November 21 -- Evening

His dear Son. Lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.--Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth.--The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.--And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. The glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.--Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Col 1:13 Mt 3:17 Isa 42:1 Joh 1:18 1Jo 4:9,10,16 Joh 17:22-24 1Jo 3:1


Samuel Bagster
Robert Bagster
Jonathan Bagster Jr.
James Bagster

November 22 -- Morning

Praying in the Holy Ghost. God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.--We . . . have access by one Spirit unto the Father. O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt]. The Spirit . . . helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.--This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication. Jude 1:20 Joh 4:24 Eph 2:18 Mt 26:39 Ro 8:26,27 1Jo 5:14 Joh 16:13 Eph 6:18


November 22 -- Evening

There is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. A bruised reed shall he not break.--He restoreth my soul. Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.--No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.--After all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities [deserve], and hast given us [such] deliverance as this. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD [shall be] a light unto me. . . . He will bring me forth to the light, [and] I shall behold his righteousness. Job 14:7 Isa 42:3 Ps 23:3 2Co 7:10 Heb 12:11 Ps 119:67 Ezr 9:13 Mic 7:8,9


November 23 -- Morning

Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.-- He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.--His truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler. Your life is hid with Christ in God.--He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.--Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD. . . . The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.--God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear. Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.--Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.--I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Pr 1:33 Ps 90:1 91:1,4 Col 3:3 Zec 2:8 Ex 14:13,14 Ps 46:1,2 Mt 14:27 Lu 24:38,39 2Ti 1:12


November 23 -- Evening

My kingdom is not of this world. This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.--Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. He must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. Thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.--H he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places], far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.--He shall shew, [who is] the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Joh 18:36 Heb 10:12,13 Mt 26:64 1Co 15:25,57 Eph 1:20-23 1Ti 6:15


November 24 -- Morning

My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. Both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [are] all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.--In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.--Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.--Blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.--My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.--Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. Lu 8:21 Heb 2:11,12 Ga 5:6 Joh 15:14 Lu 11:28 Mt 7:21 Joh 4:34 1Jo 1:6 2:5


November 24 -- Evening

What doest thou here, Elijah? He knoweth the way that I take.--O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known [me]. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted [with] all my ways.--Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?--[If] I take the wings of the morning, [and] dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are.--The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.--Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand.--A just [man] falleth seven times, and riseth up again. Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.--The spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.--Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 1Ki 19:9 Job 23:10 Ps 139:1-3,7,9,10 Jas 5:17 Pr 29:25 Ps 37:24 Pr 24:16 Ga 6:9 Mt 26:41 Ps 103:13


November 25 -- Morning

Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.--When ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is] death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour.--Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light. O LORD our God, [other] lords beside thee have had dominion over us: [but] by thee only will we make mention of thy name.--I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Ro 6:18 Mt 6:24 Ro 6:20-22 Ro 10:4 Joh 12:26 Mt 11:29,30 Isa 26:13 Ps 119:32


November 25 -- Evening

Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Manasseh . . . did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, . . . and he reared up altars for Baal. . . . And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.--And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke [him] to anger.--And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.--The Lord is . . . longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish. Ac 2:21 2Ki 21:1,2,3,5,6 2Ch 33:12,13 Isa 1:18 2Pe 3:9


November 26 -- Morning

The LORD delighteth in thee. Thus saith the LORD that created thee, . . . Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine.--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. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of [my] hands; thy walls [are] continually before me. The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.--My delights [were] with the sons of men. --The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.--They shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. You, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight. Isa 62:4 43:1 49:15,16 Ps 37:23 Pr 8:31 Ps 147:11 Mal 3:17 Col 1:21,22


November 26 -- Evening

The sorrow of the world worketh death. When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled [his] ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died.--A wounded spirit who can bear? [Is there] no balm in Gilead; [is there] no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?--The LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, . . . to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.-- Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light. Philip . . . preached unto him Jesus.--He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. 2Co 7:10 2Sa 17:23 Pr 18:14 Jer 8:22 Isa 61:1-3 Mt 11:28-30 Ac 8:35 Ps 147:3


