DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 36; Psalms 9-10; Matt. 20:17-34
But let patience have her perfect work… James 1:4
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Jas. 5:7
The book of James begins and ends with the theme of patience. Faith waits for that which it cannot see; it exhibits the patience of hope. And while faith waits, it works. Faith works with a humble heart, a helping hand, a tempered tongue and a persistent prayer. “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (Jas. 5:8).
—D. Pickup
I wonder, have I cared enough for others, Or have I let them die alone? I might have helped a wand’rer to the Saviour, The seed of precious life I might have sown. —Edwin Young
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Revelation 5:9
We may feel out of harmony with the world, and well we should. Because if we’ve been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb of God, our plane of harmony is now with a heavenly choir which ascribes all honour and praise to the Redeemer. The path down here may be rough, but remember your heavenly calling and the celestial harmony we soon shall join. —Mark Fenn
Hark! Ten thousand voices crying “Lamb of God” with one accord; Thousand, thousand saints replying, wake at once the echoing chord. —John Nelson Darby
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
There are many proclaiming all kinds of religions and creeds. But none can compare to the preaching of Christ crucified. We join with the apostle when he declared that he gloried in nothing else than the cross. It reveals the sinful nature of the human heart and demonstrates the love and grace of God in procuring eternal salvation for those who believe. Are you among those who have put their faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross? —Drew Craig
Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling, Naked come to Thee for dress; helpless look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly, wash me Saviour or I die. —A. M. Toplady
The Messiah and the Feasts of Israel By: Bryan W. Sheldon Published by: Gospel Folio Press (2009) “In this relatively small volume, Bryan Sheldon considers the Feasts of Jehovah in relation to Messiah, looking at them in detail and recognizing that they describe God’s prophetic calendar for the Hebrew nation and outline His plan of redemption. While the four springtime feasts have already been fulfilled, the autumn feasts still lie in the future. Of special significance to this age is that a period of indeterminate length separates the two. “The great value of this book arises from the detailed research which the author has undertaken. Not only has he drawn his material from a careful study of the Old and New Testaments but he has also consulted Jewish writings. Such background information has served to enhance the biblical account and to illuminate the events recorded in the scriptures. The chapters are so arranged that the description of a feast is followed by a chapter which relates that feast to the experiences of the Messiah.
“It is well nigh impossible to read this book without being driven back to further study of the scriptures and to marvel again at the minute detail in which the Lord’s life so wonderfully fulfilled the prophecies about Him, as recorded for us in the Old Testament. It would be difficult to single out for special note any part of this work but attention must be drawn to the four chapters dealing with Messiah and the Passover. Here, geographical material and historical information combine to enrich these chapters and provide spiritual refreshment which will benefit all believers. While on the odd occasion one may quibble slightly over some minor point, the overall impact of this book will spur the reader to further study and appreciation of the word of God and also to move him to worship the One who is its theme.” ~Ed Hotchin, Hucknall, Nottingham, UK (Precious Seed Magazine, Volume 64, Issue 3, 2009) Other books by Bryan W. Sheldon: The Messiah and the Priesthood of Israel The Messiah and the Covenants of Israel More Than Just a Messiah The Miracles of the Messiah
As we look on amazed at the deterioration of society on every side, it is good to remember what is at the root of things. A man without God is God-less. This certainly clarifies why people do what they do today. They have neither a Christian worldview nor a Christian conscience. David laments the intentions of similar godless men trying to harm him. “They have not set God before them”. Our society is becoming more godless every day. As we suffer undeserved harassment from the same types David faced, may we respond with the same insight as he did.
—N. C. Funston
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand. —Edward Mote
For who hath despised the day of small things? Zechariah 4:10
We often hear the cliché, “The bigger the better”, yet God delights in using “small things” to accomplish His purposes. He used Gideon’s three hundred men to defeat the Midianites; David, a shepherd boy to defeat Goliath; five barley loaves and two small fish to feed a multitude; and He brought forth our Redeemer out of one of the smallest towns in Judah! Never discount what you have to offer as being too small. God can use it for His glory. —E. V.
Give of your best to the Master, Give Him first place in your heart; Give Him first place in your service, Consecrate every part. —Howard B. Grose
…that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord… Psalm 27:4
David’s heart-longing was to be in the presence of the Lord and “to behold the beauty of the Lord”. As we come together to worship, especially at the Lord’s Supper, what is the focus of our attention? Do we muse and meditate upon the beautiful character and person of our Saviour? His words were full of grace and truth. His life was fragrant with love for all. His loving hands healed the sick. His loving lips spoke words of forgiveness to the broken sinner. His agonizing death for sinners proclaimed the amazing love of God. He is a beautiful Saviour! Behold the beauty of the Lord! —Donald L. Norbie
Beautiful Saviour, King of creation, Son of God and Son of Man! Truly I love Thee, truly I serve Thee, Light of my soul, my joy, my crown. —Written by German Jesuits
And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings. Number 6:18
Have you ever smelled burning hair? It is not pleasant. That which would be naturally repugnant to the nostrils of man had found acceptance and appreciation by the Lord. The world looks with disdain and disgust at the believer that wants to lead a life separated to God. Yet to God it is a sweet smelling savour. The Nazarite offered his hair as a sacrifice—that hair was the token of his separation to the Lord. —Sid Halsband
Take my life, and let it be, consecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my moments and my days, let them flow with ceaseless praise. —Frances Ridley Havergal
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. John 2:5
As awareness of the wine shortage spread amongst the wedding guests, we can be sure that many possible solutions were proposed. Mary’s, however, was the best! It was rooted in her unwavering trust in the uniqueness of the Son she had borne. Today, multitudes around us have problems, fears and false hopes. We know the One who is the Answer. Have we the conviction and the courage to point others to Him, as Mary did? —George Hall
Can we whose souls are lighted with wisdom from on high; Can we to men benighted, the lamp of life deny? Salvation! O salvation! The joyful sound proclaim, Till men of every nation have heard the Saviour’s name!—Reginald Heber
“This is a short book amongst a number of recent very helpful books by this author. The presentation of the Thessalonian church as a ‘model’ church, as is the premise of this book, has much to commend it, although this idea has been outlined by a number of other authors.1 This is an eminently readable primer for further detailed study and is easily read in a couple of sittings. It covers each section in the Epistle in turn, with a short introduction followed by sections where most verses are commented on. Good practical application flows from sound interpretation of the text. The balance in dealing with the text across the Epistle is about right, although chapter 3 seems to get a little lost amidst coverage of the larger issues.
It is not a detailed exposition of the book, and does not set out to be so. Thus, it does not cover in detail a number of exegetical challenges, mostly eschatological in nature, for example, which phase of the Lord’s return is being referred to in chapter 3 verse 13, but covers it sufficiently to whet the appetite for further studies. The brevity does, however, raise some issues: the section dealing with differences between the dispensational and reformed/covenant view of scripture, particularly in the context of future events, is, of necessity, rather scant. Unfortunately, this results in the presentation of a ‘straw man’, which does not present the nuance of the reformed position accurately. What McBride does present might be easily dismissed and, thus, it is open to criticism, albeit this reviewer agrees with his conclusions. The comments throughout the book on the insufficiency of many contemporary presentations of the gospel are welcome (some of which are not the gospel at all), and many of the practical points raised in this regard should be adopted in our proclamation of the gospel. Overall, well worth reading and worth encouraging others to read.”
A Study of First Thessalonians: The Model Church