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God’s Provisions for Your Success

Published by InTouch Ministries for reading on June 4th.

Joshua 1:1-9 Chapter 1 1 Now it came to pass after the death of Moses the servant of Jehovah, that Jehovah spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it, as I spake unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness, and this Lebanon, even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life. as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed: for Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Whenever our goals align with the Lord’s, we can count on His help in achieving them. This truth is vividly confirmed in the story of Joshua. Since God the Father gave him the huge responsibility of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, He also provided everything Joshua would need for success. He will do the same for us every time we believe Him and step up to fulfill the goals He has set for us.

His Promises: God assured Joshua that He would give him the land and no one would be able to stand against him. In the same way, the Lord will enable you to achieve whatever He’s called you to do, and neither man nor the devil will be able to thwart His purposes. You just need to stand firm in faith.

His Power: Be strong and courageous, because you will encounter obstacles that challenge your obedience. Such boldness isn’t something we muster within ourselves. It’s developed through reliance upon the Lord. Courage comes when our faith is stronger than our fear.

His Word: Joshua’s success depended upon his obedience to God’s Word. The same is true for us. If God’s truth isn’t shaping our thoughts, words, and actions, we will naturally go our own way and miss the path He has planned for us.

Everything you need to succeed in life is provided for you by God. But these provisions are available only when you choose to follow His plans. If you ignore the Lord and set your own goals without His direction, you may get what you want, but it won’t be true success.

Bible in One Year: Job 17-21 Chapter 17 1 My spirit is consumed, my days are extinct, The grave is `ready' for me. 2 Surely there are mockers with me, And mine eye dwelleth upon their provocation. 3 Give now a pledge, be surety for me with thyself; Who is there that will strike hands with me? 4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: Therefore shalt thou not exalt `them'. 5 He that denounceth his friends for a prey, Even the eyes of his children shall fail. 6 But he hath made me a byword of the people; And they spit in my face. 7 Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, And all my members are as a shadow. 8 Upright men shall be astonished at this, And the innocent shall stir up himself against the godless. 9 Yet shall the righteous hold on his way, And he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger. 10 But as for you all, come on now again; And I shall not find a wise man among you. 11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, Even the thoughts of my heart. 12 They change the night into day: The light, `say they', is near unto the darkness. 13 If I look for Sheol as my house; If I have spread my couch in the darkness; 14 If I have said to corruption, Thou art my father; To the worm, `Thou art' my mother, and my sister; 15 Where then is my hope? And as for my hope, who shall see it? 16 It shall go down to the bars of Sheol, When once there is rest in the dust. Chapter 18 1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, 2 How long will ye hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak. 3 Wherefore are we counted as beasts, `And' are become unclean in your sight? 4 Thou that tearest thyself in thine anger, Shall the earth be forsaken for thee? Or shall the rock be removed out of its place? 5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, And the spark of his fire shall not shine. 6 The light shall be dark in his tent, And his lamp above him shall be put out. 7 The steps of his strength shall be straitened, And his own counsel shall cast him down. 8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, And he walketh upon the toils. 9 A gin shall take `him' by the heel, `And' a snare shall lay hold on him. 10 A noose is hid for him in the ground, And a trap for him in the way. 11 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, And shall chase him at his heels. 12 His strength shall be hunger-bitten, And calamity shall be ready at his side. 13 The members of his body shall be devoured, `Yea', the first-born of death shall devour his members. 14 He shall be rooted out of his tent where he trusteth; And he shall be brought to the king of terrors. 15 There shall dwell in his tent that which is none of his: Brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation. 16 His roots shall be dried up beneath, And above shall his branch be cut off. 17 His remembrance shall perish from the earth, And he shall have no name in the street. 18 He shall be driven from light into darkness, And chased out of the world. 19 He shall have neither son nor son's son among his people, Nor any remaining where he sojourned. 20 They that come after shall be astonished at his day, As they that went before were affrighted. 21 Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous, And this is the place of him that knoweth not God. Chapter 19 1 Then Job answered and said, 2 How long will ye vex my soul, And break me in pieces with words? 3 These ten times have ye reproached me: Ye are not ashamed that ye deal hardly with me. 4 And be it indeed that I have erred, Mine error remaineth with myself. 5 If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, And plead against me my reproach; 6 Know now that God hath subverted me `in my cause', And hath compassed me with his net. 7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry for help, but there is no justice. 8 He hath walled up my way that I cannot pass, And hath set darkness in my paths. 9 He hath stripped me of my glory, And taken the crown from my head. 10 He hath broken me down on every side, and I am gone; And my hope hath he plucked up like a tree. 11 He hath also kindled his wrath against me, And he counteth me unto him as `one of' his adversaries. 12 His troops come on together, And cast up their way against me, And encamp round about my tent. 13 He hath put my brethren far from me, And mine acquaintance are wholly estranged from me. 14 My kinsfolk have failed, And my familiar friends have forgotten me. 15 They that dwell in my house, and my maids, count me for a stranger; I am an alien in their sight. 16 I call unto my servant, and he giveth me no answer, `Though' I entreat him with my mouth. 17 My breath is strange to my wife, And my supplication to the children of mine own mother. 18 Even young children despise me; If I arise, they speak against me. 19 All my familiar friends abhor me, And they whom I loved are turned against me. 20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, And I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. 21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; For the hand of God hath touched me. 22 Why do ye persecute me as God, And are not satisfied with my flesh? 23 Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! 24 That with an iron pen and lead They were graven in the rock for ever! 25 But as for me I know that my Redeemer liveth, And at last he will stand up upon the earth: 26 And after my skin, `even' this `body', is destroyed, Then without my flesh shall I see God; 27 Whom I, even I, shall see, on my side, And mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger. My heart is consumed within me. 28 If ye say, How we will persecute him! And that the root of the matter is found in me; 29 Be ye afraid of the sword: For wrath `bringeth' the punishments of the sword, That ye may know there is a judgment. Chapter 20 1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, 2 Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me, Even by reason of my haste that is in me. 3 I have heard the reproof which putteth me to shame; And the spirit of my understanding answereth me. 4 Knowest thou `not' this of old time, Since man was placed upon earth, 5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment? 6 Though his height mount up to the heavens, And his head reach unto the clouds; 7 Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: They that have seen him shall say, Where is he? 8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: Yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. 9 The eye which saw him shall see him no more; Neither shall his place any more behold him. 10 His children shall seek the favor of the poor, And his hands shall give back his wealth. 11 His bones are full of his youth, But it shall lie down with him in the dust. 12 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, Though he hide it under his tongue, 13 Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth; 14 Yet his food in his bowels is turned, It is the gall of asps within him. 15 He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly. 16 He shall suck the poison of asps: The viper's tongue shall slay him. 17 He shall not look upon the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter. 18 That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down; According to the substance that he hath gotten, he shall not rejoice. 19 For he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor; He hath violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up. 20 Because he knew no quietness within him, He shall not save aught of that wherein he delighteth. 21 There was nothing left that he devoured not; Therefore his prosperity shall not endure. 22 In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: The hand of every one that is in misery shall come upon him. 23 When he is about to fill his belly, `God' will cast the fierceness of his wrath upon him, And will rain it upon him while he is eating. 24 He shall flee from the iron weapon, And the bow of brass shall strike him through. 25 He draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body; Yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall: Terrors are upon him. 26 All darkness is laid up for his treasures: A fire not blown `by man' shall devour him; It shall consume that which is left in his tent. 27 The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, And the earth shall rise up against him. 28 The increase of his house shall depart; `His goods' shall flow away in the day of his wrath. 29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the heritage appointed unto him by God. Chapter 21 1 Then Job answered and said, 2 Hear diligently my speech; And let this be your consolations. 3 Suffer me, and I also will speak; And after that I have spoken, mock on. 4 As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should I not be impatient? 5 Mark me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth. 6 Even when I remember I am troubled, And horror taketh hold on my flesh. 7 Wherefore do the wicked live, Become old, yea, wax mighty in power? 8 Their seed is established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes. 9 Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them. 10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; Their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. 11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance. 12 They sing to the timbrel and harp, And rejoice at the sound of the pipe. 13 They spend their days in prosperity, And in a moment they go down to Sheol. 14 And they say unto God, Depart from us; For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. 15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? 16 Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand: The counsel of the wicked is far from me. 17 How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? That their calamity cometh upon them? That `God' distributeth sorrows in his anger? 18 That they are as stubble before the wind, And as chaff that the storm carrieth away? 19 `Ye say', God layeth up his iniquity for his children. Let him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it: 20 Let his own eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 21 For what careth he for his house after him, When the number of his months is cut off? 22 Shall any teach God knowledge, Seeing he judgeth those that are high? 23 One dieth in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and quiet: 24 His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moistened. 25 And another dieth in bitterness of soul, And never tasteth of good. 26 They lie down alike in the dust, And the worm covereth them. 27 Behold, I know your thoughts, And the devices wherewith ye would wrong me. 28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt? 29 Have ye not asked wayfaring men? And do ye not know their evidences, 30 That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity? That they are led forth to the day of wrath? 31 Who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done? 32 Yet shall he be borne to the grave, And men shall keep watch over the tomb. 33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, And all men shall draw after him, As there were innumerable before him. 34 How then comfort ye me in vain, Seeing in your answers there remaineth `only' falsehood?

