A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

True Prosperity (#19950602)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (III John 2).

This text has been misused by many who promote the modern false gospel of health and wealth—teachers who promise healing and financial success to every believer whose “soul prospereth.” The negative implication of such teaching, of course, is that Christians who are not in robust physical health and enjoying material affluence are somehow lacking in faith and not in the will of God. Death is considered the ultimate lack of faith.

This pernicious notion is disproved, of course, merely by the example of Paul the apostle, a far more exemplary Christian than any of these latter-day false teachers, yet a man whose earnest prayer for healing of his “thorn in the flesh” was denied, and who died in poverty and martyrdom in a Roman dungeon. Modern examples could also be cited in great numbers—blind Fanny Crosby and her wonderful hymns, for example, or those who have given their lives in sacrificial service on a thousand mission fields.

Note that our text is not a promise, but a prayer. Furthermore, that prayer will be answered in great fullness, but not necessarily now! “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. . . . He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son” (Revelation 21:4,7).

In the meantime, we should remember that this coming time of true prosperity will be measured in accordance with the health and prosperity of our souls, exactly as John had prayed for his spiritual children, for Jesus said: “My reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12). HMM

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Old Testament Prophecy (#19950603)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you” (I Peter 1:10).

Our text and the verses which follow tell us a good deal about Old Testament prophecy and, rightly understood, answer many of the questions raised by modern “scholars” who scoff at the divine authorship of Scripture.

First, we can see that much prophecy was devoted to the theme of “the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow” (v.11), long before the events took (or will take) place. That these prophecies were not mere human contrivances is seen in the claim that they were due to “the Spirit of Christ which was in them.”

Furthermore, the prophets themselves didn’t fully understand what they were writing. For instance, Isaiah wrote both of the glory of the coming Messiah (chapter 11) and His sufferings and death (chapter 53) with no indication that he knew how to put the two together. Peter claims the prophets “inquired and searched diligently” (v.10), “what, or what manner of time” (v.11) these things would come to pass. Indeed, even “the angels desire to look into” (v.12) these mysterious passages and doctrines.

Finally, the prophets evidently knew that the mysterious prophecies were not for them to understand, but for us to understand (v.12). Much of what so puzzled them has been revealed to us “by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven” (v.12).

Because of the ultimate authorship by the Holy Spirit, and the eventual explanation by the same Spirit, these prophecies have never failed. They provide irrefutable evidence for the inspiration of Scripture, clear reasons to trust in the message of Scripture, and a grounded faith in the consummation of God’s plan for the ages. JDM

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Where To Bestow Our Wealth (#19950604)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And He spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, what shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?” (Luke 12:16,17)

God Called this rich man, “Thou fool!” (Luke 12:20) because, rich as he was in his own eyes, he was “not rich toward God” (v.21). Instead of choosing to bestow his goods on others in need, or on any kind of ministry for God, he decided to build more barns and “there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods” (v.18). The barns did not need them, however, and neither did the rich fool, for he died the very night on which he made this selfish decision.

The intensity of his self-centered nature is pointed up by the fact that he used personal pronouns (I, my) no less than eleven times in three verses (vv.17–19). Furthermore, no counselor advised him on this course of action. He just “thought within himself” (v.17) to keep it all for his own comfort and pleasure.

Jesus told this parable not just to rebuke selfish rich people, however, but to warn all of us against the wicked sin of covetousness, “which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). “Beware of covetousness,” He said in introducing the parable, “for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).

Complaining American Christians (and almost all American Christians are wealthy compared to multitudes in many other nations) need to hear the ancient word of the psalmist, still relevant today: “Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased: For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. . . . Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish” (Psalm 49:16,17,20). HMM

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The Living Word/the Word Of Life (#19950605)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Holding forth the word of Life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain” (Philippians 2:16).

There is such beautiful correlation between the living word (Christ) and the written word (the Bible) that certain Scriptures could well apply to either one. Such is the case with our text. The Philippians were exhorted to hold forth the word of life, which presumably could mean either the living word, or else the Scriptures, which speak of eternal life.

The same dual meaning can be discerned in such texts as II Timothy 4:2 (“Preach the word”) and Hebrews 4:12 (“The word of God is quick, and powerful”). In fact, there are many beautiful figures of speech that are applied in the Bible to the ministries of both Christ and the Scriptures in a believer’s life.

For example, Christ is “The light of the world” (John 8:12), but also, “The commandment is a lamp; and the law is light” (Proverbs 6:23). Similarly, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), but He also said: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4).

The Lord Jesus Christ said: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37). God also promised that, “as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven; . . . So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth” (Isaiah 55:10,11).

