Saturday, March 3, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 22:1-23:9; Psalms 64:1-65:13; Acts 12:1-25

And I have filled him with the spirit of God…to devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass. Exodus 31:3-4

These verses speak of individuals who worked in gold under the leadership of Bezaleel and Aholiab in the construction of the Tabernacle (Ex. 31:1-9). They were specially called for this task and they were gifted for their call. Today the Lord has gifted evangelists, pastors and teachers in similar fashion for the building up of the church (Eph. 4:11- 12). Are you called for this special ministry and if so are you doing your work in building up the body of Christ? —K. C. Ung

First came the cornerstone, Jesus, our Lord;
We hear this mighty Rock call from the Word:
Build up my Church, says He, it cannot fail;
As long as you believe, you will prevail. —R. W. Adams

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Friday, March 2, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 21:1-36; Psalms 62:1-63:11; Acts 11:19-30

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9

The mighty God of love calls believers into a special relationship with Himself through His Son. Fellowship involves a common share in something. We participate in eternal life, the essence of which is knowing God through Christ (John 17:3). Saints are invested in spiritual things that go far beyond the current age. Our living relationship with the Lord ought to control our lives down to the smallest detail. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). —K. R. Keyser

And Oh ‘tis joy the path to trace, by Thee so meekly trod;
Learning of Thee to walk in grace and fellowship with God. —J. G. Deck

Thursday, March 1, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 20:1-26; Psalms 60:1-61:8; Acts 11:1-18

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Proverbs 30:5

It is our faith in God and His Word that provides our protection. We are securely guarded by the sure Word of God. We can trust it not to break or crack. Let us use it, keeping God’s Word before us at all times to keep our minds and souls. —D. Pickup

His banner over us is love, our sword the Word of God
We tread the road the saints above with shouts of triumph trod.
By faith they, like a whirlwind’s breath, swept on o’er ev’ry field;
The faith by which they conquered death is still our shining shield.
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
Oh, glorious victory, that overcomes the world. —John H. Yates

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 19:1-25; Psalms 58:1-59:17; Acts 10:24-48

It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27

Chicago’s O’Hare airport was 37,000 feet below our Boeing 737. It was time to read and relax. But then I noticed a couple near me reading a religious pamphlet. Soon we were in a discussion regarding our individual faiths. After a lengthy dialogue, I stated, “I have five minutes to live, will you please tell me how I can get to heaven?” Startled they looked at one another and replied, “We’ve never thought about that.” Now it was my turn, and with joy, I told them when one acknowledges they are a sinner, and places their trust in the Lord Jesus, God’s son, they are assured of everlasting life. —Arnot P. McIntee

Come, and He will give you rest; trust Him for His word is plain;
He will take the sinfulest; Christ receiveth sinful men. —E. Neumeister

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 18:1-27; Psalms 56:1-57:11; Acts 10:1-23

Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Job 42:3

Job asked for a personal audience with God and when God responded, he was humbled and repented. His knowledge of the holy One was lacking and he confessed that he had spoken of what he only knew in part. We feel the same, don’t we; humbled, when we speak of Him and His love? Charles Spurgeon said, “The door of repentance leads to the hall of joy.” Are we there yet? —Rex Trogdon

It passeth knowledge, that dear love of Thine,
Lord Jesus, Saviour; yet this soul of mine,
Would of Thy love in all its breadth and length,
Its height and depth, its everlasting strength, know more and more. — Mary Shekleton

Monday, February 26, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 17:1-16; Psalm 55:1-23; Acts 9:32-43

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer…I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:1, 8

There are two great examples for us here. First of all, the Psalmist cries out to the Lord for help. But secondly, He affirms his belief that God has heard his cry. He gets into bed anticipating a good night’s rest because he has entrusted himself to the Lord and His goodness. What a pattern for us to follow! —G. Frear

Hear my call O Lord, and have mercy on me,
I know You hear my cry unto Thee,
You give me joy, more than harvest increase,
And I’ll lie down and sleep, in perfect peace. —G. F.

Lord’s Day, February 25, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 16:1-36; Psalm 52:1-54:7; Acts 9:1-31

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession…Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4:14, 16

Today, God rests in the finished work of His Son on the cross. As His redeemed ones, we rest in His great atoning sacrifice. Every Lord’s Day as we gather around the emblems of His suffering for us, we acknowledge Him, the foundation of our rest. Our worship and praise should therefore surge upwards to Him, who has given us peace with God. Let us do so with cleansed hearts, enjoying His presence and led by the Spirit of God. —Vernon Markle

Below He purged our guilt away, by His atoning blood:
Now He appears before the throne, and pleads our cause with God. —Author Unknown

Saturday, February 24, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 15:1-27; Psalm 51:1-19; Acts 8:5-40

Sir, we would see Jesus. John 12:21

These seekers were interested in one thing only—Jesus! They hadn’t come to find religion, hear theological debates or pursue the latest spiritual fad. They had come to see Jesus! What a message to the Christian heart—people want to see Jesus in us! They are not interested in our church, or good works or religious talk. They want us to show them Jesus! What a wakeup call to the Church today. Are we trying to attract others with clever, but ultimately empty human devices, or are we showing them Jesus? —Deborah Manera

You’re the only Jesus some will ever see;
You’re the only words of life, some will ever read!
So let them see in you the One, in whom is all they’ll ever need. —The Imperials

Friday, February 23, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 14:5-31; Psalms 49:1-50:23; Acts 7:30-8:4

Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry? Jonah 4:4

This question, that was asked of Jonah, may apply to us today! Are we frustrated because things haven’t gone as we planned? Are we upset with God because of some unexpected difficulty—loss of job, sickness or unanswered prayer? Instead of venting our feelings, may we reflect quietly instead upon some of the characteristics of the Lord that Jonah outlines in verse two. “I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness” (Jon. 4:2). Dwelling on His character will refresh our souls and ease our distress. —Pete Smith

Lord, I would place my hand in Thine, Nor ever murmur or repine;
Content, whatever lot I see, Since ‘tis my God that leadeth me. —J. H. Gilmore