Month: August 2015

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 15; Zephaniah 3; Galatians 3:1-14

 

Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.  Psalm 119:73

One evening as I walked up from the bay, I looked at the wonders around me and thought of my amazing Creator. Above me the sky was painted with a colourful artistry which changed from hour to hour. The magnificent tree ahead wore a garment of cream flowers. Brooding over it all was the rock topped hill that towers above the bay. Young calves played nearby adding a splash of life to the entire scene. Truly our Lord is an amazing God! —Janet Fleming

I want to praise my Lord, tell of His power,
Sing of the joy He gives each day and hour.
Honour His mighty name, Shout that He lives again,
Tell to the world His fame, Jesus my Lord.
—Janet Fleming

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 14; Zephaniah 2; Galatians 2

 

…this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.  Exodus 3:15

A memorial is a way of keeping in memory an event or person. Many things can be a memorial. In this passage, Jehovah told Moses that His unchanging name was a memorial—surely a reminder of His eternal character and grace. How wonderful that in the New Testament we are told that where two or three are gathered unto His name, He will be there. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial feast—a monument raised to remember our Lord. May we enjoy His presence today! —K. C. Ung

See, the feast of love is spread, drink the wine, and break the bread;
Sweet memorials, till the Lord calls us round His heavenly board;
Some from earth, from glory some, severed only, “Till He come.”
—E. H. Bickersteth, Jr.

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 13; Zephaniah 1; Galatians 1

 

O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.  2 Chronicles 20:12

These words were the conclusion of King Jehoshaphat’s public prayer on behalf of the nation. They were facing a formidable foe and in their great need and time of crisis, they did the right thing and sought the Lord. In their helplessness He was their hopefulness. Their faith was rewarded as God replied, “Fear not, nor be dismayed…for the Lord will be with you” (v. 17). He has NOT changed! —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: 2 Samuel 12; Habakkuk 3; Romans 16

 

Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.  Job 4:3-4

Job’s “friend” Eliphaz gave this commendation to Job. What a testimony! It is a wonderful admonition for believers in every age. There are people around us who have spiritual, emotional and physical needs which we may help alleviate if we are willing. Can others compliment us as Eliphaz did Job? If not, there’s certainly work to be done! —William Gustafson

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, 
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
—Fanny Crosby

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 10-11; Habakkuk 2; Romans 15:14-33

 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  Psalm 23:1

A little girl was asked to quote Psalm 23:1, whereupon she replied, “The Lord is my Shepherd, all that I want.” While her quotation of the verse was not quite accurate, what she said is quite true. The Lord Jesus Christ, the good Shepherd, is indeed all that the longing heart could want—and more! —W. Ross Rainey

Pastures abundant doth His hand provide, 
Still waters flowing ever at my side, 
Goodness and mercy follow on my track, 
With such a Shepherd nothing can I lack.
—Leonard Weaver

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 8-9; Habakkuk 1; Romans 14:19 to 15:13

 

He (Zacchaeus) sought to see Jesus who he was.  Luke 19:3
Jesus said…come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. Luke 19:5
Jesus said…this day is salvation come to this house… Luke 19:9

Zacchaeus knew Jesus was passing through Jericho and may have thought that perhaps something special would happen that day. When Jesus looked up, called his name and said “I must abide at thy house” he knew something very special was happening. But when Jesus declared “this day is salvation come”, Zacchaeus knew this was a day like no other. Have you met Jesus face to face? Meeting him will change everything. —Ken Gross

Oh what a wonderful, wonderful day—day I will never forget. 
After I’d wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Saviour I met. 
—J. W. Peterson

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 7; Nahum 2-3; Romans 14:1-18

 

The word of God is not bound.  2 Timothy 2:9

The four walls of Paul’s prison cell and even the shackles on his wrists kept Paul bound. He was restrained by man-made limitations. However, he rejoiced in the fact that the Word of God was not. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, lives had been liberated through the proclamation of the Word. Homes and communities had been freed through the power of the Scriptures. Language barriers, national boundaries, and cultural differences were no match for the transcendent Word of God! As Paul sat bound in prison, hindered by chains for preaching the Word, it continued to have liberty. It still does today. —N. C. Funston

Praise God for His Word! Not a promise shall fail;
Whatsoe’er may oppose, still its truth will prevail.
—G. O. Webster

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 6; Nahum 1; Romans 13

 

And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him.  1 Samuel 7:9

Samuel preached against idolatry for many years. Finally, the Israelites gathered at Mizpah to weep before the Lord and confess their sins. The Philistines, their enemy, observed this assembly and quickly moved to attack. Samuel sought the Lord on their behalf. The Lord accepted Samuel’s offering and heard his prayers. He “thundered” on the Philistines and Israel smote their attackers. As in Samuel’s day, our enemy, the devil, fears God’s people when they humble themselves, repent of their sins, and become desperate for God. —W. A. H.

Lord, we confess our numerous faults, how great our guilt has been!
Foolish and vain were all our thoughts, and all our lives were sin.
— I. Watts

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 4-5; Micah 7; Romans 12

 

And they all forsook him, and fled.  Mark 14:50
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Psalm 22:1

On the cross the Lord experienced total abandonment. He knew genuine loneliness and was truly the Man of Sorrows. No one desired to be identified with Him and our holy God had to turn away so that Christ could be an offering for sin. His work completed, He rose from the dead the third day. Today each believer is identified with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Rom 6:3-4). The public expression of this is water baptism. What joy our Lord must experience to see people willingly choose to proclaim “I’m with Christ.” —George Ferrier

Lifted up was He to die, “It is finished!” was His cry; 
Now in heaven exalted high; Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
—Philip P. Bliss