Month: November 2018

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 14:1-15:19; Ezekiel 36:16-38; John 14:15-31

Lord, teach us to pray… Luke 11:1

Here are some elements of an effective prayer life. We must have confidence in prayer as a practical power (Heb. 11:6). We must be frank and earnest in the presence of God (Matt. 7:7). We must be definite in our requests (Matt. 7:9-11), and offer our petitions to God in faith (Mark 11:24). We must ask according to the will of God (1 John 5:14) and seek always to obey His Word and to please Him (1 John 3:22), as our Lord did (John 11:42). —Pete Smith

O Thou by whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way!
The path of prayer, Thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray! —James Montgomery

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chron. 12:1-13:22; Ezekiel 35:1-36:15; John 13:31-14:14

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

Dear suffering saint, do your burdens loom largely before you? Change your thought process and meditate for a little while on the glory God has in store for us. A glorious dwelling place, a loving bridegroom, a marvelous bridal feast and the privilege of reigning forever with our Lord. As we focus on these future certainties we will find joy even in our suffering. —Mary Robins

God knows the way, He holds the key,
He guides us with unerring hand;
Some time with tearless eyes we’ll see;
Yes there, up there, we’ll understand. —Maxwell N. Cornelius

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 10:1-11:23; Ezekiel 34:1-31; John 13:1-30

Now he that betrayeth him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. Matthew 26:48

What a futile request by Judas to those who came to take the Lord. Could anyone really hold our Saviour fast? He could have spoken a word and men would have passed from time into eternity. He could have called for more than twelve legions of angels but not one was called for. Indeed He allowed men, His own creatures, to cruelly ill treat Him and then nail Him to a cross. Such was His love for you and me. —John M. Clegg

How didst Thou humble Thyself to be taken,
Led by Thy creatures and nailed to the cross?
Hated of men, and of God too forsaken.
Shunning not darkness, the curse, and the loss. —H. d’A Champney

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 8:1-9:31; Ezekiel 33:1-33; John 12:20-50

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3
He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30
He (the Holy Spirit) shall glorify me. John 16:14

In contrast to human nature which tends to exalt self (we now have the word “selfie” in everyday use) the Lord Jesus is the only person in the universe who deserves to be magnified or glorified. Why? Because He was the only perfect person to walk this earth and because He came with the sole purpose of doing the Father’s will. What are you doing today to magnify Him? —W. H. G.

Rise my soul! Behold ’tis Jesus, Jesus fills thy wond’ring eyes;
See Him now in glory seated, where thy sins no more can rise. —J. Denham Smith

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 7:1-22; Ezekiel 32:1-32; John 11:55-12:19

Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 1 Samuel 18:1, NKJV

Friendship is an amazing gift. Two souls knit together as one. C. S. Lewis summed up friendship in three words: “What! You too?”. By this he meant that our soul resonates with another when we both value or appreciate the beauty of the same thing. For Jonathan it was David’s faith. By faith David had slain Goliath; by faith, sometime before, Jonathan with the help of his armour bearer had slain 20 Philistines and won a field (1 Sam. 14). Jonathan had found the mirror of his soul. Praise God for the gift of friendship. —Shane Johnson

What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms!
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms! —Elisha A. Hoffman

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chron. 6:12-42; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18; John 11:28-54

Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness. Ruth 2:20, NKJV

Finally, a good word about the Lord from Naomi’s lips! She was grateful for God’s goodness through His servant, Boaz. Previously, she had seen, or felt she had seen, God’s hand against her, (1:13); that the Almighty had dealt bitterly with her, (1:20); that the Lord had testified against her, (1:21); and that the Almighty had afflicted her, (1:21). Those were strong accusations. She had focused on the circumstances of God, instead of the God of the circumstances. When she did, it made all the difference in her life. —N. C. Funston

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow’r has no boundary, known unto men. —Annie Johnson Flint

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chron. 5:1-6:11; Ezekiel 29:1-30:19; John 11:1-27

And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. Acts 24:25

The subjects that troubled Felix were righteousness, temperance and judgment to come. These three pillars of the gospel have never changed. The question of right and wrong, our inability to do what is right, and finally our accountability to God. Even though Felix was troubled, he made the fatal mistake of delaying coming to Christ, thinking that there would be a better time. Dear friend if the Lord has burdened you with your sin don’t delay! The best time to come to Christ for forgiveness is now! —Sid Halsband

Come, ye weary, heavy-laden, lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better, you will never come at all. —Joseph Hart

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 3:1-4:22; Ezekiel 28:1-26; John 10:19-42

He that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

Soul-winning should have a prominent place in the life and service of every true Christian, yet how few today have the outlook and passion which possessed William Carey, the great missionary to India. When
just a young man he was asked the question, “What is your business?”. To which he promptly replied, “My business is winning souls. I cobble shoes to pay expenses.” In these last days may we prayerfully have an
increased love for lost souls. —W. Ross Rainey

Lord, lay some soul upon my heart,
And love that soul through me;
And may I nobly do my part,
To win that soul for Thee. —Leon Tucker

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 1:1-2:18; Ezekiel 27:1-36; John 10:1-18

The Lord is my shepherd… Psalm 23:1
I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23:6

The Lord is our shepherd and between these two verses we find that truly we will never want for anything. He gives us rest, comfort, restoration and guidance for His name’s sake. Even though we will walk through death’s dark vale, it will be without fear due to His comfort, preparation, acceptance of us. How good to know that He will follow us, guide us and be with us all the days of our lives. What more can a sheep ask for? —Ken Gunnell

My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus blood and righteousness;
I do not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. —Edward Mote

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 29:1-30; Ezekiel 26:1-21; John 9:18-41

I am that bread of life. John 6:48

The Lord Jesus is the beautiful fulfilment of the type seen in the manna in the wilderness (Ex. 16).
It came from heaven—He came from heaven (1 Cor.15:47).
It was small—He humbled Himself (Phil. 2:8).
It was round—He is the eternal Son of God (Rev. 1:8).
It was white—He is righteous (1 John 3:5).
It was sweet—”Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8).
It had to be eaten—Christ must be received by faith (John 1:12-13).
It was sufficient for all—Christ is our sufficiency (2 Cor. 3:5).
Truly, the Lord Jesus is manna become Man! —Rex Trogdon

It makes the wounded spirit whole, and calms the troubled breast;
‘Tis manna to the hungry soul, and to the weary rest. —John Newton