A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

A Father Of Us All (#19950628)
by Kenneth B. Cumming, Ph.D.

“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9).

How could eight people be the parents of all the ethnic groups we see today? Part of the answer lies in the interpretation of our study verse; It says Noah was perfect in his generations. The word “perfect” implies entire, complete, or full. In its immediate sense it probably refers to his righteousness before God—“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

As God looked at the world in Noah’s day, He found Noah to be “complete.” While the primary interpretation focuses on his moral character, it may also imply he was complete in other aspects of his life, too. If he was “complete” in a genetic sense, he must have had the array of genes necessary to become an ancestral father of all that are living today. We now know that organisms with multiple traits can produce unique expressions of these traits in just a few generations. This would have been enhanced by the institution of the various language groups at Babel with resulting migrations resulting in the nations we see around the globe.

Let us not forget that Noah was a real person who lived a just life before God. In like manner each of us is to seek completeness in Noah’s God. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). No doubt God knew Noah’s frame and chose him to be a father of us all. We can’t change our inheritance, but we can perfect our judgment and truth and place our trust in Him (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 18:30). KBC

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The Invitations Of Christ (#19950629)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day: for it was about the tenth hour” (John 1:39).

This is the first of the gracious invitations of the Lord Jesus to “come” to Him. On this occasion, right after His baptism by John, He invited two potential disciples to come with Him to His dwelling place. Very likely this was an outdoor mat somewhere, for He soon afterwards acknowledged that “the Son of man hath not where to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20). Nevertheless, one night of abiding with Jesus changed their lives. Soon afterwards He issued another invitation to them. “Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17), and they never went home again. First He invites us to come to see and know Him, then to come with Him to win others.

There is also the wonderful invitation to come to Him for relief from our burdens and cares. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). And note His promise to those who do accept His invitation: “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise case out” (John 6:37).

There were personal invitations. To Zacchaeus, the seeking sinner glimpsing Jesus from a sycamore tree, He said: “Come down: for to day I must abide at thy house” (Luke 19:5). To his friend Lazarus, dead and bound in a tomb, He cried: “Lazarus, come forth” (John 11:43), and not even the grave could prevent his accepting such a call.

There are other invitations from the lord, with gracious promises to those who come, but note especially the final invitation of the Bible: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Only Way (#19950630)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

This is surely one of the best-known, best-loved, most important, clearest, yet most profound verses in the Bible. There is no other way to come to God except through Christ, no other truth than that which is founded and centered on Christ, no other eternal life except the life of Christ imparted to the believer, through faith in Christ.

All who teach otherwise are “thieves and robbers” of the soul, for Jesus said: “I am the door” (John 10:8,9). There is no other door to heaven, and no other Shepherd of the sheep. He is the only “light of the world” (John 8:12) to illumine a world otherwise blackened by sin, “for God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 4:6).

He is “the bread of life . . . the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever” (John 6:48,51), and there is no other such life-sustaining eternal food for the hungry soul. Likewise, He is the “living water”: “if any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink” (John 7:37,38). No other water satisfies. He is also the one “true vine,” in whom we must abide for fruit-producing life, “for without me you can do nothing,” He said (John 15:1,5). The Scriptures have made it abundantly plain that there is “none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

There is no other way, the Lord Jesus Christ is the all-sufficient way, and the perfect way, to God. It is not that He shows the way; He is the way, and all who want to come, can come to God through Him. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Get Your Mind Ready (#19950701)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 1:13).

We have been born again (I Peter 1:3), Peter tells us, to an incorruptible inheritance in heaven (v.4), which is secure (v.5) even though the intervening time is difficult (vv.6,7). Such a salvation as we have is both mysterious and hard to understand, pondered by both the saints of old (v.10) and angels (v.12). Yet we have it with more complete understanding and fulfillment then even the prophets ever dreamed possible.

Our rightful response to this knowledge and experience is given in our text. We are to “gird up the loins of (our) mind.” Just as the flowing robes worn by the men of New Testament times had to be bundled up and tied at the waist to allow for rapid, unencumbered movement, so the Christian is expected to be ready to be on the move, to discipline his or her mind by the renouncing of all sinful and/or confining habits and attitudes.

