Category: DEVOTIONALS

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Exceeding great and precious promises. — 2 Peter 1:4 If you would know experimentally the preciousness of the promises, and enjoy them in your own heart, meditate much upon them. There are promises which are like grapes in the wine-press; if you will tread them the juice will flow. Thinking over the hallowed words will…

  • COURTROOM DRAMA, DAYTIME TV, AND GOOD DIETY

    Connect The Testaments2 Samuel 16:1–17:29; 2 Peter 2:1–11; Psalm 143:1–12 I remember old television courtroom episodes where people beg for forgiveness from a cynical judge when they should seek forgiveness from the person they’ve wronged. Usually these shows take the irony to the next level: The judge shows less mercy to those who beg, viewing…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge, etc. — 2 Peter 1:5, 6 If thou wouldest enjoy the eminent grace of the full assurance of faith, under the blessed Spirit’s influence, and assistance, do what the Scripture tells thee, “Give diligence.” Take care that thy faith is of the right…

  • THE DIFFICULT ISSUES OF THE HERETICS

    Connect The Testaments2 Samuel 14:1–15:37; 2 Peter 1:16–21; Psalm 141:1–142:7 Distinguishing between correct and false teaching has plagued nearly every church. We ask questions such as, “Are we venturing too far in that direction?” “Is this just my personal theological issue, or is this actually a big deal?” “Should I be concerned about that, or is it…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    He left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. — Genesis 39:12 In contending with certain sins there remains no mode of victory but by flight. The ancient naturalists wrote much of basilisks, whose eyes fascinated their victims and rendered them easy victims; so the mere gaze of wickedness puts us…

  • SLAVES TO GOD, EQUIPPED TO RIGHTEOUSNESS

    Connect The Testaments2 Samuel 13:1–39; 2 Peter 1:9–15; Psalm 140:1–13 I used to think that I was powerless when it came to sin. Christ had saved me from my sinful state, but I was still wretched and helpless. Even though I knew I was no longer a slave to sin, I didn’t always think about…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. — Exodus 14:13 These words contain God’s command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now…

  • FINDING GOD IN SHEOL

    Connect The Testaments2 Samuel 11:1-12:31; 2 Peter 1:1-8; Psalm 139:1-24 We’ve all felt distant from God. Sometimes it’s sin that makes us feel separated from Him; other times it could be a lack of prayer. Either way, when we feel apart from God, God has not moved away from us. God never moves—we do. But…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Even thou wast as one of them. — Obadiah 1:11 Brotherly kindness was due from Edom to Israel in the time of need, but instead thereof, the men of Esau made common cause with Israel’s foes. Special stress in the sentence before us is laid upon the word thou; as when Caesar cried to Brutus,…

  • SHOWING KINDNESS TO A STRANGER

    Connect The Testaments2 Samuel 9:1–10:19; 1 Peter 5:1–14; Psalm 138:1–8 When I was a teenager, I became serious about showing unsolicited kindness while working through a 30-day intensive devotional. The devotional required me to record an act of kindness each day. My efforts included things as mundane as taking out the trash before being asked…