Saturday, June 30, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 13:1-33; Isaiah 9:8-10:4; Luke 24:36-53

Thou shalt meditate therein day and night. Joshua 1:8
In his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:2
My meditation of him shall be sweet. Psalm 104:34

With today’s complex lifestyles there certainly are a lot of things to think about. But what comes to mind in the quiet moments—the brief lulls that occur in our daily schedules? If we would pause to think of Him, what a difference that would make in our disposition and outlook. “Let…the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight” (Ps. 19:14). —W. H. G.

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin. —Stuart K. Hine

Friday, June 29, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 11:1-12:24; Isaiah 8:5-9:7; Luke 24:13-35

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. Psalm 9:1-2

What a positive song of praise this psalm is! David had many highs and lows in his life and yet he could speak with such enthusiasm about his God. We can take comfort in this as we experience difficult times too. To know God sees our every circumstance is a marvelous thing. This enables us to go on our way rejoicing in spite of adverse things around us. —G. Frear

I will praise You Lord, with all my heart,
I’ll show Your work and how great You art;
Then You’ll arise, and right will prevail,
I’ll sing Your praise, for You will not fail. —G. F.

Thursday, June 28, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 10:1-43; Isaiah 7:1-8:4; Luke 23:47-24:12

Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. Psalm 62:1

Our world is filled with “noise and haste,” with faster, bigger, further, and more. The Lover of our souls, however, invites us to linger to listen, to ruminate at leisure, tasting His words of life, dallying over choice
words, in silence hearing God’s thoughts clearly—and the world’s lies accurately. The Psalmist can hear “the footsteps of coming deliverance” (Spurgeon) because he has learned to be silent, preferring God’s words
and thoughts to his own. Tarry long today; be loath to leave; relish His presence; hear His footsteps. —M. MacMullen

Listen to the music of nature, floating from the birds in the sky,
Singing the song of their Maker, Lifting His praises on high. —Ron Hamilton

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 9:1-27; Isaiah 6:1-13; Luke 23:13-46

I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. Mark 8:12

The Pharisees had demanded that Jesus perform a miraculous sign, but they gave no assurance that if He did such a thing that they would believe on Him. The Lord categorically refused. He was not a sensationalist and would not entertain people like children in a theatre! He would not perform wonders to satisfy the curiosity of people. The reality is that the Gospel message brings salvation and not the momentary wonder of a miracle. The need today is for the message to be heard and received by faith, not a craving after miraculous happenings. —Paul Young

It tells me of a Saviour’s love, who died to set me free;
It tells me of His precious blood, the sinner’s perfect plea. —F. Whitfield

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 8:1-35; Isaiah 5:1-30; Luke 22:54-23:12

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Corinthians 6:12

Christians often condone so called “innocent practices,” claiming, “There’s nothing wrong with it.” The question should be, “Is it profitable, promoting spiritual growth?” When given priority in our lives, these “things” have the potential to become “weights,” ensnaring us and distancing us from the Lord. “Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves” (Rom. 14:22, NKJV). —E. V.

Nothing between, like worldly pleasure,
Habits of life though harmless they seem;
Must not from Him my heart e’er sever,
He is my all there’s nothing between. —Charles A. Tindley

Monday, June 25, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 7:1-26; Isaiah 3:1-4:6; Luke 22:31-53

And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city. Nehemiah 11:1

It was one thing for the restored Israelites to tithe (give a tenth) of their goods; quite another to tithe their people. Our Lord desires ourselves and our time, more than our goods. With 168 hours in a week, this could mean 10 hours on the Lord’s Day for meetings, visitation, etc., and an hour per day in prayer and Bible study throughout the week. I wonder what our Master would do if each of us gave this to Him? —Rick Morse

Take my life, and let it be, consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise. —Frances R. Havergal

Lord’s Day, June 24, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 5:13-6:27; Isaiah 2:1-22; Luke 22:1-30

O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23

Is this the way of a believer? Certainly not! The Holy Spirit lives within us and uses God’s Word as a lamp to direct us. “The Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul” (Isa. 58:11). In contrast, we read of our Saviour’s last steps. Despite who He was, they repeatedly “led Him away” (Luke 23:26). When He was apprehended in the garden, then to Gabbatha, and finally when they led Him to Calvary. He was led to the slaughter that we might be the sons of God. —Vernon Markle

For silver betrayed, in mock purple arrayed;
Condemned to a death on the tree.
Then they led Him away, on that wonderful day,
Oh, He is the Saviour for me. —William M. Runyan

Saturday, June 23, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 4:1-5:12; Isaiah 1:1-31; Luke 21:5-38

Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? Psalm 15:1
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? Psalm 24:3

The apostle Peter speaks of “the true grace of God wherein ye stand” (1 Peter 5:12), and the writer of Hebrews says we have “boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Heb. 10:19). How privileged the
New Testament saint! Are we enjoying the blessings of that access and position? —Wm. H. Gustafson

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home! —Isaac Watts

Friday, June 22, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 3:1-17; Hosea 11:12-14:9; Luke 20:20-21:4

Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest. Deuteronomy 12:13

God gave specific instructions on how, when and where His people were to worship and bring their sacrifices. It was to be done in an ordered and reverent way. Any old way would not do. This speaks to God’s holiness and the reverence due to His name. It reminds us that we are to submit to His laws and commands out of love—not duty. Do you want to grow in your spiritual relationship? Are you following His commands? Do this, and you’ll see new life and power in your fellowship with the Lord, a testimony to others of His saving grace! —Deborah Manera

God is God. Because He is God,
He is worthy of my trust and obedience. —Elisabeth Elliott

Thursday, June 21, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 2:1-24; Hosea 10:1-11:11; Luke 20:1-19

Have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham. Matthew 22:31-32

The Sadducees were rebuked by the Lord for their error in “not knowing the scriptures” (v. 29), concerning the resurrection of the dead! He reminded them that the words He was about to quote to them from Exodus 3:6 were “spoken unto you by God.” As we read the Word of God, let us remind ourselves daily that God wants to speak to us personally. What an incentive to read our Bibles every day! —Pete Smith

Divine Instructor, gracious Lord, be Thou forever near;
Teach me to love Thy sacred Word, and view my Saviour here. —Anne Steele