God’s Compass for the Heart and Mind

Published by InTouch Ministries for reading on June 4th.

Proverbs 3:7-12 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil: 8 It will be health to thy navel, And marrow to thy bones. 9 Honor Jehovah with thy substance, And with the first-fruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy vats shall overflow with new wine. 11 My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah; Neither be weary of his reproof: 12 For whom Jehovah loveth he reproveth; Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Yesterday we discussed the importance of depending on Scripture as our compass throughout life. Following God’s directions will change our behavior and challenge our attitudes, desires, and thought processes. He leads us to think differently about ourselves, our values, and even the difficulties facing us.

We naturally want to determine our own course in life. It seems like the only logical way to get where we want to go. But being wise in our own eyes is pride. To combat this tendency, the Lord instructs us to fear Him and turn away from evil (Prov. 3:7). This “fear” is not a horrified dread of the Father, but an attitude of respect that motivates us to obey Him for both our good and His glory.

We naturally want to keep our money for ourselves. A desire for a better lifestyle or fear of not having enough leads us to hang on to everything we get. But our compass directs us to honor God by giving Him the first part of all we have, trusting Him to provide for our needs (Prov. 3:9-10).

We naturally dislike God’s discipline. His painful reproofs seem to imply that He doesn’t care about us. But our heavenly Father says His discipline is evidence of His love and delight in us as His children (Prov. 3:11-12).

Sometimes in our desire to follow the Lord, we focus on obedient actions—doing what He says—yet miss His directions concerning our attitudes and thought patterns. To stay on God’s path for our lives, we must make course corrections not only in our behavior but also in our heart and mind.

