Refreshing

Daily
in Gods Word
Emphasis on

Jesus Christ

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name

written,
KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

The emphasis in this months

Refreshing Daily in Gods Word
is Jesus Christ. Over the course
of the first twenty-seven days
this month, we will be looking at
Jesus in each of the twentyseven books of the New
Testament. I trust that these
series of devotionals will refresh
you daily for Gods glory.

The Messiah And The Savior

December 1
Bible Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
Key Verse: Verse 21 - And she shall bring forth a son,
and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save
his people from their sins.
Key Words: save his people from their sins
In the book of Matthew, Jesus is seen as the Messiah, the
King of the Jews the One Who was to deliver the Jewish
people from bondage; and Jesus did come to deliver from
bondage, not physical bondage, but spiritual bondage. He did
that by taking the sins of mankind on Himself and in doing so,
made a way of salvation for all men.
Dr. Claude Barlow was a medical missionary to Shaoshing,
China, in the early part of the century. During his ministry
there, a strange disease began killing people and Dr. Barlow
could not find a remedy. In search of a cure, he filled his
notebook with observations of the peculiarities he had
witnessed in hundreds of cases. Then, with a small vial of
germs, he sailed to the United States. Just before he arrived,
he injected himself with the deadly disease and then hurried
to his alma mater, John Hopkins University Hospital. He had
become very sick and now depended on his former professors
to find a cure. They were able to save his life and send him
back to China with a cure for the dreaded disease. In the
process, a multitude of lives were spared thanks to Dr.
Claude Barlow.
In the midst of our epidemic called sin, Jesus went to the
cross and injected Himself with our deadly disease. He then
committed Himself to the Fathers care. Three days later
Jesus arose with the cure. Praise God! Death is no longer our
destiny. Praise God! Jesus came to save His people from
their sins.
What to do:
If you have never been born again, ask Jesus to be
your Savior. In the words of the songwriter, He will
save you now.

 If you are saved, thank God for the greatest gift

anyone could ever receive, the gift of life eternal life.
********************

Jesus, The Servant

December 2

Bible Reading: Mark 9:30-37

Key Verse: Verse 35 And he sat down, and called
the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to
be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of
all.
Key Words: servant of all
As you read the book of Mark, it becomes very obvious
that Jesus came, not to be ministered unto, but to minister.
He came to be a servant of all (Mark 9:35). A servant is one
who does not care about the events taking place around him;
he only cares about pleasing his master. So it was with Jesus,
He cared only about pleasing His Father.
Some have said that Paul was the greatest of all
missionaries. While I understand what they are saying, I
believe that Jesus was the greatest.
Christ was a missionary in the house of Lazarus.
Christ was a foreign missionary when the Greeks came
to Him.
Christ was a city missionary when he taught in Samaria.
Christ was a Sunday School missionary when He opened
up the Scriptures and set men to studying the Word of God.
Christ was a missionary to the children when He took
them in His arms and blessed them.
Christ was a missionary to the poor when He opened the
eyes of the blind beggar.
Christ was a missionary to the rich when He opened the
spiritual eyes of Zacchaeus.
Even on the cross, Christ was a missionary to the thieves;
and His last command on this earth was a missionary

commission (Acts 1:8).

Christ was the greatest of all the missionaries, because He
was the greatest of all the servants. Maybe we should follow
both His lead and command, and go into all the world and
preach the gospel to every creature.

What to do:
Pray and ask God to help you be a humble servant: in
soul-winning; in prayer; in giving; in caring; in
compassion.
********************

The Son Of Man

December 3

Bible Reading: Luke 19:1-10

Key Verse: Verse 10 For the Son of man is come to

seek and to save that which was lost.
Key Words: the Son of man

Jesus is referred to in many ways. We see Him as the Son

of God; that is His Divine name. We also see Him as the Son
of David; that is His Jewish name. But Luke, over twenty
times, refers to Jesus as the Son of man the Savior of all
mankind.
When the slave trade was thriving in West Africa,
mercenaries would penetrate the interior to capture hundreds
of natives. They would then clamp iron collars around their
necks to keep them in check until they arrived back at the
coast for shipment.
As the captives passed through other African villages on
their way to the sea, a local chief or king would sometimes
recognize a friend or relative. If he were financially able, and
of a mind to, he could redeem his friend through payment of
gold, silver, brass, or ivory. Out of this practice grew a slang
word among the Bambara tribe of French West Africa which

meant, take his head out of the iron collar.

According to Eugene Nida in his book, Gods Word in
Mans Language, when the Bible was translated in the dialect
of the Bambaras, a common word was sought for the abstract
idea of redemption. The translator seized on the well-known
phrase, God took our heads out to substitute for the word
redeem. So when the Bambara tribesmen read of Gods
redemption, they get the image of God sending His Son as
payment to take our heads out of the collar of sin and death.
Arent you glad that Jesus, the Son of man, came and took
our heads out (redeemed us for all eternity)?

What to do:
Have each family member name one thing about Jesus
they love.
Have each family member name one person they want
to see redeemed
Have each family member pray for lost loved ones and
friends.
********************

The Son Of God

December 4

Bible Reading: John 3:1-16

Key Verse: Verse 16 For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.
Key Words: For God so loved the world
At least on forty-four different occasions, Jesus is referred
to as the Son of God in the book of John. Without a doubt,
the most well-known of the forty-four verses is John 3:16
which tells us about the love of God.
Gods love never fails. I Corinthians 13:8, Charity never
faileth.

