Month: January 2017

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 27; Job 34-35; Matt. 14:13-36

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation. Hebrews 2:3

In 2014, an airplane on route to Singapore crashed, killing everyone on board. The cause was found to be both a mechanical issue and how the pilots dealt with the problem. Four times the warning system had notified the pilots of a failure. Rather than dealing with the malfunction, though, the pilots attempted to fix the warning system. Perhaps someone has been lovingly cautioning you of impending danger. The solution is not to ignore the warnings! Respond, while there is still time. —Lynn Shatford

Sinner, heed the warning voice,
Make the Lord your final choice,
Then all heaven will rejoice,
Be in time.
                       —Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 26; Job 32-33; Matt. 13:44 to 14:12

And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right (convenient) in the eyes of all the people. 1 Chron. 13:4

This incident in Israel’s experience is a classic example of doing the right thing in the wrong way. In a democratic form of government the majority rules, but that is not to be the pattern for the believer in the local church. Most of the time the majority is wrong because their decisions are not based on Scripture. As individuals we need not “follow the crowd” and as a local church we should have godly leadership in place who base all their decisions on the Word of God, “whose faith follow” (Heb. 13:7). —W. H. G.

Guide us, O Thou great Jehovah, pilgrims thro’ this barren land;
We are weak, but Thou art mighty; hold us by Thy pow’rful hand.
                                                                                  —William Williams

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 25; Job 31; Matt. 13:24-43

Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. Isaiah 43:1

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:20

Today’s readings bring before us the blessings, and the responsibilities, that result from our redemption. First, the Lord assures us that we are guaranteed divine protection as we pass through the fires and floods of our earthly experience. Secondly, having been redeemed, we have changed ownership, and whereas we previously were slaves to sin and Satan, it is now our responsibility to glorify God in our bodies and spirits which are God’s. —W. H. Burnett

Yes, ear and hand, and thought and will, use all in Thy dear slavery still,
Self’s weary liberties I cast, beneath Thy feet, there hold them fast.
                                                                                                                    —Moule

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 24; Job 29-30; Matt. 13:1-23

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? 2 Peter 3:3-4

The first question in our Bible was asked by the devil, “Yea, hath God said?” (Gen. 3:1). He wasn’t looking for information. He was trying to cast doubt on the Word of God. In the last days scoffers will do the same saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” Be ready with an answer and hold His promise dear to your heart, nothing doubting. Jesus said, “I will come again!” (John 14:3). —Rex Trogdon

O child of God, there is for thee,
A hope that shines amid the gloom,
A gladsome hope that thou shalt see,
Thy Lord, for He will surely come.
                                      —T. D. W. Muir

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 23; Job 27-28; Matt. 12:22-50

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Matthew 19:29, (NKJV)

Peter wondered what the disciples would receive for forsaking all to follow Christ. Our Lord’s reply affirmed an eternal reward and also a present blessing. For every person they left behind, a hundredfold would affirm God’s love to them. We have often benefited from the hospitality of unfamiliar saints and in a few days a friendship for life exists. Amazing—we get to enjoy a bit of heaven during our earthly sojourn. —W. A. H.

Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
                                                                      —John Fawcett

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 22; Job 25-26; Matt. 12:1-21

And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones. 1 Kings 10:10

The visiting queen gave opulent gifts to Solomon, but her generosity paled beside his wealth. Moreover, the treasures that he gave her far exceeded her needs and desires. He gave “her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty” (1 Kgs. 10:13). Similarly, Christ blesses believers with all spiritual blessings, and bids them offer to Him from this imparted wealth. Then He gives back more than we can ask or think! —Keith Keyser

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
                                                                            —A. J. Flint

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 20-21; Job 23-24; Matt. 11:2-30

Why have I found grace in thine eyes? Ruth 2:10

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

But we see Jesus…that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Hebrews 2:9

Like Ruth before Boaz, we find ourselves at the feet of our Saviour, overcome with gratitude that He would take notice of us and come to save us, and at such a cost. He became poor. He humbled Himself. By grace He tasted death for all. Gladly let us worship Him, offering our sacrifices from astonished, grateful hearts. —Carl Knott

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
                                                                                                                 —I. Watts

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 19; Job 22; Matt. 10:24 to 11:1

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

The “tick tock” of the clock reminds us that time never stands still. God is not willing that any should perish and offers His free gift of salvation to all. But, this offer is “time sensitive” and has an expiry date. No one knows the day nor the hour of Christ’s return, bringing God’s day of grace to an end. So don’t gamble with the eternal destiny of your soul and run the risk of your time running out! Behold now is the accepted time. —E. V.

Time is gliding swiftly by, Death and judgment draweth nigh,
To the arms of Jesus fly, Be in time.
                                                                         —Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 18; Job 21; Matt. 10:1-23

Who is among you…that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Isaiah 50:10

Following the onset of glaucoma, my eyesight deteriorated to the point where I was registered “blind”. Thankfully, my “darkness” is not total; nevertheless there is no disputing the fact that a big change has entered my life. As I review the years of fading vision, I probe my mind: am I learning the lessons that the Lord wants to teach me? Am I truly accepting of His will for me? It is only in quiet acceptance that His peace is to be found! —George Hall

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest;
Finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
                                      —Frances Ridley Havergal

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 17; Job 20; Matt. 9:18-38

I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another. Isaiah 42:8

Have you ever been told, “You spoke very well”, and then you got a little puffed up with pride? Someone once said to Spurgeon as he descended the pulpit steps, “Sir, that was a wonderful message.” “Yes” replied Spurgeon, “The Devil has already told me that!” When my wife Grace, hands out a dress or a shirt to a widow or orphan she always stresses that it comes from the Lord and He is the one to be thanked. How careful I must be to make sure that the Lord gets all the glory for whatever He may choose to do through me.     —David Croudace

Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord, Oh, to be lost in Thee,
Oh, that it may be no more I, But Christ that lives in me.    
                                                                                   —Mrs. A. A. Whiddington