Post Category: Mission

Saturday, October 20, 2018 Drink Up Opening Prayer: O God, fountain of life, you invite us continually to come and drink from your river of delights. Why on earth do we not do that more often? Scripture: Psalm 36:5-10 Journal: Why do you not drink more often from the wells of God? What keeps you from it? What helps you to do it? Will you stop and drink today? Reflecti...

Friday, October 19, 2018 Ecstasy Opening Prayer: Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine. Scripture: Song of Solomon 1:2 Journal: Sit still in God's presence this day and receive his kiss. Reflection: Let us not suppose ecstasy is ruled out for ordinary people like ourselves. It is not as though we had invented it, or as though ...

Thursday, October 18, 2018 Led Opening Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, popularity, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to those voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narro...

Wednesday, October 17, 2018 Prayer Opening Prayer: God - you're my God! I can't get enough of you! I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts. So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you e...

Tuesday, October 16, 2018 Arise Opening Prayer: O Lord, my God, Lover of my soul, you call me to arise and come with you. Give me the grace and the courage to do so. Through Christ, Amen. Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:10-13 Journal: What does "Arise, and come with me" look like for you right now? Reflection: arise song of songs 2:10-13 neither mood nor circumstance...

Monday, October 15, 2018 Unity Opening Prayer: How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity. It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forever...

Sunday, October 14, 2018 Alive Opening Prayer: Make us alive, Lord Jesus, for if you don't we can only be dead forever. Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-7 Journal: How has Christ brought you to life? How is he currently making you alive? Reflection: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgr...

Saturday, October 13, 2018 Very Good Opening Prayer: O Lord, our God, when you breathed the world into being you looked at it all and said it was "very good." Thank you that we are a part of your very good creation. Thank you that the blessing preceded the fall. Help us to be a part of reversing the effects of the fall and restoring all things to their creation intent. T...

Friday, October 12, 2018 Let It Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, you say, "Let my peace rule in your heart" and "Let my word dwell in your richly." All I have to do is let them. Why do I make it so difficult? Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17 Journal: Is Christ's peace ruling in your heart? Is Christ's word dwelling in you richly? If not, why not? Why are you not letting them h...

Thursday, October 11, 2018 God's Will Opening Prayer: Thank you, O Lord, that you are not trying to trick us. Knowing your will is really not all that complicated. You are not playing some cosmic game of hide and seek. Nor are you some tricky game-show-host-sort-of-God who is making us pick between door number one and door number two, knowing full well that disaster awai...

Wednesday, October 10, 2018 Parents Opening Prayer: O Lord, my God, you are indeed a good, good Father. Thank you for the way you have parented me through the years. How do I offer the same space and guidance and grace that you have offered me? Scripture: Ephesians 6:4 Journal: How were you parented? How has God parented you through the years? What does it look like to...

Tuesday, October 9, 2018 Goals and Rest Opening Prayer: Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5-6, NIV) Scripture: Psalm 62:5-8 Journal: How do you find rest in God alone? What helps? What hinders? Reflection: So, I found something out on my latest vacation. ...

Monday, October 8, 2018 Seek Opening Prayer: O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you. (Psalm 63:1) Scripture: Psalm 63:1, Matthew 6:33 Journal: What are you really seeking these days? How are you seeking God for what it can do for you, rather than seeking him for who he is? Reflection: Why do you seek God? No, really? What is the real reason? Go ahead, dig down be...

Sunday, October 7, 2018 Enemies Opening Prayer: To you, O Lord. I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. (Psalm 25:1-2) Scripture: Psalm 25:1-10 Journal: Who or what are the most regular enemies of your heart and soul? How do you fight them? How often do you triumph over them? Reflection: How often...

Saturday, October 6, 2018 Fire Opening Prayer: Set a fire down in my soul that I can't contain, that I can't control. I want more of you God. I want more of you God. - Will Reagan Scripture: Acts 2:1-21 Journal: How and where is the fire of God's Spirit burning within you these days? What nurtures that fire? What hinders it? Reflection: fire burning within consuming...

Friday, October 5, 2018 Still and Silent Opening Prayer: O Lord, let me never be presumptuous. Let me never begin my prayers with words rather than silence. Let me be still and silent before you, before I dare utter a word in your presence. Let me listen, in order that I might speak. Amen. Scripture: Psalm 46:10 Journal: Where does listening and being still fit into yo...

Thursday, October 4, 2018 Kissed Opening Prayer: I feel your love as you hold me to your sacred heart, my beloved Jesus, my God, my Master, but I feel, too, the need I have of your tenderness, and your caress because of my infinite weakness. - Charles de Foucauld Scripture: Song of Solomon 1:2 Journal: What is God's invitation to you today? How is he drawing you into m...

Wednesday, October 3, 2018 Listen Opening Prayer: Speak, O Lord, for your servant is listening. Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-21 Journal: How do you listen to God? What has he said to you lately? Reflection: how to listen butt in seat turn off phone quiet the noise come to stillness pay attention open ears wait wait wait Prayer for the church, for others, for myself Glo...

Tuesday, October 2, 2018 Must Opening Prayer: My God, I wish to give myself to thee. Give me the courage to do so. - Francois Fenelon Scripture: 1 Kings 8:54-61 Journal: What are your "musts" these days? What are God's "musts" for you? Reflection: We who have heard the call of our God to a life of entire consecration and perfect trust, must do differently from all thi...

Monday, October 1, 2018 Stilled and Quieted Opening Prayer: I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord now and forevermore. (Psalm 131:2-3, NIV) Scripture: Psalm 131:1-3 Journal: What is the state of your soul these days? Why? What would it take to still and calm ...

Sunday, September 30, 2018 Dwell In The Land Opening Prayer: O Lord, I am so prone to worry and fret and struggle, when you offer me a much better alternative - trust and enjoyment and delight. Help me to live the way you desire me to live today, rather than the way I usually do. In your name and by your power I pray. Amen. Scripture: Psalm 37:3-4 Journal: Where are wo...

Saturday, September 29, 2018 Lay Down Your Life Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you laid down your life for us. Give us the grace and the courage to lay down our lives for one another. Lord, have mercy. Christ have mercy. Amen. Scripture: 1 John 3:16-18 Journal: Where and how is God asking you to lay down your life these days? Reflection: The laying down of...

Friday, September 28, 2018 Write Me Opening Prayer: O Jesus, speak to me during this time about the story you are telling, the story I was made for. Open my eyes, Lord, to the ways that story is being told - and lived - in the events and circumstances of this day. Show me how all that happens to me this day echoes your larger Story if only I will keep my heart focused on...

Thursday, September 27, 2018 Shame Opening Prayer: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in you, O Lord, will ever be put to shame. (Psalm 25:1-3, NIV) Scripture: Psalm 25:1-3 Journal: How are shame and self-contempt affecting your life these days? How do you ...

