A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

The Quick And The Dead (#19951211)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead” (Acts 10:42).

This is the climax of the first Christian sermon to the Gentiles delivered by Peter in the house of the Roman centurion, Cornelius. Peter emphasized the truth that Jesus was not just the promised Messiah of Israel, but that “He is Lord of all” (Acts 10:36), and that it is He, alone, who will judge the “quick and dead.”

This striking phrase occurs only three times in the Bible, each time denoting that Christ is judge of all men. Paul wrote to Timothy as follows: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach the word” (II Timothy 4:1,2). Peter wrote, concerning the gross Gentile sins from which his readers had been delivered: “[They] shall give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead” (I Peter 4:5).

The term “quick,” of course, is the same as “living.” When Christ returns, “the dead in Christ shall rise first” (I Thessalonians 4:16), and then all believers, including those still alive in the flesh at His coming, “must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (II Corinthians 5:10). This will be the judgment of the “quick.” All the saved are alive in Christ at “the resurrection of life.”

But He must also judge the dead-that is, those who are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) at “the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29), “for the Father . . . Hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (John 5:22). “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God . . . And they were judged every man according to their works. . . . This is the second death” (Revelation 20:12–14). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Teacher And His Words (#19951212)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).

In many churches teachers are in short supply. Evidently many who have the Spirit-given gift of teaching are not using it as they should. On the other hand, a Christian must never assume the role of teacher without clear leading from above. As the teacher of the early Jerusalem church wrote, “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (James 3:1). Christ taught, in our text, that by our words we shall be judged and either justified or condemned. Since for “every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36), how much more so will the words of a teacher be scrutinized, especially a teacher of the word of God.

Another reason one should be slow to don the cloak of a teacher is that even a teacher finds it hard to live up to his own teachings. “For in many things we offend all [better, ‘we all stumble’]. If any man [stumble] not in word, the same is a perfect man” (James 3:2). Speaking of the Jewish teachers, Jesus instructed His listeners to do what they said, not what they did (Matthew 23:3), and then He lashed out at them with seven stinging “woes” (vv.13–33).

The proper use of the teaching gift perhaps yields greater honor then most, but also greater condemnation if error or hurt creeps in. The church does need all the gifts and should not neglect any genuinely Spirit-given gift of its members.

Nevertheless, one might ponder the aggressive, anti-creationist stance taken by many professors at evangelical churches, colleges, and seminaries today, teaching theistic evolution, the day-age theory, framework hypothesis, etc., and wonder if Christ's reference to the "millstone" around the neck might apply (Luke 17:2). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Limitations On God--��s Promises (#19951213)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 31:37).

The people of Israel, in spite of all God had done for them continually, rebelled against Him, even turning to other gods. One might think God would have destroyed them and started again, but He had made a promise first to Abraham, then to Isaac, and then to Jacob, that this nation would be His special people, and He would not break that promise.

In our text, God reveals the “conditions” under which He would cast off Israel, but they are such that there is no possibility of their being met.

“If heaven above can be measured. . . .” Neither Abraham nor Jeremiah could have had any concept of the number of stars or the depth of space. Now, with modern telescopes, we see unthinkable distances, and even farther and farther, as our technology increases. Estimates of the radius of the universe now stand at around 15–20 billion light years, and no end is in sight.

“If the foundations of the earth [can be] searched out beneath. . . .” Sometimes scientists claim they know more about the sun than they do the earth. But in reality, only one percent of the earth’s radius has been explored. The pressures and temperatures which exist deep inside the earth are unthinkably great, and we don’t even know how matter acts under those conditions. The promise to Israel is secure.

Scripture is likewise full of “exceeding great and precious promises” (II Peter 1:4) made to the believer. Our text indicates God’s attitudes toward His promises. We need not worry that He will keep His word. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Living Waters (#19951214)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
“A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon” (Song of Solomon 4:15).

There are eight verses in the Bible with the phrase “living water”: four in the Old Testament, four in the New. All beautifully describe a spiritual truth under the figure of a flowing stream of refreshing water.

The first of these, in our text above, is a portion of the description of the lovely character of a bride as seen by her coming bridegroom, almost certainly symbolic of the Lord and His people. But then, through the prophet, God laments that “my people . . . have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water” (Jeremiah 2:13). “They have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters” (Jeremiah 17:13). One day they shall return, however, and Zechariah prophesies that “living waters shall go out from Jerusalem. . . . And the LORD shall be King over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:8,9).

