April
April 1st
“When they were filled he said unto His disciples, Gather up the fragments which remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loves which remained over and above unto them that have eaten” (John 6:12,13).
Our Lord does not like wastage: and that is why He commanded that nothing be lost. If He was so particular about those fragments left behind, how much more He is particular about our time, money and energy! When we look at our lives, we have to admit that much of our time is being wasted, much of our money is being mis-spent, and much of our energy is dissipated.
I was at a standstill. I was not growing spiritually. So when I prayed, “Lord, what is wrong with me?” the Lord showed me that I was serving Him in my own strength and wisdom, and that I was wasting time. He showed me how I had cut short my quite time both morning and evening in order to be out serving. I repented of my negligence and determined that I would wait for the Lord’s plan first before going out. I wanted to see fruit.
I had been praying for three hours, when the Lord told me that I was to go to “Soldier’s Bazaar”. The Lord gave us souls every day not only one but many. That is how God began to give me fruit. He expects us to see fruit.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Thou God seest me” Gen 16:13.
April 2nd
“What hast thou that thou didst not receive?” (1 Cor. 4:7). The same principle applies in our use of money also. Do we misuse our money?
In the olden days, I would carry many coins in my pockets, because I was in the habit of giving to anyone who would ask me for money. But one day, when I gave God spoke to me, and said, “It is not your money, it is Mine. Who are you to spend My money?”. From that day, I decided never to spend even one paisa without asking God’s permission.
Your time and your money both belong to God. I never regarded money as my own. I never buy anything until I am sure God has a purpose in my spending the money. I remember in America I needed a hair cut. I kept praying for three weeks, while my hair was getting very long.
I came to Minneapolis, and the Lord told me to go downstairs to the barbershop where I would get a good hair-cut. And while the barber was cutting my hair, I asked him, “Mr. Bruce, can you tell me whether you are born again?” He said, “No, but I want to be”. So after he finished, I took my Bible and explained the way to him. He knelt down and accepted the Lord. He refused to give me the bill; so the Lord gave me a hair-cut and also the privilege to lead the barber to Himself. I believe from God’s word that we will have to give account for our time and money.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse:
“The Lord they God in the midst of thee is mighty”. Zeph.3:17.
April 3rd
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ ” (Eph. 4:12).
We were having the last prayer, and I was praying, somebody suddenly fell on his face before me, as though he had been bitten by a scorpion. Then one after another, people were seen falling to the ground crying out for mercy. I saw with my own eyes, people throwing dust into their faces, beating their chests, and pulling on their hair. After three hours of this, the elders came beseeching me to stop it. I said, “I didn’t start it… ask God to stop it”.
We saw hundreds come under conviction by the Spirit, confessing their sins and be saved. We would stay for three to five weeks in each place having cottage meetings, Bible studies, and going out in processions selling gospels. But when I would return to those places after a few months, I would find to my great disappointment that a very small number were really going on with the Lord-the majority of them had gone back. For some time I left others to carry on the work, even though people were sadly backsliding.
But God began to show me that as evangelists, we are not only responsible for their conversion, but also for their growth. Are they not our children, and if so, must we not be prepared to shepherd them? I had to acknowledge that I had failed them and that I was to blame. These people were truly born-again and naturally they would look to us for guidance. We were responsible to lead them on and bring them into maturity and into the plan of God. I saw this truth very clearly from Ephesians 4.11-14. According to this scripture, it is a duty of apostles, prophets, evangelists and teachers to see that new converts are properly cared for and brought into maturity.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse:
“I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”. Isaiah 41:10.
April 4th
“Till we all come in unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man”. ( Eph. 4:13).
Let us look again at Ephesians 4:8-12, because here we are made to understand clearly that God’s burden is the church in its full expression. The five-fold gifts are given by our Lord to the Church, and not just to a certain group. And it is our privilege to ask for these gifts. Just as we ask God to move in revival, so we must ask Him for blessings… such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, which, when they function together, establish the believers on a strong foundation. So I begun to see that it was our fault that we were not seeing these gifts manifested among those who were being born again. We had not asked God for these gifts. Apostles are given authority to establish churches, appointing those called of God for the work of the ministry. Prophets are those who find the mind of God and declare it to the church.
