Application: Just “carrying the ark” or pretending to be religious will not do. Our hearts must be right for victory!

November 22, 1972 Ephesians 4

Very practical chapter. Having set his doctrinal foundation, Paul turns to specifics, placing them on this truth: That our aim should be perfect unity in love of the body of Christ, producing mature, well-rounded people (vs. 12,13).

(v. 15) – “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.” Rest of the chapter is specifics. Christian qualities: love, forgiveness, humility, patience, spirit of mind, kindness, right speech and actions.

November 23, 1972 Isaiah 4

Beautifully small chapter. Messianic. (v. 2) – “In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious. . .”

Talks about Jesus, God’s “extended” self who will call us holy and have our names recorded for life. Beautiful salvation passage (vs. 2,3).

November 24, 1972 Acts 4

After Jesus’ magnificent healing in the Temple, Peter and John are brought before the authorities. Here’s a verse to remember:

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven which is given among men by which you must be saved” (4:12). “And after being told not to preach anymore, the disciples lift up their voices to God in a beautiful prayer (vs. 24-30). And God honored it and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with boldness” (v. 31).

November 25, 1972 Psalm 4

After beginning with prayer, I read, “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness.” And he did. “The Lord hears when I call to Him” (v. 3). 

This is a beautiful little song of security. Thank you, Lord, because “You alone make me lie down in safety” (vs. 8).

November 27, 1972 Matthew 5

Wow, the impossibility of us to keep God’s Law! “You are to be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” Praise God that we can only keep this law by His power in us (v. 17). Jesus came to fulfill the law. This chapter of the Sermon on the Mount is loaded.

November 28, 1972 1 Samuel 5

“I am the Lord you God—you shall have no other gods before me>’

Dagon, the stone god of the Ashdodites, fell on its face before the Almighty. God wants to be the Lord of your life. He may not send hemorrhoids to do it, but He may!

November 30, 1972 Isaiah 5

Isaiah’s parable of the vineyard—Israel—being given by God EVERYTHING, ideal situations and then falling. That’s why they will be led away into captivity (Isaiah 5:13).  Rest of the chapter is the ugliness of their sin and the impending judgment because of it.

December 1,1972 Acts 5

As is stated in Romans 13:1-7, a Christian is to be subject to the govt., but when this government oversteps an ordinance of God, this chapter clearly teachers that the ways of God come first.

(v.29) – “We must obey God rather than men.”

It is our duty and privilege (v. 41) to spread the Word of God to the world at any cost, disobeying governmental rule if it is clearly against God’s principles.

I praise God for the believers of the communist world today who have stood up for Him in the face of death. They will get their reward.

Acts 5:41 – “So they went on their way from the presence of the Council rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer for His Name.

December 2, 1972 Psalm 5

December 3, 1972 Matthew 6

What simplistic beauty in this chapter. Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray then turns to their hearts, goals and priorities in life.

Matthew 6:20,21 – This man of faith has, as his top priority in life, to go after God’s Kingdom and his goodness and holiness. As we step out in faith in search of God’s interests FIRST, then and only then we He meet our every need (not want, need!). All we need is faith.

December 4, 1972 1 Samuel 6

The ark of the Lord returns to Israel. God is powerful and faithful.

December 5, 1972 Ephesians 6

Our battle in this life is not against people or objects but against “rulers, against powers, against world-forces of this darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.” And to be successful in this warfare. We must really strive for balance and completeness in our Christian walk to “be strong” (v.10).

And fundamental to this warfare is prayer—We should pray always to keep ahead of Satan.  My verses for the day: Jeremiah 29:11-13

December 7, 1972 Isaiah 6

This is Isaiah’s commission from a direct vision from God. Notice how he was forgiven from the penalty of looking upon God in all His holiness. He confessed his sinful position and acknowledged God as Lord—then he was forgiven.

My verse for the day: Isaiah 6:8 – “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Then I said, ‘Here am I, send me!”

December 8, 1972 1 Timothy 1-4

Our goal of instruction to “love” from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (1 Tim. 1:5).

1 Tim. 1:17 is a beautiful prayer. God desires that all men should be saved. 1 Tim. 2:4 –this helps a little but with the harshness of being “chosen,” like God doesn’t choose somebody randomly.

Much good advice here. My verse for the day—1 Timothy: 4:6:

“In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.”

December 9, 1972 1 Timothy 5,6, Titus 1-3

1 Tim. 5:1,2 – We’re not to rebuke elders but to treat them as fathers and mothers.

+ I must learn not to rebuke people, especially my parents.

