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
DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 19:1-20:8/; Ezekiel 18:1-19:14; John 6:41-7:11
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight. Proverbs 8:30 This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:17
These verses show that whether in the pre-incarnate days of the Lord Jesus, or during the days of His flesh on earth, the Son was ever and always the delight of the Father. Indeed, the fellowship between the Father and the Son was not in the least diminished when He stepped into humanity. In preincarnate days, He was “daily his delight” whilst in the days of His flesh the Father says concerning the Son: “in whom I am well pleased”. —W. H. Burnett
All His joy, His rest His pleasure, all His deep delight in Thee, Lord Thy heart alone can measure, all the Father found in Thee. —Wesley
DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 17:1-18:17; Ezekiel 17:1-24; John 6:22-40
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Unless we realize our poverty of spirit and mourn over it, we can never come to God’s place of comfort. We know that all have sinned and come short of God’s glory (or standards). Without Christ, there is no hope or comfort. But those who recognise their need and mourn over it, can find comfort and hope in Jesus Christ. He has paid the price of our sin so we can find eternal comfort in Him. —G. Frear
Those who mourn their sinful state, Will see God’s face through heaven’s gate, Those who praise Him for new birth, Will recognise His matchless worth. —G. F.
DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 16:1-43; Ezekiel 16:35-63; John 6:1-21
Save me, O God for the waters are come in unto my soul. Psalm 69:1
I’ve prayed this prayer, desperately, dozens of times. The NKJV says it this way, “Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck.” Many times my circumstances have all but overwhelmed me. But God has always saved me, often at the last minute. When the bills were overdue and the bank account was low, I cried out and the Lord saved me. When my life was in danger and fear gripped my soul, the Lord delivered me. When I lay sick on my bed wondering if my life would ever be the same, the Lord raised me up. Pray to Him today. —Shane Johnson
Though I perish I will pray, I will pray, I will pray; Thou of life the Living Way, O, save me at the cross. —Fanny Crosby
“David MacLeod, a Professor at Emmaus Bible College and a commended teacher among American Bible Chapels, has written a fine, if very scholarly, exposition of Isaiah’s fourth Servant Song from a thoroughly conservative evangelical and pre-millennial standpoint. It has also been presented as a series of lectures given in various parts of the world to well-grounded Christians, including some missionary brethren and sisters. It includes hundreds of extensive footnotes, which present, and sometimes refute, the views of scholars of various persuasions, and discusses in great detail the meaning of the original Hebrew text, which the author quotes throughout.
MacLeod divides his exposition of the prophecy into its five stanzas of three verses each, to each of which he gives a helpful heading relating to its fulfilment in the life, sufferings, death, and resurrection glory of Jesus Christ. He is in no doubt about the Messianic nature of the prophecy, and emphasizes the vicarious nature of the Saviour’s sufferings for sin throughout the chapters covered. He points out that Isaiah anticipates the very different reactions of the nation of Israel to our Saviour, both at His first coming in humiliation and then at His future appearing in the end times.
Five long appendices complete the book, including one on the various Jewish interpretations of the chapter, another on the question of healing and the atonement, raised by verse 4 and here answered helpfully, and a third on objections to the doctrine of substitution.
This book is recommended to very serious Bible students, who will also appreciate its clear layout, literary style, and typographical production.”
