July 2023
The Return Of The Spies
July 31, 2023
“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, ‘Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.’” — Numbers 13:30 Have you ever faced a daunting task, one that looked not even remotely feasible? At times like this, God, who can do the impossible, wants us to have faith in His presence and in His ability to see us through. The ancient Israelites serve as an excellent example of what not to do under pressure. Faced with an overwhelming task, they failed to respond in faith. Moses had just sent twelve spies (one representative from each tribe) into the land to spy it out and bring back intelligence reports concerning the nature and strength of their adversaries. After some days, the spies returned from their trip throughout Canaan. They gave two reports: the majority report given by ten and the minority report given by two, Joshua and Caleb. The majority report said: “It [the land] truly flows with milk and honey . . . Nevertheless the people who dwell there are strong; the cities are fortified.” Upon hearing that, Caleb could not restrain himself. He had heard enough negative nonsense. He leaped to his feet and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” But the ten other spies shot back: “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature.” Then the people’s hearts melted within them; all night they “raised their voices and wept aloud.” Joshua and Caleb submitted the minority report, reminding the Israelites that with God’s help, they could take the land. But the people wouldn’t listen. These two men were the only ones with faith in God. And they became the only ones from that generation who eventually entered the Promised Land. These two men based their faith on God’s promises. That’s how they overcame their fears and fought to enter the Promised Land. We need to do the same thing. When circumstances overwhelm you and the task at hand is daunting, place your full faith in God and trust that He will deliver you into your promised land. QUOTE: “With God, go over the sea—without Him, not over the threshold.” — Russian Proverb
He Shall Return
July 30, 2023
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 As Christians we have an incredible event to anticipate—Christ’s second coming. Why do we know this will happen? Because more than three hundred times in the New Testament, the Scriptures very boldly state that Jesus Christ will return; even more prophecies are found in the Old Testament concerning His second Advent. And Jesus Himself declared it unequivocally, “I will come again, and receive you unto myself.” History marches on to that very moment; His return will be the great climax of all time. Are you ready for it? Every Sunday for centuries, the Christian Church around the world has confirmed Christ’s second coming. In the Apostles’ Creed, we declare, “From thence He (Jesus) shall come to judge the quick and the dead.” This is confirmed by the Nicene Creed, the Constantinople Creed, the Westminster Confession, the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England, the Augsburg Confession, and all of the other great confessions of the Church. Jesus Christ is coming back to this world. Are you prepared? Although we know for certain that this event will happen, we don’t know when. Numerous people have claimed to figure out the exact day and time. (Imagine that—the angels don’t even know, but people rush in where angels fear to tread, and they proclaim both year and date.) But the Scripture says that Jesus will come at an hour when we won’t expect Him. He’ll come suddenly, like a thief in the night. He might come today or a thousand years from now. Either way we must be ready. Would you want the Lord to come today? Are you ready to be in His presence? From now on, live each day as if it’s the day He’ll return. QUOTE: “His [Jesus’] teaching on the subject quite clearly consisted of three propositions: 1. That he will certainly return. 2. That we cannot possibly find out when. 3. And that therefore we must always be ready for him.” — C. S. Lewis
When Your Love Grows Cold
July 29, 2023
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” — John 15:13 As human beings we go through an enormous variety of emotions. Feelings are part of life’s color; when we don’t feel anything, life can seem flat and drab. As tough as it is to admit, loving our Lord falls in this category. While His love for us is constant and eternal, some days, because we are human and sinful beings, we don’t naturally feel a sense of love overflowing toward Him. When we find loving our Lord difficult, how can we renew our love for Him? We do this by remembering His suffering for us. I am amazed at how glibly we repeat those words, “Christ died for my sins,” without considering the incredible truth contained therein. When we remember Christ’s anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, the agony He suffered at the hands of the high priest and Pontius Pilate, the excruciating death He endured on the cross, then love for our Lord and Savior should flood our hearts. This is why the Lord’s Supper is so important. It reminds us of His sufferings on our behalf. When we fix our minds on that thought—that our Creator died for us—our love for Him will be renewed. Whenever you feel that your love for the Lord has grown cold, climb the mountain of Calvary and breathe in the fresh air from Heaven. This will renew your soul and increase your spiritual vitality. QUOTE: “I love Thee, because Thou has first loved me, And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree. I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow; if ever I loved Thee, My Jesus ’tis now.” — William R. Featherstone
