Lord’s Day, July 19, 2015

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 13; Isaiah 33; 1 Corinthians 11:2-34

 

Who [the Son] being the brightness of his [God’s] glory…  Hebrews 1:3

The Lord Jesus Christ is the outshining of God’s glory. In other words, all the perfections which are found in God the Father are also found in Him. He possesses every divine attribute of God’s moral glory and being. Christ does not merely reflect God’s glory but is Himself the radiance of His glory. —W. Ross Rainey

Lord of glory, we adore Thee,
Christ of God, ascended high!
Heart and soul we bow before Thee,
Glorious now beyond the sky:
Thee we worship, Thee we praise,
Excellent in all Thy ways.
—R. Holden

Saturday, July 18, 2015

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 11:29 to 12:15; Isaiah 32; 1 Cor. 10:14 to 11:1

 

Truly this was the Son of God.  Matthew 27:54
Truly this man was the Son of God. Mark 15:39
Certainly this was a righteous man. Luke 23:47

All three quotations of the centurion’s words are slightly different. Matthew’s is an affirmation that He is the Lord from Heaven. Luke highlights His perfect humanity. And Mark ties both together, showing the unique union of both. Only in God’s Word can we find such treasures; statements which appear to differ on the surface, yet each one absolutely true. —Rick Morse

How didst Thou humble Thyself to be taken.
Led by Thy creatures and nailed to the cross.
Hated of men, and of God too forsaken,
Shunning not darkness, the curse, and the loss.
—H d’A Champney

Friday, July 17, 2015

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 10:6 to 11:28; Isaiah 31; 1 Cor. 9:24 to 10:13

 

And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go…  2 Chronicles 14:11

Outnumbered almost three to one, King Asa cried out to God then, resting on the truth that God could win the battle with many or few, he advanced against the multitude in complete dependence on the Lord. When faced with increasing opposition as we are today, we can either timidly draw back, or resting solely on the Lord, boldly go forth and witness for Him and see Him at work. —David Croudace

“We go” in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph peeling,
“We rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go.”
—Edith G. Cherry

Thursday, July 16, 2015

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 9 to 10:5; Isaiah 30; 1 Corinthians 9:1-23

 

…I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians…I am the Lord your God.  Exodus 6:6-7

These words spoken to Israel through Moses are as good to us as they were to Israel in Moses’s day. It begins and ends with a statement of certainty: “I am the Lord” (vv. 6, 7, 8). In between these two pillars of promise are seven “I wills” involving redemption, release, relationship, and a heritage that could not be forfeited. These words are a sure cure against doubt, worry or fear. Don’t forget, He has promised to keep you, to bring you out (v. 7) so that He can bring you in (v. 8). It is God’s Word to you today. Count on it! —Mark Kolchin

How could we live each moment, if ever we forgot;
The loving God above us, who changeth not.
—K. R. Wheeler

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 8; Isaiah 29; 1 Corinthians 8

 

…Tell them that which are bidden…all things are ready: come unto the marriage. Matthew 22:4

Here is God’s invitation to anyone who hears—Come. To those who are still in their sins, He says come unto me for salvation. For those who are waiting for the day when we are called home, this is the verse for us. His purposes for the day of grace will soon be accomplished and we will be called home to the marrige supper of the Lamb to meet our Bridegroom in person. Have you responded to His invitation to come for salvation? Come today. —Jim Pizzulli

While Jesus whispers to you, come, sinner, come!
While we are praying for you, come, sinner, come!
Now is the time to own Him: come, sinner, come!
Now is the time to know Him: come, sinner, come!
—W. E. Witter

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 7; Isaiah 28; 1 Corinthians 7

 

Trust in the Lord, and do good…  Psalm 37:3

What a motto for living! Keep it ever before you. As you awake each morning say, “Today I will trust You, Lord, for I know your love for me. I will do good to those I see today.” What a remedy for depression and pessimism! The Lord is in complete control of creation, of governments and of the details of your life. Trust Him and while you wait on Him, do good every chance you get. What a cure for sinful living! Yield yourself unto God. Let your words and actions reflect trust in God. The result will be good and righteousness. —D. Pickup

Yes, ‘tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking life and rest, and joy and peace. 
—Louisa M. R. Stead

Monday, July 13, 2015

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 6; Isaiah 27; 1 Corinthians 6

 

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.  1 Thessalonians 1:10

We are waiting for the imminent return of our Lord Jesus. However, our waiting is not passive. We wait by preparing for the wedding (Rev. 19:8), by being faithful in our affections (2 Cor. 11:2), and adorning His doctrine (Titus 2:7-10). We wait with patient continuance (Rom. 2:7), serving Him patiently (Jas. 5:7), casting aside discouragement by looking to Him (Heb. 12:3). We wait with hope (Titus 2:13), born out of both confidence (Heb. 6:19-20) and joyful expectation (1 Thess. 4:13-18). He is coming. Perhaps today. —George Ferrier

We are waiting, blessèd Saviour, we are watching for the hour;
When in majesty descending, Thou shalt come in mighty power.
—Crosby

Lord’s Day, July 12, 2015

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 5; Isaiah 26; 1 Corinthians 5

 

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.  Song of Solomon 4:6

At this time, the bride and the bridegroom were separated from each other, and the bride was longing for his return. In the meantime she needed comfort to sustain her until he returned. So it is in our experience as those who are the Bride of Christ. Our Beloved has gone into heaven, with the promise that He will come again and receive us to Himself. Meanwhile we find solace through the remembrance of His love for us. We revisit Calvary—that mount of myrrh, that hill of frankincense—that place where the fragrance of His dying love enraptures our souls till we are in His embrace again. —W. H. Burnett

Glorious Bridegroom of our hearts, Thy present smile a heaven imparts;
O lift the veil, if veil there be, let every saint Thy beauties see.
—Spurgeon

Saturday, July 11, 2015

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 4; Isaiah 25; 1 Corinthians 4

 

…be ye therefore…harmless as doves.  Matthew 10:16

The word “harmless” means “pure, innocent”. A dove is first mentioned in the Bible story of Noah. “But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot” (Gen. 8:9a). Only the raven could feed on ruin, death and corruption. The dove is first mentioned in the New Testament at the baptism of the Lord (Matt. 3:16). The Holy Spirit as a dove descended and “[rested] upon him.” Our Lord is pure—we find our rest in Him and seek to emulate His life of purity, feeding on His Word. —Sam Thorpe

And glory in your Lord and God;
See, see Him as He is;
Your robes are spotless thro’ His blood,
Your happiness is His.
—S. Harrison

Friday, July 10, 2015

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 3:5-31; Isaiah 24; 1 Corinthians 3

 

And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him.  Gen. 17:3
Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed… Genesis 17:17

Twice Abraham was on his face before the Lord. One time he was listening, the next time laughing. What made the difference? God declared to Abram that he would have a new name, be exceeding fruitful and inherit the land. Abram listened. But, when God said these blessings would come through the son to be born to him when he was “as good as dead” (Heb. 11:12), he laughed. God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in His Son. Don’t laugh; just listen with wonder and worship. —Rex Trogdon

Though years on years roll on, His cov’nant shall endure;
Though clouds and darkness hide His path, the promised grace is sure.
—John Wesley