Bible Prophecy in the News

Prophecynewsdaily.com
Prophecynewsdaily.com
  • Home
  • About This Project
  • Is the Bible True?
  • How Can I Be Saved?
  • When You Pray...
  • January Devotionals 01-15
  • January Devotionals 16-31
  • Feb Devotionals 1-15
  • Feb Devotionals 16-29
  • March Devotionals 1-15
  • March Devotionals 16-31
  • April Devotionals 01-15
  • April Devotionals 16-30
  • May Devotionals 1-15
  • May Devotionals 16-31
  • June Devotionals 01-15
  • June Devotionals 16-30
  • July Devotionals 1-15
  • July Devotionals 16-31
  • August Devotionals 1-15
  • August Devotionals 16-31
  • Sep Devotionals 01-15
  • Sep Devotionals 16-30
  • October Devotionals 1-15
  • October Devotionals 16-31
  • Nov Devotionals 01-15
  • Nov Devotionals 16-30
  • Dec Devotionals 1-15
  • Dec Devotionals 16-31
  • Famous Last Words
  • Bible Books -66 Synopsis
  • Bible in the News
  • Bible in News - Archive
  • People in the Last Days
  • People in News - Archive
  • Increase in Knowledge
  • Knowledge-News Archive
  • NWO - Antichrist System
  • NWO World - News Archive
  • Wars in the Last Days
  • Wars - Link Archive
  • America
  • America - News Archive
  • World Condition Links
  • World Condition - Archive
  • Pray For the Nations
  • Encouragement Verses A-L
  • Encouragement Verses L-Z
  • Church Signs
  • Health Remedies - Links
  • More
    • Home
    • About This Project
    • Is the Bible True?
    • How Can I Be Saved?
    • When You Pray...
    • January Devotionals 01-15
    • January Devotionals 16-31
    • Feb Devotionals 1-15
    • Feb Devotionals 16-29
    • March Devotionals 1-15
    • March Devotionals 16-31
    • April Devotionals 01-15
    • April Devotionals 16-30
    • May Devotionals 1-15
    • May Devotionals 16-31
    • June Devotionals 01-15
    • June Devotionals 16-30
    • July Devotionals 1-15
    • July Devotionals 16-31
    • August Devotionals 1-15
    • August Devotionals 16-31
    • Sep Devotionals 01-15
    • Sep Devotionals 16-30
    • October Devotionals 1-15
    • October Devotionals 16-31
    • Nov Devotionals 01-15
    • Nov Devotionals 16-30
    • Dec Devotionals 1-15
    • Dec Devotionals 16-31
    • Famous Last Words
    • Bible Books -66 Synopsis
    • Bible in the News
    • Bible in News - Archive
    • People in the Last Days
    • People in News - Archive
    • Increase in Knowledge
    • Knowledge-News Archive
    • NWO - Antichrist System
    • NWO World - News Archive
    • Wars in the Last Days
    • Wars - Link Archive
    • America
    • America - News Archive
    • World Condition Links
    • World Condition - Archive
    • Pray For the Nations
    • Encouragement Verses A-L
    • Encouragement Verses L-Z
    • Church Signs
    • Health Remedies - Links

  • Home
  • About This Project
  • Is the Bible True?
  • How Can I Be Saved?
  • When You Pray...
  • January Devotionals 01-15
  • January Devotionals 16-31
  • Feb Devotionals 1-15
  • Feb Devotionals 16-29
  • March Devotionals 1-15
  • March Devotionals 16-31
  • April Devotionals 01-15
  • April Devotionals 16-30
  • May Devotionals 1-15
  • May Devotionals 16-31
  • June Devotionals 01-15
  • June Devotionals 16-30
  • July Devotionals 1-15
  • July Devotionals 16-31
  • August Devotionals 1-15
  • August Devotionals 16-31
  • Sep Devotionals 01-15
  • Sep Devotionals 16-30
  • October Devotionals 1-15
  • October Devotionals 16-31
  • Nov Devotionals 01-15
  • Nov Devotionals 16-30
  • Dec Devotionals 1-15
  • Dec Devotionals 16-31
  • Famous Last Words
  • Bible Books -66 Synopsis
  • Bible in the News
  • Bible in News - Archive
  • People in the Last Days
  • People in News - Archive
  • Increase in Knowledge
  • Knowledge-News Archive
  • NWO - Antichrist System
  • NWO World - News Archive
  • Wars in the Last Days
  • Wars - Link Archive
  • America
  • America - News Archive
  • World Condition Links
  • World Condition - Archive
  • Pray For the Nations
  • Encouragement Verses A-L
  • Encouragement Verses L-Z
  • Church Signs
  • Health Remedies - Links

December Devotionals 16-31

Devotions on Living a Deeper Christian Life

DEVOTIONALS ON THIS PAGE

December 16 – These Things Are Good and Profitable Unto Men

December 17 – The Day of One's Death is Better Than One's Birth

December 18 – Aim at What is Honorable

December 19 – How Much More Will He Cloth You?

December 20 –If We Are Faithless, He Remains Faithful

December 21 – Herald – Oh People, Nations and Languages – Last Call


THE MAZZAROTH


CAPRICORNUS (The fish-goat). The goat of Atonement slain for the Redeemed.


Dec. 22–Jan. 19


1. SAGITTA (The Arrow). The arrow of God sent forth.

2. AQUILA (The Eagle). The smitten One falling.

3. DELPHINUS (The Dolphin). The dead One rising again.


December 22 – Eternal Weight of Glory

December 23 – Life is Like a Vapor

December 24 – All Scripture is Inspired by God

December 25 – Dayus Exmakeda – God Coming Into History  

December 26 – That They May Rest From Their Labors

December 27 – The Lord God Loves a Cheerful Giver 

December 28 – This Day Thy Soul is Required of Thee

December 29 – Great is Thy Faithfulness

December 30 – What Do You Set Your Clock By? – Story of the Curious Watchmaker

December 31 – Great is Thy Faithfulness

December 16

These Things Are Good and Profitable Unto Men

"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." - Titus 3:8


ALL SCRIPTURE IS PROFITABLE  


"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;"    


- 2 Timothy 3:16  


THEY ARE FOR OUR PROFIT   


"What fools are we, then, to frown upon our afflictions! These, how crabbed soever, are our best friends. They are not indeed for our pleasure, they are for our profit."  


- Abraham Wright (1611–1690) English Theological Writer 


GOOD AND PROFITABLE FOR MEN  


"This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men."  


- Titus 3:8


WHAT DOES IT PROFIT A MAN?  


"For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?"  


- Luke 9:25  


FOR THEY ARE UNPROFITABLE AND WORTHLESS  


"But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless." 


 - Titus 3:9  


HER PROFIT IS BETTER THAN GOLD  


"For the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold."  


- Proverbs 3:14


BUT NO ALL THINGS ARE PROFITABLE


"All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.  


- 1 Corinthians 10:23  


RICHES DO NOT PROFIT IN THE DAY OF WRATH 


"Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." 


- Proverbs 11:4


HIGHEST AND MOST PROFITABLE LEARNING  


"The highest and most profitable learning is the knowledge of ourselves. To have a low opinion of our own merits, and to think highly of others, is an evidence of wisdom."  


- TThomas a Kempis (1380-1471) Christian Theologian


WHAT IS MORE PROFIATBLE TO A LIFE?  


"What can be more excellent than prayer; what is more profitable to our life; what sweeter to our souls; what more sublime, in the course of our whole life, than the practice of prayer!"  


- St. Augustine (354-430) Theologian and Philosopher


BODILY DISCIPLINE IS ONLY OF LITTLE PROFIT


"For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." 


- 1 Timothy 4:8  


TO DRAW PROFIT FROM SUFFERING 


"Humility alone unites patience with love; without which it is impossible to draw profit from suffering; or indeed, to avoid complaint, especially when we think we have given no occasion for what men make us suffer." 


- John Wesley (1703-1791) English Cleric and Minister


WHAT PROFIT IS THERE IN MY DEATH?   


“What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?" 


- Psalm 30:9


Photo Source: metmuseum.org/toah/hd/chri/hd_chri.htm

Words to Think About…

IN ALL TOIL THERE IS PROFIT   


"In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty."  


- Proverbs 14:23


THE GREATER THE PROFIT  


"The more you say, the less people remember. The fewer the words, the greater the profit."      


- Francois Fenelon (1651-1715) French Catholic Archbishop 


NOT ALL THINGS ARE PROFITABLE  


"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything."    


- 1 Corinthians 6:12   


WHAT PROFIT IS AN IDOL 


“What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols!"  


- Habakkuk 2:18


CAN A MAN BE PROFITABLE TO GOD?  


“Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself."  


- Job 22:2


LITTLE PROFIT AS FOR A MAN  


"To know God as the Master and Bestower of all good things, who invites us to request them of Him, and still not go to Him and ask of Him - this would be of as little profit as for a man to neglect a treasure, buried and hidden in the earth, after it had been pointed out to him."  


- John Calvin (1509-1564) French Theologian


MEDITATION BRINGS PROFIT 


"Continued meditation brings great profit to the soul. Passant and transient thoughts are more pleasant, but not so profitable. Deliberate meditation is of most use because it secures the return of the thoughts."  


