Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 17; Jeremiah 29; Philemon

 

Seek Him with all thy heart… Love the LORD thy God with all thine heart… Serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart. Deuteronomy 4:29; 6:5; 10:12

 

These three statements are words given to us from the Lord to direct us into a relationship with Him. They are for our good and require an exercise of heart—a whole heart! Half-hearted attempts will not suffice. We are to seek, love, and serve Him, in that order and with all our heart.Have you slipped into half-heartedness? Start over with all your heart! —Rex Trogdon

O to grace how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace, Lord, like a fetter, bind my wand’ring heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the God I love;
Yet Thou, Lord, has deigned to seal it; with Thy Spirit from above.—Robert Robinson

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 15:33-16:34; Jeremiah 27-28; Col. 4:2-18

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:31

 

There is no simpler expression of the Gospel of Christ than this verse. The jailer’s immediate and direct question was met by an immediate and direct answer. Note carefully that the words “and thy house” must be understood as being linked with “believe” and “be saved.” Taylor Smith, while Chaplain-General of the British Army, refused any candidate who could not tell in three minutes how a person may be saved. Have you truly believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? —W. Ross Rainey

Yes, Jesus is the Truth, the Way, that leads you into rest:
Believe in Him without delay and you are fully blest.—John H. Stockton

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 15:1-32; Jeremiah 26; Colossians 3:5 to 4:1

 

 

My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts (presence) of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars. Psalm 84:2-3a

 

This portion is often called “The Psalm of the Pilgrim and his Pining Soul.” The psalmist faints with longing for God’s presence and thinks of two birds that nest there—the sparrow, considered a worthless bird, and the swallow, a restless bird. Both nested on the altars with unhindered access. The brazen altar was the place of the sin sacrifice and the incense altar, the place of adoration. Do you long for the presence of God? In His presence we can find rest. —Jim Comte

Oh, the perfect peace of dwelling in Your altars, O my King,
Where the swallow and the sparrow—yes, and even I may sing.—Mary Helen Anderson

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 13:33 to 14:31; Jer. 24-25; Col. 2:8 to 3:4

 

 

I will come again. John 14:3

 

Each day you read this calendar it is a day nearer seeing the Lord and being with Him for all eternity. One day He will come and coming take us home. His promise is true and He cannot fail or break that promise. It could be today when that promise is fulfilled. Dear reader are you ready for His return? —John M. Clegg

Jesus is coming! The promise is true.
Who are the chosen, the faithful, the few,
Waiting and watching, prepared for review?
Jesus is coming again! —Daniel W. Whittle

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 13:1-32; Jeremiah 23; Colossians 1:21 to 2:7

 

In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

 

I was standing on the water’s edge with our granddaughter as my husband reversed the barge away from the shore. “Poppa,” she called, “see you soon. We’ll be home soon.” She was still calling as the barge set off across the bay, and shortly afterwards it vanished from sight. Maybe today you have a Christian family member who is nearing the end of their earthly life. Be encouraged—they’re going home and soon we’ll be there too and we’ll see them again. —J. Fleming

Remember in life’s darkest hour,
Is when hope’s light shines bright,
We’ll meet you in the morning,
So till then it’s just goodnight. —J. Fleming

 

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

 

 

I desire fruit that may abound to your account. Philippians 4:17

 

The giver is always linked to the gift. A colourful scrawl is a masterpiece, because the artist who gave it was a son or a daughter. Even a tiny momento given in love is meaningful. The Philippians had given a gift to Paul. It may have been money but was also perhaps, clothing, food or books. Whatever the gift, Paul was especially grateful for the givers. He was moved that they took the time to think about his needs, then acted on those thoughts. It is possible that we feel we have nothing to give, because we have limited funds. Well, perhaps we have baking, a spare room, part of our library or even just the time to lend a listening ear. Give as you can! —Norman Craig Funston

 

Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store. —F. Havergal

 

 

 

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

 

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance Ephesians 1:11

 

The phrase “in whom” means in Christ and is used many times in the New Testament. This reference has to do with an inheritance. Christ is the Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2), and we are joint heirs with Him (Rom. 8:17). Imagine that! Sinners that we were, and yet, sharing an inheritance with Him. Yet more amazing is that we are said to be “His inheritance” (vs. 18). Finally Paul says that we are “the fulness of Him that filleth all in all”(vs. 23). Every time God saves a lost sinner He takes a nobody and makes them a somebody. —Harold G. Smith

I belong to the King, I’m a child of His love,
And He never forsaketh His own;
He will call me some day to His palace above,
I shall dwell by His glorified throne. —Maurice Clifton

 

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

 

I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: For without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5

 

What does it mean to abide in Him? It is the same as the relationship of a branch to its vine. From the vine, the branch gets its sustenance, protection, strength; and ultimately its fruitfulness. The branch depends on the vine for all its benefits. If separated from the vine, the branch wilts and dies. We, as branches, must remain closely attached to the Vine, or we shall wilt and be unfruitful. —Doug Kazen

My grief is in the dullness, with which this sluggish heart;
Doth open to the fullness, of all Thou dost impart.
My joy is in Thy merit and holiness divine;
My comfort in Thy Spirit, that binds my life to Thine. —John B. Monsell

 

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

 

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her. Proverbs 31:28

 

In many Christian homes today, family members take each other for granted. Husbands, in particular, often fail to acknowledge and praise those godly wives. A simple “thank you” and tokens of appreciation should not necessarily be reserved for birthdays and anniversaries! Thanksgiving generates unity and love, and needs to be cultivated in a relationship, and will keep the enemy at bay.—Brian Russell

Help me in all the work I do,
To ever be sincere and true;
And know that all I’d do for You,
Must needs be done for others. —C. D. Meigs

 

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

 

 

But this man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Hebrews 7:24

 

The Old Testament priest’s work was never done and everyone of them died. But our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God who finished the work by the sacrifice of Himself on Calvary’s cross. Living now in heaven, seated at God’s right hand, He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities, and intercedes to the Father on our behalf. —E. MacLelland

Jesus is my Saviour;
He is my closest friend,
In heaven He intercedes for me
And loves me without end. —E. M.