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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, AI is never used. +++++++ Paused Page 3/31/2026 The Believer’s Refuge Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psa 32:7-8 "There is no statement more true, and no truth more important, than that maxim of Martin Luther—“Nolo Deum absolutum.” Who, indeed, can meet an absolute God? God absolute is a consuming fire. His holiness is irreconcilably hostile to sin; His justice sternly demands the sinner’s punishment; and His truth obliges Him to execute the penalty of His violated law. In an absolute God there is no hope for a sinful creature. But now, through the incarnate Word, my atoning Sacrifice and interceding High-Priest, the devouring Fire becomes my protection, the almighty Adversary assumes the character of a friend, and with full assurance of faith I take up the song of the royal saint—“Thou art my hiding place, thou wilt preserve me from trouble; thou wilt compass me about with songs of deliverance.” Concerning the ungodly it is said—“The hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.” But “their rock is not as our rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.” I have seen the name of Benvenuto Cellini scratched with a nail upon the rugged stone wall of his cell in the Castello Sant’ Angelo; and have handled the sad mementos of Torquato Tasso in the convent of Sant’ Onofrio—his last refuge, the gate by which he entered paradise—midway between his cradle at Sorrento and his dungeon at Ferrara. But my sacred asylum can show many a worthier record and many a holier relic, for it has been the dwelling-place of the saints in all generations. Here Paul and Silas sang their midnight hymn, and the heroic exile of Patmos heard the chanting of immortal tongues. Here Ignatius challenged the lions with his “Gloria in Exelsis,” and brave old Sanctus as long as he had power to speak confessed—“I am a Christian.” And cheering it is to know that these, and such as these—a fire-crowned host of priests and kings—have been here before me. The cities of refuge were six, and were so distributed that one of them was always within half-a-day’s flight of the man-slayer: and the gates were ever open to admit him. And yet, from one cause or another, he might not reach it.
Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 3/30/2026 The Risen Christ at the Sea of Tiberias Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. Joh 21:3-8 "What did they get together for? “Simon Peter saith, I go a fishing. They say, We also go with thee.” So they are back again at their old trade, which they had not left for ever, as they once thought they had. What sent them back? Not doubt or despair; because they had seen Jesus Christ up in Jerusalem, and had come down to Galilee at His command on purpose to meet Him. It is very like Peter that he should have been the one to suggest filling an hour of the waiting time with manual labor. John could have “sat still in the house,” like Mary, the heart all the busier because the hands lay quietly. But that was not Peter’s way, and John was ready to keep him company. Peter thought that the best thing they could do till Jesus chose to come, was to get back to their work, and he was sensible and right. The best attitude to be found in by Christ is doing our daily work, however secular and small it may be. A dirty, wet fishing-boat, all slimy with scales, was a strange place, but it was the right place, righter than if they had been wandering about amongst the fancied sanctities of the synagogues.
"It would almost seem as if the Apostles thought that the radiant vision of Christ was withdrawn forever; or did they think that they would glorify Him best, and be most likely to encounter Him, if they returned to the paths of ordinary toil? This miracle closely corresponds to that recorded in Luk_5:1-39, and proves that the methods of the risen Lord are not unlike those of His earthly ministry. Still He stands on the shore in the morning haze, to comfort the hearts of discouraged workers, telling them where to cast their net and revealing the certainty of His help. The eyes that love as John loved are the quickest to descry his presence. He thinks not only of our spoils, but of us, and provides for our sustenance and comfort-not bread only, but fish and a fire. Is not this a picture of the believer’s death?-the plunge into the cold stream of dividing water; the welcome on the other shore; the discovery that Christ had expected and prepared; and the feast with the Lord Himself, as He girds Himself to minister." (F.B. Meyer) 3/29/2026 Jesus First Appears to Mary Magdalene Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. Mar 16:11 "The Savior’s first appearance after resurrection was to a woman. For all He had died. But not to an assembled world does He manifest Himself now that He has risen victorious o’er the grave; not to angels, or apostles; not to the faithful Joseph, or the true-hearted Nicodemus; but to a woman. A woman, and an inhabitant of a distant and unimportant town bordering towards the Gentile frontier, who had been possessed of demons, until Christ reached forth to her the hand of pity. He called her by her name. It was not a mere chance encounter. Christ having already left the tomb, must have purposely concealed Himself from all His disciples save this one whom He wanted to see and comfort. Jesus revealed Himself to her, unaccompanied by any. No angel hosts: Christ was “all in all.” The manifestation was a long awaited victory and redemption from the first fall of Eden, by Eve.
No power can counteract this evil influence, but that which is Divine. In heathen countries Satan reigns uncontrolled; in Christian countries his devices are revealed, all his malice is baffled, his kingdom is overthrown. The gospel not merely delivers men from Satanic influence, but exalts men into the most holy characters. The Gospel can effect the reformation of the most abandoned. No sooner was Mary Magdalene dispossessed, than she devotes herself to the service of her Lord. This is so with all who heartily embrace Christ, and trust Him as Lord and Savior." (Biblical Illustrator) However, when she went to the brethren, and told them she had seen the Savior risen from the dead-they did not believe her. Though her account was one of being an eyewitness, they would not believe her. In cruel unbelief, they made Mary Magdalene a liar. Many through history, to this day, can relate to this woman's experience. But, praise be to the Lord Jesus, unbelief never conquers over truth. Jesus Christ is risen-and coming again. Lorna Couillard 3/28/2026 Jesus' Regard for His Mother Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. Joh 19:25-27 "Love made Mary brave to encounter the tragedy of that scene. The sword, as Simeon had foretold, was piercing her soul, Luk_2:34-35. Luk 2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; Luk 2:35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. Jesus knew how lonely she would be. He had neither silver nor gold, but could at least secure her a home and tender care. As the cross was elevated but slightly from the ground, His words could easily reach the little group.
