John 13-21 Devotional

Devotional Quarterly
Through-the-Bible Series
Vol. 19, No. 1
December 1, 2008
What Did Jesus Do?

Christs Mission for His People
Studies in John 1321
The Daily Devotionals in this quarterly thoroughly
exalt the Savior, Jesus Christ. The Lords Prayer in John
17 encourages believers to know they are secure in their
salvation. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross of Calvary is
a challenge to all Gods children to live for Him to the
best of their abilities. A warning is given to prepare
mankind for the certain judgment to come. The plan of
salvation is given so simply in these devotionals. A deep,
abiding commitment to Christ is the ultimate goal to be
achieved by His children. The gospel is extensively presented as the only way to Heaven.
Personal and Daily Devotionals

for
Winter Quarter, 2008-2009
Prepared by Gene Smith, Marc Shultz

and Mary McCalister
Read Through the Bible

in a Year
To help you with your Bible reading, we are providing
suggested Scripture readings for each day of the quarter.
You will find these suggested readings at the beginning
of each devotional quarterly.
The readings include the Sunday Devotionals,
Daily Readings and the Daily Devotionals. The Sunday Devotionals are now included in the Devotional
Quarterly. The Daily Readings cover other Scriptures
not related to the Sunday School lessons. By reading all
passages listed each day, you will have read the entire
Bible at the end of one year. You may use the box beside
the date to check when you have read the Scriptures for
that day.
EDITOR IN CHIEF:
GRAPHIC ARTISTS:
COVER DESIGN:
Larry E. Clements
Shawn Blase,
Jeff Allen,
Greg Hilterbrand,
Gerald Martin,
Ashley Carozza
Jeff Allen
larryclements@abaptist.org
BUSINESS MANAGER:
Wayne Sewell
wsewell@abaptist.org
PRODUCTION EDITOR:
Sally McInvale
ADULT EDITOR:
Jim Jones
LAYOUT DESIGNERS:
Bonita McKnight,
Kyle Elkins,
Cindy Butler
CONTENT EDITORS:
Libby Gill
Terry McKellar,
Carolyn Burks,
Deby Turrentine
ILLUSTRATOR:
PRINT PRODUCTION:
Connie Spears
Charles Easley
CHILDRENS EDITOR:
Copyright 2008
Baptist Sunday School
Committee
4605 N. State Line Ave.
Texarkana, TX 75503-2928
www.abaptist.org
1-800-264-2482
December Scripture Readings

DATE
DAILY READINGS
DAILY DEVOTIONALS
December 1
James 1:1-12, 23-27; 2
John 13:18-30
December 2
James 3; 4:1-5
Philippians 2:5-8
December 3
James 4:7-17; 5:1-15, 20
Philippians 2:1-4
December 4
1 Peter 1:1, 2, 6-17, 20-25
Romans 12:9-16
December 5
1 Peter 2:1-23, 25
Romans 15:1-3
December 6
1 Peter 3:1-9, 18-22
1 Corinthians 9:19-22
December 7
1 Peter 4:1-6
2 Corinthians 8:9
December 8
1 Peter 5:1-4, 6-14
John 14:7-14
December 9
2 Peter 1:1-15; 2:3-22
Isaiah 53:10-12
December 10
2 Peter 3:1, 2, 4-18
Romans 12:9, 10
December 11
1 John 1:3-10, 2:12-27, 29
Hebrews 10:19-22
December 12
1 John 3:4-19, 23, 24; 4
Ephesians 4:21-24
December 13
1 John 5:1-3, 6-10, 19-21
1 John 5:11, 12
December 14
2 John 1-6, 12
1 John 3:10-14
December 15
3 John
December 16
Jude
Ephesians 1:13, 14
December 17
Revelation 1; 2:1-11, 29
Titus 3:5
December 18
Revelation 5:13, 14; 6:1-13 Romans 8:11
December 19
Revelation 7; 8
Romans 8:14-17
December 20
Revelation 9
Romans 8:26, 27
December 21
Revelation 10
Acts 1:4-9
December 22
Revelation 11
John 15:15-17
December 23
Revelation 12
Luke 13:6-9
December 24
Revelation 13
Matthew 1:18-25
December 25
Revelation 14; 15
Luke 2:8-20
December 26
Revelation 16; 17
Colossians 1:5-10
December 27
Revelation 18
1 John 2:3-6
December 28
Revelation 19:10-21
1 Corinthians 3:5-9
December 29
Revelation 20
1 Peter 3:13-17
December 30
Revelation 21:8-21, 24-27
1 Peter 4:12-19
December 31
Revelation 22:1-16, 18-21
2 Timothy 3:10-12
January Scripture Readings

DATE
DAILY READINGS
DAILY DEVOTIONALS
January 1
Genesis 13
January 2
Genesis 4; 5
Matthew 5:43-48
January 3
Genesis 68
James 1:2-4
January 4
Genesis 911
1 Peter 2:21-25
January 5
Genesis 12:4-20; 13; 14
Luke 6:22, 23
January 6
Genesis 1517
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
January 7
Genesis 1820
Luke 24:49
January 8
Genesis 2123
January 9
Genesis 24; 25
January 10
Genesis 2628
1 John 4:1-3
January 11
Genesis 2931
Acts 1:4-11
January 12
Genesis 3234
Isaiah 25:8, 9
January 13
Genesis 3538
Isaiah 51:11-13
January 14
Genesis 3941
Matthew 7:7-11
January 15
Genesis 4244
Hebrews 4:14-16
January 16
Genesis 4547
Hebrews 7:25, 26
January 17
Genesis 4850
1 John 5:14-16
January 18
Exodus 13
1 Peter 1:6-8
January 19
Exodus 46
John 17:7-10
January 20
Exodus 79
John 17:25, 26
January 21
Exodus 1012
Revelation 5:9-14
January 22
Exodus 1315
1 John 5:19, 20
January 23
Exodus 1618
Luke 8:38, 39
January 24
Exodus 1921
Philippians 2:14-16
January 25
Exodus 2224
Philippians 2:9-11
January 26
Exodus 25; 26
John 18:3-11
January 27
Exodus 2729
John 18:15-23
January 28
Exodus 3032
Matthew 26:33-35
January 29
Exodus 33; 34:1-10,
Mark 14:32-42
Romans 5:1-6
17-35; 35
January 30
Exodus 3638
Colossians 1:12-14
January 31
Exodus 39; 40
Psalm 2:6-12
4
February Scripture Readings

DATE
DAILY READINGS
DAILY DEVOTIONALS
February 1
Leviticus 13
Matthew 26:52-54
February 2
Leviticus 46
John 19:1-3
February 3
Leviticus 79
John 19:31-37
February 4
Leviticus 1012
1 Corinthians 1:17, 18
February 5
Leviticus 13; 14
Galatians 6:14
February 6
Leviticus 1517
Colossians 1:20
February 7
Leviticus 1820
Colossians 2:14
February 8
Leviticus 21; 22:1-16,
1 Peter 3:18
25-33
February 9
Leviticus 2325
Matthew 27:59-66
February 10
Leviticus 26; 27
John 20:9-18
February 11
Numbers 13
John 20:21-29
February 12
Numbers 46
John 20:30, 31
February 13
Numbers 79
Acts 1:3
February 14
Numbers 1012
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
February 15
Numbers 1315
February 16
Numbers 1618
John 21:1-11
February 17
Numbers 1921
John 21:24, 25
February 18
Numbers 2224
1 Peter 5:1-4
February 19
Numbers 2527
Luke 9:22-26
February 20
Numbers 2830
Numbers 14:23, 24
February 21
Numbers 3133
February 22
Numbers 3436
Matthew 16:21-25
John 13:18-30
Monday, December 1
Prediction of the Betrayal

KEY VERSE: When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I
say unto you, that one of you shall betray me, John
13:21.
At the close of the Civil War, General Lew Wallace
was challenged to write a novel on the life of Christ
revealing that Christ was simply a man. He wrote one of
the first Christian novels, Ben Hur. He discovered Jesus
was truly the Son of God and instead of denying Him,
Wallace accepted and defended Him.
The Key Verse reveals Jesus knew He was to be
betrayed by one of His followers. He spoke this with reference to Judas Iscariot. This troubled, or agitated,
Jesus in His innermost being. Being human, Jesus was
deeply troubled over Judas soon betrayal of His love and
friendship. However, being divine, Jesus knew in
advance it would happen. Jesus sensed the spiritual
hardness and deadness which sin had produced in Judas
Iscariot.
Before we condemn Judas for this dastardly deed, we
must realize that anyone in close fellowship with God
could betray Him at any time if some powerful enticement should become appealing. To avoid such a betrayal, a child of God must ever live in close fellowship with
Him and be strengthened by His mighty power. Gods
power is available to all of His children at all times.
JUST A THOUGHT: Monitor your heart daily to avoid wandering from Gods love and care.
Gene C. Smith
6
Philippians 2:5-8
Tuesday, December 2
The Pattern Of Humility

KEY VERSE: Let this mind be in you, which was also
in Christ Jesus, Philippians 2:5.
Alex Haley, the late author of Roots, had a picture in
his office of a turtle sitting on top of a fence post. Haley
prized the picture because it was a constant reminder of
a lesson he had learned long ago; that is, if you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he had some help getting
there. Anytime someone starts thinking, Wow, isnt it
marvelous what I have done. That one should remember how the turtle got on the fence post. Someone helped
him get there.
The apostle Paul, in writing to all the saints in Christ
Jesus (Phil. 1:1), urged them to allow the mind of Christ
to be developed in them. Jesus was equal with God
(Phil. 2:6) in every respect. However, He made himself
of no reputation by taking upon Himself the form of a
servant (verse 7). As a servant of all mankind, Jesus
humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even
the death of the cross (verse 8).
A reporter once asked Billy Graham what he wanted
people to say about him after his death. His response
was, I dont want people to say anything about me. I
want them to talk about my Savior. His genuine humility is why God has so powerfully used him as an evangelist.
JUST A THOUGHT: Lord, when I am wrong, make me willing to change!
Gene C. Smith
7
Philippines 2:1-4
Wednesday, December 3
No Vainglory
KEY VERSE: Let nothing be done through strife or
vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem
other better than themselves, Philippians 2:3.
A prime example for the need of a complete, unified
cooperation is disclosed in a victorious football team. The
fullback on the team wanted all the limelight and glory for
the yards gained. Those who made up the rest of the team
decided they would teach him a good lesson. They decided
on one play to do nothing to block the other team members. They backed off entirely and the opposing team completely smeared the glory-seeking fullback. This caused
him to see the error of his ways, and he began cooperating
with the rest of the team. The team enjoyed victory after
victory because of a unified effort.
The church located in the city of Philippi was a highly successful church. The people enjoyed almost total
unity in their functioning as a church. The only blemish
in their efforts for unity was a small group who wanted
to have the preeminence in all matters. Therefore, Paul
wrote to them and exhorted them not to allow strife and
vainglory to mar their fellowship as a church.
Paul appealed to them to be united on the basis of
their salvation in Christ, their comfort in His love, their
fellowship in the Holy Spirit which resulted in their tenderness and compassion toward others.
JUST A THOUGHT: Christians are to humbly serve God in
all lowliness of mind.
Gene C. Smith
8
Romans 12:9-16
Thursday, December 4
Preferring One Another

KEY VERSE: Be kindly affectioned one to another with
brotherly love; in honour preferring one another,
Romans 12:10.
A missionary asked all his pupils to bring a gift for the
cause of Christ the next Sunday. They responded to their
teachers plea.
Some brought money and others brought things of
great value. When they presented their gifts, the teacher
observed one little boy who had not presented anything.
The teacher asked him if he were going to give anything.
He responded by taking the collection basket, placing it on
the floor and stepping into it. He then said, I give myself
to Jesus. Every Christian is to emulate the example of
this boy by giving himself to Jesus Christ.
In todays devotional reading, Paul discussed the relationship that is to exist among Christians. He began by
saying, Let love be without dissimulation, (verse 9)
meaning, let your love be sincere. When a Christian has
a sincere love for other Christians, then, that one can
carry out the other admonitions and entreaties set forth in
this Scripture. In honoring other Christians, one displays
brotherly love (verse 10) for them.
Good relationships are essential for harmony in a
family, a church and in society in general. When family
relationships break down, it affects other areas of life.
This is especially true in a church. When strife and animosity prevails, feelings are hurt. Harmony prevails
only when there is genuine love for one another.
JUST A THOUGHT: The key ingredient for genuine Christian fellowship is that love must be sincere.
Gene C. Smith
9
Romans 15:1-3
Friday, December 5
Please Others First

