For Reading and Meditation:      Psalm 33:1-22Today, the idea that God created the world is scoffed at by many. Modern astronomers probing into outer space with their gigantic telescopes favor two theories as to the origin of the universe. One is the so-called Big Bang Theory, according to which "The cosmos started with a titanic explosion and as a consequence has been expanding ever since." The other is the Continuous Creation Theory which maintains that "The universe is self-creating and is constantly making itself out of nothing and falling back into nothingness again." What many scientists are not prepared to admit is that the ultimate energy behind the universe is a not a Big Bang, but a Big Being - an intelligent Being of indescribable majesty and power who is able to do whatever He chooses. And because what He chooses is always good, He can be trusted to have the best interest of His creation at heart. When Joseph Haydn, the famous Austrian composer, had finished his great oratorio The Creation, he is said to have cried: "Not from me! Not from me! From above it has all come!" Our text for today reminds us that by God's Word were the heavens made and by His breath the stars were formed. I once heard my father, a local preacher, picturesquely describe the creation in this way: "It was no harder for God to create a world than it is for my son to blow soap bubbles into the air out of his clay pipe." I go back to that lovely image often nowadays. I find that when contemplating this awesome, mighty, all-powerful God, my soul instinctively cries: "How great Thou art." I hope yours does too!Yes Father, as I contemplate Your majesty and Your power my soul cries out also: "How great Thou art." It can do nothing else, for contemplation of You inevitably leads to adoration of You. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Matthew 19:16-26</li><li>1 Chronicles 29:12</li><li>Psalm 62:11</li><li>Isaiah 43:12-13</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What did Jesus declare?</li><li>What did God declare?</li></ul></div></div>

Let a little light into your soul every day with this wonderful devotional from English pastor Selwyn Hughes.

Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth." (v. 6) For reading & meditation -  Psalm 33:1-22

For Reading and Meditation:      Mark 10:46-52We are seeing that the first step to mental and spiritual health is receptivity - we must be willing to empty our hands of whatever we are holding and receive Christ. Life has been defined as response to environment. You and I live physically when we respond to our physical environment - we take in food, light and air. When response is shut off, we die physically. Our spiritual environment is the kingdom of God. When we respond to it, surrender to it, receive our very life from it - then we live happily and abundantly. Take a plant - how does it live? By being proud, self-sufficient, unrelated and unresponsive? No; it lives by surrendering, adjusting, receiving. Suppose a plant tried to live by asserting itself, by trying to "lord" it over the other plants - what would be the result? It would lose its life, for it lives only as it responds to its environment. When it is properly adjusted, it takes in from the air, sun and soil and lives abundantly. The plain truth of what Christ is saying, then, in the words, "Blessed [or happy] are the poor in spirit", is that we must choose to give up whatever we are holding and allow Him to fill our lives with His forgiveness, love and power. A highly cultured and beautiful woman, after reviewing her life, said with a sigh: "I have everything - and nothing." Everything in the way of comfort and riches - yet she was empty in heart. To find happiness, we must find Christ. And how do we find Him? We do what the blind man did in the passage today - fling away our "garment" and run to Jesus. Blessed Lord Jesus, where else can I run? If I run from You, I shall run away from life, from release, from forgiveness, from freedom and from eternal happiness. So I come, humbly, willingly - and receive. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Matthew 19:16-29</li><li>Matthew 16:25</li><li>John 12:24</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What was the young man's problem?</li><li>What did Jesus teach must come before life?</li></ul></div></div>

"And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus." (v. 50, NKJ)

