May, 2010 Devotions
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2 Corinthians 8:9
Saturday, May 1
His Poverty Brings Riches
KEY VERSE: "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich," 2 Corinthians 8:9.
It is difficult to imagine ever saying Christ became poor. He is rich in that He is part of the Godhead. He is rich as King of kings and Lord of lords. He is certainly rich in His power because He can do anything. Yet, He became poor for our sakes. He took on Himself human form not bringing with Him any possessions. He said He had no place to lay His head (Luke 9:58). He carried this poverty to the cross where He became sin for us.
"Why?" You may ask, "Why?" Even song writers have asked that question. One writer, John Moore, asked simply, "Why?" Then, he answered his question, saying, "Jesus, the debt of my sin fully paid; He paid the ransom for me."
Again, we ask, "Why?" He did it that we might become children of God sharing in all His riches. We are rich in salvation and rich in all the blessings God bestows upon His children.
We should give because He gave. He is our motivation for true Christian conduct. He loved us and He gave. We love Him because of what He gave. We should love others because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Giving is an evidence of our love—love for Christ and love for God. When His love is shed abroad in our hearts, it is easy to love others who have needs.
LIVING IT: Jesus paid it all for you. What are you doing for Him?
Mary McCalister
Joshua 24:15-24
Sunday, May 2
Choose Whom You Will Serve
KEY VERSE: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD," Joshua 24: 15.
When Joshua took over the position as leader of Israel, the nation promised him: "According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee" (Joshua 1:17). Now, at the end of his ministry, near the time of his death, Joshua again challenged Israel. They had survived fifty years of almost constant warfare and now will possess the land God has promised them. But, they had to make a choice. Were they going to choose to serve God or the false gods of the region?
Like Israel, we can choose to serve God. Jesus in His teaching made it clear. "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Luke 16:13).
Now, for example, people cannot choose the weather. They cannot control the economy. A person cannot choose to be born with a big nose or blue eyes or a lot of hair.
God has always given mankind a choice about his future. Man can choose where he will spend eternity. And this is the only decision which really matters. One can also choose to obey God and serve Him.
LIVING IT: What is your choice?
Mary McCalister
Daniel 7:9-14
Monday, May 3
Daniel's Vision of God's Throne
KEY VERSE: "And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed," Daniel 7:14.
Daniel had a number of visions of beasts, but, the vision recorded in Daniel 7 ends in a different way. His visions prophesied the rise and fall of nations which covered centuries of human history. The underlying causes behind this rise and fall, going from ascendancy, to decline, to extinction were arrogance and pride which led to moral decay and ultimate undoing.
But, we are observing a kingdom in this devotional which is different. It is a kingdom which is ruled over by the Ancient of Days and is a kingdom which shall never end. That Ancient of Days is the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
This kingdom will not pass away as human kingdoms have done. It will never be destroyed because it is not of human origin.
In 1715, Louis XIV of France, who called himself "The Great," died. To dramatize the king's greatness, the cathedral where his body lay was lit with only one candle, placed above his coffin. The presiding bishop, Massilon, began to speak. Slowly reaching down, he snuffed out the candle, saying, "God alone is great!"
LIVING IT: Reverence the eternal God and His Son, the Ancient of Days.
Mary McCalister
Psalm 18:1-6
Tuesday, May 4
Worthy To Be Praised
KEY VERSE: "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower," Psalm 18:2.
One could almost write a book based on the precept that our God is worthy to be praised. Chapters could be rock, fortress, deliverer, God, strength, trustworthy, buckler, horn of salvation and high tower.
Rock. We all like to sing the beloved old hymn "Rock of Ages," and we sing it as an anthem of praise to our Redeemer. The Old Testament is full of references to the Rock. Deuteronomy 32:40 teaches Moses' song of praise. First Samuel 2:2 compares God to a Rock. Second Samuel 22:2, 3; 23:3 David refers to God as a Rock. Then, the New Testament gives great insight in Matthew 16:18 which reveals Christ is the Rock and foundation of the church. First Corinthians 10:4 teaches the Rock which followed Israel was Christ.
Fortress. You have not watched a western movie without seeing a fortress, or fort, built to protect against the enemy. The Lord is our shield and protection.
Deliverer. Paul quoted Isaiah 59:20, 21 when he wrote Romans, saying a deliverer would come out of Zion to deliver Israel (Rom. 11:26).