November 27 -- Morning

The glory which thou gavest me I have given them. I saw . . . the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims. . . . And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory.--These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.--Upon the likeness of the throne [was] the likeness . . . of a man above upon it. . . . 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. I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. . . . And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. --No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].--God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Joh 17:22 Isa 6:1-3 Joh 12:41 Eze 1:26,28 Ex 33:18,20 Joh 1:18 2Co 4:6


November 27 -- Evening

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.--Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to [do] evil. Wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. None of us liveth to himself.--Brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.--Take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.--When ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Pr 1:10 Ge 3:6 Jos 22:20 Ex 23:2 Mt 7:13 Ro 14:7 Ga 5:13 1Co 8:9,12 Isa 53:6


November 28 -- Morning

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Not every one that saith, . . . Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.--Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.--Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Jas 2:26 Mt 7:21 Heb 12:14 2Pe 1:5-10 Eph 2:8-9


November 28 -- Evening

As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that [he might] deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?--Thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.--For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day. We know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.--Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. . . . We are . . . willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also. Heb 2:14,15 1Co 15:55,57 2Co 4:16 5:1,6-8 Joh 14:1-2


November 29 -- Morning

We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house. One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.--He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.--I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. How excellent [is] thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee [is] the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. Ps 65:4 27:4 Mt 5:6 Lu 1:53 Ps 107:9 Joh 6:35 Ps 36:7-9


November 29 -- Evening

Do ye now believe? What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?--Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten [son], of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God [was] able to raise [him] up, even from the dead.--Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?--Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. By their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.--If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Joh 16:31 Jas 2:14,17 Heb 11:17-19 Jas 2:21,24 1:25 Mt 7:20,21 Joh 13:17


November 30 -- Morning

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord [be] with you all. Peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come.--The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you.--Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. The Comforter . . . [even] the Spirit of truth.--The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace.-- The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. My presence shall go [with thee], and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not [with me], carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? [is it] not in that thou goest with us? 2Th 3:16 Re 1:4 Php 4:7 Lu 24:36 Joh 14:27 15:26 Ga 5:22 Ro 8:16 Ex 33:14-16


November 30 -- Evening

We glory in tribulations. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.--Sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing. Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice.--They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Ro 5:3 1Co 15:19 1Pe 4:12,13 2Co 6:10 Php 4:4 Ac 5:41 Ro 15:13 Hab 3:17,18


December 1 -- Morning

A man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest. Forasmuch . . . as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same.--The man [that is] my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts.--I and [my] Father are one. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.--There shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.--The LORD [is] thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is higher than I.--Thou [art] my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble.--Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones [is] as a storm [against] the wall. Isa 32:2 Heb 2:14 Zec 13:7 Joh 10:30 Ps 91:1 Isa 4:6 Ps 121:5,6 61:2 32:7 Isa 25:4


December 1 -- Evening

Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. The new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, . . . so shall your seed and your name remain. We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. Isa 65:17 66:22 2Pe 3:13 Re 21:1-5


December 2 -- Morning

Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power.--It pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell.--Of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. Thou anointest my head with oil.--The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. The Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 1Jo 2:20 Ac 10:38 Col 1:19 Joh 1:16 Ps 23:5 1Jo 2:27 Joh 14:26 Ro 8:26


December 2 -- Evening

Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. If the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?--The blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel. We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; When Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people. . . . Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Heb 10:22 9:13,14 12:24 Eph 1:7 Heb 9:19,21,22


December 3 -- Morning

I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause. Is any thing too hard for the LORD?--Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.--Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.--Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD. It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.--The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live. Job 5:8 Ge 18:14 Ps 37:5 Php 4:6 1Pe 5:7 Isa 37:14,15 65:24 Jas 5:16 Ps 116:1,2


December 3 -- Evening

Our bodies washed with pure water. Thou shalt . . . make a laver [of] brass, . . . and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: when they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; . . . they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not.--Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you.--If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are. In my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.--There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth.--[Thou art] of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity.--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. Heb 10:22 Ex 30:18-21 1Co 6:19 3:17 Job 19:26,27 Re 21:27 Hab 1:13 Ro 12:1


December 4 -- Morning

Where shall wisdom be found? If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.--Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.--The only wise God.--Be not wise in thine own eyes. Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.--All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Job 28:12 Jas 1:5,6 Pr 3:5,6 1Ti 1:17 Pr 3:7 Jer 1:6-8 Joh 16:23,24 Mt 21:22


