Month: February 2017

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 50; Psalm 30; Matt. 27:27-44

The Lord being merciful unto him. Genesis 19:16

Are you a believer who has fallen into sin? Do you feel too much a failure to even ask for forgiveness? Or are you one who has never accepted the free gift of salvation that the Lord Jesus offers you? Lot had put himself into a dreadful place of sin and degradation, but didn’t even seem to realize it. But God knew! As God dragged him out of that cesspool of sin, the Holy Spirit interjects our text’s beautiful statement of God’s mercy. Whatever sinful situation you find yourself in today, you too can call upon the Lord Jesus for mercy. —M. Robins

Mercy there was great, and grace was free,
Pardon there was multiplied to me,
There my burdened soul found liberty,
At Calvary.
                                            —Daniel B. Towner

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 49; Psalms 28-29; Matt. 27:1-26

As for God, his way is perfect. Psalm 18:30

It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. Psalm 18:32

The Scripture says, “Be holy; for I am holy” (Lev. 11:44). I cannot, you say? Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). When a trial comes, pray for His power and an abundance of His grace; then move forward yielding to His righteousness. You will be amazed to see God’s work in and through you, making your way perfect. You will find that He will “grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Eph. 3:16). —D. Pickup

Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
                                                              —J. Edwin Orr

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

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

In Isaiah 36 we read how Rabshakeh, the Assyrian envoy, told King Hezekiah’s advisors that they should not let Hezekiah deceive them; to make them trust in the Lord, or persuade them that the Lord could deliver them from Assyria (Isa. 36:13-16). Thankfully, Hezekiah knew whom he could trust. The Lord God did deliver Judah. Believers need to be on guard against Satan’s tricks. He tries to deceive us, make us trust in wrong things, and persuade us his way is better. Cling to the Lord Jesus Christ and you will never be caught by Satan’s snares. —A. Baal

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, how I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.
                                                                                                       —Louisa Stead

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

And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. Exodus 18:25

The art of delegation is often difficult to administer. We older saints sometimes feel that to hand over certain responsibilities to others could be a disaster, even when these younger saints are obviously qualified. We then moan and groan about our heavy burdens. In every local company of God’s people the Lord distributes gifts. Let us make sure we do not hinder His work by holding on to the helm ourselves. —Brian Russell

We ask no other wages when Thou shalt call us home
But to have shared the travail which makes Thy kingdom come.
                                                                                                —J. S. B. Monsell

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

Throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:17

Good works mean nothing before our conversion, but everything after our conversion. After affirming that salvation can only be attained by grace through faith, Paul speaks of good works that have been “prepared beforehand” for us (Eph. 2:10). After their salvation, believers should be characterized by a life of good works—evidencing externally what is in their hearts. Paul follows up with the teaching in today’s text: We are to be “prepared” or “equipped” for every good work. A believer is not ready for the work of God if he or she is not fully trained in the Word of God. —N. C. Funston

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always and feed on His Word.
                                             —William D. Longstaff

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

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6

The word for truth in Hebrew is emet. This word uses the letters aleph, mem and tav—the first, middle and final letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Thus, for something to be true, it needs to be true through and through. The Lord Jesus said in effect “I, and only I am the Truth.” We too can examine His life, His claims and His actions, and conclude with Pilate that there is no fault in Him. Never will a flaw be found in Him that will annul our confidence in His perfect sacrifice for our sins. We may be confident that archaeologists, historians, atheists, and all true seekers will find in Him alone, the truth that will set them free. —M. MacMullen

Thou art the Truth; Thy Word alone, true wisdom can impart;
Thou only canst inform the mind, and purify the heart.
                                                                                        —George W. Doane

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

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34

David Smith wrote, “It is usual for the victims of that dread doom, frenzied with pain to shriek, entreat, curse and spit at the spectators.” But what did Jesus do? He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” In all of His suffering the Saviour was conscious of His Sonship, as He cried, “Father.” He had an unshakeable confidence in His mission, even as He was sinking into the deepest abyss of sorrow and pain, for He prayed, “forgive them.” There He paid the full debt of our sin and here today, as we worship, we can thank Him again for the wondrous words, “Father, forgive them.” —Jim Comte

No word of anger spoke He to them that shed His blood,
But prayer and tenderest pity large as the love of God.
                                                                                     —C. Alexander

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

Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things…But with the precious blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18-19

A flashing red light! The police officer firmly stated the infraction: “You were exceeding the speed limit by ten miles an hour. This ticket stipulates you pay the fine in money to the court, or blood to the Red Cross.” The offender eventually presented his ticket at the police station. Across it had been written in red ink, “Paid in Blood”. The Lord Jesus Christ paid for your sins with His own blood. Believe it for eternal salvation. —Arnot P. McIntee

Precious blood that hath redeemed us,
All the price is paid!
Perfect pardon now is offered,
Peace is made.
                               —Frances R. Havergal

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

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Matthew 14:27

In the story of the storm on the lake, the Lord walked on the water and met the disciples in the boat. In response Peter tried to walk to Him. Notice these points. First, our Lord told them to go knowing the storm would come; second, Peter’s lack of faith caused him to sink, and thirdly, the Lord wanted to demonstrate His power to them. So it is with us. When we go through the storm, at just the right moment, He will come and demonstrate His delivering power. —G. Frear

Let us remember in the storms of life,
When things are rough with stress and strife,
Our Lord comes close saying “Peace be still”
For I will keep you, and always will. —G.F