People can also praise God for His strength, trustworthiness and the protection He gives as our horn (strength) of salvation, and is our high tower (watchtower) to keep us safe.
LIVING IT: Sing it! Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures here below.
Mary McCalister
Psalm 96:7-10
Wednesday, May 5
Give Him Glory!
KEY VERSE: "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts," Psalm 96:8.
Have you often thought you could write sacred music? There are many writers of religious music today, but, not all that they write is truly sacred music because they want their songs to sell, and they write to please the listening public. Powerful, life-changing music will never be initiated by monetary concerns or ego needs.
To be a truly sacred song, it should have an eternal theme, dealing with a universal theme that has worldwide significance for a worldwide audience. Also, a sacred song must be one that will please God. Thematically, we must declare His attributes and His acts, reflect His majesty and celebrate His story. Those themes should include salvation, His glory and His marvelous deeds. Notice how the psalmist includes all this in this psalm.
Meditating on His majesty, splendor, strength and glory should raise us to new spiritual heights. When you think that the Lord made the heavens and spun the galaxies into space, how can you help breaking out into a song of praise?
Paul wrote of a day when Christ will be exalted and every creature from every nation on earth will acknowledge Him. Read Paul's description of that day in Philippians 2:9-11. One cannot help but feel that Paul must have had this psalm engraved on his heart.
LIVING IT: Give God all the glory that is due Him.
Mary McCalister
Ezekiel 1:26-28
Thursday, May 6
Ezekiel's Vision of God's Throne
KEY VERSE: "As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake," Ezekiel 1 :28.
The book of Ezekiel is a most interesting book of prophecy, and Ezekiel was a most interesting prophet—one might say intriguing and mysterious. He was a prophet most favored by God because he was given a vision of the glory of God more complete than that given any other prophet.
Ezekiel saw more than Moses, David, Isaiah or Daniel saw. He saw a vision of the glory of God—not His Person, but His glory. What effect did this vision have on Ezekiel? He fell upon his face. Seeing the power and strength and the glory and might of God should have the same effect on us.
Grace, truth, goodness, mercy, justice, knowledge, power, things eternal—all these make up the glory of God. No one can see Him, but we can see the effects of His work in our lives. Like Isaiah, we should cry out, "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips" (lsa. 6:5).
No doubt there was much about God's glory that Ezekiel did not understand. Perhaps, like us, he often questioned Why? or How? But, we must accept that we are on the wrong side of eternity to understand.
LIVING IT: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Mary McCalister
Romans 11:36
Friday, May 7
To Him Be Glory
KEY VERSE: "For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever," Romans 11 :36.
Paul's anthem of praise should move us to give glory to God and to worship Him. Honest worship lifts our eyes off self and sets them on God. The psalmist told us what we should do: "Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" (Psalm 29:1, 2).
Our worship should give God honor, even standing ovations. Worship adjusts us, lowering the chin of the haughty, straightening the back of the burdened, bowing the knees, lifting the hands, opening our mouths, singing to Him our praise.
Worship properly positions the worshiper. We go through life so bent out of shape and so sold on ourselves that we think someone died and made us ruler. Worship helps us take our eyes off the now and sets them on the realities of Heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power.
Remember, everything comes from God. The breath you just took, God gave you that. The blood which courses through your veins, credit God. The light by which you read and the brain with which you think, He gave you both. Everything comes from Him and exists for Him. We exist to exhibit God and to display His glory.
LIVING IT: Give God thanks and glorify His name.
Mary McCalister
Isaiah 40:25-28
Saturday, May 8
He Alone Is Worthy of Praise
KEY VERSE: "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding," Isaiah 40:28.
It is difficult not to be a little envious of great prophets like Isaiah. They were shown so much of the future and were able to see such great and marvelous things which yet have not happened. How do you think he felt when God showed him the coming Messiah? He must have lived in a world far different from the world around him.
Think about the reasons Isaiah gives us to praise God. Every breath we breathe comes from God. Every step we take is a gift from our Creator. We can do nothing apart from Him.
At the same time every joy, every sorrow—God goes through each one with us. His heart is for us. Because of Him, we can experience joy in our everyday lives, even when things do not go our way. We need to remember that He is in control. We have our lives, our being, in Him.
Praise Him because He is the Creator, and He does not faint. He does not become tired. No amount of searching can give us the understanding He has.
LIVING IT: For in Him we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:28).