"Why did Jesus say to John, “Behold thy mother”? It seems strange that He passed over her own sons. Yes, but only seems so. First, Mary’s sons rejected Jesus. “Neither did His brethren believe on Him.” They were out of sympathy, spiritually, both with Christ and Mary, whereas John was, heart and mind, devoted to Him. Secondly, John was in a better social position than the other apostles, and than the Lord’s mother. We see, then, that what looks strange was really very wise and kind. All God’s dealings are the same. If He was good at the cross, He must be good here and now. We sorely need this faith. There is much in our experience which is painfully mysterious. Why is might so often allowed to conquer right? Why do the innocent suffer for the guilty? We fully sympathize with the ancient writer who said: “When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me.” Is there rest anywhere? There is. “At the feet of Jesus.” Sit there. He will not remove all our perplexities. Nevertheless, be assured of this: Christ tells enough to console us, to take off the edge of our difficulties, and to render us trustful. He reveals a God so good that, if we take Christ at His word, we may be perfectly satisfied that somehow all shall yet be well. “Have faith in God,” and thus “return unto thy rest, O, my soul. (T. R. Stevenson- Biblical Illustrator) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Note: It was not intentionally planned, but, this is posted on the same day my mother passed away, in 2008, at app. 2:00 a.m., in the nursing home she was a resident-I was with her the last three days she lived, and was there when she was taken. I know she is with the Lord, and have her bible, with many of her comments, and remarks-which I cherish. This is a fitting honor to her, and she is sorely missed. I look forward to a reunion, and seeing her again-whole, young again, and free of pain. I hope to have a grand family backyard reunion with many family members, loved ones, and friends, when God takes me home. Jesus gave a perfect example of enduring love, that reveals the commitment to those in our immediate family, and his last act of making sure Mary was cared for, before He breathed his last. 3/27/2026 Barabbas or Jesus Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Luk 23:21 "They all say, Let him be crucified - The punishment which Barabbas had deserved: and this probably made them think of it. But in their malice they forgot with how dangerous a precedent they furnished the Roman governor. And indeed within the compass of a few years it turned dreadfully upon themselves." (John Wesley) Note: In his reference, he meant the event 40 yrs. later-the siege and destruction of Jerusalem, which Jesus had already foretold. Luk_21:23-24; Mat_24:19; Mar_13:17-19 Luk 23:29 "The Roman proconsul looks with a strange mixture of awe and surprise at the poor weary prisoner, and asks, "Art Thou a king?" His wife’s dream had warned him that there was something uncommon about this man, and he was more than willing to set Him free, for he could find no fault in Him. Pilate’s relations with Rome, however, made him afraid to risk a tumult, and so, yielding to the popular clamor which demanded His death, and which threatened to swell into a riot, Pilate delivered Jesus unto them. That was his answer to the awful question of the text.
We try to escape it; we endeavor to postpone it as Pilate did, by general discussions about abstract truth. Then we soothe ourselves with the thought that the words which once moved us were exaggerated; this cannot be the Christ; until some great moment of trial comes, and the earth and all that we thought solid and durable in life quakes beneath us, and a darkness, perhaps the darkness of death falls upon us; and then old sins, old decisions for evil, come forth from the graves of memory, and appear unto us, and in the agony of our souls we cry, as the terrible conviction then comes upon us: "Truly, this was the Son of God!" (T. T. Shore, The Life of the World to Come, p. 127) 3/26/2026 The Comfort of Christ Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; hat where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Joh 14:1-4 Jesus had just dismissed Judas, knew what was transpiring outside, and what would follow. And yet He sat amongst His disciples perfectly composed, and was able to counsel deliberate composure in the prospect of affliction. This was not from any insensibility to pain, nor superiority to it (Joh 11:33; Joh 12:27; Joh 13:21). It was a wonderful manifestation of spiritual strength, and as an example was more forcible than even His counsel for the production of a like spirit. They were in a grievous plight. They had been drawn into fellowship with Christ. He had led them step by step, and they had learned to lean upon Him utterly. And now He was about to be taken from them by a cruel death, and leave them exposed to persecution for His sake. An hour ago there had been a strife among them which of them should be greatest. How vain all these ambitions seemed now. And yet our Lord counsels calmness. Jesus sensed and knew their souls were somber, from what they had just witnessed with Judas. He knew this would be the last time he would have this opportunity to leave them something of worth, and value, that would give them strength to endure and overcome, after they were scattered, after his death on the cross. It would help them endure, even when they saw him go through this, and they would carry these words, long after they saw him raised from the dead. His words can be seen as an extension of the comfort and guidance he gave when he sat on the mountainside, at the Sermon on the Mount-and counseled those who sat and heard him to "lay not up your treasures here". Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. As he sat and relayed these words, this was the heart of what he left them: Christ’s going away would naturally seem to them pure loss. Death, as a natural event, always seems so. But Christ says death is not a closing so much as an opening—not a going away so much as a coming home. It is the passing of a pilgrim from one mansion to another, from the winter to the summer residence, from one of the outlying provinces up nearer the central home. This is not a chance expression, far less a mere figure of speech. There are many others. “The third heavens”; Christ has “passed through all heavens”; “heaven, even the heaven of heavens,” a place evidently of inconceivable grandeur, for even that cannot contain the infinite presence of God. This idea of immense capacity is a real relief from some of the more popular conceptions of the future life, as that of a temple. The population of this world is something tremendous. It has been yielding immense numbers to heaven in every age. Thus “a great multitude which no man can number,” has been passing, and will pass, in ceaseless procession. The mind can hardly conceive of it, it will take eternity, for God to reveal this to us. (See Joh 11:33; Joh 12:27; Joh 13:21) (Biblical Illustrator) F.B. Meyer gives a good summation on this: "As He neared the end, our Lord could speak of little else than the Father. Heaven was His Father’s house, where a prepared mansion awaits each of us, perfectly adapted to the peculiarities of our temperament. The yearning of the heart of man was truly set forth by Philip in his request to see the Father; but never before had it dawned upon human intelligence that the divine can find its supreme revelation in the simplicities and commonplaces of human existence. While Philip was waiting for the Father to be shown in lightning and thunder and the splendor of Sinai, he missed the daily unfolding of the life with which he dwelt in daily contact. To see Jesus was to see the Father. Nothing could more certainly prove the need of the Holy Spirit, by whom alone we can know the Lord." Jesus left them with these comforts and truths-that would hold them steady and make their faith solid, and unshakable, no matter what their eyes saw, or what they endured. He made it clear to them-He came from the Father in heaven, He was the Son of the living God, and was returning from where He came from. He was going to prepare a place, a home, for them, and for all who believed in Him-that where He was, we would be also, when we leave this world. Nothing is more evident from the narrative of the Gospels than that Jesus made this claim; nothing is more certain than the fact itself, if His words are in any wise true. Listen to Him: “I came out from the Father, and am come into the world; again I leave the world, and go to the Father.” Language cannot be plainer or more positive than this. The gates of birth and of death alike are transparent to Jesus Christ; through both He sees His Father’s heaven. His final words of comfort were opening the door of heaven, and giving them and us a glimpse of our eternal destination. Christ's heaven, will be our heaven, and our home, and, we will be as He is, and will see Him face to face. Praise to the risen Lord Jesus Christ-forever.  