READ:
Jeremiah 20:7-13
But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my
persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be
greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting
confusion shall never be forgotten.
-Jeremiah 20:11
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 26-27
Philippians 2
As a young boy, my father had to deliver slop to hungry pigs on the farm
where he grew up. He hated this job because the hogs would knock him
over when he entered their pen. This task might have been impossible
except for a faithful helper who accompanied my dad - a German shepherd
named Sugarbear. She would maneuver herself between my father and the
pigs and hold them back until my dad finished his chore.
The prophet Jeremiah had the difficult job of proclaiming God’s message
to the Israelites. This required him to endure physical abuse, verbal
attacks, imprisonment, and isolation. Although Jeremiah struggled with
deep discouragement, he had a Helper through all of his trouble. God
promised him, “I am with you…to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1:19).
God did not desert Jeremiah, and He will not desert us. We have His
continual aid through the power of the Spirit who lives inside every
believer (John 14:16-17). The Helper gives us hope (Romans 15:13), steers us towards spiritual truth (John 16:13), and pours out God’s love in our hearts (Romans 5:5).
We can trust that God faithfully helps us as we endure hardship. We can
say with Jeremiah, “The LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome One”
(Jeremiah 20:11). – Jennifer Benson Schuldt
You, God, have been our help forever.
And You are our hope now and into eternity.
We thank You that You will never desert us.
You will be faithful.
Our greatest hope here below is help from God above.
Tuesday 4 October 2016
Sunday 2 October 2016
THIEVES IN THE SANCTUARY I - Open Heavens 2016 - October 5
Read:
Malachi 3:8-9
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 35:1-37:14
Psalms 74:1-11
Hymn:
Sing hymn 6
One sad thing going on among children of God is that some are stealing from the sanctuary of God and the people concerned are doing it with impunity.
There are many ways a person can steal from the sanctuary of God. The most common way to almost every Bible reading Christian is when you deny God one-tenth of your income, Malachi 3:8 says:
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
When someone eats all his income without giving back one out of ten of it, the fellow is stealing from the sanctuary, because the tithe belongs to the sanctuary of God.
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Malachi 3:10
Another way of stealing from the sanctuary is by refusing to give your first-fruit to the Lord as He requested from His covenant people in Deuteronomy 26:2:
“That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.”
Some people will argue that the ordinance of the first fruit belongs to the Old Testament era. I have always asked them about the numerous promises of God in the Old Testament which they often quote and claim to their advantage. For example, I asked some of them who took me up on whether the promise of being “the head and not the tail” isn’t found in the New Testament. Or “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” which is also in the book of Matthew. The truth of the matter is that the scriptures which are favourable to the flesh are easily quoted and claimed. Those that take the steam out of their so called personal freedom and finances are pushed to the background. The first fruit is the property of the Almighty God in His sanctuary. We must give it to Him through the custodians of the genuine sanctuary of God. I pray for someone using this devotional; the Holy Spirit will convince you of the truth about tithes, offerings and first fruit.
Memorise:
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Ephesians 4:28
Prayer Point:
Father, help me to abstain from stealing from your sanctuary, and help me to perform the required restitution for the damage I have done to Your honour, when I denied You of Your tithes, offerings and first fruits.
Malachi 3:8-9
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 35:1-37:14
Psalms 74:1-11
Hymn:
Sing hymn 6
One sad thing going on among children of God is that some are stealing from the sanctuary of God and the people concerned are doing it with impunity.
There are many ways a person can steal from the sanctuary of God. The most common way to almost every Bible reading Christian is when you deny God one-tenth of your income, Malachi 3:8 says:
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
When someone eats all his income without giving back one out of ten of it, the fellow is stealing from the sanctuary, because the tithe belongs to the sanctuary of God.
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Malachi 3:10
Another way of stealing from the sanctuary is by refusing to give your first-fruit to the Lord as He requested from His covenant people in Deuteronomy 26:2:
“That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.”
Some people will argue that the ordinance of the first fruit belongs to the Old Testament era. I have always asked them about the numerous promises of God in the Old Testament which they often quote and claim to their advantage. For example, I asked some of them who took me up on whether the promise of being “the head and not the tail” isn’t found in the New Testament. Or “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” which is also in the book of Matthew. The truth of the matter is that the scriptures which are favourable to the flesh are easily quoted and claimed. Those that take the steam out of their so called personal freedom and finances are pushed to the background. The first fruit is the property of the Almighty God in His sanctuary. We must give it to Him through the custodians of the genuine sanctuary of God. I pray for someone using this devotional; the Holy Spirit will convince you of the truth about tithes, offerings and first fruit.
