DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 25; Psalm 139; Mark 10:1-31
Israel loved Joseph…and made him a coat of many colours. Genesis 37:3 And he left his garment in her hand. Genesis 39:12 Pharaoh…arrayed him in vestures of fine linen. Genesis 41:42
Three garments are mentioned in Joseph’s life. The first is the coat of many colours. It speaks of a father’s deep love for his son. The second is the garment he left in the hands of Potiphar’s wife. It speaks of unjust suffering and humiliation. The third is the fine linen that Pharaoh arrayed him in, speaking of exaltation. What a lovely picture when we trace the path of our Saviour! From the place of love, to the place of humiliation, to the place of glory. —Sid Halsband
O Lord! When we the path retrace, which Thou on earth hast trod, To men Thy wondrous love and grace, Thy faithfulness to God. —J. Deck
DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 24; Psalms 137-138; Mark 9:33-50
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. John 20:17
Seeing Mary Magdalene about to touch Him, the Lord responded that the time to cling to Him was after His ascension. No longer seeing Him physically she would then depend upon Him through spiritual eyes. We begin our Christian life by grasping Him for salvation but it doesn’t end there. Surrendering our will, we find that by depending on Him, His strength is revealed in our weakness. Jacob learned it (Gen. 32); Paul learned it (2 Cor. 12). We must learn it too. Let us daily cling to Him. —George Ferrier
Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me, a clean vessel in Thy hand; With no power but as Thou givest, graciously with each command. —Mary E. Maxwell
DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 23:23-44; Psalms 135-136; Mark 9:14 -32
For what is your life? It is even as a vapour, that appeareth for a short time, and then vanisheth away. James 4:14
The latest research establishes that the iceberg, which was struck by the Titanic had been spotted when it was 2,000 feet away, almost a minute before the impact. The ship had held its course for around half of that time. Had the officer in charge reacted even 15 seconds sooner, the ship may have missed the iceberg, and the lives of 1,476 persons might well have been saved. We know that individuals can pass away very quickly, much less than 30 seconds. At this moment, you have an opportunity to trust the Saviour. Don’t wait another moment. —Arnot P. McIntee
Life at best it is very brief, Like the falling of a leaf. Like the binding of a sheaf, Be in time. —Author Unknown
DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 23:1-22; Psalms 132-134; Mark 8:27 to 9:13
And the men…asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. Joshua 9:14
George Müller was once consulted by a man who had a business offered to him that promised great financial profit.“ I have to give an answer within an hour,” the man said. Mr. Müller quietly replied, “Then the answer is ‘No’, for that cannot be right, that leaves a man no time for prayer.” When an important decision must be made, let us always see to it that we make time to spread the matter before the Lord. —W. Ross Rainey
O how praying rests the weary! Prayer will change the night to day; So in sorrow and in gladness, Don’t forget to pray. —Mary Ann Kidder
Buy now! “I anticipate that this book will rapidly become an essential resource for those seeking to understand and enjoy the way in which the New Testament unfolds the meaning of the Old Testament. David Gooding’s analysis of texts that are often found difficult is both penetrating and accessible. I have personally found the material contained here extraordinarily helpful.”
—John C Lennox, Professor of Mathematics, University of Oxford; Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy of Science, Green Templeton College
“I recall seeing a wine expert who successfully identified the province in France where the grapes were grown that yielded the bottles he sampled. He explained that the telltale taste and bouquet resulted from the distinctive soils in which the vintage grew. So I have discovered, through the discriminating palate of Professor Gooding, how the various writings of the Hebrew Scriptures have left their distinctive marks on the fruit borne by the writers of the New Testament. The Riches of Divine Wisdom is clearly a masterwork of scholarship but written so it makes available to any devoted Bible student a largely unexplored field of both profitable and enjoyable study.”
—J. B. Nicholson, President, Uplook Ministries
“I would not use the word lightly, but this really is ‘Vintage Gooding’. All the great characteristics are here: his very special ability to discern the literary structure of books and passages, his love of the Bible as the Word of God, his ability to express each nugget of truth with conciseness, clarity and helpfulness. If you do not have time to read this whole book, then don’t open it. You will be gripped from page one, as I was. And I certainly would not have wished to miss a single sentence or page. Gooding subtitles his book ‘The New Testament’s Use of the Old Testament’ but in fact has given us a comprehensive (and highly readable) account of the basic principles of biblical interpretation.”
