Month: July 2014

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 3; Isaiah 46; 2 Corinthians 6:11 to 7:16

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:9

Kristin Millar of Winnipeg, Canada, endured a decade-long illness that was slowly killing her heart. One night, she received a phone call to inform her that a woman, whom she had never met, had passed away. Kristin would be the recipient of the donated heart. After her recovery, Kristin was asked how this experience shaped her outlook on life. She replied: “It makes me want to live every day in honour of my donor.” As Christians, we have been given new life through the death of the Lord Jesus. Out of gratitude and love, let us desire to live every day in honour of Him!  —L. Shatford

A heart in every thought renewed and filled with love divine;
Perfect and right, and pure and good; a copy, Lord, of Thine. —C. Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 2; Isaiah 44:24 to 45:25; 2 Cor. 5:11 to 6:10

Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews…who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?  Esther 4:13-14

Just as Mordecai encouraged Esther to move ahead and act, so the Holy Spirit prompts us to do what is right for our growth and the blessing of others. Esther prayed and fasted before going to the king and we too must spend much time in prayer to seek the Spirit’s mind. To rush ahead is foolish. But when He clearly indicates what to do, we must act.    —G. Frear

Let heart and ear be opened wide,
Unto Thy Word and pleading;
Our minds, O Holy Spirit, guide;
By Thine own light and leading. —J. Ut­en­ho­vi­us

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 1; Isaiah 44:6-23; 2 Corinthians 4:7 to 5:10

Hell and destruction are never full.  Proverbs 27:20

A road sign was erected in the town of Exmouth in England in an attempt to make drivers cut their speed. The sign read “Slow—Heaven Is Full.” While the Bible says that hell is never full, no direct comment is made in this regard to heaven. At the moment there is still room for those who want to be there. However the Bible does warn that at some point the door will be closed and access to heaven will cease. Perhaps you need to slow down and think on this matter. Make certain to ensure your entry while the door remains open.  —Brian Powlesland

Choose now, just now; your soul’s at stake;
What will your answer be?
Tis life or death; and the choice you make,
Is made for eternity. —Harriet Fithian

DAILY?READINGS: Ruth 3-4; Isaiah 43 to 44:5; 2 Corinthians 3 to 4:6

No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.  Matthew 11:27

How hopeless we would be if this verse stopped halfway through. It could easily be true. The greatness and wonder of who God is could rightly render Him an infinite mystery to us. But praise God, our verse continues and says, “And he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” As we listen to our Lord pray in John 17, He says, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent” (v. 3). How wonderful to know Him. Do you?  —Ken Gross

“Abba, Father,” we approach Thee in our Saviour’s precious name.
We, Thy children, here assembling, access to Thy presence claim.
—James G. Deck

DAILY?READINGS: Ruth 2; Isaiah 42; 2 Corinthians 2

Father, forgive them.  Luke 23:34
Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.  Luke 23:46

These are the first and last words of our Saviour from the cross and they are intimately linked. “Father, forgive them” reveals the Son’s great purpose. He came to forgive and save sinners. “Father into Thy hands I commend my spirit” proclaims the Son’s purpose fulfilled. But between these two cries, communion with heaven was broken and He was judged for our sins. When His work was accomplished, communion was restored. Now our Saviour could cry with a loud voice so that all heaven, earth, and hell could hear, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). Beloved, He did all this for us  —Milton Haack

Father, forgive, the Saviour said; they know not what they do;
His heart was moved when thus He prayed, for me, my friends, and you.
—Isaac Watts

DAILY?READINGS: Ruth 1; Isaiah 41; 2 Corinthians 1

When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war…but he shall be free at home one year and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.  Deuteronomy 24:5

In this very practical admonition we see God’s provision for a new wife. Adjusting to her new relationship, God directs the husband’s attention to her during this time. It becomes a type of prolonged honeymoon—a beautiful picture of God’s practical tenderness. At conversion, we became a part of the Bride of the Lamb and His tenderness to us is evident every day. Although a Jewish bride’s time of special attentiveness ended after a year, our joy in His love will continue to all eternity. What a blessed people we are. May our lives reflect our high and holy calling.  —Vernon Markle

The bride eyes not her garment, but her dear bridegroom’s face;
I will not gaze at glory but on my King of grace. —A. R. Cousins

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 21; Isaiah 40; 1 Corinthians 16

And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a loyal heart.    2 Chronicles 25:2

Amaziah did the right thing, but in a wrong way. He was young and inexperienced. The danger is that he looked righteous, but there was no real substance. There is no shortcut to experience, but there is a sure way to please the Lord. Take every decision to the Lord in prayer and then, whatever He directs, do it with all your heart as unto Him. One day He will test each one’s work, of what sort (quality) it is. Let’s do what is right and do it in the right way.  —Rex Trogdon

Give of your best to the Master,
Give Him the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardour,
Into the battle for truth. —H. B. Grose

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 20; Isaiah 38-39; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.  Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 1:7 is the key verse of this book. It reminds us that the beginning of wisdom is not found through education, human insight, philosophy, wide experience, or psychology, but from our reverence of who God is and an unquestioning trust in His Word. The more we know of our God and His Word, the more spiritual insight we will have into the problems of life. A university professor with his doctorate said to one of his medical students, “I don’t understand how the janitor has more understanding about life, its problems and how to resolve them than I do with all my education.” The janitor had only a little formal education, but was a man of the Book! May we become people of the Book!  —Jim Comte

How precious is the book divine, by inspiration giv’n!
Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine, to guide our souls to Heav’n. —John Fawcett

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 19; Isaiah 37:8-38; 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

For perhaps he (Onesimus) therefore departed for a season, that thou (Philemon) shouldest receive him for ever.  Philemon 15

Very many of the saints have loved ones who have not responded to the Gospel. Some of these may now live miles away and do not bother to keep in touch. Some are even manifestly hostile to Christian things. Onesimus had to come into contact with a man in prison before his life was radically changed. He was probably a prisoner himself. Keep praying. When the loved one returns it might well be for ever.  —Brian Russell

Come home! Come home!
You are weary at heart, for the way has been dark,
And so lonely and wild; O prodigal child!
Come home! Oh come home! —E. M. Gates