Both are described as the very personification of truth. Jesus said “I am . . . the truth,” and He also prayed to the Father: “Thy word is truth” (John 14:6; 17:17). Finally, both must be received: “receive . . . the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21), for “as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God” (John 1:12). HMM

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Plans That Happen (#19950606)
by Connie J. Horn

“How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, 0 God! how great is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:17).

Isaiah has taught us that there is a great difference between man’s thinking and God’s: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8,9). Not only are the thoughts of God (which are wholly true and pure) different from man’s thinking that is often corrupted by wrong motivations, God’s thoughts and plans are divine and, as such, set in motion effects that cannot he changed or stopped unless their Divine Cause chooses otherwise. Zechariah testifies: “Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us . . . so hath He dealt with us” (Zechariah 1:6).

The word for “thought” in the Old Testament is a word that means to “associate.” Thinking is an association of ideas. When one plans, one tries to have all the facts in order to make wise decisions. Only the Creator God of the universe knows everything and, therefore, is wise enough to associate all knowledge together for His glory and man’s good. God speaking through Jeremiah said, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).

In order to give our best in trying to do God’s will, we must follow the instruction of Solomon: “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established” (Proverbs 16:3), always praying that “thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10) and studying God’s word that is a “discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). “0 LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep” (Psalm 92:5). CJH

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The Allure Of The Crowd (#19950607)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“And the multitudes that went before and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21:9).

One of the saddest commentaries on human nature can be found by comparing the stirring testimony in our text with the shouts of a similar crowd only a few days later, when “the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. . . . Let Him be crucified” (Matthew 27:20,22).

People often act and think quite differently in a crowd than when they are alone. There is great risk in standing alone. Numerous tests have shown that a person will many times deny the obvious, choosing illogically rather than standing alone. But many times the crowd is wrong.

Much of the popularity of current evolutionary theory stems from the fact that “everybody” believes in evolution. Never mind the fact that there is no objective evidence in support of evolution, that the possibility of it defies natural law and probability. All too many people blindly accept what the Bible calls foolishness simply because it is called wise by the crowd (Romans 1:22).

Notice the kind of things that result when the crowd is wrong, particularly the crowd calling for Christ’s death. First the leaders, who know and/or hide the truth, escape responsibility (Matthew 27:20,24, etc.). Truth is mocked (vv.29; 39–44) and lies prevail (26:59–61). The guilty go free, and the innocent are punished (27:26).

Praise God, in this case and in certain other cases, He sees to it that “the wrath of man shall praise thee” (Psalm 76:10). The ICR and many others are currently feeling the sting of the evolutionary crowd’s wrath, but we have not been abandoned by the One who gives the victory. JDM

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All On The Altar (#19950608)
by Norman P. Spotts, D.D.

“If his offering be a burnt-sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD” (Leviticus 1:3).

The burnt sacrifice, or whole burnt offering, speaks volumes concerning the voluntary sacrifice of Christ. It typifies Christ coming to do the will of God at all costs. Every aspect of the offering speaks of Christ.

For instance, the offering was to be “a male without blemish.” Even so Christ “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth” (I Peter 2:22). Again, the offerer presented His offering “of His own voluntary will.” This aspect is expressed by Christ in John 4:34: “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.”

Then again, if the offering was not accepted, then the offerer would not be accepted. It goes without saying that if Christ was not accepted by God the Father, then we could never be accepted either. The resurrection of Christ is the crowning proof that God accepted His sacrifice. “And it shall be accepted for Him to make atonement for him” (Leviticus 1:4).

After the offering was killed, it was placed on the altar in its entirety. “The priest shall burn all on the altar” (v.9). Christ, indeed, gave all that He had to procure our salvation. The offering was “made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD” (v.9). God was well-pleased.

He is also well-pleased when we become a “living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is (our) reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). The whole burnt offering becomes the privilege of the believer as he offers “all on the altar.”

May our lives be a sweet-smelling savour to God because we are willing to become a living sacrifice. NPS

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A Spring Of Water (#19950609)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Jesus answered and said unto her; Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall . . . be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:13,14).

Water is necessary for life, and no one can live for long without it. Jesus, when talking to the Samaritan woman at the well, used this simple and well-known fact to teach timeless truth, both to her and to us.

It is worth our attention that the two occurrences of the word “drinketh” in our text are actually in two different forms. The construction used in Greek implies a continual, habitual drinking in the first case, but a one-time action in the second.

Likewise, while the woman referred to a “well” (v.12) (literally “a hole in the ground”), Christ referred to a “flowing well” or “spring,” using a different word.

Furthermore, when He said one who drinks from His spring shall “never thirst,” He said so in a very emphatic way. Not only is the word emphasized by the sentence structure, but it is compiled of two negatives preceding the verb “thirst,” which is further strengthened by the word “forever,” i.e., “shall not, shall not thirst, forever.”

