Month: January 2019

Genesis 15:1-16:16; Job 18:1-19:29; Matthew 8:28-9:17

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. Matthew 28:20

Observe that in the Great Commission there are no divisions of doctrine into “fundamental,” “secondary” and “non-essential”. Such divisions are man-made and contrary to the Lord’s clear command and the apostolic example (Acts 20:27). Today many do not want to be held accountable to obey all things, but preachers and teachers should be faithful to the Lord, not the crowd. We are to live “by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:19). —Carl Knott

How firm a foundation you saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! —John Rippon

Genesis 13:1-14:24; Job 16:1-17:16; Matthew 8:1-27

Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. Psalm 119:23

Faced with enemy collusion and verbal persecution, David turned to meditation on God’s Word. In this cacophonous world, it is often difficult to hear the Almighty’s voice. This increases our need to daily resort to the Scriptures for spiritual communion. More than just reading them, we must carefully consider them and prayerfully apply them to our lives. What attitudes need to change? Am I obedient to the Lord’s commands? Believers may safely leave the critics and skeptics to the Lord; He will eventually deal with them. Meanwhile, we must diligently contemplate His Word. —Keith Keyser

Help us to confess Thy name, bear with joy Thy cross and shame;
Only seek to follow Thee, Though reproach our portion be.—J. G. Deck

Genesis 11:27-12:20; Job 15:1-35; Matthew 7:7-29

Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3

Here is a simple way to reach children with the gospel using your five fingers. There is one way to heaven—the Lord Jesus (John 14:6)! There are two choices—we can “believe” or “believe not” (John 3:36). To “believe not” results in God’s wrath. To “believe” results in God’s life. What are we to believe? Three facts: Christ died for our sins; He was buried (proving He really died); and He rose from the dead. “Four-giveness of sins” belongs only to those who believe and receive Christ as Saviour (Acts 13:38). Then enjoy these five golden words of eternal security, “I give them eternal life” (John 10:28, NKJV). The gospel is in your hand. Now, give it away! —Brian Cretney

How precious are the children to our Saviour’s loving heart;
The One who bade them come, bids us to go and do our part. —B. C.

Genesis 10:1-11:26; Job 13:1-14:22; Matthew 6:19-7:6

Thou wilt keep (protect, guard) him in perfect peace (or peace, peace), whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength (or Rock of Ages). Isaiah 26:3-4

What confidence for us in the midst of life’s struggles! God’s perfect peace. Peace is a beautiful word, suggesting His blessing and well-being, but it is an unknown word in the hearts of millions. This peace is available to the one “whose mind is stayed on thee”. It is a peace that is not based upon the lack of troubles, strife, or conflict, but it is a peace that is given in the midst of the raging storm, only when our hearts and minds are fixed on Him. —Jim Comte

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found. —Edward Bickersteth

Genesis 8:20-9:29; Job 11:1-12:25; Matthew 6:1-18

How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! Numbers 24:5

Balaam, the soothsayer, was asked by the enemy to curse Israel. Instead God made sure he blessed them, even though, at times, the nation deserved retribution. Like most believers I often feel a failure, but the Lord comes alongside and reminds me that I am precious in His sight. I thank God that despite my weaknesses I am loved and preserved as one of His family. —Brian Russell

He walks with me and talks with me,
And tells me I am His own. —C. Austin Miles

Genesis 7:11-8:19; Job 9:1-10:22; Matthew 5:21-48

I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. Psalm 69:20

Where was everybody when the Saviour could find no one to comfort or take pity on Him? Judas had betrayed Him. Peter had denied Him. At Gethsemane, all forsook Him and fled. Before Pilate, the world rejected Him and cried, “Crucify him” (Luke 23:21). Alone He went to the cross and in those hours of darkness even the few who did follow could not comfort Him as He cried, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). Only He could pay the price for our sin, and that is what He did as He died alone for you and me. What a magnificent Saviour! —David Croudace

He could have called ten thousand angels
But He died alone for you and me. —Ray Overholt

Genesis 6:1-7:10; Job 8:1-22; Matthew 5:1-20

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11

Corinth was a city infamous for its sinfulness. But when some of its citizens trusted Christ, there was a huge change. Paul describes their transformation with three words. They were washed from their sins. They were sanctified meaning being made holy. They were justified meaning they were declared righteous. Do you desire to be cleansed, made holy, and declared righteous before God? Become a follower of Christ. —Sid Halsband

O joy of the justified, joy of the free!
I’m washed in that crimson tide opened for me;
In Christ, my Redeemer, rejoicing I stand,
And point to the print of the nail in His hand. —Frances Bottome

Genesis 4:1-5:32; Job 6:1-7:21; Matthew 4:1-25

Let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth. Ecclesiastes 11:9
Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

I felt out of place sitting in a coffee shop, as most of the clientele were much younger than me. However, as I gazed around me, I was intrigued with the words on a poster. “The habits of youth make or mar the happiness of the after years”. Paul encouraged young Timothy to develop good habits of thought and deed, so as to both glorify God, and to bring blessing to others and happiness to himself. Are we similarly convicted? —Brian Powlesland

Just as I am, Thine own to be, Friend of the young, Who lovest me,
To consecrate myself to Thee, O Jesus Christ, I come.—M. Hearn

Genesis 3:1-24; Job 4:1-5:27; Matthew 3:1-17

And they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. Ezek. 33:31

The people came to Ezekiel to hear the Lord’s word, then went and pursued their own pleasures. Are we “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22)? Or do we find ourselves taken up with the things of this world with no time for the things of the Lord? Oh, may we “know the Lord” (Hos. 6:3), and the knowledge of His grace and glory. —Annette Baal

Oh, fill me with Thy fullness, Lord,
Until my very heart o’erflow,
In kindling tho’t and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show. —Frances R. Havergal

Genesis 2:4-25; Job 2:11-3:26; Matthew 2:1-23

This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Exodus 12:2

This day marked the end of slavery for Israel in Egypt, and offered the prospect of a blessed future in a land “flowing with milk and honey” (Ex. 33:3). This came about through the blood of the spotless Passover lamb that was slain. Dear unsaved reader, you can be freed from the bondage of sin, and its consequences, through the blood of the Lamb of God, who shed His blood for you. Trust Him today, and you will have the happiest New Year you have ever had, and be assured of being in Heaven with your Saviour at the close of life’s short day. —W. H. Burnett

He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free,
His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood avails for me. —Wesley