Month: December 2016

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 8; Zechariah 4; Revelation 13

…Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. Luke 18:17

William Hogarth was a famous painter. One of his paintings was of Moses being given away by his birth mother to his adoptive mother—an Egyptian princess. For years the painting was displayed at the entrance of The Foundling Hospital in London—Britain’s first home for abandoned children—to portray the themes of childhood, charity and adoption. The Lord put great value on children and taught that salvation is based on childlike faith in Him. —Brian Powlesland

In that beautiful place He has gone to prepare,
For all who are washed and forgiv’n;
And many dear children are gathering there,
For of such is the kingdom of heav’n. —J. Luke

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 7; Zechariah 2-3; Revelation 12

…I have seen a woman in Timnah…now therefore, get her for me as a wife. Judges 14:2 (NKJV)

Samson saw with eyes of flesh and yearned with human desire. He engaged in frivolous pursuits and took this woman—without regard for God’s Word or his parents’ godly counsel. How different from Abraham’s servant who prayed and waited on the Lord (Gen. 24:21)! Never mistake circumstances for confirmation of God’s will. Pray about your decisions and ensure the potential answer aligns with God’s Word. We’d experience more joy and less sorrow if time was spent waiting on God and weighing the outcome. What we see and what we feel must conform to the Scriptures. —Deborah Manera

My stubborn will at last hath yielded; I would be Thine, and Thine alone,
And this the prayer my lips are bringing, Lord, let in me Thy will be done.
—Lelia Morris

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 6; Zechariah 1; Revelation 11

You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples. Psalm 77:14 (NKJV)

If you have had a sleepless night because of a troubled spirit, this psalm provides a solution: remember and rejoice! Asaph was much disturbed. He cried out to the Lord all night, but found no comfort. Initially, Asaph was self-focused; but eventually he gained renewed hope by remembering God’s miraculous deliverance of His people in the past. And he rejoiced. His circumstances had not changed, but his outlook had. Likewise, in times of distress may we remember God’s past handiwork and joyfully declare “You are the God of wonders!” —W. A. H.

Great God of wonders! All Thy ways are matchless and divine;
But the fair glories of Thy grace, above them, unrivaled shine. —S. Davies

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 5; Haggai 2; Revelation 10

And they continued stedfastly… Acts 2:42

A stalwart example of perseverance is William Carey (1761-1843). A shoemaker by trade, Carey went to India in 1793. He became a scholar, a linguist and is generally acclaimed the father of modern missions. His motto was, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God”. He stated that if anyone would think it worthwhile to write of my life after my death, he would describe it just as a plodder. “To this”, he said, “I owe everything”. Following Carey’s example, may our faithful God keep us plodding faithfully on for His glory.
—W. Ross Rainey

Keep us, Lord, O keep us cleaving, to Thyself and still believing,
Till the hour of our receiving, promised joys with Thee. —Thomas Kelly

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 4; Haggai 1; Revelation 9

Where art thou? Genesis 3:9

At first this sounds like God didn’t know where Adam was. Not at all. God was fully aware of his location. He simply wanted Adam to admit where he was—perhaps one of the purest examples of “confession” in Scripture. This is God’s first question as recorded in Scripture. In keeping with the value of studying “first mentions” in the Bible, it reveals the true heart of the Father, namely, seeking for sinners, looking for confession and coming in grace. —N. C. Funston

Jesus is tenderly calling thee home,
Calling today, calling today;
Why from the sunshine of love wilt thou roam,
Farther and farther away? —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 3; Daniel 12; Revelation 8

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:8

Our Lord is at our right hand (the hand of strength) as our Comforter and Confidante. He is also our true Friend and Advocate. The Lord wants our company, in order to enjoy fellowship with us. As we walk life’s path with Him, He blesses our soul and reveals God’s will to us. As I walk with Him my life needs to reflect His holy character and thus I must watch over my speech and behaviour. —Jim Pizzulli

Take the name of Jesus ever,
As a shield from ev’ry snare,
If temptation round you gather,
Breathe that holy name in prayer.
—Lydia Baxter

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 1-2; Daniel 11:21-45; Revelation 7

They that…boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can be any means redeem his brother… Psalm 49:6-7

Many buy a lottery ticket hoping for that lucky number. A teenage daughter whose mother won, was lured into bad companionships, drugs, and finally a tragic death. The mother admitted had she known the consequences, “I would have torn up the ticket”. In his epistle James says, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (Jas. 1:15). Guarded desires will keep us from yielding to unholy actions. —E. Dyck

Many now are watching, the footsteps that we take;
Many soon will follow, in the choices that we make,
So let us then be faithful, to be what we should be,
And leave a good example, that they can clearly see. —J. Zichterman

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 10; Daniel 11:1-20; Revelation 6

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:18

Habakkuk anticipated that all that represented earthly security and well-being would fail, yet he says, “I will rejoice…in the God of my salvation.” This is surely the practical outworking of the great truth that Habakkuk uncovers: “…the just shall live by faith…” (Heb. 10:38). It is easy to live by faith in the balmy days of life, but it is in the storms of life that true faith excels. The apostle wrote from a prison cell, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). May we also rejoice in the Lord, whatever may befall. —W. H. Burnett

We thank Thee for the desert road, and for the riverside,
For all Thy goodness has bestowed, and all Thy grace denied.
—Crewdson

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 9; Daniel 10; Revelation 5

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

So many today are trying hard to better self in every way. Yet no matter what they try they are often left disillusioned, disappointed and empty inside. What a contrast to have God’s treasures inside of us. He has given us His Holy Spirit, who is in us and with us forever. We have Christ in us, the “hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). When our physical energy abates He keeps pouring His strength into us. —Jim Paul

Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall.
When I am sad, to Him I go, no other one can cheer me so;
When I am sad, He makes me glad, He’s my Friend.
—W. Thompson

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 8; Daniel 9; Revelation 4

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:10

Where has God’s hand led you today? Perhaps by still waters to receive refreshment for your soul or through severe trials to test you. Possibly even the valley of the shadow of death. At such times it’s easy to question God’s faithfulness and care for us. What a comfort to know that wherever His providence has led you today—His right hand can be trusted to sustain and hold you. —E. V.

Sometimes ‘mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom;
By waters still, o’er troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.
—Joseph H. Gilmore