KEY VERSE: Let every one of us please his neighbour
for his good to edification, Romans 15:2.
Paul, in writing to the church in Rome, stated that
believers in Christ are not to despise and condemn others (Rom. 14:1-12), nor should they hinder the conduct of
other Christians (Rom. 14:13-23). In chapter 15, Paul
gave a third principle to observe in reference to a believer in Christ dealing with fellow-Christians. The believer
is to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ in ministering to others. It is fitting, therefore, that Christians
should imitate Him in being concerned about the welfare of other people.
Some Christians are prone to extend their fellowship
only to those of their church affiliation. This tends to
limit Christian fellowship and should be given sincere
thought. Christians are blessed when they enjoy fellowship with other Christians while adhering to the truth of
the Word of God.
Fellowship is a two-way street. It takes at least two
people to have fellowship. Fellowship has been defined
as Christians in the same ship. A mature Christian is
blessed when he extends fellowship to the less mature
believer and thereby contributes to that ones spiritual
growth and development into a mature Christian.
Christians are not to be self-centered but should be
concerned about the spiritual welfare of others. Pleasing
others, however, is not the end in itself but is for their
good, to build them up unto edification. This is the example the Lord Jesus Christ left.
JUST A THOUGHT: A word of encouragement could
make a difference between giving up or going on.
Gene C. Smith
10
Saturday, December 6
Serve To Gain
KEY VERSE: For though I be free from all men, yet
have I made myself servant unto all, that I might
gain the more, 1 Corinthians 9:19.
In our present-day ministries, we have more equipment than ever beforebut one thing is lackingthe
power of God. We also have abundant organizations to
implement our efforts in serving God, but these organizations lack the power to achieve the desired results.
What is needed is a vital connection to the power supply to achieve the coveted results. This power supply is
discovered in the work of the Holy Spirit. Genuine service to God is achieved when we are moved beyond our
own strength to obtain the power of God in our lives. The
apostle Pauls service in the city of Corinth is a prime
example of this truth.
Although Paul had been truly set free by the Lord, he
had deliberately made himself a servant to others so
that he could gain the more for Christ. To accomplish
this purpose, he willingly adapted himself to the people
to whom he was ministering.
To the Jews, Paul became a Jew. To the Gentiles, he
became as one of them. Paul adapted himself to their situations. Pauls chief aim was to win the unsaved to
Christ, and, for that purpose, he became all things to all
mankind. This attitude would benefit all Christians in
winning the unsaved to Christ in this present generation.
JUST A THOUGHT: The devils number one tool is not an
active sinner but an inactive Christian.
Gene C. Smith
11
2 Corinthians 8:9
Sunday, December 7
He Became Poor,
Making Many Rich
KEY VERSE: For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes
he became poor, that ye through his poverty m i g h t
be rich, 2 Corinthians 8:9.
During Abraham Lincolns tenure as President of the
United States, he was visited by a guest who sought to
flatter him by saying, Back in my home state people say
the welfare of the nation depends on God and Abraham
Lincoln. Lincoln humbly replied, You are half right.
He also stated, Without divine assistance I cannot succeed, with it I cannot fail. The welfare of our nation is
still in the hands of Almighty God.
Paul challenged the churches in Macedonia to abound
in the grace of giving. The offering for the poor saints
(Christians) in Jerusalem was the goal of this giving.
The Christians in Corinth had heard of this endeavor,
and they insisted they be permitted to take part in this
project. They gave, not only according to their ability but
even beyond it. They were motivated by the grace of
God.
Gods marvelous grace is also the motivating factor in
the giving of tithes and offerings to God by His people.
The committed Christian desires to give liberally to the
cause of Christ. The Scriptures teach that one should
give at least a tenth part of his or her income to the Lord
through the churches of the living God. Does your giving
measure up to Gods standard?
JUST A THOUGHT: Americans spend more on dog food
than they contribute to the Lord through His churches.
Gene C. Smith
12
John 14:7-14
Monday, December 8
Jesus and the Father Are One

KEY VERSE: Believe me that I am in the Father, and
the Father is in me: or else believe me for the very
works sake, John 14:11.
The proof of the union of Christ and the Father (God)
is set forth in todays devotional reading. Jesus followers
were to believe in Him because He is the way, the truth
and the life (John 14:6). No one is able to approach God
unless he comes by and through Jesus Christ.
There are actually three divine personalities in the
Godhead. These are God the Father, Jesus Christ the
Son of God and the Holy Spirit. Gods glorious character
abides in all three of these individuals for the salvation
and edification of mankind.
Ones mind may be in a whirl in contemplation of the
Godhead. Each person who makes up the Godhead is
divine. Water (H2O) illustrates this truth. Water, a liquid, can be frozen into ice or heated to become steam,
but in all three stages it remains (H2O).
An atheist who lived in days past, spent his time
endeavoring to prove there was no God. He would draw
a crowd, take a watch and say, I will prove there is no
God. God, if you do exist, kill me in sixty seconds. He
would then count down to zero. However, he remained
alive. He concluded there was no God because he lived.
JUST A THOUGHT: A watch proves there is a watchmaker. The Word of God proves there is a God.
Gene C. Smith
13
Isaiah 53:10-12
Tuesday, December 9
His Offering for Sin

KEY VERSE: Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he
hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul
an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall
prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall
prosper in his hand, Isaiah 53:10.
In 1943 the cargo transport, Dorchester, carrying nine
hundred four men was torpedoed and sank in the icy
waters within twenty-five minutes. The ship was within
ninety miles of its destination. The ship began to sink and
six hundred seventy-eight men drowned. They were all
reported missing in action. There were four chaplains
aboard the ship. Without regard for personal safety, each
chaplain unfastened his life jacket and gave it away. These
courageous men were last seen standing hand in hand
praying for the safety of their men. They made the
supreme sacrifice by giving their lives for others.
Jesus Christ gave His life on Calvarys cross so all
mankind might be saved from sins penalty. Jesus made
the supreme sacrifice for all mankind that day at Calvary so all who place their faith in Him will be saved and
live forever.
In Isaiah 53, the prophet of God foretold of Jesus sacrifice on the cross so all who trust Him can be saved and
enjoy everlasting life with God in Heaven forever.
JUST A THOUGHT: The blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7).
Gene C. Smith
14
Romans 12:9, 10
Practice Brotherly Love

KEY VERSE: Be kindly affectioned [devoted] one to
another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one
another, Romans 12:10.
A socially prominent woman of Boston went to visit a
poor widow who had done some domestic service in her
home but now was seriously ill. The caller was shocked
at the evidences of poverty in the widows home. The rich
woman offered to contact a charitable organization to
help the poor woman. But the poor widow refused stating that, although she was poor, she could not accept
charity. The rich woman then told her that she had
knowledge of her neighbors helping her. Yes, she
answered, but that is not charity. They are my friends.
They love me and care for me.
The Key Verse urges all Christians to be devoted to
each other in brotherly love. The apostle Paul, in these
two verses in Romans, began some specific exhortations
with the key ingredient for success, that is, that brotherly love must be sincere or without hypocrisy. The
expression, Be kindly affectioned means to be devoted to
each other, which suggests family affection.
This brotherly love is to be exercised in honor, giving
place to one another or considering others better than
yourself. Charity should never be administered with the
idea that the giver is better than the recipient of the gift.
The giver must not pretend to love the recipient but
really love that one.
JUST A THOUGHT: Gods way of honoring others is to do
so because they have been created in His image.
Gene C. Smith
15
Hebrews 10:19-22
The Only Way to God

KEY VERSE: By a new and living way, which he hath
consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say,
his flesh, Hebrews 10:20.
The death of Jesus Christ on the cross gave people the
needed access to God. It is aptly described in the Key
Verse as a new and living way which He inaugurated for
us by His sacrificial death on the cross.
The book of Hebrews is a series of contrasts between
the good things of Judaism and the better things of God.
Christ is better than angels, Moses, Joshua, Aaron and
the Mosaic Covenant. Jesus Christ provided a better
way by His atoning death on the cross.
Jesus said to Thomas, the doubter, I am the way, the
truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but
by me (John 14:6). This is one of the most basic and
important passages in the Word of God. People often ask,
How can we find God? The only way is through Jesus
Christ. He is the only way because He is both God and
man. By trusting Him as Savior, a repentant sinner is
saved from sins penalty. Those who trust Him will also
enjoy all the benefits of being Gods child and will go to
Heaven at the end of lifes way.
Church membership does not save ones soul. Neither
does doing good works bring salvation to an individual.
Christ is the only Savior.
JUST A THOUGHT: Thank you God for providing a sure
way to Heaven.
Gene C. Smith
16
Ephesians 4:21-24
Friday, December 12
The Truth Is in Jesus

KEY VERSE: If so be that ye have heard him, and have
been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, Ephesians 4:21.
Jesus Himself stated that He is the way, the truth and
the life (John 14:6). The apostle Paul also declared the
truth is in Jesus (Eph. 4:21). Therefore, there should be
no question at all where one must go to find the truth.
The truth is found in the pages of Gods Wordthe Holy
Bible. It is indeed Gods Word.
There are seven strong convictions everyone should
have about Gods Word.
1. The Bible is Gods Word from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21.
2. Holy men of God wrote the Word of God as it was
revealed to them (2 Peter 1:21).
3. God-called ministers are to teach and preach the
truth by rightly dividing the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).
4. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16).
5. All servants of Jesus Christ are to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the
saints (Jude 3).
6. Christians are to study the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15).
7. God will someday judge every mans work by the
Word of God (1 Peter 1:17).
JUST A THOUGHT: It is reported that ninety-three percent
of all households in America own a Bible, but only
twelve percent read the Bible every day.
Gene C. Smith
17
1 John 5:11, 12
The Life Is in the Son

KEY VERSE: And this is the record, that God hath given
to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son, 1 John
5:11.
H. L. Hunt made millions of dollars as a Texas oil man.
He was an aggressive businessman who had little time
for anything else. One night he called a friend at 2:00 a.m.
and said, John, I just made the greatest trade of my life.
I traded the here and now for the hereafter. That night
he became a born-again believer in Christ and began
serving God through his church in Dallas, Texas.
The Key Verse declares that God has granted eternal
life to those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior. How
long is eternal life? It is forever. Eternal life is found only
in Jesus Christ. It is not found in turning away from the
sins of the flesh, church membership, nor is it found in
good works. It is found only in turning to the Lord Jesus
Christ and trusting Him for salvation.
Have you experienced this radical change in your life?
If not, why not turn to Jesus Christ, repent of your sins
and trust Him for salvation? After being saved by Gods
grace, one is to seek out a true New Testament church,
join it and be baptized as Jesus was by complete immersion in water. When this has been achieved, one is to serve
Christ faithfully and be a witness to others for Him.
JUST A THOUGHT: Whatever does not begin with the
Lord will end in failure.
Gene C. Smith
18
1 John 3:10-14
Sunday, December 14
The New Commandment

in Practice
KEY VERSE: For this is the message that ye heard
from the beginning, that we should love one another, 1 John 3:11.
Loving one another is the mark of those who have truly
been born again. When a lost sinner realizes he is
unsaved, he should repent of his sins and trust Jesus
Christ for salvation. Upon being converted, the newly
born-again believer is to love other believers.
Cain was a wicked person who was angry with his
brother, Abel. His anger was uncontrollable and he angrily killed his brother. This was the first murder recorded in
the Bible. These two young men were the children of
Adam and Eve, the first man and his wife. Cain is a type
of the mere man of the earth. Abel is a type of a spiritual
man. It must have grieved Adam and Eve to learn that
Cain murdered his brother.
Cain was a farmer who made his living by tilling the
soil. However, he was not successful at farming because
his farm would not yield its strength after that awful act
of killing his brother (Gen. 4:12). Therefore, he exclaimed,
My punishment is greater than I can bear (verse 13).
Cain went to the land of Nod and lived in exile because of
the dastardly deed of murdering his brother (verse 15).
Cain had no love for his own brother. Christians are to
love one another and thereby show their love for others.
JUST A THOUGHT: Sins wages are surely paid out to
those who walk in the pathway of sin.
Gene C. Smith
19
Monday, December 15
Teaching by the Holy Spirit

KEY VERSE: Which things also we speak, not in the
words which mans wisdom teacheth, but which the
Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with
spiritual, 1 Corinthians 2:13.
The writers of both the Old and New Testaments were
inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). The Holy
Spirit illumines the minds and hearts of its readers.
Thus, throughout the Bible, the Holy Spirit not only
guides us doctrinally and historically, but He also uses
such as a vehicle for speaking to our hearts. This is why
ministers constantly urge people to read and study the
Scriptures whether or not they fully understand what
they are reading. The reading of the Scriptures enables
the Holy Spirit to enlighten the readers and do His work
in their hearts and lives.
As one reads the Word of God, its message saturates
ones heart whether he is conscious of what is happening
or not. The Word of God, with all its mysterious power,
touches ones life and gives spiritual power to the reader.
It is the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal truths previously hidden from human search and understanding
and to enlighten their minds to know and understand
them. Our responsibility is to be diligent students of the
Word of God. Every born-again child of God would profit spiritually from a daily reading and study of the Word
of God.
JUST A THOUGHT: The psalmist prayed, Open thou
mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy
law, (Psalm 119:18).
Gene C. Smith
20
Ephesians 1:13, 14
Tuesday, December 16
The Sealing of the Holy Spirit

KEY VERSE: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye
heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:
in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed
with that holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13.
From Acts 19, we learn that Paul spent approximately
three years in the city of Ephesus which was the capital
city of Asia Minor. This was the longest time he spent in
any community. Ephesus was a center of heathen worship;
yet, Paul enjoyed a memorable ministry there. He once
reminded the Ephesian elders, By the space of three
years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with
tears (Acts 20:31). The immediate result of Pauls ministry in Ephesus was a tremendous spiritual awakening.
It resulted in many people bringing their books of magic
and burning them in a huge public bonfire (Acts 19:23-41).
Many Ephesians trusted the Lord and were gloriously
saved by Gods grace. They were also sealed with that holy
Spirit of promise. The Holy Spirit is Himself the seal. In
this symbolism of Scripture a seal signifies three things:
(1) a finished transaction (Jer. 32:9, 10; John 17:4; 19:1330); (2) ownership (Jer. 32:11, 12; 2 Tim. 2:19) (3) security
(Esther 8:8; Dan. 6:17; Eph. 4:30). In this we view the Holy
Spirits part in mans redemption. He works in full accord
with the preaching of Gods Word in bringing sinners to
Christ for salvation.
JUST A THOUGHT: The fullest life is found in ones relationship to Jesus Christ.
Gene C. Smith
21
Titus 3:5
The Renewal of the Holy Spirit