Bible in One Year: Job 17-21 Chapter 17 1 My spirit is consumed, my days are extinct, The grave is `ready' for me. 2 Surely there are mockers with me, And mine eye dwelleth upon their provocation. 3 Give now a pledge, be surety for me with thyself; Who is there that will strike hands with me? 4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: Therefore shalt thou not exalt `them'. 5 He that denounceth his friends for a prey, Even the eyes of his children shall fail. 6 But he hath made me a byword of the people; And they spit in my face. 7 Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, And all my members are as a shadow. 8 Upright men shall be astonished at this, And the innocent shall stir up himself against the godless. 9 Yet shall the righteous hold on his way, And he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger. 10 But as for you all, come on now again; And I shall not find a wise man among you. 11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, Even the thoughts of my heart. 12 They change the night into day: The light, `say they', is near unto the darkness. 13 If I look for Sheol as my house; If I have spread my couch in the darkness; 14 If I have said to corruption, Thou art my father; To the worm, `Thou art' my mother, and my sister; 15 Where then is my hope? And as for my hope, who shall see it? 16 It shall go down to the bars of Sheol, When once there is rest in the dust. Chapter 18 1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, 2 How long will ye hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak. 3 Wherefore are we counted as beasts, `And' are become unclean in your sight? 4 Thou that tearest thyself in thine anger, Shall the earth be forsaken for thee? Or shall the rock be removed out of its place? 5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, And the spark of his fire shall not shine. 6 The light shall be dark in his tent, And his lamp above him shall be put out. 7 The steps of his strength shall be straitened, And his own counsel shall cast him down. 8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, And he walketh upon the toils. 9 A gin shall take `him' by the heel, `And' a snare shall lay hold on him. 10 A noose is hid for him in the ground, And a trap for him in the way. 11 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, And shall chase him at his heels. 12 His strength shall be hunger-bitten, And calamity shall be ready at his side. 13 The members of his body shall be devoured, `Yea', the first-born of death shall devour his members. 14 He shall be rooted out of his tent where he trusteth; And he shall be brought to the king of terrors. 15 There shall dwell in his tent that which is none of his: Brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation. 16 His roots shall be dried up beneath, And above shall his branch be cut off. 17 His remembrance shall perish from the earth, And he shall have no name in the street. 18 He shall be driven from light into darkness, And chased out of the world. 19 He shall have neither son nor son's son among his people, Nor any remaining where he sojourned. 20 They that come after shall be astonished at his day, As they that went before were affrighted. 21 Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous, And this is the place of him that knoweth not God. Chapter 19 1 Then Job answered and said, 2 How long will ye vex my soul, And break me in pieces with words? 3 These ten times have ye reproached me: Ye are not ashamed that ye deal hardly with me. 4 And be it indeed that I have erred, Mine error remaineth with myself. 5 If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, And plead against me my reproach; 6 Know now that God hath subverted me `in my cause', And hath compassed me with his net. 7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry for help, but there is no justice. 8 He hath walled up my way that I cannot pass, And hath set darkness in my paths. 9 He hath stripped me of my glory, And taken the crown from my head. 10 He hath broken me down on every side, and I am gone; And my hope hath he plucked up like a tree. 11 He hath also kindled his wrath against me, And he counteth me unto him as `one of' his adversaries. 12 His troops come on together, And cast up their way against me, And encamp round about my tent. 13 He hath put my brethren far from me, And mine acquaintance are wholly estranged from me. 14 My kinsfolk have failed, And my familiar friends have forgotten me. 15 They that dwell in my house, and my maids, count me for a stranger; I am an alien in their sight. 16 I call unto my servant, and he giveth me no answer, `Though' I entreat him with my mouth. 17 My breath is strange to my wife, And my supplication to the children of mine own mother. 18 Even young children despise me; If I arise, they speak against me. 19 All my familiar friends abhor me, And they whom I loved are turned against me. 20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, And I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. 21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; For the hand of God hath touched me. 22 Why do ye persecute me as God, And are not satisfied with my flesh? 23 Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! 24 That with an iron pen and lead They were graven in the rock for ever! 25 But as for me I know that my Redeemer liveth, And at last he will stand up upon the earth: 26 And after my skin, `even' this `body', is destroyed, Then without my flesh shall I see God; 27 Whom I, even I, shall see, on my side, And mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger. My heart is consumed within me. 28 If ye say, How we will persecute him! And that the root of the matter is found in me; 29 Be ye afraid of the sword: For wrath `bringeth' the punishments of the sword, That ye may know there is a judgment. Chapter 20 1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, 2 Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me, Even by reason of my haste that is in me. 3 I have heard the reproof which putteth me to shame; And the spirit of my understanding answereth me. 4 Knowest thou `not' this of old time, Since man was placed upon earth, 5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment? 6 Though his height mount up to the heavens, And his head reach unto the clouds; 7 Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: They that have seen him shall say, Where is he? 8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: Yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. 9 The eye which saw him shall see him no more; Neither shall his place any more behold him. 10 His children shall seek the favor of the poor, And his hands shall give back his wealth. 11 His bones are full of his youth, But it shall lie down with him in the dust. 12 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, Though he hide it under his tongue, 13 Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth; 14 Yet his food in his bowels is turned, It is the gall of asps within him. 15 He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly. 16 He shall suck the poison of asps: The viper's tongue shall slay him. 17 He shall not look upon the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter. 18 That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down; According to the substance that he hath gotten, he shall not rejoice. 19 For he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor; He hath violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up. 20 Because he knew no quietness within him, He shall not save aught of that wherein he delighteth. 21 There was nothing left that he devoured not; Therefore his prosperity shall not endure. 22 In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: The hand of every one that is in misery shall come upon him. 23 When he is about to fill his belly, `God' will cast the fierceness of his wrath upon him, And will rain it upon him while he is eating. 24 He shall flee from the iron weapon, And the bow of brass shall strike him through. 25 He draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body; Yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall: Terrors are upon him. 26 All darkness is laid up for his treasures: A fire not blown `by man' shall devour him; It shall consume that which is left in his tent. 27 The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, And the earth shall rise up against him. 28 The increase of his house shall depart; `His goods' shall flow away in the day of his wrath. 29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the heritage appointed unto him by God. Chapter 21 1 Then Job answered and said, 2 Hear diligently my speech; And let this be your consolations. 3 Suffer me, and I also will speak; And after that I have spoken, mock on. 4 As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should I not be impatient? 5 Mark me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth. 6 Even when I remember I am troubled, And horror taketh hold on my flesh. 7 Wherefore do the wicked live, Become old, yea, wax mighty in power? 8 Their seed is established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes. 9 Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them. 10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; Their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. 11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance. 12 They sing to the timbrel and harp, And rejoice at the sound of the pipe. 13 They spend their days in prosperity, And in a moment they go down to Sheol. 14 And they say unto God, Depart from us; For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. 15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? 16 Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand: The counsel of the wicked is far from me. 17 How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? That their calamity cometh upon them? That `God' distributeth sorrows in his anger? 18 That they are as stubble before the wind, And as chaff that the storm carrieth away? 19 `Ye say', God layeth up his iniquity for his children. Let him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it: 20 Let his own eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 21 For what careth he for his house after him, When the number of his months is cut off? 22 Shall any teach God knowledge, Seeing he judgeth those that are high? 23 One dieth in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and quiet: 24 His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moistened. 25 And another dieth in bitterness of soul, And never tasteth of good. 26 They lie down alike in the dust, And the worm covereth them. 27 Behold, I know your thoughts, And the devices wherewith ye would wrong me. 28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt? 29 Have ye not asked wayfaring men? And do ye not know their evidences, 30 That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity? That they are led forth to the day of wrath? 31 Who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done? 32 Yet shall he be borne to the grave, And men shall keep watch over the tomb. 33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, And all men shall draw after him, As there were innumerable before him. 34 How then comfort ye me in vain, Seeing in your answers there remaineth `only' falsehood?

