Month: May 2017

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 34:1-35:8; Proverbs 30:1-33; Luke 5:1-16

And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” Luke 23:35 (NKJV)

He is the Christ, the chosen of God. If He had “saved Himself,” we would not have the precious gift of our salvation in Him. His sacrifice ensures we have forgiveness of our sins and guarantees our eternal life. He did not save Himself, because He was saving us. —A. Baal

At the cross, at the cross, I surrender my life.
I’m in awe of You, I’m in awe of You;
Where Your love ran red and my sin washed white.
I owe all to You, I owe all to You. —Chris Tomlin

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 32:1-42; Proverbs 28:1-28; Luke 4:1-15

And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart. Deuteronomy 8:2

The above verse is a wonderful example of how God works behind the scenes in the lives of His children, developing Christian character and completing the work His Spirit has begun (Phil. 1:6). As He humbles and tests us, it reveals what is in our hearts, challenging our obedience to Him. As we submit our will to His, He will be free to do His perfect work in our lives for His honour and glory. —E. V.

All the way my Saviour leads me, what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, who thro’ life has been my Guide? —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 30:1-31:54; Proverbs 26:13-27:27; Luke 3:1-38

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

God’s grace is best when we need it most. It is then we sense our deepest need and turn to Him. Sometimes His answer to our prayer is not what we hoped, but it is always what we need—Grace! The apostle found God’s grace sufficient and empowering. We can too, when we act upon His grace to the point of thanking the Lord for our weaknesses. Then and only then will we know His power. —Rex Trogdon

His strength is perfect when our strength is gone.
He’ll carry us, when we can’t carry on! —Steven Curtis Chapman/Jerry Dean Salley Jr.

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 29:1-40; Proverbs 25:1-26:12; Luke 2:22-52

Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer (the smith has material for a vessel). Prov. 25:4

We are commanded to keep ourselves pure (1 Tim. 5:22) and to be holy because God Himself is holy (1 Pet. 1:16). We know that we will be blessed if we keep ourselves undefiled (Ps. 119:1). But above all when we are pure and holy, we are useful for our Refiner. May God grant us the will to purge ourselves from dross that we might be sanctified and fit for the Master’s use (2 Tim. 2:21). —D. Pickup

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul;
Each thought and each motive, beneath His control;
Thus led by His Spirit, to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted, for service above. —William Longstaff

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 28:1-31; Proverbs 24:1-34; Luke 2:1-21

Safety is of the Lord. Proverbs 21:31

Someone has said, “When nothing is left that is sacred, nothing is safe.” Seeing the moral decay around us we wonder, have we reached that point? The Bible is banned from many public places and prayer too is not allowed. Schools have lockdowns and even worship centres are targeted for crime. While our physical safety may be hazarded, if our souls are anchored in Christ we are sheltered—in the arms of God. Proverbs 18:10 tells us “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” He is our hiding place. Embrace this promise for eternal peace. —E. Dyck

Tho’ the night be dark around me I am safe for He is near;
Never shall my foes confound me, while the Saviour’s voice I hear. —Avis B. Christansen

DAILY READINGS: Num. 26:52-27:23; Prov. 23:12-35; Luke 1:57-80

Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. John 11:23-24
When Jesus therefore saw [Mary] weeping…Jesus wept. Jn 11:33, 35

Close in physical proximity, the needs of head and heart are often far apart. When painful times leave us bruised and trembling we can feel like Martha and want an answer for our head. And so the Lord affirms that one day the sorrows of this life will be swallowed up by eternal glory. But more often when in pain, we are like Mary and simply crave a balm for our heart. Jesus wept. Need we further proof that His heart is with ours? A bright future is coming. But for now, His tears mingled with ours carry us through. —S. McEachern

O yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long night dreary, I know my Saviour cares. —Frank E. Graeff

DAILY READINGS: Num. 25:1-26:51; Prov. 22:17- 23:11; Luke 1:26-56

You shall seek the place where the Lord your God chooses…to put His name for His dwelling place; and there you shall go. There you shall take your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes. Deuteronomy 12:5-6 (NKJV)

Here is God’s desire for worship. The people (the Jews), the place (Jerusalem), and the procedure (offerings and tithes) are carefully prescribed. For us, suitable worship has also been decreed by the Lord (1 Cor. 11:20-31): the people (believers with sins confessed), the place (the local church), and the procedure (the breaking of bread). Though corporate worship is not constrained to the Lord’s Supper, remembering the Lord in the way He said is foundational. —W. A. H.

How happy are Thy servants, Lord, who thus remember Thee!
What tongue can tell our sweet accord, our perfect harmony? —C. Wesley

DAILY READINGS: Num. 23:27-24:25; Prov. 21:12-22:16; Luke 1:1-25

Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. Luke 5:4-5

It had been a fruitless night of fishing when the Lord said “Launch out into the deep.” Simon’s resisting response of “nevertheless” was that of a defeated disciple who had spent a long, hard night of fishing with
no catch. But why call Him “Master” if there was only a half-hearted obedience? This was only a partial obedience for just “the net” was dropped overboard, yet “the net” could not hold the overflow of fish! Have you surrendered all to the Lord Jesus? —Jim Comte

All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.—J. Van deVenter

DAILY READINGS: Num. 22:39-23:26; Prov. 20:1-21:11; James 4:13-5:20

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:3

The writer to the Hebrews views the Christian life as a marathon race in which we are engaged. In an interview, a marathon runner said that there comes a point in the race when the physical effort seems overwhelming, and the will to continue is threatened. He said that at that point, the ability to continue depends on the focus of the mind. So also in the Christian race. We constantly need to be “looking unto Jesus” (v. 2) who Himself has suffered, but is now glorified, as we also will be, who follow Him. —W. H. Burnett

Faint not, Christian! though the road, leading to Thy blest abode,
Darksome be, and dangerous too, Christ thy guide will see thee through. —James E. Evans