Mary McCalister
Isaiah 6:1-8
Sunday, May 9
Isaiah's Vision of God on His Throne
KEY VERSE: "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts," Isaiah 6:5.
Some measure of Isaiah's standing with God can be seen in this passage. He was permitted to see "the Lord sitting upon a throne" (verse 1). What was the prophet's response? He said, "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips (verse 5). There is no pride or self-glory here. This is always the case. When we see God as He is, we can see nothing good in ourselves.
We see only a holy God, perfect in His righteousness. We can fully surrender to His will because we are confident that He will always do with us what is right (Gen. 18:25). We see God, perfect in His justice. We can know that His judgment will be unquestionably fair (2 Cor. 5:10). We see God, knowing He is perfect in His faithfulness. We can take Him at His word (Num. 23:19). We see God, perfect in His truthfulness. We can depend on Him. He will never let us down (Lam. 3:22, 23).
God received Isaiah's contrition and confession and cleansed the prophet's lips. Then, Isaiah was ready for service, ready to do what God wanted him to do, ready to say, "Here am I, send me" (lsa. 6:8).
Real greatness starts when God shows us our sins and our needs, and, when we accept His cleansing touch to make our hearts able to respond to His call for service.
LIVING IT: See God as He is so you can see yourself as you really are.
Mary McCalister
Genesis 49:8-10
Monday, May 10
Prophecy of Judah's Lion
KEY VERSE: "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be," Genesis 49:10.
As we think about God and how He works in the lives of men, we must also take into account the way He schedules events to happen. It is amazing that early in the history of Israel, Jacob made this prophecy about the time when Shiloh, the Messiah, would come and set up His kingdom.
God's ways are not our ways. He acts with a sense of purely profound holiness because He is holy and righteous. He knows all that has happened in the past, and He is completely aware of what the future has in store. Nothing escapes His full attention. We should stand in awe of His power. We often may wonder, what motivates Him? Why does He do what He does? Why does He say what He says? Who is this God that we worship? Can He truly love us when He knows that our hearts often wander away from Him?
God's schedule is based on His priorities and timing. Although we may not know what all of these include, we can know that God's highest priority is our personal relationship with Him.
Remember, too, that God is always at work. There may be times when we are not in His will. But, if we are truly committed to the Lord and if we are committed to getting His best, then, we will work in harmony with Him.
LIVING IT: Commitment is the true source of our service to God.
Mary McCalister
Isaiah 11:1-10
Tuesday, May 11
The Root of David
KEY VERSE: "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious," Isaiah 11:10.
What a time, what a day that will be! With all the negative things that are going on with Israel today, it is difficult to imagine how this prophecy can come true. And, yet, it will come true. You can believe it because God has promised it. God asked, "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee" (lsa. 49:15).
Israel should remember, and you should remember, too, that God is for you. Think of all the ways He takes care of you and ministers to you. Trials may come, but He will be with you in them and will ultimately bring you through them.
There is coming a day which will be glorious for Israel. There is coming a day which will be glorious for God's faithful servants as well. God may be putting us through trials, but the glory day will come. For us, the glorious things about Heaven will not be the golden street, or the gates of pearl, or even the fact that God is going to wipe away all tears. It will be that we are going to thank Him for the glorious way in which He kept us through every trial and tribulation in this life. We will rejoice in being able to place our crowns at His feet. We will worship Him in glorious praise.
LIVING IT: What a day, glorious day that will be!
Mary McCalister
Luke 1:31-33
Wednesday, May 12
Son of the Highest
KEY VERSE: "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David," Luke 1 :32.
Go back in your mind's eye, and, imagine, if you will, the thoughts of young Mary when her baby was born. She looked into His face, her son. Not only her son, but her Lord, His majesty. At this point in history, the one human being who best understood who God is and what He is doing was a teenage girl in a smelly stable. Somehow, Mary knew she was holding God. She could not take her eyes off Him. So this is He. She remembered the words of the angel that His kingdom would never end.
He looked like anything but a king. His cry, though strong and healthy, was still the helpless and piercing cry of a baby. And, He was absolutely dependent upon Mary for His well-being.
Majesty was in the midst of the mundane. Holiness was in the filth of animal manure and sweat. Divinity was entering the world on the floor of a stable through the womb of a teenager and the presence of a carpenter.
In awe, she touched the face of the infant—God.