KEY VERSE: 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, Titus 3:5.
Titus was a Gentile convert who had traveled and
served with the apostle Paul (Gal. 2:1-3). He had also
functioned as a faithful messenger to the troubled
church in Corinth (2 Cor. 7:6, 7; 8:6, 16).
In approximately AD 6364, Paul and Titus traveled
to Crete, leaving Timothy in Ephesus. After a brief visit,
Paul left Titus in Crete to help provide leadership for the
Cretan churches (Titus 1:5). The purpose of this epistle to
Titus was to instruct him about what he should teach to
the Cretan churches. He was to set in order the things that
were lacking in the Cretan churches and ordain elders in
every church (verse 5). In so doing, he was to assert his
authority in teaching sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).
Paul also urged Titus to direct them to submit to the
washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy
Ghost (Titus 3:5). The latter relates to the adjustment of
the moral and spiritual values and thinking to the mind
of God. The renewing of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) does not
refer to a fresh bestowal of the Spirit but a revival of His
power in developing the Christian life in them.
JUST A THOUGHT: It will make a difference in ones life
when the power of the Holy Spirit is in control.
Gene C. Smith
22
Romans 8:11
The Resurrection by
the Holy Spirit
KEY VERSE: 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.
The eighth chapter of Romans has been called the
Mountain Peak of this great book. This chapter begins
with no condemnation (verse 1) and ends with no separation (verse 39). Charles Haddon Spurgeon called the
glorious doctrines of this chapter, Golden steppingstones through the slough of despond. It has also been
said, If the Scriptures were a ring, and the Roman Epistle its precious stone, chapter 8 would be the sparkling
point of the jewel. Furthermore, it has been said, Chapter 8 is one of the loftiest peaks in the whole realm of
revealed truth. No doubt these fine sayings came partly because they highlight the divine truth of the resurrection of the saints (children) of God.
The apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans to the
church in the city of Rome. The eighth chapter of this
great book is filled with various promises God made to
His people including the believers in the city of Rome.
In verse 11, Paul wrote about an even better promise.
Since God raised Jesus from the dead, He promises
believers, in whom the Holy Spirit resides, that He will
also give life to their mortal bodies through the work of
the Holy Spirit.
JUST A THOUGHT: God never makes a promise He cannot and will not keep.
Gene C. Smith
23
Romans 8:14-17
Friday, December 19
The Witness of the Holy Spirit

KEY VERSE: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our
spirit, that we are the children of God, Romans 8:16.
In many families children inherit their parents
estate. Each child is an heir and will inherit a share of
the estate. Similarly, since Christians are Gods children, they are His heirs (Gal. 4:7), and they are co-heirs
with Christ. They are the recipients of all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3) now, and in the future they will share
with the Lord Jesus Christ in all the riches of Gods
kingdom (John 17:24; 1 Cor. 3:21-23).
Sharing with Christ, however, involves more than
anticipating the glories of Heaven. For Jesus Christ, it
involved suffering, abuse and crucifixion. Therefore,
being co-heirs with Christ requires that believers share
in His sufferings. In fact, believers do share in His sufferings. Then after our sufferings here on earth, we will
share in His glory (Rom. 8:17).
The apostle Paul revealed that Gods children have
the leadership of the Holy Spirit in our lives (verse 14).
He also points out that the Holy Spirit is abiding in us
and witnesses to our spirits that we are Gods children
(verse 16) and the heirs of God (verse 17). These verses
reveal that, even though we are the sons of God now, He
has not finished His work in us. In the resurrection we
will be made in the likeness of Jesus Christ, and Gods
redemptive work in us will be completed.
JUST A THOUGHT: Life would be more pleasant if we could
forget our troubles as easily as we forget our blessings.
Gene C. Smith
24
Romans 8:26, 27
The Interceding of the Holy Spirit

KEY VERSE: 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, Romans 8:27.
Believers are not left to their own resources in times
of their sufferings. The Holy Spirit helps (keeps on helping) ones infirmities, or weaknesses. This does not mean
that the Spirit helps only in those occasional times when
Christians are weak. It means that in their state of
weakness, the Holy Spirit continually helps them. The
word weakness may include physical, emotional and
spiritual disabilities. Evidence that one is troubled is by
inward groaning or by fervent praying to God.
One evidence of ones weakness is the fact that believers do not know what to ask for in prayer. In their weakness, both the content and the manner of prayer eludes
them. However, the Holy Spirit comes to their rescue
and intercedes for them with groans which words cannot
express.
This has nothing to do with praying in tongues as
some suggest. The groaning is done by the Holy Spirit
not the believer. The groaning is not stated in words.
The help the Holy Spirit gives (verse 26) is through
interceding. He approaches God and appeals for the one
praying. The One who searches the heart is God, and He
knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with Gods will.
JUST A THOUGHT: The Holy Spirits intercession may be
the key to Gods intervention.
Gene C. Smith
25
Acts 1:4-9
Sunday, December 21
They Waited for the Comforter

KEY VERSE: But ye shall receive power, after that the
Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part
of the earth, Acts 1:8.
In a city where this writer once lived a church had a
TV program entitled, A Church In Action. In viewing
this program on different occasions this writer has
viewed this church in action carrying out the Great
Commission. This church functions like the one, or ones,
we view in the book of Acts. In the book of Acts, one sees
the church in action. This action revolved around two
personalities, Peter and Paul. It also revolved around
two places, Jerusalem and Antioch. This action in the
main reveals the church at work carrying out the Great
Commission. Their concern was to get the gospel to the
entire world. The church was commissioned by the Lord
for this worldwide task.
It was now forty days after the triumphant and
thrilling experience of the resurrection when Jesus overcame the forces of death and walked out of the tomb in
the full powers of His resurrection. From that thrilling
moment, he shewed himself alive after his passion by
many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days
(Acts 1:3). Jesus met with His disciples for the last time
(verse 4) before ascending back to Heaven (verse 9).
JUST A THOUGHT: The Lord commissioned His churches to take the gospel to the world.
Gene C. Smith
26
John 15:15-17
Monday, December 22
The Lord Expects Fruit

KEY VERSE: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and
bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:
that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my
name, he may give it you, John 15:16.
A few years ago a friend gave this writer some sprouts
from his fig trees. My wife loves ripe figs so I wanted to
provide some for her. I planted them on the far north
side of our backyard. They now produce some bountiful
fruit every year. I look for the first ripe figs in the season
to give her some fresh ripe fruit.
In the parable of the vine and the branches (John 15:117), Jesus spoke about a vine bearing fruit. The branch
which did not bear any fruit was pruned from the vine
(verse 2). This action caused the vine to bear more fruit
(verse 2). He also stated that, as the branches remain in
the vine, they will bear more fruit (verses 2, 4). The Lord
spoke these truths to remind His people to keep in close
contact with Him to be fruit-bearing children of God
(verses 4-8).
The Key Verse reminds Gods people that He has chosen them to go and bring forth fruit for Him. When they
exceed this limit and bear much fruit, the Father is glorified in them (verse 8).
JUST A THOUGHT: Is your life a brush pile or a fruit producing tree?
Gene C. Smith
27
Luke 13:6-9
Parable of Fruitfulness
KEY VERSE: Then said he unto the dresser of his
vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking
fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why
cumbereth it the ground? Luke 13:7.
Jesus taught in this parable that, if spiritual fruit
does not exist in ones life, judgment will surely come. A
fig tree requires three years to bear figs, but, since this
one did not produce any fruit, the owner said, cut it
down (verse 7). The keeper of the vineyard asked him to
give it one more year, and, if it did not bear fruit, he
would cut it down.
This parable illustrates the truth that judgment
comes to those who do not repent of their sins and
become saved by Gods marvelous grace. Jesus also took
this thought one step further by noting that fruit must
be present for the fig tree to remain. Thus, a visible
change must be seen in one who claims to be a child of
God. If there is no visible change, that person, like the
barren fig tree, will be judged.
A child of God is to bear fruit for God. This fruit may
consist of introducing others to Christ, helping the elderly, doing good deeds for others, attending church services
regularly, teaching a class during Bible study time,
singing in the church choir or playing a musical instrument in a church service. However, good works are not
limited to these deeds.
JUST A THOUGHT: Great deeds are not performed by
strength but by perseverance.
Gene C. Smith
28
Matthew 1:18-25
ImmanuelGod with Us
KEY VERSE: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and
shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name
Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us,
Matthew 1:23.
The writer of the first book of the New Testament was
Matthew, also called Levi, a Jew of Galilee, who served
as a tax collector under the Roman oppressors. He was,
therefore, one of the most hated and ill-reputed publicans. However, he responded to the call of the Lord and
became a devout follower of Jesus Christ (Matt. 9:9).
In this first chapter Matthew presents the conception
and birth of Christ. The virgin Mary was the female vessel God used to bring His Son into the world. At that
time she and Joseph were engaged to be married. However, Mary conceived her firstborn child; not by Joseph,
but by the Holy Spirit. (See also Isaiah 7:14.)
Mary named her newborn son, Emmanuel, which
means God with us. In light of this declaration, Joseph
was not to be afraid to take Mary into his home. They
had no sexual relations until after the birth of Jesus
Christ. They called Marys newborn son JESUS for He
was to save the people from their sins. There would likely be much misunderstanding and gossip in the community, but Joseph knew the true story of Marys pregnancy and Gods will for her life.
JUST A THOUGHT: The Son of God became a man to
enable men to become the sons of God.
Gene C. Smith
29
Luke 2:8-20
A Savior Is Born
KEY VERSE: For unto you is born this day in the city
of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord, Luke
2:11.
It is easy to overlook the real meaning of Christmas.
It has become commercialized by the buying of gifts for
family and friends and many other things. The real
meaning of Christmas seemingly gets lost.
In the Word of God, the emphasis is on salvation through
the Lord Jesus Christ as set forth in the Key Verse. Thus, it
is a grand time for the unsaved to find the Lord as their
Savior. This is true for four reasons: (1) The frequent use of
the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (2) People are constantly reminded that Christ came to seek and save those who
are lost in sin (Luke 19:1-10). (3) The old, old story of the
love of Christ is told with a great emphasis on ones acceptance of His love and salvation. (4) People are constantly
reminded of the brevity of life as the years seem fly by.
One may have the most beautifully decorated house
in any given city, be able to buy the most expensive gifts
and enjoy giving and receiving gifts. Some may enjoy the
singing of songs, eating rich food and exchanging gifts,
but, if they do not have Christ in their lives, the true
meaning of Christmas is lost.
JUST A THOUGHT: Wise men still seek Him!
Gene C. Smith
30
Colossians 1:5-10
Friday, December 26
Fruitful in Every Good Work

KEY VERSE: That ye might walk worthy of the Lord
unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work,
and increasing in the knowledge of God, Colossians 1:10.
The aim of believers in all their worthy conduct
should be to please Jesus Christ in every way. Merely
pleasing people is incompatible with being a servant of
Christ. Indeed, the apostle Paul made it the ambition of
his life to please God (2 Cor. 5:9). It is to be the goal of
every believer in Christ to please Him in all that is
undertaken in life.
Four things result from such a God-pleasing life: (1)
The bearing of fruit for Him. A gardener would cut down
a fruit tree if it did not bear fruit. God desires that all His
people bear fruit for Him. One of the foremost endeavors
of every believer in Christ is to win souls to Christ. In so
doing, one is being fruitful in a good work. (2) Increasing
in the knowledge of God. (3) Being strengthened with the
power of God (Col. 1:11). (4) Giving thanks unto the Father
from whom flows every good and perfect gift (verse 12).
This writer once planted several fruit trees in hopes
of producing some succulent fruit. Not knowing what
kind of soil was best suited for those trees for growth
and fruit bearing resulted in a barren orchard. The outcome brought about the cutting down of the trees.
JUST A THOUGHT: When a Christian ceases to grow, he
begins to decay.
Gene C. Smith
31
1 John 2:3-6
Evidence of Abiding
KEY VERSE: And hereby we do know that we know
him, if we keep his commandments, 1 John 2:3.
As Moses was tending his father-in-laws sheep in the
Sinai Peninsula, his attention was drawn to a strange
sight. A bush was burning without being consumed.
When Moses turned to look more closely, the angel of the
LORD (Ex. 3:2) spoke to him and said, Draw not nigh
hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place
whereon thou standest is holy ground (verse 5).
This experience of Moses teaches that a holy God
demands our reverence and respect. We may, however,
enter the presence of God with confidence because Jesus
has opened the way for us through His death on Calvarys
cross. However, we are to never profane His holy name.
Our Heavenly Father is not the man upstairs. He is
God, the One who is high and lifted up, and, because of
His majesty, we are to exalt and worship Him (John
4:24). He is worthy of our praise and worship. The word
worship means to make obeisance or do reverence to
someone or something. It is used as an act of homage or
reverence to God.
When we keep His commandments and abide in Him,
it is a sure sign of our obedience and love for Him.
Abideth in him (1 John 2:6) means to live in Him.
Those who live in Him must walk (live) as Jesus did.
JUST A THOUGHT: The Lord God alone is worthy of our
adoration, praise and worship.
Gene C. Smith
32
1 Corinthians 3:5-9
Sunday, December 28
Only God Gives the Increase

KEY VERSE: I have planted, Apollos watered; but God
gave the increase, 1 Corinthians 3:6.
Dissension in the Corinthian church was the first
problem addressed by the apostle Paul as he wrote to
them from the city of Ephesus. He appealed to them to
work for harmony in the church not the elimination of
their diversity. He desired unity of all the divided parties
in the church.
Paul and Apollos were given their ministries by Jesus
Christ. They were the means, not the cause, whereby the
Corinthians became believers in Christ. However, God
alone produces results when the gospel is proclaimed. God
made the seed they had planted grow and produce results.
The apostle Paul and Apollos were not competing
against each other in their ministries in Corinth, but
they were complementing each others ministry. Their
purpose was to bring the church to unity and maturity.
God makes the seed of the Word to be productive in the
hearts and lives of people as they respond to Him. A
ministers part is to plant the seed of the Word of God in
the hearts of humankind. Gods part is to give the
increase by saving souls, adding them to His churches
and developing them into mature Christians. Therefore,
God alone is to get the credit and praise for church
growth and development.
JUST A THOUGHT: Ministers are servants of God
engaged in His service to give the gospel to mankind.
Gene C. Smith
33
1 Peter 3:13-17
Monday, December 29
Suffering for Righteousness Sake

