our cares upon Him for He cares for us. We thank Him for being so loving and kind towards us, unworthy creatures.
As we walk with Him more often we soon realize that He meabt what He said. So even when we refuse tosleep and take our rest, we find Him awake watching over us all the same. Then we learn to say: "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. — He giveth his beloved sleep." (Psa. 4:8. -Psa. 127:2)
Finally, when our work in this present life is over, our body lay down to rest and sleep until the Lord Jesus comes again to wake us up for heavenly service. "They stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. — Absent from the body, ... present with the Lord." (Acts 7:59,60. -II Cor. 5:8)
Are you learning how to rest in peace?
Comment on Morning February 23
Life is in the blood. Remove the blood from the body and you will immediately witness death at work and soon the body become lifeless. The sprinkling of blood suggests the deliberate collection and applying of the same upon a certain object. The sacrifice of life has taken for the sake of accomplishing something. Abel was sacrificed and his blood sprinkled by his own brother, Cain. This was done because Abel's animal sacrifice was accepted by God rather than Cain's vegetable. God has a deeper message in this for us. "The blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." (Heb. 12:24)
Christ, like all believers including Abel, knew that "It is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Heb. 10:4,5,10)
The bood of sprinkling in Abel's case is but a type of the blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, on Calvary. "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29) So, Abel trusted in the blood of the Lamb - "The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Rev. 13:8)
So, "Abel, ... brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof ... The Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering. (Gen. 4:4)
Calvary speaks of the great love of Christ. "Christ ... hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour." (Eph. 5:2)
What should be our response to this great love of God? "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. — Having ... boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus." (Heb. 10:22; Heb. 10:19)
In all our sacrifices, what are we saying essentially?
Comment on Evening February 23
God was angry when man rebelled against Him in the Garden of Eden. "Who knoweth the power of thine anger?" (Psa. 90:11)
Jesus did and does. "From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:45,46) He faced God's anger because "The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isa. 53:6)
His was the dreadful experience, and ours the eternal blessedness. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. — Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. — Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." (Rom. 8:1. -Rom. 5:1. -Gal. 3:13)
The power that can withstand the power of God's anger is that of His love. "God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (I John 4:9,10)
A just judge must pour out His wrath upon the sinners. How can a judge who justifies sinners ever be called a just one? This world is without hope if no sinners therein can ever be justified by the Just Judge. So God Himself conceives and sends Christ into this world "That he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." (Rom. 3:26)
In Christ, do we know the power of God's anger? What else do we know in Christ?
Comment on Morning February 24
God is by definition the Strong One to Whom the weak ones look and pray for help. Our God is here for us to call upon Him. "Thus saith the Lord God, I will yet for this be enquired of." (Eze. 36:37)
A human being is capable of desiring and wishing, whether or not he will get what he wish for finally. It is a good feeling when one gets what one wants, but an unpleasant one when denied. Praying is begging from God what one would wish to have. "Ye have not, because ye ask not." (Jas. 4:2) "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matt. 7:7,8)
In encouraging us to pray, God is not surrendering His Sovereign Will over all things to our whims and fancies. "This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." (I John 5:14,15) As we live prayerful lives, we should be on a look out the knowledge of His will. In answering our prayers, He reveals His holy will to us. And we are to continue praying according to His will.
We constsntly need wisdom to know how to pray rightly. Even for that we should ask, like Solomon did to the delight of God. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (Jas. 1:5)
God wants His people to remain useful as long as possible. When they feel weak and tire, they can pray and be renewed. "Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. — Men ought always to pray, and not to faint." (Psa. 81:10. -Luke 18:1)
The Lord takes great interest in the lives of the righteous, the work of His own hand. "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." (Psa. 34:15,17) Thus, we should be encouraged to share with Him the details of our lives.
Our Good Shepherd promises us: "Ye shall ask in my name; and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me. Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." (John 16:26,27,24)
As a beggar, to whom do you go begging essenially?
