Month: October 2015

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 1; Ezekiel 2 to 3:15; 2 Timothy 3

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.  Acts 4:29
And nothing terrified by your adversaries… Philippians 1:28

Persecution and suffering for Christ has always been present since the church began. At times, it has been on a large scale, at other times on a personal level. As the return of the Lord draws near, persecution is sure to increase as the enemy attempts to thwart the spread of the gospel, knowing his time is short (Rev. 12:2). The early church did not pray to have persecution removed, but rather met it head on by speaking the Word with holy boldness. Undaunted, we should do the same as we see the day approaching. —Mark Kolchin

Rise up, O men of God! The church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task; rise up and make her great!
—Merrill

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 25; Ezekiel 1; 2 Timothy 2

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod…and his brother Philip…and Lysanias…Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John.  Luke 3:1-2
John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. John 10:41

God bypassed seven of the most influential men of the day from the political and religious worlds and sent His word to lowly John—a man marked by obscurity and humility. He was faithful in proclaiming it. John simply told the truth about Christ. This is all we need to do to please our Lord—are we? —Pete Smith

Christians, go and tell of Jesus, how He died to save our souls;
How that He from sin might free us, suffered agonies untold.
—Hammond

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 24; Lamentations 4-5; 2 Timothy 1

And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.  John 2:3

What a fitting illustration of the failure of all this world’s joys. The wine ran out at a wedding feast. It is no different with the earth’s joys today. Its joys come in measured cupfuls, not in measureless fountains; and the supply soon runs out. When earthly joy fails, the Lord Jesus gives new joy! What a tragedy for those who have not received Christ into their lives, and who have nothing left but an empty cup —when earth’s wine runs out! —Sid Halsband

I tried the broken cisterns Lord, but, ah, the waters failed;
Even as I stooped to drink they fled, and mocked me as I wailed.
—Francis Bevan

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 23; Lamentations 3; 1 Timothy 6

The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.  Proverbs 10:7

The names of Powerscourt, Livingstone, and Müller still conjure up positive images of Spirit-led altruism. In contrast, names like Haman, Hitler, and Bin Laden evoke feelings of revulsion in right thinking people. God promised to make Abraham’s name great, but the Babel builders who wanted their names remembered are shrouded in appropriate anonymity. It is better to be honoured before God in a coming day, than to have transient fame now. —K. R. Keyser

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful;
May the fire of our devotion light their way,
May the footprints that we leave, lead them to believe;
And the lives we live inspire them to obey.
—Jon Mohr

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 21:19 to 22:20; Lamentations 2; 1 Timothy 5

He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.  Isaiah 42:4

In His first advent, despite the open and hostile opposition of sinners, our Lord Jesus remained undeterred all the way to Calvary, not once becoming discouraged. Enduring the cross, patiently suffering for sin, He completed His mission and returned to His Father. Today we have complete confidence that when He returns to earth with us, He will not fail in judging the earth, putting down all enemies and setting up His visible kingdom. Then our Lord Jesus will be worshipped and exalted over the whole earth. What a day that will be. —George Ferrier

Jesus gave this gracious promise, ere from earth He went away,
That in glory He would come again, some bright and blessèd day!
— Lyman F. Jackson

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 20 to 21:18; Lamentations 1; 1 Timothy 4

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy.  Psalm 99:9

We cannot add anything to the Most High God, but we can speak of His exaltation, as our verse exhorts. Worshipping Him is the highest form of ministry. As we draw near to Him today, we enter the holy place by the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ and worship Him because He is holy. May our heavenly Father take pleasure in what we bring. —Harold G. Smith

O worship the King, all glorious above, 
And gratefully sing His wonderful love; 
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of days, 
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.
—J. M. Hayden

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 19; Jeremiah 52; 1 Timothy 3

Who knew no sin…  2 Corinthians 5:21
Who did no sin… 1 Peter 2:22  
In him is no sin… 1 John 3:5

Paul, the intellectual, writes much about the mind. He asserts the holiness of the mind of Christ—”Who knew no sin”. Peter, the man of action, writes about Christian living, the example being the holy life of our Saviour, “Who did no sin”. John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, had heard His heart beat and declared “In him is no sin.” That present tense confirms the eternal sinlessness of the Man in the glory. Thus He is fully qualified to be our “advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). —Dan Coulson

Because the sinless Saviour died, my sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied, to look on Him and pardon me.
—C. Bancroft

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 18; Jeremiah 51:25-64; 1 Timothy 2

…for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.  Genesis 31:12

Have you been in situations where someone has taken from you something that was rightfully yours? It may have been money or position. Laban robbed Jacob of his wages, but God saw it all and He helped Jacob gain it all back. Joseph said to his brothers later on, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Gen. 50:20). No one can hurt you without God knowing about it. He will look after you and work things out for good. It may not be wealth or position that we gain, but as we trust the Lord and His love, we become more Christlike. —M. Robins

May the love of Christ my Saviour, live in me from day to day,
By His love and pow’r controlling, all I do and say.
—Kate Wilkinson