April, 2010 Devotions
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2 Timothy 1:13
Thursday, April 1
Hold Fast!
KEY VERSE: "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus," 2 Timothy 1 :13.
This writer's first grandson was named Jonathan. As a small boy he loved to ride in a little red wagon I purchased for him. When I pulled him in the wagon, I encouraged him to hold on to both sides of the wagon so he would not fall out and hurt himself. In like manner, every Christian is to get a firm grip on the Word of God.
The apostle Paul wrote this touching letter shortly before his martyrdom. He considered Timothy to be his "dearly beloved son" (verse 2). He urged Timothy to "hold fast" (firm) (verse 13) to the sound doctrine which he had taught him. The purpose of this letter was to encourage Timothy in his ministry in the city of Ephesus. The primary theme of this letter was the need for Timothy to hold firmly to the truth in view of difficulties. The word hold means "to retain or keep as the standard."
In his youth Timothy was a student of the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:15). From a child he had knowledge of the truth being taught by his mother and his grandmother. (See 2 Timothy 1:5.) Later, Timothy became a minister of the gospel (1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim.1:6, 7). How blessed children are when they are cradled in the truths of God's Word.
JUST A THOUGHT: The Bible is spiritual food for every child of God! Read it daily!
Gene C. Smith
Jude 3,4
Friday, April 2
Earnestly Contend for the Faith
KEY VERSE: "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints," Jude 3.
The Epistle of Jude was written by Jude, probably about AD 60. His message was occasioned by the false teachers who crept into the early churches and had spread their false teachings. So threatening were their teachings that the Holy Spirit prompted Jude to write this letter of warning to his readers to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once [for all] delivered unto the saints."
These false teachers did not unmask themselves when they slipped into the early churches. Had they done so, it would have revealed their true characters as false teachers and their purpose as they sought to lead true believers astray. Christians need to learn the distinguishing characteristics of false teachers and beware of them and their damnable doctrines. This is especially true when new converts are involved.
Knowing the truth necessitates a diligent study of the Word of God. Every Christian would do well to read and study it daily, believe what it teaches and apply its truths to one's life. In so doing that one will grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and be enabled to stand firmly in the faith.
JUST A THOUGHT: No one ever graduates from a study of the Bible until he meets its author face to face.
Gene C. Smith
Acts 17:30,31
Saturday, April 3
Repentance Is the Key!
KEY VERSE: "At the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent," Acts 17:30.
Teresa had a drinking problem. Not only did she admit to being an alcoholic for thirty-five years, but, when we talked, she spoke about things in her life she had been trying to drown for years. She spoke about how she finally stopped denying her problem when her own daughter refused to allow her to babysit her children. There were a lot of tears and prayers. Finally, she confessed her sin and placed her faith in Jesus Christ. She then experienced peace and serenity such as she had never before known. She testified to others what she had found in Christ. What a victory she experienced! Her triumph came because of her repentance toward God and her faith in Jesus Christ.
Repentance is the first aspect of the believer's initial experience of salvation. It consists of a change of one's mind set concerning one's obligation to the will and Word of God. Jesus declared, "I tell you, Nay; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). There are three aspects of genuine repentance: (1) a knowledge of sin in one's life, (2) a godly sorrow because of that sin and (3) a forsaking of sin for the Savior. To journey through life without Jesus Christ as Savior will result in an eternal separation from God and Heaven at the end of life's journey.
JUST A THOUGHT: Live like a winner! That is God's will for your life!
Gene C. Smith
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Sunday, April 4
Called To Be Separate
KEY VERSE: "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you," 2 Corinthians 6:17.
In the book entitled, "Wondrous Power, Wondrous Love," Gloria D. Hurst wrote, "One day a new friend cautiously asked, "Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior? Are you born again?" I felt indignation and frustration. I had years of church, ritual and tradition, but they didn't help me climb out of my pit of despair. I couldn't understand what she was trying to tell me. The term "born again" was totally foreign to me. God moved in! He became real!" Truly there is a wondrous power and a wondrous love in the saving grace of God.
God's people have been redeemed from the bondage of sin to be clean before God. After experiencing God's wonderful salvation, a child of God is to separate himself from the unbelieving populace of the world to be clean before God.
