Month: October 2008

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 12; Ezekiel 13; John 4:31-54

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it. Malachi 3:16a

Malachi’s day was characterized by departure from the worship of God. Hearts were generally cold, and many of the prevailing religious exercises were a sham, with no genuine reverence or love for the Almighty. Nevertheless, a remnant of godly individuals spoke with one another about Him, resulting in this literal statement: “The Lord paid attention and heard them.” Do you want God’s ear? Speak about Him to someone today. —Keith Keyser

Exalt His name; with joy proclaim,
God loved the world, and through His Son forgave us;
Oh! what are we, that, Lord, we see
Thy wondrous love, in Christ who died to save us! —Christian Gellert

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 10-11; Ezekiel 12; John 4:1-30

Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16

This surely was the pinnacle of Peter’s experience with the Lord. Some thought of the Lord as John the Baptist raised from the dead, others thought He was Elijah, and some, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. But when the Lord challenged the disciples with the words, “But who do ye say that I am?", it was Peter who gave the Lord His proper title. How important it is that we have proper thoughts about Christ and His person. We live in a world where the Lord Jesus constantly has His character called into question. Let us be bold in our assertion that He is the “Son of the living God.” —W. H. Burnett

Thou Son of God, eternal Word, who heaven and earth’s foundation laid,
Upholding by Thy mighty power, the universe Thy hand hath made.—I. F.

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 8-9; Ezekiel 11; John 3:22-36

Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.  2 Corinthians 4:17

Someone today might be experiencing a serious illness. Perhaps  there are some dear believers who have been the victims of tragic circumstances. Others may be feeling the enormous pain of a family member taken in death. Maybe you feel your world has fallen apart. Yet through it all God is working for you! The weight of sorrow you bear now, will be for you then, an exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Take comfort and courage. His way is always best.  —Jim Paul

God knows the way; He holds the key.
He guides us with unerring hand;
Sometime with tearless eyes we’ll see,
Yes, there, up there, we’ll understand. —Maxwell Cornelius

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 7; Ezekiel 10; John 2:23 to 3:21

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.  Proverbs 27:18

It takes time and care before a young fig tree bears fruit. It is the same for those who would seek to be mature and fruitful servants for the Lord Jesus. What an example was our Lord. As the perfect Servant, “He did always those things that pleased the Father.” What was His honour? “He was despised and rejected of men.” However, in a soon coming day, countless myriads will honour Him forever. Is honouring Him more important to us than the opinion of others? Or will we face eternity thinking, “Oh, that I had lived more for the Lord.” May our heart’s desire be to serve Him. —V. Markle

Only the best is good enough for Jesus, who died for me.
May I give, while on earth I live, the best that I have to Jesus.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 6; Ezekiel 8-9; John 2:1-22

Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.     1 Peter 5:7

Peter had often cast his net and in so doing, always maintained a hold on it so that he could draw it back again. But here  Peter uses a different word for “casting.” It means “to cast upon”—they cast and let go (as in Luke 19:35). In life’s experience how often we cast our care and, like the fisherman, hold on, reluctant to let go! The sweetness of the promise, “He careth for you” is known and cherished best by those who cast and leave their care with Him.        —J. Strahan

Oh! Leave it all with Jesus, drooping soul.
Tell not half the story, but the whole,
Worlds and worlds are hanging on His hand,
Life and death are waiting His command;
Yet His tender bosom makes thee room—O, come home! —Ellen H. Willis

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 4:24 to 5:26; Ezekiel 7; John 1:19-51

Ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. Hebrews 12:22-23

The Scriptures proclaim that the Lord is central to His people’s worship. In a coming day we will be where He is—the centre of the new Jerusalem. But even now the church worships where He is—in our midst (Mt. 18.20). How can we ever grasp the significance of the Lord being present as His obedient people gather together? Consider His presence among you as you come together today. —Drew Craig

Amidst us our Beloved stands, and bids us view his pierced hands,
Points to his wounded feet and side, blest emblems of the crucified.—C. H. S.

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 3 to 4:23; Ezekiel 5-6; John 1:1-18

When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, we will hear thee again of this matter.  Acts 17:32

When Paul preached on Mars Hill and mentioned the resurrection of the dead, it stirred a vocal reaction among the listeners. Some mocked, some procrastinated, and some believed. Among those who believed were Dionysius (a judge of the court of Areopagus) and a woman named Damaris. There are those who think Paul pandered to philosophy on Mar’s Hill (read 17:18-21) and failed. The fact that some believed on Christ repudiates such a notion. What is your attitude toward Christ and His resurrection? Derision? Delay? Or decision? —W. Ross Rainey

The Saviour lives, no more to die; He lives, our Head enthroned on high;
He lives triumphant o’er the grave; He lives eternally to save. —S. Medley

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 2; Ezekiel 3:16 to 4:17; 2 Timothy 4

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Amidst the inflated claims by false teachers at Corinth and the flurry of untrue accusations against him, the apostle Paul countered that he was simply a servant of the Lord and a steward of the truth. His responsibility was to faithfully deliver what he had received from above. Our calling is the same. Despite ridicule or threats, when we faithfully declare the Word of God we are following in the steps of the greatest of servants who said to the Father, “I have given them Thy Word” (Jn. 17:14). —Mark Kolchin

Only this hour is mine, Lord—may it be used for Thee,
May every passing moment count for eternity. —Avis Christiansen

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 1; Ezekiel 2 to 3:15; 2 Timothy 3

So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the soldering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.  Isaiah 41:7

It is obvious from Christian experience, and from Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 12 that we cannot all be good at everything in our service for the Lord. Fine! Exercise your own gift to the full but make sure you encourage others in theirs. Encouragement and positivity to others “oils the wheels” of a local New Testament church. Failure to do so can discourage and harm. —Brian Russell

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Saviour I pray, make me a blessing to someone today.
                                                                                     —Ira Wilson

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 25; Ezekiel 1; 2 Timothy 2

Thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalm 73:23-26

The Lord does so much for us! He secures and guides us now and in a coming day He will sweep us up to glory. Sometimes it seems like our lives are one mistake after another and yet the one true God is always there, showing us that He is all we need. When all else fails, He strengthens our heart. Whatever your challenge today, He will see you through it. We may fail, He will not. —John Mark Bjorlie

Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God, in every part with praise,
That my whole being may proclaim, Thy being and Thy ways. —H. Bonar