Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 12; Jeremiah 21-22; Colossians 1:1-20

 

Two tables of testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God    Exodus 31:18
But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground.
John 8:6

 

The finger of God! Be it law or grace, God has much to say. We have the Ten Commandments in stone, so we know what He wrote for His people in the OT. However, there is no record of what Christ wrote in the sand. Perhaps it was “forgiven.” Regardless, there is a place in our writing, speaking, and preaching to be like the finger of God—sometimes firm and definite, other times gracious and loving. God will give us wisdom for the situation.    —Norman Craig Funston

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be, filled with messages from Thee.
—Frances R. Havergal

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 11; Jeremiah 19-20; Philippians 4:2-23

 

Consider now from this day and upward … I will bless you.
Haggai 2:18-19

 

This marks a new era of fellowship with God in Israel’s experience. Previously, they had known barrenness and poverty because of their neglect of the things of God. But under the ministry of Haggai and Zechariah they “considered their ways,” and turned from their selfishness to give priority to the things of God. In turn, God marked the date saying, “From this day … I will bless you.” Are we experiencing times of barrenness and spiritual indifference? Let’s put it behind us and make a new start, giving God and His service the priority it deserves. Be assured that seasons of revival and blessing will follow.    —W. H. Burnett

 

Revive Thy work O Lord, and give refreshing showers;
The glory shall be all Thine own, the blessing Lord be ours! —A. Midlane

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 10; Jeremiah 18; Philippians 3 to 4:1

 

For ever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled (established) in heaven.
Psalm 119:89

 

The precious Word of God is a great treasure that the believer should store safely in his heart. It is a light to his path; water to cleanse; food for sustenance; a sword to kill evil thoughts; and a fire to warm the sorrowing heart. Is not this wealth a great comfort and better far than all the riches of the world?    —E. MacLelland

May the Word of God dwell richly,
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph,
Only through His pow’r.
—K. B. Wilkinson

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 9; Jeremiah 17; Philippians 2:12-30

 

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.    Acts 2:42

 

I think the most important word in this verse is “and.” The Christian life does not consist in the occasional practice of one of the activities mentioned here. It is not when we might feel it convenient, rather, the early disciples continued steadfastly in all of these basic characteristics of those who serve the Lord Jesus. What are you and I doing?
—Mark Fenn

 

When to the cross I turn mine eyes,
And rest on Calvary,
O Lamb of God, my sacrifice,
I must remember Thee.
—J. Montgomery

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 8:31-66; Jer. 16; Philippians 1:21 to 2:11

 

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.    Philippians 3:21

 

This is the ultimate makeover for the believer. The world’s sad replica is through cosmetics—applied and surgical, yet this serves only to feed the vanity of the heart, rather than to improve it. In that coming day, our longing will be unto Christ, and we will desire sin no more. The spots, wrinkles, and blemishes of our present condition will be gone forever. Now that’s a fashion statement!    —Rick Morse

 

And is it so! We shall be like Thy Son,
Is this the grace which He for us has won?
—J. N. Darby

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 8:1-30; Jeremiah 15; Philippians 1:1-20

 

Jesus Christ … whom God set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past.    Romans 3:25

 

God did not just pass over our sins as in Moses’ day. He has put them away forever. But at a mighty cost! What an act of grace—that God should make Christ sin for us. What a distance he endured—“Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani!” Today we draw near. And we can but bow in adoring worship at the feet of our exalted Lord.    —Drew Craig

 

Yes, Jesus bore it, bore in love unbounded,
What none can know,
He passed through death,
And gloriously confounded our every foe.
—M. L. Carson

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 7; Jeremiah 14; Ephesians 6:10-24

 

His divine power hath given unto us all things.    2 Peter 1:3

 

William Hearst was a famous American business magnate. His wealth allowed him to invest in works of art. He had so many that he had to store some in a warehouse. One day he read about a valuable piece of art and instructed his agent to locate and buy it regardless of price. The agent searched far and wide and discovered the item was already owned by Mr. Hearst and was in storage in his own warehouse! We can be guilty sometimes of still searching for treasures and blessings we already possess. Perhaps we have forgotten we have them or have not realised the value of the spiritual blessings we have already in Christ.    —Brian Powlesland

 

Count your many blessings; wealth can never buy,
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. —Ira D. Sankey

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 6; Jeremiah 13; Ephesians 5:22 to 6:9

 

David therefore departed … and escaped to the Cave Adullam and when his brethren … went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress … in debt … that was discontented gathered themselves unto him and he became a captain over them.    1 Samuel 22:1-2

 

Here we have a lovely picture of our Lord Jesus, in the scene of His rejection, being the gathering centre of His people. In all our need we are drawn to “the Prince of life” (Acts 3:15), “the Captain of our salvation” (Heb. 2:10) and “the Author of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). May we be found standing with Him today, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.        —Pete Smith

 

Thy reproach far richer treasure, than all Egypt’s boasted pleasure,
Drawn by love that knows no measure, outside the camp. —E. Dark

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 4-5; Jeremiah 12; Ephesians 5:1-21

 

But to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
Proverbs 11:18

 

From among the hundreds of apricot pits my mother threw out from her home-canning, one seed later sprouted and grew into a productive tree. We may become discouraged when our repeated witness bears no fruit. In John’s account of the feeding of the five thousand, Peter’s brother Andrew pointed to a lad who had five barley loaves and two fishes, and asked, “what are they among so many?” (John 6:9). Since that small lunch served thousands, who can tell what one sprouted seed will accomplish in the hand of the God who multiplies.    —E. Dyck

Give of your best to the Master, give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service, consecrate every part.
—H. B. Grose

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 3; Jeremiah 11; Ephesians 4:17-32

 

I have been young and now I am old.         Psalm 37:25

 

During his life, David had avidly pursued God’s heart—fought battles, slain giants, danced before the Lord, known passionate love and deep friendship. Now he was old—his voice for praise quieter, his hand not so strong for the sword, the fire of his vigour dimming. Old age can bring a sense of loss, of being diminished, of uncertainty about one’s value and purpose. The young can be unappreciative and dismissive. But is not old age just one last term in God’s school of faith? And there is “school work” yet to be done: counseling, teaching, praying, encouraging. And the triumph of finishing well!    —S. McEachern

 

Jesus, my only hope Thou art, strength of my failing flesh and heart;
O could I catch one smile from Thee, and drop into eternity!
—Charles Wesley (last hymn, dictated on his death bed)