Month: June 2012

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 13; Isaiah 9:8 to 10:4; Luke 24:36-53

 

For He spake, and it was done; He commanded and it stood fast. Psalm 33:9

And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still. Mark 4:39

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. Luke 22:32

 

God’s Son spoke and created the universe. He stilled the storm with one command. But when he desired for Peter to withstand the attacks of Satan, He prayed. The wonder of prayer is that it is available to every child of God. Our loving Saviour would remind us, “Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24). As He did, so should we. —Ken Gross

 

O how praying rests the weary! Prayer will change the night to day;
So in sorrow or in gladness, don’t forget to pray. —M. A. Kidder

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 11-12; Isaiah 8:5 to 9:7; Luke 24:13-35

 

 

For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10

 

The word “doorkeeper” is really “to sit at the threshhold” which was the lowest place. The splendid tents of the world: fame, fortune, and fun, are all temporary, and can never satisfy a redeemed soul. We could very appropriately put it this way, “God’s worst is better than the devil’s best.” A thousand days of the world’s pleasure cannot compare to one day in God’s presence. —Robert E. Surgenor

It was the sight of Thy dear cross,
First weaned my soul from earthly things,
And taught me to esteem as dross,
The mirth of fools and pomp of kings. —F. Whitfield

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 10; Isaiah 7 to 8:4; Luke 23:47 to 24:12

 

 

My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

 

When toward the close of his life W. E. Sangster (1900-1960), the noted Methodist preacher of London, England, learned that he had an incurable muscular disease, he made four resolutions: “I will never complain. I will keep the home bright. I will count my blessings. I will try to turn it to gain.” Expressing gratitude for little things, he wrote, “I have more time—and use it—for prayer.” Thirty months later he went to be with Christ. Sangster’s godly example should speak to all of us, especially when we may be experiencing deep trials or disappointments. —W. Ross Rainey

 

How many blessings I enjoy, that other people don’t,
To weep and sigh because I’m blind, I cannot, and I won’t!—Fanny Crosby

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 9; Isaiah 6; Luke 23:13-46

 

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

 

What a revelation this was to Hebrew believers! The Lord Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest, the Moses and Aaron of the new order. As the Apostle He brings the message of God out to men as Moses did. As High Priest He takes our needs in to God, as Aaron did. For all believers, whether from Jew or Gentile, he is our Apostle and High Priest and we do well to consider Him. —Jim Flanigan

With joy we meditate the grace,
Of our High Priest above;
His heart o’erflows with tenderness,
His very name is love. —Isaac Watts

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 8; Isaiah 5; Luke 22:54 to 23:12

 

 

Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall. Genesis 49:22

 

Jacob’s blessing to Joseph reflects what he once was and what he was to become—his own years and those of his descendants. His own years in his father’s house, Potiphar’s place, the prison cell and finally, Pharaoh’s palace, were used by the Lord to mould him into a powerful man of God. Prophetically Jacob also saw the increase of Joseph’s family. From Canaan to Egypt (Joseph himself), then from Egypt to Canaan (his descendants), Joseph was growing up, digging deep, and spreading out. These words should mark every believer—growing higher, wider and deeper in our faith. —Norman Craig Funston

 

Sweeter and sweeter to me, dearer and dearer each day;
Oh, wonderful love of my Saviour, growing dearer each step of my way!—Charles H. Gabriel

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 7; Isaiah 3-4; Luke 22:31-53

 

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. Ezekial 18:20

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

 

God’s law is definite! All had sinned and thus the verdict was guilty. This decree was true of each individual. Punishment was demanded. But grace came by Jesus Christ. He, the holy One, fulfilled the law of God. He bore the punishment of sin on Calvary’s cross for every sinner and died for you and me. By faith, believe that he died for you. —E. MacLelland

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe;
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive? —Julia H. Johnston

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 5:13 to 6:27; Isaiah 2; Luke 22:1-30

 

 

If thou wilt send our brother with us… Genesis 43:4

…the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 1 John 4:14

 

When Jacob sent Joseph to his brothers (Gen. 37:13) he had no idea what would befall him. As a result he had no fears. How different he must have felt as he faced this difficult decision. Benjamin was his youngest son, his last link to his beloved Rachel. What anguish and fear must have gripped him. Our heavenly Father sent His Son too. We will never be able to enter into what He must have felt, as He gave His well beloved Son, knowing all that would befall Him! Jacob showed great faith in God, as he did not spare his son for the sake of his family. How much more did God prove His love to us! —Pete Smith

 

Blessed be God, our God, who gave for us His well-beloved Son,
The Gift of gifts, all other gifts in one; blessed be God our God. —H. Bonar

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 4 to 5:12; Isaiah 1; Luke 21:5-38

 

 

Is it well with thee? 2 Kings 4:26

 

We all must answer this question in two different ways. First we need to answer “Is it well with my soul?” The Lord Jesus “made peace” for our souls through the blood of His cross (Col. 1:20). Has our soul found its rest through faith in Him? If we have received Him as Saviour we need to ask “Is it well with my life?” Particularly in light of the judgment seat of Christ, both our lips and our lives should be wholly given to His glory (Rom. 14:12). Time is running out. The day of His return is near. Soon our answers will be final! —Jim Puzzulli

Christ the Lord will come again,
None shall wait for Him in vain,
I shall then His glory see:
Christ will come and call for me! —Joseph Swain

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 3; Hosea 11:12 to 14:9; Luke 20:20 to 21:4

 

For I know that my Redeemer liveth. Job 19:25

 

Job was deeply depressed. His wealth, his flocks and herds were gone. His children had died in a catastrophic storm. His health was impaired and he was miserably sick. And now his friends were accusing him of having done some terrible sin to merit such calamity. But Job clung to God, the living God, the redeemer God. This God would in the end justify him and receive him into Heaven. Perhaps you are depressed. Life is not always easy. But cling to the living God, a redeemer God, who will watch over you and see you safely home. —Donald L. Norbie

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