Category: Uncategorised

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

…have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me…? John 14:9

Philip was a disciple. He knew Jesus. But the Lord was probing for a more intimate relationship. Our Saviour is not content with just a casual acquaintance. Jesus said of His disciples, “I have called you friends” (John 15:15). We receive His blessings and know His Word, but do we appreciate Him as our Friend? Fruit bearing is always good evidence of an intimate union with Him (John 15:4). Such communion inspires our hearts to worship. —Milton Haack

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.
Oh what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer. —Joseph Scriven

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

…them that honour me I will honour… 1 Samuel 2:30

Daniel, whose name means, “God is my judge”, was taken captive to heathen Babylon at an early age. Through his long life he honoured God even though it caused him to be cast into a den of lions. Other heroes we read of in Hebrews 11, were martyred for the sake of their faith. They will receive their reward in a coming day. And so will we. If we honour the Lord. —Edith MacLelland

God still is recording in heaven above,
He knows all our thoughts and ways,
So then, if faith honours God, and God honours faith,
Let us trust Him for all our days. —E. M.

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

Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? Song of Solomon 8:5

Here the bride is nearing the end of the weary wilderness journey and she comes leaning on her beloved. This scene is reminiscent of the time when Rebecca met Isaac on the final stage of the wilderness journey and was united with him as his bride. Today we find ourselves nearing the end of the weary, wilderness journey, leaning heavily on our Beloved. With joy we anticipate being united with Him as His bride, for all of eternity. —W. H. Burnett

O the blessed joy of meeting, all the desert past,
O the wondrous words of greeting, He shall speak at last.
He and I together entering, those bright courts above,
He and I together sharing, all the Father’s love. —Paul Gerhardt

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

…as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. 1 Samuel 30:24

Having left behind 200 exhausted soldiers, David went out to battle Amalek with 400 men. Victorious in the Lord, the 400 did not want to share the spoils with the others. But David replied that the one who stays back with the supplies is entitled to an equal share. Today the one who prays, gives financially or helps out in practical ways shares in the victories with the preacher, teacher and missionary. Someday they will equally share in the reward (Phil. 4:17). Beloved if you are “guarding the supplies” due to calling, age or illness, be encouraged (1 Cor 15:58); He will richly reward. —George Ferrier

Let us then be true and faithful, trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay. —E. Hewitt

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

For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not…therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you… Isaiah 30:15, 18

Israel was called to a quiet walk in fellowship with God but they rejected that way of life and substituted activity—fleeing on horses, (v. 16) in its place. If we want to grow spiritually and be useful to God, constant activity, even Christian service, must never take the place of quiet communion with the Lord. Maybe He has spoken to us before about this but like Israel “we would not”. Is He patiently “waiting” for you in that place of quietness? —David Croudace

In the secret of His presence how my soul delights to hide!
Oh how precious are the lessons which I learn at Jesus’ side! —E. L. Gorch

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

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. John 19:1

Scourging is a very cruel form of torture. The victim’s hands are tied to an upright post with the body bent forward and bared to the waist. A whip, made of leather, with pieces of metal and sharp bits of bone woven into it, was administered several times. Every lash tore the flesh from the bones. Only those with a strong physical frame were able to survive. It is said of Jesus, that His back was like a plowed field (Ps. 129:3). Why would He endure this? Because, the Son of God loved me and gave His life for me (Gal. 2:20). —Bob Cretney

Behold a spotless victim dies.
My Surety on the tree.
The Lamb of God, The Sacrifice,
He gave Himself for me!—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 11:27 to 12:20; Job 15; Matt. 7:7-29

…in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matt. 24:44

Some time ago I drove past a home where there was a notice in the window that read, “Perhaps Today”. I have no idea what that message actually meant but I like to think that it was a reference to the soon return of our Lord. Theologians call this the doctrine of the “imminent return of Christ”. Imminent means that it can happen at any moment. The implication is that we should live in constant expectation of Christ’s return as it could be at any second. Thus we should aim to please Him at all times by holy living, brotherly love and fulfilling the tasks He has called and gifted us to do. If we live like this then we will not be ashamed before Him at His coming. —Paul Young

O, Lord Jesus, how long? How long ere we shout the glad song?
Christ returneth! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen. Hallelujah! Amen.
—H. L. Turner

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 10 to 11:26; Job 13-14; Matt. 6:19 to 7:6

For thou art my lamp [candle], O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness.
2 Samuel 22:29

Thy word is a lamp [candle] unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105

The Lord and His Word are both candle and light to us. A candle gives enough light for one step at a time. This is the life of faith—light for each step, day by day. But the Lord also lightens our darkness and His Word lights my path. This is a shining light, eliminating the darkness and illuminating our journey. At times the way is daunting, but God’s Word and God Himself will lighten our journey through the valley. Trust in Him. —Jim Comte

When I feel afraid, still You’re there right beside me,
Nothing will I fear as long as You are near.—A. Grant & M. W. Smith

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 8:20 to 9:29; Job 11-12; Matt. 6:1-18

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 1 Peter 3:13

Here is a special reminder of protection from the Lord. Does it guarantee that we will never be harmed for righteousness sake? Not at all, since many believers have suffered at the hands of persecutors through the centuries. However, being armed with this promise and knowing that He goes before us, we will have holy boldness to advance in His name. Whatever the Lord may be calling you to do, don’t hold back but move ahead. Remember, we are more than conquerors through Him and He will keep us safe until our life work is complete.
—Mark Kolchin

On every hand the foe we find, drawn up in dread array.
Let tents of ease be left behind and onward to the fray. —John Yates

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 7:11 to 8:19; Job 9-10; Matt. 5:21-48

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…
Ephesians 6:18

Prayer is not to be a once in a while thing, but constant and continual. Our Lord Jesus said we ought to always pray and not faint. We are to pray for other believers and all those who are preaching the gospel fearlessly. We are to pray for unbelievers who are in authority and not forget to pray for our enemies and those who treat us unfairly. To our eyes, nothing may change. But we will feel refreshed and God will be at work. We cannot pray for someone and stay bitter. —G. Frear

I asked the Lord, that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face. —John Newton