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DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 25; Job 31; Matt. 13:24-43

Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. Isaiah 43:1

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:20

Today’s readings bring before us the blessings, and the responsibilities, that result from our redemption. First, the Lord assures us that we are guaranteed divine protection as we pass through the fires and floods of our earthly experience. Secondly, having been redeemed, we have changed ownership, and whereas we previously were slaves to sin and Satan, it is now our responsibility to glorify God in our bodies and spirits which are God’s. —W. H. Burnett

Yes, ear and hand, and thought and will, use all in Thy dear slavery still,
Self’s weary liberties I cast, beneath Thy feet, there hold them fast.
                                                                                                                    —Moule

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 24; Job 29-30; Matt. 13:1-23

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? 2 Peter 3:3-4

The first question in our Bible was asked by the devil, “Yea, hath God said?” (Gen. 3:1). He wasn’t looking for information. He was trying to cast doubt on the Word of God. In the last days scoffers will do the same saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” Be ready with an answer and hold His promise dear to your heart, nothing doubting. Jesus said, “I will come again!” (John 14:3). —Rex Trogdon

O child of God, there is for thee,
A hope that shines amid the gloom,
A gladsome hope that thou shalt see,
Thy Lord, for He will surely come.
                                      —T. D. W. Muir

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 23; Job 27-28; Matt. 12:22-50

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Matthew 19:29, (NKJV)

Peter wondered what the disciples would receive for forsaking all to follow Christ. Our Lord’s reply affirmed an eternal reward and also a present blessing. For every person they left behind, a hundredfold would affirm God’s love to them. We have often benefited from the hospitality of unfamiliar saints and in a few days a friendship for life exists. Amazing—we get to enjoy a bit of heaven during our earthly sojourn. —W. A. H.

Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
                                                                      —John Fawcett

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 22; Job 25-26; Matt. 12:1-21

And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones. 1 Kings 10:10

The visiting queen gave opulent gifts to Solomon, but her generosity paled beside his wealth. Moreover, the treasures that he gave her far exceeded her needs and desires. He gave “her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty” (1 Kgs. 10:13). Similarly, Christ blesses believers with all spiritual blessings, and bids them offer to Him from this imparted wealth. Then He gives back more than we can ask or think! —Keith Keyser

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
                                                                            —A. J. Flint

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 20-21; Job 23-24; Matt. 11:2-30

Why have I found grace in thine eyes? Ruth 2:10

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

But we see Jesus…that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Hebrews 2:9

Like Ruth before Boaz, we find ourselves at the feet of our Saviour, overcome with gratitude that He would take notice of us and come to save us, and at such a cost. He became poor. He humbled Himself. By grace He tasted death for all. Gladly let us worship Him, offering our sacrifices from astonished, grateful hearts. —Carl Knott

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
                                                                                                                 —I. Watts

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 19; Job 22; Matt. 10:24 to 11:1

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

The “tick tock” of the clock reminds us that time never stands still. God is not willing that any should perish and offers His free gift of salvation to all. But, this offer is “time sensitive” and has an expiry date. No one knows the day nor the hour of Christ’s return, bringing God’s day of grace to an end. So don’t gamble with the eternal destiny of your soul and run the risk of your time running out! Behold now is the accepted time. —E. V.

Time is gliding swiftly by, Death and judgment draweth nigh,
To the arms of Jesus fly, Be in time.
                                                                         —Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 18; Job 21; Matt. 10:1-23

Who is among you…that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Isaiah 50:10

Following the onset of glaucoma, my eyesight deteriorated to the point where I was registered “blind”. Thankfully, my “darkness” is not total; nevertheless there is no disputing the fact that a big change has entered my life. As I review the years of fading vision, I probe my mind: am I learning the lessons that the Lord wants to teach me? Am I truly accepting of His will for me? It is only in quiet acceptance that His peace is to be found! —George Hall

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest;
Finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
                                      —Frances Ridley Havergal

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 17; Job 20; Matt. 9:18-38

I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another. Isaiah 42:8

Have you ever been told, “You spoke very well”, and then you got a little puffed up with pride? Someone once said to Spurgeon as he descended the pulpit steps, “Sir, that was a wonderful message.” “Yes” replied Spurgeon, “The Devil has already told me that!” When my wife Grace, hands out a dress or a shirt to a widow or orphan she always stresses that it comes from the Lord and He is the one to be thanked. How careful I must be to make sure that the Lord gets all the glory for whatever He may choose to do through me.     —David Croudace

Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord, Oh, to be lost in Thee,
Oh, that it may be no more I, But Christ that lives in me.    
                                                                                   —Mrs. A. A. Whiddington

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 15-16; Job 18-19; Matt. 8:28 to 9:17

Hast thou considered my servant Job? Job 1:8

Obviously God had considered Job. He said that there was none like him on earth, perfect and upright, one who feared God and shunned evil. Well might we wonder what God says when He considers us. Nevertheless Job suffered to the extent that now he is seen as an example of suffering. What was the end of the matter? It is that we should consider God who is eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, and pure. “Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God” (Job 37:14). —D. Pickup

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed,
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art! —Carl Boberg

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 13-14; Job 16-17; Matt. 8:1-27

For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Psalm 149:4

The word meek can be translated in this context “afflicted” or “depressed”. Depression can be a real and painful experience for believers at times. Some Christians are critical of anyone feeling that way. The Lord understands and if there is one result of this experience, it is the feeling of unworthiness. This keeps us humble, and remember, the Lord can and will lift the cloud. —Brian Russell

Peace perfect peace with sorrows surging round,
In Jesus presence naught but calm is found. —E. Bickerstaff