Each New Day by Corrie ten Boom: 2011

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

December 31

We have met for 366 days. On the last day of the year let us read what God’s Word says in Philippians 3:13-14 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23:

Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own: but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly: and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus was Victor; Jesus is Victor; Jesus will be Victor. Hallelujah!

December 30

Think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven; taking hold of a hand and finding it God’s; breathing new air and finding it celestial; feeling invigorated and finding it immortality; of passing through a tempest to a new and unknown ground; of waking up well and happy and finding it home.

But, as it is written. “What no eye his seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Lord, thank You that You have given us, Your children, eternal life here and now, and that we know that unspeakable joy is awaiting us.

December 29

A brother in Christ who experienced all the catastrophes which are mentioned here wrote me: “Although the dollar shall lose its value because of inflation; although my boat was destroyed by a hurricane; my trailer torn to pieces by a tornado; bombs fall in airports and theaters; no place in the world is safe: I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

Though the fig tree do not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will . . . joy in the God of my salvation. (Habakkuk 3:17:18)

Thank You, Lord, that even when the worst happens in the life of the child of God, the best remains. Thank You that everything that happens fits into a pattern for good for those who love You.

December 28

In Revelation 22 it is written that His servants shall serve Him. That means that heaven is a place of service. When we belong to Jesus we are citizens of heaven, and our outlook goes beyond this world. What a joy that our service will continue.

Afraid of what?

To enter into Heaven’s rest

And yet to serve the Master blessed,

From service good to service best,

Afraid of that?

. . . for the Lord God will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)

Thank You, Lord, for the encouragement You give by telling us again and again that the best is yet to be.

December 27

Sometimes I do not feel as close to the Lord as before. I know who has moved. It is not the Lord but Corrie ten Boom. What do I do then? I tell Him who loves me. He forgives and cleanses me and then the fellowship is closer than ever.

Stay always within the boundaries where God’s love can reach and bless you. (Jude *21 LB)

Thank You, Lord, that I know You are with me. I claim Your promise. “I am with you always.”

December 26

If Jesus were born one thousand times in Bethlehem and not in me, then I would still he lost. There was no room in the inn for Him. Is there room in your heart for Him?

Into my heart, into my heart

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus

Come in today, come in to stay

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son . . . (John 3:16)

Lord, teach my family and me to enjoy Christmas. Give me wisdom to organize my work and time in such a way that I find time to meditate on Your intense love, which You proved when you came to earth to die and rise again for the sins of the whole world. Help me to share this with the people around me.

December 25

Happy Christmas! The shepherds told everyone what had happened. They heard the angels’ message and they saw the newborn baby. What did they do? They told everyone! Let us do the same.

And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. (Luke 2:17-18)

Father, You gave to shepherds the joy of being the first to worship Your Son on earth and tell this news of His birth. Thank You that we, too, may bring that very important message. It will honor Your name and save souls for eternity. What a joy!

December 24

Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.

You must understand that God has not sent his Son into the world to pass sentence upon it. But to save it—through him. See John 3:17 *Phillips

Lord, through Your Holy Spirit, help me to understand so much of the victory and joy of Your coming to earth that I enjoy Christmas more than ever before.

December 23

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). We cannot be filled until we are empty. We have to be poor in spirit of ourselves in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit. “In my hand no price I bring: Simply to Thy cross I cling. . . .”

For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity. whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isaiah 57:15)

Lord. I am empty in myself, but You are the all-sufficient One. Thank You that You fill my heart and make me rich in Yourself.

December 22

I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help him I ended up by asking God to do his work through me—Hudson Taylor

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. (Psalm127:1)

Thank You. Lord, that You do the job.

December 21

Paul said in Colossians 1:24 that he was privileged to make up in his own body what remains of the suffering of Christ. What if you and I as Christians are having the same privilege without knowing it! Ask the Lord to forgive you that you ever allowed yourself to be weary. That will give you new hope, new strength, and new power.

Well done, Good and faithful servant . . . enter into the joy of Your master. (Matthew 25:23)

Lord Jesus, I know that I am victorious when I am Your yokefellow.

