"Mornings With Jesus" by William Jay is a devotional classic that offers spiritually rich meditations for each day of the year, intended to be read in the morning as a means of beginning the day in fellowship with Christ. William Jay, a respected English Congregational preacher of the 18th and 19th centuries, wrote with a pastoral heart and a clear, practical style that made his devotional writings both accessible and deeply edifying. Each entry in Mornings With Jesus begins with a Scripture verse and is followed by a meditation that applies biblical truths to the believer’s daily life. Jay’s reflections are marked by sound theology, gentle encouragement, and moral seriousness, with a strong emphasis on personal holiness, divine providence, and the love of Christ. His devotional approach is conversational and pastoral, often including appeals to the heart and conscience. Mornings With Jesus remains a valuable resource for those seeking to center their mornings in Scripture, prayer, and quiet communion with the Savior.
January 1 "In that day there will be... a pillar at the border for the Lord." Isaiah 19:19 As we move from one year to the next, this remark
January 2 "When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and, when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Fathe
January 3 "To die is gain." Philippians 1:21 The curse for a believer is transformed into a blessing, and the enemy into a friend. For "to d
January 4 "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us." Romans 12:6 God doesn't give everyone the same blessings
January 5 "If the Son shall make you free." John 8:36 This implies a previous state of bondage. And the bondage from which the Son of God de
January 6 "Ye shall be free indeed." John 8.36 Here is the excellence of this deliverance. Christ not only makes his people "free," but "fre
January 7 "Come, ye blessed of my Father." Matthew 25:34 The joy of the saints began when they first felt their need for the Savior here on
January 8 "Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matthew 25.34 Consider four things: first, the possession
January 9 "Thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back." Isaiah 38:17 Notice the way sin's pardon is described here. It's through a metaphor.
January 10 "Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord." Psalm 115:11 Trusting in God is the foundation of every aspect of faith. We fall when
January 11 "Full of grace." John 1:14 That is, the Lord Jesus Christ was filled with divine influence, which in the Scriptures is often refe
January 12 "Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18 There are some who doubt the possibility
January 13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 Friendship among people often come
January 14 "And you... hath he reconciled." Colossians 1:21 Reconciled to whom? To God. How? In the body of his flesh, through death. This r
January 15 "This is not your rest." Micah 2:10 This reminds us not to seek too much here. Some people idolize life; but, what does it turn o
January 16 "Arise ye, and depart." Micah 2:10 At times, believers are drawn away and detached from earthly matters. However, if one is not r
January 17 "O Lord, I will praise thee. Though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me." Isaiah 12:1 Tho
January 18 "He will rejoice over thee with joy." Zephaniah 3:17. The satisfaction mentioned here is the Savior's own joy that comes from the
January 19 "For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." 1 Peter 3:18 The righteous
January 20 "Now we understand only in part." 1 Corinthians 13:9 Heaven is a state of knowledge. Everything there will support the acquisitio
January 21 "Seek my face." Psalm 27 This, in the Scriptures, represents the entirety of religion, for two reasons: First, because it is with
January 22. "The Lord is good." Nahum 1:7 He is fundamentally good, unchangeably good, infinitely good. All the goodness in creation comes f
January 23 "If then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts." Malachi 1:6 It is
January 24 "For through him, we have access by one Spirit to the Father." Ephesians 2:18 The effect of sin is to separate us from God and to
January 25 "We which have believed do enter into rest." Hebrews 4:3 Heaven is a state of supreme happiness. Everyone is capable of experienc
January 26 "How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways are past finding out." Romans 11:33 Let's not be surprised, then, if at times w
January 27 "God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." 1 Corinthians 1:27 Here, we see the weakn
January 28 "I create the fruit of the lips." Isaiah 57:19 Two questions must be asked here. What does the fruit of the lips mean, and how is
January 29 "Oh, taste, and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8 The best way to know God's goodness is by experiencing it firsthand. Here,
January 30 "He saved us by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost." Titus 3:5 It is through the work of the Holy Spi
January 31 "The Lord is a stronghold in the day of trouble." Nahum 1:7 Or, "He is their strength in the day of trouble." He does not protect
February 1 "Turn ye unto me." Zechariah 1:3 We have turned away from God, and the language of the Church accurately reflects our situation:
February 2 "I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts." Zechariah 1:3 His command to turn to him could have been enforced by his absolut
