A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

How To Respond To Defamation (#19950205)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day” (I Corinthians 4:11–13).

Bible-believing Christians today, especially creationists, have become the object of intense vilification by the news media and by self-appointed spokesmen for the scientific and educational establishments. The natural reaction is to respond in kind.

But this is not the spiritual reaction. “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” (I Peter 2:21–23).

We not only have Christ’s example before us, but also His direct commandment. “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. . . . Love your enemies, bless them that curse you” (Matthew 5:11,44).

The apostles endured far more insults and opprobrium for Christ’s sake than any of us shall ever have to suffer. Yet Paul, speaking for them all, could say: “Being reviled, we bless; being defamed, we entreat, even though they call us the filth of the world!”

We can trust the Lord to take care of our reputations, for He is more concerned even than we, and His word tells us: “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

I Charge You (#19950206)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” (I Timothy 1:5).

The Greek noun parangelia and its corresponding verb paranello appear six times in the book of I Timothy, translated as either “charge” or “commandment.” Paul was quite concerned for his young disciple Timothy and went to great effort to remind him of the truth and charge him to keep it and encourage its keeping in the lives of those in his care. Let us briefly look at these charges.

First, Paul wanted to charge Timothy to remain strong in his personal faith. “This charge I commit unto thee . . . that thou . . . mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience” (1:18,19). “I give thee charge in the sight of God . . . . That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (6:13,14).

In a similar vein, Paul knew the dangers of false doctrine. “I besought thee . . . that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1:3). Following a discussion of specific false teachings (4:1–10) and their refutations, Paul concludes: “These things command and teach” (4:11).

Even those who nominally adhere to proper teaching need direction. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God” (6:17).

Living up to these charges (commandments) brings real benefit in this life as well as in eternity, as we see in our text, a pure heart full of agape love, a conscience unfettered by sin and false doctrine, and a strong faith, not weakened by hypocrisy.

If we would be disciples, we should mind the charges given to Timothy. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Paul's Missionary Strategy (#19950207)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:.

The apostle Paul was undoubtedly the greatest missionary of all time. It is well to take note of his missionary strategy, for it was designed to reach the greatest number with the highest efficiency. In the first place, although he by no means neglected his Jewish countrymen, his calling was to all peoples of the world.

As possible, he tried to “preach the gospel in the regions beyond” where it had never gone before (II Corinthians 10:16), “not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation” (Romans 15:20).

He especially concentrated on great cities, particularly the major seaports. He had come from the large city of Tarsus himself, and he preached in the great capital, Rome, and in Athens, the world’s cultural center. Philippi was the “chief city” of Macedonia (Acts 16:12), as was Corinth in Achaia and Ephesus in Asia Minor. Antioch, Troas, Thessalonica—all were great seaport cities. Establishing solid churches in such cities would provide centers for carrying the gospel throughout the world.

In considerable measure, his ministry in these cities seemed to reach people of special ability or opportunity to teach and influence others, such as the philosophers at Athens, the proconsul Sergius Paulus at Paphos, the honorable women of Berea, the school of Tyrannus at Ephesus, and others of like significance.

Most important of all were his writings. Paul wrote half the epistles of the New Testament. He traveled at least 15,000 miles and preached to many thousands of people, but His written words have been read by countless millions over 1900 years. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

My Necessary Food (#19950208)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12).

The book of Job is probably the oldest book in the Bible, written even before the Mosaic laws had been inscribed; yet Job knew at least some of God’s commandments, and regarded His divine words as more important to his life than even his daily bread. Abraham also knew and obeyed God’s word long before the writing of even the complete book of Genesis (Genesis 26:5). The exact form of this primeval revelation is unknown to us, since it has now been replaced by the Bible. The very fact that it has been superseded means, of course, that what we now have of God’s word is far better than what they had. Yet Job (and, no doubt, Abraham also) felt that “the words of His mouth” were more to be esteemed than his “necessary food”

How this ought to shame Christians today who spend far more time eating than they spend with the Lord in prayer and Bible study. Not even these Days of Praise devotionals suffice to meet this need! They are intended to encourage more study of God’s word, not to replace it.

