A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

The Danger Of Quick Conversions (#19950418)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended” (Mark 4:16,17).

Great is the number of those who, under the influence of a dynamic preacher or persuasive “soul-winner,” have responded to an appeal to “receive Christ,” perhaps repeating a prayer and signing a decision card, but with no real comprehension of the gospel, and therefore without genuine repentance and faith through Christ. They may have felt a surge of “gladness” at the promise of forgiveness and salvation and thus gave mental assent “immediately” to the invitation, but they had “no root.”

Such “converts” are those called “stony ground” by Christ in His famous parable of the sower. In the congenial atmosphere of the Christian gathering, all may seem well, but in the harsh outside world of skepticism and ridicule, the word which they have eagerly accepted soon becomes offensive to them. Such shallow converts may “fall away” (Luke 8:13) as quickly as they had seemed to believe.

The Lord Jesus chose His disciples with the intent that “ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (John 15:16), not fruit that would wither away because of shallow roots in unreceptive soil. The ground must first be prepared before the seed is sown or the roots can never sustain the plant and its fruit.

The apostle Paul wrote in this same vein: “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6,7). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Christ The Creationist (#19950419)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be” (Mark 13:19).

In predicting a future judgment on the unbelieving world, the Lord Jesus referred to “the beginning of the creation which God created,” thus affirming the Biblical doctrine of supernatural, sudden creation. In the pagan world of His day evolutionism was dominant almost everywhere. The Epicureans, for example, were atheistic evolutionists. The Stoics, Gnostics, Platonists, and others were pantheistic evolutionists. None of the extra-Biblical philosophers of His day believed in a God who had created all things, including even the universe itself.

But Christ was a creationist, and the much maligned “scientific creationists” of today are following His example and teaching. He even believed in recent creation, for He said, speaking of Adam and Eve, that “from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female” (Mark 10:6). The pagans all believed in an eternal cosmos, but Jesus said it had a beginning, and that man and woman were a part of that beginning creation, following which, “the sabbath was made for man” (Mark 2:27).

He also believed that the “two accounts” of creation (Genesis I and 2) were complimentary, not contradictory, for He quoted from both in the same context. “Have ye not read,” He said, “that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female [from Genesis 1], And said For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? [from Genesis 2]” (Matthew 19:4–6).

There may be some Christians who are evolutionists, but there is no such thing as “Christian evolution,” for Christ was a creationist! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Deliverance From Fear (#19950420)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).

There are many things in such a world as ours which can bring fear into human hearts—fear of want, fear of war, fear of rejection, fear of the dark, and a multitude of others. Some fears are rational, some are foolish, but all are very serious to those who experience them.

The good news of the gospel, however, can set us free from every fear. Remember that fear entered the world when sin entered the world. “I was afraid,” Adam explained, when God found him hiding in the garden after eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:10). The second reference to fear in the Bible, on the other hand, was when “the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1). The Lord protects us and provides for us; we have His word and need “fear no evil” (Psalm 23:4).

At least 19 times in the New Testament we hear the words “fear not,” or “be not afraid,” on the lips of Christ. Whenever phobias beset us or fears discourage us, deliverance is ours when we seek the Lord. Then “we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:6). Even if we must sometimes “suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled” (I Peter 3:14).

Perhaps the greatest fear of all is the fear of death, but the Lord delivers us even from this fear, for He has conquered death. In His glorified body, He has said: “Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for ever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Revelation 1:17,18). HMM

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The Test Of Expedience (#19950421)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (I Corinthians 6:12).

Christians are saved by the grace of God, not by works of righteousness. Therefore, in a sense, they are free to do whatever they please. “All things are lawful unto me.” The Christian, however, is under a higher law, the law of love and of seeking to please and honor his Savior and Lord.

Therefore, when a question arises as to whether a certain act is right or wrong, the decision should be based on how it impacts the cause of Christ. Does it help or hinder in the winning of the lost, or in edifying the believer? Does it honor the Lord and His word, or bring reproach against His truth? For example, Paul concluded he could not afford to “be brought under the power of any” practice (e.g., drinking, smoking, gambling) that might limit the power of God over his actions and decisions.

In a similar passage, Paul says: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not” (I Corinthians 10:23). Thus, nothing is expedient for the Christian that does not edify (that is, “build up”) spiritually either himself or someone else.

In a similar vein, he said elsewhere that “there is nothing unclean of itself: but to Him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to Him it is unclean. . . . Let not then your good be evil spoken of: . . . Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Romans 14:14,16,19).