February 3 "The Word was made flesh." John 1:14 No one can doubt that this refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice three things. First, his
February 4 "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints." Ephesians 3:8 Despite being distinguished and honored, the apostle did not b
February 5 "We have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him." Ephesians 3:12 Here we see that while the Lord Jesus Christ is
February 6 "Who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." Ephesians 2:20 Nothing is more painful to true love than
February 7 "And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, beca
February 8 "And behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold, the angels of God ascending and desce
February 9 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in ri
February 10 "The Spirit of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:19 This isn't the only instance where the Spirit is attributed to Jesus Christ. To t
February 11 "He knows those who trust in him." Nahum 1:7 Does he not know those who do not trust in him? Yes, he does. "His eyes are upon th
February 12 "Surely, the Lord is in this place; and I didn't know it." Genesis 28:16 How strikingly does Jacob's ignorance on this occasion
February 13 "Your joy." John 16:24 There is, then, a joy that belongs to Christians. "Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
February 14 "That your joy may be full." John 16:24 With many Christians, their joy is weak, limited, and constantly changing. Yet, there is
February 15 "Is it not My house God has chosen?" 2 Samuel 23:5 Here lies a deep distress. David went through many tough challenges; the affl
February 16 "He hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure. This is all my salvation, and all my desire, alt
February 17 "This is all my salvation, and all my desire." 2 Samuel 23:5 Everything my salvation needs to be done, and everything my salvati
February 18 "That it may provide seed for those who plant, and bread for those who eat." Isaiah 55:10 What would our world look like without
February 19 "I will remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites." Psalm 42:6 There are two ways in which we can understand
February 20 "The hill Mizar." Psalm 42:6 We know from accurate maps of the land of Canaan where the Jordan flowed; we know the location of t
February 21 “He was rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9 Let us notice the Savior's greatness - "He was rich." Then he existed before his incarna
February 22 "He became poor." 2 Corinthians 8:9 From the Savior's greatness, let's move to HIS HUMILIATION. We should not think from this th
February 23 "I am the truth." John 14:6 There is the truth of sincerity; and Jesus is the "faithful and true Witness;" in his words there wa
February 24 "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenan
February 25 "You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 8:9 There are many who do not know it, who have never heard of his
February 26 "The glory as of the only son of the Father." John 1:14 Here is a glorious object to behold. Not the glory of the world, o
February 27 "We beheld his glory." John 1:14 How did people come to perceive the Redeemer's glory? First, they observed his glory phys
February 28 "I will heal him." Isaiah 57:19 God heals through the gospel in two ways. First, He heals the pain of a tormented spirit:
February 29 "And knew the grace of God in truth." Colossians 1:6 The grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, cannot be truly known witho
March 1 "When I expected it to produce grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?" Isaiah 5:4 "What," says God, "could have been done more to my
March 2 "He hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things." 2 Samuel 23:5 This Covenant of salvation shows that God is go
March 3 "I will go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy." Psalm 43:4 This concerns the worship of God; and our worship is infini
March 4 "Made rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9 Here is another amazing transformation. We have witnessed a change from riches to poverty; now we see
March 5 "For your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be made rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9 This principle is at the heart of
March 6 "This is my friend." Song of Solomon 5:16 Lord Brooks was so enchanted by the wise and accomplished Sir Philip Sidney that when Sidn
March 7 "Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy." 1 Timothy 6:17 Every creation of God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is ac
March 8 "If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself." Proverbs 9:12 As religion makes us truly wise, having it is to gain the gre
March 9 "Ebenezer." 1 Samuel 7:12 A Roman emperor has advised us to manage the three periods of time in this way: the past to oblivion, the
March 10 "Who inherit the promises." Hebrews 6:12 God has always interacted with his people through promises. He could have fulfilled all hi
March 11 "Be ye followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Hebrews 6:12 This command suggests three things: Fir
March 12 "Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been in that condition for a long time. He said to him, "Wilt thou be made whole?"
