Month: February 2012

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 47:28 to 48:22; Psalms 26-27; Matt. 26:57-75

Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation (care) hath preserved my spirit. Job 10:12

 

There are many circumstances in our lives, both in the spiritual as well as the natural, that are unknown to us—where God is working in guidance, protection and care. The apostle James tells us that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (Jas. 1:17). Someone has remarked that although God’s dealings are perfect they are not necessarily pleasant! However, in all the variegated experiences of life, the One who created and redeemed us for His glory “is working in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). May we rest in this certainty today. —Drew Craig

I know my heavenly Father knows, how frail I am to meet my foes;
But He my cause will e’er defend, uphold and keep me to the end.—S. M. I . Henry

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 46 to 47:27; Psalm 25; Matt. 26:31-56

 

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4

 

Every dawn is a new morning and a fresh start. It can be a day to please ourself or to please our Father in heaven. If a child chooses to please his earthly father, he finds a reward of happiness. When our hearts are willing to obey our heavenly Father, we too will enjoy a close and sweet communion with our blessed Lord. May we make today a day to please Him. —E. MacLelland

To please the Lord is my desire,
No matter what those ’round may say,
To love Him more and do His will;
Everyday in everything, I pray. —E. M.

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 45; Psalms 23-24; Matt. 26:1-30

On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. Exodus 40:2

 

The Tabernacle was set up for the first time on the first day of a new year. This was a fresh beginning and everything pertaining to the tabernacle had to be set in order, for God is a God of order. (1 Cor. 14; 40) To enjoy God’s presence, our lives must be in order too. In the world there is confusion and chaos, because people are not ordering their lives according to the Word of God. An unconsecrated vessel in the Tabernacle would hinder God’s blessing. If we are unconsecrated then we too will hinder the blessing of God in our lives and also the local church. Is your life in order? Are you set apart? —Jim Comte

 

Take my will and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne. —F. Havergal

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 44; Psalm 22; Matt. 25:31-46

And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. Genesis 50:25

 

Joseph’s bones would have constantly reminded the children of Israel of a better day to come. Today we have no mummy case to remind us that the best is yet to be. We have something far better—the empty tomb! What assurance, comfort, joy, and triumph it speaks to the redeemed heart. Have you come to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life? Are you living in the certainty of His return and the fullness of joy that it brings? —W. Ross Rainey

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and on the earth again shall stand;
I know eternal life He giveth, that grace and pow’r are in His hand.—Jessie B. Pounds

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 43; Psalms 20-21; Matt. 25:1-30

Then took Mary a pound of… spikenard, very costly. John 12:3

 

What price was paid for this ointment of spikenard? It is described as expensive (NIV), precious (Mk. 14:3) and very costly. For Mary no price was too high. This was her life sacrifice she was laying at Jesus’ feet. It might have cost three hundred day’s working wages, as Judas adjudged—a waste to cast at Jesus’ feet. But it did not matter. Mary loved her Lord and He was going away soon. He was more important than anything or anyone else. But poor Judas—he was prepared to sell his Lord for just thirty pieces of silver. How distorted his perspective of life’s values! How much is Jesus Christ worth to you? —K. C. Ung

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His, than have riches untold. —R. F. Miller

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 41:50 to 42:38; Psalm 19; Matt. 24:29-51

 

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgement. John 7:24

 

These words of the Lord Jesus make us question our attitude toward others. It is so easy to come to conclusions about other believers’ spiritual integrity by relying on superficial appearances or hearsay gossip. Spend time listening and getting to know people, and you may well find that they have an inner depth and sincerity which far outweighs your own! —Brian Russell

Search me O God, and know my heart today,
Try me O Saviour, know my thoughts I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free. —James E. Orr

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 41:1-49; Psalm 18:30-50; Matt. 24:1-28

 

And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them… that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. Exodus 14:4

 

God allowed the Egyptians to pursue the Hebrews, not to overcome them, but so He could deliver them at the last moment. In this way the Egyptians would “know that God is the Lord.” God may allow trials in our lives in order to speak to the unsaved who are watching us. He may or may not deliver us but our Christ-like attitude in the midst of adversity will be a great testimony for Him. —David Croudace

Men will look at the life I lead,
See the side I take, and the things I love;
They judge my Lord by my every deed–
Lord set my affection on things above.—Author Unknown

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 40; Psalm 18:1-29; Matt. 23

Whatsoever the king did pleased all the people. 2 Samuel 3:36b

If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Gal. 1:10b

When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7

 

Each of us lives to please someone! Either we want to please ourselves, or others, or God. Sadly, we spend far too much time and energy today trying to please ourselves and others. Sometimes we’re successful, and sometimes not. We know it pleases God when we live for Him—studying and obeying His Word. May we all have an ever increasing desire to please the one who purchased us with His own blood. —William Gustafson

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way;
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. —John H. Sammis

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 39; Psalm 17; Matt. 22:15-46

Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Romans 7:12

 

Isn’t it strange that society, in its quest for enlightenment, would so despise God’s law? What society (or individual) wouldn’t be better off if they abided by the ten commandments? Would society be worse if people didn’t steal, didn’t lie, didn’t murder, loved God more than pleasure, or were faithful in their relationships? Of course not! Humanity’s condemnation is unbelief and society’s greatest deficiency is rejecting what’s best for it. —Rick Morse

Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves.
He your Saviour wants to be. Be saved today. —James Rowe