The Mission of Christ
John 10:1-18 

Christ’s mission on earth was to do the will of His Father. Throughout His life, He continually surrendered Himself to God. We see this early on when He was separated from His parents. He told them, “Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49).

The Father desired that the lost be brought back to Himself. That’s why Jesus, though a king, came not to be served but to serve—even unto death (Matt. 20:28). His ultimate purpose was to become the sacrifice needed to atone for humanity’s sin and gain us access to the Father.

To accomplish His mission, Jesus suffered greatly. But even in His darkest hour, He did not turn from His calling (26:39). Ever the faithful Son, He gave us the only way to the Father and eternal life: Himself (John 14:6). Those who trust in Him are His church, and they will see Him in glory when they die.

Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (14:9), and in fact, the two are one (10:30). Today, He sits at the Father’s right hand, making intercession for us (Rom. 8:34). One day, He’ll return to judge sinners and reward the saints. Are you ready to face Him? The only way you can be prepared is to receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord.

Because the Father’s love for us is limitless, He gave His Son the mission of paying humanity’s sin debt so that every person can have eternal life. When you place faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are united with the Father now and throughout all eternity

“Lord, Grant Me Divine Communion”  –  Now the hand of the Lord had been upon me the evening before

Ezekiel 33:22

In the matter of judgment this may be the case, and if so, let me consider the reason for such a visitation and accept it as from His hand. I am not the only one who is chastened in the night season; let me cheerfully submit to the affliction and carefully endeavor to profit by it.

But the hand of the Lord may also be felt in another manner, strengthening the soul and lifting the spirit upward toward eternal things. O that I may in this sense feel the Lord dealing with me! A sense of the divine presence and indwelling bears the soul toward heaven as upon the wings of eagles.

At such times we are full to the brim with spiritual joy, and forget the cares and sorrows of earth; the invisible is near, and the visible loses its power over us. Servant-body waits at the foot of the hill, and the master-spirit worships upon the summit in the presence of the Lord. O that a hallowed season of divine communion may be granted to me this evening! The Lord knows that I need it very greatly.

My graces languish, my corruptions rage, my faith is weak, my devotion is cold; all these are reasons why His healing hand should be laid upon me. His hand can cool the heat of my burning brow and calm the turmoil of my palpitating heart. That glorious right hand that molded the world can renew my mind; the unwearied hand that bears the earth’s huge pillars can sustain my spirit; the loving hand that encloses all the saints can cherish me; and the mighty hand that breaks in pieces the enemy can subdue my sins.

Why should I not feel that hand touching me this evening? Come, my soul, address God with the potent plea that Jesus’ hands were pierced for your redemption, and you shall surely feel that same hand upon you that once touched Daniel and set him upon his knees that he might see visions of God.

The family reading plan for January 6, 2012

Ezra 6 | Acts 6

We Have a Trustworthy Guide
Psalm 32:8-9 

Hanging on my office wall is a print that I’ve had for nearly 60 years. It shows the Lord Jesus standing behind a young man whose eyes are focused in the direction that the Master is pointing. Jesus’ hand is on the man’s shoulder, and I imagine He is saying, “This is the way we’re going. I will get you to the destination.” Although the road will be marked with both joy and suffering, the Lord leads His followers all the way to their eternal home.

Anyone who is honest will admit that he or she is ill-equipped to go through life alone. Our all-knowing God created us with a need for His guidance. In our own strength, knowledge, and reasoning power, we are simply not able to figure out how to make the wisest decisions. But the Lord’s assuring hand at our shoulder can lead us down right paths to good choices.

The Lord is willing and able to guide us, if we will let Him. It isn’t difficult to fall in step with Him. Acknowledge that you have wandered down paths of life that led to sin and disobedience. Choose to follow His lead instead by reading the Word of God and applying biblical principles to your life. And learn to pray through both large and small decisions as you seek the path He has set for you.

Just beyond our last heartbeat lies eternity. That’s where our Savior is pointing us. The path may not be clear to our eyes, but Jesus is leading us there with a steady and sure hand. Our part is to follow in obedience so that we may reach heaven and hear the Father say, “Well done.”

