Month: September 2023

1 Kings 22:1-53; Jeremiah 33:1-26; Hebrews 4:14-5:10

A man shall be…an hiding place. Isaiah 32:2
There was found no place for them. Revelation 20:11

Today the Lord wishes to be a hiding place for you and a covering from the fierce tempest of God’s wrath. He longs to satisfy your soul with the water of life and the comfort of sins forgiven. But He will not always be available. After death, the Christ-rejector will find no place of protection. It will be too late. —Arnot P. McIntee

Time is gliding swiftly by,
Death and judgement draweth nigh,
To the arms of Jesus fly, be in time!
Oh, I pray you, count the cost,
Ere the fatal line be crossed,
And your soul in hell be lost, be in time!  —Charles Harrison Mason

1 Kings 21:1-29; Jeremiah 32:26-44; Hebrews 4:1-13

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Psalm 63:1-2

We should train ourselves to think of the things of the Lord, as this shapes our character. We are to present our bodies to the Lord, a living sacrifice and train our minds to be renewed in His things. What we watch, and read, and listen to, shapes how we talk and act. As we follow God with a full heart, He will help us in our daily life and form Christ in us. —G. Frear

O could I find from day to day,
A nearness to my God;
Then should my hours glide sweet away,
As I lean upon His Word. —B. Cleveland

1 Kings 20:1-43; Jeremiah 32:1-25; Hebrews 3:1-19

He saw…an angel of God coming in to him, and saying…call for one Simon…he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. Acts 10:3, 5-6

Angels are used by God to speak to people. Angels told Lot to flee. An angel shut the mouth of the lion for Daniel. An angel came to the young maiden Mary to inform her that she would give birth to the Incarnate Lord. But it was not the angel’s mission to give the way of salvation to Cornelius. They have never been redeemed. We have. What a solemn responsibility and privilege to explain the way of salvation to a seeking sinner. Let us be prepared when
the opportunity comes. —K. J. W.

Though angels may with rapture see, how mercy flows in Jesus’ blood,
It is not theirs to prove, as we, the cleansing virtue of this flood.  —Thomas Kelly

1 Kings 19:1-21; Jeremiah 31:1-40; Hebrews 2:1-18

The former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 NKJV

Many years ago in Largs I was looking over the Firth of Clyde watching a beautiful sunset. Very soon the sun disappeared from sight and the shades of evening came quickly until it was totally dark. The splendour of the moment was gone. I continued to walk along the promenade thinking of that future event that awaits us when “There shall be no night there: they need no lamp or light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign
forever…” (Rev. 22:5). No matter how dark your night is, it is only temporary. Look forward to the time of endless light. —Jim Paul

Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning,
When with our Saviour, heaven has begun.
Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning,
Beyond the sunset when day is done. —Virgil Brock

1 Kings 18:1-46; Jeremiah 30:1-24; Hebrews 1:1-14

Do all things without complaining and disputing. Phil. 2:14 NKJV

Complaining and disputing are incompatible with the mind of Christ Jesus (v. 5). Paul specifically implored Euodia and Syntyche to be of one mind (4:2). Perhaps they were complaining (“I’ve been slighted”) and disputing (“others are getting the credit”). That behaviour hinders our shining “as lights in the world”. In fear and trembling, working to overcome this is crucial to any assembly’s unity. The mind of Christ serves the interests of others (v. 3). For our eternal blessing, the One worthy of the highest esteem humbled Himself even to the death of the cross (v. 8). “Let this mind be in you” (v. 5). —David W. Oliver

May we seek each other’s blessing, one with them, by love entwined.
Through our acts and words confessing, that we prize the Servant’s mind.  —D. W. O

1 Kings 17:1-24; Jeremiah 29:1-32; Philemon 1:1-25

Come and dine. John 21:12
Come…and drink. John 7:37
Come and see. John 1:39
Come unto me. Matthew 11:28

If speaking to the needy sinner about these lovely invitations given by the Saviour, we would tell how the Lord Jesus alone can satisfy the soul that is hungry, thirsty, lonely, and weary. And if presenting these lovely verses to the needy saint, exactly the same would apply. The entertainment and leisure pursuits of this ruined world can never satisfy the soul that has “tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Pet. 2:3). Whether it is for salvation or sanctification, Christ alone can satisfy. —P. Coulson

Now none but Christ can satisfy, none other Name for me!  —Emma Frances Beven

1 Kings 15:33-16:34; Jeremiah 27:1-28:17; Colossians 4:2-18

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death…Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1 Corinthians 15:26, 54-55

Because He took our place on the cross, our Lord Jesus Christ is the victorious Conqueror over death and the grave. Therefore death is no longer the enemy of those who have trusted in Him as Saviour and Lord. We can look forward to being “absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8), as Paul did, “having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better” (Phil. 1:23).  —Elizabeth C. Bishop

Life is real, life is earnest, and the grave is not its goal.
“Dust thou art, to dust returneth,” was not spoken of the soul.  —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

1 Kings 15:1-32; Jeremiah 26:1-24; Colossians 3:5-4:1

That you…may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height, to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge… Ephesians 3:17-19 NKJV

Paul’s desire for us is that we would appreciate the vast extent of Christ’s love. Ephesians gives insight into the dimensions of this love. Here is the width, “We who once were far off have been brought near.” Here is the length, “before the foundation of the world”. The depth is, “He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth.” The height, “He raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places.” —Gary McBride

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure. —S. Townend

1 Kings 13:33-14:31; Jeremiah 24:1-25:38; Colossians 2:8-3:4

What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? Psalm 116:12

There are special days in our lives when we mark milestones or celebrate achievments. But every day is a good day to remember God’s blessings in times past and to commit ourselves to Him for the future. It is a time to recall all His goodness and benefits. The psalmist answers his own question further on in this psalm: “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people” (Ps. 116:17- 18). May we do the same today. —K. C. Ung

Count your blessings,
Name them one by one,
And it will surprise you,
What the Lord hath done. —Johnson Oatman, Jr.

1 Kings 13:1-32; Jeremiah 23:1-40; Colossians 1:21-2:7

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers… Psalm 8:3a NKJV

I never fail to be amazed at the beautiful cloud patterns in the sky. As a friend said to me, “God paints such a beautiful tapestry.” —Janet Fleming

The heavens declare the glory of God, with a beauty that never grows old,
And in each picture God paints above, a different story is told.
In life there are clouds that come along, that sometimes sadden the heart,
When pain and bereavement have touched our way, and our lives are torn apart.
But still, I can trust though my tears may fall; for my life is in God’s hand;
Though now my heart is heavy with pain, yet, one day I’ll understand.   —Janet Fleming