Wednesday, September 26, 2018 Psalm 131 Opening Prayer: Forgive me, O God, when I start thinking more of myself, and my efforts, than I ought. Remind me that you are the only one who can change lives. Help me to pit my hope in you, rather than in my own gifts and efforts. Amen. Scripture: Psalm 131:1-3 Journal: Where in your life are you trying to grow larger and highe...

Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Breath Opening Prayer: O Loving God, who breathed me into being, breathe your Divine Breath in me again this day - that I might be filled with your life and guided by the winds of your Spirit. For the sake of your Son. Amen. (The Blue Book by Jim Branch) Scripture: Genesis 2:4-7 Journal: How is the Spirit giving life and breath to your soul ...

Monday, September 23, 2018 Together Opening Prayer: How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life foreverm...

Sunday, September 23, 2018 Arrogance Opening Prayer: O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore...

Saturday, September 22, 2018 Wait Opening Prayer: I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his words I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. (Psalm 130:5-7) Scripture: Psalm 130:5-...

Friday, September 21, 2018 Stop Opening Prayer: Stop us, O God, when we go running off in a-million-and-one directions instead of being still and quiet and allowing your voice to speak to us and direct us. For when we do not stop, look, and listen, there's a good chance we are following ourselves rather than following you. Amen. Scripture: Psalm 46:10 Journal: What or ...

Thursday, September 20, 2018 131 Opening Prayer: O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. (P...

Wednesday, September 19, 2018 Low Opening Prayer: From the heights we leap and go To the valleys down below Always answering to the call To the lowest place of all From the heights we leap and go To the valleys down below Sweetest urge and sweetest will To go lower, lower still (Hinds' Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard) Scripture: Matthew 18:1-4 Journal: W...

Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Being and Doing Opening Prayer: O Lord, my God, I get so busy doing all of the things that I "need" to do every day, that sometimes I lose touch with who you have called me to be. Help me, O Lord, to only do that which helps me to become more and more who you want me to be. Amen. Scripture: Psalm 37:3-8 Journal: What is the tension between d...

Monday, September 17, 2018 Must Opening Prayer: Compel us, Lord Jesus, by your great love; that we might follow you with glad and joyful hearts, wherever you may lead. Amen. Scripture: Luke 9:21-25 Journal: How are these verses taking shape in your life these days? How do you think Jesus wants them to take shape in your life? What does that look like? Reflection: If a...

Sunday, September 16, 2018 One Thing Opening Prayer: One thing I ask of you, O Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in your house all the days of my life. That I may gaze on your beauty, O Lord, and to seek you in your temple. Amen. (Psalm 25:4) Scripture: Luke 18:18-25, Luke 10:38-42 Journal: What is the one thing you lack? What is the one thing for you? How wi...

Saturday, September 15, 2018 Walk Opening Prayer: Late have I loved you, O Beauty, so ancient and so new, late have I loved you! And behold, you were within me and I was outside, and there I sought for you, and in my deformity I rushed headlong into the well-formed things that you have made. You were with me, and I was not with you. - St. Augustine Scripture: Jeremiah 6...

Friday, September 14, 2018 True Community Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we be one as you are one. May we continually pour precious oil on each other's heads. Teach us how to love each other fully and freely. In the name of Jesus. Amen. Scripture: Psalm 133:1-3, Genesis 2:18-3:13 Journal: What is true community marked by? What inhibits or opposes it? Reflection:...

Thursday, September 13, 2018 Humility Opening Prayer: O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermor...

Wednesday, September 12, 2018 Spiritual Practice Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to live in such a way that we will recognize you when you come and walk along with us. Amen. Scripture: Luke 24:13-35 Journal: What things help you be more aware and attentive to the presence and movement of God in your life? How often do you practice those things? How can you intentio...

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 Follow Me Opening Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, popularity, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to those voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose th...

Monday, September 10, 2018 Dying to Self Opening Prayer: O God, this call to die is so scary and unnerving; no wonder I try to control it. The truth is that I can't possibly die to self if you do not give me the courage and the grace. Yet, that is exactly what you call me to. So help me to surrender myself completely into your hands and trust you, wherever it may lead. I...

Sunday, September 9, 2018 Determine Opening Prayer: Forgive me, O God, when I allow my circumstances, or the conditions of my life, to determine me. You want way more for me than that. Your love is really better than life. And you, the God of all creation, are my help. Let those be the things that determine how I live. Amen. Scripture: Psalm 63 Journal: What are your c...

Saturday, September 8, 2018 Glorify Your Name Opening Prayer: Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. (Psalm 115:1) Scripture: John 12:23-28 Journal: What do your prayers look like these days? How do these verses challenge that? What does "Father, glorify your name" look like in your life right now? Reflection...

Friday, September 7, 2018 Follow Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that life with you is really not that complicated. You call us to listen to you and to follow you, even as you head toward the cross. Give us the strength and the grace and the courage to do just that. Amen. Scripture: John 10:25-30 Journal: What does following Jesus look like for you these days? Wh...

Thursday, September 6, 2018 Savor Opening Prayer: Eternal One, let me understand my end and how brief my earthly existence is; help me realize my life is fleeting. You have determined the length of my days, and my life is nothing compared to You. Even the longest life is only a breath. In truth, each of us journeys through life like a shadow. We busy ourselves accomplish...

Wednesday, September 5, 2018 Flip This House Opening Prayer: Unless the Eternal builds the house, those who labor to raise it will have worked for nothing. Unless the Eternal stands watch over the city, those who guard it have wasted their time. God provides for His own. It is pointless to get up early, work hard, and go to bed late anxiously laboring for food to eat; fo...

Tuesday, September 4, 2018 Cast Your Cares Opening Prayer: O Lord, help me to cast all of my anxiety - my worries, my concerns, my burdens - upon you because you love me. I do not have to face or fight them on my own, if only I will let go and give them completely to you. Give me the ability to do so. Amen. Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-7 Journal: What are you doing with your...

Monday, September 3, 2018 Yeast Opening Prayer: Keep the Festival of Unraised Bread! This marks the exact day I brought you out in force from the land of Egypt. Honor the day down through your generations, a fixed festival to be observed always. In the first month, beginning on the fourteenth day at evening until the twenty-first day at evening, you are to eat unraised b...

Sunday, September 2, 2018 Staying Opening Prayer: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thr...

Saturday, September 1, 2018 Eyes Opening Prayer: I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2) Scripture: Psalm 123:1-4 Journal: What are your eyes focused on these days? What impact is it having on your life or heart? How might you fix your eyes of God instead? Reflection: In the...

Friday, August 31, 2018 Expression Opening Prayer: Lord God, thank you that you fully and completely expressed yourself to us in Jesus. Now we do not have to wonder what you are really like because you have shown us your Great Heart of Love. Amen. Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4 Journal: What does it mean that Christ was the full and complete expression of God? How has God ex...