KEY VERSE: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may
be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ, 1 Peter 3:16.
There are many benefits in knowing a foreign language. One of the chief benefits lies in the increased
ability to understand and be understood. If a person
knows only one language, he is tempted to think that
everything he communicates is understood. However, if
forced to translate an idea into another language, he
must consider various possible words to use and their
shades of meaning as well as all of the other elements of
the language. This effort opens a door allowing him to
communicate with many new people.
Suffering is like knowing a foreign language, since
things that one usually takes for granted in a normal
flow of life must be thought through in new ways in a
time of suffering. Also, when we think of our own suffering, it is well that we should think of Christ and His suffering exceeding sorrowful unto death (Mark 14:34) in
Gethsemane, His loneliness, prayers and being forsaken
by His disciples, His bloody sweat, the traitors kiss, the
binding, the blow in the face, the spitting, the mocking,
the scourging, the crown of thorns, the hours on the
cross, His being forsaken of God and the end. We can
never compare our suffering to that.
LIVING IT: If you are succeeding without suffering, someone suffered before you.
Mary McCalister
34
1 Peter 4:12-19
Fiery Trials
KEY VERSE: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings; that, when his glory shall
be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding
joy, 1 Peter 4:13.
When asked for an explanation of Malachi 3:3, He
shall sit as a refiner . . . of silver, the teacher related the
following example.
She had watched the silversmith as he held up a piece
of silver over a fire and let it heat up. He explained that
in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the
middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so as to
burn away all the impurities.
The teacher asked the silversmith if he had to sit
there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was
being refined. The answer was yes. He not only had to sit
there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on
the silver the entire time. If the silver was left a moment
too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The teacher then asked, How do you know when the
silver is fully refined?
He smiled at her and answered, Oh, thats easy
when I see my image in it.
The teacher pointed out, if God is holding us in such
a hot spot, it is because He wants to burn out the impurities in our lives. If you are feeling the heat of fiery
temptations, remember God has His eye on you and will
keep watching you.
LIVING IT: When God sees His image in you, He will know
the refining process has accomplished His will in your life.
Mary McCalister
35
2 Timothy 3:10-12
The Cost of Godliness

KEY VERSE: Yea, and all that live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution, 2 Timothy 3:12.
Have you ever visited an organ factory? The atmosphere there is far from musical. Bedlam, rather than
beauty, prevails. Organs mean melody and beauty, but
organ factories mean din and dirt. The instrument is built
for music, and music it will ultimately bring, but the
building where it is fashioned resounds more with racket
than rhythm. However, there could be no organs without
organ factories. Any instrument owes its existence to the
apparent commotion in the place of its creation.
The world is such a factory. In it, God is creating and
completing new men in Christ. The process, however,
might seem difficult and rough and will hit as heavily and
hurt as badly as the raps of the hammer in the organ shop.
Being a godly person means we will experience distressing circumstances. But, God never permits circumstances to buffet believers without reason. Paul said,
We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation
worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope (Rom. 5:3, 4).
God promises to help us through adversity and give
eventual victory over it (1 Cor. 10:13). Peter wrote the
trial of our faith was much more precious than gold (1
Peter 1:7). Paul also encouraged us, saying, the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared
with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:18).
LIVING IT: Cast all your care on God, knowing He cares for
you (1 Peter 5:7).
36
Romans 5:1-6
Thursday, January 1
Tribulation Worketh Patience

KEY VERSE: And not only so, but we glory in tribulations
also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience,
Romans 5:3.
This passage was referred to in yesterdays devotional. Today we will go into it in depth.
Being justified (verse 1), what a magnificent deliverance! Christ came. He lived. He died. He rose again. Now
He intercedes.
Being justified means we have peace with God. It
also means we have access to the grace of God. We glory
in tribulations (verse 3). How can that be? It can be
because we know tribulations give us staying power and
provide a basis for hope, a hope which does not disappoint.
Are you suffering tribulations because of your faith?
Remind yourself of Judes promise in verses 24 and 25,
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.
Whatever your problem, your trial or your temptation,
God is waiting to use His great power in your behalf.
Trust Him. He is big enough to help you. In any and every
emergency He will not fail you. He promises, Fear not: for
I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name;
thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I
will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not
overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou
shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon
thee. For I am the LORD thy God (Isa. 43:1-3).
BELIEVE IT: At the moment of our need, when we are
unable to help ourselves, God takes care of us.
Mary McCalister
37
Matthew 5:43-48
Friday, January 2
Reaction to Persecution
KEY VERSE: But I say unto you, Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, do good to them that
hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use
you, and persecute you, Matthew 5:44.
It is interesting that Matthew 5 is often called The
Beatitudes. We can make a play on that word and say
Christ gives the Christian instructions on their be attitudes. What should our attitudes be? We should be sensitive, be concerned, be compassionate, be loving, be
humble, be strong and be our best.
Developing the right attitude helps you love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who
hate you and pray for those who persecute you. Why is it
so important to develop these attitudes? Jesus taught
that it reflects to those around us that we are truly the
children of the Heavenly Father.
Jesus did not say having the right attitude would be
easy. It was not easy for Him. He had to endure being
called crazy by His brothers and a liar by His neighbors.
He had to endure being run out of town and out of the
Temple. It was not easy for Him to endure the suffering
of the cross and give His life as a payment for the sins of
the world.
No, it is not easy, but it is worth it. The promise is,
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,
pressed down, and shaken together, and running over
(Luke 6:38).
LIVING IT: Do you need an attitude adjustment? Do it and
you will be blessed.
Mary McCalister
38
James 1:2-4
Saturday, January 3
Count It All Joy!

KEY VERSE: Knowing this, that the trying of your faith
worketh patience, James 1:3.
Just how patient are you? Perhaps you need to learn
a little patience like a Christian worker who was attending a mission conference. Eager to learn all he could, he
came early enough to snag a front row seat.
As the speaker began, the listener was distracted by a
couple of voices in the back of the room. Two men were
mumbling to each other, and the listener seriously
thought of shooting a glare over his shoulder when the
speaker took time out to explain.
Forgive me, he said. I forgot to explain why the two
fellows at the back of the room are talking. One of them
is the pastor of a church in Romania. He is here to learn
more about our mission work. But he does not speak
English, so the other man is translating for him.
Can you imagine how everything changed? Patience
replaced impatience and brought with it understanding
(Prov. 11:12). It will behoove you that before you blow up,
listen up. Before you strike out, tune in. Perhaps God is
using this means to make you more patient. Always
remember every test, every trial, every tribulation, with
all the accompanying sorrow and disappointment, is a
God-given opportunity for growth in the Christian life.
It is possible to count it all joy (James 1:2) in trials.
Trials are not a sign of Gods displeasure. Trials are Gods
tool for bringing the Christian to full maturity, allowing
patience to have its perfect (maturing) work.
LIVING IT: Patience is letting your motor idle when you feel
like stripping the gears.
Mary McCalister
39
1 Peter 2:21-25
Sunday, January 4
Follow His Steps!

KEY VERSE: For even hereunto were ye called:
because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps, 1 Peter
2:21.
Someone you love and respect slams you to the floor
with a slur or slip of the tongue. And there you lie, wounded and bleeding. Perhaps the words were intended to hurt
you, perhaps not, but that does not matter. The wound is
therewounded pride and bruised feelings. Or, perhaps
someone to whom you have been witnessing cuts you off
with cruel, unjust words. The hurt is just the same.
To obtain healing, meditate on verse 23, which speaks
of Christ, Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again;
when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.
The instinctive response of the natural man to suffering is to seek revenge, to get even. But the child of God
should not follow these human instincts. Instead, Jesus
is our example to follow when the suffering we are called
to experience comes upon us. He put the situation in the
hands of God, trusting Him to be just and fair. We can
know God will ultimately right all wrongs, helping us
understand that our sense of being wronged can be put
to rest.
A life filled with suffering may seem like a lonesome
valley, but we can rest assured Christ is walking the road
with us, and He will sustain us. He promised He would be
with us to the end of the age.
LIVING IT: Follow Christs example and continually commit
the situation of suffering into Gods hands.
Mary McCalister
40
Luke 6:22, 23
Monday, January 5
The Blessing of Persecution

KEY VERSE: Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy:
for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the
like manner did their fathers unto the prophets,
Luke 6:23.
One of the most inspiring examples of courage in
Christian history was the martydom of Polycarp, who
was burned at the stake for his faith. The aged Polycarp
had been arrested by the Roman authorities and
brought to the arena for execution in front of the cheering crowd. The proconsul pressed him hard and said,
Swear, and I will release you. Revile Christ. Polycarp
replied, Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He
never did me wrong and how can I now blaspheme my
King that has saved me?
Does that sound like an occasion to rejoice and leap
for joy? Not from a fleshly standpoint, but spiritually it
can be done.
Martyrs Mirror, a book with over eleven hundred
pages of the history of martyrs, made this comment:
Various eminent writers have made mention of this
awful and lamentable deed of the Emperor Diocletian,
and they . . . wonder at two things: In the first place that
anyone who is at all a human being could commit such
great cruelties on his fellow men, as Diocletian inflicted
upon the Christians. In the second place, that the Christians, frail men as they were, could endure all this, and
not only this, but that many of them . . . manifested
great joy in their sufferings.
LIVING IT: If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be
also glorified together (Rom. 8:17).
Mary McCalister
41
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Tuesday, January 6
Spiritual Blindness
KEY VERSE: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light
of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of
God, should shine unto them, 2 Corinthians 4:4.
Many years ago a wealthy businessman, while on a
visit to England, was fascinated by a powerful microscope.
Looking through its lens to study crystals and the petals
of flowers, he was amazed at their beauty and detail. He
decided to purchase a microscope and take it back home.
He thoroughly enjoyed using it until one day he examined some food he was planning to eat for dinner. Much to
his dismay, he discovered that tiny living creatures were
crawling in it. Since he was especially fond of this particular food, he wondered what to do. Finally, he concluded
there was only one way out of his dilemmahe would
destroy the instrument that caused him to discover the
distasteful fact. So, he smashed the microscope to pieces.
This is how those who are blinded to their sinful condition by the god of this world react to the preaching of the
gospel. They do not want to hear that they are sinners, so
they reach out to destroy every witness who tries to
preach lest the light of the gospel should shine on them.
Many witnesses have overcome this opposition,
including missionaries who reached out to the Shapra
Indian tribe of Peru. The natives found that Christ made
a difference to those who became believers. One turned
from killing his enemies to holding them captive to teach
them of Christ.
LIVING IT: Reach the spiritually blind with the gospel, their
only hope.
Mary McCalister
42
Luke 24:49
Wednesday, January 7
Waiting For The Power

KEY VERSE: And, behold, I send the promise of my
Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of
Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on
high, Luke 24:49.
Waiting and tarrying are two words we often hate to
hear. What were the disciples to wait for? They were to
wait until the Holy Spirit came upon them with power
which came from God. How was this manifest? This was
manifest by cloven tongues as of fire (Acts 2:3, 4).
What happened as a result of the early church waiting? Jerusalem was full of excitement, and something
happened which had never happened before. All those
who heard the speakers were able to understand what
was being said, no matter what their language.
Modern progress has made it possible for somewhat
the same thing to happen today. In the United Nations,
a speaker can speak in his own language, and the hearers can, through interpreters, hear what he is saying in
their language.
Even better, the Bible is being translated in almost
every language on the earth. Truly, the command to go
into all the world is being fulfilled.
LIVING IT: Wait on the Lords direction and do what He
tells you to do.
Mary McCalister
43
Thursday, January 8
Focus on the Eternal!

KEY VERSE: For our light affliction, which is but for a
moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory, 2 Corinthians 4:17.
For some of my readers, the journey has been an
extremely long and stormy one. You have had to face
great difficulties along the way. You have shouldered the
burdens that few of us would readily carry. Perhaps you
have bid farewell to lifelong partners. You may have
been robbed of lifelong dreams. Your bodies do not measure up to what your spirit desires. You may have spouses or family who cannot tolerate your faith. Practically,
you may have bills that outnumber the paychecks and
challenges which outweigh your strength.
And, you are tired.
It is difficult for you to see that eternal city in the
midst of the storms. The desire to pull over to the side of
the road is enticing, even overwhelming. You want to go
on, but some days the road seems so long.
Reread these encouraging words from Paul, Our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. He goes on to
encourage us to look not at the things which are seen, . . .
but the things which . . . are eternal (verse 18).
Be encouraged by these words, knowing God never
said the journey would be easy, but He did say the
arrival would be worthwhile.
LIVING IT: Remember Abraham looked for a city whose
builder and maker was and is God.
Mary McCalister
44
Friday, January 9
Revealing Things of God

KEY VERSE: But God hath revealed them unto us by
his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the
deep things of God, 1 Corinthians 2:10.
A minister once looked across a field at a house and saw
what looked like a man pumping furiously at one of those
hand pumps. As the minister watched, the man continued
to pump at a tremendous rate. He seemed absolutely tireless, pumping on and on, up and down, without ever slowing in the slightest, much less stopping.
As he walked toward what he thought was a miraculous sight, he soon saw it was not a man at the pump, but
a wooden figure painted to look like a man. The arm
pumping so rapidly was hinged at the elbow and the hand
was wired to the handle. The water was pouring forth, but
not because the figure was pumping it. You see, it was an
artesian well, and the water was pumping the man.
In the same way you need to realize that, when you
see a man who is at work for God and producing results,
it is the Holy Spirit working through him, not the mans
effort that is giving results. All he needs to doand all
you have to dois keep your hand on the handle.
Paul calls such a person a spiritual person, who can
discern those things which are spiritual. To be such a
person, we need to remember it is easy to become so
involved in the world that nothing exists beyond it. We
must pray to have the mind of Christ. Only when He
controls us, are we safe from the demands of the world.
LIVING IT: God chooses, cleanses, molds, fills and uses.
Mary McCalister
45
1 John 4:1-3
Saturday, January 10
The Spirit Glorifies Jesus

KEY VERSE: Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every
spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in
the flesh is of God, 1 John 4:2.
These are scary times. Sometimes when you watch
previews of movies and some TV shows, you may wonder, What is happening to the world? Their scripts could
be based on Revelationearthquakes, horrifying beasts
rising out of the sea, dragons, fire raining down from
Heaven, grievous sores, pestilences and plagues. You
may wonder where they get their inspiration.
They get it from Satan. He has transformed himself
into an angel of light. His servants have transformed
themselves into ministers of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:1315). Jesus Himself warned us that false prophets would
arise and seek to lead astray even the very elect.
There was never a time when it was more important
to try the spirits (1 John 4:1). We must measure all the
spirits by the one true yardstick, the Bible.
The story is told of two lawyers on opposing sides of a
case. Thinking he would make a great impression on the
jury by quoting from the Bible, he said, concerning his
opponents client, We have it on the highest authority
that All that a man hath will he give for his life (Job 2:4).
The other lawyer knew the Bible better. He said, I am
very much impressed by the fact that my distinguished
colleague here regards as the highest authority the one
who said, All that a man hath will he give for his life.
You will find that this saying comes from the book of Job
and the one who utters it is the devil. And that is who he
regards as the highest authority!
LIVING IT: Do not be deceived by great speeches and
great crowds. Make sure Jesus Christ is preached.
Mary McCalister
46
Acts 1:4-11
Sunday, January 11
The Promise of the Father

