Dawn 2 Dusk When the Message Becomes MovementThe believers in Thessalonica didn’t treat the gospel like one more human opinion to weigh and shelve. They received what they heard as God speaking, and that reception changed them from the inside out. Today, the same Word still comes to us—not to inform us only, but to transform us. Welcome the Word as a Living Voice Paul thanked God because the Thessalonians “accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). That’s the crucial fork in the road: am I approaching Scripture as something I get to judge, or as Someone who gets to address me? We don’t merely study the Bible; we come under it. The question isn’t, “Do I agree?” but, “Lord, what are You saying, and will I yield?” This doesn’t mean turning off your mind. The Bereans were commended because they examined the Scriptures daily to see if what they heard was true (Acts 17:11). But notice their posture: open Bible, open heart. When Jesus said, “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27), He described a relationship marked by trust and obedience. Ask God for that kind of listening today. Let It Do Its Work in You God’s Word is not fragile; it’s active. Scripture says it is “living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Sometimes it comforts. Sometimes it confronts. Often it does both in the same passage—lifting your chin with promises while also putting its finger on the very place you’ve been protecting. If the Word is “at work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13), then reading isn’t the finish line; believing is the doorway to its ongoing work. And God doesn’t waste His Word. “So My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please” (Isaiah 55:11). If you feel stuck, don’t assume nothing is happening. Seeds do their most important work underground. Keep showing up—hungry, honest, and expectant—and trust that God is shaping desires, weakening temptations, and strengthening faith in ways you may not yet see. Respond With Obedient Gratitude Gratitude is a natural response when you realize God has spoken. But gratitude doesn’t end at “thank You”; it moves into “I will.” “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). The Word aims at your Monday decisions, your tone of voice, your private thought life, your relationships, your integrity when no one is watching. When obedience feels costly, remember: the God who commands is the God who loves. And obedience is sustained by a Word-filled life, not a once-in-a-while encounter. “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you” (Colossians 3:16). Richly means it gets room—time, attention, meditation, repetition. As you carry it through the day, you’ll find it becoming guidance and courage: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Father, thank You for speaking through Your Word. Give me a listening heart and a willing spirit—help me receive it, believe it, and obey it today. Amen. Evening with A.W. Tozer Our Life Is in ChristCertainly not all of the mystery of the Godhead can be known by man-but just as certainly, all that men can know of God in this life is revealed in Jesus Christ! When the Apostle Paul said with yearning, That I may know Him, he was not speaking of intellectual knowledge. Paul was speaking of the reality of an experience of knowing God personally and consciously, spirit touching spirit and heart touching heart. We know that people spend a lot of time talking about a deeper Christian life-but few seem to want to know and love God for Himself. The precious fact is that God is the deeper life! Jesus Christ Himself is the deeper life, and as I plunge on into the knowledge of the triune God, my heart moves on into the blessedness of His fellowship. This means that there is less of me and more of God-thus my spiritual life deepens and I am strengthened in the knowledge of His will! Music For the Soul Fear Not: Only BelieveJesus hearing it, answered him, Fear not: only believe, and she shall be made whole. - Luke 8:50 This is the word of cheer which sustains a staggering faith. How preposterous this rekindling of hope must have seemed to Jairus when the storm had blown out the last flickering spark! How irrelevant, if it were not cruel, the "Fear not" must have sounded when the last possible blow had fallen. And yet, because of the word in the middle, embedded between the obligation to hope and the prohibition to fear, neither the one nor the other is preposterous. "Only believe."’ That is in the centre; and on the one side, "Fear not!" - a command ridiculous without it; and on the other side, hope! - an injunction impossible apart from faith. Jesus Christ is saying the very same things to us. His fundamental commandment is, "Only believe"; and there effloresce from it the two things, courage that never trembles, and hope that never despairs. " Only believe." Usually He made the outflow of His miraculous power contingent upon the faith either of the sufferer himself or of some others. There was no necessity for the connection. We have instances in His life of miracles wrought without faith, without asking; simply at the bidding of His own irrepressible pity. But the rule in regard to His miracles is, that faith was the condition which drew out the miraculous energy. The connection between our faith and our experience of His supernatural sustaining, cleansing, gladdening, enlightening power is closer