Devotions

Sanctification, the process of our becoming more and more like Christ throughout our lives, is nourished by good habits. The two most important habits are the daily study of Scripture and prayer. In Joshua 1:8 the Lord promises success when we “meditate” continually on God’s word, and in Hebrews 11:6 He assures us that He is the “rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” What glorious promises these are to cheer us on in our steady pursuit of holiness!

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour” (1 Thessalonians 4:3–4). “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13). “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied” (2 Peter 1:2).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (October 5 reading).]

Rising denotes energy. It gets its momentum from hope and strength. For the Christian, rising up is the product of God’s mercy. The psalmist calls the Lord “the lifter up of mine head” (Psalm 3:3). So He will be for us forevermore!

“At midnight I will rise to give thanks to thee because of thy righteous judgments” (Psalm 119:62). “For he [the Father] maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). “We remember that [he] said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again” (Matthew 27:63). “And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4). “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14). “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15).

Golden thought: He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (September 28 reading).]

The Lord’s appeals to His people to “return” to Him testify to the certainty of our wandering. Before the Fall there was no need for Him to issue such a call to Adam and Eve. Sin brought about the awful separation, and we came back only by divine intervention. Only God’s grace can bring our heartbeat back into sync with His own.

“Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake” (Psalm 6:4). “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7). “For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not” (Isaiah 30:15). “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee” (Isaiah 44:22). “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). “And they worshipped him [Jesus], and returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Luke 24:52).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: Let him return unto the Lord,
and He will have mercy.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (September 21 reading).]

“. . . the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 14:4)

Rejoicing outside of anything other than sensual pleasure makes little sense to the outside world.  They cannot see the well of living water that resides inside of the Christian’s soul. Formed at the moment of regeneration, this well is fed by the daily blessings of a God who continually communicates His love.

“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:12). “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41). “And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together” (John 4:36). “I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you” (John 16:22). “Rejoicing in hope” (Romans 12:12). “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord” (Philippians 3:1). “Rejoice evermore” (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (September 14 reading).]

There is no topic a Christian disciple would rather talk about than his Redeemer. That which consumes his thoughts day by day cannot help but become the natural topic of his conversation. Whether in prayer or praise, we make our “boast in the Lord.”

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” (Job 19:25). “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). “Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6). “As for our redeemer, the Lord of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 47:4). “All flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob” (Isaiah 49:26). “Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause” (Jeremiah 50:34).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: I know that my Redeemer lives.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (September 7 reading).]