Month: October 2008

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 24; Lamentations 4-5; 2 Timothy 1

Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. 1 Sam. 15:15

Even though he was told to destroy all, Saul spared what he called the “best” of Amalek. He rationalized his disobedience by saying that he had done most of what God had asked, conveniently avoiding the truth that partial obedience is disobedience! Are there parts of the old life which you have spared and carried over into your new life in Christ? Partial obedience is not obedience. Through the Spirit, allow Him to “destroy all” in total obedience. —Lloyd B. Cain

Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid? Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest, and have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.                               —E. Hoffman

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 23; Lamentations 3; 1 Timothy 6

Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.  Daniel 2:19

Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful ruler yet though he had power, riches and fame, he did not have peace. Because of a dream he was troubled and could not sleep. His wise men could not interpret the dream and therefore all of them were to be killed, including Daniel. Daniel’s life was in jeopardy, yet he simply trusted in his God. While he was sleeping, God revealed the dream to Daniel. Interesting. Daniel had peace and Nebuchadnezzar didn’t. What a wonderful thing—to have peace in God in the most trying circumstances. Can you sleep tonight resting your burdens on Him? —Paul Robertson

O what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bear!
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer. —J. M. Scriven

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 21:19 to 22:20; Lamentations 2; 1 Timothy 5

What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He? They say unto him, The Son of David.  Matthew 22:42

At Calvary, both man and God answered that question; “What think ye of Christ?” Man answered, “Crucify with Him, crucify Him, we will not have this Man to reign over us” (Lk. 23:21; 19:14). God answered, “Forgive them for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34). At the cross, man’s wicked heart was exposed and God’s infinite love was revealed. —Milton Haack

On Calvary’s brow my Saviour died,
T’was there my Lord was crucified;
T’was on the cross He bled for me,
And purchased there my pardon free. —W. M. Darwood

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 20 to 21:18; Lamentations 1; 1 Timothy 4

I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  1 Thessalonians 4:13

On a visit to Derbyshire in England, a car journey on a wet and dismal day brought us to a village. It was called Hope! Interestingly, the sign with the village’s name was right beside a cemetery. Perhaps you are discouraged and dismayed; perhaps recently bereaved of a believing family member or friend. Do not despair. Christians can say “We sorrow not as others who have no hope.” If you do not share such a hope, why not trust Christ today and He will give you a full and eternal future.  —Brian Powlesland

Hope of our hearts, O Lord, appear, Thou glorious Star of day,
Shine forth, and chase the dreary night, with all our tears away.—E. Denny

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 19; Jeremiah 52; 1 Timothy 3

I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  Jeremiah 29:11

The little daughter of friends of ours was fussing because her parents insisted she eat her vegetables. “Why don’t you try a little optimism?” her father suggested. “Oh, yuck! That even sounds bad,” she responded, certain that this must be another vegetable invented to annoy children. Sometimes we question what our loving heavenly Father puts on our plate. We would rather choose our own menu, thank you. But He is fully trustworthy, both in wisdom and in love. Accept His will and you will be blesssed. —David J. Logan

His yoke is easy, His burden is light;
When following Him, the future is bright! —D. J. L.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 18; Jeremiah 51:25-64; 1 Timothy 2

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.  Isaiah 1:18
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28

What a loving God—pleading with sinful, degraded man to come to Him. Why does he want us? What good are we to Him? Heaven will reveal it, for only God knows why He bestows such love on us. He gave His only Son to die to put away our sin. Now He longs for us to accept His Son as Saviour and to live to glorify Him. May we glorify Him every minute of every day. —M. Robins
 
Come sinner behold what Jesus hath done,
Behold how He suffered for thee! —Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 17; Jeremiah 51:1-24; 1 Timothy 1

In the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35

I have often pondered why so few seem stirred to truly lay hold of the God of Israel through prayer. How we need to recall this example of the Lord in the early watch of the morning. No doubt He often saw the morning star. To rouse out of sleep and learn to call on God with every fiber and fervency of our being is very costly, but it is the path of power, peace and the day by day reality of the Divine presence. Filled with these attributes our witness will be empowered and souls will be challenged by our ministry.                         —Les Rainey

Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath, the Christian’s native air;
His watch-word at the gates of death, he enters heaven with prayer.
                                                                         —J. Montgomery

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 15:32 to 16:20; Jer. 50:21-46; Titus 2:9 to 3:15

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:1-2

Peter acknowledges precious faith in our Saviour but his blessings are noted as being through the knowledge of Jesus our Lord. Which relationship do we emphasize? Saviour is mentioned 24 times in the New Testament, while Lord is mentioned over 700 times. We must go on from our salvation toward maturity in submission to Him as Lord. May we acknowledge Him as Saviour and Lord. —Tom Steere

Our Saviour, Jesus, Lord Thou art, eternal is Thy love;
Eternal, too, our song of praise, when with Thee, Lord, above. —T. P.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 14:23 to 15:31; Jer. 50:1-20; Titus 1 to 2:8

The God of my rock; in Him will I trust.  2 Samuel 22:3a

Recently I read an article on the Spanish island of La Gomera, which is part of the Canary Islands. What captured my attention most was the author’s comment claiming it to be the quietest place on earth and that he had found “the perfect refuge of calm.” I knew what he meant, but truly the only real calm that will ever satisfy the longing of the human soul is found in the person of Jesus Christ, the true Prince of Peace. Dear brother or sister in Christ, I trust this is the reality of your heart; that you know something of the Saviour’s sheltering side, of the peace and refuge that is ours in Christ, even while the storms of life may rage all around us. —Jerry Proctor

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide, a shelter in the time of storm,
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear, a shelter in the time of storm.—I. D Sankey

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 13 to 14:22; Jeremiah 49; Hebrews 13:7-25

He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me.  Luke 22:19

C. S. Lewis wrote, “Gratitude looks to the past and love to the present; fear, greed, lust, and ambition look ahead.” World religions have no divine Savior who suffered, died and was raised up to offer eternal life. Consequently, religion offers nothing in the past to appreciate, but rather enslaves men to ever work for their future. Remembering Him through the Lord’s Supper causes us to look back with gratitude and looking back compels us to share His love now and to hope for His coming. Remember Him!  —W. A. Henderson

Remember Thee, and all Thy pains, and all Thy love to me,
Yea, while a breath, a pulse remains, would I remember Thee. —J. M.