Month: July 2017

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 3:1-21; Isaiah 46:1-13; 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:16

Redeemed…so that your faith and hope are in God. 1 Pet. 1:18, 21

A number of “what” questions are answered in this short section on redemption. We have been redeemed—from what? Our “aimless conduct” (v. 18). We been redeemed—through what? The “blood of Christ” (v. 19). But have you ever considered the following? We have been redeemed—for what? So “that your faith and hope might be in God” (v. 21). In other words, we have all been redeemed for a purpose. There is a point to our salvation. We’re not simply saved from hell, nor just for heaven. The blood of Christ has redeemed us from our aimless conduct and we can focus our faith and hope on God. —N. C. Funston

Redeemed and so happy in Jesus, no language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence with me doth continually dwell. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 2:1-36; Isaiah 44:24-45:25; 2 Cor. 5:11-6:10

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things. Revelation 4:11 
Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood. Rev. 5:9

We know our God created everything and that He deserves praise for who He is—the great Creator God. But when we think of Him being slain for us, our hearts cry out in wonder at what He has done. This creation will pass away but our souls are eternal and His sacrifice provides eternal life. Oh how our praise should flow! —Ken Gross

Worthy, worthy is the Lamb;
Worthy, worthy is the Lamb—that was slain!
Thou redeemst our souls to God;
Thou redeemst our souls to God—by Thy blood. —William Mackey

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 1:1-28; Isaiah 44:6-23; 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10

Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty. Revelation 15:3
For in this mountain shall the hand of the Lord rest. Isaiah 25:10

The Matterhorn is a majestic mountain in the Alps which has captivated the interest of many people over the years. Built into a wall of a railway station overlooking the Matterhorn is a text written in German “Groß und wunderbar sind deine Werke, Herr, allmächtiger Gott.” It means, “Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty.” Whilst we justifiably marvel at the handiwork of God in creation, let us marvel even more that God can rest in what was done on that smaller mountain—Golgotha. —Brian Powlesland

Great God of wonders! All Thy ways display Thine attributes divine;
But the bright glories of Thy grace above Thine other wonders shine. —Samuel Davies

DAILY READINGS: Ruth 3:1-4:22; Isaiah 43:1-44:5; 2 Corinthians 3:1-4:6

Let not your heart be troubled…In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:1-2

Thirty years ago I faced a move of over 2,000 miles. I didn’t know what lay ahead and the thought of a new beginning was overwhelming. But God assured me that He knew what I needed and that He would go ahead of me. Decades later, I can attest to His incredible faithfulness. Are you facing a daunting transition? Don’t let what lies ahead trouble you today. Trust and pray—and let God prepare the way! —Deborah Manera

Brightly doth His Spirit shine, into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall, trusting Jesus, that is all. —E. P. Stites

DAILY READINGS: Ruth 2:1-23; Isaiah 42:1-25; 2 Corinthians 2:1-17

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Another way to translate the “valley of the shadow of death” is as a “valley of deep darkness.” It occurs seventeen times in the Old Testament, and nine of those times are in the book of Job. Perhaps you are not exactly in the valley of the shadow of death, but you are certainly traveling through a very deep darkness. Do not fear. Be comforted. He is still with you! —Lynn Shatford

Under His wings, I am safely abiding;
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me;
I am redeemed, and I am His child. —W. O. Cushing

DAILY READINGS: Ruth 1:1-22; Isaiah 41:1-29; 2 Corinthians 1:1-24

And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. 1 Kings 10:6

The Queen of Sheba was attracted to Solomon by the things that he did and the things that he said. This important order of being known first for works then for speech is confirmed by Luke who summarised his gospel in Acts 1:1 as, “all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” Even if we never speak and only hear, we still have a responsibility for action as James states “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (Jas.
1:22). Let us be identified as belonging to Christ by what we do as well as what we say for His glory. —Dan Coulson

Channels only, blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous power, flowing through us,
Thou canst use us every day and every hour. —Mary E Maxwell

DAILY READINGS: Judges 21:1-25; Isaiah 40:1-31; 1 Corinthians 16:1-24

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 

If we truly desire to follow after Christ it will involve a cost. Many are not prepared to pay it today. It will involve denying ourselves, and setting aside our own interests. It will involve taking up our crosses daily, going forth, and enduring the mockery and jeering of the world around us. It will involve following Him and living our lives by His example. “That [we] may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Phil. 3:10). —Ken Gunnell

So, while here my cross I’m bearing
Meeting storms and billows wild,
Jesus for my soul is caring,
Naught can harm His Father’s child. —Mary E. Servoss

DAILY READINGS: Judges 20:1-48; Isaiah 38:1-39:8; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish. Proverbs 10:3

Our gracious, heavenly Father has made every provision for our souls to be fed. Psalm 23 is replete with descriptions of His rich provision. Green pastures, still waters, restoration and His presence with us, are all available in abundant supply from our Shepherd. There’s no need for our souls to feel famished. He promises that those who seek Him shall not lack any good thing (Ps. 34:10). —E. V.

The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack since I am His,
And He is mine forever. —Henry W. Baker

DAILY READINGS: Judges 19:1-30; Isaiah 37:8-38:1-22; 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the Lord. Gen. 24:48

The posture of worship in the Scriptures often involves the worshipper prostrated on the ground (Gen. 24:26, 52; Matt. 2:11). While we do not have to act that way physically, the attitude of our heart, soul and spirit should be prostration—paying homage and reverence to God. He is Spirit and they that worship Him must do so in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Our approach before Him should reflect this reverent attitude, taking care not to be careless or irreverent. Worship is not for our enjoyment but for His pleasure. —K. C. Ung

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim;
With gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness,
Kneel and adore Him: the Lord is His name! —J. S. B. Monsell

DAILY READINGS: Judges 17:1-18:31; Isaiah 36:1-37:7; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. Psalm 92:4
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the works of our hands. Psalm 90:17

As we consider the wonders of our God’s creatorial handiwork we rejoice at His glory and power. However, those same hands were nailed to a tree, as He suffered for our sins. With what joy we triumph in the victory of Calvary! Today, those mighty, caring hands are able to strengthen our hands in His service. —Pete Smith

May His beauty rest upon me, as I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel, seeing only Him. —Kate Wilkinson