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Short Devotions/Scripture/Poetry/Quotes All materials in this page are from uncopyrighted writings from my own online bible, or, free public domain online. The majority of the graphic images on this page, and the rest of this site are my own, with few exceptions. +++++++ 1/21/2026 Reigning With Christ For 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. Rom 5:17 IT WOULD take a lifetime—nay, it will demand eternity—to explore the treasures of this paragraph from which our text is taken. Let us not, however, stand gazing into heaven, but avail ourselves of the privilege offered us during our earthly life of reigning through the One, even Jesus Christ. Do not postpone the fulfilment of this promise. We may have to wait for the future life to unfold depths of meaning which now transcend our thought; but any fair reading of this radiant verse compels us to appropriate it for here and now.
We go to this friend or that. But we do not claim that abundance of grace which is intended to meet the need of the hour. It is only as we receive it by a childlike faith that we can reign in life. That word "abundance" in its Latin original speaks of ocean-waves. Stand on the shore and look out on that infinite expanse, and do not be content with scooping up enough to fill an oyster-shell. What will result? A royal life. If a throne means power—we are strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man. If it means victory—we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. If it means largeness—we have always all sufficiency in all things, and abound to every good work. (Our Daily Walk) Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 1/20/2026 One Thing One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. Psa 27:4-5 The “one thing” of which David here speaks. The abiding sense of the Divine presence. The temple, or “house of the Lord,” was the place of God’s special manifestations. Abiding in this presence will give-- Light—the light of His countenance. It is one thing to abide in our own or in other light—as “the Pharisee” and Zaccheus; a different thing to be in the light of God’s face or presence. This light does two things: it reveals to us God, and shows us what sin is; it reveals God to us, and shows us what salvation is—making the Lord to be our salvation. Satan may accuse, but, if God acquits, whom shall we fear? If the Law has been satisfied, the debt paid, we need fear neither penalties nor imprisonment.
The condition of attaining this “one thing.” We must “seek after it.” We must “wait on the Lord.” To navigate the sea of life we must keep the eye fixed on this one thing, on the one magnet—Christ. Paul did this, which made his bark “press toward” the haven with such grace and nobility. (Biblical Illustrator) Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 1/19/2026 God's Magnifying Glass The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jer 17:9-10 These two verses spoken by Jeremiah are among many that you won't hear preached about in mainstream mega churches today. Many of them wouldn't be able to tell you they are there. But, when I first was saved, these, and other verses like them, were what the Lord drew me to many times, when I had long seasons of being convicted by the Lord of past sins in my life, before I was saved. Things I had said and done to other's, and what it had done to them, how it hurt them, how it harmed them in many ways, how some of the things I said had ruined their reputations or were said out of envy, jealousy, and just wanting to do them harm. There were times when the Lord would let me know, I needed to go them and ask for their forgiveness, and let them know, I knew I had treated them wrongly. It always brought healing, and restoration. This season of repentance that lasted several years after my salvation, was God's way of sweeping out the sin, and the evil that had built up in me, and letting God change me, inside and out. I learned the importance of consequences, of responsibility for my actions, and my tongue, for how my behavior could tear down or help someone else, and the choice was always mine. God also knows when we are provoked into doing or saying something that we would never normally do-and He considers this. There is a difference, and on the day of our Judgment, God will sift the differences. But, we are accountable for our actions, and will reap what we have sown, if we never let God deal with us, and stay in the evil conditions we are in. Jesus came to set the captives free-if they want to be free, and it comes when we will confess our sins, and repent of them, and turn from them. Lorna Couillard
The man's heart flatters himself into a belief in his own goodness when life is pleasant and easy; and then, in death, mocks and chides him for his sin. Its supreme falsity. “Above all things.” Above the desert mirage?—Yes. Above gold?—Yes. Above pleasure?—Yes. Above fickle beauty?—Yes. For the heart is the cause of all deceits; it supplies the fantasy in us which makes the illusion possible. None but God can explore the depths of iniquity in the human heart. As He will judge the world at the last day, He must have access to the inmost recesses of the soul, and be able to bring forth to judgment all its hidden abominations. (Preacher's Homiletical) Accordingly God is employed noticing and recording everything, that He may then reward “every man according to his ways.” Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 1/18/2026 Victory in God Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Dan 3:16-18 +++++++ Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 2Co 2:14 God gets His greatest victories out of apparent defeats. Very often the enemy seems to triumph for a little, and God lets it be so; but then He comes in and upsets all the work of the enemy, overthrows the apparent victory, and as the Bible says, "turns the way of the wicked upside down." Thus He gives a great deal larger victory than we would have known if He had not allowed the enemy, seemingly, to triumph in the first place. The story of the three Hebrew children being cast into the fiery furnace is a familiar one. Here was an apparent victory for the enemy. It looked as if the servants of the living God were going to have a terrible defeat. We have all been in places where it seemed as though we were defeated, and the enemy rejoiced. We can imagine what a complete defeat this looked to be. They fell down into the flames, and their enemies watched them to see them burn up in that awful fire, but were greatly astonished to see them walking around in the fire enjoying themselves. Nebuchadnezzar told them to "come forth out of the midst of the fire." Not even a hair was singed, nor was the smell of fire on their garments, "because there is no other god that can deliver after this sort."
Paul accepted all change with thankfulness and rejoicing. "Thanks be to God” who is thus leading him about from place to place in the train of the triumph of Jesus Christ. He only waits to know where God would have him go next. He follows gladly, since they follow Christ. So for every Christian. In every change of station, of circumstances, of abode, he should seek and follow the leading of God. Then even the most perplexing, harassing diversion from his own plans will be no matter of discontent and fretful irritation, but of glorying acquiescence in the plan of God. (Preacher's Homiletical) 1/17/2026 The Sin and Fall of David And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 2Sa 11:2 +++++++ And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were. And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also. 2Sam 11:14-17 "This was not an isolated sin. For some time, backsliding had been eating out David’s heart. The cankerworm takes its toll before the noble tree crashes to the ground. See Psa_51:7-9. Joab and his brave soldiers were in the thick of a great conflict. Rabbah was being besieged and had not fallen. It was a time when kings went out to battle, but David tarried at home. It was a fatal lethargy. If the king had been in his place, this sin would never have besmirched his character.
So, his next scheme was to send Uriah into the forefront of fierce battle-knowing he would be killed. He assigns Joab to the task, and in doing so, makes him also an accomplice in his treacherous sin. He sends him into the city where there were valiant men, knowing they would go into battle together. They, and Uriah all died together. The depth of depravity of David's sins cannot be lightly understood-and those he used to cover his deeds. David commanded Joab to arrange Uriah’s death. Though it was hidden by the raging battle, Uriah was murdered just as surely as if David killed him in his own home. “David was better while a servant than when a king; for being a servant, he feared to kill Saul his adversary, but becoming a king, he basely slew his most faithful friend and dutiful subject.” (Trapp) Important point: “Though we mourn over David’s sin, yet we thank God that it was permitted, for if he had not so fallen he had not been able to help us when we are conscious of transgression. He could not have so minutely described our griefs if he had not felt the same. David lived, in this respect, for others as well as for himself.” (Spurgeon) Psalms 32 shows that David was under intense conviction during this time and that all the joy in his life evaporated away. David knew the stress and agony of living a double, false life. He found no relief until he repented and got right with God again. “The better the man the dearer the price he pays for a short season of sinful pleasure.” (Meyer) As a result of this series of sins-Though he married Bathsheba, when the child was born, it did not survive. He died shortly after birth. The story is an ongoing example of the effects of sin, and it's consequences. God forgives the sins we commit if we confess and forsake them-but, there are many times life long consequences of them. Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psa 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Psa 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 1/16/2026 Value of faith But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb 11:6 Before the flood and the Abrahamic covenant God had a people on earth who lived by faith. Abel, the first martyr, Enoch, the seventh from Adam, and Noah, the preacher of righteousness, are the three witnesses of the period whose lives are recorded. Abel, the first man who had to descend into the grave, was carried through it on the arms of redeeming love. Abel, believing the word, approached God through the bitter sacrifice. Every one who believes in Jesus Christ is an accepted worshipper. There is no other true and spiritual worship but the worship of a believer in Jesus, and this worship is always accepted. Of this, the only worship, Abel, though dead, yet speaketh. The sinner who through faith in the sacrifice is righteous before God, belongs now to God, and is an heir of eternal life. Sin and death have no more dominion over him. Thus Enoch, the seventh from Adam, walks with God. In this simple familiar expression we have the description of the new life; it brings before us communion with God, dependence on His guidance, submission to His authority, confidence in His love and favor, continuous, habitual fellowship, and a mind conformed to God’s mind, and delighting itself in the Lord.
