Category: DEVOTIONALS

  • SING PRAISE TO GOD WHO REIGNS ABOVE

    Amazing Grace Johann J. Schutz, 1640–1690 Translated by Frances E. Cox, 1812–1897 The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. (Psalm 97:1) Following the Protestant Reformation, which was climaxed by Martin Luther’s posting of the 95 theses at the Cathedral of Wittenberg in 1517, Lutheranism became the dominant religious force…

  • Morning & Evening

    God—the eternal God—is himself our support at all times, and especially when we are sinking in deep trouble. There are seasons when the Christian sinks very low in humiliation. Under a deep sense of his great sinfulness, he is humbled before God till he scarcely knows how to pray, because he appears, in his own…

  • PRAISE HIM! PRAISE HIM!

    Amazing Grace Fanny J. Crosby, 1820–1915 I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. (Psalm 146:2) Christianity is not a theory or speculation, but a life; not a philosophy of life, but a living presence. This realization can turn any gloom into a…

  • Morning & Evening

    The word refuge may be translated “mansion,” or “abiding-place,” which gives the thought that God is our abode, our home. There is a fulness and sweetness in the metaphor, for dear to our hearts is our home, although it be the humblest cottage, or the scantiest garret; and dearer far is our blessed God, in…

  • PRAISE THE SAVIOR

    Amazing Grace Thomas Kelly, 1769–1854 In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:11, 12)…

  • Morning & Evening

    If we have received Christ himself in our inmost hearts, our new life will manifest its intimate acquaintance with him by a walk of faith in him. Walking implies action. Our religion is not to be confined to our closet; we must carry out into practical effect that which we believe. If a man walks…

  • MAY JESUS CHRIST BE PRAISED

    Amazing Grace German hymn, c. 1800Translated by Edward Caswall, 1814–1878 I will extol the Lord at all times: His praise will always be on my lips. (Psalm 34:1) Forms of worship services vary according to the cultural backgrounds, personalities, and traditions of the believers. Some Christians feel that true worship is best achieved when it…

  • Morning & Evening

    The life of faith is represented as receiving—an act which implies the very opposite of anything like merit. It is simply the acceptance of a gift. As the earth drinks in the rain, as the sea receives the streams, as night accepts light from the stars, so we, giving nothing, partake freely of the grace…

  • FOR ALL THE SAINTS

    Amazing Grace William How, 1823–1897 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1) Someone has described a “saint” as any Christian…

  • Morning & Evening

    No doubt a part of the wonder which is concentrated in the word “Behold,” is excited by the unbelieving lamentation of the preceding sentence. Zion said, “The Lord hath forsaken me, and my God hath forgotten me.” How amazed the divine mind seems to be at this wicked unbelief! What can be more astounding than…