Today and Tomorrow, Too!

"In the beginning God..."—Gen. 1:1.

I still believe that God created the universe in six twenty-four-hour days. Science has never proved otherwise. It has only proved that if you repeat supposition and hypothesis enough times, lots of people will believe it. I think many believe the guesswork of evolution out of an inherent hatred for God Almighty and His Son, Jesus Christ. I believe that God created man out of the dust of the ground and made him a living soul by breathing into him the breath of life. We came from dust, and we will return to dust (Gen. 3:19).

When a little boy who was cleaning his room saw some dust under his bed, he exclaimed, Mommy, Mommy, someone is either coming or going under my bed! (Please forgive this poor attempt at humor.)

New Year’s Day is a new beginning, a new book of blank pages upon which to write, a clean slate, a fresh start. The past can be nothing more than just that—the past. May God help us to let it go, realizing there is nothing one can do to change what has already taken place. Start over today with a fresh zeal and aspiring hope for tomorrow.

I know you may have endured crushing defeats and suffered from troubling slights and grievous misdeeds (yours and those of others). However, let this hour become a dedicated day of new beginning. From the chaos and darkness of the past, may the Words of God thunder through the dark caverns of your life: Let there be light (1:3). And may His Spirit move on the face of your deep and bring hope.

Genesis 1–3

January 2

Life of One Sentence

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life?"—Jas. 4:14.

The Bible often summarizes a man’s life in one sentence. Consider these few examples:

"They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost."

"David... served his own generation by the will of God."—Acts 6:5; 13:36.

"And Enoch walked with God."

"And Joseph dreamed a dream."—Gen. 5:24; 37:5.

What would your life consist of if it were reduced to just one sentence? If it were summed up in one statement, what would it be? Bob is a critical old curmudgeon, or, Francis is a compulsive gossip, or—you get the picture. If one sentence were the compelling comment of God about your sojourn on this planet, I hope it would be something positive and spiritual and that your life enhanced the work of God in your sphere of influence.

Suppose you faced God this year and you were required to express in one sentence why you should be allowed into Heaven. I trust your answer would read something like this: Because the blood of Jesus Christ has been applied to my life, or, I repented of my sins and trusted Christ as my Saviour. There are no contrasting answers that will garner an access to Glory. Lidie H. Edmunds, the songwriter, said, I need no other argument; I need no other plea. It is enough that Jesus died and that He died for me.

Genesis 4–6

January 3

Enduring the Hard Times

"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."—II Tim. 2:3.

John G. Paton was thirty-four years old when he and his young expectant wife sailed to the New Hebrides from Great Britain. They arrived on the island of Tanna on November 5, 1858. Both were in excellent health and were excitedly awaiting the birth of their firstborn as they began their labors for our Lord.

On February 12, 1859, God gave them a son. Now from Paton’s autobiography come these solemn words: Both mother and child seemed to prosper ... but the greatest of sorrows was treading hard upon the heels of that joy. Mrs. Paton died with symptoms of pneumonia on March 3, 1859. After this tragedy, his words echo with pathos as he records the following weeks’ crucible of crises: To crown my sorrows and complete my loneliness, the dear baby boy ... was taken from me. The paragraphs that follow this in his memoir are holy ground.

I am constantly barraged by the trials and troubles of life of which I am informed. Many brothers and sisters are going through excruciating ordeals—sick children and grandchildren, ailing spouses and even spiritual sicknesses that destroy men’s souls and ruin lives.

Individually, we must handle these circumstances with grace and a firm grasp on the promises of God. Corporately, the Scriptures teach us to bear one another’s burdens and never cease to pray for one another. May our compassion for others never fail!

Superimposed on our place in life is the hand of God, and we are encouraged by Frank E. Graeff’s lyrics: Does Jesus care when my heart is pained? ... Oh, yes, He cares; I know He cares! ... I know my Saviour cares!

Genesis 7–9

January 4

Lending to the Lord

"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again."—Prov. 19:17.

Mother, said the young boy, haven’t you a pie you would like to lend to the Lord?

Why, Son, what do you mean? she asked, for she thought at first it was a joke.