December 4 -- Evening

I would not live alway. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! [for then] would I fly away, and be at rest. . . . I would hasten my escape from the windy storm [and] tempest. In this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven. . . . For we that are in [this] tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.--Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Job 7:16 Ps 55:6,8 2Co 5:2,4 Php 1:23 Heb 12:1-3 Joh 14:27


December 5 -- Morning

[It is] good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.--We suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. He knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, [and] to prove thee, to know what [was] in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.--Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, [so] the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. Ps 119:71 Heb 5:8 Ro 8:17,18 Job 23:10,11 De 8:2,5,6


December 5 -- Evening

By strength shall no man prevail. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.--And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang [it], and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. . . . Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy.--Both riches and honour [come] of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand [is] power and might; and in thine hand [it is] to make great, and to give strength unto all. I . . . glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 1Sa 2:9 17:45,49,50 Ps 33:16,18 1Ch 29:12 2Co 12:9,10


December 6 -- Morning

It is God which worketh in you. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God.--A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.--No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.--And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. Php 2:13 2Co 3:5 Joh 3:27 6:44 Jer 32:39 Jas 1:16-18 Eph 2:10 Isa 26:12


December 6 -- Evening

The spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak. In the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of [our] soul [is] to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early. I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.--For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.--The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.-- Our sufficiency [is] of God.--My grace is sufficient for thee. Mt 26:41 Isa 26:8,9 Ro 7:18,22,23 Ga 5:17 Php 4:13 2Co 3:5 12:9


December 7 -- Morning

He hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. The LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.--Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.--As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.--[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. 2Co 5:21 Isa 53:6 1Pe 2:24 Ro 5:19 Tit 3:4-7 Ro 8:1 Jer 23:6


December 7 -- Evening

I will be as the dew unto Israel. The meekness and gentleness of Christ. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench. The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. . . . And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young. Ho 14:5 2Co 10:1 Isa 42:3 Lu 4:18,19,21,22 Lu 22:61,62 Isa 40:11


December 8 -- Morning

By love serve one another. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.--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.--Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.--[Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.--Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. We . . . that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Ga 5:13 6:1,2 Jas 5:19,20 1Pe 1:22 Ro 13:8 12:10 1Pe 5:5 Ro 15:1


December 8 -- Evening

The dust return to the earth as it was. It is sown in corruption; . . . it is sown in dishonour; . . . it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body.--The first man [is] of the earth, earthy. Dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.--One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. . . . And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. My flesh . . . shall rest in hope.--[Though] after my skin [worms] destroy this [body], yet in my flesh shall I see God.-- The Lord Jesus Christ . . . shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it [is; that] I may know how frail I [am].--So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom. Ec 12:7 1Co 15:42-44,47 Ge 3:19 Job 21:23,25,26 Ps 16:9 Job 19:26 Php 3:20,21 Ps 39:4 90:12


December 9 -- Morning

To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?--Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams.--To love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love [his] neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.--Mary . . . sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.--One thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. Pr 21:3 Mic 6:8 1Sa 15:22 Mr 12:33 Ho 12:6 Lu 10:39,42 Php 2:13


December 9 -- Evening

The spirit shall return unto God who gave it. The LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.--[There is] a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.--The first man Adam was made a living soul.--The spirit of man that goeth upward. Whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. . . . We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.--With Christ; which is far better.--I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also. Ec 12:7 Ge 2:7 Job 32:8 1Co 15:45 Ec 3:21 2Co 5:6,8 Php 1:23 1Th 4:13,14 Joh 14:2,3


December 10 -- Morning

No [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand. I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.-- The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve [me] unto his heavenly kingdom.--We are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.--Your life is hid with Christ in God. Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? Our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given [us] everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. Joh 10:29 2Ti 1:12 4:18 Ro 8:37-39 Col 3:3 Jas 2:5 2Th 2:16,17


December 10 -- Evening

The perfect law of liberty. Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. . . . Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. . . . If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.--For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.--Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.--For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to [her] husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of [her] husband. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.--I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. Jas 1:25 Joh 8:32-34,36 Ga 5:1,13,14 Ro 6:18 7:2 8:2 Ps 119:45


