Christian Daily Devotionals

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon -Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2009.

“Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.” Mark 14:72

As long as Peter lived, a fountain of tears began to flow whenever he remembered how he denied his Lord. It is not unlikely that it was so, for his sin was very great, and grace granted to him afterwards was even greater.

This same experience is common to all of God’s children, according to the degree the Holy Spirit has removed your natural heart of stone. We, like Peter, remember our boastful promises: “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” (Matthew 26:33, NLT) We eat our own words with the bitter herbs of repentance. When we think of how we promised we would act, and how often in, overt or subtle ways, we have denied our Lord, we may weep whole showers of grief.

Peter must have contemplated, at length, his denial of his Lord. The place in which he did it, the reasons that led him into such heinous sin, the lies and blasphemies he uttered, and the dreadful hardness of heart which drove him to do so again and yet again. How can we, when we are reminded of our misdeeds, and their exceeding sinfulness, remain indifferent and stubborn? Shouldn’t we repent of our sin, and cry to the Lord for renewed assurances of His pardoning love? May we never take a dry-eyed look at sin. Doing so threatens us on a dangerous and lonely path, with a tongue parched in the flames of hell.

But Peter must also have thought about his Master’s look of love. The Lord followed up the rooster’s warning voice with an cautioning look of sorrow, pity, and love. That glance was never out of Peter’s mind so long as he lived. It was far more effectual than ten thousand sermons would have been without the Holy Spirit. The regretful apostle would be sure to weep when he recollected the Savior’s full forgiveness, which restored him to his former place. (John 21:15-19)

To think that we have offended so kind and good a Lord is more than sufficient reason for being constant weepers, both out of sorrowful repentance and at the same time joyful, thankful forgiveness. Lord, smite our rocky hearts, and make the waters flow.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/01/09/cs_repentance/

by Dr. Bill Bright

"God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more, so that there will not only be enough for your own needs, but plenty left over to give joyfully to others" 2 Corinthians 9:8

One of the greatest discoveries that I have ever made in the Christian life is the law of sowing and reaping. Paul explains, beginning in his second letter to the Corinthians with the sixth verse of Chapter 9, "If you give little, you'll get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will harvest only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much. Everyone must make up his own mind as to how much he should give. Don't force anyone to give more than he really wants to, for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes"
(2 Corinthians 9:6,7).

I have several friends and colleagues who have joined with me in claiming this marvelous promise of God and in every case the blessings are abundant. People with modest incomes are able not only to give large sums of money, but also enjoy a life-style that one could hardly expect even from individuals whose salaries were much more than theirs. It is a "loaves and fishes" kind of demonstration of God's faithfulness. You cannot outgive God. As someone put it, "I give to God by the spoonsful and He returns to me shovelsful."

Most believers have never discovered the joy and excitement of Christian stewardship. Always remember that God's graces are bestowed upon us, not that we may hoard them, but that we may pass them on to others.

The same principle of giving also applies to the giving of our time and our talent to the proclamation of the gospel. The more we give, the more we receive. Was God giving you an extra portion of love today, of joy, of patience, of encouragement, or peace? Pass it on. Has something happened to you? He may have given that extra supply for you to pass it on to others in need. By the same token, if your supply in any of these things is lacking, you need only ask. With your motivation of wanting to share with others, God will not delay in responding to your request.

Bible Reading: 2  Corinthians 9:6-11

TODAY'S ACTION POINT: In order to be a faithful steward of that which God has entrusted to me, I shall seek to share with others a generous portion of all that He gives to me, with special emphasis on the good news concerning our Lord Jesus Christ and the supernatural life which He gives.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/11/26/bb_more/

by Vonette Bright

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.�? 2 Corinthians 5:17

Ruthless violence. Lavish lifestyle. Those words once described Jorge Valdes (HORE-hay val-DEEZ), a former Columbian drug lord.

His recent message to drug policy makers, ambassadors and top military officers in Washington, D.C., was surprising.  He spoke of “coming clean�? and finding a new life through a dramatic personal encounter with Jesus Christ.  Even the FBI agents who tracked and jailed him agree he’s truly been transformed by Christ.  Amazing!

You may think you’re without hope … that you’ll never change.  But the Bible says otherwise.  The Bible assures us:  “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold. all things have become new!�?
Cling to that truth today, dear one.  Christ can transform you.  Ask Him to.  Trust in Him alone.  And say goodbye to that old self-serving you.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/11/15/vb_new-creature/

by John Grant
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?�? Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!�? Matthew 6:8

It happened three years ago in Afghanistan, but was in the press again last week when the President of the United States presented the Congressional Medal of Honor to the parents of the fallen hero. His story is that of a true American hero, who put the safety of those under his command ahead of his own life. On that night three years ago, Sgt, Monti’s heroism exemplified the sacrifice, honor and heroism of the American military.

On that night Sgt. Monti’s patrol from the 10th Mountain Division was walking down a road on a scouting mission when suddenly a tree line exploded in a wall of fire. One of Monti’s men was pinned down. He handed his radio to someone, tightened his chin strap and ran into the line of fire. The patrol leader offered to go, but Monti said, “No, he my soldier and I am going to get him.�? Still trying to reach his man, Monti ran into the line three times and on the last try,  was killed by a rocket launched grenade. As the President said, “His actions were not a passing moment of courage, but the culmination of a life of character and commitment.�?

There are so many similar Biblical accounts of those who never gave a second thought about risking and giving their lives for others. They too did so out of a life of character and commitment. They all had one thing in common…. they had encountered God in a very personal way. It takes a pure heart to see God. You can attend church services, read your Bible, and pray, but if you don’t have a significant relationship, you will not see God. You will know when you have encountered God because your life will no longer be the same.

Isaiah was concerned with the death of King Uzziah, the able king of Judah, but was disoriented to his heavenly King. Then something happened that forever changed Isaiah’s life. God, in all His awesome majesty, appeared to him in the temple, surrounded by heavenly creatures. Instantly, God’s presence made Isaiah aware of his sinfulness. One of the seraphim came to him with a burning coal and cleansed Isaiah of his sin. Immediately, Isaiah began to hear things he had never heard before.

This prompted Isaiah’s eager response: “Here am I! Send me.�? Now that God had cleansed Isaiah, he was aware of heavenly concerns and prepared to offer himself in God’s service. Whereas Isaiah had been preoccupied with earthly matters, now his only concern was the activity of God.

If you have become estranged from God and His activity, you need to experience His cleansing. Sanctification prepares you to see and hear God. It enables you to serve Him, so that like Isaiah, you too can say
“Here am I, send me.�?
(a thought on life from John Grant )

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/11/11/jg_soldier/