Paul really sets his priorities straight. The man of God should not be concerned about the things of this world, but pursue after “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.” (v. 11)

Titus 3:5-7 – “He saved us not on the basis of deeds we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Christ Jesus out Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

December 10, 1972 Philemon, Hebrews 1-4

Heb. 1 – There is no prophecy today outside of the Son, Jesus Christ (vs. 1,2).

In Hebrews 2 we read that Jesus was tempted just like we are and so he can help us in our temptation (Hebrews 2:18). 

The Christian Rest. Through belief, just as God rested from His Work on the 7^th day, so the Christian “rests” from his work now because of Christ.

Matthew 11:28-29 – “Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you shall find rest for your souls.”

December 12, 1972 Hebrews 5-8

The writer has set up Jesus as the perfect High priest (ch.5:9,10) and now moves on to more “mature” instruction.

Hebrews 6:4-6 – Losing our salvation. Seems to me, today, to be a hypothetical case (see vs. 9). 

Melchizedek – Jesus – argument here in chapter 7. Jesus is now the perfect, everlasting High priest who has annulled the law and replaced it with a better one. Hebrews 7:22-28 – God will not change His mind.

*Hebrews 8 – The New Covenant – vs. 10-13. The victory of the Holy Spirit in us.

December 13, 1972 Hebrews 9-11

The sacrifices of the Law were temporary and could not make the worshippers clean in conscience, just outwardly. Christ came as the Supreme sacrifice once and for all to cleanse that conscience and give us access to God, (the splitting of the Veil) in a new covenant.

Hebrews 10:10 – “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all.”

Hebrews 10:22 – “Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our body washed in pure water.”

In the latter half of chapter 10, there is a great warning against turning away from the faith but enduring to receive the promise.

The Faith Chapter” today’s verse – Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

December 14, 1972 Hebrews 12,13, Jude

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus. . .” Hebrews 12:2. What a beautiful and perfect phrase.

God is our Father and as a normal father. He disciplines us “for our own good that we might share His holiness” (vs. 10). And though at times it seems miserable, it will yield “peaceful fruit of righteousness” in our lives. Enjoy God’s discipline! He’s just trying to perfect us!

God’s 3-fold message to me today: Hebrews 13:3-5 1. “Remember the prisoners as though you were in prison with them,” 2) Let marriage he held in honor among all,” and 3) Let your way of life be free from the love of money.”

These are the three things on my mind: Service, C., and trust in God. Thank you, Lord!

C. Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding.” It’ll be.

December 16, 1972 1 Peter 1-5

What Christ has done for us should motivate us to live holy lives.

1 Peter 2:16 – “Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil but use it as bond slaves for God.”

The Christian woman: submissive to husband, and not just externally beautiful, but from within – heart – a gentle and quiet spirit.

Memory: 1 Peter 5:2-4 – “I must lead the people committed to me, according to God’s Will, not to build up myself, but to set an example. (*When I go home.)

December 17, 1972 2 Peter 1-3, John 1

Compassion – I need compassion, a real love today – Matthew 9:36-38

Grace and peace are multiplied in our lives as we come to know God better. 

God really hates sins of the flesh. He hates the abuse of his most precious gift to mankind, the gift of sexual union. There will be punishment for those who pervert this creation – 2 Peter 2:10. This whole chapter is about the evildoer. Seems so different now (vs. 17-22) than how I saw them at Church of Christ.

Jesus wants us to be ready for His coming. And He is coming “like a thief in the night” (2 Peter 3:10).

+ I think He is coming soon. I must be ready and moving and living for Him.

Christ was God Himself visiting our meager planet—the visible expression of the invisible God – the Word.

December 18, 1972 John 2-4

God is love, BUT He will not tolerate sin. Jesus shows His anger for people abusing God’s House by making a whip and driving them out. Our bodies are His temple now—We must not abuse them (1 Corinthians 6:19). 

I love John 3 – It is beautifully simple. * I’ll memorize John 3:14-18.

John 4 – Jesus was a great conversationalist. He always kept the woman’s curiosity aroused. 

(John 4:35) – “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months and then comes the harvest?’ Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields that they are white for harvest.”

+ Am I like this? Putting off going to Germany to SOE or something else. Am I waiting while the harvest is ready?

Lord, show me. Give me a distinct direction as to the timing of my call.

December 19, 1972 John 5-6

I read these chapters three times as we drove to and from the Crème run. This verse stuck out:

John 6:35 – “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst.”

As we come to Jesus each day for food, like the Israelites collected manna in the wilderness, we will be fed DAILY.

December 20, 1972 John 7-8

Jesus was very conscious about right timing. “My time has not yet fully come” shows me that I should watch my timing in following God’s Will – not rush.

Our perspective: John 7:24 – “Do not judge according to appearances, but judge with righteous judgment.”

