First Love Devotions

Copyright © 2017 Dr. T.E. Grainger.

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Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-9736-0500-3 (sc)

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2017914866

WestBow Press rev. date: 07/10/2018

First Love Devotions

Dr. T.E. Grainger

Contents

Foreword

Appendix

January

1. Knowing Jesus (John 4:10)

2. Cape Coast Castle (John 8: 36)

3. Canopy Walk (John 3:16)

4. Temple of Diana (Matthew 16:13)

5. Simon Peter (Luke 22:50)

6. The Lord’s Business (1 Samuel 21:8)

7. God’s Thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9)

8. Lot’s Wife (Luke 17:32)

9. The Meek Spirit (1 Peter 3:3-4)

10. A Merry Heart (Proverbs 17:22)

11. Reason Together (Isaiah 1:18)

12. Do With Thy Might (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

13. Sufficient (Matthew 6:34)

14. Filled With the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-19)

15. Search the Scriptures (John 5:39)

16. Compassion (Matthew 9:36)

17. Be Still (Psalm 46:10)

18. New Mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23)

19. Come Unto Me (Matthew 11:28-30)

20. Feasting (Psalm 23:5)

21. Rest (Psalm 3:5)

22. Intercession (Galatian 6:1)

23. The Standard Holds (Isaiah 59:19)

24. Look Unto Jesus (Matthew 6:22-23)

25. War (James 4:1)

26. Be Not Weary (Galatians 6:9)

27. Prayer and Fasting (Matthew 17:21)

28. River of Gladness (Psalm 46:4)

29. The Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45-46)

30. Great and Wonderful Things (Jeremiah 33:3)

31. Songs in the Night (Job 35:10)

February

1. Overcoming Faith (1 John 5:4)

2. Every Good Gift (James 1:16-17)

3. Counsel (Acts 5:38)

4. Lack of Wisdom (James 1:5)

5. Wrath (Ephesians 4:26)

6. God’s Hands (Psalm 31:15)

7. Life Abundant (John 10:10)

8. The Mind of Jesus (Philippians 2:5)

9. Running With Horses (Jeremiah 12:5)

10. Wings of Eagles (Isaiah 40:31)

11. Word Not Void (Isaiah 55:10-11)

12. A New Creation (11 Corinthians 5:17)

13. How Firm a Foundation (11 Timothy 2:19)

14. Love in Work Clothes (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

15. In Deep Waters (Psalms 107:23)

16. The Great Physician (1 Peter 2:24)

17. Landmarks (Proverbs 22:28)

18. Landmarks Two (Proverbs 22:28)

19. Gold and Honey (Psalm 19:10)

20. A Life of Faith (Habakkuk 2:4)

21. Power of the Spirit (Zechariah 4:6)

22. What Does God Require? (Micah 6:8)

23. Needed Preparation (Amos 4:12)

24. Acceptable Words (Hosea 14:2)

25. Wasted Years Restored (Joel 2:25)

26. Benefits Remembered (Psalm 103:2ff)

27. Heavenly Places (Ephesians 2:6)

28. Blessed by Giving (Malachi 3:10)

29. The God of the Mountains (1 Kings 20:23)

March

1. Vision (Proverbs 29:18)

2. Heart Wisdom (Psalm 90:12)

3. Can We Trust God? (Proverbs 3:5-6)

4. The God Made Day (Proverbs 3:5-6)

5. Miracle of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 17:20)

6. Delayed Blessing (Isaiah 30:18)

7. World Shaking Faith (Acts 4:31)

8. River of Peace (Isaiah 48:18)

9. Blessed (Psalm 1:1)

10. God’s Jewels (Malachi 3:17)

11. Heart Preparation (Ezra 7:10)

12. Spiritual Strength (Joshua 1:9)

13. Temple Building (Zechariah 4:7)

14. Gladness in Worship (Psalm 122:1)

15. Streams of Gladness (Psalm 46:4)

16. The Unfading Word (Isaiah 40:8)

17. I Sat Where They Sat (Ezekiel 3:15)

18. What Sound Do We Hear? (Exodus 32:18)

19. The Lord’s Song (Psalm 137:4)

20. Come Out of Babylon (Revelation 18:4)

21. The Tears of Jesus (John 11:35)

22. A Reasonable Sacrifice (Romans 12:1)

23. The Reward of the Willing (Psalm 110:3)

24. Iron Shoes (Deuteronomy 33:25)

25. The God Who Sees (Genesis 16:13)

26. In Times Like These (Esther 4:14)

27. The Lord High and Lifted Up (Isaiah 6:1)

28. God is in This Place (Genesis 28:16)