Comment on Evening February 24
The term "evil" can be used in the sense of "hurtful" in contrast to "wicked". God can do hurtful things to us but not wicked things as He sinless. Job, who received such evil things from God, replied his wicked wife, who asked him to curse God and die, "Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" (Job 2:10) "Evil things" from God are also right things for God's children who walk by faith. "I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me." (Psa. 119:75)
What else can we expect from a good and faithful Father? "O Lord, thou art our father, we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. — It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good." (Isa. 64:8. -I Sam. 3:18) The transformation of our life is not chaotic, but under the constant care of our Father's/Potter's hand.
Many would want to talk to God about His judgments, but He is always proven true and just without any reproach. "Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments." (Jer. 12:1) We take an interest in God's judgments not because we doubt His justice, but because we delight to meditate upon His just ways coupled with mercy with all His creatures.
His ways are beautiful as they purify the objects of His love. "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. — Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. — It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. — Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered." (Mal. 3:3. -Heb. 12:6. -Matt. 10:25 -Heb. 5:8)
Those who can receive evils at the hand of God shall rejoice finally as they will discover how good they will have been in preparing them for Heaven1. "Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. — These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (I Pet. 4:13. -Rev. 7:14)
Comment on Morning February 25
The devil is not around for us to try and make friend with. With regards to the devil, our Lord's command is clear: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (Jam. 4:7)
Fierce may be the advance of our enemy, but we are not to fear him nor try to enter into a peace talk with him. "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." (Isa. 59:19) We are to stand behind the Holy Spirit and fight under His Standard.
Jesus set us the example of how to handle Satan. "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him." (Matt. 4:10,11)
Before such a powerful foe, we just have to "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may he able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Eph. 6:10,11)
If we are friendly with the devil we are able to abke to withstand his lies and cunning. We must oppose him and not let him get an advantage of us in any way. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. — Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." (Eph. 5:11. -II Cor. 2:11)
By our God-given faith we must resist the devil, like all our brethren do through the ages. This call for the presence of mind in such spiritual battles. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. - This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (I Pet. 5:8,9 - I John 5:4)
The devil is the one who accuse us of being unworthy of Heaven, but God justufies us in Christ. "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth." (Rom. 8:33)
So, on whose side are we?
Comment on Evening February 25
There is an emptiness in one who is destined for eternal life while he lives in the midst of death. He tries different things and may for a season even imaging that he has found tha which satisfies. But when the grace of God reaches him, he cried, "Oh that I knew where I might find him!" (Job 23:3)
God, Who alone can fully satisfy us, is infinite in His being. There is no end to partaking Him. The best among must continue to stay with Him to be blessed. "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." (Isa. 50:10)
God promises those who stay upon Him: "Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. — Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Jer. 29:13. -Luke 11:9,10) We are called to seek Him and not things from Him. If we have we have all things as all things belong to Him. Not all things are good to us at all times. There is a season for everything. And they are all so beautiful, each ints place and time. And only God knows that, and so blessed are all those whom the Lord favours and guides.
This communion and fellowship is with the Triune, True and Living God. "Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. — Now in Christ Jesus ye who sometime were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." (I John 1:3. -Eph. 2:13,18)
The evidence of such communion and fellowship is the presence of light. "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth." (I John 1:6) Light is truth. There is nothing hidden in the light as it reveals what is once surrounded by darkness.
Those who wait upon Jehovah shall never be disappointed. In fact, what is finally revealed is that He has always been by our side. "Lo, I am with you alway. — I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. — The Comforter ... dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (Matt. 28:20. -Heb. 13:5. -John 14:16,17)
When the surrounding seems so dark and cold, would you be still walking in the Way (Joh. 14:6)?
Comment on Morning February 26
Between us and God, if change is called for to maintain an exciting relationship, we do not expect God to change as He is the immutable One. Therefore must change and be tranformed from glory to glory. In this process, "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord." (Lam. 3:40) We may not assume that all our ways are perfect beyond criticism. In fact, we are called to have a true and proper knowledge of ourselves by searching and trying of our ways. We must cultivate the habit of self-evaluation. Then we must humbly turn again and again to the Lord.