To do so we must “be sober,” be clear-headed, calm, and in control. We must “hope to the end,” or more explicitly, “hope to the utmost degree” in our ultimate glorification at the return of Christ. The construction of “hope” implies a command to “fix our hope” on Him, a sure hope, not a wishful hope. This is the “grace that is brought [present tense] to the believer.”

Furthermore, we must renounce “the former lusts in (our) ignorance” (v.14), being “obedient children” of our Father.

It is not enough simply to eliminate sinful patterns from our lives. “But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy” (v.15).

A mind that is disciplined and purified is ready for action and victory. JDM

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Who's In The Shadows (#19950702)
by Kenneth B. Cumming, Ph.D.

“Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount” (Hebrews 8:5).

The writer of Hebrews reveals the character and nature of Jesus’ priesthood in chapter 7. Then, in chapter 8, he goes on to explain that this high priestly function is served by Christ in heaven where the true tabernacle is pitched. The earthly model is a man-made shadow or imperfect version of the heavenly structure. It was meant to be a visible object lesson for the people through which they could know about God and see the relationship of the parts by the practice of their worship.

Tabernacle worship was sufficient for the time, but God had a better plan. It took the form of a new covenant in which the promises were better, too. When the people did not continue in the first agreement to obey God, He promised to put His laws in their mind and write them in their hearts. Thus, the people could choose to accept God without all the visual aids. They could accept Christ’s once-for-all-time sacrifice by faith to cover their sin and hide God’s word in their minds. Christ’s blood then purged their “conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (9:14). Why was this better? Because the one sacrifice was sufficient for all time and all sin. Further, Jesus serves continually as our high priest in heaven before the Father.

Notice that this second kind of agreement is not based on what we see but what we believe. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (11:1). Thus, you and I, the tabernacle, and the incarnate Christ are all shadows of things in the heavenly tabernacle where completeness is expressed. KBC

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Occupied For Us (#19950703)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“But I am poor and needy; yet the LORD thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, 0 my God” (Psalm 40:17).

Whenever it seems that the Lord might have forgotten us, we can know that it only seems that way, and the Lord, who knows best, has some good reason for waiting to answer. He has said: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5), and our text assures us that He is always thinking about each one of us, even when we are poor and needy in body and soul.

Our text informs us that His mind is ever occupied for us, but it is interesting to note that so are all the members of His body, so to speak. His eyes keep watch over us, for “He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). His mighty arms support us, for “underneath are the everlasting arms” Deuteronomy 33:27). “Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand” Psalm 89:13).

His ears are always attentive to our words. “The eyes of the LORD are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry” (Psalm 34:15). His lips are continually occupied on our behalf, for Christ “ever liveth to make intercession for (us)” (Hebrews 7:25).

His hands and feet are also occupied for us. “I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10). The enemies of God’s people, on the other hand, will be broken under His feet. “I have trodden the winepress alone . . . for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury” (Isaiah 63:3).

Best of all is God’s great heart of love. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Forsaking All (#19950704)
by Kenneth B. Cumming, Ph.D.

“So Likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33).

History records that the founding fathers of this country pledged their lives and fortunes to follow their conscience. And thus our country was born and has prospered. In our text above, we see that Christ expects a similar sacrifice from us, if we are truly to be His disciples. This tough verse seems to go contrary to other moral values that we hold, for it speaks of a dedication to purpose that tolerates no interference. For example, does it really mean that we should hate these loved ones? (v.26).

“Likewise” refers to two examples of counting the cost (vv.25–31). In the first example Jesus speaks of a builder who starts a tower but doesn’t have enough resources to finish it. As a result, the people watching the project pass judgment on the soundness of the person’s vision. A second example addresses the arrogance of a leader that fights a rival with too few troops, only to have to beg for peace later.

Beyond these considerations, Jesus also states that not only must the disciple distance himself from his loved ones, but he must also deny himself (“bear his cross,” v.27). A disciple of Jesus must be prepared to suffer for the sake of the gospel if it comes to that. Nothing must be allowed to hinder total dedication to, or hamper sacrificial service for the King. Jesus compared would-be disciples that started to follow Him and turned back with salt which has lost its savor, good for nothing (vv.34,35).

Jesus expects disciples to make a total commitment which is without reservation. Once all rights and privileges are given up, then He returns what is necessary for the believer to comply with his responsibilities in the present life. We need to be willing to give up all for His sake. “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (v.35). KBC

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Faithful And Just (#19950705)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“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).

