Month: March 2017

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 39:1-43; Psalms 92:1-93:5; Acts 23:12-35

Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not [lack] a man to stand before me for ever. Jeremiah 35:19

Therefore thus saith the Lord of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David. Jeremiah 36:30

Because the sons of Jonadab obeyed their father’s commands faithfully, the blessing of God came upon their family forever. In contrast, Jehoiakim despised the word of God and thus brought dishonour on his descendants. How are we living before God? Our children? Let us live to make a generational difference. —D. Pickup

Our fathers, chained in prisons dark,
Were still in heart and conscience free:
How sweet would be their children’s fate,
If they, like them, could die for Thee! —Frederick W. Faber

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 38:1-31; Psalms 90:1-91:16; Acts 22:22-23:11

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

People sometimes feel that their jobs are meaningless, their lives pointless. But believers are to do everything “as to the Lord”. We need to remember that anything we do for Him is never meaningless or in vain. Even a seemingly “dead-end” job can be fulfilling if you view it as work for the Lord. —J. L.

In the midst of life with its problems, bent with our toil and burdens we bear;
Wonderful thought and deep consolation: Jesus is always there. —Lillenas

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 37:1-29; Psalm 89:19-52; Acts 22:1-21

When Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Jer. 36:23

With this reckless act, King Jehudi thought he had rid himself of the Lord’s words. Fire is just one of the means that man has used over the centuries, in his rebellious attempts to rid himself of God’s Word. Systematically, methodically, consistently, energetically—he has failed. The famous atheist Francois-Marie Arouet (Voltaire) was once asked why he wouldn’t just leave the Bible alone. “Because it won’t leave me alone,” was his reply. Like the bush encountered by Moses, they can burn it, but it will not be consumed. —Rick Morse

The Bible stands like a rock undaunted, ‘mid the raging storms of time;
It’s truth by none ever was refuted, and destroy it none ever can.—Lillenas

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 36:1-38; Psalm 89:1-18; Acts 21:17-40

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Our gathering to worship is not unlike the rehearsal for a wedding. The bride-to-be and her groom, along with the wedding party, act out the scene that will be displayed in full in the very near future. Till then we gather, “a muddly puddly lot”—rehearsing the songs and the drama and stirring our anticipation of the glorious day when we will be resplendent as the Bride and our eyes will be only on our Bridegroom, the Lamb. —M. MacMullen

Oh may I know the joy at His appearing,
Only at morn to walk with Him in white. —Alameda J. Pearce

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 35:1-35; Psalms 87:1-88:18; Acts 21:1-16

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36 

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15 

Someone said to me one day, “How could a loving God send people to hell?” My response was, “You’re right, God is Love. But, God is also holy. He hates sin. He cannot allow sin into His heaven. God does not send people to hell. If you choose not to believe on His Son, God simply honours your choice.” Make the right choice. —Bob Cretney

Choose now, just now, while the call is clear:
Tomorrow may be too late! —Harriet Fithian

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 34:4-35; Psalms 85:1-86:17; Acts 20:17-38

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured. Proverbs 27:18

Just as the one who looks after a fig tree would eat its fruit, so a servant that guarded his master’s best interests would one day be rewarded. God’s perfect Servant did “always those things that please him” (John 8:29). In the short term “He [was] despised and rejected of men” (Isa. 53:3). However, in a soon coming day, countless myriads will honour Him forever. We are today, imperfect servants. Is honouring Him more important to us than the opinion of others? Or will we face eternity thinking, “Oh, that I had lived more for the Lord.” —Vernon Markle

Only the best is good enough for Jesus, who died for me.
May I give, while on earth I live, the best that I have to Jesus. —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 33 to 34:3; Psalms 83-84; Acts 20:1-16

Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. 2 Chronicles 14:11

Feeling powerless against the multitude of issues facing you today? There is help! The secular world feels they have the answers for all of life’s needs: financial, physical, spiritual, emotional, family, etc. They do not. As we learn to rest on His unchanging promises we find in Him the necessary strength to carry on no matter how large the obstacles before us. He promises “grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16) and says, “My grace is sufficient” (2 Cor. 12:9). —W. H. G.

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home. —Isaac Watts

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 32:1-35; Psalms 81:1-82:8; Acts 19:21-41

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:44
Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order. 2 Kings 20:1

Having recently put our house up for sale, I found myself constantly trying to keep things tidy. I wanted to be ready in case a potential buyer unexpectedly came by. We too need to be in a continual state of readiness, for we don’t know when our Lord may come. Does your house need to be set in order, or will you be ashamed at His coming? —E. V.

Oh, can we say we are ready brother?
Ready for the soul’s bright home?
Say, will He find you and me still watching,
Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come? —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 31:1-18; Psalms 79:1-80:19; Acts 18:24-19:20

And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them. Judges 8:4

God had given a miraculous triumph over the Midianites. Though Gideon and his men were outnumbered and exhausted, they longed for a greater victory. But how would it be possible? To be effective for the Lord, we must learn to perish daily to enjoy the Spirit’s strengthening of our inner man. “But though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16). When we learn this we will be able to gain even greater victories for the Lord. —W. A. H.

O Lord, our strength in weakness, we pray to Thee for grace,
For power to fight the battle, for speed to run the race. —C. Wordsworth

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 30:11-38; Psalm 78:32-72; Acts 18:1-23

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. 1 Kings 19:5

The dispirited prophet expended much energy on his conflicts against the royal family and their idolatrous attendants. Elijah’s physical weakness and psychological depression mandated rest and sustenance. The Angel of the Lord Himself—a theophany—drew near to minister to His downcast servant. He tenderly touched him and cooked for him. This was compassion in action. It reminds us that God knows how best to minister to His people and restore their souls. Are you discouraged today? Seek the Lord’s comforting presence by praying and reading His Word. —Keith Keyser

Like clouds before the sunshine, my cares have rolled away;
I’m sitting in His presence, it is a cloudless day. —W. S. Walton