For a true view of ourselves we need to ask the Lord to test and evaluate us. "Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. — Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. — I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste and delayed not to keep thy commandments." (Psa. 26:2. -Psa. 51:6. -Psa. 119:59,60)
A proper partaking of the Holy Communion also calls for self-examintion. "Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup." (I Cor. 11:28)
If there is no way to true forgiveness of sins, who would dare examine himself? In truth, we do discover our sins and miseries when we rightly examine ourselves. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. — We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins." (I John 1:9. -I John 2:1)
We can never have a sweet communion with the Lord without the assurance of His forgiveness of our sins. "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is say, his flesh: and having a high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." (Heb. 10:19-22)
Knowing that we are yet to be perfected, are we examining ouraelves constantly for forgiveness and improvement?
Comment on Evening February 26
It is a wonder to see a big, bright ball dangling up there in the sky without ever droping down! Who could have done that? How about another one so big that only part of its circumference can be seen across the sky, and that in multi colours? Yes, the rainbow is another wonder of God's Creation! The former is a solid object like the Sun or Moon. The latter is an occasional, temporary painting on the atmosphere of the earth. It can be seen in all,its beauty and glory, but is untouchable! Such is aso the reign and judgement of God. "There was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald." (Rev. 4:3)
What is the significance of the rainbow? "This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud,... and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth." (Gen. 9:12,13,16) Whenever we see the beautiful rainbow, we must immediately remember that Someone else is watching it as well. God creates it to remind Himself of His Covenant made with all creatures after the Great Flood. "An everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure. — That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us." (II Sam. 23:5. -Heb. 6:18) God promise His creatures final peace with Him. This is to be accomplished in His Son, Jesus Christ. "We declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto their children, in that He hath raised up Jesus again." (Acts. 13:32) In the Ark (a type of Christ) built by Noah there was salvation in the midst of the deadly flood.
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever." (Heb. 13:8) Are you safely protected in the Ark Jesus? If not, how shall you see the rainbow of His throne?
Comment on Morning February 27
Stay with a body long enough and you will know if it is alive or dead. A living thing has living activities. The Apostle Paul exhorts us: "Reckon ye yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom. 6:11) A true Christian manifest himself more and more to be dead in matters pertaining to sin and alive in matters pertaining to God. And Jesus Christ, his Lord, makes the difference.
"He that heareth my word," Jesus said, "and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24) How have you been hearing Jesus' word? What is condemnation to you? And what is life?
For Paul, he wrote: "I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal. 2:19,20) Is Christ more and more seen in us?
Christ and His Father can never fail to impart to us the life of Christ. This is eternal life which no one can take it away from us who are in Christ. "Because I live, ye shall live also. — I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." (John 14:19 -John 10:28-30)
What are we seeking in our lives? "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God ... For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." ( Gal. 3:1,3)
Comment on Evening February 27
Jesus is that wisdom from above Which "God ... giveth ... liberally, and upbraideth not." (Jas. 1:5) to all who humbly ask of Him.
When we place ourselves helplessly in the hands of Christ we discover that He is most merciful and full of compassion toward us, just like He was toward the adulterous woman. "Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." (John 8:10,11) The mercy of God is never meant to be a licence ti sin.
In Jesus Christ alone is there justification for many sinners. This is the grace of God Almighty. Seeking justificatin anywhere else leads to condemnation. "The grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many ... The free gift is of many offences unto justification." (Rom. 5:15,16)
If we desire the praise of God, we will flee to Christ for "God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Eph 2:4-7)
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Rom. 8:32) Only for Christ's sake is God willing to freely give us all things.
Are you trying to find another way than what is revealed by God?
Comment on Morning February 28
This fallen world would not hve been saved if not for the eternal counsel of God that determines to do so. That the world is being saved does not mean that every individual will be saved leaving none in hell. God saves thoroughly and completely without us. That any should believe in Christ is the mighty work of His Grace, to be appreciated in ever greater measure for now and eternity. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (Joh. 3:16)
Among the elect chosen people of God, destined to be saved, there are those who are already conscious of that wonderful grace of God. To these are given the task to bring the Gospel to the end of the world that the remaining ones might be gathered and the rest leave without excuse. "God ... hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God him." (II Cor. 5:18-21)
Love is behind all God's work of redemption. Love never fails. "God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." (I John 4:8-11) Our imperfect love for God is never the ground (nor any part of it) of our salvation. It is the fruit of a saved life, which should motivate all our good works in Christ. Salvation is never conditioned upon any work or merit of ours. If so, we will never be saved as all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. It is all of grace.
