Month: January 2024

Genesis 15:1-16:16; Job 18:1-19:29; Matthew 8:28-9:17

For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother… refresh my heart in the Lord. Philemon 1:7, 20 NKJV

Refreshing the hearts of fellow believers was no small compliment that Paul paid to Philemon. As he interacted with Christians, he brought a calm and rest to their hearts. They felt better after they were with Philemon—more hopeful and positive. Uneasiness, tensions, and anxieties subsided as he lifted their spirits by reassuring them in Christ. Do I drain or refresh others? Let someone know today that they refresh your heart. —Peter Ramsay

O teach me, Lord, that I may teach,
The precious things, Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach,
The hidden depths of many a heart. —F. R. Havergal

Genesis 13:1-14:24; Job 16:1-17:16; Matthew 8:1-27

Demas…my fellowlabourer. Philemon 1:24
Demas. Colossians 4:14
Demas hath forsaken me. 2 Timothy 4:10

These three references to Demas span a time period of five to seven years, and indicate a tragic decline in the enthusiasm and testimony of a dear brother in Christ. The Apostle Paul was a man of high standards, and to be  described by him as “my fellowlabourer” was an accolade indeed. However, the commendations that Paul gave to  others in his final greetings to the Colossians were all absent when he simply mentioned “Demas”. Before long, Demas turned his back on Paul and traded eternal reward for “this present world”. How is our devotion and commitment to the work of the Lord? —Phil Coulson

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

Genesis 11:27-12:20; Job 15:1-35; Matthew 7:7-29

And God spoke…“I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and Jacob…” Exodus 6:2-3 NKJV

Wearied from 430 years in bondage, Israel needed assurance from God and so four times in these verses He says, “I am the Lord”. He reminds them of who He is, God Almighty (vv. 2-3). He promises them redemption (v. 6), and assures them of their relationship to Him (v. 7). He pledges to them their land as a guaranteed heritage (v. 8). We too can become weary, but our promises are even greater! We are “accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6); “kept by the power of God” (1 Pet. 1:5); and have “an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:4). Are you downhearted today? Focus and rest on His sure promises. —Jim Comte

Ev’ry promise in the Book is mine,
All are blessings of His love divine. —Author Unknown

Genesis 10:1-11:26; Job 13:1-14:22; Matthew 6:19-7:6

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory… 2 Corinthians 3:18
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.  Genesis 1:27

God created us to mirror His image in our lives. Christians are represented here, not as persons looking into a mirror, but as themselves the mirrors. First-century mirrors were not glass but metallic: bronze, silver or even gold. The metals were beaten flat and polished by friction to a high gloss. The more the polishing the clearer the reflection. God uses the trials in our lives to polish us to reflect a clearer image of Himself. —Sid Halsband

With faces open, the Lord Spirit see;
As glass reflecting, His likeness bear we. —M. C.

Genesis 8:20-9:29; Job 11:1-12:25; Matthew 6:1-18

What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad? Luke 24:17 NKJV

With sadness, the two on the road to Emmaus were discussing the recent unsettling events in Jerusalem. All their  hope had perished at the cross, when Jesus was crucified. Or so they thought. But God had raised His only Son from the dead! “He is not here, but is risen!” (Luke 24:6). Death could not hold Him and we have the full assurance of eternal life in Him. Rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ. —Annette Baal

Up from the grave He arose;
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign. —R. Lowry

Genesis 7:11-8:19; Job 9:1-10:22; Matthew 5:21-48

Father, forgive them, they know not what they do. Luke 23:34
This man hath done nothing amiss. Luke 23:41
Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43

It was a sombre scene on Mount Calvary. Three men hung on crosses—the Lord Jesus in the centre. During this horrendous event, the two criminals on either side of Him witnessed the glorious attributes of Jesus. They heard He could forgive sins. They saw He was sinless and that He was the giver of eternal life. One chose to trust in the Lord and be with Him in paradise. One did not and would be eternally lost in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15). What is your
choice? —Bob Cretney

Choose now, just now while the call is clear:
Tomorrow may be too late! —Harriet Fithian

Genesis 6:1-7:10; Job 8:1-22; Matthew 5:1-20

They shall enter My sanctuary, and they shall come near My table to minister to Me. Ezekiel 44:16 NKJV

This is a millenial passage. In it, two groups of priests are identified. The first group were “ministers of the house”. Because of previous compromise, they were limited to ministering to the people of God. The other group, the sons of Zadok, had maintained their integrity. God said of them, “They shall come near…to minister to Me”.  The first  group’s ministry was for the people of God. The sons of Zadok had a greater privilege, that of drawing near and worshipping the Person of God. Our work for God’s people is valuable; our worship of God is a higher calling. —Gary McBride

Come, let us sing the matchless worth,
And sweetly sound the glories forth;
Which in the Saviour shine. —S. Medley

Genesis 4:1-5:32; Job 6:1-7:21; Matthew 4:1-25

And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Acts 18:26

Apollos was already a mighty and eloquent man in the Scriptures, but as is always needed, other believers came alongside to further complete his biblical understanding. Only a person’s pride would be offended at such activity. Happily we read that Apollos continued his mighty work, with his message refocused on the person of Christ. May we be receptive to the guidance of mature believers as our Lord leads them to assist us in our own growth. –Rick Morse

Help me to walk aright; more by faith, less by sight;
Lead me with heav’nly light; teach me Thy way!  —B. Mansell Ramsey

Genesis 3:1-24; Job 4:1-5:27; Matthew 3:1-17

By faith Noah…prepared an ark for the saving of his household. Hebrews 11:7 NKJV

Noah had an exceptional connection with God. In a time filled with evil and sin, he alone was righteous. He had the courage to follow God’s instructions, even though he was mocked by society.  He stayed true to his convictions even when many years passed by. Can we be like Noah in these troubled times? Can we stand up for our beliefs among the jeering crowds? I pray that I can be a Noah this year. —Debbie Douglas

We need another Noah,
In this world that is filled with sin,
To point them to the ark of safety
Then compel them to come in.  —Rachel McCutcheon

Genesis 2:4-25; Job 2:11-3:26; Matthew 2:1-23

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9

So spoke Joshua to the nation of Israel as they faced the challenge of entering the land that God had prepared for them. The challenges to possess their inheritance were formidable, involving warfare. But Joshua reminds them that they could not lose, because the Lord was on their side. So it can be as we face the unknown future with its challenges. Let’s step boldly forward knowing that we are on the winning side. —Willie H. Burnett

Press forward and fear not!
Be strong in the Lord,
In the power of His promise,
The truth of His word. —Edward Wakefield