The Father’s Good Gifts

Published by InTouch Ministries for reading on June 5th.

Matthew 7:7-11 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone; 10 or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

One of God’s most generous assurances to His children is found in today’s reading from Matthew 7 Chapter 7 1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you. 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone; 10 or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 12 All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. 14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do `men' gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: 25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. 26 And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: 27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching: 29 for he taught them as `one' having authority, and not as their scribes. . Not only are we granted permission to come to the Father with our requests, but He also promises to answer our prayers. However, you may be thinking, If this is true, why hasn’t He given me what I asked for?

The key to understanding this passage is found in verses 9–11: “What man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? ... If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” Think in terms of parenting. A child may want the latest video game, but his parent knows that a different gift would be better for him. In the same way, the God who made us is more keenly aware of our needs than we are (Matt. 6:8).

Because of spiritual immaturity or the limitations of our humanity, we may ask for what we perceive as good and necessary, when it isn’t truly in our best interest. But our Father gives what He knows is more beneficial. The qualities of Christlike character are among His best gifts, but these develop through trials and testing. We may feel He’s given us a snake instead of a fish, but the problem is with our lack of understanding, not with the Lord’s goodness.

When it seems that the Lord isn’t answering your requests, remember that He’s a loving Father, and consider what good gifts He is giving instead. Although it may take years to gain a godly perspective, in time you’ll say, “Lord, You were right. Thank You for giving me exactly what I needed.”