29. The Word Became Flesh (John 1:14)

30. A Know So Faith (11 Timothy 1:12)

31. Home Building (Proverbs 24:3-4)

April

1. It Is Finished (John 19:30)

2. Casting Lots (Matthew 27:35)

3. The Word of God Not Bound (11 Timothy 2:8-9)

4. Lovest Thou Me (John 21:15)

5. The Throne of Mercy (Hebrews 4:16)

6. In the Spirit (Revelation 1:9-10)

7. Delight in the Lord (Psalm 37:4)

8. My Redeemer Lives (Job 19:25)

9. Study Approved by God (11 Timothy 2:15)

10. The Heavens Declare (Psalm 19:1)

11. Resurrection Life (Psalm 16:11)

12. Through a Glass Darkly (1 Corinthians 13:12)

13. Walk in This Way (Isaiah 30:21)

14. Two Opinions (1 Kings 18:21)

15. Unquenchable Love (Song of Solomon 8:7)

16. Saved by Many or Few (1 Samuel 14:6)

17. Like a Full Shock of Corn (Job 5:26-27)

18. Sirs, We Would See Jesus (John 12:24)

19. Trumpets (1 Corinthians 14:8)

20. Mountains (Amos 4:13)

21. Clouds (Job 37:14-15)

22. True Beauty (Psalm 90:17)

23. Benefits of Tribulation (Acts 14:22)

24. The Ultimate Appointment (Hebrews 9:27)

25. Refuge (Psalm 46:1)

26. Complete Salvation (Acts 16:30)

27. Salvation Begun (Philippians 1:6)

28. The Hammer and the Fire (Jeremiah 23:29)

29. The God Given Dream (Genesis 37:19)

30. Conquerors (Romans 8:37)

May

1. Open Wide (Psalm 81:10)

2. Heart Thirst (Psalm 42:1)

3. Flee as a Bird (Psalm 11:1)

4. Shipwreck (1 Timothy 1:19)

5. Mothers (Proverbs 31:10)

6. Uttermost Faith (Luke 18:8)

7. Preeminence (Colossians 1:18)

8. The Secret of the Lord (Psalm 25:14)

9. The Plumb Line (Amos 7:8)

10. Lead Me to the Rock (Psalm 61:2)

11. House of Prayer (Matthew 21:13)

12. A Mother’s Weapon (Judges 5:24-26)

13. Is Any Sick? (James 5:13-14)

14. The Latter Rain (Zechariah 10:1)

15. The Jericho Road (Luke19:1)

16. Revival Needed (Psalm 85:6)

17. Jericho Road Two (Mark 10:46)

18. The Wall Between (Ephesians 2:14)

19. Heart Thoughts (Proverbs 23:7)

20. The Fear of Evil (Psalm 23:4)

21. Tent Pitched Toward Sodom (Genesis 13:12)

22. Seeing Jesus (John 12:20)

23. Blessed Indeed (1 Chronicles 4:10)

24. Bed Too Short (Isaiah 28:20)

25. Bands of Love (Hosea 11:4)

26. Proof Marks (Galatians 6:17)

27. Blotted Out (Revelation 3:5)

28. The Servant Heart (Mark 10:45)

29. Sowing and Reaping (Galatians 6:7)

30. Earthen Vessels (11 Corinthians 4:7)

31. A Pot of Golden Promises (Genesis 9:13)

June

1. Prison Garments (Jeremiah 52:33)

2. Exceeding Abundant Love (Ephesians 3:20)

3. Following Jesus (John 21:19)

4. A Father’s Gift (Luke 11:11-12)

5. Fathers (Joshua 24:15)

6. Keeping Back (Acts 5:1-2)

7. Desert Garden (Isaiah 51:3)

8. Crown (Revelation 3:11)

9. Addicted to Service (1 Corinthians 16:15)

10. What Will You Have Me Do? (Acts 9:6)

11. Jesus in the House (Mark 2:1)

12. The Father’s Presence (Exodus 33:15)

13. A Word from God (Jeremiah 37:17)

14. Spread Before the Lord (Isaiah 37:14)

15. Vessel of Visions (Acts 10:1)

16. Shelf Life (Amos 8: 1-2)

17. The Dove’s Message (Genesis 8:10-11)

18. Thoughts from Machu Picchu (Genesis 11:4)

19. A Day With Jesus (John 1:37-39)

20. The Power of Focus (Philippians 3:13-14)

21. Children in the Market Place (Matthew 11:16-17)

22. Shining Lights (Matthew 5:16)

23. Love Cover (1 Peter 4:8)

24. Breath of Fresh Power (Psalm 33:6)

25. Our Entrance (Psalm 100:4)

26. Understanding the Times (1 Chronicles 12:32)

27. One Blood (Acts 17:26)

28. The Invisible Witness (Romans 1:20)

29. Idol Vision (Psalm 135:15-16)

30. The War Within (Romans 7:23)

July

1. Boundaries (Job 38:11)

2. Millennial Bumper Stickers (Zechariah 14:20)

3. As He Is, So Are We (1 John 4:17)

4. God Blessed America (Psalm 33:12)

5. Acceptable Heart Meditations (Psalm 19:14)

6. Repent (Matthew 3:1-2)

7. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)