The very first psalm assures us that “blessed is the man” (that is, he is truly happy) whose “delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:1,2). Likewise the very last book of the Bible is introduced with these words: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein” (Revelation 1:3). Many are the believers who miss blessing in their lives because of neglecting even this last book of the Bible, which Job and Abraham and David never had opportunity to read. Don’t forget that Jesus said: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Paul's Thankfulness (#19950209)
by Connie J. Horn

“In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the wilderness in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren” (II Corinthians 11:26).

In the eleventh chapter of II Corinthians, Paul recounts many of the dangers he suffered for the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, Paul maintained a spirit of thankfulness as is evidenced in all his letters to the churches.

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Romans 1:. “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge” (I Corinthians 1:4,5). “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3–5). “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have to all the saints” (Colossians 1:3,4).

Paul’s matter-of-fact statement to Timothy, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (II Timothy 3:12), should be an encouragement to us and we should endeavor to follow his example as he gave thanks—in spite of all his troubles—for his true Christian brethren who loved the Lord as he did. His love for those to whom he ministered far outweighed any affliction he was called to suffer. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For ye are our glory and joy” (I Thessalonians 2:19,20). CJH

[Soldier4Christ]

With Christ (#19950210)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17).

One of the greatest doctrines of the Christian faith is the identification of Christ with His people in all the key events of His great work of salvation. For example, we are considered by God as dying with Him since He died for us. As Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20).

Furthermore, when Christ was buried, we were in effect buried also. “We are buried with Him by baptism into death” (Romans 6:4). Then we are also resurrected with Christ. “Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12).

But that is only the beginning of our great salvation. Christ then ascended to heaven, sat down on the right hand of the Father, and we are there with Him! “God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. . . . And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4–6).

Not even is this the end, for we are joint-heirs with Christ, as our text assures us. He has been “appointed heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2), and we share His inheritance. “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him” (II Timothy 2:11,12).

Identified with Christ in His suffering, His death, His burial, His resurrection, His ascension, and then in His eternal reign! This is our position by faith. When He returns, it will become actuality, “and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:17). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Life—light—love (#19950211)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:3–5).

The apostle John, designated as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 20:2), used the concept of agape love more than any other New Testament writer, even teaching that “God is love” (I John 4:.

Likewise, John tells us that “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (I John 1:5), and he uses the concept of light (phos) more than any other writer.

In just the same way he uses the primary word for life (zoe) more than any other writer and discusses “that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life” (I John 1:1), identifying Christ as Life and the Fountain of life.

Christ, of course, has existed “from the beginning” and is the Creator of physical life on Earth (Colossians 1:16; Acts 17:28). But in a special way, He is “the life” (John 14:6), and, as we see in our text, “in Him was life,” denoting salvation and eternal life based on His own atonement for sin.

Concerning light, Christ not only created physical light (Genesis 1:3) and later light sources (Genesis 1:14), but He is light, referring to revelation of the things of God to men, for His “life was the light of men.”

But most of all, “God is love.” The first time John mentions agape love, we are told that “God so loved the world,” and that His free and undeserved love drove Him to give “His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Herein is love . . . that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (I John 4:10). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Position And Condition (#19950212)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1).

Christians have a glorious position before God. As our text indicates, God has in effect already “raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). Yet our actual spiritual condition here on Earth often seems to belie our exalted position in heaven, so we repeatedly need to be exhorted not only to believe the truth but also to live the truth. Theoretically, we are dead to the world, and our “life is hid with Christ in God,” yet we must continually be exhorted to “mortify [that is, put to death] therefore your members which are upon the earth” (Colossians 3:3,5). We “have put on the new man,” but nevertheless must repeatedly be “renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him” (Colossians 3:10).

While in doctrine we are “complete in Him,” in practice we must “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation,” yet each believer is commanded to “follow after righteousness” and to “work out your own salvation” (Romans 10:10; I Timothy 6:11; Philippians 2:12). We are “all the children of light” (I Thessalonians 5:5), and we are to “walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:. Paul prays that “Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith” (Ephesians 3:17), yet already we have “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

These truths are not contradictions, of course, but exhortations. “If” (and the Greek word actually means “since”) we are “risen with Christ,” then by all means we ought to live as those that are alive unto God! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Manifesting Majesty (#19950213)
by Kenneth B. Cumming, Ph.D.

“Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all” (I Chronicles 29:11)

The behavior of the leader of any group sets the standard for the group and serves to encourage the people to rise to any occasion. David was about to pass the kingdom on to his son Solomon whom God had chosen, “And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) He hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel” (I Chronicles 28:5). David wanted to build a house for the Lord, “But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood” (I Chronicles 28:3). Therefore, the task was left to Solomon, but not until David, the great leader, the man after God’s own heart, had prepared the way.

David gave of his own personal possessions first, with gifts totaling over one billion dollars at today’s values! This inspired the people out of grateful hearts to give sacrificially and “with perfect heart they offered willingly” (29:6–9). This brought great joy to the king.

Out of this great giving came praise to God. David once again led the people in blessing “the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our Father, for ever and ever” (v.10). “And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king” (v.20). This example of magnifying the Lord brought great gladness to the king and people (v.22), and the Lord then returned the blessing by magnifying Solomon (v.25). KBC

[Soldier4Christ]

Love Is Obedience (#19950214)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous” (I John 5:3).

The disciple John is known as that disciple who had a special love for Jesus and vice versa. He was identified as that disciple “whom Jesus loved” (John 20:2). His writings give a clear picture of the love that God has for us as well as the kind of love we should have in response to Him. John does not identify this type of love as an emotional or sentimental feeling. It is more than affection; it is total obedience to Him as noted in the following sampling of verses: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). “But whose keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we are in Him” (I John 2:5). “And this is love, that we walk after His commandments” (II John 6). Such a view of love may come as a surprise to some, but it reflects total submission to His kingship. This is the proof of our love for God as seen in our text and elsewhere.

The other side of love is love toward men, and John has much to say of this matter as well. “And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also” (I John 4:21). He elsewhere writes “that we love one another” (II John 5); and “these things I command you, that ye love one another” (John 15:17). Paul even picks up the theme, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to its neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:9,10). In summary, love to man is a principle that works no ill towards one’s neighbor, but, in contrast, seeks his greater good. Christ’s human half-brother called it “the royal law” (James 2:. Love to God yields obedience to all His commandments. Both kinds of love are mandated by God. “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:40). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Global Warming


"And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give Him glory" (Revelation 16:9).

There is much being discussed these days, in both the scientific literature and the popular press, on the issue of global warming. An increasing number of scientists and other intellectuals are insisting that the growing emission of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels is producing a significant warming of the whole planet, causing melting of the polar glaciers and probably an alarming increase in catastrophic events such as hurricanes and perhaps even earthquakes and tsunamis.

On the other hand, many more conservative scientists keep insisting that this is a cyclic phenomenon, reminding us that it was not long ago that we were being warned of an imminent ice age. Who can say for sure?

We do know, however, that a terrible time of global warming is indeed coming, but it will be mainly caused by increased solar activity, not carbon dioxide from automobiles and coal plants. ". . . the light of the sun shall be sevenfold" (Isaiah 30:26). "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven" (Malachi 4:1).

In that day, the glaciers indeed will all melt and the resulting increase in sea-water will certainly destroy the world's great coastal cities. "And the Lord God of hosts is He. . . . that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth" (Amos 9:5-6).

The context of all such passages is the judgment period of the last days. But could the current warming phase, hurricanes, tsunamis, etc., be a precursive sign that the real thing is coming soon? In any case, our present response should surely not be what it will be in that day when "they repented not to give Him glory."

[Soldier4Christ]

So Send I You (#19950215)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20.21).

For approximately three years the disciples had followed Jesus in His travels, had listened to His teaching and participated in His ministry. They had forsaken “all, and followed Him” (Luke 5:11). They had seen Him ridiculed, opposed, oppressed, suffer deprivation, and be rejected by the religious leaders of the day, as well as by most of the common folk. They had watched while Judas, a trusted friend, had betrayed Him and then had fled when the Jewish leaders and a Roman guard arrested Him. This beloved leader, for whom they had had such great hopes and in whom they had placed such great trust, had then been scourged, beaten, spit upon, lied about, and nailed to a cruel cross to die in agony and abject loneliness, even abandoned by His loving heavenly Father.