Evangelists have the main responsibility of preaching the Gospel, and bringing unbelievers to repentance and salvation. Teachers reach people of all classes, and with patience, sympathy and kindness instruct them in the word. Pastors are like fathers and mothers, nurses and shepherds. They have the care and oversight of the flock of God. All these gifts can only function effectively when they are together and not by themselves.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse:
“God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut 33:27.
April 5th
“ In the midst of the candlesticks one like unto the Son of Man”. Rev 1:13.
When ever we want to come into God’s plan, the devil will fight fiercely. When God performed miracles, the devil was quite, but when God was showing His heavenly pattern, the devil was furious. Now the devil seeks to prevent us and attack us when we come into the heavenly plan. He will not mind if we go on doing what we think is best. It is only when we want to work God’s perfect order, that the devil will create difficulties which are hard to overcome. God has given this burden to the Church.
The apostle John was downcast as he saw the persecuted people of God scattered, and remembered the many who were killed. Then, on the Lord’s day, as John was praying in the spirit, he heard a voice from behind; and he turned round to see who was speaking. John was looking in the wrong direction! That is no doubt why he became discouraged and the Lord Jesus was saying to John: ‘John, you are looking in the wrong direction; turn round, and get a new perspective’.
The first thing John saw was seven golden candlesticks. You might think that he should see the Lord Jesus Christ first. But no! in verses 12 and 13 we are told that he saw the seven golden candlesticks first, and then the Lord Jesus Christ, in a High-priestly garment walking in the midst of candlesticks. It is as if the Lord were saying: ‘John, if you want to see Me walking and working, you can only see it in My church. You will not see me through signs and miracles; but you will see Me in my church’.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse:
“A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things”. Matt. 12:35.
April 6th
“Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices: and the glory of the Lord filled the house” (2 Chron. 7:1)
There are certain divine principles according to which God works. His glory is seen only when we are willing to abide by those principles. In Exodus 40, we see how the glory came by the fulfilling of those divine principles. In verse 16,19,21,23,25,27,29,32 and 33 we read this phrase:- “As the Lord commanded Moses.” And in the last verse, “So Moses finished the work”. Then in Exo.40:34, “And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle”.
That fragment, “As the Lord commanded Moses” is repeated as if the Lord himself was examining the whole work which had been done, and He was fully satisfied in every small detail. It is only when the work is finished according to God’s standard that the Glory comes down. That is how the Bible defines the descent of the Glory of God.
See what our Lord Himself says in John 4:34, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.” It is only when a work is finished according to God’s perfect revealed will, and according to His heavenly plan, that at His command the Glory comes down. Just the mere manifestation of some power or miracle or sign is not God’s glory. It is a finished and complete work, done according to His command and order, which brings down the full Glory of God.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse:
“Your father knoweth what things ye have need of” Matt.6:8.
April 7th
“And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with Him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and He spake unto him” (Numbers 7.89).
How can we prove that God’s glory is among His people? From the day that God’s glory had filled the tabernacle He began to speak from between the cherubim, from above the mercy seat. God had spoken to him when He called him, on the mount, and there He gave him the whole law and the pattern for the tabernacle. But now we find this speaking is different altogether. From now onward God began to open His heart to Moses to reveal His whole mind, from between the cherubim.
Here we get the proof that God’s glory was amongst His people. God was speaking and He was making His mind clear to all those that came to Him. It was the privilege of anybody among all the twelve tribes that for his personal or family problems or for any other matter concerning the congregation; he could go to Aaron, the high priest, and find out the mind of God and the will of God. Then Aaron would go to God hear Him speaking from between the cherubim above the mercy seat. God speaking is the one great proof that God’s glory is among His people.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse:
“His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1
April 8th
“The cloud covered the tabernacle”. Numbers: 9.15-23.
This is the second great proof that God was with them in His full glory. Their eyes were constantly upon the cloud resting upon the tent of the congregation. Whether the cloud lifted in the morning or mid-day, or evening, or mid-night, children of Israel moved only when the cloud lifted. When the cloud tarried for a day or a week or a month or a year or even longer, they have to stay; they could not move; but whithersoever the cloud went, they had to go. By these two great signs ,we know that God’s glory was dwelling amongst His people. Now we find in I Samuel 4:22, that the glory departed. They were many causes responsible for that. Let us consider a few of the causes that were responsible for the spiritual decline of the people. In judges 21:25, the first great cause of their failure and their bareness was that “ Everyone did that which was right in his own eyes”.