Don’t you remember, Mom, he asked, that the Bible says, ‘He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD’? I don’t believe the widow down the street has had a pie in a while, and I thought you could bake one and take it to her; then you would be lending to the Lord.

Now there’s a thought. You talk about the Bible coming alive or putting your faith in shoe leather! Our little theologian realized that by giving to others, we are actually lending to the Lord.

And perhaps he knew what the great missionary statesman knew: God will be no man’s debtor. The Lord will repay in kind, and His rewards for obeying the most obscure of Scripture truths will be wonderful. Remember, the Lord always pays His debts, and nothing done for others in His name will go unnoticed. Just think, Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward (Matt. 10:42). What will God do for you for an apple pie or a chocolate cake?

Genesis 10–12

January 5

I’m Looking Forward to the Tour

"And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb."—Rev. 22:1.

As I travel around our country and across the seas, people take me to well-known tourist attractions and sometimes less-famous points of interest. The locals are proud of their locale and want me to see various spots. Interestingly enough, often they have lived there for years and have never been to the locations themselves!

One of my greatest dreads about sightseeing is tour guides. I like to go at my own pace (fast) and read for myself what is interesting to me and not to some boring tour guide. (Please forgive me if you are an interesting tour guide.)

Our subject today, however, is a much-anticipated tour for the children of God, the redeemed. The Book of Revelation reveals that the Divine Tour Guide showed John some wonderful, awe-inspiring sights that draw our attention and make the saved soul yearn for eternity’s long day. I am looking forward to this tour of a river, a throne, a street, a tree, a veritable fresh-fruit stand and healing leaves. I believe the highlight of the tour will be his face (vs. 4). Oh, to see His face; to see His eyes and know their love; to see His lips and hear, Well done!

I don’t think I’ll be in a mad dash on this tour, for there is no night in that wondrous land, and time will be no more. The tour of that city will be a glad reunion day, and, really, I’ll be HOME!

Genesis 13–16

January 6

Satisfied

"As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."—Ps. 17:15.

Most people go through life with an insatiable thirst for something. For many, it is money. The story is attributed to various tycoons who were supposedly asked how much money it would take to satisfy them. Their reply: Just a little bit more.

Others have desires for things of this life that, in and of themselves, can never satisfy. Satisfaction is not easily obtained in this world. Satisfaction is like floating soap bubbles and gossamer-winged fairies of the imagination.

The psalmist, however, got it right. He recognized that when he awoke in the Land of the Redeemed, he would be satisfied. The desire of all the saved of Adam’s race to be like Jesus will finally be realized. Throughout our time of human bondage, we have been like us. Then, when awakened on Glory’s sublime strand, we will be like Him!

John the apostle said it as well as it could possibly be stated: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is (I John 3:2).

When we see Him as He is, we will see ourselves like He is! And in that glad instant of eternity’s glorious beginning for us, we will be thoroughly satisfied! Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20).

Genesis 17–19

January 7

Give God Glory Always

"And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

"And all the people saw him walking and praising God."—Acts 3:8, 9.

In a store in Tennessee that sells used books, I came across a beautiful old Bible. It was printed by the Winston Company many years ago. The print was called perfect text, and I thought that was appropriate for the Word of God. I attempted to buy the Book, but the proprietor gave it to me instead.

The Bible was previously owned by at least three different ladies who had resided in Hollywood and Reedley, California. Their various styles of handwriting are found throughout its pages. The notes made in this wonderful Bible are in a very delicate, lovely penmanship like that from those who were taught to write in the early days of the twentieth century. Today’s thoughts come from a spidery-thin note written in the margin beside our text verses: Give God Glory Always.

To give God glory for the miraculous experiences of life is easy. But to praise Him also for the mundane hours is an extra virtue. To give Him glory in the gloom-filled days is a form of godliness not seen much in our day of outcome-based religious thought. I have often repeated this little phrase I heard many years ago: There are two times to praise God—when you feel like it and when you don’t feel like it.

Praising God for His bountiful hand of blessing and guiding hand of grace is the wonderful privilege of the child of God.

Genesis 20–22

January 8

Thank God for the Timothys

"From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."—II Tim. 3:15.

