Month: July 2011

Christ was offered up for the lowest of sinners, to bear the sins of many. There is no sin so grievous that it cannot be washed away by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. His sacrifice was utterly worthy, but we, the recipients of that offering, are most unworthy. How loving God is to allow His own Son to be offered for such a sinful people. How marvellous that He sees worth and value even in me! Lay our hearts be full as we come to worship Him today.— M. Robins

Noted Christian educator and Bible teacher, Howard Hendricks, has pointed out that “There are about 3,000 people mentioned by name in the Bible. Of those 3,000, we only have enough information to evaluate the lives of about 100 of them. Of those 100, only about one-third of them finished well. Of those who failed, most failed in the last half of their lives.” What a sobering reminder these words are to all of us! God grant that we may finish well the race set before us! —W. Ross Rainey

Annie Garnett founded the Bowness spinnery in Windermere which produced exquisite fabrics. In a display of fabrics, I noticed a thought provoking line in a piece of embroidery which said, “Always make sure your best cannot be better.” Human frailty sometimes means we are prepared to settle for second best. But the things of the Lord demand the very best of our efforts and the best years of our lives. Are you giving him your best? —Brian Powlesland

Christ Jesus became a servant to all when He gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins on the cross. The Father’s love for His well beloved Son stretched from eternity past and is unsearchable in its depth. And so to us much has been given—the most valued Possession of the Father is ours. May we bow our hearts in humble worship moment by moment in our lives and walk in a manner that is well pleasing to the Father for we owe Him everything. —B. Crawford

We are not to dwell unduly on the past (particularly the short-comings and failures), but occupy ourselves with the joy of the Lord: what He is doing in our lives and what is in store for the believer in the future. “Forgetting those things which are behind (thankfully they are covered by the blood), and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark,” (Phil. 3.14). “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more,” (Heb. 10.17). What are you thinking about today? May God turn your focus to His person and His blessings.—W. H. Gustafson

To gain citizenship in a new country is a prize greatly sought after, and involves rejecting all other national connections. As a believer, my citizenship is now in heaven (Phil 3:20). This means I have been delivered from the pagan customs of my past life (Egypt) and I must also reject the ungodly practices I see all around me today (Canaan). I must live and act as a “child of the King.” Am I? —David Croudace

Mark these same words coming from the same heaven about the same blessed Person but on two occasions. The one was beside a river, the other on a high mountain; the one at the commencement of the Lord’s public ministry, the other towards the end. In the first, the onlookers had to learn that Christ was distinct and different from the crowds who were confessing their sins when baptized by John. In the second, the three favoured disciples had to learn that Christ was distinct and different from every other man of God who had ever appeared on earth before. —W. P. M.

“Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never.” With that succinct message, Winston Churchhill rallied the nation of England during the dismal days of World War II. It was a call to renewal and reminded them that brighter days were ahead. Brother and sister in the Lord, never give up with what He has asked you to do. He is coming again and until He does, occupy and hold fast for your reward is sure. —Mark Kolchin

In school, did you pray for wisdom during tests? That’s usually when I recognized my need. It’s no different in God’s school of life. The book of James combines the testing of our faith with the prayer request for wisdom (James 1:3-5). The testing of our faith casts us on the Lord to ask for wisdom. Not wisdom as to why we are being tested, but how we can grow spiritually through the test. C.H. Spurgeon said, “Faith that cannot be tested, cannot be trusted.” Let’s learn the lessons at hand and be ready for the tests. —Rex Trogdon