- Thomas Manton (1620-1677) English Puritan Clergyman


PROFITH NOTHING  


"The flesh everything that you do apart from Him "profiteth nothing" (John 6:63), and there is always the awful possibility, if you do not discover this principle, that you may spend a lifetime in the service of Jesus Christ doing nothing!"  


-  Major Ian Thomas (1914-2007) British War Hero, Christian Writer 


FOR SPIRITUAL PROFIT    


"The burdens of the spirit differ from the weights on the spirit. A burden of the spirit, on the other hand, is given by God to His child for the purpose of calling him to work, to pray, or to preach. It is a burden with purpose, with reason, and for spiritual profit."     


- Watchman Nee (1903-1972) Chinese Church Leader 


TREASURE GAINED BY WICKEDNESS    


"Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death."  


- Proverbs 10:2

December 17

The Day of One's Death is Better Than One's Birth

"A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth." - Ecclesiastes 7:1  
 

When I first read this passage that said that the day of one's death is better than one's birth; I couldn't see from my human experience on how this could be possible. This runs counter to our natural way of thinking. For many, death is final, but for the Christian, death has an entirely different meaning.


The Hebrew word used in this passage for "better" is ṭôḇ H2895; which means, glad, pleasant, agreeable, valuable, good understanding, prosperity, happiness and good understanding in a collective way, agreeable to senses, and good understanding. To the Christian, the day of one's death puts to an end all those sufferings, afflictions and miseries of this life; and there is a good understanding in a satisfied complete way the purpose of the life they lived here on earth.   


DEATHBED CONVERSIONS


"There is one single fact which we may oppose to all wit and argument of infidelity, namely, that no man ever repented of being a Christian on his death-bed."


- Hannah More (1745-1833) English Religious Writer and Philanthropist


WITNESS TO DEATH OF DIETRICH BONHOEFFER


At the place of execution, he again said a short prayer and then climbed the steps to the gallows, brave and composed. His death ensued after a few seconds. In almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.  


DEPARTING BELIEVERS


"The very happiest persons I have ever met with have been departing believers. The only people for whom I have felt any envy have been dying members of this very church, whose hands I have grasped in their passing away. Almost without exception I have seen in them holy delight and triumph. And in the exceptions to this exceeding joy I have seen deep peace, exhibited in a calm and deliberate readiness to enter into the presence of their God."

- C. H. Spurgeon - (1834-1892) English Baptist Preacher


DYING IS LIFE 


"Living is death; dying is life. We are not what we appear to be. On this side of the grave we are exiles, on that citizens; on this side orphans, on that children."  


- Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) American Clergyman and Scholar 


THE ONE WHO WAS DYING BLESSED ME  


"Because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them. The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing."  


- Job 29:12-13


GRACE IN THIS LIFE


"It is grace at the beginning, and grace at the end. So that when you and I come to lie upon our death beds, the one thing that should comfort and help and strengthen us there is the thing that helped us in the beginning. Not what we have been, not what we have done, but the Grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. The Christian life starts with grace, it must continue with grace, it ends with grace. Grace wondrous grace. By the grace of God, I am what I am. Yet not I, but the Grace of God which was with me."


- Martin Lloyd Jones (1899-1981) Welsh Minister and Medical Doctor


CHRIST NEVER PREACHED ANY FUNERAL  


"Christ never preached any funeral sermon."  


- Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899) American Evangelist


EVEN AFTER DYING 


"Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” 


- John 11:25


Photo Source: theartstory.org/artist/rembrandt-van-rijn/



Words to Think About…

NEVER FEAR DYING, BELOVED   


"Never fear dying, beloved. Dying is the last, but the least matter that a Christian has to be anxious about. Fear living - that is a hard battle to fight, a stern discipline to endure, a rough voyage to undergo."    


- Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) English Baptist Preacher 


LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE


"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called."


- 1 Timothy 6:12


THEY WHO ARE DESTINED TO DIE


"They, then, who are destined to die, need not be careful to inquire what death they are to die, but into what place death will usher them."


- St. Augustine (354-430) Theologian and Philosopher


TAKE CARE OF YOUR LIFE


"Take care of your life and the Lord will take care of your death."


- George Whitfield (1720-1770) English Evangelist 


EVERY MAN MUST DO TWO THINGS


"Every man must do two things alone; he must do his own believing and his own dying."


- Martin Luther (1483-1546) German Theologian and Reformer


WHOSE HEAD IS IN HEAVEN


"He whose head is in heaven need not fear to put his feet into the grave."


- Matthew Henry (1662-1714) Nonconformist Minister


WHEN IT COMES TIME TO DIE


"When it comes time to die, make sure that all you have to do is die."


- Jim Elliot (1927-1956) American Missionary Killed in Ecuador


THE HOPE OF DYING


"The hope of dying is the only thing that keeps me alive."


Vance Havner, (1901-1986) American Country Preacher


THE POWER OF THE FINAL DYING  


"The greatest of all crosses is self. If we die in part every day, we shall have but little to do on the last. These little daily deaths will destroy the power of the final dying."  


- Francois Fenelon (1651-1715) French Catholic Archbishop 



December 18

Aim at What is Honorable

"For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man." - 2 Corinthians 8:21


HUMILITY COMES BEFORE HONOR  


"Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor."  


- Proverbs 22:4


KEEP YOUR CONDUCT HONORABLE 


"Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." 


- 1 Peter 2:12


MY FATHER HONORS THE ONE WHO FOLLOWS ME  


"Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."  


- Proverbs 20:3


HONOR THE LORD WITH YOUR WEALTH  


"Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops."  


- Proverbs 3:9


BE HONOR AND GLORY FOREVER  


"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." 


 - 1 Timothy 5:3


THE LOWLY IN SPIRIT GAIN HONOR 


"Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor."  


- Proverbs 29:23


HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER  


"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."  


- Exodus 20:12


HONOR GOD WITH OUR FAITH 


"Sight is not faith, and hearing is not faith, neither is feeling faith; but believing when we neither see, hear, nor feel is faith; and everywhere the Bible tells us our salvation is to be by faith. Therefore we must believe before we feel, and often against our feelings, if we would honor God by our faith."  


- Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911) American Evangelist and Reformer   


OUR PRAYERS GIVE HIM HONOR  


"Though we cannot by our prayers give God any information, yet we must by our prayers give him honor."  


- Matthew Henry (1662-1714) Nonconformist Minister, Writer 


FOR THE HONOR AND GLORY OF GOD  


"We do not segment our lives, giving some time to God, some to our business or schooling, while keeping parts to ourselves. The idea is to give all of our lives in the presence of God, under the authority of God, and for the honor and glory of God. That is what the Christian life is all about.  


- R. C. Sproul (1939-2017) American Reformed Theologian 


 IF YOU DO NOT HONOR MY NAME  

“If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.” 


- Matthew 19:18-19  


HONOR ONE ANOTHER ABOVE YOURSELVES  


"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."  


- Romans 12:10


Photo Source: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Honor_Your_Father_and_Your_Mother.jpg

Words to Think About…

IN YOUR HEARTS HONOR CHRIST  


"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."  


- 1 Peter 3:15


WHOEVER PERSUES HONOR  


"Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor."  


- Proverbs 18:12


THEY DID NOT HONOR HIM  


"For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened."  


- Romans 1:21


IF HONOR, THEN GIVE HONOR  


"Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."  


- Romans 13:7


MY HONOR DEPENDS ON GOD  


"My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge."  


- 1 Timothy 1:17


ITS AN HONOR TO AVOID STRIFE 


"It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel."  


- Proverbs 20:3


WEALTH AND HONOR COME FROM YOU  


"Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all."  


- John 12:26


YOU STRAIN TO HONOR GOD  


"Be careful, dear friends, that you do not misrepresent God yourselves. You who murmur; you who say that God deals hardly with you, you give God an ill character; when you look so melancholy, worldlings say, "The religion of Jesus is intolerable;" and so you stain the honor of God."  


- Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) English Baptist Preacher 


GOD WILL HONOR OUR FAITH  


"God will honor our faith." 


- D. L. Moody (1837-1899) American Evangelist, Teacher and Preacher


AS A MATTER OF HONOR 


"As a matter of honor, one man owes it to another to manifest the truth."  


- Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Catholic Italian Theologian




December 19

How Much More Will He Cloth You?

CLOTHED ME WITH GARMENTS OF SALVATION  


"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."  


- Isaiah 61:10 


CLOTHE YOURSELVES IN CHRIST  


"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."   


- Colossians 3:12


CLOTH YOURSELVES WITH HUMILITY  


"Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,"


 - 1 Peter 5:5-6 


CLOTHED IN GLADNESS


"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off [a]my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,"


- Psalm 30:11


DO NOT WORRY WHAT YOU WILL WEAR  


"Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes."  


- Luke 12:22


WOMEN ADORN THEMSELVES IN MODEST APPAREL 


"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array."  


- 1 Timothy 2:9


BEAUTY NOT FROM OUTWARD ADORNMENT  


"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles."  


- 1 Peter 3:3-4


NEITHER SHALL A MAN PUT ON WOMAN'S GARMENTS


"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God."


- Deuteronomy 22:5


WHO STAYS AWAKE AND KEEPS HIS CLOTHES  


“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”  


- Revelation 16:15


ALL OF OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS ARE AS FILTHY RAGS


"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."