I thank God for the Timothys I have met on the road of life. All of my own brothers could be called Timothys, as could my three sons. I’m talking about those who were saved at a young age and who from a child [knew] the holy scriptures. They never went out into deep sin. They stayed faithful to the God that saved them in their youth.

I know that the Timothys sometimes hear the testimonies of the madmen of Gadara and perhaps desire to have a more flamboyant or dramatic testimony. To be honest with you, some of those testimonies degenerate into a rehearsal of unrighteousness, and I think they do more harm than good.

God’s grace is able to save to the uttermost, but it is also powerful enough to keep one out of the gutter in the first place! The thrilling testimony of how God’s matchless grace reached an errant Prodigal is wonderful. However, the testimony of God’s keeping power that allows His children never even to see the bright lights of the far country is even more amazing and powerful.

I thank God for all of you Timothys who have stayed true through testings down through the years of your journey with God. Those Holy Scriptures surely have proven strong in your life. God bless you.

Genesis 23,24

January 9

Dr. R. G. Lee’s Life Verse

"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."—Ps. 34:1.

When Dr. Robert Greene Lee signed my Bible over three decades ago, he didn’t have a life’s verse; it was a life’s chapter—yes, all of Psalm 34! There’s many a verse in that chapter that would make a good life verse. Perhaps this great southern orator needed a whole chapter of verses!

I heard Dr. Lee speak on several occasions. Once, in Michigan, I heard him preach his famous classic, Payday Someday. Another young preacher and I attended the revival he was preaching in a dead church. My friend and I were the only ones who said amen (and we shouted it many times) during the whole sermon. The sainted servant made a beeline for us after the message and thanked us profusely for encouraging him. As an evangelist myself for over a quarter of a century, I know what it’s like to find someone on your side on a difficult battlefield.

This chapter is David’s way of praising God for deliverance from the hand of Saul and for protecting him while he was in Abimelech’s kingdom. Praises like I will bless the LORD at all times (vs. 1), my soul shall make her boast in the LORD (vs. 2) and O magnify the LORD with me (vs. 3) ought to be constantly heard in a consecrated Christian’s life.

Several devotions in this book are based upon life verses of men who included Scripture references with their autographs in my first Bible. I do not presume that what I have written is what the verses meant to these great men of God.

Genesis 25, 26

January 10

Suffering Is for All

"I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake."—Acts 9:16.

Telling people how much they are going to have to suffer—there are not too many of us that use that tactic in our soul winning or discipleship! But the truth is that if one lives a godly life, he will suffer (II Tim. 3:12). Suffering comes in many forms and wears various hats.

In the story of the crucifixion, we see that all three of those that were nailed to the crosses suffered. The unrepentant thief suffered in his sin and was crucified justly for the crimes he had committed. The penitent thief was also put to death that dark day. However, his suffering was soon to end as he awoke in Paradise as a convert to Christ Jesus. Also, the Son of God suffered on Calvary. But His suffering began in the garden when the weight of mankind’s sin pressed upon His heart and He bore it on the cross in His body (I Pet. 2:24).

Suffering is the heritage of the human race. It is part and parcel of our earthly makeup, and it is inescapable. But the suffering or light affliction of this life is but for a moment, [and] worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (II Cor. 4:17). It will soon be over, child of God, and then comes Glory!

Genesis 27,28

January 11

Your Value to God

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold...

"But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."—I Pet. 1:18,19.

The Legend of Johnny Lingo is a wonderful story that is too long to be told in detail in this space. The tale briefly speaks of a new arrival on a South Sea island who hears everyone making fun of Johnny Lingo because he purchased a wife with eight cows (the custom in the islands at that time). And to make matters worse for Johnny, they said that she was homely.

The newcomer went to see for himself, and to his amazement, Johnny’s wife was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. With a smile, Johnny asked the visitor if he was surprised and whether he thought that Johnny had been cheated. Of course not, was the man’s ready reply, and he wondered why people were making fun of Johnny. Johnny said that he had paid such a high price for her because he loved her and wanted her to know how valuable she was to him. Johnny wanted an eight-cow wife, and his bride had responded to his high estimation of her.

