Month: January 2024

Genesis 38:1-30; Psalms 15:1-16:11; Matthew 21:33-22:14

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. Philippians 1:29

Did you realize that suffering for Christ is a gracious gift? That God is favouring us by allowing us to feel what He felt? We may not enjoy suffering, but it is not a bad thing. Christ is our example. “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Heb. 5:8). God is teaching us through our suffering for Him. Are we learning obedience? —Warren Hagey

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.  —John H. Sammis

Genesis 37:1-36; Psalms 11:1-14:7; Matthew 21:1-32

Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh? Exodus 3:11
Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. Jeremiah 1:6

How many responsibilities and opportunities have some of us failed to carry out because we decided we were not up to the task? God says that it is not up to us to decide. In Moses’ case God’s reply was, “Certainly I will be with thee” (Ex. 3:12). In Jeremiah’s situation God said, “Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth” (Jer. 1:9). If He opens a door for us; it is not our job to decide if we can succeed. We must simply press on and trust Him to give us grace to finish the race. —Ken Gross

O Master, when Thou callest, no voice may say Thee nay,
For blessed are they that follow where Thou dost lead the way.  —S. Stock

Genesis 36:1-43; Psalms 9:1-10:18; Matthew 20:17-34

For the joy that was set before him endured the cross. Hebrews 12:2

Our Lord Jesus looked beyond His present moment of pain and crucifixion. He looked ahead to the joy that was to be His at the end of His pain and suffering. He knew that His Father had a good and eternal purpose in it all. We need to see things similarly in our own lives. It has been said, “Never judge a tragedy at the moment it is happening”. Our loving Father has a purpose, and we need to trust Him. It is through a daily disciplined life that we develop a
lifestyle of triumph. —Eleanor Isaacson

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of all before the judgment seat;
O be swift, my soul, to answer Him; O be jubilant my feet!
Our God is marching on. — Julia Ward Howe

Genesis 35:1-29; Psalms 7:1-8:9; Matthew 19:16-20:16

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. Revelation 19:13
The Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white. Revelation 19:7-8

Here we behold our Saviour, clothed with blood-stained garments. Here, also, we see ourselves, His church, His bride, clothed with “fine linen, clean and white”! By His death on the cross for our sins, He has cast away the “filthy rags” and dressed us with His own “robe of righteousness” (Isa. 61:10). “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 Jn 1:7). What a wonderful Saviour! —Elizabeth C. Bishop

All these once were sinners, defiled in His sight,
Now arrayed in pure garments in praise they unite! —A.T. Pierson

Genesis 33:18-34:31; Psalms 4:1-6:10; Matthew 19:1-15

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

The essence of a true believer in Jesus Christ is not found in religious works or practices: evangelism, prayer, Bible reading, meditation, giving, charitable works, church attendance. While Scripture encourages the pursuit of such disciplines, these are not what makes a believer. A believer is one who longs for the presence, power and person of Jesus to be alive in them. Their focus is eternity, their gaze is upward, and their desire is for more of Him. Are we true believers in Jesus Christ? If so, we will welcome His promised return with daily expectation. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Come today! —Deborah Manera

The Christian’s great future is before him. Therefore, the whole direction
of the Christian’s look should be forward. —A. W. Tozer

Genesis 32:1-33:17; Psalms 1:1-3:8; Matthew 18:15-35

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14

Yes, how? God sends His preachers out for a specific purpose, to win souls for Him. Are you a preacher? Are you discouraged? Jeremiah wanted to stop preaching (Jer. 20:9) because of persecution. But God’s Word was so deeply embedded in him that he just had to proclaim it. Paul declared, “Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16). Are you ready to give up preaching? Don’t! —K. C. Ung

Lord, send us forth to preach the Word,
Wherever man is found;
Till every soul of Thee has heard,
The whole wide world around. —J. R. Clements

Genesis 31:1-55; Job 42:1-17; Matthew 17:14-18:14

He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run along the hills. Psalm 104:10

We naturally value “mountain top” experiences in our spiritual lives, and we often consider “the valleys” as low points. However, many of God’s children will testify to the fact that the valley experiences make us look to the Lord in our difficulties. These God-given experiences also remind us that it is in the fertile valleys that we grow. —Brian Russell

Down in the valley with my Saviour I would go,
Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters flow;
With His hand to lead me I will never, never fear;
Dangers cannot fright me if my Lord is near.  —William Cushing

Genesis 30:1-43; Job 40:1-41:34; Matthew 16:13-17:13

Trust in the Lord, and do good (then do good). Psalm 37:3

At least ten times the Psalmist admonishes us to put our trust in the Lord. He states that it is far better than putting our trust in men (Ps. 118:8) or government (Ps. 118:9). Trustworthiness is a lost commodity in these tumultuous times. How good to know there is One who is absolutely trustworthy and that He will never disappoint us. Our response is to do good. May He help us to do so today. —Wm. H. Gustafson

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.  —Edgar Stites

Genesis 29:1-35; Job 38:1-39:30; Matthew 15:29-16:12

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10
Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 10:17

In His grace, God promises not to remember any of our sins and not to forget any act of loving service done for Him. How thankful we are that our sins have been dealt with effectively and eternally through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary! How amazed we are that He deigns to remember, and in a coming day reward acts of kindness that have benefited our fellow believers. In ministering to other saints we are ministering to God Himself! —Philip A. Kaye

Go, labour on: spend and be spent,
Your joy to do the Father’s will. —Horatius Bonar

Genesis 28:1-22; Job 36:1-37:24; Matthew 15:1-28

Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. Luke 18:35-38

When the long queue of people wending their way to witness the lying in state of Queen Elizabeth II entered Westminster Hall, they were struck by its grandeur, the sight of precious jewels, and the symbols of authority and power associated with the monarch. Observation showed the queue included a number of blind people. A  commentator remarked that despite their inability to see the grandeur they could still sense greatness. This  happened to Bartimaeus, for while he could not see, he sensed the greatness of the divine passerby as he cried for mercy. Will you today bow the knee and wonder afresh at the majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ? —Brian Powlesland

I know that Thou art nearer still than any earthly throng,
And sweeter is the thought of Thee, than any lovely song.  —Frances R. Havergal