KEY VERSE: But ye shall receive power, after that the
Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part
of the earth, Acts 1:8.
It is interesting to compare this passage in Acts with
Luke 24:46-49. God chose the same human author to
write bothLukeand they carry the same admonition: tarry ye . . . until and wait for the promise of the
Father. Let us see what we can learn from this that will
help govern our own lives.
1. Power. We can do nothing in Christian experience
in our own power. We must wait for God to empower us.
2. Knowledge. We must have a knowledge of what we
are to do. Jesus told His hearers, It is not for you to
know the times or the seasons (Acts 1:7). What, then,
did they, and do we, need to know? We must know Christ
has the power to forgive sins (Matt. 9:6). More than that,
we must know we have passed from death to life (John
5:24).
3. Our missionto witness. What a scope this commission was! It was from Jerusalem to the uttermost
part of the earth. You can find plenty of room to witness.
The field certainly is not crowded.
4. Let God make us ready. Perhaps there is a young
man who has answered Gods call to preach. He is impatient to get to work. Seminary seems like such a drag.
But, as Paul told Timothy, there is a time of preparation
(2 Tim. 2:15). Whom God calls, He qualifies. Whom He
qualifies, He uses.
LIVING IT: Remember Pauls admonition, that in all things
He might have the preeminence (Col. 1:18).
Mary McCalister
47
Isaiah 25:8, 9
Monday, January 12
Death Swallowed by Life

KEY VERSE: He will swallow up death in victory; and
the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces;
and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from
off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it, Isaiah
25:8.
Death, what is it? To many humans it is the most
fearful thing they will ever face. Some peoples fear of
death is so strong they spend tens of thousands of dollars to have their bodies frozen at the time of death.
Their hope is they might be revived to live again when a
cure is found for whatever killed them.
The words in this passage are both prophetic and triumphant. Paul cites this passage in 1 Corinthians 15:54.
He continues: 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 Cor.
15:55, 57).
The child of God does not need to fear death because
Christ has given him victory over it. For him, death is the
beginning of living eternally with his Savior.
A boy and his father were traveling in a car when a bee
flew through an open window. The boy was so highly allergic to bee stings that both knew his life was in danger. As
the boy frantically jumped around trying to avoid the bee,
the father calmly reached out and grabbed the bee. Look,
son, he said, holding up a hand with an implanted stinger,
his stinger is gone. He cant hurt you any longer.
Just so, Christ, when he died on the cross, took the
sting out of death for the believer.
BELIEVE IT: Trust in Christ banishes our fear of death.
Mary McCalister
48
Isaiah 51:11-13
Tuesday, January 13
Everlasting Joy
KEY VERSE: Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall
return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain
gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall
flee away, Isaiah 51:11.
There is little we can experience which can give us
any sense of the everlasting. If you have raised children,
you know this all too well. A child can come home from
school, literally jumping for joy because he has made a
new friend. Then, in almost the next moment he can be
reduced to tears because that friend has betrayed him. A
child has no concept of anything being everlasting.
The phrase everlasting joy is found only three times in
the Old Testament and only used by Isaiah. This phrase
is not used at all in the New Testament. So we need to
take a closer look at it to understand why Isaiah used it.
He used it in Isaiah 35:10, speaking of the ransomed of
the Lord coming to Zion with songs and everlasting joy.
The second occurrence is in the passage we are studying,
and the third is in Isaiah 61:7.
Of course, Christ could walk on water then, and, if He
were here today, He could still walk on water. But, the
most powerful event we can all experience is the power
of faith which leads us to believe and trust in Him.
Doing this will bring us everlasting joy now and forever.
LIVING IT: Know Christ is all-powerful and put your faith
and trust in Him.
Mary McCalister
49
Matthew 7:7-11
Principles of Prayer
KEY VERSE: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and
ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto
you, Matthew 7:7.
A parable is told of a man who challenged God. Burn
the bush like you did for Moses, God. And I will follow.
Collapse the walls like you did for Joshua, God. And I
will fight. Still the waves like you did on Galilee, God.
And I will listen.
And so the man sat by a bush, near a wall, close to the
sea and waited for God to speak. And God heard the man,
so God answered. He sent fire, not for a bush, but for a
church. He brought down a wall, not of brick, but of sin.
He stilled a storm, not of the sea, but of a soul. And God
waited for the man to respond, and waited and waited.
But, because the man was looking at bushes not
hearts, bricks and not lives, seas and not souls, he decided God had done nothing.
How about you? Are you asking but not believing? Are
you seeking but have no spiritual vision? Are you knocking but not expecting the door to be opened?
A tavern was being built in a town that until then had
been dry. A group of members in a certain church opposed
this and began an all-night prayer meeting asking God to
intervene. Lightning struck the tavern building burning
it to the ground. The owner sued the church claiming they
were responsible. The church hired a lawyer claiming
they were not responsible. The judge said, No matter
how this comes out, one thing is clear. The tavern owner
believes in prayer and the church does not.
LIVING IT: Pray much in private and keep your public
prayers short.
50
Hebrews 4:14-16
Thursday, January 15
Come Boldly to the Throne!

KEY VERSE: Let us therefore come boldly unto the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find
grace to help in time of need, Hebrews 4:16.
What does it mean to come boldly to the throne of
grace? If we learn this, we will have taken great strides
toward successful praying.
We must pray according to His Word. Jesus instructed us to pray, Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name (Matt. 6:9). Any prayer that does not
acknowledge the position of God is a futile prayer.
We must pray according to His will (1 John 5:14, 15).
This further acknowledges the position of God in our
lives. God is the giver of all perfect gifts, and He stands
ready to give us everything we need.
We must pray according to our need. Paul testified
that God would supply all our need (Phil. 4:19), so when
we recognize and express that need, we can have confidence in God to supply it.
Most ancient rulers were unapproachable by the common people. Some would not even allow their highestranking officials to come before them without permission. You may be familiar with the account of Esther who
risked her life in approaching King Ahasuerus without
invitation, even though she was his wife (Esther 5:1, 2).
By Christs sacrifice of Himself, Gods throne of judgment is turned into a throne of grace for those who trust
in Him. Any person can now come with boldness, confidence and assurance knowing he will be received with
grace and mercy.
LIVING IT: Come to Gods throne of grace boldly.
Mary McCalister
51
Hebrews 7:25, 26
Friday, January 16
Our Eternal Intercessor

KEY VERSE: Wherefore he is able also to save them
to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing
he ever liveth to make intercession for them,
Hebrews 7:25.
The name of this book, in part, explains the approach
the writer takes as he explains the deep meaning of all
Christ did for sinners. The Jews would have understood
what was meant by saying Christ would make intercession for those who came to God.
Jews could not approach God directly. They needed
the priest to go to God for them. Of course, the priest,
like everyone else, was not perfect. He was but a picture
of the perfect One who was to come, the eternal One who
could make intercessionbe the go-betweenfor man
before God.
Humanistic religion says, I can do it myself. As the
child who wants to do a certain task by himself and
makes a mess of it, mankind cannot save himself. He
only makes a mess of it.
If the circumstance should arise, how would you choose
a lawyer to be your intercessor? You would look at his
office wall and see how many law degrees he had and
where he obtained them. You would interview him to
make sure you felt confident in him. You would ask how
many cases he had won? You would make sure he had
time to handle your case.
What can we learn about our divine Intercessor? He
is able. He is holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from
sinners and exalted above the heavens. He constantly is
interceding for us before the Father. We can be blameless
because He is blameless.
LIVING IT: We have been saved, we are being saved, we
will be saved because of our Intercessor.
Mary McCalister
52
1 John 5:14-16
Keys to Answered Prayer

KEY VERSE: And this is the confidence that we have
in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will,
he heareth us, 1 John 5:14.
Perhaps to have a greater understanding of this chapter in 1 John, you first need to read chapter 4. In it, John
emphasizes love, mentioning it twenty-four times. Then,
he progresses from love to what we know, stressing what
we know at least seven times. He makes this progression
because knowing God and seeking to walk in His truth
finds fulfillment in the truth that if we know that he hear
us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him (verse 15).
We understand the meaning of confidence, but it
helps when we understand the word used here carries
with it the meaning of boldness. We can have enough
confidence in Christ that we can ask anything which is
according to His will and He will hear us. Do you sometimes think, I do not want to bother God with this. It is
not important to anyone but me. Sometimes that may
be true, but always remember everything about you is
important to God.
I convinced a good friend of mine that God would help
with even the small things, so one time she put it to the
test. Her husband was difficult to get along with, and
one morning she was hurrying to sew a button on a shirt
when she dropped the needle. She looked for it frantically to no avail. Then she remembered what I had told
her. She calmed down and prayed for God to help her
find the needle. Behold, there it was, right where she
had dropped it.
BELIEVE IT: The measure of any Christian is his prayer life.
Mary McCalister
53
1 Peter 1:6-8
Sunday, January 18
Sorrow Becomes Joy

KEY VERSE: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom,
though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice
with joy unspeakable and full of glory, 1 Peter 1:8.
In the 1980s, Northern Nevada was the site of a gold
strike. The discovery would have been beyond the imagination of 19th century prospectors, for the gold in those
western hills is virtually invisible. Even after being magnified fifteen hundred times, most of the particles remain
imperceptible. Modern technology, however, has found a
way to extract the gold. Tons of ore are crushed to the consistency of fine sand. Cyanide is added to dissolve the
granules into a clear solution. Zinc dust is blended in, separating the gold from the mixture. Though it could not be
seen, the gold was there all the time.
How is it possible for us to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (verse 8) when we have not seen
Him? Like the gold in Nevada, He has been there all the
time. It is up to us to love Him, to trust and believe in
Him.
Paul told us how to accomplish this in Colossians 3:1, 2.
If he had been writing in modern vernacular, he might
have said it like this, Do not shuffle along, eyes to the
ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you.
Look up, and become familiar with the things related to
Christthat is where the action is. See things from His
perspective.
How can grief and joy be experienced simultaneously?
Grief is a natural product of living in this world. Joy
comes as a result of that grief, or trial. We rejoice that
God has counted us worthy.
LIVING IT: Yes, there can be joy in suffering if you are suffering for your faith.
Mary McCalister
54
John 17:7-10
Monday, January 19
Jesus Prayed for His Own

KEY VERSE: I pray for them: I pray not for the world,
but for them which thou hast given me; for they are
thine, John 17:9.
This is truly the Lords Prayer, not the Model Prayer
we find in Matthew 6, commonly called the Lords Prayer.
When Jesus said, I pray not for the world, He was
not negating an earlier statement, I am not come to call
the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Matt. 9:13).
This was a special occasion and a special prayer.
Jesus prayed many times, but His prayers are not
recorded. This time, however, He prayed in the presence
of His disciples openly so they would have a better
understanding of His life, His desire and His purpose.
Of course, Jesus knew something His disciples did not
knowthat this would be His last night with them before
His crucifixion. He had His followers on His heart, as He
still has all His followers on His heart. But His position
now is that of Mediator and Intercessor (John 17:12, 20;
Heb. 7:25).
Every believer should live for Christ before his fellowmen that the world may know and believe what we have
discoveredthe peace, joy, forgiveness, salvation, hope
and ultimate glory of the redeemed soul is available to
every believer.
Every believer should take great comfort in studying
Christs prayer. Knowing we are always on His heart can
be encouraging to us and will help us live out our Christian lives so those around us will be moved by our testimony.
LIVING IT: It is time for Christians to be Christians 24/7.
There is no time off for good behavior.
Mary McCalister
55
John 17:25, 26
Tuesday, January 20
Loving Like Jesus

KEY VERSE: And I have declared unto them thy name,
and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast
loved me may be in them, and I in them, John 17:26.
A man who had been the superintendent of a city rescue mission for forty years was asked why he had spent
his life working with dirty, unkempt, profane, drunken
derelicts. He said, All Im doing is giving back to others
a little of the love God has shown to me.
A little later, seeking Gods will for his life, he felt the
Lord calling him to go back to the gutter and reach the
people still wallowing there. The power of redeeming
love enabled him to carry on his ministry for forty years.
This is the kind of love meant when Christ ended His
prayer, that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may
be in them. This is Gods love which is unconditional. A
father, trying to explain unconditional love to his son,
used this example. Two little boys who lived next door
got a cute little puppy for Christmas. But they treated it
badly, teasing it, throwing sticks and rocks at it. Yet, the
puppy would always greet them with a wagging tail and
try to lick their faces. The boys certainly did not deserve
such love, but the puppy loved them anyway.
This is a good example of Christs unconditional love.
Men treated Him badly during His earthly ministry, and
finally, He experienced the death of the cross. Yet, His
dying words were Father, forgive them; for they know
not what they do (Luke 23:34).
LIVING IT: Show the love of God to those you meet.
Mary McCalister
56
Revelation 5:9-14
Thou Art Worthy

KEY VERSE: Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the
Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches,
and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory,
and blessing, Revelation 5:12.
Napoleon Bonaparte is credited with saying: I marvel that whereas the ambitious dreams of myself, Caesar, Alexander, will all vanish into thin air, a Judean
peasant, Jesus is able to stretch His hands across the
destinies of men and nations.
I know men, and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no
mere man. Between Him and every other person in the
world there is no possible comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I myself have founded empires;
but upon what do these creations of our genius depend?
Upon force. Jesus alone founded His empire upon love;
and to this very day millions would die for Him.
Indeed, we can agree with those gathered around the
throne in Heaven, saying, Worthy is the Lamb that was
slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and
strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing (verse 5).
And one day Every creature which is in heaven, and on
the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the
sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing,
and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and
ever (verse 13). What a day that will be!
LIVING IT: Look forward with great longing to the day
when Jesus Christ will no longer be a byword.
Mary McCalister
57
1 John 5:19, 20
God and the World

