Friday, December 21, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 8:1-18; Zechariah 4:1-14; Revelation 13:1-18

So Judah said to his brothers…Come and let us sell him… Genesis 37:26-27 , NKJV
Then Judah came near…please let your servant remain instead… Genesis 44:18, 33, NKJV
Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah…has prevailed. Revelation 5:5, NKJV

Judah, the son of Jacob, who came up with the idea of selling his brother, Joseph, into the hands of traders, is the same son who later offered himself up instead of Benjamin. Our Lord Jesus Christ’s human ancestry is that of the tribe of Judah. Judah wanted to redeem Benjamin and out of his tribe rises the Son who redeems us all. —A. Baal

When I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. —Stuart K. Hine

Thursday, December 20, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 7:1-73; Zechariah 2:1-3:10; Revelation 12:1-17

But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. Luke 22:51 ESV

“No more of this,” the Lord said. Impetuous Peter. Cutting off the servant’s ear in his own wisdom. The Lord tenderly corrected the damage. Are we like Peter? Not looking before we leap or acting rather than asking for His blessing. We bypass the Lord’s guidance and then wonder why we have poor outcomes. The Lord overruled in mercy and graciously reversed Peter’s hasty act. May we be careful and prudent in our dealings, sensitive to His will. —Vernon Markle

Ah, whither could we flee for aid,
When tempted, desolate, dismayed,
Or how the hosts of hell defeat,
Had suffering saints no mercy-seat? —Hugh Stowell

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 6:1-19; Zechariah 1:1-21; Revelation 11:1-19

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:44
It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27

Some years ago we were on a bus trip. Prior to alighting at our destination, our driver gave a word of caution. “Tonight,” he said, “we will be leaving at five o’clock. That’s not five past,” he added. “If you arrive then, you will see the bus disappearing down the road.” Needless to say everyone was there on time. For each of us there is a far more important deadline; that being the day of Christ’s return or the day of our death. Are you ready to meet God? —Janet Fleming

Are you ready to meet the Saviour, should this be your final breath?
Do you know your sins are forgiven; if your eyelids should close in death? —Author Unknown

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 5:1-19; Haggai 2:1-23; Revelation 10:1-11

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah 6:8

Isaiah saw God’s presence in a rumbling smoked-filled temple. Seraphim cried out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts” (Isa. 6:3). The prophet had just pronounced “woes” on Israel, but after seeing God’s majestic glory he declared a woe on himself, “Because I am a man of unclean lips.” He was mindful of his unfitness before God. God responded by purging Isaiah’s sin and then inquiring: “Whom shall I send?”. After understanding his own depravity and experiencing God’s cleansing, Isaiah was willing to do whatever the Lord requested of him. Learning of God’s holiness prepares us for fruitful service. —W. A. H.

Lord, Thy glory fills the heaven; earth is with its fullness stored;
Unto Thee be glory given, holy, holy, holy Lord! —Richard Mant

Monday, December 17, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 4:1-23; Haggai 1:1-15; Revelation 9:1-21

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

A man traveling by train was trying for over an hour to get to sleep in his berth in a Pullman car. Having listened all that time to a screaming baby, he called out to the man who was walking up and down with the baby, “Take that kid to his mother.” The man replied with a tearful voice, “I would gladly do so, my friend, but this baby’s mother is in a casket in the baggage car.” How we need at all times to pray that God would keep the door of our lips. —W. Ross Rainey

A careless word may kindle strife, A cruel word may wreck a life;
A timely word may lesson stress, A loving word may heal and bless. —Author Unknown

Lord’s Day, December 16, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 3:1-32; Daniel 12:1-13; Revelation 8:1-13

They talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. Luke 24:14-15

This pair returned home after one of the saddest days in their lives. They had witnessed the cruel death of their Lord yet their conversation was about Him. How good, no matter the tragic circumstances affecting our lives, to bring the Lord into the conversation. Little did they realize the stranger who joined them was the risen Lord Himself! As they journeyed He revealed the Scriptures about Himself to them. Their response? “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way?” (Luke 24:32). — Jim Paul

The present perplexing, the future so dim;
But this is my comfort, it matters to Him. —J. Danson Smith

Saturday, December 15, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 1:1-2:20; Daniel 11:21-45; Revelation 7:1-17

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 1 Peter 1:8

There’s a difference between having joy and being happy. To be happy is dependent on what is happening around us. Joy is that genuine contentment that is deep down inside. To rejoice is to show that inward joy outwardly. We can experience both joy and rejoicing because of all God has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. One day we will see Him whom we love and the anticipation should thrill our hearts. —Rex Trogdon

Rejoice in glorious hope; Jesus the Lord shall come,
And take His servants up to their eternal home: — Charles Wesley

Friday, December 14, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 10:1-44; Daniel 11:1-20; Revelation 6:1-17

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galations 6:7

What would you think about a farmer who said he planted potatoes, but reap corn instead? If God were to allow people to sow one thing, but reap another it would cause us to question both His power and His integrity. What a comfort to those who have been mistreated by others. One day, all will be put right. Anything less would be a mockery to the God of the universe! —Lynn Shatford

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. —William Cowper

Thursday, December 13, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 9:1-15; Daniel 10:1-21; Revelation 5:1-14

See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently. 1 Peter 1:22b

The term “fervent” is found nine times in the New Testament epistles. There are six different Greek words that express this English word. The context is seen in three areas; love, prayer and service. Fervent service is the fruit of love and prayer; fervent prayer is the power of service and love; fervent love is the motive of prayer and service. —Sam Thorpe Jr.

Channels only, blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous power.
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us,
Every day and every hour. —Mary E. Maxwell

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 8:1-36; Daniel 9:1-27; Revelation 4:1-11

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? John 6:9

Have you ever thought to yourself that you are useless and worthless and that the Lord cannot use you? The boy above might have had similar thoughts until he surrendered what he had to the Lord. and He used them to feed about five thousand men, besides women and children (Matt. 14:21). When you surrender your hands and feet, heart and mind to the Lord, they will make a difference! Do so, and be a blessing to those whose path you cross today. —K. C. Ung

Then bring your all to Jesus, however poor and small;
Come, hasten now to bring it, the “little lads” and all.  -Julia H. Johnston