December 20

Many Christians think that when they are born again that is the end. I once spoke about the strong challenge of the Beatitudes and how we can live a victorious life if we hunger and thirst after righteousness. Victory means a surrender of self from head to foot, again and again. I asked a dear Christian woman what her answer was. She said, “I surrendered twelve years ago when I accepted Jesus as my Saviour.” But the Bible says, “be filled with the Holy Spirit,” a newborn baby has to grow.

I have known the Lord Jesus for eighty years. As I studied the Bible in writing these messages, I had to surrender and be cleansed and be filled again and again.

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

We praise You. Lord Jesus, that You not only gave us life when we were born again but Your Word and Your Holy Spirit also make us grow into the life abundant.

December 19

We will see more and more that we are chosen not because of our ability but because of the Lord's power. which will be demonstrated in our not being able.

When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. (Matthew 10:19)

Lord, what a joy, what an honor that You will use me, even me, as a light in this dark world.

December 18

I was often afraid as a small child. I begged my sister. Nollie, to let me hold her hand as we slept. Then, when I was five, the Lord Jesus became a great reality to me. I asked Him to come live in my heart. and a feeling of peace and security took the place of the fear I had felt before. From then on I could go to sleep at night and not be afraid.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4)

Deep inside, hidden from the world, we are often fearful little children. Lord. We awake in the night. afraid until You whisper. “Hush, I am here.”

December 17

Faith brings us on highways that make our reasoning dizzy.

His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us. And he did this because he wanted to! Now all praise to God for his wonderful kindness to us and his favor that he has poured out upon us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. (Ephesians1:5-6 *LB)

O Lord. how rich I am. Forgive me for worrying so much, and cleanse me.

December 16

God never inspires doubt and fear, but faith and courage—Peter produced his own doubts by looking at the waves.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm: 34:4)

Lord, our fears are the result of not trusting fully in You. Make us see the foolishness of fearing. Turn our eyes in the right direction unto You, Lord. And away from the waves.

December 15

When I first began to show people the danger of occult sin, fearful thoughts came to me. I would return from a meeting completely exhausted, with my heart heating irregularly. I feared I would die if I continued, so I asked the Lord to release me from the burden. He showed me the following verses:

Do not be afraid but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you . . . (Acts 18:9-10)

Lord Jesus, show us when we are keeping silent because of fear. Give us the faith and courage to speak up whenever it is necessary.

Monday, December 12, 2011

December 14

Opposition to lives which are yielded to Jesus Christ takes many forms, some dramatic, some subtle. In my life I have experienced opposition in the form of supernatural sounds, superficial attitudes from the self-righteous, and from within myself. I have had doubt in my heart and dryness in my prayer life. I stood on the front line of the battle, but through Jesus it was victory ground.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31 KJV)

When we are in fear and despair, help us to remember that You. Jesus, have given us the victory in advance, and we are bound to win the battle we face.

December 13

When I was a child, whenever we had to go to the doctor or dentist, Papa went with us to comfort us. He never said we would not have pain, but that we must be brave and strong. Holding his hand gave us courage.

It is the same with God. He never promised we would not have pain in our lives, but holding His hand gives us courage.

Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:4)

Our God and Father, thank You for Your fatherly hand in times of trouble. We need Your comfort so much, and willingly share it with those who suffer along with us.

December 12

When God allows extraordinary trials for His people, He prepares extraordinary comforts for them. Tribulation is God’s thorny but blessed way to glorious victory.

God has said. “I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 *LB)

Thank You, Lord, that we have nothing to fear. For You are with us. Together with You, we are able to bear suffering and trials.

December 11

Every Bible student who believes the prophecies knows that Jesus’ coming is very near. The important, urgent thing is that every child of God must be prepared for that day. That is possible for everybody. Jesus finished all that had to be done for us on the cross. He died for us and rose again and is with the Father, where He prays for us. By His Holy Spirit He is even in us. If you know you are not ready, confess your sins and claim God’s forgiveness for Jesus’ sake. Forgive others by the power of the Holy Spirit in you.