More than fifty years ago at John Hopkins University in

Baltimore, Maryland, a young sociology professor assigned his
class to a city slum to interview two hundred boys. On the
basis of your findings, predict their future, he said.
Shocked at what they found in the slums, the students
estimated that ninety percent of the boys interviewed would
someday serve time in prison.
Twenty-five years passed and the same professor asked
another class to try to locate the survivors of the two hundred
boys and compare what had happened. Of the one hundred
eighty of the original boys located, only four had ever been to
jail.
Why had the predictions not turned out? A common
denominator was sought in their lives, some value or
influence that may have made the difference. Through more
interviews, it was found that over one hundred of the men
remembered having the same high school teacher, Miss
ORourke, who had been a tremendous influence on them at
the time. After a long search, Shelia ORourke was found in a
nursing home in Memphis, Tennessee, now seventy years old.
When asked for her explanation, she was puzzled. All I can
say, she concluded, is that I loved them all.
Just think of the impact Jesus has had on us, because God
loved us all.
What to do:
Thank God for His wonderful love.
Share His love with others.
Love Him back by your Christian service.
********************

The Power Of Jesus

December 5

Bible Reading: Acts 1:1-8

Key Verse: Verse 8 But ye shall receive power,
after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye

shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in

all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost
part of the earth.
Key Words: But ye shall receive power
The book of Acts is often referred to as the Acts of the
Apostles, but the book is more the Acts of Jesus through the
lives of the Apostles.
In Acts we see such miracles as Jesus ascension (Acts
1:11), salvation (Acts 16:32), Jesus brightness (Acts 9:3); but
primarily in Acts we see the power of Jesus.
There is a great illustration of Jesus power as revealed in
the life of D. L. Moody.
In the fall of 1871, when Moody was speaking in
Brooklyn, New York, his congregation dropped to eighteen.
Moody despised failure. And then one night, after the service
was over, an unknown woman said to him, We have plenty of
preaching in Brooklyn, what we need is to see Jesus.
That broke his unfruitful methods forever. The next
afternoon he gave a simple Bible reading about Jesus and the
power of the Lord came down. From that day on, all D. L.
Moody cared about was people seeing Jesus through his
preaching and through his life.
The power of God comes upon our lives when we tell
about Jesus (Ye shall be witnesses unto Me.). Some of the
greatest testimonies this pastor has ever heard began with the
words, Let me tell you what Jesus did for me.
So, the book of Acts reveals the power of Jesus as seen
through the lives of the Apostles, and hopefully, through our
lives as well.

What to do:
Let others see the power of Jesus through His power
on your life.

The Gospel Of Salvation

December 6
Bible Reading: Romans 1:1-16
Key Verse: Verse 16 For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first,
and also to the Greek.
Key Words: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of

Christ
The book of Romans speaks of the gospel more than any
other book in the Word of God.
Paul tells us in verse one that he is separated unto the
gospel.
In verse nine, Paul tells us that he serves in the gospel.
That is the reason for his service.
In verse fifteen, he says, I am ready to preach the
gospel, which brings me to verse sixteen where Paul says, I
am not ashamed of the gospel.
The gospel of salvation is what Paul lived for. If we fail to
give out the gospel, many will perish.
Asian missionary, M. V. Varghese, told of a commonplace
tragedy in India. An Indian woman, Alila, took her infant son
to the river Ganges. With tears pouring from her eyes, she
stood there for a long time with the water lapping at the
babys feet, then she threw her six month-old son into the
river.
Varghese found her weeping on the banks of the Ganges.
Through her sobs she said, The problems in my home are too
many and my sins are heavy on my heart, so I offered the best
I had to the goddess Ganges.
The missionary gently told her of Jesus love and
forgiveness.
She tearfully responded, I have never heard this before.
Why couldnt you have come earlier? My child would not
have had to die.
All over this world people are desperate for what only God
can provide: salvation!! Thats what the gospel is!!!

What to do:
Be a witness daily.
Ask God to open doors for you to witness.
Remember, people need the Lord.
********************

Jesus & Gifts

December 7

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 12:1-12, 14:40

Key Verse: Verse 14:40 Let all things be done

decently and in order.
Key Words: decently and in order

Jesus can be seen in any number of ways through the

book of I Corinthians; but the reason the church at Corinth
had so many problems was that they refused to see Jesus at
work in their lives and the life of their church.
The work of Jesus is always done decently and in order,
something which was missing from the church at Corinth.
Even when Jesus was a young lad, before He began His
earthly ministry, He did things right. J. Oswald Sanders says,
Our divine Lord spent six times as long working at a
carpenters bench as He did in His world-shaking ministry.
He saw no incongruity in the Lord of glory standing in the saw
pit laboriously cutting the thick logs into planks, or using
plane and hammer.
Justin Martyr, who lived shortly after the death of John
the Apostle, wrote of Jesus, When He was among men, He
made ploughs and yokes and other farm implements.
One writer suggests that Jesus was the first to make chairs
and benches that stood on four legs, and He was the first to
build cabinets where the doors opened and shut, He was no
second-rate carpenter.
Near enough was not good enough for Jesus
everything had to be done decently and in order.

What to do:
Follow the example of Jesus and do all things
decently and in order.
Prioritize your life, in this order:
1. that which is necessary,
2. that which is needy,
3. that which is nice.
********************

Jesus & Giving

December 8

Bible Reading: II Corinthians 9:1-12

Key Verse: Verse 7 Every man according as he

purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not
grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful
giver.
Key Words: cheerful giver

The church at Corinth had promised to help the church at

Jerusalem financially, but they failed to carry out their
commitment.
When we fail to carry out our financial commitments,
many will never have the opportunity to come to Jesus. Our
giving does matter in heaven.
W. A. Criswell used to preach from II Corinthians 9:7,
ending his sermon with these words: John Rascus put $300
in the collection plate when it passed, and he said softly, Ill
see you in heaven. Those around him said, Old John is
getting senile. He says he is going to see that $300 in heaven.
He may meet his Maker over there, but he certainly wont
meet his money.
Now, the church treasurer used some of that $300 to pay
the electric bill. He gave some of it to the preacher to buy
gasoline. Some went to ministerial students, and some went

to the mission field.

Early one morning John Rascus died in his sleep. On that
first Lords Day in glory, he walked down the golden streets
and a young fellow came up and said, Thank you, Brother
John. I was cold and lonely and it was a dark night. I saw the
lights of the church. Just to get out of the dark, I went in.
While there, the darkness left my soul and I found Jesus.
Another came to him saying, The preacher came to the
filling station. As I filled his tank, he told me about Jesus and
I gave my heart to the Lord.
Next, John met a throng of people who said, I want to
thank you for those students you helped. They preached the
gospel to my family, and we found the Lord.
He next met those of strange tongues who said, Thank
you, brother, for sending us the gospel across the seas.
Finally old John came to Hallelujah Square and, turning to an
angel, he said, I feel sorry for you angels. You have never
known what it is to be saved by the blood of Jesus, My Lord.
John Rascus mused a moment, then added, And you do
not know what it is to transform the possessions of earth into
the treasures of heaven. Sir, replied the angel, all we do is
just watch it from the streets of glory.