What about you, fellow Christian? Did God pay such a high price for you so you could remain faithless, careless, carnal and unchaste? Don’t you think the price He paid on Calvary for you ought to raise the level of your living commensurate to the value of His payment? Paul put it this way to the church at Ephesus: Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light (Eph. 5:8).

Genesis 29, 30

January 12

Hope Thou in God

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."—Ps. 42:5, 11.

Everyone who dares to look into the mirror first thing in the morning knows we need to look better, and we can. Out comes the comb, the brush, the soap and so on. And, after a while, we do improve—a bit.

Our two verses today are very similar, but with a vital difference at the end. Verse 5 speaks of the help of his countenance, and verse 11 speaks of the health of my countenance. If we can get a good look at Him, it will help how we look!

Don’t be discouraged or disheartened by the circumstances and situations of life—hope in God! Hope in God will let you see Him properly and clearly, and, in turn, it will improve your spiritual, physical and emotional countenance. The expression on your face will be strengthened or soothed, whatever the need, by the expression of hope in God.

A cast-down soul and a disquieted child of God can be lifted to plains of light by hope in God. The dark clouds of despair can be turned to brilliant day by hope in God. The tears that fall like rain can be wiped away by hope in God. Oh, my friends, hope thou in God.

Genesis 31, 32

January 13

A Tale of Two Seas

"And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves."—Acts 27:41.

I have been preaching for many years in the northern district of the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. It’s always a nice place to go in the winter, and we usually reap a good harvest of souls among these wonderfully friendly Bahamians.

There is basically one road that runs the one-hundred-ten-mile length of the island. It is called the Queen’s Highway. One section of this thoroughfare is served by the Glass Window Bridge. This bridge spans a one-hundred-foot break in the island where the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea meet. The Caribbean Sea is usually calm, while the Atlantic breaks its waves in white surf, sometimes as high as a ten-story building. This is the only place that I have ever been where two seas literally meet.

Our thought today has to do with times when the calm seas of life meet the crashing waves of calamity. Often it’s a phone call in the night that takes us from the serenity of sleep to the storm surge of tragedy. In a millimoment, our easy days can become hectic, terror-filled nights.

My friend, as God was there in the Adriatic for Paul and his shipmates, He will be present in your life when the two contrasting seas in your life inevitably meet. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God (vs. 25).

Genesis 33–35

January 14

Boomerang Prayers

"I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom."—Ps. 35:13.

I don’t really know if I have a firm grip on the handles of this verse or thought, but here goes. Edmund Burke said, Never despair, but, if you do, work on in despair.

As usual, David is in a mess. He seems always to be either in a fight, recovering from a battle or getting ready for another conflict. That sounds a lot like us, doesn’t it? He is doing what he feels is necessary to get God’s favor and attract His attention. However, the heavens must have been as brass, for his prayer came back to him.

He sent it as the arrow of deliverance, and it returned to pierce his own soul. He desired the warm smile of His Sovereign; instead, he had to endure the smirks of his enemies. He desired to make his boast in the Lord; instead, his prayers were bouncing around in his bosom, going nowhere. Have you ever felt like this? The enemy always seems to win, and his cheering mobs are booing you!

I think part of the solution to this solemn situation is just to keep on keeping on until the light breaks through. One of Daniel’s prayers was hindered for three whole weeks (Dan. 10:13). One stanza of a favorite poem of mine says,

I’ve prayed many a prayer when no answer came,

Though I’ve waited patiently and long;

But answers have come to enough of my prayers

That I’m just going to keep praying on.

Genesis 36, 37

January 15

Decaffeinated Christians

"I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints)."—I Cor. 16:15.

I am not a big coffee drinker, and I preface my remarks with apologies to Lester Roloff, but I don’t think caffeine-free coffee is as stimulating as the real thing. It doesn’t have anywhere near the kick and doesn’t do much for the coffee drinker.

According to our text, the house of Stephanas had been converted early in Paul’s ministry, and they had devoted themselves to the blessed task of ministering to God’s people. They were great helpers and laborers in the apostle’s work (vs. 16).

