Month: January 2020

Genesis 27:1-46; Job 34:1-35:16; Matthew 14:13-36

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

When we seek to please others, the eyes of our heart lose their focus on the Lord Jesus. When that happens we begin to regard people and our circumstances instead of the Lord, and it is not long before the things of this life control our hearts and minds. Keep looking to Jesus for He is the Master of our hearts. Viewing Him brings God’s peace to our souls. —Vickie Gaynier

I in my Saviour am happy and blessed;
Watching and waiting, looking above;
Filled with His goodness,
Lost in His love. —Fanny J. Crosby

Genesis 26:1-35; Job 32:1-33:33; Matthew 13:44-14:12

And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. John 6:6

Whenever you face something overwhelming, rest assured that the Lord already knows what He is going to do. Yet, because of His gracious nature, the Lord is always inviting us to be involved in His work. The disciples on this occasion were tasked with feeding thousands, a job well beyond anyone’s ability. Not only did Jesus want them to come up with ideas on how to feed the masses, He also wanted them to organize the event and execute it. But Jesus knew what He was going to do. What’s He going to do in your impossible situation? —Shane Johnson

All things are possible to God; to Christ, the power of God in man;
To me when I am all renewed, in Christ am fully formed again.—Wesley

Genesis 25:1-34; Job 31:1-40; Matthew 13:24-43

Who is worthy? Revelation 5:2
Thou art worthy, O Lord! Revelation 4:11

The dictionary defines worthy as, “having value or merit, deserving.” That description is personified in our blessed Saviour. Heaven’s courts ask the question: “Who is worthy?” It is emphatically answered: “Thou art worthy O Lord!” Why is He worthy? Because He was slain and has redeemed us to God by His blood. What is He worthy of? To receive blessing, and honour, and glory, and power! Raise up adoration and praise from worshiping hearts today, for He alone is worthy! —E. V.

Thou, Thou art worthy Lord, of most untiring praise;
The Lamb once slain shall be adored thro’ everlasting days. —W. H. Havergal

Genesis 24:1-67; Job 29:1-30:31; Matthew 13:1-23

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Rev. 19:6

This verse is one of four, where Alleluias fill the vault of Heaven. These Alleluias were provoked by the destruction of Babylon— that godless, man-made, global, world system. The Mother of Harlots—the counterfeit bride—has gone. Now the time has come for the true bride of Christ to be revealed, and the marriage supper of the Lamb to take place. Not only so, but the Kingdom of God is now to be established, with Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. Again we say, Alleluia. —W. H. Burnett

When He comes, our glorious King, all His ransomed home to bring.
Then anew, this song we’ll sing, Hallelujah! What a Saviour. —P. P. Bliss

Genesis 23:1-20; Job 27:1-28:28; Matthew 12:22-50

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

It takes very little e?ort to focus on what’s wrong. We’re surrounded by it. The god of this world provides everything needed for us to be miserable. So why would we let him win? Instead we should set our attention and a?ections on things which are of heavenly character! —Rick Morse

Though destruction walk around us, though the arrows past us fly,
Angel guards from Thee surround us, we are safe if Thou art nigh. —James Edmeston

Genesis 22:1-24; Job 25:1-26:14; Matthew 12:1-21

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14

What a blessed prospect! Before modern technology existed we wondered how this could be accomplished. Now we see evidences of that global “news” coverage constantly. “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37). So we shouldn’t be overwhelmed with the misuse of current technology, but should realize that it is simply another evidence of His soon return. Our great God can do with it as He so chooses. —Wm. H. Gustafson

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove;
The glories of His righteousness. —Isaac Watts

Genesis 20:1-21:34; Job 23:1-24:25; Matthew 11:2-30

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds. Colossians 4:3

Paul wrote these words while incarcerated in a Roman prison. Nevertheless, when he requested prayer it was not to be delivered from prison, but that a door would be open for him to speak about Christ. Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that if our circumstances were more favourable we would be better able to be used of the Lord. Remember, the Lord uses those who are available to Him, despite their situation. —Sid Halsband

The heirs of salvation, I know from His Word,
Through much tribulation, must follow their Lord. —John Newton

Genesis 19:1-38; Job 22:1-30; Matthew 10:24-11:1

Who ever perished, being innocent? Job 4:7
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10

How could Job possibly be innocent since he was su?ering so acutely? As then, so now—God’s purposes are being accomplished. If you are passing through a harsh trial remember the Lord has not forgotten you. He loves you and is refining you as gold in the fire in order to bring glory to His name (1 Peter 1:7). —David Croudace

And this is my prayer in the fire;
In weakness or trial or pain,
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold;
So refine me dear Lord, through the flame. —Brooke Fraser

Genesis 18:1-33; Job 21:1-34; Matthew 10:1-23

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141: 3, NKJV
I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. Psalm 81:10, NKJV

Our first verse encourages us to keep our mouths controlled. We need to carefully watch what we say so we give encouragement and not o?ense, hope and not despair, light and not darkness. The second verse encourages us to open our mouths because He wants to fill them. When He fills us with His words, His blessing will naturally overflow out of us. May He give us words of edification to speak to others today. —Annette Baal

Take my lips, and let them be;
Filled with messages from Thee. —Frances Ridley Havergal

Genesis 17:1-27; Job 20:1-29; Matthew 9:18-38

And, behold, a woman…which was a sinner…stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Luke 7:37-38

Notice that this “sinner” worshipped the Lord without a spoken word. She presented her tears and her precious ointment to Him as “an offering and a sacrifice to God” (Eph. 5:2). Her ministrations to Him were a delight to His heart. How good it is to come together to worship Him, with or without a spoken word, in spirit and in truth! “So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him” (Ps. 45:11). —E. C. B.

Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore,
Mortals, give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore. —C. Wesley