A Daily Devotional

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Christian Endurance (#19950907)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things” (I Corinthians 13:7).

The wonderful definition of Christian sacrificial love (the original intent of the word “charity”) in I Corinthians 13, climaxes with the affirmation that such love endures all things. For example, Paul commands each of us to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (II Timothy 2:3). In the same context, looking especially to the last days, he says: “Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist” (II Timothy 4:5).

Similarly, the Apostle James promises: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him” (James 1:12). This speaks not merely of moral temptation, but of any testing in the Christian life. Later, James says, “Behold, we count them happy which endure” (James 5:11). Note also Peter’s testimony: “This is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully” (I Peter 2:19). We must also be willing to receive God’s chastening. “For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth. . . . If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons” (Hebrews 12:6,7).

In all this, Jesus Christ is our example and encouragement. “For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Hebrews 12:3).

No matter what God allows to come our way, He gives us strength to endure “all things.” Paul is our example, as well as Christ. “Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes” (II Timothy 2:10). It was for our sake that they were willing to endure hardness, and griefs, and all things. The Lord Jesus, “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2), and so can we. HMM

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He That Overcometh (#19950908)
by Robert A. Armstrong, M.D.

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son” (Revelation 21:7).

In military engagements, “to the victors belong the spoils.” But what are the “spoils” which accrue to a victorious Christian? The above verse, as well as several other verses in Revelation 2 and 3 which are quoted below, give some very precious promises to those who “overcome.”

“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7). “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death” (2:11). “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna” (2:17). “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations” (2:26). “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels” (Revelation 3:5). “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God” (3:12). “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne” (3:21).

Who are the overcomers? I John 5:4,5 identifies them, but many of us look at others (or ourselves) who claim to be Christians, and we do not see them (or ourselves) as “overcomers.” Some may not actually be born again; others may be experiencing God’s loving chastisement. Thus certain individuals may not be, or at a point in time may not appear, to be overcomers. In any case, nothing should negate the general principles found in I John 5:4,5. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” RRA

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Think On These Things (#19950909)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:.

It is nearly impossible these days to turn on the TV, go shopping, go out to eat, read a newspaper, etc., without our minds being cluttered and our thinking infiltrated by all sorts of improper thoughts. In our text, Paul gives us guidelines for our thinking. Let us investigate them.

True—or genuine, honest, and sincere. We should concentrate on honesty in all our dealings, for, “God is true” (John 3:33), and Christ said, “my record is true” (John 8:14).

Honest—or better, honorable toward all. Strive to “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (I Timothy 2:2).

Just—or equitable. “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal” (Colossians 4:1).

Pure—without spot or stain. “Neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure” (I Timothy 5:22).

Lovely—literally, “towards love”; i.e., those things which demonstrate love or a response of love. This word only appears here, in the New Testament.

Of good report—that which elicits praise.

Virtue—a standard of righteousness. “He hath called us to glory and virtue” (II Peter 1:3).

Praise—our speech should be to “the praise of them that do well” (I Peter 2:14).

Surely our lifestyle and thought patterns need adjusting as noted above, particularly when the verb tense in the command, “think on these things,” implies a life-long habit—a continuous way of doing things. JDM

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The Face Of Jesus Christ (#19950910)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads” (Revelation 22:4).

This is the last reference in the Bible to the face of the Lord Jesus Christ, and a glorious promise it is, with its assurance that all His servants will finally see Him face to face! Although they give us no specific description of His physical appearance (the only description of His appearance is in Revelation 1:13–16), the gospel writers do frequently mention His face.

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John saw how “His face did shine as the sun” (Matthew 17:2), as He spoke of His forthcoming death. Shortly after this, “He stedfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51) to meet His death.

A few days after His entrance into Jerusalem, He was delivered into the hands of wicked men who took delight in desecrating that face which, in loving grief, had just wept over the city and its indifference to God. But first, in the garden just before His arrest, He “fell on His face” in agonizing prayer (Matthew 26:39).

Then the Roman soldiers began “to cover His face” (Mark 14:65), and to “spit in His face” (Matthew 26:67), and finally, “they struck Him on the face” (Luke 22:64). In fact, they abused Him so severely that “His visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men” (Isaiah 52:14).