Thursday, August 30, 2018 Complete Opening Prayer: Complete me, O God, in your own time and in your own way, that I may be a better and better expression of you in the world. Amen. Scripture: James 1:2-4, Philippians 1:3-6 Journal: How is God working to complete you these days? What are obvious areas of growth? What areas are still lacking/in process? Reflection: God'...

Wednesday, August 29, 2018 Strongholds Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you alone hold the power to demolish the strongholds in our lives. Will-power won't do it. Good old-fashioned grit and determination won't do it. All of our best efforts and intentions won't do it. We've tried all that - over and over - and found it woefully lacking. Only you can give us wh...

Tuesday, August 28, 2018 Will You Really? Opening Prayer: Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess, Thou hast given me: I surrender it all to Thee to be disposed of according to Thy will. Give me only Thy love and Thy grace; with these I will be rich enough and will desire nothing mor...

Monday, August 27, 2018 Trust Opening Prayer: Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. (Psalm 125:1-2, NIV) Scripture: Psalm 125:1-2 Journal: What does it look like to trust in the Lord? Does it keep you from being shaken? ...

Sunday, August 26, 2018 The Long Way Opening Prayer: O God, help us to trust you, even when the way is long and the road is hard and there seems to be no end in sight. Help us to REALLY trust that you are doing something very good in us, so that we will REALLY have your peace. Amen. Scripture: Exodus 13:17-22 Journal: Where in your life does it feel like God is leading...

Saturday, August 25, 2018 A New Land Opening Prayer: Lord God, there are so many times and so many places in my heart and life where I am still resistant to you and unwilling to let you have your way with me. I am unwilling to follow you to uncomfortable or unknown places. I am unwilling to set aside my own convenience and comfort to embrace your desire and direction for...

Friday, August 24, 2018 God Directed Opening Prayer: Father, you alone know what lies before me this day, grant that in every hour of it I may stay close to you. Let me today embark on no undertaking that is not in line with your will for my life, nor shrink from any sacrifice which your will may demand. Suggest, direct, control every movement of my mind; for my Lord Chr...

Thursday, August 23, 2018 He Sat Down Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, Lamb of God and Great High Priest, you are our living sacrifice. You alone make us clean and pure and holy. You alone do for us what the blood of sheep and bulls could never do. Thank you that through your sacrifice we might be brought back into loving union with the One who made us for himself. It is what...

Wednesday, August 22, 2018 Truth Opening Prayer: Lord God, help me to hear your voice and to believe the truth of it the way your Son Jesus did in the desert. Do not allow the voice of the enemy to deceive or discourage me, but help me to trust in you. Amen. Scripture: Matthew 3:17-4:11 Journal: What voices are dominant in your life right now? What are they saying? Are...

Tuesday, August 21, 2018 Psalm 133 Opening Prayer: All praise and thanks to thee, most merciful God, for adopting us as thine own children, for incorporating us into thy holy Church, and for making us worthy to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Grant us, we pray, all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within ...

Monday, August 20, 2018 Psalm 131 Opening Prayer: O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. ...

Sunday, August 19, 2018 Redemption Opening Prayer: Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. ...

Saturday, August 18, 2018 Building Opening Prayer: Give me the wisdom, O Lord, to know the difference this day between who you truly made me to be and what I have merely tried to manufacture as a result of my own fears and insecurities. Amen. Scripture: Psalm 127:1-2 Journal: What is the main difference most days between simply being who God made you to be and trying t...

Friday, August 17, 2018 Testify Opening Prayer: May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:22) Scripture: John 5:31-40 Journal: How do you try to testify about yourself? How does that work out? What does God say about you? Rest in that. Reflection: If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. There is another who t...

Thursday, August 16, 2018 Stilled Opening Prayer: Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide. In every change he faithful will remain. Be still my soul, thy best thy heavenly friend. Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. Scripture: Psalm 131:1-3 Journal: How do you try to still and qu...

Wednesday, August 15, 2018 Pulled Opening Prayer: Pull me, O God, into your holiness, for I can get there no other way. Amen. Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-25 Journal: How is God pulling you towards himself these days? How is it changing your life? Reflection: Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be b...

Tuesday, August 14, 2018 Living Word Opening Prayer: Plant your word within me, O Lord, and make it come to life. That I might be alive with the very life of God within me. Amen. Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:11-14 Journal: Where and how is God's word alive in you these days? How are you making time and space to give his word room to come alive within you? How is it fleshi...

Monday, August 13, 2018 Aflame Opening Prayer: O living flame of love That tenderly wounds my soul In its deepest center! Since Now you are not oppressive, Now Consummate! If it be your will: Tear through the veil of this sweet encounter! O sweet cautery, O delightful wound! O gentle hand! O delicate touch That tastes of eternal life And pays every debt! In killing you ...

Sunday, August 12, 2018 Meditate Opening Prayer: Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose lea...

Saturday, August 11, 2018 Peace Opening Prayer: Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shap...

Friday, August 10, 2018 Making Space Opening Prayer: Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them. Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, "Speak, for thy servant heareth." Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of Thy voice, that its to...

Thursday, August 9, 2018 Inner Space Opening Prayer: Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God!" I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other believers. And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it...

Wednesday, August 8, 2018 Return Opening Prayer: O Lord, our God, forgive us from turning away from your love and chasing less wild lovers who can never satisfy the deepest longings of our souls. Help us, O Lord, to return to you, our one true love. Amen. Scripture: Jeremiah 3:1-14 Journal: Who, or what, is God's main competition for your love and affection these days?...

Tuesday, August 7, 2018 Managing Opening Prayer: Jesus, help me to learn what it means to truly abide in you every second of the day. For then, and only then will I live the fruitful life you created for me. You are the vine, Lord Jesus, and I am just a branch. Help me never to forget that. In your name I pray. Amen. Scripture: 1 John 5:4-5 Journal: How have you been t...

Monday, August 6, 2018 Wells Opening Prayer: Open me up, O God, to the flow of your life and your Spirit within me. Help me to make space and time for you, that I might have room to flourish. Amen. Scripture: Genesis 26:17-22 Journal: What is blocking the wells of your soul these days? What is stopping up the flow of the life of the Spirit within you? What would it loo...

Sunday, August 5, 2018 Confession Opening Prayer: Forgive us, O God, for we have sinned against you, both corporately and individually. Give us the courage to stand where we are and fully admit - and confess - our failures and our shortcomings and our refusals to love. For until we do that, we will never be able to move forward in our lives with you. Lord, have mercy on ...

Saturday, August 4, 2018 Affection Opening Prayer: Forgive me, O God, when I offer my affections to things that are not worthy of them. Forgive me when I set out in search of affirmation and attention from others, when you are the only true source of both. Set my affections, O my God, on you first, for only then will they be rightly ordered. Amen. Scripture: Hosea 1:1-1...

Friday, August 3, 2018 Yoke Opening Prayer: Come to me you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30) Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30 Journal: What yoke (or whose) are you wearing thes...

