Lord’s Day, May 31, 2020

Deuteronomy 10:12-11:32; Song of Solomon 1:1-2:7; Luke 9:18-36

It was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea…asked for the body of Jesus. Mark 15:42-43, NKJV

His request granted, Joseph purchased the linen needed to wrap the body. Then he took down the body of the Lord. Picture him bending with tears over the almost unrecognizable features so beloved, tenderly wrapping that precious body with the best linen in the world. Carrying his precious burden, Joseph was now ceremonially unclean and unable to take part in Passover—perhaps for the first time in his life. Preparation Day. Joseph unwittingly preparing for a new Sabbath, for Resurrection Day. Prepare and then worship. —M. MacMullen

Amidst us our Beloved stands,
And bids us view His pierced hands. —A. P. Gibbs

Saturday, May 30, 2020

Deuteronomy 9:1-10:11; Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:14; Luke 9:1-17

Even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. Isaiah 46:4

When I was younger I often heard older people say, “Growing old isn’t for sissies.” I suppose another way to put it would be that, “It is only for the brave.” Certainly aging brings unique challenges to our life journey. But isn’t it just one more of life’s seasons to trust fully to our Lord? Then we’ll see that triumphant aging is the lot of the one who trusts the Lord. He will bear; He will carry; He will deliver. —Ken Gross

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all. —Edgar P. Stites

Friday, May 29, 2020

Deuteronomy 7:12-8:20; Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:20; Luke 8:40-56

And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness…Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand. 1 Samuel 23:14, NKJV
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds…bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:4-5, NKJV

For David, strongholds in the wilderness were a source of safety. But for us, strongholds are physical, mental or spiritual issues that hold us captive. When we turn these things over to Him, the Holy Spirit helps us to keep our thoughts on Jesus and the freedom we have in Him. —Annette Baal

I will cast all my cares upon You. —Kelly Willard

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Deuteronomy 6:1-7:11; Ecclesiastes 8:1-9:10; Luke 8:22-39

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Romans 4:3

After returning home from a far country, I found that I could not convert my leftover currency back into Canadian dollars. It had no value here. Similarly, many are hoping that some day they will be able to exchange their own righteousness for heavenly currency. Yet falling short of God’s righteousness, their good deeds will be worthless. Instead, we must solely believe on Christ and His work at Calvary. When we do so, God exchanges our faith for Heaven’s currency, Christ’s perfect righteousness. —George Ferrier

The good works of the unsaved may indeed benefit their fellow-creatures; but until life in Christ has been received, they cannot please God. —Hudson Taylor

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Deuteronomy 5:1-33; Ecclesiastes 7:1-29; Luke 8:1-21

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7

As a little one was being tucked into bed, she turned and said, “Mommy, I was thinking about gravity and I’ve decided it is God at the centre of the world, protecting and keeping His children right side up when the world is upside down.” How wonderful to know our great God can keep His dear people right side up, in an upside down world. He cares for you—today. —Arnot P. McIntee

No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you;
Lean weary one upon His breast, God will take care of you. —Civilla Durfee Martin

Thursday, May 26, 2020

Deuteronomy 4:1-49; Ecclesiastes 5:1-6:12; Luke 7:30-50

So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 20:2

Sadly, today some have been turned aside from following Christ by such things as materialism or personal pleasure. Devotion, loyalty and commitment should mark each of us, as it did the men of Judah. May God preserve each of us from following worldly pursuits and help us to heed the advice of Barnabas, to the new believers in Antioch—“that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23). —Pete Smith

Saviour, more than life to me, I am clinging, clinging close to Thee;
Let Thy precious blood applied, keep me ever, ever near Thy side. —Fanny J. Crosby

Monday, May 25, 2020

Deuteronomy 3:1-29; Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:16; Luke 7:1-29

He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the Lord An offering in righteousness. Malachi 3:3, NKJV

The Levites had defiled themselves by allowing sinful practices in their lives. God declared that before He could accept their offerings, He would need to purify them in His refiner’s fire, to purge them of any impurities. We likewise, need to examine ourselves and cooperate with God’s refining work in our lives, so that our spiritual sacrifices (worship), will be acceptable to Him. —E. V.

Refiners fire, my hearts one desire,
Is to be holy, set apart for you Lord! —Brian Doerksen

Lord’s Day, May 24, 2020

Deuteronomy 2:1-37; Ecclesiastes 2:12-3:15; Luke 6:20-49

And the veil shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. Exodus 26:33
And that ye may put difference (divide, separate) between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean. Leviticus 10:10

There are numerous causes of division among people and many of them are not worthwhile. Here’s one division which God takes very seriously: a division between that which is holy and that which is unholy. Notice the veil in the tabernacle separated between the holy place where men served and the most holy place where God dwelt. Thankfully that veil was removed by the finished work of the Saviour at Calvary. —Wm. H. Gustafson

Within the veil, His fragrance poured upon thee.
Outside the veil, that fragrance shed abroad. —Freda H. Allen

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Deuteronomy 1:1-46; Ecclesiastes 1:1-2:11; Luke 6:1-19

And Bezaleel the son Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the Lord commanded Moses. Exodus 38:22

What a thrill it must have been for Bezaleel’s father and grandfather to see their son and grandson being used of the Lord. How important it is for those of us who have seen the Lord bless us with children and family going on for the Lord, to pray for those godly parents who have unsaved loved ones. Remember God is still able to save even after the children have left home and seemingly gone their own way. Keep praying! —Brian Russell

Power lost souls to win From Satan’s mighty hold
Power the wanderers to bring Back to the Heavenly fold. —C. Russell Hurditch

Friday, May 22, 2020

Numbers 35:9-36:13; Proverbs 31:1-31; Luke 5:17-39

For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Malachi 3:6
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to day, and for ever. Heb. 13:8

I think it’s safe to say that no generation in history has seen as many changes as the one in which we are living. Technological advances have changed how we communicate, how we transport ourselves, even how we pay bills. Much of the world’s morals have also changed and unfortunately mostly for the worse. How do we as believers handle these changes? By keeping our eyes on the unchanging One. —Sid Halsband

While all things change, Thou changest not,
Forgetting ne’er, though oft forgot. —J. H. Evans