November

November 1st

“Ye are the salt of the earth”. (Matthew 5:13).

I believe there is a precious message for us in this fragment from the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. The Lord sums up the whole Sermon of three chapters in these few words, ‘Ye are the salt of the earth’.

What is the meaning of salt? Firstly, it adds to the taste. Human beings in every country like to have salt in their food. Any dish may be very well cooked, but if it has no salt nobody will like the taste. The Lord’s intension is to gather to Himself a people who, like salt, can bring health and enjoyment to the whole world.

Salt also represents faithfulness. There is a saying in Hindi which says, ‘Be not ungrateful to him whose salt you have eaten’. Thus, salt is usually spoken of as representing loyalty and faithfulness. Salt is also used to reserve things. Generally butter gets spoiled if kept too long, but if you add a little salt to it, it keeps for a long time. In the same manner, if you put rock-salt in ghee it will be in good condition for many months; otherwise it will smell bad after some days. Salt is also used to preserve pickles. Fish, beef and mutton are also preserved with salt. Thus salt represents some things that preserves things for a long time.

Salt also represents an abiding friendship. In 2 Chronicles 13:5, we read of a ‘covenant of salt’. In the margin it is rendered ‘a perpetual covenant of friendship.’ Every meat offering in the Old testament was offered with salt ( Leviticus 2:13; Mark 9:49,50). So salt represents eternal life, and faithfulness in friendship and love. All this helps us to understand why the Lord Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Ye are the salt of the earth’.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.

November 2nd

“As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you”. (John 20:21).

Without Christ this life is like food without salt. If you are given salt-less food morning, noon and night, day after day, you will say that without salt the food is no good. In the same way life without Christ is of no use.

Before the Lord Jesus Christ began His public ministry He was baptized in the river Jordan and was tempted in the wilderness. After this He straightaway went to Galilee. He said to some men: ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men, and straightaway they followed Him’ (Matt 4:18-22). The Lord Jesus did not begin His ministry with a multitude.

After forty days of temptation in the wilderness He came to the land of Galilee. He had to travel more than a hundred miles to do so. Why so? It was because the few men, whom He wanted to make His disciples, were living in Capernaum. This was a well-known town by the Sea of Galilee, and Simon, Andrew, James and John lived there. Imagine, for the sake of four or five men, the Lord Jesus traveled such a long distance. Why? Because He was going to make these few men to be salt for the whole world. After He has chosen these few men the Lord went about teaching in the synagogues in that area. Then the multitudes came after Him. He never called them, but they just came. As they saw the power and authority manifested through Him, they flocked around Him. They came to Him to receive healing and deliverance. They came to Him from all classes of society. They came from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond Jordan.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal 6:2.

November 3rd

“At that time Ye were without Christ… having no hope, and without God in the world”. (Eph 2:12).

The people living in Galilee had everything in plenty. It was a fertile country. It was regarded at that time as a land of plenty. They had very good water, plenty of fruits, and corn and fish. As far as their earthly needs were concerned they had no lack. In-spite of all this there were people among them suffering from all kinds of diseases.

Decapolis means ‘a group of ten cities’. It was about 80 miles from the river Jordan. These ten cities lay in a large valley. They had very grand buildings, for this was a district of beauty and luxury, with many activities intended to bring comfort and pleasure to the people. In-spite of all this, these people were unhappy, and they also came to the Lord Jesus.

Jerusalem was the center of religion. The temple was there. There were to be found the High Priest and many Levites who served in the Temple. There were prophets to give messages from God to the people. The people of Jerusalem could boast of their Temple. Their prophets and their forefathers but they were blind spiritually. Our Lord drew people from all directions. That is why we find that, as the people heard of the fame of our Lord, they came to Him from different places right from Decapolis to Jordan. What was their state? They were all like food without salt. They had no real joy in their hearts or in their lives. They were absolutely useless. Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.” Psalm 119:173.

November 4th

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Matt 5:13.

In Matthew we read that our Lord looked at the multitudes and began to deliver His message. He told them that they had come there for healing, but healing would not make them happy. He healed them, yet they were not happy. They had no true joy. They needed salt. Our Lord was saying, ‘When you become my salt, even though you are few, through you I will give true peace, joy and happiness to the whole world’. That is why He chose only a few men in the beginning. He never asked the multitude to follow Him, but He said to a few chosen men, ‘Follow me, and I will make you the salt of the earth.”

Salt has to be purified before it can be used. Salt was manufactured in Palestine from the waters of the dead Sea. It had no be purified before it was used for cooking. There are several stages mentioned in Matthew 5:3-12. Those who follow the Lord have to go through these stage and then only can they become true salt.