How interesting that this revelation of the birth of the Messiah should come to a woman of humble position. Every Jewish woman desired to be the mother of the long expected Messiah. Yet, Mary was chosen, not through any merit of her own, but because of her lineage and because she was a virgin. Her son would be named Jesus, and He would bring salvation to mankind.
LIVING IT: Stand in holy reverence as you contemplate this great event.
Mary McCalister
1 Peter 1:18, 19
Thursday, May 13
Our Only Redeemer
KEY VERSE: "But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot," 1 Peter 1:19.
All America waited anxiously. Many of us prayed. Captain Scott O'Grady's F-16 had been shot down as he was flying over Serbia. Had he been killed or captured? Was he seriously injured? The hours ticked by. Five days passed. On the sixth day another pilot picked up a faint message from O'Grady's radio. He was alive, managing somehow to hide from hostile soldiers.
Immediately all the resources for a daring rescue operation were set in motion. O'Grady was snatched to safety by a helicopter—and the U.S. rejoiced. Newsweek magazine reported that the weapons and machinery used for the rescue of that one pilot were valued at six billion dollars.
We cannot estimate the value of one human soul—because we could never calculate the price God paid to rescue us. He sent His Son to become our Savior. Jesus Christ died on the cross and shed His precious blood to rescue us from darkness. Read this devotional again and meditate on it.
If all the stars in all the galaxies were changed into platinum, that incalculable sum could not begin to purchase our salvation! Salvation is priceless, yet, it is free to all who will accept it.
LIVING IT: Jesus gave His all for you. How can you give Him any less?
Mary McCalister
Romans 3:24-26
Friday, May 14
Grace Redemption
KEY VERSE: "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus," Romans 3:24.
Everywhere you turn today you see advertising. Billboards show and T-shirts tout their messages. Radio spots, TV commercials and newspaper ads make urgent pitches. Someone who had assessed the situation remarked, "Everything in America is a product being sold—whether it is a celebrity, a television show, whether it's anything."
Of course, we know that the product being advertised carries a price tag. No one expects to get something for nothing. Each year people respond to ads and spend millions of dollars on soft drinks, cars, pizza and carpet.
But the best offer ever made carries no price tag. It is not for sale. When God decided to offer something as amazing and wonderful as eternal life, He chose to pay the price Himself through Christ.
The supreme force in salvation is God's grace, not our works, not our talents, not our feelings, not our strength. Salvation is God's calming presence during the stormy seas of our lives.
Like Paul, we are aware of two things-we are great sinners and we need a great Savior. Like Peter, we are aware we are going down, and God is standing up. So, we leave behind the titanic of self-righteousness and stand on the solid path of God's grace.
Because of this, we find that failures are forgivable. Life has real purpose. Death is disarmed. And, God is within reach.
LIVING IT: Rejoice if you have received God's free gift.
Mary McCalister
1 Corinthians 6:19, 20
Saturday, May 15
Bought at Great Price
KEY VERSE: "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's," 1 Corinthians 6:20.
You will live forever in your body. True, it will be different, changed. What is crooked will be straightened. What is faulty will be fixed. Your body will be changed, but it will be your body. Hopefully that will give you a new perspective.
God has a high regard for your body. You should respect it. It is after all the temple of God. Be careful how you feed it, use it and maintain it.
As a child of God, you have no options. You have no right to anything. You were bought and paid for by the blood of Christ. You are His property. It is not for us to choose what we shall give or withhold. We belong to God and He has the say-so.
While we sing "Jesus paid it all," let us remember the next line, "All to Him lowe." We are to glorify God in our body and spirit-ourselves-because we belong to Him. We are to glorify Him in our service. Peter told us that, since we have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, we are to pass the time of our sojourning here in fear (respect) (1 Peter 1:17-21).
Self, service, sojourning-all to Him we owe because He paid it all. While we sing about the price He paid, be sure to remember what God expects of us, not to repay Him but as the expression of our heart's love to Him who redeemed us.
LIVING IT: God loves you, body and soul. Serve Him with all you have.
Mary McCalister
Philippians 2:9-11
Sunday, May 16
Worthy Is the Lamb!
KEY VERSE: "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth," Philippians 2:10.
What's in a name? Plenty, according to some scholars. English novelist Charles Dickens was a great master at naming his characters—Seth Pecksniff, Wilkins Micawber, Tiny Tim, Sir Mulberry Hawk and Thomas Gadgrind are only a few examples of characters whose names reflect who they are. The preacher of Christ, however much men may disagree with and oppose him now, can be certain that one day everybody will agree with him. Some day every tongue will make it unanimous that Jesus is Lord. That day will vindicate our faith in Him in the eyes of all creation.