December 11 -- Morning

Let not then your good be evil spoken of. Abstain from all appearance of evil.--Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.--For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, or [as] an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. Brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.--Take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.--Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea.--Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me. Ro 14:16 1Th 5:22 2Co 8:21 1Pe 2:15 4:15,16 Ga 5:13 1Co 8:9 Mt 18:6 25:40


December 11 -- Evening

Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. [It is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.--Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.--Let your loins be girded about, and [your] lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord. Eph 5:14 Ro 13:11 1Th 5:6-8 Isa 60:1,2 1Pe 1:13 Lu 12:35,36


December 12 -- Morning

The LORD, [is] in the midst of thee. Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. --Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them [that are] of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come [with] vengeance, [even] God [with] a recompence; he will come and save you.--The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.--Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Zep 3:15 Isa 41:10 35:3,4 Zep 3:17 Ps 27:14 Re 21:3,4


December 12 -- Evening

Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do [that which is] good in his sight.--We made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.--If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God.--Then shall we know, [if] we follow on to know the LORD. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.--Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.--Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them [that are] of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not. Ex 14:15 1Ch 19:13 Ne 4:9 Mt 7:21 Joh 7:17 Ho 6:3 Mt 26:41 1Co 16:13 Ro 12:11 Isa 35:3,4


December 13 -- Morning

Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power. --As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.--Trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.--Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.--Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Fight the good fight of faith.--In nothing terrified by your adversaries. 2Ti 2:1 Col 1:11 2:6,7 Isa 61:3 Eph 2:20-22 Ac 20:32 Php 1:11 1Ti 6:12 Php 1:28


December 13 -- Evening

Thou renderest to every man according to his work. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.--If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.--We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad. When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.-- After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God.--LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. Ps 62:12 1Co 3:11,14,15 2Co 5:10 Mt 6:3,4 25:19 2Co 3:5 Isa 26:12


December 14 -- Morning

Make his praise glorious. This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.--I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me. And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth.--By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great [is] thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. --Who [is] like unto thee, O LORD, . . . glorious in holiness, fearful [in] praises, doing wonders?--I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.--They sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous [are] thy works, Lord God Almighty. Ps 66:2 Isa 43:21 Jer 33:8,9 Heb 13:15 Ps 86:12,13 Ex 15:11 Ps 69:30 Re 15:3


December 14 -- Evening

By nature the children of wrath, even as others. We ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.--Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. Job answered the LORD, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.--The LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.--David . . . to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the [son] of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. I obtained mercy . . . who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Eph 2:3 Tit 3:3 Joh 3:7 Job 40:3,4 1:8 Ps 51:5 Ac 13:22 1Ti 1:13 Joh 3:6


December 15 -- Morning

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [who] took upon him the form of a servant.--Even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.--He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. When Jesus . . . saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. . . . Jesus wept.--Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. [Be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. Ga 6:2 Php 2:4,5,7 Mr 10:45 2Co 5:15 Joh 11:33,35 Ro 12:15 1Pe 3:8,9


December 15 -- Evening

Son, go work to day in my vineyard. Thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Reckon ye . . . yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God.--As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.--Sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Mt 21:28 Ga 4:7 Ro 6:11-13 1Pe 1:14-16 2Ti 2:21 1Co 15:58


December 16 -- Morning

Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.--I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.--Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.--A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. He which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ.--Christ . . . loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. Joh 13:1 17:9,10,15,16 15:9,13,14 13:34 Php 1:6 Eph 5:25,26


December 16 -- Evening

The deep things of God. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.--It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 1Co 2:10 Joh 15:15 Mt 13:11 1Co 2:12 Eph 3:14-19


December 17 -- Morning

Quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. It is the spirit that quickeneth.--The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.--Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.--The words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life.--The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.--If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.--This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Ps 80:18 Joh 6:63 Ro 8:26,27 Eph 6:18 Ps 119:93 Joh 6:63 2Co 3:6 Joh 15:7 1Jo 5:14 1Co 12:3


December 17 -- Evening

Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven. . . . I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.--That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. Eph 5:11 1Co 15:33 5:6,7,9-11 Php 2:15 2Ti 2:20