Because . . . you have a hope like this before you, I urge you to make certain that such a Day would find you at peace with God and man, clean and blameless in His sight. (2 Peter 3:14 *Phillips)

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are willing to prepare me to meet You, whenever that will be.

December 10

Keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus. Worries carry responsibilities that belong to God, not to you. Worry does not enable us to escape evil; it makes us unfit to cope with it when it comes. You may see all the reasons for failure, but God sees all the reasons for success!

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life

when the clouds unfold their wings of strife

When the strong tides lift and the cables strain

will your anchor drift or firm remain

We have an anchor that keeps the soul

steadfast and sure while the billows roll

Fastened to the rock which cannot move

grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love

—Priscilla Owens

And the peace of God . . . will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that with You as our anchor, we need never fear.

December 9

Joseph filled the barns in the time of plenty to be prepared for the time of famine (see Genesis 41:29-36). Gather the riches of God’s promises which can strengthen you in the time when there will be no freedom. Nobody can take away from you those texts from the Bible which you have learned by heart.

So that there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come.

(Genesis 41:36 *LB)

Lord Jesus, we do not fear the future because we know You who have the future in Your hand. What a joy to know that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever.

December 8

Everyone needs a place to be. One of the great joys of heaven is that it is a place, a prepared place. I am thankful that there I will have a special house that is reserved just for me.

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2 KJV)

Lord Jesus. thank You for the assurance of a heavenly home. A place to rest, a place to be, is important to our lives, both now and in the future.

December 7

Life is immortal, love eternal; death is nothing but a horizon, and a horizon is only the limit of our vision.

If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. (John 9:51)

Thank You, Lord, that we possess eternal life here and now. That gives us vision regarding present and future, earth and heaven.

December 6

A man and his son went over a long, narrow bridge. It was over a broad river, and the boy said, “Daddy, I am afraid. Do you see all that water down there?”

“Give me your hand, boy,” the father said. The moment the boy felt his father’s hand, he was not scared. In the evening they had to go back again, and this time it was pitch dark.

“Now I am more afraid than this morning!” the boy cried. The father took the little fellow in his arms. Immediately the boy fell asleep, to awaken the next day in his own bed. That is what death is like for the Christian. He falls asleep and wakes up at Home.

Afraid of what?

To feel the Spirit’s glad release

To pass from pain to perfect peace

The strife and strain of life to cease

Afraid of that?

Afraid of what?

Afraid to see the Saviour’s face

To hear His welcome and to trace

The glory gleams of wounds of grace

Afraid of that?

O death, where is thy victory?
O death, where is thy sting?
(1 Corinthians 15:55)

Lord Jesus, thank You that You have conquered death. What a comfort to be safe in Your arms. Thank You that You are always there to take our trembling hands in Your strong hands.

December 5

As victory is the result of Christ’s life lived out in the believer, it is important to see that victory, not defeat, is God's purpose for His children.

Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, pain or persecution? Can lack of clothes and food, danger to life and limb, the threat of force of arms?. . . No, in all these thinks we win an overwhelming victory through Him Who has proved his love for us. (Romans 8:35,37 *Phillips)

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that our final victory is secure because of Your sacrifice upon the cross, Your rising from the dead, and Your glorification in heaven, where You plead for us.

December 4

In heaven you will see how the Lord has used that testimony, that word of comfort you gave today. God’s Word never returns void.

When you enter the beautiful city

and the saved all around you appear

What joy when someone will tell you

“It was you who invited me here”

From the fruit of his words a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him. (Proverbs 12:14)

Lord, we like to see results from our labor, but it is not necessary that we do. We trust You to complete the work You are doing in and through us.

December 3

If God has called you, do not spend time looking over your shoulder to see who is following. Sometimes I think that some young men who heard the challenge to surrender their lives and go to the mission field gave the answer, “Lord, take my life, but send my sister.”

