Month: September 2008

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

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.  Psalm 126:6

If we wish to rejoice and see souls saved we must have a heart of loving concern for those who are down in the “gutters of sin”. It is not enough just to “preach” and pass on our way. We must be willing to get alongside of them, ensuring that the Word is properly understood and then water it with our tears, love and prayers. Such perseverance will result in much joy and fruitfulness.  —David Croudace

But none of the ransomed ever knew;
How deep were the waters crossed;
Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed through;
Ere He found his sheep that was lost.         —E. Clephane

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

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

For many of us, opportunities abound to “speak often one to another.” That we should do so, clearly pleases the Lord, for He records such events in His “book of remembrance”! When He makes His final assessment of our lives, will not this book be opened? By building strong links of Christian fellowship, we can ensure that we have “entries”, and not “blanks” in that book!  —G. Hall

Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. —John Fawcett

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

The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.  Psalm 12:6

Not that God’s words have to be purified, but rather, they are already, by nature, as pure as silver that has been purified. Silver was heated until molten and the impurities floated to the surface. They were scraped off, then the silver was allowed to cool. The process was repeated seven times, and then it was as pure as it could be made. God’s Word is already that pure! There are no “paulisms” or “cultural” parts to be discarded in our times. Instead of adding or subtracting from the Word, let us simply obey it! —Carl Knott

And what He saith is purified, like silver, sevenfold assayed.
Though by this evil age defied, His Word of truth shall be obeyed.
                                                                    —Richard Church

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

I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth. Genesis 24:3a

Jehovah is the God of earth because He is the God of heaven. The earth is the stage on which the God of heaven works. Here the story of Creation, Judgment, Redemption and ultimate Triumph have and will be witnessed. As places in the Middle East and the land of the Bible are brought into focus today, so Revelation is the last great drama where we will see the God of heaven work. Blessed promise! Glorious prospect! Let us continue to plead daily, “Come quickly, even so, come, Lord Jesus". —Les Rainey

Lord Jesus, come, and take Thy rightful place,
As Son of man, of all the theme!
Come Lord, to reign o’er all supreme. Lord Jesus come. —Mrs. Dent

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

Thou tellest my wanderings: put Thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in Thy book?  Psalm 56:8

Mourners in ancient cultures were known to collect their tears in tiny bottles and then to leave them at the graves of their loved ones as a record of their grief. God too knows and records our sorrows and sufferings, not only in bottles but also in His book—“Are they not in Thy book?” Nothing escapes His eyes! Truly this should encourage our hearts. But let this solemn thought be a caution as well as a comfort. Thou God seest me. —K. C. Ung

When tempest clouds are dark on high, His bow of love and peace,
Shines sweetly in the vaulted sky, a pledge that storms shall cease.
                                                                        —Bernard Barton

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 8:1-30; Jeremiah 15; Philippians 1:1-20

What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.  Psalm 56:3

David often had cause to fear for his life, and this statement of faith in God occurs after he had fled for fear of Saul, and went down to Gath. There again we read that he feared Achish the king of Gath. In fact it seemed that fear was on every side of his experience at this point. Many today have cause to be afraid. Fears for health, employment, family and church testimony beset us. What can we do? The most effective action we can take is to trust in God. Thus relieved of the burden of fear, we will be in a better position to help others similarly afflicted. If you are afraid today, trust Him and leave your fears in His hand.  —Roy Hill

In God I put my trust, I neither doubt nor fear,
For man can never harm, with God my Helper near. —The Psalter, 1912

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 7; Jeremiah 14; Ephesians 6:10-24

There came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.  John 19:39

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a group which saw themselves as holier than others. However, in His first encounter with the Lord he discovered that he was not innocent; He needed to be born again, and gloriously he was. His devotion to the Lord is seen here as he brought a fortune in spices to anoint his Lord’s body. How did a man carry a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes? Love to Christ made the burden light. In our day the same applies—love to Christ makes our burdens light and causes our hearts to worship. —Robert E. Surgenor

As a living grafted shoot, nourished from a hidden root;
We may bear all holy fruit, through the love of Christ. —Wm. Reid

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 6; Jeremiah 13; Ephesians 5:22 to 6:9

When they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?  Luke 7:42

It is well that God’s forgiveness is not based on economics. So far as reaching God’s heaven is concerned, human calculations are futile. Grace cannot be calculated like a day’s wages. It is not a payment for so many hours worked or so many good deeds done. It is a gift from God. Have you received His grace or are you depending on your own deeds? —Drew Craig

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.
                                —Julia. H. Johnston

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 4-5; Jeremiah 12; Ephesians 5:1-21

The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  1 Peter 4:17

Peter was not one who was normally at a loss for words, but this time he was. There are no words to describe the horrific doom of the Christ rejecter. May God forgive us for our casualness in presenting the Gospel. The souls of men and women are depending on a passionate presentation of Christ, the Saviour of sinners. Will you be faithul to the Saviour and to them? —Sid Halsband

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain? —Priscilla J. Owens

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 3; Jeremiah 11; Ephesians 4:17-32

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 12:2

Compromise and conformity to the world is the frightening condition of many professing Christians today. They seem to think that holding orthodox views gives license to dabble in Sodom like Lot did. In doing so, they remain destitute of the power and joy that is available to the victorious Christian. When the believer is overtaken by these things, all serious thoughts of God are banished. Lord, deliver us from this growing evil—a sinful conformity to the world.   —Milton Haack

Take the world, but give me Jesus, all its joys are but a name;
But His love abideth ever, through eternal years the same. —Fanny Crosby