Take Comfort in God’s Light  –  And God saw that the light was good.

Genesis 1:4

This morning we noticed the goodness of the light, and the Lord’s dividing it from the darkness. We now note the special eye that the Lord had for the light. “God saw the light”–He looked at it with complacency, gazed upon it with pleasure, saw that it “was good.” If the Lord has given you light, dear reader, He looks on that light with peculiar interest; for not only is it dear to Him as His own handiwork, but it is like Himself, for “God is light.”

It is pleasant for the believer to know that God’s eye tenderly observes that work of grace that He has begun. He never loses sight of the treasure that He has placed in our earthen vessels. Sometimes we cannot see the light, but God always sees the light, and that is much better than our seeing it. Better for the judge to see my innocence than for me to think I see it. It is very comfortable for me to know that I am one of God’s people–but whether I know it or not, if the Lord knows it, I am still safe. This is the foundation, “The Lord knows those who are his.” 1

You may be sighing and groaning because of inbred sin, and mourning over your darkness; yet the Lord sees “light” in your heart, for He has put it there, and all the cloudiness and gloom of your soul cannot conceal your light from His gracious eye.

You may have sunk low in despondency, and even despair; but if your soul has any longing toward Christ, and if you are seeking to rest in His finished work, God sees the “light.” He not only sees it, but He also preserves it in you. “I, the Lord, do keep it.” This is a precious thought to those who, after anxious watching and guarding of themselves, feel their own powerlessness to do so. The light thus preserved by His grace, He will one day develop into the splendor of noonday, and the fullness of glory. The light within is the dawn of the eternal day.

1 2 Timothy 2:19

The family reading plan for January 5, 2012

Ezra 5 | Acts 5

The Path of Life
Jeremiah 10:23-24 

Life is like an untraveled trail with complex twists and turns. Appealing activities can be detours that lead to the quicksand of sin. And engaging philosophies may form side paths that end up in a mire of muddled thinking. Even the best route isn’t all sun-dappled meadows and quiet riverside lanes. We may at times have to journey over hard terrain or shadowed valleys. The only way to be sure we’re walking right is to follow one who knows the way perfectly.

God is the perfect, full-service Guide. No one can go wrong by keeping to the pathways He selects. Consider that He lovingly and intentionally created you for this time and this place. The Lord watches over your steps because He desires to see your purpose fulfilled and His plan come to fruition through you (Prov. 3:5-6). Therefore, He promises to counsel those who follow Him (Ps. 25:12). When God warns His children away from a tempting sidetrack, it is because He foresees the dangers that lurk on that road.

There’s a correlation between ignoring God’s guidance and ending up in trouble: the one who stumbles off course has trusted his own “sense of direction”—his emotions, desires, or personal version of morality. He’s been pursuing what feels good or looks right instead of seeking the Lord’s will.

God has mapped out the path before you. He is aware of every obstacle and miry pit, and He knows exactly which sidetracks will tempt you. What’s more, He has committed to walk beside you as a Guide and Comforter so that you never face the twists and turns of this life alone

God’s Foreknowledge of Us  –  And Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.

Genesis 42:8

This morning our desires went forth for growth in our acquaintance with the Lord Jesus; it may be well tonight to consider a kindred topic, namely, our heavenly Joseph’s knowledge of us. This was most blessedly perfect long before we had the slightest knowledge of Him. “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.”1

Before we had a being in the world we had a being in His heart. When we were enemies to Him, He knew us, our misery, our madness, and our wickedness. When we wept bitterly in despairing repentance, and viewed Him only as a judge and a ruler, He viewed us as His brethren well beloved, and His heart yearned toward us. He never mistook His chosen but always beheld them as objects of His infinite affection.

“The Lord knows those who are his”2 is as true of the prodigals who are feeding pigs as of the children who sit at the table.

But, sadly we did not know our royal Brother, and out of this ignorance grew a host of sins. We withheld our hearts from Him and allowed Him no entrance to our love. We mistrusted Him and gave no credit to His words. We rebelled against Him and paid Him no loving homage.

