DAILY READINGS: 2 Chron. 5:1-6:11; Ezekiel 29:1-30:19; John 11:1-27
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
One of the foundation stones of the gospel is that “The Lord is… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). But the Lord also takes it very seriously if someone consistently, deliberately chooses to reject His mercy. The solemn warning is that there is a judicial blindness that follows the one who continuously rejects the gospel and chooses their unrighteousness.
One more rejection may indeed be the last one! —Sid Halsband
Have you counted the cost, if your soul should be lost Tho’ you gain the whole world for your own? —A. J. Hodge
DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 3:1-4:22; Ezekiel 28:1-26; John 10:19-42
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:24
A relative told me some time ago that he would never have as much money as he wanted. How sad. Wealth is much more than money or possessions. It’s a smile from a small child, a rose that blooms in the spring. It’s a cardinal as it sings high in a tree, the fragrance of freshly baked bread. God has given us so many simple pleasures to enrich our lives here. To enjoy them to the fullest one needs to know the Giver— to accept the love Jesus Christ has for mankind and to believe that He willingly gave His life for each of us. —Debbie Douglas
I’d rather have Jesus, than silver or gold, I’d rather be His, than have riches untold. —George Beverly Shea & Rhea Miller
DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 1:1-2:18; Ezekiel 27:1-36; John 10:1-18
And he shall take…two kids of the goats for a sin offering. Leviticus 16:5
On the Day of Atonement, Aaron offered two goats for a sin offering for the people. One goat was slain and its blood sprinkled on the mercy seat (Lev. 16:15), pointing to Christ’s sacrifice and His shed blood taken into heaven as evidence that He had died in our place (Heb. 9:12). The other goat was set free in the wilderness after Aaron had confessed the people’s sins on its head (Lev. 16:21-22), pointing to Christ, made sin for us, that we might be set free (2 Cor. 5:21). God forgives our sins and remembers them no more (Heb. 10:17). —K. C. Ung
Christ has for sin atonement made, what a wonderful Saviour! We are redeemed, the price is paid, what a wonderful Saviour! —Hoffman
DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 29:1-30; Ezekiel 26:1-21; John 9:18-41
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. Exodus 25:1-2
God knew exactly to the ounce how much gold, silver and brass was needed, but He never mentioned the amount; only the “condition of the heart”. God will take care of the budget. It is His work. We need to focus on our hearts. He takes the loaves and fish freely given, meets the need, and there is always more left over. —Sam Thorpe Jr.
Take my lips and let them be, Filled with messages for Thee; Take my silver and my gold, Not a mite would I withhold. —Frances Ridley Havergal
DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 28:1-21; Ezekiel 24:1-25:17; John 9:1-17
Let your moderation be known unto all men. Philippians 4:5
The Greek word for moderation is variously translated “gentleness,” “forbearance,” “yieldingness,” or “sweet reasonableness.” The same root word is rendered “clemency” in Acts 10:1; 24:4. The conservative
scholar A. T. Robertson has said of this virtue: “Courtesy is not far from the true idea. It is graciousness with strength and poise of character.” Does this gentleness characterize you and me? And take note that it extends not only to our fellow believers, but to all insofar as possible. —W. Ross Rainey
Saviour, where’er my path may lead, Help me Thy will to know. May it ever be my steadfast creed, Thy gentleness to show. —W. R. R.
“By This Conquer continues Ritchie’s Classic Reprint series. Subtitled ‘Studies in the Epistle to the Philippians’, it is a verse-by-verse commentary that will prove helpful to a wide age range of readers. The name Andrew Borland was associated with Believer’s Magazine for more than three decades, and he was Editor of the Magazine for most of that period. All who remember his editorial precision will not be disappointed by his elegant prose in By This Conquer. The clarity of his writing will also be appreciated by a wider 21st century readership.
In his Foreword, the author modestly suggests that this book contains “nothing new”; he claims to leave that to “more scholarly and more original thinkers”. Yet his exposition of Philippians is much more than a re-working of other writers’ interpretations, and he parts company with many in his approach to Philippians 3.11-12. His defence of Christ’s Person, as presented in Philippians 2, is trenchant. He states clearly his defence of both the Lord’s deity and His humanity and, in so doing, he opposes emphatically those who try to have one foot in the camp that would dare to present ‘a fallible Christ’, and the other in a more fundamentalist camp. He strips aside their veneer of reverence to Christ to expose their desire to have “a non-miraculous Jesus … that leads to a purely legendary Christ.”
The chapters of By This Conquer were originally published in a monthly magazine, so every verse is not covered in the same level of detail. Many younger readers will be encouraged by the brevity of the chapters – 30 chapters are covered in 232 pages. By This Conquer is a good choice for Ritchie’s Classic Reprint Series. To those familiar with his writing, it is Andrew Borland at his best. To others who never heard him preach, or who may not have had opportunity to read his articles or books, By This Conquer will provide an introduction to an author who proved helpful to many in past generations.”
DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 26:1-27:34; Ezekiel 23:1-49; John 8:31-59
I…beseech you that ye walk (live life) worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. Ephesians 4:1
As believers our primary call is to be ambassadors for Christ, regardless of our vocation in the secular world. There are certain standards of conduct for us in that role. We are to walk in unity with other believers (4:3), walk in holiness (4:17), walk in love (5:2), walk in light (5:8), and walk in wisdom (5:15), just to name a few. Walk worthy! —W. H. G.
I will follow where He leadeth; I will pasture where He feedeth. I will follow all the way, Lord. I will follow Jesus ev’ry day. —Charles Weigle
DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 24:1-25:31; Ezekiel 22:1-31; John 8:12-30
If any man serve me…him will my Father honour. John 12:26
Young people graduating give much thought to career choices. For this they need Godly wisdom and guidance. One student excelled athletically on the basketball court. His coach was so impressed that he suggested a pursuit of the sport professionally. It was, of course tempting, but the youth felt the call of God on his life and chose Bible school instead. When he later reconnected with the coach he was privileged to lead him, his wife and three sons to the Lord. Right choices lead to eternal rewards. May concerned believers lend prayer support so right decisions will be made. —E. Dyck
He knows, He loves, He cares, nothing this truth can dim; He gives the very best to those who leave the choice with Him. —Author Unknown
DAILY READINGS: 1 Chron. 22:1-23:32; Ezekiel 20:45-21:32; John 7:31-8:11
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
In the verses following this one, instruction is given to teach these words diligently to your children—when you sit in your house, when you lie down and when you get up. A Christian home is a learning centre—a place were God and His Word should always be honoured. —E. Bennett MacLelland
O give us homes built firm upon the Saviour, Where Christ is Head and Counsellor and Guide; Where ev’ry child is taught His love and favour, And gives his heart to Christ, the Crucified. —Barbara B. Hart
DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 21:1-30; Ezekiel 20:1-44; John 7:12-30
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. Revelation 3:15
The western world’s glorification of laziness has affected me. My work ethic in the Master’s service continues to marginalize and I continually excuse it by unwisely comparing myself with others. I often find myself wondering why I should labour fervently when so many don’t, somehow thinking it’s okay to ease off. But then I remember my Lord Jesus, who faithfully said “I must be about my Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). May His mind be in me. —Rick Morse
O let me see Thy footmarks, and in them plant my own; My hope to follow duly, is in Thy strength alone. —John Ernest Bode