One who drinks from the wells of the world will thirst again, for sinful pleasures never satisfy. But just a single drink from the springs of “living water” (4:10; 7:38) of which Christ spoke eliminates spiritual thirst forever.

That one drink is a drink of eternal life, and it becomes in the believer a veritable spring, inexhaustible in its quantity and unsurpassed in its quality. The water is, of course, a reference to the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus to minister to His followers in His absence. One day we’ll be with Him, and then, as well as now, He completely satisfies. JDM

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Our Inheritance (#19950610)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:4).

Our heavenly inheritance, among other things, is an “eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15), held jointly with Christ (Romans 8:17) and “all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). We who are born again “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” and “kept by the power of God” (I Peter 1:3,5) find such an inheritance described in our text.

First, we notice that our inheritance is incorruptible, or undecaying, immortal. Note how the same word is used in verse 23, “being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God.” Therefore “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt” (Matthew 6:20).

Second, it is undefiled, pure, uncontaminated by sin. Remember, Christ is “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26) and so, evidently, is our inheritance.

Third, it fadeth not away. “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (I Peter 5:4).

Lastly, our inheritance is “reserved in heaven” for us. Christ prayed, “Holy Father, keep [same word] through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are” (John 17:11). Surely our inheritance is as secure as we are, guarded by none other than the all-powerful guard.

So we see that our inheritance cannot die, cannot be tainted by sin, will never fade, and cannot be lost. “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day” (II Timothy 1:12). JDM

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For Us (#19950611)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“But God commendeth His Love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:.

“Christian” liberals for many generations have scoffed at the Biblical doctrine that the death of Christ could serve as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sin of the whole world. Like all other religions, this religion assumes that each person is responsible for his own salvation, which must somehow be earned by his own good deeds and religious observances. Some have a very rigid code of ethics, some talk of mental attitudes which ascend to higher planes through meditation, some emphasize only love, others simply feel that the good must somehow outweigh the bad. All rely on human abilities to gain salvation.

Nevertheless, the Bible clearly teaches that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) and, as our text emphasizes, “Christ died for us.” This pungent phrase, “for us,” appears repeatedly in the New Testament. Listen to this refrain:

“(God) spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all” (Romans 8:32). “For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us” (I Corinthians 5:7). “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). “Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity” (Titus 2:14). “Christ also suffered for us” (I Peter 2:21). “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us” (I John 3:16).

Hereby we perceive His great love for us! He was delivered up for us, sacrificed for us, made a curse for us; He gave Himself for us, suffered for us, and laid down His life for us. We were helpless, lost in sin, altogether unable to pay for our sins, but “Christ died for our sins” (I Corinthians 15:3), and we are saved! HMM

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B.c.? (#19950612)
by Paul G. Humber, M.S.

“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. (John 8:58)” (Mark 15:44,45)

The concept that there was a time “before Christ” (B.C.) is misleading. Christ means Messiah (anointed one), and the Lord Jesus Christ has existed from all eternity. He is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:. He created all things (Hebrews 1:8–10) and is the Lord of time.

It is true that He did not fully take on the Messiahship role until His incarnation, but He existed and even manifested Himself on earth prior to the incarnation. B.T.I. (before the incarnation) may be a better designation.

The Lord also used the emphatic “I am” of Jehovah (cf. Exodus 3:14), affirming His eternal existence. Those who heard Him understood the claim as blasphemy and picked “up stones to cast at Him” (John 8:59).

The Old Testament describes Him as “the angel of the LORD” (Genesis 16:7–13, Jehovah’s Messenger); “the angel of God” (Genesis 21:17,18). He is “The Rock” (Deuteronomy 32:4; cf. I Corinthians 10:4); “the captain of the LORD’S host” (Joshua 5:13–15); “the Son” (Psalm 2:12); David’s “shepherd” (Psalm 23:1; cf. John 10:14); “the Son of man” (Daniel 7:13); and “the Branch” (Zechariah 3:8,9). He existed throughout the Old Testament era and fulfilled all the promises. He is the “Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” All the promises were and are yea and amen in Him.

Our response should be humbly to worship and praise Him. He made us, owns us, holds us together and died to save us. There is no other hope; He alone is hope. He knows suffering and death, but also conquered Satan and death.

May we praise Him because He is the “I am” who always lives to make intercession for His people. He is both Lord and God. PGH

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Did He Really Die? (#19950613)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“And Pilate marvelled if He were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether He had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph” (Mark 15:44,45).

The absolute and total physical death of Christ is essential to the gospel. Liberals and detractors have for years tried to obscure or deny this vital teaching, claiming that Christ merely “swooned” on the cross and later revived in the tomb, then appearing to His followers, who falsely claimed His resurrection.

But to the Christian, the death of Christ is not an option. The Bible teaches that sin had separated each man from God, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” being declared righteous only “through faith in His blood” (Romans 3:23–25) which was shed on the cross. “Without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22) of sin. There can be no Christianity without the real death of the real, sinless, Son of God.