What to do:
Do not just be a receiver of Gods blessing, be a giver
so others can be blessed.
Always remember, you cannot out-give God!
********************

Jesus And Living By Faith

December 9

Bible Reading: Galatians 2:16-21

Key Verse: Verse 20 I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the
faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave
himself for me.
Key Words: I live by the faith of the Son of God
Galatians, like no other book in the Bible, shows the
difference between the law and faith. It is in this blessed book
that we see Jesus as our Savior through our faith in Him,
rather than being saved by the law.
There is a great illustration of salvation through faith in
the life of John Wesley.
Not long after the first Moravian missionaries had left for
the West Indies, John Wesley, unconverted at the time, found
himself aboard ship alongside another group of them. It was
January 25, 1736, and the weather was rough. Three storms
had already battered the boat, and a fourth was brewing.
Wesley scribbled in his journal, Storm greater: afraid! But
the Moravians were trusting God so simply and so completely
that they evidenced no signs of fear, and they even persevered
in their plans for a worship service. In the middle of their
singing, a gigantic wave rose over the side of the vessel,
splitting the main-sail, covering the ship, pouring water like
Niagara Falls between decks as if the great deep had already
swallowed us up.
The English passengers screamed as the ship lurched and
pitched between towering waves. A terrified Wesley clung on
for dear life. But the German missionaries didnt miss a note.
Wesley, awestruck by their composure, later went to the
leader and asked, Werent you afraid?
I thank God, no.
Were not your women and children afraid?
No, replied the man. Our women and children are not
afraid.
Back in London, Wesley was so struck by their sturdy faith
that he attended a Moravian meeting on Aldersgate Street on
May 24, 1738. He later said, I felt my heart strangely
warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation,
and an assurance was given to me that He had taken away my

sins, even mine.

Wesley became a famous evangelist and social reformer,
with the world as his parish. But he himself was won to Christ
by the power of a small group whose faith in Christ was strong
enough to keep them unflappable in a storm.

What to do:
Does your faith draw others to Jesus?
Faith comes through two primary channels.
1. The Word (Romans 10:17).
2. The Work [get involved in a ministry]
(Hebrews 6:10-12).
********************

Jesus, Our Armour

December 10

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:10-19

Key Verse: Verse 13 - Wherefore take unto you the

whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand.
Key Words: the whole armour of God

As you read in Ephesians chapter six, you read about five

defensive weapons.
1. Truth, which is Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
2. Righteousness, which is Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:4).
3. Peace, which is Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:14).
4. Faith, which is Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16).
5. Salvation, which is Jesus Christ (John 4:42).
Jesus is our Armor of Protection.
A lieutenant in the United States Army and his buddy
were on a far-off battlefront and were sent out on an
important mission. When the enemy discovered them, the
lieutenant faced them saying to himself, Lord, Im in Your
hands. As he reached for his carbine, a shot from the enemy

struck him in the breast, knocking him to the floor. His

partner, thinking he was dead, grabbed his carbine and began
to blast away with both his gun and the gun of his friend. He
received three bullet wounds, but when the fighting was over,
not one enemy soldier was left standing. To his amazement,
the lieutenant was not dead. The force of the bullet had struck
his breast and had stung him severely, but he was alive.
Wondering how he survived, the lieutenant reached into his
pocket located over his heart and pulled out a Bible. The
bullet had gone through the books of Genesis, Exodus,
Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I &
II Samuel, I & II Kings, I & II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah,
Esther, Job, Psalms, and had stopped on Proverbs 21:31, The
horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of
the Lord.

What to do:
Put on the armor of God daily.
Use your offensive weapons as well - Gods Word
and prayer.
********************

Jesus, Our Strength

December 11

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:1-13

Key Verse: Verse 13 I can do all things through

Christ which strengtheneth me.
Key Words: strengtheneth me

As a believer, my strength comes from Jesus. But to be

more specific: my strength comes from my joy of having a
proper relationship with Jesus, for it is when I am weak that
Jesus becomes strong.
Bob Wieland lost both of his legs in Viet Nam. For an
athlete with dreams of a pro sports career, the tragedy was
especially difficult to bear. Bob was spared the destruction of

bitterness through his reliance upon Jesus and His Word. I

do the best I can to apply the Word of God to my life, because
I know that it works.
Bob did take God at His Word and cast all his cares upon
Him (I Peter 5:7), and claimed that he could really only be
strong through Christ (Philippians 4:13).
Maybe that
explains why Bob, who walks on his hands, has completed a
three-year walk across America, the race across America on a
custom-built bicycle, the New York and Los Angeles
marathons, the Hawaiian Ironman Triathalon and on top of
those feats he can bench press 507 pounds. He does all of this
and uses it as a witness for Christ. Bob has found that indeed
he, like the Apostle Paul, can do all things thru Christ which
strengthens him.

What to do:
Never give up, no matter how bad the situation may
appear to be.
You can never declare Christ as your strength until
you acknowledge your weakness.
Ask yourself, do others see your strength, or do they
see Gods strength through you?
*******************

Jesus & Preeminence

December 12

Bible Reading: Colossians 1:1-18

Key Verse: Verse 18 And he is the head of the body,
the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from
the dead; that in all things he might have the
preeminence.
Key Words: that in all things he might have the

preeminence

The word preeminence is a military term meaning top in

rank. Jesus is to be top in rank top in priorities of life not
just in a few areas of life, but as our text says in all things.
Years ago a pregnant woman stood in the yard of her
Baltimore, Maryland, home and shook her fist at God. In a
torrential rainstorm, she shouted vulgarities at God and
taunted Him to strike her dead if He did indeed exist. She
would later tell her son, Bill, that she didnt care if he became
a drug addict, bank robber, or even brought home a boyfriend
instead of a girlfriend, all she wanted was for him never to
become a Christian.
Bill Murray did become a Christian at the age of thirtythree, and his mother, Madelyn Murray OHare, disowned
him. He had done the one thing she had hoped he would
never do. His life had been transformed from addictions with
pornography and alcohol. He came to know the peace that
had eluded him all his life. Bitterness began to loosen its
stronghold on his heart, and he started giving rather than
taking for the first time in his life.
Bill Murray went on to say, I found the key to salvation
through Jesus Christ, but the key to peace is through Christ
being preeminent (top in rank, top in priority).
I am convinced that today we have a lot of people who
have found the key to salvation, but the key to peace is still
lost.

What to do:
Put Jesus first, make Him Lord (preeminent) in
your life in all things.

