Category: Uncategorised

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 2:6 to 3:4; Isaiah 22:15 to 23:18; 1 Cor. 2

 

And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.  Genesis 31:24

We often forget, or do not appreciate how God works behind the scenes in our lives. Jacob feared Laban would prevent him and his family and goods from returning to Canaan. Unknown to Jacob, God saw to it that Laban did not prevent Jacob’s progress. Let us thank the Lord for blessings unseen as well as seen and acknowledge that our fears can be turned to joy. —Brian Russell

Praise to the Lord who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
—Joachim Neander

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 1 to 2:5; Isaiah 21 to 22:14; 1 Corinthians 1

 

And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.  Matthew 8:24

The Greek word for “tempest” is seismos. In all its other Scriptural references, it is translated “earthquake”. So this was no small storm. However, the Lord was able to sleep through it. The seasoned fishermen did not and woke Him, saying “we perish” (Matt. 8:25) and cried to Him for help. The Lord responded by rebuking the winds and the sea. A great calm ensued. We may encounter dire circumstances in our daily walk but we can be assured that the Lord is able to deliver us and create a great calm. —D. M. M.

While I hear life’s rugged billows, peace, peace is mine!
I may sing, with Christ beside me, tho’ a thousand ills betide me; 
Safely He hath sworn to guide me: peace, peace is mine!
—J. D. Smith

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 24; Isaiah 19-20; 2 Thessalonians 3

 

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.  Romans 15:13

Joy, peace and hope are available but sadly, not enjoyed by every Christian. Our sun of joy can sometimes be eclipsed by the clouds of circumstance. The sea of peace that is ours is often disturbed by the winds and waves that rise against us. Our mountain of hope may be obstructed temporarily from sight by the dense fogs of misunderstanding—but nothing can blot out these virtues forever. Faith is the hand that reaches up to grasp these promises again. —Shane Johnson

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
—H. van Dyke

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 23; Isaiah 17-18; 2 Thessalonians 2

 

Is anything too hard for the Lord?…  Genesis 18:14
…With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

Are you facing an impossible situation? Is there seemingly no solution? Take courage dear child of God. You have a heavenly Father who deals with the impossible all the time! Introduce your problem to your Almighty God and it will crumble before His power and might. Remember the Red Sea, the walls of Jericho and Sarah’s barren womb? These were all humanly impossible situations, but when confronted with the power of Almighty God, the impossible—becomes possible! Is “anything” too hard for the Lord? —E. V.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, the clouds ye so much dread,
Are big with mercy and shall break, with blessings on your head.
—Cowper

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 22; Isaiah 15-16; 2 Thessalonians 1

 

And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.  Genesis 22:12

No greater price could ever be asked of a father than the sacrifice of his only son. If possible, he would gladly give up anything else, even his own life. Yet what God stopped Abraham from doing, He permitted no such luxury for Himself. He spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for you and for me. May our remembrance and worship of Him today be sweet. —Sid Halsband

The Father gives His only Son;
The Lord of glory dies;
For us, the guilty and undone,
A spotless Sacrifice.
—R. C. Chapman

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 20-21; Isaiah 14; 1 Thessalonians 5

 

And he marvelled because of their unbelief…  Mark 6:6 
…he marvelled at him…I have not found so great faith… Luke 7:9

Two times Jesus marvelled: once, because of great belief; once, because of great unbelief. The unbelief occured in His own city. They would not believe in Him simply because they were familiar with Him. It shouldn’t be surprising then that we see so many people who have long been exposed to God’s Word yet still haven’t trusted in Him. The centurion, however, unworthy and far from God, believed, because he recognized who Christ was and the authority He had. Isn’t it wonderful when people who hear the Gospel for the first time embrace it with all their hearts! —Tom Steere

Gracious Lord, Thou canst make me clean; Lord, I am pleading still;
Now I hear from Thy lips divine, “Child, thou hast faith—I will.”
—Fanny J. Crosby

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 18-19; Isaiah 13; 1 Thessalonians 4

 

…Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.  John 21:17

Three times Peter denied the Lord (Matt 26:75) and three times the Lord asked Peter if he loved Him. However, Peter’s grief was not caused by the Lord asking him three times. It was the word He used.Twice He had asked Peter if he loved (agape) Him. Peter responded, “I have an affection (phileo) for Thee.” Jesus then lowered the standard from agape to phileo, using Peter’s word. Love reduced to affection. The Lord knows the quality of our feeling for Him. May our affection blossom into a deep love for our Saviour. —Dan Coulson

That day by day my heart may give to Thee;
A deeper love; and growing constantly.
—James Mountain

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 16-17; Isaiah 11-12; 1 Thess. 2:13 to 3:13

 

Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith…But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. 1 Samuel 31:4

So how will you die? Saul had a wonderful beginning. He seemed destined to become a great king. But he rebelled against the Lord’s command concerning the destruction of the Amalekites. When confronted by Samuel he was not truly repentant. He lived a life of rebellion against the Lord. Now he is at the end of his life, his army defeated by the Philistines and wounded by the archers. In despair he ends his own life. Beware then of a life lived in rebellion against God. Obedience will bring blessing and you will die well. —Donald L. Norbie

If I live, well, praise the Lord. If I die, well, praise the Lord.
If I live or die, my only cry will be, Jesus in me, praise the Lord. 
—Ray Hildebrand

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 14-15; Isaiah 10:5-34; 1 Thess. 1 to 2:12

 

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  Psalm 23:4

There is a valley in California called Death Valley, and while it is  a foreboding physical place, it is nothing compared to the valley of the shadow of death. Most people will never see Death Valley. But the valley of the shadow of death looms in front of each one. Don’t go there alone. Religion can’t accompany you. Psychology can’t help you. You can’t brave it alone. The Lord Jesus Christ wants to forgive your sins, save you and be with you every day, all the way home to heaven. Trust Him today and you won’t go through that valley alone. —Carl Knott

And no evil will I fear while my Shepherd is so near,
There’s a light in the valley for me.
—Philip P. Bliss

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 13; Isaiah 9:8 to 10:4; Luke 24:36-53

 

Then I proclaimed a fast…before our God to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.  Ezra 8:21

We often pray regarding our own needs. We also pray for our children and loved ones. But do we pray for our substance? Do we ask for guidance in using all that God has given us for His honour and glory? In this day of tremendous debt, are we believers using our substance for pleasure and for our “toys”? We need to be good stewards of our time and money. —M. Robins

Take my lips and let them be,
Filled with messages for Thee,
Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
—Frances R. Havergal