Wednesday, October 10, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 10:1-36; Jeremiah 45:1-47:7; Hebrews 12:1-17

He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Hebrews 5:9
I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:28

The eternal Son gives eternal life to each and every precious soul, who as a guilty sinner, trusts Him as their own personal Lord and Saviour. Have you received God’s free gift of eternal salvation? Have you obeyed His Word? “God…now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30, NKJV). —Pete Smith

Lord, help my unbelief! Give me the peace of faith,
To rest in child-like trust on what the gospel says,
That “Whosoever will believe, shall everlasting life receive!” —Arthur T. Pierson

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 9:1-37; Jeremiah 44:1-30; Hebrews 11:17-40

Before she travailed, she brought forth…Who hath heard…who hath seen such things?…shall a nation be born at once? Isaiah 66:7-8

This is a remarkable prophecy concerning the birth of a nation before labour pains! Modern Israel was born on May 14, 1948. But the nation still faces the years of “Jacob’s trouble” when nations will be gathered against it. But then their Messiah will come. They will be delivered and the new Israel will “be born in one day” (ESV). Peace and joy will reign in Jerusalem from henceforth. As we see what is happening in Jerusalem today, do we believe what is promised will take place? We need to pray to that end. —K. C. Ung

Jerusalem, lift up thy voice! Daughter of Zion, now rejoice!
Thy King is come, whose mighty hand,
Henceforth shall reign o’er every land. —J. O. Wallin

Monday, October 8, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 8:1-29; Jeremiah 42:7-43:13; Hebrews 11:1-16

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. 1 Peter 3:15

One of the greatest impressions a believer makes on the world is not how he conducts himself when things are good, but how he conducts himself when things are bad! The world knows how to enjoy life when circumstances are favourable but is hungry for answers when circumstances are hard. Some of the most effective sermons you and I can preach are silent sermons of contentment and joy when facing adversity! —Sid Halsband

And when I, in Thy likeness shine, the glory and the praise be Thine,
That everlasting joy is mine, O Lamb of God, in Thee. —Mary Jane Deck Walker

Lord’s Day, October 7, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 6:24-7:20; Jeremiah 41:1-42:6; Hebrews 10:19-39

Now from the sixth hour there was a darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. Matthew 27:45

Camping at Sheriff Hutton just outside York, England I remember August 11, 1999 very well. We experienced a solar eclipse. For a few minutes we witnessed it getting darker and cooler and then a few minutes later the sun’s rays brought us into true daylight again. We stood in awe at the wonder of creation. When our Lord was crucified, midday was turned to midnight. This was no eclipse for a few minutes but a total darkness over the earth for three hours. His suffering in those hours was not for man to see. We are so thankful for our Lord who paid the price of our sin. —John M. Clegg

Well might the sun in darkness hide and shut His glories in,
When the incarnate Maker died for man, His creature’s sin. —Isaac Watts

Saturday, October 6, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 6:1-23; Jeremiah 39:1-40:16; Hebrews 10:1-18

And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. Deuteronomy 21:7 

God’s people must be clean from bloodshed’s taint. The Canaanites defiled the land through child sacrifices and violence. If an unsolved murder occurred in Israel, the nearest elders had to swear that they were
not complicit in the deed or in a subsequent cover up. Their sacrifice atoned for the bloodguilt of the killing. In Christ’s day, by contrast, the nation cried out for His blood, bringing guilt on themselves and their
offspring. Thankfully, His shed blood cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7), even pardoning an arch-persecutor (1 Tim. 1:13). —K. R. Keyser

But Jesus lives! The Saviour lives! In heaven He pleads for me;
And boldly I approach to God, His blood my only plea. —John Stockton

Friday, October 5, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 5; Jeremiah 38; Hebrews 9:15-28

Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Isaiah 1:13, NKJV

The Lord detested Israel’s vain religiosity! The Jews were a morally corrupt and spiritually bankrupt people. They had sacred form without the power of the truth (God’s Law) within them. The temple was bustling
with religious activity, but true worshippers must approach God in revealed truth, and with pure hearts and clean hands to refresh His heart. God has not changed, Christianity that is empty form displeases Him in the same way vain Judiasm did. He is looking for those who will worship and serve Him in spirit and in truth. —W. A. H.

The praise of hypocrites and gifts rebels impart, are offerings of futility.
But a broken spirit and contrite heart, delights God for all eternity.—WAH

Thursday, October 4, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 4:1-44; Jeremiah 37:1-21; Hebrews 9:1-14

A friend loveth at all times. Proverbs 17:17

Today, I received a card in the mail from a thoughtful friend. She was thinking of me, concerned how I was doing, praying that I was well. How blessed that made me feel. Do you know someone that needs encouragement? Someone that could use a kind reminder that they are important to you? Send a note and brighten someone’s day. God may be using you to lift a burden from a heavy heart. —Debbie Douglas

I’ve found a friend, oh such a friend,
So kind and true and tender,
So wise a Counsellor and Guide,
So mighty a defender. —J. G. Small 

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 3:1-27; Jeremiah 36:1-32; Hebrews 8:1-13

The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. John 5:22

An accused coming to trial would want to know all they could about the judge. Jesus told the Jews of His day who their judge would be, Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ. For many today that information is good news, for they have sung since childhood, “Jesus loves me, this I know.” But the day will come when this offer of salvation will be finished. Then those who do not love Him will face Him as judge. In loving kindness, He told the Jews, “He that…believeth…hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation” (v. 24). Receiving Him is essential. Have you believed? —Ken Gross

Saviour of sinners, Saviour of sinners like me,
Shedding His blood for my ransom, Christ is the Saviour for me. —Heyman Wreford 

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 2:1-25; Jeremiah 35:1-19; Hebrews 7:1-28

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 1 Corinthians 3:2 

“Why won’t my tree produce any fruit?” the frustrated amateur asked the professional horticulturalist. After a few pointed questions, the answer became clear. The tree didn’t have to work for its food. In fertilizing it too much, the young gardener had made it too easy for the tree to get nutrients. As a result, the tree did not bear fruit. What a vivid reminder to us to make sure we do our own study of the Word of God. We can’t rely on others for our food. In order to bear fruit, we’ve got to do the work! —Lynn Shatford

More about Jesus; in His word, holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in every line, making each faithful saying mine. — Eliza E. Hewitt

Monday, October 1, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 1:1-18; Jeremiah 34:1-22; Hebrews 5:11-6:20

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

To become married it takes a simple legal transaction. But to have a successful marriage it will take a lifetime of work. A piece of paper says that I am married but to demonstrate it to my children and to my neighbours it will take more. The same is true with the Spirit. We live in the Spirit but do we walk in the Spirit? Receiving the Spirit is one thing; living and walking in the Spirit, like living responsibly and
joyfully in a marriage, is something else altogether. Yield to the Spirit and you will live. —Shane Johnson

The Spirit lives to set us free,
Walk, walk in the light.
He binds us all in unity,
Walk, walk in the light. —K. Mayhew