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

 

 

This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13b-14

 

Some years ago in a seaside town, in the north of New Zealand, a man untied his dinghy and set out to row home. Unbeknown to him, someone had tied another rope from the dinghy to the wharf. In his inebriated state he kept rowing, unaware that he was going nowhere. Maybe as a Christian you are still “tied to the wharf.” Start reading God’s Word, praying, and meeting with God’s people. Show forgiveness for past grievances and untie from the wharf. —J. Fleming

Go forward, Christian soldier, beneath His banner true:
The Lord Himself, thy Leader, shall all thy foes subdue. —L. Tuttiet

 

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

 

That Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair. John 11:2

 

Both Matthew and Mark tell the story of Mary’s devotion but do not mention her name. Some fifty years later John reveals the identity of the woman and her appreciation of the Saviour. What stories of similar devotion and service will remain hidden until the judgment seat of Christ, and then every saint shall have due praise of God (1 Cor 4:5). —Jim Flanigan

Take my love; my Lord, I pour,
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be,
Ever, only, all for Thee. —Frances R. Havergal

 

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

 

 

God… hath begotten us again unto a living hope. I Peter 1:3

To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled… unfading… reserved in heaven… for you. I Peter 1:4

Who are kept by the power of God. I Peter 1:5

 

God eternal who brought us back from the spiritual dead to eternal life reserves for us in heaven an inheritance of eternal bliss, the glories of which we cannot even imagine. But right now, He applies the full measure of His power to keep us in the assurance of that life, and that blessing. What a Saviour we have found. —Doug Kazen

Kept by His power,
The strength of God’s almighty arm,
Doth shield my soul from every harm,
Kept by His power. —Wm. Blane

 

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

 

 

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Psalm 57:7

 

David’s heart was fixed (steadfast) to praise the Lord. It reminds me of the radios we took to Zaire, Africa. They were short-wave receivers that were pre-set and unchangeably tuned in to FEBA Christian radio. We gave them to some of the believers to use in their villages for all the people to listen. Wouldn’t it be great to have a heart like that, pre-set and unchanging to sing and give praise to Him? —Rex Trogdon

 

I have a song that Jesus gave me, it was sent from heav’n above;
There never was a sweeter melody, ‘tis a melody of love.
In my heart there rings a melody,
There rings a melody, with heaven’s harmony.
In my heart there rings a melody, there rings a melody of love. —E. Roth

 

 

 

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

 

Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:7

 

Why is it that so many people in the world today are “ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth?” Among the reasons are: they will not endure sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3-4); they have rejected Christ, who is the truth (John 14:6); they have been blinded by human pride and the vain reasonings and speculations of human philosophy (Col. 2:8); they love their sin (John 3:19-20). What about you? Have you come to a knowledge of the truth by faith in Him who personifies all truth—the Lord Jesus Christ? —W. Ross Rainey

More about Jesus let me learn, more of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be, showing the things of Christ to me.—Eliza E. Hewitt

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 17-18; Isaiah 36 to 37:7; 1 Corinthians 14

 

 

He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Mark 15:31

 

How thankful we ought to be for these words! If the Lord Jesus had refused the cross, or if in the end He had come down from the cross, we would still be in our sins. It would have meant that there was a limit to God’s love. It would have suggested that God had a line drawn beyond which He would not go. He would have not been willing to allow His Son to suffer for lost sinners. But thank God He went all the way. Thank God He suffered as no other, proving that “God so loved the world” (John 3:16). There is no limit to His infinite love! As we remember the cross, may we focus on the tremendous cost of our salvation. —Jim Comte

 

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

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 16; Isaiah 35; 1 Corinthians 13

 

 

Then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. And behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees. Understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright. Daniel 10:9-11

 

This progression of Daniel’s posture was necessary to give him proper understanding of God’s Word. Having found no strength in himself, he was at the mercy of God’s strengthening to enable his perception. So it must be with us. Academic skills and natural intelligence (or lack, thereof) are irrelevant. May we start each day on our knees, with our face toward the ground, so that we may understand what He says to us and stand “upright.” —Rick Morse

Within the sacred page, I seek Thee Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word! —M. Lathbury

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 14-15; Isaiah 34; 1 Corinthians 12

 

 

The LORD said unto Abraham… Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. Genesis 18:13, 14

 

This promise teaches valuable lessons. First, God asked a question that was actually a statement. “There is nothing too hard for God”. We must begin by believing that with all our heart. Then, notice that God works “at the time appointed”, which means He works on His schedule, not ours. Abraham would have to wait. But the next words are, “I will” and God’s Word never fails. We have many promises from God. He will keep them all “at the time appointed.” —Ken Gross

Jesus never fails, Jesus never fails;
Heaven and earth may pass away,
But Jesus never fails. —A. A. Luther

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 13; Isaiah 33; 1 Corinthians 11:2-34

 

 

They did not drive them out. Judges 1:32

 

“Almost” is generally not a very good word. When the surgeon tells you that he got almost all the cancer, that is not good news. When we almost pass the test, or almost make it home safely, this is not good. So when Israel almost drove out the enemy, it was like leaving a moral cancer in their midst. The rest of the book of Judges tells of the spread of that spiritual disease, wreaking havoc and causing generations of pain, misery, and suffering. Hidden sins, a compromising lifestyle, and accommodating choices in our lives will lead to the same disasters that plagued Israel. —Norman Craig Funston

 

No withholding—full confession; pleasures, riches, all must flee;
Holy Spirit, take possession! I no more, but Thou in me. —R. S. Pollard

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 11:29 to 12:15; Isaiah 32; 1 Cor. 10:14 to 11:1

 

Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.  Haggai 1:5

 

The returning remnant needed self-examination. At the expense of the Lord’s house, they were focusing on personal desires, such as making their homes decorative with gorgeous material things. Therefore, the Almighty called on them to “set their heart on their ways” (the literal rendering of the Hebrew phrase). Their hearts were wayward and spiritually cold; thus they needed to repent of their neglect of God and His house. What of our hearts? We may also need to turn our gaze on the Lord and His assembly afresh. —Keith Keyser

May grace, free grace, inspire, Our souls with strength divine;
May every thought to God aspire, and grace in service shine.—Philip Doddridge