Wednesday, September 19, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 11:1-43; Jeremiah 19:1-20:18; Philippians 4:2-23

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

It was Harry A. Ironside who said that to him, Isaiah 53:6 is the most wonderful text in the Word of God, epitomizing the entire story of the Bible: man’s ruin by nature and practice and God’s marvelous and all-sufficient remedy. An anxious soul was directed to this text and finding peace said afterward, “I bent low and went in at the first all. I stood up and came out at the second all.” —W. Ross Rainey

All thy sins were laid upon Him,
Jesus bore them on the tree;
God, who knew them, laid them on Him,
And, believing, thou art free. —J. D. Smith

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 10:1-29; Jeremiah 18:1-23; Philippians 3:1-4:1

“Surely we will return with you to your people.” Ruth 1:10, NKJV

Naomi had suffered grievously in the various circumstances of her life. Perhaps this is why she gave poor advice to her daughters-in-law and encouraged them to “return” or “go back” to the darkness of Moab. “Go back” means “return to the place of departure.” Despite her difficulties, she must have previously taught her daughters-in-law about the grace of God in the land of God. Even though she struggled in her counsel to them, there had been a steady testimony before them all along. Are we living so? —N. C. Funston

Be still my soul! The Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain. —Katharina von Schlegel

Monday, September 17, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 9:1-28; Jeremiah 17:1-27; Philippians 2:12-30

My beloved is mine, and I am his. Song of Solomon 2:16

One of our children was very possessive. When we tried to take a toy away from her, she would emphatically say, “mine.” Are we as believers so thrilled by what the Lord has done for us that we joyfully proclaim that He is “mine”? Do we contemplate the amazing love that He had for us when He died to make us His bride? What a joy to know that my beloved is mine. —Mary Robins

Things that once were wild alarms, cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms, pillowed on the loving breast.
O to lie forever here, doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear, I am His, and He is mine. —George W. Robinson

Lord’s Day, September 16, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 8:31-66; Jeremiah 16:1-21; Philippians 1:21-2:11

Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Luke 23:42, NKJV

After observing the lowly manner in which our Lord suffered at Calvary, one crucified thief became convinced that Jesus Christ was the Lord, and would rise from the dead to establish His kingdom. The verb tense of “said” informs us that the thief repeatedly asked the Lord to remember Him. However, Christ spoke just once to the desperate thief, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” (v. 43). Whatever Christ says is sure; Him repeating it does not make it more certain! —W. A. H.

If the Lord Jesus said it, I believe it for He cannot lie.
His words are in the Bible, I will believe it until I die. —Author Unknown

Saturday, September 15, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 8:1-30; Jeremiah 15:1-21; Philippians 1:1-20

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. John 15:9

Love is like a diamond with many facets and when the light of the Son shines on a facet, it brings it to life. We are the same. We need the light of the Lord’s love to bring us into life. The Lord said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Do you walk in His light and love or are there shadows in your life? —Ken Gunnell

Jesus’ love, precious love,
Boundless and pure and free;
Oh, turn to that love,
Weary wandering Soul,
Jesus pleadeth for thee.—W. E. Littlewood

Friday, September 14, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 7:1-51; Jeremiah 14:1-22; Ephesians 6:10-24

I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3
Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

Is this the longing expectation of your heart? In a world that is falling apart, the only hope for the believer is the imminent return of the Lord Jesus. An older lady, as she retired at night, would pull down her blind and say, “Perhaps tonight Lord.” In the morning, as she raised her blind, she would lift her eyes heavenward and say, “Perhaps today Lord.” We have a glorious hope! May we live expectantly in the hope that perhaps today Jesus will come. —Jim Comte

Jesus is coming, the promise is true;
Who are the chosen, the faithful, the few,
Waiting and watching, prepared for review? —Daniel W. Whittle

Thursday, September 13, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 6:1-38; Jeremiah 13:1-27; Ephesians 5:22-6:9

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4a

In the midst of a storm, Peter stepped out of the boat and was literally walking on the water; an act of divine power. He was not God, yet was a partaker of the divine nature. This power of His divine nature can be ours in the storms of life, if with eyes upon Him, we trust in these great and precious promises given to us in His Word. —Sam Thorpe Jr.

Come every soul by sin oppressed,
There’s mercy with the Lord,
And He will surely give you rest,
By trusting in His Word. —J. H. Stockton

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 4:1-5:18; Jeremiah 12:1-17; Ephesians 5:1-21

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God… James 1:5

In our stress filled world, many are tempted to look in the wrong place for help. Some of God’s creatures illustrate this. A buzzard placed in a small pen becomes a prisoner. It needs a 10 to 12 foot run to gain flight. The bat cannot take off from a level place. It shuffles until finding elevation from which it throws itself into the air. A bee dropped into a jar will stay there until it dies, unaware of the open top, seeking escape at the bottom. Similarly, many today grope at the bottom of their circumstances, not willing to look up for help. Our instruction book is the Bible, the right source for life’s answers. —E. Dyck

Open my eyes that I may see, glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hand the wonderful key, that shall unclasp and set me free. —Clara H. Scott

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 3:1-28; Jeremiah 11:1-23; Ephesians 4:17-32

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

“This item is guaranteed never to fail.” Such excessive advertising may deceive some, but the majority of readers understand that man-made items sooner or later, fail! Durability and permanency are qualities found uniquely in the eternal God. We are greatly strengthened spiritually when we rely upon His faithfulness. There is no “expiry date” attached to His wonderful salvation. —George Hall

Pardon for sin, and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow;
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! —Thomas O. Chisholm

Monday, September 10, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 2:1-46; Jeremiah 10:1-25; Ephesians 4:1-16

Behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. Exodus 3:2 

What is your name, Moses asked the one who spoke from the bush that burned but was not consumed. “I Am That I Am” (v. 14) was the answer. The self-existent one, never created, without a beginning, never ending, needing nothing, always was, always is and always will be. Our minds collapse when we try to think of it. Just as Moses could not discern how the bush burned but was not consumed, so too, we cannot take it in. God’s nature, like that fire, is a mystery, a marvel that should cause us, like Moses, to worship. —Shane Johnson

Before the hills in order stood, or earth received its frame,
From everlasting You are God, to endless years the same. —Isaac Watts