Do you truly know the love of God?
Comment on Evening February 28
In ancient days they inevitably use a candle to provide light in places of darkness. Else "The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord." (Pro. 20:27) The truth about a man is revealed by his spirit, the candle of the Lord.
Those who would comdemn the adulteress did not truly know themselves. Jesus used His candle to reveal them. He told them: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone a her ... And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last." (Joh. 8:7,9). Their consciences condemned them and they sheepishly went out one by one.
Adam needed not anyone else to tell him that he was naked and exposed to evil after he sinned in disobedience. His own conscience told him that. "Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?" (Gen. 3:11) To walk aright we must examine our conscience more often.
When we check our Christian conscience often we do know by the Spirit what is right. "To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. — If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God." (Jas. 4:17. -I John 3:20,21) God's Spirit works in our spirit. The right direction towards God is through this spirit of man. A Christian must strive to keep good conscience before God.
"All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth." (Rom. 14:20,22)
To know our spirit we need the Lord to search our heart often. We must pray more often: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psa. 139:23,24) We want to know our spirit that we might appreciate better the ways of God with us.
What kind of a spirit are we discovering within ourselves?
Comment on Morning February 29
What is past is over and can only wait for the judgment of God to determine its eternal value. What is in the future we do not really know for sure, but only wish and hope for the best. "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." (Pro. 27:1)
It is the 'now' that matters most because it links the past with the future to give a meaningful flow of life. In fact, our 'now' (how we handle it) reveals our perception of life. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. — Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light." (II Cor. 6:2. -John 12:35,36) We have Jesus, the Light of the world, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Following Him 'now' is the wisest thing to do because that is to walk in the light and also to walk by faith.
This calls for knowledge of His Word and will for us. It calls for prompt actions immediately to do His will. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." (Eccl. 9:10)
It is most foolish and unrofitable not to have the right sense of the value of things. We may find ourselves labour in vain. The rich fool says: "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry ... Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:19-21)
This present life is but a testing ground for all of us. It will soon be over and what is done therein will be handled over to God for assessment. "What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. — The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (Jas. 4:14. -I John 2:17)
Will our life count for eternity?
Comment on Evening February 29
Have you ever come across a nice man by chance and wish to meet him again? Then when finally meeting him again, you are shocked and disappointed that he has changed in his nice character. That cannot be said of God. "Thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." (Psa. 102:27)
It is good to know that the One Who changes not was there from the beginning. He did not miss anything and so His immutability is not an establishment of any ignorance, but an assurance of perfect knowledge and wisdom. "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." (Psa. 90:2)
The God of our salvation knows us as unworthy, changeable creatures of dust. Such creatures like us are not consumed only because our God changes not. "I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. — The same yesterday, and today, and forever." (Mal. 3:6. -Heb. 13:8) If God keep changing His mind, what assurance can we have that He will not cast us out when He sees us so flickle-minded?
Salvation is the perfect Gift of the unchangeabe God, made to us while we were yet dead in trespasses and sins. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. — The gifts and calling of God are without repentance." (Jas. 1:17. -Rom. 11:29) "Without repentance" means that God would never regret having loved and saved us in the first place.
God is not like fallen men who are under the sway of the father of lies and lack mercy and compassion. "God is not a man, that he should lie: neither the son of man, that he should repent. — It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." (Num. 23:19. -Lam. 3:22) What a comfort He is to us!
Our Lord Jesus Christ is this unchangeable God Who came to save us from our sins and miseries. "This man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. — Fear not; I am the first and the last." (Heb. 7:24,25. -Rev. 1:17)
Are you afraid as you see changes all around you and within? Is there anything stable enough for support and comfort for you?
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