daily devotional

The kingdom of God

by

January 9
“The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy
Ghost” (Romans 14:17).
Earthly joy arises from possession. Men think that if they get all they want to have they will
be happy, but sooner or later life brings disappointment and hopes are shattered. All that you
think will give you joy will prove empty at the last. The Lord Jesus Christ, the living, loving
Saviour, who died for sinners, is the only one who can give you joy. But the joy He offers you
is not earthly joy. It is His own heavenly joy.
The Holy Ghost, who comes to dwell within us, works in us abundance of righteousness as
God’s gift, and that righteousness is the source of our peace and joy. Men struggle hard to
become righteous before God and men, but what men call righteousness God calls filthy rags
(Isa. 64:6). Whether it be Jewish righteousness, or Hindu righteousness, or Buddhist
righteousness, or ‘nominal Christian’ righteousness, God calls it filthy rags. God is ready to
give you His righteousness as the free gift of His love. He adds peace to love and multiplies it
by eternity. That is His grace!
And to that love and peace He adds joy by the Holy Spirit. But if you let the Holy Spirit of God
enter and work in you, you will become righteous with God’s own righteousness, and as a
result you will leap with the joy of God, because of the assurance of the Spirit in your heart
that you are righteous in God’s sight, and because day by day you will find yourself becoming
richer and purer and stronger in Him.

Recent Devotions

pray in times

by

What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe …

—Mark 11:24

We are to pray in times of adversity, lest we become faithless and unbelieving. We are to pray in times of prosperity, lest we become boastful and proud. We are to pray in times of danger, lest we become fearful and doubting. We need to pray in times of security, lest we become self-sufficient. Sinners, pray to a merciful God for forgiveness. Christians, pray for an outpouring of God’s Spirit upon a willful, evil, unrepentant world. Parents, pray that God may crown your home with grace and mercy. Children, pray for the salvation of your parents. Christians, saints of God, pray that the dew of heaven may fall on earth’s dry, thirsty ground, and that righteousness may cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.

Recent Devotions

joy of the Lord

by

“They departed…rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts
5:41).
When we are counted worthy to suffer shame for the Lord Jesus Christ, instead of being
downcast and discouraged we should rejoice, because thus we see His glory in a new way,
and in that joy we find a new and wonderful strength. In suffering shame for His Name we
are promoted to a greater responsibility to serve and honour Him. “If ye be reproached for
the name of Christ, happy are ye” (1 Pet. 4:14).
Rejoice, then, that you are counted fit to be given the divine responsibility of suffering
reproach for His name. That is true promotion. As you realise your privilege you will become
strong.
May we every one of us learn how to enter into the joy of the Lord, which is our strength.

Recent Devotions

LORD of hosts | January 8

by


“For the LORD’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance (Deut. 32:9).
“Jacob is the lot of his inheritance”. In other words, God was saying, “Jacob, you belong to Me for ever.
You are more precious to Me than the whole world.” God never called the sun, moon or stars His
inheritance. The privilege given by God to Jacob was great indeed. Praise God, the same privilege is given
to us as well. We are called God’s inheritance. “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that
ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the
saints” (Eph. 1:18).
Then we read, “He… led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye” (Deut. 32:10).
This also will happen to you provided you are willing to put away all your strange gods. “For thus saith the
LORD of hosts;… he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye”. (Zech. 2:8).
`
In Deut. 32:11 we read, “As an eagle stireth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her
wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings.” The Lord may stir you out of your nest also, because He
wants you to learn to fly on high places.
While I was in Yugoslavia I found that grapes were served for breakfast, lunch and tea. They were large,
luscious grapes too, and big bunches of them were on the table in abundance. That reminded me how
God wants to give us everything in abundance provided we put away all our strange gods and return to
Bethel. That is the only way to receive God’s blessings fully. Do not let your wife, or husband, or friends,
relations or your business or your pleasures keep you away from Bethel. God says, “I am the Almighty
God”. He is mighty to save you, to keep you, to lead you and bless you. Make Deut. 32:7 to 14 your
personal experience. Ask the Lord to give you His best and show you your full portion in Bethel, the House
of God.

Recent Devotions


praise unto our God | January 7

by

January 7
“And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God…” (Psalm 40:3).
`
It is marvellous how God’s Word is entering into many hearts by so many simple and unknown ways. God
is gaining ground and the Gospel is received by people of all nations. They are so transformed that none
can make them out. They will one day become kings in heaven. He not only saves us from sin but gives us
authority and power in the heavenly kingdom. Some people when they become Tahsildars become very
proud. They want a coolie or a porter to carry their small suitcase. When you go to heaven you will be
having power and authority. All the heavenly angels will be your servants and they will even carry you.
That is your privilege. What a great salvation! That is why the elders are singing the song of praise, “O,
God. Thou are worthy. We were so low and defiled, yet by Thy grace and blood we are raised so high to
reign for ever”.
This is possible only by the blood of the Lamb and not by Bible knowledge. By the working of the blood in
your life you are thoroughly purged and washed, are given divine wisdom and made kings and priests. The
priests had a function. They had the privilege of going to the most holy place to speak to God, to hear His
voice, to receive His message, and bring God’s word to His people. Others do not have that privilege. There
will be no more limitations. We can speak to God freely. Every barrier is overcome. That is why the elders
are upon their knees, saying, “O God, Thou art worthy“.
Once we understand the greatness of salvation and its purpose there will be heavenly song on our lips.
There are very many among us who have to go through many hardships every day and shed many tears.
But every tear will be transformed and your joy no man will take from you. We have to understand the
real purpose of God in loving us so much and saving us. He shed His blood to save us, forgive us and make
us kings and priests. That fills us with the heavenly song. Sing that heavenly song from the heart. “My Lord
has saved me, even me, to be His king and priest for ever to enjoy all power, authority and dominion”. At
the same time we have the right to go to Him, ask Him many questions, speak to Him without any
hesitation, enjoy unbroken fellowship with Him and receive a message from Him for every nation. Learn
to sing that song, the song of the redeemed. Whether at home or outside, that song will not leave you. It
will become sweeter and sweeter day by day.

Recent Devotions