All too often when reading or quoting a favorite verse of Scripture, its familiarity gets in the way of our complete understanding of the verse. Such may he the case with our text, one of the most beloved and oft-quoted passages of Scripture. To begin with, we must remember that the topic is sinful behavior. The Bible says that “the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23), therefore sin cannot go unpunished. A faithful and just judge must punish such behavior: to forgive it is neither faithful nor just. “Without shedding of blood is no remission” of sin (Hebrews 9:22).

But the Bible also says, “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father. . . . Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 2:1; 1:7). Jesus Christ fully paid the penalty for our sins. He died so that we don’t have to die, for God “hath made Him to be sin for us . . .” (II Corinthians 5:21). God has further promised that “whoso confesseth and forsaketh (his sins) shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).

God in His mercy and grace has declared it to be so. What was once devised as merciful and gracious is now “faithful and just.”

Because He is just, He cannot allow the punishment for our sin to be inflicted twice. Because He is faithful and has promised to forgive a penitent and confessing sinner, He will not only “forgive us our sins,” but “cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” thereby restoring the sweet fellowship broken by our rebellion.

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (II Corinthians 5:20). JDM

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Christ Our Leader (#19950706)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons into glory, to make the captain of our salvation perfect through sufferings” (Hebrews 2:10).

The Lord never asks us to go anywhere that He has not gone before. He is the captain (literally, the “leader” of our salvation, and we only need follow our divine leader. The same word is used in Hebrews 12:2, where we are exhorted to be “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps” (I Peter 2:21). “Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince [same word] and a Savior . . .” (Acts 5:31).

The same wonderful truth appears under various figures. He is our shepherd, for instance, and He says: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give them eternal life: and they shall never perish” (John 10:27,28). He also illumines our path. “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). He guides us along the way by His indwelling Holy Spirit “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth. . . . and He will shew you things to come” (John 16:13).

With such a dauntless leader, a perfect example, a loving shepherd, a clear light and an infallible guide, we are (or should be) happy to follow Him, even if the way sometimes seems steep and hard.

He is the goal and prize at the end of the journey. For Him, Paul said, “I have suffered the loss of all. . . . that I may win. . . . forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:8,13,14). HMM

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Christ's Perfect Sinless Humanity (#19950707)
by Norman P. Spotts, D.D.

“And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon” (Leviticus 2:1).

The burnt sacrifice of Leviticus 1:3 teaches that Christ’s death was a voluntary sacrifice of Himself to the Father’s will “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). The meat offering of Leviticus 2:1 typifies Christ in His perfect, sinless humanity. The first shows His death, the latter shows His life of perfection lived before all.

There was no death or blood-shedding connected with the meat (or better translated as meal) offering, because it was made of fine flour. From the flour was made a cake which was then baked in the oven (v.4). This cake was unleavened (v.11), representing the humanity of Christ, our Bread of Life. His sinless humanity is seen in the word, “fine” (v.1). The life that Christ lived before others was indeed sinless. In fact, no one accepted His challenge to “convince me of sin” (John 8:46).

All of this was accomplished through the Holy Spirit who is represented by the oil associated with this offering. Leviticus 2:4 mentions “mingled with oil,” showing the Spirit’s part in the birth of Christ. “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall over-shadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).

This offering was one “made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD” (2:9). Our Lord was put in the fire, not only on the cross, but all through His life. Yet the more He was tested, the more His infinite perfections were revealed. His whole life and death were a sweet savor to God. He did surely give “Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor” (Ephesians 5:2). NPS

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Seek Ye First (#19950708)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

Our text for today has become a favorite memory verse for millions and has even been set to music by a number of artists. Indeed, its truth is of foundational importance. Let us look with care at what it says.

First, notice that the tense of the verb “seek” in Greek implies a command to establish an ongoing habit or life-style of “seeking” the things of the kingdom. We are commanded to put first things first on a continual basis and watch Him take care of the items of secondary interest.

We should strive to make His priorities our priorities—to so mold our thinking by the word of God that we think as He does on every issue. Our lives should exhibit the purity and righteousness that He exhibited when on earth. While it is true that we will never fully achieve such perfection this side of heaven, we should be striving, i.e., “seeking” to do so, by the power of His Spirit living in us.

