August 1st

"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” (Ezek 22:30).

God protected Israel from her enemies. He spoke of this protection as having surrounded her with a hedge. The same expression was used about God’s protection of Job, of whom it was said, "Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.” (Job 1:10).

Because of Israel’s disobedience God had removed the protective hedge or had made a gap in it. Now he was seeking for a man, whose heart was right toward him, to stand in the gap and prevent the land from being destroyed. Sadly, no such man was to be found.

Christian friend, is there a gap in the hedge round about your family, your church, your community, your nation -- because of disobedience toward God? Is disaster right over the horizon?

Is your heart right toward God? Have you consecrated your life completely to Him? Are you a fit man or woman to stand in the gap?

August 2nd

"And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" (Gen 3:9).

God knew where Adam was all the time. “... All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Heb 4:13).

However, God often represents Himself in the scriptures as one with human characteristics, so that we may better understand Him. Here He is represented as “seeking” Adam. In the same sense, the Lord is seeking men and women today. He is seeking those who have certain attitudes of heart. When He comes seeking your heart, what will He find?       

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him....” (2 Chr 16:9). Will the Lord find your heart perfect toward Him?

"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” (John 4:23).

May the Lord find us so worshipping when He comes seeking our way.

August 3rd

“... Them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” (1 Sam 2:30).

The principle stated in this verse is true today and is one which we must remember in our everyday life. We must accept it on faith, because sometimes it takes a long time for the outworking of this principle to be made manifest.

Joseph was seventeen years old when he was sold into slavery. For thirteen years he suffered, was lied about, and was treated unjustly. Yet, in every instance, he honored God. He gave God credit for his great ability to interpret dreams. (Gen. 41:16). He even remembered God when he named his children. (Gen. 41:51-52).

Finally God exalted him and made him next to Pharaoh in Egypt.

Saul, on the other hand, despised God by disobeying His word. (1 Sam. 15:10). God rejected him from being king over Israel. It was several years before God’s judgment came in its fullness, but it came.

We must make sure that we honor God in every detail of our lives.

August 4th

"Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.” (Jer 5:25).

These words were spoken to the Jewish people in Old Testament times, but they also apply to the people of God today. Unconfessed sin in the lives of God’s people robs them of many of the choice blessings of the Heavenly Father. The Lord Jesus said, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7).

Just as an earthly father delights to give good things to his obedient children, the Heavenly Father loves to lavish blessing after blessing on His children who walk in obedience to His commandments.

Satan is the father of lies. (John 8:44). Just as he told Eve in the garden of Eden that there would be no serious consequences if she broke God’s law, so he tells the child of God the same today. But this is a great lie. Eve lost her innocence and her place in the garden. The one who sins today also loses a great deal. If we could only know what we lose because we sin, we would realize how foolish it is to continue in sin.

Let us turn from sin today in the power of the Holy Spirit and receive the good things from the hand of our Heavenly Father.

August 5th

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 John 1:4).

Faithful ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ are like fathers to those children of God who are under their pastoral care. Like John writes here, they are made happy when their spiritual children walk in truth. It is not enough to know truth -- one must also walk in it.

Paul felt as John did. He wrote, "For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” (1 Cor 4:15).  Paul was their father who had begotten them unto the truth. As a father, he was vitally interested in their spiritual welfare. When children behave they bring honor to their parents. When they misbehave they bring disgrace upon them. Thus Paul could refer to the obedient Philippians as “... my joy and crown....” (Phil. 4:1).

If you are blessed with a good pastor, thank God for him. Help him by being obedient and following him as he follows the Lord. You will bring honor to the Lord; you will bring honor to your pastor; and you will reap manifold blessings to yourself.

August 6th

"Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.” (Acts 17:16).

Athens was the cultural capital of the ancient world. It was filled with magnificent buildings and other beautiful works of architecture. This was also the city of brilliant philosophers. Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates had taught here. There was much in Athens to impress anyone with the great achievements of the human race.

But the great apostle was not impressed. What he saw was a city “wholly given to idolatry.” Here was a city without the true worship of God. His spirit was stirred within him and he preached Christ there.

May it be so with Christians today. Let us not be carried away with the works of men’s hands. Let us not be unduly impressed with the work of scientists, educators, and empire-builders. Let us look beneath the surface of these things and see the absence of the true worship of God.

May our souls be stirred within us. And may we preach Christ.