3/25/2025 The Betrayal When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Joh 13:21 +++++++ He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Joh 13:25-27 "The reason of his trouble here was that Judas, a professed friend, was about to betray him. He doubtless foresaw the deep and dreadful sorrows of his approaching death, and was also deeply affected with the ingratitude and wickedness of a friend. Jesus was man as well as God, and he felt like other men. His human nature shrank from suffering, and his tender sensibilities were affected not less deeply than would be those of other men by baseness and treason. "What thou doest, do quickly - This showed to Judas that Jesus was acquainted with his design. He did not command him to betray him, but he left him to his own purpose. He had used means enough to reclaim him and lead him to a holy life, and now he brought him to a decision. He gave him to understand that he was acquainted with his plan, and submitted it to the conscience of Judas to do quickly what he would do. If he relented, he called on him to do it at once. If he could still pursue his wicked plan, could go forward when he was conscious that the Savior knew his design, he was to do it at once. God adopts all means to bring men to a decision. He calls upon them to act decisively, firmly, immediately. He does not allow them the privilege to deliberate about wicked deeds, but calls on them to act at once, and to show whether they will obey or disobey him; whether they will serve him, or whether they will betray fits cause. He knows all their plans, as Jesus did that of Judas, and he calls on men to act under the full conviction that he knows all their soul. Sin thus is a vast evil. When men can sin knowing that God sees it all, it shows that the heart is fully set in them to do evil, and that there is nothing that will restrain them." (Albert Barnes) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Note: I'll take this example for my own case, and address those who've chosen to be my betrayer, and enemy here in cyberspace, and in my own area where I live. I relate to Jesus here, discerning and knowing who his betrayer is, and up to this point remaining silent. I've seen and heard the slander, condemnation, and mocking by those who come here and then proceed to use their own platforms to attack, and use every means, to degrade and insult, and it's done here to me, where I live. I learned since the first year of my salvation 53 yrs. ago, that what Jesus said we would face is a fact. I've learned over and over again, the only one I can trust is Jesus Himself. I've never pretended to be a theologian, or have a long list of titles to my name, but, the Lord called me to do this, and after 10 yrs. of disobedience like Jonah, I finally obeyed. The bible warns us to not trust any man, only trust God, and that's a warning I keep. I do love people, or I wouldn't do this at all, but just as Jesus confronted His enemies in the gospels-I will stand my ground, and walk alone. I've done it since the first year of my salvation. I've learned that when everyone else leaves-Jesus remains. He hasn't left me, and I go to Him every day, and ask for His guidance, and if there's anything I've done that I need to repent of, because as an intercessor, I need to have my channel to the Lord open. For those who choose to be my enemy, do whatever your going to do, I'll let Jesus defend me. If he allows you to continue your attacks, I leave you to Him. I do not need, or ask for your approval, or your trust. Trust God, and go on with your life, and leave me in peace, I will do the same, unless you continue to pursue attacking me. If you do, I'll defend myself, if you play the bully with me. I will use the word of God as my defense and will answer any attacks with that as my weapon. I've done it before here, and will do it again, if I need to. Psa_56:11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Psa_118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. Psa_146:3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. Pro_29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.  3/24/2026 The Meeting at Jacob's Well And he must needs go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. Joh 5:4-26 Historical Overview: "In the heat of the day (for even in winter, the best time for travelling in Syria, the midday sun is often very hot, and walking fatiguing), Jesus came, wearied, to Jacob’s well (Gen_33:18-20; Gen_49:21-22; Deu_33:28-29), near a village or suburb of Shechem called Sychar, now called El Askar, about a mile from Nablous (Shechem). Jesus had journeyed on foot. The common fund evidently did not admit of hiring animals for all His company, and He therefore went with them afoot. He shared with His disciples the common fatigues and hardships of the way. He sat thus, wearied and footsore, by the well, whilst the disciples went for provisions to the neighboring village or town. He was truly human—the Son of man as well as the Son of God. He knows our toils, trials, weariness, and can sympathize with us in our troubles (Heb_4:15). While He thus sat “a woman of Samaria” came to draw water. It was not the usual hour when women came to draw water, and this particular woman must have come there at that time for some special need, perhaps also to avoid publicity, which she had reason to do. Our Lord entered into conversation with her, showing that He was free from rabbinic prejudice and Jewish exclusiveness. He asked from her a draught of water, as the disciples had probably taken with them the vessel for drawing water (Joh_4:11). The Savior’s request was a real request. The sinless needs of His human nature were as ours (Joh_19:28; Mat_8:24). (Preacher's Homiletical)
It is a safe thing to affirm that, wherever there is a desire for Christ in the heart, Christ Himself is not far from that desire. For of this you may be assured—Christ is always nearer to you than you think. Though you do not know it, the voices of your soul are all echoes. They are the responses to other voices, which are speaking to you. Had not Jesus first talked with you, there would never have been any of those things in your mind. All along, He who is to make the answer woke the question. He is there. You have been conversing with the very object that you are seeking; and that Presence it is which has aroused the feeling which now affects you. "I that speak unto thee am He." Patiently, very patiently, God is always conversing with us; but rare is the heart to hear it. And happy is the man who, in the poetry of nature, in the arguments of fact, in the eloquence of truth, always catches the same accent, "I that speak unto thee am He." (J. Vaughan, Sermons, 3rd series, p. 197) 3/23/2026 Jesus and Zacchaeus And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. Luk 19:6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luk 1-10 "A whole paragraph is devoted to the delineation of one man’s life, while so many great subjects are hardly touched upon in the Christian Scriptures. Yet let us not complain of what looks to us like capriciousness and incompleteness of Divine revelation, for in these portrayals of individuals we have not only the most practical aspects of the Christian faith, but we get nearer to God than would otherwise have been possible. Zacchæus sought to see Jesus through natural curiosity, yet such curiosity may be turned to the highest uses; Zacchæus only sought to see the Man, but in the end he saw the Savior; he desired to see a wonder, in the end he was made into a wonder himself. Zacchæus would never have been chief among the publicans, and been rich, if he had succumbed to difficulties. His character was brought out by opposition. I contend that, what ever a man’s disadvantages may be, he can see Jesus Christ if he so determine in his heart.
