April 30

We are common earthenware jars, filled with the treasure of the riches of God. The jar is not important the treasure is everything.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV

Father, it is a testimony to Your glory that something so common as our weak bodies may possess Your riches. Only a true artist can make full use of humble materials.

April 29

I once spoke to a group of prisoners about the text “You are the light of the world.” I showed them that after they received the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, they had the duty of being the light in the darkness of that prison.

One of the men said. “Fellows, this morning I read in the Bible about three murderers. One’s name was Moses, one’s was David, and one’s was Paul. We know them as heroes of God, but all three were also murderers. Look what God did with this trio of murderers! There is hope for you, fellows—and for me.”

You are the light of the world.

Matthew 5:14

Lord, thank You that You were willing to use murderers such as Moses, David, and Paul. Thank You that You want to use me, a sinner saved by grace.

April 28

Peter said in 2 Peter 1:5-7: “Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with sell-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love”

Is that too high an aim? It would be if you and I had to do it in our own strength. But praise the Lord, it is all the fruit of the Spirit.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. . . .

Galatians 5:22-23

Thank You, Lord, that Your Holy Spirit does the job. Fill me. You and I together are more than conquerors.

April 27

Do you ask, “Is Jesus able?”

I can say, “Yes, and you have the victory through Him.” Don't believe what your emotions tell you. Believe what God’s Word tells your emotions must be redeemed by Jesus.

Coward and wayward and weak

I change with the changing sky

Today so eager and brave

tomorrow not willing to try

But He never gives in

and we two will win

Jesus and I

—Emily P Miller “We Two” 1918

. . . .the victory belongs to the Lord.

Proverbs 21:31

Lord, it is sometimes hard for us to see our victories, but we know that they are there. Thank You that Your Word tells us so clearly that together with You we stand on victory ground.

April 26

Hatred is like a room that is dark during the daytime. You do not need to waste energy by turning on all the lights inside. The darkness will go when you let the sun in by opening the curtains. Let God’s love fill your heart and the darkness of hatred will find no room.

He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still.

1 John 2:9

Thank You, Jesus, that You have brought into our hearts God’s love through the Holy Spirit. Thank You, Father, that Your love in us is victorious over our unforgiving spirits, our resentment, and our hatred.

April 25

He who cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass, for every man has the need to be forgiven. It is often more difficult to forgive than to ask forgiveness, but it is vital to forgive. If you do not, the other person remains in bondage, open to attacks from Satan.

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any one; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Mark 11:25-26

Father, remind us to forgive. We are often so busy asking for our own forgiveness that we forget others, or we deliberately withhold our forgiveness.

April 24

When we work in God’s Kingdom, we work for and with God.

If you work for God, have a committee. If you work with God, have a prayer meeting. God performed miracles when Peter and Cornelius met.

. . . . Peter Went up on the housetop to pray. . . .

Acts 10:9

Cornelius prayed in his house.

See Acts 10:30 KJV

Lord, what a joy and security it is that we may, that we must, pray together.

April 23

Through his attitude when he lost everything, Job can teach us a practical lesson. He could say, “The Lord has given, the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Thou he slay me yet will I trust in him.

Job 13:15 (KJV)

Lord, thank You that when we go hand in hand with You, our marriage, work, ministry, and children are all part of Your victorious plan for our life.

April 22

The will of God is either a burden that we can carry or a power that carries us.

He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.

Matthew 10:39

Lord, show me Your will today. I am happy to go Your way.

April 21

Unfathomable His wondrous love

Unchangeable His ways

Unsearchable His blessed truths

Unutterable His praise

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Ephesians 3:8

Although we understand only a part of Your mysteries, Lord, we know enough to bring men to You, for You seek the lost and are willing to use us.

April 20

A doctor in India wrote to me: “The great reward of the blessed work here in the leprosy hospital is to see how quickly the patients change into new, happy people. In the Hindu world, leprosy patients have no value. They learn to accept that very soon. But what a change when they find out how important they are in God’s eyes!”

Not one sparrow (What do they cost? Two for a penny?) can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't worry! You are more valuable to him than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29-31 (LB)

Father, no matter what happens to us, we know we are important in Your sight. What a joy! Thank You for that safety!

The Living Bible—Copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. All rights reserved.

April 19

The most important question is not how much work is being done but how much Jesus is doing through you. Look up, God’s ceiling is unlimited. Learn to look on Jesus, and more and more you will find that Jesus is directing your wandering look toward the Holy Spirit.

I know the One in Whom I have placed my confidence, and I am perfectly certain that the work He has committed to me is safe in His Hands until that Day.

2 Timothy 1:12 Phillips

Lord, take my daily life, my work, my whole being into Your hands.

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

April 18

Living in a sick and dangerous world as we do, we have a responsibility. Who will overcome the world? He who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. Our responsibility is to spread God’s Word everywhere we go, so that more people will be numbered in God’s family.

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the son of God.

1 John 5:4-5

Yes, Lord Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God. Does that really mean that I will be used to overcome the world? What grace, what overwhelming joy!

April 17

Do you ask, “How do you know God’s voice when you hear it?” I answer with a question: How do you know the voices of your loved ones? You know them because you listen to them often. Listen often in obedience to the still, small voice of God.

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

Isaiah 30:21

Father, tune our ears to Your voice, so that we may always hear Your commands and comfort.

April 16

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. God looks for men who trust Him fully; in them He will show His power.

Thou art my rock and my fortress; for thy name’s sake lead me and guide me.

Psalms 31:3

Jesus, Saviour, pilot me

over life’s tempestuous sea

Unknown waves before me roll

hiding rocks and treach’rous shoal

Chart and compass come from Thee:

Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.

—Edward Hopper

April 15

It is Jesus who restores any broken connection between God and us. I remember when my connection was broken by disobedience. I said, “Lord, I will go everywhere You send me, but never send me to Germany.” When I did not receive any guidance. I asked if there was disobedience in my life. The Lord said, “Germany.” The very moment I decided to obey, my connection was restored! And how God blessed my time in that country!

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to so out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance. . . .

Hebrews 11:8

Lord, I do not ask to see the distant scene. One step is enough for me.