Monday, September 12, 2022

1 Kings 4:1-5:18; Jeremiah 12:1-17; Ephesians 5:1-21

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Navigating the circumstances of life can often make us feel like we are blind. Sometimes we cannot see what lies ahead. Other times we are unsure of which direction to take. That is when we need to trust in our heavenly Father’s love and faithfulness. He sees what we cannot see. His unseen hand is always active behind the scenes of our lives, skillfully working out His purposes for our good. So today dear child of God, choose to walk by faith, and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). —E. V.

There is an unseen hand to me,
That leads through ways I cannot see;
While going through this world of woe,
This hand still leads me as I go. —Marty Stuart

Lord’s Day, September 11, 2022

1 Kings 3:1-28; Jeremiah 11:1-23; Ephesians 4:17-32

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

“He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9), said Christ, who is “the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15) and “the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person” (Heb. 1:3). Every word and deed during His earthly ministry revealed the Father (John 1:14, 18). If one desires to know God’s beauty, he has only to consider the Lord Jesus’ altogether lovely face. The Scriptures manifest His glorious visage. —K. R. Keyser

God, in Thee His love unfolding,
Shows how vast, how rich His grace;
Blest our lot, with joy beholding,
All His glory in Thy face. —S. P. Tregelles

Saturday, September 10, 2022

1 Kings 2; Jeremiah 10:1-46; Ephesians 4:1-16

[They] said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. Revelation 6:16

This verse presents a dreadful scene and Lamb is probably the last word we would expect to find at the end of it. Those who have received Christ as Saviour think of the Lamb in terms of love, not wrath. He was the innocent sacrifice, the humble One who bore the wrath of God that He might take away the sin of the world. But there is another aspect to the Lamb. The Father has given all judgment to the Son and this future scene is certain. May we realize the awful truth of it and warn all souls of its reality. —Ken Gross

Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save. —Fanny J. Crosby

Friday, September 9, 2022

1 Kings 1:1-53; Jeremiah 9:1-26; Ephesians 3:1-21

Carest thou not that we perish? Mark 4:38 
Do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Luke 10:40, NKJV

Does Jesus care? Yes, He cares very much about my daily worries, problems and even my chores. As He did with Martha, He will direct me to a higher plane if only I bring them to Him. But He also cares about the huge storms which may suddenly come crashing down on my life: the passing of a loved one, a lost job or a wayward child! When I bring them to Him, He calms the storm and enables me to continue on in peace. —David Croudace

Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?
Tell it to Jesus alone. —Edmund S. Lorenz

Thursday, September 8, 2022

2 Samuel 24:1-25; Jeremiah 8:1-22; Ephesians 2:11-22

The Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. Ex. 14:15

The Lord told Moses to lead His people forward even though it led to the seemingly impassable barrier of the Red Sea. God would be responsible for overcoming this obstacle. Moses was responsible for doing what God told him. There was no point crying. So too today, we need to simply have faith in God and go forward! As each new day dawns, no matter the challenge or seemingly impassable obstacle, we go forward with God. Have faith in Him
to lead you on. —K. C. Ung

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. —John Rippon

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

2 Samuel 23:1-39; Jeremiah 7:1-34; Ephesians 1:15-2:10

Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. Psalm 78:1

Our claims of commitment to God, must be consistent with our actions. We learn how to live from the Scriptures. It is in them that we listen to His voice and then put His directives into practice. His faithfulness never changes, so when we learn from Him, we won’t have to relive past failures. Trust Him, respond to Him, be obedient to Him, and pass on to following generations what we have learned of His grace and fullness. —G. C. G.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?  —John Rippon

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

2 Samuel 22:1-51; Jeremiah 6:1-30; Ephesians 1:1-14

Take ye away the stone. John 11:39
Lazarus, come forth. John 11:43
Loose him, and let him go. John 11:44

Before we can receive anything from God, the obstacle of disbelief must be removed. We must heed His call to come forth—to rise up in faith from circumstances that would have us think all is lost, all is gone. We must put aside our dead works, our self efforts and cling to the freedom that Christ offers us. Friend, is your past or present or future troubling you today? Ask God to replace your fear with faith, your powerlessness with hope and let your dependence be only on Him. Let His resurrection power renew your life today! —Deborah Manera

His love and grace adore, Who all our sorrows bore.
Sing aloud evermore: worthy the Lamb! —J. Allan

Monday, September 5, 2022

2 Samuel 21:1-22; Jeremiah 5:1-31; Galatians 6:1-18

And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind. Mark 5:15

This demon possessed man, who in his former state wore no clothes, was marvelously changed by Jesus from the inside out. The community came to see what was done and saw the man sitting at Jesus feet “clothed”. Where did the clothes come from? We are not specifically told, but surely it was another practical provision of Christ’s work. Rejoice saints, He has clothed us in robes of righteousness (Isa. 61:10). —Sam Thorpe, Jr.

Now in a song of grateful praise
To Christ, our Lord, our voice we’ll raise;
With all Thy saints we’ll join to tell:
Christ Jesus “hath done all things well!” —S. Medley

Lord’s Day, September 4, 2022

2 Samuel 20:1-26; Jeremiah 4:3-31; Galatians 5:10-26

“Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:9-10, NKJV

Christ-likeness is the necessary and noble aspiration of all who love our Lord Jesus. But, where can we find motivation to continue with that pursuit when everything seems to be going wrong? Believer, know that God purposed before time began that we would be sanctified. This is a promise tied to the work of Christ on the cross. In Christ, you have been sanctified, therefore, walk in sanctification and worship Him today. —J. D. Fraser

He cleansed my heart from sin, since I am sanctified,
And now I’ve constant victory, since I am sanctified.  —B. E. Warren

Saturday, September 3, 2022

2 Samuel 19:9-43; Jeremiah 3:6-4:2; Galatians 4:21-5:9

Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Luke 11:42

What are my priorities? So many choices in life are motivated by how I want people to think of me. Every believer at times can be tempted to be more concerned about their image before men than a clear conscience before God. The Lord Jesus pointed out about the Pharisees and their neglect of the fundamental duties of life. How often do I excel in what is noticed by man but reckless about what only God can see. —Sid Halsband

Unworthy our thanksgiving, our service stained with sin,
Except as Thou art living, our Priest, to bear it in. —Mary B. Peters