Month: June 2022

Joshua 13:1-33; Isaiah 9:8-10:4; Luke 24:36-53

And the Lord shewed him a tree… Exodus 15:25

According unto the pattern which the Lord had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick. Numbers 8:4

And the Lord shewed him all the land… Deuteronomy 34:1

Moses was shown these things during the wilderness journey. A tree—a provision to sweeten. Thank God for the cross, for the One who suffered the bitterness of God’s wrath, that we may taste the sweet waters of salvation! The pattern—a plan to follow. A supernatural revelation that Moses never deviated from. May we follow closely all God’s instructions! The land—a prospect to enjoy. What future glory lies ahead in the Promised Land! Past, present and
future—so much to appreciate! —Pete Smith

May faith grow firm and love grow warm,
And pure devotion rise. —William Cullen Bryant

Joshua 11:1-12:24; Isaiah 8:5-9:7; Luke 24:13-35

He (Peter) said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. John 21:17

Many of us appreciate Peter because we see in him so much of ourselves. Oftentimes he was outspoken, overly self-confident and hasty and these things led him into difficult circumstances. His zeal may sometimes have been misplaced yet what is not in doubt is his underlying love for the Lord. Despite all his mistakes there was a real love for Christ. That love, coupled with the energising power of the Holy Spirit given at Pentecost, would turn him into a powerful man for God. May love for the Lord drive us forward today!  —Philip A. Kaye

I love Thee because, Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.  —Wm. R. Featherstone

Joshua 10:1-43; Isaiah 7:1-8:4; Luke 23:47-24:12

Yet there shall be a space between you and it (the ark), about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. Joshua 3:4

Israel was about to tread an unknown path. But, the Ark was the symbol of the Divine presence and they must never take their eyes from it. As we face the uncertainties of life and the unknown paths ahead, remember that our Lord in heaven has trod the path before us, and if we keep our eyes on Him, rather than our uncertainties and fears we shall move forward with confidence.—W. H. Burnett

The path where my Saviour is gone,
Has led up to His Father and God,
To the place where He’s now on the Throne,
And His strength shall be mine on the road. —J. N. Darby

Joshua 9:1-27; Isaiah 6:1-13; Luke 23:13-46

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37

It is sadly popular for many to falsely tell inquirers that becoming a Christian will ease their troubles in life. The oft repeated word “overcomer” in Revelation reminds us that being a Christian means we can live above our trials, but we certainly won’t live without them. It is essential that we avoid the “what’s-in-it-for me” approach to evangelizing, and preach the message of eternal life in Christ through the forgiveness of sins. —Rick Morse

We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender;
We go not forth alone against the foe.
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender;
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.  —Edith G. Cherry

Joshua 8:1-35; Isaiah 5:1-30; Luke 22:54-23:12

He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.  Luke 21:2, NKJV

Hidden in this beautiful story is a picture of our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave His life for the sins of all mankind. This poor widow came without fanfare or applause; and so did He! She came in deep humility; so did He! She gave with no thought for herself; so did He! She gave so that others might benefit; so did He! She gave to the utmost: so did He! —Ray Jones

I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed,
That thou might ransomed be, and quickened from the dead.
I suffered much for thee, more than thy tongue can tell,
Of bitterest agony, to rescue thee from hell.  —Frances R. Havergal

Joshua 7:1-26; Isaiah 3:1-4:6; Luke 22:31-53

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

It has been rightly said that the greatest tragedy in life is not unanswered prayer but unoffered prayer. The exercise of prayer requires time, discipline and concentration. Too often in the rush and pressure of life we can find our prayer life being so squeezed that it just becomes the ritual of formality instead of the reality of closeness. This is compounded by the fact that the prayer meeting is often the least attended gathering of the local church. We need
to be reminded again that prayer is essential for blessing.  —Paul Young

Prayer is the simplest form of speech,
That infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach,
The Majesty on high. —James Montgomery

Joshua 5:13-6:27; Isaiah 2:1-22; Luke 22:1-30

Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11, NKJV

Here is a wonderful promise from the Provider Himself who pledges to put in our hands the seed of our treasures and talents to be sown wherever we send it. Multiplied through His hand of blessing, both the receiver and the giver are enriched resulting in thanksgiving to the glory of God. Do not be stingy in your service—God will replace what you give away. —Mark Kolchin

Scatter the word of Truth, let it fall where it may.
Ask the Lord to bless it and it will bear fruit someday.  —Anonymous

Joshua 4:1-5:12; Isaiah 1:1-31; Luke 21:5-38

“Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?” And she answered, “It is well.” 2 Kings 4:26, NKJV

The prophet Elisha gives us a good way to reach out to people and their family. Ask, “Is it well?”. Some may respond openly and share their concerns, while others may not answer honestly. Either way, both will know that you cared enough to ask. Then, be ready with an answer to reassure them of the Lord’s presence and peace to meet their needs. —Rex Trogdon

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”  —Horatio G. Spafford

Joshua 3:1-17; Hosea 11:12-14:9; Luke 20:20-21:4

For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth (faithfulness) of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! Psalm 117:2, NKJV

Someone may be against you today. Perhaps you sense even circumstances are against you—but not the Lord. Never the Lord!
He is “towards” you with great merciful kindness and His faithfulness endures forever. Yes, into perpetuity. There is no danger of His faithfulness ever lapsing or expiring. No caveats or exceptions. No interruptions in coverage and no fear of an abrupt end. In His merciful kindness, He is faithful forever. —P. Ramsay

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be. —Thomas O. Chisholm

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

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Psalm 23:5

Perhaps the Psalmist is still in the valley of the shadow. Regardless, his enemies are very close. But closer still, right in front of him, is a table being prepared. And who is preparing that banquet? The Shepherd Himself. As menacing as the breath and threats of the enemies are, David’s eyes are captured by the feast being prepared and by the One who is preparing it—for him, right there. What enemies are breathing down your neck today—fear, anxiety, ill
health, uncertainty? As real as they are, more real is the One preparing a table for you. And what kind of feast is He serving? “My cup runneth over” (Ps. 23:5). —M. MacMullen

What food luxurious loads the board,
When at the table sits the Lord. —C. H. Spurgeon