The lordship of Christ is the center of our faith. The believer's confession is, "Jesus is Lord." One day the universe will make it final—"Jesus is Lord." It is never a question of will you confess Him as Lord, but, when? Now, while the unbeliever may be saved, or, then, when it will be too late?
For Christians, the name above all other names is Jesus. What is in that name? All the grace of God, all the wonder of redemption, all that we believe, and all that we are hoping for is in that name. We say it, we sing it, and adoration fills our hearts. We anticipate the indescribable glory of that day when every knee will bow, and every tongue will acclaim the name of Jesus. Yes, indeed! "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing" (Rev. 5:12).
LIVING IT: The name of Jesus is profanity to the sinner but Heaven's password to the saint.
Mary McCalister
Daniel 12:1-3
Monday, May 17
The Great Tribulation
KEY VERSE: "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book," Daniel 12:1.
The Great Tribulation—there has probably never been a subject more discussed or more misunderstood among Christian people. All through the Dark Ages believers were convinced they were in the Great Tribulation. Even in more recent times, such as World War II, Bible scholars were convinced that Hitler was the anti-Christ. Certainly, his persecution of the Jews came close to what Daniel described. However, the description Daniel gave should fit that category: "and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time" (verse 1).
Joel further describes it as "a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness" (Joel 2:2). Matthew records Jesus' warning about this terrible time (Matt. 24:9, 15). Mark uses the same term, "abomination of desolation" (Mark 13:14) which ties the subject of tribulation into Daniel's prophecy.
Well, it has been more than two thousand years since this time was prophesied, and men now say, "Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation" (2 Peter 3:4). Do not listen to scoffers. If God said it, it will happen.
LIVING IT: Just be sure you are ready when that time comes.
Mary McCalister
Matthew 24:21-27
Tuesday, May 18
The Sign of False Christs
KEY VERSE: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect," Matthew 24:24.
Talk about the end times, the anti-Christ and the Great Tribulation seems to have become so familiar that we lose the magnitude of what they really mean. If this is that time, how can we identify false Christs? We are often more preoccupied with anti-Christ doctrine-those who oppose even the mention of Christ. It should be sobering to us to remember that Christ identified this time as "great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time" (Matt. 24:21).
I recently watched a program about the holocaust and shuddered at the portrayal of such inhumanity and rampant evil. Even after all these years, the horrible events of that era chill our hearts and make us wonder what makes men so evil.
The prophecy given here by Christ will do nothing to quiet our souls and bring us peace, unless we focus on the bigger picture—that the end times are near or upon us and bring the return of Christ nearer each day.
Revelation 12 lists three groups against whom Satan will attempt to wage war in the end times—Israel in general, the woman who represents that part of Israel that will not bow down to the anti-Christ and the genuine Christians who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Satan's wrath will bring on such terror so as to make the Jewish holocaust pale in comparison.
LIVING IT: "Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" (Matt. 24:42).
Mary McCalister
Matthew 24:6, 7
Wednesday, May 19
The Sign of Increased Wars
KEY VERSE: "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet," Matthew 24:6.
As you look at world conditions today, would you say we are living in an era of peace? If you believe this, you are like the proverbial ostrich, burying your head in the sand. Iraq is certainly not a peaceful nation nor is its neighbor Iran. Add to the list Pakistan and Afghanistan. India is continually in a turmoil, and Christians are being imprisoned and slain in Sri Lanka. Certain groups keep Mexico stirred up and make certain areas of that country unsafe for tourists. Many nations in Africa are war-torn. Terrorists have struck here and in England and France. These are a few of the examples we can observe as we evaluate the amount of peace we have in the world.
The next signs Jesus said to look for were famines, pestilences and earthquakes. The famine in Darfur gets headline attention every week. Even as this is being written, alarm is spreading about an outbreak of swine flu with many predicting a pandemic which will kill millions. The news every day mentions a new earthquake, often in an area where they seldom occur.
So, what are we to do? Sell everything we have and move to some mountaintop to await the second coming? No. Jesus said, "The end is not yet (verse 6). Watch therefore (verse 42) ... be ye also ready" (verse 44).
LIVING IT: "Let us not sleep ... let us watch and be sober" (1 Thess. 5:6).