Thursday, August 2, 2018 Shhhh Opening Prayer: Almighty and eternal God, you have revealed yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and live and reign in the perfect unity of love: hold us firm in this faith, that we may know you in all your ways and evermore rejoice in your eternal glory, who are three Persons in one God, now and forever. Amen. (Oremus) Scripture: 1 Ki...

Wednesday, August 1, 2018 Perfume Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, let me give something beautiful to you this day - my adoration, my attention, and my affection. Amen. Scripture: Mark 14:1-9 Journal: What do you want to give to Jesus today? What is he longing for from you? Reflection: perfume she has done a beautiful thing to me. - mark 14:6 i pour out my love the co...

Monday, July 30, 2018 "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." Today's Devotional Reading John 6:37 No limit is set to the duration of this promise. It does not merely say, "I will not cast out a sinner at his first coming," but, "I will in no wise cast out." The original reads, "I will not, not cast out," or "I will never, never cast out." The text means, t...

Sunday, July 29, 2018 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me." Today's Devotional Reading John 6:37 This declaration involves the doctrine of election: there are some whom the Father gave to Christ. It involves the doctrine of effectual calling: these who are given must and shall come; however stoutly they may set themselves against it, yet they shall be broug...

Saturday, July 28, 2018 "Who went about doing good." Today's Devotional Reading Acts 10:38 Few words, but yet an exquisite miniature of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are not many touches, but they are the strokes of a master's pencil. Of the Savior and only of the Savior is it true in the fullest, broadest, and most unqualified sense. "He went about doing good." From th...

Friday, July 27, 2018 "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" Today's Devotional Reading Romans 8:33 Most blessed challenge! How unanswerable it is! Every sin of the elect was laid upon the great Champion of our salvation, and by the atonement carried away. There is no sin in God's book against his people: he seeth no sin in Jacob, neither iniquity in Is...

Thursday, July 26, 2018 "That he may set him with princes." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 113:8 Our spiritual privileges are of the highest order. "Among princes" is the place of select society. "Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." Speak of select society, there is none like this! "We are a chosen generation, a peculiar people, a...

Wednesday, July 25, 2018 "In their affliction, they will seek me early." Today's Devotional Reading Hosea 5:15 Losses and adversities are frequently the means which the great Shepherd uses to fetch home his wandering sheep; like fierce dogs they worry the wanderers back to the fold. There is no making lions tame if they are too well fed; they must be brought down from ...

Tuesday, July 24, 2018 "His camp is very great." Today's Devotional Reading Joel 2:11 Consider, my soul, the mightiness of the Lord who is thy glory and defense. He is a man of war, Jehovah is his name. All the forces of heaven are at his beck, legions wait at his door, cherubim and seraphim;, watchers and holy ones, principalities and powers, are all attentive to his ...

Monday, July 23, 2018 "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Today's Devotional Reading 1 John 1:7 "Cleanseth," says the text - not "shall cleanse." There are multitudes who think that as a dying hope they may look forward to pardon. Oh! how infinitely better to have cleansing now than to depend on the bare possibility of forgiveness when I come...

Sunday, July 22, 2018 "Behold the man!" Today's Devotional Reading John 19:5 If there be one place where our Lord Jesus most fully becomes the joy and comfort of his people, it is where he plunged deepest into the depths of woe. Come hither, gracious souls, and behold the man in the garden of Gethsemane; behold his heart so brimming with love that he cannot hold it in ...

Saturday, July 21, 2018 "Why go I mourning?" Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 42:9 Canst thou answer this, believer? Canst thou find any reason why thou art so often mourning instead of rejoicing? Why yield to gloomy anticipations? Who told thee that the night would never end in day? Who told thee that the sea of circumstances would ebb out till there should be nothing...

Friday, July 20, 2018 "And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor." Today's Devotional Reading Jeremiah 2:18 By sundry miracles, by divers mercies, by strange deliverances Jehovah had proved himself to be worthy of Israel's trust. Yet they broke down the hedges with which God had enclosed them as a sacred garden; they forsook their o...

Thursday, July 19, 2018 "A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench." Today's Devotional Reading Matthew 12:20 What is weaker than the bruised reed or the smoking flax? A reed that groweth in the fen or marsh, let but the wild duck light upon it, and it snaps; let but the foot of man brush against it, and it is bruised and broken; every wi...

Wednesday, July 18, 2018 "They do not jostle one another; each marches in his path." Today's Devotional Reading Joel 2:8 Locusts always keep their rank, and although their number is legion, they do not crowd upon each other, so as to throw their columns into confusion. This remarkable fact in natural history shows how thoroughly the Lord has infused the spirit of orde...

Tuesday, July 17, 2018 "Let not one of them escape." Today's Devotional Reading 1 Kings 18:40 When the prophet Elijah had received the answer to his prayer, and the fire from heaven had consumed the sacrifice in the presence of all the people, he called upon the assembled Israelites to take the priests of Baal, and sternly cried, "Let not one of them escape." He took ...

Monday, July 16, 2018 "Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yea, the set time is come. For thy servants rake pleasure in her stones, and favor the dust thereof." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 102:13-14 A selfish man in trouble is exceedingly hard to comfort, because the springs of his comfort lie entirely within himself, and when he...

Sunday, July 15, 2018 "He appeared first to Mary Magdalene." Today's Devotional Reading Mark 16:9 Jesus "appeared first to Mary Magdalene," probably not only on account of her great love and persevering seeking, but because, as the context intimates, she had been a special trophy of Christ's delivering power. Learn from this, that the greatness of our sin before conver...

Saturday, July 14, 2018 "As it began to dawn, came Magdalene, to see the sepulcher." Today's Devotional Reading Matthew 28:1 Let us learn from Mary Magdalene how to obtain fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Notice how she sought. She sought the Savior very early in the morning. If thou canst wait for Christ, and be patient in the hope of having fellowship with him at some...

Friday, July 13, 2018 "When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 56:9 It is impossible for any human speech to express the full meaning of this delightful phrase, "God is for me." He was "for us" before the worlds were made; he was "for us," or he would not have given his well-beloved son;...

Thursday, July 12, 2018 "His heavenly kingdom." Today's Devotional Reading 2 Timothy 4:18 Yonder city of the great King is a place of active service. Ransomed spirits serve him day and night in his temple. They never cease to fulfill the good pleasure of their King. They always "rest," so far as ease and freedom from care is concerned; and never "rest," in the sense of...

Wednesday, July 11, 2018 "Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation." Today's Devotional Reading Joel 1:3 In this simple way, by God's grace, a living testimony for truth is always to be kept alive in the land - the beloved of the Lord are to hand down their witness for the gospel, and the covenant to ...

Tuesday, July 10, 2018 "And the evening and the morning were the first day." Today's Devotional Reading Genesis 1:5 The evening was "darkness" and the morning was "light," and yet the two together are called by the name that is given to the light alone! This is somewhat remarkable, but it has an exact analogy in spiritual experience. In every believer there is darkness...