The chapter surrounding our text is permeated by the concept of proper priorities; in relation to pride (vv.5–8,16–18), treasures on earth (vv.19–21), singleness of purpose (vv.22,23), serving two masters (v.24), anxious thoughts about the future (vv.25–32,34). Remember, “Your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (v.32).

If we reverse the proper order, not only will we not attain kingdom priorities and His righteousness, but we will probably miss the secondary “things” as well. The word “added,” a mathematical word, implies the prior existence of something to which other things can be added.

Perhaps in our “seeking” we should adopt the prayer Jesus taught His disciples: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (v.10). JDM

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Our Hiding Place (#19950709)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5).

There come times in the life of each believer when the trials become overwhelming and the whole world seems to be falling apart. Without the lord, it would be impossible to escape, but with the Lord there can be safety and restoration, for He can be our precious hiding place until the storm is done.

There are many gracious promises to this effect in His word, and we need only to claim them to experience them. The “pavilion” in our text is best understood as the tent of the commander-in-chief, well-protected and away from the battlefront. Surely we are safe there. “Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues” Psalm 31:20). There is a wonderful Messianic promise in Isaiah 32:2: “And a man [that Man is Christ!] shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.”

There, sheltered from the storm, our gracious Lord gives comfort and sweet counsel, until we are able to face the tempest victoriously. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust” (Psalm 91:1,2).

One of the most beautiful of these promises introduces David’s great song of deliverance: “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in Him will I trust: He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence” (II Samuel 22:2,3). HMM

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Jesus Christ: Creator (#19950710)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him” (Colossians 1:16).

The Old Testament uses several names for the one who created. For example: “For thus saith the LORD [i.e., Jehovah] that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it” (Isaiah 45:18). But the New Testament leaves no doubt as to who the Creator is.

Our text states it clearly. The “Him” in context is the Father’s “dear Son” (v.13) who shed “His blood” (v.14). Similarly, the favorite passage in John 1 identifies Christ as the Creator: “All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made” (v.3) “He was in the world, and the world was made by Him” (v.10). “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (v.14). No member of the human race nor member of the Trinity fits this description except Jesus Christ. “God . . . hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1,2).

Jesus Christ is the Creator, and once He put on human form, His creative abilities continued to find application. Several of His miracles involved creation out of nothing. Note the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:10,11), the transformation of water into wine (John 2:9–11), bringing life from non-life—the raising of Lazarus (John 11:43,44) just to name a few.

Perhaps the most important creative act of Christ is one He performs on repentant sinners every day. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17). JDM

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The Prodigal Father (#19950711)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry” (Luke 15:22,23).

As a number of commentators have noted, the familiar parable of the “prodigal son” is really about the “prodigal father,” for the word “prodigal” does not mean wayward or rebellious, as many think, but rather lavishly generous. The central theme of the story is not that of the return of a lost son, but rather the undying love of a forgiving father.

The human father was intended by the Lord Jesus to be a picture of our heavenly Father, whose righteousness requires judgment on sin, but who is always ready to forgive and receive back into joyous fellowship any who return to Him in repentant faith. Even to rebellious Israel He could say, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3). It was the memory of his father’s lovingkindness as much as anything else that finally gave the lost son courage to return home in repentance.

And when he returned, there were no recriminations from his father, but only love and then a prodigal outpouring of blessing, with the robe and ring and shoes all symbolizing his full restoration as the son of his father.

So it is with us. Though utterly undeserving of such honor, we are made “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. . . . Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him” (Psalm 103:10,13). “Therefore come out from among them, and be ye separate . . . And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (II Corinthians 6:17,18). HMM

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Son Of God (#19950712)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:3,4).

It is noteworthy that the identification of Jesus Christ as the Son of God is directly associated with His resurrection from the dead “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (I Corinthians 15:26), and since only God Himself can conquer death, Christ’s bodily resurrection is the conclusive affirmation of His unique deity: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Many others have claimed divine sonship, but all are dead—only Christ validated that claim by defeating death. “God . . . hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee” (Acts 13:33). “Death is swallowed up in victory through our lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:54,57).

Jesus is explicitly called “the Son of God” about 44 times in the New Testament, only half as often as He is called “Son of man.” Nevertheless, this great truth is clearly taught in numerous other ways than by the use of the title itself. It is so important that there is no salvation for the one who denies it. Jesus said plainly, “He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).

Because He lives, we who believe on His name will also live forever! “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? . . . He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life” (I John 5:5,12,13). HMM