- Isaiah 64:6


PUT ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST  


"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."  


- Romans 13:14 


TAKE NO THOUGHT ABOUT BEING CLOTHED  


"Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?"  


- Matthew 6:31-33


Photo Credit: 

romanticillustrationnetwork.com/2015/02/13/image-of-the-month-william-blake-mary-magdalen-at-the-sepulchre-c-1805/

Words to Think About…

THEY SEWED FIGS TOGETHER  


"Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves."  


- Genesis 3:7


ANYONE THAT HAS TWO SHIRTS  


John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” 


 - Luke 3:11


THE COME IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING


"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." 


- Matthew 7:15


VICTORIOUS ONE DRESSED IN WHITE


"The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels."  


- Revelation 3:5


LORD GOD MADE GARMENTS 


"The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." 


 - Genesis 3:21


WITHOUT WEDDING CLOTHES  


"“But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?’ And the man was speechless."  


- Matthew 22:12


THEY DIVIDED HIS GARMENTS  


"And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots."  


- Matthew 27:35


CLOTHED IN FINE LINEN 


 "It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints."  


- Revelation 19:8


NEVER SEEN THE RIGHTEOUS BEGGING


"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."


- Psalm 37:25


STRETCHES HEAVENS LIKE A CURTAIN


"Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain."  


- Psalms 104:2


Mazzaroth - Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19

CAPRICORNUS (The fish-goat). The goat of Atonement slain for the Redeemed.

Capricorn the Goat-fish - A creature that is partly a dying goat signifying the sinful people that perished in the Flood, and partly a lively fish signifying the 8 righteous people that escaped judgment on Noah’s Ark. 


Capricorn represents both judgment and mercy. Just as humanity was saved from the Great Flood via the Ark, all future humanity will be saved by Christ. 


Jesus is the fulfillment of the sacrificial goat and believers are represented by the fish.


In Capricorn the dying goat comes a living fish.


"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit." John 12:24

Capricorn Constellations

Dec. 22–Jan. 19


1. SAGITTA (The Arrow). The arrow of God sent forth.


2. AQUILA (The Eagle). The smitten One falling.


3. DELPHINUS (The Dolphin). The dead One rising again.


December 20

If We Are Faithless, He Remains Faithful

"If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself" - 2 Timothy 2:13
 

IF PROFESSING CHRISTIANS ARE UNFAITHFUL  


"If professing Christians are unfaithful to the authority of their Lord in their capacity as citizens of the State, they cannot expect to be blessed by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost in their capacity as members of the Church."  


- A.A. Hodge


UNFAITHFUL TO GOD AND HIS WORD  


"We have come to a turning point in the road. If we turn to the right mayhap our children and our children's children will go that way; but if we turn to the left, generations yet unborn will curse our names for having been unfaithful to God and to His Word."  


- Charles Spurgeon


WHAT IF SOME WERE UNFAITHFUL?  


What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?"  


- Romans 3:3


BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACTED UNFAITHFULLY   


"Thus I will make the land desolate, because they have acted unfaithfully,’” declares the Lord God."  


- Ezekiel 15:8


CHARACTER BEING CORRODED BY UNFAITHFULNESS  


"It is impossible to be our best at the supreme moment if character is corroded and eaten into by daily inconsistency, unfaithfulness, and besetting sin."  


- F.B. Meyer


OUR FATHERS HAVE BEEN UNFAITHFUL  


"For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done what was evil in the sight of the LORD our God. They have forsaken him and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD and turned their backs."  


- 2 Chronicles 29:6


IF A COUNTRY SINS BY COMMITTING UNFAITHFULNESS   


“Son of man, if a country sins against Me by committing unfaithfulness, and I stretch out My hand against it, destroy its supply of bread, send famine against it and cut off from it both man and beast." 


- Ezekiel 14:13


PEOPLE LIKEWISE WERE EXCEEDINGLY UNFAITHFUL    


 "All the officers of the priests and the people likewise were exceedingly unfaithful, following all the abominations of the nations. And they polluted the house of the LORD that he had made holy in Jerusalem."  


- 2 Chronicles 36:14


GOD ID FAITHFUL


"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."


- 1 Corinthians 10:13


A FAITHFUL CREATOR


"Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 


- 1 Peter 4:19


THOSE WHO ACT FAITHFULLY


"Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight. "


- Proverbs 12:22 


HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE OUR SINS


"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."


 - 1 John 1:9


Photo Source: 

Words to Think About on Prayer...

DO NOT BE FAITHLESS  


"Wait for the Lord. Behave yourself manfully, and be of good courage. Do not be faithless, but stay in your place and do not turn back."  


- Thomas a Kempis


PUT HIM WITH THE UNFAITHFUL 


"The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful."  


- Luke 12:46


EVERYONE WHO IS UNFAITHFUL  


"For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you."  


- Psalm 73:27


IF YOU ARE UNFAITHFUL 


"Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples."  


- Nehemiah 1:8


SONS IN WHOM IS NO FAITHFULNESS   


“Then He said, ‘I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end shall be; for they are a perverse generation, sons in whom is no faithfulness."  


- Deuteronomy 32:20


HE WAS UNFAITHFUL TO THE LORD    


"But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the LORD his God and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense."  


- 2 Chronicles 26:16


BE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH   


"Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."  


- Revelation 2:10


SERVE HIM FAITHFULLY


Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you."


- 1 Samuel 12:24


HIS FAITHFULNESS IS A SHIELD


"He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler."


 - Psalm 91:4




December 21

Be Content In Whatever State You Are In

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” - Philippians 4:11


WITH THESE WE WILL BE CONTENT    


"But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content."  


- 1 Timothy 6:8


YOU OUGHT TO BE JUST AS CONTENT  


"If the Lord sets you to guard a lonely post in perfect stillness from all active work, you ought to be just as content as to be in the midst of the active warfare. It is no virtue to love the Master's work better than the Master's will." 


 - Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911) American Evangelist and Reformer   


 WE MUST BE CONTENT TO TRAVEL UPHILL  


"The way to Heaven is ascending; we must be content to travel uphill, though it be hard and tiresome, and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh." 


- Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) American Revivalist


BE CONTENT WITH GOD'S CALLING  


"Next to faith this is the highest art - to be content with the calling in which God has placed you."  


- Martin Luther (1483-1546) German Priest, Theologian


CONTENTMENT COMES FROM WITHIN   


"Real contentment must come from within. You and I can not change or control the world around us, but we can change and control the world within us." 


- Warren Wiersbe (1929-2019) American Christian Clergyman


NO MATTER WHAT LOOMS AHEAD  


"No matter what looms ahead, if you can eat today, enjoy today, mix good cheer with friends today enjoy it and bless God for it."  


- Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) American Clergyman and Scholar 


FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST


"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."  


- 2 Corinthians 12:10


IF I HAD A LITLLE MORE  


You say, "If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied." You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.  


- Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) English Baptist Preacher 


CONTENTMENT CONSISTS NOT  


"Contentment consist not in adding more fuel, but in taking away some fire."  


- Thomas Fuller (1608-1661) English Churchman, Historian 


BE CONTENT AND AT PEACE 


"He will easily be content and at peace, whose conscience is pure."  


- Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471) Christian Theologian


NEVER BE CONTENT WITH SUPERFICIAL KNOWLEDGE  


"Give yourself to prayer, to reading and meditation on divine truths: strive to penetrate to the bottom of them and never be content with a superficial knowledge."  


- David Brainard (1718-1747) American Missionary to Native Indians 


SOME CHRISTIANS ARE CONTENT TO  


"Today, some Christians are content to merely exist until they die. They don't want to risk anything, to believe God, to grow or mature. They refuse to believe his Word, and have become hardened in their unbelief. Now they're living just to die."  


- David Wilkerson (1931-2011) American Christian Evangelist


CONTENT WITH OFFERING THEM TO GOD  


"We are to bear with those we cannot amend, and to be content with offering them to God. This is true resignation. And since He has borne our infirmities, we may well bear those of each other for His sake."  


- John Wesley (1703-1791) English Cleric and Minister


CONTENTED HIMSELF WITH SOWING HIS FIELD 


"I should as soon expect a farmer to prosper in business who contented himself with sowing his fields and never looking at them till harvest, as expect a believer to attain much holiness who was not diligent about his Bible reading, his prayers, and the use of his Sundays."  


- J. C. Ryle (1816-1900) English Anglican Bishop 


A CONTENTED MAN IS THANKFUL 


"Instead of complaining at his lot, a contented man is thankful that his condition and circumstances are no worse than they are. Instead of greedily desiring something more than the supply of his present need, he rejoices that God still cares for him. Such an one is "content" with such as he has." 


- A. W. Pink (1886-1952) English Bible Teacher 


Photo Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contentment

Words to Think About…

GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT     


"But godliness with contentment is great gain,"  


- 1 Timothy 6:6


CONTENTMENT IN HIM 


"There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve him, boldness to share him, and contentment in him." 


- J. I. Packer (1926-2020) Canadian Evangelical Theologian  


I HAVE HELD MANY THINGS   


"I have held many things in my hands, and have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."  


