Lord’s Day, January 21, 2018

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 27:1-46; Job 34:1-35:16; Matt. 14:13-36

And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. Luke 24:30-31

They recognized Him in the breaking of the bread. One day, we too will see those nail prints. I once heard a friend pray, “Thank you Lord for the privilege of coming together to remember You. Let us not forget today that many don’t have this privilege.” May we remember with gratitude today what Christ has done for us. —Janet Fleming

As bread is broken week by week,
Each emblem has a word to speak.
There’s one less feast, till I am home,
For this is only till He come. —Janet Fleming

Saturday, January 20, 2018

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 26:1-35; Job 32:1-33:33; Matt. 13:44-14:12

A new commandment I give unto ye, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34

Why is this a new commandment? Hasn’t God always commanded us to love? In the Old Testament we were commanded to love our neighbour as we love ourself. This is a high standard. But the new commandment is even higher. We are now to love one another by the example of Christ. We should love each other sacrificially and selflessly. The new standard of love is the standard of Christ Himself. Do we love in such a way? —Shane Johnson

Beloved let us love: for love is light, And he who loveth not, dwelleth in night.
Beloved let us love, for only thus, Shall we behold, that God who loveth us. —H. Bonar

Friday, January 19, 2018

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 25:1-34; Job 31:1-40; Matt. 13:24-43

All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away. Exodus 15:15, NKJV
Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? Numbers 21:5, NKJV

Both of these verses are statements made by the children of Israel. One was in a song after the miracle at the Red Sea. The other much later, when they were complaining about God’s provision of manna. They remind us of what it means to leave our first love. Rather than rejoice in all our God has done for us, we find reasons to question His great love and bountiful provisions. May we like David cry out in true confession, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation” (Ps. 51:12). Only then can we praise God as we should. —Ken Gross

Praise the Saviour ye who know Him, who can tell how much we owe Him?
Gladly let us render to Him, all we are and have. —Thomas Kelly

Thursday, January 18, 2018

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 24:1-67; Job 29:1-30:31; Matt. 13:1-23

The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him…the Lord will strengthen him. Psalm 41:1-3

This three-fold promise speaks powerfully into the circumstances of God’s people today. We have an unchanging God who is well able to meet the most trying need we might have. He is able to deliver us. He is able to preserve us and He is able to strengthen us. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Call on Him in your need today and find the blessing of His strength. —W. H. G.

Put thou thy trust in God, In duty’s path go on,
Walk in His strength, with faith and hope,
So shall thy work be done. —Paul Gerhardt

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 23:1-20; Job 27:1-28:28; Matt. 12:22-50

And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. John 6:17
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. Matthew 14:25

Having fed the multitude, the Lord sent His disciples across the sea while He went up on the mountain to pray. But as they journeyed, a sudden storm arose, hindering their progress. Four conditions characterized their plight: the wind, the waves, the distance and the darkness. As we serve the Lord, we too may experience sudden adversity that thwarts our progress and our efforts for Him. We may not see Him at first, but we will in time as He comes to us with words of comfort and a call to rise above our circumstances. —Mark Kolchin

Labour on, labour on, keep the bright reward in view,
For the Master has said our strength, He will renew. —Blackall

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 22:1-24; Job 25:1-26:14; Matt. 12:1-21

The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body. James 3:6, NKJV
The beginning of strife is like the releasing water; therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. Proverbs 17:14, NKJV

Harry Ironside said, “A little grit in a motor will soon ruin the most costly engine.” Little things that we say can quickly destroy a relationship, a family and an assembly. The fable is told of the Dutch boy who, when he saw a leak in the dike quickly plugged it with his finger, thus preventing a dangerous flood. May grace be given to “plug” our resentments and uncharitable words! The burst dam of our tongue can cause irreparable damage! —Jim Comte

Too swiftly spoken; words that cut and bind,
Let grace season your speech; be gentle and kind. —Author Unknown

Monday, January 15, 2018

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 20:1-21:34; Job 23:1-24:25; Matt. 11:2-30

But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16, NASB

It is God’s will that His children should live holy lives, thereby reflecting the character of their heavenly Father. If we would be obedient children we must learn, by God’s help, to say, “No” to everything unworthy of a holy God. Equally important is the readiness to say, “Yes” to divine instruction. These negative and positive principles should govern all our conduct. —George Hall

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on:
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct, His likeness shall see. —W. D. Longstaff

Lord’s Day, January 14, 2018

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 19:1-38; Job 22:1-30; Matt. 10:24-11:1

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14

The only begotten Son is unique, unlike anyone else! In His birth, He was born of a virgin. In His life, He was sinless. In His words, He spoke as no one ever spoke. In His works, He did what no one else could ever do. In suffering, He was so marred, more than any man. In His death, He was buried in a tomb where no one had ever lain before. Finally, He was seen in resurrection glory, the Firstborn from the dead! —Rex Trogdon

Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer,
Than all the angels heav’n can boast. —Munster Gesangbuch

Saturday, June 13, 2018

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 18:1-33; Job 21:1-34; Matt. 10:1-23

That ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Philippians 1:27

There was division creeping in to the Philippian church, but here God gives us a secret for maintaining unity in every local church. “Striving together for…the gospel.” When God’s people are all actively involved in going out to their neighbourhood, reaching the unsaved for Christ, there will be no time left for internal bickering and criticism. Instead, when the saints gather they will be united as they pray together, encourage one another and share experiences of their outreach. Remember the Lord said “Go ye”! Yes indeed, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). —David Croudace

Salvation! Oh salvation! The joyful sound proclaim.
Till earth’s remotest regions, have learned Messiah’s name. —R. Heber

Friday, January 12, 2018

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 17:1-27; Job 20:1-29; Matt. 9:18-38

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Psalm 19:1

Looking at an intricate sculpture or beautiful painting we appreciate and admire the talent and workmanship behind it. Normal curiosity leads us to ask about the artist. How tragic to observe the splendour of the Rocky Mountains, to wonder at the expansive Grand Canyon, to marvel at the stars and planets in our solar system and yet fail to know the Creator behind the work. Its vastness, complexity, and beauty all declare that this is God’s work and it is good. —George Ferrier

Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed. —Carl G. Boberg