BJU Press Blog

Devotions

YIELD

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The ultimate example of the yielded life is our Lord Jesus Christ. It was in the Garden of Gethsemane He prayed, “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). He was soon to face the chastening of His Father even though He had perfectly obeyed Him in everything. Surely Jesus is worthy of absolute trust and total surrender on the part of those He has redeemed.

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“The root of the righteous yieldeth fruit” (Proverbs 12:12). “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” (Romans 6:13). “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey” (Romans 6:16). “For as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness” (Romans 6:19). “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11). “So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh” (James 3:12).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: The root of the righteous yields fruit.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (December 30 reading).]

WISDOM

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To lack wisdom and be a believer in Christ is a sad state, and completely avoidable. Our God is the sole source of true wisdom. He makes it readily available to His people by being completely accessible to them.

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“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalms 90:12). “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalms 111:10a). “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33). “But we preach Christ crucified . . . but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (I Corinthians 1:23–24). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). “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” (James 1:5).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (December 23 reading).]

VICTORY

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My minister once noted that the presence of a “shadow” in the valley of death indicates there is light. The Lord will not abandon us when we come to our own Jordan River crossing. The faithful keeping we enjoyed in this life will continue to the very end.

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“O sing unto the Lord a new song; . . . his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory” (Psalm 98:1). “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces” (Isaiah 25:8). “Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? . . . But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54–57). “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4–5).

Golden thought: He will swallow up death in victory.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (December 16 reading).]

TRUE

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True is a beautiful word—whether used as an adverb or adjective. It is altogether appropriate to use it to describe both the person and words of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source and sustenance of all that is true. Because He has been true to His Father, we know He is worthy of our constant trust.

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“The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:9b). “Thy word is true from the beginning” (Psalm 119:160a). “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9). “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest . . . if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). “Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth” (I John 2:8). “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war” (Revelation 19:11). “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true” (Revelation 22:6a).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: The true Light now shines.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (December 9 reading).]

THOUGHT

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Because of our limited powers of perception, the Bible says we know a person by his “fruits.” But the God of heaven knows and judges even a person’s thoughts and intentions. In the flesh we cannot please Him. Rather, we must rely on the control of His Spirit and the influence of His Holy Word for our thoughts to be directed toward that which is holy.

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“The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity” (Psalm 94:11). “I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love” (Psalm 119:113). “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7). Jesus warned, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matthew 15:19). “The weapons of our warfare are . . . mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds . . . bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:4b–5b). “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, . . . and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Golden thought: The Word of God is a discerner of the thoughts of the heart.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (December 2 reading).]