Month: September 2019

1 Kings 12:1-33; Jeremiah 21:1-22:30; Colossians 1:1-20

Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy.
Jonah 2:8, NKJV

There are many things in life we cling to without knowing it.
It could be relationships, a vocation, material success—even worthy
desires and dreams. None of these are bad in themselves. But
when we begin to look to something other than God to satisfy us,
that’s when it becomes an idol. God reminds us to cling to Him!
Eventually, all idols fail, bringing disappointment and disillusionment.
But God promises that His grace will be abundantly sufficient
for all we need and only He can provide us with true joy and
satisfaction. Let’s cling to Him today! —Deborah Manera

He is a jealous God and He suffers no rivals.
— A. W. Tozer

1 Kings 11:1-43; Jeremiah 19-20; Philippians 4:2-23

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so
must the Son of man be lifted up. John 3:14

The brass serpent needed to be placed high upon a pole to be in
a place where the afflicted could see it if they would turn. So we
must keep our Saviour high and lifted up so if any would repent,
they can see Jesus. —D. Pickup

High and lifted up in all the earth is who You are;
Lord we exalt Your name. —Joseph Pace

1 Kings 10:1-29; Jeremiah 18:1-23; Philippians 3:1-4:1

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

What a contrast between these two verses. We have all fallen
short of the glory of God. But now freely (without a cause) we
have redemption. The source of this salvation is entirely the Lord.
It is freely from Him, by Him and for Him—salvation without a
cause. We were poor lost sinners before Him and yet out of His
mercy and goodness alone, He saved us. —Harold G. Smith

And can it be that I should gain,
An interest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued? —Charles Wesley

1 Kings 9:1-28; Jeremiah 17:1-27; Philippians 2:12-30

And the angel of the Lord came…and touched him, and said,
“Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you”.
1 Kings 19:7, NKJV

Our God is not limited to conventional means to provide for
His children. He has unlimited resources at His disposal. Elijah’s
history is a classic example of this. Ravens, a widow, and in this
case, an angel, were employed to provide for His discouraged
servant. Dear weary child of God; has your journey sapped you
of all physical and spiritual energy and you’re dreading what lies
ahead? Fear not. Lay it at His feet, trusting Him implicitly. He will
provide exactly what you need, in ways you least expect! —E. V.

Saviour, He can move the mountains; my God is mighty to save!
Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave.
— B. Fielding & R. Morgan

1 Kings 8:31-66; Jeremiah 16:1-21; Philippians 1:21-2:11

He said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

The cross is not an ornament for one’s neck. Neither is it a burden
to be borne such as Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7). Oh
no! One who was seen carrying a cross was on their way to die!
What the Lord is saying is, if you want to follow Me it must be a
life commitment—you must be willing to suffer and even be willing
to face death for Me. To suffering saints in Smyrna and to us
He says, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer…(
just) Be faithful until death” (Rev. 2:10). —David Croudace

Am I a soldier of the cross, a follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause, or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies, on flowery beds of ease,
While others fight to win the prize and sail thro’ bloody seas?—C. Studd

1 Kings 8:1-30; Jeremiah 15:1-21; Philippians 1:1-20

Ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 1 Corinthians 11:26

What will happen when our Lord comes? First, He personally
shall descend from heaven. Then the dead in Christ shall rise first.
Those who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always
be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:16-17). What a grand reunion of loved
ones it will be then! Till He comes, let us eat of the bread and drink
of the cup, remembering and revering Him. —K. C. Ung

See, the feast of love is spread,
Drink the wine, and break the bread;
Sweet memorials, till the Lord;
Calls us round His heavenly board;
Some from earth, from glory some,
Severed only, till He come. —E. H. Bickersteth Jr.

1 Kings 7:1-51; Jeremiah 14:1-22; Ephesians 6:10-24

But we trusted it had been he which should have redeemed
Israel. Luke 24:21

One can imagine the sadness the two disciples felt as they
trudged the Emmaus road. It is reflected in two words spoken in
the past tense, “we trusted”. It reveals their lost hope in the One
who lay buried in Joseph’s tomb. But death could not long imprison
the Author of Life. From His resurrection springs hope and
consolation. We praise and thank Him for being raised for our justification.
The risen Christ will remain and conquer. —E. Dyck

Bow to the conq’ring King,
God’s own begotten Son!
Death where is now thy sting?
God’s redeeming work is done.
—Ron Hamilton

1 Kings 6:1-38; Jeremiah 13:1-27; Ephesians 5:22-6:9

And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My
people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry…I know their
sorrows.” Exodus 3:7, NKJV

Israel’s suffering did not escape the Lord’s notice, nor had He
forgotten His covenant with their patriarchs. He remembers His
promises to them: “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable”
(Rom. 11:29, NKJV). He knew about their persecution, and had
plans to judge their tormentors and deliver Israel to new life in the
promised land. In our age, the Almighty remembers His church,
never deserts His children, and promises to safely carry us to the
Father’s house (John 14:1-3). —Keith Keyser

And art Thou with us, gracious Lord, to dissipate our fear?
Dost Thou proclaim Thyself our God, our Father ever near?
—P. Doddridge

1 Kings 4:1-5:18; Jeremiah 12:1-17; Ephesians 5:1-21

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

Sometimes publishers put out a book with a new cover but with
the old content inside. It is a good object lesson about our lives
and the danger of hypocrisy. It is what is inside that truly matters.
Effective servants must regularly nourish their inner man
with prayer and God’s Word which strengthens us. Vigilant servants
must also avoid “junk food” that takes away our spiritual
appetite. If spiritually malnourished, we must compel ourselves
to “eat” to recover lost appetite. —George Ferrier

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
— William D. Longstaff

1 Kings 3:1-28; Jeremiah 11:1-23; Ephesians 4:17-32

And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my
beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Mark 1:11

These wonderful words show us what God the Father thought
of His Son. It is interesting to notice that this commendation from
the Father came before any sermon was preached or any miracle
performed by His Son. The Father loved the Son not for what He
said or did but for who He was! When I examine my life what do
I focus on? The things I do or say? Or is it who I am in Christ? Activity,
although important, is no replacement for a life that has the
fragrant character of Christ! —Sid Halsband

Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride;
I now surrender, Lord—in me abide. —Edwin Orr