The Guilt Is Gone
July 28, 2023
“In whom we have redemption … the forgiveness of sins.” — Colossians 1:14 Have you ever felt so guilty you couldn’t look someone in the eye? Guilt is tremendously motivating. While the possibility of feeling guilty may not stop us from doing something wrong, once we feel guilty, we’ll do almost anything to avoid being found out. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the famed fictitious detective Sherlock Holmes, once played a terrible practical joke. He wrote an unsigned letter and mailed it to twelve prominent men. It said, “All is discovered. Flee at once!” Within forty-eight hours all of them had left the country. Guilty. Though people in our society rarely use the word “sin” in conversation anymore, we can’t get rid of guilt, and it has a powerful effect on us. Guilt weakens and destroys. It can create a sense of anxiety—a nameless, unknown fear. It can produce a depression that hangs over our heads like a black rain cloud. It can make us feel unclean, soiled, worthless. It can give us such a poor self-image that we become our own worst enemies. Guilt can even create physical illness; after David sinned with Bathsheba, he said, “My bones grew old through my groaning all day long” (Psalm 32:3). There is a difference between guilt and guilt feelings. You may have bad feelings even though you’re not guilty. Psychiatrists may help you get rid of guilt feelings, but they don’t know how to handle guilt. Many of them don’t even like the word. They use “confused” or “mixed up priorities” instead. But the Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). Our guilt is so permanent, it seems engraved in granite. We cannot blame it away. We cannot push it down or trade it for another emotion. We can get rid of our guilt in only one way—by asking Christ for forgiveness. Do you need to ask His forgiveness for something today? Confess to Him, and unburden your heart. Allow Him to wash you perfectly clean. QUOTE: “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me pure within? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” — Mary Runyon Lowry
You Can!
July 27, 2023
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13 Do you dream big dreams for your life? If you were given absolute assurance of success, would you act on those dreams? Well, God has promised us such victory. Read Paul’s claim from Philippians again: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” What an incredible promise. But all too often we talk ourselves out of our dreams with two simple words: “I can’t.” These words of unbelief crush our dreams. Instead of trusting God’s promise to strengthen us for all things, we rely on our own volition, our education, our physical prowess, or perhaps even our social standing. And when we perceive a lack of resources to accomplish our dreams, we fail to even try. Jesus said, “Without me ye can do nothing.” If we ever want to fulfill our dreams, we must keep our eyes on Jesus Christ. And as we do, the possibilities are limitless. But first, we must align our aspirations with God’s Word and with His will for us. Second, we must steadfastly work toward our goal, never losing sight of it. Paul serves as a great example of this two-step strategy. He had a dream that every nation, tongue, and tribe would know the Gospel. Paul’s goal was completely in line with God’s truth. And despite his suffering as he strove toward his goal, Paul never lost sight of it. Because of his perseverance and his reliance on God’s strength, Paul’s dream lives on as the Good News continues to spread to the ends of the earth. God intended His children to soar like eagles. He wants us to live in His world of infinite possibilities, relying on His strength to make our dreams realities. Do you have a dream, something you think you could never achieve? Then ask God for strength to achieve it. As you set your faith in God and seek His will, He will make your dreams come true. QUOTE: “For they conquer who believe they can.” — Virgil
Studying Jesus
July 26, 2023
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” — 2 Timothy 2:15 Someone once wrote out the Constitution of the United States, using longhand to achieve an amazing effect. As you read the document, you see just the words. But if you move back from it, you get another picture—a beautiful portrait of George Washington made by the variation of light and dark pen strokes. It is a magnificent work of art. So it is with the Bible. When we first read it, we may see only stories about seemingly unrelated things. But after a while we discover that all of Scripture points to Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. The Old Testament foretells His coming; the Gospels describe His coming; the Epistles explain the reasons for His coming. As we look at the big picture of the Bible, we should see Jesus Christ. Every Christian wanting an intimate relationship with Jesus needs to read and study God’s Word daily. And yet, so often we don’t study His Word at all. Imagine claiming to love someone who fights a battle in a far-off land. If that person wrote you letters, would you leave them sitting unopened on the coffee table? Of course not. You’d rip them open right away, read them, and read them again. Well, somewhere in our houses sit sixty-six love letters from God, from Genesis to Revelation. If we love God, let’s make sure we read those letters. Set aside time regularly to delve into God’s Word, meditating upon it and hiding it in your heart. Get the Bible handbooks and dictionaries that supplement serious study of His Word. As you get to know the Bible better, you’ll discover more about and draw closer to the central figure of that book, Jesus Christ. “The New Testament is the very best book that ever was or ever will be known in the world.” — Charles Dickens
