Saturday, September 29, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 21:1-29; Jeremiah 32:26-44; Hebrews 4:1-13

Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the King. Daniel 2:49

God has different spheres of service for each of us. Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego had an important position but Daniel had one that was even higher. God also calls us to pass through circumstances that are unique to our own situation. Daniel’s three friends went through the fiery furnace but Daniel did not. In similar fashion his friends were not with him in the den of lions. Our responsibility is to live faithfully where we have been placed. Don’t worry about others. Keep your eye on Him and let your light shine. —Vernon Markle
Daniel, faithful to his God, bowed down to pray,

The God that lived in Daniel’s day, is just the same today. —Author Unknown

Friday, September 28, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 20:1-43; Jeremiah 32:1-25; Hebrews 3:1-19

Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. Psalm 15:1-2

What a contrast from the man in the previous psalm! That man was hard and unyielding, while this one rests in the Lord and walks uprightly. God can do nothing for the hard and stubborn person, but He can do everything for those who abide in Him. Many a person has seemed unfit for service for the Lord and yet He used them mightily because they were available and obedient. No one is useless in the Lord’s hands. —G. Frear

Who will abide in God’s holy hill? Who will be in His tabernacle? 
He who walks in uprightness of heart, he who takes the truth as his part. —G. F.

Thursday, September 27, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 19:1-21; Jeremiah 31:1-40; Hebrews 2:1-18

Gather the people together, men and women, and children…that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 31:12-13

What valuable instruction these verses give us today! Notice the objective given for men, women, and especially children who are unlearned—to be gathered under the sound of God’s Word. First, that they may hear, then learn, then fear (or reverence) and ultimately obey the Lord. Never underestimate the power of God’s Word to impact and change lives, especially those of our children! —E. V.

O Light of our dark sky: we praise You for the radiance,
That from the Scripture’s page, shines on from age to age. —W. How

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 18:1-46; Jeremiah 30:1-24; Hebrews 1:1-14

Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck. 1 Timothy 1:19

When plotting a course on an ocean going vessel the navigator has to be accurate in his calculations. Even one degree off at the beginning can mean hundreds of miles off course at his ultimate destination. Believers too, need to pay attention to the small details of our journey. A small insignificant event that was not carefully corrected; a little sin that is just allowed to continue, a small argument that was never resolved. Ignoring these things can lead to shipwreck. Let’s examine our trek and make sure we are on course. —Sid Halsband

I’ve found a Friend; O such a Friend! All power to Him is given;
To guard me on my onward course, and bring me safe to heaven. —James Grindley Small

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 17:1-24; Jeremiah 29:1-32; Philemon 1:1-25

He restoreth my soul. Psalm 23:3

There are many amusements and distractions this world offers that may provide momentary relief to a troubled soul. But nothing can satisfy or restore like the presence of God. He brings permanent peace, satisfaction and rest like nothing else can. He gives strength for the journey and living water to the thirsty soul. He refreshes, revives and restores. Ask Him. He will do this for you today! —Deborah Manera

He leads me beside still waters,
Somewhere in the valley below,
He draws me aside to be tested and tried,
But in the valley He restoreth my soul. —Dottie Rambo

Monday, September 24, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 15:33-16:34; Jeremiah 27:1-28:17; Col. 4:2-18

Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. Philippians 1:24

The desire to go home; the need to stay here. Though the load of responsibility is sometimes felt heavily, isn’t it great to be needed? Christians who desire to depart and be with Christ (far better!) are often the ones most necessary here. The desire for our Lord’s presence is what keeps us steady and that stability is so needed by others. Lord, help me to remain steadfast in order to bless others; help me not to be selfish. —Rick Morse

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing O Saviour I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today. —Ira B. Wilson

Lord’s Day, September 23, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 15:1-32; Jeremiah 26:1-24; Colossians 3:5-4:1

And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills. Deuteronomy 33:15

Last year, a Scottish bank issued new currency notes. One new image used was a picture of Nan Shepherd (1893-1981)—a highly acclaimed Scottish writer, poet and lover of landscapes and mountains. Her
writings display a unique understanding of how awesome mountains can be to those who will just stop and take time to reflect on their beauty as opposed to the quest by some to simply scale them as a conquest. We, like the Psalmist, should consider the works of the Lord as seen in creation and give God praise. Equally we should glory in the work accomplished on the hill of Calvary. —Brian Powlesland

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art. —Carl G. Boberg

Saturday, September 22, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 13:33-14:31; Jeremiah 24:1-25:10; Col. 2:8-3:4

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8
And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Job 2:2

Satan is the master of the half-truth. When questioned by God, he said that he had been walking up and down the earth. But God’s Word has the other side of the story. His walk had purpose; to devour those he could. He is the enemy of our souls and operates with the fierceness of a lion and the cunning of a serpent. Study the Word and know the strategy of the one who wants to destroy your walk. —Mark Kolchin

I will tell the wondrous story, how my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy, He the ransom freely gave. —P. Bliss

Friday, September 21, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 13:1-32; Jeremiah 23:1-40; Colossians 1:21-2:7

Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Nahum 2:1, NKJV

Nahum challenged Nineveh to defend itself in view of the judgment that was about to fall upon it. How sound are our “defences”? Are we actively preventing Satan from gaining a foothold in our hearts and minds? —Pete Smith

Say, when Satan’s by you;
Say, when all things try you;
“I can all things, all things do,
Through Christ, which strengtheneth me.” —R. Hudson Pope

Thursday, September 20, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 12:1-33; Jeremiah 21:1-22:30; Colossians 1:1-20

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:6

At the age of one I was given a Bible by my grandmother. In it she wrote the song verse which is featured below. She considered the Word of God to be more precious than earthly treasure and recognized that through its pages we can learn of the eternal, spiritual riches which are found only in Christ. She sowed that seed into my heart, watered it with her prayers and gave a wonderful example of godly living, for which I give God thanks. —Paul Young

I have a wonderful treasure, gift of God without measure,
We will travel together, my Bible and I. —Author Unknown