In I Samuel 2:12-17 we see a second cause of failure. These sons of Eli, the high priest, began to despise the sacrifices; and not only that they began to use force. We are told in verse 13 that they had with them a flesh-hook of three teeth, to take away the flesh which was meant for God. Nowadays, the very same thing is happening through flesh-hooks of three teeth; that is, the honor that ought to be given to God is being given to men because of
A. Love for money
B. Love for Power
C. Love for fame
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse:
“Your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you”. John 16:22.
April 9th
“The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken’ (1Sam. 4.22).
Also, we find that Eli knew all this! Yet he would not rebuke his sons. That is why God had to punish him so severely. Then we see in 1 Samuel 4.1-6 that Eli knew that his sons were living in sin, and yet he permitted them to carry the ark into the battlefield. These are few of the causes responsible for the barrenness and death found in those days among God’s people.
It gives me a shock when I see servants of God begging for money. One day on the train, I saw a Hindu lady in the same compartment. She said to me, “Hoe can you meet your needs?” I said, “Tell me, do you believe as I told you before, that god forgave my sins? I gave you my testimony of how I struggled hard and tried to get my sins forgiven by every possible means. I was prepared to spend any amount of money and go anywhere to someone who could forgive my sins. But nobody could. The day came when I heard these words clearly, ‘My son, thy sins be forgiven thee.’ I can tell you again that the Lord Jesus Christ forgave my sins more than thirty years ago.”
If you believe God can forgive a sinner, it is very easy to believe that the same living God can supply all my needs. I believe it. I know it also by experience.” We do not have to ask for money; to do so is lack of faith. If we are God’s servants, God will not fail His servants.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse:
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee”. Jer.1:5
April 10th
“I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth shall he be lent to the Lord” I Samuel 1:28.
From the first book of Samuel through to the end of second Chronicles, we come across the name of four people who play a very important part in bringing back that departed Glory.
The first is Hannah, the second is Samuel, the third is David, and the fourth is Solomon. In the Six books we find that these four characters play a very big part in bringing back the departed glory. As we go along we shall see how these four names speak of four divine principles. In fulfilling these principles we shall find God’s departed glory coming into our hearts, into our assemblies, and into our work. First of all turn to I Samuel 1:2, the name Hannah means grace.
We are told that as Hannah was being so sorely provoked she went and fasted and prayed, yet it seemed that God did not hear her prayer. So she continued weeping, and went on praying with faith.
All her tears were for her need. She did not know that God could also have some need! Then her prayer changed; “ Lord, now I forsake my own selfish need, and promise that if you give me a man-child, he will be lent back to thee.” Somehow, when she discovered God’s need, God answered her prayer and gave her a son.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse:
“In due season we shall reap, if we faint not”. Gal.6:9.
April 11th
“The child Samuel ministered before the Lord” (1Samuel:2.18). “The child Samuel grew before the Lord” (1Sam. 2.21).
We as God’s servants must find out what God’s need is today. What is God’s need I India, -- north India, or south India? What is God’s need in Africa, in Europe, or in America? We must find this out by prayer. I believe we learn in Hannah how to pray. Even though Hannah prayed with fasting, and tears, and with faith; even though she was a sincere, godly woman; nevertheless, God did not hear her prayer. He waited till she understood His need! God has His own way of working. He wanted a man, for He cannot work without a man. He wanted a man who was given to Him willingly, and for that He waited. We have no right to dictate to God; He has ways that are higher than our ways, and we can safely wait for Him.
What about God’s purpose in the matter of Hannah? God was waiting very patiently, and He was pleased to choose Hannah to be His partner. He permitted that barrenness in the life of Hannah to make her a true partner of God. What an honor to be given to Hannah! She had been praying: “Lord, take away my reproach”. God was saying, “Hannah, what about My need? My name is also being reproached”. We must learn how to pray in-order to find God’s need or what He is after. If we want God’s glory to come down, we must first of all learn how to pray thus.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord”. Lam.3:40.
April 12th
“And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: For the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh, by the Word of the Lord”. (1Samue.3.21).