Today we find sorrow, suffering and unhappiness everywhere. Men’s lives are like salt without savior. When the salt is refined, it is separated into two parts; one has taste and the other is tasteless. The latter will be thrown out. Sometimes it is used to fill up the basements of buildings under construction. The salt which has lost its savor is quite useless. It is not useful either for trees or for human beings or for birds. Our Lord wants us to be good salt that we may bring new taste and new joy into many lives.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest:” Genesis 21:22.

November 5th

“Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? ³⁵ It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Luke 14:34,35.

The Lord is speaking here of salt which has lost its savor. As He saw the multitudes coming to Him. He was comparing the life of a sinner to salt that has lost its savor. He could see two kinds of people; one, a very small group, which could be called salt; the other, a large group, perhaps more than 5,000, who could be called salt that had lost its savor. The good salt was very small in quantity, answering to the handful of disciples that followed Him. The others were those who loved just to see miracles and eat loaves and fishes; and the Lord compared them with salt that had lost its savor.

The dunghill provides food for ants, worms, and other small insects. Our Lord says the salt that has lost its savor is not fit even for the dunghill; it is useless, so much so, that if you bring ants, worms and insects and put them in it, they will not stay there long; for even they cannot thrive in it. The salt that has lost its savor is useless and must be thrown away somewhere. Such is the condition of the person who has not been saved.

If you cannot say truthfully, joyfully and clearly, that the Lord has forgiven you your sins, washed away your defilement, and given you a new divine nature, you are like the salt that has lost its savor. No matter who you are, you are useless. Your stay upon this earth is only a burden. Whenever you go and wherever you live, you will bring nothing but misery and sorrow. Those who are not truly born again can never say truthfully that they are of any help or use to others. Their life is being wasted.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.” I Samuel 2:3.

November 6th

“But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.” Rom 10:21.

The people of Palestine were scattered because of their disobedience to God and were living in all countries of the world. Now we see them coming back, and being forced by many circumstances, to settle in Palestine. They have brought with them wealth and knowledge from the other countries, and in twenty-five years have changed the land now occupied by them, from a desert into a fertile country. Had you gone to Palestine twenty-five years ago you would have seen nothing but a desert. Now you find a beautiful country with very prosperous cities everywhere. They are still building new roads, schools, and universities. Thus they can show from the Scripture how, long before Christ came into the world, the prophets had said that the land which had become a desert, would again become fertile. They have carefully preserved the Scriptures. I spent a few days in Palestine with believers who are Jewish converts, and they told me how they cannot but feel sorry for their countrymen. With so many advantages, they are still in darkness and blindness. They can really be called salt that has lost its savor. They are in total spiritual blindness. They are bitterly opposed to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. They will not allow anyone to preach the Gospel openly these days. They do not mind evil coming into the country; in fact they have already brought with them many evils from Europe and other countries. But they do not want the Gospel. They are like salt that has lost its savor.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.” Deut 11:24.

November 7th

“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed..” John 6:27.

The Lord told the people who went after Him, that they were following Him only because they had eaten of the loaves. They were offended at these words and went away (Cf. John 6:5,26,27 and 66). They thought it was wonderful to be fed miraculously without labor and even without the trouble of cooking food. So the Lord tells them in verses 26,27: ‘Ye are seeking for the loaves to satisfy you. It does not matter what kind of a loaf you eat, it will never give you true satisfaction. I am the bread of life; you must eat Me. I will teach you how to eat Me. Then you can live for ever’. When they heard these words they became angry and were offended and walked no more with Him. They had come so near but failed. They could have received God’s kingdom, but they went away empty. They were salt that had lost its savor.

Can you be compared with good salt, or are you only like salt that has lost its savor? How many enemies, friends, strangers and relations have been spiritually benefited by your life? We preachers love salt. Every time our throats get hoarse and rough we use salt. There is nothing better than that, how thankful we all are for salt. Just a small quantity brings relief. That is how your life should be. By nature, we are like red pepper. Rather than bringing relief and comfort, we hurt the feelings of others and bring pain. There are others who bring blessing and you feel sad when they are gone. Like a small quantity of salt they brought you joy, comfort and encouragement and refreshed you.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,” Jude 1:24.

November 8th

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corin 5:17.

It is only by the Lord Jesus Himself coming into our life, that we are able to live like salt. When you are changed by Him, wherever you go, you will be called by a new name, and people will receive you and welcome you like good salt. Some people find joy and pleasure in serving others. This is because they have become good salt. Whether young or old, if you have the life of the Lord Jesus Christ in you, you will look for an opportunity to help others. You will bring comfort, joy and relief to others, and then you will find your own life also become full of joy.

We cannot have any fellowship with sin. By nature all men are sinful, so they cannot be our true brothers and sisters. Those who belong to the Lord and do His will become our brothers and sisters for eternity. Our Lord is saying that if you want true brothers and sisters who will love you for all eternity, then you must first learn to be free the partiality of human love.

