Month: December 2011

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Posted on by Gospel Folio Press

DAILY READINGS: Esther 9-10; Malachi 3:7 to 4:6; Rev. 22:6-21

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:7,8

The end! Sober moderation, prayerfulness and fervent love should typify our behaviour in these times. Yet more and more we are pursuing the passions of the world—pleasure and possessions. Less and less do we have time for prayer—personal or corporate. Still less do we have time for one another. Fervent love and Christian community have been replaced by casual acquaintance and self interest. Is it any wonder that our lives are characterized by pride and powerlessness; loneliness and emptiness? May God help us to repent and make the year ahead different. —S. McEachern

Because I held upon my selfish road, and left my brother wounded by the way,
And called ambition duty, and pressed on, O Lord, I do repent.—S. Williams

 

Friday, December 30, 2011

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DAILY READINGS: Esther 7-8; Malachi 2:10 to 3:6; Rev. 21:9 to 22:5

And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus. Luke 24:13

Our bus stopped, and after we disembarked, our guide asked if I knew where we were. I replied, “I don’t have a clue.” He smiled and said, “You are on the Emmaus Road.” On either side of that path there were small foundations on which houses had once rested. I wondered at which of them Cleopas had said to the Saviour, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” What wonderful company the Lord must have been during those evening hours. As the day of God’s grace rapidly closes, may each of us ask Him to abide with us. We can have no greater company in these dark, turbulent times. —Arnot P. McIntee

Walking with Jesus; walking every day, walking every way.
Walking with Jesus; walking with Jesus alone. —R. C. Savage

Thursday, December 29, 2011

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DAILY READINGS: Esther 5-6; Malachi 1 to 2:9; Rev. 20:7 to 21:8

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

A writer of old read this verse as follows, “All Scripture is God breathing.” Do you need a word of hope for today? God is breathing His truth to your soul through His word. Are you lonely? God’s presence, His very breath, is within your reach, in His word. The breath of God brought life to Adam. It is still bringing resurrection life to those areas of death in us when we allow God to breathe into our hearts. Yes, God breathed His word centuries ago, but He is still breathing those same words in fresh life, giving vigour and strength into waiting hearts today. —M. MacMullen

Breathe on me Breath of God, fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love, and do what Thou dost do.—Edwin Hatch

 

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

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DAILY READINGS: Esther 3-4; Zech. 13:7 to 14:21; Rev. 19:11 to 20:6

And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me. Genesis 32:20

Jacob feared death at the hand of his brother and so he tried to appease his brother’s anger with gifts. We face the wrath of God and eternal death (Romans 6:23). God is not appeased by our gifts or good works. It is “not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy He saved us,” (Titus 3:5). Which method are you counting on—your gifts and works or His gift to you? — P. W.

Thy work alone, my Saviour, can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within. —H. Bonar

 

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

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DAILY READINGS: Esther 2; Zechariah 12 to 13:6; Revelation 19:1-10

Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was [eager] to do. Galatians 2:10

The question is sometimes asked, "Why does God allow poverty?" He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He could feed the poor with manna and quails like He did for Israel in the wilderness. Is it not because He wants to give us the opportunity to share in love, with those whom He loves. A cup of cold water given in His name is the same as giving to Him. Also, it moves the recipient to give thanks for Christian generosity which brings glory to the Lord. May we be like Paul, generous and eager to share with those who are in need.—Milton Haack

I gave my life for thee, My precious blood I shed,
That thou might’st ransomed be, and quickened from the dead;
I gave, I gave My life for thee, what hast thou given for Me? —F. H.

 

Monday, December 26, 2011

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DAILY READINGS: Esther 1; Zechariah 11; Revelation 18

They saw the young child with Mary His mother, and [they] fell down, and worshipped him: and…they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God… they departed into their own country another way. Matt. 2:11-12

Upon arriving at the house where the Lord was, the wise men gave evidence of saving faith. First, the object of their faith was correct, they worshipped Christ and no one else; the order of their faith was correct, they bowed down and parted with their treasures; and the outcome of their faith was correct—they went home “another way”, safe and forever changed by the event. Wise men and women will do the same when they follow God’s leading and come to Him. —Mark Kolchin

Hallelujah! I have found Him, Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings; through His blood I now am saved.—Clara T. Williams

 

Lord’s Day, December 25, 2011

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DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 13; Zechariah 9-10; Revelation 17

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

What a delightful title is given to Christ—the mighty God. The baby of Bethlehem is called the mighty God. What mystery, as the Creator enters His creation. His unique birth has affected this world as no other birth. He has changed the course of history. It is His story. His sinless life challenged all who knew Him. His atoning death has changed the lives of millions and His glorious resurrection convinces us that He is none other than the Mighty God. “O come, let us adore Him.” —James Comte

The wonder of wonders as she looked down and smiled;
That He was her Maker as well as her Child. —Charles B. Wycuff

 

Saturday, December 24, 2011

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DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 12; Zechariah 8; Revelation 16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Timothy 3:16

Mystery indeed! The long-promised Prince of Peace has come, with no pomp, pageantry or palace. Just a baby wrapped up in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger! But this infant Son of Mary is the incarnate Son of God. God manifest in flesh! We hear the shepherds say, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass” and we gladly join them in their adoration.—Jim Flanigan

Who is He in yonder stall, at whose feet the shepherds fall?
‘Tis the Lord! O wondrous story! ‘Tis the Lord, the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall—crown Him! crown Him, Lord of all.—Hanby

 

Friday, December 23, 2011

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DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 10-11; Zechariah 7; Revelation 15

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Matthew 1:16

“Whom” in the text is singular in number and feminine in gender. It excludes Joseph as Jesus' father and points to Mary as His virgin mother. This frees Jesus from the curse on Coniah's heirs which would have been on Christ through Joseph (Jer. 22:23; Mt. 1:11). Yet Jesus is the lineal son of David through Nathan, Solomon’s other brother (Lk 3:31). And being the adopted son of Joseph, He is also in Solomon’s royal line and entitled to sit on David’s throne one day (Lk. 3:23; Isa. 9:6, 7). The virgin birth of Jesus qualifies Him “to save His people from their sins.” Are you one of His people? If not, make sure you are today.—K. C. Ung

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is giv'n;
The government shall rest on Him, th’ anointed One from Heav’n. —S. H. P.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

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DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 9; Zechariah 5-6; Revelation 14

And the LORD appeared unto [Abraham] in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. Genesis 18:1

And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Genesis 19:1a

Abraham and Lot were seated in radically different places, which revealed their differing attitudes to this life. The pilgrim Abraham sat in a tent door, a portable, impermanent dwelling of someone looking for a better country (Heb. 11:16). His kinsman Lot sat in the city gate, the place of government for one whose efforts concentrated on this present world. Through prayer, the former influenced Sodom’s destiny; while the latter failed even to influence his own wife and sons-in-law. —K. R. Keyser

Though our pilgrimage be dreary, this is not our resting place;
Shall we of the way be weary, when we see our Master’s face?—S. Tregelles