Month: June 2017

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 1:1-18; Hosea 8:1-9:17; Luke 19:29-48

And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their [hypocrisy]. Galatians 2:13

One of the most devastating sins of a local assembly is sanctioned hypocrisy. The word means “to act the part in a play”. The actor pretends to be someone he is not. In the Christian life we are sometimes tempted or perhaps even coerced to “put on a show”. To confront it requires strong honest leadership. Paul was brave enough to challenge the status quo, even his senior brethren and correct it. May the Lord give us the courage and strength to be honest, sincere followers of Him. —Sid Halsband

May the mind of Christ my Saviour, live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling, all I do and say. —Kate B. Wilkinson

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 34:1-12; Hosea 6:4-7:16; Luke 19:1-28

Thou shalt not take the [mother] with the young. Deut. 22:6

God prohibited taking the brooding mother who stayed with her young, despite the danger of encroaching prey. Hers was self-sacrificing love. God rewarded the bird’s devotedness and she was spared. Yet we read, God “spared not his own Son” (Rom. 8:32) that through Him, He might spare every believer from everlasting punishment. He hasn’t spared us from sickness, loss, tragedy and pain. His purpose and will is that through such burdens, we may faintly reflect the self-sacrificing love of our great God and Saviour. Remember that absolutely nothing can happen to the believer but what is the perfect will of God. —Vernon Markle

If here on earth we often tread the path of sorrow,
We know that boundless joy awaits in God’s tomorrow. —Alfredo Colom

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 33:1-29; Hosea 4:1-6:3; Luke 18:15-43

For I know him (Abraham), that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord. Genesis 18:19

Three masons assessed their work as follows: one said he was laying bricks; the second said he was building a wall, while the third demonstrated genuine esteem for his work and said, “I am raising a great cathedral!” If you were asked as to your role as a father, what would you answer? “I’m the provider for my family,” or “I’m there when needed,” or would you say, “I’m seeking to raise a family for God?” Only as you lead by godly example and teach your children the way of the Lord will you raise “temples” for God. —Jim Comte

I am a man appointed by my Saviour,
To show His love in all I do and say. —Jack Hayford

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 32:15-52; Hosea 2:1-3:5 ; Luke 17:20-18:14

And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night. Revelation 14:11

Those who reject God and His offer of salvation will have no rest forever and ever—a most sobering thought. But this is the patience of the saints—that the grace of God gives them rest from working for their salvation, but they have an eternal rest and reward prepared for them. Until then let us labour to enter into that rest, and let us not be weary in well doing. —D. Pickup

Work, for the night is coming, work thro’ the sunny noon;
Fill brightest hours with labour, rest comes sure and soon.
Give every flying minute something to keep in store;
Work, for the night is coming, when man works no more. —Annie Coghill

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 31:14-32:14; Hosea 1:1-11; Luke 17:1-19

Unite my heart to fear thy name. Psalm 86:11

We speak of “undivided attention” in public settings. The audience cannot be listening to both the speaker and the person sitting next to them at the same time. The Scriptures tell us we cannot serve God and
mammon (Matt. 6:24d). Furthermore, we are told that a “double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (Jas. 1:8). And so it is here, the Psalmist links being taught by the Lord and walking in His truth with having a divided heart. Can we be effective for God with a divided heart? —N. C. Funston

Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shalt be.
Perish every fond ambition, all I’ve sought, and hoped and known;
Yet how rich is my condition. God and heav’n are still my own. —H. Lyte

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 30:1-31:13; Amos 9:1-15; Luke 16:1-31

Showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done…that they should make them known to their children…That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God. Psalm 78:4-5, 7

The older generation has the tremendous privilege and responsibility to “train up a child in the way he should go” (Prov. 22:6). Whether our sphere of influence is in the home or the local church, it is incumbent
upon us to reach that younger generation with the gospel and then to give them a biblical foundation on which to build their lives. —W. H. G.
I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me, no turning back. —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 29:1-29; Amos 7:1-8:14; Luke 15:11-32

The tree is known by his fruit…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Mathew 12:33-34
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Hebrews 12:15

You cannot change a sour lemon into a sweet tangerine! The root is what determines the fruit. Is my mouth full of bitter words, complaining and criticizing? Beloved, don’t look at your fellow saints, but go to the root of the problem. Let me check my own heart. Am I giving the Lord, through His Spirit, control of my tongue and indeed each part of my life? —David Croudace

You can only be blessed and have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul. —Elisha Hoffman

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 28:38-68; Amos 5:1-6:14; Luke 14:25-15:10

And, behold, there talked with him two men…of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. Luke 9:30-31
And, behold, two of them…talked together of all these things which had happened…Jesus himself drew near, and went with them…he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:13-15, 27

Both before and after Calvary the Lord Jesus discussed His great salvation work with others. We note there was both interest in heaven, as well as on earth. How interested are we to grasp the true meaning of His momentous work upon the cross? If we will spend time alone with Him, He will surely teach us too. —Pete Smith

O, teach me what it meaneth, that cross uplifted high,
With One—the Man of sorrows, condemned to bleed and die! —L. Bennett

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 28:1-37; Amos 3:1-4:13; Luke 14:1-24

Thus saith the Lord, Because the Syrians have said, The Lord is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the Lord. 1 Kings 20:28

Unbelieving religious minds limit God to certain geographic localities. Shrines, cathedrals, and mosques are thought to be especially near to the Almighty. By contrast, Solomon affirmed that the highest heaven could not contain the Lord’s presence (1 Kgs. 8:27). Stephen agreed, maintaining that He does not live in man-made temples (Acts 7:48). God is spirit and can’t be restricted to one locale. He omnipresently guards His children everywhere. —Keith Keyser

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He’ll make it right. —L. Randle

 

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 26:16-27:26; Amos 1:1-2:16; Luke 13:22-35

Thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. Psalm 80:1 

From that glorious dwelling above, He stooped by incarnation to dwell among men. He was made in the likeness of men. Still lower He bowed, reaching finally the hill Golgotha, the place of the skull, and death on a cross between two thieves. He who dwelt between the cherubims hung crucified between thieves, surrounded by mockers. There was no shining there, only darkness and sorrow. Wonder of wonders, He suffered it all for us! Now exalted to the Father’s right hand in glory, may He receive worship and thanksgiving today from each redeemed heart. —Carl Knott

Lest I forget Gethsemane; lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me, lead me to Calvary. —Jennie Evelyn Hussey