C.T. Studd
July 25, 2023
“For with God nothing will be impossible.” — Luke 1:37 Do you face a difficulty today that seems impossible to resolve? For a bit of encouragement, consider one of God’s choice servants who believed that God would accomplish the impossible for him. C.T. Studd was born in England into great wealth and was educated at Cambridge. While at university, Studd became the premier cricket player in all of Great Britain. He then devoted his life to Christ and the mission field, becoming one of the greatest missionaries ever. Studd set sail for China in 1885. Upon his arrival, this English aristocrat resolved to become Chinese. He donned a Chinese robe, shaved his head (all but a pigtail), and lived like the poorest of the Chinese. Through this experience he learned a great lesson: He could trust God to provide for all of his needs. God used Studd mightily in China, bringing many to Christ. After years of loyal service in China, Studd felt the Lord calling him to India. This was remarkable, for seldom does a missionary go from one great field to another. Studd’s father had made a fortune seeking gold in India; now the son wanted to seek souls for Christ. So Studd labored hard for Christ in India. After six years his health began to wane, so he returned home to England. But even his failing health couldn’t impede the vision God had given him. Against the wishes of family, friends, and his doctor, Studd set sail for Africa, not once but twice. There, just as he had done in other lands, he brought many to the living Savior. C.T. Studd was a man of great faith. He wasn’t interested in pursuing things that seemed possible; He believed that God would do impossible things through him. What a difference each one of us could make if we, too, remembered that nothing is impossible for God. As you face challenges beyond your strength and abilities, keep this old saying in mind: “God and I can do anything God can do alone.” QUOTE: “Christ wants not nibblers of the possible, but grabbers of the impossible.” — C.T. Studd
Victory By Faith
July 24, 2023
“… this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” — 1 John 5:4 Do you ever feel overcome by the cares of the world? We may often feel on the brink of defeat, but God has destined that we overcome the world. What does “world” mean in this context? It stands for the worldly system under Satan’s rule with all its lust, greed, animosity, and self-centeredness. This world system is antithetical to Christ and must be overcome. But how do we overcome it? Through faith. As a well-known hymn declares: “Faith is the victory . . . that overcomes the world.” We can only overcome the world when we entrust our lives to Christ, the first to overcome the world. I’m sure that as John wrote the words of our text (1 John 5:4), he hearkened back to that solemn night—the night Jesus went into Gethsemane before He was arrested, stripped, and nailed to a cross. After Jesus and the disciples had finished their supper that night, Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). What an astonishing statement. Jesus had none of this world’s goods; He didn’t even have a place to lay His head. The Jewish leaders hated Him and would soon arrest and crucify Him. And yet Jesus said, “I have overcome the world.” Jesus Christ was an overcomer. Refusing to be deceived or defeated by this world, He fixed His eyes on the eternal kingdom of God. We should do the same. When you feel that the world is getting the best of you, remember that Christ has overcome the world on your behalf. Have faith in Christ, and claim your victory. QUOTE: “Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining, Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine. So from the beginning the fight we were winning; Thou, Lord, wast at our side, all glory be Thine!” “We Gather Together” (Thanksgiving Hymn)
Death Swallowed Up
July 23, 2023
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” — 1 Corinthians 15:55, kjv Someone once asked: “Who has not at some time in his or her life trembled at the thought of death? Who has been able to resist it?” All our human might and wisdom have no power against its invincible might. But as Christians, we needn’t fear. The great specter of death that has always clouded the horizon does not reign supreme. Against this heartless monster, God commissioned His Son, Jesus, who sat at His right hand. Jesus declared, “Lo, I have come to do Thy will,” and He took upon Himself the task of confronting and overcoming death. He laid down His life for us, passing through that greatest of all ordeals so we wouldn’t have to. He allowed Himself bound in the grave that He might forever “break the bands of death.” Jesus Christ, sinless human and almighty God, undermined the power of the grave and rose triumphant over it. What a glorious truth. We who trust in the Prince of Life need no longer fear death. It holds no power over us now. In that Celestial City of Heaven, the shadow of death shall never fall upon the threshold. No longer will that bony finger beckon through the door to come and follow him. Instead, we will live in Christ’s light for eternity. Paul wrote, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Death has been swallowed up in victory—all thanks to Jesus Christ. QUOTE: “When the stars have burnt out, we who trust in Christ will have just begun to live.”