- Martin Luther (1483-1546) German Priest, Theologian


WE MUST BE CONTENTED WITH LITTLE  


"To be content with even the best people, we must be contented with little and bear a great deal. Those who are most perfect have many imperfections, and we have great faults; between the two, mutual toleration becomes very difficult."  


- Francois Fenelon (1651-1715) French Catholic Archbishop 


CONTENTED OUGHT TO MEAN  


"Being 'contented' ought to mean in English, as it does in French, being pleased. Being content with an attic ought not to mean being unable to move from it and resigned to living in it; it ought to mean appreciating all there is in such a position."  


- G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936) English Writer, Theologian


I AM CONTENT TO OBSERVE  


"Many have puzzled themselves about the origin of evil. I am content to observe that there is evil, and that there is a way to escape from it, and with this I begin and end."


- John Newton (1725-1790) Slave Trader Captain Turned Christian 


AS LONG AS WE ARE CONTENT 


"As long as we are content to live without revival, we will."  


- Leonard Ravenhill (1907-1994) English Christian Evangelist 


BE CONTENT WITH YOUR WAGES    


"Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”    


- Luke 3:14


CONTENT THYSELF WITH THIS  


Again, Satan will ask the Christian what was the time of his conversion. Art thou a Christian, will he say, and dost thou not know when thou commencedst? Now content thyself with this, that thou seest the streams of grace; you may know the sun is up, though you did not observe when it rose."  


- William Gurnall (1616-1679) English Anglican Clergyman 


LET ME BEG YOU


"Let me beg you, not to rest contented with the commonplace religion that is now so prevalent."  


- Adoniram Judson (1788-1850) American Missionary to Burma 


PLAY THE HAND YOU ARE DEALT   


"You play the hand you're dealt. I think the game's worthwhile."  


- C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) Irish Writer and Scholar

December 22

The Eyes of the Lord

"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” - 1 Peter 3:12


- 2 Corinthians 4:17


MAN'S WAYS ARE BEFORE THE EYES OF THE LORD  


"For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths."  


- Proverbs 5:21


WHOSE EYES KEEP WATCH ON THE NATIONS    


"Who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations— let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah"  


- Psalm 66:7


THE ALL-SEEING EYE OF GOD   


"The all-seeing eye of God beheld our deplorable state; infinite pity touched the heart of the Father of mercies; and infinite wisdom laid the plan of our recovery."  


- David Brainard (1718-1747) American Missionary to Native Indians 


WE ARE ETRERNAL IN GOD'S EYES   


"Though we cannot experience our life as an endless present, we are eternal in God's eyes; that is, in our deepest reality."  


-  C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) Irish Writer and Scholar


HE WILL WIPE AWAY EVERY TEAR FROM THEIR EYES  


"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  


- Revelation 21:4


I MADE A COVENANT WITH MY EYES 


“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?"  


- Job 31:1


THE ROAD FROM THE EYE TO THEHEART  


"There is a road from the eye to heart that does not go through the intellect."  


- G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936) English Writer, Theologian


IMMORTAL FLOWERS UNDER THE EYES OF THE LORD  


"Many a humble soul will be amazed to find that the seed it sowed in weakness, in the dust of daily life, has blossomed into immortal flowers under the eye of the Lord."  


- Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) American Clergyman and Scholar 


DO ALL WE CAN UNDER GOD'S EYE  


"As our Father makes many a flower to bloom unseen in the lonely desert, [let us] do all that we can do, as under God's eye, though no other eye ever take note of it."  


- Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) Missionary to China 


HAVE AN EYE ON GOD IN EVERY WORD YOU SING  


"Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven." 


- John Wesley (1703-1791) English Cleric and Minister


HIS EYE IS ALL THE MORE BENT ON YOU  


"Your afflictions may only prove that you are more immediately under the Father's hand. There is no time that the patient is such an object of tender interest to the surgeon, as when he is bleeding beneath his knife. So you may be sure if you are suffering from the hand of a reconciled God, that His eye is all the more bent on you."  


- Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843) Church of Scotland Minister


MY EYES WILL BE THERE FOR ALL TIME   


And the LORD said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your plea, which you have made before me. I have consecrated this house that you have built, by putting my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time. 


- 1 Kings 9:3


FAVOR IN THE EYES OF THE LORD   


"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD."  


- Genesis 6:8


IF YOUR EYE CAUSES YOU TO SIN  


"And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire."  


- Matthew 18:9


AND EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM


"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."


- Revelation 1:7


Photo Source: 

museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-work/jesus-receiving-the-world-from-god-the-father/d22f53c3-f475-4415-9bd7-a2558babbb72

Words to Think About…

WITH MY EYE UPON YOU 


"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."  


- Psalm 32:8


HIS EYE IS UPON US 


"If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer - His grace sufficient, His promise unchangeable."  


- John Newton (1725-1790) Slave Trader Captain Turned Christian 


IN THE TWINKING OF AN EYE   


"1n a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed."  


- 1 Corinthians 15:52


FIX MY EYES UPON YOUR WAYS   


"I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways."  


- Psalm 119:15


WHOEVER HAS A BOUNTIFUL EYE


"Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor."  


- Proverbs 22:9


THE EYE OF FAITH  


"Let your tears fall because of sin; but, at the same time, let the eye of faith steadily behold the Son of man lifted up, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, that those who are bitten by the old serpent may look unto Jesus and live. Our sinnership is that emptiness into which the Lord pours his mercy."  


- Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) English Baptist Preacher 


THAT THE HUMAN EYE CANNOT SEE  


"Faith is like radar that sees through the fog-the reality of things at a distance that the human eye cannot see."  


- Corrie Ten Boom (1892-1983) Holocaust Survivor, Christian Writer 


CHILDREN LEARN MORE BY THE EYE  


"Fathers and mothers, do not forget that children learn more by the eye than they do by the ear... Imitation is a far stronger principle with children than memory. What they see has a much stronger effect on their minds than what they are told."  


- J. C. Ryle (1816-1900) English Anglican Bishop 


FAITH HAS THE EYE TO SEE CHRIST   


"Faith is seated in the understanding, as well as the will. It has an eye to see Christ, as well as a wing to fly to Christ."  


- Thomas Watson (1620-1686), Puritan Preacher


KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD  


"The prayer of faith is a prayer willing to believe and prevail for God's answer in a situation that is utterly impossible. Regardless of the difficulty of the situation, you require no external confirmation but believe God in spite of appearance. Your eyes are on God, not on the situation."  


- Wesley Duewel (1916-2016) Missions Pastor and Writer 


THE DESIRES OF THE EYES  


"For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world."  


- 1 John 2:16


OPEN THE EYES OF THE KING  


"Lord, open the king of England's eyes." (Tyndale's final words)  


- William Tindale (1494-1536) English Biblical Scholar


THEN HE TOUCHED THEIR EYES   


"Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”  


- Matthew 9:29



December 23

Life is Like a Vapor

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." - James 4:14


LET GOD HAVE YOUR LIFE  


"Let God have your life; He can do more with it than you can."  


- D. L. Moody (1837-1899) American Evangelist, Teacher and Preacher


WHILE WE WERE LIVING IN THE FLESH  


"For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death."  


- Romans 7:5


RESOLVE TO LIVE WITH ALL THY MIGHT  


"Resolved to live with all my might while I do live, and as I shall wish I had done ten thousand ages hence."  


- Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) American Revivalist 


I CAME THAT YE MAY HAVE LIFE  


"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."  


- John 10:10


THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH  


"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." 


 - Galatians 2:20


WHEN CHRIST WHO IS YOUR LIFE APPEARS  


"When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."  


- Colossians 3:4


THAT YE MAY HAVE LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY 


"It ought to be placed in the forefront of all Christian teaching that Christ's mission on earth was to give men Life. "I am come," He said, "that ye might have Life, and that ye might have it more abundantly." And that He meant literal Life, literal spiritual and Eternal Life, is clear from the whole course of His teaching and acting."  


- Henry Drummond (1851-1897) Scottish Evangelist, Biologist 


FEAR NOT THAT THY LIFE SHALL END  


"Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather that it shall ever have a beginning."  


- John Henry Newman (1801-1890) English Theologian and Scholar


KEEP YOUR LIFE FREE FROM THE LOVE OF MONEY  


"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  


- Hebrews 13:5


AN OLD APOLOGUE


A MAN going out of his beaten path and directed to gather unlawful fruits, fell into a deep pit.  In his fall, he caught hold on the arm of a tree growing in it.  Thus, he hung in the midway, betwixt the upper light from which he fell, and the lower darkness to which he was falling.


He looks downward, and sees two worms gnawing at the root of this tree.  He looks upward, and spies on a branch a hive of honey. He climbs up to it and feedeth on it.  But, in the meantime, the worms did bite in sunder the root, and down falls the man, and tree and all, into the bottom of the dark pit.


Man himself is this wretch, who, straying away from the way of God's commandments, fell to eat of the forbidden fruit; --instantly he fell.


The pit over which he hangeth is the grave; the tree whereby he holdeth is this mortal life; the two worms are day and night; the hive of honey is the pleasures and lusts of this world.