Being a disciple: John 8:31,32 – “If you abide in My Word then you are truly disciples of mine and you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

Jesus equates Himself with God. “I AM.” (John 8:58). That’s why the Jews wanted to kill Him. Jesus WAS God Himself!

December 21, 1972 John 9-11

John 9 is the chapter about the blind man and Jesus healing him. The man’s faith is an example to us, so simply put: “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped Him. Worship to God will follow conversion.

Chapter 10 – Another “I am.” Previously Jesus as “The Light of the world” and the “Bread of Life,” and now “The Door” (vs. 9) and in verse 11 the “Good Shepherd.”

John 10:14 – Distinguishing mark of a Christian. Jesus knows them, and they know Jesus.

John 11 – The resurrection of Lazarus. Another “I am.” “The Resurrection and the Life.”

*Jesus had the human side too, and even cried over Lazarus’ death. That’s neat, because it means that He understands our hurts.

December 22, 1972 John 12-14

Jesus was so controlled by the Father and is the perfect image of the Father. He did not come to judge the world, but to save it. And the man who rejects Him rejects the Father also.

*John 13:2 – Judas was not predestined to betray Jesus, just a puppet who had no will in the matter. No, the devil had put the desire in his heart. 

*John 13:14,15 – “If I then the Lord and the Teacher washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you should do as I did to you.

*John 13:34, 35 – A new commandment! Love.

John 14 is a beautiful chapter. So many things… John 14:15 – “If you love me you will keep my commandments.

+ Discipleship —–Love —–Obedience — God is laying this on my heart.

December 23, 1972 John 15-18

“Abide in Me and I in you.” Abide in Jesus…Rest…relax…live. This is a beautiful part of Scripture.

The Holy Spirit – had a neat talk with Bruce Smith last night about this person.

John 15:26 – The Helper. 16:7-15 – the help and dependence on the Spirit.

Almost like a new realm of living here. There are promises for asking and answering prayer in Jesus’ Name too.

Chapter 18 – The arrest and before Pilate. Jesus kingdom is “not of this realm” (vs. 36). It is a kingdom of love.

December 24, 1972 John 19-21

After seeing “Man of Sorrows” last night I can really feel the hurt that Jesus must have felt—the agony of dying. No other man could have done it. 

Jesus is so personal – John 20:16 – Seeing Mary Magdalene outside the tomb, he gently calls her by name.

John 21:15-18 – Jesus to Peter. Looking at the Greek verbs used here, Christ asks Peter twice is his love for Him is a self-sacrificing one, and Peter replies that it is brotherly. The third time, Jesu asks if it is even brotherly and Peter anguishes—yes. (vs. 18) It will not be self-sacrificing! (vs. 19) – He said, “Follow Me.”

*If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then there is no sacrifice too great for me to make from Him.

Christmas Day, 1972 1 John 1-5

1 John 1:5 – “God is Light” and we who are of the darkness just can’t fellowship with Him without the light of Jesus, the “Light of the World.” Like the walk I took last night in total darkness, the only thing that kept me going was the Christmas light at the top of the hill.

*1 John 2:15 – “Do not love the world or the things of the world. I’m so guilty of this lots of times. Memorize: 1 John 2:15-17.

1 John 4:1 – “test the spirits.” 

1 John is such a beautiful book on love and its place in the heart and core of a believer. It’ll make a good study.

*The great themes of this book. Be holy, don’t sin, and be perfected in love – by this we know that we are of God and have eternal life.

Help me to be loving today, Lord.

December 26, 1972 Psalm 117, 119:81-176, 2 & 3 John

Psalm 199:33 – “Establish my footsteps in Thy Word…”:

God’s Word is becoming dearer and dearer to me every day, and I know that only from Him will I begin to see my future come into focus. “Establish my footsteps in Thy Word.”

Psalm 199:175 – “Let my soul live that it might praise Thee.” We are here, chosen, to glorify Jesus. I’ve got to get rid of my selfishness and learn that.

A verse for C. – 2 John 5 “And now, I ask you, lady, not as writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we’ve had from the beginning, that we love one another.” Thank you, Lord, for this today. “establish my footsteps in Thy Word.”

December 27, 1972 Revelation 1-4

This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Not John (1:1-5) and it is He who is speaking to us.

Chapters 2-4 – The seven letters to the seven churches. All need to repent and all need endurance. 

+As a Christian I need to endure, to trust God ‘til the end. Belief is not a one-day experience.

Revelation 4:11 – “Thou, Art Worthy.”

Heaven sounds like an awesome worshipful place – and such beauty. God is not only a loving God, but an awesome, majestic, powerful God of all—He is, indeed, worthy to receive glory, honor and power.