Mary McCalister
Luke 21:25, 26
Thursday, May 20
The Signs of Atmospheric Change
KEY VERSE: "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring," Luke 21 :25.
The whole world is talking about climate changes and global warming. Jesus said there would be signs in the heavens and distress on the earth among nations. Could it be we are talking about the same thing?
What will mankind think when all natural lights in the heavens are extinguished, plunging the world into total darkness? Never has the "distress of nations" (verse 25) been greater. Examine the turmoil in Africa, for instance. Think of all the destruction brought about by hurricanes and tsunamis. El Nino and El Nina appear when they are least expected, inflicting regions with either floods or droughts.
The unbelieving world will seek refuge from all these climate changes, not once turning to the God who is in charge. On the other hand, God's children should look up with great joy and expectancy, knowing that "when these things begin to come to pass . . . your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28)
Peter wrote of these climactic changes and then asked, "What manner of persons ought ye to be?" (2 Peter 3:11). His list includes holy conversation, godliness, looking for the day of God, looking for new heavens and new earth, being diligent, in peace, without spot and blameless.
LIVING IT: Measure your life by Peter's list. Do you need to make some changes?
Mary McCalister
Zephaniah 1:14-16
Friday, May 21
Prophecy of Tribulation
KEY VERSE: "That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness," Zephaniah 1: 15.
Are you saying, "Zeph-what? Are you sure you do not mean Zechariah?" Most Bible students are familiar with Zechariah, but few know little, if anything about Zephaniah. In fact, the well-known preacher, J. Vernon McGee, wrote in his commentary on this book, "As I was about to preach on this book, I asked the congregation how many had heard a message on Zephaniah before. Out of the twenty five hundred to three thousand present, only two hands were raised!" Maybe the reason for this is his prophecies seem to speak of a dark day indeed, the day of the Lord.
You may wish to read Joel 2:30-32 and Isaiah 13:911. Both these prophets predict dire happenings around the day of the Lord. Compare what they wrote with this passage in Zephaniah, and you will become convinced that, though little-known, Zephaniah made some important prophecies.
Zephaniah presented the love of God but in a different way. God's love calls for mercy, but it also calls for judgment. The day of the Lord brings judgment upon the unrepentant.
Yes, judgment day is coming. Many will ask, "How can a God of love do a thing like this?" Even in judgment God is a God of love. Those of us who are parents can understand this. We often say, "This hurts me more than it hurts you." But, often chastisement is necessary, and judgment calls for the sinner to repent.
LIVING IT: As a Christian, you do not need to fear the day of the Lord. Be sure you are living God's way.
Mary McCalister
Matthew 10:24-39
Saturday, May 22
The Cost of Discipleship
KEY VERSE: "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me," Matthew 10:37.
Consider the cost. This was the theme of Christ's message. He told His followers that they must love Him more than father and mother, more than son or daughter.
How can that be? Are we not taught to love our parents and our children? It is a matter of choices. Picture, if you will, on Mother's Day, which has recently passed, or Father's Day, coming up and the Jones family. Their parents were much loved, and the children loved to gather on these special holidays to show their love. Granted, it was Sunday, but this was a special family day, so it would not hurt to miss church for such a special family occasion.
Whom did the Jones family choose—father, mother, and children—or Christ? This is the kind of choice we all face-choosing family, friends or the service of God. It is often a difficult choice, but Jesus did not say it would be easy. He did say it would be profitable—"He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it" (verse 39). Yes, it will not be easy, but it will be worthwhile.
Our obedience will make God happy, and it will make us happy, too. If you are struggling in this area, surrender your will. Enter into joyful obedience.
LIVING IT: Have you made the right choices? Have you counted the cost of true discipleship?
Mary McCalister
Daniel 9:24-27
Sunday, May 23
Tribulation Period—Seventieth Week of Daniel
KEY VERSE: "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate," Daniel 9:27.
Daniel realized a momentous time was just ahead for Israel. So what did he do? He spent time in earnest prayer. What was the theme of his prayer? "We have sinned, ... and have done wickedly" (verse 5). Then he prayed, "O Lord, forgive; 0 Lord, hearken and do" (verse 19).
What did Daniel realize Israel was facing? They were facing the end of the seventy weeks established to finish the transgression and to make reconciliation for sin. His prophecy was future as well.
The end time prophesied is still before us. It is much closer than it has ever been. The need for getting right with God has never been greater. Sins need to be confessed and disobedience needs to be abandoned.