Thereupon he greedily feeds, until the two consumers, day and night, in their vicissitudes, have eaten asunder the root of life. Then down drops earth to earth; there it must lodge in the silent grave, neither seeing nor seen, blended in the forgotten dust and undistinquished mould, till it be awakened the archangels' trump in the great day of Christ.


- Old Writer - The Treasury of Anecdotes Moral and Religious, William P. Nimmo C.1840


FOR I AM CONVINCED THAT NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE  


"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."


- Romans 8:38-39


Photo Source: christianity.com/wiki/people/how-did-the-apostle-paul-die.html


Words to Think About…

I WILL WALK BEFORE THE LORD


"I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living."


- Psalm 116:9


THE GREATEST TRADEGY IN LIFE


"The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer."


- F. B. Meyer (1847-1929) Baptist Pastor and Evangelist  


THE LAND OF THE LIVNG  


"I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!"  


- Psalm 27:13


IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING  


"I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”  


- Psalm 142:5


TAKE CARE OF YOUR LIFE  


"Take care of your life and the Lord will take care of your death."  


- George Whitefield (1714-1770) Church of England Evangelist


THE MEASURE OF A MAN'S WORTH  


"The measure of a man's worth is the measure in which he no longer lives "to and for himself," but "to and for Jesus Christ." No more and no less!"  


- Major Ian Thomas (1914-2007) British War Hero, Christian Writer 


THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE


"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  


- John 14:6


NEVER FEAR DYING    


"Never fear dying, beloved. Dying is the last, but the least matter that a Christian has to be anxious about. Fear living - that is a hard battle to fight, a stern discipline to endure, a rough voyage to undergo."    


- Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) English Baptist Preacher 


GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE   


"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."  


- John 15:13


BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE  


"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."  


- John 3:16


WHOEVER LOVES HIS LIFE  


"Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." 


- John 12:25


THE PROMISE HE MADE TO US 


"And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life." 


 - 1 John 2:25


December 24

All Scripture is Inspired by God

"All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." - 2 Timothy 3:16


SPEAKING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT


"For David himself, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said, ‘The LORD said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.' 


- Mark 12:36


ENDURANCE INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT


"We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."


- 1 Thessalonians 1:3


YOU INSPIRE SHOUTS OF JOY


"Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy." 


- Psalm 65:8


INSPIRED BY ONE AND THE SAME SPIRIT


"All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills." 


- 1 Corinthians 12:11


WHEN I AM INSPIRED  


"I never work better than when I am inspired by anger; for when I am angry, I can write, pray, and preach well, for then my whole temperament is quickened, my understanding sharpened, and all mundane vexations and temptations depart."  


- Martin Luther (1483-1546) German Priest, Theologian 


WITH JOY INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT


"And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit;"


- 1 Thessalonians 1:6


INSPIRATION IS A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT  


"All who are willing to accept the Bible as the Word of God recognize that inspiration is a work of the Holy Spirit and that the Scriptures would have been impossible apart from this supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit."  


- John Wycliffe (c.1328-1384) English Theologian and Biblical Translator


DISTINQUISH INSPIRATION FROM EMOTION  


"Many saints cannot distinguish inspiration from emotion. Actually these two can be defined readily. Emotion always enters from man's outside, whereas inspiration originates with the Holy Spirit in man's spirit." 


 - Watchman Nee (1903-1972) Chinese Church Leader 


INSPIRE THOSE AREOUND ME WITH FAITH  


"God has no more precious gift to a church or an age than a man who lives as an embodiment of his will, and inspires those around him with the faith of what grace can do."  


- Andrew Murray (1794-1866) Scottish Missionary, Writer 


COMMUNION WITH GOD INSPIRES PEACE  


"Ye do well to remember that habitual affectionate communion with God, asking Him for all good which is needed, praising Him for all that is received, and trusting Him for future supplies, prevents anxious cares, inspires peace, calmness and composure, and furnishes a delight surpassing all finite comprehension."  


- James H.  Aughey (1828-1911) Imprisoned American Minister


INSPIRED BY THE HOPE OF HEAVEN  


"The glory of the star, the glory of the sun - we must not lose either in the other. We must not be so full of the hope of heaven that we cannot do our work on the earth; we must not be so lost in the work of the earth that we shall not be inspired by the hope of heaven.  


- Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) American Episcopal Clergyman


OPTIMISM AND THE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION 


"The essence of optimism is that it takes no account of the present, but it is a source of inspiration, of vitality and hope where others have resigned; it enables a man to hold his head high, to claim the future for himself and not to abandon it to his enemy."  


- Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1900-1945) German Christian Executed by Nazis 


Photo Source: denvercatholic.org/gods-harsh-and-dreadful-love/

Words to Think About…

THE BIBLE INSPIRES ME   


"I know the Bible is inspired because it inspires me."  


- D. L. Moody (1837-1899) American Evangelist, Teacher and Preacher


AND INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT


"And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law."


-Luke 2:27


INSPIRED MEN AND WOMEN  


"The Scripture can only be read intelligently by inspired men and women. The value we get from our reading is in direct proportion to the measure in which we are filled with God's Spirit."  


- G. Campbell Morgan (1863-1945) British Evangelist, Preacher, Bible Teacher 


INSPIRED HOLY SCRIPTURE    


"If you do not understand a book by a departed writer you are unable to ask him his meaning, but the Spirit, who inspired Holy Scripture, lives forever, and He delights to open the Word to those who seek His instruction."    


- Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) English Baptist Preacher 


THE INSPIRATION OF HIS PRESENCE 


"We should ever aim at coming into contact with God in the morning, so that hearing His voice we may be made conscious of His presence, and know the inspiration that comes from such a meeting."  


- Duncan Campbell (1898-1972) Scottish Evangelist 


INSPIRED AND PRAYS FOR THEE


"And now send back the man's wife, for he is inspired, and he doth pray for thee, and live thou; and if thou do not send back, know that dying thou dost die, thou, and all that thou hast."


- Genesis 20:7


INSPIRED JUDGEMENTS


"Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth."


- Proverbs 16:10


INSPIRED HIM TO TEACH


"And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan."


- Exodus 35:34


INSPRIRATION OF THE OLD TESTMAMENT    


"Jesus endorsed the inspiration of the Old Testament, not only as "full" or "plenary," but even "literal" in the sense that the very letters of the words were inspired."    


- Edmund Clowney (1917–2005) Theologian, Educator, and Pastor


IN LOVE WE INSPIRED YOU


"But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also."


- 2 Corinthians 8:7


December 25

Dayus Exmakeda – God Coming Into History

"“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” - Isaiah 9:6


There are more than 300 fulfilled Bible passages that Jesus fulfilled in His earthly ministry. The Bible tells us that long before the world began that God had a plan to bring redemption through Christ to all those who would choose to believe and follow Him. 


God knew we would need a Savior. He knew we would need to be set free from sin. And He made a way, by sending His One and Only Son, so that we could receive forgiveness and find new life and hope through the death and resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ. Throughout the Scriptures, weaved through verse after verse in the Old Testament, are prophecies that speak of the Christ who was to come. Here are some of those Bible passages.


CHRIST WOULD BE BORN OF A VIRGIN  


“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” 


 - Isaiah 7:14   


A VIRGIN WILL CONCEIVE AND GIVE BIRTH 


"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel  which means ‘God with us’”   


- Matthew 1:23


CHRIST WOULD BE BORN IN BETHELHEM  


“The Lord says, ‘Bethlehem, you might not be an important town in the nation of Judah. But out of you will come a ruler over Israel for me. His family line goes back to the early years of your nation.  It goes all the way back to days of long ago'”   


- Micah 5:2


AFTER JESUS WAS BORN IN BETHELHEM  


“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem”  


- Matthew 2:10


A STAR SHALL COME FORTH  


“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel, and shall crush through the forehead of Moab, and tear down all the sons of Sheth”  


 - Numbers 24:17


A STAR WOULD POINT THE WAY TO JESUS  


“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.”  


- Matthew 2:1-2


GREAT SORROW SURROUNDING HIS BIRTH  


“A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping. Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more.  


- Jeremiah 31:15


WHEN HEROD REALIZED   


“When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled. ”   


- Matthew 2:16


ALL PEOPLE ON THE EARTH WILL BE BLESSED 


"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you"   


- Genesis 12:3


THE HOLY ONE WOULD BE CALLED THE SON OF GOD 


"The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God."   


- Luke 1:35


HE SHALL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS


"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."


- Matthew 1:21


Photo Source: quotesgram.com/bible-quotes-about-jesus-birth/


Words to Think About…

THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH


"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."


- John 1:14


CRADLED IN A MANGER

“Jesus is the Friend of the poor, the sinful, and the unworthy. You, poor ones, need not fear to come unto Him; for He was born in a stable, and cradled in a manger.” 


- Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) English Baptist Preacher 


MESSIAH WILL END UP IN EGYPT  


"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son."   


- Hosea 11:1


THE BLOOD OF CHRIST  


"How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!."  


- Hebrews 9:14


HE DIED TO SIN ONECE FOR ALL


"For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. ."


- Romans 6:10


HAVING BEEN OFFERED ONCE


"So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him."


Hebrews 9:28


WE HAVE BEEN SANCTIFIED


"By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.."


- Hebrews 10:10


HIS ATONING SACRAFICE FOR OUR SINS


"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."