The solution for the situation about alliances in the church at Corinth was for them to separate themselves from the false religionists. Whatever may have been their estimation of their spiritual status, Paul considered the false teachers to be unbelievers (verse 14) from whom the Corinthian Christians were to separate themselves. However, Paul did not indicate that Christians should have no contact whatsoever with unbelievers. Believers are to witness to unbelievers and seek to lead them to Christ for salvation.
JUST A THOUGHT: Exercise daily—walk with the Lord!
Gene C. Smith
Acts 16:14, 15
Monday, April 5
First Convert from Thyatira
KEY VERSE: "And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul," Acts 16:14.
A man once stated to this writer, "All roads lead to God. It is like going from here to downtown. A person can take one of several streets in order to get there. They all lead to the same destination." Such inclusiveness is popular in our day and time. However, it runs counter to Jesus' words spoken in John 14:6. The New Testament makes it quite clear that salvation is realized only in and through Jesus Christ.
Paul and his missionary companions traveled from Troas to Neapolis. From there they traveled to the city of Philippi. The next Sabbath day they went out by a river to have a prayer meeting. A lady by the name of Lydia was converted that day. She was the first convert from the city of Thyatira in Asia Minor. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. After being saved, she was baptized (verse 15). Other members of her household were converted to Christ and were also baptized.
Conversion is the door into the kingdom of God. Therefore, it is most important! It marks the line between eternal life and eternal death, between eternal sonship with God and eternal alienation.
JUST A THOUGHT: One may whitewash sin, but only Jesus' blood can truly wash it white.
Gene C. Smith
1 Kings 16:29-33
Tuesday, April 6
The Original Jezebel
KEY VERSE: "And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him," 1 Kings 16:31.
The events set forth in this devotional reading transpired during the reign of Ahab the king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He ruled the people of Israel from Samaria for twenty-two years. He was the most wicked king they had ever experienced.
Additionally, Ahab married a pagan princess by the name of Jezebel who zealously tried to promote her depraved cult as the exclusive religion of Israel. Her father, Ethbaal, was the king of the Sidonians (Phoenicians) with his capital in Tyre, which was north of Israel. They worshiped Baal (meaning lord) which was a false god. Ahab embraced Baal and worshiped him.
Ahab built a temple for Baal in the capital city of Samaria, and he constructed an altar for Baal in it. He also made a "grove" (verse 33) of asherim poles which were idols carved to stimulate the worship of Baal's female counterpart. (See Deuteronomy 16:21.) Jezebel called herself a prophetess. (See Revelation 2:20.) She and her husband, King Ahab, worshiped Baal—a false god. Jezebel was the epitome of false teachers. In our day and time, we are also plagued with false teachers.
JUST A THOUGHT: Beware of false teachers-Stay with the Word of God! (See Matthew 7:15.)
Gene C. Smith
Philippians 3:17-19
Wednesday, April 7
Enemies of the Cross
KEY VERSE: "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ," Philippians 3:18.
The Epicureans represented a Greek school of philosophy which taught that the satisfaction of the physical appetites was the highest aim of mankind. They allowed their Christian liberty to degenerate into a license to sin. They did not understand God's saving grace, and, therefore, they thought lightly of continuing in sin. They became engrossed in self-indulgence and therefore became enemies of the cross of Christ.
Having set forth his life ambition to be more like Christ, Paul did not hesitate to tell the Philippians to follow his example (verse 17). He also gave the reason for this exhortation (verse 18). It was because some of them were so living that they became, in reality, enemies of the cross of Christ. Paul was so concerned about the Philippians' spiritual welfare that he warned them often and even wept as he did so.
Currently, there are many enemies of the cross. This is true even in the United States of America which is recognized as a Christian nation. However, we are gradually moving away from the teachings of the Word of God. We must repent and turn back to the truths of God's Word—the Holy Bible. However, there are some churches that hold fast to the truth and who teach salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
JUST A THOUGHT: Salvation comes only through the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Gene C. Smith
Romans 16:17-19
Thursday, April 8
Do Not Be Deceived!
KEY VERSE: "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple," Romans 16: 18.
The apostle Paul could not resist giving a final word of warning to the Christians in the city of Rome. He cautioned them to watch out for the spiritual enemies who were divisive and who sought to hinder the Lord's work. They had hindered the work of God in Rome by putting obstacles (traps and snares) in the way of spiritual progress. True believers were urged to avoid all false teachers by turning away from them. They were not serving the Lord, but their own appetites. In fact, they were selfish gluttons. However, the main problem was that, by their smooth talk and flattering words, they were deceiving the minds (hearts) of the simple or naive people.