Monday, July 9, 2018 "And God divided the light from the darkness." Today's Devotional Reading Genesis 1:4 A believer has two principles at work within him. In his natural estate he was subject to one principle only, which was darkness; now light has entered, and the two principles disagree. Mark the apostle Paul's words in the seventh chapter of Romans: "I find then a...

Sunday, July 8, 2018 "Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 25:5 When the believer has begun with trembling feet to walk in the way of the Lord, he asks to be still led onward like a little child upheld by its parent's helping hand, and he craves to be further instructe...

Saturday, July 7, 2018 "When I passed by thee, I said unto the, Live." Today's Devotional Reading Ezekiel 16:6 Saved one, consider gratefully this mandate of mercy. Note that this fiat of God is majestic. In our text, we perceive a sinner with nothing in him but sin, expecting nothing but wrath; but the eternal Lord passes by in his glory; he looks, he pauses, and he p...

Friday, July 6, 2018 "How many are mine iniquities and sins." Today's Devotional Reading Job 13:23 Have you ever really weighed and considered how great the sin of God's people is? Think how heinous is your own transgression, and you will find that not only does a sin here and there tower up like an alp, but that your iniquities are heaped upon each other, as in the ol...

Thursday, July 5, 2018 "Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." Today's Devotional Reading Isaiah 26:4 Seeing that we have such a God to trust to, let us rest upon him with all our weight; let us resolutely drive out all unbelief, and endeavor to get rid of doubts and fears, which so much mar our comfort; since there is no excuse...

Wednesday, July 4, 2018 "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 24:4 Outward practical holiness is a very precious mark of grace. It is to be feared that many professors have perverted the doctrine of justification by faith in such a way as to treat good works wit...

Tuesday, July 3, 2018 "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him." Today's Devotional Reading 2 Timothy 2:12 We must not imagine that we are suffering for Christ, and with Christ, if we are not in Christ. Beloved friend, are you trusting to Jesus only? If not, whatever you may have to mourn over on earth, you are not "suffering with Christ," and have no hope of reigni...

Monday, July 2, 2018 "Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 28:1 A cry is the natural expression of sorrow, and a suitable utterance when all other modes of appeal fail us; but the cry must be alone directed to the Lord, for to cry to man ...

Sunday, July 1, 2018 "The voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day." Today's Devotional Reading Genesis 3:8 My soul, now that the cool of the day has come, retire awhile and hearken to the voice of thy God. He is always ready to speak with thee when thou art prepared to hear. If there be any slowness to commune it is not on his part, but altog...

Saturday, June 30, 2018 "Ah Lord God, behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee." Today's Devotional Reading Jeremiah 32:17 At the very time when the Chaldeans surrounded Jerusalem, and when the sword, famine and pestilence had desolated the land, Jeremiah was commanded by God to pur...

Friday, June 29, 2018 "Howbeit, in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart." Today's Devotional Reading 2 Chronicles 32:31 Hezekiah was growing so inwardly great, and priding himself so much upon the favor of Go...

Thursday, June 28, 2018 "But Aaron's rod swalled up their rods." Today's Devotional Reading Exodus 7:12 This incident is an instructive emblem of the sure victory of the divine handiwork over all opposition. Whenever a divine principle is cast into the heart, though the devil may fashion a counterfeit, and produce swarms of opponents, as sure as ever God is in the work...

Friday, October 27, 2017 Opening Prayer: O voice of God, speak into my heart and soul and life this day. Break and strike and shake and twist and strip me bare, that I might be more and more the person and the lover you desire me to be. Amen. Scripture: Psalm 29:1-11 Journal: Which word from the Psalm best describes what God's voice is doing in your life these days? Why...

Monday, December 11, 2017 Opening Prayer: Teach me your ways, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (Psalm 86:11, NIV) Scripture: Psalm 86:11 Journal: What does it mean to walk in God's truth? To have an undivided heart? To fear his name? Reflection: But in the epiphany of the night of darkness and pain and near d...

Thursday, January 25, 2018 "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Today's Devotional Reading Romans 3:31 When the believer is adopted into the Lord's family, his relationship to old Adam and the law ceases at once; but then he is under a new rule, and a new covenant. Believer, you are God's child; it is your first duty to o...

Monday, March 5, 2018 "Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 35:3 What does this sweet prayer teach me? It shall be my evening's petition; but first let it yield me an instructive meditation. The text informs me first of all that David had his doubts; for why should he pray, "Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation," if he were not someti...

Wednesday, June 27, 2018 "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." Today's Devotional Reading 1 Corinthians 7:20 Some persons have the foolish notion that the only way in which they can live for God is by becoming ministers, missionaries, or Bible women. Alas! how many would be shut out from any opportunity of magnifying the Most High if this wer...

Tuesday, June 26, 2018 "Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." Today's Devotional Reading 2 Peter 1:4 Vanish forever all thought of indulging the flesh if you would live in the power of your risen Lord. It were ill that a man who is alive in Christ should dwell in the corruption of sin. "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" said the angel...

Monday, June 25, 2018 "The dove found no rest for the sole of her foot." Today's Devotional Reading Genesis 8:9 Reader, can you find rest apart from the ark, Christ Jesus? Then be assured that your religion is vain. Are you satisfied with anything short of a conscious knowledge of your union and interest in Christ? Then woe unto you. If you profess to be a Christian, ...

Sunday, June 24, 2018 "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said Be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods." Today's Devotional Reading Daniel 3:16,18 The narrative of the manly courage and marvelous deliverance of the three holy children, or rather champions, is well calculated to excite in the minds of believers firmness and steadfastne...

Saturday, June 23, 2018 "Waiting for the adoption." Today's Devotional Reading Romans 8:23 Even in this world saints are God's children, but men cannot discover them to be so, except by certain moral characteristics. The adoption is not manifested, the children are not yet openly declared. Among the Romans a man might adopt a child, and keep it private for a long time:...

Friday, June 22, 2018 "That those things which cannot be shaken may remain." Today's Devotional Reading Hebrews 12:27 We have many things in our possession at the present moment which can be shaken, and it ill becomes a Christian man to set much store by them, for there is nothing stable beneath these rolling skies; change is written upon all things. Yet, we have certa...

Thursday, June 21, 2018 "Straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him." Today's Devotional Reading 2 Timothy 2:19 The foundation upon which our faith rests is this, that "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." The great fact on which genuine faith relies is, that "the Word was made flesh and dwelt among ...

Wednesday, June 20, 2018 "Straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him." Today's Devotional Reading Mark 1:18 When they heard the call of Jesus, Simon and Andrew obeyed at once without demur. If we would always, punctually and with resolute zeal, put in practice what we hear upon the spot, or at the first fit occasion, our attendance at the means of grace, and...

Tuesday, June 19, 2018 "My Beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my Beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether." Today's Devotional Reading Song of Solomon 2:16-17 Surely if there be a happy verse in the Bible it is this - "My Beloved is mine, and I am his." So...

