And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Revelation 19:8
Time is short. Let every saint of God prepare themselves for the crowning day. Like a bride spends the morning of her wedding beautifying herself and adorning herself in a spotless dress, so too, let us spend this brief period of time we call “life” arraying ourselves with purity and holiness for the gaze of our coming bridegroom—our Prince, the Lord Jesus Christ. We may only have a few days, weeks, months left before we hear “Go ye out to meet him!” (Matt. 25:6). —Shane Johnson
O spread His fame abroad; Loud hallelujahs sing; He clothes thee in a beauteous dress; His own blest robe of righteousness. —Author Unknown
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5
Reuben A. Torrey (1856-1928), evangelist, teacher, and author, was teaching a class on James. When he came to James 1:5 he asked the students what the primary secret of obtaining wisdom is. Everyone replied, “Asking God.” After making them think a little more about the matter, he told them that they had missed the point. He then kindly informed them that the primary secret of obtaining wisdom is realizing we lack it. —W. Ross Rainey
Oh, teach us more of Thy blest ways, Thou holy Lamb of God! And fix and root us in Thy grace, As those redeemed by blood. —James Hutton
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off. 1 Kings 20:11
Prior to battle, the Syrian king boasted of his martial prowess. However, making grand claims as if he had already won was foolish. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). Christ promised beforehand to die as a redemptive sacrifice on the cross and rise again (Matt. 16:21). This was no idle boast, for He did exactly what He said He would. He has also promised to take believers to heaven’s glory. —Keith Keyser
To gladdest day, from saddest night, From deepest shame to glory bright, From depths of death, to life’s fair height, From darkness to the joy of light. —Horatius Bonar
These things said Esaiah, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. John 12:41 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all. Luke 2:38
After having a personal encounter with Christ, both Isaiah and Anna spoke about Him to others. Whether it was following a sight of His majestic glory or seeing something of His lowly humanity, they both felt an urgency to share Him with others. As we get a fresh glimpse of Him today, may we then, with thankful hearts for who He is, seek opportunities to share our Lord with those we meet. —Pete Smith
Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim, And publish abroad His wonderful name. —C. Wesley
When they saw the young child…[they] fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11
The wise men worshipped the incarnate Christ when they saw Him. What does true worship involve? For them, it was three things: a posture of humilty, a heart’s desire to see and know Him, and the giving of their treasures. Worship for us today should be the same, the right attitude in the presence of God and a heart’s desire to speak to and about Him. —G. Frear
When wise men came seeking for Jesus from afar, With rich gifts to greet Him and led by a star, They found in a stable, the Saviour of men, A manger His cradle, so poor was He then.—Richard Slater
DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 3:1-32; Daniel 12:1-13; Revelation 8:1-13
The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought…The counsel of the Lord standeth forever…Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalm 33:10-12
What in the world is happening? For many years we have purportedly had the greatest peace-keeping force the world has ever known—the United Nations. Yet we see nothing but war, chaos and confusion! The reason is that one cannot find any nation “whose God is the Lord” (v. 12). But in the midst of this bleak situation, as believers we rejoice, for we have the sure Word of God (v. 11). It tells us that one of these days, not only will we be raptured but seven years later Christ will return to set up His kingdom. —David Croudace
Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown? Jesus we know, and He is on the throne. —Edward H. Bickersteth
DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 1:1-2; Daniel 11:21-45; Revelation 7:1-17
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 1 John 5:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:21
When it comes to our salvation, we can never lose it because He keeps us, safely in His hand (John 10:28-30). When it comes to the enjoyment of our salvation we have two general rules—keep out, and keep in. Keep yourselves from idols. How? Don’t even mention their names (Ps. 16:4). Keep yourselves in the love of God. How? Think about it, learn about it, talk about it, sing about it, walk in it, live it, enjoy it, and share it. —Rex Trogdon
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure, the saints’ and angels’ song. —F. M. Lehman
“And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11
Christmas, for the world, has so much to do with receiving; but Christmas, for the Christian, has everything to do with giving. “When they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts unto Him,” the Scripture records. “What am I giving for Christmas this year,” should be the first question on our hearts, not, “What am I getting?”
The frankincense brought by the wise men from the East was an act of worship, an acknowledgement of His deity. Frankincense in ancient times was offered on altars in worship to the gods. The fact that these men had brought incense to the Babe indicates that, in their minds, He was the divine One.
Incense in the Old Testament was intricately involved with the offerings of the altar. The holy incense of the Tabernacle, which was not permitted for private use, was concocted by the perfumer and reserved for the sole purpose of worship (Ex. 30:37). Anyone who dared to use it for themselves was cut off from the people.
Likewise, in Leviticus, it was written that if anyone offered a grain offering to the Lord “…[he shall] put frankincense thereon” (Lev. 2:1). Had these wise men from the East unwittingly laid frankincense upon the sacrifice? Mary and Joseph, who were familiar with the Old Testament offerings, may have faintly understood these things.
Indeed, the infant would ultimately give Himself for us, “an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour” (Eph. 5:2). That incense would be burned at the cross and would ascend into the throne room of God, bringing pleasure to His nostrils. Like Noah’s altar of old, after the Flood, God would smell a soothing aroma arising from the cross, causing Him to say in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake…” (Gen. 8:21). The ultimate fulfillment of Noah’s offering found its counterpart at the cross. Let us send up offerings of
incense this Christmas through the praises of our lips to the One who came down to die.
The cross was cruel and bleak and dark
Beneath that flood of rage,
But Thy dear cross became our Ark
And brought us through unscathed.
We were like Cain, lost fugitives,
Young rebel Absaloms.
Thou gave Thy soul that we might live
In New Jerusalem.
Jesus, Thy great vast love sublime
Swells our poor paltry hearts.
In all Thy ways Thy beauty shines.
How good, how kind Thou art
“If you want to seriously meditate on the great truths of what really happened just over 2000 years ago, and how it shook both heaven and earth, forever, you will not be disappointed with any page of this fresh and rich devotional book written by a man I have come to respect very much.
Shane Johnson has provided us with two meditations for each day of December, predominantly with a focus on the Incarnation – God becoming a man, in real though sinless human flesh – to help us not only understand the plan of God, but to motivate us to worship and serve Him. The last few days in the book shift the focus away from the “Christmas” theme, as Shane points to a new year of putting this renewal of adoration into practice, by first addressing what we really believe.” – From the Introduction by Peter Bolton
DAILY READINGS: Ezra 10:1-44; Daniel 11:1-20; Revelation 6:1-17
I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. Ex. 15:26 They waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly…And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul…and the plague broke in upon them. Psalm 106:13-15, 29
These verses remind us that our health is in the Lord’s hands. There are times when ill health is given to glorify God. Then His grace is sufficient. But let us examine our heart to see if God is allowing sickness to turn us back to Himself or to teach us something new about Himself. —D. Pickup
See if there be some wicked way in me: Cleanse me from ev’ry sin, and set me free. —Edwin Orr
DAILY READINGS: Ezra 9:1-15; Daniel 10:1-21; Revelation 5:1-14
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13
Sir Winston Churchill, it is reported, said, “I am an old man. I have lived a long time. I have never seen days like these, I am tired of it all. I see no hope for the future. Our problems are beyond us.” Distraught
men see no hope for this world. The believer in the same world looks to the blessed hope and rejoicing exclaims, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20). —Arnot P. McIntee
How bright that blessed hope! Jesus will come! Let us our hearts lift up, Jesus will come! Morning so bright and clear, mansions of God appear, Sin shall not enter there, Jesus will come! —Author Unknown