Memorise:
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Ephesians 4:28
Prayer Point:
Father, help me to abstain from stealing from your sanctuary, and help me to perform the required restitution for the damage I have done to Your honour, when I denied You of Your tithes, offerings and first fruits.
PINK SHEEP - Our Daily Bread 2016 - October 5
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
-John 13:35
-John 13:35
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 23-25
Philippians 1
While travelling on a road from Glasglow to Edinburgh, Scotland, I was enjoying the beautiful pastoral countryside when a rather humorous sight captured my attention. There, on a small hilltop, was a rather large flock of pink sheep.
I know that sheep owners mark their animals with dots of spray paint to identify them – but these sheep really stood out. The owner had fully covered every animal with pink coloring. Eveyone knew who those sheep belonged to.
Scripture calls followers of Christ sheep, and they too have a unique identifying mark. What is the “pink coloring” in a Christ-follower’s life? How can someone be identified as Jesus’ own?
In the gospel of John, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, told us what identifier is: love. “Love one another; as I have loved you…By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
In words and deeds, a believer should show love to all those around. “Beloved,” John writes, “if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11). A Christian’s love for others around should be as obvious as pink wool on a flock of Scottish sheep. – Dave Branon
Dear Lord, remind me that this life is not about me and my needs, but about others and how Your love can shine through me to them. May Christlike love be my distinguishing characteristic.
As followers of Christ, our love should make us stand out in a crowd.
ENDURE TILL THE END - Open Heavens 2016 - October 4
Read:
Mark 13:3-13
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 33-34
Psalms 73:18-28
Hymn:
Sing hymn 10
The Christian race is not a short one but a marathon; you know there is a finish line but you can’t see it. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not hide this truth from us when He said:
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
Matthew 24:36
To endure suggests that one would have to live with some things that are not compatible with our nature. This is a truth that some 21st century believers are not ready to live with. Our Lord Jesus Christ said that we should come and learn of Him. In the process of learning of Him, we must take His yoke upon us. The burden of our Lord Jesus Christ is justice, righteousness; love for God and acceptable service to humanity, particularly those in the household of faith. The Bible says:
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:10
What calls for endurance in the Christian walk and why should we endure? Jesus Christ confronted the people of old about the fact that they hated Him, because He stood for the truth which His Father sent Him to tell the world.
“…ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham...Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.”
John 8:39-40,42
Against this background, our Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples and us by extension that He was sending us forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, and that we should be as wise as serpents, and as harmless as doves. He went further to tell us what was to come:
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Matthew 10:22
Beloved, as we journey through the wilderness of this world towards our heavenly home, don’t let us forget that this way is a narrow one. It takes a lot of discipline and self-denial to scale through successfully. Straight is the gate and narrow is the way according to the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us forge ahead and the Lord will see us through to the heavenly Canaan in Jesus’ Name. Whatever situation that may warrant your backsliding shall be destroyed this day in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Go into the world today and obtain your victory in Jesus’ Name.
Memorise:
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Mark 13:13
Prayer Point:
Father, please see me through the journey of life and don’t let me perish with the world.
Mark 13:3-13
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 33-34
Psalms 73:18-28
Hymn:
Sing hymn 10
The Christian race is not a short one but a marathon; you know there is a finish line but you can’t see it. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not hide this truth from us when He said:
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
Matthew 24:36
To endure suggests that one would have to live with some things that are not compatible with our nature. This is a truth that some 21st century believers are not ready to live with. Our Lord Jesus Christ said that we should come and learn of Him. In the process of learning of Him, we must take His yoke upon us. The burden of our Lord Jesus Christ is justice, righteousness; love for God and acceptable service to humanity, particularly those in the household of faith. The Bible says:
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:10
What calls for endurance in the Christian walk and why should we endure? Jesus Christ confronted the people of old about the fact that they hated Him, because He stood for the truth which His Father sent Him to tell the world.
“…ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham...Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.”
John 8:39-40,42
Against this background, our Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples and us by extension that He was sending us forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, and that we should be as wise as serpents, and as harmless as doves. He went further to tell us what was to come:
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Matthew 10:22
Beloved, as we journey through the wilderness of this world towards our heavenly home, don’t let us forget that this way is a narrow one. It takes a lot of discipline and self-denial to scale through successfully. Straight is the gate and narrow is the way according to the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us forge ahead and the Lord will see us through to the heavenly Canaan in Jesus’ Name. Whatever situation that may warrant your backsliding shall be destroyed this day in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Go into the world today and obtain your victory in Jesus’ Name.
Memorise:
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Mark 13:13
Prayer Point:
Father, please see me through the journey of life and don’t let me perish with the world.