Mat 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Heb 7:25 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. 3/22/2026 A Glimpse of Christs Glory And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Mat 17:1-3 "Not for the Apostles’ sake only was the glory of the Lord thus revealed. In them the whole Church since saw it, and to us, as to them, it is given as a support of faith, a kindling of our hope. To us, too, it is a witness of our Lord’s Divinity; nay, more, of His Divinity and humanity together; it is to us a faint gleam of that ineffable mystery, how man can be taken into God, how God can dwell in man, and fill him with the glory of the Father. Great is the comfort to us that He, our High Priest, our Intercessor, is thus glorified, is thus present with God, and is God. Yet does this mystery, in a still more definite way, open to us the greatness of our future hopes; it gives a glimpse of that which we have no thought to conceive, "the good things" which God has, in His boundless mercy, in store for those who love Him.
The solemn peace and holy calm spread over them seem to tell us by whom they were inhabited; they seem yet, like the parted spirit, to live to Him; the evening, so closed in, seems the dawning of the resurrection. Our Lord stretcheth forth His hands to bless us, but it is in the form of His cross. The transfiguration is our glory; it sets forth that glory to us, but also how it was to be won for us, by bearing the cross for us; by us, by bearing ours, after Him, in His strength and following Him." (Plain Sermons by Contributors to "Tracts for the Times," vol. iii., p. 223) "There appeared Moses and Elijah - Here for the full confirmation of their faith in Jesus, Moses, the giver of the law, Elijah, the most zealous of all the prophets, and God speaking from heaven, all bore witness to him." (John Wesley) 3/21/2026 Jesus is the Bread of Life Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. Joh 6:47-50 "In all Christ said He realized that the body is not the man. He was always seeking to win the soul’s faith which would be the man’s life. We have bodies; we are souls. Since we are spirits there is fitting food for us, and Christ warns us of fleshly ideas by saying, “It is the Spirit that quickens.” Christ is the soul’s food in His humanity, character, example, sacrifice, spiritual communions. Nothing else can satisfy like this. Every receptive faculty of our soul can live on that incarnate life and renew strength. “I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” Christ is the food of the soul in that He provides and adapts God for man. “In” God “we live, and move, and have our being.” But man has failed to live in God. “God is not in all his thoughts.” Our souls have lost their home food, preferring to it “the husks which the swine do eat.” But God graciously offers Himself to us in Christ Jesus, for all who would choose Him." (Biblilcal Illustrator)
I gather the harvest, and I thrash it on the barn-floor; but I never grind it into corn, nor comfort my heart with a morsel of bread.” Surely this is wretched work, is it not folly carried to an extreme? I trust the children of God will not copy this madness. Let our prayer be that we may use and enjoy to the utmost all that the Lord has given us in His grace." (C.H. Spurgeon) Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Joh 6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 3/20/2026 Peter Walking on the Water And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he 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? Mat 14:25-31 "There are three conditions of soul: some think they are sinking and are not; some are sinking and do not know; some are sinking and do know it—know it truly and miserably. Let me gather up the steps towards the sinking. An emotional state, with abrupt and strong reactions; a self-exaltation; a breaking out under a good and religious aspect of an old infirmity and sin; a disproportion between the act and the frame of mind in which the act was done; neglect of ordinary means with not sufficient calculation of difficulties; a devious eye; a want of concentration; a regard to circumstances more than to the Power which wields them; a certain inward separation from God; a human measurement; a descent to a fear—unnecessary, dishonoring fear; depression; a sense of perishing; beginning to sink.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 3/19/2026 Jesus Teaches on Lust of the Heart Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Mat 5:27-30 "Our Savior in these verses explains the seventh commandment. It is probable that the Pharisees had explained this commandment, as they had the sixth, as extending only to the external act; and that they regarded evil thoughts and a wanton imagination as of little consequence, or as not forbidden by the law. Our Savior assures them that the commandment did not regard the external act merely, but the secrets of the heart, and the movements of the eye. He declares that they who indulge a wanton desire, that they who look on a woman to increase their lust, have already, in the sight of God, violated the commandment, and committed adultery in the heart. Such was the guilt of David, whose deep and awful crime fully shows the danger of indulging in evil desires, and in the roving of a wanton eye." See 2 Sam. 11; Ps. 51. See also 2Pe_2:14. 2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: So exceeding strict and broad is the law of God-And so heinous in his sight axe thoughts and feelings which may be forever concealed from the world. (Albert Barnes)
You may not have committed the act of fornication, or adultery, but, if you've looked on someone with lust in your heart, you've committed the act. This goes for sitting at the computer watching porn, X-rated movies, etc., and influencing others to do it also. The sin sits deep in your heart, and only admitting it to God, and repentance, will cleanse your soul. If your offended in hearing this, the point has been proven. Your argument is with God. You will have to make up your own mind, how valuable your eternal soul is, and where you want to spend eternity. Jesus gives you a vivid picture, I'd listen to him, if I were you. Lorna Couillard 3/18/2026 Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, 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. Joh 8:1-11 Important points to this story: The religious leaders brought this woman to Jesus in shame-filled, humiliating circumstances. She was held against her will, a prisoner under the custody of the religious police who caught her involved with a man not her husband, in the very act of adultery. They set a trap for Jesus. If Jesus said, “Let her go,” then He would seem to break the Law of Moses. If He said, “Execute her for the crime of adultery,” then Jesus would seem harsh and perhaps cruel. Also, He would break Roman law, because the Romans had taken the right of official execution for religious offenses away from the Jews. To mention the obvious, there was also a man involved in this very act of adultery - yet the guilty man was not brought before Jesus for judgment. It also meant that there were pre-arranged spies sent to witness this affair, and they carefully noted the sordid details. Some preachers and commentators have pointed out that the reaction from those standing when Jesus made the statemen-"He without sin among you, cast the first stone", were convicted because they knew they were not without sin-and very likely some of the Pharisees standing there had been with her themselves. Morris points out that legally speaking, the standard of evidence was very high for this crime. There had to be two witnesses and they had to agree perfectly. They had to see the sexual act take place; it wasn’t enough to see the pair leaving the same room together or even lying on the same bed together. “The actual physical movements of the couple must have been capable of no other explanation…. conditions were so stringent that they could have been met only on rare occasions.” (Morris) “Under these conditions the obtaining of evidence in adultery would be almost impossible were the situation not a setup.” (Boice) Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned: It is true that adultery was a capital offense under Jewish law, but the rules for evidence in capital cases were extremely strict. The actual act had to be observed by multiple witnesses who agreed exactly in their testimony. As a practical matter, virtually no one was executed for adultery, since this was a relatively private sin.