March 13 "Wilt thou be made whole?" John 5:6 Two things are implied in the question. First, that the disease is curable; for our dear Savior
March 14 "Wilt thou be made whole?" John 5:6 What answer have we turned or are disposed to give to this question? For we are now as capable
March 15 "Pay attention to yourselves." 2 John 1:8 Reason and Scripture both emphasize the importance of self-attention; thus, it's clear th
March 16 "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Philippians 2:4 That is, we should not focus so
March 17 "The unsearchable riches of Christ." Ephesians 3:8 These unsearchable riches of Christ aren't so much about his attributes and poss
March 18 "So will I save you, and you shall be a blessing." Zechariah 8:13 CHRISTIANS do not go to heaven alone. Those who experience divine
March 19 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Chr
March 20 "That you may go into the land which the Lord your God gives you." Deuteronomy 27:3 The history provided in the Scriptures about th
March 21 "Whose faith follow." Hebrews 13:7 Everyone understands the truth of the saying that example is more powerful than instruction; and
March 22 "Unto you it is given, in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Philippians 1:29 This
March 23 "Unto me is this grace given." Ephesians 3:8 Augustine refers to the Apostle Paul as the "herald of grace." He certainly earns this
March 24 "My word." Isaiah 55:11 As we are created by God, and since he has made us rational beings, it's logical to assume that he would pr
March 25. "They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." Luke 5:31 How crucial it is that we are fully aware of o
March 26 "Bless the Lord, O my soul, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction." Psalm 103:2-4 What is expec
March 27 "Don't be lazy." Hebrews 6:12 A philosopher, when asked "What is the sin most universal to mankind?" responded, truthfully and accu
March 28 "Faith and patience." Hebrews 6:12 Regarding these excellent qualities given by the Holy Spirit, observe, first, their relationship
March 29 "Let your conversation be as it befits the gospel of Christ." Philippians 1:27 We can note three things here: First, the descriptio
March 30 "The Lord turned Job's situation around when he prayed for his friends." Job 42:10 The earnest prayer of a good person is very powe
March 31 "Ye are all the children of light and the children of the day." 1 Thessalonians 5:5 The gospel is a system of knowledge. Therefore,
April 1 "This is his name by which he shall be called, The LORD our righteousness." Jeremiah 23:6 Who does this passage refer to but the Son
April 2 "This is his name whereby he shall be called, The LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jeremiah 23:6 Consider his role in relation to us, - "The
April 3 "This is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord our righteousness." Jeremiah 23:6 Names are meant to distinguish and to make
April 4 "Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man." Luke 23:47 A dying bed is
April 5 "All the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned." Luke 23:
April 6 "And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things." Luke 23:49 Here we
April 7 "The Son of man came to give his life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28 Jesus said this referring to his own death, and it's to remi
April 8 "He was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification." Romans 4:25 The importance of Jesus Christ's resurr
April 9 "I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:44 First, notice the uniqueness of the privilege. One might wonder, Will he not raise
April 10 "Ye know all things." 1 John 2:20 This statement must be understood with some limitations, otherwise it wouldn't be accurate for an
April 11 "So is the kingdom of heaven, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows
April 12 "Ask, and ye shall receive." John 16:24 Regarding the process of asking for and receiving blessings from our heavenly Father, note
April 13 "He that is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11 Heaven is not only elevated but also a sacred place, where "nothing that
April 14 "The earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first, the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the car." Mark 4:28 Natural
April 15 "Behold, for peace I had great bitterness." Isaiah 38:17 We should always appreciate God's mercy; however, our successes and pleasu
April 16 "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." Philemon 25 What else can our salvation be attributed to if not solely to this principle? The
April 17 "The salvation of the Lord." Exodus 14:13 This is the main theme of the gospel. Salvation always refers to some form of evil; and c
April 18 "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." 1 Corinthians 3:6 Spiritual influences, just like natural ones, work
April 19 "But he was also afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is!" Genesis 28:17 That is a way to say, how venerable! How august! H
April 20 "Just as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, so will my word be that goes forth from my mouth." Isaiah 55:10, 11 "The ra
April 21 "He that received seed in the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth,
April 22 "Thou hast, in love to my soul, delivered it from the pit of corruption." Isaiah 38:17 This is from the writings of Hezekiah, King
April 23 "The time is coming when you will not worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem." John 4:21 We note that the Christian er
April 24 "My soul is deeply troubled." Psalm 42:8 "Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward;" and no matter which path our life takes
April 25 "As we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who are part of the faith community." Galatians 6:10
April 26 "He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man; that he may bring forth food out of the earth." Psalm
April 27 "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray." James 5:13 Afflictions of every kind are seen in the Scriptures as trials, and the reas
April 28 "I will remember the works of the Lord." Psalm 77:11 This isn't a natural resolution. People naturally prefer to exclude God from t
April 29 "The place was named Eshcol because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from there." Numbers 13:24 Canaa
April 30 "Seek the Lord." Zephaniah 2:3 Observe four purposes for which we are to seek God, which are essential to genuine religion! F
May 1 "They are men wondered at." Zechariah 3:8 The individuals touched by divine grace mirror the one they belong to, known as "The wonderf
May 2 "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive." John 16:24 Some believe that in this Scripture, our Lord subtl
May 3 "The riches of his goodness." Romans 3:4 We can observe that, in addition to the displays of God's general goodness, there is his good
May 4 "My word shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent
May 5 "There is none abiding." 1 Chronicles 29:15 How often are believers saying, with the Patriarch Job, "Changes and war are against me."
