Month: June 2023

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

There was a man…There was a day. Job 1:1, 6

The record of Job begins with two statements that remind us of our frailty, a man; and our brevity, a day. The psalmist declared, “Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor” (Ps. 39:5). Then he adds, “Selah”, which should give us pause. When it comes to our days, they are like grass which, if I may paraphrase, is sown, grown, mown, and blown (Ps. 103). Death is no respecter of age. God’s invitation to salvation is now and today. Don’t wait! (2 Cor. 6:2).
—Rex Trogdon

Life at best is very brief, like the falling of a leaf,
Like the binding of a sheaf, be in time.
Fleeting days are telling fast, that the die will soon be cast,
And the fatal line be passed, be in time.  —Charles H. Mason

Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Hosea 6:4-7:16; Luke 19:1-28

And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s. 1 Samuel 17:47

While serving as a shepherd, facing a lion and a bear, David had no idea he was being prepared to fight a giant. When you and I are in the midst of our preparation, we rarely see how God is going to use it. Testing times are preparation times! David had no thought of fear as he responded to the giant’s curses. He had complete faith that the battle is the Lord’s and He would give the victory.  —Sid Halsband

The battle is the Lord’s! Not ours in strength or skill,
But His alone, in sovereign grace, to work His will.
Ours, counting not the cost, unflinching, to obey;
And in His time His holy arm, shall win the day. —M. Clarkson

Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Hosea 4:1-6:3; Luke 18:15-43

The Father loveth the Son. John 3:35

The first mention of love in the Scriptures is not used in connection with a mother’s love for her children, or a  husband’s love for a wife. It is used in connection with a father’s love for his son (Gen. 22:2). The love Abraham had for Isaac was real and true, yet when we consider the love of God for His Son, how much greater that was. There came a time when Abraham’s son was spared, but God “spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all” (Rom. 8:32). —John M. Clegg

Blessed be God, our God,
Who gave His well-beloved Son,
The gift of gifts, all other gifts in one;
Blessed be God, our God. —Horatius Bonar

Deuteronomy 32:15-52; Hosea 2:1-3:5 ; Luke 17:20-18:14

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Whatever Paul’s affliction, he embraced God’s will for it. As opposed to healing, it was to be a constant reminder of his need for God’s sufficient grace. When we pray for ourselves or others about an illness or matter of grave importance, do we pray for an answer that coincides with our own wisdom, or simply “your will be done”? The prayer of faith longs for God’s will. But it is a process and faith does not grow when we do not continue in prayer
long enough to discover God’s mind. May we pray for His will and accept it when He shares it with us. —K.J.W.

More about Jesus let me learn, more of His holy will discern:
Spirit of God, my teacher be, showing the things of Christ to me.—E. Hewitt

Deuteronomy 31:14-32:14; Hosea 1:1-11; Luke 17:1-19

Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2 NKJV

A grapevine, more than most plants, needs a vinedresser. It cannot stand upright like other fruit trees and requires a skillful hand to guide its growth. While cutting and pruning is drastic, it encourages new growth in the plant. The vinedresser clips even a fruitful branch, that it might bear more abundant fruit. God will not cut you back so much that you are broken beyond the ability to grow, nor will He quench you to the point that you give up and quit. You and I can trust the divine Gardener to skillfully, personally, lovingly, and effectively prune the “vines” of our lives. —David A. Dunlap

Abiding in Christ is the wholehearted surrender,
in everything to do His will. —Andrew Murray

Deuteronomy 30:1-31:13; Amos 9:1-15; Luke 16:1-31

If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. Exodus 33:15

This should be the ongoing prayer of every believer. Whatever we do in life, whatever we commit to, follow, enjoy, pursue and spend time, money and energy on—should have the approval and blessing of God upon it. Many a heartache could be prevented if we prayed first. Many sleepless nights could be avoided if we sought the Lord’s will before making decisions. I have never regretted waiting upon the Lord for His direction. In all our ways, let us acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths, for His glory and our best! —Deborah Manera

When I cannot understand my Father’s leading…
Still I hear that gentle whisper ever pleading,
“God is working, God is faithful, only wait.”  — L.B. Cowman

Deuteronomy 29:1-29; Amos 7:1-8:14; Luke 15:11-32

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth… Eccl. 12:1

Dear young person, what do all these items have in common? Superman, the trampoline, the snowmobile, Christmas lights, earmuffs and popsicles. They were all invented by teenagers! Perhaps, by comparison, your life feels  humdrum. But there is one thing you can do that far surpasses all of these achievements. “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth…” (Eccl. 12:1). Such is the advice of King Solomon who was industrious, successful and wealthy. He had it all! But, it all pales in comparison to knowing and loving our Creator-God. Doing this “now”, in the days of your youth, will set the trajectory of your life in a way that will help you accomplish things that hold significance, not only for time but for eternity. —Brian Cretney

Remember your Creator, in the precious years of youth,
Learn early to allow your God to guide you in His truth. —B.C.

Deuteronomy 28:38-68; Amos 5:1-6:14; Luke 14:25-15:10

Shunem, where was a great woman…she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God. 2 Kings 4:8-9

What a combination! She was a great woman and he a holy man of God. This was God’s assessment of a woman who lived in Shunem (meaning “double rest”), and Elisha, a holy man, who knew fellowship with God. Little wonder God used them both in raising a dead boy to life. May you and I know the joy and confidence of the “double rest” of His redemptive work and fellowship with our Father. Then we will be in a condition where He can use us in His life-giving work. —Arnot P. McIntee

To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill;
Oh may it all my powers engage to do my Master’s will.  —Charles Wesley

Deuteronomy 28:1-37; Amos 3:1-4:13; Luke 14:1-24

He is your praise. Deuteronomy 10:21 NKJV

What a wonderful statement! It reminds us of the Lord’s declaration: “But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me…” (Jer. 9:24 NKJV). Man finds much to boast about in the secular world. But in terms of eternity, knowing God is all that really matters. Life is brief. Eternity is forever. Do you know Him? —Annette Baal

All the way my Saviour leads me.
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His faithful mercies?
Who through life has been my Guide.  —Fanny J. Crosby

Deuteronomy 26:16-27:26; Amos 1:1-2:16; Luke 13:22-35

Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? Mark 14:61
Art thou the King of the Jews? John 18:33

The Lord Jesus submitted to three stages of “trial” before the Jews, and to three at the hands of the Romans. Tried before Annas (John 18:12-14, 19-23), Caiaphas (Mark 14:53-65) and the Sanhedrin (Luke 22:66-71), the question asked by these religious authorities was “Art thou the Christ?” (Luke 22:67). When examined by the civil authorities, twice before Pilate (John 18:28-38, 18:39-19:16) and also by Herod (Luke 23:6-12), their question was “Art thou the King of the Jews?”. The Lord was not condemned by men for anything He had done, but for who He was. —Phil Coulson

Cross and crown rehearse the story, joyous sound this note abroad,
Calvary’s Victim now adorns the throne of God.  —Marianne Nunn