This is the second divine principle which has to be fulfilled if we want God to send His glory into our midst, if we are going to allow God to reveal Himself. We need the fearless, faithful witness of men like Samuel. We have good Bible teachers, and many scholars who can write very good books and some very good preachers also, but not many Samuels. We want men of God, men who are actually the mouth piece of God, men who can boldly and freely say: ‘Hear ye what God saith’ and ‘thus saith the Lord’.
God’s word came to Samuel as a small boy. God first told him, “You go and tell Eli”. How could he, a small boy, go to an old man, his master and give him God’s message? But even though it was a difficult and terrible message, he obeyed God and gave it. God wants a man who will be His mouth piece, who will not be afraid of any man’s face. I feel that in these days there is a serious need for a man like Samuel.
I believe with all my heart that unless we are men like Samuel, we will not see God’s power fully manifested. He may use us, but not fully; He may bless us but not fully; He may work among us but not deeply, unless we are men like Samuel, and God’s word can come and go out freely as he gives it.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee”. Prov 2:11
April 13th
“Let men say among the nations: The Lord reigneth” (1Chron. 16.31).
The third name is David, illustrating the third divine principle --- the necessity for God’s order. To make him humble, God even permitted in David’s life many temptations. In God’s work we have to be extremely humble and broken. So whenever we are going through a testing time, remember, it is that God may make us humble vessels.
Perhaps we have the same temptation that David had (1Chron: 13.1-11). He thought that by making some change he would make a better impression. But in God’s work, we can never change God’s order. Whatsoever has been revealed in the Bible is to be followed, for every period of time, for every work and for every group. You can not change it. When you are tempted and make some change, there always comes loss.
We think that we are living in different days; but I can see from God’s word clearly that unless we fellow the heavenly pattern in our day, we cannot see God coming in His full glory. Sometimes we have to be brought on the ‘threshing floor’ because, in God’s work, we are depending far too much on human wisdom and cleverness; but we can not make any improvement on the heavenly plan.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee”. Gen. 17:6.
April 14th
“And the house when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was in building” (1Kings 6.7).
Solomon illustrates the fourth divine principle to ensure God’s glory. When you follow God’s plan in your individual, family, and church life, you will find unity, co-operation, openness, fellowship, and spiritual joy in living together. Otherwise there is strife. When we have God’s plan, and we know our ministries, there will not be any jealousy. Much work has suffered because of jealousy.
Even as God’s servants, we can be jealous of each other, and it brings loss. There is no doubt about it; we may have to pray together for a whole night or longer to make sure of God’s mind. And than we find oneness. “Lord, make me like Samuel, thy true mouthpiece, that I may know Thy message and have Thy authority and boldness to give that message.” “Lord, make me like Hannah, that knowing thy need, I can learn how to pray, and have the privilege of meeting that need, as Hannah did, when she offered her son to the Lord.”
“Lord, give us men like David; men after Thine own heart, who will be completely free from worldly wisdom; and who can receive Thy pattern.” “Lord make me like Solomon, a man of peace, building God’s temple by living stone fitly joined together by unity and openness. It is only by such oneness that we can finally see God’s glory coming down.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth … let him die the death. Matt. 15:4
April 15th
“Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon the rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day” (Acts 27.29).
The Christian life is like a journey in a sea, full of storms. There are storms in the house, storms in the family, storms in the neighborhood, and there are storms in the country round about. All of these try to shake and weaken our faith, with doubts and fears. But God knowing our need, has made provision for us, and give us four anchors. By these we can be perfectly safe. We see from Acts 2.41,42 what these four anchors are which God has provided for every believer:
“Then they that gladly received His word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers”. That is how the work began on the day of Pentecost. God’s Word was preached in power and authority by these men of God.
That Word began to prick those who heard it. They believed straightaway and were found obedient to the word given to them. Then there were 3,000 souls added unto them. At the very same time they were given these four anchors we have mentioned, as found in verse 42. They began and continued first of all in the apostles’ doctrine, secondly in fellowship, thirdly in the breaking of bred, and fourthly in prayer.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “They that seek the Lord shall understand all things.” Prov.28:5
April 16th
“And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of priests were obedient of the faith.” (Acts 6.7).