How much comfort, inspiration, peace and joy do others receive through you daily? Or are you like the salt that has lost its savor? The Lord is powerful to change you. Come to Jesus and say to Him, “O Lord, till today I have been like salt that has lost its savor. Will you change my life today so that I can bring comfort, and be fruitful to my fellowmen, in my college, in my business or wherever I am?”.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”. Psalm 2:8.

November 9th

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. ¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” Matt 5:13,14.

Our Lord had one great objective before Him and that was to call a few disciples for the work to be done on the earth. He had come to seek and to save sinners that He might provide salt and light for the whole world. Whatever the Lord did, He did with that thought in mind: to provide salt, which could bring everlasting joy to mankind; and light, which could give everlasting life.

Some of you may have seen how salt is made by the seaside. Sea-water which is full of salt, is evaporated and the salt remains behind. This salt has to be purified before it can be used. God wants good, pure salt. Each one of us can become that good, pure salt. Even though we may be a very small number, wherever we are we can be sufficient to bring joy to the whole country. While we require many bags of rice to provide food for thousands, we do not need so much salt. A small quantity of salt can give taste tot eh food needed for many people. There are cities, towns and villages where believers are just a few in number, perhaps only two, three, four or five. Yet those few believers can be sufficient to bring joy, gladness, happiness and light to all the people of that place. That is why the Lord compares believers to a city on a hill. The city on a hill can be seen from many miles away. Even one believer is sufficient to tell people that there is life and light in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken..”. Prov 3:26.

November 10th

“Blessed are the poor in spirit for there is the kingdom of heaven”. (Matt 5:3).

In some parts of North India, when a visitor arrives, they will first of all give him something very salty to eat, and a glass of water. In doing this they say to the visitor, ‘we receive and welcome you, and we give this to show our love to you”. Thus salt stands for true and fervent love.

True love can only be shown by believers. When the Lord Jesus Christ says, “Ye are the salt of the earth’, he means that through you He wants His eternal life to be shown, declared and preached wherever you go. People of many races, speaking more than 1,155 languages, have received that same love through those who are born again. People of all conditions, like cannibals, murderers and thieves, who had been absolutely rejected by society, are now testifying to others of God’s love.

Earthly love is dependent on earthly conditions; but divine love goes deeper under every circumstance. The Lord said, ‘Love your enemies! What wonderful salt! The persons who hate us and curse us can be loved by us. We can love them not only to give them temporary relief from their suffering, but to make them partakers of the same love for eternity. We can offer people something for eternity, wherever they may be. As we come in contact with them, we will be able to give them the real taste of divine salt. We see in verse 3 of Matthew 5, how we can be made such true salt. We must have a humble, broken and contrite spirit. That is the first stage in the purification of salt.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit. Isaiah 48:17.

November 11th

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” ( Psalms 51:17).

God does not live in buildings which men have made. He lives in a broken and contrite heart. What an honor and a privilege! Only when God Himself comes to live in us, can we become the salt of the earth. Only then can we show true love to all men and even to our enemies. Otherwise our hearts will remain full of jealousy, enmity and corruption. The whole world, these days, is full of hatred and bitterness; nation against nation, brother against brother, friend against friend, and children against parents. Why? Because there is no salt in them.

Sometimes God uses many painful means to make us truly humble. Read what David says in Psalm 51:17. he learnt his lesson through a very bitter experience. Although he was a wise man and a noble king he was deceived by the devil. After that downfall, David learnt a lesson. He had begun to realize the filthy condition of the human heart.

Now David cried, “Oh God, forgive me my sins; against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil in Thy sight. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow’. He was conscious of his inward defilement. We do not realize how much corruption, evil and defilement we all have in our hearts. It is only the light of God coming inside that can enable us to see it. When you know what you are, you will cry like David, “Lord, purge me and wash me thoroughly. Cleanse me inwardly and outwardly. Cleanse me from all evil’. The heart from which such a cry comes is called a broken and contrite heart. If you want to become good salt like David, then cry unto the Lord to cleanse you.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “I will worship toward thy Holy temple, and praise thy name”. Psalm 138:2.

November 12th

“Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right spirit within me” Psa 51:10. It is only after David became a man with a broken heart, that he became a man of true salt. This is the first stage in becoming divine salt: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven’ ( Matt 5:3). Now see what reward is received by such people. Not only do they become God’s dwelling place, and God’s salt, but God’s Word says here: ‘Their’s is the kingdom of heaven! They became partakers and heirs of God’s Holy kingdom. You have to become more and more humble before God. It is a life-long lesson. That is why the Lord says we should know our own spiritual poverty, and our inward corruption. God’s grace and love are available to change us.

