Category: Uncategorised

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 35; Psalms 7-8; Matt. 19:16 to 20:16

I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.    Psalm 142:1

Generally speaking, caves are unpleasant places. In a figurative sense multitudes live in caves every day—caves of worry, discouragement, depression, bitterness, fear, doubts, loneliness, to name just a few. When David wrote this psalm he was in a literal cave, perhaps Engedi or Adull-am, hiding from King Saul who wanted to kill him. What did David do? He prayed. And this is what we should do when we find ourselves in a dark and troublesome cave.    —W. Ross Rainey

Whatever fears or foes betide,
In Thy blest presence we may hide;
And while we rest our souls on Thee,
Thou wilt our Sanctuary be!
—Samuel Medley

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 33:18 to 34:31; Psalms 4-6; Matt. 19:1-15

And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.    2 Kings 2:19

Here is an apt description of this world—it looks beautiful from man’s viewpoint, but to the spiritually discerning, the “water” is bad, and the ground barren. How true! The world is a wilderness wide and it lacks true refreshment for the soul. Apart from Christ, it offers no spiritual fruit for God. But Christians can say with confidence, “All our springs are in thee” (Ps. 87:7). God says in return, “From me is thy fruit found” (Hos. 14:8). The world may look pleasant, but Christ is the only source of true satisfaction. Drink from this well and you will never thirst again.    —Mark Kolchin

Well of water, ever springing, Bread of life so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth, my Redeemer is to me. —Clara Williams

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 32 to 33:17; Psalms 1-3; Matt. 18:15-35

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree.  1 Peter 2:24

It is overwhelming to consider the full implications of the sacrifice that was made for our sins. When there was no one in all the universe capable of taking on the task, the Son of God came to do it by Himself! By His death, not only has He dealt with sin, but He has reconciled and restored to God all who believe in Him. Let us worship Him today. —Jim Paul

I cannot tell why sin was found in Heaven,
Nor can I solve the mystery of the fall.
But oh, I know that mankind can be forgiven,
If on the Lord for pardon they will call.
For all man’s sin and guilt, Christ fully bore;
That man to his first place He might restore. —J. Danson Smith

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 31; Job 42; Matt. 17:14 to 18:14

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.    1 Peter 1:16

God’s ultimate plan for each believer is absolute holiness. In the meantime He asks that we daily pursue practical holiness. Knowing He is holy, we yearn to be like Him. Knowing He is God, we choose to obey Him. Knowing this delights Him, we strive to please Him. We have the resources: the Scriptures to enlighten us, the Holy Spirit to comfort, convict, and encourage us and Christ our faithful High Priest. May we daily be a pleasing reminder to Him of His beloved Son. —George Ferrier

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
—William D. Longstaff

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 30; Job 40-41; Matt. 16:13 to 17:13

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good.    Psalm 107:1a

She was a very young child who was trying to spell various words. “Can you spell God?” my friend asked. She looked thoughtful and then replied, “G-O-O-D”. How true. God is good. We see his goodness every day and enjoy the benefits of His goodness in food, clothing, shelter, and numerous other things. Most of all, His goodness is expressed in the gift of the Saviour who died for us at Calvary. Give thanks to Him. He is good!    —Janet Fleming

God is good, the skies declare it,
Earth and sea alike proclaim
Day by day we share His blessings
Oh the wonder of that name.
—J. F.

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 29; Job 38-39; Matt. 15:29 to 16:12

The Lord will give strength unto his people.    Psalm 29:11

What a blessed promise! And so we need not wonder that the aged pilgrim wracked by ill health, or the young student bombarded with misleading philosophies, still perseveres in the faith. It should be of no surprise that a believer, isolated for family reasons, or in high pressure employment, still aspires to be faithful to the Saviour. It is because the Lord Himself, graciously and daily, gives His people strength for the challenges of the way. For whatever challenges you face today—He will give you strength. —Mark Fenn

God of our strength, from day to day,
Direct our thoughts and guide our way;
O may our hearts united be,
In sweet communion, Lord, with Thee.
—Fanny J. Crosby

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 28; Job 36-37; Matt. 15:1-28

Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus.    2 Corinthians 7:6

Some years ago, when going through a very difficult time in life, the last thing we needed was to be host for the weekend to a visiting speaker who we did not know. The dear man arrived and proved to be an enormous blessing. We were able to tell him our problems. He listened, understood and advised, and the end result was that he helped us make decisions which proved to be life changing. Thank God for the “Titus'” of this world, and even more for our God who sends them.     —Brian Russell

Wait in faith and quiet patience, thou shalt know the reason why,
God allowed the storm to gather, clouds to blot the sunlit sky.
—Bernard Fell

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 27; Job 34-35; Matt. 14:13-36

Make us a king to judge us like all the nations.     1 Samuel 8:5
And the Lord said unto Samuel…they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 1 Samuel 8:7

It seems that even in the church there is a constant desire to usurp the Throne of God. Christ is the head of the church but so often He is replaced with a human hierarchy. He should be guiding the local assembly through His written Word, but elders often ignore the Bible when making decisions. He should be sovereign in my own heart and life but how often do I place myself on the throne and do things my own way? The Scriptures are clear, if I reject God’s Word to control my own life and behaviour, it means I am rejecting God and commandeering His throne.    —David Croudace

King of my life I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, lead me to Calvary. —J. Hussey

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 26; Job 32-33; Matt. 13:44 to 14:12

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.    2 Timothy 1:7

This verse outlines the contrast between what God has given us and what He has not given us. If we are fearful, He is not the source of that emotion. God is love and “perfect love casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18). On the other hand we should be experiencing power, love and a sound mind of which He is the giver. If we are lacking these, perhaps we “have not, because we ask not” (Jas. 4:2). May we all take spiritual inventory and ensure that we are enjoying these graces that God delights to give. —Ken Gross

May the mind of Christ my Saviour live in me from day to day.
By His love and pow’r controlling all I do and say.
—K. Wilkinson

 

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

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.    1 Corinthians 11:26

\Several perspectives are emphasized in this lovely passage on the Lord’s Supper. Our hearts should be occupied with each. In this verse, we are to look backward to the cross and see our Saviour giving His life for us. Secondly, we are to look forward and anticipate His return, when we will not need the emblems anymore, but will see Him, be with Him, and be like Him. Again, we are to look upward to our great High Priest who is ever able to take our spiritual sacrifices and make them acceptable to God. Finally, we are to look inward. “Let a man examine himself” (v. 28), and then come with a pure heart to this holy feast. —Harold G. Smith

Calvary! O Calvary! Mercy’s vast unfathomed sea.
Love, eternal love to me, Saviour, we adore Thee! —Samuel T. Francis