Jesus As The Coming King

December 13

 Bible Reading: I Thessalonians 4:1-18

Key Verse: Verse 18 - Wherefore comfort one another

with these words.
Key Words: Wherefore comfort one another with

these words
In the book of I Thessalonians, we see Jesus as the
Coming King. Isnt it great to know that when the lost world
thinks we are losers, we can take comfort in knowing that we
are on the winning team?
January 3, 1993, will certainly be remembered in both
Houston and Buffalo. Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills fans,
along with NFL viewers from across the country, watched as
the Bills engineered the greatest comeback in NFL history.
The Oilers led the football game at half-time 28 3.
Quarterback Warren Moon had just completed the best half of
his career.
The half-time show featured talk of whom Houston
would play next week as their last stop before the Super Bowl.
Boomer Esiason warned his presumptuous co-commentators
that Frank Reich was just the man to perform a miraculous
comeback. Even Warren Moon used half-time to warn his
jubilant teammates that the game was far from over. But
when Bubba McDowell opened the second-half with a 58-yard
touchdown interception that boosted the Oilers to a 35 3
lead, a comeback seemed virtually impossible.
Everything changed in just twenty-one minutes. The
fans at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, saw a most
unbelievable event unfold before their eyes. The Bills
overcame a 32-point deficit in the second half and won the
ball game on an overtime field goal. Football fans everywhere
will never forget that game.
In a world full of sin, suffering, and injustice, it seems
as if God has been convincingly outscored by Satan. Victory
appears to be nothing more than a wistful dream. When such
thoughts invade your mind, turn your attention to that
football game. If such unlikely turnarounds can transpire in
the world of sports, then you can rest assured that God is
gearing up for the most incredible victory of all times.

What to do:
Keep looking up, Jesus is coming again.
Live as though Jesus could come back today.
Comfort others with the knowledge of the soon
return of Jesus Christ.
********************

Jesus, The Coming Messiah

December 14

Bible Reading: II Thessalonians 2:1-12

Key Verse: Verse 12 - That they all might be damned
who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness.
Key Words: That they all might be damned who

believed not the truth

Both of the books written to the church of Thessalonica

deal with the second coming of Jesus.
I read the following by Harry Ironside and found it quite
appropriate for this devotion.
When I was a little boy, I sometimes went down to the
beach, five miles from our home in California, and played on
the sands of Monterey Bay. Some little distance up the beach
there is a great stretch of black sand; it is black because it
contains a great deal of iron. I can remember taking a box of
sand and drawing a magnet through it. Fine black grains
clung to the magnet particles of iron. I put these grains in
another box, and drew my magnet through the sand again.
Each time I got some more grains, I removed the particles of
iron until nothing was left in the box but sand. Though I
could not tell the difference between the sand and the iron on
the beach, the magnet could tell the difference immediately.
Had I been able to use a stronger magnet, I could have taken
all of the iron out of a large box of sand in a moment.
The day is going to come when the Lord Jesus Christ will

rise from the throne of God where He is now answering the

attacks of Satan upon us, by telling the Father that we belong
to Him because of His work on the cross. When He rises from
that throne, it is time for judgment to begin. But God tells us
that before judgment comes, He is going to do a wonderful
thing like the work of the magnet picking the grains of iron
out of the grains of sand. He is going to remove from the
earth all who are trusting Christ, and take them to be with
Himself.

What to do:
Make your calling and election sure
Live for Christ daily.
Witness for Christ daily.
********************

Jesus, Our Mediator

December 15

Bible Reading: I Timothy 2:1-7

Key Verse: Verse 5 - For there is one God, and one
mediator between God and men, the man Christ
Jesus;
Key Words: one mediatorthe man Christ Jesus

In the book of I Timothy, we see Jesus as our Mediator.

In Old Testament times, the people of Israel went to the
temple where there were many priests. These priests could go
to God for the people and be a mediator on their behalf before
God. But in the New Testament dispensation, that all
changed. Paul is saying that there is only one mediator to
Whom we are able to go, and that Mediator is Jesus Christ.
He is the Only Way to God.
J. Vernon McGee told the following story some years ago,
but it has stayed with me all these years.
One night while I was traveling in Canada and trying to

get to Detroit, I was told that I needed to get onto a certain

freeway, and that freeway would take me to my destination.
But I was told if you miss that freeway, youre in trouble. It
took me some doing but once I managed to find the freeway, it
took me straight to Detroit. I am thankful for the man who
said, There is only one way.
You know, I am thankful that someone told me that there
is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ. He
is our Mediator, and He is the only Mediator Who can get
through to God. Thank the Lord for Jesus Christ, our
Mediator!

What to do:
Make sure your Mediator is Jesus Christ.
We live in a world that uses mediums (demons).
Stay away from the false occults and religions, and stay
with Jesus Christ.
********************

Witnessing For Jesus

December 16

Bible Reading: II Timothy 2:1-15

Key Verse: Verse 13 - If we believe not, yet he abideth

faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Key Words: he abideth faithful

As you read the book of II Timothy, you begin to see that

Jesus was a faithful witness. It matters not if we believe,
Jesus will still be a faithful witness; He cannot deny Himself.
Now this raises an interesting question: Are we being a
faithful witness?
Muhammed Ali no longer floats like a butterfly, but let
me assure you, he still stings like a bee. The legendary
boxer has turned his energies toward witnessing, but it is not
for Christ. One reporter said, This is a man who is as sure

about his purpose in life as he was about his talents in the

ring. Ali once said, I wasnt just put here to box. Boxing
made me famous and gave people a reason to listen to me. I
was put here to teach the Islamic faith.
Recently two reporters jumped at Alis invitation to come
up to his private suite after a banquet. They went expecting to
get an exclusive interview. Instead, they got an hour of
preaching.
The former three-time heavyweight boxing
champion had a twenty-page document containing what he
believed to be discrepancies in the Bible. He then said,
People have argued for centuries about which religion is right
and which religion is wrong. Then waving the Quran in
front of them, he said, This is the truth.
Now, while Muhammed Ali was a great boxer, he is not a
great theologian. He is greatly deceived; but his enthusiasm,
zeal, and purpose should certainly be an inspiration to those
of us who have and know the truth about the Faithful One,
Jesus Christ.

