DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 6; Daniel 7; Revelation 2:18 to 3:6
…Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Romans 5:20
William Wilberforce (1759-1833) waged a long, difficult, and stressful campaign to abolish the slave trade throughout the British Empire. When Wilberforce sought counsel from converted slave trader John Newton, Newton summarized his life, your life and mine, and the gospel in one sentence: “I am a great sinner; Christ is a great Saviour.” Have you realized you are a lost sinner, and that Christ is the only Saviour? —W. Ross Rainey
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. —John Newton
DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 5; Daniel 6; Revelation 2:1-17
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 1 Corinthians 15:33
We are all like sponges, permeable, quickly able to take on board the things that are around us. When we choose to keep company with those who love sin and disrespect the things of God, we will find that we can quickly “soak up” their attitudes. Often it can be so subtle that we may not even realize what is happening. For this reason, it is essential that we surround ourselves with friends who will challenge us and inspire us to greater things for Christ. —Shane Johnson
With joy I heard my friends exclaim, “Come, let us in God’s temple meet; Within thy gates, O Zion blest, Shall ever stand our willing feet.” —Psalter
Christmas is a time to focus on the birth of Jesus and an excellent way to do just that is by reading through 31 Days at Bethlehem’s Manger. In our house, we read the morning devotional at the breakfast table and the evening devotional before bedtime, to reflect on what God has done for us. As we were reading through last night’s devotional, it really helped us remember:
Christmas is the time for giving, and none gave so much as the Lord Jesus Christ. His were the true riches, and He gave them up for us, for me! O let us give Him the full worship of our hearts this Christmas season, for He alone is worthy! – pg. 40
What a great way to end the night, thinking of what God has done for each one of us.
If you would also like a copy of this book, you can find it on our webstore.
By faith Enoch…had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 And Enoch walked with God… Genesis 5:22
Scripture says very little about Enoch, yet what an amazing testimony he had! He pleased God! How did Enoch please God? By walking with Him. It’s so simple, yet so profound! Paul’s prayer for the Colossians was that they “might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing” (Col. 1:10). May we too have this testimony, that we please God. —E. V.
Change your Church! Renew us, Lord, till we all reflect your Word! Make of us a shining light, ever pleasing in your sight! God, revive us by your love; send your Spirit to reprove! Take away sin’s awful blight, help us all to do the right!
—J. Dalles
Timely Lessons from the Book of Exodus By: Jim Paul Published by: Gospel Folio Press Buy now. “In the preface to this book the writer states his belief in the historical accuracy of events recorded in the book of Exodus and that this divine record ‘lays a solid foundation for understanding what it means to be associated with God’s people’. The author rightly says that while the church is not a substitute for Israel we can learn much from Israel’s experiences, lessons concerning salvation, sanctification and service. Consistent with that, the book contains a good balance between gospel appeals and teaching for believers. “As the title suggests, this is not an exhaustive commentary on the book of Exodus, the main focus being on the actual journey of the children of Israel rather than upon all the associated events. In consequence, there are sections of Exodus that are passed over with either very brief comment or no comment at all, for example, the writer moves from the call of Moses straight to the Passover with virtually no mention of the plagues that God brought on the land of Egypt. Likewise, there is very little on the latter chapters of Exodus concerning the Tabernacle, though what is said is instructive. The sixteen chapters are brief and very readable and the author takes every opportunity to press home truth concerning principles relative to assembly gatherings.
“While some seem to neglect the teaching of the Old Testament, as though it has little relevance for today, the author is to be commended for his lucid, practical and profitable teaching. The book will especially benefit those young in the faith and also clearly demonstrate how the experiences of Israel in the past have a parallel in the pathway of God’s people today.” ~Richard Catchpole, South Norwood, London, UK (Precious Seed Magazine, Volume 63, Issue 3, 2008) Buy now.