Faith in God.—Faith regards God’s word as more real than man’s acts, as not less real than a star in heaven; and believes that the least promise that God has written will outlive the last pyramid that all the Pharaohs have ever built. When you have a bank-note in your hand, you have no money, nor have you literally books, and clothes, and shoes, and bread, and wine, and all that it can purchase; but you have a promise upon that slip of paper, as real as if you had all the goods that bit of paper can purchase. You do not lay aside God’s word as an obsolete, worthless thing, but you turn it into currency, and treat it as if really fulfilled; for faith is just taking God at His word, and believing the promises just because He says it. (Dr. Cumming) 1/15/2026 The Chosen of Christ And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1Cor:1-2 Like the sons of Jesse before Samuel, so do the successive regiments on which the world relies pass before Christ. The wise, the mighty, the noble, the great, the things that are! And the King says, I have not chosen these. The warriors with whom He will win the world to Himself are the nobodies, the ciphers, the people who in the world’s estimate do not count. Do not depreciate yourself, but give yourself to Him; He will find a niche for you and make your life worth living. Notice that God has put you into union with Christ Jesus.
1Co 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 1/14/2026 The Eternal Word of God The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isa 40:8 "Hast thou not known?" This is not a new revelation. It is an appeal to memory, and that is a strong point in all the Divine pleading. Our memory is to be as the prophet of the Lord in our life. Recollection is to be inspiration; the forty years gone are a pledge of the forty years to come. Let a man be faithful to his own recollections, and it is impossible he can long be despondent, weary and slow of heart, to lay hold of the great work and discipline of life. Is God almighty? Then do not fear for the stability of His works. Have no fear about the realization of His promises. Do not imagine you can escape His judgments. Be assured that the throne of right shall stand upon the ruins of all wrong.
God is ever extending our knowledge of His works, in reward of the endeavors we are making to acquaint ourselves with the wonders by which we are enclosed. The subject forces upon us the solemn enquiry: What is our relation to this dread Being, whose power is infinite, and whose wisdom is past finding out? We must sustain some relation to Him. We are the loyal subjects of His crown, or rebels in His empire. Pause and determine the answer. Everything depends upon our relation to the cross of Jesus Christ. (Parker, City Temple, 1870, p. 349) Note: This morning 1/15/2026-I came to this page to post this mornings devotion, and found once again, the page corrupted. The heading-date/title of the devotion/and scripture verse was missing, and I knew it had been done intentionally by someone else, this makes twice, in less than a week. I save these devotions in files on my own computer. I had to go to the saved devotion and copy it, and repost it. This makes you look as if you have dementia, or are lax in your work, and not being careful enough in your work, it makes you look like a fool. This is the kind of warfare I deal with all the time on these websites, that I'm supposed to own, and maintain myself. I've had images changed or omitted like this also, and entire devotions. It's things like this that is done to you, to get you to become so discouraged, that you'll quit. I've been tempted many times, because this is only one aspect of the attacks I've gotten over the years. But, I go back to the Lord, and get the strength from Him, to keep going on. If anyone thinks doing this is easy, or an escape-you couldn't be more wrong. Many would quit in less than a year. I've been doing it for 12 now, and could go on much further. But, I'll keep exposing the devil's wares, and putting the word of God here, until I'm told otherwise by God. 1/13/2026 Salvation by No Other Name-Jesus Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Act 4:10-12 Salvation. To be saved from ignorance, folly, vain imaginations, an evil heart, a rebellious will, an evil conscience, a damaged character, the dominion and presence of sin, the position of the guilty, and from the punishment of evil-doers; to be sustained in this life’s sorrows, and to have them sanctified; to be able to triumph over death and the grave; to be forgiven—restored, regenerated, and sanctified; to escape perdition, and to inherit heaven—is, so far as words can reveal it, the whole of salvation. This God promised at the beginning, this God has provided, and this we offer you in the preaching of the Gospel. Salvation in a Person. To be saved by a Savior. This shows our weakness, and in our weakness we see our wretchedness. The evil which afflicts us is such that we require a personal Redeemer. This arrangement removes all cause of boasting from the saved. This arrangement places the redeemed under special obligations. It renders the actual work of Salvation a service of sympathy and love.