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Deuteronomy 20:1-21:23; Joel 2:1-32; Luke 12:1-21

If there is no resurrection of the dead. 1 Cor. 15:13a, NKJV
But now Christ is risen from the dead. 1 Cor. 15:20a, NKJV

“What if?” is a question concerning the resurrection that holds consequences to ponder. If there is no resurrection then: Christ is not risen; our preaching is vain; our faith is vain; we are false witnesses and still in our sins. Sadly, those who have died in Christ have perished and we are of all men the most pitiable (1 Cor. 15:13-19)! How sad to ponder, but how wonderful to answer this question with, but now Christ is risen from the dead! —Rex Trogdon

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.—Robert Lowry

Deuteronomy 18:9-19:21; Joel 1:1-20; Luke 11:37-54

And they continued steadfastly in…fellowship…And all that believed were together. Acts 2:42, 44

Research indicates that loneliness is as big a killer as smoking, obesity and alcohol. It is dreadful to feel isolated and cut off from people. This can happen in a crowd, as well as in an isolation cell. Wonderfully, for the Christian, there are communities of caring people who form local Churches. To be part of such a loving group is a great blessing and we should not neglect attending. The richness of fellowship dispels the despair of loneliness. —Paul Young

As we are gathered, Jesus is here;
One with each other, Jesus is here.
Joined by the Spirit, washed in the blood,
Part of the body, the Church of God. —John Daniels

Deuteronomy 17:1-18:8; Obadiah; Luke 11:14-36

Thou [Lucifer] hast said in thine heart, I will…I will…I will…I will…I will. Isaiah 14:13-14
A certain rich man…thought within himself, saying…I will…I will. Luke 12:16-19
(Jesus) saying, Father, if thou be willing…nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done. Luke 22:42

Am I willful, or am I willing to set aside my own ambitions and pursuits to do the will of my Father? What an example we see in our Lord Jesus, always fulfilling the will of His Father! —E. C. B.

Only one heart’s devotion, Saviour O may it be,
Consecrated alone to Thy matchless glory, yielded fully to Thee. —Avis B. Christiansen

Deuteronomy 16:1-22; Song of Solomon 6:10-8:14; Luke 11:1-13

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. Philippians 1:29

Often God pairs suffering with salvation. When we view suffering as His gift, our acceptance of it leads us to experience a deeper fellowship with Christ, attaining a greater knowledge of Him. Being identified with Christ is a great privilege and gives value to our suffering. Knowing that suffering is temporary and light compared to our future eternal weight of glory, let us allow it to strengthen, motivate, and fill us with hope. —George Ferrier

And when this cup You give is filled to brimming,
With bitter suffering, hard to understand,
We take it thankfully and without trembling,
Out of so good and so beloved a hand. —D. Bonhoeffer

Deuteronomy 14:22-15:23; Song of Solomon 5:2-6:9; Luke 10:25-42

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4, NKJV

A man we knew helped another younger man who was struggling financially. He went to a local shop and paid his account. Sadly the young man did not appreciate what had been done for him, but instead despised the giver. Today many don’t appreciate the greatest gift of all. Have you thanked the Lord Jesus for dying for you and accepted Him as your Saviour? —Janet Fleming

Have you thanked the Saviour
For dying for you on the cross at Calvary?
Have you asked for His forgiveness,
So that you might be set free? —Janet Fleming

Deuteronomy 13:1-14:21; Song of Solomon 3:6-5:1; Luke 10:1-24

Throughout every city and village…Mary…and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. Luke 8:1-3
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40

Joy from unnoticed service is often subdued when Satan injects a sense of insignificance into the thoughts of God’s servants. However, to the heart of the Lord, unseen service has great significance. The record of the selfless endeavours of these women was divinely preserved to encourage the hearts of discouraged servants to persevere. Our Lord sees all. Nothing meaningless or mundane is ever done for Him. Let His mind be in you. —D. J. Reed

Make me a servant, humble and meek,
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak. —Kelly Willard

Deuteronomy 12:1-32; Song of Solomon 2:8-3:5; Luke 9:37-62

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 26:12, NKJV

One theme in Proverbs is the danger of pride. The great principle repeated twice in the New Testament, that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5), finds its origin in the book of Proverbs. But who is the man wise in his own eyes? Is it not, the one who thinks his ways are better than others; the one who thinks his viewpoint is more valid than others and the one who thinks his experience is more authentic than others? Humble yourself now. God decides whose ways, viewpoints and experiences have value. Trust Him to reveal it. —Shane Johnson

We bow low; faces down to the ground in Your presence Lord,
With our tears we wash Your feet; we bow low, falling on our knees. —Gateway Worship

Deuteronomy 10:12-11:32; Song of Solomon 1:1-2:7; Luke 9:18-36

It was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea…asked for the body of Jesus. Mark 15:42-43, NKJV

His request granted, Joseph purchased the linen needed to wrap the body. Then he took down the body of the Lord. Picture him bending with tears over the almost unrecognizable features so beloved, tenderly wrapping that precious body with the best linen in the world. Carrying his precious burden, Joseph was now ceremonially unclean and unable to take part in Passover—perhaps for the first time in his life. Preparation Day. Joseph unwittingly preparing for a new Sabbath, for Resurrection Day. Prepare and then worship. —M. MacMullen

Amidst us our Beloved stands,
And bids us view His pierced hands. —A. P. Gibbs

Deuteronomy 9:1-10:11; Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:14; Luke 9:1-17

Even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. Isaiah 46:4

When I was younger I often heard older people say, “Growing old isn’t for sissies.” I suppose another way to put it would be that, “It is only for the brave.” Certainly aging brings unique challenges to our life journey. But isn’t it just one more of life’s seasons to trust fully to our Lord? Then we’ll see that triumphant aging is the lot of the one who trusts the Lord. He will bear; He will carry; He will deliver. —Ken Gross

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all. —Edgar P. Stites

Deuteronomy 7:12-8:20; Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:20; Luke 8:40-56

And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness…Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand. 1 Samuel 23:14, NKJV
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds…bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:4-5, NKJV

For David, strongholds in the wilderness were a source of safety. But for us, strongholds are physical, mental or spiritual issues that hold us captive. When we turn these things over to Him, the Holy Spirit helps us to keep our thoughts on Jesus and the freedom we have in Him. —Annette Baal

I will cast all my cares upon You. —Kelly Willard