August 7th

"Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” (Jer 20:9).

Jeremiah had spoken out against the sins of the people of Judah. For doing this, he had received great persecution. The people mocked him and made fun of him. He was smitten and placed in the stocks.

Because of his troubles and because his preaching didn’t seem to be doing any good, Jeremiah determined to keep his mouth shut. But he couldn’t do it. He was compelled to speak in the name of the Lord. The word of God was as “a burning fire shut up in his bones.”

Today the people of God still face opposition and persecution when they speak out against the sinfulness of those round about them. They may grow weary and determine to speak no more. But they must speak. God has called on them to be witnesses for Him.

May He rekindle the fire within you so that you must speak out today.

August 8th

"And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.” (Exo 34:29).

Moses had been on the mount with God receiving the ten commandments. While in the presence of God his face began to shine. When he came down from the mount he had to place a vail on his face while he spoke with the people.

We need to spend time with God today in the mountain of prayer. As we are with Him, our lives will take on a spiritual glow that others will be able to detect. We will be able to influence them for good.

We will be like Peter and John. Their enemies “... took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). Have you been on the mount with God? Have you been with Jesus? Can those round about you detect this?

Let us pray God that we may have this “heavenly glow.”

August 9th

"And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.... And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.” (Acts 7:23, 30).

Moses lived 120 years. The first two-thirds of his life were spent in preparation for the great work to which God had called him. The first forty years were spent in learning all the wisdom of the Egyptians. The next forty years were spent in the backside of the desert in the wilderness of Sinai. The final forty years were spent leading the children of Israel.

No doubt Moses sometimes became discouraged during the first eighty years of his life. He probably felt that God was never going to use him. But God knew what He was doing. He was preparing Moses for his great task.

If you are discouraged about your service to God, take consolation in the fact that you are going to God’s school. When He has prepared you, He will open up a field of service. In the meantime, learn your lessons well.

August 10th

"Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.” (Psa 71:18).

David had faithfully served God all his life. He could truthfully say, “... hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.” (Psalms 71:17). He had been a faithful witness.

Now that he had become old, he was not ready to retire from the service of God. In fact, there is no retirement for the saints. We are called upon to serve Him until He calls us home. Some of our most valuable service to Him may be our dying testimony.

David didn’t want to die until he had “... showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.” (Psa 71:18).

When you are old and have served God for many years, you have many wonderful experiences to share with young saints. Don’t waste any time! Tell the young ones how the Lord has stood with you all your life. Tell them of the times when He has revived your soul. Encourage them in the Lord.

August 11th

"Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” (Psa 73:25).

We can depend upon nothing and no one to give us ultimate satisfaction but our Lord. Christian friends and family are wonderful. Health and daily bread are great blessings. The ability to work and to travel bring great pleasure. But satisfaction in the truest sense of the word comes only from being in the presence of the Lord. Without His abiding presence all the other blessings become meaningless.

We need to seek His presence now -- every day. And when we die our greatest expectation should be to see Him. People often think of the joy of someday being reunited with their loved ones who have died in the Lord. And this will be joy. But our greatest joy will be to see Him. “... In thy presence is fullness of joy: at thy right hand there are pleasures evermore.” (Psalm 16:11). As the poet put it, “Just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay.”

David said, “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalm 17:15).

August 12th

"Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.” (Isa 49:15).

The love of God for His people is a wonderful thing. Words can not adequately express it. The Lord delights in assuring His children of His love for them.

This verse powerfully expresses the love of God. It is almost inconceivable that a mother could forsake a suckling infant, which she has borne in her womb and nestled on her breast. What, oh what, could be stronger than a mother’s love? The blessed answer is -- the love of God for His children!

Do you have blessed evidence that you are a recipient of God’s love? If so, then rejoice in that love. Be comforted by it. If the whole world hate you, what does that matter if God loves you?

Does not such wonderful love make you want to serve Him with all your might, all the days of your life?

August 13th

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Rom 8:32).

Often God’s people have assurance of their eternal salvation, but they doubt that God will provide them with the necessities of their daily lives. They behave like the children of Israel who experienced God’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage, but who immediately began to fear that they would perish from lack of food and water.

Brethren, this is sinful unbelief! This unbelief is instigated by the lying Satan. Tell Satan to get behind you.

