July 15

Morning

The fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not be extinguished. — Lev 6:13 BSB

Keep the fire of private prayer burning strong. This is the very heart of true piety. The warmth and light of family and public worship often draw their strength from the fires of personal devotion. So, let this private altar burn brightly. Secret devotion is the essence, the evidence, and the measure of true, experiential religion. Offer the best of your sacrifices here. Make your times of prayer regular, frequent, and uninterrupted whenever possible. Effective prayer has great power.

Do you have nothing to pray for? Let me suggest the Church, the ministry, your own soul, your children, your family, your neighbors, your country, and God’s truth around the world.

Let’s examine ourselves on this important matter. Do we approach private prayer with lukewarm hearts? Is the fire of devotion flickering dimly? Do our spiritual wheels drag heavily? If so, we should be alarmed—this is a sign of spiritual decline.

Let us go to God with tears, asking for the Spirit of grace and supplication. Let us set aside special times for focused prayer, for if the fire of personal devotion is smothered under the ashes of worldly distractions, it will diminish the fire on the family altar and weaken our influence both in the Church and the world.

This text also applies to the altar of our hearts. This is a golden altar indeed. God loves to see His people’s hearts glowing with love for Him. Let’s give God our hearts, blazing with love, and ask Him for grace to keep the fire from being quenched, for it will only burn if the Lord keeps it burning. Many foes will try to extinguish it, but if the unseen hand of God pours His sacred oil on it, the flame will grow stronger and brighter. Let us feed our heart’s fire with Scripture—it’s like live coals. Let us listen to sermons, but above all, let us spend time alone with Jesus!

Evening

Early on the first day of the week, after Jesus had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons. — Mark 16:9 BSB

Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, likely not only because of her deep love and perseverance but also because, as the text suggests, she was a remarkable display of Christ’s power to deliver. From this, we learn that the seriousness of our sins before we came to Christ should never make us doubt that we can experience the highest levels of fellowship with Him. Mary was someone who left everything to follow Jesus. He was her first and highest priority. While others followed Christ, not everyone took up His cross—Mary did. She even used her own resources to meet His needs. If we want to see more of Christ, let us serve Him. Show me those who sit most often under the banner of His love and drink deepest from the cup of communion, and I will show you those who give the most, serve the best, and stay closest to the heart of their dear Lord.

Notice how Christ revealed Himself to this grieving woman—by simply saying, “Mary!” It took only one word in His familiar voice for her to recognize Him. And her heart responded with one word in return: “Master.” She was too overwhelmed to say more, but that one word said it all. It expressed her obedience and devotion. “Master” is the most fitting word for the moment. It shows complete submission. When your heart burns with the fire of heavenly love, you too will say, “Master, I am Your servant; You have freed me from my chains.” If you can truly say, “Master,” and if His will has become your will, you are standing in a blessed and holy place. But know this: He had to call out “Mary” before she could say, “Master.”

See, then, how Christ honors those who honor Him. How love draws the Beloved. One word from Him can turn our weeping into rejoicing, and His presence brings the sunshine to our hearts.