The Sun of Righteousness shone forth, and we could not see Him. Heaven came down to earth, and earth perceived it not. Let God be praised, those days are over with us; yet even now what we know of Jesus is small compared with what He knows of us. We have only begun to study Him, but He knows us altogether.

It is a blessed circumstance that the ignorance is not on His side, for then it would be a hopeless case for us. He will not say to us, “I never knew you,” but He will confess our names in the day of His appearing, and meanwhile will show Himself to us as He does not to the world.

1Psalm 139:16

22 Timothy 2:19

The family reading plan for January 4, 2012

Ezra 4 | Acts 4

Setting Goals for Fruitful Living
2 Samuel 7:18-22 

In the 70s, I experienced a turning point in my walk with Christ. It started with 2 Samuel 7, which inspired me to follow in King David’s footsteps. He spent time alone with God, offering praise and thanksgiving. He would also listen as the Lord revealed truth and offered insight about the future. Because of what he learned, David was able to set goals and stay aligned with them.

Desiring that kind of solitude, I spent several days alone in a camper at Georgia’s Stone Mountain. Most of the time, I was silent, listening intently for God’s voice. I asked Him to speak to me regarding my future, and He answered. Using a journal, I recorded the goals He inspired. The things He communicated so impacted my choices and so greatly blessed me that I continued the discipline every couple of months.

Let’s discuss how to establish aims in this manner. First, come before the throne of Almighty God with a repentant heart, praise, and thanksgiving. Then, ask Him for direction in areas such as spiritual life, career, and family. In silence, wait patiently and attentively—as you read and meditate upon God’s Word, He will speak. Most often, His guidance is experienced as a prodding or conviction in the heart. When that happens, be sure to write down what you’re “hearing” so you can review it later.

In order to stay on the path God intends for our lives, we should plan times to stop, ask, and listen for guidance. The world throws confusing messages at us all day long, and we need to check our course frequently. These conversations with the Lord are vital for a thriving life of godly impact

Keeping Our Eyes on His Goals
Philippians 3:13-15 

Have you ever attempted to walk in a straight line while looking at your feet? Try this on the beach sometime so you can look back at your footprints. You’ll probably be surprised at how crooked the path is. But fix your eyes upon something faraway, and each step will point in the desired direction—toward that distant focal point.

Our lives are like this. If we set goals, then our decisions, actions, and thoughts will lead to the desired end. On the other hand, if we bumble along in life without specific aims, we will wander and waste much precious time and energy.

Goals are crucial to the well-lived life. Why, then, do so many people fail to formulate purposeful aims? Some simply do not see their importance, while others are too lazy to devise a plan or don’t know how to go about it. And then, there are individuals who lack faith in God’s ability to help them achieve their aspirations.

Think about the many goals Jesus had—they drove everything He did. In fact, His life centered around a primary purpose that was set even before time began: to lay down His life on the cross in order to save mankind from sin and glorify the Father. Jesus also had daily aims, such as teaching those who sought righteousness and serving others.

Imagine the impact our lives could have if we asked God to guide our goals. Ask Him today, “What do You want to change about my life? What do You want to accomplish through me? On what and on whom should I focus?” You were created to glorify the Lord and to be fruitful in His service

Renew Your Strength Through God   –   Let the peoples renew their strength.

Isaiah 41:1

All things on earth need to be renewed. No created thing continues by itself. “You renew the face of the ground,”1 was the psalmist’s utterance.

Even the trees, which wear not themselves with care, nor shorten their lives with labor, must drink of the rain of heaven and draw from the hidden treasures of the soil. The cedars of Lebanon, which God has planted, only live because day by day they are full of sap freshly drawn from the earth. Neither can man’s life be sustained without renewal from God. As it is necessary to repair the body by the frequent meal, so we must repair the soul by feeding upon the Book of God, or by listening to the preached Word, or by the soul-fattening table of the ordinances.

How depressed are our graces when means are neglected! What poor starving souls they are who live without the diligent use of the Word of God and secret prayer! If our piety can live without God it is not of divine creating; it is but a dream; for if God had begotten it, it would wait upon Him as the flowers wait upon the dew.