My thoughts today concern Christians who are decaffeinated. There is nothing about their lives that is habit forming. They don’t read their Bibles faithfully. Their prayer life is only ignited by the emergency room. And their witness might be better left under a bushel (Matt. 5:15). There is nothing about them that is encouraging or inspiring, that motivates others to desire to have what they have and know Whom they know.

A real-coffee Christian will provoke others to love and to good works (Heb. 10:24). He will zealously provoke others to minister to the saints (II Cor. 9:1, 2). Our lives should kindle love in the hearts of others, spur saintliness, goad godliness and inspire a holy desire for the things of God.

May God give you a full cup of His best-brewed coffee today; when He does, share some with a friend or brother!

Genesis 38–40

January 16

Trying on Shoes

"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last."—Rev. 1:17.

I have no desire to get into any controversy with thousands of female readers, but I do think ladies try on shoes at a greater rate than we fellows do. My wife even has a little slogan she abides by: If the shoe fits, buy it in every color! I think she believes that is a Bible command!

Shoes are referred to many times in the Bible, from Moses’ being ordered to remove his shoes because of how close he was to holy ground and a burning bush (Exod. 3:5), to Luke’s record of Paul’s sermon regarding the humility of John the Baptist when John declared he was not worthy to loosen Jesus’ shoes (Acts 13:25).

Shoes and feet go together like ants and a picnic, or like baseball, apple pie and the American flag. Some things seem just to fit together.

However, Christians are becoming more and more like square pegs that can never fit in the round holes of modern society. The values that we hold dear are being trampled in the street by same-sex marriage; the murdering of the innocents (our national sin, that is, I believe, swiftly bringing God’s judgment); blasphemous, heathen religions and a long litany of licentiousness unprecedented in the annals of our history.

Friend, the only place a child of God really fits is at Jesus’ feet around His throne in Glory! If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha (I Cor. 16:22).

Genesis 41, 42

January 17

Ten Shekels, a Suit and Your Supper

"And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in."—Judg. 17:10.

Micah was like many modern-day church members who do not want to go to church anymore. It was too far; the preacher preached too long; the pews were too hard—you know the kind (maybe you are one of that kind). So he hired a Levite to be his priest and perform religious services for him at his convenience. The carnal Levite was content to be a hired priest, or, in New Testament language, an hireling (John 10:12). He sold out for money, clothes and a full belly.

The question I want to ask you is this: What is your price; for what are you selling out? Many today are selling out for far less than Esau’s mess of pottage (Gen. 25:30–34) or even Judas’ thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:15).

Men are selling out for a comfortable lifestyle and a retirement package at the end of the rainbow. Some are compromising old-time religion for the new-age philosophies of a dying culture. Some have given up good music standards and substituted a poor excuse for spiritual songs to placate some carnal, ego-driven song leader. Many have compromised truth for numbers; and others have avoided truth, emptying their pews, and claimed that as spirituality!

Regardless of the price for which you are willing to sell yourself—don’t! It is better to pay the price and stay true to God and bring glory to His Son and our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Genesis 43, 44

January 18

A Christian’s Revenge

"If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head."—Rom. 12:20.

A young Christian girl in South America was captured in the jungle by an enemy of her father. This sadistic foe cut off both her hands. The young lady finally recovered from her wounds, and many years passed.

One day, a penniless pauper knocked at the door of the young girl’s father to ask for help. When she opened the door, she instantly recognized him as the fiend that had cut off her hands. She ordered a servant to bring the man food and drink and sat down and watched him eat as only a famished man could. When her savage enemy had finished, she removed the coverings that hid her handless wrists, and, holding them up to his startled face, she said, I have had my revenge.

The apostle Paul is instructing all of us to take the high road when it comes to personal retribution. It is often easy to attack and return in kind the ill treatment we receive. However, the Bible teaches us to take a far different approach.

If we could somehow learn to return kindness for mistreatment, we might feel the warmth of this strange kind of revenge—a revenge that doesn’t rejoice in another’s misfortunes but allows us to stoke the coals of fire and burn the barriers that others have created.

Genesis 45–47

January 19

A Rose of Love

"I am the rose of Sharon."—Song of Sol. 2:1.

"And to know the love of Christ."—Eph. 3:19.

A young radio comedian fell in love with a young woman named Mary. He