Month: February 2013

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 19; Psalms 58-59; Acts 10:24-48

 

Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.    Isaiah 43:1

 

What words of assurance and comfort for the child of God passing through this vale of tears with all its trials and afflictions. Many a time we are inclined to fear as the waves and billows surge around us, feeling that we might be overwhelmed. Let us never forget that our redemption goes much further that the forgiveness of our sins. We belong to Him and we are in His care. The bride in the Song of Songs grasped the truth of this when she said “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine” (Song 2:14). He has guaranteed our safe passage until we reach the heavenly shore.     —W. H. Burnett

 

Oh, this full and perfect peace, oh, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease, I am His and He is mine. —G. Robinson

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 18; Psalms 56-57; Acts 10:1-23

 

For the love of Christ constraineth us.    2 Corinthians 5:14

 

Paul conceded that he was overpowered by the constraining love of Christ. When you see a Christian whose life is controlled by the love of Christ, it is evident that he is surrendered to the Holy Spirit and consequently is a victorious believer. Such a life will be a shining light in the world. Regardless of their status, this constraining love of Christ is available to every believer. It is surrender, not accomplishment.
—Milton Haack

 

Through Christ on the cross, peace was made,
My debt by His death was all paid;
No other foundation is laid,
For peace, the gift of God’s love.
—P. Bilhorn

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 17; Psalm 55; Acts 9:32-43

 

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man or God, said, Behold my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought; but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.    2 Kings 5:20

 

Gehazi wanted the gifts which Elisha had refused. Greed had overtaken him and he sinned greatly in letting Naaman think he could pay for his healing. God’s gift of grace is free. No amount of money could ever pay for such a gift. We are all afflicted with the spiritual disease of sin. Healing and salvation only comes to us as a free gift. Thank God. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).     —Robert Gentile

 

Jesus, the just One, has died on the tree,
Died for guilty sinners, and salvation is free!
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 16; Psalm 52-54; Acts 9:1-31

 

Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.
Galatians 1:4

 

For the sinner the gospel brings forgiveness from sins. But it does more than that. Once we have accepted Christ, the gospel brings deliverance from sin’s deadly influence. Our greatest need as sinners is forgiveness from the penalty of sin and our greatest need as saints is deliverance from the power of sin. Christ accomplished both. In our verse, Paul tells us that Christ’s death for our sins was to deliver us from this present evil world. He died for my sins, but faith in our death with Christ is deliverance from the power of sin.    —Harold G. Smith

 

Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine;
Living with Jesus, a new life divine. —Daniel W. Whittle

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 15; Psalm 51; Acts 8:5-40

 

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.    Matthew 18:20

 

There is a practical benefit to remembering the Lord. “Beloved … it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). When we gather to remember Christ, He is there with us and His Spirit reveals Him to us. As we perceive Him, we are changed a little more into His image. The more we become like Him, the more we want to be like Him. Are you remembering Him till He comes?    —Tom Steere

Lord, we are thine, we praise Thy love,
One with Thy saints, all one in Thee;
We would, until we meet above,
In all our ways remember Thee. —James Deck

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 14:5-31; Psalms 49-50; Acts 7:30 to 8:4

 

Man shall not live by bread alone,…    Luke 4:4
Jesus said, unto them I am the bread of life.    John 6:35

 

Our forefathers lived without sugar until the 13th century; without coal fires until the 14th; without potatoes until the 16th; without tea or coffee until the 17th; and without electricity until the 19th. Although mankind may live without such common commodities, he cannot afford to die without Christ who is the Bread of Life and the Living Water.    —Arnot P. McIntee

 

Come, there’s bread in the house of Thy Father, and to spare,
Hear, O hear Him calling, calling now for thee;
Lo, the table is spread and the feast is waiting there,
Hear His loving voice calling still.
—Charles H. Gabriel

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 13 to 14:4; Psalms 47-48; Acts 7:1-29

 

Behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.    Isaiah 49:16

 

The hands are that part of the body that we constantly have sight of throughout the day. The thought in this verse is that we are never forgotten. The hands also speak of support, shelter and security. No one can pluck us from the Father’s hands. We certainly do not deserve such love and attention. No wonder in this chapter God is referred to as the mighty one of Jacob.     —Brian Russell

 

My name is graven on His hands;
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
—C. L. Bancroft

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 12:21-51; Psalm 45-46; Acts 6

 

Trust in the Lord at all times … pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us.     Psalm 62:8

 

When our daughter faced a dreadful medical test, without anesthesia, it caused some apprehension. With trust in the Lord and prayer help from friends, the exam went remarkably well. Charles H. Spurgeon gave this admonition regarding our faith, “I beseech you do not treat God’s promises as if they were curiousities for a museum; but use them as everyday sources of comfort.” Sometimes our faith wavers and our trust is frail. But reliance upon God’s faithful provision brings needed help and strength.    —E. Dyck

Drop Thy still dews of quietness, ‘til all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our lives confess, the beauty of Thy peace.—J. G. Whittier

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 11 to 12:20; Psalm 44; Acts 5:12-42

 

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
God is faithful.    1 Corinthians 1:9

 

Faithfulness is one of the essential attributes of our majestic God. He never forgets. He never fails. He never falters. Our past rests on His faithfulness—we rest on His atoning work at Calvary. Our present rests on His faithfulness—we rest on the promises of His Word. He says, “my God shall supply all your need” (Phil. 4:19). Our future rests upon His faithfulness. He has promised, “I will come again” (John 14:3). Thank God there are no “what ifs” with Him!     —Jim Comte

 

Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be. —T. O. Chisholm

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 10; Psalms 42-43; Acts 4:32 to 5:11

 

[By faith some] escaped the edge of the sword, … others … not accepting deliverance … were slain with the sword.    Heb. 11:34-37

 

A Christian may sometimes be delivered from a perilous situation although often God may allow a believer to face great opposition. Many, choosing to trust God rather than compromise with the world have had to face ostracism, loss of friends, loss of a job, even rejection by their family. Others have endured suffering, imprisonment and often death. Throughout history, persecution has always strengthened the church, so whatever God allows in my life I must trust Him, knowing that such faith pleases Him, and in some way will encourage believers and advance His Kingdom.    —David Croudace

 

Grant that I may never fail Thy hand to see;
Grant that I may ever cast my care on Thee. —J. Mongomery