In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus appropriated this metaphor to Himself as He spoke to a woman of Samaria: “If thou knewest the gift of God . . . He would have given thee living water” (John 4:10; see also v.11). “The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). Later in Jerusalem, He cried out to all, saying: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said [referring, no doubt, to the above Old Testament passages], out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37,38). Then, in the last book of the Bible is found a special promise for those who die for the Lord’s sake. “[He] shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Living Truths (#19951215)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err” (Mark 12:27).

Sin and death are grim realities in the world, but these are only temporary intruders as it were. The God of Creation is the living God; and “Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16) is our living Savior, alive forevermore. It is appropriate, therefore, that the term “living” is applied over and over again to great truths of the Christian faith.

For example, the Holy Scriptures are called “the lively oracles” (Acts 7:38). “Lively” and “living” represent the same Greek word, zao; thus the Bible is God’s “living word.” Jesus Christ called Himself “the living bread which came down from heaven,” sent down by “the living Father” (John 6:51,57). He also promised that all who believe on Him would find “living waters” flowing through their lives (John 7:38).

He has opened for us through His substitutionary death and justifying resurrection “a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh” (Hebrews 10:20). Furthermore, He has thereby “begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (I Peter 1:3).

The Lord Jesus is the foundation of the great house of the Lord into which we come through Him. “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (I Peter 2:4,5). In this holy temple we are therefore urged to “present [our] bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is [our] reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). Our God is, indeed, the God of the living! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Sin Of Complaining (#19951216)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul” (Psalm 106:15).

Christians who complain about their circumstances would do well to ponder this sobering verse and its background. God had greatly blessed His people, Israel, delivering them supernaturally from slavery in Egypt, protecting them against their enemies-even miraculously supplying daily bread and water for them in the desert.

Still they complained-complained about their food; complained about the imaginary luxuries they had left behind in Egypt; complained against their leaders. “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and His anger was kindled” (Numbers 11:1). Finally, when they complained about the manna, “the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly.” He sent them quail to eat in such abundance as to last “even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you.” Then, “while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed . . . the LORD smote the people with a very great plague” (Numbers 11:10,20,33).

God has blessed every Christian with forgiveness of sin and eternal life. He daily fulfills His promise to supply every need (not every desire, however), and we should live a thankful life in return, regardless of our particular lot in this world. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18). “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). “Do all things without murmurings and disputings” (Philippians 2:14). Complaining about what wedon’t have may well result in God taking away what we do have, and-still worse-sending leanness into our souls. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Prayer Of Agur (#19951217)
by Norman P. Spotts, D.D.

“Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die” (Proverbs 30:7).

In verses seven through nine of Proverbs 30, Agur (identity unknown) requests of God two important things before he dies. Agur understands himself. He recognizes the frailties and weaknesses of his human nature. He knows he needs divine help or else failure will scar his life.

His first great area where victory was needed concerned lying. “Remove far from me vanity and lies” (v.. He was vitally concerned about being an honest, truthful person at all times and in every situation. The apostle Paul gave warning about lying. “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:24,25). We should neither lie about others nor live a lie before others.

The second area where Agur felt especially needy was in trusting God to supply his daily sustenance. His request: “Feed me with food convenient for me” (v.. In other words, he wanted God to take care of him one day at a time. He didn’t want the temptations that wealth brings: “Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD?” (v.9). He did not wish to be rich and forget the Lord or, on the other hand, be so poor that he would be tempted to steal and dishonor God and“take the name of my God in vain” (v.9).

The children of Israel were warned of this in Deuteronomy 8:11–14. “Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God . . . lest when thou hast eaten and are full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; and when thy herbs and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied. . . . Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God.”

May we as New Testament Christians simply ask the Lord to “give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). NPS

[Soldier4Christ]

God's Guidance


"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye"(Psalm 32:.

God's eyes see far better than human eyes. He not only sees all the way into the past, but observes all things present and even sees all things future. Our eyes should constantly be on the Lord in order to receive guidance from God's eyes. Therefore, as a mother can guide a child merely with a look, so the Lord directs us by the indwelling Spirit and by the Scriptures which can guide us.

