Category: Uncategorised

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

Wilt thou not revive us again. Psalm 85:6

The 1980s revival in China caused one elderly church leader to remark, “I remember when shepherds were searching for sheep. But now, it is the sheep who are searching for the shepherds!” Revivals are times of great refreshing where a deep work of God’s Holy Spirit is accomplished in the lives of His people. It washes
away superficiality to produce a deeper prayerfulness, greater holiness, a burden for the lost and a desire to truly worship God. —Paul Young

Revive Thy work, O Lord!
While here to Thee we bow;
Descend, O gracious Lord, descend!
Oh, come, and bless us now!  —Fanny J. Crosby

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

For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. Psalm 38:15, 18

There are times in all our lives when we feel down and depressed. We sometimes wonder why God has allowed these circumstance to come into our lives. There may be times when our friends have turned away from us, and we feel utterly alone. These are the times when God is especially near. He wants us to turn to
Him and rely on Him. In fact, there is no one else we can turn to!   —G. Frear

I can only hope in You, O Lord,
I seek Your face in true accord;
I’m sorry for my sin, that’s clear,
Forsake me not and bring me near. —G. F.

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

He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:26b NKJV
Jesus cried out with a loud voice…“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46b NKJV

This week was the biggest storm that my husband and I have ever witnessed in our area. He and our son were harvesting oysters at the time and could barely hold the barge against the wind. On Galilee there was a storm. Jesus rebuked that storm and there was a great calm. On another day, as Jesus hung on the cross suffering for my sin He would cry, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” This time there was no removal of the storm, but, because He bore its vengeance I can know peace.—Janet Fleming

When Jesus suffered on the cross, there was no peace that day,
But in the suffering that He bore; my sins are washed away.—J. Fleming

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

Yet have ye not many fathers. 1 Corinthians 4:15

There are many problems in our culture because of fatherless homes, or worse, homes where there are fathers, but they are not engaged with their families. Paul says the same thing about the local church. There is a dearth of spiritual fathers. And it is not just in the area of eldership. Paul shows here his own father heart, that he is not putting them in their place, but placing truth in their mind— not to embarrass, but to encourage. Note his fatherly love, (v. 14); duty, (v. 15); and example, (v. 16). These are marks of a good father, whether in the home or in the church. —N. C. Funston

I am a man appointed by my Saviour;
To show His love in all I do and say.
His Holy Spirit is my source of power,
To live in light and point to Christ the way. —Jack Hayford

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

All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?  Matthew 19:20

We should credit this young man with honesty as he made his claim of full obedience to the law. He reflected on the deeds of his life so far and saw no transgression. But there is a vital difference between “peace of conscience” and “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Are you depending on self-perceived righteousness for your standing with God? Dear friend, if righteousness could be found in good works then there was no need for the Son of God to sacrifice His life at Calvary. Do you ask “What lack I yet?” You lack a personal Saviour, but you can trust Him today. —Phil Coulson

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling. —Augustus Toplady

Deuteronomy 32:15-52; Hosea 2:1-3:5 ; Luke 17:20-18:14

And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. Colossians 2:4

The Colossian assembly was infected with a dangerous desire to be more spiritual. What is wrong with that, we may ask? Simply put: not all “spiritual” practices are Christ-centered. Believers are “complete in [Christ]” (Col. 2:10) and do not need to seek anything outside of Him as revealed in His Word. Beware of outside additions to prayer and the Scriptures. Man’s traditions can move minds away from seeking the Lord by childlike prayer and obedience to His biblical commands. Our personal experiences must be
subject to the Bible’s teaching. —K. R. Keyser

Lord, in ceaseless contemplation, fix my thankful heart on Thee,
Till I taste Thy full salvation, and Thine unveiled glories see.  —James Allen & Walter Shirley

Deuteronomy 31:14-32:14; Hosea 1:1-11; Luke 17:1-19

That ye might know that I am the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 29:6

These words are repeated many times in Ezekiel. In the above verse God reminds Israel of His care for them. In Ezekiel 6:7 the expression is used as God deals with the Israelites in chastening for sin. Ezekiel 16:62 tells them that after restoration they will know that “I am the Lord.” It reveals to us anew that all through the years, God has worked in the lives of men and women in blessing and chastening to bring a recognition in them that God is over all and that He is Lord. May we honour Him as such. —M. Robins

He is Lord, He is Lord,
He is risen from the dead, and He is Lord,
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess,
That Jesus Christ is Lord. —Anonymous

Deuteronomy 30:1-31:13; Amos 9:1-15; Luke 16:1-31

And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? Exodus 4:2

God is not looking for someone with great qualifications to get His work done. Rather He is looking for one who will simply commit what they have, to the Lord. Moses only had a shepherd’s staff and Shamgar an ox-goad. David had a slingshot while Dorcas a needle and thread. A young lad only had his lunch—five small
loaves and two fish (John 6:9) but when handed over to the Lord a multitude was fed. Have you handed your all over to Him? If not, what is that in your hand? —David Croudace

Give of your best to the Master, give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service, consecrate every part.  —Howard Grose

Deuteronomy 29:1-29; Amos 7:1-8:14; Luke 15:11-32

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them…in your house. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NKJV

Deuteronomy has been called “The Magna Carta of the Home.” Verses 4-9 of this chapter were recited every morning and evening in the Jewish household. The Word of God was to be preeminent in the Israelites’ lives and Psalm 119:11 gives the reason, “That I might not sin against thee.” Take time; make time to enjoy daily fellowship with God, for you and your family. —Jim Comte

May we read these Scriptures, and their truths believe,
Own our need as sinners, and God’s Son receive;
In assurance resting, His commands obey,
And in His grace growing, live for Him each day!  —A. P. Gibbs

Deuteronomy 28:38-68; Amos 5:1-6:14; Luke 14:25-15:10

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

Today, as we turn our eyes upon Jesus, may we remember who He is, what He did, and where He is now. He is Jesus. The One who bears the name that is above every name is “the author” (Pioneer) and “finisher” (Perfecter) of faith. He endured all the suffering of pain and shame of the cross for us. Look, He is now seated at God’s right hand. —Rex Trogdon

Rise, my soul! Behold ‘tis Jesus, Jesus fills thy wond’ring eyes;
See Him now in glory seated, where thy sins no more can rise.   —J. Denham Smith