Verse of the day — Isaiah 43:2
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.
Isaiah 43:2(NASB)
Open Windows by T. Austin-Sparks
Problem of the Stone
When they looked up, they saw that the stone was already rolled back, for it was very large... and they were utterly amazed. (Mark 16:4,5 AMP)
When the Lord moves for His own Son's sake, and has those interests governing, and when those interests have brought us into such a relationship with Him that we can say there is no stone so big to be removed, no problem so great for solving, no difficulty so intense, but the Lord will do what is necessary for His Son's sake when we have come to a position like that, the Lord is free to do a lot of things very quietly. As we say, they just "happen." Ah, but they have been the objects of the exercise of exceeding great power "There was a great earthquake" (Matt. 28:2). But here, in this aspect of the situation, it does not seem to be an earthquake at all. It has just happened. We must recognize that there is an aspect of activities in which the secret, quiet working of His immense power dismisses the greatest difficulties as though they had never existed. Sometimes He may bring us into the presence of the working of His power that is manifestly terrific, but not often and certainly not always. For faith it is more like this: there is such power at work as to make possible the setting aside of the obstacle very quietly, so that we afterward wonder "And they were amazed." And the angel said, "Be not amazed." It is good to have amazement, but let us recognize that a certain amount of our amazement is because we have not sufficient faith.
Morning Daily Light by Samuel Bagster
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
By the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer. Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip. § When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you. For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light. § Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.
I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. § We have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place. § Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. § They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
Ps. 119:105; Ps. 17:4,5; Prov. 6:22,23; Isa. 30:21; John 8:12; 2 Peter 1:19; 1 Cor. 13:12; Rev. 22:5
Evening Daily Light by Samuel Bagster
What do you mean, sleeper? Arise.
This is not your rest … it is defiled, it shall destroy. § Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. § If riches increase, do not set your heart on them. § Set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Therefore arise.
Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation. § Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.
While the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. § Yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry § Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. § Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.
Jonah 1:6; Mic. 2:10; Col. 3:2; Ps. 62:10; 1 Chron. 22:19; Luke 22:46; Luke 21:34; Matt. 25:5; Heb. 10:37; Rom. 13:11; Mark 13:35,36
None but the Hungry Heart by Miles Stanford
From Here To There
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ" (Phil. 3:7).
When we finally understand that the Lord Jesus is our life, we, with Paul, no longer think in terms of things.
"Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (John 15:2).
"One may eat with an appetite and feel revived, but the sense of life or sustainment from the food in the hour of toil, is a far greater and better thing. Thus, you have to learn now that the Lord is with you, however great may be the winds and the waves; and that He is with you to prove to you now the value of the truth about Himself, which He has heretofore taught you. The learning is at one time (head), the proving (heart) at another." -J.B.S.
"Our Father must wean us. Oh, what days and nights of bitter tears we shed when the soul is being weaned from some long enjoyed mercy. Is it that He who gave His Son for us would not indulge us? Is it that our Father would deny us anything? No, but He must wean us, or we shall never know what it is to depend on Him apart from any human or natural intervention."
"The Lord Jesus before our souls in the power of the Holy Spirit - the glorified Lord - is our Father's means for bringing us into conformity with His beloved Son. But then it is through the chastenings of His hand, through the trials and sufferings of our path, that He weans the hearts of His own from other objects, that the Lord Jesus Christ alone may fill the vision of our souls." -E.D.
"It is quite right to obtain a knowledge of Scripture, as to its general meaning. It is well to read and get knowledge, but unless you are in communion with the Lord Jesus, you will not grow in likeness to what you admire, as recorded in the Word."
"And I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord" (Phil. 3:8).
Devotional Studies by Elizabeth Haworth
Message of Great Joy - Perfect MAN Eternal SON (10)
The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be to all people.
Luke 2:10
Christ’s Birth
The account of Christ’s birth in the little town of Bethlehem is a beautiful story – just like the birth of any precious infant that has just entered the world. But how different was this nativity from any other childbirth… for this little helpless newborn baby, Who was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, was also the omnipotent God of the universe, Who holds all things together – by the might of His eternal power.
Mystery of Godliness
The arrival of this infant was proclaimed by a host of angels, who lifted up their voices in a glorious anthem of praise, announcing the birth of a Saviour Who is Christ the Lord. But their joyous pronouncement must have been tinged with astonished wonderment as they witnessed the Creator of the universe being born as a tiny fragile baby, into the world that He Himself created. Great is the mystery of godliness, for God was manifest in the flesh and they shall call His name Immanuel, which means, God with us.
Man’s Redemption
The beautiful chorus that rang through the night sky – that was being sung by the heavenly choirs of rejoicing angels, must have been a strange sight – for angelic beings are not the favoured recipients of God’s amazing grace. Angels are not the ones Whom God in His kindness and mercy purposed to redeem. Redemption, we read, was the gift of grace, that was offered to the human race – so that whoever will believe on the only begotten Son of God will never perish, but have everlasting life.
God’s Shepherd
How curious that simple shepherds, who were so despised by the Jewish leadership, should have been the first to be told of the arrival of Israel’s long-awaited Messiah-King – for this tiny infant was also God’s Great Shepherd of the sheep – the Good Shepherd Who lays down His life for His
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Knowing Jesus Devotional by Elizabeth Haworth
Christ’s Comforting Words
JESUS SAID:
I am meek and lowly of heart
I bought you.
I paid for you.
You are Mine.
You will grow more like Me, your Master and Lord..
– through cooperation with me or chastisement from me.
But, are you really willing to eat from My dish ?
Are you really ready to drink of the cup of bitterness that I drank ?
Are you really prepared to walk the way of suffering and death that I walked ?
As with Moses, so with you My child.
No man can see My face and live.
For your-self must die in My presence,
The original ‘OLD’ creation’ must shrivel away in My company.
The ‘NEW’ life must grow and mature,
Growing and maturing is painful,
Growing and maturing is a lifelong agony,
Growing and maturing means moulding and conforming,
Moulding means cutting, chiselling carving,
Conforming means refining, purifying perfecting.
It means sacrifice of the person to conform to the Type.
It means sacrifice of self to conform to Christ’s likeness
This is not My labour alone, but yours
This is a work that requires cooperation..
– yours and Mine.
I will complete the work – but you must permit ME to do it, in you,
It is the recognition of the selfish ‘you’ in your desires…
– your actions
– your words
– your thoughts
– your hopes
– your motives
– your attitudes
– your-SELF
It is a work that requires cooperation..
– Mine and yours
It is a work that brings a deep sense of failure..
– disappointment and sorrow
– embarrassment and shame
– persecution and pain
– deprivation and loss.
It is a work that causes dismay..
– for as it proceeds, the more you realise has to be done.
Shortcomings that you once scarcely recognised..
– now cause trouble and dismay.
Courage..
Courage – to face your-self is a sign of progress.
Patience..
Patience – not only with others…
– but patience even with yourself, is advancement.
Humility..
Humility of heart.
Humility – the most difficult to acquire..
– yet humility is the characteristic I