This perpetual calendar includes:
- Remarkable testimonies of souls won to the Savior
- Explanations of gospel concepts
- Answers to frequently-asked questions
- Stories of real-life witnessing opportunities
- Encouragements and tips for sharing the glorious gospel
May 22
“For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb 4:12). The paradox of the Bible is this: At the same time it is the most comforting and the most discomforting book in the world. It lifts up the lowly and casts down the proud. The Word succors the suffering as a mother hugs a weeping child; but it also slaps us in the face. It says those who are alive are dead, but those who are dead “in Christ” are alive. This Wonder Book repels men, yet it draws men. It offers men hope, yet it casts them into despair. It says men who have everything have nothing, yet those who have nothing (but Christ) have everything. It declares that men who say they “know” do not know, and that men who the world says know nothing can triumphantly say, “We know that we have passed from death unto life.” — Leonard Ravenhill
Today’s Reading: Job 27-29 Memorize: Matthew 19:26May 21
Here is the conversion story of Charlotte Elliott, author of “Just as I Am.” Dr. Cesar Malan of Geneva, visiting in the Elliott home, asked Charlotte if she knew herself to really be a Christian. She was in poor health and often harassed with severe pain, which tended to make her irritable. She resented the question, and petulantly answered that was a matter she did not wish to discuss. Dr. Malan replied that he would not pursue a subject that displeased her, but would pray that she might give her heart to Christ. The Holy Spirit used her rude conduct to show her what depths of pride and alienation from God were in her heart. After several days of misery, she apologized and confessed that his question had troubled her greatly. “I am miserable” she said, “I want to come to Jesus; but I don’t know how.” “Why not come just as you are?” answered Malan. Little did Malan think that his simple reply would be repeated in song by the whole Christian world! — Christopher Knapp
Today’s Reading: Job 24-26 Memorize: Matthew 18:11May 20
Salvation includes many interconnected teachings. Here are some examples: “Whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Rom. 8:29-30). “Blessed be the God…who…chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,…having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:3-7). These many blessings are necessary to meet certain requirements of the law, to correct deficiencies in man, to provide new resources for the life of faith, or to manifest the glories of God. No wonder it is “so great salvation” (Heb. 2:3)!
Today’s Reading: Job 21-23 Memorize: Matthew 18:2-3May 19
Edward and Anna Scott arrived in India in the fall of 1862. Settling in the northeast state of Assam, they threw themselves into the work of God. However, after seven years, Scott felt the Lord calling him to take the gospel into what is now Nagaland. The Naga were brutal head hunters. Before a man was allowed to marry, he must kill at least 30 of his enemies. The British military commander warned him it would cost him his life. But Scott persisted, and with his Bible and violin, he headed into Nagaland. Soon he was surrounded by twelve spear-wielding warriors. Things looked bleak, but Scott took his violin and began to play and sing, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” Mesmerized by the music, they slowly lowered their spears. Scott then asked the chiefs for their permission to live among them and they agreed. Scott’s ministry was greatly blessed by the Lord. Today 90% of those in Nagaland profess to “crown Him Lord of all,” the highest in all of India.
Today’s Reading: Job 18-20 Memorize: Matthew 16:26May 18
I had a long wait leaving Prescott, Arizona, but finally the right man came along. “I don’t know why I stopped,” he said. “You’re the first man I’ve ever picked up.” “Perhaps the Lord had something to do with it,” I replied. When I asked if he would like to be saved and know it, he exclaimed, “Just this week I went to see a preacher. I asked if he could tell me how to get right with God. He said, ‘Join my church and pay your tithes.’” I said, “It would have done you just as much good if you had joined the Elks and paid your dues. Salvation isn’t by joining or paying, but by believing and receiving. ‘The gift of God is eternal life’ (Rom 6:23).” It wasn’t long until this man trusted the Lord as his own Savior. Here is where the works gospel fails. It gets the prodigal a better job in the far country, and leaves him there. But the gospel of grace gets him back to the Father’s house, where there is “bread enough and to spare.” — George Watmough, Hitchhiking on Purpose, pp 38-39
Today’s Reading: Job 13-17 Memorize: Matthew 12:30May 17
“In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be self lovers, money lovers,…pleasure lovers and no God lovers; having a form of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Tim 3:1-5). Who are the people we meet every day? George Barna writes: “The most quoted ‘Bible verse’ in America is: ‘God helps those who help themselves’; 82 percent believe that is a direct quote from the Bible…Our research has discovered that fewer than 10 percent of American Christians actually possess a biblical worldview…In short, the spirituality of Americans is Christian in name only. We desire experience more than knowledge. We prefer choices to absolutes. We embrace preferences rather than truths. We seek comfort rather than growth. Faith must come on our terms or we reject it. We have enthroned ourselves as the final arbiters of righteousness, the ultimate rulers of our own experience and destiny. We are the Pharisees of the new millennium.” — The Second Coming of the Church, pp 22-23
Today’s Reading: Job 10-12 Memorize: Matthew 12:18-21May 16
In his remarkable account, Incidents of Gospel Work, Charles Stanley of Rotherham, England writes: “On one occasion I felt a distinct call to preach at a place I had only seen once. I did not know the name of the town, but I described it to a person from Staffordshire, who told me it was Uttoxeter. I continued in prayer during that week. On Friday I received a letter from Tenby, South Wales, enclosing a letter from a believer from Uttoxeter, asking the lady in Tenby if she could forward the enclosed letter to me. It was a request for me to preach the gospel at Uttoxeter. I immediately went and a number were gathered to Christ. Was this an accident? Why should we doubt the guidance of the Holy Spirit now, as He was manifestly present in the beginning? Jesus said, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall send you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.” If we were more simple, we should know far more of His divine guidance in our path of service.
Today’s Reading: Job 7-9 Memorize: Matthew 11:28-30