KEY VERSE: And we know that we are of God, and the
whole world lieth in wickedness, 1 John 5:19.
This chapter speaks of what we can know, but dismisses the world in one clause, And the whole world lieth in
wickedness. What does this condition do to the unbeliever? C.H. Spurgeon wrote: Imagine that you are in a round
tower with slits in the walls used for shooting through
with guns. Now imagine that you are whirled around the
inner circumference. Would you appreciate the beauties of
the surrounding landscape? No. But there are openings in
the wall. Yes, but your eyes are set for objects near and do
not have the time to adjust to distance as you are whirled
past the slits. It would be as if the wall were solid.
So it is with earthly living. The near and earthly wall
obstructs the view. An occasional slit is left open, perhaps
a Sunday sermon or a passage read from the Bible. Heaven might be seen through these, but the eye which is set
for the earthly cannot adjust itself to higher things during such momentary glimpses. So long has the soul looked
upon the world, that when it is turned for a moment heavenward, it feels only a quiver of inarticulate light. Unless
you pause and look steadfastly, you will not see or retain
any distinct impression of the things that are eternal.
It is dangerous to invest in the things of this world.
Jesus foretold the end of the prince of this world (John
12:31). Satan lost the battle at Calvary, but he will not
accept that loss. He will continue to deceive people until
the time he is bound and cast into the bottomless pit
(Rev. 20:3).
LIVING IT: The world has nothing for the child of God.
Mary McCalister
58
Luke 8:38, 39
Friday, January 23
Witness to the World

KEY VERSE: Return to thine own house, and shew
how great things God hath done unto thee. And he
went his way, and published throughout the whole
city how great things Jesus had done unto him,
Luke 8:39.
How do you feel when you encounter someone who is
obviously not in his right mind? Ones first inclination is to
turn the other way, to cross to the other side of the street.
While looking for a fresh and interesting approach to
this devotional, there was found a commentary on Luke.
Guess what? This commentary covered Luke 8:4-15; then
skipped to Luke 8:41. A comment on this devotional was:
Then came the storm and His Divine control of it, His miracle in Gadara, and His return to Capernaum. That is all.
The event of his healing was no doubt of far greater
importance to the man who was healed. What a change
Jesus made in this mans life! The people found the man,
out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet
of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind (Luke 8:35).
What was this mans desire? It was to be with Jesus.
We can all understand that. But Jesus had a greater
mission for him. He told him to return to his home and
tell his family what great things God had done for him.
We would all love to sit at Jesus feet and be taught by
Him, but that is not His purpose for us in this age. His
purpose is for us to show the world what great things
God has done for us.
LIVING IT: We are the epistles of Christ. What is the message we give the world?
Mary McCalister
59
Philippians 2:14-16
Hold Forth the Word of Life

KEY VERSE: Holding forth the word of life; that I may
rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in
vain, neither laboured in vain, Philippians 2:16.
The story is told of a Christian who was reduced to
such poverty that he had only one pair of shoes with the
soles worn through and his toes sticking out. Depressed
and discouraged, he walked down the street mumbling
to himself, I might as well be barefooted as to wear
these miserable, uncomfortable shoes.
As he felt himself becoming more and more bitter, he
came upon a man sitting on the sidewalk begging. The
poor fellow had no legs. After a moment, the discouraged
Christian realized there was something worse than having old shoeshaving no feet upon which to wear the
shoes.
Paul was explicit here and made a very vivid contrast
between the complainer and the blameless, harmless sons
of God. You cannot be a good witness by complaining. You
are a good witness only when you hold forth, or hold out,
the Word of life to those who need it so badly.
It is all about witnessing, is it not? Paul told us we can
shine as lights in the world (verse 15). Paul was concerned about himself, that he not run in vain. That
should be our concern, too.
LIVING IT: Let your light so shine before men (Matt. 5:16).
Mary McCalister
60
Philippians 2:9-11
Sunday, January 25
Jesus Is Glorified
KEY VERSE: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted
him, and given him a name which is above every
name, Philippians 2:9.
Preachers of the truth are often humiliated for the
truth they preach. They do not have the most beautiful
buildings, the largest congregations or the biggest
salaries.
But, they do have one consolationthat one day
everyone will agree with them. Some day every tongue
will make it unanimous that Jesus Christ is Lord. It will
be too late for the salvation of most of them, but our Lord
will receive universal homage.
That day will vindicate our faith in Him in the eyes of
all creation. We can afford to wait for that, but no unbeliever can afford to wait.
The Lordship of Christ is the center of our faith. The
believers confession is, Jesus Christ is Lord (verse 11).
One day the universe will make it final. It is never a
question of will you confess Him as Lord? But when?
Now, while you may be saved, or then when it will be too
late. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every
knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to
God (Rom. 14:11).
The exaltation of Christ includes sovereign authority
over all creatures in heaven, on earth and under the
earth. There will be no limits to the glorification of our
blessed Redeemer.
LIVING IT: The heart of the deeper Christian life is making
Jesus Lord.
Mary McCalister
61
John 18:3-11
Monday, January 26
Betrayed and Arrested

KEY VERSE: Judas then, having received a band of men
and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees,
cometh thither with lanterns and torches and
weapons, John 18:3.
It is common for a person who has been arrested for a
crime to turn states evidence. In return for a guilty plea
and a lighter sentence, the criminal will agree to testify
against another person charged with a similar crime.
Jesus did not seek to mount a defense at His trial before
the Sanhedrin Court. Those who testified against the Lord
did not have any real evidence against Him. It was a mock
trial because there was only one outcome that would satisfy the Lords accuserscrucifixion. They were willing to
let a convicted criminal go free so Jesus could be put to
death. Jesus did not seek to avoid the cross. He willingly
gave His life on the cross so that whosoever called upon
Him would be saved.
Jesus set the events into motion that led to His arrest.
Judas, one of the Lords disciples, betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver. He sold the Lord out for the price of a
slave. Judas betrayal was not the reason Jesus was put
to death. It was not nails, but it was the sins of humanity that nailed Jesus to the cross. It was His love for sinners that kept Him on the cross. While Jesus hung on the
cross, you were on His mind. The Lord so loved you that
He was willing to die on the cross so that you could have
eternal life.
JUST A THOUGHT: Jesus died for you. Live for Him!
Marc Shultz
62
John 18:15-23
Tuesday, January 27
Denied and Abandoned

KEY VERSE: But Peter stood at the door without.
Then went out that other disciple, which was known
unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept
the door, and brought in Peter, John 18:16.
A friend in high school had both a love and hate relationship with the schools football team. He would yell as
loudly as anyone at the pep rally and attended most of
the home games. He would proudly support the team as
long as they won that weeks game. When they lost, he
would criticize both the coaches and players and vowed
to never attend another game. He was a fan only when
it was convenient.
Simon Peter followed the Lord to the palace of the high
priest but not too closely. As concerned as he was about
what would happen to the Lord, he was also concerned for
his own safety. He was not open about his commitment to
the Lord because it was inconvenient to do so.
Some Christians only follow the Lord when it is convenient. They abandon their Christian walk when the
flesh seems more appealing. They abandon serving the
Lord when they suffer persecution. They are not public
about their commitment to the Lord if their profession of
faith leads to criticism.
Christians should proudly proclaim their faith in the
Lord and publicly serve Him. Those who follow the Lord
only when it is convenient are not faithful. Faithful
Christians follow Jesus even when it is inconvenient.
JUST A THOUGHT: Do not be a fair-weather Christian.
Follow the Lord no matter the circumstances.
Marc Shultz
63
Matthew 26:33-35
Peters Empty Boast

KEY VERSE: Peter said unto him, Though I should die
with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said
all the disciples, Matthew 26:35.
Richard was the bully of the junior high school. He
threatened almost every student at one time or another
especially during physical education class. One student
boasted in the locker room that he would take care of
Richard. In reality he did all he could to avoid Richard.
He was all brag and no action.
Simon Peter desired to give his all to follow the Lord.
Unfortunately, his desires often did not result in action.
Simon Peter protested when Jesus said he would deny
Him. His desire was sincere, but his flesh was weak. In
the end he gave in to the flesh and denied ever knowing
Jesus. His boasting was nothing more than empty words.
Discipleship is not proven by words but is proven by
actions. Jesus asked His disciples to deny the flesh, take
up their cross and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). Sincere
desires accomplish nothing. It requires effort to complete
any task. Simon Peter said he was willing to die for the
Lord. When the opportunity came to prove his desires by
his actions, he did not have the courage to do what he said
he would do.
Peters failure to live up to his words did not disqualify him from serving the Lord. The disciple overcame
that one failure, rededicated his life and got busy serving Jesus. God does not expect perfection, but He does
expect faithfulness.
JUST A THOUGHT: Do not be a wisher but be a doer.
Marc Shultz
64
Mark 14:32-42
Praying and Sleeping

KEY VERSE: And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou?
couldest not thou watch one hour? Mark 14:37.
I wanted to stay awake until midnight to see in the
New Year. I lay in bed watching television and counting
down the minutes until midnight. I drank a couple of
cold drinks hoping the caffeine would keep me awake. I
looked at the clock; it was 11:45 p.m. The next thing I
knew it was 12:30 a.m. I had drifted off to sleep and
missed seeing in the New Year.
Jesus knew the time of His death was near. He
entered the Garden of Gethsemane for a time of prayer.
He asked Peter, James and John to watch and make sure
He was not disturbed. They were physically tired and
found it impossible to stay awake. The disciples should
have prayed for strength to remain awake.
What Christians find impossible to do on their own,
God can give the strength to accomplish. Jesus prayed
for strength to face the agony of the cross. He found His
strength in prayer. Peter, James and John could have
found the same strength if they had prayed to the
Father. They slept rather than praying.
Rather than making excuses for the failure of the
flesh, Christians should pray for strength to do Gods
will. With Gods help it is possible to overcome the flesh.
JUST A THOUGHT: Pray for strength to do Gods will, and
you will not have to pray for forgiveness for neglecting
His will.
Marc Shultz
65
Colossians 1:12-14
Friday, January 30
The Kingdom of His Son

KEY VERSE: Who hath delivered us from the power of
darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom
of his dear Son, Colossians 1:13.
Kelly sat nervously as she was about to meet her new
adoptive parents for the first time. While she was glad to
be leaving the orphanage, she was anxious about the
family she was going to join. When her new mother
entered the room she exclaimed, There is my precious
little girl. With these words her fears dissolved. She was
glad to be part of her new family.
Christians experience something similar when they
first accept Jesus as Savior. Through the process of spiritual adoption, they are translated from children of the
flesh into the family of God. While God becomes their
Father, they have countless new brothers and sisters in
the faith. They are precious in the Lords sight because
they have accepted Him as Savior.
As children seek to please their earthly father, Christians should seek to please their Heavenly Father. God
has declared His love for His children, giving His only
begotten Son to die for their sins. He welcomes everyone
who believes on His Son into His family. Considering
what God has done for His children, they should seek to
walk worthy of His love by exhibiting faithfulness,
patience and joy. Children of God should never fail to
give thanks to God for being a part of His family. The
Heavenly Father never abandons His children.
JUST A THOUGHT: Being a part of Gods family makes
life more enjoyable.
Marc Shultz
66
Psalm 2:6-12
My King
KEY VERSE: Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill
of Zion, Psalm 2:6.
The day after I voted in my first presidential election,
I was not happy. The candidate I supported lost the election by a close vote. The new president-elect did not
share most of my values. I had to accept the fact that he
would be my president even though he was not my first
choice. When his term of office was over, I realized that
life in the country had not changed drastically.
Things did change in my life when I accepted the Lord
as my Savior. The King of kings was now the one who led
my life. My attitudes changed. I loved reading the Bible
and praying to God. I experienced a sweeter fellowship
with other children of God. I had a hope I had never experienced before. I experienced a new joy. I experienced a
new zeal for spiritual things.
Submission to the Lords leadership is never easy.
Jesus willingly accepted His Fathers leadership by
accepting His destiny with Calvarys cross. In the Garden of Gethsemane He prayed, Not my will, but thine,
be done (Luke 22:42). Christians who make Jesus the
Lord of their lives will always yield to His leadership,
even when it conflicts with their own selfish desires.
Submission to Jesus leadership is not an automatic
result of accepting Jesus as Savior. It is a personal commitment individual Christians must renew every day.
The proof is seen in obedience to Gods will.
JUST A THOUGHT: There is no king like Jesus.
Marc Shultz
67
Matthew 26:52-54
Sunday, February 1
He Willingly Died
KEY VERSE: Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to
my Father, and he shall presently give me more than
twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:53.
Jesus prophesied concerning His own death on the
cross and resurrection from the grave. Even then it was
difficult for many believers to accept. It violated the laws
of nature. Once a person died, he was supposed to remain
dead. It was difficult for the disciples to accept because
they had spent much time with Jesus during His earthly
ministry. The tendency of the flesh was for them to
attempt to protect Jesus from physical harm. Simon Peter
took a sword and cut off the ear of a guard who sought to
arrest Jesus. The Lord rebuked him for his impulsive
actions and restored the ear on the mans head. Jesus
would not fight His arrest or death on the cross.
The animals offered on the altar in the Tabernacle did
not have the ability to choose whether or not to be a sacrifice. Jesus on the other hand chose to become our sin
sacrifice. Jesus willingly left the glory of Heaven to come
to earths gloom and took upon Himself the form of
wretched flesh. He did not defend Himself when wrongfully arrested and tried for crimes He did not commit. He
meekly allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross and died
without guile. He did not summon the twelve legions of
angels who could have rescued Him from His agony.
JUST A THOUGHT: Jesus willingly died for you. Have you
willing accepted Him as Savior?
Marc Shultz
68
John 19:1-3
Monday, February 2
Crowned with Thorns

