Month: June 2019

Joshua 2:1-24; Hosea 10:1-11:11; Luke 20:1-19

For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:4
Among whom ye shine as lights in the world. Philippians 1:15

The Philippians’ interest in supporting the Gospel started from the first day of their Christian experience. Their passion continued, and Paul commended them for the light they were shining into the world. Are we like them—stars shining in the world’s darkness. We can shine by our lives, our words and by giving from our resources to further the cause of the Gospel. —Jim Paul

Jesus bids us shine with a clear pure light,
Like a little candle burning in the night.
In this world of darkness, we must shine,
You in your small corner, and I in mine. —Susan B. Warner

Joshua 1:1-18; Hosea 8:1-9:17; Luke 19:29-48

But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching. Titus 1:3

Our information age has opened many channels of communication, which can be useful but not always beneficial. Preaching is not only for the listeners, but is equally essential for the preachers. Those called to this ministry must become life-long Bible students and then practice the life-long discipline of learning to communicate divine truth to their audience. Preaching is serious work, and good preachers must soon learn to remove any trace of laziness. —Rick Morse

Open Thou mine eyes, Lord, that I may behold,
In Thy Word, rich treasures, better far than gold. —Alfred P. Gibbs

Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Hosea 6:4-7:16; Luke 19:1-28

And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. Psalm 119:45

In our society, laws are associated with restrictions and loss of personal freedom. In God’s kingdom His law is the law of liberty, because in keeping God’s rules and surrendering to His will, we experience freedom. The freedom to fully experience what He has created us to be. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). Those who would not have this man Jesus to reign over them are in true bondage, the bondage of sin. —D. Pickup

Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood.
Would you o’er evil a victory win?
There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood. —Lewis E. Jones

Deuteronomy 33:1-39; Hosea 4:1-6:3; Luke 18:15-43

We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions…Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:5, 7

When troubles surround us and everything looks bleak, it is very hard to be patient and wait for God to work things out. Yet this is what we are told to do. But our waiting should be active. This means to continue taking the problem to the Lord in prayer, carrying on with His work and trusting Him to do the rest. —G. Frear

The Lord knows all my troubled days,
Defends and helps me, in all my ways,
He lifts me up so I’ll walk straight,
When on Him I call and patiently wait! —G. F.

Deuteronomy 32:15-52; Hosea 2:1-3:5 ; Luke 17:20-18:14

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

If we were to compare our suffering with the suffering of our Saviour, there would be a wide gap indeed. Oh how He suffered for us! But His sufferings are past and now we wait to share an incomparable glory with Him. What glory that will be! “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10). May this be our occupation until He comes. —Harold G. Smith

When I shall reach the more excellent glory,
And my trials are passed, I shall be like Him, O wondrous story!
I shall be like Him at last. —W. A. Spencer

Deuteronomy 31:14-32:14; Hosea 1:1-11; Luke 17:1-19

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Colossians 3:21

A father and son were walking along the beach. The boy was lagging behind and suddenly gave a happy shout of satisfaction, “Look Daddy, I’m walking in your footsteps!”. Your child may not inherit your talents or gifts, but they will absorb your values. How important then fathers, to be a godly example for the little boy or girl who is watching you! Abraham gave both moral and spiritual leadership and didn’t leave it to the church or the educational system. Build your children up in the ways of the Lord. —Jim Comte

Father, there’s a call for you: watch your step;
Little eyes see all you do: watch your step.
Little feet go Daddy’s way, follow you from day to day;
Lead, O lead them not astray; watch your step. —Author Unknown

Deuteronomy 30:1-31:13; Amos 9:1-15; Luke 16:1-31

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. John 15:18
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 1 John 5:19

As a rebellious kingdom resists its legitimate sovereign, even so this world combats Christ. Satan darkens people’s minds, stoking opposition’s fires. His seed delighted to bruise Christ at Golgotha. Likewise, their modern counterparts unjustly persecute the church. Just as they rejected Him, so they now repudiate believers. Suffering saints take heart, for the Man of sorrows is now risen and glorified. He will shortly rapture us to glory. —Keith Keyser

And though here on earth rejected, ‘tis but fellowship with Thee;
Should we not with joy expect it, here like Thee, our Lord, to be? —S. P. Tregelles

Deuteronomy 29:1-29; Amos 7:1-8:14; Luke 15:11-32

For you…joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession…in heaven…so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.” Heb. 10:34, 36-37, NKJV

When we suffer for the sake of Christ we will be able to endure it if we remember two truths. Firstly we have a home which is: incorruptible, undefiled, that will never fade away, and is reserved in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:4). Secondly we have His promise that in a little while He will come for us. —David Croudace

Be still my soul: the hour is hastening on,
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored. —K. von Schlegel

Deuteronomy 28:38-68; Amos 5:1-6:14; Luke 14:25-15:10

So the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; Sorrow and sighing shall flee away. “I, even I, am He who comforts you.” Isaiah 51:11-12, NKJV

Isaiah implored his chastened countrymen to seek God’s comfort and forgiveness through genuine repentance. It is not surprising then that the English words, “comfort” and “sorrow” appear more times in Isaiah than any other book in the Bible. Godly comfort is the sole solution for life’s sorrows. Every devoted Christian is destined for trouble (2 Tim. 3:12), but not for despair. The Lord wants us to learn that His grace is sufficient and to completely rest in the “God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3). —W. A. H.

Lord, Thy Word abides, and our footsteps guides;
Who its truth believes; light and joy receives. —Henry Baker