Truth For Life Program
Alistair Begg Devotional
C. H. Spurgeon Devotional
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Have you had a great week that makes it easy to praise God? Or are you struggling to find joy or a reason to be grateful? Listen to Truth For Life with Alistair Begg to discover two solid reasons everyone can give thanks, regardless of circumstances.
From the Sermon
Wake Up!
The city of Sardis thought it was impregnable because of the way it was built. In fact, it was never taken by a direct assault on the gates and walls of the city—but twice it was taken by stealth, under the cover of darkness. Its very sense of security worked against it.
Apparently, this attitude had crept into the church in Sardis when it came to the Christian life. Clearly, it had a reputation for having a vibrant ministry. Perhaps it was known for its size and influence, or for the way in which it was able to put its programs together and develop certain strategies. But things were not as they appeared. Moral laxity and spiritual complacency had seeped into the congregation.
The risen Christ saw that it was all a sham, because the church lacked the proper spiritual orientation. So He issued a warning: You’d better wake up! Your city was overtaken by stealth. Your church may be overtaken in the same way. He then encouraged the church in Sardis to find incentive by looking to the few who were still awake—the faithful ones who were still living pure lives (Revelation 3:4-5).
Moral laxity can be found in contemporary Christianity, including in our own lives, more often than we might care to admit. It is easy to assume we are doing well, and so we don’t stop to take real stock of our spiritual health. It is easy to ignore a small compromise here and a habitual sin there—especially when others are doing the same.
Don’t let the vibrancy of your singing, the intensity of your preaching, or the consistency of your attendance ever become a cover for an absence of spiritual vitality. If you find you have become complacent or lax in your determination to obey Christ in every part of your life, His instruction for you is clear: Rouse yourself from your slumbers! Strengthen what remains! Remember what you received! Repent and obey!
And what if you are discouraged because you are seeking to live all-in for Jesus and find the compromises and half-heartedness of others hard to bear? Jesus has promised you, “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life” (Revelation 3:5). That promise is surely worth living for and trusting in.
How is God calling me to think differently?
How is God reordering my heart’s affections — what I love?
What is God calling me to do as I go about my day today?
To the Church in Sardis
1“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him iwho has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
“‘I know your works. You have the reputation jof being alive, kbut you are dead. 2Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works lcomplete in the sight of my God. 3mRemember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, nI will come olike a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not psoiled their garments, and they will walk with me qin white, for they are rworthy. 5sThe one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never tblot his name out of uthe book of life. vI will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6pHe who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Devotional material is taken from the Truth For Life daily devotionals by Alistair Begg, published by The Good Book Company, thegoodbook.com. Used by Truth For Life with permission. Copyright © 2021, 2022, The Good Book Company.
Of Minor Importance
Avoid foolish controversies.
Our days are few and are far better spent in doing good than in disputing over matters that are, at best, of minor importance. The old scholars did a world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and our churches suffer too often from petty wars over obscure points and unimportant questions.
After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the discussion promotes neither knowledge nor love, and it is foolish to sow in so barren a field.
Questions about issues on which Scripture is silent, on mysteries that belong to God alone, on prophecies of doubtful interpretation, and on mere modes of observing human ceremonials are all foolish, and wise men avoid them.
Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we observe the apostle’s precept (Titus 3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we will find ourselves occupied with so much profitable business that we will have no time to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.
There are, however, some questions that are the reverse of foolish, which we must not avoid but fairly and honestly meet, such as these: Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? Am I walking not after the flesh but after the Spirit? Am I growing in grace? Does my behavior adorn the doctrine of God my Savior? Am I looking for the coming of the Lord and watching as a servant should who expects his master? What more can I do for Jesus?
Such inquiries as these demand our urgent attention; and if we have been given at all to frivolous arguments, let us now turn our critical abilities to a much more profitable service. Let us be peacemakers and endeavor to lead others both by our precept and example to “avoid foolish controversies.”
Devotional material is taken from Morning and Evening, written by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright © 2003, Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org. Used by Truth For Life with written permission.
Daily Bible Reading for November 19
1 Chronicles 13
The Ark Brought from Kiriath-Jearim
1David consulted with the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with every leader. 2And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and from the Lord our God, let us send abroad to our brothers dwho remain in all the lands of Israel, as well as to the priests and Levites in the cities that have pasturelands, that they may be gathered to us. 3Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, efor we did not seek it1 in the days of Saul.” 4All the assembly agreed to do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
Uzzah and the Ark
5fSo David assembled all Israel gfrom the hNile2 of Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God ifrom Kiriath-jearim. 6jAnd David and all Israel went up to kBaalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim that belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord who lsits enthroned above the cherubim. 7And they carried the ark of God on a new cart, from the house of mAbinadab, and Uzzah and Ahio3 were driving the cart. 8And David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with song and nlyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets.
9And when they came to the threshing floor of oChidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. 10And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down pbecause he put out his hand to the ark, and qhe died there before God. 11And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzza4 to this day. 12And David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?” 13So David did not take the ark home into the city of David, but took it aside to the house rof Obed-edom the Gittite. 14And the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months. sAnd the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had.
1 Chronicles 14
David's Wives and Children
1tAnd Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also masons and carpenters to build a house for him. 2And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.
3And David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David fathered more sons and daughters. 4uThese are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: vShammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7Elishama, wBeeliada and xEliphelet.
Philistines Defeated
8When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went out against them. 9Now the Philistines had come and ymade a raid in the zValley of Rephaim. 10And David inquired of God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.” 11And he went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them down there. And David said, “God has broken through1 my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 12And they left their gods there, and David gave command, and they were burned.