May 6 "The Lord is my God." Zechariah 13:9 The more we feel we need something and value it, the more we want to make it ours. Many people th
May 7 "Oh how I wish I could return to the months past, to the days when God protected me; when his light shone upon my head, and when by hi
May 8 "The wisdom of the just." Luke 1:17 To be religious is to be wise. This is true in the eyes of Him whose judgment is always based on t
May 9 "No man can come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him." John 6:44 Three things here deserve our attention: The first
May 10 "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together." Acts 4:31 Notice the reason for the prayer. Peter
May 11 "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 4:31 This is said to have been the result of the prayers of the apostles and th
May 12 "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." Ephesians 6:20 The fall has left us as lacking in strength as we are in right
May 13 "They shall all know me." Jeremiah 31:34 Knowledge is the privilege and the mark of humanity; "For there is a spirit in man, and the
May 14 "Come unto me." Matt. 11:28 This invitation is not to be understood in a physical sense. Many people physically approached the Lord J
Mat 15 "As a root out of a dry ground, he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him there is no beauty, that we should desire h
May 16 "The grace of God that brings salvation." Titus 2:11 The apostle is speaking about the gospel here. Notice its name: "the grace of Go
May 17 "The common salvation." Jude 3 In praising the gospel, the finest description the apostle could give it was its universality. It's un
May 18 "The grace of God which brings salvation has appeared to all men." Titus 2:11 By this, the apostle explicitly suggests that no one is
May 19 "For he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil." Luke 6:35 Ingratitude is the blackest of all crimes. "The ungrateful are like the
May 20 "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one." Job 14:4 The natural state of humanity as sinners, as described in the Scri
May 21 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:3. Two things can be noted about gratitude, and both are exemplif
May 22 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, has given us a new birth into a living
May 23 "A lively hope." 1 Peter 1:3 The "hope laid up for us in heaven" concerns life entirely and only. All life is valuable, but there is
May 24 "By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Romans 5:12 Lo
May 25 "Teaching us." Titus 2:12 Let's focus on what is mentioned about the influence of the gospel. It is described as "teaching." It teach
May 26 "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." Tit
May 27 "Behold, thy King cometh." Matthew 21:5 Throughout the history of the Redeemer, there's a remarkable blend of humility and majesty. T
May 28 "Looking forward to that blessed hope, and the glorious appearance of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for
May 29 "The great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of
May 30 "When the day of Pentecost had fully arrived, they were all in complete agreement and together in one place. Suddenly, there was a so
May 31 "How hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" Acts 2:8 The audience at this time included people from various regi
June 1 "We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." Acts 2:11 The truth of the miracle recorded here is also fully sub
June 2 "That I might preach him among the heathen." Galatians 1:16 The apostle preached the gospel to the Gentiles long before he preached i
June 3 "An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that does not fade away." 1 Peter 1:4 An inheritance typically means family or inhe
June 4 "The hope which is laid up for you in heaven." Colossians 1:5 It is a trustworthy saying, and deserving of full acceptance, that ther
June 5 "I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven." Revelation 4:1 Heaven had been closed by sin, and we see a powerful symbol of t
June 6 "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree." Isaiah 55:13 Two main obse
June 7 "And it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." Isaiah 55:13 We can observe four things
June 8 "Everyone was amazed and confused, asking each other, 'What does this mean?' Some, however, made fun of them and said, "These men are
June 9 "Be ye filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:18 This is especially the era of the Spirit; the influence of the Spirit is crucial
June 10 "Thou hast stricken them-but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them-but they have refused to receive correction: they have m
June 11 "Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the High God?" Micah 6:6 This is the most important and interesting;
June 12 "Oh, that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!" Job 23:3 First, notice what deeply concerned the
June 13 "Who is on the Lord's side?" Exodus 32:26 There is no neutrality in religion. In some situations, neutrality is possible, and it may
June 14 "He that is not with me is against me." Matthew 12:30 Nothing reveals a person's true nature more than what they are drawn to or rep
June 15 "I would order my cause before him." Job 23:4 This teaches us, first, that worshiping God is a "reasonable service." This "order" is
June 16 "I would fill my mouth with arguments." Job 23:4 Not because these are necessary to excite and move a Being who is love itself and w
June 17 "And will look for him." Isaiah 8:17 This language uniquely fits one being in the universe, namely, a Christian mourning after an ab
June 18 "I will hear what God the Lord will speak." Psalm 85:8 Generally, a Christian wants to know what God desires for them. This is seen
June 19 "I drew them." Hosea 11:4 The form of divine goodness here declared is ATTRACTION; and we may observe that the attraction is to God,
June 20 "I drew them with the coros of a man, with hands of love." Hosea 11:4 Pay attention to how this attraction is achieved. "I drew them
June 21 "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we might have believed in Jesus
June 22 "Zaccheus, make haste and come down, for today I must abide at your house." Luke 19:5 Look at the Savior, how he "prevents us with t
June 23 "He hurried down and was happy to welcome him." Luke 19:6 Zaccheus was amazed and surprised at such unexpected attention and greetin
June 24 "Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh." 1 Timothy 3:16 Here we see a remarkable combination of Deity and
June 25 "The word of the Lord was PRECIOUS." 1 Samuel 3:1 "PRECIOUS" means valuable, costly, something of worth and importance. The precious
June 26 "The word of the Lord was precious in those days." 1 Samuel 3:1 We can view Samuel as one of the most admirable characters recorded
June 7 "For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee; in a time when you may be found." Psalm 32:6 Here is an encouragement to hope
