Verse of the day — 1 Peter 3:8
To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;
1 Peter 3:8(NASB)
Open Windows by T. Austin-Sparks
The Purpose of Life in Abundance
I have come that they may have life. (John 10:10 ISV)
If, on the one hand, eternal Life operates to cut us off from our natural life as the basis of our relationship with God, on the other hand, it is perfectly wonderful what is done. It is "the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes." The Lord even comes in as our physical life to the doing of more than would have been possible to us at our best, and certainly far beyond the present possibility, because He has made us know that as men we are nothing, even at our best. Life does that. Life forces off one system and brings on another, making room for it as it goes.
That, I believe is what the Lord meant when He said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). We have thought that just to mean that we are to have abundance of exuberance. We are always asking for life more abundant that we might feel wonderfully elated and overflowing and energetic. The Lord is preeminently practical, and more abundant Life means that, having Life, you will find the need of more to lead you a little further, and you will need it abundantly as you go on, because that Life alone can bring you into the fullness. And it is His will that there should be the full provision of Life unto the full end, because the purpose is such an abundant purpose. The Life is commensurate with the purpose.
Morning Daily Light by Samuel Bagster
Your name is ointment poured forth.
Christ … has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. § Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious. § God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. § In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
If you love Me, keep My commandments. § The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. § The house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. § They realized that they had been with Jesus.
O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens! § Immanuel … God with us. § His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. § The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Song 1:3; Eph. 5:2; 1 Peter 2:7; Phil. 2:9,10; Col. 2:9; John 14:15; Rom. 5:5; John 12:3; Acts 4:13; Ps. 8:1; Matt. 1:23; Isa. 9:6; Prov. 18:10
Evening Daily Light by Samuel Bagster
We who are in this tent groan, being burdened.
Lord, all my desire is before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You. My iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. § O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
The whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. § In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials.
Shortly I must put off my tent. § For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
2 Cor. 5:4; Ps. 38:9,4; Rom. 7:24; Rom. 8:22,23; 1 Peter 1:6; 2 Peter 1:14; 1 Cor. 15:53,54
None but the Hungry Heart by Miles Stanford
Legal Conflict
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1)
If we are weak in understanding the principle of complete justification by faith, we will be strong in seeking to produce our own sanctification.
"In Romans Seven Paul is describing the inevitable conflict that every believer knows when he undertakes to lead a holy life on the principle of legality. He feels instinctively that the law is spiritual, but that he himself, for some unexplained reason, is fleshly, carnal, and in bondage to sin. This discovery is one of the most heart-breaking a Christian ever made. Yet each one must and does make it for himself at some time in his pilgrimage.
"The believer finds himself doing things he knows to be wrong, and which his inmost desires are opposed to; while what he yearns to do he fails to accomplish, and does, instead, what he hates. But this is the first part of a great lesson which all must learn who would matriculate (enroll) in God's school. It is the lesson of no confidence in the flesh'; and until it is learned there can be no true progress in growth. The incorrigibility of the flesh must be realized before one is ready to turn altogether from self to Christ for sanctification, as he has already done for justification." -H.A.I.
"As conviction of guilt goes before known justification, so the experiential knowledge of self before sanctification. No effort clears the guilt; no effort effects the growth."
"That they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith" (Acts 26:18).
Devotional Studies by Elizabeth Haworth
God, My Assurance (All I Need-2)
STUDY - God, All I Need
Let us draw near with full assurance.
Heb.10:22For our gospel came not unto you by word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance.
1Thessalonians 1:5
Confidence in God resolute trust
The words that drop from the mouth of the Lord are jewels of silver and gold and how we need to heed His instructions. He has told us that we must become as little children to enter His kingdom. He placed a little child in their midst and said.. be as one of these little ones. And as one looks at little children the more you see ONE outstanding characteristic: It is an unquestioning assurance, an unfaltering confidence. It is a deep trust in the mother that cradles them, the father that delights in them. It is this typical steadfast, unfaltering, resolute trust that the Father seeks in His own. Have I this precious childlike virtue; this deep confidence; this steady faith? Do I thus honour the Lord with my unfaltering confidence in Him or does my heart falter when life implies, in all its fullness – the opposite?
Promises of God
The Word of God is replete with promises outlining His trustworthiness. Scripture abounds with examples that God is my Strength, my Stay, my Assurance. Throughout the Bible, He assures and reassures with many precious promises. Do I discredit Him with my unbelief, or do I trust in His Word and honour HIM with my faith? If we can truly trust in His Word – we honour the Lord, just as a tiny child’s unfaltering confidence, honours his parents – and it thus results in our own inward peace, a quiet confidence and a deep assurance. Here in its simplicity is an oft-concealed truth and one of life’s great lessons – and from it cascades many blessings. Here is the essence of the inner secret of a happy Christian life – that God is my Assurance – let us draw near in full assurance. Hebrews 10:22
Work of Righteousness
Isaiah reminds us that the work
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Knowing Jesus Devotional by Elizabeth Haworth
Behold Our God
Adam, was a type of Him who was to come.
Romans 5:14
Who Was To Come
Jesus was made a little lower than the angels. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge, that if One died for all, then all died. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. The first man was of the earth, made of dust – a living being. The second Man is the Lord from heaven, a life-giving spirit. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.
Equal With the Father
Consider Jesus – the eternal Son of God; the One Who is Equal to God; the One Who was in the beginning with God; the One Who Is and Who Was and Who Is to Come. The One Who is the Word of God; the One, Who stooped down to our low estate - and the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us. And she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, for there was no room, no room - no room – no room for Him! But He made Himself of no reputation and became a little lower than the angels.
Made Lower Than Angels
Lower than one bright seraph, whose covering was gold and precious stones. He made Himself inferior to the one anointed cherub who aspired to be as God, and who in pride aspired to ascend above the heavens, and who screamed I will be as God. I will, I will, I will, I will, I will be like the Most High. But consider Jesus, Who in humbleness of will and in graciousness of spirit, cried. not My will but Thy will be done. Luke 22:42 - carrying out the plans of the Father – fulfilling the purposes of God’s eternal plan.
Sacrifice for Man
That since by man came death.. by man must also come the resurrection
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