Verse of the day — Ephesians 1:21
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:21(NASB)
Open Windows by T. Austin-Sparks
Divine Order – In Christ
In Him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)
This whole Bible is about bringing man back to God, bringing him into God, and restoring him to his environment. "In Him we live and move and have our being" is the fundamental truth of the spiritual life. There is one thing I suggest to you, or hint at, which, if you grasp it, would be such a tremendous help to you. When the Lord says anything, it may look on the face of it something very simple and not at all profound and wonderful; but anything that comes from the Lord, though it be apparently very simple, contains all the vast knowledge and understanding that the Lord has, and not to take account of that 'simple' thing may bring you into a vast amount of trouble.
When the Lord Jesus says: "Abide in Me" it sounds so simple and so ordinary, but it contains all this history, and this great principle and truth: "If you get out of your environment you are exposed to all the poisons and all that creates spiritual disease. Abide in Me for your health's sake! For your life's sake! For the sake of everything! Abide in Me, and I in you!" Have you got that? You look again at any seemingly 'little' thing that the Lord says, and if you could see you would find that you have a universe of meaning in it.
Morning Daily Light by Samuel Bagster
I am the Lord who sanctifies you.
I am the Lord your God, who has separated you from the peoples… You shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.
Sanctified by God the Father. § Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. § May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus… that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. § Our… Savior Jesus Christ … gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. § Both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren. § For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. § In sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.
Lev. 20:8; Lev. 20:24,26; Jude 1:1; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:12; Titus 2:13,14; Heb. 2:11; John 17:19; 1 Peter 1:2
Evening Daily Light by Samuel Bagster
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
What you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. . . . In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Ps. 97:11; Ps. 126:5,6; 1 Cor. 15:37; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 Peter 1:6,7
None but the Hungry Heart by Miles Stanford
One Standard - Christ
So then let us once for all quit the elementary teaching about Christ and continue progressing; toward maturity" (Heb. 6:1, Wms.).
When the standard of the Christian life is low, the responsibility for growth is placed upon the believer. But when it is known that God's standard for us is His Son, all expectation of maturity must be placed in Him - "for it is God which worketh in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).
"The Lord Jesus Christ is the Christian's very life, and the Holy Spirit dwells within our spirit to manifest Him, to work out all that is in Him and to reproduce Him in us. We must remember that there is something in the sight of God that is higher than work. There is Christ-likeness. That is our Father's purpose, and it is His work." -A.M.
"It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to the Lord Jesus. A holy ministry is an awful weapon in the hands of God." -R.M.Mc.
"In a great many evangelical churches the Gospel of salvation is magnificently presented, seekers are led to Christ; but the totality of the Gospel, the Gospel in its ultimate category, is by no means so clearly presented, nor maybe even understood by teacher as well as pupil. It is evidenced by exhortation to Christian living being mainly challenges to pray more, study more, give more, witness more, surrender more. The emphasis is predominantly on the active dedication of the Christian to his Lord, and to a much less degree on the dynamic remolding of the believer by his Lord."
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:10).
Devotional Studies by Elizabeth Haworth
God, My Comforter (God - All I Need-7)
STUDY - God, All I Need
Thou shalt comfort me on EVERY side.
Psalm71:21
Fallen World
We live in a world of trials, troubles, temptations, and tribulations. We have been born in a season of sin and sorrow, for we were born 'in Adam'. Some of life’s problems and pain result from our own self-imposed sins – from our own sins, shortcomings, foolishness, or neglect. Some result from the consequences of outside circumstances or the carelessness of others – but like as a father pities his own children, or a mother yearns for her offspring, so the Lord Himself has deep compassion on those that fear Him – and He supplies in all circumstances and situations, for He is our dear, heavenly Comforter.
Confess Faults
To be comforted in my own self-imposed sins and stupidity, I must confess my fault. He has given us the formula in 1 John 1:9 and Hebrews 12:2. Confess all sins and shortcomings, and turn away from them, and look to Him. Once confessed – even the gravest of sins, in thought, word or deed, have been cleansed – and as far as east is from west – thus far has He removed our sins – forever. Psalm 103:12
Sufficient Forgiveness
Do you sometimes revisit those sins committed in the flush of youth? Do you bow your head in shame thinking that your sins were too grave to be forgiven? Do you strive, in your own way, to prove yourself to now be good enough? You foolish man – you silly woman, accept His forgiveness and be comforted. You pride yourself, that the depth of your faults exceeds the height of His grace. Your sins, like grains of sand, are washed in the vast ocean of His loving absolution.
External Sources
Then there are those sorrows brought to bear from a myriad of external sources. Others, who have consciously or unconsciously grieved our heart to distraction… as day by day, we are bombarded with pain and distress BY others – as day by day we are bombarded with the pain and distress OF others. Injuries
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Knowing Jesus Devotional by Elizabeth Haworth
Rejoicing Hope
Hope does not disappoint
Romans 5:5Blessed is the man …. whose hope is the LORD.
Jeremiah 17:7You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3-4I am not ashamed, for I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day.
2 Timothy 1:12
Pain of the World
There is much in life’s circumstances that gives the believer pain. There is much in the world in which he lives that causes him distress. The injustices of life; the sufferings of so many; the neglect of the truths of God; the rejection of the love of the Father; the compromise of the gift of Salvation; the venomous hatred of the Giver of Salvation; the ignorance of so many who have never heard His Word of Salvation. Yes, there is much in life’s circumstances that gives the believer pain. There is much in the world in which he lives that causes him distress.
Flame of Hope
But in the bleak darkness of this fallen world, shines the steady flame of hope. Hope that consoles the heart of the distressed believer; hope that brightens the steely skies; hope that uplifts the downcast spirit; hope that ministers to the wounded soul. Let there be hope today. Let your heart be glad: for blessed is the man whose hope is in the Lord. Jeremiah 7:17
Root of Hope
But hope is not an optimistic outlook or positive thinking. And hope is not a vain desire, an empty wish, or self-induced feeling. Hope is the believer’s grace that is founded upon certain stable facts. Hope has its roots entwined in the truth of God’s holy Word. Hope has its foundation firmly set on the Rock of our Salvation.
Foundation of Hope
Hope rests on the nature and name of almighty God. Hope stands on the promises and character of the Lord Most High. Hope believes in His fundamental goodness and eternal wisdom. Hope reflects back over His never-failing
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