January 15
“…Christ … is our life”… (Col. 3:4).
In Col. 3:3 we read, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God”. If we sincerely desire to
possess the life of the Lord Jesus Christ we must be willing to die, because unless we die to our old life
and corrupt nature, that life cannot come into us. In order to have this experience we have to repent of
all our sins, put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and accept Him as our personal Saviour. Many people
say they believe in the Lord Jesus, but in fact they do not know what it means to believe on Him and know
Him. They repeat some words and phrases such as, “I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour” but
they do not enjoy the blessings that God wants to give them so freely. This is all because of their own
negligence and carelessness.
As far as God is concerned He offers every blessing to us in His Son. “Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph.
1:3). “All spiritual blessings” means everything we can think of. While theoretically all spiritual blessings
are ours, we do not seem to enjoy them in a practical way. The reason is we do not really know what it is
to believe in the Lord Jesus. We do not spend sufficient time in reading the Word of God, and we do not
mediate on it to understand its meaning. The Lord says in Luke 12:32, “…it is your Father’s good
pleasure to give you the kingdom”. He is ready not only to forgive our sins, but to give us His kingdom
which means all that He has. We must know these blessings in order to enjoy them. We have to study
and dig deep into the Word of God, by reading it prayerfully upon our knees.
daily devotional
David conquered Zion
January 15
“Nevertheless David took the Stronghold of Zion: the same is the city of David ….” (2 Sam.
5:7, 9a).
The day when David conquered Zion was another occasion for rejoicing. Joshua had failed to
drive out the Jebusites from Zion. These began to mock at David, but by God’s grace and
strength he drove them out. Yes, the day when he did so was a happy day for him, because
then he began to see something more of the purpose of God in choosing him. He began to
see something of God’s heavenly plan for his people, and how it could not be accomplished
while the Jebusites remained in Jerusalem. It was part of the heavenly plan that they should
be driven out only by God’s people who had come out of Egypt. He had chosen His people to
be His co-workers and partners in judgment. God relies upon you, His people, to fulfill His
heavenly plan.
Recent Devotions
Become a Christian
Jan 15
When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
—Psalm 61:2
When you become a Christian, it doesn’t mean that you will live on a perpetual “high.” The Psalmist David went down to the very depths, and so did the Apostle Paul. But in the midst of all circumstances God’s grace, peace, and joy are there. The tears will still come, the pressures will be felt, and so will the temptations. But there is a new dimension, a new direction, and a new power in life to face the circumstances in which you live.
Recent Devotions
David recovered all
January 14
“And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: … And there was nothing
lacking to them, neither small nor great … David recovered all” (1 Sam. 30:18, 19).”
When we fail God and do things against His will we are bound to suffer. But David came back
to his senses and consulted God. As a result, “David recovered all”.
Like David we also make many mistakes. Even though we are born again, and have been
tasting His love, and have learned how to find His will, yet sometimes we also fail to seek the
will of God and do things instead in our own wisdom. Those who should be your friends may
turn against you when you go wrong. But by coming back to your Lord, and doing His will,
you are washed and forgiven and covered. You can rejoice that God has forgiven your folly
and that you can again be used by Him; and your heart will be filled with the great joy of
restored communion and answered prayer.
Recent Devotions
Roll all the burdens | January 14
January 14
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD” (Psa. 55:22).
When the Gospel was being preached during the early days, for a period, the Lord performed many
miracles. Acts 6:8, 12:11, 13:11, 16:26 and 19:11. It went on thus for about six years. Then came a sudden
decline. Many were scattered, and many of God’s servants and believers were put in prison and bound.
Many lost their first love like Demas. That is why the apostle John was puzzled, depressed and dejected
for a short time. When we are born again, we do not become supernatural beings or angels. We remain
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ordinary human beings. There are times and days, when we are full of discouragement and confusion,
and even down – hearted. But for a believer, it is only for a short time. By going to the Lord over and over
again, we find our burdens lifted; that is why when you are discouraged, depressed and downcast, go
upon your knees and remain upon your knees, even if you fall asleep. There is no harm in that! Be on your
knees till your burden is lifted. By faith you can roll all the burdens on the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
On the isle of Patmos our Lord appeared in a new vision to John the apostle. His eyes were in the wrong
direction. If anybody comes to see you, they will come from the front and not from the back; man can
make mistakes, but our Lord cannot make mistakes. John turned round and then he saw the Lord. He had
been looking in the wrong direction. The Lord said, “If you want to see Me, look in the right direction; turn
right round and look at Me fully. Then all your burdens will be lifted, and all your questions will be fully
answered. You try it yourself saying, “Lord, I have come to You to get a fresh glimpse of Your beauty and
presence. I have no other request, problems, difficult questions or need. I want only to see You in a
complete way”. Then you will find your whole life full of joy and gladness, and you will find yourself saying,
“Am I upon the earth or in heaven?” You will find yourself in high places. You will see all things in a new
way.