Some years ago two Russian Jews came to New York to obtain work. The young people of a local church invited them to come to an evangelistic meeting. One of them accepted the offer. That evening the Holy Spirit convicted him of his sin. He sought salvation and found it. He was saved from his sins by the blood of Jesus Christ. Later, he was used by the Lord as a missionary to the Jews in America. The other Jew refused the invitation and went his own way. Later, he was murdered in Mexico. All indications revealed that he was not a born-again believer in Jesus Christ.
JUST A THOUGHT: One decision can determine the whole future of an individual!
Gene C. Smith
James 1:26, 27
Friday, April 9
The Content of Pure Religion
KEY VERSE: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world," James 1:27.
It is of utmost importance for one to trust Christ for salvation, become a member of one of His churches and serve Him. James teaches that one who is truly "religious" will demonstrate it by a controlled talk (verse 26) and walk (verse 27). The outward practices which one may think are commendable are considered by James to be worthless or fruitless. Such a person deceives himself or misleads his own heart.
A clean and undefiled "religion" (verse 27) is one in which one's character and conduct are disciplined as God's Word teaches. One who is truly "religious" (verse 27) will demonstrate it by a controlled talk and walk. The word religious refers to external observances. The outward practices which one may think are commendable are considered worthless or fruitless. Such a person deceives himself or misleads his own heart. It is apparent from verse 26 that God's emphasis is not on religious rituals, but it is on right living (verse 27).
Receptivity to God's Word and responsiveness to its revelation is to be coupled with a new approach to life. A Christian must be resigned to become perpetual in practicing what God's Word teaches. It is to "visit" (look after) the fatherless (orphans) and widows in their affliction and "to keep himself unspotted from the world" (verse 27).
JUST A THOUGHT: Trials will not topple one who is anchored in God's Word.
Gene C. Smith
Matthew 16:24-27
Saturday, April 10
The Value of Christian Service
KEY VERSE: "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me," Matthew 16:24.
Jesus explained to His disciples that His death on the cross was near. It would be necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem and there suffer many things at the hands of the religious leaders. Eventually, He would be put to death, but He would rise again from the dead on the third day (verse 21.)
Upon hearing these words, Peter took the Lord aside and began to rebuke Him (verse 22). Obviously, Peter did not fully comprehend the Lord's plan. Although Peter wanted to follow Jesus' plan, he was unaware that discipleship involved a cost. Discipleship does not mean one enjoys glory immediately. Anyone who would follow Jesus must be willing to deny himself, take up his cross and follow Jesus (verse 24). The path Jesus and His followers would travel would be a road of sorrow and suffering. But in losing one's life, one would truly find a better life—a Christian life.
If it were possible for an individual to preserve his own life, and gain the whole world, but in the process lose his soul, of what value then would his worldly possessions be? True discipleship involves one following Jesus and doing His will wherever that journey may take him. Try it and see!
JUST A THOUGHT: Whatever God wills for me to do, is what I will do!
Gene C. Smith
2 Timothy 2:15
Sunday, April 11
Rightly Divide the Word of Truth
KEY VERSE: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth," 2 Timothy 2:15.
The book of 2 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul to Timothy shortly before Paul's martyrdom. It contains the last words which have been preserved of this great apostle. In so doing, Paul urged Timothy to do his best in the ministry to be sure he would meet with God's approval. He was to be a "workman" (laborer) (verse 15) who would not be ashamed of his ministry neither in his lifetime nor when he meets God at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Rom. 14:10).
To achieve this standard in his ministry for God, Timothy was to rightly divide "the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15) which was a correct handling of both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The expression rightly dividing the word of truth literally means "to cut straight." Stone masons, farmers plowing the soil, road builders and surgeons have been suggested as the originators of this expression. However, a firm conclusion remains elusive. The shame of God's disapproval awaits those who mishandle God's Word.
Those who teach God's Word are to remain true to the Word of God at all times. The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is apparent that there is a need for an encouragement for people to read and study the Word of God more.
JUST A THOUGHT: The Bible has one central message Christ and the salvation He offers to mankind.
Gene C. Smith
Titus 3:8
Monday, April 12
The Place for Service
KEY VERSE: "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men," Titus 3:8.