1. God will always guide us in the right direction. To be led in "the way which we should go" must come directly from the instruction and teaching of the Word of God as interpreted by its author, the Holy Spirit. "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). A true understanding of (and trust in) God's Word will never lead us astray.

2. God will guide us through difficult times. "Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side" (II Chron-icles 32:22). "And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought . . . and thou shalt be like a watered garden" (Isaiah 58:11).

3. God's guidance extends even unto death. "For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death" (Psalm 48:14). "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4).

4. God's guidance should be sought and requested with the right motive. "For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me" (Psalm 31:3).

As we journey on the paths of life may we always do all things for His name's sake, not ours.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Obedience of Christ (#19951218)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30).

Christ is our great example in all things-even in that of obedience to the Father and His will. As the perfect Son, He obeyed His Father in all things. “I do nothing of myself” He said, “but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And He that hath sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:28,29).

There are three specific references to the obedience of Christ in the epistles. One of the most profound passages in the Bible is Hebrews 5:8: “Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered.” How could the omniscient Son of God have to learn anything? There are some things that cannot be learned in books but only by experience, and obedience in hard circumstances is surely one of these. Jesus learned obedience by actual experience.

Christ obeyed His Father, even after praying that the bitter cup might be taken away. “Being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:.

Had He been disobedient, as was Adam, we could never have known salvation. “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). Jesus was, indeed, always perfectly obedient to His Father’s word, “leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps”(I Peter 2:21).

As our text emphasizes, His obedience consisted simply of seeking and following the will of His Father in all things. “Not my will, but thine” (Luke 22:42). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Reject Favoritism (#19951219)
by John Morris, Ph.D.
“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons” (James 2:1).

Evidently the believers in the early church were much like us, in that they tended to honor and favor wealthy individuals in their congregations. James commands them to reject such partiality, and gives the reasons why.

The first reason is that God’s perspective is just the opposite. He favors the one of low rank. “Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom?” (v.5).

Next, we see that favoritism never impresses the rich-it always backfires. “Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?” (v.6). Showing favoritism is not practical.

Then, note that the favored ones are probably least deserving. In fact, often “they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called” (v.7). In doing so, they dishonor the Lord, in whose name we gather.

Finally, such favoritism is a violation of “the royal law”-that summary statement of God’s plan for our relationships: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (v.. If the law is kept, “ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin. . . . For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (vv.8–10).

Peter (previously a bigoted Jew) had learned this lesson, first in a vision, and then in his miraculous ministry to the Gentiles. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).

As our text reveals, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and showing favoritism on any basis (not only riches, but color, education, ethnic, or national background, etc.) are not compatible. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Once For All (#19951220)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God” (Romans 6:10).

The Greek word, ephipaz, translated “once” in this verse, actually means “once for all.” Christ did not have to die again and again, a new death for every sinner. He died unto sin once for all, His death being sufficient to take away “the sin of the [whole] world” (John 1:29).

The word ephipaz occurs only five times in the Bible. Our text is the first, confirming that His once-for-all death for sin was sufficient forever; He now lives wholly “unto God.” The second confirms the reality of this permanent resurrection. In Jewish law, a factual claim was considered confirmed by the principle that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” (Matthew 18:16). Paul recalls that the resurrected Christ “was seen of above five hundred brethren at once” (I Corinthians 15:6). Two or three would have sufficed, but He had five hundred witnesses. These saw Him alive once for all, and their lives were forever changed.

The other three references are in Hebrews: “[He] needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for His own sins, and then for the people’s: for this He did once [that is, ‘once for all’], when He offered up Himself.” “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once [‘once for all’] into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 7:27; 9:12; 10:10).

Once for all He died for sin, then with His own shed blood, He entered into the presence of the Father, sanctified us forever, and was raised from the dead by impeccable testimony, once for all. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Made In Christ (#19951221)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (II Corinthians 5:21).

Many men would boast of being “self-made” men, but no Christian can do this. Everything we are that is truly worthy and eternal was made in us by God through Jesus Christ. Our text is clear on this. We have been made righteous in Christ, but this was only because God made Him to be sin for us.

When He made us righteous in Christ, He also “made us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). Furthermore, we were “made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). The contexts of these passages make it abundantly clear that our being made righteous, accepted in Christ, and nigh to God, is all of grace; we did nothing to merit such privileges.