Without constant restoration we are not ready for the perpetual assaults of hell, or the stern afflictions of heaven, or even for the strife within. When the whirlwind shall be loosed, woe to the tree that has not sucked up fresh sap and grasped the rock with many inter-twisted roots.

When tempests arise, woe to the mariners that have not strengthened their mast, nor cast their anchor, nor sought the haven. If we suffer the good to grow weaker, the evil will surely gather strength and struggle desperately for the mastery over us; and as a result a painful desolation and a lamentable disgrace may follow. Let us draw near to the footstool of divine mercy in humble entreaty, and we shall realize the fulfillment of the promise, “They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength.”2

1 Psalm 104:30

2 Isaiah 40:31

The family reading plan for January 2, 2012

Ezra 2 | Acts 2

Simeon, Symeon [Sĭm’eon]—hearing, hears and obeys or hearing with acceptance.

1.The second son of Jacob by Leah ( Gen. 29:33 ).

The Man Who Was Self-Willed

It is not easy to deal with Simeon alone, since he is always associated with his

brother, Levi. “Simeon and Levi are brethren” ( Gen. 49:5 ). Of Simeon’s personal history we know little. His name implies

hearing with obedience, but Simeon was deaf in the day he should have heard, and

disobedient and irresponsive when his lot hung in balance.

The first thing recorded about Simeon is that with Levi his brother, he drew the

sword in treachery against the Shechemites and slew all the males. When rebuked

by their father, they upheld indignantly their right to act as they did. Both

acted “in their selfwill” ( Gen. 49:6 ), which means they took malicious delight in their gross crime.

Simeon next appears in the story of Joseph, who felt it would be better to

retain Simeon until Benjamin had been brought to the palace. Joseph felt with

his father Jacob that Simeon and Levi would be best apart. In fact, Simeon had

no blessing while joined with Levi and no prosperity while he was with Reuben.

When separated, Simeon, at first, did not multiply ( 1 Chron. 4:24-27 ). During the forty years in the wilderness the decrease of

Simeon was remarkable. Because of the idolatry of the tribe, thousands were

slain.

In the land of Canaan, Simeon joined with Judah, and this association marked a

turning point in the history of the tribe. Judah and Simeon went up together to

Canaan ( Judg. 1:1-3 ). Simeon means “obedient hearing,” and Judah, “praise.” The

absorption of Simeon into the inheritance of Judah gave Simeon a place and work

in Israel. In the final division of the land, foretold by Ezekiel, between

Benjamin and Issachar, there is a portion for Simeon.

Over the gate to the Golden City, Simeon’s name is inscribed—“Of the tribe of

Simeon were sealed 12,000”—a way for even Simeon to enter the city of God above.

From the time the Simeonites became aware of what God had done for them there

was no more curse and no more captivity for them. Hitherto instruments of

cruelty, they became instruments of warfare against the enemies of the Lord,

ultimately earning the right to be included among the number eternally sealed ( Rev. 7:7 ).

Self-will fittingly describes Simeon’s career until he was separated from Levi.

God hates self-will for He knows how it accounts for uncontrolled passions, and

the failure to respond to higher appeals. Because of their self-will God, in His

governmental dealings, scattered and impoverished the Simeonites. May we not

come nigh their dwelling but ever seek to learn, prove and obey “that good and

acceptable and perfect will of God.”

 

2.A just and devout man in Jerusalem who awaited the coming of Jesus, the

Messiah ( Luke 2:25-34 ).

The Man Who Died Satisfied

The adoration and prophecy of Simeon, who waited for the consolation of Israel

and blessed the Consoler when He appeared, is rich in spiritual suggestion. This

spectator of the most significant birth of all history, endued with a prophetic

spirit, kept the lamp of prophecy burning when religion was at a low ebb in

Israel. Simeon means “one who hears and obeys” and this saintly Simeon knew the

voice speaking in the prophets of old, and obeyed the light he saw. Coming into

the Temple, he took the Babe in his arms and blessed God. What a wonderful

benediction his was!

At last faith had been justified and Simeon could die without fear. Have our

eyes seen the salvation of the Lord? Can we die in peace? In his swan song,

Simeon was not ashamed to declare that the One born in the city of David was the

Saviour of the world. This was more than the letter-learned scribes of his times

had discerned. These were the men who looked upon Christ as a sign to be spoken

against and to whom He would become a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.