8. The Perfect Storm (Matthew 8:24-25)

9. The New Birth (John 3:7)

10. Blessed Belief (John 20:29)

11. In Pursuit of Peace (Psalm 34:14)

12. Much People (Acts 18:9-10)

13. Putting Away Childish Things (1 Corinthians 13:11)

14. Sounding the Depths (Acts 27:27)

15. The Way of Life (Matthew 7:13-14)

16. A Wiser Than Solomon (Luke 11:31)

17. Spiritual Hoarders (Proverbs 11:24)

18. What I Have, I Give (Acts 3:6)

19. Needle Work (Acts 9:39)

20. Rejoice Evermore (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

21. Jesus at the Door (Revelation 3:20)

22. You Are Not Your Own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

23. Prayer for Enlightenment (Ephesians 1:15-18)

24. Unshakable (Hebrews 12:26-27)

25. The Master Calls (John 11:28)

26. Heart Purpose (Daniel 1:8)

27. Trembling (Acts 24:24-25)

28. The Ladder of Prayer (Genesis 28:12)

29. Whited Sepulchers (Matthew 23: 27)

30. How Escape (Hebrews 2:1-3)

31. Eternal Home Building (1 Corinthians 3:10)

August

1. Blessed Be the Name (Job 1:20-21)

2. Almost Persuaded (Acts 26:27-28)

3. When the Tower Falls (Luke 13:4-5)

4. What Manner Persons (11 Peter 3:11)

5. A Field of Treasure (Matthew 13:44)

6. Remember Thy Creator (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

7. Lord of the Treasury (Mark 12:41-42)

8. Why Cumber the Ground (Luke 13:6-7)

9. Cheerful Giving (11 Corinthians 9:7)

10. Healing Wings (Malachi 4:2-3)

11. Your Adversary (1 Peter 5:8-9)

12. The Price of Redemption (1 Peter 1:18-20)

13. Tempted (James 1:13-15)

14. Soul Cleansing (Psalm 119:9)

15. The Death of the Righteous (Numbers 23:10)

16. Seed Time and Harvest (Genesis 8:22)

17. Jesus Walking on Earth (Job 1:6-7)

18. The Lord Gave-The Lord Hath Taken Away (Job 1:20-21)

19. Precept Upon Precept (Isaiah 28:9-10)

20. The Prayer Closet (Matthew 6:6)

21. Contend for the Faith (Jude 3)

22. Though He Slay Me (Job 13:15)

23. Heart Forgiveness (Matthew 18:35)

24. Seek First the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33)

25. Have Faith (Mark 11:22)

26. Kept from Falling (Jude 24)

27. Stand in the Gap (Ezekiel 22:30)

28. Heart Building (1 Kings 8:17-18)

29. Seeking Great Things (Jeremiah 45:5)

30. Choose God (Joshua 24:15)

31. Cleansing the Temple (Matthew 21:12-13)

September

1. Man Alone (Genesis 2:18)

2. Written That You May Know (1 John 5:13)

3. I Will Be As Dew (Hosea 14:5)

4. Bring Me up Samuel (1 Samuel 28:11)

5. Finding the Book of the Law (11 Kings 22:8)

6. Endurance (Matthew 24:12-13)

7. Endurance, Part Two (Matthew 24: 12-13)

8. Blessed Correction (Job 5:18)

9. The Unknown God (Acts 17:22-23)

10. Turning the World Upside Down (Acts 17:6)

11. Who Is My Neighbor? (Luke 10:29)

12. Pilgrim Mind (Hebrews 11:8-10)

13. Why Are You Fearful (Matthew 8:23-26)

14. Abounding Grace (Romans 5:20)

15. Wells of Salvation (Isaiah 12:3)

16. They Need Not Depart (Matthew 14:15-16)

17. Fire in My Bones (Jeremiah 20:9-10)

18. The Way the Truth and the Life (John 14:4-6)

19. Childlike Faith (Matthew 18:3)

20. Sufficient Grace (11 Corinthians 2:16)

21. A Faithful Saying (1 Timothy 1:15)

22. A Handful of Meal (1 Kings 17:15-16)

23. At the Foot of Mt Moriah (Genesis 22:5)

24. Samson’s Foxes (Judges 15:4-5)

25. One Thing You Lack (Mark 10:21)

26. The Song of the Lord (11 Chronicles 29:27)

27. Behind the Veil (Matthew 27:50-51)

28. Perfect Love Casts Out Fear (1 John 4:18)

29. Steps Ordered (Psalm 37:23)

30. Angels Unawares (Hebrews 13:2)

October

1. The Ships That Went Not (1 Kings 22:48)

2. What the Stones Cry (Luke 19:39-40)

3. Leviathan (Job 41:1)

4. Beautiful Feet (Romans 10:15)

5. Stand (Ephesians 6:13-14)

6. Walking Through the Vision (Genesis 13:17)

7. Loving This Present World (11 Timothy 4:9-11)

8. The Outward and Inward Man (11 Corinthians 4:16)

9. Kiss the Son (Psalm 2:12)

10. The Emmaus Road (Luke 24:13-14)

11. Jesus Christ the Same (Hebrews 13:8)

12. The Guide (John 16:7)

13. A Nest in the Altars (Psalm 84:1-3)

14. Apples of Gold (Proverbs 25:11)

15. Overcoming Evil With Good (Romans 12:20-21)

16. The Wings of Promise (Psalm 91:4)

17. The Hymn of Mercy’s Garment (Luke 8:43-44)

18. How Are the Mighty Fallen (11 Samuel 1:19)

19. A Goodly Heritage (Psalm 16:5-6)

20. The Lilies of the Field (Matthew 6:28-29)

21. The Guiding Cloud (Exodus 13:21)

22. Sifted Wheat (Luke 22:31)

23. Stairway to Heaven (Genesis 28:12)

24. Whither Shall I Flee (Psalm 139:7)

25. Confession (James 5:16)

26. Near the Cross (John 19:25-27)

27. Harmony of Minds (Philippians 4:1-2)

28. The Potter’s Clay (Jeremiah 18:1-2)

29. Newness of Life (Romans 6:4)

30. Morning Prayers (Psalm 63:1)

31. Our Tears Wiped Away (Revelation 21:4)

November

1. Seasons of the Heart (Genesis 8:22)

2. A City Set on a Hill (Matthew 5:14)

3. The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8)

4. From Shipwreck to Missions (Acts 28:3-5)

5. A Steadfast Witness (1 Corinthians 15:58)

6. The Joy of the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10)

7. A Belt of Promise (Psalm 139:17-18)

8. Wait on the Lord (Psalm 130:5-6)

9. The Lord’s Cup (John 18:11)

10. The Love Test (John 14:23)

11. The Faith Test (Mark 9:21-23)

12. The Centrality of the Cross (1 Corinthians 2:1-2)

13. Led by Love (11 Thessalonians 3:5)

14. Close Encounters (Proverbs 15:29)

15. The Key to the City (Isaiah 26:2-4)

16. A Taste of Heaven (Psalm 34:8)

17. The Christian Walk (1 Thessalonians 4:12)

18. New Wine Skins (Luke 5:37)

19. Frustrating the Grace of God (Galatians 2:21)

20. Holy Praise (Psalm 147:12-13)

21. Wings of a Dove (Psalm 55:6)

22. Beware of Covetousness (Luke 12:15)

23. Drunk on New Wine (Acts 2:12-13)

24. Weightier Matters (Matthew 23:23)

25. Harvest (Proverbs 10:5)

26. Strange Fire (Leviticus 10:1-2)

27. The Price of Liberty (Galatians 5:1)

28. Temptation Exposed (James 1:13-15)

29. The Pinnacle of the Temple (Matthew 4:5-6)

30. A Friend in High Places (Isaiah 57:15)