This is not all. At the same moment, He also has “made us meet [‘fit’] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:12). That we in our poverty should be made joint-heirs with Christ once again is only by His unmerited grace. “Being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7).

In promise now and in full reality later, He has “made us kings and priests unto God and His Father” (Revelation 1:6). Positionally, we even share His throne, for He “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).

Without Him we are nothing; but in Him we have all things. He is “made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (I Corinthians 1:30). Truly, in salvation as well as in creation, “it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves” (Psalm 100:3). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Magnified Mercy (#19951222)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die” (Genesis 19:19).

This rather presumptuous plea of Lot to the angels who had spared his life when they called down fire from heaven to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah is noteworthy because it contains the first reference in the Bible to the mercy of God. Lot was a believer and a righteous man, but carnal in attitude and greedy in motivation. Yet God not only showed grace in His dealings with Lot, but even magnified mercy!

As appropriate for the principle of first mention in Scripture, this first reference to “mercy” lays the foundation for the dominant theme of the doctrine of mercy throughout Scripture. The key is that God’s mercy can only be described properly in superlatives, and this fact is noted repeatedly throughout Scripture.

“The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him,” said David (Psalm 103:17). “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him” (Psalm 103:11). His mercy, therefore, is both eternal and infinite. Nothing could ever be more “magnified” than this!

No wonder, therefore, that Paul says He is “rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us” (Ephesians 2:4), and Peter speaks of “His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope” (I Peter 1:3).

It is only “according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5), surely “not [because of any] works of righteousness which we have done.” Therefore, with David, we can say: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever” (Psalm 23:6). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

By His Doing (#19951223)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (I Corinthians 1:30).

In this one verse we find described four aspects of Christ’s work on our behalf. As we look at each one, let us first note that it is “of Him,” literally “by His doing” that we are in Christ Jesus, who “is made” or “who became” these things to us and for us.

    Wisdom of God: This is the preferred rendering. Paul was writing to the church at Corinth (a Greek city). The Greeks were infatuated with wisdom, but Paul declared Christ Jesus to be the “wisdom of God.” Such wisdom is likewise imparted to believers (v.24) while “the foolishness of God is wiser than men” (v.25).

    Righteousness: Christ, being “made” righteousness becomes an all-sufficient righteousness to us. This imputed rightness before God gives us a new standing before Him, permitting us access to Him, peace with Him, and ultimate glory with Him.

    Sanctification: In Christ, we not only have this righteous standing, we are assured of a holy state as well. Through the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we know that our lives will be constantly molded into Christ-likeness.

    Redemption: Christ is made redemption for us, and in its fullest definition, this is His final goal. Through His redemptive work, we have been completely delivered from the power of sin, and will one day be delivered from the presence of sin.

The introductory phrase “of Him,” or “by His doing,” is emphatic in the Greek text. When we see what He has done, we realize just how helpless we were, and how strongly He has acted on our behalf. “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (v.31). JDM

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Empty Hands (#19951224)
by Connie J. Horn

“Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4).

The majority of occurrences of the word “thankful,” or “thanks,” in the Old Testament are translated from a Hebrew word (yodah) which means to hold out, or to extend an empty hand.

A truly thankful person is one who has come to grips with certain realities about his need before God. God commands us to be thankful. It was a duty given to the Levitical priests “to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even” (I Chronicles 23:30). The Hebrew word used by the Old Testament writers under inspiration is a picture of one holding out an empty thankful hand to God. There is nothing we can bring to God that causes Him to bless us. Our empty hands picture our inability to accomplish the will of God or to provide for our own needs, or the needs of others.

Nebuchadnezzar had to learn this lesson. Although he had been warned to repent of his self-pride, he still said: “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built . . . by the might of my power?” (Daniel 4:30). This great king was “driven” out by God and caused to eat grass “like an oxen,” and when his senses returned, he realized that even a mighty king’s hands are empty unless the King of kings fills them.

Romans 1:21 confirms to us what has happened in our own generation as people have denied their dependency upon their Creator. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Our witness to this darkened world is to live the reality of our own empty hands extended in thankfulness to the one about whom the psalmist has written: “Thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good” (Psalm 104:28). CJH