Bible in One Year: Job 17-21 Chapter 17 1 My spirit is consumed, my days are extinct, The grave is `ready' for me. 2 Surely there are mockers with me, And mine eye dwelleth upon their provocation. 3 Give now a pledge, be surety for me with thyself; Who is there that will strike hands with me? 4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: Therefore shalt thou not exalt `them'. 5 He that denounceth his friends for a prey, Even the eyes of his children shall fail. 6 But he hath made me a byword of the people; And they spit in my face. 7 Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, And all my members are as a shadow. 8 Upright men shall be astonished at this, And the innocent shall stir up himself against the godless. 9 Yet shall the righteous hold on his way, And he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger. 10 But as for you all, come on now again; And I shall not find a wise man among you. 11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, Even the thoughts of my heart. 12 They change the night into day: The light, `say they', is near unto the darkness. 13 If I look for Sheol as my house; If I have spread my couch in the darkness; 14 If I have said to corruption, Thou art my father; To the worm, `Thou art' my mother, and my sister; 15 Where then is my hope? And as for my hope, who shall see it? 16 It shall go down to the bars of Sheol, When once there is rest in the dust. Chapter 18 1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, 2 How long will ye hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak. 3 Wherefore are we counted as beasts, `And' are become unclean in your sight? 4 Thou that tearest thyself in thine anger, Shall the earth be forsaken for thee? Or shall the rock be removed out of its place? 5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, And the spark of his fire shall not shine. 6 The light shall be dark in his tent, And his lamp above him shall be put out. 7 The steps of his strength shall be straitened, And his own counsel shall cast him down. 8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, And he walketh upon the toils. 9 A gin shall take `him' by the heel, `And' a snare shall lay hold on him. 10 A noose is hid for him in the ground, And a trap for him in the way. 11 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, And shall chase him at his heels. 12 His strength shall be hunger-bitten, And calamity shall be ready at his side. 13 The members of his body shall be devoured, `Yea', the first-born of death shall devour his members. 14 He shall be rooted out of his tent where he trusteth; And he shall be brought to the king of terrors. 15 There shall dwell in his tent that which is none of his: Brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation. 16 His roots shall be dried up beneath, And above shall his branch be cut off. 17 His remembrance shall perish from the earth, And he shall have no name in the street. 18 He shall be driven from light into darkness, And chased out of the world. 19 He shall have neither son nor son's son among his people, Nor any remaining where he sojourned. 20 They that come after shall be astonished at his day, As they that went before were affrighted. 21 Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous, And this is the place of him that knoweth not God. Chapter 19 1 Then Job answered and said, 2 How long will ye vex my soul, And break me in pieces with words? 3 These ten times have ye reproached me: Ye are not ashamed that ye deal hardly with me. 4 And be it indeed that I have erred, Mine error remaineth with myself. 5 If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, And plead against me my reproach; 6 Know now that God hath subverted me `in my cause', And hath compassed me with his net. 7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry for help, but there is no justice. 8 He hath walled up my way that I cannot pass, And hath set darkness in my paths. 9 He hath stripped me of my glory, And taken the crown from my head. 10 He hath broken me down on every side, and I am gone; And my hope hath he plucked up like a tree. 11 He hath also kindled his wrath against me, And he counteth me unto him as `one of' his adversaries. 12 His troops come on together, And cast up their way against me, And encamp round about my tent. 13 He hath put my brethren far from me, And mine acquaintance are wholly estranged from me. 14 My kinsfolk have failed, And my familiar friends have forgotten me. 15 They that dwell in my house, and my maids, count me for a stranger; I am an alien in their sight. 16 I call unto my servant, and he giveth me no answer, `Though' I entreat him with my mouth. 17 My breath is strange to my wife, And my supplication to the children of mine own mother. 18 Even young children despise me; If I arise, they speak against me. 19 All my familiar friends abhor me, And they whom I loved are turned against me. 20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, And I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. 21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; For the hand of God hath touched me. 22 Why do ye persecute me as God, And are not satisfied with my flesh? 23 Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! 24 That with an iron pen and lead They were graven in the rock for ever! 25 But as for me I know that my Redeemer liveth, And at last he will stand up upon the earth: 26 And after my skin, `even' this `body', is destroyed, Then without my flesh shall I see God; 27 Whom I, even I, shall see, on my side, And mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger. My heart is consumed within me. 28 If ye say, How we will persecute him! And that the root of the matter is found in me; 29 Be ye afraid of the sword: For wrath `bringeth' the punishments of the sword, That ye may know there is a judgment. Chapter 20 1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, 2 Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me, Even by reason of my haste that is in me. 3 I have heard the reproof which putteth me to shame; And the spirit of my understanding answereth me. 4 Knowest thou `not' this of old time, Since man was placed upon earth, 5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment? 6 Though his height mount up to the heavens, And his head reach unto the clouds; 7 Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: They that have seen him shall say, Where is he? 8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: Yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. 9 The eye which saw him shall see him no more; Neither shall his place any more behold him. 10 His children shall seek the favor of the poor, And his hands shall give back his wealth. 11 His bones are full of his youth, But it shall lie down with him in the dust. 12 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, Though he hide it under his tongue, 13 Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth; 14 Yet his food in his bowels is turned, It is the gall of asps within him. 15 He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly. 16 He shall suck the poison of asps: The viper's tongue shall slay him. 17 He shall not look upon the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter. 18 That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down; According to the substance that he hath gotten, he shall not rejoice. 19 For he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor; He hath violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up. 20 Because he knew no quietness within him, He shall not save aught of that wherein he delighteth. 21 There was nothing left that he devoured not; Therefore his prosperity shall not endure. 22 In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: The hand of every one that is in misery shall come upon him. 23 When he is about to fill his belly, `God' will cast the fierceness of his wrath upon him, And will rain it upon him while he is eating. 24 He shall flee from the iron weapon, And the bow of brass shall strike him through. 25 He draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body; Yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall: Terrors are upon him. 26 All darkness is laid up for his treasures: A fire not blown `by man' shall devour him; It shall consume that which is left in his tent. 27 The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, And the earth shall rise up against him. 28 The increase of his house shall depart; `His goods' shall flow away in the day of his wrath. 29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the heritage appointed unto him by God. Chapter 21 1 Then Job answered and said, 2 Hear diligently my speech; And let this be your consolations. 3 Suffer me, and I also will speak; And after that I have spoken, mock on. 4 As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should I not be impatient? 5 Mark me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth. 6 Even when I remember I am troubled, And horror taketh hold on my flesh. 7 Wherefore do the wicked live, Become old, yea, wax mighty in power? 8 Their seed is established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes. 9 Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them. 10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; Their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. 11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance. 12 They sing to the timbrel and harp, And rejoice at the sound of the pipe. 13 They spend their days in prosperity, And in a moment they go down to Sheol. 14 And they say unto God, Depart from us; For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. 15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? 16 Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand: The counsel of the wicked is far from me. 17 How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? That their calamity cometh upon them? That `God' distributeth sorrows in his anger? 18 That they are as stubble before the wind, And as chaff that the storm carrieth away? 19 `Ye say', God layeth up his iniquity for his children. Let him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it: 20 Let his own eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 21 For what careth he for his house after him, When the number of his months is cut off? 22 Shall any teach God knowledge, Seeing he judgeth those that are high? 23 One dieth in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and quiet: 24 His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moistened. 25 And another dieth in bitterness of soul, And never tasteth of good. 26 They lie down alike in the dust, And the worm covereth them. 27 Behold, I know your thoughts, And the devices wherewith ye would wrong me. 28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt? 29 Have ye not asked wayfaring men? And do ye not know their evidences, 30 That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity? That they are led forth to the day of wrath? 31 Who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done? 32 Yet shall he be borne to the grave, And men shall keep watch over the tomb. 33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, And all men shall draw after him, As there were innumerable before him. 34 How then comfort ye me in vain, Seeing in your answers there remaineth `only' falsehood?