- 1 John 2:2


FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD


“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."


- John 3:16


THE FREE GIFT OF GOD


"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."


- Romans 6:23


CHRIST DIED FOR US


"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."


- Romans 5:8


WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME


Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."


- John 11:25



December 26

That They May Rest From Their Labors

I WILL GIVE YOU REST  


"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  


- Matthew 11:28


THE POWER OF CHRIST REST UPON ME  


"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  


- 2 Corinthians 12:9


THAT A BLESSING MAY REST ON YOUR HOUSE  


"And the first of all the firstfruits of all kinds, and every offering of all kinds from all your offerings, shall belong to the priests. You shall also give to the priests the first of your dough, that a blessing may rest on your house."  


- Ezekiel 44:30


COME TO ME AND REST  


"To every toiling, heavy-laden sinner, Jesus says, Come to me and rest. But there are many toiling, heavy-laden believers, too. For them this same invitation is meant. Note well the words of Jesus, if you are heavy-laden with your service, and do not mistake it. It is not, Go, labor on, as perhaps you imagine. On the contrary, it is stop, turn back, Come to me and rest. Never, never did Christ send a heavy laden one to work; never, never did He send a hungry one, a weary one, a sick or sorrowing one, away on any service. For such the Bible only says, Come, come, come." 


- Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) Missionary to China 


REST ON THE WORD OF GOD  


"You can believe a whole lot of foolish things, but God doesn't want you to do that. He wants your faith to rest upon the Word of God."  


- J. Vernon McGee (1904-1988) American Bible Teacher 


REST OUR WEARY SOULS  


"It is not necessary to maintain a conversation when we are in the presence of God. We can come into His presence and rest our weary souls in quiet contemplation of Him. Our groanings, which cannot be uttered, rise to Him and tell Him better than words how dependent we are upon Him."  


- Ole Hallesby (1879-1961) Norwegian Lutheran Theologian 


HE CONSIDERS OUR EVERLASING REST  


"We are urgent about the body; He is about the soul. We call for present comforts; He considers our everlasting rest. And therefore when He sends not the very things we ask, He hears us by sending greater than we can ask or think."  


- Richard Cecil (1748–1810) Evangelical Anglican Clergyman


COMPLETE REST IN GOD  


"Affliction brings out graces that cannot be seen in a time of health. It is the treading of the grapes that brings out the sweet juices of the vine; so it is affliction that draws forth submission, weanedness from the world, and complete rest in God. Use afflictions while you have them." 


- Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843) Church of Scotland Minister


GOD RESTS UPON YOU  


"If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."  


- 1 Peter 4:14


NO SOUL CAN BE REALLY AT REST   


"No soul can be really at rest until it has given up all dependence on everything else and has been forced to depend on the Lord alone. As long as our expectation is from other things, nothing but disappointment awaits us."  


- Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911) American Evangelist and Reformer 


REST TIME IS NOT WASTE TIME  


"Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength... It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less."  


- Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) English Baptist Preacher 


GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY   


"So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation."  


- Genesis 2:3


Photo Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lot_(biblical_person)

Words to Think About…

FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS  


"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  


- Matthew 11:29


THE LORD GAVE REST  


"And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest all around."  


- 2 Chronicles 15:15


THE LAND HAD REST    


“So may all your enemies perish, O LORD! But your friends be like the sun as he rises in his might.” And the land had rest for forty years."  


- Judges 5:31


NEITHER REST FOR THE HEART 


"So long as we are occupied with any other object than God Himself, there will be neither rest for the heart nor peace for the mind. But when we receive all that enters our lives as from His hand, then, no matter what may be our circumstances or surroundings--whether in a hovel or prison-dungeon, or at a martyr's stake--we shall be enabled to say, " The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places" (Ps. 16:6). But that is the language of faith, not of sight nor of sense."  


- A. W. Pink (1886-1952) English Bible Teacher 


THEY REST NOT DAY OR NIGHT  


"The joys of heaven are not the joys of passive contemplation, of dreamy remembrance, of perfect repose; but they are described thus: "They rest not day nor night." "His servants serve Him, and see His face."  


- AAlexander MacLaren (1826-1919) President Baptist World Congress


REST IN THIS   


"Rest in this - it is His business to lead, command, impel, send, call or whatever you want to call it. It is your business to obey, follow, move, respond, or what have you."   


- Jim Elliot (1927-1956) American Christian Missionary Killed in Ecuador


SWEET SHALL BE YOUR REST  


"Sweet shall be your rest if your heart does not reproach you."  


- Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471) Christian Theologian


REST AFTER FATIGUE  


"How sweet is rest after fatigue! How sweet will heaven be when our journey is ended." 


- George Whitefield (1714-1770) Church of England Evangelist


UNTIL IT RESTS IN THEE  


"Thou hast created us for Thyself, and our heart is not quiet until it rests in Thee." 


 - St. Augustine (354-430) Theologian and Philosopher



December 27

The Lord God Loves a Cheerful Giver

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7


A POOR MAN SICK IN BED


The Rev. Rowland Hill once visited an intimate friend; and having left his house, a member of his family remarked that Mr. Hill had not a shirt on. "That is very strange," said the mistress of the house; "but the next time he calls, I'll ask him about it."


On his nest visit, the question was asked; and he replied, 


"It's quite correct. I went to see a poor man who was ill in bed, and as he was without a shirt, I gave him mine."


"But would it not have been as well if you had sent him one, on your return home?" inquired the lady.


"Oh, I might have changed my mind," said Mr. Hill; besides, I thought my warm shirt was more fit for him than a cold one."


IS ANYONE CHEEERFUL?  


"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise."  


- James 5:13 


YOUR CONSOLATIONS CHEER MY SOUL    


"When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul."  


- Psalm 94:19


GLAD HEART MAKES CHEERFUL FACE  


"A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed."  


- Proverbs 15:13


CHEERFULNESS IS A FRIEND OF GRACE  


"Cheerfulness is a friend to grace; it puts the heart in tune to praise God, and so honors religion by proclaiming to the world that we serve a good master. Be serious, yet cheerful. Rejoice in the Lord always."  


- Thomas Watson (1620-1686), Puritan Preacher


WALK CHEEFULLY OVER THE WORLD


"Walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone."  


- George Fox (1624-1691) English Quaker, Founder Religious Society of Friends


WALK CHEERFULLY OVER THE WORLD  


"Walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone."  


- George Fox (1624-1691) English Quaker, Founder Religious Society of Friends


ADDRESS YOURSELF CHEEFULLY TO STUDY  


"When you have first learned God, or His will, you can address yourself cheerfully to the study of His works. If you do not see yourselves and all things as living, moving, and having their being in God, you see nothing, whatever you may think you see."   


- Richard Baxter (1615-1691) English Puritan Church Leader


A CHEEFUL SPIRIT  


"A cheerful spirit is one of the most valuable gifts ever bestowed upon humanity by a kind Creator. It is the sweetest and most fragrant flower of the Spirit, that constantly sends out its beauty and fragrance, and blesses everything within its reach. It will sustain the soul in the darkest and most dreary places of this world. It will hold in check the demons of despair, and stifle the power of discouragement and hopelessness. It is the brightest star that ever cast its radiance over the darkened soul, and one that seldom sets in the gloom of morbid fancies and forboding imaginations." 


 - James H.  Aughey (1828-1911) Imprisoned American Minister


WHATSOEVER IS BROUGH UPON THEE TAKE CHEERFULLY


"Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate."


- Ecclesiasticus 2:4


Photo Source: marysrosaries.com/collaboration/index.php?title=File:God_loves_a_cheerful_giver_2_Corinthians_9_7.jpg

Words to Think About…

BE OF GOOD CHEER  


"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."  


- John 16:33


CHEERFUL OF HEART   


"All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast."  


- Proverbs 15:15


THE THREE MONKS


Two monks having come one day to Williamm Rufus, king of England, to buy an abbot's place, outreached each other in the sum they offered, the king said to a third monk, who stood by, "What wilt thou give for the place?"  "Not a penny," answered the monk, "for it is against my conscience,"  

"Then," replied the king, "thou of thee three best deserve it, and instantly gave it to him.


GRACE OF A CHEEFUL HEART  


"Let us seek the grace of a cheerful heart, an even temper, sweetness, gentleness, and brightness of mind, as walking in His light, and by His grace. Let us pray to Him to give us the spirit of ever-abundant, everspringing love, which overpowers and sweeps away the vexations of life by its own richness and strength, and which, above all things, unites us to Him who is the fountain and the centre of all mercy, loving-kindness, and joy." 


 - John Henry Newman (1801-1890) English Theologian and Scholar


GOD BLESS THE GOOD-NATURED  


"God bless the good-natured, for they bless everybody else."  


- Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) American Clergyman and Scholar 


SCATTER THY CHEEFUL BEAMS  


"O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams."  


- St. Augustine (354-430) Theologian and Philosopher


BEAR THE CROSS CHEEFULLY 


 "If thou bear the cross cheerfully, it will bear thee."  


- Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471) Christian Theologian


AN OUNCE OF CHEEFULNESS  


An ounce of cheerfulness is worth a pound of sadness to serve God with."  