These four anchors were a protection against the onslaughts of the Evil One for those early believers. We see from the whole book of Acts how the enemy came in like a flood, in an attempt to discourage, weaken and rob them of their faith and joy in the Lord. But we see also, despite all that, how triumphantly the Word of the Lord grew.
• Acts.12.24: “But the word of God grew and multiplied.” • Acts.13.49: “And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the
region.” • Acts.19.20: “So mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed.” • Acts.16.05: “And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased
in number daily.” • Acts13.52: “And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.”
The believers were fed and nourished in the apostle’s doctrine, the pure Word of God. The apostles did not depend upon their own wisdom or qualification. They were men taught of God, anointed and filled with the Holy Spirit. They taught the pure, unadulterated word of God as the Spirit led them. They grew in “fellowship.” They met together as often as possible to share what they had received from the Lord.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Is anything too hard for the Lord” Gen.18:14.
April 17th
“He was known of them in breaking of bread” (Luke 24.35).
They grew in the “breaking of bread.” In Luke 24.15-30 we read about those two disciples on the Emmaus Road after the resurrection of the Lord. When He sat with them in the breaking of bread, their eyes were suddenly opened. It was then that they recognized their Lord.
That is how they were taught. Our Lord is so great, so mighty, and so wonderful, we cannot see Him with our ordinary eyes. He is beyond human comprehension, far above the understanding of our human faculties. And yet we can know Him! He can be more precious to us than anybody else in all the world when we know Him in His true glory.
The table of the Lord, and the breaking of bread to remember the Lord’s death till He come, provide us an opportunity for an inward sight of Him which is not possible otherwise. It is a place of worship. It is the place where we grow spiritually, and come to know His true worth. That is what worship means, “worth-ship” It is to be able to say in broken language: “What is my Lord to me? What will I give back to Him in return?”
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper”. Prov.28:13.
April 18th
“Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him” (Matt. 2.2).
The wise man had seen this unusual star in the east; and had begun their long journey; perhaps it took them two years. They were prepared to pay the price, even though they had no previous experience of the Lord Jesus Christ themselves. When they had come to the house, they saw the young child and Marry, His mother. They fell down and worshipped Him. Then they presented their costly gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
In coming such a distance they acknowledge His worthiness. When they found Him, “they worshipped Him”. When they brought such precious gifts, they acknowledged in a symbolic way that:
(i) The One Whom we have come to worship is God ----Gold (ii) The One Whom we have come to worship has come to suffer for us--- Myrrh.
(iii) The One Whom we have come to worship is going to save us and be our
High Priest---Frankincense.
The Lord Jesus Christ is also very precious to me. He loved me and died for me. I am prepared to pay any price to show my love for Him. I can say that I love Him more than I love my father, mother, brother, sister, wife, children or anybody! But it must be from the hart. We might say in a meeting “O Lord, I love Thee,” but when we have to pay the price, we do not pay it! How often we deny Him! How often we grieve Him! How often we fail to obey Him because of fear, thinking: what will my neighbor say? What will my friends think of me? What will the world say? We simply do not pay the price the Lord demands!
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ”. 2 Cor.5:10.
April 19th
“And the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand of thousands, saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing” (Rev.5:11-14).
This is a picture of the work of service completed in heaven. This is what it is going to be when we see Him face to face!
At the Lord’s table we have this very same message: My God is coming back! He must come back, that the work which He began may be perfected. It won’t be complete till He comes back. That is exactly what we do at His table; we declare by faith that we are waiting for that Day. We believe it will be a wonderful Day when we shall be like Him, and reign with Him!
In Ephesians 3:18 I would like you to notice the importance of being together. His live and purpose can never be comprehended by ourselves; we require the help of all saints, “ that we may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height: and to know the love of Chirst, which passeth knowledge, that we might be filled with all the fullness of God”.
There is a great mystery here. You will find live comes in greater measure, fuller measure. When we are brought together as one family. In this family, there is no Jew and Gentile barrier; all are free, all are one from so many families, countries, nationalities, all partaking of the same Lord.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “He arose and rebuked the wind… and there was a great calm. Mark.4:39.
