Month: August 2011

The devotion displayed here was quite deliberate, carefully planned and prepared, just as our worship should be. Despite the criticism by “some,” Jesus said, “It was for my burial” and “a good work”. It was not wasted. Her thoughts and thanksgiving gave her boldness to draw near to Christ. Just so, we should draw near and worship today. Let us give our Saviour the love, glory and honour due Him, until we see His face! —Vernon Markle

To love God with all our heart we must first of all will to do so. We should repent our lack of love and determine from this moment on to make God the object of our devotion. We shall soon find to our great delight that our feelings are beginning to move in the direction of the “willed tendency of the heart.“ Our emotions will become disciplined and directed. We shall begin to taste the “piercing sweetness“ of the love of Christ. The whole life, like a delicate instrument, will be tuned to sing the praises of Him who first loved us. —E. MacLelland

Habakkuk, a man who experienced God, shows his absolute triumphant trust in God’s purposes and sovereignty. No matter what our circumstances, God is faithful. Talk about lifting your spirits! No matter what your situation today, reflect on these verses and be encouraged.—James Comte

In our preparations for the battles of life, whether big or small, seek wisdom from the Lord and from His faithful followers. Success is not the result of our preparations, though we must prepare diligently, but success and safety comes from the Lord. — D. Picku

The Times newspaper once ran a series of articles on world problems. A letter to the paper was duly accepted and was the shortest it had ever printed. Headed “What is wrong with the world”, it said, “Dear Sir, I am. Sincerely yours” G.K. Chesterton. Chesterton's letter indicated that the root of all world problems was people—their greed, malice, covetousness, selfishness, and immorality. In short, their sinfulness. In order to address this problem of human sin, Jesus came and said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. Nobody comes to the Father but by me." Come to Him today. —Brian Powlesland

The epistle of 1 Timothy is all about God’s way of doing things. God has a way that cannot be improved. This is so in every realm. For example, in bringing salvation to the lost who could have devised and executed a better plan? He ensured that Christ the Saviour would be manifest in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the nations, believed on in the world and, finally, received up into glory. This was a Master-plan! Men cannot improve it. They simply must receive it. —Roy Hill

The Psalmist knew the one thing he needed, "That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple," (Psa. 27:4). Mary knew the one thing she needed and no one could take it from her—to sit at the Lord’s feet (Lk. 10:42). These days it is difficult for our minds to be fixed on one thing and to accomplish it. There are so many attractions and distractions to divert our thoughts and attention away. To get back to that one thing is a necessity for many of us. What is the one thing you need to focus on anew? —K. C. Ung

Indeed He knows all things! He knows our shortcomings and our failures; He knows our backsliding and our murmuring. But He knows too, that in our heart of hearts we love Him. For who He is, for what He is, and for what He has done, we love Him. This rises above our weaknesses. How can we help but love Him who first loved us and gave Himself for us? May our worship please the Father today.—J. F.

The Lord Jesus was destined to be "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world,” (Jn. 1:29). It is amazing to think that before the universe was made, He had already determined to die on the cross out of love for His Father and for us. Our eternal future was wisely formulated in eternity past; therefore, it is guaranteed. Christ appeared in history to carry out His Father’s will. He alone could say that He did the work which His Father gave Him to do. Rejoice in your salvation, dear saint—a finished, eternal work of God! —K. R. Keyser

When the believer meditates and speaks about hope, we often limit it to heaven. That is true, and grand, of course, but never forget that He is our hope for the events of today. Salvation is a daily experience, and Paul goes on to refer to God’s grace, mercy and peace. Again, these are for today. What luxuries! —Brian Russell