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. . . . (Matthew 28:18,19) author’s italics

I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord

Over mountain, or plain, or sea

I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord

I’ll be what You want me to be

—Mary Brown

December 2

You need Jesus. “If onlies” can become a barrier to Him. “If only my husband gave me more time and love.” “If only my teenagers were more obedient.” “If only I had more money.” “If only my dad understood me better.” Surrender your “if onlies.” They stand in the way. When you do surrender, you belong to the Lord, with all the “if onlies.” That is good!

The Spirit, however, produces in human life fruits such as these: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, fidelity, adaptability and self-control. . . . (Galatians 5:22 *Phillips)

Lord, teach us to rise above our petty problems, so that we may use all our talents to overcome the greater problems of the world.

December 1

The month of December—the month of Christmas. Does that mean for you being extra busy, giving all your spare time to planning presents? The Lord Jesus did not come to make you overly busy. The angels spoke about peace on earth. Claim the promise of James 1:5 for wisdom about how to organize your time and what kind of Christmas presents to give. It is possible that the Lord will give you guidance to give Christian books. A good book given at Christmas will remain a blessing long after the twenty-fifth of December.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)

Lord Jesus, I claim the fruit of the Spirit called peace for this Christmas month.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

November 30

None of us can afford to be anything less than absolutely controlled by the Holy Spirit. Let God have His way with you, because if you do not that unconsecrated thing, that sinful habit in your life will be a foothold for the devil to wreck your witness. Seeing that the devil is working so insidiously in the churches, let us come to God in these last days and tell Him that we want to be altogether His, devoted to Him, led by Him, filled with His Spirit, taught of Him, so that we may be kept from sin and at the same time may be ready for the glorious event when we shall see Jesus face to face.

—Brother Langston

“May the God of peace make you holy through and through. May you be kept in soul and mind and body in spotless integrity until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 *Phillips)

Lord Jesus, thank You that You died for us and live for us to make us able to live for You.

November 29

The testing of your faith today is training for the great end battle. Are you victorious today? Then you are stronger than you were yesterday. An athlete does not complain when the training is hard; he thinks ahead to the coming competition. We follow a scarred captain. Should not we have scars?

Under His mighty banner

We are going to the wars.

Lest we forget, Lord, when we meet

Show us Your hands and feet.

—Amy Carmichael

“For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:3)

Lord, You are the source of our strength. We will not complain that our training is hard. for so is the battle to come.

November 28

Father prayed because he had a good friend with whom to share the problems of the day. He prayed because he had a direct connection with his Maker when he had a concern. He prayed because there was so much for which he was thankful.

Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

Our lives are full of reasons for prayer, Father. We know You want us to tell You everything because You care for us deeply. Thank You for Your constant care.

November 27

Conditions in our barracks in the concentration camp at Ravensbruck were terrible. When we first arrived I told Betsie I could not bear the lice that lived in our filthy blankets and mattresses. She replied, “You must thank God for everything, even for lice.” Betsie was right. Because of the bugs which infested our barrack, the women guards and officers kept their distance, and we were able to hold our Bible studies without fear. God had a use for the vermin, after all! Sometimes what we see as a curse one day becomes a blessing the next day. How much more simple it would be if we would learn to thank God for everything instead of using our own judgment.

Always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. (Ephesians 5:20)

Lord, I need a miracle by Your Holy Spirit to thank You for my problem of today. Thank You that You are willing to make me willing.

November 26

How is the situation of the enemy? The strategy of a defeated enemy is different. When God's people advance, the enemy will crumble. A church is a battering ram, bashing in the gates of hell. The Word of God is our weapon.

For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war, for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:3,4)

Holy Spirit, give us a clear vision of the situation of our enemy, our own army, and ourselves, but most of all, of our King of Kings.

November 25

Some people sing and pray, “Let Thy congregation escape tribulation,” but Jesus said that in the world we will have tribulation.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven . . . Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven. (Matthew 5:10,12 KJV)

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You have overcome the world. Together with You we are victorious even in tribulation, problems, and trials. We can see our problems and trials as a part of Your embroidery of our life.