But when He comes again, the Christ-rejecting world will cry out to the mountains to “fall on us, and hide us from the face . . . of the Lamb . . . from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away” (Revelation 6:16; 20:11). All the redeemed, on the other hand, will rejoice forever in “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 4:6). HMM

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Moral Or Sanctimonious (#19950911)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” (Luke 6:41).

This rhetorical question by the Lord Jesus incisively points out a sin common among most Christians—the sin of sanctimoniousness, committed in the good name of morality. It is easy to criticize fellow Christians for their moral or ethical deficiencies while simultaneously justifying one’s self for the same or worse defects. “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things” (Romans 2:1).

True morality is generated internally from a heart of gratitude and love for the Lord and His word, then manifested externally in a godly life of non-self-centered service. Sanctimoniousness is generated from a heart of pride and is manifested in a critical spirit. Morality judges one’s self; sanctimoniousness judges others.

This inconsistency afflicts all of us to some degree, so we need to be especially alert to its outcropping in our own lives. We must condemn sin, of course, but we must at least be as concerned to correct it in ourselves as we are in others. “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Romans 14:10).

And if, indeed, we do see a mote—or even a beam—in a brother’s eye, one that really needs to be removed for the Lord’s sake and that of His testimony, the best procedure is not one of sanctimonious rebuke, but of gentle and empathetic edification. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). HMM

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Holy Brethren (#19950912)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren” (I Thessalonians 5:27).

There is probably no word more misused—even abused—than the word “holy.” In our day and age, it usually conjures up an image of sanctimoniousness, or even hypocrisy, and thus often becomes a term of snide ridicule.

Nevertheless, it is a Biblical term of highest significance, most often used in connection with God Himself, the Holy Spirit. Since it is also used in connection with things (“the holy place,” as in Hebrews 9:12), it does not in itself necessarily have a moral connotation. Its basic meaning is evidently “set apart” and can refer either to people or objects that have been dedicated to God and His service.

Christians are all “holy brethren” in this sense, regardless of their individual behavior. They are all also “called saints” (same word as “holy” in the Greek—e.g., I Corinthians 1:2, even though many of the “saints” at Corinth were far from Christlike in their actions).

By all means, however, we who are called “holy brethren” ought to try, by God’s grace, to bring honor to such a name, rather than ridicule. “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him” (Hebrews 3:1,2).

The term “saints,” or “holy brethren,” applies both to men and women, of course, and to believers of Old Testament times as well as New Testament. Peter, for example, mentions “the holy women” who honored the Lord “in the old time” (I Peter 3:5) and also the “holy men of God” through whom God gave the Old Testament Scriptures (II Peter 1:21). The eternal admonition of God to all believers of every age is: “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (I Peter 1:16). HMM

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The Call Of The Twelve (#19950913)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach” (Mark 3:14).

Early in His public ministry, Jesus gathered around Himself those to whom He would eventually entrust the Christian message. Many others had also been attracted to Him and His works, as indicated in the previous verse. “And He goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto Him whom He would [emphasis in the Greek is on He; the choice was His alone]: and they came unto Him” (v.13). Of those He invited, He “ordained twelve.”

Such a momentous selection could not be taken lightly, and we should not pass over it either. Luke gives us further information: “He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12) before choosing the twelve. As a sidelight, it bears mentioning that if God the Son so relied on the wisdom from God the Father before making an important decision, how can we neglect prayer as we so often do?

Four purposes are listed for these appointees, but the last three flow from the first: “That they should be with Him.” They would see Him in action, learn truth from Him, assist Him in His work, but most important they would see His character and habits, and would never be the same.

Part of their training included being sent out to put in practice what they had learned, “that He might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils” (Mark 3:14,15). He gave them a message to preach and the ability to authenticate that message.

A study of these disciples as revealed in the gospels makes one wonder if Jesus made a proper choice; However, in the book of Acts, once He was gone and the Holy Spirit empowered them, we recognize that their training was complete. We are the result of their effective ministry. JDM

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Not Yet (#19950914)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as He taught in the Temple: and no man laid hands on Him; for His hour was not yet come” (John 8:20).

This is the last of seven times in the gospel of John that the phrase “not yet” is used in reference to the forthcoming death of Christ. Although this was the very reason He came into the world, the event itself could not be hurried.

When His mother wanted Him to provide wine for the wedding, He said: “Mine hour is not yet come” (John 2:4). When His brothers urged Him to show His mighty works in Jerusalem, His answer was: “My time is not yet come” (John 7:6,8). When His enemies tried to take Him at the feast of tabernacles, “no man laid hands on Him, because His hour was not yet come” (John 7:30). Even when He preached His great promise of living water, John noted parenthetically that “the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:39).

