Month: July 2008

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 3; Isaiah 46; 2 Corinthians 6:11 to 7:16 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Romans 12:1-2

A receptive heart—touched by the mercies of God. A yielded body—presented as a living sacrifice. A separated life—not being conformed to the world. A transformed mind—knowing God’s good and perfect will. Such are the elements that compose our reasonable service. What of you? —Jim Paul

Oh I delight in His command, love to be led by His dear hand,
His divine will is sweet to me, hallowed by blood stained Calvary.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 2; Isaiah 44:24 to 45:25; 2 Cor. 5:11 to 6:10 

This is love, that we walk after His commandments. This is the commandment, that, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.  2 John 6

John does not say that love is an overwhelming emotion–though in contemplation of Christ’s death for us, we can experience this.  John states that the expression of love is in walking according to God’s commandments. The wonderful thing about keeping God’s commandments is that in our obedience He reveals Himself to us giving us an even greater desire to follow Him. May we be faithful in all things to the Lord and show our love for Him.  —Baylor Crawford

Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek, give Thee what is best.
This all my prayer shall be: more love, O Christ, to Thee. —E. Doane

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 1; Isaiah 44:6-23; 2 Corinthians 4:7 to 5:10

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  Revelation 2:4

These words to the Church at Ephesus are sharp, but were inspired by a heart of infinite love. They are not the earthquake, nor the fire, nor the whirlwind, but the “still small voice” speaking the truth in love. His message is a mingling of rebuke and consolation; the severity and love of a father’s rod and a mother’s tears. The heart of this complaint is a pure, fiery gem set in fine gold. Before His words of censure, He recounts their good deeds and faithful service.  With such loving commendation, the censure following is received with thanksgiving. How do we admonish others? —Milton Haack

Love sent my Lord to the cross of shame,
Love found a way, O praise His holy Name! —Avis Christiansen

DAILY READINGS: Ruth 3-4; Isaiah 43 to 44:5; 2 Corinthians 3 to 4:6 

Devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. Acts 8:2
There was great joy in that city. Acts 8:8

Great woe to great joy in six verses! It was a dreadful time. Stephen had been murdered. Saul was attacking the church. Christians were being jailed. Many were scattering. But “when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” (Isa 59:19). As the Christians scattered, they preached the Word. Many people were saved; many were healed. And there was great joy. Is your outlook dismal? The enemy is no match for our Standard Bearer. In confidence, go forth with Him. —David J. Logan

Christ our royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle, see His banner go! —Sabine Baring-Gould

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

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?  John 18:4

Knowing everything that He would suffer, Jesus went forward. In the same place, I would shrink back and run! Our Lord was facing unbelief, false accusations, ridicule, mockery, brutality, beatings, the crown of thorns, crucifixion, and—most of all—separation from His Father! For what? The likes of me! What is my response? He finished the work. All that is left is what I will do with what He has done. Will it change me or not affect me at all? —Kingsley Baehr

Lord, e’en to death Thy love could go, a death of shame and loss,
To vanquish for us every foe, and break the strong man’s force.
O, what a load was Thine to bear, alone in that dark hour;
Our sins in all their terror there, God’s wrath and Satan’s power!—H. L. R.

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

O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.  2 Chronicles 20:12

What difficulties are you facing today? Family pressures or financial pressures; health concerns or work concerns; problems at home or problems in the church; private failure or public fiasco? Adversities like these can mount up in a moment, often without warning and threaten to undo even the most seasoned of saints.  Jeshoshaphat’s path in overcoming discouragement can be ours as well. Look to the Lord alone. Call upon Him for help and He will meet our need and show us what to do.   —Mark Kolchin

Let us go alone in secret, and unburden all our care,
At the feet of our Redeemer, in simple, earnest prayer. —Fanny Crosby

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

Ye are the salt of the earth. Matthew 5:13

The metaphor of salt for a Christian involves being, rather than doing. One may do salt-type evangelism, and this is commendable. However, we are to be salt as we shop or work or bank or even cut the lawn. Good salt just naturally preserves corruption, creates thirst, seasons food, cleanses wounds, and maintains balance. All these things should be true of us and in sum total, our manner of life should“create thirst” in those without Christ. We should live our lives in such a way that people will want what we have, or better yet, want Who we have!  We should generate a desire in people’s hearts for something better. There is a thirsty world out there, and we need to woo them to the living water!  —Craig Funston

O Jesus, I have promised, to serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend. —John E. Bode

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

I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  Leviticus 11:44

God always demands holiness of life for His children. Here we see that God dictated to the Israelites what they could eat—their sustenance was to be holy, not earthly. Things of the world have no place in the spiritual diet of God’s people. Sadly today, many believers are feeding on “things that creep upon the earth.” What an image. What a shame. A holy church will only be as holy as its individual members. Are you and I holy?  —Arnot P. McIntee

By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct, His likeness shall see. —Wm. D. Longstaff

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

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name. Malachi 3:16

During a dark time in Old Testament history the Lord took note of the few who honoured His name. One hallmark of these faithful few was that they had frequent conversations about Him—no doubt to encourage one another. This should challenge us today as we await our Lord’s return. What do we talk about? —E. MacLelland

Jesus is coming! His saints to release;
Coming to give to the warring earth peace;
Sinning, and sighing, and sorrow, shall cease;
Jesus is coming again.   —Daniel W. Whittle

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

[If] she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master’s son.  Genesis 24:44

This is not exactly the dating, romance and marriage of today. It was all a matter of prayer and faith from beginning to end. They believed that God had a choice, and would reveal it to those who trusted in Him. There was no casual dating or “shopping” at Bible camps or conferences, no manipulation. God had a woman appointed, and He revealed her to those who sought His will, not theirs. Would you be willing to trust God with so important a decision? You should, because that, too, is living by faith! —Carl Knott

All to Jesus, I surrender, Lord I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power, let Thy blessing fall on me.—J. W. V