Wednesday, August 24, 2011

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 6; Nahum 1; Romans 13

And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem? 2 Samuel 19:34

This question was asked by an old man. Have you asked it yourself? Consider the uncertainty of life. Solomon observed that “As the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, so are the sons of men snared in an evil time when it falleth suddenly upon them,” (Eccl. 9:12). God says: “Ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away,” (Jas. 4:14). Is it any wonder God warns, “Behold, now is the day of salvation,” (2 Cor. 6:2). Trust Christ now, before it’s too late! —R. Surgenor

Think on me as you pass by. As you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, so you must be. Prepare for death to follow me.—Thomas Parks (Epitaph of Hanna Cole)

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 4-5; Micah 7; Romans 12

And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Joshua 4:21

And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? Exodus 12:26

Children, especially younger children, ask a lot of questions. They are soaking up information during their formative years. When your children ask you about the Lord, what do you tell them? This is a golden moment and you should be ready with the right answer. Tell them what Moses and Joshua instructed the children of Israel to say. Tell them the story of God’s great salvation. —Rex Trogdon

Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard. —F. Crosby

Monday, August 22, 2011

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 3; Micah 6; Romans 11:13-36

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

Even after we experience the new birth, we appreciate the blessings of renewal as we recognize that the Adamic nature is still with us. It is neither removed or improved. The Holy Spirit’s ministry, with the believer's submission, is to control and keep that nature in check allowing the beauty and brightness of the Lord Jesus to be manifested in our lives. —Drew Craig

O fix our earnest gaze,
So wholly Lord on Thee,
That with Thy beauty occupied,
We elsewhere none may see.—Christian Andreas Bernstein

 

Lord’s Day, August 21, 2011

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 2; Micah 4:9 to 5:15; Romans 11:1-12

And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? Mark 14:4

The devotion displayed here was quite deliberate, carefully planned and prepared, just as our worship should be. Despite the criticism by “some,” Jesus said, “It was for my burial” and “a good work”. It was not wasted. Her thoughts and thanksgiving gave her boldness to draw near to Christ. Just so, we should draw near and worship today. Let us give our Saviour the love, glory and honour due Him, until we see His face! —Vernon Markle

At the feet of Jesus, pouring perfume rare,
Mary did her Saviour for the grave prepare,
And, from love the “good work” done,
She her Lord’s approval won.
At the feet of Jesus is the place for me. —Philip P. Bliss

 

Saturday, August 20, 2011

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 1; Micah 3 to 4:8; Romans 9:30 to 10:21

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6:5

To love God with all our heart we must first of all will to do so. We should repent our lack of love and determine from this moment on to make God the object of our devotion. We shall soon find to our great delight that our feelings are beginning to move in the direction of the “willed tendency of the heart.“ Our emotions will become disciplined and directed. We shall begin to taste the “piercing sweetness“ of the love of Christ. The whole life, like a delicate instrument, will be tuned to sing the praises of Him who first loved us. —E. MacLelland

A mind that has the will of God abides in perfect peace,
For he loves God with all his heart, and praises never cease.—Author Unknown

Friday, August 19, 2011

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 30-31; Micah 1-2; Romans 9:1-29

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18

Habakkuk, a man who experienced God, shows his absolute triumphant trust in God’s purposes and sovereignty. No matter what our circumstances, God is faithful. Talk about lifting your spirits! No matter what your situation today, reflect on these verses and be encouraged.—James Comte

Though the fig tree shall not ripen and no fruit be on the vine,
Though the shades of night be gathering and the sun has ceased to shine,
Still in Christ my soul is resting and my cup o’er flows it’s brim;
He my everything supplieth—I am satisfied in Him. —A. Christiansen

Thursday, August 18, 2011

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 28-29; Isaiah 66; Romans 8:18-39

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. Proverbs 21:30-31

In our preparations for the battles of life, whether big or small, seek wisdom from the Lord and from His faithful followers. Success is not the result of our preparations, though we must prepare diligently, but success and safety comes from the Lord. — D. Picku

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.–Dallan Forgaill

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 26-27; Isaiah 65; Romans 8:1-17

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. Luke 5:8

The Times newspaper once ran a series of articles on world problems. A letter to the paper was duly accepted and was the shortest it had ever printed. Headed “What is wrong with the world”, it said, “Dear Sir, I am. Sincerely yours” G.K. Chesterton. Chesterton's letter indicated that the root of all world problems was people—their greed, malice, covetousness, selfishness, and immorality. In short, their sinfulness. In order to address this problem of human sin, Jesus came and said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. Nobody comes to the Father but by me." Come to Him today. —Brian Powlesland

Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed His blood for me;
Died that I might live on high, died that I might never die.
As the branch is to the vine, I am His, and He is mine. —W. McComb

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 25; Isaiah 63:15 to 64:12; Romans 7:7-25

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Timothy 3:16

The epistle of 1 Timothy is all about God’s way of doing things. God has a way that cannot be improved. This is so in every realm. For example, in bringing salvation to the lost who could have devised and executed a better plan? He ensured that Christ the Saviour would be manifest in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the nations, believed on in the world and, finally, received up into glory. This was a Master-plan! Men cannot improve it. They simply must receive it. —Roy Hill

We may not always see just how the weavings intertwine,
But we must trust the Master's hand and follow His design.—The Plan of the Master Weaver, Author Unknown

Monday, August 15, 2011

DAILY READINGS: 1 Sam. 23-24; Isaiah 62 to 63:14; Romans 6:15 to 7:6

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42

The Psalmist knew the one thing he needed, "That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple," (Psa. 27:4). Mary knew the one thing she needed and no one could take it from her—to sit at the Lord’s feet (Lk. 10:42). These days it is difficult for our minds to be fixed on one thing and to accomplish it. There are so many attractions and distractions to divert our thoughts and attention away. To get back to that one thing is a necessity for many of us. What is the one thing you need to focus on anew? —K. C. Ung

One thing I ask and seek, Lord: to dwell with you always,
To gaze upon your beauty and seek you all my days. —S. H. Peterson