December 18 -- Morning

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.--Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain.-- Having therefore, . . . boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; snd [having] an high priest over the house of God. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.--We may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Heb 4:16 Php 4:6,7 Ro 8:15 Isa 45:19 Heb 10:19,22 13:6


December 18 -- Evening

Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty.--The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.--If the Son . . . shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.--Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.--Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Joh 8:32 2Co 3:17 Ro 8:2 Joh 8:36 Ga 4:31 2:16 Jas 1:25 Ga 5:1


December 19 -- Morning

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness. Who [is] among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh [in] darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.--Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand.--The commandment [is] a lamp; and the law [is] light. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD [shall be] a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, [and] I shall behold his righteousness. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great [is] that darkness! Ps 112:4 Isa 50:10 Ps 37:24 Pr 6:23 Mic 7:8,9 Mt 6:22,23


December 19 -- Evening

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young. I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: . . . I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.--We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. They brought young children to him, . . . and he took them up in his arms, put [his] hands upon them, and blessed them. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant.--The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.--Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.--I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. Isa 40:11 Mt 15:32 Heb 4:15 Mr 10:13,16 Ps 119:176 Lu 19:10 1Pe 2:25 Lu 12:32 Eze 34:15


December 20 -- Morning

He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world. That we should be holy and without blame before him in love. God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto he called you, . . . to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.--Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.-- Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.--God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. Eph 1:4 2Th 2:13,14 Ro 8:29,30 1Pe 1:2 Eze 36:26 1Th 4:7


December 20 -- Evening

[If] the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? Have faith in God.--Without faith [it is] impossible to please [God].--With God all things are possible. Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.--Prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it]. Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.--LORD, [it is] nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power. We should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead. 2Ki 7:2 Mr 11:22 Heb 11:6 Mt 19:26 Isa 50:2 55:8,9 Mal 3:10 Isa 59:1 2Ch 14:11 2Co 1:9


December 21 -- Morning

The days of thy mourning shall be ended. In the world ye shall have tribulation.--The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.--We that are in [this] tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Isa 60:20 Joh 16:33 Ro 8:22,23 2Co 5:4 Re 7:14-17


December 21 -- Evening

Master, carest thou not that we perish? The LORD [is] good to all: and his tender mercies [are] over all his works. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.--While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. The LORD [is] good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.--God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he [is]. . . . And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? . . . for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.--Trust . . . in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. Mr 4:38 Ps 145:9 Ge 9:3 Ge 8:22 Na 1:7 Ge 21:17,19 Mt 6:31,32 1Ti 6:17


December 22 -- Morning

Your work of faith. This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.--Faith which worketh by love.--He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.--We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.--Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth.-- Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power.--It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. 1Th 1:3 Joh 6:29 Jas 2:17 Ga 5:6 6:8 Eph 2:10 Tit 2:14 2Th 1:3,11 Php 2:13


December 22 -- Evening

Where is the promise of his coming? Enoch, . . . the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all.--Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. 2Pe 3:4 Jude 1:14-15 Re 1:7 1Th 4:16,17 Tit 2:11-13


December 23 -- Morning

Let him take hold of my strength, [that] he may make peace with me; [and] he shall make peace with me. I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. --[There is] no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked. In Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace. It pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself.--Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, . . . that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.--If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH [is] everlasting strength. Isa 27:5 Jer 29:11 Isa 48:22 Eph 2:13,14 Col 1:19,20 Ro 3:24-26 1Jo 1:9 Isa 26:4


December 23 -- Evening

God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. As the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.--For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth [them]; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.--I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.--I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.--No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.--He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.--For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 1Jo 5:11 Joh 5:26,21 11:25,26 10:11,17,18 Joh 14:6 1Jo 5:12 Col 3:3,4


December 24 -- Morning

If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, . . . and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Ro 8:13 Ga 5:19,21-25 Tit 2:11-14


December 24 -- Evening

Then said the princes of the Philistines, What [do] these Hebrews [here]? If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, . . . or as a busybody in other men's matters. Let not . . . your good be evil spoken of.--Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? . . . Ye are the temple of the living God. . . . wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]. Ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 1Sa 29:3 1Pe 4:14,15 Ro 14:16 1Pe 2:12 2Co 6:14,16,17 1Pe 2:9