Do you know the biggest obstacle that Christians face today? It is that they love the Lord a little and the world a lot. They give more allegiance to the things of the world than they do to the things of God. When a man marries a woman, he does not want her to give him one-tenth of her love and the other nine-tenths to other men. He wants all of her love. God, because of what He has done for us, requires that our hearts be centered on Him. He desires our love and devotion.
There are two voices in every Christian's heart—the voice of God and the voice of the world. Satan is behind every worldly voice. Therefore, God requires a holy life from His people. A dedicated Christian will strive to serve the Lord to the best of his ability. This service to God is to be done through a New Testament church.
The devil decided to have a garage sale. In the vast display of goods all articles were sold but one. What was that one item? The tool is called discouragement.
JUST A THOUGHT: A Christian does not influence people so much by what he says, nor by how he looks, but by how he lives day by day.
Gene C. Smith
Titus 2:10-14
Tuesday, April 13
Be Zealous of Good Works
KEY VERSE: "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works," Titus 2:14.
The need of the hour in the United States is for a spiritual awakening, a revival of renewed interest among the Lord's churches. A warning system operates properly when the problem that precipitated the peril is effectively resolved. The spirit of man also acts as God intended when it responds to the truths of God's Word.
The "grace of God" that brings us salvation (verse 11) also teaches us how to live in this present world (verse 12). When the Word of God is proclaimed, a fire can be kindled in the hearts of God's people if they will heed the message and do as God directs. The spiritual alarms are buzzing all across the United States. The Lord is calling us back to Him. We are to heed this call and turn back to Him.
The songwriter, Francis Havergal, once wrote a song entitled, "I Gave My Life for Thee." The words of the first verse are
I gave My life for thee,
My precious blood I shed,
That thou might'st ransomed be
And quickened from the dead.
On a hill outside of Jerusalem called Golgotha, Jesus was crucified on the middle cross between two thieves. He gave His life for us that we might have a Redeemer and be saved from our sins.
JUST A THOUGHT: The ransom price was paid by Jesus Christ on the cross for man's redemption.
Gene C. Smith
Mark 13:33-37
Wednesday, April 14
Watch and Pray
KEY VERSE: "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is," Mark 13:33.
As Jesus and His disciples departed from the city of Jerusalem, they passed by the magnificent edifice of the Temple. Jesus told His disciples that the Temple would be completely destroyed. In fact, it has been destroyed. The Temple does not exist at this time. The disciples then asked Jesus when this destruction of the Temple would come to pass.
Jesus responded by disclosing to His disciples three important truths about the events that would occur near the end of this age. (1) The course of this age (verses 5-23). Many false prophets would arise claiming to be the Christ. This has happened many times in days past and will likely happen again. (2) The Lord's return in glory to planet Earth (verses 24-32). (3) Watchfulness in view of His return (verses 33-37). Jesus did not give the exact time of His return to planet Earth. However, He did encourage watchfulness in view of His return. Christ did not mean for people to quit their jobs, build a watchtower and do nothing but look toward Heaven for His return. He plainly meant for His people to be ready for His return whenever it will be. The reason to watch is because we do not know when He will return and we need to be ready. To pray means "to communicate with Christ until He does return."
JUST A THOUGHT: The challenge to God's people is to be watching and working until He returns!
Gene C. Smith
Romans 8:12-17
Thursday, April 15
Live as Dear Children
KEY VERSE: "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together," Romans 8:17.
My wife and I have two children and four grandchildren. All of them are very dear to us. We love them and they love us. In like manner, God's children love Him and He loves them.
If we as God's dear children are to grow strong spiritually, we must have a vital connection with Christ, the source of all spiritual strength. This means we must reach up to Him in prayer and He will reach down to us. He does this through His Word—the Bible. Prayer may simply be defined as man talking to God, and in reading the Bible God speaks to us.
The world presses in upon us. The noises around us fill the air, but we can go to a private place, close the door, read the Bible and pray. In so doing we form a direct connection with God, and we grow spiritually.
There is also the public exercise of Christian service in participating in the local church services. There is a time for Bible study, a time for prayer and a time to visit with our Christian friends. These activities tend to enhance our connection with God and enable us to enjoy fellowship with other Christians.
JUST A THOUGHT: There is no excuse for a Christian to be idle. There is plenty for one to do in serving the Lord.
Gene C. Smith
Philippians 4:3
Friday, April 16
The Book of Life
KEY VERSE: "And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life," Philippians 4:3.