April 20th
“For we are laborers with God: ye are God’s husbandry ye are God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3.9)
We as God’s servants, should always remember, that whatever we do for God that has His blessing will remain for eternity: and that all that we do is going to be tried, tested and proven. It may appear very good and acceptable in the eyes of our fellow-workers and fellow-men, but in the end, God will apply His own test. Remember that God always thinks of His work in terms of eternity.
What is in the mind of God in asking us to go and preach the Gospel? Why does He want souls? Why is He, our loving God, so concerned in seeing a lost sinner? Why is He so much after us? It is because He wants a sanctuary. He wants a house! We have to tell people from the beginning, just what is God’s purpose in saving us: He has desired that you and I build that house. Every believer must be given that privilege: though he may not accept it, yet he must be made conscious of being part of God’s sanctuary.
All the material used in the building of the tabernacle was to teach them in the first place about the Lord Jesus Christ, His grace, goodness, holiness, power, beauty, glory and fullness. And in the second place, how all of us become part of that fullness in becoming a member of that sanctuary—God’s habitation.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “His mercy is on them that fear him.” Luke 1:50
April 21st
“Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their god, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6.16)
In Ephesians the apostle uses seven names for God’s people. He calls them the “Church” of the Lord Jesus Christ, because they have been called out from the World—God’s peculiar people. He calls them the “Body of Christ,” because the same life flows through every member. That Body contains God’s fullness, the fullness of Him, which filleth all in all. The health of that life is supplied to every tissue, nerve and fiber. He calls them “one new man,” no more Jew and Gentile – all human and national differences forgotten. He calls them, the heavenly “family” that we may be able to enjoy the divine love of the Father.
Then He says, “Ye are God’s building.” Again He calls them “God’s Temple.” Then finally, the “Bride” of Christ. Now why are we called “God’s building”? Because a building, we must be built, first of all, upon a strong and deep foundation. As God’s servants we must be sure that we spend enough time studying God’s Word with the people; otherwise they will remain weak spiritually. We must know that our responsibility is not only to preach, but to take the people deep in the foundation truth of the faith.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” Exodus.33.14
April 22nd
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteous? And what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6.14)
After many mouths of prayer the Lord gave me a fearful message. He told me clearly: “I want you to go to all parts of India and make every man who bears my name to possess a full Bible. Whether they are literate or illiterate. Tell them that if they are called by My name, they must have a Bible. Secondly, teach them how to come to Me for their needs”.
Now we see in the Bible, that there is a heavenly plan for the work of the Lord. We cannot have fellowship anything with unbelievers. Preachers and missionaries often say to believers that they must not marry unbelievers. “If you are a born-again Christian”, they say, “then make sure that your life partner is also born again”. But these verses in 2 Corinthians 6.13-15 teach truth which goes beyond that. It applies not only to marriage, but also in church matters. It is impossible!
We cannot build the church of God with a mixture; it won’t work. We can only lay a good foundation if we ourselves have a deep, and a living experience of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Chief Corner Stone. We build upon the teaching of the apostles and prophets. What we have fully obeyed. We cannot be governed by our own fancies, and practices, however good that might be! Our safety lies in obeying God’s Word.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “If ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Gal.5:18
April 23rd
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the flock of God” (Acts. 20.28-32).
Now the Bible has given us a complete plan for all our need. Just as the apostles and prophets were sent by God in other days, even so now, they can be raised up by prayer. We need to follow God’s Word accurately in determining how to be shepherded, how to be controlled, how to gather for worship.
Now as an apostle, Paul had several types of ministry. He had to function as an apostle, and also as a prophet, evangelist, and as a pastor. God’s servants have the same ministry today, but are we fulfilling it? If we ourselves cannot do this work, let us pray that God will rise up men so that His flock will be protected.
Spiritually, we must stand together. Our safety is in oneness. When we as a Church remain one, we are better able to withstand the attacks of the Evil one. You cannot stand alone. God may have used you mightily, and we can thank God for that, but remember when you are being attacked by the devil, you suffer alone! It is by oneness that we can defeat the devil – not by knowledge, nor by miracles, nor by science, nor by wealth, nor by any other thing, but by standing together in the power of God.