When they continued asking Him: Jesus stooped down, wrote on the ground, and acted as if He did not hear the accusers of the woman taken in adultery. The men who brought the woman didn’t stop asking Jesus what should be done with her - they continued asking Him. This reveals the level of cold, calculating cruelty and brutality that was working in them, they were unrelenting in their attacks. Jesus raised Himself up to make eye contact with the woman's accuser's and said to them: "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." Being convicted by their conscience: They were convicted by what they heard from Jesus. Seemingly it wasn’t what Jesus wrote. It was what Jesus said that convicted their conscience. As an example, we learn: If we must look at the sins of others, we must be aware that we have also sinned. There is still a place for exposing and rebuking and directly dealing with the sins of others in God’s family, but it must always be done with a heart that recognizes itself as a forgiven sinner. When done right, confronting sin is done more often with tears and a broken heart than with anger and condemnation. An example of an exception to this, we find in Acts, when Paul boldly confronts Simon the sorcerer, for his wickedness and deception. When all had left, leaving Jesus and the woman alone-He asks her, "where are your accusers, has no man condemned you"? Her answer was simple but profound-"No man, Lord". This is the love, and mercy and deliverance for all who come to Him, and receive His forgiveness, and salvation. Jesus leaves her with a warning, that is meant for all- "Neither do I condemn thee, go, and sin no more. Here is admonition; the condition of her final pardon. He is very merciful, but does not excuse sin. (B.W. Johnson) 3/17/2026 A Healing and a Warning at the Pool of Bethesda Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Joh 5:2-17 "We may feel interested in hearing that the impotent man was restored to health, and yet, what was the benefit he received? He lived a few years, and then he died. What is life? Holy Scripture saith, "It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away." Therefore, observes St. Augustine, in his comment on this miracle, "In that health was restored to this man’s body for a time, some duration was added to a vapor; so then, this is not to be valued much, for vain is the health of man." The health of the soul is the thing to be thought of, for the soul endureth for ever; and the miracles effected by our blessed Lord on the bodies of men were only types of those greater miracles which, throughout the last dispensation, He works by His Spirit on the souls of men, in their regeneration, renovation, and sanctification.
Let your answers to all gainsayers be the same in principle as his was who replied to the cavilling Jews, "He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed and walk; such a Benefactor I cannot distrust; and such a Benefactor I will, by God’s help, in all things strive to obey." (W. F. Hook, Sermons on the Miracles, vol. i., p. 121) Joh 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? Joh 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Mat 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. 3/16/2026 Jesus is the Light of the World Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. The fear of being cast out of the synagogue was a very real one, Joh_9:22; and the yoke laid on Israel by the Pharisees was a very crushing one. Joh 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Only a very few, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea, could withstand it. Let us see to it that we set the promotion of God’s glory above any thought of ourselves. We must confess Christ, if we would experience His saving grace. See Rom_10:9-10. Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. To reject Jesus was nothing less to Israel than to reject God Himself and His word. Such a supreme act of rebellion could not fail to draw down unexampled judgment.
"The word that Christ has spoken, the doctrines of his gospel, and the messages of mercy, will be that by which the sinner will be judged in the last day. Every person will be judged by that message, and the sinner will be punished according to the frequency and clearness with which the rejected message has been presented to his mind", Mat_12:41. (Albert Barnes) Mat 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. 3/15/2026 Watch and Pray And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. But take heed to yourselves: We must take heed because there are certain things that will make one unprepared - carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life. Each of these things can make us unprepared for the day of Jesus’ return. They make the heart weighed down. Carousing literally refers to the hangover that comes after a time of intoxication. It will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth: Jesus here spoke of His coming from a different angle. In Luk_21:25-26, He spoke of unmistakable calamity to shake the earth before the coming of Jesus. In Luk_21:34-36 Jesus said that He would come as a surprise, a snare - and emphasized the importance of readiness. This is because the second coming of Jesus has two distinct aspects, separated by an appreciable time. The first aspect comes suddenly, unexpectedly, as a snare, in a time of peace and safety. The second comes with great anticipation to a world almost destroyed by the judgment of God, with Jesus coming to the earth with His saints from heaven.
Watch ... pray,— the two great duties which in prospect of trial are constantly enjoined. These warnings, suggested by the need of preparedness for the tremendous calamities approaching, and the total wreck of the existing state of things, are the general improvement of the whole discourse, carrying the mind forward to Judgment and Vengeance of another kind and on a grander and more awful scale - not ecclesiastical or political but personal, not temporal but eternal - when all safety and blessedness will be found to lie in being able to “STAND BEFORE THE SON OF MAN” in the glory of His personal appearing. (JFB comm.) 3/14/2026 Seeking the Lost Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? Luk 15:8 "The piece of silver—whatever it was—was great to the owner. And here lies the point in the analogy. A soul, an individual creature, an atom in God’s universe, may be in itself a very insignificant thing, but it is great to God. This is its dignity. How great, how dear to God, no man can adequately judge, because no man is a creator, and no man is a redeemer. It needs absolutely to have created a thing, and absolutely to have redeemed a thing, before you can calculate what its worth would be to one who stood to it in those relations. Let us go with this woman in her quest. It is deliberate, painstaking, protracted, effectual.
