RELIGION does not originate in chance, but in the purpose of God; it flows not from the nature of man, but from the unalterable decree of the Most High. Every believer is a chosen vessel. The church had its origin in Jehovah's eternal election. Election flows from love; it is the exercise of sovereignty; it secures man's salvation and God's glory. It injures none, but it pours incalculable blessings upon thousands. It was the act of God before time. He chose us in Christ as our Head; it was of pure grace; it was to holiness. We were chosen to be redeemed from death; purified from sin; separated from the world; devoted to God; and raised to a state of oneness with Jehovah. Being chosen of God, we choose God in return. He chose us to be His people, we choose Him to be our God. He chose us to be the beloved Bride of Jesus, and we choose Jesus to be our beloved Bridegroom. His election is the cause, our choice is the effect. His choice prevented ours; or else we had chosen death, in the error of our ways. Beloved, if we are the elect of God, we are holy; we are in union with Jesus. Let use endeavour to prove and enjoy this.All the elected train Were chosen in their Head, To all eternal good, Before the worlds were made; Chosen to know the Prince of peace, And taste the riches of His grace.

Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.

The Believer's Daily Remembrancer

"Ye are chosen generation." 1 Peter 2:9

You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own 
special people. (1 Peter 2:9)




“You are a holy nation,” 
a nation separated from this world unto God. New birth means that, oh, that that 
was made clear to all right there at the beginning how utter this thing is. The 
Lord Jesus left people in no doubt about this; a cleavage utter and absolute. He 
would take risks with people, you would probably say: "Oh, why put them off, why 
run the risk of offending them, why discourage them saying 'except, except, 
except' all the time?" Ah, He was taking all the risks necessary about this 
because the reality, the awful reality of this: you CANNOT, you cannot inherit 
the kingdom of heaven while you cling to this kingdom inimical to God, in any 
way.... How much the New Testament has to say about this, a walk in holiness that 
is separate unto God in heart, in spirit, in life, from this world. And if we 
knew it, a very large degree of our education, our spiritual education and our 
discipline in the Christian life under the hand of the HOLY Spirit, has to do 
with those things in us which are mixed up....


The Lord calls for distinctiveness of life and testimony, real distinctiveness 
of life and testimony. Is our life, dear friends, is your life and my life in 
this world in our connections and associations and so on, quite distinct, no 
mistaking to what realm we belong, to Whom we belong? No mistaking it? Or are we 
mixed in, compromising, keeping on good terms with this world and its people 
under the devil’s hand? If so, we stand to lose terribly.... Is there something quite distinctive about our lives that says that 
man, that woman, that young man, that young woman is utter for God, there’s no 
doubt about it, you see it all the time, they are utter for 
God; they are not playing at things, there’s no compromise with them. Now this 
sounds hard, but it’s necessary. Do you see what’s involved? Dear friends, the 
secret of power is holiness! It is. The secret of power is holiness. If our 
lives are powerless it may be due to this lack somewhere, somehow, of this 
utterness for God, this separation unto God, of some kind of compromise somehow, 
somewhere, with the prince of this world who’s robbing us of our spiritual power 
and vitality on his own ground. The secret of power is holiness; whatever you 
forget, remember that!

This devotional contains short daily portions from a selection of Mr. Austin-Sparks' messages. In his own words, “Perhaps this is just like a window opened into heaven. If you get the right window you can see quite a lot. You can see great things and you can see far things. But the best that I can hope is that this has just opened a window, and that as you look through it you are seeing one thing - how superior is Jesus Christ to all else, and how superior is the dispensation into which we have come, and how superior are all the resources at our disposal to all that ever was before!” Open Windows messages have been selected and compiled by Austin-Sparks.Net from the works of T. Austin-Sparks. In some cases they appear in abridged form. The introductory verse and its associated Bible version have been selected by the editor and did not always appear within the original message.

Open Windows

A Holy Nation

 The Secret of Power 

Jesus … said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. § He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise. § To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers it the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. § That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. § You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Daily Light on the Daily Path or Daily Light is a Christian daily devotional scripture reading published by Bagster & Sons about 1875. It has been reprinted continually since then. It consists of brief groupings of scripture passages which speak to prominent Biblical themes—two themes (morning and evening) for each day of the year. It appends no commentary, but simply allows scripture to speak for itself.

Morning Daily Light

 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. 

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. § God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. § The Word was God … In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. § If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. § You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. § You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

 The entrance of Your words gives light. 