December

1. It is Not Good for Man to be Alone (Genesis 2:18)

2. Children, the Heritage of the Lord (Psalm 127:3)

3. Heaven’s Diet (Matthew 4:4)

4. The Awful Sin of Unbelief (Matthew 13:58)

5. Prepared Place (John 14:2)

6. Numbered With the Transgressors (Isaiah 53:12)

7. The Gulf Fixed (Luke 16:26)

8. Open Windows (Daniel 6:10)

9. A King’s Ransom (Job 33:24)

10. What Is In Your Heart (1 Kings 8:18)

11. O, Come, Let Us Sing (Psalm 95:1)

12. The Two Edged Sword (Hebrews 4:12)

13. Pleasing God (Galatians 1:10)

14. The Sacrifice of Praise (Hebrews 13:15-16)

15. Wisdom Received, Wisdom Applied (Proverbs 15:31-32)

16. The Drawing Power of Love (John 12:32-33)

17. The Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

18. The High Cost of Discipleship (Luke 14:26)

19. Captivity Led Captive (Ephesians 4:8)

20. What’s Next? (Hebrews 9:28)

21. The Desire of Nations (Haggai 2:7)

22. Emmanuel (Matthew 1:22-23)

23. Peace on Earth – Good Will to Men (Luke 2:8-14)

24. Simeon (Luke 2:25-26)

25. Bethlehem Town (Micah 5:2)

26. Passing Through the Waters (Isaiah 43:2)

27. My Best Friend (Proverbs 18:24)

28. The Well Instructed Scribe (Matthew 13:51-52)

29. A Dry Barren Land (Psalm 63:1-2)

30. Seek Peace (Psalm 34:12-13)

31. Walking With God (Genesis 5:21-24)

Foreword

The Door to Meaningful Daily Devotions

Genuine acceptance of Jesus Christ by faith into one’s heart is prerequisite to an intimate communion with him. For a world that is obsessed with staying abreast of the latest news, it is sad that they so often miss the greatest news ever to be published on this planet. That news is that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) God so loved a world that through choice, beginning with Adam, turned from him to indulge in sin which destroys the soul and plunges it into everlasting torment. God so loved every rebellious individual on this planet of rebellion that he sent his own dear Son to suffer the consequences of sin and, through his sacrifice, to provide complete redemption and restoration to God’s perfect paradise for all who receive him as Redeemer and Lord.

God’s dear Son came and met the appointment at Calvary in the greatest display of pure unselfish love ever to be demonstrated. This same dear Son comes to each person on Earth, individually, with this proposition: Behold I stand at the door of your heart and knock. To any who hear my voice and open the door, I will enter and fellowship with them. (Revelations 3:20)

When Jesus enters your heart, he does many wonderful things. He forgives all your sins and cleanses you from all unrighteousness. He writes your name never to be blotted out from his Book of Life. He invites you to share with him all your problems and frustrations, and he who has all power and all wisdom shows you how to overcome them and live a victorious life. He daily interacts with you in an ongoing relationship by which he patiently and lovingly helps you to grow and develop into the perfect person he has purposed for you to be. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will accomplish his perfect will in your life.

He is knocking at your heart’s door now. Open that door and invite him to enter and begin that great eternal adventure. If you, at any time, find your love growing cool or feel yourself being drawn back into the spirit of this world, revisit Calvary and refresh to your heart the irrefutable evidence of his love for you.

The following volume of daily devotional exercises were forged in the furnace of daily trials. As daily challenges arose, God’s dear Son through his Holy Spirit brought to my mind pertinent Scriptures which could be wielded like a sword with which to drive back the enemy from my gate. It is my prayer that all who read these devotions will find them a source of strength and courage to help in coping with cares common to all of God’s children and to help them grow daily in intimate fellowship with their Lord. It is my prayer that by inviting Jesus into your heart you may experience the joy of this wonderful love and that by daily worshiping him as you explore these Scriptures with him that wonderful first love will grow and shine more and more unto a perfect day.

A suggested prayer for beginning this journey in devotion:

Dear Lord,

I realize that I am a sinner. You said you came to save sinners. By faith I repent of my sins and receive you as Savior and Lord of my life. As I sign my name ,

I certify that I belong to you. I praise you for your promise confirming that the recording angel has written my name in your Book of Life.

I invite you to establish your residence in my heart and help me to begin to experience the abundant life you came to give as we explore together these and other wonderful truths from your word.

January

Lord, you are my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalms 23:1

January 1

Knowing Jesus (John 4:10)

If you knew… who it is that ask of you drink, you would have asked… John 4:10

One of the great tragedies of life is that the King of Glory seeks to engage us, and we miss untold blessings because we do not really know him. If we knew the desire of his heart to redeem and bless the world, we might implore him to make his love operative in us so that we could be a part of his great work. One of the greatest blessings of life is being made a blessing to others.

There are myriad opportunities for that reality to happen in our lives. There are needs close at hand and needs in places remote to us that can be met if we are willing to become channels through which the King of Glory can pour his streams of heavenly blessings. We need not have great resources of our own. We simply need to channel his boundless resources to the needs he puts before us. When we give freely of our meager means, God activates his multiplying grace and Heaven bubbles up in our own lives and flows over into the lives of others.