- Thomas Fuller (1608-1661) English Churchman, Historian


MIRTH IS GOD'S MEDICINE  


"Mirth is God's medicine. Everybody ought to bathe in it. Grim care, moroseness, anxiety - all this rust of life ought to be scoured off by the oil of mirth. It is better than emery. Every man ought to rub himself with it."  


- Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) American Clergyman and Scholar 

December 28

This Day Thy Soul is Required of Thee

But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" - Luke 12:20


DEATH COMES AND BLOWS THEM INTO ETERNITY


A gentleman wishing to convey, together with a gentle reproof, a useful lesson to his gardener who had neglected to prop a valuable fruit-tree, until it was damaged by a high wind, observed, "You see, gardener, the danger of putting off from day to day the doing of any necessary work; yet in this way foolish men defer their repentance from one day to another, until in some unexpected moment the wind of death comes, and blows them in Eternity.


- The Treasury of Anecdotes Moral and Religious, William P. Nimmo C.1840


THIS VERY NIGHT YOUR LIFE WILL BE DEMANDED  


“And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”‘ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”  


- Luke 12:19-21


IF IT WERE THE LAST HOUR OF MY LIFE  


"Resolved, never to do anything which I would be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life."  


- Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) American Revivalist


IN A MOMENT THEY DIE


“In a moment they die, and at midnight People are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without a hand."


- Job 34:20 


I SHALL BE IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING SOON  


I am still in the land of the dying; I shall be in the land of the living soon. (his last words)  


- John Newton (1725-1790) Slave Trader Captain Turned Christian 


EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD   


"And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  


- Acts 2:21


IMMEDIATLY THE ANGEL OF THE LORD STRUCK HIM


And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died."


- Acts 12:23  


NEED NOT FEAR DEATH


“Live in Christ, and the flesh need not fear death.”


-  John Knox (c. 1510-1572) Scottish Clergyman


THE SAYING OF DYING MEN


"You have been used to take notice of the sayings of dying men. This is mine: that a life spent in the service of God, and communion with Him, is the most comfortable and pleasant life that anyone can live in this world."    


- Matthew Henry (1662-1714) Nonconformist Minister, Writer 


LAST WORDS OF HUDSON TAYLOR


 On his deathbed, British preacher Charles Simeon smiled  brightly and asked the people gathered in his room, "What do you think especially gives me comfort at this time?"    When they all remained silent, he exclaimed, "The creation!     I ask myself, 'Did Jehovah create the world or did I?' He did!     Now if He made the world and all the rolling spheres of the universe, He certainly can take care of me. Into Jesus' hands I can safely commit my spirit!"   


- Hudson Taylor, founder of China Inland Mission, in the closing months of his life said to a friend, "I am so weak. I can't read my Bible. I can't even pray. I can only lie still in God's arms like a little child and trust."    


Our Daily Bread, January 1994


FOR I AM CONVINCED THAT NEITHER DEATH OR LIFE


"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."


- Romans 8:38-39


NOW IS THE ACCEPTABLE TIME  


“At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is 'the acceptable time,' behold, now is “the day of salvation."  


- 2 Corinthians 6:2


 WHOEVER WANTS TO SAVE HIS LIFE
"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."

- Matthew 16:25 


Photo Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lot_(biblical_person)

Words to Think About

REST FOR YOUR SOULS


Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 


- Matthew 11:29 


DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?  


"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 


-John 11:25-26


LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT   


"For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night."  


- 1 Thessalonians 5:2 


SPEND THEIR DAYS IN PROSPERITY


“They spend their days in prosperity, and suddenly they go down to Sheol.."


-Job 21:13


HE WHO WALKS BLAMELESSLY


"He who walks blamelessly will be delivered, But he who is crooked will fall all at once." 


- Proverbs 28:18


I AM GOING INTO ETERNITY


I am going into eternity; and it is sweet to me to think of  eternity; the endlessness of it makes it sweet. But oh! What shall I say  of the future of the wicked! The thought is too dreadful!”


- David Brainard (1718-1747) American Missionary to Native Indians 


HERE IS A TRUST WORTHY SAYING  


"Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him." 


- 2 Timothy 2:11


IF GOD WERE TO RAISE ME UP


“If it were God’s will to raise me up [from  this sickbed], I should like to preach from the text, John 3:16. Praise  be to the Lord.”


- Henry Moorhouse (1840-1880) English Evangelist


I HAVE FOUGHT TH EGOOD FIGHT


“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.”


- -2 Timothy 4:7-8


FOR I AM CONVINCED


"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."


- Romans 8:38-39


WE HAVE A BUILDING FROM GOD  


"For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."  


- 2 Corinthians 5:1




December 29

Great is Thy Faithfulness

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:23 

   

HE WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL      


"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."      


- Hebrews 10:23    


THE ONE WHO CALLS YOU IS FAITHFUL      


"The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."      


- 1 Thessalonians 5:24     


HIS FAITHFULNESS WILL BE YOUR SHIELD      


"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."      


- Psalm 91:4    


LET LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS NEVER LEAVE YOU      


"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.       


- Proverbs 3:3-4    


IN PERFECT FAITHFULNESS YOU HAVE DONE WONDERFUL THINGS      


"Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago."      


- Isaiah 25:1    


HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST     


"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."      


- 1 John 1:9    


TRIALS CAUSE US TO DOUBT GOD'S FAITHFULNESS     


"Trials should not surprise us, or cause us to doubt God's faithfulness. Rather, we should actually be glad for them. God sends trials to strengthen our trust in him so that our faith will not fail. Our trials keep us trusting; they burn away our self confidence and drive us to our Saviour."      


- Edmund Clowney (1917–2005) Theologian, Educator, and Pastor    


GOD IS FAITHFUL      


"God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."      


- 1 Corinthians 1:9    


LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS ALWAYS PROTECT ME      


"Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me."      


- Psalm 40:11    


HE GUARDS THE LIVES OF THE FAITHFUL ONES      


"Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked."      


- Psalm 97:10    


BECAUSE OF HIS FAITHFULNESS      

"Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness."      

- Psalm 115:1  


HE WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL      


"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."      


- Hebrews 10:23     


Photo Source: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Guido_Reni_-_St_Joseph_with_the_Infant_Jesus_-_WGA19304.jpg

Words to Think About…

THE LORD IS FAITHFUL      


"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."      


- 2 Thessalonians 3:3    


HE IS THE FAITHFUL GOD     


"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments."      


- Deuteronomy 7:9    



RIGHTOUS PERSON WILL LIVE BY FAITH      


"See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness."      


- Habakkuk 2:4    


GOD LOOKS FOR FAITHFULNESS      


"This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God's way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness."      


- Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015) Christian Missionary and Writer    


AND GOD IS FAITHFUL      


"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."      


- 1 Corinthians 10:13    


FAITHFUL IN ALL HE DOES      


"The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does."      


- Psalm 145:17    


YOUR FAITHFULNESS WILL PRESERVE ME      


"As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!"      


- Psalm 40:11    


PROTECTS HIS FAITHFUL ONES     


"For He guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones."     


- Proverbs 2:8    



December 30

What Do You Set Your Clock By? – Story of the Curious Watchmaker

“We dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves; but  they that commend themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” – 2nd Corinthians 10:12


There is story about a watchmaker who lived at the turn of the 1900’s that set up his shop in a small village. This small village was unique in the fact that eighty percent of the men were employed at the local mill. After the watchmaker had opened up his little shop, he noticed that every single day since the opening, a gentleman would come by and pause for a moment, take out his pocket watch, adjust it very carefully by the clock in the window, put it back in his pocket, and then go on his way.


This went on for a period of weeks. Finally, out of curiosity, the watchmaker stopped him one morning and said to him, “I’ve noticed for the last of number of weeks now, you’ve come by, adjusted your watch, and gone on your way.” He continued, “Just  out of curiosity, I was just wondering what exactly you do for a living that you pass by my little shop every morning and set your watch to start your day?”


The gentleman  explained that he was the foreman down at the mill, and it was his  responsibility to blow the whistle at lunch time. He went on to explain why it was so important that he have the correct time each day because not only does the whistle signify that it is time for the men to knock off from work for an hour, but that it was amazing how many people rely on this whistle to set their clocks by.


The watchmaker sort of smiled and chuckled to himself and said, “That’s interesting, ever since I’ve been in this village, I’ve been setting my clock according to your whistle.”


I think people tend to do this spiritually also. We look at others and compare  ourselves. We adjust our way of thinking by their way of doing things, and the Bible says that if we do this, we are not wise,“… they that commend themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”


Always be mindful  that others may be setting their clocks by what they see in you life. God made you a unique individual. Always remember that He views you from Eternal perspective and has a unique plan for your life. Do not be conformed to ways of this world that is passing away. Always make good  use of your time and to be mindful of it for you do not know how much  time you have. Psalm 90:12 says, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” This world is racing towards destruction. Do not be conformed to it.  Set your clock to a higher calling in Jesus. the author and finisher of your faith.


WHO CAN ADD A SINGLE HOUR TO HIS LIFE  


"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?" 


- Matthew 6:27


CANNOT BE SATISFIED WITH THE THINGS OF TIME     


"God has set Eternity in our heart, and man's infinite capacity cannot be filled or satisfied with the things of time and sense."  