DISPOSABLE CULTURE - Our Daily Bread 2016 - October 4
READ:
Psalm 136:1-9,23-26
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
-Psalm 136:1
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 20-22
Ephesians 6
More than ever, we live in a disposable culture. Think for a minute about some of the things that are made to be thrown away – razors, water bottles, lighters, paper plates, plastic eating utensils. Products are used, tossed, and then replaced.
This disposable culture is also reflected in more significant ways. Many times true commitment in relationships is seen as optional. Marriages struggle to survive. Long-term employees are discharged just before retirement for cheaper options. A highly revered athlete leaves to join another team. It seems as if nothing lasts.
Our unchanging God, however, has promised that His loving mercy endures forever. In Psalm 136, the singer celebrates this wonderful promise by making statements God’s wonder, work, and character. He then punctuates each statement about God with the phrase, “For His mercy endures forever.” Whether it is the wonder of His creation (vv.4-9), the rescue of His people (vv.10-22), or His tender care for His own (vv.23-26), we can trust Him because His mercy will never fail. In a temporary world, the permanence of God’s mercy gives us hope. We can sing with the psalmist, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (v.1). – Bill Crowder
I sing of mercies that endure,
Forever builded firm and sure,
Of faithfulness that never dies,
Established changeless in the skies. – Psalter
God’s grace is immeasurable;
His mercy inexhaustible; His peace inexpressible.
Psalm 136:1-9,23-26
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
-Psalm 136:1
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 20-22
Ephesians 6
More than ever, we live in a disposable culture. Think for a minute about some of the things that are made to be thrown away – razors, water bottles, lighters, paper plates, plastic eating utensils. Products are used, tossed, and then replaced.
This disposable culture is also reflected in more significant ways. Many times true commitment in relationships is seen as optional. Marriages struggle to survive. Long-term employees are discharged just before retirement for cheaper options. A highly revered athlete leaves to join another team. It seems as if nothing lasts.
Our unchanging God, however, has promised that His loving mercy endures forever. In Psalm 136, the singer celebrates this wonderful promise by making statements God’s wonder, work, and character. He then punctuates each statement about God with the phrase, “For His mercy endures forever.” Whether it is the wonder of His creation (vv.4-9), the rescue of His people (vv.10-22), or His tender care for His own (vv.23-26), we can trust Him because His mercy will never fail. In a temporary world, the permanence of God’s mercy gives us hope. We can sing with the psalmist, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (v.1). – Bill Crowder
I sing of mercies that endure,
Forever builded firm and sure,
Of faithfulness that never dies,
Established changeless in the skies. – Psalter
God’s grace is immeasurable;
His mercy inexhaustible; His peace inexpressible.
Saturday 1 October 2016
THE BLESSING OF SOLITUDE III - Open Heavens 2016 - October 3
Read:
Daniel 2:16-19
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 30:20-32:32
Psalms 73:1-17
Hymn:
Sing hymn 1
It takes withdrawing from the crowd to be able to hear the message that will not only save you from evil, but will take to the next level of stardom. An adage says: “He that is afraid of being alone will die in the crown unnoticed.” The Psalmist says that the Lord makes him to be wise “in the hidden part” (Psalms 51:6).
In today’s reading, we learn a lot from the withdrawal approach of Daniel and his friends. The king had a dream that he could not remember not to talk of interpreting. All the wise men of Babylon and the dream-interpreting astrologers could neither figure it out nor give interpretation to it. So, their lives were put at stake including those of Daniel and his friends. When the news got to Daniel and his colleagues, he demanded for some time to seek the face of their God. Daniel and his companions went into the secret place of the Most High and sought His face for the revelation of the dream of the king. The Bible says:
“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
Deuteronomy 29:29
There are lots of lessons we can learn from this story. The first that readily comes to mind is the fact that we must always find time to be in God’s presence, because He desires our fellowship. You can be sure that God will always present you with a gift whether you are a guest to Him in His sanctuary or you play host to Him when you invite Him to come into your life. An example of someone who was a guest to Him in His sanctuary was Hannah who withdrew from the crowded festivities at Shiloh. Her gift was a bouncing baby boy, Samuel (1 Samuel 1:9-18). When God comes visiting you in your lonely condition, He comes with gifts that money cannot buy. When Abraham decided to be alone with God, coming out from his extended family, he hosted the Almighty God through His angelic representatives and what he got in return was a child of promise (Genesis 18:1-14). Another lesson in this story is that we must learn how to trust God for good knowledge. The Almighty is the custodian of good knowledge and He gives it to those who diligently seek it. The Bible says:
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
James 1:17
It is wisdom, therefore, that we seek God wherever and whenever He may be found. Incidentally, from time immemorial, God is not always in the midst of the crowd. This is corroborated by the adage which says: “One with God is a majority”. Beloved, seek God today, not in the crowd, but in your personal and quiet life.