Spiritual oneness is only possible in all Church, where we are brought together first of all as a family, then as co-workers and fellow-partners of the Lord Jesus Christ, having one common Head, though being many members in one Body. We must remain together as a Church, for it is only then that we can be benefited by all the gifts of the Church; the apostles, prophets, teachers and pastors, all working together and in oneness.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth”. Col. 3:1
April 24th
So shall they set forward; every man in his place by their standards. Numbers.2:17 When I was yet a Sikh, God seemed so very, very far away but now I can say, He is so near! I know that His life is flowing through me! For every believer there is a plan of God. Others have no business making choices for me. I must stay where God has put me. I know my calling. I know my place and position in God’s heavenly plan. Have you found your place in God’s plan? Can you truthfully and joyfully say, ‘I know my ministry’?
When we say ‘Yes’ to God, then it is His business to train us, equip us and thrust us forth. It was like a miracle with me in the beginning--- a man with so many handicaps! It is only by grace! I know one thing: I am in His plan. If I want to be a true Levite I must stand on a strong foundation. He has the first place in my heart, life and ministry. Every believer must be what and where God meant him to be.
The first thing to learn is to praise God. We must praise God from morning until night! When the Lord gives you His Word, you must be His mouthpiece. Do not hold back from Him anything that He demands of you. It is because we don’t give willingly to Him that we don’t know how to praise Him. God gives abundantly. He never slumbers; He never forgets; He knows my need, and at the right moment He meets it.
I do not know of any occasion in the last thirty years of ministry when God has failed us. Little from God is more than much from man. So we praise and thank Him even before the answer comes. We must keep on praying that God will make us true Levites, strongly joined and living close to the heart of God, enjoying unbroken fellowship with the living God.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God.” Isaiah 61:10.
April 25th
“Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him”. Acts.28:31.
I want you to notice especially that last part of this verse. “No man forbidding him” or “no man hindering him”. The Christian life can be compared to a hurdle or an obstacle race. As I have read these twenty-eight chapters of the book of Acts, I seem to see at least twenty-eight hurdles to be overcome by us as God’s servants: and how wonderfully and perfectly the Holy Ghost moved through God’s servants in different places, in overcoming every one of these hurdles, no man forbidding.
As long as we are conscious of God’s abiding presence in His service, we will see every mountain falling down before His presence. Our purpose now, is to consider, not all, but a few of the obstacles placed before God’s servants and how they went on jumping over hindrances, and saw the mountains falling down, by the grace of God. We shall begin with:
Acts 1:10 ---“And while they looked steadfastly towards heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel.”
That was the first hurdle they had to overcome. The Lord Jesus Christ had been taken up into Heaven, He was gone!
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men” Gal.6:10.
April 26th
“Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high”. Luke.24:49
The Lord had just commissioned them to be witnesses unto Him in Jerusalem, Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. They knew that the Lord meant what He said, but He had left no detailed instructions of any kind, no plan, no blueprint to follow! He simply went off without writing any plans! The only thing He told them to do was to wait in Jerusalem for the power if the Holy Ghost to come upon them.
Numerically, they were very few; that was a great problem. But in addition to this, there were three other great mountains which were against them; and which they had to overcome.
• The nation of Jews who hated them.
• The political Roman rulers who kept them in bondage.
• The Greeks with their idolatrous culture.
Whenever we receive a message from God, or a charge of any kind, the first question we ask is, “How do we begin?” You may also be feeling that is a very heavy responsibility, and that ‘our case’ is different. We would therefore like some clear direction. But God doesn’t work that way. They were so disturbed that He had gone; that their Lord Jesus had gone! They had been told plainly that the Lord Jesus Christ would be coming back again, and they had only to believe Him and wait. They must go and wait, as they were told to wait, and in God’s time, He would Himself tell them what to do next.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Be of good comfort: thy faith had made thee whole” Luke.8:48.
April 27th
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2.41).
First of all we have to learn to wait for God’s time. We have to wait patiently, for God has a time for every work, and He works in His own time. We must not move until we have received clear marching orders from the Lord; and certainly not at the command of men.
In the beginning, the question the disciples raised was: “We are too few!” But here in the second chapter it is otherwise: ‘We are too many!’ Now the second obstacle faces them: How to shepherd them; how to keep order; how to keep discipline? Then next verse gives the divine answer, and it has ever remained the governing principles upon which God works: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (v. 42).