KEY VERSE: And the soldiers platted a crown of
thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a
purple robe, John 19:2.
American soldiers who are wounded in action are
awarded the Purple Heart. It is considered a badge of
honor to the soldier who placed himself in harms way to
protect America freedoms.
Jesus proclaimed Himself as King of the Jews. He did
not wish an earthly throne but a spiritual throne in the
hearts of believers. Jesus did not sit on a physical throne
wearing a crown of jewels during His earthly ministry.
He was modest in appearance and humble in attitude.
He did not travel with the pomp and circumstance of
other kings. He sought to seek and save those who were
lost. What was His reward? His reward was a crown of
thorns.
The Lords accusers saw His claim to be King of the
Jews as treason. The only crown of which they believed
Him worthy was a crown of thorns. Jesus wore the crown
of thorns with dignity.
Jesus deserves more honor than any other king. No
other king has had the impact on the world that King
Jesus has had. His birth was heralded from the beginning of time. Most people ignored Him, but some sought
Him harm. He was not afforded a state funeral but
buried in a borrowed tomb. The trappings of power did
not matter to Jesus. His desire was to do the will of the
Father who sent Him.
JUST A THOUGHT: Bow to the authority of King Jesus,
and pray His will be done.
Marc Shultz
69
John 19:31-37
Tuesday, February 3
Pierced for Us
KEY VERSE: But one of the soldiers with a spear
pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood
and water, John 19:34.
A tomb in Arlington National Cemetery holds the
remains of unidentified American soldiers who died in
war. The inscription on the tomb reads, Known only to
God. Their names are not publicly known. They died in
defense of American freedoms. Their sacrifice was one of
love.
Jesus death on the cross was a sacrifice of love. He
gave His life on the cross so whosoever believeth on Him
would have eternal life. Few accepted His claim to deity.
Jesus was viewed as a troublemaker rather than the Son
of God. He did not die for Himself. He was innocent of sin,
and, therefore, did not deserve death, the penalty for sin.
The malefactors who were crucified with Jesus were executed for their own sins. Jesus died for the sins of
humanity. Blood flowed from His body when pierced with
the soldiers spear. His shed blood cleanses from all sins.
The pain Jesus suffered from His pierced side paled
in comparison to His anguish over sin. Only the Lords
love for sinners is greater than His hatred of sin. The
weight of the sins of all humanity was placed on Jesus
shoulders as He hung on the cross. It was not the dictate
of a godless government that put Jesus to death. He willingly died so that sinners might have eternal life.
JUST A THOUGHT: Jesus carried a cross for you. What
have you done for Him?
Marc Shultz
70
Wednesday, February 4
The Preaching of the Cross

KEY VERSE: For the preaching of the cross is to them
that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved
it is the power of God, 1 Corinthians 1:18.
Christopher Columbus sailed to the New World to
prove a radical theory. The common belief in Columbus
day was the world was flat. It was included in some religious doctrines. Christopher Columbus declared the
world was round. Most people considered him an imbecile for this belief. Even though ridiculed, Christopher
Columbus proved himself right.
To the unbeliever, Jesus death on the cross was nothing but an execution. To them it is a waste of time to
preach Jesus and Him crucified. They are mistaken. The
preaching of the cross convicts sinners of their need for
repentance and faith in Christ as Savior. The preaching
of the cross shows the way to salvation. The preaching of
the cross is the most important message ever heard.
The preaching of the cross must not be watered down
with human wisdom. To compromise the message of the
gospel is to make the preaching of the cross of none
effect. Human philosophy cannot save a soul. Human
psychology cannot bring peace with God. The message of
the gospel is simple. Jesus died for our sins, was buried
and rose from the grave the third day. Any other gospel
is not of God. Any other gospel cannot bring souls to
Christ. No other gospel is to be preached.
JUST A THOUGHT: We do not need a new gospel. We
need to proclaim the gospel message given by God.
Marc Shultz
71
Galatians 6:14
Thursday, February 5
Glory in the Cross

KEY VERSE: But God forbid that I should glory, save
in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the
world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world,
Galatians 6:14.
The death of Jesus on the cross evokes a variety of
opinions. Some people claim it never happened. Others
admit Jesus died on the cross but did not rise from the
grave on the third day. Some look upon the death of
Jesus as an ordinary execution. None of these opinions
carry the weight of truth.
As gruesome as the death of Jesus on the cross might
appear to the flesh, it is a necessary part of Gods redemptive plan for humanity. The hill called Golgotha witnessed
the greatest hope of humanity. Calvary became a place of
victory rather than a hill of death. If not for the blood
Jesus shed on Calvary, there would be no hope of eternal
life in Heaven for believers.
There was nothing special about the cross upon which
Jesus died. The cross was not made of beautiful, pristine
wood but rugged pieces of lumber. What was special was
what happened on that cross. There should be pride in the
preaching of the cross because the worlds darkest hour
led to humanitys greatest hope. Any church that does not
preach the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ
according to the Scriptures is not faithful to biblical doctrine. Christians should not hesitate to preach the cross
of Jesus Christ. The way of the cross leads to Heaven.
JUST A THOUGHT: The story of the cross is the story of

love.
Marc Shultz
72
Colossians 1:20
Friday, February 6
Peace Through the Cross

KEY VERSE: And, 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, Colossians 1:20.
A soldier who was wounded in the D-Day invasion of
World War II was haunted by the battle. He was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. He revisited the battleground on the fiftieth anniversary of the
invasion. It was then he remembered the reason for the
battle and found the peace that had eluded him.
True peace eludes many people. Their attempts to find
peace through materialism and emotionalism are without
avail. It is not until they accept the Savior who died on
the cross that they find the peace they have been missing.
The cross of Jesus Christ brings peace to believers. It is
the peace of knowing Christ as Savior and knowing nothing can separate them from the love of God. It is the peace
of knowing Jesus who died on the cross is still working in
the lives of believers today. It is the peace of knowing this
same Savior will one day return for His children. It is the
peace of knowing the Savior who lovingly died on the
cross for sinners is still saving souls today.
When stresses and sorrows make life difficult,
remember the cross. Jesus suffered much more than we
ever have. When discouragement has robbed you of the
joy of life, remember the cross. Jesus died that we would
have abundant life.
JUST A THOUGHT: Know God, know peace. No God, no
peace.
Marc Shultz
73
Colossians 2:14
Saturday, February 7
Nailed to the Cross

KEY VERSE: 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,
Colossians 2:14.
A man went to a hospital business office to make
arrangements to pay his bill. He had undergone experimental heart surgery that was not covered by insurance.
He did not know how he would ever be able to pay the
hundreds of thousands of dollars. He was told he owed
nothing. A charity set up by the hospital would take care
of the charges.
Sinners owe a great debt because of sin. The wages of
sin is death (Rom. 6:23). The debt must be paid for sinners to have peace with God. The sinless Son of God paid
the debt on behalf of sinners by dying on the cross. The
shed blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sinspast,
present and future.
Jesus love for humanity held Him to the cross. The
sins of humanity nailed Him to the cross. If not for sin,
it would have been unnecessary for Jesus to die on the
cross. The sins of all humanity were covered by the blood
Jesus shed on Calvary. There is not a sin the blood of
Jesus is powerless to forgive. King David was forgiven
for committing murder. Saul of Tarsus was forgiven for
persecuting Christians. Simon Peter was forgiven for
cursing the Lords name.
JUST A THOUGHT: Have you accepted Jesus payment in
full for your sins?
Marc Shultz
74
1 Peter 3:18
Sunday, February 8
He Bore His Cross

Bringing Us to God
KEY VERSE: For Christ also hath once suffered for
sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to
God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened
by the Spirit, 1 Peter 3:18.
Even though Jesus is the sinless Son of God, it does
not mean He is exempt from suffering because of sin. His
anguish over sin was seen in the Garden of Gethsemane.
He was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death (Mark
14:34). He felt the pain of the crown of thorns and the
nails in His hands. He willingly suffered for sinners.
Jesus suffered for sins. His death on the cross was
made necessary because of the sins of humanity. He did
not die for Himself because He is without sin. He died
that sinners might live. Jesus suffered once for sins. His
blood covered all sins for all people for all time. He died
once on the cross and His blood cleanses from all sins.
Jesus died for all sinners, the just and the unjust. Forgiveness of sin is offered to everyone. It is obtained
through repentance of sins. Jesus suffered on the cross to
bring peace with the Father. No one comes to the Father
but through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). The only way to
eternal life in Heaven is through the death of Jesus Christ
on the cross. Jesus Christ bore our sins on the cross so that
sinners could receive the gift of God, eternal life.
JUST A THOUGHT: Jesus bore the pain of your sins so
that you could be set free from the guilt of sin.
Marc Shultz
75
Matthew 27:59-66
Monday, February 9
Secured, Sealed and Guarded

KEY VERSE: Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch:
go your way, make it as sure as ye can, Matthew
27:65.
A passenger train passed through a particular town
at 11:00 a.m. each day. The tracks brought the train
along a backyard habitat of a German shepherd dog.
Each day, when the train passed, the dog would run
along the fence line barking ferociously. It was an exercise in futility because the dog could not prevent the
train from passing by his backyard.
Jesus was not shy about proclaiming His own death,
burial and resurrection. His accusers did not believe He
would rise from the grave. After Jesus was buried, they
demanded a watch be set at the grave for three days.
They feared someone would take His body from the
tomb and claim He was resurrected. Those who guarded
the tomb of Jesus were as powerless to prevent His resurrection as the dog was to prevent the train from passing by his backyard. Jesus kept His promise by rising
from the grave the third day.
There is no reason to doubt the resurrection of Jesus.
He proclaimed He would rise from the grave. We can
believe His words because it is impossible for God to lie.
He appeared to many witnesses after His resurrection.
The grave was empty when the women came to prepare
the body for a proper burial. Our salvation demands an
empty tomb.
JUST A THOUGHT: We do not have to see the empty tomb
to believe in Jesus resurrection from the grave.
Marc Shultz
76
John 20:9-18
Tuesday, February 10
Jesus Appeared to Mary

KEY VERSE: And when she had thus said, she turned
herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not
that it was Jesus, John 20:14.
During a timeout of a high school volleyball game, the
public address announcer asked one of the players to
turn around and see a surprise. When she turned
around, she saw her father who had just returned from a
tour of duty in Iraq. She later said, at first, she could not
believe her eyes because she did not know her father had
returned home.
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb of Jesus to perform a sad duty. She had come with spices to properly
prepare the body of Jesus for burial. When she entered
the tomb, she found it empty. At first, Mary feared the
Roman guards had taken the body of Jesus. When she
looked behind her, Mary saw the resurrected Jesus.
After seeing the resurrected Lord, Mary went and told
the disciples about the experience. Christians must proclaim the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The world
may scoff at the preaching of the resurrection. Some
Christians question whether the resurrection was an
actual happening or a parable. It seems impossible to the
flesh, but with God all things are possible. The Scriptures
give the historical account of the Lords resurrection from
the dead. Witnesses testified of His resurrection. By faith
Christians must accept the fact that Jesus rose from the
grave according to the proclamation of Scripture.
JUST A THOUGHT: To doubt the resurrection is to doubt
the Word of God and God Himself.
Marc Shultz
77
John 20:21-29
Thomas: Doubting then Convinced!

KEY VERSE: But Thomas, one of the twelve, called
Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came,
John 20:24.
Over twenty years after the end of World War II, a
Japanese soldier was found hiding in the Philippines.
When he heard the war was over, he did not believe the
news. He had spent twenty years in hiding, hoping to be
rescued, when he could have been enjoying life at home.
Thomas was not with the disciples celebrating Jesus
resurrection. He was known as a doubter. He found it difficult to exercise faith. He needed evidence. Thomas stated he would not believe Jesus had resurrected from the
dead until he felt His wounds. When Thomas saw the resurrected Jesus, he was convicted for doubting and proclaimed Jesus as his Lord and God.
Thomas doubts hindered him greatly. His doubts hindered him from believing the Word of God. He refused to
believe in the literal doctrine of the resurrection even
though Jesus Himself proclaimed He would rise from
the dead. His disbelief hindered him from seeing the
power of God. His disbelief hindered fellowship with the
other disciples. He was not in their company when they
first saw the resurrected Christ. Thomas doubts hindered his faithfulness to God. He was seeking proof of
Jesus resurrection when he should have been preaching
the gospel. Thomas would have been better served by
believing in Jesus resurrection by faith. Faith is an
essential part of a worthy walk with God.
JUST A THOUGHT: Faith and doubt are like oil and water.
They do not mix.
Marc Shultz
78
John 20:30, 31
The Purpose of Johns Gospel

KEY VERSE: But these are written, that ye might
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and
that believing ye might have life through his name,
John 20:31.
It has become customary for every candidate for President of the United States to write a book. In the book
the candidate will spell out his stand on the issues and
why he desires to be president.
The life and times of Jesus could have been written in
a history book that did not contain doctrine. Such a book
would not have served Jesus purpose. The Bible is the
inspired and perfect Word of God. The intent of the Bible
from Genesis to Revelation is to give instruction in the
way of salvation and righteousness. The goal of the Word
of God is to bring the lost to salvation and instruct saved
people on how to live a life pleasing to God. An uninspired
book of history could not achieve such a purpose.
John wrote this book by inspiration of God. It is not
an autobiography but the historical account of Jesus life
and ministry. The reader will find the way to the abundant life through Jesus Christ (John 10:10). The reader
will discover the only way to eternal life is through
believing on Jesus Christ as Savior (John 3:16). The
book of John revealed the depth of Jesus love for sinners. John proclaimed the only way to God is through
His Son Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
JUST A THOUGHT: Without the Word of God there would
be no instruction in salvation and righteousness.
Marc Shultz
79
Acts 1:3
Friday, February 13
He Showed Himself Alive