June 28 "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near." Isaiah 55:6 We can see these words as a protection against
June 29 "Arise! he calls you." Mark 10:49 When our Savior was passing along the road, a blind man sitting by the wayside begging cried out,
June 30 "Will he plead against me with his great power?" Job 23:6 He might rightfully do so. We deserve it. From this, we learn, first, that
July 1 "But he would put strength in me." Job 23:6 We are altogether nothing without Him. "Without him, we can do nothing." He will, therefo
July 2 "This is my comfort in my affliction, for thy word hath quickened me." Psalm 119:50 Notice the season being referred to here—days of
July 3 "Oh, how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee
July 4 "Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon hi
July 5 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bi
July 6 "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and
July 7 "Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." Psalm 138:2 This means God has shown Himself in various ways above all other ways
July 8 "I provided food to them." Hosea 11:4 Words change slightly in meaning over time. The word is now almost always used to refer to fles
July 9 "I have broken the bands of your yoke." Leviticus 26:13 This was demonstrated with the Jews when God delivered them from the slavery
July 10 "With loving-kindness have I drawn thee." Jeremiah 31:3 There is everything attractive in the goodness of God. We can observe the lo
July 11 "Seek the Lord and his strength. Seek his face continually." 1 Chronicles 16:11 Nothing demonstrates the fallen, depraved state of h
July 12 "He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous." 1 John 3:7 Here, the righteousness of becoming more holy is evi
July 13 "Who knows what is good for a person in this life?" Ecclesiastes 6:12 People often have a higher opinion of themselves than they sho
July 14 "And Hazael said, ''What! Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?'" 2 Kings 8:13 It's understandable why the proph
July 15 "Then news of these events reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to go as far as Antioch." Acts 11:22 'This
July 16 "Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God." Acts 11:23 People's attitudes can often be revealed by what captures their inter
July 17 "The wrath of God." Romans 1:18 It is wonderful to reflect on God's goodness, his vast mercy, and the immense riches of his grace. I
JULY 18 "The wrath of God IS REVEALED FROM HEAVEN." Romans 1:18 Let's consider the revelation of THIS WRATH. It's made known in various ways
July 19 "He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death." Psalm 68:20 This is how the church
JULY 20 "God is love." 1 John 4:8 When John says, "God is love," he's not just saying that love is one of God's attributes but that it's at
July 21 "Here is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10 The apostle ment
July 22 "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2 Tim
July 23 "I will wait upon the Lord who hides his face from the house of Jacob." Isaiah 8:17 God's providence is often very mysterious. This
July 24 'For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Corinthian
July 25 "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." Psalm 119:71 Here we understand the mindset during
July 26 "O Lord, I know that the WAY OF MAN is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jeremiah 10:23 There are
July 27 "O Lord, I KNOW that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jeremiah 10:23 Let's expl
July 28 "Even today is my complaint bitter. My effort is heavier than my groaning." Job 23:1 This isn't always the case; sometimes, our "com
July 29 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." Psalm 37:23 Though God has made it clear that people cannot determine their own p
July 30 "Ye call me Master and Lord, and ye say well, for so I am." John 13:12 Pay attention to the title they give Him: "Ye call me Master
July 31 "If I, then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet." John 13:14 Here is their obliga
August 1 "Those who compete in a race all run, but only one receives the prize." 1 Cor. 9:24 Earthly success is always uncertain. Here, we m
August 2 "God hath made that same Jesus both Lord and Christ." Acts 2:36 Here we first see the importance of having a correct understanding
August 3 "I will look unto the Lord." Micah 7:7 The church decides to look to the Lord, seeking him in prayer for help and relief. The Jews
August 4 "Therefore I will look unto the Lord." Micah 7:7 As if he had said, There is no confidence to be placed in and no comfort to be fou
August 5 "He turned and rebuked them and said, 'Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.'" Luke 9:55 These are the words of our Savior t
August 6 "Those who desire to be wealthy fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin a
August 7 '"And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the middle of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush wa
August 8 "And Moses said, 'I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.' When the Lord saw that he turned asi
August 9 "Moses was taking care of the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, who was the priest of Midian." Exodus 3:1 It's rare to find a mom
August 10 "Call upon me in the day of trouble." Psalm 50:15 This is the privilege of the true Christian, that he knows to whom he can go in
August 11 "Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled." Psalm 104:29 This passage speaks to the followers of God who lament the absence of divi
August 12 "The Lord shall comfort Zion." Isaiah 51:3 We can note here three things: First, distress, and discouragements are not incompatibl
August 13 "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord guides his steps." Proverbs 16:9 This is what the Scripture tells us, and it's crucial
August 14 "Has God forgotten to be kind? Has he, in anger, closed off his compassion?" Psalm 77:9 There is an immense difference between the
August 15 "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits; and in his word do I hope." Psalm 130:5 This implies some delay in God's intervention on beha
August 16 "Be content with such things as ye have." Hebrews 13:5 If we are not content with what we have, we will never be content with what
August 17 "God is love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16 Christianity is the only religion of the
August 18 "The whole world lies in wickedness." 1 John 5:19 The world here refers to, first, the world in which the Savior said Satan is the
August 19 "Let thine eyes be on the field, that they do reap." Ruth 2:9 We are called to be observant of what is happening during this fasci
August 20 "But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me." Isaiah 49:14 Here, we encounter a sorrowful complaint.