—Alec Motyer, Author, formerly Principal of Trinity College, Bristol
“I carefully read two earlier books in this series, on Luke and Acts, from start to finish. I am doing the same with this book for the same reasons: The opportunity to gain deep insights into biblical truth which only a master of the Scriptures could give, and to be devotionally enriched while doing so. This book is particularly important because it clearly and skilfully addresses a key area of biblical interpretation which all sincere students of the Word should develop skills in handling. I am refining some of my views on how I should approach the Old Testament as I read this book, and I am learning, learning, learning . . . .”
—Ajith Fernando, Teaching Director, Youth for Christ; Author, Deuteronomy: Loving Obedience to a Loving God
“This book is vintage David Gooding—Christ centred, scholarly yet immensely readable exposition. With verve and skill, he tackles one of the most challenging issues facing every Bible student, presenting many of the rich insights of his teaching ministry. This is a landmark contribution. I found my thinking stimulated and sharpened as I read it.”
DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 22; Psalm 128-131; Mark 8:11-26
Train up a child in the way he should go and, when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children. Deuteronomy 6:6-7a
Recently a friend mentioned that her mother often stated, “Children will follow one of your ‘gods’ so make sure there is only one God.” How true this statement is. Has God entrusted a child to your care? Be sure to lead that child by your example. Teach them God’s Word and pray for that child. By word and deed give them the Saviour. You will have done a great and lasting work. —Janet Fleming
Train a child to walk God’s way, Pray, then pray again, It may take some years to see Your work was not in vain. —J. F.
DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 21; Psalms 124-127; Mark 7:24 to 8:10
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe. Romans 3:21-22
It is not what we do, but what God, through Christ, has done. The perfect righteousness of God is reckoned to the believer’s account through faith in the Lord Jesus and His finished work. God’s righteousness makes the believer’s standing secure and it provides a sure basis for the repentant sinner to receive salvation. All glory be to His name! —Mark Fenn
God’s righteousness with glory bright, Which with its radiance fills that sphere, E’en Christ, of God the power and light, Our title is that light to share. —J. N. Darby
DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 19-20; Psalms 120-123; Mark 7:1-23
The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out. Leviticus 6:13
The undying fire was clear evidence that more sacrifices would follow. Indeed, under the Levitical order, finality was impossible. In view of this, we rejoice to hear the triumphant word from Calvary’s “altar”—Finished! In the never-to-be-repeated atoning work of the Lord Jesus, we rest securely. —George Hall
How glorious, blessed, and complete, That finished work must be; Where God with man delights to meet, There He has met with me! —Author Unknown
DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 17-18; Psalm 119:145-176; Mark 6:30-56
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. Song of Solomon 2:15
The writer here is mainly concerned with two people in love. How easy it is for a good Christian marriage relationship to be destroyed by insignificant happenings. Pray together, read the Scriptures together, and rejoice together. Keep at bay those issues which would tend to create disharmony. A happy couple in a happy home is a wonderful witness. —Brian Russell
Immortal love forever full, Forever flowing free, Forever share, forever whole, A never-ebbing sea. —J. G. Whittier
DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 16; Psalm 119:113-144; Mark 6:1-29
But God has shown me. Acts 10:28
Peter was an orthodox Jew and very prejudiced against Gentiles. But God showed him in a vision that no animals were unclean for eating. If this was true, then it is also true that God is not partial to any race. And so Peter entered the house of Cornelius and shared the Gospel with him. What has God shown you? If God impresses you with a truth then your life will be changed. No longer is it simply a fact to be known, but a conviction that you must obey. Ask God to show you truth and become a person gripped by convictions. —Donald L. Norbie
O teach me, Lord, that I may teach, The precious things Thou dost impart; And wing my words, that they may reach, The hidden depths of many a heart. —Robert Schumann