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Rev 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Note: Whenever I work on publishing posts on this subject, or other's that the demons who control these machines don't like-I'll face obstacles, and obstructions few would believe. It proves to me, the hatred of Satan for Jesus Christ, and you- He killed the Savior of the world, only to see Him rise from the dead. His hatred now, is pointed at anyone who proclaims Him Lord and coming King. Bring it on Satan, bring it to an end, the quicker you do, the quicker you will face the lake of fire in eternal hell, and all who have followed you, and worked to destroy God's people, and destroy this world. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. Come Lord Jesus, come soon-don't delay any longer. 1/12/2026 Bear Thy Shield Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence - Greek “your boldness;” referring to their confident hope in God. They were not to cast this away, and to become timid, disheartened, and discouraged. They were to bear up manfully under all their trials, and to maintain a steadfast adherence to God and to his cause. The command is not to “cast this away.” Nothing could take it from them if they trusted in God, and it could be lost only by their own neglect or imprudence. Rosenmuller supposes (Alte und Neue Morgenland, “in loc.”) that there may be an allusion here to the disgrace which was attached to the act of a warrior if he cast away his shield.
Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Luk 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. 1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 1/11/2026 The Mirror of Human Nature As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. Pro 27:19 Here is one of the foundations on which that rule is built of doing to others as we would be done by (Exo_23:9.) … Exo 23:9 Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. One corrupt heart is like another, and so is one sanctified heart, for the former bears the same image of the earthy, the latter the same image of the heavenly. (Henry)
Gen 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Gen 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Mar 7:20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. Mar 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Mar 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: Mar 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. 1/10/2026 Raised With Christ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Col 3:1-3 Resurrection with Christ is a present experience.—There is a triumph over death for which we do not need to wait until the graves are opened. We may have it at once. There is a victory of life for which we do not need to look to some far-distant morning. We may feel it to-day. Paul felt it as he sat in his Roman prison, writing to his friends at Colossæ. Worn, and feeble, and aged before his time, bound with chains, waiting for his trial before a cruel and bloody Cæsar, Paul knew even then that he was a risen man. By faith in the things that are unseen and eternal he had already won the victory over the world. In prison he was free, in weakness he was strong, in chains he was cheerful, in exile he was exultant, in trouble he triumphed, and in the drear winter of old age his spirit was quickened with an immortal spring. Surely this is a veritable resurrection, and they who have entered into such an experience are risen indeed. (Great Texts)
Your life is hid. They died, but they are not dead. Yet the world does not see their true life, the eternal principle within. Their life is in Christ, and can never be fully manifested until he shall be manifest; but (Col_3:4) when he shall be manifested, then the glory and the blessedness of the life in us shall be shown forth. Like the tree in the winter, not dead, but the life hidden. When the spring comes, its life shows itself in glory. (B.W. Johnson) Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 1/9/2026 What You Would Have Men Do to You Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Mat 7:12 All things whatsoever ... - This command has been usually called the “Savior’s golden rule,” a name given to it on account of its great value. All that you “expect” or “desire” of others in similar circumstances, do to them. Act not from selfishness or injustice, but put yourself in the place of the other, and ask what you would expect of him. This would make you impartial, candid, and just. It would destroy avarice, envy, treachery, unkindness, slander, theft, adultery, and murder. It has been well said that this law is what the balance-wheel is to machinery. It would prevent all irregularity of movement in the moral world, as that does in a steam-engine. It is easily applied, its justice is seen by all people, and all must acknowledge its force and value.