August 21 "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will
August 22 "Yet will I not forget thee." Isaiah 49:15 Notice the certainty of this assurance: "Yet will I not forget thee." We are assured by
August 23 "Many will seek the favor of the prince; everyone is a friend to the person who gives gifts." Proverbs 19:6 We naturally look up t
August 24 "Who went about doing good." Acts 10:38 This is the praise that Peter gave to our Savior. The praise is indeed brief, but oh
August 25 "We have known and believed the love God has toward us." 1 John 4:16 This is the expression of all those in whose hearts the love
August 26 "I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Exodus 3:6 Throughout history, God has s
August 27 "And there are diversities of operations; but it is the same God which worketh all in all." 1 Corinthians 12:6 If we take a compre
August 28 "The goodwill of him that dwelt in the bush." Deuteronomy 33:16 A very touching and striking incident occurred in connection with
August 29 "The inheritance of the saints in light." Colossians 1:12 Now, believers are the "sons of God," though the time for their full rev
August 30 "Who hath enabled us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." Colossians 1:12 Having discussed the inheritance,
August 31 "He that cometh unto God must believe that he is." Hebrews 11:6 It's highly desirable and absolutely necessary to be fully and cor
September 1 "And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God." Exodus 3:6 Here we see, first, that divine manifestations always p
September 2 "I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain." Isaiah 45:19 Here is more than a hint—a gracious assurance that God lis
September 3 "The Lord shall choose our inheritance for us." Psalm 47:4 How much, very often, depends upon a single step in life! Our reputat
September 4 "The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people." Romans 1:18 Here, we see the o
September 5 "O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." Psalm 104:24 God is wo
September 6 "This is the Lord's doing: and it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalm 118:23 Everything the Lord has done and is doing deserves ou
September 7 "Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ." Romans 1:6 Notice here the calling of non-Jewish people by Jesus Christ. Th
September 8 "The tricks of the devil." Ephesians 6:11 Satan, as someone said, would not have become a devil if he hadn't first been an angel
September 9 "For there is no difference." Romans 3:22 Nothing is more strikingly apparent when we look at humanity than the differences amon
September 10 "The Son of man." Matthew 20:28 This was the testimony our Savior gave about his character. It may not be unique to the New Tes
September 11 "And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber, that was in Samaria, and was sick." 2 Kings 1:2 The Bible is ric
September 12 "Is it not because there is not a God in Israel that thou sendest to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Elron? Therefore thou sh
September 13 "I am a companion to all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts." Psalm 119:63 Humans are social creatures, an
September 14 "Let him do what seemeth him good." 1 Samuel 3:18 We are not in control of our lives here. We should, therefore, submit ourselv
September 15 "Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee." Revelation 2:4 Having a friend is highly valuable: someone who can wipe away the
September 16 "Thou hast left thy first love." Revelation 2:4 We should always distinguish between unavoidable weaknesses and declines that w
September 17 "Remember, therefore, whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works." Revelation 2:5 This admonition includes thre
September 18 "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his b
September 19 "And nations that knew not thee, shall run unto thee." Isaiah 55:5 It was widely believed in the early Christian church that th
September 20 "In whom we have redemption through his blood." Ephesians 1:7 REDEMPTION implies a price, and here we see "The precious price t
September 21 "Ye are not your own." 1 Corinthians 6:19 Christians do not belong to themselves; they have been purchased at a price, specific
September 22 "Then the mother of Zebedee's children approached him with her sons, showing deep respect, and asked for something specific fro
September 23 "Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the
September 24 "Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:42 What was said of this pious woman applies
September 25 "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the na
September 26 "Ten men out of all languages of the nations shall take hold of him that is a Jew." Zecharia 8:23 Here, we have the subjects of
September 27 "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto." Matthew 20:28 This statement initially fills us with astonishment. When we thi
September 28 "The Son of man came not to be served, but to serve." Matthew 20:28 There are people who often do without others serving them,
September 29 "Take unto you the whole armor of God." Ephesians 6:13 Regarding the armor provided for the Christian warrior, the apostle allo
September 30 "That ye may be able to withstand in the evil day." Ephesians 6:13 There are two questions that need to be answered here. The f
October 1 "I am with you." Jeremiah 42:11 Does God truly dwell with humans on earth? The question is answered, "The tabernacle of God is wit
October 2 "Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your minister, even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minist
October 3 "Repent, or else I will come unto you quickly, and will renuse thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." Revelation 2
October 4 "He hath glorified thee." Isaiah 55:5 First, consider the source of the glory attributed to the Messiah: "The Lord thy God, the Ho
October 5 "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 Here is a two-part description of the human condition. First, o
October 6 "Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord." Isaiah 57:19 Two things are here to be considered.