What to do:
Be faithful in your witness.
Be bold, but loving in your witness.
Pray for God to open doors of opportunity for you to
witness.
********************

Jesus, Our Hope

December 17

Bible Reading: Titus 1:1-15

Key Verse: Verse 2 - In hope of eternal life, which

God, that cannot lie, promised before the world
began;
Key Words: In hope of eternal life

The book of Titus shows us Jesus as our Blessed Hope. In

chapter one and verse two, Jesus is our Hope of Eternal Life.
In chapter two and verse thirteen, Jesus is our Coming Hope,
and in chapter three and verse seven, again Jesus is our Hope
of Eternal Life.
Have you ever studied that word hope? Best-selling
author Barbara Johnson says that she lives by the motto, Life
is about 10% how you make it and about 90% how you take
it. Barbara writes about her personal sorrow. Her husband
was in a near-fatal accident and slowly recovered from severe
and debilitating injuries. She had one son die in the Viet Nam
war, and another son was killed by a drunk driver. Her third
son became a homosexual. With such a personal resume you
can deeply appreciate her perspective on hope: The cutest
illustration of hope Ive found, she says, is about a little boy
standing at the foot of the escalator in a large department
store. The young lad was intently watching the handrail. He
never took his eyes off that handrail as the escalator kept
going around and around. A salesperson saw him and finally
asked him if he was lost. The little fellow replied, Nope. Im
just waiting for my chewing gum to come back. Now, thats
hope.
Jesus is our Hope, and Im just waiting for Jesus to come
back. Amen!

What to do:
Never give up.
Never get down.
Always look up. Jesus could come back today.

Jesus, Our Friend

December 18

Bible Reading: Philemon 1-25

Key Verse: Verse 16 & 17 Not now as a servant, but

above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me,
but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and
in the Lord? If thou count me therefore a partner,
receive him as myself.
Key Words: If thou count me therefore a partner,

receive him as myself.

In the book of Philemon, we see Jesus as a Friend Who
intercedes and releases us from bondage (verse 10).
It is because of what Jesus has done for us in releasing us
from the bondage of sin that we can certainly say, To God be
the glory.
Its through Jesus that Godly friendships are bound
together.
John Fawcett was converted as a teenager listening to
George Whitefield. He joined the Baptists and was ordained
on July 31, 1765. He began pastoring a poor church in
Wainsgate, finding time here and there for writing. His
writings spread abroad, and the little church feared they
would lose their pastor to a larger place. Fawcett wondered
the same thing, lamenting in his diary that his family was
growing faster than his income.
The call came from Londons famous Carters Lane
Church. Think of it! Fawcett told his wife. They want us in
London to take the place of the late Dr. Gill at that great
church! Its almost unbelievable! The following Sunday he
broke the news to his church, then began packing. Books,
dishes, pictures, and furniture were crated for the overland
journey to the worlds largest city. When the day of departure
came, church members assembled and bravely tried to hold
their tears. Finally everything was loaded but one box, and
Fawcett entered the house to retrieve it. There he found his
wife deep in thought.
John, she said, voice breaking, do you think were doing
the right thing? Will we ever find a congregation to love us
and help us with the Lords work like this group here?
Do you think were too hasty in this? John asked.
Yes. I think we should stay right here and serve these
people.

John was silent a moment, for his heart, too, had been
breaking. He nodded, I was so overjoyed when the call came
that I never really prayed about it like a minister should.
They walked onto the porch, called the people together,
revealed their change of heart, and amid joyous tears
unloaded their wagons. Fawcett stayed at Wainsgate the rest
of his life, but not in obscurity. Out of this experience, he
wrote the world-famous hymn:
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love.
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

What to do:
Evaluate your friendship with Jesus. Is it real?
Evaluate your friendship with others. Are they
Godly friends?
********************

Jesus And Faith

December 19

Bible Reading: Hebrews 11:1-10

Key Verse: Verse 1 - Now faith is the substance of

things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Key Words: faith

Through the book of Hebrews, we see faith in Jesus

through our actions.
I read the following in the booklet, Bits and Pieces. It is an
interesting story about Florence Chadwick, the first woman to
swim the English Channel in both directions. On the fourth of
July in 1952, she attempted to swim from Catalina Island to
the California coast. The challenge was not so much the
distance, but the bone-chilling waters of the Pacific. To
complicate matters, a dense fog lay over the entire area,

making it impossible for her to see land. After about fifteen

hours in the water, and within half a mile of her goal,
Chadwick gave up. Later she told a reporter, Look, Im not
excusing myself, but if I could have SEEN land, I might have
made it.
Not long afterward she attempted the feat again. Once
more a misty veil obscured the coastline and she couldnt see
the shore. But this time she made it because she kept
reminding herself that land was there. With that confidence,
she bravely swam on and achieved her goal. In fact, she broke
the mens record by two hours!
If you are a Christian, you should live with this kind of
vision with the eye of faith. The circumstances of life may
dim your outlook. The way may grow dark before you. But as
you go forward believing the promises of Gods Word, He
Himself will strengthen you, guide you, and carry you
through.
Beyond the misty darkness of trials lies a better land and
Gods own rewards for those who persevere. Never forget that
glorious fact. Seeing through the fog by faith, keep pressing
on!

What to do:
Remember faith is taking God at His Word, in spite
of my feelings, circumstances, or consequences.
Live by faith.
Always remember, your faith can be no greater than
the object your faith is in keep your faith in Jesus.

Jesus, Us, And Others

December 20

Bible Reading: James 2:14-26

Key Verse: Verse 16 - And one of you say unto them,

Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled;

notwithstanding ye give them not those things which
are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Key Words: ye give them not
The key verse is verse 16, And one of you say unto them,
Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding
ye give them not those things which are needful to the body;
what doth it profit? Genuine sympathy, out of a heart of love
and compassion, is certainly hard to come by these days. We
seem to be living in a day of religion, not Christianity. In the
story told by Christ of the good Samaritan, the priest and
Levite were religious, but the Samaritan was Christian in his
act of sympathy. The following illustration proves my point:
Madam, he apologized in a broken voice, I wish to draw
your attention to the terrible plight of a poor family in your
neighborhood. The father is dead, the mother is too ill to
work, and the nine children are hungry. Moreover, they are
about to be turned out into the cold streets unless the
neighbors pay their rent. At this point the neighbor asked,
And who are you, Sir? Bowing his head in embarrassment,
he sheepishly said, I am the landlord.
The moral of this story is this: Are we truly
interested in others, or are we interested in
others because it affects us?
If we knew what hearts are aching for, the
comforts we might bring,
If we knew what souls were yearning for, the
sunshine we could fling.
If we knew what feet are weary, walking
pathways roughly laid,
We would quickly hasten forward, stretching
forth our hands to aid.
If we knew what friends around us feel, a want
they never tell,
That some word which we have spoken,
Pained or wounded where it fell,
We would speak in accents tender,
To each friend we chanced to meet,
We would give to each one freely, smiles of

sympathy so sweet.
--Selected

What to do:
Very easy:

