Month: January 2017

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 38; Psalms 15-16; Matt. 21:33 to 22:14

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap… yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Matthew 6:26

The beehive ginger is an exquisite tropical plant—true to its shapely name. Its gold, red, pink or chocolate coloured cluster is formed like a honeycomb—which stores water in the rainy season. Birds looking to drink in the hot, humid rainforest find cool refreshment from this “honeycomb”. What a reminder of God’s extraordinary care in looking after His creation! He ensures there is provision for all. And He promises, “Do not be anxious about your life” (v. 25, ESV), to do the same for us. Will you trust Him today? —Deborah Manera

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt?
                                         —Casting Crowns

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 37; Psalms 11-14; Matt. 21:1-32

Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. John 7:37

Do you believe this? We are ever conscious of our needs. We thirst and pine for happiness, for rest, for peace, for the satisfaction which seems to be in that sweet, deep word, love. We turn from side to side for an answer and for a moment think we have found it, only to find that it is a broken empty cistern. Human love fails to quench our thirst, even though we drink deeply and widely of its stores. But Jesus gives the living water that is all-sufficient and satisfies.—Ken Gunnell

O Christ! He is the fountain,
The deep sweet well of love;
The streams of earth I’ve tasted,
More deep I’ll drink above.
                      —Anne Ross Cousin

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 36; Psalms 9-10; Matt. 20:17-34

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? Luke 24:26

Let us not miss that it is our Lord Himself who said these words! It is proper that our hearts be hushed, as we hear Him speak of His awesome sufferings and of His transcendent glory. We rejoice that His sufferings are past. Never again will there be a Calvary experience for Him, for that “finished work” requires no repetition. But what of His glory? Shall it ever be eclipsed or fade away? Never! His surpassing excellence and greatness are eternal. —George Hall

While we hear the wondrous story,
Of the Saviour’s cross and shame,
Sing we, “Everlasting glory be to God and to the Lamb!”
Hallelujah! Give ye glory to His name.
                                                                                —Thomas Kelly

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 35; Psalms 7-8; Matt. 19:16 to 20:16

This night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Matthew 26:34

Today the Chinese celebrate their New Year—the Year of the Rooster/ Cockerel. People born this year are believed to be hardworking and courageous. They are very confident about themselves. Indeed Peter was such a “rooster” till Jesus warned him: “This night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice” (Matt. 26:34), which he later did and for which he wept bitterly (Matt. 26:74-75). But the Lord was gracious and restored him to service after His resurrection (John 21:15-27). If you have been a failure like Peter, do not be conceited; come back, confess your sin and He will restore you this day. —K. C. Ung

When pangs of death seized on my soul, unto the Lord I cried;
Till Jesus came and made me whole,I would not be denied.
                                                                                          —C. P. Jones

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 33:18 to 34:31; Psalms 4-6; Matt. 19:1-15

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Psalm 37:23

Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Psalm 119:133

Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. Psalm 85:13

How remarkable to note Job’s comment: “For now thou numberest my steps” (Job 14:16). God takes careful note of every step we take! His desire is that we live according to His will and Word and follow closely in the steps of the Master. —Pete Smith

O let me see Thy footmarks, and in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly is in Thy strength alone.
                                                                                        —J. Bode

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 32 to 33:17; Psalms 1-3; Matt. 18:15-35

At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 2 Timothy 4:16

Nothing hurts more than when someone we hold close turns their back on us. It stings and few would deny our right to hold a grudge. Yet the Spirit of God would lead us to higher ground; to love the unlovable and forgive the unforgivable. Paul and Stephen both displayed this operational grace in their lives. It would seem that only in a life fully yielded to the will of God is there fertile ground for such an illogical attitude to grow. Lord, help me to yield! —Rick Morse

O let this love constrain us,
To give our hearts to Thee,
Let nothing henceforth pain us,
But that which paineth Thee.
                     —Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 31; Job 42; Matt. 17:14 to 18:14

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

When an Israelite woman married God tenderly devoted her husband’s attention to her during this “prolonged honeymoon”. At conversion, we each became a part of the Bride of the Lamb. Soon there will be a wedding day and the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7). Honeymoons don’t last forever, but our heavenly one will. We will know “pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16:11). Can you say, honestly, “I can hardly wait?” What a blessed people we are. So then, may our lives reflect our high and holy calling. —Vernon Markle

‘Tis sweet, the thought of rising the risen Lord to meet;
Or changed, ourselves surprising, like Him for whom we wait.
                                                                              —Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 29; Job 38-39; Matt. 15:29 to 16:12

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32

This man hath done nothing amiss. Luke 23:41

This testimony concerning the crucified Christ came from none other than one of the malefactors who was hanging beside Him. He further demonstrated his faith and said “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” (Luke 23:43). In response, our Lord promised, “Today, shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Jesus Christ arrived there first and then when the new believer arrived must have said to the Father, this is the one who confessed me before men as we were executed in shame. What will He say of us? —Ken Gross

The people of the Lord are on their way to heaven;
They there obtain their great reward, the prize will there be given.
                                                                                                           —Kelly

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 28; Job 36-37; Matt. 15:1-28

A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me. Song of Solomon 1:13

Myrrh (meaning “bitter”), is a resin that has a bitter taste but a fragrant smell. Presented to Christ after His birth and later used to prepare His body for burial, it spoke of Christ’s aromatic, earthly life from beginning to end. Even more it symbolized the fragrance of His death. It was a bitter experience, but sweet to those who understood its value. At Calvary, sinners wounded Him and He drank the bitter cup of judgment. Yet His life was pleasing to His Father and to us who drink the sweet cup of salvation. Today, though the sacrifice is over, its aroma remains and will last into eternity. —George Ferrier

Death and the curse were in our cup, O Christ, twas full for Thee!
But Thou has drained the last dark drop, tis empty now for me.
That bitter cup, love drank it up; now blessings draught for me.
                                                                                                      —Cousin