KEY VERSE: To whom also he shewed himself alive
after his passion by many infallible proofs, being
seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things
pertaining to the kingdom of God, Acts 1:3.
There have been persistent rumors since Elvis Presleys death that he is still alive. Several offers have been
made offering millions of dollars if he would show himself in public. The reality is Elvis Presley is dead and
cannot come out in public.
As prophesied, Jesus rose from the grave the third
day after His death. He did not go into hiding but was
seen publicly of many witnesses. His public appearances
were proof of His resurrection but not the only proof. He
prophesied of His own resurrection. This was adequate
proof to Christians who lived before Jesus manifestation in human flesh. They accepted His resurrection by
faith. Jesus was seen by many witnesses after his resurrection. These witnesses testified to others of the fact of
Jesus resurrection. Those who believed their witness
also accepted the resurrection by faith. The Lords disciples also preached Jesus had risen from the grave and
asked those who heard their report to accept the resurrection by faith. The Bible is the historical record of
Jesus resurrection. The biblical record of the resurrection must also be accepted by faith. It requires faith to
accept Jesus resurrection because faith accepts as reality what the mind cannot accept.
JUST A THOUGHT: The preaching of the gospel gives the
world a glimpse of the resurrected Christ.
Marc Shultz
80
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
The Dead in Christ Shall Rise

KEY VERSE: For 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, 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
Before a certain interstate highway could be built,
graves in a small cemetery had to be moved from the
highways path. Most of the graves were over a hundred
years old. The remains of those interred in the cemetery
had not been disturbed since their burial. Those buried
in the graveyard were still dead.
There is a day coming when the graves of children of
God will be opened. These graves will not be moved to
make way for a new highway. These graves will be
opened in the same instant and bodies will emerge from
the tombs. It will not be the same body interred in these
graves because those remains will have returned to the
dust of the ground from which they were created. The
resurrected bodies will be free from sin and sorrow. The
resurrection of the redeemed will happen when Jesus
returns to earth.
The reality of Jesus resurrection gives assurance of
the resurrection of the children of God. If Jesus is not
risen from the dead, there can be no resurrection of the
redeemed. The redeemed will rise from the graves in
cemeteries. The water will give up the dead buried at
sea. The land will bring forth resurrected bodies where
cremated ashes have been scattered. Nothing can prevent the resurrection of the redeemed.
JUST A THOUGHT: The grave is not victorious over the
redeemed.
Marc Shultz
81
Sunday, February 15
He Lives!
KEY VERSE: And that he was buried, and that he rose
again the third day according to the scriptures, 1
Corinthians 15:4.
There is a major difference between Christianity and
cults. Cults worship dead figures. Christians worship a
risen Savior. Can a dead god save souls? No! Can a dead
god hear and answer prayers? No! Can a dead god
change lives for the better? No!
Jesus fulfilled the precepts of the gospel. The gospel is
defined as how Jesus Christ died for our sins according
to the Scriptures, and how He was buried and rose again
the third day according to the Scriptures. The qualifying
phrase according to the scriptures is important. Many
people believe in Jesus but not His death, burial and resurrection. If Jesus is not the fulfillment of scriptural
prophecy, He cannot be the Messiah.
For Jesus to fulfill the precepts of the gospel, it was necessary for Him to rise from the grave the third day. The
Roman guards did not remove Jesus body from the grave
as Mary Magdalene feared. His disciples did not remove
His body from the tomb as His accusers feared. Jesus rose
from the dead as He prophesied. The Lords resurrection is
the only logical explanation for the empty tomb.
Jesus is the risen Savior. If He still resides in the
tomb, He cannot save people from their sins. He is risen
from the dead no matter what the skeptics think. Christian doctrine is based upon a risen Savior. There is no
doubt, Jesus lives!
JUST A THOUGHT: Jesus lives! Will you live for Him?
Marc Shultz
82
John 21:1-11
Monday, February 16
Simons Test of Obedience

KEY VERSE: And he said unto them, Cast the net on
the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast
therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for
the multitude of fishes, John 21:6.
Simon Peter was a fisherman by trade. He knew how
to catch fish. He did not fool around with a line and hook
but would cast nets to catch a multitude of fish. He knew
what time of day to go fishing and where to cast his nets
to catch the most fish possible. Simon Peter had fishing
down to a science because it was his occupation.
Jesus called Simon Peter to lay down his nets and to
become a soul-winner, a fisher of men. He became discouraged and decided to return to his former occupation.
What baffled Simon Peter was despite casting his nets
all night long, he caught nothing. As the morning broke,
he saw someone standing on the shore. Jesus instructed
him to cast his nets on the right side of the ship. This
made no sense. He, no doubt, had cast his nets on every
side of the ship. Simon Peter decided to do as the Lord
suggested. He caught so many fish, he had difficulty
bringing in the nets. What was different about this
attempt from the previous attempts? This time Simon
Peter obeyed the Lord. We must obey the Lord completely, even when it does not make sense to the flesh.
JUST A THOUGHT: When God calls us to obedience, we
must not ask why, but why not.
Marc Shultz
83
John 21: 24, 25
Tuesday, February 17
True Testimony of John

KEY VERSE: This is the disciple which testifieth of
these things, and wrote these things: and we know
that his testimony is true, John 21:24.
President Abraham Lincoln hated slavery. He also
knew many of the states had laws legalizing slavery. He
had prepared the Emancipation Proclamation which
would free the slaves with the stroke of the pen. For reasons known only to the president, the executive order
remained in a desk drawer unsigned. During this interim period, some questioned the presidents desire to abolish slavery. Once he signed the Emancipation Proclamation, no one could ever doubt his views on slavery.
The book of John was written by inspiration of God.
Johns personal testimony reflected the words of the
gospel which he wrote. Johns testimony was not a
secret. We know Johns written account of Scripture is
true because it was inspired by God. We know his personal testimony was true because it was in harmony
with the inspired Word of God.
Christians are accountable to God for the doctrines
they believe and teach. The testimony of individual
Christians must reflect the inspired doctrines contained
in the Bible. Do not automatically believe what the
preacher or Bible teacher proclaims as doctrinal truth.
Judge their words by the Word of God. Do not listen to
the testimony of known heretics. Do not partake in their
evil deeds by bidding them Gods speed (2 John 10, 11).
Do not be ashamed to proclaim doctrinal truth. Always
be ready to give your personal testimony.
JUST A THOUGHT: A person cannot follow Jesus without
adhering to doctrinal truth.
Marc Shultz
84
1 Peter 5:1-4
Elders: Feed the Flock

KEY VERSE: Feed the flock of God which is among
you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint,
but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready
mind, 1 Peter 5:2.
My senior class in high school was reminded about
our position of leadership. It was our duty to set the
example to the underclassmen. It was our duty to show
school spirit, set the proper example in doing classwork
and attending class. It was a position of honor to be the
upperclassmen on campus.
It is also an honor to be in a position of leadership in
the work of New Testament churches. The Lord does not
trust His work to novices. They must be students of the
Word of God and obedient to the will of God. The pastor
is not the chief executive officer of the local church but a
servant of the Lord. His duty is to feed the flock with the
Word of God so that they can become mature Christians
and faithful servants of His. Feeding the flock of God
requires commitment to Bible study, prayer and faithful
service to the Lord. Feeding the flock of God is a calling
from God and not a chosen vocation. The call of God
must not be ignored. The importance of feeding the flock
should not be diminished. Pray that those called by God
to be pastors and ministry workers will answer the call.
Pray that those who have answered the call will remain
faithful.
JUST A THOUGHT: The Word of God is to the soul what
food is to the body.
Marc Shultz
85
Luke 9:22-26
Key to Following Jesus

KEY VERSE: For whosoever will save his life shall lose
it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the
same shall save it, Luke 9:24.
A man was given a new suit for Christmas. It was a
beautiful suit. He decided to wait for a special occasion
to wear it. Every time he thought about wearing the
suit, he decided it was not a special enough occasion and
put it back in the closet. When his daughter was getting
married, he decided her wedding would be the perfect
occasion to wear the suit. When he took the suit out of
the closet, he discovered moths had destroyed it. He
saved it until he lost it.
The key to following Jesus is total obedience. Obedience requires doing Gods work in Gods place in Gods
time. Christians often put God off by promising to serve
Him sometime. The problem is that sometimes hardly
ever comes. There is always something else that requires
immediate attention. By the time it becomes convenient
for them to do the Lords work, the possibility of success
has diminished. God called Jonah to go to Nineveh and
preach the gospel because the city was ready to repent.
If he had succeeded in neglecting to fulfill Gods call, the
city would not have been spared from the wrath of God.
Nothing should take precedence over the Lords work.
By putting the kingdom of God first, everything else will
fall into place (Matt. 6:33).
JUST A THOUGHT: When Gods person does Gods work
in Gods time at Gods place, success will follow.
Marc Shultz
86
Numbers 14:23, 24
Friday, February 20
Calebs Key to Success

KEY VERSE: But my servant Caleb, because he had
another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully,
him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and
his seed shall possess it, Numbers 14:24.
The coach of a high school basketball team was
preparing to play the first place team in the district. No
one thought his team had a chance to win the game. At
practice the coach told his team not only could they win
the game, he expected them to win. He suggested that
any player who thought differently quit the team. They
had to believe they would win the game if they had any
chance to actually win.
Caleb had the can do spirit. While the common conception among the Israelites was they could not conquer
and possess the Promised Land, Caleb knew differently.
His positive attitude distinguished him from the majority of Israelites. Caleb had a positive spirit because he
knew God would give them the land. He knew God was
bigger than the giants which inhabited the land. Defeat
never entered Calebs mind.
The mind is the control center of the actions, thoughts
and emotions of the body. If a person thinks negative
thoughts, he will unlikely achieve great feats. If his
mind is focused on Gods will and he has faith in Gods
power, he can achieve great things in the Lords work.
The spirit of Gods faithful servant will distinguish him
from the doubters.
JUST A THOUGHT: Know Gods will, trust His power, follow His instructions, and you will succeed in doing
Gods work.
Marc Shultz
87
Live For Him Who Died for You

KEY VERSE: 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.
A Marine survived World War II because of the sacrifice of one of his fellow soldiers. The other soldier was
killed when he threw himself on a live grenade. He would
have been killed in the subsequent explosion if not for his
fellow soldiers actions. When he learned the Marine left
behind two children, he began a fund to make sure they
could go to college. He lived so that the Marine who was
killed in action would not have died in vain.
Jesus came to earth to seek and save the lost. He knew
of His destiny with the cross. He knew His death, burial
and resurrection was necessary for sinners to have eternal life in Heaven. The Lords commitment to the cross
was complete. He did nothing to escape the cross but
willingly became our sin sacrifice. Jesus was faithful to
the Heavenly Fathers plan for redemption.
What is the proper Christian response to Jesus sacrifice? Christians should dedicate themselves to living to
honor the Lord. They should seek to please Him in
actions, speech and thoughts. They should dedicate
themselves to becoming witnesses to the lost of the saving grace of God. They should seek to serve the will of
God over their personal ambitions.
JUST A THOUGHT: Jesus died for you. Become a living
sacrifice for Him.
Marc Shultz
88
Matthew 16:21-25
Sunday, February 22
Fully Follow Jesus

KEY VERSE: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any
man will come after me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow me, Matthew 16:24.
During His ministry Jesus proclaimed His own death,
burial and resurrection. Jesus knew His death, burial
and resurrection was the only way to redeem mankind
from their sins. Jesus fully surrendered to the Fathers
plan of redemption. He did not seek to avoid going to the
cross but became our willing sacrifice on the cross.
Simon Peter did not want Jesus to have to suffer. His
attitude was understandable. Simon Peter had spent
much time with Jesus. He had heard Jesus preach the
gospel, seen Him perform miracles and change lives. His
own life had been greatly impacted by Jesus. While
Simon Peters attitude about Jesus suffering was understandable, it was misguided. Without Jesus sacrifice on
the cross, the gospel which Peter preached would have
been null and void. It was an offense to Jesus that one of
His own disciples could so carelessly disregard the
necessity of the cross.
Jesus used the occasion to define true discipleship. He
began by saying, If any man will come after me. Being
a follower of Jesus is a choice each person must make.
Discipleship requires self-denial. A person cannot serve
Jesus without first denying his own selfish desires that
conflict with Gods will.
JUST A THOUGHT: The Lords disciple must perform
Gods will as Jesus did when He willingly gave Himself
to die on the cross.
Marc Shultz
89
Notes/Prayer Requests

John 13-21 Devotional

Încărcat de

Informații document

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

John 13-21 Devotional

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Devotional Quarterly

Vol. 19, No. 1

What Did Jesus Do?

Personal and Daily Devotionals

Prepared by Gene Smith, Marc Shultz

Read Through the Bible

December Scripture Readings

James 1:1-12, 23-27; 2

James 4:7-17; 5:1-15, 20

1 Peter 1:1, 2, 6-17, 20-25

1 Peter 3:1-9, 18-22

1 Peter 5:1-4, 6-14

2 Peter 1:1-15; 2:3-22

2 Peter 3:1, 2, 4-18

1 John 1:3-10, 2:12-27, 29

1 John 3:4-19, 23, 24; 4

1 John 5:1-3, 6-10, 19-21

Revelation 5:13, 14; 6:1-13 Romans 8:11

Revelation 21:8-21, 24-27

Revelation 22:1-16, 18-21

January Scripture Readings

Genesis 12:4-20; 13; 14

Exodus 33; 34:1-10,

February Scripture Readings

Leviticus 21; 22:1-16,

Prediction of the Betrayal

The Pattern Of Humility

Preferring One Another

Please Others First

Jesus and the Father Are One

His Offering for Sin

Practice Brotherly Love

The Only Way to God

The Truth Is in Jesus

The Life Is in the Son

The New Commandment

Teaching by the Holy Spirit

The Sealing of the Holy Spirit

The Renewal of the Holy Spirit

The Witness of the Holy Spirit

The Interceding of the Holy Spirit

They Waited for the Comforter

The Lord Expects Fruit

Fruitful in Every Good Work

Only God Gives the Increase

Suffering for Righteousness Sake

The Cost of Godliness

Tribulation Worketh Patience

Count It All Joy!

Follow His Steps!

The Blessing of Persecution

Waiting For The Power

Focus on the Eternal!

Revealing Things of God

The Spirit Glorifies Jesus

The Promise of the Father

Death Swallowed by Life

Come Boldly to the Throne!

Our Eternal Intercessor

Keys to Answered Prayer

Sorrow Becomes Joy

Jesus Prayed for His Own

Loving Like Jesus

Thou Art Worthy