Month: June 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 25:1-26:15; Jonah 3:1-4:11; Luke 13:1-21

Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands. John 19:3, NKJV
As they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they…worshiped Him. Matthew 28:9, NKJV

The Greek word translated “Hail” is often rendered “rejoice.” Pilate had Christ scourged and then his soldiers rejoiced to bash the King of the Jews. In contrast, when the risen Christ met the women leaving his tomb, He said “rejoice” and they worshipped Him. When Christ meets with His people, there is rejoicing and worship, but a cold outcome occurs when He is with those who do not appreciate Him. How are we gathering? —W. A. H.

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, all ye that are upright in heart;
And ye that have made Him your choice, bid sadness and sorrow depart. —Mary E. Servoss

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 23:9-24:22; Jonah 1:1-2:10; Luke 12:41-59

Who gave himself for our sins. Galatians 1:4

I had arrived early for a speaking engagement in south London and so went for a stroll. To my joy there was a huge poster by the main road with the following message: “Happy Easter, Jesus Loves You, He gave all of Himself for all of you.” I have no idea who placed that advertisement but everyone who passed by could see it. It is the wonderful message of the One who loved us and gave Himself for us that we might be saved from sin and its consequences. May we proclaim that glorious truth. —Paul Young

My song is love unknown, my Saviour’s love to me;
Love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely be. —Samuel Crossman

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 22:1-23:8; Joel 3:1-21; Luke 12:22-40

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10-11

It is good that our minds should be fortified in the assurance that the “God of all grace” is actively outworking His eternal purposes to make us sharers of His glory. Right now, there may well be difficulties and sufferings in abundance, but these will pass. No alien force can thwart God’s eternal plan. In light of this, we heartily endorse Peter’s ascription of all glory to our precious Lord. —George Hall

The glory shines before me, I cannot linger here!
Though clouds may darken o’er me, my Father’s house is near. —Hannah K. Burlingham

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 20:1-21:23; Joel 2:1-32; Luke 12:1-21

Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

Have you ever been discouraged? Of course you have. Who hasn’t? David was and his response was to encourage himself in the Lord his God (1 Sam. 30:6). Paul wrote: “Blessed be…the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Cor. 1:3-4). We will always find comfort when we
turn to the Lord, but in His grace He uses our sorrow to prepare us to comfort others. What a good God we serve. —K. C. Ung

Oh, sorrowing mortal, why still despair, the Father will gladly bestow,
A tender compassion for all thy care, a balm for thy every woe. —Thomas P. Westendorf

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 18:9-19:21; Joel 1:1-20; Luke 11:37-54

And the people stood beholding. Luke 23:35

Engraved into the footpath below the iconic Forth Railway Bridge, near Edinburgh, is the inscription “There it stands—complete, matchless—bearing silent witness to man’s skill, resource and indomitable  patience.” This bridge, the product of man’s design and skill, enables people to pass from one place to another. Those who stood by the cross of Jesus, whilst viewing the work of man’s vengeance, were also viewing the work of God’s grace in providing the means for us to pass from death to eternal life. Christ’s work on the cross is matchless and complete. God patiently waits for people to simply believe that Christ died for our sins. —Brian Powlesland

I brought my sins to Jesus, He cleansed them in His blood:
And in the cross of Jesus I found my peace with God. —F. Whitfield

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 17:1-18:8; Obadiah 1:1-21; Luke 11:14-36

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son… Romans 5:10

These three verses describe us in three desperate situations. Yet one Saviour is sufficient for all. We were without strength, helpless; Christ died to be our Helper. We were still sinners; Christ died to be the Healer of our sin-sick souls. We were enemies of God; Christ died to be our Friend and reconcile us to God. —Rex Trogdon

Hallelujah! What a Saviour! Hallelujah! What a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving, He is with me to the end. —J. Chapman

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 16:1-22; Song of Sol. 6:10-8:14; Luke 11:1-13

Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 2 Timothy 2:9

I recently read of believers sending balloons with God’s Word into North Korea. It reminded me again that God’s Word cannot be chained. No land can contain, stamp out, or prevent God’s Word from spreading. Similarly in prison Paul preached the same message as he did outside, only to a different audience. Though believers may be slandered or even unjustly imprisoned, their godly lives and words can still display Christ’s beauty. Whatever our circumstances, let us purpose to persevere for Him, even in our troubles showing that God’s Word is like an unchained lion. —George Ferrier

The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have
to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself. —Charles Spurgeon

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 14:22-15:23; Song of Sol. 5:2-6:9; Luke 10:25-42

He hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:30

The darkness was lifting. Jesus had poured out his soul unto death, and sin’s price had been paid. The last drop of crimson blood was shed. The Victor’s shout carried across the Kidron, and echoed off the massive city wall, “It is finished.” He, thank God, had borne the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors, including you and me. —Arnot P. McIntee

There is a green hill far away, with-out a city wall,
Where God’s dear Son was crucified, who died to save us all. —Cecil Frances Alexander

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 13:1-14:21; Song of Sol. 3:6-5:1; Luke 10:1-24

But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. John 10:38
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. John 14:11

Christ’s works proved His deity and messiahship (John 5:36; 20:30- 31). In the first text, He pointed unbelievers to His works’ evidentiary value; in the second passage, He spoke to believers. His impeccably pure life, coupled with His power to heal, demonstrate to the saved and lost alike that Jesus is true. When doubting, consider His unparalleled deeds and they will strengthen your faith. —K. R. Keyser

Press on, never doubting, thy Captain is near,
With grace to supply, and with comfort to cheer. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 12:1-32; Song of Sol. 2:8-3:5; Luke 9:37-62

The truth which is after godliness. Titus 1:1

“After” means “according to.” In other words, that which produces godliness. As important as truth and sound doctrine are, they mean nothing to us personally unless we are molded by them into godly living. To hold to orthodoxy but have a cold heart or worldly values and lifestyle is to live a giant contradiction, or in other words, hypocrisy. Someone said, “The Bible was not given to merely fill our minds or satisfy our curiosity, but to change our lives.” James 1:22 demands, “But be ye doers of the word.” —Carl Knott

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way,
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. — John Henry Sammis