than that. For, without our trust in Him, He can do no mighty works upon us; and there must be confidence on our part before there is in our experience the reception into our lives of His highest blessings; just because they are greater and deeper, and belong to a more inward sphere than these outward and inferior miracles of bodily healing. Therefore the connection between our faith and His gifts to us is inevitable and constant, and the commandment, "Only believe," assumes a more imperative stringency in regard to our spiritual experience, than it ever did in regard to those who felt the power of His miracle-working hand. So it stands for us as the one central appeal and exhortation which Christ, by His life, by the record of His love, by His Cross and Passion, by His dealings and pleadings with us, through His Spirit, and His providence to-day, is making to us all. "Only believe" - the one act that vitally knits the soul to Christ, and makes it capable of receiving unto itself the fulness of His loftiest blessings. Spurgeon: Morning and Evening Matthew 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master. No one will dispute this statement, for it would be unseemly for the servant to be exalted above his Master. When our Lord was on earth, what was the treatment he received? Were his claims acknowledged, his instructions followed, his perfections worshipped, by those whom he came to bless? No; "He was despised and rejected of men." Outside the camp was his place: cross-bearing was his occupation. Did the world yield him solace and rest? "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." This inhospitable country afforded him no shelter: it cast him out and crucified him. Such--if you are a follower of Jesus, and maintain a consistent, Christ-like walk and conversation--you must expect to be the lot of that part of your spiritual life which, in its outward development, comes under the observation of men. They will treat it as they treated the Saviour--they will despise it. Dream not that worldlings will admire you, or that the more holy and the more Christ-like you are, the more peaceably people will act towards you. They prized not the polished gem, how should they value the jewel in the rough? "If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?" If we were more like Christ, we should be more hated by his enemies. It were a sad dishonor to a child of God to be the world's favorite. It is a very ill omen to hear a wicked world clap its hands and shout "Well done" to the Christian man. He may begin to look to his character, and wonder whether he has not been doing wrong, when the unrighteous give him their approbation. Let us be true to our Master, and have no friendship with a blind and base world which scorns and rejects him. Far be it from us to seek a crown of honor where our Lord found a coronet of thorn. Spurgeon: Faith’s Checkbook Walk Without StumblingIf the LORD will not suffer it, neither men nor devils can do it. How greatly would they rejoice if they could give us a disgraceful fall, drive us from our position, and bury us out of memory! They could do this to their heart’s content were it not for one hindrance, and only one: the LORD will not suffer it; and if He does not suffer it, we shall not suffer it. The way of life is like traveling among the Alps. Along the mountain path one is constantly exposed to the slipping of the foot. Where the way is high the head is apt to swim, and then the feet soon slide; there are spots which are smooth as glass and others that are rough with loose stones, and in either of these a fall is hard to avoid. He who throughout life is enabled to keep himself upright and to walk without stumbling has the best of reasons for gratitude. What with pitfalls and snares, weak knees, weary feet, and subtle enemies, no child of God would stand fast for an hour were it not for the faithful love which will not suffer his foot to be moved. Amidst a thousand snares I stand Upheld and guarded by thy hand; That hand unseen shall hold me still, And lead me to thy holy hill. The Believer’s Daily Remembrancer I Say Unto All, WatchThe hour of death is uncertain, and the second coming of Jesus is equally so; therefore we are commanded to be always ready, and to be on the WATCH. His coming is the grand object of our hope, and should be our daily desire and prayer. It will be awfully grand. We are deeply interested in it. It is certain, necessary, and will be sudden. We know not the day, month, or year. God has purposely concealed it, in wisdom, in mercy, and for our good. He commands us to awake, and keep awake. To be at our post, and employed in our calling. In order to our watching we must be daily believing Jesus will come; thinking and praying to be found ready. We should watch the signs of the times; the workings of our own hearts; and over our daily conduct. We should walk as we wish death or Jesus to find us; and transact every business as though Jesus was at the door. Would you, beloved, wish to be found idle--contentious--at enmity--or murmuring--or indulging in any sin? If not, watch against these things; put off the old man, and put on the new. Behold, the awful day comes on, When Jesus on His righteous throne Shall in the clouds appear: With solemn pomp shall bow the sky And in the twinkling of an eye, Arraign us at His bar. Bible League: Living His Word Only the living can praise you as I do today. Each generation tells of your faithfulness to the next.