Jer 7:5 For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; Jer 7:6 If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: Jer 7:7 Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever. 1/8/2026 The Abiding Word The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isa 40:8 "Hast thou not known?" This is not a new revelation. It is an appeal to memory, and that is a strong point in all the Divine pleading. Our memory is to be as the prophet of the Lord in our life. Recollection is to be inspiration; the forty years gone are a pledge of the forty years to come. Let a man be faithful to his own recollections, and it is impossible he can long be despondent, weary and slow of heart, to lay hold of the great work and discipline of life. Is God almighty? Then do not fear for the stability of His works. Have no fear about the realization of His promises. Do not imagine you can escape His judgments. Be assured that the throne of right shall stand upon the ruins of all wrong.
The subject forces upon us the solemn enquiry: What is our relation to this dread Being, whose power is infinite, and whose wisdom is past finding out? We must sustain some relation to Him. We are the loyal subjects of His crown, or rebels in His empire. Pause and determine the answer. Everything depends upon our relation to the cross of Jesus Christ. (Parker, City Temple, 1870, p. 349) 1/7/2026 Contentment in All Things Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Php 4:11-13 Paul, denied of every comfort, wrote the above words in his dungeon. A story is told of a king who went into his garden one morning, and found everything withered and dying. He asked the oak that stood near the gate what the trouble was. He found it was sick of life and determined to die because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine. The pine was all out of heart because it could not bear grapes, like the vine. The vine was going to throw its life away because it could not stand erect and have as fine fruit as the peach tree. The geranium was fretting because it was not tall and fragrant like the lilac; and so on all through the garden. Coming to a heart’s-ease, he found its bright face lifted as cheery as ever. "Well, heart’s-ease, I’m glad, amidst all this discouragement, to find one brave little flower. You do not seem to be the least disheartened." "No, I am not of much account, but I thought that if you wanted an oak, or a pine, or a peach tree, or a lilac, you would have planted one; but as I knew you wanted a heart’s-ease, I am determined to be the best little heart’s-ease that I can."
The School of Christ: To be content amidst the world’s changes. What a changeful life was that of Paul’s from the time he left his father’s house for Gamaliel’s school to his imprisonment at Rome. We are all subject to disturbing changes from increase or loss of wealth, friends, position, and only in the school of Christ is there rest for the soul. The believer has “the unsearchable riches,” so nothing can impoverish him; peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, so nothing can fatally disturb him; is “kept by the power of God,” so nothing can harm him. He may, therefore, well be content. To be submissive amidst the world’s trials. We all encounter a good deal that humbles us, but that is very different from learning how to be abased. This knowledge takes away half its burden and bitterness. Christ teaches this by encouraging us to cast our burden on Him, and by strengthening that faith which produces conformity to Him. To be heavenly minded amidst the world’s enjoyments. “I know how to abound.” Count up your mercies and your trials and see which abounds. What the believer can do when Christ strengthens. 1. He can suffer the will of God. 2. He can vanquish his spiritual foes. 3. He can fulfil all his duties to God and man. (W. Cadman, M. A.) 1/6/2026 The Temporal and Eternal Things For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2Cor 4:16-18 For which cause. Moved by faith, hope, the love of souls and desire for the glory of God, we faint not; do not for a moment give way and relax our efforts. Though our outward man perish. Though our body waste away under the trials, or is threatened with death. Yet the inward man. His spiritual strength is constantly renewed by Christ. The "inward man" is the immaterial nature in contrast with the material body. See Rom_7:22 and Eph_3:16. For our light affliction. Great as his afflictions were, he calls them light in view of the glorious reward they will bring; continual as they were, he speaks of them as but for a moment in view of eternity. They were the more easily borne for they work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Bearing the cross weaves an eternal crown. Sorrows endured for Christ's sake prepare for eternal joys.