Do unto others,

Say unto others,

Act toward others,

Treat others, as you would have them do to

you.
********************

Jesus, The Enduring Word

December 21

Bible Reading: I Peter 1

Key Verse: Verse 25 But the word of the Lord

endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the
gospel is preached unto you.
Key Words: the word of the Lord endureth for

ever
There are certain abiding elements in the Christian life
which are always constant, unchanging circumstances
change, moods change, the economy changes but the truth
of Gods Word will endure forever. As we build upon the solid
unchanging Word of God, we are able to face the challenges
and changes in this life; for the present is bearable because
the future is secure!
An ancient king once charged his wise men to create a
sentence which could forever be viewed and be appropriate at
all times and in all situations. They finally presented to him
engraved on a stone these words, And this too shall pass
away. How true for those who place all their happiness, joy
and peace in this world.
Some years ago a trolley car in Atlanta, Georgia, bumped
into a lamp post called the Eternal Flame of the Confederacy.

The bump caused the flame to go out. In New York they lit
the eternal flame of the United Nations. It stayed lit about ten
minutes before going out. Hitler said his Third Reich would
last one thousand years; it lasted less than one thousand days.
Yes, the world will pass away with all of its lusts and
pleasures; but the Word of God and those who are born again
will abide forever. Life comes to pass, but the Word will
endure forever!

What to do:
Stay close to the Book that endures forever.
As you read the Word, remember that Jesus is the
Word of God. As you learn the Word, you learn more
about Jesus.
********************

Jesus, Our Savior

December 22

Bible Reading: II Peter 3

Key Verse: Verse 18 - But grow in grace, and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To
him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Key Words: our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ
In the book of II Peter, we see Jesus Christ as our Savior.
On five different occasions in this small but powerful book,
Peter mentions Jesus as our Savior: II Peter 1:1, 11, 2:20, 3:2,
and in our key verse, verse 18.
But if you will notice again in our key verse, verse 18, we
are told to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord
and Savior. How can we grow in the knowledge of Jesus as
our Savior? Let me suggest that you do it through gardening.
First of all, plant some squash: squash gossip, criticism
and indifference.

On the second row plant some peas: prayer, promptness,

perseverance, politeness, preparedness, purity, and patience.
On the third row plant some lettuce: let us be unselfish
and loyal; let us be faithful at our task; let us search the
Scriptures daily; let us not be weary in well doing; let us be
obedient in all things; let us be thoughtful; let us love one
another.
And finally, no garden is complete without turnips: turn
up for church, turn up with a smile, turn up with
determination to do your best for God.
After planting, may you grow in grace and knowledge of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; and may you reap rich
results.

What to do:
Plant your garden.
Live off your garden.
********************

Jesus, Our Righteousness

December 23

Bible Reading: I John 3:1-10

Key Verse: Verse 7 - Little children, let no man

deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous,
even as he is righteous.
Key Words: even as he is righteous

We, of ourselves, have no power or ability to be righteous.

Our righteousness comes solely through Jesus Christ, the
Righteous One.
We read in Romans 4:3, For what saith the scripture?
Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for
righteousness.
Then in I John 2:29 we read, If ye know that he is
righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is

born of him.
Now, this raises a question: do you hunger and thirst after
righteousness?
In the Antarctic summer of 1908-09, Sir Ernest
Shackleton and three companions attempted to travel to the
South Pole from their winter quarters. They set off with four
ponies to help carry the load. Weeks later, with three ponies
dead and rations exhausted, they turned back toward their
base camp with their goal of reaching the South Pole
unaccomplished.
Altogether they traveled for one hundred twenty-seven
days. On the return journey, Shackleton recorded in his
journal entitled The Heart of the Antarctic, We spent time
talking about elaborate feasts, gourmet delights, and
sumptuous menus. As they staggered along suffering from
dysentery and not knowing whether they would survive, every
waking hour was occupied with thoughts of warmth and
eating. Shackleton again recorded, Jesus, who also knew the
ravages of food deprivation, once said, Blessed are those who
hunger and thirst after righteousness.
Shackletons obsession for food offers us a glimpse into
the heart of Jesus, and His desire for us to hunger and thirst
for the righteousness only He can give.
What to do:
Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness with a
passion?
Surrender your life and your will to Jesus today,
and let Him guide you into righteousness.

Merry Christmas
Bible Reading: Luke 2:1-20

December 24

Key Verse: Verse 20 - And the shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God for all the things that
they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Key Words: glorifying and praising God
There is a movement afoot today to have God totally
removed from our existence. This is not just the ranting of a
Baptist preacher, this is a fact.
God is not allowed in our public schools but
evolution is.
Nothing religious or symbolic of God is allowed
on government property or in government
buildings.
Many department stores have removed Christ
from Christmas referring to Christmas as the
holiday season. The Christmas tree has become
in many cases the holiday tree. Christmas
songs are referred to as holiday songs. Now for
some reason this just does not fit. Can you
imagine singing, Have yourself a merry little
holiday or Im dreaming of a white holiday?
The Bible is not considered a credible authority
on such subjects as abortion and homosexuality.
Those of us who believe in God and are doers of
the Word are called extreme right wingers and
are considered a threat to society.
In our society Allah, Buddha, Confucius, and
others are equal to the true and living God.
This raises the question of why and how have we
deteriorated to such a lowly state of existence?
First of all, Satan is at work. We are told in Ephesians
6:12, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of
the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in
high places. It is interesting to note that there are three
encounters between God and Satan. In the first encounter in
Isaiah, Satan wanted to be just like God. In the second
encounter in Matthew, Satan wanted God to worship him; and
in the third encounter in Revelation, Satan wants to destroy

God. In each encounter, Satan desires more power and

authority. Well, we are now living in the last days when Satan
wants to see God destroyed, which is one of the reasons we
find ourselves in this depraved spiritual condition.
Secondly, society is to blame. The lost world sees God as
the enemy standing in the way of their living as they choose.
Remember, it was the people who yelled, Crucify him, crucify
him.
Thirdly, we are to blame. Yes, we are born-again believers
but we have failed to stand for God. In the past, we were
passive about which judges and political leaders were going
into office. We were happy so long as we had our house, car, a
little pleasure, and our retirement program in place. We went
to sleep on the job while the ungodly forces of evil were at
work.
So now what do we do?
1. Pray (II Chronicles 7:14).
2. Write the heads of department store chains such as
Wal-Mart, Sears, Kohls, and Target. Tell them to put
Christ back in Christmas.
3. Vote for politicians who stand for right.
4. Witness and spread the gospel.
5. Be faithful to God yourself through prayer, witnessing,
church attendance, and yes, even financial giving.