A few days later, the disciples had “assembled for fear of the Jews” (John 20:19), for perhaps the Jewish leaders were trying to stamp out all semblance of His following, and they feared for their own lives now that Jesus was dead. But suddenly, Jesus stood in their midst and showed unto them His hands and His side (v.20) as proof of His death, yet He was alive. “Then were the disciples glad.”

We are now prepared to fully appreciate the words of our text. It is as if Jesus said, “As my Father has sent me, so I send you, and look what they’ve done to me. But even though suffering and hardship will follow, have no fear. My peace and my Holy Spirit will be with you to assure your ultimate victory” (vv.21,22).

If we would be His disciples, sent out as He was sent out to accomplish His eternal work here on Earth in His physical absence, we must likewise expect persecution, peace, power, and victory. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Now And Then (#19950216)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (I Corinthians 13:12).

There is a great contrast between now and then. We see only dimly now, but at least we see! We only know partially, but we do know! What we shall see and know in the future is already ours, but only in hope and promise. “For what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” (Romans 8:24).

The Christian life knows many such paradoxes. We now “are the sons of God,” and yet we are “waiting for the adoption” (Romans 8:14,23). Us “He also glorified,” but still “we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:30,17). Right now, in Christ, “we have redemption through His blood,” but the Holy Spirit is “the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession” (Ephesians 1:7,14). We only have “the firstfruits of the Spirit” while we are awaiting “the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23), but by “the Holy Spirit of God” we “are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30), and therefore we already possess “redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14). Similarly the Father already “hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son” (Colossians 1:13), but “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

Salvation has past, present, and future dimensions in all its aspects. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (John 3:36), as a present possession on the basis of a transaction already accomplished; yet still we must be encouraged to “lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called” (I Timothy 6:12). We know our Savior by faith, but the day will come when we truly know Him, as He knows us! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Called And Chosen (#19950217)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (II Thessalonians 2:13,14).

Note the order established by God in His great plan of salvation. God had chosen these Thessalonian believers to salvation even before they were born, for it was from the beginning. Then He called them, and they heard the gospel, believed the truth, and were sanctified (that is, “set apart”) by the Holy Spirit, eventually destined to be glorified in Christ.

To accomplish this, however, the Spirit used human messengers. He first, in a vision, directed Paul to go to Greece to preach the gospel (Acts 16:9), where he eventually reached Thessalonica and taught the truth to those he found in the synagogue. However, of the many who were “called” as Paul preached and taught, only “some of them believed” (Acts 17:4). Most of his listeners had not been “chosen,” so they resisted the “call” and refused to believe. As Jesus said: “Many are called, but few (are) chosen” (Matthew 20:16).

Such a truth may be difficult to understand with our finite minds, but (like Paul) “we are bound to give thanks” that we who believe today, like the Thessalonian believers then, have been both “chosen in Him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4), and also “called out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).

This same mysterious but glorious truth is found throughout Scripture. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. . . . What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:28,31). HMM

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The Lord Jesus Christ (#19950218)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 1:1).

It is significant that in this first verse of what may have been Paul’s first inspired epistle, he twice identified the Son of God as “the Lord Jesus Christ,” thus giving Him the honor and recognition to which He is entitled.

Paul used this “full name” of Christ at least 19 times in the two brief Thessalonian epistles, as he often did also in his other epistles. Likewise James, in his first verse, called himself “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). Jude warned against any who would deny “the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 4). Peter began his first epistle with “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 1:3). The apostle John closed the last book of the Bible with the benediction: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (Revelation 22:21).

In the New Testament epistles, He was also frequently called “Jesus Christ,” “Christ Jesus,” “the Lord Jesus,” “the Lord,” or simply “Christ.” Once He was called “the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:24). It is significant, however, that He was never called merely by His human name “Jesus” except when the writer was referring strictly to His human incarnation. In the gospels, the name “Jesus” was used very often in relating His words and deeds, but never did His followers address Him as “Jesus.” Always, when speaking to Him, they addressed Him as “Lord” or “Master” (note John 13:13).

Perhaps modern Christians are too careless when they speak or sing of Him or pray to Him using only His human name. As Peter said: “God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). He is now our risen and glorified Lord Jesus Christ! HMM