But His hour did come, and they did lay hands on Him, and put Him to death. Then He was glorified, and the Holy Spirit was given. And now we await another great time that has not yet come. John speaks of this also: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but . . . we shall be like Him” (I John 3:2).

In that great time to come, all things will be made subject to Christ. “But now we see not yet all things put under Him” (Hebrews 2:. These great promises and others associated with them have not yet been accomplished—the world is far from being in subjection to Him, and we are far from being like Him. But the hour will come, just as the first one did, and it will be glorious. For “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (I Corinthians 2:9). HMM

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What Paul Knew (#19950915)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know” (I Corinthians 8:2).

There are many things which none of us can know—not even the Apostle Paul. Yet even with his realistic modesty, there are certain key truths which Paul could affirm with certainty, and so can we, on the same grounds as he.

One essential thing each of us should know, first of all, is this: “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing” (Romans 7:18). A person needs to know that he is a lost and hopeless sinner before he will ever really come to Christ for salvation.

Once a lost sinner does receive Christ as Savior, however, he then should be able to declare with Paul the certainty of his own salvation. “For 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).

The Christian life, once begun, is not necessarily easy. With Paul, in fact, it involved “labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, . . . In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness” (II Corinthians 11:23,27). Yet he could say with confidence: “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Because of such an assurance, he could also say: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound” (Philippians 4:11,12). Whatever life might bring, it could never shake his certainty of the life to come. “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens”(II Corinthians 5:1). HMM

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Milk And Honey (#19950916)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:.

This is the first of no less than 18 references in the Old Testament to “milk and honey,” plus four more referring to “butter and honey.” The promised land of Canaan was repeatedly described as “a land flowing with milk and honey,” symbolizing its fruitfulness. In ancient times, the pasturage was rich, sustaining large flocks of milk-producing goats and cattle, and the fields were verdant with many flowers, with a resulting abundance of wild bees depositing honey in the rocks and trees.

Honey is often used symbolically for whatever is pleasant and delectable, while milk is used as a figure for necessary (rather than enjoyable) nourishment. Thus, the promised land was a land where both the necessities and the joys of life could be found in abundance.

Before the children of Israel entered the promised land, they had to spend forty years in a barren wilderness with neither milk, nor honey, nor other sustenance. Even there, however, the Lord graciously created manna each day for them, which provided both their necessary food and even some sweetness, for “the taste of it was like wafers made with honey” (Exodus 16:31).

Appropriately enough, both milk and honey are used in the Scriptures to picture God’s word itself, in both its lifegiving essentials and also its pleasant delights: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (I Peter 2:2), we are commanded. Then there is also the testimony of the psalmist: “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103). HMM

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Sincere Service (#19950917)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD” (Joshua 24:14).

This familiar command of God to the children of Israel as they settled in the promised land makes it plain that God wants sincere service from His people, not a half-hearted or hypocritical type of service. This comes out clearly as we consider several other ways in which the King James translators rendered the same word into English.

For example, it is often translated “without blemish” in connection with the animals acceptable as sacrificial offerings (e.g., Exodus 12:5, speaking of the Passover lamb). It is often translated “upright” or “uprightly.” “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). It occurs in the first verse of the Bible’s longest chapter: “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the L SIZE="-1">ORD” (Psalm 119:1). It is also rendered “sound.” “Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed” (Psalm 119:80).

It is also translated “full” and “whole” and “complete.” We begin to get the picture if we combine all these and say that our sincere service for the Lord should be upright, undefiled, sound, full, complete, and without blemish!

Most often, in fact, the word is translated “perfect,” and it occurs first of all in connection with the great patriarch Noah. “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). Even more importantly, the same word is used to describe both God and His word. “As for God, His way is perfect.” “The law of the LORD is perfect” (Psalm 18:30; 19:7). We do, indeed, have a very high standard for our “reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1). HMM

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Pseudo (#19950918)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (II Peter 2:1).

Peter’s warning to be wary of false teachers is as appropriate today as ever. Thankfully, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he has delineated specific aspects of their actions and conduct by which we can recognize them.