Monday, June 18, 2018 "I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse." Today's Devotional Reading Song of Solomon 5:1 The heart of the believer is Christ's garden. He bought it with his precious blood, and he enters it and claims it as his own. A garden implies separation. It is not the open common; it is not a wilderness; it is walled around, or hedged in. Would that...

Sunday, June 17, 2018 "Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it." Today's Devotional Reading Numbers 21:17 Famous was the well of Beer in the wilderness, because it was the subject of a promise: "That is the well whereof the Lord spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water." The people needed water, and it was promised...

Saturday, June 16, 2018 "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation." Here is personal interest, "my light," "my salvation;" the soul is assured of it, and therefore declares it boldly. Into the soul at the new bir...

Friday, June 15, 2018 "He openeth, and no man shutteth." Today's Devotional Reading Revelation 3:7 Jesus is the keeper of the gates of paradise and before every believing soul he setteth an open door, which no man or devil shall be able to close against it. What joy it will be to find that faith in him is the golden key to the everlasting doors. My soul, dost thou carr...

Thursday, June 14, 2018 "O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face because we have sinned against thee." Today's Devotional Reading Daniel 9:8 A deep sense and clear sight of sin, its heinousness, and the punishment which it deserves, should make us lie low before the throne. We have sinned as Christians. Alas! that it should be so. Favored as we have been, we have yet...

Wednesday, June 13, 2018 "Remove far from me vanity and lies." Today's Devotional Reading Proverbs 30:8 Psalm 38:21 Here we have two great lessons - what to deprecate and what to supplicate. The happiest state of a Christian is the holiest state. As there is the most heat nearest to the sun, so there is the most happiness nearest to Christ. No Christian enjoys comfort...

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 "Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling." Today's Devotional Reading 2 Timothy 1:9 The apostle uses the perfect tense and says, "Who hath saved us." Believers in Christ Jesus are saved. They are not looked upon as persons who are in a hopeful state, and may ultimately be saved, but they are already saved. Salvation is not a blessing...

Monday, June 11, 2018 "There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 76:3 Our Redeemer's glorious cry of "It is finished," was the death-knell of all the adversaries of his people, the breaking of "the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle." Behold the hero of Golgotha using hi...

Sunday, June 10, 2018 "These are they which testify of me." Today's Devotional Reading John 5:39 Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega of the Bible. He is the constant theme of its sacred pages; from first to last they testify of him. At the creation we at once discern him as one of the sacred Trinity; we catch a glimpse of him in the promise of the woman's seed; we see ...

Saturday, June 9, 2018 "Search the Scriptures." Today's Devotional Reading John 5:39 The Greek word here rendered search signifies a strict, close, diligent, curious search, such as men make when they are seeking gold, or hunters when they are in earnest after game. We must not rest content with having given a superficial reading to a chapter or two, but with the candl...

Friday, June 8, 2018 "Thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not." Today's Devotional Reading Numbers 11:23 God had made a positive promise to Moses that for the space of a whole month he would feed the vast host in the wilderness with flesh. Moses, being overtaken by a fit of unbelief, looks to the outward means, and is at a loss to know ho...

Thursday, June 7, 2018 "Be zealous." Today's Devotional Reading Revelation 3:19 If you would see souls converted, if you would hear the cry that "the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord;" if you would place crowns upon the head of the Savior, and his throne lifted high, then be filled with zeal. For, under God, the way of the world's conversion ...

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 "Are they Israelites? So am I." Today's Devotional Reading 2 Corinthians 11:22 We have here a personal claim, and one that needs proof. The apostle knew that his claim was indisputable, but there are many persons who have no right to the title who yet claim to belong to the Israel of God. If we are with confidence declaring, "So am I also an Isr...

Tuesday, June 5, 2018 "He that loveth not, knoweth not God." Today's Devotional Reading 1 John 4:8 The distinguishing mark of a Christian is his confidence in the love of Christ, and the yielding of his affections to Christ in return. First, faith sets her seal upon the man by enabling the soul to say with the apostle, "Christ loved me and gave himself for me." Then lo...

Monday, June 4, 2018 "Received up into glory." Today's Devotional Reading 1Timothy 3:16 We have seen our well-beloved Lord in the days of his flesh, humiliated and sore vexed; for he was "despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." He whose brightness is as the morning, wore the sackcloth of sorrow as his daily dress: shame was his mantl...

Sunday, June 3, 2018 "He humbled himself." Today's Devotional Reading Philippians 2:8 Jesus is the great teacher of lowliness of heart. We need daily to learn of him. See the Master taking a towel and washing his disciples' feet! Follower of Christ, wilt thou not humble thyself? See him as the Servant of servants, and surely thou canst not be proud! Is not this sentenc...

Saturday, June 2, 2018 "Good master." Today's Devotional Reading Matthew 19:16 In every believer's heart there is a constant struggle between the old nature and the new. The old nature is very active, and loses no opportunity of plying all the weapons of its deadly armory against newborn grace; while on the other hand, the new nature is ever on the watch to resist and ...

Friday, June 1, 2018 "He will make her wilderness like Eden." Today's Devotional Reading Isaiah 51:3 Methinks, I see in vision a howling wilderness, a great and terrible desert, like to the Sahara. I perceive nothing in it to relieve the eye, all around I am wearied with a vision of hot and arid sand, strewn with ten thousand bleaching skeletons of wretched men who hav...

Thursday, May 31, 2018 "Who healeth all thy diseases." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 103:3 Humbling as is the statement, yet the fact is certain, that we are all more or less suffering under the disease of sin. What a comfort to know that we have a great Physician who is both able and willing to heal us! Let us think of him awhile to-night. His cures are very speedy...

Tuesday, May 29, 2018 "Thou hatest wickedness." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 45:7 "Be ye angry, and sin not." There can hardly be goodness in a man if he be not angry at sin; he who loves truth must hate every false way. How our Lord Jesus hated it when the temptation came! Thrice it assailed him in different forms, but ever he met it with, "Get thee behind me, Sat...

Wednesday, May 30, 2018 "That henceforth we should not serve sin." Today's Devotional Reading Romans 6:6 Christian, what hast thou to do with sin? Hath it not cost thee enough already? Burnt child, wilt thou play with the fire? What! when thou hast already been between the jaws of the lion, wilt thou step a second time into his den? Hast thou not had enough of the old ...

Monday, May 28, 2018 "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope." Today's Devotional Reading Lamentations 3:21 If Mephibosheth was thus humbled by David's kindness, what shall we be in the presence of our gracious Lord? The more grace we have, the less we shall think of ourselves, for grace, like light, reveals our impurity. Eminent saints have scarcely known to ...

Sunday, May 27, 2018 "What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?" Today's Devotional Reading 2 Samuel 9:8 If Mephibosheth was thus humbled by David's kindness, what shall we be in the presence of our gracious Lord? The more grace we have, the less we shall think of ourselves, for grace, like light, reveals our impurity. Eminent saints h...

