Month: October 2017

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 25:1-30; Ezekiel 1:1-28; 2 Timothy 2:1-26

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Galatians 3:13

Our Lord was accursed for us. He who did no sin, in whom was no sin, who could not sin, bore our sins in His own body on the tree. He suffered divine judgment and the curse of the law, hanging there for us. But now by faith we see Him in glory and we call Him blessed, because He hung on that tree and took that curse for us. Hallelujah, what a Saviour! —Carl Knott

Crucified! Crucified! And nailed upon the tree!
With piercéd hands and feet and side! For you! For me! —C. Austin Miles

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 24:1-20; Lamentations 4:1-5:22; 2 Timothy 1:1-18

Till I come, give attendance to reading. 1 Timothy 4:13

So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading…all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Nehemiah 8:8-9

Privately I must spend time reading and meditating on God’s Word in order to view my circumstances in the light of eternity. Publicly I must be very careful to read God’s Word clearly, slowly and with meaning. Always remember, the Word is far more important than my comments which will follow, no matter how eloquent I may be! The Word of God and not my message is the “sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17). —David Croudace

Read it distinctly, clearly and slowly,
Then at His feet the hearers will fall. —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 23:1-37; Lamentations 3:1-66; 1 Timothy 6:1-21

And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord… Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places. 2 Kings 14:3-4

Compromise is the unfortunate downfall of many a Christian. We start out on the right path—but pressure from around us and discouragement from within cloud our vision and sully our path. Many a flourishing life has been choked by weeds of compromise. Don’t let that become your experience. Let’s stick to the narrow path of God’s Word—without compromise. Then we’ll be true examples of His grace to a world that so desperately needs this! —Deborah Manera

The church of God has so little influence over the world because the
world has so much influence over the church. —Charles Spurgeon

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 21:19-22:20; Lamentations 2:1-22; 1 Timothy 5:1-25

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4

Everyone’s life preaches a sermon. Some speak loudly and some are barely heard, but there’s a message lived out. Abraham’s life tells the story of faith, as the father of our faith. Isaac, the son of promise, through his Seed brought hope to this world. Jacob, unworthy as he was, was loved by the Lord. Faith, hope and love. What a message these three proclaim! God is still writing His story and you are in it! —Rex Trogdon

Take my life, and let it be, consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love, at the impulse of Thy love. —F. R. Havergal

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 20:1-21:18; Lamentations 1:1-22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16

And he (Esau) sold his birthright unto Jacob. Genesis 25:33

On the day Esau sold his birthright he allowed his desire for a bowl of pottage to alter the rest of his life. We shake our heads and say “What a fool.” But many of us make equally foolish trades. What desire have you possibly let bring failure into your life? Repent, and let God give you a new start today. —Ken Gross
If I gained the world, but lost the Saviour,
Were my life worth living for a day?
Could my yearning heart find rest and comfort,
In the things that soon must pass away? — Anna Olander

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 19:1-37; Jeremiah 52:1-34; 1 Timothy 3:1-16

But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow. Psalm 78:57

Our life is a journey, a walk of faith. We can learn much about how we should travel from Israel’s journey through the wilderness. Our heavenly Father wants us looking and walking forward, toward Jesus waiting for us on His throne. Let us keep our focus on Him, cultivating a vital communication with our God. Let us be like Caleb and Joshua, faithful and courageous. —D. Pickup

True-hearted, whole-hearted, faithful and loyal,
King of our lives, by Thy grace we will be;
Under the standard exalted and royal,
Strong in Thy strength we will battle for Thee. —Frances Ridley Havergal

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 18:1-37; Jeremiah 51:25-64; 1 Timothy 2:1-15

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Proverbs 21:1 

This verse often comes to mind as one reads through the book of Esther. Though the name of God is not found written in this book, one can clearly see God’s hand intervening in a remarkable way to the salvation of His people. He has not changed today! He is still able to arrange circumstances so that a precious, lost soul may be challenged by the gospel—through a tract, a message or a text—after all, “with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37). — Pete Smith

Leave to His sovereign sway,
To choose and to command;
So shalt thou, wondering, own His way,
How wise, how strong His hand. —Paul Gerhardt

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 17:1-41; Jeremiah 51:1-24; 1 Timothy 1:1-20

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? Mark 4:41 

He is a Man who could feed the thousands with a few loaves of bread and two small fishes. A Man who could make the deaf to hear, the dumb to speak, the blind to see and the lame to walk. A Man who could heal the leper and even raise the dead. A Man who could walk on water and speak to the sea and there would be a great calm. Well might we echo the words of the disciples on the lake. “What manner of man is this?” —John M. Clegg

What manner of a man is this, who died upon a tree?
What matter of a man is this, who set the captives free? —K. Boothe

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 15:32-16:20; Jeremiah 50:21-46; Titus 2:9-3:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

He was born without a right hand and so had been abandoned as a newborn. For years, he was rejected by prospective families, until one day a couple appeared, insistent that they adopt him. It was a perfect fit, because the patriarch of this family was also born without a right hand. In his new grandfather, the little boy found someone who perfectly understood his challenges and fears. Dear friend, please know that whatever trial you are going through right now, Jesus understands. —Lynn Shatford

Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer. —J. Scriven

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 14:23-15:31; Jeremiah 50:1-20; Titus 1:1- 2:8

For the love of Christ constraineth us. 2 Corinthians 5:14

A missionary nurse in Asia bent down to bandage and anoint with salve a leper’s wound. An American tourist with a camera was taking pictures and said, “I wouldn’t touch that guy for a million dollars.” The missionary nurse replied, “I wouldn’t either, but the love of Christ constrains me.” Is Christ’s love the compelling force it should be in your life and mine? —W. Ross Rainey

The love that Jesus had for me
Is more than tongue can tell.
Oh, may that love continually be
A constraining power to serve Him well. —W. R. R.