All the parables agree in the one blessed, crowning thought—"till she find it." It is not a light achievement. Even with the lighted candle, and with the close sweeping, she had to seek diligently—to go up and down, and do her work over and over again. But love—the love she had for her lost treasure, carried her on, and she did not stop, she could not stop, till she found it." (J. Vaughan, Sermon preached Oct. 29th, 1865) 3/13/2026 Deny the Exchange And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 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. Mar 8:34-38 "Confession of Christ.—A Roman emperor said to a Greek architect, “Build me a Colosseum, a grand colosseum, and if it suits me I will crown you in the presence of all the people, and I will make a great day of festival on your account.” The architect did his work—did it magnificently, planned the building, and looked after its construction. The building was finished, the opening day arrived, the emperor and the architect were in the Colosseum. Amid loud cheers the emperor arose and announced that the day was set apart in honor of the Greek architect, and everything must be done to his honor. “Let us make merry and enjoy ourselves; bring out those Christians, and let us see the lions destroy them.” A group of imprisoned Christians were led forth, and a number of half-starved lions turned loose among them. They were soon devoured, and the architect slowly arose, and in a firm though gentle voice said, “I too am a Christian.” The howling mob seized him and flung him to the fierce beasts, who soon tore his limbs from his body. This is confession, true and undefiled. It is easy enough to confess Christ before our own Church and friends, but do we confess Him among those that revile Him? Do we go among men that despise His precepts, and by our very life tell of Him? If we do not, we do not do our duty as His followers." (Preacher's Homiletical)
“I, sinful wretch, by the grace of God, King of England and of France, and Lord of Ireland, bequeath to Almighty God my sinful soul and the life I have misspent, whereof I put myself wholly at His grace and mercy”—so wrote Henry IV. in his last will, when the frightful reality of leprosy had disenchanted the rapturous dream of usurpation. Man’s soul thirsts and longs for something nobler, brighter, greater, and better than the world itself. As Macduff says: “As well try to fill the yawning chasm with a few grains of sand as satisfy the gulf of the soul’s desires with the pleasures of an empty world.” Nothing can satisfy the soul but God." (Preacher's Homiletical) 3/12/2026 Cause of Offence to the Young Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Luk 17:1-2 "The owner of the famous Wedgwood potteries, in the beginning of this century, was not only a man of remarkable mechanical skill, but a most devout and reverent Christian. On one occasion, a nobleman of dissolute habits, and an avowed atheist, was going through the works, accompanied by Mr. Wedgwood, and by a young lad who was employed in them, the son of pious parents. Lord C sought early opportunity to speak contemptuously of religion. The boy at first looked amazed, then listened with interest, and at last burst into a loud, jeering laugh. Mr. Wedgwood made no comment, but soon found occasion to show his guest the process of making a fine vase; how with infinite care the delicate paste was molded into a shape of rare beauty and fragile texture, how it was painted by skillful artists, and finally passed through the furnace, coming out perfect in form and pure in quality. The nobleman declared his delight, and stretched out his hand for it, but the potter threw it on the ground, shattering it into a thousand pieces. “That was unpardonable carelessness!” said Lord C , angrily. “I wished to take that cup home for my collection! Nothing can restore it again.” “No. You forget, my lord,” said Mr. Wedgwood, “that the soul of that lad who has just left us came innocent of impiety into the world; that his parents, friends, all good influences, have been at work during his whole life to make him a vessel fit for the Master’s use; that you, with your touch, have undone the work of years. No human hand can bind together again what you have broken. ” Lord C——, who had never before received a rebuke from an inferior, stared at him in silence; then said, “You are an honest man,” frankly holding out his hand.
Mat 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. ++++++++++++++++++++ The root of mischief—the fundamental cause of the failure of the Church to make the Gospel the power which God intended it to be in the spiritual education of mankind—is to be found in a radical misconception of the function of the Church. It has sought to rule in His name; it was set to witness to His truth. God has been systematically presented to the mind of Christendom, and of course to the youth of Christendom, and its homes, as the Ruler, the Lawgiver, the Judge, rather than as the Father; and the Church has been more prompt to wield authority than to minister and save. It is not too much to say that the chief trust of Christendom has been in law, as a power superior to love, in rebuking and destroying that sin from which man must be saved or perish. Never forget that the first, the fundamental principle of a Christian education is the surrounding the young spirit, in the very cradle of its higher life, with the witness that it is born into the Father’s home, and that it has a right, in all its struggles, its sufferings, and its sins, to claim the Father’s pity, to cry for the Father’s help, and to rest on the Father’s will and power to save. A second great principle of Christian culture, which the Church has failed to grasp and to wield as a power, is this: Christ bids us remember that men have to be trained here for the universe and eternity, and that the training must begin in the home, if it is to bear any blessed and lasting fruit. "A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth," said the Master. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God." How much of our education of our children has respect exclusively to the question, What kind of training will most largely and swiftly pay? And our thought concerns not what it will pay the man as an immortal being, with eternity before him to work out the great plan of his existence. (J. Baldwin Brown, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xvii., p. 392) Note: In the 24 hrs. this has been posted, I've seen some reactions to it, that are sad to me, because they show the shallowness, and lack of the ability to reason of many people. This post, with the graphic image of the Lord holding the little girl in a precious embrace-had nothing to do with me. It was an image that can represent anyone, and that was the intent-it could be the Lord embracing a little boy, an old woman, or old man-or anyone. This was a representation of God's love-for you. It also represents the weight of sin that people live under, which is shown by the donkey grinding with the millstone-and the weight of it-with Jesus using this to give a picture of the depraved sinner-being cast into the sea-and dropped to the bottom, a picture of hell-where the wicked will dwell forever. Today in the 21st century, this country, and the world still has child trafficking, ritual satanic sacrifices, cannibalism, sodomy and every kind of sexual sin and wickedness-and societies cover it, condone it, and go on with their lives, and do not want to see it, or deal with it. The Clintons, and the Epstein case, and Trump proves this. We will reap what we've sown, and it's beginning to come to pass now-and few want to face the reality of it-until they have no choice. People can't seem to expand their minds today-to get a real grasp of the depth of what they are really looking at. They are too engulfed in their phones, and video games. Vernon McGee-a prominent preacher during the 20th century in California, gave a very good example in one of his sermons-on the subject of influence, and the importance of it, and what kind of influence we may give in the world. On a certain Sunday, in the 90's, a young woman in her late teens, who was already a mother, but unwed, came in the front door of his church, and walked up to Mr. McGee, and proudly displayed her baby-still carrying him on her hip, and asked him for a blessing on the baby. She wore very scanty clothing, her arms and leg tattooed, and a ring in her nose. Her language was crude, but thought nothing of it, showing it was her common way of living. Mr. McGee, looked at her in the eye and said- "You can