Daily Bible - June 5

Published by Grace To You for reading on June 5th.

Reading for Today:

1 Kings 19:1 Chapter 19 1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. –20:43
Psalms 70:1-5 Chapter 70 1 `Make haste', O God, to deliver me; Make haste to help me, O Jehovah. 2 Let them be put to shame and confounded That seek after my soul: Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor That delight in my hurt. 3 Let them be turned back by reason of their shame That say, Aha, aha. 4 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee; And let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. 5 But I am poor and needy; Make haste unto me, O God: Thou art my help and my deliverer; O Jehovah, make no tarrying.
Proverbs 18:1-2 Chapter 18 1 He that separateth himself seeketh `his own' desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
John 14:1-31 Chapter 14 1 Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, `there' ye may be also. 4 And whither I go, ye know the way. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; how know we the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also: from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and dost thou not know me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou, Show us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater `works' than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask anything in my name, that will I do. 15 If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever, 17 `even' the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him: ye know him; for he abideth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you desolate: I come unto you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world beholdeth me no more; but ye behold me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 In that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him. 22 Judas (not Iscariot) saith unto him, Lord, what is come to pass that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my words: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, while `yet' abiding with you. 26 But the Comforter, `even' the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. 28 Ye heard how I said to you, I go away, and I come unto you. If ye loved me, ye would have rejoiced, because I go unto the Father: for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe. 30 I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world cometh: and he hath nothing in me; 31 but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

Notes:

1 Kings 19:3 he saw. His hope shattered, Elijah fled as a prophet, broken by Jezebel’s threats (v. 2), her unrepentant Baalism, and her continuing power over Israel. Elijah expected Jezebel to surrender. When she did not capitulate, he became a discouraged man (vv. 4, 10, 14).

1 Kings 19:4 broom tree. A desert bush that grew to a height of 10 feet. It had slender branches featuring small leaves and fragrant blossoms. take my life. Since Israelites believed that suicide was an affront to the Lord, it was not an option, whatever the distress. So Elijah asked the Lord for death (Jon. 4:3,8) because he viewed the situation as hopeless. Job ( Job 6:8 8 Oh that I might have my request; And that God would grant `me' the thing that I long for! , 9), Moses (Num. 11:10–15), and Jeremiah (Jer. 20:14–18) had also reacted in similar fashion during their ministries.

1 Kings 19:11 the LORD passed by. The 3 phenomena, wind, earthquake, and fire, announced the imminent arrival of the Lord (Ex. 19:16–19; Ps. 18:7–15; Hab. 3:3–6). The Lord’s self-revelation to Elijah came in a faint, whispering voice (v. 12). The lesson for Elijah was that Almighty God was quietly, sometimes imperceptibly, doing His work in Israel (v. 18).

1 Kings 19:19 Elisha. This name means “my God is salvation” and belonged to Elisha, the successor to Elijah (2 Kin. 2:9–15). It was a common practice for several teams of oxen, each with his own plow and driver, to work together in a row. After letting the others pass, Elijah threw his mantle around the last man, Elisha, thus designating him as his successor.

John 14:6 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. This is the sixth I AM statement of Jesus in John (6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 9; 10:11, 14; 11:25; 15:1, 5). In response to Thomas’s query (v. 4), Jesus declared that He is the way to God because He is the truth of God (1:14) and the life of God (1:4; 3:15; 11:25). In this verse, the exclusiveness of Jesus as the only approach to the Father is emphatic. Only one way, not many ways, exist to God, i.e., Jesus Christ (10:7–9; Matt. 7:13, 14; Luke 13:24 24 Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ; Acts 4:12 12 And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved. ).

John 14:12 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater `works' than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. greater works than these he will do. Jesus did not mean greater works in power, but in extent. They would become witnesses to all the world through the power of the indwelling and infilling of the Holy Spirit ( Acts 1:8 8 But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. ) and would bring many to salvation because of the Comforter dwelling in them. The focus is on spiritual rather than physical miracles. The Book of Acts constitutes the beginning historical record of the impact that the Spirit-empowered disciples had on the world ( Acts 17:6 6 And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; ).

DAY 5: How is the role of the Holy Spirit explained in John 14 Chapter 14 1 Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, `there' ye may be also. 4 And whither I go, ye know the way. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; how know we the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also: from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and dost thou not know me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou, Show us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater `works' than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask anything in my name, that will I do. 15 If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever, 17 `even' the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him: ye know him; for he abideth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you desolate: I come unto you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world beholdeth me no more; but ye behold me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 In that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him. 22 Judas (not Iscariot) saith unto him, Lord, what is come to pass that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my words: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, while `yet' abiding with you. 26 But the Comforter, `even' the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. 28 Ye heard how I said to you, I go away, and I come unto you. If ye loved me, ye would have rejoiced, because I go unto the Father: for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe. 30 I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world cometh: and he hath nothing in me; 31 but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. ?

Jesus said, “I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever” (v. 16). The priestly and intercessory work of Christ began with the request that the Father send the Holy Spirit to indwell in the people of faith (7:39; 15:26; 16:7; 20:22; Acts 1:8 8 But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. ; 2:4, 33). The Greek word specifically means “another of the same kind,” i.e., someone like Jesus Himself who will take His place and do His work. The Spirit of Christ is the Third Person of the Trinity, having the same essence of Deity as Jesus and as perfectly one with Him as He is with the Father. A “Helper” literally means one called alongside to help and has the idea of someone who encourages and exhorts. Abiding has to do with His permanent residence in believers (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 12:13).

