BJU Press Blog

Devotions

CROWN

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Crowns are rare things. They can be hard to acquire and even harder to hang onto. The crowns promised by our Lord to His people were indescribably difficult and costly to acquire. But they will never, EVER be taken away from us. See how He gets the glory for both the getting and giving.

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“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). The Lord Jesus, the great King, will provide crowns for His faithful people as well. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12). The tests of this life do not harm us; they will produce crowns of victory in the next. The apostle Peter addresses the elders of the churches and promises them, “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:4). The Lord Jesus promised the church of Smyrna, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: The Lord Jesus will give you a crown of life.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (February 3 reading).]

COME

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To “come” is the hardest and easiest task any human will ever have. Coming to Christ means relinquishing pride. He is the only deity that requires that of His followers. The other so called deities say, “Bring me your works, and we’ll see if they’re acceptable.” Only the true God offers Himself on behalf of His followers. Note how clearly the following verses convey this glorious truth.

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“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker” (Psalm 95:6). All men need to worship God in reverence. Believers need to sing praise to Him. “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation” (Psalm 95:1). The Lord Jesus gave a universal invitation, “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” (Matthew 11:28–29). Only the Lord Jesus can give rest to the soul. “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger” (John 6:35). “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: Jesus says, “Come unto me.”

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (January 27 reading).]

CARE

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It is unusual for a single word to have two completely opposite connotations, yet that is the case with the word “care.” In my experience it can mean nurturing and healing or wary and weakening. I either meekly trust in the Lord or live in my own strength—proudly self-reliant. The prophet Jeremiah laments in chapter 2, verse 13 that God’s people had forsaken Him,“the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out . . . broken cisterns.” We become dry and care worn when we seek to live independently of God’s grace, whereas leaning on Him gives us that sense of being cared for.

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“That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another” (1 Corinthians 12:25). Paul warns against divisions and urges believers in the body of Christ to help and encourage one another. On the other hand, he urges the Philippians, “Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). No believer should worry about his own circumstances; he should pray and trust God for help. The apostle Peter also urges trust in God’s mighty power. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Peter knew by experience that God can deliver from the worst circumstances (Acts 12:5–11).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: God cares for you.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (January 20 reading).]

BLOOD

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When I was a youngster and would get a cut or scrape, I remember my mother saying, “Let it bleed and it will clean itself out.” Blood cleans a wound. When it comes to the wound of sin, only Christ’s blood can wash and heal. His faithfulness in presenting Himself as a sacrifice means that sin’s corruption need not overtake our souls and drag us down to hell.

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“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). The blood of Christ was the atoning sacrifice that provided forgiveness of sins to all who will believe. God forgives believers on the basis of the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. “How much more shall the blood of Christ . . . purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14). “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” (1 John 1:7). The present tense verb cleanseth promises constant cleansing through the blood of Christ. John refers to Jesus Christ the faithful witness, and prays, “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, . . . to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5–6).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: The blood of Christ cleanses us.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (January 13 reading).]

ALL

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Because the Lord Jesus was “tempted in all points like as we . . . yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15), He understands every temptation I face. I rejoice in the “all’s” shared below. I rest in the confidence that Christ’s work leaves nothing undone.

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“When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:4). God is with His people to extend comfort in every trouble they may encounter. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). God does not treat His children as orphans. God has a bountiful supply of blessings for every believer. The believer should heed Peter’s exhortation, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). God cares vastly more for the believer than any parent could for his child. “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: God shall supply all your need.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (January 6 reading).]