Lord, make me a channel of blessing today, Make me a channel of blessing, I pray, My life possessing, my service blessing, Make me a channel of blessing today.

January 2

Cape Coast Castle (John 8: 36)

If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8: 36

A trip to Africa would be incomplete that did not include some time spent at Cape Coast Castle near Accra, Ghana. I walked through the dungeons of that castle and saw the small rooms with only a tiny window at the top. In those dimly lit cells were packed hundreds of slaves, human beings created in the image of God. Human excrement is still caked on the floor. Samples of the shackles hang on the walls along with the whips that were used to control them. Cries and moans of hopelessness still echo to sensitive ears through these domiciles of despair.

Thank God this diabolical trade was abolished, but still myriad souls in this beautiful continent are enslaved by poverty and ignorance; held captive by shackles of an uncaring world. Envision a young mother torn from her children as she passes through that ghastly door above which is written ‘the point of no return.’ Let her pleading eyes bore into your soul. What would you have given to set her free? What would you give to help those who face a hopeless future, to use their God-given abilities and skills to reach their undreamed of potential? The Son of God answered that question from his perspective from Calvary as he gave his life’s blood.

The Battle Hymn of the Republic, written by Julia Ward Howe, beautifully states the proposition this way:

In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom, That transfigures you and me, As He died to make men holy, Let us live to make men free, Our God is marching on.

January 3

Canopy Walk (John 3:16)

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Near Cape Coast Castle in Accra, Ghana is a canopy walk. This walk consist of a rope bridge suspended between giant Kapok trees. Looking down from that vantage, one can see the floor of the jungle over one hundred feet below. The jungle houses a vast menagerie of animals who thrive on the rich vegetation. Entrepreneurs have invested time and money to harvest the rich resources of rain forests like these.

Missionaries sometimes have prayer walks where they walk through villages and pray for the people who live there. As I walked across the rope bridges, I probably prayed more earnestly than I did while walking through the villages. It occurred to me that if one could walk across all of Africa at this elevation and get a God’s eye view of this amazing population that person would have to be deeply impressed. Africans are a strong resilient people with an optimistic outlook on life. If their God given abilities could be unleashed, the benefits would be far greater than that realized by entrepreneurs who have harvested from the rain forest.

It was from such a vantage point that the Son of God looked out and saw the multitudes as sheep scattered on the mountain and said, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few. Pray the Lord of the harvest to thrust laborers into the fields. (Luke 10:2) If you cannot go personally into the fields, you can still be a vital part of the harvest by praying and giving to help the ongoing work of reaching these wonderful people.

January 4

Temple of Diana (Matthew 16:13)

Now when Jesus came into parts of Caesarea, Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying whom do men say that I the Son of Man am? Matthew 16:13

In Matthew 16:13 Jesus asked his disciples, Whom do men say that I am…whom do you say that I am? Then Jesus declared, Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. When Jesus said these words, there was in Jerusalem a great and glorious temple. When I was in Ephesus I walked through the ruins of the temple of Dianna, one of the seven man-made wonders of the ancient world. In Athens was the Acropolis. There was the Parthenon and countless other impressive buildings. All of these marvels of architecture were designed and built by the genius of man. The battering ram of time has prevailed against them all, in all cases, the ruins are scattered beyond reclamation. What kind of building then will Jesus build, and what kind of materials will he use that can never be destroyed?

After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James and John into a high mountain apart where he was transfigured before them. His garments were glistening white such as no fuller could wash them. Peter suggested that here was a good location for building and proposed that they might build a shrine for Moses, one for Elijah, as well as a great monument for Jesus. Jesus showed no interest in such a project. Instead, he went back down the mountain where the teeming multitudes, with needs only he could meet, were trying to cope with those needs as best they could and were having no success.

Jesus would not build his church of stone mined from the mountains. He would rather use living stones quarried out from the crowded masses in cities like Jerusalem, Athens, New York, London and Timbuktu. That Peter came to understand this, evidenced by what he later wrote in 1 Peter 2:4-5. Unto coming as the living stone (foundation stone) rejected by men, but chosen of God and precious. You, also, are lively stones (small building stones) built up into a spiritual house.

Jesus is still adding the precious souls quarried from the confusion of this modern environment which are being shaped and sculpted by the Holy Spirit into building blocks for his church, and the gates of hell can never prevail to remove one of them. The glorious truth that thrills our hearts is that we can be a part of that building and a part of the process of reaching and transforming others into material meet for the Master’s use. What could be more wonderful than that?

January 5

Simon Peter (Luke 22:50)

A certain one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. Luke 22:50

Luke 22:50ff recounts how at the arrest of Jesus at Gethsemane one of the disciples, Simon Peter, drew out his sword and cut off the right ear of the high priest servant. Jesus said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched the ear of the servant and healed it.

How quick we as followers of Jesus are to employ our tongues which can be sharper than a sword to render the ears of our hearers deaf to God’s true message. How often Jesus has to countermand our impulsive actions with his tender healing touch, as much as to say, My servant is not acting in accord with my will and my way.

The word of God is the sword of the Spirit and Hebrews 4:12 says, It is living and powerful and sharper than a two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder between the soul and the spirit and the joint and the marrow and is the discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart. It is necessary then that the word, when it is spoken, should be spoken in the spirit of him who inspired it.

Jesus said, Let him that hath an ear hear what the Spirit says. As followers of Jesus we need to first have our ears attuned to the still small voice of the Spirit so that we may not only publish his word, but publish it in the same tones of love that he uses.