— Isaiah 38:19 NLT Our scriptural setting finds King Hezekiah sick and facing imminent death. Helpless and depressed, he prayed to God. In answer to that prayer, God promised to extend his life another 15 years and to use him to lead Judah through a season of conflict with Assyria. King Hezekiah understood that his sickness had been ordained by God for his faith to be strengthened, as it would be needed in the years ahead. His response to this miracle of God was to sing out praise. He was alive, and he promised to praise God not only privately before his family and children, but also corporately in the temple. "The living, only the living" is a statement of truth about relationship with God. The living can praise a god, but only one who is alive not only physically, but spiritually, can praise the true God in spirit and truth (John 4:23—24). For the believer today, to praise God in spirit and truth is to be in Christ. One's righteous standing and relationship with God is through Jesus Christ, from which grace is obtained and mercy is experienced. As I am a sinner today, unworthy of God's grace and mercy, I am yet saved and alive in Christ. So, I will thank Him and praise Him all my days before whoever will hear in the public square and in the privacy of my home. At this time in Hezekiah's life, it is generally agreed that he had no children but knew the value of parents' influence. He declares that fathers are to share their faith with their children and to let them know of the faithfulness of God's promises which are for every generation. Beloved in Christ, this day be sure to take the time to sincerely thank and praise our Lord God. He is your very breath and life as you hold on to the confession of your faith without wavering, for your God who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23). And be sure to tell someone about it. By Pastor David Massie, Bible League International staff, California U.S. Daily Light on the Daily Path Hosea 14:1,2 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity. • Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity And receive us graciously, That we may present the fruit of our lips.James 1:13-17 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. • But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. • Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. • Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. • Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD. Lamentations 3:26 It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the LORD. Luke 18:7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? Psalm 62:1,5 For the choir director; according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. • My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.Insight Thankful people can worship wholeheartedly. Gratitude opens our hearts to God's peace and enables us to put on love. Discontented people constantly calculate what's wrong with their lot in life. Challenge To increase your thankfulness, take an inventory of all you have (including your relationships, memories, abilities, and family, as well as material possessions). Use the inventory for prayers of gratitude. On Sunday, before worship, quit rushing around; instead, take time to reflect on reasons for thanks. Declare Sunday as your “thanks, faith, and hope” day. Celebrate God's goodness to you, and ask in prayer for all your needs for the week ahead. Devotional Hours Within the Bible Jesus Appears to JohnJesus appears here to John in his banishment and reveals to him many things which John was to write and send to the churches. The writer identifies himself with the Christians to whom he sends the messages, “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” It is remarkable that in all the Gospel of John, the writer’s name is not once mentioned. He hides himself away and exalts and honors only the one Name. Here, however, he writes in his own name. The reason for this difference may be that now John is speaking as the prophet of Christ and delivering the messages which have been entrusted to him. It was proper, therefore, that he should declare who he was, that the witness might be received with the more confidence by his friends. The words “brother” and “companion” show John’s love for his fellow Christians. He was one of them. He was their companion in the tribulation of persecution this drew him and them close together. The phrase “patient endurance” has in it the thought of suffering which is endured sweetly and victoriously. John refers to his own sufferings, not to plead for pity or sympathy for himself but to honor Christ. It was “for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus” that he had been banished to the Isle of Patmos. It is an honor to be a sufferer in a worthy cause. Paul spoke of the scars and other traces of trials endured as a Christian, as “marks of Jesus.” In the narrative of his vision, John begins by saying that he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day.” Here we have one of the proofs that very early, the first believers began to observe the first day of the week, the day of Christ’s resurrection, rather than the Jewish Sabbath. Though far away from the worshiping assemblies of his fellow Christians, John was in the Spirit on that sacred day. We should all seek to be