Now the real light is the light which you receive in the Lord. The light of God has to come into us so that we may see our own personal condition. He says very clearly, “I am the light of the world.’ He is the Eternal light. In the new creation there is no need of any kind of lighting. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, will be the Light. We ought to be thankful when we are made to see our true condition. Then we can call upon Him with a broken heart saying, ‘Yes, Lord, I never knew; my heart is very wicked, sinful and defiled. Have mercy upon me!’ Then He replies, ‘I have loved thee with an everlasting love; and with cords of love I have drawn thee.’ We must have a broken and contrite heart. That is the beginning of the process of becoming salt. The holy, loving God, the great God, the living God, wants to come and dwell in us. May God give us a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “He sayeth unto them, ;it is I, benot afraid”. John 6:20.

November 13th

“Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted”. (Matt 5:4.)

These words are full of meaning, and this is the second step in making us good salt. we find that as soon as we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ from our hearts, we have to face situations which we had never thought of before. Before our conversation, our friends, relatives and parents praised us very much. But as soon as we decided to obey Lord Jesus Christ, our friends become enemies! Our brothers and sisters, children and parents who love us very much, have begun to hate us! In my family I am the eldest son, and so from childhood my mother, father, brothers and sisters showed me much love. They never said a word to wound me or hurt me. But when I became a Christian and the Lord Jesus Christ became my personal savior, changed my life and delivered me completely from my evil ways and gave me new life, then my relations and friends rejected me!

When I came back to India in 1933, my parents met me in Bombay. Even though I had come back to India, after seven years, they did not want me to go home unless I agreed not to tell anyone I was a Christian. At that time I thought, if I had come back to India as a drunkard and adulterer, they would have welcomed me. Now that my Lord had changed me and given me a new life, they did not want me! After a few moments, I heard these words, “no man, having put his have to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Whosoever loveth father or mother, brother or sister more than Me is not worthy to follow Me.’ So I said to my mother. ‘I am sorry, my Lord comes first.’ Then they both left me in Bombay and went away.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” I thess 5:24.

November 14th

“The God of all comfort… Comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may me able to comfort them which are in any trouble.”. (2 Corin 1:3,4)

There are times when we all have to go through sorrow and criticism. You can not help but be sorrowful when your own brothers and sisters hate you, curse you and abuse you. But thank God, we are comforted by our Lord Jesus Christ. As time went on, God began to speak to all in my family in His own way. I allowed them to curse me and abuse me and I never said a single word against them. Also, in my heart I had no hatred for them. I thank God for the privilege of suffering reproach for my Lord’s sake.

Those very ones who were cursing and abusing me, afterward came to me for comfort. During those days the Lord drew near to me and said, ‘ I am with you always’. He became very dear to me in my sorrows. He took me through many sorrows for several years. I say it only for His Glory. I spend many hours in tears. I was not wanted by anybody in the family. But the time came when they would call on me in their every need.

A few years ago my third brother lost His eldest son, a young man of 21 years. On receiving the news I went by air to see him. When I saw His condition I did not know what to say to comfort him. He said to me, “Tell me, where is your God now? What has happened to him?”. I kept quite. I could not answer him. I just knelt down and prayed, ‘Lord, comfort him; his sorrow is so great. He has lost his eldest son a very nice young man. If only thou wilt comfort him, he will change”. That same day he got up, changed his clothes, shaved and went to work in his office. What a comfort that was! So we ourselves have to mourn, in order to be able to comfort others.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His path”. Micah 4:2.

November 15th

“God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the spirit, and belief of the truth”. (2 thess 2:13)

He says, ‘ye are the salt of the world’. This is possible only when He comes into us. He must become your living savior. When He became my savior, I did not know anything about salvation, or new birth, or atonement. I did not know anything about the devil. But the Lord appeared to me and showed me the awfulness of all my sins. Then a loving voice came, ‘This is My body broken for you, and this is My blood shed for the remission of your sins’. I said, ‘Lord, these words are beyond my understanding. I am so stupid. I don’t know what these words mean, but I know they are thy words. Although I do not understand, I believe them’. Then came a small voice saying, ‘thy sins are forgiven thee”. From that time I was completely changed. My taste for sins were taken away. My loving Lord came into my heart. I thank God even now for that happy day. I was a blasphemer and yet he forgave me. I am not worthy that He should love me and make me His for eternity. I know He is a loving savior. He loves me. I besiege you, there fore, do not reject Him. Do not be afraid of suffering and sorrow. He will give you everlasting comfort. He will lead you day by day. In every suffering He will say, ‘My son, My daughter, I am with thee, do not be afraid’. I have proved Him in every sorrow. I love Him. He is my God. He will become your loving savior. He will become very precious to you.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me, and know my thoughts”.Psalm 139:23.