He is the “Spirit of truth” (v. 17) in that He is the source of truth and communicates the truth to His own (v. 26; 16:12–15). Apart from Him, men cannot know God’s truth (1 Cor. 2:12–16; 1 John 2:20 20 And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all the things. , 27). He “dwells with you and will be in you.” This indicates some distinction between the ministry of the Holy Spirit to believers before and after Pentecost. While clearly the Holy Spirit has been with all who have ever believed throughout redemptive history as the source of truth, faith, and life, Jesus is saying something new is coming in His ministry. John 7:37 37 Now on the last day, the great `day' of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. –39 indicates this unique ministry would be like rivers of living water. Acts 19:1 Chapter 19 1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples: –7 introduces some Old Covenant believers who had not received the Holy Spirit in this unique fullness and intimacy.

He “will teach you all things”(v. 26).The Holy Spirit energized the hearts and minds of the apostles in their ministry, helping them to produce the New Testament scriptures. The disciples had failed to understand many things about Jesus and what He taught; but because of this supernatural work, they came to an inerrant and accurate understanding of the Lord and His work and recorded it in the Gospels and the rest of the New Testament scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21).

Additional Resources

June 5 - Using Wealth Wisely

Published by Grace To You for reading on June 5th.

“‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’” ( Matthew 6:19 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: –21).

There is a great potential for your possessions to become idols when you accumulate them for yourself. But possessions that are wisely, willingly, and generously used for kingdom purposes can be a means of accumulating heavenly possessions. When they are hoarded and stored, they not only become a spiritual hindrance but also are subject to loss through moth, rust, and thieves.

In ancient times, wealth was frequently measured in part by clothing. The best clothes were made of wool, which the moths loved to eat. Wealth was also often held in grain. The Greek word for “rust” means “an eating.” That’s the application here, since grain was often ruined by rats, mice, worms, and insects. Also, almost any kind of wealth can be stolen. Many people in those days buried their nonperishable valuables in the ground, away from the house, often in a field.

Nothing we own is completely safe from destruction or theft. But when our time, energy, and possessions are used to serve others and to further the Lord’s work, they build up heavenly resources that are completely free from destruction or theft.

Make sure you are living by this principle: “Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine” (Prov. 3:9–10).

Ask Yourself

How many of your worries revolve around financial issues? What kind of stress and strain does this place on your mind and spirit—whether your problem involves being anxious about the prospects of the money you have, or anxious about the money you don’t have?

Additional Resources

Integrity Stands on Principle

Published by Grace To You for reading on June 5th.

“And the king appointed for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king’s personal service. . . . But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself” ( Daniel 1:5 5 And the king appointed for them a daily portion of the king's dainties, and of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years; that at the end thereof they should stand before the king. ,8).

Godly integrity is built upon the foundation of biblical authority.

From the world’s perspective, King Nebuchadnezzar had much to offer his Hebrew captives: the best food, the best education, and high positions in his kingdom. But Daniel’s perspective was quite different. He did not object to receiving a pagan education because God had given no direct prohibition against that, and a Babylonian education had much to offer in the areas of architecture and science. But as with anyone receiving a secular education, Daniel would have to exercise discernment in sorting out the true from the false and the good from the bad.

It was when Daniel was asked to violate a direct command from God that he drew the line and took his stand on biblical principle. That’s the character of godly integrity. It bases decisions on the principles from God’s Word, not on mere preference, intimidation, or peer pressure. Seemingly Daniel had every reason to compromise: he was young, away from home, and facing severe consequences if he defied the king’s order. Yet he was unwavering in his obedience to God.

Although Daniel couldn’t obey the king’s order, he handled the situation in a wise and respectful manner by seeking permission to abstain from eating what God had forbidden. From his example we learn that standing on principle will sometimes put us at odds with those in authority over us, but even then we can love and respect them.

Suggestions for Prayer

Pray for those in authority over you who may want you to do things that would displease the Lord.
Pray for wisdom and grace to maintain a loving attitude toward them while still standing on biblical principles.

For Further Study

Read Acts 5:17-29 17 But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy, 18 and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward. 19 But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said, 20 Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life. 21 And when they heard `this', they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison-house to have them brought. 22 But the officers that came found them not in the prison; and they returned, and told, 23 saying, The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow. 25 And there came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people. 26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, `but' without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men. . How did the apostles respond to the authorities who commanded them to stop preaching the gospel?

Additional Resources

Be Slow to Anger

Published by Grace To You for reading on June 5th.

"Let everyone be . . . slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God" ( James 1:19-20 19 Ye know `this', my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. ).

If you resent God’s Word, you cannot grow in righteousness.

Have you ever started reading your Bible, thinking everything was fine between you and the Lord, only to have the Word suddenly cut deep into your soul to expose some sin you had neglected or tried to hide? That commonly happens because God seeks to purge sin in His children. The Holy Spirit uses the Word to penetrate the hidden recesses of the heart to do His convicting and purifying work. How you respond to that process is an indicator of the genuineness of your faith.

"Anger" in James 1:19-20 19 Ye know `this', my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. refers to a negative response to that process. It is a deep internal resentment accompanied by an attitude of rejection. Sometimes that resentment can be subtle. Paul described those who "will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires" (2 Tim. 4:3). They're the people who drift from church to church in search of someone who will tell them what they want to hear—or a congregation that wants a pastor who will make them feel good about themselves instead of preaching the Word and setting a high standard of holiness.