The Alchemy Of God
July 22, 2023
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28 Have you ever had a rock and wished you could change it into a diamond? Years ago, before the advent of chemistry, a science called alchemy existed, and alchemists had a similar passion: finding a way to transform worthless metals into gold. Of course, they never succeeded. But God is the master alchemist. He has a passion for taking all things and working them for good. Charles Spurgeon tells about one man who had complete faith that God would work everything for his good. During the reign of Queen Mary I of England, this man was captured for preaching the Gospel. He received the sentence of being burned alive at the stake in London. When he heard the sentence, he said, “Well, never mind. God will work all things together for my good. I don’t know how, but He will.” On his way to London, the guards treated the man roughly. In fact, they even threw him down to the ground, and in doing so, they broke his leg. Then they mocked the man, saying, “Well, tell us how this will work together for your good.” He said, “I don’t know, but it will.” Before they could continue their trip, the guards had to take time to put the man’s leg into a splint. Because of this delay, the group arrived in London a day later than the guards had planned. But the night before they arrived, Queen Mary died, and Elizabeth had taken the throne. Instead of burning the man at the stake, Elizabeth pardoned him. So, although his broken leg was a bad thing, God used it for his good, saving his life through the delay it caused. Do circumstances often seem to work in opposition to your expectations? Do you sometimes despair of any good coming from your situation? Remember that God is in charge. He sees the big picture; He knows the future. He controls all things, and He loves you more than you can imagine. Through your experiences, He’ll shape you, transforming you into the best person you can be. Trust Him and even thank Him for situations that seem bad, because He works all things together for your good. QUOTE: “God, the mighty alchemist, transforms the lead of our lives into gold.”
Taking The Strain Out Of Life
July 21, 2023
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee …” — Isaiah 26:3, KJV Many people run themselves into the ground because of stress, strain, worry, and anxiety. I suppose a proper epitaph for most people in America today would be “Hurried, worried, buried.” Did I just write your biography? Many times we wish we could wash our hands of all our responsibilities and worries. The executive of one small company decided he would. Even though his company was headed for bankruptcy, he decided to quit worrying about it. So this executive called in his first vice-president and said, “I have had it with worrying about this company. If you’ll take over and handle all my worrying for me, I will add $50,000 to your salary.” Startled and perplexed by this generous offer (knowing the financial condition of the company), the vice-president asked, “But where are you going to get an extra $50,000?” The boss replied, “That’s your first worry.” William Gladstone, perhaps the greatest Prime Minister England ever had, was a fine Christian man who served the Lord. On the wall of his bedroom hung a large plaque embroidered with this text: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.” It was the first thing Gladstone saw when he awoke in the morning and the last thing he saw before retiring at night. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.” There is the secret of peace. We can have this peace because we know that the One upon whom we’ve stayed our minds is the One who works all things together for our good. Is the frantic pace of modern life robbing you of your peace today? If so, slow down and refocus on the Lord. Realize that He’s with you, and He’s in control no matter what comes your way. Stay your mind on Him, and let Him grant you His peace. QUOTE: “Give me, O God, this day a strong and vivid sense that Thou art by my side.” — John Baillie
The Cause And Cure Of Sadness
July 20, 2023
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your generous Spirit.” — Psalm 51:12 The greatest lie that Satan has ever told the human race is this: We shall find joy through sin; we’ll achieve true happiness by disregarding the commandments of God and letting ourselves follow our passions. Have you ever believed and trusted this lie, only to find yourself miserable and defeated? Sin is a great deceiver. Before it binds, it blinds. Think of Samson, who was blinded and made to grind grain like an ox. Sin is subtle, a slippery slope that pulls us into things we never expected we’d do. When the prophet predicted that Hazael would become king of Syria and massacre thousands—not only men, but women and children as well—Hazael replied in horror, “But what is your servant—a dog, that he should do this gross thing?” (2 Kings 8:13). Yet, Hazael did the very things he abhorred. Robespierre, who in his younger days resigned his position as judge because he didn’t want to give criminals the death penalty, sent thousands of people to the guillotine during the reign of terror in Paris. Sin not only brings death; it brings sadness. David wept because he knew his own sin had caused his beloved son Absalom to rise against him in rebellion. What had originally seemed so good brought grief into David’s life. Although sin brings death and sadness into our lives, we can have joy again. As we submit to Christ’s will, we find true joy and fulfillment. The King of Joy has washed away our sins forever and put new spirits within us. Today, thank God that, despite this sad, dying, sinful world, we can have fullness of joy in Him today and for eternity. QUOTE: “There is happiness in holiness.”