Recalling the fact that false prophets (literally pseudo-prophets) have throughout history plagued God’s people (see for example Deuteronomy 18:20–22), Peter predicts in our text that pseudo-teachers will come. But look at what they bring.

First, “damnable heresies.” The Greek word translated “heresy” indicates a chosen, self-willed opinion, elsewhere translated “sect,” as in “sect of the Sadducees” (Acts 5:17); “damnable” in the sense that it brings “swift destruction.” The particular heresy in mind here is that of rejection of the Lordship of Christ and His redemptive work.

Second, “pernicious [licentious or sensuous] ways” (II Peter 2:2). Many of the false teachers of recent memory have been known for their immoral behavior. Sadly, such frauds can usually gain large followings (perhaps because many seek to justify their own behavior), and their exposure leads to the maligning of Christ and His church.

Third, “covetousness” (v.3), even to the fleecing of their own flock. Uncontrolled greed, opulent lifestyles—sounds all too familiar today.

Thankfully, “the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished” (v.9). JDM

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Silencing Ignorance (#19950920)
by Kenneth B. Cumming, Ph.D.

“Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father’s household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night” (Judges 6:27).

Serving God is tough work, but someone has to do it. In this situation Gideon was responding to the Lord’s instruction (v.25). Gideon was to throw down the altar of Baal, cut down the religious wooden grove beside it, and build an altar unto the Lord in the former’s place where a bullock was to be offered. All this was done, but due to Gideon’s fear, it was done at night. The outcome of the affair did not seem to hinge on how Gideon accomplished the request. Everyone learned who led the raid, and the men of the city called for Gideon’s death. Joash, in a skilled defense, pled his case and got Gideon released. So what are we to think about how Gideon did the job?

Herein lies the believer’s freedom. Each of us is challenged, on occasion, with commitments to serve the Lord. The instructions are simple and unspecific—confront evil wherever we see it. There could be a right way versus a wrong way to do it, in which case we should consider that problem in fulfilling the commitment. Still, each of us feels comfortable handling difficult circumstances in different ways. Gideon’s fear led him to act by night rather than day. Was this cowardly? Probably not. He knew the consequence of the act.

What Gideon did is discussed in I Peter 2:15,16, “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” Let us serve God according to our need in carrying out His service; let us stay on the task and not wander, thus to use a cloak to justify the extraneous things we do. KBC

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The Name Of The Lord Jesus (#19950921)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

This is the first of 144 references to the name of Christ in the New Testament. The word “name” (Greek: noma) occurs only about 95 times when referring to any or all other names. This fact is itself a sort of commentary on Philippians 2:9, “God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name.”

In Biblical times, a person’s name expressed the character or attributes desired for a child by his or her parents. The reason for the name “Jesus,” which means “Jehovah saves,” or simply “salvation,” was given by the angel: “He shall save His people from their sins.”

There is only one Savior, “for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12); but His name does save! “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12).

Those who do receive Christ are thenceforth associated with His name—and, therefore, with His person and work. First, they are to be baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). They are then to order their lives in a way that honors His name. “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (II Timothy 2:19).

He has given many gracious promises of answered prayer if we pray in His name, “that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it you” (John 15:16). The final use of “name” in the Bible stresses our eternal identification with His name, for “His name shall be in their foreheads” (Revelation 22:4) as we are united with Him in the age to come. HMM

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The Presence Of The Lord (#19950922)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Glory and honor are in His presence; strength and gladness are in His place” (I Chronicles 16:27).

It is the great privilege of each Christian believer to be perpetually in the presence of the Lord. Since our bodies became temples of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19) when we received Christ as Savior, we can go nowhere without Him. This is why—even when our prayers are uttered silently—He hears us. No matter where we may be or what situation we confront, His presence is with us, and we can speak to Him about it immediately, whether in praise or in petition.

And because we are in His presence, we must also be—as our text assures us—continually in the presence of glory and honor, strength and gladness. “In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11). We need not be overly concerned about what people say or do to us, if He is with us. “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).

Now, of course, although God’s Holy Spirit is always with us, we do not yet see Him face to face. But that day is coming too! He “is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). There will be exceeding joy—indeed, fullness of joy—at His right hand, in His presence!

The end is different for those who reject Him. They know neither His presence now, nor His presence in glory. In fact, the essence of hell consists of eternal banishment from His presence. All those who “know not God, and that obey not the gospel . . . shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power” (II Thessalonians 1:8,9). HMM