What to do:
Apply the five principles above.
********************

Jesus, The Carpenter

December 25

Bible Reading: Mark 6:1-13

Key Verse: Verse 3 - Is not this the carpenter, the son
of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of
Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with
us? And they were offended at him.
Key Words: Is not this the carpenter
During Jesus earthly ministry he taught about many
vocations. He taught about farming. He said, A sower went
forth to sow, but Jesus was not a farmer. He taught about
shepherding. He said, I am the good Shepherd, but Jesus
earthly ministry was not that of a shepherd. Jesus was a
teacher, a physician, but Jesus chose the life of a carpenter.
Let me give you four reasons why He chose this as His earthly
vocation.
First of all, He was born into a carpenters home. The
Jewish people were expecting their Messiah to come as a
King. They were expecting a great earthly conqueror. But
Jesus came to conquer sin, not people. He came as a
carpenter.
Secondly, He came to do the work of a carpenter. A
carpenter builds and repairs. John 1:3 says, All things were
made by him and without him was not anything made that
was made. Jesus can build or repair your life if you will let
Him.
Thirdly, Jesus followed a carpenters methods.
A
carpenter looks at a piece of wood and sees potential where
you and I simply see a piece of wood. Jesus looks at us and
sees potential. Arent you glad Jesus has never given up on
the potential He sees? The Jews looked at Paul and saw a
zealous Pharisee. Jesus looked at Paul and saw a missionary.
They looked at Peter and saw a fisherman; Jesus looked at
Peter and saw a pastor. When no one else believes in you,
Jesus does. So believe in Him!
Fourthly, Jesus died a carpenters death. Jesus was not
stoned to death, nor was He burned at the stake; but He was
nailed to a tree for each of us. Jesus died a carpenters death
in order that our Christmas may be merry.
From Mrs. Rouse and me, Merry Christmas!

What to do:
Have a blessed Christmas!!
********************

Jesus & Everlasting Love

December 26

Bible Reading: II John

Key Verse: Verse 3 - Grace be with you, mercy, and

peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus
Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Key Words: Son of the Father, in truth and love

The book of II John is one of my favorite books in the

Bible. Four times in the brief but potent book we read about
love.
In verse one, John tells the elect lady that he loves her and
her family in the truth (in Jesus).
In verse three, again we see that John loves her in the
truth.
In verse five, John tells her that we are to love one
another.
And in verse six, John defines love as walking in the
commandments of God.
I recently read about a wife who showed great love for her
husband.
On May 2, 1962, a dramatic advertisement
appeared in the San Francisco Examiner. The ad read, I
dont want my husband to die. It seems as though her
husband was to be executed for a crime she said he didnt
commit. She goes on to say, I will offer my services for years
as a maid or a housekeeper to any attorney who will defend
and vindicate him.
One of San Franciscos leading attorneys, Vincent
Hallinan, read the ad and contacted Gladys Kidd, who had
placed the ad. It was her husband, Robert Kidd, who was

going on trial for slaying an elderly man. Kidds fingerprints

had been found on a blood-stained antique sword near the
victims shop. During the trial, Hallinan proved that the
antique sword was not the murder weapon. The jury, after
eleven days of deliberation, found Kidd not guilty. Hallinan
refused Mrs. Kidds offer of ten years of servitude.
It is because of the love of Jesus Christ that you can be
found not guilty, but you must accept Jesus as your payment
for your crimes of sin then you will be declared not guilty
because of the Lord Jesus.

What to do:
If you are not saved, accept the love offer of
salvation today.
If you are saved, thank the Lord for loving you so
very much.
********************

Jesus, Our Truth

December 27

Bible Reading: III John

Key Verse: Verse 3 - For I rejoiced greatly, when the
brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee,
even as thou walkest in the truth.
Key Words: walkest in the truth
In III John, we see Jesus as our Truth. Six times in the
fourteen verses John shares with us the truth of Jesus.
In verse one, he loves in the truth.
In verse three, he walks in the truth
In verse three, he testifies of the truth.
In verse four, he again walks in truth.
We are to be fellow helpers of the truth.
We see a good report of the truth.

If we are to be truthful, we must live in Christ. I read the

following in regard to truth, or rather the absence of truth.
The book, The Day America Told the Truth, came out in
1991. In this work, research showed ninety-one percent of
Americans lie routinely, while thirty-six percent confess to
dark, important lies. Eighty-six percent lie regularly to
parents, seventy-five percent lie to friends, seventy-three
percent to siblings, sixty-nine percent to spouses, eighty-one
percent lie about feelings, forty-three percent concerning
income, and forty percent about sex.
Psychologist Michael Lewis of Rutgers University says
there are three types of lies: (1) Lies to protect feelings, such
as saying a gift is nice when you actually hate it; (2) Lies to
avoid punishment; and (3) Lies of self-deception. Our
behavior repulses others, but we lie to ourselves and blame
the rejection on something or someone else. A woman gives
herself a breast exam and notices an unusual lump but tells
herself everything is fine. Lewis feels these lies of selfdeception may be the most frequent lies.
That could explain why so many people reject the gospel.
Theyve lied to themselves about their need for forgiveness
and Gods requirement of commitment to Christ. In this age
of obsessive lying, remember who is the father of lies (John
8:44), and who promised to give the truth that shall make
you free (John 8:32). C. S. Lewis noted, We often err either
by ascribing too much or too little power to the father of lies.
The only way to keep from lying is by living in truth.

What to do:

Be truthful with God.

