Each New Day by Corrie ten Boom: 2011-12-11

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.

Each New Day by Corrie ten Boom