With godly Simeon it was different, for he was Spirit-taught and knew that

Mary’s Child was the One through whom the world was to be blessed. As he eagerly

anticipated Christ’s first advent, are we found patiently awaiting His second

advent? When He does appear and we see Him as He is, ours will be the thrill

Simeon experienced as He gazed upon the Lord’s Christ.

 

3.An ancestor of Jesus ( Luke 3:30 ).

 

4.A disciple and prophet at Antioch, surnamed Niger ( Acts 13:1 ).

 

5.The original name of a son of Jonas, or John, and brother of Andrew an apostle

of Christ. See SIMON  ( Acts 15:14 ).

 

January 01

Morning

“They did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.”

Joshua 5:12

Israel’s weary wanderings were all over, and the promised rest was attained. No

more moving tents, fiery serpents, fierce Amalekites, and howling wildernesses:

they came to the land which flowed with milk and honey, and they ate the old

corn of the land. Perhaps this year, beloved Christian reader, this may be thy

case or mine. Joyful is the prospect, and if faith be in active exercise, it

will yield unalloyed delight. To be with Jesus in the rest which remaineth for

the people of God, is a cheering hope indeed, and to expect this glory so soon

is a double bliss. Unbelief shudders at the Jordan which still rolls between us

and the goodly land, but let us rest assured that we have already

experienced more ills than death at its worst can cause us. Let us banish every

fearful thought, and rejoice with exceeding great joy, in the prospect that this

year we shall begin to be “forever with the Lord.”

 

A part of the host will this year tarry on earth, to do service for their Lord.

If this should fall to our lot, there is no reason why the New Year’s text

should not still be true. “We who have believed do enter into rest.” The Holy

Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance; he gives us “glory begun below.” In

heaven they are secure, and so are we preserved in Christ Jesus; there they

triumph over their enemies, and we have victories too. Celestial spirits enjoy

communion with their Lord, and this is not denied to us; they rest in his love,

and we have perfect peace in him: they hymn his praise, and it is our privilege

to bless him too. We will this year gather celestial fruits on earthly

ground, where faith and hope have made the desert like the garden of the Lord.

Man did eat angels’ food of old, and why not now? O for grace to feed on Jesus,

and so to eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan this year!

 

Evening

“We will be glad and rejoice in thee.”

Song of Solomon 1:4

We will be glad and rejoice in thee. We will not open the gates of the year to

the dolorous notes of the sackbut, but to the sweet strains of the harp of joy,

and the high sounding cymbals of gladness. “O come, let us sing unto the Lord:

let us make a joyful noise unto the rock of our salvation.” We, the called and

faithful and chosen, we will drive away our griefs, and set up our banners of

confidence in the name of God. Let others lament over their troubles, we who

have the sweetening tree to cast into Marah’s bitter pool, with joy will magnify

the Lord. Eternal Spirit, our effectual Comforter, we who are the temples in

which thou dwellest, will never cease from adoring and blessing the

name of Jesus. We will, we are resolved about it, Jesus must have the crown of

our heart’s delight; we will not dishonour our Bridegroom by mourning in his

presence. We are ordained to be the minstrels of the skies, let us rehearse our

everlasting anthem before we sing it in the halls of the New Jerusalem. We will

be glad and rejoice: two words with one sense, double joy, blessedness upon

blessedness. Need there be any limit to our rejoicing in the Lord even now? Do

not men of grace find their Lord to be camphire and spikenard, calamus and

cinnamon even now, and what better fragrance have they in heaven itself? We will

be glad and rejoice in Thee. That last word is the meat in the dish,

the kernel of the nut, the soul of the text. What heavens are laid up in Jesus!

What rivers of infinite bliss have their source, aye, and every drop of their

fulness in him! Since, O sweet Lord Jesus, thou art the present portion of thy

people, favour us this year with such a sense of thy preciousness, that from its

first to its last day we may be glad and rejoice in thee. Let January open with

joy in the Lord, and December close with gladness in Jesus.