God has proved His great love for His children. He proved it by giving His beloved Son to die for us, to redeem us from hell, to prepare a place in heaven for us.

How can we doubt, with this great evidence of His love for us that He will provide us with all that we need in time and in eternity?

Yes, He will “freely” give us all things. Doubt no more. Do not dishonor Him by sinful unbelief.

August 14th

"For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven....” (2 Cor 5:2).

The child of God need never expect to be completely satisfied so long as he is in his sinful body. There is a constant warfare between the flesh and the spirit. He never lives just exactly as he would like to live. He discovers that, like Paul, “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.” (Romans 7:21).

Having a desire to please God, but often falling short of that desire, the saint tends to go into despair.

But, if this be your case, don’t despair. Lift up your head! This groaning for the glorified body is evidence that you are a child of God. We must groan in this life for righteousness. “... Ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” (Rom 8:23).

But the glorious day is coming when He “... shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body....” (Phil. 3:21).

August 15th

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” (Mat 22:29).

Jesus was talking with the unbelieving Sadducees, who denied the resurrection. He told them that the reason why they didn’t believe was that they were ignorant of both the scriptures and the power of God.

The same principle holds true today. Whenever we are in error it is because we don’t know the scriptures, don’t have faith in the power of God, or both.

It is essential that we both know the scriptures and believe in the power of God. A lack of either one of these areas will lead to error. For example, one may have plenty of faith in the power of God. But if he is ignorant of the scriptures he may be disappointed when God doesn’t manifest His power in a particular way in which He plainly revealed in His word that He was not going to manifest it.

On the other hand, to know the scriptures is not enough if we don’t believe that God has the power to do what He said He would do. Let us diligently study God’s Word and ask Him to strengthen our faith.

August 16th

"But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?" (Mat 26:8).

The disciples of Christ spoke these words to the good woman who took the box of very precious ointment and poured it on Jesus’ head. To them it appeared as if this ointment had been wasted.

Today, when people minister to the body of Christ (His church) there are those scoffers who say, “to what purpose is this waste?” Satan and his followers tell us that all the money, time, and effort that we put into the service of the Lord is wasted. But, not so! Jesus rebuked His disciples by saying, “... Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.” (Matt. 26:10).

The esteem of Jesus is worth more than all the approval of men. Service rendered to God is never wasted. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Heb 6:10).

August 17th

"Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.” (Psa 119:24).

When we need counsel we often go to the wrong source. We sometimes go to an individual who does not base his counsel upon sound principles.

Another difficulty that often presents itself when one is seeking counsel is that many conflicting opinions are offered as counsel. Thus the one seeking counsel doesn’t know to whom he can go for counsel. If he finds someone to whom he can go but receives contrary advice from another source, he is confused as to whom to follow.

What is the solution? David presents it here. He said that the testimonies of the Lord were his counselors. By the testimonies of the Lord, he had reference to the word of God. There is no problem that confronts a child of God but that the solution can be found in the word of God. The answers found in the word of God are sure and safe to go by.

The next time you need counsel, prayerfully go to the testimonies of the Lord. Let them be your counselors.

August 18th

"Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name....” (Psa 142:7).

David was in prison when he wrote this psalm. He was in a cave hiding from king Saul. While in such trouble he found it impossible to praise the Lord. Not only was he in a cave but his very soul seemed to be in prison. He cried out to God to deliver his soul from prison that he might praise His name. David simply wasn’t satisfied when he was not able to freely praise the Lord.

We, too, must cry out to God for help when our souls are depressed. Often outward troubles tend to be reflected in our hearts. We become fearful and apprehensive and praise is far from us.

But God will deliver us when we cry to Him. He delights in the praise of His saints.

Christians, if you are oppressed today, cry out to God. He will bring your soul out of prison and you will be able to truly praise him in glorious freedom.

August 19th

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” (Eccl 9:10).

God is simply not pleased with half-hearted effort. He expects us to do the very best we can with any job to which He assigns us.

To spur us on to great effort He reminds us of the shortness of life and of the certainty of death. On our death bed it will be wonderful to look back over a life of working hard for God and hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Hard work for God is also good for us now. When we are working diligently for Him, we won’t have time to get in trouble by listening to the suggestions of Satan. One of the best cures for worry is work -- when we are working at the right thing.

If we find it impossible to pour our hearts into what we are doing, we need to examine what we are doing.