While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. Song of Solomon 1:12
The fragrance associated with sitting at a table is a lovely image in the Scriptures. Here in this passage, the fragrance of the beloved enveloped the table when the king came to sit. In the New Testament, a supper was also being made for the King. As the guests sat around the table, Mary anointed her Lord with expensive perfume and the house was filled with the fragrance (John 12:2-3). As we gather to His table, there should be a sweet fragrance too, as we offer up our worship to Him. —K. C. Ung
I love the name of Jesus, Immanuel, Christ, the Lord; Like fragrance on the breezes His name abroad is poured. —Horatius Bonar
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
“High thing” speaks of a tower or fortress. Here it speaks of everything which pride exalts against the knowledge of God. That knowledge is the revelation of God given in the Scriptures. They speak of His grace, mercy, forgiveness and salvation. Our possession of these truths concerning God, leads us into obedience to Christ. This is our fortress. This is the captivity that leads to freedom. —Drew Craig
Did we on our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing. Lord Saboath is His name; from age to age the same, And He must win the battle. —Martin Luther
DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 35; Daniel 2:24-49; 1 John 5
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. Hebrews 7:22
Many believers struggle with the assurance of their salvation. We know our own failures so vividly. We look at others and they seem so happy and appear so spiritual, but we are not like them. We begin to wonder about ourselves. It can be agonizing. Was there a time when you realized you were a lost sinner? Did you respond by putting your faith in Christ and His work? If so, rest assured, your security is not in you, but in Christ. He, as our Surety, has guaranteed to secure you with God. This surety is not with you, but it is for you. It is with the Father of our Lord Jesus. Rest securely in Him. —Harold G. Smith
Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast, There by His love over shadowed, sweetly my soul shall rest.
—W. Doane
DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 34; Daniel 2:1-23; 1 John 4
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5
God’s providence gives us all we need. In turn His gifts provide us opportunity to express our thanks to Him in word, attitude and actions. We use His gifts to glorify and serve Him—our job an occasion for gospel witness; our spiritual gifts for service in the body of Christ. Contentment is gained when we are satisfied with what He has given us and when we enjoy them in His continuing presence. We are Christ’s. My cup runneth over. —George Ferrier
Well of water, ever springing, Bread of life so rich and free, Untold wealth that never faileth, my Redeemer is to me. —Clara Williams
We are writing to invite you to the Believers Bible Conference, which was previously named “Rise Up.” It will be held from December 29, 2015 through January 1, 2016. The theme of our conference this year is “The greatest of these is LOVE.”
The 2015 BBC Conference has invited three general session speakers, Mike Attwood, Nathan Bramsen, and Joe Reese. There will also be 17 seminars for your spiritual growth, as well as 3 special messages for young adults. Please visit the online brochure for detailed descriptions. The 2015 BBC Conference is at the deluxe Embassy Suites Conference & Convention Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee (only 30 minutes from Nashville) where the last Rise Up conference was held with great success. The conference ballrooms and meeting breakout rooms were nice and spacious, room accommodations were very comfortable and food (including a la carte cooked hot breakfast) was splendid. Above all, the spiritual nourishment and encouragement from the able ministry of the Word was wonderful and fellowship most warm.
The rates for this excellent 3 day conference and other details are available online at bibleconferences.org.
The organizers have attempted to keep the cost for attendance of this non-profit conference as low as possible to encourage as many as possible to attend, especially young people still in school or college with limited resources. If there is someone in your assembly that would benefit from this conference, perhaps consider paying for their attendance as a gift.
We would encourage any one who has questions about the Conference, accommodations, costs, payments, rides, shuttle from the Nashville Airport, or choices of optional seminar sessions, to please contact: Rex Trogdon, tel: (704) 516-4825, email: [email protected]; or Jesse Gentile, tel: (813) 300-4774, email: [email protected].
Thank you above all for your prayers for the Lord’s blessings as the saints gather at Murfreesboro, TN for the 2015 Believers Bible Conference.