Be truthful with others.
Be truthful with yourselfbut base your
Jesus Christ.

truth

on

Jesus, Our Security

December 28

 Bible Reading: Jude 1-25

Key Verse: Verse 24 - Now unto him that is able to

keep you from falling, and to present you faultless
before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Key Words: keep you from falling

The book of Jude describes for us false teachers who crept
in unawares (verse four). It is because of these false teachers
that Jude encourages us to
Build up ourselves on our most holy faith (verse
twenty), and
Keep ourselves in the love of God (verse twenty-one).
When we come to verse twenty-four, Jude reminds us,
though, that in spite of all of our efforts, Jesus is ultimately
the One who will keep us from falling. Jesus is our security.
We need not fear falling, or losing our salvation.
When the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco was being
built, workers developed a great fear of falling. Bridge
builders have a superstition that one man will die for every
million dollars spent on a project. The bridge was budgeted
for thirty-five million dollars, so the fear was pervasive. The
chief engineer, Joseph Strauss, also believed that three dozen
men could fall and lose their lives. The impact of falling from
the bridge to the water below was equivalent to hitting a brick
wall at eighty miles per hour. Strauss made an unprecedented
move and ordered a large trapeze net to be placed under the
workers. Bridge builders had never enjoyed such a luxury.
The added security made them feel as though they could, as
one worker said, dance on steel.
Christians as well can be immobilized by fear of falling
and losing their salvation, so God provided believers with a
security net through Jesus Christ. We are eternally secure,
not because of our goodness, but because of Gods grace.

What to do:
Do your best for God; but if you do fall, and we all
will on occasion, we can rest assured- Jesus will catch

us and keep us secure. Rest in that promise!!

********************

Jesus, The Coming King

December 29

Bible Reading: Revelation 19:11-16

Key Verse: Verse 16 - And he hath on his vesture and
on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND
LORD OF LORDS.
Key Words: KING OF KINGS, AND LORD

OF LORDS
In Revelation, we see Jesus as the coming King, and in our
text we see the scene that will prevail at the Battle of
Armageddon. The anti-Christ will be gnawing his tongue and
blaspheming God because his pride will be wounded and
challenged. The demonic spirits will organize a confederacy
of nations that will move against Jerusalem once and for all to
solve the Jewish problem. In the great valley of Jezreel, in
the midst of these three mountains, this confederacy will get
ready to move against Jerusalem with their tanks, guns,
napalm, lasers, and jets, and whatever else is in the mind of
the insane one, the anti-Christ. It is going to look dark.
Then suddenly, Jesus arrives the King of Kings and the
Lord of Lords! He will speak and His Word will be a sword,
and the battle is over, the victory is won! To God be the glory!
On the eve of D-Day, General Dwight Eisenhower, closed
his address to the troops by saying, We will accept nothing
less than full Victory!And let us all beseech the blessing of
Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.
In essence, he was saying there is no room for defeat; we
must win; we will win!!
Well, Ive read the last chapter of the book and I am here
to tell you, we win!! To God be the glory for the KING OF
KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!!

What to do:
If you are not saved, accept Christ and get on the
winning side.
Praise God for His goodness.
Look up, your redemption draweth nigh.
********************

Walking Honestly
December 30

Bible Reading: I Thessalonians 4:1-12

Key Verse: Verse 12 - That ye may walk honestly
toward them that are without, and that ye may have
lack of nothing.
Key Words: That ye may walk honestly
I Thessalonians, chapter four, deals with a sanctified life.
You read in verse three, For this is the will of God, even your
sanctification... Then Paul lists for us several prerequisites
for being sanctified. One of those is found in verse twelve that
we walk honestly toward them outside the church.
I read a humorous story that illustrates the need for
honesty.
A wealthy but eccentric man called his pastor, his doctor,
and a political friend to his deathbed. He told them he
disagreed with the conventional belief that you cant take your
money with you when you die. He said, Im taking mine!
He pulled out three envelopes and handed one to each of the
gathered trio. He explained how the envelopes contained
$30,000 in cash, and he wanted each man to throw an
envelope in when they lowered his casket. At the funeral all
three men did as their dead friend had requested.
Upon returning from the cemetery, the pastors
conscience got the best of him, and he confessed to the doctor
and politician, saying, I needed the money for our church so I

took out $10,000 and threw $20,000 into the grave. The
doctor then came clean and admitted to taking $20,000 for
costs he had incurred at his clinic. The politician was appalled
at their dishonesty. He pridefully said, Im ashamed of you
gentlemen. I threw in a check for the full amount.
And that is the way it usually is. The reason we are so
often appalled at the dishonesty of others is because we fail to
judge our own actions and motives.
So let me encourage you to live honestly before God in the
upcoming year.

What to do:
Evaluate your own thoughts and deeds.
Deal honestly with all men.
The truth only hurts for awhile, a lie hurts for
eternity.
********************

Recipe For A Happy New Year

December 31

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:1-16

Key Verse: Verse 16 - Redeeming the time, because
the days are evil.
Key Words: Redeeming the time
Happy New Year! If you really want a happy new year,
then I heartily recommend the following recipe.
Take twelve fine, full-grown months and see that they are
thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor, hate
and jealousy. Cleanse them completely from every clinging
spite. Pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness. In short,
see that these months are freed from all the past have them
as fresh and clean as when they came from the storehouse of
TIME.

Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts.

This batch will keep for just one year. Do not attempt to make
up the whole batch at one time (so many people spoil the
entire lot in this way); but prepare one day at a time as
follows.
Into each day put twelve parts of faith, eleven of patience,
ten of courage, nine of work (some people omit this ingredient
and so spoil the flavor of the rest), eight of hope, seven of
fidelity, six of liberality, five of kindness, four of rest (leaving
out this is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing dont
do it), three of prayer, two of good will and one well-selected
resolution. Put in a dash of fun, a sprinkling of play, and a
heaping cupful of good humor.
Pour into the whole love and grace, and mix with vim.
Cook thoroughly in a fervent heat; garnish with sweet smiles
and a few sprigs of joy; then serve with quietness,
unselfishness, and cheerfulness and a happy new year is a
certainty.

What to do:
Apply the above principles, and I do hope you will
have a Happy New Year.

I deeply appreciate the

help of
Mary Parsons
Glenda Myrick
And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these

people to help, this
devotional would not
have been possible.
Dr. Mike Rouse

is a ministry of

5568 Chalkville Mountain Road

Birmingham, AL. 35235
(205) 854-2741
www.mountainviewbaptist.org