Month: July 2014

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 17-18; Isaiah 36 to 37:7; 1 Corinthians 14

And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house?  2 Kings 4:2

A creditor was about to enslave this widow’s sons for default on a debt. Elisha asks two questions. First, “What shall I do for thee?” and secondly “What hast thou in the house?” We learn from this that God is willing to help us in our extremities, but that we must also be prepared to be part of the solution. To feed a multitude, the Lord took the little that was available, five loaves and two small fish. Only then did He feed five thousand. At the grave of Lazarus the Lord said “Take ye away the stone” (John 11:39). Only then did He call “Lazarus come forth” (John 11:43). As we pray, let us keep in mind, that while God is willing to respond, He also expects us to do our part.  —W. H. Burnett

He guideth the footsteps, directeth the way,
Of all who confess Him. Believe, and obey. —Fanny Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 16; Isaiah 35; 1 Corinthians 13

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.  Hebrews 11:31

With the exception of Matthew 1:5, Rahab is described in the Scriptures as “Rahab the harlot.” Surely the primary reason for this is to continually remind the reader of the infinite grace of God and what it can do even in the life of a harlot. She can be made pure and whole, and become a good wife and mother when God takes over in the heart and life. The writer to the Hebrews commends Rahab’s confidence in the living God, while James speaks glowingly of her conduct, and Matthew links her with the genealogy of Christ. Rahab is indeed a wonderful trophy of God’s grace!  —W. Ross Rainey

Faith is the victory! Oh, glorious victory,
That overcomes the world. —John H. Yates

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 14-15; Isaiah 34; 1 Corinthians 12

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.  Proverbs 22:7

He who had unspeakable wealth said “Shew me a penny” (Luke 20:24). He who abode in the ivory palaces of heaven borrowed a pillow in Bethany (Matt. 21:17). He whose heavenly podium was the Great White Throne borrowed a boat from which to preach (Luke 5:3). He who spoke worlds unknown into existence, borrowed loaves and fish to feed a hungry throng (John 6:9). He who owns the cattle upon a thousand hills borrowed a donkey (Mark 11:3). He who inhabits eternity borrowed an upper room (Matt. 26:18). Finally He who is the source of life borrowed a tomb (Matt. 27:60).  —Sid Halsband

Rich in glory, Thou didst stoop, thence is all Thy people’s hope;
Thou wast poor, that we might be rich in glory, Lord, with Thee. —T. Kelly

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 13; Isaiah 33; 1 Corinthians 11:2-34

I go to prepare a place for you.  John 14:3
We shall be changed, for this corruptible must put on incorruption.  1 Corinthians 15:52-53

Before leaving his beloved disciples for the cross, and eventually the glory, the Saviour gave them this precious promise: “I go to prepare a place for you.” But that is only part of the good news. He who has prepared a place for us, is also preparing us for the place. Listen to Paul, “we shall all be changed.” What an exciting moment when believers will be changed into holy immortality. Rejoice, dear fellow believer, He has finished the work that prepared heaven, and soon He will finish His work in you and me. —Arnot P. McIntee

Oh, what a home! But such His love that He must bring us there,
To fill that home, to be with Him, and all His glory share. —J. A. Trench

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 11:29 to 12:15; Isaiah 32; 1 Cor. 10:14 to 11:1

Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me?  Genesis 31:27

While Jacob clearly had God’s blessing to return to the land of his birth, he certainly didn’t have Laban’s. Whom was he to obey, God or man? Obviously, God’s command was the priority. However, that did not give Jacob the liberty to simply walk out on his father-in-law. Sometimes we may do things in the name of Christ, but our approach makes it become more of a shame to the cause of Christ. Family life and church fellowship are the two most common arenas for such tensions. Sadly it can lead to much heartache and disunity. God’s direction for an action must still be done in God’s way.  —Norman Craig Funston

Be still, my soul! Thy God doth undertake;
To guide the future as He has the past. —K. von Schlegel

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 10:6 to 11:28; Isaiah 31; 1 Cor. 9:24 to 10:13

For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  Matthew 6:32

One day while pioneering the Gospel in Canada, a faithful evangelist was very hungry. As he trekked along in a certain place he came to a little restaurant. He ventured in without a penny in his pocket. He bowed his head and in faith gave thanks to the Lord for the food. At the pay counter, the owner said to him, “When I opened this place I made a vow—the first person I see giving thanks, the meal would be free!” Our God ever delights to honour faith in His goodness.  —E. MacLelland

All you may need, He will provide,
Nothing you ask will be denied,
Through every day, o’er all the way;
God will take care of you!
—C. D. Martin

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 9 to 10:5; Isaiah 30; 1 Corinthians 9:1-23

He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.  Mark 16:19
The Son of man standing on the right hand of God.  Acts 7:56

Sitting and standing—here are two different perspectives of the One who is at God’s right hand. Mark’s view speaks of a finished work—Calvary’s victory is won and our Saviour waits for His enemies to be made His footstool. Acts reminds us that our Saviour still has an unfinished work. As our great High Priest, He ministers to our need on a constant basis. What a blessing for earthly citizens to know Him who is at the right hand of God.  —Wm. H. Gustafson

Our great High Priest is sitting at God’s right hand above,
For us His hands uplifting, in sympathy and love.
—A. P. Cecil

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 8; Isaiah 29; 1 Corinthians 8

Admonish the disorderly.  1 Thessalonians 5:14 (Darby)

The word “disorderly” comes from the Greek word ataktos which is a military word indicating those who are out of order, out of step, not following orders, not keeping rank, causing disturbance. These are self-governed individuals who call themselves Christians as long as they can do whatever they want. They march to their own cadence and don’t like taking orders or being directed. To them Christ is only a “get-out-of-jail-free” card. Friend, if you resent the idea of obeying the Lord and submitting every area of your life to Him, then you have a serious problem. God will have order in His household.  —Carl Knott

Now I’ve given to Jesus everything,
Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul can only sing of Calvary! —W. R. Newell