December 25 -- Morning

The kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. I have loved thee with an everlasting love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins. When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. --The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.--Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Tit 3:4 Jer 31:3 1Jo 4:9,10 Ga 4:4,5 Joh 1:14 1Ti 3:16 Heb 2:14


December 25 -- Evening

Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. . . . Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.--For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. He . . . spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all.--Having yet . . . one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him. Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!--Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name. My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 2Co 9:15 Ps 100:1,2,4 Isa 9:6 Ro 8:32 Mr 12:6 Ps 107:21 103:1 Lu 1:46,47


December 26 -- Morning

Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.--As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.--He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.--That on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience. By faith ye stand. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith. 1Co 15:58 Col 2:6,7 Mt 24:13 Lu 8:15 2Co 1:24 Joh 9:4 Ga 6:8-10


December 26 -- Evening

He is able . . . to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.--Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.--He which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ.--Is any thing too hard for the LORD? Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Heb 7:25 Joh 14:6 Ac 4:12 Joh 10:27,28 Php 1:6 Ge 18:14 Jude 1:24,25


December 27 -- Morning

We look not at the things which are seen,but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal. Here have we no continuing city.--Ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.--There the wicked cease [from] troubling; and there the weary be at rest. We that are in [this] tabernacle do groan, being burdened.-- God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. The sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.--Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory. 2Co 4:18 Heb 13:14 10:34 Lu 12:32 1Pe 1:6 Job 3:17 2Co 5:4 Re 21:4 Ro 8:18 2Co 4:17


December 27 -- Evening

He is our peace. God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; . . . for he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.--Having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.--Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.--Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Eph 2:14 2Co 5:19,21 Col 1:20-22 2:14 Eph 2:15 Joh 14:27


December 28 -- Morning

Thy sins be forgiven thee. I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.--Who can forgive sins but God only? I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.--Blessed [is he whose] transgression [is] forgiven, [whose] sin [is] covered. Blessed [is] the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity.-- Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity. God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.--The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.--Sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.--Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Mr 2:5 Jer 31:34 Mr 2:7 Isa 43:25 Ps 32:1,2 Mic 7:18 Eph 4:32 1Jo 1:7-9 Ps 103:12 Ro 6:14,18


December 28 -- Evening

We would see Jesus. O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of [our] soul [is] to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.--I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.--Lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith. Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face.-- Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Joh 12:21 Isa 26:8 Ps 145:18 Mt 18:20 Joh 14:18 Mt 28:20 Heb 12:1,2 1Co 13:12 Php 1:23 1Jo 3:2,3


December 29 -- Morning

Understanding what the will of the Lord [is]. This is the will of God, [even] your sanctification.-- Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.--This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.--We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. We . . . do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.--The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe. Eph 5:17 1Th 4:3 Job 22:21 Joh 17:3 1Jo 5:20 Col 1:9 Eph 1:17-19


December 29 -- Evening

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Enoch walked with God.--Can two walk together, except they be agreed?--[It is] good for me to draw near to God. The LORD [is] with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. . . . But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, . . . and [having] an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. Jas 4:8 Ge 5:24 Am 3:3 Ps 73:28 2Ch 15:2,4 Jer 29:11-13 Heb 10:19-22


December 30 -- Morning

Blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. You, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel.--That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.--Sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. 1Co 1:8 Col 1:21-23 Php 2:15 2Pe 3:14 Php 1:10 Jude 1:24,25


December 30 -- Evening

He will keep the feet of his saints. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.--He that is washed needeth not save to wash [his] feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. . . . Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil [men]. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.-- Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve [me] unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1Sa 2:9 1Jo 1:6,7 Joh 13:10 Pr 4:11,12,14,15,25-27 2Ti 4:18


December 31 -- Morning

The LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place. I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.--In his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.--As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: [so] the LORD alone did lead him. [Even] to [your] old age I [am] he; and [even] to hoar hairs will I carry [you]: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver [you].--This God [is] our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide [even] unto death. Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.--Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.--For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. De 1:31 Ex 19:4 Isa 63:9 De 32:11,12 Isa 46:4 Ps 48:14 55:22 Mt 6:25,32 1Sa 7:12


December 31 -- Evening

There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Be ye therefore perfect.--Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and [in] all judgment. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit. There remaineth . . . a rest to the people of God.--Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. Jos 13:1 Php 3:12 Mt 5:48 2Pe 1:5-7 Php 1:9 1Co 2:9,10 Heb 4:9 Isa 33:17


January 1 -- Morning

“They did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.”

