Month: May 2017

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 10:12-11:32; Song of Sol. 1:1-2:7; Luke 9:18-36

Then spake Joshua to the Lord…Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. Joshua 10:12

Joshua prayed that the sun would stand still and it did (so he thought). But we know that God caused the earth to stand still—in response to Joshua’s faith. God knew that what Joshua needed was an extra day of sunlight. He answered by causing the earth to stand still. Isn’t God gracious? He doesn’t leave us hanging because we use the wrong words. He hears our prayer and gives us the answer we really need. Joshua took his need to God and for him the sun stood still. He will do the same for us. —Deborah Manera

Christ will always accept the faith,
That puts its trust in Him. —Andrew Murray

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 9:1-10:11; Eccl. 11:1-12:14; Luke 9:1-17

The elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord…it may save us…And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed. 1 Samuel 4:3, 21

Ichabod—what a terribly sad thing for Israel—God’s glory had departed! It all started when the “elders” made a decision contrary to the Word of God (v. 3). Is it possible that the glory has departed from some
assemblies of God’s people today? We often spend hours discussing a problem and a possible solution when we could better spend that time in prayer and searching the Word of God for His answer. —David Croudace

He bought the church with His own blood!
He guides His church with His own book. —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 7:12-8:20; Eccl. 9:11-10:20; Luke 8:40-56

The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. John 7:46

This lovely statement is only recorded by John, and is in keeping with his great theme of the deity of Christ and His pre-eminence in all things. He spoke words of light, revealing His bright glory and illuminating His listeners. He spoke words of love, that deeply touched the souls of sinners, imparting peace, hope and forgiveness (John 8:11). We can agree with Peter and say that He alone has “the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). —Pete Smith

Every day He comes to me with new assurance,
More and more I understand His words of love;
But I’ll never know just why He came to save me,
Till some day I see His blessed face above. —C. F. Weigle

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 6:1-7:11; Eccl. 8:1-9:10; Luke 8:22-39

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. John 12:3

So it should be in our “spiritual house” as an assembly of God’s people. Our sole occupation should be with Christ Himself in heart devotion. It is this occupation with Him that suffuses the fragrance of our worship to the whole gathering. May our worship this day send a sweet smelling aroma unto our God! —Ken Gunnell

His is love, ‘tis love unbounded,
Without measure, without end;
Human thought is here confounded,
‘Tis too vast to comprehend. —Thomas Kelly

DAILY READINGS: Deuteronomy 5:1-33; Ecclesiastes 7:1-29; Luke 8:1-21

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Rushton Lodge in Northamptonshire is unusual—the building only has three sides. Everywhere the number three is emphasized— three floors, three windows on each wall, each wall 33 feet long, three chimneys etc. It was built in the 1590’s by an Elizabethan knight to declare his staunch belief in the Holy Trinity. The Father loved us enough to devise a plan of salvation. The Son loved us enough to die for us. The Holy Spirit appealed in love to us to repent and trust Christ for eternal salvation and to build our lives around Him. What legacy will we leave for others to see? —Brian Powlesland

Holy, holy, holy merciful and mighty,
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity. —Reginald Heber

DAILY READINGS: Deuteronomy 4:1-49; Ecclesiastes 5:1-6:12; Luke 7:30-50

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord…Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. Ephesians 5:22, 25

“Success in marriage consists of not only finding the right mate, but also in being the right mate. Keep your eyes open before marriage, and half shut afterwards.” So said Benjamin Franklin. Scripture’s proven formula is a husband’s love being showered upon his lovingly submissive wife. —Arnot P. McIntee

O give us homes with godly fathers, mothers,
Who always place their hope and trust in Him;
A home where each finds joy in serving others,
And love still shines, though days be dark and grim. —B. Hart

DAILY READINGS: Deuteronomy 3:1-29; Eccl. 3:16-4:16; Luke 7:1-29

Blessed is he that readeth…the words of this prophecy. Revelation 1:3

John writes that there is a blessing to those who read aloud the words in this book. There may be many blessings resulting from that reading, but surely foremost must be the blessing of loving His appearing, of looking for and longing for Christ’s return. Let us stir up our hearts by a frequent reading of this wonderful revelation of the Lamb—victorious, prevailing, conquering, worthy. And for those who heed John’s words and love His appearing, there is the promise of the crown of righteousness to be awarded by the Lord. Take up and read. —M. MacMullen

O Lord Jesus how long, how long ere we shout the glad song?
Christ returneth, Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen! —H. L. Turner

DAILY READINGS: Deuteronomy 2:1-37; Eccl. 2:12-3:15; Luke 6:20-49

We will not have this man to reign over us. Luke 19:14

This is the world’s attitude toward Christ. Doing His will is the farthest thing from their mind. One day they will have a man reign over them, but it will be the devil’s man, the beast. The believer who is faithful to
Christ will suffer the same reproach and rejection as their Saviour. He cannot enter the world’s politics or society except by distancing himself from Christ. We who love the Lord declare the opposite: “We will have
this Man to reign over us,” and we pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10). —Carl Knott

King of kings forever and ever;
And Lord of lords, hallelujah, hallelujah!
And He shall reign forever and ever. —Georg Friedrich Händel

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 1:1-46; Eccl. 1:1-2:11; Luke 6:1-19

Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Nehemiah 2:2
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance. Proverbs 15:13
A time to weep, and a time to laugh. Ecclesiastes 3:4

Certainly in the life of the believer there will be heart rending issues that will cause tears to flow and sorrow that will be reflected in our countenance. But “joy cometh in the morning” (Ps. 30:5) and we are able
to smile and rejoice in our Saviour’s provision. Even in our sorrows we know He is near and cares for us. “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). —W. H. G.

Rejoice and be glad! For our Lord is on high;
He pleadeth for us on His throne in the sky! —Horatius Bonar

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 35:9-36:13; Proverbs 31:1-31; Luke 5:17-39

And his voice as the sound of many waters. Revelation 1:15

I recently parked by the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia as a hurricane was passing by only a few kilometers off shore. The noise of the wind and waves pummeling the shoreline was deafening and any sound I could make with my voice or car horn was inaudible by comparison. No excuse or objection will be heard in that day when He comes to rule in His glory; no matter how vehement or persistent. He speaks, and the entire universe listens in silent awe. —Rick Morse
Thy voice like great waters, how calmly our soul,
Shall hear in the glory its deep waters roll;
Though now it rebukes and humbles our pride,
It shall speak only love to Thy glorified bride. —E. Grimley