11 Jan Jan 11th | Morning Devotional
“These have no root.”
Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.
—Luke 8:13 [NIV]
My soul, examine thyself this morning by the light of this text. Thou hast received the word with joy; thy feelings have been stirred and a lively impression has been made; but, remember, that to receive the word in the ear is one thing, and to receive Jesus into thy very soul is quite another; superficial feeling is often joined to inward hardness of heart, and a lively impression of the word is not always a lasting one. In the parable, the seed in one case fell upon ground having a rocky bottom, covered over with a thin layer of earth; when the seed began to take root, its downward growth was hindered by the hard stone and therefore it spent its strength in pushing its green shoot aloft as high as it could, but having no inward moisture derived from root nourishment, it withered away. Is this my case? Have I been making a fair show in the flesh without having a corresponding inner life? Good growth takes place upwards and downwards at the same time. Am I rooted in sincere fidelity and love to Jesus? If my heart remains unsoftened and unfertilized by grace, the good seed may germinate for a season, but it must ultimately wither, for it cannot flourish on a rocky, unbroken, unsanctified heart. Let me dread a godliness as rapid in growth and as wanting in endurance as Jonah’s gourd; let me count the cost of being a follower of Jesus, above all let me feel the energy of his Holy Spirit, and then I shall possess an abiding and enduring seed in my soul. If my mind remains as obdurate as it was by nature, the sun of trial will scorch, and my hard heart will help to cast the heat the more terribly upon the ill-covered seed, and my religion will soon die, and my despair will be terrible; therefore, O heavenly Sower, plough me first, and then cast the truth into me, and let me yield thee a bounteous harvest.
Dec 31st | Morning Devotional
“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.” On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let… Continue Reading Dec 31st | Morning Devotional...
31 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 3 LikesDec 31st | Evening Devotional
“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved.” —Jeremiah 8:20 [NIV] Not saved! Dear reader, is this your mournful plight? Warned of the judgment to… Continue Reading Dec 31st | Evening Devotional...
31 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 30th | Morning Devotional
“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.” The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. —Ecclesiastes 7:8 [NIV] Look at David’s Lord and Master; see his beginning. He was despised and… Continue Reading Dec 30th | Morning Devotional...
30 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 30th | Evening Devotional
“Knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end?” Abner called out to Joab, “Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their fellow Israelites?”… Continue Reading Dec 30th | Evening Devotional...
30 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 29th | Morning Devotional
“Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” —1 Samuel 7:12 [NIV] The word “hitherto” seems like a hand pointing… Continue Reading Dec 29th | Morning Devotional...
29 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 29th | Evening Devotional
“What think ye of Christ?” “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. —Matthew 22:42 [NIV] The great test of your soul’s health is, What think you of Christ? Is he to you “fairer… Continue Reading Dec 29th | Evening Devotional...
29 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 28th | Morning Devotional
“The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God.” I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I… Continue Reading Dec 28th | Morning Devotional...
28 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 28th | Evening Devotional
“I came not to send peace on earth, but a sword.” Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. —Matthew 10:34 [NIV] The Christian will be sure to… Continue Reading Dec 28th | Evening Devotional...
28 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 27th | Morning Devotional
“Can the rush grow up without mire?” Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water? —Job 8:11 [NIV] The rush is spongy and hollow, and even so is a hypocrite; there is no substance or stability in… Continue Reading Dec 27th | Morning Devotional...
27 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 27th | Evening Devotional
“And the LORD shall guide thee continually.” The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. —Isaiah 58:11 [NIV]… Continue Reading Dec 27th | Evening Devotional...
27 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 Like