November 16th

“the ransomed of the Lord shall return… with songs and everlasting joy upon their head; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away”. (Isaiah 35:10)

The Lord Jesus Christ has been seeking to save sinners with the object of making them as salt which will bring new joy, new peace, a new life to man-kind. The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to give joy to men. In every era people had a great desire for joy, but they do not know how to get it. They do not know who God is, where He is and how to find Him and talk to Him.

I remember the hunger and thirst I myself had in my un-converted days. According to the teachings of Sikh religions, I thought God was very far away, and I used to wonder how human beings could ever get near him. I used to pray in my childhood days, ‘O God? Who art thou? Where art thou? How can I find thee?’. Many times I only felt I was getting further and further away from God. In the same way there have been many men like me through out the ages searching for God, longing for peace and trying to know Him as He is. In the end they have given up in despair.

Heavenly Joy has to be shared with others once we get it. We can never keep it with ourselves. Have you found that joy? How many people have found through you the same joy which you have? Your joy will become more as you share it. Our Lord says, ‘Ye are the salt of the earth’. Where ever you may be, you will spread happiness. We can become pure salt, by having a pure spirit and a broken heart. We will be comforted by our Lord when our relation and friends begin to hate us or despise us. We have to go through every kind of sorrow to know divine comfort. Thus we will be trained to give comfort to others.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit”. Gal 5:25.

November 17th

“Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth”. (Matt 5:5).

Many people have no idea how much God has planned to give to them. He will give us much more than we can ever think or imagine. But we would have to enter into God’s heart to understand the privilege that is offered to us. We find it so hard to believe that God can offer us so much ( cf. I Corinthians 2:9,10; Matt 13:17 and Rev 21:7 ). Are they not wonderful verses? ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things God has prepared for them that loved Him’. Again, God’s word says that there were many prophets and righteous men who desire to see these things, but could not. God not only wants to forgive us our sins but He wants to give us all that He has. Our Lord knows fully well what heavy burdens all of us have to carry as sinners. So our Lord says to all of us, ‘Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden.’ What a loving invitation. The Lord Jesus was willing to pay the price for our sins. He paid it fully, even for our sinful thoughts and imaginations.

Our Lord came into the world to recover every loss. He will no be satisfied tll we receive everything from God; everything in full, as purposed in the heart of God. This we can do by learning meekness, and this is the third step in becoming good salt. only thus can we inherit all the wealth in the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why He says, ‘Come unto me… and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.’ This is a life-long lesson to learn. We must get rid of the pride we had before our conversion- pride of family, country, friends, relations or qualifications.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “God preserved me… by His light I walked through darkness”. Job 29:2,3.

November 18th

“By the grace of God I am what I am”. (I Corinthians 15:10).

We take pride in ourselves. Yet all these things will soon pass away. Talents and gifts will soon pass away. We are nothing before God. In the Bible we read that the holy God calls our righteousness ‘filthy rags’. Such is our condition before God! After our conversion we are made into a peculiar treasure. But it requires meekness in us to understand our heavenly calling. Paul says in I Corinthians 15:10: ‘the grace of God which was with me.’ He was a man of God whom the Lord used so mightily. Judging by his family, knowledge and education, he was a highly qualified man of the world. It was afterwards that he became an Apostle. Yet he says, ‘By the grace of God I am what I am”.

When we are born again, God gives each one of us some gift or other. But we should not feel proud of it. Whatever we receive from God we transmit to the people around us, and do so because of His grace. There is no reason why we should be proud of the talents given to us by God to be spent for others.

God will use us only when we are humble and meek, thankful to God everyday for His grace. By humility alone can one be qualified for God’s kingdom and not by bible knowledge or educational qualification. Please see Matt 5:5, ‘Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Any believer can obtain this inheritance. Than God, our inheritance does not depend upon our education or any such thing.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Mine eyes have seen thy salvation… before the face of all people”. Luke 2:30,31.

November 19th

“My strength is made perfect in weakness”. (2 Cor 12:9).

After my conversion I went on praying for two years asking God to show me the secret of His power, so that my life could become triumphant and fruitful. After two years of prayer, one night the Lord met me and talked to me. ‘Tell me, Bakht Singh, how were your sins forgiven? I replied, ‘Lord, I believed that I was the greatest sinner living. I believed that you shed your blood for my sins and you forgave my sins’. The Lord said to me, ‘Tell me now, do you believe that you are the weakest person living and that you have no power? At once all my doubts disappeared, and I learned my weakness and helplessness without my Lord. He is so faithful and He knows my weakness and He said, ‘My grace is sufficient.’ It is abundant grace, sufficient grace, for any person. It does not matter who we are, in His hands we can become wonderful instruments, if we remain humble and meek. I can say that I am weak and helpless at every step, but I believe in His grace. Such faith alone will qualify us for His kingdom.

