Month: January 2023

Genesis 38:1-30; Psalms 15:1-16:11; Matthew 21:33-22:14

But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory. Luke 9:32 NKJV

Peter and his friends almost slept through the mountain top event of a lifetime! It wasn’t until they awoke that they were able to see Christ’s glory. We too, if not careful, may fall into an apathetic sleep of complacency, perhaps subconsciously hoping to escape life’s circumstances. Scripture exhorts us that, “It is high time to awake out of sleep” (Rom. 13:11). It is then that the Lord can reveal His glory to us in ways never experienced before. Heed the Lord’s
wake-up call! —E.V.

God reveals His presence;
Let us now adore Him,
And with awe appear before Him.  —G. Tersteegen

Genesis 37:1-36; Psalms 11:1-14:7; Matthew 21:1-32

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NKJV

It is amazing how quickly life can change, isn’t it? One day all seems quiet and peaceful and within minutes it’s as though our whole world has crashed around us. But who cares? He cares! He cares about you! The Lord’s caring isn’t just a general thing, like caring for one’s city, or country. No, He cares for you specifically, individually and with full attention to every detail about you! The Lord’s loving personal invitation is: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28 NKJV). —Ray Jones

All your anxiety, all your care
Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there,
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus! —Edward H. Joy

Genesis 36:1-43; Psalms 9:1-10:18; Matthew 20:17-34

Arise, let us go from here. John 14:31 NKJV
Rise, let us be going. Matthew 26:46 NKJV

When the Lord finished His upper room ministry, He said, “Arise, let us go from here”. It was time to move out from there to the Mount of Olives. They crossed the Kidron Valley and made their way up to Gethsemane. He left His followers to watch, pray, and sleep, while He went a little farther to pray alone and weep. From the garden in Olivet, the Lord again called to His followers saying, “Rise, let us be going”. This step would take our Saviour to Calvary and from there up into glory. —Rex Trogdon

As Lamb of God, Thy path we view,
Thy Father’s will Thy whole delight;
To Calvary we trace Thy way,
Each step of Thine, with glory bright. —Inglis Fleming

Genesis 35:1-29; Psalms 7:1-8:9; Matthew 19:16-20:16

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. 2 Timothy 2:24
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 1 Thessalonians 5:15

Our lives often bring us into high pressure, high stress conditions. We sometimes rub shoulders with contentious, rude and impatient people. The temptation to retaliate is real, even for the believer. But whether it is behind a desk or behind the wheel of a car or even in the home, being gentle and patient to all reflects the attitude of our Master. —Sid Halsband

Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill: they shall not overpow’r us.  —Martin Luther

Genesis 33:18-34:31; Psalms 4:1-6:10; Matthew 19:1-15

Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. Psalm 120:2
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. Colossians 3:9

The writer of this psalm felt very keenly the effect of being the subject of false accusations, causing him great distress (v. 1). The Lord Himself knows how this feels, having experienced it at His trial (Mark 14:55-59). Much trouble can be caused for others by our misunderstanding, misrepresentation and exaggeration of situations, something that is very easy to do. May we be careful to accurately state the truth and not give false impressions, whether inadvertently or otherwise. —Philip A. Kaye

Lord, help my lips to say what’s true,
For only this will honour You! —Philip Kaye

Genesis 32:1-33:17; Psalms 1:1-3:8; Matthew 18:15-35

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind… 1 Peter 1:13a

Peter was perhaps thinking about the long, flowing clothes worn by his audience. They would often tie the garments close to their bodies with a belt. This allowed them to be unimpeded in what they were doing. Most often, loins would be girded when a person was warring, working, or walking. What an excellent picture to help us understand! Whether we are in a spiritual battle, or engaged in service or simply living out our daily lives, how vital to have the loose ends of our minds tied together with the belt of truth (Eph. 6:14). It will help us to be unencumbered in all that we do for Him! —Lynn Shatford

May the mind of Christ my Saviour, live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling, all I do and say.  —Kate B. Wilkinson

Genesis 31:1-55; Job 42:1-17; Matthew 17:14-18:14

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2

This is the ultimate end that God has in mind in the scheme of redemption—to populate heaven with people like Christ. The apostle John is quick to remind us that this is something that has yet to be realised in its fulness. Presently, our sanctification, and hence likeness to Christ, is a work in progress, but there is a time coming, when we will see Christ, and the ultimate result will be realised. Every vestige of the old sin nature will be completely  eradicated from our beings, and we will be fully like Christ. Blissful prospect!
—Willie H. Burnett

And is it so, I shall be like Thy Son,
Is this the grace which He for me has won? —J.N. Darby

Genesis 30:1-43; Job 40:1-41:34; Matthew 16:13-17:13

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2 Peter 3:13

It has become understandably common for believers to lament about the decaying moral state of the world around us. It pervades everything and imposes itself upon our consciousness. We know it won’t last, and that the Lord’s final victory will usher in an eternal state of peace. Yet like the weeping prophet Jeremiah, we cry repeatedly “How long?”. There is a holy sadness which is proper, but it should not pin us to the ground of hopelessness.  —Rick Morse

O Lord Jesus, how long, how long,
Ere we shout the glad song?
Christ returneth! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Amen! —H.L. Turner

Genesis 29:1-35; Job 38:1-39:30; Matthew 15:29-16:12

How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! Luke 18:24 NKJV

We in the west are rich. Our children are born into riches of education, opportunity, truth, experience, knowledge. This richness is hard! And it is dangerous! Since we cannot change our world, cannot create interest where there is apathy, cannot soften hearts hardened by rebellion against the truth, we might say with the crowd, “Then who can be saved?” (v. 26). The Lord’s answer is our great hope. “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27). —Marilyn MacMullen

I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
Trusting only Thee;
Trusting Thee for full salvation,
Great and free. —F.R. Havergal

Genesis 28:1-22; Job 36:1-37:24; Matthew 15:1-28

They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” John 20:13 NKJV
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” John 20:15 NKJV

Mary hastened to His grave. Sobbing, she stared into an empty tomb! Her heart breaking, Mary answered the angels inquiry, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him” (v. 13). She turned around and “supposing him to be the gardener,” asked “…tell me where you have laid him” (v. 15). Just one word—Mary!, turned her sadness to joy! On that resurrection morn, Mary did not discover Him, He revealed Himself to her. This morning may our hearts be filled with unspeakable joy as we worship Him, and may He reveal Himself afresh to you and me. —Jim Comte

Now the iron bars are broken, Christ from death to life is born;
Glorious life, life immortal, on this resurrection morn.– C. Wordsworth