- F. B. Meyer (1847-1929) Baptist Pastor and Evangelist  


THAT WHICH DOES NOT COME IN YOUR TIME  


"Cast not away your confidence because God defers his performances. That which does not come in your time, will be hastened in his time, which is always the more convenient season. God will work when he pleases, how he pleases, and by what means he pleases. He is not bound to keep our time, but he will perform his word, honour our faith, and reward them that diligently seek him."  


- Matthew Henry (1662-1714) Nonconformist Minister, Writer 


UPON THIS SHORT TIME ETERNITY DEPENDS  


"God hath given to man a short time here upon earth, and yet upon this short time eternity depends."   


- Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) Church of England Cleric


IT IS NOT FOR YOU TO KNOW THE TIMES  


"He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.”  


- Acts 1:7


A TIME FOR EVERY EVENT UNDER HEAVEN  


"There is a season for everything, and a time for every event under heaven:  a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted."  


- Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 


MAKE GOOD IMPROVEMENT OF PRECIOUS TIME  


"Be careful to make a good improvement of precious time."  


- David Brainard (1718-1747) American Missionary to Native Indians 


GOD HAS MADE EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN ITS TIME  


"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end."  


- Ecclesiastes 3:11  


NO ONE KNOWS THE DAY OR HOUR    


“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only."    


- Matthew 24:36


Photo Credit: pinterest.com/realrealtor65/standing-the-test-of-time/

Words to Think About…

THE CREATOR OF TIME  


"Set no time to the Lord the creator of time, for His time is always best."  


- Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661) Scottish Presbyterian Pastor, Theologian


WHAT THEN IS TIME?  


"What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is. If I wish to explain it to him who asks, I do not know."  


- St. Augustine (354-430) Theologian and Philosopher


YOU KNOW THE TIME  


"Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed."  


- Romans 13:11


MY TIMES ARE IN YOUR HAND  


"My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!"  


- Psalm 31:15


ASK WHAT IS TIME?  


"Ask what Time is, it is nothing else but something of eternal duration become finite, measurable and transitory."  


- William Law (1686-1761) Church of England Cleric


AS THE WEIGHTS OF THE CLOCK 


"As the weights of the clock, or the ballast in the vessel, are necessary for their right ordering, so is trouble in the soul-life."  


- F. B. Meyer (1847-1929) Baptist Pastor and Evangelist 


FIND TIME OR FORFEIT BLESSING  


"Closet communion needs time for the revelation of God's presence. It is vain to say, "I have too much work to do to find time." You must find time or forfeit blessing. God knows how to save for you the time you sacredly keep for communion with Him."  


- A.T. Pierson (1837–1911) American Presbyterian Pastor 


USE TIME TO NO GREATER ADVANTAGE   


"You can use your time to no better advantage than to pray whenever you have a moment, either alone, or with others, while at work, at rest, or walking down the street! Anywhere!"  


- Ole Hallesby (1879-1961) Norwegian Lutheran Theologian 


AT THE RIGHT TIME  


"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly."  


- Romans 5:6


TIME MISSPENT IS NOT LIVED, BUT LOST    


"He lives long that lives well; and time misspent is not lived, but lost. God is better than his promise if he takes from him a long lease, and gives him a free hold of a better value."    


- Thomas Fuller (1608-1661) English Churchman, Historian 


WHEN THE TIME COMES TO DIE 


"When the time comes for you to die, you need not be afraid, because death cannot separate you from God's love."  


- Charles Spurgeon



December 31

The Last Promise in the Bible

THAT YOU MAY RECIEVE WHAT IS PROMISED


"For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."    


- Hebrews 10:36


THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST


"So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."


- Matthew 20:16


SALVATION IS ALL GRACE, FROM FIRST TO LAST 


"From the Word of God I gather that damnation is all of man, from top to bottom, and salvation is all of grace, from first to last. He that perishes chooses to perish; but he that is saved is saved because God has chosen to save him."  


- Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) English Baptist Preacher 


CHILDREN, IT IS THE LAST HOUR   


"Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour." 


- 1 John 2:18


IF ANYONE WOULD BE FIRST     


"And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all."  


- Mark 9:35


I WILL RAISE HIM UP ON THE LAST DAY  


"For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”  


- John 6:40


WILL JUDGE HIM ON THE LAST DAY    


"The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day."  


- John 12:48


THE LORD, THE FIRST, AND WITH THE LAST; I AM HE  


"Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he."  


- Isaiah 41:4


THE LAST LINGERING LIGHT OF THE HEART  


"Hope is the last lingering light of the human heart. It shines when every other is put out. Extinguish it, and the gloom of affliction becomes the very blackness of darkness - cheerless and impenetrable."  


- James H.  Aughey (1828-1911) Imprisoned American Minister


MANY WHO ARE FIRST WILL BE LAST   


"But many who are first will be last, and the last first."  


- Matthew 19:30


GOD AS OUR LAST RESOURCE  


"How often we look upon God as our last and feeblest resource! We go to him because we have nowhere else to go. And then we learn that the storms of life have driven us, not upon the rocks, but into the desired haven." 


- George MacDonald (1824-1905 Scottish Christian Minister, Author


RAISE IT UP ON THE LAST DAY   


"And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day."  


- John 6:39


I WILL RAISE HIM UP ON THE LAST DAY  


"For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” 


 - John 6:40


YOUR THRONE IS EVERLASTING  


"Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting." 


- Psalm 93:2  


THE FIRST AND THE LAST  


"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”  


- Revelation 22:13


Photo Source: brendasmessageart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/cropped-photo-of-abr-the-promise.jpg

Words to Think About…

WHEN GOD GIVES A PROMISE      


"When God gives a promise, He always tries our faith. Just as the roots of trees take firmer hold when they are contending with the wind, so faith takes a firmer hold when it struggles with adverse appearances."     


- Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843) Church of Scotland Minister


THE PROMISE OF THE MESSIAH  


"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  


- Isaiah 9:6


THE LAST TRUMPET   


"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed."  


- 1 Corinthians 15:52


IT IS IN THE LAST DAYS  


"Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!"  


- James 5:3


THAT IN THE LAST DAYS 


"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts."  


- 2 Peter 3:3


IN THESE LAST TIMES   


"For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you." 


- 1 Peter 1:20


IT WON'T LAST FOREVER  


"Now is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It won't last forever. We must take it or leave it."  


- C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) Irish Writer and Scholar 


AT THE LAST HE WILL STAND  


"For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth."  


- Job 19:25


HIS DOMINION IS EVERLASTING  


"And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed."  


- Daniel 7:14


TILL THE LAST DAY OF LIFE  


"Prayer that runs its course till the last day of life needs a strong and tranquil soul." 


- Clement of Alexandria (150-215) Christian Theologian and Philosopher 


I AM THE FIRST AND THE LAST    


"Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god."    


- Isaiah 44:6



Continue to January 01-15 Devotionals

How Can I Be Saved?


You’ve probably seen John 3:16 posted somewhere on a sign, written on a freeway overpass, at a concert, at a sporting event, or even read to you as a little child. This verse is a simple one. There are 20 monosyllables (single words) in the verse. The Gospel is meant to be simple for everyone!


Be sure of your Salvation. Right now, and pray this simple prayer with a sincere heart...


“Lord, forgive me for my sins. I confess that I am a sinner. Come into my heart and make me the person you created me to be. I receive your gift of pardon through Jesus dying for me on the cross to save me. – Amen”


 It was once determined in a court of law that a pardon is only a pardon when it is accepted. There is a true story about a man that refused his pardon. A judge ruled that a pardon is only a pardon when it is accepted. When you prayed that prayer and accepted God’s pardon for your sins, you became a new creation in Christ. 


The Bible teaches that you are saved by faith through Jesus. Grow in the Grace that was just given to you, seek God in His word (The Bible) and go out tell somebody!

  • About This Project
  • Is the Bible True?
  • How Can I Be Saved?
  • When You Pray...
  • January Devotionals 01-15
  • January Devotionals 16-31
  • Feb Devotionals 1-15
  • Feb Devotionals 16-29
  • March Devotionals 1-15
  • March Devotionals 16-31
  • April Devotionals 01-15
  • April Devotionals 16-30
  • May Devotionals 1-15
  • May Devotionals 16-31
  • June Devotionals 01-15
  • June Devotionals 16-30
  • July Devotionals 1-15
  • July Devotionals 16-31
  • August Devotionals 1-15
  • August Devotionals 16-31
  • Sep Devotionals 01-15
  • Sep Devotionals 16-30
  • October Devotionals 1-15
  • October Devotionals 16-31
  • Nov Devotionals 01-15
  • Nov Devotionals 16-30
  • Dec Devotionals 1-15
  • Dec Devotionals 16-31
  • Bible Books -66 Synopsis
  • Bible in the News
  • Bible in News - Archive
  • People in the Last Days
  • People in News - Archive
  • Knowledge-News Archive
  • NWO - Antichrist System
  • NWO World - News Archive
  • Wars in the Last Days
  • Wars - Link Archive
  • America
  • America - News Archive
  • World Condition Links
  • World Condition - Archive
  • Pray For the Nations
  • Encouragement Verses A-L
  • Encouragement Verses L-Z
  • Church Signs
  • Health Remedies - Links