November 24

Do you ever have the feeling that you are not good enough to come to the Lord for salvation? Jesus has said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32 KJV). The very thing you are saying in self-condemnation is the very thing that gives you the right to come to Him and to be certain that He will receive you. Christ is the friend of publicans and sinners. He came to die for such people.

(Jesus Christ) gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2: 14)

Lord Jesus, thank You that I may come to You just as I am.

November 23

A proper response to the Lord in thanksgiving for our salvation is to spread the Gospel throughout the world.

. . . you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Father, all You ask is that we obey You and do Your work. You give us the equipment—not a spirit of fear but of power, of love, and a sound mind.

November 22

When are our sins covered by the sacrifice of Christ? When we confess them: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)

But that is not the whole truth—our sins were covered when Jesus Christ died on the cross more than nineteen hundred years ago.

He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:18)

The problem is not that we sin but that we reject the remedy. Yes, Lord Jesus, yes! I will not reject Your remedy. I confess my sin and accept Your answer.

November 21

Keep looking up and kneeling down. Then you can keep looking down from the position of Jesus’ victory over your problems. He is willing to make you more than conqueror.

Look around and be distressed

Look within and be depressed

Look at Jesus and be at rest

“ . . . in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:3)

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that we can look at You through faith and that You are the author and finisher of our faith. Hallelujah!

November 20

The Lord can do more with three blessed quarters than with an unblessed three hundred dollars.

. . . which is more important, the gift, or the altar which sanctifies the gift? (Matthew 23:19 *Phillips)

O Lord, teach us to look at all things, including gifts, with Your values in mind, so that we may see the worth of the smallest gift or the danger of the largest.

Friday, November 18, 2011

November 19

Read Ephesians 3:14-19. add the length and breadth and height and depth of the love of God, and the sum cannot be multiplied enough to express His love for me, the least of His children. God sees you and me in the midst of millions. He knows your name and He is close to you. Don’t pray, “Come closer to me.” A fish does not ask water to come closer to it and a bird does not ask the air to come closer. They are already as close as they can be, in the same way God is close to you.

. . . remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.

Matthew 28:20 *Phillips

How secure I am in Your constant intensive care. Thank You, Lord.

*J.B. Phillips New Testament —Copyright © 1962 edition by J. B. Phillips. HarperCollins The New Testament in Modern English

November 18

“Your will be done,” is not an expression of resignation but of resolution. It is active, not passive. The secret of Jesus’ obedience was that He loved God. A child who loves its parents wants to obey them because he or she knows that it gives them joy.

Our Father, who art in heaven

Hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come

Thy will be done

On earth as it is in heaven

Matthew 6:9

Lord, I surrender my will to You. Where it is difficult for me, I pray that You will make me wiling to be made willing to do Your will.

November 17

Nothing limits the supplies we can obtain from God except our capacity to take. After surrender, the Holy Spirit makes us capable of taking.

Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan

Oh, the grace that brought it down to man

Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span,

at Calvary

William R. Newell

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. . . .” Romans 15:13

Thank You, Lord, for Your ocean of love.

November 16

When God speaks you always have to give an answer. That answer is either yes or no. To give no answer is the same as to say no.

Are you ready for Jesus Christ or the Antichrist?

It is time to get really serious with God. Give your answer now. After you have done that, have a talk with the Lord and ask Him, “What did that mean for me, Lord, that I said yes/no?”

And can it be that I should gain

an interest in the Savior’s blood

Died He for me, who caused His pain

for me, who Him to death pursued

Amazing love, how can it be

that thou, my God, should die for me

Charles Wesley

I call upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God. . . . Psalms 17:6

Thank You, Lord, that You said yes to me, and now my answer—yes—is possible.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

November 15

Nothing sets a person so far out of the devil’s reach as humility.

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Lord, I am willing to humble myself.

November 14

The suffering of prisoners is so deep. They have no freedom. The discipline they endure often comes from cruel guards. They have contact with unhappy and bad people, often day and night, and these bad people often cause them to sin. Sometimes they are heavily burdened because of the suffering they have brought on their family through their crimes.

