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1 Kings 12:1-33; Jeremiah 21:1-22:30; Colossians 1:1-20

As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. John 17:18

In this prayer the Lord clearly describes the believer’s relationship to the world. Christ has positionally called us out of the world (17:6). Though citizens of heaven, we have been physically left in the world (17:11). Possessing a different outlook and desires, the world hates us for our identification with Christ, the One they crucified. God’s Word sets us apart from the world as we feed upon Him, growing in Christlikeness (17:17, 19). Ambassadors sent into the world, we represent the glorified Christ (17:18). In the world but not of it. How are we doing? —George Ferrier

We must show our Christian colours,
If we are to be true to Jesus Christ. —C. S. Lewis

1 Kings 11:1-43; Jeremiah 19:1-20:18; Philippians 4:2-23

Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools. Ecclesiastes 5:1 NKJV 

The southern steps leading up to the Temple Mount differ in length making it impossible to hurry along. Worshipers must slow down and think about each step as they make their approach. Heads bow to pay attention to their feet, conversation quiets to concentrate, hearts fill with anticipation while ears listen to hear His voice. We would do well to practice this principle as we gather in His name. —Rex Trogdon

Speak to my soul, Lord Jesus, speak now in tend’rest tone;
Whisper in lovingkindness; “Thou art not left alone.”
Open my heart to hear Thee, quickly to hear Thy voice,
Fill Thou my soul with praises, let me in Thee rejoice. —L. L. Pickett

1 Kings 10:1-29; Jeremiah 18:1-23; Philippians 3:1-4:1

And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends. Job 42:10 

If any person had cause to be self-absorbed, it was Job. He was God-fearing and upright, but his piety did not keep him from trial: indeed, it was the reason God selected him. He knew He could trust Job with it. Bereft of family, wealth and health, the dear man’s misery was compounded by his “miserable comforters” (16:2). Of all the lessons Job learned, one of the best came at the end of his trial. He found that by praying for his friends he was released from the bondage of self-pity. Although your suffering might be severe today, there’s a blessing in praying for others. —Phil Coulson

Beyond our utmost wants, His love and power can bless,
To praying souls He always grants, More than they can express.  —John Newton

1 Kings 9:1-28; Jeremiah 17:1-27; Philippians 2:12-30

And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. Acts 16:40

It is probable that Lydia was used of the Lord to carry the gospel back to her native Thyatira (16:14-15), one of the very areas Paul and his companions had been forbidden by the Spirit of God to go (16:6-8). In a sense, the Macedonian cry of Acts 16:9, “Come over… and help us” was answered by God through this woman—namely, Lydia. It is significant that the gospel of Christ had so much of its beginning in the hearts and lives of women. —W. Ross Rainey

We have heard the Macedonian call today,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
And a golden offering at the cross we lay,
Send the light! Send the light! —Charles H. Gabriel

1 Kings 8:31-66; Jeremiah 16:1-21; Philippians 1:21-2:11

Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way? Luke 24:32

Worship is not merely an event we attend or a certain style of music. Biblical worship is the overflow of a heart that is full of Christ. A Church deficient in true worship cannot be “fixed” by external means, a popular notion today. If a child has never learned to read, it will make no difference whether you put a comic book
or an encyclopedia in front of them—they still won’t read it! The problem is not external, but internal. Not giving Christ opportunity to fill our hearts will result in a lack of worship. May we daily seek the kind of “heartburn” these two on the road to Emmaus experienced. This is the secret of worship! —Brian Cretney

O worship the King all glorious above,
O gratefully sing His power and His love. —Robert Grant

1 Kings 8:1-30; Jeremiah 15:1-21; Philippians 1:1-20

Then he became very thirsty; so he cried out to the Lord and said, “You have given this great deliverance by the hand of Your servant; and now shall I die of thirst and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?” Judges 15:18 NKJV

After slaying a thousand Philistines, Samson was terribly dehydrated. He called on the Lord, who led him to a spring of water which God caused to flow out of a cleft in the ground. Christ cried out, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37). We learn from Samson’s exploits that we too must rely on the Lord not only to engage the enemy, but also to sustain the victory afterwards. Serving the Lord does not quench the believer’s thirst; that comes from the Lord too. —W. A. H.

Change Your Church! Renew us, Lord, till we all reflect Your Word!
Make of us a shining light ever pleasing in Your sight! —John Dalles

1 Kings 7:1-51; Jeremiah 14:1-22; Ephesians 6:10-24

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 NKJV

Many children learn this prayer in early childhood, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.” The simple truth of that prayer can be a reality to those who know the Saviour. He is the only source of peace in this world of turmoil. If we have peace with God because our sins are forgiven, that peace of God
will guard our hearts and minds (Phil. 4). Why shouldn’t we then enjoy a good night’s sleep if He is our dwelling place?  —Wm. H. Gustafson

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness,
Of Thy loving heart. —Jean Pigott

1 Kings 6:1-38; Jeremiah 13:1-27; Ephesians 5:22-6:9

Philip findeth Nathaniel, and saith unto him, We have found him…Come and see. John 1:45-46

One by one the disciples found Christ. One by one, through the centuries, people from all over the world have cried with joy, “I’ve found Him!” In December 1978, I excitedly announced to my future mother-in-law, “I’ve found Him!” A constant, joyful urgency that blooms among new born Christians is the compelling desire to tell others. May we daily regain our first love for Him, so that we are daily excited to tell others, “We have found him…Come and see.” —Rick Morse

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see. —John Newton

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

Absalom…reared up for himself a pillar…and it is called unto this day, Absalom’s place. 2 Samuel 18:18

Prince Albert died of typhoid in 1861. Queen Victoria had an enormous four sided granite pyramid constructed in his memory within the grounds of Balmoral Castle in Scotland. An inscription bears testament to the fact that it was “erected by his broken hearted widow.” It is called Prince Albert’s Cairn. Absalom had a pillar erected so that his name would be remembered. Our Lord did not seek a physical monument to His memory but He did institute a weekly memorial gathering around simple emblems so that His own followers would actively remember Him. Will you remember Him today in the way He asked? —Brian Powlesland

A monument of grace, a sinner saved by blood,
The streams of love I trace, up to the fountain, God. —John Kent

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

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Revelations 5:13

We are unused to animals speaking, but some day they will. This verse tells us that on the day the Lamb is recognized as the only one worthy to open the seven sealed book, every creature on earth and every creature in the sea will voice their approval and say, “Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that
sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” —P. W.

Behold the Lamb with glory crowned, to Him all pow’r is giv’n:
No place too high for Him is found, no place too high in heav’n.  —Thomas Kelly