Today, make sure (by prayer and the study of God’s word) that you are doing what the Lord would have you to do -- and then do it with all your might.

August 20th

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Prov 3:6).

Life is full of change. We often find ourselves confronted with important decisions to make. What we decide upon often affects the entire course of our lives. The many factors involved in making decisions can bring uncertainty and confusion to us. We just don’t know what to do.

But we can always lay hold of the precious promise contained in this verse. The glorious promise is sure and certain, “he shall direct thy paths.” But we must acknowledge Him in all our ways.

What is it to acknowledge Him? We must recognize that He is our Lord and Master. We must find out from His Word what it is that pleases Him. And we must never go contrary to the will of God as it is revealed in His word.

When we do the best we can to do what He has shown us to do, then we can confidently trust that He will choose our changes for us. He will order circumstances so that we will be gently led along the right pathway.

August 21st

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy....” (Psa 107:2).

God’s people need to constantly acknowledge the goodness and mercy of their blessed Lord, both in private and in public. We must not be ashamed to give Him credit for all that is good in our lives.

If we are able to overcome a bad habit, let us give God credit for it, instead of our will-power. When we are delivered from danger, we must not say that we are “lucky” or “fortunate.” We must say that “God delivered me.”

Let us plainly tell people that God is our all in all; that He upholds us by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3); that “... in him we live, and move, and have our being....” (Acts 17:28).

When men claim to be “self-made” and when they take credit for all their successes, the redeemed of the Lord must “say so” about their Heavenly Father.

Develop the habit of giving your Lord praise in everything. Begin today. See how much better you feel. See how much more confidently you can face the future.

August 22nd

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” (Psa 103:13,14).

This passage was not written to encourage us to continue in ungodliness or to cause us to be luke-warm in our service to God. Rather it was designed to encourage us to persevere in righteousness, knowing that we have a loving and an understanding Heavenly Father.

The conscientious child of God, who tries to do the best he can, realizes that there are times when he miserably fails despite his best efforts. When he fails his Lord he is tempted to give it all up. Satan jumps on him and tells him that he is a hypocrite and might just as well quit trying to serve God.

But, praise the Lord, we have a loving Heavenly Father! He knows our weaknesses. He understands that even the most mature are but children in their Christian warfare. He picks us up, wipes away our tears, bandages our scratches, and sends us on our ways again to serve Him.

Remember your loving Father. Rise up from whence you have fallen. He will receive you with open arms and will help you to serve Him again.

August 23rd

“And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do....” (Gen 18:17).

The Lord was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. He revealed what He was about to do to Abraham because Abraham was his friend. (James 2:23).

A wonderful lesson is taught here. A man reveals his most intimate self to those who are his very close friends. A man will tell things to his friends that he would not dare to reveal to a casual acquaintance. The Lord Jesus told His disciples, “... but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:15).

How important it is that we live close to the Lord in true friendship. The closer that we live to Him, the more of His blessed Person and Works that He will show to us. When we don’t live in fellowship with Him we are “in the dark.”

How is it that we can be the friends of God? Christ said, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:14).

August 24th

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” (Isa 6:8).

What a wonderful attitude of willingness Isaiah showed here. He was ready to do the Lord’s bidding. His would be a difficult task, but he did not shrink from it.

Other servants of God have manifested this same willingness. When the armies of Israel were afraid of Goliath, young David said, “... Is there not a cause?” (1 Sam. 17:29). When the twelve spies returned from searching the land of Canaan, Caleb said, “... Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” (Num. 13:30). Paul said, “So, as much as in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.” (Rom. 1:15). The most glorious example of all is that of the Lord Jesus Who said, “... My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” (John 4:34).

Dear friends, ask God to give you a willing heart. Don’t hold back. It is a great privilege to be able to serve Him.

Let us say with Paul, “... Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?....” (Acts 9:6).

August 25th

“Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.” (James 5:10).

It is certain that “... all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Tim. 3:12). Paul told those Christians in Asia Minor “... that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22).

Persecution is hard to take and we need some examples to guide us through this difficult experience. In His mercy the Heavenly Father has given us such examples in the persons of the prophets.

Study the lives of Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and others. They lived in difficult times. They faithfully spoke the word of the Lord even against much opposition. They were misunderstood most by their own people -- by the very ones they were trying to help.

But they persevered, upheld by the power of God. We must do the same.