The child of God has a glorious past. He will remember that Christ loved him enough to die on the cross for him. That one will also remember how Jesus Christ saved him and blessed him along life's pathway. Furthermore, he enjoys a joyous presence in his life. The Lord blesses him throughout his life. He has the high privilege of walking and talking with the Lord. However, as wonderful as the past has been, the Christian's future is a million times more blessed than anything he has ever experienced.
Though the description of the new Heaven does not answer all the questions concerning one's eternal state of being, it does describe a beautiful and glorious future for all who put their trust in the Savior. The inhabitants will only be those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life (Rev. 21:27). It is interesting that in the six references to the book of life in the book of Revelation only this one calls it the Lamb's Book of Life. Suffice it to say that when one repents of sin and receives Christ as Savior, that one's name is recorded in Heaven, and he will go to Heaven at the end of life's way. Those who reject Him will not be admitted to that holy city.
JUST A THOUGHT: This devotional should inspire every unsaved person who reads it to receive Jesus Christ as Savior.
Gene C. Smith
2 Timothy 3:14
Saturday, April 17
Keep on Keeping On!
KEY VERSE: "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them," 2 Timothy 3:14.
The Christian life begins with one's personal faith (trust) in the Savior. To know Christ personally is to also experience God's power. A knowledge of the Lord and faith in Him becomes the channel whereby all spiritual blessings are conveyed to believers.
Sometimes life does not make good sense. When one succumbs to this plateau of living, it is important to remember that God is still in control. He is sovereign in that He knows what He is doing, that He still cares for His children and that He makes no mistakes.
The Key Verse encourages believers in Christ to continue in the things that they have learned from their spiritual leaders. Some people find it easy to give up and quit serving the Lord when problems confront them. However, that is the time when they are to depend on the Lord for direction.
Paul warned believers in Christ about the collapse of society which would come in the last days. (See 2 Timothy 3:1-13.) This collapse is clearly visible in this present time. Believers in Christ are urged to give heed to these things in light of the opposition from evil men and imposters. These directives came from two sources—Paul's own testimony (verses 1-13) and the Holy Scriptures (verses 14-17). Christians beware! These terrible times are here!
JUST A THOUGHT: When things go wrong, as they sometimes will: Don't quit!
Gene C. Smith
Ephesians 2:8-10
Sunday, April 18
Saved To Serve
KEY VERSE: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them," Ephesians 2:10.
Some doctors in an Ohio penitentiary wanted to experiment. They believed that an operation on a man's brain would change him and rid him of criminal tendencies. A prisoner in that prison submitted to the operation. But, the operation was a failure. The man was released from prison, but soon he was back in prison for forgery. For a man to be changed, he must have a changed heart. Only Christ can change one's heart.
A change begins to take place when one accepts Jesus Christ as Savior. The attitudes, language, thoughts and deeds will eventually be completely changed. The saved individual no longer wishes to remain a sinful being. Thus, some changes begin to take place in that person's life-style. He may sometimes defect in his walk with God, but his overall desire is to live honorably before God and his fellowmen.
Salvation is effectual only through the grace of God. One is saved "by grace" (Eph. 2:8). This grace comes to that individual through the channel of faith. It is not accomplished by "works" (verse 9) lest that one would boast of his accomplishments. It is a free gift from God. After having accepted salvation as a free gift, that one is to do "good works" (verse 10). The happiest people are those who invest their lives in God's work.
JUST A THOUGHT: God has a gift for you! Have you accepted it?
Gene C. Smith
1 Peter 1:22, 23
Monday, April 19
Love One Another
KEY VERSE: "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently," 1 Peter 1:22.
The apostle Peter wrote this epistle to the Jewish Christians in the main who had been scattered abroad from Jerusalem (1 Peter 1:1). They had settled in the northern part of Asia Minor. This area was identified as Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. This area is identified today as Turkey.
Evidently, God scattered these Christians from Jerusalem into those areas for them to be witnesses for Him to the unsaved people who dwelt there. As Peter wrote to them, he presented all the fundamental truths of the Christian faith.
Those to whom Peter wrote had purified their "souls in obeying the truth" (verse 22), with the result that they came to love their brethren with an unfeigned (not hypocritical) love. Thus, they had been saved or born again (verse 23) and things had changed in their lives.
The instrument that brought about their new birth was the Word of God (verse 23). Saving faith comes by hearing, and "hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17).
Mankind is in the bondage of sin. Jesus liberated those who trust Him by paying the ransom price on Calvary's cross. However, we must accept what He did for us. When we accept this, it results in our personal salvation.
