Category: Uncategorised

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 21; Isaiah 40; 1 Corinthians 16

And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a loyal heart.    2 Chronicles 25:2

Amaziah did the right thing, but in a wrong way. He was young and inexperienced. The danger is that he looked righteous, but there was no real substance. There is no shortcut to experience, but there is a sure way to please the Lord. Take every decision to the Lord in prayer and then, whatever He directs, do it with all your heart as unto Him. One day He will test each one’s work, of what sort (quality) it is. Let’s do what is right and do it in the right way.  —Rex Trogdon

Give of your best to the Master,
Give Him the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardour,
Into the battle for truth. —H. B. Grose

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 20; Isaiah 38-39; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.  Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 1:7 is the key verse of this book. It reminds us that the beginning of wisdom is not found through education, human insight, philosophy, wide experience, or psychology, but from our reverence of who God is and an unquestioning trust in His Word. The more we know of our God and His Word, the more spiritual insight we will have into the problems of life. A university professor with his doctorate said to one of his medical students, “I don’t understand how the janitor has more understanding about life, its problems and how to resolve them than I do with all my education.” The janitor had only a little formal education, but was a man of the Book! May we become people of the Book!  —Jim Comte

How precious is the book divine, by inspiration giv’n!
Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine, to guide our souls to Heav’n. —John Fawcett

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 19; Isaiah 37:8-38; 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

For perhaps he (Onesimus) therefore departed for a season, that thou (Philemon) shouldest receive him for ever.  Philemon 15

Very many of the saints have loved ones who have not responded to the Gospel. Some of these may now live miles away and do not bother to keep in touch. Some are even manifestly hostile to Christian things. Onesimus had to come into contact with a man in prison before his life was radically changed. He was probably a prisoner himself. Keep praying. When the loved one returns it might well be for ever.  —Brian Russell

Come home! Come home!
You are weary at heart, for the way has been dark,
And so lonely and wild; O prodigal child!
Come home! Oh come home! —E. M. Gates

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 17-18; Isaiah 36 to 37:7; 1 Corinthians 14

And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house?  2 Kings 4:2

A creditor was about to enslave this widow’s sons for default on a debt. Elisha asks two questions. First, “What shall I do for thee?” and secondly “What hast thou in the house?” We learn from this that God is willing to help us in our extremities, but that we must also be prepared to be part of the solution. To feed a multitude, the Lord took the little that was available, five loaves and two small fish. Only then did He feed five thousand. At the grave of Lazarus the Lord said “Take ye away the stone” (John 11:39). Only then did He call “Lazarus come forth” (John 11:43). As we pray, let us keep in mind, that while God is willing to respond, He also expects us to do our part.  —W. H. Burnett

He guideth the footsteps, directeth the way,
Of all who confess Him. Believe, and obey. —Fanny Crosby

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 16; Isaiah 35; 1 Corinthians 13

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.  Hebrews 11:31

With the exception of Matthew 1:5, Rahab is described in the Scriptures as “Rahab the harlot.” Surely the primary reason for this is to continually remind the reader of the infinite grace of God and what it can do even in the life of a harlot. She can be made pure and whole, and become a good wife and mother when God takes over in the heart and life. The writer to the Hebrews commends Rahab’s confidence in the living God, while James speaks glowingly of her conduct, and Matthew links her with the genealogy of Christ. Rahab is indeed a wonderful trophy of God’s grace!  —W. Ross Rainey

Faith is the victory! Oh, glorious victory,
That overcomes the world. —John H. Yates

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 14-15; Isaiah 34; 1 Corinthians 12

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.  Proverbs 22:7

He who had unspeakable wealth said “Shew me a penny” (Luke 20:24). He who abode in the ivory palaces of heaven borrowed a pillow in Bethany (Matt. 21:17). He whose heavenly podium was the Great White Throne borrowed a boat from which to preach (Luke 5:3). He who spoke worlds unknown into existence, borrowed loaves and fish to feed a hungry throng (John 6:9). He who owns the cattle upon a thousand hills borrowed a donkey (Mark 11:3). He who inhabits eternity borrowed an upper room (Matt. 26:18). Finally He who is the source of life borrowed a tomb (Matt. 27:60).  —Sid Halsband

Rich in glory, Thou didst stoop, thence is all Thy people’s hope;
Thou wast poor, that we might be rich in glory, Lord, with Thee. —T. Kelly

 

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

I go to prepare a place for you.  John 14:3
We shall be changed, for this corruptible must put on incorruption.  1 Corinthians 15:52-53

Before leaving his beloved disciples for the cross, and eventually the glory, the Saviour gave them this precious promise: “I go to prepare a place for you.” But that is only part of the good news. He who has prepared a place for us, is also preparing us for the place. Listen to Paul, “we shall all be changed.” What an exciting moment when believers will be changed into holy immortality. Rejoice, dear fellow believer, He has finished the work that prepared heaven, and soon He will finish His work in you and me. —Arnot P. McIntee

Oh, what a home! But such His love that He must bring us there,
To fill that home, to be with Him, and all His glory share. —J. A. Trench

 

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

Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me?  Genesis 31:27

While Jacob clearly had God’s blessing to return to the land of his birth, he certainly didn’t have Laban’s. Whom was he to obey, God or man? Obviously, God’s command was the priority. However, that did not give Jacob the liberty to simply walk out on his father-in-law. Sometimes we may do things in the name of Christ, but our approach makes it become more of a shame to the cause of Christ. Family life and church fellowship are the two most common arenas for such tensions. Sadly it can lead to much heartache and disunity. God’s direction for an action must still be done in God’s way.  —Norman Craig Funston

Be still, my soul! Thy God doth undertake;
To guide the future as He has the past. —K. von Schlegel

 

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

For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  Matthew 6:32

One day while pioneering the Gospel in Canada, a faithful evangelist was very hungry. As he trekked along in a certain place he came to a little restaurant. He ventured in without a penny in his pocket. He bowed his head and in faith gave thanks to the Lord for the food. At the pay counter, the owner said to him, “When I opened this place I made a vow—the first person I see giving thanks, the meal would be free!” Our God ever delights to honour faith in His goodness.  —E. MacLelland

All you may need, He will provide,
Nothing you ask will be denied,
Through every day, o’er all the way;
God will take care of you!
—C. D. Martin

 

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

He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.  Mark 16:19
The Son of man standing on the right hand of God.  Acts 7:56

Sitting and standing—here are two different perspectives of the One who is at God’s right hand. Mark’s view speaks of a finished work—Calvary’s victory is won and our Saviour waits for His enemies to be made His footstool. Acts reminds us that our Saviour still has an unfinished work. As our great High Priest, He ministers to our need on a constant basis. What a blessing for earthly citizens to know Him who is at the right hand of God.  —Wm. H. Gustafson

Our great High Priest is sitting at God’s right hand above,
For us His hands uplifting, in sympathy and love.
—A. P. Cecil