Israel’s weary wanderings were all over, and the promised rest was attained. No more moving tents, fiery serpents, fierce Amalekites, and howling wildernesses: they came to the land which flowed with milk and honey, and they ate the old corn of the land. Perhaps this year, beloved Christian reader, this may be thy case or mine. Joyful is the prospect, and if faith be in active exercise, it will yield unalloyed delight. To be with Jesus in the rest which remaineth for the people of God, is a cheering hope indeed, and to expect this glory so soon is a double bliss. Unbelief shudders at the Jordan which still rolls between us and the goodly land, but let us rest assured that we have already experienced more ills than death at its worst can cause us. Let us banish every fearful thought, and rejoice with exceeding great joy, in the prospect that this year we shall begin to be “forever with the Lord.”

A part of the host will this year tarry on earth, to do service for their Lord. If this should fall to our lot, there is no reason why the New Year’s text should not still be true. “We who have believed do enter into rest.” The Holy Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance; he gives us “glory begun below.” In heaven they are secure, and so are we preserved in Christ Jesus; there they triumph over their enemies, and we have victories too. Celestial spirits enjoy communion with their Lord, and this is not denied to us; they rest in his love, and we have perfect peace in him: they hymn his praise, and it is our privilege to bless him too. We will this year gather celestial fruits on earthly ground, where faith and hope have made the desert like the garden of the Lord. Man did eat angels’ food of old, and why not now? O for grace to feed on Jesus, and so to eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan this year!


January 1 -- Evening

We will be glad and rejoice in thee. We will not open the gates of the year to the dolorous notes of the sackbut, but to the sweet strains of the harp of joy, and the high sounding cymbals of gladness. “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise unto the rock of our salvation.” We, the called and faithful and chosen, we will drive away our griefs, and set up our banners of confidence in the name of God. Let others lament over their troubles, we who have the sweetening tree to cast into Marah’s bitter pool, with joy will magnify the Lord. Eternal Spirit, our effectual Comforter, we who are the temples in which thou dwellest, will never cease from adoring and blessing the name of Jesus. We will, we are resolved about it, Jesus must have the crown of our heart’s delight; we will not dishonour our Bridegroom by mourning in his presence. We are ordained to be the minstrels of the skies, let us rehearse our everlasting anthem before we sing it in the halls of the New Jerusalem. We will be glad and rejoice: two words with one sense, double joy, blessedness upon blessedness. Need there be any limit to our rejoicing in the Lord even now? Do not men of grace find their Lord to be camphire and spikenard, calamus and cinnamon even now, and what better fragrance have they in heaven itself? We will be glad and rejoice in Thee. That last word is the meat in the dish, the kernel of the nut, the soul of the text. What heavens are laid up in Jesus! What rivers of infinite bliss have their source, aye, and every drop of their fulness in him! Since, O sweet Lord Jesus, thou art the present portion of thy people, favour us this year with such a sense of thy preciousness, that from its first to its last day we may be glad and rejoice in thee. Let January open with joy in the Lord, and December close with gladness in Jesus.


January 2 -- Morning

It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, “Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;” and just as we are about to close the volume, the “Amen” of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob—there a Daniel who prayed three times a day—and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his Word, he intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If he has said much about prayer, it is because he knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Dost thou want nothing? Then, I fear thou dost not know thy poverty. Hast thou no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord’s mercy show thee thy misery! A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian. If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father’s face, and live in thy Father’s love. Pray that this year thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house of his love. Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master. The motto for this year must be, “Continue in prayer.”