in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. During the week our hands are full of work that must be done. “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it!” John 17:15-16. Unless we are watchful, the world is apt then to get into our heart and we are apt to become secularized in spirit, made worldly-minded, losing interest in spiritual realities. The trouble is not that we are in the world but that the world too often gets into us! It is a proper enough thing for a ship to be in the sea but when the sea gets into the ship, there is an end to sailing. Christ wants us to be in the world but He does not want the world to get into us! On the Lord’s Day, therefore, we should run our bark just as completely as possible out of the world’s troubled waters into the peaceful bay of spiritual rest and enjoyment. A well-spent Lord’s day, will keep up the spiritual tone of the life, amid the most intense pressure of week-day care. The revelation of John came in a VISION. He saw a cluster of lamps. “I saw seven golden candlesticks.” Christian churches should be like candlesticks. A candle stick itself gives no light but it holds the candle from which the light pours forth. Christ Himself is the light but the light can shine in this world only in the lives of His followers. Every Christian should be a light shining before men. If we live worthily we make the world a little brighter. If we live carelessly or inconsistently, we disappoint Christ. We must notice that the light which shines in these churches all comes from Christ, who is “the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.” We can only shine by letting Christ’s light pour through us. John describes also the vision of Christ as He appeared that day in the midst of the golden candlesticks. “His head and his hair were white as white wool,. .. his eyes were as a flame of fire!” The words describe the glorified Christ. When He was on the earth, there was no brightness in His face as men saw Him. Once only, when He was transfigured, did the glory appear for a short time. Now, however, in heaven, all the brightness shines out unrestricted. The vision of John, gives us a glimpse of Christ as we shall see Him when He comes with clouds ! One part of this vision of Christ represented His power. “He had in his right hand seven stars .” The seven stars represent the ministers of Christ on the earth. “The seven stars are the messengers of the seven churches.” As Christ held the stars in His hand, so He keeps in His hand the ministers who on the earth witness for Him and serve Him. He keeps them in His care, under His protection. Another thing in this vision, suggests the power of the living Word of Christ. “Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword!” The picture seems strange at first a sword proceeding out of Christ’s mouth. The teaching is, that Christ’s weapon in the conquest of the world is His Word, “the sword of the Spirit.” He sets up no kingdoms like the kingdom of this world, with pomp and pageant, with armies and navies. He rules men’s lives, and the sword He wields is His Word. The sword is sharp and two-edged. It cuts deep. It reveals sin and all lust in the heart. We should learn to use the Word of God with confidence in all our conflicts with sin, and in all our efforts to advance Christ’s kingdom. The effect of this vision upon John was overwhelming. He fell at the feet of Christ as a dead man! With infinite gentleness, Jesus came then and touched him with His right hand, bidding him “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever!” Here we see Jesus a way beyond death, and His life has not been harmed by dying. None of His glory was quenched by death’s floods. He still lives and has all the grace, gentleness and love that He had before. Neither does death injure our friends who die in Christ. It robs the believer of no beauty. Indeed, in this world, life at the best is only like an opening bud; in dying, the bud opens into the full-blown rose! Not only is Christ Himself beyond death and its power but He is the “Living one!” That is, the only one who really lives, having life in Himself. He is the great fountain and source of all life. Besides, He has power over all the realm of death. “I have the keys of death and of Hades.” Keys are the symbols of authority. Christ can open the doors of earth’s prison-houses when He will and bring out His people who are under death’s power! He Himself lay in the grave and then arose and came forth. In like manner, in His own time He will call up all who sleep in Him. “If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also who are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” Another thought suggested by Christ with the keys of death in His hand is, that He is the Guide of His people now in this lonely walk through the valley of death. He knows the way by experience, and thus is prepared to conduct us over it. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingLamentations 1, 2 Lamentations 1 -- How lonely lies Zion, that was once full of people! NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Lamentations 2 -- How the Lord has covered the daughter of Zion with the cloud of his anger! NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Hebrews 7 Hebrews 7 -- Jesus' Priesthood Like Melchizedek's NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. |
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