13And the Philistines yet again amade a raid in the valley. 14And when David again inquired of God, bGod said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 15And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 16And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. 17And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the cfear of him upon all nations.
Greeting
1aJames, a servant1 of God and bof the Lord Jesus Christ,
To cthe twelve tribes in dthe Dispersion:
Greetings.
Testing of Your Faith
2eCount it all joy, my brothers,2 when you meet trials fof various kinds, 3for you know that gthe testing of your faith hproduces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be iperfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5jIf any of you lacks wisdom, klet him ask God, lwho gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6But mlet him ask in faith, nwith no doubting, for the one who doubts is like oa wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8phe is a double-minded man, qunstable in all his ways.
9Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10and rthe rich in his humiliation, because slike a flower of the grass3 he will pass away. 11For the sun rises with its scorching heat and twithers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12uBlessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive vthe crown of life, wwhich God has promised to those who love him. 13Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15Then desire xwhen it has conceived gives birth to sin, and ysin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
16Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17zEvery good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from athe Father of lights, bwith whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.4 18cOf his own will he dbrought us forth by the word of truth, ethat we should be a kind of ffirstfruits of his creatures.
Hearing and Doing the Word
19gKnow this, my beloved brothers: let every person hbe quick to hear, islow to speak, jslow to anger; 20for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21Therefore kput away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with lmeekness the implanted word, mwhich is able to save your souls.
22But be ndoers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25But the one who looks into the perfect law, othe law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, phe will be blessed in his doing.
26If anyone thinks he is religious qand does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's rreligion is worthless. 27Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: sto visit torphans and widows in their affliction, and uto keep oneself vunstained from the world.
The Coming Day of Bitter Mourning
1aThis is what the Lord God showed me: behold, a basket of summer fruit. 2And he said, b“Amos, what do you see?” And I said, c“A basket of summer fruit.” Then the Lord said to me,
d“The end1 has come upon my people Israel;
I will never again pass by them.
3eThe songs of the temple2 fshall become wailings3 in that day,”
declares the Lord God.
g“So many dead bodies!”
“They are thrown everywhere!”
h“Silence!”
4Hear this, iyou who trample on the needy
and bring the poor of the land to an end,
5saying, “When will jthe new moon be over,
that we may sell grain?
And kthe Sabbath,
that we may offer wheat for sale,
that we may make lthe ephah small and the shekel4 great
and deal deceitfully with false balances,
6that we may buy the poor for msilver
and the needy for a pair of sandals
and sell the chaff of the wheat?”
7The Lord has sworn by nthe pride of Jacob:
“Surely oI will never forget any of their deeds.
8pShall not the land tremble on this account,
and everyone mourn who dwells in it,
qand all of it rise like the Nile,
and be tossed about rand sink again, like the Nile of Egypt?”
9“And on that day,” declares the Lord God,
s“I will make the sun go down at noon
and darken the earth in broad daylight.
10tI will turn your feasts into mourning
and all your songs into lamentation;
uI will bring sackcloth on every waist
uand baldness on every head;
vI will make it like the mourning for an only son
and the end of it like a bitter day.
11“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God,
“when wI will send a famine on the land—
not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
xbut of hearing the words of the Lord.
12xThey shall wander from sea to sea,
and from north to east;
they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord,
ybut they shall not find it.
13z“In that day the lovely virgins and the young men
shall afaint for thirst.
14Those who swear by bthe Guilt of Samaria,
and say, ‘As your god lives, O Dan,’
and, ‘As cthe Way of dBeersheba lives,’
they shall fall, and never rise again.”
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1In the fifteenth year of the reign of jTiberius Caesar, kPontius Pilate lbeing governor of Judea, and mHerod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2during nthe high priesthood of Annas and oCaiaphas, pthe word of God came to qJohn the son of Zechariah in rthe wilderness. 3And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming sa baptism of repentance tfor the forgiveness of sins. 4As it is written in uthe book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
v“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
w‘Prepare the way of the Lord,1
make his paths straight.
5xEvery valley shall be filled,
yand every mountain and hill shall be made low,
zand the crooked shall become straight,
and the rough places shall become level ways,
6aand all flesh shall see bthe salvation of God.’”
7He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, c“You brood of dvipers! Who warned you to flee from ethe wrath to come? 8Bear fruits fin keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, g‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from hthese stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. iEvery tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10And the crowds asked him, j“What then shall we do?” 11And he answered them, k“Whoever has two tunics2 is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12lTax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, jwhat shall we do?” 13And he said to them, m“Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14Soldiers also asked him, “And we, jwhat shall we do?” And he said to them, m“Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your nwages.”
15As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, owhether he might be pthe Christ, 16qJohn answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but rhe who is mightier than I is coming, sthe strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you twith the Holy Spirit and ufire. 17His vwinnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to wgather the wheat into his barn, xbut the chaff he will burn with yunquenchable fire.”
18So zwith many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. 19But aHerod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20added this to them all, that bhe locked up John in prison.
21Now when all the people were baptized, and when cJesus also had been baptized and was praying, dthe heavens were opened, 22and ethe Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and fa voice came from heaven, g“You are my beloved Son;3 with you I am well pleased.”4
The Genealogy of Jesus Christ
23Jesus, hwhen he began his ministry, was about ithirty years of age, being jthe son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 27the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, kthe son of Zerubbabel, the son lof Shealtiel,5 the son of Neri, 28the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of mNathan, the son of David, 32nthe son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, 33the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34othe son of Jacob, pthe son of Isaac, qthe son of Abraham, rthe son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 38the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Get the Program, Devotional, and Bible Reading Plan delivered daily right to your inbox.