But first of all, your sins must be forgiven. That is the beginning of the Christian life. All these truths cannot be understand by us without the experience of new birth. Now when we say, ‘Are you born again? It means: ‘Are you well spiritually? Has He become your loving friend? Does He speak to you? Do you speak to Him? Are you conscious of His presence? If you cannot say Yes, to all these questions then come to His feet right now, this very moment while you are reading this, He will forgive your sins, wash you, pour His love into you and make you a member of His kingdom. But you must first ask Him to come into your heart.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “I will trust in the covert of thy wings”. Psalm 61:4.

November 20th

“Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”. (Matt 5:48).

The Bible proves three things about God. Firstly, it shows that God is. In their folly, men of all races have even been trying to prove that there is no God. But the Bible declares that He is, and that He is a living and personal God; we can hear and feel and speak to Him. Secondly, the Bible shows us that God is love. Thirdly, it shows us that God loves you, no matter who you might be. Even though you are hated and despised by your fellow0men, yet I can definitely say to you: God loves you. When once we have tasted Him, then wherever we go and wherever we live, others will be able to taste that divine love through us. The divine Love can flow out from us all the time, not only by our preaching, but by our lives also.

Our Lord wants us to be good pure salt. even though He spoke these words to a very big crowd on the mount at that time, they were really meant for a few disciples; not because He did not want the multitude also to be such pure good salt but because the majority of them were only after loaves and fishes. He summed up the whole sermon in one verse, Matt 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect”. Consider what a high standard that is! That is why He came to make us perfect. Even though we have been completely ruined and defiled by sin, by coming into our Lord’s hands we will become perfect and complete, without spot or blemish.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11.

November 21st

“Blessed are they whoch do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled”. (Matt 5:6).

There are different refining processes to make us pure salt. the fourth stage is given in verse 6 of Matt 5. The Lord says, ‘Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.’ Now, there are many people who claim to be looking for God, but in reality they are not looking for God. They only want something for themselves. To get such a reputation they are prepared to go through very great suffering and sacrifice.

We see in Hebrews 5:12,13,14 how many believers remain spiritual babes for years together. You will find many people like that; it is only when they are in trouble, distress, affliction or sorrow, that they start praying. Many school children and college boys and girls are like that too. Just for their exams they will start praying: ‘O Lord, help me to pass. If I pass I will give you five rupees, but if I fail, I will not go to any meeting for two months.’ That is how they pray, only when they want something. Very few have that longing for righteousness of which God speaks here.

In the beginning of our Christian life, we long for many different things. Some of us long for signs and miracles. I used to think that if I could see some divine light shining in the room, I would be very much blessed. So I prayed, ‘O Lord, send some divine light into my room’. I thought that by seeing some kind of divine light, I would have more power. Then one night as I was praying, I saw some dim light shining in my room. I prayed again, ‘Lord, make it brighter!’ when I opened my eyes after some time, it was brighter. But again after some time, when I opened my window, I discovered that the light coming into my room was only moonlight!.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “O Lord, … thou art exalted as head above all.” I Chronicles 29:11.

November 22nd

“They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light” (Psalm 36:8,9).

I used to have a great longing for a gift of some kind from God. Because I am not able to sing, I prayed for nine years that the Lord should give me the ability to sing songs or play some instrument. I thought that if I could play the violin, I would be able to do great work for God. But God gave me nothing. He left me without any such talents at all. Then a new desire came to me, ‘Oh Lord, I only want Thee. I have no other desire now. I don’t want any gifts of any kind. I only want to know thee more and more, that you may become more precious and real to me.’ From that day on, everything changed in my life, and I found a great sense of satisfaction. The scripture says, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” They are the ones who shall be satisfied. When we begin to pray that way we will say: ‘Lord, I have no other desire. I have not come to Thee for any favor. I am not asking you for anything but just to be with thee forever and to enjoy Thy presence and to feel Thine arms around me.’

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”. Psalm 23:6.

November 23rd

“Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee”. (Psalm 73:25).

Now some people find it very hard to pray. I also found it very hard in the beginning. I used to read the Bible many hours a day. God took away the desire for the cinema and other worldly things. So I gave up all other books and used to read the Bible the whole day. I never got tired of reading the Bible, even though I would read for twelve hours or more. But I could not pray for more than five minutes. I tried very hard, but always, after a few minutes, my thoughts would go wandering, or I would go to sleep. This went on for more than two years. Then I thank God He taught me how to speak with Him. That became my most precious how to speak with Him. That became my most precious experience and the Lord took away from my heart all others desires. I used to say whenever I went to Him, ‘Lord, I have not come to Thee for money, or for knowledge, or for other favors. You can keep me anywhere, send me anywhere, I want only to be with Thee. Give me the privilege and the honor of being with Thee and Thee alone.’ Whenever you thus enter His divine presence, straightaway all tiredness, fear, or anxiety will disappear. Whatever may be your wounds, when you go to the Lord Jesus Christ, do not tell Him your worries, troubles, or sorrows; He knows them before you tell Him; you kneel down and say to Him, ‘Lord I want to come and spend this time with Thee’. Let me enjoy Thy presence.’ Then all your troubles will vanish, and when you get up from your knees, you will fell blessed and refreshed.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “The upright shall have good things in possession”. Proverbs 28:10.

