Month: May 2019

Numbers 22:39-23:26; Proverbs 20:1-21:11; James 4:13-5:20

Entreat me not to leave you…Your people shall be my people, And your God my God. Ruth 1:16, NKJV

They all lived happily ever after. So read the fairytales. Sadly life is seldom that way. The story of Ruth is a sad, depressing story for she was dealt a severe blow. Shortly after her marriage her husband died leaving her a young widow. Some of you may be experiencing the same thing: a broken home or the loss of a partner. God eventually intervened in Ruth’s life and He will intervene in yours—in His time and in His unique way. Hard as it may be, trust Him and rest in Him. —Jim Comte

No one understands like Jesus:
He’s a friend beyond compare.
Meet Him at the throne of mercy:
He is waiting for you there. —John W. Peterson

Numbers 22:1-38; Proverbs 19:1-29; James 3:1-4:12

Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me…But when Sanballat the Horonite…heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? Nehemiah 2:18-19

Nehemiah dreamed of a day when Jerusalem would once again be restored to its former glory. As he made plans to do the work that God had placed in his heart, he was ridiculed and laughed at. Child of God, if God has placed in your heart a vision, don’t be discouraged if some ridicule and laugh at your exercise. Don’t let small minds convince you that your dreams are too big! The God that guided Nehemiah will guide you too. —Sid Halsband

Happy they who trust in Jesus!
Sweet their portion is, and sure;
When the foe on others seizes,
He will keep His own secure. —T. Kelly

Numbers 21:1-35; Proverbs 18:1-24; James 2:1-26

If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. Psalm 130:3-4

We should never separate these two verses. Yes, God does know all our sins. Yet amazingly, He laid them on His Son at Calvary so that forgiveness would be available to all who come to Him in simple faith. Our part is to admit we are sinners, believe Christ died for us, and confess Him as our Saviour. After salvation, if sin does overtake us we have His promise: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). —Wm. H. Gustafson

He banished my sins, both the greatest and least;
My sins are forgiven—Are yours? —Ada R. Habershon

Numbers 20:1-29; Proverbs 17:1-28; James 1:1-27

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7, NKJV
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13, NKJV

At times our service for the Lord can weary us or discourage us. Paul, the apostle, no doubt went through times when he felt like this. During his work for the Lord, he faced false accusations, beatings and imprisonment. Still, he persevered. To the end of his life, he trusted in the promises of God and he relied on the power of God. May Paul’s example be an encouragement to us in our Master’s service. —Bob Cretney

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase. —Annie J. Flint

Numbers 19:1-22; Proverbs 16:1-33; 2 Peter 3:1-18

But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. Mark 3:29

All sin is forgiven through Christ’s work on the cross. “And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6). But a person who rejects the work of the Holy Spirit drawing him to Christ cannot find forgiveness. It is found only in Jesus Christ. Sobering thought. Have you rejected His witness to you? —D. Pickup

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thyself now glorified. —Fanny J. Crosby

Numbers 18:1-32; Proverbs 15:1-33; 2 Peter 2:1-22

When the even was come, they brought unto him many…and (He) healed all that were sick. Matthew 8:16

This verse speaks of wonderful miracles. Many were healed. But the number was limited. Limited by the number of sick that “they brought”. I wonder if any of them later said “If only we had brought more”. Hopefully we won’t look back with regret and say the same thing in relation to how often we made an effort to share the gospel with others. He has commissioned us to go (Matt. 28:19). Let us do just that. —Ken Gross

We’re saved to tell others of the Man of Galilee.
Saved to live daily for the Christ of Calvary.
Saved to invite them to His salvation free.
We’re saved by His blood for all eternity. —A. Woolsey

Numbers 16:41-17:13; Proverbs 14:1-35; 2 Peter 1:1-21

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Consider Joseph and the difficulties he endured. Yet in all of them God’s grace was sufficient. His brethren sold him as a slave into Egypt (Gen. 37:28). He was falsely imprisoned because of the wiles of a woman (39:19-20). But all the while God was preparing Joseph to save the nation of Egypt and also his own family (Gen. 45:8). God was always present with Joseph in those harsh times— just as He is with us. His grace is sufficient for you. —K. C. Ung

When the road we tread is rough, let us bear in mind,
In our Saviour strength enough, we may always find;
Though the fighting may be tough, let our motto be:
Go on, go on to victory! —Richard Slater

Numbers 16:1-40; Proverbs 13:1-25; 1 Peter 5:1-14

And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Genesis 4:13
Thou…hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve. Ezra 9:13

Cain was a rebel; a selfish, bitter complainer. The first murderer, he then complained about his punishment! How different the words of the spiritually minded Ezra and we agree with him. Psalm 103:10 says, “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities”. The Lord Jesus took the full punishment for all our sins. We who believe will never have to face that awful judgment. —Carl Knott

All my iniquities on Him were laid;
He nailed them all to the tree.
Jesus, the debt of my sin fully paid,
He paid the ransom for me. —John. M. Moore

Numbers 15:1-41; Proverbs 12:1-28; 1 Peter 4:1-19

And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord?…Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel. 2 Kings 8:12

Like Jeremiah, Elisha was a weeping prophet. Rather than sentimentality, his tears flowed for his people’s sin and the wrath that it would bring upon them. Similarly, our Lord wept over Jerusalem. Yet He promised: “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted” (Matt. 5:4). One day sin will be put away and righteousness shall reign. —Keith Keyser

Did Christ o’er sinners weep, and shall our cheeks be dry?
Let floods of penitential grief, burst forth from every eye. —Benjamin Beddome

Numbers 14:1-45; Proverbs 11:1-31; 1 Peter 3:1-22

That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other. Luke 23:12, NKJV

Here was a friendship that came about when the Son of God was condemned to be crucified. Further, Acts 4:27 states that both Herod and Pilate were gathered together against Jesus. Watch what friendships you cultivate. They will make or break your life. “Do not be deceived: ’Evil company corrupts good habits’” (1 Cor. 15:33, NKJV). Most importantly, make sure you marry someone who loves the Lord Jesus and wants to live for Him. —Janet Fleming

When forming friendships always choose,
To make them prayerfully;
Then with God’s help, decide you’ll be,
The best friend you can be. —Janet Fleming