Month: July 2023

Judges 4:1-24; Isaiah 25:1-12; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. John 2:5

The first miracle by Jesus when He turned water into wine was remarkable for a number of reasons. One of those reasons was the way the servants listened to Mary’s instruction to do whatever Jesus told them to do. It must have seemed madness when He instructed them to fill the water pots with water and it was also an arduous task. Their incredulity can only be imagined when He commanded them to pour out that water to the guests. Yet there
seemed to be no hesitation, just instant obedience. What a challenge for us. Are we eagerly obeying the Lord and doing what He commanded, namely to go into all the world and preach the Gospel? —Paul Young

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

Judges 3:5-31; Isaiah 24:1-23; 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1

The word “Advocate” has the meaning of a defense attorney. The moment a believer sins, our advocate asks the Father to look on Him and to forgive them because of His blood shed at the cross. In Christ’s death the righteous demands of a holy God were fully satisfied. Christ bore the wrath of God for every sin and now every believer is in a position of favor. When the Father looks upon His Son, He is completely satisfied for Christ has fully paid the high
price of salvation. —David A. Dunlap

Because the sinless Saviour died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied;
To look on Him and pardon me. —Charitie Lees Bancrof

Judges 2:6-3:4; Isaiah 22:15-23:18; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

…this do in remembrance of me. Luke 22:19

Following a national appeal in the British press, sufficient funds [£2.3 M] were raised to build a permanent  memorial to all those who lost their lives to Covid-19. The “Remember Me National Memorium” will be a  remembrance space constructed inside St. Paul’s Cathedral. Seating will allow quiet reflection as visitors view the
names of those lost on screens – a virtual book of remembrance. A considerate idea for those bereaved and a lasting memorial to posterity of a terrible affliction. Christians identify with the phrase “Remember Me” as they gather each week to remember the One that wrought a cure for the terrible affliction of sin. —Brian Powlesland

O let Thy love constrain our souls to cleave to Thee!
And ever in our hearts remain that word,“Remember Me!”  —James Deck

Judges 1:1-2:5; Isaiah 21:1-22:14; 1 Corinthians 1:1-31

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4:19

Often it is genuinely asked, “If God is all powerful and loving then why is there so much suffering in the world”? Although it is often a product of sin, suffering is still a difficult subject to come to terms with, especially for those who are in the midst of pain and trial. Why does the Lord allow His people to suffer? We may not know His reason yet, but we do know this. God is kind. God is all powerful and He has a purpose in my suffering. —Sid Halsband

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds ye so much dread,
Are big with mercy, and shall break, in blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face. –William Cowper

Joshua 24:1-33; Isaiah 19:1-20:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21

To seriously lay up treasure, we must act wholeheartedly. This will be impossible to do with our heart in two places. We must all decide where we want our treasure to be—a very difficult thing to do in our affluent and wealth-defined world. As a result of deciding where we will lay up treasure, we’ll know where our heart is too. Any treasure on earth will be left behind. Our heavenly treasure will abide eternally. —Ken Gross

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art,
Thou my best thought, by day or by night;
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.  —Irish Hymn, 8th Century

Joshua 23:1-16; Isaiah 17:1-18:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

The secret things belong unto the Lord our God… Deut. 29:29
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Life is filled with the complexities of the unknown and the unknowable. We don’t understand and can’t understand the many “whys” of life. But our God is all-knowing, He is the Incomprehensible God. We can trust Him and can we not thank Him that, the “secret things” belong to Him? We are so finite, limited, and weak that we can never fathom, understand, nor appreciate the heart, the mind, and the ways of the Eternal. —Jim Comte

He knows, He loves, He cares; nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those, who leave the choice to Him. —Unknown

Joshua 22:1-34; Isaiah 15:1-16:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

When there is conflict in the local church, or among believers, we should try to bring peace. This does not mean taking sides or forcing my views on others, but approaching the matter in an attitude of holiness and awe, so that God’s will may be done. Neither should it be “peace at any price”, as that could mean compromise. But it must be a peace arrived at by prayer and based clearly upon the Word of God. —David Croudace

We long to live Your way, O Lord;
To see relationships restored;
May we, in all we say and do,
Seek peace and thereby honour You.   —Carolyn Gillette

Joshua 20:1-21:45; Isaiah 14:1-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality. 2 Corinthians 8:14

Here is wonderful instruction about giving. We should be ready to give, though unfamiliar with the recipient. We should also be ready to graciously receive, to allow the fulfillment of another’s call to give. Giving is not limited to money. We can minister through words of salvation or wise counsel; a measure of love, mercy or grace; a moment’s
compassion or a lifetime’s patience. We can be treasured channels, supplying and receiving Christ’s riches through which His peoples’ needs will never exceed His abundance. —David J. Reed

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

Joshua 18:1-19:51; Isaiah 13:1-22; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18

My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.  Job 16:20

Poor Job. Everyone seems to have forsaken him and no-one appears to understand his predicament, but in his suffering and sorrow, he remembers there is one that cares—his God. Remember every tear drop is collected in God, our Father’s bottle (Ps. 56:8). He knows; He cares; He will deliver. —Brian Russell

How good is the God we adore!
Our faithful, unchangeable friend:
His love is as great as His pow’r,
And knows neither measure nor end.  —Joseph Hart

Joshua 16:1-17:18; Isaiah 11:1-12:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:13

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. Psalm 33:1 NKJV

Few of us possess artistic skill like Beethoven or Rembrandt, but this verse reveals something beautiful that believers can do: praise the Lord! Knowing Christ as our Lord and Saviour, the Spirit indwells us, and enables true worship for Him (John 4:24). We can also praise Him, that is, glorify Him for His works. He died on the cross to save us, triumphantly rose from the dead, and ascended to the universe’s pinnacle of power and honour. Now He ceaselessly
functions as our Mediator, Advocate, and High Priest. Truly, we shall eternally sing and speak of His deeds. —Keith R. Keyser

Strength that never can decay, song that ceaseth never:
Still to us this strength and song, through eternal days prolong.  —Horatius Bonar