Monday, January 26, 2009

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 32 to 33:17; Ps. 1-3; Matt . 18:15-35

Ye are our epistle writt en in our hearts, known and read of all men. 2 Corinthians 3:2

Living day by day, the biblical saints were not aware that their victories and defeats were being recorded for our benefi t. Today God also observes our triumphs and failures and in His wisdom uses them to teach others. By living victorious Christian lives, we will positively influence others as they see us sharing the gospel, encouraging the saints, growing in godliness and walking in good works. Conversely our negative examples may demonstrate what to avoid. Beloved, purpose today to make your life a good read. —George Ferrier

May the Word of God dwell richly, in my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph, only through His pow’r. —Kate B. Wilkinson

 

Lord’s Day, January 25, 2009

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 31; Job 42; Matt . 17:14 to 18:14

Lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:17

The whole of the believer’s well-being in Christ and the acceptance that we fi nd in Him, are derived from the fact that the Father is well
pleased with the Son. May this glorious fact help us to live above the petty constraints of this sin-stained earth, as we seek by His grace to love, worship and serve God’s beloved Son today and every day. —Mark Fenn

All the Father’s counsels claiming equal honours to the Son;
All the Son’s eff ulgence beaming, makes the Father’s glory known. —J. N. Darby

Saturday, January 24, 2009

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 30; Job 40-41; Matt . 16:13 to 17:13

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11

Like the Bereans, Daniel Webster (1782-1852), U.S. senator and noted orator, said of the Scriptures: “They have been my daily study and vigilant contemplation.” Is this true of us? It was Martin Luther who said, “You cannot read the Scriptures too much; and what you read, you cannot read too well; and what you read well, you cannot too well understand; and what you can understand well, you cannot too well teach; and what you teach well, you cannot too well live.”—W. Ross Rainey

Holy Bible, book divine, precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine to chide me when I rove; mine to show a Saviour’s love. —J. Burton

 

Friday, January 23, 2009

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 29; Job 38-39; Matt . 15:29 to 16:12

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8

Warnings abound in the Scriptures about Satan “seeking whom he may devour”. Life and death are not in his control, but to render a person useless for Christ is something that he longs to accomplish. One of the saddest things to see is a believer’s life, having so much potential, being wasted on the things of this world. Dear child of God, there is no satisfaction to be found in anything other than Jesus Christ. Love not the world neither the things that are in the world. In what practical way is He asking you to apply this verse today? —Charlie Tempest

The foe in triumph shouted, when Christ lay in the tomb;
But, lo, he now is routed, his boast is turned to gloom. —P. Gerhardt

 

Thursday, January 22, 2009

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 28; Job 36-37; Matt . 15:1-28

Blessed is the man whom Thou choosest, and causest to approach unto Thee, that he may dwell in Thy courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house. Psalm 65:4

Our longings will only be satisfi ed with the goodness that is found in His house. To dwell in those courts is to be near Him and thus to
be blessed. But the psalmist says the Lord must cause us to approach Him. How does He do this? One way is by allowing diffi culties,
storms, and impossible situations to confront us. Our helplessness and lack of resources draw us to Him. Let us “count it all joy” when
troubles constrain us to seek His courts, for there we will be at home in His presence and satisfi ed with His goodness. —M. MacMullen

Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,
Draw me, my Saviour—so precious Thou art! —L. N. Morris

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 27; Job 34-35; Matt . 14:13-36

For My people is foolish, they have not known Me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. Jeremiah 4:22
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11

Are we acting in selfi sh, childish ways among the Lord’s people? Such actions state that we do not understand the will of our loving God, who would have us to be Christlike in our interactions. May we heed the apostle and put away this childishness. — W. H. Gustafson

O to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art!
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness—
Stamp Thine own image, deep on my heart. —Thomas Chisholm

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 26; Job 32-33; Matt . 13:44 to 14:12

Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. Psalm 45:2
All bare Him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. Luke 4:22a

What is the secret of speaking words that bless the hearers? The Lord Jesus was the perfect example of grace. John says, He was full of grace and truth. Grace was poured into His lips so that when He opened His mouth grace proceeded out! The apostle Paul exhorts us to, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” (Col.4:6) May our words be pleasing to Him today. —Rex Trogdon

Words of life and beauty, teach me faith and duty,
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life. —Philip P. Bliss

Monday, January 19, 2009

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 25; Job 31; Matt. 13:24-43

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24

The Lord has already made many wonderful days: the day of creation, the day of incarnation, the day of redemption, the day of resurrection and the day of ascension. Each of these was unique. There are more wonderful days yet to come: the day of the rapture, the day of His appearing, the day of judgement. To all of these we, as believers, look forward with great anticipation because we will be part of them. But He also made today, whatever it may hold for us personally. It is a “Lord’s day” and each hour and every detail are in His control. We will rejoice therefore and be glad in it. —Roy Hill

This is the day the Lord hath made; He calls the hours His own;
Let heav’n rejoice, let earth be glad, and praise surround the throne. —Watts

Lord’s Day, January 18, 2009

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 24; Job 29-30; Matt. 13:1-23

Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and off er him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. Gen. 22:2
The Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal. 2:20

The love of Abraham for Isaac was great. However, it pales into insignificance when brought alongside the love of the Lord for each one of us. He loved us and continues to love us. No love can compare with His. How good to know that daily we are the objects of such aff ection from Him. Let us worship Him today. —John M. Clegg

O the deep deep love of Jesus! ’Twould take ages to explore!
But a drop of all this ocean or a grain from o
ff its shore:
Yet our hearts are beating highly, if our faith is sometimes dim,
For the glory and the rapture we shall have when we have Him. —S. Francis

Saturday, January 17, 2009

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 23; Job 27-28; Matt. 12:22-50

The king said unto me (the queen also sitt ing by him), for how long shall thy journey be? And when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. Nehemiah 2:6

It was noon on April 10, 1912, when the Titanic left England for New York with 2,223 excited passengers. Tragically, their voyage came to a premature end when the ship sank on April 14, 1912, at 11:40pm. Many who thought they would arrive, did not. As you travel through life, you do not know when your journey will end. Make certain it ends in heaven. Repent of your sin and accept the Lord Jesus who said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” (Jn. 14:6) —Arnot McIntee

Tomorrow’s sun may never rise, upon thy long deluded sight;
This is the time, oh, then be wise!
Thou would’st be saved, why not tonight?—E. H. R.