have children, but, what are you raising it to be?" He did not offer anything further, or give any further blessing, and she knew what he clearly meant, and went on into the church, saying nothing more. I'd advise people to go back to the top of this devotion, and pray about it, and read it again. Lorna Couillard 3/11/2026 Jesus Is Equal with God And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. ++++++++++++++ Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. Joj 5:5-9,18 "The pool was called the house of mercy, but Christ was mercy itself. All mere human instrumentalities are to Jesus what the house is to the Master. We have an indication of Christ’s plan of saving men. The poor man did not ask Jesus to heal him. It was mercy who took the initiative. Christ gave a command as well as asked a question. “Take up thy bed and walk.” This was something that was a physical impossibility; yet the man made the effort, and was helped of God, and so was made whole. Jesus says to you, who are willing to be saved, “Believe on Me.” Why say you cannot believe? God’s commandments are promises. He never commands what He will not help us to do. The man was met as he was going down the street by Pharisees- those who objected to his carrying his bed. Do not be surprised if some one tries to rob you of your new-found joy. Let not any one stop you from joy in the Lord, it is your strength." (T. Champness)
His own Father - The Greek word means his own Father in such a sense as no creature can speak. Making himself equal with God - It is evident all the hearers so understood him, and that our Lord never contradicted, but confirmed it. (John Wesley) 3/10/26 Jesus Begins His Ministry And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. "The Gospel to the Poor.—The evangelization of the poor was really the divinest thing in Christ’s ministry, the most original phase thereof, and the phenomenon which most convincingly showed that a new thing, destined to make all things new, had appeared in the world—the religion of humanity, the universal religion. Such a religion is surely Divine; but when first it made its appearance, it could not but seem a very strange and startling phenomenon." (Bruce)
“Closed the book.”—When He had read the text from the Old Testament, He closed the book and gave it back to the attendant. As soon as the book had delivered its message, He presented Himself to the congregation as the fulfilment of the prophecy. His sermon consisted in permitting the prophet to pronounce the promise and then exhibiting Himself as its fulfilment. No other preacher, either false or true, ever acted thus. (Arnot) 3/9/26 Will Jesus Find Faith on the Earth? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luk 18:8 Christ will come again after His Resurrection in three different senses:-- (1) He will come again finally, and in the highest sense, when this world shall end, and we shall all rise to judgment; (2) He will come to each one of us finally, in the highest sense, when we each of us receive His call to die; (3) He has come more than once, and I believe He will come more than once again, not finally, nor in the highest sense, either to all mankind or to each individual, but in a lower sense, and affording a sort of type or image of the higher: I mean, when He comes to bring upon the earth, or on some one or more nations, a great season of suffering, in which "the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low." In this sense, He is said to have come when he destroyed Jerusalem; in this sense, also, He came more than three hundred years afterwards, when He destroyed the empire of Rome. (In "coming"-referencing coming in judgment across the land)
When the Son of man cometh to us at death, shall He find faith in us? If we have no faith in Him now, we shall have none when He cometh; the lamp is not burning in us, but gone out. And when the cry strikes our ears that the Bridegroom is coming it will be too late to kindle it again; for while we are vainly going about to buy the oil, He comes, and they who are ready—not who hope to be ready by-and-by—can alone go in with Him to the marriage. (T. Arnold, Sermons, vol. v., p. 15) 3/8/26 Jesus Tempted as We Are And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Luk 6-8 "The temptation, as is evident from the language employed, was in some way connected with the descent of the Holy Spirit upon our Lord; and we are thus taught that God, for their own and others’ good, may lead His people through trial. It behooved Jesus to be made like unto His brethren, therefore He was led up into the wilderness; and while it had a bearing on them, it was no less an advantage to Him, for it furnished Him at the outset of His public ministry with a kind of intensified specimen of the difficulties that lay before Him. The tempter makes an appeal to appetite. It is here that temptation first and most strongly besets a youth. From the mysterious connection between the body and the soul, there are certain appetites created within us which, in themselves considered, are not sinful—on the contrary, they are implanted there for useful, nay, for God-glorifying purposes; but Satan comes, and will persuade the young to gratify them in a sinful manner. That you may know how to resist such assaults, see here how Jesus bore Himself when Satan besought Him to gratify His hunger in a forbidden way; He said, "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." That is to say, life does not consist in eating and drinking and enjoyment; life is not the gratification of the body in any shape, but the obedience of the soul to God.
We are not warranted to place ourselves in circumstances such as shall tempt the Lord. If we are in danger in God’s service, we may rely that He will be with us. But we have no right to imagine that He will suspend the law of gravitation, whenever we choose to leap over a precipice; or that He will suspend the spiritual laws which regulate the actions of our souls, whenever we put ourselves into the way of temptation". (W. M. Taylor, Life Truths, p. 147) +++++++++++++++ Heb 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Heb 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. 3/7/2026 The Faith of a Centurion And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. Several features of the character of this centurion are worthy of all imitation. Notice: His singular care for his slave. We know something of the hardening effects of slavery in the United States of America. But, as the greatest of Roman historians tells us, African slavery is a mere drop in the ocean in comparison with the horrors of slavery in the old Roman empire. Even so tender-hearted and amiable a man as Cicero once blushed and offered an abject apology because he so far forgot himself as to feel a twinge of regret at the painful death of a slave. It was in this corrupt and horrible atmosphere that this man cared for his slave; and I know nothing that is more noble, more indicative of the Godlike man, than a proper courtesy and thoughtfulness and a disinterested and unselfish care for those who are our social inferiors.
Note: This true account of Jesus healing the centurions servant, is put here this morning as a prophetic message to the U.S. government. This is the real Jesus Christ, not an imposter. Jesus came to save, heal, and restore-not to destroy people's lives. The decisions being made by the leadership in the White House even today, are murderous, treacherous, and it will bring this nation to destruction. God will not honor the intentional killing, maiming, and destroying of unarmed, innocent peoples lives and their nations. The centurion is an example of what God wants for the Gentile nations, and how he wants Himself to be represented. What has been being done in this nation for many years now, is bringing judgement and will doom this nation. I have little expectation that anyone will listen to this, but, I've done what God has given me, and have released my soul. Lorna Couillard 3/6/2026 Blind Bartimaeus And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. Mar 10:48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. Mar 10:46-52 The state of this poor man is given at a stroke of the pen. It would be difficult to crowd more biography into one verse than we find in here. He was sightless. He had come to be called by that name, “Blind Bartimaeus.” He was a pauper. “Begging” was his business. We do not look upon him as one who had got behind-hand for a little, and so was out on the street for a day or two, until he could get into employment. He “sat by the highway side begging".