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine”. It was the pure Word of God. For this reason, we compel people to read God’s Word, and not so any other books. The believers must become familiar with the Word of God. They must learn of God’s plan through His Word. Then comes fellowship. The apostles encouraged true fellowship, for fellowship is a strength to the believers. By sharing together of God’s faithfulness, we encourage each other, and grow spiritually. Then the apostles began worship gatherings only a short while ago, the believers are progressing happily and spiritually. At first they could not even read the Bible, but now how they pray! how they worship! and they have learned to give joyfully, even though they are so poor! This is because they have first learned the secret of worshiping the Lord. They also testify boldly in the open air; simply because they have seen the Lord in worship.” Similarly they learn to pray for each other, and with each other.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart. Psalm 51:17.
April 28th
“My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (phil. 4.19).
Now for the third obstacle, let us turn to Acts 3.6: “Then peter said, Silver and gold have I none.” No money! What a confession for a man of God to have to make! And yet he does not say so apologetically. Peter is joyful because he already has the answer: “Such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” We too may use the authority and power of the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
When God first spoke to me concerning His service, He made it very clear that if I wanted to be His servant, then I should withdraw all claim from any property in the Punjab; I was never to join a mission or a society or material need. After that I was only to look to God. I gladly submitted to these conditions, though I knew nothing about the life of faith. With that faith I came back to India. The question is, Are you sure you are in God’s will? Are you in God’s plan? If so, the matter is settled, and God is committed to it!
In chapter 4 we find the fourth obstacle to be of a different kind. (v.16): the apostles were forbidden to preach in the name of Jesus. But in spite of their threatening, the apostles continued to testify boldly in the Holy Ghost that: “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard; are we justified in keeping quiet?” They judged things that were right in the sight of God and not men. Let me ask you, are you justified in keeping quiet concerning any spiritual truth which God has shown you?
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.” Luke 11:35.
April 29th
“He shall give His angels charge over thee.” (Psalms. 91:11).
Now turn to Acts 5.17 to see the fifth obstacle: The council had now fulfilled their threats, and put the apostles in prison. God does not always use supernatural means to protect us, but He did in this case. “The angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life” (verse 19).
Now in the next chapter, we shall consider the sixth obstacle of murmuring. Whenever a work of God increases there are bound to be murmurers in every congregation. But the apostles recognized that their first commitment was to the ministry of the Word and prayer; and under no circumstances must they leave that, in order to serve tables. Let us proceed to the seventh obstacle and consider the barrier of being falsely accused (Acts 7.54,55).
This man of God, Stephen, was full of the Holy Ghost. He allowed them to do what they wanted. He ignored their falls charges. He gave no word of retaliation. He forgave praying: “Lord lay not this sin to their charge.” Shall we go further into chapter 8, verse 14 for the eighth obstacle? There is a definitely the barrier of nationality arising here. In a very subtle way the devil would create a big barrier of a communal nature. Be careful of distinction. Don’t yield to the pride of nationality. We have worked on the principle of giving God’s message in English with as many interpreters as are necessary, with the view to maintaining this oneness of living together and serving together.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “If ye seek him, he will be found of you.” 2 Chron. 15:2
April 30th
“And when I saw him, I fell at His feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last” (Rev.1.17).
As we see the end time approaching we should read the book of Revelation again and again. The message of this book is especially written to those who want to overcome. Divide this book into seven parts. You will see the Lord Jesus Christ giving a seven-fold glimpse of His glory: Chapter 1 gives a glimpse of the glory of His person. Chapter 2-3 show His glory revealed in His Church upon the earth. In chapter 4-5, we have a glimpse of the glory of the Heavenly Church. Chapter 6-9 reveal a glimpse of the glory of His throne. Chapter 10-19 show the glory of His judgments. Chapter 20; the last part of this chapter shows the glory of His great white throne. Chapter 21-22: in these we have a seven-fold glimpse of the glory of the new creation.
This book is the book of Glory—the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the prince of peace and also the God of glory. The first thing we see is that the Lord gave John a vision of Himself. Are you feeling downcast? Are you facing problems? Ask the Lord to give you a new glimpse of His Glory.
When you see the Lord face to face, He will answer every question of yours. It does not matter how complicated your problems may be, they will disappear when you get a new glimpse of Him and His glory. Then you too like John will fall down at His feet.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving … be made known unto God.” Philip.4:6