December 28, 1972 Revelation 5-9

Revelation is so picturesque—the scenery of heaven is so vivid and majestic. All glory to Jesus, the Lang of God, who alone is worthy.

Revelation 7:14-17 – In heaven we will be worshipping Jesus day and night before the throne. “They shall serve Him…” He will be our shepherd and we will have no wants.

The tribulation is going to be unbearable. God’s judgment on mankind is going to be devastating. Why: Revelation 9:21 – because “they did not repent.”

December 29, 1972 Revelation 10-14

Revelation 10:7 – With the 7^th angel, the glory of Christ and his redeeming act is completed. The seventh angel has sounded, and there’s a great battle on the earth between the righteous and the Devil (the dragon).

Anti-Christ appears (Revelation 13). He has 3 and a half years of authority and is a blasphemer of God and US who are now in heaven (Revelation 13:6). 

False prophet appears (Revelation 13:11). He performs great signs and gives authority to the Anti-Christ, and that number, 666.

+Something that keeps coming up, I think God is trying to tell me, is that to be a Christian, we must be strong, and have endurance in our faith (Revelation 13:10, 14:12).

My verse for the day: Ephesians 6:10, 11 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

December 30, 1972 Revelation 15-18

Revelation 16:15 – “Behold I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake…” 

This thought of sleeping and being awake was given to me yesterday by Vic Johnston. It’s a beautiful concept to use.

Revelation 17 – The Harlot – I still have mixed feelings about what this represents. Maybe the Apostate Church. After reading Revelation 17 & 18, it sure is a good description of the wealth and paganism of the Catholic Church and the “dead” churches which are coming together (World Council of Churches?).

Revelation 18:20 – “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostle and prophets because God has pronounced judgment for you against her. For our sake, God will judge the church which has denied Him and led many astray.

December 31, 1972 Revelation 19-22

The praises of Heaven are going to be something else…Hallelujah! We had better start practicing!

The conquering glory of Jesus who is “King of kings and Lord of lords” unfolds as Anti-Christ and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire (19,20) and Satan is bound for a thousand years (20:2)—and now finally judged (20:10),

The Great White Throne judgment: the book of life is opened (20:15).

The last two chapters of Revelation are beautiful—as God sets up AGAIN His Paradise and lives with us. There will be a new earth and heaven and a new Jerusalem, the Holy City, and Jesus will be its King.

All things point to Jesus—He is the “Alpha and the Omega”—the beginning and the end.

Tomorrow, God-willing, I begin a new year with Him. “Behold I am making all things new (Revelation 21:5).

I pray that you will make all things new this year, Lord Jesus. You’ve taken my heart and placed it in a foreign land and by your Spirit, have re-arranged my ambitions and goals. MAKE ALL THINGS NEW. Make them fresh. Lead me, Lord, in the way You would have me to go.

I have heard your calling this year, a pivotal year in my life. Now, Lord, stay near and teach me how to glorify You best. I am your servant.

“Behold I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5).

1972 – Key Stories, Events, Commitments & Principles

1. October 30, 1972 – Began journaling in the garage of our flat in New Zealand. First word = Jesus.
2. November 2 – How God hates sin!
3. November 4 – The road to success in life begins with God. When we ground ourselves in His Word, we will prosper. Meditate on it.
4. November 14 – We must listen for God as He speaks and be sensitive to his callings in our everyday lives.
5. December 1 – A Christian is to be subject to the government, but when this government oversteps an ordinance of God, this chapter clearly teachers that the ways of God come first.
6. December 6 – my verses for the day – Jeremiah 29:11-14.
7. December 17 – I think Jesus is returning soon. I must be ready, moving, and living for Him.
8. December 18 – Putting off going to Germany to SOE or something else. Am I waiting while the harvest is ready? Lord, show me. Give me a distinct direction as to the timing of my call.
9. December 22 – Discipleship—Love—Obedience. God is laying this upon my heart.
10. December 24 – “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then there is no sacrifice too great for me to make from Him” (C.T. Studd).
11. December 26 – God’s Word is becoming dearer and dearer to me every day, and I know that only from Him will I begin to see my future come into focus. “Establish my footsteps in Thy Word.”
12. December 31 – I pray that you will make all things new this year, Lord Jesus. You’ve taken my heart and placed it in a foreign land and by your Spirit, have re-arranged my ambitions and goals. MAKE ALL THINGS NEW. Make them fresh. Lead me, Lord, in the way You would have me to go. I have heard your calling this year, a pivotal year in my life. Now, Lord, stay near and teach me how to glorify You best. I am your servant.