But the more they tried to silence him, the more he cried out-this was faith that got Jesus' attention. His cry was personal and direct: “have mercy on me.” He wastes no time in graceful opening or becoming close; what he wanted he tells. His prayer was courageous and bold. Jesus is always ready to save anyone who cries to Him. Oh, most impressive moment is that when the Lord of Glory pauses in the way, and commands a soul “to be called”. Bartimaeus received what he asked for, Jesus answered his faith. (excerpts from Biblical Illustrator) Mar 10:52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. 3/5/2026 Den of Thieves And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. Matt. 21:13 "He cast out all that sold and bought - Doves and oxen for sacrifice. He had cast them out three years before, Joh 2:14; bidding them not make that house a house of merchandise. Upon the repetition of the offence, he used sharper words. In the temple - That is, in the outer court of it, where the Gentiles used to worship. The money changers - The exchangers of foreign money into current coin, which those who came from distant parts might want to offer for the service of the temple." (John Wesley) Mar 11:11, Mar 11:15; Luk 19:45.
The days we are in now, are full of deceit, greed, lust, and selfishness. Most of the online ministries have many commercials within their videos that are distracting, and show that they are a "for profit" business, not a ministry that really cares about whether people's souls go to heaven or hell. The majority of churches who invite guest speakers have long tables of the books they have written, and most of the time, the people who buy them do so only to be able to say they are part of the ministry-like a badge. Many times the books are put on shelves, and never read. If Jesus was here today, He wouldn't be allowed in most churches, just as he was not welcome in His day. Lorna Couillard 3/4/2026 Christ's Everlasting Kingdom But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Heb 1:8 "Christ is an eternal King, so is no angel, therefore is to be honored above them. Thus having made mention of His kingdom, then He describes it more at large, that though we could imagine easily that angels in honor deserved the name of kings, yet such a kingdom no angel could ever have; an everlasting throne, a righteous sceptre, exalting troth, beating down iniquity: in worthiness whereof God hath anointed this king with gladness above all other, and hath called Him by the name of God Himself. In this Scripture there are four special things spoken. First, He is called God alone, and without additions, even as the prophet Isaiah Isa_9:7) also calleth Him the mighty God. By which warrant of the prophets being a most sure word, the apostles are bold to give to our Savior Christ the name and power of the living God (Joh_1:2; Joh_1:20.; 1Jn_5:20; Rom_9:4; Col_2:6). The second thing here attributed to Christ is, that His kingdom is everlasting, So the prophet Isaiah had said (Isa_9:7). The same testimony the angel gave of His kingdom when he came to the Virgin Mary (Luk_1:33). And how can this be possibly applied unto Solomon so directly against the Scripture, that the sceptre should be taken once away, not only from the house of Solomon, but from all the tribe of Judah? And how could they not see with their eyes the ruin of that kingdom and the throne of Solomon quite forgotten. The third thing attributed here to Christ is, that the sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of His kingdom, according as David saith." (Psa_97:2) (Excerpt from (E. Deering, B. D.)
Those sublime syllables, “Light be,” were spoken by the voice that trembled in dying anguish on the cross. Rolling rivers, swelling seas, waving woods, bursting flowers, caroling birds, innumerable beasts, stars sparkling like diamonds on the pavilion of night, all newly made; all throbbing with God’s own life; and all very good; but, mainly and gloriously all the work of those hands which were nailed helplessly to the cross, which itself, as well as the iron that pierced Him, was the result of His creative will." (F. B.Meyer, B. A.) 3/3/2026 Between Two Thieves And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luk 23:39-43 “Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.”—There was probably malice in the arrangement by which Jesus was hung between the two thieves. Yet there was a Divine purpose behind the wrath of man. Jesus came to the world to identify Himself with sinners; He had lived among them, and it was meet that He should die among them. It gave Him, too, an opportunity of illustrating, at the very last moment, both the magnanimity of His own character and the nature of His mission. As the parable of the Prodigal Son is an epitome of the whole teaching of Christ, so is the salvation of the thief on the cross the life of Christ in miniature. There is no reason to doubt either that this thief was a great sinner or that he was suddenly changed. And therefore his example will always be an encouragement to the worst of sinners when they repent. It is common for penitents to be afraid to come to God, because their sins have been too great to be forgiven; but those who are encouraging them can point to cases like Manasseh, and Mary Magdalene, and this, and assure them that the mercy which sufficed for these is sufficient for all: “The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin.”
"Remember me when thou comest - From heaven, in thy kingdom - He acknowledges him a king, and such a king, as after he is dead, can profit the dead. The apostles themselves had not then so clear conceptions of the kingdom of Christ." (John Wesley) The Lesson: There is room at the Cross for you sinner, to receive salvation. 3/2/2026 The Wisdom of Fools Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Isa 5:20-21 "Woe unto them that call evil good ..." - This is the fourth class of sins denounced. The sin which is reprobated here is that of “perverting and confounding” things, especially the distinctions of morality and religion. They prefer erroneous and fake doctrines to the true; they prefer an evil to an upright course of conduct. The Chaldee renders this, ‘Woe to those who say to the impious, who are prospered in this age, You are good; and who say to the meek, Ye are impious.’ Jarchi thinks that the prophet here refers to those who worship idols, but he evidently has a more general reference to those who confound all the distinctions of right and wrong, and who prefer the wrong." (Albert Barnes) "Woe to the intellectually proud. To the self-conceited sceptic, who sits in judgment upon the Word of God, and condemns it. To the self-conceited enthusiast, who substitutes his own fancies for Divine truth. To the self-conceited Pharisee, who trusts in his own works. To the self-conceited sinner, who despises instruction. Woe-for they shall all perish." (J. Lyth, D.D)
Joh 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 1Co 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 1Co 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 3/1/2026 The Passover Lamb Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. Exo 12:21-23 "The night of the Passover was "a night much to be remembered." Wherever a Jew exists it is to this night he points, as the proudest epoch in his people’s history. The feast of the Passover is full of typical meaning. Notice, first, that this was a little judgment day. The children of Israel were to be delivered by a direct visitation of God. There are three great truths brought out in this narrative.
When we repose our confidence in the Person of Christ, we have taken the bunch of hyssop and dipped it in the blood, and from that moment we are safe. (W. Hay Aitken, Mission Sermons, 1st series, p. 100) 1Co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 1Co 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.  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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March 2026
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