Month: June 2014

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 13; Isaiah 9:8 to 10:4; Luke 24:36-53

He measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; and she went into the city.  Ruth 3:15
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.  Psalm 68:19

In days of turmoil and stress it is encouraging to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, “All these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). The prerequisite is seeking God first. As David so simply states in today’s second verse, the daily blessing of salvation is enough to cause  thanksgiving from us, yet He loads us with so much more. —Wm. H. Gustafson

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His pow’r has no boundaries known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again. —Annie J. Flint

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 11-12; Isaiah 8:5 to 9:7; Luke 24:13-35

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts:… Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone. Isaiah. 6:3, 5

When confronted with the blazing holiness of God, Isaiah concluded that he was undone. When we view ourselves in honesty, we must rapidly come to the same conclusion. Paul’s assessment regarding himself was that he was the “chief of sinners”. But writing to the Ephesians, he states that because of Calvary we have graciously been made to be partakers of the Beloved. “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6). It took a mighty work at Calvary, but guilty sinners are made acceptable to a thrice holy God. Let us remember His person and work today. —Ken Gross

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed by His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am.
—Fanny Crosby

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 10; Isaiah 7 to 8:4; Luke 23:47 to 24:12

The place…  John 18:2; 19:13, 17, 41; Matthew 28:6

“The place” is a phrase that appears more than a few times in our Bible, but none so striking as these five place markers where we should pause, ponder, and worship. Gethsemane: A place of sorrow where Jesus prayed and wept (John 18:2). Gabbatha: A place of scorn where He was condemned (John 19:13). Golgotha: A place of shame where Jesus bore our sins in His own body on the cross (John 19:17). A Garden: A place of silence, waiting three days (John 19:41). Glory: “Come see the place where the Lord lay” (Matt. 28:6). A place that confirmed full salvation by our risen Saviour! —Rex Trogdon

To Calv’ry, Lord, in spirit now, our grateful souls repair,
To dwell upon Thy dying love, and taste its sweetness there.
—Edward Denny

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 9; Isaiah 6; Luke 23:13-46

They set the ark of God upon a new cart. 2 Samuel 6:3

When David decided to transport the ark back to Jerusalem, he put it on a new cart. He specially chose Uzzah and Ahio to drive the cart. Later, the oxen pulling the cart stumbled, and Uzzah stretched out his hand to steady it. God struck him dead! David had good intentions. He put the ark on a new cart. Uzzah had good intentions. He steadied the ark to prevent it from falling. But both broke God’s holy law. The ark was to be carried by its staves on the shoulders of the Levites (1 Chron. 15:2, 15) and no one was to touch it. Both had good intentions, but they were doing the right things in the wrong way. Good intentions are not enough. God’s way must be obeyed.  —K. C. Ung

Master, speak! And make me ready, when Thy voice is truly heard,
With obedience glad and steady, still to follow every word.
—Frances Ridley Havergal

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 8; Isaiah 5; Luke 22:54 to 23:12

And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. Esther 3:5

Haman was an ambitious and proud man. Mordecai’s unwillingness to give him the due he felt he deserved made him hate Mordecai. How often the seeds of disunity and even anger are sown when someone does not get the acknowledgement they feel they deserve. How disappointing and sad. The praise of men ought not to be our goal. We ought to simply serve the Lord and one day He will reward us. Haman reminds us of Satan’s work. Let’s beware of him.    —G. Frear

Behold, how pleasant and how good,
That we, one Lord confessing,
Together dwell in brotherhood,
Our unity expressing.
—G. C. Stebbins

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 7; Isaiah 3-4; Luke 22:31-53

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. Mark 5:36

Jairus had just learned that his beloved daughter had died. Instantly the Lord Jesus offered sympathy: “Be not afraid, only believe.” What was the man afraid of? Were his fears physical? Emotional? Spiritual? Whatever they may have been, the Lord counseled him to believe—literally to “place his confidence” in the Lord Jesus. Perhaps you are in sorrow today. Is your heart aching over the death of a loved one? Does the future fill you with anxiety? Regardless of what your fears are, follow the Lord’s advice and put your confidence in Him. —L. Shatford

No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you.
—C. D. Martin

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 5:13 to 6:27; Isaiah 2; Luke 22:1-30

And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? Tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil. 2 Kings 4:2

This inquiry was similar to Christ’s inquiry before He fed the multitude: “How many loaves have ye?” (Mark 6:38). Our Lord could do without what we have, but He does not choose to do so. Even if you have nothing but “a pot of oil,” He can meet your need by that means, provided you are ready and willing to do what He tells you. Use what you have! —W. Ross Rainey

O use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where;
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.
—Frances Ridley Havergal

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 4 to 5:12; Isaiah 1; Luke 21:5-38

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Job 13:15

The world views financial setback, physical suffering, or a loved one’s death as tragic. Conversely the mature Christian does not characterize their suffering as calamitous but instead they see God’s loving hand in all their trials. While they can be severe, trials are only temporary. They are meant to teach us, change us, and thus are invaluable. We come through them with the assurance of an approved faith. —George Ferrier 

With mercy and with judgment my web of time He wove,
And aye, the dews of sorrow were lustered with His love;
I’ll bless the hand that guided, I’ll bless the heart that planned,
When throned where glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
—Anne R. Cousin