A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

Whose Daughters Ye Are (#19941109)
by Connie J. Horn

“Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement” (I Peter 3:6).

Sarah called Abraham “lord,” which means “supreme in authority,” or “controller.” Not only was Sarah termed obedient, she was also a woman of faith. “Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised” (Hebrews 11:11).

There are two criteria in our text verse for being a “daughter” of Sarah. The first is to “do well.” To do well means to act virtuously, and Peter uses this term frequently. “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God” (I Peter 2:20). “For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing” (I Peter 3:17). “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (I Peter 4:19).

The most notable incident concerning Sarah’s obedience is found in Genesis 20 when she agreed to tell the Egyptian king, Abimelech, she was Abraham’s sister. In doing so, she demonstrated Peter’s second criterion in that she was “not afraid with any amazement,” for Sarah “judged him faithful who had promised.” She realized the violation of the promised seed of Abraham was at stake, yet she had come to trust the omnipotent God who expected her to obey and leave the results to Him. The results? God caused Abimelech to return her untouched to Abraham (Genesis 20:3,6). “And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said . . . For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age” (Genesis 21:1,2). CJH

[Soldier4Christ]

Hints Of Redemption (#19941110)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise His heel” (Genesis 3:15).

When Adam and Eve rebelled against God in the Garden of Eden, God pronounced the dreadful curse on all of His creation, from mankind to the animal and plant kingdoms and even the earth itself (Genesis 3:14–19). From that point on, everything began to die, but at the same time God predicted the coming Redeemer who would set things right.

There are several hints of the coming Redeemer in these early chapters of Genesis. Dr. A. T. Pierson, a Bible scholar of the late 1800s and early 1900s, mentioned an unnamed Hebrew scholar, a Jewish Rabbi, who held that the names of the 10 pre-flood patriarchs (Adam to Noah) formed a redemptive sentence when read together. Keep in mind that certain meanings of some of these names are lost in antiquity, but the exercise is interesting, if not definitive. According to the Rabbi, Adam means mankind; Seth, is appointed; Enos, mortality; Cainan, wailing for the dead; Mahalaleel, God be praised; Jared, He shall descend; Enoch, a mortal man; Methuselah, dismissing death; Lamech, the weary; Noah, rest. Stringing the translations together yields the following sentence: “Mankind is appointed (to) mortality, wailing for the dead. God be praised. He shall descend, a mortal man, dismissing death, (bringing to) the weary, rest.”

Modern scholars prefer Enoch as dedicated man, Methuselah as when he dies, judgment, Lamech (uncertainly) as conqueror, and Cainan (very uncertainly) as humiliation. Our sentence now reads “Mankind is appointed (to) mortality, bringing) humiliation. God be praised. He shall descend, a dedicated man. When He dies (as) judgment, (He will) conquer, (bringing) rest.” JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Peace From God (#19941111)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (Numbers 6:26).

The beautiful benediction of Numbers 24–26 is climaxed by this prayer for God-given peace. The word for “give” is a very strong word, implying a gift which is permanent and secure—that is, the blessing says: “The LORD establish peace for you!”

Men have longed for peace all through history, but always there are those who want war. “I am for peace,” the psalmist said; “but when I speak, they are for war” (Psalm 120:7). Even today, in our “enlightened” age of science and education, there are perhaps forty local wars raging in the world, and seemingly nothing can be done to stop them.

Those in the “over 60” generation remember how our modern Veterans’ Day was once called Armistice Day, established to commemorate the ending of the World War, the “war to end all wars,” as we were assured. But when World War II came along, then the Korean War and the Viet Nam War, as well as various little wars (Grenada, Panama, Iraq, etc., only to mention those directly involving our own country), the term “Armistice Day” soon became obsolete.

It is good and right to remember and honor our military veterans, of course, especially those who gave their lives in such wars, but the world seems further away from true world peace than ever. It will always be so, until the Lord Himself lifts up His countenance on His creation and establishes peace. Then—but not until then—“of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, . . . The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:7), when Christ returns. Nevertheless, the believer can, right now, know true and lasting peace of soul, for the Lord Jesus will “keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on (Him): because He trusteth in (Him)” (Isaiah 26:3). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Spoiling Traditions (#19941112)
by Kenneth B. Cumming, Ph.D.

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:.

Being on guard against the smooth-as-silk words of salesmen requires continuing alertness. The sales pitch comes from the media, acquaintances, and even friends. It may be subtle or open, but always involving. The matter may be good for you or it may change you. That was Paul’s message to the Colossians—“Beware lest any man spoil you”—i.e., change your perspective, persuade you to accept a humanistic mindset, perhaps even unknowingly.

In verses 2 and 3 Paul explains how to have sure knowledge. It comes from the Father and Christ, “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” It doesn’t change with time, nor is it variable with circumstance. In Christ’s ministry, Matthew reports, “And when He was come into His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?” (Matthew 13:54).

