Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 5; Isaiah 26; 1 Corinthians 5

 

And (Jesse) said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep.    1 Samuel 16:11
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.
Luke 16:10

 

Jesse considered David to be too young even to be present when Samuel came to anoint a new king. But God thought otherwise. He saw David faithfully keeping the sheep while others enjoyed the ceremony. He saw a young man who was “faithful in little things.” Thus he could be depended upon to be faithful in bigger things—ruling the nation! Young believer, be faithful in each small task assigned to you and God will entrust you with much greater responsibilities.    —David Croudace

 

Just as I am, young, strong and free, to be the best that I can be,
For truth and righteousness and Thee, Lord of my life, I come, I come.
—Marianne F. Hearn

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 4; Isaiah 25; 1 Corinthians 4

 

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.    Psalms 3:3

The Psalms are full of blessings. What a trio of them we have here. A shield all around us to protect us from the fiery darts of the devil. My glory, that we might rejoice in Him—we are not only accepted in the beloved (Eph. 1:6) but we are complete in Him (Col 2:10). The lifter up of my head. This is a lovely one. So often we are downhearted. It is another fiery dart of the evil one. But He is the lifter up of our head. Praise His holy name!    —Harold G. Smith

 

A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burdens away,
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 3:5-31; Isaiah 24; 1 Corinthians 3

 

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
John 20:28
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.    2 Peter 3:18

 

Recalling our conversion can evoke joyful memories. Yet unless we keep growing we can quickly lose the wonder of who He is. Instead let’s cry out with awe each morning “My Lord and my God”—thanking Him for saving us; meditating on His Word; asking for today’s strength and wisdom. In the evening let us look back on the day, confessing our sins, seeking Him in the Scriptures, joyfully thanking our Lord and God for our great salvation.    —George Ferrier

 

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His word. —W. D. Longstaff

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 2:6 to 3:4; Isaiah 22:15 to 23:18; 1 Cor. 2

 

According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain onto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.    2 Peter 1:3

 

What a magnificent gift—all things that pertain to life and godliness. And bestowed by the divine power of God Himself. But how do we use such assets for our delight and benefit in our daily lives? Strength is offered, to live above this sad world. Peace with God is ours. A lifestyle is given which avoids the sorrow of the ways of sin. An assured future awaits with all the delights of life eternal. All ours; God giving us that which enriches our lives today.    —Doug Kazen

 

Yet it must be, thy love had not its rest
Were thy redeemed not with thee fully blest. —J. N. Darby

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 1 to 2:5; Isaiah 21 to 22:14; 1 Corinthians 1

 

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.    1 Thessalonians 4:16

 

Believers are aliens in this world; it is systemically incapable of satisfying our regenerated beings. We are pilgrims, looking for a divinely designed and constructed city with eternal foundations (Heb. 11:10)—a search that will culminate in our dwelling-place in the future New Jerusalem (Rev. 21-22). Our exit from this scene of darkness will be accomplished by the Lord catching us up to heaven with Himself. No mere angel will escort us to glory; our Saviour Himself will convey us to the enjoyment of eternal light.    —Keith Keyser

 

Then, then, the church completed, God makes no more delay;
O Lord, with shouts of triumph, we pass into the day. —G. W. Frazer

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 24; Isaiah 19-20; 2 Thessalonians 3

 

Taking a place by so much better than the angels. Hebrews 1:4 (JND)
He hath … a more excellent name than [angels].     Hebrews 1:4
And let all the angels of God worship him.    Hebrews 1:6
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death … that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.     Hebrews 2:9

The angels knew His rightful place; His lofty name and His utter worthiness. But He was made a little lower than angels. His place became a cross on Skull Hill. His name became a curse and the song of the drunkard. There was no worship—He was cursed and spit upon. Crown Him with glory and honour today.    —S. McEachern

 

Thy open bosom was my ward, it braved the storm for me.
Thy form was scarred, Thy visage marred; now cloudless peace for me.
—Anne R. Cousin

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 23; Isaiah 17-18; 2 Thessalonians 2

 

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
2 Corinthians 9:6

 

Our first year of planting a backyard vegetable garden would prove the principle of this verse. We thought, if one zucchini plant was good then ten must be better. The harvest that year was so bountiful that we had abundance to share with family and friends and all that we knew. Imagine the harvest, if we would sow generously with our time, talents, and finances into the lives of others, and into the work of our Lord. Truly then the name of the Lord would be magnified.
—Lynn Tempest

 

Lord lay some soul upon my heart and love that soul through me.
And may I bravely do my part, to win that soul for Thee. —Leon Tucker

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 22; Isaiah 15-16; 2 Thessalonians 1

 

Now, therefore, are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.    Acts 10:33

 

It is a great privilege to be able to sit under the teaching of the Word of God in a local church fellowship. As God teaches men through His Word, they in turn are to teach other men so that the gift of the Scriptures is passed from one generation to another (2 Tim. 2:2). Are we taking every opportunity to hear the teaching of godly men and are we training the next generation so they can develop that same teaching gift?    —William Gustafson

Long as my life shall last; Teach me Thy way!
Where’er my lot be cast; Teach me Thy way! —B. Ramsey

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 20-21; Isaiah 14; 1 Thessalonians 5

 

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.    Isaiah 63:9

 

Today is Independence Day in the United States. Americans are proud of their flag, for it speaks of freedom. Over its history, much blood has been shed to make and keep the United States free. The above verse speaks of redeeming love that flies a different flag, one that is seen above the cross at Calvary. “Redeeming Love.” This flag floats over each redeemed person. All others are slaves of sin and Satan. Under whose banner are you today?    —Jim Pizzulli

 

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure, the saints’ and angels’ song.
—F. M. Lehman

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 18-19; Isaiah 13; 1 Thessalonians 4

 

Children, obey your parents … for this is well pleasing.    Col. 3:20
Having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, … a sacrifice … well pleasing to God.    Philippians 4:18
Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually … but to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.    Hebrews 13:15-16

 

A child’s obedience to their parents, an offering to support God’s work, one’s occupation with Christ in worship or an opportunity to do good to others, are all considered to be well pleasing to our God. May we follow the example of the Saviour who said “I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:29).    —Pete Smith

 

Saviour, Thy dying love Thou gavest me.
Nor should I aught withhold, dear Lord, from Thee. —S. Phelps