Month: June 2024

Deuteronomy 25 to 26:15; Jonah 3 to 4; Luke 13:1-21

Jesus began to say unto the multitudes… Matthew 11:7
Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well:…Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. John 4:6-7

A preacher said to me recently, “I am used to speaking to large crowds, but because of the recent health restrictions, I have become frustrated in sharing God’s Word”. The Lord did indeed speak to
large groups, but He also spoke to individuals about worship (John 4), being born again (John 3) etc. We must seize every opportunity the Lord opens to us, whether it is a large congregation or one on one, to share the glorious and transforming power of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15). —Bob Cretney

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Tell them of Jesus; the mighty to save. —Fanny Crosby

Deuteronomy 23:9 to 24:22; Jonah 1 to 2; Luke 12:41-59

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. Ephesians 3:10

The majesty of the stars and the earth are not “exhibit A” in the eternal display of God’s incomparable wisdom; it is the church that demonstrates His brilliance! It is astonishing that He unites Jews and Gentiles—sinners of all descriptions—to Himself in holiness and love in the Body of Christ. What is more, He conforms them to His Son’s glorious image and involves them in the universe’s administration (Rom. 8:18-39). This all stems from Christ’s sacrificial death, victorious resurrection, and glorious ascension. —Keith R. Keyser

Soon, soon shall come that glorious day, when, seated on Thy throne,
Thou shalt to wondering worlds display, that Thou with us art one. —J. G. Deck

Deuteronomy 22 to 23:8; Joel 3; Luke 12:22-40

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1

The Lord Jesus warned that in the end times men’s hearts will fail them for fear of what is coming (Luke 21:26). What is the answer to troubled hearts? Trusting hearts. We can take God at His word and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, scoffers will come in the last days saying, “Where is the promise of his coming?” The promise is sure. Jesus said, “I will come again” (John 14:3). As believers, there’s nothing troubling us that the rapture won’t cure. —Rex Trogdon

Lord Jesus, I am waiting, waiting Thy dear face to see;
Resting on Thy promise, Thou shalt come again for me;
Joy of Thy returning, wondrous meeting in the air,
Wonder of all wonders, I’ll be there! —David Penman

Deuteronomy 20 to 21; Joel 2; Luke 12:1-21

Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. 1 Peter 2:21

When I began to read Freedom at Midnight, an account of India’s independence from British rule, I saw a quote by Mahatma Gandhi: “The whole world would be Christian if Christians were only more like their Christ”. Whilst the accuracy of the statement can be challenged, the inherent rebuke should be acknowledged. Peter was writing about believers suffering wrongfully—one of the greatest tests we can face. He pointed to the great exemplar, the Lord Jesus, and directed us to follow Him. Ironically, another man called Gandy encapsulated that example in the words below. —Phil Coulson

By weakness and defeat, He won the glorious crown;
Trod all His foes beneath His feet by being trodden down.
—Samuel Gandy

Deuteronomy 18:9 to 19:21; Joel 1; Luke 11:37-54

There fell down many slain. 1 Chronicles 5:22
Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood. Revelation 5:9

Eighty years ago today almost 4,500 allied soldiers were killed on the beaches of Normandy, France as the D-Day invasion took place. Thousands more were killed in the days that followed before World War II was brought to an end. The sacrifice of those soldiers was with a view to defeating the enemy and restoring freedom to Western Europe. Almost 2,000 years ago our Lord Jesus Christ gave His life in an even greater cause, for the eternal blessing in salvation of repentant sinners. His was the ultimate sacrifice at Calvary. Have you by faith come into the good of His great work? —Philip A. Kaye

Trust now in the crucified Saviour,
Salvation He offers to you. —S. M. Sayford

Deuteronomy 17 to 18:8; Obadiah; Luke 11:14-36

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13 NKJV

This verse is familiar to many but often taken out of context and applied to many circumstances. The immediate context has to do with contentment. Paul has just mentioned two contrasting conditions, having plenty and suffering need. It is often human nature to want more material wealth and goods. Paul states that in either condition he learned to be content. This is where the strength that Christ gives comes into operation; we can be content even in materialistic cultures because He gives us the strength. It becomes a matter of focus and attitude, content within His care. —Gary McBride

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace. —H. Lemmel

Deuteronomy 16; Song of Solomon 6:10 to 8:14; Luke 11:1-13

For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. Romans 5:15

Life’s experiences test our patience, but are often opportunities for spiritual growth that work to bring us to maturity. This process brings joy that doesn’t depend on comfortable circumstances. God’s grace changes potential weakness into strength that builds character, trust in God and confidence for the future. Adverse circumstances produce strong faith. Strong faith produces grace in the soul. Grace in the soul produces glory for God. —Gaius C. Goff

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear. —Annie Johnson Flint

Deuteronomy 14:22-15:23; Song of Solomon 5:2-6:9; Luke 10:25-42

For this is all my salvation and all my desire. 2 Sam. 23:5 NKJV

Do our hearts not rejoice as we read these words of David, spoken as his life was ending? For indeed, all our salvation and all our desire is encompassed in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is indeed “all and in all” (Col. 3:11) and in Him we are complete (Col. 2:10). What is missing in your life today? You can find all rest, peace, comfort, strength, endurance and joy in Jesus Christ. Through Him, God has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness”
(2 Peter 1:3). —Annette Baal

With such a blessed hope in view,
We would more holy be,
More like our risen, glorious Lord,
Whose face we soon shall see.  —Robert Boswell

Deuteronomy 13:1-14:21; Song of Solomon 3:6-5:1; Luke 10:1-24

And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49 NKJV 

Our Lord’s first recorded words are two questions. At 12 years old He respectfully asked them to Joseph and His mother after they found Him in the temple. Inherent in these questions was a proclamation that He was God’s Son and that He had come into the world to do His Heavenly Father’s will. This led to the cross where His last words announced His finished work, committing His Spirit into His Father’s care until His glorious resurrection.
Worship Him for His completed work today! —George Ferrier

As Lamb of God, Thy path we view,
Thy Father’s will, Thy whole delight;
To Calvary we trace Thy way,
Each step of Thine, with glory bright. —Inglis Fleming

Deuteronomy 12:1-32; Song of Solomon 2:8-3:5; Luke 9:37-62

You have kept the good wine until now! John 2:10 NKJV

Dear reader, do you think that surrendering to Jesus is going to doom you to a life of boredom? There’s an important lesson for you in this first miracle Jesus performed. Typically, the “best” wine was served at the beginning of wedding receptions in Jesus’s day (see vv. 9-10). Yet what Jesus provided at the end was better than their very best. Life application: Don’t be fooled into thinking this world can make you happy. What Jesus offers is better than the best
this world has to offer. The world promises happiness, but it’s only temporary and leaves the bitter aftertaste of shame and regret. “The blessing of the Lord,” however, “makes one [spiritually and eternally] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it” (Prov. 10:22). —Brian Cretney

Blessings abound where’er He reigns: the prisoners leap to lose their chains,
The weary find eternal rest, and all who suffer want are blest. —Isaac Watts