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Joshua 9:1-27; Isaiah 6:1-13; Luke 23:13-46

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37

It is sadly popular for many to falsely tell inquirers that becoming a Christian will ease their troubles in life. The oft repeated word “overcomer” in Revelation reminds us that being a Christian means we can live above our trials, but we certainly won’t live without them. It is essential that we avoid the “what’s-in-it-for me” approach to evangelizing, and preach the message of eternal life in Christ through the forgiveness of sins. —Rick Morse

We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender;
We go not forth alone against the foe.
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender;
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.  —Edith G. Cherry

Joshua 8:1-35; Isaiah 5:1-30; Luke 22:54-23:12

He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.  Luke 21:2, NKJV

Hidden in this beautiful story is a picture of our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave His life for the sins of all mankind. This poor widow came without fanfare or applause; and so did He! She came in deep humility; so did He! She gave with no thought for herself; so did He! She gave so that others might benefit; so did He! She gave to the utmost: so did He! —Ray Jones

I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed,
That thou might ransomed be, and quickened from the dead.
I suffered much for thee, more than thy tongue can tell,
Of bitterest agony, to rescue thee from hell.  —Frances R. Havergal

Joshua 7:1-26; Isaiah 3:1-4:6; Luke 22:31-53

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

It has been rightly said that the greatest tragedy in life is not unanswered prayer but unoffered prayer. The exercise of prayer requires time, discipline and concentration. Too often in the rush and pressure of life we can find our prayer life being so squeezed that it just becomes the ritual of formality instead of the reality of closeness. This is compounded by the fact that the prayer meeting is often the least attended gathering of the local church. We need
to be reminded again that prayer is essential for blessing.  —Paul Young

Prayer is the simplest form of speech,
That infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach,
The Majesty on high. —James Montgomery

Joshua 5:13-6:27; Isaiah 2:1-22; Luke 22:1-30

Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11, NKJV

Here is a wonderful promise from the Provider Himself who pledges to put in our hands the seed of our treasures and talents to be sown wherever we send it. Multiplied through His hand of blessing, both the receiver and the giver are enriched resulting in thanksgiving to the glory of God. Do not be stingy in your service—God will replace what you give away. —Mark Kolchin

Scatter the word of Truth, let it fall where it may.
Ask the Lord to bless it and it will bear fruit someday.  —Anonymous

Joshua 4:1-5:12; Isaiah 1:1-31; Luke 21:5-38

“Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?” And she answered, “It is well.” 2 Kings 4:26, NKJV

The prophet Elisha gives us a good way to reach out to people and their family. Ask, “Is it well?”. Some may respond openly and share their concerns, while others may not answer honestly. Either way, both will know that you cared enough to ask. Then, be ready with an answer to reassure them of the Lord’s presence and peace to meet their needs. —Rex Trogdon

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”  —Horatio G. Spafford

Joshua 3:1-17; Hosea 11:12-14:9; Luke 20:20-21:4

For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth (faithfulness) of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! Psalm 117:2, NKJV

Someone may be against you today. Perhaps you sense even circumstances are against you—but not the Lord. Never the Lord!
He is “towards” you with great merciful kindness and His faithfulness endures forever. Yes, into perpetuity. There is no danger of His faithfulness ever lapsing or expiring. No caveats or exceptions. No interruptions in coverage and no fear of an abrupt end. In His merciful kindness, He is faithful forever. —P. Ramsay

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be. —Thomas O. Chisholm

Joshua 2:1-24; Hosea 10:1-11:11; Luke 20:1-19

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Psalm 23:5

Perhaps the Psalmist is still in the valley of the shadow. Regardless, his enemies are very close. But closer still, right in front of him, is a table being prepared. And who is preparing that banquet? The Shepherd Himself. As menacing as the breath and threats of the enemies are, David’s eyes are captured by the feast being prepared and by the One who is preparing it—for him, right there. What enemies are breathing down your neck today—fear, anxiety, ill
health, uncertainty? As real as they are, more real is the One preparing a table for you. And what kind of feast is He serving? “My cup runneth over” (Ps. 23:5). —M. MacMullen

What food luxurious loads the board,
When at the table sits the Lord. —C. H. Spurgeon

Joshua 1:1-18; Hosea 8:1-9:17; Luke 19:29-48

When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2

There is a famous beauty spot (a gorge) in the Mendip Hills at Burrington Combe in England. In 1763, a local church minister was caught in a storm while passing through the gorge and took shelter in a large fissure in a rock. Today a plaque is mounted on that rock and some maps show the name it has been given—“The Rock of Ages”. The minister was Augustus Toplady and he wrote the hymn “Rock of Ages cleft for me”. The rock tells of stability and durability;
hiding in it tells us of safety and security. That is what the believer experiences in trusting in God and in His Word. —Brian Powlesland

The Lord’s our rock, in Him we hide: a shelter in the time of storm!
Secure whatever ill betide: a shelter in the time of storm!  —V. Charlesworth

Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Hosea 6:4-7:16; Luke 19:1-28

But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.  Luke 15:20

Billy Graham said, “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” Often, we hear messages on the prodigal son, but little on his father. The father’s love was strong enough to let his son go, even though his heart was breaking. The son’s life fell to ruin in the far country and broken he returned home wondering about his reception. But his father welcomed him joyfully. Dads, don’t give up on your children. Have the eyes and heart of compassion, as our heavenly Father has shown toward us! —Jim Comte

How blessed are the children who in their fathers see,
The tender Father-love of God, and find their way to Thee.—L. Johnson

Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Hosea 4:1-6:3; Luke 18:15-43

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of  regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Titus 3:5

Asked by a mother to pardon her son, Napoleon replied that justice demanded death. “I don’t ask for justice, I plead for mercy.” “But he does not deserve mercy.” “Sir, it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask.” “Well then, I will have mercy.” Similarly, if we confess our unworthiness, trusting Christ as our Saviour, God will delight to show us mercy because He is satisfied with Christ’s death for our sins. —George Ferrier

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary.  —William R. Newell