Month: September 2008

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 2; Jeremiah 10; Ephesians 4:1-16

Therefore give me this mountain…for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.  Joshua 14:12

Caleb waited many years to enter the Promised Land. When the time came, he said, The giants are still there, I’m still available and God is still able, let’s go! Age means nothing to God. God stands above time. Just because I am older, am I going to think small of my life? God does not. We have not because we ask not. —M. Peters

Tell me about the Master! I am weary and worn tonight.
The day lies behind me in shadow, and only the evening is light.
So tell me the old, old story, that falls on each wound like a balm,
And my heart that was burdened and heavy will be patient, strong and calm.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 1; Jeremiah 9; Ephesians 3

Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. Genesis 40:6

There were many things in Joseph’s life that could have made him insensitive to others problems. But Joseph did not allow this to blind him to the sorrows of his fellow prisoners. Even before they said a word, he knew that they were sad. Too often we become so absorbed by our own cares, that all we can think of is ourselves. How noble, even amid our own sorrows, to think of others. —W. H. Burnett

Be kind: so many hearts are sore and sad,
So many secret sorrows lie untold,
Deep in the hearts of those who seem so glad,
Sad things the silent lips can ne’er unfold.
Be kind.                                  —I. Y. Ewan

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 24; Jeremiah 8; Ephesians 2:11-22

Her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.  1 Samuel 1:6
She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.  1 Samuel 1:10

We too, have an adversary who is relentless in causing believers to fret. His provocation takes many courses, all with the goal of focusing our attention on ourselves and our problems and taking our eyes away from the Lord. Sometimes the issues are petty differences in the family or assembly, other times the issues are life-threatening. In either case, we have the victory through our Lord Jesus as we learn to “cast all our care upon Him.” —William H. Gustafson

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer. —J. Scriven

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 23; Jeremiah 7; Ephesians 1:15 to 2:10

Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged Him, to be crucified.  Mark 15:15

Many years ago C. I. Scofield said, “It is easy to see that Barabbas need not have been a theologian to form a good working theory of the atonement.” In other words, if any man knew and appreciated the idea of substitution, Barabbas did! We don’t know anything about Barabbas’ subsequent history. Did he really come to believe on Christ? If he did, he could have sung with gusto the words of the classic hymn, “Hallelujah! What A Saviour!” especially the third stanza. Is this song your confession and testimony? —Ross Rainey

Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned He stood—
Sealed my pardon with His blood—Hallelujah! What a Saviour! —P. Bliss

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 22; Jeremiah 6; Ephesians 1:1-14

They look and stare upon Me.  Psalm 22:17b
Sitting down they watched Him there. Matthew 27:36
Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him.  Revelation 1:7a

The Roman soldiers watched Him with cold cruelty. The Jewish leaders watched Him scornfully, taunting and mocking. His few followers watched Him grief-stricken. The passing crowds looked at Him as a spectacle, beating their breasts. The repentant thief watched Him with new found faith. In which of these ways do you regard the Lord Jesus Christ today? It will determine your place when He returns and “every eye will see Him.” —Kingsley Baehr

Gazing on the Lord in glory, while our hearts in worship bow.
There we read the wondrous story of the cross, its shame and woe.—C. T.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 21; Jeremiah 5; Galatians 6

God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. 1 Corinthians 1:27

Dwight Moody had a fifth grade education; his spelling, grammar and manners were awful. Desperate for work, his uncle offered him a job selling shoes, if he promised to attend church. On April 21, 1855 Moody’s Sunday school teacher, Mr. Kimball, visited the shoe store and asked Dwight to commit his life to Christ. Moody did. He began to share his faith and was determined to daily share the Gospel with someone; consequently he led thousands to Christ. Will you be someone God will use to affect His glory?  —W. A. Henderson

Let my hands perform His bidding, let my feet run in His ways,
Let my eyes see Jesus only, let my lips speak forth His praise. —M. D. J.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 20; Jeremiah 4:3-31; Galatians 5:10-26

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.  1 Thes. 4:18

The Thessalonians were worried about the state of those who died before the Rapture. Talk about living on the edge of expectancy for Christ’s coming. Almost 2,000 years have passed since then, so should we be living any less expectantly today? Paul says to take comfort in the fact that one day, at His shout, we will be caught up together to meet Him in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Whatever may be troubling us today, let this hope encourage and “Comfort one another with these words”. —C. Tempest

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming;
One day the skies with his glory will shine;
Wonderful day my beloved ones bringing;
Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine. —J. Wilber Chapman

DAILY READINGS: 2 Sam. 19:9-43; Jeremiah 3:6 to 4:2; Gal. 4:21 to 5:9

The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout and with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God.    1 Thessalonians 4:16a

Some years ago my husband and I visited an elderly relative and his wife. World events were discussed and I commented, “I believe that Jesus Christ will return soon.” He replied, “You folks have been talking about that since I was a boy.” 2 Peter 3:4 says scoffers will come. They will say, “where is the promise of His coming?” Someday their skepticism will be answered. Will you be ready? —J. Fleming

Our Lord is now rejected, and by the world disowned,
By the many still neglected, and by the few enthroned,
But soon He’ll come in glory, The hour is drawing nigh,
For the crowning day is coming by and by.—Daniel W. Whittle

DAILY READINGS: 2 Sam. 18 to 19:8; Jeremiah 2 to 3:5; Gal. 4:1-20

Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus. 2 Corinthians 7:6

Former neighbours of long ago came from out of state to visit when my husband was ill. It was such a significant encouragement that he likened it to the comfort the Apostle Paul must have felt with the coming of Titus. God is always with us, but sometimes we need the joining of human emotions. When the Holy Spirit brings to mind someone in a nursing home or hospital, it may be a directive to visit and bring cheer to that person. There is however, that last valley to cross, where no one can accompany us; but we have God’s promise not to fear “for Thou art with me” (Ps. 23:4). —E. Dyck

Tho’ the stormy clouds hover o’er me and life is burdened with sorrows and pain; God my pilot goes before me, He sends the rainbow with the rain.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 16-17; Jeremiah 1; Galatians 3:15-29

O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is. Psalm 63:1

This psalm was written under trying circumstances. David’s son Absalom had revolted against him; his trusted counsellor had betrayed him, and the people were forsaking him. After a while his loneliness and self-pity turned upward to occupation with God. Then his meditations became a happy song of reflection and remembrance (vs. 3–8). When circumstances can’t change, then it’s time to look up and remember the blessings of yesterday and the anticipation of tomorrow. Make this psalm your own today. —James Comte

Jesus my sorrow lies too deep, for human ministry;
It knows not how to tell itself, to any but to Thee. —Lady Powerscourt