JUST A THOUGHT: The loneliest place in the world is the human heart when love is absent.
Gene C. Smith
Isaiah 22:20-25
Tuesday, April 20
The Key of David
KEY VERSE: "And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open," Isaiah 22:22.
The book of Isaiah is one of the most loved books of the Bible. It is the best known of the prophetic books. It holds much factual material about the society of Israel around 700 BC. Isaiah, the prophet, noted that God has always had a remnant of believers through whom He worked. Isaiah spoke more than any other prophet of the great kingdom of Israel.
The city of Jerusalem was being besieged at that time, and the people inside the walls could do nothing about it. Eliakim, the palace administrator, was negotiating with Sennacherib, the leader of the approaching army. He was able to be like a well-driven nail, that is, a firm foundation for the nation of Israel. He held the "key of the house of David" (verse 22) which would unlock the household of David, or the kingdom of Israel. However, David warned that eventually even this nail would be removed, signifying that eventually, the kingdom of Judah would be taken into captivity. This eventually came to pass.
Currently, the nation of Israel is encountering many wars. These are predictive of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to planet Earth. All these signs signify that this event could happen at any time. People must be ready for this great event.
JUST A THOUGHT: When Jesus returns to planet Earth, will you be ready to meet Him?
Gene C. Smith
1 John 2:28
Wednesday, April 21
Abide in Him
KEY VERSE: "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming," 1 John 2:28.
The writer of this epistle was the apostle John as unbroken tradition affirms and as internal evidence and comparison with the gospel of John proves. First John is a family letter. John looked upon the Christians to whom he wrote as God's little children. Their relationship with the Father is a vital theme in this book of 1 John. John also referred to them as his "children" (verse 28) inasmuch as he had served them as their spiritual leader.
The born-again children of God to whom John wrote were to "abide" (continue) (verse 28) in Christ. As God's children they were not to give up and quit serving the Lord. There are seemingly many people in our day who profess to be born-again believers in Christ, but they have given up and turned back to the ways of the world. This is evidence that they were not what they professed to be.
Christ's appearance refers to the return of Jesus Christ to planet Earth. After Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He was buried, but He arose from the dead on the third day as He said He would. He is coming back to planet Earth some day.
In light of these truths God's children are urged not to be ashamed of Him, but they are to remain loyal and faithful to Him.
JUST A THOUGHT: The most powerful testimony for Christ is a holy and faithful life.
Gene C. Smith
1 Corinthians 9:25
Thursday, April 22
The Incorruptible Crown
KEY VERSE: "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible," 1 Corinthians 9:25.
The word crown, as it is used here, refers to a garland placed on one's head as an ornament or a sign of honor or victory. In biblical times it referred to a crown placed on the victor's head. It was woven as a garland of oak, ivy, parsley and myrtle leaves. It was to be an imitation of a golden crown. It referred to the victor being crowned. It became a symbol of triumph at the Olympic games, or some other contest. The crown the winner received was considered to be a corruptible crown inasmuch as the winner was sometimes considered to have broken the rules in achieving the victory.
The apostle Paul in writing to the Corinthian Christians found it necessary to deal with two classes of believers. One group was considered to be carnal Christians and the other group was the spiritual Christians. This means he did not find all believers to be alike in the church in Corinth. Thus, Paul had to deal differently with each group. Some were worthy of a crown and some were not.
The "incorruptible crown" (verse 25) refers to the reward the spiritual Christians will receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ inasmuch as they achieved a victory over the old fleshly nature.
JUST A THOUGHT: Strive to be a winner of the incorruptible crown by being victorious.
Gene C. Smith
Isaiah 45:23-25
Friday, April 23
Bow and Confess
KEY VERSE: "I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear," Isaiah 45:23.
When the British queen Elizabeth was a child, her parents held a garden party at Buckingham Palace for her. A rainstorm forced the party to move indoors. Elizabeth and her younger sister wandered into the room where the guests had gathered and were politely bombarded with questions. During a pause in the conversation, Elizabeth pointed toward a nearby wall and a painting of Jesus on the cross. She remarked, "That's the man papa says is really the king."
