Wednesday, June 20, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 1:1-18; Hosea 8:1-9:17; Luke 19:29-48

Jesus answered…Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst. John 4:13-14

Those beautiful words spoken by Jesus to a woman who came to draw water at a well shows the contrast between what the world gives and what He has to offer. The world of wealth, popularity, pleasure, power and passion can never truly satisfy. What Jesus offers is living water, everlasting life! This woman received it by testifying that Jesus was the Saviour of the World! Is He your Saviour? —Jim Paul

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold,
I’d rather have Jesus than riches untold
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand. —Oscar C. A. Bernadotte

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 34:1-12; Hosea 6:4-7:16; Luke 19:1-28

For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? Deuteronomy 4:7

Some years ago an elderly friend was in a cottage that caught fire. Worse still my friend was blind. Later I asked him. “Did you pray?” He replied, “No, I didn’t have time, I just said, Lord save me.” And the Lord heard his cry for help. Today, whatever your circumstances, the Lord is waiting to hear your cry. —Janet Fleming

Prayer changes things—those bound by fear,
Need doubt no more when God is near.
Prayer changes things—does it seem odd,
That prayer should move the hand of God? —Janet Fleming

Monday, June 18, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 33:1-29; Hosea 4:1-6:3; Luke 18:15-43

They continued steadfastly in…fellowship. Acts 2:42, NKJV 

How was fellowship expressed in the New Testament? It was more than coffee and cookies after a meeting. The word here is koinonia and it is a very strong word. It is translated in our English New Testament using many different words. A careful study will reveal that it involved serving God, supporting believers, and sharing needs. Sometimes it included money, time, energy, or simply being there for others. The key is that it always involved people with other people—and that could include coffee and cookies! —N. C. Funston

Bind us together, Lord; bind us together,
With cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord; bind us together,
Bind us together with love. —Bob Gillman

Lord’s Day, June 17, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 32:15-52; Hosea 2:1-3:5 ; Luke 17:20-18:14

Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from [our] children. Psalm 78:3-4a

A little boy, who had trusted Christ as His Saviour, lay terminally ill in the hospital. His father prayed seeking guidance as to how to tell his son he had only a very short time to live. One day, after reading and praying with his boy, he finally told him the hard news and asked, “Are you afraid to meet Jesus, son?” Blinking back tears, he bravely said, “No, not if He’s like you Dad!” Dads, grandfathers, do your children see Christ in you? Don’t neglect your God given responsibility to “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). —Jim Comte

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wonderful passion and purity. —Albert Orsborn & Tom M. Jones

Saturday, June 16, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 31:14-32:14; Hosea 1:1-11; Luke 17:1-19

A…woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years. Mark 5:25
The damsel…was of the age of twelve years (old). Mark 5:42

Jairus, ruler of the synagogue, had the joy of a little girl added to his family, while a woman, forty miles away, just lost her joy from a terrible sickness. But the sovereign, all-knowing, compassionate God, twelve years later caused their lives to cross the path of the Lord Jesus. The touch of the weak in faith and the touch of the Mighty in death brought forth glory to God. He planned it all. —Sam Thorpe Jr.

Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know whate’er befall me, 
Jesus doeth all things well. —Mary R. Lowry

Friday, June 15, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 30:1-31:13; Amos 9:1-15; Luke 16:1-31

Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. John 11:39
And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. John 11:43
Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. John 11:44

The Lord issued three commands when He raised Lazarus from the dead. How different was His own resurrection! The stone was thrust aside by His power—not to let Him out, but so that all could see that He was no longer within. He simply disappeared from the grave-clothes and left the napkin that had been wrapped about His head folded nearby. He was not called forth, for He had the power to lay down His life, but also to take it up again. —Jeff Frey

Christ is risen! Henceforth never death nor hell, shall us enthrall;
We are Christ’s, in Him forever, we have triumphed over all. —J. Monsell

Thursday, June 14, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 29:1-29; Amos 7:1-8:14; Luke 15:11-32

Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am. John 17:24

Our Saviour requested of the Father that we would be with Him in heaven one day. He knew full well what He was asking and what He would have to do to enable that prayer to be answered. He knew we were guilty sinners that needed a Saviour and only He could be the sacrifice that would redeem us. We are not in glory yet, so this prayer has not yet been answered but any day now it will. Do we share His strong desire to see the day? —Ken Gross

Face to face with Christ my Saviour,
Face to face—what will it be,
Jesus Christ who died for me? —Carrie Breck

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 28:38-68; Amos 5:1-6:14; Luke 14:25-15:10

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. Luke 15:2

This statement was said in derision yet how true it is! No one who has ever come to the Lord in sincerity has been turned way. He is never too busy to receive anyone! How thankful we should be that the Lord does indeed receive sinners; sinners like you and me. —John M. Clegg

Sing it o’er and o’er again;
Christ receiveth sinful men;
Make the message clear and plain:
Christ receiveth sinful men. —Erdmann Neumeister

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 28:1-37; Amos 3:1-4:13; Luke 14:1-24

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious…when I saw the prosperity of the wicked…Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Psalm 73:2-3, 17 

Asaph was so discouraged! The wicked prospered while the godly were oppressed. He was on the verge of backsliding when suddenly his spirit lifted when he spent time in the sanctuary of the Lord (v. 17). Only then did he see things in the light of eternity. The wicked are in slippery places and their end will suddenly come (vv. 17-18), whereas he would be continually with the Lord. —David Croudace

Let me hide in Thee, refuge there for me.
Where no evil shall befall me, and no fear can be.
Let me hide in Thee, Christ of Calvary. —Author Unknown

Monday, June 11, 2018

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 26:16-27:26; Amos 1:1-2:16; Luke 13:22-35

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. Daniel 1:8
Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon. Dan. 2:49

How we need to pray for young believers who go off to college or university for the first time. It is not easy to make that initial stand as a believer, especially when you appear to be the only believer in the residence. My advice would be to seek out some other like minded believers, if possible, in the establishment, so that you can meet for prayer and Bible study and enjoy fellowship. How Daniel appreciated Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! —Brian Russell

Ashamed of Jesus! that dear Friend, on whom my hopes of heaven depend!
No; when I blush, be this my shame, that I no more revere His name. —Joseph Grigg