God's Word For Every Day

"Jeremiah's horizon stretches to the heathen nations - here it is Egypt, and the outlook is dark, as it is for every God-forgetting nation. But in verses 27-28, there are promises full of comfort to God's people - 27 “Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid. 28  Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you,” declares the Lord . “Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.” Are you under a cloud today? Then this is your word from God. Grasp it with both hands and rejoice!" (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 46:1-27, Gardenstown Church, Friday 31st August 1956)

“‘ Alas, sword of the Lord , ho w long till you rest? Return to your sheath;   cease and be still.’  But how can it rest when the Lord has commanded it, when he has ordered it to attack Ashkelon and the coast?” (Jeremiah 47:6-7). It is all very well to complain about desolation and judgment in the land - but it is God who brings these things, and only He can turn our captivity around. Think how little men, even Christian men, heed God's dealings, then you will see how impossible it is for His sword to be quiet. It has more work to do yet, before blessing comes."  (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 47:1-7, Gardenstown Church, Saturday 1st September 1956)

"This chapter reads like a whirlwind! And the Lord is in the whirlwind. What has angered God at Moab? See verse 26 - “Make her drunk, for she has defied the Lord . Let Moab wallow in her vomit;     let her be an object of ridicule." - this is the sin of sins. Judgment inevitably falls upon it, in man or nation. Yet God's mercy can cure it and remove it - “Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in days to come,” declares the Lord ." (47). There is nothing too hard for the Lord." (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 48:1-17, Gardenstown Church, Sunday 2nd September 1956)

"Learn here that God's love (Jeremiah 31:3) is the source of true joy and gladness and rejoicing. If we are considered by others to be dull and over-seriously pious, it is not that we are too religious, but not religious enough. Can it be that we have missed the joy of God's love?" (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 31:3-9, Gardenstown Church, Sunday 5th August 1956)

"What price now those who say that the Old Testament God is a grim, harsh God? Bathe in the sunshine of these promises. Look at Jeremiah 31:12. Parched soul, write your name above this one, and discouraged one, take Jeremiah 31:16  from the Lord, and smile again!" (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 31:10-22, Gardenstown Church, Monday 6th August 1956)

O ld Testament Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms 1-50 Psalms 51-100 Psalms 101-150 Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi New Testament Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation

"  I have been  crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the  life  which I now live in the flesh  I live by faith in the Son of God,  who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). Many years ago, in the early years of my Christian life, I was greatly blessed through reading two books - Watchman Nee's book, The Normal Christian Life , and John Stott's book, Men Made New. Watchman Nee concentrated much attention on Galatians 2:20, while John Stott focused on Romans 6 (as part of a series of talks on Romans 5-8, given at the Keswick Convention). These faithful men of God instructed me in the things of God. Their ministry was reinforced by two other booklets - William Still's booklet, Towards Spiritual Maturity , and James Philip's booklet, Christian Maturity. Each of these men - Watchman Nee, John Stott, William Still and James Philip - have entered into the glory of their Lord. They were faithful men in th...

"It was jealousy that moved Ishmael to murder Gedaliah. The Bible has a habit of revealing the fateful consequences of human passions. Who amongst us really believes that that jealous spirit within is capable of this? Believe the Bible rather than your own feelings, and be on your guard. Root it out!"  (Rev James Philip on Jeremiah 41:1-10, Gardenstown Church, Friday 24th August 1956)

"Once the stroke of God is past, the air clears and a better spirit pervades the community,under Gedaliah's kindly governorship. God's blessing on the land again appears (Jeremiah 40:12). How quick He is to turn His anger away. He doth not willingly afflict the children of men. Slow to chide, and swift to bless is our God!" (Rev James Philip on Jeremiah 40:7-16, Gardenstown Church, Thursday 23rd August 1956).

“The impressive thing here is the respect shown to Jeremiah by the pagan authorities. Strange, is it not that the outsiders seem more able  to recognize the worth of God’s servants than God’s people do? Familiarity, they say, breeds contempt. A prophet is not without honour save in his own country.” (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 40:1-6, Gardenstown Church, Wednesday 22nd August 1956)

"The wilderness (Jeremiah 31:2) is God's 'qualifying' class for His children! We have so often to learn the hard way! What is your 'wilderness'? Sorrow, loneliness, poverty of spirit? Have you found grace there? It is at hand. Lord, open mine eyes that I may see!" (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 31:1-3, Gardesnstown Church, Saturday 4th August 1956)

"Now see where one man's jealousy has led! The remnant feel themselves forced to go down to Egypt. Egypt has ever spelt doom to God's people, from Abraham downwards. There is a pull towards Egypt in all our hearts. That is where the battle lies for us. Resist!" (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 41:11-18, Gardenstown Church, Saturday 25th August 1956)

"Here is a favourite trick people have, when they resist God's will - they do not dare oppose God openly, they take it out on the Lord's servants. Many honoured and faithful servants of God suffer agonies when the spleen of convicted Christians vents itself upon them, Friends, your quarrel is not with the servant, but with servant's God. Beware!"  (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 43:1-13, Gardenstown Church, Monday 27th August 1956)

"Amidst his ministry to the nations, this spiritual giant has time  for a penetrating word for his scribe. Often the larger affairs of national prophecy can conceal petty ambitions in lesser men. Baruch wanted to be something - and instantly the discerning prophet pierced his heart with these searching and challenging words, "Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them." (5). Is this a word for you today?" (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 45:1-5, Gardenstown Church, Thursday 30th August 1956)

"Study the end of verse 28 - 'My word, or theirs, saith the Lord.' This is the ultimate test. In darkness or shadow, it is always God's Word that stands. Heaven and earth will pass away, but not His Word. It is our wisdom to remember this all our days!" (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 44:20-30, Gardenstown Church, Wednesday 29th August 1956)

"Notice the deceit - they pretend earnestly to seek the Lord's guidance, but at heart they simply desire God to approve a course they had already decided upon. All too often this is how we deal with God.We make up our minds, then close them to God's mind. Is it a wonder that we go astray?" (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 42:1-22, Gardenstown Church, Sunday 26th August 1956)

"If people do the same in Egypt as they have done at home, the same punishment will overtake them. One marvels at the perversity of their hearts, to have learned so little from the sack of Jerusalem. But do we learn from the judgments God sends upon us? Do they make us repent, and learn righteousness? (Isaiah 26:9)."  (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 44:1-19, Gardenstown Church,  Tuesday 28th August 1956)

"One marvels at the grace God shows even in His wrath to wicked men. Captivity is ordained for Zedekiah, yet God wills to restrain the Babylonian conqueror, and will not allow Zedekiah to be killed. We need to remember that Satan takes orders from God - he can do no more than God allows." (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 34:1-7, Gardenstown Church, Tuesday 14th August 1956)

"This points forward to the coming of Israel's King, Christ. What a wonder-working God is ours! He gives the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Jeremiah 33:11). And if He can do this for a whole people, will He stumble at our individual needs? Look to Him. He is able." (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 33:10-26, Gardenstown Church, Monday 13th August 1956)

"Remember, God is promising these blessings to a repentant people - that must never be left out. His promises are grace, our response is faith, we are to call upon Him (Jeremiah 33:3) and take from Him what He offers. James says, 'Ye have not because ye ask not.'  Is that why you are unblessed?" (Rev James Philip, Notes on Jeremiah 33:1-9, Gardenstown Church, Sunday 12th August 1956)