. . . I was in prison and you came to me. (Matthew 25:36)

Lord, show me what I can do for prisoners. I am willing to be used.

November 13

All of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God. No one can say, “I am good.” The basis of trust is Jesus’ finished work—not what I have done but what He has done.

It is finished. (John 19:30)

Lord Jesus, thank You for the rich inheritance You gave us.

November 12

When I was a tramp for the Lord, I was once worried about my work. Where must I go? Will there be a room? Where can I live? Will there be people to take care of meetings? Must I go to that difficult country,

Russia

? It can be very rough there. I opened the Bible and read Psalm 23. Great joy came into my heart. As a sheep of the Good Shepherd I had nothing to fear.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. (Psalms 23:1,2)

Lord, fill our hearts, our consciousness, and our subconsciousness with Your peace and love. Then we will not fear, even though the earth should be removed and the mountains thrown into the heart of the sea (see Psalms 46:2). Hallelujah!

November 11

Once I asked a parachutist, “How did you feel when you jumped from an airplane with a parachute on your back for the first time?”

He answered, “There was only one thought: ‘It works, it works!’”

What does it mean to you to go through life with Jesus? I can answer from experience, “It works, it works!”

. . . .in all these things we win an overwhelming victory through Him who has proved His love for us. (Romans 8:37 Phillips)

Lord, what joy that we may tell other people that it works. Hallelujah!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

November 10

To receive God’s guidance you need to make a clean break from all other forms of guidance. Do not look at the stars, at the palm of your hand, or listen to a fortune-teller. These things are an abomination in God’s sight.

God knows the future

God plans the future

God has told us the future in His Word

“You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 18:13)

Lord Jesus, forgive me for looking in the wrong direction. Teach me Your way.

November 9

“Peace on earth.” That statement by the angels will find its perfection when Jesus comes to make all things new. The whole world will be covered with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the bottom of the sea.

In those days the world will be ruled from Jerusalem. The Lord will settle international disputes; all the nations will convert their weapons into implements of peace. (Isaiah 2:3,4 LB)

Lord, thank You that You are preparing the world for that great future. Please prepare me, too.

November 8

It is possible for you and me to be ready for Jesus’ coming. The surrendered self is dynamic since it is the branch that is connected with the vine.

I am the vine, you are the branches. (John 15:5)

Our hope is in the Living Vine through which Your love flows freely, Father.

November 7

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now.” (Romans 8:22)

The restless millions wait

the coming of the Lord to make all things new

Christ also waits

but men are slow and few

Have we done all we could

Have I, Have you—S.D. Gordon

Thank You, Lord, that we know from the Bible that the crisis we experience in this time is the suffering You told about when You said that we must look up because our liberation is approaching (see Luke 21).

November 6

Do you know that we are living in the last days and that they are the first days of a beautiful future? What are you doing to win souls? What are you doing to make people ready for Jesus’ coming again? To bring the Gospel over the whole world is a fundamental part of the life of a Christian.

Occupy till I come. (Luke 19:13)

Show me my program for today, Lord. Give me the guidance and power to make it important in Your eyes.

November 5

Synchronize your watch with heaven’s clock. You can do this by reading the Bible together with the newspaper. Then you will know that we live in the time when we can expect Jesus’ coming again to earth very soon.

Listen closely to what the Lord is willing to tell you. The Holy Spirit can make your prayer and conversation with Himself a joyful speaking and listening.

Read important books which will strengthen your faith.

I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

Lord Jesus, You are looking forward to the great day of Your coming. I am looking forward, too. Make me ready, Lord. I surrender with joy.

November 4

When Holland surrendered to

Germany

, Father and I walked in the street. We felt a great oneness with everybody around us. We were all together in the great suffering, humiliation, and defeat of our nation. Everybody talked with everybody else. I have never before or since experienced such oneness in the nation. It was a great blessing.

We will be that way in the millennium, but the oneness will not be in misery but in out communication with the Lord.

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (Revelation 21:3—KJV)

Lord Jesus, when we experience great closeness with our fellow men, that warmth and communication is only a foretaste of what we have waiting in store for us. What a blessing to anticipate. Hallelujah!