This test of expediency, therefore, if applied sincerely by the believer in terms of advancing or hindering the purposes of God in Christ, can be of great help in decision making regarding doubtful issues. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Divine Designer (#19950422)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?” (Isaiah 40:12).

The answer to this rhetorical question can only be God, the divine designer of all the intricate interrelationships of His great creation. Four of the disciplines of natural science are implied here, and in each case a key principle of that science is anticipated.

The emphasis is on the precision of the divinely allocated quantities of each component. First, there is the precise balance of the waters of the earth between the oceans; rivers, groundwater, and atmospheric waters. Hydrology is the science of Earth’s waters, and life on Earth is dependent on the fine tuning of the components of the hydrologic cycle. “He looketh to the ends of the earth. . . . To make the weight for the winds; and He weigheth the waters by measure” (Job 28:24,25). Also, the atmospheric heaven has been carefully dimensioned in size and composition to make life possible, as formulated in the science of meteorology.

The “dust of the earth” is nothing less than the basic chemical elements out of which all things are made. The accuracy with which elements combine with each other is based on their valences, and all of this is involved in the study of chemistry. The principle of isostasy (“equal weights”) is the fundamental principle of the science of geophysics, involving the weights of mountains and hills, continents and ocean basins.

God does not deal in chance and caprice, even with inanimate physical systems such as mountains and waters. Not even a sparrow can “fall on the ground without your Father” (Matthew 10:29). HMM

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No More Problems (#19950423)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake” (Matthew 24:9).

All too often in these days of “easy believism” and the “peace and prosperity” false teaching, we hear someone say “Once you become a Christian, all your problems will be over.” It is doubtful that anyone really believes such a statement, much less experiences it. Certainly the Israelites who had just been miraculously delivered from bondage didn’t experience it.

Of course, this concept is not Biblical. In fact, the Bible teaches quite the opposite. Christ promised, “Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake” (Matthew 10:22). He, Himself, had had many problems. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). Later, after experiencing many problems, John wrote “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you” (I John 3:13).

These problems may take the form of general troubles which come from living in a sinful, cursed world, specific afflictions which God allows in our lives to bring about His purpose, or discipline of the Lord for personal sin, as well as direct persecution from without.

While troubles will come, all is not lost. Christ promised “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Through Him we have the strength to meet every difficulty of this life with peace, good cheer, and victory. Through Him we also receive the promise that throughout eternity “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4). JDM

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Stand Fast (#19950424)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. . . . For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:6,9).

Many is the modern-day evangelical who has attempted to harmonize the plain sense of passages of Scripture with Big Bang cosmogony, concepts of stellar evolution, and a uniformitarian framework for Earth history. This exercise seldom results in a tempering of secular thought, but rather in a compromising reinterpretation of Scripture, making it say something it clearly does not say.

The Bible says that “the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:3), that all things which now exist were simply called into existence at God’s spoken command. Creation was a true miracle. It was not (as some insist) merely a godly oversight of cosmic processes acting on eternal matter, nor was it the gradual appearance and disappearance of matter in a steady-state transformation. Only a poor regard for Scripture, coupled with an overly high regard for current astronomical theory, could interpret Hebrews 11:3 as the explosion of a tiny, super dense “cosmic egg” (which did not “appear;” i.e., too small to see), itself the result of a “quantum fluctuation in a vacuum” in a big bang which produced the entire universe.

Rather, as implied in the formula, “Let there be . . . and there was,” repeated many times in Genesis 1, and as described in our text and elsewhere, all things derive simply from His spoken word. Our response should not be to disbelieve and twist, but to believe and praise. “Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him” (Psalm 33:. JDM

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The Wandering Jew (#19950425)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And the LORD shall scatter thee among all peoples, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone” (Deuteronomy 28:64).

One of the most convincing evidences of the inspiration of the Bible is found in the numerous prophecies of the dispersion of God’s chosen people, Israel, among all the nations of the world. Our text was written through Moses almost four centuries before the great kingdom of Israel under David and Solomon was even established, and over 700 years before the beginning of the dispersion, but eventually it was fulfilled, literally and meticulously.

No nation was ever scattered so widely as Israel, yet amazingly, they have remained a distinct people, even under great persecution, for over 3500 years. This also was prophesied: “My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto Him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations” (Hosea 9:17). “And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee” (Deuteronomy 28:37). “Lo the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations” (Numbers 23:9).

