Month: July 2019

Judges 6:1-40; Isaiah 27:1-13; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. Psalm 48:1

A favourite song has reminded me again of the greatness of God. His Word tells us that He knows the weight of the earth, mountains and hills. All the people of the nations are as dust on His scales. He picks up the islands as though they were weightless (Isa. 40). This great God who hangs the world on nothing and calls each star by name, also counts the hairs on our heads and notes the sparrow’s fall. He is concerned about the details of our lives. So, how great is God? If there was an adequate answer no mind could comprehend it. We must simply praise His greatness! —E. Dyck

Come Christians join to sing, loud praise to Christ our King,
Let all with heart and voice, before His throne rejoice;
Praise is His gracious choice; Alleluia! Amen! —Christian A. Bateman

Judges 5:1-31; Isaiah 26:1-21; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Because iniquity (evil) shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Matthew 24:12
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16

Daily we are witnessing an increase in our society’s lawlessness (evil)—a disregard for others, for human life; leaving pain and suffering in its wake. The Lord Jesus warned the disciples that this would be one of the signs of His second coming to earth. If we recognize this as a sign today, how much sooner is His return for those who are in Christ (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Let us make wise use of our time for the Lord, during these “last days”. —Bob Cretney

With eternity’s values in view Lord,
With eternity’s values in view,
May I do each day’s work for Jesus,
With eternity’s values in view. —Alfred B. Smith

Judges 4:1-24; Isaiah 25:1-12; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Israel is My son, My firstborn. Exodus 4:22, NKJV
Let My people go that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness. Exodus 5:1, NKJV
Let My son go that he may serve Me. Exodus 4:23, NKJV

Many Christians struggle seeking to discover God’s purpose for them. Here are some purposes God had for Israel that are still applicable today. First, rest in the blessing of your “Sonship”. Rejoice in all the blessings the Lord daily bestows upon you. Secondly, they were to “hold a feast” in the wilderness. Today, God’s purpose is that we “hold a feast”, and remember Him weekly (1 Cor. 11:26). Lastly, He desired that they might serve Him and today He desires the same for you and me. Oh that we would. —Jim Comte

Only one life, ‘twill soon be past
Only what’s done for Christ will last. —C. T. Studd

Judges 3:5-31; Isaiah 24:1-23; 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? Song of Solomon 8:5

Oh to grasp the picture! The Lord is not just there to welcome us once we make it through—He is with us as we go through. Whether for refreshment in peaceful pastures (Ps. 23:2), refuge in perilous waters, refinement in the purifying fire (Isa. 43:2) or restoration in the parching wilderness; His lovingkindness has drawn us unto Himself (Jer. 31:3). The wearied soul can rest as He speaks softly to our hearts (Hos. 2:14). Our circumstances vary greatly, but He remains steadfast; always with us to steady, to shield and to sustain the soul. —D. J. Reed

He faileth not, for He is God:
He faileth not: He’s pledged His Word:
He faileth not: He’ll see you through, this God with whom we have to do. —M. Barber

Judges 2:6-3:4; Isaiah 22:15-23:18; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? Job 34:29

The answer to the above question is: no one, and nothing! The storms of life’s circumstances may roar about us, threatening our quietness, but our souls need not be left in a state of unrest. There is a place of quietness in the eye of the storm, where there is a great calm. It is there where the Master of the winds and the waves is waiting to speak peace to your soul. Don’t delay. Claim it today! —E. V.

Blessed quietness, holy quietness,
What assurance for my soul!
On the stormy seas He speaks peace to me,
How the billows cease to roll! —Mannie P. Ferguson

Judges 1:1-2:5; Isaiah 21:1-22:14; 1 Corinthians 1:1-31

He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. 2 Chronicles 29:3

Only 25 years old! This remarkable young man made a huge impact on God’s people. Years of departure had left the house of God in ruins. The doors were closed, the lamp of God was put out and the altar of incense was cold. In his first year Hezekiah opened the doors of the house of the Lord. His priority was God first — making the house of God accessible and welcoming. The light of God shone brightly once again! Young people your contribution to God’s house is valued and needed! —Sid Halsband

“Revive Thy work, O Lord!”
Disturb this sleep of death;
Quicken the smould’ring embers,
Lord, by Thine almighty breath. —Albert Midlane

Joshua 24:1-33; Isaiah 19:1-20:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God. Hebrews 10:12

The furnishings in the tabernacle and temple were few. There was the table of showbread, the lampstand, the altar of incense, the ark of the covenant, and the mercy seat. But there were no chairs. Therefore, we read, “every priest standeth daily ministering” (Heb. 10:11). Their work was ongoing. But when the Lord Jesus offered Himself as the sacrifice for our sins forever, His work was complete. So, He sat down. The fact that He sat down brings us into good standing with God. —Rex Trogdon

Rise my soul! Behold ‘tis Jesus,
Jesus fills thy wond’ring eyes;
See Him now in glory seated,
Where thy sins no more can rise. —J. Denham Smith

Joshua 23:1-16; Isaiah 17:1-18:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both. Job 9:33
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all. 1 Timothy 2:5-6

The salvation of men necessitated that the mediator should himself possess the nature and attributes of God and likewise participate in the nature of man, apart from sin. Only by being possessed both of deity and humanity could He comprehend the claims of God and the needs of man. This requirement is fully met in the Lord Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh. —Curtis Thigpen

I hear the words of love, I gaze upon the blood.
I see the mighty sacrifice, and I have peace with God. —Horatius Bonar

Joshua 22:1-34; Isaiah 15:1-16:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Make me as one of thy hired servants. Luke 15:19
Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved. Philemon 16

There is an interesting contrast between the prodigal son of the father’s house and the runaway slave of Philemon’s house. The prodigal left as a son and returned in shame begging the position of a slave. Onesimus was a slave who left in shame and was received home as a brother beloved. Both found grace. Christ makes all the difference. —Sam Thorpe, Jr.

Come home! Thy Saviour calls thee;
Come home! No more in darkness roam;
Come home! Thy Father loves thee;
Come home! O wayward child, come home! —Julia H. Johnston

Joshua 20:1-21:45; Isaiah 14:1-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:26, NKJV

We live on a beautiful harbour. Kowhai and clematis flower grow amongst bush and ferns where birds join their songs. It causes us to rejoice in the Creator. But to some today, animals, birds, fish and vegetation are considered of greater importance than humans. It is mankind that has been made in the image of God. Not only that but He gave His Son to die for our sins at Calvary. —Janet Fleming

God loves me and cares for me;
He showed it fully at Calvary,
And as His creation I’m set apart,
For God, the Creator lives in my heart. —Janet Fleming