Devotions

Raising is God’s work. We see the Lord Jesus Himself acknowledge that in the verses below. Being united to Him, we will joyfully echo this declaration of our Father’s power when we are changed “in the twinkling of an eye.”

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper” (Jeremiah 23:5). “The Lord God of Israel . . . hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:68–69). “God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham” (Matthew 3:9). “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Romans 8:11). “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you” (2 Corinthians 4:14). God “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: He that raised up Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (August 31 reading).]

Sin is not a popular topic nowadays. Churches that once dealt with it vigorously have become increasingly timid about focusing on it. But without the understanding that our sin has separated us far from a holy God, we will have no appreciation for propitiation—the total appeasement of God’s wrath against our sin. We cannot enjoy Christ’s work of propitiation until we know where we are without it.

The publican cried out, “God be propitiated toward me, the sinner” (Luke 18:13, Greek text). Sinful man has no plea but the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ. Paul referred to 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, through the forbearance of God” (Romans 3:25). “And he [Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sins.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (August 24 reading).]

“But as it is written, 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.” 1 Corinthians 2:9    

Surely the most devastating blow that the devil can hurl at a believer and the darkest gloom that can overtake a soul cannot prevail against this joyous declaration. If no other banner serves to revive or inspire, I hoist this one and turn my face unflinching toward the battle.

“Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart” (Psalm 10:17). “The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all” (Psalm 103:19). “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34). “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” (John 14:2). “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: I go to prepare a place for you.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (August 17 reading).]

Pouring can either empty or fill.

The clouds must drain for the earth to drink.

How encouraged I am by the verses below to see the link between Christ’s death and the gift of His Holy Spirit.

Concerning Messiah: “Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever” (Psalm 45:2). “Pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8). God says, “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring” (Isaiah 44:3). “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: I will pour water upon him that is thirsty.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (August 10 reading).]

The mantra of stressed-out souls in the twenty-first century has become “I’m going to my happy place.” It refers, of course, to the practice of mentally escaping into an imaginary scene of tranquility and pleasure. Because it is not real and a dream that can be easily interrupted, going to one’s “happy place” is extremely limited. How far superior was Paul’s encouragement to the Ephesian Christians when he reminded them that they had been made to sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus! (Ephesians 2:6)

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?” (Psalm 24:3). “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:6). “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” (John 14:2). “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26–27). “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).

Golden thought: Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.”

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