Newer And Newer
July 19, 2023
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 Have you ever felt discouraged because you’ve noticed a wrinkle where you once had smooth skin or a little extra “padding” where you once had muscle? Maybe recently you’ve spied just one gray hair too many. In this world, the Second Law of Thermodynamics (which asserts that all things tend toward disorder) constantly works upon everything, including us. All things eventually run down, wear out, and grow old. You’ve seen it at work. As soon as you buy or make something new, immediately it starts to age, decay, wither, and disintegrate. We can never overcome the Second Law of Thermodynamics—we can’t even break even. But in the kingdom of Christ, we do not wear down, disintegrate, or age as the things of this world do. God makes us new creations, and He’ll continue to do so until that day when He will make all things new. We can never mend or repair our old, broken-down, corrupt, evil nature. Instead, we allow Christ to remove them. The old must diminish while the new grows. The diminishing of the old nature is called mortification. The growing of the new nature is called vivification. Put the two together and the result is sanctification—one of the great doctrines of the Christian faith. If we walk with Christ each day, He renews us. As we come to know Christ better, our spirits change more and more. He molds us day by day into His image, chipping away at our old nature and replacing it with the new. Only Christ can do this work, and He does it by the continual supply of His grace. Do you feel the need for renewal today? Then invite God to do His work of grace in you. Submit to His rejuvenating power, and watch as He continues to make you a new creation for His glory. QUOTE: “Since we are born into God’s family we should bear a family resemblance!” — Paul Lee Tan
Loyalty
July 18, 2023
“And Ittai answered the king and said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be.’” — 2 Samuel 15:21 Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? Have you experienced the heartache of disloyalty? In our mobile society where divorce, the breakdown of families, corporate mergers, and hostile takeovers are commonplace, loyalty is sometimes a rare quality. Often it seems that everybody’s out for “number one.” Yet loyalty is one of the most fragrant and lovely of all the flowers that grow in the garden of the soul. Does it grow in your soul? We can learn about loyalty from an obscure Bible character, Ittai the Gittite. When David’s rebellious son, Absalom, tried to steal the throne from his father, forcing David into temporary exile, many within the kingdom went over to Absalom’s side. Others remained loyal to David and fled with him. When David saw Ittai the Gittite among those who had followed him, David warned Ittai to turn back lest he be killed. But Ittai said that he would follow David to help him, even if it meant death. Ittai was a tremendously loyal person. He was willing to sacrifice his life to be in the presence of the one who held his affections. Something about David captured Ittai’s heart. Despite David’s one great fall, he had a great, generous, and noble spirit that attracted so many. Ittai was drawn to him and attached his heart to him, pledging his loyalty even to the point of death. We, too, have Someone to whom we must remain loyal, Someone of great, generous, and noble spirit—our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is worthy of our attaching our hearts to Him. As we pledge our loyalty to Christ, we could change the world. QUOTE: “It will cost me to be loyal to Christ—but it will also pay.” — Eleanor Doan
Heaven
July 17, 2023
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away … Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” — Revelation 21:1–2 Do you ever wonder what Heaven will be like? I know none of us can possibly imagine its splendor. In the last two chapters of Revelation, we do get a glimpse of the glory to come as John pulls the curtain aside for a few moments. What marvelous pictures he paints as he dips his hand into all earthly beauty and heavenly light. He has taken the most magnificent things known to humankind and used them to paint the picture of the holy city, the new Jerusalem. What a marvelous place it must be—a city with foundations and walls made of precious stones, with streets and buildings and towers made of pure gold. The Tree of Life will stand by the crystal river, and all the treasures of the nations will be brought in. Should we take John’s picture literally, or is it merely a symbol? If John’s representation is just a pale picture of some greater reality, then Heaven’s glory is beyond the ability of the human tongue to declare. When earth seems intolerable to you, think of Heaven, our true home. It seems our longing for Heaven diminishes with the increase of our material goods. But when we have great need, when our troubles increase, then we long for Heaven. Perhaps God even allows a certain amount of our needs to go unmet or certain troubles to come our way so that our longing for our true home will not grow too dim. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” We are pilgrims and strangers here, so let’s not get too attached to our earthly existence. Our true citizenship is in Heaven. Today, whether you endure great trial or experience tremendous joy, set your sights on Heaven. Remember and long for your true home. QUOTE: “When all my labors and trials are over, and I am safe on the beautiful shore, just to be near the Lord I adore, that will be glory for me.” — Charles H. Gabriel