January 2 -- Evening

All things on earth need to be renewed. No created thing continueth by itself. “Thou renewest the face of the year,” was the Psalmist’s utterance. Even the trees, which wear not themselves with care, nor shorten their lives with labour, must drink of the rain of heaven and suck from the hidden treasures of the soil. The cedars of Lebanon, which God has planted, only live because day by day they are full of sap fresh drawn from the earth. Neither can man’s life be sustained without renewal from God. As it is necessary to repair the waste of the body by the frequent meal, so we must repair the waste of the soul by feeding upon the Book of God, or by listening to the preached Word, or by the soul-fattening table of the ordinances. How depressed are our graces when means are neglected! What poor starvelings some saints are who live without the diligent use of the Word of God and secret prayer! If our piety can live without God it is not of divine creating; it is but a dream; for if God had begotten it, it would wait upon him as the flowers wait upon the dew. Without constant restoration we are not ready for the perpetual assaults of hell, or the stern afflictions of heaven, or even for the strifes within. When the whirlwind shall be loosed, woe to the tree that hath not sucked up fresh sap, and grasped the rock with many intertwisted roots. When tempests arise, woe to the mariners that have not strengthened their mast, nor cast their anchor, nor sought the haven. If we suffer the good to grow weaker, the evil will surely gather strength and struggle desperately for the mastery over us; and so, perhaps, a painful desolation, and a lamentable disgrace may follow. Let us draw near to the footstool of divine mercy in humble entreaty, and we shall realize the fulfilment of the promise, “They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.”


January 3 -- Morning

“I will give thee for a covenant of the people.”

Jesus Christ is himself the sum and substance of the covenant, and as one of its gifts. He is the property of every believer. Believer, canst thou estimate what thou hast gotten in Christ? “In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Consider that word “God” and its infinity, and then meditate upon “perfect man” and all his beauty; for all that Christ, as God and man, ever had, or can have, is thine—out of pure free favour, passed over to thee to be thine entailed property forever. Our blessed Jesus, as God, is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent. Will it not console you to know that all these great and glorious attributes are altogether yours? Has he power? That power is yours to support and strengthen you, to overcome your enemies, and to preserve you even to the end. Has he love? Well, there is not a drop of love in his heart which is not yours; you may dive into the immense ocean of his love, and you may say of it all, “It is mine.” Hath he justice? It may seem a stern attribute, but even that is yours, for he will by his justice see to it that all which is promised to you in the covenant of grace shall be most certainly secured to you. And all that he has as perfect man is yours. As a perfect man the Father’s delight was upon him. He stood accepted by the Most High. O believer, God’s acceptance of Christ is thine acceptance; for knowest thou not that the love which the Father set on a perfect Christ, he sets on thee now? For all that Christ did is thine. That perfect righteousness which Jesus wrought out, when through his stainless life he kept the law and made it honourable, is thine, and is imputed to thee. Christ is in the covenant.

“My God, I am thine—what a comfort divine!
What a blessing to know that the Saviour is mine!
In the heavenly Lamb thrice happy I am,
And my heart it doth dance at the sound of his name.”


January 3 -- Evening

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

The voice crying in the wilderness demanded a way for the Lord, a way prepared, and a way prepared in the wilderness. I would be attentive to the Master’s proclamation, and give him a road into my heart, cast up by gracious operations, through the desert of my nature. The four directions in the text must have my serious attention.

Every valley must be exalted. Low and grovelling thoughts of God must be given up; doubting and despairing must be removed; and self-seeking and carnal delights must be forsaken. Across these deep valleys a glorious causeway of grace must be raised.

Every mountain and hill shall be laid low. Proud creature-sufficiency, and boastful self-righteousness, must be levelled, to make a highway for the King of kings. Divine fellowship is never vouchsafed to haughty, highminded sinners. The Lord hath respect unto the lowly, and visits the contrite in heart, but the lofty are an abomination unto him. My soul, beseech the Holy Spirit to set thee right in this respect.

The crooked shall be made straight. The wavering heart must have a straight path of decision for God and holiness marked out for it. Double-minded men are strangers to the God of truth. My soul, take heed that thou be in all things honest and true, as in the sight of the heart-searching God.

The rough places shall be made smooth. Stumbling-blocks of sin must be removed, and thorns and briers of rebellion must be uprooted. So great a visitor must not find miry ways and stony places when he comes to honour his favoured ones with his company. Oh that this evening the Lord may find in my heart a highway made ready by his grace, that he may make a triumphal progress through the utmost bounds of my soul, from the beginning of this year even to the end of it.