October 7 "And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh." Ephesians 2:17 Though these words primarily
October 8 "Whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?" James 4:1 These word
October 9 "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Romans 3:24 "Being justified." This is the s
October 10 "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2 There are three ways to understand thi
October 11 "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of this world, against sp
October 12 "My counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure." Isaiah 46:10 The term counsel nowadays implies advice, direction, deliber
October 13 "I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." Acts 20:27 It has already been shown that "the counsel of
October 14 "They shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." Ze
October 15 "We have heard that God is with you." Zechariah 8:23 Notice here the awareness others have of a Christian's state and privilege.
October 16 "And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter them; and forthwith Jesus gave them leave." M
October 17 "And behold the whole city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coa
October 18 "And he named that place Bethel." Genesis 28:19 That means the house of God, and wherever God meets with his people, that place c
October 19 "This is the gate of heaven." Genesis 28:16 The experiences of Christians sometimes feel very close to heaven; hence, Jacob
October 20 "This is the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." Genesis 28:16 The house of God and the gate of heaven are closely lin
October 21 "And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesu
October 22 "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he depa
October 23 "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1: 21 In all of Job's trials, and under his mo
October 24 "Who hold the truth in unrighteousness." Romans 1:18 This means that while the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all t
October 25 "Reckon ye yourselves dead indeed unto sin." Romans 6:11 This implies that Christians should not just avoid sin but also suggest
October 26 "And having done all to stand." Ephesians 6:13 Consider how important this is! It suggests that the journey towards heaven takes
October 27 "Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:3 All Christians are called to experience warfare, an honest, tr
October 28 "That I may win Christ." Philippians 3:8 While people in the world are making worldly success their chief aim, seeking happiness
October 29 "Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God." Romans 6:1 Christians are reminded here of what they
October 30 "They overcame by the blood of the Lamb." Revelation 12:11 Many are currently engaged in "fighting the good fight of faith." The
October 31 "Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad." Acts 11:23 We can view Barnabas experiencing this joy from three pe
November 1 "And encouraged them all to firmly commit their hearts to follow the Lord." Acts 11:23 First, notice the significance of the advi
November 2 "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them,
November 3 "Being thankful." Ephesians 5:20 Oh, how rare this is! Our selfishness often takes the lead! Even in our religious practices, eve
November 4 "The righteousness of the righteous." Isaiah 5:23 "There is none righteous, no, not one." Such was the testimony of God himself w
November 5 "When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.
November 6 'Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?' Psalm 24:3 There are three ways to answer thi
November 7 "In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33 This is a commendation of C
November 8 "Grace came through Jesus Christ." John 1:17 Grace means favor, and especially undeserved favor. Indeed, without this, it cannot
November 9 "Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off
November 10 "And the door was shut." Matthew 25:10 The time for closing the door of mercy happens in two significant instances. First, at th
November 11 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and as profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction
November 12 "Likewise, consider yourselves truly dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:11 The apostle not o
November 13 "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." Psalm 73:24 No matter what we do, we often find ourse
November 14 "As he entered a certain village, he was met by ten men who were lepers, standing at a distance. They raised their voices and sa
November 15 "Go show thyself to the priest." Mark 1:44 Notice the command these lepers received. Under the law, a leper was to consult the p
November 16 "This is my rest forever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it." Psalm 132:14 We understand from the scriptures that God's p
November 17 "The Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following." Mark 16:2 It was through the preaching of the gospel
November 18 "The gentleness of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:1 It was predicted of the Savior that "a bruised reed he should not break, and the
November 19 "Truth came by Jesus Christ." John 1:17 What is truth? This is a question Pilate once asked but did not wait for an answer. And
November 20 "The world does not recognize us." 1 John 3:1 The meaning here is not just that the people of the world do not recognize Christi
November 21 "And it happened that, as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, noticing he was healed, turned back, and with a loud
November 22 "And Jesus answered, "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?" Luke 17:17 Let's look at this story as if
November 23 "A door was opened in heaven." Revelation 4:1 Notice why the opening in heaven was made: First, it is open for inspection and di
November 24 "Their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges." Deuteronomy 32:31 Besides the Lord's people, others h
November 25 "Nevertheless, I am continually with thee." Psalm 73:23 Notice the source of the psalmist's contentment; it's as if he's saying,
November 26 "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you." 1 John 3:13 The Christian can manage quite well without the world's approval.
