Category: Uncategorised

Deuteronomy 30 to 31:13; Amos 9; Luke 16

And he (Zacchaeus) made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. Luke 19:6

When someone responds to the invitation of the Lord it is indeed a happy occasion. Zacchaeus was obedient to the Lord and received Him joyfully. His life would never be the same again. Today the Lord invites you to trust Him and accept Him as your Saviour. If you do, it will be a happy day and the best decision you ever make. —John M Clegg

O happy day that fixed my choice
On Thee, my Saviour and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.
—Philip Doddridge

Deuteronomy 29; Amos 7 to 8; Luke 15:11-32

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Proverbs 20:11
There is a lad here, who hath five barley loaves and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? John 6:9

Here was a young man who was willing to give his all to the Master. He was faithful with what he had and the Lord turned his offering into enough food to feed the multitudes! Let us also be faithful to use what He has given to us for His glory, and He will multiply these gifts to the blessing of many others. —Elizabeth C. Bishop

All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.
All to Jesus I surrender, humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken; take me, Jesus, take me now.
—J. W. Van de Venter

Deuteronomy 28:38-68; Amos 5 to 6; Luke 14:25 to 15:10

Commit thy way unto the Lord. Psalm 37:5

“O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). The Psalmist reminds us that God’s way is perfect (18:30) and that He makes my way perfect (18:32). If a “perfect” way is available to us, why would we choose any other? “This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isa. 30:21). Even if trials or heartaches lie in the pathway, “He knows the way that I take” (Job 23:10). —Wm. H. Gustafson

Saviour, lead me lest I stray,
Gently lead me all the way;
I am safe when by Thy side,
I would in Thy love abide.
—Frank M. Davis

Deuteronomy 28:1-37; Amos 3 to 4; Luke 14:1-24

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. Ephesians 3:17

While the Lord Jesus lives in the heart of every believer, Paul’s prayer is that He may “dwell” there meaning “settle down and feel at home”. A visitor may be offered a chair and a cup of tea, but when a loved one comes I would say, “Please make yourself at home”, so giving him access to all in the house. I’ve been asking myself, “Is the Lord feeling at home in my heart? Or have I only given Him a small corner of my life?” —David Croudace

What shall I give Thee, Master? Thou who didst die for me.
Shall I give less of what I possess, or shall I give all to Thee?
What shall I give Thee, Master? Thou hast given all for me;
Not just a part or half of my heart, I will give all to Thee.
—Homer W. Grimes

Deuteronomy 26:16 to 27:26; Amos 1 to 2; Luke 13:22-35

Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. James 5:20

James concludes his epistle with this encouragement to every soul winner or soul restorer. One sinner is said here to be guilty of a multitude of sins. Yet we know that the precious blood of Christ has more than enough merit to cover all of the sin, of the entire human race, for all time. We preach the Gospel of Christ with complete confidence, knowing that whoever hears it can be saved, and that whoever believes it will be saved. —Rick Morse

Jesus hath found me,
Happy my case;
I now am a sinner,
Saved by grace! —James M. Gray

Deuteronomy 25 to 26:15; Jonah 3 to 4; Luke 13:1-21

Jesus began to say unto the multitudes… Matthew 11:7
Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well:…Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. John 4:6-7

A preacher said to me recently, “I am used to speaking to large crowds, but because of the recent health restrictions, I have become frustrated in sharing God’s Word”. The Lord did indeed speak to
large groups, but He also spoke to individuals about worship (John 4), being born again (John 3) etc. We must seize every opportunity the Lord opens to us, whether it is a large congregation or one on one, to share the glorious and transforming power of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15). —Bob Cretney

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Tell them of Jesus; the mighty to save. —Fanny Crosby

Deuteronomy 23:9 to 24:22; Jonah 1 to 2; Luke 12:41-59

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. Ephesians 3:10

The majesty of the stars and the earth are not “exhibit A” in the eternal display of God’s incomparable wisdom; it is the church that demonstrates His brilliance! It is astonishing that He unites Jews and Gentiles—sinners of all descriptions—to Himself in holiness and love in the Body of Christ. What is more, He conforms them to His Son’s glorious image and involves them in the universe’s administration (Rom. 8:18-39). This all stems from Christ’s sacrificial death, victorious resurrection, and glorious ascension. —Keith R. Keyser

Soon, soon shall come that glorious day, when, seated on Thy throne,
Thou shalt to wondering worlds display, that Thou with us art one. —J. G. Deck

Deuteronomy 22 to 23:8; Joel 3; Luke 12:22-40

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1

The Lord Jesus warned that in the end times men’s hearts will fail them for fear of what is coming (Luke 21:26). What is the answer to troubled hearts? Trusting hearts. We can take God at His word and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, scoffers will come in the last days saying, “Where is the promise of his coming?” The promise is sure. Jesus said, “I will come again” (John 14:3). As believers, there’s nothing troubling us that the rapture won’t cure. —Rex Trogdon

Lord Jesus, I am waiting, waiting Thy dear face to see;
Resting on Thy promise, Thou shalt come again for me;
Joy of Thy returning, wondrous meeting in the air,
Wonder of all wonders, I’ll be there! —David Penman

Deuteronomy 20 to 21; Joel 2; Luke 12:1-21

Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. 1 Peter 2:21

When I began to read Freedom at Midnight, an account of India’s independence from British rule, I saw a quote by Mahatma Gandhi: “The whole world would be Christian if Christians were only more like their Christ”. Whilst the accuracy of the statement can be challenged, the inherent rebuke should be acknowledged. Peter was writing about believers suffering wrongfully—one of the greatest tests we can face. He pointed to the great exemplar, the Lord Jesus, and directed us to follow Him. Ironically, another man called Gandy encapsulated that example in the words below. —Phil Coulson

By weakness and defeat, He won the glorious crown;
Trod all His foes beneath His feet by being trodden down.
—Samuel Gandy

Deuteronomy 18:9 to 19:21; Joel 1; Luke 11:37-54

There fell down many slain. 1 Chronicles 5:22
Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood. Revelation 5:9

Eighty years ago today almost 4,500 allied soldiers were killed on the beaches of Normandy, France as the D-Day invasion took place. Thousands more were killed in the days that followed before World War II was brought to an end. The sacrifice of those soldiers was with a view to defeating the enemy and restoring freedom to Western Europe. Almost 2,000 years ago our Lord Jesus Christ gave His life in an even greater cause, for the eternal blessing in salvation of repentant sinners. His was the ultimate sacrifice at Calvary. Have you by faith come into the good of His great work? —Philip A. Kaye

Trust now in the crucified Saviour,
Salvation He offers to you. —S. M. Sayford