There is much to be seen in Daniel's prophecy. Transgression will be brought to an end. Wickedness will be wiped away, and everlasting righteousness will be the order of the day. But, we need to be ready for that day. That can come only through an experience in salvation. Not only that, we need to walk as He would have us walk.
LIVING IT: There is coming a day when all nations shall fall down in worship to God. May it come soon.
Mary McCalister
Joel 2:28-32
Monday, May 24
Prophecy of Tribulation Saints
KEY VERSE: "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call," Joel 2:32.
Joel might seem like an insignificant prophet; in fact, he is listed, erroneously, as a "minor" prophet. But there is nothing minor about the content of his prophecy. In fact, this short book contains a complicated prophecy, one that told what was going to happen to Israel immediately (the plague of locusts), what was going to happen in the imminent future (the impending invasion of an army from the north) and what would ultimately take place, called by Joel the "great and the terrible day of the LORD" (Joel 2:31).
A great many prophecies are given about the events of this time—a time when God shakes the earth (lsa. 2:19), a time of destruction from the Almighty (lsa. 13:6), a time of divine wrath and fierce anger, (verse 13; Zeph. 1:15; 2:2), a time when God will punish evil and iniquity (lsa. 13:11), a time of God's indignation and fury (Zeph. 1:14—2:3; Zech. 14:3; Obad. 15), a time when God's vengeance will be revealed (lsa. 34:8), a time of darkness in the heavens (lsa. 13:9, 10; 34:4; Joel 2:31; 3:15) and a time of fire from the Lord (Joel 2:3, 5, 30; Zeph. 1:18; 3:8).
Almost nothing good could be said about this day if it were not for the promise found in Joel 2:32. This is a promise of salvation for all who will turn to God during this perilous time.
LIVING IT: Now, more than ever, is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.
Mary McCalister
Hebrews 9:22
Tuesday, May 25
Remission Through Shed Blood
KEY VERSE: "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission," Hebrews 9:22.
Scripture tells us that "life of the flesh is in the blood" (Lev. 17:11). It is important to understand that peace is made by blood (Col. 1:20). We receive forgiveness by blood (Eph. 1:7). We are redeemed by blood (1 Peter 1:18, 19). We are cleansed by blood (1 John 1:7). We are sanctified by blood (Heb. 13:12). We are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 12:11).
How we should rejoice! Redemption is from the guilt and power of sin, from the curse of the law, from the wrath of God, from the bondage of Satan and the second death. It was the blood of Christ—His giving of His life at Calvary which paid the price of our redemption.
God was completely satisfied with His Son's sacrifice, but He is not satisfied with us. That is the reason we have to come to Him through Jesus. The idea that God accepts us as we are is not scriptural. We come to Jesus as we are, but, when He presents us to God, He presents us in Himself, covered by His blood. When we enter into God's presence, God sees Jesus' righteousness not our unrighteousness. He sees Jesus' sacrifice instead of our sin.
Sing with enthusiasm. "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh! precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus."
LIVING IT: Do you rejoice in what Christ has done for you, and the price He paid on the cross?
Mary McCalister
Acts 4:12
Wednesday, May 26
None Other Name
KEY VERSE: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," Acts 4:12.
What prompted this bold statement by Peter? Of course, there was a message, preached fearlessly by Peter even though he faced the threat of prison and even death. There was prayer—the followers meeting in a prayer meeting that the disciples might be delivered. There was a time of praise when the disciples came back to their supporters and reported what had been done.
Persecution began with the healing of a lame man which afforded an opportunity to preach Jesus and the resurrection. Peter and John were bold but so was the body of believers who supported them. They well knew that speaking out would bring them trouble, but their prayer was that the Lord would enable His servants to speak His Word with boldness. Never was any consideration given to take a lower profile or keeping quiet about their faith. So has it been with faithful believers down through the ages.
One of the most inspiring examples of courage in the history of the church was the martyrdom of Polycarp, who was burned at the stake for his faith. He had been arrested by Roman authorities and brought before the jeering crowd for execution. When pressed to deny Christ he said, "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me wrong. How can I now blaspheme my King who has saved me?"
LIVING IT: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life (Rev. 2: 10).
Mary McCalister
Isaiah 49:6-8
Thursday, May 27
My Salvation unto the End of the Earth
KEY VERSE: "And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth," Isaiah 49:6.