The longer we live, the more traditions of men are formed. They are the ways we do things in our families, work, and social activities. After a while it is difficult to tell how the tradition originated and why we are still doing it. Traditions can even rule our lives and dictate our beliefs.

Paul taught us not to give “heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth” (Titus 1:14), but urged rather to be “rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:7). Traditions may come from the outside, or we may make them ourselves, but we must ever be on guard to what they are and how they influence our lives. KBC

[Soldier4Christ]

Spiritual Anarchy (#19941113)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

This is the last verse of the book of Judges, describing in a nutshell the chaotic period “in the days when the judges ruled” (Ruth 1:1). In principle, the Lord was supposed to be ruling in Israel, in a theocracy, but the people refused to obey His word, and the system often became anarchistic rather than theocratic, with men all living as they pleased. As the Lord said to Samuel, their last judge in those days: “They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them” (I Samuel 8:7).

Modern Christians decry this period of Israel’s history as one of spiritual anarchy, but fail to see that much the same situation prevails in the world of Christendom today. With thousands of different Christian and pseudo-Christian sects and movements in the world, not even to mention the religious, political, and moral anarchy that seems to prevail everywhere, our text for the day could be applied to our modern world quite appropriately.

There is even a very real danger that in this dispensation of grace, the spirit of antinomianism (against law) is becoming prevalent among Bible-believing Christians. Witness the cancerous spread of fornication and adultery, even homosexuality, as well as dishonesty and greed and general worldliness, among evangelicals and fundamentalists today, all in the name of grace and Christian liberty.

We do thank God that we are saved by grace, for “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” But, as Paul says: “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid” (Romans 5:20; 6:1,2). We “ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves . . . for even Christ pleased not Himself” (Romans 15:1,3). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Ichabod (#19941114)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark Of God was taken, and because of her father-in-law and her husband” (I Samuel 4:21).

Many people today give their children Biblical names, but few ever name a child Ichabod, which means “no glory.” We know little of Ichahod, but his name must have been a detriment to him all his life. The day he was born was a sad day for Israel, because the holy ark of God’s covenant was carried away by the conquering Philistines, and Israel’s judge, Eli, was dead, and his two evil sons, Hophni and Phinehas, Ichabod’s father, had been slain. Furthermore, Ichabod’s mother also died in childbirth, just after she named her son. It was indeed a tragic day.

God had met with His people in the Shekinah glory cloud, at the mercy seat on the ark each year, but now the glory had departed. God still cared for them, however, and had already raised up Samuel as His prophet and their judge.

Although neither babies nor institutions are named after Ichabod today, it would surely he an appropriate name for many a backslidden Christian or apostate church. What a tragedy to see believers once happy and fruitful set aside because of sin in their lives, or once-sound churches become cold and dead because of compromise, with the glory departed.

This is a real danger. Even Paul said: “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should he a castaway” (I Corinthians 9:27). And Christ warned even such a fine church as that at Ephesus: “I will . . . remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5). May God keep each of us from ever becoming modern Ichabods! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Know that Summer Is Nigh


"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors" (Matthew 24:32-33).

This date, representing the longest daylight period of the year, has traditionally been designated as the official beginning of summer. As the signs of summer begin to proliferate (the days growing longer and trees putting forth leaves), every one knows that summer is near.

It is significant that Jesus used this commonly observed fact as an analogy to the signs of His imminent return from heaven to complete His great work of establishing His Kingdom on Earth, with the will of God for His terrestrial creation being done "as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). His disciples had just asked Him: "What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matthew 24:3).

Instead of rebuking them for seeking such a prophetic sign, He proceeded to give them a number of important signs including the rise of many false prophets and also worldwide immorality and unbelief (Matthew 24:24,37). Perhaps the most challenging sign promised that when "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; . . . then shall the end come" (Matthew 24:14).

Note also that Christ's answer to the disciples' question included a command. "When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near" (text). We cannot predict the date of His coming, of course. In fact, He immediately warned: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man" (Matthew 24:36). Although we must not get involved in date-setting, and the term "near" is necessarily somewhat ambiguous, yet the Lord does want us to know when His coming is "near," and then to live accordingly.

[Soldier4Christ]

Fellowship


"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42).

Much goes on in Christian churches today under the name of "fellowship." Usually this consists of coffee and donuts, or church socials, or sports. As delightful as these functions may be, they should not be confused with Biblical fellowship.

Nowhere in the New Testament do any of the Greek words (translated "fellowship") imply fun times. Rather, they talk of, for example, "The fellowship of the ministering to the saints" (II Corinthians 8:4) as sacrificial service and financial aid. (See, for example, I Timothy 6:18.)