November 27 "And it happened, when Joshua was near Jericho, that he looked up and saw a man standing opposite him with his sword drawn: and
November 28 "The Army of the Lord." Joshua 5:14 After examining the historical context of the passage, let's now explore a topic that we mig
November 29 "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Timothy 1:1
November 30 "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon." Psalm 92:12 Here, we can see how the r
December 1 "Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God." Psalm 92:13 This beautiful metaphor sug
December 2 "We urge you not to receive God's grace in vain." 2 Corinthians 6:1 Two questions here are very necessary. First, what do w
December 3 "As the truth is in Jesus." Ephesians 4:21 Truths can be equally true but not equally valuable. Although we are instructed to emb
December 4 "They shall bring forth fruit in old age." Psalm 92:14 It's not that all of God's people live to be old; this isn't what it means
December 5 "To show that the Lord is upright: He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." Psalm 92:15 Observe the testimony give
December 6 "Grace is poured into your lips." Psalm 45:2 In the Old Testament God is often referred to as "the Almighty," "the everlasting Go
December 7 "Thank God, that you were once slaves to sin, but you have obeyed from the heart the teachings you were given." Romans 6:17 MacKn
December 8 "You have held me by my right hand." Psalm 73:23 That means you have sustained and supported me when I was about to fall, faint,
December 9 "As Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come." Joshua 5:14 To fully appreciate this imagery, we need to move beyond the curr
December 10 "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father
December 11 "He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and manifest myself to him." John 14:21 We can imagine how
December 12 "And I saw no temple therein." Revelation 21:22 There is no exclusive temple in heaven. Even the disciples of Christ cannot agre
December 13 "In me is thine help." Hosea 13:9 While a person's downfall is entirely their own doing, their salvation comes solely from the L
December 14 "The messenger of the covenant whom you delight in." Malachi 3:1 These words unmistakably refer to the Messiah, and here, let us
December 15 "Judas (not Iscariot) asked him, 'Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?" John 14:22 F
December 16 "The Lord is close to all who call on him, to all who call on him sincerely." Psalm 145:18 This is not referring to God being ev
December 17 "The message of Christ." Colossians 3:16 The Scriptures reveal Christ to us. "These things," the Apostle John states, "are writt
December 18 "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22 True religion isn't just about theory. It
December 19 "Everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have everlasting life." John 6:40 First, let's look at the nature of this rev
December 20 "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me." Malachi 3:1. It's understood that John the Bap
December 21 "The Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple." Malachi 3:1 Many had come before him, many illustrious characters,
December 22 "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth?" Malachi 3:2 The reference here undoubtedly ref
December 23 "I have gone astray, like a lost sheep." Psalm 119:176 The psalmist is talking here about his moral mistakes or deviations from
December 24 "Thou tellest my wanderings." Psalm 56:8 First, let's consider that this might refer to physical movements. Abraham was a wander
December 25 "His name shall be called Immanuel; which, being interpreted, is God with us." Matthew 1:23 Names are designed to distingu
December 26 "Will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" 2 Chronicles 6:18 God uses means to accomplish his purposes, and if we coul
December 27 " And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and s
December 28 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither s
December 29 "Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee." Deuteronomy 8:2 Here, we notice two important points. First,
December 30 "Thou shalt remember ALL THE WAY which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness." Deuteronomy 8:2 Notice th
December 31 "He that endures to the end shall be saved." Matthew 10:22 "Let not him that girdeth on the harness boast as he that putteth it
Open this chapter to start reading.
The series of devotional readings included in this volume have been carefully prepared from detailed notes, taken in shorthand, of sermons p
of style, evangelical and experimental flavor, practical and devotional tendency, fullness and joy of scriptural illustration, and inclusive
For personal and family devotional reading, this volume is perfectly suited and, with God's blessing, will surely foster a deep spiritual se
Mornings with Jesus: A Series of Devotional Readings for Personal Reflection and Family Use. Carefully prepared from notes of sermons preach