Memorise:
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psalm 51:6
Action Point:
Choose a place where you will not be distracted for your daily personal relationship with God.
Daniel 2:16-19
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 30:20-32:32
Psalms 73:1-17
Hymn:
Sing hymn 1
It takes withdrawing from the crowd to be able to hear the message that will not only save you from evil, but will take to the next level of stardom. An adage says: “He that is afraid of being alone will die in the crown unnoticed.” The Psalmist says that the Lord makes him to be wise “in the hidden part” (Psalms 51:6).
In today’s reading, we learn a lot from the withdrawal approach of Daniel and his friends. The king had a dream that he could not remember not to talk of interpreting. All the wise men of Babylon and the dream-interpreting astrologers could neither figure it out nor give interpretation to it. So, their lives were put at stake including those of Daniel and his friends. When the news got to Daniel and his colleagues, he demanded for some time to seek the face of their God. Daniel and his companions went into the secret place of the Most High and sought His face for the revelation of the dream of the king. The Bible says:
“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
Deuteronomy 29:29
There are lots of lessons we can learn from this story. The first that readily comes to mind is the fact that we must always find time to be in God’s presence, because He desires our fellowship. You can be sure that God will always present you with a gift whether you are a guest to Him in His sanctuary or you play host to Him when you invite Him to come into your life. An example of someone who was a guest to Him in His sanctuary was Hannah who withdrew from the crowded festivities at Shiloh. Her gift was a bouncing baby boy, Samuel (1 Samuel 1:9-18). When God comes visiting you in your lonely condition, He comes with gifts that money cannot buy. When Abraham decided to be alone with God, coming out from his extended family, he hosted the Almighty God through His angelic representatives and what he got in return was a child of promise (Genesis 18:1-14). Another lesson in this story is that we must learn how to trust God for good knowledge. The Almighty is the custodian of good knowledge and He gives it to those who diligently seek it. The Bible says:
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
James 1:17
It is wisdom, therefore, that we seek God wherever and whenever He may be found. Incidentally, from time immemorial, God is not always in the midst of the crowd. This is corroborated by the adage which says: “One with God is a majority”. Beloved, seek God today, not in the crowd, but in your personal and quiet life.
Memorise:
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psalm 51:6
Action Point:
Choose a place where you will not be distracted for your daily personal relationship with God.
FILTERED LIGHT - Our Daily Bread 2016 - October 3
READ:
2 Corinthians 4:1-12
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
-2 Corinthians 4:6
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 17-19
Ephesians 5:17-33
The painting A Trail of Light by Colorado Springs artist Bob Simpich shows a grove of aspen trees with golden leaves lit by the autumn sun. The topmost leaves are brilliantly illuminated while the ground beneath the trees is a mixture of sunlight and shadows. The painter said of this contrast, “I can’t resist the light filtered through to the forest floor. It weaves a special magic.”
The apostle Paul wrote to the followers of Jesus in Corinth, “For it is the God who commanded to shine out darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Paul goes on to describe the reality of life in which “we are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; … perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (vv.8-9).
There are times when it seems that the light of God’s face is dimmed because of our difficulty, sorrow, or loss. Yet, even in these dark shadows, we can see evidence of His presence with us.
If we walk in filtered light today, may we discover anew that God’s light – Jesus – is always shining in our hearts. – David McCasland
Lord, shine the light of Your face on us that we may find our way to Your salvation. Shine Your light into the darkness that envelops our world that we may see who You are and show others the way to You.
In dark circumstances, God’s light is still shining in our hearts.
2 Corinthians 4:1-12
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
-2 Corinthians 4:6
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 17-19
Ephesians 5:17-33
The painting A Trail of Light by Colorado Springs artist Bob Simpich shows a grove of aspen trees with golden leaves lit by the autumn sun. The topmost leaves are brilliantly illuminated while the ground beneath the trees is a mixture of sunlight and shadows. The painter said of this contrast, “I can’t resist the light filtered through to the forest floor. It weaves a special magic.”
The apostle Paul wrote to the followers of Jesus in Corinth, “For it is the God who commanded to shine out darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Paul goes on to describe the reality of life in which “we are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; … perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (vv.8-9).
There are times when it seems that the light of God’s face is dimmed because of our difficulty, sorrow, or loss. Yet, even in these dark shadows, we can see evidence of His presence with us.
If we walk in filtered light today, may we discover anew that God’s light – Jesus – is always shining in our hearts. – David McCasland
Lord, shine the light of Your face on us that we may find our way to Your salvation. Shine Your light into the darkness that envelops our world that we may see who You are and show others the way to You.
In dark circumstances, God’s light is still shining in our hearts.
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