
Daily Devotions
"I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:2-3 NLT
May 8
And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life. (1 John 2:25)
WE all should understand that we have something to do in realizing the gracious promises of God to us. In connection with the affairs of this present life He has promised that our bread and water shall be sure, but this does not imply that we shall neglect reasonable opportunities for securing these. He has promised us also a share in the Kingdom by and by; but it is for us to make our calling and election sure. God is thoroughly capable and thoroughly willing to perform all of His part in connection with every matter, but it is to our advantage that He calls us to show our faith by our works--by our co-operation with Him in all reasonable ways.
May 8
And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39
THERE have been many storms permitted by the Lord to come upon the little company of his followers. Sometimes the whole journey of life has been a stormy one. We sometimes sing, "When the storms of life are raging." In his epistles, the apostle intimates that those who do not have storms, trials, and difficulties lack proof that they are God's children; for God would not be dealing with such as his children. (Hebrews 12:7,8) If we are children of God, we need to have trials and testings, that these may make us meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. (Colossians 1:12) In all these experiences, the tendency of the trial is to drive us nearer to the Lord, to make us feel that we need the divine shelter and care. And so a blessing comes out of these storms, either literal or figurative.

