Bible League: Living His Word ... and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.— Colossians 1:20 NKJV As I ponder and pray this morning about all that's going on in the world and the stresses of terrorism, war, division, spiritual attacks corporately and personally, I can honestly say with confidence "It is well with my soul," because I have hope. I have hope, because I know I have victory, and I know I have victory, because of the cross of Jesus Christ. "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14). Charles Spurgeon once said, "There are a thousand enemies ahead of you, but if you look back, there are ten-thousand enemies behind you." The answer to our problems in the world and in our own lives lie not in man or woman, but in Jesus Christ. "He came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). Today, like never before, to the world and natural person, the cross is an offence. But to the believer, the cross is to be the thing above all things in which we glory. The cross is our only hope for today. Christ died for me. I must live for Him. He is the way, the truth, and my life (John 14:6). In Christ and only Christ I am in harmony with the divine attributes of God's love and holiness, mercy and grace, truth and righteousness, and ultimately peace—peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). And as Christ was crucified for me, He was also crucified to the world with Himself and us. The world and all that is opposed to God will be judged, but it is the cross and the cross alone that saves us from judgment. For He is my hope and my peace (Ephesians 2:14). In whatever state you find yourself today, whatever mood, whatever feeling, whatever trial, whatever condition—the Cross is the answer my friend. The cross is our hope. By Pastor David Massie, Bible League International staff, California U.S. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingGenesis 49, 50 Genesis 49 -- Jacob's Blessing to His Sons; Jacob's Death NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Genesis 50 -- Burial of Jacob; Death of Joseph NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Matthew 15:1-20 Matthew 15 -- Clean and Unclean; Jesus Heals the Canaanite Woman's Daughter, Feeds Four Thousand NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion But be sure to fear the LORD and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.Insight Samuel reminded the people to take time to consider what great things God had done for them. Taking time for reflection allows us to focus our attention upon God's goodness and strengthens our faith. Sometimes we are so progress- and future-oriented that we fail to take time to recall all that God has already done. Challenge Remember what God has done for you so that you may continue your life accompanied with gratitude. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved.Then Moses sang at the Red Sea, it was his joy to know that all Israel were safe. Not a drop of spray fell from that solid wall until the last of God's Israel had safely planted his foot on the other side the flood. That done, immediately the floods dissolved into their proper place again, but not till then. Part of that song was, "Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed." In the last time, when the elect shall sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and of the Lamb, it shall be the boast of Jesus, "Of all whom thou hast given me, I have lost none." In heaven there shall not be a vacant throne. "For all the chosen race Shall meet around the throne, Shall bless the conduct of his grace, And make his glories known." As many as God hath chosen, as many as Christ hath redeemed, as many as the Spirit hath called, as many as believe in Jesus, shall safely cross the dividing sea. We are not all safely landed yet: "Part of the host have crossed the flood, And part are crossing now." The vanguard of the army has already reached the shore. We are marching through the depths; we are at this day following hard after our Leader into the heart of the sea. Let us be of good cheer: the rear-guard shall soon be where the vanguard already is; the last of the chosen ones shall soon have crossed the sea, and then shall be heard the song of triumph, when all are secure. But oh! if one were absent--oh! if one of his chosen family should be cast away--it would make an everlasting discord in the song of the redeemed, and cut the strings of the harps of paradise, so that music could never be extorted from them. Daily Light on the Daily Path John 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.Malachi 3:2,3 "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. • "He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness. Romans 5:3-5 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; • and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; • and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Hebrews 12:7,8,11,12 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? • But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. • All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. • Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. 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