Isaiah's prophecy in the main was directed to the Israelites. However, in the latter part of chapter 45, he also appealed to the Gentiles to be in submission to God. The reason for this appeal was that the Gentiles had become engrossed in idolatry. Their idolatrous gods were graven out of wood and set up before the Gentile people. They could pray to them, but their appeal was to the gods who could not save them. Thus, God wanted them to look to Him and Him alone, acknowledging that there was no God besides Him. He is the One true and living God.
The Lord appealed to the Gentiles to turn from their wooden idols and be saved from coming destruction. They were to acknowledge Him as the only God who could save them.
JUST A THOUGHT: Our love has limits but God's love is boundless.
Gene C. Smith
Romans 14:10-12
Saturday, April 24
Accountable to God
KEY VERSE: "So then everyone of us shall give account of himself to God," Romans 14:12.
The Word of God plainly teaches the truth that every child of God will someday stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, and each individual will give an account of himself to the Lord Jesus Christ. Each and every child of God will be judged according to his works (2 Cor. 5:10).
The purpose of this judgment is not to determine whether one is saved or not, but to determine the degrees of his rewards. For those who have labored faithfully in God's service there will be a reward (1 Cor. 3:14). Those who have not been faithful in the work of the Lord shall suffer a loss of rewards.
Inasmuch as God's children will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ and be judged by Him, the matter of judging and condemning one's fellow-Christians does not belong to us. It belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. He will be the judge and He judges righteously.
There are three planes of Christian living. One is doing as one pleases regardless of whom it hurts. This is the worst kind of life one can live. Two is helping a weak brother or sister in Christ when there is a need. This is a better way than the first way. Three is doing things for the glory of God. This is the highest and noblest plane on which a child of God can live.
JUST A THOUGHT: The judgment of believers climatically demonstrates God's lordship!
Gene C. Smith
1 Corinthians 16:9
Sunday, April 25
Opportunities and Obstacles Go Together
KEY VERSE: "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries," 1 Corinthians 16:9.
The apostle Paul wrote this first epistle (letter) to the church located in the city of Corinth (1 Cor. 1:2). He wrote it from the city of Ephesus. Paul's intention in writing this letter was to further instruct the church in Corinth of the truths of God about the grace of giving.
Some people seem to have the mistaken idea that, if they withhold their offerings from the Lord's work, they will save that much for their own use. Thus, they strive to enrich themselves by withholding their tithes and offerings from God. A twofold application may be made from this misguided thinking.
The first one is that, if a person seeks to keep all of his finances for himself, he will be holding back from a total commitment to God. Hence, that one will eventually dry up spiritually. It is highly probable that he will become critical of the church, the pastor and all that is done for the glory of God.
The second one is that the liberal givers are greatly blessed by the Lord. Those who give liberally of their time, talents and tithes to the Lord are abundantly blessed by Him. They also seem to prosper in the material realm. The opposite is true when one allows obstacles to repress their giving to the Lord and His cause.
JUST A THOUGHT: When it comes to giving, some people stop at nothing!
Gene C. Smith
Colossians 1:15-19
Monday, April 26
He Began Creation
KEY VERSE: "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him," Colossians 1:16.
He chose to create. Out of nothing came light. Out of light came day. Then came sky and earth. With His might, He created. Who made the world? Who sustains the universe? Who willingly went to Calvary for your redemption? Meet the Creator. Meet Christ. He is your deliverer, your redemption. He is the visible expression of the invisible God.
He is the firstborn of every creature, the Son of God. He produced all things. All things were created by Him and for Him. By Him all things consist. It is His power that holds all things together. He is a member of the Trinity, coequal with God the Father, King of kings, Lord of lords, the Alpha and Omega, the bright and morning star, counselor, Prince of peace, Savior, Redeemer. Meet the Creator!
When you have accepted Christ as your Savior, He has made peace with God for you. Through all His suffering and dying, Christ possessed perfect peace, confident that He might reconcile us to God. We have peace with God through Him (Rom. 5:1). Christ is the one and only way to God. He deserves your love and trust.
LIVING IT: Pray to God and know that all things are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
Mary McCalister
Matthew 24:12
Tuesday, April 27
Love Grows Cold
KEY VERSE: "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold," Matthew 24:12.
When do you feel your love for God is strongest? Is it when everything seems to be going your way, when you daily experience the blessings of God? Or, is it when sin all around you besieges you and tempts you to fall by the way? We are most helpless under these circumstances.
Certainly, this is a trying time for true Christianity. Truly, iniquity is abounding. It would be so easy to give up and say, "What's the use?"
