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.
DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 33; Daniel 1; 1 John 3
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious… 1 Peter 2:7
This verse doesn’t say what the Lord should be to us, but rather what He is! Love for Christ is a result of belief in Him and is one of the unmistakable signs of regeneration. John says,“We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Paul declares that if anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, “Let him be anathema,” which means “accursed”. Friends, there is no middle ground. The saved love the Lord Jesus, and the unsaved don’t. The Redeemer is precious to all the redeemed. What does He mean to you? —Carl Knott
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me, And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree; I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow, ‘Tis Thou who art worthy, Lord Jesus, ‘tis Thou.
—William Featherstone
DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 32; Ezekiel 48; 1 John 2:12-29
Be still, and know that I am God… Psalm 46:10
This psalm is marked by much noise and movement as torrents of water pour down and as mountains crash into the seas! Only in God are stillness and serenity to be found. It is in the quiet acceptance of His will for our lives that we can know Him. —George Hall
Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed? To do the will of Jesus, this is rest. Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round? On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found. Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away? In Jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they. Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown? Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.
—E. H. Bickersteth
DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 31; Ezekiel 47; 1 John 1 to 2:11
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents… Hebrews 11:23 But without faith it is impossible to please…God… Hebrews 11:6
Faith is essential to pleasing God. But faith takes on different forms as life progresses. Moses’ family exemplifies these challenges. They began in faith by hiding Moses from Pharoah’s murderous intentions for three months. But then a more difficult test came—letting go, as they committed their son to the waters of the Nile. This was followed by a long term challenge—trusting their son to be raised in the ungodly palace. God honoured their faithfulness. Our part is to exercise faith in every situation. Leave the rest to the Lord. —Ken Gross
Faith of our Fathers! Living still in spite of dungeon fire and sword, O how our hearts beat high with joy, whene’er we hear that glorious word! —Frederick W. Faber
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