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. § “Your fame went out among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through My splendor which I had bestowed on you,” says the Lord God. I am a sinful man, O Lord! § Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. § You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. § Be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you. I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells. § You are complete in Him. § Perfect in Christ Jesus. You were washed, … you were sanctified, … you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. § That you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

 I am dark, but lovely. 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. § Glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. You are … a royal priesthood … that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. § You … as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. § By Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.

 Whoever offers praise glorifies Me. 

You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God. § You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. You shall be named the priests of the Lord, they shall call you the servants of our God. § Priests of God and of Christ. Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus. § By Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. § The temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

 You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. 

You know how we exhorted … and charged every one of you … that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. § You may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. § Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. § Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.<h5><a id="verse_1632877443596021" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/1-Peter/1/15">1 Peter 1:15</a>;  <a id="verse_1632877443958772" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/1-Thessalonians/2/11">1 Thess. 2:11</a>; <a id="verse_1632877443509331020" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/1-Thessalonians/2/12">12</a>;  <a id="verse_1632877443755177" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/1-Peter/2/9">1 Peter 2:9</a>;  <a id="verse_1632877443368673" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Ephesians/5/8">Eph. 5:8</a>; <a id="verse_1632877443337445868" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Ephesians/5/9">9</a>;  <a id="verse_1632877443166063" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Ephesians/5/10">Eph 5:10</a>; <a id="verse_1632877443238799209" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Ephesians/5/11">11</a>;  <a id="verse_1632877443167188" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Philippians/1/11">Phil. 1:11</a>;  <a id="verse_1632877443379913" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Matthew/5/16">Matt. 5:16</a>;  <a id="verse_1632877443159607" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/1-Corinthians/10/31">1 Cor. 10:31</a></h5>

 As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. 

Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it … Love is as strong as death. § Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. [He] Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed. § In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. You were washed … you were sanctified … you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. § You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. § I beseech you … , brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

 To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. 

The Lord will be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory.The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. § They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light. § [Give] thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. § For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. We are not of the night nor of darkness. The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

Evening Daily Light

 There shall be no night there. 

If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Do not let your good be spoken of as evil. § [Have] your conduct honorable among the Gentiles. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? … You are the temple of the living God … Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean.” You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

 Then the princes of the Philistines said,“What are these Hebrews doing here?” 

<blockquote>
Feed the flock of God which is among you" (<a id="verse_1632879825805321" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/1-Peter/5/2">1 Pet. 5:2</a>).
</blockquote>It should grieve us to realize how many abandoned babes in Christ there are - spiritual orphans. In these days of spiritual dearth there is an ever-increasing need for the ministry of nurturing new believers, that they may be "rooted and built up in Him, and established" (<a id="verse_1632879825171767" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/2/7">Col. 2:7</a>). "The greatest proof of your love for Christ is that you care for those who belong to Him; if you love Me, feed My sheep'." -J.B.S."Let us not feel that our task is done with the rebirth of a soul. The great burden of the Christian ministry should be that Christ may be formed in men, and that they, in turn, may be living witnesses to others. Notice Peter's words: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.' But for what purpose has all this been accomplished? He goes on to say,  . . . that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light' (<a id="verse_1632879825454223" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/1-Peter/2/9">1 Pet. 2:9</a>).  But ye are...that ye should.' We believe in Christ's power and desire to win others, but for what? The whole purpose of salvation is that men and women may grow in the deeper stable characteristics of the Christian life - that they might be conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ." -G.D."The Christian life is not merely a converted life nor even a consecrated life, but it is the Christ-life. It is the consuming desire of the Lord Jesus to reincarnate Himself in the believer." -R.P."Neither as being Lord over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock" (<a id="verse_1632879825537786" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/1-Peter/5/3">1 Pet 5:3</a>).

A 365 day devotional that will help you in your Christian growth and walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.  This devotional is a collection of quotes from some of the best authors in the realm of Christian growth that has been organized by Miles J Stanford.  This devotional study is divided into 12 sections each containing 31 daily portions.

None but the Hungry Heart

 Born To Grow 

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

But you are a chosen people,<cr>1</cr> a royal priesthood,<cr>2</cr> a holy nation,<cr>3</cr> God’s special possession,<cr>4</cr> that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.<cr>5</cr>

1 Peter 2:9

 9 But you are a chosen people,   a royal priesthood,   a holy nation,   God’s special possession,   that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  

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

 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

 But you are a chosen people,   a royal priesthood,   a holy nation,   God’s special possession,   that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  

Bible Verse of the Day

March 17, 2017

1 Peter 2:9 NIV

Verse by Verse Bible Study

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