Month: January 2012

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

And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I entreat for thee… to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses?… And he said, Tomorrow. Exodus 8:9-10a

 

Pharaoh is the epitome of a heart so hard that when God sent the plague of frogs into Egypt, even into Pharaoh’s bed, he was not rational. When offered the privilege to say when the frogs should depart he replied, “Tomorrow.” Can you imagine?! It is the same for unbelievers who put off receiving God’s free gift of eternal life till tomorrow. The danger is that no one has the promise of tomorrow. Tomorrow is the day to start a diet, not determine your destiny. Today is the day of Salvation! —Rex Trogdon

 

Just now, your doubtings give o’er; just now, reject Him no more;
Just now, throw open the door; let Jesus come into your heart. —L. Morris

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

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15

My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. Song of Solomon 5:10

 

Paul was willing to acknowledge that he had been the chief of sinners, but then came that memorable day when, on the Damascus Road, he met Him who became his Lord and Saviour—chiefest among ten thousand to all those who love Him. Every saint will willingly use Paul’s confession and gladly join too in adoration of the Beloved. —Jim Flanigan

 

The mention of Thy Name shall bow, our hearts to worship Thee;
The chiefest of ten thousand Thou! The chief of sinners we. —M. Peters

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 27; Job 34-35; Matt. 14:13-36

When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6

 

Interesting descriptions are often used by the Holy Spirit to state truths to be enjoyed by God’s people. One such is the word “closet.” In ancient times, a closet was where treasures were stored. Into such a place, we are invited daily to receive from the “closet” the treasures with which our Lord wishes to bless us. May we enter the “closet” today, and receive His provisions of love. —Arnot P. McIntee

My soul, ask what thou wilt, thou canst not be too bold:
Since His own blood for thee was spilt, what else can He with hold?—John Newton

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 26; Job 32-33; Matt. 13:44 to 14:12

And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. John 1:16

 

Someone described the sameness of life thus, “Each new day is just yesterday warmed up.” It is true that many of our days follow a set pattern. The pressures of required work, the frequent pain, the strained relationships are tests that appear time after time. But the Lord promises new mercies every morning (Lam. 3:23). We may not be able to change the course of our days any more than we can control the wind, but by one’s attitude toward our sameness we can “adjust the sail” and find enough grace for each day. —E. M. Dyck

There may be days of darkness and distress,
When sin has pow’r to tempt and care to press;
Yet in the darkest day I will not fear,
For, ‘mid the shadows, Thou wilt still be near. —H. L. R. Deck

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 25; Job 31; Matt. 13:24-43

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:2

 

The world attempts to fill Christian’s minds with unprofitable things that distract from eternal realities. We are to love the Lord our God with our minds, and to renew them by meditating on His Word (Rom. 12:2). It can be done on our daily commute or by considering a memorized verse or listening to the Bible on recordings. It can take place before or after meals, and it may require giving up some leisure time or cherished hobbies. Whatever sacrifices we make, the effort will be rewarded with precious thoughts regarding our Saviour.—Keith Keyser

God in secret thee shall keep,
There unfold His hidden treasures,
There His love’s exhaustless deep. —J. N. Darby

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 24; Job 29-30; Matt. 13:1-23

The people that are with thee are too many for Me, lest Israel say…mine own hand hath saved me. Judges 7:2

 

Called by God to overcome the Midianites, Gideon had 32,000 men at his disposal. God whittled that number down to just 300! Why? So that He would get the glory. In all our plans and programs to get the Gospel out to needy sinners, we must be careful that we follow no course which might bring glory to any human being. 1 Peter 4:11 tells us, “if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” May we live thus. —David Croudace

Not I but Christ in humble, earnest toil;
Christ, none but Christ, the gatherer of the spoil. —A. Whiddington

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 23; Job 27-28; Matt. 12:22-50

Be at peace amongst yourselves… be patient towards all men… pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:13-14, 17

 

Perhaps the greatest challenge among God’s people is getting along with one another. Paul in his letter to the Thessalonian Christians gives us some advice with this problem. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we should strive to be at peace with fellow believers, be patient with those who provoke us and commit the saints to the Lord in prayer. If we treat one another in this fashion we will be the people of His pasture! —Bob Cretney

Lord help me live from day to day,
In such a self forgetful way,
That even when I kneel to pray,
My prayer will be for others. —Roscoe S. Nickerson

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 22; Job 25-26; Matt. 12:1-21

He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation. Isaiah 61:10

 

Anyone can physically put on fine garments. But only Christ can clothe us in garments of salvation. By trusting wholly in the Lord Jesus Christ and His work at the Cross, we have been clothed in the very righteousness of God. Let us then daily remember the heavenly destination to which we are bound and take heed to the dignity and testimony of our spiritual deportment. —Mark Fenn

 

How rich the character He bears,
And all the form of love He wears,
Exalted on the throne;
How perfect is His righteousness,
With which unspotted, beauteous dress,
His saints have ever stood! —Samuel Medley

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 20-21; Job 23-24; Matt. 11:2-30

Behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. Revelation 19:11

 

A Prince riding on a white horse! This is no fairy tale. Yes, He is faithful and true, and strong too. The world longs for a saviour. We, as believers in Christ, already have the Saviour. But have we been looking to the world to satisfy us lately? Look again to Calvary where He fought the greatest battle ever—and He did it for us! There was never a Prince like Him. He deserves our total admiration. That same Jesus has been made King of kings and Lord of lords. May our worship to Him be sweet today. —E. N.

All hail to Thee, Immanuel, our risen King and Saviour!
Thy foes are vanquished, and Thou art omnipotent forever.—D. R. Van Sickle

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 19; Job 22; Matt. 10:24 to 11:1

I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands. Isaiah 49:16

 

Zion and its inhabitants seemed convinced that God had forgotten them, and small wonder as the beloved city had been attacked and destroyed so many times. God hastens to reassure His traumatized people that in spite of signs some might interpret differently, He will ever be their shield. The name of the city and those of its people have been graven on the palms of His hands—a place of constant memory. Whatever setback you may have suffered, He will never forget you. You are close to Him and so precious to Him. He never forsakes those whose trust is in Him. —Roy Hill

Channels only, blessed Master, but with all Thy wondrous power,
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us, every day and every hour. —Mary E. Maxwell