Bible Verses: Luke 19:1-10Ephesians 2:8Philippians 3:1-9Mark 10:28Luke 5:27-28Luke 18:29-30
Read MoreFor Reading and Meditation: Luke 8:40-56
We continue meditating on Christ's first prescription for happiness: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Over the past few days we have seen that the phrase "poor in spirit" refers not to material poverty, but spiritual poverty - a willingness to throw away our own self-sufficiency and...
Bible Verses: Luke 8:40-56Mark 10:1-16Matthew 14:35-36Matthew 8:3Matthew 8:15Matthew 9:29-30Luke 6:19
Read MoreFor Reading and Meditation: Mark 10:13-31
Today we ask ourselves: If happiness is not something we can create but something we receive, how do we go about receiving it? Listen again to the words of Jesus: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"? There are those who tell us that the words...
Bible Verses: Mark 10:13-31Luke 6:20Mark 9:30-37Matthew 10:40Luke 8:40John 1:12
Read MoreSo spake Jesus to the sons of Zebedee, and so He speaks to us. Beloved, have you your petition ready this morning? Jesus is at the pardon office; He is on His throne of grace; He is in a loving temper; He is ready to bless. He says, Ask, what I shall give thee?
O Jesus! give me sanctifying grace. Subdue my corruptions. Purify my heart. Make me a vessel of honour, meet for Thy use. Why should sin be allowed to work so powerfully? Why should Satan be permitted to have so much power over...
Bible Verses: Mark 10:36
Read MoreYou have not the making of your own cross, although unbelief is a master carpenter at cross-making; neither are you permitted to choose your own cross, although self-will would fain be lord and master; but your cross is prepared and appointed for you by divine love, and you are cheerfully to accept it; you are to take up the cross as your chosen badge and burden, and not to stand cavilling at it. This night Jesus bids you submit your shoulder to his easy yoke. Do not kick at it in...
Bible Verses: Mark 10:21
Read MoreThe death of children is always an especially severe trial of the faith of God's people, and it is important to have some solid moorings to hold us at such a time.
The general belief among Christians is that children who die before they reach the age of accountability are safe through the blood of Jesus. The reasoning goes something like this: the child himself has never had the capacity to either accept or reject the Savior, so God reckons to him all the value of the work of Christ on...
Bible Verses: Mark 10:14Mark 10:14Matthew 18:11
Read MoreThe greatest of all investments is the investment of one's life for Jesus Christ. The important considerations in any investment are the safety of the principal and the rate of return. Judged on this basis, no investment can compare with the life that's lived for God. The principal is absolutely safe because He is able to keep that which we have committed unto him (2 Timothy 1:12). As for the income, it boggles the mind by its immensity.
In...
Bible Verses: Mark 10:29-302 Timothy 1:12Hebrews 11:26
Read More"One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, He was being carefully watched." Our Savior did not refuse any invitation to a proper social function. His example is important for us. He wants His people to be IN the world, though not OF the world. He does not desire us to withdraw...
Bible Verses: Luke 14:1-14Matthew 20:28Mark 10:45
Read MoreMatthew 19:1-2 Matthew 19:13-26
The words, "He departed from Galilee," have significance, when we consider the circumstances, which give them a peculiar sadness. This was our Lords' final departure from Galilee. He had been brought up there. Much of His public ministry had been wrought there. In that part of the country, He had met with the kindliest reception....
Bible Verses: Matthew 19:1-2Matthew 19:13-26Mark 10:17Mark 10:21Matthew 13:46
Read MoreBible Verses: Acts 12:1-17Mark 10:37
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For Reading and Meditation: Luke 19:1-10
We spend one more day meditating on the first of the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Dr Raymond Cramer, the minister and psychologist whom I mentioned earlier, says that in the psychology of Jesus, it is the one who has a problem that gets the Master's attention. When...