Each New Day by Corrie ten Boom: 2011-12-18

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.

Each New Day by Corrie ten Boom