Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 4-5; Isaiah 47; 2 Corinthians 8

 

He must increase, but I must decrease.    John 3:30

 

The captain of a ship once explained to me how he was able to see at night when his boat was miles from land. “The idea is to make the ship as invisible as possible. The less you see of the ship, the more you can see of the moon and stars.” Isn’t that the case in our own lives, too? The less we see of ourselves, the more we see of Christ. In humbling ourselves, He is exalted.    —L. Shatford

 

Not I, but Christ, be honoured, loved, exalted;
Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known be heard.
—A. A. Whiddington

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 3; Isaiah 46; 2 Corinthians 6:11 to 7:16

 

For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace.
Hebrews 13:9

 

The Lord saves by His grace (Eph. 2:8), fills us with His grace (John 1:14) keeps us through His grace (1 Pet. 1:5), and strengthens us in His grace (2 Cor. 12:9). Our salvation from beginning to end (1 Pet. 1:13) is filled with grace. It will be one of the great themes of all eternity. The more we ponder it, the more we are amazed by grace and the deeper will be our love for the Lord and for others when we realize how much we owe.    —Mark Kolchin

 

Grace taught my soul to pray and made mine eyes o’erflow;
Twas grace which kept me to this day and will not let me go.
—P. Doddridge

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 2; Isaiah 44:24 to 45:25; 2 Cor. 5:11 to 6:10

 

Beloved let us love one another     1 John 4:7

 

I often rise early and enjoy some quiet time in the big easy chair. Next up is the family dog “Molly.” She has no deadlines, no meetings to attend, no calls to make. Molly is not burdened by economic crises, or any particular cause. She comes out with a big yawn, tail wagging, and in her complex world view, it is time for some loving. She looks at what I am busy with and in one leap to my lap has assessed there will be time for such things later. I think we have lost the simplicity of loving each other. It would be foolish to suggest life does not have its cares and responsibilities, but they should not be allowed to rob us of the simple pleasures of loving each other.    —Charlie Tempest

 

Help us love each other, more and more each day,
Help us follow Jesus, in the narrow way. —F. Kirkland

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 1; Isaiah 44:6-23; 2 Corinthians 4:7 to 5:10

 

Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints.    Philemon 1:5

 

Paul was miles away in Rome and the news he heard about Philemon was excellent concerning his love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and toward all saints. What a wonderful testimony! What a witness to the world it would be if every professing Christian had this reputation. Let us ask ourselves, what are people hearing about us? Do they hear what Paul heard about Philemon? This man’s testimony was well known. He was not hiding his light under a bushel or bed. It was set on a hill and he was a true light in the world. May we be exercised to be so for His glory.    —Harold G. Smith

 

I will sing the wondrous story of the Christ who died for me;
How He left His home in glory for the cross of Calvary. —H. Rowley

DAILY?READINGS: Ruth 3-4; Isaiah 43 to 44:5; 2 Corinthians 3 to 4:6

 

Knowing that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver or gold … But with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.    1 Peter 1:18-19 (NKJV)

 

The Lord Jesus entered this world’s slave market of sin and by the sacrifice of His life bought us out into freedom never to return. The ransom price was His precious blood! Scripture tells us that the “life of the flesh is in the blood” (Lev. 17:11). Its value, therefore, resides in the person of God’s beloved Son. His life was given for us, the sons of men, that we might become the sons of God. All praise and glory to Him.
—Drew Craig.

 

If all the sins of Adam’s race, with perfect justice to each case,
In Heaven’s balances were laid, they would be outweighed by Jesus death.
—William Blane

DAILY?READINGS: Ruth 2; Isaiah 42; 2 Corinthians 2

 

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?    Mark 8:36

 

Going door to door in evangelism, some brothers came upon a man working on a car. They invited him to a meeting, and he said, “I’m not religious and I don’t have time.” They asked him: “If you don’t take care of your car, what will happen?” “It will break down and I’ll lose it.” The question came, “And your soul? If you don’t take care of your soul, the same thing will happen.” Many people care for their face, their hair, their body, their car, their finances, but neglect their soul, and the loss is irreparable. Friend, neglect your soul no longer. Seek the Lord today!    —Carl Knott

 

Life at best is very brief, like the falling of a leaf,
Like the binding of a sheaf, be in time.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Ruth 1; Isaiah 41; 2 Corinthians 1

 

But patient, not a brawler, not covetous.    1 Timothy 3:3

 

It is hard to imagine a true Christian, let alone an elder, being a brawler. Perhaps it is because we tend to think of a brawler as one involved in physical fist-fights or wrestling. But brawler means literally “un-peaceable.” Sadly there may be elders that are contentious at every turn, upsetting people, insisting on their own agendas without regard for the thoughts and feelings of others or the clear teaching of Scripture. And on the home front, how often do we find fault or flare up at our beloved spouses when we should be lovers of peace, making peace?    —Tom Steere

 

Peace, troubled soul, thou need’st not fear; thy great Provider still is near;
Who fed thee last, will feed thee still: be calm, and sink into His will.
—Samuel Ecking

 

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

 

Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net.    Luke 5:5

 

Peter was told to do something. However past experience and his own rational assessment told him that the end result would be failure. There would be no fish in the net. “Nevertheless,” going against the grain of his thinking, he was obedient and cast out the net. The result was miraculous. Perhaps today you may be in such circumstances as Peter. And you may be challenged by the Lord (against your rational thinking) to do something or go somewhere that may not make any sense to you. Will you nevertheless obey and trust?    —K. C. Ung

 

Yet, Lord, Thy will be done; Lo, I, Thine only Son, This cup will drink.
O wondrous love of Thine, unspeakable, divine;
To save this soul of mine Thou wilt not shrink. —H. Allon

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

 

A friend of publicans and sinners.    Matthew 11:19

 

This was a title given in criticism. Yet it reflected His grace. He was interested in the unpopular, the socially despised, the politically incorrect. He drew near to those whose careers were at a dead end; to those whom no one else bothered themselves for; those who had nowhere else to turn because of the weight of their sin upon their consciences. In other words you and me. By His grace He is Your Friend, and mine.    —Mark Fenn

 

The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger;
Behold your King! Before the lowly bend!
Behold your King! Your King! Before Him bend. —J. Dwight & A. Adam

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

 

Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is Mine.    Job 41:11

 

Our names may be on the title deed to our homes, our vehicle permits and many other things. But we are stewards. All that we have comes from the Lord’s hand. But do we treat them as His? Or have we convinced ourselves that they belong solely to us? If so, it won’t take long for our hearts to be captured by our possessions. Instead of resources to use for God’s glory, they will become weights holding us back. That stuff—all of that stuff – isn’t ours at all. It’s His, He says so, and He now waits patiently for me to say so.    —Rick Morse

 

Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
—Frances R. Havergal