Read Matthew 24:29-31.

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many

to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (v. 31)

     Your life may read like a conflicting news account of the economic condition for the day. Your hairline is in recession, you waistline is in inflation, and altogether you are in depression. The pain and pressure in your life is not responding well to the political platitudes that are giving you questionable information about the prospects for your future. It is during times like this when we best realize that life without Christ is hopeless. Our earthly successes without Christ are eternal failures.
You may be like the man who while crossing a pasture noticed an angry bull that had taken a special interest in him. In fright the man ran frantically looking for some means of escape. Then he spotted it. There was a tree ahead. It’s lowest limb was about 10 feet off the ground.             Considering he had done well in basketball and was pumped full of adrenaline the man thought he had a chance. He made a tremendous leap for the limb. He missed it on the way up, but he caught “it” on the way back down. The moral to that story is that we should do our best to reach our hope knowing that on our own we can’t make it without the One who is sure to give us the boost we need.
Without Christ we are dead in our trespasses and sins. With Christ we have the hope eternal life and a home in heaven. (L. Gayle Woods)

Without Christ we have no hope.

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:7-18.

“Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.” (v. 9)

     I grew up in an age when many folks, including those not professing to be Christians, had principles. Ours was not a Christian home, but swearing, movies, dances were not allowed. Some slang expressions were not permitted. The remedy for an infraction resulted in washing out the mouth with soap, attempting to clean up our language. And the Sabbath was not a day to buy and sell. I look back on the example lived before me. When I became a follower of Jesus, the principles instilled in me carried over into my new life.
Example is a valuable tool for this day and age. The examples practiced in our homes will leave an impression on our children. When they accept the Lord as their Savior, principles learned will aid them in victorious lives.
I attended a four-year Bible school that only accepted students willing to work for their education. The examples followed there have been extremely beneficial, both spiritually and for setting a good example before my children. (Margaret Heilman)

Oh, to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer.
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.
Oh, to be like Thee! Oh, to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as thou art!
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fulness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
— Thomas Obadiah Chisholm

Let Him stamp you with His image.

Read 1 Corinthians 5:9-13.

“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” (v 11)

Much has been written in recent years about the Amish practice of “shunning,” the Meidung. But few who rail against it understand the concept and the purpose.

The shun is instituted in a situation where a person who has become an avowed member of the church disobeys one of the church’s ordinances and will not repent. And the purpose is to cause the shunned individual to want to return. Facing isolation from the wonderful social life of the Amish community is designed to cause the prodigal to see that the price for such beautiful gifts is small indeed. And it seems that the Amish draw some of their ideas for it from this passage or ones like it. Those being shunned must eat at a separate table even from their own families.

In these verses, the Apostle Paul was zeroing in on the idea of being cozy with those who are in deliberate and unabashed rebellion to God’s Word. The Amish would hold up their rulebook, the Ordnung. But New Testament believers must give the greatest reverence to the Bible. It is the Book that demands our first allegiance. And keeping regular company with those who lightly esteem it will infect our own souls sooner or later. (Valerie Quesenberry)

Shun evil companions, Bad language disdain;
God’s name hold in rev’rence, Nor take it in vain;
— H. R. Palmer

You will become like your companions.

Read Galatians 2:16-20.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (v. 20)

Automobile accidents are often avoidable. Focusing away from the road will get the driver and vehicle straight into the ditch. The painted lines, arrows, guardrails, and reflectors are there to keep us on the highway. Good deeds done for show and self-centeredness may quickly divert one from the road to heaven. Keep your eyes on Jesus, Who is the true way. You will avoid difficulty, trouble, and dismay.
We live by faith in Christ and not in our human abilities. Faith in intellect, religious attentiveness, or on the law will not help us to succeed spiritually. Even religious impulses fail to save us. Allowing Christ to have clear and free course in our lives (which are not our own) is the only path of holy living. (Dale Chapman)

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
-- Edward Mote

Faith without a Christ-focus is insufficient.

Read Matthew 22:34-40.

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (v. 37).

Man was made to love God. Instead, we are twisted by the selfishness of sin to love ourselves. Love degenerated from a principle of life to a passion. Love as a primary word in defining/describing Christianity goes beyond an emotion that may change with circumstances. It is a purposeful seeking the best interest of another. It is the conquering of all contrary dispositions involving the total person. Emotion may at times accompany the purpose of the heart but it is not the primary distinguishing characteristic. We do not “fall in love” with God, but we set our hearts to love him through an exercise of the will. It is the greatest commandment because we are the most like God and his love for us in fulfilling it. It is the greatest commandment because it demands the mind and the will. This resolve to love positions us to love him more as we know Him because it provides the moral foundation that supports greater love. It is well to remember that the giving and repeating of this commandment precedes both Calvary and Pentecost. With Calvary in view and Pentecost empowering, fulfilling this greatest commandment should be within the reach of all who purpose to find its realization in their lives. (William E. Snider)

“Christian love is not merely an emotional experience
which comes unbidden and unsought;
it is a deliberate principle of the mind and
a deliberate conquest and achievement of the will.”
— William Barclay

Read Galatians 3:22-25.

"But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster" (v. 25).

How did you come to faith in Christ? Most of us have a story of people who helped us, sermons that convicted us, circumstances that influenced our decision. Seldom have I heard people say that the law of God had a part in bringing them to faith. But in our reading for today, Paul says that it was the law of God that served as a tutor to bring each of us to Christ? How does that work?