All things of sense shall pass away; Cæsar's greatness, the might of Roman power, the strength of man, the glory of the magnificence of Corinth; even the visible heavens and the earth. But the unseen things are eternal. The things which the senses see not, but which faith reveals--God, heaven, the unseen spirit. Let the eye be turned upon the unseen, rather than the things of sense. (B.W. Johnson) 1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1/5/2026 Christ-Our Light and Refuge In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Psa 62:7-8 +++++++ I am the Light of the World: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Jon 8:12 "IT WAS the Feast of Tabernacles when our Lord uttered the words of our text, and it is supposed they were lighting the two great candelabra, which commemorated the fire-cloud that led the desert march. It was in direct allusion to the fiery pillar that our Lord used this metaphor. What that was to Israel, He is to His Church. The wilderness was a trackless waste to Israel. The people absolutely depended on the cloud to show their path, and to find a resting-place at night. When it gathered itself up from the Tabernacle on which it brooded, the people must strike their tents and follow. However desirable the site of their camp, they must leave it; however difficult the desert paths, they must traverse them; however uninviting the spot where it stopped, they must halt there, and remain as long as it tarried. To linger was to run the risk of wandering aimlessly in the desert till death supervened. Only where the cloud rested did the manna fall, the water flow, or the Divine protection avail.
Nay, more, for as in the train the electric light comes on before the dark tunnel is entered, and lingers after it is passed, so the presence of Christ will precede and follow times of special need. "I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight" (Isa_42:16). (Our Daily Walk) Isa 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. 1/4/2026 The Delusions of The Wicked He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. Isa 66:3-4 "He that, - Solomon, Pro 15:8, gives a full commentary on the whole verse; The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord. As if - From hence it is plain, that the prophet is not here reflecting upon idolatrous worship, but formal worship: upon those who in a formality worshipped the true God, and by acts which he had appointed. God by the prophet declares, that these men's services were no more acceptable to him than murder, idolatry, or the most horrid profanation of his name. Own ways - They live as they lust. Delight - They take pleasure in their sins." (John Wesley) Note: When they killed animals for sacrifice, it was as if they killed a man. This added to their sin, it didn't take it away. "Mice “were eaten as a delicacy by the Romans and other heathen people and were used by others as idolatrous sacrifices.” (Bultema)
Much more could be added to the examples above, but it makes the point, that we are in the days spoken of by Paul in 2 Th ch. 2. The New Year's celebrations around the world depicted pagan celebrations this world desires, and worships. Their gods are demons, and their worship is of Satan. During the Great Tribulation, God will reap a harvest of the wicked, and the rebellious, they will be food for the birds and predators, and lay in the millions on the ground. Their blindness, and rejection will bring it upon themselves, they will have no excuse. 2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 1/3/2026 God's Judgments-More Precious than Gold The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Psa 19:9-10 The purity of the law. “The fear of the Lord is clean.” The commandments which teach the fear of the Lord are without any admixture of error or unrighteousness. “The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” The moral law as contained in the Scriptures contains no false principle of conduct or action. The moral law as given in the Scriptures is no lower form of morality for an imperfect civilization, but the absolute law for the highest creatures and the highest worlds. The moral law is not merely correct in the main, but all and every of its special requirements are just and righteous. The stability of the law. “Enduring for ever.” It is changeless and everlasting. The moral law continues. The ceremonial law was abrogated—it served its purpose, and ceased to be; civil law is susceptible to continual modifications; natural law will be changed, for the sun and sky and planets shall be dissolved in fire; but moral law abides firm as the throne of God. “Not one jot or tittle of it shall perish.” (Biblical Illustrator)