How the world needs to hear the Gospel spoken in love and backed up by acts of love. Peter would later say under inspiration of the Spirit that no Scripture is of private interpretation, but that holy men of old spoke as they were moved along by the Holy Spirit. We aught, therefore, communicate that wonderful revelation as the blessed Holy Spirit guides us. Only then will the precious word be able to pierce into the heart and produce the miracle of the new birth. The same Simon Peter who cut off the servant’s ear in Gethsemane stood on the day of Pentecost and wielded the sword of the Spirit, and the hearers instead of having their ear cut were cut to the heart and cried, Men and brethren, what shall we do? They followed Peter’s counsel and were baptized three thousand that same day.

January 6

The Lord’s Business (1 Samuel 21:8)

And David said unto Ahimelech…I have neither brought my sword nor my weapon with me, because the king’s business requires haste. 1 Samuel 21:8

David’s explanation of his lack of provisions to the high priest at Nob in 1 Samuel 21:8 was, The king’s business requires haste. This sentiment might be appropriately used to explain the Christian’s actions in the world. Our all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere always-present King, who sets himself to redeem and to bless all who trust and serve him, deserves no less than absolute immediate obedience and fealty in attendance to his business. The business which brought this King to earth as a lowly meek servant was to suffer death by the shamefully, painfully agonizing crucifixion in order that all who repent of their sins and receive him as Lord by faith might be forgiven and have everlasting life.

Having finished that mission and having verified it by his resurrection from the dead, he ascended back to the right hand of the Father to prepare a place for his redeemed children. Before his ascension he commissioned his disciples to be about the business of evangelizing and developing the ones he came to save into mature disciples.

Having ascended the king now sits at the right hand of the Father to serve as high priest and advocate until the work is complete. When the harvest is complete, he will come again to receive his own. The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, fifty days after the crucifixion, and is now the resident supervisor of the harvest and it is his business to oversee the work and to assist the disciples in their task. May the blessed Holy Spirit hasten and inspire all of his workers to be about this urgent business.

Say not ye three months, and then comes the harvest. Lift up your eyes and look on the fields that are white already unto harvest. The king’s business requires haste!

January 7

God’s Thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9)

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, says the Lord. For as Heaven is higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

It is well for us that God’s ways are higher than ours. Tragic it would be for the world if God thought and acted as even the best of men, let alone men in the depths of depravity. How comforting it is to hear God express his thoughts in Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, that I may give you an expected end. How higher, as Heaven is higher than the earth, is the love that moved God to send his Son to die on a cruel cross as our substitute to make possible the glorious end he planned for man even while man was yet in sin.

It is well for us though that we can aspire to think as God thinks and act as God acts. Paul, led by the Holy Spirit, admonishes us in Philippians 2:5-8. To let this mind be in you, that was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon himself the form of a servant, and being found in the form of man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. And again in Romans 12:2, Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

It is the office of the Holy Spirit to lift man from his low selfish thoughts and groveling pursuits and to seat him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. As the Holy Spirit brings our thoughts and actions into conformity and harmony with his own thoughts, he can allow us to share with him as laborers with God in this great work of redemption. What could be greater than that?

January 8

Lot’s Wife (Luke 17:32)

Remember Lot’s wife. Luke 17:32

No man having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of heaven. There is great disadvantage as well as inherent danger in looking back. If like Lot you have vexed your soul in a far country like Sodom, there is only misery and vanity to look back on. There is the danger of becoming discouraged and being sucked back into Sodom like the sow that was washed to the wallowing in the mire.

Look forward and upward. Forget the vanities that lay behind and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Ahead lies the loving embrace of acceptance and the kisses of forgiveness by a wonderful Father. Ahead awaits the ring which is the symbol of restoration to all the privileges of a child. Ahead lies cleansing and the robe of reconciliation, which is the best of robes. Ahead is prepared a banquet of fellowship and cheer.

Your future includes shoes to wear in the paths of righteous service. Deuteronomy 32:25 says, Thy shoes shall be of brass. There may be times when you will have obstacles in your paths and brass shoes will be needed. These shoes may beautifully adorn your feet for bringing good tidings of great joy.

If you are yet in that far country feeding on husk and swill from the swine pens, resolve at once to leave those miserable quarters and return to your loving Father and to the full meaningful life that he is waiting to bestow on you.

January 9

The Meek Spirit (1 Peter 3:3-4)

Whose adorning let… it be, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God an ornament of great price. 1 Peter 3:3-4

The meek and quiet spirit is not to be put on like an outward garment but rather it is put in, than on. This inward attire is acquired by taking on the yoke of him who is meek and lowly of heart. Intimate fellowship with him who came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many, develops a like spirit of submissiveness in the hearts of them who walk with him.

This meek and quiet spirit is suitable dress for any and all occasions. One would not think of wearing an expensive suit or an elegant evening gown in the fields or on the job, say in a coal mine, where it is sure to be soiled. The beautiful humble spirit, though it is a garment of great price, wears well in the work place, and it does not need cleaning in order to wear it to the most fashionable evening affair of highest society.

This flexible dress, like the clothes worn by the children of Israel during the forty years of wandering in the wilderness, never wears out and it never even wears thin. Charm and clever wittiness may in time become stale and off putting. A quiet meek spirit never goes out of style. It does not need altering to suit the latest fad. It has been worn with great grace in every age since people have lived on this planet. It has the advantage of being fireproof as seen in Isaiah 43:2. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you. This was demonstrated by the three Hebrew children in Daniel 3:23ff.

How much does such a rare garment cost? It is very, very valuable, but the poorest pauper can wear it freely. The master tailor who clothes the lilies of the field in dress that Solomon in all his glory could not rival stands ready to provide this beautiful raiment to all who apply.

