Month: July 2018

DAILY READINGS: Judges 4:1-24; Isaiah 25:1-12; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Revelation 6:17

A recent newspaper article told of six scientists in Italy who were fined because they did not predict the severity of an earthquake. Over 300 people died as a result. On a far more ominous note, mankind is being warned of a terrible time to come on earth. It will come at the end of the age and is a time when God’s judgement will be poured out on all who have rejected Christ. This solemn warning is in God’s Word, but many are ignoring it and seeking power and pleasure. Please do not ignore God’s warning. —Mary Robins

Many are choosing Christ today, turning from all their sins away;
Heav’n, shall their happy portion be? Where will you spend eternity? —E. A. Hoffman

DAILY READINGS: Judges 3:5-31; Isaiah 24:1-23; 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. Acts 15:14
Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Revelation 5:9

Having shed His blood for the sins of the whole world, the Lord is “taking out a people for His own name.” As sin increases I can either sit back in discouragement and say, “Oh no! What is this world coming to!”, or I can join my Lord, see people struggling and plunge right in with the lifeline of the gospel, to snatch some from the very gates of hell. Some from every tribe and tongue and nation will be there. Will some be there because I told them? —David Croudace

Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that are broken can vibrate once more. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: Judges 2:6-3:4; Isaiah 22:15-23:18; 1 Cor. 2:1-16

And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. Acts 22:9

Paul’s first encounter with Christ was a life-changing event. Paul saw the light. But not only did he see the light, he heard the voice. He recognized it as the voice of the Lord. Those who traveled with Paul saw the light, but did not hear the voice. May our encounter with Jesus today result in our seeing the light and hearing His voice and responding: “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19). —D. Pickup

Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen,
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus. — Robert Call

DAILY READINGS: Judges 1:1-2:5; Isaiah 21:1-22:14; 1 Corinthians 1:1-31

With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. Luke 22:15

It is hard to wrap our minds around the fact that God’s Son passionately desired fellowship with humankind. Yet we are told here that He strongly desired to be with His disciples in the upper room, where He instituted the remembrance supper. Of course, if He was going to meet with them, they had to be there. He still desires to meet us at His supper. It is still important. Do we have the same passion to be with Him as He has to be with us? —Ken Gross

Gathered ‘round Thyself Lord Jesus, we now seek Thy face;
May we know Thy presence with us, Lord of grace! —Douglas Russell

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 24; Isaiah 19-20; 2 Thessalonians 3

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. Genesis 1:5

From the beginning, God has made distinctions: between light and darkness, night and day, earth and sky, land and sea, as well as different species of animals. The greatest distinction lies between the Creator Himself and His creation. The essence of holiness is the Almighty’s uniqueness—He is utterly unlike anyone or anything in His universe. How wonderful then that He wants us to be like Him (2 Peter 1:3-4). Rather than another type of animal, humans are actually invited to be like their Maker in His moral and spiritual character. —K. R. Keyser

Here in the body pent, absent from Him I roam,
Yet nightly pitch my moving tent, a day’s march nearer home.
—James Montgomery

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 23:1-16; Isaiah 17:1-18:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

Whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. Ecclesiastes 10:8

The hedge (Job 1:10; Ezek. 22:30) indicates those bounds and restrictions that God has placed for our protection and guidance. He can remove the hedge as Isaiah 5:5 says, but it is a judgment against the  rebellious; not a blessing. We can break God’s hedges, but the serpent is waiting to attack all who dare. Let us stay within our God-given bounds in the home, the assembly and the world. God’s hedges are for our good, so don’t resent or rebel. Thank Him! And remember, the grass is not greener on the other side! —Carl Knott

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms. —Elisha A. Hoffman

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 22:1-34; Isaiah 15:1-16:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived….living in malice and envy. Titus 3:3

A newspaper article reported that research by psychologists had found that the most widespread temperament in the general population is envy. It was envy that caused religious leaders to deliver the Lord to be tried and crucified. It was envy, on seeing the multitudes that came to hear God’s word preached through Paul, that caused the Jews to expel him from their country. The Psalmist was envious of the prosperity of the wicked (Ps 73:3). If there is envy in our hearts, it will stifle the work of the Lord and diminish personal blessings we might otherwise receive. —Brian Powlesland

Root them out, get them gone; all unwanted features that to me belong.
Envy, jealousy, malice and pride; they should never in my heart abide. —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 20:1-21:45; Isaiah 14:1-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. Hebrews 5:2

Have you ever wondered why Aaron was the high priest and not Moses. Without doubt, Moses was the chief person of Israel’s history. Yet God chose Aaron. While Moses was sheltered in Pharaoh’s palace Aaron was with the people feeling the sting of the taskmaster’s whip. The difficulties Aaron experienced uniquely qualified him for the work of high priest. Dear believer remember the difficulties you have been called to go through have a great purpose. The Lord can use your pain to encourage and refresh God’s people. —Sid Halsband

Morning by morning new mercies I see.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! —T. O. Chisholm

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 18:1-19:51; Isaiah 13:1-22; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

A failed relationship, missing out on a job you thought you would get, the loss of a loved one in death are all circumstances that can break our heart. Be encouraged! The Lord is very near during these times. He invites us to come to Him when emotional distress overwhelms us. Our Lord has promised to give us rest. Will you accept the Lord’s invitation and come to Him? —Bob Cretney

Come home, come home, ye who are weary come home;
Earnestly tenderly, Jesus is calling—Calling, “O sinner, come home!” —Will L. Thompson