Month: November 2016

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 30; Ezekiel 46; John 21

And he [the elder son] was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. Luke 15:28

The older brother was physically near the father, but spiritually he might as well have been in the pig pen! What was the father’s response? He “intreated him”. This is the same Greek word the Lord used for Comforter when referring to the Holy Spirit. Dear friend, could this be your situation? Do you appear to be near the Father, but are actually in “a far country” (Luke 15:13)? Do you sense the Holy Spirit prompting you? We are not told if the older son was ever reconciled to his father. Don’t delay any longer! —Lynn Shatford

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies?
—W. L. Thompson

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 29; Ezekiel 45; John 20:19-31

And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him… Exodus 19:3

Exodus records that Moses, at 80 years of age, went up and down Mount Sinai at least six times. He went up to commune with God and back down to take God’s Word to His people. Today, no matter how old or young, may we see the essential role God has assigned to us. May we joyfully ascend, at whatever the cost of time or energy, into His Presence to hear His voice and then take His truth back down to those who have been given us to lead to Him. —M. M.

Thou didst reach forth Thy hand and mine enfold;
I walked and sank not on the storm-vexed sea;
‘Twas not so much that I on Thee took hold,
As Thou, dear Lord, on me. —Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 27-28; Ezekiel 44; John 20:1-18

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. Proverbs 3:7

This age is one of innovation and technological advancement. The rise of the Internet gives humans illusory omniscience; they now feel that they can accomplish anything. Yet in spiritual matters, people grope in darkness if they are unacquainted with the Light (John 8:12). Knowledge abounds, but wisdom is in short supply among mankind. Only by reverencing God and heeding His Word may one find this precious commodity. Otherwise error envelopes people and they miss “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)—Christ, who reveals the triune God. —K. R. Keyser

We praise Thee that the Unction sent, Abides in us for aye,
To be our Teacher, Guide and Strength, Along life’s upward way.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 26; Ezekiel 43; John 19:17-42

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord. Proverbs 21:30

The all-wise God allowed men to take His only Son and He became the sufficient sacrifice for us. He was “delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). He became identified with us at the Cross. And so we are one with Him, our risen Lord. In every detail of our lives, only what is allowed of God can touch us. “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever” (Rom. 11:36). Let us worship Him with full hearts today.
—Vernon Markle

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane;
But the Church of Jesus, constant will remain.
—S. Baring-Gould

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 25; Ezekiel 42; John 18:28 to 19:16

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

The letter to the Philippians is sometimes known as the “epistle of joy”. The great theme of the book is that, as Christians, we can rejoice in any and every circumstance of life. This joy is available through Christ as we make Him Lord of our lives. Paul points out factors that rob us of joy: living a life in a manner that is unworthy of the gospel (1:27), when we fail to be humble (2:3) and when there are divisions among us (4:2). Joy comes as we do the Father’s will and keep in close fellowship with the Lord. As we look to the Giver in obedience, we will be filled with the gift of joy. —Paul Young

A bleeding Saviour seen by faith, a sense of pardoning love;
A hope that triumphs over death, give joys like those above.
—J. Newton

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 23-24; Ezekiel 41; John 18:1-27

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Psalm 34:10

Driving through the Kafue Game Park we could have stretched out our hands and touched the lion walking pathetically down the road! He was too old to either provide for or protect himself. However had it been a young lion in the prime of his strength we would have had the windows up and sped away. The psalmist gives the unusual picture of young lions—those most able to defend and feed themselves—as suffering hunger! Yet in contrast, one who seeks the Lord will always enjoy good things from His hand. —David Croudace

Take time to be holy; the world rushes on,
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
—Wm. D. Longstaff

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 21-22; Ezekiel 40; John 17

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Luke 1:47
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. John 20:28
My beloved is mine, and I am his. Song of Solomon 2:16

As I think about my Saviour and His sufferings, I am thankful for my deliverance from sin. Considering Him as my Lord, I am challenged as to my discipleship. As I ponder Him as my God, I ask myself whether I am truly devoted to Him. Finally, as my soul delights in my Beloved, I desire that nothing would come between us. Friend—what does the Lord Jesus mean to you? Do you have a personal relationship with Him? —Pete Smith

Jesus, I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.
—Jean Pigott

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 20; Ezekiel 39; John 16:16-33

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37

The “Old Colonel”, although a college graduate and brilliant student of the law, was a hopeless drunk who frequented the Water Street Mission of New York. On the night of his conversion, he prayed, “O Lord, if it’s not too late, forgive and save this poor old sinner”. The Saviour’s invitation to the “Old Colonel”, and to you, is to come to Him. —Arnot P. McIntee

“Come unto Me”, It is the Saviour’s voice,
The Lord of life, who bids the heart rejoice;
O weary heart, with heavy cares opprest;
“Come unto Me”, and I will give you rest.
—Nathanael Norton

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 18-19; Ezekiel 38; John 15:17 to 16:15

And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. Genesis 20:2

It was bad enough that Abraham told lies to the king of Egypt regarding Sarah, in order to save his own life. To do it a second time with the king of Gerar was unthinkable. The Lord, however, is more merciful than we can appreciate. Sometimes when we sin we fail Him and we think there is no way back. There is! Confess your shortcomings and return more determined to serve Him better. —Brian Russell

A debtor to mercy alone,
Of covenant mercy I sing;
Nor fear, with Thy righteousness on,
My person and offering to bring.
—Augustus Toplady

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 16-17; Ezekiel 37; John 15:1-16

But king Solomon loved many strange women… 1 Kings 11:1

People say, “As long as we love each other, what else matters?” Don’t be deceived. Love is not always legitimate and doesn’t make everything fine. King Solomon loved all those women, but he was wrong, sinful and disobedient to God. There is sinful love, carnal love, disobedient love, rebellious love, selfish love, lawless love. With Solomon, love didn’t fix everything. In fact, it was his downfall and is the downfall of many others who are careless like him in their love! Above all else we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. We are to keep our “heart with all diligence” (Prov. 4:23).
—Carl Knott

More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee.
—Elizabeth P. Prentiss