Category: Uncategorised

Genesis 24:1-67; Job 29:1-30:31; Matthew 13:1-23

We which are alive and remain shall be caught up…to meet the Lord in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4:17
I have fought a good fight…There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness…and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

It is interesting that Paul uses the word “we”, who are alive and remain. Even as he wrote he expected the immediate rapture. He not only longed for the Lord’s coming, he loved it enough to fight a good fight. If we too love His appearing and live a life that honours Him, we also will be rewarded. Amazing! —Ken Gross

Rich reward He offers thee;
Who will answer, gladly saying,
Here am I Lord, send me, send me?  —Daniel March

Genesis 23:1-20; Job 27:1-28:28; Matthew 12:22-50

Now, my son, may the Lord be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the Lord your God, as He has said to you. 1 Chronicles 22:11, NKJV

What are our ambitions for our children? Many would say a good education, satisfying career, and happy marriage. While there is much to commend these things, they fall short of God’s ultimate desire for our lives. He wants us to be about His business: building the church, the spiritual temple that rests on Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension (see Matt. 16). We must prayerfully prepare our young ones to spend their lives in the Almighty’s service. —K. R. Keyser

In Him, it is ordained to raise a temple to Jehovah’s praise,
Composed of all the saints, who own no Saviour but the living Stone.  —Samuel Medley

Genesis 22:1-24; Job 25:1-26:14; Matthew 12:1-21

[Wisdom] is more precious than rubies. Proverbs 3:15
To them that have obtained like precious faith. 2 Peter 1:1
By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises. 2 Peter 1:4, NKJV

Wisdom is precious, and the most precious wisdom is knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ (John 17:3), and finding eternal life in Him. Faith in Him is precious and once we trust Him He blesses us with precious promises. Where does all of this preciousness come from? It comes from our Lord Jesus Christ, because “He is precious” (1 Peter 2:7, NKJV)! —Annette Baal

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold,
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land,
Yes, I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hands. —Jim Reeves

Genesis 20:1-21:34; Job 23:1-24:25; Matthew 11:2-30

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:17

This psalm tells us how to know the God of heaven more intimately. Sin comes between man and God, but when we openly confess what we have done, God will freely forgive and give us a fresh new start. We need not feel  embarrassed at our weakness— that is pride. God already knows our sin, but we have to admit it and follow Him once more. —G. Frear

Have mercy on me O God my King,
As to You now, my sin I bring;
Wash me thoroughly, make me clean,
Against You alone, my sin has been.  —G. F.

Genesis 19:1-38; Job 22:1-30; Matthew 10:24-11:1

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

The righteous, having tasted of the tree of life, should witness to and win souls for Christ. In the great commission, the soul winner’s responsibility is to be found faithful to the task (1 Cor. 4:2). Noah preached and witnessed for 120 years (Gen. 6:12 cf. 2 Peter 2:5) without fruit except his family. But he was faithful!

Winning souls is God’s responsibility; witnessing is ours. Paul might have planted the seed and Apollos watered it but it was God who gave the increase—the fruit. (1 Cor. 3:5-9). Be faithful in your witness—do not be discouraged! —K. C. Ung

Are you winning souls for Jesus, precious souls for whom He died?
Are you loyal to the Master, Who for you was crucified?  —C. E. Breck

Genesis 18:1-33; Job 21:1-34; Matthew 10:1-23

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8, NKJV
Because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord… except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. 1 Kings 15:5, NKJV

Someone said, “There is always an ‘except’ in the best biography”! David wrote today’s psalm while experiencing the joy of sin forgiven following the big “except” in his life. Now God speaks to this renewed man, (v. 8) and gives him a three-fold assurance; I will instruct you; I will teach you and I will counsel you with My eye upon you. There may be an “except” in your life, but God is a forgiving, restoring God and still wants to use you! —Jim Comte

Great God of wonders! All Thy ways display Thine attributes divine;
But the bright glories of Thy grace; above Thine other wonders shine.  —Samuel Davies

Genesis 17:1-27; Job 20:1-29; Matthew 9:18-38

And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” Judges 7:2, NKJV

Gideon had amassed a sizable army and felt prepared for battle. God told Gideon there were too many men. Why? God knows the temptation we have to trust ourselves and boast in our accomplishments when good things come. But, salvation is of the Lord! Let us go about our day renouncing faith in ourselves and boasting in God’s provision! —J. D. Fraser

When we walk with the Lord,
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way! —Don Moen

Genesis 15:1-16:16; Job 18:1-19:29; Matthew 8:28-9:17

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Actively reading God’s Word means obeying His commands and claiming His promises. Today’s verses gives us three lovely commands to “actively read”. God exhorts us to rejoice in all circumstances, to continually live in communion with Him, and to be thankful for what He has given us. Therefore, let us live with joyful contentment, in active dependence upon Christ, praising Him with unstinting gratitude. This will please Him, bear witness to a watching world, and bring joy to our hearts. —George Ferrier

Rejoice, O pure in heart, rejoice, give thanks, and sing;
Your festal banner wave on high, the cross of Christ your King. —E. H. Plumptre

Genesis 13:1-14:24; Job 16:1-17:16; Matthew 8:1-27

The earth was without form, and void. Genesis 1:2

The earth was without form and void and in six days, God shaped this beautiful world and His most intricate masterpiece— a man and a woman. Dear reader, does your life seem like it is without form and void today? Hand it over to Him and watch what He will do with it. He did it with His physical creation. Our Lord Jesus gave His life to make you His cherished new creation. How much more will He do it for you! —Eleanor Isaacson

Take my life and let it be,
Consecrated Lord to Thee.
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.  —Frances R. Havergal

Genesis 11:27-12:20; Job 15:1-35; Matthew 7:7-29

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me… Isaiah 29:13

In our times of worship, there can be a danger of worshipping God in a way that Diotrephes (3 John 9, NKJV) did, “who loved to have the preeminence”. A. P. Gibbs notes, “It is possible for one to draw nigh to God with his lips and yet be far removed from Him in heart”. May our worship be as the hymn writer wrote, “To God be the glory”. —Bob Cretney

To God be the glory, great things He hath done.
So loved He the world, that He gave us His Son. —Fanny J. Crosby