The Scriptures also predicted the long duration of their dispersion, as well as their eventual reestablishment as a nation, and ultimate return to the true God, their Creator and Savior. “For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, . . . Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and His goodness in the latter days” (Hosea 3:4,5).

This is a mere sampling of the Scriptures on this vital subject, all testifying to the prophetic omniscience of the divine author of the Bible. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Angels Round About (#19950426)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7).

Since God’s angels are normally unseen, we have little appreciation of how intimately they are involved in our lives. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14). As in our text, there may well be a protecting angel embracing and delivering us in times of danger. “For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone” (Psalm 91:11,12).

Angels are sometimes called on to rout the enemies of God and His people. “Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul . . . and let the angel of the LORD chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them” (Psalm 35:4–6).

Angels are intensely interested in the salvation and spiritual growth of believers, “which things the angels desire to look into” (I Peter 1:12). “For we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men” (I Corinthians 4:9). There are even occasions when “some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2).

There is “an innumerable company of angels” (Hebrews 12:22); beings of great power and wisdom (II Kings 19:35; II Samuel 14:20). They are not omnipotent, omnipresent, or omniscient, of course, since they—like us—were created by God, simply to obey God. “Bless the LORD, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word” (Psalm 103:20).

Finally, we shall be “carried by the angels” (Luke 16:22) into God’s presence. Then we can better understand and thank them for all the many services rendered to us here on Earth. HMM

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A Credible Lifestyle (#19950427)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey” (Mark 1:6).

At times we tend to think of John the Baptist as a wild man, one who would have been either an offense or a laughingstock to those he was trying to reach, but in reality quite the opposite was true. He was greatly respected and believed; some even wondered if he should have been worshiped as “that prophet” (i.e., the Messiah), or revered as Elijah (John 1:21). His “preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Luke 3:3) was so effective that not only the common people (Luke 3:10), but also the publicans (v.12), soldiers (v.14), priests, and Levites (John 1:19), as well as the Pharisees and the Sadducees (Matthew 3:7), came to hear his teaching. Many repented and were baptized.

Far from being non-credible, John’s style was what was expected of a prophet. Indeed his ministry and message was a fulfillment of that of Elijah (Malachi 4:5) who himself “was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins” (II Kings 1:. Even false prophets mimicked this style (Zechariah 13:4) to gain credibility.

The point is, we should strive to package our timeless message of the gospel of Christ in such a way as to gain the greatest hearing and the most true converts. This is not to say that we should dress as John or Elijah did, for that would be bizarre in today’s world. Nor should we flaunt riches, for both styles detract from the message and induce ridicule and blasphemy.

Perhaps the principle is to dress and act as the hearers would expect a credible, sober conveyer of truth to behave. Let us be careful to “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (Titus 2:10). JDM

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The Incorruptible God (#19950428)
by Connie J. Horn

“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things” (Romans 1:22,23).

When something is corruptible in the Biblical sense, it can decay, be spoiled, or be ruined. Man’s sinfulness is most evident when he attempts to create a mental picture or physical facsimile of God that resembles either himself or another of God’s creations. Thus, the battle lies in realizing that the “glory of the incorruptible God” is not like corruptible man or the creation which groans under the bondage of sin. Hebrews speaks of Jesus Christ with the “power of an endless life” (7:16). Contrast this with the work of men, which comes to “naught” (Acts 5:38).

Our only real hope lies in the fact that God is incorruptible. It is His incorruption with which our corruption (I Corinthians 15:42–45) must be “clothed” (II Corinthians 5:2). “As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly” (I Corinthians 15:49). Life comes from life—and true spiritual, immortal life must come from immortal life. Speaking of God, Paul says, “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto” (I Timothy 6:16). “For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given the Son to have life in Himself” (John 5:26). Man, on the other hand, is hopelessly trapped in a “body of death” (Romans 7:24). With these thoughts in mind, this old familiar verse takes on a new sweetness: “For the wages of sin is death; but thegift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). “Now unto the King eternal, immortal [same Greek word as incorruptible in our text verse], invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (I Timothy 1:17). CJH

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Sin Not (#19950429)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26).

There are many occasions when a Christian may be rightly angered by some ugly word or incident and thus be strongly tempted to respond in kind. Our text, however, reminds us that such a reaction, for a Christian, is sin, and it urges us to get control of our anger before sundown. We are not to let our anger fester until it breaks out in action.

