Wednesday, October 31, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 12:1-40; Ezekiel 13:1-23; John 4:31-54

Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. Psalm 116:7

Often as believers, we may find our souls in a state of heaviness and unrest due to “manifold temptations” (1 Peter 1:6). Does this describe you today? The Psalmist suggests that rest can once again be found by
returning to the one who promises rest for your soul (Matt. 11:29). As we refocus on the one who “daily loadeth us with benefits” (Ps. 68:19), we’ll be able to say with the Psalmist, “Why art thou cast down, O my
soul?…hope thou in God!” (Ps. 42:5). —E. V.

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.” —Horatio G. Spafford

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 10:1-11:47; Ezekiel 12:1-28; John 4:1-30

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me…But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. Psalm 3:1, 3

Those who rest in the Lord have complete trust and peace. This rest is what our Lord was referring to when He said we are to trust as a little child does, a trust that does not doubt or question (Matt. 18:2-4).
We need faith that says, “God says it, I believe it, and that settles it!”.

Lord, there are many who rise against me,
Ones who say that no help comes from Thee,
But I know You are there, a shield for my head,
You don’t cast down, but lift up instead. —G. F.

Monday, October 29, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 8:1-9:44; Ezekiel 11:1-25; John 3:22-36

Offer to God thanksgiving; and pay your vows to the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Psalm 50:14-15

Many of God’s promises come with conditions. He expects us to demonstrate our love and devotion through thankful hearts, even when times are tough. He expects faithfulness in serving Him despite circumstances. Then, He promises to hear our prayers and act accordingly. Are you expecting God’s intervention without putting him first? That will never work. God must be our priority in order to claim his promises. Make Him your all—and see Him work His timing and His way in your life. —Deborah Manera

Take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.—Havergal

Lord’s Day, October 28, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 7:1-40; Ezekiel 10:1-22; John 2:23-3:21

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord. Proverbs 17:15
Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:24

We are outraged when guilty men go free, yet at the heart of the Christian gospel stands this sentence—God justifies the ungodly! He acquits the guilty! How can He do this and remain righteous? The death of Christ vindicates God and justifies sinners. Everything Jesus suffered He suffered for God’s glory for, “it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for
sin” (Isa. 53:10). —Drew Craig

God could not pass the sinner by, his sins demand that he must die,
But in the cross of Christ we see, how God can save, yet righteous be. — Author Unknown

Saturday, October 27, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 6:1-81; Ezekiel 8:1-9:11; John 2:1-22

Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan. Psalm 135:10-11

Before entering Canaan, God prepared Israel for their warfare by granting victory over two kings, Sihon and Og. His historic judgments against them also warned unbelievers like Rahab to flee His wrath (Josh. 2:10) by trusting the Lord. God’s dealings in history assured Israel of His present help in trials. The Bible uses their defeat to proclaim God’s power and providential faithfulness towards His people. As the hymn says: “We’ll praise Him for all that is past and trust Him for all that’s to come.” —K. R. Keyser

The way was right their hearts to prove, to make God’s glory known;
And show His wisdom, pow’r, and love, engag’d to save His own. —Newton

Friday, October 26, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 4:24-5:26; Ezekiel 7:1-27; John 1:19-51

Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart. Jeremiah 15:16

Two friends discussed their love of memorizing Scripture. Was it just to know more? Perhaps merely a penchant for memorizing, whether lists, stats, whatever? No, these did not fit. The conclusion? They had tasted and seen. Scripture had so nourished and satisfied that nothing would do but to immerse themselves in the truth through memorizing. Like Jeremiah, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them” (Jer. 15:16). Each word, each nuance, each surprising choice of expression was cherished, esteemed more than daily bread, bringing daily delight. —M. MacMullen

We taste Thee, O Thou living Bread, And long to feast upon Thee still;
We drink of Thee the Fountainhead, And thirst our souls from Thee to fill. —Bernard of Clairvaux

Thursday, October 25, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 3:1-4:23; Ezekiel 5:1-6:14; John 1:1-18

I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? Song of Solomon 5:3 

Having “put off the old man with his deeds” (Col. 3:9), “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Rom. 6:2). The desire and provision to live a holy life has been implanted within us, yet we each
feel the flesh’s resistance to being in submission to the Spirit. May we take time to be holy each day, by feeding the new man and starving the old; providing for one, but not the other. —Rick Morse

O Lord I seek a holy rest,
A victory over sin;
I seek that Thou alone shouldst reign,
O’er all without, within. —Evan Henry Hopkins

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 2:1-55; Ezekiel 3:16-4:17; 2 Timothy 4:1-22

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

Yesterday, when gardening, I pulled a long kikuyu root from near the edge of the house. It seemed as if it were never ending. Finally I found the end of that shoot which was searching for the light. It measured 17
and a half feet. Today people spread out long roots seeking for pleasure and purpose but the end is always darkness. All the while the Light of the world is waiting patiently for them. —Janet Fleming

Jesus is the light that shines to the world,
Shining in the darkest night,
Anyone who follows, Jesus has said,
“They shall have the light of life.” —Janet Fleming

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 1:1-54; Ezekiel 2:1-3:15; 2 Timothy 3:1-17

And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the Lord, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed. 2 Chronicles 18:10
Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? 2 Cor. 10:7

In a day in which false teachers abound, it is imperative that God’s people see through the charade that mark many of the merchandisers of the Word of God. Zedekiah was impressive in his appearance and
persuasive in his words, but neither were from the Lord, a trait of every false prophet. He preached a popular message to an audience who listened without discernment. Biblical teaching is the need of the day and substance, not show, is God’s requirement. —Mark Kolchin

The Bible stands every test we give it, for its author is divine;
By grace alone I expect to live it, and to prove and to make it mine. —Haldor Lillenas

Monday, October 22, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 25:1-30; Ezekiel 1:1-28; 2 Timothy 2:1-26

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

There is an everyday hopeful expression that says “There’s light at the end of the tunnel.” Some of us are getting on in years and we recognize this experience. The Lord and His glory are our object, but the closer we get to the end of a Christian life, the brighter His glory shines. It brightens everything around us. —Lorne Perry

Lamb of God! Thy faithful promise, says “Behold I quickly come,”
And our hearts, to Thine, responsive cry, “Come Lord and take us home,”
Oh! the rapture that awaits us, when we meet Thee in the air,
And with Thee ascend in triumph, all Thy deepest joys to share. —J. G. Deck