Saturday, May 26, 2018 "Continue in the faith." Today's Devotional Reading Acts 14:22 Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is not a beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance in the same as long as life lasts. It is with a Christian as it was with the great Napoleon: he said, "Conquest has made me what I am, and conquest must main...

Friday, May 25, 2018 "And they rose up the same hour and returned to Jerusalem and they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them." Today's Devotional Reading Luke 24:34-35 When the two disciples had reached Emmaus, and were refreshing themselves at the evening meal, the mysterious stranger who had so enchanted them upon the road, took bread a...

Thursday, May 24, 2018 "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ." Today's Devotional Reading Philippians 1:27 The word "conversation" does not merely mean our talk and converse with one another, but the whole course of our life and behavior in the world. The Greek word signifies the actions and the privileges of citizenship: and thus we are co...

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 "Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money." Today's Devotional Reading Isaiah 43:24 Worshippers at the temple were wont to bring presents of sweet perfumes to be burned upon the altar of God: but Israel, in the time of her backsliding, became ungenerous, and made but few votive offerings to her Lord: this was an evidence of coldness of heart...

Tuesday, May 22, 2018 "Behold, thou art fair, my Beloved." Today's Devotional Reading Song of Solomon 1:16 From every point our Well-beloved is most fair. Our various experiences are meant by our heavenly Father to furnish fresh standpoints from which we may view the loveliness of Jesus; how amiable are our trials when they carry us aloft where we may gain clearer view...

Monday, May 21, 2018 "There is corn in Egypt." Today's Devotional Reading Genesis 42:2 Famine pinched all the nations, and it seemed inevitable that Jacob and his family should suffer great want; but the God of providence, who never forgets the objects of electing love, had stored a granary for his people by giving the Egyptians warning of the scarcity, and leading the...

Sunday, May 20, 2018 "I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love." Today's Devotional Reading Hosea 11:4 Our heavenly Father often draws us with the cords of love; but ah! how backward we are to run towards him! How slowly do we respond to his gentle impulses! He draws us to exercise a more simple faith in him; but we have not yet attained to Abraham's confide...

Saturday, May 19, 2018 "And he requested for himself that he might die." Today's Devotional Reading 1 Kings 19:4 It was a remarkable thing that the man who was never to die, for whom God had ordained an infinitely better lot, the man who should be carried to heaven in a chariot of fire, and be translated, that he should not see death - should thus pray, "Let me die, I ...

Friday, May 18, 2018 "Afterward." Today's Devotional Reading Hebrews 12:11 How happy are tried Christians, afterwards. No calm more deep than that which succeeds a storm. Who has not rejoiced in clear shinings after rain? Victorious banquets are for well-exercised soldiers. After killing the lion we eat the honey; after climbing the Hill of Difficulty, we sit down in t...

Thursday, May 17, 2018 "Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee." Today's Devotional Reading Isaiah 41:09 If we have received the grace of God in our hearts, its practical effect has been to make us God's servants. We may be unfaithful servants, we certainly are unprofitable ones, but yet, blessed be his name, we are his servants, wearing his livery, feeding at his tab...

Tuesday, May 15, 2018 "Made perfect." Today's Devotional Reading Hebrews 12:23 Recollect that there are two kinds of perfection which the Christian needs - the perfection of justification in the person of Jesus, and the perfection of sanctification wrought in him by the Holy Spirit. At present, corruption yet remains even in the breasts of the regenerate - experience s...

Wednesday, May 16, 2018 "And he said, thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye and your cattle, and your beasts." Today's Devotional Reading 2 Kings 3:16-17 The armies of the three kings were famishing for want ...

Monday, May 14, 2018 "He shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom." Today's Devotional Reading Isaiah 40:11 Who is he of whom such gracious words are spoken? He is the Good Shepherd. Why doth he carry the lambs in his bosom? Because He hath a tender heart, and any weakness at once melts his heart. The sighs, the ignorance, the feebleness of the l...

Sunday, May 13, 2018 "Thou art my portion, O Lord." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 119:57 Look at thy possessions, O believer, and compare thy portion with the lot of thy fellowmen. Some of them have their portion in the field; they are rich, and their harvests yield them a golden increase; but what are harvests compared with thy God, who is the God of harvests? What...

Saturday, May 12, 2018 "Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt, and I will also surely bring thee up again." Today's Devotional Reading Genesis 46:3-4 Jacob must have shuddered at the thought of leaving the land of his father's sojourning and dwelling among heathen strangers. It was a new scene,...

Friday, May 11, 2018 "Only be thou strong and very courageous." Today's Devotional Reading Joshua 1:7 Our God's tender love for his servants makes him concerned for the state of their inward feelings. He desires them to be of good courage. Some esteem it a small thing for a believer to be vexed with doubts and fears, but God thinks not so. From this text it is plain th...

Thursday, May 10, 2018 "The only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." Today's Devotional Reading John 1:14 Believer, you can bear your testimony that Christ is the only begotten of the Father, as well as the first begotten from the dead. You can say, "He is divine to me, if he be human to all the world beside. He has done that for me which none but a God c...

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 "Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field let us see if the vine flourish." Today's Devotional Reading Song of Solomon 7:11-12 The church was about to engage in earnest labor and desired her Lord's company in it. She does not say, "I will go," but "let us go." It is blessed working when Jesus is at our side! It is the business of God's pe...

Tuesday, May 8, 2018 "Acquaint now thyself with him." Today's Devotional Reading Job 22:21 If we would rightly "acquaint ourselves with God, and be at peace," we must know him as he has revealed himself, not only in the unity of his essence and subsistence, but also in the plurality of his persons. God said, "Let us make man in our own image" - let not man be content u...

Monday, May 7, 2018 "Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." Today's Devotional Reading John 5:8 Like many others, the impotent man had been waiting for a wonder to be wrought, and a sign to be given. Wearily did he watch the pool, but no angel came, or came not for him; yet, thinking it to be his only chance, he waited still, and knew not that there wa...

Sunday, May 6, 2018 "All the days of my appointed time will I wait." Today's Devotional Reading Job 14:14 A little stay on earth will make heaven more heavenly. Nothing makes rest so sweet as toil; nothing renders security so pleasant as exposure to alarms. The bitter quassia cups of earth will give a relish to the new wine which sparkles in the golden bowls of glory. ...

Saturday, May 5, 2018 "He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he." Today's Devotional Reading Proverbs 16:20 Wisdom is man's true strength; and, under its guidance, he best accomplishes the ends of his being. Wisely handling the matter of life gives to man the richest enjoyment and presents the noblest occupation for ...

Friday, May 4, 2018 "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible." Today's Devotional Reading 1 Peter 1:23 Peter most earnestly exhorted the scattered saints to love each other "with a pure heart fervently" and he wisely fetched his argument, not from the law, from nature, or from philosophy, but from that high and divine nature which God hath impla...