November 24th

“Ye also as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house” (I Pet 2:5).

The question is, with what can soul’s hunger and thirst be satisfied? The answer is given in Psalm 36:8, ‘They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house.’ Only by coming into God’s House can God’s people be fully satisfied. We ourselves are the living stones which have to be put together to become God’s House, according to I Peter 2:5.

When I visited Palestine, I saw there some very big stones in an old Jewish building called the Synagogue. If you take a small stone and strike one of these huge stones in the wall, it will produce a very sweet musical note, like the note of an organ. Every stone has a different note. Till today they do not know how these stones were cut. People come from great distances to see these stones, to knock them and listen to the sweet note. In the same way, when you are born again, you become a living stone of the Lord Jesus Christ, with heavenly music in you. Let people curse us, strike us, and speak ill of us, we can still say to them, ‘The Lord bless you, and make you more happy, and forgive you’. Even though he was being stoned Stephen said: ‘Lord lay not this sin to their charge.” That is, he was saying, ‘Lord, forgive them’. The Lord gave him heavenly music. All such living stones put together make God’s House.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of”. Matt 6:8.

November 25th

“Jesus Christ Himself… the chielf Corner Stone, in whom all the building firtly framed together growth unto an holy temple in the Lord”. (Eph 2:20,21).

After my conversion I used to wander to different places, to different church buildings, with hunger in my heart. But in spite of such big buildings, highly qualified preachers and grand organs, I would come out of the buildings with my hunger unsatisfied. One morning I went for a walk in the streets of Vancouver. There I saw a small hut. I thought, ‘Let me go there for Sunday worship.’ When I went in, somebody with a bright shining face came to greet me. He said, ‘I am happy to see you.’ Without even asking my name he asked me to come in and told me that there were only a few believers, but they loved the Lord. Everyone of them had Bibles. I was very happy there in the little hut.

It is only by assembling together with God’s children and worshipping God in spirit and in truth, with understanding of the heavenly mystery of God’s house, that our hunger will be abundantly satisfied. But sad to say, many believers do not know the meaning of the true church. We believers, out together, make the true church. Only when we take our full share of the fatness to be found in the House of God can we find our hunger and thirst fully satisfied. As we worship the Lord, and as we see Him and feed upon Him, He will become more and more real to us. We will then be able to give the taste of good salt to the earth.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “The Lord Thy God bare thee, as a man doth bare his son.” Deut 1:31.

November 26th

“Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy”. (Matt 5:7).

‘Blessed are the merciful’ (v. 7) this is the fifth stage. Only a true believer can show real mercy and kindness. They will be able to show mercy to anybody, anywhere and at anytime. The most unlovely can be shown mercy, but it will be possible to us only if we have divine love. This love cannot be produced in us by any human activity or effort. It must be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost. Only by such divine love will it be easy for us to forgive others. There are many hard-hearted Christians. Whatever love they do show is only in words and not from the heart.

We get an opportunity to show mercy in Christ’s name when others ask us to forgive them, (Matthew 18:35). I have known in my experience that many people, when they were touched by God’s word, went and apologized to the persons concerned. But those persons would sometimes reply, ‘ Yes, I forgive you, but I don’t talk to you. I will forgive you, but please don’t come to my house any more’. That is not forgiveness. You must forgive them from the heart, even though they might have sinned against you many times (cf. Matt 18:21,22). Be merciful and kind and forgive others as our Lord also has forgiven you. See again Colossians 3:13,14. if you want to be merciful, then please be willing to forgive those who ask for forgiveness.

It is only the Lord Jesus Christ that can put such love into our hearts. Oh, praise God, the ‘salt’ is a blessing, not only to our friends and relations but also to our enemies (cf. Romans 12:20,21). ‘Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Righteous art Thou, O Lord, when I please with Thee.” Jer 12:1.

November 27th

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”. ( Matt 5:8).

People often make fun of us when we preach in the open air, and say to us ‘We want to see God. Show us your God, then we will believe Him’. They do not understand that before they can see God they must have a pure heart. The bible says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”. They shall Him, not for one moment or one minute or one hour only, but for eternity. They will see Him in His full glory, and they shall be very near Him.