Sometimes resentment toward the Word ceases to be subtle and turns to open hostility. That happened when the crowd Stephen confronted covered their ears, drove him out of the city, and stoned him to death ( Acts 7:57-60 57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon `the Lord', and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. ). Countless others throughout history have felt the fatal blows of those whose resentment of God's truth turned to hatred for His people.

Receiving the Word includes being quick to hear what it says and slow to anger when it disagrees with your opinions or confronts your sin. Is that your attitude? Do you welcome its reproof and heed its warnings, or do you secretly resent it? When a Christian brother or sister confronts a sin in your life, do you accept or reject their counsel?

Suggestions for Prayer

Thank God for the power of His Word to convict you and drive you to repentance. Welcome its correction with humility and thanksgiving.

For Further Study

Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Chapter 4 1 I charge `thee' in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables. 5 But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. , noting the charge Paul gave to Timothy and his reason for giving it.

Additional Resources

Dependable in the Mundane

Published by John Piper for reading on June 5th.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ( Matthew 6:33 33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. )

One of the most powerful testimonies to the all-sufficiency of future grace is the “faith principle” that has governed the lives of so many missionaries, notably those of Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF).

Without condemning those who follow a different pattern, it has been the practice of those who follow in the steps of Hudson Taylor to move the hearts of people to give by talking to God and not people.

James H. Taylor, the great-grandson of the founder, explains how this faith in future grace, rooted in demonstrations of bygone grace, honors God.

We . . . begin from a position of faith. We believe God does exist. We have become convinced of this in a variety of ways, but all of us have experienced the grace of God in bringing us to know Himself through Jesus Christ and through rebirth by His Spirit. We believe we have good grounds of believing in Him through the historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead: we believe that someone who said He would die and rise again, and did it, is credible in every other way. Therefore we are prepared to trust Him, not only for the eternal salvation of our souls, but also for the practical provision of our daily bread and financial support.

OMF publishes testimonies of God’s amazing faithfulness to demonstrate the glory of his all-supplying future grace. “We want to demonstrate that God can be trusted to do all that He says He will do, by sharing how He has provided for such mundane needs as plane tickets, meals, medical expenses, and the regular support of a whole group of Christian people for well over a hundred years.”

What OMF is devoted to is glorifying the dependability of God — in their message and in their method. Hudson Taylor put it this way: “There is a living God. He has spoken in the Bible. He means what He says and will do all that He has promised.”

Lives of faith are the great mirror of the dependability of God.

Morning Devotional by C.H. Spurgeon for June 5th

Published by C.H. Spurgeon for reading on June 5th.

Genesis 7:16 16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God commanded him: and Jehovah shut him in.

NOAH was shut in away from all the world by the hand of divine love. The door of electing purpose interposes between us and the world which lieth in the wicked one. We are not of the world even as our Lord Jesus was not of the world. Into the sin, the gaiety, the pursuits of the multitude we cannot enter; we cannot play in the streets of Vanity Fair with the children of darkness, for our heavenly Father has shut us in. Noah was shut in with his God. "Come thou into the ark," was the Lord's invitation, by which He clearly showed that He Himself intended to dwell in the ark with His servant and his family. Thus all the chosen dwell in God and God in them. Happy people to be enclosed in the same circle which contains God in the Trinity of His persons, Father, Son, and Spirit. Let us never be inattentive to that gracious call, "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee, and hide thyself as it were for a little moment until the indignation be overpast." Noah was so shut in that no evil could reach him. Floods did but lift him heavenward, and winds did but waft him on his way. Outside of the ark all was ruin, but inside all was rest and peace. Without Christ we perish, but in Christ Jesus there is perfect safety. Noah was so shut in that he could not even desire to come out, and those who are in Christ Jesus are in Him for ever. They shall go no more out for ever, for eternal faithfulness has shut them in, and infernal malice cannot drag them out. The Prince of the house of David shutteth and no man openeth; and when once in the last days as Master of the house He shall rise up and shut the door, it will be in vain for mere professors to knock, and cry Lord, Lord open unto us, for that same door which shuts in the wise virgins will shut out the foolish for ever. Lord, shut me in by Thy grace.

Evening Devotional by C.H. Spurgeon for June 5th

Published by C.H. Spurgeon for reading on June 5th.

1 John 4:8 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

THE distinguishing mark of a Christian is his confidence in the love of Christ, and the yielding of his affections to Christ in return. First, faith sets her seal upon the man by enabling the soul to say with the apostle, "Christ loved me and gave Himself for me." Then love gives the countersign, and stamps upon the heart gratitude and love to Jesus in return. "We love Him because He first loved us." In those grand old ages, which are the heroic period of the Christian religion, this double mark was clearly to be seen in all believers in Jesus; they were men who knew the love of Christ, and rested upon it as a man leaneth upon a staff whose trustiness he has tried. The love which they felt towards the Lord was not a quiet emotion which they hid within themselves in the secret chamber of their souls, and which they only spake of in their private assemblies when they met on the first day of the week, and sang hymns in honour of Christ Jesus the crucified, but it was a passion with them of such a vehement and all-consuming energy, that it was visible in all their actions, spoke in their common talk, and looked out of their eyes even in their commonest glances. Love to Jesus was a flame which fed upon the core and heart of their being; and, therefore, from its own force burned its way into the outer man, and shone there. Zeal for the glory of King Jesus was the seal and mark of all genuine Christians. Because of their dependence upon Christ's love they dared much, and because of their love to Christ they did much, and it is the same now. The children of God are ruled in their inmost powers by love—the love of Christ constraineth them; they rejoice that divine love is set upon them, they feel it shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto them, and then by force of gratitude they love the Saviour with a pure heart, fervently. My reader, do you love Him? Ere you sleep give an honest answer to a weighty question!