Thursday, May 3, 2018 "A very present help." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 46:1 Covenant blessings are not meant to be looked at only, but to be appropriated. Even our Lord Jesus is given to us for our present use. Believer, thou dost not make use of Christ as thou oughtest to do. When thou art in trouble, why dost thou not tell him all thy grief? Has he not a sympa...

Wednesday, May 2, 2018 "These all died in faith." Today's Devotional Reading Hebrews 11:13 Behold the epitaph of all those blessed saints who fell asleep before the coming of our Lord! It matters nothing how else they died, whether of old age, or by violent means; this one point, in which they all agree, is the most worthy of record, "they all died in faith." In faith ...

Monday, April 30, 2018 "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 139:17 Divine omniscience affords no comfort to the ungodly mind, but to the child of God it overflows with consolation. God is always thinking upon us, never turns aside his mind from us, has us always before his eyes; and this is precisely as we would have it,...

Sunday, April 29, 2018 "The Lord taketh pleasure in his people." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 149:4 How comprehensive is the love of Jesus! There is no part of his people's interests which he does not consider, and there is nothing which concerns their welfare which is not important to him. Not merely does he think of you, believer, as an immortal being, but as a m...

Saturday, April 28, 2018 "All the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted." Today's Devotional Reading Ezekiel 3:7 Are there no exceptions? No, not one. Even the favored race are thus described. Are the best so bad? - then what must the worst be? Come, my heart, consider how far thou hast a share in this universal accusation, and while considering, be ready to tak...

Friday, April 27, 2018 "The Lord is King forever and ever." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 10:16 Jesus Christ is no despotic claimant of divine right, but he is really and truly the Lord's anointed! "It hath pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell." God hath given to him all power and all authority. As the Son of man, he is now head over all things t...

Thursday, April 26, 2018 "Blessed is he that watcheth." Today's Devotional Reading Revelation 16:15 "We die daily," said the apostle. This was the life of the early Christians; they went everywhere with their lives in their hands. We are not in this day called to pass through the same fearful persecutions: if we were, the Lord would give us grace to bear the test; but ...

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 "If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him." Today's Devotional Reading Revelation 3:20 What is your desire this evening? Is it set upon heavenly things? Do you long to enjoy the high doctrine of eternal love? Do you desire liberty in very close communion with God? Do you aspire to know the heights, and depths, and len...

Tuesday, April 24, 2018 "The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land." Today's Devotional Reading Song of Solomon 2:12 Sweet is the season of spring: the long and dreary winter helps us to appreciate its genial warmth, and its promise of summer enhances its present delights. After periods ...

Monday, April 23, 2018 "Lo, in the midst of the throne... stood a Lamb as it had been slain." Today's Devotional Reading Revelation 5:6 Why should our exalted Lord appear in his wounds in glory? The wounds of Jesus are his glories, his jewels, his sacred ornaments. To the eye of the believer, Jesus is passing fair because he is "white and ruddy;" white with innocence, ...

Sunday, April 22, 2018 "Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 91:5 What is this terror? It may be the cry of fire, or the noise of thieves, or fancied appearances, or the shriek of sudden sickness or death. We live in the world of death and sorrow, we may therefore look for ills as well in the night-watches as beneath the g...

Saturday, April 21, 2018 "Who is even at the right hand of God?" Today's Devotional Reading Romans 8:34 He who was once despised and rejected of men, now occupies the honorable position of a beloved and honored Son. The right hand of God is the place of majesty and favor. Our Lord Jesus is his people's representative. When he died for them they had rest; he rose again ...

Friday, April 20, 2018 "Fight the Lord's battles." Today's Devotional Reading 1 Samuel 18:17 The sacramental host of God's elect is warring still on earth, Jesus Christ being the Captain of their salvation. He has said, "Lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Hark to the shouts of war! Now let the people of God stand fast in their ranks, and let no m...

Thursday, April 19, 2018 "The Amen." Today's Devotional Reading Revelation 3:14 The word Amen solemnly confirms that which went before; and Jesus is the great Confirmer; immutable, forever is "the Amen" in all his promises. Sinner, I would comfort thee with this reflection. Jesus Christ said, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest...

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 "And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good." Today's Devotional Reading Genesis 32:12 When Jacob was on the other side of the brook Jabbok, and Esau was coming with armed men, he earnestly sought God's protection, and as a master reason he pleaded, "And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good." Oh, the force of that plea! He was holding God ...

Tuesday, April 17, 2018 "We would see Jesus." Today's Devotional Reading John 12:21 Evermore the worldling's cry is, "Who will show us any good?" He seeks satisfaction in earthly comforts, enjoyments, and riches. But the quickened sinner knows of only one good. "O that I knew where I might find Him!" When he is truly awakened to feel his guilt, if you could pour the go...

Monday, April 16, 2018 "And his hands were steady until the going down of the sun." Today's Devotional Reading Exodus 17:12 So mighty was the prayer of Moses, that all depended upon it. The petitions of Moses discomfited the enemy more than the fighting of Joshua. Yet both were needed. No, in the soul's conflict, force and fervor, decision and devotion, valor and vehem...

Saturday, April 14, 2018 "Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him." Today's Devotional Reading Isaiah 3:10 It is well with the righteous always. If it had said, "Say ye to the righteous, that it is well with him in his prosperity," we must have been thankful for so great a boon, for prosperity is an hour of peril, and it is a gift from heaven to be secu...

Friday, April 13, 2018 "And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt-offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him." Today's Devotional Reading Leviticus 1:4 Our Lord's being made "sin for us" is set forth here by the very significant transfer of sin to the bullock, which was made by the elders of the people. The laying of the hand was n...

Thursday, April 12, 2018 "The king's garden." Today's Devotional Reading Nehemiah 3:15 Mention of the king's garden by Nehemiah brings to mind the paradise which the King of kings prepared for Adam. Sin has utterly ruined that fair abode of all delights and driven forth the children of men to till the ground, which yields thorns and briers unto them. My soul, remember ...

Wednesday, April 11, 2018 "Look upon mine afflication and my pain; and forgive all my sins." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 25:18 It is well for us when prayers about our sorrows are linked with pleas concerning our sins - when, being under God's hand, we are not wholly taken up with our pain, but remember our offences against God. It is well, also, to take both sorr...

Tuesday, April 10, 2018 "For there stood by me this night the angel of God." Today's Devotional Reading Acts 27:23 Tempest and long darkness, coupled with imminent risk of shipwreck, had brought the crew of the vessel into a sad case; one man alone among them remained perfectly calm, and by his word the rest were reassured. Paul was the only man who had heart enough to...

Monday, April 9, 2018 "Thy gentleness hath made me great." Today's Devotional Reading Psalm 18:35 The words are capable of being translated, "thy goodness hath made me great." David gratefully ascribed all his greatness not to his own goodness, but the goodness of God. "Thy providence," is another reading; and providence is nothing more than goodness in action. Goodnes...