God’s Word says in I John 1:7 that the blood of Jesus Christ on cleansing us continually. Let me explain this. The eye us so made that whenever any dust or foreign matter, however small, gets into it, the eye starts blinking and watering, until the dust is washed out. Thus the eye-ball is always kept clean. In the same way the blood goes on cleansing us. We always find some evil thoughts or other trying to come into our hearts. They will not go away except by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we say by faith, ‘Oh Lord, cleanse me’, straightaway we are cleansed. The Lord will not say, ‘I have no time now. I will come and do it tomorrow.’ On the other hand He says, ‘Cry unto Me and I will answer’. How can we know that we are cleansed? Because then we will be able to see God. According to John 4:24, “God is a Spirit and they that worship Him, must worship Him in spirit and in truth’. When we have been cleansed in our spirit we will know God, see Him and be with Him.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Our Lord Jesus Christ… hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope”. 2 Thess 2:16.

November 28th

“Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the children of God”. (Matt 5:9).

By nature all of us were God’s enemies. When we were born again we become children of God. When you are born again you become a peacemaker. Then God’s enemies will become God’s friends through you, and this ministry is a privilege given to you as a child of God.

Is God speaking to you: ‘Follow Me, follow Me’? Do not resist Him. Do not waste your time arguing with God. How the devil tries to prevent us from obeying God! May God help you to obey Him even though He might send you to the uttermost parts of the world. You must be willing to undergo much discomfort in the preparation. Do not think much of human qualifications. God can use any one of us if we are willing to yield to Him. But He will not use force to compel you. Only when I said to God, ‘I give Thee my life’, did He take me and use us. Then in His own way He gave me training. He took me through many painful trials, and I thank God for them all. Now I would plead with you, please obey Him now, Say to Him. ‘Take my life and use me as thou wilt’. When we give ourselves to Lord Jesus Christ. He can bring out through us wonderful, heavenly music. So yield to Him, respond to Him and say, ‘My Lord I will follow Thee; take my life; make me Thy witness; use me for Thy glory. I am willing to spend and be spent for thee.’ While you are yet young give your life to Him. Do not wait until old age. “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God”. They shall give God full pleasure. Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; Him shalt thou serve”. Deut 10:20.

November 29th

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for there is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:10).

Some years ago a Muslim man came to me and said he wanted to become a Christian. He was a university graduate. ‘Have you been to meetings anywhere?’ I asked him. ‘no’. he replied. I asked him how he had become interested in the Gospel. He told me that one day he had gone to see a Hindu friend in his neighborhood. There was a small verandah in front of his friend’s house and while he stood there a sweeper came to sweep it, and put his basket in a corner. While this man was sweeping, a Hindu shopkeeper also came to the house and entered the verandah. He was wearing a dhoti, and his dhoti happened to touch the basket. The man got very angry. He removed his shoe and started beating the sweeper with it, saying, ‘why did you put your basket here? ‘that is my duty; I have only come to sweep,’ he replied. So saying, the sweeper turned his other cheek to him and continued ‘God bless you’. When it was all over, the Muslim who had been watching said to the sweeper, ‘why did you allow him to beat you? It was not your falut; you were only doing your duty. It is entirely his fault; he should have lifted up his dhoti a little and walked carefully.’ But the sweeper replied, ‘if my Lord suffered so much for me, should I not suffer a little for His sake?’ the Muslim continued his story and said to me, ‘it was the sweeper’s love that worked in me. That is the reason I now want to become a Christian.’ He became a Christian, was baptized and became a good witness for the Lord. Love can be shed abroad in the hearts of others if we endure persecution patiently.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you”. John 15:7.

November 30th

“Blessed are ye, when me shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reqard in heaven” (Matt 5:11,12).

If you want to be faithful, you must be prepared to be persecuted by ungodly people. How many suffer because they refuse to take a bribe or give a bribe! Many lose their promotion for many years. So be patient, even though you have to suffer, God’s Word says that you are going to be abundantly reqarded in heaven.

There are some Christians who put a thilakam (a religious mark on the Hindus) on their foreheads. They are ashamed to be called Christians. They wish to be identified with Hindus. During the communal riots in Karachi ( Pakistan), a Christian woman with this mark thought that she was a Hindu, so he approached her with a dagger to kill her. The woman began to shout, ‘I am a Christian! He asked her, “Are you a Christian?’ Then what about that mark on your forehead?’ she immediately put her hand to her tongue and rubbed it off. Many Christians are ashamed of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are afraid to suffer persecution. As a result, their lives are barren, shameful and corrupt.

May the Lord prepare us into good salt which not only gives taste, but shows abundant grace and compassion for all those around. As the salt of the earth we can wipe away many tears and bring joy to many homes, and thus make sorrow and misery to flee away from them. God is calling you for such a ministry. If you humble yourself and confess your sins, the Lord Jesus will wash you in His blood and give you a new life. With that life you can become like salt, always giving new taste, new life and new blessing whenever you go.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “He is a rewarder of them that deligently seek Him”. Heb 11:6.