Category: Uncategorised

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 23:9 to 24:22; Jonah 1-2; Luke 12:41-59

 

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed…  Romans 6:6

The river catfish is a bottom feeder. It loves the muck and has sharp stingers. When caught it will eventully stop gasping for air and appear to be dead, only to thrash its stingers when someone comes near. The sin nature is like that. Though rendered a death blow at the cross, our old nature can still “gasp for air” and show itself alive. It is our responsibility to deny our old man his habitat and to not allow him back into the water, so to speak. Once it is back in the muck it so loves to feed on, we will find that it gains strength quickly. —Shane Johnson

Call me away from flesh and sense, 
One sov’reign word can draw me hence;
I would obey the voice divine, and all inferior joys resign.
—I. Watts

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 22 to 23:8; Joel 3; Luke 12:22-40

 

For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.  Exodus 40:38

It is often at night, when we are not able to sleep, that everything seems black and foreboding. God, in His infinite grace, made provision for the weakest and most fearful Israelites who suffered in this way. Anyone could look out of their tent and witness God’s pillar of fire, and this would have reassured them and lightened their darkness. Never forget—we are never alone. Do not feel abandoned. Rather look up and talk to the One who will always be your light in darkness. —Brian Russell

Under His wings I am safely abiding;
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild.
—W. O. Cushing

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 20-21; Joel 2; Luke 12:1-21

 

…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  Hebrews 13:5
…My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46

To forsake is to leave without help or protection, to abandon. The Lord promises to never do that to His own. We are safe and secure with Him. Men may fail, and indeed do, in spite of promises and vows, but the Lord, who knows us better than anyone else does, is still a true, faithful Friend, Master, Helper and Guide. This is reason enough to rejoice every morning! And yet, how we are touched when we remember that He, God’s perfect holy Son, was forsaken at Calvary in those awful hours of lonely agony. Why? For us! Alone He bore our sins, so that we might never be forsaken. —Carl Knott

Though all around me is darkness, earthly joys all flown;
My Saviour whispers His promise, “I never will leave thee alone.”
—Ludie D. Pickett

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 18:9 to 19:21; Joel 1; Luke 11:37-54

 

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. John 12:48

Thomas Jefferson produced a book entitled “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth.” He compiled it by cutting and pasting selected verses from the Gospels, omitting all “supernatural” words and ultimately leaving Christ in the grave. In essence, what he left testified to Christ’s deity and what he compiled, to His humanity. But alone they are incomplete! Scripture states that the Lord Jesus was both God and man—the great mystery of godliness. Some may try to judge God’s Word but His Word will pass final judgment on all. —George Ferrier

The Bible stands like a mountain towering, far above the works of men;
Its truth by none ever was refuted, and destroy it they never can.
—Haldor Lillenas

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 17 to 18:8; Obadiah; Luke 11:14-36

 

Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy.  Philippians 1:4

“You all” is a lovely little phrase that Paul employs frequently in his writings. The expression is often used in the American South and is a charming phrase of inclusiveness. Such is its Scriptural use. It is a description that takes us all in. Paul refused to recognize division or partiality among God’s people. They were all one in Christ. Members of one Body, one Church! May it not only be a principle with us, but also a practical reality in our fellowship together. —Jim Pizzulli

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: Deut. 16; Song of Sol. 6:10 to 8:14; Luke 11:1-13

 

There was a man of the Pharisees…named Nicodemus…who came to Jesus by night.  John 3:1-2

It has been said that this is the best of all audiences—the audience of one. The Gospels record nineteen such personal interviews with the Lord Jesus: Nicodemus, Mary of Bethany at His feet, Zacchaeus under the sycamore, the Samaritan woman at the well. Maybe today we will have an opportunity to address an audience of one: a small child, a troubled friend, an e-mail, or a phone call. May each opportunity redound to His glory. —Marilyn MacMullen

O fill me with Thy fullness, Lord, 
Until my very heart o’reflow 
In kindling thought and glowing word, 
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.
—Frances R. Havergal

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 14:22-15:23; Song of Sol. 5:2-6:9; Luke 10:25-42

 

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.  1 Peter 3:7

How should a Christian husband love his wife? “Dwell with them”. A husband enjoys spending time with his wife. “According to knowledge”. He has meaningful communication with her. “Giving honour unto the wife”. He respects his wife’s strengths as well as her weaknesses. “That your prayers be not hindered” He prays with his wife. Dwelling with her, speaking with her, respecting her, and praying with her. Let us love our wives as Christ loved the Church. —Sid Halsband

In purest love their souls unite, that they with Christ-like care;
May make each other’s burden light, by taking mutual share.
—J. Berridge

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 13-14:21; Song of Sol. 3:6-5:1; Luke 10:1-24

 

Search me, O God, and know my heart…  Psalm 139:23

My eyes fill with tears as I look at my face in the mirror. After a round of chemo-therapy and also radiation, I have no hair, no eyebrows or eye lashes and my skin is gray. I look so ugly. Then I think of a song. It says “God wants to hear me sing when the world is crashing down and despair is all around.” So I sing, but not very loud and not very well. Then I rejoice that God doesn’t care if I’m pretty outside, only that I’m clean inside. —Debbie Douglas

Sing praise to God who reigns above, the God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation.
With healing balm my soul is filled and every painful murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory.
—Jo­hann J. Schütz

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 12; Song of Sol. 2:8 to 3:5; Luke 9:37-62

 

When I am afraid, I will trust in thee.  Psalm 56:3

It’s easy to fear. We fear the future. We fear when life suddenly takes a turn we weren’t prepared for. We fear when we sense things are swirling out of our control. How should we deal with moments or seasons of fear? Trust our God. Often we don’t understand or can’t see the benefit of what is happening. He does and we know that He will never leave us or forsake us! We know that “whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (Prov 29:25). —L. Fraser

What tho’ fierce and long the strife is raging,
God is on your side, the foe engaging;
Every wound He heals, the pain assuaging;
Fear not! Oh, fear not!
—V. B. Hall

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 10:12-11:32; Song of Sol. 1-2:7; Luke 9:18-36

 

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us.  Ephesians 2:4

God does not love like we love. We love those that we like and they are generally those who love us in return. God’s love elevates so much higher. It flows from the riches of His mercy. It should not appear amazing to us that it is called “His great love”. His mercy and love were so great that He gave His Son to die for us when we were far from Him. What a wonderful God and Saviour we have. May our worship and remembrance of Him be sweet today. —Harold G. Smith

The love of God is greater far than tongue can ever tell; 
It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell.
—Fred Lehman