Thursday, May 31, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 10:12-11:32; Song of Sol. 1:1–2:7; Luke 9:18-36

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. Mic. 7:8

Are you overwhelmed by life’s problems and your current situation? Feeling oppressed by Satan? Wondering if there is any light at the end of your dark tunnel of depression, sorrow or suffering? Be like Micah and confidently rest in the unchanging character of God and His unremitting care for His people. “Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me” (Mic. 7:7). —Pete Smith

Oh grant us light, in grief and pain, to lift our burdened hearts above,
And count the very cross a gain, and bless our Father’s hidden love. —Lawrence Tuttiett

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 9:1-10:11; Eccl. 11:1-12:14; Luke 9:1-17

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

The human mind cannot comprehend that someone could live in this world without sin. Sin came into the world by the first man Adam and everyone to this present day has sin within them. The penalty for sin was death spiritually, physically and eternally. Jesus had no sin for He was born by virgin birth! He led a sinless life and was the spotless Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world. He has left us with a choice to accept or reject Him. Receive Him today as your Saviour and He will give you His righteousness and the right to be with Him in eternity. —Jim Paul

There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin;
He only could unlock the gate of heaven and let us in.—Cecil F. Alexander

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 7:12-8:20; Eccl. 9:11-10:20; Luke 8:40-56

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face…shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

How do we see ourselves as Christians? Are we hot, lukewarm, or cold? If we are hot we will be going all out for the Lord. If lukewarm, we will be going with the flow in a mediocre state. If we are cold, we will have no interest in spiritual things whatsoever! We need to be utterly honest with ourselves and consider our walk with the Lord. Are we serving the Lord in a way that pleases Him? —Ken Gunnell

Oh, to love and serve Thee better!
From all evil set us free;
Break, Lord, every sinful fetter.
Be each thought conformed to Thee. — C. Newman Hall

Monday, May 28, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 6:1-7:11; Eccl. 8:1-9:10; Luke 8:22-39

O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me. I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high. Psalm 7:1, 17

Some people seem to be discontented wherever they go. We have to be careful we don’t follow their example. It is up to each of us to cultivate a positive and cheerful outlook and to spread this sentiment to others. We have so many blessings to be thankful for and there is nothing like praising the Lord to lift our spirits! —G. Frear

The mischievous man will tear and rend,
Tis only our God, who can build and mend;
For this we praise our Lord above,
And rest in His amazing love. —G. F.

Lord’s Day, May 27, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deuteronomy 5:1-33; Ecclesiastes 7:1-29; Luke 8:1-21

Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! John 11:36

The Lord Jesus was a Man marked by love. His friend Lazarus had died. At the grave the Jews saw first-hand the love of the Lord as the tears ran down His blessed cheeks. Indeed the Lord loved Lazarus and that same love is extended to you and me. —John M. Clegg

O the deep,deep love of Jesus!
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free,
Rolling as a mighty ocean,
In its fullness over me:
Underneath me, all around me,
Is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward,
To my glorious rest above. —S. Trevor Francis

Saturday, May 26, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deuteronomy 4:1-49; Ecclesiastes 5:1-6:16; Luke 7:30-50

He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work. Job 37:7

The human hand is just one of the endless marvels that testifies of God’s creative wisdom. As I sat studying mine one evening, before I was saved, my professed atheism crashed in the truth of what I was seeing. No team of engineers ever designed something so versatile, so delicate, so strong. All of creation’s works proclaim Him as the ever great I Am. Unbelievers notice, often more than they want to admit. —Rick Morse

In reason’s ear they all rejoice, and utter forth a glorious voice,
Forever singing as they shine, “The hand that made us is divine.” —Joseph Addison 

Friday, May 25, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deuteronomy 3:1-28; Eccl. 3:16-4:16; Luke 7:1-29

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. Romans 8:16

Are you having an identity crisis? Are you so busy filling the many roles assigned to you, that you’re wondering who you really are? Take time to do a spiritual “identity check.” You are a child of God; an heir of God and joint heir with Christ; accepted in the beloved; chosen; loved; forgiven and precious—and that is to name just a few! Dwelling on who you are in Christ will help you determine your true identity! —E. V.

Yes, oh yes, I’m a child of the King!
His royal blood now flows in my veins;
And I, who was wretched and poor now can say,
Praise God, praise God, I’m a child of the King! —Cindy Walker

Thursday, May 24, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deuteronomy 2:1-37; Eccl. 2:12-3:15; Luke 6:20-49

The inward man is being renewed day by day. 2 Cor. 4:16, NKJV

Wrinkles and age spots increase as we get older; aches and fatigue are the norm. Our cabinet shelves are often replete with pills, creams, and other cosmetic solutions. Paul writes here about developing the right perspective on the things that really matter. In this verse, the emphasis is on things internal, not things external. Renewal is a daily event; “day by day.” It’s not what is inside that counts; rather, it is who is inside that counts. While we recognize that our outward self is failing, we can rejoice that the inward is flourishing. —N. C. Funston

As we gaze on Your kingly brightness,
So our faces display Your likeness;
Ever changing from glory to glory;
Mirrored here, may our lives tell Your story. —Graham Kendrick

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 1:1-46; Eccl. 1:1-2:11; Luke 6:1-19

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

In this lovely Song of the Redeemed, we have a promise of something wonderful for our lives—peace. “Shalom,” or peace, is a beautiful word suggesting God’s favour upon us. But “perfect peace” is literally, “peace, peace,” meaning that His peace is multiplied to its fullest measure. This is a peace that is available, but it is conditional to those “whose mind is stayed (or fixed) on You” (NKJV). This is a choice which will result in a double portion of God’s peace even in the midst of the tragic times of life. Rest in His peace! —Jim Comte

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest;
Finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest. —Frances Ridley Havergal

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 35:9-36:13; Proverbs 31:1-31; Luke 5:17-39

Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Hebrews 12:28

In days gone by it was the responsibility of the senior servants of an aristocratic household to ensure that the actions of all the servants was in keeping with the dignity and good reputation of the household. Man often honours man, his equal. How much more should we seek to honour the King of Kings in our daily conduct. In our speech, dress, and behaviour we must honour and glorify Him at all times. —Mary Robins

He is Lord, He is Lord,
He is risen from the dead, and He is Lord,
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess,
That Jesus Christ is Lord. —Author Unknown