“The trials that those men do meet withal, . . . "

“The trials that those men do meet withal,
That are obedient to the heavenly call,
Are manifold, and suited to the flesh,
And come, and come, and come again afresh;
That now, or some time else, we by them may
Be taken, overcome, and cast away.
O let the pilgrims, let the pilgrims then,
Be vigilant, and quit themselves like men.”

John Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress (Part I/The Fifth Stage)

Hear the Word of God--

I Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through Faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your Faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your Faith, even the salvation of your souls.


Hebrews 3:1,2,12-15
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him, as also Moses was faithful in all His house. . . . Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; while it is said, To day if ye will hear His Voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Romans 6:15-18
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto Righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of Righteousness.

Acts 6:7
And the Word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the Faith.

Romans 1:5
By Whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the Faith among all nations, for His Name:

Romans 16:25-27
Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the Mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of Faith: to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Hebrews 12:1-4
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Colossians 3:1-7
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your Life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our Life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.


Romans 8:13,14
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Hebrews 10:36-39
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by Faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.


I Peter 2:11,12
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the Day of visitation.

Romans 12:21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

John 16:33
These things I [the Lord Jesus Christ] have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

I John 5:4,5
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our Faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?


Psalm 4:3,4
But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for Himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto Him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.


Revelation 21:7
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.


I Corinthians 16:13,14
Watch ye, stand fast in the Faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.

“The trials that those men do meet withal,
That are obedient to the heavenly call,
Are manifold, and suited to the flesh,
And come, and come, and come again afresh;
That now, or some time else, we by them may
Be taken, overcome, and cast away.
O let the pilgrims, let the pilgrims then,
Be vigilant, and quit themselves like men.”

John Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress (Part I/The Fifth Stage)

Romans 1:16,17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.



--
Romans 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
I Peter 5:11 To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Evening Devotional

Hear this evening's devotional [Prepared by Jonathan Bagster (1813-1872)]

03.20 Evening:
Noah was a just man.

The just shall live by Faith.--Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour.--The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Being justified by Faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the Law is the knowledge of sin. But now the Righteousness of God without the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by Faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.

We . . . joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement. --It is God that justifieth. . . .Whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified.

Ge 6:9 Ga 3:11 Ge 8:20,21 Re 13:8 Ro 5:1 3:20-22 5:11 8:33,30


Here it is again with the full verses and references

03.20 Evening:

(Genesis 6:9)These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

(Galatians 3:11)But that no man is justified by the Law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by Faith.--(Genesis 8:20,21)And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in His heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.--(Revelation 13:8)And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him ["the beast" Revelation 13:4], whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

(Romans 5:1)Therefore being justified by Faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

(Romans 3:20-22)Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the Law is the knowledge of sin. But now the Righteousness of God without the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the prophets; even the Righteousness of God which is by Faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

(Romans 5:11)And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement.--(Romans 8:33)Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth....(Romans 8:30)Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.

Ge 6:9 Ga 3:11 Ge 8:20,21 Re 13:8 Ro 5:1 3:20-22 5:11 8:33,30



--
Romans 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
I Peter 5:11 To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 96

Psalm 96

O sing unto the Lord a New Song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless His Name; shew forth His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the Heavens. Honour and majesty are before Him: strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His Name: bring an offering, and come into His courts. O worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness: fear before Him, all the earth.

Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: He shall judge the people righteously. Let the Heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord: for He cometh, for He cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with Righteousness, and the people with His Truth.



Compare Spiritual with Spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:12-14; John 5:39)--

Psalm 98:1
O sing unto the Lord a New Song; for He hath done marvellous things: His Right Hand, and His Holy Arm [Isa 53], hath gotten Him the victory.

Isaiah 42:5-16
Thus saith God the Lord, He that created the heavens, and stretched them out; He that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; He that giveth Breath unto the people upon it, and Spirit to them that walk therein: I the Lord have called Thee in Righteousness, and will hold Thine hand, and will keep Thee, and give Thee for a Covenant of the people, for a Light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the Lord: that is My Name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and New things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. Sing unto the Lord a New Song, and His praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the Rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare His praise in the islands. The Lord shall go forth as a Mighty Man, He shall stir up jealousy like a Man of war: He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail against His enemies [Col 2:10-17; 1 Cor 15:23-26]. I have long time holden My peace; I have been still, and refrained Myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. And I will bring the blind by a Way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness Light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Revelation 5:9,10
And they sung a New Song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.


Revelation 14:3
And they sung as it were a New Song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

Isaiah 25:6-8
And in this Mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And He will destroy in this Mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.

I Corinthians 15:52-57
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Daniel 7:9-27
I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, Whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His Throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, One like the Son of man came with the clouds of Heaven [Acts 1:9], and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a Kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed [1 Cor 15:23-26]. I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the Truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the most High shall take the Kingdom, and possess the Kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever [Luke 12:31,32]. Then I would know the Truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; and of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom [Luke 12:31,32]. Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the Kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High [Luke 12:31,32], Whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.


I Corinthians 15:23-26
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming. Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet [Heb 2:8-15].The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

I Corinthians 15:52-57
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God, Which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 5:20-24
For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth Him all things that Himself doeth: and He will shew Him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father Which hath sent Him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting Life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto Life.

Romans 5:20,21
Moreover the Law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through Righteousness unto Eternal Life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Isaiah 52:7 
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Psalm 96

O sing unto the Lord a New Song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless His Name; shew forth His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the Heavens. Honour and majesty are before Him: strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His Name: bring an offering, and come into His courts. O worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness: fear before Him, all the earth.

Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: He shall judge the people righteously. Let the Heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord: for He cometh, for He cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with Righteousness, and the people with His Truth.




--
Romans 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
I Peter 5:11 To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

The LORD is gracious

The LORD is gracious,
and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
(Psalm 145:8)

The Word for the YEAR--
Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


The Word for the month--
Psalm 18:3 I will call upon the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.


The Word for the day--
Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.



Hear this morning's devotional [Prepared by Jonathan Bagster (1813-1872)]

03.20 Morning:

The entrance of Thy Words giveth Light.

This . . . is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all.--God, Who commanded the Light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ.--The Word was God....In Him was Life; and the Life was the Light of men.--If we walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.--Ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.

Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye Light in the Lord: walk as children of Light:--Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His Marvellous Light:

Ps 119:130 1Jo 1:5 2Co 4:6 Joh 1:1,4 1Jo 1:7 Ps 119:11 Joh 15:3 Eph 5:8 1Pe 2:9


Here it is again with the full verses and references

03.20 Morning:

(Psalm 119:130)The entrance of Thy Words giveth Light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

(I John 1:5)This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all.--(II Corinthians 4:6)For God, Who commanded the Light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ.--(John 1:1)In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....(John 1:4)In Him was Life; and the Life was the Light of men.--(I John 1:7)But if we walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.

(Psalm 119:11)Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.--(John 15:3)Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.

(Ephesians 5:8)For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye Light in the Lord: walk as children of Light:--(I Peter 2:9)But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His Marvellous Light:

Ps 119:130 1Jo 1:5 2Co 4:6 Joh 1:1,4 1Jo 1:7 Ps 119:11 Joh 15:3 Eph 5:8 1Pe 2:9


Philippians 4:8b " . . . think on these things"




Psalm 72:17-19 His Name shall endure for ever: His Name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in Him: all nations shall call Him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be His Glorious Name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with His glory; Amen, and Amen.


II Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.


--
Romans 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
I Peter 5:11 To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.