Month: October 2019

2 Kings 11:1-12:21; Jeremiah 48:1-47; Hebrews 12:18-13:6

“Follow Me”. But he said, “Lord, let me first…” Luke 9:59, NKJV
“Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Acts 9:6

How many would-be disciples have said, “Lord, let me first do
this or that” and because they have been in control of their own
lives have failed to fit into God’s wonderful plan for them. If Jesus
Christ is Lord He must always have first place! To say “Lord, me
first” is a contradiction in terms. When I realise who the Lord Jesus
really is, my only reasonable response will be to fall at His feet in
brokenness and humility and cry out with Paul, “Lord, what wilt
thou have me to do?”. —David Croudace

Jesus, all for Jesus, all I am and have and ever hope to be,
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans;
I surrender these into Your hands. Jesus, all for Jesus.
—Robin Mark

2 Kings 10:1-36; Jeremiah 45:1-47:7; Hebrews 12:1-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Timothy 3:16

The skirmishes in the defense and confirmation of the gospel
are many. Since Eden the enemy attacks the trustworthiness of
God’s Word. “Yea, hath God said?” (Gen. 3:1). Is the Bible authoritative?
Is it divinely inspired? Is it infallible? Is it inerrant? Each
time the challenges are answered, the enemy regroups, retools and
rewords the attack. We stand on an old battlefield. God help us to
grip tightly the sword of the Spirit. —J. A. Bjorlie

O may I love Thy precious Word, may I explore the mine,
May I its fragrant flowers glean, may light upon me shine.
O may I find my armour there, Thy Word my trusty sword;
I’ll learn to fight with every foe the battles of the Lord.
—Edwin Hodder

2 Kings 9:1-37; Jeremiah 44:1-30; Hebrews 11:17-40

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them
which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue
in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Romans 11:22

We must draw near to God rightly. It is not without reason that
God compares Himself to a consuming fire. Approached correctly,
a fire can bring warmth, light and comfort. Approached incorrectly,
a fire can bring damage, destruction and death. The nature of God
and fire are the same. They are to be respected and feared, not treated
irreverently or taken advantage of. The opportunity we have in
this life to serve God is a privilege not to be taken lightly. May we
serve with reverence and sincerity today. —Shane Johnson

O God of burning altar fire, O God of love’s consuming flame, Make pure
the flame of our desire; to win the lost, to seek Thy Name.—A. Carmichael

2 Kings 8:1-29; Jeremiah 42:7-43:13; Hebrews 11:1-16

For we know if our earthly house of this tabernacle (tent) were
dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1

We have a glorious prospect that is certain and sure. In this verse
Paul likens our bodies to a tent. While a tent is good at times, it is
only used for a short time. Many older saints are passing through
difficult times. Their “tents” are giving them all kinds of problems
and need lots of care. Dear friend, remember, your body is only
temporal. A new house is waiting which will remain in perfect
condition forever. What a day that will be! —Jim Paul

Oh to pass through the gateway to glory,
To escape from this prison of clay,
To exchange the dark night for the dawning,
And the light of the glorious day. —Margaret L. McDonald

2 Kings 6:24-7:20; Jeremiah 41:1-42:6; Hebrews 10:19-39

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the
Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far
from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. Matthew 16:22

How could Peter be so right in one instance and in the next
breath be so wrong? We might think that if the Apostle could be so
inconsistent, what hope do I have? Peter gives us the answer near
the end of his life. “For if these things be in you, and abound…ye shall
never fall” (2 Pet. 1:8, 10). Today we have the benefit of God’s mind
and will recorded in our precious Bibles. If we attend to it we shall
not fail. —Sid Halsband

The B-I-B-L-E! Yes, that’s the book for me.
I stand alone on the Word of God. The B-I-B-L-E!
— Author Unknown

2 Kings 6:1-23; Jeremiah 39:1-40:18; Hebrews 10:1-18

Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better
than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams.
1 Samuel 15:22

If Adam and Eve had been faithful to God’s plan of obedience,
there never would have been a need for sacrifice. God’s plan of
sacrifice was necessary because obedience failed. Fortunately for
us, Christ came fulfilling both needs—complete obedience to the
Father and also a perfect sacrifice for us and our sins. Is it any wonder
that the Lord has such delight in His Son? —Jeff Frey

O Thou, in whose presence my soul takes delight,
On whom in affliction I call,
My comfort by day and my song in the night,
My hope, my salvation, my all! —Joseph Swain

2 Kings 5:1-27; Jeremiah 38:1-28; Hebrews 9:15-28

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the
great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13

My dear grandfather got up from the breakfast table and said
to the others, “A day’s march nearer Home”, and that morning at
11:00am, he was Home! He was living in anticipation of the blessed
hope and longing for the Lord’s return. Do we live in anticipation
of His return? Is your life counting for God, or are you living for
the things that are temporal? —Jim Comte

Jesus is coming! The promise is true;
Who are the chosen, the faithful, the few,
Waiting and watching, prepared for review?
Jesus is coming again! —Daniel Whittle

2 Kings 4:1-44; Jeremiah 37:1-21; Hebrews 9:1-14

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone
cheerful? Let him sing psalms. James 5:13, NKJV

Historian, Luke Tyerman wrote of the Wesleys’ converts: “Their
religion made them happy; and happiness always finds vent in
song”. The world delights to sing songs that celebrate this fleeting
age. Christians may sing of their glorious God, His gracious
salvation and the eternal destiny that awaits them. We should be
a people known for meaningful and joyful singing. English speakers
possess more than five centuries of rich hymnody—a song for
every divine attribute and every human situation. Make spiritual,
scriptural, and exuberant songs part of your daily practice.
—Keith Keyser

Sing without ceasing, sing the Saviour’s present grace, How all things
shine in light divine for those who’ve seen His face. —John N. Darby

2 Kings 3:1-27; Jeremiah 36:1-32; Hebrews 8:1-13

And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou
doest is not good. Exodus 18:17

Jethro was pointing out to Moses that if he didn’t change his
ways with regard to how he was carrying out his work, he would
simply wear out! Do we need to pause and reassess how we’re
spending our time? Is it being used in a wasteful or worthwhile
manner? Are we prepared to listen to the advice of others? If you
are too busy to have real communion with your God in prayer, to
enjoy meaningful study of His Word or even to spend quality time
with your family, then “the thing that thou doest is not good”.
—Pete Smith

Where is the blessedness I knew, when first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view of Jesus and His Word?
—W. Cowper

2 Kings 2:1-25; Jeremiah 35:1-19; Hebrews 7:1-28

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without
ceasing of the church unto God for him. Acts 12:5

Peter’s release from prison is a striking example of the power of
God in response to His people. It provides us with lessons about
the precision, persistency and promise of prayer against insurmountable
odds. It is also a gospel picture of God’s strong hand
to save. Chained, guarded, and under the sentence of death (v. 6),
Peter is like the complacent sinner, asleep to his true condition. But
a light shatters the darkness, chains fall off, doors open up (v. 10)
and a path is taken directly to a prayer meeting (v. 12). Powerful!
Keep on praying then for those difficult situations, and difficult
people. God answers prayer! —Mark Kolchin

My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth and followed Thee. —Charles Wesley