Elsewhere, Paul was thankful for the Philippian believers' "fellowship in the gospel" (Philippians 1:5), for he knew that "inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace" (Philippians 1:7). This sort of fellowship may even bring persecution.

We are to emulate Christ's humility and self-sacrificial love (Philippians 2:5-8) through the "fellowship of the Spirit" (Philippians 2:1). In some way known only partially to us, we have the privilege of knowing "the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death" (Philippians 3:10), and even "the communion [i.e., fellowship] of the blood" and "body of Christ" (I Corinthians 10:16).

As we can see, this "fellowship" is serious business. As in our text and subsequent verses, fellowship should be accompanied by teaching, prayer, and ministry to the poor (Acts 2:45).

This kind of fellowship will be in "favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).

[Soldier4Christ]

What Is Truth? (#19941115)
by James Stambaugh, M.DIV.

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17).

A question was asked many years ago: “What is truth?” (John 18:38). Since the time of Pilate, many others have asked the same question. Even today we are being bombarded with statements from various media and people saying they know or they have the truth. This would be a confusing state of affairs if we did not have the Scriptures.

Jesus said, “Thy word is truth.” This is something we take very seriously here at ICR, but each Christian should be very careful to ask, “What do the Scriptures say concerning this?” Each and every believer must examine the claims and actions of others in the light of Scripture.

The Scriptures contain a beautiful illustration of this very thing. Paul came to Berea (Acts 17:10), yet verse 11 tells us they “searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” These people examined even Paul’s teaching to see if what he said was taught in the Scriptures. This must be the attitude of every believer. We must check the Scriptures to see if these things are so.

We should also observe another point Jesus made in our verse: “Sanctify them through thy truth.” The word “sanctify” means to “be set apart for God and His use,” yet we can only be doing what God wants when we know what His word says. God’s word must be precious to us. For when the time comes—and it will come—we must be ready to declare the “reason of the hope that is in you” (I Peter 3:15). We can only be ready for that time when we know His word; that is, His truth.

The world today is looking for truth. Let us, by our commitment to Jesus Christ and His word, be ready and able to tell them what the truth really is. JSS

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Preached In All Creation (#19941116)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister” (Colossians 1:23).

Many times Christians piously say, “Why get worked up over creation, why don’t you just preach the gospel?” But such a question belies a faulty knowledge of what “the gospel” consists of, for, as has been noted many times on these pages, the gospel consists not only of the redemptive work of Christ, but His entire person and work as well. The message of the “everlasting gospel” (Revelation 14:6,7) is to “worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Elsewhere the gospel includes His coming Kingdom (Matthew 4:23, for example). From creation to redemption to ultimate restoration, all is “good news,” all the work and person of Christ.

In our text we see that the gospel “was preached to every creature,” or perhaps better translated, “in all creation.” What was the message of the gospel for which Paul was so jealous? The answer is found in the preceding verses.

Christ is pre-eminent, literally “the firstborn of every creature” (v.15), totally God (v.19). He is the Creator of all things, physical or spiritual (v.16), and continues to maintain His creation (v.17). He leads the church, assuring victory over death (v.18). He is the Redeemer, the perfect Sacrifice for sins (vv.20–22), providing each believer total sanctification (v.22). He will ultimately restore all of creation to its original created intent (v.20).

Only as we recognize and believe the teachings of His word on the entire “good news,” from creation to consummation can we hope to victoriously “continue in the faith, grounded and settled.” JDM

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Sowing Continually (#19941117)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good” (Ecclesiastes 11:6).

In the Bible, the common occupation of sowing seed is frequently used as a symbol of witnessing for the Lord. Unlike an actual farmer, however, Christian seed-sowers are to engage in their occupation perpetually, day after day, morning and evening, everywhere they go. “Cast thy bread upon the waters,” the wise Preacher said, “for thou shalt find it after many days” (Ecclesiastes 11:1). The sowing is often difficult, but is necessary, before the fruit can grow, and the promise is that “they that sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Psalm 126:5).

Often others may reap the fruit of our seed-sowing labors (or we may reap the fruit of theirs), but that is all right, for Christ Himself said that “one soweth, and another reapeth” so that “both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together” (John 4:37,36). Paul said: “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (I Corinthians 3:6).

Some seed, faithfully sown, may not seem to grow at all. In Christ’s great parable of the sower, much of the seed fell by the way side or on rocky or weed-infested ground, but “other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit” (Matthew 13:. It is our job to be sure that the seed we sow is good seed, wherever we go—by word, by life, by giving, by listening, by our very presence, by praying, by whatever we say or do or even think—and then to trust God to bring forth the fruit according to His own perfect will.

“Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters” (Isaiah 32:20). Therefore, “in the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening,” and God will prosper our faithfulness in His own good way and time. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Lord Is (#19941118)
by Norman P. Spotts, D.D.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation” (Psalm 27:1).