A farmer was awakened in the middle of the night when his clock went on a rampage and struck seventeen. He rushed all over the house waking everybody up shouting, "Get up! It's later than it ever has been before!"
It is later than ever and the smartest thing any man can do is to set his watch by God's clock. Christ said that, before He returns lawlessness will abound (Matt. 24:24). Not only is there anarchy in the world and apostasy in religion, but, there is apathy in the Lord's churches. Two pastors were discussing that problem. One said, "My church is too near the lake and too many of my people go boating." The other said, "My church is just as near to the lake, but that is not our problem. We are not close enough to the Lord."
What are we to do? We should be ready and busy but also expectant. We should be looking for Jesus to come. The New Testament word is awake! (Rom. 13:11; 1 Cor. 15:34; Eph. 5:14).
LIVING IT: What time is it? It is time to look for Jesus to come with joyful anticipation.
Mary McCalister
Luke 14:27-33
Wednesday, April 28
Keys to True Discipleship
KEY VERSE: "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple," Luke 14:33.
Don Hawkins has written a book titled "The One Minute Christian." This writer has not read the book, but, the title is intriguing. How many of us schedule only a spare minute now and then for service to God? We are just too busy to make a full commitment.
The truth is, if we forsake not family and hate even our own lives, if we do not bear the cross and come after Christ, if we do not forsake all we have, we cannot be His disciples. We like to tone it down, interpreting it as being poor disciples. But, that is not what the Lord said. He said we cannot be His disciples at all. How that truth hurts!
Jesus spoke these words to a great multitude. We would be envious of such a following. In fact, we would be careful to be "politically correct" and not say anything which would offend them. Jesus spoke only the truth, as difficult as it might be to accept. Another time, when He spoke such harsh truths, many of His disciples murmured, and John reported, "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him" (John 6:66).
Being a true disciple takes a full commitment and a resolve to believe Jesus when He promised a hundredfold restoration of everything forsaken for His name's sake (Matt. 19:29).
LIVING IT: Can you sing "I Surrender All" and really mean it?
Mary McCalister
Romans 12:1,2
Thursday, April 29
A Living Sacrifice
KEY VERSE: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service," Romans 12:1.
Paul could not have been more in earnest when he beseeched or begged, urged his readers to "present your bodies" (verse 1) or offer, dedicate themselves to God as living sacrifices; not dead but lively, living, active, doing, going and giving themselves to God in service to Him.
Importantly, He urged his readers not to be conformed, modeled after the pattern of this world. This world can have a terrible influence on us and our families. The entertainment media, for example, offers various forms of sinful behavior for our listening and viewing pleasure. One music TV channel, for instance, was characterized in a piece by film critic Michael Medved like this: "There is absolutely no excuse for MTV to be present in the home. It is one hundred percent negative." That is the bad news.
The good news is, these negative influences need not affect you. How can this be? By being "transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (verse 2). You can know what God's will is for you, and He will give you the strength to perform it. It should be a great comfort to us to know that the Lord has given us the resources to live above this world's degradation. These resources are His Spirit and His Word.
BELIEVE IT: Yield yourself to God, and you will not be conformed to the world.
Mary McCalister
Luke 12:15-21
Friday, April 30
Better To Be Rich Toward God
KEY VERSE: "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth," Luke 12:15.
Two words come to mind as we meditate on this passage—covetousness and complacency. They are bound up in the word which is their basis—greed. The biblical words related to this—greediness, greedily and greedy are defined as "desire, having or wanting more, heaping up." Proverbs tells us that the person who is greedy brings trouble to his house (Prov. 15:27).
Jesus felt it was important to warn His followers about the sin of covetousness or greed, so He voiced this warning in a parable. He told of a rich farmer who measured the success of his life by his possessions. Do you know anyone like that? You are not like that, are you? God forbid!
Another word which jumps out at us in this study is focus. Where is your focus? What is your motive for living? Is it money? Is it material possessions? If so, you may say, I have many years to enjoy my wealth. But, God may say, this night will be your last night.
Christ said our lives are not made up of our possessions. He warned that we should not concentrate on heaping up worldly wealth, but, that we should lay up treasures in Heaven (Matt. 6:19, 20).
Many people think they can take it easy and not give any thought to tomorrow, but, to their sorrow, tomorrow comes when they least expect it, and they are not prepared to face eternity.
LIVING IT: Covetousness is a sin which can ruin our lives.
Mary McCalister