Wednesday, February 28, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 19:1-25; Psalms 58:1-59:17; Acts 10:24-48

It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27

Chicago’s O’Hare airport was 37,000 feet below our Boeing 737. It was time to read and relax. But then I noticed a couple near me reading a religious pamphlet. Soon we were in a discussion regarding our individual faiths. After a lengthy dialogue, I stated, “I have five minutes to live, will you please tell me how I can get to heaven?” Startled they looked at one another and replied, “We’ve never thought about that.” Now it was my turn, and with joy, I told them when one acknowledges they are a sinner, and places their trust in the Lord Jesus, God’s son, they are assured of everlasting life. —Arnot P. McIntee

Come, and He will give you rest; trust Him for His word is plain;
He will take the sinfulest; Christ receiveth sinful men. —E. Neumeister

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 18:1-27; Psalms 56:1-57:11; Acts 10:1-23

Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Job 42:3

Job asked for a personal audience with God and when God responded, he was humbled and repented. His knowledge of the holy One was lacking and he confessed that he had spoken of what he only knew in part. We feel the same, don’t we; humbled, when we speak of Him and His love? Charles Spurgeon said, “The door of repentance leads to the hall of joy.” Are we there yet? —Rex Trogdon

It passeth knowledge, that dear love of Thine,
Lord Jesus, Saviour; yet this soul of mine,
Would of Thy love in all its breadth and length,
Its height and depth, its everlasting strength, know more and more. — Mary Shekleton

Monday, February 26, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 17:1-16; Psalm 55:1-23; Acts 9:32-43

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer…I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:1, 8

There are two great examples for us here. First of all, the Psalmist cries out to the Lord for help. But secondly, He affirms his belief that God has heard his cry. He gets into bed anticipating a good night’s rest because he has entrusted himself to the Lord and His goodness. What a pattern for us to follow! —G. Frear

Hear my call O Lord, and have mercy on me,
I know You hear my cry unto Thee,
You give me joy, more than harvest increase,
And I’ll lie down and sleep, in perfect peace. —G. F.

Lord’s Day, February 25, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 16:1-36; Psalm 52:1-54:7; Acts 9:1-31

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession…Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4:14, 16

Today, God rests in the finished work of His Son on the cross. As His redeemed ones, we rest in His great atoning sacrifice. Every Lord’s Day as we gather around the emblems of His suffering for us, we acknowledge Him, the foundation of our rest. Our worship and praise should therefore surge upwards to Him, who has given us peace with God. Let us do so with cleansed hearts, enjoying His presence and led by the Spirit of God. —Vernon Markle

Below He purged our guilt away, by His atoning blood:
Now He appears before the throne, and pleads our cause with God. —Author Unknown

Saturday, February 24, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 15:1-27; Psalm 51:1-19; Acts 8:5-40

Sir, we would see Jesus. John 12:21

These seekers were interested in one thing only—Jesus! They hadn’t come to find religion, hear theological debates or pursue the latest spiritual fad. They had come to see Jesus! What a message to the Christian heart—people want to see Jesus in us! They are not interested in our church, or good works or religious talk. They want us to show them Jesus! What a wakeup call to the Church today. Are we trying to attract others with clever, but ultimately empty human devices, or are we showing them Jesus? —Deborah Manera

You’re the only Jesus some will ever see;
You’re the only words of life, some will ever read!
So let them see in you the One, in whom is all they’ll ever need. —The Imperials

Friday, February 23, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 14:5-31; Psalms 49:1-50:23; Acts 7:30-8:4

Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry? Jonah 4:4

This question, that was asked of Jonah, may apply to us today! Are we frustrated because things haven’t gone as we planned? Are we upset with God because of some unexpected difficulty—loss of job, sickness or unanswered prayer? Instead of venting our feelings, may we reflect quietly instead upon some of the characteristics of the Lord that Jonah outlines in verse two. “I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness” (Jon. 4:2). Dwelling on His character will refresh our souls and ease our distress. —Pete Smith

Lord, I would place my hand in Thine, Nor ever murmur or repine;
Content, whatever lot I see, Since ‘tis my God that leadeth me. —J. H. Gilmore

Thursday, February 22, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 13:1-14:4; Psalms 47:1-48:14; Acts 7:1-29

And he charged them that they should tell no man; but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it. Mark 7:36

Jesus was no sensationalist and did not want news of His miracles to become the talking point of the community. Why did He instruct people to keep quiet? Because it is His message that brings eternal salvation and not the signs He did. Yet the people disobeyed and the more He charged them not to speak, the more they spread the news. Today we are instructed not to keep silent, but to proclaim the Gospel far and wide. Yet so many Christians are silent, keeping their faith under wraps. May God help us to publish the news. —Paul Young

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take: the clouds ye so much dread,
Are big with mercy and shall break, in blessing on your head.—W. Cowper

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 12:21-51; Psalm 45:1-46:11; Acts 6:1-15

Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:10

The pride of man would rather win an argument than really know the truth of the matter. If words can be twisted and opponents silenced, we think we can walk smugly away from accountability to God. But there’s a day coming when every unbeliever will stand before God’s judgment throne. And in the majesty of His omniscience, every mouth will be stopped, and there will be no excuse. Salvation is a moral decision, not an intellectual one. —Rick Morse

Eternity! O dreadful thought! For thee, a child of Adam’s race;
If thou shoudst in thy sins be brought, To stand before the awful face. —William B. Bradbury

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 11:1-12:20; Psalm 44:1-26; Acts 5:12-42

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

Physically, we’re quick to satisfy our hunger and thirst. Can the same be said spiritually? Do we treasure the Word of God more than our necessary food (Job 23:12)? Are we seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33)? Are we setting our affections on things above (Col. 3:2)? Are we confessing sin in our lives and being cleansed from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)? Are we daily digesting His words (Jer. 15:16)? How we answer these questions is a good indication of whether we’re truly hungering and thirsting after righteousness. —E. V.

Within the sacred page I seek thee Lord,
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word. —Mary A. Lathbury

Monday, February 19, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 10:1-29; Psalms 42:1-43:5; Acts 4:32-5:11

There came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? 1 Kings 19:13

Elijah saw the Lord work a mighty victory on Carmel but ran for his life when wicked Jezebel threatened to kill him. He prayed for death but was fed by an angel and went in the strength of that for forty days till he came to Horeb. Here he heard the still small voice. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” God did not say “there” but “here” for He was with him even in those harshest of times. Are you experiencing difficult times? Remember the Lord is with you today. —Janet Fleming

So today as God’s own child, I can trust His keeping,
For I’m safe beneath His wings, when awake or sleeping.
I have everything I need, since my Saviour found me—
Shelter, comfort, peace and love, with His arms around me. —J. Fleming