The Lord is many things. He is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent and immutable. He is absolutely holy, and just, as well as merciful, and kind. He is compassionate toward His children. He is Creator, sustainer, and mover of all things in the universe. He is Savior, redeemer, and Lord. He is alive and the source of all life. “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

The list is endless when considering what the Lord is. His attributes are marvelous and awe inspiring. On the one hand they are clear and understandable; on the other, they are mysterious, going far beyond man’s finite comprehension.

In the Psalms, David viewed the attributes of God in light of his own personal experience. To David, God was not one who was unknowable or unapproachable, but one who was everpresent, meeting his daily needs. He understood the truths concerning God’s glorious attributes being used on his behalf. Thus he and others wrote: “The LORD is my light and my salvation” (Psalm 27:1). We who walked in darkness now have the light of His salvation. “The LORD is my strength and my shield” (Psalm 28:7). Ultimate strength and protection are found in Him. “The LORD is thy keeper” (Psalm 121:5). God’s powerful arm keeps us for time and eternity. “The LORD is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1). He marvelously provides for all our needs as a shepherd with his sheep. “The LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand” (Psalm 121:5). His overshadowing presence brings constant comfort and assurance. “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup” (Psalm 16:5). The over-flowing cup is daily with us, and the realization of the inheritance will last for eternity. NPS

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Christ The Foundation (#19941119)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 3:11).

The only sure and lasting foundation, for either a Christian institution or an individual Christian life, is the Lord Jesus Christ. Any other foundation will not endure in that coming day when “the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is” (I Corinthians 3:13).

It is vital, therefore, to build on the foundation that Christ Himself has laid. This is laid in three courses, each of which is essential for its permanence. First of all, we must acknowledge with the apostle that: “Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands” (Hebrews 1:10). He is the Creator of all things, and therefore Lord over all.

Second, we must acknowledge with Peter that we have been “redeemed . . . with the precious blood of Christ . . . who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world” (I Peter 1:18–20). His foreordained work of redemption thus was foundational even to the foundation of the world!

Then there is the word of God, which is foundational to everything beyond creation and redemption. “Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them . . . He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock” (Luke 6:47,48).

The Lord Jesus Christ is the true foundation, for He has Himself laid every sure foundation. He created all things, His shed blood is the price to redeem all things, and His written word, by His Holy Spirit, reveals all things needed to build a beautiful, fruitful Christian life or ministry. No other foundation will last, and “if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3). HMM

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Forsake And Follow (#19941120)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him” (Luke 5:10,11).

Perhaps we take too lightly the fact that the disciples “forsook all, and followed Him.” This action involved at least two aspects, the leaving of their former life and the realignment of their loyalty.

The word “forsook” is used in a variety of extreme situations, including the “putting away” of a spouse (I Corinthians 7:11,12; also “leave,” v.13), and even death. “Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up [same word] the ghost” (Matthew 27:50). This leaving implies a complete severing of a situation or relationship.

Furthermore, they forsook all. For Peter, James, John, and Andrew, this involved leaving a prosperous business; for Matthew, a prestigious position of wealth; i.e., their careers. Certainly each left their livelihood, security, training, possessions, relationships, hopes—everything! “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh notall that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33).

Next, the disciples needed to restructure their lives and loyalties to those of Christ The word “follow” implies a unity of purpose and direction. Jesus told the rich young ruler to give up all vestiges of his materialistic life “and come, take up the cross, and follow me” (Mark 10:21).

Christ issues the same call to discipleship to each of us. Peter asked Him the question which we frequently ask. “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” (Matthew 19:27). Christ answered, “Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life” (v.29). JDM

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The Faithful Lord (#19941121)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil” (II Thessalonians 3:3).

The Lord Jesus Christ has many wonderful attributes, not the least of which is His faithfulness. That is, He is believable and trustworthy, sure to do all He promises. He will keep us from the evil one and from being overcome by evil in our lives, as promised in our text. Also, “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted [that is, ‘tested’] above that ye are able” (I Corinthians 10:13). Why does He care for us so?

In the first place, He is our Creator, and has a distinct purpose and will for our lives. Therefore all who are His can safely “commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (I Peter 4:19). He will keep us to the end; Paul said, “I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Then follows his confident assurance: “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it” (I Thessalonians 5:23,24).

Even when we yield to the temptations along the way, and fall into sin, He promises: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9), because He has paid the penalty for all our sins, and He is “a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).

With such a faithful Savior and lord, we surely ought to trust Him fully. In spite of this, we often doubt Him and His word, but even this does not change His love toward us. “If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself” (II Timothy 2:13). Indeed, “God is faithful, by whom ye were called” (I Corinthians 1:9), for His very name is “called Faithful and True” (Revelation 19:11). HMM