Month: November 2015

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 20; Ezekiel 39; John 16:16-33

Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?  Zechariah 3:2

At age five, John Wesley was rescued from the second story window of a burning house. Years later he declared himself a “brand plucked out of the fire”. Every believer may describe himself in the same way. We should have burned eternally in the lake of fire, yet God’s grace delivered us. On the cross the Saviour endured the wrath in our place. All around us, there are people without Christ who are in danger of eternal punishment. Let us proclaim the gospel at every opportunity. Give out tracts and prayerfully speak to your friends and neighbours. The Lord specializes in rescuing sinners (Gal. 1:4). —K. R. Keyser

My God, I feel the mournful scene! My bowels yearn o’er dying men!
And fain my pity would reclaim and snatch the firebrands from the flame.
—Philip Doddridge

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 18-19; Ezekiel 38; John 15:17 to 16:15

And sitting down they watched him there.  Matthew 27:36

The soldiers had finished their work not knowing they had fulfilled prophecies made a thousand years before Christ’s birth. The acts of parting His garments by lots (Ps. 22:18); not breaking any of His bones (Ps. 34:20) and piercing His hands, His feet and side (Zech. 12:10) were all foretold centuries before this event. Jesus knew all this must be done when He said, “I thirst” (Ps. 22:15). The sacrifice of the holy Lamb of God was completed and He cried out “It is finished.” Let us remember Him and His death today. —E. MacLelland

‘Tis finished here our souls can rest,
His work can never fail;
By Him, our Sacrifice and Priest,
We enter through the veil.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 16-17; Ezekiel 37; John 15:1-16

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Romans 8:35
For the love of Christ constraineth us… 2 Corinthians 5:14
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:19

The love of Christ secures us in a world of tribulation. What shall separate us? Nothing! The love of Christ compels us not to live for our flesh, “…that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Cor. 5:15). Finally the love of Christ fills us with all the fullness of God, and therefore, there is no place for the devil (Eph. 4:27). The world, the flesh, the devil. Christ’s love is sufficient. —Tom Steere

The love of Christ constraineth; then let us work and pray,
And watch the glad appearing, of that triumphal day.
—Cara B. Evans

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 14-15; Ezekiel 36:16-38; John 14:15-31

…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  Philippians 4:11-12

Often these verses are quoted whenever someone speaks about the importance of contentment in the Christian life. In them Paul says that he has learned to be content. But what was Paul’s secret? How did he learn? He states in the next verse: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” If we want true contentment, we can only attain it by looking to Christ for strength. —J. Lee

In Thee alone, O Christ, my Lord, my hope on earth remaineth;
I know Thou wilt Thine aid afford, naught else my soul sustaineth.
—Johannes Schneesing

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 12-13; Ezekiel 35-36:15; John 13:31-14:14

Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.  Psalm 83:1
Be still, and know that I am God… Psalm 46:10

As the state of the world becomes more hostile toward the people of God, we long for the Lord to make Himself known in all His power and authority. He tells us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” One day Psalm 83:18 will come to pass; “That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.” —Sam Thorpe

This gives us ever to rejoice,
Turning to light our darkest days;
And lifts on high each feeble voice,
While we have breath to pray and praise.
—Isaac Watts

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 10-11; Ezekiel 34; John 13:1-30

 

Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?  John 21:21

By God’s grace we have heard His voice say, “Follow me”. This should be our all-consuming interest but we can be guilty of looking at others and assessing what they are doing or not doing. This may be with an admiring spirit although, shamefully, more likely it is with a critical spirit. We’re privileged to be servants for the best of Masters and should remember the advice of His mother, Mary, at Cana, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it” (John 2:5). Let’s take the words of Saul of Tarsus afresh on our lips and ask, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). —Dan Coulson

With a child’s glad heart of love, at Thy bidding may I move,
Prompt to serve and follow Thee, loving Him who first loved me.
—Leeson

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 8-9; Ezekiel 33; John 12:20-50

 

[Dost thou] take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.  Judges 14:3
And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. Judges 16:4

In both cases Samson chose to be unequally yoked to an unbeliever. Both of these women betrayed him to the Philistines! When seeking to know who God has chosen to be your life partner do not be deceived by good looks or other superficial characteristics nor by your emotions. Obey the Scriptures and go slowly and prayerfully and God will delight to lead you to the one of His choice. —David Croudace

I dare not choose my lot; I would not if I might;
Choose Thou for me, O Lord my God; so shall I walk aright.
—H. Bonar

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 7; Ezekiel 32; John 11:55 to 12:19

 

[God] hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.  Ephesians 1:22

Regarding true Christians, it is correct to state that: every moment we live; every relationship we have; every decision we make; every dollar we spend; every task we undertake, belongs under the rule of Christ. There isn’t one tiny part of our lives that He does not own. All belongs to Him. The Lord Jesus Christ reigns on the throne of heaven. Does He reign on the throne of your life? —W. Ross Rainey

Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord, in me abide. 
—J. Ed­win Orr

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 6:12-42; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18; John 11:28-54

 

This is my body which is given for you…This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.  Luke 22:19-20

In a large, furnished, upper room the disciples made ready. Ready for the Passover meal, yes, but who could have been ready for what they heard that night? “This is my body which is given for you” and, “This is my blood…which is shed for many” (Matt. 26:28). What stood out to their hearts that night? Could it have been those last two words, for you? We also meet this Lord’s Day to make ready. Ready to respond to those words of love and His great sacrifice. Beloved, never get over the wonder of it all, He gave Himself for you. —Rex Trogdon

Lord, we worship and adore Thee; for Thy rich, Thy matchless grace;
Perfect soon in joy before Thee, we shall see Thee face to face. 
—J. J. Hopkins