Month: February 2019

Genesis 46:1-47:27; Psalm 25:1-22; Matthew 26:31-56

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Proverbs 3:13

The table mats in the hotel dining room had quotations inscribed on them. One was a saying of Benjamin Franklin: “Life’s tragedy is that we grow old too soon and get wise too late”. Perhaps we have aspired to change things, to make a difference for good and yet been disappointed as things have not gone our way. Like Solomon we should pray for wisdom. Said Reinhold Niebuhr, a famous theologian, “Lord, help me to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference”. —Brian Powlesland

Hasten, Christian, to be wise! Stay not for the morrow’s sun;
Wisdom, if you still despise, harder is it to be won. —Thomas Scott

Genesis 45:1-28; Psalms 23:1-24:10; Matthew 26:1-30

Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence. Isa. 62:6c
I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us. Isaiah 63:7

What does the Lord desire from us? Our thanksgiving and praise. We should always be praising Him and worshipping Him as He is so worthy of our adoration. Do I praise Him all day long? Do I praise Him with my words, thoughts and conduct? Do I thank Him for all the many blessings He has bestowed on me today (Ps. 68:19)? —Annette Baal

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! —Thomas Ken

Genesis 44:1-34; Psalm 22:1-31; Matthew 25:31-46

Brethren, pray for us. 1 Thessalonians 5:25
Pray for us. 2 Thessalonians 3:1
Pray for us. Hebrews 13:18

Perhaps the most urgent words found in Scripture are the ones encouraging and admonishing us to pray. Scripture doesn’t view prayer as a last resort, but puts prayer at the front of all issues. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). It is the most powerful ministry one can undertake for the body of Christ. It purifies our own hearts, making us totally dependent on God. Are you looking to serve God and those around you? Pray! “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). Amen. —Deborah Manera

The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer. —F. B. Meyer

Genesis 43:1-34; Psalms 20:1-21:13; Matthew 25:1-30

The Lord Himself… 1 Thessalonians 4:16, NKJV

Discouraged Christian, here’s a word that should gladden your heart: “Himself”. In a coming day, He will not send Gabriel or even the armies of heaven to take us home. No, the Lord reserves this special work for “Himself”. In the past: It was “by Himself” (Heb. 1:3) that He purged our sins. Presently: It is the Lord “Himself” who draws near to the brokenhearted (Luke 24:15). In the future, the Lord “Himself” will return to take His children home (1 Thess. 4:16-17). Our past, present and future are all in the capable hands of the One who never fails: The Lord “Himself”. —Brian Cretney

Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r. —L. Sandell

Genesis 41:50-42:38; Psalm 19:1-14; Matthew 24:29-51

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

What a wonderful prospect we have for the future when we trust the Lord! David wrote these words thousands of years ago, and yet we can echo them with perfect assurance today. Time means nothing in the spiritual realm. What was true then is equally true today. We know for certain that there are better things ahead for God’s people, and even though life here can be good, what lies ahead is even better! —G. Frear

My heart is glad, I rest in His hope,
Whatever life brings, I know I can cope,
He keeps me through life, till I come to death’s door,
And in His presence are joys evermore. —G. F.

Genesis 41:1-49; Psalm 18:30-50; Matthew 24:1-28

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

Martin Luther called this verse, “The Great Exchange”. What an offer has been given to lost sinners like you and me; our sin for His righteousness. God, who is holy, could not overlook sin, because that would be unjust; nor could He pretend that we didn’t sin, because that would be a lie. Thank God there was One, His only Son who voluntarily took all the sin and charges that were against us onto Himself. Could anything be more amazing? On this Lord’s Day, may we reflect on Calvary and its cost—the preciousness of our salvation. —Jim Comte

Was it for crimes that I have done, He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown! And love beyond degree! —I. Watts

Genesis 40:1-23; Psalm 18:1-29; Matthew 23:1-39

With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise… but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Pet. 3:8-9, NKJV

The Lord is neither slack nor slow concerning the promise of His coming. In our first verse, we see how glorious God is: He is above and beyond the element of time. But then we see how gracious He is, as He stepped into time to save us and bring us to repentance. The world will perish one day by His hand, but by that same nail-scarred hand, He shows that He has no desire for anyone to perish. —N. C. Funston

Saved by His pow’r divine! Saved to new life sublime!
Life now is sweet and my joy is complete, for I’m saved, saved, saved! —J. Scholfield

Genesis 39:1-23; Psalm 17:1-15; Matthew 22:15-46

For Sheol cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your truth. The living, the living man, he shall praise You, As I do this day. Isa. 38:18-19, NKJV

Isaiah told 39-year-old Hezekiah to prepare to die. The just king petitioned the Lord to remember his righteous service. God responded by adding 15 years to his life. Souls in sheol cannot praise God, so Hezekiah was thankful for the prospect to continue to declare God’s goodness. Accordingly, Hezekiah defines “the living” as those who enjoy doing what he was doing: praising and giving thanks to God. May we prepare for heaven now by joyfully praising and thanking God “all the days of our life” (38:20). —W. A. H.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days, to sing God’s praise, than when we’d first begun. —John Newton