A very similar command was given long ago to Old Testament believers also. “Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah” (Psalm 4:4). When angry, it is far better to wait and communicate with God about it in bed than to bring recriminations in the street (or, perhaps, in the home) against the ones who have angered us.

The Lord Jesus Himself is always our example, “Who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” (I Peter 2:23).

This is often one of the most difficult areas to overcome in the Christian life. As James says: “The tongue can no man tame . . . therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. . . . My brethren, these things ought not so to be” (James 3:8–10). Nevertheless, what man cannot tame, God can!

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:19,20). “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). Anger may come, but to act in anger is sin. HMM

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Summing Up Submission (#19950430)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (I Peter 5:5).

Although this book was written to the church during a time of horrible persecution, much of it is concerned with submission. Believers are to submit to the government (2:13–17), slaves to their masters (2:18–20), wives to their husbands (3:1–6), husbands to their wives (3:7), and each one to the other, as in our text, in just the same way Christ submitted to God’s plan for His suffering and death (2:21–25).

A summary of this teaching is found in I Peter 3:8–12. “Be ye all of one mind” (v.; Peter tells us, live in harmony. Paul taught: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). There are exceptions to the rule (e.g., the primary doctrines of Scripture), but the Christian should not be the one to break the peace. He should do everything short of compromise to live in harmony.

Continuing (see I Peter 3:, we should have “compassion” for others (such as the rulers, employers, and spouses mentioned). We should “love as brethren” and choose to serve rather than be served. “Pitiful” is usually translated “tenderhearted,” and “courteous” implies “humble in spirit.”

We should return a blessing for a curse instead of replying in kind (I Peter 3:9). We should choose our words and use our speech carefully (v.10), and “eschew” (i.e., avoid) evil (v.11), actively replacing evil behavior with good. Peace must be consciously pursued.

There is great reward in such a lifestyle and attitude. In doing so we will “inherit a blessing” (v.9) and “see good days” (v.10). “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (v.12). JDM

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Living In Christ (#19950501)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21)

Our daily lives involve many activities—walking, talking, working, resting—and all are joyfully transformed and energized as we do them in the name and in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, when “Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them,” we can testify: “Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way?” (Luke 24:15,32).

Or, like Andrew and another disciple (probably John) who “abode with Him that day,” and then soon desired to bring others to Him (John 1:39–42), our love for the Lord and concern for others grow as we abide with Him. With Mary of Bethany, who “sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word” (Luke 10:39), we can listen to Him by the Holy Spirit through the inspired word of God, and thus choose with her “that good part.”

We can even say with Paul, “I am crucified with Christ,” but nevertheless “alive unto God through Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:11), if indeed we resolve by His enabling “that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Romans 6:6).

Finally, like all the early disciples and those of every generation who “love His appearing” (II Timothy 4:, as we live daily in Him, walking and talking with Him, we can “look for Him” (Hebrews 9:28), knowing that one day we shall “meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:17). Even if we die before He returns, “to die is gain,” for “whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him” (I Thessalonians 5:10). “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1,2). HMM

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The Sinner's Prayer (#19950502)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).

Evangelists have often urged lost men and women to pray this “sinner’s prayer” if they desired to be saved. The account does say that this publican, after praying thus, “went down to his house justified” (v.14).

But there is more here than appears on the surface. It is not merely God’s mercy that is needed, for He has already been merciful to let us continue to live at all. The word translated “merciful” is used only one other time in the New Testament, and is there translated “make reconciliation for.” Speaking of the saving work of Christ, it says that He came “to make reconciliation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17). It is also closely related to the words for “propitiation” and “mercy seat.”

This parable of the Pharisee and the publican is set in the context of the Jewish temple worship, where sinners would bring their sacrificial offerings to cover their sins, knowing that “it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11). Such sacrifices were completely worthless, however, if offered in a spirit of religious pride and/or self-righteousness, like that of the Pharisee. There must be repentance and faith in God’s promise of forgiveness through the death of an innocent substitute, pre-figuring the true Lamb of God, whose coming death would truly make eternal reconciliation for the sins of the people. The publican prayed in this vein, and he was saved.

In our day, on the other side of the cross, a sinner’s saving prayer must say, in effect: “God, be propitiated to me on the basis of the death of Christ for my sins.” Such a prayer, offered in sincere repentance and faith in God’s promise, brings justification before God. HMM