The word does not occur elsewhere. Gold is an article of principal value among men; and the object here is to show that to a pious mind the revealed truth of God is esteemed to be the most valuable of all things - a treasure above all which men can accumulate, and all which men can prize. Every truly pious heart will respond to the sentiment expressed here. Sweeter also than honey - Honey, the sweetest of all substances, and regarded as an article of luxury, or as most grateful to the taste. It entered largely into the food of the inhabitants of Palestine, as it does now in Switzerland and in some parts of Africa. The idea is that the truth of God, as revealed, is more grateful to the heart, or affords more pleasure to the soul, than that which is esteemed as the highest luxury to the palate. The meaning is, that it is loved; it is pleasant; it is agreeable; it is not regarded merely as necessary, and admitted to the soul because it is needful, as medicine is, but it is received into the soul because it is delighted in, or is more agreeable and pleasant than the most luscious article of food is to the taste. To this, also, the heart of every one who “has tasted the good word of God” will respond. And the honeycomb - Margin, dropping of honeycombs. So the Hebrew. The allusion is to honey that drops from the combs, and therefore the most pure honey. That which is pressed from the combs will have almost inevitably a mixture of bee-bread and of the combs themselves. That which naturally flows from the comb will be pure. (Albert Barnes) 1/2/2026 The Praise of Men While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Joh 12:36-43 "The human eye of admiration I seek is like the scorching ray that destroys all the delicate colors in the most costly material. Every action that is done only to be seen of others, loses its freshness in the sight of God, like the flower that, passing through many hands, is at last hardly presentable to anyone, much less to a dear friend." (T. H.Leary, D. C. L.)
Mat 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Mat 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Luk 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. Mar 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. 1/1/2026 Stephen's Testimony But Solomon built him an house. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things? Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. Act 7:47-53 Stephen's defense to his opposer's was a timeless one. The points made to them, they could not dispute, or endure, because it was touching every aspect of their life, especially financially, and exposing their long history of killing any prophets sent by God, who would stand up to their corruption, which was covered by their religious traditions. Jesus had called them hypocrites and "white washed tombs". Nothing has changed, the same thing is done today. The risen Christ had brought the truth to light for those who's eyes had been opened, and received His words of truth, and eternal life through the Son of God. Stephen's words proclaimed a dangerous truth-that God had no desire to inhabit temples made by man, but the man himself. He came to dwell within the man by the Holy Spirit-and that the man himself would be the temple God would dwell in. 1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? See also: Rom 8:11 1Cor 9:13, 2Cor 6:16, Heb 3:6, 1Pe 2:5, Eze 36:27, Joh 14:17, 2Ti 1:14 As he made this clear, and pointed out their hardness of heart and stiff-necked rebellion, they ran on him, gnashed on him with their teeth, then threw him out of the city and stoned him to death. Stephen's death was a significant sign to every believer, that we can expect the same treatment. It's proven to be so, down through the ages. But, God was with Him, and honored him. Stephen looked up, and saw his Savior at the right hand of the Father, waiting for him, Jesus reveals and honors those who stand for Him, He does not leave us comfortless. Many are suffering and dying today, and facing the same persecutions around the world, and as the globalist's agendas, and the wars around the world increase, we will see an increase of persecutions. Believer's need to be in vigilant prayer, asking the Lord for His strength, peace, and for the words to speak, if we are called to give an account for our faith-as Stephen did. Lorna Couillard Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. Mat 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Ye stiff necked - Not bowing the neck to God's yoke; and uncircumcised in heart - So they showed themselves, Act 7:54; and ears - As they showed, Act 7:57. So far were they from receiving the word of God into their hearts, that they would not hear it even with their ears. Ye - And your fathers, always - As often as ever ye are called, resist the Holy Ghost - Testifying by the prophets of Jesus, and the whole truth. This is the sum of what he had shown at large. (John Wesley)  Comments are closed.
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Welcome
Two minutes daily of devotions and content that hopefully will add a blessing and thoughtfulness to your day. 
Look To This Day
Look to this day, For it is the very life of life. In its brief course lie all the verities and realities of your existence: The glory of action, The bliss of growth, The splendor of beauty, For yesterday is a dream and tomorrow is only a vision; But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day Anonymous 
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