As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Daily Light on the Daily Path


One of the best gifts my mom ever gave me was instilling the habit of daily Bible reading.  When I was about seven or eight years old she said that since I was able to read on my own, I should start the day with reading from the Bible, whether it be a chapter or just a verse or two.   

This habit has stayed with from that time.  I won't pretend that there have not been days that I have missed...days of babies and sickness and busyness.  But the habit remains and I am grateful. 

I will also add that I don't see this as a "magic formula" or anything like that.  I have heard people say that their day did not go well because they didn't read their Bible that morning, or conversely, that if they start their day in God's Word, that all is wonderful.  I don't think that I can always see such a correlation.  Nor is there an "aha" moment every single day (although many days there are!). 

Reading my Bible is not a "work" or something that I think will garner me God's favor.  But as I have read God's Word, over and over, over the days, the weeks, the months, and the years, I have grown. A little at a time, I have learned.  Slowly but surely, He has taught me.    


For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept;
line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. 
(Isaiah 28:10)

The Bible is the living Word of God.  It shows me who God is and what His character is.  It reveals to me His great plan of redemption through Jesus Christ.  It instructs me in righteousness and how I ought to live. 



And now I want to tell you of a resource that I have recently discovered...and I wonder why I have not learned of it before! 

A few weeks ago in our church fellowship on Sunday morning, Phil referred to a passage in that day's Daily Light on the Daily Path.  As Ed and Jill (in whose home we meet) had a copy, Phil read that morning's devotional.

Daily Light is a devotional of scripture verses, compiled by Samuel Bagster (1772-1851).  Bagster arranged the verses thematically, with a morning and an evening theme for each day of the year.  One of the best parts to me is that there is no commentary, not a single man-composed word, but only The Word.* 

Let me give you an example:



MARCH 26, MORNING
I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.  ~  Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strength-ened me.  ~  When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  ~  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. ~ I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you.  ~  My peace I give unto you.

HEB. 13:5. Heb. 13:6. Gen. 28:15. -Deut. 31:6. II Tim. 4:10,16,17. Psa. 27:10. Matt. 28:20. Rev. 1:18. John 14:18. John 14:27.


That same week, we ordered our own copy, a beautiful black leather-bound edition with a ribbon bookmark.  There are many versions available, in different Bible translations, in paperback or hardback.  While waiting for our own Daily Light to arrive, I read the day's passages online.  (If you would like to read online , try ~HERE~.)

I am thoroughly enjoying this new resource for studying God's Word!  Reading verses from so many places in the Bible, all about the same topic, each amplifying the others, is deepening my understanding, and giving new life to daily devotions.


For the word of God is quick, and powerful,
and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12




Are you familiar with Daily Light on the Daily Path?  (Am I the only one who had never seen it?)
What are your favorite devotional books?


~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

* In many current editions, including the one we purchased, there is an introduction and appendices by Anne Graham Lotz, but the original devotional selections are unedited. 

7 comments:

  1. I have never heard of it, but am very intrigued now that you've shared it. It sounds like a wonderful gift for my hubby who is always on the look out for a good devotional. Thank you. And thank you for saying that we do not read or pray or anything else as a "good luck charm." Not at all and nothing could be further from the truth. Blessings...

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  2. I was not familiar with it. I'll have to check it out. I really haven't read a lot of devotional books per se. I do really like Valley of Vision, which is more a collection of prayers. Another one I've liked is Thirty Days of Praise (I think that's the right name). Good post. Love your explanation of what Bible reading is and is not.

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  3. I received a copy of this devotional book many years ago from the Billy Graham Association and have used it over and over again through the years. I just start over at the first of each year and it is always fresh. I love that it is all scripture. Some days the selections have especially spoken me in such a comforting, personal way. God is good. Glad you found this great book. Blessings, Sharon D.

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  4. I have this, only it is brown leather! It was snatched from me by Lindsay a few years ago, and I believe she uses it daily. I sometimes read the Word on line, sometimes in my bible...It is living and I am grateful for it!

    Deanna

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  5. I thought it was out of print now! I have had my copy since the 70s and it is very battered, but so well loved.

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  6. Thanks for sharing, Cheryl! I've never heard of that book, but will check it out! It sounds like a treasure.

    Kim :-)

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  7. No, I hadn't heard of it. I have used my utmost for his highest by Oswald Chambers for the past 11 years and sometimes add in a reading from Charles Spurgeon's Morning by Morning. I have had many others but this is where I always land. I've never even been interested in purchasing another... I'm definitely interested in Daily Light on the Daily Path. Straight scripture? Thematic? It will be a great addition to Oswald and Charles. Or, I guess I should say they are a great addition to it (scripture)...

    I'm looking forward to the return of my girls today! Pray for a safe drive home?

    Blessings, Debbie

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