Our ultimate example is the Lord Jesus Who “... endured such contradiction of sinners against himself....” (Heb. 12:3). He remained faithful even unto death.

August 26th

"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Mat 5:12).

The Savior is here telling us what attitude we should be in when we suffer for the cause of Christ. We are to rejoice! This attitude is contrary to nature, but it can be maintained. The scriptures show plainly that many of God’s children have done this. Many of the saints “... took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.” (Heb. 10:34). When the apostles were beaten they were “... rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” (Acts 5:41). After Paul and Silas had been beaten they “... prayed, and sang praises...” at midnight while in prison. (Acts 16:25).

So the scriptural evidence is abundant that we can, through the power of the Holy Spirit, obey this command of the Lord Jesus.

As James said, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:2, 3).

August 27th

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Pet 5:7).

What a glorious verse this is. The life of a child of God is full of cares. Job said, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1). It is impossible for weak and sinful man to bear all the cares that come upon him. The one who tries to bear the cares of life without help very soon reaches the breaking point. Physical, spiritual, social, and emotional troubles appear in the life of the one who tries to carry the load himself.

But, praise the dear Lord, He commands us to cast our cares upon Him. His shoulders are broad and strong enough to carry the whole load. And He is willing to carry the load, “for he careth for you.”

We must acknowledge our inherent weakness and at the same time acknowledge the strength of our Lord.

Let us say with the song writer, “I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! I cannot bear my burdens alone; I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.”

August 28th

"... Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Est 4:14).

These words were spoken to Esther by her kinsman, Mordecai. Esther had become the queen of the Persian Empire. The wicked Haman had sought the destruction of the Jews. Mordecai now besought Esther to go before the king and plead for the life of the Jews. Esther did so and the Jews were saved from destruction.

Esther could not have done this had not God, in His marvelous providence, placed her in the Persian palace. He Who “... worketh all things after the counsel of his own will ...” (Eph. 1:11) used Esther and placed her in a position from which she could do this great work.

Christian reader, Esther’s God is your God, too. He uses all His people to one degree or another. Consider your life. What position has He placed you in? How can you best serve God from that position?

We may not be used in as spectacular a way as Esther was used, but we will be used if we are His. Perhaps He has made you a mother or a father and has given you some little ones to raise for Him. “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

August 29th

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3).

It is the duty of every saint to earnestly contend for the faith (the body of truth revealed in the scriptures). To contend for the faith we must first know what it is. This means that we each must be diligent students of the scriptures. It is impossible to fight for something when you don’t know what you are fighting for.

We must also discipline ourselves to prepare for a hard fight. Warfare is never easy. Good soldiers cannot be lazy or soft. Paul told Timothy to “... endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2 Tim. 2:3). We must prepare ourselves by diligent study and prayer and by a constant turning away from sin in our lives.

We must also have confidence that our weapons are adequate to bring about victory. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds....” (2 Cor 10:4).

Let us so live that when we come to the end of our lives we can say with Paul, “I have fought a good fight....” (2 Tim. 4:7).

August 30th

"For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption....” (Acts 13:36).

We each have only one life to live. We didn’t live in the past and we won’t live too far into the future (in our present state of existence). It is true that we may influence the future, but we will influence it only by what we do in the present. How important each day becomes when we realize that, like David, we can only serve our own generation.

Let us determine that, by the grace of God, we will leave things in a little better shape than we found them.

Are you serving your generation? One of the best ways in which we can serve our generation is by passing on truth to the coming generation. If we diligently teach them all that we have learned from the word of God, then they will be in a better position to serve their own generation.

August 31st

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”  (Matt 5:9)

A peacemaker is one who does everything he can to peacefully live with those about him. He won’t compromise truth to do this, but he will do everything he can which is consistent with truth. As Paul said, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Rom 12:18)

A peacemaker also does everything he can to bring brethren together who hav had differences. After Saul of Tarsus was converted, Barnabus acted as a peacemaker and brought Saul to the disciples in Jerusalem. (Acts 9:26,27).

The very opposite of a peacemaker is one who sows discord among the brethren. One of the things that God hates is “… he that soweth discord among the brethren.” (Prov 6:19).

In order to be peacemakers we must learn to control our tempers. “An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.” (Prov 29:22).

Let us make sure that by our attitudes, words, and actions we are peacemakers. For then we shall be called the children of God.