Category: Uncategorised

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 30 to 31:13; Amos 9; Luke 16

The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice. Proverbs 23:24

Charles Spurgeon once said, “A man’s deeds are reckoned as dollars, his words as pennies.” This was evidenced by a survey regarding local church attendance. If both parents were in attendance regularly, research showed their children had a 77% chance of remaining faithful spiritually. If only Dads attend there’s a 55% chance the children will follow the Lord. But if only Mom is in attendance the odds drop to 15%. The importance of a father’s influence should be motivation for spiritual leadership at home and in the assembly of believers. God commended Abraham of the Old Testament as being a man He could trust to command His children. If his example is followed, blessing will result. —E. Dyck

Standing by a purpose true, heeding God’s command,
Honour them, the faithful few! All hail to Daniel’s band. —Philip P. Bliss

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 29; Amos 7-8; Luke 15:11-32

Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Psalm 25:6

A. W. Tozer reminds us, “We do not need any enlarging adjectives when we speak of God, or of His love, or mercy. God Almighty fills the universe and overfills it because it is His character—infinite and unlimited.” Thus, speaking of God’s “great” love or mercy implies that there are degrees of His love and mercy, but there are not. Our adjectives are helpful to acknowledge our earthly benefits, but when speaking of God there are no such measurements: “God is love” and God is not less merciful or more merciful; He is full of mercy. Whatever God is, He is that in its fullness. Praise His name! —W. A. H.

The Lord is greatly to be praised; His greatness is beyond our thoughts.
From age to age the sons of men, shall tell the wonders God has wrought.
—The Psalter, 397

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 28:38-68; Amos 5-6; Luke 14:25 to 15:10

To visit the fatherless and widows in their distress.    James 1:27

The phrase “to visit” means a little more than visiting a lonely saint and enjoying a cup of tea together—valuable as that is. It has the thought of seeing a need and then meeting it. This is a special area of responsibility for those who are mature in their faith or leaders in a local church. They are to watch over the flock and assess its needs. Then it is their privilege to rise up to meet that need (1 Tim. 3:1), whether it is comforting or counselling, shepherding or supporting. It might even involve a cup of tea. —Norman Craig Funston

Give me a faithful heart, guided by Thee,
That each departing day henceforth may see
Some work of love begun, some deed of kindness done,
Some wand’rer sought and won—something for Thee. —S. D. Phelps

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 28:1-37; Amos 3-4; Luke 14:1-24

Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. Luke 1:38

Such words of trust coming from the heart of this young girl, Mary. Her eyes were focused on what the Lord God had asked of her. She didn’t stop to weigh what it would cost her or how it would affect her life. No, her heart’s desire was to be used by the Lord. And oh how He was going to use her! How blessed we are to have a witness of such a willing heart. Lord, give us a heart like this handmaiden of the Lord and in doing so, may we know the joy that comes from trusting You. —V. Gaynier

Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.
—Frances Ridley Havergal

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 26:16 to 27:26; Amos 1-2; Luke 13:22-35

Come unto me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

This is an invitation first of all to the sinner who is burdened and distressed by the guilt and tragedy of his sin. To such the Saviour holds out His hands in welcome, offering forgiveness. But you must come repentant and trusting, believing that His death on the cross is sufficient to pay for your sins. Come and know the rest of His love and forgiveness. But it is also an invitation to the Christian who is burdened with the cares and anxieties of this life. Cast your anxieties upon Him and know the rest of His love and care. He does love you. —Donald L. Norbie

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
—Edward H. Bickersteth

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 25 to 26:15; Jonah 3-4; Luke 13:1-21

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father.… John 17:1

Whether revealing the sublime meditations of His heart or during His agony in Gethsemane or day by day in His earthly ministry with His disciples, prayer was the watchword of all that the Lord Jesus said and did. We, also, as His followers, should seek to emulate Him in prayerful dependence every day. —Mark Fenn

Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air,
His watchword at the gates of death:
He enters heaven with prayer.
—James Montgomery

 

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

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. Luke 10:33

J. I. Packer states, “Your attitude to your fellow-men, good and bad, nice and nasty, both Christians and unbelievers, is to be that of the Good Samaritan towards the Jew in the gutter.” Our compassion to those in need should concern both the spiritual and the material. Let us use our personal resources, our time, our words and our prayers to reach the lost and encourage the believers. —Bob Cretney

Because I have been given much, I too must give.
Because of Thy great bounty, Lord each day I live.
I shall divide my gifts from Thee, with every brother that I see,
Who has the need of help from me.
—Grace Noll Crowell

 

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

Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? John 18:23

No one is able to attribute evil words to the Lord Jesus. Even when officers were sent to arrest Him, they returned empty-handed, excusing themselves with the assertion “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46). The few words that Christ uttered at His trials before both Jews and Gentiles were peerless indicators of His innocence. What is more, His statements from the cross manifested divine love, mercy, and holiness (in contrast to the reviling spectators and the cursing malefactors). The Father registered His verdict on His Son’s words and works by raising Him from the dead and exalting Him to His own right hand (Acts 2:33, 36). —K. R. Keyser

Never more shall God, Jehovah, smite the Shepherd with the sword;
Ne’er again shall cruel sinners set at nought our glorious Lord.—S. C. Chapman

 

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

So Boaz took Ruth and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son. Ruth 4:13

It must have been a disappointment to Ruth not to have had a child with Naomi’s son. However, what a blessing it was ultimately, as she had a son with Boaz who became part of the royal line. God always has a purpose for blessing in His dealings with believers. Sometimes believing couples suffer great grief because they are childless. However, these couples, amidst their disappointment have been wonderful “uncles and aunts” to so many children. I, personally, thank God for such who have loved my children. —Brian Russell

Not mine, not mine the choice, in things both great or small;
Be Thou my guide, my strength, my wisdom and my all.
—Horatius Bonar

 

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

And Jehu…went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? 2 Chronicles 19:2

Having narrowly escaped from the battlefield with his life, Jehoshaphat returned to his house, delivered by the Lord from a foolish alliance with wicked King Ahab. Jehoshaphat had learned quickly the bitter consequences of joining together with those who hate the Lord. Jehu’s words reinforced the lesson. What will it take for us to learn this truth? For this good king, it was worry, doubt and fear and many tears as he cried out to the Lord in his distress. Our own experience and wise words from others should be enough to keep us from making the same mistake. Are we listening? —Mark Kolchin

Only this hour is mine, Lord—may it be used for Thee;
May ev’ry passing moment, count for eternity. —Merrill Dunlop