A light thing? Is it a light thing that the Holy One of Israel should keep His promises to them, no matter how they had treated Him? No matter that generations of Jews had spit in His face. He still loved them. After they as a nation had stripped Him naked and ripped His incarnated flesh, He still died for them. "Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him" (Psalm 106:43).
It is inexplicable. It has not a drop of human logic or a thread of rationality, and, yet, it is that irrationality that gives the gospel its greatest defense, for only God could love like that.
Humanly speaking, it is absurd to think that such nobility would go to such lengths to share such a treasure with such thankless souls. But, He did.
Think about it. You are loved, incredibly, sacrificially loved by the King of kings. Does that not fill you with overwhelming joy? Can you truly sense His love for you?
God's love is not based on anything you have done or will ever do. No. That amazing love was poured out on Calvary and beckons us daily. You are loved—today and always.
LIVING IT: Be grateful for God's amazing love.
Mary McCalister
Luke 15:10
Friday, May 28
Joy in the Presence of Angels
KEY VERSE: "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth," Luke 15:10.
Did the angels rejoice at the salvation of a sinner? But, I am sure there was joy among those who were in the presence of the angels. They rejoice because they know what Heaven holds.
Heaven is populated by those who let God change them. Think of it. Arguments will cease because jealousy will no longer exist. Suspicions will not be formed because there will be no secrets. Every sin will be gone. Every fear will be past. There will be pure wheat—no weeds, pure gold—no alloy, pure love—no loss, pure hope—no fear.
No wonder those in the presence of the angels (and perhaps the angels as well) rejoice when one sinner repents. They know another work of art will soon grace the gallery of God. They know what Heaven holds.
There is joy in Heaven when a sinner repents, but there can be joy in this life as well. Paul and Silas are a good example of this. They had been arrested and put in an unpleasant cell—dank, musty and infested. Shackled with chains and put into stocks—there was no way to find a comfortable position. The evening's chill was seeping through the walls. In spite of aching muscles and weary heads, Paul and Silas prayed and sang because of the joy they felt. They sang for the joy of their salvation (Acts 16:25).
LIVING IT: Christ is all we need to enjoy peace through trials, hope through suffering and joy unspeakable.
Mary McCalister
1 Peter 1:3-5
Saturday, May 29
Kept by God's Power
KEY VERSE: "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time," 1 Peter 1 :5.
How good it is when the weary traveler can walk up to the hotel desk and find a room ready and waiting all because he made a reservation. If you have been in Baptist work a long time, you have no doubt experienced this when you attended an association meeting.
Peter told the believer that he has an inheritance reserved for him in Heaven. But, one cannot walk up to the gate of Heaven after death and obtain a dwelling place merely by asking for it. Our abiding place in Heaven is secured in advance while we are down here.
This is one of the many blessings for the believer given to him by the power of God. What more can we rejoice in? We have abundant mercy, a living hope, an incorruptible inheritance, reservations made for us and an assured salvation.
Peter wrote this letter to people who were suffering. Their lives were described as walking a pilgrim path. He called them scattered strangers and that we are. We may suffer. Christ did. We may be rebuffed. He was. We will be tempted. He was. We will be tested under trial. Our pain will have a purpose because God will be glorified in our sufferings.
LIVING IT: Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf (1 Peter 4:16).
Mary McCalister
Romans 12:17-21
Sunday, May 30
The Righteous God Always Does Right
KEY VERSE: "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good," Romans 12:21.
Romans 12 is familiar to most of us—Romans 12:1, 2 that is. But, there are many more admonitions for us which will follow presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice. Making a list will help us realize there is a lot involved in living the Christian life.
Sincere love, abhorrence of evil, brotherly love and kindness, diligent in business, fervently serving the Lord, rejoicing, patient in tribulation, constantly prayerful, generous, blessing your enemies, being sympathetic, humble, be peace loving, do not seek revenge, treat enemies with kindness and overcome evil with good.
How important it is for us to, first, know what is right, and, second, to do right. Following Paul's admonitions is important. We should know that payback time is not up to us even when we are treated wrongly. Leave the payback to God. He is much better at it than we ever could be.
It was Paul's desire that his readers live successful, righteous, godly lives. This will happen if we accept God's direction, share His love and grace and walk in harmony with others by doing what is right. It is a matter of choice—choices that determine the extent of our faith, our love, our devotion and making us living sacrifices for Him.
LIVING IT: Choose this day whom you will serve.
Mary McCalister