It seems that the gospel writers, in recounting the events of the crucifixion, go to great lengths to make sure no one misunderstands. In Mark 15, for example, nearly 20 people are mentioned who no doubt would testify to His death. Consider the likely testimony of the Roman guards who had tortured Him to the point of death (vv.15–23), nailed Him on the cross (v.24), and watched Him die. The executioner (v.25) and the centurion (vv.39,44,45) were trained in killing. They knew how to recognize death. The thieves (v.27), the mocking passers-by (v.29), the chief priests and scribes (v.31), the grave keepers (v.46), all would have had no doubt. Pilate was convinced (vv.44,45) as were His many friends who watched (vv.40,41,47).

There can be no doubt Christ surely died, and He died “to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). JDM

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Mt. Ararat And The Resurrection (#19950614)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat” (Genesis 8:4).

The story of Noah’s preservation through the awful Flood has been recognized by all Bible students as a beautiful picture of the resurrection. It was, of course, a true story which actually happened the way the Bible describes, but an analogy nonetheless.

The flood was sent as a judgment upon the sinful world of Noah’s day (Genesis 6:5–7,11–13,17). The “wages of sin” (Romans 6:23) has always been death. But God provided a way of salvation to those eight souls who believed, Noah and his family (Genesis 6:8,9,14–16, 18–22); i.e., the Ark which Noah built.

Although the analogy is not perfect, it does beautifully illustrate the fact that the punishment for sin is still death, but that God has provided a perfect way of salvation to those who believe in His Son Jesus Christ and in His death on the cross.

In that light, it is interesting to note the date in our text, which has great significance. The calendar was changed by God at the time of the Passover, another beautiful prefigure of Christ’s work. The seventh month became the first month (Exodus 12:2), and the Passover was to be observed on the fourteenth day of that month (v.6) each year following. “Christ our Passover” (I Corinthians 5:7) was sacrificed for us on that day (John 19:14) and rose again the third day, the seventeenth day of the first (formerly the seventh) month.

This was the anniversary of the landing of Noah’s Ark on the mountains of Ararat, providing its inhabitants new life following judgment of the world and its destruction because of sin. What a blessed picture of our new resurrection life based on Christ’s death for our sins. JDM

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12 O'clock Noon (#19950615)
by Norman P. Spotts, D.D.

“And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon” (Genesis 43:16).

A good number of important Scriptural events happened at either 12 o’clock noon or 12 o’clock midnight. As we examine the noontime events, may it remind us that He is never early or late. “The Lord is not slack [late] concerning His promise(s)” (II Peter 3:9). The darkness of eternal death was experienced at noon. “Now from the sixth hour [noon] there was darkness over all the land” (Matthew 27:45). Christ paid the penalty for our sin in total darkness—separated from God and man. The light of eternal salvation was experienced at noon. “As I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me” (Acts 22:6). Not only was Paul saved at noon, but so was the woman at the well (John 4:6). Gracious forgiveness was bestowed at noon. The above text relates the story of Joseph who, at a noon-day luncheon, marvelously forgave and restored his brothers to full fellowship. Has not Christ done the same with us? We who were estranged from God have been “made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). Divine judgment fell on the ungodly after noon-day events. The prophets of Baal “called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon. . . . And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them” (I Kings 18:26,27). Following this confrontation, the fire of God consumed Elijah’s sacrifice and the Baal worshippers were slain.

May we ever be reminded that, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation” (II Corinthians 6:2). NPS

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12 O'clock Midnight (#19950616)
by Norman P. Spotts, D.D.

“And it came to Pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 12:29).

Remarkable events that occurred at midnight are recorded in the Scripture by the Holy Spirit. The events are both varied and sometimes startling. Death came at midnight. In the above text, God brought a nation and its leadership to its knees by destroying all the firstborn of the entire land. Judgment on sin began at midnight when a proud and glorious nation came to utter destruction in their midnight hour of divine judgment. Life came at midnight. The Philippian jailer was wondrously saved after a midnight earthquake awakened him, not only physically, but spiritually, causing him to cry out, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:25–3O). God can move a sinner at any time of the day or night. Praise, prayer, and thanksgiving came at midnight. “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God” (Acts 16:25) while in prison after having been beaten. David also used the dark hours of the night to express gratitude for God’s unfailing word. “At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments” (Psalm 119:62). Deliverance came at midnight. “About midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country” (Acts 27:27), and the Apostle Paul was delivered from a tremendous physical storm by the God who controls the storms. Every true believer can find the same faithful God to bring deliverance to their midnight storms. The bridegroom came at midnight. “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh” (Matthew 25:6). Our bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ, is coming soon. “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:13). NPS