Month: May 2014

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 10:12-11:32; Song of Sol. 1-2:7; Luke 9:18-36

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. 1 Peter 2:21

There are five steps that Christ’s example of suffering gives us:
1. He did no sin (v. 22a).
2. He spoke no deceit (v. 22b).
3. He was reviled but did not revile in return (v. 23a).
4. He suffered, but did not threaten (v. 23b).
5. He committed Himself to God who judges righteously (v. 23c).
We may not naturally choose to suffer, but when we are called to suffer, we have the perfect example to follow! —Rex Trogdon

Then let us follow Christ, our Lord, and take the cross appointed,
And firmly clinging to His Word; in suffering be undaunted. —J. Scheffler

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 9 to 10:11; Eccl. 11-12; Luke 9:1-17

He has sent Me…the garment of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit. Isaiah 61:1, 3 (AMP)

In days of old, many pinned their hopes of untold wealth on the “science” of alchemy—the search for immortality and a method to change base metals into pure gold. What these men sought in vain we enjoy on the highest level. The Lord Jesus says, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish” (John 10:28). And not only that, He also is able to take our ashes and in return give us beauty; He can take our mourning and give us the oil of joy and for that which is intended to work us evil, He can and will work our good. —Marilyn MacMullen

He comes “to bind the brokenhearted”; He comes the fainting soul to cheer;
He gives me “oil of joy” for mourning, and “beauty for ashes” here.
—J. G. Crabbe

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 7:12 to 8:20; Eccl. 9:11 to 10:20; Luke 8:40-56

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee. Isaiah 43:2

What trials or difficulties are you facing today? Often we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed, uncertain or discouraged. Remember that as one of His own, you are not alone. Reflect upon the truth of this promise and note that we are ‘passing through’. Maybe today the waters will become a little shallower for you and the shore draw nearer, but should they deepen further, He’ll still be with you and will never leave you. Eventually you will pass through! —Pete Smith

When the storm is raging round thee,
Call on Me in humble prayer,
I will fold My arms about thee,
Guard thee with the tenderest care. —Author Unknown

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 6 to 7:11; Eccl. 8 to 9:10; Luke 8:22-39

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Martin Luther called John 3:16 the “Miniature Bible”, while Harry A. Ironside referred to it as “The Greatest Text in the Bible”. It was the first verse I ever memorized and God used it more than any other Bible text to bring me to believe in Christ. A young boy, saved through John 3:16 was asked to give a testimony as to what Christ meant to him. He developed the text under four headings: 1. God Said It; 2. Jesus Did It; 3. I Believe It; and 4. That Settles It. What about you? Why not make this text your text now by genuinely believing on Christ? —W. Ross Rainey

God loved the world so that He gave, His only Son the lost to save;
That all who would in Him believe, should everlasting life receive.
—Author Unknown

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deuteronomy 5; Ecclesiastes 7; Luke 8:1-21

But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled. Job 4:5

In the previous verses Job was commended for instructing, upholding and strengthening others. But now sorrow and grief had touched him and he was deeply troubled by it. Isn’t this just how we react? We try to encourage, strengthen and comfort others by the precious words of Scripture, but when sorrow touches us, all too often we reel and falter. We need to go back to those very verses that we showed to others, apply them again and be strengthened by God’s Holy Spirit. —M. Robins

Tho’ I may see but one step at a time,
As up the pathway to glory I climb,
Yet I believe in the promise divine,
His grace is sufficient for me. —C. H. Gabriel

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deuteronomy 4; Ecclesiastes 5-6; Luke 7:30-50

And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David, his father; only he sacrificed and burned incense in high places. 1 Kings 3:3

The problem of divided affection is one that we all have to deal with as we make our way through life. It is so easy to fall into the mindset of loving and serving the Lord on Sunday and then living by the world’s standards during the week. We are not to be pressured by the world into its mold. “Be not conformed.” But rather we are to be the salt and light in our corner of the vineyard. “Be ye transformed” (Rom. 12:2).  —Wm. H. Gustafson

Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Saviour, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free. —J. Edwin Orr

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deuteronomy 3; Eccl. 3:16 to 4:16; Luke 7:1-29

They continued stedfastly…in breaking of bread. Acts 2:42

One gathering of the early church that bound the disciples together and which they observed continually was the breaking of bread. It was in obedience to the Lord’s command that they did so (1 Cor. 11:25, 26). And we continue to obey His request. The bread we break is the symbol of His body given for us. His back was furrowed (Ps. 129:3); His hands and feet were pierced (Matt. 27:35); and finally He cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30). As we break the bread today, let us remember what our Lord went through for us. He was where we should have been. —K. C. Ung

My broken body thus I give—for you, for all. Take, eat, and live.
And oft the sacred rite renew, that brings My saving love to view.
—John Morrison

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deuteronomy 2; Eccl. 2:12 to 3:15; Luke 6:20-49

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. Luke 18:11
For I say…to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. Romans 12:3

Believers who have enjoyed light from God’s Word need to be cautious. A haughty spirit is a real danger. Our attitude will either adorn the doctrine of God and attract people to it, or taint their appreciation and turn people away. If God has revealed some truth to you from His Word, just get on with humbly obeying it, there is no need to condemn others. —Sid Halsband

When, free from envy, scorn, and pride, our wishes all above,
Each can his brother’s failings hide, and show a brother’s love! —J. Swain

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 1; Eccl. 1 to 2:11; Luke 6:1-19

And, behold, thou shalt be dumb…because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. Luke 1:20

Zacharias had prayed for a child. When God gave assurance that He would indeed answer his pray, Zacharias did not believe. But notice the words “fulfilled in their season”. Even though God had answered Zacharias’ prayer, the answer came in its season, in the natural course of events. When we pray and God has given His assurance of an answer, let us be patient, faithfully believing. Our prayer will be fulfilled in its season. —D. Pickup

I believe the answer’s on the way; I believe the Lord has heard me pray.
“Cast not away your confidence,” saith the Lord, our God.
Now by faith in Him alone I stand, firmly held by His almighty hand,
Fully trusting in His promise. Praise the Lord! —Merrill Dunlop