Month: May 2017

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 22:1-38; Proverbs 19:1-29; James 3:1-4:12

If the way be too long for thee. Deuteronomy 14:24
And the Levite…and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow. Deuteronomy 14:29

All through the Old Testament, we read of God’s instructions for His people’s well being. No situation or person is overlooked. Our God cares and plans for our lives as well. Yet it seems so difficult to wait on the Lord. We want to make a phone call, speak to someone in authority, get action. We forget His love, His care and His great power, and wisdom. Let us wholly trust Him today. —M. Robins

With mercy and with judgment, my web of time He wove,
And aye the dews of sorrow were lustered with His love,
I’ll bless the Hand that guided, I’ll bless the Heart that planned,
When throned where glory dwelleth, in Immanuel’s land. —A. Cousin

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 21:1-35; Proverbs 18:1-24; James 2:1-26

Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. Ex. 33:13-14

Israel had so sinned with the worship of the golden calf that God indicated to Moses that He would not personally go with His people positively. Never underestimate the power of prayer. Use every opportunity—sleepless nights, daily walks, meal breaks—to intercede on behalf of God’s people. God does hear and will answer for the sake of His own dear Son. Many of us have proved it! —Brian Russell

Prayer is the simplest form of speech that infant lips can try.
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach the Majesty on high. —Montgomery

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 20:1-29; Proverbs 17:1-28; James 1:1-27

In the beginning God. Genesis 1:1
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father. 1 Corinthians 15:24

These two verses of scripture, when put together, make us realize how much information God has provided for us concerning His timetable. By the help of His Spirit, His Word tells us everything that we can absorb, or understand between these two great events and even gives a glorious glimpse into eternity on either side! God wants us to know His plan. How much have we tried to grasp this amazing revelation? —Dan Coulson

Father, the thought was Thine, and only Thine could be;
Fruit of the wisdom, love divine, peculiar unto Thee. —G. V. Wigram

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 19:1-22; Proverbs 16:1-33; 2 Peter 3:1-18

Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Deuteronomy 5:7

An idol is anything that we put in the place that God alone deserves. Consequently, legitimate things such as family, jobs, homes and reputations may become false gods if we are not careful. The best antidote is to fill one’s heart with the Lord through prayer, praise, and meditation on His Word. When one considers His incomparable attributes as well as His tremendous works in creation, providence, and redemption, it inevitably leads to worship and thanksgiving. Only the true and living God is worthy of our hearts’ complete devotion. His loveliness demands our hearts, our lives, our all. —Keith Keyser

O for a heart to love Thee more truly as I ought,
And nothing place above Thee in deed, or word, or thought. —J. Monsell

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 18:1-32; Proverbs 15:1-33; 2 Peter 2:1-22

And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen. Genesis 45:13 
The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. John 4:23

Just think of the joy brought to Jacob’s heart as he listened to and was enraptured by the stories of the glories of his son Joseph. So our Father in heaven loves to hear from the lips of His redeemed the glories of our heavenly Joseph. Every day we have an opportunity to worship and tell the Father what we think of His Son. Especially today as we gather, remember and worship. —Sid Halsband

But the high mysteries of Thy name, an angel’s grasp transcend;
The Father only—glorious claim! The Son can comprehend. —J. Conder

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 16:41-17:13; Proverbs 14:1-35; 2 Peter 1:1-21

And they were astonished. Mark 1:22
And they were all amazed. Mark 1:27

The people of Capernaum had never heard or seen anything like it. Jesus spoke in the synagogue and taught with great authority. His authority to teach was divine—He was the Son of God. Then they saw His power as He drove out a demon and delivered a man from dark oppression. Jesus rescued that man with divine power—His power as Son of God. It all produced astonished and amazed reactions in the people. Sadly for most it was not translated into true faith. What pleases God is genuine faith in Christ. —Paul Young

In the synagogue He taught them, drove out demons and was praised,
Startled their complacent thinking; all those who beheld Him were amazed. —Paul Young

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 16:1-40; Proverbs 13:1-25; 1 Peter 5:1-14

I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding…it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well. Proverbs 24:30-32

It was a sorry sight! What had gone wrong? Why was there no fruit, no attractiveness, no order? One word supplies the answer—neglect! My heart is challenged to ask: Is this a “parable” of my unfruitful, undisciplined life? Let each believer re-focus his living, not “unto themselves, but unto him” (2 Cor. 5:15). —George Hall

O, ye saints! Arouse! Be earnest! Up and work while yet ‘tis day,
Ere the night of death o’ertake you! Strive for souls while yet you may. —Charles C. Luther

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 15:1-41; Proverbs 12:1-28; 1 Peter 4:1-19

I saw…then I coveted them, and took them. Joshua 7:21

Eve saw a tree that was good for food. She took of the fruit and committed the first sin of disobedience and died spiritually (Gen. 3:6, 3). Achan saw treasure in Jericho, coveted it and took it (Josh. 7:21). He was stoned to death. Jesus saw man’s sinful condition and not willing that any should perish (2 Pet. 3:9). He took the form of a servant and became obedient unto death (Phil. 2:7-8) so that we might be saved from sin and eternal death. —K. C. Ung

I saw One hanging on a tree, in agony and blood,
Who fixed His languid eyes on me, as near His cross I stood.
Thus, while His death my sin displays in all its darkest hue,
Such is the mystery of grace, it seals my pardon too. —John Newton

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 14:1-45; Proverbs 11:1-31; 1 Peter 3:1-22

Cleave to that which is good. Romans 12:9
He (Hezekiah) clave to the Lord, and departed not from following him. 2 Kings 18:6

Hezekiah was a King who clung to the Lord. As a result he was blessed by God and greatly prospered. In fact Hezekiah was the greatest of all the Kings of Judah. There is a great lesson for us here.  If we are to achieve spiritual blessings and prosperity in this life we need to cleave unto Him. —John M. Clegg

Keep us O Lord, O keep us cleaving,
To Thyself and still believing,
Till the hour of our receiving,
Promised joys in heaven. —T. Kelly