January 10

A Merry Heart (Proverbs 17:22)

A merry heart does good like a medicine. Proverbs 17:22

There is science behind Solomon’s observation. It has been demonstrated and documented that the disposition of a person’s emotions has an effect on his physical state. But from where is this medicine to be had? Can you go to your local pharmacy and inquire for a merry heart? Is there no physician who can prescribe such a treatment? No, for that you must go to the great physician.

The great physician now is near, The sympathizing Jesus,

He smiles the drooping heart to cheer, Oh, hear the voice of Jesus.

If you lay your case out under his tender care, he will at once engage all of his marvelous powers to answer your exact situation. For any who come to him he will in no wise cast out, and not one who earnestly seeks his help goes unaided away. And what does this great physician require?

1.  Honest confession of one’s total failure to cope with and solve one’s own problems.

2.  Total trust in the physician’s ability to answer all of your needs.

3.  Absolute obedience to the physician’s prescriptions.

When you, thus, put yourself in his care he will take up his abode in your heart. Do you know a doctor who would come and live with you to daily advise you and treat your maladies? He does this through the Holy Spirit who can guide you into all truth and take of Jesus’ words and apply them to your need. Daily intimate fellowship with him will not fail to result in a deep abiding inner joy that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depths, nor any other creature can take from you.

Sweetest name in seraph song, Sweetest word on mortal tongue,

Sweetest carol ever sung, Jesus, blessed Jesus.

January 11

Reason Together (Isaiah 1:18)

Come now and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

We are conditioned to think of God as stern, holy, unapproachable or as distant and uncaring. We note in our text that it is God who initiates communication and summons his counterpart to conference.

It is God who sets the agenda and that agenda is one we would rather not discuss. Our sin is certainly not a topic we would choose. Yet God insist that it must be dealt with and resolved before any progress in reconciliation can proceed. We would dismiss our sin and in a hundred ways try to excuse and justify ourselves. God says our sin is a scarlet, crimson barrier, a red stop sign, to our relationship with him. When we honestly face our sin and see the grief it causes God, we must confess that sin is the heinous thing that he says it is.

But how shall we reason with God? What argument can we make or what evidence can we produce that will settle this issue? Perhaps if we study how David reasoned with God we can find an answer.

No one could question that David’s sin of adultery and subsequent murder was anything but heinous. David felt it to be so. In Psalm 51 we see David crying out, Have mercy on me, O God. According to thy tender mercies blot out my transgression… for I acknowledge my sin… purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Not a word does David say in his defense. He simply sobs out his repentant confession and pleads for mercy.

The only basis for that mercy is the substitutionary death of God’s Son on Calvary. Only that can undo the damage caused by sin. Only when we confess our sin and look in faith to God’s finished work of redemption can we be made whiter than snow. Then and only then can we know the joy David expressed in Psalm 32 when he said, Blessed is the man unto whom God imputes not iniquity… I acknowledged my sin… and you forgave me. An old hymn says:

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole, I want you forever to live in my soul, Break down every idol, cast out every foe, Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

January 12

Do With Thy Might (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with thy might. Ecclesiastes 9:10

There are benefits many and blessings many to be had from honest work. Jesus who came, among other things, to model life the way it is meant to be lived said, My father works hitherto, and I work. Are there not twelve hours in a day? Work while it is day for night comes when no man can work.

Our text directs us to employ our skills to task at hand. It is not the one who dreams of things he will do at a distant time when conditions are more favorable that will accomplish anything of note. He that will not sow because of the cold will have nothing to gather come harvest.

The text also addresses the manner in which we are to work. Do it with thy might. Work with relish and energy. Benjamin Franklin said that his father used to quote to him from Solomon’s Proverbs, See thou the man who is diligent in his work, that man will stand before kings. Franklin said not in his wildest dreams did he ever think that he would stand before a king, nevertheless, he made it his daily practice to be early at work, to work diligently and to have no idle time. It is little wonder that he accomplished so many good things, and that he did, in fact, have audiences with kings.

One thing is certain. We will one day stand before the King of Kings and give an account of the deeds done in our body, whether good or evil. What a motivation that is to do with our might what our hands find to do. May we do the task God sets before us this day and do it heartily as unto the Lord.

January 13

Sufficient (Matthew 6:34)

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:34

Over our heads loom clouds that obscure from our vision the uncertainties of the future. In the back of our minds linger the nagging questions. Have I made adequate preparation? What if I should lose my employment? What if I should come down with some catastrophic disease? A thousand scenarios play out before our minds. What do I need to do to insure that it will be well for me and for my family?

Our text advises us that the best way to deal with tomorrow is to focus on the circumstances we face today and to see that we get it right. The preceding verse tells us not to be anxious about tomorrow, but to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and God will provide for our needs. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. This is the day God has given us, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Let us live this day to the fullest. Let us give ourselves joyfully to the task at hand and do all we can to love and help others. Above all let us love our families and seek their welfare.

This does not preclude sensible plans for the future, but it necessitates that we be sensitive to and obedient to God’s leading. James says, Go to, you that say tomorrow, we shall go into this city or that and buy and sell and get gain, for you know not what a day may bring forth. Rather, you ought to say, if God will, we will do such and such. God does not always give us details about the future, and sometimes the directions he gives does not make sense to us. In any case we need, like Abraham, to trust him implicitly and lean not to our own understanding. When we have taken care to do this we may safely leave the uncertainties of tomorrow in his blessed hands.

I don’t worry about tomorrow, I just live from day to day. I don’t borrow from its sunshine, For its skies may turn to gray. Many things about tomorrow,

I don’t seem to understand, But I know who holds tomorrow, And I know who holds my hand.

January 14

Filled With the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-19)

And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Ephesians 5:18-19

The fifth chapter of Ephesians is filled with doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness and may be profitably studied by any Christian seeking to show himself approved unto God. This chapter discovers to us sins that are poisonous and deadly to spiritual growth. Fornication, uncleanness, foolish talk, covetousness and a host of other works of the flesh which can so easily beset us that we cannot run well the race that is set before us.

