Saturday, October 22, 2022

2 Kings 25:1-30; Ezekiel 1:1-28; 2 Timothy 2:1-26

Jesus…said to her…“whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14, NKJV

Walking through a son’s paddock, I thanked God for the water bubbling in the creek below. During the drought of summer, my husband carted water for our cattle over a period of five months. I was reminded of the woman who met Jesus at the well and how He offered to give her living water. What a change Jesus made in her life, and He can do the same for you today. —Janet Fleming

Beautiful water, living and free, that is what Jesus offers to me.
Lasting forever, bringing me peace, bubbling a fountain never to cease.
Drink of that water, why not today? Find life in Jesus, joy for your way,
Share it with others, answer His call, living water offered free to all. —J. F.

Friday, October 21, 2022

2 Kings 24:1-20; Lamentations 4:1- 5:22; 2 Timothy 1:1-18

She saw him that he was a goodly child. Exodus 2:2

God used five women to rescue Moses from the death decreed by Pharaoh. The two midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, believed they should obey God rather than Pharoah and were instrumental in preserving the lives of Hebrew children. Moses’ mother, Jochabed, risked her life to keep him alive, as did Miriam, his sister. Even Pharaoh’s daughter, who must have known he was a Hebrew baby, did her part in providing for his immediate needs as well
as his overall development. The men in Moses’ life were doubtless doing their part but it is only these women who are mentioned by name as contributing significantly in God’s plan to raise a deliverer for Israel. May we have similar hearts. —M. MacMullen

Lord, lay some soul upon my heart, and love that soul through me;
And may I faithfully do my part to win that soul for Thee. —L. Tucker

Thursday, October 20, 2022

2 Kings 23:1-37; Lamentations 3:1-66; 1 Timothy 6:1-21

Who is sufficient for these things? 2 Corinthians 2:16
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God. 2 Corinthians 3:5

Since the omniscient God is our sufficiency we have no need to fear the uncertainties of life’s tomorrows. Whether family issues, work place problems, or difficulties in the local church, He is able. As the Psalmist reminds us, our total care falls on the shoulders of our good, great, and gracious Shepherd. Rest on Him!  —Wm. H. Gustafson

All that I want is in Jesus,
He satisfies—joy He supplies;
Life would be worthless without Him,
All things in Jesus I find. —Harry D. Loes

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

2 Kings 21:19-22:20; Lamentations 2:1-22; 1 Timothy 5:1-25

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17

Throughout the Bible, God entreats people to come to Him. He describes Himself reaching out His hands, imploringly to wayward Israel. When He walked on earth, Christ told the weary and heavy laden to come to Him for rest and salvation. Unsurprisingly, the Bible’s final chapter continues the same offer for the living water of eternal life. Yet, there is an added person inviting others: “the bride”. Believers join in this glorious invitation! Let us not
weary in witnessing. Tell someone today. —K. R. Keyser

God and the Lamb shall there the light and temple be,
And radiant hosts forever share the unveiled mystery.  —John N. Darby

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

2 Kings 20:1-21:18; Lamentations 1:1-22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt…Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake. Psalm 106:7-8

As I write this, my nation (Great Britain), as is the rest of the world, is suffering an epidemic of massive proportions. On the whole, the privileged “West” has turned its back on God. Nevertheless, in His great mercy God is helping us get through. Not only should we be thankful, but we should not hesitate to remind our political leaders to honour the Lord as did the late King George during the Second World War. We need days of prayer and thankfulness. May the goodness and severity of God lead many to repentance (Rom. 11:22). —Brian Russell

I’ll strengthen you, help you and cause you to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.  —George Keith

Monday, October 17, 2022

2 Kings 19:1-37; Jeremiah 52:1-34; 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son…I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand…upon the sea shore. Genesis 22:16-17

When God asked, Abraham was willing to give up Isaac, the son of promise, the son whom he so dearly loved. This great man of faith believed God when he didn’t know why. In response to Abraham’s faith, God provided a ram and his boy’s life was restored, and his family (Israel) would indeed become as “the stars and the sand” in number. Abraham was faithful. Isaac was faithful. God is faithful and still keeps His promises! Are we being faithful? —Jim Comte

How good is the God we adore, our faithful, unchangeable Friend;
Whose love is as great as His power, and knows neither measure nor end.  —J. Hart

Lord’s Day, October 16, 2022

2 Kings 18:1-37; Jeremiah 51:25-64; 1 Timothy 2:1-15

He shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. Leviticus 1:4

Reverence for God is not put on and off at will. When it is real, there will be constant obedience and submission to God. This commitment is demonstrated by giving God the best I have. Then my worship will be in spirit and truth. The heart of the one who brought the perfect sweet-savour sacrifice in appreciation of God’s grace was to be filled with gratitude, and God then would be glorified.  —G. C. G.

And when I think that God His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin. —Carl Boberg

Saturday, October 15, 2022

2 Kings 17:1-41; Jeremiah 51:1-24; 1 Timothy 1:1-20

But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42, NKJV

It is of great eternal value to sit at the Lord’s feet daily, giving Him the place of honour as He teaches us the lessons He has prepared for us. Day by day, our Lord has a portion that He has prepared for each of us and it is worthy of receiving. Mary chose to sit at the Lord’s feet to receive her part, to hear His word for her. No one could take it away from her. Do we desire the part the Lord has for us today? Or are we losing out on invaluable spiritual blessings?
—Jennifer Flokstra

Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek, give what is best;
This all my prayer shall be: more love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, more love to Thee! —Elizabeth Prentiss

Friday, October 14, 2022

2 Kings 15:32-16:20; Jeremiah 50:21-46; Titus 2:9-3:15

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. Ecclesiastes 7:3

Mountain-tops or valleys? Most of us want the mountain-tops but the most valuable lessons in life are in the valleys. True wisdom is not learned but earned when hammered out on the anvil of life’s trials. One of the paradoxes of life is that joy can coexist with sorrow. Sorrow and suffering are the means God uses to develop His people. They give us a fresh appreciation of the suffering Saviour and they enable us to draw near to others who are experiencing similar trials. —Sid Halsband

How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul. —William O. Cushing

Thursday, October 13, 2022

2 Kings 14:23-15:31; Jeremiah 50:1-20; Titus 1:1-2:8

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased; For when he dies he shall carry nothing away. Psalm 49:16-17, NKJV

Let us be careful not to confuse physical blessings, which tend to turn us earthward, and spiritual blessings, which turn our eyes upon eternity. If the Lord has blessed us physically, let us use these blessings in service to the Lord for the benefit of others, and then teach them of the spiritual blessings they have in Christ Jesus, which will last forever! —E. C. B.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always. —Mary E. Byrne