Month: January 2013

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 38; Psalms 15-16; Matt. 21:33 to 22:14

 

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.    Acts 20:24

 

It is so easy to cling to the things of this world! To hold on to the things in life that we deem precious. Paul’s single-minded devotion to the Lord here is astounding and convicting. Instead of putting any value on our desires, wouldn’t it be wonderfully God-honouring to let the one focus of our mind, time and energy be on finishing our course and completing the ministry entrusted to us?    —L. DeVries

 

I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,
I’d rather be true to His holy name. —Rhea F. Miller

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 37; Psalms 11-14; Matt. 21:1-32

 

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.    Hebrews 10:12

 

Aren’t you glad that the word forever is in this verse? And aren’t you glad it belongs with “offered one sacrifice for sins”? Some might think it refers to the Lord sitting down, but it can’t speak of that because soon He won’t be sitting, “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout … and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16). When He descends to catch us up, another “forever” will take place—our being with Him. Blessed hope!    —Ken Gross

 

It may be at morn, when the day is awaking,
When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking,
That Jesus will come, in the fullness of glory,
To receive from the world His own. —H. L. Turner

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 36; Psalms 9-10; Matt. 20:17-34

 

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.   Acts 4:12

 

Modern people balk at Christ’s exclusive claims. To affirm that there is only one way to be saved is deemed intolerant. Yet the Saviour, in whom alone is found eternal life, offers Himself freely to all. Only faith in Christ will deliver from sin and the eternal condemnation in the lake of fire that we all deserve. The Bible ends with this inclusive invitation: “Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17).    —Keith Keyser

 

His be the Victor’s name, who fought the fight alone;
Triumphant saints no honour claim, His conquest was their own.
—Whitlock Gandy

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 35; Psalms 7-8; Matt. 19:16 to 20:16

 

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.     2 Corinthians 5:17

 

Believers are on a journey from being evil to being good. Positionally we became righteous the moment we trusted Christ for salvation. Practically we are going through a metamorphosis of character—just as the caterpillar undergoes a transformation from being an earth bound creeper to a colourful butterfly. As we abide in Christ and yield ourselves to the Scriptures, we will emerge as people characterized by righteous living and godly character.    —Sid Halsband

 

Father, Thou art pure and holy,
May our hearts Thy temple be,
O, make us humble, meek and lowly,
Poor in spirit, Saviour, more like Thee. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 33:18 to 34:31; Psalms 4-6; Matt. 19:1-15

 

Behold, what manner of love…    1 John 3:1

 

John felt the Lord’s heartbeat when he leaned on His bosom (John 13:23). John saw compassion in action, when the Lord taught and fed the multitude (Matt.9:36). John witnessed ultimate love when he saw our Lord hanging on the cross. If you want a true definition of love, don’t consult the dictionary, look at Calvary. The theme in heaven will be Calvary’s love; a Lamb as it had been slain (Rev. 5:6). Don’t wait until you get to heaven to worship Him, start today!    —Milton Haack

 

On Calvr’y’s brow my Saviour died, ’twas there my Lord was crucified;
’Twas on the cross He bled for me, and purchased there my pardon free.
O Calvary! Dark Calvary! Where Jesus shed His blood for me;
O Calvary! Blest Calvary! ’Twas there my Saviour died for me.
—W. M. Darwood

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 32 to 33:17; Psalms 1-3; Matt. 18:15-35

 

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.    Isaiah 55:6

As Jesus left Jericho, never again to return, two blind men sitting by the wayside grasped the urgency of the moment and cried “Have mercy on us O Lord” (Matt. 20:30). The Lord stood still and graciously healed them both. We are living in the closing moments of the Day of Salvation. Soon the door of opportunity will be forever closed, never to open again. Dear soul, still in your sins, please grasp this—perhaps your last—opportunity to be saved. The Scriptures give this promise. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). Why not call upon Him now?    —W. H. Burnett

Have you any room for Jesus, as in grace He calls again?
O today is time accepted, tomorrow you may call in vain. —D. W. Whittle.

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 31; Job 42; Matt. 17:14 to 18:14

The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.    Habakkuk 1:1

 

Habakkuk’s name means “one who wrestles,” or “one who embraces.” Habakkuk wrestled with God over the sins of Judah, over God’s apparent indifference, and then over His method of disciplining His people. But right from the start, Habakkuk embraced God’s will, pressing it to his heart. This is the secret of Habakkuk’s joy – he wrestled, yes, but then he clung to God’s will as being good and perfect.
—M. MacMullen

 

I trust God through the darkest night,
He faithful will remain;
I’ll trust Him till the morning light,
Restores my sight again.
—F. Garlock

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 30; Job 40-41; Matt. 16:13 to 17:13

 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:        2 Timothy 3:16

 

As doctrine the Word of God tells us what is right. As reproof it tells us what is not right. As correction it tells us how to get right. As instruction in righteousness it tells us how to keep right. Fill your heart with it today.    —E. MacLelland

 

Teach me Thy way, O Lord; teach me Thy way!
They gracious aid afford; teach me Thy way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith less by sight,
Lead me with heav’nly light; teach me Thy way!
—B. Mansell Ramsey

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 28; Job 36-37; Matt. 15:1-28

 

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.    1 Peter 5:7

 

A lady told me her husband was a fisherman, and that she worried about him when he went fishing. She then added that when he did not go, she thought of something else to worry about. Are we not all a bit like her? We always seem to be swamped with some worry or another. Often they come and then disappear, never happening. Our verse for today says to cast all our cares and worries on Him. That is hard to do. If we believe the last part of the verse, it makes it easier. “…he careth for you.” God is far ahead of us in our problems. So why worry? What ever happens is under His control.    —Harold G. Smith

 

O yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long night dreary, I know my Saviour cares.         —Frank E. Graeff

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 26; Job 32-33; Matt. 13:44 to 14:12

 

This do in remembrance of me.    1 Corinthians 11:24

 

When we remember Him in the way that He has appointed, the Spirit brings to mind wondrous truths about the glorious person of the Lord Jesus. As we meditate upon Him, we stand secure in the knowledge that He enjoys His rightful place now, at the Father’s right hand. In a coming day, too, on earth, His rightful place will be acknowledged. So let’s not fret about circumstances. Le’s not be diverted by the trivial. Enjoy God’s presence as you worship and remember Him today!
—Mark Fenn

Yet, notwithstanding, I have Him,
To be my King appointed;
And over Zion, my holy hill,
I have him King anointed. —Scottish Psalter