In the eighteenth verse of this chapter is listed a web which Satan uses with great effect to ensnare and lead careless Christians captive. Drunkenness is a sin which weakens and numbs resolve and conscience rendering even the moderate drinker easy prey to many other temptations. Look not on wine, says the Scripture, when it is red, when it moves itself aright in the cup. At the last it stings like an adder and bites like a serpent. (Proverbs 23:31-32)

In verse nineteen of this chapter is discovered to us the proven antidote. Be filled with the Spirit. Be led by the Spirit and he will guide you safely around the cunningly set traps of the devil, and he will deliver you as a bird from the hand of the fowler. The Holy Spirit will also give songs in the darkness that engulfs this careless world. Not the rude, profane lyrics of the drunkard will he give, but songs of joy will he give and songs of praise that can lift the tried believer up so that he will sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, in victory and triumph.

May the blessed Holy Spirit fill our hearts with praise and thanksgiving this day that will drive away the tempter and dispel the darkness that he seeks to cast like a blanket over our souls.

January 15

Search the Scriptures (John 5:39)

Search the Scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life, and they are they that testify of me. John 5:39

A careful search of the Old Testament discovers an amazing testimony of Jesus. It is a testimony of love. It was love that created man in the image of God and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. It was love that walked with Adam in the cool of the day in sweet fellowship and intimate communion.

It was broken hearted love that sought out his erring child from his hiding place in the trees and there confronted the awful reality of sin. It was broken hearted love that enumerated the terrible results of that act of disobedience, which had driven a wedge of separation between the creator and his errant child. There would be shame, guilt, nakedness, pain, a garden rendered unproductive, a hostile nature among the animals and ultimately death and eternal separation which is hell. Fools may mock at sin and make light of it, but love weeps.

It was hopeful love that produced the only salvation. The creator must redeem his fallen child, and the price of that redemption would require the creator/redeemer to bear the consequences of sin in his own body. He must himself bear the shame, the pain and the thorns, the vicious hatred caused by sin and even death and separation. The creator/redeemer must crush the head of the serpent who initiated sin and undo the destruction caused by it. He must restore and recreate harmony and holiness.

It was amazing, indescribable, wonder-filled love that came in the fullness of time-made of woman-made under the law. God himself took on flesh and the weak infirmities of fallen man to do battle in this arena of rebellion, which sin had produced. It was overcoming love that endured the cross despising the shame who is now set down at the right hand of the Father and who calls to us, Come unto me and I will give you real abundant life and you shall never perish.

O love of God how rich and pure, How measureless and strong.

It will forevermore endure, The saint’s and angel’s song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill? And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill? And every man a scribe by trade?

To write the love of God above, Would drain the ocean dry,

Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky.

January 16

Compassion (Matthew 9:36)

But when he saw the multitude he was moved with compassion on them because they fainted and were as scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 9:36

Compassion denotes strong feeling. The Latin prefix ‘com’ means with. Jesus felt with the people. He felt their despair, their hopelessness and their pain. But Jesus did not simply say, I feel your pain. He was moved.

Jesus was moved with compassion in Gethsemane that consummated in bloody sweat as he wrestled with temptations innumerable. He was moved from there to a trial of mockery and abject cruelty. He was paraded before a multitude where he endured vicious scourging, humiliating scorn from soldiers who put upon him a scarlet robe, a crown of thorns and for a scepter put a reed in his hand.

Amid cries of the multitude, Crucify him, crucify him, he was led through the streets in shame to Golgotha. He, who could have called ten thousand angels, was led bearing the cross on which he was to die up the lonely hill where it would happen. On that cross Jesus was moved by our thirst, our separation, our death and our hell.

Isaiah 53:11 says, He shall see the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied. As a woman travails in childbirth and rejoices when a child is brought forth, so Jesus travailed on the cross and rejoiced at the blood washed throng who would be brought by his suffering to one day sing praise around his throne in glory.

On that throne he sits today. Not as a high priest who cannot be touched by our infirmities he sits, but as one who has experienced everything we have yet without sin. He is able to save to the uttermost any who come to God by him seeing that he ever lives to make intercession for them.

January 17

Be Still (Psalm 46:10)

Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heathen. I will be exalted throughout the earth. Psalm 46:10

In the first part of Psalm 46 David describes a fearful scene. The earth is turned upside down. Mountains are cast into the sea. The sea is troubled and the mountains shake, but David says, We do not fear. Why? Because God is a very present help and refuge. The storm is nothing to him. Nahum, the prophet, says in his prophecy chapter 1:3 that God has his way in the tornado and in the storm.

Witness the chaos of the global flood in Noah’s day. The fountains of the great deep were broken up. The heavens poured down for forty days and nights. Yet, Noah was not afraid. God was his very present help and refuge.

It is not likely that we will face natural storms of this magnitude, but it may seem at times that our world is turned upside down. Job did not go through the flood, but on a day a flood of devastating proportions washed over his soul. Wave followed wave of terrifying reports that shook him to the very core of his being. What he dreaded most had happened. In one short day this good and wealthy man was reduced to poverty and was bereft of his family. Another day and he is smitten with loathsome boils over his entire body. What do we do when our world falls apart? How do we respond? By being still and knowing that the omnipotent, eternal God is a present help and refuge, and that he works all things for good to those who love him and to those who are called according to his purpose.

One dear lady who was confined to her bed by reason of age and frail health was asked how she coped with all this and stayed so happy. She answered, I just lay still and let God love me.

It is our comfort that we need not wait until our world falls apart or storm and misfortune strikes. We can begin each day