Monday, October 31, 2011

November 3

Difficulties exist in order to be overcome! Because Jesus made us yokefellows with Him, we are able to be overcomers.

"My times are in Thy hand
Jesus the crucified!
The hand our many sins has pierced
is now my guard and guide
My times are in Thy hand
I'll always trust in Thee
Until I've left the weary land
and all Thy glory see" — William F. Lloyd

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God. . . ." Revelation 3:12 KJV

Lord Jesus, thank You that through Your strength we can be overcomers. We will trust our path to You, Lord, sure of Your guidance and support every step of the way.

November 2

Jesus was obedient to the Father. Read His story. When He was twelve years old He obeyed His earthly parents, at the same time knowing that He had to be busy with the things of His heavenly Father. When John the Baptist tried to stop Him from being baptized, He said He wanted to have baptism as a sign of obedience. How glorious it was when the Holy Spirit came down on Him and the Father spoke from heaven: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" Matthew 3:17 RSV

"To obey is better than sacrifice . . . ." 1 Samuel 15:22 RSV

Holy Spirit, let me know whether there is any disobedience in my life. I want to do what You want.

RSV - The Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 and 1973

November 1

I was at the end of my first week in America and practically at the end of my money. The clerk at the YWCA had told me I could not stay there another week. Where should she forward my mail?

"I don't know yet. God has a room for me but He has not told me where yet."

I could see by the look on her face that she was concerned about me. Then she handed me a piece of mail which she had overlooked. The letter was from a woman who heard me speak in New York. She was offering me the use of her son's room.

I gave the amazed clerk my new address after thanking God for His care.

"But my God shall supply all your need . . . ." Philippians 4:19 RSV

"Thank You, Lord, that we may know that our need is never greater than the Helper.

RSV - The Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 and 1973

Friday, October 28, 2011

October 31

When you don't understand something in the Bible, don't throw it away, but hang it on the hook for the time being. I read in Ezekiel 38:4 that the enemy will come on horseback, but today the army does not ride horses. Then I read in the newspaper that Russia has bought 70 percent of the world's horses for its army! I had put Ezekiel 38 on the hook, but it came off again. Don't throw away what you do not understand.

"God holds the key of all unknown
and I am glad
If other hands should hold the key
or if He trusted it to me
I might be sad" –Joseph Parker

"Trust in him at all times, O people . . . God is a refuge for us." Psalms 62:8 RSV

It is not for us to understand everything. Our duty is simply to obey, trusting in Your guidance and protection, Lord.

RSV - The Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 and 1973

October 30

The Lord taught me through my prison experiences that for a child of God, a pit can be very deep, but always deeper are the everlasting arms of our Lord.

"But even if you do not suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled." 1 Peter 3:14 RSV

Thank You, Lord, that no matter how deep our distress, Your comfort is always sufficient for our needs. You have promised to be with us until the end of the world.

RSV - The Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 and 1973

October 29

Everyday life is our front line in the war against the devil. God Himself must decide where each of us is to fight. We cannot choose the battlefield we prefer. If you conquered a problem today in the strength of Jesus Christ, that was a victory. You are now stronger for the end battle.

"And though this world, with devils filled
should threaten to undo us
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us
The Prince of Darkness grim
we tremble not for him
His rage we can endure
for lo, his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him."
(A Mighty Fortress Is Our God –Martin Luther)

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57 RSV

Give us the grace to fight wherever You choose to place us, Lord. Only you can see the battlefield completely; we see only one small part of it.

RSV - The Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 and 1973

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

October 28

We do not report to any special place for our training in God's army. We train where we are, using all our everyday experiences and our contacts with other people. Training in the field is harder than training in the camp, but it makes better soldiers.

"Soldier, soldier, fighting in the world's great strife
on yourself relying, battling for your life
Trust yourself no longer,
trust in Christ, He's stronger!
You can all things, all things do
through Christ who strengthens you"–R. Hudson Pope

Lord, I enroll in Your service. Make me willing to be made willing to do Your will.