Month: September 2023

1 Kings 12:1-33; Jeremiah 21:1-22:30; Colossians 1:1-20

How say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 1 Corinthians 15:12

The explosion of social media has glorified popular opinion like never before. User reviews, five-star ratings, and the number of “likes” obtained have somehow become the method of evaluating the worth of anyone or anything. Popular opinion has never enthroned or embraced our Lord Jesus. Just because many “say something among us” doesn’t make it true, no matter how popular it is. May we be delivered from measuring anything by personal opinion, and be much wiser by appealing to the infinite wisdom of God in all things.  —Rick Morse

The Word of God! Its light faileth never;
The Word of God, what treasure I find.  —Arthur E. Smith

1 Kings 11:1-43; Jeremiah 19:1-20:18; Philippians 4:2-23

But though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

As the days and weeks turn into years it becomes clear that our bodies are aging and losing strength. Though nothing can be done to reverse this natural process, it need not determine the outcome of our inner man. It has the potential to be renewed day by day. Paul’s prayer for the believers was that they be “strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Eph. 3:16). This daily renewal is available to all who spend quality time with the Lord. —E.V.

Swift to its close, ebbs out life’s little day,
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see,
O Thou who changest not, abide with me. —Henry F. Lyte

1 Kings 10:1-29; Jeremiah 18:1-23; Philippians 3:1-4:1

Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1:16 NKJV

We can easily deceive ourselves into thinking we can’t be easily deceived. But are we? Take this little test to find out (look up the verses!). Is there a disconnect between the faith I profess and the life I live (1 Jn. 3:7)? Do I base my decisions on worldly wisdom rather than godly discernment (1 Cor. 3:18)? Do I think my “moral environment” has no impact on my character (1 Cor. 15:33)? Do I disregard the potential consequences of my actions (Gal. 6:7)? Do I
rationalize sin so that it doesn’t seem like sin (1 Jn. 1:8)? If the Word has exposed an area of concern, let’s get alone with the One who is the Truth and let Him align our mind with His. This is the best safeguard against deception. —Brian Cretney

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God has willed His truth, to triumph through us. —M. Luther

1 Kings 9:1-28; Jeremiah 17:1-27; Philippians 2:12-30

Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death”, that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die. John 18:31b-32

John recorded three occasions when our Lord Jesus spoke concerning His death. He stated that He would be lifted up, meaning death by crucifixion (John 3:14, 8:28, 12:32). When Pilate told the Jews to take Christ and judge Him, they refused. Their form of execution would have been stoning, but the prophets and divine record foretold a cross. He was the only One who would die for us and crucifixion was the only way He could give Himself for us. —Rex Trogdon

Lifted up was He to die,
It is finished was His cry;
Now in heaven exalted high:
Hallelujah! What a Saviour! —Philip P. Bliss

1 Kings 8:31-66; Jeremiah 16:21; Philippians 1:21-2:11

Christ sent me…to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 1 Cor. 1:17

When I preach the Gospel it must be clear and simple, so that the youngest can understand that all have sinned—that God loves every sinner; that the Lord Jesus shed His blood on the cross to pay for our sins and that He was raised from the dead, and overcame Satan. That He now calls all who genuinely desire to turn to God from their sin (that is repentance), to depend upon Christ and His shed blood (that is faith), and receive Him into their hearts, (that is the prayer of faith), to forgive them and deliver them from the power of their sin. —David Croudace

Tell me the old old story, of Jesus and His love,
Tell me the story simply, as to a little child,
For I am weak and weary, and helpless and defiled. —K. Hankey

1 Kings 8:1-30; Jeremiah 15:1-21; Philippians 1:1-20

And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre. Luke 23:53

Though not one word is recorded that Joseph spoke, his actions showed that he had a tremendous appreciation of the Saviour. Evil hands had placed the Lord upon a cross and now the loving hands of Joseph would take Him down. It cost Joseph a lot to do what he did. It cost him his reputation in the eyes of men, it cost him his religious standing, disqualifying him from the upcoming Passover celebration (Num. 9:6). Materially, it cost him as well giving up his
own tomb. It still is costly to follow the Saviour, but do you think for a moment Joseph regretted it? – John M Clegg

Jesus, we ne’er can pay, the debt of love we owe,
Yet grant us day by day, our gratitude to show. – S. Stennett

1 Kings 7:1-51; Jeremiah 14:1-22; Ephesians 6:10-24

Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. Luke 24:15

Luke 24 is a chapter of wonderful contrasts. It moves from broken hearts, to burning hearts (v. 32); from blinded eyes (v. 16), to opened eyes (v. 31); from misunderstanding (v. 21), to understanding the Scriptures (v. 45); from leaving Jerusalem, the place associated with all their depression and discouragement (v. 13), to returning to Jerusalem, and being in the temple praising and blessing God (vv. 52-53). These remarkable changes took place when Jesus drew near, and they had confessed all their doubts, fears, and disappointments to Him (vv. 20-25). Surely this is the panacea that discouraged and depressed saints need today. To pour out all our anxieties, doubts, fears and cares to Him, and allow Him to comfort and console. —Willie H. Burnett

Oh what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer. —J. Scriven

1 Kings 6:1-38; Jeremiah 13:1-27; Ephesians 5:22-6:9

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17

When we are rejoicing, singing a hymn of praise to the King is always appropriate. We are saved by abundant grace through faith in Him. Following salvation, God continues to work in us by His power and the authority of our King will never diminish. Giving Him honour in a hymn goes beyond mere words expressing our gratitude for all of this. God finds great value in our praise and adoration, as we give voice to our joy in God. This too will be our eternal privilege. —Gaius C. Goff

Awake, my soul! Not only passive praise
Thou owest! Not only swelling tears!
Voice of sweet song! Awake, my heart, awake!  —Samuel T. Coleridge

1 Kings 4:1-5:18; Jeremiah 12:1-17; Ephesians 5:1-21

So the woman (Hannah) went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. 1 Samuel 1:18

Hannah poured her heartaches out to God in prayer. There was nothing she could do about her barrenness unless God intervened. She chose to trust God, and demonstrated that trust through her demeanour. When we commit our way to God, trusting that He will work things out for our best, our demeanour too should change. No longer downcast, or sad, or hopeless, there should be a swing in our step and a boisterous confidence that exclaims—my
God is greater than all these things! And friend, He is greater than all these things. Trust Him today! —Deborah Manera

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

1 Kings 3:1-28; Jeremiah 11:1-23; Ephesians 4:17-32

And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles…Be not ye afraid of them. Nehemiah 4:14

Nehemiah understood the value of encouragement. It is easy to be critical and negative in our attitude to fellow believers, especially the weaker saints. Do not forget. The gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:28 include “helps”. Your helping hand can be used by the Lord more than a long sermon. Your word of encouragement could well lift the spirit of a fellow saint and help them realise they have something to offer. This will also strengthen and encourage
you. —Brian Russell

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