Month: September 2017

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 22:1-53; Jeremiah 33:1-36; Hebrews 4:14-5:10

And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14

A young woman who desired to serve as a missionary felt compelled instead to help raise four motherless children. No doubt she poured her heart into caring for those little ones—as all four became missionaries. Our desires may not materialize as we think and we may spend our life doing obscure things in unseen places. But if we take our passion for God and apply it to where He leads, the results will surprise us! A life that changed diapers and wiped runny noses received a fourfold return on her investment! May this become our experience. —Deborah Manera

Let God have your life;
He can do more with it than you can. —D. L. Moody

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 21:1-29; Jeremiah 32:26-44; Hebrews 4:1-13

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20
We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Rom. 8:28

A thankful Christian is a happy Christian! Cultivating a thankful spirit is not always easy. Paul gave instruction on when and what to be thankful for. When? “Giving thanks always.” But he also said give thanks “for all things.” Now that can be challenging! It’s easy to be thankful for nice things but what about the difficult things? We can be thankful for “all things” when we remember that “all things” work together for our good. —Sid Halsband

O Thou whose bounty fills our cup, with every blessing meet!
We give Thee thanks for every drop, the bitter and the sweet.—J. Crewdson

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 20:1-43; Jeremiah 32:1-25; Hebrews 3:1-19

For he is not a man, as I am…Neither is there any [mediator] betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both. Job 9:32-33
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5

Job clearly understood that there needed to be someone to mediate between him and God, but he didn’t know who that could be. Unlike Job, we not only know who that Mediator is, but we know He did all that was necessary to mediate the problem of our sins. We were God’s enemies, separated from Him, but that issue has been satisfied and God offers “peace with [Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Have you asked to be right with God? —Ken Gross

God’s almighty arms are round me; peace, peace is mine.
Judgment scenes need not confound me; peace, peace is mine.—J. D. Smith

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 19:1-21; Jeremiah 31:1-40; Hebrews 2:1-18

Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. John 7:24 (NKJV)

The Lord warned His disciples not to permit their feelings or a superficial examination of the facts to guide their decisions. Solomon warned: “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him” (Prov. 18:13). “He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him” (Prov. 18:17). The first appearance of things is usually not the fullness of the matter and a
wise person does not grip a one-sided story. Deception is of the devil and God is truth. In the matter of judging others, let us be exceedingly careful and honour the Lord. —W. A. H.

As he of old deceived the world and into sin and death was hurled,
So now he subtly lies in wait to ruin school and Church and state. —Philipp Melanchthon

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 18:1-46; Jeremiah 30:1-24; Hebrews 1:1-14

It was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement. Acts 3:10
For the man was above forty years old. Acts 4:22

This man sat at that gate during most of our Lord’s public ministry while the Lord could have healed him. Why didn’t He? God’s timetable did not include it. But healing would eventually come to him and with it a wonderful testimony to the gospel. Our life, individually, is planned according to His sometimes inscrutable yet always perfect, divine will. Our part is to be ever watchful, praying for His guidance. He will do the right thing at the right time for us. —Vernon Markle

Lo, the night is waning fast, the breaking morn is near;
And Jesus comes, with voice of love, Thy drooping heart to cheer. —C. & F. Jouard

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 17:1-24; Jeremiah 29:1-32; Philemon 1:1-25

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true…whatsover things are of good report…think on these things. Philippians 4:8

A magazine had an article about a person so frustrated by limited success with his garden that he had considered giving it up and said he would “cultivate his mind” instead. Somebody quoted a little couplet to him, “Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds, The harvest can either be flowers or weeds.” Christians are exhorted to think on things which are honest and lovely so that such thoughts will take form as virtuous acts of kindness or as words fitly spoken that will be worthy of praise. —Brian Powlesland

Sow blessings, and blessings will ripen, sow hatred and hatred will grow;
Sow mercy, and reap sweet compassion, you’ll reap whatever you sow. —Ella Lauder

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 15:33-16:34; Jeremiah 27:1-28:17; Col. 4:2-18

It is finished. John 19:30

This sixth saying of Christ from the cross is actually one word in the Greek: tetelestai. It has been described as “an ocean in a drop of speech.” What did He finish? His revelation of God the Father was completed (John 1:18). The goal of His incarnation was reached (John 4:34). His sufferings were ended (1 Pet. 3:18). The Old Testament sacrifices were fulfilled (Heb. 10:11-12). The Father’s will was fulfilled (John 4:34). Satan was defeated (Gen. 3:15). Redemption was accomplished (Heb. 10, 14). —W. Ross Rainey

Lifted up was He to die,
“It is finished,” was His cry;
Now in heaven exalted high;
Hallelujah! What a Saviour! —Philip P. Bliss

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 15:1-32; Jeremiah 26:1-24; Colossians 3:5-4:1

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him. Luke 23:33

The elevated railway serving a large metropolitan area passed, and frequently stopped at, “Calvary Cemetery.” Regular stops were made at University Avenue, Main and Market Streets. Often the conductor called, “Next stop Calvary. Trains stop on signal only. Anybody for Calvary?” Friend, tell the Lord Jesus you desire to stop at Calvary today. Acknowledge your sin, and believe He died for you. —Arnot P. McIntee

Calvary, O Calvary! Mercy’s vast unfathomed sea,
Love, eternal love to me. Saviour, we adore Thee. —S. T. Francis

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 13:33-14:31; Jer. 24:1-25:38; Col. 2:8-3:4

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

The world tells us that it is not “politically correct” to say that the only way to approach God is through Christ! However it is “biblically correct!” So ignoring what they say, we must unashamedly tell the world what Christ Himself proclaimed. Any other message would be false. “For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Believer, may God give us holy boldness to go and proclaim this truth. —David Croudace

Open my lips Lord, let me speak for Thee,
Tell of Thy salvation bought on Calvary.
May I boldly witness to Thy saving grace,
Win some soul for Thee Lord, ere I see Thy face. —A. P. Gibbs

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 13:1-32; Jeremiah 23:1-40; Colossians 1:21-2:7

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. Romans 15:13
Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:33

The apostle Paul prayed three blessings for the believers at Rome. We should pray for the same. First, that the God of patience and comfort would help us in our unity as the body of Christ. Secondly, that the God of hope would fill our hearts with joy and peace. Finally, that the God of peace would make His presence known by all. God is the source of all blessing. —Rex Trogdon

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