Month: January 2012

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 18; Job 21; Matt. 10:1-23

Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee. Psalm 119:11

 

I saw an interesting picture of a chef sitting in his kitchen, surrounded by the most delicious cakes and reading a book about healthy eating. What an example to the Christian! In this world we are surrounded by sin and its defiling potential. Simple daily living itself brings us into contact with things that have potential to contaminate us. We do not need to surround ourselves with needless temptation. Keep yourself from sinful situations and temptations and to have victory over those things you cannot avoid, keep your heart immersed in the Scriptures. It is God’s book for healthy living. —Johannes Bruwer

His Word is my delight, His will I now obey;
And all the time I’m singing, “Glory every day!” —L. R. Minor

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 17; Job 20; Matt. 9:18-38

O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14

 

The deep dark of the pre-dawn sky drew our eyes overhead to the bright morning stars. But off on the horizon, faint rose hues signalled the coming of the sun. The light of those stars began their journey toward us many years ago. In the dark night of the soul, the light of God’s Word, written many years ago, will also cheer our hearts and turn our eyes with joy to the certain dawn. —M. MacMullen

Shadows around me, shadows above me,
Never conceal my Saviour and Guide;
He is the light, in Him is no darkness;
Ever I’m walking close to His side.­ —H. J. Zelley

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 15-16; Job 18-19; Matt. 8:28 to 9:17

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto (Thus far) hath the Lord helped us. 1 Samuel 7:12

 

This can be translated, “Up to this point has the Lord helped us.” He has helped us through all of the deep valleys and raging rivers of life. He has helped us through all kinds of storms and dangers seen and unseen. His gracious hand has been faithfully with us. There are milestones in each of our lives at which we can set up our “stones” and say, “Ebenezer”. Does this not give us the assurance that for every tomorrow and for every mile yet to come, He is still faithful and He is our Ebenezer! —Jim Comte

All my tomorrows, all my past—Jesus is Lord of all.
I’ve quit my struggles, contentment at last! Jesus is Lord of all.—William J. and Gloria Gaither

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 13-14; Job 16-17; Matt. 8:1-27

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. Hebrews 3:1

 

What wonderful titles for our Lord Jesus! He is the Apostle—one sent from God to man. He came to die for sinners that they might be redeemed but now He has risen again and ascended back to the Father in heaven. Now, He is our High Priest—one that goes from man to God. He returned to heaven with all the value of His precious blood and He ever lives there to represent those who have trusted Him. Thus He keeps us forever more (Heb 7:25). Oh may we appreciate Him more fully, our Apostle and High Priest. —Harold G. Smith

 

There is a name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in my ear, the sweetest name on earth. —Frederick Whitfield

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 11:27 to 12:20; Job 15; Matt. 7:7-29

Prepare to meet thy God. Amos 4:12

Although these words were spoken to Israel, the solemn message holds true today. “Behold now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Hear the dying words of Cardinal Borgia: “I have provided in the course of my life for everything except death, and now alas, I am to die unprepared.” How different were the words of of D. L. Moody: “I see earth receding; heaven is opening, God is calling me.” What will your dying words be? —E. MacLelland

Oh, to be without a Saviour! With no hope or refuge nigh;
Can it be, O blessed Saviour, one without Thee dares to die?—F. M. Davis and R. F. Beveridge

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 10 to 11:26; Job 13-14; Matt. 6:19 to 7:6

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28

The Lord Jesus is the perfect model of service. Think of the pattern of His life as He prepared for the greatest event of all time—the redemption of mankind. He lived thirty years in obscurity and was reared in a working class family in Nazareth. And then, in the three years of His public ministry, did anything change? He owned no home, no bed. He had no money! But just as the foxes and the birds were in the safe keeping of His heavenly Father, so was He. Then finally on to the ultimate service, His sacrifice and death to fulfil His Father’s will and save us! —Drew Craig

He saw me ruined in the fall, yet loved me not withstanding all;
He saved me from my lost estate, His loving kindness, O how great.—Samuel Medley

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 8:20 to 9:29; Job 11-12; Matt. 6:1-18

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13

When the Lord called our mother home we felt conflicting emotions. While we suffered great loss we knew that she experienced great gain. Even in mourning, we celebrated her joy in His presence. We miss loved ones who have departed, but rejoice that God has ended their suffering. Though the separation is real, it is only temporary. We have a certain hope that we shall see them again. —George Ferrier

We shall meet to part no more, some bright golden morning,
At the gates of glory where our loved ones stand;
Songs of vict’ry fill the skies in that hour of greeting,
Endless days, endless praise, when we see His face. —N. Clayton

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 7:11 to 8:19; Job 9-10; Matt. 5:21-48

Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Jude 1:24-25

If you are downcast, reflect quietly upon these good words! Consider how strong is the One to whom you belong. How glorious are His plans for you! View with awe His total supremacy and marvel at His love and grace. Thus fortified, step out in faith upon the unknown way. Remember, He is able to keep you! —George Hall

Unto Him who hath loved us and washed up from sin,
Unto Him be the glory forever! Amen! —Philip. P. Bliss

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 6 to 7:10; Job 8; Matt. 5:1-20

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Hebrews 4:15a

People with broken hearts are everywhere. Here are five comforts from the One who is the heart Healer. First, He feels and knows by experience what you are going through, for He is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Hebrews 4:15). 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us that He cares for us. Luke 4:18-19 assures us that He shares with us in our distress. Isaiah 53:4 says that He bears our griefs and carries our sorrows. Best of all, He repairs our broken hearts (John 14:1, 27). One day He will wipe away every tear and there will be no more heartaches or heartbreaks! —Rex Trogdon

O yes, He cares; I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.­—Frank E. Graeff

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 4-5; Job 6-7; Matt. 4

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers… Psalm 8:3

One can almost see David, going out and looking up into the crystal clear Palestinian sky, contemplating the shining glory of the stars and feeling overwhelmed. What a great, majestic God he has! We too, need to stop, consider and contemplate God’s creation around us. Look at the beauty of a rose, fragrant and lovely. Consider your own body, so marvelously designed and constructed. Look up at the stars, marvel and worship. —Donald L. Norbie

I sing the mighty power of God,
That made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies. —Isaac Watts