Category: Uncategorised

 

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

 

O Lord, you are my God…a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.  Isaiah 25:1,4

The Lord is our strength and our refuge, a helper in our times of trouble (Ps. 46:1). He is our solid rock. When our hearts are overwhelmed we can always run to Him. At His feet we can pour out all our sorrows (Ps. 62:8). He is like no other. The world surely cannot offer us a refuge like He does. Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Taking refuge in Him will shelter us from the storm! —L. Fraser

You are my strength when I am weak, 
You are the treasure that I seek. 
You are my all in all!
—D. Jernigan

 

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

 

My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy?  1 Chronicles 11:19

To David, the cold water from the well near Bethlehem became a symbol of the love and sacrifice of the three men who broke through the Philistine armies to fetch it for him. Therefore he would not drink it, but poured it out. How much more should we reverence the cup of the Lord! “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?” (1 Cor. 10:16). David felt unworthy of such a sacrifice. How much more we are unworthy and yet we drink the cup today because He has made us worthy. —Shane Johnson

We love Thee for Thy mercy, we love Thee for Thy grace,
We love Thee for Thy love, and long to see Thy face.
—Shane Johnson

 

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

 

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son.  Galatians 4:4
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6

Timing is everything, especially God’s timing. It’s often asked, “Do we know when Jesus was born?” The answer is yes, it was “when the fullness of time was come.” Similarly, His death for us was “in due time”. When the world was in its greatest need, the Saviour was born, and when we were sinners, hopelessly lost, Christ died for us. When will He come again? We don’t know the day or the hour, but we do know that His timing is perfect! —Rex Trogdon

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

 

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

 

When John had heard…the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see. Matthew 11:2-4

Have you ever felt imprisoned by your circumstances? Have you ever looked at your situation and doubted your calling and purpose? Or maybe even doubted God Himself? If you have, be encouraged, you are in exceptional company. Even the greatest of God’s servants had doubts! In this instance, the Lord answered “Go and show John again.” The Lord never tires of encouraging His people again and again and again. —Sid Halsband

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
—J. Scriven

 

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

 

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen…which we have looked upon…and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life. 1 John 1:1

A Christian is one who has seen, heard and touched God. He doesn’t promote a religious doctrine or creed to compel others, but possesses an intimate relationship with God—the testimony of his faith. This world doesn’t need more religion. It needs men and women who have seen and heard and touched God, who live that reality daily.  Make this your mission today. —Deborah Manera

We are the Bibles the world is reading; 
We are the creeds the world is needing; 
We are the sermons the world is heeding.
—Billy Graham

 

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

 

Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Psalm 73:17

This is the pivotal verse for the psalmist. He looked at the wealthy, worldly, ungodly people around him and his family and through envy, his “feet were almost gone” and his “steps had well nigh slipped” (v. 2). What a difference it made to go into the sanctuary of God! He realised his foolishness and ignorance and appreciated afresh the close protection, love and care of his God (v. 22). His closing remark is true to us all, “It is good for me to draw near to God” (v. 28). —Dan Coulson

Would you like to know the sweetness of the secret of the Lord?
Go and hide beneath His shadow—this shall then be your reward. 
—Ellen Lakshmi Goreh

 

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

 

The Lord saith…them that honour me I will honour. 1 Samuel 2:30
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Young believer, are you in an anguish of mind as to God’s will for you? Perhaps it is knowing what career to follow; what college to attend; whether to marry a certain person or not. These promises give us two key principles in regard to knowing God’s will. Memorize them; lay hold of them in prayer; fulfill your side of the condition and then enjoy the peace of knowing that He will guide you into the life He has planned for you (Eph. 2:10). —David Croudace

My stubborn will at last hath yielded; I would be Thine, and Thine alone;
And this the prayer my lips are bringing, Lord, let in me Thy will be done. 
—C. H. Norris

 

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

 

What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee. Psalm 56:3

David said these words during a difficult time. Undoubtedly there were many times in his life when this commitment was tested and so he spoke with authority. It is an act of our will to trust God. We can, and we must, trust God when the natural human reaction is to worry. Courage is also an act of our will. We can, and we must, be strong and courageous when fears assail us. “In God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me” (Ps. 56:4). Yield your fear and worry to God. Cling to the truths of His Word. Determine that you will trust Him at all times. —D. Pickup

Simply trusting every day, trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus, that is all.
—Edgar P. Stites

 

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

 

This do in remembrance of me. 1 Corinthians 11:24

As did the early disciples, we gather together in His name on the first day of the week to commemorate the Lord’s death, till He come. In obedience to His command we give thanks and partake of two simple tokens. The bread, symbol of His body given, and the wine, reminding us of His precious blood shed for our redemption. What a privilege is ours to be there, for our Lord Himself promises to be there in our midst (Matt. 18:20). —E. MacLelland

Feast after feast thus comes and passes by;
Yet passing, points to the glad feast above;
Giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy,
The Lamb’s great bridal feast of bliss and love.
—Horatius Bonar

 

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

 

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises. 2 Peter 1:4

We have the promise of His presence; “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5). The promise of His grace; “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Cor. 12:9). The promise of His protection; “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem so the Lord is round about His people henceforth even for ever” (Ps. 125:2). The promise of His guidance; “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tested above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13). And the promise of His coming; “I will come again and receive you unto myself” (John 14:3). Are you living in the enjoyment of His promises? —Jim Paul

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
—R. Kelso Carter