Lord’s Day, June 30, 2019

Joshua 13:1-33; Isaiah 9:8-10:4; Luke 24:36-53

But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

All of Christ’s work testifies to victory. Shouting “finished” (John 19:30) from the cross He paid the price for our sins. Rising from the dead He won the victory over death. Ascending to the Father through the air, He demonstrated His victory over the prince of the power of the air. Someday Christ will return to gather us in the air, revealing His glorified Bride, the fruit of His victory. Later He’ll return with His saints, defeating the world’s armies, and setting up His kingdom on earth. Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ. —George Ferrier

O lead me to the Man that died, who all God’s nature glorified;
Descending to the depths of woe; and for us vanquished every foe! —Alfred Mace

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Joshua 11:1-12:24; Isaiah 8:5-9:7; Luke 24:13-35

Ye see me no more. John 16:10

No more! Those words filled the disciples’ heart with sorrow as the Lord announced His departure (v. 6). But consider what He was leaving to accomplish. He paid the full price for our redemption so “there is no more offering for sin” (Heb. 10:18). His victory was seen when He rose to “dieth no more” (Rom. 6:9). The sinner who is cleansed can claim God’s promise: “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Heb. 10:17). Then, when this life is over, the child of God goes to the Land of no more curse (Rev. 22:3). And there, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death” (21:4). What a blessing to know more of God’s grand purposes this side of the cross! —Brian Cretney

No blood, no altar now, the sacrifice is o’er!
No flame, no smoke ascends on high, the lamb is slain no more.—Bonar

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Joshua 11:1-12:24; Isaiah 8:5-9:7; Luke 24:13-35

Ye see me no more. John 16:10

No more! Those words filled the disciples’ heart with sorrow as
the Lord announced His departure (v. 6). But consider what He
was leaving to accomplish. He paid the full price for our redemption
so “there is no more offering for sin” (Heb. 10:18). His victory
was seen when He rose to “dieth no more” (Rom. 6:9). The sinner
who is cleansed can claim God’s promise: “Their sins and iniquities
will I remember no more” (Heb. 10:17). Then, when this life is over,
the child of God goes to the Land of no more curse (Rev. 22:3).
And there, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there
shall be no more death” (21:4). What a blessing to know more of
God’s grand purposes this side of the cross! —Brian Cretney

No blood, no altar now, the sacrifice is o’er!
No flame, no smoke ascends on high, the lamb is slain no more.—Bonar

Friday, June 28, 2019

Joshua 10:1-43; Isaiah 7:1-8:4; Luke 23:47-24:12

I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

In Great Britain, one comes across stone walls, which have stood for hundreds of years. If you look closely at them you will see that each stone, no matter how small, has a place. Each one, no matter its size, has been important to the integrity of the whole. Even so are we. Peter says that believers as “lively stones, are built up a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5). Paul adds that we are “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20). Each one of God’s peoples is integral to the whole. May we fulfill our role with joy and faithfulness. —Ken Gunnell

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! —G. Keith

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Joshua 9:1-27; Isaiah 6:1-13; Luke 23:13-46

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; For in thee do I trust: Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Psalm 143:8

As David suffered persecution he asked for two things. First, he longed to enjoy more of the goodness and kindness of His God, because he trusted in Him. His second petition can apply two ways, morally and practically: that morally he would walk in a way pleasing to the Lord, and practically that he would know divine guidance as he lived his life. David asked because he looked alone to the Lord to uphold him. May we follow his example and trust in our God—no matter our circumstances. —Pete Smith

Mine eyes are unto Thee, my God, my soul on Thee doth wait, My hope is in Thy faithful Word, and in Thy love so great. —F. J. M.

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Joshua 8:1-35; Isaiah 5:1-30; Luke 22:54-23:12

He (the prodigal) said…I perish with hunger! I…will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee. Luke 15:17-18

The Prodigal Son was initially motivated by his hunger. But his true conviction was his sin. We can suggest to unbelievers that their lives will be so much better off if they join our Christian fellowship. But the Spirit has come into the world to “reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). Simply inviting them to a local fellowship with no personal support or teaching will not be nearly as effective as lovingly showing them their sin and guiding them to Christ. —Ken Gross

Would you o’er evil a victory win?
There’s wonderful power in the blood. —Lewis Jones

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Joshua 7:1-26; Isaiah 3:1-4:6; Luke 22:31-53

Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Ephesians 3:7

Sometimes believers are paralyzed in their service because they do not know what to do. Assessing the tools that God has equipped you with is not boasting, it is preparation. Remember these are gifts received from the Lord and you have nothing to boast about. It seems clear that the Apostle knew what his gift was. Therefore I should be equally understanding of what the Lord has gifted me with and be faithful and obedient in using my gift for the Lord. —Sid Halsband

Jesus calls us! By Thy mercies, Saviour, may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thy obedience, serve and love Thee best of all.
– C. F. Alexander

Monday, June 24, 2019

Joshua 5:13-6:27; Isaiah 2:1-22; Luke 22:1-30

A stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. John 10:5
I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. Romans 16:19

Darby said, “The sheep…know His voice. There are many other voices, but the sheep do not know them. Their safety consists, not in knowing them all, but in knowing that they are not the one voice which is life to them—the voice of Jesus. All the rest are the voices of strangers”. Safety is familiarity with the Good Shepherd. Sheep should ask one question, “Is that my Shepherd’s voice?”. —J. A. Bjorlie

O Lamb of God! Still keep me near to Thy wounded side;
’Tis only there in safety and peace I can abide
. —J. G. Deck

Lord’s Day, June 23, 2019

Joshua 4:1-5:12; Isaiah 1:1-31; Luke 21:5-38

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 1:12

God did not make the way to Himself obscure or partial. To be righteous and fair, salvation was open to as many as received Him. God is eternal in existence; infinite in wisdom, love, grace and mercy; unlimited in power and authority. Yet He chose to be found in fashion as a man. In His divine plan, He never compromised nor limited anything of Himself, but humbled Himself to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. May our worship please Him today. —G. C. G.

As we gather in Your presence now, Lord, we will worship;
As we sing our thankful songs aloud: Lord we will worship. —J. Payne

Saturday, June 22, 2019

Joshua 3:1-17; Hosea 11:12-14:9; Luke 20:20-21:4

In Him all things consist. Colossians 1:17, NKJV

When we think of Christ’s controlling and unifying power in the universe, consider that planet earth is moving in four different ways at once. It is rotating on its axis at 29 miles a second (at the equator); it is circling around the sun at 19 miles a second; it is moving with the solar system around the Milky Way at 170 miles a second—all as the universe expands outward. —W. Ross Rainey

O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art! —Carl Boberg