Month: January 2025

Genesis 27:1-46; Job 34:1-35:16; Matthew 14:13-36

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Spirit had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen. Acts 1:1-2

Notice the example that our Saviour set here—doing and teaching. See the consistency in the life of the Lord—until the day in which He was taken up. There was never a hiatus in His work! Notice the continuation of the work after He was taken up, “He was received up into heaven…And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following” (Mark 16:19-20). The Lord has left us an example that we should follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). —L. Cain

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be, swift and beautiful for Thee. —F. R. Havergal

Genesis 26:1-35; Job 32:1-33:33; Matthew 13:44-14:12

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father? Matthew 10:29

When you are going through adverse circumstances and wonder whether God knows and cares, read this verse. You are infinitely more valuable to the Lord than a sparrow! Remember the Lord knows intimately about your problems and circumstances and will help. Yes, with millions of Christians needing the Saviour’s intervention it is difficult to understand this, but it is true. Look up, not down or around, and trust Him. —Brian Russell

The Lord is my shepherd, no want shall I know.
He makes me lie down where the green pastures grow.
He leads me to rest where the calm waters flow.  —Scottish Psalter

Genesis 25:1-34; Job 31:1-40; Matthew 13:24-43

Abraham rose up early in the morning…and went unto the place of which God had told him. Genesis 22:3
Abraham…saw the place afar off. Genesis 22:4
They came to the place which God had told him…and [he] bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar. Genesis 22:9
When they were come to the place…called Calvary. Luke 23:33

Oh how “the place” Abraham brought his son speaks to us of “the place,” God brought His Son. God said to Abraham, “Take now thy son, thine only son, Isaac”—the son of promise, his greatest hope, his very life! This was an act of implicit obedience to God and the response of a devoted worshipper. May we worship in the same fashion today. —Jim Comte

Calvary! O Calvary! Mercy’s vast unfathomed sea,
Love, eternal love to me. Savior, we adore Thee! —S. Trevor Francis

Genesis 24:1-67; Job 29:1-30:31; Matthew 13:1-23

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11 NKJV

There from the Mount of Olives, the Lord Jesus ascended and went back to be with the Father. While the disciples watched, the angels delivered the blessed reminder, He is coming back again! Do we need this same reminder today? Be assured, dear saint, He who is coming will not tarry. The prophecies declare it, the apostles proclaimed it, the angels announced it, and He Himself has promised, “I will come again.” — 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

Genesis 23:1-20; Job 27:1-28:28; Matthew 12:22-50

He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom. Isaiah 40:11
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. John 13:23

Believers journey through this life beneath the shadow of His wings (Ps. 91:1, 4). But when we become weary, our Shepherd lifts us to His shoulders (Luke 15:5). There we rest between His mind and heart, as objects of His thoughts and affections. In perilous times, He gathers and cradles His lambs in His arms; and when hearts yearn for intimacy, He invites us to recline with Him. He is our rest as He leads us home. —David J. Reed

He knows, and cares,
Each burden He bears.  —Arthur E. Smith

Genesis 22:1-24; Job 25:1-26:14; Matthew 12:1-21

Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. Proverbs 23:5 NKJV

How much is enough? I know people who have more money than they’ll ever spend and yet they are still not happy. So what is the right amount? John D. Rockefeller was asked, “How much is enough?” He answered, “Just a little bit more.” Being industrious is good, but taking on excessive workloads to accumulate more riches is unwise. Paul wrote, “Command those who are rich in this present age not…to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who
gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17). —Sid Halsband

I tried the broken cisterns, Lord, but, ah, the waters failed;
E’en as I stooped to drink they fled, and mocked me as I wailed.  —Emma F. Bevan

Genesis 20:1-21:34; Job 23:1-24:25; Matthew 11:2-30

We…are changed into the same image from glory to glory.  2 Corinthians 3:18 

What a moment when Moses said to the Lord, “Show me thy glory” (Ex. 33:18). He saw God’s glory, but not His face—a limited revelation. After spending 40 days on the mountain with God, his face shone with a fading glory. In our Saviour— God manifest in the flesh—we see “the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). Beholding Him in His Word, in a wonderful way we are transformed “from glory to glory.” May that be our daily experience. —David W. Oliver

That I might know Thee, humbly I pray,
“Show me Thy glory” day after day.
Change me, that in this vessel of clay,
Reflected glory, Thou wilt display. —D. W. O.

Genesis 19:1-38; Job 22:1-30; Matthew 10:24-11:1

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 NKJV
I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation. Psalm 40:10 NKJV

At first glance, the above verses may seem to contradict each other, but closer reflection reveals otherwise. The first verse indicates a personal passion for storing up God’s Word in our hearts. In the second verse, we see that this results in a desire to proclaim abroad His salvation and faithfulness to all, because it’s too amazing to be kept hidden! May we deposit God’s Word in the storehouses of our hearts, so His truth and loving kindness overflow to everyone we meet. —E. V.

Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As once You broke the loaves beside the sea. —Mary A. Lathbury

Genesis 18:1-33; Job 21:1-34; Matthew 10:1-23

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 NKJV

Many read this verse and think of physical death, but the phrase “shadow of death” also has other connotations. Besides physical death, it also could mean moments of dark isolation, sadness, or fear. Perhaps you are lonely today, feeling adrift on a sea of great sadness. Fear not. The Shepherd is with you. Jesus walked alone through a valley we will never comprehend, and He understands our sorrow. Turn your eyes to Him, and know that you are never
alone as you travel through the valley. —Alyssa Gee

Fear not, loved one; hear My comfort: none can pluck you from My hand.
Trust Me, loved one; I am constant, none can change what I have planned.
—Chris Anderson

Genesis 17:1-27; Job 20:1-29; Matthew 9:18-38

For the Father seeketh such to worship him. John 4:23
His servants shall serve him. Revelation 22:3

Worship should be a vital part of every Christian’s life. The Lord Jesus pointed out to the Samaritan woman (John 4) that God is seeking worshippers. One author has said, “Worship is the total adoring response of ‘man’ to the eternal God and should be personal and passionate.” Worship is not just for today. It will be our wonderful occupation in heaven (Rev. 22). Come and worship Him today! —Bob Cretney

Father we worship Thee,
Thro’ Thy beloved Son;
And by the Spirit, now draw near,
Before Thy holy throne.  —Alfred P. Gibbs