Matthew 19:1-2 Matthew 19:13-26The words, "He departed from Galilee," have significance, when we consider the circumstances, which give them a peculiar sadness. This was our Lords' final departure from Galilee. He had been brought up there. Much of His public ministry had been wrought there. In that part of the country, He had met with the kindliest reception. He had multitudes of friends in Galilee. He had performed countless miracles there, and had been a comforter of numberless sorrowing and suffering ones. Now He was leaving the dear familiar scenes - and the people He loved so well. No wonder the throngs followed Him. The farewell must have been tender.Some incidents of the journey are given. One was a discussion with the Pharisees concerning divorce. Jesus in His words gave most important teaching on the sacredness of marriage. "So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."Another incident was the bringing of little children to Him that He might bless them. It is not said that the mothers brought them - but this is probable. The language in Luke strengthens this inference. "Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them." The disciples probably thought their Master ought not to be troubled with babies and little children, and so they rebuked those who were bringing them. But Jesus was moved with indignation when He saw what His disciples were doing, and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." This was one of the few times when it is said Jesus was angry. It grieved Him to have his disciples try to keep the children away from Him. He would not have anyone kept from coming to Him - but if any are more welcome than others, they are children. Very beautiful is the picture we see. He welcomed the children to Him, took them in His arms, laid His hands on them and blessed them.<div class="center-it mtb10">Another incident in this journey to Jerusalem is that of the rich young ruler who came to Jesus with such earnestness, and then went away from Him so sadly. All that is told to us about this young man's coming to Jesus, shows us his sincerity and earnestness. "A man ran up to Him - and fell on his knees before Him" (Mark 10:17). The running shows how eager he was, and his eagerness tell of an unsatisfied heart. He seems to have attained the best that a young man could reach, without taking Christ into his life. He was young, with powers fresh and full. He was rich, with the honor, ease, distinction and influence that riches give. The fact that he was a ruler shows the confidence his fellow men put in him. Is moral character was above reproach, for he said, without boasting, that he had scrupulously kept the commandments. He was a man of winning disposition, for Jesus loved him and was drawn to him in a peculiar manner. It would be hard to conceive of a man - with more to satisfy him.</div>Yet with all his good qualities, his worldly advantages, his good name and his conscience void of offense - he was not satisfied! He needed something more to make his life complete.The question which this young man asked of Jesus is the most important question ever asked in this world. "What shall I do that I may have eternal life?" We do not know how much he understood about the eternal life concerning which he inquired. The fact, however, that he asked the question, shows that he had at least some glimmering of the better life for which he hungered. No matter how much pleasure, or how great success, or how high honor one may gain in the world, if at the end of three score and ten years - he passes into eternity unsaved - what comfort will it give him to remember his fine success on the earth?A rich man failed in business. He gathered up the fragments of his wrecked fortune - a few thousand dollars. He determined to go to the West and start anew. He took his money and built a splendid car, furnishing it in the most luxurious style, and stocking it with provisions for his journey. In this sumptuous car he traveled to his destination. At length he stepped from the door of his car - and only then thought for the first time of his great folly. He had used all his money in getting to his new home, and now had nothing with which to use there. This incident illustrates the foolishness of those who think only of this life - and make no provision for eternity .Answering the young mans question, Jesus turned his thoughts to the commandments. "If you would enter into life, keep the commandments." He referred him to the law, which he might show him how he had missed the mark, how far short he had come of gaining life by his own obedience. "You know the commandments." It is easy enough to imagine one's self quite obedient, while one puts easy interpretation upon the Divine law. But when one has seen the law in all its lofty purity, in its wide spiritual application, in its absolute perfection, and then has compared his own life with it - he soon learns that he needs a Savior!A pupil may think his writing is good - until he compares it with the copy at the top of the page, and then all its faults appear. The young artist may think his pictures are fine - until he looks upon the works of some great master, and then he never wants to see his own poor painting again. So long as on has no true conception of the meaning of the commandments, he may think himself fairly good; but when he undertakes what the commandments really require, he is at once convicted of sin.<div class="center-it mtb10">There must have been pity in the heart of Jesus, as He looked upon the young man and heard him say glibly, "All these things have I observed from my youth." He did not know what he was saying, when he spoke thus of his own obedience. But Jesus very frankly answers his question, "One thing you lack!" (Mark 10:21). He was not far from the kingdom of God, and yet he was not in it. Many men are good, almost Christians, and yet not Christians. It may be only one thing that is lacking - but that one thing is the most important of all, the last link in the chain that would unite the soul to the Savior. It is the final step that takes one over the line - from death into life, out of condemnation into glorious blessedness. One may go to the very edge - and not step over; he may reach the door - and not enter. Almost a Christian - is not a Christian. Almost saved - is still lost.</div>Jesus made a very large demand upon this young man. He said to him, "Sell everything you have, and give to the poor… and come and follow Me." This is not a prescription for being saved by good works - that is not the way Christ saves men. He saw this young man's weakness, that with all his excellent qualities - his heart was still wedded to the world, and the test which He gave, required him to give up that which stood between him and eternal life. He would not be saved by giving his riches to the poor. Charity is not a way of salvation. But the young man could not be saved until his idol was broken! So the demand was to get him to give up his money - and take Christ into his heart.<div class="center-it mtb10">It was a hard battle that was fought those moments, in this young man's heart. It grieved him not to be able to enter the circle of Christ's followers - but he could not pay the price. "At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth." He wanted to go with Jesus - but he could not accept the conditions. Let us think of him after this day. He kept his money - but every time he looked at it - he would be forced to remember that he had give up Christ and eternal life for the sake of it. He would see written over his piles of gold and his deeds and bonds, "These things cost me eternal life!" His experience was just the reverse of the man who found the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:46) and then sold all he had - and bought it. The young ruler found the pearl, asked the price, and considered the purchase - but did not buy it, because he was not willing to pay so much.</div>As the young man turned away Jesus was grieved, and said to the disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" Just so, it is not easy to be rich - and to be a Christian. Christ spoke many earnest words concerning money and the danger of loving money. Yet not many people seem to be afraid of getting rich .One morning a pastor found on his pulpit desk a bit of paper with these words on it: "The prayers of this congregation are requested for a man who is growing rich." It seemed a strange request - but no doubt it was a wise one. No men more need to be prayed for - than those who are becoming prosperous, becoming rich.A priest said that among all the thousands who had come to him with confession of sin - not one had ever confessed the sin of covetousness. Men are not conscious of their danger - when they are growing rich.Jesus did not say that a rich man cannot be saved. He said, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." This means that every man growing rich, needs God in order to be saved. If riches master him, he is lost. Unless God is his Lord - he cannot enter the heavenly kingdom.There is a story of a rich man, one of whose ships was delayed at sea. When one day had passed with no tidings, the man was anxious, and with each added day his anxiety increased. At length, however, he awoke to the fact that his money was having a tremendous hold upon him. He then ceased to worry about the ship and became anxious for his own soul. He was determined to break the perilous mastery, and taking the value of his ship, he gave it at once to a charitable object. We all need to deal thus rigorously with ourselves, whether we have only a little money or much - that money may never be our master - but that Christ may be Master always; and money our servant, to do our bidding and Christ's.

A unique type of devotional from the writings of James Russell Miller, published between 1908 and 1913.

Devotional Hours Within the Bible

Matthew 19:1-2;Matthew 19:13-26

Jesus on the Way to Jerusalem

19 <woj>honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” </woj>

<woj>honor your father and mother,’<ft>1</ft><cr>1</cr> and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’<ft>2</ft>”<cr>2</cr> </woj>

Matthew 19:19

 19 honor your father and mother,’    and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”  

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

<woj>honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” </woj>

 honor your father and mother,’    and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”  

Bible Verse of the Day

December 11, 2016

Matthew 19:19 NIV

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