Category: Uncategorised

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 16:41 to 17:13; Proverbs 14; 2 Peter 1

Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. 1 Kings 11:7

Solomon built a spectacular temple for the Lord, was greatly blessed with wisdom, and yet erected pagan altars in the high places surrounding Jerusalem. How is this possible? If we let our heart wander from the Lord it can happen easily. Let us be careful that we do not erect competing high places in our local churches—the Lord’s dwelling place in and with His people. There is nothing in humanism that can please the Lord, so let us ensure that Christ always has the pre-eminence among us. —W. A. H.

Since from His bounty I receive such proofs of love divine,
Had I a thousand hearts to give, Lord, they would all be Thine.
—Alfred Mace

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 16:1-40; Proverbs 13; 1 Peter 5

The Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9
He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

Joshua and Israel were about to tread a difficult and dangerous path. They were to cross Jordan and engage formidable enemies in Canaan. Battles and strife lay ahead. It was then that God gave them this promise, to be with them “whithersoever they went”. What a precious promise for the child of God today. God has guaranteed that whatever the circumstances of life—sunshine or shadow, pain or pleasure, success or failure, weeping or rejoicing, mountain or valley, that we will never ever be alone. May we step out into the unknown future with confidence and courage, knowing He is ever near. —W. H. Burnett

I will never, never leave thee, I will never thee forsake,
I will guard, and save, and keep thee, for My name and mercies sake.
—Author Unknown

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 15; Proverbs 12; 1 Peter 4

He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. Psalms 111:4

The Psalmist exhorts us to remember the Lord and His grace and compassion. The best place we can go to do this is Calvary. Of all His wondrous works there is none greater than the cross work of Christ. There He died to put away all our sin (Heb. 9:26). The Lord’s Supper is that gathering where we particularly are called to express our remembrance. And so today we meditate on Him and show forth His works. We worship and adore. In spirit we travel to Calvary and find there His grace and compassionate love. Let us draw near and worship Him. —Harold G. Smith

Rise my soul! Behold ‘tis Jesus, Jesus fills thy wondering eyes;
See Him now in glory seated, where thy sins no more can rise.
—J. Denham Smith

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 14; Proverbs 11; 1 Peter 3

The heavens declare the glory of God. Psalm 19:1
For I reckon the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

One night, after finishing a series of Gospel meetings, I was driving home very tired—a three hour trip before me. The night sky was lit up with millions of stars! Then for about an hour I was blanketed by the most amazing display of the northern lights! It made me feel like I was surrounded by the glory of God! It is just a memory now, but what will it be like, when in eternity, His Glory will be revealed not just to us but in us! —Jim Paul

Where no shade or stain can enter, nor the gold be dim;
In that holiness unsullied I shall walk with Him,
Meet companion then for Jesus, from Him for Him made;
Glory of God’s grace forever, there in me displayed. —Frances R. Havergal

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 12-13; Proverbs 10; 1 Peter 2

Incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Psalm 71:2

To most people, the ear of God is associated with prayer. An open ear means God is listening as we pray to Him (Ps. 39:12; 55:1). However, He’s also listening when we’re not talking to Him in prayer—something we should be mindful of, especially when our language or its content isn’t what it should be. How different would our conversations be if we were conscious of the all-hearing God! And beyond that, He is aware of the thoughts and intents of our heart, without a word being spoken. Perhaps we should treat every conversation, every whispered accusation, and every opinion, as a prayer to God—or at least as if He is hearing. We should, because He is already! —Norman Craig Funston

O how the world to evil allures me! O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me, over the world the vict’ry to win.
—Elisha A. Hoffman

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 11:4-35; Proverbs 9; 1 Peter 1

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

Movies about superheroes are very popular in our culture right now. Undoubtedly they resonate with a society that feels insecure on many levels. People enjoy these stories because there is someone who will save the day even if it is only make believe. Christians don’t have to rely on a fictional tale though. We have a soaring epic to tell! “Yet while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). He has won the victory and we can rest assured that He will deliver us from all things even death itself.  —Danielle E.

I love to tell the story, more wonderful it seems,
Than all the golden fancies, of all our golden dreams. —A. C. Hankey

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 10:11 to 11:3; Proverbs 8; Jude

He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore, God also hath highly exalted him…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.  Philippians 2:8-10

The officers of the Sanhedrin slapped and buffeted Him and thought they humbled Him. The rulers had Him crucified and thought they humbled Him. The Roman soldiers stripped Him and gambled for His clothes and thought they humbled Him. But such was His power that their efforts were only as He allowed. The truth is He humbled Himself. Wherefore God has highly exalted Him. God asks us to bow our knees to the Saviour today.  Some day in the future, as Judge, He will demand it. What a privilege to do it now. —Ken Gross

Within the holiest of all cleansed by His precious blood;
Before the throne we prostrate fall and worship Thee our God. —J. Deck

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 9 to 10:10; Proverbs 6:20 to 7:27; Mark 16

But Adoni-bezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. Judges 1:6

Thumbs give people the ability to grasp things firmly; big toes provide balance to one’s stance and walk. Without these small but vital digits one loses one’s grip and steady walk. In spiritual matters this is all too common. Many are letting precious truths slip from their grasp. Others are staggering from one faddish doctrine to another. But believers must firmly hold to the Scriptures, rejecting the tumultuous winds of false teaching that swirl all around us. Rather than seeking something “new” (usually a repackaged lie), we ought to cling to God’s Word (Heb. 2:1) and not walk by any other rule. —K. R. Keyser

May the Word of God dwell richly, in my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph, only through His power.
—K. Wilkinson

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 8; Proverbs 5 to 6:19; Mark 15:24-47

Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah. And all Israel played the harlot with it there. It became a snare to Gideon and to his house. Judges 8:27

Gideon answered God’s call. He pulled down Baal’s altar, destroyed his images, and then erected an altar for Jehovah (Judg. 6:25-26). God then used him to destroy an invading army. As a result, Israel requested that Gideon rule them. He accepted, but asked for the gold earrings of the spoil, which he fashioned into a gold ephod. The ephod became a national idol, and Ophrah, not Jerusalem, became the place of worship. Like Gideon, we too may remove some evil from our lives only to replace it with a less conspicuous idol because it is a work of our own hands. —W. A. H.

Until the race is run, until the journey’s done,
Until the crown is won; teach me Thy way! —B. Ramsey

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 7; Proverbs 4; Mark 15:1-23

Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? 2 Samuel 7:18

As King David sat before the Lord in awe and worship, he was reminded of how little and insignificant he was in contrast to the greatness of his God. We, too, should sit in awe at the remembrance table each Lord’s Day with the same realization. That the God of the universe thought upon us from an eternity past, should humble our hearts before Him and draw worship from our lips.    —Wm. H. Gustafson

Who am I that the King should bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray not My will; Thine Lord.
—R. Goodman