Paul himself answers that question in Romans 7:7. The law of God showed Paul that his life was missing the mark. We all needed someone or something to get our attention that we were on the wrong road. It is so easy to deceive ourselves into thinking that all is well – that we are as good as we need to be. It is God's Word that becomes the mirror to show us what is truly in our hearts.

Have you looked in the mirror today? Not the one that shows you if your hair is out of place, but the one that shows you what your priorities are; that shows you whether your goals in life reflects God's plans for you. If so, did your look in the mirror make you change anything in your life? James 1:24 reminds us that many people look at the mirror of God's law, see their faults, then forget what they saw. They fail to listen to the tutor, so ultimately fail the course. (Gordon L. Snider)

Lord, help me to listen to my tutor today!

Read Ephesians 4:14-16.

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (v. 15).

Don’t be tossed around by every doctrinal breeze. Keep focused on the scriptures and the beliefs that spring from them.Being led astray in what one believes will soon carry him astray from proper practice.

One way of keeping focused is for believers to talk openly about ideas and proposals that arise. When decisions are to be made in a church, for example, those who make up the congregation should be frank in speaking about the ideas presented, especially if the proposed changes might turn the church away from biblical principles. Speaking the truth clearly, “in love,” helps focus on truth and avoid the pitfalls of erroneous doctrines.

The same can be true in personal relationships. The Bible seems to indicate that we should be willing to “speak the truth in love” if we see a brother going astray. Warning him about the direction he is taking will be a blessing to him. Once a pastor recalled a time when he began dating a young woman who did not possess Christian character. He had a rather difficult time of it before realizing his danger and cancelling the relationship. Later a friend told him how glad he was for the break-up. “Why didn’t you speak to me earlier?” the young man asked. “You would have saved me a lot of heartache.” (Steven E.Hight)

Speaking truth in love helps us stay on track.

Wednesday, June 9
Read Ezekiel 28:24–26.

   “And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have            executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the Lord their God” (vs. 26).

“They shall dwell with confidence” is a great, encouraging statement but Satan tries to hollow out its significance by throwing circumstances and people in our pathway that make personal confidence seem like an impossible dream. But note that it is stated that “I am the Lord their God.” That is the ground of our confidence. The verse above also indicates that whatever is happening in our lives, God is fighting for us; we need not seek vengeance on those who may despise us and tell lies about us, for God is judging, and his judgment is always equitable and righteous.
When God steps into our circumstances, He doesn’t come for a brief visit, but He comes pledging security and the promise of long-term dwelling in His presence.
Today, if your confidence seems to be on shaky ground, take new hope, understanding that the Lord is our God, and He will make us dwell in safety. (Leonard L. Sankey)

“O Sun of Righteousness, arise, the hosts of sin annoy;
O bind our hearts in stronger ties, And bid us sing for joy.”
— Mary B. Wingate

We are strong, and stand, in the power of His might.

Read Genesis 28:10-15

“And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.” (v. 15)

   Isaac prayed the blessing of his father, Abraham, upon his son Jacob, and admonished him not to take a wife from among the Canaanites, but go to Pandanaram to seek a wife.  With this blessing, and in obedience to his parents, Jacob set off on what had the appearance of a lonely voyage.  He was heading for a place he had never been, looking for an uncle he had never met, and seeking a wife among a people he had never known.  In the face of the “unknowns” the LORD spoke, assuring Jacob that He would be with him throughout the journey.

Life is filled with “unknowns” and the future can appear foreboding in light of our life quests. Friends, even family, cannot always be with us when we need someone.   Jesus seemed to realize this for He promised “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”  (Matt. 28:20) It is a promise of fellowship similar to what Jacob received; no task or hardship has to be faced alone. We can share our cares and concerns, our struggles and successes, our trials and temptations; in so doing the promise of His presence bolsters us!  (Rodney Stearns)

“Walk in the light! So shalt thou know

That fellowship of love,

His Spirit only can bestow

Who reigns in light above.

                              -- Bernard Barton

The blessing of fellowship is felt

through the practiced awareness of His presence!

Read Isaiah 25:1-5. 

"For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress,

a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat,

when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall" (v. 4).

    As a youngster, and even through my teens, I loved spending time deer hunting with my dad, even though he had some very strict rules about being in the woods. Specifically, dad allowed no noise in the woods – no talking, foot noise in the leaves, etc. On the day in question, we were on top of a ridge in the Copper Basin of southeast Tennessee – a long, difficult walk from the car. It began to rain. Again, remember the rule – no talking! Dad stood up and motioned for me to follow. No, we were not headed toward the car; instead, we were heading in the opposite direction. No questions – just follow! After we had walked a while, dad stopped, moved behind me, turned my body to face off the trail, and gently pushed me off the trail. After we had walked a few yards, his hands on my shoulders told me first to squat, and then move forward. Only then did I see what he had known all the time. The big tree standing in front of us had a huge hollow hole at the bottom of the trunk! I crawled in, stood up, and he crawled in after me and sat at my feet. Dad knew where there was "a shelter from the storm." My job was to obey in silence.

I wish I always followed God as implicitly as I did my dad that day. But I confess, in the storm, I often would rather talk – ask questions. But He, better than my dad, knows the place of shelter from the storm. But accessing that place may require me to get down on my hands and knees, and crawl! (Gordon L. Snider)

"For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:

in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;

he shall set me up upon a rock" (Psa. 27:5).