Daily Readings - Nov. 1-7 Sunday - Luke 23-24 Monday - John 1-3 Tuesday - John 4-5 Wednesday- John 6-8 Thursday - John 9-10 Friday - John 11-12 Saturday - John 13-16 ***** “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honor of His name: make His praise glorious.” (PSALM 66:1-2) ***** Last Will and Testament “And for this cause He is the Mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth” (Hebrews 9:15-17). Every year a list is published with the names of people who stand to inherit money, land or other possessions. However, because they cannot be located or notified, their inheritance goes unclaimed. Sometimes these people are the legal beneficiaries of vast sums of money yet many will never receive that which is rightfully theirs simply because their whereabouts is unknown. The Lord Jesus Christ, in old eternity, wrote His last will and testament, and it is called the Covenant of Grace. In that legal, binding agreement, the names of His chosen people were inscribed in a book called the Lamb’s Book of Life. These chosen ones stand to receive a glorious inheritance purposed for them by the Lord Himself. It is not possible that one of these beneficiaries will fail to receive the promised blessings. The Testator, Christ Jesus the Lord, died and sealed His will with His own blood and ever lives to ensure that all those whose names are in the heavenly register receive the blessings appointed for them before the world began. He satisfied the infinite justice of God for them by His death, sealing His will and testament with His own blood. He knows where each beneficiary is located and in time will call them to repentance toward God and faith in Himself by the power of His Spirit through the word of the gospel. Unlike a mere man who makes a will, dies and is then dependent upon someone else to carry out the stipulations of his will, the God-Man ever lives. He is the Sovereign Ruler over all things, and He is the Executor of His own estate. All of His sheep will receive notification of their inclusion in His will (by the regenerating grace of the Holy Spirit) and will be made to rejoice in their glorious Benefactor. The living, reigning Savior will see to it that His last will and testament is accomplished. It is not possible that any of His children will fail to receive the decreed inheritance. –Pastor Jim Byrd, Thirteenth Street Baptist Church ***** What Is Love? We speak of love for others often, but what is love? The Word of God declares, “God is love,” and also reveals many things which love does but not what it is. Therefore, I have defined love as follows: love is a living principle which aspires to bestow the best it can on the objects of its affection and cannot be happy except to the extent it fulfills this aspiration. –J. D. Butler *****
The Lord Our Righteousness I am a sinful man, of that there is no doubt. As I reflect upon my life, I see nothing but wretchedness and pollution. Rather than growing better, it seems I grow worse. I can certainly echo the words of the inspired apostle, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not” (Romans 7:18). Although I am indeed a sinner, yet I am not filled with despair because Christ Jesus is my Redeemer and my Righteousness. In Him I have no sin, no fear of death, no sting of conscience and no dread of judgment. There is no condemnation to them who, by the grace of God, are in Christ Jesus. Yes, I am a sinner as touching this present life, and I need not expect any improvement in my fleshly condition. However, by the substitutionary cross-death of the Son of God, I have been made the righteousness of God in Him. –Pastor Jim Byrd
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