Month: January 2009

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 38; Ps. 15-16; Matt . 21:33 to 22:14

They that are aft er the fl esh do mind the things of the fl esh; but they that are aft er the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5

Before us we have two people, the unbeliever and the Christian. The unbeliever minds the things of the fl esh. In other words, he is dominated by his own desires, selfi sh for his own gratifi cation, and under its dominion and power. The bent of his thinking is toward earthly things. He is characterized by his earthly nature. In contrast is the Christian. He minds not the world, neither the things that are in the world. He is habitually dominated by the Spirit. He walks not as the unsaved, in the vanity of their mind. We cannot live both ways at the same time. Which describes you? —Robert E. Surgenor

What is the world to me? My Jesus is my Treasure, My Life, my Health, my
Wealth, My Friend, my Love, my Pleasure, My Joy, my Crown, my All.—G. M. P.

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 37; Ps. 11-14; Matt . 21:1-32

So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children’s children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day. 2 Kings 17:41

I was once shown a great kindness by a person I did not know very well. I couldn’t understand why he would help me until I went to thank him. He simply said, “Fift y years ago, your grandfather helped me when I needed it.” Let us remember that choices made today aff ect the generations to come. They will harvest what we plant. Sow wisely! —L. Shatford

How blessed are the children who in their fathers see;
The tender Father-love of God, and fi nd their way to Thee.—Lois S. Johnson

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 36; Ps. 9-10; Matt . 20:17-34

Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee? 1 Samuel 21:1
But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fi re, and earnestly looked upon him and said, This man was also with him. Luke 22:56

David dared to meet Goliath, single-handed, but under the questioning eye of Ahimelech, he feared to speak the truth. Peter, who stepped out upon the surface of a stormy sea, trembled and denied knowing his Lord at the accusation of a litt le maid. The reason is common among us too. When our eyes are off the Lord, we fall prey to selfpreservation. May our eyes be single upon Him. —Tom Steere

Jesus, Thou alone art worthy, ceaseless praises to receive;
For Thy love and grace and goodness rise o’er all our tho’ts conceive.—J. A. T.

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 35; Ps. 7-8; Matt . 19:16 to 20:16

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

As believers we surely recognize that we have inherited more blessings than we ever deserved, and that we owe a debt of love and grateful service to the Lord who is our great benefactor. May that spirit of love and devotion to Christ be evident in all aspects of our lives.—Brian Powlesland

From whence this fear and unbelief,
Since God, my God, has put to grief, His spotless Son for me?
Can He, the righteous judge of men,
Condemn me for that debt of sin which, Lord, was charged to thee?—A. M. T.

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 33:18 to 34:31; Ps. 4-6; Matt . 19:1-15

He touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. Matthew 8:15
He came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. Luke 7:14

Everything He touches is blessed. He touches the sinner and transforms him into a saint. He touches the saint and conforms him into splendid Christ-likeness. Are you in need of His touch? Open your heart and He’ll touch you today. —Milton Haack

He touched me and thus made me whole;
Bringing comfort and rest to my soul;
O glad happy day, all my sins rolled away!
For He touched me and thus made me whole.—Thomas Sullivan

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 32 to 33:17; Ps. 1-3; Matt . 18:15-35

Ye are our epistle writt en in our hearts, known and read of all men. 2 Corinthians 3:2

Living day by day, the biblical saints were not aware that their victories and defeats were being recorded for our benefi t. Today God also observes our triumphs and failures and in His wisdom uses them to teach others. By living victorious Christian lives, we will positively influence others as they see us sharing the gospel, encouraging the saints, growing in godliness and walking in good works. Conversely our negative examples may demonstrate what to avoid. Beloved, purpose today to make your life a good read. —George Ferrier

May the Word of God dwell richly, in my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph, only through His pow’r. —Kate B. Wilkinson

 

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 31; Job 42; Matt . 17:14 to 18:14

Lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:17

The whole of the believer’s well-being in Christ and the acceptance that we fi nd in Him, are derived from the fact that the Father is well
pleased with the Son. May this glorious fact help us to live above the petty constraints of this sin-stained earth, as we seek by His grace to love, worship and serve God’s beloved Son today and every day. —Mark Fenn

All the Father’s counsels claiming equal honours to the Son;
All the Son’s eff ulgence beaming, makes the Father’s glory known. —J. N. Darby

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 30; Job 40-41; Matt . 16:13 to 17:13

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11

Like the Bereans, Daniel Webster (1782-1852), U.S. senator and noted orator, said of the Scriptures: “They have been my daily study and vigilant contemplation.” Is this true of us? It was Martin Luther who said, “You cannot read the Scriptures too much; and what you read, you cannot read too well; and what you read well, you cannot too well understand; and what you can understand well, you cannot too well teach; and what you teach well, you cannot too well live.”—W. Ross Rainey

Holy Bible, book divine, precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine to chide me when I rove; mine to show a Saviour’s love. —J. Burton

 

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 29; Job 38-39; Matt . 15:29 to 16:12

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8

Warnings abound in the Scriptures about Satan “seeking whom he may devour”. Life and death are not in his control, but to render a person useless for Christ is something that he longs to accomplish. One of the saddest things to see is a believer’s life, having so much potential, being wasted on the things of this world. Dear child of God, there is no satisfaction to be found in anything other than Jesus Christ. Love not the world neither the things that are in the world. In what practical way is He asking you to apply this verse today? —Charlie Tempest

The foe in triumph shouted, when Christ lay in the tomb;
But, lo, he now is routed, his boast is turned to gloom. —P. Gerhardt

 

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 28; Job 36-37; Matt . 15:1-28

Blessed is the man whom Thou choosest, and causest to approach unto Thee, that he may dwell in Thy courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house. Psalm 65:4

Our longings will only be satisfi ed with the goodness that is found in His house. To dwell in those courts is to be near Him and thus to
be blessed. But the psalmist says the Lord must cause us to approach Him. How does He do this? One way is by allowing diffi culties,
storms, and impossible situations to confront us. Our helplessness and lack of resources draw us to Him. Let us “count it all joy” when
troubles constrain us to seek His courts, for there we will be at home in His presence and satisfi ed with His goodness. —M. MacMullen

Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,
Draw me, my Saviour—so precious Thou art! —L. N. Morris